tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52155794095747431212024-03-14T12:20:53.111-05:00Living on Love and LeftoversBrooke and Greg share tips on food, travel, entertainment and the power of true love as a source of perpetual happiness.
"This is true love - you think this happens every day?" - Westley, The Princess BrideUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-63479706142550717812019-10-26T16:14:00.001-05:002019-10-29T18:03:36.851-05:00By George, He Got It!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 19px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Don't ever take what I say too personally because I am an equal opportunity offender; though you do need a lot of work."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 19px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">-- George D. Carameros III (said to me in 1996)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINzBu1KWXOu3eaadw1ajhgp-SJ8gQJWiuZLQ3bh67ZRBFMye3nqmbKdmTIRvFodC4kF0UagZeD5SHbi4LkiLb5_m7demjzCJ8XuGYT5g87RRH-Ybky8RKu17-rHwl8w4dQyQcgrcq3GI/s1600/George_D_Carameros_IIIv2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINzBu1KWXOu3eaadw1ajhgp-SJ8gQJWiuZLQ3bh67ZRBFMye3nqmbKdmTIRvFodC4kF0UagZeD5SHbi4LkiLb5_m7demjzCJ8XuGYT5g87RRH-Ybky8RKu17-rHwl8w4dQyQcgrcq3GI/s320/George_D_Carameros_IIIv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">GEORGE DEMETRIOS CARAMEROS III - May 27, 1954 - October 25, 2019</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To Nancy, Brittney, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Courtney, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> and George IV - our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time... </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My journey with George Carameros III began in 1996 when I took my 2 youngest daughters to a church retreat at Wilderness Ridge in Bastrop, TX (sadly WR burned down in a forest fire several years ago). It was an "open church weekend" verses a specific church retreat. We were grouped together alphabetically and so it was destined that the Candelaria's and the Carameros' would share a cabin and then proceed to compete in numerous daddy daughter events throughout the weekend. Team Candelaria (Greg, Tahni and Bayli) against Team Carameros (George, Brittany and </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Courtney</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Team Carameros smoked team Candelaria 10-0. I mean, not a single event was even close, in spite of the fact George was older than me and his daughters were younger than mine. After what he called the "ultimate spanking in family sports history", he invited us to come to his restaurant where he would buy my lunch to help heal my wounds and perhaps increase my strength. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">George would never let me, nor the city of Houston for that matter, forget the Carameros dominance as he retold this story countless times to friends and strangers whenever we dined at his restauarant over the last 23 years. It should be noted that over these last 23 years, George never allowed me to pay for my lunch. A generosity that I neither deserved nor required, but it is a large part of who he was as a human being. Generous to a fault, ALWAYS.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPMcYcbJ1luyg_0HQ43YUjSX031cDog0T9cPBvmXoOE1GjoFffBB-BCkWyduh3VkGJ92Fpuy4R_Ap30B8XSWeLdJNjFKRm74MOf_lOU1JuJ7nha7trPq136zZVZAo0atLhmJ24ypdAJg/s1600/George_Nancy_10.21.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPMcYcbJ1luyg_0HQ43YUjSX031cDog0T9cPBvmXoOE1GjoFffBB-BCkWyduh3VkGJ92Fpuy4R_Ap30B8XSWeLdJNjFKRm74MOf_lOU1JuJ7nha7trPq136zZVZAo0atLhmJ24ypdAJg/s200/George_Nancy_10.21.19.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Grandparents Nancy and George</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My girls grew up affectionately calling him Uncle George and his appeal to thousands of people during his life was legendary. He never held his tongue when passionately defending positions he supported and held; yet he still endeared people on both sides of whatever issue he supported and freely communicate</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>d. It was a rare gift. Related, I must say that he could raise the temperature in a conversation faster than anyone I have ever known and that meant that no one would ever want to be on George's bad side. No one could out debate him nor out-smart him. He was a man of deep conviction who could not be swayed and could support his positions with facts and good old fashioned common sense. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQcvz0Unc2KmVNsV2-axmD55IZwXV9F-vPpJ2QWfdzyqTRFTUfe_8XYaPH2oaJgUj0Z1x2wdEvmyBGHiV2YHu5xeJQ2TTEz1PQxStXEFlGBLKPBaaDrCnQE8MCNrfCwnKtAWTZqdGVCE/s1600/Nancy_George_dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQcvz0Unc2KmVNsV2-axmD55IZwXV9F-vPpJ2QWfdzyqTRFTUfe_8XYaPH2oaJgUj0Z1x2wdEvmyBGHiV2YHu5xeJQ2TTEz1PQxStXEFlGBLKPBaaDrCnQE8MCNrfCwnKtAWTZqdGVCE/s200/Nancy_George_dancing.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lastly, he loved God and his family very much. I have such great saddness for his grandchildren who will never know what a great grandfather he was and would have been had he lived longer. I love you George Carameros and I will miss you always. You inspired me greatly with a wonderful sense of humor, an endless appetite for generosity, and the unfailing love that you had for those that you truly loved unconditionally. Rest in peace my brother.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4A79Q6RaA-YqZidF2OAugPMnpu5-4z0lCo7GqLr3k-Bi1ETa56Zcd4FziWnO4jACc_k1yoYKaYJ9HvF61Wsh4O9Uy2rYKnt18dJmLQhGVWxdylthC-Mdel_qKZ9J7yFYIS4rtfJMxY8/s1600/Brooke_George_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="852" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4A79Q6RaA-YqZidF2OAugPMnpu5-4z0lCo7GqLr3k-Bi1ETa56Zcd4FziWnO4jACc_k1yoYKaYJ9HvF61Wsh4O9Uy2rYKnt18dJmLQhGVWxdylthC-Mdel_qKZ9J7yFYIS4rtfJMxY8/s320/Brooke_George_2015.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooke Candelaria hugging on George</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91qO6euaOZkdRfqO4-nZbCLc7Uv2mG3C3F59okjvU1qwc6L1E0v_ACTN2j7zYUiWk8GhtkceUb6WOjk5FcSA4wg4xzCfkrk4Q7itB6akROdFOBnFWZhyFVmxoonxoYm3HqTIfDQmNtbU/s1600/Greg_kisses_George_60thBD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91qO6euaOZkdRfqO4-nZbCLc7Uv2mG3C3F59okjvU1qwc6L1E0v_ACTN2j7zYUiWk8GhtkceUb6WOjk5FcSA4wg4xzCfkrk4Q7itB6akROdFOBnFWZhyFVmxoonxoYm3HqTIfDQmNtbU/s320/Greg_kisses_George_60thBD.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother from another mother, 60th BD</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-13346754114688585362019-06-11T11:06:00.002-05:002019-06-11T11:06:19.259-05:00Getting Your Asian On in Houston, TX<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://ccchouston.org/tour" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="ccchouston.org/tour" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13IB63Q0Op44cYo6NuJFwcjZwn-lzpxe5BDTU4T-AwkjnI4SH5plDyKt7XQNYGDu4juWqJvkvEQBSNl2GaJ5P0c-xBDG8CgFrFvY8nk7C0jnwExBgbE5IW5mqMo-qN1DzKUR0GGGVyjA/s400/AHT64.jpg" width="400" /><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://ccchouston.org/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" Chinese Community Center" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPZcYke-ieaxv5NwWKqqe2xfAqGK2wkaqSE1P2bjk_fjUiSATicz_nfxaYH1wTpZEye0XflW6T2jfKLheOcjxPk8ZLhDC13Hd9h1GPTnJA5YwzVgDnul9d4wVtLrSwvPZdAZP9sfnXGk/s400/ccchouston_banner_HI.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Join
us on a guided bus tour and discover the best cultural, dining, and
shopping experiences our community has to offer! All tours will begin at
the Chinese Community Center. Go to <a href="http://ccchouston.org/tour">ccchouston.org/tour</a> to see upcoming tours." </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">Cathy Podell, Asian Heritage Tour Coordinator<br /><a href="mailto:tours@ccchouston.org">tours@ccchouston.org</a><br />(713) 271-6100 Ext. 129</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzEfRNl3F78LmjRrbQUWG1EcOx8cCNf3YXV2tXfdujwtHMTZu7ynl7IPyb8N1h1tEhEa215PgDCiQW9YcwYmD6Jv51bqJ9weUwpFvVQX1hMAnTBwHLu8knhgVO2Mwid3VAUy1HlfPGa4/s1600/62068585_10157301552119181_6172697426961367040_n_10157301552114181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzEfRNl3F78LmjRrbQUWG1EcOx8cCNf3YXV2tXfdujwtHMTZu7ynl7IPyb8N1h1tEhEa215PgDCiQW9YcwYmD6Jv51bqJ9weUwpFvVQX1hMAnTBwHLu8knhgVO2Mwid3VAUy1HlfPGa4/s400/62068585_10157301552119181_6172697426961367040_n_10157301552114181.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_1060310075"></span><span id="goog_1060310076"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Temple) in Stafford, TX</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_KqO17x2F7cLuAKS070FAZFe9NMOPmZQe3vkpkcYNLRFg_u7cit2lycXjoosN84KmbC39VaLgS7ZHi4HwNX0W_-FqZSMXLZJgYQRDfwJhPD3fmLnJtzpaXtsyT6OFkT6OzeJkljQU6Q/s1600/62302532_10157301551519181_7817988446168809472_n_10157301551514181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_KqO17x2F7cLuAKS070FAZFe9NMOPmZQe3vkpkcYNLRFg_u7cit2lycXjoosN84KmbC39VaLgS7ZHi4HwNX0W_-FqZSMXLZJgYQRDfwJhPD3fmLnJtzpaXtsyT6OFkT6OzeJkljQU6Q/s200/62302532_10157301551519181_7817988446168809472_n_10157301551514181.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This past Saturday (June 8, 2019) we had the pleasure to take an Asian Heritage Tour with a focus on Indian culture.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> We visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Temple) in Stafford, TX (suburb of Houston) and we were educated in Hindu history plus participated in an Arti: The Hindu Ceremony of Light. This was followed by a visit to the Anjali Center for the Performing Arts where we learned about Indian dance forms (styles) and then enjoyed several dance demonstrations performed by an amazing young lady. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
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We then proceeded to an Indian buffet meal at Mezban Indian Buffet on Harwin (the Tandoori chicked was my favorite). After lunch we went to Parivar Grocers and picked up some Indian Curry and Indian Red Chili</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> to be used in future meals at home. Lastly, we briefly popped into the Roop Sari Palace where they sell elegant and beautiful Saris.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As members of the #HoustonInsider group, we strongly recommend the Asian Heritage Tours as a part of a unique and diverse Houston experience. Not a Houston Insider yet? Go to <a href="http://visithouston.com/insider">visithouston.com/insider</a> to join. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRJ1eIs6qXqpbixBpafIe-ppOhSDqaPe53TzCguTrTeb5F82q2Ln2tjrcTwzSFLIdniEPCtQT-HyXSNi8Q94PxNLws4tckEca3zqqDcPDJbfy401eGc5GZp2U0QjDcqMmvvh0409T2Tg/s1600/62198468_10157591276536614_5524282739655704576_n_10157591276531614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRJ1eIs6qXqpbixBpafIe-ppOhSDqaPe53TzCguTrTeb5F82q2Ln2tjrcTwzSFLIdniEPCtQT-HyXSNi8Q94PxNLws4tckEca3zqqDcPDJbfy401eGc5GZp2U0QjDcqMmvvh0409T2Tg/s320/62198468_10157591276536614_5524282739655704576_n_10157591276531614.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Selfie in front of the Mandir and grounds</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0F8-IUIgLocsU-k61ZiA3a1X7SYqp4jx2ORocdDIZ9hTmIEiNe_Zdm1hbx9YVTmCFsGRGdGlZwuzVtU3Wv8GqlQAFazpy1E96bYiO3-OJcVF4RtlLKBd_Jmp5WONt0YO5EpeXIlB7us/s1600/62525961_10157301551824181_3553533323689066496_n_10157301551819181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0F8-IUIgLocsU-k61ZiA3a1X7SYqp4jx2ORocdDIZ9hTmIEiNe_Zdm1hbx9YVTmCFsGRGdGlZwuzVtU3Wv8GqlQAFazpy1E96bYiO3-OJcVF4RtlLKBd_Jmp5WONt0YO5EpeXIlB7us/s200/62525961_10157301551824181_3553533323689066496_n_10157301551819181.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo3TLsOemTjIYxR5XKB_xtY5GY7LK03ij9uPz-3XdNBb9-FmWuNgZXJEywQhG8i8zvA8UIbdtRKFprX7Pac8W7SO_P-tULFjoDsM__NfhsRONCb6UHTL-T-cmBqf4Nm3cj0LUxaG_dY4/s1600/62505093_10157301552514181_9193211745710112768_n_10157301552504181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo3TLsOemTjIYxR5XKB_xtY5GY7LK03ij9uPz-3XdNBb9-FmWuNgZXJEywQhG8i8zvA8UIbdtRKFprX7Pac8W7SO_P-tULFjoDsM__NfhsRONCb6UHTL-T-cmBqf4Nm3cj0LUxaG_dY4/s320/62505093_10157301552514181_9193211745710112768_n_10157301552504181.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anjali Center for the Performing Arts</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLQNXI05dYTAmt1JP2gduVdtIq0w60gzxVaFqtcerFjjd393SHWLRxOtUjUTvXB9Uo9GHvXU-LO6Ld3v6ZaON_r55wWl281gFI-OWLqVDLe6aV_rH2JxpUDKRTjgkADpjWgiUyNzkB_o/s1600/62143293_10157301553454181_7847356191293308928_n_10157301553444181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="750" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLQNXI05dYTAmt1JP2gduVdtIq0w60gzxVaFqtcerFjjd393SHWLRxOtUjUTvXB9Uo9GHvXU-LO6Ld3v6ZaON_r55wWl281gFI-OWLqVDLe6aV_rH2JxpUDKRTjgkADpjWgiUyNzkB_o/s200/62143293_10157301553454181_7847356191293308928_n_10157301553444181.jpg" width="156" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anjali Center for the Performing Arts</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq8pXuM8fjkMkn6vklz2MmS4Mv-TP9tf0dGiHpbgfiyASzr8Kd29zV5-EZhCpDjBLcde5oKtrKBOcxQxrBGqP7_mWrQ5MctX_cUtbtHXeCskATMXdwjRbw4js1y4bCxfq0DphQZxbnU0/s1600/62354062_10157301553874181_1954679808713555968_n_10157301553869181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq8pXuM8fjkMkn6vklz2MmS4Mv-TP9tf0dGiHpbgfiyASzr8Kd29zV5-EZhCpDjBLcde5oKtrKBOcxQxrBGqP7_mWrQ5MctX_cUtbtHXeCskATMXdwjRbw4js1y4bCxfq0DphQZxbnU0/s320/62354062_10157301553874181_1954679808713555968_n_10157301553869181.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parivar Grocers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEhaqbc991I7LZ6uaAiTOaEh524a_YcO8TLs0W01Gpi95plCJAhmnml9zFg8x2dWBOMJY2NhEkpFiqGO9ZErE3QbhPpATS6Ajk_WncHjiZOkV4_C76-miAfjH_Lfe8KtFbqDZ8CSt36oPwg/s1600/62034980_10157301553974181_7006866610845646848_n_10157301553969181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqbc991I7LZ6uaAiTOaEh524a_YcO8TLs0W01Gpi95plCJAhmnml9zFg8x2dWBOMJY2NhEkpFiqGO9ZErE3QbhPpATS6Ajk_WncHjiZOkV4_C76-miAfjH_Lfe8KtFbqDZ8CSt36oPwg/s320/62034980_10157301553974181_7006866610845646848_n_10157301553969181.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parivar Grocers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7VrGTq0D3E5qoy35dTvw3XiLL8mxXfiUlpraZO01FL-kF1SwmqNp-VEQcsdPtyPU2QgXhy1JwMO68ohJnzDn7aEJIx40FIHIGKpQw3hM_pAupKA9hGshO-amRirL2X259oEMfDlHcRs/s1600/62433170_10157591276516614_6696134845195616256_n_10157591276511614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7VrGTq0D3E5qoy35dTvw3XiLL8mxXfiUlpraZO01FL-kF1SwmqNp-VEQcsdPtyPU2QgXhy1JwMO68ohJnzDn7aEJIx40FIHIGKpQw3hM_pAupKA9hGshO-amRirL2X259oEMfDlHcRs/s400/62433170_10157591276516614_6696134845195616256_n_10157591276511614.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mezban Indian Buffet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">#HOUSTONINSIDER</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-25098145231063064592019-05-23T17:10:00.000-05:002019-05-23T17:18:48.153-05:00FOMO Relief Alert - Become a Houston Insider<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42iYTjUqf4qPKsTWD4vMPkMoXNs5ZJOkuWvEMNsUHn0c_TGTkm7GULUf6O7fPI670Kr-RWzUNZL7G2Im1uqqCLTDZdRA_z39z2IGofkHfdop-NozWsnsHj9Gno9Cn1Nj7PzbAE0vLtR0/s1600/HI_Downtown2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="765" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42iYTjUqf4qPKsTWD4vMPkMoXNs5ZJOkuWvEMNsUHn0c_TGTkm7GULUf6O7fPI670Kr-RWzUNZL7G2Im1uqqCLTDZdRA_z39z2IGofkHfdop-NozWsnsHj9Gno9Cn1Nj7PzbAE0vLtR0/s400/HI_Downtown2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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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;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"This is a place where you really are what you achieve in Houston, and that's a tremendous boon to this town. I think you'll find people who have succeeded because of that kind of open culture."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Richard Kinder <span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From the Houston Insider Sign-Up Page (link below):</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8N_bJNZ2OO1acod-EkmvVq_4gRZaJNxy6OnsB2e41_S0ZRttTDptbe7WVrkQvLO3I7F5YSJWIyokqR0ipR5mjQ7vXYoDRKxBykGPlLZ64rL693VNT7BDHsvIu6NntQ9Mr4tXn3FXVII/s1600/Hillary_Brooke_HI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8N_bJNZ2OO1acod-EkmvVq_4gRZaJNxy6OnsB2e41_S0ZRttTDptbe7WVrkQvLO3I7F5YSJWIyokqR0ipR5mjQ7vXYoDRKxBykGPlLZ64rL693VNT7BDHsvIu6NntQ9Mr4tXn3FXVII/s320/Hillary_Brooke_HI.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houston Dynamo Event - #HoustonInsider</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Get on the List: Become a Houston Insider</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
Houston has a lot to offer, and nobody knows that better than those of us who live here. We’re on a mission to educate, engage and excite all Houstonians about being the best ambassadors for the city. To do that, we’ve created the Houston Insider program to share insights and experiences to make sure our Insiders are in the know on the latest and greatest.<br />
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What’s in it for you? Besides all that insider knowledge, which is sure to impress your friends and neighbors, Houston Insiders will have access to FOMO-inducing (fear of missing out) special events, sneak previews and experiences, networking opportunities, giveaways, bragging rights, and more.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRoVWQpvqXTzDQ4bJ9X-x1FdWlcx9Fva6EMde7HAIangvHlcUugXVfqf3glHFWIIucc2PLolYIEMiifLmlx20ev2ZBfX_nF_ZJX9-94vCoqjCt7kT1McwBJbtJ2fCk6YL9axPc-xlThg/s1600/Dynamo_gameHI.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRoVWQpvqXTzDQ4bJ9X-x1FdWlcx9Fva6EMde7HAIangvHlcUugXVfqf3glHFWIIucc2PLolYIEMiifLmlx20ev2ZBfX_nF_ZJX9-94vCoqjCt7kT1McwBJbtJ2fCk6YL9axPc-xlThg/s320/Dynamo_gameHI.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houston Dynamo Event - #HoustonInsider</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEg3GFBuQfmxixOioFRdaWpvChj7y9iwQwBGqHn-8kW6l4hyphenhypheneepAx0liv11O4EPgelKizhN98KBY-BG-7CaBD-tscEKFkPsxoeSse_ifudClv5Sm48Ied6FC78AzMThdzltE-QyFVbPIPAk/s1600/IMG_9463.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GFBuQfmxixOioFRdaWpvChj7y9iwQwBGqHn-8kW6l4hyphenhypheneepAx0liv11O4EPgelKizhN98KBY-BG-7CaBD-tscEKFkPsxoeSse_ifudClv5Sm48Ied6FC78AzMThdzltE-QyFVbPIPAk/s320/IMG_9463.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> #HoustonInsider Event at Miss Carousel</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Visit Houston has made it super easy for you to get started. Simply complete their short online overview course made up of two modules, which take approximately 15 minutes each to complete. You don’t have to complete them all at once, you can save and come back to them later. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll officially be on the list, and you'll be added to the monthly newsletter list full of special Insider event details, contests and hot tips for the month. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pssttt... You need to open this in Chrome on your desktop. For mobile visitors - the link below will direct you to the app store so you can download the Houston Insider app and take the course from your phone!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI37nigy-EMt_wPwoDY4Ihl1kdiLgh2kNnS40hForEw7znM5RX4fQ63aJm9PWJn3CPTUWVDSsuueQtIiAm8d74qDGF8C0ufDPCDH0mWnm-dO0zg6eNpl1qq9zYS_y73BoFqaXUMb1Vl1M/s1600/HI_Carnival_Ship.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="828" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI37nigy-EMt_wPwoDY4Ihl1kdiLgh2kNnS40hForEw7znM5RX4fQ63aJm9PWJn3CPTUWVDSsuueQtIiAm8d74qDGF8C0ufDPCDH0mWnm-dO0zg6eNpl1qq9zYS_y73BoFqaXUMb1Vl1M/s320/HI_Carnival_Ship.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://visithouston.travpromobile.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://visithouston.travpromobile.com/login" border="0" data-original-height="81" data-original-width="519" height="49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1WYy3vaU8m6NI3_EsiRY8Ol67kF4lo4wcmXhQRW0mnOyh0_fWY3i0X1a9xh3lEn-VNT11mV2r2knOkX8sG5G-enM_tonR76ravURDFzPlKA8FmeaO47S3jCE6mWXsxy_CQeS7E6LVks/s320/become_HI_button.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://visithouston.travpromobile.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;">CLICK BANNER</span></span></a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"It really started cooking when I moved to Houston. I bought a house and got my own barbecue pit."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Earl Campbell </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>#HoustonInsider</b></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-23332067074261489002018-12-10T12:31:00.000-06:002018-12-10T12:47:35.215-06:00When A Rising Tide Floats All Hopes<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/AVvXsEik8NGzLUX90JOt-gsJEIRLFn2CsWUOA9xQkC2ladZsln0hcMxkrw6-KSzSAtEk6rJRwoWKjjIX2dJPNCD3V-AaiYOgHhCB6fLcLQW-2sq-noEmbSQ_QjJthiuwWB5l4qrLjfxMIwRbAA0/s1600/JRP_GB41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8NGzLUX90JOt-gsJEIRLFn2CsWUOA9xQkC2ladZsln0hcMxkrw6-KSzSAtEk6rJRwoWKjjIX2dJPNCD3V-AaiYOgHhCB6fLcLQW-2sq-noEmbSQ_QjJthiuwWB5l4qrLjfxMIwRbAA0/s400/JRP_GB41.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>"On Board with Houston" by John Ross Palmer</b></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"In crucial things, unity. In important things, diversity. In all things, generosity."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- President George H.W. Bush <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(June 12, 1924 - November 30, 2018)</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Artist John Ross Palmer is a fifth generation Texan and a native Houstonian. As a means to help him heal after seeing the devastation </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">to his hometown </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>that was caused by Hurricane Harvey, Palmer created <b>"On Board with Houston"</b>. Watching the relief efforts, Palmer was most captivated by the men, women, children and pets that had to be rescued from the horrifically high flood waters by boats. A veritable armada of mostly privately owned boats used to save neighbors and fellow citizens.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The painting features seven interlocked boats symbolizing the coordination, communication, teamwork and generosity of first responders who came, not only from Houston, but from all across the United States. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>"On Board with Houston"</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> paints a positive and uplifting message about the power of communities coming together to help each other. These combined efforts have led to the rebuilding of a stronger Houston since Hurricane Harvey.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Starting in 2017, Palmer has worked closely with the George H. W. Bush Foundation to create artwork for the 20th Anniversary of President Bush's library in College Station, TX. In the wake of the storm, Palmer met with the former President at his summer home on Walker's Point to share the painting. He loved it! President Bush and Palmer hatched an idea to sell prints of the painting to raise funds for the Points of Light Foundation's Hurricane Harvey relief effort, including the Foundation's plans for a long-term volunteer program throughout Houston. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To honor the former President and also add another inspirational element to the painting, Palmer infused small white dots amidst the letters of "Houston", representing the 41st President of the Untied States' Thousand Points of Light initiative and its ongoing efforts to support and encourage volunteerism. The painting was signed by both President George H. W. Bush and Artist John Ross Palmer on Thursday, August 31, 2017 in Kennebunkport, Maine.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We purchased this print and so can you. "On Board with Houston" prints are created, packaged and shipped from Houston, TX.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">John Ross Palmer Art </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">713.861.6726 </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">http://www.johnpalmerart.com/</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-57469797238266239822018-02-08T12:18:00.001-06:002018-02-08T13:52:08.206-06:00The Road to Forgiveness and Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx942L-juvlpJ2oMtjYOPUbp9TNooyf33cIwZLznR7Zu0T-NiGXfKTj08cgynz6quqOE25mSUvxo7VhHpc1Ir0Vi21AkoPxV9mcjVQFn1Gz8WcrSqTj2Mm9kYWxch6hgzKgI-pwvP7W64/s1600/road_forgiveness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="1093" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx942L-juvlpJ2oMtjYOPUbp9TNooyf33cIwZLznR7Zu0T-NiGXfKTj08cgynz6quqOE25mSUvxo7VhHpc1Ir0Vi21AkoPxV9mcjVQFn1Gz8WcrSqTj2Mm9kYWxch6hgzKgI-pwvP7W64/s400/road_forgiveness.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> "The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Mahatma Gandhi<span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you happen to be one of the millions of viewers of the NBC hit show "This Is Us", you have no doubt taken notice that the plot has regularly taken nearly every character on a journey to find peace at the crossroads of forgiveness. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The program is extraordinarily powerful at stirring deep emotional reactions in every single viewer. And not because the patriarch and nearly perfect protagonist dies, but because every single person who has followed the series journey can personally relate to the pain and suffering in one or more of the character's "lives".</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my own personal life experience I have discovered that nothing good ever comes from anger or the lack of an ability or desire to forgive. More often than not, the two are deeply intertwined. It is like a virus that everyone suffers from that inevitably flares up from time to time. I wish that I could say that I am immune to this condition, but I am not and neither are you. Look, I realize that there are simply some circumstances that we mere mortals just cannot find a way to get past. Sadly, as a result, ideal peace and happiness will never quite be achieved. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This truth is known, peace and happiness are not static conditions, but rather dynamic places that we all arrive at and depart from with endless regularity; regardless of age, experience, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">education, faith, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>health, heritage, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">physical strength, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> or </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">socioeconomic status</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>. The characters in "This Is Us" ultimately become their best (sometimes only temporarily) when they reconcile with their own "demons"; oft times self created. I implore you, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">in your very real life, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>to pursue the best reconciliation you can muster with the people, places, circumstances, conditions, and things that keep you from being your best. I can assure you that happiness, peace, and strength will be excellent by-products. Indeed! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-57552637235081896242018-01-26T16:51:00.000-06:002018-01-26T17:06:02.254-06:00So, What Do You Do?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim58BtQGsw3Ljumj4oVH8FfuX9bSLGZpYQf63bF1rkHdF7m9C4-OkCT68aty1L0ZOPGRXh96valjWc9KzJ8hjefkRJEGhIlKVBk7DMKzYcCV75iqJTP1t0_7aCk-eIvONm5CIpg3RCz8/s1600/New_Life_Old_Life.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="487" data-original-width="651" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim58BtQGsw3Ljumj4oVH8FfuX9bSLGZpYQf63bF1rkHdF7m9C4-OkCT68aty1L0ZOPGRXh96valjWc9KzJ8hjefkRJEGhIlKVBk7DMKzYcCV75iqJTP1t0_7aCk-eIvONm5CIpg3RCz8/s400/New_Life_Old_Life.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> "There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbs<span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn81yR9D2BDxtEnUsrJQo1zrT_gNjk48fUqkg9LxDiH3szAsQzSvAxdh-eYQyQM1T67EqWZJ6FHJq7oApxh34lnzajSE69N7V8C59Od4-9JRs000RubJyumJwMn3aLV1xi0IXQJMOEo08/s1600/GAC_bizcard_FB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="402" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn81yR9D2BDxtEnUsrJQo1zrT_gNjk48fUqkg9LxDiH3szAsQzSvAxdh-eYQyQM1T67EqWZJ6FHJq7oApxh34lnzajSE69N7V8C59Od4-9JRs000RubJyumJwMn3aLV1xi0IXQJMOEo08/s320/GAC_bizcard_FB.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is official: I have finally ordered my new "so, what do you do" cards allowing me to continue my retirement in a stress and drama free lifestyle, to which I have become accustomed. Well, not counting the fact that my wife Brooke alleges that I have discovered new and improved ways of getting on her nerves. To me, I feel as though I have mastered new skills to demonstrate my undying love to and for her; all in only 10 short months.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But, I digress. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have said previously that I believe one of the greatest by-products of retirement is flexibility. I have become a wanderluster, I have expanded my foodie palette, and most importantly, I have become a formidable </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">professional sleeper-inner</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. I am quite literally available for practically anything at anytime (after 10:00 am local time of course). </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Folks, these are significant skills I am talking about! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brooke and I often get out and about in Houston attending art gallery openings, checking out new restaurants, or going to our regular haunts. We are very social and friendly, and as a result, we meet many interesting and engaging strangers. Inevitably, the number one question that we are asked by new people we meet is, "So, what do you do?"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brooke has mentioned to me that she prefers that I NOT say, "Well, I was just released from prison and I am trying to adjust to restaurant food and a free society!" I have solved this perplexing and difficult question to answer by simply ordering my own cards that are self-explanatory. Not to mention what it has done for my street cred!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjsl-HqVBYHTH_8PNgerRZmKMwRSsGXQxK8JOq-ObzA2zEK45r3gX-e-PgkRfgYWDXkTd2cU5Crv9CxbkMw7AcjfcR33uDx6dCF6B1RknKBdc-Txv_q27StLyE7kKvri4JxJha6w1SDY/s1600/IMG_1851.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjsl-HqVBYHTH_8PNgerRZmKMwRSsGXQxK8JOq-ObzA2zEK45r3gX-e-PgkRfgYWDXkTd2cU5Crv9CxbkMw7AcjfcR33uDx6dCF6B1RknKBdc-Txv_q27StLyE7kKvri4JxJha6w1SDY/s320/IMG_1851.png" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Chi Chi Rodriguez</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-65071889079295201722018-01-11T14:06:00.000-06:002018-01-11T14:52:34.181-06:00Why Retirement Should Be A Bucket List Goal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw5QyKDYx799oT4lqFcb3laV06Ae_Wr0yPs1Uarff9Ula6EXX8WzyyVFGqIwcFkdxIIcohNlYfjyY7npg7rR1BKE9CMeHVeSiHBmLmMNKjYn3Xhc75SvNokQndo-BHZhDDAxbbCOjOxk/s1600/Lombardi_retirement.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="524" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhw5QyKDYx799oT4lqFcb3laV06Ae_Wr0yPs1Uarff9Ula6EXX8WzyyVFGqIwcFkdxIIcohNlYfjyY7npg7rR1BKE9CMeHVeSiHBmLmMNKjYn3Xhc75SvNokQndo-BHZhDDAxbbCOjOxk/s400/Lombardi_retirement.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hard to believe it already, but I have been retired for over 9 months now. This means that many new babies have been born AFTER I officially retired. I am asked several times a week, "Are you bored yet?" The truth is that I have probably had less moments when I could say that I was experiencing boredom than when I was working full-time. The central reason is that I have simply replaced work activities with other activities. Things like more personal travel, joining my wife on her business trips, and sleeping in whenever I want (to name only a few)!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reading many recent reports and looking at numerous statistics, one might start to believe that we are quickly nearing the point where a Time Magazine cover might proclaim, "Retirement is Dead!" The sub-title might continue with an assertion that, for most, retirement in America begins at one's death. Sadly, I fear a vast majority of people reading this blog post may agree that the sentiment is true for them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am blessed to have been able to retire and I will offer one single piece of advice to everyone, regardless of your age; pay yourself first - PERIOD. I will acknowledge that there are many who have circumstances that are nearly, if not completely, insurmountable (i.e., the generational poor, the physically or mentally ill, those who lack access to adequate education, etc.). I learned from my parents that saving was the first bill I should pay every month. As I have grown older, I have been saddened to see so much squandered (subject for a future blog) by so many who could be retired today or in the near future.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Switching to a lighter note, I thought I would share my top 10 personal observations (9 months in) on why retirement should be on your bucket list:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There IS life after whatever you are doing and it IS better - imagine a place where the grass IS greener</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Complete freedom and flexibility after years of the exact opposite</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You earned it (like vacation but with no end point)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everyday can start at whenever you want (for me, 10:00 is a nice round number)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Getting enough sleep becomes "a thing"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Alarm clocks are optional</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can binge watch or binge read and it can be on a weekday</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Personal travel is possible and will occur more often</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Availability for things that really matter expand dramatically and with less drama</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">At last, YOU are the boss of YOU (or your direction comes from someone not paying you for such direction - Love you Brooke) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-84167522080477683382017-07-30T13:12:00.001-05:002017-07-30T13:39:31.808-05:00A Vacation State of Mind!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LO9FHRaDR7EtnDGBWOtC-m7w2vi7UPFJdJ_q3iR8Y2lCbSUgyXRQPaHrDmdYmcQTs1lj5Cwp-LveyoxZrHeggSWt029fPVuVih08DCtnnXEeUlfX0JWJc61QyzJlC1hVtVE8kOpPopE/s1600/EurpoeanVacation_MF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="620" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LO9FHRaDR7EtnDGBWOtC-m7w2vi7UPFJdJ_q3iR8Y2lCbSUgyXRQPaHrDmdYmcQTs1lj5Cwp-LveyoxZrHeggSWt029fPVuVih08DCtnnXEeUlfX0JWJc61QyzJlC1hVtVE8kOpPopE/s320/EurpoeanVacation_MF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking.<br />
</div><div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span>-- Earl Wilson (American Journalist: 1907-1987) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking.<br />
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/earlwilson384618.html?src=t_vacation</div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Through the whole of my career life the one thing that I have always held sacred was my earned vacation. I have met many (who shall remain nameless because they know who they are) who have sadly forfeited their vacations, or even worse, worked the entire time they were "off". Let me clarify the definition of vacation as any time off work that is used for the sole and expressed purpose of recharging one's soul enriching batteries. It has nothing to do with exotic places visited, but rather, the conscientious moving of your life into a neutral destination to find and enjoy peace. It can be enjoyed anywhere and at anytime that one makes themselves available.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Toiling continually without rest is a sure prescription for a shorter existence. Today, the majority of the world lives in abject poverty, working tirelessly just to live a subsistence life. Imagine just how much any one of these people would relish even a short period of "vacation"? Yet, many Americans with the means and the access to vacation take such a benefit for granted or let finite portions of time simply expire; </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="">Qué lástima (</span></span>what a shame)!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"The real tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Adam Smith</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Matthew 11:28 (NKJV)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwzqYaxWpriyq-270fH71RiuAdFguTrbBagzAwUELgq7wybVhui60B-QjO_Z1JpKd6DsjxVsV7h4rRriOBgkAKuB3HQlZukdUH2HaJQgJFvWSy5Tu5JrHPuvC5nYNEZED6koZTpcZYsQ/s1600/vaca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="232" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwzqYaxWpriyq-270fH71RiuAdFguTrbBagzAwUELgq7wybVhui60B-QjO_Z1JpKd6DsjxVsV7h4rRriOBgkAKuB3HQlZukdUH2HaJQgJFvWSy5Tu5JrHPuvC5nYNEZED6koZTpcZYsQ/s400/vaca.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-23797615121206896972017-07-27T17:01:00.001-05:002017-07-27T17:01:30.639-05:00I Regret to Inform You...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Da8i15WoI96aKtdqk38pskxqzQs2a3Nzj6r8mFtbeRMRhXuGNE3w8-L-0HGIOBxpvr3R7P3eMbERE7A3kIrVcgjPiOmMTkQMhsZOxHNpkHhhTCip1P4lqXq-WCm7RNAPkJlYTecxIgw/s1600/no_regrets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="605" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Da8i15WoI96aKtdqk38pskxqzQs2a3Nzj6r8mFtbeRMRhXuGNE3w8-L-0HGIOBxpvr3R7P3eMbERE7A3kIrVcgjPiOmMTkQMhsZOxHNpkHhhTCip1P4lqXq-WCm7RNAPkJlYTecxIgw/s320/no_regrets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">"One doesn't recognize the really important moments in one's life until it's too late."</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Agatha Christie</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T0vdXPwKvY6r0MdUKV5jYI2wdWHa5ZjtmIrHQkEGbJjkgeMXyIrxAF4KR7BYXNeZqCfqk-IHiia0KocC89pjh_dSipm3XVr2ZHPZ_BnQMoSOfK-HVOKWYNadPiC-6MSxKZR1x6KHJBI/s1600/Dont_ruin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="180" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3T0vdXPwKvY6r0MdUKV5jYI2wdWHa5ZjtmIrHQkEGbJjkgeMXyIrxAF4KR7BYXNeZqCfqk-IHiia0KocC89pjh_dSipm3XVr2ZHPZ_BnQMoSOfK-HVOKWYNadPiC-6MSxKZR1x6KHJBI/s200/Dont_ruin.png" width="128" /></a><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The older I get, the more thankful I become for every additional day that I am alive and for the <span style="color: #990000;">people, places, and things</span> that make my life a richer experience. Getting to where I am today has not come without the loss of friends and family; both literally and figuratively. It is "oh so easy" and futile to look back and harbor regrets. Worse yet is to look forward and expect regrets. Look back and see regrets as lessons learned rather than as a place to live until your last day or as a place to revisit in your future. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are three things that will eat away at a person's life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness; and I am not talking about the US Declaration of Independence:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anger</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Regret</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Inability to forgive</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For many, the road of life</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> is littered with the wreckage of these life sucking things! Sadly, the young are destined to take these same well traveled roads, regardless of the wise counsel of those who have traveled them previously. At 18, I knew everything. At 30, I started to have real doubts about my "genius". At 60, I am a humbled philosopher with so much more to learn.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today, I implore you to not fail to recognize the REALLY important moments in your life. "Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQhyPplgG06TXIg6wAvSkE9Ga2lVIBGHqbTsp7NBQeQzFkG6oYTAXiXalLEtFJo0_EAfhGziWkE_YTct3N2Y0MBUkeBqMw63qAio3kROkv0uW5MXfXwEt7FyGflorVu4-FEQ6VhzaFRw/s1600/carpe_diem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="1600" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQhyPplgG06TXIg6wAvSkE9Ga2lVIBGHqbTsp7NBQeQzFkG6oYTAXiXalLEtFJo0_EAfhGziWkE_YTct3N2Y0MBUkeBqMw63qAio3kROkv0uW5MXfXwEt7FyGflorVu4-FEQ6VhzaFRw/s320/carpe_diem.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-62917118051234773972017-07-26T16:27:00.001-05:002017-07-26T16:51:06.684-05:00Wanderlust and a Thirst for Local Knowledge <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>One Woman's Quest for her CTA (the acronym more traveled) -</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctuHKTkujmvNupeQlLdTgDg1COl23nV0kelhvMiN5Mi45_5fjoH8zSjjfjlB7qgJK2sdoUfZBg0owdxrg82j999X1rnKxiub4GLoeD1vGwQvRhu4VPhUrkn-XPWFKhE4a-HtajZmYnHo/s1600/Brooke_CTA_v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="915" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctuHKTkujmvNupeQlLdTgDg1COl23nV0kelhvMiN5Mi45_5fjoH8zSjjfjlB7qgJK2sdoUfZBg0owdxrg82j999X1rnKxiub4GLoeD1vGwQvRhu4VPhUrkn-XPWFKhE4a-HtajZmYnHo/s320/Brooke_CTA_v2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today, Brooke received her official certificate of designation as an official Houston CTA.</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> For those unfamiliar, a CTA is a Certified Tourism Ambassador. I have lived here in Houston for nearly 38 years and Brooke knows more about her adopted city than I will probably ever know. Congratulations Brooke! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each day now, Brooke will start several conversations with the seemingly innocuous, "Did you know ___________ about Houston?" Or, "I do not think you know just how significant <insert year> was to the history of Houston?" Which of course I do not know of such significance, but regardless, I act impressed and amazed by her fountain of information. My former most popular response to her, "Yes dear!" has been replaced by the famous phrase coined by the late Johnny Carson, "I did not know that?"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-c2B_nNlJQX0g_gCqbv15aBUrd6ui0kltHOhrNQIczObv7uBVOMt6Jfjp1ApAXUxXBGuC7LFOfAqkQ4K1Nm2XikMDUD8Trc52UZjeAFhlg9JwR9uHYkrddmf3Ngh4UOSV0GBSFW64tI/s1600/sdoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-c2B_nNlJQX0g_gCqbv15aBUrd6ui0kltHOhrNQIczObv7uBVOMt6Jfjp1ApAXUxXBGuC7LFOfAqkQ4K1Nm2XikMDUD8Trc52UZjeAFhlg9JwR9uHYkrddmf3Ngh4UOSV0GBSFW64tI/s1600/sdoo.jpg" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhTF-DAiO5kJrq8zNI2Czle3eQQZY1JpJDKXV1YwEjxktw1T8fX5JutYV02vAbsvw8yfARuJaC0YykEVbbpojSf-voNmGwSAqF0rS8QM0VtRoqt-YQg8LeoDfJM9tpmQ1JeLkzzc50CE/s1600/superhost_photo_badge.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="40" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhTF-DAiO5kJrq8zNI2Czle3eQQZY1JpJDKXV1YwEjxktw1T8fX5JutYV02vAbsvw8yfARuJaC0YykEVbbpojSf-voNmGwSAqF0rS8QM0VtRoqt-YQg8LeoDfJM9tpmQ1JeLkzzc50CE/s1600/superhost_photo_badge.png" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When you are an AirBnB Super Host this certification comes in quite handy when asked uncommon questions like, "Where is the closest grocery store?" or, "Is the water safe to drink?" Seriously, we actually get that question quite frequently and I always quickly hide my Scooby Doo look for fear of offending a guest. Now, if this was <insert year>, that would be an excellent question to ask.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">All joking aside, the vast amount of things that Brooke knows about Houston is mind-boggling. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">She is versed and knowledgeable in truly interesting historical facts that have changed the attitudes (towards Houston) in the minds of nearly every guest that we have had the privilege to host. Houston is richer for her enthusiasm for this great city.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeEWPlqYIGwS-SL88Nt95ectdybBShCVPOgQXEe-JVrA3Grnz0-0sTcqXsMfSH_3zSB-9FSwOWrVTBUMyiGQTk_WVch1ghO0fmrdRSeQpWktXXp0TkygN8EzU0Vld8dh0vrEWHg6ayew/s1600/IMG_3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeEWPlqYIGwS-SL88Nt95ectdybBShCVPOgQXEe-JVrA3Grnz0-0sTcqXsMfSH_3zSB-9FSwOWrVTBUMyiGQTk_WVch1ghO0fmrdRSeQpWktXXp0TkygN8EzU0Vld8dh0vrEWHg6ayew/s320/IMG_3592.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Brooke Candelaria - Houston CTA</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Are you curious about any Houston detail? Ask Brooke! Rumor has it that she has taught Alexa and Siri everything they know! She would make the Allen brothers proud. For more information check out </span><a href="https://www.visithoustontexas.com/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">VisitHouston.com</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. </span></span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-34433735290181802532017-07-20T18:47:00.000-05:002017-07-20T19:09:37.137-05:00Cancer is a Dirty Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqzxvzNLcWDQPw-ssQAyIZmwwX1kBCZCnwnp4ejX8qMLq6Lmr-MqMugihgqNgMULkHQfVezMybXJZeJ8f9W-zUYi_7osZco90yJfSHWgwNN_WQVnQLboPL1DYFnwDOWX_FvKsLJdZ1Zc/s1600/MD_Anderson_Cancer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="83" data-original-width="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoqzxvzNLcWDQPw-ssQAyIZmwwX1kBCZCnwnp4ejX8qMLq6Lmr-MqMugihgqNgMULkHQfVezMybXJZeJ8f9W-zUYi_7osZco90yJfSHWgwNN_WQVnQLboPL1DYFnwDOWX_FvKsLJdZ1Zc/s1600/MD_Anderson_Cancer.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Houston's world famous <a href="https://www.mdanderson.org/" target="_blank">MD Anderson Cancer Center</a> uses a great double entendre in all of its marketing. In fact, <a href="http://makingcancerhistory.com/home.html" target="_blank">"Making Cancer History"</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="_Tgc _y9e">®</span> is a registered trademark; a powerful message in 3 simple words! Three words that nary a single person would oppose. MD Anderson is doing extraordinary leading-edge research with one simple mission - end cancer, everywhere.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7p8Pbh5HHEkBlIZJTbRjk0j_UsASZMxg2j4XWusyG_AHT5CKTZXrjtGJ_9c-hf5kQ9iFvz1XbmXFfm3nPO189nYEgw4RadkCvEMBovx-s2h76DVvPxwTjyXrXYDILclpgFn8sEn_UtE/s1600/zero_cancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="211" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7p8Pbh5HHEkBlIZJTbRjk0j_UsASZMxg2j4XWusyG_AHT5CKTZXrjtGJ_9c-hf5kQ9iFvz1XbmXFfm3nPO189nYEgw4RadkCvEMBovx-s2h76DVvPxwTjyXrXYDILclpgFn8sEn_UtE/s200/zero_cancer.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I do not know a single person unaffected by cancer. As of this writing, I am pleased to report that I have reached age 60 without personally having cancer of any kind, but I have seen more than my fair share of death to friends or family. The past 2 years alone has left me with great sadness coupled with tremendous gratitude for the miracle of remission in a few. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the definitions for "remission" from Dictionary.com: <b><span style="color: #990000;">a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease</span></b>.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Troubling for me is the temporary part. Truthfully, life itself is only temporary. I am encouraged by some of the latest cancer treatments that are delivering a <i>"permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of cancer</i>"; if only until one's designated and </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">predetermined </span></span></span></span></span></span>hour of death due to other causes.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Over the past several days the world has heard of US Senator John McCain's diagnosis of brain cancer; a form considered to be very aggressive. This is discouraging news indeed, especially for those personally connected to Senator McCain. Today, I will stand in prayer for Senator McCain and his family, but also for the thousands of those who are afflicted with cancer and are not famous, except as courageous heroes to their own family and friends.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Thank you MD Anderson for your continued fight to make cancer history! </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yrA4diFBGQ__DfCNN3CYvDUKkBGhezSPQlnpmIWSuXqjkEYlRlNjVxJ8wX7nhWmTKt-AsZ4QpfTjdG_2Nfd2WvDb_VMgmkaxvNcqQktY6jwOet5saTdveqz425HBZDTNNxC5mgDHADo/s1600/cure_cancer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8yrA4diFBGQ__DfCNN3CYvDUKkBGhezSPQlnpmIWSuXqjkEYlRlNjVxJ8wX7nhWmTKt-AsZ4QpfTjdG_2Nfd2WvDb_VMgmkaxvNcqQktY6jwOet5saTdveqz425HBZDTNNxC5mgDHADo/s400/cure_cancer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-41502304366417282112017-07-18T10:54:00.000-05:002017-07-18T16:05:21.950-05:00Pitch This!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCJAHcv51cGB1ZVjDCeBbvJmQvVe1uGny0GF6zf3uelCJ-OEipgzYF4ztEta4smblN9NRfNt08ViZYZdVHpO2MDcbGPatJN15mbpLDyE-Wcghh_GlXSL0CsijX9ymralBt4jwHn-f3ro/s1600/Play_Ball.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="302" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCJAHcv51cGB1ZVjDCeBbvJmQvVe1uGny0GF6zf3uelCJ-OEipgzYF4ztEta4smblN9NRfNt08ViZYZdVHpO2MDcbGPatJN15mbpLDyE-Wcghh_GlXSL0CsijX9ymralBt4jwHn-f3ro/s400/Play_Ball.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">"The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers."</span></b></span> <span style="font-size: small;">- Earl Weaver</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When it comes to sports, my wife Brooke fits into the "see it live and in person" category. Don't get me wrong, she is not really interested in the game -- she just loves the social experience that comes along with being taken out to the ballgame. And these are the rare times that she will actually eat a hot dog (means I am allowed one as well).</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRddHb0l4-ONd7KGVkxeqRqF7bNlWjqaX1bTozQkG728M53bUW3ABjP8YaqiK1aoVoNStCnHz1NWlV9nLMa0SeAO6U0dDNmExH-NbvDLtqrpiOwOVgp5oQLwfuDduBjJSRVxlMyNlvCsQ/s1600/mike-fiers-82115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRddHb0l4-ONd7KGVkxeqRqF7bNlWjqaX1bTozQkG728M53bUW3ABjP8YaqiK1aoVoNStCnHz1NWlV9nLMa0SeAO6U0dDNmExH-NbvDLtqrpiOwOVgp5oQLwfuDduBjJSRVxlMyNlvCsQ/s320/mike-fiers-82115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Nearly 2 years ago we witnessed Mike Fiers of the Houston Astros throw a no-hitter at Minute Maid Park. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was amazing to actually see one of only 296 no-hitters that have so far been pitched. </span></span></span></span></span></span>For me, I love baseball above all else because every single pitch thrown is strategic. What combination of pitches does a particular pitcher throw and what kind of pitch is a batter most likely to hit, etc., etc. After the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">no-hitter, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>I decided that it was time for me to teach Brooke about the holy trinity of <span style="color: #cc0000;">pitching no-no nevers</span>: </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never allow the inning lead-off hitter to get on base</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never allow an opposing pitcher to reach base and especially by being walked</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never allow a base runner to steal home</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In the beginning Brooke seemed genuinely interested in learning these interesting facts and why they are actually important in the strategy of every baseball game played. That was until last night when I eagerly asked her if she remembered the holy trinity of pitching no-no nevers? She said, "Sure!": </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never allow any hitter to score a touchdown with a grand slam</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never disrespect an opposing pitcher especially one with a "wicked" slider</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Never start a land war in Asia </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Funny gal that one. Alas, it's a work in progress. Perhaps she will seriously share my enthusiasm for the game someday? Better yet, maybe she will let me get the chili dog next time. Play Ball!</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-2784159940151385392017-07-17T13:23:00.000-05:002017-07-17T13:23:13.089-05:00A Funny Thing Happened On My Way Through IBM - Retirement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibREEJqvOyHcWrSzGiOHV3m5wc_4PwyKwetAf0aKAESdWYn_mkjSxFXklFHGdkNmvmCMfISxyWLS5eRqlUwSvuFhtcIPLEjutDJDTM9PZGtScNpyrYFgrVRk0NrJa3p11IYQAafADHMm4/s1600/Retirement_Plaque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="948" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibREEJqvOyHcWrSzGiOHV3m5wc_4PwyKwetAf0aKAESdWYn_mkjSxFXklFHGdkNmvmCMfISxyWLS5eRqlUwSvuFhtcIPLEjutDJDTM9PZGtScNpyrYFgrVRk0NrJa3p11IYQAafADHMm4/s400/Retirement_Plaque.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000;">"If you work for a living, why do you kill yourself working?"</span> <span style="font-size: small;">- Tuco the Ugly</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was 43 years old when I joined IBM back in July 2000. Having already worked full-time for 25 years I had worked only 1 job exceeding 5 years of continuous employment. You see, I get bored easily and so my singular goal when I walked into IBM on July 31, 2000 was to stay at least 5 years before seeking my next "green pasture". To turn the words and paraphrase an old adage, retirement was the rest of my career history.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b1m2MdM5oe6ocg-vo7tWlQGU8U5a-6GMctTV1nmffl8FK0ZQN920QIRQnXI_YjV2E8BpoFd2zckWIDGDpetHdAKejsCK5ARXd5nXfl0aHu27-G-GT3EDvXBCKUzv5uCB12OwM7aET50/s1600/Good-bad-ugly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="856" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b1m2MdM5oe6ocg-vo7tWlQGU8U5a-6GMctTV1nmffl8FK0ZQN920QIRQnXI_YjV2E8BpoFd2zckWIDGDpetHdAKejsCK5ARXd5nXfl0aHu27-G-GT3EDvXBCKUzv5uCB12OwM7aET50/s200/Good-bad-ugly.jpg" width="154" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Simply put, as I progressed through my nearly 17 year career at IBM, I realized that there was profound truth in the immortal words spoken by Tuco the Ugly in, <span style="color: #990000;">"The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly"</span>. In large part, I was truly blessed to be able to retire at age 60 thanks to the grace of God and my employment at IBM. In that time I worked 8 different jobs, traveled the world </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nearly 3 million miles </span></span></span></span></span></span>through the air, lived briefly in Dubai and in Brazil, and most importantly, met literally thousands of wonderful, exceptionally talented people that made the journey both bearable and worthwhile. In the end, I chose my retirement early because I was "killing" myself working. Frankly, I was not curing cancer, nor any other significantly noble pursuit. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="439" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IGmwwYmfeEL9TimKdjzgIn70N6uC2jDi7CBQxie0tuu9esXi0OkNyd3CxLbJ5MjM4aWGC7Qctj9koyFerdkT7rKCXmfHqMHj26iXAUv914K3Qbt_tVCaVtzdcspr4BxlqS-rhCeFtHY/s400/Tuco.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuco the Ugly</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In most of the world outside of America I have seen first-hand (especially in Italy, Spain and Portugal) that people work to live, while most Americans live to work. These differences are diametrically opposed to one another and provide a compelling argument for your evaluation and thoughtful consideration for personal change. I have now learned that life is meant to be full of meaningful experiences versus the acquisition of stuff. Life <span style="color: red;">IS</span> short and the older one gets, the shorter the runway of life stretches (thank you Captain Obvious!).</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Reality Check: Sadly, I know the truth is that a large majority of Americans (all humans really) cannot retire now, nor maybe ever. But I do know this, it is never too late to change one's trajectory if one truly desires a different path. Today, may I implore you to:</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Protect first yourself and your family's health and well being</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Help those in need, starting with yourself</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">STOP living to and for work</span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Remember that NO job should EVER be your first priority</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fervently plan for YOUR better future including retirement before death </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Want less, need less - Give more, love more </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #990000;">“You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.”</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-- Vernon Howard (1918) </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-82938164337383847312017-07-14T12:12:00.000-05:002017-07-14T12:12:38.895-05:00Portugal By Any Other Name Would Be "Maravilhoso"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">“I've got two places I like to be. Portugal is one.” -- Cliff Richard</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8fSsiUNzz9Je9g8Odvpj06Y7gPqzfpSrojBIYmYlInM1v2QWRtJ_ITDJixHb_I5UlGXiqKMDjpawl2XwXD9hCz1oAnGto-Qwz3_qUegAgn46oqYrhyphenhyphenjqX0Ng6wmlDyzQtNbzruSEtNg/s1600/IMG_3545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8fSsiUNzz9Je9g8Odvpj06Y7gPqzfpSrojBIYmYlInM1v2QWRtJ_ITDJixHb_I5UlGXiqKMDjpawl2XwXD9hCz1oAnGto-Qwz3_qUegAgn46oqYrhyphenhyphenjqX0Ng6wmlDyzQtNbzruSEtNg/s400/IMG_3545.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Castello Alfama as seen from the Topo Restaurant</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is quite simple really, no matter what locations you may have on your travel "bucket list", Portugal should be moved up. After our trip there this month (July 2017), we would argue that Portugal should be in your top 4. Why an oddly unexpected yet even number 4? Combined together, Brooke and I have visited over 100 countries and our undisputed top 4 include 1) Italy, 2) Czech Republic, 3) England and, 4) Portugal.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Portugal is truly "Maravilhoso" (Portuguese for Wonderful). It possesses <span style="color: red;"><b>ALL</b></span> of the required components to assure an amazing and satisfying vacation, sabbatical, last minute getaway, or even, future retirement destination.</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyq0ILWICs1RghlBjhjJ8nrn4Lnqjee-qtuslFaLiC_bjzCp265ysGjNi4vMM-Ggf-IPdfNrN5-qvkT1h4bERBPe9-2m6uKhCeWVaYey-hzfXehR-tvQd70zzghCKtg5hRMZeY93Z7qc/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="1600" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyq0ILWICs1RghlBjhjJ8nrn4Lnqjee-qtuslFaLiC_bjzCp265ysGjNi4vMM-Ggf-IPdfNrN5-qvkT1h4bERBPe9-2m6uKhCeWVaYey-hzfXehR-tvQd70zzghCKtg5hRMZeY93Z7qc/s400/IMG_3536.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Panorama of our $60 per night flat in Lisbon</span></td></tr>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Great food including worldwide cuisines (seafood is the biggest star)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fabulous weather</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A full spectrum of experiences (all in a small package) including, beaches, mountains, lakes, forests, camping, biking, hiking and touring</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDhLsBsfgdbt3rQQOJX-jrAezP20oNH8uNq6QK6E1JsWr9Vax1-NpztW4aUb0c9Sl5wlWL81cpYherVkn036bbcKm8qite0rGzm7RBHTNkBsrcnO5blwOSZzO8jxHjufTspKZjqapEz0/s1600/IMG_3821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDhLsBsfgdbt3rQQOJX-jrAezP20oNH8uNq6QK6E1JsWr9Vax1-NpztW4aUb0c9Sl5wlWL81cpYherVkn036bbcKm8qite0rGzm7RBHTNkBsrcnO5blwOSZzO8jxHjufTspKZjqapEz0/s200/IMG_3821.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3detThyphenhyphenm0kRzYyielTPnXRB4QEqxEc08qd5AhLlS1wNmYH87o0SmN1AFBGPwRTlHYgaQyfBv34LY04ZHDNfcRGmNlh4b5zfxgWQjU3YTTXl4L18GNI2Hkp0XjsPgnebbhlmxFTjwKQsU/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3detThyphenhyphenm0kRzYyielTPnXRB4QEqxEc08qd5AhLlS1wNmYH87o0SmN1AFBGPwRTlHYgaQyfBv34LY04ZHDNfcRGmNlh4b5zfxgWQjU3YTTXl4L18GNI2Hkp0XjsPgnebbhlmxFTjwKQsU/s200/IMG_3828.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK1GGJxhyphenhyphenTdJEI0nYTf3orq_mdef56iBHoWg7fWKiN8UMP0kIXAnlXnOJwYS9zhUumm93gxs0QJslCdKnUdUmjL0je-AHXqA6vHZZWptmc8gSCybLjGhTpt7hOVDuUxC_APgDCYJ0eo0/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVK1GGJxhyphenhyphenTdJEI0nYTf3orq_mdef56iBHoWg7fWKiN8UMP0kIXAnlXnOJwYS9zhUumm93gxs0QJslCdKnUdUmjL0je-AHXqA6vHZZWptmc8gSCybLjGhTpt7hOVDuUxC_APgDCYJ0eo0/s200/IMG_3824.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Medieval history everywhere - monuments, castles, palaces, churches, museums, parks, plazas, ports</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfnITe4dSVJhzBlS3HEy5fMPxdh-JyYKcztaCpBlTIa30WN_yX4rudBONg8njus6CRmoJKSQlG58kG8tKa7aqWpDOOHN_TWKezOWfZqymboIlXyE9RvaQL1_rlzp_tPLaGfXO8k8rP0o/s1600/IMG_3655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfnITe4dSVJhzBlS3HEy5fMPxdh-JyYKcztaCpBlTIa30WN_yX4rudBONg8njus6CRmoJKSQlG58kG8tKa7aqWpDOOHN_TWKezOWfZqymboIlXyE9RvaQL1_rlzp_tPLaGfXO8k8rP0o/s200/IMG_3655.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGPEtKDDBsWJjsdUTxlRmLZq6WBcZLusRpeH5T8gH_27p49ymcBMfeWe93mDz_ixs07rhI-3vaeQIyP8vWby4Y4m9keFIryGD8KRDLcxLCOwomW4h3rhmNA7QrUsgFlVsmMdzmqcW0z4/s1600/IMG_3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGPEtKDDBsWJjsdUTxlRmLZq6WBcZLusRpeH5T8gH_27p49ymcBMfeWe93mDz_ixs07rhI-3vaeQIyP8vWby4Y4m9keFIryGD8KRDLcxLCOwomW4h3rhmNA7QrUsgFlVsmMdzmqcW0z4/s200/IMG_3604.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v4T6YfEL-ISgAi1dGeThRBUyHXiJ0E6Dj6c9qVz7-vZ21f8YEXRCAZcmGIVnYqxl-117QP1bKe2l8V7Cb3X4SjwdYmNaTG4U79b1VcN_0SzkhCnKNnxDevWcIiDKx5RNE-1pmoN1FZQ/s1600/IMG_3634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8v4T6YfEL-ISgAi1dGeThRBUyHXiJ0E6Dj6c9qVz7-vZ21f8YEXRCAZcmGIVnYqxl-117QP1bKe2l8V7Cb3X4SjwdYmNaTG4U79b1VcN_0SzkhCnKNnxDevWcIiDKx5RNE-1pmoN1FZQ/s200/IMG_3634.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As a nice bonus, my daughter Tahni (who currently lives in Brussels, Belgium) joined us in the beautiful city of Porto. She loves Porto and was an amazing tour guide for our 4 days there.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlvahYmkeAXldp5y8oheR3LMjbzstzFLdF-Hw8ZHUi3_0opLmeqHqoBafmDvC8zeCyE7ICpAyxzDOETS5TqLyYxaDF7nGrSunTDz1XIHAzfKuIV1NLw9A9aFvb3B6ss3gAqzkmmsqTxo/s1600/IMG_3752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlvahYmkeAXldp5y8oheR3LMjbzstzFLdF-Hw8ZHUi3_0opLmeqHqoBafmDvC8zeCyE7ICpAyxzDOETS5TqLyYxaDF7nGrSunTDz1XIHAzfKuIV1NLw9A9aFvb3B6ss3gAqzkmmsqTxo/s400/IMG_3752.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few random pictures from our trip:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKKdNtxSSxM3KgxpLeWSGSKgCVus5NNGQNchBreiPz4NcHE_ps3wGxWhODLWgaAZYZzZ_ihH_TW8bTpBVkgK_We27Yk7WJJRw8kLsUx2b-wBxV2LUYMaY4HGVDx6qok3HYI1NxjDNfSI/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKKdNtxSSxM3KgxpLeWSGSKgCVus5NNGQNchBreiPz4NcHE_ps3wGxWhODLWgaAZYZzZ_ihH_TW8bTpBVkgK_We27Yk7WJJRw8kLsUx2b-wBxV2LUYMaY4HGVDx6qok3HYI1NxjDNfSI/s200/IMG_3571.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfq61hCv9b0Cud-DP8Ymd8ekSxYpnwbfsyxnjg6yg-JfGsV3NRADsQjGjb3W0V-O1jWIzP7spyYjFGSfRCT-LS7LdXnmly8eIwXR3xwKqEGwGlJ-Ndb0oL-ERNJEv-AVr_1WFtJElsoA/s1600/IMG_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfq61hCv9b0Cud-DP8Ymd8ekSxYpnwbfsyxnjg6yg-JfGsV3NRADsQjGjb3W0V-O1jWIzP7spyYjFGSfRCT-LS7LdXnmly8eIwXR3xwKqEGwGlJ-Ndb0oL-ERNJEv-AVr_1WFtJElsoA/s200/IMG_3601.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJg98S_1YoNqccYPUdd323L7IWRoLe6KO69UM9JL8IDlF8O9U7ltAf07-5Bo2aUdNl8rwMHauSGbuGDpbarFcM1JLg-156Vs0cWa-n0eqLQLPMF3-Q2Ceb6RCRLGkEflb5ytHk7S_B2Q/s1600/IMG_3576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJg98S_1YoNqccYPUdd323L7IWRoLe6KO69UM9JL8IDlF8O9U7ltAf07-5Bo2aUdNl8rwMHauSGbuGDpbarFcM1JLg-156Vs0cWa-n0eqLQLPMF3-Q2Ceb6RCRLGkEflb5ytHk7S_B2Q/s200/IMG_3576.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFjWu6mWtphxRsyAsrMtcG57SliPTc9LA3A9rbD0QaiAo3rHGHf_Icu1iHSeczLDL7FSSfqWJl0qHsHB9L0-Wx69uNTBIabPIpR_lcw7HD-ezbNBnp6OZsUUfN7VIyFhKccf9zoiSIA8/s1600/IMG_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFjWu6mWtphxRsyAsrMtcG57SliPTc9LA3A9rbD0QaiAo3rHGHf_Icu1iHSeczLDL7FSSfqWJl0qHsHB9L0-Wx69uNTBIabPIpR_lcw7HD-ezbNBnp6OZsUUfN7VIyFhKccf9zoiSIA8/s200/IMG_3597.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sadly, we witnessed the circle of life while in Porto. A few days before our arrival these two baby seagulls were born in their nest, which was directly outside the hallway window in our flat. Both eventually fell to their deaths 3 stories below before we departed. The mother seagull was very sad and actually "cried" over her loss for several days. Not the best ending to a wonderful trip, but a unavoidable fact of life.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Obrigado (Thanks) Portugal! In the paraphrased words of both Gen. MacArthur and Arnold Schwarzenegger, "We'll be BACK!"</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-31001662550475320322015-11-19T17:38:00.000-06:002015-11-20T11:59:36.923-06:00We Completed The Whole 30 and Lived to Tell About It!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.whole30.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="www.whole30.com" border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFB8_YgbxKDhZbD9OredqR83ojA9DDfFlMfulRUd446fpqB_vCcKPJYzgxxm9wv-OLvMgQYnZluMgggZDboH4gWR2H947PACD2kl4qV5zoGjVGEqRMwwp3RPJQVsozBCwIzSjRo4qBZw/s400/whole30header1.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">www.whole30.com</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">B<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">rooke<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> and I started our<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>Whole30 journey on<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> October <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">20, 2015 and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">SUCCESSFULLY completed <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">the </span>trip on November 18, 2015 - 30 complete days of compliance to a very prescriptive program<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">N</span>ote: there is much more flexibility than you might think).</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">W<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e believe that anyone can finish the Whole30, but ONLY if <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">your head is in the game. Granted, there are certain medical <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">conditions</span> that<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> could make this harder, if not impossible, but our experience has proven to us that it <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">w<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">as</span></span> our <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"</span>mental toughness" combined with a "best friend <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and </span>buddy <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">accountability s<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ystem<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">."</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let me share our experiences with Whole30, but first let me dis<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">pe<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">nse with the formalities, rules, regulations, warnings, interactions, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">contagions</span>, rumors, side <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">effects, </span>made<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">-up legal l<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ingo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, distractions (squirrel), <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">unrelated </span>run-on sentence, and the all around ge<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">n<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eral</span> information (batteries not included and DO try this at home).</span> My <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">resemblance to anyone living or dead would be odd, but coincidental.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u><b>The Ground Rules:</b></u> If you cannot agree to these <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">simple requirements </span>then ST<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OP, do not pass go, and do not collect <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">$200 nor healthy results</span></span> (the<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> large<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">r</span> type is provided for the hard of hearing)</span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, one last thing before I review how we were affected b<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">y this program. I have taken this straight o<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ff of the Whole30 site because this <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"reality" will very likely enter into your min<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d should you decide to follow in our footsteps<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">; get past this and you will win!:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our Experience in Simple Terms - The Candelaria Pros and Cons</span>:</b></u> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> me start with the <b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CONS</span></b> or the challenges<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">, real or imagined</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> -</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yes, <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we </span>missed cheese more than anything else (not<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e: </span>you can have <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">natural organic bacon so you do not have to miss that)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I enjoy <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a good craft beer and Brooke enjo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ys wine</span>, but <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">we</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">could not</span> have <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ANY alcohol for 30 straight days (note: honestly we both had virtually no cravings for alcohol the entire time)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There a<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">re plenty of excuses to cheat, but NO<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">T a single acceptable reason to do so</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eating out and traveling is much harder, but not impossible (note:<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> plan in advance)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">did not have "immediate" results meaning we had unrealistic expectations initially (note: extraordinary changes starte<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">mid<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> week 3)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No exceptions, we ha<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">d to commit to 30 days straight<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> -</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> starting and stopping <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">for any excuse..er..reason..er<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">..excuse</span> is not an option</span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Doing this alone without a buddy or a committed <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">cheerleader <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">would be <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">exponentially more difficult</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The are <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">saboteurs EVERYWHERE <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">be it well meaning<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> friends, family, or complete strangers who thin<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">k</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">that </span>one little french fry, or half a glass of wine or a single shot of Patron won't hurt in the<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> grand scheme of things<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (note: <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">t</span></span>here are people you know who do not want you to succeed, as mysterious as that may seem)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">30 days seems easy in the beg<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">inning, but it may seem a prison sentence later<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> down the road (note: do not confuse this decision and commitment as a loss of freedom because it is no less a personal choice <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">th<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a</span>n <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">deciding to eat <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">those fries or drink that wine)</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You have to have an imagination and willingness to try and/or prepare new dishes or you WILL get bored<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> even if you <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">LOVE</span> eggs or avocados or <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">salads or <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">bun-less burgers or smoked <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">chicken wings or </span>F</span>ilet <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mignon</span></span> </span>(note: having cooking "chops" or being a foodie is huge<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ly</span> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">advantageous)</span> </span></span> </span> </span></span></span> </span> </span> </span> </span></span> </span></span></span> </span> </span></span></span> </span></span> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuSmkB6xasktDHGME1zr3gQ1aWKp62keJiOophH5Cj91LAQscVZS0f8zWxTrWs1Hl3E6LIMpJUoK9-LC_FANN5rKHsqHNMniG574u-hqWX9FT9r_t0EMlgUD4kBmI-7FyuZ31Mkjcu-Y/s1600/Tiger_Blood_W30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuSmkB6xasktDHGME1zr3gQ1aWKp62keJiOophH5Cj91LAQscVZS0f8zWxTrWs1Hl3E6LIMpJUoK9-LC_FANN5rKHsqHNMniG574u-hqWX9FT9r_t0EMlgUD4kBmI-7FyuZ31Mkjcu-Y/s320/Tiger_Blood_W30.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And now for the <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">good stuff, <b>The</b> <b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">PROS</span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>, </b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">all real</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> -</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were fortunate to not <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">have cravings because of Brooke's ability to create numerous fantastic tasting foods</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHB94AWhs7i5AhDRcDv0sjz6WI0UuRB2FCkwn3wHAVUFdgT67PEgT9_CXTUwYXOuKJmQcgu0iFjUXv1WNAwA_hRsYNPHnern6EALvlv6lEBIfFzSEFlkcELQEGefniKwv3gXKKLeeByk/s1600/Eggs_Bene3_Split_W30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHB94AWhs7i5AhDRcDv0sjz6WI0UuRB2FCkwn3wHAVUFdgT67PEgT9_CXTUwYXOuKJmQcgu0iFjUXv1WNAwA_hRsYNPHnern6EALvlv6lEBIfFzSEFlkcELQEGefniKwv3gXKKLeeByk/s640/Eggs_Bene3_Split_W30.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHMEz8B8rLBPCe1EmMauo-AyC63-MmSJVIPZ1YnGrZdOQ7pu5L36sAvtLq7fb_Vj93BOIqdPj2uafha-85khEq8iWNAbc8X20O_MfDVE6C0EB-foXwo2XD9Zu5Z1NJtBWPldh2MYdcXY/s1600/Breakfast_happy_face.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHMEz8B8rLBPCe1EmMauo-AyC63-MmSJVIPZ1YnGrZdOQ7pu5L36sAvtLq7fb_Vj93BOIqdPj2uafha-85khEq8iWNAbc8X20O_MfDVE6C0EB-foXwo2XD9Zu5Z1NJtBWPldh2MYdcXY/s200/Breakfast_happy_face.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4G4HBDgCpIZY0sxs-gDu1AZiFri8aXAEuTmeqMkePYpVmh-tZ4aMoAjfYXzjHi8ZkPY01mHbEc54nyxahh-ZbhiWpSOzIBLWZKfFxiBH-REeDpyPd6kCcB2SYAM5l6izLsUVU0xyu7Y/s1600/Stuffed_Pepper_W30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4G4HBDgCpIZY0sxs-gDu1AZiFri8aXAEuTmeqMkePYpVmh-tZ4aMoAjfYXzjHi8ZkPY01mHbEc54nyxahh-ZbhiWpSOzIBLWZKfFxiBH-REeDpyPd6kCcB2SYAM5l6izLsUVU0xyu7Y/s200/Stuffed_Pepper_W30.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsPCMirYSd_BA7ZWygwZl0oPJ67s4y6NbnlLWWx9VgsitAlmGle4jpQaHiAeTx2EFui-fuPr1qB1LBIKofoFspjkTgoAzIJGvfgQ_P_jh46EwKkoM2S0sErM_7TUrqovICfLP3afC2NM/s1600/Seared_Salmon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsPCMirYSd_BA7ZWygwZl0oPJ67s4y6NbnlLWWx9VgsitAlmGle4jpQaHiAeTx2EFui-fuPr1qB1LBIKofoFspjkTgoAzIJGvfgQ_P_jh46EwKkoM2S0sErM_7TUrqovICfLP3afC2NM/s400/Seared_Salmon.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Doing this together as a couple with <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">similar goals <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and COMMITMENT </span>made it s<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">eem </span>easier<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> to complete</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The focus on <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">this as a <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">food intake cleanse (<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">making <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">better food choices)</span></span> made the weight loss an awesome by-product</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">No calorie counting so we were able to eat as much of the right foods as we could <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"stomach" (note: easy to manage hunger which diminished greatly over time)<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Both of our daily blood pressure readings dropped into normal ran<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ge<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s and <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">it </span>proven</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>even after we both stopped our medications for hypertension</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Though we have yet to weigh<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> in, we both lost weight</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We both lost <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">size in the waist</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We have noticeably <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">higher energy levels</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Both of us <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">are experiencing much better digestion <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">(no heartburn, no cramps, no gas, no irregularity)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Virtual elimination of wide </span>mood<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">swings<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> (Greg)</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">An interesting and wonderful feeling of overall euphoria and happiness (all is well with the world)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">deepest thanks to Brooke for being my partner in this journey!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Good luck to any of yo<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">u who plan to try this #Whole30 trip. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Please feel free to contact us with any questions or to recruit us a<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">s your cheerleaders! </span></span></span> </span></span> </span> </span></span> </span></span> </span> </span> </span> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Day 1 Shopping</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day 30 SATISFACTION</span></span></b></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-21702270625844221882014-08-16T15:41:00.000-05:002014-08-17T16:13:49.424-05:00Closing the generation gap .... with cookies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I was taught to respect our elders. It's just how we were raised in my generation. In fact, I've always really liked being around seniors, because they represent such a wealth of knowledge, experience, wisdom and history. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I worked as a candy striper for four years in the skilled nursing care wing of a hospital, was a highly involved volunteer for the Senior Olympics, and generally just like spending time with my elders. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Despite irritation and discouragement from my observations of the lack of respect and consideration our elders receive, sometimes a brilliant ray of sunshine breaks through and renews hope. This time, it was in the form of two adorable little boys - ages 4 and 6. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The doorbell rang at my parents' house the other day. Mom was greeted by a young family who introduced themselves as neighbors from a few streets over. The parents, both school teachers, explained that they take their two sons by my folks' house nearly every day on the way to the swimming pool, and they often see Dad working in the yard. The little boys were so impressed with how dedicated he is to making the yard nice that they wanted to do something for him. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And so, little Finn and Jack each wrote Dad a note which was delivered along with a bag of delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies. Upon learning that Dad had just celebrated a birthday, the boys were even more excited. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Mom didn't mention that he just turned 99. I don't know if the kids could even fathom that. Mom didn't mention that he doesn't keep track of the fact that he's outside 25-plus times a day. The kids might like this, but they cannot fathom that it's because his dementia makes him forget how often he's out there. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But bless that family, the parents who instill great values in their children, and the big hearts of those two boys. If I ever get to meet them myself, hugs all around! THANK YOU.</span></div>Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-66014722352553207612014-06-09T13:43:00.000-05:002018-02-12T22:45:32.330-06:00Headed to the World Cup? Here's how to not get robbed in foreign cities.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb46wE7OWgAWQj_M6_ARpEif5LLOrlHKhBmmJHFAmJLwPNdcG6y0tzt_AJI2BAWPKkN9RMapj6luhyphenhyphenT_PzMq8wr__KXBUAv5cRDpcDWBkHsZ5FvLQrLX3hIP66KEzARRNOIoqHYoWbLYsP/s1600/steal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb46wE7OWgAWQj_M6_ARpEif5LLOrlHKhBmmJHFAmJLwPNdcG6y0tzt_AJI2BAWPKkN9RMapj6luhyphenhyphenT_PzMq8wr__KXBUAv5cRDpcDWBkHsZ5FvLQrLX3hIP66KEzARRNOIoqHYoWbLYsP/s1600/steal.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everyone’s seen the video in which a Brazilian woman being interviewed on live TV is rumbled by a thief who brazenly steals her gold necklace on-air.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Having experienced Sao Paulo, which admittedly is not a particularly safe city, I'd like to share a few tips to increase your odds of not getting robbed. Especially if you're headed there for the World Cup.</span></span></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AOcCCNblnGaFKizukS5o-rZv-BXXcWOSCrkAT7EylNwOUBs1f4sqkbLMTz2l9ja5CQ3MyVWq3xRW_9a_fs65H_An2pMw-cEWiKM_I5lMXVGjGqNERQ5SJzIvcxesNjDYIyf0BgA1Ui94/s1600/713707-identity-thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></span></span>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The general rule of thumb: don’t be stupid! You know all the usual stuff like never carrying your passport, always having ID, respecting laws and customs, not leaving a drink unattended, etc.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Constantly scan your environment. Know what/who is in front of/behind/next to you. Don’t walk so close to the street or doorways that you or your belongings can easily disappear. Narrow streets are a dream for thieves on motorcycles. Notice buildings, landmarks and small details: they help keep you safe and alert and could be important if it becomes a crime scene.</span></span></span></li>
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<ul style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AOcCCNblnGaFKizukS5o-rZv-BXXcWOSCrkAT7EylNwOUBs1f4sqkbLMTz2l9ja5CQ3MyVWq3xRW_9a_fs65H_An2pMw-cEWiKM_I5lMXVGjGqNERQ5SJzIvcxesNjDYIyf0BgA1Ui94/s1600/713707-identity-thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AOcCCNblnGaFKizukS5o-rZv-BXXcWOSCrkAT7EylNwOUBs1f4sqkbLMTz2l9ja5CQ3MyVWq3xRW_9a_fs65H_An2pMw-cEWiKM_I5lMXVGjGqNERQ5SJzIvcxesNjDYIyf0BgA1Ui94/s1600/713707-identity-thief.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Separate your things. Put a ‘steal’ wallet in your pocket with stuff that you don’t really mind having lifted, including a modest amount of cash. Put your other money in your hidden pocket. If held up, offer the aggressor your fake wallet and your phone if you must.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Related to the above, take only one credit card with you at a time, leaving others in the safe. Use an ATM during the day, return directly to the hotel and put it in the safe. Ensure you’re not being followed. Get the bell captain or concierge to have an employee accompany you to your room if you're nervous.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In a taxi, it’s best to put your laptop bag in the trunk. Road-based thieves are often on motorcycles and just want you to open the window and hand over your wallet. They won’t take the time to examine the contents of the trunk.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Walk confidently and don’t look clumsy or foggy. Head high, good alert posture, purposeful gait. Thieves read body language.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Leave your bling home. Don’t look expensive. If you have a ‘more money than sense’ air about you, you’re an accident waiting to happen.</span></span></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5kNR-pLLPVuxjmbmNoCTGXpyIF2ozJMnDnErqxB3Ssvo9l0PdgLf5cNYnEfnVLWPVXOzPcqf8_5o5YDGjPtaWCwkF21NakuC-Msht_BJyA4FJ3VMabZesQ_OjkKUB8CzdK2Q_jMzWtmq/s1600/gaga-leaving-gma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5kNR-pLLPVuxjmbmNoCTGXpyIF2ozJMnDnErqxB3Ssvo9l0PdgLf5cNYnEfnVLWPVXOzPcqf8_5o5YDGjPtaWCwkF21NakuC-Msht_BJyA4FJ3VMabZesQ_OjkKUB8CzdK2Q_jMzWtmq/s1600/gaga-leaving-gma.jpg" width="194" /></a>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don’t wear silly heels. Carry them in a bag if you must, but you’ll be thankful for comfortable flat shoes if you have to run.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Only take the public transportation known to be safe for visitors. In Sao Paulo, the metro is generally okay for anyone to take, but buses are never okay for tourists.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Malls are generally pretty safe – as long as they have security guards, nice stores and restaurants, video surveillance and families.</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Study up on the place you’re going so you know the usual MO for thieves in that region (e.g., gypsy girls in Rome, young fit men preying upon middle-aged cruise passengers in the Baltics, tandem motorcycle riders in Sao Paulo, thieves who target the Metro in Paris).</span></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Register with <a href="http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/step.html">STEP</a> – the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. You’ll receive alerts about the countries/region(s) where you’re traveling, and can receive assistance more quickly from the State Department if you run into trouble.</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This isn't a foolproof formula. But in a few decades of travel, I’ve never been robbed (thankfully!). Some of it is sheer luck; most of it is just being alert and practical. And I’ve been to some seriously dodgy places.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't let paranoia ruin your trip though - enjoy the travel, and don't be stoopid!</span></span></span><br />
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Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-88207887864532185162014-05-12T17:31:00.001-05:002014-05-22T13:59:13.942-05:00Sao Paulo: first impressions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuJy5r1v_8Q4ESgFGRqLbL3R9oquyR5o9sKdiGR0OLlO6KKVA95Cb329Lb8FRekS8_bPT6hnCjG-labPYDS0GrHC6kBVQoAArbjkS32PpqcuJROiYMV_rmp_6VgXGzTXhGpTNy6w3ZOHf/s1600/IMG_0351%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuJy5r1v_8Q4ESgFGRqLbL3R9oquyR5o9sKdiGR0OLlO6KKVA95Cb329Lb8FRekS8_bPT6hnCjG-labPYDS0GrHC6kBVQoAArbjkS32PpqcuJROiYMV_rmp_6VgXGzTXhGpTNy6w3ZOHf/s1600/IMG_0351%5B1%5D.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Olá, Brasil! Arriving in Sao Paulo, Brazil as a trailing spouse to Greggles provided the excitement of adding another continent to the list, and for me the first time I've been below the equator in 16 years. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I've been reading up on this sprawling city (3,090 square miles!) with 20 million residents, and the major thread running through it all is ... crime. Oh well - you just cannot openly carry anything of value and you should be okay. And avoid motorcycles, especially those with two riders.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My impressions from our first few hours here ... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lots of serious poverty - we're talking desperately poor.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Graffiti everywhere, even in posh neighborhoods.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Traffic. All the time. What do you expect with 20 million residents plus visitors?</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amazing, amazing espresso - thank goodness for our access to the executive lounge at the hotel, with constant access. Coffee helped create this city.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6Kyg3uM-fEym8NHaRz5Xnfz1oRi-UnXNEfxFfPIIPs8PjMVcMBMxeO7AYK7bPq7Vovyp9syva_c4W4jLvZaQNnW2jUZtGkc-9j7CN_HHSSkl6LURSb0qcLznaemzARUYh62JaB29V6yH/s1600/IMG_0360%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6Kyg3uM-fEym8NHaRz5Xnfz1oRi-UnXNEfxFfPIIPs8PjMVcMBMxeO7AYK7bPq7Vovyp9syva_c4W4jLvZaQNnW2jUZtGkc-9j7CN_HHSSkl6LURSb0qcLznaemzARUYh62JaB29V6yH/s1600/IMG_0360%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Very meaty culture ... everything is about meat and I'm guessing that vegetarians have to look for options. Churrasco flavored potato chips, even. And what's up with the abundance of white bread? Weird...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And we really need to figure out a few words of Portuguese ... even with the World Cup coming here in a few weeks, signage is not in multiple languages and English is not something you hear a lot.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Portuguese is an interesting language - it sounds like what happens when you put Spanish, Japanese and French in a blender.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We will be venturing out a bit tomorrow, so I look forward to exploring more of local culture and maybe finding a good caipirinha!</span></span><br />
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Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-28421053312214141542014-04-25T10:12:00.001-05:002014-04-25T10:18:48.001-05:00Filling passport pages in Houston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEAOnaSdVoM1looMsLeEVOWWPOm__Ys-1HsDFJkvnAguaLqEAVcHjOWktNs7sWqwm2d9XhNi83Gzjtm02ic29c-Hm7EJ6CAdWZArjeVoG33LljZSfWBhqi6LnapRe7GvOPp2_bt0tHjDW/s1600/IMG_9788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEAOnaSdVoM1looMsLeEVOWWPOm__Ys-1HsDFJkvnAguaLqEAVcHjOWktNs7sWqwm2d9XhNi83Gzjtm02ic29c-Hm7EJ6CAdWZArjeVoG33LljZSfWBhqi6LnapRe7GvOPp2_bt0tHjDW/s1600/IMG_9788.JPG" height="252" width="320" /></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the most ethnically diverse city in the nation, you can imagine that Houston always has something happening which is influenced by well-known and sometimes obscure cultures. We especially embrace this, since it's part of what makes Houston so special. The art, food, dance, religions, and cultural customs which converge upon HTX daily, distinguished from one another yet threaded together by the 90-plus languages spoken here on any day.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Japan Festival is a decades-long tradition in our city to celebrate the 'Way of Japan' - from both ancient and current perspectives. Since the Asian population in Houston continues to grow and have a larger hand in shaping our city, its popularity also grows. Here are some scenes from the event...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the warriors ...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the anime ...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of course Capri knew every character </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can't wait for the International Festival - this year Australia is a theme! G'day, mate. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-82861429450681695282014-04-10T14:18:00.000-05:002014-04-10T14:18:03.978-05:00Welcoming our new granddaughter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEt0O0UmS84vadHM4wZQen5nhoEujFVdJs1Pqcn3Nb3DLdeVKrxtLJ2G51OWSo8yBJCJBWMKT-vIwHfLnPf9ArjRk9Pt_rbNEUgE2r0NNFsO0N_k-iT_bn4qM2DEKAF9wecVgc2f9IX2zw/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEt0O0UmS84vadHM4wZQen5nhoEujFVdJs1Pqcn3Nb3DLdeVKrxtLJ2G51OWSo8yBJCJBWMKT-vIwHfLnPf9ArjRk9Pt_rbNEUgE2r0NNFsO0N_k-iT_bn4qM2DEKAF9wecVgc2f9IX2zw/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hard to imagine it at my young age (cough, cough), but we now have three granddaughters. Actually, I did none of the hard work - like giving birth or raising kids to get to this point. But it's so nice to reap the rewards of being a grandparent. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hard to imagine that Louanne and Mike went to China to adopt Nadia almost seven years ago, and that Amelie is already four. Now there is Dani, who just turned two, and has been living in this country for just a few short weeks. To say the least, she's adorable. And she's learning English at an astonishing rate. And she has her own distinct personality, different from her two sisters. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Greg and I were able to meet her, finally. We had waffles for dinner (apparently for Nadia and Amelie, the concepts of 'Papa' and 'waffles' are forever inextricably linked), and got in some fun playtime with all three. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And we even got Dani to give us huge smiles and giggles for pictures (she usually wears a pouty face in group photos). I especially loved watching Nadia and Amelie play. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The only slight disappointment is that there wasn't a spare superhero cape in my size. </span><br />
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Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-82293815807851571232014-03-20T15:12:00.000-05:002014-03-20T15:12:19.601-05:00Trail Mix, Remixed = Granola on the Cheap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcpTsd9k7OW70lEPk-8WzNo-mBtQwMOLXUj7CncgoDWTnONd7QWd8mriZXc5RdAnWnTYMHi3m2kuG4wxcS_jKyKAjFuZkqvEs9P42dKWmGCqxbicFiripiB4nt_qrYbo_RI8PhrHSpzsT/s1600/IMG_9313%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcpTsd9k7OW70lEPk-8WzNo-mBtQwMOLXUj7CncgoDWTnONd7QWd8mriZXc5RdAnWnTYMHi3m2kuG4wxcS_jKyKAjFuZkqvEs9P42dKWmGCqxbicFiripiB4nt_qrYbo_RI8PhrHSpzsT/s1600/IMG_9313%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like granola every now and then - it's great on yogurt and fruit, and makes a nice little breakfast when paired with almond milk. But it's kind of expensive. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon discovering the forgotten remnants of five bags of trail mix intended for Greg, I figured there's a way to make something good out of these leftovers instead of tossing them. So, I picked through them all and saved the best stuff for a stellar batch of granola. Voila! - trail mix, remixed! </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made this recipe from about 15 recipes - switch up your ingredients however you like. The basics are oats, nuts, seeds, fruits and a binding ingredient. Spices are up to you.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You'll need:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 cups of old-fashioned oats</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 cup (approx.) of raw almonds/cashews/hazelnuts, roughly chopped</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 cup (approx.) of seeds - pumpkin (green ones), flax, chia, sunflower, etc. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/3 cup (approx.) of shaved coconut</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 cup (approx.) of dried fruits - raisins, cranberries, dates</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 cup dark brown sugar</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 cup maple syrup or honey </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 cup vegetable oil </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/2 teaspoon kosher salt </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">pinch of nutmeg</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To make:</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 F.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In large bowl, mix together oats, nuts, seeds and coconut. In small bowl, mix sugar, syrup/honey, oil, vanilla, salt and spices. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drizzle over dry ingredients and mix well. Place on large cookie sheet lined with nonstick baking pad or parchment. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bake for about 45 minutes, stirring gently a few times, until it's golden and smells incredible. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remove from oven, cool for a few minutes and then put in a big bowl. Add fruits and mix gently. Let it cool completely before putting it in a container (I just throw it in a large zipper bag). </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy!!</span></span></span></span><br />
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Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-12195267387499719992014-03-11T15:58:00.001-05:002018-02-12T22:14:09.684-06:00I could give you my word as a Spaniard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"I could give you my word as </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">a Spaniard."</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"No good. I've known too many Spaniards."</span></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCCgO1-rH6QEAyyhmHBCwwHqeAaeir1jKqFkgyK_RCBhqm7GgwSzjz7NWF2UlnmIPxzIW0Dt3aH2XzjRG-QO7KP8hq5uSG9XLaScZ1peQGkSgh70yY5Jt6nVvoMSqj0E6BnNOrM6vYjcp/s1600/IMG_8643+(Copy).JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCCgO1-rH6QEAyyhmHBCwwHqeAaeir1jKqFkgyK_RCBhqm7GgwSzjz7NWF2UlnmIPxzIW0Dt3aH2XzjRG-QO7KP8hq5uSG9XLaScZ1peQGkSgh70yY5Jt6nVvoMSqj0E6BnNOrM6vYjcp/s1600/IMG_8643+(Copy).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUYDXocpD0_VV0UlYu-fbgDt65sJS-YVg2iyuzxTAZqzlbCKmcjuy615CUV_PN7P5NQbCxdlEXn7jkyXGHypf9XU2TxpC_Y-EuYw8nW3yQr294PWRoBj8WsgOoSzL0FKvM6I4rzXxw8i7/s1600/IMG_8631+(Copy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUYDXocpD0_VV0UlYu-fbgDt65sJS-YVg2iyuzxTAZqzlbCKmcjuy615CUV_PN7P5NQbCxdlEXn7jkyXGHypf9XU2TxpC_Y-EuYw8nW3yQr294PWRoBj8WsgOoSzL0FKvM6I4rzXxw8i7/s1600/IMG_8631+(Copy).JPG" width="240" /> </a><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Greg and I love to quote this from our fave flick <i>The Princess Bride</i>, since he is of Spanish heritage. Plus, it's funny to say it in public because you find out who else is in the Princess Bride Club. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was fortunate enough to tag along with Greg to Spain (business for him). We've been to Barcelona previously, and we're fans. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLl5M7CqD8MIcLBYXQeVBhtGzerfOPyCQ3HSZXmxGCBQpVeuwNYT8gm4OOqL-QqbqOLwhQP9FyBjDhpp98CMtHwPyjrsBBNJD0lYEdlI2GNhFkfOnA1Q-CxJDYoNi3buW4a6jkgFZ5ScDb/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There's something magical about standing in front of any building or park designed by Antoni Gaudi. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or wandering through ancient Roman architecture, losing yourself in the mazed passageways of Barri Gotic, allowing yourself to succumb to the wafting smells of tiny restaurants and dimly lit antique shops. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Spaniards are fascinating to me anyway, but the barcelonians are a little different and hard to just group with the rest of the country. This happens with other regions too, of course. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What I like about barcelonians ...</span></div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWubSQlXSHTh3-mXpRrBPrcu2C78p1okEeFdW9d7VoKjNflZmIc7Vg5Ofjthc99aAZCmitQxFRJag_jjtUXvGHXALY59Kug9uj9g160GPZTvIJIqw16iWc-fUGVjsQ_lYttccuLHuiD3h/s1600/IMG_9093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWubSQlXSHTh3-mXpRrBPrcu2C78p1okEeFdW9d7VoKjNflZmIc7Vg5Ofjthc99aAZCmitQxFRJag_jjtUXvGHXALY59Kug9uj9g160GPZTvIJIqw16iWc-fUGVjsQ_lYttccuLHuiD3h/s1600/IMG_9093.JPG" width="150" /></span></a>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they tend to be friendlier than other European cultures</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they're social people and enjoy all kinds of interactions, whether it's chatting over a coffee or sharing tapas</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they're very culturally inclined, surrounding themselves with great design</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they love their dogs - a bunch</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they speak both Catalan and Spanish, in most cases</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they don't get a lot of sleep (seeing as dinner time starts around 10 pm...)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">they love to eat!</span></li>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXiVY1PpiNDmBrum-PwOqe0nNFo1zhfUHGOk48qJI8KnmVmdtzhhCM7ellMydUjrimayh1llTBrgDaz57_1NClQhw5aqQqx0N-9QBgvySjtu9PfgY6xiXxHORTLIfsSUDrE6S_1q452e1/s1600/IMG_9114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXiVY1PpiNDmBrum-PwOqe0nNFo1zhfUHGOk48qJI8KnmVmdtzhhCM7ellMydUjrimayh1llTBrgDaz57_1NClQhw5aqQqx0N-9QBgvySjtu9PfgY6xiXxHORTLIfsSUDrE6S_1q452e1/s1600/IMG_9114.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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Yep, Barcelona is a pretty enjoyable place to hang out. And I think if a resident there gave me their word as a Spaniard, I'd be inclined to believe them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwz0Qns71wDPKGTfSbMLbxjEDoYGP_Z_g-k5Gb3MnHKetogey4VTVXXcdF-53ZUKtd1nZGc4aNhN8J6ooMzklaHsw9qUdDkOD9ihwHNUgU1AONfrb7opSlvIAqiZWi8dAwVihq2X9jp_A/s1600/IMG_7535%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwz0Qns71wDPKGTfSbMLbxjEDoYGP_Z_g-k5Gb3MnHKetogey4VTVXXcdF-53ZUKtd1nZGc4aNhN8J6ooMzklaHsw9qUdDkOD9ihwHNUgU1AONfrb7opSlvIAqiZWi8dAwVihq2X9jp_A/s1600/IMG_7535%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you're craving a ton of flavor, a few nice nutrients and a satisfying dish for any meal, here's an easy one to try. And for the most part, this uses what you already have on hand. Even better. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>For this hash, you'll need:</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0LByVGJoGarDk2siw7RdxH5KiNui_w_KLGZLbV1n8fBLdBxsLB6PgDRaDc2k7pw0G7ZfC0WlWGKQrCFZgyy5ZrfcjUdFRWufuTgrTATimMiPA-ct4eJ8Cl5fH9x5qugscNkykgIhN4Qe/s1600/IMG_7534%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0LByVGJoGarDk2siw7RdxH5KiNui_w_KLGZLbV1n8fBLdBxsLB6PgDRaDc2k7pw0G7ZfC0WlWGKQrCFZgyy5ZrfcjUdFRWufuTgrTATimMiPA-ct4eJ8Cl5fH9x5qugscNkykgIhN4Qe/s1600/IMG_7534%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1 large or 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and diced</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1/2 of a red bell pepper, diced</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1/2 onion (any kind), diced</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">2 cloves of garlic</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">4 links of breakfast turkey sausage, or two large links of regular turkey sausage, sliced</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">About 4 sprigs of parsley, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">3 sage leaves, finely sliced</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Salt and pepper to taste</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Eggs - one per serving</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Mustard for serving</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Method</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Steam sweet potatoes in a covered bowl in the microwave with a bit of water (a few tablespoons), about 4 minutes. Drain. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Heat large heavy-bottomed pan to medium, and drizzle in a few teaspoons of olive oil. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Saute onions, garlic and red pepper for about 3 minutes, until they become slightly translucent. Add turkey and saute until it begins to caramelize. Add sweet potatoes, herbs and salt and pepper. If mixture is dry, add a few tablespoons of chicken broth. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">While the hash finishes cooking, fry or poach an egg for each serving. Plate hash, top with an egg, crack some nice black pepper over the top and pass around a good quality mustard. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I recommend this locally-made one from Revival Market - it's sweet enough and crunchy from the whole mustard seeds. YUM!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div>Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-3194488699888725782013-10-01T10:25:00.000-05:002013-10-01T10:25:01.093-05:00Found a use for leftover kolaches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before the syrup</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Those leftover kolaches don't need to be chucked, after all. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">A highly popular pastry in Texas, </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif=""><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">kolaches </span></span></span></span>are of Czech origin. The 'real' kolache is actually a wedding pastry filled with fruit - never meat. What we call the kolache in Texas is actually a klobasnek, which is essentially a little hot dog and cheese baked inside a rather large, sweetish airbag of fluffy dough. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif=""><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Kolaches are a twice a year occurrence for us. When Greg is given the green light to fetch said treats, he buys too many. Which in turn means there will be one or two strays which are popped in the fridge and promptly forgotten. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif=""><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Last night, in my usual bout of insomnia, I thought - why not slice up the remaining kolaches and make them into Czech French Toast? And - whattaya know - it worked. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Czech-ish French Toast</span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif=""><br /></span></span></span></span></b>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">2-3 leftover kolaches, sliced diagonally in 1/2" slices</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">2 eggs, beaten </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">1 T milk or half and half</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Pinch of salt</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Pinch of sugar</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Shake of cayenne pepper </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Shake of nutmeg</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Maple syrup</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif=""><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Beat together egg through nutmeg, dip kolache pieces in mixture and do your thing as you would French toast. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif=""><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span 12pt="" black="" ms="" quot="" rebuchet="" sans-serif="">Drizzle over the maple syrup and enjoy! </span></span></span></span><br />
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Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5215579409574743121.post-44901156749963298532013-09-18T14:56:00.000-05:002013-09-19T16:57:56.071-05:00Another outstanding Houston event<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6tAOL7fpf_eHfz1kLbmxSnWb6_kvuZZLyS5iWRsGVH2HPpwD3W55iELKP29QlseeCZqH4Ml6omV4m89OfRkhdr8ulP4lALC_8cY-cDkCC_hjavjzCILRquZo-gdtLz2grHGUDwfEl1kP/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6tAOL7fpf_eHfz1kLbmxSnWb6_kvuZZLyS5iWRsGVH2HPpwD3W55iELKP29QlseeCZqH4Ml6omV4m89OfRkhdr8ulP4lALC_8cY-cDkCC_hjavjzCILRquZo-gdtLz2grHGUDwfEl1kP/s1600/IMG_5958.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xsB98dIzOP2NwyqqHBfgmd1wX82Bt7xJV8niiQ1yVjWvEfgsQZobwuMkIEn0-WYwbadt8a3SZO2x9EtTWh913mgRC0zTc-WVLFoVCO-W9EAE1n-pwsaPCiETLs2Qh6To3EW8umhNl0fM/s1600/IMG_5961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.modernluxury.com/houston">Houston Magazine</a> (from Modern Luxury) is celebrating its 100th issue. Browsing through it, I must say it's exciting to see how far Houston has come. Our city is more committed than ever to solidifying and putting a finer point on its identity, which is easy when we can point at specific standout physical and cultural attributes, but more tricky when you consider our vast diversity, because by nature it means there are so many identities coming together in HTX. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xsB98dIzOP2NwyqqHBfgmd1wX82Bt7xJV8niiQ1yVjWvEfgsQZobwuMkIEn0-WYwbadt8a3SZO2x9EtTWh913mgRC0zTc-WVLFoVCO-W9EAE1n-pwsaPCiETLs2Qh6To3EW8umhNl0fM/s1600/IMG_5961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xsB98dIzOP2NwyqqHBfgmd1wX82Bt7xJV8niiQ1yVjWvEfgsQZobwuMkIEn0-WYwbadt8a3SZO2x9EtTWh913mgRC0zTc-WVLFoVCO-W9EAE1n-pwsaPCiETLs2Qh6To3EW8umhNl0fM/s1600/IMG_5961.JPG" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Let's get to the good stuff. The fun events that remind us repeatedly why we love living in this city. Last night's Modern Luxury celebration, staged at <a href="http://www.tastingroomwines.com/">The Tasting Room</a>, was no exception. Lexus is a major sponsor, so you threaded among shiny new vehicles to enter the event. Once in, having been handed a glass of champagne, you were encouraged to jump in on the photobooth action (I'm a sucker for those). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETI349frfKn-ogv7t6Tf5O2BZaNdAY-hyySQu2Wy3fmP6o-avlMo_bkfw0VFvJMexYmB9J0FiXUDkIQu9Om1Ls8XLjPGkxsG7MVCzoph-7p11TCpChZ8P83P_34dOs27CR_dxUhwcaMXx/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETI349frfKn-ogv7t6Tf5O2BZaNdAY-hyySQu2Wy3fmP6o-avlMo_bkfw0VFvJMexYmB9J0FiXUDkIQu9Om1Ls8XLjPGkxsG7MVCzoph-7p11TCpChZ8P83P_34dOs27CR_dxUhwcaMXx/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And, of course, enjoy the wonderful hummus, charcuterie, spicy shrimp, and other delicious bites. With a few dramatic touches of decor, outstanding live music, and some of the best people watching you'll get anywhere, this was the place to be. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">For us, we loved being in the vibe, greeting a number of our friends and acquaintances, and meeting a number of new folks. We guess others enjoyed it too, since the turnout topped 900. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to reload more business cards for tonight's event.... </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq1QHvT8Q9AOJ2S19RUlgp8y8eJAXTKMObnRXL0YLOtfQzEas9O7MfX6a40l7xoUOvc6jct9YJ_f9gYKpttESj2f4C0EiTVFlk1E2_Rq7-fucYOkZWcM3nRGSMCtwVQlSYuJ9k3a2IFuh/s1600/IMG_5960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXq1QHvT8Q9AOJ2S19RUlgp8y8eJAXTKMObnRXL0YLOtfQzEas9O7MfX6a40l7xoUOvc6jct9YJ_f9gYKpttESj2f4C0EiTVFlk1E2_Rq7-fucYOkZWcM3nRGSMCtwVQlSYuJ9k3a2IFuh/s1600/IMG_5960.JPG" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The goodie bags included pecan pie!</span></span></td></tr>
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Brooke Candelariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11826169016414916728noreply@blogger.com0