tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45550605149777374952024-03-13T11:58:18.617-04:00Juggling Life...as a single momAdventures of a single working mom. My daughter is working towards her career by completing college and becoming the person she is meant to be in this world.
Accept me for who I am or walk away. If you accept me I will be your biggest advocate, supporter. If you walk away, well that's your loss.
Life is an adventure, keep moving forward and experience as many adventures as you can.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-27644368095164263032019-01-17T22:43:00.000-05:002019-01-17T22:43:01.595-05:002019!!!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are now two weeks into the New Year and I totally missed wishing everyone a happy one. A bunch of us spent the New Year in the Pocono's to celebrate my brothers belated birthday (from last year - it was a big one). Good times had for all. </span></span></div>
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<img alt="2019 nye" class=" size-full wp-image-269 alignnone" height="360" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/2019-nye.jpg" width="640" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-1372222967165532182019-01-17T22:41:00.000-05:002019-01-17T22:41:32.621-05:00Happy Winter Solstice<img class="size-full wp-image-262" height="500" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_0748.jpg" width="800" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-61756336366210982142019-01-17T22:35:00.000-05:002019-01-17T22:39:17.122-05:00Christmas Traditions<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Every family has their own traditions for the holidays. As a family we have a gingerbread house decorating contest, hayride with hot chocolate, decorate ornaments, take family pictures in front of the tree (for cards of course) and we're constantly adding as the kids get older they change a little.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last night we did the gingerbread house decorating competition and decorated ornaments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I ❤️ these fun evenings. It relieves some of the stress that can sometimes be felt this time of year. Here are the houses, the ugly Christmas sweater sugar cookie I decorated and the ornaments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What do you do with your family during the holidays to keep them festive and less stressful? Share in the comments.</span></span></div>
<img class="wp-image-231 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7444.jpg" width="541" /><img class="wp-image-228 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7445.jpg" width="442" /><img class="size-full wp-image-234" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7446.jpg" width="526" /><img class="size-full wp-image-238" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7447.jpg" width="461" /><img class="wp-image-237 size-full" height="368" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7465.jpg" width="400" /><img class="wp-image-230 size-full" height="321" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7466.jpg" width="400" /><img class="size-full wp-image-227" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7467.jpg" width="451" /><img class="size-full wp-image-226" height="391" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7468.jpg" width="400" /><img class="wp-image-232 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7469.jpg" width="535" /><img class="size-full wp-image-236" height="329" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7473.jpg" width="400" /><img class="wp-image-235 size-full" height="400" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7474.jpg" width="383" /><img class="size-full wp-image-233" height="359" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7475.jpg" width="400" /><img class="size-full wp-image-229" height="400" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7476.jpg" width="386" /><img class="wp-image-239 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7448.jpg" width="373" /><img class="size-full wp-image-240" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7449.jpg" width="323" /><img class="size-full wp-image-241" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7450.jpg" width="375" /><img class="size-full wp-image-242" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7451.jpg" width="392" /><img class="wp-image-243 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7452.jpg" width="320" /><img class="size-full wp-image-244" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7453.jpg" width="395" /><img class="size-full wp-image-246" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7454.jpg" width="321" /><img class="size-full wp-image-247" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7455.jpg" width="438" /><img class="size-full wp-image-251" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7456.jpg" width="310" /><img class="size-full wp-image-249" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7457.jpg" width="346" /><img class="size-full wp-image-253" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7458.jpg" width="363" /><img class="size-full wp-image-252" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7459.jpg" width="407" /><img class="size-full wp-image-254" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7460.jpg" width="359" /><img class="size-full wp-image-248" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7461.jpg" width="560" /><img class="wp-image-250 size-full" height="387" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7462.jpg" width="400" /><img class="size-full wp-image-245" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7463.jpg" width="556" /><img class="size-full wp-image-255" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7443.jpg" width="480" /><img class="wp-image-256 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7394.jpg" width="426" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-57600513831848055572019-01-17T22:29:00.002-05:002019-01-17T22:30:30.214-05:00Happy Hanukkah<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To everyone celebrating, have a wonderful Hanukkah!!</span></span><br />
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<img class="wp-image-223 size-full" height="325" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7410.gif" width="550" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-36123215371287559322019-01-17T22:24:00.004-05:002019-01-17T22:27:53.432-05:00Christmas Decorating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hi! I'm Laney and I ❤️ Christmas! The decorations, the music, the activities with my family. There is nothing better in my mind.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So how early do you start decorating for Christmas? Do you wait until after Thanksgiving or do you start beforehand because you decorate every room in the house, front and backyards?</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As kids, we didn't really celebrate Thanksgiving. We ate dinner at our dad's restaurant together and we would decorate on Black Friday before we knew what Black Friday was.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that we're older and a lot has changed, we have a large Thanksgiving dinner with together. We have some family visit from Boston. We do dinner, plan our shopping and head out about 8pm Thanksgiving night. Typically we're out all night, come home to regroup about 3am, grab a bite to eat and either hit a new set of stores or make a plan for later in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After all the shopping is done we hit our respective homes to decorate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year, before Thanksgiving, my sister made a couple of wreaths and sent me a text with them. Got me thinking "why have I never done this before?". I have an entire room in my house set up for crafts and sewing yet I've never made my own wreath.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I promptly hit the store to buy what I needed to make wreaths for the inside of my doors since I already have them for outside. I also bought a 'believe' sign from A.C. Moore that I wanted to paint. My daughter and I put up the tree, the garland and all the other decorations. Then I got to making the wreaths and realized I have two hurricanes in the living room that I normally tie ribbon around with an ornament hanging. 😀</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year I decided to change the ribbon on the hurricanes because what I normally used covered me in gold glitter. It was everywhere!! I measured the ribbon, sewed snaps on the back so next year all I need to do is snap it back on - so easy!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Check out my finished projects...</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">❤️ them all, especially the red bow on the wreath.</span></div>
<img class="wp-image-214 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7386.jpg" width="480" /><img class="wp-image-218 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7381.jpg" width="480" /><img class="size-full wp-image-217" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7382.jpg" width="480" /><img class="wp-image-216 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/56496020794__5287865d-6cdb-4d9a-8e4d-5a6c71e0efc3.jpg" width="480" /><img class="size-full wp-image-215" height="480" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7389.jpg" width="640" /><img class="wp-image-219 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/56496268658__b339ad9b-0e30-47d7-92c1-25a01c68d467.jpg" width="480" /><img class="wp-image-220 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/img_7388.jpg" width="480" /><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Share your projects in the comments. I'd love 💕 to see your creations.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-73555016497671936372018-10-18T17:08:00.000-04:002018-10-18T17:08:17.041-04:00Searching for a Reason<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's now a full six (6) months since I was let go from a job I liked.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me back up a bit...in 2015 I was let go for a job I loved (long story) and spent 9 months out of work, finally landed a position with a company through a friend. We worked together at the company I was let go from, became friends and when I needed help she was there. February 2018 the company and I parted ways. I knew the position wasn't for me but I kept it because I have a family to support.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found something else right away, loved it. It was a creative space but still used my customer service/account management skills. I was there 30 days and I was fired. Why you ask. Well turns out they didn't want to take the time to train me. I later found out that the person that quit and left the position open for me to take wanted it back - she hated her new job. That left me out in the cold again for the second time in three years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am about sick of the universe kicking my ass! It's been going on for a solid three years. It's about time for it to stop.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-77293332428080966512018-07-05T07:00:00.000-04:002018-07-05T07:00:00.234-04:00Heros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZrRQz0S5zs/WzwbmXZNJqI/AAAAAAAAF7o/hul6dRcr07Eqy_FH5IiEkD9pF8a_rjUzQCLcBGAs/s1600/hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1000" height="185" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vZrRQz0S5zs/WzwbmXZNJqI/AAAAAAAAF7o/hul6dRcr07Eqy_FH5IiEkD9pF8a_rjUzQCLcBGAs/s320/hero.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the 4th of July having just passed and all the talk about heroes, I wanted to talk about heroes too. Growing up, a hero to me was someone that you looked up to that did something extraordinary, invented something necessary or paved the way for others. To me, police, firefighters and the military were all heroes but in a different sense. They were there to help us, save us or keep us safe, they were all on a different (higher) level, at least to me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The word hero is tossed around now to describe athletes, movie stars, or entertainers of any kinds including bands. To me, they are not heroes, they are lucky people that made it big and a ton of money by performing. They may all really love what they do but they are in no way heroes just because of their profession.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A hero is defined as below by </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wikipedia</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A <b>hero</b> (masculine) or <b>heroine</b> (feminine) is a real person or a main character of a literary work who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingenuity" title="Ingenuity">ingenuity</a>, <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bravery" title="Bravery">bravery</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_strength" title="Physical strength">strength</a>; the original hero type of classical epics did such things for the sake of glory and honor. On the hand are <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval" title="Medieval">Medieval</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_history" title="Modern history">modern</a> heroes, who perform great deeds for the common good instead of the classical goal of pride and fame.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Growing up my heroes were the three listed below not the popular athlete of the time. They each did something extraordinary and what I imagine they were told could not be done.</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">George Washington - lead a new country to find its identity</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Abraham Lincoln - the 16th President, freed the slaves</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Amelia Earhart - first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic</span></li>
<li><span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Clara Barton - a nurse in the American Civil war who started the American Red Cross</span></li>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These are the type of people we need to put forth as heroes to our children. Even Orpah Winfrey who came from nothing, worked, learned and built an empire showing all little girls out there that you can do whatever you want. Even in this, still to this day, "mans world".</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's promote the right kind of heroes.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-64603671751392331142018-07-04T07:00:00.000-04:002018-07-04T07:00:01.453-04:00Independence Day / July 4th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While it's debated when the Declaration of Independence was actually signed (July 2 or July 4) it separated us from the British. The holiday has been observed/celebrated every year since 1777 in various ways. In 1777 there was a 13-gun salute in the morning and the evening along with a state dinner for Continental Congress that included the 12-gun salute, prayers, music, parades, and fireworks among other things. Great way to celebrate freedom in my opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It wasn't until 1870 that Congress made July 4th a federal holiday although it was unpaid. Congress eventually changed it to a paid holiday in 1938.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">July 4th is celebrated using some of the same events on that first night in 1777 - food, family, friends, music, and fireworks. Wearing the US flag on various clothing has also become a thing and it is not against any law as I've often heard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I wanted to verify that so I Googled the question and was pointed to the American Legion to their questions page. Below are the question and answer which can also be found on their page - <a href="https://www.legion.org/flag/questions-answers/91517/it-permissible-wear-item-clothing-looks-united-states-flag">here</a>.</span></div>
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Is it permissible to wear an item of clothing that looks like the United States flag?</div>
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Unless an article of clothing is made from an actual United States flag, there is NO breach of flag etiquette whatsoever. People are simply expressing their patriotism and love of country by wearing an article of clothing that happens to be red, white, and blue with stars and stripes. There is nothing illegal about the wearing or use of these items.</div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So go forth and celebrate our Independence with family, friends, music, food, and of course fireworks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , "sans-serif";"><span style="color: purple;">Don't
forget to wear your American Flag t-shirt.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-53039381046633210392018-07-03T19:35:00.003-04:002018-07-03T19:35:50.025-04:00Inspiration Comes from Anywhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a phone interview a couple of weeks ago, one question asked is where do I find inspiration. Anywhere!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">I picked up a free cabinet, it was in pretty bad shape but it was free and perfect for the book overflow from my office. I had leftover paint from an update done to one of the bedrooms in my house, it was perfect for what I had in mind. The colors leftover from the room is what sparked my idea for this bookshelf and a couple of other projects. </span><span style="color: purple;">😁</span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before bookshelf...the first image is the top of the bookshelf, it stands about 4 1/2 feet tall. The second image is of the bottom front to show the feet.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-149" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6820.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feet & bottom of the bookshelf.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-150" height="300" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6819.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Updated bookshelf ready to use - whoo hoo! There are two colors, the inside is a seafoam while the outside and the trim is a blue-gray.</span> ❤️❤️❤️ <span style="color: purple;">this color combo.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-143" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6827.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Perfectly placed just outside my office door with my book overflow and room for more.</span> 👍🏼</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-145 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6947.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">I picked up this cabinet for $10 for my office to bring my printer down to where I can really use it (I'm only 5 feet tall and where the printer was it was over my head). As you can see it really needed some </span><span style="color: purple;">❤️❤️</span><span style="color: purple;">. I also needed to decide if I wanted to put the doors back on or leave them off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-151 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6815.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">Work in progress - filling the holes, sanding - getting it ready for painting. Made the decision no doors and I bought hairpin legs (which I </span>❤️ ❤️❤️<span style="color: purple;">).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-152" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6816.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">All done! Now I can reach my printer. Colors are the same but reversed from the bookshelf, outside and shelves are seafoam while the inside "walls" are the blue-gray. </span>😍😍</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-146 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6948.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can't forget the hairpin legs - so happy I found a reason to use them in a project. Need to find another project so I have a reason to buy and use them again. 😁</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-147" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6949.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My kitchen before an ugly, brown and depressing. Just as a side note this is what the kitchen looked like when I bought the house. (I can't upload a video so unfortunately there can be no before and after). Believe me when I tell you I wanted to blow up my entire house because of how much I hated the kitchen. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This picture is from when the house was inspected before moving in. It at least gives you an idea of how bad the kitchen was. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="1918734_1103868442939_2812731_n" class="alignnone wp-image-175 size-full" height="299" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/1918734_1103868442939_2812731_n.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My dog ❤️s the vent when the air is on. This picture gives a bit more for you to see the ugliness of the kitchen. Blah!!!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-176" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6197.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few quick pics of it all done.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-178" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6959.jpg" width="480" /><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-179" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6957.jpg" width="480" /><img class="alignnone wp-image-180 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6954.jpg" width="480" /><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-177" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6953.jpg" width="480" /><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-181" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6952.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember the doors from the $10 cabinet I upcycled for my office? They were cut down and used in my kitchen - one as a shelf to free up some counter space.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-156 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6950.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other door was cut up to make a mail/key station so it could hang using a small picture hanger instead of two screws deep into the wall. Couldn't be happier with how it all turned out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-157 size-full" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6951.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Final addition to the kitchen - getting rid of that ugly cafeteria like light. New blubs as well, the fixture came with bulbs that gave off an amber-like glow that was just not right for a kitchen. The new bulbs are a soft white. Still to finish is patching and painting the ceiling where that ugly light came from. But overall I am beyond ecstatic about the kitchen update.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-141" height="640" src="https://justjugglinglife.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/img_6946.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;">If you have a project you want to tackle, plan it out, make sure you have everything and then just DO</span> <span style="color: purple;">IT! </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-76353756912758248722018-07-03T16:56:00.001-04:002018-07-03T16:56:34.294-04:00Job Hunting Reality<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for job hunting" height="200" src="https://d2wldp4wpenmih.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/job-hunting-digital-age.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I am tired. Job hunting really is a full-time job in itself filled with depression, anxiety, rejection day in and day out.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They say the best way to get a new position is to network. But what if people in your network say things like sure I'll let you know if you hear anything, good luck or take care? Take care. That to me is a kiss-off so to speak. It is the same as saying I know you need help but I'm not going to be the one to help you. </span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Makes me sad because while that is being typed out the thought in their mind is probably I'll keep an ear out and let them know. But the words say differently, they say HA, you are a blip in my life and I won't give you a second thought even if I hear something.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know I am not the only one having these thoughts while out of work, searching for the next opportunity knowing the salary goal can be an issue but the skills that come along are more than worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hoping things change soon. I don't like not working, not contributing to the world in any small way and feeling lost.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-37737832937285568112018-05-28T10:00:00.000-04:002018-05-30T20:14:16.024-04:00Happy Memorial Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a-4bOXkqe4/WwXWEBXHqTI/AAAAAAAAF4s/bf_VKUpubZ0g0jmosMNgcKot1UubqEmFwCLcBGAs/s1600/memorial-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3a-4bOXkqe4/WwXWEBXHqTI/AAAAAAAAF4s/bf_VKUpubZ0g0jmosMNgcKot1UubqEmFwCLcBGAs/s320/memorial-day.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today is a day of remembrance for those we have lost fighting to obtain our freedom and those that we lost to keep it. If you're interested in the history and how the holiday began, check out this article <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day">on the history.</a> It's pretty interesting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While you spend time with friends and family remember those lost to their families and friends through the years.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0Willow Grove, PA 19090, USA40.1498909 -75.12534920000001640.052824900000005 -75.286710700000015 40.2469569 -74.963987700000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-68723226949865729042018-05-22T14:56:00.001-04:002018-05-22T15:42:00.844-04:00Which way to go? What to do?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjZ65Lyc9OE/WwRhq8Uah5I/AAAAAAAAF4I/nKtxx1qg2Uga3KgXleslKp1fycORUpPdQCLcBGAs/s1600/at%2Ba%2Bcrossroads.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjZ65Lyc9OE/WwRhq8Uah5I/AAAAAAAAF4I/nKtxx1qg2Uga3KgXleslKp1fycORUpPdQCLcBGAs/s320/at%2Ba%2Bcrossroads.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Be at a crossroads" is defined in the Cambridge English Dictionary as "to be at a stage in your life when you have to make a very important decision".</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Coincidentally a friend and I were let go from our respective positions within a week of each other, we did not work at the same company. This was about two months ago. Since then we have gone to a couple of job fairs, a term I use very loosely. We live just outside a major city on the East Coast, job fairs should be large events with a ton of local companies showing up looking for talent, so not the case here. The first one we went to was just sad; there were 7 companies there - 5 were financial companies, 1 funeral home, and a staffing agency. Not exactly a great turn out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The second one we went to was at the baseball stadium in that large city, better options when it came to companies, there was about 30 total. A couple of trade schools, the military, the state police, a few staffing agencies, retailers; you get the picture. The same over and over again. I talked to a couple of the agencies since they were ones I had never heard of in this area. Thought it would give me more options when it came to finding something that is right for me. I emailed them later the same day, it was nice talking to you today here is a copy of my resume for your records kind of email. Then, nothing - crickets could be heard for miles after that. I do realize the emails could have been flagged as SPAM but you would think that agencies that like check their SPAM to make sure that they don't lose a lead or a potential candidate because of it. I gave it a couple of weeks, thinking maybe they just haven't checked SPAM yet. I've totally given up now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My friend scheduled an interview with one of the companies from the first job fair, a financial company. If he was offered anything he didn't take it since he is not working there at this point.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I believe we are both sitting at this crossroad trying to figure out what we each want to do next. There is always the option of starting a business, folding and taking a job just to have a job that brings in a salary or keep searching to find the right fit. I vote for searching for the right fit, I've spent too much time working somewhere just because I needed a job to support my family (single parent here). It's time for me to find work that at the very least doesn't give me anxiety going in every morning.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now, that leaves us sitting here...searching to determine what will be next.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-78563169718477038852018-05-16T16:47:00.001-04:002018-05-16T16:47:19.340-04:00National Chocolate Chip Day...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is a thing. Go figure!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was poking around Pinterest and came across a 2016 Marketing Planning Guide. Well, that's two years old, dates are off a bit. :) So I went to find the author and see if there was an updated 2018 version. Found it...https://www.rebeccavandenberg.com, Rebecca Van Den Berg is a Digital Marketing Strategist, check out her What We Do page <a href="https://www.rebeccavandenberg.com/what-we-do/">here</a>. Thanks to Rebecca I now have the updated 2018 Marketing Planning calendar, that's where I found out it National Chocolate Chip Day is a thing!! It is on May 15th, so I am a day late but hey who doesn't love a chocolate chip cookie any day of the year?</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EDI6g3qsy4w/WvyQvWT7DXI/AAAAAAAAF30/MSgPVMX-azIFkHmfNvx6oCVATepBDxSIQCLcBGAs/s1600/National%2BChoco%2BChip%2BDay%2BMay%2B15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EDI6g3qsy4w/WvyQvWT7DXI/AAAAAAAAF30/MSgPVMX-azIFkHmfNvx6oCVATepBDxSIQCLcBGAs/s320/National%2BChoco%2BChip%2BDay%2BMay%2B15.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I Googled it and found a great article <a href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-chocolate-chip-day-may-15/">here</a> on the National Day Calendar website explaining how chocolate chips became a thing. It goes back to 1937 and it's all thanks to Ruth Graves from the Toll House Inn of Whitman, Massachusetts. Great article, take a few to give it a read.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first time I made homemade chocolate cookies, not from a package or box, was in 8th grade Home-Ec class somewhere in the late 80's (which they should totally offer in schools again! - tirade for another post). It was intimidating at first, all the measuring, mixing, making sure it was all done precisely, baking is a science after all. By the end of that class, I had fallen in love with baking.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My love for baking has stayed with me all these years, I bake just because, for holiday desserts, for birthdays, or because the bananas are a bit too ripe to eat so here comes some banana bread. :) Anything homemade is perfect for gift giving and relatively inexpensive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several years ago I started making cookies and giving them away as Christmas gifts to co-workers. They are not old-fashioned chocolate chips cookies, I make them instead with Andes Candies. Yep, those delicious little mint candies that you used to get after dinner at certain restaurants (still get them at Olive Garden).</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little gesture that really doesn't take too much time but makes a great impact on the people getting them. Who doesn't like a little treat?</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go forth and bake!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Toll House Chocolate Cookie Recipe courtesy of www.epicurious.com <a href="https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/toll-house-chocolate-chip-cookies">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YIELD Makes about 5 dozen cookies<br />ACTIVE TIME 25 minutes <br />TOTAL TIME 40 minutes<br /><br />INGREDIENTS<br /><br />2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 teaspoon baking soda<br />1 teaspoon salt<br />1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened<br />3/4 cup granulated sugar<br />3/4 cup packed brown sugar<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />2 large eggs<br />2 cups Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels<br />1 cup chopped nuts (optional)<br /><br />PREPARATION<br /><br />Preheat oven to 375°F.</span><div>
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Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.</div>
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Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pan Cookie Variation</span><div>
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Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Slice and Bake Cookie Variation</span></div>
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Prepare dough as above. Divide in half; wrap in waxed paper. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Shape each half into 15-inch log; wrap in wax paper. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Refrigerate for 30 minutes.</span></div>
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Preheat oven to 375° F. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices; place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Do Ahead<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dough may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 8 weeks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
This recipe is made available as a courtesy by Nestle USA and <a href="https://www.verybestbaking.com/">www.VeryBestBaking.com</a>. Nestle® Toll House® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-67011575707440377352018-05-16T15:58:00.001-04:002018-05-16T15:58:01.702-04:00The Journey Begins...Again.<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've decided to begin writing again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The blogs I find most interesting are written by women like me. Normal, everyday people that work, raise families, have hobbies, etc. That's what this will be, a blog for the everyday person just juggling life.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for joining me!</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton</span></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0Willow Grove, PA, USA40.1439985 -75.11572860000001140.095451000000004 -75.19640960000001 40.192546 -75.035047600000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-73137820859841558122016-04-07T22:38:00.001-04:002016-04-07T22:39:38.516-04:00American Idol Finale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikRdpK5Ok_o/VwcX-LByHJI/AAAAAAAAFcg/kp6UiEWCvy4IfmHgrd7Ptvys0D9lPqlcg/s1600/american%2Bidol%2Bfinal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikRdpK5Ok_o/VwcX-LByHJI/AAAAAAAAFcg/kp6UiEWCvy4IfmHgrd7Ptvys0D9lPqlcg/s1600/american%2Bidol%2Bfinal.png" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9qzaD-H_e0/VwcZRUKSeUI/AAAAAAAAFcs/Ug30c3gnR1gTT3vEAzLcaIlPAnuAkbxVw/s1600/laporsha%2Band%2Btrent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v9qzaD-H_e0/VwcZRUKSeUI/AAAAAAAAFcs/Ug30c3gnR1gTT3vEAzLcaIlPAnuAkbxVw/s200/laporsha%2Band%2Btrent.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Are you an American Idol fan? I absolutely <b><span style="color: red;">LOVED
</span></b>the horrible auditions, Paula, Simon and Randy cracking up openly, all the
goofiness. I watched more for that than the actual contest. I watched the first
few season then quickly became bored. Can’t explain why, there was just
something not holding my attention any longer. However, when I found out this
would be the last ever season of American Idol I made sure to watch every
single episode. Right from the beginning I had my favorites, La’Porsha, Dalton,
Trent, Emily and Olivia Rox – her name alone is enough for me to want her to
win. As the field narrowed from 24, to 12 to the top 5 La’Porsha quickly
overtook every other contestant in my mind. Before we talk winner, let’s talk
about that finale. WOW!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I was asked to describe tonight’s American Idol
Finale – <b><span style="color: red; font-size: 14.0pt;">EPIC</span></b> – would be the only word to come to mind. The
talent, the showmanship, the music, the energy, the performances…EPIC! I would
expect nothing less after crowning 14 winners and preparing to crown one final
winner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The performances were amazing, typically when
watching a show with so many performances there is at least one that stands out
as a miss for me – not tonight. I had forgotten how powerful and intoxicating
Jennifer Hudson’s voice was – pure magic. Perhaps my favorite collaboration was
the country mash up with several American Idol alums, especially Scotty McCreery
singing Garth Brooks’ hit Papa Loves Mama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By time the tribute to the late, great David Bowie
started I forgot I was watching the final episode of American Idol. Instead it
reminded me of the ‘old school’ music awards shows where the performances were
many and the speeches were few. So many powerful performances, guest
appearances and emotions – now for the winner! My choice remains La’Porsha but
there is no way I could possibly vote enough to fix the outcome. Wink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The winner – TRENT HARMON!! I believe that was a
surprise to a lot of people including the judges. Jennifer Lopez looked totally
surprised, expecting the season favorite to win as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Congratulations Trent Harmon!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I’m sure I can speak for millions of American’s when I say…here’s to a fabulous career doing what you love, Trent, have fun and live your dream. Class act all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On a final note – Ryan was signing off with his
famous line “and one more time, this is so tough, we say to you from Hollywood
goodnight America – for now.” Maybe we will see another fabulous show with Ryan
as the host? Only time will tell.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-64124836851292528572016-01-04T21:58:00.000-05:002016-01-04T22:00:05.335-05:00You Have to be Single to be a Single Mom<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I came across an article that I pinned yesterday so I could read it; so glad I did. It is just a bit over a year old however it still rings true. Kristen Tea wrote an eloquent piece about the difference in being a single parent vs a married one based on her life. You can read the entire article <a href="http://www.mothering.com/articles/youre-single-mom-unless-youre-single-mom/#articleComments">here</a> as I'm sure I cannot do it justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First I'd like to say thank you to Kristen for that wonderfully well put article. I am a single mom, have been since my daughter's father decided, while I was pregnant, that he wasn't going to be a father. I have raised her alone since birth, she will be 20 this March (2016) - her entire life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I agree with you on all your points, Kristen, married mothers are not single mothers just because their spouse goes away on a business trip or friend weekend, same goes for the dads out there. There is still support emotionally, mentally and financially. There struggles are still real with hard decisions to be made for the best of their family - no denying that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I had a support system when it came to child care, all the decisions were mine and mine alone to make regarding the welfare of my daughter. Bedtimes, meals, to play sports or not, can she have a sleepover or will it disrupt the day - you get the point. Doing it alone if the toughest thing I have ever done but not something I would change for anything in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If in your past you were a truly a single parent - working full time so you could pay the rent, the utilities, put food on the table, clothes on you and your child's back, then you are a single parent. If you did all of that and are now married, share responsibilities with another, you are no longer a single parent - those struggles are no longer yours to handle alone, be thankful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have support, true support from a spouse, be thankful, grateful and appreciate the partnership. You still struggle in your own ways but your struggles can be shared with another.</span></div>
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<a href="http://media.collegetimes.com/uploads/2014/05/BMC6NnSCEAEVLB5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.collegetimes.com/uploads/2014/05/BMC6NnSCEAEVLB5.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To all the moms out there making comments about how women should ban together and support one another, I couldn't agree more however don't claim my single parent struggles as your own. I won't claim your where should we go on vacation, handsome husband makes so much money I don't know what to do with it struggles. Ok - seriously, I know families struggle, some spouses are abusive (mentally and / or physically), lazy, don't work or help around the house. To those spouses; I won't claim your struggles however you are in my prayers for the strength to do what is best for you and your child(ren).</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-46863276148442628232015-09-17T17:14:00.002-04:002015-09-17T17:14:44.769-04:00Being A Single Parent...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...is easy, said no one ever!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I don't complain about being a single parent, I didn't have to share the hugs, snuggles, hand holding or kisses when she was little. I also didn't get to share the 3 am fevers, bloody noses (allergies) or hospital visits. But still not complaining, she is my little girl even at almost 20 years old. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the most difficult times come when I've lost a job or simply don't make enough to pay bills. This year has been a rough one, I lost my job in January. Now that she is older my daughter is very aware of what's going on, especially since I am home almost everyday searching, talking and interviewing. When she was younger it was easier to keep her from knowing and stressing. I think this year with what's happened she is as stressed as I am about my situation. In reality it is our situation since I pay all the bills, household, cell phone, her car payment, insurance...everything. I wish she didn't know the struggle, that she was that innocent little girl that felt lucky to have mom home from work early.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe that from my struggle this year my daughter will learn a valuable lesson at a young age, one I wish I had learned, to be prepared for such an event...no work, job, position for almost a year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now heading into fall with all the activities we love to do will be even more stressful than before (no job / disposable income vs. limited disposable income). At least with limited disposable income we could participate in some of the events.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope learning this lesson will help my daughter prepare and make sure she has a safety net so if she falls victim to a lay off the stress won't be as horrible on her as it has been on me. I know for sure once I am actively working again I will begin building a safety net for me so this does not happen again.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0Willow Grove, PA, USA40.1439985 -75.11572860000001140.095451000000004 -75.19640960000001 40.192546 -75.035047600000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-89770015770101606842015-03-04T20:50:00.004-05:002015-03-04T20:51:41.993-05:00Advice: Good, Bad or Indifferent, It All Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Advice is freely given however not so easily taken.
Even when not solicited advice can be helpful, yes even bad advice. The bad
advice will help with sorting out the good advice given or at the very least
help determine the next steps to be taken no matter what the situation. The
good advice you will know right away, you’ll feel it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was a teenager I worked in a retirement
community dining room as a server providing breakfast and dinner to the
residents. I don’t remember the incident that caused me to be sitting in the
director’s office, waiting, feeling like I was in the principal’s office at
school waiting for my punishment, this is where I received the best advice that
sticks with me even now so many years later.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The advice I was given can be utilized in any
situation. The beauty is in the generalization and simplicity. Can you fix it? <b>(NO)</b> Can you change it? <b>(NO)</b> if you can’t fix it or change it
then why worry about it? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Worrying about something you cannot control will
only drive you crazy. Let it go. Move on. Take what you need and form a plan of
action then act.<o:p></o:p></div>
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While this may be redundant, it bears repeating, the
best thing to do with any advice; bad, good or indifferent…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Listen carefully. You may actually get one
nugget that helps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ignore what doesn't ‘feel’ right. Trust your
instincts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Great advice will resonant with you and help you
move forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;">Ø<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Sleep on it. Sleeping helps the unconscious mind
work through the advice given helping pin point the important nuggets.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The best advice I can give when listening to or
taking advice from someone, is always do what you feel is right for you and
NEVER blame the person that gave you the advice you decided to take. It’s your
decision no matter what the outcome.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-78953698807681115632014-11-14T15:02:00.000-05:002014-11-14T15:02:43.101-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWCLajsqL9Y/VGZfpqI30KI/AAAAAAAADs4/e_t1SUsehlI/s1600/keep%2Bcalm%2Bits%2Bholiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWCLajsqL9Y/VGZfpqI30KI/AAAAAAAADs4/e_t1SUsehlI/s1600/keep%2Bcalm%2Bits%2Bholiday.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #4d4f51;">It's mid-November. I don't say that as if it's not known but more in a </span><span style="color: red;"><strong>OMG!! IT'S MID-NOVEMBER!!</strong> </span>kind of way. Where did the year go? Feels like yesterday I was getting ready for my daughter's high school graduation in June and now we're almost knee deep in the holidays with turkeys, decorating, caroling (do people still do that?) and hot chocolate.</div>
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With the rush of the next couple of months I wanted to lighted the mood a bit and share something I learned today, the <a data-mce-href="http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/the-origins-of-black-friday/" href="http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/the-origins-of-black-friday/" rel="nofollow">origin of the phrase</a> "Black Friday". Many, like me, have always believed it was related to the one time of year retailers made a profit. Turns out it was Philly traffic-cops in the late 1950's that coined this term to describe the terrible traffic conditions in Center City the Friday after Thanksgiving.</div>
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Reporters at the time picked up on the story in early 1960's and did what they do best, made it big news. Retailers did not like this term and tried without success to have the day after Thanksgiving called "Big Friday!". So thank you to the Philly cops of the 1950's and the reporters of the 1960's for unknowingly naming one of the biggest shopping days of the year. "<a data-mce-href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)" rel="nofollow">Black Friday</a>" as we know it today, more for the financial being in the black, began in the 1980's however it was still mostly a "Philly thing".</div>
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Here's to all the retail associates that work on one of the most shopped days of the year, my thoughts are with you while I join the masses to shop. :)</div>
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Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe holiday season!!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-15736974888786954002014-09-23T14:17:00.001-04:002014-09-23T14:17:13.529-04:00GREATEST FEELING...being invited to publish on LinkedIn!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I received an email inviting me to publish on LinkedIn. Great feeling to know that you've been noticed by such a large networking community. Now I'm not sure how they decide whom to invite, however that doesn't change the feeling of excitement I felt to do something I love...write.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find the first post here, </span><a href="http://bit.ly/GratefulArtcile">http://bit.ly/GratefulArtcile</a>,<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> it's short and sweet.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second post can be found here, </span><a href="http://bit.ly/OverwhelmedArticle">http://bit.ly/OverwhelmedArticle</a>.<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I'm still</span> <span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">experimenting with topics. Not sure where to go from here however I'm super excited to take this journey.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.lovegodgreatly.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/kelley_excitement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://www.lovegodgreatly.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/kelley_excitement.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keep an eye out for new posts, I'll put them here and on Facebook too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have topic ideas please comment on this post.</span></div>
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<img height="133" src="http://adoptingdivinemoments.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Thank-you.jpg" width="200" /><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-16416339019015582962014-08-27T10:27:00.001-04:002014-08-27T10:27:24.732-04:00Losing My Baby...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning started off as a typical morning, me running around trying to get myself out the door on time, then I realize my daughter is up and about. That meant today is Wednesday, August 27th the first day of her freshman year in college...WOW. We left the house at just about the same time, me a couple of seconds before her. While I'm driving; running through my mind is how much she has grown from that very curious cute little girl to a young woman. I hit a red light, look in my rear view mirror and there she is driving to pick up her friend before school, I started crying. I am overcome with emotions: pride, a little bit of sadness and a whole lot of awe.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time has flown by so quickly, it seems like just last week she was a sweet little 5 year old starting kindergarten ready to take on the world and completely proud of herself for being able to read (not recite) the alphabet backwards on the board.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tabbie has grown from that loving little girl to a confident, intelligent, compassionate, strong-willed, independent young lady starting college and beginning her next chapter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I may feel on some level that I'm losing my baby...</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am without a doubt gaining a wonderful new adult in my life and I look forward to that new adventure.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Tabbie is the bald one in the pic below.)</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-47982197482144731822014-08-26T17:31:00.000-04:002014-08-26T17:31:05.452-04:00Whoop Whoop!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I was invited to publish on LinkedIn!!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140826210048-48848174-what-are-you-grateful-for">Read my first post here!!!</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-44585349406749561682014-08-20T17:45:00.000-04:002014-08-20T17:45:13.237-04:00ALS...<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Nothing else needs to be said other than...</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.upworthy.com/the-last-ice-bucket-challenge-you-need-to-see-and-you-really-should-see-it?c=fea">Just Watch till the end...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-52990756046904441252014-08-19T16:57:00.003-04:002014-08-19T16:57:26.054-04:00ALS Ice Bucket Challenge<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I follow a Blogger on the Huff Post Impact section, The Blog, Lisa R. Petty. She recently wrote an article about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-r-petty/why-you-should-reject-the_b_5678195.html?utm_source=Alert-blogger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Email%2BNotifications">you can read the full article here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're not completely aware of what the challenge is here is a quick run down, Pete Frates a former Boston College baseball captain was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 since then he has been a HUGE advocate in raising awareness of this disease. While I'm not exactly sure how the challenge started it has become this...dump a bucket of ice water on your head AND donate $10 to ALS or don't dump the water and donate $100. There is a great article on ESPN about Pete and ALS <a href="http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/11366772/in-als-fight-pete-frates-message-loud-clear-ice-bucket-challenge">here.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was upset, angry and shocked by time I completed the second paragraph. By time I finished the article I was going to comment with a lengthy reply, changed my mind and decided the best way for me to work through the disappointment of this article and her mindset was to post here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a few points Lisa mentions that pushed a button in me...</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>She will not donate to an organization with a bunch of fanfare.</u></b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- Huh? What fanfare?? Without fanfare the money ALS.org has been able to raise this year would not be possible and I must say all those $10 donations (and all the others without ice buckets involved) have brought so much awareness to such a horrible disease. According to als.org </span><a href="http://www.alsa.org/fight-als/ice-bucket-challenge.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">donations </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as of August 10 surpassed $10 MILLION dollars, as of August 19th donations are now close to $23 MILLION, that's a lot of $10 ice buckets! In 2013 the same time frame, July 29 - Aug 14 only raised $1.4 MILLION dollars, that's a 766% increase from last year. I'll stick with fanfare, ALS and my other favorite organizations...I like fanfare for raising awareness!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red;"><u>Discovered in 1869</u></span></b> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what, the disease was discovered in 1869. What has been done in the last 100 or so years to further finding a cure for this 100% FATAL DISEASE?? Yes, I said 100% FATAL! This so called fanfare as I mentioned above has caused an onslaught of donations from around the world not just the country, this is what such organizations need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Everyone knows about ALS</span></u></b> - </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NOT everyone knows about ALS, such assumptions / broad statements should not be made, you have heard the old adage right? Assuming makes an a$$ out of you not me. Most people I talk to have never heard of it. Even if I say Lou Gehrig's disease they still don't completely get what it is, oh they know Lou Gehrig played baseball, they may even know his stats but not the devastating disease that killed him and many, many more after him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Wasting water / drought</span></u></b> - Now this I can agree with on some level. Lisa mentions a drought in California however every celebrity that I have seen accept the challenge has done so in front of VERY FULL in-ground pools. I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume they are using pool water for this, just because I like to look on the positive side of things. :) As for the rest of us accepting this challenge well I'm sure some around the country / world waste more water doing dishes than has been wasted in these challenges. If done outside the ground is watered again thus the circle of things and if they are being done indoors at least it's going back through the treatment centers to be reprocessed and put back out into the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's concentrate on the positive of this challenge instead of one woman's desire to NOT be publicly doused in cold water for a great cause. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about the fact that an ALS patient is the one that started this phenom? What about his mission to educate the world on this 100% fatal disease? So what if dumping a bucket of ice water on your head leads to a lesser amount in a donation those donations are just as important as the $1,000 or $10,000 or $1,000,000 they get from any one donor. As far as I'm concerned Pete Frates is an exceptional human being, check out this awesome video about his journey <a href="http://youtu.be/yCoKB_tU9ng">here.</a></span></div>
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<img alt="ALS Association: Create a World without ALS." src="http://www.alsa.org/assets/images/wrpr/alsa_logo.gif" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am proud to have been challenged and participate in this fanfare! I made my donation, did you? If not, you can donate at <a href="http://als.org/">als.org</a> and click the red Donate link at the top right.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4555060514977737495.post-83778800450666281112014-01-15T19:53:00.001-05:002014-01-15T19:53:30.700-05:00I'm Laney<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m Laney and for those of you
that don’t know me I’m Laney (inside joke). I am scatterbrained, unfocused,
forgetful, diligent, nitpicky, opinionated but I don’t judge (you are who you
are), OCD, ADD, nuts, fun, sometimes funny, outlandish, ridiculously loyal to
those I love and let into my life. A friend you want by your side whether it’s
just watching a movie, getting bailed out of jail or getting drunk, good times
/ bad times I don’t leave (kinda like a little pest. J) but not the person you want
standing on the opposite side of you, I can be very mean. Honest, trustworthy,
demanding, giving, loving, busy, single mom, forgetful, dependable, remembers
the oddest things but not when they are needed; like playing a trivia game – HA,
hardworking, supportive, loves books, movies, TV, music, goofing around or
being serious, have a fabulously dirty mind, thinks bathroom jokes are funny. I
fart, burp and puke when needed, of course I have manners I’m not a heathen after
all. J. I
am who I am and I expect others to be themselves around me as well. For those
that really truly know me (and you know who you are) love me for me, no
questions asked and I love everyone in my life as they are, farting, puking or
stumbling like idiots, that’s when we have the most fun. It’s when people
pretend to be what they think others want them to be that I get turned off. Be
you, do you! Love, fart, tell dirty jokes if that’s you. If people judge then
they don’t need to be around, don’t accept me as I am – unconditionally then
BYE! Only positive, trustworthy, non-judgmental people apply. We are all different
that’s why each one of us is special, not everyone will get along but everyone
should be civil, don’t be fake, don’t pretend to care or like me because I’ve
met you once or because I work with you. Get to know me, understand me and if
you still don’t like me – fine, we tried. Don’t walk away because of one bad
feeling, learn to talk through issues, no tip toeing around them, it doesn’t solve
anything to handle life that way. And if you walk away and try to come back,
remember one simple thing, YOU THREW AWAY THAT FRIENDSHIP NOT ME! ATTACK LIFE!
Live it! You only get one ride on the merry-go-round, that you remember, so
enjoy it with people you love and love you! </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>BE YOU!! DO YOU!!</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08683956618135799685noreply@blogger.com0