tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51828781179224274092024-03-12T21:26:32.264-05:00Try, try againLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-42451992701880944022010-07-29T06:57:00.002-05:002010-07-29T06:59:44.822-05:00It's been awhileFifteen months, just about. I'm looking forward to writing again, if even no one reads what I have to say. Writing is good. Good for the mind, good for the soul. <br /><br />And then there are the pictures! I got a camera (one of those fancy-schmancy ones) about a year ago and have so many photos to share!<br /><br />See ya real soon!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-67649733386298307932009-05-01T17:45:00.000-05:002009-05-05T17:57:17.866-05:00DesiderataGo placidly amid the noise and haste,<br />and remember what peace there may be in silence.<br />As far as possible without surrender<br />be on good terms with all persons.<br />Speak your truth quietly and clearly;<br />and listen to others,<br />even the dull and the ignorant;<br />they too have their story.<br /><br />Avoid loud and aggressive persons,<br />they are vexations to the spirit.<br />If you compare yourself with others,<br />you may become vain and bitter;<br />for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.<br />Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.<br /><br />Keep interested in your own career, however humble;<br />it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.<br />Exercise caution in your business affairs;<br />for the world is full of trickery.<br />But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;<br />many persons strive for high ideals;<br />and everywhere life is full of heroism.<br /><br />Be yourself.<br />Especially, do not feign affection.<br />Neither be cynical about love;<br />for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment<br />it is as perennial as the grass.<br /><br />Take kindly the counsel of the years,<br />gracefully surrendering the things of youth.<br />Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.<br />But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.<br />Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.<br />Beyond a wholesome discipline,<br />be gentle with yourself.<br /><br />You are a child of the universe,<br />no less than the trees and the stars;<br />you have a right to be here.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">And whether or not it is clear to you,<br />no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.</span><br /><br />Therefore be at peace with God,<br />whatever you conceive Him to be,<br />and whatever your labors and aspirations,<br />in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.<br /><br />With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,<br />it is still a beautiful world.<br />Be cheerful.<br />Strive to be happy.<br /><br />Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.<br /><br /><br />The bolded part of this poem is on a sign the I hung on the soffit in the basement right above the elliptical. <br /><br />I have looked at it and pondered the truth of it many times during the last 4-6 months. I decided to see where the quote came from and discovered that the rest of the poem speaks of most things I desire.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-62543280155162494892009-04-30T17:29:00.000-05:002009-05-05T17:44:55.767-05:00My current arch-nemisis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqfjWWtoI4P0ZsZ9NTpMD602T8r6GEYxoPnyaIuyA1lNB7s-xf-mKEGasrIP-5gLKNIkpXamb0zARwzkJ3K0wCI84hsDMIOao0digTNgFsO5Fm0BKHuxKqny-Y-jzyse_SKfcY7hpS6B8/s1600-h/sweet+dandelions.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 92px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqfjWWtoI4P0ZsZ9NTpMD602T8r6GEYxoPnyaIuyA1lNB7s-xf-mKEGasrIP-5gLKNIkpXamb0zARwzkJ3K0wCI84hsDMIOao0digTNgFsO5Fm0BKHuxKqny-Y-jzyse_SKfcY7hpS6B8/s320/sweet+dandelions.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332472015640741938" /></a><br /><br />They look all sweet and sunny here but really they're more like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w1ZpnRVxDjqRQfGrd4zGuJA-dhnq4KaVrRAIpJPSXXkG62UHLuTdIMc9flSFyupzQfv4vFoTg8lPVnuYvw_ZBTFLjDvurI_CxXOMuh2LcKVqKrEADrAtUrubitzY8sy3zmV1nK9Vatcf/s1600-h/mean+dandelions.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 85px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w1ZpnRVxDjqRQfGrd4zGuJA-dhnq4KaVrRAIpJPSXXkG62UHLuTdIMc9flSFyupzQfv4vFoTg8lPVnuYvw_ZBTFLjDvurI_CxXOMuh2LcKVqKrEADrAtUrubitzY8sy3zmV1nK9Vatcf/s320/mean+dandelions.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332472142481878610" /></a><br /><br />And THIS nasty little thing....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fQBLhkdAqAsQnh8aLagFr68o9RybBDb59jg9l0T6iUKgIumq8YqbxSMacbTmxSvbWrE4jqBgzADxAHAbiXgpJM9dHSr7vR7P85HEZqYGVREx60pvF8czurJt1NEPKJbxACBuRowlPn4O/s1600-h/nasty+jb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 91px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6fQBLhkdAqAsQnh8aLagFr68o9RybBDb59jg9l0T6iUKgIumq8YqbxSMacbTmxSvbWrE4jqBgzADxAHAbiXgpJM9dHSr7vR7P85HEZqYGVREx60pvF8czurJt1NEPKJbxACBuRowlPn4O/s320/nasty+jb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332472354676512722" /></a><br /><br />They follow close behind.<br /><br />The price one pays for organic lawn care? <br /><br />Tendonitis.<br /><br />Not adding to the 6-legged frog population:<br /><br />Priceless.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-59625263782178458122009-04-16T07:16:00.004-05:002009-04-23T16:07:02.861-05:00All good things come to an endYesterday I had one of those RARE moments in parenting where everything went right. It was a nasty April day -- gloomy and spitting cold mist -- so what better way to spend the afternoon than bake cookies!<br /><br />The mini-muffins were ALL about that (who wouldn't be??) so they helped me mix the batter cooperatively and nary an egg shell ended up in the bowl! They cheerfully licked whatever spoon or beater I gave them and then miraculously sat on the couch looking at an anatomy book I had recently bought for them. <br /><br />Brennan was "explaining" the inner workings of the human body to Logan and Logan was in turn asking more questions. It was really quite cute and it took only a few minutes before I settled into a blissful state of semi-awareness. Humming to myself, I started the frosting, imagining the cutest spring-themed sugar cookies ever. <br /><br />Moments later I heard <br /><br />"I'm turning the page." <br /><br />"No! I'M turning the page!" <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">whhhiiiine</span> <br /><br />"<span style="font-weight:bold;">I'M turning the page!!</span>"<br /><br />louder <span style="font-style:italic;">whhhhiiiiine<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">RRRRRRIP</span></span><br /><br />Thank goodness for the soothing properties of sugar cookies.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-67585122725925329762009-04-11T09:49:00.000-05:002009-04-13T18:38:45.829-05:001st Annual Running<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF6GQoWImAm02gGhM2-1QSf6ERPCdZBQzT6eV9DfkQ_KClY7AMEeEycg-coal5Ew8-xhZ6zU9nwrI_mQY5OgZA0rvklL_3bOHVmBg1XE2psltmr-umBpjDlRdixAGwVMLsiHlIFGYkJHK/s1600-h/slider-illinois-marathon-2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF6GQoWImAm02gGhM2-1QSf6ERPCdZBQzT6eV9DfkQ_KClY7AMEeEycg-coal5Ew8-xhZ6zU9nwrI_mQY5OgZA0rvklL_3bOHVmBg1XE2psltmr-umBpjDlRdixAGwVMLsiHlIFGYkJHK/s200/slider-illinois-marathon-2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324190052783349154" /></a><br />It's fitting that I give a long overdue running update on the day of the first running of the Illinois Marathon. VERY exciting stuff! I would have LOVED to participate but there was no way that was going to happen this year....maybe never....I'm not sure. As ONO aptly said to a neighbor who asked if I ran the marathon, "She has the aerobic capacity, but her body probably couldn't take the physical wear and tear." Part of what comes with being 45. Although, I read recently that frequent sex helps maintain healthy joints. Hmmm.....<br /><br />Although not a marathon, I did run today, and it was FABULOUS! I ran roughly 5.5 miles in the rural parts of town, just east of our house, to a nursery that I have become quite loyal to. It was a cool, breezy, SUNNY day and there were lots of interesting things to look at along the road. But more than that, it felt like I had small springs in my legs. It felt GOOD to run a little harder and faster! I thought about going farther but listened to my Super Ego for once and stopped. ONO and the boys met me there after I had plenty of time to cool down and choose stones to make a walkway from the front of our house to the back yard. Also came home with a nice variety of shrubbery. Yes, gardening is in full swing at the Haake house! But more on that later.<br /><br />I have been running about once or twice a week, schedule permitting. Of the injuries that plagued me the end of last fall and through the winter, the shin splints have disappeared. YAY! The plantar fasciitis rears it's ugly head now and then -- more after I use the elliptical than after I run (weird, huh?) so I stretch and rub and if it's a little too noisy, I just dope up and go anyway.<br /><br />My goal this year is to complete a 1/2 marathon. I can see myself doing that. College Muffin asked if I would do one with her and I got really excited. How fab to train with your daughter and run a race together! I totally enjoyed doing that with Stud-ly Muffin. However, Bethany has had some significant health concerns this year so we're not too sure if the 1/2 will be a joint venture or not. <br /><br />Along with the 1/2, I plan to run a 10K and then some other races of shorter distances but with interesting venues. First one coming up is the Lake Bloomington run which takes you 4 and some change miles around -- you got it -- Lake Bloomington and then after wards there is a big party! My friend/neighbor/running pal Tara suggested it. <br /><br />So, in the last 6 months, I've decided to change some things up. This winter I added weight training to my routine and liked it, especially when ONO and I did that together, so will continue. (That would be a big, fat, DUH! huh?) And, I'm definitely NOT doing the trail run this year because it's put me out of the game two years in a row now. I really want to focus on increasing my distances to see if my 45 year old joints really can't take it. Buy stock in Advil now, people!!<br /><br />Oh, and, I've decided to never skimp on shoes! I love, LOVE, <span style="font-weight:bold;">LOVE</span> my new Asics Kayano 15s with the asymmetrical lacing. Best shoes I have EVER worn! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaQVRV-YlcXgpko2_ypuUSwnn9P_Wrk-enW5mFwHIMxZgr-AV8rcja5VhY6LFT9kVIkvxe9aogugg6ELDNC5pqE3gTAJGU6DM5xPHiblpZUwhZPC3HI9-2ITvAaEe3AFEgdG_XF7Y1bRY/s1600-h/kayano+15.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaQVRV-YlcXgpko2_ypuUSwnn9P_Wrk-enW5mFwHIMxZgr-AV8rcja5VhY6LFT9kVIkvxe9aogugg6ELDNC5pqE3gTAJGU6DM5xPHiblpZUwhZPC3HI9-2ITvAaEe3AFEgdG_XF7Y1bRY/s200/kayano+15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324322920591983762" /></a><br />I'm going to get another pair and this time special order them in pink. Yes, PINK!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-85410548076592128792009-04-10T09:38:00.000-05:002009-04-13T09:48:28.493-05:005 MUST readsThis is my current list:<br /><br />5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Motherhood-Family-Childcare/dp/1577310144/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239633872&sr=1-1">The Tao of Motherhood</a><br /><br />4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Miracle-Mindfulness-Thich-Nhat-Hanh/dp/0807012394/ref=pd_sim_b_9">The Miracle of Mindfulness<br /></a><br />3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Full-Catastrophe-Living-Wisdom-Illness/dp/0385303122/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239633730&sr=1-1">Full Catastrophe Living</a><br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Vegetable-Miracle-Year-Food/dp/0060852569/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239633691&sr=1-1">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</a><br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Everything-Indonesia/dp/0143038419/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239633065&sr=1-1">Eat, Pray, Love</a><br /><br />If you've read any of these, I'd love to hear what you think. Happy reading!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-76250336293940545222009-04-09T09:00:00.000-05:002009-04-13T09:38:37.339-05:00C'mon, get happyNo, this isn't a tribute to the Partridge Family -- sorry to disappoint.<br /><br />This is a tribute to my current <span style="font-weight:bold;">MUST READ</span>: "eat, pray, love." <br /><br />If you haven't read this book, I HIGHLY recommend it. If you have, then you already know what I'm talkin' about! Here's a very brief plot synopsis to set the stage for the following excerpt:<br /><br />A 30-something year old woman, Liz Gilbert, finds herself in a pool of tears and snot on her bathroom floor after a difficult break-up and a deep sense of hopelessness and lack of direction. In the midst of her pain she reaches out to the Universal Divine and believes she is directed to take a year off and search for meaning and happiness. She goes to Italy, India and Indonesia. The rest of the memoir is definitely a page-turner.<br /><br />Teachings about happiness that Liz got from her guru while in India:<br /><br />"People universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you're fortunate enough. But that's now how happiness works. <br /><br />Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. <br />You fight for it, <br />strive for it, <br />insist upon it, and <br />sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. <br /></span><br />And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it, you must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it. If you don't, you will leak away your innate contentment. <br /><br />It's easy enough to pray when you're in distress but continuing to pray even when your crisis has passed is like a sealing process, helping your soul hold tight to its good attainments."Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-40436125226175940842009-04-07T14:00:00.004-05:002009-04-07T14:31:28.152-05:00This I BelieveYesterday while driving back to the office I was listening to "All Things Considered" on NPR. For my more conservative readers, NPR is a news network that, unlike some other networks <span style="font-style:italic;">claim</span>, reports information that is actually NEWS WORTHY and does it in a FAIR and BALANCED manner. <br /><br />Anyhoo, I got caught up in one of the features that has been included occasionally on All Things Considered called "This I Believe." This has grabbed me before, but yesterday it REALLY got me, probably because I had left the house with a chronic family struggle stuck in my craw. I was trying to be a little quieter in myself so I could gain better perspective on the situation -- doing deep diaphragmatic breathing and the like -- so, true to the promise, this semi-meditative state opened me up.<br /><br />If you have the opportunity, you check out the <a href="http://thisibelieve.org">This I Believe</a> web site. Basically everyday folks (just like me and you!) have shared their life philosophies in a personal essay.<br /><br />Yesterday's personal essay was written by Muhammad Ali. That didn't do much for me but what did was the montage of excerpts from previously aired personal essays. This is the one that's had me thinking, HARD, for the last 24 hours or so:<br /><br />"So I keep watching what I do to see what I actually believe."<br /><br />Whoa. <br /><br />I decided to do the same and will be reporting back. Care to join me?Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-61275674139015153202009-04-04T13:41:00.000-05:002009-04-07T13:43:35.181-05:00Back for another tryIt's April, FINALLY, and despite some mucho stress at home, I'm feeling a bit better....FINALLY! <br /><br />Whew! What a winter.<br /><br />Hope everyone out there is alive and well. <br /><br />I missed you!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-1474160882145232522009-02-13T17:16:00.000-06:002009-02-15T17:39:42.535-06:00Top Five FridayTop Five Reasons I'm a vegetarian. <br /><br />Ok, I'm really more of a "Flexitarian" in that I eat meat occasionally and I eat fish regularly.<br /><br />5. I really don't like the taste of meat.<br /><br />4. It saves money.<br /><br />3. It's healthier than eating meat.<br /><br />2. It's good for the environment.<br /><br />1. It's one of the easiest way for me to live out some of my morals, values and ethics.<br /><br /><br />Doesn't that look delicious??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpT5Kp0CEnN7eyojqNeq9oTqp_yXLfWslt7wICYdq8MlOVDIYQJ9sZfGLxfJEMF8Jzrj0AJT2_HJ3csCA_ObWbSQJNVfMg7d_jHFvs-po6Qlfv443Gkhtq3EFP5n87Ww7ZbtvVDfU7JtB/s1600-h/veggie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpT5Kp0CEnN7eyojqNeq9oTqp_yXLfWslt7wICYdq8MlOVDIYQJ9sZfGLxfJEMF8Jzrj0AJT2_HJ3csCA_ObWbSQJNVfMg7d_jHFvs-po6Qlfv443Gkhtq3EFP5n87Ww7ZbtvVDfU7JtB/s200/veggie.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303172614562913586" /></a><br /><br /><br />Some suggested reading:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.vegetarianweek.com.au/BenefitsofaVegetarianDiet/Cost-Benefits.aspx">Vegetarian Meals make you Healthy, Wealthy and Wise</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Omnivores-Dilemma-Natural-History-Meals/dp/0143038583/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234740879&sr=8-1">Omnivore's Dilemma</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Vegetable-Miracle-Year-Food/dp/0060852569/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234740879&sr=8-3">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle</a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-77522583404757260892009-02-10T17:35:00.002-06:002009-02-10T17:47:50.013-06:00SheeshWish I felt like posting more.<br /><br />I do actually have things I care about and have quite a bit to say regarding said things.<br /><br />I've been waylaid by the "I couldn't give a crap about anything, just get me to April" demon.<br /><br />Yeah.<br /><br />It's been pretty bad.<br /><br />I hope to be back soon.<br /><br />If you have sunshine and warmth, please send some my way!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-41778167131344128062009-01-24T14:30:00.004-06:002009-01-25T05:49:41.050-06:00Ain't nuthin' like itAfter what seemed like eons of elliptical training I FINALLY got out for a run this morning. Going out the door I thought "sure hope I remember how to do this!" Fortunately, running comes naturally to our species, what with the large toothy animals and rival clans that we had to get away from in our evolutionary history. <br /><br />The run went pretty well. There was the <span style="font-style:italic;">tiniest</span> pain in my heel at the beginning and a <span style="font-style:italic;">miniscule</span> pain in my right calf but it went away after a bit. I took it slow (mostly) and remembered to shuffle my left heel most of the time. It's paradoxical to me that a change made in my left foot/leg would make a huge difference in my right foot/leg. Hmmmm....yet another example of the amazing interconnectedness of all things. You know, the butterfly effect thing.<br /><br />I'm probably going to stick with the elliptical for the most part. Oh, and I added lower body weight training during my running exile so I'll keep doing that and add a run about once a week, until I am <span style="font-weight:bold;">certain</span> that I can continue. But I gotta tell ya, it's SOOOOO tempting to get out there EVERY DAY.<br /><br />Today I came back half frozen (It's 10 degrees here) but with an ear-to-ear grin. ONO asked how it went and I said "Pretty good. There's just nothing like it." He said "Not even the love of your husband? Not even sex?" I said "I didn't say it was <span style="font-style:italic;">better</span> than those things, there's just nothing like it."Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-50873530765067180862009-01-13T10:42:00.004-06:002009-01-14T18:28:05.278-06:00Smile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnkT3ny5XqCSsmf4gtERvR8qwJnAAd0v36ZhdK3j6CW854eTS1d7Jv7GarGgNizLOus_VjS5gTkg_A8wLPHMhdqh81zBSURtO8aBioN9-kvfuO4ZQw_JSQM4ZtY5zCt_oRV67juirRhJp/s1600-h/smile_by_dottydotcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnkT3ny5XqCSsmf4gtERvR8qwJnAAd0v36ZhdK3j6CW854eTS1d7Jv7GarGgNizLOus_VjS5gTkg_A8wLPHMhdqh81zBSURtO8aBioN9-kvfuO4ZQw_JSQM4ZtY5zCt_oRV67juirRhJp/s200/smile_by_dottydotcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290822765428258898" /></a><br />Go ahead, do it.<br /><br />No, really! Go ahead and smile. <br /><br />Yes, even if you don't <span style="font-style:italic;">feel</span> like it.<br /><br />Your mom and Nike are right. Just do it already! You'll feel better when you're all done.<br /><br />One of my favorite quotes from my <a href="http://www.plumvillage.org/">favorite philosopher</a> is:<br /><br />"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but<br />sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."<br /><br />This ancient piece of wisdom has now been "proven" by the scientific method.<br /><br />Turns out, a bunch of those wackos in the ivory tower have been studying this stuff. And sure enough, just the mere act of smiling, <span style="font-weight:bold;">even if you don't feel happy</span>, changes the brain's functioning. Don't believe me? Here are a couple of links to check out: <br /><br /><a href="http://bobsutton.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/12/smiling_makes_y.html">One is more readable</a>, <br /><br /><a href="http://brainimaging.waisman.wisc.edu/publications/1993/voluntary%20smiling.pdf">the other</a> is written in all that scientific gobbledy-gook. Just skip down to the "Discussion" section.<br /><br />I know! Crazy, huh?!<br /><br />But really. You should try it. <br /><br />I did a couple of days ago, when we were having yet ANOTHER gray day (I lost count of the exact number), and the mini-muffins had serious cabin fever which caused them to launch into frenetic physical activity every 2 1/2 minutes or so, and as much as I nursed, babied or bullied it, my right leg and foot continued to hurt like hell, even if I used the eliptical! I was in a bad, bad, state. For some reason, I'll call it Grace, I remembered this idea and went ahead and tried it.<br /><br />Laughter, or just smiling, really is the best medicine.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-20697378661592064772009-01-09T14:39:00.004-06:002009-01-09T14:45:43.868-06:00Top 5 reasons I'm a Negative Nelly5. I'm on a diet<br />4. I'm injured<br />3. It's cold <br />2. It's dark<br />1. I'm not runningLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-82869157691383616392009-01-07T14:45:00.000-06:002009-01-09T14:47:42.803-06:00Stretches of SilenceI thought I'd explain why I'm not writing.<br /><br />I'm not running much and I've realized that I compose blog postings while I run. <br /><br />No running = no blog posting.<br /><br />Hopefully things will turn the corner soon.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-4848396247201162322008-12-26T12:57:00.001-06:002008-12-27T11:25:16.356-06:00Top 5 things I want to do before I die100 Things<br /><br />I found this list on another blog -- I can't remember which one, but it's floating around out there. It's a list of 100 things to do (sort of like the "bucket list"). I've bolded the ones I've already done and at the end I've put which 5 I REALLY want to do. Here goes:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Started your own blog</span><br />2. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Slept under the stars</span><br />3. Played in a band<br />4. Visited Hawaii<br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Watched a meteor shower</span><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Given more than you can afford to charity</span><br />7. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Been to Disneyland</span><br />8. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Climbed a mountain</span><br />9. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Held a praying mantis</span><br />10. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sang a solo</span><br />11. Bungee jumped<br />12. Visited Paris<br />13. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Watched a lightning storm at sea</span> -- does Lake Michigan count?<br />14. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Taught yourself an art from scratch</span><br />15. Adopted a child<br />16. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Had food poisoning</span><br />17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty<br />18. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Grown your own vegetables</span><br />19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France<br />20. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Slept on an overnight train</span><br />21. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Had a pillow fight</span><br />22. Hitch hiked<br />23. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Taken a sick day when you’re not ill</span><br />24. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Built a snow fort</span><br />25. Held a lamb<br />26. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Gone skinny dipping</span><br />27. Run a Marathon<br />28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice<br />29. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seen a total eclipse</span><br />30. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Watched a sunrise or sunset</span><br />31. Hit a home run<br />32. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Been on a cruise</span><br />33. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seen Niagara Falls in person</span><br />34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors<br />35. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seen an Amish community</span><br />36. Taught yourself a new language<br />37. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Had enough money to be truly satisfied</span><br />38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person<br />39. Gone rock climbing<br />40. Seen Michelangelo's David<br />41. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Sung karaoke</span><br />42. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt</span><br />43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant<br />44. Visited Africa<br />45. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Walked on a beach by moonlight</span><br />46. Been transported in an ambulance <br />47. Had your portrait painted<br />48. Gone deep sea fishing<br />49. Vacationed in Italy<br />50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris<br />51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling<br />52. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kissed in the rain</span><br />53. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Played in the mud</span> With 3 boys? Yeah.<br />54. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Gone to a drive-in theater</span><br />55. Been in a movie<br />56. Visited the Great Wall of China<br />57. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Started a business</span><br />58. Taken a martial arts class<br />59. Visited Russia<br />60. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Served at a soup kitchen</span><br />61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies<br />62. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Gone whale watching</span><br />63. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Got flowers for no reason</span><br />64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma<br />65. Gone sky diving<br />66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp<br />67. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bounced a check</span><br />68. Flown in a helicopter<br />69. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Saved a favorite childhood toy</span> (Holly Hobbie)<br />70. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Visited the Lincoln Memorial</span><br />71. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Eaten Caviar</span><br />72. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Pieced a quilt</span><br />73. Stood in Times Square<br />74. Toured the Everglades<br />75. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Been fired from a job</span><br />76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London<br />77. Broken a bone<br />78. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Been on a speeding motorcycle</span><br />79. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Seen the Grand Canyon in person</span><br />80. Published a book<br />81. Visited the Vatican<br />82. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Bought a brand new car </span><br />83. Walked in Jerusalem<br />84. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Had your picture in the newspaper</span><br />85. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Read the entire Bible</span><br />86. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Visited the White House</span><br />87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating -- don't ever see this happening BLECH!<br />88. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Had chickenpox</span><br />89. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Saved someone’s life</span><br />90. Sat on a jury<br />91. Met someone famous<br />92. Joined a book club<br />93. Lost a loved one<br />94. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Had a baby</span><br />95. Seen the Alamo in person<br />96. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Swam in the Great Salt Lake</span><br />97. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Been involved in a law suit</span><br />98. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Owned a cell phone</span><br />99. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Been stung by a bee</span> -- 63, in fact. All at one time.<br />100. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Read an entire book in one day</span> <br /><br />5. Buy a stranger a meal at a restaurant<br />4. Play in a band<br />3. Go rock climbing -- in Southern Utah<br />2. Vacation in Italy -- preferably stay in a villa for a month or so, near Florence<br />1. Run a Marathon <br /><br />OK blogger pals. It's your turn!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-14858315001488906472008-12-20T07:02:00.009-06:002008-12-26T09:27:48.029-06:00When irony enlightensWith one kid attending a private college, another kid injury prone and growing like a week, two more kids growing like weeds and in child care five days a week, and the sour economy, there’s been a significant clog in my cash flow of late. I'm pretty crafty so I had this great idea of saving money by making gifts for my parents and Sis, which I did.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo8bjCRRlZ98hgA7hS3Bx7NoS-oTxDBLMJuYIGI4neHekYyIN4jk09G3SIo2UoSiw5hgSDpx5bePtC-CQ_yFH4MgiTujY0DXODB5o0Su6s2nr8PhrBFeu3TuG7dgpom3LECqslt6Ym8uz/s1600-h/star.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 169px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo8bjCRRlZ98hgA7hS3Bx7NoS-oTxDBLMJuYIGI4neHekYyIN4jk09G3SIo2UoSiw5hgSDpx5bePtC-CQ_yFH4MgiTujY0DXODB5o0Su6s2nr8PhrBFeu3TuG7dgpom3LECqslt6Ym8uz/s200/star.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283383741625590690" /></a>I found a quilt square that my Nana (Mom’s Mom) had pieced together a long time ago. This is the design but in red, white, and blue. I don't know the circumstances of, or plan for the project…..I wish I did. My mom gave it to me back in the day and even though I had a vague plan for doing something with it, it got lost in the many, many moves made over the years. When it turned up this fall while I was cleaning out a closet in the basement, I thought “Oh! This would be the perfect thing for Mom’s Christmas gift!” <br /><br />The quilt square is old and fragile so I decided to frame it. That way it could be displayed but not damaged, unlike a pillow, which was my first choice. Unfortunately, the square is an odd size and it took me FOREVER to find a frame that would work, for a price I was willing to pay. But I did. <br /><br />After lots of thinking and trial and error (translation, a LOT of time), it was done, it was perfect, and it was nicely wrapped. Now all I needed was a shipping box that it would fit into. <br /><br />Of course I didn’t have anything like that at home so I spent a decent chunk of time running in and out of stores looking for a box. I found all the other stuff I needed, like packing tape and bubble wrap, but no box. I started to feel just a <span style="font-style:italic;">wee</span> concerned, then thankfully a light bulb came on. I’m brilliant! I thought and I hurried over to a hobby store to the framing department. They’ll have a suitable box for Mom’s gift! I mean, they get frames shipped to them to sell surely they’d have a couple of those shipping boxes just lying around! <br /><br />But no, they didn’t. <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t6RWIKYA-vlwHg1Pp2qPUcHByjzlVZ9QjqgD49H-R_XiEkboDlnYRaI_COXPA_BcUibWGfjkHPepcM8ZwnQWLEbDpIWnfWm9W0bZR5NyIsRM_d3swhc7I1WThv-sCcmaFzDWV8imV16Q/s1600-h/Stress-ZebraStripes.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t6RWIKYA-vlwHg1Pp2qPUcHByjzlVZ9QjqgD49H-R_XiEkboDlnYRaI_COXPA_BcUibWGfjkHPepcM8ZwnQWLEbDpIWnfWm9W0bZR5NyIsRM_d3swhc7I1WThv-sCcmaFzDWV8imV16Q/s200/Stress-ZebraStripes.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283380968004669186" /></a><br />At about this point the blood pressure is on the rise because the deadline for shipping to arrive by Christmas is TODAY and I have to get this done <span style="font-weight:bold;">NOW</span> before I go see clients, because after that I get the mini-muffins from school and then there’s no getting anything done!! Aaaagggghhhh!!! <br /><br />OK. Deep breath. <br /><br />The lady at the framing desk suggested I go to UPS. Not only would they have a box to fit, they would wrap it up all safe and sound. I wouldn’t have to do a thing! <br />Spirits revived, I trot over to the UPS store and hand over the precious finished product to the perky ladies with Santa hats on. My shoulders start to relax down to their anatomically correct position while I fill out the shipping form. It’s all going to be ok. <br /><br />Then the nice lady with the Santa hat on says to me “To get it there by Christmas, you’ll want to send this overnight, and with the size of this package, it will be $169.50. <br /><br />“$169.50?!?! Are you <span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">serious</span></span>? I could buy my Mom a cashmere sweater for that! What are my other options?” <br /><br />Many choices were offered me but I kept refusing until the wrapping and shipping were under $50. I was told the package would <span style="font-style:italic;">probably</span> be delivered on Christmas Eve, but there’s no guarantee, not with the storms and all, you just never know, this seems like a really important gift you want to get to your Mother for Christmas, are you SURE you want to send it this way? Ok, then please sign here indicating that you understand there’s no guarantee that it will be delivered before Christmas.<br /><br />Ok then. It’s done. <br /><br />wow.<br /><br />Very disheartened, I called ONO and told him how my grand money-saving plan had been COMPLETELY thwarted, with a bucket-load of stress thrown in to boot. In his concise, matter-of-fact way he said “It’s a nice thing you did. Not many people make personalized gifts like that any more. I’m sure they’ll really appreciate it.”<br /><br />Of course. It’s not about the money. Not how much you spend OR how much you save. How wonderful the Universe is to gently whap my head with a 2X4 of irony. I am sincerely grateful. Really!!<br /><br />And Mom, even though you will anyway, I don't want you to have a moment of bad feelings. You were/are completely worth it.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-82592174352170358962008-12-15T17:17:00.000-06:002008-12-22T08:02:00.014-06:00Running UpdateIf you're a regular, you've notice that I haven't posted much about running, or anything for that matter. Recently I discovered there's a connection there, but more on that later.<br /><br />After the Allerton Trail Run in late October I've been plagued with shin splits (again!) in my right leg and an obstinate heel pain. I'm sure the two are related. I can't quite figure out if the heel pain is Plantar Fascitis or a bone bruise, or maybe even a stress fracture. ONO says that's unlikely but I'm not ruling it out.<br /><br />I took about a week off and then tried running. The run itself went great but the pain afterward was pretty bad. I took almost 3 more weeks off, waiting until there was absolutely no pain in my shins. There was just a scooch of pain in my foot but I decided to go ahead. Again, pretty good during the run....pretty bad after. And the next morning? OY!!<br /><br />I'm trying not to get too bummed about it. It's hard. I'm clearly not going to meet the mileage goal I set for myself last January. Unless you count all the elliptical miles I've put in. But don't think those count. But more importantly, running is really the only thing I really like. It gets me outside and away -- from myself and all the other annoyances in my life. It makes me grateful to be alive and able to move.<br /><br />I've decided to invest in The Stick, a weight training book for runners, some shoe inserts, and maybe a foot log. All of that is about $100. If it works, that's definitely well-spent cash.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-47236994244829110492008-11-28T10:31:00.008-06:002008-12-05T17:32:39.472-06:00Top 5 things I like about CarterToday is Carter's 17th birthday. It's really hard for me to believe that he's this old and so big. I remember so well him being about 4 weeks old and delighting in his lopsided newborn grin that reminded me of Harrison Ford. He was a big baby -- 8 lbs, 10 oz. -- but now he's nearly 6'2". <br /><br />So today, it being his birthday, I thought it fitting to devote this posting to him, my first born son.<br /><br />Let me say at the outset that there are many,<span style="font-weight:bold;"> many</span> things that I like about Carter. I'm just picking my top five faves to share.<br /><br />5. His intellect. His memory (for the things he's really interested in), is AMAZING; he could do simple arithmetic around age 4 and has been able to understand and apply complicated concepts for quite a long time. And this isn't just his Mom bragging!<br /><br />4. His inquisitiveness. Always, always curious about things. As a little kid I could hardly keep up with him, and I'm pretty curious myself.<br /><br />3. His athleticism. Regular readers already know how much I enjoy this about him. He could ride a two-wheeler (no training wheels) at 3 years old. He's played hockey, soccer, basketball, and run track competitively. He's good at moving his body through time and space....that whole male, spatial thing.<br /><br />2. His emotional intelligence. Even as a very little boy Carter could read and interpret accurately (most of the time) the emotional landscape. When he was about 6 or 7 he was helping me clean the bathroom (which is pretty remarkable in the first place). He and I were chatting away, him asking questions and me answering, and then one of those out-of-nowhere depressive thoughts invaded my brain space. Carter said "What's wrong, Mommy? You got all dark."<br /><br />1. His sense of humor. Carter is just plain HILARIOUS. Unless you know him and have experienced his quick-moving, sharp-as-a-tack funny bone, these pictures won't quite capture my favorite thing about my oldest son, but will maybe give you a glimps:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3Q2J5G5ALSgtFtPEG6wGy6dGXQSG8aM9R1FjXKblPTQXpeh8uduJZ8WuwtJ5fSU58dD0Ib-3pPYX9fv_M3aG0Bdheep1DnzF4dPKnRwnxxxGi5Ppim6XkZaUk-Co4YiqYMZFCUqF1fJM/s1600-h/Carter's+B-Day+022.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3Q2J5G5ALSgtFtPEG6wGy6dGXQSG8aM9R1FjXKblPTQXpeh8uduJZ8WuwtJ5fSU58dD0Ib-3pPYX9fv_M3aG0Bdheep1DnzF4dPKnRwnxxxGi5Ppim6XkZaUk-Co4YiqYMZFCUqF1fJM/s200/Carter's+B-Day+022.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274212871071688818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qoHBq2P5ow3W6L1yyYfDj1BXPgQRkx3NS7SesXLKayxRiI2palsGIcoB25Mbe-GhyphenhyphenmVxc2apcLfI_BfOnucu9RWgWuYDDv79zNYesu_2hqebIvilzbBhUvPlgrhig_H70j0ooz7N0Xod/s1600-h/befy+and+carter.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qoHBq2P5ow3W6L1yyYfDj1BXPgQRkx3NS7SesXLKayxRiI2palsGIcoB25Mbe-GhyphenhyphenmVxc2apcLfI_BfOnucu9RWgWuYDDv79zNYesu_2hqebIvilzbBhUvPlgrhig_H70j0ooz7N0Xod/s200/befy+and+carter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275011419195160610" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi-eEc-cxsm_nmdrDp6vd9CMJfWulFWXAp5CttcsMXabT9AYDQWGs6iQTSkzyfOluOpzSNJGm01ELSADJ0xad7d64M-ykbiTJmWRdja3kNOgwQdVDeYBvioSLJ6lm3vZZm4m2S_yjLisV/s1600-h/chutch+all+dressed+up.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi-eEc-cxsm_nmdrDp6vd9CMJfWulFWXAp5CttcsMXabT9AYDQWGs6iQTSkzyfOluOpzSNJGm01ELSADJ0xad7d64M-ykbiTJmWRdja3kNOgwQdVDeYBvioSLJ6lm3vZZm4m2S_yjLisV/s200/chutch+all+dressed+up.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276452396547611890" /></a><br /><br />He's the one in the middle with white socks on.<br /><br />Happy Birthday, luv!!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-63006555315756302892008-11-28T10:14:00.004-06:002008-11-28T10:20:26.894-06:00Black Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FWOToxpLxq8RNbdjP2_CfDLMozzt22E3ueZDz8avp6ZAEyVXigzKltbyyEsVAFns8hBLn34gC190rpBqSVozVmlQcbiXVucrfC6MKb18dvxQLjsWnfP3QE1M_RnVf3xNCJNHqNn3fKPJ/s1600-h/black-friday-the-game.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FWOToxpLxq8RNbdjP2_CfDLMozzt22E3ueZDz8avp6ZAEyVXigzKltbyyEsVAFns8hBLn34gC190rpBqSVozVmlQcbiXVucrfC6MKb18dvxQLjsWnfP3QE1M_RnVf3xNCJNHqNn3fKPJ/s400/black-friday-the-game.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273743795433986402" /></a><br /><br />I'm not going out there. <br /><br />You can't make me.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-76716670994683364032008-11-27T08:45:00.001-06:002008-11-28T10:09:58.984-06:00You know who you are<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmpImE2_2Gatj6I_KcEXBHiBB-POiizo2Ui6KUZOz98jpqKqy99so0FyGzSTmC4IrgIpusG9LePBY4K_3GQsDxJwXaUwfh1RTkGqh9KlFaggprRWwBNi4IzPeD46LFcymLrJbqMY7rXHF/s1600-h/heart_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmpImE2_2Gatj6I_KcEXBHiBB-POiizo2Ui6KUZOz98jpqKqy99so0FyGzSTmC4IrgIpusG9LePBY4K_3GQsDxJwXaUwfh1RTkGqh9KlFaggprRWwBNi4IzPeD46LFcymLrJbqMY7rXHF/s320/heart_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273740846639406322" /></a><br /><br />for all the family and friends, near and far, who make the foundation of my rich and meaningful life.<br /><br />Thank you.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-91708200758713695312008-11-21T14:21:00.009-06:002008-11-21T15:44:20.627-06:00Top 5 FridayBecause last week had a negative tone, I'm going all happy on ya this week.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Top 5 Favorite Places</span><br /><br />5. Bay Area and north, California. Spent a summer in the Napa Valley and along the coast and fell in love. <br /><br />4. Downtown Chicago. Just can't beat the lake, the museums, the eating, shopping opportunities, the architecture, and the music. Fun, fun, town. I lived there for two years, which was <span style="font-style:italic;">hardly</span> enough, but at least I got that opportunity!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBUdAI06BuLXbNYg5_OKsJEC1qidg0jF9DCqxzKfGsSv3y8L9FZwvskXDLCD6Npj0e1pFmRmBQlcGuaKnWnmU9OQ5FivhWfuh6KR1j33IFX8_YQCGycu1HuqUHHqXNcnmp7yjHJclRYKA/s1600-h/chicago5b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBUdAI06BuLXbNYg5_OKsJEC1qidg0jF9DCqxzKfGsSv3y8L9FZwvskXDLCD6Npj0e1pFmRmBQlcGuaKnWnmU9OQ5FivhWfuh6KR1j33IFX8_YQCGycu1HuqUHHqXNcnmp7yjHJclRYKA/s200/chicago5b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270839144665784162" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs9TrNys8lEWyviLzqo-hCmlw3LAXzzrPRJBY0VKsnveMldgMFY8aWyMoLn13pF1k1zLW9qQs5ZG6R2TVIrvT0-YkDVyJZ2mlsgae_89nleEtI1kxvCJVyzcY6jKan_77GMyIUuGTkq5s/s1600-h/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibs9TrNys8lEWyviLzqo-hCmlw3LAXzzrPRJBY0VKsnveMldgMFY8aWyMoLn13pF1k1zLW9qQs5ZG6R2TVIrvT0-YkDVyJZ2mlsgae_89nleEtI1kxvCJVyzcY6jKan_77GMyIUuGTkq5s/s200/IMG_0063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271214597159436290" /></a><br />3. The Indiana Dunes lakeshore. Not only is it beautiful, it holds special significance for me and ONO. It was one of first dates where we hiked, he let me take him exploring off the beaten path, and he demonstrated his thoughtfulness by bringing grapes and water. Also, he grew up going to these beaches so they hold lots of memories for him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtD1mrjSDFfCUsvf-Uj1EHh9Sr6KT1oF9ttJr7m26ZaUxjYxq1hgS9PyNsggXVzn2JEBQO8UNdfG30QotZN1lq2iXBfEYNwnck_kc4N-kz7FwUiFCFEfwkJ0s3zwjJKEOCVMWrTfccdgA/s1600-h/santa+fe+square.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtD1mrjSDFfCUsvf-Uj1EHh9Sr6KT1oF9ttJr7m26ZaUxjYxq1hgS9PyNsggXVzn2JEBQO8UNdfG30QotZN1lq2iXBfEYNwnck_kc4N-kz7FwUiFCFEfwkJ0s3zwjJKEOCVMWrTfccdgA/s200/santa+fe+square.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271179588622051426" /></a>2. Northeastern New Mexico. Specifically Santa Fe and Taos. Again, very, very beautiful, but more importantly, this is where we got married and honeymooned. We got married <a href="http://www.crystalmesafarm.com/">here</a>. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3NUlb82Y3BZt_jLN47sx_TQYwYRLYOWULJa9gHPUzzvyBv5uyvsqM51jiv-GDPIs84vjuFHYHeq2t53G7_Kawl8IKnV5xgVWCoraoa6Sm5vfH1Y4CQhuSxHEZsuVZo23O3_N7wd_ItRG/s1600-h/ONO+Red+River+Gorge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3NUlb82Y3BZt_jLN47sx_TQYwYRLYOWULJa9gHPUzzvyBv5uyvsqM51jiv-GDPIs84vjuFHYHeq2t53G7_Kawl8IKnV5xgVWCoraoa6Sm5vfH1Y4CQhuSxHEZsuVZo23O3_N7wd_ItRG/s200/ONO+Red+River+Gorge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271226341701260898" /></a>If you go to the site, you can see how amazingly beautiful it is, but we were also able to rent the entire facility for ourselves and small wedding party and guests. Cool! <br /><br />After spending a few days in Santa Fe, we headed up to Taos and stayed <a href="http://www.littletreebandb.com/index.htm">here</a> for our honeymoon. <br />One of the best parts of our time together was hiking down into the Red River Gorge and back out.<br /><br /><br />1. Southern Utah -- preferably very close to one of the national parks. <br /><br />It would take too long, and you'd grow bored, if I shared all the reasons why this is my favorite place. And honestly, I don't understand all of it myself. In large part it's the place where I experienced some coming-of-age, and it represents a place for wandering, contemplating, finding things, never being bored. Peaceful, yes, but not bored. And best of all....it's almost always warm!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0aDtR4NeP2lnza-ETVoRBsjHfP1ixaxgRefGqPp-8ZYe5Sxw2E-f2sXTIxBjWGeIwB05N6YJuf2dndcYQkA0uXqxN9DmUHkgvcqBxh1_UkPwTFCV7T7ABQL3JXIJwgcWA7M2tdn6NC2b/s1600-h/Kanab.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0aDtR4NeP2lnza-ETVoRBsjHfP1ixaxgRefGqPp-8ZYe5Sxw2E-f2sXTIxBjWGeIwB05N6YJuf2dndcYQkA0uXqxN9DmUHkgvcqBxh1_UkPwTFCV7T7ABQL3JXIJwgcWA7M2tdn6NC2b/s200/Kanab.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271228564648809010" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-16807745213318210142008-11-19T07:50:00.000-06:002008-11-20T14:19:32.220-06:00For Nana<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt0eNL3qMlg5iFAipmyRZuOa95NC8WX8TSuhedAPHnKlLmW63ZOEgofIlgQer2RX04NprA1zyedSKWv_y00jbdTDUyjUWQshsRrjpbMmKdVytFDw0Bdh39Ce2au5mbWyp6GUFh-ljraCi/s1600-h/Logan's+b-day+026.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt0eNL3qMlg5iFAipmyRZuOa95NC8WX8TSuhedAPHnKlLmW63ZOEgofIlgQer2RX04NprA1zyedSKWv_y00jbdTDUyjUWQshsRrjpbMmKdVytFDw0Bdh39Ce2au5mbWyp6GUFh-ljraCi/s200/Logan's+b-day+026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270739160565171458" /></a><br />Like most children of the male persuasion, the mini-muffins like cars. And of course they like sugar. So their Nana knew what she was doing when she sent Logan a car-shaped cookie decorating kit for his birthday. It just doesn't get better than that (if you're 3 years old).<br /><br /><br />Both boys LOVE to help make stuff in the kitchen. I'm convinced it's about the whirring machine and the opportunity to lick the bowl. Oh, and they really like cracking eggs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj608-b5iPZIi0VNfAPYJRn07KITDBJ81hDx-kI6qHJTx_RrtHLmTnY6yge7xS1n5Ks-qeIcJZfWj3DJrEz0mqSxF1PmLj29fUr_TkkgL-A-Nq79CPsB0lSz-0OiAZTULVKxDA-V-p5GfKk/s1600-h/Logan's+b-day+027.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj608-b5iPZIi0VNfAPYJRn07KITDBJ81hDx-kI6qHJTx_RrtHLmTnY6yge7xS1n5Ks-qeIcJZfWj3DJrEz0mqSxF1PmLj29fUr_TkkgL-A-Nq79CPsB0lSz-0OiAZTULVKxDA-V-p5GfKk/s200/Logan's+b-day+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270831618738870642" /></a><br /><br />For this project we had to mix up the bright, blue frosting. Luckily I caught Logan before his outstretched tongue actually touched the butter. It's also a little tricky keeping their hands out of the bowl, even when the mixer is on!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSEje89ExltOB8lzZaHccgNnL2sVwdfkE5lVrLQ36VJharUUX5srrP5Cw8kg0y8H1qLQ0gKP2mOpCvRO_HhuUt9Kr7xo_fdmT0uX_pYjYkq6hMInce8BHz70EEiKnI0f1K9mI8chmWl47/s1600-h/Logan's+b-day+030.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSEje89ExltOB8lzZaHccgNnL2sVwdfkE5lVrLQ36VJharUUX5srrP5Cw8kg0y8H1qLQ0gKP2mOpCvRO_HhuUt9Kr7xo_fdmT0uX_pYjYkq6hMInce8BHz70EEiKnI0f1K9mI8chmWl47/s200/Logan's+b-day+030.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270833040066586674" /></a><br /><br />Next came the actual decorating. I coached them on spreading the blue frosting on the cookie cars, which they tried, but the knives spent WAY more time in their mouths than on the cookies!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMFR0STvaf3Y8XDr1mKfMV6cl5Yr42DR3JXN_fOCjcipVXBqz6AFE-vJ2UQ30peyycGGw3fMC9d2uGdYdQkkFVcSadGi3-nQEm1K7LIg2zC42QR8PzzyC6pBhBozIUctE8LcOrSj9b_Js/s1600-h/Logan's+b-day+032.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMFR0STvaf3Y8XDr1mKfMV6cl5Yr42DR3JXN_fOCjcipVXBqz6AFE-vJ2UQ30peyycGGw3fMC9d2uGdYdQkkFVcSadGi3-nQEm1K7LIg2zC42QR8PzzyC6pBhBozIUctE8LcOrSj9b_Js/s200/Logan's+b-day+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270834141599232994" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NsoAYVtuvVh0IMfrMHuVbhxWNzVaz7b1sidVjefWgDxPaY4cmvPu5uyeOYf9UgbYFpUu_qzFIZfkRzSyvoPzZxR95BrtoxSvgM-EnX_QCfoCKoOZVB8JP1jFDqhz6Y5CLX2jKGPDiwBo/s1600-h/Logan's+b-day+033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NsoAYVtuvVh0IMfrMHuVbhxWNzVaz7b1sidVjefWgDxPaY4cmvPu5uyeOYf9UgbYFpUu_qzFIZfkRzSyvoPzZxR95BrtoxSvgM-EnX_QCfoCKoOZVB8JP1jFDqhz6Y5CLX2jKGPDiwBo/s200/Logan's+b-day+033.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270835922501052930" /></a><br />All in all, it was a fun afternoon project with a very sweet outcome. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwwtnClEAAEvl0QjZAEY93U2KVITz5DE47kb0Ex1bgFnLZKe8-UfEZi70montlBXbn2YX8ri9RDDI9KKXo68eNcYBesyc59gZnmr_9RMeZZS6UfxyUEiuTs0x9IBTmREY8Ge0_I4_d2Wv/s1600-h/Logan's+b-day+035.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwwtnClEAAEvl0QjZAEY93U2KVITz5DE47kb0Ex1bgFnLZKe8-UfEZi70montlBXbn2YX8ri9RDDI9KKXo68eNcYBesyc59gZnmr_9RMeZZS6UfxyUEiuTs0x9IBTmREY8Ge0_I4_d2Wv/s200/Logan's+b-day+035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270834436198711650" /></a><br /><br />Thanks Nana!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-33294426798960545552008-11-17T07:28:00.001-06:002008-11-19T07:13:39.439-06:00Dances with snowflakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy4CFS4U9nAPRpQgLiwyKgGB3o5ej6sd562n-WO2SvgNNHegZcL8qA0vgq3-2HGHLFkEgDp21z5DunzG97t8pmV1g0Kf9_qMjlsYgLRrz72r7-TVDYGovSp0YfIt8we38Sonu2Q8LPBff/s1600-h/snowflake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 111px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy4CFS4U9nAPRpQgLiwyKgGB3o5ej6sd562n-WO2SvgNNHegZcL8qA0vgq3-2HGHLFkEgDp21z5DunzG97t8pmV1g0Kf9_qMjlsYgLRrz72r7-TVDYGovSp0YfIt8we38Sonu2Q8LPBff/s320/snowflake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269990650216889602" /></a><br />That's what I did today. At least it felt like dancing. And yes, there were snowflakes. Lots of them, actually. And lots of wind. <br /><br />Why does this matter? Two reasons. <br /><br />First, it's November 17, and while a part of my brain is <span style="font-style:italic;">conscious</span> of this date, the rest of me still thinks it's summer. Well, mid-September maybe. I mean, the grass is still green and some things in my flower beds are still blooming (I don't pay attention to those brown, withered things). So seeing this apparent blizzard (ok let's call it a squall), threw me squarely into reality. <br /><br />And what did I do? Did I get my cozy woobie, some cocoa and a book and huddle up near the fireplace? No, I promptly when outside. And ran.<br /><br />My original thought was to walk for an hour. After dutifully using the elliptical (AND lifting some weights) for nearly two weeks, the desperation to get outside was <span style="font-weight:bold;">very high</span>, so on went the cold gear and out the door I went. <br /><br />I <span style="font-style:italic;">did</span> walk....about half a mile, but then I noticed that my leg didn't hurt so I thought "what that heck!" and went for it. Of course then my leg DID hurt, but not enough to make me stop. <br /><br />After about a mile I was feeling pretty darn good -- like I was dancing with the snowflakes. <br /><br />Come on, Old Man. I'm ready for ya!Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5182878117922427409.post-79299312203574875652008-11-16T09:44:00.005-06:002008-11-17T16:07:40.681-06:00No More Babies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDof3zVPrvXGYp46rUL9Ezt-6bGvrbj3rE087kfPYVqWCNQ2QE4yFYz3bbul7DyRnWxrZUj1askVlaVZOG1o8u_FM04Zf1TdGuijUwe_oNGd7ln7rn4wwzslJ03ssda6QhLae6aCAOhmB/s1600-h/IMG_0385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDof3zVPrvXGYp46rUL9Ezt-6bGvrbj3rE087kfPYVqWCNQ2QE4yFYz3bbul7DyRnWxrZUj1askVlaVZOG1o8u_FM04Zf1TdGuijUwe_oNGd7ln7rn4wwzslJ03ssda6QhLae6aCAOhmB/s320/IMG_0385.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269655995354835202" /></a><br />And ya know what? I'm ok with that!<br /><br />Logan James Haake turns 3 today. As munchable as he is, he has taken care of any more personal desire for babies or very young children -- FOREVER.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI39fY-mGheuI11d2Xm_WvDdpn12T8dMqy5_9OOUlOi-zHmUUwH4unpgF3gjQE7fF7hnSx6v5pRGJpqeI_-hIh756K-ClqzJWVW79UQr8xrHEaG1JN3Zu19Bal_NyC_eKcL-H7wwkA6zP4/s1600-h/IMG_0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI39fY-mGheuI11d2Xm_WvDdpn12T8dMqy5_9OOUlOi-zHmUUwH4unpgF3gjQE7fF7hnSx6v5pRGJpqeI_-hIh756K-ClqzJWVW79UQr8xrHEaG1JN3Zu19Bal_NyC_eKcL-H7wwkA6zP4/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269677994265291058" /></a><br /><br />Admittedly, Logan is cute. The kind of cute that would melt the heart of Satan.....or Dick Cheney. And, he has a killer personality. <br /><br />I mean that literally. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnZ7b-vNrGMLwAZOAaygOAhcly0bUplcig786kvqkh0XWHWJXh-1KKaMS7yhawO_GSOgj9Q8vxLBK6_yAQE6Wmktu9LrMX1_Tig5URKwChTi2CiUj-znotw58NNxwIwPn4L3wwUZAO2zw/s1600-h/IMG_1253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnZ7b-vNrGMLwAZOAaygOAhcly0bUplcig786kvqkh0XWHWJXh-1KKaMS7yhawO_GSOgj9Q8vxLBK6_yAQE6Wmktu9LrMX1_Tig5URKwChTi2CiUj-znotw58NNxwIwPn4L3wwUZAO2zw/s320/IMG_1253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269689248554062562" /></a>When he's angry or upset, any hope of tranquility or a "win-win" solution is put to death. He came into the world this way and spends roughly 50% of his waking hours in this state (no, I'm not exaggerating.)<br /><br />But when he's happy.....sadness, boredom and gloom are banished from the world of the living. He is definitely a ray of sunshine -- when he's happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNzXiPeJ0_rE5zZwCVnwGq94blRjP69IScMwUE4DtwEhwi2wDVeBgSgeGPXL2BitALwh3pCFcjYlMO8wbMjBuXv3GWuI1ypGr4X3K0en5IJA7rcMjYbjFvvCTvYY74-k-ZqzL56NFjUiI/s1600-h/IMG_0068.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNzXiPeJ0_rE5zZwCVnwGq94blRjP69IScMwUE4DtwEhwi2wDVeBgSgeGPXL2BitALwh3pCFcjYlMO8wbMjBuXv3GWuI1ypGr4X3K0en5IJA7rcMjYbjFvvCTvYY74-k-ZqzL56NFjUiI/s200/IMG_0068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269743925001968546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcLi5uxbcQUeAPV-dtY-kk5UQIlAPnmqwJMO5sRYBbJCfACAvbUObBhMwn8mlDfbBXeaXcAVD5IlWkN7vZv1FM6yGfaR6csgO8ZhDbtPolZYvH4colM6mL774tcfZYl_H2V7eNcqeP3CF/s1600-h/IMG_0083.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcLi5uxbcQUeAPV-dtY-kk5UQIlAPnmqwJMO5sRYBbJCfACAvbUObBhMwn8mlDfbBXeaXcAVD5IlWkN7vZv1FM6yGfaR6csgO8ZhDbtPolZYvH4colM6mL774tcfZYl_H2V7eNcqeP3CF/s200/IMG_0083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269743449058148498" /></a><br />Happy Birthday Big Boy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OTkcmKdz9qiOUdi2ud2HyPOzIdq8YnGsmJvOCfAqoV7FDjwMwMfs1vzShSvV00g0PZ_So-4_DXS0iqrV4Q34X3L2MZsmCM9OfouToTt784m_EAlbqFSlKYJP46KtAFnUPQQTusIE0I_2/s1600-h/IMG_0378.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OTkcmKdz9qiOUdi2ud2HyPOzIdq8YnGsmJvOCfAqoV7FDjwMwMfs1vzShSvV00g0PZ_So-4_DXS0iqrV4Q34X3L2MZsmCM9OfouToTt784m_EAlbqFSlKYJP46KtAFnUPQQTusIE0I_2/s320/IMG_0378.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269744383851789714" /></a>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00429242712914670478noreply@blogger.com1