tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78149140042764136612024-02-19T10:23:16.412-06:00BIG HUG LITTLE KISSThe home of DisPinterest, deep thoughts, adventure, crafting, funs, and more.Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-90627118799002530252015-02-07T09:41:00.002-06:002015-02-07T09:42:26.407-06:00First Comes Love...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you're friends with me on Facebook (or <a href="http://instagram.com/dani_stratford">Instagram</a>), then you've probably already seen this. Nevertheless, here is a short video Tim and I made. I think it's pretty great.<br />
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<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/116606826" width="700" height="393" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/116606826">Best of Both Worlds</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/danistratford">Danielle Stratford</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>
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<br /></div>Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-79886038659696290062014-10-04T19:42:00.000-05:002014-10-04T19:42:56.183-05:00Well, We Live In New York Now.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Do you want to know how to move to Manhattan? Here's what we did.<br />
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Step One: get rid of all your stuff. Couch, dressers, your bed, dinner table, pretty much everything. If you haven't used it in the past year or two, just toss it.<br />
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Step Two: arrive in NYC, pay more than you ever thought you would be able to pay to rent a one bedroom apartment.<br />
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Take a look at all. of. your. stuff.<br />
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Step Three: Stop and ponder why you dragged half this crap in a moving van, up five flights of stairs, and into a tiny apartment that only has one closet.</div>
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No, not one living room closet and one bedroom closet and one pantry and one bathroom closet, ONE closet.</div>
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Step Four: get rid of more stuff. Like, a LOT more stuff. Books and moving boxes and more crap than we thought possible. And definitely get rid of the bikes.</div>
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(I know, I know...our hearts are broken. We love our bikes! But we have to store them inside the apartment, we have to drag them up and down several flights of stairs just to use them, we have to buy more expensive (and HEAVY) locks for them, and in the end they'll probably just get stolen anyway.)</div>
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Once we did that, then we still had to deal with the rest of the crap we still had. No one told us that moving into such a small space would not really feel like unpacking, just REpacking. Storing things under the bed, above the cabinets, under the sink, and packaging it all so it's relatively accessible but full to the brim. </div>
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^^ Getting risers for the bed = one of the best ideas ever. </div>
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The hardest thing about <strike>unpacking</strike> repacking was the constant moving of stuff. Stuff from one side of the room, to the other side of the room, to the other room, to the kitchen. There wasn't enough space to set it all to the side and work on one area--we constantly had to move the bikes to get to the closet, then move them back to move the couch in, then move the couch to fit the other furniture we had. It was like playing Tetris with our stuff, all day long. For three solid days.</div>
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After much blood, sweat, tears of frustration, hair pulling, and occasional grouchiness (guilty as charged), we did it. It took us hours of organization, sorting, compromising, and reordering, not to mention multiple trips to IKEA and BB&B. We finally have a fully functioning, organized apartment, just in time for me to start at the Apple Store and Tim to start his LLM program.</div>
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Tim and I both agree: there's something to be said for living in a small space. We had a massive apartment in Nashville, almost 1600 square feet. We had a whole other bedroom that we hardly ever used, two bathrooms, and an office. It was a fantastic apartment and we miss it. We miss the space, and the washer/dryer, and the central air and heat. </div>
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On the other hand, we are absolutely in love with our apartment.</div>
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Even though there's no A/C. (Tim hates that part.)</div>
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Even though it's on the fifth floor with no elevator. (I hate that part.)</div>
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It's cozy and just the right size, now that we have a place for everything. There's no room to spare, but it feels just right. We are quite enamored.</div>
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(Special thanks to Vika, who somehow managed to photobomb almost every. single. photo.)</div>
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^^ The view from our window, looking toward Central Park.</div>
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^^ Looking the other way, toward Riverside Park.</div>
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Moving to Manhattan is something I would never want to do again...but now that we've done it, I'm so glad we did. Tim loves it, Vika loves it, and even I love it. Seriously. Even though <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/08/okay-okay-fine-new-york-might-be-okay.html" target="_blank">I thought I would hate it.</a></div>
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Now, who is going to come visit first??</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-71415061714052861582014-03-14T08:07:00.000-05:002014-03-17T18:41:29.884-05:00How to Chart Using the Fertility Awareness Method<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
[UPDATE: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzZASmlEW6qDVkNQOS16dGRiczA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here's the actual chart</a>, and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzZASmlEW6qDRUlPU1RWenlZYzg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here's the one with a lower temperature range</a>! Enjoy!]<br />
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Now that we've gone through <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/02/fertility-awareness-why-it-matters.html" target="_blank">why it's important to chart</a>, what the entire <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/02/your-menstrual-cycle-explained.html" target="_blank">menstrual cycle looks like</a>, and how to <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/03/interpreting-your-fertility-signs.html" target="_blank">interpret your fertility signs</a>, we're ready to actually start charting!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO4w4wTqhIDpfybaTNOrWX-JMgFuH_ae_sWQi9DU3XHQlakzZ1-x8WYEbBCvq3tSZi92bq-UPc0uHd1DPQjueiHz_3G67XfClbcTpNz-nSjOGw90FJh6u_gvwkbjPRjqS5yPGBci7Xr_e/s1600/Charting+Guide+flyer-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAO4w4wTqhIDpfybaTNOrWX-JMgFuH_ae_sWQi9DU3XHQlakzZ1-x8WYEbBCvq3tSZi92bq-UPc0uHd1DPQjueiHz_3G67XfClbcTpNz-nSjOGw90FJh6u_gvwkbjPRjqS5yPGBci7Xr_e/s1600/Charting+Guide+flyer-01.png" height="640" width="400" /></a></div>
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Before we dive in, I will say this: the Fertility Awareness Method is incredibly effective as birth control if you are willing to be diligent. It doesn't take much time or effort, but it does require consistent efforts day to day.<b> </b><b>If you are planning on using FAM as your primary form of birth control, I strongly recommend reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Fertility-Anniversary-Edition/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394302383&sr=8-1&keywords=taking+charge+of+your+fertility" target="_blank">Taking Charge of Your Fertility</a> or seeing a FAM instructor before you begin. </b>I don't want to scare you, I just want to make sure you're taking the proper precautions. I have been using FAM for a year and a half now with no problems whatsoever.<br />
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Also, if you<b> are already pregnant or if you use hormonal birth control</b>, charting won't be accurate for you since you're not ovulating, so keep that in mind!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Should you use an app to chart your info?</span><br />
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There are tons of apps out there that track your fertility and tell you when your fertile windows are. While there are some great ones out there, not many of them are actually specifically geared toward tracking all three fertility signs.<br />
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If you're hellbent on using an app, look for one that allows you to easily record all three fertility signs (waking temperature, cervical fluid, cervical position), and make sure you're still paying attention to what your <i>fertile signs</i> are telling you. not what the <i>app</i> is telling you, since it may be wrong. Some good ones: <a href="https://www.kindara.com/home" target="_blank">Kindara</a>, <a href="http://readytogroove.com/" target="_blank">Ready to Groove</a>, and <a href="https://glowing.com/" target="_blank">Glow</a>. However, <b>I would strongly discourage you from using an app and tell you to chart on paper, at least for the first couple of months while you get the hang of it. </b>I'd be the first one to tell you to use technology if I thought it would benefit you (hello, I work for Apple...), but in this case, I see it causing more confusion and work than it's worth.<br />
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<b>As far as the paper charts, I've created a simple chart that you can <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzZASmlEW6qDVkNQOS16dGRiczA/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">download here</span></a> as a printable PDF.</b><br />
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifZEk98zCh36wW1m_v98FmEtByq-FUTNbuJ0N28G6-YYwL_ZQOuTc6tFYWVXWIbXhOfaXdMZRLr3klNlRIuF2334YE4xdx-1L4VlwV73n7mc88Gg1S2OuS3bC17kxnnSTGtgu8Zz1XraZ/s1600/FAM+Chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifZEk98zCh36wW1m_v98FmEtByq-FUTNbuJ0N28G6-YYwL_ZQOuTc6tFYWVXWIbXhOfaXdMZRLr3klNlRIuF2334YE4xdx-1L4VlwV73n7mc88Gg1S2OuS3bC17kxnnSTGtgu8Zz1XraZ/s1600/FAM+Chart.png" height="494" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Don't download this one, click the link above. Click on this image to enlarge)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">How the heck do you fill this thing out?</span><br />
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It may look a little overwhelming at first, but trust me--it takes about thirty seconds a day to record the necessary information. I usually fill mine out right before bed each night.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2y-Q6sNDOdmh_eT1qgltuytAN4ENOxdilWjTD06RQ8tymS3-QbwSDy34-N45dN-84QagCJyjai1kjkpitNaEc53gOvJf1row9d50AGSGR5TD7jvYRJroh36ntEL7YuvKuOls_PXHlNKs/s1600/1-01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2y-Q6sNDOdmh_eT1qgltuytAN4ENOxdilWjTD06RQ8tymS3-QbwSDy34-N45dN-84QagCJyjai1kjkpitNaEc53gOvJf1row9d50AGSGR5TD7jvYRJroh36ntEL7YuvKuOls_PXHlNKs/s1600/1-01.JPG" height="472" width="640" /></a><br />
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Start at the top of your chart, filling out your name, age, and the month and year. If this is your first month charting, start with a 1 for your cycle #. Then put the length of your shortest and longest cycles for the past year. (If you don't know, just leave them blank.)<br />
Next, under the "Day" row, fill in the day of the week. Fill in the month and date underneath that. Skip the "Luteal Phase" row--we'll come back to that later.<br />
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<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR9qV3azKyMQzoRuZImq5HK-W4rLLPDwiqOkwbl6tpzrcEx7KYI6Z1GlRmIKehK-HgNISiUuABIESPbHN2SMJ1hJ5KeFPBuM7MNqSrd3egw3nrDeGEhyphenhyphenY9TJsPkMccCO89aVa4egLIfm5/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR9qV3azKyMQzoRuZImq5HK-W4rLLPDwiqOkwbl6tpzrcEx7KYI6Z1GlRmIKehK-HgNISiUuABIESPbHN2SMJ1hJ5KeFPBuM7MNqSrd3egw3nrDeGEhyphenhyphenY9TJsPkMccCO89aVa4egLIfm5/s1600/2.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can put a diagonal line to start a new month, like 3/13 above.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRH8F9fjIm_iQiML3btQoMA7oHc5TpSRwNWj6Cs0qzy39I6tSYc93HHr-bDf9IM1AsIr7PKmGHHOxwVTKXJ_M3TkMIWy5UUODyN9STt4H42Cvh8eudKn56Q8cldNt2HAKiwIPRITHisA1/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRH8F9fjIm_iQiML3btQoMA7oHc5TpSRwNWj6Cs0qzy39I6tSYc93HHr-bDf9IM1AsIr7PKmGHHOxwVTKXJ_M3TkMIWy5UUODyN9STt4H42Cvh8eudKn56Q8cldNt2HAKiwIPRITHisA1/s1600/3.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Now that you've got the top filled out, you're ready to fill it out day by day. The red column highlighted above is where you would record the info for the first day of your cycle, which is also the first day of your period.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHEpwLQZn-pNUC2cF3LYkLjFhqM_7RlyktWuDeqZuuNvc6W-QjlsTZLfwSkxkwMKtl0mEwoWPALiGReGf0es_7JOfRVxqdnmuo6m9U95-cqJfc-_UFcyYwOuTvY3srOOEgPWL5c-gpdFM/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHEpwLQZn-pNUC2cF3LYkLjFhqM_7RlyktWuDeqZuuNvc6W-QjlsTZLfwSkxkwMKtl0mEwoWPALiGReGf0es_7JOfRVxqdnmuo6m9U95-cqJfc-_UFcyYwOuTvY3srOOEgPWL5c-gpdFM/s1600/4.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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Here's what it looks like filled out. Let's go over the different entries.</div>
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In the temperature slot, find your waking temperature and circle it on the chart. Underneath that, you can record if you had sex that day or not. You can also record your cervical fluid--since this is your period, you'll fill in the corresponding box to record that.</div>
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You don't have to check your cervical position while you are on your period. If you're having any other symptoms, like cramps, bloating, or acne, you can fill that in as well. If you have any notes for the day, jot them in.</div>
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Voila! You're done for the day! Easy as pie.</div>
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Here's what it looks like when you've been charting for a few days:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFBai11vWCap-jg6u8E6hdy4eszagEQ7Gf3PKJNZfSq8KIW7pbYqcM9F4cUdpv2EBYVbaAGTofJJAD_GmmDrXpiYkvKObmzkjsVeOiB7Vq5CyfE7_m0EdcHbIqOkfp_x6rxUuYQB9eNKP/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFBai11vWCap-jg6u8E6hdy4eszagEQ7Gf3PKJNZfSq8KIW7pbYqcM9F4cUdpv2EBYVbaAGTofJJAD_GmmDrXpiYkvKObmzkjsVeOiB7Vq5CyfE7_m0EdcHbIqOkfp_x6rxUuYQB9eNKP/s1600/5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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You'll connect your waking temperatures with lines. If your period gets lighter, you can do dashed lines instead of filling it in completely. </div>
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After your period ends, you'll most likely have a time of dry or sticky days. To indicate a dry day, put a dash through the Period line.<br />
Leading up to ovulation, your cervical fluid will start to get sticky, creamy, and/or eggwhite (fertile/stretchy). Carefully record these sensations in your chart day by day.<br />
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Here's what it looks like when you've ovulated:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLimT-lpdXbVPLnUK_vEoWylVz71Vf-1KTVYV6Njbv8H6RfoFCtYgTymGiNEYIbd7Cl0v9v82abUE_o4IdqRWDp2Y7vN8JFyGu6fawuaeYTZurgCXSCnEJNcVgjGX5br0ZeYlOWmCHyAIs/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLimT-lpdXbVPLnUK_vEoWylVz71Vf-1KTVYV6Njbv8H6RfoFCtYgTymGiNEYIbd7Cl0v9v82abUE_o4IdqRWDp2Y7vN8JFyGu6fawuaeYTZurgCXSCnEJNcVgjGX5br0ZeYlOWmCHyAIs/s1600/6.jpg" height="640" width="416" /></a></div>
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See the temperature that's higher than the rest? That's called your Thermal Shift. That is one of the signs that indicates your body has released an egg. The thermal shift is also the first day of your luteal phase, which you can mark by writing a 1 for that day in the Luteal Phase row.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPVOVSSNNCbxTewbj4qlf-uIdIG3qrOHrXHjQGap2yoLsSFiHqLkGb7F8Kg8adSLnFLCsDIPZ_GyKsfcz6J3WsPivtIF2r8DxC6fCY5awKYspQ8ACMGvoyMu8AxcAAA6NNdNJZjYowYXO/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPVOVSSNNCbxTewbj4qlf-uIdIG3qrOHrXHjQGap2yoLsSFiHqLkGb7F8Kg8adSLnFLCsDIPZ_GyKsfcz6J3WsPivtIF2r8DxC6fCY5awKYspQ8ACMGvoyMu8AxcAAA6NNdNJZjYowYXO/s1600/9.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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As your Luteal Phase progresses, you can write out 1, 2, 3, and so forth in the Luteal Phase row so you can start to get an idea of how long your typical luteal phase is.<br />
After your temperature shifts, you can draw your cover line. Your cover line helps you see when you're in or out of your luteal phase. To draw your cover line, take the six temperatures before the thermal shift (colored in with black above) and draw a line one tenth of a degree above that.<br />
When your temperatures falls below the cover line (see the pictures above and beneath on day 29), your luteal phase is over and that day is the first day of your next cycle.<br />
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If you want, you can draw a vertical line to indicate that your cycle is over. Duplicate the last day's information on your next chart for Cycle #2.</div>
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There you go! You've officially charted for one month. </div>
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If you're more of a visual learner, here's a five-minute video I made that covers the same basic information above. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZYZPRWkB_dM" width="640"></iframe>
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As you start charting, please feel free to reach out with any questions! I remember how confused I was when I first started, so if there's anything you have questions about, just let me know. <br />
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It was so amazing during my first month of charting to actually see my temperature shift and my body respond in predictable ways--I knew it was supposed to do that, I just didn't know if <i>my</i> body would do it. When it did, it was one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I hope you get to feel that as well as you start charting!<br />
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And if you haven't already...you should join the party on <a href="http://instagram.com/know_fertility" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://twitter.com/know_fertility" target="_blank">Twitter</a>!<br />
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All the cool kids are doing it. </div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-59375184082129987562014-03-01T08:30:00.000-06:002014-03-01T08:36:48.322-06:00Interpreting Your Fertility Signs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>[Are you just starting here? If so, you should stop and really start <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/p/fertility-things.html" target="_blank">here</a> and read those two posts first. It will be better that way. Trust me.]</i><br />
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You guys, we are almost ready to start charting. I know I promised you <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/02/your-menstrual-cycle-explained.html" target="_blank">last time</a> that charting was next, but I really thought this might be easier to digest if I divided it in half.<br />
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So, today we'll talk about how to interpret and read your fertility signs, and <i>next</i> time we'll talk about charting. I promise.<br />
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As I've mentioned before, pinpointing your fertile/non-fertile days rely on three primary fertility signs: your waking temperature, cervical fluid, and cervical position. Paying attention to these signals will help you understand when you can and cannot get pregnant.<br />
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Let's dive into them one at a time and take a look at how each sign changes over the course of your cycle.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HOW TO MEASURE YOUR WAKING TEMPERATURE</span><br />
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You will need a thermometer (kind of obvious, but you know...I thought I'd mention it anyway), which you can get at almost any grocery store or pharmacy. Most people have a thermometer hanging around, but check to make sure it's not just a fever thermometer. Fever thermometers usually go up and down in one degree increments (99, 100, 101, etc), and you'll want something more sensitive than that. Find a thermometer that goes up in tenths of a degree (98.1, 98.2, 98.3, etc) and you should be fine. You may have luck searching for a basal body thermometer.<br />
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Here are some guidelines to follow when taking your temperature:<br />
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<li>Take your temperature orally.</li>
<li>Always take your temperature first thing upon waking, before you get out of bed. Don't get up, brush your teeth, shower, or eat breakfast.</li>
<li>Get plenty of rest. Your temperature can be affected by less than three consecutive hours of sleep before taking a reading.</li>
<li>Try to take your temperature around the same time each morning (within an hour or so).</li>
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That's really it--the biggest part is starting the habit of doing it. I'm not going to lie, it's become an addicting thing for me--I couldn't wait to see my temperature shift and know that I ovulated. Granted, I'm kind of a dork about it, but still. It's exciting.</div>
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You'll record these temperatures daily on the chart, which we'll go over next time. Eventually, you should be able to see something similar to this pattern:</div>
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<li>First half of your cycle until ovulation (Follicular Phase):<b> range of low temperatures</b></li>
<li>Ovulation: <b>temperature jumps 3/10 - ½ a degree usually the day after ovulation</b></li>
<li>Second half of your cycle until menstruation (Luteal Phase): <b>range of elevated temperatures</b></li>
<li>First day of your period (Start of next cycle): <b>temperature drops; period arrives</b></li>
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That's really all there is to it for your temperature until we get into recording your temperatures next time. See? Easy peasy! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HOW TO TRACK YOUR CERVICAL FLUID</span></div>
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This is probably the part where most women may get squeamish, because I am going to tell you to check your cervical fluid every day, and preferably several times a day. </div>
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I know, I know--it's weird, you may think it sounds gross, you've never had to do that before, etc etc. Let me just say this: once you realize that your body is not just creating weird fluids seemingly at random and you begin to see a clear pattern emerge, you will be blown away at how amazing your body is. You'll wonder why you never noticed it before, because the patterns will seem so clear to you in retrospect. If you can, I encourage you to work through any squeamishness you feel, and realize that your body is perfectly normal, healthy, and in all honesty, MIRACULOUS. </div>
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With all of that in mind, let's move forward!</div>
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You can start checking for cervical fluid the day after your period ends. So, how do you actually check your cervical fluid? You can do it two ways: pay attention to the toilet paper when you wipe, or use your finger to check your cervical fluid. The latter is far more accurate and not as weird as you might think. Before you use the restroom, wipe or touch the vaginal opening and check for fluid. You'll be looking for four different types of sensations:</div>
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<li>Dry: your vagina will always be slightly wet, but if there's no fluid you can see on your finger and it seems thin, this qualifies as dry. Wave your finger for a minute, and if the moisture easily dissipates, it's considered as dry.</li>
<li>Creamy: think lotiony. There's no stickiness to it, but it's more wet than a dry day.</li>
<li>Sticky: this can be gummy, rubbery, pasty, etc. </li>
<li>Stretchy (egg white): as soon as you see this type of fluid, you'll know why it's called egg white. It's the easiest to recognize because, well, it looks like egg white--it's stretchy and clear. It's also the most important cervical fluid because it can indicate that your body is about to ovulate.</li>
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Once you start checking and recording your cervical fluid, you'll be amazed at how much information about your body is right at your fingertips. </div>
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(See what I did there? So clever.) </div>
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I know it's hard to talk about because we just don't talk about things like this, but take a leap of faith and try it. </div>
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Your pattern of cervical fluid throughout your cycle typically looks like this:</div>
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<li>First half of your cycle until ovulation (Follicular Phase):<b> menstruation, then dry to creamy to sticky to stretchy (eggwhite)</b></li>
<li>Ovulation: <b>1-2 more days of eggwhite/sticky</b></li>
<li>Second half of your cycle until menstruation (Luteal Phase): <b>usually dry, interspersed with sticky days</b></li>
<li>First day of your period (Start of next cycle): <b>menstruation</b></li>
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As you can see, your cervical fluid has a lot to tell you about your own body. Don't discount its importance and its <b>vital</b> role in conception.<br />
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Another thing to start being aware of is something called your vaginal sensation. How many of us have been on our period and had this thought: "OH CRAP I THINK I'M LEAKING I'M PRETTY SURE I'M LEAKING WHERE IS THE NEAREST BATHROOM AND A TAMPON EVERYBODY MOOOOOOOVE!!" That sinking feeling of horror is because of your awareness about your vaginal sensations. Pay attention to it throughout the day; the more you practice being aware of your cervical fluid, the easier it will get. Do you feel dry? Do things feel slippery or wet? It may take some practice, but from personal experience, the longer you do this the more natural it will feel. After charting for a year and a half, it's like second nature now.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">HOW TO CHECK YOUR CERVICAL POSITION</span></div>
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This last sign is an optional sign, but it's one that I would recommend using if you want to be the most accurate. It's also one of the most difficult signs to get a read on, so give yourself at least a cycle or two before you get the hang of it. </div>
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If you're planning on using FAM as a method of birth control, in my opinion, you should be looking at all three signs. Your cervical position is a great "verification" sign that will back up what the other two signs are telling you. </div>
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As you might remember from the <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/02/your-menstrual-cycle-explained.html" target="_blank">menstrual cycle post</a>, your cervix is the gateway to your uterus. It is found at the very end of your vagina. Your cervix is a ring-shaped muscle that keeps bacteria and other foreign objects from entering your uterus. Most of the time, it is closed and firm, but in the days leading up to ovulation, it withdraws further back into the vagina and opens up ever so slightly. This allows a bigger opening for sperm to get through to fertilize an egg. Around the same time, it also produces cervical fluid that provide easy channels for the sperm to swim up. Without an open cervix and fertile cervical fluid, the sperm stand no chance. </div>
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To check your cervical position, wash your hands thoroughly and insert a finger into your vagina. Find the end of your cervix and note the position and firmness. Does it seem lower in the vagina than normal? Is it sitting higher up? How soft or hard does it feel? When your cervix feels firm like the tip of your nose, that is considered hard. When it feels softer like your cheek, that means it's soft. </div>
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Remember, it will take you a couple months to establish a pattern of anything, so be patient the first couple months. You do not have to check your cervix while you're on your period; you can start checking it after your period ends and stop checking it three days into your luteal phase. You may find it easier to check your cervix in the shower, so you can start with clean hands and wash them right afterward. </div>
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Your cervical pattern usually looks something like this during your average cycle:</div>
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<li>First half of your cycle until ovulation (Follicular Phase):<b> <b>closed, low, and firm cervix</b>, gradually opening and softening in the few days before ovulation</b></li>
<li>Ovulation: <b>soft, open, and high cervix</b></li>
<li>Second half of your cycle until menstruation (Luteal Phase): <b>closed, low, and firm cervix</b></li>
<li>First day of your period (Start of next cycle): <b>closed, low, and firm cervix</b></li>
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And now you know way more than you ever thought you would know about your own cervix!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER</span></div>
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Here's how an average cycle will look with all three fertility signs put together:</div>
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<li style="font-weight: normal;">First half of your cycle until ovulation (Follicular Phase):<b> low range of temperatures, period to dry to sticky to eggwhite cervical fluid, closed firm cervix to slightly open</b></li>
<li>Right before ovulation: <b>temps stay in a low range, sticky/eggwhite cervical fluid, cervix begins to open and soften</b></li>
<li style="font-weight: normal;">Ovulation: <b>temperatures jump up day after ovulation, cervical fluid starts to dry up, cervix is open</b></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">Second half of your cycle until menstruation (Luteal Phase): </span><b>temperature stays elevated, cervical fluid is dry,</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b><b>cervix is closed</b></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: normal;">First day of your period (Start of next cycle): </span><b>temp drops suddenly, period arrives, cervix is closed</b></li>
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And that's a brief overview of how your fertility signs change in time over the course of your cycle! Armed with this information, you're ready to get down to the nitty gritty: charting your signs to start interpreting your own fertility cycle.</div>
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Remember...any questions you have you can throw at me! Find me on Twitter and Instagram at @Know_Fertility. Keep an eye out for my next post on charting--it should be up in a week or two!</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-71368441451903374092014-02-20T08:44:00.001-06:002014-02-20T08:44:35.507-06:00Your Menstrual Cycle, Explained<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>[Psst...if you're starting here, you should probably read <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/02/fertility-awareness-why-it-matters.html" target="_blank">this</a></span> first!</i><br />
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<i>Also, disclaimer: If you don't like talking about women's anatomy and stuff, you have been warned.</i><i>]</i><br />
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If you're anything like how I used to be, your period was something that just showed up every once in a while. I'd start to get this feeling and think, "Huh...it's probably time for my period again sometime soon. I haven't had it in a while." Then I'd get my period.</div>
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Fast forward 3 weeks and repeat.</div>
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I didn't really know much beyond that beside the fact that it was a cycle, and at some point during my cycle I could get pregnant. I'd been told by OB-GYN's that there was always a risk for pregnancy at any point during your cycle--whether you're on your period or not. </div>
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<b>But mostly, my period was a huge black box of mystery. </b>It came, it went, and then started all over again next month. What happened in between was...well, I had no idea what it was.</div>
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Hopefully by the end of this post, you'll know more than you ever thought possible about your menstrual cycle. It's not an exaggeration to say that knowing this information was one of the most empowering gifts of information I have ever received. Instead of a mysterious thing that just happened <i>to</i> me, it became something that I was completely aware of and thus in control of. </div>
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So, how can this help YOU? Here are a few ways:<br />
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<li>You can know the date of your next cycle without having to worry about it coming during a range of dates (this is especially helpful if your cycles are irregular or unpredictable; even though the first half may vary, the second half of your period is almost always the same length in each individual woman).</li>
<li>You will know several basic pieces of information vital to understanding your potential infertility: Am I even ovulating? Is my luteal phase too short to sustain implantation? Am I getting pregnant and mistaking it for a late period when I miscarry? </li>
<li>If you know when you ovulate, you know exactly when you can and cannot get pregnant each month. No more surprise pregnancies!</li>
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I could go on, but hopefully you see why knowing about this could be incredibly helpful to you. If nothing else, I hope you use this to become more aware of your body and yourself. <b>It doesn't matter if you never decide to start charting; knowing about their cycles is information every woman should have.</b><br />
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In this post, we'll be describing a regular menstrual cycle, so this may not apply to women who have variations in their periods due to medication (including hormonal birth control), medical issues such as PCOS or annovulation, or otherwise irregular cycles. We'll talk about special circumstances in later posts.</div>
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First of all, we'll need to cover some basic female reproductive anatomy. It's important for you to know your internal and external reproductive anatomy, so even if you think you already know, I'd recommend going over it again anyway. I won't go into detail on the external reproductive anatomy here, but I'd take a look at <a href="http://www.cea1.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/anatomy-of-vulva-diagram.jpg" target="_blank">this</a> diagram if you need to brush up on what's where.</div>
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The internal reproductive system should look familiar to you (I hope).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y-OZF2JfUv71N1GJPmCxZ-LxzJ2EcBIwdYSF36cblbmnhtfuEf5i24kKhECgqDrybFwQj0CR3mXM4z-xMFJVXxd2khe5bvPcBbzFyErW7yAleFxd4eKL8aw_4GYaRzb0b7R6RzVfpybH/s1600/Female+Reproductive+Anatomy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y-OZF2JfUv71N1GJPmCxZ-LxzJ2EcBIwdYSF36cblbmnhtfuEf5i24kKhECgqDrybFwQj0CR3mXM4z-xMFJVXxd2khe5bvPcBbzFyErW7yAleFxd4eKL8aw_4GYaRzb0b7R6RzVfpybH/s1600/Female+Reproductive+Anatomy.png" height="514" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I drew this in Illustrator while Tim was watching tv...needless to say, glancing at a computer screen with a massive uterus on it can be a little startling for husbands. :)</td></tr>
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Besides looking like the face of a goat or possibly a really weird alien, your reproductive organs do a lot of really cool things.</div>
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Let's briefly go over the above terms, just so we're clear on where everything is:<br />
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Your<b> Ovaries</b> contain all of your eggs cells, and are about the size of an almond. When you are born, your body contains all the eggs it will ever produce.<br />
Your<b> Fallopian Tube</b> connects your ovaries to your uterus--this is where the egg will wait for fertilization each cycle.<br />
The <b>Uterus</b> is about the size of an upside-down pear. It's an amazing organ that can expand up to 500 times its regular size during pregnancy, and return back to its original size afterward. If an egg is fertilized, it will implant into the uterus to grow there.<br />
Your <b>Endometrium</b> is a lining of blood that builds up in your uterus every month. If no egg is fertilized, it is shed and becomes your period. If it is fertilized, it grows thicker and helps protect and nourish the fetus.<br />
The <b>cervix </b>is the at the bottom of your uterus. It is a ring of muscle that can expand and contract. There are ducts just inside the cervix that produce cervical fluid when you are about to ovulate.<br />
And let's not forget the <b>vagina</b>! The vagina is the entrance to the cervix and uterus. It also has the ability to expand and contract, as well as produce its own fluids.<br />
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An average menstrual cycle is anywhere from 24 to 38 days long. Let's start with Day 1.<br />
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<b>FOLLICULAR PHASE: MENSTRUATION TO OVULATION</b><br />
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The<b> </b>Follicular<b> </b>Phase, or first half of your cycle, can vary in length. It covers the time from the first day of your period until ovulation. <b>The first day of your period is always the first day of your cycle. </b>Usually, your follicular phase is anywhere from one to three weeks long. Because no egg was fertilized in the previous cycle, the unneeded endometrium has begun to shed itself, resulting in your period.<br />
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In the first few days of your cycle, the one of the ovaries starts to prepare about 15-20 eggs to be released, each egg encased in its own follicle in the ovary. The immature eggs develop slowly over the course of about <b>two weeks</b>. One egg is chosen to be released, and when it is mature, it bursts through the ovarian wall into the fallopian tube. Tada! Ovulation! The remaining 15-20 eggs that were in development are reabsorbed and disintegrate.<br />
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In the days leading up to ovulation, the cervix starts producing fertile cervical fluid. It is this fluid that allows sperm to live up to five days. <b>Without this fluid present, sperm can only survive the acidic environment for a few hours</b>--certainly not long enough to find and fertilize an egg.<br />
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The cervix also undergoes changes around ovulation. It widens and withdraws back toward the uterus. <b>It is this change, along with your temperature shift and the presence of fertile cervical fluid, that will help you pinpoint when your ovulation occurs.</b><br />
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Immediately after ovulation (about 1-3 weeks into your cycle), the ovarian follicle that released the egg begins to disintegrate as well. As it dissolves, it releases progesterone, which will continue to be released for the next 12-16 days in the second half of your cycle (your Luteal Phase).<br />
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While your ovaries are busy preparing eggs and ovulating in the first few of weeks of your cycle, your uterus is simultaneously preparing itself as well. When your period is over, your body immediately starts to rebuild the endometrium in case of fertilization. The progesterone released by the ovarian follicle (which is now called the corpus luteum) causes the endometrium to thicken and sustain itself to wait for the egg to implant.<br />
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The second half of your cycle is called your Luteal Phase.<br />
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<b>LUTEAL PHASE: OVULATION TO MENSTRUATION</b><br />
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While the Follicular Phase can vary from cycle to cycle in the same woman, the <b>Luteal Phase is incredibly consistent. </b>The onset of ovulation in the first half of your cycle can be delayed by stress, malnutrition, or illness, but once the luteal phase starts, it is virtually impossible to stop.<br />
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This is actually quite handy, though, because the end of the Luteal Phase marks the first day of a new cycle with the arrival of--you guessed it--your period. <b>So, if you know the length of your luteal phase, you will always know the exact date of your next period. No more guessing!</b><br />
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So, let's talk about what happens in your luteal phase. Your luteal phase always starts <i>after </i>ovulation has occurred. The length of the luteal phase is usually anywhere from 12-16 days, although it can be as short as ten. Each woman's luteal phase length will remain consistent from cycle to cycle. Mine is always about 10-11 days, but yours may be a different length. Anything shorter than ten days can make it problematic to conceive, because it doesn't give the egg time to properly implant in the endometrium.<br />
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The length of the luteal phase is determined by the amount of progesterone released by the corpus luteum (remember that guy? The follicle that released the egg?). Like we talked about earlier, when the egg enters the fallopian tube, the corpus luteum stays behind and releases progesterone. It is this hormone that sustains the endometrium in case of implantation and pregnancy, causes changes in the cervix, and signals the cervix to start producing fertile cervical fluid.<br />
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The egg will only live for about 24 hours from the time it is released. Progesterone quickly prevents the release of multiple eggs after a 24-hour period, so that means that about two days after ovulation, you are completely infertile with no chance of pregnancy (until your next ovulation, of course).<br />
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Once the egg dies, the progesterone continues to be released by the corpus luteum for the length of the luteal phase. If the egg were to be fertilized, it is this luteal phase that would give the newly fertilized egg time to travel down the fallopian tube, enter the uterus, and implant into the endometrium to grow into a fetus. If implantation happens, the corpus luteum continues to release a hormone, but this time it is the more well-known hCG--the hormone that is used in pregnancy tests to determine if you are pregnant or not. This hormone suspends ovulation and tells the body to sustain the pregnancy.<br />
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If conception and implantation don't occur, the progesterone decreases. When no implantation is found, no hCG is produced and your body sheds the endometrium at the end of your luteal phase. You start a new cycle with the beginning of your period.<br />
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Phew! We made it!! Your entire menstrual cycle, explained! That wasn't so bad, was it?<br />
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(Don't answer that.)<br />
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I'm planning on doing a video explainer of your menstrual cycle as well. As my <a href="http://heartsandhopes.blogspot.com/?view=classic&zx=fa962949cee0d432" target="_blank">sister</a> wisely pointed out, it can be tough to visualize all the changes that are happening by reading a blog post. Hopefully I'll have that up within a week or so!<br />
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In the meantime, questions or comments are always welcome! If you're still confused about your cycle or have questions about something I didn't cover, please reach out and ask. I'd love to hear from you! You can find me on <a href="http://twitter.com/know_fertility" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="http://instagram.com/know_fertility" target="_blank">Instagram</a> at @know_fertility. I've had some really great questions from you already, and I love getting to hear about your stories, questions, and concerns. Keep it coming!<br />
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My next post will be about the how to's of actually charting your cycle. Now that we've gone over a lot of the basics, we're ready to actually dive in to charting. Are you ready? I'm so ready!</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-16107783886690503072014-02-13T07:49:00.000-06:002014-02-20T19:17:29.767-06:00Fertility Awareness: Why It Matters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>[If you have a uterus (or if you even care about someone who has a uterus), then you may be interested in this post. It's something I stumbled upon a couple of years ago, and I cannot overstate how much it has changed my life and my outlook on my own body.</i><br />
<i><br />If, on the other hand, you possess no uterus, you don't really like talking about women's health, or you get </i><i>squeamish while </i><i>discussing the wonders of the female body, you have my permission to skip this post.</i><br />
<i><br /><br />Just know that I am sending my hairy eyeball glare to you through the internet. It's that important.]</i><br />
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Let's talk about charting your menstrual cycle. I know, I know--it can be a taboo subject. Some women find it downright uncomfortable. But hang in there with me.<br />
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First of all, why bother tracking your cycle at all? Here are a just a few reasons:<br />
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<li>When used perfectly, the Fertility Awareness Method can be up to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_family_planning#cite_note-41" target="_blank">99.86% effective</a> as a form of birth control.</li>
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<li>Since it is non-hormonal, there are no scary side effects like there are with the <a href="http://floliving.com/blog/2012/12/birth-control-side-effects/" target="_blank">pill</a>, the patch, the <a href="http://community.babycenter.com/post/a773295/introduce_your_mirena_story" target="_blank">IUD</a>, or other types of hormonal birth control.</li>
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<li>Fertility Awareness is virtually cost-free (all you need is a thermometer, a piece of paper, and a pen), whereas birth control can range in price from <a href="http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/02/pdf/BC_costs.pdf" target="_blank">$100-$1000 a year</a>. It is available to just about anyone, anywhere. (Talk about really<i> </i>providing <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/fact-checking-free-birth-control-day/story?id=16900144" target="_blank">free birth control</a>!)</li>
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If that's not enough to keep you interested, I hope you keep reading anyway--because fertility awareness can have an enormous impact on your reproductive health.<br />
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I first heard of tracking your cycle from a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Fertility-Anniversary-Edition/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391555122&sr=8-1&keywords=taking+charge+of+your+fertility" target="_blank">Taking Charge of Your Fertility</a>. I thought it sounded interesting--it was something I'd never heard of before. I requested it from the library and had to wait about two months to actually get the book, since the waiting list was so long. Once I finally got it, I devoured all 428 pages front to back.<br />
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It absolutely changed my world.<br />
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I didn't think I was illiterate when it came to women's health and my body, but this book taught me things I had no idea even existed. Like the fact that your temperature changes predictably based on if you are<span style="color: red;"> </span>pre- or post-ovulatory, and you can use this temperature shift to tell you when you ovulate. Or the fact that you can pinpoint a lot of symptoms by charting--things that affect conception, like a short luteal phase, miscarriages you may mistake for late periods, and non-ovulatory cycles where your body does not release an egg.<br />
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(If some of those terms don't make any sense to you, don't worry. I'll explain more about them later on. The main point is that it is possible to know a lot of really vital things about your own body without having to step foot in the gynecologist's office.)<br />
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Not only did the book teach me things I didn't know, it also dispelled a lot of old wives' tales and myths that I think most women still believe. Have you ever had a doctor (or someone else) tell you that women always ovulate on the 14th day of their cycle? Not true. Or that there is a risk of getting pregnant at any time during your cycle, not just during the fertile window? Also not true. Or, on the flip side, that you can only get pregnant on the day you ovulate? Again, not true.<br />
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It erased so many fears and concerns I had about the way my body worked. All those times I fretted and worried and wondered if I was pregnant at the wrong time, all because my period was a couple days late...only to find out I was worrying over nothing. I could have <i>known </i>all along. That is the power of fertility awareness.<br />
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And before you ask: no, it's not based on hokey weird pseudo-science, it's based on actual science and research.<br />
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I have been tracking my cycle (charting) for a over a year, and now I want to write a series of blog posts about how to get started. Today, I wanted to give you a brief overview of the <a href="http://americanpregnancy.org/preventingpregnancy/fertilityawarenessNFP.html" target="_blank">Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)</a> and tell you why you might be interested in charting.<br />
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FAM is seen as a form of either birth control or birth achievement, depending on how you use it. It involves tracking three main signs (<b>basal body temperature</b>, <b>cervical fluid</b>, and <b>cervical position)</b> to help you track your cycle and fertile times.<br />
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Let's look at three examples and talk about why charting would matter in each scenario. We'll discuss women trying to concieve, women trying to avoid, and women who are trying to do neither.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Trying to Concieve</b></span><br />
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Trying to concieve is the most common reason for tracking your cycle, since doing so will help you pinpoint the times when you are most fertile. There are times in your cycle where it is impossible to get pregnant, as well as times where it is highly likely you will get pregnant. Charting your cycle will help you know (not just guess, or wonder, or hope) the best time to make babies. <br />
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In addition to that, it can be provide vital information if you are having trouble conceiving. If, like many women, you think you ovulate on day 14 but actually ovulate closer to day 18, you may miss your fertile window every single month, leading you to believe you are infertile when you may actually just be getting the timing wrong. Some women have annovulatory cycles, or cycles where no egg is released--thus rendering it impossible in that cycle to concieve. Or they may have a short luteal phase, which doesn't give the egg time to properly implant. Another rare option is that the woman actually <i>is</i> getting pregnant, but miscarries so early on that it is mistaken for a late period.<br />
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In any case, knowing <i>why</i> you are not able to get pregnant can provide peace of mind to you and, bigger still, vital information you can provide to your doctor to help pinpoint why you are having trouble conceiving. <br />
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One thing that is worth mentioning for people who are struggling to get pregnant: FAM is not promoted as a sure-fire cure all that will suddenly allow you to get pregnant. It can help couples who may be timing things wrong, and it can help you understand why you might be having trouble conceiving, but by no means am I saying that infertility wouldn't exist if only more women used FAM. Infertility is a real and incredibly difficult struggle, and using FAM may or may not help in certain cases of infertility.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Trying to Avoid Pregnancy</b></span><br />
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FAM can also be used as an effective form of birth control. How effective it is depends on how committed you are to charting, but most experts agree that it is on par with other forms of hormonal birth control like the pill.<br />
So why would anyone bother charting instead of just popping a pill or wearing a patch every day? I can think of several reasons. For one, it's completely non-hormonal. I have nothing against hormonal birth control, and in fact many women need it to regulate otherwise painful periods. And, not being a doctor, I obviously have nothing more than anecdotal evidence about being on hormonal birth control, but it just doesn't sit well with me. Telling your body to suspend a major reproductive cycle seems very counterintuitive. I would not be surprised if hormonal birth control makes it more difficult to conceive when you are ready to start trying. Using FAM, on the other hand, means that as soon as you flip the switch, you are good to go. No waiting for 6 months or longer for the hormones to be worked out of your system; you are 100% ready to go.<br />
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Again, there is very little research on whether or not hormonal birth control makes it harder to conceive when the time is right, but I can't tell you how many friends told me, "I never would have taken birth control if I knew I wouldn't get pregnant for months after taking it." They wish someone would have told them there was another way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three of these top four search results are contraceptives. Note: the Paragard is a non-hormonal IUD.</td></tr>
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Another great reason to use FAM as birth control is that it's great practice to know what your cycles look like if you do want to use it to try and conceive. It can help you understand the rhythms in your cycle and pinpoint your most fertile days so that you can get right down to it when the time comes.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>All Women</b></span><br />
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So let's say that you're not planning on having kids anytime soon (or are done with having kids), or you're not sexually active so you don't need it as birth control. Do you really need to chart?<br />
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YES. I think you still should.<br />
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(Let me qualify that: I strongly believe that every woman should at least know about the options of charting, as well as know in-depth information about their cycles and bodies in general. Some women would rather not chart, some women medically need birth control, and still others would just rather not have to worry about it, but if you can and you are able, I recommend it whole-heartedly. As long as you know the benefits of charting and you know enough about how your cycle works every month to make an informed decision on charting, that's good enough for me.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's the great thing about charting, though:<b> it doesn't matter if you're trying to avoid a pregnancy, trying to achieve pregnancy, are done having kids, or don't even have sex. If you have a uterus, then this applies to you. Tracking your cycle is an incredibly easy way to be in charge of and informed about a major part of your health.</b></span><br />
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One of the biggest things I gained from charting was a reverence for the way my body was designed to work. I felt empowered because I knew what my body was up to. No more wondering if you are normal. No more questioning out of the ordinary cervical fluid. No more hoping I wasn't pregnant (or hoping I was). No more guessing between a range of days when Aunt Flo was coming. I knew exactly what was going on in my body.<br />
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Not to mention, as I said earlier, charting can help you pinpoint symptoms of some major health issues that can happen regardless of your reproductive status. So yes--even if you've never had kids or you aren't sexually active, it can still be incredibly valuable to chart. </div>
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I'll be posting a series of "how to" guides for charting in the upcoming weeks to help you get started, so keep an eye out for those. I'm really excited about sharing this with all of you.<br />
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In the meantime, this is really something I'd like to take seriously because I am very passionate about it. I've started a Twitter and Instagram account for helping women get started charting. I'll be sharing information on how to get started, as well as answering any questions that come my way. You can follow me on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/know_fertility" target="_blank">@know_fertility</a> or Instagram: <a href="http://instagram.com/know_fertility" target="_blank">@know_fertility</a> . I do love new followers!<br />
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One last thing: if you have any questions--and I mean ANY questions--relating to fertility, cycles, menstruation, etc, I would love to hear from you and help you get answers. Are you confused about the way FAM works? Have you been trying to get pregnant for a while and are wondering why? Do you have a question about your cycle? Any questions you have that you don't know the answer to, just ask! I already have friends texting me randomly to ask about their ovulation or why their temperature didn't jump at a certain time or what I think about their charts, so I might as well extend that to the whole internet!!!!!! </div>
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(I will probably regret this later, but for now...whatevs.)<br />
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You can leave a comment below (anonymously if you wish), tweet at me, leave a comment on Instagram, or even email me at knowfertility at gmail dot com. </div>
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Next post: details of exactly what happens during your cycle! (Spoiler alert: most of it will probably be new information.) Ready to read more? <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2014/02/your-menstrual-cycle-explained.html" target="_blank">Click here!</a></div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-79449962015466563362014-01-30T07:30:00.000-06:002014-01-30T10:06:16.691-06:00Throwback Thursday, Journal Style.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You guys, I was reading through some old (OLD) journal posts the other day, from like 2006. Back when I was still in college. (Yes, I know...it was a long time ago.)<br />
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Anyway, I though you might enjoy reading a snippet of my heart locket girl diary from back in the day, in honor of Valentine's Day. So, I bring you: The Worst Valentine's Day Date Ever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Me in 2006 with the Bad Dater. Too bad you can't see his eyes. You would have fallen for him too.<br />
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First, some background. I met Kyle* while working at my part time job at KBYU TV. I remember thinking he was beautiful. A "I forgot my own name and now I'm saying idiot things and staring at your perfect eyebrows" kind of beautiful. Anyway, somehow we struck it off at work and he asked me on a couple of dates. At first, it was seemed like it was really going somewhere. He was nice and sweet, and--did I mention--ridiculously good looking.<br />
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On our first date he took me on a double date to a cool Italian restaurant in SLC. It was a charming little restaurant, and the dinner was going swimmingly.<br />
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And then...he had to promptly leave the table during the meal because of gastrointestinal distress.<br />
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For 20 MINUTES.<br />
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So, it was just me and this other rando couple, and worse yet, I'm preeeetty sure they were engaged. Or married. I just remember there was a lot of me staring at them awkwardly while they looked at each other. Yech. The worst.<br />
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(I wish I could tell you that the Italian date (or the one I'm about to tell you about below) is the worst date I've ever been on, but sadly, it is not even in the Top Five. I'll have to tell you about those others some time.)<br />
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Anyway, he ended up asking me out for Valentine's day, and this was the result. Enjoy, and feel free to laugh at my naiveté:<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Well, Kyle called around noon before I went to work and
asked me if it was okay if we could go to his little brother's basketball game
for Valentine's day. I was
spooning with Hana, Steph, and Becca at the moment**, so I just said okay. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>When I hung up I was almost sure he was
faking me out. After all, he knew
I didn't like watching basketball!
Not only that, but this is coming from the guy who took me to Mahler's
Symphony! He knows how to be romantic.
So I knew we couldn't possibly be going to his little brother's
basketball game. Plus, I looked up
the basketball schedule for Lone Peak, where his brother went, and they didn't have
a basketball game that night!
Why would they, it's valentine's, after all! I was sure that this was just some fake out and that he
was going to take me to dinner, or to Color Me Mine, or something.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>So we got in the car and we started driving toward Orem
(that's where his little brother's supposed game was) and I was daydreaming
about when we would arrive at the restaurant, and I would tell him that I knew
we were going to dinner instead of his little brother's game, and that it was a
good trick, that I was TOTALLY fooled (I wasn't going to tell him I knew
because I looked up the schedule online)…and then we passed Riverwoods Mall. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's okay, <i>I thought. </i>There's
still plenty of places to eat in Orem.
Maybe he's trying to make sure I <i>really</i> think we're going to his little
brother's game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Well, my bubble popped when we walked through the doors of
Eagle Elementary School. Turns out
my detective work on the dates of the high school games had come to naught,
seeing as this was NOT a high school game. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Oh, no. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>It was
a middle school game. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">His little
brother was in middle school, not high school! Well, I was bored out of
my mind! Half of me wanted to chew
Kyle out for thinking that I would have nothing better to do on Valentine's
day than watch his little brother's middle school basketball game (okay, so I didn't
have anything better to do, but still!). I was literally about to poke my eyeballs out, fake </span>appendicitis<span style="font-family: inherit;">, ANYTHING to not have to sit through the next hour and a half watching clumsy middle schoolers sweatily squeak around on the gym floor while my buns suffered from hard bleachers with no back on them. Worse yet, he was so into the (MIDDLE SCHOOL) basketball game that he barely made conversation with me. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">I tried not to completely check out as I stared vacantly into space, clapping halfheartedly when they managed to throw the ball into the hoop. What a "date." </span></i><i style="font-family: inherit;">I'm not really one for
watching some sweaty, prepubescent 13 year-olds run up and down the gym floor
while their parents scream at them from the bleachers. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>So, after that, we went to the malt
shop and I got a shake. It was
okay, I guess. </i></span></div>
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And there you have it, folks. Now you can add "little brother's middle school basketball game" to things that you should definitely try to avoid on Valentine's day. <br />
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Yeesh.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Name changed to protect the innocent</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">**What? We were four roommates, we liked to spoon. Stop being weird about it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">***Also, I just Googled him and he is</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">still single. Although it looks like he travels the world now for fun and sees lots of awesome places and takes lots of National-Geographic-level photographs...but whatever. You know. I'm not jealous. Pfft.</span><br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-40831774309350486682014-01-07T09:34:00.000-06:002014-10-10T09:59:47.100-05:00Bluebird Cafe at Christmastime.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You've probably heard of Bluebird Cafe from ABC's <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/nashville" target="_blank">Nashville</a> (which is a great show, by the way). It features the Bluebird pretty prominently. <br />
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One thing you'd never guess by watching the show:</div>
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The Bluebird Cafe is nestled in a strip mall. </div>
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That's right, a strip mall, people. </div>
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It's flanked on either side by a baby boutique, home decor store, barber shop, and the AT&T store. Verrry glamorous. By daytime, it looks dingy and unassuming, but once you're inside and the show's starting, it's an entirely different place. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lancemiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bluebird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lancemiller.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bluebird.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lancemiller.com/bluebird-cafe-performance/" target="_blank">source</a></td></tr>
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It's always been pretty hard to get tickets to Bluebird, since it's a pretty small place. It's gotten even more difficult now that it's become so publicized, and I felt lucky when we were able to get tickets right during Christmastime. The tickets went on sale at 8 AM Monday morning, and were completely sold out by 8:05. </div>
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It's a small, cramped place, and you definitely don't go for the food. I mean, it's okay...but not anything life-changing. </div>
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Bluebird is mostly for singer/songwriters, so you're mostly listening to the people behind the hit songs. I can't tell you what a cool experience it is to hear a song that you grew up singing along to, sung by the person who wrote it. Growing up in Idaho, I've listened to my fair share of country, and I've heard so many songs sung at Bluebird that I've heard over and over on the radio.<br />
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Even if you don't listen to or like country music, it's still an awesome place to go. Every time I've gone, it's been more of an acoustic session anyway, so it doesn't sound too countrified. And I've heard plenty of songs that weren't country.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKWwKAjE7ISEki6J3gcD3np2CF8xUlkLgPZ0zNJ6YmyWKaoq7IBbbKhn-oCau-fwXJdKlRlWvyzCMHZEokW3_4P5WcZlgiC2lEw0XaaJIcojpx8o8yT8J-rNl-GRqwIli6RF3roJuxuq0/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKWwKAjE7ISEki6J3gcD3np2CF8xUlkLgPZ0zNJ6YmyWKaoq7IBbbKhn-oCau-fwXJdKlRlWvyzCMHZEokW3_4P5WcZlgiC2lEw0XaaJIcojpx8o8yT8J-rNl-GRqwIli6RF3roJuxuq0/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyapMGZq0xBlldIKd8Rfg8PM4Tp5oqu3_h633rMNyNR5GglUND2sNfe0uPEhyz14aeK5uzvHdQF-KHxbTo_sZVUraFzX9UrxoVP-QiwnnDsUPh4h1ohrjF15q7jsl4UyuLa34LEroo11Sg/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyapMGZq0xBlldIKd8Rfg8PM4Tp5oqu3_h633rMNyNR5GglUND2sNfe0uPEhyz14aeK5uzvHdQF-KHxbTo_sZVUraFzX9UrxoVP-QiwnnDsUPh4h1ohrjF15q7jsl4UyuLa34LEroo11Sg/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It so cramped, you can hardly tell where the singers are, but the sound is good from everywhere. These guys were so amazing! They all went around the circle, taking turns to sing their next song, but in between there was plenty of banter and wit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VYehoaBje06xZkcnb9smqanfJYGLBwY2xC8XPy7pPM2cmPkuLJKZJ_SjILBfi-4i-Qd8EhfH6idKGYWXNuApaRCmKWj403xuFUNT842lTuddKcFDN7xC2YnY_Me_KRr9fv581he_fA__/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VYehoaBje06xZkcnb9smqanfJYGLBwY2xC8XPy7pPM2cmPkuLJKZJ_SjILBfi-4i-Qd8EhfH6idKGYWXNuApaRCmKWj403xuFUNT842lTuddKcFDN7xC2YnY_Me_KRr9fv581he_fA__/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkfyWe-1VEr9tHN_ouDuzWFdRd4zxOPX8noHgB05syUUwINEtVUMGYQK7LPNz_dBfswK1q1yKLTveofkRPAQfkndX7NBTOVUT91gaeiUdyGY3Gamy6N0Cfb1Gm51kDkHihalSWxTy5-Ps/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkfyWe-1VEr9tHN_ouDuzWFdRd4zxOPX8noHgB05syUUwINEtVUMGYQK7LPNz_dBfswK1q1yKLTveofkRPAQfkndX7NBTOVUT91gaeiUdyGY3Gamy6N0Cfb1Gm51kDkHihalSWxTy5-Ps/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And now, for some (crappy) video from my iPhone! You may not have the patience to watch all of these, but trust me--they're worth the watch.</div>
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First of all, Tony Arata, who has written for pretty much all the country greats, sung a song recorded by my girl Patty Loveless, "Here I Am":</div>
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Aaaand my favorite singer of the night, Annie Mosher. She was the perfect mix of quirky and dark and funny and all around awesome. Plus, she had some of the best lyrics of the night. Seriously, can you just listen to this whole song:</div>
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(also, my apologies for the video being of the back of her head)</div>
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Here's another song from Annie, with a long (and funny) intro story.</div>
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Annie was by far and away my favorite of the night. Best thing about Bluebird: you can go straight up and talk to the singers after the show. (Even if they did want to escape, there's pretty much no where for them to go...they're surrounded on all sides. Ha.) We congratulated Tony on his awesome singing, and I even got to go up to Annie and gush about how much I liked her music. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lP5igkJhzB0c2GdsfzQzLggE1lUJe1xpGkW2oilwojoPF1jLufa8R3h5saTMQHJsfyL9BK4K456Njy9e46UTaCejcRBa6l61H600rG9IsHV_zclozGUkbfmPhzltG0Bhoh3e2qc0BwGh/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lP5igkJhzB0c2GdsfzQzLggE1lUJe1xpGkW2oilwojoPF1jLufa8R3h5saTMQHJsfyL9BK4K456Njy9e46UTaCejcRBa6l61H600rG9IsHV_zclozGUkbfmPhzltG0Bhoh3e2qc0BwGh/s1600/IMG_0964.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div>
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(look, here is a picture of the front of her head!)<br />
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(well, really the side...but it still counts.)<br />
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Anyway, she was so sweet. I got a hug and a thank you and, because she liked me so much (b/c who wouldn't), she told me to go to the merch table and tell them Annie's your friend and she said to give you a free CD.<br />
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!!!!!!<br />
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She was the sweetest.<br />
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Anyway, if you come to visit us in Nashville, like, EVER, I will take you to Bluebird. And you will have an awesome time.</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-39991396451115851942013-12-12T11:54:00.000-06:002013-12-12T11:54:45.860-06:00How to Make Orange Slice Ornaments.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrSznLSB7pVDwCsTGDroQcn96a708Ol7zQDCdrQN8nwGJOBR6TOW4uGdxL20z-_HO9qHGaaBc1gcvucBQXu37nRFD256_c9v3xP5CabbSk2_ss43l0_m33QTp_zVEsPBNrcUY4K0ZkneS/s1600/orange-slice-image1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrSznLSB7pVDwCsTGDroQcn96a708Ol7zQDCdrQN8nwGJOBR6TOW4uGdxL20z-_HO9qHGaaBc1gcvucBQXu37nRFD256_c9v3xP5CabbSk2_ss43l0_m33QTp_zVEsPBNrcUY4K0ZkneS/s640/orange-slice-image1.png" width="494" /></a></div>
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My good friend Lucia texted me and asked if I would put up a tutorial for my orange slice Christmas tree ornaments. I know what you're thinking--"Dani, you're telling me that your ornaments are so legendary that people <i>beg </i>you to post tutorials so that they can recreate your awesomeness in ornament form?"<br />
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The answer to that most profound question, dear reader, is yes. Yes they do.<br />
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They are incredibly simple to make, take almost no preparation, and can store easily for use year after year.<br />
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(In other words, if you somehow manage to botch this simplest of DIY ornaments, maybe you should just take it as a sign to stop crafting and DIY's all together. There are only so many crafts you can fail at before you realize it's just not for you. Just saying.)<br />
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Anyway, it all starts with an orange.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1. Your orange should look like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZsYRCaCrPttYAD8RMJMsqa4hyphenhyphenMdClHexq5uKemxKe8NCr_Yznt55VJkMaLO9CXRJvKtDAks5Lr-ZxsWyH4XN108xfMXVV2eiltHRcxbiJ-7jQqiNlMztrxRrzfx9mS-gj7voZKyJNMu6/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinZsYRCaCrPttYAD8RMJMsqa4hyphenhyphenMdClHexq5uKemxKe8NCr_Yznt55VJkMaLO9CXRJvKtDAks5Lr-ZxsWyH4XN108xfMXVV2eiltHRcxbiJ-7jQqiNlMztrxRrzfx9mS-gj7voZKyJNMu6/s640/IMG_0901.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You'll notice it's round, and looks like an orange, and is fairly orange-y. So far so good.<br />
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This next part is a little tricky, but don't worry--after some practice, your skills will continue to improve. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2. Slice your orange into ¼" sections.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx_WbSTuOBbAC6Qqsb5LXyf9G0_A2J7wU0IfGiNoqVAKIVdrWmWJ4aSdBvlNzu8Sg1dA3BMUM3RdaUso_hmcBgvGON7F9WeII1eWYa251rr34orkIANEf-Y0S7Su9_dTF9Yq8UuvvTano/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx_WbSTuOBbAC6Qqsb5LXyf9G0_A2J7wU0IfGiNoqVAKIVdrWmWJ4aSdBvlNzu8Sg1dA3BMUM3RdaUso_hmcBgvGON7F9WeII1eWYa251rr34orkIANEf-Y0S7Su9_dTF9Yq8UuvvTano/s640/IMG_0902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know, I know...slicing things can be hard.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">3. Next: place your orange slices on a baking sheet. </span><br />
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And preheat your oven to 225°F.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4cwWlTY1PbtwAytwy-DqsODl7kyeDJ9XhbAmoCsmJyAhZsVPETBWA5mfeoaLsGR2yV30hpI5FuW0WRNw3tnHPiCKINAdcsQ2qp9PpT_-poNLNhJzZSJU3bUXFcnH1SmMyBU50vBUD0z5/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4cwWlTY1PbtwAytwy-DqsODl7kyeDJ9XhbAmoCsmJyAhZsVPETBWA5mfeoaLsGR2yV30hpI5FuW0WRNw3tnHPiCKINAdcsQ2qp9PpT_-poNLNhJzZSJU3bUXFcnH1SmMyBU50vBUD0z5/s640/IMG_0904.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know, I know...so complicated, so many steps, difficult instructions, etc etc--but hang in there! You can do this! We are almost done!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">5. Put the orange slices on the middle rack in your oven, then sit and watch them for 2-3 hours.</span><br />
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Okay, okay, fine--you don't HAVE to watch them the whole time.<br />
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But you should at least check on them every hour and flip them over.<br />
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Once they're about dry through and through, you can take them out and let them cool. They should be dry, not sticky, when they're cooled off. If they're sticky, they need a little bit more time in the oven.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">6. Attach your hanger of choice, and voila!</span><br />
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Presto Change-o! You have a Christmas tree ornament ready to be enjoyed for generations to come!!*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RAW2VwNTrsblobJ-Lkjhhra4MU03TMaocYT1_3C6XlwwNWwPy5ZEN93ZjEQ4gldeKuDJTCCYluHJCLhJR9ciHi5dnsePjvLv8LjLbn7sjOJbzEqyu7SbeT5kKkscWiIip3KeZLggMqDc/s1600/IMG_0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RAW2VwNTrsblobJ-Lkjhhra4MU03TMaocYT1_3C6XlwwNWwPy5ZEN93ZjEQ4gldeKuDJTCCYluHJCLhJR9ciHi5dnsePjvLv8LjLbn7sjOJbzEqyu7SbeT5kKkscWiIip3KeZLggMqDc/s640/IMG_0909.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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They dazzle up any old tree with their stained-glass-look-a-like beauty. You will have the best tree in town! People will come from miles around to marvel at your tree! Pretty soon, you will be charging admission and selling hot cocoa on the side! You'll turn it into a lucrative business and make a BILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!</div>
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(I expect you to send me a cut of the earnings, if this does in fact happen to you.)</div>
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Now, go forth, make ornaments, and be merry!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Not that your grandkids will want your crusty old orange slices anyway, but you know. Just in case.</span><br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-49559460647556111642013-11-22T09:30:00.001-06:002013-11-22T09:30:26.517-06:00Listen To This.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey everyone.<br />
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It's Christmastime. <br />
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(I know, I know...Thanksgiving comes first...I'm just saying, a month between Thanksgiving and Christmas is not long enough to celebrate the season. So. Christmastime it is!)<br />
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When Tim and I first got married eons and eons ago, we decided to buy one Christmas album each year to add to our musical repertoire. If there's one thing we both absolutely love, it's good Christmas music.<br />
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I think we've done a pretty good job since then:<br />
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<a href="http://espot.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/jackson5ultxmascollectioncover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://espot.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/jackson5ultxmascollectioncover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Year One: Jackson 5. </div>
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Best song: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/santa-claus-is-coming-to-town/id334344410?i=334344466" target="_blank">Santa Claus is Coming To Town</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QEDXuej-wIA/SxVrDnhpX8I/AAAAAAAAEjc/KmGXKmneHxc/s1600/MyChristmasCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QEDXuej-wIA/SxVrDnhpX8I/AAAAAAAAEjc/KmGXKmneHxc/s640/MyChristmasCover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Year Two: The man himself, Andrea Bocelli.</div>
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Best song: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lords-prayer-mormon-tabernacle/id336010435?i=336010785" target="_blank">The Lord's Prayer</a></div>
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(I know, it's not <i>technically</i> a Christmas song...but he does a duet with <a href="http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">MoTab</a> and if it doesn't bring you to tears while listening to it, then you have no soul.)</div>
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<a href="http://www.45cat.com/imageview/11C42715BC18CFC805C" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="631" src="http://images.45cat.com/brenda-lee-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-1958-5-s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Year Three: Brenda Lee.</div>
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Best song (Besides Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, that is): <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/papa-noel/id2954712?i=2954647" target="_blank">Papa Noel</a>. </div>
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Year Four: Cee Lo Green.</div>
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Best song: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-i-need-is-love-feat.-muppets/id564392095?i=564392122" target="_blank">All I Need is Love (feat. the Muppets)</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7b_M-DW7LGy0d7wpfxK7zJx-H6F7WczFMfYHc77vanwpSE6rid9-oxj2YEtoDNqsErjaDhlwOLJxiRGWZhq6OsBb6JrPts1_qyuQV7I3MPNefYPSRsZ8JOT6tlgaXl9fBCWlOvt05OTY/s400/holidaysrule_20121012_105455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7b_M-DW7LGy0d7wpfxK7zJx-H6F7WczFMfYHc77vanwpSE6rid9-oxj2YEtoDNqsErjaDhlwOLJxiRGWZhq6OsBb6JrPts1_qyuQV7I3MPNefYPSRsZ8JOT6tlgaXl9fBCWlOvt05OTY/s640/holidaysrule_20121012_105455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Year Four, Numero Dos (we got it for free during an Amazon special): Holidays Rule compilation.</div>
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Best song: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sleigh-ride/id571025125?i=571025168" target="_blank">Sleigh Ride</a> by Fun.</div>
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I mean, pretty good, right? If you haven't listened to any of those albums or you're looking for something new or a little different this year, give one of them a shot. Or all of them. Whatever.</div>
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In the meantime, for this year, we decided to do something a little bit different. Instead of picking an album, we decided to pick 15 songs a piece from different albums. We had a great time last night finding the best renditions of our favorite Christmas songs, drinking hot cocoa, and putting on the fir-scented candles.</div>
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(P.S., DID YOU KNOW NETFLIX TOOK DOWN <a href="http://fireplaceforyourhome.com/" target="_blank">FIREPLACE FOR YOUR HOME</a>??? GAHHHHHH THEY ARE RUINING CHRISTMAS!!!!)</div>
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Anyways, I wanted to find a good version of<i> Still, Still, Still</i> that wasn't too over-the-top. I stumbled across <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/still-still-still/id304866526?i=304866582" target="_blank">this perfect version</a>, which then led me to the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/marys-lullaby-christmas-songs/id304866526" target="_blank">entire album</a>, which, as it turns out, is a pretty fabulous album. And it's only $10 on iTunes.</div>
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I picked a bunch of songs off of that album. For my other songs, I picked some from my childhood (can you say Raffi anyone?), a couple from Mindy Gledhill's Christmas album, and rounded it out with a classic by Ella Fitzgerald. Here's my complete list:</div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/once-in-royal-davids-city/id304866526?i=304866531" target="_blank">Once In Royal David's City</a> by Amy Gileadi</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/silent-night/id304866526?i=304866536" target="_blank">Silent Night</a> by Marcus Bently</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-the-bleak-midwinter/id304866526?i=304866541" target="_blank">In the Bleak Midwinter</a> by Mindy Gledhill</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/little-drummer-boy-peace-on/id304866526?i=304866543" target="_blank">Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth</a> by Paul Jacobsen/Amy Gileadi</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/still-still-still/id304866526?i=304866582" target="_blank">Still, Still, Still</a> by Amy Gileadi</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/with-wondering-awe/id304866526?i=304866583" target="_blank">With Wondering Awe</a> by Debra Fotheringham</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/patapan-o-come-o-come-emmanuel/id465499999?i=465500069" target="_blank">Patapan / O Come, O Come Emmanuel</a> by Mindy Gledhill</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/winter-moon/id465499999?i=465500130" target="_blank">Winter Moon</a> by Mindy Gledhill</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/old-toy-trains/id380419822?i=380420093" target="_blank">Old Toy Trains</a> by Raffi</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/must-be-santa/id380419822?i=380420083" target="_blank">Must be Santa</a> by Raffi</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/it-came-upon-a-midnight-clear/id202460724?i=202460750" target="_blank">It Came Upon a Midnight Clear</a> by Ella Fitzgerald</li>
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You may notice that I have 4 more songs to go. I need some recommendations. What's <i>your</i> favorite Christmas song? Leave me a comment and tell me why it's your favorite, too!</div>
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I'll put Tim's list up soon--he picked out some great ones as well. But for now, <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/11/meet-vika.html" target="_blank">the pup</a> is begging to go out and romp around while I listen to my new Christmas music on my iPhone. </div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-28331297309430972072013-11-15T10:52:00.000-06:002013-11-15T10:52:09.887-06:00Meet Vika.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
First of all, it's Veeka, not Vy-ka. Just so we're clear.<br />
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Now, down to sweet, sweet business:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYlqF8EqCecUEuviz_3pv_5PVbDPiIRU3AQ0kC18COXGRYpJ5pAP8KYjBY48N46A5qLvY17WdpC0VagNHHmbrFxJr4Up023ke3TDeaMQxSvAP0lYgAr0syLzaqz3tSNTN3m3yvqjypAHa/s1600/IMG_1029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYlqF8EqCecUEuviz_3pv_5PVbDPiIRU3AQ0kC18COXGRYpJ5pAP8KYjBY48N46A5qLvY17WdpC0VagNHHmbrFxJr4Up023ke3TDeaMQxSvAP0lYgAr0syLzaqz3tSNTN3m3yvqjypAHa/s640/IMG_1029.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Everyone, meet Vika the <a href="https://www.google.com/#newwindow=1&q=vizsla" target="_blank">Vizsla</a>. </div>
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(That's pronounced veeshla...we just like hard-to-pronounce names, I guess.)</div>
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Anyway, she is officially the World's Sweetest, Cutest, AND Smartest Pup. It's verifiable--I've got proof.</div>
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We have actually been looking at getting a puppy for a while now, because we really wanted to get one before we had kids. Can you even imagine doing newborn + puppy?? I don't know how people do it. Anyway, we had our hearts set on a Weimaraner, but we ran across the Vizsla breed in our and fell in love. </div>
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We found a breeder in Alabama, and drove down to pick up our 7-week old pup on October 5th. </div>
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(Don't worry, Mormons, we listened to <a href="http://generalconference.lds.org/" target="_blank">General Conference</a> on the way there and back.)</div>
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We had a heck of a time picking out the right pup--he had FIVE girls to choose from, and they kept getting all mixed up. Eventually, I picked the one I thought was the prettiest, and then picked her up to play with her and see what her energy level was. I knew she was the one when she cuddled right up in my lap and didn't try to jump off or twist away too early. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rqAtuCRs_zRLamu2b36i7aXjIg407Q7GTK5X-cnomgxNatvYq42VdTowQVwqPJDKVC7md61AuF4Fx5JiDIY1XxYuo80PX11oCseWEnuqu9-M54gVzZo7PQ4fAo3D5FQZpFnONw37iuuA/s1600/IMG_3337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rqAtuCRs_zRLamu2b36i7aXjIg407Q7GTK5X-cnomgxNatvYq42VdTowQVwqPJDKVC7md61AuF4Fx5JiDIY1XxYuo80PX11oCseWEnuqu9-M54gVzZo7PQ4fAo3D5FQZpFnONw37iuuA/s640/IMG_3337.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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She snuggled right in on my lap for the car ride home, and slept for the entire three hour trip. What an angel. </div>
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The first couple of days with her was definitely an adventure, to put it mildly. I had to work nine hours a day, Tim had class, and the pup was waking us up every hour, on the hour at night. After the first week, though, she settled in and became a lot more manageable.</div>
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I know what you REALLY want is more pictures of the pup, not me talking about how cute and sweet she is. (Except for the house training...ugh. She doesn't <i>quite</i> get the concept yet.) So, anyway, here's more pictures of The Sweetest Pup in the World.</div>
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Vika is the best cuddler. Forreal. Her favorite things to do are to stick her little snout into your elbow pit, or to nuzzle up against your neck or bare skin. Seriously, I could cuddle with this pup all. day. long. That's one of the reasons we picked a Vizsla--they are very affectionate dogs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24BjinfcQZjgUWyfTQiooqVflEKzD40gXff0qORUm7iyAb6UlHfjtFar1slQ3GiGdh54wq2mQc0DYS79WmbxgB_j7sIS62iriGM4Pk84oJg7k-m9-ODeb-OUyHqvscW3iNpYaYMvn1sTF/s1600/IMG_3356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24BjinfcQZjgUWyfTQiooqVflEKzD40gXff0qORUm7iyAb6UlHfjtFar1slQ3GiGdh54wq2mQc0DYS79WmbxgB_j7sIS62iriGM4Pk84oJg7k-m9-ODeb-OUyHqvscW3iNpYaYMvn1sTF/s640/IMG_3356.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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See what I mean? She nuzzles right in. Heart: melted.</div>
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Yes, she fell asleep like this. With her paws straight up in the air. Also, since she doesn't have any hair on her belly, you can see her belly button. Isn't that weird to think of dogs having belly buttons? </div>
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Vika snuggling with her favorite toy. </div>
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On a slightly related note, that toy now resembles a rag with all the stuffing missing from its head. </div>
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Vika = 1, Toy = 0.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3brcykTNXQxuk_VCX6MMR3mrmRmODeV-jtsfVE69xK7sQqPBovcyO0mjdci5N06KxVFu1mI_XzLOhps2SLa5rre617BrwV8GJTGWKtjNbFS4ZCMiWHc5NdH2Ny-3Zf7TnFQWoKBVDHd4/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3brcykTNXQxuk_VCX6MMR3mrmRmODeV-jtsfVE69xK7sQqPBovcyO0mjdci5N06KxVFu1mI_XzLOhps2SLa5rre617BrwV8GJTGWKtjNbFS4ZCMiWHc5NdH2Ny-3Zf7TnFQWoKBVDHd4/s640/IMG_1076.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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D'awwwww! RIGHT IN THE FEELS!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw7nz9Uu1rTKDcpzG-SoBvK_s7ypqveqM0bMDbBAjxkCJOpmoZ7UCyROvCfCgqbrFmEmEFE4ZJC-uKNfSHHWwc5SJeLOLDRievRiQWnZpmbASFYiU39d94Ta0w5Vgp2MHXenkVem4bo6X/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw7nz9Uu1rTKDcpzG-SoBvK_s7ypqveqM0bMDbBAjxkCJOpmoZ7UCyROvCfCgqbrFmEmEFE4ZJC-uKNfSHHWwc5SJeLOLDRievRiQWnZpmbASFYiU39d94Ta0w5Vgp2MHXenkVem4bo6X/s640/IMG_1096.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Vizslas are incredibly active dogs, and Vika is no different. She looooves to run around outside. Luckily for us, we found a bit of open green space right by our apartment complex, so we take her out there every day and let her run around. </div>
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That has been our saving grace, since we don't have a backyard and we can't take her to the dog park yet because she hasn't finished her vaccinations.</div>
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Snuggling on the bed with me whilst posing for glamour shots. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IjMCiKS5FC7Hz2vIpVtnFiZ1uHYbaG-oXhVUVe3zSbSMf_0qnarDeFuLRYufmSrszjMXkjvNHWA1H62BAHuZnnWb81G9K2PuwNrm9byzdJRjI_k2Eng6YOuElVTgQQvxB7BKZH5f5uCa/s1600/IMG_3386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IjMCiKS5FC7Hz2vIpVtnFiZ1uHYbaG-oXhVUVe3zSbSMf_0qnarDeFuLRYufmSrszjMXkjvNHWA1H62BAHuZnnWb81G9K2PuwNrm9byzdJRjI_k2Eng6YOuElVTgQQvxB7BKZH5f5uCa/s640/IMG_3386.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Right in the feels! She's adorable!!</div>
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I can't believe how much she's grown up, even though we've only had her for a month and a half. She's all legs now, she's lost a little of her puppy look. Someone tell her to stop growing up! </div>
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I have lots and LOTS of videos to show you, but I don't think I should overwhelm the world with her cuteness just yet. That will have to wait for the next post. </div>
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In the meantime, if you're not already, you should follow <strike>me</strike> her on <a href="http://instagram.com/dani_stratford" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, since that's pretty much all I post about these days anyway.</div>
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(Sorry, puppy-hating followers.)</div>
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(But seriously, who hates puppies??)</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-16782778919846282402013-09-28T08:55:00.001-05:002013-09-28T08:55:44.001-05:00You Should Watch This.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm pretty sure <a href="http://vizslathing.blogspot.com/2011/05/boots.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">this</span></a> is the cutest thing you have seen in a while. I dare you to watch it and have any other reaction than lots of warm fuzzies.</div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-76510927492536219652013-09-16T15:05:00.001-05:002013-09-16T15:05:44.163-05:00Here's An Update. (And Also I Remembered I Went Yurting.)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I know I haven't been blogging half as much as when I was in Russia, but here are a couple [great] excuses I have:<br />
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<li>My normal, ho-hum life is so completely boring compared to the Awesomeness That Was Russia.</li>
<li>Blogging was my way to keep in touch with everyone since I basically spent three months without all my friends. So, getting my friends back = less blogging.</li>
<li>I been busy, foo! I have to work now! I can't just sit around all day in an air-conditioned apartment and blog in between my incredibly awesome day trips around Moscow!</li>
<li>I have been lazy.</li>
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But I'll be better, I promise! I hope you didn't miss my latest <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/09/dispinterest-things-you-should-not-do.html" target="_blank">DisPinterest</a> post, but it's been up for like two weeks so if you're a regular reader I'm sure you didn't miss out. (If you haven't read it yet, you really should. I'm pretty sure it's my best one so far.)</div>
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Other than that...life has returned to normal. I'm back to working at Apple. I love working there and I love the people I work with. Tim's back to school, slogging away at his final year of law school (in May we're FREEEEEEEEE, yay!). We still live in the same place. We still love Nashville. We still have awesome friends to hang out with on the weekends.</div>
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Oh! I just remembered! I have something interesting to tell you!!</div>
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I went YURTING! </div>
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That's right, yurting! It's like camping, but in a yurt! (Who'da thunk they'd have those in Georgia, of all places??) A couple of weekends ago, we went down to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia for a couple days. Mostly we yurted, did a little hiking, roasted some hot dogs and mallows, and in general had an awesome time. Here's some pictures just to prove how awesome it was:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZYfm-3tkOvFJDGFVaIp4oNNl3gCYUK9oTGCNq_htrbA2oodKqqBt0eBKXp0SeiJZeUX7RCpzin6Y-jQX6TTe49cPlyVGjCpuu1ACVeJU4FvRA5xY820Agfa2VqudKQQsllTyiMVPeg4U/s1600/IMG_3263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZYfm-3tkOvFJDGFVaIp4oNNl3gCYUK9oTGCNq_htrbA2oodKqqBt0eBKXp0SeiJZeUX7RCpzin6Y-jQX6TTe49cPlyVGjCpuu1ACVeJU4FvRA5xY820Agfa2VqudKQQsllTyiMVPeg4U/s640/IMG_3263.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The inside of our yurt. I guess you could basically consider it glamping. All I will say is that it beats having a hot tent to crawl in and out of in the middle of the day. Also, bonus: no bugs inside. And lots more space.</div>
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Is there anything better than waking up in the forest and watching the sun rise through the trees? </div>
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I didn't really get a picture of the outside of our yurt, but you can kind of see part of it here, so that counts, right? It was canvas. And it had zip up windows.</div>
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Our friend Nick, cooking massive amounts of bacon for our morning breakfast sandwiches.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdDOijJAzzoQoDzzznBuWBCjWUj-Rj_olbhUxmE9-7MuvymoVT2_GjRo03jnFe8UKs5o_v7LHOA_inkKrvwXer89WpX2B129jn9QNE4cJQr8M5Ry1uNbJkLJaqDeUlFjaIRGwfVjVHY4E/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdDOijJAzzoQoDzzznBuWBCjWUj-Rj_olbhUxmE9-7MuvymoVT2_GjRo03jnFe8UKs5o_v7LHOA_inkKrvwXer89WpX2B129jn9QNE4cJQr8M5Ry1uNbJkLJaqDeUlFjaIRGwfVjVHY4E/s640/IMG_3272.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is Nick's wife, Farrah. She has twins. She basically makes it look super easy to have twins, because she is just awesome like that. This is obviously only one of the twins. Her name is Pyper, and as you can see, we decided to take them hiking with us before their nap.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVdk7CFCTfGQG22TWuXIss0sn37TnmZyGbZrPl9Cjd4g0_zFFhfS-MTboYaixaQP-X3jaQkj5aCWzulny-ZPPoyO6CQs8XTN2qx4PbHQR1JTPFNJDGTdPvFRhDGR0WQ6CALGEjvmsx6KG/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVdk7CFCTfGQG22TWuXIss0sn37TnmZyGbZrPl9Cjd4g0_zFFhfS-MTboYaixaQP-X3jaQkj5aCWzulny-ZPPoyO6CQs8XTN2qx4PbHQR1JTPFNJDGTdPvFRhDGR0WQ6CALGEjvmsx6KG/s640/IMG_3275.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is Marley. Maybe it wasn't such a good choice to take them right before nap time. (But aren't they adorable?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDr36AZPIvz-iX5Suy0vnTVCy4dIFAyLezxDcRuny1dQf-HyoHE_R53_z-IFNtTZEzTpmztlxzwa5DqmxlPMkIjAyZeMPDkUv1HBUxqKwHzLI7hSp5Nb38KxR_echyeH-nRIISZB8PGhyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_3276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiDr36AZPIvz-iX5Suy0vnTVCy4dIFAyLezxDcRuny1dQf-HyoHE_R53_z-IFNtTZEzTpmztlxzwa5DqmxlPMkIjAyZeMPDkUv1HBUxqKwHzLI7hSp5Nb38KxR_echyeH-nRIISZB8PGhyphenhyphen/s640/IMG_3276.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Views from our hike. It was pretty up and down, but if you've ever hiked in ACTUAL mountains, it was a piece of cake. </div>
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At one point, we got to a sign that said "WATERFALL ---> 3 MI" and we thought three more miles of this was going to be pretty rough. We mentally prepared ourselves for a couple more hours of ups and downs. Then, about ten minutes later, we found ourselves dumped right at the waterfall.</div>
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Turns out it was only .3 miles. </div>
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Remember, people, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5XH7WCfpeTpE7h7y_CuvC0LK6l1xFsRIicxRel_4r0uC6frmkoa8TJLZroCoji94CL3ohg5pIHj2NRQjuooGPlqhoiaGn-9Arh9dpAjYNadkU4VoM2IsZTXDqSkBupjWW8Kb46I_uf4/s1600/lets-eat-grandma.jpg" target="_blank">incorrect punctuation can kill</a>!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT54oKtwE7ickbdacF6sVbf-pwENhHwo38_3eN_RnP1anC2DKgtbjxlR1JzxxxArMQ7aq2NkZLDko7vlpJZPHE6diBcxnsjI9bYSzDY3kj90ZOQUABLv5vMbFxdEbzUhaQ4UuyjUOcgeI/s1600/IMG_3285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGT54oKtwE7ickbdacF6sVbf-pwENhHwo38_3eN_RnP1anC2DKgtbjxlR1JzxxxArMQ7aq2NkZLDko7vlpJZPHE6diBcxnsjI9bYSzDY3kj90ZOQUABLv5vMbFxdEbzUhaQ4UuyjUOcgeI/s640/IMG_3285.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSvYWrzgMvtrU_mY8HuAh-PWmq3oR_2TZpMG64sixJe_oTfNtlzQjMXSIusxd0x0L1wSlDSf8IMkCOTnav4vshzs178VHkf1jx_A9_BJnRFmyTXjfbNppKgbd6WJyj0kMVaOJVqGErlLV/s1600/IMG_3288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSvYWrzgMvtrU_mY8HuAh-PWmq3oR_2TZpMG64sixJe_oTfNtlzQjMXSIusxd0x0L1wSlDSf8IMkCOTnav4vshzs178VHkf1jx_A9_BJnRFmyTXjfbNppKgbd6WJyj0kMVaOJVqGErlLV/s640/IMG_3288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pretty cool, eh?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo2rA0JXQODpTuqHf9OGEmf3deH8Ux-QXVERw_E3_lGDTDvTMMLhydiunlCetDHlA-0M4o_uuJ01Jc_4MkIfp5MgIZvnza1pl1x5_-ieFojsw89690loE9Sc6mXRkQSjVAhiupI8XdnBD/s1600/IMG_3290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo2rA0JXQODpTuqHf9OGEmf3deH8Ux-QXVERw_E3_lGDTDvTMMLhydiunlCetDHlA-0M4o_uuJ01Jc_4MkIfp5MgIZvnza1pl1x5_-ieFojsw89690loE9Sc6mXRkQSjVAhiupI8XdnBD/s640/IMG_3290.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also here's some pretty flowers growing out of the rock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfcvE0YVjW4kGgdGMIu9FRsozIvOPym2E2UDDLhmI-kCvqljund8VZLi5FuSnFX0RGNThyphenhyphenBEQn2QObFVx3Rfip7Mtpe2nvLpMsywZ6y2byt6QguUnfBEFXS_SYSc-gSP1_becmnGvkNuI/s1600/IMG_3291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfcvE0YVjW4kGgdGMIu9FRsozIvOPym2E2UDDLhmI-kCvqljund8VZLi5FuSnFX0RGNThyphenhyphenBEQn2QObFVx3Rfip7Mtpe2nvLpMsywZ6y2byt6QguUnfBEFXS_SYSc-gSP1_becmnGvkNuI/s640/IMG_3291.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And our favorite tree... ^^^ (my favorite part is the teeny drawing of the T-Rex)</div>
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And that was it! It was a short but sweet camping trip. </div>
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If you've never yurted before, you should really give it a shot. Anybody up for it? We'd go again, I'm just saying.</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-69233113808582190812013-09-04T07:48:00.000-05:002013-09-04T08:25:30.079-05:00DisPinterest: Things You Should Not Do With Food<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Oh, you guys. You guys. Have I got the pins for you today. This will make up for my sad, sad dearth of blogging lately. It will make up for it AND give me five gold stars. THAT'S how good it will be.<br />
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Let's get right to it.<br />
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Have you ever seen a caption like this:<br />
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"OMG I JUST FOUND THE GREATEST RECIPE FOR COOKIE CANDY CAKE CREAM CUPCAKE PIE!!! LOOKS DELISH!!!!!!1"<br />
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You haven't?<br />
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Well, consider yourself blessed. Seriously blessed. Because I have not one, but THREE Cookie-Cake-Pie hybrids to show you today, as well as a slew of other things I'm just calling "un-makeables." I've <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/dispinterest-post-craft-apocalypse.html" target="_blank">said it before</a> and I'll say it again: America is running out of creative, original ideas and all it can think of to do is slop two or more random things together and hope for the best. (Thus we see the genesis of the cookie + cake + pie monstrosity.)<br />
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First up, THIS:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216477369/" target="_blank">1. Because Normal Popsicles Are Just So 2012.</a></span><br />
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Soooooo, steak pops everyone. With sprinkles, because that makes sense. (Remember what I said about two random things stuck together? See Exhibit A. ^^^^)<br />
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Eating steak with a knife and fork is way too hard and definitely way too plebeian. Why do that when you can get all fancy and cut round circle of steak, stick a sucker stick in it, grill it, and put cuuuute sprinkles on it? Who cares if it's only one bite of steak, it looks cute AND it outdoes your neighbor's boring and **shudder** normal steak grilling routine. And if you look way cuter than them while you're making your individually bite-sized steak pops, more power to you! You have to prepare and grill thirty individual steak pops, no biggie! The joy is all in creating!!<br />
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And boy, those sprinkles--I just can't get enough of those sprinkles. What an awesome job blending the salty/sweet factor. It looks very appetizing. The way they're sticking to that steak sauce, mmmm MMMM, am I right?? Whenever I think of cake/sprinkles/suckers, I *always* think of steak, too.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216391829/" target="_blank">2. This Is Called A "Sizzle Stick."</a></span><br />
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And no, I am not making that up.<br />
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Look, I get it. It probably tastes delicious. I love meatballs / meatloaf / barbecued conglomerates of mystery meats as much as the next American. But don't you think you could have come up with A) a better name than "Sizzle Sticks", which I am going to present to you without comment, and B) a better SHAPE for the aforementioned Sizzle Stick? I don't care <i>how </i>good it tastes, it quite literally looks like you're eating crap on a stick. There's just no graceful way of getting around it. Could we not have found a different way of presenting this?<br />
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And since we're on a meat kick, here's one more that should not be made, eaten, and/or looked at for more than ten seconds:<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/87/b2/38/87b2382c6d522622bbe48ffb5ae657c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/87/b2/38/87b2382c6d522622bbe48ffb5ae657c7.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216597594/" target="_blank">3. Everyone Wants To Eat Fingernails, Especially If They're Made Out Of Raw Onion!</a></span></div>
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If this isn't making you want to vomit right now, then congrats--you have no gag reflex whatsoever.</div>
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If you're like the rest of us normal people with eyes, try not to spend too long looking at it, because it just gets worse. This is not the kind of thing you can get acclimated to, trust me. </div>
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The "meatiness" of the hot dog fingers...the slashes for knuckle marks...the sticky ketchup at the bottom of the severed phalanges...the substance oozing out from underneath the fingernail...and you want me to EAT that?</div>
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Go ahead, peel grapes to make eyeballs, stick spaghetti noodles in a bowl for brains, stir up the lasagna to resemble entrails--just don't ever <i>ever </i>EVER make this. I don't care if it's Halloween, your son's first monster-themed birthday, or if you just thought it was "clever," I'm gonna go ahead and say a big fat NO.</div>
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Or, as my friend Mr. Octopus would say:</div>
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Would you like to see something else you should NOT do for Halloween?</div>
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Make your guests snack on a pinned, dissected cadaver. </div>
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It's just bad hostess skills.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216523327/" target="_blank">4. Yes, This Is Something Your Host Expects You To Enjoy Eating.</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because nothing's more appetizing than eating entrails.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I mean...I just can't even...do they think that it looks interesting??</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The heart...the intestines...the quivering liver made out of some sort of spread...the random pickle (who knows what THAT'S supposed to be?)...the sausage for the large intestine...</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And to top it all off, the party toothpicks, simultaneously calling attention to the fact that you're expected to cannibalize a look-alike human cadaver, AND that you're at a "party." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know what kind of parties you guys get invited to, but if this is what you're expected to eat, I would run away. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then call the police. </span></span></div>
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Speaking of meats, odds and ends, and Things You Should Not Do With Food, here's another gem for you:</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216207812/" target="_blank">5. Hot Dog Pie. Yes, A Pie That Is Made Out Of Hot Dogs.</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;">"I received this recipe from a co-worker who loves hot dogs," writes Amy Bullis of Henryville, Pennsylvania. "It's a big hit for family get-togethers. It's so convenient, I usually double this recipe and put one pie in the freezer for times when we need a fast meal."</span></blockquote>
^^That right there is an actual quote from the recipe page. Can you imagine going to Aunt Amy's house as a kid, and her saying, "Well, I wasn't sure what to make for dinner, but I just remembered I have a hot dog pie in the freezer!"<br />
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(If you'd like to know my reaction to that, please see Octopus GIF above.)<br />
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Would you like to know the ingredients? Of course you would, because you are, like me, a glutton for punishment. Whelp, here they are:<br />
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<ul class="ingredients" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;">
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/2 pound </span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">ground beef</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">4 hot dogs, cut in half lengthwise and sliced</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1 can </span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">(16 ounces) baked beans</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">1/2 cup </span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">ketchup</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2 tablespoons </span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">brown sugar</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2 tablespoons </span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">prepared mustard</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">2 ounces </span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">process cheese (Velveeta), cubed</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">1 unbaked deep-dish pastry shell (9 inches)</span></i></li>
<li class="ingredient" style="color: #999999; line-height: 1.22em; list-style: disc; margin: 0px 0px 0px 16px; padding: 2px 0px;"><span class="amount" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><i style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="name" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.22em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">4 slices American cheese</span></i></li>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;">This is basically every summer leftover ever, put into a pie shell. Sounds delish. Also, I don't think anything but eating Big Macs every day would kill you faster. Processed meat full of nitrates, processed cheese, ketchup, MORE processed cheese...no wonder we are a nation full of people with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXQaMaBxwRg" target="_blank">diabeetus</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;">I like how there is an actual, honest-to-goodness recipe for this, as if someone is actually going to make it. I feel like it's one of those "Recipes for Friendship" things that is made to illustrate a point, not made to be made. Maybe the point of this is that you can call anything a pie as long as it's baked in a pie shell?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;">Like...cookies? Cookie pie? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216140164/" target="_blank">6. This Is A Pie Made Out Of Cookies, Naturally.</a></span></div>
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I've actually featured this pie on DisPinterest before, but it fit so well here I <i>had</i> to include it. Let's just go over some things briefly:</div>
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1. This is a PIE made from COOKIES, because cookies and pie on their own are not good enough. Of course.</div>
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2. Not only is it made from COOKIES, it is made from SUGAR COOKIES. Raise your hand if you would like to eat a neon-pink slice of melty sugar cookie baked frosting.</div>
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3. The ingredients are basically a stick of butter, MORE sugar (because there isn't enough sugar in sugar cookies, frosted with about an inch of sugary frosting...but I digress), and three eggs. Doesn't that sound yummy?</div>
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4. That is all I have to say.</div>
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That was just ONE cookie/pie mishap, and the least offensive at that. Here's another one:</div>
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ce/6e/5f/ce6e5f4ad9cc00e4528dc603459c09dd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ce/6e/5f/ce6e5f4ad9cc00e4528dc603459c09dd.jpg" width="477" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216507889/" target="_blank">7. Cookie Cake Pie. COOKIE. CAKE. PIE.</a></span></div>
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It just wasn't enough to combine cookies with pie. The insanity continues as Pinterest bakers rush to find the next original thing. What to do? Simply add another dessert to the mix. Cookie CAKE pie is much more interesting than just plain ol' cookie pie.</div>
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I call dibs on making Cookie Cake Tart Pancake Waffle Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie. And then I'm going to roll it up in a pastry and deep fry it, THEN top it with whipped cream and caramel, a la the deep-fried southern gal herself, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42oUVwyFsZI" target="_blank">Paula Deen</a>--because only she could come up with something that crazy. Now THAT'S a dessert.</div>
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No copycats. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216491561/" target="_blank">8. Funfetti Cake Batter White Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wait a sec. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just wait. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #171717; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me get this straight: you used a CAKE mix to make a COOKIE dough into a CAKE batter-flavored COOKIE CAKE that's in the shape of a PIE?? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">PINCEPTION. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">And also, OVERKILLLLLLL. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Seriously, can we just stop trying to be more creative, cutesy, and clever than each other and just accept that there are tried-and-true recipes out there because they are TRIED and TRUE, and more importantly, that in this viral world we live in, if a recipe hasn't been thought of by now there's probably a darn good reason for it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">With that in mind, I'm going to leave one more with you. Don't worry, it's just a cake.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Not a cookie cake, nor a pie cake--not even a cookie cheesecake pie cake. Just a cake.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Okay, well, a cake that will give you nightmares. But still! Just a cake!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">You've been warned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216257337/" target="_blank">9. Make This For Your Next Baby Shower And Lose All Your Friends Instantaneously.</a></span></div>
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Yet again...more sprinkles in places they clearly should not ever (EVER) be.</div>
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Also, the strawberry chunks...I will never look at a red, juicy strawberry the same.</div>
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Let's not forget the baby's soulless stare, boring into your mind.</div>
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And I'm not even going to speculate on what the black sprinkles on the side of the cake represent. Nope. Not going there.</div>
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Bonus nightmares: imagine THIS conversation at your baby shower, while your friend is cutting up the cake:</div>
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A: Hey, would you like a piece of cake? </blockquote>
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B: Sure. Just give me a part of the labia, with a little bit of those afterbirth strawberries. </blockquote>
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A: Okay, sure! </blockquote>
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B: Ooh! Careful of the baby's head, though! You almost gouged its eye out! </blockquote>
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A Good call. [cuts cake] Here ya go! </blockquote>
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B: Thanks. Actually, can you put some more pubic hair sprinkles on my slice? I happen to particularly enjoy those. </blockquote>
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A: Sure, no problem! [plop] Enjoy the rest of the baby shower!</blockquote>
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Too far? Maybe a little bit too far. But hey, I'm not the one who made an anatomically [in]correct cake for someone's baby shower. </div>
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Don't kill the messenger.</div>
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<i>Here's a pin, for all of your sharing needs:</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHktnkk6L7sx4XyezBXSgj0FLmisIWaUxO3jvCCL3MC-GH40d68x5E4YX9sovYHfTRhnPhEZFBhn_4I_lYU7SHeD5VL7lCoaunwGnHpDobbtQypKaBGcE9KONOONfsb3yk8G7JcWap3NuK/s1600/DISPINTEREST+Things+You+Should+Not+Make+With+Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHktnkk6L7sx4XyezBXSgj0FLmisIWaUxO3jvCCL3MC-GH40d68x5E4YX9sovYHfTRhnPhEZFBhn_4I_lYU7SHeD5VL7lCoaunwGnHpDobbtQypKaBGcE9KONOONfsb3yk8G7JcWap3NuK/s640/DISPINTEREST+Things+You+Should+Not+Make+With+Food.jpg" width="364" /></a></div>
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<i>As always, you can send me a nomination for DisPinterest to DisPinterest (at) me (dot) com. And if you enjoyed this post, you would probably enjoy reading my <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/p/dispinterest_17.html" style="color: #4c4c4c; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">other posts</a>. </i></div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-65569629101594501612013-08-27T10:40:00.002-05:002013-08-27T10:45:10.807-05:00Texts Out of Context.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey, I'm sorry I haven't blogged in, like, a million years. It's just that nothing seems particularly interesting right now. I mean, how can you top three months abroad? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, in the meantime, while I get my blogging mojo back up, I thought I would delight you with a fun thing called <a href="http://jessica-jensen.blogspot.com/p/texts-out-of-context.html" target="_blank">Texts out of Context</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is the brainchild of my friend <a href="http://jessica-jensen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jessie Jensen.</a> You may know her because of her yearly posting of <a href="http://jessica-jensen.blogspot.com/p/baby-names.html" target="_blank">Rexburg Baby Naymes</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Basically, it is exactly what it sounds like--the best of the best text messages on your phone, presented in no particular order and (of course) with no context or explanation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to give it a go. I don't know if they're as good as Jessie's--she gets witty and funny texts about the most random of topics; I get texts about where to meet Tim or what's for dinner--but there's some hidden gems in there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I present to you: Texts Out Of Context From Danielle's Phone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I take it by your silence that you are planning a surprise trip. I accept. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here's another picture of an ugly baby to make you feel better for being sick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Be a banana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Congratulations! In other news, I had a popcorn kernel stuck in my teeth the other day that I managed to extract myself-without floss! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Am I your Google?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Is Googling too hard?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Do you KNOW how to Google?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Seriously. Texas is the WORST. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Our wassail will be Celestial Wassail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">FLAN!! They have a flan emoji!! This is the best day evaaaarrr</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They call it "natural disaster nudity."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also, I want you to know I aaaalmost sent you "dick face selfie" which is a whole nother thing...#typo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">All they have is BO.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Also, the Taco Bell drive thru lady just said "chiPOLte."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Babies are the only thing more terrifying than rated-R movies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I should have known when we left you at home that you were going to vacuum all day. Weirdie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sorry, it won't come with Goodwill fleas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">BABIESSSSSSS</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ok. please embroider my face on a pillow. please.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was lookin' for Emoji titties, too. I couldn't come up with nothin'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have an idea for an app and I want you to be my partner. 50/50</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right now I'm using the ice pack from our lunch boxes as a heating pack for my cramps. So that's happening.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">I am always the bad cop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">SHE'S NAKEDDDD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">No, I just like you guys. And Romanovs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My cramps are too painful. I cannot relocate at this present time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Or do we get preggo in October for june rabies...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">****BABIES</span><br />
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^^^ That is probably my favorite one. <br />
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And also this one time my husband practically abused me by not responding promptly to my texts. Let the records show.<br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-87045626092042050122013-08-17T11:57:00.001-05:002013-08-17T11:57:33.213-05:00What To Read When You're Expecting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I promised you guys <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1863006411"></span>a while ago<span id="goog_1863006412"></span></a> that I would post a list of books I've read so far on midwifery/positive childbirth, and I'm sorry that I'm just now getting to it, but hey--my excuse of just getting back into the country should be still valid, right? Riiiiiight?<br />
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Anyways, let's start with a book that you should read if you have lady-parts.<br />
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I don't care if you're not planning on kids, pregnant, done with kids, menopausal, or prepubescent--every single woman I know should read. this. book. It's not exactly related to midwifery/childbirth, but I lump it in there because 1) it is an amazing book, and 2) if you <i>do </i>want to start TTC (that's Trying To Conceive, for all you <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/community-help-abbreviations" target="_blank">abbreviation-illiterate</a> peeps out there), then this is the book that will get you on the right track.<br />
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It is<br />
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(drumroll please)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Fertility-Anniversary-Edition/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376754299&sr=8-1&keywords=taking+charge+of+your+fertility" target="_blank">Taking Charge of Your Fertility</a> by Toni Weschler.</span><br />
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Like I said before, it does not matter to me if you just had a baby, if you plan on having babies, or if you <i>never </i>plan on having babies--if you have a uterus, READ THIS BOOK.<br />
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I learned things about my body and my period that I had<i> never </i>learned before. Simple things that made a huge difference. Just to share one thing: did you know that you can <i>know, </i>beyond a shadow of a doubt, when your body ovulates? It's not a mystery. Anyone can know it. It's not something you have to estimate or guess at. And knowing exactly when you ovulate can (obviously) be incredibly helpful when you are trying to make a baby.<br />
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But even more than that, it talks about things that you <i>should </i>know as caretaker of your own body. Seriously, that book blew my mind.<br />
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Read and then call me and we can geek out over it.<br />
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And honestly, you should probably just buy it. Because I waited for over two months to get my hands on a copy from my local library. THAT'S how popular it is. It is the best $17 your uterus will ever spend.<br />
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Forrealsies.<br />
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Now, on to the other books. I'm just going to tell you every single book I've read, along with a very short description of each one. I'd like to do more in-depth reviews of my favorites, but for now, I'll leave you with the shortened version. I'll also give it 1-5 stars, depending on my recommendation.<br />
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The best ones are at the end, so if you're going to skip part of the list, make it the first part.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Get-Me-Out-History-Childbirth/dp/B0058M937Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376756673&sr=8-1&keywords=get+me+out+epstein" target="_blank">Get Me Out: A History of Childbirth</a></u> by Randi Hutter Epstein </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This book was not that great. It wasn't very informative at all, and it was a little too bland for my liking. Didn't really enjoy it and wouldn't really recommend reading it. It didn't add any new information or insights to what I had already learned about the history of childbirth--so I felt strangely unsatisfied at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Birth-Discover-Experience/dp/B0044KN1OO" target="_blank">Your Best Birth</a> by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * *</span><br />
You probably know this duo from the much-discussed documentary, "The Business of Being Born." It's on Netflix, if you're feeling adventurous. That being said, this book was pretty good, but it didn't say anything their documentary didn't already cover.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=0788163450" target="_blank">The American Way of Birth</a></u> by Jessica Mitford </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pretty good. She was funny and easy to read, and went over the issues very clearly. Pretty outdated, though, since it was written in the early nineties. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pushed-Painful-Childbirth-Modern-Maternity/dp/0738211664/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376756047&sr=8-1&keywords=pushed+by+jennifer+block" target="_blank">Pushed</a> by Jennifer Block</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* * * * </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It gives a great overview of the debates surrounding natural childbirth, leaning heavily on the midwife model of maternity care. It's a great read that definitely hits on key points and ideas surrounding the support of midwives. It may be a little outdated, as it came out in 2007, but should still be considered a good and valid read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-USA-Broken-Maternity-Children/dp/0520256336/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376754895&sr=8-1&keywords=born+in+the+usa+marsden" target="_blank">Born in the USA</a> by Marsden Wagner</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">* * * *</span></div>
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Dr. Wagner is an OB-GYN himself, which gives his perspective on the hospital maternity care issue special insight. I agree with his general points in this book. That being said, he is <i>very </i>anti-hospital and pro-non-medicated birth, so take that with a grain of salt. He talks a lot about the [mis]use of a drug called Cytotec, which is rarely used today. [But seriously, if your OB wants to use that on you...DON'T LET THEM.]</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/CONTROL-OF-CHILDBIRTH-Mothers-Medicine/dp/0786433620/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376755059&sr=8-1&keywords=THE+CONTROL+OF+CHILDBIRTH+phyllis+brodsky" target="_blank">The Control of Childbirth</a></u> by Phyllis Brodsky</span><br />
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If you are interest at all in how we got to where we are today with childbirth, or what childbirth used to be like in the 19th century, you should read this book. Have you ever heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight_sleep" target="_blank">Twilight Sleep</a>? You will in this book. (Warning: I would not read this book if you are currently pregnant and/or weak stomached.) It does have a slight feminist, "men do us all wrong" slant, but the information is good and presented well.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Brought-Bed-Childbearing-America-1750-1950/dp/0195056906/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376755349&sr=8-1&keywords=brought+to+bed" target="_blank">Brought to Bed: Childbearing in America</a> by Judith Walzer Leavitt</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * * * *</span><br />
This book is very much the same as above, but written more in textbook style, so it was a little dry at times. I really enjoyed it, though. Another excellent read about the history of childbirth in America.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Birth-The-Surprising-History-Born/dp/0802143245" target="_blank">Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born</a></u> by Tina Cassidy </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* * * * * </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was a clear, approachable, unbiased review of the history of childbirth through the ages. The author did a great job of telling who contributed what to the field, and how that influenced and changed obstetrics today as we know it. She had an anti-medical home birth leaning, but was very fair in acknowledging potential pitfalls of natural childbirth. I would recommend this to a friend interested in the issue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Your-Birth-Plan-Definitive/dp/0399532579" target="_blank">Creating Your Birth Plan</a></u> by Marsden Wagner and Stephanie Gunning </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* * * * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">An excellent and helpful book to read that deals with the practical issues of how to prepare for birth and what issues need to be addressed or responded to. I'm definitely rereading this one when I am pregnant. Very helpful, but also simple to understand and easy to read.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mindful-Birthing-Training-Childbirth-Beyond/dp/006196395X" target="_blank">Mindful Birthing</a></u> by Nancy Bardacke</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a great book. It talked a lot about how to prepare your mind for childbirth through meditation. It was like the celestial version of hypnobirthing. Hypnobirthing just seemed cheesy and like they just wanted to get you to buy the book, but this book felt genuine. I think this is the book I will probably read and re-read when I'm pregnant to prepare for labor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Doula-Book-Companion-Healthier-Lawrence/dp/0738215066/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376757643&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Doula+Book%3A+How+a+Trained+Labor+Companion+Can+Help+You+Have+a+Shorter%2C+Easier%2C+and+Healthier+Birth" target="_blank">The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth</a></u> by Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">* * * * *</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It seems like this book was written both for expectant mothers interested in getting a doula, and women interested in becoming a doula. It was a very helpful read in terms of knowing what to expect of your doula, and knowing what things you can ask them to help you with. It is also a great read for people who are interested in becoming a doula, since it helps you understand the role and what it will be like. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spiritual-Midwifery-Ina-May-Gaskin/dp/1570671044" target="_blank">Spiritual Midwifery</a> by Ina May Gaskin</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* * * * *</span><br />
Someday, I will tell you more about Ina May Gaskin. For now, all you need to know is that she is considered <i>the</i> most preeminent midwife in the entire world, and her influence has done more for modern midwifery than most. She is the only midwife to have an obstetric maneuver named after her (the Gaskin maneuver, for shoulder dystocia). This book is about her beginnings as a hippie on a commune in Tennessee. (Yes, I've been there.) Don't be surprised when she throws out some crazy words or describes births like some sort of psychadelic drug trip. Get past that and read this book.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 14px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376756161&sr=8-1&keywords=ina+may%27s+guide+to+childbirth" target="_blank">Ina May's Guide to Childbirth</a> by Ina May Gaskin</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">* * * * *</span><br />
Pretty much anything by Ina May Gaskin, you should read. That's a safe bet. This one is no exception. The woman is amazing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Matters-A-Midwifes-Manifesta/dp/1583229272/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376756335&sr=8-1&keywords=birth+matters" target="_blank">Birth Matters: A Midwife's Manifesta</a> by Ina May Gaskin</span><br />
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If there's <i>one</i> book you read about midwifery, let this one be it. She does an excellent job in defense of mothers--why we should listen to them, why we should respect them, and why midwifery should matter to everyone. </div>
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Now that you are armed with an arsenal of informative literature on midwifery, go forth and read!</div>
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Have you read any books lately that I don't have on the list? Leave me a note in the comments--I'm always on the prowl for new ones.<br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-31126603157519953032013-08-12T21:35:00.003-05:002014-10-10T10:01:16.893-05:00Nashville Is Pretty Much The Best.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpn1HPkQgDIgxNA5rrEz5JLTrsvC4Q2uHtQQtpzI6Pc6HarBJNtBfnjm_S2JeFo6Yi0ZyCwcDgqAuonqFGyhjU2I8K_pAx3lpG7KJHQHkcZu_VzjAlfgZ69DnRtQYuOhpL7AuQEwALOIF/s1600/Ycf7W0LVKSTi6NLFVnL9u0O9HOq5YgLCBVGTtahqjbM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpn1HPkQgDIgxNA5rrEz5JLTrsvC4Q2uHtQQtpzI6Pc6HarBJNtBfnjm_S2JeFo6Yi0ZyCwcDgqAuonqFGyhjU2I8K_pAx3lpG7KJHQHkcZu_VzjAlfgZ69DnRtQYuOhpL7AuQEwALOIF/s640/Ycf7W0LVKSTi6NLFVnL9u0O9HOq5YgLCBVGTtahqjbM.jpeg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing photo taken by our good friend, Nick Adams. Isn't it a phenomenal shot?<br />
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Tim's little brother Andrew is flying to Nashville as we speak. He's been MIA in the Dominican Republic serving a <a href="https://www.lds.org/callings/missionary" target="_blank">mission</a>, and it's been over two years since we've seen him last.<br />
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Needless to say, we're excited, so we're planning on a fun week filled with fun things back in our old stomping grounds. We have so much more to explore in Nashville, but we'll be hitting up a few of our favorite Nashvillian things:<br />
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Eat breakfast at <a href="http://www.thepancakepantry.com/" target="_blank">The Pancake Pantry</a> for the BEST PANCAKES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD LIKE SERIOUSLYYY.<br />
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Get in the stand-by line for <a href="http://www.bluebirdcafe.com/" target="_blank">Bluebird Cafe</a> to hear some emerging songwriters try out their new material. It's impossible to get tickets now that <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/nashville" target="_blank">Nashville</a> made it so popular. Grrrr. I mean, it's always been hard to get tickets, but now...IMPOSSIBLE.<br />
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Go to <a href="http://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks/Warner-Parks.aspx" target="_blank">Percy Warner Park</a> for a gorgeous view overlooking Nashville AND firefly watching at dusk, of course.<br />
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And we can't miss <a href="http://radnorlake.org/" target="_blank">Radnor Lake</a>, with its beautiful trees and plentiful deer and swans and looooooove.<br />
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Yes, it's very touristy, but <a href="http://www.lovelesscafe.com/" target="_blank">Loveless Cafe</a> is just so adorable, so we must go. We want to make sure he has a good southern meal with chicken and biscuits.<br />
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We'll walk around <a href="http://vanderbilt.edu/" target="_blank">Vanderbilt's</a> hundred year old campus and melt at all the adorable squirrels.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parthenon.aspx" target="_blank">Parthenon</a> at Centennial Park.<br />
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And, of course, there's the cute shops in Hillsboro Village...with the required stop to pick up some Sweet Cece's.<br />
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We'll also ride our bikes to Sevier Park and get some yummy<a href="http://www.singlepage.com/las-paletas-gourmet-popsicles/menu" target="_blank"> Las Paletas</a> popsicles. Hibiscus...tamarind...even avocado! My mouth is watering.<br />
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And what trip to Nashville would be complete without going downtown and strolling through the <a href="http://www.honkytonkrow.com/" target="_blank">honky-tonks</a> on Broadway? And maybe we'll stop by <a href="http://mikesicecream.com/" target="_blank">Mike's Ice Cream</a> downtown too.<br />
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Don't YOU want to come visit us? We're here for at least anther year, if you want to come. Just sayin'.<br />
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And how about our list, Nashville? Anything else we're missing out on?<br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-57168815027634728402013-08-10T06:30:00.000-05:002013-08-11T09:23:53.296-05:00DisPinterest: Ridiculous Tips & Tricks.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You guys...it's been a while since I've done a DisPinterest post! My apologies. In between <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/07/musings-upon-leaving.html" target="_blank">getting home from Russia</a>, a fantastic <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/08/okay-okay-fine-new-york-might-be-okay.html" target="_blank">trip to New York</a>, and getting <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/08/on-coming-home.html" target="_blank">adjusted to America</a> again, I really haven't had much time to think about it. But there have been sooooo many good (and by good I mean baaaaad) things on Pinterest lately, I just can't pass it up.<br />
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So, let's get down to business.<br />
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We have all seen these types of pins on Pinterest--the ones with the caption that says, "Did you know an old lightbulb can be used to charge FIFTY BILLION HOURS OF ENERGIEEE WITH ONE SIMPLE TRICK?? Most people have no clue!! So glad I pinned this!!!!!!!!!!!!!1"<br />
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And half of you wants to say, "That is ridiculous," but the other half of you says, "Well, maybe...you never know..." and pins it anyway. <br />
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Well, I'm here to tell you, folks, that if MOST people haven't heard of it, there is probably a reason.<br />
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Let's start with an oldie but a goodie that I STILL see rearing its ugly head here and there:<br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843215619779/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>1. Your Cheap AA Batteries Magically Change Into $40 Worth of Watch Batteries!!!!!!</b></span></a></div>
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OMG!!!! I can't believe the company that makes this battery thinks they can pull a fast one over on us!! Little did they know that we would figure out their greedy corporate trick. Stuffing $40 worth of batteries inside another battery...genius. </div>
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So yes, let's all go try and slice open batteries with BATTERY ACID INSIDE OF THEM with a razor blade in hopes of saving a few bucks. Because we all know that battery companies are overpricing their batteries just for spite, amirite?? </div>
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Seems legit to me.</div>
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Gee, we sure showed them!</div>
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<a href="http://chacha.com/question/are-there-actually-smaller-batteries-in-the-energizer-a23-battery%20chacha.com/question/are-there-actually-smaller-batteries-in-the-energizer-a23-battery" target="_blank">FALSE</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843215698411/" target="_blank">2. Our Society Is So Obsessed With Gender Issues That Even Bell Peppers Must Have Genders.</a></b></span></div>
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AAND characteristics based on those genders. Shouldn't we just let those poor little bell peppers be whatever gender they want to be? How discriminatory of us!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Flip the bell peppers over to check their gender. The ones with four bumps are female and those with three bumps are male. The female peppers are full of seeds, but sweeter and better for eating raw and the males are better for cooking."</span></blockquote>
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Riiiiiiight.</div>
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I'm just imagining some poor lady in the grocery store flipping over bell peppers frantically looking for the right female/male pepper combos. Imagine how ruined her perfect stuffed peppers dish will be if she uses--*gasp!*--FEMALE bell peppers!! </div>
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The horror! </div>
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The humiliation! </div>
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The ANGUISH!!!</div>
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And here's some proof (as if you couldn't just go off of common sense alone) that it is completely <a href="http://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51501=1645174908f6bbe9103777054bcb71b3" target="_blank">FALSE</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843215701194/" target="_blank">3. OMG No One Ever Has To Pay To Fill Up Party Balloons Ever Again!!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"No helium needed to fill balloons for parties...just vinegar and baking soda! I NEED TO REMEMBER THIS!"</span></blockquote>
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The old vinegar and baking soda trick. Did you know that when it's combined it turns into helium?</div>
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Haha NO. </div>
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It turns into CARBON DIOXIDE, which, as chance would have it, is heavier than air. Which means it will NOT float. </div>
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So, by all means, if you would like to take the time to prepare baking soda/vinegar bombs to fill up one balloon at a time and risk the chance of watery explosions everywhere instead of, I don't know, just USING YOUR LUNGS to fill up balloons since THEY WON'T FLOAT ANYWAY, be my guest.</div>
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And if you need them to float, stop being a cheapskate and pay someone to fill them with helium.</div>
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Otherwise, save this one for the science fair.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843215771386/" target="_blank">4. You Can Unlock ANY Car Door with A Humble Tennis Ball! Seems Legit!</a></b></span></div>
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Beside the fact that the video is marketed to women (because only women would be stupid enough to lock themselves out of their car, we have too many other girly things to think about than keeping track of our keys, it's just so haaaaard), that they have someone named "Blondie"demonstrating it, and have the worst looping heavy-metal-wannabe soundtrack IN THE WORLD, this video is also clearly false.</div>
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I mean, really. Think about it. If this stupid trick worked, why aren't we ALL doing it? </div>
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You can read an excellent discussion on why this is such a stupid idea <a href="http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=2694" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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This guy explains it perfectly:</div>
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<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Let's review, shall we? This can be doing one of two things.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">1. Popping the door lock button up, unlocking the door.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">2. Engaging the lock, popping the lock itself open.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is patently impossible.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Why?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Start with 2. Obviously, even if you got enough air in there to move the pins (which you won't), you're not going to be able to replicate the cylinder actually turning. It would be the same as putting a key in a lock, pulling it out, and expecting the lock to be open. Never happen.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">1 is where a lot of commenters (saw this on another board as well) get stuck. In theory, if the air were powerful enough, it could push the lock button up, unlocking the door. This, however, is impossible. No car door, ever, has been sealed well enough to make this happen. There are stabilizer bars for the hinges that need free air to move in, drain holes on the bottom edge for most, and trim that just isn't airtight.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f5ff; font-family: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Five bucks says the guy pressed the unlock button when she pushed the tennis ball. </span></blockquote>
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And finally, if you REALLY want to know how to unlock ANY car with a tennis ball, this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNaSTipOYy8" target="_blank">YouTube commenter</a> has the REAL steps:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">STEP 1: Throw tennis ball away. STEP 2: Pick up a rock and smash it through the window. STEP 3: unlock car from the inside. STEP 4: Pay for new window.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216265127/" target="_blank">5. Be My Guest. Try This And See If The Cop Is Sympathetic.</a></b></span></div>
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For reals, people?? You think this is ACTUALLY legit?</div>
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*Sigh.* Alright. Let's go through the reasons that this is crazy, one at a time.</div>
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<b>Number One.</b> Whyyyy would this be the case? Why would someone put up a stop sign that is not enforceable?</div>
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<b>Number Two.</b> Is it really SO hard to just...I don't know....STOP at a STOP sign?</div>
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<b>Number Three.</b> If it really IS that hard, I can only assume you are not stopping because you don't want to waste time. So if you had to take time to stop at a stop sign, get out of your car, and check the BACK of the sign for a small, weathered sticker, why not just do a complete stop anyway?</div>
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<b>Number Four.</b> Seriously, THAT'S the system that shows you which signs are legit? A sticker? That is going to be worn off in two days of outside weather?? </div>
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Good luck getting that ticket overturned.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/157203843216248079/" target="_blank">6. You Can Magically Straighten Your Hair with Sugar Water!</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f8f8f8; color: #171717; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">REALLY? To straighten hair without heat, just mix a cup of water with 2 tablespoons of BROWN sugar, pour it into a spray bottle, then spray into damp hair and let air dry. Crazy, think Im gonna have to try this.</span></blockquote>
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No, it doesn't turn into a sticky mess! Why would sugar get sticky? That's just silly!</div>
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Those darn hair product companies--they want us to pay $20 for some hair straightening serum so that we don't notice that a simple brown sugar spray will keep our hair as sleek as the day it was flat-ironed to a crisp! The gall of corporations these days, I tell you what.</div>
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Who in their right minds would really think that spraying sugar water on your hair will leave you with anything other than a sticky mess and an <a href="http://pintester.com/2013/02/brown-sugar-hair-straightener/" target="_blank">entire spray bottle full of worthless sugar spray</a>??</div>
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Fellow Pinners, let us be smart in our Pinterest choices. Let us pledge to avoid pins that seem sketchy, skeevy, or too-good-to-be-true, because they <strike>probably</strike> DEFINITELY are.</div>
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And it's okay if you've fallen for one of these pins--I have created a handy "I've Pinned One of These, So How Much Repenting Should I Do?" Quiz. Just go through and count all of the ones you've pinned, and the number is your score.</div>
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If you scored:</div>
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0: Great, we can be friends. We can be BEST friends. Forever. And ever. </div>
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1: It's okay, everyone makes mistakes. It is good to be hopeful in finding new solutions, right? As my dad always says, "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then." Good for you on being optimistic in hoping that one, just ONE, of these pins will actually turn out to be helpful. But start repenting now by finding the pin you have mistakenly pinned and DESTROYING IT.</div>
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2: Ehhhhhhh...two is more than one, but less than three. Read the answer for 1 and do as follows, and all shall be forgiven.</div>
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3: You're on a dangerous path, my friend. Turn back now while you still can. Repent of your ways and come back to the fold.</div>
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4: Welllllll....4 is more than three, but less than five. You are really testing my patience here. Read the answer for 5 and 3 and then I'll consider reconsidering.</div>
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5: I'm seriously starting to worry about your intelligence. Did you REALLY think any of those pins would work?? Oh....you did? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...awkwardturtlerunawayrunaway</div>
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6: Just stop. Delete your Pinterest account and live the rest of your life off the grid (and, more importantly, off the internet) so you don't contaminate the rest of society with your errant ways.</div>
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In summary, be a smart pinner. The End.</div>
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Here is a pin for your all your pinning needs. Spread the love, man!</div>
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<i>As always, you can send me a nomination for DisPinterest to DisPinterest (at) me (dot) com. And if you enjoyed this post, you would probably enjoy reading my <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/p/dispinterest_17.html" target="_blank">other posts</a>. </i></div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-59275448719204472612013-08-09T11:16:00.000-05:002013-08-09T11:16:02.012-05:00On Coming Home.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My inner monologue, upon my return to Nashville:</div>
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Costco shopping carts are at least three times the size of Russian shopping carts.</div>
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I forgot how bad grocery store produce is. Why is everything so big and waxy? Am I expected to find this appetizing? Where is the flavor? Where are the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogBHmxk5vLI" target="_blank">eagle powers</a>? There are no nutrients!<br />
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HOLY COW WHY IS IT SO DANG HUMID?? </div>
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Everything is so...<i>sterile. </i>And BIG. And clean.</div>
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Why does driving a car feel like steering a barge? Our car is massive!!</div>
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And so new and shiny!</div>
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...but also bulky and huge. </div>
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And I have to buy <i>gas </i>now?</div>
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Sleeping in my own bed on memory foam feels like sleeping on a marshmallow. A comfy, slightly cool marshmallow.</div>
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Finally! I'm not a bajillion time zones away from everyone else! And I can call someone without using Skype or FaceTime!<br />
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Oh yeah...bills. I have bills again.<br />
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And I have to go back to work.<br />
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And Tim is going to sign his life away to law school soon.<br />
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Where IS everyone? Why aren't there hordes of people on the streets like in Moscow? Why isn't everyone outside, walking around? This place is like a ghost town.</div>
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Our apartment is waaaaaay too big. I feel rich. Do I need this much space?<br />
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Only one person to a car. How wasteful.</div>
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Why is the A/C on full blast in every building? I'm freeeeeeezing!</div>
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YAYYYYY MY BRITA FILTER AND I CAN DRINK OUT OF THE TAP NOW AND IT TASTES LIKE REAL WATER</div>
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Our washing machine is a gigantic monster. </div>
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But hey, at least it doesn't take <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-do-laundry-in-russian-apartment.html" target="_blank">over two hours</a> to wash clothes. </div>
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And I have a <i>dryer</i>. I feel so privileged.</div>
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All this greenery and open space makes me feel like I live in the country. </div>
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Coming back to the real world after such a dreamy summer is going to be tough.</div>
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I miss Russia already...</div>
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But man am I glad to be back. There's no place like home.</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-31868064269011691402013-08-08T10:01:00.003-05:002013-08-08T10:01:52.107-05:00Okay, Okay, Fine. New York Might Be Okay to Live In.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We went to New York to visit, but also to see if it is a place we could end up someday. <br />
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I said no thank you. As soon as we stepped off the plane in New York, I told Tim, "<a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com/2013/08/svo-to-jfk.html" target="_blank">I don't think I'm going to like New York.</a>"<br />
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"I'm pretty sure I won't like it."<br />
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"I already don't like it."<br />
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The Subway was hot, humid, and filthy. The elevators and stairways smelled like a port-a-potty on the 4th of July in the sun, and there were waaaaaay more crazies in New York than there were in Moscow. How could <i>anyone</i> enjoy living in such a claustrophobic city?<br />
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It didn't take long, though, before my views on New York took an abrupt 180. Somewhere between the adorable buildings and Central Park, I kind of fell in love with New York.<br />
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But I still reserve the right to have a five-year limit on big-BIG-city living. Just saying.<br />
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Best things we did in New York:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvs-FoJTRj2FizbwQd6CO5snd3r2zjPIU1a3pMp2CvVQ1XlLhBTJ0cp9TwifNBOkz6WXmaoIdvc-uzkwsD6QyRbsOgUbXR8tsaBhmRG7zA8lp9gl1RW6y2ftS8-dA0Ok33BvOqbH3xxTj/s1600/IMG_3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvs-FoJTRj2FizbwQd6CO5snd3r2zjPIU1a3pMp2CvVQ1XlLhBTJ0cp9TwifNBOkz6WXmaoIdvc-uzkwsD6QyRbsOgUbXR8tsaBhmRG7zA8lp9gl1RW6y2ftS8-dA0Ok33BvOqbH3xxTj/s640/IMG_3042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Brooklyn Bridge at dusk. </div>
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I <i>guess</i> I could live here if I <i>had </i>to.</div>
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Kinky Boots.</div>
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It was pretty cool, but we also got a backstage tour and got to meet the lead actor because Tim's friend is his makeup artist. That part was even better than the play! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpqh786vVksbwuplMdwMrJSNHTfYiBm1xpJzNP7XLtZ0oDfK6oxV8_lLVXaho7zRSfdCOuFevZdqkpXS3pc5GMfHTizNADHaQ5j4OlnNoOOeG3x_L8tZ1tzxgIlT0CH6KP4ESqk4W7uv4/s1600/IMG_3067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpqh786vVksbwuplMdwMrJSNHTfYiBm1xpJzNP7XLtZ0oDfK6oxV8_lLVXaho7zRSfdCOuFevZdqkpXS3pc5GMfHTizNADHaQ5j4OlnNoOOeG3x_L8tZ1tzxgIlT0CH6KP4ESqk4W7uv4/s640/IMG_3067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A <a href="https://www.google.com/#bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c4a94397c73e014e&newwindow=1&q=crepuscular+definition" target="_blank">crepuscular</a> Central Park excursion to see the fireflies. We saw like a billion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFGxhqw3azkNxccpRDvkGqHDTe7pjqLF72KWUzwyVRweW_AIQlpoZGiD5nCRh4uqOU_NEXwF3z52OyZVo-lNOp49EkAvewsewaKyMoMlkY0SJF7UJ3IrnesXVGkRrOVeM6ZnyH3NHLy8Y/s1600/IMG_3085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFGxhqw3azkNxccpRDvkGqHDTe7pjqLF72KWUzwyVRweW_AIQlpoZGiD5nCRh4uqOU_NEXwF3z52OyZVo-lNOp49EkAvewsewaKyMoMlkY0SJF7UJ3IrnesXVGkRrOVeM6ZnyH3NHLy8Y/s640/IMG_3085.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Hitting up Zoltar for our fortunes at FAO Schwarz. </div>
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Eating at Carnegie Deli.</div>
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Tim tried to prepare me for a New York style deli sandwich by saying, "It's a lot of meat. Like, a LOT of meat." I assured him I could handle it, but nothing prepared me for the actual massive amounts of meat on that sandwich. </div>
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I mean, jeeeeeez!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9yVQLWUC5LU9e9ZCkOxBji6DGI8RP3gFKqrNIfKuNFqU8UcW6rNpmYwiTG_QTrpoQkLf7P4BMY_nCBx6QQafWgWsPlsWxB4iOAJz1mRggHS9YlPwJycO_FIxPP0W3_2YXmuMxJfDTsEA/s1600/IMG_3103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9yVQLWUC5LU9e9ZCkOxBji6DGI8RP3gFKqrNIfKuNFqU8UcW6rNpmYwiTG_QTrpoQkLf7P4BMY_nCBx6QQafWgWsPlsWxB4iOAJz1mRggHS9YlPwJycO_FIxPP0W3_2YXmuMxJfDTsEA/s640/IMG_3103.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Obviously, this made Tim a happy camper. </div>
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So happy, in fact, that he made me take another picture of him with his leftover sandwich in the airport so he could convey the bliss that he felt whilst partaking in this celestial sandwich.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAHt8qySaajQmwNAMJttVldv-h-dNyxgN0tlngXqfXca6FCTxO0U96YTs7isjP4GBspI2dPcDyD4Kefzge0y_Qb1pRtXhO2CGhJ_Bjc4qxNMQJ1lJ2gxjqQr42Av_rQdTk2CZDXi1-DuB/s1600/IMG_3122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAHt8qySaajQmwNAMJttVldv-h-dNyxgN0tlngXqfXca6FCTxO0U96YTs7isjP4GBspI2dPcDyD4Kefzge0y_Qb1pRtXhO2CGhJ_Bjc4qxNMQJ1lJ2gxjqQr42Av_rQdTk2CZDXi1-DuB/s640/IMG_3122.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Do not get between this man and his food.</div>
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Also, I got cheesecake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKFqXMV7_mxwp5M4SFa2lkZj7uli3HpJM2okwkwdHtzh6S5xXZ9Q5f1BMYfFcnLDGXBBmMKV9Va0v25MEB_T_DjcZeItkFdP8ojBFgC8QInGc4yucjquHDGnjXJaoSkcN-1_w8jiBKGrF/s1600/IMG_3106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYKFqXMV7_mxwp5M4SFa2lkZj7uli3HpJM2okwkwdHtzh6S5xXZ9Q5f1BMYfFcnLDGXBBmMKV9Va0v25MEB_T_DjcZeItkFdP8ojBFgC8QInGc4yucjquHDGnjXJaoSkcN-1_w8jiBKGrF/s640/IMG_3106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And it was quite literally the WORST cheesecake I have ever had. I will certainly need to rectify that situation on our next visit to New York.</div>
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Here's a weird car.</div>
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Yes, we ate at "Seinfeld's Diner." It was surprisingly good and surprisingly cheap.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbBbgvLFRCH7_F-2ousSpFPP7Zl1OEXHjw_hUNCrpZoQ2ruflUGR1X8wgcO2vdIqX0VTifrXUu1U6oHlT45FQprehyphenhyphenCcx5Xso4mPmiDVwNaUBDz01KMJt0ddo0Hztr27lrxmgDi0nkv5R/s1600/IMG_4125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbBbgvLFRCH7_F-2ousSpFPP7Zl1OEXHjw_hUNCrpZoQ2ruflUGR1X8wgcO2vdIqX0VTifrXUu1U6oHlT45FQprehyphenhyphenCcx5Xso4mPmiDVwNaUBDz01KMJt0ddo0Hztr27lrxmgDi0nkv5R/s640/IMG_4125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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GAAAAAAHHHHH PRETTY CHURCHES!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQByQe0NMCl-ocfxqRjT0Gwy3_TjolDrVFvNq-NZG7WtT66SUap6jcg5m2PkaTocrcAeXJWRXngf3WZD1XsSQyKO_zuZnTUk2fZubY5xy-9KBBldvN-lZwWbpSxZ_XRWRoT13kL_s2eTFB/s1600/IMG_4135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQByQe0NMCl-ocfxqRjT0Gwy3_TjolDrVFvNq-NZG7WtT66SUap6jcg5m2PkaTocrcAeXJWRXngf3WZD1XsSQyKO_zuZnTUk2fZubY5xy-9KBBldvN-lZwWbpSxZ_XRWRoT13kL_s2eTFB/s640/IMG_4135.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and funny church signs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxcUOpY1eb_Q53eGbczVfjVhgwjppSa9Raj1Xsb3GpDCqX-Sa0WF2ofiQffXxK5WYdkwApoTqSgKRNb0r9XdcyqGihyphenhyphenSwX-MjmhtdkmX-L-xB5ZkVcbSjwzI740_nrxzQ8aTc6LwzdJqA/s1600/IMG_4154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxcUOpY1eb_Q53eGbczVfjVhgwjppSa9Raj1Xsb3GpDCqX-Sa0WF2ofiQffXxK5WYdkwApoTqSgKRNb0r9XdcyqGihyphenhyphenSwX-MjmhtdkmX-L-xB5ZkVcbSjwzI740_nrxzQ8aTc6LwzdJqA/s640/IMG_4154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Grand Central Station may have been my favorite place. </div>
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Also, will you settle an argument for us? I say the ceiling is <a href="http://images.wisegeek.com/gift-box-bound-with-ribbon.jpg" target="_blank">Tiffany Blue</a>, Tim says it is <a href="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/x/oxidized-copper-texture-1866363.jpg" target="_blank">oxidized copper</a>. What say YOU? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNI-yvIROWS43zZ6M1727k-NOd1nRhzngFCTaqN9WXeFbtSzKfz-6o6jXn0IbIAgsj_2w-6eAcl9BhakkukMmA30_pmo_2iRf4TLvoWKUTMyFNF1_IS_QAXKzr-JXzIuxaL9-_1BaRSJC/s1600/IMG_4184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNI-yvIROWS43zZ6M1727k-NOd1nRhzngFCTaqN9WXeFbtSzKfz-6o6jXn0IbIAgsj_2w-6eAcl9BhakkukMmA30_pmo_2iRf4TLvoWKUTMyFNF1_IS_QAXKzr-JXzIuxaL9-_1BaRSJC/s640/IMG_4184.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And, of course, the lovely lady Liberty. She is pretty, isn't she? </div>
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(and how about that pollution, eh??)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf65eEJyve3Z0IILhJKgMb6vjLcCQdFS6pUygm6Nxs8GWOM7GvKXZNnRGGi3K098UbEybPaMxa0xV9_QN3YTcUp7axmd5SS8ppajtC0zmecjAdlV5-fsU6EMi1sLomuf1S5lSJ1Y3L5HGq/s1600/IMG_4223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf65eEJyve3Z0IILhJKgMb6vjLcCQdFS6pUygm6Nxs8GWOM7GvKXZNnRGGi3K098UbEybPaMxa0xV9_QN3YTcUp7axmd5SS8ppajtC0zmecjAdlV5-fsU6EMi1sLomuf1S5lSJ1Y3L5HGq/s640/IMG_4223.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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The 9/11 Memorial. </div>
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It was really beautiful--the pools go deep into the ground and it's such a stark contrast from the sky-high buildings surrounding them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8H3ueU6RPq4fOJCxXzcfJ21LUJv856ZjPBLvBWZd43vHnGDguM2V6-y3ptLEjjN3coV6KTkAbqhs4FsI2CsY14LH23omxs4ASsGYzgmCGgB9Po0OkAypMzHsFFqo-vUfV4QuvPvyu2P7/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8H3ueU6RPq4fOJCxXzcfJ21LUJv856ZjPBLvBWZd43vHnGDguM2V6-y3ptLEjjN3coV6KTkAbqhs4FsI2CsY14LH23omxs4ASsGYzgmCGgB9Po0OkAypMzHsFFqo-vUfV4QuvPvyu2P7/s640/IMG_4233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Break my heart. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f3WqediXjtK1Z0YzKiH251pGkbZMTFFshi2Ji3v0KSK6u-kJy5-FYcGEnTmjIeLwAupIAJvqokz6vxN_SZmKV6ifY-ngk1Mw3rtNtH96AvrGVq0F5p2KrPlLyQA2WLbhUU3OLzXfNlIE/s1600/IMG_4236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f3WqediXjtK1Z0YzKiH251pGkbZMTFFshi2Ji3v0KSK6u-kJy5-FYcGEnTmjIeLwAupIAJvqokz6vxN_SZmKV6ifY-ngk1Mw3rtNtH96AvrGVq0F5p2KrPlLyQA2WLbhUU3OLzXfNlIE/s640/IMG_4236.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Her unborn child? So sad. We saw at least two of these. </div>
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The museum wasn't open yet--I bet that would be fascinating to go to once it actually opens.</div>
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So, dear readers, remember: if at first you hate something (like New York City), try it out first, because you might just find out you love it instead.</div>
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That is all.</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-40979210631560612562013-08-03T07:00:00.000-05:002013-08-03T07:00:08.659-05:00A Sunday Stroll at Tsaritsyno<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_GFGwoj6ZHzDmgF1VBGQ_ssnQ6nTsxe4tDfDwyKbVvKMdArgLn7_3_gDVqI-8CKW5ZOVrFvQsajqZIgtCnT6UGOBmgICZTI0tZ3F9Q0nLqkncFF-LvngLPRG3L5TMvdIek0pviNv6nMv/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_GFGwoj6ZHzDmgF1VBGQ_ssnQ6nTsxe4tDfDwyKbVvKMdArgLn7_3_gDVqI-8CKW5ZOVrFvQsajqZIgtCnT6UGOBmgICZTI0tZ3F9Q0nLqkncFF-LvngLPRG3L5TMvdIek0pviNv6nMv/s640/IMG_3904.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, yes, yes...I know. I've already left. But there are still a couple things left that I just <i>have</i> to show you or else I'll implode from keeping all of this beauty to myself. <br />
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Because you guys, Russians just do parks better.<br />
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It's true. Their parks are so beautiful. Remember the <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/07/st-petersburg-part-1.html" target="_blank">one I told you about in St. Petersburg</a>? Remember <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/05/gorky-park-is-cool-even-though-gorky.html" target="_blank">Gorky Park</a>? There are parks like that all over Moscow and St. Petersburg. They are stunningly gorgeous places.</div>
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A lot of them are really just former palaces, and the "park" area is the palace grounds and gardens. Tsaritsyno used to be the palace of Catherine the Great. Can you imagine living in a place where you can go for an afternoon walk in the shadow of a palace? It really is beautiful.</div>
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Tsaritsyno has been on our To Do list for practically the entire summer, but we've been waiting to do it on a Sunday, since it's only one Metro stop past where we go to church. The problem is, we are usually so worn out from Saturday's adventures that we kept pushing it off until the next Sunday.</div>
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Well, this was our last Sunday in Russia, so we decided it was now or never. I thought the trip might be ruined because of the rainy weather, but it turns out it just stayed cloudy the whole time, which actually added a lot of beauty to the pictures. Since it wasn't cold either, it ended up being the perfect day to go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gr51_HTbXXEROmj6q7kU75h0mAxZv_GYrEkej2tmPWLdqntXA4gqiHs2Guj-XibzV65b4xDcNN7JuSKkDXaJNepFJCiyUQvUSCNHkEhw5y2RlNfHm4-tI2PYNxLxsdwatJpXjRxBTt2G/s1600/IMG_3890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gr51_HTbXXEROmj6q7kU75h0mAxZv_GYrEkej2tmPWLdqntXA4gqiHs2Guj-XibzV65b4xDcNN7JuSKkDXaJNepFJCiyUQvUSCNHkEhw5y2RlNfHm4-tI2PYNxLxsdwatJpXjRxBTt2G/s640/IMG_3890.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can see the top of the palace from the entrance to the park. Hopefully this gives you some sense of scale. The place is HUGE. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn59Vq4Y260JF1gudIRTmPMlGb6sQ7vui_X_frOFHU7dq-aw4FR1fnuPx70s5103vPKfWuUOCtosJsPaus19HkV3ClJqzqG1jvUG9xZrcLyU1J9rSwHMwqbu-g4KNqeilsmGOjLkB569c5/s1600/IMG_3892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn59Vq4Y260JF1gudIRTmPMlGb6sQ7vui_X_frOFHU7dq-aw4FR1fnuPx70s5103vPKfWuUOCtosJsPaus19HkV3ClJqzqG1jvUG9xZrcLyU1J9rSwHMwqbu-g4KNqeilsmGOjLkB569c5/s640/IMG_3892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Russians love parks. They go for walks after dinner, to get out of the city and enjoy the air and sunshine. I wish we did that more in America.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkARlINaq-qXKnSGIVQMeu_WB6saZnmtQh5UDinMozPXpPsOfg9hKkFDn-KzfhftQSTFA7gNzT5nV_OiZXI31r5hzUHQE5agpn-dfUXjWX3m-NwHkWCjcv2L1D5ElrZj5DIkGqmsdQd2m1/s1600/IMG_3894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkARlINaq-qXKnSGIVQMeu_WB6saZnmtQh5UDinMozPXpPsOfg9hKkFDn-KzfhftQSTFA7gNzT5nV_OiZXI31r5hzUHQE5agpn-dfUXjWX3m-NwHkWCjcv2L1D5ElrZj5DIkGqmsdQd2m1/s640/IMG_3894.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrI48GGs6orKxdsJoWl7UT43cjfgw0luXfrzd0M71mh07nb_MyT8ORJaUn3YSjqUFL05zOncasrgAEMAF47vWhefiHmjrSQKp0InoTKw3n0Jy97M0_eekTizExNgjHS2o7omqsGQRUv7q/s1600/IMG_3896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrI48GGs6orKxdsJoWl7UT43cjfgw0luXfrzd0M71mh07nb_MyT8ORJaUn3YSjqUFL05zOncasrgAEMAF47vWhefiHmjrSQKp0InoTKw3n0Jy97M0_eekTizExNgjHS2o7omqsGQRUv7q/s640/IMG_3896.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at that cute guy in his Sunday best.</div>
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What's in the bag he's holding, you ask? We brought along some candy so that he wouldn't perish by the wayside. Bless his little hummingbird metabolism.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4dqzPXQEPPOC2Y4zcFFHag9RRLmc-3ew95xJSRvhiFEoY6qqjVHfi76Y2szl3wBVPn6FeCWRzBghO22POPXeLfIE_HdiVXdgDmZDUysCazG39ky9OV15tuEw9X0ujg3p1dbmM2XgGoSc/s1600/IMG_3897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4dqzPXQEPPOC2Y4zcFFHag9RRLmc-3ew95xJSRvhiFEoY6qqjVHfi76Y2szl3wBVPn6FeCWRzBghO22POPXeLfIE_HdiVXdgDmZDUysCazG39ky9OV15tuEw9X0ujg3p1dbmM2XgGoSc/s640/IMG_3897.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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This is still a functioning church at Tsaritsyno--they must have just started or just ended some services, because there were quite a few people there.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFvWJSlvqDXx_dDj0bMQMRbgM4-fvLIt9XQeZ7o5pV9tHhDZ7LnAMqJGBz9GGIOEU3cSkb5kWujOd3U7-LG5IplQt3a_lb-EEfa9cW-SMGZ2-epyRVnFDcTu2Bw6fEIDJ_MfRExei4Pco/s1600/IMG_3899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFvWJSlvqDXx_dDj0bMQMRbgM4-fvLIt9XQeZ7o5pV9tHhDZ7LnAMqJGBz9GGIOEU3cSkb5kWujOd3U7-LG5IplQt3a_lb-EEfa9cW-SMGZ2-epyRVnFDcTu2Bw6fEIDJ_MfRExei4Pco/s640/IMG_3899.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This little guy was so cute.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXAzJtAlgdXdSJ8Zp9z7KLX3BkeQH7auAHiaTw24rkLeKDEMhsjmt921kDBgznoVK824z21f5wDN10dkl2dCs_uGhnwKwuMCgZEa3MmHV2nTMCFcj27MYmbPONmhyphenhyphenNbsXxMXzZ_G0BTKJ/s1600/IMG_3901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXAzJtAlgdXdSJ8Zp9z7KLX3BkeQH7auAHiaTw24rkLeKDEMhsjmt921kDBgznoVK824z21f5wDN10dkl2dCs_uGhnwKwuMCgZEa3MmHV2nTMCFcj27MYmbPONmhyphenhyphenNbsXxMXzZ_G0BTKJ/s640/IMG_3901.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this one was not so bad either. </div>
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You guys, the palace. THE PALACE!</div>
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I love it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7YRerJOkaqoU31Swpz_hg674FgkU1WOfD3b_sQlxGYTct1yzylHHl9ncKF-uEylvCdIutftSZY_ZA97Gwv_VeOFPH6DJ9hDDMo1fV_pHnoWsWxf7I8MXZJB0FoYDX-BNT2UsF3gknXEJ/s1600/IMG_3902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7YRerJOkaqoU31Swpz_hg674FgkU1WOfD3b_sQlxGYTct1yzylHHl9ncKF-uEylvCdIutftSZY_ZA97Gwv_VeOFPH6DJ9hDDMo1fV_pHnoWsWxf7I8MXZJB0FoYDX-BNT2UsF3gknXEJ/s640/IMG_3902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMY5dBvYxbSmDa_c9ihVvZqdm3msGWPwt1r99GLooGD-JRWDpB43FOpc-V_wp9GTi_MG7f9MPPRhp1wRQN7AMh4OP15adZ1qzl1UGCuAlMNzSQcd7iqJ9Oh17gxRGbuHm5_ZDoJqVyNnw/s1600/IMG_3903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMY5dBvYxbSmDa_c9ihVvZqdm3msGWPwt1r99GLooGD-JRWDpB43FOpc-V_wp9GTi_MG7f9MPPRhp1wRQN7AMh4OP15adZ1qzl1UGCuAlMNzSQcd7iqJ9Oh17gxRGbuHm5_ZDoJqVyNnw/s640/IMG_3903.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just look at that moody sky! The beautiful color of the roof! The brick work! The turrets!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mFYmm-cXiIcLyjpT882IQJBndqgvh2vWGZR-vki9S2doaq1Wi3fWkWZQyWyOv_qaVthOODFKn4fhBKuYCEIbI636hStvvNdQFfxa9eA1O-poWVrsVihlu54a96XqdqkqH4tA7F1N_Z8K/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mFYmm-cXiIcLyjpT882IQJBndqgvh2vWGZR-vki9S2doaq1Wi3fWkWZQyWyOv_qaVthOODFKn4fhBKuYCEIbI636hStvvNdQFfxa9eA1O-poWVrsVihlu54a96XqdqkqH4tA7F1N_Z8K/s640/IMG_3905.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It just...I mean...maybe you have to see it in person, but it just makes your soul want to sit and listen to the quiet. The whole place was hushed and still, and you could just see beautiful grass and buildings in every direction. You have not lived until you've been to a Russian park!<br />
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The view from the back side of the palace:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz_VRxyuwC7CFyHKqOV77d7gni_kM0LsHuLcnji_dr_YkDjqBvrj6PzHPlWidg8QJMpH0gkLFTGbMAnqcChshFLOEg4g72w5zooGj9sh9wP285K65vwzkNovVu9kqthtcI994RD9_6a6J/s1600/IMG_3908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEz_VRxyuwC7CFyHKqOV77d7gni_kM0LsHuLcnji_dr_YkDjqBvrj6PzHPlWidg8QJMpH0gkLFTGbMAnqcChshFLOEg4g72w5zooGj9sh9wP285K65vwzkNovVu9kqthtcI994RD9_6a6J/s640/IMG_3908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh canIjustlivethere??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgr3WbaQIQXy8dw3aO5PAa0Gt9NhMZE42_XhhNboD0hCtMiD9unbnUb2apHvY4KsPFrtvJ5s_QqGxMpx4YldTQUz5dJFwmQtiq4BB5gYT6472SIzFkpoQM_AtV5PN4vz_nFn82qwYc5B7/s1600/IMG_3910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgr3WbaQIQXy8dw3aO5PAa0Gt9NhMZE42_XhhNboD0hCtMiD9unbnUb2apHvY4KsPFrtvJ5s_QqGxMpx4YldTQUz5dJFwmQtiq4BB5gYT6472SIzFkpoQM_AtV5PN4vz_nFn82qwYc5B7/s640/IMG_3910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I love the architectural style of the buildings and bridges--it was almost like a cross between Russian, European, and Muslim architecture somehow. It seemed so different than anything else I've seen.</span></div>
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Some of it definitely reminded me of Stalin's <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/experiences-lately-in-pictures.html" target="_blank">Seven Sisters</a>. It seems so Gothic and imposing, yet at the same time, powerfully beautiful. LOVE.</div>
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And what Russian park wouldn't be complete with a random volleyball court in the woods with shirtless old men playing a game or two:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDoeNnO4ijPjyH09fUnMbqrf0zdQ7bJXaSSJU0iOn0tudu6R-4YldzmhVVZajRVhf_M_4MhP1jhY-JzfnP_lz3uKkDLQuvgQDFaUQJSXyp5A25gNuavcWVX4Sljri6TVK0ewnDAj-txoq/s1600/IMG_3920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDoeNnO4ijPjyH09fUnMbqrf0zdQ7bJXaSSJU0iOn0tudu6R-4YldzmhVVZajRVhf_M_4MhP1jhY-JzfnP_lz3uKkDLQuvgQDFaUQJSXyp5A25gNuavcWVX4Sljri6TVK0ewnDAj-txoq/s640/IMG_3920.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yep.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7peNEp6Rk4Bmq_ZqzEA5MakkzXoY8Pt-aQ7o1aes-J7pc_tPA6Oxw19kwUzT2Q27fN6OqNkvKPT4N7UYKIjQLxabgkZwR5LNS_hsepETwD5NOejIC3yeKb8p8JWu5CvJAspVhoF9gWCq/s1600/IMG_3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7peNEp6Rk4Bmq_ZqzEA5MakkzXoY8Pt-aQ7o1aes-J7pc_tPA6Oxw19kwUzT2Q27fN6OqNkvKPT4N7UYKIjQLxabgkZwR5LNS_hsepETwD5NOejIC3yeKb8p8JWu5CvJAspVhoF9gWCq/s640/IMG_3935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sky. incredible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB2qyvf8n-mpNTK39xB0xVwo6jCwvFoHNCxhISKIITkCiyZYjMOOjAiBfr3FiY-UfSj2u_0sTIyEm55ud1ivZqpWMUsp4kVNC5vks2xxZqZXy_KbCRiAjjVbMX75xkE6r4D4DOsMF7CwO/s1600/IMG_3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyB2qyvf8n-mpNTK39xB0xVwo6jCwvFoHNCxhISKIITkCiyZYjMOOjAiBfr3FiY-UfSj2u_0sTIyEm55ud1ivZqpWMUsp4kVNC5vks2xxZqZXy_KbCRiAjjVbMX75xkE6r4D4DOsMF7CwO/s640/IMG_3937.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at that spiky arch!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjCsXA9yuxywIUyE_mwcfL9HhS3-XeiW_gFb7rBRcV9ZygxlVrlC8zht_lrv-15oPopCHA1W39c_wvx085V8Du8zKC4YEr1KYEXAkEYNGtd7sW6ijN18AV0a0nXKXCi_NrEz90AfI2KnM/s1600/IMG_3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjCsXA9yuxywIUyE_mwcfL9HhS3-XeiW_gFb7rBRcV9ZygxlVrlC8zht_lrv-15oPopCHA1W39c_wvx085V8Du8zKC4YEr1KYEXAkEYNGtd7sW6ijN18AV0a0nXKXCi_NrEz90AfI2KnM/s640/IMG_3938.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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See the church through the arch? So pretty.</div>
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You can also see a bride in the righthand side of the picture. </div>
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Russians love taking their <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/best-russian-wedding-video-ever-best.html" target="_blank">wedding photos</a> at historical sites. I mean, can you blame them? This place is gorgeous.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLFvpSuXE1uTsXq4pvMeuog8W86ZFgUdMGZZDAiuUISkctrv1MTm0bQctBbHMMLuRo1qLjZJTjw1eLIPHnrXSwTP9h5ZPU07KElLDTgxb8J22KIb9jAUqMdyYwmSNtzNOzPHijGKTexLu/s1600/IMG_3941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLFvpSuXE1uTsXq4pvMeuog8W86ZFgUdMGZZDAiuUISkctrv1MTm0bQctBbHMMLuRo1qLjZJTjw1eLIPHnrXSwTP9h5ZPU07KElLDTgxb8J22KIb9jAUqMdyYwmSNtzNOzPHijGKTexLu/s640/IMG_3941.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpPjYLaB9VT0h4GrEImgaX-iWl_FKPAm-lKNgd4J3T1v2E4mIvg6Bx5R3GKJuoZRi-fwQjefVTgBFnUEtvRRo6d370o4CVg-UPrUoNudeoymlTFoiDUmJs7QZJo5vXbTxdRhPhVzgUsh3/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpPjYLaB9VT0h4GrEImgaX-iWl_FKPAm-lKNgd4J3T1v2E4mIvg6Bx5R3GKJuoZRi-fwQjefVTgBFnUEtvRRo6d370o4CVg-UPrUoNudeoymlTFoiDUmJs7QZJo5vXbTxdRhPhVzgUsh3/s640/IMG_3943.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So much green. I want to roll down that hill.<br />
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They also have fountains that they light up at night and play to music, kind of like at Disneyland. Unfortunately, we weren't able to see that, but I'm sure we'll be back to Moscow at some point.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmZGJk0mbQet3mMmaeLkCilxh9NN-u7X5o0c_aXcp8JLg0S680iiQjRKnne6_QmS1b8BCcvU-OkIZWOKEwKfD9YgwjJ-xxdZJA1ddBTjNPGPB1zz1duL9cfMEMr7n0L5mqX-t0Jg5M9iz/s1600/IMG_3952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmZGJk0mbQet3mMmaeLkCilxh9NN-u7X5o0c_aXcp8JLg0S680iiQjRKnne6_QmS1b8BCcvU-OkIZWOKEwKfD9YgwjJ-xxdZJA1ddBTjNPGPB1zz1duL9cfMEMr7n0L5mqX-t0Jg5M9iz/s640/IMG_3952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have too many posts and not enough days to post them, so make sure to check back soon! I will probably be posting at least one and possibly two posts a day for a little while. I just have so many things I just didn't get to tell you about. </div>
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Make sure you don't miss out on them--you can follow my blog via <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/9905765/big-hug-little-kiss" target="_blank">bloglovin'</a>, <a href="http://cloud.feedly.com/#subscription%2Ffeed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fbighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com%2Ffeeds%2Fposts%2Fdefault" target="_blank">feedly</a>, or <a href="http://pinterest.com/danistratford/big-hug-little-kiss-blog/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!</div>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-6489662631763322982013-08-01T07:00:00.000-05:002013-08-01T07:00:03.102-05:00SVO to JFK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Even though we will be leaving Moscow today, we won't be going straight home to Nashville. We're taking a 5-day detour to New York City.<br />
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Can I just be honest about something?<br />
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I am not really looking forward to New York.<br />
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Am I crazy? Yes? Maybe?<br />
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Here's the truth: New York scares me waaaaaaay more than Moscow ever did. Which is silly, because, you know, people speak ENGLISH in New York, while they obviously do not in Moscow. So you would think that as someone who has lived in a city like unto the size of New York for three months, NYC would be nothing to me. Especially considering the fact that the city I lived in <i>didn't speak English. </i><br />
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But every time I think about New York, it just scares the crap out of me.<br />
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Mostly because muggings, <i>hello</i>! You allllways hear about muggings in New York. Do they happen in Moscow? I'm sure they do, but it's not really in the culture here. Don't get me wrong, Russians can be violent, but they're more the "beat the crap out of someone because they did something you didn't like" type.<br />
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I realize that may not sound very reassuring...let me try a different way. What I'm saying is, as long as you stay at least arm's length away from the drunks and crazies and you mind your own business, you'll be fine.<br />
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Seriously, the biggest thing I worry about over here is getting pick pocketed on the Metro, but even that isn't a huge concern because I know what to do in that situation.<br />
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It may seem crazy, but New York seems much more dangerous and much more claustrophobic. I'm sure I would be just fine if I had to live there, but I don't think I could ever handle it permanently. But meh...who knows.<br />
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The point is, we are going to New York for five days! And I'm sure it will be fun. (And scary.) And fun.<br />
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Anything I shouldn't miss while I'm there?</div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-13195794110743756282013-08-01T01:21:00.002-05:002013-08-01T01:23:04.119-05:00Maps.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K3yjT548Xboen87V1DycL-jgV7Fvo1UGkRnlug5XAxtvrHsc2dBI6LXV-jT2S2MUJUngMRG-QzhDIrAXfU9PYOUSjPRzt4HSXWCnc8ZmR-qrgOu_MW3hpzH6f0P-DPJwmfshMFAVp5uU/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K3yjT548Xboen87V1DycL-jgV7Fvo1UGkRnlug5XAxtvrHsc2dBI6LXV-jT2S2MUJUngMRG-QzhDIrAXfU9PYOUSjPRzt4HSXWCnc8ZmR-qrgOu_MW3hpzH6f0P-DPJwmfshMFAVp5uU/s640/IMG_3388.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/07/st-petersburg-part-ii.html" target="_blank">Embroidered Map of Moscow</a>, Museum of Political History, St. Petersburg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's something I often think about when traveling: isn't it odd that we remember everything about a location, even when we've left?<br />
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I mean something like having a map on our hearts of a certain place. For instance, I haven't lived in Provo for three years, but if you blindfolded me and dropped me off at BYU I would know exactly where to go and how to orient myself.<br />
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It feels even weirder when you return to a place you haven't been to in a while, only to find that it feels immediately familiar. Even though you've left, you can pick up exactly where you were before. I can picture our apartment in Nashville, where it's located related to everything else, and the best route to downtown or the mall. I know the city and I recognize the landmarks. I remember where my favorite fabric shop is, where the closest grocery store is, and where we go for late night Taco Bell cravings (that is completely for Tim, not for me, FYI. Taco Bell = the devil's work).<br />
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I don't know why this strikes me as so surreal--I guess I like thinking about it in terms of our modern day transportation. We hurtle through the air at amazing speeds, without really seeing anything in between. We simply leave a certain space and enter a different one when we land. You could almost argue that nowhere else exists except for where you are right now, but you will always have that place etched in your brain.<br />
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That is how I feel about Moscow. Even though I know I won't be back for at least a year or more, I will always remember the way our metro stop looked, what the walk looks like from Gorky Park to the Church of Christ the Savior, or how long it takes to get to Tyopli Stan. It will all be instantly familiar to me, because I have learned this place.<br />
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And isn't that kind of a beautiful thought? The idea that everywhere we have been, the streets we have walked, are embroidered on our hearts and embedded in our memories. We carry them with us everywhere, so even when we leave, we always have them with us. <br />
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It's the perfect thought to end this perfect sojourn.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(P.S. If you have joined along for the Russian adventures, stick around! I have really enjoyed blogging and plan to continue when I get back to Nashville. You can follow me on <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/en/blog/9905765" target="_blank">bloglovin</a>', <a href="http://cloud.feedly.com/#subscription%2Ffeed%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fbighuglittlekiss.blogspot.com%252Ffeeds%252Fposts%252Fdefault" target="_blank">feedly</a>, or <a href="http://pinterest.com/danistratford/big-hug-little-kiss-blog/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, to name a few ways.)</span></div>
Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-43570191570424381442013-07-31T07:00:00.000-05:002013-07-31T08:40:48.299-05:00До Свидания, Красивая России!*<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You guys, this may be my favorite thing I've ever done. I love it so much.<br />
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I have seriously watched this video like five times already, which is super lame, because not only did I <i>make </i>the video, I also took most of the pictures...haha. But what can you do--I know I'll be homesick for Russia as soon as I get back to the States.<br />
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It's basically a 3 1/2 minute video of practically every single photo we took on our trip. Since I did it last week before we left, it is missing a few pictures at the end, but hey, I think it's still pretty neat.<br />
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It feels like it goes by way too fast (hey, if that isn't a veiled metaphor for this summer, I don't know what is), but it really does a good job capturing the feeling of certain places--the essence of Russia. Or, at least, the essence of my experience in Russia.<br />
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So, without further ado, enjoy.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/FNYekAyhvx8?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>
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Goodbye, Russia! You will be missed.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*До Свидания, Красивая России! = Do Svidanya, Krasivaya Russii! = Goodbye, beautiful Russia!</span><br />
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7814914004276413661.post-65245910056991749642013-07-30T06:30:00.000-05:002013-07-30T06:30:03.827-05:00Musings Upon Leaving.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIGV7oxVs2tuqwoihKXj7KkjvT3tL7W6HlI25HYd0vQxYExqhQqj056n9bN05g7jJtWDr8TenKMxs2_wkPsITx1oN1vxo1y2jVob_9MDC2Ianv9diIWxL-5U91v40WYufOF2KffodeRPi/s1600/IMG_3518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCIGV7oxVs2tuqwoihKXj7KkjvT3tL7W6HlI25HYd0vQxYExqhQqj056n9bN05g7jJtWDr8TenKMxs2_wkPsITx1oN1vxo1y2jVob_9MDC2Ianv9diIWxL-5U91v40WYufOF2KffodeRPi/s640/IMG_3518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful sunset from our apartment window...sigh.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things I Will Miss About Russia:</span><br />
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<li>The glorious <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/05/reasons-im-excited-to-go-back-to.html" target="_blank">metro</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/pictures-of-russian-market.html" target="_blank">Fresh fruits and vegetables</a>. Mmmmmm. I pretty much ate tomato sandwiches every day for lunch. </li>
<li>Who can forget...<a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/07/st-petersburg-part-ii.html" target="_blank">the</a> <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/cathedral-of-christ-saviour.html" target="_blank">stunning</a> <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/07/church-painting-at-novodevichy-convent.html" target="_blank">churches</a>.</li>
<li>Living within walking distance of <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/favorite-views-from-red-square.html" target="_blank">Red Square</a>, the <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/07/have-you-heard-of-navalny-well-he.html" target="_blank">Church of Christ the Savior</a>, and <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/07/the-graveyard-at-donskoi-monastery.html" target="_blank">Donskoy Monastery</a>.</li>
<li>Hearing Russian spoken out loud...and getting waaaaay too excited when I recognize a word or two. </li>
<li><a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/05/our-little-russian-apartment.html" target="_blank">Our apartment</a>.</li>
<li>The bliss that is <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/06/what-we-eat.html" target="_blank">medovik</a>.</li>
<li>The friends we have made.</li>
<li>The <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/05/our-little-russian-apartment.html" target="_blank">view</a> from our apartment.</li>
<li>Walking everywhere. And taking strolls in beautiful <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/05/gorky-park-is-cool-even-though-gorky.html" target="_blank">parks</a>.</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things I Will NOT Miss About Russia:</span><br />
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<li>Walking everywhere. (I know, I know...I just said I was going to miss that. I will, it's just that I am also looking forward to having a car again...hallelujah.)</li>
<li>Dirty streets.</li>
<li>Smoking.</li>
<li>Loogies EVERYWHERE.</li>
<li>Buying bottled water.</li>
<li>Riding in our <a href="http://bighuglittlekiss.blogspot.ru/2013/05/this-is-what-its-like-to-get-into.html" target="_blank">Russian Elevator Box of Doom</a>.</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Things I Am Looking Forward To:</span></div>
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<li>GETTING ALL OF MY FRIENDS BACK, YAAAAAAAAAAAY!! (The introvert in me never thought I would get so friend-starved...so my apologies if I smother you when I get back to the States.)</li>
<li>Being in the same time zone as the rest of my peeps.</li>
<li>Knowing exactly what store to go to when I'm looking for something in particular.</li>
<li>Being able to communicate beyond gestures and finger pointing. </li>
<li>Straightening my hair...it's been THREE MONTHS, people! I am so sick of braids and buns!</li>
<li>Soft towels (or, in other words, having a dryer).</li>
<li>Being able to drink straight out of the faucet AND </li>
<li>The fact that the U.S. has DRINKING FOUNTAINSSSS YAY.</li>
<li>Aaaaaaaand Mexican food. Duh.</li>
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Danihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00318807179427505894noreply@blogger.com