tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198104002024-03-07T05:03:18.359-05:00Candid KarinaTelling it like it isKarinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comBlogger804125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-12572531376150983542011-09-05T22:41:00.001-04:002011-09-05T22:41:14.113-04:00Moving Sale<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Candid Karina has moved <a href="http://candidkarina.wordpress.com/">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I do hope you'll come visit me there! </span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-45189226169587281332011-07-20T21:02:00.000-04:002011-07-20T21:02:09.106-04:00Warrior Girl<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Ever since I discovered Wonder Woman as a little girl, I’ve
wanted to be a superhero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, in high
school and college, I became a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, and I totally
wanted to be that girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one who can
kick serious butt while wearing stiletto boots and a skirt.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But there was one little problem to this desire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was lazy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a little girl, I did gymnastics, and even ran track for a
few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But once puberty hit, I
became way more interested in boys and fashion then I ever would be in sports
and sweating.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In high school I was one of the girls who opted to “walk
around the track” during gym class to avoid breaking a sweat (or God forbid a
nail) during volleyball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only owned a
pair of sneakers because it was required for said gym class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not a jock.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really wanted to be strong, fast, a superhero, but I had
no desire to actually, physically, do anything strenuous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, in the last few years, I started working out more, and
then running, and then, suddenly, in this last year, everything changed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And on June 28<sup>th</sup> of this year, I did something
that my inner “stiletto wearing, make-up loving, boy crazy” girlie girl would
have told you was ABSOLUTELY NOT EVER going to happen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ran the Warrior Dash.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dpIZt55dmg/Tid54j1cchI/AAAAAAAAEBk/nPGAXR7UcvY/s1600/tiff+%2526+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1dpIZt55dmg/Tid54j1cchI/AAAAAAAAEBk/nPGAXR7UcvY/s320/tiff+%2526+I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is the Warrior Dash you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a 3 mile “run” through the woods, over
obstacles such as 20 foot walls and rope ladders, ending in a mud pit of epic
proportions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go here for a better idea
(including a video of the insanity).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yeah…I did that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
I loved every muddy moment of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
taxing, and challenging and exhausting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It poured that morning, so I was wet, and sweaty, and muddy
and gross.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had bruises and cuts all over.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never been so dirty in my entire life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t wait to do it all over again next year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pushing beyond the limits I set for myself years ago felt
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like a butterfly finally
pushing out of that cocoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was
this feeling of re-birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new me
emerging, muddy, and sore, and laughing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am an athlete, and I have the medal and the bruises to
prove it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am Warrior Girl.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-38491672632188386792011-07-14T15:11:00.002-04:002011-07-14T15:11:00.354-04:00Shall We Dance?<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am getting pretty tired of this song and dance.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I promise you (I promise me) that I’m going to blog more often, I get you (I get me) all excited that THIS will be the time when I will once again return to my regular blogging habits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">For a time, all seems well, I’m here, I’m present, I’m blogging.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And then…it all falls apart again.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I miss a day. I miss a week. And suddenly I’ve missed a whole month.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The doubts creep in, the judgments, the accusations…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Do I even have a right to call myself a blogger anymore? Should I just throw in the towel? Is there a point to any of this anyway?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But like a dysfunctional relationship, I come back, again and again…unable to break away. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike one of those relationships, however, there is no downside to blogging…even sporadically.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Truth is, whether I’m writing daily, weekly, or even monthly…I’m writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether anyone is even reading is no longer the point anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Like most things in my life nowadays, I’m doing this for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have learned that if I do things for me, without any expectations of praise or recognition, without feeling the need to be validated by the outside world…then I’m doing something right.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So, here we go again, another tango, another dance, another try at this…</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How long will the music last this time?</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-52642796360190188642011-06-17T10:30:00.003-04:002011-06-17T10:30:01.887-04:00Close To HomeFirst of all…yes, yes, I know, I failed miserably at the “posting every day in June” challenge…now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s move on. ;-)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I watch a lot of television, and I have always been a fan of crime procedurals, police shows, and the like. I don’t know if this is because I wanted to be a lawyer at one point in my life (grateful now I didn’t choose that path after all), or simply because most of the stuff that happens on those shows is really like an alternate reality to me. Sort of like my vampire shows. Those things don’t happen, not really, in my life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unlike my vampire shows, I realize that the crime stuff is all too real for many people, but I am blessed to not be faced with those harsh realities on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean, there is plenty of crime and devastation in the city where I live (trust me, we are far from a Utopia here), but I’m removed from it. And in general, I don’t really even watch the news or read the paper. This is a topic for another day, but I’m a bit of an emotional sponge, and watching the news always ends with me in tears, aching for the world we live in.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Now and again, however, something hits so close to home, that it is impossible to avoid. And last night, it couldn’t have gotten any closer to home…literally.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I came home to find out my upstairs neighbor had shot and killed himself earlier this week.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I KNOW!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here’s the thing, it didn’t exactly come as a total shock. The man was obviously suffering from a deep depression and we all knew it. He’d lost his job, he was always holed up in his condo, and recently, he was foreclosed on, his unit was sold, and he wouldn’t open the door to the new owner. Last year around this time his family sent the police over to do a wellness check on him. We found out then that he was estranged from said family. The few times I saw him recently, he’d put on a large amount of weight, and lost most of his hair. He had aged noticeably. He was only in his early 40’s. He had, quite obviously, given up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This neighbor gave me grief for years with the parking situation, and I spent the better time of the first 6 years of living there disliking him. But recently, my tune had changed. As much as I was still annoyed that he never moved his car ONCE this entire winter, leaving me without a parking space due to the tremendous amounts of snow we got, I realized that something was obviously wrong. So I began to pray for him whenever I’d get frustrated. I prayed he would get the help he so obviously needed. I’m sad to say he obviously didn’t.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The scary part of it all is that looking back on it now, talking to my other neighbors last night, I realized…I actually heard the gunshot earlier this week. I shudder at the thought, but I remember sitting up on my couch and going “what the hell was that?” And then, when I heard nothing else, I went back to watching television.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My heart breaks for his family, and obviously for him. How hopeless must he have felt…how I wish I could have done something to help.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But all I could and all I can do is pray…it still seems inconceivable…and far too close to home.</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-6990798004690479172011-06-09T22:16:00.024-04:002011-06-09T22:24:55.760-04:00Mirror Mirror On The Wall<br />
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Yes, I realize I missed yet another day yesterday…eh, whatever…the goal was to revive this little blog of mine, and I’m posting almost every day…that’s enough for me). Moving on. ;-)</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m the sort of person who projects an air of confidence to the outside world. I’m pretty sure that the average person meeting me would think me to be strong, confident, independent and comfortable in my own skin. In fact, if you ask most of my friends, they will likely describe me the same way. I know this, because I’ve been told often that this is how people see me.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And some days, this is, in fact, exactly who I am.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, the truth lies deeper than that. Behind that confident demeanor is a shy little girl, mercilessly teased and bullied in junior high, practically invisible in high school, and still, daily, completely unsure of herself.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am a social butterfly, but am, in truth, painfully shy. I am the life of the party, but much prefer the position of the wallflower, people watching, taking it all in. I walk with my head held high, but whenever I walk in a room and heads turn my way, my immediate reaction is “are they laughing at me?”</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I could go into a tirade of the effects of bullying, and how it has affected me into adulthood here…but this is not what this post is about. I could also, just as easily, launch into a speech about the detriment of the media, specifically the “beauty” industry, and how it’s made me (along with millions of other women) feel less than. But again, not where I’m going with this.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No, this post is about growth.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is about the change taking place within me as I get older.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I'm not talking about external change. I'm not talking about my weight loss. I'm not talking about my successes as a new runner, or about my improved level of physical fitness. I'm not talking the shape of my abs, the texture of my hair, or the quality of my skin. I'm not even talking about the more positive feelings I get when I see a photo of myself, or catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm talking about internal changes. I'm talking about the fact that there are days I realize I haven't looked in a mirror at all since I left the house. I'm talking about the fact that I can walk in a room so much more often and not care IF they are in fact talking about me. I'm talking about the fact that being comfortable in my own skin now means that it really isn't so much about how I look as it is about how I feel.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, the insecure, and sometimes vain girl still lives inside me, and is present way more than I would like her to be.</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But every day I'm more and more able to live by this quote which has been my email signature line for years now:</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"What you think of me, is none of my business" - Terry Cole-Whitaker</span></div>
<div class="yiv800254297MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-16875314086181012162011-06-07T21:25:00.002-04:002011-06-07T21:25:58.596-04:00People Pleaser<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People Pleaser<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m starting to realize something about myself that I was
never really aware of before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m a people pleaser. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ve always been a “people person”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being around people, spending time,
helping out, having fun, whatever…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ve also always tried really hard to be a nice person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get true pleasure out of doing something
nice for others, and that part of being a people person I’m comfortable
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like that part of myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But this is something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This isn’t so much about being nice as it is about being…well, for lack
of a better word…a pushover.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let me explain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am the sort of person that is blessed with a lot of
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always had a lot of
friends, though; as time would progress I would realize most of them were more
like “fair-weather friends” or even acquaintances than real friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I find that I am consistently
surrounded by people I consider friends, and for that, I am blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Due to my large number of friends, I have a very active
social life, when I choose to take advantage of it. (When I’m not hibernating
and hiding out…but this is a story for another post).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, what I’ve begun to realize is that my social life
is very one sided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I mean by this
is, as long as I’m willing to do what my friends want to do, my social calendar
is filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As long as I work my schedule
to meet their availability, my plans to meet their interests, my fun to meet
their requirements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because I am an easy going person, because I happen to have
many interests, and be open to trying and enjoying new things, this works out
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have little trouble having fun
pretty much anywhere, as long as the company is good, and I’m in the right
mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All is well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That is, until, I want to do something that revolves around
my interests instead, or fits into my schedule instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Suddenly I am hard pressed to find someone willing to go to
that concert I want so badly to attend, even though I’ve trekked out to
numerous country music shows (not my favorite).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I didn’t make it to a single Boston Celtics game this past season
because I couldn’t convince a single friend to go with me, even if I succumbed
to mind numbing hockey game after game for them…(again, not my favorite).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t make it to an actual beach, with an
actual ocean, once all of last summer, even though I was always agreeable for a
jaunt to the lake or the mountains…(which was always fun, but I love the
ocean).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We won’t even discuss the numerous Friday and Saturday
nights I spend at home alone, because if I don’t pick up the phone to call and
make plans…my phone doesn’t ring on its own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I should stop here and make it clear that I am not bemoaning
my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not knocking my friends or
even blaming them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t believe they
do any of this on purpose, and with any intention to hurt or snide me, to
ignore my interests…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Simply…I’ve enable this behavior in everyone around me,
because I am a people pleaser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go out
of my way to make sure everyone around me is having a good time, doing what
they want to do, living their best life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To a fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgetting, at times,
that what I WANT matters as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part
of this is a fear that if I speak up, if I fight for what I want, I’ll end up
with either my ideas or even with myself being rejected…but the alternative
pretty much looks the same, doesn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I started to realize this recently, I started to evaluate
my friendships over time, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it has always
been this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not only that, but I
carry this behavior into my romantic relationships as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it any wonder then, that I, eventually,
feel frustrated, unloved, and like I am not an important part of these
relationships?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I feel I disappear
and am no longer a participant?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I
withdraw, and the relationships fail?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, now I see the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me friends…how do I go about finding the solution?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do I learn to still be a good friend, but
stop being such a people pleaser all the time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do I learn to speak up for my own interests at 36 years old?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I have a feeling this is yet another
of the things I need to master before I can fully be ready for a partnership
with my future husband (whoever he may be)…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Working on myself has been a lifelong process, but more so
in recent years…finding my faults, and learning to use them for betterment…this
is just another one…instead of taking this realization and turning it into a
“woe is me, nobody wants to do what I want to do” moping session…I need to use
it to find my footing and push off from here…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So…how exactly do I do that??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-14796421719517595072011-06-06T10:39:00.001-04:002011-06-06T10:39:00.822-04:00Spa Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monday morning, the alarm sounds, and another week begins.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If your weekends are anything like mine, by Sunday night you are even MORE exhausted than you were before the weekend began. My weekends are never dull, always fun and enjoyable, and pretty much, with very few exceptions, ALWAYS EXHAUSTING.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, on a Monday morning, work seems an unfathomable task, and yet, almost (note I said almost) a welcome escape to spend a few hours sitting in one place...taking a break from the hectic runaround of my weekends.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But wouldn't it be nice, if on a Monday morning, when the alarm went off, I could wake up to realize that today, instead of heading into the office, I was going to hop in my car, meet up with a friend, and head to a spa in the mountains for a massage??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In fact...that just sounds sort of heavenly, doesn't it?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Actually, now that I think of it, after a weekend of a few TOUGH workouts, a weekend spent helping friends run a festival at church, running errands, cleaning house, a sore body, aching back, tired legs...it sounds like I have simply no choice but to take a mental health day and do just that.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What a beautiful coincidence then, that my friend Traveler and I had actually planned SUCH A DAY for today...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ah yes...today is Spa Day!!! Happy Monday everyone!</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-89051234062117315382011-06-05T22:37:00.001-04:002011-06-05T22:38:02.398-04:002 in 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I decided to do this whole "write a post every single day in June" thing...I knew I was setting myself up for one heck of a challenge. Mostly because, my schedule for June? Is INSANE!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My little brother is getting married July 2nd. I am a bridesmaid in the wedding. And that's just one of the big events I have lined up. I have concerts, races, a Warrior Dash, and let's not forget about work.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But still, I figured it would be a good challenge, so I'd just roll with it. So yesterday, I began my post...but then I needed to run out and do a quick errand, so I hit "save" and went off. Then the quick errand turned into "a few more errands" turned into "a full on grocery store run" turned into "a quick stop over at the Church's feast" turned into "staying at the feast all night helping out behind the bar" turned into "let's head to the local bar to watch the rest of the Bruins game" turned into closing out at the bar and arriving at home at 2AM...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But this? This is what life is all about folks...living. You make plans and God laughs. But if you just go with it and appreciate every moment given to you...I'm pretty sure He smiles then.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So this is my Saturday post. Right above this...yep, that's it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On to today, Sunday...I got up and went for a quick run with a friend, then came home for a quick shower and some housework. The plan was then to stop by the feast for lunch, help out for maybe an hour and be home by 5pm at the very latest...It is now 10:35 pm and I just got home. I spent the entire day helping out. I also, however, spent the entire day surrounded by friends, and having a great time...so you see...that's life...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And my life? Is such a blessing...no regrets. And no excuses...and no failures...consider this TWO posts in one...as far as I'm concerned, I'm still on track for June. ;-) So there.</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-83827981917184924012011-06-03T08:47:00.000-04:002011-06-03T08:47:00.308-04:00May I Have This Dance?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was four years old when I put on my first pair of dancing shoes. Ballet shoes to be specific. And so began a love affair with what I believe is the most perfect art form of all...dance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A few years of ballet let into a few years of rhythmic gymnastics, and the love affair blossomed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But life has a way of creating many paths, and the path of dance was not the one I ended up taking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once we moved to the U.S. from Portugal, we couldn't afford dance classes for me...and there ended my dreams of becoming a dancer. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It couldn't, however, end my love of the art form. I continued to dance, casually, for fun. At home, creating music videos with my cousins in my grandmother's basement. Later, at night clubs, earning me attention from guys who constantly questioned where a "white girl learned to move like that". I loved to dance, and I was good at it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I got older, I stopped going to clubs, and dancing became something that I did less and less of. Unless you count my jam sessions around the house, as I clean and do laundry (which, totally count), I now only dance at the occasional wedding, or party, or on the random event that my girls and I venture for a girls' night out at a dance club.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But my love of dance? It runs deeper than words can express. I have seen every dance movie ever made. No seriously, try me, I've seen it. And as I sit here watching So You Think You Can Dance, with a smile on my face, I can only tell you that this art form tugs at a special place in my heart that I can't quite explain.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I watch this show with a smile on my face, but my box of tissues is never out of reach, because as much as good dance can make me smile, it can bring me to tears just as quickly...and if you don't know what I mean...well, then you're obviously not a dancer (even if it is just in your heart), but the dancers out there, whether you do it professionally, or in the privacy of your own home, I KNOW you KNOW exactly what I mean...</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-29844869535354546892011-06-02T09:37:00.000-04:002011-06-02T09:37:00.089-04:00Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself<div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In lieu of starting from scratch and creating a whole new blog, (trust me, I thought of it), I thought I would instead kick off this month of daily posts with an introduction and update.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s been so long since I’ve been an active blogger, that I am not sure who my readers are anymore (if I even have any), and I know there must be some new faces out there, people who don’t really know all that much about me.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you found me via <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306876489_2">Twitter</span>, you may know my daily rambling, but do you know my history? If you are a new bloggy friend, welcome! If you are one of my old buddies…welcome back, let’s get reacquainted.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I give you, therefore, a few facts about me you must know, to make sense of my ramblings…uh, I mean blog posts.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am Karina. 36 years old. Unmarried, single, re-entering the dating life after a too long hiatus. Christian (Catholic to be specific) and very much a person of faith. I am a daughter, sister, friend, cousin. I am not a mother, but am the cool auntie to many of my friends’ kids. I am an executive assistant by day, a writer in my heart.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love life. I love music, art, television and film. I love to travel, explore new things, and photograph the world around me. I love fashion and am absolutely addicted to buying shoes. I’m a foodie, always excited to try new cuisines. I’m an avid reader, my kindle with me at all times. I am a runner, and a newbie fitness freak. </span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life for me is a constant whirlwind of activity, surrounded by friends and family, activities and meetings. I am always on the go, and wouldn’t have it any other way.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am serious, honest, intelligent, independent, strong, self-sufficient, and proud. I am a complete goofball, caring, giving, dorky, insecure and shy. I am a walking contradiction.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And here in this blog, I am all of the above, and so much more. My eclectic tastes, my chaotic life, they blend together to create me…I could never fit this blog into one category, because my life defies all reason. There is no way to put me in a box and label me…and that’s just how I like it.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, that is me. What you see is what you get, but on any given day, that can mean a totally different thing…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I'm okay with that.</span></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-71351710889413928192011-06-01T09:35:00.000-04:002011-06-01T09:35:00.647-04:00Anyone Out There???<div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1306876489_0">June 1<sup>st</sup></span>:</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stepping up to the podium…clearing my throat…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Ahem”…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tapping the mike…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Is this thing on?”</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">FEEDBACK…cringing…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Hello?? Ah, yes, here we go…”</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deep breath…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s me, Candid K…your erstwhile blogger. It has been far, far too long since a creative word, or even a photograph has shown up on this blog, and I have no excuses for you…only the truth.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Truth is, life is hectic, and I just haven’t had the energy or the inspiration to write.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I’ve missed it, and I’ve missed you. </span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More than once I’ve considering throwing in the blogging towel. Closing up shop and hanging the FOR SALE sign here at Candid Karina’s.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I can’t do that. I’m not a quitter. I don’t give up.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And besides, I miss my bloggy friends.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So I’m here, I’m back, and I’m not making any promises, but I’m challenging myself to be more present.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And this is why, crazy as it may seem, I have decided to challenge myself to post EVERY DAY this month.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Short posts, long posts, word posts, photo posts, some days, you may get life stories, other days you may simply get a photograph, and other days still, I may revisit old posts I feel the need to share with you again.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But the goal is for a post a day. Many years ago, it was such a challenge that kicked off my love of blogging, and really got me going, so I’m hoping I can once again revive the blog, and my relationship with my bloggy friends through this challenge once more.</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned…it’s going to be a BUSY month…</span></div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1593724053MsoNormal" style="color: #454545; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-2284484251468413512011-04-11T20:41:00.000-04:002011-04-11T20:41:48.321-04:00Running For Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last week I had a realization. When speaking to someone about <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302568767_0">team sports</span>, I told them I’d never done any type of sport in school. Ballet as a toddler, gymnastics until I was ten, and then, nothing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But then, suddenly, I realized that wasn’t exactly true. In the sixth grade, I ran track. That was it, one single solitary year. That year post childhood and pre-teendom. The first year I attended a regular American school (i.e. not a bilingual, English as a second language school). About a year and a half after moving to the United States from Portugal. For some strange reason, that year I joined the track team. I don’t remember very much about it, but I remember that I was good at it, and I enjoyed it. I won a few blue ribbons in the process. And I had a crush on my coach/gym teacher…all the girls did.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But then I went to junior high, and puberty hit, and girls were mean, and I wanted nothing to do with sports and wanted to be a girlie girl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And so ended my career in school sports, along with any interest whatsoever in any kind of physical activity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I owned one pair of sneakers throughout high school because it was required for gym class, most of which I spent “walking around the track” to avoid playing any of the sports.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I owned no sneakers while in college.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My boyfriend when I was 23 bought me a pair of blue Nike’s for my birthday, because I thought they were cute.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those sneakers lasted me over 10 years, they were used so little.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometime in my late 20’s I joined a gym…mostly, I’d hop on an elliptical or attend an aerobics class…sometimes I’d do crunches.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sometime in my early 30’s I realized I was fat, and needed to do something about it. Suddenly, physical activity was a must, and I needed to own a pair of sneakers younger than a fourth grader.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But it wasn’t until I was 35 that I re-discovered a love of running I had completely forgotten I’d even ever had until just last week.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Suddenly, I was learning about running gaits, and buying the proper <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1302568767_1">running shoes</span>, and pacing myself, and proper running form. Suddenly, I was registering for 5ks and challenging myself to go faster, further…push just a little bit harder.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The girl who used to say “I’ll run if someone’s chasing me”, was now chasing that invisible motivator…accomplishment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now there is this…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I watch my feet pound the pavement, look up and see the blue sky, inhale, exhale, feel the sweat rivulets down my back…and I smile. THIS? This is being alive.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The pain, the struggle, the feeling that I may not make it another step, and then pushing through and breaking a barrier to the next hurdle…adding a tenth of a mile…knocking a minute off my time…making it to the top of that hill…there is nothing like it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am 36 years old, I am in the best shape of my life, I can do things I never even dreamt I’d want to do, and I am pushing harder and further every day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am proud, I am amazed, I am grateful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
I am a runner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qoGa84U5hDo" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-56804765461997919842011-03-29T10:47:00.002-04:002011-03-29T10:47:00.472-04:00Tuesday Tunes - 30 Seconds To Mars<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last time we chatted about music, dear readers, I introduced you to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1301359580_1"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/goog_792408520">Bruno Mars</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://candidkarina.blogspot.com/2011/03/tuesday-tunes-bruno-mars.html">’</a> soulful voice and upbeat r&B style.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week, we’re going to go a different direction. A bit of a darker direction perhaps…definitely a little bit heavier.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My music tastes run the gamut, as we’ve discussed, so it should come as no surprise that I would slip from <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1301359580_2">love songs</span> to a little bit of harder edged rock.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week, I want to talk to you about <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1301359580_3">30 Seconds to Mars</span>. The three man band is made up of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">drummer Shannon Leto, guitarist Tomo </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;">Milicevic and lead </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23px;">singer and guitarist Jared Leto.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Before we get to the music let’s just take a second to go back in time…remember that coming of age, angst ridden, teen show “My So Called Life” with<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1301359580_6">Claire Danes</span>? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Remember <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1301359580_7">Jordan Catalano</span> with the soulful eyes and so few words? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThwDFTbym-JP_kUzU6jvhNcnW2hTzS075knWsEaF2BLu55ZciYFg" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ah yes, THAT Jared Leto. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He grew up to be a rock star in his own right, and he still has those soulful eyes, but now, the man has words…many many words, and he sings them with a voice that reaches right to the depths of my own soul.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m not entirely sure how it is that I discovered 30 Seconds to Mars, but I believe it was with this video about a year or so ago:</span></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hTMrlHHVx8A" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The thing to note about this band is that all of their videos are works of art, mini-films if you will. And I was so intrigued by the whole thing, I simply had to know more. Also, there was that moment of “double take” where I went, “Wait, is that Jared Leto??” Then I knew I had to know more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Since then, I’ve become an avid fan, and I can't think of a song of theirs I don't like.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><div style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Among them, some of my favorites; Closer to the Edge:</span></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mLqHDhF-O28" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
<div style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beautiful Lie: </span><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4Kvd-uquuhI" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and the highly controversial video for Hurricane (which I won’t post here only because I don’t want to offend, but if you’re brave, you should totally check it out).</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There’s just something about the tortured sound of Jared’s voice, the power in the lyrics, and the strength of the music itself that makes this band one of those that I can’t seem to get enough of lately.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It also doesn’t hurt that theirs is great running music. I’ve used them as the soundtrack to many of my runs lately.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I realize this type of music isn’t for everyone, but if you like a little bit harder <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1301359580_9">core rock music</span>, with a soul…you’ll love these guys.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plus, Jared Leto’s eyes? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQajHCtHaX05heQfpyPoAHHtwrxz50oItnjbLwoE879gIbmNXHVnw" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sigh…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-44966087673185552662011-03-28T10:11:00.000-04:002011-03-28T10:11:00.368-04:00Making an Intentional Mess<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I fully and completely blame my Twitter buddy <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/karla%20archer">Karla</a> for what is about to happen to me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lately, I’ve been feeling like I have all this creative energy, but for some reason or another, can’t seem to get my act together to produce, to create, to write. My blog is continuously abandoned, projects are left barely started at home, and I just look at it all and think “one of these days, when I have the time, when my mind is in the right place, when the conditions are all perfect”…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then Karla Tweeted this challenge: <a href="http://www.karlaarcher.com/2011/03/making-a-mess-and-learning-to-let-go-of-perfection.html">Making A Mess </a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was immediately intrigued, but when I went to the Amazon page for the book, and saw the video they have posted, I won’t lie, the “Monkish” side of me (you now, that organized, OCD, everything in its place, books are sacred” part of me?) nearly had a heart attack.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And that was when I knew I had to do it. I had to jump in and join this challenge, because maybe that’s exactly what I need, to completely step out of my comfort zone, and just CREATE a big mess. So that I can then refocus my energy and be able to CREATE. Period.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, I ordered the book. I received it on Friday, and plan to start reading it/playing with it tomorrow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, here I go, I’m letting go of perfection and making a mess.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Will you join us? Check out the links on Karla’s post, and please do join us, we’d love to have you along for the ride!</span></div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-76933594239937322552011-03-15T09:19:00.001-04:002011-03-15T09:19:00.648-04:00Tuesday Tunes - Bruno Mars<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love music. I mean, I honestly LOVE music. I don’t know how anyone can make it through a day without some sort of soundtrack. I listen to music as I get ready in the morning, while I work, as I drive around town, during my workouts, and before I go to bed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good music can easily bring me to tears, make me dance, or put a smile on my face. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are artists whose music touches the very depths of my soul. There are artists whose voices make me swoon, or lose my sense of reality.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are songs that bring me right back to moments in my personal history.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are songs that describe what I’m feeling THIS VERY MOMENT so exactly, I think they must have been written for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I celebrate with music, I mourn with music, I pray with music.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Music, to me, is nearly as essential as the air I breathe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And I have the most eclectic taste in music…from rap to rock, from pop to jazz, from country to Christian…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So there is always some new, or new to me, music to discover, and to share with others.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which is why I’ve decided to do just that here…each week, I’ll introduce you to just a bit of the music I’m loving at the moment…</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not so much "album reviews" although sometimes, that's exactly what it will be, but more "artist reviews" if you will...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To kick it off, this week, I’ll start with an album that’s been on constant replay on my mp3 player for a few weeks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bruno Mars.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's very likely you've already heard of Bruno, or at the very least, you've heard one of his many songs on the radio.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Such as: "Just The Way You Are"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LjhCEhWiKXk" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A beautiful ode to a woman, and her perfection, well...just as she is.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or "Grenade":</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SR6iYWJxHqs" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A heartbreaking song of loving someone so much, you would do anything for them, even if they, in turn, seem to only abuse and under appreciate you.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And Bruno Mars has also collaborated with some great artists of today, such as, B.O.B. on "Nothin' On You"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8PTDv_szmL0" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and Travie McCoy on "Billionaire" (yes, THAT'S what you know him from). Warning, the video below is the uncensored not for radio version and contains the F word.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8aRor905cCw" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All of these are great songs. But it's some of the lesser known unreleased songs from his album that I've got on constant replay..."Runaway" which is actually a GREAT running song, "The Other Side"...a little bit Michael Jackson "Thriller" a little bit "ode to Twilight", "Count on Me" a happy melody about being there for your friends, and my ultimate favorite "Talking to the Moon" a pretty ballad that showcases the range of his voice and emotion.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So there you have it...an artist I think you should check out.</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-3085230176634177722011-03-12T20:51:00.000-05:002011-03-12T20:51:46.612-05:00Popinjay - Deceptive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rQl9uN6wEHg/TXwh7l_9Y-I/AAAAAAAAEBE/1x-GSCHT4tU/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rQl9uN6wEHg/TXwh7l_9Y-I/AAAAAAAAEBE/1x-GSCHT4tU/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week's Popinjay prompt is "Deceptive". Let me tell you what I hate...when a store, any store, has a "going out of business sale", but the sale is a big huge snow job. What I mean is...said store advertises BIG CLOSEOUT SALE. Signs everywhere, emails sent to your inbox, signs on the side of the street telling you to come on in and save. Everything must go, therefore, the prices as slashed WAY down.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yDZsOXVcGp0/TXwh5TV2A5I/AAAAAAAAEBA/Zc2ORAJdqok/s1600/deceptive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yDZsOXVcGp0/TXwh5TV2A5I/AAAAAAAAEBA/Zc2ORAJdqok/s320/deceptive.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Everything 20-75% off.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And then you walk in...and you walk around...and there is one shelf with items 75% off. Another shelf with items 50% off.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rest of the store? is 20-35% off. Off prices that were already above other store's prices anyway.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So...really? Not a sale...not a bargain...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Deceptive.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hate that.</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-82739516448447648862011-03-07T20:31:00.000-05:002011-03-07T20:31:00.356-05:00On Solitude<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite poems of all time, by one of the most unorthodox poets of all time, e. e. cummings:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">l(a</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">le</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">af</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fa</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ll</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">s)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">one</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">l</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">iness</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Outside the parentheses: loneliness. Inside the parentheses: a leaf falls.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So much said in so few words.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I first read this poem when I was in Jr. High School and it has stuck with me through all my years since then.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I carry it, like I carry loneliness.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Inside me, tucked away, not at the forefront of my mind, but always there, ready to be pulled out at a moment’s notice.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The image of a leaf falling from an autumn tree brings feelings of crisp air, beautiful colors, crunchy pathways. Almost joyful, comforting thoughts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And yet, so alone, that leaf, falling to its end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am blessed in so many ways. I have a wonderful family, the very best friends, a life filled with people, and joy, and love.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Color and sound.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yet some days…the leaf falls…and loneliness takes over.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is little to be done on these days but go with the wind, see where it takes me, land slowly, peacefully.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And know that I am bound to land among other leaves…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-71251442125833279172011-03-01T22:55:00.000-05:002011-03-01T22:55:43.987-05:00Popinjay - Hollow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aMZex-AlBM8/TW2_ZKHUNtI/AAAAAAAAEA4/UytMKfK8QoA/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aMZex-AlBM8/TW2_ZKHUNtI/AAAAAAAAEA4/UytMKfK8QoA/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> This week's <a href="http://michellependergrass.com/">Popinjay</a> prompt is Hollow:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ELZsvaowFGE/TW2_bauxtrI/AAAAAAAAEA8/9KUTPHTKg3c/s1600/hollow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ELZsvaowFGE/TW2_bauxtrI/AAAAAAAAEA8/9KUTPHTKg3c/s320/hollow.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's all folks!</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-50716246568423430432011-02-15T20:57:00.000-05:002011-02-15T20:57:08.882-05:00Cooking with K&K - Week 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEqNYTnKs-g/TVssmSHsg7I/AAAAAAAAEA0/vpb7B_zlNkw/s1600/IMAG0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEqNYTnKs-g/TVssmSHsg7I/AAAAAAAAEA0/vpb7B_zlNkw/s320/IMAG0070.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="191" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This year, for Valentine's Day, I had the best date of all time. Lil' K and I decided to spend the evening together cooking up a meal, and spending quality "sister" time. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I picked K up at her friend's house after work, and she hopped in the car and handed me a rose "I got a Valentine for my Valentine". I love that girl!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our dinner:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IEqNYTnKs-g/TVssmSHsg7I/AAAAAAAAEA0/vpb7B_zlNkw/s1600/IMAG0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrYFhTupbfk/TVsshpCtTZI/AAAAAAAAEAc/D5IdvhboVvg/s1600/IMAG0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wrYFhTupbfk/TVsshpCtTZI/AAAAAAAAEAc/D5IdvhboVvg/s320/IMAG0064.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The menu for the evening was: Lemon Zest Spinach:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZnUwlbknns/TVssirCV4FI/AAAAAAAAEAg/8rJlN2y_jDw/s1600/IMAG0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZnUwlbknns/TVssirCV4FI/AAAAAAAAEAg/8rJlN2y_jDw/s320/IMAG0065.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Home made beef meatballs (with a tomato/horseradish dipping sauce on the side) and sweet potato fries:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UazTZFf9Ak/TVssjf7dFmI/AAAAAAAAEAk/J_FXGQg00Uo/s1600/IMAG0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UazTZFf9Ak/TVssjf7dFmI/AAAAAAAAEAk/J_FXGQg00Uo/s320/IMAG0066.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Funny Valentine getting ready to eat:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rBU-eSJw-E/TVssj84s0hI/AAAAAAAAEAo/HF3uMDYDgMc/s1600/IMAG0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rBU-eSJw-E/TVssj84s0hI/AAAAAAAAEAo/HF3uMDYDgMc/s320/IMAG0067.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> How's that for a beautifully colorful (and healthy) meal:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AG6itfO0or0/TVsskj8peKI/AAAAAAAAEAs/P0uHS-LDYbs/s1600/IMAG0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AG6itfO0or0/TVsskj8peKI/AAAAAAAAEAs/P0uHS-LDYbs/s320/IMAG0068.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> And dessert? Oh...dessert was red velvet cupcakes, made from scratch:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYOSFBxD570/TVssleg_G6I/AAAAAAAAEAw/OQ-UglJV6g4/s1600/IMAG0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYOSFBxD570/TVssleg_G6I/AAAAAAAAEAw/OQ-UglJV6g4/s320/IMAG0069.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We had a blast making our dinner, but I have to tell you, after making those cupcakes, I've decided I need to get myself one of those fancy mixers, because mixing up the batter (and icing) for these cupcakes was quite the challenge for both K and I.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which is why I'm taking the opportunity to use this post to ask you:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">have you seen the <a href="http://dearcrissy.com/kenmore-elite-stand-mixer/">Kenmore Elite Stand Mixer</a> giveaway on <a href="http://dearcrissy.com/">DearCrissy.com</a> this week? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DearCrissy.com is giving away one of those fancy mixers, and I WANT IT!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anyway, cooking with K is becoming my favorite night of the week...I can't wait till next week...</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-62718503499792607052011-02-14T21:45:00.000-05:002011-02-14T21:45:35.195-05:00Popinjay - Little<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Rv9NmCYnt4/TVnn_TAdfjI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/WrEHaD7BoNg/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Rv9NmCYnt4/TVnn_TAdfjI/AAAAAAAAEAQ/WrEHaD7BoNg/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week's Popinjay prompt is "Little".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There's this little sandcastle on my balcony...I keep it there year round because it reminds me that winter can't possibly last forever...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAYC2FNyVaM/TVnoFSvX5aI/AAAAAAAAEAU/1UfihW_YM1g/s1600/DSCN4267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WAYC2FNyVaM/TVnoFSvX5aI/AAAAAAAAEAU/1UfihW_YM1g/s320/DSCN4267.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even when surrounded by the bitter spades of winter...it smiles at me...beckons me...speaks to me...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Soon, soon it will be summer, hang in there..."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be sure to stop by <a href="http://michellependergrass.com/">Michelle's</a> for a "little" more inspiration.</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-39190719107509898802011-02-09T09:46:00.000-05:002011-02-09T09:46:00.302-05:00If I Had a Boyfriend - Valentine's Day Musings<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I feel as if I should post a disclaimer before you start reading this post. If you know me well, then you will know this was written in good humor. If, upon reading this, you are worried that I am angry or sad or bitter...that just means you need to visit this blog more often, because that is so NOT who I am. Disclaimer done. ;-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCUgn6VyeI/AAAAAAAAD_M/-yrEtQi6wdc/s1600/DSCN2815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCUgn6VyeI/AAAAAAAAD_M/-yrEtQi6wdc/s320/DSCN2815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Valentine's Day is next week. The day of roses, and romance. Chocolates in a box. Jewelry and heartfelt messages on a card. Red hearts and teddy bears.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCUpPHHfSI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/72-PbnY5nAc/s1600/2010-08-01+15.31.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCUpPHHfSI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/72-PbnY5nAc/s320/2010-08-01+15.31.19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The one day of the year when couples celebrate their coupledom. When they take the time to tell one another how much they care…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hear that? That was the needle on the record scratching to a stop…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let’s try that again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Valentine’s Day. The day of expectations and disappointments. Over priced flowers and last minute shopping. Unnecessary pressures to make it all special.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The one day of the year when couples probably fight more than they romance. The woman expects to be swept off her feet, the man just wants to not end up in the dog house.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the uncoupled? They just want it to be done with so they can resume their previously scheduled programming.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cynical? Perhaps. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Obvious that I’m single? Not so fast…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m not a fan of Valentine’s day, but then, I never have been. Single or coupled. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I sit here just now trying to stir up memories of previous Valentine’s Days…both good and bad.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elementary school…buying Valentine’s for the whole class, and that extra special one with a cookie for that extra special boy…he never even said thank you. But then, there was that other boy, the one I didn’t like, who gave me the extra special one with the chocolate…did I ever say thank you?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">High School...Those stupid carnations delivered to home room. Us girls sending them to one another so that none of us would be without…because nobody wanted to be the girl who didn’t get a carnation. That one year I received one from the boy I liked so much. That one year I received one from that other boy…only to find out he’d sent them to a whole slew of girls…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">College…not expecting anything, not really caring so much about it. And then, sitting in class, straight out of a chick flick, in walks a boy with a dozen roses, a heart shaped box of chocolates, and places them, wordlessly, on my desk. I’m pretty sure I swooned. A romance blossomed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Still college…finding out my “will we or won’t we” crush bought a teddy bear for my arch nemesis. Breaking my heart.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My first serious relationship…spending the entire day upset and disappointed because he never even called to say "Happy Valentine's Day". Angry. Only to come home and discover he’d dropped off flowers and chocolates to surprise me. Disappointment turning to an awkward feeling of guilt.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every other relationship since then…the expectation, the planning, the denial of its importance, all the while wanting it to matter to them.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So Much Pressure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And as a single girl…it’s always easier to just ignore it. Pretend it’s just another day. Convince yourself you don’t really care, after all, it’s a commercial holiday, meant solely for price mark-ups and exploitation of the masses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And yet…knowing deep down that a flower delivery would absolutely make my day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But why on this day more than any other?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because really, if I had a boyfriend? I’d want him to send me flowers on a Wednesday in April, simply because he was thinking of me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a boyfriend, he’d know NOT to buy me chocolates, because I can’t resist a good chocolate, and I’m trying to watch what I eat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a boyfriend, I’d hope we would go out to dinner, and listen to music, and whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears more regularly than once a year.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a boyfriend, Valentine’s Day wouldn’t matter nearly as much as say…President’s Day…a day off from work to spend together watching movies, or building snowmen, or going shopping for groceries to make dinner that night.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a boyfriend I wouldn’t need red hearts and teddy bears…just a heartfelt I love you and a sincere bear hug.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But I don’t have a boyfriend…so instead…I’ll ignore all the hearts, and flowers...I’ll pretend it’s just another day…and I’ll buy my own damn chocolate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCUcxhkhdI/AAAAAAAAD_I/ivq0wOb4h1s/s1600/DSCN2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCUcxhkhdI/AAAAAAAAD_I/ivq0wOb4h1s/s320/DSCN2734.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><br />
</div>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-90252289139875798862011-02-08T19:17:00.000-05:002011-02-08T19:17:00.735-05:00Cooking with K & K...Weeks 2 & 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm a little behind on my Cooking with K posts...well, let's be honest, I'm a little behind on all my blog posts...except for Popinjay! ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, without further ado, let's go back and review cooking dates number 2 and 3...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First up, week 2:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The menu for the evening:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tomato Mozzarella and Avocado Salad:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHXzQ7aPZI/AAAAAAAAD_c/ih5dLdWqLW8/s1600/2011-01-16+17.59.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHXzQ7aPZI/AAAAAAAAD_c/ih5dLdWqLW8/s320/2011-01-16+17.59.23.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHXz7gR8nI/AAAAAAAAD_g/uj-i_HS4504/s1600/2011-01-16+18.00.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHXz7gR8nI/AAAAAAAAD_g/uj-i_HS4504/s320/2011-01-16+18.00.39.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chicken and soba noodles with peanut sauce:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX08jgPiI/AAAAAAAAD_k/x8ffXhCND2s/s1600/2011-01-16+18.03.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX08jgPiI/AAAAAAAAD_k/x8ffXhCND2s/s320/2011-01-16+18.03.30.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHXygRYKWI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/W9B8LBgiKL8/s1600/2011-01-16+17.59.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHXygRYKWI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/W9B8LBgiKL8/s320/2011-01-16+17.59.17.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> And raspberry filled muffins:<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX1aO1JMI/AAAAAAAAD_o/yvJDiqyFJ30/s1600/2011-01-16+18.17.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX1aO1JMI/AAAAAAAAD_o/yvJDiqyFJ30/s320/2011-01-16+18.17.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHZ71ZgACI/AAAAAAAAEAA/XFRub8oJ0YM/s1600/2011-01-16+17.23.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHZ71ZgACI/AAAAAAAAEAA/XFRub8oJ0YM/s320/2011-01-16+17.23.34.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lil' K making the muffins</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The salad was delicious and simple to make, the noodles and chicken were AMAZING and I WILL be making that dish again, and the muffins were okay...a little dry...I don't bake very often, and I believe it was K's first time EVER baking...we are learning...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Week 3:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The menu: Asian Chicken Noodle Soup:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX2NTHmjI/AAAAAAAAD_s/dnc2d3JbTSQ/s1600/2011-01-27+18.23.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX2NTHmjI/AAAAAAAAD_s/dnc2d3JbTSQ/s320/2011-01-27+18.23.01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Roasted Shrimp and Orzo:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX3LjEVVI/AAAAAAAAD_w/CjJt4iI4tE0/s1600/2011-01-27+18.23.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX3LjEVVI/AAAAAAAAD_w/CjJt4iI4tE0/s320/2011-01-27+18.23.11.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX33Sn7_I/AAAAAAAAD_0/zqlAg-93URM/s1600/2011-01-27+18.23.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX33Sn7_I/AAAAAAAAD_0/zqlAg-93URM/s320/2011-01-27+18.23.43.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> And Spice apples with vanilla ice cream:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX5cgeL_I/AAAAAAAAD_8/lv0sTOK8tP0/s1600/2011-01-27+18.44.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVHX5cgeL_I/AAAAAAAAD_8/lv0sTOK8tP0/s320/2011-01-27+18.44.28.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm going to go on the record and say that this was by far my favorite menu to date. The chicken soup, which included lemongrass and ginger was simply the best. The orzo and shrimp was delicious and light, and the fruit? OH the fruit...so, so very good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Funny story about week 3, in the middle of cooking, with the oven on, all our pots and pans on the burners going, we set off the fire alarm...oops. Turning on the fan, and opening a window, we quickly took care of the problem and continued cooking...no big deal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Until, about 15 minutes later, I look out my window and see TWO firetrucks pull up in front of my building, and a slew of fire fighters walk into my building.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">UH....OOPS??</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How embarrassing. K and I looked at each other, laughing and mortified...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I opened up my door to discover, however, they weren't there for me...someone had smelled gas at the other end of my building and they were there to check that out.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whew...relief.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">By the way, the gas issue was resolved with no problems...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The next cooking date for K and I is on Valentine's night...I'm researching an appropriate menu...stay tuned...;-)</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-44194179320545500372011-02-07T19:46:00.000-05:002011-02-07T19:46:11.581-05:00Popinjay - Innocent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCQi_s-ECI/AAAAAAAAD_E/1NafgECLvxc/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCQi_s-ECI/AAAAAAAAD_E/1NafgECLvxc/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week's Popinjay prompt is "Innocent". I knew right away what picture I would use for this.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This past Saturday night I attended a Fundraiser Gala event. The church group I'm involved with has been putting these Galas together for a few years now, and proceeds from the tickets, the silent auction, raffles and donations go to a local children's hospital. It's our way of giving back to the community, and it's an excuse to get all dressed up. Our very own adult prom.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But it is also a family event. Everyone brings their kids, we have dinner, and we dance the night away.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the adults had a few drinks, mingled, chatted, and danced...the kids were having a party of their own. Creating their own dance moves, having the time of their lives. We spent a good portion of the evening just watching the kids have a blast in all their innocence...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCQeoDDFNI/AAAAAAAAD_A/k9nqCQN0PyA/s1600/DSCN4273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TVCQeoDDFNI/AAAAAAAAD_A/k9nqCQN0PyA/s320/DSCN4273.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here, they created their very own "conga line" and made their way around the event hall, weaving in and out of tables...such beautiful spirits, and wonderful innocence!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Be sure to stop by<a href="http://michellependergrass.com/"> Michelle's</a>!</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-17865102882007963602011-01-31T20:55:00.000-05:002011-01-31T20:55:03.647-05:00Popinjay - Bewildered<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUY08Imxp9I/AAAAAAAAD-0/oHb27jo5g74/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUY08Imxp9I/AAAAAAAAD-0/oHb27jo5g74/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week's Popinjay prompt is Bewildered:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUdmvj0YP0I/AAAAAAAAD-4/wZBSCDT0zGA/s1600/2011-01-28+08.45.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUdmvj0YP0I/AAAAAAAAD-4/wZBSCDT0zGA/s320/2011-01-28+08.45.34.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That's my neighbor's car (and the parking spot on the left of that car USED TO BE my parking space)...he hasn't moved his car ONCE since our very first storm this winter. It sits under roughly 40 inches of snow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Indeed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Check out Michelle's photo<a href="http://michellependergrass.com/"> here</a>...it's a good one!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Next week's word is Innocent. Hope you'll join us!</span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19810400.post-102595727959808722011-01-27T21:13:00.000-05:002011-01-27T21:13:18.228-05:00Popinjay - Comfortable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUIlcfUgSwI/AAAAAAAAD-w/dtNfid1WHPQ/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUIlcfUgSwI/AAAAAAAAD-w/dtNfid1WHPQ/s1600/popinjaybutton.jpg" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This week's Popinjay prompt is Comfortable.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm cheating this week, because we're not supposed to use pictures of our pets...but, truly...how could I not? My cats? They DEFINE comfortable on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Exhibit A: </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUIlZ48a3xI/AAAAAAAAD-s/iQeoH29SSyE/s1600/2011-01-16+12.53.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUIlZ48a3xI/AAAAAAAAD-s/iQeoH29SSyE/s320/2011-01-16+12.53.50.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Turtle is loungin'...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Exhibit B:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUIlVN91isI/AAAAAAAAD-o/P-QMBHGKULg/s1600/2011-01-20+22.18.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7B7Oopv2tvU/TUIlVN91isI/AAAAAAAAD-o/P-QMBHGKULg/s320/2011-01-20+22.18.34.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Drama...no, seriously, he was totally comfortable...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stop by <a href="http://michellependergrass.com/">Michelle's</a> to check out who else got "Comfortable" this week. ;-)</span><br />
<span id="goog_180787087"></span><span id="goog_180787088"></span>Karinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05399849455270704359noreply@blogger.com1