tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83921464793702677282024-03-04T23:15:36.526-07:00Just a Note by HeatherA writer's view on the little things in life.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-13832676901383620422014-01-17T07:24:00.002-07:002014-01-17T07:24:51.841-07:00In Memory of Diana Losciale<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yesterday that terrible disease called cancer claimed Diana
Losciale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not only a co-worker
but a very dear friend and mentor. Even though we lived hundreds of miles apart
we talked several times a week and got to see each other 4-5 times a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we did get to see each other we made
time to have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to restaurants
and book stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked and laughed,
we laughed at lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a lot of
inside jokes, including a stuffed monkey named Marcel and speaking liking lGollum.
We shared our frustrations with work, our opinions on books, music, tv shows
and movies, and stories about our friends and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diana loved writing and reading, music and
movies, flower and photography, food and fashion. But most of all she loved her
family, her husband Richard, daughter Lea and son Christian.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I can’t believe she’s really gone. The last time I spoke
with her was before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
then I’d been mentally cataloguing all the things I wanted to tell her the next
time I talked to her and it breaks my heart to realize it will never happen. I’ll
never be able to tell her about the book I just finished or find out what she
thought of the new season of Downton Abbey. I won’t be able to tell her that a
park she took me to when I visited her in St. Louis was in an old Sandra
Bullock movie I watched last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The last time I saw her was in June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came to town for work and we drove up to
Mt. Evens after work so that she could see the mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is Diana at Echo Lake and it’s one of my
favorite photos of her. We drove halfway up the mountain and then down to
Evergreen where we had Mexican food and margaritas at The Whippletree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDwhxOH8b84HdGmCTCuxcuOIc-ABDy0UoNy1azl4TnyVS3MMta0FgxpacVfDZCn20RxqXH2mib55fWxqQ31LqjbR8X0Rux4_-UujVBLPXNcPfGbRy9MrBKrWKoymZEF0p3vR-g0uU3v4/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDwhxOH8b84HdGmCTCuxcuOIc-ABDy0UoNy1azl4TnyVS3MMta0FgxpacVfDZCn20RxqXH2mib55fWxqQ31LqjbR8X0Rux4_-UujVBLPXNcPfGbRy9MrBKrWKoymZEF0p3vR-g0uU3v4/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Even though I’m devastated with sadness right now, I still
know how lucky I was to have had Diana in my life. She let me bitch and cry about
some of the most stupidest things, she gave encouragement and guidance in my
professional life and in my aspirations. When I was down she could always make
me laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was smart and creative and
wise and I felt smarter, more creative and wiser just from knowing her.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Diana, I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will always miss you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-62342074410247655422013-11-18T10:43:00.000-07:002013-11-18T10:43:21.155-07:00It's Too Soon
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdIqmXO4yAr7yQLlKRCU7sKFz-0jFhq0F_ImWrFHTiP5JtsZ9gB-yT6Tlch3GFDVxg03KiGn0FI7b6pXChXOZTuYgxOPMiaK7Ulx0m09M2FzyZqdrZ-4DytNAfpk-ukm4cA4yFk2C8l8/s1600/No_Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdIqmXO4yAr7yQLlKRCU7sKFz-0jFhq0F_ImWrFHTiP5JtsZ9gB-yT6Tlch3GFDVxg03KiGn0FI7b6pXChXOZTuYgxOPMiaK7Ulx0m09M2FzyZqdrZ-4DytNAfpk-ukm4cA4yFk2C8l8/s1600/No_Christmas.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Have you been in a store
lately?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any store, a department or a grocery?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are playing Christmas music
already!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Before you answer think about
this, try going to work every day and being force to listen to Christmas carols
for eight weeks and see how you like it.) It’s bad enough that every store
already has Christmas decorations on display and/or on sale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We haven’t even celebrated Thanksgiving
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for crying out loud, it’s not
even winter.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What has happened to our
society that we have to celebrate a holiday two months before it even
happens?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not a scrooge, really, I’m
not. It’s just that when all this stuff starts happening earlier and earlier
every year by the time Christmas comes around I’m sick of all the decorations
and Christmas carols. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no longer
special, just a capitalistic holiday defined by stuff, lots of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It used to be that the
Christmas season started the Friday after Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even that was too soon for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now stores like Wal-Mart, Kmart, Sears and
Toys ‘R Us are going to be open on Thanksgiving. I’ve worked retail at
Christmas before and my heart breaks for those people who work retail on
Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become so consumed
with stuff that we can’t even allow people to have a holiday where they don’t
have to work and instead can spend a day with their family and friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I know the economy isn’t
what it used to be and everyone is looking for a deal but have we gone too
far?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is more important, getting 20%
of the new PlayStation or spending time with your family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about it if you find yourself in a
Wal-Mart on November 28.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-45566414951649374182013-09-04T12:30:00.000-06:002013-09-04T12:30:08.897-06:00America's Prettiest Towns
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-2q0HBpaSnSllCVBzvXxzIILP5odPO_A5zUcEyxbCkIeu0P4v5YzE9n9QVX25N9wB8GO251L8vsYtvQ-ai0xNA-0FFCBkqSAtR-M3nBcxsA3QM2IKcdqmzXKcRJYJNNsKcej1ZYE7Wo/s1600/breckenridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-2q0HBpaSnSllCVBzvXxzIILP5odPO_A5zUcEyxbCkIeu0P4v5YzE9n9QVX25N9wB8GO251L8vsYtvQ-ai0xNA-0FFCBkqSAtR-M3nBcxsA3QM2IKcdqmzXKcRJYJNNsKcej1ZYE7Wo/s1600/breckenridge.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Forbes recently came out with a list of the 15 prettiest
towns in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll admit, some I
have never heard of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish Creek,
Wisconsin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to look at a map to
find that one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, everyone has
their own idea of what is pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mountains, water, trees, flowers, architecture, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is only one town on the list that I’ve
actually been to and it’s the one in my home state (Breckenridge).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But later this month I’ll be heading to Maine
and will be staying in Camden which made the list. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The towns on the list are all over the map, from Hawaii to
New Jersey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Criteria consisted of things
that would draw tourist: attractive main streets, idyllic settings (mountains
or water), fun activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any towns you’d
add to the list?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efel45fhdf/new-iberia-louisiana/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efel45fhdf/new-iberia-louisiana/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">New Iberia, Louisiana<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Camden, Maine<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anna Maria, Florida<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Decorah, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Breckenridge, Colorado<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fort Benton, Montana<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Athens, Georgia<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Lambertville, New Jersey<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kapa’a, Hawaii<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Edgartown, Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Asheville, North Carolina<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Leavenworth, Washington<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Galena, Illinois<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Holland, Michigan<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Fish Creek, Wisconsin<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-63410371290616054502013-06-15T21:27:00.001-06:002013-06-15T21:28:04.201-06:00Nostalgic Summer Nights<span style="font-family: Arial;">Driving home tonight with the windows down and the radio on
I got a little nostalgic for the summer nights when I was in college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always came home for the summer and worked
summer jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the weekend nights
friends and I would drive to the Denver suburbs (usually in my eight year old burgundy Honda Accord hatchback) to a dollar movie theater.The ceilings of the hallways had strings of flashing blue lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the movies we’d drive down the road to Taco Bell for 59<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">¢</span> tacos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'd sit in the car in the parking lot with the
windows down, radio on and eat our tacos and talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost of the evening was usually under
five dollars (that’s including gas). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were young and innocent and the air was
sweet with the fleeting moments of youthful freedom.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;">I miss those nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-41209169699003846822013-05-14T10:42:00.001-06:002013-05-14T10:42:34.805-06:00Getting Back the Happy<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s been a very stressful couple of months for me and the results have affected me physically, mentally and emotionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I really need is a vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a long-term plan, but in the short-term I need to get back to the things that make me better and happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reader’s Digest listed 20 simple ways to get happy that I thought I’d share.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Practice mindfulness.</strong> Be in the moment and don’t waste the moment by dwelling on what’s happening later.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Laugh out loud.</strong> When I’m at work I often laugh because the other option is crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughter is so good for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You on your next break take a moment to read/watch something funny. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Go to sleep.</strong> I know when I don’t get enough sleep, especially over several nights, my mood changes and not for the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn off the distractions (computers, televisions, etc.) and get a good night’s sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Hum along.</strong> Listening to music improved my mood and makes me happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to do that more often.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>De-clutter.</strong> It may seem daunting at the beginning but the end results feels so good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Just say no.</strong> Eliminate activities that aren’t necessary and that you don’t enjoy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Make a list</strong>. I made a grocery list last week but forgot to take it to the store. Not much good if you don’t look at them or take them with you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">8.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Do one thing at a time.</strong> I multi-task so this may be hard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">9.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Garden</strong>. I know this works for some people but not really for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I like to look at pretty garden flowers but I don’t have a garden to plant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Tune out the news.</strong> I tend to watch about 30 minutes of the news in the morning and check the news on the Internet throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a former journalist, it’s what I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when something happens (like the Boston Marathon bombing) where the coverage is non-stop, I don’t have any problem turning the TV off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">11.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Take a dog for a walk.</strong> I don’t have a dog but my sister does, two actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she travels I house/doggy sit and, while I love her two dogs, I really don’t like walking them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">12.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Scent the air.</strong> It only takes one Yankee Candle (the best smelling candles out there).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">13.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Ignore the stock market.</strong> Done.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">14.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Visit a quiet place.</strong> I like to read during my lunch hour but there isn’t any place to do that in my office so, weather permitting, I drive to a park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes a difference. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">15.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Volunteer.</strong> Would like to be able to do more of this but don’t have a lot of time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">16.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Spend time alone. </strong>I probably spend too much time by myself but I'm content with my own company.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">17.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Walk mindfully.</strong> Apparently “mindfulness” is a mental technique to bring about a relaxation response, a physiological response in which the heart rate slows and blood pressure drops (when walking this means paying attention to footsteps, counting one, two, one, two, and to visualize the numbers in their mind). Not sure about this. If I become too “mindful” I can walk into a wall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">18.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Give priority to close relationships. <o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">19.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Take care of the soul.</strong> Studies have shown that actively religious people are happier and cope better with crises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a faith can provide a support community, a sensing of meaning in life, and different/clearer perspective on life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">20.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>Count your blessings.</strong> Every day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-36351669656993054922013-04-16T13:01:00.000-06:002013-04-16T13:01:18.168-06:00Dessert, Glorious DessertsFirst, let me apologize to all those reading this who do not live in the Denver metro area. If you like desserts, you'll understand why I'm apologizing.<br />
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Last week I went to the D Bar in Denver (D stands for Dessert). <br />
<a href="http://www.dbardesserts.com/">http://www.dbardesserts.com/</a><br />
One of the creators of this wonderful place is Keegan Gerhard, former host of Food Network Challenge. While this restaurant has a regular food menu it specializes in desserts. And oh, they are wonderful!<br />
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There are two dessert menus, one for daytime and one for nightime. During the day you can get cake and shake, milk and cookies, creme brulee, molton cake, cheesecake, bread puddin' or a bag "o" dounuts. At night the menu gets more elegant with some of the daytime items but also orange-ya glad this souffle has booze!?, tropical fandango (key lime pie), and pink! (buttermilk panna cotta with raspberry cloud, prickley pear sorbet). <br />
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I went one night after work with a friend who was visiting and were lucky enough to sit at the bar. But this wasn't you're ordinary bar where alcohol is served. Nope, by sitting at the bar you got to see one of the chefs plate all the desserts. That was as exciting as the actual desserts.<br />
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My friend and I split the d=mc2 which was milk chocolate three ways with mousse, salted carmel, peanuts and praline, rice krispies and ice cream. Here's what it looked like:<br />
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Yes, it was lick the plate delicious. So if you live in Denver or plan to visit, make a stop at the D Bar, it's worth it.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-33132621770407799612013-03-19T10:23:00.001-06:002013-03-19T10:23:10.540-06:00The Waiting is the Hardest Part - Part II<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Well the waiting is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had applied to attend a rather prestigious artist retreat in Saratoga, NY called Yaddo where I was hoping to spend two weeks working on my writing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place offers residencies to professional creative artist to work on literature, film, choreography, musical composition, painting, performance art, photography, printmaking, sculpture and video.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t think my chances were that great because technical I’m not a professional writer (I’ve never had anything traditionally published).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday I got a form letter from the Admissions Committee saying I hadn’t been invited to attend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">It’s not my first rejection letter and it won’t be my last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am only slightly disappointed since I didn’t have high expectations to begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you can’t accomplish anything unless you try. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-57545735855971135372013-03-04T08:41:00.002-07:002013-03-04T08:41:35.342-07:00Letter to U.S. Congress<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Dear Members of Congress,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You better shape up because you’re not doing a very good job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat, your behavior has shown that you are more concerned with politics than with people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were in any other job this kind of work performance would probably get you fired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">You seem to have forgotten who you work for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>do not</u></b> work for President Obama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>do not</u></b> work for Speaker John Boehne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>do not</u></b> work for the wealthy individuals or corporations that funded your campaign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You work for me and the rest of the American public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are supposed to be working for our best interests and so far you have failed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I think it’s safe to say that the American public is tired of your complaining and blaming others for not being able to do your job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stop it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know the economy stinks but we are expecting you to take action to make it better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand that it won’t happen overnight and compromises will have to be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But nobody seems to be making a real effort to accomplish that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buckle down, start communicating, and get the job done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t, you’ll eventually be out of a job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One of Your Bosses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">American Citizen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-85693561022154887942013-02-28T16:13:00.001-07:002013-02-28T16:13:38.115-07:00#2 Ain't So Bad<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gallup put out a well-being index score for U.S. states recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The data was based on daily surveys done from January to December 2012 calculating on a scale of 0 to 100 (100 being ideal well-being) areas such as emotional health, physical health, healthy behavior, outlook on life, job satisfaction, and work environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Want take a guess as to which state ranked #1?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go on, I bet you can guess.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwOlvs1mZmOReqXobR9o8GB-jPSH_-IqGrnDcYO8YfcNTnoYey1UCcTHK7glHmi2y9CjMYJGrCxwHSdyiJUEF4nHA-kso_i2LtD1xrktzcXJQtS7DwS2kHdr5KzjvJXRUkKYuzeqnWic/s1600/hawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwOlvs1mZmOReqXobR9o8GB-jPSH_-IqGrnDcYO8YfcNTnoYey1UCcTHK7glHmi2y9CjMYJGrCxwHSdyiJUEF4nHA-kso_i2LtD1xrktzcXJQtS7DwS2kHdr5KzjvJXRUkKYuzeqnWic/s1600/hawaii.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Yes, that’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe my well-being would be pretty high if I lived in Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">But I shouldn’t complain because Colorado came in at #2, then Minnesota (#3), Utah (#4) and Vermont (#5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the bottom were Arkansas (#46), Tennessee (#47), Mississippi (#48), Kentucky (#49) and lastly West Virginia (#50).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here’s a map of the U.S. and the rankings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is your well-being?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dEWxI3UuSfGTelXd5YSGh_bDnLvap1ejmlPTOOZcS7M9Bvfws4hHebDTM9ya2RxNfqzA53AzttabDr2HBARomwedVhpy7zoF8VIyrSgdLD2DD0Sx69gkLe0h1cIy4z4OdNFUUwdh-Oo/s1600/Well_Being.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dEWxI3UuSfGTelXd5YSGh_bDnLvap1ejmlPTOOZcS7M9Bvfws4hHebDTM9ya2RxNfqzA53AzttabDr2HBARomwedVhpy7zoF8VIyrSgdLD2DD0Sx69gkLe0h1cIy4z4OdNFUUwdh-Oo/s640/Well_Being.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-32830043303085188622013-02-25T15:24:00.001-07:002013-02-25T15:24:55.827-07:00No pain, no gain, right?<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">According to WebMD, when you exercise your body releases endorphins and these endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body (sometimes described as “euphoric”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regular exercise has been proven to reduce stress, ward off anxiety, boost self-esteem and improve sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I must be doing it wrong. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a gym membership in May 2012 and have been going to the gym regularly (3-6 times a week, 45-50 minutes each visit) since then and I haven’t once felt “euphoric” after a workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel sore, tired and sweaty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All those wonderful things that are supposed to be happening aren’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I still feel stressed and have anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My self-esteem isn’t any better and I’m not sleeping all that great. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The photo above had the caption, “Nothing beats that post-workout glow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bullshit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never, ever, had a post-workout “glow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look like crap when I’m done working out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hair is all matted with sweat, my clothes are sticking to me and I usually walk funny because I’m sore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still waiting for those endorphins to kick (anytime guys). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-70353207127400808022013-02-17T11:40:00.002-07:002013-02-17T11:40:31.586-07:00THINGS that Matter<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We surround ourselves with things, cars, furniture, clothing, electronics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we are honest, we all probably have too many things, things that we don’t really need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are things in our lives that matter, for various reasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the things that matter to me have to do with memories of people and places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have photographs all over my home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photographs of my family and friends and places I’ve been, and all of these things matter to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have things that belonged to my father and grandparents that matter, a desk, a ring, a contact lens case. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Books are also things that matter to me and I have books cases filled will books I read when I was 12, signed books by my favorite authors, and classics that I read over and over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The window in the photo is another thing that matters to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was given to me for my 40<sup>th</sup> birthday by a very dear and close friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hangs in my living room and it makes me happy when I look at. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The frames in the other photo are something I just recently started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In those frames is sand from different beaches I’ve visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hang next to my bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look at them every morning when I wake up and every night before I go bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They remind me of happy times and that one day I want to live close to the beach and the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last couple of years I have really tried not to buy things that don’t matter and that I don’t need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there are things that are necessities but what about everything else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all know we buy things to make us feel better; because we saw it in a magazine, or it’s the newest, trendiest thing, but do these things a really matter?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently saw an Nate Berkus interviewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the interior design who became famous after being on Oprah and who lost his partner in the December 2004 tsunami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wrote a book called “Things That Matter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said a couple of things that stuck with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, surround yourself with things that bring you joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Newest gadget may be entertaining but do they really brining you joy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And second, stop a moment before you purchase anything, a piece of furniture, clothing, toys and think about whether you really need it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Why do we hold on to so many things that don’t really matter</span>?</span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-2182896442416505632013-01-29T22:51:00.002-07:002013-01-29T23:04:18.157-07:00The Waiting is the Hardest Part<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a child, didn’t we always seem to be waiting for something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited for Christmas or summer vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed to take forever to arrive and then they were over before we knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited for birthdays, especially the one that allowed us to see an R rated movie, get a driver’s license or buy a drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we got older we still waited for things, things that seemed more important than movies, and over the years we developed patience as well the ability to deal with disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes that patience serves us well and sometimes it doesn’t, and some disappointment weighs heavier than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am waiting for something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is by no means a life altering event, just something I am hoping will happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, approximately, when the waiting will end and for now I just try not to think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is my way of being patient and not getting my hopes up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this thing I’m waiting for doesn’t happen, I will be disappointed but not devastated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you can’t accomplish anything if you don’t at least try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you fail you still learn from that failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believe you can’t grow as a person if you don’t experience any failures during your lifetime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My waiting will end sometime near the end of March and if the news is good I will share it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime the waiting is the hardest part, and in this case, will be probably be harder to endure than the disappointment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-89064297036145610702013-01-05T19:39:00.003-07:002013-01-05T19:57:48.197-07:00Hooked on a TV showWith some time off at the end of last year I've gotten hooked on a couple of new shows. I say new, as they are new to me but have been on TV for a while, but without cable I don't get a chance to watch the original air dates.<br />
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Homeland - I know, I'm late to the party on this one. Watched the first season on DVD over three days. It's so good. The writing is good, the acting is good. The whole is "he or isn't he" kept me going along with other suspicious events. Can't wait for the second season to come out on DVD.<br />
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Being Human - When I heard the premise for this show when it started a couple of years ago I was skeptical. It's set in Bristol, England (yes, that's a draw) about a ghost, a vampire and a werewolf living together. I kind of feel like the whole vampire/werewolf fad is coming to an end but I really like this show. It's got some humor to it and somehow it works.<br />
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Lark Rise to Candleford - This a a BBC costume drama and I can't say no to those. It ran from 2008 to 2001 (four seasons) and is about a girl from a small English hamlet at the end of the 1800s who goes into town to work with the postmistress. It's very family friendly (think "Little House on the Prairie" but it's got some good actors that, if you've ever watched BBC or Masterpiece/PBS productions, you'll recognize. Just first the first seasons and got season two and three from the library today.<br />
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Merlin - Okay, this may not seem like a likely show I would pick but I actually got hooked on it when the first season aired. I just finished watching season four and am waiting for season five. That will be the final season and the Internet has spoilers all over the place about how the show ends. Of course, I couldn't resist taking a peak but I won't share what I found out. But I am still looking forward to watching the last season.<br />
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So it looks like I'll be busy for a while...Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-31308000110637587172013-01-01T09:44:00.000-07:002013-01-01T09:44:04.040-07:00Book List - December 2012 & Year in Review38. <em>Amazing Grace</em> by Danielle Steel. I ended the year on a fluff book about how lives have changed after an earthquake in San Francisco. No a lot of drama, rather goodie goodie but okay read.<br />
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I watched more movies this month than I did the entire year. And I didn't read as many books as I normally do but that is due to some lifestyle changes.<br />
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Here have been some of my favorites:<br />
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<em>The Flight of Gemma Hardy</em> by Margot Livesley<br />
<em>Shadow of Night</em> by Deborah Harkness<br />
<em>My Mother was Nuts</em> by Penny Marshall<br />
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Books I'm looking forward to reading in 2013<br />
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Three of my favorite authors will have books coming out in 2013. Unfortunately, one will be the very last book as Maeve Binchy passed away in 2013. Here's what I can't wait to eat...<br />
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The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes<br />
Family Pictures by Jane Green<br />
A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy<br />
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Happy reading!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-199409468153129912012-12-18T15:48:00.001-07:002012-12-18T15:48:40.859-07:00Observations from the Gym<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">During the week I go to the gym after work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the weekends I go in the morning, usually 30-60 minutes after I get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some observations I've had while I'm been there….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve seen way too many butt cracks (male and female, but more male).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yuck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People, please pay attention to what is going on with your clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t you feel the breeze back there?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">During the week six of the nine televisions are on news channels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining three are tuned to a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sports channel, a channel showing 20 year old reruns of Seinfield (haven’t we seen them all at least 10 times by now?) and one that shows almost exclusively hip-hop music videos (enough with the Beyonce and Jay-Z already).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">On the first Tuesday of every month they give away free pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boxes of pizza are stacked on a table for anyone to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just cruel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I’ve seen women in full makeup wearing dangling earrings, several necklaces and they are almost always wearing designer workout clothes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honey, do you know where you are?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Even though there are several huge signs on the wall that say no cell phones, there is always someone talking on their phone (and it’s usually the woman who gets on the elliptical next to me).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The signs also say no grunting but almost always there is some guy grunting (yes, only the guys do this).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Monday is the busiest day of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with each passing day the crowds get smaller and smaller.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are some people who don’t wipe down the equipment when they are done. Disgusting!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The New Year Resolutionaries will start filling the gym soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They usually last until March or April.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And lastly, if you don’t sweat you’re not doing it right and you’re just wasting time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-77819430351155993202012-12-01T08:38:00.000-07:002012-12-01T08:38:01.623-07:00Book List - November 201234. <em>When it Happens to You</em> by Molly Ringwald. This was a collections of short stories about different types of betrayal. I really like it better than I thought I would. All the characters are intertwined in the stories. <br />
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35. <em>Broken Harbor</em> by Tana French. This author writes murder mysteries set in modern day Ireland (mainly Dublin). The mystery parts are always well written with lots of detail and main character, always a cop, has issues as well (mostly related to the mystery). This was a good book but I'd recommend some of her other books before this one.<br />
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36. <em>My Mother was Nuts</em> by Penny Marshall. I grew up watching Laverne & Shirley and I knew a couple of things about Penny Marshall. She started out in front of the camera and then went behind it. This was a entertaining memior of her life. She knows everybody.<br />
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37. <em>Digital Fortress</em> by Dan Brown. This a thriller about cryptology. It was published in 2004 and reading it now in 2012 is dated. If you can get past that it's not too bad of a read.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-46207201479409805012012-11-25T11:46:00.000-07:002012-11-25T11:46:22.205-07:00Book SigningsI went to my first book signing when I was in my early 20s. I was working as a reporter in a small southeast Colorado town. I drove over 1 1/2 hours to Colorado Springs to get a book signed by mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark (who I started reading in high school). That's what started it all.<br />
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Authors, like rock stars and movie stars, have to promote their work. Most don't go on TV talk shows but instead do books tours. I am extremly lucky to live in a city that has an awesome independent book store, the Tattered Cover, that draws these authors. In the last 20 years I've been to a variety of book signings that included Craig Ferguson (funny AND gorgeous), Sarah Ferguson (beautiful), Rick Steves (informative - he also runs a tour company and I asked if he was hiring - he wasn't), Jennifer Weiner (ranchy and funny), Jane Green (British delightful), and Jodi Picoult (this woman does her research), just to name a few.</div>
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Two book signing made a big impression on me. The first was Judy Blume. I don't know any women from my generation who doesn't know who she is and hasn't read one of her books. Back in May 1998 she came to town. I was #19 in line to get my book signed. She spoke awhile and read from her new adult novel <em>Summer Sisters</em>. I got her to sign her new book and also asked her to sign my battered old copy of <em>Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret</em>, a book I had probably had in my possession for 18 years. The price on the cover says $1.50. She signed the book and the entire experience was trilling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9f6ydzRADsm5fJyKb3hhn5oSRuBXZSDUF_aVUfvDTF85eAHgm1aJ8Dwxn5RfynTN0wTGGEkg19EnhLRLZAf8xevtvfaes1FnpvNqdQg8noZHCdPphavKVZnJHitNSW3r_HjbXa8eaHc/s1600/DSCN0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9f6ydzRADsm5fJyKb3hhn5oSRuBXZSDUF_aVUfvDTF85eAHgm1aJ8Dwxn5RfynTN0wTGGEkg19EnhLRLZAf8xevtvfaes1FnpvNqdQg8noZHCdPphavKVZnJHitNSW3r_HjbXa8eaHc/s200/DSCN0040.JPG" width="150" /></a>The second signing was Maeve Binchy. She is the Irish author who wrote <em>Circle of Friends</em> which was made into movie. All her books are filled with wonderful characters. She also came to Denver in 1998 to promote <em>Tara Road</em>. During her talk she said she kept a notebook where she wrote down interesting names that helped her name characters, something I do as well. When my turn came to get my book signed I told her I was an aspiring writer and also keep a book of names. She asked my name and said she had a character in <em>Circle of Friends</em> named Heather (of course, I knew that because I read the book) and she made me promise that if I ever got published I would include her in the Acknowledgement. I told her I would. In my copy of <em>Tara Road</em> she wrote "Heather, I'll be waiting for your book! Maeve Binchy."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGNhrWt1LQRCgNJFiQ8VlksIsh76jhnT5bEFvyc0sD32fGkXjw5sOxO6yrcODiR2UCViK0XcLoWUuSNaFVvr2By98WBczSK90duEuo-lGNYm0oXn98S19ki8Gq5j2ME29eT8_eHfATXg/s1600/DSCN0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBGNhrWt1LQRCgNJFiQ8VlksIsh76jhnT5bEFvyc0sD32fGkXjw5sOxO6yrcODiR2UCViK0XcLoWUuSNaFVvr2By98WBczSK90duEuo-lGNYm0oXn98S19ki8Gq5j2ME29eT8_eHfATXg/s200/DSCN0041.JPG" width="150" /></a>Sadly, Maeve Binchy passed away a few months ago at the age of 72. She will be missed. But she did leave us one last book to look forward to which will be released in February. And if I ever get published Maeve Binchy, as well as Judy Blume, will most definitely be listed right there in the Acknowledgements. Until then, thank you Maeve & Judy!</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-32740194368012363992012-11-01T19:59:00.000-06:002012-11-01T19:59:02.572-06:00Book List - October 201233. <em>To Marry an English Lord</em> by Gail MacColl and Carl McD. Wallace. This was a rather interesting book about real American heiresses who married their British peers. This book was one of the inspirations for Downton Abbey.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-27045936532093655472012-10-20T19:56:00.000-06:002012-10-20T19:56:00.547-06:00I Dreamed a DreamEveryone has a dream, something they want, something they want to do, something they want to be different. But let's be honest, most people's dreams don't come true. They are just ideas that for a moment make you feel like something is possible. You can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket. If your dream is to be on Wheel of Fortune, Vanna White and Pat Sajack aren't just going to appear at your door and beg you to spin the wheel.<br />
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Whatever you're dream might be, you have to work at it. It won't just fall in your lap. Last night I was watching Charlie Rose interview J.K. Rowling and once again I realized how much I am failing at my attempt to be a writer. Yes, I write and some people think by doing that I should consider myself a writer, but I don't. My dream is to get a book I wrote published and until that happens I don't consider myself a writer.<br />
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The three Ds of writing are desire, determination and discipline. And actually you can say you need those three things to make any dream come true. I have the desire and the determination but I struggle with the discipline. Finding time to write is always difficult and making yourself write after you've worked an 8 hour day is hard. At any writers conference you go you're told that you have to give something up in order to find time to write (sleep, watching TV, reading, spending time with friends, Facebook, blogging - wait that counts, doesn't it?). If you can do that you're half way there. The other part is where discipline comes in. You have the time, now write. It was kind of like when you were in school and it was time to study. Who hasn't made their bed, cleaned out the closed, sorted their socks, before they could start studying (fondly called procrastination)? <br />
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I am constantly struggling to find that balance. There are things I won't give up, like sleep. Waking up an hour early to write before work is not an option. And even if I did, anything I would write at 6 a.m. would be totally unreadable, Lately I've been trying to write during my lunch hour (time I normally spending reading) but it's hard. It's a limited time period and part of that time is finding someplace quite and seclusive to work. I know, I know, excuses, excuses.<br />
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So after watching J.K. Rowling last night I realized I won't ever have the perfect situation in which to write so I somehow have to make due with my current situation. And if I want this dream to come true I'm going to have to work at it every single day (not just days when I feel like it or the time presents itself). I am going to keep trying. And whatever your dream might be you should keep trying too. I've heard that all the hard work pays off. We'll see....Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-49635008917317736332012-10-09T14:37:00.001-06:002012-10-09T14:38:43.120-06:00What was your major?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Kiplinger’s just came out with a list of the worst college majors in terms of getting employed after graduating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, a lot of them would be considered very creative career choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the link to the list that includes unemployment rates, average salary, job growth, and (my favorite) likelihood of working in retail.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://money.msn.com/personal-finance/10-worst-majors-for-your-career"><span style="font-family: Arial;">http://money.msn.com/personal-finance/10-worst-majors-for-your-career</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And here are the top 10 worst college majors:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">10. English<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">9. Sociology<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">8. Dram and Theater Arts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">7. Liberal Arts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">6. Studio Arts (painting, sculpture and other media)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">5. Graphic Design<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">4. Philosophy and Religious Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">3. Film and Photography<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">2. Fine Arts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">1. Anthropology<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I wasn’t surprised by most of these, although I didn’t expect to see Graphic Design. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did expect to see my major, Journalism (my emphasis was in editorial, which meant I wanted to be a newspaper reporter).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard enough back in the day to find a reporter job and now with so many newspapers going out of business it’s probably be even harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, in my opinion, the quality of work done by journalists today, especially television journalist, is appalling bad, really, really bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My journalism degree did help me get jobs in other semi-related fields such as advertising, public relations and marketing (which is what I’m doing right now).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Around my senior year in high school the only thing I was really interested in was writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a GREAT language arts teacher who was encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had taken a creative writing class and was on the school newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I’d have a better chance of getting a job with a journalism degree than with a creative writing degree (which isn’t even offered everywhere). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My senior year in college I interned at the Windsor Beacon (Windsor, CO), which has since been bought by Gannett, graduated and spend 9 months looking for a newspaper job before landing in southeastern Colorado at the Rocky Ford Daily Gazette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the one and only journalism job I ever had (it lasted about 3 years – and that’s another story for another time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I did work at the now defunct Rocky Mountain News, that was in the advertising department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, many, many, many years after graduating college, I don’t think I would want to go back to reporting but I do enjoy creative writing and hope to have some success with that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-4024486924832924892012-10-07T14:40:00.001-06:002012-10-07T14:42:34.395-06:00No Ice Cream For You<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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Road trips mean junk food. You may start out with good intentions, you pack fruit and trail mix but the first time you stop to get gas and walk into that convenience store the healthy food you packed goes out the window.</div>
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Mid-morning on the first day driving back to Colorado from Texas my Mom wanted vanilla soft-serve ice cream She just spent 6 days in the hospital and her medication was upsetting her stomach so we wanted to get her ice cream We stopped at the first McDonalds we saw for ice cream and a bathroom break. I walked inside, waited in line, placed my order, paid my money and waited. Then I was told that the machine was broken, there was no iced. I got my money back and we got back on the road.</div>
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Down the road at the next McDonalds (because there seems to be one at every highway exit) we stopped again and pulled into the drive-thru. I ordered a soft-served ice cream and was told the machine was broken. What the heck? We drove across the street to Burger King were we got ice cream (I always preferred BK over McD anyway).<br />
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About the same time the next day Mom wanted ice cream again. We were still in Texas (that is one big state) and hundreds of miles from where we were so we stopped at the first McDonalds. And guess what? No ice cream. We got back on the highway and thankfully there was a Dairy Queen at the next exit. And yes, they had ice cream.<br />
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Moral of the story: if you're in Texas and want vanilla soft-served ice cream, don't go to McDonalds.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-65059542582330377832012-10-06T07:30:00.001-06:002012-10-26T19:55:57.108-06:00Book List - September 201231. <em>Off Balance: A Memoir </em>by Dominique Moceanu. Dominique was on the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics "Magnificant Seven" gymnastics team. I have always loved watching gymnastics and this book really goes to show you don't know what goes not behind closed doors of public figures whether they are entertainers, politicians or athletes.<br />
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32. <em>Getting the Pretty Back</em> by Molly Ringwald. This is kind of a self-help/memoir. None of the self-help stuff is new (basically common sense stuff) but there were a few insights into this 80s icon life that was interesting.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-43845865502398682202012-09-15T08:42:00.000-06:002012-09-15T08:42:16.942-06:00Finally Fall<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy55O9aXAK1KiHoC4T4Wqdca19CrqfGL4GoxLX7I-CmhFxg1ZnOEnq6f8E5_HqumVJi-CmOQndEZjVL90YSpc6gCsV0Picrl2b-VjPyvP79urm1m5OQooi-1BhzIKhUd6GOoJJrf8vI8/s1600/TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hea="true" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy55O9aXAK1KiHoC4T4Wqdca19CrqfGL4GoxLX7I-CmhFxg1ZnOEnq6f8E5_HqumVJi-CmOQndEZjVL90YSpc6gCsV0Picrl2b-VjPyvP79urm1m5OQooi-1BhzIKhUd6GOoJJrf8vI8/s320/TV.jpg" width="320" /></a>Fall is almost here (Hip Hip Hooray!) and that means the fall television season is starting. I don't have cable for a couple of reasons so I'm limited to the tradition network's selection of shows. Here are some of the new and returning shows I'm looking forward to:</div>
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<em><strong>Sherlock</strong></em> (PBS) and <em><strong>Elementary</strong></em> (CBS). I was never a Sherlock Holmes fan. I never read any of the books and the only Sherlock Holmes movie I saw was the Robert Downey Jr. one (and I wasn't that impressed). But last year Masterpiece Mystery aired Sherlock and I was hooked! In this very modern-day telling Sherlock is pompous and knows it. It's witty and suspenseful with great writring and acting. Now I'm looking forward to Elementary as well. This Sherlock just got out of rehab and his Watson is a woman. And the creators have promised there will never be a romance between this Sherlock and Watston.</div>
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<strong><em>Glee</em></strong> (FOX). I admit I've been a Gleek from the beginning but this season premier didn't really do anything for me. A bunch of characters were graduating seniors last season and I missed them (although we've been told they will be back at some point). And the two new main characters were rather dull. The best part of the season premier was guest star Kate Hudson as a alcoholic washed-up NYADA dance teacher who used to work on Broadway. Hope this show improves as the weeks go on.<br />
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<strong><em>Downton Abbey</em></strong> (PBS). I am a SUCKER for British period piece dramas and this one totally fit the bill. If for nothing else than the wickedly witty lines from Maggie Smith.<br />
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<strong><em>Once Upon a Time</em></strong> (ABC). Last year two "fairy tale" drama debuted and for me this one was the clear winner. If you were a fan of Lost, the same people are behind Once and you'll notice. It's a mix of fairy tale characters in present time and past "fairy tale" time. It had a great cliff hanger last season so I'm looking forward to where things will go from there.<br />
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<strong><em>Raising Hope</em></strong> (FOX). There are a lot of good half-hour comedies out there but this one is really quirky and funny. The story is about a young man who becomes a single father (the mother was a serial killer who ending up in jail and <strong>SPOILER ALERT</strong> supposedly got hit by a bus at the end of last season) but the stars of the show are the parents (Martha Plimpton and Garret Dillahunt) and dementialy challenged Maw Maw (Cloris Lecchman). </div>
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So let the viewing begin....Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-86161005294998548522012-09-01T10:54:00.002-06:002012-09-01T10:54:31.398-06:00Book List - August 2012<div>
27. <em>Shadow of Night</em> by Deborah Harkness. This is the second book in the Discovery of Witches trilogy. This fantasy is the continuing story of witch Diana and vampire Matthew. You definitely need to read the first book to understand all the intricate characters and plot twist. It does get gruesome at times but a good read.<br />
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28. <em>Where We Belong</em> by Emily Giffin. I read almost the entire book in one four hour sitting waiting for my car at the mechanics. It's the story of a women who, 18 years earlier at the age of 18, gave up her daughter for adoption. The daughter finds here and she now has to own up to her decisions. It's a story that's been told before (and probably will be told again) but also a good read.<br />
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29.<em> The Next Best Thing</em> by Jennifer Weiner. If you know anything about this author you'll know that this book reflects some of her recent experiences and is also more like her first few books. A young single woman tried to make it as a Hollywood TV writer with her grandmother in tow. It's another good Weiner book.<br />
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30. <em>What the Nanny Saw</em> by Fiona Neill. A young college student goes to work as a nanny for an upper-class finance family in London two years before the market tanked in 2008. Lots of finance terminology but interesting characters.</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392146479370267728.post-62693460335182523432012-08-17T12:03:00.001-06:002012-08-17T12:05:44.222-06:00Bronze Medalist With Heart of GoldThe summer Olympics are over. The top winning athletes are now seen on TV talk shows and cereal boxes. All their hard work paid off and the payday begins. I’m sure everyone who competed at the Olympics dreamed of winning a medal, but of course, not everyone can. Many know all their hard work will result in them being able to say they competed at the Olympics (which IS pretty cool).<br /><br />Zofia Noceti-Klepacka of Poland is a very unique athletes. The 26-year-old windsu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0EuHHLvFNNrD71VmjhfdB3z_Im7rKh7NJupzobLMhQT3pECI0irPScrOpu2OQRiqPhQqB7cYzE0UtuXLAV-IELO_yWWdC59JnaPErBfscklG1bP7eoKMxUJkP1hoMcwjqKHPPAs0aqM/s1600/Bronze_medialist.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777704651788591490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0EuHHLvFNNrD71VmjhfdB3z_Im7rKh7NJupzobLMhQT3pECI0irPScrOpu2OQRiqPhQqB7cYzE0UtuXLAV-IELO_yWWdC59JnaPErBfscklG1bP7eoKMxUJkP1hoMcwjqKHPPAs0aqM/s320/Bronze_medialist.jpg" /></a>rfer promised her 5-year-old neighbor Zuzia that if she won a medal she would sell it and give all the proceeds to her Zuzia’s family. Zuzia suffers from cystic fibrosis and has already under gone five operations. Last week Noceti-Klepacka won the bronze medal in women’s RS:X windsurfing (finishing just three seconds ahead of a rival from Finland).<br /><br />(Side note: how many people knew windsurfing was even an Olympic sport? I didn’t. Other Olympic sports I didn’t know about: hand ball and trampoline.)<br /><br />Nobody can say how much she’ll get for it, but it sure is a very selfless thing to do. Think about, she probably trained for years, sacrificed a lot and forked out a lot of money for this once in a lifetime opportunity. She got that medal and now she’s willing to part with it to help someone else.<br /><br />Many athletes would never do that but some have. Ukrainian boxer Wladimir Klitschko won the gold medal in boxing at the 1996 Olympics (the first year Ukraine completed at an Olympics). Earlier this year he auctioned off his gold medal, earring $1 million to go to a foundation to help fund children’s sports camps and facilities in the Ukraine (side note: the anonymous winner returned the medal to Klitschko after the auction). U.S. swimmer Anthony Ervin won the gold in the 50 meter freestyle at the 2000 Sydney Games. He put his gold medal on eBay and donated the over $17,000 he got to victims of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. And Polish swimmer Otylia Jedrzejczak donated the $80,000 from selling the gold medal she earned at the 2004 Athens Olympics in the 200 meter butterfly to a Polish charity that helps kids with leukemia.<br /><br />“I don’t need the medal to remember,” Jedrzejczak was quoted. “I know I’m the Olympic champion. That’s in my heart.”<br /><br />So while some athletes will be raking in the money, others know it’s not all about the money.<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15360434127451532637noreply@blogger.com0