tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25176719714233561792024-03-05T06:21:42.836-06:00Smothers' SoliloquySharing the joy and humor in life as I work out what it means to be a Physician Assistant, and a "grown up." Cooking stories, travel blogs, and the occassional oddball thrown into the mix!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-90271142713163112802016-06-07T13:57:00.002-05:002016-07-25T23:56:09.257-05:00The day we decided to vaccinate our child.<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-or1gLWlZdfk/V5bklGFjsuI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/EXY4RpgNhfI/s640/blogger-image--1271847717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-or1gLWlZdfk/V5bklGFjsuI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/EXY4RpgNhfI/s640/blogger-image--1271847717.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whew- this took many months to write. I'm not sure it's edited fully and ready to post yet, but I need to say it. It's just that important. </span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I just opened up a can of worms! And now everyone feels uncomfortable.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've seen a lot of research lately. I feel like part of the mommy instinct wants you to "research" and read and find out just exactly IS best for you and your family.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And I believe this looks different for all families.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also believe this changes over time.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm not writing this post to tell you that what you've decided for your family is bad/wrong. I'm also not writing this to be a definitive-go-to for mothers to defend why they choose to vaccinate their children. I'm writing it so we can have open discussion. So there is room for talk and debate. And most importantly, because I like to express my views by writing. This is for me. And my family. This is why WE have chosen to vaccinate our child:</span><br>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I believe in science.</b><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also believe that I don't/ can't ever know everything.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I believe in good natural health/nutrition before medications/medical interventions. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I believe in figuring out what is best, questioning what's out there.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But I super don't believe in Blogs/ news articles/ opinion websites as legitimate sources of information. They often present one side of the story, incomplete evidence, and statistics designed to make you consider one side or one way of thinking. I like the CDC because they have risks and side effects (more than just the ones your doctor will tell you about) displayed nicely. The only drawback is that not all of the information is up-to-date on the newest vaccines. But overall, its a trustworthy source and I'll use links to it below. I know a lot of people "don't trust the CDC after the whistleblower incident." But that study was later retracted from the magazine it was published in, because it was wrong. </span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While I will never agree with you for not immunizing your kids, I won't slam you for it.</span></div><div><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just be careful, ok? I have read far too many blogs with incorrect information about vaccines and herd immunity and risks. These bloggers are fantastic writers, making you want to believe all of the conclusions they draw. But they leave big gaps in their research and they draw incorrect conclusions. But you have to also critically evaluate what these people believe. Did you know Mike Adams, one of the main writers of <a href="http://naturalnews.com/" target="_blank">NaturalNews.com</a> doesn't believe that HIV causes AIDS? (A fact science has known for years-just look it up on wikipedia) He also believes in things like Chemtrails (a belief that airplanes are dumping chemicals designed to make us all stupid). Is that someone you trust for scientific information on vaccines?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope not.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can disagree with me. Please ask me questions. Critically evaluate the sources I've listed for you. If you have questions about things I don't address here, I'd be more than happy to answer them for you.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I use links from a lot of journal articles, some from wikipedia, and some from websites or blogs. I make sure the person who wrote the blog I use has actual credentials. I understand that wiki isn't the best source....</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But, this is WHY we have chosen to vaccinate our child. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>The committees say to (here are committee position statements)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anyone can find a few doctors who say "vaccines are evil" but what do MOST organizations and physicians say about vaccines? The key word, in case you missed it, was MOST. Position statements are a good way to determine what a large group of physicians think.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">American Academy of Pediatrics Statement: (over 60,000 pediatrician members)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“One very important step in ensuring the health of any child is to make sure he or she receives immunizations at the correct time. Whether it's a childhood MMR vaccine or an adolescent pertussis booster, these simple procedures can save lives – and AAP is here to answer any questions you may have about childhood immunization.” <a href="http://www2.aap.org/immunization/" target="_blank">http://www2.aap.org/immunization/</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ACIP Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: (15 experts)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a group of medical and public health experts that develops recommendations on how to use vaccines to control diseases in the United States. The recommendations stand as public health advice that will lead to a reduction in the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases and an increase in the safe use of vaccines and related biological products.” <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/about.html" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/about.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">WHO (World Health Organization):</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“In accordance with WHO’s mandate to provide guidance to Member States on health policy matters, the organization is tasked with developing evidence-based immunization policy recommendations. In 1999 an independent advisory group, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, was established by the Director-General and charged with providing guidance to WHO on global policy recommendations and strategies. SAGE is concerned with all vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccination programmes for all ages.” <a href="http://www.who.int/immunization/policy/en/" target="_blank">http://www.who.int/immunization/policy/en/</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People way smarter than me sit down in a group (the ACIP: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) to discuss RESEARCH articles. These are articles that a scientist submits to a paper, colleagues look over it and decide if it is legit, then it is published in the paper. These research people make recommendations for what the vaccine schedule should be. They look at science. Not opinion or hearsay, cold hard science. They don't get paid for selling vaccines. They aren't influenced by big, bad drug companies. They have qualifications for research studies. The studies often have to be double-blinded- placebo-controlled-randomized studies. They don't include all studies. I've seen a lot of blogs cite a "study" that shows links of vaccines to autism. Just because a study exists doesn't mean it is true, or the information contained in it is correct. It has to be peer-reviewed and published in a reputable journal. It has to have a large population to be significant statistically. So be careful when you "look at a study."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Never heard of the ACIP? Here's more about who they are: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/about.html" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/about.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I take my vaccination advice from scientists with medical degrees, not people like Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carey. Her son didn't even have autism! And yes, I understand a lot of people feel they have "spent more time researching than doctors have," but honestly, that probably isn't true. Do you understand how long doctors go to school? 4 years of undergrad, and 4 years of med school, and 3-10 more years of residency/fellowships. They learn how to research during that time, learn physiology and understand how vaccines work, and learn what sources to trust. They are VERY well educated. You may or may not be well educated. <i> Reading blogs and websites does not make you well qualified to make decisions about your child’s health. </i> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If blog's and websites were enough, emergency rooms and doctors offices would become a thing of the past. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>2.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>What about anecdotes- people who say their child “isn’t the same” or something happened? Or what about a vaccine reaction?</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Statistics don't lie. Often anecdotal evidence is often unfounded. You probably know someone that knows someone that claims "I know these shots gave my child autism." People look at an event, like getting their child shots on a Wednesday, and then another event, fever of 104 that Saturday, and assume the two are related. They may be related. They may not be related. You can't just look at anecdotal evidence. That mom will always feel the vaccines caused the autism. But if you line up 1,000,000 kids, they will find that its not the CAUSE of the autism, just an event that happened to occur before the autism. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">CORRELATION DOES NOT IMPLY CAUSATION. I capitalized this because I think this is a huge falicy people make when looking at research. For example: Did you know people who don't brush their teeth are statistically more likely to die in a car crash? Why is that? Does not brushing your teeth lead to reckless driving and death? Or do these people share other characteristics that cause them to die? (Spoiler alert-they do!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Does getting a pertussis shot increase your risk for SIDS? The only way to know that is by studying a large group of people who got the shot, and a large group who was randomized to receive a fake shot. (Which is unethical!) You can't just compare it to people who elected NOT to get the shot. Then you have to compare SIDS rates in the two groups. If it did cause SIDS it would have been pulled off the market. (I have studies about this later in the section where I talk about vaccine safety)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here is a nifty graph I love when it comes to correlation and causation. The following two things are perfectly correlated. But does that mean one caused the other? (Clearly, no)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The source: (it's a blog, and he's not very kind to people who don't vaccinate)</span></div>
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<a href="http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/dr-oz-autism-and-gmos/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/dr-oz-autism-and-gmos/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The US government used to give out money to people claiming to be "injured" by the pertussis vaccine (DTP- which is no longer used in America). They said it caused seizures. And SIDS. So the supreme court paid them. And finally, when there was research to back up that claim, they stopped paying. Because the rate of seizures and SIDS was the SAME in the vaccinated group and unvaccinated group. Now we use a safer vaccine called DTaP for children and Tdap for adults. It is made of acellular pertussis instead of whole pertussis, and doesn't protect as well. Which is one of the reasons we have seen pertussis come back: because it doesn't give lifelong immunity (just like getting "natural immunity" from a pertussis infection, but more on that later)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wikipedia has a great article on this topic: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_causation</a> And yes, wikipedia isn't the end-all-be-all or the definitive resource. But it does well to explain topics.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's an example about correlation vs causation stolen directly from the above link to wikipedia:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It tells something true, then reaches an over-generalization, then explains why that's not true.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"As <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_cream" target="_blank" title="Ice cream">ice cream</a> sales increase, the rate of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drowning" target="_blank" title="Drowning">drowning</a> deaths increases sharply.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Therefore, ice cream consumption causes drowning."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The aforementioned example fails to recognize the importance of time and temperature in relationship to ice cream sales. Ice cream is sold during the hot <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer" target="_blank" title="Summer">summer</a> months at a much greater rate than during colder times, and it is during these hot summer months that people are more likely to engage in activities involving water, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_swimming" target="_blank" title="Human swimming">swimming</a>. The increased drowning deaths are simply caused by more exposure to water-based activities, not ice cream. The stated conclusion is false."</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have seen people draw the same conclusions about vaccines. <i>I will not draw my own conclusions.</i> I need to see good, peer-reviewed research.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just because your child dies a week or even 1 day after the vaccine, does not mean the death was caused by the vaccine. This article is a link to a website that says that girls have died and had immune system compromise following the Gardasil vaccine. ALL their evidence is anecdotal, there is no scientific study presented. <a href="http://sanevax.org/gardasil-vaccine-one-girl-dead/" target="_blank">http://sanevax.org/gardasil-vaccine-one-girl-dead/</a> The problem with anecdotal evidence is that people make correlation imply causation, similar to the ice cream causing drowning example above. This is a dangerous train of thought! In the 3rd paragraph down, this article says that yes, 32 deaths "from the gardasil vaccine" are reported to VAERS. But after autopsy, these children died from other things such as viral illness, illicit drug use, heart failure, and diabetes. Just because a reaction is reported to VAERS doesn't mean it is actually caused by the vaccine. VAERS is all anecdotal evidence. The government looks into the claims and it pays for any actual injury where they see causation.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And you may know someone who knows someone that feels their child was injured by a vaccine. But there are kids injured by vaccine-preventable things too, but no one talks about them. Think I'm lying? No one gets vaccine-preventable diseases anymore? Think that everyone who gets a vaccine-preventable illness is "just fine with some rest and natural home remedies?!" Well, not all of them are. Check out this little book the doctors at Texas Children's Hospital put together: <a href="http://web.texaschildrens.org/multimedia/flipbook/vaccine-book/" target="_blank">http://web.texaschildrens.org/multimedia/flipbook/vaccine-book/</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a great story of a mother who did everything right. She ate only organic foods. She didn't vaccinate her kids. Yet her daughter has autism anyway. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.voicesforvaccines.org/how-my-daughter-taught-me-that-vaccines-do-not-cause-autism/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.voicesforvaccines.org/how-my-daughter-taught-me-that-vaccines-do-not-cause-autism/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Can we agree that autism isn't the end of the world? Children with autism are still children. Precious and loved by God. The scientific community has rejected the lie that vaccines cause autism. I feel it's high time others reject that too. (I'm looking at you Robert De Niro.) </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A child with rubella can kill the fetus of a pregnant mother. Did you know that?? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Heard Immunity is not a lie. I've read blogs on that, and these great writers don't understand what they're talking about. And if you disagree with me, let's discuss this later. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For a full discussion of safety, including links to papers written about vaccines, please see point #9 below. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I believe that vaccines work. I believe in what I do. I'm in the medical field. I'm a PA-C. (Nationally Certified Physician Assistant/Associate) I believe that vaccines work. And while an antibiotic or drug will NEVER be my first choice for treatment, I believe that sometimes they're necessary. I don't believe everyone needs a flu shot, but I agree that I should have one because it helps protect the community. And children (even previously healthy children) can die from the flu. Not to mention all the sick children and elderly folks out there. But we'll get to that later. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And what about the package inserts? Haven't I read those? Doctors get accused of not reading those...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, yeah. I have read them. But they are legal documents, not medical documents. Manufacturers are required to list ANYTHING that occurs within 6 weeks of the vaccine, whether or not it was related to the immunization. So, the chicken pox/ varicella shot had a broken leg listed as a "side effect." Although it is clearly not.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I trust my son's doctor when he gives me advice. If my son stopped breathing I would call 911 and have him taken to the nearest ER. I trust doctors for these things. I trust doctors, period. I believe (most) people become doctors because they care about other people. Especially doctors that treat kids. Pediatricians aren't the ones making billions of dollars. They don't make money off vaccines. At best most doctors break even with shots. Again, more about that later. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>4.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>We have awesome vaccines. But why do we have so many? (Ingredients and efficacy are addressed later)</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This article in the NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms1215400" target="_blank">http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms1215400</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Shows "We estimate that 103 million cases of childhood diseases (95% of those that would otherwise have occurred) have been prevented since 1924; in the past decade alone, 26 million cases (99% of those that would otherwise have occurred) were prevented." That's huge. Vaccines work! Anyone telling you something different is likely selling you something. (a book, "natural remedies," essential oils...)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you think that diseases were eradicated by "better sanitation and hand washing" Please take a look at the photo (from the link below. You can agree that by 1988 (less than 30 years ago!) most places had clean, running water. Yet, there was so much polio. Once we decided to help give the polio vaccine worldwide, that's when we started seeing polio eradicated!</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/polio/progress/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.cdc.gov/polio/progress/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why do we have so many vaccines? </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've seen this "meme" posted a few times on facebook:</span></div>
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<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><font size="3">(I found this online-I'm not sure where. It looks like the website is DrMomma.org) </font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, kids today get a lot more shots now than the average child that was born in 1983. Well, for one thing, we are protecting against A LOT more diseases. In 1983 there was no vaccine for: Rotavirus, Hib (Hemophilus influenzae type b bacteria-not to be confused with the flu), PCV (Pneumococcal pneumonia), Hep B (Hepatitis B), Varicella (chicken pox), Hep A (Hepatitis A, Influenza (yearly because the flu strains change from year-to-year). We also have a few different vaccines now. The DTP was changed to DTaP and the OPV was changed to IPV.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">THAT'S SEVEN MORE DISEASES WE PREVENT NOW!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1983 people still DIED from those diseases.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For example-this is directly from the website below: "<span style="line-height: 25px;">Chickenpox (varicella) used to be very common in the United States before the chickenpox vaccine became available in 1995. In the early 1990s, an average of 4 million people got chickenpox, 10,500 to 13,000 were hospitalized (range, 8,000 to 18,000), and 100 to 150 died each year. Most of the severe complications and deaths from chickenpox occurred in people who were previously healthy. Each year, more than 3.5 million cases of varicella, 9,000 hospitalizations, and 100 deaths are prevented by varicella vaccination in the United States. For more information, see </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/hcp/monitoring-varicella.html" style="line-height: 25px;" target="_blank">Monitoring the Impact Varicella Vaccination</a><span style="line-height: 25px;">."</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, 100 or 150 <b>previously healthy </b>children died each year from chicken pox, but that's 100 children that don't die now. If my child was one of the 100 that died, you would bet I would be devastated! In fact, if my child was one of the 10,500 that had to be hospitalized each year, I would probably have been super frustrated. Chicken pox is NOT a harmless disease! Even if my kid didn't die, just watching him miserable and itchy and in bed with a fever would be heartbreaking enough! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some parents say "I don't want my child getting the Hepatitis B shot at birth, because that's a STD and my CHILD won't be having sex." Which is true. But it can also be transmitted by an accidental needle stick or BY A BITE FROM ANOTHER PERSON. I work in healthcare, putting me at risk for accidental needle sticks. The state of Texas <i>will not let me work </i>without a Hepatitis B vaccine. And because I work in healthcare, I have SEEN someone who has a lifelong infection of Hepatitis B from a bite she got from another kid when she was 3 years old. That is why we vaccinate so young! And I won't even go into the cases of child abuse I've seen. Sh*t happens! Protect your kids from it! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And guys, you know there are a bunch of shots that AREN'T routine. There's a yellow fever shot- which we don't get (unless you're traveling overseas). There's also a typhoid fever shot. Shocking, right? If it was just a ploy to make money, we would all be getting these shots! (More on that later, but spoiler alert-it's not about making money!)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>5.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>The world is sick- I want to love the world</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This world is sick. Diseases, many which are vaccine-preventable, are just a plane-ride away. I believe a vaccine is the best way to protect my children from diseases and death.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know not all vaccines are 100% effective (flu and pertussis only cover some of the more common strains of the disease) but I would rather protect them 60% than 0%. If parents in my clinic want to skip on shots, I want them to know what shots they're skipping, and how they're going to prevent the child from coming into contact with the disease. This link agrees that vaccines aren't 100% effective <a href="http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/why/protecting.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/why/protecting.cfm</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are some of the rates of effectiveness over time for vaccines: <a href="http://www.immune.org.nz/category/tags/vaccine-duration" target="_blank">http://www.immune.org.nz/category/tags/vaccine-duration</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People say that catching the disease gives you lifelong immunity. That's a lie for some diseases. For pertussis, both the shot and the disease people are immune for a minimum of 4 years. getting pertussis CAN have you stay immune for 20 years, the shot up to 12 years. Neither are lifelong <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15876927" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15876927</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For measles, both the shot (if you get the recommended 2 doses) and the disease give you lifelong immunity: <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/" target="_blank">http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/</a> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Interestingly enough (warning: this evidence is anecdotal) I work next to the employee health center of my hospital. I don't work for employee health, but my desk sits there. We draw titers on employees before they can work. The state of Texas (made law by a senate bill) will not let you work in a healthcare center if you are not immune to measles, mumps, rubella, Hep B, and varicella (chicken pox). I watch them draw titers all the time and call people that aren't immune so they can get vaccinated. Most people, even our elderly volunteers and our younger volunteers who have had the shots, are immune to all these diseases. Vaccines (some of them) can provide lifetime immunity!</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Below is a nifty little explanation on why some vaccines don't give lifelong immunity and why some do. Really, I want to make sure my kid can make it to age 2. After that, I trust his body's immune system. Before that all the anti-vaxxers make me nervous because the shots haven't been completed. (and yes, I know this info is from a drug company, but it was the best, easiest to follow explanation I could find for why some vaccines give lifelong immunity and some don't.) </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.meningitis.com/newsroom/Vaccine_Development_Conjugate_vs_Polysaccharide.pdf" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.meningitis.com/newsroom/Vaccine_Development_Conjugate_vs_Polysaccharide.pdf</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Americans don't have to worry about their neighbors having measles. (yet) Some countries don't have that luxury. I've seen mothers walk 5 miles each way to get their kid a measles vaccine. Or a tuberculosis vaccine (BCG...and no, we don't use this in America because the risk of catching TB (tuberculosis) is so much lower here) because their neighbors in Congo have been re-locating closer and they have seen those children die of vaccine-preventable diseases. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are some statistics of measles around the world: <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/" target="_blank">http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs286/en/</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Think your non-vaccinated kid is safe outside of America? They're not. Even Mexico has cases of measles.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not to mention things like polio, tuberculosis, and rubella that we aren't worried about in America. Just like we saw Ebola and Zika, infections can get on a plane and travel to America very easily. Or like the case of measles that started in Disneyland and spread to over 70 people. (most were unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. And yes, some were vaccinated- but that's a topic for another time) </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I want to love this WHOLE WORLD as God calls me to. I want to take my children with me and that may include exposing them to higher populations of measles. I don't want to say, "no, God, I will not take my children back with me to Zambia because that would needlessly be putting them at risk for measles." I also don't want to say, "Wow, church, I'm glad you're passionate about loving the immigrants that come to Dallas, but they aren't all vaccinated and they could be harboring diseases so for the sake of my children, I won't help volunteer with them." And I refuse to put my children in harm's way when a vaccine could save their life.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you don't vaccinate your children, you can't safely travel with them worldwide. You can't volunteer in refugee communities. They can't work (or volunteer) in healthcare. That's a choice you made for them when you refused to vaccinate. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People have been anti-vaxxers since the smallpox vaccine was created. Its not new. Its not the "cool" thing to do. If you want some early history on the smallpox vaccine (and the beginning of the vaccine controversy) Wikipedia has a good article. And I know, wiki isn't the best source of information. But it does just fine for historical context <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_vaccine" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallpox_vaccine</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Did you know one child dies EVERY 20 SECONDS from a vaccine-preventable disease? <a href="http://shotatlife.org/learn/" target="_blank">http://shotatlife.org/learn/</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sure, none of these children are in America. But they exist.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We don't use the OPV (oral polio vaccine) anymore because it isn't as safe as the IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) and our children will never experience the vaccine for TB (BCG vaccine) because that isn't a problem in this country. We don't have massive outbreaks of malaria, TB, or measles like other countries do. This keeps my children and your children-regardless on your stance for vaccination- safer! Many people in countries around the world still loose children from vaccine-preventable illnesses because they simply don't have access to a vaccine.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a link to find out more info on the vaccine used in America (IPV) and the vaccine used in mosst 3rd world contries (OPV). Most parents don't know there is a difference in these vaccines. Yes, there is a chance your kid can get polio from the OPV. But since we do not use that form of the vaccine now, there is no longer that risk.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>6.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> <u> </u></span><u>I want to protect</u></b><b><u> those around us, yes there is risk to us.</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some kids can't get vaccines. Like kids with leukemia. I want to help those kids.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or the little newborn squishy babies that can't get shots. Or the elderly, fragile folks. I want to protect them too. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Parents in this country have suffered from losing children to vaccine-preventable illnesses. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You want to participate in government-run activities? You want to be part of the freedom that America was founded on? America wouldn't be here without people who stood up to protect us. People who stood in our place to make the community safe. That's what freedom is all about.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Would you be so selfish as to usurp that freedom and use it for only your own good? What about the good of others? We need to protect them.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you don't want to take part in the civil-duty vaccinate, maybe you shouldn't be allowed to take part in other civil-liberties like school. I'm not saying anyone has to vaccinate. I'm not for mandatory vaccinations. But I do believe if you want to send your kid to school or even take your kid to the public playground, you should <i>have to</i> have them vaccinated. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vaccinating your kid isn't just a parenting choice like cloth vs disposable diapers or organic vs conventional apples, it DEEPLY impacts the entire society you live in. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">(But obviously, that's my opinion) </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>7.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>Is it just a money game, do pharmaceutical companies just make huge profit on vaccines? It doesn’t look like it.</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vaccine manufacturers aren't making the big dollars on vaccines. Less than 10% of a pharmaceutical company's revenue comes from vaccines. They make the big money on other drugs. If you think about it, it would behoove vaccine companies NOT to make vaccines so they could make more money on the drugs to treat the diseases... People who adamantly oppose vaccines DO get paid by big lobbyists and lawyers.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This post lays out who really gets paid in the vaccine debate (as well as who gets paid from other avenues that are less than scientific) <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2014/07/16/and-they-say-im-in-it-for-the-money/" target="_blank">http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2014/07/16/and-they-say-im-in-it-for-the-money/</a> </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Can you open this link? It is for GSK (GlaxoSmithKline, one of the big pharma companies that makes a lot of vaccines: rotarix, twinrix, etc). If you scroll down to page 85 (I know, there's a lot of info) it has their financials. They break it down, but esentially 3,000 of their revenue is from vaccines of their total 26000 revenue. Thats less than 10%. <a href="http://www.gsk.com/content/dam/gsk/globals/documents/pdf/GSK-Annual-Report-2012.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.gsk.com/content/dam/gsk/globals/documents/pdf/GSK-Annual-Report-2012.pdf</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And if you think about it, wouldn't "Big Pharma" want us to skip vaccines so we could use their meds when we get sick? Wouldn't that make them more money than letting us get vaccinated and becoming immune to so many diseases?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also, I'm a healthcare provider. We legally can't take anything from "Big Pharma." Not even a pen. So I can't be paid-off to give vaccines. Also, my paycheck is EXACTLY THE SAME if someone gets their kids a vaccine or doesn't. There's no money-making conspiracy here. So you can't play that card, or call me a "pharma-shill" for my beliefs. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If it was actually all “just about the money” we wouldn’t have vaccines. They cost pennies compared to the cost of a child hospitalized for a vaccine-preventable disease. Think about that. Think about how much money you’re giving Big Pharma if your kid actually gets a disease and goes to the hospital for it. The real money makers for Pharma are the treatments for hepatitis- just look up the cost of ONE dose! By skipping that vaccine you are literally gambling with something no one can afford! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>8.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>Could it be a conspiracy? Really? The government can keep a secret? What about the "CDC Whistleblower?"</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what about the "CDC Whistleblower" Incident? (If you don't know what I'm referring to, here's a little background: A big paper was published in the early 2000s that studied the proposed link between vaccines and autism. A paper was published with the result that no, vaccines do not raise the risk of autism. The data set from this paper was also published so that others could do their own analysis of the data. Then, last year, more than 10 yrs after the original paper was published, someone decided to come along and re-analyze the data. He used the wrong test for the data (used a chi-squared test, claming it was the "simpleist" test to do, and analyzed data that was supposed to be analyzed as a case-controlled study as a cohort study. Basically, he manipulated the numbers to show that in one group (african american males over age 3) that there could be an increase in autism. Which is a pretty pitiful conclusion that no one has been able to replicate in other data sets. IF it sounds fishy, that's because it is.)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Honestly, if you have taken even one statistics class, you know how important it is to analyze the data with the right tests. And if you haven't taken a statistics class, you should do that before you analyze data. ESPECIALLY if you are going to publish it in a peer-reviewed (although not well respected) paper. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Can the government keep anything a secret? Honestly? And if you think maybe the American government can- look at all the other countries. You can't hide something THAT huge! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>9.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>The bottom Line: vaccines are safe and Benefits > Risks.</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vaccines are safe. This ties into the correlation/causation discussion above. You may disagree with me. Many parents do, and that's why so many refuse to immunize their children. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you're concerned about additives? Did you know the number of kids with autism is increasing, even after thimerosal was taken out of vaccines? There's a reason for that and it has nothing to do with vaccines! (And everything to do with more awareness and different DSM categories, which is another discussion for another time!) <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18180424" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18180424</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And yes, I want to give my kids vaccinations for things like chicken pox (varicella) Why? Because: 1, I don't want them to suffer unnecessarily, 2, If they were to get a secondary infection from scratching those pox, they would need antibiotics unnecessarily. 3, Some children, particularly those that are really young or immunocompromised, can't get the shot, and not giving my kids the shot puts those children at risk.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, I am thinking about others when I decide to vaccinate my child. Not that you're not thinking about others if you choose not to vaccinate, but I believe that it is my social responsibility to help keep herd immunity up to prevent disease outbreaks. And I truly believe that <b>THE BENEFITS OF VACCINATION OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a large meta-analysis. That's when someone pulls together all the studies they can find (usually there's some criteria they must meet: like they must be double-blinded: the researchers and subjects don't know what group they are in, have a statistically significant number of people, and have a well-designed study) If you don't understand basic statistics, or you don't know what I'm talking about, it may help if you read more about statistics so you can make better informed decisions when reading papers. This link may only open if you are at a library that has access to science direct. (my medical center does)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X14006367" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X14006367</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It proves that not only are vaccines not linked to autism, but neither are thimerosal or murcury. Just in case you couldn't open it, I copied the study name, authors, and abstract below (I hope that's ok as far as copyright goes, I'm not trying to take credit for the study, I just wanted to prove it's out there.)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: 17px;">[Vaccines are not associated with autism: An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies</span></h1>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X14006367" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Luke E. Taylor</span></a>, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X14006367" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Amy L. Swerdfeger</span></a>, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">·<span style="line-height: normal;"> </span><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X14006367" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">Guy D. Eslick</span></a><sup><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">, </span></sup></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There has been enormous debate regarding the possibility of a link between childhood vaccinations and the subsequent development of autism. This has in recent times become a major public health issue with vaccine preventable diseases increasing in the community due to the fear of a ‘link’ between vaccinations and autism. We performed a meta-analysis to summarise available evidence from case-control and cohort studies on this topic (MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar up to April, 2014). Eligible studies assessed the relationship between vaccine administration and the subsequent development of autism or autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Two reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. Disagreement was resolved by consensus with another author. Five cohort studies involving 1,256,407 children, and five case-control studies involving 9,920 children were included in this analysis. The cohort data revealed no relationship between vaccination and autism (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.06) or ASD (OR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.68 to 1.20), nor was there a relationship between autism and MMR (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.70 to 1.01), or thimerosal (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.77 to 1.31), or mercury (Hg) (OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.07). Similarly the case-control data found no evidence for increased risk of developing autism or ASD following MMR, Hg, or thimerosal exposure when grouped by condition (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83 to 0.98; <em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">p</span></em> = 0.02) or grouped by exposure type (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.76 to 0.95; <em><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">p</span></em> = 0.01). Findings of this meta-analysis suggest that vaccinations are not associated with the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, the components of the vaccines (thimerosal or mercury) or multiple vaccines (MMR) are not associated with the development of autism or autism spectrum disorder.]</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ok, but what about all the other scary-sounding things they put in immunizations like antifreeze, and aborted fetal tissue and stuff?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Straight from the CDC website: ( <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm</a> )</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Common substances found in vaccines include:</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0.7em 0px 0.7em 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="150684860f0a0e3d_alum" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a>Aluminum</b> gels or salts of aluminum which are added as adjuvants to help the vaccine stimulate a better response. Adjuvants help promote an earlier, more potent response, and more persistent immune response to the vaccine.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.7em 0px 0.7em 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="150684860f0a0e3d_anti" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a></b><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Antibiotics</strong> which are added to some vaccines to prevent the growth of germs (bacteria) during production and storage of the vaccine. No vaccine produced in the United States contains penicillin.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.7em 0px 0.7em 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="150684860f0a0e3d_egg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a>Egg protein</b> is found in influenza and yellow fever vaccines, which are prepared using chicken eggs. Ordinarily, persons who are able to eat eggs or egg products safely can receive these vaccines.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.7em 0px 0.7em 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="150684860f0a0e3d_form" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a>Formaldehyde</b> is used to inactivate bacterial products for toxoid vaccines, (these are vaccines that use an inactive bacterial toxin to produce immunity.) It is also used to kill unwanted viruses and bacteria that might contaminate the vaccine during production. Most formaldehyde is removed from the vaccine before it is packaged.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.7em 0px 0.7em 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="150684860f0a0e3d_msg" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a>Monosodium glutamate </b>(<strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MSG</strong>) and 2-phenoxy-ethanol which are used as stabilizers in a few vaccines to help the vaccine remain unchanged when the vaccine is exposed to heat, light, acidity, or humidity.</span></li>
<li style="margin: 0.7em 0px 0.7em 1.5em; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="150684860f0a0e3d_thim" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></a>Thimerosal</b> is a mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria."</span></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As of 1999, thimerosal was removed from all childhood vaccines. If you want more specific ingredient lists for each vaccine, you can follow this link: <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a nice blog loaded science-based with links disproving some of the scary stuff. Yeah, I know, I used a blog. But they're different when they're not cherry picking the evidence. Any this nice blogger did such a great job explaining all the ingredients in vaccines so I didn't have to: </span></div>
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<a href="http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/11/26/cries-the-antivaccinationist-why-are-we/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2007/11/26/cries-the-antivaccinationist-why-are-we/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are no fetuses in immunizations. Some of the immunizations, like chicken pox/varicella, are derived from fetal-cell lines (babies that were already aborted) in the 1960s. Fetuses are not used in the vaccines though. Babies are not currently being aborted to put into vaccines, and they never will be. These babies (from a long time ago) were already aborted by their mothers, but we were able to use them to further science. It is sad that the babies were killed so long ago, but babies are not being killed now. And by preventing your kid from giving a pregnant lady rubella you are actually helping PREVENT spontaneous abortions. Well done! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">SIDS rates go down with immunizations. As do Alzheimers. Wait? You mean vaccines can actually be protective of more than just the diseases they prevent? Yes. They can!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alzheimers Prevention: (from getting the flu shot yearly)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11762573" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11762573</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17400342" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17400342</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22289512/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22289512/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The MMR shot gets a bad wrap, so here is some Measles specific safety info:</span></div>
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<a href="http://m.pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2015/01/01/peds.2014-1822" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://m.pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2015/01/01/peds.2014-1822</span></a></div>
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<br></div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh, and there are SOME studies comparing vaccinated kids to unvaccinated ones: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A lot of people talk about there "not being enough research behind vaccines." I've heard the complaint that there "aren't enough placebo-controlled, randomized trials." I agree. But, it would be very unethical to have placebo trial now that we know how well vaccines work. I've attached two studies. Both are older, and not done in America. I'll describe each study, but please feel free to look at each one and see what they say. Last, I listed a study that was small, but was done in monkeys. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2476295/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2476295/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was a study done in Cambodia after WWII looking at the tetanus vaccine. I have seen a lot of people talking about how the tetanus vaccine "was never studied." In this study, they gave a flu shot as the placebo. The group that got a tetanus shot had 0 cases of neonatal tetanus, and the group that got the flu shot had 7.8 cases in 100. The tetanus vaccine works. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a more in-depth study. Yes, I agree, it's not done in America. But it was a well designed study. The first link is a blog talking about the study (and giving more reasons why we can't do a vaccinated vs unvaccinated study (but his tone is a little harsh against anti-vaccination, so beware) The second link is a link to the actual study. Its German.</span></div>
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<a href="http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2011/03/11/for-the-anti-vaccinationists-out-there-t/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/2011/03/11/for-the-anti-vaccinationists-out-there-t/</span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An Anti-vaccine group funded a study in Monkeys to try to get a good look at a vaccinated group vs an unvaccinated group. Their results showed no difference in the two groups when they studied behavior and brain function:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The bottom line: Vaccines are Safe!! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>10.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><b><u>What schedule will we use to vaccinate?</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What schedule will we use to vaccinate our child? The one recommended by the ACIP and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). The schedule recommended by Dr. Bob Sears is ill-founded and HAS NO RESEARCH to support it (which he openly admits). The AAP's schedule has been tested, researched, and is safe. Dr. Sears claims doctors don't know much about vaccines. That is true for some doctors, but not all. I've done extensive reading on the topic. And so have all the healthcare professionals I work with. Here is an article about the problems with Dr. Sears's schedule: <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/123/1/e164.full" target="_blank">http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/123/1/e164.full</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And I'm not the only person that thinks this way.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm not the only pro-vaccinator. There are more people out there who love shots as much as I do: </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black;"><a href="http://shotofprevention.com/" target="_blank" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://shotofprevention.com/</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More reasons why you should vaccinate: <a href="http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/why/protecting.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/why/protecting.cfm</a> It terrifies me because none of the vaccines offer 100% protection from infection. The more the disease spreads, the more likely people, vaccinated or not, are at risk. Getting the vaccine usually means if you catch the disease, you should have the disease for a shorter amount of time, and be less severe. (and yes, I've seen this happen in 2014 when the flu shot was not well matched for the circulating strain) But we're forgetting about kids who can't be vaccinated because they have cancer. I want to protect those too.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And here's the AAP's position on HOW to figure out if a "vaccine website" is legit. <a href="https://www2.aap.org/immunization/families/faq/FAQ_Internet.pdf" target="_blank">https://www2.aap.org/immunization/families/faq/FAQ_Internet.pdf</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How vaccines work: <a href="http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vaccines/understanding/Pages/howWork.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vaccines/understanding/Pages/howWork.aspx</a></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They don't "overwhelm" the immune system. Yes, we give more vaccines today because we PROTECT against more than we used to! Vaccines provide the same natural immunity that an infection does. Yes, some of that wanes with time, but getting the natural disease does too. But not everyone will tell you that.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Those are my reasons. And some of my "research." Up soon, I will post an article on WHY WE WILL NOT BE USING ESSENTIAL OILS ON OUR CHILD. If you think vaccines don't have enough research, how the heck do you think oils have enough research? Yes, sometimes bad things happen with oils. They aren't perfectly safe like salespeople tell you they are. But more on that later. (Much later) </span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We have decided to vaccinate our child. We are thankful for vaccines and for the people who research them. The benefits clearly outweigh the risks. </b></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-57567072433325338332015-06-04T21:56:00.001-05:002015-06-05T18:22:44.664-05:00The day I decided to give birth in a hospital.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64wzFxjm2VU/VXIvQcrQoNI/AAAAAAAAEqY/9LwZjYJgBII/s640/blogger-image--766245820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64wzFxjm2VU/VXIvQcrQoNI/AAAAAAAAEqY/9LwZjYJgBII/s640/blogger-image--766245820.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div dir="ltr"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">First off, this post is for me.</span><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I can organize my thoughts, blogs I like, and scientific evidence in one spot, so I can be organized. So I can fully know why I have chosen to give birth in a hospital.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I believe this choice is different for each person, and I'm not telling you what you should do. I'm just trying to look at all the evidence and make a good choice for me. Because a lot of "evidence" is biased. As a general rule, when someone tries to sell you something, anything, on their website, I don't trust their "evidence."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What about the higher c-section rate? What about the proposed link between birth-induction and autism? What about the supposed higher death rate in hospitals? What about the supposed higher risks of hospitals, like higher rates of infection, less autonomy, not respecting a birth plan, or forced pain medication? What about the risks of epidurals? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What about the higher cost? After-all, isn't birth natural, and the medical industry makes billions of dollars each year off of pregnant women and babies. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm using links to science papers (peer-reviewed: meaning other scientists looked over them and confirmed their validity before being published in a respected journal) and blogs, even though as far as evidence goes, I don't respect blogs. They are only opinion. I only respect journal articles from a peer-reviewed journal (that haven't been retracted, and meet high quality criteria such as study design and number of participants...) I'll list those links also, for completeness.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I probably won't list links to where the studies were found. Because anyone can go to PubMed and type in any number of words and copy-paste links "supporting" their side of the evidence. For instance, if you search for "vaccines and fish" you will get a huge number of hits. Which have nothing to do with what you're looking for. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'll also be looking at "consensus statements" made by large physician groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Because you can always find "one doctor" to say whatever they want. But it takes a large body of evidence for the "consensus" of doctors to change their mind about anything. They look at real proof, not just cherry-picked or biased studies. Rarely, is the consensus wrong.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And no, I didn't write this post to "prove anyone wrong" or convince people that this is the best way to deliver a baby. I wrote this for me. And you, if you want to read it.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I challenge you to oppose my views. Post contradictory studies in the comments. Meet me for coffee to further discuss this. While I promise to look into any concerns, at the end of the day this is a decision I am going to make. (With the full support of my husband) And FYI, natural news is not a reputable site. I don't believe in what the author of that site believes (ridiculous things like chemtrails, HIV-denialism, and anti-vaccine propaganda) so I won't even bother responding to posts from that website or similar anti-scientific websites.<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On home births:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lets look at information from the scientific consensus:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's the committee opinion from the ACOG:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Planned-Home-Birth" target="_blank">http://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Obstetric-Practice/Planned-Home-Birth</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And here's what everyone's favorite web-based encyclopedia (Wikipedia) has to say about home birth:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_birth" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_birth</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's what one of my favorite blogs has to say about home birth: (It has a lot to say on home birth...and if you're looking for anything science-based it has a lot to say. It cites fantastic peer-reviewed studies.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-tragic-death-toll-of-homebirth/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-tragic-death-toll-of-homebirth/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-critique-of-the-leading-study-of-american-homebirth/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-critique-of-the-leading-study-of-american-homebirth/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/midwives-and-the-assault-on-scientific-evidence/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/midwives-and-the-assault-on-scientific-evidence/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/home-birth-safety/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/home-birth-safety/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And my personal favorite: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here's official information about the infant mortality rate currently in America. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">CDC report on infant mortality rate:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_14.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_14.pdf</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And finally, the British Medical Journal/s most robust study on homebirth, (The MOST downloaded paper on the subject of homebirth)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/330/7505/1416.full?ehom=" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.bmj.com/content/330/7505/1416.full?ehom=</font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(the most pertinent quote in the study): "In 2005 the neonatal death rates were CNM in hospital 0.51/1000, MD in hospital 0.63/1000 and DEM attended homebirth 1.4/1000."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Look how much higher the neonatal death rate was in a homebirth than in the hospital! Neonatal death rate is more important to me than infant-mortality rate because infant mortality rate covers up to 1 year of life, and it's not the doctor or midwife's fault if the baby dies the day before it's 1st birthday. The death rate for a midwife and MD in the hospital are similar (but remember that MDs (Medical Doctors) often are given the more-complicated patients: patients with pre-eclampsia, diabetes, etc, and CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwives) in hospitals are often given easier, low-risk patients or multiparous patients) At least, when I was a student and I delivered babies, that's how the hospital I was at did things.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moral of the story, midwife birth at home has a higher neonatal death rate.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I want to give birth to a baby that stays alive. If that requires a c-section or medical intervention, I'm okay with that. I will sacrifice myself/ my body and a "perfect birth" for the life/ health for my baby.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is a science-based medicine blog perspective on the study listed above: <a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-critique-of-the-leading-study-of-american-homebirth/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/a-critique-of-the-leading-study-of-american-homebirth/</a><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The discussion shows that the paper listed above has an almost TRIPLE neonatal death rate for homebirth. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">TRIPLE the neonatal death rate for PLANNED homebirth.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meaning, the paper only cites someone that has planned to give birth at home, with a midwife, and not people that accidentally don't make it to the hospital on time. This is important to note because some people like to say "accidental birth skews the numbers in favor of hospital-birth")</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">AND the study includes the fact that no matter what "high risk births" (people with diabetes, high blood pressure, other medical conditions) are happening in a hospital. So they compare the more low-risk births (as a general rule Midwives don't give birth to high-risk mothers) to ALL births in the hospital. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Low-risk home birth vs. all-risk hospital births. And hospital birth still has a lower death rate.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the end of the day, I will risk any medical intervention if it means 1/3 less risk of death for me or my baby. The medical system in America isn't perfect. But I'd sure rather put my fate in the hands of a well-trained doctor in the hospital than in the hands of a questionably trained midwife at home. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PubMed meta analysis (analysis of many papers) published in the ACOG journal:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20598284" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20598284</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I respect your right to choose. A good compromise would be a birth in a home-like birthing center. But I want no part of a home birth.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some anecdotes about the babies I have watched get delivered:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've seen high-risk births delivered by ob/gyns, low-risk births in hospitals delivered by midwives, and even rural-Africa (specifically Zambia) births delivered by a skilled nurse. I've seen my fair share of births in a diverse number of places. I was even invited to photograph a home-birth (for a mother who was later sent to the hospital since her midwife declared her unsafe to birth at home, and her baby ended up in the NICU for 1 month, and would have been dead if delivered at home). </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being a student, I got to deliver some babies. 14 babies. Most of them moderately low-risk babies that had adequate prenatal care. All of the babies I delivered were healthy, thankfully! But that doesn't mean I didn't see complications.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I saw one mom who had a problem with her placenta after the baby was born. Her placenta wouldn't separate, and she kept bleeding. She lost a lot of blood. The interns and students were shoved aside while the resident and attending doctors did everything they could to save the mother's life.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">10 minutes, an pitocin drip, and 2 liters of blood later, she was stable again. She would have died had she been at home, midwife or not.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I saw a woman who was delivering twins, who passed out from exhaustion after the first twin was born. They almost couldn't wake her up. They were starting to prep her for a c-section to save the second baby, when she woke up and started pushing again. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've seen babies who would have been born normally, who had fetal heart rate monitors on and had decelerations in their heart rate, and had to be urgently delivered.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have seen so many things that "should have been" normal and perfectly fine. So many moms that "should be able to give birth just fine" who almost didn't. These moms or their babies could have died if they had delivered at home. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Probably most moms who deliver at home would be just fine. But really? Do you want to take that chance? Especially with your first birth? I don't.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I just can't give birth at home, knowing that most moms are just fine at home, but having watched so many moms that "should have been fine" and weren't. After you watch someone almost bleed to death, it changes you. And I'm okay with that.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the end of the day, I want an alive baby and mommy. And the best chance of that happening is in a hospital. (which makes most of the rest of this post a moot-point, but knowing that at any instant something could change, I want to be prepared for why I chose something or didn't choose something.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On water births:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Who wants a water birth anyway? Well, many people suggest that water births are safer, more natural, and they decrease the use of medication. I'm all for reducing medication. But are water births actually safer? Are they actually more natural?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The highly respected AAP and ACOG opinion: (remember, I'm looking very closely at committee opinions- not the opinion of just one doctor who promotes themselves on a website or in a documentary looking to make money, but volunteers their time to be on a committee with other doctors to review scientific evidence)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Obstetric%20Practice/co594.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20140321T1130549988" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Obstetric%20Practice/co594.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20140321T1130549988</font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And an article from Pediatrics Journal (by the APP):</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/114/3/855.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/114/3/855.full.pdf+html</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's what the article says about the risks:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Water births currently provide no apparent benefit in childbirth. The practice is based on misrepresentations of neonatal physiology and unsupported claims of safety and efficacy. This birthing method fulfills no need for the infant, is of dubious benefit to the mother, is associated with significant, avoidable risks of morbidity and mortality, and currently is unable to pass the risk-benefit test"</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Woah. So you know when you keep reading how great water birth is because of the "dive reflex" (babies won't open their mouth to breathe underwater)? Well, that's a big myth (It's a myth in warm water, only in ice-cold water babies won't breathe). Your baby MAY take a breath underwater, opening up RISK of drowning. Yes, that's right, drowning so you can be more comfortable. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And everyone's favorite again (Wikipedia):</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_birth" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_birth</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are some science-based blogs on water births- the first one really spells out a lot of what pro-water-birth moms believe and shows why that may not be true. I highly encourage you to read it if you are thinking about water birth! </span></div><div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/an-update-on-water-immersion-during-labor-and-delivery/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/an-update-on-water-immersion-during-labor-and-delivery/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/water-birth-again/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/water-birth-again/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here is a Chochrane review: (well, just the abstract, because that's free)</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub3/abstract" target="_blank">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub3/abstract</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(The gist of the paper on water birth is this: there is possible benefit of pain relief in 1st stage of labor which ends when cervix fully dilated, the safety of water birth is not established after.)<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Risks of water birth (in quotes because I borrowed these from the first link of the above science-based medicine blog):</span></div><div><ol style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 2em 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 28px; list-style-position: outside;"><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Increased risk of infection, especially after rupture of the membranes acting as a barrier between baby and the outside world</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Problems with temperature regulation in the baby</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Damage to the umbilical cord, or pulling of the cord out of the placenta, leading to severe bleeding complications</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Respiratory distress, hyponatremia, seizures and asphyxia from fresh water drowning</span></li></ol></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The risks don't outweigh the benefits: (article on real risks)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15167820" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15167820</font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What it comes down to for me is that the risks don't outweigh the benefits. Not at home. Not in a birthing center. Not in a hospital. While it may be more comfortable for me, it isn't safe for my baby. I won't be delivering this child in the water.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now, the first stage of labor (before I'm fully dilated, before the "pushing" starts, before the baby is delivered-which actually occurs in the 2nd stage of labor) is a different story. If hanging out in a warm water tub before my cervix is fully dilated keeps me from needing an epidural or another form of medication, then that sounds good to me. I can do that. That's not risky. Delivering there is.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On C-Sections:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not many people want a c-section. While some women prefer one, most people I meet don't. But it's easy to forget that some people NEED one.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ACOG info on c-sections: <a href="http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cesarean-Birth-C-Section" target="_blank">http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Cesarean-Birth-C-Section</a></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The following situations are some of the reasons why a cesarean birth is performed:</span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; list-style-position: outside;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Multiple pregnancy—If a woman is pregnant with twins, a cesarean birth may be necessary if the babies are being born too early, are not in good positions in the uterus, or if there are other problems. The likelihood of having a cesarean birth increases with the number of babies a woman is carrying.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Failure of labor to progress—Contractions may not open the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">cervix </i></b>enough for the baby to move into the vagina.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Concern for the baby—For instance, the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">umbilical cord </i></b>may become pinched or compressed or <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fetal monitoring </i></b>may detect an abnormal heart rate.</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Problems with the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">placenta</i></b></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A large baby</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Breech presentation</i></b></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maternal infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus or herpes</span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maternal medical conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure"</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes C-sections are the best option. Even the best Midwife can't deliver a baby vaginally if a women has plecenta previa. (the placenta in front of the cervix) Midwives can't move the placentna for you. They can maybe rotate the baby, but they can't move a placenta.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what about the high c-section rate? Aren't too many women getting c-sections?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/whats-the-right-c-section-rate-higher-than-you-think/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/whats-the-right-c-section-rate-higher-than-you-think/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not all c-sections are bad. With the way things are in America, (1/3 of the population, and 1/3 of mothers are obese) some people need c-sections. Especially if their baby is breech (see below). Sometimes labor is going well and then a c-section is needed because the baby is in distress. If I'm at home and my baby isn't hooked up to a fetal monitor, how will someone know if the baby is in distress?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Often, midwives don't know and they can't save the baby. More on that later.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But if I am laboring and my baby is in distress (in risk of dying) and a c-section is an option to SAVE my baby, then by all means, cut me open and save my kid!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What about a breech baby? Should that be reason for a c-section?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Lancet journal, a respected peer-reviewed article on breach birth:</span></div><div><a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)02840-3/fulltext?_eventId=login" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)02840-3/fulltext?_eventId=login</font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's my favorite blog again discussing breech vaginal delivery. Many midwives proudly boast that they can safely deliver a breech baby. But is it ACTUALLY safe?</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/is-breech-vaginal-delivery-safe/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/is-breech-vaginal-delivery-safe/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've seen similar stories in the news about why you may want a c-section for a breech baby and why not. The bottom line is this: While the NNT (Number of people needed to treat before a reduction in mortality is seen) is higher than I would like, at the same time, we're talking about people here. Humans, that could have been saved.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">MORE PEOPLE DIED GIVING VAGINAL BIRTH TO BREECH BABIES THAN HAVING A C-SECTION.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Period. That's it. While the risk of death giving birth vaginally to a breech baby, the risk is higher than if you have a c-section.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If my baby is breech, we will have a c-section. End of story. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Another abstract discussing how the infant-child mortality rate decreases when the rate of C-Sections increases. Fascinating. </span></div><div><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-3016.2007.00786.x/abstract" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-3016.2007.00786.x/abstract</font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On induction:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ACOG info: <a href="http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Labor-Induction" target="_blank">http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Labor-Induction</a> </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes induction is necessary. It involves risks though. Why might someone need to be induced?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Labor is induced to stimulate contractions of the <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">uterus </i></b>in an effort to have a vaginal birth. Labor induction may be recommended if the health of the mother or <b style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">fetus </i></b>is at risk."<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(quote from the ACOG website listed above)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If our baby is at risk, I would rather be induced than place my baby in harm's way. The ACOG website has more info, but sometimes when your membranes rupture early, but you don't go into labor, your baby can be at risk. The longer you sit without delivering the baby, the higher your risk for infection is. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some people are looking at Induction and the risk of autism. There are some questions about if the two are related? Here is my favorite scinence website discussing the issue, and following is a study that also discusses it. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/autism-and-induced-labor/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/autism-and-induced-labor/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A PubMed article showing CORRELATION, but not CAUSATION:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23938610" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23938610</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We all know that correlation does not imply causation. For example, did you know that when more people consume ice cream, more people drown. Those two things are correlated.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For this example, it is fairly easy to see that eating ice cream does not cause people to drown. The fact is, more people eat ice cream in the summer, and more people swim in the summer. Therefore, more people drown in the summer.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For other factors, correlation and causation get a little more confused. It is one of the reasons people still think vaccines cause autism. Because one day their kid is "normal" and the next day their kid is regressing and gets the autism diagnosis. And they think "the only thing that happened is that my kid got his shots!" Plenty of studies have shown that vaccines don't cause autism, but people still think that they do. There's more info on that in my upcoming blog post on vaccines.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There haven't been enough studies for me (or any MDs or scientists even) to say that induction DOESN'T cause autism. But there also aren't enough studies to say that it DOES cause autism. Most of the research we have now shows that autism starts in the womb. It has a lot to do with genetics.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I won't be requesting an induction, but if I need one, I will not hesitate to follow the advice of my OB, because he's the expert. And I know he's only going to recommend something if he feels it is best for me and the baby. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I defer to the experts when it comes to my 401K, to my cars, to banking, why wouldn't I trust the experts when it comes to my medical care? No, I don't think there's a conspiracy. If there was some kind of conspiracy, I would have learned about it in school. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Again, this is for me. I'm not telling you what to do or believe.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On pain management:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A book worth looking into:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Epidural-Without-Guilt-Childbirth-Pain/dp/0975993933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295272721&sr=8-1" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Epidural-Without-Guilt-Childbirth-Pain/dp/0975993933/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1295272721&sr=8-1</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Further expanded (cliffs notes-like version of the book in the 1st blog below:)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/childbirth-without-pain-are-epidurals-the-answer/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/childbirth-without-pain-are-epidurals-the-answer/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nature-vs-technology/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/nature-vs-technology/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Probably the most interesting part of the posts above:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><p style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0px 0px 18px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Unrelieved pain during labor and post-partum has been shown to</span></p><ul style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 2em 0px; padding: 5px 0px 0px 16px;"><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cause stress responses that can reduce the baby’s oxygen supply</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Increase the risk of post-partum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Interfere with breast-feeding</span></li><li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Increase the risk of development of chronic pain conditions"</span></li></ul></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what does Wikipedia say about Epidurals? Do they cause more c-sections?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidural" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidural</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Quote from Wiki:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Differing outcomes in frequency of Cesarean section may be explained by differing institutions or their practitioners: epidural anaesthesia and analgesia administered at top-rated institutions does not generally result in a clinically significant increase in caesarean rates, whereas the risk of caesarean delivery at poorly ranked facilities seems to increase with the use of epidural."<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PubMed article on the risk of C-section with an epidural (spoiler: there is no increased risk)</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16235275" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16235275</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With older-epidural techniques an increased risk of instrument-assisted deliveries (forceps, vacuum deliveries) was seen, with newer epidural techniques it is not. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On early epidurals vs late:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15295376" target="_blank">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15295376</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Highly respected New England Journal of Medicine article on Epidural use:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMct0909254" target="_blank">http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMct0909254</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More articles:</span></div><div><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20627690/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20627690/</font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000331.pub3/abstract" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000331.pub3/abstract</font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)05251-X/abstract" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)05251-X/abstract</font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21719528/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/21719528/</font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Am I definitely going to get an epidural? Not necessarily. Am I definitely not getting one? No. It will depend on how I'm feeling, my level of pain, and speed of progression. I don't think they're unsafe, but if I don't need one, why get one? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've read UpToDate (a site for providers that compiles all of the research-based studies and makes recommendations) on pain control methods during birth and the two things shown to help with pain control (other than medications) were having a doula and using a birthing ball. Other things MAY help you, but aren't proven to work. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, we'll use alternative forms of pain control if possible, and if not, I'll get an epidural. I feel they're safe. But, as I don't take pain medication regularly if I don't need it, I won't use an epidural if I don't need it either. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A lot of people have personal reasons for not wanting an epidural. Those views are fine. I don't have any reason not to get one. So I might. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On ultrasound use:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have seen people claim that prenatal ultrasounds are dangerous and that they should be avoided at all costs? Why is that? They say the more ultrasounds done, the higher the risk is that there will be a problem with the baby.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is this true? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/are-prenatal-ultrasounds-dangerous/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/are-prenatal-ultrasounds-dangerous/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My OB said he would do 2 sonograms, which is pretty standard. The original ultrasound at 8 weeks, and the 20 week anatomy ultrasound. I got a few more ultrasounds (well, just 2 more than planned) because my placenta was low-lying and there was a chance it would be in front of my cervix requiring me to have a c-section. (there's no way I could give birth with a placenta in front of my cervix-if not for modern medicine the baby and I would have died in childbirth.) Thankfully, my placenta moved. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">More ultrasounds are typically only done with a high-risk baby, who is naturally at-risk for more complications because they are already high-risk. Midwives would never dream of touching a high-risk patient. And for this reason, it sometimes looks like they have a lower rate of complications.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A brief note on the Hep B vaccine and Vitamin K injection:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vitamin-k-refusal-the-new-anti-vax/" target="_blank">http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/vitamin-k-refusal-the-new-anti-vax/</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vit K article- informational, not a study:</span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974489-overview" target="_blank">http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/974489-overview</a><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, my baby will come out of me and get every standard medical intervention. A shot of Vitamin K. A Hepatitis B vaccination. Erythromycin eye ointment. I've read the studies. I don't want my baby to bleed out (like 4 kids have already done) because I don't want to give Vitamin K. It won't hurt. And if my kid happens to have some kind of clotting disorder, than it will likely save it's life. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have another blog post coming on my choice/beliefs on vaccination. And it's a very similar post. Nothing accusatory, just information and facts that I want to organize and remember. There's more information about why I'm choosing to have the Hepatitis B vaccination at birth. A lot of people refuse this, thinking that Hepatitis B is only passed by IV drug users and people having sex. But this is not true. It can be passed by an accidental needle stick, a bite from a kid at the park, etc. Kids stick everything in their mouth. I'd rather my kid be protected. I don't foresee him running into hepatitis B a lot, but I also don't foresee getting into a lot of car accidents and you better believe I have him in the best car-seat money can buy...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.....................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And that should cover it. It covers why I want to give birth in a hospital, why I am not having a homebirth or a water birth. It covers pain relief/epidural use, c-sections, and it covers ultrasounds. And I feel better knowing what I know from school and from looking up recent studies about birth. Now I am ready to have this baby!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-52860729045225477362015-03-27T14:13:00.001-05:002015-03-28T09:09:22.165-05:00The day Stitch Fix got pregnant!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most of you know I have Stitch Fix, a clothing service, send me a box of clothes monthly or so. They've been secretly sending me maternity clothes for the past 2-3 months, but this last month they officially announced they ship maternity clothing!</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I let stitch fix know I was pregnant last month. They asked me my due date, and sent me a box full of perfect maternity clothes, even though I was only 4 months pregnant and not really showing yet, they anticipated that and picked a few things that were perfect.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And a few things that were not-so-perfect. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But fun to try on.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love the convenience of getting clothes shipped to me (that I can try on in my own home, whenever I want, with my own accessories) but it has been A MILLION times more awesome now that I'm pregnant and I hate going out shopping, because I only fit into clothes in 1-2 stores, and I'm exhausted a lot of the time.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I really appreciate Stitch Fix, which lets me request specific items. I wanted to find some work-appropriate t-shirts and tank tops because I haven't been able to find anything I like when I've been shopping. (and maybe that's because it's been winter until recently).</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a run-down of my boxes the last two months. If you've ever thought about signing up for stitch fix, I highly recommend it: if you're pregnant or not! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>End-Of-January-Box:</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was still pretty small when this box arrived. I still fit into many of my non-maternity clothes, but they were getting tight.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Immediately, I LOVED this pencil skirt. It is my style, and I haven't been able to wear a pencil skirt at all lately because they're too tight to make room for the growing baby.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Fjzci8oYmA/VRaxx40C-qI/AAAAAAAAEhc/nUgppXCaryY/s640/blogger-image-168532185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7Fjzci8oYmA/VRaxx40C-qI/AAAAAAAAEhc/nUgppXCaryY/s640/blogger-image-168532185.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JKn25cyVmug/VRaxwQTEAxI/AAAAAAAAEhU/ov7byrOtpQc/s640/blogger-image--787830535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JKn25cyVmug/VRaxwQTEAxI/AAAAAAAAEhU/ov7byrOtpQc/s640/blogger-image--787830535.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I ended up sending it back because it was too expensive (90 dollars!) but it was great quality and sometimes I regret sending it back...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I loved this dress, but I had almost the exact same dress that my mother-in-law had purchased for me, otherwise I would have probably kept the entire box. Also, it is long sleeved. So it would be too hot to wear when I am huge in June/July.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x8Q9lfWJYzs/VRax1sZRItI/AAAAAAAAEhs/GjPx5WKR2mU/s640/blogger-image-1088810058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x8Q9lfWJYzs/VRax1sZRItI/AAAAAAAAEhs/GjPx5WKR2mU/s640/blogger-image-1088810058.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yzooo9fnzWI/VRaxucfjxbI/AAAAAAAAEhM/9x62ojcH3as/s640/blogger-image-1389438236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yzooo9fnzWI/VRaxucfjxbI/AAAAAAAAEhM/9x62ojcH3as/s640/blogger-image-1389438236.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I initially hated this shirt. Ponchos just really aren't my thing. I almost didn't try it on. But I actually liked it on, go figure. I sent it back because it would have been bulky at work with my white coat, which is not super-ideal.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dxWBZR5wz2s/VRax3R6CODI/AAAAAAAAEh0/h4x2DSxVERs/s640/blogger-image-6322081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dxWBZR5wz2s/VRax3R6CODI/AAAAAAAAEh0/h4x2DSxVERs/s640/blogger-image-6322081.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I loved this pink shirt. Ryan didn't. It was enough to make me consider keeping the whole box. (you get a 25% discount if you do!) In hindsight, hot pink really isn't my favorite color. But it was one of those shirts that would be perfect post-baby. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4mMze9fDxbs/VRaxzkh1SvI/AAAAAAAAEhk/5qK5hwvhYr0/s640/blogger-image--557245239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4mMze9fDxbs/VRaxzkh1SvI/AAAAAAAAEhk/5qK5hwvhYr0/s640/blogger-image--557245239.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">THIS IS MY FAVORITE SWEATER EVER. RYAN LOVED IT. I AM WEARING IT TODAY, 3 MONTHS LATER AS I TYPE THIS!!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IlrhfHmqlKo/VRaxqq3XTJI/AAAAAAAAEg8/YkzQ1Lqx8-w/s640/blogger-image-1724242689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IlrhfHmqlKo/VRaxqq3XTJI/AAAAAAAAEg8/YkzQ1Lqx8-w/s640/blogger-image-1724242689.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FZDBKOHOM5k/VRaxseNd_SI/AAAAAAAAEhE/1dUvKjQTuoo/s640/blogger-image-1222128081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FZDBKOHOM5k/VRaxseNd_SI/AAAAAAAAEhE/1dUvKjQTuoo/s640/blogger-image-1222128081.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Mid-March-Box:</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I actually (sometimes) look pregnant now. I'm still too little for most people who don't know me to ask about my pregnancy, but I'm big enough to actually appreciate the extra room I have in maternity clothes. And I'm big enough for fun pictures. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stitch fix lets you sign up for a date you want to receive your box. I typically pick a Friday because then I have all weekend to try on the clothes. I have almost always gotten my box either the day I request, or the day before. This box was (uncharacteristically) late. I was pretty disappointed because they shipped my box on a Wednesday and it took <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">until </a>Monday for me to get it. This was the first time in 9 boxes that I was disappointed in the shipping service.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I immediately loved this blue tank top. I tried it on first-thing and then instantly decided to keep it.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5IQe1def0g/VRa06L6QWvI/AAAAAAAAEiA/ER6jT_mZ4cc/s640/blogger-image-1815718882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q5IQe1def0g/VRa06L6QWvI/AAAAAAAAEiA/ER6jT_mZ4cc/s640/blogger-image-1815718882.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kkLHefOy5NU/VRa07n2D43I/AAAAAAAAEiI/yGVDDy6lF3I/s640/blogger-image-2022161671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kkLHefOy5NU/VRa07n2D43I/AAAAAAAAEiI/yGVDDy6lF3I/s640/blogger-image-2022161671.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I liked this shirt when I first saw it, but LOVED how it felt on. I thought I would probably keep it since the sleeves were so small.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wkHfqnc7IgY/VRa09Q2gD6I/AAAAAAAAEiQ/OBmoE9HY7Hs/s640/blogger-image-288046848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wkHfqnc7IgY/VRa09Q2gD6I/AAAAAAAAEiQ/OBmoE9HY7Hs/s640/blogger-image-288046848.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9b1vNjx3pOc/VRa1CuPJYzI/AAAAAAAAEio/kqbimv0q6iA/s640/blogger-image-1815148108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9b1vNjx3pOc/VRa1CuPJYzI/AAAAAAAAEio/kqbimv0q6iA/s640/blogger-image-1815148108.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was curious about this next shirt. I have been reading those blogs that have the title "20 things I wish someone had told me about getting pregnant" and a lot of them recommended loose clothing for after giving birth. I liked the colors of this shirt. I tried it on with one of my belts (the advantage of trying things on at home.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The belt made the bottom of the shirt come up so high that my belly was visible. And I'm only 5 months pregnant right now.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not cool.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I put it in the "return" pile.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-igX-OrjMoUc/VRa0_GLy8qI/AAAAAAAAEiY/Ho_1dKCpBXk/s640/blogger-image--1093895955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-igX-OrjMoUc/VRa0_GLy8qI/AAAAAAAAEiY/Ho_1dKCpBXk/s640/blogger-image--1093895955.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Braakupy-aw/VRa1A9agPiI/AAAAAAAAEig/Wxm2VqgVol8/s640/blogger-image-556720352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Braakupy-aw/VRa1A9agPiI/AAAAAAAAEig/Wxm2VqgVol8/s640/blogger-image-556720352.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I liked this dress, but it was long-sleeved. My stylist said they didn't have short-sleeved dresses. I thought about keeping it since it was SO soft and comfy. But the long-sleeves made me send it back. My kid is due in July. Nothing about July makes me think a long-sleeved black dress sounds appropriate. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A9cn4PLA4hU/VRa1GA-UIgI/AAAAAAAAEi4/QfCHPZSpSNI/s640/blogger-image--483323383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A9cn4PLA4hU/VRa1GA-UIgI/AAAAAAAAEi4/QfCHPZSpSNI/s640/blogger-image--483323383.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I almost didn't try these leggings on. Gold zippers aren't exactly my favorite style. But, as I'm trying to be bold and try new things, I put them on.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And disliked the zippers as much as I thought I would. (At the bottom near my socks. The zippers are open in the pic)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They won a point for bravery. But was put in the return pile anyway.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bE1k6ccuR4c/VRa1EXuGXfI/AAAAAAAAEiw/Ts8yvVVHEIE/s640/blogger-image--1094609028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bE1k6ccuR4c/VRa1EXuGXfI/AAAAAAAAEiw/Ts8yvVVHEIE/s640/blogger-image--1094609028.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.....................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now I have my first-two work shirts that are sleeveless. I'm pretty thankful for Stitch Fix.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And If you want to be thankful for them too, here's where you sign up (and give me 25 dollars credit!!)</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3826959</div><div><br></div><div>Help a pregnant sister out, try it! :)</div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-12981835457343864052014-10-27T15:18:00.001-05:002014-10-28T10:38:04.380-05:00The day we made 2014 Halloween Fun! (Year 2)<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4Y59fToada4/VE7IYqun2AI/AAAAAAAAEYg/owXsC4bW-gs/s640/blogger-image-1823539047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4Y59fToada4/VE7IYqun2AI/AAAAAAAAEYg/owXsC4bW-gs/s640/blogger-image-1823539047.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Ryan and I dressed up for Halloween]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Before you ask, there is no year 1. We had a party on year 1, but there was no blog about it. Exactly a year ago I found out my old boss sold his practice. I put blogging on hold while I looked for a new job (especially since I blogged about work a lot, and I knew it was a bit unprofessional...)</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are some of my favorite photos from our first annual Halloween party:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ek2UkFqurs0/VE7Ii2soIPI/AAAAAAAAEZA/llOVckWsbnc/s640/blogger-image-398724783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ek2UkFqurs0/VE7Ii2soIPI/AAAAAAAAEZA/llOVckWsbnc/s640/blogger-image-398724783.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-74aaXto9HgU/VE7IgsIc02I/AAAAAAAAEY4/luWtU-N2SXg/s640/blogger-image--1794245516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-74aaXto9HgU/VE7IgsIc02I/AAAAAAAAEY4/luWtU-N2SXg/s640/blogger-image--1794245516.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hUAtE7MNzqw/VE7IeUdj60I/AAAAAAAAEYw/8LsBWSlQq6c/s640/blogger-image--1438483511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hUAtE7MNzqw/VE7IeUdj60I/AAAAAAAAEYw/8LsBWSlQq6c/s640/blogger-image--1438483511.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VYR8YtPzxN8/VE7ImGVpN3I/AAAAAAAAEZI/ZaD8meSCWjs/s640/blogger-image--210263002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VYR8YtPzxN8/VE7ImGVpN3I/AAAAAAAAEZI/ZaD8meSCWjs/s640/blogger-image--210263002.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_DkWediRTzo/VE7IVFk1GvI/AAAAAAAAEYY/mCoo0MEr_nY/s640/blogger-image--364155159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_DkWediRTzo/VE7IVFk1GvI/AAAAAAAAEYY/mCoo0MEr_nY/s640/blogger-image--364155159.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P692TyTrSIU/VE7IpYcx74I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/EVdkfLolE_Q/s640/blogger-image-688265697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P692TyTrSIU/VE7IpYcx74I/AAAAAAAAEZQ/EVdkfLolE_Q/s640/blogger-image-688265697.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uFmnv4Lm75s/VE7Ia7TigII/AAAAAAAAEYo/LrCwbKhssVU/s640/blogger-image--1215103798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uFmnv4Lm75s/VE7Ia7TigII/AAAAAAAAEYo/LrCwbKhssVU/s640/blogger-image--1215103798.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now for year 2. We had a house now, so it had to be super legit. We sent out "save the dates" because we wanted to get the date out there so people would be sure to plan activities on other nights and come to our party. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's the save-the-date. I needed this picture for the party.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i3kAckzwx1w/VE7Ira_CCYI/AAAAAAAAEZY/SVFoTPkYBao/s640/blogger-image--1464608900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i3kAckzwx1w/VE7Ira_CCYI/AAAAAAAAEZY/SVFoTPkYBao/s640/blogger-image--1464608900.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[saved]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Although, our pic from last year was way better:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fzdglcXtUdc/VE7UmmtNElI/AAAAAAAAEZo/s3c_IynnDnM/s640/blogger-image--1254516148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fzdglcXtUdc/VE7UmmtNElI/AAAAAAAAEZo/s3c_IynnDnM/s640/blogger-image--1254516148.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After getting the word out, we decided on a theme and some Trivia. Trivia always pulls a party together. Plus, you get to give out cool prizes, and I don't know about you, but I love winning things. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And I also gave out some lame-o prizes for 2nd place to encourage people to try harder and win next year so they don't have to win a sorry 2nd place prize. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then we decided on some entertainment aspects of the party. Clearly, entertainment starts with some beverages: I decided to make my signature sangria, because that's my favorite. I picked a fall sangria and adapted the recipe a bit:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WbM7nsT9ip4/VE7ITMLrunI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/WfGLSMk-NfM/s640/blogger-image--1178566624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WbM7nsT9ip4/VE7ITMLrunI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/WfGLSMk-NfM/s640/blogger-image--1178566624.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Base: 3 cups Trader Joe's White boxed wine (a white Chardonnay)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Juice: 2 cup Trader Joe's Unfiltered Apple Cider</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> 1 cup Trader Joe's Sparkling Water</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Add-ins: </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon (super finely ground Cinnamon) </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 Honeycrisp apple</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1/4 pear</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 Shots of Brandy</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I threw this all in a pitcher and then put extra wine, juice, and chopped fruit in the fridge. That made it super easy to "Refill" the sangria through the party. <br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I made an ENAB (Equally attractive non-alcoholic beverage) by using the recipe above, but subbing in 2 cups of sparkling grape juice, also found at Trader Joe's. Just in case you have any friends that are pregnant, or nursing, or designated drivers, or prefer not to drink. Gotta be a good hostess.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On to games: We learned early on that Trivia is a crowd favorite. People love to prove that they know the most useless, trivial details about certain subjects. This year's trivia centered on Halloween and Disney (gotta stick with a theme). I created it in my down-time, and tested it against Ryan. He got about half right. You have to walk a fine line between "Hard" and "Impossible" because you want people to have fun, but you only want one winner.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This year we passed out a 1 page (front/back) paper of trivia questions. Everyone was in teams of 2. We called out the questions and answers. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The winners clearly spent a lot of time watching the Disney channel and Disney movies. They were 2 girls in their early-20s. They got 21/25 questions correct. The person closest behind them only had 18/25 questions right. I was pretty impressed with the skill level of trivia participants. If I had to do trivia again, we would probably try to hook up the TV like we did last year, because in the end, that was a lot more fun then having me call out all the trivia questions. We just didn't have enough room around the TV this year.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We also wanted some "lawn games" people could do outside so we could maximize our time in the beautiful Texas Fall weather. Also, its fun to play mindless yard games as you mingle. It gets extra fun as the night gets later and people have to play in the dark.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We owned no lawn games. So we turned to friends to see what we could borrow. We were able to borrow cornhole (bean bag toss), ladder golf, and a circular saw.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We used the circular saw to cut some 2x4s into Giant Jenga pieces. And by we, I mean Ryan.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R6Hjkiw9qks/VE7a1LtXHoI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/dgBT90OGKxs/s640/blogger-image--247659044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R6Hjkiw9qks/VE7a1LtXHoI/AAAAAAAAEaQ/dgBT90OGKxs/s640/blogger-image--247659044.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wykzaFAmtDQ/VE7awMG8c-I/AAAAAAAAEaA/bu4IMRwLEFA/s640/blogger-image--759797140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wykzaFAmtDQ/VE7awMG8c-I/AAAAAAAAEaA/bu4IMRwLEFA/s640/blogger-image--759797140.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ch_620q5JG8/VE7at3xnQXI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/vUlD8lfXi4I/s640/blogger-image--1559955981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ch_620q5JG8/VE7at3xnQXI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/vUlD8lfXi4I/s640/blogger-image--1559955981.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ryan did a fantastic job cutting. And then did an even more fantastic (and labor-intensive) job sanding. We thought about painting the pieces, but in the end we ran out of time and I worried about the colors being stacked in a terrible pattern because it would hurt my head. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While Ryan cut, I painted. And made costumes.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We decided to be Beauty and the Beast. I already had a gold corset. And I knew how to sew. We just had to buy some fabric, a wolf mask, and a blazer for Ryan. I found the blazer for 10 dollars. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Score! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I made the skirt and </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a shirt to sit under the corset. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And I added gold to Ryan's jacket.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And then I got crazy. I found a "gravestone" for 2 dollars at Wal-Mart so I turned it into Cogsworth. And then I wanted a Lumiere. (which was almost a candelabra with skulls on it painted gold, but I was worried the skulls would make it look lame) And The Rose.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eKUJSPrVxMM/VE-4WT3WG2I/AAAAAAAAEdM/mYvXDf2VE00/s640/blogger-image--2016279638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eKUJSPrVxMM/VE-4WT3WG2I/AAAAAAAAEdM/mYvXDf2VE00/s640/blogger-image--2016279638.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I stopped just short of looking for a Mrs. Potts and Chip. They just felt too difficult to re-create.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I did paint a beautiful sign for the front:</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ITCR2x04mq8/VE7a4Krt4wI/AAAAAAAAEaY/t1sE1YWGYo8/s640/blogger-image-907154394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ITCR2x04mq8/VE7a4Krt4wI/AAAAAAAAEaY/t1sE1YWGYo8/s640/blogger-image-907154394.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-43yjJ8RhV3w/VE7evqBtgyI/AAAAAAAAEas/7YVPiexMthA/s640/blogger-image--1995155606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-43yjJ8RhV3w/VE7evqBtgyI/AAAAAAAAEas/7YVPiexMthA/s640/blogger-image--1995155606.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NHmKecyt6b0/VE7exnUwEiI/AAAAAAAAEa0/YBkmR5le3YU/s640/blogger-image-133662040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NHmKecyt6b0/VE7exnUwEiI/AAAAAAAAEa0/YBkmR5le3YU/s640/blogger-image-133662040.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, that's entertainment and costumes, now onto decor!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I saw a scary shower-curtain at Michaels when I was looking for a candle or candelabra to play Lumiere. I also found a scary picture. I added some blood to a towel.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope no one freaked out. I didn't notice anyone passed out in the bathroom, so I guess that's a good sign.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a bunch of decor left over from last year, which we gladly re-used.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I painted pumpkins:</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9w0ViDsiyMI/VE7-kyyJlpI/AAAAAAAAEbU/zdSPzzdLS7o/s640/blogger-image-1921167493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9w0ViDsiyMI/VE7-kyyJlpI/AAAAAAAAEbU/zdSPzzdLS7o/s640/blogger-image-1921167493.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We dressed up! We made costumes mandatory, and they had to follow a Disney theme. I have a few ideas for next year already!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wfmrxqZf1hM/VE7-2DxznnI/AAAAAAAAEck/ORzxXB94mJU/s640/blogger-image--1322283043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wfmrxqZf1hM/VE7-2DxznnI/AAAAAAAAEck/ORzxXB94mJU/s640/blogger-image--1322283043.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZQLr0Qb0XH0/VE7-nf0zjjI/AAAAAAAAEbc/0qaeJlXm564/s640/blogger-image-117215837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZQLr0Qb0XH0/VE7-nf0zjjI/AAAAAAAAEbc/0qaeJlXm564/s640/blogger-image-117215837.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5S4lOByQhD4/VE7-hR5HCSI/AAAAAAAAEbE/zDxo_gqXgAw/s640/blogger-image-1880227204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5S4lOByQhD4/VE7-hR5HCSI/AAAAAAAAEbE/zDxo_gqXgAw/s640/blogger-image-1880227204.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Yy8ldfCe4Ks/VE7-vnwFKAI/AAAAAAAAEcE/kvyrJtOeJJI/s640/blogger-image-1570672326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Yy8ldfCe4Ks/VE7-vnwFKAI/AAAAAAAAEcE/kvyrJtOeJJI/s640/blogger-image-1570672326.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pv6ZvPik5cs/VE7-0bS3w4I/AAAAAAAAEcc/bLQz1h5whkU/s640/blogger-image--490166074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pv6ZvPik5cs/VE7-0bS3w4I/AAAAAAAAEcc/bLQz1h5whkU/s640/blogger-image--490166074.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HOAZj2cNm7s/VE7-txraZcI/AAAAAAAAEb8/BQDK9DVJ0mo/s640/blogger-image--1426461064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HOAZj2cNm7s/VE7-txraZcI/AAAAAAAAEb8/BQDK9DVJ0mo/s640/blogger-image--1426461064.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TYyUr1x4q0M/VE7-yzOF9mI/AAAAAAAAEcU/CNUXIKzWUXk/s640/blogger-image-907126719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TYyUr1x4q0M/VE7-yzOF9mI/AAAAAAAAEcU/CNUXIKzWUXk/s640/blogger-image-907126719.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-He95NrwEiuo/VE7-pcRN1kI/AAAAAAAAEbk/0iHV_lom2pc/s640/blogger-image--1422473848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-He95NrwEiuo/VE7-pcRN1kI/AAAAAAAAEbk/0iHV_lom2pc/s640/blogger-image--1422473848.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-btKZ881eeaA/VE7-xPBS5YI/AAAAAAAAEcM/Q4RPzW95K0M/s640/blogger-image--2062434807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-btKZ881eeaA/VE7-xPBS5YI/AAAAAAAAEcM/Q4RPzW95K0M/s640/blogger-image--2062434807.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YDnZXpEPRME/VE8LeW54ZaI/AAAAAAAAEc0/Mak9Ci2fqPg/s640/blogger-image--662597222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YDnZXpEPRME/VE8LeW54ZaI/AAAAAAAAEc0/Mak9Ci2fqPg/s640/blogger-image--662597222.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhyC0lrKEAg/VE7-jDGgBNI/AAAAAAAAEbM/eLu9wc4Udbg/s640/blogger-image--1567701461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhyC0lrKEAg/VE7-jDGgBNI/AAAAAAAAEbM/eLu9wc4Udbg/s640/blogger-image--1567701461.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1e9_rHmOmww/VE7-sQb0SAI/AAAAAAAAEb0/ZH9K50euw2U/s640/blogger-image-1019044541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1e9_rHmOmww/VE7-sQb0SAI/AAAAAAAAEb0/ZH9K50euw2U/s640/blogger-image-1019044541.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RdmR9sCRDtY/VE8LgEzEf4I/AAAAAAAAEc8/v61w21P4u3A/s640/blogger-image-1977314831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RdmR9sCRDtY/VE8LgEzEf4I/AAAAAAAAEc8/v61w21P4u3A/s640/blogger-image-1977314831.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JO5wv2T9PRY/VE7-q-yEaaI/AAAAAAAAEbs/yx5n0AeBARA/s640/blogger-image--671610499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JO5wv2T9PRY/VE7-q-yEaaI/AAAAAAAAEbs/yx5n0AeBARA/s640/blogger-image--671610499.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fun was had by all!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a lot of fantastic costumes. I tried to get photos of everyone, but we hit a point around <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4">7:30</a> when we were grilling meat, greeting guests, and getting ready for Trivia where I got lost with the photos. We did get a fantastic group photo, which was awesome!</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The winner was Tonto from The Lone Ranger. We gave 2nd place to the Polar Bear because well, it was a cool costume. It would have been awesome if Disney owned Coke like they own Marvel and ESPN.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whew! Next year we will buy more ice, start the grill a bit sooner, and start the party a little bit later. No one, even the parents with young kids, came right at 4. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our neighbors pulled together costumes in 2 hours and brought us ice, which was awesome! They also made us baby Jenga pieces decorated for display! Super cute!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you haven't picked out a costume for Friday, get moving. Or start planning ahead for next year! And it's not too late to throw your own Halloween party next weekend :)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-47388992213326983242014-10-24T17:34:00.001-05:002014-10-24T17:37:34.711-05:00The day I jumped the antipoles!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Historically, October has been a great month for me when it comes to jumping off of dangerous things.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Exactly 3 years ago I was on the other side of the earth, jumping dangerously close to my death. Literally, very close.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PqxIawpBXmU/VErT8u4UjbI/AAAAAAAAEX4/i669qYfw_CQ/s640/blogger-image--464201540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-PqxIawpBXmU/VErT8u4UjbI/AAAAAAAAEX4/i669qYfw_CQ/s640/blogger-image--464201540.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FvoW_Ws8OuM/VErT6uIsP2I/AAAAAAAAEXw/wyXkVlTvR3g/s640/blogger-image-271582753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FvoW_Ws8OuM/VErT6uIsP2I/AAAAAAAAEXw/wyXkVlTvR3g/s640/blogger-image-271582753.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's a picture of where I jumped in. If you look really close in the background, you can see some other fools jumping in. Its called Devil's Pool. Its on the side of Victoria Falls (only in the Dry Season), in Zambia, one of the 7 wonders of the world. I mean, there was a tour guide we paid 50 dollars assuring me it was safe. But logically, it was not. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Km301uLo20w/VErSMcoFeAI/AAAAAAAAEXI/4JF3oUnxZcQ/s640/blogger-image-948210463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Km301uLo20w/VErSMcoFeAI/AAAAAAAAEXI/4JF3oUnxZcQ/s640/blogger-image-948210463.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h6WhKGW1jYc/VErT2OASVvI/AAAAAAAAEXg/fDllpTXBo4c/s640/blogger-image--701006900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h6WhKGW1jYc/VErT2OASVvI/AAAAAAAAEXg/fDllpTXBo4c/s640/blogger-image--701006900.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then, 3 years later I was on the EXACT other side of the world jumping into another pool. Well, a bath. The Queen's Bath to be exact. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JfqIPf1auAA/VErT4Tbu07I/AAAAAAAAEXo/aThNBFDuR0M/s640/blogger-image--240995063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JfqIPf1auAA/VErT4Tbu07I/AAAAAAAAEXo/aThNBFDuR0M/s640/blogger-image--240995063.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pfsBhpEqblM/VErUqyRs6EI/AAAAAAAAEYA/1cv8pQ54bNQ/s640/blogger-image--671811675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pfsBhpEqblM/VErUqyRs6EI/AAAAAAAAEYA/1cv8pQ54bNQ/s640/blogger-image--671811675.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bVzhfgdhEB0/VErTzxETHlI/AAAAAAAAEXY/Ufeqta9Wwhc/s640/blogger-image--55172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bVzhfgdhEB0/VErTzxETHlI/AAAAAAAAEXY/Ufeqta9Wwhc/s640/blogger-image--55172.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybyuYvVJ6VY/VErSPVVjydI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/Is1U7G4nqmQ/s640/blogger-image-909826193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybyuYvVJ6VY/VErSPVVjydI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/Is1U7G4nqmQ/s640/blogger-image-909826193.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And when I say EXACT other side of the world, I do mean exact. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Be forewarned-I'm about to get pretty nerdy here:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hawaii is the only state in the United States that sits directly opposite of land if you're looking at the earth as a sphere. Think North Pole being exactly opposite of the South Pole. That's an antipole.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(if you need more clarification, this is the best explaination I could find <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/antipoles-other-side-world/id507963431?mt=8" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/antipoles-other-side-world/id507963431?mt=8</a> )</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Antipole of Hawaii sits on the corner of Nambia and Botswana, in southern Africa. Victoria Falls sits on the border of Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. That's pretty close to the antipole.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Boom. You just got some geography lessons mixed in with fun facts. Gotta love it.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tune in Next week for the latest blog I've been working on: The day we made Halloween fun. Complete with costumes and decor! You won't want to miss that blog :)</span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-33572416257784418212014-10-07T13:58:00.001-05:002014-10-07T17:59:12.883-05:00The days we have almost no photos of.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9VI4GtLs16Q/VDRtUCFAPJI/AAAAAAAAEUg/E0xnP_8SipY/s640/blogger-image--1757219974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9VI4GtLs16Q/VDRtUCFAPJI/AAAAAAAAEUg/E0xnP_8SipY/s640/blogger-image--1757219974.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[we have awesome puppy-sitters. You can't tell how happy our pups actually are. They love dress up and they love going to our puppy-sitter's house. If you need a good sitter, let me know and I'll give you their name!]</div><br><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Thursday:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Another morning we watched the waves. When you get up at 5 or <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">6 am</a> you can hear the waves really well because there are no people or cars. It's easy to get out of bed for the beautiful views and noises. It's also easier to wake up <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">at 6:30</a> Hawaii time when its <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">11:30 am</a> in Dallas time. I feel so well rested! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We went snorkeling. I wish I had pictures for you, it was beautiful. There were so many colorful fish! We got some video, so if we're able to pull photos off of it, we will!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I really want to show you photos of this, so I hope to update this post next week sometime!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ryan stayed home to rest his back and I stayed home to write. We did way too much the day before and I needed to write about it and nap. And a few hours of TV.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The Covingtons went boogie boarding for 3 hours. Then we all went to happy hour and we had a huge plate of nachos. It was awesome. And by awesome, I mean delicious. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZKNk4d5fwWs/VDRtONK6ADI/AAAAAAAAEUA/LwKgg0yCJrQ/s640/blogger-image--97842804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZKNk4d5fwWs/VDRtONK6ADI/AAAAAAAAEUA/LwKgg0yCJrQ/s640/blogger-image--97842804.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[a fun happy hour spot]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3fbKpMeIVj4/VDRtPrMHtPI/AAAAAAAAEUI/pxu1i69QGMA/s640/blogger-image--285005765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3fbKpMeIVj4/VDRtPrMHtPI/AAAAAAAAEUI/pxu1i69QGMA/s640/blogger-image--285005765.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[nachos!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5RiZF_3umAw/VDRtJxofYLI/AAAAAAAAETo/0rZ8xZhxt2M/s640/blogger-image-96300437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5RiZF_3umAw/VDRtJxofYLI/AAAAAAAAETo/0rZ8xZhxt2M/s640/blogger-image-96300437.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f_glX1pNiUE/VDRtLC-2GII/AAAAAAAAETw/D6APVX5S4iw/s640/blogger-image-1121580579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f_glX1pNiUE/VDRtLC-2GII/AAAAAAAAETw/D6APVX5S4iw/s640/blogger-image-1121580579.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-daqzzbku9jk/VDRtMXR8fsI/AAAAAAAAET4/XTNV4rZYkHE/s640/blogger-image-1749166576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-daqzzbku9jk/VDRtMXR8fsI/AAAAAAAAET4/XTNV4rZYkHE/s640/blogger-image-1749166576.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[sunset]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We came home and watched the sun set. We met a funny fellow named Everett He told us about a delicious restaurant on the Big Island that we needed to try that had a macadamia nut pie that was "almost, almost as good as sex."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f_bdjGtQKAE/VDRtVt_bXcI/AAAAAAAAEUo/fM3x_2dr7Sc/s640/blogger-image-1489732207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f_bdjGtQKAE/VDRtVt_bXcI/AAAAAAAAEUo/fM3x_2dr7Sc/s640/blogger-image-1489732207.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[our new friend]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Note: our friends tried it and disagreed.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mpZ1sta5d_I/VDRq2HLz9_I/AAAAAAAAETg/cKMof1mKOBQ/s640/blogger-image-1133646479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mpZ1sta5d_I/VDRq2HLz9_I/AAAAAAAAETg/cKMof1mKOBQ/s640/blogger-image-1133646479.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[pie]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">He talked about how much he loved crackers with his chowder.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">He also told us he was on his 5th glass of alcohol, and he was being quite generous with his glass sizes.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then we played Mini Golf. I would love to say I killed it at mini golf. And I did on the first 9. But not on the back 9. Amberlee came back to win by 3 points by the end of the game. We'll have to have a rematch!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">There was one hole where Jonathan and Amberlee both lost their goofballs multiple times in the water trap. I couldn't stop laughing!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p9QUYXc0fqU/VDRtWxm53HI/AAAAAAAAEUw/w68tfQpsc9Q/s640/blogger-image--1946558965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p9QUYXc0fqU/VDRtWxm53HI/AAAAAAAAEUw/w68tfQpsc9Q/s640/blogger-image--1946558965.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rZ-46KxAUrI/VDRtQ7yAjUI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/Yone9wLt3U4/s640/blogger-image-1938547412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rZ-46KxAUrI/VDRtQ7yAjUI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/Yone9wLt3U4/s640/blogger-image-1938547412.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MW8pzTN9tjE/VDRtSpLvHCI/AAAAAAAAEUY/YaheU28RYDo/s640/blogger-image-568585664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MW8pzTN9tjE/VDRtSpLvHCI/AAAAAAAAEUY/YaheU28RYDo/s640/blogger-image-568585664.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Mini-golf]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We ate dinner at 9 or something that night. It was delicious!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GTCDz4X6J3s/VDRvUpGaBFI/AAAAAAAAEV4/oZjwaCGIhiw/s640/blogger-image--1622991560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GTCDz4X6J3s/VDRvUpGaBFI/AAAAAAAAEV4/oZjwaCGIhiw/s640/blogger-image--1622991560.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Dinner: salmon and salad]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then Ryan and I stayed up to watch We Are The Millers. Interesting movie. We finally fell asleep.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Friday:<div><br></div><div>We rolled out of bed and ate breakfast at a little cafe we found last week on Sunday. </div><div><br></div><div>It was, as expected, delicious again.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zlFRTQ9DOZg/VDRvH4VF9II/AAAAAAAAEU4/Tc8bqjvtICg/s640/blogger-image--1108317115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zlFRTQ9DOZg/VDRvH4VF9II/AAAAAAAAEU4/Tc8bqjvtICg/s640/blogger-image--1108317115.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>On the way home we saw a rainbow.</div><div><br></div><div>The healthy people (Ryan, Jonathan, and Amberlee) went on a walk. I stayed home to sit on my bum and write. </div><div><br></div><div><div><div>..........</div><div><br></div><div>When we shopped at Costco early on we got snack foods: popcorn, chips and salsa, grapes, and crystal lite iced tea. </div><div><br></div><div>We finished the salsa in 2 days and had to go back for more!</div><div><br></div><div>The popcorn went fast too. </div><div>..........</div><div><br></div><div>I found this photo on Pinterest and immediately I wanted to do it!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rmr9ff3-6Nk/VDRvP2giP1I/AAAAAAAAEVg/__xB6JlfOV4/s640/blogger-image--345797714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Rmr9ff3-6Nk/VDRvP2giP1I/AAAAAAAAEVg/__xB6JlfOV4/s640/blogger-image--345797714.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>[tubing as it looks on Pinterest, note it looks quite different in reality]</div><div><br></div><div>Look how fun and relaxing that looks! </div><div><br></div><div>Mountain cave tubbing. Another activity I don't have photos for Thurs</div></div><div>until we pull them off the GoPro underwater camera. </div><div><br></div><div>Around the 1850s they built all these irrigation canals to help grow sugar cane. The crop did really well until the 1960s when Hawaii became a state and got labor laws, making it much more expensive to produce sugar. The sugar industry pretty much moved to Central and South America.</div><div><br></div><div>Now there's just these empty canals that go through caves that you can ride down the mountain.</div><div><br></div><div>They give you gloves to touch the walls of the caves. Helmets with lights on them. </div><div><br></div><div>They made us go through the last cave with zero light, which was pretty awesome.</div><div><br></div><div>But just know if you sign up for the "3 hour" trip, you spend only 45 minutes on the river, about 45 minutes on bumpy roads and taking photos, 30 minutes getting a helmet and listening to rules, and 60 minutes making your own picnic lunch and feeding cats your leftovers.</div><div><br></div><div>I fed the cat my water out of the water bottle cap. It drank the water immediately. It was a skinny cat but not too skinny. Apparently it hangs out at the picnic tables every day and gets plenty of table scraps. Sorry I have no photos for you, but you're probably already picturing a cat in your head that looks exactly like my mountain cat. </div><div><br></div><div>Again, if we get some cool photos I'll share them!</div><div>..........</div><div><br></div><div>We ate dinner at The Beach House. The food was delicious, but the sunset was the best. We really enjoyed it!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9sFdt-OY5pM/VDRvJrRPYpI/AAAAAAAAEVA/6-YpgRck750/s640/blogger-image-945230846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9sFdt-OY5pM/VDRvJrRPYpI/AAAAAAAAEVA/6-YpgRck750/s640/blogger-image-945230846.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-237lZv7V81M/VDRvOW8VMEI/AAAAAAAAEVY/Skv6SAWvLeA/s640/blogger-image--1666941256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-237lZv7V81M/VDRvOW8VMEI/AAAAAAAAEVY/Skv6SAWvLeA/s640/blogger-image--1666941256.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ox6qe34ANKY/VDRvLVmNcsI/AAAAAAAAEVI/OBC-AgWn9aw/s640/blogger-image--1962122248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ox6qe34ANKY/VDRvLVmNcsI/AAAAAAAAEVI/OBC-AgWn9aw/s640/blogger-image--1962122248.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RkIgzwVPgvI/VDRvMuhiQVI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/I41osZdApaY/s640/blogger-image-539995455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RkIgzwVPgvI/VDRvMuhiQVI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/I41osZdApaY/s640/blogger-image-539995455.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vDiVWeRIjhQ/VDRvRNipGyI/AAAAAAAAEVo/edoeeI4tD2Y/s640/blogger-image-1252515849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vDiVWeRIjhQ/VDRvRNipGyI/AAAAAAAAEVo/edoeeI4tD2Y/s640/blogger-image-1252515849.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WNPw0O0OlA4/VDRvTAjIr_I/AAAAAAAAEVw/EncTykbr74A/s640/blogger-image--8388522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WNPw0O0OlA4/VDRvTAjIr_I/AAAAAAAAEVw/EncTykbr74A/s640/blogger-image--8388522.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCLfm9PAdQw/VDRwPfAJw9I/AAAAAAAAEWI/OFwK4kMhU9I/s640/blogger-image-1494827217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCLfm9PAdQw/VDRwPfAJw9I/AAAAAAAAEWI/OFwK4kMhU9I/s640/blogger-image-1494827217.jpg"></a></div><br></div>[another pretty sunset]</div><br></div><div>..........</div><div><br></div><div>Then, to walk off the large amount of food in our tummies, we played mini golf again. I played so poorly! Clearly I do way better before a big meal. Really, I think I just do better when I put less pressure on myself and relax.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GctclovotVg/VDRvW8cevwI/AAAAAAAAEWA/TNJz-Ki6JvA/s640/blogger-image--1014566840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GctclovotVg/VDRvW8cevwI/AAAAAAAAEWA/TNJz-Ki6JvA/s640/blogger-image--1014566840.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>..........</div><div><br></div><div>Then we played another game of Sorry! We learned there's a fun way to play it with strategy instead of just luck. You each have 5 cards and play them one at a time (drawing a new card when you play one). It was quite fun!</div><div><br></div><div>..........</div><div><br></div><div>Again, we fell asleep. This time I didn't want to go to bed because I didn't want to wake up the next day and leave.</div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-31525468859245000612014-10-02T20:48:00.001-05:002014-10-03T02:55:38.598-05:00The day we almost died. (Wed)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2vE73cahkr8/VC4B5jPE_eI/AAAAAAAAEPA/W85s51jKzGQ/s640/blogger-image--1159460055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2vE73cahkr8/VC4B5jPE_eI/AAAAAAAAEPA/W85s51jKzGQ/s640/blogger-image--1159460055.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[Don't worry, I'll explain everything]</div><br></div><br><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We woke up early again and ate our normal breakfast of Honey Bunches of Oats (the almond kind) and Kauai Coffee. We ate outside, which was all kinds of fun! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We knew we were driving to the north side of the island today to see Princeville, Hanalei (Hanna-lay) Bay, the Queen's Bath, and a lighthouse.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The toughest decision we had to make was whether or not to take a 4 mile hike. We pondered that over our delicious 6 dollar farmer's market pineapple. Again, worth every penny.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxVgzteoGrY/VC4ATRdj6QI/AAAAAAAAEOc/4E54U3bVvkg/s640/blogger-image-993458152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cxVgzteoGrY/VC4ATRdj6QI/AAAAAAAAEOc/4E54U3bVvkg/s640/blogger-image-993458152.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We got dressed and began the 1.5 hour drive to the other side of the island.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NdkkeEFROBE/VC4ANaPODxI/AAAAAAAAEOE/ySMe5ZpDKc4/s640/blogger-image--1696669856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NdkkeEFROBE/VC4ANaPODxI/AAAAAAAAEOE/ySMe5ZpDKc4/s640/blogger-image--1696669856.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[half way!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ryan is a big fan of car games, and chickens are all over the island. He decided we should play Zip Chicken. Whoever sees the most Chickens and calls out "zip chicken" (modeled after "zip dog" from How I Met Your Mother) first is the winner. I stopped playing to write my blog. I'm a sore looser. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gocDxtKY1MA/VC4AVTjsO6I/AAAAAAAAEOk/Znobey_a_DE/s640/blogger-image--966736626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gocDxtKY1MA/VC4AVTjsO6I/AAAAAAAAEOk/Znobey_a_DE/s640/blogger-image--966736626.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Amberlee got really into the game]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7i8-3G2xfqA/VC4APScgfdI/AAAAAAAAEOM/itYAv06UilQ/s640/blogger-image--949888004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7i8-3G2xfqA/VC4APScgfdI/AAAAAAAAEOM/itYAv06UilQ/s640/blogger-image--949888004.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[I took pics of some pretty scenery]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aiSDyh6rIlQ/VC4ARC46PrI/AAAAAAAAEOU/tk2nJUCBgdI/s640/blogger-image-1959802676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aiSDyh6rIlQ/VC4ARC46PrI/AAAAAAAAEOU/tk2nJUCBgdI/s640/blogger-image-1959802676.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[bay panorama]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We got to Hanalei Bay and jumped in right away. The lifeguard truck drove over to us and told us it's too dangerous to swim there due to the strong riptides. Apparently those things can drag you out to sea. Noted. He pointed to an area on the other side of the bay that was safer. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ok, we'll move 20 minutes down the beach. Honestly, it didn't look much safer to me, but I haven't been a waterfront-certified lifeguard in over 5 years, so things have probably changed a little. We jumped in the waves a bit and I worried about the riptides pulling my friends out to see for a long time. Then it was lunch time. We hiked back down the beach and made a picnic lunch. They blew a long whistle while we were eating lunch and made everyone get out for safety. Looks like we made it out in perfect time. We ate sandwiches and they were delicious! Saying sandwiches always reminds me of Joey from Friends.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then we left the beach with the plan to drive to something called "the queen's bath" that none of us had ever seen except on Pinterest. Then we would see a lighthouse.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What I planned on seeing thanks to Pinterest:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GHXZS7NEZQE/VC4B9qG5cYI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/Q_wCIbCQQv0/s640/blogger-image--823896349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GHXZS7NEZQE/VC4B9qG5cYI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/Q_wCIbCQQv0/s640/blogger-image--823896349.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[safely nestled bath area: I have no idea who the photo belongs to, but it's the only one that comes up when you type in Queen's Bath Kauai. Look how high the sides of the bath are.]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We park at the Queen's Bath trail and it took us a while to find the opening of the trail.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Honestly, none of us had been before and we didn't know to expect a legit trail and hike.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We were all in flippy floppies. If there was ever a time for cool hiking sandals, this would be that time. In retrospect, I would have gotten great use out of legit hiking sandals. Maybe I'll look for some "gently used" ones to purchase.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The trail goes through dense forest by a calm, peaceful path. It was beautiful! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3TP0hq8zsAc/VC4B7lEKEtI/AAAAAAAAEPI/-gZaEbKOQ4g/s640/blogger-image--1216416812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3TP0hq8zsAc/VC4B7lEKEtI/AAAAAAAAEPI/-gZaEbKOQ4g/s640/blogger-image--1216416812.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-seHDrDkQwRc/VC4BxdIu1EI/AAAAAAAAEOw/I6ChKOxQoME/s640/blogger-image--666707121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-seHDrDkQwRc/VC4BxdIu1EI/AAAAAAAAEOw/I6ChKOxQoME/s640/blogger-image--666707121.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lGqBILem15o/VC4BzSAn_YI/AAAAAAAAEO4/_Tj5EjkChoo/s640/blogger-image-1937530036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lGqBILem15o/VC4BzSAn_YI/AAAAAAAAEO4/_Tj5EjkChoo/s640/blogger-image-1937530036.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fTTgJIqX4hE/VC4h5C8ReyI/AAAAAAAAEPg/ekM-9ZRHbWc/s640/blogger-image-578853636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fTTgJIqX4hE/VC4h5C8ReyI/AAAAAAAAEPg/ekM-9ZRHbWc/s640/blogger-image-578853636.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9rB9ZI22FFY/VC4iDi9MczI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/tbPJh8-goOk/s640/blogger-image--1272066677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9rB9ZI22FFY/VC4iDi9MczI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/tbPJh8-goOk/s640/blogger-image--1272066677.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sddlf20Ufks/VC4iJGZ0TBI/AAAAAAAAEQo/xh2XS-gCfrc/s640/blogger-image--603017906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sddlf20Ufks/VC4iJGZ0TBI/AAAAAAAAEQo/xh2XS-gCfrc/s640/blogger-image--603017906.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[peaceful, "jungle" hike that we didn't plan on but Ryan really wanted but probably shouldn't have taken because of his back. But it was too late to turn around]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fcs4L-Gylp4/VC4h7LlcCPI/AAAAAAAAEPo/DwowNap6JP4/s640/blogger-image--247009944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fcs4L-Gylp4/VC4h7LlcCPI/AAAAAAAAEPo/DwowNap6JP4/s640/blogger-image--247009944.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We got to this waterfall and Amberlee stopped. She thought this is what we came to see. It is pretty, but not The Queen's Bath. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We almost stopped at this big opening, </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h6RP5r2Qewk/VC4h-VfQwbI/AAAAAAAAEP4/1AHxsBdsRsg/s640/blogger-image--1703879196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h6RP5r2Qewk/VC4h-VfQwbI/AAAAAAAAEP4/1AHxsBdsRsg/s640/blogger-image--1703879196.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cCO6kPYgT9s/VC4iAa-QwoI/AAAAAAAAEQA/i4U7vX1vBoY/s640/blogger-image--1274605372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cCO6kPYgT9s/VC4iAa-QwoI/AAAAAAAAEQA/i4U7vX1vBoY/s640/blogger-image--1274605372.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[open bath]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">But decide to keep going since that's where other people were coming from. And that's where all the "DANGER" signs were. Apparently there have been a few deaths. And I really wanted to see this thing.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YZPPBhYVWtA/VC4h8jxLSyI/AAAAAAAAEPw/uH29FEQYlXA/s640/blogger-image--1156607181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YZPPBhYVWtA/VC4h8jxLSyI/AAAAAAAAEPw/uH29FEQYlXA/s640/blogger-image--1156607181.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Death sign]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TY-md1jZwDs/VC5FCiyosnI/AAAAAAAAESY/l00c2R0N5uw/s640/blogger-image--1160072146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TY-md1jZwDs/VC5FCiyosnI/AAAAAAAAESY/l00c2R0N5uw/s640/blogger-image--1160072146.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[creepy clifs]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We finally arrive at the Queen's Bath just before Jonathan jumps in, joining a family of 5 already swimming. I ask Amberlee if she wants to jump in, but she politely says no. I hand her my camera and get ready to jump off the cliff. It's maybe only 10 feet high, but it's really rocky. There's all kinds of waves coming in. I get ready and jump.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJnxpruMFf8/VC4iFRaPl5I/AAAAAAAAEQY/EgLWCf7ipUg/s640/blogger-image--1543972019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tJnxpruMFf8/VC4iFRaPl5I/AAAAAAAAEQY/EgLWCf7ipUg/s640/blogger-image--1543972019.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[ about to jump!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-72sFp5IxUIw/VC4iB1BwdGI/AAAAAAAAEQI/2FGkbCpKYMM/s640/blogger-image-1008274693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-72sFp5IxUIw/VC4iB1BwdGI/AAAAAAAAEQI/2FGkbCpKYMM/s640/blogger-image-1008274693.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[jump!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We swim around for 2-3 minutes before deciding it's time to climb out. Just as I get on the rocks to climb up, a HUGE wave comes and crashes into me.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We passed a bunch of signs saying "danger! Stay away from the edges! A big wave will knock you down and drag you into the sea."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A big white wave crashed into me, scaring me, almost to death. All I could think of was to hold the rock for my life and try to wedge down between the rock. Jonathan tried to grab my hand but he was up too high. Finally, the wave recedes, but another wave comes up before I can move. I grab onto a bigger rock, preparing to jump up as soon as it passes. Jonathan has moved closer to help me up, and as soon as the wave is gone, we climb up and away from the dangerous rocks.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3SO86O7BmpU/VC4iHAOl6-I/AAAAAAAAEQg/FwsIUJn3S4M/s640/blogger-image-1763661195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3SO86O7BmpU/VC4iHAOl6-I/AAAAAAAAEQg/FwsIUJn3S4M/s640/blogger-image-1763661195.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[clearly, I made it!]</div><br></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">That was not the first time I've jumped in dangerously close to the edge of sanity.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The people in the photo on Pinterest made it look so much safer!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And note: tides are lower in the summer, giving the bath higher edges, and lower in the winter...</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">That evening we went to a Luau at a 30 acre botanical garden. We took a lot of photos, but none with my nice camera. Which is a good thing in retrospect because it rained most of the night. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UENdO9iGJzk/VC5E_MiHnCI/AAAAAAAAESQ/gsWEsGZu1YQ/s640/blogger-image-190480381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UENdO9iGJzk/VC5E_MiHnCI/AAAAAAAAESQ/gsWEsGZu1YQ/s640/blogger-image-190480381.jpg"></a></div>[Luau]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We learned some stuff too:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">These trees were brought over by explorers so they could replace the bow of the ship if it broke.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCswH-e9lSA/VC4vNdN7rRI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/ddZdOKQAzvo/s640/blogger-image--426193282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCswH-e9lSA/VC4vNdN7rRI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/ddZdOKQAzvo/s640/blogger-image--426193282.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Hawaiian "Christmas Trees"]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We learned that people here use Noni for a lot of stuff. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We saw some pretty trees and flowers.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gm1VNihQsaw/VC5EVmBUNuI/AAAAAAAAESI/79q6ncsohz0/s640/blogger-image--1951094325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gm1VNihQsaw/VC5EVmBUNuI/AAAAAAAAESI/79q6ncsohz0/s640/blogger-image--1951094325.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the state flower]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XDtq2WDtnfo/VC5EDeTq_ZI/AAAAAAAAERQ/jlLQsyRt1U0/s640/blogger-image-1984161447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XDtq2WDtnfo/VC5EDeTq_ZI/AAAAAAAAERQ/jlLQsyRt1U0/s640/blogger-image-1984161447.jpg"></a></div></div>[a replica from Easter Island]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We saw an Imu (pronounced Emu) = Cooking pit for pig. They put hot lava rocks inside and a banana tree on the hot rocks.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">They also put inside banana leaves and Ti leaves. (Think hola skirt leaves)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then they put the pig in! We went to "Smith's family Luau." They get their pigs from a local family pig farm, and they come cleaned out in the center.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The only seasoning they use is Hawaiian rock salt in the pig. Which makes the pig pretty salty, but most Hawaiians eat it with purple mush called puoy. It's like mashed potatoes made from taro roots. Jonathan was pretty excited for us to try it. Honestly, without the salty pork it wouldn't have been very good. (To me) He loved it though.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Back to cooking, they put lava rocks inside pig. Then more leaves on top of the pig. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then they let it cook for 9 hours! That's longer than most Thanksgiving turkeys.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">If you're a vegetarian, skip the next 2 photos.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ng7ayfT4-ak/VC5EStQq6XI/AAAAAAAAESA/w3VLyHA4vI4/s640/blogger-image-992712810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ng7ayfT4-ak/VC5EStQq6XI/AAAAAAAAESA/w3VLyHA4vI4/s640/blogger-image-992712810.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gW5suEJFUlM/VC5ENLjAPBI/AAAAAAAAERw/UXWvYZMRpjo/s640/blogger-image--19164054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gW5suEJFUlM/VC5ENLjAPBI/AAAAAAAAERw/UXWvYZMRpjo/s640/blogger-image--19164054.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[cooked pig]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We also learned that Ono = delicious in Hawaiian. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">While walking to our dinner table we noticed there was a disturbance in the structural integrity of Amberlee's shoe.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_DoDsjZsOOU/VC5EIQYedeI/AAAAAAAAERg/p-_z6GvPpcA/s640/blogger-image--1163473445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_DoDsjZsOOU/VC5EIQYedeI/AAAAAAAAERg/p-_z6GvPpcA/s640/blogger-image--1163473445.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[shoe]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Actually, it used to be my shoe, I paid maybe 15 dollars at Old Navy my sophomore year of college. They were a bit big on me, so I gave them to Amberlee. Not to worry, it looked like they just needed some shoe glue...</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We ate some delicious food. Salmon salad, normal salad, macaroni salad, mahi mahi, beef, pork, fruit, rice pudding...</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After dinner they showed us a traditional hula dance. Of course I volunteered immediately to dance the hula when they asked for volunteers. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When they taught us, I remembered learning the hula in dance class Freshman year of High School. Ryan snapped a few photos. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then it started pouring down rain. We were supposed to watch a legit hula show. The seats were covered, thankfully, but the stage was not. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Apparently it was no problem for the dancers. Or the fire. It poured almost the entire show, but they kept dancing.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OXDeyQBmNSQ/VC5EQKkpvuI/AAAAAAAAER4/9ZQjMTT0un0/s640/blogger-image-366163084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OXDeyQBmNSQ/VC5EQKkpvuI/AAAAAAAAER4/9ZQjMTT0un0/s640/blogger-image-366163084.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4zYWNdmUjtA/VC5EKxqH4nI/AAAAAAAAERo/_QccIH1Ii8w/s640/blogger-image--187602361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4zYWNdmUjtA/VC5EKxqH4nI/AAAAAAAAERo/_QccIH1Ii8w/s640/blogger-image--187602361.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[Do you see how hard it's raining here? The dancers were still awesome!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gAIojfyNc4E/VC5EAm5jALI/AAAAAAAAERI/8OP1gOCHh_w/s640/blogger-image--571548472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gAIojfyNc4E/VC5EAm5jALI/AAAAAAAAERI/8OP1gOCHh_w/s640/blogger-image--571548472.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[dancers]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Afterward, Amberlee's shoe was almost completely broken. She just tore off the bottom. Then she walked a while hobbling on one wedge, before she pulled the bottom off of the other wedge. At which point Jonathan had to carry her. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IHRdi0q0W9M/VC5EGI2lKJI/AAAAAAAAERY/GFnKGMpb9rk/s640/blogger-image-1168264242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IHRdi0q0W9M/VC5EGI2lKJI/AAAAAAAAERY/GFnKGMpb9rk/s640/blogger-image-1168264242.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[dead shoe]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then we went home and fell asleep immediately. But don't worry, the story continues tomorrow...</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-29900242356215892492014-10-01T14:44:00.001-05:002014-10-01T21:22:11.340-05:00The day we sailed to the Na Pali Coast!<br><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I woke up early after a bad dream. Then I read about vitamin k shot refusal in newborns, which is just as scary. Why 4 newborns have had needless internal bleeding due to parental refusal of vitamin k is understandably horrific.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Turns out we all had bad dreams last night. Maybe it was the wine. Or the Sorry! We all shared our dreams.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We ate the 5 dollar mango. Well worth it. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F5FXWY7Gazk/VCxb-6qcZEI/AAAAAAAAEKU/fw7Cy7ra8jM/s640/blogger-image-770028952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-F5FXWY7Gazk/VCxb-6qcZEI/AAAAAAAAEKU/fw7Cy7ra8jM/s640/blogger-image-770028952.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br>We went to Poipu (Poy-poo) beach first thing in the morning. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bjO9OPO0R2Y/VCxcB7UyeqI/AAAAAAAAEKc/A7J4-F3pklo/s640/blogger-image-598271027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bjO9OPO0R2Y/VCxcB7UyeqI/AAAAAAAAEKc/A7J4-F3pklo/s640/blogger-image-598271027.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[beach reading]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I'm just sitting here, reading, minding my own business, when I hear Jonathan and Amberlee heatedly discussing something. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Apparently, Jonathan was looking ahead at flights, and Amberlee's last name is mistakenly her maiden name (Harder) on her tickets since they booked their flights through a travel agent Amberlee had used prior to getting married. They got married over 1.5 years ago, and they booked the trip in her married name (Covington), so they didn't bring any documentation with them. All her credit cards and IDs are in her married name (Covington).</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The airline was happy to change her name, but only with a copy of their marriage license.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Jonathan called the marriage office place. There is no way to request an electronic copy of a marriage certificate. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">They have a copy at their house, but the only people with a copy of their house key are currently in Hawaii with them.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The airline said the only thing they can do is to re-buy all the tickets in her married name. Which would cost 100s of dollars at this point since they're flying to Hawaii Island, then Oahu Island and then to Dallas.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Being the nosy-yet-brilliant person I am, I suggested that we call our friends the Thomases who have our house key, to go to our house and get the Covington's house key, then travel to the Covington's house and get the certificate, scan it, and send it.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Inspired.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And worth a nice treat we'll be sure to bring home for the Thomases.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The next morning we get a text from Cynthia Thomas with a gold key, asking "Is this your key?"</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Nope, ours is silver.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">"Oh, then I don't think we have your key."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ryan and I thought through it, and realized that, no, we didn't actually give them our key yet. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Well, hmmm.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then I suggested they overnight their key to the Thomases. Good plan!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Except Jonathan realized they don't have their key....because they left it with their car at his parents house. Woo! Plan C.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After the beach we rested.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And we are washed clothes. Well, Jonathan washed clothes and I folded some. It's extra hot and humid here and I find myself going through underwear faster than usual. Anyone traveled to a hot climate before agree? After washing and drying, I notice we're missing One sock of THE pair Ryan just told me were his favorite. We dance around shaking out all the laundry trying to find it. No luck.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We decide to try the laundry room. There's already a load of laundry spinning in the washing machine Jonathan used, so he checked the dryer. Still no luck.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I decide to open the washer and just check for a red sock. I decided if I didn't see a red sock on top I would walk away and forget about it. No need to rummage through someone else's half-way washed clothes. Lucky for us it was a load of whites. With one red sock.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Lucky for them, we've washed that red sock so many times that the load of whites didn't turn into a load of pinks.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We traveled past the Kauai Coffee place to a dock to take Captain Andy's Sunset Cruise to the Na Pali Coast. We were more than excited. We even dressed up a little (but let's be honest, why do your hair when you're going on a 5 hour ocean cruise?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u1qK2L3D3Ao/VCynXtpXWwI/AAAAAAAAELU/2DDXlbnWWYE/s640/blogger-image--1314455894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-u1qK2L3D3Ao/VCynXtpXWwI/AAAAAAAAELU/2DDXlbnWWYE/s640/blogger-image--1314455894.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JmLuEdSm17w/VCysl6NrpvI/AAAAAAAAEMU/Gh0hRt1vzqc/s640/blogger-image-1824241950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JmLuEdSm17w/VCysl6NrpvI/AAAAAAAAEMU/Gh0hRt1vzqc/s640/blogger-image-1824241950.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Dressing up]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Jonathan gave us a brief Map Tour of where we would travel on the cruise.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AKs680WoHOk/VCy2rs8czyI/AAAAAAAAENs/MoMK33ynrw0/s640/blogger-image-1445882876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AKs680WoHOk/VCy2rs8czyI/AAAAAAAAENs/MoMK33ynrw0/s640/blogger-image-1445882876.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[map: we were at the bottom and sailed to the top of the island]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6FdvXp9Xtjk/VCynVdXe30I/AAAAAAAAELM/AK_n4rPtUkc/s640/blogger-image--1241713793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6FdvXp9Xtjk/VCynVdXe30I/AAAAAAAAELM/AK_n4rPtUkc/s640/blogger-image--1241713793.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nmIvnGNRERs/VCysdfQ_FiI/AAAAAAAAEL0/thOfVebTg0g/s640/blogger-image-1540546569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nmIvnGNRERs/VCysdfQ_FiI/AAAAAAAAEL0/thOfVebTg0g/s640/blogger-image-1540546569.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[pre-photos]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We got there and were all asked to take off out shoes. Apparently it's a thing in the Hawaiian culture to take off your shoes. Also, you fall down less on boats. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-08flOz0v4fI/VCynZwV0tNI/AAAAAAAAELc/wQFgmhPWFPY/s640/blogger-image-1928185552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-08flOz0v4fI/VCynZwV0tNI/AAAAAAAAELc/wQFgmhPWFPY/s640/blogger-image-1928185552.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[bare feet!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We climb into the boat and one of the boat people, Heather, asked, "Are we twins?" </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">At first, I was super confused. We, like you and me? Do we match shirts or something? </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">She saw the confusion and asked if Amberlee and I were twins. Because of the freckles. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-guwBmfC7ZhM/VCy2tniV7xI/AAAAAAAAEN0/-uF3ZMu4Xqk/s640/blogger-image-1174811177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-guwBmfC7ZhM/VCy2tniV7xI/AAAAAAAAEN0/-uF3ZMu4Xqk/s640/blogger-image-1174811177.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Quasi-twin photo!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Nope.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We motor out to the Na Pali coast and I take a zillion pictures with my fancy camera. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZrsyF8q0fDc/VCyuJFwR05I/AAAAAAAAEMs/mVeP8S0K42I/s640/blogger-image--432890953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZrsyF8q0fDc/VCyuJFwR05I/AAAAAAAAEMs/mVeP8S0K42I/s640/blogger-image--432890953.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lhbsIYVq-Cs/VCysjrBDMGI/AAAAAAAAEMM/Mb_ZSDHqJak/s640/blogger-image--1142161060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lhbsIYVq-Cs/VCysjrBDMGI/AAAAAAAAEMM/Mb_ZSDHqJak/s640/blogger-image--1142161060.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gPZOVfjXc7o/VCynQDyDacI/AAAAAAAAEK8/fmIDfT6Lgug/s640/blogger-image--903869995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gPZOVfjXc7o/VCynQDyDacI/AAAAAAAAEK8/fmIDfT6Lgug/s640/blogger-image--903869995.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vx-hyq-19Zw/VCysfUcflVI/AAAAAAAAEL8/xwrhcV7ctlQ/s640/blogger-image--1544961583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vx-hyq-19Zw/VCysfUcflVI/AAAAAAAAEL8/xwrhcV7ctlQ/s640/blogger-image--1544961583.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rIw_Jkqc7WY/VCysbewSFOI/AAAAAAAAELs/84qIwkvhz34/s640/blogger-image-62119051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rIw_Jkqc7WY/VCysbewSFOI/AAAAAAAAELs/84qIwkvhz34/s640/blogger-image-62119051.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uF31DD9VhSM/VCysodrixiI/AAAAAAAAEMc/zRyIbyqH-6A/s640/blogger-image--1411486094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uF31DD9VhSM/VCysodrixiI/AAAAAAAAEMc/zRyIbyqH-6A/s640/blogger-image--1411486094.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2DhDH5DLyho/VCyshV2VSfI/AAAAAAAAEME/j2WnSXAa_4s/s640/blogger-image-1957299926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2DhDH5DLyho/VCyshV2VSfI/AAAAAAAAEME/j2WnSXAa_4s/s640/blogger-image-1957299926.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[photos]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The clouds along the coast are dark a brooding like an intense mystery novel character. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fuqmvlfRVAE/VCynTOgEfpI/AAAAAAAAELE/0PVmnWLboLs/s640/blogger-image--1203272506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fuqmvlfRVAE/VCynTOgEfpI/AAAAAAAAELE/0PVmnWLboLs/s640/blogger-image--1203272506.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[dark clouds]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We were quickly driving into what looked like a rain storm. I thought I better run in and grab my plastic bag to cover the camera in case of rain. Just as I ran inside, the captain came on and said, "It's starting to rain so you better take cover in....negative two seconds."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">It was pouring rain by the time everyone made it inside.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">It rained for 3-4 minutes and then we saw a rainbow.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k-8eHjAdBTg/VCysqdNUwBI/AAAAAAAAEMk/tMcwp__zeV8/s640/blogger-image-1941171773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k-8eHjAdBTg/VCysqdNUwBI/AAAAAAAAEMk/tMcwp__zeV8/s640/blogger-image-1941171773.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[rainbow]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And then a double rainbow.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5lpx47S7SRI/VCynNk4fWeI/AAAAAAAAEK0/t7kVSmRgMeQ/s640/blogger-image-495659524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5lpx47S7SRI/VCynNk4fWeI/AAAAAAAAEK0/t7kVSmRgMeQ/s640/blogger-image-495659524.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Double Rainbow!!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then, we get served a steak and shrimp dinner. Somehow, it tastes better over open water.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DgEZqaVXnSc/VCyvJxa17CI/AAAAAAAAEM8/h_izqDNpwcc/s640/blogger-image-2054286235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DgEZqaVXnSc/VCyvJxa17CI/AAAAAAAAEM8/h_izqDNpwcc/s640/blogger-image-2054286235.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Dinner Photo]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">About half way through dinner a wave of nausea hit some people. (Wave, get it?) one of the crew members suggested getting some fresh air, sniffing a lemon, and looking at the Horizon.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Someone the day before had suggested we take some Bonine supplements. But I'm not sure I believe in supplements. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">They had a mixed drink called the Sneaky Tiki. But I went straight for the Pinot Noir.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We were still driving away from the rain, and then we saw the Doubble Rainbow of Kalala.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We were served dessert of pineapple cheesecake. Delicious. I looked up from my dessert to see Ryan driving the boat.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_lIpuhjjRTQ/VCyvLrPhZnI/AAAAAAAAENE/P5sWZl8sxOk/s640/blogger-image-1857091121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_lIpuhjjRTQ/VCyvLrPhZnI/AAAAAAAAENE/P5sWZl8sxOk/s640/blogger-image-1857091121.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ifqQEup1lIo/VCyvH0wG2wI/AAAAAAAAEM0/Y5Dc7p-ZOaI/s640/blogger-image-1303461546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ifqQEup1lIo/VCyvH0wG2wI/AAAAAAAAEM0/Y5Dc7p-ZOaI/s640/blogger-image-1303461546.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Ryan Driving]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We went up there and had a good talk with the Captain! He was a friendly dude from Texas. We relaxed on top of the sailboat and drank in the sunset and salty breeze. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V-Me9jAHptk/VCyvNnmvV2I/AAAAAAAAENM/4SBgsC3WpNk/s640/blogger-image-290582389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V-Me9jAHptk/VCyvNnmvV2I/AAAAAAAAENM/4SBgsC3WpNk/s640/blogger-image-290582389.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NYNBUKulzak/VCyvP3TICXI/AAAAAAAAENU/qSypBCwSrx0/s640/blogger-image-1592743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NYNBUKulzak/VCyvP3TICXI/AAAAAAAAENU/qSypBCwSrx0/s640/blogger-image-1592743.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zK-pZaf644E/VCyvRx9uVTI/AAAAAAAAENc/lbMgZd0NkGI/s640/blogger-image--1383860130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zK-pZaf644E/VCyvRx9uVTI/AAAAAAAAENc/lbMgZd0NkGI/s640/blogger-image--1383860130.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Sunset and salty Breeze]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Honestly friends, we would HIGHLY recommend Captain Andy's sailing to the Na Pali coast. Super great service! New sunsets each night! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We landed back on dry land. First thing: find a bathroom. We did, and clearly, many other females did as well. Most of them were taking advantage of the "open bar" policy. One poor lady walked out of the stall with a long chain of TP stuck to both feet. She couldn't unstick it so I used my foot to help her unstick it. She then said, "Oh, can you pick that up for me?" So I did (carefully, barely touching it.) And then I washed my hands really well. Really, Really well.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">See, the first case of Ebola just touched down on American soil on my home turf: Dallas, TX. So one can never be too careful when we're talking about a disease that can be passed through fecal/oral transmission. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We were going to play another game of Sorry! when we got home but Amberlee got really tired and Ryan fell asleep. So we all went to bed and I stayed up to write. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">But, as it happens, sleep eventually overtook me once again. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-45090983380857866912014-09-30T12:37:00.001-05:002014-09-30T15:24:19.154-05:00The days we saw the first sunsets!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s10QpN_iZ-I/VCsRbHsmYFI/AAAAAAAAEKI/aJghHIgIy7I/s640/blogger-image--1828994680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s10QpN_iZ-I/VCsRbHsmYFI/AAAAAAAAEKI/aJghHIgIy7I/s640/blogger-image--1828994680.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We awoke after 12 hours of sleep (6 pm to 6 am) feeling perfectly refreshed. We sat in our living room, overlooking the ocean, and drank Kona coffee.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Well, Ryan, Jonathan, and Amberlee drank coffee. I sat and held my coffee, waiting for it to get lukewarm before I dared drink it. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I never did.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">First order of business: find food.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">So we did.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We got to a cute little breakfast place, and grabbed a menu. Immediately, I had a choice conundrum. Which sandwich should I get? The fancy "Longboard" with a fried egg, lettuce and tomato, or a Veggie breakfast sandwich. I love veggies but I felt like maybe I needed some protein.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And this is where traveling with friends has benefits. Amberlee had the same conundrum, so we each got one and then went halfsies.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A decision we thoroughly enjoyed! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">At breakfast Amberlee got something in her eye. She tried to wipe it out, but was covered in sunscreen, making that tricky.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">She was all squinty and suggested we try to find some eye drops.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ryan suggested getting her an eye patch instead.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I think he was joking.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">He also said, "Or you could just look like you're winking at everyone."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Needless to say, we got her some eye drops.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">There are also chickens everywhere. Just like Africa.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fXsLINEkI8M/VCrw3W6V6xI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/G9wtjHHZ3HQ/s640/blogger-image-1177197174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fXsLINEkI8M/VCrw3W6V6xI/AAAAAAAAEHQ/G9wtjHHZ3HQ/s640/blogger-image-1177197174.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[chicken. or is that a rooster?]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">.........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div>I'm just going to say it. I forgot a strapless bra. And no, I don't have a strapless swimsuit either. And yes, I need a strapless bra for all of my "nice" dresses. </div><div><br></div><div>This is a dilemma. If you're a girl, you get me.</div><div><br></div><div>We needed to find me a bra, preferably sooner rather than later.</div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We had to go grocery shopping anyway, so I wasn't really inconveniencing anyone. But let's be honest, if it came down to it, I would have inconvenienced them all if it meant I would look cuter in my photos.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We started at Walmart. Needless to say, we found nothing suitable there. So we grabbed some nail polish and coconut-clay facial masks instead. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What can I say, we're opportunists.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We decided to try Macy's next. Not only did we find the perfect thing for a great price, but they were also on sale! Amberlee is quite the skilled shopping buddy! They were two for 20 dollars! Score!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Poor Jonathan and Ryan waited awkwardly in the purse section, lest they be called perverts for standing in the lady's panty section. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We grabbed food at Costco afterwards. Our checkout clerk's sister lives in Arlington. She also gave us some pearls of wisdom:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">If you see an abandoned beach, it's not a hidden gem. It's because the waves there are dangerous, stay out! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We did get a mini-lunch with all the free samples at Costco. Although, half of them ended up on my dress, so maybe it wasn't the best place to eat lunch.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We got home and ate a real lunch and then took a nap. Shopping is hard work!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And, we didn't want to be in the sun between 10 and 3, exposing ourselves to skin cancer.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After our nap we put on about a zillion gallons of sunscreen and walked out of our patio, across the street, and onto the beach. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And in case you saw some article on the Internet about sunscreen causing skin cancer and believed it, you may want to review correlation vs causation. Or read this article http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-great-sunscreen-cover-up/</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">If you have no idea what I'm talking about, good. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I was all disappointed because they had a big area sectioned off, but it turned out to be the most exciting thing ever!!!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">THERE WAS A SEAL ON THE BEACH SUNNING HIMSELF!!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CjeDBmGqFPY/VCrtvgFzjwI/AAAAAAAAEG0/pdOrKIkPHBE/s640/blogger-image--1168560253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CjeDBmGqFPY/VCrtvgFzjwI/AAAAAAAAEG0/pdOrKIkPHBE/s640/blogger-image--1168560253.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6QH7bxgMD6s/VCr5tXGEvPI/AAAAAAAAEJw/48fQqZ-AB0Q/s640/blogger-image-358135337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6QH7bxgMD6s/VCr5tXGEvPI/AAAAAAAAEJw/48fQqZ-AB0Q/s640/blogger-image-358135337.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l_nZTPUn2Pg/VCr5wTf7beI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/YGMOC1VdI18/s640/blogger-image--1068700155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l_nZTPUn2Pg/VCr5wTf7beI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/YGMOC1VdI18/s640/blogger-image--1068700155.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[SEAL FRIEND-see he moves]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Amberlee declared seals to be her new favorite animal! She then named the seal Felix, in case we run in to him again at a fancy dinner party. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We took about 100 pictures with the seal, and then sat down to read on the beach.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We finally got tired of that and came back to swim in one of the 3 pools at our condo.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then we got hungry again so the boys grilled fish.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Which isn't nearly funny enough to include in a blog....</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Except that it started raining while they were grilling. I wasn't really paying attention to that, I was too busy trying to capture the perfect rainy-sunset picture.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And no, I never got it. Sorry to disappoint you.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R1y37wLiqM0/VCrtz_LYxZI/AAAAAAAAEG8/Yh-U_LjfdDc/s640/blogger-image--657651867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-R1y37wLiqM0/VCrtz_LYxZI/AAAAAAAAEG8/Yh-U_LjfdDc/s640/blogger-image--657651867.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[fish dinner]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">But I did get this one of the sunset:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L0sfNiWqaO0/VCrt9wfeCbI/AAAAAAAAEHE/U5vtm3gxNY8/s640/blogger-image--24182888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-L0sfNiWqaO0/VCrt9wfeCbI/AAAAAAAAEHE/U5vtm3gxNY8/s640/blogger-image--24182888.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Rainy sunset]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We ate dinner with wine, and then saw the shortest sunset (it lasted maybe 30 seconds) between clouds. We practically live next to the beach, so Jonathan promised we would get a chance to see another one.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We then went to find a board game to play. The library only had puzzles, Star Wars monopoly, and a game called The Shtick Adventure Domination. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We ended up just getting a deck of cards and some juice.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">They have a room here just for juice. A juice room. It's some kind of tropical guava pineapple something. It was delicious. We drank the delicious and then went home.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ryan was already asleep and resisted all attempts to wake him. So Jonathan and Amberlee read while I blogged. Can't let down the blog followers. I made them proofread my first Hawaii post. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">There was laughter. That's good news! Then sleep.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We awoke on Monday to pouring down rain. Ryan got up at like 5:30 or something. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We researched roosters. I wanted to know what the picture above was. Ryan and Jonathan educated Amberlee and me about rooster. Kind of. The male chicken is a rooster and it's pretty to attract the females (to which Jonathan replied "Ca Caw!")</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The hen lays the eggs. Then the rooster comes to fertilize them. How?!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We saw a rainbow. I enjoyed it for about 3 seconds and then ran inside to grab my camera before it disappeared. By the time I got back out, it was gone. Ryan got a photo for you though.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OM-zt7mNbV4/VCr1jcwCxeI/AAAAAAAAEJc/etAlIFl5qI0/s640/blogger-image-194330972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OM-zt7mNbV4/VCr1jcwCxeI/AAAAAAAAEJc/etAlIFl5qI0/s640/blogger-image-194330972.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[rainbow] </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Disappearing rainbow. Lame-O. That rhymes!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We decided to take a walk to spouting horn. It was a mile up the road. It's basically this rock formation that spouts water like a whale whenever a big wave crashes into it.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I got some photos. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Some of them were terrible quality.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gSMHD6V-cwY/VCr1QPC6-oI/AAAAAAAAEIU/5O1vJ5evvyQ/s640/blogger-image--1443505289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gSMHD6V-cwY/VCr1QPC6-oI/AAAAAAAAEIU/5O1vJ5evvyQ/s640/blogger-image--1443505289.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[someone's thumb]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Some were great quality, but those are on my DSLR, so you can't see them yet.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Some of them were taken by Ryan, and those turned out to be beautiful.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dYEwn4qEq7Q/VCr1Xj2bh5I/AAAAAAAAEI0/aNXp-napIks/s640/blogger-image--1906044139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dYEwn4qEq7Q/VCr1Xj2bh5I/AAAAAAAAEI0/aNXp-napIks/s640/blogger-image--1906044139.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[pretty photo of spouting horn]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We also got a photo together. Don't mind the fact that we were sweating like pigs.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oDl8yMDtiA8/VCrw_Rk5BuI/AAAAAAAAEHw/7W5-dQFtceE/s640/blogger-image-1197202252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oDl8yMDtiA8/VCrw_Rk5BuI/AAAAAAAAEHw/7W5-dQFtceE/s640/blogger-image-1197202252.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[spouting horn shot]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I also got a picture of some baby chickens. And their mommy. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5TN6dSKQsCs/VCrxBf62f0I/AAAAAAAAEH4/UTWzXYs3Q-4/s640/blogger-image-1539152027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5TN6dSKQsCs/VCrxBf62f0I/AAAAAAAAEH4/UTWzXYs3Q-4/s640/blogger-image-1539152027.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[adorables]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I searched forever (probably 45 minutes) in the little trinket shops for a black pearl necklace/bracelet/earring set.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CmpAGEBG9Rs/VCrw7gZnpRI/AAAAAAAAEHg/F_vdgO0qiWI/s640/blogger-image-1633457389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CmpAGEBG9Rs/VCrw7gZnpRI/AAAAAAAAEHg/F_vdgO0qiWI/s640/blogger-image-1633457389.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[set]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I was considering the necklace pictured above, along with some other options. I wasn't exactly sure which one I wanted until some old lady picked my necklace up. Mentally, I yelled, "put down my necklace you old witch!" And she must have heard me mentally, because she did. And then it was mine!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Now I can finally live out my fantasy of being Elizabeth Swan and The Curse of the Black Pearl. Well, not exactly. We don't have a pirate ship. And we don't have Jack Sparrow. But we are going on a sunset cruise tomorrow, so it should work out nicely.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Now we just need to find some swords....</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We started our walk back at 9:45 Amberlee and I were starting to get hungry, which actually means we were starting to get hangry. Which means so-hungry-we're-angry if you're not current with the slang lingo we young kids are using these days.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We decided to split a sandwich as a snack when we got back to the condo.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When we actually arrived back, we were all covered in sweat and drenched in hanger. We decided to make a mid-morning snack.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K7qryJz655Q/VCr1TuvnC1I/AAAAAAAAEIk/QqhBEY_nXVc/s640/blogger-image-178269412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-K7qryJz655Q/VCr1TuvnC1I/AAAAAAAAEIk/QqhBEY_nXVc/s640/blogger-image-178269412.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Ryan, using his 5+ years of experience in the sandwich-making industry]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-77U4ars1Q20/VCrw5I_uABI/AAAAAAAAEHY/xOvpTEW2os8/s640/blogger-image-1188693381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-77U4ars1Q20/VCrw5I_uABI/AAAAAAAAEHY/xOvpTEW2os8/s640/blogger-image-1188693381.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iy6zf8-NK7A/VCrxDA3_Z0I/AAAAAAAAEIA/AfpFqJVtfz0/s640/blogger-image--818645114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iy6zf8-NK7A/VCrxDA3_Z0I/AAAAAAAAEIA/AfpFqJVtfz0/s640/blogger-image--818645114.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[Our 10:00 snack. Or more appropriate, 2nd Breakfast. Or Elevensies.]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then we rested so Ryan's back would be happy, Amberlee could paint her nails, and I could write. On the side of the beach. Feeling the cool ocean breeze.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">..........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We went shopping for sleeping shorts. It is WAY to hot here to sleep in pants and both Amberlee and I were vastly unprepared. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We're quite hot in our pajama pants. Hot. Get it?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We went shorts shopping, but didn't find any shorts. We did find some ice cream and free nut samples.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We also visited the Farmer's market and got 2 coconuts. I managed to convince the boys we needed adorable coconut pictures. These boys really love us!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4eHAPSRGHdc/VCr1bZ6C9tI/AAAAAAAAEI8/5fkTZiqCT2E/s640/blogger-image-1677165679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4eHAPSRGHdc/VCr1bZ6C9tI/AAAAAAAAEI8/5fkTZiqCT2E/s640/blogger-image-1677165679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m0aYLd0DYfE/VCr1LvwY9LI/AAAAAAAAEIM/hzfgsHEGMDE/s640/blogger-image-1241772457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m0aYLd0DYfE/VCr1LvwY9LI/AAAAAAAAEIM/hzfgsHEGMDE/s640/blogger-image-1241772457.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[coconut]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I got full of coconut water really quickly. Literally, I was full of it.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We also bought a 6 dollar pineapple and a 5 dollar mango. This mango better be the tastiest mango ever!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WgCE4Yb7Cbs/VCrw9VraP6I/AAAAAAAAEHo/W8zj0bS5LfA/s640/blogger-image-2137134311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WgCE4Yb7Cbs/VCrw9VraP6I/AAAAAAAAEHo/W8zj0bS5LfA/s640/blogger-image-2137134311.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[fruit]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Amberlee bet me that she could smash her coconut in 3 tries. I bet not. She did. But I did it in 2 tries! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-es1wSgtxMVM/VCr1lMQM9CI/AAAAAAAAEJk/0p8Cl2ArqSc/s640/blogger-image--2134127843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-es1wSgtxMVM/VCr1lMQM9CI/AAAAAAAAEJk/0p8Cl2ArqSc/s640/blogger-image--2134127843.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[smashing!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And then, to celebrate National Coffee Day, we went to visit Kauai Coffee Estate. It was beastly hot outside, and we sweated like beasts drinking the hot coffee. But we tasted it anyway.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M-3oFCurBbQ/VCr1dSpH6SI/AAAAAAAAEJE/ZC866RcNKAE/s640/blogger-image--16635111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M-3oFCurBbQ/VCr1dSpH6SI/AAAAAAAAEJE/ZC866RcNKAE/s640/blogger-image--16635111.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Then we ate more ice creams. I opted for a chocolate/coffee covered banana instead. I'm not sure how Ryan felt about my decision.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eAEbKpUDpSc/VCr1fV9i2RI/AAAAAAAAEJM/BFT-SRrtLLQ/s640/blogger-image--1558128444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eAEbKpUDpSc/VCr1fV9i2RI/AAAAAAAAEJM/BFT-SRrtLLQ/s640/blogger-image--1558128444.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">[bananna]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We haven't stopped eating since second breakfast, which is right on schedule if we were elves.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> We ended the night with a sunset and a hilarious game of Sorry! We listened to the waves crash along the beach and went to bed.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q_8h44QifE0/VCr1VgGFJMI/AAAAAAAAEIs/s6nr6yaUrM0/s640/blogger-image-1020189624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q_8h44QifE0/VCr1VgGFJMI/AAAAAAAAEIs/s6nr6yaUrM0/s640/blogger-image-1020189624.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EAvkVbRnoW8/VCr1he4qiTI/AAAAAAAAEJU/zdkwylKMz9I/s640/blogger-image-1729291141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EAvkVbRnoW8/VCr1he4qiTI/AAAAAAAAEJU/zdkwylKMz9I/s640/blogger-image-1729291141.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--bgrl0Gvm7I/VCr1R9kHl3I/AAAAAAAAEIc/tON1QD1rEUw/s640/blogger-image--1010997865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--bgrl0Gvm7I/VCr1R9kHl3I/AAAAAAAAEIc/tON1QD1rEUw/s640/blogger-image--1010997865.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-39306833287168190602014-09-29T02:01:00.001-05:002014-09-29T02:17:49.067-05:00The day we traveled to Hawaii!<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm writing this so I can remember the good times. But I'm hoping while reading you can live vicariously through me, and enjoy traveling to Hawaii.</span><br><div><br></div><div>............</div><div><br style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Well, we got up at 4 am. Really, I should say I got up at 11 pm the night before we left after taking a refreshing 6 minute nap and I never fell back asleep.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">My hair dried nicely though, so I guess it works.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">On our first flight we sat behind a 3 year old. His incessant talking got old after the first 2 hours. Worse, we sat in front of girls that could have starred in the movie Mean Girls.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">"Im like going to be in such a zombie state today."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">"I wish I could just wear anything like Sarah Jessica Parker can!"</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">"Man, if our flight leaves at 7 am we're going to have to go to the airport straight from the club. I hope I don't barf."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Quality humans.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We deplained the first flight and walked 3 steps to the waiting area for our 2nd flight. We only had to wait 20 minutes before they started the boarding process. We got to board first because we were flying First Class!!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RcZT9oOWOOY/VCkDmT-DRsI/AAAAAAAAEFs/-s_vSWYqlxk/s640/blogger-image-1597658977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RcZT9oOWOOY/VCkDmT-DRsI/AAAAAAAAEFs/-s_vSWYqlxk/s640/blogger-image-1597658977.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">[the quintessential photo]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qj0wU_U2lG0/VCkDqDdW4uI/AAAAAAAAEF8/JWK3ws_Bag4/s640/blogger-image-2112717918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qj0wU_U2lG0/VCkDqDdW4uI/AAAAAAAAEF8/JWK3ws_Bag4/s640/blogger-image-2112717918.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">[blankets]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">They had blankets, pillows, and headphones waiting on us at our seat. They came around with the choice of OJ, water, or Champagne. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I was at a crossroads. Really, what I wanted was to have a mimosa, but I picked the OJ. After all, local time it was only 8 am and I didn't want to look like a drunkard. Also, we were the youngest people in first class by at least 20 years. Actually, we were the probably some of the youngest people on the entire flight. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Except for our 3 year old friend from the first flight. Thankfully, he was flying coach again. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">(Ryan got excited because the in flight movie was Xmen days of future past and being in first class we got the ear buds for free.) Guest written by, guess who? Ryan. Sorry I didn't actually give you time to guess.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">As much as I want to see that movie, I decided that sleep won out. I could watch a movie any day, but I don't want to be grumpy and sleepy in Hawaii.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Then they came around offering is legit beverages. I got my mimosa in a fancy wine glass. They really know how to treat you right in First Class.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hQe00th_RU4/VCkDr7rcwsI/AAAAAAAAEGE/5lwQ4AHR9ts/s640/blogger-image-641412259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hQe00th_RU4/VCkDr7rcwsI/AAAAAAAAEGE/5lwQ4AHR9ts/s640/blogger-image-641412259.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">[cheers to 1st Class!]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">After half my mimosa I could tell it was time to fall back asleep. My 6 minutes of sleep last night just wasn't cutting it.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">But I didn't want to miss out on food. If there's anything I like more than beverages, it's food. All I had for breakfast was a Kind Plus protein bar. And as delicious as that was, we had been traveling for 6 hours and it just wasn't cutting it anymore. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I decided that if I finished my mimosa before the food came I would just give in to sleep. Lest I let all the alcohol get into my bloodstream and make me act like a fool.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Oh, and the food won out.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R15qobwM_TY/VCkDoB4hyvI/AAAAAAAAEF0/D3OjU0GDtA8/s640/blogger-image-242521924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R15qobwM_TY/VCkDoB4hyvI/AAAAAAAAEF0/D3OjU0GDtA8/s640/blogger-image-242521924.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">[photo egg sufle and a biscuit and fresh fruit.]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Then our flight attendant refilled my mimosa. And I crashed. I slept through the movie, when suddenly, I was awoken my Ryan:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">"Babe, you told me to wake you up if they were serving food."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">He must have seen my angry "what the heck" eyes and gone on the defensive.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I looked to our flight attendants, and sure enough, they were serving food! I thanked Ryan instead of mauling him. They came by with two choices:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4VuMrdPCCUk/VCkEN41_jiI/AAAAAAAAEGc/DNsUjkVitSw/s640/blogger-image--1543803913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4VuMrdPCCUk/VCkEN41_jiI/AAAAAAAAEGc/DNsUjkVitSw/s640/blogger-image--1543803913.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">[choices]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Ben & Jerrry's Cookies and Cream ice cream or Fruit and Cheese. Ryan picked the former, I picked the latter. I took one bite of my Bree and cracker and I said "you know what would taste great with this?"</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">And, as if I had a rubbed a magic lamp, out of no where appeared the flight attendant and he offered me the wine I wanted.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-weBegJIkI4E/VCkEKFYy5dI/AAAAAAAAEGM/9CpFFUazTac/s640/blogger-image--1524052649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-weBegJIkI4E/VCkEKFYy5dI/AAAAAAAAEGM/9CpFFUazTac/s640/blogger-image--1524052649.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">[what fruit and cheese should stand next to]</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Just then, I sneezed 6 times. Well, I sneezed 4 times and then a few seconds later sneezed the last two times. Ryan asked "are you allergic to cheese?" </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Death first.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">After finishing my marvelous snack, I thought I should start writing some more blog. Gotta preserve the memories before the red wine erases them.....</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">....then it was almost time to land. We watched a short informational video about agriculture in Hawaii. I got a bit worried about my granola bars, but they didn't mention anything about nuts being illegal, so I can save them from deposit in the amnesty bin.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I wanted a cool picture of hawaii from the plane before we landed. But alas, we were on the wrong side of some clouds. I'm sure Google has a good one though. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y4MMTAye69g/VCkEPg0E37I/AAAAAAAAEGk/oEEm6kcYYtA/s640/blogger-image--1094616812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y4MMTAye69g/VCkEPg0E37I/AAAAAAAAEGk/oEEm6kcYYtA/s640/blogger-image--1094616812.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Now, I have to tell you the story of why we're flying first class. You see, we had just moved into a house 2 months prior, and then some truly horrible things had happened to us.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">First, we found out the pipes under our house were completely wasted, and we had to pay a bunch of money to replace ALL the pipes under our foundation. We had to live with some friends for two weeks. That's friendship right there.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Then, Ryan had been diagnosed with a herniated disc and before the move, after the move, and while we were living with friends we had been getting steroid injections in his back to try to improve the disc herniation. Instead of improving, he got steadily worse to the point where we passed up our favorite meal (Grimaldi's salad, pizza, and wine) because he couldn't bear to sit for more than 5-10 minutes at a time. The next step was surgery. We decided to take the leap and go for it, hoping it restored Ryan's quality of life.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">That night, after signing up for surgery, we got a message that Ryan's dad was having trouble breathing. He needed to be sedated and given a breathing tube. Then he lost his heartbeat. Despite several efforts to bring him back, and several moments where he had a heartbeat again, he wasn't able to make it. He was so young, only 58. We were devastated.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">This is all on top of 2 flat tires, and 8 tires needing air in the last 2 months. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Life was rough.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Thankfully, our friends stepped in to help out. We got meals from friends, most of whom stayed around to listen to stories about life. Other friends offered to watch our pups while we were gone for the funeral. Others helped with flat tires and brought us wine. We felt deeply loved, and yet, so sad. We needed to catch a break.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Three days After Ryan's surgery we flew to Georgia for the funeral. His surgeon's PA gave him some special compression devices to wear on his legs during the flight. They were baby blue and super "awesome."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Traveling was rough on Ryan's back and he wasn't healing nearly as fast as we had hoped he would.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We had planned a trip to Hawaii with our friends back in March, about 5 months prior. We told them we might not be able to make it with Ryan's back. It hurt him to sit for so long. I mentioned we were going to look into getting Him a first class ticket so it would be easier on his back, but we might not be able to afford it with everything else that happened.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">They asked us for our flight information and said they would look into upgrades with their mileage. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">The next morning they presented us with upgraded tickets for the longest flights BOTH ways for BOTH of us. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Woah. We felt like crying. We were so thankful to go and get away from it all. I'm not sure we will ever be able to express how much that meant to us. But we will try.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">............</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Now, from a young age, my father had been passing his SLR cameras down to me. I got my first one at age 12, after proving him I read the camera care book he gave me that had tips about shutter speeds and appetures in it and stuff. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">My parents were in the Yellowstone National Park last week. We waved to them as we flew over It on our way to LA.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">They waved back.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">So my dad has been sending me these majestic photos of his trip, with a fair amount of "trash talk." He thinks he's going to have the most beautiful pictures.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Clearly, he hasn't been to Hawaii and he doesn't know who he's dealing with :)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I called my Grandmother the night before we left for Hawaii. I learned a lot about Hawaii from a Wikipedia page, and I learned a lot about my grandmother from our conversation.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">She's been to Hawaii 4 times. She thought Honalulu looked too much like Miami. She traveled there in 1945 after her husband returned from the armed forces. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I said, "wow, what was it like going to Hawaii before it was a state?" She said she thought it was a state back then. (According to Wiki, it became a state in Aug 1959, but it was a U.S. Territory before then, so I suppose it would be like going to Puerto Rico)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">She said she traveled to most of the islands and her favorite was "the garden isle." </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We had a miscommunication where she asked me where we were going and I said Kauai. She said, "sorry I didn't understand you." So I said it again. She still didn't understand. So I spelled it for her. Finally, she said, "oh, Hawaii, the big island." That's not my favorite one, but you should like it."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I didn't have the heart to correct her. Good thing Kauai is the garden isle. She would love to see our photos, if she could still see.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Then she started saying that Ryan and I should visit....(she couldn't think of the state....so she came up with facts to help me guess it)....the 50th state.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Hmmm. I know Hawaii is the 50th state admitted to the U.S. (Alaska was admitted Jan 1959 and Hawaii Aug 1959) but we were just talking about Hawaii, so I guessed "Alaska?"</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">She said no, it's the 50th state" so I guessed Hawaii.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">She said "no, it's that cold one attached to Canada" </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Alaska?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">"Yep, that's the one. It's beautiful. I keep trying to get your father to go there."</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Whew. That was enough understandings for the night. Regardless, I was even more excited to see Hawaii, making a mental note to try and see Alaska before I started getting senile.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">.........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">So we get to Hawaii and meet up with our friends, Jonathan and Amberlee. We rented a car. We tried our hardest to score a free upgrade, but the lady giving us the car wasn't cooperative.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We also tried to add me as a second driver, but that was almost as expensive as getting me my own rental car, so we opted out. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">So much for my wild and crazy driving around Hawaii.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We hopped in the car, determined to find food before we spontaneously combusted. It was 4pm Hawaii time, and 9 pm our time. We were famished.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We all threw on our seat belts and drove out of the lot. Except for Amberlee. Her seatbelt buckle was missing. I tried to help her, but it just wasn't there. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed over the top of the seat to look for it in the trunk. No luck. We made Jonathan pull over. He got out of the car, pulled everything out of the trunk, and still couldn't find the seatbelt buckle. We were about to take the car back (although I had already fallen in love with our Nissan Extera, it was super sporty and climbing over the back wheel to sit in my seat made me feel super rugged) when I suggested we look under the seat. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Thank goodness we found the buckles in there! I was getting pretty attached to our rental car!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">She snapped the seat back into place, trapping the top part of her seatbelt behind the seat.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">"AMBERLEE, PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER! PEOPLE ARE STARVING HERE!!"</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">She pulled it together, thankfully.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">...........</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">We ate dinner and checked into our condo. There was NO air conditioning. I felt a little like I was in Africa. It was getting late (6pm Hawaii time, 11 pm our time, and we had gotten up at 4 with minimal sleep in between) so we wanted to sleep. But it was so hot. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Ryan wanted me to talk to him, and I tried to, but eventually I said, "sleep has overcome me!" And fell promptly asleep, ending our first day in Hawaii.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i2fVNl1HCOQ/VCkELwyZNDI/AAAAAAAAEGU/LGeNDoOwogA/s640/blogger-image-903866594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i2fVNl1HCOQ/VCkELwyZNDI/AAAAAAAAEGU/LGeNDoOwogA/s640/blogger-image-903866594.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-7198221860549239942014-09-26T10:42:00.001-05:002014-09-26T13:08:28.114-05:00The day I put terrible quotes in my office.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I recently painted the world so that I could put it on my wall in my office.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'll sprinkle pictures of how I painted it through the post, in case you want to re-create this masterpiece in your own office.<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JPJ4aGad1p4/VCWJbgRrW4I/AAAAAAAAEDs/KF7nY5c1rPo/s640/blogger-image-1190911638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JPJ4aGad1p4/VCWJbgRrW4I/AAAAAAAAEDs/KF7nY5c1rPo/s640/blogger-image-1190911638.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was quite the process and it took forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And by forever, I mean 8 hours split over 2 days. And I'm not sure I'm finished with it. I think I want to label all the countries but I'm not sure if that will make it look cluttered.</div><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Clearly, I </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">need a coordinating picture for another wall, preferably with some sort of witty quote that would inspire me to be a great Primary care Provider. I turned to Pinterest to find the perfect quote.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I find people sit for far too long in my office. They have a lot of time to dwell on the things we have on our walls, so I needed to find something awesome. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What I found, was a lot of TERRIBLE quotes for my office. I worried that when people say long enough and thought about some of the quotes I found, that would make them seem worse than they are. So I don't want to put the wrong ideas into their head. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now when you read these, grab a nice beverage of your choice. Maybe put on a paper robe and sit yourself in an awkward room on a kinda uncomfortable bed and imagine you're waiting for your Doctor or your PA to come into the room with medical advice. Some of these quotes are great, but not in that context....</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And yes, these are ALL on pinterest. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here are just a few of those quotes:<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VSRUzMzTQDo/VCWircUR-YI/AAAAAAAAEEM/8iNCVbQ30uU/s640/blogger-image-655857908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VSRUzMzTQDo/VCWircUR-YI/AAAAAAAAEEM/8iNCVbQ30uU/s640/blogger-image-655857908.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the beginning]</div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I hope she'll be a fool-that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." F. Scott Fitzgerald (from The Great Gatsby) </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because the girl that's coming into your room to care for you could be a fool. And I want to brainwash you into thinking that's a beautiful thing. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for." To Kill a Mockingbird </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, I'm not actually going to listen to you or look at you. Because that would be pointless.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Of corse it is happening inside your head, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?" Albus Dubmledore </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have enough crazies here, do you want to be another one?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rFsDDTT5mM/VCWi0Q-s_yI/AAAAAAAAEEU/pZ-1hlvWf0w/s640/blogger-image-678510985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rFsDDTT5mM/VCWi0Q-s_yI/AAAAAAAAEEU/pZ-1hlvWf0w/s640/blogger-image-678510985.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[I decided the easiest way to paint all the little countries was to cut them out with an exacto knife. I'm not sure why it never occurred to me to use scissors]</div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place on the object we're waiting for." Charles Stanley </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Actually talking about Isaiah 64:4 I think, but also not appropriate for any place a doctor is making people wait. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Write hard and clear about what hurts" Ernest Hemingway </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just don't talk long about what hurts, ok? And be sure to get the clear part down.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?" Clark Griswold, Christmas Vacation </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe, if you're driving me crazy, I'll drive you crazy. Or kill you. Just think about it.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">(Please note I'm being intentionally sarcastic here.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.......... </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The days are long and the years are short." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yes, your years could be short when you're my patient. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Do not be afraid." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of the awful things we can do to you or the terrible diagnosis we could give you. Or of death. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.............</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Learn to say "NO" without explaining yourself." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because that's what I do. No explanations for you. Just no. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">............</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4zK3f_gxGqg/VCWi6vC5uzI/AAAAAAAAEEc/rL_xRqHcoZI/s640/blogger-image-738077543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4zK3f_gxGqg/VCWi6vC5uzI/AAAAAAAAEEc/rL_xRqHcoZI/s640/blogger-image-738077543.jpg"></a></div>[Cutting out Antarctica was easy. I guess I thought the rest of the world would be too]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because you're only going to get older if you're lucky. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." CS Lewis. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So get prepared for whatever hardship I'm about to offer you. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.............</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Find joy in the ordinary." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because I'm not extraordinary. I'm just plain average. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We were together. I forget the rest." Walt Whitman </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now I know nothing. Perfect for you. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Often in life we forget the things we should remember, and remember the things we should forget." </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And all that medical knowledge...that's one of the things I should remember...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xQ7PUSFS6bs/VCWi9uEl7EI/AAAAAAAAEEk/IYQEfs4EJ4w/s640/blogger-image--1760369020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xQ7PUSFS6bs/VCWi9uEl7EI/AAAAAAAAEEk/IYQEfs4EJ4w/s640/blogger-image--1760369020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[a close-up of the creative process]</div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The best advice I ever received is, 'No one else knows what they're doing either.'" Ricky Gervais </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yep, I don't know what I'm doing. That's comforting, isn't it. <br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Humans have a knack for choosing precisely the things that are worst for them." JK Rawling </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like the choice you made to see me! You're already regretting that, aren't you?!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zaN1wec79f0/VCWo4VZMsPI/AAAAAAAAEFc/q1VDvqaMPjk/s640/blogger-image--751887270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zaN1wec79f0/VCWo4VZMsPI/AAAAAAAAEFc/q1VDvqaMPjk/s640/blogger-image--751887270.jpg"></a></div>[1/4 done. I was able to do some nice cutting with my little exacto knife]</div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The question is, what color will everything be at that moment when I come for you? What will the sky be saying?" The Book Thief </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you've read that, you know what moment we're talking about. We're talking about the moment you die. Now keep thinking about death as you wait to see the doctor/ PA.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KScxoF4osHE/VCWo2e4yXRI/AAAAAAAAEFU/YMwoG8Tluwo/s640/blogger-image--1456988153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KScxoF4osHE/VCWo2e4yXRI/AAAAAAAAEFU/YMwoG8Tluwo/s640/blogger-image--1456988153.jpg"></a></div>[1/2 way there, and that's about all I can handle for the night.]</div><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick and pull yourself together." Elizabeth Taylor </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because that's what I'm doing, right now! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You live but once; you might as well be amusing." Coco Chanel </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe I will be amusing. Maybe that's all I am. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light." Albus Dubmledore </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So don't sit in the dark. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Anything is possible if you've got enough nerve." Ginny Weasley </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like moving your limbs, if you don't have enough nerves in them, you can't move them. You gotta love puns!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yyRlonW342Q/VCWkYo5FLAI/AAAAAAAAEFA/a30IDfyOEPg/s640/blogger-image--1590966682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yyRlonW342Q/VCWkYo5FLAI/AAAAAAAAEFA/a30IDfyOEPg/s640/blogger-image--1590966682.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[3/4 of the way to world domination!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"She wasn't doing a thing that I could see, except standing there, on leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together." J.D. Salinger </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And that's what your provider is doing. Nothing, just holding the universe together.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Life is but a walking shadow" William Shakespeare </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Your life is a shadow. Be thankful you're walking.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I have nothing to offer anybody except my own confusion." Jack Kerouac </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Continue to sit there, while you doubt my medical abilities. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4r8NImTyrrE/VCWkSx-Qz5I/AAAAAAAAEEw/jGUTyQaVZZ8/s640/blogger-image-1141618484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4r8NImTyrrE/VCWkSx-Qz5I/AAAAAAAAEEw/jGUTyQaVZZ8/s640/blogger-image-1141618484.jpg"></a></div>[almost done!]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go." Dr. Seuss </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At least he's a Dr. You can do what you want! You get to pick whatever medical care you want!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." Dr. Seuss </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because someone like me doesn't care! </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But you all know I do care.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm sure there are more quotes, but these are my current favorites thus far. Maybe I'll add to the list as I keep working.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hope you had a good laugh!!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now I must go. The Metamucil lady came by the other day and made me take a sample of her Metamucil Health bar packed with fiber. And today I got hungry enough to try it...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5CiqAOJMzwA/VCWStpKWiqI/AAAAAAAAED8/WxlssIi1xl8/s640/blogger-image--1591077975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5CiqAOJMzwA/VCWStpKWiqI/AAAAAAAAED8/WxlssIi1xl8/s640/blogger-image--1591077975.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-36587765517919994472014-09-20T22:24:00.001-05:002014-09-20T22:40:02.860-05:00The day our house broke. Again.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I detailed the beginning of our house drama in my last post :<br><br><a href="http://shanhelster.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-days-we-actually-moved-extended.html" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">http://shanhelster.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-days-we-actually-moved-extended.html</a><br>read the full details here if you'd like to :)</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Quick recap for you: Jesus fixed our AC, Jerry turned our water on,<br>Sears remodeled our kitchen, Seth fixed our water heater, and Gavin<br>fixed the plug in our main drain. All in the first 3 days after we<br>moved in.<br><br>Two days later, our main sewage drain stopped draining again.<br><br>We had been meticulous about putting no more than 4-5 squares of<br>toilet paper in a flush. We had been extra vigilant that nothing big<br>would go down our drain.<br><br>Yet, it was plugged again.<br><br>After looking in our outside drain-out pipes (I knew what those were,<br>thanks to our first plumber, who kindly taught me about them), we<br>determined our main drain was plugged again. We called the plumbers<br>directly since our home warranty was crap and wouldn't pay for<br>anything "under the foundation."<br><br>Mike the plumber came out this time. He cleaned out the drain. Then, it got<br>plugged up again 2 days later. He said the drain pipe was likely<br>broken and recommended a camera guy come out.<br><br>The soonest we could schedule a camera guy was 5 days later.<br><br>............................................................<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wovDqry9yjo/VB5E_9ywFSI/AAAAAAAAECw/y-pD2VxiZHs/s640/blogger-image-879678205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wovDqry9yjo/VB5E_9ywFSI/AAAAAAAAECw/y-pD2VxiZHs/s640/blogger-image-879678205.jpg"></a></div><br><br>So there I am sitting on our second toilet after work, when a bug runs<br>into the bathroom and straight at me. I was no-where near done yet,<br>but I wiped really quickly and jumped off the toilet seat and out of<br>his way.<br><br>I ran to the kitchen to grab bug spray. I had pulled up my pants, but<br>there was no time to zip them. We didn't have bug spray there, so I<br>grabbed the next-best-thing: all-purpose cleaner. I figured, why not?<br><br>I ran back to the bathroom, and luckly for me, the but was still<br>searching for a human or something because he was still there in the<br>bathroom. I sprayed him a few times with the cleaner, but nothing<br>happened.<br><br>So I sprayed him a zillion more times with cleaner until he was<br>swimming in a pool of all-purpose cleaner. He ran under my boots that<br>were sitting in the corner of the bathroom, but I didn't want bug guts<br>on the bottom of them, so I moved them out of the way. He then ran<br>into the in-bathroom closet. I sprayed the closet a few more times<br>before I ran outside to the shed to get the legitamite bugspray. I<br>figured if I was going to go in the closed after him, I should have<br>reinforcements.<br><br>I unlocked the shed, grabbed the spray, and ran back into the<br>bathroom. I opened the closet door, and by all luck, he was paralized<br>in a pool of all-purpose cleaner. I sprayed him a few times with the<br>bug spray, just to be sure he was actually dead and not just<br>pretending.<br><br>Because if anyone tries to shoot me, I'll just pretend to be dead so<br>they'll walk away. I wasn't going to let this guy away so easily. A<br>quick ten shots straight to his heart should make sure he can't get up<br>and walk away!<br><br>I then left him there, deciding we needed to keep the bug spray in the<br>house, I then closed the shed door. because I wanted to let the pups<br>out to go potty. I figured they had been holding it all day, and they<br>probably needed to go asap. I walked back inside, looking a bit<br>defeated, when my husband walked in.<br><br>My pants were half on, I'm just shutting the door, I'm covered in<br>sweat, and yeah, my hair was a mess.<br><br>"What happened?"<br><br>"A huge bug tried to attack me and you would be so proud, I didn't<br>even scream! I just jumpped off the toilet, grabed some spray and got<br>him!"<br><br>"And why were you outside? Why are your pants half-off?"<br><br>So then I had to tell him that the all-purpose cleaner didn't help and<br>that I had to get something stronger and I ran out to the shed. He<br>was stunned that the bug just stood there while I got better spray. I<br>was a little surprised too, but hey, I'll take what I can get.<br><br>.............................................................<br><br><br>The camera-plumber came out and things were worse than we originally<br>suspected. All the plumbing going towards the house is original<br>cast-iron plumbing grom the 1950s. And it has more holes than swiss<br>cheese.<br><br>I could really go for a side of some swiss cheese and crackers next to<br>the wine I'm going to need.<br><br>All 29 feet of it underneath our slab foundation needs to be replaced.<br>And the line going to the city, which is all PVC, is broken in 2<br>places. Not exactly ideal.<br><br>They're going to have to build a tunnel under the house to fix the<br>plumbing. And we're going to have to come up with a wad of cash to<br>pay them to do that.<br><br>But hey, in 3 weeks we'll have the most brand-new pipes on the block!<br><br>..........................................<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sj39nTDMTf4/VB5IaLPqUYI/AAAAAAAAEC8/Ly9kxNR-Ia0/s640/blogger-image--1218340261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sj39nTDMTf4/VB5IaLPqUYI/AAAAAAAAEC8/Ly9kxNR-Ia0/s640/blogger-image--1218340261.jpg"></a></div><br>Yeah, I have not only 2 or 3 but 5 water bottles. You can go ahead and<br>make fun of me, my husband already did. (Make it known that he rarely<br>makes fun of me, I'm just a tad bit excentric.)<br><br>When you don't know when you'll see running water again, you want to<br>be prepared!<br><br>...............................................<br><br>A week after the plumber with the video camera came out, we still had<br>nothing. No official estimate. No video that we paid an extra 35<br>dollars for. No new pipes.<br><br>At this point, we were only flushing fluids down the drain. I was a<br>little tired of throwing my toilet paper in the trash can and<br>subsequently taking the trash out multiple times. I was also tried of<br>making sure I went #2 in our upflush toilet so it would grind things<br>up. Sometimes you sit down thinking it is going to be a #1 and then<br>you get surprised with some #2. It just happens.<br><br>So we called another plumber. One with legit, awesome reviews on<br>Angie's list. If you haven't heard of Angie's List, its a service<br>like consumer reports where people rate services.<br><br>The new plumber came out, gave us a written estimate. It sounded<br>good, but Ryan and I had to talk about it and see. I mean, our old<br>plumbers were nice. But then they gave us their estimate, which was<br>THREE TIMES as much.<br><br>They loose.<br><br>With the new plumber (and the estimate from our old plumber) we<br>realized that no one was going to make a 29 foot tunnel under our<br>house to fix the pipes.<br><br>They were going to dig a huge hole in my foundation.<br><br>And put dirt in my house. And probably let in about a zillion bugs.<br>I mean, the plumber reassured me and said that the holes would only be<br>3x3 feet and they would be covered in plywood.<br><br>Yeah, plywood. That's comforting.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-utl9W-_V5iU/VB5IcbrrVkI/AAAAAAAAEDE/Gs-K8BEEd3c/s640/blogger-image-1999586786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-utl9W-_V5iU/VB5IcbrrVkI/AAAAAAAAEDE/Gs-K8BEEd3c/s640/blogger-image-1999586786.jpg"></a></div><br><br>I feel like we might as well leave our doormat on our front porch that<br>says: "creepy, icky crawling things: Welcome!" But they most<br>certainly are not welcome.<br><br>The good news is he could start almost immediately. Which we weren't<br>prepared for. Where do we go? Where can we stay with our puppies?<br>Do we have to move everything out of the house? Or just the rooms<br>where the holes will be?<br><br>We set everything up to start on a Thursday, 1.5 days later. Exactly<br>3 weeks after we've moved in. Good thing we still have most of our<br>books in boxes. Now we just have to move our bookcases and chairs out<br>of the library and into another room.<br><br>And find the puppies a new place to live during the day. Can't have<br>their little ears bombarded with noises of jackhammers busting through<br>our concrete foundation and brand-new tile.<br><br>Do you know what it's like to be suddenly homeless with puppies? We<br>have to call to get them boarded for a zillion dollars a day. Or find<br>a friend nice enough to let us AND puppies live with them. Woah.<br><br>It's almost enough to make you cry.<br><br>Which is why I'm writing all this. So maybe I can laugh so I don't<br>cry. (Andy Davis anyone?)<br><br>...........................................................<br><br>That night we had problems in our kitchen drain. Something got<br>plugged and it started draining very slowly. Then our dishwasher<br>filled up with yucky drain fluid.<br><br>Oh, man! Ryan scooped water out of our dishwasher. Then we washed our<br>plates and dishes outside with the hose. If I had been smart, I would<br>have filled up a bucket with warm, soapy water and cleaned things<br>outside that way. Instead, I made several trips in and out to scrub<br>dishes with soap and then to rinse them with hose water.<br><br>The new plumber stuck a camera down the kitchen drainpipe. Turns out,<br>it has no bottom. So we tacked on that project, the plumbers dig a<br>4th hole, and extended the length of the project, and the cost,<br>significantly.<br><br>Life is great, I tell you.<br><br>I'm listening to a lot of Jason Mraz lately (his new CD YES! just came<br>out, and it is fantastic! He is also coming to town on Sept 2nd and<br>3rd...anyone want to go to the concert with us?!) because honestly,<br>when life is rough, you need something to make it better. Anything.<br><br>I tell you, 3 times now I've gotten in my car, turned on the music,<br>and it happens to be at the exact point in the exact song "Out of my<br>Hands," Where it says:<br><br>"When it feels like life has gotten out of control,<br>When it feels like too much, too much to hold,<br>When it feels like too much to understand,<br>Know that its out of your hands, out of your hands, out of your hands."<br><br>And I just have to keep reminding myself that it's out of my hands.<br>And in God's hands. And he loves me. He hasn't promised me comfort<br>for my whole life, but he has promised to never leave me.<br><br>...........................................................<br><br>God provided for us in huge ways. Our friends let us stay with them.<br>Our other friends offered to cook twice as much food for dinner as<br>they needed. Then they gave us dinner each night, for 5 nights!<br><br>Such a huge blessing.<br><br>It was really hard though. Our friend's house was all the way up in<br>the suburbs, so it took us almost an hour to get to work each day.<br>And we had been told the plumbing project would likely be done early<br>the next week.<br><br>Well, turns out our foundation is sitting on a bunch of rock. Which<br>is great for our foundation, but not so great if you're trying to dig<br>a tunnel down there. It took the diggers a few days longer than<br>expected to dig the holes.<br><br>And then the holes weren't covered really well, so not only did I<br>worry about bugs, but also stray cats and stray humans crawling<br>through the holes into our house.<br><br>I'm not actually making any of this up.<br><br>Unfortunately.<br><br>...........................................................<br><br>We finally got new pipes in 1 week after we moved out of our house.<br>We had stopped by the house at lease 2-3 times to get more clothes,<br>check the mail, set the lights on a timer, and check on the progress.<br><br>The day we got the pipes in, I was the only one that stopped by the<br>house because Ryan had a flat tire AND he had a minor procedure on his<br>back where they had to put him under anesthesia, so he couldn't drive.<br><br>Talk about a billion things piling up at once!<br><br>So I wanted to make really sure that I got sufficient photos of the<br>new pipes before the holes started to get filled in.<br><br>To Ryan's utter surprise, I climbed down into the holes (they were<br>only about 3 feet deep) to get better photos of the pipes. My iPhone<br>camera didn't have the best flash, so I got a flashlight to help make<br>the pictures better quality. Something I picked up from one of my<br>favorite photographers. (If you're in Houston and you need a<br>wedding/family/senior pic photographer, check her out!<br><a href="http://www.photographybyniki.com/" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="5">http://www.photographybyniki.com/</a>)<br><br>I had to really inspect the plumbing so I could sleep better at night.<br><br>And who doesn't love a good "before/after" photo?!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pIKDaIdb_HA/VB5IfKx44-I/AAAAAAAAEDM/bB0WQwMzmhQ/s640/blogger-image-374612625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pIKDaIdb_HA/VB5IfKx44-I/AAAAAAAAEDM/bB0WQwMzmhQ/s640/blogger-image-374612625.jpg"></a></div><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-32KuvfRBDcs/VB5IhO0gv3I/AAAAAAAAEDU/fA8ikN6NQF8/s640/blogger-image-726831132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-32KuvfRBDcs/VB5IhO0gv3I/AAAAAAAAEDU/fA8ikN6NQF8/s640/blogger-image-726831132.jpg"></a></div><br><br>Things looked great!<br><br>........................................................<br><br><br>Once the pipes were finally in, they had to fill the holes. I don't<br>know much about the laws of physics, but I do know that matter can<br>neither be created or destroyed.<br><br>What I don't understand is how we had a HUGE pile of rocks and dirt in<br>our backyard when the holes were all filled.<br><br>I was just so happy to be home I didn't care!<br><br><br><br><br><br>...................................................<br><br>The plumbers removed our carpet but didn't put it back. We were<br>referred to a carpet guy by a friend.<br><br>He showed up bright and early <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://6" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6">at 9 am</a> to lay back our carpet pad and carpet.<br><br>Then he realized he needed some type of glue, so he ran out to get some.<br><br>And didn't return for 2 hours. Ryan and I took shifts at the house<br>with the carpet laying guys. They talked so much I just wanted them<br>to hurry up and finish! I had to get back to work!<br><br>They took 2 more hours to finish. They did a great job, you would<br>never know there was a hole underneath.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sZ5yDksSDks/VB5Ije-KdOI/AAAAAAAAEDc/mq9pCgcyb6g/s640/blogger-image--573963578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sZ5yDksSDks/VB5Ije-KdOI/AAAAAAAAEDc/mq9pCgcyb6g/s640/blogger-image--573963578.jpg"></a></div><br><br>With our initials carved in :)<br><br>..........................................................<br><br>And now our little home is livable again. Complete with an extra pile<br>of dirt and white rocks in our backyard.<br><br>Lets pray it stays that way!<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So much has happened since then, but it's sad stuff so I may not write about it. We'll see.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-33408783689958919722014-09-10T21:30:00.001-05:002014-09-10T21:30:44.864-05:00The day we had neurosurgery!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I used the term "we" loosely in the title. Clearly, I didn't actually have neurosurgery. Ryan did. I just had to sit in the waiting room and hope he was okay. And then make several trips to the store for things like pain meds, Ritz crackers, chicken soup, and ice cream.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because I couldn't pull it together enough to predict we would need ice cream.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NF9xbAzzJsI/VBEJOQFMnfI/AAAAAAAAECA/Mh5xxjsykEQ/s640/blogger-image--805437539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NF9xbAzzJsI/VBEJOQFMnfI/AAAAAAAAECA/Mh5xxjsykEQ/s640/blogger-image--805437539.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Pre-Surgery Photo]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That morning we woke up and I drove to the surgical hospital. Ryan was in a lot of pain in the car because sitting has been really painful for the last 2 months. The anesthesiologist had told him it was ok to take his pain medication, and he did. But he says that "just takes the edge off."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We checked in. Then a nice guy walked us upstairs and got prepped for surgery. Ryan changed into a gown. I told him to "smile" for a picture. The most he could do was lift his head and give me "thumbs up." The nurse tried to have him sit up in bed, but he felt better laying down. So she let him lay there.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L_fLcJxHcfM/VBEJPxhEG8I/AAAAAAAAECI/tFZKuL11ni0/s640/blogger-image-1268634533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L_fLcJxHcfM/VBEJPxhEG8I/AAAAAAAAECI/tFZKuL11ni0/s640/blogger-image-1268634533.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Thumbs up!]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They put Ryan in some TED Hose (compression stockings to help prevent a blood clot) and some anti-slip socks (hospitals have to prevent fall risks)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TRlEqgrAs7M/VBEJUibhukI/AAAAAAAAECg/8CkaE901BcQ/s640/blogger-image-249288258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TRlEqgrAs7M/VBEJUibhukI/AAAAAAAAECg/8CkaE901BcQ/s640/blogger-image-249288258.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[He did a great job showing off his socks for a photo]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then we waited an hour and a half.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I kinda slept in a chair. I was super happy because the nurse brought us both warm blankets, fresh from the warmer. I knew it was going to be cold so I wore jeans (rolled up into capris for outside) and brought a sweatshirt. I ended up rolling down the pants and putting on my sweatshirt. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was pretty hungry at that point. Ryan wasn't allowed to eat breakfast. (He was allowed to drink water up until <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">7 am</a>, which the nurse kinda freaked out about...she gave the anesthesiologist a sticky note with the info; he just laughed and threw it away) So I grabbed lunch to distract myself while they took him back for surgery. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The chef was honest with me. He didn't recommend the fries. So I got "handmade potatoe chips" with my lunch.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then I came back to the waiting room and started reading "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie. I spent some time reading about the new Apple News because reading a book about people dying isn't the most comforting thing when your husband is in surgery. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The surgeon, Dr Denning, came out and said all was well. He said he cut off a huge chunk of Ryan's bulging disc, and his back should be much better!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then his PA came out to review the importance of wearing the big socks, and moving around, and the special airplane compression devices.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GlxVGa_uxg8/VBEJM_WkuBI/AAAAAAAAEB4/0La_8XckQk4/s640/blogger-image-1392036340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GlxVGa_uxg8/VBEJM_WkuBI/AAAAAAAAEB4/0La_8XckQk4/s640/blogger-image-1392036340.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Don't these compression devices look fancy? The box makes them look enviable!]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then the guy who walked us up into surgery came to get me and bring me into the room to see Ryan. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Only the guy didn't recognize me. He said he was looking for someone in jean capris. I guess I confused him when I rolled them down.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ryan was tired, but doing well! I was so happy.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The nurse gave him some juice, so I sneaked a photo.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j0wazA558WQ/VBEJTJge20I/AAAAAAAAECY/-T3oyjfei18/s640/blogger-image--780851223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j0wazA558WQ/VBEJTJge20I/AAAAAAAAECY/-T3oyjfei18/s640/blogger-image--780851223.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Juice happy]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He downed about 8 of those little apple juice cups because he was probably hungry and they told him he couldn't go home until he urinated. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She made him get up and try to pee about an hour later.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I took the opportunity to snap a picture of the fake-tan they gave him (they cleaned him before surgery) and of his surgical scar. Look away if you are squeemish.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r8IwOeIm7T0/VBEJRcrYBwI/AAAAAAAAECQ/RVQJjJZxoN8/s640/blogger-image--412296268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r8IwOeIm7T0/VBEJRcrYBwI/AAAAAAAAECQ/RVQJjJZxoN8/s640/blogger-image--412296268.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Fake Tan]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v-5DypgymtI/VBEJDaxt6rI/AAAAAAAAEBo/zGvl8-m0xQI/s640/blogger-image--206221123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v-5DypgymtI/VBEJDaxt6rI/AAAAAAAAEBo/zGvl8-m0xQI/s640/blogger-image--206221123.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Scar]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QFtjsNhdpQc/VBEJCB-2AKI/AAAAAAAAEBg/7PcVP8RqEEA/s640/blogger-image--701148305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QFtjsNhdpQc/VBEJCB-2AKI/AAAAAAAAEBg/7PcVP8RqEEA/s640/blogger-image--701148305.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[He walked. Then peed.]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then we went home. We arrived home at 4, and Ryan said he was starving. I guess the juice and crackers didn't fill him up. I went to Walgreens to get his medications filled and pick up some crackers and soup. I could have gone to Kroger, but it was farther away and I was so exhausted!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We rested after that. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then, a friend brought us dinner (yummy pizza!) and suggested I get Ryan some ice cream for his sore throat (they had to put a tube down it for him to breathe).</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being the sweet wife I am, I got him some. Don't worry, I also got me some wine.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nYo8sWi_Wto/VBEJLSm_dQI/AAAAAAAAEBw/0VvJ0iVMts4/s640/blogger-image-539629427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nYo8sWi_Wto/VBEJLSm_dQI/AAAAAAAAEBw/0VvJ0iVMts4/s640/blogger-image-539629427.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">[Ice Cream]</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">........................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The next day he was still doing great! Which is wonderful, because I was still tired!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This month has been so emotionally exhausting! Good thing our God has given us sweet friends to bring us food and help us through it all! We couldn't do it without you!</span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-38134858808316044602014-09-05T14:42:00.001-05:002014-09-05T14:42:06.607-05:00The day we cried.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whew, life has been rough.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have a post ready-to-publish (I just have to add pics) about our plumbing disaster, but it hardly seems appropriate to publish it today, in light of all that has happened since yesterday.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went to see Ryan's pain doctor yesterday for his back pain. He had been in more pain this past week after his 3rd injection. We needed pain relief. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Long story short, we were not only able to see the pain doctor, but he pulled some strings for us and we were able to see a neurosurgeon the same day. He talked to us about some options, and we decided to go through with surgery. It's something called a "micro-disk" surgery where they just "shave off" a part of the herniated disk that's sticking out and compressing the nerve, making his leg numb/tingly.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a big step, but he's been in pain so long that we're ready to try anything for relief. We have researched pros/cons and alternative therapies (chiropractors, "decompression therapy") and surgery is the best option for us.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That evening, we got a call that Ryan's dad was having trouble breathing. Later that night he passed away after several attempts were made to save his life.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was the middle of the night and we were devastated. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Grief is nothing new, but when it happens to you, its so different. So personal. What do you say? What do you do? How can you help from across the country? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We can use your prayers. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Actually, we need your prayers. Please, pray for us. For our family. We appreciate it more than we can ever express to you.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We're pretty sad right now. But we know our God is mighty and full of love. I don't understand His decisions, but I trust in Him.</span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vfshx2Nm23E/VAoSC8DdB7I/AAAAAAAAD84/virzrFfhL0w/s640/blogger-image--1976482685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vfshx2Nm23E/VAoSC8DdB7I/AAAAAAAAD84/virzrFfhL0w/s640/blogger-image--1976482685.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-79412194962910602352014-08-14T17:51:00.001-05:002014-08-19T20:36:54.413-05:00The day I got stuck inside my shirt. (Fix 3)<div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Well, stich fix keeps sending me boxes. I guess I keep paying them to because I really enjoy the process: putting clothes on in my own mirror, getting to try things on with accessories I already own, and not being pressured to rush and get in/out.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I highly recommend it! </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div><font face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">https://stitchfix.com/referral/3826959</span></font></div><div><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My third fix was a little more laid back, and it was in perfect time! We had just moved and my clothes were a little bit "all over the place." I had recently changed closet sizes, so I really had to organize all my "work clothes" in one closet, and clothes I didn't love wearing in another closet. I was able to get rid of a lot more stuff I never wore because of the limited space. Now I only have clothes I love to wear in my closet. Getting dressed when I love everything in my closet is so much easier! I should have had smaller closets sooner!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was looking for professional clothes in this fix. The stylist told me they didn't have any supper-professional looking slacks in stock (somewhat dissapointing) but she picked me out some great work tops (2), a cute dress, a pair of pants, and a super-fun top!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AuinblaVEq8/U-09H5zlCCI/AAAAAAAAD7w/MaYNQBRXU70/s640/blogger-image-1359851803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AuinblaVEq8/U-09H5zlCCI/AAAAAAAAD7w/MaYNQBRXU70/s640/blogger-image-1359851803.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[The treasure I got to unfold]</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Immediately I loved the pants, the tirquoise patterned top, and the dress! The other tops had potential. None of the clothes were things I would have picked out for myself, which was fun.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">First: the dress:</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hmvleQFCHrE/U-09K4UO0KI/AAAAAAAAD74/Npkg96h4xx0/s640/blogger-image-947227932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hmvleQFCHrE/U-09K4UO0KI/AAAAAAAAD74/Npkg96h4xx0/s640/blogger-image-947227932.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ma8-PMP2GuQ/U-09b-UK_bI/AAAAAAAAD8o/MeY6VwzZErU/s640/blogger-image-360256972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ma8-PMP2GuQ/U-09b-UK_bI/AAAAAAAAD8o/MeY6VwzZErU/s640/blogger-image-360256972.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I always wore dresses growing up, but I never considered myself a "wear dresses to work person," because, lets face it, its hard to wear a dress and get stuff done. Just picture wearing a dress and then bending over to look in some squirming kid's ear or look at someone's swollen ankle. Not exactly lady-like. I bend over a lot less in this job than I did in my last job. Now I find wearing a dress is super easy, because there's no need to match top and bottom, you just throw things on.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Although, you have to beware of bending over and sitting on stools.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">As expected, I loved the dress!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Next, the pants:</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-53Ptaz2djyI/U-09Nc6PXhI/AAAAAAAAD8A/x6fraQqdhes/s640/blogger-image-123424107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-53Ptaz2djyI/U-09Nc6PXhI/AAAAAAAAD8A/x6fraQqdhes/s640/blogger-image-123424107.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On first look, I liked them. They fit well, but they weren't super professional looking. They went into the "maybe" pile. I didn't need them, they could only be worn to work on a "casual Friday," so they didn't add a whole lot to my wardrobe. But they were cute, in style, and like nothing I own. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The fun top:</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a-ifjBW3LUM/U-09QmvcXXI/AAAAAAAAD8I/C4Kl8bMdldo/s640/blogger-image-381264275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-a-ifjBW3LUM/U-09QmvcXXI/AAAAAAAAD8I/C4Kl8bMdldo/s640/blogger-image-381264275.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFYrzJFAVUY/U-09THb5RAI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/_LvoZxr42aM/s640/blogger-image-750502563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HFYrzJFAVUY/U-09THb5RAI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/_LvoZxr42aM/s640/blogger-image-750502563.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'll be honest, there's a button up top in the neckline and I didn't undo it because I though to myself, "I'm tiney, I never have to undo buttons, I can never re-button them behind my head. So I'll just leave it buttoned."</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And then I got stuck.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you read the title, you might have seen that coming.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If I had been smarter, I might have seen that coming too.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Luckaly, Ryan was home to help me in/out of it. It didn't fit the greatest, even when I unbuttoned/rebuttoned it again. I was fully prepaired to love this top. Even if it wasn't fully prepared to love me back.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Look how cute the back is! I probably couldn't wear it to work (unless I had it covered by my white coat the whole time) because of how cute the back is. Maybe I didn't need it for work. It fit me a little funny too, which is the benefit of trying things on. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">AAAnd, no one had to see me get stuck, which is the benefit of trying stuff on at home.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The color block top:</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f-zW4T6o3Sg/U-09WBbqvxI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/NabTbelOXUA/s640/blogger-image--819325048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-f-zW4T6o3Sg/U-09WBbqvxI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/NabTbelOXUA/s640/blogger-image--819325048.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The bottom line: Cute enough, but NOT worth 78 dollars. I didn't love how the back of the top was longer than the front of the top, too trendy. I don't love trendy stuff.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The blue lace top:</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hZrlzUbz7E0/U-09ZdN7BUI/AAAAAAAAD8g/hLdID3K4-Ao/s640/blogger-image-441351335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hZrlzUbz7E0/U-09ZdN7BUI/AAAAAAAAD8g/hLdID3K4-Ao/s640/blogger-image-441351335.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This one had another button at the top. After getting stuck in the tirquoise top earlier, I almost unbuttoned it. But I suppose I didn't really learn my lesson. Thankfully it fit just fine over my head.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It was too big though, so it fit over my head just fine. I loved the lace detail and the classy colors, but it just didn't fit perfectly, so it got sent back. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Well, it looks like I'm only getting the dress again. I've only purchesed the dresses from each of my fixes, although I promise I'll buy other stuff if it fits right! I've just had so much fun with the stitch fix process! If you're thinking about trying it but you aren't sure, I vote you go for it! If you have to look nice for work, you might as well have fun doing it!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> https://stitchfix.com/referral/3826959</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-35435086034397499302014-08-05T14:50:00.001-05:002014-08-05T19:58:04.529-05:00The days we actually moved (extended, uncut version)<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We have been pseudo-moving into our house for the last 2 weeks straight.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We moved a bunch of fragile-hard-to-pack stuff (lamps, picture frames, bikes, etc) to the new house in carloads days before the moving truck came. We traveled each night to the new house to check on the progress of the AC and get as much done as possible before the big moving day.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gg0TnZy9PtU/U-FhOZYY8RI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/oOrorMKzKVo/s640/blogger-image-620433414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gg0TnZy9PtU/U-FhOZYY8RI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/oOrorMKzKVo/s640/blogger-image-620433414.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[all the stuff we moved on our own before the big moving day]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was pretty thankful we didn't have to put all that stuff in boxes. We're going to be in trouble if we ever move across the country. I suspect we'll have to plan better.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But this post isn't about the stuff we did to prepare for the move.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's about the stuff that happened that we weren't prepared for on moving day. Because when stuff like that happens, you tell yourself, "We'll look back at this in 30 years and laugh."</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'm hoping we can laugh a bit sooner than that.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On the day of our move we both woke up at our normal time (5 for Ryan and 6:30 for me), neither of us slept well because no one sleeps well the day before they move, especially people who have at least 26% of their house left to pack.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We tried to pack earlier, but you know how that works. You keep finding stuff you had forgotten you owned. The more we packed, the more random the boxes got:</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oyIX4fkxJ5o/U-FhngxOj_I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/SMs6_7ZRZy4/s640/blogger-image--361362340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oyIX4fkxJ5o/U-FhngxOj_I/AAAAAAAAD3Q/SMs6_7ZRZy4/s640/blogger-image--361362340.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UDkFh4lI624/U-FhYuM-46I/AAAAAAAAD2I/x-5g7bUUCiE/s640/blogger-image-49978685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UDkFh4lI624/U-FhYuM-46I/AAAAAAAAD2I/x-5g7bUUCiE/s640/blogger-image-49978685.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8nTMoy__Gk8/U-Fh630f4pI/AAAAAAAAD4w/hl8oDc4No7s/s640/blogger-image--1957083843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8nTMoy__Gk8/U-Fh630f4pI/AAAAAAAAD4w/hl8oDc4No7s/s640/blogger-image--1957083843.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Crazy boxes]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Ryan got us food, the first of about 5 days straight of eating every meal out.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We packed as much as we could, and I took the puppies and a car-load of stuff to the new house. Ryan continued packing. He would have taken the puppies while I packed, except that he had gotten a steroid injected into his back the day before and it was painful to drive.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When I got back to the townhouse around 9am and the movers were already packing the truck with the boxes we finished. They made one full layer of boxes, then put in all the furniture, then finished the boxes. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oeks7mjO1rk/U-FhrAdwo6I/AAAAAAAAD3g/XC9xl_wYjdk/s640/blogger-image-987913816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oeks7mjO1rk/U-FhrAdwo6I/AAAAAAAAD3g/XC9xl_wYjdk/s640/blogger-image-987913816.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[The truck full of boxes-that one in the middle doesn't look too stable!]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We sent them with about 90% of our stuff, and then we took some stuff in our cars too.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Gl2milCrNTM/U-FhpevfJXI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/SESIAfttTEA/s640/blogger-image-1983157300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Gl2milCrNTM/U-FhpevfJXI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/SESIAfttTEA/s640/blogger-image-1983157300.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Stuff in our cars]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">"Isn't it ironic...don't you think?</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's like raiiiiin on your wedding day...</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Who would have thought...It figures"</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Did you all just sing that song in your head? If you were born before 1990 you probably did.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">No. I feel like rain on your wedding day is good luck or something. (at the very least, we can all agree that it's not really ironic.)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The song really should be:</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">"It's like raiiiin on your moving day."</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bM62_YVKRRQ/U-FiFMSGZ_I/AAAAAAAAD5g/9Xe8ST6a2tE/s640/blogger-image--386811434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bM62_YVKRRQ/U-FiFMSGZ_I/AAAAAAAAD5g/9Xe8ST6a2tE/s640/blogger-image--386811434.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Rain clouds]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Mixed in with all the emotions of moving is the fear that my perfectly matching 60 cent boxes from Lowe's might melt.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Or that my couch might be soaked. I wasn't prepared to deal with rain. There was no turning back. Stuff was in the truck. All I could do was just pray the clouds don't dump rain until we get it all moved in.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...........................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vTju-rmX4_A/U-FiIabFUQI/AAAAAAAAD5w/wGL3ubGUcaE/s640/blogger-image--1148594679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vTju-rmX4_A/U-FiIabFUQI/AAAAAAAAD5w/wGL3ubGUcaE/s640/blogger-image--1148594679.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Drawers from my dresser]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If this pile of drawers looks precariously balanced, it's because it is.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I covered the drawers in trash bags due to the rain. Gotta have dry clothes to wear.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">....................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--wWlf6_lpok/U-Fh8Z3ICeI/AAAAAAAAD44/vwqX-3vw7T4/s640/blogger-image--2061719247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--wWlf6_lpok/U-Fh8Z3ICeI/AAAAAAAAD44/vwqX-3vw7T4/s640/blogger-image--2061719247.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Normal- sized Cascade. Small can of WD-40]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I just wanted to let you know this can of WD-40 I found under the kitchen sink is preciously small. You can keep reading now.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">......................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lc5_bMinMBk/U-FhktWmXGI/AAAAAAAAD3A/pd5cCLyPUTc/s640/blogger-image--179890073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Lc5_bMinMBk/U-FhktWmXGI/AAAAAAAAD3A/pd5cCLyPUTc/s640/blogger-image--179890073.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[the last box!]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We can't leave this last lonely box empty! I need to fill it!!</span><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7O9GPSpS7vE/U-Fhyrh7V0I/AAAAAAAAD4I/kRRy3ZKQCxs/s640/blogger-image-1231424458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7O9GPSpS7vE/U-Fhyrh7V0I/AAAAAAAAD4I/kRRy3ZKQCxs/s640/blogger-image-1231424458.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[the cabinet]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Good news! I just found a whole cabinet full of stuff! It will be used!!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">(Turns out we has to re-use at least 5 more boxes.... you know how it goes, you always find more stuff)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.......................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Good news, we have a wind chime. We'll blend in with the neighbors. We just gotta buy more over time so we can catch up.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Each of our neighbors has at least 8 wind chimes.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I let the movers know we had no water at the new place but we had plenty of room-temperature bottled water if they get thirsty (we had no fridge...yet)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Turns out when you pay for professional movers, they've moved a few times. And I'm not saying they turned on the water, I'm just saying they knew how to.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jP1ps5M1Ovg/U-FhuNVr29I/AAAAAAAAD3w/Jbc4RB43e7o/s640/blogger-image--272686418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jP1ps5M1Ovg/U-FhuNVr29I/AAAAAAAAD3w/Jbc4RB43e7o/s640/blogger-image--272686418.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Running water]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was so happy I could cry!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.....................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gI5I1JF_eEE/U-FhgjHxtGI/AAAAAAAAD2w/Qj7UT7r651Y/s640/blogger-image--660306309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gI5I1JF_eEE/U-FhgjHxtGI/AAAAAAAAD2w/Qj7UT7r651Y/s640/blogger-image--660306309.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Beverage opener]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">You can tell what's most important to me. This corkscrew/beer opener was on top of my purse. The top.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">....................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-caPVNcz8icA/U-FhQKPWnzI/AAAAAAAAD1g/GGhoS91D318/s640/blogger-image--509327916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-caPVNcz8icA/U-FhQKPWnzI/AAAAAAAAD1g/GGhoS91D318/s640/blogger-image--509327916.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Puppies in front of the window]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our pups love the front window! Will they be devastated when the movers put a couch there?</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x9LWU1kRRxU/U-F9lwiwvcI/AAAAAAAAD7c/TnhmfCbZU9U/s640/blogger-image-312772469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x9LWU1kRRxU/U-F9lwiwvcI/AAAAAAAAD7c/TnhmfCbZU9U/s640/blogger-image-312772469.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The movers helped us from 9:15 am to about 2:45 pm. At that point, we had about 90% of our stuff in the new house, and I knew where nothing was! We were starving and needed something quick.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our friend Amberlee brought us lunch! Fresh salads from Chick-fil-A! We were so thankful.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d2A80-JiGg8/U-F9kWaA2WI/AAAAAAAAD7U/JSrG7D9inT8/s640/blogger-image-1767408292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d2A80-JiGg8/U-F9kWaA2WI/AAAAAAAAD7U/JSrG7D9inT8/s640/blogger-image-1767408292.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...........................................................</span></div><div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Arriba. Ayudame. 123.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our fridge arrived about an hour later. The men spoke mostly in Spanish. Only they counted in English. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The fridge was so heavy they had to take our front door off to get it inside. Then they got the fridge into it's spot. The handles on the door recommended we avoid removing them. We'll work on that.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vud51YiXICw/U-FhxCY6XFI/AAAAAAAAD4A/rnOCUWZhq64/s640/blogger-image-552154666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vud51YiXICw/U-FhxCY6XFI/AAAAAAAAD4A/rnOCUWZhq64/s640/blogger-image-552154666.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Avoid removing handles]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But the fridge was too big to push in all the way. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">One of the men suggested we take the trim off of the bottom of the floor. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It still didn't fit.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But these men didn't give up so easily. Next they suggested we take the trim off of the door frame. They were really worried about how this would look, but they assured us we could cut the trim and re-apply it above the door. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwpSpwlvqzg/U-Fhi4faljI/AAAAAAAAD24/o2k-iCGgch8/s640/blogger-image-246340710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FwpSpwlvqzg/U-Fhi4faljI/AAAAAAAAD24/o2k-iCGgch8/s640/blogger-image-246340710.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lH0VE_I6sZI/U-Fh0dVD-CI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/ajRJ7NnmnJo/s640/blogger-image--214274960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lH0VE_I6sZI/U-Fh0dVD-CI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/ajRJ7NnmnJo/s640/blogger-image--214274960.jpg"></a></div></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[The trim]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We were just thankful we didn't need to buy a new fridge. We took a zillion measurements when we bought the fridge, but we didn't measure the trim! </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mrLoqf2_1qg/U-FhTqOEUnI/AAAAAAAAD1w/xIFLYEugFB8/s640/blogger-image-1626258178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mrLoqf2_1qg/U-FhTqOEUnI/AAAAAAAAD1w/xIFLYEugFB8/s640/blogger-image-1626258178.jpg"></a></div></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[The door frame gone, but fridge in place.]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We unpacked a bit and found the first casualties of the move:</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IOFf30Y-ZGk/U-FhSLYmRQI/AAAAAAAAD1o/vODjgIFLh0M/s640/blogger-image--1911124482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IOFf30Y-ZGk/U-FhSLYmRQI/AAAAAAAAD1o/vODjgIFLh0M/s640/blogger-image--1911124482.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[My favorite glasses]</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fbf0lONbIxE/U-FhdaYZRJI/AAAAAAAAD2g/uRx-23rJx0U/s640/blogger-image-1500385068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fbf0lONbIxE/U-FhdaYZRJI/AAAAAAAAD2g/uRx-23rJx0U/s640/blogger-image-1500385068.jpg"></a></div></div><div>[A small piece of those glasses managed to find my ankle. I'm glad I picked it up before the pups stepped on it]<br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-POkb8bqcjX4/U-Fhvr7vroI/AAAAAAAAD34/086LaQIE6i0/s640/blogger-image-1761625439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-POkb8bqcjX4/U-Fhvr7vroI/AAAAAAAAD34/086LaQIE6i0/s640/blogger-image-1761625439.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[How did this lid even break??]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--I3yYpcafDw/U-FhmH6Kj7I/AAAAAAAAD3I/_hIZIe_mqRY/s640/blogger-image-892367446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--I3yYpcafDw/U-FhmH6Kj7I/AAAAAAAAD3I/_hIZIe_mqRY/s640/blogger-image-892367446.jpg"></a></div><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xk9iZkRY_FA/U-Fh5IOc6WI/AAAAAAAAD4o/sDVYbJYLYnw/s640/blogger-image--1274677209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xk9iZkRY_FA/U-Fh5IOc6WI/AAAAAAAAD4o/sDVYbJYLYnw/s640/blogger-image--1274677209.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[This is what happens when you pack pepper but forget to close the lid]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.....................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">That night I decided I wanted tacos for dinner. I typed in "taco" into my maps app.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The first (closest) option: Taco Bell</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Just a bit closer were: Good to go Taco (closed in the evening).</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0alAhSrfMfk/U-FiB_mdmvI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/jVoXHEOAkg8/s640/blogger-image-479674924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0alAhSrfMfk/U-FiB_mdmvI/AAAAAAAAD5Q/jVoXHEOAkg8/s640/blogger-image-479674924.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[My I'm-ready-for-tacos-face]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then we just picked an old favorite that wasn't too far away. Taco Joint. Sup-par salsa and beverage selection if you ask me, but their avocado queso was fantastic!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Turns out we needed body wash too, now that we had water. Apparently, being the awesome guy that he is, Ryan ran out of body wash on the exact day we were moving so that I would have one less thing to pack.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">He's so sweet like that.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Naturally, we stopped by target. I decided we also needed beer. Because who doesn't need beer after moving all day?</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Plus, our fridge was lonely and I wanted to use it after taking out all the sticky things inside.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tSpLEVO5MBI/U-FiDYov7bI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/AIJMp0WmdzA/s640/blogger-image-1760825221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tSpLEVO5MBI/U-FiDYov7bI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/AIJMp0WmdzA/s640/blogger-image-1760825221.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Sticky things in the fridge]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On a whim, I decided we also needed granola bars for breakfast. We had originally decided to go back to the townhouse to shower and get those things, but we decided to stay at the house now that we had water.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We only had our travel toothbrushes. (I didn't pack the real ones thinking we would go back... so that was fun.) </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2qKlWkeC65E/U-FhUzy_GCI/AAAAAAAAD14/UoxQun_qg3s/s640/blogger-image-1088478575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2qKlWkeC65E/U-FhUzy_GCI/AAAAAAAAD14/UoxQun_qg3s/s640/blogger-image-1088478575.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[The only thing we had in our fridge was beer]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">That evening we put our dryer together. The people who flipped our home put in a range-plug instead of a normal plug, so we had to get a new one. A super kind, older man at Home Depot explained how we were supposed to attach the plug to the dryer.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5tb8quov-lk/U-FhZ8YmsiI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/uLmFuf5HJXY/s640/blogger-image-410589982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5tb8quov-lk/U-FhZ8YmsiI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/uLmFuf5HJXY/s640/blogger-image-410589982.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Range-plug-in]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0TkIfSJ-eIc/U-FiAKHridI/AAAAAAAAD5I/RJI98_yX6K4/s640/blogger-image-656333615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0TkIfSJ-eIc/U-FiAKHridI/AAAAAAAAD5I/RJI98_yX6K4/s640/blogger-image-656333615.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Range-plug in vs traditional 4 prong dryer plug]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But it was much easier said than done.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Especially when you're drinking the lonely beer from your fridge. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Something about colors and AC vs DC current. Twisty wires plugging in and a big metal tubey-thing that goes on the back of our dryer.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We defeated it. I win!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--d1paU6ngLU/U-FhfPIIIcI/AAAAAAAAD2o/HAOSgfzVIL8/s640/blogger-image-488173821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--d1paU6ngLU/U-FhfPIIIcI/AAAAAAAAD2o/HAOSgfzVIL8/s640/blogger-image-488173821.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lFF_uPket2Q/U-FhWhiOJMI/AAAAAAAAD2A/4xEF3AGmaYQ/s640/blogger-image-1056441129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lFF_uPket2Q/U-FhWhiOJMI/AAAAAAAAD2A/4xEF3AGmaYQ/s640/blogger-image-1056441129.jpg"></a></div></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Hook things and tube things]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When it came time to shower I turned it on, and while I was waiting for the water to get hot, I went potty. The toilet wouldn't flush right, but I chalked it up to old plumbing. I turned off the shower and tried to flush again, but still nothing.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I let it sit a while and used the other shower.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I still couldn't find the hot water, so I hopped in and out really quickly and I only washed the important parts!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then Ryan told me he saw a Big roach in the bathroom (the one I abandoned because of the slow-draining plumbing.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Big roach? Where did he come from? </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I know we re-used a bunch of boxes from our garage. And we found our world-map shower curtain in our garage, could he have been living in that?</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FuZbm74mJ58/U-FhspAHjiI/AAAAAAAAD3o/_NBkJjVgQWs/s640/blogger-image--1793412104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FuZbm74mJ58/U-FhspAHjiI/AAAAAAAAD3o/_NBkJjVgQWs/s640/blogger-image--1793412104.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[World map!]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But really, does he have any friends??</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Because if I see Mr. Roach's friend, I may cry.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Thankfully, Ryan killed it for me!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">........................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">By the time we got into bed it was 10:15 at night. Not super late.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But I was so tired! All the moving, combined with a cold shower and some terrible-for-me food must have done me in. But thankfully, the next day was Friday and I had my work jeans-and-T-shirt waiting for me.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.....................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I had no idea where my shoes were the next day. I found a pair of blue-and-white espadrilles so I wore those. People kept telling me I looked so beachy! Note to self: pack shoes along with your next-day-work clothes!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After work I didn't care about cleaning, I was just still so tired.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Ryan had stayed home that morning for the insurance inspector to come by and make sure it was really worth what they were insuring it for. He told Ryan that the gas pilot light was out, which is why our water was cold. Ryan turned it on, went to work, and then we both got home around 5. I tried the hot water and it was still cold. Ryan decided to call back our A/C repair man because the hot water was working until we got our A/C fixed. He asked us a few questions, which Ryan had to look at the AC/heater closet for.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And when he opened the door, a huge rush of gas wafted out.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We freaked out a little. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The guy was super nice and said he would be out the next morning (Saturday) to look at it. (If you need an awesome AC/Heater/General repair dude, We've got a good one for you, he's in north Dallas!)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was able to convince Ryan that we needed a night to rest so that we could unpack more the next day. Since his back was still super painful, we just had some food and watched our new favorite TV show, Psych!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFftve_HDsQ/U-FiGqkn11I/AAAAAAAAD5o/iUHW3BXT18Y/s640/blogger-image-1594817722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MFftve_HDsQ/U-FiGqkn11I/AAAAAAAAD5o/iUHW3BXT18Y/s640/blogger-image-1594817722.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[The pups and Ryan, mostly asleep, but really watching Psych!]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I wanted to be adventurous that night for food, and try a new local place. I typed "restaurants" into my map app and it came up with a few. The best restaurant with only one $ on yelp was called FireBox, a "Japanese fast-food" place that had a hibachi grill and sushi.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Can't be half-bad, right??</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The logo for FireBox had what I thought was a pear of chopsticks in the middle of the words. The map directions kept calling it Fire X Box, and all I could think about was video games.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The food was ok. Neither of us got sick, which was a plus!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The next morning I had a haircut, and thankfully, she washed my hair for me since our water was still cold! When I got home, Ryan was switching out the door locks.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I decided to help him get it done faster. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">30 minutes later, we're back where we started, when our heater-repair-man, Seth walks up.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kmKcU42fDyw/U-FlmFPu09I/AAAAAAAAD6k/0PsRftqhmAI/s640/blogger-image--397307047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kmKcU42fDyw/U-FlmFPu09I/AAAAAAAAD6k/0PsRftqhmAI/s640/blogger-image--397307047.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span>[New!]<br><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">He saw us struggling and put in the new door lock for us in 3 minutes flat.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Awesome! He said consider it a housewarming gift!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">He goes to look at our water heater and says that his guys must have split a valve, so it's his fault that our water heater has a gas leak. He fixed it for us, free of charge, in the next 20 minutes. He was so friendly and taught us all the stuff he was doing so we could check for our own leaks (with a spray bottle of soapy water, which is how my dad checks for leaks in tires, but I never thought to check for a gas leak!)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The water was hot!! I was so excited to take a shower that night :)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Ryan and I made a trip to Lowe's for a new set of keys for our lock.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then we went to Sears to buy a lawnmower. I had a coupon for 50 dollars off an appliance at Sears. The sales guy wouldn't even try my coupon.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Is a lawn mower an appliance?</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We finally went back to the apartment. Look at all this stuff we have still! This is only about half of what we left.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-owT4h59Fx4Y/U-Fh11Jh6AI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/8FuHkbB4slY/s640/blogger-image-371137132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-owT4h59Fx4Y/U-Fh11Jh6AI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/8FuHkbB4slY/s640/blogger-image-371137132.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Forgotten stuff]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then we had a date night opening boxes.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We opened a wine bottle I bought in 2009 when I moved to Dallas and we drank it the night we moved into our first house in 2014</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YW_UBkOFUps/U-Fh3hznsyI/AAAAAAAAD4g/ZYupjqNNYcI/s640/blogger-image--1644872453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YW_UBkOFUps/U-Fh3hznsyI/AAAAAAAAD4g/ZYupjqNNYcI/s640/blogger-image--1644872453.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Wine bottle and pizza]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We ate it with some pizza from Tony's Pizza and Pasta. (I tell you this because they were on the Travel Channel, not because I'm trying to bore you with the details of my life.)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then a friend came and helped us unpack. She also took a photo of us in front of the house.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GOsWYdtDjoE/U-Fhbti-VHI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/cQanyel0gQE/s640/blogger-image-1240281165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GOsWYdtDjoE/U-Fhbti-VHI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/cQanyel0gQE/s640/blogger-image-1240281165.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[notice the puppies in the background]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you and I swap Christmas Cards you'll get your very own copy of that photo in the mail (with our house number in it) along with our new address, just in time for the fall.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Overall, we've gotten a lot of support: Amberlee helped, Diana offered to help, Paul helped. Mom and dad sent encouraging texts, other friends were excited for us and listened to our stories.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">You all are awesome :)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...................................................</span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I would love to tell you we slept soundly Saturday night. We had some yummy pizza and some wine, we worked hard putting stuff away late, and we were exhausted. We had all the ingredients for good sleep.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Until our fire alarm went off at 3:00 am. It only went off for about 5 seconds. Long enough to send adrenaline shooting through our bodies. Ryan checked it out. No fire, heat or smoke. We went back to sleep.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Until it went off again at 3:30 am.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And at 4:00 am.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It wasn't nearly as funny as I make it sound. But yes, thankfully nothing was on fire. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">To our knowledge anyway.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I guess I never told you we got more than one new home when we moved.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our other new home is Home Depot.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you live in a house, you know exactly what I'm talking about.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">At first, I thought this second home would be less expensive, no mortgage payment or anything.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But the more time we spend in our house, the more money we spend at Home Depot.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And it's stuff we actually need. Stuff to unclog the drain, a gas can for the lawn mower, work gloves, a new lock, new keys, a dryer plug....</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After our trip to Home Depot, we split up to cover more ground. I went to the grocery store and to the old appt to get the (hopefully!) last load of stuff. Ryan stayed home to mow the lawn and clean the drains.<br></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">........................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The ride home with the last of the stuff from our townhouse ridiculously full. I had to stuff things so much that if you opened 1 door, all the things would fall out.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BSUFv0BDKzo/U-FleuT-H3I/AAAAAAAAD6E/glTJuc5Q0IQ/s640/blogger-image--1286327308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BSUFv0BDKzo/U-FleuT-H3I/AAAAAAAAD6E/glTJuc5Q0IQ/s640/blogger-image--1286327308.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[So full]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I noticed a spider on the rear view mirror decor.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qM7X9Q1Rvvw/U-FlkjUlgDI/AAAAAAAAD6c/szI9Sg70fig/s640/blogger-image--1240172959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qM7X9Q1Rvvw/U-FlkjUlgDI/AAAAAAAAD6c/szI9Sg70fig/s640/blogger-image--1240172959.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Baby spidey- between the purple stone and the cross. I promise he's there!]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The first third of the ride I willed him to hold on with all his might, because if he was there than he couldn't be in my hair.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The second third of the ride I hoped he would keep holding on, and also that he was super lonely. Because if he had friends than they could be anywhere. Like my hair. Eeeeeee.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The last third he disappeared and I made myself wish I had just pulled over and escorted him out of the vehicle. That left my stomach tied in knots for the rest if the ride.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was going to be so thankful for my shower that night!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I unloaded the food into the house, mad that Ryan wasn't helping. He was just climbing on the roof with our neighbor.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.........................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Not sure which is worse: having no water, or unknowingly having no sewer drainage.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Long story short: all the drains got plugged. That's why Ryan was on the roof. Which our inspector checked, only I guess maybe putting body excrement down the drain made it dysfunction or something. All I know is something about some roof drain being full of roaches and now there's poo in the bottom of our shower, and more poo comes out every time we wash our hands or flush our toilets or shower.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I've never cried so hard in my life.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Well, that's not true. I have never cried so hard in my life about bugs, plumbing, or housing.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We can't shower, we can't even pee or wash our hands because otherwise the it pushes more poo up into our shower. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And I may never be able to walk in our bathroom again until all the bugs are gone.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Seriously, any other big would be better.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'm regretting not keeping my baby spider friend around. He was the least of my worries.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My sweet husband was on the phone at 7:45 pm trying to get a plumber out. They said it would be an extra fee for a Sunday night.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We'll pay anything. Whatever it takes.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Turns out we couldn't get him to come out, there was just a recording. So we made plans to shower at a near-by friend's house. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Man, this house stuff is hard.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We've lived here for 5 days and I have yet to take a legit non-cold shower.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">....................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We showered at a friend's place. At least I felt better about myself, even if I couldn't fix anything in the house.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">By the time we got done it was 9:15 pm on Sunday night and we hadn't eaten any dinner. Not that I was super hungry with the smell of poo wafting through the house. We stopped by Kroger to get some comfort foods: oreos and milk, cheese, crackers, and wine. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Because if I was going to sleep with possible roaches, I needed the wine. With a side of oreos.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iI7w6rF5FXY/U-Flq9EjbqI/AAAAAAAAD68/Ma725KAFkZA/s640/blogger-image-1398931942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iI7w6rF5FXY/U-Flq9EjbqI/AAAAAAAAD68/Ma725KAFkZA/s640/blogger-image-1398931942.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Uei434IO5tU/U-FlbvxRYII/AAAAAAAAD58/d06BNuNu-HI/s640/blogger-image--956483821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Uei434IO5tU/U-FlbvxRYII/AAAAAAAAD58/d06BNuNu-HI/s640/blogger-image--956483821.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[trying unsuccessfully to unclog the toilet]</div></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">......................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">That night we went to bed. I got all my stuff ready to go for the next morning. I planned to get dressed and then run out the door to work so I could pee there. I could eat and do my hair once I got there.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Ryan told me I had to hold my pee because we couldn't use the bathroom, as it would only shoot more poo up into our bathtub. Well, he also gave me the option to go pee outside behind the shed. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I really think he was serious.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I held it all the way to work the next morning. I wanted the plumber to fix things ASAP. So I called them at 7:45 because our office opens at 8, but we have office staff there at 7:45 to answer the phones. They didn't answer.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So I called at 8:00, 8:02, 8:05, 8:08, 8:30, then 8:45</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OJXimVZfqis/U-Fh-P8QS3I/AAAAAAAAD5A/ZyrfXzJuPVg/s640/blogger-image-767790316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-OJXimVZfqis/U-Fh-P8QS3I/AAAAAAAAD5A/ZyrfXzJuPVg/s640/blogger-image-767790316.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Proof I called]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then I called the house insurance dudes again and made them give me another number. The lady was really rude about it. She couldn't understand why I would need a new plumber so quickly. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Clearly, she's never had poo in her bathtub.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The new plumbers could be at the house between 1 pm and 5 pm. I said awesome. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I left work as soon as they called me (at noon). I showed up at the house just a few minutes before the plumber. I showed him the problem in the toilet (not flushing), and the problem in the shower (poo). He figured out the problem in 3 minutes flat.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then he showed me how the main drain was clogged, which I thought was really nice of him to show me.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-33to2oe39ug/U-FlhauS0QI/AAAAAAAAD6M/nEf3ZvFOeS0/s640/blogger-image-119609555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-33to2oe39ug/U-FlhauS0QI/AAAAAAAAD6M/nEf3ZvFOeS0/s640/blogger-image-119609555.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Our main drain is located here. The one farthest from the house is the main drain. I'm not sure what the other tube is, even though the plumber told me.]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then the plumber called to verify our insurance.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The home insurance told him they would not cover the main drain because it's "not inside the home." Are you kidding me?? I had a polite fight on the phone with the lady. I kept saying "But the blocked drain is inside our house, why isn't it covered?" and she kept saying, "The opening to the drain is outside your foundation, which is not covered." </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was so over it. We paid the nice guy since he was already there, and I had already taken the afternoon off work.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">He cleaned the clog in about 10 minutes. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iObKRKWld8w/U-FlpcS4YiI/AAAAAAAAD60/hzRdJ8-nTLs/s640/blogger-image--1582804329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iObKRKWld8w/U-FlpcS4YiI/AAAAAAAAD60/hzRdJ8-nTLs/s640/blogger-image--1582804329.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[the poo]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I promise I cleaned the tub about 6 times with bleach and then another 8 times with all-purpose cleaner, but I won't judge you if you choose to use the walk-in-shower in the guest bedroom if you need to shower.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After he left I was so bummed that I forgot to ask him about our faucets. See, the people who flipped the house installed ALL the hot and cold water knobs backwards. Even the ones that are color coded with red and blue on them! It's driving me nuts!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Now we're mostly moved in. All our stuff is in the house, but we still need to hang up clothes and we still need to unpack a lot of boxes.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lo5JQ5qvuE8/U-Fln6iabAI/AAAAAAAAD6s/FgNUT5m93F8/s640/blogger-image--306936151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Lo5JQ5qvuE8/U-Fln6iabAI/AAAAAAAAD6s/FgNUT5m93F8/s640/blogger-image--306936151.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div>[changing out the keys! We officially only live in a house!]<br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had to wait to hang stuff in the closet until Ryan could re-enforce the clothes-hanging rods. They were sagging a lot in the middle. He's mostly done with that.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V5mph79xuMY/U-FlsVpNkTI/AAAAAAAAD7E/n_Q_4V7C2U0/s640/blogger-image--922179515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V5mph79xuMY/U-FlsVpNkTI/AAAAAAAAD7E/n_Q_4V7C2U0/s640/blogger-image--922179515.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Saggy]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TJ48n5JxOXw/U-Fli_zs3YI/AAAAAAAAD6U/Y8o_pposAiE/s640/blogger-image--561003555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TJ48n5JxOXw/U-Fli_zs3YI/AAAAAAAAD6U/Y8o_pposAiE/s640/blogger-image--561003555.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[Supported]</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But I'm off to shower. Here's to hoping we're finally done!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I mean, if home ownership is a fraternity, I feel we've been thoroughly hazed already. We've had our AC repaired by Jesus, our water finally turned on by Jerry, our door trim around the fridge remodeled by Sears, our water heater/gas line repaired by Seth, and our plumbing repaired by Gavin. I'm not sure how much else we can handle!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-85057840877731750552014-07-29T16:00:00.001-05:002014-07-29T18:34:50.960-05:00The day we bought a house!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our journey to our first house:<br><br>I'll sprinkle pictures of the house into all the words I'm writing<br>here. I just want to remember how the process happened, so if you're<br>not really into words, skip through and just peak at the pics. I<br>know some of you might just be here for the photos :) I would be.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c2ao8sCXkOI/U9gPaBBq7GI/AAAAAAAADz0/RAAlwSxxXUA/s640/blogger-image--871134466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c2ao8sCXkOI/U9gPaBBq7GI/AAAAAAAADz0/RAAlwSxxXUA/s640/blogger-image--871134466.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the front of the house]</div><br><br>We decided to look for our first house about 7-8 months before our<br>townhouse lease was over. We wanted to find the perfect house for us.<br><br>Since we've started looking at houses I have found several houses I<br>love. We found a perfect house (overlooking a creek, closets the size<br>of small rooms, close to good friends, fireplace in the bedroom...), but it was about 75,000<br>above our price range (plus utilities were going to cost WAY too<br>much...) so we kept looking.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>And when I say "looking" what I mean is: looking at what we could<br>afford in the radius I like (staying close to where I work.) Its<br>shocking what homes cost this close to Dallas. The only reason we<br>started looking so early is so that we would know what we like when it<br>was time to buy. Houses were (and still are) FLYING off the market in<br>less than a week, so when you find a place you want it is important to<br>jump on it and know it's what you were looking for. Several of our<br>friends have put in more than 3 offers on houses before finally<br>getting a house, so we decided to start looking early, figure out what<br>we want, and then jump on a house as we get closer to the end of our<br>lease. We contacted a realtor who told us our plan was good, and sent<br>us a list of houses in our price range in the area we want.<br><br>We started by looking at houses online for a few weeks. I refused to<br>even consider a house outside of 635 (the loop around Dallas), but was willing to compromise on<br>other areas. Then we drove by a few houses that we both considered<br>possibilities. I liked different things than Ryan does, but we were<br>just looking because we had 7 months left on our lease. Ryan wanted<br>to see inside some of the houses to see if what we liked in pictures<br>was what we liked in real life.<br><br>We knew we wanted an "open" floor plan like we had at the townhouse.<br>We wanted a big backyard with a lot of room for the puppies, and a<br>garage. We were willing to settle for a house that needed a little<br>work in order to be close to where we wanted to live.<br><br>..................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5zvpL167DjQ/U9gTMSv2IfI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/-Zghaom9ZDc/s640/blogger-image-1969394871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5zvpL167DjQ/U9gTMSv2IfI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/-Zghaom9ZDc/s640/blogger-image-1969394871.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the backyard]</div><br><br>The first time we went out with the realtor (I HIGHLY recommend him if<br>you need a realtor in Dallas), Ryan gave me the "don't find a house<br>and fall in love with it speech."<br><br>I told him I wouldn't.<br><br>It was a <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Tuesday night</a> and we were just out to have fun, see some<br>houses, and learn what we both liked/disliked.<br><br>We walked into the first house. I really hated it. The kitchen and<br>bathrooms were cute. The floors had nice wood. We walked through and<br>saw the size of the bathrooms (so small a tub wouldn't even fit<br>inside) and the closets (no walk-ins here). The kitchen was slanted<br>down (leaning) and the house had HUGE cracks in the side. I was ok<br>with the house, but Ryan didn't like it at all. He said all the dog<br>toys (and eventually, hopefully child toys) would be lined up on one<br>side of the house because of how slanted it was. Bummer. This house<br>was pretty close to where I wanted to be, but this house was at the<br>top of our price range.<br><br>We walked into the second house and it was even worse than the first.<br>It had an "added on" sun room off the kitchen with a door that<br>wouldn't even shut. The kitchen looked new, but there was a mystery<br>door just outside the kitchen that was rotted out, and no such opening<br>for a door inside the kitchen. It smelled old. There were layers<br>upon layers of paint. It felt like our first apartment in the city.<br>Small but functional. Which is what we were hoping for with a first<br>house. I had just hoped for something that didn't look like it still<br>lived in the 1950s. Ryan was ok with this house. I was definitely<br>not.<br><br>Then we saw the 3rd house. We both really liked it. Ryan had been<br>looking at this one on the internet for a few weeks and kept telling<br>me he liked it. I wasn't super impressed with the front of the house,<br>but it had a cute little pergola in the back that I loved. It was a 4<br>bedroom house, but had no garage (the Master bedroom/bathroom suite<br>was built in the place that once housed the garage.) It was freshly<br>re-done with all new energy-efficient windows and granite counter<br>tops. The kitchen overlooked a big backyard. I was on board. It<br>wasn't too far from work, just a little farther than I wanted it to<br>be, but in a nice area. I liked it. Maybe this home search wouldn't<br>be so bad after all! We can find something like this!<br><br>We saw the 4th and it was at the top of our price range, but in an<br>area that was so cute and a bit closer to the lake and work. It was 5<br>bedrooms but super dark inside. The kitchen was small. It just<br>wasn't what we wanted at all. The whole house was cut off and<br>separated from each other. The rooms were big enough but nothing<br>special. Although there was a fire pit in the backyard, which was<br>pretty awesome.<br><br>We almost didn't look at the 5th house because our realtor said it<br>needed "a lot of love" but we had driven by it and I liked the outside<br>a lot. Plus it was only 4 minutes away from where we were at the<br>time. And we were up for a little bit of DIY remodeling. On the way<br>there Ryan asked how much I liked the 3rd house. I mean, I liked it a<br>lot; it was BY FAR the best house we had seen all day, but we couldn't<br>fall in love with it. This 5th house was a joke. We walked in and<br>smelled mold. We walked into the living room and then saw the huge<br>water stains in the kitchen ceiling. It needed more than "a lot of<br>love." It was terrible.<br><br>As we drove home, we talked logistics of the 3rd house. Ryan was the<br>one falling in love with the house. (although if you ask him, he<br>would say I was the one that fell in love with it first) We decided<br>to inquire about getting out of our lease, then move forward with the<br>pre-approval for the loan. (Our lending company had already given us a<br>price range, and the 3rd house was well within that price range, even<br>if we added on a garage to the backyard.<br><br>I felt like we were a little bit crazy, but I like crazy things. Its<br>just like my wedding dress all over again. I saw something I loved,<br>saw a bunch of stuff I didn't, and I went back to what I loved.<br><br>..............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n9Zb0_wWF1M/U9gTQhXzIUI/AAAAAAAAD0w/VVuUKMINdOM/s640/blogger-image-214568581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n9Zb0_wWF1M/U9gTQhXzIUI/AAAAAAAAD0w/VVuUKMINdOM/s640/blogger-image-214568581.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[looking from the kitchen, over the island, into the living room] (those are staged furniture)</div><br><br>Flash forward to the next day at work. Ryan made all the phone<br>calls/emails: to the bank to get pre-approved asap. We had already<br>gotten pre-pre approved so we knew what our ideal price range was, so<br>that made the pre-approval process super easy. They just needed our<br>financial info, good thing we keep in saved on our computer. Done.<br><br>Then to our realtor and asked if we could see the house again. His<br>evenings were all booked up until next week. But that was too long<br>for us to wait (I guess) so Ryan asked to leave work early for lunch<br>on Friday so we could see the house again. I wanted to be there too<br>so I did the same.<br><br>Then he called the leasing company of our current property to assess<br>how much getting out of our lease would cost.<br><br>Ryan heard back from our loan guy. (Who we also HIGHLY recommend, he<br>was always answering his emails in less than 30 minutes...even on the<br>weekend!) He broke down how much it would cost us per month for the<br>house. We would be saving at least 200 per month in rent/mortgage.<br>That's nice. We figured we would be paying the same or more than we<br>pay to rent, so paying less per month was exciting! We can pay off<br>our home faster that way! (by paying more than we need to when we<br>can)<br><br>..............................................................<br><br>Then Thursday, I re-analyzed all the pictures, and determined what we<br>need to measure. Ryan analyzed the property value per the county, the<br>going cost of all the houses around the one we want, and whether work<br>permits were obtained. (they were not).<br><br>At this point our realtor had gotten at least 5 emails from us each<br>day. I was beginning to think we are driving him crazy. I feel bad.<br><br>I also saw what schools the house was close to. And I checked out the<br>grocery stores and restaurants around. I determined we can't walk to<br>a bagel place, we can't walk to a Trader Joe's. But we could walk to<br>a school and a park with swings, a teeter-totter, and a creek. That<br>will work. And Trader Joe's is on my way home from work.<br><br>Those are the things that are important to me.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCMBlJ9qdGA/U9gPV65L35I/AAAAAAAADzc/4lGjW9F9U-Y/s640/blogger-image--1068362324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCMBlJ9qdGA/U9gPV65L35I/AAAAAAAADzc/4lGjW9F9U-Y/s640/blogger-image--1068362324.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[our pergola!]</div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">..........................................................<br><br>Friday we went to see the house again to "really look at it."<br><br>We checked the outside for cracks in the walls or foundation, the<br>inside to see what kind of windows were put in (all the new windows<br>are double pained, the old ones are single) and to see if the cabinets<br>were good quality, if the drains worked, etc.<br><br>The drains definitely did not work. But our realtor said that would<br>be checked by the inspector. We had our friend Amberlee come along<br>and make sure our couch and our small group would all fit in the<br>living room because we're tight in the townhouse. Good news: it will.<br><br>One of our neighbors stopped by and politely let us know we left our<br>keys in the door and then asked when open house was. We told them we<br>were just looking at the house, not selling it. I got weird vibes<br>though. If they steal the house out from under us, I will be upset!<br>(Spoiler alert: they didn't)<br><br>Our realtor told us not to worry, because we weren't calling too much.<br>I think he's just being nice though.<br><br>We told our realtor that we want it. We want the house. He said he<br>would "crunch some numbers" and get back to us with what we should offer. Awesome</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fdr3oe2qYtA/U9gTSJ8cbFI/AAAAAAAAD04/LcS9YRvGof8/s640/blogger-image-1550976594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fdr3oe2qYtA/U9gTSJ8cbFI/AAAAAAAAD04/LcS9YRvGof8/s640/blogger-image-1550976594.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[looking from the dining room, through the kitchen!]</div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...........................................................<br><br>That Saturday (the next morning) I ate breakfast at a fun little<br>coffee shop/taco stand near the house, then I took my friend Diana to<br>go see the house. (Just drive by the outside) Then we went to the<br>arboretum, since it is so close. It was cool to see some awesome<br>restaurants and activities are in the same area!<br><br>While I was doing that, Ryan put together all the financials.<br><br>That night our realtor called us and gave us advice on what we should<br>offer. We decided to make an offer for 10,000 less than the asking price. Our realtor thought it was a long shot, but worth trying.<br>We said Ok, then got our financial guy to give us a pre-approval<br>letter.<br><br>Sunday we went over the seller's disclosure checklist. No fireplace.<br>The roof isn't as new as we thought. But it has central AC and<br>heat...And is free of lead paint. We told our realtor let's go!<br><br>.............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9JlrgPKcoFI/U9gTK7Hc8iI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/h9BYhWLEZPw/s640/blogger-image-1829849172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9JlrgPKcoFI/U9gTK7Hc8iI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/h9BYhWLEZPw/s640/blogger-image-1829849172.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the new bathroom, also staged]</div><br><br>All <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">Sunday evening</a> and <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3">Monday morning</a> we waited for our realtor to<br>draw up the paperwork. (He works around the clock, I tell you, he<br>rocks!) Just after <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4">lunch on Monday</a>he forwards us paperwork to sign.<br>We get it back to him in about 30 minutes. Then he submits it around<br><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://5" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="5">2 pm</a>.<br><br>Then we waited.<br><br>Will we get it? Do we have to negotiate more? We keep coming up with<br>neat ideas for how we will fit our stuff into the space...We would<br>have been pretty disappointed if we didn't get it.<br><br>But sometimes life is about disappointment! And that's ok.<br><br>We drove by <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://6" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6">at 9:30 Monday night</a> to see what the neighborhood looked<br>like after dark. I felt like we were creepsters, driving by slowly in<br>a car with the windows down. I also felt like we maybe should have<br>done that before we put in the offer. There were very few street<br>lights, but each house was well lit by their porch light. We would<br>have an Oncor dude living across from us. Which could prove<br>beneficial, but his truck would frequently be in the way.<br><br>.............................................................<br><br>We submitted our offer <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://7" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="7">Monday afternoon</a>.<br><br>We got a reply Tuesday afternoon. They had a counter-offer. (which,<br>by deduction, means we were the only offer/the best offer because they<br>would have picked another offer if they had one.) I was ok with it,<br>Ryan was not really. Our realtor urged them us give another counter<br>offer. We offered it almost immediately.<br><br>And hour later we had a house.<br><br>A HOUSE.<br><br>We just offered and they accepted! I don't know how that happened so<br>fast. Only 1 week ago we were looking at the house for the first<br>time, now we owned it. (Kinda)<br><br>I've never bought a house before, apparently there are more steps than<br>just paying money. We have what is called an "option" period. We had<br>to get an inspector to walk through the house and make sure everything<br>is legit. (the drains work, there is no mold, the foundation is<br>reliable, etc) That lasts about 10 days. Then we have to decide if<br>we want to keep it. We had to pay some people some money. This all<br>comes out of our big "total cost" so the money comes out slowly...<br><br>...........................................................<br><br>Then we waited for the inspector to check everything. Apparently it<br>was a 20 page report. Our realtor has already told us that since the<br>house is so old it will "fail" all the inspection markers, but that's<br>ok because codes have changed.<br><br>Is it really ok?!<br><br>............................................................<br><br>Inspection day brought a zillion things. It was during the day (9-11<br>am) so I couldn't go, only Ryan. Which means, I just got the short<br>report about the inspection. Our realtor looked over the 20 page<br>report and advised us on anything further we need. (We are so<br>thankful for our realtor!)<br><br>Ryan gave me a phone report before my lunch meeting. If you had been<br>listening in, you might have heard:<br><br>"There's a bird's nest in our attic?!"<br><br>"What do you mean our neighbor has chickens in his backyard?"<br><br>"Did the inspector actually let both showers run for 1 hour?!"<br><br>"What do you mean the stuff from the master bedroom toilet gets piped<br>above our heads to the drain line in the guest bedroom toilet?"<br><br>"Those scoundrels! How could they only paint 1 side of the fence!"<br><br>"How can the windows all be painted shut? Isn't that a fire hazard?"<br>(Our inspector agreed)<br><br>So we'll wait to see what can and can't be fixed. No major red flags,<br>which is hopefully good!<br><br><br>**They have agreed to fix everything. Except we didn't ask them to<br>fix the paint on the fence or the pergola. We will stain that<br>ourselves.**<br><br>............................................................<br><br>Friends. You have to sign about 1000 things in order to get a<br>mortgage. (I may have exaggerated but only by 1 zero.)<br><br>I mean, you can "e-sign" some, but others you have to "wet sign."<br><br>I honestly think you have to sign more stuff to buy a house than you<br>do when you have a baby.<br><br>But I haven't had one of those yet, so I'll update you if that changes.<br><br>.....................................................<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uruGIr_tiHU/U9gTPK0x4qI/AAAAAAAAD0o/aozrEC6MLVw/s640/blogger-image-632220414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uruGIr_tiHU/U9gTPK0x4qI/AAAAAAAAD0o/aozrEC6MLVw/s640/blogger-image-632220414.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the kitchen with appliances and no fridge.]</div><br><br>Woah.<br><br>When you buy a house it comes with an empty hole where you can put a<br>refrigerator.<br><br>Which means we had to buy one or otherwise we have nothing to keep our<br>food cold. Has anyone been refrigerator shopping? How do you even<br>begin to make that decision? Should we go with black like all our<br>other appliances? Or stainless steal because that's cheaper by at<br>least 200 dollars and that's all they have in the showrooms right now?<br>Should we get the one with the new "3rd door" for grab-and-go foods?<br>Is that important? Will our theoretical kids be able to use this<br>fridge? Will it fit in the space? (even though we have measured it?)<br>What about when we open the doors, will they be able to open all the<br>way? Will we have to buy the more expensive "counter-sided" kind?<br><br>And this is where my husband reminds me to take a breath and stop<br>worrying about the "what ifs."<br><br>We were hoping to buy the weekend of July 4th so we could take<br>advantage of the sails!<br><br>And we did! I felt so good because we got a refrigerator for way less<br>than the normal price! Ryan says they just put the normal price on<br>there so you feel like you're getting a good sale. But our fridge was<br>at least 2,000 less than normal, which was discounted more than all of the other fridges! We got the best deal, for sure!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">……………………………................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JsxKJDZTWbU/U9gTN8MnjgI/AAAAAAAAD0g/RX_V8D98wkQ/s640/blogger-image-1998792450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JsxKJDZTWbU/U9gTN8MnjgI/AAAAAAAAD0g/RX_V8D98wkQ/s640/blogger-image-1998792450.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the living room looking into the new master/guest bedroom]</div><br><br>Ok, so we've had a few friends move into their new place, only to<br>realize that their refrigerator doesn't fit into the little slot.<br><br>We measured our "little fridge slot" before we went shopping, but just<br>to double/triple check we decided to go back to the house to measure<br>it. Just in case. You'd hate to drop 2 grand on something only have<br>to cancel the order. So we talked to our realtor, the patient guy he<br>is, and he agreed to meet us at the house. We took a bunch of other<br>measurements while we were there so Ryan could draw a diagram of the<br>house and put all our furniture inside the diagram and see where we<br>should put everything.<br><br>Turns out we were super thankful we stopped by. The A/C was broken.<br>Fully broken.<br><br>Just 1 day after the option period ended.<br><br>The good news is, now we can have a new one installed before move-in<br>day (thankfully) . The bad news is, now we're dropping another 5<br>grand on the house (for a new A/C). Good thing we negotiated for the<br>seller to pay a bunch of the closing costs for the house. Now we can<br>afford to buy a new A/C and new Frige.<br><br>................................................................<br><br>After the option period is over we just had to wait for the house to<br>close. We were still looking for someone to take over our lease on<br>the townhouse we live in. We were also getting rid of a bunch of<br>stuff we don't use anymore but we keep holding onto.<br><br>Why do we keep holding onto stuff?!<br><br>Its plates I love or bowls he loves or knife sets or coffee mugs or<br>old clothes that don't fit. We sold some of the more valuable stuff<br>(a bike, dog kennel) and gave away some things (knife set, sundresses,<br>plastic cups) and gave most of the rest to good will.<br><br>Really, we just need to keep from buying excess stuff in the first<br>place. In our defense though, most of the excess happened because two<br>people with cheap stuff got together and got married and got a bunch<br>of nicer stuff and hate getting rid of anything.<br><br>If we could just keep from buying stuff I think we would be winning at life.<br><br>At least we're purging a bunch before the big move!<br><br>.............................................................<br><br>We're also playing the game of moving-tetris. The game where you fit<br>as much as possible into neat little boxes. I thought I was good at<br>moving-tetris. I can make things fit in boxes and cushion them with<br>extra sheets and blankets creating the perfect box.<br><br>But Ryan rocks at moving-tetris. He takes things out and rotates them<br>into the perfect-fit boxes of super relevant things. He fit all our<br>movies into one box by carefully stacking them at different angles.<br><br>No wonder he's so good at video games.<br><br>We also started packing early (2 weeks out, does that count as early?)<br>as much as possible. Its shocking all the things we don't need on a<br>daily basis that we keep. Cookbooks. Actual books. Jewelry. Home<br>decor. Extra blankets/sheets. Which makes me wonder how long we<br>could live without that stuff? Do we actually need to keep it? Does<br>it add value to our lives?? (It does, or we would just get rid of it)<br><br>But there's a lot of stuff we just can't pack yet. Kitchen stuff.<br>Workout equipment. Clothes. First-Aid kits.<br><br>...............................................................<br><br>We scheduled the move for a Thursday. We figure it will be easier to<br>get the moving truck into our current driveway without blocking all<br>the neighbors on a weekday. We scheduled the fridge to be delivered<br>on the same day. We figure we'll divide and conquer. We have a<br>friend (who is also off that day and super sweet to give up her<br>day-off to help!) who will be there to help making sure we have all<br>our bases-covered.<br><br>This is what God gives us a small group for. Not only did this sweet<br>friend offer to be there for us to help move, but she also offered to<br>make us dinner that night (knowing the day you move usually involves<br>an exhausted, late-night fast food run because the kitchen is never<br>ready.<br><br>She is really helping ease the transition. We are so thankful God has<br>surrounded us with people who love us, and show us this love.<br><br>..............................................................<br><br>I really hate to admit this, but its the truth.<br><br>I was frantically packing one night.<br><br>Only to discover we have THREE weeks until we move, not just two. The<br>best part is I kept telling people we move next week, on the 31st, but<br>no one has told me that's three weeks away. Now I just feel silly.<br><br>And over-packed.<br>..............................................................<br><br>And now, 1 week till move date, I am tired of playing box tetris. I<br>am tired of looking at blank walls and filling box after box. I just<br>want to be done with filling boxes.<br><br>We closed on the house the next day! Woah.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V9ERUEnWevQ/U9gvlKqP49I/AAAAAAAAD1I/vfKZBOy0rNE/s640/blogger-image--267674695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V9ERUEnWevQ/U9gvlKqP49I/AAAAAAAAD1I/vfKZBOy0rNE/s640/blogger-image--267674695.jpg"></a></div><br><br>We signed a million more documents, but I was just so excited that I<br>didn't really care we were signing everything. We stopped by our new<br>place on the way home then we grabbed some dinner! We would have hung<br>out for longer but the A/C was still broken...and we had nothing to<br>sit on...and we were hungry!<br><br>Then it was really ours! And we could put up window treatments and<br>let the dogs play in the backyard. And yes, those were the fist two<br>things we did! (because we don't want those nosy neighbors to see<br>into our house and see all the stuff we have) and because we're so<br>excited we have a yard for the dogs!!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4BMnkPYsayU/U9gPbq3s-cI/AAAAAAAADz8/qkCXpHVpWsQ/s640/blogger-image--438030674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4BMnkPYsayU/U9gPbq3s-cI/AAAAAAAADz8/qkCXpHVpWsQ/s640/blogger-image--438030674.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the pups enjoying the view out the window!]</div><br><br>...............................................................</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>The next day (Saturday) we took the dogs over to the new place and let<br>them run around. They loved it. So fun! But so sweaty! We decided<br>we would be geniuses and go back than night instead.<br><br>We spent about 1 hour at Home Depot looking at all the<br>home-improvement things. I felt like I was the only female in the<br>store <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://11" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="11">at 8 pm</a> on a <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://12" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12">Saturday night</a>. Then I saw another woman there<br>with her husband. Clearly, its not one of the hottest<br>date-night-spots :)<br><br>Our house is though! (Hot. It's the hottest date-night-spot right now) Somehow, it was hotter inside our house than it was outside. We don't have screens on the windows yet (they were taken off to show the house) so our house stayed hot.<br><br>We popped open a cold Shiner, sprayed the baseboards with puppy-safe<br>bug spray (smelled like peppermints!), and caulked a few of the<br>windows.<br><br>We would have done more except we were super sweaty, and we made a<br>little mess, and WE HAD NO WATER.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why did we have no water?!<br><br>Seriously, the city of Dallas could turn off our water on the day we closed<br>we closed at the seller's request, but when Ryan called the same day the soonest they could turn it back on was 1 week later.<br><br>What are we supposed to do without WATER for a week?<br><br>I don't think having zero water is compatible with life.<br><br>Good thing we still have access to our townhouse! We'll just bring<br>over water and deal with it until the water gets turned on.<br><br>And by deal with it, I mean I will have to stop by the old place to<br>shower and get water after we move in. That's kinda lame. City of<br>Dallas, you need to get your stuff together. I'll give you my money!<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lEli_wmkxwA/U9gPSlqQC3I/AAAAAAAADzM/m9G09HWZkmY/s640/blogger-image-1641589338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lEli_wmkxwA/U9gPSlqQC3I/AAAAAAAADzM/m9G09HWZkmY/s640/blogger-image-1641589338.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the nosy-neighbor blocking curtains]</div><br>..............................................................<br><br>And then we packed more boxes.<br><br>I found the ultimate adult puzzle with the Kitchen Aid Food Processor Box.<br><br>All these pieces. And a perfect styrofoam shell to hold them! I had<br>to make it fit! I didn't unpack the food processor, so I had no<br>knowledge of where things should go. (So it was a brand-new puzzle to<br>me)<br><br>Where do you think this goes??<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HUjcotAG3pA/U9gPY61AAfI/AAAAAAAADzs/ZqmbM7_IDhc/s640/blogger-image-1650115137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HUjcotAG3pA/U9gPY61AAfI/AAAAAAAADzs/ZqmbM7_IDhc/s640/blogger-image-1650115137.jpg"></a></div><br>It took me longer than I want to admit to figure out this is how the pieces sit.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TSCGnaewLgo/U9gPUIx7HOI/AAAAAAAADzU/IKJ9a72I8Cg/s640/blogger-image--1164162818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TSCGnaewLgo/U9gPUIx7HOI/AAAAAAAADzU/IKJ9a72I8Cg/s640/blogger-image--1164162818.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>That was a smart place they made the blades fit... But where does this piece go?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZZxm6wJMUhY/U9gPdMm9IHI/AAAAAAAAD0E/vpolq0WYBx0/s640/blogger-image-240668547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZZxm6wJMUhY/U9gPdMm9IHI/AAAAAAAAD0E/vpolq0WYBx0/s640/blogger-image-240668547.jpg"></a></div><br><br><br>Finally, Ryan had me just shove the last piece in because he didn't<br>remember where it came from. That worked well, and the universe was<br>happy.<br><br><br>......................................................<br><br>Did you know there's a website called mymove<a href="http://mymove.com/" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="13">.com</a>? They have a packing<br>checklist that you can check off! Instead of packing half the kitchen<br>into more than 10 boxes, and not feeling accomplished, I could have<br>been checking off a list and felt awesome.<br><br>Next time. I'll know better.<br><br>I hope next time is super far-away!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-81574446291032611032014-07-16T10:37:00.001-05:002014-07-16T21:00:29.669-05:00The day I got my second Fix!I LOVED my first box with stitch fix. I've been too busy/too lazy to shop since my last fix. (well, we bought a refrigerator and a house, but those don't count...ps a FULL blog about the house is on it's way as soon as we close!)<div><br></div><div>I loved all the classy/timeless pieces and I was excited to see what was in my next box!</div><div><br></div><div>My second box came a day early, yay!! I dug in right away so I could maximize my time deciding on what clothes to purchase.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i2cLcZEeDPk/U8ct_4oT9XI/AAAAAAAADxs/au4-C7ant7g/s640/blogger-image-255048053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i2cLcZEeDPk/U8ct_4oT9XI/AAAAAAAADxs/au4-C7ant7g/s640/blogger-image-255048053.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>First I pulled out a dress. It was so pretty and unlike anything I owned. It was very similar to the shape if some dresses I had already pinned on Pinterest! (Stitch Fix let's you link to your Pinterest account!) </div><div><br></div><div>Next was some jeans. I asked specifically for work pants in this fix, and while I CAN wear jeans on Friday and I haven't bought any jeans in the past 2 years, I didn't need jeans. And they were the wrong size. All stores are a bit different when it comes to size, so I figured I would try them anyway.</div><div><br></div><div>Then I pulled out black pants. Yay! I'm looking for a good pair of black work pants. These had a special "tummy slimming" feature inside designed to "make you look 10 lbs thinner." Really? I need to look thinner? They also had no pockets or buttons on them so I was immediately skeptical.</div><div><br></div><div>Next was a cute black shirt that would be fun to wear, but was too low cut for work.</div><div><br></div><div>Then was a beautiful blue/turquoise shirt but it had funny metal details on it. Not super classy or timeless, but worth a try!</div><div><br></div><div>I proceeded to try everything on, trying to keep an open mind.</div><div><br></div><div>............................................................</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p5xGRSu0yPU/U8cuDdHZpBI/AAAAAAAADx8/kUCaC0G-lyI/s640/blogger-image--497720923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p5xGRSu0yPU/U8cuDdHZpBI/AAAAAAAADx8/kUCaC0G-lyI/s640/blogger-image--497720923.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the pups wanted in on my mirror-photo action!]</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R1im3zhRckk/U8cuFJ8w3II/AAAAAAAADyE/2yKv_Ikq5hM/s640/blogger-image--1072313077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R1im3zhRckk/U8cuFJ8w3II/AAAAAAAADyE/2yKv_Ikq5hM/s640/blogger-image--1072313077.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[i could get used to these jeans!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I tried on the jeans first. They weren't huge on me like I expected, but they were big. They felt like good material (I found out later the brand is sold at Nordstrom, so they really are made of good materials! I never shop there because I don't feel fancy enough... But maybe I could in these jeans!) I've been hoping for skinny jeans, and these were skinnier than most of the jeans I have, but they were so big I felt like they weren't skinny enough. I wondered if my size would fit me better. They weren't falling off and they looked nice, but I wasn't sure about them.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-swh_sOIZP_Q/U8cuIbSSOsI/AAAAAAAADyU/mzeqWFDP1kI/s640/blogger-image-967818083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-swh_sOIZP_Q/U8cuIbSSOsI/AAAAAAAADyU/mzeqWFDP1kI/s640/blogger-image-967818083.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[cute puppy!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syrkxTbAFjk/U8cuO6ZkdZI/AAAAAAAADy0/ZCzxNq18aFo/s640/blogger-image--1325704231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-syrkxTbAFjk/U8cuO6ZkdZI/AAAAAAAADy0/ZCzxNq18aFo/s640/blogger-image--1325704231.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">[cute top??]</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I tried on the black lace top with them. I liked the top, it looks like one I already own. This top was just a little big. It was also SUPER low cut. I would have gotten it if it hadn't been so low cut and I hadn't had another top just like it. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hc4QppSgKmo/U8cuJ7JuraI/AAAAAAAADyc/XnVXDXWLMjQ/s640/blogger-image-1331509748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Hc4QppSgKmo/U8cuJ7JuraI/AAAAAAAADyc/XnVXDXWLMjQ/s640/blogger-image-1331509748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[10 lbs slimmer?]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gjXS-3BcJRg/U8cuGji047I/AAAAAAAADyM/hj6VdHWJHko/s640/blogger-image-130730096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gjXS-3BcJRg/U8cuGji047I/AAAAAAAADyM/hj6VdHWJHko/s640/blogger-image-130730096.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[do I look slimmer? I don't feel like I need to!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then I tried on the black pants. They were a little tricky to pull over my hips because they had no button, and when I got them into place they felt big. I was prepared to hate the pants, but when I put them on they were super comfortable! They were also skinny in the leg, which I wanted. I thought about getting them, but I just wasn't sure if they would be worth the money (almost 100!) because I felt like I could never tuck a shirt into them and wear a belt with them. In the end, that's why I didn't get them because I didn't feel like they were versatile enough for the cost. I did love how comfy they were!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xlgsPQ4xKXM/U8cuL0ALbvI/AAAAAAAADyk/fg5gQsXAhdk/s640/blogger-image-1887740907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xlgsPQ4xKXM/U8cuL0ALbvI/AAAAAAAADyk/fg5gQsXAhdk/s640/blogger-image-1887740907.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[that looks fun!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oFwZeXCpDH8/U8cuNSkPADI/AAAAAAAADys/2CJtC2kM-i4/s640/blogger-image-530317491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oFwZeXCpDH8/U8cuNSkPADI/AAAAAAAADys/2CJtC2kM-i4/s640/blogger-image-530317491.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[but what about that metal detail? And is this going to be hard to iron?]</div><br></div><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I put the blue/turquoise top on with them. I was ready to hate this top too, but I really liked the way it fit. Not too tight, but with a fun neckline and fun lines. I still wasn't sure about the metal details on it. I wanted to branch out, and I really thought hard about this top. In the end, I just didn't feel like this was a "classy/timeless" shirt. It was also wrinkley and I wasn't sure if I could iron the fabric. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QQJkPcqmcEk/U8ct98TvjbI/AAAAAAAADxk/MnOrANhBE40/s640/blogger-image-788487329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QQJkPcqmcEk/U8ct98TvjbI/AAAAAAAADxk/MnOrANhBE40/s640/blogger-image-788487329.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[legit modeling is hard, but this is so fun!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-apLPSwF6seY/U8cuBXjWsdI/AAAAAAAADx0/P-eLsm1RJ4o/s640/blogger-image--1345121855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-apLPSwF6seY/U8cuBXjWsdI/AAAAAAAADx0/P-eLsm1RJ4o/s640/blogger-image--1345121855.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[got to make sure it looks good with the rest of my closet!]</div><br></div><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I tried on the dress last, sure I would love it. I did love it! I even tried it on with a belt and shoes! The stripes were so small they made it look like an optical illusion in the mirror, which totally freaked Ryan out. He told me he didn't love it. But I had already decided I liked it. Done! I felt like it was classy for work but could easily be worn for a friend's wedding or something. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">All in all, I felt like this fix wasn't as classy as my first stitch fix. I had asked for work pants, which they provided (good work!) and I pinned a bunch of lace tops on pinterest (which they noticed and sent!). I was pretty happy with that. I liked that they tried to branch out with styles, I just didn't end up loving some of the stuff they sent. But I loved it much more than going shopping on my own!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'm in for another month! I'm already looking forward to my next box!</div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Have I convinced you to try it yet? </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div><font face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">https://stitchfix.com/referral/3826959</span></font></div><div><font face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Seriously though, it's a lot of fun. Even if you are a fantastic shopper or if you already know your style, it will make you branch out and try on things you never would have picked up! And I feel so classy in my new clothes :)</span></font></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-29777122772822624372014-07-15T10:51:00.002-05:002014-07-15T11:33:01.698-05:00The day I made popcorn and lost my fingerprint.<div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">If you know me, you know how much I love popcorn. This post is a little bit about popcorn. But it's also a little bit about things that burn. Like popcorn, fingers, and fireworks. So if you like any of these things, read on! If you need a good laugh, read on. If you have better things to do but you're trying to procrastinate, read on! </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Back to the popcorn.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And not just ANY popcorn.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Fresh made, organic, home-popped popcorn.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-966UQNPY4tQ/U8VSJLBIZmI/AAAAAAAADvk/AyQkC-uiBCI/s640/blogger-image-1113060452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-966UQNPY4tQ/U8VSJLBIZmI/AAAAAAAADvk/AyQkC-uiBCI/s640/blogger-image-1113060452.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[my awesome Mother-in-law hooks me up with organic popcorn from the Farmer's market. I had no idea there was white popcorn and yellow popcorn. I thought yellow popcorn was just white popcorn with butter all over.]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dffdv29GURU/U8VSMIEyEdI/AAAAAAAADv0/ZjxAVaUfW1s/s640/blogger-image-249079565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Dffdv29GURU/U8VSMIEyEdI/AAAAAAAADv0/ZjxAVaUfW1s/s640/blogger-image-249079565.jpg"></a></div><br></div>[my co-workers hooked me up with popcorn before I left my old job!]</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Have had a zillion popcorn poppers in my life. Oil popped. Air popped. Stove-top. Self-turning, manual-turning. Its crazy.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I would like to note though, I don't buy these things for myself, they are all gifted to me by people who know me very well and love me.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Popcorn has been my go-to salty snack since I was in college. You can't make anything else that's this fresh so cheaply. And, depending on how its popped, it can be low calorie.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Although, lets be honest. I like the kind that's popped in oil and covered in real butter.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I've almost mastered the art of popcorn making. My favorite popcorn maker, the Cuisinart pictured below, has seen its fair share of popcorn. I've used it at least twice a month for the past two years, so I've made at least 50 or so 4 quart bowls of popcorn. That's a lot. And trust me, I eat it all.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3WglUQs-kdE/U8VSCpXAbnI/AAAAAAAADvE/CYuh1muNmhA/s640/blogger-image--926419319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3WglUQs-kdE/U8VSCpXAbnI/AAAAAAAADvE/CYuh1muNmhA/s640/blogger-image--926419319.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[this popcorn was before I learned about organic popcorn]</div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Typically, I mix butter and vegetable oil in the bottom of the popcorn maker (although I've used coconut oil for a healthier, different tasting, dairy free alternative!) And when the butter melts I add just over 1/2 cut of popcorn kernels. Really though, I've stopped measuring and now I just dump it in until the bottom is mostly covered.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I let the plate get hot and when it starts to sizzle, I add salt.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then it pops with the salt and when the popping slows down, I pull the handles to lift it off the base and I flip it over.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Boom. Warm, fresh popcorn.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.....................................................</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The machine is a little hard to wash, and while I love it, It has broken on me a few times. I've broken both handles off the top piece and I broke the popcorn bucket (It fell off the counter onto the floor and cracked.) My sweet mother-in-law, who bought me the this popcorn maker, has one just like me but the bottom piece of hers broke. The company offered to fix it for a fee, but she decided to just buy a new one. She gave me her old bottom piece and popcorn bucket, which works but it's a bunch of different colors.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But lets be real, it doesn't matter what it looks like as long as it works!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">She also got me a new brand, called the Kettle Krazy, last Christmas. I decided to use the old one until it completely died before trying the new one, but my husband gave me an ultimatum : Only 2 popcorn poppers can move with us. (we currently have 3) I decided to try the new one and see which one I liked better.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And that's how I lost my fingerprint.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I read the instruction manual before starting, because I'm that kind of a person. The way you add butter is fascinating. You put it on top and let it melt in, which I never tried before. My old popcorn maker had holes in the top, and I wonder if I was supposed to do the same thing, only I never read the directions right. All I remember my old one saying was to melt the butter and pour it on top after popping, but that never works right, so I just add it into the bottom when popping. This new machine warned me NOT to put butter in the bottom (because of the low smoke point). It also told me I HAD to use vegetable oil because of the high smoke point, but I figure I can still use coconut oil if I want to because it has a high smoke point too.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Anyway, after putting in the oil, I added the popcorn. It specified that I had to add the popcorn cold. I don't know what kind of a difference that makes, but the manufacturer made it a point to put that in the instructions. I keep my popcorn in the fridge anyway, so that made it easy.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The instructions also say not to use the machine in your freezer.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Just in case you had an extra outlet in there and that's the only place you could find to pop the popcorn, it won't work.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And its a safety hazard. Bummer.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So I added my vegetable oil to the bottom, then the cold popcorn, then added butter to the top. I normally only add 1 or 2 tablespoons of butter, but the recipe told me to add 3. So I added 2.5 because I couldn't bring myself to use 3 full ones. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2cVRO-gfZJY/U8VSHpYyKnI/AAAAAAAADvc/NiOchxi6ZvQ/s640/blogger-image-724105465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2cVRO-gfZJY/U8VSHpYyKnI/AAAAAAAADvc/NiOchxi6ZvQ/s640/blogger-image-724105465.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And I let it pop.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cW3zIFBat-w/U8VSjvkKUqI/AAAAAAAADw0/5y0bFlAnaNI/s640/blogger-image-1271261380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cW3zIFBat-w/U8VSjvkKUqI/AAAAAAAADw0/5y0bFlAnaNI/s640/blogger-image-1271261380.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9sycOy-rzns/U8VSmc71RfI/AAAAAAAADxE/oQ5Oz1SOu5M/s640/blogger-image--486560348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9sycOy-rzns/U8VSmc71RfI/AAAAAAAADxE/oQ5Oz1SOu5M/s640/blogger-image--486560348.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The puppies LOVE popcorn.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The sound of corn popping calls them from the farthest corners of the house promising the reward of crunchy yumminess!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">They know if they sit and stay and then lay down when I ask, they get a piece of warm, unsalted popcorn. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TAyCkY3FGeE/U8VSlHdfi6I/AAAAAAAADw8/4pQfOt5eyTI/s640/blogger-image-21142824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TAyCkY3FGeE/U8VSlHdfi6I/AAAAAAAADw8/4pQfOt5eyTI/s640/blogger-image-21142824.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[they know to sit]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oGZmqF2Ux14/U8VSEQHaQAI/AAAAAAAADvM/H9e_vMwX5No/s640/blogger-image--596921732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oGZmqF2Ux14/U8VSEQHaQAI/AAAAAAAADvM/H9e_vMwX5No/s640/blogger-image--596921732.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-32C-Z2O5YiE/U8VSNhuajhI/AAAAAAAADv8/5FC_mWP3Mx8/s640/blogger-image-1362961413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-32C-Z2O5YiE/U8VSNhuajhI/AAAAAAAADv8/5FC_mWP3Mx8/s640/blogger-image-1362961413.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[look at those faces! Who could say no!!]</div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I turn off the machine when the popping slows to every 3 seconds and then I unplug it, as the instructions indicate.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I grab the handles to flip the entire machine over (away from my face like the directions tell me) and I immediately jump back, almost spilling the entire contents of the hot oil and popcorn bucket onto me, because my finger touched a screw in the handle and it burned!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It hurt so bad!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I re-read the flipping instructions wondering if I did something wrong. I didn't. They say NOTHING about a hot screw! (they do say not to over-tighten the screw, but it comes pre-assembled, so why is that pertinent??)</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">WHY WOULD YOU PUT A SCREW IN THE HANDLE THAT GETS HOT?? YOU KNOW PEOPLE GRAB THESE HANDLES TO FLIP THE POPCORN, PER YOUR INSTRUCTIONS!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I then grabbed the handles again, careful to avoid the screws, hoping that my popcorn hadn't burnt in the mean time because burnt popcorn is one of the worst smells ever.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It didn't burn (thankfully). But my finger did.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I put it under cold (not freezing) water because that is proper protocol for burns. Ice will just make the burn blister more and could cause worse pain.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My finger hurt all the rest of the evening.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And it hurt even worse in my shower.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I was seriously concerned. I put some coconut oil on it (I couldn't find ointment, and it seamed like the next best thing) then I put coconut oil on a cotton pad, covered the pad in tape, and stuck the oiled pad to my finger. I slept like that.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It felt better the next morning, but it still (1 full week later) is burned. The lines of my fingerprint are gone!</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cwlae2fvL-k/U8VSKlYQkCI/AAAAAAAADvs/AObvYfznJmY/s640/blogger-image--1288462358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cwlae2fvL-k/U8VSKlYQkCI/AAAAAAAADvs/AObvYfznJmY/s640/blogger-image--1288462358.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[the night I burned my finger]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M35yNCeBOpk/U8VSFxubEMI/AAAAAAAADvU/Wg2Mffbu5No/s640/blogger-image-1807400068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-M35yNCeBOpk/U8VSFxubEMI/AAAAAAAADvU/Wg2Mffbu5No/s640/blogger-image-1807400068.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[one WHOLE week later!]</div><br></div></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Look! It even looks like the top of a plus-sign screw. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Stupid instructions. Stupid machine. Stupid company.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Yummy popcorn.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I still have to try using the machine again before I can fully judge. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Just know, if I ever go missing and they find a girl with normal fingerprints and then a 4-petal flower design burned in her middle finger on her right hand in the shape of a plus-sign screw, that's me. Unfortunately.</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................................</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">You know other stuff that pops and burns?! (but is way less painful!)</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">FIREWORKS!! I have some photos/videos from Independence day! </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Just don't watch the videos if you get dizzy easily because my video skills haven't fully developed yet. Also, I was balancing on a rooftop trying to film two fireworks shows so there's a lot of wobble and panning back and forth. </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">4 July 2014:</div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fdT7FyNbOjM/U8VSQrBYM5I/AAAAAAAADwM/WEB_gznBYTA/s640/blogger-image--1674319543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fdT7FyNbOjM/U8VSQrBYM5I/AAAAAAAADwM/WEB_gznBYTA/s640/blogger-image--1674319543.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[at our friend's house]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4tZ4rziXUcg/U8VSPMuuhBI/AAAAAAAADwE/L9cDJHCf9vg/s640/blogger-image-370863478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4tZ4rziXUcg/U8VSPMuuhBI/AAAAAAAADwE/L9cDJHCf9vg/s640/blogger-image-370863478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-csoR3CzaCWg/U8VSpfHV-yI/AAAAAAAADxU/aJ58cWiok2w/s640/blogger-image-2103978225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-csoR3CzaCWg/U8VSpfHV-yI/AAAAAAAADxU/aJ58cWiok2w/s640/blogger-image-2103978225.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[neighbor friends on the roof-deck!]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cUaEDhAwuHg/U8VSdJQPEXI/AAAAAAAADwU/_lYQhs0h48I/s640/blogger-image--1475763622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cUaEDhAwuHg/U8VSdJQPEXI/AAAAAAAADwU/_lYQhs0h48I/s640/blogger-image--1475763622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d8FJ1UZA5SA/U8VSn1FIEAI/AAAAAAAADxM/hkNg94VsH2E/s640/blogger-image--1151539360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d8FJ1UZA5SA/U8VSn1FIEAI/AAAAAAAADxM/hkNg94VsH2E/s640/blogger-image--1151539360.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Oh! And mega Pinterest fail: I tried to make these for the 4th of July. I made one. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vg2tgqvRzgg/U8VSerQCbKI/AAAAAAAADwc/5AK_6jNHuDE/s640/blogger-image-1403622840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vg2tgqvRzgg/U8VSerQCbKI/AAAAAAAADwc/5AK_6jNHuDE/s640/blogger-image-1403622840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JOy3zP0ttmM/U8VSh8wpDqI/AAAAAAAADws/i-AiY95KAKI/s640/blogger-image-1339895578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JOy3zP0ttmM/U8VSh8wpDqI/AAAAAAAADws/i-AiY95KAKI/s640/blogger-image-1339895578.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HjcT4JfA2bo/U8VSga_0JQI/AAAAAAAADwk/xyF9m6Hpez8/s640/blogger-image--1904986678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HjcT4JfA2bo/U8VSga_0JQI/AAAAAAAADwk/xyF9m6Hpez8/s640/blogger-image--1904986678.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Trust me, alcohol doesn't freeze well and I ended up licking all the liquidy flavor off the bottom so it wouldn't drip. Then the top got all icy. It was a brilliant idea. But not so great in non-Martha-Stuart-reality. Which is where I live!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the end, life is good. Popcorn is good. And my God, who by grace allows me to live freely and find enjoyment in the small things, is great!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02315414062574779222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-78153194423931630412014-06-30T22:56:00.001-05:002014-06-30T22:56:16.326-05:00The day we finished our diet!<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Let's be honest, who really wanted to hear 2 more weeks of diets and meal plans?? I decided to sum up weeks 3 and 4 in 1 post.</span><div><br></div><div>...........................................................<br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br>Before I go any farther, I have to give a shout-out to my workout buddy: Jessica Smith TV! Seriously, I couldn't have done the exercise without her! She has cardio videos, toning videos, and even yoga videos ALL FREE!!</div><div><br></div><div>Check out these videos: </div><div><br></div><div>http://www.jessicasmithtv.com/videos/yoga-inspired-workouts/</div><div><br></div><div>I LOVE her workouts! I just feel so good after I finish one! She is super encouraging!</div><div><br></div><div>And the best part: I can do it at home, no drive to the gym, AND I can workout in my underwear! (You know, if I wanted to...)</div><div><br><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">These weeks the meal plan included less cucumber and less salads for lunch (thankfully!) and more leftovers! I love eating leftovers for lunch.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We changed the meal plan a lot, I feel a bit rebellious. We changed all the yucky-sounding meals.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Smoked salmon for breakfast? Nah! Eggs are ok. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Or bacon. Bacon is always good.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NDdWx2imuWc/U7IxImhjg-I/AAAAAAAADtg/UEbozVT3fKA/s640/blogger-image-1341265154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NDdWx2imuWc/U7IxImhjg-I/AAAAAAAADtg/UEbozVT3fKA/s640/blogger-image-1341265154.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[look at all that stuff I changed on the meal plan!]</div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">................................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Day 1 went well. Day 2 and my stomach is growling. We've tried the "Mango Fat Burning Smoothie" instead of the "Oatmeal Fruit Smoothie," which has been awesome! I get to eat it with my favorite salty snack: Savory Thin Mini Crisps! They're gluten-free rice chips made by Trader Joe's. I don't know how those fit in with the whole "no processed foods" thing, but they rock. Only, I'm hungry already and it's only 9 am. (I ate breakfast around 7). Maybe the smoothie is actually burning fat...</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">................................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Man. I just had some awesome guacamole! I feel like some of the food on this diet is better than normal food! Our desert is fantastic! Some of the snacks are delicious. And her chili is awesome!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Look at this breakfast: Chock full of goodness: Fruits, Veggies, Hummus, Sprouted-grain toast:</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2sS6VX08U9A/U7IxLaQsP-I/AAAAAAAADtw/5XtEa9ntMG4/s640/blogger-image--53454226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2sS6VX08U9A/U7IxLaQsP-I/AAAAAAAADtw/5XtEa9ntMG4/s640/blogger-image--53454226.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And this lunch:</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j5MDOpUqFWU/U7IxOUnBQYI/AAAAAAAADuA/X1nnRyuVSK0/s640/blogger-image-895997027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j5MDOpUqFWU/U7IxOUnBQYI/AAAAAAAADuA/X1nnRyuVSK0/s640/blogger-image-895997027.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Guacomole, Hummus, Cucumbers, Red peppers, and Chili! That's a good day of food! (and we had more food for dinner! This doesn't feel like a diet at all!)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">People. I have a very serious question. Is it ok to eat spinach with holes??</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YBMsZJiywHs/U7IxVo6Fb1I/AAAAAAAADuo/-aaY2Uzszuk/s640/blogger-image--1591116414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YBMsZJiywHs/U7IxVo6Fb1I/AAAAAAAADuo/-aaY2Uzszuk/s640/blogger-image--1591116414.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Will I be ok??</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">...............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This past 2 days I've eaten:</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Pineapple</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Cantaloupe (I don't think I ate more than one of those first two)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Blueberries</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Apples </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Pineapples</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Strawberries</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Mangoes (which can alternatively be spelled mangos)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Which is more fruit in two days than I normally eat in a whole week! I felt like all the sour and sugar was going to burn a hole in my stomach. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">..............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My last Wednesday of the diet I was severely tempted to eat a delicious looking chocolate croissant. I love those equally as much as bagels and cream cheese! Everything else for breakfast is not nearly as good.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I grabbed one..........to take home and put in my freezer for after the diet.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I mean, they were from Zaguan, a local Latin bakery. I couldn't pass that up completely when we were so close to the finish line!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QtSCmGMPHoA/U7IxP9vWS2I/AAAAAAAADuI/d8CN-phW17Y/s640/blogger-image--66940802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QtSCmGMPHoA/U7IxP9vWS2I/AAAAAAAADuI/d8CN-phW17Y/s640/blogger-image--66940802.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZLzNYtEe1Bc/U7IxNJo7X_I/AAAAAAAADt4/dPHAn6-PqlU/s640/blogger-image--1984903999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZLzNYtEe1Bc/U7IxNJo7X_I/AAAAAAAADt4/dPHAn6-PqlU/s640/blogger-image--1984903999.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Later that day, at lunch I got made fun of by a super-pushy, rude drug representative trying to get me to use her diet pills. I was eating lettuce wraps (not nearly as good as P.F Chang's, but they were fresh and nome-made, which is a huge plus!) </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">She kept trying to get me to eat the food she brought. She would say, "Why don't you just eat some of my chicken." But it was covered in cheese. And then she said, "I brought healthy sides, look at the broccoli." Which was covered in cheese and mixed with rice. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">No thanks, I'll just eat my own delicious food and avoid your entire meal.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I finished my food and stopped just outside the door to grab some water to refill my waterbottle. The lady couldn't see me, but she told all the other girls in the lunchroom that I was crazy for not just eating my food with bread or a tortilla like normal people.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Rude.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">See if I ever use the drug you represent. Ever.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cBtgY0I5eA8/U7Iw3JM2h7I/AAAAAAAADsY/S6w2lpihYYo/s640/blogger-image--1029683698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cBtgY0I5eA8/U7Iw3JM2h7I/AAAAAAAADsY/S6w2lpihYYo/s640/blogger-image--1029683698.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[part of my lettuce wraps, I forgot to take a photo first]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">.............................................................</div><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I learned some new skills: Using ginger, sesame oil, and flax seeds! For some reason, I thought we needed 8 oz of sesame oil, but we only needed 3. So we have 5 leftover ounces. I learned that you can use that in place of tahini when making hummus, so I'll try that out and get back to you. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Trader Joe's didn't have sesame seeds. I got flax seeds instead since they looked similar. Then I got confused with flax seeds and sesame seeds and chia seeds and poppyseads. I really don't know the difference. I just know that the both flax seeds and chia seeds are good for you AND flax seeds look more like sesame seeds AND they are less expensive than chia seeds, so I bought those.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Do you grow a chia pet from chia seeds? Add that to the list of things I don't know.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We used all 3 new ingrediants in 1 recipe: Sesame chicken stir fry. Good. But not awesome. We need to find a modification to the recipe to make it better. Anyone have a good recipe for healthy, veggie stir-fry?</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FYAnHvTS8VQ/U7IxS8egW5I/AAAAAAAADuY/AycjPNIRFw4/s640/blogger-image-1239030555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FYAnHvTS8VQ/U7IxS8egW5I/AAAAAAAADuY/AycjPNIRFw4/s640/blogger-image-1239030555.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>[ginger]<br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VwZw1KGbsQc/U7Iw-fYuwmI/AAAAAAAADtA/_Uq_8I7qYA4/s640/blogger-image--693024788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VwZw1KGbsQc/U7Iw-fYuwmI/AAAAAAAADtA/_Uq_8I7qYA4/s640/blogger-image--693024788.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[flax seeds that could totally pass for sesame seeds, right?]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jSei09ZEbBw/U7IxKComZII/AAAAAAAADto/vtIFNJdgDIM/s640/blogger-image-385401324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jSei09ZEbBw/U7IxKComZII/AAAAAAAADto/vtIFNJdgDIM/s640/blogger-image-385401324.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">["sesame chicken"]</div></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Friends! Be warned! You can accidentally pulverize red onion in a food processor and make it like a smoothie. Its yucky. Avoid over-cutting the onion at all costs!</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DzQ4VMf6fG4/U7Iw6DE0s6I/AAAAAAAADso/hqjiIjqCgRo/s640/blogger-image--2026451824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DzQ4VMf6fG4/U7Iw6DE0s6I/AAAAAAAADso/hqjiIjqCgRo/s640/blogger-image--2026451824.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We did it! We finished the diet!! </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then we ate fro-yo.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And its funny. After we ate the frozen yogurt, we both felt kinda terrible. We wished we hadn't eaten any. (and I only had a few ounces of it.) We both wished we had chosen to eat the "brownie balls" made with dates, walnuts, and raw cacoa instead. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Here's how to make our new favorite (guilt-free, gluten-free, processed sugar-free) and delicious desert! We slightly adapted this recipe from a pinterest pin who just said "mix 2 c walnuts, 1 c dates, and 4 tbsp of cocoa together in a food processer, then roll into balls). Great idea, but super non-descriptive. Here's how we do it:</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zGrX2tLk1HI/U7Iw7rrfC4I/AAAAAAAADsw/P3IkjVJ3dpA/s640/blogger-image-50033940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-zGrX2tLk1HI/U7Iw7rrfC4I/AAAAAAAADsw/P3IkjVJ3dpA/s640/blogger-image-50033940.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YCptThc7tBM/U7Iw0tBKCMI/AAAAAAAADsI/9XYtwtUZoD8/s640/blogger-image-1472603369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YCptThc7tBM/U7Iw0tBKCMI/AAAAAAAADsI/9XYtwtUZoD8/s640/blogger-image-1472603369.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Get 2 cups walnuts. We used Trader Joe's brand since we live right next door. </span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sf50c0zz-7A/U7IxHGAY5JI/AAAAAAAADtY/qfOpAFm6BiI/s640/blogger-image--192536087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sf50c0zz-7A/U7IxHGAY5JI/AAAAAAAADtY/qfOpAFm6BiI/s640/blogger-image--192536087.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then add 1 cup dates. The original recipe didn't specify which kind, but we found the Medjool dates to be the best. The flavor and consistancy was better. Also, we experienced better results from fresher dates. (go figure).</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fRJ_yBnAFMQ/U7IxURuxZNI/AAAAAAAADug/-Kyf0Ownv3o/s640/blogger-image-125308202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fRJ_yBnAFMQ/U7IxURuxZNI/AAAAAAAADug/-Kyf0Ownv3o/s640/blogger-image-125308202.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span>[clearly, they're fancy!]<br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3CFUINVKUUM/U7Iw_yoZl0I/AAAAAAAADtI/PFyfrdbIlUQ/s640/blogger-image-2104197984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3CFUINVKUUM/U7Iw_yoZl0I/AAAAAAAADtI/PFyfrdbIlUQ/s640/blogger-image-2104197984.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">[take the pits out by cutting them in half!]</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E-FIj6WoZiU/U7IxRPBmUzI/AAAAAAAADuQ/zlZcrLbJtWc/s640/blogger-image-349576928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E-FIj6WoZiU/U7IxRPBmUzI/AAAAAAAADuQ/zlZcrLbJtWc/s640/blogger-image-349576928.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then add 3-4 tbsp of raw cacoa. Our Trader Joes didn't have this. (well, I didn't ask because they were so busy, so they might have it hidden somewhere). I found it at Sprouts. They also sell it at our favorite spice/flavoring store: Penzies.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8sAeYt7AlbE/U7IwzPpTq2I/AAAAAAAADsA/UdLhJ8t7RkI/s640/blogger-image--1086875732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8sAeYt7AlbE/U7IwzPpTq2I/AAAAAAAADsA/UdLhJ8t7RkI/s640/blogger-image--1086875732.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Throw it all in the food processor. Pocess about 25-30 seconds and check out the mix. I did that about 3 times for a total of about 1.5 minutes.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5svBsbLSfqI/U7Iw1_qynHI/AAAAAAAADsQ/jgsDLDEHlmU/s640/blogger-image--1683642534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5svBsbLSfqI/U7Iw1_qynHI/AAAAAAAADsQ/jgsDLDEHlmU/s640/blogger-image--1683642534.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This is the consistancy you want.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FQFR9ApdudQ/U7Iw9E0gPEI/AAAAAAAADs4/nf-5ZyIZnWI/s640/blogger-image-1555668055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FQFR9ApdudQ/U7Iw9E0gPEI/AAAAAAAADs4/nf-5ZyIZnWI/s640/blogger-image-1555668055.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Then pack balls together like snowballs. It doesn't work like cookie dough to roll it together. When it is still sticky, roll in raw, unsweetened coconut.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Which I didn't list in the ingrediants because we ended up not using it.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We got the wrong kind of unsweetened coconut. You want to buy the shavings that are nice and soft that you can put on ice cream or fro-yo. We bought the "string." It was hard and it didn't stick to the balls of dough. If anyone wants some coconut "string" (don't actually picture string, think of it as short choppy, crunchy coconut shavings) it's up for grabs. Free. Barely used. Just let me know and it's yours.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eigcyGBYqlM/U7Iw4jzhxgI/AAAAAAAADsg/9Ki6iE-sP2A/s640/blogger-image--40892810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eigcyGBYqlM/U7Iw4jzhxgI/AAAAAAAADsg/9Ki6iE-sP2A/s640/blogger-image--40892810.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.............................................................</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">So now that we're off the diet we're pseudo-sticking to it. We made our own meal plan with snacks and stuff. I'm back to eating lunch from drug reps and stuff. Ryan is trying harder to stick closer to the "maintenence phase" of the diet. He's hoping to keep losing weight with regular workouts and better portion control (the slow, healthy kind of weight loss.)</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hZuJjV2s9PA/U7IxF_t2pdI/AAAAAAAADtQ/w50Iw4VVKCw/s640/blogger-image--384621365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hZuJjV2s9PA/U7IxF_t2pdI/AAAAAAAADtQ/w50Iw4VVKCw/s640/blogger-image--384621365.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">He was pretty excited because he lost 15 lbs. I was pretty excited because I was worried I would lose weight, and I didn't (well, I lost 3 lbs the first 2 weeks, so I cheated with a glass of sangria and now I weigh the same as I did before the diet)</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'm all excited because he fits into his Tanzania jersey I bought for him and he gave me his old shirt to sleep in. We gave the rest of the stuff to good will.</span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCYfWz5RIXI/U7IxXj2yOdI/AAAAAAAADuw/6ojzEOD8QAg/s640/blogger-image-859565942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fCYfWz5RIXI/U7IxXj2yOdI/AAAAAAAADuw/6ojzEOD8QAg/s640/blogger-image-859565942.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And there you have it. The Fast Metabolism Diet completed. </span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-71888913660190468922014-06-19T16:35:00.002-05:002014-07-15T21:06:42.656-05:00The day I joined Stitch Fix!<div style="text-align: center;">
Most people have to look nice for work.</div>
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I never used to have to look nice. I looked presentable, but never "nice" because there was at least a 20% chance of getting bodily fluids on me. Working with kids has that effect on you. (I used to work in a pediatric clinic)</div>
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But now I work with adults and most days I don't quite look like an adult. (I work in Family practice now...if you need a doctor, let me know! I work with some awesome doctors!!)</div>
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I think my problem is that I have all these clothes that are super comfy and I can't get rid of them because I'm all sentimental or something. But I'm growing up and it's time to look that way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Well, it's time for me to dress that way at least.</div>
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It's just hard for me to pick out clothes that look nice, are good quality, and then actually fit well.</div>
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Combine that with the hassle of not being able to drag my husband to the mall very often to shop, and you get a clothing disaster.</div>
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Enter: Stitch Fix.</div>
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It's a personal style service. You pay someone to pick out clothes for you. It costs 20 dollars per month to have someone style you, but that 20 dollars goes toward your purchase. So, as long as you buy one item, you don't pay to have clothes shipped to you and shipped back!</div>
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First, you go online and fill out a customer profile with your height, weight, and basic sizes. Then you look at groups of clothing and identify your style. I tend to like classic lines and styles. But they have a million categories like bohemian, romantic, casual, etc.... If you're looking for a specific item, say a maxi dress or a pencil skirt, or even a good dress to wear to a summer wedding, you can tell them and they will send you that too!</div>
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Then they send you a box with 5 items inside that are personally picked by your stylist. You get to open it, try everything on, model it in the mirror (or in my case for my husband) and pear it with your clothes so you know if it looks perfect with those shoes you have or a pear of jeans you own. Whatever you don't want you put into a pre-stamped, self-sealing bag and drop it by the post office.</div>
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Easy peasy! And so fun!</div>
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<b>Let me walk you through how fun it was:</b></div>
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"Oh look! It's a box addressed to me! Full of treasure in the form of clothing perfectly picked out just for me! What fun!"</div>
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I will admit that the box was smaller than I imagined it for holding 5 clothing items, but still exciting!</div>
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"Oh, how cute is the inside of this box! I can't wait to rip through that tissue paper and see what they picked!!"</div>
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Only, I can't actually rip through tissue paper because I'm one of those people that likes things done neatly and orderly. So I carefully opened it. Because that's how I roll.</div>
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I start to pull things out:</div>
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"Oh look! A fun blue top that looks stylish and professional, but how am I going to wear that and what do I do with the little strings hanging off of it?"</div>
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Not to worry! Stitch Fix style cards to the rescue! I tie the strings as shown below, then lay it out and move on to the next discovery!</div>
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"A yellow cardigan! I love yellow! I may need a cardigan for work, it's always cold in there! But how else can I wear it?"</div>
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Here's stitch fix again, showing me options for the yellow cardigan:</div>
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Man, I should think about rotating that photo!</div>
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Actually, what I should have said was: I should learn how to rotate photos!</div>
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"Oh, a black pencil skirt! This is THE signature staple of a classy wardrobe! No wardrobe would be complete without one! In fact, I even have one in my wardrobe! Let's compare these two pencil skirts, because maybe this one will look better on me!"</div>
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I put it to The Husband Test: "hey baby, can you look at me with these two skirts? Which one looks better?" </div>
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They look the same? Oh.</div>
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But hey look, here is a fun way to wear the skirt I already own:</div>
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I promise (maybe) that this is the last sideways photo...</div>
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"Oooooohhh, look at this dress! I can already tell this will be my new favorite dress! The fabric is breathable but won't blow up in the wind! The style is oh-so-classy! I can't wait to try this on!!"</div>
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"Oh, and a super cute grown-up necklace to wear with it everything! How fun! AND it's not a huge piece of bulky statement-jewlry that I would never wear, just like I asked for! These people must know me!</div>
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"Now let's lay it all out and see how it looks on my bed!"</div>
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"Oh, I guess I should have straightened out my bed sheets before laying down all my items!!"</div>
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But let's be real here, it's enough for me to get my bed made in the morning, let alone make it look pretty. </div>
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"Now it's time to try it on! Let's start with that blue top that I'm not too sure about!"</div>
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This is me giving it "my critical eye." I'm skeptical. It gives me no shape. </div>
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"What if I put on that pretty cardigan with it?"</div>
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"Oh! I like the cardigan, but I'm still not sure about that shirt."</div>
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"Let's try that skirt with a different skirt."</div>
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"Nah, still no shape. This is going back."</div>
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"But oh, look at that skirt!!"</div>
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"That skirt looks good on me!!"</div>
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(Which I'm allowed to say because I'm at home, in front of my mirror, and no one else is around to hear me!!)</div>
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"Let's try that cardigan on again with this!"</div>
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"Oh! That looks fun!! Although, I'm primarily looking for work clothes, and this cardigan won't work under my white coat. Hmmmm. I'll have to think about it."</div>
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"And now for THE DRESS! I hope I like it ON as much as I like it when I first opened my box!"</div>
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"Yep! You can't tell by the look on my face, but I like it!!"</div>
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"And now, where's that necklace??"</div>
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"I like it!!"</div>
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Then comes the hard part, deciding what I want. I have a limited budget each month to cover all my "wants" (clothes, shoes, makeup, wine, meals we eat out...). If I actually need something (a plain white shirt, a new pair of flats for work) I can negotiate that into the general budget, but none of this fits into that caregory (unless I didn't already have a black pencil skirt.)</div>
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So, let's decide. You get a 25% discount if you buy everything. But I know I don't need the blue top or black skirt...and while I love the yellow cardigan, I don't need it for work.</div>
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"And I don't wear jewlry enough to justify the necklace."</div>
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It's true, even though I love it. I would barely wear it.</div>
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"But hooray!! I love this dress! And I get a whole outfit! AND I didn't have to drag my husband to the mall. OR search for a parking spot! OR get hounded by sails ladies who try to "up-sell" the store so I end upbwalking out with 10 times more than I need! OR get the "stink eye" from sails ladies who think I don't buy enough!</div>
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I win!!</div>
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And YOU can win too!!</div>
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Just click on the link below and you can have your own fun!!</div>
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https://stitchfix.com/referral/3826959</div>
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You know you want to!</div>
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PLUS if you sign up usin MY link, I get credit to buy new things. So really, if you sign up, you're not just doing it for selfish reasons, you're doing it to help me.</div>
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Pay it forward, make the world a better place. Help me get some new clothes :)</div>
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https://stitchfix.com/referral/3826959</div>
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My stylist would love to find things that look great on YOU!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-20530327441922520912014-06-17T16:59:00.002-05:002014-06-17T17:03:56.680-05:00The day we did week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Last week I started with a lot of words. Words are no fun. Lets start with pictures this week and then you can read words later if you like that kind of thing.</div>
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This is a yummy snack on protein day. Stuffed portobello mushrooms.</div>
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This is lunch. Red bell peppers stuffed with tuna, cucumbers, onions, and other deliciousness.</div>
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Day 3 (Week 2, Phase 2, Day 1) and I like my lunch. And my snacks. But I want bread. Or sugar. Or a cookie. Anything! I don't normally crave bad food. My lunch was pretty, but not satisfying. I blame hormones. You'd think I'd want something that took me an hour to prepare. I (thankfully only briefly) cut my finger while cutting bell peppers. </div>
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Look at those fresh, unprocessed foods.</div>
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If I put them in a food processor does that suddenly make them processed??</div>
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This was the "before" shot.</div>
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This is the "after" shot. It made an awesome topping for a salad!</div>
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Look at me cooking breakfast before 7 am! </div>
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(This is a rare thing to get me awake this early!)</div>
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More stuffed mushrooms on Week 2 Day 2.</div>
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Mmmm, a steak salad! With those toppings you saw ground up earlier. Delicious!</div>
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Balanced breakfast: chopped, frozen strawberry slush (only ingredient) Sprouted grain bread (Ezekiel bread) with hummus and cucumbers. Fruit, veggie, protein, starch....it's all here!</div>
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Avocados and salsa! So fresh!!</div>
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I was craving salsa and this was great!</div>
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Look at those cool bikes!</div>
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Relaxing Friday night ride! (Sunsets look way better in person, and photos look way better when you're not moving!)</div>
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Last round of 3 egg salad for a while!</div>
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Out to eat for the first time on the diet! I was able to find a plate of veggies and brown rice pasta (gluten free). Mostly diet-friendly. (No salads on the menu)</div>
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1 oz of chips was so disappointing! The salsa that went with it was not!</div>
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I've decided avocados and salsa is way better than bean-based chips and salsa. </div>
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Corn will always be my favorite though!</div>
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This chili was SO delicious! We will for sure make it again! The base was organic tomato-red bell pepper soup! I never thought of putting anything other than just tomatoes in chili!</div>
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The learning curve has been steep, but here we are on our second round. Meal plans were set, we were a lot smarter about picking out snacks (read: more variety, less costly) and meals. We wanted some meals that gave us leftovers for weeks 3&4 so we have to cook a lot less those weeks. We wanted to keep trying new recipes, but spend less money. We simplified some things, used leftover ingrediants (onions, hummus, stuff that stays good for more than 1 week.) I wrote it all out.</div>
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We had some drauma on Sunday (new road-bike for me!) and a musical (Mamma Mia: see this post for a full review of the musical) so we ran out of time for groceries. I made a quick (15 minutes!) run to Trader joe's to get all we needed for Monday meals. Then we did the rest of our shopping on Monday night. Total we spent about 130! Such an improvement from 175! I had fogotten to put pork on the final list, so we ended up spending closer to 140, but we have plenty of staple ingrediants (safflour mayo, cocoa, gf flour) from last week so we should be done buying things. We had new fruits on the menu (mangoes, pineapple, and our new favorite: blueberries!)</div>
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We had the same oatmeal smoothie Monday and Tuesday. After complaining about the "chewy-ness" of the smoothie, I recommended that Ryan try the food processer to make the oatmeal smaller and less chewy. The oatmeal was SO much better! Still thick, but drinkable. After asking what he did, he said he "just put the blender on liquify." If I had known it was that simple, I would have done that sooner! </div>
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Lesson # 6: For smoother smoothies, try the liquify button.</div>
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My co-workers are impressed with all the variety of my meals on this "diet". They keep asking for recipes. I craved cornbread (corn is my weakness!) on Monday, but Tuesday I was pretty craving-free! Except for Tuesday night. I wanted anything but fruit or veggies.</div>
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I am WAY less tired this week, thankfully! I have a FitBit (side not- this thing is awesome. and I'm not even getting paid to say that. We LOVE our fitbits. The company has awesome customer service! It is a little device that tracks your steps, stairs, calories burned, and sleep) which tracks my sleep. I sleep so badly. </div>
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I wake up TWENTY something times most nights. And THIRTY something times when I'm stressed. </div>
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That's way more than normal I think. Normal people wake up 2-5 times per night. And it's not like I am bad at sleeping. I wake up around the same time each morning and we go to bed early. I don't drink any kind of caffeine after noon. I don't play on my phone in the bed or anything, I just sleep really badly and I haven't figured it out yet. I never felt well-rested in the morning and I wouldn't get out of bed for the world!</div>
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I feel much more well-rested after following this diet. My fitbit says I've dropped from waking up 20 something times to 4-6 times per night. That's huge. It's something I never expected! </div>
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Lesson #7: maybe sugar is keeping you awake!</div>
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Photographic evidence:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rQWDz0xkMW0/U6C7Sm6tyGI/AAAAAAAADnI/HZvz80OsfkQ/s640/blogger-image--1909703679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rQWDz0xkMW0/U6C7Sm6tyGI/AAAAAAAADnI/HZvz80OsfkQ/s640/blogger-image--1909703679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-98U8lS2Trw8/U6C7P5iRgSI/AAAAAAAADm4/Zr625s3RIv0/s640/blogger-image--848963544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-98U8lS2Trw8/U6C7P5iRgSI/AAAAAAAADm4/Zr625s3RIv0/s640/blogger-image--848963544.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UoAmcADdMU4/U6C7Onxg1KI/AAAAAAAADmw/mTIqNrIJQc0/s640/blogger-image-570846449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UoAmcADdMU4/U6C7Onxg1KI/AAAAAAAADmw/mTIqNrIJQc0/s640/blogger-image-570846449.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(We started the diet June 2nd, it took about 1 week to detox off sugars until my sleep looked like this:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WQnnvlo9NfY/U6C7NPMuYZI/AAAAAAAADmo/kNqsJxTtrgA/s640/blogger-image--1480013319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WQnnvlo9NfY/U6C7NPMuYZI/AAAAAAAADmo/kNqsJxTtrgA/s640/blogger-image--1480013319.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mA8yrcoUZhI/U6C7RDr40XI/AAAAAAAADnA/AvQqdlKzJ8c/s640/blogger-image-1380597648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mA8yrcoUZhI/U6C7RDr40XI/AAAAAAAADnA/AvQqdlKzJ8c/s640/blogger-image-1380597648.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know, HUGE difference, it's amazing!</div>
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<b>***Please take this information with a grain of salt. This is a blog. You can't believe everything you read on blogs. These results are in NO WAY scientific. This is what is called anecdotal evidence (it worked for me, but it may not work for everyone). But it's totally worth trying!***</b></div>
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I'm starting to see a pattern: Every Tuesday: "I'm so sick of eating only fruits." Every Thursday: "I am so sick of eating only meats." Sunday: "I could eat healthy fats forever!"</div>
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More and more people keep asking about my diet each day at work. People know I only drink water and that I generally eat pretty well, but they're surprised at how delicious and fresh my "diet" meals look. </div>
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Friday I was so excited to eat avocado and salsa! It was delicious! I was super hungry when I got back and walked into my office to see cowboy chicken sitting out in the kitchen. I don't even love that place, but they had hot chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and peach cobbler. The cobbler looked so sweet and smelled like vanilla. </div>
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I almost cheated. </div>
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But I couldn't do that and feel good about it. </div>
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So I didn't.</div>
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Let's pause for a moment to talk about people who cross the street without a crosswalk. They are playing Russian roulette because cars won't always stop for you. People these days are just not as nice as they used to be.</div>
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On my way home some man was walking his slow butt across the middle of the street. He didn't even have the sense to run. There were a lot of cars coming and most of them only slowed down enough to swerve around him, barely missing him. As if that might teach him a lesson.</div>
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Well, monkey see, monkey do.</div>
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The old lady behind him saw how quickly he got to the McDonalds across the street and started to cross, again barely getting missed by a couple of cars.</div>
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And then, as if there was safety in numbers, a very pregnant mother holding the hand of a 2-3 year old child started crossing just after the grandmother. At this point, I am about to hit these crazy streetwalkers, but I slammed on my breaks. I should have honked my horn. The people on the other side of me didn't stop for the people jaywalking. They just swerved around me, barely missing the toddler.</div>
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Seriously people, is McDonalds worth it? There was a crosswalk not even 30 yards away. The crosswalk put you closer to the door at McDonalds, and more importantly, it doesn't put you in nearly as much danger! The cars around me were clearly not as concerned as I was. They just swerved around people like Mario swerves to miss green shells. </div>
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If you are one of those rediculous people, I hope natural selection runs it's course.</div>
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(now, if you cross a slow street without cars around, you are welcome to jaywalk all you want. But if you're crossing a busy 4-lane road, I think you're an idiot and I will have little sympathy when someone hits you.)</div>
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I ate out over the weekend. I found mostly vegetable meals with gluten-free noodles. I felt like I pobably broke the rules a little bit, but it was good to know I can stick to the rules as much as possible when we eat out.</div>
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Lesson #8: When you eat out, you can pick healthy stuff!</div>
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We ate with friends after church on Sunday. We had grilled fish and a side of baked broccoli. We had fruit salsa on top fruit for dessert. It was neat to eat a meal that wasn't "on our list" but still followed all the rules! It was so fun and delicious!</div>
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Our kitchen WAS clean, but it got dirty again before I grabbed a photo. And now on to week 3!</div>
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<br>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-20338750283586809462014-06-11T15:27:00.000-05:002014-06-11T15:27:50.352-05:00The day(s) I started to diet.<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both;">
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Look how pretty that salad is. Lots of veggies, healthy cucumber dressing. No preservatives!</div>
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Before you get worried, I am not talking about "diet" in the I'm-trying-to-loose-weight sort of way. I'm talking "diet" in the I-want-to-change-my-eating-<wbr></wbr>habits sort of way. I'll repeat: I am NOT trying to lose weight! </div>
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I've never really believed in diets. I feel like they don't work, that you're damaging your body, and that the people who do manage to lose weight just gain it back really quickly. I've always been a big believer of everything in MODERATION INSTEAD OF STARVATION.</div>
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Lately though, "everything in moderation" has looked more like "everything" without the moderation part. Unfortunately. For example:<br />
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Oh, you're going out for dinner Sunday night, we'll go with you! (Even though we ate out that day for lunch AND breakfast.)<br />
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Our "occassional" stop-for-bagels/donuts/<wbr></wbr>kolaches in the morning before church on Sundays has become a weekly habit.<br />
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Our "let's just grab a 6 pack of beer to last us the week" has turned into grabbing a 12 pack for most weeks.<br />
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Basically, we just needed to have better self control, but it wasn't happening. It was really hard for us to break our habits. If it we gave up indulging in one thing (eating out), we would quickly find something else to indulge in (eating frozen pizzas and beer for dinner instead of eating out.)<br />
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More than anything, I want us to be really conscous about what we are putting in our bodies in the way of processed foods, added sugars, and preservatives. We've lived near a Trader Joes and so most of our meets have been free range/wild caught without preservatives, we rarely buy breads, we rarely use our microwave to cook, and we eat a bunch of vegetables. BUT we've also picked up some bad habits like falling in love with Trader Joe's seemingly-healthy pizzas with veggie toppings, Trader Joe's inexpensive wine and beer selection, and the easy-access baking goods that we can turn into our own breads, cupcakes, and cookies. Which are all fine, but not ALL the time.<br />
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Our friends told us about this "diet" they were doing and I was instantly skeptical. I didn't know anything about it except that it was a diet, and I don't believe in those. They did really well on it, felt awesome, and came out of the diet in 1 month (the recommended time frame) with a bunch of "good habits." (things like eating fresh foods, watching out for added sugars in hidden places- think salad dressings, yogurts, low-fat products, and they lost some weight, which they haven't put back on in over 6 months. I was pretty impressed.<br />
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Then, they asked us to do the diet with them for their second round. They didn't have to do a second round, but they noticed us struggling with some of the same things they had struggled with and offered to give us some support. We bought the Fat Metabolism Diet book (I can feel you're getting skeptical, just like I was, but keep reading) by Haylie Pomroy. She splits the diet into 3 phases, and you go through each phase in 1 week. The diet includes a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and meat and nuts. It only cuts out processed foods and dairy. However, since spinich and almonds show up in a lot of recipes, it allows you to get your full servings of calcium (Which I was worried about initially).<br />
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Sounds pretty good, right? </div>
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Only fresh, not-processed foods. </div>
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I could totally get on board with that. </div>
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No fast food. No junk food. No soda (even diet soda). No artificial sweeteners. But no caffeine.</div>
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Which means no coffee.<br />
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Which I thought would be the hardest part for me. And don't get me wrong, it was hard. To ease the initial no-caffeine shock, I slowly drank less and less caffeine the two weeks prior to the diet. First a full cup, then 3/4 cup, then 1/2 a cup and so on. It wasn't too bad. I wasn't too tired. Sure, I missed my coffee, but it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Ryan had to quit his Coke Zero habit. And he almost instantly lost about 5 lbs. Crazy.<br />
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The diet also includes a strategic workout on 3 days that coincide with each phase. Phase 1 is high carb/ unprocessed sugars (lots of fruits, steel cut oatmeal, and starchy veggies like squash and mushrooms and zuccini). You HAVE to do a cardio ecercise during that phase. I hate cardio, so this was a challenge for me. But Ryan is the cardio king (having been an avid runner/cyclist for the past year-building up to a triathalon), so it was easy for him. Phase 2 is high protein day, you are supposed to do weights. I love my little baby weights and simple body-weight style exercises. Ryan likes weights but he has been focusing on cardio lately, so this will be a good change-up. Phase 3 is my favorite. It has healthy fats like almonds and avocados, which are delicious and a relaxation exercise (yoga, massage, deep breathing) which is some of my favorite things!</div>
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Day 1 was rough. We ate smoothies in the morning. I use the word "ate" instead of "drank" because it was a ful cup of blended steal cut oats, which were very chewy. I got up 30 minutes before I usually do and it took me all 30 minutes to eat breakfast. It was super relaxing though! Day 2 was essentially the same. The foods are more bland than I'm used to (we can't use butter or olive oil in this phase) but were still delicious. The hardest part was saying "no" to the chips and salsa at lunch. The salsa would have been ok but I wasn't sure it didn't have sugar in it, so I said no anyway. I have a feeling we will need to make some salsa on this diet soon!<br />
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Enough words, lets skip to pictures!</div>
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Look at all those veggies. We spent a total of 175 on food for one week. Then we spent another 60 at the end of week one so we could buy alternative things like safflour mayo, cacao powder, dates, gluten free flour, walnuts, and more veggies. But we spent ZERO on fast food/alcohol/pre-packaged meals. And we froze 5 dinners to eat again.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I'll be honest. Buying food was hard. Thankfully, the book had a food planning list and recipes we could follow. We made a few changes to it and then compiled a grocery list. The grocery list was 2 pages long! But if I think about all the separate ingrediants you need to make a variety of meals from scratch, that's what it takes. More on that later.</span></div>
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One of the biggest learning curves was measuring out "two cups" of something.</div>
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I kinda just figured 1 squash or zucchini = 1 cup. Pretty sound logic, right?</div>
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Nope. It depends on how you chop, and if you go by oz vs "measured cups" but for us one squash was at least 2 cups.</div>
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We froze some of the squash we bought (can you do that, does it still taste good?! Clearly I'm not an expert yet) and gave some away. We also almost bought 10 cucumbers. We had to use a lot of cucumbers in recipes. But we only got 6, and we used ALL of them. </div>
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Meats are always in ounces. WAY easier.</div>
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Lesson #1 learned: estimate veggie portions better.</div>
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We realized we had to do a lot of prep-work beforehand. That squash we bought for chicken and basil soup? We had to cut all of it. I know, that's not rocket science, but you don't fully appreciate that until you make your own soup from scratch. We're used to making meals, but never with so many "whole food" ingrediants. We added to the soup: 2 cups of zucchini, 2 cups of yellow squash, and 2 cups of butternut squash. (And some other assorted veggies)</div>
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Look at that delicious, homemade soup! ( Chicken and barley vegetable) It made dinner (2 cups each), lunch, and 2 full frozen meals. We loved it.</div>
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This was our only "meal fail." The recipe called for half a cup of basil. Well, fresh basil and dried basil are SO different. </div>
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I'll just let you guess which one we used. </div>
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We both took one bite and couldn't stomach much more. Our mouths were on fire. I (thankfully!) was able to eat a leftover salad a drug rep brought (all iceberg lettuce though-kinda broke the rules) and Ryan ran to the corner store and had tuna.</div>
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Lesson #2 learned: if it feels like too much, trust that instinct. </div>
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I learned the same lesson while making tomatoe sauce for pizza a few weeks back. 1/2 a cup of olive oil WAS too much....</div>
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Just eatin a snack and checkin my email :)</div>
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One trick we picked up was cooking with the kindle! We bought the kindle book but had been using the iPad for recipes because most of our new recipes come from Pinterest. </div>
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Well, with the iPad you have to touch the screen every so often or the screen locks (I'm sure there is a setting to prevent this, but figuring that stuff out isn't my strong suit)....which inwvitably results in food strewn all over the screen. </div>
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I'm a messy cook.</div>
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The kindle locks way less often. </div>
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Lesson #3: Cook from the Kindle.</div>
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Friends. I don't cook meat. Ryan does. He picks it out AND cooks it. </div>
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I know, I have a keeper :)</div>
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But I was so proud if myself! I learned how to broil something. Steak for dinner (wrapped in a foil pouch with veggies and juice, which turned into salad dressing) AND steak for lunch the next day! </div>
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Lesson #4: We have a broiler. I now know how to use it!</div>
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So, this was breakfast. </div>
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Celery. Lime. Sea salt. Turkey bacon.</div>
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(Well, it was 4 slices of each. I just ate most of the bacon before I thought I should get a picture because I know this is something I will laugh about later.)</div>
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Then, I decided to eat it together! Words can't describe how much better it tasted together!</div>
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Mmmmm, pork and steamed broccoli. This one Ryan made in the crock pot. Remember all the meat is grass fed, free range, with no preservatives. </div>
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Healthy snack (there are those cucumbers again) while I learn more about drug I info (as I turn down Panera bread and cookies....)</div>
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I know nothing about dates. I probably got the wrong kind because the recipe didn't specify, it just said 1 cup of pitted dates. They tasted fine sand that's what really counts, right?</div>
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I need to learn this new kind of date. There are way too many uses for that word. The food kind, the romantic kind, the calendar kind of date....</div>
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(And now all I can think about is Miss Congeniality and describing the perfect kind of date...)</div>
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But nuts + dates + cocao powder = awesome snack!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">One of the things I didn't realize is that we would have so much fun trying new recipes. We were forced to do new things because we were following her meal plan. We did have some of our meal staples (baked wild salmon with a veggie on the side is a dish we do a lot!) but we were trying new veggies and new recipes all the time!</span></div>
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Awesome breakfast! Egg whites, blueberries, and gluten free- cacao pancakes!</div>
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We definitely knew we would be spending more money on food and more time on cooking. I never took into account the money we would spend on soap (we've been washing big pots daily and running the dishwasher every other day)! Woah.</div>
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And then we got tired of chopping (and realized the limitations of a blender for non-liquids) so we purchased a food processor for all the chopping/slicing. We've had it 1 day and already it has saved us SO much time!</div>
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Our family of Kitchen Aid products. Yes, they all had to match. </div>
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And yes, our kitchen is in a constant state of disarray.</div>
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Before: Mess.</div>
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After: no mess for the next 3 hours. </div>
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Then mess again.</div>
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Because it's time for week 2. More stories (and photos) to come.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-54595846395317632172014-06-11T11:46:00.001-05:002014-07-11T10:36:14.395-05:00The days we went to see Musicals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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There was a party to announce next year's Dallas Summer Musical's schedule last month. They announced the titles for next year's musicals and let you but tickets ahead of time. Don't let the name "Dallas Summer Misicals" fool you: these musicals are not just in the summer. Don't ask me where the name came from. This post contains spoilers so if you were hoping to see any of these plays for the first time and be completely surprised, skip the section for that musical.<div><br></div><div>..............................................................<br>
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It all started when our friends, who had season tickets to the Dallas Summer musicals, gave us a free pair of tickets because they were sick. (We made sure to thank them accordingly.) It was for Flashdance: The Musical. Which I keep confusing in my head with Footloose. <div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ruSNSkpwVbA/U6G3dw5qGCI/AAAAAAAADpU/F3pV6Y9bCz0/s640/blogger-image--1746721259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ruSNSkpwVbA/U6G3dw5qGCI/AAAAAAAADpU/F3pV6Y9bCz0/s640/blogger-image--1746721259.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9DXFp6aKJQA/U6G3M9qeriI/AAAAAAAADn8/SM3W2gkrbOc/s640/blogger-image-957234962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9DXFp6aKJQA/U6G3M9qeriI/AAAAAAAADn8/SM3W2gkrbOc/s640/blogger-image-957234962.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>[us before Flashdance: The Musical. I guess we weren't cool enough to take our photo with the playbill yet. Incidentally, we saw a Sleeperstar concert earlier that weekend and I felt super artsy!]<br>
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We went, not expecting much, and were blown away! We loved it! Just before intermission they dumped water on the main character like the opening scene in the movie! The set design was fantastic! Our friends were sad they missed it because of our wild rewiews, so we borrowed the movie to watch with them. <br>
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And we were immediately sorry we did. <br>
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Now, don't let it fool you, Flashdance: The Musical has a similar story to the movie, but is infinately WAY less creepy. (Just an FYI before you go out and rent the movie.) In the musical, the love interest of the main character is her age (instead of a few generations older) and he is the "good guy" at the company fighting to keep as many jobs as possible. They were both fighting for something they believe in! If you get a chance to see it, you won't regret it!<br>
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Our friends with the season tickets mentioned that Disney's The Lion King was coming and that they could get us discounted tickets. We got so excited!. I HAVE WANTED TO SEE THE LION KING SINCE FOREVER! I wanted to see the animals dance, the colorful costumes, and the beautiful backdrops.<br>
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We went out to dinner before and we VASTLY underestimated the amount of time it would take to find parking at the music hall (at fair park) while the state fair was going on. <div><br></div><div>Had we known we got into the state fair for free with our tickets, we would have skipped dinner and eaten a corn dog at the top of the ferris wheel. (Well, I would have at least suggested it!) We were all in nice dresses which felt funny next to the people in flip flops and tank tops at the state fair. <br>
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The play did not disappoint. The children playing Simba and Nala were spot-on! So cute! The scenery was beautiful. The costumes were (as I'm sure you've heard) fantastic! The way they make all the animals move and look real is so artistic and creative! We bought our tickets late and so our seats were almost as far away as you could get, but they even had (human-moved-puppet) birds that flew up by us! <br>
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After having so much fun, we decided to buy season tickets of our own! There were two plays I was REALLY looking forward to: The Wizard of Oz and Mamma Mia! The rest looked like they would be good, definitely worth seeing. So we took the plunge and got season tickets! You get to pick what night (we picked 1st Sunday showing last year) and what seats you want. Our friends had front-row balcony seats the first time, but they moved closer to the stage. We moved with them :)<br>
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White Christmas: So, this story was new to me, and I thought it was beautiful. There was this adorable little girl who did a fantastic job. At the end, they blew snowflakes (I think they were just tiny bubbles that looked like snowflakes) out over the audience. </div><div><br></div><div>We saw it just before Christmas and it was perfect to help us get in the Christmas spirit. I don't remember much of the story, but the costumes and songs were great!<br>
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<br>[us at Ghost: The musical, and my friend Amberlee too. They're the ones that got us started on the musicals]<br>
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Ghost: If you've seen the movie Ghost, you've seen the musical. Whenever a musical uses a screen to set up the sceen, I feel like it's cheating. </div><div><br></div><div>The coolest thing about the musical was that the ghosts actually walked through walls. I have no idea how they did that! </div><div><br></div><div>I think the musical was really well done, everyone was very talented, but I think I'm biased because the whole storyline of Ghost is just a little sad. However, flowing by the same logic, if Ghost is one of your favorite movies, you will LOVE the musical. Our friends really enjoyed it!<br>
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We Will Rock You (Based on the music of Queen): Our friends thought this was hilarious. The beginning reminded me of the movie The Fifth Element (if you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it). It was all futureistic, and while they did a great job, I felt like it was a bit cheezy. I immediately fell in love with the two main characters though, they really kept the musical going. There were some songs that didn't really fit well, but overall it was a good musical. I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as some people, but probably because Queen isn't my favorite band. I mean, they have great music, but I didn't know most of the songs. </div><div><br></div><div>The ending redeemed the play though! They all came out to sing after the curtain call and it felt like an encore, super fun! <br>
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<br>[me before The Little Mermaid, which may have come before We Will Rock You, but it's ok if it's a little out of order...]<br><br>
The Little Mermaid: I'll be honest. I went in with super low expectations: how are some people going to dance across the stage and make this feel like under the sea? I thought it would be super-lame. </div><div><br></div><div>But I shouldn't have doubted Disney. </div><div><br></div><div>The mermaids "swam" through the air! The costumes of different fish were The-Lion-King Quality! Huge jellyfish! Ursela's eels had long arms and moved around on heely-style shoes. Flounder moved around on one of those self-move flipboard things (like a skateboard- I'm doing a poor job describing it, but you get the picture). </div><div><br></div><div>There were a TON of little girls there to see it in ariel-style dresses. I was totally going to dress up in my mermaid dress, but at the last minute I decided against it. I would have fit right in with all the 4-8 year old girls though. Next time. <br>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w5SYaTQpCU4/U6G3RK7lQII/AAAAAAAADoU/cMQq5lou0rw/s640/blogger-image-219592612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w5SYaTQpCU4/U6G3RK7lQII/AAAAAAAADoU/cMQq5lou0rw/s640/blogger-image-219592612.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g76SVigzpTA/U6G3fY6hFiI/AAAAAAAADpc/73CcQtzoPbA/s640/blogger-image-80290427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-g76SVigzpTA/U6G3fY6hFiI/AAAAAAAADpc/73CcQtzoPbA/s640/blogger-image-80290427.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br>
<br>[us before The Wizard of Oz. Gotta have the red shoes!!]<br><br>
The Wizard of OZ: Again, a FANTASTIC show! I had never seen the movie (gasp!) so the entire story was a bit new. I mean, I had seen so many clips of the movie, and heard so many sound bits that none of it was a surprise. </div><div><br></div><div>My favorite part was probably Todo! They had a real, live puppy playing Todo! And, I think that is his full-time job because he has a real name and a professional picture and everything. </div><div><br></div><div>The costumes were fantastic! One of my favorite parts was when Dorothy's dress changed mid-scene from blue and white checks into green and white ones. I had a checked dress that I almost wore, but changed my mind at the last minute because we were running late and it was colder out. I still wore my red shoes to support dorothy though!<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t219CXRz3x4/U6G3T9OaElI/AAAAAAAADok/qW5nWTfaZ4Q/s640/blogger-image-1874303129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t219CXRz3x4/U6G3T9OaElI/AAAAAAAADok/qW5nWTfaZ4Q/s640/blogger-image-1874303129.jpg"></a></div><br>[us before Evita]<br><br>
Evita: I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">didn't want to ruin the ending for you, but the play kinda does that in the first scene. Evita dies. And then they spend the rest of the time telling you all about her life. Our friends missed part of the beginning, and they were a bit confused by the play. I didn't miss any of the play and I was also a bit confused. They sang EVERY word, so I must have missed something.</span></div><div><br></div><div>It took me half the play (well, until I asked at intermission) that Eva Peron and Evita were the same person. We met Eva, but I kept wondering when they were going to introduce us to the Evita person. Which, after just working in a job where I spoke Spanish more than half my day, you would think I would know that "-ita" was just a demonstrative suffix. </div><div><br></div><div>Bummer. </div><div><br></div><div>My friend's husband is Argentinean, and I used to dance some Argentinean tango, so I thought I liked all things Argentinean. But this story just did not qualify for my favorite's list. </div><div><br></div><div>Again, the costumes and dancing and set design were fantastic! I <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">grew up listening to the music (I think we had Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest hits or something) so I can sing you some of the songs, I like them that much. I loved the way they did some of the songs! Overall, I probably wouldn't see it again though.</span><br><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kt5xYLWfE6o/U6G3bPX7uHI/AAAAAAAADpE/0rWPkYWeKls/s640/blogger-image--699377010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-kt5xYLWfE6o/U6G3bPX7uHI/AAAAAAAADpE/0rWPkYWeKls/s640/blogger-image--699377010.jpg"></a></div><br><br>
[us before Mamma Mia! Notice the background...]<br><br>
Mamma Mia! Incidentally, this was the only true "summer" musical. All the others occurred before May or after August. I was super excited for this play and it was all I hoped it would be! The music was fantastic, but that was a given. Costumes were beautiful. I thought they could have done a litle more with the set though. They had a double sided background of the white walled geometric "classic Greek" skyline and they turned it back and forth for each of the scene changes. While that was super creative, I sometimes had a hard time figuring out if we were in the taverna or if we were in a bedroom or if we were outside somewhere based on the scenery. My favorite part: they all sang at the end after the curtain call and it was just like being at an ABBA concert after the musical!</div><div><br></div><div>The cwowd at this musical was heavy in the "middle-aged female" range. Everyone had on flowey, tropical outfits. (Ryan and I fit right in, which I planned for!) I felt like I was there, in Greece, by the ocean. It was wonderful and relaxing. I enjoyed the play even more than I thought, and I would see it again in a heartbeat!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br>
<br>
Nice Work...If you can get it! We haven't seen this yet, but I'm looking forward to it. I don't think it is based on anything (A book or movie) so it should be fun and original. I've seen that it has won some awards. It is supposed to be really funny. I think I'll add the picture in later. <br>
<br><br>................................<br>
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<br>
Are we ready for next year's line-up?! Here's what's coming for the 2014-2015 Dallas Summer Musicals 75th Season!! </div><div><br></div><div>A Christmas Story: I'm not a huge fan of the movie, mostly because I think the little boy sounds like he's always wining. I have high hopes for the play though because they showed some clips and it looks great!</div><div><br></div><div>Kinky Boots: I'm not sure what it's about. The older gentleman that was introducing it said it has good reviews, which I guess says something about it's ability to reach a broad audience. I think it will be enjoyable, but I'm a bit nervous that it will be odd...because the older gentleman announcing it also had on taller-than-knee-high red boots. Probably for the first and only time in his life. He hobbled around in them and I feared for his safety!</div><div><br></div><div>The King and I: this should be great! A classic! I'm imagining beautiful costumes! What fun! I'm excited to see it, especially because I don't really know the story.</div><div><br></div><div>The illusionists: While I love magic and I'm really looking forward to this, I'm not exactly sure if this is a musical. It apparently was sold-out in Australia because it was awesome, so I'm looking forward to it! We just watched the movie Now You See Me (which I also highly recommend!) and all I can think of is these people robbing a bank and giving bus the money, which however unlikely, would be fantastic and might help me forgive the fact that this isn't a traditional misical. And if they sing during the magic it might make it worse...</div><div><br></div><div>Cinederella: Oooh, another Disney musical, I'm excited! I may have to wear my prom dress so I can fit in with all the little girls in their Cinderella dresses. I'm really looking forward to this one!!</div><div><br></div><div>Dirty Dancing: This is one of my favorite movies! I own the 20th anniversary edition and the soundtrack! (Which Ryan bought for me super early-on when we were dating!) I know we're going to love this musical! And by "we" I mean the girls. And maybe the guys too.</div><div><br></div><div>Pippin: I've never heard of this, but it looks like fun! There are apparently amazing acrobatic stunts and a very circus-like feel (I'm picturing something like Cirque de soleil, which I've wanted to see for a long time, but haven't gotten around to!) </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HTgSiQNcZ-s/U6Gs6fq3f3I/AAAAAAAADns/aLZEe4NwK_4/s640/blogger-image--271323263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HTgSiQNcZ-s/U6Gs6fq3f3I/AAAAAAAADns/aLZEe4NwK_4/s640/blogger-image--271323263.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If you want to see any of these musicals, let us know! We would love to have you join us!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You won't regret it!!</div>
<br>
<br></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2517671971423356179.post-55954855980882319132013-08-21T20:26:00.001-05:002013-08-21T22:09:34.882-05:00The day the mommies slept.
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We’re all tired
sometimes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But you have to be
REALLY tired to fall asleep in a chair at the doctor’s office with your head on
the table, drooling, while your 4 children smack each other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
She didn’t stir when
I came in, or when I spoke.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I had to physically
shake her awake.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Who knows what havic
could have been wreaked if I haden’t walked in?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Probably no more than
when moms “watch” their kids but actually play on their cell phones…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
………………………………<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Who puts a bib on
their 3 month old that says “single” on the front?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Are you saying baby
is single?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Or are you, a new
mommy with a 3-month-old baby, single?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Or are you saying
she’s not a twin baby, she’s a single child?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I guess it’s just
like the person who put a onsie on their kid that says: “If you think I’m cute,
you should check out my mom.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
…………………………………….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Johnson grass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Soft. Cushy on your feet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Not so nice in your
eye…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This little dude was
so tough. He actually went to sleep with
grass in his eye because his dad didn’t believe his mom that there was grass in
there. His dad wouldn’t let his mom take
him to the ER.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’m a little
surprised she didn’t just go to the ER anyway.
By the time she got to our office the next morning, she was pacing the
room, about to have a heart attack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I wasn’t sure what
our office protocol was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This piece of grass
was about a centimeter long and half a centimeter wide. I felt like I could just pull it out with my
fingers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Can I use forceps
near a kid’s eye?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Should I use forceps
near a kid’s eye?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Turns out, the kid
was TERRIFIED of me putting a cotton swab near his eye (go figure) but wasn’t
terrified of the forceps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We pulled out the
grass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And mom about
fainted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I offer to
let people keep things I pull out of weird places. Mostly it’s beads and stuff I pull out of
ears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
This mom didn’t even
let me ask.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
She said “I’m going
to keep that to prove to your dad I was right.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yep, because the same
daddy that didn’t think anything was in his kid’s eye is going to believe you
got this piece of grass out of his kid’s eye.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
………………………………….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I think
14-year-old boys are the bane of my existence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Seriously though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We had to talk about
his rash.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And his weight
problem<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And his anxiety-eating-problem
that Dad wanted ADD medication to fix.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The whole time I’m
speaking in Spanish AND English because son doesn’t speak Spanish and Dad
doesn’t speak English.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And then I had to
listen to dad argue with the son about telling me his “embarrassing little
problem.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
And then he said:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“So, you know how
little kids pee in their bed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yeah?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“So, I did that. And then I got a little bigger and kept doing
that. And then I got really big. And now I still do that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
AND THIS IS THE FIRST
TIME SOMEONE FORCED HIM TO TALK ABOUT IT.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
………………………………………..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Why can’t you just
send him to the lab to get a blood test so you can figure out what his rash is
instead of guessing?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“Honestly, ma’am,
that’s not possible. There is no blood
test for rashes. There’s a test for
diabetes. But not a rash.”</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">That's one of the reasons they call it "practicing" medicine....</div>
<br>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
…………………………………………..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So, her vision is
pretty bad, does she always wear her glasses?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Only at school and
when she’s reading?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
What about when she
watches TV?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
No?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Well, TVs aren’t very
big and if she’s staring at a small TV, she might be squinting and that could
be part of the problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“Oh, no, honey, we
have an 80 inch TV. Than’s not the
problem.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
WAIT.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
YOU HAVE MEDACAID.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I’M PAYING FOR YOUR
KID’S HEALTHCARE AND MY TV IS HALF THE SIZE YOURS IS?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
How does that work?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
………………………………………………..<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you have to ask me
“what are you saying?” more than twice because your kids are too loud, that’s
your problem, not mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Maybe you should
learn how to discipline your kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Or maybe you’ll just
never know what I’m saying.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s not like you
just sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes to hear what I have to say…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
……………………………………………<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I like to give kids
high fives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
For some reason, kids
think it’s the coolest thing, getting to high-five the provider.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Like I’m some
celebrity or something. (Clearly, my job
is not good for my ego)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
But this one kid was
WAY too cool for high fives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
He put out his fist
and said “um, no, we don’t high-five, we fist bump” and waited until I made a
fist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Then he bumped his
fist with mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Yep. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That kid was way cooler than I am.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
............................................................</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osYaH_FdJhQ/UhVn6OBSowI/AAAAAAAADeU/ZSKMX84E7Jk/s1600/IMG_2610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-osYaH_FdJhQ/UhVn6OBSowI/AAAAAAAADeU/ZSKMX84E7Jk/s320/IMG_2610.jpg" width="240"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another kid that's way cooler than I am.</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03gJ5s1vbNg/UhVn9GVEDaI/AAAAAAAADeg/v7G6ypeIhxo/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-03gJ5s1vbNg/UhVn9GVEDaI/AAAAAAAADeg/v7G6ypeIhxo/s320/IMG_2625.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You should've seen it. We're out shopping and all 3 adults were sitting on the bench playing with their cellphones. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They say kids are bad at that. My family is the same way!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldRi033PksM/UhVn88jRmXI/AAAAAAAADec/0ZuYzt_oEto/s1600/IMG_2650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldRi033PksM/UhVn88jRmXI/AAAAAAAADec/0ZuYzt_oEto/s320/IMG_2650.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ryan is an artist! I'm ok too.</div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MCdrdHkoRE/UhVoAXtshtI/AAAAAAAADes/RzCDEhv3_cA/s1600/IMG_2651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5MCdrdHkoRE/UhVoAXtshtI/AAAAAAAADes/RzCDEhv3_cA/s320/IMG_2651.JPG" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Us and our friends that painted a master peace! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00012177640092103771noreply@blogger.com1