tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41938940462946518752024-02-20T07:34:09.468-08:00Write ExpressionsStories about travel, life, writing and parenting my college-age children (who think they don't need any more parenting). Oh! And the occasional amazing photograph (I like to play pro photographer on vacations.)Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-52524793289701750142015-04-07T07:00:00.000-07:002015-04-07T18:36:49.944-07:00Adventures in Rome – Day Trippin’ in Tivoli<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeHoa7Irzzm-4g6cSz1wFFwkwMZO9zuBxaEszJGgjBJPqNiBfM8wDaDQ6a86NY2OV9ZF5GXTe8M3SUwaxJgnC6D5YLdZqa3gPoOFwHO4OjUHTeQ6caJhgzdYfYf2XypJj0mVF1Q0pjygZ/s1600-h/PICT0042-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeHoa7Irzzm-4g6cSz1wFFwkwMZO9zuBxaEszJGgjBJPqNiBfM8wDaDQ6a86NY2OV9ZF5GXTe8M3SUwaxJgnC6D5YLdZqa3gPoOFwHO4OjUHTeQ6caJhgzdYfYf2XypJj0mVF1Q0pjygZ/s400/PICT0042-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329799373665701298" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>“Mi scusi! How do you get to Tivoli?”<br />
<br />
Renowned for its deep river gorges, and cascading waterfalls, we decided to take a day trip to the nearby city of Tivoli.<br />
<br />
Key words: <em><strong>DAY TRIP.</strong></em><br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
This alleged half-hour jaunt took us <strong><em>all day</em></strong> to get there. Why you may ask?<br />
<br />
Well…it’s complicated. Let’s just say that despite our incredible cost savings by staying in an apartment (advantage!), there’s something to be said for having a front desk staff and concierge to answer questions and book excursions (disadvantage!).<br />
<br />
We actually started out all right. Sure we didn’t have a guide book or a map of Tivoli, but my hubby, Chris, and I both remembered reading that we could take the train to Tivoli from nearby Termini Station. So we hailed a cab and were promptly deposited at the station entrance. We walked into the bustling building, and the kids and I went to stand in the exceptionally long ticket line. But…<br />
<br />
<em>Chris didn’t want to wait.</em><br />
So he went over to a machine and managed to purchase tickets for four to Tivoli for a mere $9.20 Euros instead of the $48 Euros the cab driver had told us it would probably cost. Hmmm…curious.<br />
<br />
It took us another half hour of wandering around the station attempting to communicate in halting/broken Italian/English to figure out the tickets he’d purchased were actually leaving from a <strong><em>different </em></strong>train station. So we hustled back outside and hailed <strong><em>another </em></strong>cab to take us to the new train station, Tiburtina.<br />
<br />
Once there, we eventually discovered where we needed to be and boarded the train with several other people. It took off, only to come to a complete stop a few minutes later. We sat there for several seconds. Some people got on. Some people got off. Then the train started again. This happened several times and we realized that although it was called a “train” it was actually more like an above-ground subway (perhaps the rampant graffiti should have tipped us off), stopping at different cities along the way to our destination.<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcXBwNukFkQ44HO3DnfA84_FK8PbN1stOJTzxHSKVR8jxdipqG3cwVljM-oLOhtqiXwgX921HJsF5mtsAEALPm1wv9F55cZHMA-l_Fy5W2lVsa_qYWlT33WtdM2EumEmDHbS0F17C6uyG/s1600-h/Joshua's+Rome+166-a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcXBwNukFkQ44HO3DnfA84_FK8PbN1stOJTzxHSKVR8jxdipqG3cwVljM-oLOhtqiXwgX921HJsF5mtsAEALPm1wv9F55cZHMA-l_Fy5W2lVsa_qYWlT33WtdM2EumEmDHbS0F17C6uyG/s400/Joshua's+Rome+166-a.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329795454447240306" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>“How will we know when to get off?” Ashleigh asked anxiously, while Chris dozed contentedly beside me.<br />
<br />
“Well, I can see different signs out the window every time we stop,” I replied with pretend confidence. “As soon as we see a sign that says ‘Tivoli,’ we’ll know to get off.”<br />
<br />
After about half an hour, we came to a stop. I read a sign that said: “Bagna di Tivoli.”<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC7k1yEfoyr4AINWJtW7KNvE4BNb6uOJ22sbLrdySR76jKeO02AKz_VhtS38RRUxK9qKeF80i3Rar1xRpEzIXpBJ1gLfILNS2EKLH-XL4oIo4GawTzn7VaJ1t0stlIe-rxmgx6u_4hzCQ/s1600-h/Joshua's+Rome+187-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKC7k1yEfoyr4AINWJtW7KNvE4BNb6uOJ22sbLrdySR76jKeO02AKz_VhtS38RRUxK9qKeF80i3Rar1xRpEzIXpBJ1gLfILNS2EKLH-XL4oIo4GawTzn7VaJ1t0stlIe-rxmgx6u_4hzCQ/s400/Joshua's+Rome+187-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329795247588237202" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Everybody we had boarded the train with in Rome got up and waited expectantly for the doors to open.<br />
<br />
“This must be it!” I said, and we all hopped off the train. It jetted off down the track, while we stood blinking in the bright sunlight, getting accustomed to our surroundings.<br />
<br />
The sun shone down hotly on a lone bench. A slight breeze ruffled the grass of the empty fields across from of us. Everybody from the train quickly disbursed, and we found ourselves alone. There was an empty café beside the empty train station. An Italian tumbleweed rolled past. (Okay, not really, but you get the idea.)<br />
<br />
As we’d experienced several times since coming to Rome, there just weren’t any people around for question-answering.<br />
<br />
I walked into the station, which was actually a small room with a couple of ticket machines and no people, of course. I found a map of the train route and figured out that—surprise, surprise—we were actually <strong><em>NOT</em></strong> in Tivoli. Nope. It appeared that Tivoli was another three stops and several miles up the track. Studying the train schedule, we figured out that another train would pass through the station in approximately 40 minutes.<br />
<br />
“Let’s just sit here on this nice bench and wait for the next train,” I suggested. But…<br />
<br />
<em>Chris didn’t want to wait.</em><br />
So we hoofed it up the vacant road and onto the main street. This was obviously a small town. No taxis to be seen anywhere. Unlike the crowded streets of Rome, we stood out like Pizza Margherita in a gelataria. People openly stared as we made our way up the street. You could practically hear them thinking, “You ain’t from here.” (Except in Italian, of course.)<br />
<br />
“I guess Bagna di Tivoli doesn’t get a lot of tourist traffic,” I commented, nodding politely to wide-eyed passersby.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, we noticed a bus drive past with “Tivoli” lit up across its front banner. Several moments later another one came by. We spotted a newspaper stand up ahead and Chris asked the clerk if she knew where we might get a bus ticket to Tivoli. And guess what? For $1 Euro each, we got tickets!<br />
<br />
Eventually, a third bus came up the road, and we clambered on board. The bus took off. However, just like the train, it stopped periodically to let people on and off. Ashleigh shot me a look.<br />
<br />
Once again, I wondered how we’d know when we were in Tivoli. As we peered out the windows, I noticed we were climbing higher and higher up a steep, winding road. I recalled that Tivoli was described as a hilltop city. So once we hit the town at the top, I suggested we get off the bus. We disembarked and finally—3-1/2 hours, two taxis, one train and a bus ride later—we found ourselves in the center square of the hilly town of Tivoli.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EpT9jH6leEvcdjqLg8cDph0h2ixmC0R9Oi5enq2XYOr-K0O_n00qor7AeFzA3SmSoPdzDoyqxl2qUq8EeUc0EpiwAOSiYJ3k0rRhL6YOMLq-PY-Hj9GXAg6-lz2oI0Q0R0uQWXbJ6M4c/s1600-h/PICT0075-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EpT9jH6leEvcdjqLg8cDph0h2ixmC0R9Oi5enq2XYOr-K0O_n00qor7AeFzA3SmSoPdzDoyqxl2qUq8EeUc0EpiwAOSiYJ3k0rRhL6YOMLq-PY-Hj9GXAg6-lz2oI0Q0R0uQWXbJ6M4c/s400/PICT0075-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329796346197021506" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>We intended to tour several villas and a nature park in the city, but it was now 3:00 p.m. and we were starving. So we stopped to eat. When we’d finished, Chris caved and asked the restaurant manager for directions to a couple of the sites we wanted to see. (In case he ever tries to deny he stopped to ask directions, I have evidence!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8RMsrucbyB3x15oenvAERgbN5MMhxRQFrQPixvRancRf9PA1fEsV1PATq8dtAbVt3CUG1A6tNyfQd48UTWTUDO_EQEoad0-yY6V0UYOXNwAZPNiEUmZmyIvUYy2KkmTmVWUsqZW2N1af/s1600-h/PICT0036-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8RMsrucbyB3x15oenvAERgbN5MMhxRQFrQPixvRancRf9PA1fEsV1PATq8dtAbVt3CUG1A6tNyfQd48UTWTUDO_EQEoad0-yY6V0UYOXNwAZPNiEUmZmyIvUYy2KkmTmVWUsqZW2N1af/s400/PICT0036-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329796552376803490" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>We chose to start with Villa Gregoriana Park, and hiked uphill about a mile or so to get there. The park is named for Pope Gregory XVI, who saved Tivoli from river damage by diverting the river through a tunnel, weakening its flow, and creating the Grande Cascade waterfall.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNKMSqnGmrG5YlOdqf1PXCrTM7AyVDkm7_9vPr-YW445VrEYSJ1nLGSDawJWG7Yrjyc4FnCUW9Bh4sbOYqbjUV9zzqXYbxUuxKz8CMXV6oSXfWPeD8-ryykeLZcwmLzNdybOyIvqhk2Ic/s1600-h/PICT0077-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNKMSqnGmrG5YlOdqf1PXCrTM7AyVDkm7_9vPr-YW445VrEYSJ1nLGSDawJWG7Yrjyc4FnCUW9Bh4sbOYqbjUV9zzqXYbxUuxKz8CMXV6oSXfWPeD8-ryykeLZcwmLzNdybOyIvqhk2Ic/s400/PICT0077-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329796892340348706" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a> The park was very lush and green.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGkbPhc4sRR3emt_hEwyHJDQz_GF463KIN1JSRn0yyCDBUQKSyMkhG4t70z3hSvwftLX-cgx_VLzVbQ_6lnCMz8bWlzyTsnWJ7fVmObGX3wLfioILjmzfj_lZM2BSReV267maGka4iAYf/s1600-h/PICT0096-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGkbPhc4sRR3emt_hEwyHJDQz_GF463KIN1JSRn0yyCDBUQKSyMkhG4t70z3hSvwftLX-cgx_VLzVbQ_6lnCMz8bWlzyTsnWJ7fVmObGX3wLfioILjmzfj_lZM2BSReV267maGka4iAYf/s400/PICT0096-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329797266884153954" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a>It had a raw, natural beauty that was in complete contrast to big-city Rome. I didn’t realize how much I was missing fresh air, flowers and just being in nature until be started hiking around the Villa Gregoriana.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ6iVRopSEk2MwzNbGPrewSuBm6wbPvBazSqlob4RqjktMssstbyFxXoDyDhu7darnbJBi14xYh-7xnNpDrrdIhrg2v8IqnI4VQindtNpzGYYsNIwYVFaMr04W2wc5tmeh9Giyoz3Kvuk/s1600-h/PICT0091-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ6iVRopSEk2MwzNbGPrewSuBm6wbPvBazSqlob4RqjktMssstbyFxXoDyDhu7darnbJBi14xYh-7xnNpDrrdIhrg2v8IqnI4VQindtNpzGYYsNIwYVFaMr04W2wc5tmeh9Giyoz3Kvuk/s400/PICT0091-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329797533195211874" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></a> As promised, it was full of beautiful gorges, refreshing waterfalls, and ancient castle remains.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqWHlrRDKvpTJCKXL0gsEOT12pNzLfOUJr4f1VM3Pmn1tWn5dpxG11ARF7C9plExxL0thpUTnIUahShSyC_a76nNCrMICLiC5A3nYWvtrhk94RO0ayObiBkjgEyANQzPiyia6yjgSRcBY/s1600-h/PICT0054-A.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqWHlrRDKvpTJCKXL0gsEOT12pNzLfOUJr4f1VM3Pmn1tWn5dpxG11ARF7C9plExxL0thpUTnIUahShSyC_a76nNCrMICLiC5A3nYWvtrhk94RO0ayObiBkjgEyANQzPiyia6yjgSRcBY/s400/PICT0054-A.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329797741176412386" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> Here is a ruin of an ancient Temple of Vesta from the Villa’s trail.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNetXAVYgbWqoIi8AknvPNMyPR5_xHblJWRRdlZXeyCHtDmHZ479ri8LT0ZOHY0iUy4fKQ1uxnYLRA9gbvmHXu-r3hily3u-kJyUD-VCJklMPvd2-N8Gx6HVIaFh8CxtAmT0HtErr8PIiO/s1600-h/PICT0061-AB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNetXAVYgbWqoIi8AknvPNMyPR5_xHblJWRRdlZXeyCHtDmHZ479ri8LT0ZOHY0iUy4fKQ1uxnYLRA9gbvmHXu-r3hily3u-kJyUD-VCJklMPvd2-N8Gx6HVIaFh8CxtAmT0HtErr8PIiO/s400/PICT0061-AB.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329798073190886354" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Okay, <strong><em>maybe </em></strong>it was worth it. By the time we left the park, it was after 5:00 p.m. Chris wanted to stay in town and do more exploring. But…<br />
<br />
<em>Holly didn’t want to wait.</em><br />
I figured it might be best if we used our remaining time to figure out where the train station was, and when the last train left Tivoli since it was Good Friday. From the park’s ticket counter, we were directed to hike further up the steep hill where we found the train station. Another one-room deal offering no actual humans, only machines. My hubby once again purchased tickets. This time the cost for all four of us was $24.50 Euros to get back to Rome. Hmmm…curious.<br />
<br />
Our trip back home was much quicker and less eventful. A quick stop for gelato…<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8GXhYY2nts0qutrYAPfzgQfdMfRPryOmx3IjrRhKEeGiVW7j-n88c-KyvfEveYB4bqUnNx3-nzW5DFHUJvqZPGFY61TFn5clM3UjcwCbeU1nOLSzj5u6_6-DKseDfFrdnOijMywAlReU/s1600-h/Gelato3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8GXhYY2nts0qutrYAPfzgQfdMfRPryOmx3IjrRhKEeGiVW7j-n88c-KyvfEveYB4bqUnNx3-nzW5DFHUJvqZPGFY61TFn5clM3UjcwCbeU1nOLSzj5u6_6-DKseDfFrdnOijMywAlReU/s400/Gelato3.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329799131646875170" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> And we finally made it back to the apartment around 7:30 p.m.<br />
<br />
We all flopped down, ready to call it a night. Or so I thought. But Chris was still up for adventure. “Let’s head downtown to see the Pope lead the 9:00 p.m. Good Friday procession to the Colosseum,” he suggested.<br />
<br />
While massaging my tired tootsies, I cleared my throat to be certain my whine was in full throttle. “Awwww, hon’. Let’s not. It’ll be super crowded and I’m soooo tired now. Plus it’s getting late. I don’t want to be lost in downtown Rome in the <strong><em>dark</em></strong>.”<br />
<br />
(Okay, I’m seriously NOT making this next part up.)<br />
<br />
The minute the word “<strong><em>dark</em></strong>” was out of my mouth, BAM! All the power in the apartment building went out. We all sat very still. Blinking in the now total darkness.<br />
<br />
Chris walked to the window and looked out. “Yup. It’s just our building. Everybody else still has power.”<br />
<br />
Unbelievable. I sighed. (A sign?)<br />
<br />
“Well kids, we may as well put our shoes back on and go. It’s better than sitting here bored in the dark.<br />
<br />
We headed downtown; the streets were flooded with people. Like salmon swimming upstream, everybody was flowing towards the Colosseum, hoping for a glimpse of the Pope. After talking with a police officer, we discovered that unfortunately, we wouldn’t be able to see any of the procession from the street, but we saw lots of interesting people.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTwMVhVRw_gpLBxDzoaC8y2xutHbCdV64boUUMR0P_5eiEACfLDDW-bkYPytJQgqRp_l3Fcjtw_bJexbykzd7KAXwPez45EPmL5ZdG788hSceuAvpjTmrlJLbzviy1W547UTcwY6oR6Op/s1600-h/PICT0003-AB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTwMVhVRw_gpLBxDzoaC8y2xutHbCdV64boUUMR0P_5eiEACfLDDW-bkYPytJQgqRp_l3Fcjtw_bJexbykzd7KAXwPez45EPmL5ZdG788hSceuAvpjTmrlJLbzviy1W547UTcwY6oR6Op/s400/PICT0003-AB.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329798494314066466" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
More priest and nun sightings.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjsmTmRKThVRxgRKjmuOAn-EbpcyvYa98fOKi4p3GOxPVY00yIdS7DDf6ELuCDXeEbvbL8M94CwqiHWqO891x2H9_dDSlyBnNzkE_js2umlFzyug7AmHud2DI2NpQuZEAEoLpmKUuIPUK/s1600-h/PICT0006-AB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjsmTmRKThVRxgRKjmuOAn-EbpcyvYa98fOKi4p3GOxPVY00yIdS7DDf6ELuCDXeEbvbL8M94CwqiHWqO891x2H9_dDSlyBnNzkE_js2umlFzyug7AmHud2DI2NpQuZEAEoLpmKUuIPUK/s400/PICT0006-AB.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329798739156160130" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IRP4y9Ombf4lVaxH19p4vlzWVtP5KosQ1GlRKDH82WBiE_sCxZNWYwNY42PnMVNLVXnM9UQa0memKAxDr68TkwvRmKkTM85jBEdkm44p4oF5PHF9dp_UqhyvQKb3-vc1lhx5z78DM6iZ/s1600-h/PICT0001-AB.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IRP4y9Ombf4lVaxH19p4vlzWVtP5KosQ1GlRKDH82WBiE_sCxZNWYwNY42PnMVNLVXnM9UQa0memKAxDr68TkwvRmKkTM85jBEdkm44p4oF5PHF9dp_UqhyvQKb3-vc1lhx5z78DM6iZ/s400/PICT0001-AB.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329798896729238514" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a> We got back late and tumbled into bed. The power was back on. Yeah!<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Stay tuned for one more post, Adventures in Rome: The Final Episode. </em></strong></div>
<div>
<strong><em></em></strong></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: 78%;"><em>Gelato image by <a href="http://search.creativecommons.org/#">Samuraijohnny</a></em></span></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-73911329165039522812014-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:002014-05-05T08:00:04.387-07:00Quote of the Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcyskwUYubUBvZu0LT6Y4wy30764eybMSGL3zZredUk1bFrRBr5dSxovdinNybetHZEsGWf1nvwnN0-FlpgVFt1_hNSWHGLtBP4xMj2-M7ZsPVwGiHG4aHbgz0ixzRLgk072nRgUZzeO0/s1600/Quote+5-5-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcyskwUYubUBvZu0LT6Y4wy30764eybMSGL3zZredUk1bFrRBr5dSxovdinNybetHZEsGWf1nvwnN0-FlpgVFt1_hNSWHGLtBP4xMj2-M7ZsPVwGiHG4aHbgz0ixzRLgk072nRgUZzeO0/s400/Quote+5-5-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"The big question is whether you are going to be able to say
a hearty yes to your adventure."</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Joseph Campbell ~ </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trekkingrinjani/4930552641/sizes/m/in/photolist-8vGnwi-arcTQh-8sXC23-arUfRx-8C8Z8P-8w3QcK-cLAvCq-7CQD9w-aMBLWk-7TdowF-7BXnV5-7Tdyhr-7Tdj4c-8Bo4oP-8Bo4kn-8Bo4rT-8zq3ry-8qQ9Ch-9tscLx-aFr5g2-aFr5k4-7Y2c5w-d7p5LU-bgSMqr-9kRiDP-8wgT3k-aass1e-fZLCqu-e3sKsB/" target="_blank">Trekking Rinjani</a></i></span>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-52737785086002833082014-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:002014-01-06T08:00:02.902-08:00Quote of the Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3LQwq7rQIsW65OQAm_Y2sxjGP5E6gno6Bf2FWJNa0DK_4-MKBk_Bm1cxSsyFk96vl-nldCjgzOmQOfARVBtsm-flm5gOTQh-srXmQh_OWHk3SG7LaX8wnCROs3ATsHar9bG0It6iwkhg/s1600/Quote+1-6-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3LQwq7rQIsW65OQAm_Y2sxjGP5E6gno6Bf2FWJNa0DK_4-MKBk_Bm1cxSsyFk96vl-nldCjgzOmQOfARVBtsm-flm5gOTQh-srXmQh_OWHk3SG7LaX8wnCROs3ATsHar9bG0It6iwkhg/s400/Quote+1-6-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"We read five words on the first page of a really good novel
and we begin to forget that we are reading printed words on a page;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">we begin to
see images."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ John Gardner ~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruifernandes/4895386733/sizes/m/in/photolist-8sA8Vx-7YSpdV-ar5C9L-9aWrvY-8SqqJx-bBNa6o-bQGRzZ-87JVqu-bQGRoT-daBDn7-9rhZMM-9a9xfE-7YBD7S-czxhmA-bQGRjZ-fkr4Fc-8witMo-bjSpuW-cCVUZ7-8QY9SF-dDia3S-8PonCd-bLrZTg-7Fvha7-7FrnUt-7Fvhcf-9T3i18-drzj4m-7FgQxP-7NirLi-7YSpdc-7FgQxF-hxUSMQ-fXoMQX-8GsZ2d-bQGRCK-ddHRsv-ddHSMu-ddHSH9-ddHSvj-97Meid-aZCrxi-frEMjF-7FgQy8-8XJ44T-9YkDzt-9hrRxn-8wftz8-9YtPHy-82FJ5a-bgQG46/" target="_blank">Ruifernandes</a></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-33458383786464902762013-12-11T08:00:00.000-08:002013-12-11T08:00:00.746-08:00How Safe Is Your Heart From Attack? (Part III)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXJt37b63lr91oqvDj5_j7LsPJ9fkAgAPdn2cqnZ1VLb1TTz-v9egLFGtA5ar1o4PwpQ72dxL7ybR48AQ8OqYm1SDZayNR16oBjWTUWXQ2j7WK8jx5K9m6SRXYKmpE0mORagfLYxyA0_E/s1600/Journey+to+Heart+Smart+9-19-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXJt37b63lr91oqvDj5_j7LsPJ9fkAgAPdn2cqnZ1VLb1TTz-v9egLFGtA5ar1o4PwpQ72dxL7ybR48AQ8OqYm1SDZayNR16oBjWTUWXQ2j7WK8jx5K9m6SRXYKmpE0mORagfLYxyA0_E/s400/Journey+to+Heart+Smart+9-19-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The food came and I dug into my cheesy, yummy nachos.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Chris ignored his cedar plank salmon steak and immediately
went for the stuff arranged around the edges of his plate.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“What are you doing?” I asked, between gooey mouthfuls.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>“Eating the vegetables before they get cold,” he said,
scooping up piles of green and red stuff and putting them into his mouth.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>My own mouth fell open. “Are you kidding me?! I always thought
that stuff was just for decoration!”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>True story.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was a scene from one of my first dates with Chris, and
a perfect example of how different we were as far as food choices went.<b> It
amazed me that anyone would willingly eat their veggies without a threat from
mom about no dessert, or privileges being revoked.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fast forward a quarter of a century. As I previously posted,
<a href="http://hollybowne.blogspot.com/2013/09/journey-to-heart-smart.html" target="_blank">the situation with our friend Noah</a> inspired Chris and me to begin following the
heart-smart <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-South-Beach-Diet-Supercharged/dp/031237206X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386465853&sr=8-1&keywords=south+beach+diet" target="_blank">South Beach Diet (SBD)</a>.</b> It’s basically a <b>low glycemic-index diet,</b>
which is a fancy way of saying “low sugar.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The diet is organized into three phases. PHASE 1 lasts two
weeks and has the greatest number of restrictions because it’s in that phase
that your body learns to eliminate sugar cravings. PHASE 2 allows you to slowly
add fruits and whole grains back into your diet (while still losing weight if
you need to lose it). And PHASE 3 is never ending. But the author claims by that
final phase it will be no big deal, and you’ll have simply adapted to the new
way of eating.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a self-confessed Sugar Monster, I was doubtful that this
diet would really alter my life-long love affair with sugar. I mean, I love
pastries, cakes, cookies, <i>chocolate</i>, you name it. I literally had a sweet treat
every single day!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In PHASE 1, my biggest hurdle to overcome was my treasured morning
Caramel Macchiato (twenty-two grams of sugar). I’m talking SUH-WEEEET, people!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my attempts to create a replacement, I came up with some
pretty horrid combinations of cocoa powder, fat-free cream, stevia, low-fat
milk, unsweetened vanilla soy milk, powdered creamer, vanilla extract, almond
extract, raspberry extract, …Aaarrrghh!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing made me happy until I discovered this cool website:
<b><a href="http://simplystevia.com./">simplystevia.com.</a></b> They sell all kinds of flavored stevia in liquid form. I
finally engineered an adequate alternative combining flavored coffee beans,
sugar-free vanilla caramel Coffee-Mate® and multiple drops of vanilla and
toffee stevia. Yum!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, Chris and I have now completed 90 days of the SBD and the
results are in. I have to say, I’m impressed!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First of all, Chris dropped about 25 pounds. And for me, it’s
the weirdest thing! I look at sweet treats I normally crave, like the box of
Belgian chocolates hubby bought for me on a recent trip to Europe, and…I …don’t…care.
It’s so hard to even write that! I look at all that stuff and feel like I
<i>should </i>want it, desire it, crave it. But those old lovin’ feelings just aren’t
there. It’s not even particularly painful to pass the stuff up when I’m
confronted with it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, this doesn’t mean I’ll never eat those goodies again. Because,
I mean, c’mon. God made desserts for a reason, right? And Dr. Agatston even acknowledges
it’s fine to cheat on occasion. But for now, I’ll stay the path.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other changes I’ve noticed are that I have more energy, and
honestly, I feel like my brain function has even improved--less of that brain
fog feeling. Chris just had a regular doc appointment, and although his
cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure have always been in the normal range
(just like Noah’s were!), his numbers are even better now. This is so
encouraging since we’re both at risk for heart disease due to heredity factors.
By being proactive this way, we’re hopefully altering our heart-health futures
in a positive way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realized how much this diet had changed me when we went
out to dinner the other night and our food arrived.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we both dug into our side orders of fresh veggies, I
said, “Who would’ve ever believed I’d be ordering steamed broccoli. On
purpose!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris just grinned at me and kept eating his own veggies
before they got cold.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: purple;">Would you try a diet if it promised to eliminate your cravings for sweets?</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/4266283238/sizes/m/in/photolist-7uZPny-7vB7oB-7w2KWV-7wm1yV-7xrWZB-aqbLwt-7REaQf-dJ2ajE-8KkaWd-7GUXwQ-acUYPH-7BAe1g-9hSaAd-9o8iDV-98A8qE-9ibMuL-cWwpD9-7TyVKR-7RCvEg-7GgAvk-bcaGfe-7GcFqt-7APJD4-9BDoAZ-9BDrjR-9BGnP9-9BDp4K-9BDmCx-9BDoqH-9BDpct-9BDmUc-9BGjFL-bmvNsX-dJHmW5-9gWDjk-7UPuQ4-bgAZJX-7USKrJ-dVSGiu-bttXN8-dBegbg-9jwrP1-ca3kUb-9fQzeH-8qXiY1-cqKujG-gcKdh9-gcKdjJ-fSgB3Y-fSgB1d-cqJsFL/" target="_blank">Mostafa Zamani</a></span></i></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-74121325558366786452013-11-21T14:21:00.000-08:002013-11-21T14:21:14.964-08:00How to Deal with Empty Nest: 10 Things I Don’t Miss About You<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, we’re three months into this new Empty Nester thing
and I still miss the boy. Since I’ve embarrassed Ashleigh plenty of times on the
ol’ blog, I decided it was Josh’s turn. Again. (Heh, heh!) All’s fair in love
and family! To help me along in this EN transition, I thought if I wrote a top
10 list about stuff I DON’T miss now that he’s gone, it might help. So here
goes…</div>
<h3>
10 Things I Don’t Miss About You</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>How you liked to play with knives.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dym-JaibjjAlWth8pe7uTcbYLbRlTWx8pNNExPvp-KtBxmZNmK9gdKincXE9e1KzMCorRZwf98vJzUnMDncYQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Then you liked to play</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>with bigger knives.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy1SN4Ih5SI3yyve1Z6EwKsa4rqAuja9KYvMUEd-QHr4w2QCSJ1NGfr0WP3FuhhIpFb6GVy9R6sOWC0FGc9LA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>How you’d decide that <i><u>midnight </u></i>was a good time to go walk
around the neighborhood with your buds.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WAfycL8aXvHLvdOPOXYDmlBY4JgM64ltjDKZTsd64ytiQr1brgRhOnt1mtDaweqPVrJeDKstwhkWM2irQo4lho_yDUyGF4P74LQzLasZDiRRz4nVNZVm3mkHJqfhwcdLBjNC3x8qxai5/s1600/10-Things-Midnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WAfycL8aXvHLvdOPOXYDmlBY4JgM64ltjDKZTsd64ytiQr1brgRhOnt1mtDaweqPVrJeDKstwhkWM2irQo4lho_yDUyGF4P74LQzLasZDiRRz4nVNZVm3mkHJqfhwcdLBjNC3x8qxai5/s320/10-Things-Midnight.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Midnight_Mist.jpg" target="_blank">Image Credit</a></i></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>The motorcycle! ‘Nuf said.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt5593f3RAofHitTdmfyZYwy3a4zwlWihXfcJPA5hNQPTLdYRmHaM-alfUShKrkAWfhjDvnEM2GrQvRjuGFzdZagnI-m_AbsISR6Zx5dU_p6xM-SEgzqdFYIt2yV8gRFr1_elT7ffEeCf/s1600/10-Things-Motorcycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVt5593f3RAofHitTdmfyZYwy3a4zwlWihXfcJPA5hNQPTLdYRmHaM-alfUShKrkAWfhjDvnEM2GrQvRjuGFzdZagnI-m_AbsISR6Zx5dU_p6xM-SEgzqdFYIt2yV8gRFr1_elT7ffEeCf/s320/10-Things-Motorcycle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>How <i><u>disgusting </u></i>you’d let</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>the bathroom get.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe6xSVy9uRhhXpXx8FwV-EB2iq7D4DcW71KM1XCF2kqrDR3f8zed6RvPCL2eDbdVbu1aXCCqxUvLJ6-60K6WlFZA2wHY5tSUUxfC2CbrRF_GYXtxYOekshWKFSiAngzsAKKtXj4dnZrBA/s1600/10-Things-Bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOe6xSVy9uRhhXpXx8FwV-EB2iq7D4DcW71KM1XCF2kqrDR3f8zed6RvPCL2eDbdVbu1aXCCqxUvLJ6-60K6WlFZA2wHY5tSUUxfC2CbrRF_GYXtxYOekshWKFSiAngzsAKKtXj4dnZrBA/s320/10-Things-Bathroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/serenejournal/7550804914/sizes/m/in/photolist-cveReC-cveQFG-cveRPY-7QEzRw-7NhUBV-fC6Jxw/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image Credit</i></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(For the record, this isn't our bathroom. It looks way better ours did!)</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>How trashed our living room was.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD04pHJhPehiG0ldEeZnAb5ZqfoWezLcyAbpAFBj0clVY45TfFcIo-k7inNUY8uP4cjw2jb2CMY4ZdeeRRuJ5snIqaug9xvjzRc57lmXSUWMw0jsPoCJjZ72K0VDsky-JWWHnBtQRm3OQ/s1600/10-Things-LivingRoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbD04pHJhPehiG0ldEeZnAb5ZqfoWezLcyAbpAFBj0clVY45TfFcIo-k7inNUY8uP4cjw2jb2CMY4ZdeeRRuJ5snIqaug9xvjzRc57lmXSUWMw0jsPoCJjZ72K0VDsky-JWWHnBtQRm3OQ/s320/10-Things-LivingRoom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Getting up at 5:50 a.m.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXq48HoQFp8-A7pNtuZDs-Iq-wAN0pV9cfADXE9-goQuO5DLZM1W1a8OX_r5s982v0yKYFL3wmDQJvRxecJ-EN5EnOGqqPiaQfRozcr5C70PXqbb0nQE72E_ktKyf4IBvY8w73GA-J78_/s1600/10-Things-Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXq48HoQFp8-A7pNtuZDs-Iq-wAN0pV9cfADXE9-goQuO5DLZM1W1a8OX_r5s982v0yKYFL3wmDQJvRxecJ-EN5EnOGqqPiaQfRozcr5C70PXqbb0nQE72E_ktKyf4IBvY8w73GA-J78_/s320/10-Things-Sunrise.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/euan-donna/4422143478/sizes/m/in/photolist-7JLDc5-f1RY2y-92ro2z-avTdLM-dEgLQg-99QZnK-caMYPm-cxaMYm-8uq1vs-g7ZscA-9XSWny-bPtaN8-giCpYS-doxDat-7SGXDY-c8euu9-8mbPVJ-dgYktw-aKYqdH-cgu3vA-gzQ2ks-dYGQRy-9yMSMG-9tKDSR-dA69fP-dbofEz-8V2GiD-hcvikd-dKWCtJ-b1eiUa-dmt5Fx-bX5Wun-fWTv5F-ecnTa9-g5ge34-bcwWd6-bCW1K3-bcwWmz-bcwWjP-ahNVte-bcwWaV-bcwWeB-9bKCJG-ddXdy4-7MVJD7-cvJU3w-fvtTo6-83SPk7/" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Credit</span></i></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>How you liked to longboard.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>In the dark!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCa1Ez36lHQg5a3ff8ydUsC284cSlHSxBNSiMPSAEJ_cmaweBzv3Es327NiZHjK1e8_LtVrXTJvGfjcPTWaWqsPAZGMXh9Awk0uwnz3t49u7DdvrlmPA1ZtII1ApcYdy9ctAXYkQOniqrO/s1600/10-Things-Longboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCa1Ez36lHQg5a3ff8ydUsC284cSlHSxBNSiMPSAEJ_cmaweBzv3Es327NiZHjK1e8_LtVrXTJvGfjcPTWaWqsPAZGMXh9Awk0uwnz3t49u7DdvrlmPA1ZtII1ApcYdy9ctAXYkQOniqrO/s320/10-Things-Longboard.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Nagging you. (You probably don’t miss that either!)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9UJsnbWhuIVS6_WX6AxAfni7L88_LeREOnc1dKcpRJuJQdntROG9_ewz6CgbsGNE6-5WruzaBbGOoqNUbj4nuiKPl4q-T60g-6lKN9ue6Zk3xAgdVqaPHgUdE3M-bgkjQPh5_fQPVdM0/s1600/10-Things-Nagging-A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9UJsnbWhuIVS6_WX6AxAfni7L88_LeREOnc1dKcpRJuJQdntROG9_ewz6CgbsGNE6-5WruzaBbGOoqNUbj4nuiKPl4q-T60g-6lKN9ue6Zk3xAgdVqaPHgUdE3M-bgkjQPh5_fQPVdM0/s320/10-Things-Nagging-A.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/benhusmann/5499502593/sizes/m/in/photolist-9nYowe-df4JbK-df4Jrp-7W23WF-891sg8-bZW6RG-8a2wbp-8ZvHks-8vBW8X-94gMzo-7ZA9SJ-dp5668-abFUvH-cCqbL3-cCqde5-dX2Xhr-9kRjvB-98Uh2j-a5WEgs-duXvXG-avmxzb-8c42dp-eVvDQe-9c1GRD-dY4qzy-8mN9FH-ffjisB-dwc8pA-fz3P4P-fxCcox-fxSuoL-fxSwyN-fxStc1-fxC9JP-fxCds2-axBLhT-7Kb1Mu-bQDcbZ-eUn91k-eUywgw-eZrBxm-9CDmLA-9Rtz7Y-hrPY9Y-dF2dK4-8F2jLs-h1NHav-7BcDx5-8J3Kep-h11hhp-fyC5EN/" target="_blank">Image Credit</a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>The daily loads of dirty, sweaty, mud-stained soccer
laundry.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZeMXibYzh6QE1Q5_oHWTI5OemeZAm5zLo8-KIgJmP_hbjRFl31H3LZaCHF68qDroyx4-v7D6aMt8nQfyKyterZtt3xu6dt3G7odGvVxIzHfIxjhyphenhyphenMg9a1gORiCuIvHhfUeyUZ0R-oxFK/s1600/10-Things-Soccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZeMXibYzh6QE1Q5_oHWTI5OemeZAm5zLo8-KIgJmP_hbjRFl31H3LZaCHF68qDroyx4-v7D6aMt8nQfyKyterZtt3xu6dt3G7odGvVxIzHfIxjhyphenhyphenMg9a1gORiCuIvHhfUeyUZ0R-oxFK/s320/10-Things-Soccer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dipu87/2558739302/sizes/m/in/photolist-4U7d3S-4ZY5KP-4ZY7UH-4ZZmZ9-51MywD-6aHENb-6j7Huv-6xVgaB-6Zihtm-789S4v-789Tue-789VUR-789XbZ-789YNv-78a4na-78dPG3-78dVrj-78dWNb-7eu4Lu-8LnSo3-eTWqZ4-bT2nMc-e7o65H-e7YULH-apuDGx-89yPRC-9Jtr4m-a9JG86-7Lkmuj-9JtoCy-7Lgnzx-9RKniS-7QcEQN-anUJ4D-dm8YkJ-8a7Rah-doeXbR-9hzkNK-9N9oLu-donkbg/" target="_blank">Image Credit</a></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>*Sigh*</i> <b>Yeah, I’m totally lying.</b> I miss it all. Seriously, all of it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey! You parents out there! Any of you who are going through
difficult or challenging times with your kid and you’re thinking, I can’t <i>wait </i>till they’re gone so we can have some peace and quiet around here--I admit,
there’s some good stuff about becoming Empty Nesters. And maybe I’ll write a
post about that someday. But the truth is…sometimes I really do miss those
noisy, stressful, nagging, messy times the most.</div>
<h4>
<i><span style="color: purple;">How do you get through those times when you're missing someone?</span></i></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-77855431602279757462013-10-10T18:15:00.000-07:002013-10-10T18:15:00.305-07:00How Safe Is Your Heart From Attack? (Part II)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3vKsLBu7pZ7K_seUQ4H6tHoHqtgc_Q04hXmh_s9sI_Wlw6D1LVu-kznpvQCwZV5Q2tCrjsgEIcf0CbmdZgOAYR9k6EEAWnflkOZLyHZ2V3tVV2n6c86NFeUkwM8M4SPJjhRpxAiHOP38/s1600/Safe+Heart+10-10-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3vKsLBu7pZ7K_seUQ4H6tHoHqtgc_Q04hXmh_s9sI_Wlw6D1LVu-kznpvQCwZV5Q2tCrjsgEIcf0CbmdZgOAYR9k6EEAWnflkOZLyHZ2V3tVV2n6c86NFeUkwM8M4SPJjhRpxAiHOP38/s400/Safe+Heart+10-10-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the shock of <a href="http://www.hollybowne.blogspot.com/2013/09/journey-to-heart-smart.html" target="_blank">what happened with our friend Noah</a>, Chris
and I took hard looks at our own genetic predispositions for heart disease. As
I mentioned, both my parents have had bypass surgery, as well as Chris’s
father. So we resolved to immediately begin eating in a more heart-healthy way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Noah’s doctor recommended he read the <i><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/South-Beach-Diet-Doctor-Designed-ebook/dp/B0056IAXNK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1381442415&sr=8-2&keywords=the+south+beach+diet" target="_blank">The South BeachDiet </a></b></i><b>by Arthur Agatston, M.D.</b> I bought a copy and devoured it in only a
couple of days (an amazing feat as I’m about the slowest reader on the planet).
I found the information it contained really interesting!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d heard of the South Beach Diet (SBD) before, but since
I’ve never been into what I perceived as “fad diets,” I hadn’t paid much
attention to it. I figured it was some sort of body building trend for looking
good on the beach. It seems I’m not the only one who had misconceptions about it.
Many have mistakenly thought it was a low-carb, or low-fat, or even high-fat/high-protein
diet.<br />
<br />
<b>None of these are accurate. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The diet’s creator, Dr. Agatston, is a cardiologist. He
developed the diet back in 1995 specifically to help his cardiology patients
improve their heart health. He lives in Southern Florida’s Miami Beach area
(thus the diet’s name). After following his diet, his patients not only experienced,
significant improvement in their blood chemistry and heart health, but they
achieved phenomenal weight loss benefits as well. As a result, word quickly spread
and the diet gained national attention. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But bottom line, <b>his diet started out all about the heart. </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The SBD recalibrates the way your body responds to food,
sugar in particular. You do this by going through the diet’s three phases,
avoiding foods with a high glycemic index (high sugar!), and by:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. Eating lean sources of protein (chicken, lean
beef, fish, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Relying on “good” carbohydrates (vegetables,
fruits and whole grains) and “good” fats (olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil)</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3. Avoiding bad carbs and bad fats found in most
processed foods like white bread and white rice, as well as pasta and potatoes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris and I both wanted the heart health benefit, and he
hoped to lose some weight, so we started the plan. For Chris, this diet wasn’t that
much of a hardship. He’s a natural veggie lover. For me, on the other
hand…well, I’m a sugar monster. I love dessert, donuts, pastries, chocolate. Oh
mama, love me some <b><i>chocolate</i></b>! Ahem. Sorry, I digress. I figured if this diet
actually removed my cravings for my beloved foods, well, that would be all
right. I was doubtful, but decided to give it a try. I’ll post our progress
periodically on the blog here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, through my SBD reading I discovered some unexpected
foodie facts. I thought I’d share five of them with you today.</div>
<h3>
<b><span style="color: purple;">Five Heart Health Facts You Probably Never Heard Before</span></b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1. <b>Starches such as white bread and white potatoes
increase blood sugar levels faster than table sugar does.</b> In fact eating a
slice of white bread is worse for you than eating ice cream!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2. Immediately after eating a meal high in
saturated fat, your arteries become predisposed to constriction and clotting.
In essence, <b>if the circumstances are right (or more accurately, wrong!) eating
a high-saturated fat meal can actually trigger a heart attack.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3. <b>Instant oatmeal is not a good choice! </b>It’s too
processed and thus has less fiber and more bad carbs. If you love oatmeal
(Chris does, although I could never understand this), choose the slow-cooking
kind and steel cut is the best.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4. <b>Beer is not a good choice either!</b> It’s made from
maltose (maltodextrins), this sugar form increases blood sugar faster than any
other type.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5. <b>Most people who suffer heart attacks have average
cholesterol levels!</b> (It’s your ratio of LDL to HDL that plays a much more significant
role.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;">Have you ever tried the South Beach Diet? When thinking
about your own health, how important do you think it is to pay attention to
heredity?</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="color: purple; font-size: xx-small;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/4266283238/sizes/m/in/photolist-7uZPny-7vB7oB-7w2KWV-7wm1yV-7xrWZB-aqbLwt-7REaQf-dJ2ajE-8KkaWd-7GUXwQ-acUYPH-7BAe1g-9hSaAd-9o8iDV-98A8qE-9ibMuL-cWwpD9-7TyVKR-7RCvEg-7GgAvk-bcaGfe-7GcFqt-7APJD4-9BDoAZ-9BDrjR-9BGnP9-9BDp4K-9BDmCx-9BDoqH-9BDpct-9BDmUc-9BGjFL-bmvNsX-dJHmW5-9gWDjk-7UPuQ4-bgAZJX-7USKrJ-dVSGiu-bttXN8-dBegbg-9jwrP1-ca3kUb-9fQzeH-8qXiY1-cqKujG-gcKdh9-gcKdjJ-fSgB3Y-fSgB1d-cqJsFL/" target="_blank">Mostafa Zamani</a></span></i></b></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-81906965625775916222013-09-19T17:44:00.002-07:002013-10-10T14:58:23.968-07:00How Safe Is Your Heart From Attack?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDq3OnM6mYEbpQ4u663qDzS8t-mzgTvWfdTS4cNmrmiyhUFY1GycSMBZ-wV0dhxuI0I-IBU3rbdn-ekGZ3ZA4y5F8TL_woBn5PsvYBInAQ-n5jAKNZS-TENw9RcP11s7hR9Hp9PllnIBN/s1600/Journey+to+Heart+Smart+9-19-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDq3OnM6mYEbpQ4u663qDzS8t-mzgTvWfdTS4cNmrmiyhUFY1GycSMBZ-wV0dhxuI0I-IBU3rbdn-ekGZ3ZA4y5F8TL_woBn5PsvYBInAQ-n5jAKNZS-TENw9RcP11s7hR9Hp9PllnIBN/s400/Journey+to+Heart+Smart+9-19-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have noticed how much I whined about my hubby and I
becoming dreaded Empty Nesters. Well, only two days after <strike>abandoning</strike></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> delivering Joshua to his new college dorm room, something happened which made our
Empty Nester concerns pale in comparison.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone very dear us discovered he needed to have heart
surgery, and his story impacted us in a profound way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It all started a few months ago, when our friend Noah* began
noticing his heart racing faster than normal when he ran, a short time later,
he began having chest pain. He made an appointment with his regular doc, who
did all his blood work and some standard tests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He’s 49 years old. And his results for blood sugar,
cholesterol levels, blood pressure, triglycerides, were all good. His thyroid
was fine. He doesn’t smoke, and he’s not obese. His allergies had been flaring
up, so the doc suggested that might be the cause and sent him to an allergist.
More tests. More good results. But they gave him some allergy medicine and sent
him home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But he was still experiencing chest pain, so his original
doc referred him to a cardiologist. This doc ran the standard battery of tests:
EKG, stress test (Noah loved bragging about how he scored in the top 85% for
his age group!). Again, all good. The cardiologist told him he was fine and
sent him home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NOBODY thought it was his heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Except Noah. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He refused to listen to the experts. On his own he
"Googled" one of his area’s top local cardiologists and scheduled
himself an appointment. When he met with this doctor, even <u>he</u> didn’t
think it was Noah’s heart. But he scheduled him for a test called an Electron
Beam Computed Tomography (EBCT). It’s a test where they take a three-dimensional,
super fast--as in within one heartbeat-- picture of the entire heart and
surrounding blood vessels.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's an extremely accurate test, and it shows everything.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They discovered blockage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three days later Noah underwent surgery. (I refuse to call
it a procedure! Have you noticed how everything is a “procedure” now? I say, if
they’re cutting into your body, it’s surgery! But, I digress.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The surgeon performed a catheterization which resulted in a
stent being placed into one of Noah’s diagonal LAD arteries. Later, the surgeon
told him that the vein they put the stent in was 99.9% blocked! He was so close
to having a heart attack that it chills me!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I THANK GOD Noah refused to listen to all the experts,
choosing to listen to his instincts instead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Noah had none of the typical risk factors for heart disease,
except one. His father had a heart attack in his early forties. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am shocked at what a significant role heredity plays in
our health as opposed to the traditional health issues science usually likes to
blame. Both of my parents and my hubby’s father have had bypass surgeries.
Noah’s experience was a wake-up call to us. Just because we aren’t experiencing
any symptoms at the moment, doesn’t mean we have the slightest clue what is
happening within our arteries at this very moment. I have now devoured a book
on heart healthy eating habits which we will be practicing from this day
forward. And I’ll be blogging about our journey over the some of my next posts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>*</b>Pseudonym</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: purple;">If you had been in
Noah’s shoes, would you have trusted the “experts,” or followed your instincts?</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/4266283238/sizes/m/in/photolist-7uZPny-7vB7oB-7w2KWV-7wm1yV-aqbLwt-7REaQf-dJ2ajE-8Eu9qi-bcaGfe-9yNxPM-9yNz36-8KkaWd-7AZpB6-7GUXwQ-acUYPH-7APJD4-9BGhMj-9BGcwQ-9BGhTW-9BGkcW-9BDoYe-9BDs4P-9BDoAZ-9BGnP9-9BDrjR-9BDpgM-9BDrxr-9BDp4K-9BDr3x-9BGohs-9BDqYK-9BDoLR-9BDoqH-9BDmCx-9BGnD1-9BGjFL-9BGndh-9BDs12-9BGmSm-9BGnxs-9BDmUc-7GcFqt-7EKjsc-9BDskr-9BGk3m-9BDrKP-9BDpct-9BGn7j-dHR6WY-8LCpM3-7BAe1g/" target="_blank">Seyed Mostafa Zamani</a></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-56632421236958935712013-09-16T14:12:00.000-07:002013-09-16T14:12:00.216-07:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ykACCBV_Z8Wgf0wYjSwjVxxMOiv7401ENrm6LprhvFVz9EbgwQJGk4S3o0FizXU14VO9dvOY1LDyP0vANCX6asR0qcUCKQEny5KcVdqN_way7Zk8N8Dx00_JpWAMzA-46Mo8lcXvDP7/s1600/Quote+9-16-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9ykACCBV_Z8Wgf0wYjSwjVxxMOiv7401ENrm6LprhvFVz9EbgwQJGk4S3o0FizXU14VO9dvOY1LDyP0vANCX6asR0qcUCKQEny5KcVdqN_way7Zk8N8Dx00_JpWAMzA-46Mo8lcXvDP7/s400/Quote+9-16-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom
awakens. The sleeper must awaken."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Frank Herbert ~</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37508546@N07/3774689077/in/photolist-6Kygya-71zJQu-7gFwQ4-7uVbR1-eEgfds-ezMvjt-83PJfD-8NgVgz-8Nk28C-cRT6Mu-8P4dTN-dfrdA6-dfrdDK-dfrdJD-ekJYFY-85aw5e-bEWi11-bNvkfX-eJPtKi-eJPoap-eJVuhQ-eJVtA1-eJPqU6-bujjcV-buLE1X-bocj3w-brAgao-eJVych-eJVw6u-eJPtUD-eJPnDr-eJVyBN-eJVvxw-bkwQKW-eJPsBc-7BLwpu-8AdH6y-7BGK6z-8nh8TT-bByw3v-boDBNq-8NfjfZ-8NfiMF-8NfhVi-8Nio71-8NfhsB-7BGKEz-bwMGtH-8PF43C-89Pg5S-8NimCb" target="_blank">Kain Kalju</a></i></span></o:p></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-40015931943847418552013-07-24T08:00:00.000-07:002013-07-24T08:00:06.708-07:00The Sound of Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17hNYiPlZ57rPHtiLNnYyPYv5ffMF8tBGz7ku23lFbj86cdhXx_XgING8TLKIHnkQsbdeatGy-Q-xwC0CdBbhjAJrm_5ZRjZOEvYJq17-Mcha3zw_mr8ZH3D0qBctwLzmv0WAo73vfRMp/s1600/Sound+of+Silence+7-24-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17hNYiPlZ57rPHtiLNnYyPYv5ffMF8tBGz7ku23lFbj86cdhXx_XgING8TLKIHnkQsbdeatGy-Q-xwC0CdBbhjAJrm_5ZRjZOEvYJq17-Mcha3zw_mr8ZH3D0qBctwLzmv0WAo73vfRMp/s400/Sound+of+Silence+7-24-13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s
finally happened. He’s graduated. In a couple of months he’ll be leaving home. After
decades of parenting, my youngest baby bird will be leaving the nest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>And
things will never be the same. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
our oldest left for college, I’d like to say I adjusted well. I did not. I was
a mess! It was strange and sad, and it took me months to be able to listen to
<b><a href="http://youtu.be/pIz2K3ArrWk" target="_blank">Owl City’s "Vanilla Twilight"</a></b> without sobbing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
eventually…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Life
went on, and I established a new normal. At least I still had Josh—and the
whole high school routine—to keep me grounded. But now what? High school is
over for this household. Forever! The change in routine will be really weird. What
I’m most afraid of, though…is the coming sound of silence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t
misunderstand. I’m not one of those people who can’t stand being alone. I enjoy
a little peace and quiet. For example, right now I’m working outside on our
deck. (Love this part of freelancing soooo much!) I close my eyes and the only
sounds I hear are the birds calling to each other, the soft breeze whispering
in the leaves overhead, and the distant hum of traffic. That’s it. And I love
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the other night, Josh had one of his infamous gatherings. The evening began
with a surprise party for one of his buddies. As I worked in our home office, I
was serenaded by talking and laughter as the group hung streamers, decorated a
cake, and created a scavenger hunt. At 11:00 p.m., the girls were formally
kicked out by the boys, and “Guys’ Night” commenced. More talking and laughing,
broken up by Seven-Eleven Slurpee runs, and shouts from X-Box victors. The
sweet, sweet music of teenage bonding.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>That’s
the stuff I’m going to miss most. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
will I do with the silence? Will I be able to embrace it? Will I try to fill it
with the artificial sounds of the television or radio playing in the
background? I don’t want to fear it. But I think I do a little bit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
parents, when our child climbed onto that school bus on their first day of
kindergarten, so did we.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
they made the team, scored the winning goal, got the part in the play, finally
aced that test, so did we. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When
they got cut from the team, hurt by a friend, failed that test, struggled in
school, s</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">o
did we.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
then…suddenly…they’re gone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>And
I’m left wondering, will I be able to handle the silence?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en" target="_blank">Nosha</a></i></span></span></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-83373827146563755682013-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:002013-03-18T08:00:02.264-07:00Quote of the Week<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX1YgSTnyDSXdx_2UIzSgzcZxXqengVSAnQFgz0cj9_cAqkO_1oHk7PBJc9Ll7hCMCFRD0ONYozL6rNNkwO5oASJCPPTTDfoUtQWQv_TFUoSU7sLft4q58a4cN0Ow7v72McqWQpDO7eOp/s1600/Quote+2-11-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX1YgSTnyDSXdx_2UIzSgzcZxXqengVSAnQFgz0cj9_cAqkO_1oHk7PBJc9Ll7hCMCFRD0ONYozL6rNNkwO5oASJCPPTTDfoUtQWQv_TFUoSU7sLft4q58a4cN0Ow7v72McqWQpDO7eOp/s400/Quote+2-11-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">“Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as
to</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">build a cathedral.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Frank Lloyd Wright ~</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29278394@N00/7137507967/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Normanack</a>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-67293231685131539022013-03-14T08:00:00.000-07:002013-03-14T08:00:11.347-07:00Ingenious Advertising!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My hubby received this in an email, and I literally laughed
out loud when I saw it. I did a little web surfing and discovered the ad was a
real one; it was covered in the July 17, 2012 edition of <a href="http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/colgate-sells-dental-floss-help-photoshop-disasters-141945" target="_blank">ADWEEK</a>.
Turns out it is a legitimate advertising campaign designed to sell Colgate
dental floss. Ingenious and hilarious!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you haven’t already seen this, check it out! I’ll wait
while you take a leisurely scroll through the following three photos…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz5K28QFy22JILHf-01HAiIgcEaYktEVvd_psHExLK_mT0QWpCxkHNyF1msdQARY-AE1vkCLbQ-O37iWYnXXQTJ1ZNbGbt0yLFPlJL16mSaPcutb2A_t8Ncet2qlm_aNul9XgeswKGZSs/s1600/Colgate1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRz5K28QFy22JILHf-01HAiIgcEaYktEVvd_psHExLK_mT0QWpCxkHNyF1msdQARY-AE1vkCLbQ-O37iWYnXXQTJ1ZNbGbt0yLFPlJL16mSaPcutb2A_t8Ncet2qlm_aNul9XgeswKGZSs/s400/Colgate1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wEIANsn-lyVfVYRb2PxfQZyhZXqAiEAv2zKAUqv_y-iY5pi6zSH92wk-XbnHrcZ-fOxr5SsV9axVffp-j0hLo2evuLOEhqWm1YTX9gYabZ6vtwTDQJAN4zMFpLB1U7iCWxlK1Ee9Q8_T/s1600/Colgate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wEIANsn-lyVfVYRb2PxfQZyhZXqAiEAv2zKAUqv_y-iY5pi6zSH92wk-XbnHrcZ-fOxr5SsV9axVffp-j0hLo2evuLOEhqWm1YTX9gYabZ6vtwTDQJAN4zMFpLB1U7iCWxlK1Ee9Q8_T/s400/Colgate2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDp9n7AY0xkzeRmEomFecc6mlWmWXQuvItpXPxpSv1eltnwvrQdqyQ6SCuiWpuW7522nngzF3t5TwCcOgMbWchFwh1XTl9MZCqrDVH9htluLN5gQhz3s3Gzuj_BNjBMRXpJgXJU9KJrm5/s1600/Colgate3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDp9n7AY0xkzeRmEomFecc6mlWmWXQuvItpXPxpSv1eltnwvrQdqyQ6SCuiWpuW7522nngzF3t5TwCcOgMbWchFwh1XTl9MZCqrDVH9htluLN5gQhz3s3Gzuj_BNjBMRXpJgXJU9KJrm5/s400/Colgate3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now that you’ve had a chance to look them over…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the first one you will now notice that the lady has an
extra finger on her hand. In the second one we have an extra arm resting on the
man’s shoulder, and in the last one the man is missing an ear!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>So what do you think? Did the ad successfully prove that having
food stuck in your teeth draws more attention than any physical defect?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Worked for me!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Link via: <a href="http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/colgate_total_dental_floss_photoshop_disasters_2" target="_blank">Ads of the World</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-12883975239633160342013-03-11T08:00:00.000-07:002013-03-11T08:00:07.653-07:00Quote of the Week<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8vrdazUktlC-xSqPduGQo41_wTvXAomae83pMJWKTooerLd8zNZspcD_0xY-1I7-EklDuBxE6BU54OzXfprRfkJ9td8W8svsdf9PqMsU5ATrLLD9vkuIBoe7h_LyK0FlT0pemO3_ygYb/s1600/Quote+3-11-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8vrdazUktlC-xSqPduGQo41_wTvXAomae83pMJWKTooerLd8zNZspcD_0xY-1I7-EklDuBxE6BU54OzXfprRfkJ9td8W8svsdf9PqMsU5ATrLLD9vkuIBoe7h_LyK0FlT0pemO3_ygYb/s400/Quote+3-11-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free
to delight in whatever</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">remains to them?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Rose Kennedy ~</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stopdown/2078669916/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Jessie Millan</a></i></span>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-41929333348960103612013-02-28T08:00:00.001-08:002013-02-28T08:00:08.863-08:00Ladies...Go Red!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9mn9IvdJM6jxme6xHVZb9jYijwY_dnf0qKtKFXgQJXIH2pObHdDOltNyb1hCKBdTPXfHGn9HvVJwc8xt2XIqUwan2dozPnq2W3dIutWvutHMu-jSU3omr_KPlxAyHiRQ1RJNe1tGxuCg/s1600/Ladies+Go+Red+2-28-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9mn9IvdJM6jxme6xHVZb9jYijwY_dnf0qKtKFXgQJXIH2pObHdDOltNyb1hCKBdTPXfHGn9HvVJwc8xt2XIqUwan2dozPnq2W3dIutWvutHMu-jSU3omr_KPlxAyHiRQ1RJNe1tGxuCg/s400/Ladies+Go+Red+2-28-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(I'm certain the above candy hearts are <i>dark </i>chocolate.)</span></div>
<br />
My sister-in-law sent me this video and I thought it was fitting to share it with you all today, the final day of the American Heart Association's February "<a href="http://www.goredforwomen.org/" target="_blank">Go Red For Women</a>" campaign.<br />
<br />
As some of you regular readers know, my mother suffered a heart attack a few months ago. Heart disease is serious stuff! So I wasn't sure how they were going to make a short, <i>FUNNY</i> video promoting heart awareness among women, but they did.<br />
<br />
I'm sure every mom out there will relate to this. Check it out!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RwGUOfge8NU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Take care of your heart!</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/389060554/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Muffett</a></i></span>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-71347197558145436992013-02-21T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-21T08:00:08.948-08:00And So It Begins…<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Vr4UYaUD2jKQigiCVIFn3efhEMqFd4pye1PJld6ecsym7yEl8UZ_DtWGr-RCUXOpsARemqtMlyKapVtCVqquSbZzSNf5l_H83uCVglA_yXYzrtTVGD1Af6hYoiZwakzVQU-h_0RCnvp/s1600/And+So+It+Begins+2-14-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63Vr4UYaUD2jKQigiCVIFn3efhEMqFd4pye1PJld6ecsym7yEl8UZ_DtWGr-RCUXOpsARemqtMlyKapVtCVqquSbZzSNf5l_H83uCVglA_yXYzrtTVGD1Af6hYoiZwakzVQU-h_0RCnvp/s400/And+So+It+Begins+2-14-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was quiet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Too quiet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t take it anymore!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris had been gone for a week and the loneliness sort of
snuck up on me. I’d been putting in long hours on a writing project with a
tight deadline. On Saturday evening, I rose to the surface, looked around, and
realized I was alone. My social butterfly son Josh--who normally is happy to oblige
me when I encourage him to invite friends over--just happened to have been gone
two nights in a row. In general, I don’t mind alone time. I even enjoy it. But
two full days was too much. I needed people!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>People Who Need People</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y9yepsv842U" width="420"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day was Superbowl Sunday. Josh was invited to
a Superbowl Party and the hosting boy’s parents happened to be some of my
favorite people. In a bold move I invited myself over. My darling friends not
only gracefully agreed, but were kind enough to let me in the door after I admitted
that I didn’t even know who was playing. (I know, I know--I’m un-American!) I
do love the commercials, though. Here are two of my favorites!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>"Space Babies" 2014 Kia Sorento Big Game Ad<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t535BjVmXq8" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Viva Young - 2013 Taco Bell Game Day Commercial<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KvxZcULxfKw" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ended up having a blast! As I drove home after the game, though,
it occurred to me that this is my future. The loneliness I experienced while
Chris was gone was a small taste of what I have to look forward to in a mere
<i>six months</i> when our baby boy starts college in the fall. I’m dreading our
upcoming status as full-fledged Empty Nesters (EN). Part of the problem is, as
a freelance writer I work from my home. Alone. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE, LOVE
my job, but it’s not like I can mosey down the hall for a chat with the person
in the next office. When my hubby travels, will I turn into one of those people
who leaves the TV on for company? Will my one-sided conversations with the dog
become the norm?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing is, I genuinely love the hubbub of having
teens in the house. I adore when Josh’s friends are over talking, laughing,
eating cookies, making noise and staying up too late. I’m going to have to make
some serious adjustments. Push myself to reach out more--as I did on Superbowl
Sunday. I’ve been assured by many ENs that there are benefits to the
EN lifestyle. Like when I asked an EN couple at the Superbowl Party if they had
any difficulty adjusting, they both shouted “NO!” at the same time. Hilarious!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other people I’ve talked to acknowledge that while it’s hard
at first--long weeknights with no games/concerts/conferences to attend--they
swear that after that initial adjustment period there are loads of benefits, like: getting to
know your spouse again, less laundry, cleaner house, and especially no more high-school-early
alarm clocks. Plus, there will be time to pursue interests that were put on
hold. Hmm…maybe I’ll join a book club, or learn to play an instrument. (Anybody
have a nice, noisy drum set I can borrow?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One EN friend pointed out that the bottom line is we’re
sending our kids out into the world, and that’s what we raised them for. We’re
doing our job, and that’s a good thing. But it’s still a little scary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Any Empty Nesters out there with tips or advice for me? </i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/3040817643/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Muffet</a></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-55043335794453414522013-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-14T08:00:03.613-08:00Chocolate is GOOD for you!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJfaYX9ECvVuKtJJVP3k_w4dAH1u08hK_AwE3J_wTTGEkE6FLvVqWvFT7_gEPGvzBmH7sW_NcF1qFpZLfavjx9s89H9c1HMXNGI9r1EJzY8FMn6Lef9y_krvIBuZYV4u7XFD0e4t9pjo5/s1600/Chocolate+2-14-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJfaYX9ECvVuKtJJVP3k_w4dAH1u08hK_AwE3J_wTTGEkE6FLvVqWvFT7_gEPGvzBmH7sW_NcF1qFpZLfavjx9s89H9c1HMXNGI9r1EJzY8FMn6Lef9y_krvIBuZYV4u7XFD0e4t9pjo5/s400/Chocolate+2-14-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Lately,
I’ve been working on some health, fitness and nutrition pieces for a client, and
what with it being Valentine’s Day and all, I thought I would share some recent
discoveries I’ve stumbled upon. <i><b>Chocolate-related </b></i>discoveries. I present to
you, seven, count ‘em, <b><i>SEVEN</i></b> health benefits you get from eating chocolate. (They’re
from legit sources and everything!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chocolate is heart healthy! </span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-chocolate/AN02060" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">Studies</a><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> show cocoa may reduce risk
of heart disease.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Some research has linked chocolate consumption to reduced instances
of diabetes, stroke and heart attack.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">It helps lower blood pressure and improves vascular function.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chocolate has been linked with </span><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2011-mchi/6265.html" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">improved cholesterol levels</a><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chocolate </span><a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/comfort-cravings/201110/the-3-minute-effect-chocolate" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">boosts your mood</a><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">! Chocolate makes us feel good.(Like we needed research to
support this one! Clearly if it reverses the effects of Dementors, it's got to be powerful stuff.)</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Chocolate makes you smarter. Seriously! A <a href="http://jn.nutrition.org/content/139/1/120.short" target="_blank">study </a>published in
the Journal of Nutrition says so. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">See,
chocolate has flavonoids. And flavonoids have been linked to increased brain
functioning.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">And this one is a real winner. Researchers from the
University of California, San Diego, </span><a href="http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/243387.php" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;" target="_blank">reported in the Archives of InternalMedicine</a><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">, that people who eat chocolate regularly tend to be thinner than those
who never or very rarely consume chocolate. Is this cool or what?!</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>You’re
welcome. Happy Valentine’s Day. <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><i>Now
go eat some chocolate!</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Disclaimer
#1: </b>The majority of the good stuff is most prevalent in dark chocolate (65
percent cocoa content and higher), than either milk or white. But hey, it’s
chocolate, right?<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Disclaimer
#2: </b>Chocoholics should still try to control themselves. Doctors remind us that
it's important to keep a balanced diet and that all this cool research doesn't
necessarily mean people should start downing daily bars of chocolate. Yaddah,
yaddah, yaddah.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Disclaimer
#3: </b>I’m not a nutrition expert! I merely play one on this blog, particularly
when it comes to the subject of chocolate. <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Indulge
at your own risk.</i></span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image
by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/1la/4449746373/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">1la</a></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-23875939222784428002013-02-11T08:00:00.001-08:002013-02-11T08:00:04.624-08:00Quote of the Week<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEnMIZPzP6zN9vkT6FVG2rl9B6THKNSbip2VxUr6XaQET7kVicNIeVmrvtgjcL8e2W_iVk5VJk7kbpJSBzuuVXk4jwVkc5jZIuLeR7uIBg5nHcS7eEAOM3zrNd5C2yRLOmhDRGUOqJj2c/s1600/Quote+3-18-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEnMIZPzP6zN9vkT6FVG2rl9B6THKNSbip2VxUr6XaQET7kVicNIeVmrvtgjcL8e2W_iVk5VJk7kbpJSBzuuVXk4jwVkc5jZIuLeR7uIBg5nHcS7eEAOM3zrNd5C2yRLOmhDRGUOqJj2c/s400/Quote+3-18-13.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">“Perhaps the feelings that we experience when we are in love
represent a normal state.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">Being in love shows a person who he should be.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Anton Chekhov ~</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lurvin/4523903479/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">No lurvin here</a></i></span>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-60742084367284242552013-02-04T08:00:00.000-08:002013-02-04T08:00:09.267-08:00Quote of the Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc3WhqOBzU5shd3XIdXKsyLLj8oCNzZFZ_U9l3rCp4oYF23LIOpDBsJyxVXORmZcO_sCB3xJnMCgf9AWtVaa_L-BAAwNwf3sMCHzu8QXv2VnWJyOlkTDvcn_lQFU-zuVh_IUPf18Fn3RJ/s1600/Quote+1-21-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc3WhqOBzU5shd3XIdXKsyLLj8oCNzZFZ_U9l3rCp4oYF23LIOpDBsJyxVXORmZcO_sCB3xJnMCgf9AWtVaa_L-BAAwNwf3sMCHzu8QXv2VnWJyOlkTDvcn_lQFU-zuVh_IUPf18Fn3RJ/s400/Quote+1-21-13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the
shadow”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Helen Keller ~</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/realityfaery/3724632195/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">A. Witt</a></i></span>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-26857611892807456202013-01-31T20:42:00.000-08:002013-01-31T20:56:39.698-08:00Suspended<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYMuhyYzIvAfMCfIDk88ckMzpcYVQ3EDgefL1DxOKZJBp54w9oqXu1UK9cGu4YVGwRV-LOLXl7IjTPHzBbeUmbg6ad34QdiLCzJ93OySV7jfixIrWhRJyBweYvtnSqVrF1qg1Bwg-QXRq/s1600/Suspended+1-31-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYMuhyYzIvAfMCfIDk88ckMzpcYVQ3EDgefL1DxOKZJBp54w9oqXu1UK9cGu4YVGwRV-LOLXl7IjTPHzBbeUmbg6ad34QdiLCzJ93OySV7jfixIrWhRJyBweYvtnSqVrF1qg1Bwg-QXRq/s400/Suspended+1-31-13.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>TUESDAY AFTERNOON</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We sat across from each other at the kitchen table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Look at the bright side, mom. At least I make your life
interesting,” Josh said, making absolutely no effort to suppress the smirk that
played at the corner of his mouth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Bud, I could do with
a little less ‘interesting’ in my life.” I sighed and ran a hand over my face. “I
wish you’d stop giving me parenting challenges that I don’t already have a plan
in place on how to handle them!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now his grin hit full force. “Hey, at least when I grow up
and have kids, I’ll know what to do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I smacked the table and laughed. “Oh, no you won’t! It’s guaranteed
that whatever your kids do, it will be completely different stuff than what you
did!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;"><b><i>TWO HOURS EARLIER</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I walked into the kitchen and spotted the blinking light.
Picking up the phone, I played back the message.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hello, Mrs. Bowne. This is Ms. Vice Principal at the high
school. Please call me at your earliest convenience.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Uh-oh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I picked up my phone and sent an immediate text. “Um…Josh, do
you have any idea why Ms. Vice Principal might be calling me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two minutes later the phone rang.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Josh?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hi Mom….we got busted.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: purple;"><i>THREE-AND-A-HALF WEEKS AGO</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I really don’t think this is a good idea,” I said shaking
my head.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s fine, mom.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You know there are cameras all over that parking lot and
all around the school.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hence our disguises, Mrs. Bowne,” Josh’s friend said, posing
in his all-black attire for my benefit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Plus, we’ll have masks,” Josh waved a black ski mask in
front of my nose.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I still don’t think-- ”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Did I ever tell you guys about my high school friend BAD
BOY who removed all the little ringer things from the bells in school? When
they were supposed to go off it was absolutely silent,” Chris said, with a reminiscent
chuckle.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I glared at him. “You’re not helping.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Mom, we’ll be fine,” Josh said again. He gave me a quick
hug, and vibrating with excitement the boys headed out the door, shovels in
hand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t <i>completely </i>blame them. But still. For some
reason, our school district decided our holiday break should end Wednesday,
January 2nd. Even though most (if not all?) of our surrounding districts enjoyed
vacation for the rest of that week, not returning to school until January 7th.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My frustrated senior son decided to hit the Internet where
he discovered a school prank called “Make a Snow Day.” The prank involved
sneaking over to school late at night, and piling up snow in front of the doors
so they could not be opened. Nobody would be able to get into the building the
next day, and voilá Snow Day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Creative sparks bounced around in his brain like I wish they
would when it’s an English paper he’s working on. Excited IM’s flew back and
forth among he and his friends. And at 10:00 p.m. that night, his posse was assembled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure, I could have forbidden him to do it, or taken the car
keys, or sat on everyone with all 5’0” of me. But sometimes, it’s our job as
parents to let our kids experience the real life consequences of their choices.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so, 3-1/2 weeks later, they did.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although, I’m still trying to figure out how sleeping in for
three days, having loads of time during the day to finish your homework, then
staying up late at night playing X-Box is a punishment?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snow_shovelling.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons</i></span></a></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-21637012357774868782012-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:002012-12-17T08:00:04.050-08:00Quote of the Week<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ7Bj6r_Lwx-wMarJC0fv8zlvu2_jb4Qy48NE5cqiQPOS9v2dUMbLtgpA_bSOlDKgGNH60AQvQGyWwUGhrjt7p4_JacSCQsI8oYU5SgX2LnPhaaDYX5dXfo72-4b44eAkZa-3xpUOQxoU/s1600/Quote+12-17-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJ7Bj6r_Lwx-wMarJC0fv8zlvu2_jb4Qy48NE5cqiQPOS9v2dUMbLtgpA_bSOlDKgGNH60AQvQGyWwUGhrjt7p4_JacSCQsI8oYU5SgX2LnPhaaDYX5dXfo72-4b44eAkZa-3xpUOQxoU/s400/Quote+12-17-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to
victory."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Arthur Golden ~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/4414596147/" target="_blank">Mike Baird</a></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-57514023413810663792012-12-14T13:49:00.002-08:002012-12-14T13:49:47.417-08:00Fabulous FlamencoOkay, I realize this doesn't count as an actual "Holly writing something" blog post, but you guys HAVE to see this!<br />
<br />
I'm heavily into research for a writing project. Part of my research required me to investigate the art of <i>flamenco </i>dance. I've been to a couple of performances in my life, but hadn't really taken the time to study up on the art at all. Through my research I came across a particular dancer, considered by many to have been the best of all time: <b>Carmen Amaya (1913-1963).</b> For the fun of it, I decided to check YouTube to see if I could view any of her performances. This video is only a little over 2 minutes, and...<br />
It. Is. <b><i>AMAZING!</i></b><br />
<br />
<i>(For a little added inspiration for my fellow "shorties" out there, Carmen was barely 5' tall.)</i><br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YDRPgr5c4qM" width="420"></iframe>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-65966068342736890362012-11-26T08:00:00.000-08:002012-11-26T08:00:09.888-08:00Quote of the Week<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-PxjOkqdWDNbb_tJwU6v57TUWB-Roj-U6sV-w-J8-C1ONdgS8P8b40L5BcLCg3wcv6luekHEEupgb7ZE9Jjd2T2_gxtSUscOAww1DWT3evhEGPVSmd8GwCWVlFc9dPVcw2plisIRQYYm/s1600/Quote+11-26-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-PxjOkqdWDNbb_tJwU6v57TUWB-Roj-U6sV-w-J8-C1ONdgS8P8b40L5BcLCg3wcv6luekHEEupgb7ZE9Jjd2T2_gxtSUscOAww1DWT3evhEGPVSmd8GwCWVlFc9dPVcw2plisIRQYYm/s320/Quote+11-26-12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"Familiar acts are beautiful through love."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Percy Bysshe Shelly ~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11921146@N03/4004900258/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Rachel Tayse</a></i></span></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-5178473797133631392012-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:002012-11-15T08:00:00.187-08:00The Phone Call<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0otE0-eDLjsbh8GPlYw3van8d6sXXjW8olQsA1P0larvAUkUpOMGWA9pHb9FZHhm6-k2j3sRHJoOy7PANlZSF7f481ahm8_o9prBHnaN74OQLnyEXG65ccm8DjE1ROEemjHCla5yCBsM/s1600/The+Phone+Call+11-15-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0otE0-eDLjsbh8GPlYw3van8d6sXXjW8olQsA1P0larvAUkUpOMGWA9pHb9FZHhm6-k2j3sRHJoOy7PANlZSF7f481ahm8_o9prBHnaN74OQLnyEXG65ccm8DjE1ROEemjHCla5yCBsM/s400/The+Phone+Call+11-15-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d like to apologize for my lack of “real” blogging over
the past month. I know I’ve had periods in the past where my blogging has been
a bit lame, but I don’t believe I’ve ever gone this long with only “Quote of
the Month” posts to share.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do have an excuse, though. It’s a good one. And it goes
like this:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One morning in early October our phone rang at 5:50 a.m. My
hubby’s alarm went off at the same time, so in our confusion we didn’t realize
the phone was ringing and missed the call. Dialing into our voicemail we heard
the following message: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“Hi Holly &
Chris, this is Ruth-Mom. I’m calling to see if Holly can come over to let the
dog out this morning?”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Huh?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>“By the way, I’m
having chest pain and we just called 9-1-1, so we’re expecting an ambulance any
time now.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really, mom? <i>REALLY?!</i>
That’s how you let us know you’re having a <i>HEART
ATTACK</i>!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Long story short, my mom ended up spending 21 days in the
hospital.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She didn’t enjoy it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She had a catheterization, some lovely complications, a triple
bypass, some more lovely complications including them sticking a tube up her
nose for nutritional purposes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRybHnEJg4w7KYtP90-UOEnPft7vPtydCwmAICFiWfREgsxHXXlDQb6-ykJOAMQ1n67csMhCwwULwJZwDZeqjwJg1qiWQs8TXts7MRDCTI0xvKh31vxsjioDGP0SKTH0_tOheH6aoenyk3/s1600/Mom's+Nose-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRybHnEJg4w7KYtP90-UOEnPft7vPtydCwmAICFiWfREgsxHXXlDQb6-ykJOAMQ1n67csMhCwwULwJZwDZeqjwJg1qiWQs8TXts7MRDCTI0xvKh31vxsjioDGP0SKTH0_tOheH6aoenyk3/s1600/Mom's+Nose-b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
She didn’t enjoy that either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, she was given the A-ok to go…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>To Rehab. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She didn’t enjoy that either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was in rehab for a little over a week when she tried to
escape. Seems they wanted to move her to a new room. She didn’t want to move to
a new room. She wanted to go home. They insisted she stay. When I got there I
found her in her new room eating dinner in a huff. She told me she was so mad
she walked “ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE HALL!” This was a record.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She stayed the night, but <s>scammed</s> negotiated her release
within two days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She’s finally home. Tired but happier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Needless to say, my writing life (& especially my
blogging life!) has suffered. I’m going to try really hard to get back into my
regular ol’ blogging groove, but with the holidays coming, I know I'm in for a real
challenge. Right now, I wish I was one of those really cool bloggers who plans
ahead and writes posts months in advance. Alas, *sigh*, that’s not me. Yet!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ju-x/509236244/sizes/m/in/photostream/" target="_blank">Ju-x</a></span></i></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-27761075631520556782012-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:002012-10-15T08:00:02.684-07:00Quote of the Week<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk5S8k0RWnQoY2Nldiz0SNB36Q9fp_QOK3Q7NwV5XS8qsxYPcGfoIVtQza3pF6obzDZiC38vc8q0znsaWRP_a5Ks_-NdMGszmTUBMqndRPp7EpRrRe5L75AaS3DC8fTG0H_XzZiyIPOQ2/s1600/Quote+10-15-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk5S8k0RWnQoY2Nldiz0SNB36Q9fp_QOK3Q7NwV5XS8qsxYPcGfoIVtQza3pF6obzDZiC38vc8q0znsaWRP_a5Ks_-NdMGszmTUBMqndRPp7EpRrRe5L75AaS3DC8fTG0H_XzZiyIPOQ2/s400/Quote+10-15-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">"Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to
grow beyond what you were."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;">~ Chérie Carter-Scott ~</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Image by: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vauvau/3466024918/" target="_blank">Vauvau</a></i></span></div>Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-86165175137456782102012-10-02T08:01:00.001-07:002012-10-05T12:54:30.784-07:005 Advantages of Being a Cougar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmLZu1TYWy-6UjxHI6JOfubGjfjA9rlqT5UNsG1jBAsX7Qbiv5cPDyENBUetgM0I-_BRqJtXMQoo6VsnxN2ov26Hew45K2xfDU5y1n5fRmfhXtJDvK9z9Uwr6OUUlgIidhWkoY90O85P2/s1600/DSC02923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmLZu1TYWy-6UjxHI6JOfubGjfjA9rlqT5UNsG1jBAsX7Qbiv5cPDyENBUetgM0I-_BRqJtXMQoo6VsnxN2ov26Hew45K2xfDU5y1n5fRmfhXtJDvK9z9Uwr6OUUlgIidhWkoY90O85P2/s400/DSC02923.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Well, as my front lawn clearly <b>BROADCASTS </b>(thanks to my
darling hubby!) I’m celebrating my 50<sup>th</sup> birthday today! Some people
feel weird about birthdays, especially milestones, but I love my birthday! The
only one I truly recall having anxiety over was when I turned 18. I freaked out
because I knew the world now considered me an adult but I felt like I didn’t
know anything!<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I <b><i>know </i></b>I don’t know anything, but I realize nobody else
does either. Plus, I think I’m gonna sound way cool saying things like, “Yes,
well, speaking from half a century of experience here…” and “Scuze me? Listen
honey, I’ve been around for half a century, so I’m pretty sure I know a bit
more about....” Stuff like that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to becoming half a century today, you may be
surprised to know I’m also a…<b>cougar</b>. That’s right. I’m <i>older </i>than my husband.
Now some people might not think that’s something to brag about either. But there
are some definite advantages to being older than your husband. These are probably
some of the very things Demi Moore thought about when she first married Ashton
Kutcher.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b><span style="color: purple;">Five Advantages of Being a Cougar</span></b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>1. </b></span><span style="color: purple; font-weight: bold;">Your Status:</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> There’s the obvious status boost you
attain among your peers as a renowned cougar. A woman able to capture the love
of a younger man. Added bonus: Arm candy! He looks fabulous on my arm at a
party!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>2. </b></span><span style="color: purple; font-weight: bold;">His Status:</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> On the flip side, your man gets to
brag about he’s ignited the love and passion of an older woman. Oooh, la, la!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>3. </b></span><span style="color: purple; font-weight: bold;">Pancakes:</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> It’s a well-known fact that women are better
at, um, </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">making pancakes</i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> when they’re
older, and men are better at making pancakes when they’re younger. So, now your
pancake making will be perfectly aligned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>4. </b></span><span style="color: purple; font-weight: bold;">Arguments:</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> If you figure out you’re losing an argument,
you can always fall back on the line, “Honey, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
But, let’s face it. I’ve got </span><i style="text-indent: -0.25in;">much </i><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">more life experience than you have. So let’s
just defer to me on this little matter, hm?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: purple;"><b>And my <i>personal</i>
favorite…</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: purple;"><b>5. </b></span><span style="color: purple; font-weight: bold;">Driving: </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">You know those </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">rare </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">occasions when
you’re actually the one driving and your hubby is in the passenger seat? And
he’s providing you with all sorts of unnecessary and unwanted driving advice?
At those times I just turn to him and say, “Sweetheart, you just sit there and
look good. I've been driving </span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>A LOT</i></b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> longer than you have, so I’ll take it from
here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="color: purple;">Postscript: Chris yelling from the background, “Knock it
off! You’re ONLY 17 months older than I am!”</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span style="color: purple;">Shhhhh!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4193894046294651875.post-74952907062787766572012-09-06T11:32:00.002-07:002012-09-06T11:32:36.931-07:00Five Tips for Marital Bliss<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is my hubby’s and my 26<sup>th</sup> Wedding
Anniversary! I was going to write a short post sharing some of the wisdom I’ve
gained on maintaining marital bliss for over a quarter of a century, but I
stumbled upon this video and I cannot even begin to compete with the hysterical advice of Selma and
Kenny! Married 72 years, they created this short video sharing their five tips
for a happy marriage with their about-to-be-married grandson.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I <b><i>PROMISE </i></b>you this video is worth the entire four minutes to
watch. But even if you can only hang around for two, do it. I was cracking up! And
now, I give you…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b>Selma & Kenny</b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cgOTSFrg-tg" width="420"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
Name: Holly Bownehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.com2