tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67360972024-03-13T14:36:52.644-05:00Surprised by Joyannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.comBlogger872125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-10575593519495590212014-01-12T16:10:00.001-06:002014-01-12T16:14:28.238-06:00King of the Wild FrontierAt this time a year ago, I was well into the dog search process. Lady needed a buddy.<br />
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I knew I wanted a smaller dog this time around. But also a grown dog, not a puppy. So I looked and looked... and I came across a pup on the OKC Animal Welfare site that caught my eye.<br />
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I went to check him out, but alas, he was gone to an adoption event that day. So I prowled around the shelter and came THISCLOSE to taking home a little black lab puppy. But I decided to head out to the adoption event, since I'd come so far to see this dog.<br />
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I walked in and immediately saw him. He caught my eye and stared me down. I walked through the rows of dogs, trying to play it cool (why???), when the woman next to me said, "I think that little guy likes you." I walked him around the store. He peed on everything (men). I took him by the big dogs to see how he'd react and he was curious and friendly.<br />
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So I signed the papers and took him home. And promptly told him his new name was Davy Crockett.<br />
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In three words- he is brave, cute, and naughty. This dog knows no fear... which I worry will be to his detriment one day. I admire his courage and his strength. He has been through some tough health problems this year that have broken my heart, but his spirit is strong! He is also the most wonderful cuddle bug. I use him as a heating pad as needed. But boy he is naughty. Once in a while he gets inspired to just RUN AWAY. Tsk tsk, dog. He lives up to his name, I suppose.</div>
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He and Lady have gotten close. I have noticed that they cuddle together a lot now, and really enjoy being together. </div>
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I hope for many years of adventures to come.</div>
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annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-91188276199112839692014-01-01T20:15:00.002-06:002014-01-01T20:17:43.085-06:00A new chapter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ItG_yRXdaKW6f37LeW5UgYYmDEq-G_TzrW5Y6nyVdyoF3XowzjZtpMOxdPBNJ476dBX3xQHZO3O9M3YEgneANaaI2dv3vScts1ZEURLyZ2Q2RmX8DKh_Vhei1RSHmISFmXDGDw/s1600/9cdcdc36733e11e3834d0e6c3792784e_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ItG_yRXdaKW6f37LeW5UgYYmDEq-G_TzrW5Y6nyVdyoF3XowzjZtpMOxdPBNJ476dBX3xQHZO3O9M3YEgneANaaI2dv3vScts1ZEURLyZ2Q2RmX8DKh_Vhei1RSHmISFmXDGDw/s320/9cdcdc36733e11e3834d0e6c3792784e_8.jpg" width="320" /></a>I don't like negativity, because I think it can so easily snowball. That's why I half hate the fact that I keep poo-pooing 2013. Bad things happened. But what a shame to brush off the good things that happened. My nephew went from an infant to the most delightful and slightly monstrous child. I found out a new nephew is on the way. I added a naughty but sweet pup to our little wolf pack. I started a new and challenging job. I moved to a farm. :)<br />
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But I think it does help us to compartmentalize and think of chapters of life in hyperbole. Mostly because it reminds us and gives us hope that the difficult times will end. That the road will turn and the tides will shift. And those symbols are important for our psyche and for us to move forward.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6m24_ZubDItth0Gi1PbWAAH-OxZIVxLtRckRZ0bIZkj6qcCddbUn9BGvP6W4dA8PSLCxubfj6VA2oXetQNk0REZBl1GJzrW4tGl2pWY8hzROu9DEFxGfts-nFtVA1Nis9q6ulQ/s1600/a7c8561e730911e3ba8612765964d65f_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6m24_ZubDItth0Gi1PbWAAH-OxZIVxLtRckRZ0bIZkj6qcCddbUn9BGvP6W4dA8PSLCxubfj6VA2oXetQNk0REZBl1GJzrW4tGl2pWY8hzROu9DEFxGfts-nFtVA1Nis9q6ulQ/s320/a7c8561e730911e3ba8612765964d65f_8.jpg" width="320" /></a>This afternoon I <a href="http://www.sageandsmudge.com/">sage smudged</a> the house. Do I believe that the smoke from the herb literally purified the house? No. But I needed a visual, tangible ritual to mark the occasion of this new year. I walked through my house and prayed over every room and the facets of my life that they signify. And it felt right.<br />
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Life today isn't that much different than life yesterday. But I'm thinking of it as a new chapter to the novel of my life. The story picks up from where it left off on the page before, but it feels new and marks a difference.<br />
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And you know what I realized as I reflected today? The events I have viewed as failures over the past 12 months have also marked times that I took a chance. As of today I will strive to look back not at failures but as times I tried.<br />
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Here's to 2014 and the chance to renew ourselves day to day.annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-70768472723700481582013-12-13T17:30:00.000-06:002013-12-13T17:30:01.392-06:00A year of learning- no apologies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2013 has been a difficult year. I was tempted to say that by the end of January, but tried to give it a chance. Then I wanted to say it in July, but again I held out hope. But as December runs its course, it feels fair game.<div>
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Different circumstances, some bad and some good, have just made this an extremely stressful year. </div>
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Hopefully over the next few weeks as I reflect and look forward, I want to write down some of what I've learned and experienced, and hope to use in the future.</div>
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One of the stressful parts of this year was my job. I went from a job that was "good" but boring me to death, to a job I really enjoy but is very challenging. </div>
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I've had ridiculously good career luck over the past 6 years. I am grateful every day, no matter how stressful things become, because I know that others struggle in that arena. But as I am now officially a 30 something professional woman who has found success, there are a whole new world of lessons to be learned.</div>
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One that I stand by very strongly, especially in the events over the past year, is to <b>not apologize</b>. Of course I don't mean to not apologize when you are wrong or have wronged someone, but I think that at least in the part of the world I have grown up in, women are supposed to be retiring and somewhat shrinking violets, and always put others' feelings above their own.</div>
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Well, at some point I noticed myself apologizing for things that that I absolutely should not have. I won't apologize for my success. I won't apologize for good work I do. I won't apologize that my work was recognized over someone else's. I won't apologize for doing my best.</div>
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Of course this plays into personal decisions, as well. For example, I am always apologizing- whether in my head or in actuality- for feeling like a burden to others. This means I never ask for help, and if I do, I laden it with apologizes for even asking. I apologize for having feelings. I apologize for not being enough. I apologize for both my strengths and weaknesses. Do you see how twisted this can make a person?</div>
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Of course there are times to be truly sorry. Ironically, when I stopped apologizing for things I shouldn't be sorry for, it brought some things into clearer focus that I did need to apologize for and address in my life.</div>
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Growing is hard. </div>
annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-88291818285118868762013-06-03T10:27:00.001-05:002013-06-03T10:27:23.032-05:00Epilogue- Anatomy of a day in tornado alleyIt seems only right to be transparent about the events that happened in the days following <a href="http://sojochick.blogspot.com/2013/05/anatomy-in-day-of-tornado-alley.html">my last blog post</a>, because those days are probably the most nervous I have been during storms in a long time.<br />
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Thursday, the day I posted that article, I left work 2 hours early because a large storm was heading towards my house. I was afraid that if I didn't get there before it hit, I didn't know when I'd be able to get there. And of course my dogs were in the house and that concerned me as well.<br />
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I flew home. One of the towns I drive through on my commute is Noble, and right as I got through Noble, the weather radio app on my phone went off- tornado warning in Noble! Eep! I hit the gas and kept watching the rear view mirror (PSA- I would never advocate running from a tornado in the car, but there was no other option at that moment).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I felt driving home. Hyperbole.</td></tr>
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I got home, found my landlord and we just watched the weather. I packed my hidey-hole bag, had the dogs ready to run, and we just watched. The sky was that sickly green and perfectly still, which everyone around here knows is the setting for disaster.We got stupid lucky, because conditions were perfect for dropping a tornado, but none ever came down. STRESSFUL.<br />
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Friday we knew the same conditions were set. I left work at 4:30 because everyone in the metro was told to get home and get off the roads. When I left work, no storms had started. By the time I got home a half hour later, major storms had erupted all across El Reno. It happened so quickly.<br />
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From where I live, I could look east and see clear skies, south west and see crazy clouds coming up from that direction, and north west, it was just blackness. That is the direction of OKC metro, El Reno, etc. It was sickening. It was also sickening to hear early reports of people trapped and dying on the roads in El Reno.<br />
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It was awful to watch miles of headlights of people trying to get out of town and stuck in rush hour traffic when these huge storms were coming this way. Horrifying to see the storm rip through the same area of Moore that was just hit a couple of weeks ago. Then to see it turn south and come through Norman with 90 mph winds and heading our way, just as the sun went down.<br />
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Thankfully we just had a very loud storm. Wind blew crap all across the property, but it could have been much worse.<br />
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I'm tired of this. This has been an oppressive few weeks. But there are many people I'm thankful for and want to give a shout out to on my blog, for whatever it's worth.<br />
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<b>STORM SEASON SHOUT OUTS</b><br />
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<b>First responders</b>- always heroes. Over the past few weeks first responders have also stepped forward in the form of teachers and every day citizens who took it upon themselves to save lives and rescue people.<br />
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<b>Meteorologists</b>- These folks take some (well deserved) ribbing for much of the year, but what they have been able to do in regards to storm preparedness and advanced warnings is pretty incredible. (<a href="http://www.thelostogle.com/2013/06/03/mike-morgan-took-a-red-bedazzled-beating-on-twitter/">Note- there are some acting completely irresponsibly who I hope are held accountable</a>)<br />
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<b>Storm Chasers</b>- Ok, these people are crazy. You have to have some screws loose to chase storms. But because of their work, many people are safe and the science of meteorology has progressed. I'm glad I don't have their jobs.<br />
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<b>Good people</b>- So many people both locally and across the country have donated so much money, so many items, and so much time to helping folks and animals recover from this mess. It renews your faith in humanity.<br />
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annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-35529505781613490582013-05-30T14:52:00.000-05:002013-06-03T10:01:44.009-05:00Anatomy of a day in tornado alleyA lot of dumb stories have come out since the tornado outbreak asking why people would choose to live in an area like this. Well, it's a dumb question because people live places for a million reasons, and I'm not here to write a sentimental ode to Oklahoma. I do want to document what it's like (from my perspective) to be in an area prone to severe weather during a day of severe weather. Like today.<br />
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A little background. I grew up in a tornadoey place in Texas. If you remember a few weeks before the Moore tornado, there was a tornado one town over from my hometown, Granbury, TX. Growing up, I was terrified of bad weather. I'd get sick to my stomach when a tornado watch started.<br />
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So here we are. Here is my line of thinking on this stormy day in May.<br />
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So far tornado season has been pretty quiet. Until of course a week and a half ago, when the sky started falling. So since I just moved, I had to come up with my plan. The motto that local meteorologists have ingrained in us is stay alert and have a plan! I have a work plan and a home plan. My new place has an underground storm shelter, so that is pretty fantastic.<br />
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So now what. Following my meteorologists on twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/themahler">@themahler</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/garyeok">@garyeok</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/nwsnorman">@nwsnorman</a>). Believing them when they say to take cover. Reading the radar.<br />
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Ok that deserves it's own paragraph. I don't know if it's normal for the public to know how to read a radar, but in Oklahoma, you'd better. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Current radar of storms in northern OK</td></tr>
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You watch the storm patterns, know how fast it's moving, and just generally stay aware. Meteorology has advanced enough that our people are able to tell us days in advance what days storms will be most likely to form. I feel grateful for that.</div>
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Although I mentioned I was terrified of storms growing up, I'm not now. I have a healthy fear and respect when there is something coming towards me or on top of me, but bad weather doesn't make me anxious. I appreciate the rain after this ridiculous drought the past couple of years. I enjoy the light show. But you will never catch me chasing storms or standing on the porch when there is an actual tornado in view.</div>
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Which reminds me of another thing that most people outside this region don't seem to understand. The chance of actually seeing/experiencing a tornado is pretty small. I (thankfully) have taken cover dozens of times, but have never seen one. </div>
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So there you go. Stay safe kids. :)</div>
annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-10418136482743087112013-05-26T12:00:00.000-05:002013-05-26T12:42:28.197-05:00We rescued each otherOne year ago today I moved to Norman. And as soon as my necessities were in my apartment, I drove to <a href="http://petsandpeople.com/">Pets and People Humane Society</a>, and brought home a dog that I had met 2 weeks before and had placed a hold on the week before.<br>
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Looking at these pics make my cry. This sweet girl had been at the shelter over a year. She had been adopted once and returned. Her name was Sunshine.<br>
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I almost didn't even notice her. She wasn't housed with the other big dogs. Instead she was in the office with the people and the little dogs. When I saw her, she was so subdued. I walked up to her crate and she looked forlorn, but licked my hand. I took her out for a walk and she animated.<br>
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I'd looked at dogs for a month, and she was my dog. That was it. At the time I didn't know about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=APOOs208Oco">Black Dog Syndrome. </a>I didn't know the challenges she'd present and the richness she'd bring to my life.<br>
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We've gone over 500 miles and we have thousands left to go. :)<br>
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Yes, I rescued Lady Bird. But believe me, she rescued me every bit as much.<br>
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<br>annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-9304973112425507962013-05-22T11:01:00.003-05:002013-05-22T15:17:02.206-05:00What can I say that hasn't already been said?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jKG5DtZiJsqzP6kQzeq-C1QnaQTR2oYbrUsIKPUnbPi2rMfSvXDtWeXxps794L64c_mDYKIyhlCyc0td-yRRYXhLkz9pbkhqZ3HWngPxCgvAnvZm3j_EAI7I7skc-Gj_2-9SDg/s1600/084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jKG5DtZiJsqzP6kQzeq-C1QnaQTR2oYbrUsIKPUnbPi2rMfSvXDtWeXxps794L64c_mDYKIyhlCyc0td-yRRYXhLkz9pbkhqZ3HWngPxCgvAnvZm3j_EAI7I7skc-Gj_2-9SDg/s320/084.JPG" width="320" /></a>When you realize you're helplessly watching a nightmare unfold, what can you do?<br />
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For those reading outside Oklahoma, I just moved from 5 miles from the storm path to about 20 miles south.<br />
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It's a fine line between the paradox of deep gratitude and the heart wrenching loss your neighbors are suffering. I'm so grateful, but so many people are beginning their worst nightmare.<br />
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On Monday, the song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rsD4orsMFw">"Tomorrow will be kinder" </a> kept going through my mind. More deeply, I kept thinking that tomorrow might not be brighter. In these situations, the fallout can be so much worse as reality sinks in.<br />
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People are resilient, but people are also fragile. Yes, Oklahoma will recover. But first we need to accept the grief.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who checked in on me and all the people around the nation who have donated to support the area. I'm trying to figure out how to help while not being in the way. Right now it's about donations and finding your niche where you can help. I'm going to see if I can get involved in trying to help lost pets find their owners. I could handle losing my stuff, but if I lost my pets on top of it, I'd lose it. <a href="http://www.okclostpets.com/">www.okclostpets.com</a><br />
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It's time to grieve and help.<br />
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<br />annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-14226228977598857042013-05-17T09:34:00.001-05:002013-05-17T09:34:03.730-05:00Green acres is the place for meSo we're two weeks into country life. The moving officially ended this weekend, for which I am extremely grateful. I am getting too old for this nonsense. My body might never forgive me.<br />
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I downsized about 400 sq feet from my old apartment to this place. It is a challenge, but has also given me the chance to downsize a lot of stuff. If I didn't have any sewing stuff, I'd have the perfect amount of storage space. D'oh.<br />
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The farm is amazing. My landlords are incredibly generous. All the fresh veggies and eggs I can handle. Fresh chicken, fresh pork, fresh goat milk.<br />
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The dogs are in hog heaven. There's always something for them to watch or play with or what not.<br />
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There are challenges. Bugs. Distance. Dirt.<br />
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But really... forget Manhattan, just gimmie that countryside. Today at least. :)
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<br />annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-78027518060964566042013-05-03T09:15:00.000-05:002013-05-03T09:15:09.600-05:00Moving is the pits, but sort of exciting too, I guess.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGZfZRrUw48nhxNxs0TIGKP7jScgSK8tNVNk7tD00yLDOJb3PnH823sGGZArJO0ulBYGNcYwUx6LwE7HMX-j9nd5xnRt1NnvPTLapVrd_dushZns4RD3stoutguy6tDZ7KWPiEA/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGZfZRrUw48nhxNxs0TIGKP7jScgSK8tNVNk7tD00yLDOJb3PnH823sGGZArJO0ulBYGNcYwUx6LwE7HMX-j9nd5xnRt1NnvPTLapVrd_dushZns4RD3stoutguy6tDZ7KWPiEA/s320/017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dogs at the new digs. Standing by my future garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hate moving. This is an understatement.<br />
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To be fair, there is some sense of anticipation of a clean slate. Something new. Blah blah blah.<br />
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Last year I moved to Norman in unfortunate circumstances. It was last minute, not my decision, and beyond my control. I didn't feel comfortable with my knowledge of the options in Norman. I found a nice place, thankfully, and had a good experience there (shout out to <a href="http://www.elite2900.com/">Elite Properties if you're looking for Norman rentals!</a>). But I never really unpacked. Never hung things up on the wall. Very much viewed the apartment as a part time pit stop. It was my apartment and not my home.<br />
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Similarly, for the past year, whenever I have got back into downtown or midtown OKC, it has broken my heart. I missed it so much and had such good memories there.<br />
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But last weekend when I was in OKC, I drove through my old neighborhood, by my old house, and just felt happy memories. I realized that now I'm looking forward to the future and accepting the past with thankfulness.<br />
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Don't get me wrong. A couple of days ago I had my first moment of OMG WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING THIS IS CRAZY PANTS WHY ARE YOU MOVING TO A CHICKEN FARM IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE YOU WILL NEVER HAVE ANY FRIENDS AND HAVE TO JOIN FARMERSONLY.COM !<br />
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It is pretty crazy. After I calmed down a bit, I reminded myself that the most fun times in my life are when I just leaned into the crazy.<br />
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There are still things that get under my skin. I'm in my 30's and I'm still renting a house in a place I don't see myself in indefinitely. I get so jealous when I think of my friends who have settled down in a house or a city or a place where they see themselves for the long haul. I'm still not to that point yet. It's no secret that I hope to move back to Texas sometime in the next few years.<br />
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I guess many of us have a bit of homesickness in our hearts. Sometimes you're not even sure what it means that you want, but it is there. In the meantime, lean into the craziness. :)annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-36348779171507817352013-04-26T14:23:00.001-05:002013-04-26T14:23:06.238-05:00I'm not good with the predictable<br />
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I'm not sure when it started, but after college I moved abroad. Twice.<br />
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Then I came back to Oklahoma of all things, so I lived in the heart of Midtown OKC at the beginning of the area's renewal.<br />
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Then I moved to Norman. Life has been so... normal. And I think I'd rather have things be interesting than predictable. Life is better with the unexpected.<br />
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So since my lease is up, I knew I wanted to move. Life with 2 dogs is not conducive to apartment life (although it is doable, but that's another rant for another day).<br />
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For years I've daydreamed about living in the country and joked about living off the grid. So imagine my shock when I stumbled upon a guest house for rent on a free-range chicken farm in the middle of the country.<br />
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I made an appointment to go out and see it, figuring that even if it was horrifying, it would be a good story (see above). But lo and behold, it is delightful. So out to the country I go. Fresh eggs and organic produce will abound.<br />
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The dogs will love it. And no, I don't think they'll chase the chickens. They have a few acres behind my landlord's house to wander about on, behind chicken wire.<br />
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<i>Green acres is the place for me...</i>annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-52537611433149803882013-04-04T08:43:00.001-05:002013-04-04T08:43:30.015-05:00Perfect Oatmeal<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXXdWQQlNA4V8W8KfSOK2nbdb9QPPAD-C8Cw9XPstmPdXZ7NTBhizj2xoymleYKGfAAS6cIBrrcMFBZbwDDAmd1wXCbg3R_4qlGBR59HYyepu6gZ2GQ0pDAu5GTZZRMlh20Hdgg/s1600/oatmeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXXdWQQlNA4V8W8KfSOK2nbdb9QPPAD-C8Cw9XPstmPdXZ7NTBhizj2xoymleYKGfAAS6cIBrrcMFBZbwDDAmd1wXCbg3R_4qlGBR59HYyepu6gZ2GQ0pDAu5GTZZRMlh20Hdgg/s320/oatmeal.jpg" width="320" /></a>I do not oft claim to have super-human cooking powers, but there are some things that I am the bomb diggity at making. Oatmeal is one of those things. Let me share my secrets with you.<br />
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First of all, if you eat instant oatmeal... I'm just sorry. That is sad.<br />
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Second of all, if you make oatmeal in the microwave... please just stop.<br />
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Half cup rolled oats</li>
<li>One cup milk/almond milk</li>
<li>Cinnamon to taste</li>
<li>1 tablespoon brown sugar</li>
</ul>
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<ol>
<li>On medium heat on the stove top, bring milk to simmering or a slight boil. </li>
<li>Add in oats. If it begins a rolling boil, turn heat down. You don't want to scorch the bottom. Simmering would be just fine.</li>
<li>Allow to simmer for 15 or so minutes, until fully cooked.</li>
<li>Add toppings of choice.</li>
</ol>
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Yes, it takes longer, but by golly, it's 1000x better. Some notes below.</div>
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I use almond milk because I'm trying to cut out a lot of dairy. It's great, but cow milk is better. It's even BETTER to throw a dash of heavy cream or half and half in. Just sayin. Milk makes all the difference to oatmeal.</div>
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I add blueberries and strawberries as I have them. Strawberries in this oatmeal are ridiculously good. Add them at the end.</div>
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I increase this recipe by 50% because I want it to fill me up til lunch. Adjust recipe as you wish.</div>
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Welcome to your awesome life. </div>
annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-9415617486335017962013-02-04T11:13:00.002-06:002013-02-04T11:16:38.996-06:00The day Lady saved me from a coyoteYesterday was exciting. I go to a local state park with the dogs most every weekend, but yesterday was a first for us.<br />
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Lady likes to chase deer. And I let her. Davy likes to chase Lady and act like he's a big dog.<br />
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Yesterday as we approached the deer (in a spot we've gone to dozens and dozens of times), I noticed the deer were moving towards us, even though they saw us. I thought that was odd, but figured there were some walkers or hikers or something on the other side we couldn't see.<br />
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So Lady does her stalking and chasing.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8-UO_u8fPJ4" width="420"></iframe><br />
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She does her thing, comes back, and she and Davy find some deer bones and sniff around. Suddenly I look up and see something unusual. A gray dog with a huge puffy tail- aka a coyote. Looking at me. Coming towards me.<br />
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Whuuuuuuuut!<br />
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My first thought was, "Oh crap, I don't want Lady to chase that coyote. I don't want her to fight it. AAAAAAAAAAAH!" So she sees it, goes on point, then chases. I was flipping out. Of course Davy chases after her, and I was like, "Dang it, Davy! You're like a chicken nugget to a coyote!"<br />
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So I'm freaking out, because Lady and the coyote have gone into the woods and I can't see them. Lucky Davy doesn't run that far, and he's about 100 yards from me. Finally Lady runs back out and I was so relived. Lady and Davy pick up deer bones and run about a quarter mile the other direction, so I start walking behind them. A minutes or two later I look around and realize the coyote is back. Again, coming up behind me.<br />
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Suddenly it dawns on me. The bones, the patches of fur... we are walking in the middle of an area where a coyote has taken down a deer, and he wants to finish his meal.<br />
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So I start running back to the car! <br />
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And I called the dogs to follow me, which they do, but Davy, oh sweet Davy. Lady is fast and running ahead of me, but I keep looking back to make sure Davy is coming. And that stubborn dog will not relinquish the huge deer hip he has found. <br />
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So that is my adventure with a coyote. Luckily I only saw one- I am assuming it had a partner somewhere nearby. Beware when you tread atop a coyote's dinner!<br />
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Do I think the coyote would have been aggressive towards me? I don't know. They're typically shy, and the fact that it was clearly coming towards me and I was between it and its food gave me serious concern, though.<br />
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Lady got some special treatment the rest of the day. She really is the best. :)<br />
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<br />annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-57407437690936392722013-01-29T16:45:00.003-06:002013-01-29T16:45:55.735-06:00Dearly departedA week and a half ago my mother's father passed away. He lived a long, full life- 98 years. Even when death is a relief, it still hurts as a loss.<br />
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My grandad lived a vibrant life. He overcame a lot of odds to do so. He had polio as a child, then had corrective surgery that enabled him to walk, although that involved fusing his ankle bones. He grew up without his father, and my great-grandmother and her brother, both single parents, decided to raise their families together. My grandfather and grandmother married late in life for that time- 33 and 28, and had their only child 8 years later.<br />
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They traveled a lot of the southwest. He took a ton of photographs, which I treasure. He collected guns and listened to music. He was a good worker and an honest, kind man.<br />
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His wife, my grandmother, died 11 years ago. Although it goes against what I've theologically believed most of my life, it gives me a great deal of peace to think of them being reunited in some way and resting in peace next to each other.<br />
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My grandad's life gives me hope that rough starts don't define you. An adventurous spirit can take you beyond where anyone thought you could go. And love is true and faithful.<br />
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And it was poignant to sit next to my nephew during the service. Life does go on, and though it is sometimes sad, this is the way it should be. I was reminded of the Chris Rice lyric-<br />
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<i>Like a swing set in a graveyard, like a bloom in the desert sands, love is gonna break through.</i></blockquote>
annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-27089835720460519672013-01-16T10:36:00.001-06:002013-01-16T10:36:11.848-06:00The truth about dogsIf you follow me on any social media outlet besides my blog, you know that being a dog owner has become a major part of my life over the past 8 months. I am aware that I dance the line of being a crazy dog lady, and now I just went and got another. But I figure it's time to talk about what having a dog has meant to me and how it has made me grow, maybe explaining some of the enthusiasm.<br />
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I got Lady on the day that I moved into my apartment in Norman. Even though I was only moving 30 minutes away, I had the foresight to know it'd feel a lot further. When you're single and an introvert, it is easy to become very inwardly focused. In the grand scheme of life's trade-offs, while my situation means freedom, it also can become a petri dish for selfishness and loneliness.<br />
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I've noticed in relationships over the years (romantic and platonic) that I have a hard time letting go of doing things my way and allowing for changes of plans, because that's all I've known for 8 years. So one of the reasons I wanted a dog is because I want to let go of some self-centeredness. A dog is a good place to start, because even though they can be demanding, they also only give you crazy love and no hostility (my dog, at least). If I can learn to adapt my own desires around an animal that loves me totally, that should be a good warm up for an imperfect person. :)<br />
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And I have to say, it's worked. Lady is demanding of attention, but it's been so good for me. We went almost 300 miles in 2012, many of which I would have been sitting on my lazy butt for if it hadn't been for her. She gives me something to move forward with besides myself. The first months in Norman when life felt upside down, there were many days I wanted to sit and pout over change I didn't think I could handle, but she kept me looking forward.<br />
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She's good company. And she needed company while I was gone 40 hours a week at work, so enter Davy Crockett. :) He's a 3 year old fox terrier. He was rescued from a case of animal cruelty, and recently recovered from some serious medical issues. But the kid has spirit. He is brave and sweet and feisty. He and Lady are having a grand time.<br />
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Maybe I'm well on my way to becoming a "crazy dog lady" (although there are NO plans for more dogs! I always knew I'd plan to get a 2nd eventually, and now that's done), but frankly, I'd prefer to be a crazy dog lady compared to the alternative of where'd I'd be without them. For me, dogs have been good for my soul.annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-83107972753362548852013-01-10T16:42:00.003-06:002013-01-10T16:42:46.837-06:00OmA few months ago, I bought a package of yoga classes from <a href="http://www.ashtangayogastudio.com/">Ashtanga Yoga Studio</a>. It was about to expire, which spurred me to use it (as is true with most of my group buying experiences).<br />
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I've gone to two Level One classes. The first time I was kind of like... are we sure this is an intro class? Everyone else seemed like a pro! But the teacher, Andrew (and owner of the studio) is great. There's no feeling that you should be able to do anything crazy, he just wants you to focus on breathing and doing what is comfortable. <br />
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This is Andrew:<br />
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This is how I look:</div>
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Anyhoo, so far it's been great. But I'm blogging about it because Andrew said 2 things that have made me think.<br />
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He talked about how everyone knows that physical exercise makes you feel better mentally, but yoga is the only exercise developed to take care of the mind, rather than train you to be an athlete or whatever. Hmm, good observation.<br />
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Also, he leads us in meditation for the last 15 minutes of class, and he said that mental peace is integral to any other kind of physical peace. He said, "You know that some people are trapped inside a hell of their mind?" Yes, I do know people like that. It's sad and pathetic. And I'm thankful I am not one of those.<br />
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Will I keep going to Ashtanga? Yes, I think so. <a href="http://sojochick.blogspot.com/2012/07/st-francis-was-on-to-something.html">The people are genuinely welcoming and kind</a>, and I am enjoying yoga. Will I become a full fledged yogi? Doubt it. But stranger things have happened. :)annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-65795017608516518842012-11-12T10:22:00.000-06:002012-11-12T10:22:12.717-06:00Aunt Annie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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No, this post is not about me. It's about my great-aunt Annie. Her name is actually Sylvia, but everyone calls her Annie. <br />
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She lives next door to my grandparents. My dad grew up living at her house. She has a beautiful garden, she is an amazing cook, and she has been a nurse for most of her life. She started out in the Army, and then worked in family practice til she retired.<br />
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She doesn't have her own biological kids, but has been integral in the raising of every kid on my dad's side of the family.<br />
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3 of her brothers and sisters still eat lunch at her house every day. I'm 95% sure she's kept most of them alive through health care and feeding throughout the years. :)<br />
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She's gentle and wise and caring. When I was so sick in the hospital in OKC a few years ago, she and my other aunt Myra came to stay with me a week so my parents could go back to Texas for a while. While they were there, my doctor pulled me off all my pain medications and I went through horrible withdrawals for 48 hours. The only thing that made me feel better is when Annie rubbed my back. She said, "when I was a nurse in the army, this was our main treatment for soldiers when we didn't have medicine available." Such a blessing.<br />
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The older I get, the more I see myself in her. And that's a great thing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With her brothers and sisters- Annie is third from the left</td></tr>
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annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-9182355163796995142012-10-25T16:12:00.001-05:002012-10-26T08:15:07.371-05:00Avian bone syndrome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Let's start with gratuitous shots of my nephew. </div>
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The kid has started smiling. My heart has melted.<br />
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Anyhoo, time has flown since I moved to Norman. Next week will be 6 months at my new job! Whaaaa?!<br />
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Lady Bird and I have gone many miles. Approximately 175 that I've tracked. That's just how many I've gone; I imagine LB goes about 50% more than me. We've had a lot of fun. She's gotten very dirty. You might know that we've had some setbacks. I broke my ankle in June- stress fracture. For those counting at home, this is my second stress fracture and third non-traumatic bone break.<br />
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Lady did not approve of my immobility. I did not remind her that this was indirectly her fault.</div>
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In my old age, I am a terrible patient. I hated being in that stupid cast and hated crutches more. But I tried to comply with "inactivity" and "rest" for about a month. It was lame. But now I have another bone to keep my eye on. </div>
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A few weeks ago I had a coughing fit and think I cracked a rib. I am a delicate flower. </div>
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Lady had a set back as well. I think (because I did not witness it, but based on evidence) that she got into a fight with a raccoon last week. She is fine, just some scratches and has had the vet's OK. Like I said, I didn't see it, but I imagine it went like this.</div>
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Another event in my life has been fostering two dogs this summer. </div>
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Leo the miniature dachshund came from <a href="http://secondchancenorman.com/">Second Chance Animal Sanctuary</a> and was only with us a week until he was adopted. Such a sweet boy.</div>
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Dobie the lab/doberman mix was from the <a href="http://www.okhumane.org/">Oklahoma Humane Society</a>. He was with us two weeks. It took Lady a while to warm up to him, but he was a big ol' sweetheart who loved everyone.<br />
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If you like animals, consider fostering. It's a nice short term way to help out, by both giving the shelter more space and helping socialize and train the animals.<br />
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*Note- I do not have Avian Bone Syndrome. That is not real. It is from an episode of 30 Rock. I don't have osteoporosis or any medical indication as to why my bones are weak. They just are.<br />
<br />annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-34835903145771867182012-10-11T10:56:00.003-05:002012-10-11T10:56:19.764-05:00My perfect nephewWell, this is the most delinquent I've ever been blogging. I would apologize, but I doubt many people have been waiting with bated breath for my next update.<br />
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THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HAPPEN SINCE MY LAST UPDATE-<br />
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This is my perfect nephew, Wesley.<br />
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This kid has auntie wrapped around his finger.<br />
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Seriously, he's the coolest.annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-11460227139107727502012-07-13T09:49:00.002-05:002012-07-13T09:49:47.519-05:00St. Francis was on to something<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>St. Francis* is my homeboy</i></td></tr>
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I said something on twitter the other day that got some attention, and I wanted to expand a bit on it. I am officially past the honeymoon of moving. :) I do like Norman, but it is certainly an adjustment.<br />
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One of the hardest parts-ok, THE hardest part- is being so far away from friends and things familiar. And I have not been bashful about talking about how much I hate visiting churches.<br />
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The other day on twitter, I noted that I can go to any dog park and I'm greeted and welcomed, but I can go to church and no one speaks to me. Some good conversation sparked from that, some wondering why and what we can do to address it in churches. I honestly don't know why this is. Maybe having a dog is such a common denominator that people feel more free to open a conversation with it.<br />
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But surely at church, where the common point is loving God and each other, we can find SOMETHING to talk to visitors about.<br />
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I will admit that I'm not the most approachable person. I'm a loner at times. I've had enough negative experiences visiting churches that I really don't radiate sunshine when I go. But generally what happens is I go in, no one speaks to me, unless there is that forced, awkward "greet visitors" time, when the people behind me will find out my name, and then I sit through the service and leave.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">One person- hello </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/billyadams" style="background-color: white;">@billyadams</a><span style="background-color: white;">- has invited me to visit the church he goes to here in Norman, so I can't pass up the only offer I've got. :) </span><br />
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All in all, maybe churches who are so focused on being the slickest marketers and using the latest jargon should take a visit to the dog park to figure out how to make people feel welcome. Just a thought.<br />
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*Patron saint of animalsannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-12741081047785688542012-07-02T16:19:00.002-05:002012-07-02T16:19:34.475-05:00Well some things have happened.A lot has happened since I last posted. After accepting the job with OU, I found out a couple of days later that I was being kicked out of the house I'd been renting for 5 years. I was heartbroken to leave Heritage Hills. It was a wonderful place to live for 5 years, but the timing was perhaps perfect, as I was about to start commuting to Norman.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye Heritage Hills</td></tr>
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Leaving OC was sad, but felt right. I left feeling good about the place and my time there, and I will always love my coworkers.<br />
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For a month I stayed with friends in OKC and commuted to Norman. Two words- never. again. I was not made to commute. But I'm so grateful I had that cushion of time to decide where to live once I moved. At first I was tempted to just do everything like I'd done before- same style house, same style lifestyle. I just wanted to replicate everything. Then I realized I could do things differently now, if I wanted to.<br />
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One of the biggest manifestations of that was deciding to move into a place that'd let me get a dog. I've wanted a dog for a long time. I did a lot of research into every facet, and ended up with a sweet black lab mix I named Lady Bird. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Lady Bird!</td></tr>
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I got her the day I moved into my new place. Part of me thinks it was crazy, but when I look at the big picture, I think it was a good move. Everything in my life has been upended, and she has given me some stability and something tangible with which to move forward. She is a sweetheart of a dog. I am glad to have found her, and give a big shout out to the <a href="http://www.petsandpeople.com/">Pets and People animal shelter in Yukon, OK</a>. I had a great experience with them, and they took care of her for almost all of her life.<br />
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What else? Oh yes, I started a new job. No pictures to go with that, really. I like it a lot and think it was a positive step in my career. I love the challenge and change of working with adult education in higher ed.<br />
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Enough eventfulness for you? Well let's not forget my baby sister got married! It was a good weekend and celebration with family. She is also going to have my nephew in September! I can't wait!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother in law and sister</td></tr>
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Now... I'm trying to find my new normals. My life involves a lot of walking the dog. We went 70 miles in the first month. Trying to make friends in Norman. Trying to adjust to life in a college town. I know I'll like it, but I grew accustomed to the crack heads and vagrants and gentry of Midtown after 5 years. :)<br />
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Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of blogging. That's it for the whirlwind update!annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-23488435150658751532012-03-26T12:23:00.000-05:002012-03-26T12:23:04.765-05:00The actual next chapter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA54FJRm6U5EuhihSPp5Gs0ZydKyFgbf8JlP1U1uE2FGBqgKN3oV2P75bEr49w-rUKK39M8LLqCXFRRKBZwU67-4Sxmbor0ndlAPMo5orfXr_48BU85R4Hu8ULot04DzczkIsveQ/s1600/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA54FJRm6U5EuhihSPp5Gs0ZydKyFgbf8JlP1U1uE2FGBqgKN3oV2P75bEr49w-rUKK39M8LLqCXFRRKBZwU67-4Sxmbor0ndlAPMo5orfXr_48BU85R4Hu8ULot04DzczkIsveQ/s320/IMG_2844.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
After four and a half good years at Oklahoma Christian University, I was offered a job at the University of Oklahoma and I accepted it. </div>
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This is bittersweet in the way these things are. I never could have imagined what my co-workers at OC would come to mean to me; they have been my family in Oklahoma City. I was given the chance to grow a successful career in social media and web communication, with freedom and encouragement I wouldn't have received many places.</div>
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I'm so excited! This is a change I need both in my personal and professional life. If you are associated with OC, I want to reassure you that I have never been more hopeful about the future of OC. The timing is unfortunate that I will leave right when John deSteiguer starts his presidency. I admire him as a leader and friend, and assure you that I truly believe- even without my PR hat on- that the best days of OC are ahead.</div>
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Thank you for all the support you've been to me over the years. I am more hopeful about my future than I've been in a long time. </div>annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-79565240751734236822012-03-04T21:23:00.000-06:002012-03-04T21:28:36.996-06:00Next chapter<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl03cCt_5FafY7tIRWT3ztw19obCx_romyuTy5uTDar-S6o7GJZiDXS6PSGqTvHMeu8_k7Hykogno3i-FZl0VFG_MSdXHaxYEMlB1rs9CS5vfN2tRlD1CfVa8IfewgRWgK4KfKoA/s1600/viewer.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl03cCt_5FafY7tIRWT3ztw19obCx_romyuTy5uTDar-S6o7GJZiDXS6PSGqTvHMeu8_k7Hykogno3i-FZl0VFG_MSdXHaxYEMlB1rs9CS5vfN2tRlD1CfVa8IfewgRWgK4KfKoA/s320/viewer.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun setting on my 20's</td></tr>
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When I lived in Japan, one of my friends at church turned 30 and was not at all pleased by it. I remember thinking then (at a wise 23) how silly that was. Well my my my, how quickly the turn tables.<br />
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Those who've been around me the past couple of months have seen that I have been very down about my impending birthday. It's one of those maddening things where I know how silly it is, but I just can't help it. I know birthdays in and of themselves don't mean anything. Nothing changes from one day to the next. But they're good times to be reflective and benchmark your life. </div>
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Gosh, 30. My 20's were many things. For a while I felt resentment that I lost such a chunk of my life with illness in my early 20's. But on the same hand, I am so forever, deeply grateful that I had brilliant experiences that I had all over the world, with many precious people.</div>
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I think about life not being what I thought it'd be. I'm single, childless, far away from family. In those ways sometimes I feel like my life is kind of empty. I realize it's quite self-pitiful to complain when I have a good career, relatively good health, ample time to pursue my interests and hopes... but this is my blog and I get to be honest. :) I think 30 is different for men and women. Women have some kind of primal expiration date, and if I am being truly honest, that's not helping things. My biological clock isn't ticking or whatever, but I am keenly aware that I'm not getting any younger. </div>
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I've thought more about my future. One of the biggest things I hope for in the next decade is that I'll find home, whatever that means for me. I want to feel belonging and peace. That's been missing in my life. I hope to find meaning. It's quite existential, but I have been wrestling with what life means... what point does my life serve... what difference do I make. </div>
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I hope that I value and pursue wisdom over rightness, kindness over piety, and joy over success, grace over superficial beauty.</div>
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Tomorrow I'll wake up with the sun streaming in my bedroom. And I'll be grateful. The birthday blues might catch me for a few minutes at some point, but it will be a good day. And that's how the next chapter starts. :)</div>annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-47955476216345480492012-02-26T12:28:00.003-06:002012-02-26T12:36:33.415-06:00Good eats<br />
This winter I have really struggled with illness. My sinuses and allergies have been giving me chronic headaches and I've lost my voice for many days. I think this is primarily due to the last of a hard freeze here this winter, but it's prompted me to do a lot of research into homeopathic remedies.<br />
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I have a great primary care physician. I appreciate doctors who don't want to just throw antibiotics at everything. I realize they're necessary sometimes, but he has coached me to be faithful to neti-potting and menthol cough drops. They do help.<br />
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One of the worst parts of all this was the chronic headaches I mentioned earlier. They've been really miserable. So I started looking into more natural remedies that may help.<br />
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I admit that I am a pretty typical American eater. I don't eat fast food daily, but a couple of times a week. I drank soda not daily, but sporadically. I generally have coffee or tea in the mornings. I like chocolate. You know I love to bake, so I eat plenty of refined white flour.<br />
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Over Christmas I fell into the trap of SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR. You saw that I baked a ton, I ate super-well, I put yummy creamers in my coffee... it was everywhere. So about a month ago I decided I needed to break my "new normal" level of sugar intake, and get it back down to a place where it was in much greater moderation. I did a <a href="http://life.gaiam.com/article/3-day-clean-food-detox-plan">3 day "detox" of no natural or artificial sweeteners</a>. I definitely felt the withdrawals, but I wasn't deprived in any way. I felt better and immediately lost a pound or two of bloat.<br />
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Also, I didn't get any headaches....!!!!!!!!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EURoJaS4kwHMUZcPN2ObHFUFetvLuG0Ngyk6EFnTUivTdgn8yk88I5OsE532SU4T9TFTaFWJe8ojxAA2w-O-8Gtv_VpcVklz2R7JyM34m_XDVdMESV3EOJ5KLMsJksHMSzToRg/s1600/20110204-FAT%2520SICK%2520and%2520NEARLY%2520DEAD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EURoJaS4kwHMUZcPN2ObHFUFetvLuG0Ngyk6EFnTUivTdgn8yk88I5OsE532SU4T9TFTaFWJe8ojxAA2w-O-8Gtv_VpcVklz2R7JyM34m_XDVdMESV3EOJ5KLMsJksHMSzToRg/s320/20110204-FAT%2520SICK%2520and%2520NEARLY%2520DEAD.jpeg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O63TX6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=surpbyjoy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004O63TX6">Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead</a></td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=surpbyjoy-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004O63TX6" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />So I happened to watch the documentary <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O63TX6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=surpbyjoy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004O63TX6">Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead</a> (also on Netflix). The premise is a middle aged man who has a typical body type and suffers from many typical ailments that go along with it decides to do a 60 day fresh juice fast. I highly recommend it. I have no interest in doing a complete juice fast (my sensitive gastrointestinal system can't handle any shocks), but I took away two major points.<br />
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1- <b>You are not destined to have bad health.</b> There are some disease that happen by chance, but with our knowledge, you don't have to have type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and a slew of other problems. Chance is tricky enough, so you should take care of the aspects of health you can control.<br />
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2- <b>Your body craves nutrients.</b> Put good food in it. I went and got a juicer because I was convinced that I needed more nutrients, and that would be a good way to do it. I hate eating salad. Drinking it is much better to me. And there is something so refreshing after you drink a glass of fresh juice.<br />
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Since I got the juicer, I've had at least one glass of juice a day. In the mornings I typically drink carrot-apple-ginger-orange juice. It is delish. At some point during the day I try to drink a glass of "green" juice, usually kale-cucumber-celery-tomato-carrot. Not as "delicious", but it tastes green and fresh. I can tell my skin is brighter and I feel better. My iron level is great (I am pretty severely anemic), my skin is brighter, and I don't crave sugar the way I used to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtCze3-bSBziOo8bWoQEzphwtkHocoSEElm8cutmrTD46a56SFthO6qgfpBDq7HQtClMvfKrMLecn_NlFbYOqdHM4ukTqghicUkm7KbBpAZqB2PgnfHX0scp9MOFH1ib4V3V8Sg/s1600/Forks-Over-Knives-Movie-Poster11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtCze3-bSBziOo8bWoQEzphwtkHocoSEElm8cutmrTD46a56SFthO6qgfpBDq7HQtClMvfKrMLecn_NlFbYOqdHM4ukTqghicUkm7KbBpAZqB2PgnfHX0scp9MOFH1ib4V3V8Sg/s320/Forks-Over-Knives-Movie-Poster11.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053ZHZI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=surpbyjoy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0053ZHZI2">Forks Over Knives</a></td></tr>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=surpbyjoy-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0053ZHZI2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />After this, I decided to watch the other nutritional documentary I'd heard good things about, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053ZHZI2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=surpbyjoy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0053ZHZI2">Forks Over Knives</a>. The premise of this documentary is two physicians and researchers who dedicated their lives to research in preventing heart disease and cancer through a vegan diet. Based on world-wide research in where cancer/heart disease is most prevalent, they have seen clinical results in reversing these conditions through nutritional treatment.<br />
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I'm a stone cold Texan and not planning to be a bonafide vegan, but it highlights <b>the importance of moderation</b>. One of the focuses of this documentary is the effect that inflammation has on your body. Even if you have a mild irritation to foods (like I do to dairy), it can wear on your health if you are constantly bombarding your body with it.<br />
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The thing about living in a land of abundance like we have is that we don't have to practice moderation. It must be done through discipline. To me, it seems like the act of simply paying attention to what your body is telling you is so important. For me, that means that I know that sugar gives me headaches. Lactose slugs down my digestive system. Fruit sugars make my stomach hurt if I eat too much. And I'm sure I'll learn more as I pay more attention.<br />
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<b>All of this to say that for maybe the first time in my life, I feel like I'm caring about my body not in just an attempt to be the "right size", but to feel good and have a full life. </b><br />
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I'm kind of a hippie. But if you'd been through the medical experiences I have, you probably would be, too. :)annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-31812609732440664382012-02-21T21:46:00.002-06:002012-02-21T21:46:39.268-06:00The art of being happyIt's big a big few weeks. Or months. Lots of good news. Every time I turn around someone is engaged or getting married or having a baby. But such is this time of my life! I guess better than funerals when I get old.<br />
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Some single people hate Valentine's day. And make a public display of that hatred. Maybe at some point I felt like that, but I think that if you can't be happy for other people that are happy, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0_5jwOFet0">you need to check yo'self (before you wreck yo'self)</a>. But in seriousness, I do believe that. I think it's a sign of maturity.<br />
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But I will admit something you, my close personal friend base. That's a joke; I don't even know who reads my blog anymore. But here it is- I feel like I'm mastering the art of happiness for other people. I'm ready to be happy for myself. Whenever I run into old friends, I feel like my "catching up" consists of updating what is going on in other peoples' lives and not my own. My life has stayed substantially the same for the past 5 years.<br />
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Don't get me wrong; life is good. But it's hard sometimes. And it's very easy to fall into the vortex of self-pity.<br />
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But the bigger truth is that I don't have one ounce of resentment for any of my friends and their exciting changes. I have seen that like the Grinch, my heart has grown (at least) three sizes. I mean look at this girl:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRQn_0JQ_WI2lof6ybSlj7yEC-mMJ-iluSWfQP6g1sjVyl6gAO5iq4kwBU0BhMHsdgo8G3E3n99FE0AKgvkXiHDWKHxBgJ0k_s4NlnyZeI1qIc-mCKt_EH085veeshQYskP8keg/s1600/IMG_7779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRQn_0JQ_WI2lof6ybSlj7yEC-mMJ-iluSWfQP6g1sjVyl6gAO5iq4kwBU0BhMHsdgo8G3E3n99FE0AKgvkXiHDWKHxBgJ0k_s4NlnyZeI1qIc-mCKt_EH085veeshQYskP8keg/s320/IMG_7779.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with Eden Grace Blackwell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This sweetie is the perfect example of how my heart's found new measures of joy. My good friends Blake and Kacee welcomed their daughter into the world, and I have claimed her as my niece. I can't wait to see her grow up and learn and have all kinds of fun and mischief. Get ready to hear lots more about her.<br />
<br />
So while it is sometimes easy to feel like the world is passing me by, it is also filling my heart up. So keep the good news coming, friends!annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15433802638860190900noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736097.post-60250633509456990762012-02-06T21:29:00.003-06:002012-02-06T21:29:47.928-06:00Thoughts from the past 7 daysI am clumsy.<br />
<br />
What separates humans from the beasts is thumbs.<br />
<br />
Life with 1 thumb is difficult. These things are difficult to do without a thumb:<br />
<ul>
<li>button pants</li>
<li>hook bra straps</li>
<li>open ziplock bags</li>
<li>wash dishes</li>
<li>put on makeup</li>
</ul>
When you do things for people you love, it's not a burden.<br />
<br />
Bringing food to grieving families may seem superficial, but it is deeply meaningful when you are blessed by it.<br />
<br />
Sometimes in life you will have to demonstrate your priorities by acting on them.<br />
<br />
Family always come before work.<br />
<br />
I'd rather learn what you believe by watching your life than listening to you tell me what you believe.<br />
<br />
Politics is crazy.<br />
<br />
Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://blogs.oc.edu/ocnews/president-elect_desteiguer_calls_oklahoma_christian_his_home/">OC is a special place</a>.<br />
<br />
So is southwestern Arkansas.<br />
<br />
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