tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15798494147332069002024-03-14T04:42:17.314-04:00 SRKindredSpiritsWelcome to a stay at home, work from home, home schooling, wife
and momma's simple country point of view on life........SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-47400921784542922792023-03-17T07:30:00.023-04:002023-03-17T07:30:00.202-04:00To My Youngest Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 13th Birthday to my beautiful Adilayia Rose!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlroFPzjuFSXm_6YRdb3fthS_DDYxA36F2YacyVQfWSk_rMYBV6UTQiH1xa8Zoye2kWtSoRveaLF0_32uj0_jDrZ_QBWx6SEgqLKL8aTozd9OmK9hcq7A0KJp8nMx-yBiwp0njy6lkgqdHLlr9VHgbSDFDMBg2iAnWDRMber7d-H9oFMezhiCY9TG/s1558/20220907_095944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1145" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOlroFPzjuFSXm_6YRdb3fthS_DDYxA36F2YacyVQfWSk_rMYBV6UTQiH1xa8Zoye2kWtSoRveaLF0_32uj0_jDrZ_QBWx6SEgqLKL8aTozd9OmK9hcq7A0KJp8nMx-yBiwp0njy6lkgqdHLlr9VHgbSDFDMBg2iAnWDRMber7d-H9oFMezhiCY9TG/s320/20220907_095944.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to believe my baby is a teenager! Being your momma has been extra special! I've always said God knew that we needed you, when he brought you into our family! When you were little, your joy for life was unmistakable! Your honesty and courage makes me so proud. I hope your determination to always do the right thing will guide you through life</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are so much like your daddy. You grew up way to fast! Happy Birthday Baby Girl!</div><div style="text-align: center;">- mom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisaJ-OQI8hJhMDXjpmAhJ5PI-MpWcOFbghhwWmOJSgsWXNnYAEfyftvIS0-CRhrRWuRjheArWWooMXc-WJjaJDvR-6myCbS6e6Eshrhv_hVaA5KP5ois53aePxsK1M8jvfPYc5324_iUhV-iSz5uhEfjNd_cs8pXMHQfE6wixN9gYW4EW6iwsr7NR/s3648/Addy%20Rose%201wk.%20old%20%20(15).JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisaJ-OQI8hJhMDXjpmAhJ5PI-MpWcOFbghhwWmOJSgsWXNnYAEfyftvIS0-CRhrRWuRjheArWWooMXc-WJjaJDvR-6myCbS6e6Eshrhv_hVaA5KP5ois53aePxsK1M8jvfPYc5324_iUhV-iSz5uhEfjNd_cs8pXMHQfE6wixN9gYW4EW6iwsr7NR/s320/Addy%20Rose%201wk.%20old%20%20(15).JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You didn’t make me a mama. Your pregnancy wasn't planned.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You didn’t get a baby shower, or any type of celebration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not as many people visited you at the hospital as your older siblings, and very few came to our house when we first got home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You didn’t get a new car seat, or a new baby swing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Most of your clothes are hand-me-downs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your monthly milestone pictures were late by a day or two, and I have far less bump pictures from my pregnancy with you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Most of your toys come well-loved from a box stored in the attic instead of brand-new from the store.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You didn’t get a brand new crib, and you had to wait until 12 to get to have a room of your very own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some things were different with your birth, but I want you to know that one thing remains the same.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No matter what, the love that I have for you is equal to the love that I have for your older siblings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Your “firsts” were just as exciting to me as they were when your older siblings experienced them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt the same amount of joy when the doctor placed you on my chest for the first time as I did when I met your brother and sister.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I was and still am just as excited to watch you grow, and help shape you into the person you’re made to be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you the same. From the second that I saw those two pink lines, to my very last breath.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">- Mom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(copied and modified from - Paige Martinek)</div></span>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-29935473200819889542023-02-13T00:08:00.004-05:002023-02-13T00:31:04.232-05:00Letting God Take Care Of It<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAeatZNmtaPdoS4a1uGTieEIaxhABRQEZZIXmzhcWAEzt9Mgpzmrtqqznye_czb5-u-mRT9u2l49Nx8SqS4AaANq-W_C1GiJak0HvAmSe8dbhOFIdsOkvAHl7wQsZsjSdJgP0lzXwOeEpViD39V7fr4Vi7_h7_EOY8E1XGPu70fFtdpid_7EvWXe9/s225/images.jpeg-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAeatZNmtaPdoS4a1uGTieEIaxhABRQEZZIXmzhcWAEzt9Mgpzmrtqqznye_czb5-u-mRT9u2l49Nx8SqS4AaANq-W_C1GiJak0HvAmSe8dbhOFIdsOkvAHl7wQsZsjSdJgP0lzXwOeEpViD39V7fr4Vi7_h7_EOY8E1XGPu70fFtdpid_7EvWXe9/s1600/images.jpeg-1.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm human.... big shocker, I know....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">No, seriously, I struggle with forgiving as much as anyone. But today, 2 Timothy 4:14 stood out to me and it made an impact...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I told the hubby and kids, from now on, when ever I feel wronged by someone, I am gonna say "...the Lord reward him according to his works."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So many times, we hold grudges against people, fretting over how we've been wronged, etc. When in reality, if we just leave it in God's hands, we can know that God will take care of it fully...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: You also must beware of him..." - 2 Timothy 4: 14-15a</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is a certainty of life, that sooner or later we will be hurt by someone else. Sometimes people hurt us accidently, other times it is intentional. Sometimes they hurt us by their actions, other times it is by their words. At times, the wounds are superficial and heal quickly and at other times they are deep and scar us for the rest of our lives. However you want to say it, you can just be assured at sometime in your life, you are going to be hurt by another person. I have been.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What exactly did Alexander do to Paul? We have absolutely no idea -- Paul never tells Timothy or the readers of his letter. The word translated "harm" is the Greek word kakos - which means: "something which is depraved or evil." The word translated "much" can mean: "a large amount or something which occurs many times." Whatever Alexander did to Paul, it was no small thing. It was deeply hurtful and must have either been done repeatedly or it was something that had a long lasting effect.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here, we learn an important principle, Paul refused to dwell on what had happened to him. He refused to allow bitterness and hatred to crawl into his brain.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People will slander you. They will exclude you from their group. You will be criticized unjustly. Another worker might block you from a promotion. The one family member you think would never disappoint you might someday betray you. A fellow Christian whom you love and respect may hurt you very badly. What in the world can we do when other people hurt us with their words and their actions?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Refuse to become angry and bitter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The fastest way to become embittered is to dwell on the wrong others have done to you. Paul learned to forgive and forget and go on down the road of life. You know that you are on the road to bitterness when you continually review and rehearse the video tape in your brain of what was done to you. It is watched, and then rewound, and watched again and again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The effect of wrath and bitterness can be deadly. Most of us have seen the signs placed on trucks and other vessels carrying hazardous materials. The acid we carry around when we are bitter will invariably spill as much on us as it will be poured on the one who has harmed us. Anger and bitterness and stress will physically increase your blood pressure, emotionally lead you into depression, spiritually sour your worship and prayer. Carrying a grudge is a loser's game. The grudge you carry will end up causing more pain and frustration than the original pain inflicted on you. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Leave the revenge to the Lord...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Romans 12:19-20 "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves.... for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The word "avenge" is the Greek ekdikeo which means: "to vindicate one's rights, to punish a person."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did you see the secret to Paul being able to let go of the wrong brought upon him by Alexander? He said,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"May the Lord repay him according to his works."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Lord reward him according to his works; It is the language of one who wished that God would treat him exactly as he ought to be treated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It should be the aim of every just government that every one should be treated exactly as he deserves; and every good citizen should desire and pray that exact justice may be done to all. It is the business of a police officer to ferret out the guilty, to bring them to trial, to secure a just sentence; This should be done with the most earnest desire for the welfare of all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is not wrong to desire or to pray that justice may be done, and that every man may be treated as, under all the circumstances of the case, he ought to be treated.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am afraid that we sometimes have given people the impression that if you love God enough, you will just forgive the person and go on as if nothing really happened. What we have failed to state is that, yes, often what that person did to you was indeed terrible and should be punished. That is the reason we hurt so badly. We know that an injustice has been done and that it should be punished. But, it is one thing to acknowledge that God ought to punish that person, and a far different thing to decide to become God and do the punishing for him. Forgiveness does not mean that the injustice did not occur or that it should not be punished. But it is coming to the place and point of trusting that God is much better at administering justice than we are. Forgiveness means deferring the scales of justice to him. That may be the most difficult thing in life to do.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And lastly, 2 Timothy 4: 15a says "You also must beware of him..." </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is absolutely nothing wrong with telling someone what someone has done or warning someone of the evil or wrong doings that person has done to you or could do to them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They key is.... after you warn others, just leave it to God, 'cause he's got this!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This blog post has been modified and condensed to get to the of what my thoughts on this Bible verse are. You can read the full article at:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">https://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/2timothy/when_they_hurt_you.htm</span></div></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-43320195471856895322023-01-23T03:38:00.045-05:002023-01-26T09:59:53.477-05:00Red Cookies and Thoughts of a Messed Up Mind<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfr7koQpXHRiwZpVpSWfclIevFM6D31ETMd8hi94rr_92yasI1Hy53tmr0juZSGxQ08H2lttnPOKYH1B_rUKVSMCEiCf6ApFJRLxIqH51FU6e8zZZ9Ha9RFiRCGirXwjAUyC8KneIv3SZZuHbijxHP0plMfjWKUX6ipyvUNY4kLp2VaC25gyr_Eui/s4032/20230122_094241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfr7koQpXHRiwZpVpSWfclIevFM6D31ETMd8hi94rr_92yasI1Hy53tmr0juZSGxQ08H2lttnPOKYH1B_rUKVSMCEiCf6ApFJRLxIqH51FU6e8zZZ9Ha9RFiRCGirXwjAUyC8KneIv3SZZuHbijxHP0plMfjWKUX6ipyvUNY4kLp2VaC25gyr_Eui/s320/20230122_094241.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My 12 year old was to take either a pink or red snack for her Sunday school class.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">No problem. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most '<i>normal</i>' moms would go buy a snack or make a snack. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And that would be the end of the story.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Easy. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>Oh, but not me....</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b>You see, I am about the farthest thing from normal you'll ever find! </b>(I really don't mind being "not normal"... I just don't enjoy stressing over every little detail, and all the what ifs make me exhausted on a daily basis). </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I live with Chronic Stress (<i>along with multiple autoimmune diseases and cancer</i>). I know most people say they are "stressed out". But for me, the term "stress" has a much different meaning. <i><b>My body is actually unable to process stress. </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are medical terms - but the easiest way to understand it is simply know what the effects of stress can do to a normal person - then multiply it by 100 - that's what stress is like for me. <b><i>When my body is stressed - it attacks my cells and literally tries to destroy its-self.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><b>Pretty much everything causes me stress.... </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So here's a little bit of what taking a snack to Sunday school class looks like in my messed up mind... </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And what I put my family though on the norm....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have a whole week to figure out what snack to take. W</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think about it off and on pretty much all week....we look online a little almost every day, but we are having a hard time thinking of something.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now it's Saturday.... we can't put it off any longer.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's crunch time! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My daughter and I spend <i>hours</i> looking at pictures of pink or red snacks on Google and pinterest. She loses interest and comes and goes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I keep looking. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I could make pink popcorn trail mix. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">No, my daughter has braces and can't eat popcorn. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'll make knox blocks or jello roll ups. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nope, my daughter hates jello - it jiggles... <i>(she gets that from her Grandpa Frick). </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'll make Cupcakes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She says it's too common and everyone will bring cupcakes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She doesn't like chewy candy, so anything like starbursts, or fruit roll ups, or sweedish fish are out. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Not that I have any of that in the pantry anyway.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She finally has comes up with something she likes..... and it's pink!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Strawberry Mochi. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ok, cool idea!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But, she'd have to put it in the freezer at church and then go down to the kitchen during class to get it back out of the freezer.... </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Not sure that would work great.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wait.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't have any strawberry mochi in the freezer.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And I'm not driving all the way to town to get some.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe we could make pink or red white chocolate covered pretzels? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Or mini strawberry cheesecake in muffin tins?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She doesn't like any of my idea's...... here's where I tell her to stop being so stubborn and just pick something!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hallelujah!!! We finally find the idea a fruit kabobs with chunks of watermelon, strawberries and red grapes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Perfect! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's something my daughter will eat, it's red and pink, and it looks cute! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Problem. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't have watermelon, and only have frozen strawberries, and fresh green grapes. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I call all the little stores around us. No one has fresh watermelon or strawberries. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I could go to town and buy some. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I am not driving over an hour to get watermelon and strawberries for a Sunday school snack. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Scratch that idea. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">At this point, I try convincing my daughter that apples are red. We can cut up apple slices and make a pink fruit dip... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She says that's too messy. Plus, we'd have to take paper pates for everyone, and I don't have any paper plates. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">By this time I have invested most of the day into finding a snack.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I now have a headache. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We finally decide to just make homemade chocolate chip cookies, add food coloring, and be done with it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Simple. Right?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wrong..... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since we dyed the ookie dough red, you couldn't tell when the cookies were done in the oven, because you couldn't see them turning brown like you normally would.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This then causes a whole new worry. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Are the cookies cooked all the way through or are they over done? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first batch was too gooy.. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Let's put them back in the oven. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But for how long?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't want her to take dry, hard cookies. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first batch of cookies looked too puffy, so we flattened the second batch before baking. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The second batch was too flat, so we tried to only flatten the third batch just a tiny bit. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But then are there gonna be enough cookies that look all alike for her to take? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't think so. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, we left the last batch puffy to match the first batch... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think there is enough! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now we have the question of how many cookies to take? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One for each person in the class?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Two? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They are really small cookies... should we do three? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">No, surely if everyone brings a snack, one cookie per person would be enough. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But what about visitors? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe we should add in a few extra. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Good, That's settled. One a peice, plus a few extra. I can live with that logic. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What to put the cookies in? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I get out a clear container.... they fit perfectly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But what is she supposed to do with the container after Sunday school? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bring it into the sanctuary with her? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That's not really being reverent to God, carrying around a cookie container. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe she can just leave the container in the classroom and then we can go get it after church? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But what if we forget it? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe she should take it out to the car after Sunday school? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But the car will be locked, and she doesn't always remember the unlock code. Plus, it's cold and snowy outside.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe she can have her older brother take it to the car for her. He knows the unlock code and he is wearing boots.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But his Sunday school class doesn't get out as soon as hers, so she'd be standing in the hall holding a container, waiting for him.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Oh, nevermind.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe I should just put them on a paper plate with plastic wrap over top?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That way if they eat them all, the plate can just be thrown away. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But it's snowy and windy. And paper plates are flimsy. What if the wind whips the plate and cookies go flying everywhere? </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And if the class doesn’t eat them all, I will still be carrying around a paper plate with red chocolate chip cookies in church! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nope, I'll leave them in the container. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We'll leave the container in the classroom. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm sure one of us four will remember to pick it up after church is over. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Now I can worry about forgetting the container from now until after church....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">.......</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I walk by the kitchen a bit later and think, 'I wonder if anyone will want to eat red chocolate chip cookies? They seriously look like play dough.' </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Maybe I should've just drove to town for the fruit.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> No, that's ridiculous. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The cookies are fine. They taste good. And it's not every day you get to eat a red chocolate chip cookie! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>And then the next thought strikes.... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What if some kids are allergic to red dye? <i>(It really is a thing.)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Oh Lord, please don't let any kid have an allergic reaction to these cookies!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm exhausted.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I guess I'll ll just have to trust God to keep the kids from <i>dropping dead</i> while they eat <i>red dyed, play dough looking, chocolate chip cookies.... </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm going to bed. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But then, I lay wide awake thinking about what other red or pink snack we should have made. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wondering if I have any ingredients or the extra time in the morning to make something else. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sleep doesn't come. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And I get to go through the process all over again in the morning when it's time to get ready for</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> church.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most people never understand how stressful that just getting ready to leave my house is for me.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i><b>Welcome to my messed up mind....... </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><i><b> ...... it's crazy up in here!</b></i></span></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-6372041076917124912022-12-13T11:06:00.001-05:002022-12-13T11:28:49.469-05:00Not Everyone Wants a Hug<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It's Christmas time and everyone, everywhere is giving out hugs.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Some people love it.... some people hate it. I happen to fall in the last category. Don't get me wrong.... I love a good hug with the people I love.... I love hugging my husband, my kids, my best friend Joe, and a few other people that are important to me..... like my father-in-laws, my ex-husband, my little sister, and</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> my <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/10/remembering-my-grandpa.html" target="_blank">Grandpa Stump</a> - he gave the best hugs ever!</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I'm really not into hugging most other people.... acquaintances, coworkers, extended family, brothers, sisters, in-laws, neighbors, a stranger, your uncle, the aunt who wears too much perfume, the cousin you only see once a year, etc.... The uninvited embrace from someone you barely knew or used to know — like a relative assuming a familiarity that doesn’t exist. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It seems everywhere you go, all throughout the year, people wants to hug... at weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sunday church, etc. Oh, and don't get me started on <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/02/viewings-and-visitation-lines.html?m=1">veiwings and funerals</a>....why is it people think that compassion is hugging a stranger, three feet from the dead body of your loved one.... it's not compassion, its torture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Seriously, my daughter (11 yrs at the time), had a great uncle that she didn't even know come up and give her a big bear hug at her Grandpa's veiwing. It made her extremely uncomfortable, to the point she felt like she wasn't safe in the funeral home and wanted to stay in the room where she could see me.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No one should be forced to show affection, regardless of their age and gender. What if you want to hug one family member, but not another? (<i>Sounds harsh, but don’t act like you have never had that thought come to you!</i>) That's just being human.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hugging people I am not super close to makes me uncomfortable. For starters, my brain simply cannot fathom the appeal of being physically squeezed by fellow human beings, as an expression of affection. And, if I suddenly find myself at the receiving end of an embrace, I cringe inwardly and freeze as I try to grin and bear it. The worst is when they say, "I know you're not a hugger, but I got to have a hug!" - um, no you don't have to... if you want a hug that bad, find someone who actually wants a hug, and go to town!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the other hand, if I do reluctantly initiate a hug to fit into this world full of raging hug-aficionados, those hugs feel forced and awkward.... I have no idea how much to lean in, or what to do with my hands — do I pat the person? Or, do I just awkwardly put my hands on their back? Which side do I tilt my head to? Do I use both arms? What if I use only one arm, but it’s the same side arm they use, and our arms meet in the middle, then what? And, don’t even get me started on the boob issue! (<i>True story, one of my very conservitive aunts who I hadn't seen in years was setting at a table, I was standing, she wanted a hug, so I reached down to hug her and realized I had one hand on the side of her boob the entire time!</i>) Don't get me wrong, I don't have a thing about boobs... I like boobs 🤣, and if it was my little sister or daughter or close friend, we'd have had a good laugh! But, it was with someone I'm not close to, and was extremely awkward. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">No thanks, I'll pass.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hugs are supposed to feel good. They are supposed to be friendly, affectionate, warm expressions of a bond. They are not requirements, commands, or rituals you have to unlock before you can get to the next part of the day, activities, or conversation. They should be totally optional and voluntary. If people don’t make you feel good with their hugs or you don’t feel good about hugging them, you shouldn't feel forced to hug them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As someone who doesn’t care for hugs, I wish I could just wear a sign saying, “I’m not a hugger!” or "No hugs please!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Often, I want to speak up and say, in a self-deprecating tone, “You know me, cold as ice, hate hugs!", but I am usually not quick enough to get it out! Or maybe this line: "I’m sorry. I don’t want to be touched right now, but would you stay and talk for a bit?”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I may be weird, but I really don't want to hug you. <i>It's not you, it's me</i>. Most touch is unwanted – and even with my hubby and my kids, I have limits. I’m happy to give them a hug, but I’m not comfortable letting it linger it for a long time. I also get anxious if people stand too close or if I’m in a crowded room of people with very little personal space. For instance, if I'm in the kitchen, you are welcome to sit at the bar and talk to me, <i>(in fact I love it when you do</i>) but please, stay out of my kitchen!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, ask <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2019/03/to-my-kids-and-all-kids-out-there.html?m=1">my kids</a>, I am not a hugging, cuddleing type of mom... even though I love them more than any thing in the world. (<i>For example</i>, at night my husband goes and seeks each kid out at bedtime to tell them goodnight, say he loves them, and gives each one a long hug. I always make sure to tell them I love them and say goodnight, but I don't give hugs regularly.) I have taught my kids that if they want/need a hug to simply ask for one by saying, “Hey, I need/could use/would like a hug,” and I will hug them, and it will feel good to me because I'm doing it for my kids. But I don't want people hanging on me.... not even my kids!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some people suffer from haphephobia, which can make hugs overwhelming for them — while it’s causes remain unknown, experts believe it could be a result of social anxiety, “People who have higher levels of social anxiety, in general, may be hesitant to engage in affectionate touches with others, including friends.” Some believe that upbringing may play an important role in whether or not an individual grows up to appreciate hugs. While others believe it is caused by trauma. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I honestly don't know why I don't like hugs or alot of touching. I remember even as a kid. I had a cousin who always wanted to hang onto my hand. I hated it and would always try to pull away, and if I managed to get free, she'd just grab my hand again!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Going to a get-together and leaving a get-together are very much dreaded for me. I hate the hugs everyone that hasn't seen you in awhile think they have to give when you arrive.... from people you haven't talked to in months, too me, it seems fake, like people just do it 'cause they're supposed too. I usually try to make sure I have something to carry in my hands or go to another room and linger getting out of my coat, or just try to slide in without people noticing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then it starts all over again when you're ready to leave, everybody comes at you with a hug. I'd rather, just leave and not tell anyone so I can escape the overwhelming, suffocating, lingering goodbye hugs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you hate being hugged, the world can be a challenging place. <i>Last week, I was in the check out line at Aldi, and this random lady comes up, hugs me and starts talking about the pumpkin seeds she was buying and how I got in the same line as her, etc. Don't get me wrong, she was happy, bubblely, and full of sunshine, and I enjoyed talking to her. But the hug.... well, that was actually quite rude and very uncomfortable for me.... </i>Just like that, you never know when someone you’re meeting for a quick coffee, (<i>or a complete stranger</i>) will approach you, arms open wide, coming in for an embrace. Your options are limited: you can awkwardly dodge the gesture, stick out your hand for a handshake, or submit to the unwanted bear hug. It’s really hard for some of us to find the words quick enough to say a polite "no"!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, if you are a hugger.... find your people, you know - the huggy, feel-ly, type ones, and hug to your hearts content. I won't mind, I promise! But unless you are closely acquainted with someone (me), just skip the hug. The reason is simple: while you might be comfortable with it, not everyone else—even those who might go along with it quietly—are.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ask permission. It’s the most important thing you can do, If you go in for a hug and the person recoils, step back and don’t take it personally. “It’s not always about you.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Read body language. Body language speaks volumes. If something about how another person is moving is telling you to back up — a grimace, a loss of eye contact, they step back — respect it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Operate under the guidance that touch is not allowed until you are given consent. “When it comes to other people’s bodies and spaces, be respectful!" No one owes you a hug. It's not your right, it should be mutually wanted by both parties.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if you are like me.... here is your reminder:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>You Don't Owe Anyone a Hug. Not Even at the Holidays.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bKqg9x6K7apQsmzHxZEOgsnzdMjnpgzBA7UUBZOSOxVq2n59PoOvdDIrAC1TtXUrls3OSbi5nbSN-Xzp7uZg8i2IUyMFEjbsWS97mI14wuXJq-R0Eg4ejtjIQz2OSgJod0s8TXkr1pofnQes_8CHF2mypinCw8QXfVZTl2p2RjrRxxfgEwolf3NO/s1030/20221212_234412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="946" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bKqg9x6K7apQsmzHxZEOgsnzdMjnpgzBA7UUBZOSOxVq2n59PoOvdDIrAC1TtXUrls3OSbi5nbSN-Xzp7uZg8i2IUyMFEjbsWS97mI14wuXJq-R0Eg4ejtjIQz2OSgJod0s8TXkr1pofnQes_8CHF2mypinCw8QXfVZTl2p2RjrRxxfgEwolf3NO/s320/20221212_234412.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">P.s. To the people I actually am close to... don't worry - I do like your quick hugs!</div></span>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-24402572905316549052022-12-06T22:18:00.002-05:002022-12-12T20:13:10.832-05:00The Hope Raisers Book Review <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwK6af9ExgvO0KwJ1Vgv1mX3e3W4obzufsV7DhzPkJuiA5GrxspfPKR_9zbApWq2tXHXARCk3dkU87tuG20VFlnDL_EIH9oWglcsENzN5e50iJtrZit_vJ62Lumd3alp_xIrNn2wDnGpIsCfQqKB__PuiNntJ55zqiS9qeoDbIQQPLBRK4TKIPZK1/s3610/20221206_182001.jpg" style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3610" data-original-width="2767" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwK6af9ExgvO0KwJ1Vgv1mX3e3W4obzufsV7DhzPkJuiA5GrxspfPKR_9zbApWq2tXHXARCk3dkU87tuG20VFlnDL_EIH9oWglcsENzN5e50iJtrZit_vJ62Lumd3alp_xIrNn2wDnGpIsCfQqKB__PuiNntJ55zqiS9qeoDbIQQPLBRK4TKIPZK1/s320/20221206_182001.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When Mr. Nihar Suthar contacted me to review his new book, 'The Hope Raisers', I honestly wasn't sure I'd be interested. But I love this book and the idea that all it takes, is for a few good people to do something they believe in and they can inspire and have a lasting impact on so many more people than they will ever know!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As, a teen, my <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/10/remembering-my-grandpa.html" target="_blank">Grandparents</a> started a Misson in Kenya, Africa. And I have heard many stories and saw lots of pictures of how the Kenyans live... this book took me right back to watching my Grandpa's picture slides, listening to his stories, and singing 'Nothing But The Blood of Jesus' ('Hakuna kitu ila damu ya Yesu') in Swahili!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ok, back to the book.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This story is told honestly, without tiptoeing around the crushing poverty experienced by the Characters. They have never known life outside the world of poverty and slums they were born into.The hardships of unemployment, scant education, water and food scarcity, gang violence, rapes, killings, corruption, etc., which so few of us stop to realize exists... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This book highlights the remarkable impact that a few determined individuals can have on their community, even in the most challenging of conditions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You feel like you are truly beside Mama Bonie in the huge Dandora dump, as she daily picks through trash, hoping to find food for her family, or recyclables to sell just to get enough money to be able to buy food for supper. Or like you are walking along side of Daniel and Mutura, trying to raise money you so desperately need, to help kids in the slum have hope for a better future. You can skate along with Lucy, and Chumbana, as they get the opportunity to venture outside of their environments for the first time, You see all this through their eyes. Their experiences make you consider just how much we take for granted here in America.</div></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Hope Raisers is a grassroots initiative in the slums of Nairobi that offers a program of music, arts, and activities for kids. Faced by setbacks and misunderstandings, their resilience and determination continue to make a positive difference in their impoverished neighborhood.</div></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope almost always starts small, but Hope can make a big difference. Simple actions matter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You can purchase The Hope Raisers <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Raisers-Kenyans-Transform-Community/dp/1538168731/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=332P3BUH7V1N2&keywords=nihar+suthar+the+hope+raisers&qid=1670515295&sprefix=hope+raisers%2Caps%2C280&sr=8-1srkindred-20" target="_blank">here</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you'd like me to review a copy of your book, please send me an email to: rafsk@aol.com. Please note, I only review physical books, no ebooks. I always post my reviews on this blog and at Amazon.com. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><span>*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher/author. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-72630966439934308402022-11-15T00:42:00.004-05:002022-11-15T11:54:15.163-05:00Kubota B600 Restoration <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ok, so thought I'd post some pictures of what's been happening! Only problem is, I don't really know much about tractor parts or rebuilding one.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt had a great week! He received a $100 check in the mail to use towards rebuilding his tractor from a wonderful, generous couple! Wyatt was so excited, he said, "mom, I think I'm getting spoiled!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stephen is keeping track of the spending... so I don't have the exact numbers, but as of now, we are about $2,000 into it and haven't started putting it back together yet. Parts are hard to find since it's old (1974) and wasn't super mass produced... (the tractor was built in Japan and was only built for 4 - 5 years) and when we do find parts, they aren't cheap! We are trying to keep it as original as we can, but somethings we simply can't find.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It means the world to us that folks are willing to help Wyatt with this project! We appreciate you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px;">If you want to help Wyatt with his project, you can donate here --->>></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://gofund.me/8d43f3ba" style="background: transparent; color: #d90c0c; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://gofund.me/8d43f3ba</span></b></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px;">(The money goes directly to Wyatt and is used for his tractor).</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVjBCzh8rrxNoCaBaSaGvNxkMJ4xUBOkQBUzZnjgQD9aHTzmzzRImyW2W2p6yfEbzVIWdY2_KUSJmOKAEdt7lmU-W_l640B5_VjrNyOa0iqlgb8gCXXvv19mR6BIeZqbVFE2bH-ZCGRREUPMqh5zMakfSxd1or6l2Y-Ob-5dnd34ysDi4-5QnLInD/s3594/20221115_000403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3594" data-original-width="2538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeVjBCzh8rrxNoCaBaSaGvNxkMJ4xUBOkQBUzZnjgQD9aHTzmzzRImyW2W2p6yfEbzVIWdY2_KUSJmOKAEdt7lmU-W_l640B5_VjrNyOa0iqlgb8gCXXvv19mR6BIeZqbVFE2bH-ZCGRREUPMqh5zMakfSxd1or6l2Y-Ob-5dnd34ysDi4-5QnLInD/s320/20221115_000403.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kabota Corporation heard about Wyatt's story and sent him out a swag box with a few hats, and Kubota trinkets, pen, logo's, keychain, and magnetic parts bowl, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that #KubotaUSA does this!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today the pistons, sleeves, rings, gaskets, bearings, and oil pressure sensor was delivered all the way from Cyprus (Middle East)!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heres some pics of the process....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPvT1qzyMk4LCDcdqWd2b3EQ2zIXMHyL5MIx74lF-QjunLUPo65h-7dRDPO-w40USwiyUnEpr2g5ZT24DwrAZ6XwDX1hFtg6VcK9NdofSmAd-oedIEKsj3H7TOyELkWHKcZ5s9Rs-5vA-JYCdQHzbWnaI2KDtcbbtb5lfkgHNJULECRG-Pxx70v9D/s4032/20221022_184311.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPvT1qzyMk4LCDcdqWd2b3EQ2zIXMHyL5MIx74lF-QjunLUPo65h-7dRDPO-w40USwiyUnEpr2g5ZT24DwrAZ6XwDX1hFtg6VcK9NdofSmAd-oedIEKsj3H7TOyELkWHKcZ5s9Rs-5vA-JYCdQHzbWnaI2KDtcbbtb5lfkgHNJULECRG-Pxx70v9D/s320/20221022_184311.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Head</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESlPnH-x1asNQccX_WVesKm66_Ak8zs1cmNBYSdxLbSWhuAIlYWnvNr-kCPUWb5mHh64f8vJaMNd8vvnOBntkrNoF0u1OTaN3oIqxhaVoILVdwkfUVVeTc6YWVVr5DwVvmymqRReLAAWIGzzY2X5KK8Qs-RzkknPmInkbKg-frN8pmD6DN6iijtu9/s4032/20221022_184255.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESlPnH-x1asNQccX_WVesKm66_Ak8zs1cmNBYSdxLbSWhuAIlYWnvNr-kCPUWb5mHh64f8vJaMNd8vvnOBntkrNoF0u1OTaN3oIqxhaVoILVdwkfUVVeTc6YWVVr5DwVvmymqRReLAAWIGzzY2X5KK8Qs-RzkknPmInkbKg-frN8pmD6DN6iijtu9/s320/20221022_184255.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Front Axle</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SPX1koRN5ZWestxkwaAGyuSD4xH5Q3GiDXaZxvdjX2jaoYlkuYJsA3zcLvmBy1cdWZrEDkybl5lDqGDYLcMkZOtBkvfiHdmNWXnQRTYFH-B_mNG1uNqwLACp_0e_sCZy-MaC9Ufi2lx_FMsuqZoGcpxaiCgO7FjGXJUyPZrVSPjEdLTvpjhE-OWi/s4032/20221022_184223.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SPX1koRN5ZWestxkwaAGyuSD4xH5Q3GiDXaZxvdjX2jaoYlkuYJsA3zcLvmBy1cdWZrEDkybl5lDqGDYLcMkZOtBkvfiHdmNWXnQRTYFH-B_mNG1uNqwLACp_0e_sCZy-MaC9Ufi2lx_FMsuqZoGcpxaiCgO7FjGXJUyPZrVSPjEdLTvpjhE-OWi/s320/20221022_184223.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Stephen scraping the gasket off the front cover.... </div><div style="text-align: center;">it was stuck on good!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXSv4tyy8e6_RiF9w3634ROY0wVa-em7NXSl00w9sykeOzt0NY0vbRPH9hPEXKZln5rRCveuBMt-rXQPgA6KI1XQFMTE3L9UN0XDmk6fYjVodwfBSWaGvuQPIlMIBmFxlVGY_QJqXl-K0Wv_bP48Le30YZgngfWH7qVjUEkjkTHGdtDGlzLvAFWIr/s4032/20221022_184216.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXSv4tyy8e6_RiF9w3634ROY0wVa-em7NXSl00w9sykeOzt0NY0vbRPH9hPEXKZln5rRCveuBMt-rXQPgA6KI1XQFMTE3L9UN0XDmk6fYjVodwfBSWaGvuQPIlMIBmFxlVGY_QJqXl-K0Wv_bP48Le30YZgngfWH7qVjUEkjkTHGdtDGlzLvAFWIr/s320/20221022_184216.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Crank Shaft</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-o-qfXcDNdu7cCOLgwHJVgdIxWzDkZ_Qd9ucogwIpqLg0RMiHaiohtxcSjerk1uYtZX6cj1YYgM2Z_Go5xsJzCLU6sxr2Sa1LlFntW6X400Y344CkZkuuMqEyUhz5JS6iDAqQ5nVuNDeqkbKzQ_6KeA12HHYGED_XVq0oWyvCMkV1AGlURmIte2F/s4032/20221022_184154.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-o-qfXcDNdu7cCOLgwHJVgdIxWzDkZ_Qd9ucogwIpqLg0RMiHaiohtxcSjerk1uYtZX6cj1YYgM2Z_Go5xsJzCLU6sxr2Sa1LlFntW6X400Y344CkZkuuMqEyUhz5JS6iDAqQ5nVuNDeqkbKzQ_6KeA12HHYGED_XVq0oWyvCMkV1AGlURmIte2F/s320/20221022_184154.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cleaning the throttle assembly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-xxe-rl8VYkL1LH1dVnD64a5MhIKslnk0LMFHmE-E0obTzFzQz_QJ19IdlTKm0DscI5BgUnAcWhqbTb7MTPA9xnSMNcZKHLBEVzLd3d020yR-L9fbfmSMwSBbU1awgqRx5EQZLdJS0PRY0oxI2UytEaSzwu-CdoxK9C4kor_8zIBVnLGnRaMcGPI/s4032/20221022_184207.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-xxe-rl8VYkL1LH1dVnD64a5MhIKslnk0LMFHmE-E0obTzFzQz_QJ19IdlTKm0DscI5BgUnAcWhqbTb7MTPA9xnSMNcZKHLBEVzLd3d020yR-L9fbfmSMwSBbU1awgqRx5EQZLdJS0PRY0oxI2UytEaSzwu-CdoxK9C4kor_8zIBVnLGnRaMcGPI/s320/20221022_184207.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxxRKwdqMnOaRoxNJPB_iNIjxVZTlprIrWEo2Ngr2HeJAiN4aQJ1myOPgJ_eemEzQ-fxYcQ_0FaDbXb4E0gORMWu_2ro2lhyOHvZ7jIF4RUDNNgc-UlZxHTwcQpsrFi26P8Vh21ujYuVS_syK64tTj4aKZooPV1kLpP3byn7f23MfY5OizztGT3Mm/s4032/20221022_184138.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxxRKwdqMnOaRoxNJPB_iNIjxVZTlprIrWEo2Ngr2HeJAiN4aQJ1myOPgJ_eemEzQ-fxYcQ_0FaDbXb4E0gORMWu_2ro2lhyOHvZ7jIF4RUDNNgc-UlZxHTwcQpsrFi26P8Vh21ujYuVS_syK64tTj4aKZooPV1kLpP3byn7f23MfY5OizztGT3Mm/s320/20221022_184138.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miscellaneous Parts - muffler, throttle, clutch, gas line, belt, starter, toolbox, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvcXJ_C7cyv4YlBNZVAOtw_iNqcc2dcwYXdqCEvuXjGigE-8bMwe66If9nf43nVPXSmY6Eq7me3tkWMKrlQDzIff628p6OBE_VUr_sQltW4-XuxmVO5b9Ua3BIey8whqhu1VV5RSDWWKsq9q9a3lDY2d2oe2nQvgSYpGRDlSAcu5c33IeLPviiM-1/s4032/20221022_184126.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvcXJ_C7cyv4YlBNZVAOtw_iNqcc2dcwYXdqCEvuXjGigE-8bMwe66If9nf43nVPXSmY6Eq7me3tkWMKrlQDzIff628p6OBE_VUr_sQltW4-XuxmVO5b9Ua3BIey8whqhu1VV5RSDWWKsq9q9a3lDY2d2oe2nQvgSYpGRDlSAcu5c33IeLPviiM-1/s320/20221022_184126.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdgYweRokS0S2S2jh4sZP9CqNZLEhc5r6vToduNsr0l5CawkarnVJpAA1ycRREGVivpiFJQBourZ8cZixOLTUc2ervZ-5Q34hTM1TjAwoFDq1wNuSR51uSFXlGJnSWF5JPVgfos9u21j8JFGgH0zo6p433QMVmc-kheIpNL--9bMOzsNd_lDw_7SB/s4032/20221022_184117.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdgYweRokS0S2S2jh4sZP9CqNZLEhc5r6vToduNsr0l5CawkarnVJpAA1ycRREGVivpiFJQBourZ8cZixOLTUc2ervZ-5Q34hTM1TjAwoFDq1wNuSR51uSFXlGJnSWF5JPVgfos9u21j8JFGgH0zo6p433QMVmc-kheIpNL--9bMOzsNd_lDw_7SB/s320/20221022_184117.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Top of the engine block with pistons removed</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2duiykDDtJDT-xEdgJaFh4qflDxqnfcjzT98aZTTFzV7y2A5FIWwr_rucVqLvGvbBKblivwER8w6z4wez3uTVfVH2WaxzBAS1gxp_kKQnOpl2Tmhj973Wklmhno5BT7KoauTuiAEBeAI1IQGQCs-R3Np8Kc30WLw-sCLqox4ZB14oQtcYsRw8i3q/s4032/20221022_183722.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2duiykDDtJDT-xEdgJaFh4qflDxqnfcjzT98aZTTFzV7y2A5FIWwr_rucVqLvGvbBKblivwER8w6z4wez3uTVfVH2WaxzBAS1gxp_kKQnOpl2Tmhj973Wklmhno5BT7KoauTuiAEBeAI1IQGQCs-R3Np8Kc30WLw-sCLqox4ZB14oQtcYsRw8i3q/s320/20221022_183722.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">working together...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little Kubota that his Grandpa gave him has been all he's talked about for the last 7 years!!! I found a picture of him with it back in 2015 when my dad was putting it together.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqfRpPHtABEL615OVKnnmU1ZTn8tu1U-QvvPAJTsKNl9vgb27uLtzX97AOqgeubBTsfQGjnYlVeHMch-8ODkN7RYvYvkudLpoykB3xKbuP9obB8y0ma83ToVf92j6YRo4mku3zFQXgCq198natXzs1v3-z2OOBOc-bQ3aoMKkzSv7afWPEh0yeSlP/s885/received_208459274260435.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuqfRpPHtABEL615OVKnnmU1ZTn8tu1U-QvvPAJTsKNl9vgb27uLtzX97AOqgeubBTsfQGjnYlVeHMch-8ODkN7RYvYvkudLpoykB3xKbuP9obB8y0ma83ToVf92j6YRo4mku3zFQXgCq198natXzs1v3-z2OOBOc-bQ3aoMKkzSv7afWPEh0yeSlP/s320/received_208459274260435.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt (8 yrs old) with the Kubota B6000 at</div><div style="text-align: center;">his Grandpa Fricks 2015</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This little Kubota is going to be beautiful when it's totally restored! Wyatt struggles so much with normal life things, it makes my Mama heart so happy that he gets so much joy out of this little diesel tractor and that he can learn and help rebuild it with his dad!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Other related posts:</div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2022/10/restoring-wyatts-kubota-b6000.html">Restoring Wyatt's Kubota B6000</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/03/wyatts-little-tractor.html">Wyatt's Little Tractor</a></div></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/i-cried-today.html?m=1">I cried today</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/11/what-parents-with-special-needs-kids.html?m=1">What parents with special needs kids want you to know</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/09/kids-with-learning-disabilities.html?m=1">Kids with learning disabilities</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2019/08/another-year-school-has-begun.html?m=1">1st Day of School</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/07/to-my-special-needs-son.html?m=1">To My Special Needs Son..</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/07/emergency-brain-surgery.html?m=1">Emergency Brain Surgery</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/07/finding-our-new-normal.html?m=1">Finding Our New Normal.....</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2012/03/best-info-ive-ever-read-on-autism.html?m=1">Best Info I've Ever Read On Autism</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2011/07/helping-my-son.html?m=1">Helping my son</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px;">- I also post pictures from time to time on instagram at <a href="http://www.instagram.com/srkindred">www.instagram.com/srkindred</a></span></div></span>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-88718253394126916912022-11-07T13:31:00.001-05:002022-11-07T13:31:08.683-05:00Introducing Shaklee Bundles<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">They are here! And they are beautiful! Shaklee Bundles target solutions for individual needs....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Ready Set Wellness Bundle </b></span><b style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;">with Vitalizer </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1554" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8lkNb1_PZ5hotdNwgDSbPXD2ZcH0MR0X4PYmdLqVQlXiGDJ4xexrSQi_4a9eOMGSlT6pY_wRojPO1d0rgaZdijN_KXnxd62wZ-XU5oe6QRZRmfVNoWolP5DIXQk5oSLbvqBLEjijHDsfCvavXR-Fnhwtej7Ojlv1uRm2pWxaSTTD4D5H2pPioyY4/w445-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110503_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="445" /><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Ready-Set-Wellness/Ready-Set-Wellness-Bundle-with-Vitalizer%E2%84%A2/p/89600?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" target="_blank">Ready Set Wellness- Vitalizer</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8lkNb1_PZ5hotdNwgDSbPXD2ZcH0MR0X4PYmdLqVQlXiGDJ4xexrSQi_4a9eOMGSlT6pY_wRojPO1d0rgaZdijN_KXnxd62wZ-XU5oe6QRZRmfVNoWolP5DIXQk5oSLbvqBLEjijHDsfCvavXR-Fnhwtej7Ojlv1uRm2pWxaSTTD4D5H2pPioyY4/s1554/Screenshot_20221107-110503_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Step 1: Comprehensive Vitamins</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Vitalizer™ provides advanced nutrition with a full spectrum of clinically supported vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and more in one convenient Vita-Strip®.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Step 2: Pick 2 Life Shake™ Flavors</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Life Shake™ contains:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">20 g Ultra-pure, non-GMO protein with precise ratios of all 9 essential amino acids to support energy and satiety</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">24 Essential vitamins and minerals to support heart, brain, immune, and overall health</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">6 g Dietary fiber and a proprietary prebiotic from an ancient grains blend to support digestive health and regularity</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Powered by Leucine® to help build lean muscle, burn fat, and support metabolism#</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Available in Pea Plant Protein or Soy Protein formulas</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Step 3: Choose Your Boost</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Boost your new nutrition routine by choosing 1 of the products below:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">7-Day Healthy Cleanse</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Completely reset your system, reduce cravings, improve sleep, and jump-start weight loss.*‡ Carefully selected supplements in convenient daily packets with a step-by-step guide and diet plan. Feel better in one week. Guaranteed.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br /></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Collagen-9™</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Your daily beauty booster with all 9 essential amino acids, 10 g of collagen, and a powerful combination of biotin and vitamin C, to promote healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br /></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Triple Defense Boost</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Power your immune system with a great-tasting berry-flavored drink mix, packed with vitamins C and D, zinc, plant-based adaptogens, elderberry, and more. Supports, boosts, and defends your immune system, with ingredients shown to boost Natural Killer cell activity by 3x and critical immune cells by 5.8x.*∞ Enjoy hot or cold.<br /></li><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Organic Greens Booster</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />This whole food supplement packs the goodness of one cup of raw, organic, nutrient-rich green vegetables into every scoop—including kale, spinach, and broccoli—making it easy to get the vegetables you might be missing at meals. Just add one scoop or more to your Life Shake™ or try it in your favorite soups, stews, or pasta.</li><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sustained Energy Boost*</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Face each day with long-lasting energy.* A boost of energy powered by caffeine from green coffee bean extract and green tea extract. Paired perfectly with chardonnay grape seed extract to support healthy circulation so you get the caffeine you need to keep you going.</li></ul></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Shaklee 180 Shake It Off Bundle</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Healthy-Weight/Weight-loss-Kits/Shaklee-180%C2%AE-Shake-It-Off-Bundle/p/89537?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzlzVVuVUy7qrsxBqGWb_F9KyIt6zMjO6UrSZbt5wtMPFdBLATgBrTMxsU2PACZ67JA3zhv0BqcPIX8L7dgS8cjYgvgHBIV5tGFmA7vn6A--uqDyqwRf5JdBeaUZ10NZkU3JpPuAnAfmUi51LyGopcZouHfDsZXdQTEyvN2DRQDgvue5xJIzXToj4z/w410-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110546_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Burn fat, not muscle with leucine.</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">For weight loss that lasts, it isn't about food and exercise alone—you need the right nutrition and the right support tools. Powered by Leucine®, our clinically tested products help you keep muscle you have, burn fat you don't need, and lose inches you don't want.‡ Real science with real results.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why does leucine work?</strong></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Supports lean muscle. Leucine is an essential amino acid that helps with protein synthesis to build lean muscle.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Muscle = Metabolism. Leucine-enriched protein helps your body preserve muscle mass, so you lose the right kind of weight and keep metabolism strong.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">More is better. More muscle means a stronger, leaner-looking you.</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">You'll see and feel the difference. This is the beginning of a new you.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Your bundle contains:</strong></p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">One canister of delicious Life Shake™ packed with protein to curb hunger and increase energy. Available in Plant and Soy Protein formulas and also available in Stevia Free Soy Protein.<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">20 grams of non-GMO protein to keep you feeling fuller longer. Starting at 130 calories per serving.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Clinically proven to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Powered by Leucine® to help you build lean muscle, burn fat, and improve metabolism.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Proprietary prebiotic from an organic ancient grains blend enjoyed by humans for millennia, plus added digestive enzymes. Easy to digest, promotes regularity and digestive comfort.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">23 essential vitamins and minerals and 200 mg of calcium plus ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Low glycemic, non-GMO and gluten free.</li></ul></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Two boxes of Meal-in-a-Bar, a great alternative to the Life Shake when you want a change, with 18-20 grams of protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">One box of healthy Snack Bars loaded with protein and fiber.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">One box of Energizing Tea, a safe and natural way to head off the slumps.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">One Metabolic Boost* supplement to help burn calories naturally and keep your metabolism going strong.</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Program support, including a step-by-step guide and online access to tools, tips, healthy recipes, meal plans, exercise programs, and lifestyle information to help support your success.</li></ul></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Better Sleep, More Energy, </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Less Stress Bundle </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Best-of-Bundles/S-E-S-Bundle/p/89624?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKcYtGJ1EHETbY97Zy_AHY1oIW-77OHvSOr0ipeW5PoQ-Vqvy82xqD35t-xgiLjuWzRPSU2_vMvLmb2O9pvWSoZuUjIEwGwHztQLQJmrk5Hfl9qqivfBqYSjiFxgGO12MSOOgVOYJKevzWxXxoKiQge9C84MpHHnB9KEC3DUa2J34N-E1oelMd2l5/w448-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110603_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="448" /></a></div></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dream Serene<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10.5px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">™</span></strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Clinically proven melatonin and a calming blend of valerian, lemon balm, and L-theanine work in blissful harmony to help you fall asleep and stay that way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sustained Energy Boost*</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Contains 100 mg caffeine from green coffee bean extract and green tea extract plus chardonnay grape seed extract to support healthy circulation.* That means it is designed to get the caffeine you need to boost your energy levels now and keep you going later.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Stress Relief Complex*</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Contains a combination of L-theanine, ashwagandha, beta-sitosterol, and L-tyrosine to relax the body and mind and support a relaxed state without </p></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Age Well Beauty Bundle</span></b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Targeted-Solutions/Aging-Well/Age-Well-Beauty-Bundle/p/89618?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21RwpIxvg129UtVPYbfDdvI_b71qzVKbXT6fcNWI8bqhZYZ9tAZLsQYh0x-50riOtmJc1YWNcuFBgeXzUgsXCBAaLQ7LTbdFn2QwbFS9DPAzEs8vjJuWvwygllSW0F4Zel1YE8Ffn-wQJW5DGIKuRVh8xJsTKV0WeLzJVxKaZHuISYZTbiQ9FA1O3/w438-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110619_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Vivix®</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Slow Aging at the Cellular Level®</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Vivix helps keep cells vital and strong using a natural blend derived from the world's most potent source of polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and have been shown in laboratory studies to activate cells' defenses and protect against cell damage.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Revitalize Body Wash </strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A creamy, ultra-nourishing multivitamin body cleanser.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Formulated with soothing botanicals, powerful antioxidants, nourishing vitamins, and omega fatty acids to leave you feeling clean and replenished with a youthful, healthy glow.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Restore Body Serum </strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A firming, nutrient-rich, age-defying body treatment.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">This silky serum helps slow the breakdown of collagen and protect against premature aging caused by free radicals with a patent-pending polyphenol blend, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide for younger, firmer-looking skin with better tone and texture.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Nourish Body Lotion </strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A luxurious, long-lasting multivitamin body moisturizer.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">This ultra-nourishing lotion is infused with shea butter, coconut, and antioxidants from a patent-pending polyphenol blend to help support the skin barrier and keep your skin looking younger and feeling smoother.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Collagen-9™</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />The most complete collagen product.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Includes all 9 essential amino acids, 10 g of collagen, and a powerful combination of biotin and vitamin C, to promote healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Ready Set Wellness Bundle </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>with Meology </b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Ready-Set-Wellness/Ready-Set-Wellness-Bundle/p/89599?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimg9_ku6-og7Q5lb1aLZMZYmn8Ptmsb_cQEXdWr95hPA1ta8lSfFtg3QjBTaXYz1FggR_1QEXEyVlcXuXsRi72z-2_1qFIJIkE2q_nCxWGM6Jmg04_l-BCBMLuC0gp0CowYe2MJij-oauqByaUB78w11ic4Ndv1M5vfiptbEzMC76bqXgPa48eVfaV/w422-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110639_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Ready to have more energy, sleep better, live healthier and feel younger?<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Set your personalized path to true wellness and healthy habits in 5 minutes.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Wellness is in reach, with clinically proven products from the pioneers of wellness<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Whether you want more energy, a boost to your beauty routine, immune health support, more vegetables in your diet, or a complete system reset, this bundle helps you make healthy choices each day and meet your personal health goals.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Step 1: Take Your Meology™ Assessment</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Lay a strong foundation for wellness with your daily vitamins. Meology™ delivers personalized nutrition recommendations precisely for you—not people like you—with more precision, more power, more patents, and more proof than any of the competition.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Personalize – Tell us about yourself and get your custom recommendations.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Subscribe – Enjoy exclusive prices and stay stocked. Easily edit or cancel anytime.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Grab & Go – Convenient daily-dose packs make it easy to add to your routine.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Step 2: Pick 2 Life Shake™ Flavors</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Life Shake™ contains:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">20 g Ultra-pure, non-GMO protein with precise ratios of all 9 essential amino acids to support energy and satiety</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">24 Essential vitamins and minerals to support heart, brain, immune, and overall health</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">6 g Dietary fiber and a proprietary prebiotic from an ancient grains blend to support digestive health and regularity</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Powered by Leucine® to help build lean muscle, burn fat, and support metabolism#</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Available in Pea Plant Protein or Soy Protein formulas</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Step 3: Choose Your Boost</strong></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Boost your new nutrition routine by choosing 1 of the products below:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">7-Day Healthy Cleanse</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Completely reset your system, reduce cravings, improve sleep, and jump-start weight loss.*‡ Carefully selected supplements in convenient daily packets with a step-by-step guide and diet plan. Feel better in one week. Guaranteed.<br /></li><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Collagen-9™</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Your daily beauty booster with all 9 essential amino acids, 10 g of collagen, and a powerful combination of biotin and vitamin C, to promote healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints.<br /></li><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Triple Defense Boost</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Power your immune system with a great-tasting berry-flavored drink mix, packed with vitamins C and D, zinc, plant-based adaptogens, elderberry, and more. Supports, boosts, and defends your immune system, with ingredients shown to boost Natural Killer cell activity by 3x and critical immune cells by 5.8x - Enjoy hot or cold.<br /></li><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Organic Greens Booster</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />This whole food supplement packs the goodness of one cup of raw, organic, nutrient-rich green vegetables into every scoop—including kale, spinach, and broccoli—making it easy to get the vegetables you might be missing at meals. Just add one scoop or more to your Life Shake™ or try it in your favorite soups, stews, or pasta.</li><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sustained Energy Boost*</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Face each day with long-lasting energy.* A boost of energy powered by caffeine from green coffee bean extract and green tea extract. Paired perfectly with chardonnay grape seed extract to support healthy circulation so you get the caffeine you need to keep you going.</li></ul></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Jump Start Bundle</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Best-of-Bundles/Jump-Start-Bundle/p/89626?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="1078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoJOaiHZZB8NQwRM1zsOPD7rRRJUHF5u1zBWFN6wbqaJGnHbd-5vhw163gpVCPkacyY5oT9HPSVohrgveYtfQveGUfsi7y11PiV5CNnqWEecP7f4No7pq7W3Qh2mrM1xeIFtKgPquq4g6KTyAgF5BxJeGlBtbJSkMz8u5hDiZt2ndyVbs4EzOUyZR/w480-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110713_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Life Shake™</strong> contains:</p><ol style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">20 g Ultra-pure, non-GMO protein with precise ratios of all 9 essential amino acids to support energy and satiety</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">24 Essential vitamins and minerals to support heart, brain, immune, and overall health</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">6 g Dietary fiber and a proprietary prebiotic from an ancient grains blend to support digestive health and regularity</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our new, low-glycemic sweetener system, Reb M + 5 g natural sugar cane </li></ol><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Powered by Leucine® to help build lean muscle, burn fat, and support metabolism.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Meal-in-a-Bar</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />A complete meal-on-the-go<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />No time to sit and dine? Grab a Meal-in-a-Bar and go! The perfect alternative to the Shaklee Life Shake™ when you want a change, each chewy bar is packed with the healthful nutrients your hard-working body needs, including vitamins and minerals. High in protein and fiber to help keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours and fortified with the amino acid leucine to help your body retain lean muscle while you lose weight.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Meal-in-a-Bar provides:</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">18 - 20 grams of hunger-fighting protein</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">6 - 7 grams of fiber</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Powered by Leucine®</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Non-GMO soy protein</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Gluten free</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">No artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, or preservatives added</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Finishing Touch Bundle</b></span> </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Best-of-Bundles/Finishing-Touch-Bundle/p/89625?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1673" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfGyJQ6BMZ6v7y3Vuj2OdstTiE855V6SafP6ZJ6X9uq50boQw_TMy3MBPJ0HeQsyww8KeoXozwp7fjhvyYaqgbSNjH4A-XpBwX6_R8Nz1yyGj8w5ZgcReH79VVbKl8yf-P4kCI4QGylbchbCG7x4ZhDESCcg0WS4puNPnarjeL0C29E8xdAJqqZ5Z/w414-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110732_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Collagen-9™</strong> is the most complete collagen product, uniquely designed to include all 9 essential amino acids needed to support protein synthesis, including collagen. Combined with biotin and vitamin C, these crucial nutrients aid in promoting healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">YOUTH® Lash Revitalizing and Conditioning Mascara</strong> is a 2-in-1 lash conditioner and mascara that lengthens, volumizes, and lifts to help create fuller-looking lashes.</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Specially formulated with our Botanical Complex to help strengthen lashes and encourage the appearance of longer, healthier-looking lashes</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Features our unique Lash Protection Complex: patent-pending Muscadine Grape polyphenols and multipatented Vital Repair+® to help protect lashes and roots against environmental/free radical damage</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Made from naturally derived mineral pigment to provide a glossy-looking black finish</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Features an innovative 2-sided brush to help create a natural, elegant look:<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shorter bristles grab close to the root, boosting volume and lengthening beyond belief</li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Longer bristles create definition and lift even your tiniest lashes</li></ul></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;">Our smudge-free, ultra-moisturizing formula adheres immediately to lashes for a longer-lasting wear</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Healthy Habits Bundle</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Best-of-Bundles/Healthy-Habits-Bundle/p/89623?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMl25FeaFAEksuiJRT3Y04ICtHStU-3fO4wfzHK8WiAYZIzJnhYfWKwkVygF93dTRnrVupgqPZnJR7Wfu9-xp1GD9ZeVqFeopddlrZhnjZHmbc8HiBCwHP1tDsjdIJjizJMhMh2rie9gLBMv8fhLRcyKbTaEnxjMIO4YaBxuBLkW24qcBFMnXN442y/w474-h640/Screenshot_20221107-110750_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Essential MultiV Drink</strong> makes it easy to take your daily vitamins with no tablets or capsules to swallow. Simply mix it with water for a delicious drink that contains 17 essential vitamins and minerals and helps keep you hydrated. The nutrients in this Peach Mango multivitamin drink help support brain, bone, and immune health, as well as energy levels, by providing the nutrition you may be missing at meals.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Omega-3 Gellys™</strong> deliver 3x more DHA + EPA than other leading gummies—in a great-tasting Strawberry Lemonade flavor. A groundbreaking technology developed by Norwegian scientists helps the body more easily absorb the DHA + EPA in Omega-3 Gellys to support growing and developing brains, help maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, help retain healthy triglyceride levels, and help support eye and joint health.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Optiflora® DI Probiotic</strong><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Optiflora DI delivers unique benefits via a proprietary formula with 10 billion CFUs with 4 bacterial strains, including the powerhouse Bifidobacterium lactis HN019™, which was proven in clinical studies to support both digestive and immune health.</p><ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 15px; text-align: start;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Helps support intestinal flora balance/adds good bacteria</p></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Helps maintain regularity</p></li><li style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Helps reduce occasional gas, bloating, and constipation</p></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Clinically proven immune support.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />At least 70% of our immune system is in our gut. Optiflora DI adds "good" bacteria to our gut, supporting immune health.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Clinically proven digestive balance and comfort.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Helps maintain digestive health and regularity. Reduces the likelihood of occasional gas, bloating, and constipation.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Laboratory tested to survive stomach acid.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />B. lactis HN019 is shown to survive passage through the digestive tract to reach the large intestine and deliver maximum benefit to the gut.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;">Optiflora DI is gluten free, soy free, and dairy free. No refrigeration required.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Inner Beauty Bundle </b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://us.shaklee.com/Nutrition/Best-of-Bundles/Inner-Beauty-Bundle/p/89622?categoryCode=&sponsorId=ChW9OKxMvjF2TcsLEkv%2FlQ%3D%3D&pwsName=srkindred" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="1078" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7S6Xa2EPA8tmckAn-H_kMTs7dhz_IZXw8TbFQpxBI5JNCim53pK8_viZjO7Ys7R9x4u5pGer_koew4tFf9hQ55MBNkWrzW1mozGSEQzTqJFnGs_grSi_r9LQhx0HLmwGJHr2UGD6CZQKnzL59AQUlmkbKUZ6nlq5IfYkDuMy69_dqY007IMf3wc5/w416-h640/Screenshot_20221107-111249_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Vivix®</strong> contains a proprietary, all-natural blend of polyphenols based on the muscadine grape, featuring high concentrations of the polyphenols ellagic acid and ellagitannins, plus resveratrol. These key ingredients in Vivix have been shown in laboratory studies to help protect and repair cellular DNA and Slow Aging at the Cellular Level® by activating cellular defenses, neutralizing free radicals, and slowing the development of damaged proteins (AGEs) that may accumulate and lead to cellular aging.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: "Gilmer Regular", Montserrat, "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: start;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Collagen-9™</strong> is the most complete collagen product, uniquely designed to include all 9 essential amino acids needed to support protein synthesis, including collagen. Combined with biotin and vitamin C, these crucial nutrients aid in promoting healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Which bundle would you most like to try?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can see more info at:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">www.srkindred.com</span> </b></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-26557812170147323432022-10-18T19:10:00.010-04:002022-10-18T19:27:50.073-04:00Restoring Wyatt's Kubota B6000<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">The guys have been working on Wyatt's little B6000 Kubota tractor. In between finishing the house remodel, splitting firewood, and getting things ready for winter.... it goes a little at a time. The last couple months Wyatt (with his dad's help) has been taking off parts and peices, sanding them down, filling in holes, and repainting them.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEUiCVhglzXGW56WkIvlVBe2NxJsh_cFVROOBJUx2UcfsCxaUsXTRJatBVl1HJZy715t6iqpc2Z6Bgkvi5cbsy6kbtsx3TfqK2-zBAaKcpl0tOu86Lg4F8v1t3tC2HS3wO_tE7dQ1XYDY7WiJzte97P9dD3ynlfVb26XNY-RyvGsv5IuCSmyfe5_R/s3003/20220803_173842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2808" data-original-width="3003" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEUiCVhglzXGW56WkIvlVBe2NxJsh_cFVROOBJUx2UcfsCxaUsXTRJatBVl1HJZy715t6iqpc2Z6Bgkvi5cbsy6kbtsx3TfqK2-zBAaKcpl0tOu86Lg4F8v1t3tC2HS3wO_tE7dQ1XYDY7WiJzte97P9dD3ynlfVb26XNY-RyvGsv5IuCSmyfe5_R/s320/20220803_173842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCDgczC0dkmT9QL_tk3OcwQQTlYTPyORJ1ck4gv4KoMKDX6mrX-dzL79RPPwTE5kKiKTtN60HTafLIH3LQW4qW2xsZyJIXqRlTzHREYKD11jPevjnj6xXeP9q4omjBLHhGTQhc03kdY2-19TGdcOEKNGLLsEfwQE2gqNruZDjOE7swZfXa6psxqnE/s4032/20220805_195337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCDgczC0dkmT9QL_tk3OcwQQTlYTPyORJ1ck4gv4KoMKDX6mrX-dzL79RPPwTE5kKiKTtN60HTafLIH3LQW4qW2xsZyJIXqRlTzHREYKD11jPevjnj6xXeP9q4omjBLHhGTQhc03kdY2-19TGdcOEKNGLLsEfwQE2gqNruZDjOE7swZfXa6psxqnE/s320/20220805_195337.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOp5TOIismA6vJTP0f--HEBmh9xIH-z6jSQcubIR4IwWNnC4HgIbZhN7ey2hwjCfbKACNjnPuaatuAuqK1WUq4OzwfVwe45ve9PbdyeA4_Bnmku5TJK7sy0AoJPSYAFBAq_LVSolqxZFUJ5TQ5pNmvZtdZRcUXALqlorMOlpILE_C5u4h5JLD9u0m/s3194/20220819_111017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3194" data-original-width="2035" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOp5TOIismA6vJTP0f--HEBmh9xIH-z6jSQcubIR4IwWNnC4HgIbZhN7ey2hwjCfbKACNjnPuaatuAuqK1WUq4OzwfVwe45ve9PbdyeA4_Bnmku5TJK7sy0AoJPSYAFBAq_LVSolqxZFUJ5TQ5pNmvZtdZRcUXALqlorMOlpILE_C5u4h5JLD9u0m/s320/20220819_111017.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp3IsfQNOy3z_sPdP3DDYq4lilmctiJJuxNc1g-lHnCLM3SIgYJR2_6K-YSoX40fPXI2GQsUABVjpliUdgQCn0vJPwWyzzbK_4WPIdJroh3KWO_QjftmzQQTAwQUrwax6_v6oiwRafmnrVIvJdDMvWFlFlUIBhQCt8kjDWJxJpaMU2UzU1VHfbbVt/s1920/Resized_20220806_202849.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdp3IsfQNOy3z_sPdP3DDYq4lilmctiJJuxNc1g-lHnCLM3SIgYJR2_6K-YSoX40fPXI2GQsUABVjpliUdgQCn0vJPwWyzzbK_4WPIdJroh3KWO_QjftmzQQTAwQUrwax6_v6oiwRafmnrVIvJdDMvWFlFlUIBhQCt8kjDWJxJpaMU2UzU1VHfbbVt/s320/Resized_20220806_202849.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXN6PG74z8wluWu2AYqRyWa22z4L3omnmc6MNPLMvbDZhVuT14ZpVnUGT80rzH_jpbIpptTNWNltRTJqQttTHW7yXHG37rEnwNEtkC0oXJY_8y-6OyrjSVQJE75J1KQoEtCGKN57XUecFi_V5dafTdcOp2hpa1QDZ-a1DUkCkJ-BdXpFBRhtfw9QR/s1920/Resized_20220827_153448.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcXN6PG74z8wluWu2AYqRyWa22z4L3omnmc6MNPLMvbDZhVuT14ZpVnUGT80rzH_jpbIpptTNWNltRTJqQttTHW7yXHG37rEnwNEtkC0oXJY_8y-6OyrjSVQJE75J1KQoEtCGKN57XUecFi_V5dafTdcOp2hpa1QDZ-a1DUkCkJ-BdXpFBRhtfw9QR/s320/Resized_20220827_153448.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The wheels are finished and already put on the brand new tires! That new black rubber with the orange Kabota paint look sharp!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The fenders, hood, hand rails and dash has all been painted.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This week, they pulled the motor, and took off the front axle. Wyatt has been working at getting the grease off the motor.... that thing is filthy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPZ4aSLbu62P9fPCNZ2Po1G-8WE3_3U_6CrB64d7KLFTvr324a0AZedCw6GNOuT8ddOddtaSB6DCukfeSSDrwkImFIOndNJ4_HSCx254r2OFF57c-K2Ll0dHACGQJqnVQFD0A-NxNaxCF9Hs49JmK9BmJkVWn64ny93xtredvxJRozZvuBj4auPwv/s4032/20221016_183453.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPZ4aSLbu62P9fPCNZ2Po1G-8WE3_3U_6CrB64d7KLFTvr324a0AZedCw6GNOuT8ddOddtaSB6DCukfeSSDrwkImFIOndNJ4_HSCx254r2OFF57c-K2Ll0dHACGQJqnVQFD0A-NxNaxCF9Hs49JmK9BmJkVWn64ny93xtredvxJRozZvuBj4auPwv/s320/20221016_183453.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOunb7uIf5sOlyR6pkh7oY-2QPMfNpkmsu62ydK4W4xrvG5jPfx9zq5-kiJFQma8FSkIsLmX11G896moa86Sjr9-bHnJ4Id0jHDzMk1x_xTHpTOs9I5ZZT-M_zh6j0AiJAmn2IB_hgbdq6A2gS4GgBU7oI-sihRz5-4kO3LOIdrIL6hZpY03GxVm0y/s4032/20221016_183543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOunb7uIf5sOlyR6pkh7oY-2QPMfNpkmsu62ydK4W4xrvG5jPfx9zq5-kiJFQma8FSkIsLmX11G896moa86Sjr9-bHnJ4Id0jHDzMk1x_xTHpTOs9I5ZZT-M_zh6j0AiJAmn2IB_hgbdq6A2gS4GgBU7oI-sihRz5-4kO3LOIdrIL6hZpY03GxVm0y/s320/20221016_183543.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">They have ordered most of the decals, but are unable to purchase some, so we are trying to find someone who can scan the images and make a few decals that we can no longer purchase. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The goal is to rebuild the motor this winter and by summer have it all put back together with a shiny new paint job!</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for following along....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you want to help Wyatt with his project, you can donate here --->>></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://gofund.me/8d43f3ba"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">https://gofund.me/8d43f3ba</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(It goes directly to Wyatt and is used for his tractor).</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you can't donate, please share. Thank you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And you can read more about Wyatt here:</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/07/emergency-brain-surgery.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Emergency Brain Surgery</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/03/wyatts-little-tractor.html">Wyatt's Little Tractor</a></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/07/to-my-special-needs-son.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">To My Special Needs Son...</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/11/what-parents-with-special-needs-kids.html"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What Parents With Special Needs Kids Want You To Know</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- I also post pictures from time to time on instagram at www.instagram.com/srkindred</div></span></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-29780078329281637872022-09-02T16:05:00.001-04:002022-09-02T16:14:28.044-04:00Drugs...<main class="wix-blog-print-in-full-width" id="PAGES_CONTAINER" style="--above-all-in-container: 49; 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font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">If Drugs Could Right a Poem....</span></div></div></div><div class="nLG8d5" data-hook="post-description" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 19px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><article class="blog-post-page-font" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: normal; font-style: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: inherit; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit;"><div class="post-content__body" style="--ricos-action-color-fallback-tuple: 0, 0, 0; --ricos-action-color-fallback: #000000; --ricos-action-color-tuple: 87, 187, 191; --ricos-action-color: #57bbbf; --ricos-background-color-tuple: 255, 255, 255; 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background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="ZylKKv md1nXG SwMATA" data-rce-version="8.72.29" style="--rce-active-divider-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5); --rce-divider-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); --rce-header-five-font-size: 15px; --rce-header-four-font-size: 17px; --rce-header-six-font-size: 13px; --rce-header-three-font-size: 19px; --rce-header-two-font-size: 25px; --rce-highlighted-color: rgb(87, 187, 191); --rce-link-hashtag-color: rgb(25, 150, 198); --rce-mobile-font-size: 16px; --rce-mobile-header-five-font-size: 20px; --rce-mobile-header-four-font-size: 20px; --rce-mobile-header-six-font-size: 20px; --rce-mobile-header-three-font-size: 20px; --rce-mobile-header-two-font-size: 24px; --rce-mobile-quotes-font-size: 20px; --rce-opaque-background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); --rce-text-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex: 1 1 auto; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="kvdbP HWlYoF wrLZsV _1O7aH" data-id="rich-content-viewer" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: var(--ricos-font-family,unset); height: 3637.78px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="_1hN1O uyQefQ _3EPBy" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-bg-color-container,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-size: 14px; height: 3637.78px; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px 18px; tab-size: 40px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 320px;"><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 roLFQS _1FoOD _3M0Fe Z63qyL roLFQS public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7snq7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">" I destroy homes, tear families apart - take your children, and that's just the start.</span></span><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I'm more costly than diamonds, more costly than gold - the sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.
And if you need me, remember I'm easily found.
I live all around you, in schools and in town.
I live with the rich, I live with the poor, I live down the street, and maybe next door.
My power is awesome - try me you'll see.
But if you do, you may never break free.
Just try me once and I might let you go, but try me twice, and I'll own your soul.
When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie.
You'll do what you have to, just to get high.
The crimes you'll commit, for my narcotic charms, will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="paragraph"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 roLFQS _1FoOD _3M0Fe Z63qyL roLFQS public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e062d" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: var(--ricos-custom-p-color,unset); direction: ltr; font-family: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-family,unset); font-size: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-size,unset); font-stretch: inherit; font-style: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-style,unset); font-variant: inherit; font-weight: var(--ricos-custom-p-font-weight,unset); line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad.
When you see their tears, you should feel sad.
But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised.
<br /></span></span><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc_aWkEAbfwuvYza2XVStO0syxsVUVyFnb_B75bNXHn1m7lA3lOzcRX7foZr5MMb9Sklr8HkFsvDu3RtIP7CkgCOjr5R1-4RNRSmSsH8PKBmg_E1HiJKRxevWm06RP_H1sfzIIg_x3dOgnC4617Shkl8o9yJxCnc0t4_o18559u8SzuSTcIAZ0iR2/s280/download.jpeg-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc_aWkEAbfwuvYza2XVStO0syxsVUVyFnb_B75bNXHn1m7lA3lOzcRX7foZr5MMb9Sklr8HkFsvDu3RtIP7CkgCOjr5R1-4RNRSmSsH8PKBmg_E1HiJKRxevWm06RP_H1sfzIIg_x3dOgnC4617Shkl8o9yJxCnc0t4_o18559u8SzuSTcIAZ0iR2/s1600/download.jpeg-2.jpg" width="280" /></a></span></span></div><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: var(--ricos-custom-p-background-color,unset); background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.
I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate from friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I'll be with you always, right by your side.
You'll give up everything - your family, your home, your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.
I'll take and I'll take, till you have nothing more to give.
When I'm finished with you you'll be lucky to live.
If you try me be warned this is no game.
If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.
I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind.
I'll own you completely; your soul will be mine.
The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed.
The voices you'll hear from inside your head.
The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see.
I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.
But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart, that you are mine, and we shall not part.
You'll regret that you tried me, they always do.
But you came to me, not I to you.
You knew this would happen.
Many times you were told, but you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.
You could have said no, and just walked away.
If you could live that day over, now what would you say?
I'll be your master; you will be my slave.
I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.
Now that you have met me, what will you do?
Will you try me or not?
Its all up to you.
I can bring you more misery than words can tell.
Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell."
Signed,
DRUGS</span></span><p></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></article></div></div></article></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></main>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-82358815539096242502022-03-01T23:50:00.004-05:002022-03-22T09:49:08.850-04:00Dying....<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihO7wJVKnhNJfxdK280vEPzIE8cFkUNrwNLzmejv0LOLLMMa235Kx_-wL2WqdTAx2LLKOWhapu9IObDneRCsRMrMCaHGmIUhNbvhEjDXuw_wceFGNrRfbIbdraTy1fqdDo3tPCUQRAWzmRM7dYySNnWD8lt8zzK2XHCfr0wGkmeJrVm1DPjil5tvge=s2894" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2894" data-original-width="2894" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihO7wJVKnhNJfxdK280vEPzIE8cFkUNrwNLzmejv0LOLLMMa235Kx_-wL2WqdTAx2LLKOWhapu9IObDneRCsRMrMCaHGmIUhNbvhEjDXuw_wceFGNrRfbIbdraTy1fqdDo3tPCUQRAWzmRM7dYySNnWD8lt8zzK2XHCfr0wGkmeJrVm1DPjil5tvge=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today has been hard for me.... there were alot of tears.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I don't like getting old, and I don't like that people I care about are dying... our friend and neighbor passed away this week. <a href="https://instagram.com/brooklyn_speaks?utm_medium=copy_link" target="_blank">Brooklyn_speaks</a> went home to be with Jesus today.... another friend of ours is losing his battle with ALS and got his feeding tube put in this month... I feel overwhelmed that for me, I know my place in that line will come sooner than later. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My death sentence makes me angry... I have kids that need me. I want to travel and see the world. I want to watch my kids grow up... to see my grandkids and great-grandkids. I want to enjoy retirement with my hubby. I want to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary together. I want to do something good with my life.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I get tired of fighting with doctors, getting pricked with needles and the ever changing doses of medication. I'm tired of being exhausted every single day. I feel guilty for just about everything I do, and everything I don't do. I feel like the people I love most are getting the worst of me. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some people say that a terminal illness brings out the best in them - that it helps them to live life to the fullest and not to take anything for granted. But for me, I feel it brings out the worst.... I feel like the everyday life of working (I drive for a car dealership), having a <a href="http://www.srkindred.com" target="_blank">home business</a>, homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, gardening, canning, having a hobby farm, helping our special needs son, and remodeling the house, etc. is taking over my life. I feel overwhelmed, exhausted, like I'm failing at everything</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">... but mostly, I feel like <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/03/i-was-diagnosed-with-cancer-on-day-my.html" target="_blank">I'm just waiting to die.</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I'd rather live, but I'm not sure how to anymore. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today, hubby and I went over my funeral arrangements, ideas for my casket, burial, etc.<i> (It's important to me that it's done now so he won't need to worry about it when the time comes.) </i>There's so much that needs planned... so much to do. Every year, is another year crossed off the life expectancy my doctors gave me.... my life seems to be going by so fast- like I'm on this rollercoaster that never ends.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm not looking for sympathy... I know that God is in control and none of us are given the promise of another day. But some days it's just rough....</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Tomorrow, I will get up, put on my uniform, and go drive for the dealership... I will hide my emotions behind a smile, and people will think I'm living a normal life.... it is what it is.... that's my life.</span></p>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-3022878526375663982021-12-20T03:02:00.035-05:002023-06-13T09:46:33.725-04:00A Different Christmas <p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: 18px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christmas looks different for our family this year.... it's our first Christmas without Stephen's Grandpa Chuck and my Dad.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">No more playing games and talking/laughing with siblings and in-laws. No more taffy pulls, Christmas caroling or cookie making.... </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUezhcV_EDpWSXWLTWFRrk3ZI2q3vB1D_h-6iS8luNvCqeKXrR-PHQRbEC7abQfy9LSnS-7yhSrXoqn0jg8gK2DhTUHqGA2_p4016pxjnKb_n8dEk5WTWPDUWM6c2fdiSANMxQAn9wCPjB59z-IMp15wpchrw1IalcPQobd-zz6RCzS7U5RgKE-zph=s210" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="134" data-original-width="210" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUezhcV_EDpWSXWLTWFRrk3ZI2q3vB1D_h-6iS8luNvCqeKXrR-PHQRbEC7abQfy9LSnS-7yhSrXoqn0jg8gK2DhTUHqGA2_p4016pxjnKb_n8dEk5WTWPDUWM6c2fdiSANMxQAn9wCPjB59z-IMp15wpchrw1IalcPQobd-zz6RCzS7U5RgKE-zph" width="210" /></a></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">My hubby, kids, and I are gonna make new memories and have a wonderful joy filled Christmas! We will start new traditions, and enjoy Christmas with people who love and care for us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Is it sad? Yes. Do I wish it could be different? Yes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span><i><b>Sometimes the truth hurts, but it's still the truth.</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div></i></div></span><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span>So yes, Christmas will definitely be different now that Dad is gone. He</span><span> wasn't very big on Christmas, or gifts anyway.... it just wasn't his thing..</span><span>. but I'll still miss it. Most of all, I'll miss him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgra2Ab0ppwXfggmfOMtOxmIGHZxYqQKEARtzTXeetbK-95eGMQrr8tepE9BjbNcPyyUKxRmgmQKmC9x2R-MFcHh1X1EVY-3WaYtZtq2PJpzAG8mtT7-XCt7VQdGPtjcPZs7tK8HBKhYCu-o5awohR5qoOEYQ6Habc_4n-bAsP0A49VJAQcAjb5Z2b1=s2988" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="2331" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgra2Ab0ppwXfggmfOMtOxmIGHZxYqQKEARtzTXeetbK-95eGMQrr8tepE9BjbNcPyyUKxRmgmQKmC9x2R-MFcHh1X1EVY-3WaYtZtq2PJpzAG8mtT7-XCt7VQdGPtjcPZs7tK8HBKhYCu-o5awohR5qoOEYQ6Habc_4n-bAsP0A49VJAQcAjb5Z2b1=s320" width="250" /></a></div></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><div style="font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">And it makes me wonder....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">🎵 - <a href="https://youtu.be/cBtZY633AjI">https://youtu.be/cBtZY633AjI</a> - 🎵 </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">… Is the snow falling down on the streets of gold</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Are the mansions all covered in white</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Are you singing with angels silent night</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">I wonder.....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"> what Christmas in Heaven is like.......</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">And I wonder.....</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Are you kneeling with shepherds before Him now</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Can you reach out and touch his face</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Are you part of that glorious holy night</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder.....</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">What Christmas in Heaven is like</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">… Is the snow falling down on the streets of gold</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Are the mansions all covered in white</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">Are you singing with angels silent night</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">Oh I wonder.......</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">What Christmas in Heaven is like.....</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Merry Christmas in Heaven Dad!</i></div></span></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_211219_124020_898.sdocx-->SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-66632489501026818452021-08-24T15:16:00.002-04:002022-06-03T08:50:14.841-04:00Driving...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnHG667Pfx0/YSR7eHIYlwI/AAAAAAAAcqw/eY0XEfT4olQJkBywewDM6E7IeYMi_ErBACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20200506_224020_281.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mnHG667Pfx0/YSR7eHIYlwI/AAAAAAAAcqw/eY0XEfT4olQJkBywewDM6E7IeYMi_ErBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200506_224020_281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I drive for Ford, as a dealership driver. I do dealer trades <i>(my favorite),</i> dealer buys, lease returns, pick up auction cars, and deliver cars to their new owners..... sometimes we even go straight to the Ford plant and pick them up as they come off the assembly line.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We drive all over.... mainly in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan. But sometimes as far as Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, and Florida...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes I drive one way with another driver. <i>(My favorite driving partner is Joe. We have gotten to be best friends over the years, and have a great time together.)</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXUFfDPzjB0/YSUiBttmBzI/AAAAAAAAcv0/IlhHhVCg5qIFYSBZ-blbyN0w06XisyRRACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210824_124346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1240" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXUFfDPzjB0/YSUiBttmBzI/AAAAAAAAcv0/IlhHhVCg5qIFYSBZ-blbyN0w06XisyRRACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210824_124346.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sometimes, its just me by myself for the whole trip.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I absolutely love driving!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Driving is exciting. I love the adventure of where the road might take me. Of not knowing how my day will go. I love seeing the beautiful landscape and the sunsets. I love the quiet solitude of being in the car alone with my thoughts. I love driving on wide open interstates, in congested traffic lanes, and on narrow back country roads. I like seeing big city's, little towns, and trying new restaurants. I love people watching at truck stops and rest areas. I love the sound of a tractor trailer shifting gears or putting on their Jake brakes. I love driving fast. For me, nothing is more comfortable than being in the drivers seat.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhbgizEQ6gE/YSSTn7gfqJI/AAAAAAAAcu0/sTLJDaqptdcyuTf7qbEjYD9_H-zaMlZnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/20210824_005538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1080" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LhbgizEQ6gE/YSSTn7gfqJI/AAAAAAAAcu0/sTLJDaqptdcyuTf7qbEjYD9_H-zaMlZnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210824_005538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have loved traveling/driving ever since I was kid... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I loved it when mom would let me take the wheel, while she was driving home from town on a back country road. Or when we could drive the vehicles on our back lanes and actually be in the drivers seat and in control of the pedals.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I loved taking trips. Dad liked to drive at night and he would let me come up to the front of the van while everyone was sleeping and we'd play the licence plate game or count the color of cars... When I was 16, my parents moved to Pennsylvania and I got to drive alot of loads <i>(my dad moved alot of his shop/junk)</i> out there. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When I was married to my 1st husband, we drove a F550 super duty hotshot tractor with a sleeper cab and 53 ft. wedge trailer, delivering cargo box trailers out of Elkhart IN and back hauling cars for John Fett Trucking. Our routine trips were mostly Long Island New York <i>(going through the Bronx was both exciting and nerve wracking, but it was my most favorite run)</i>, Chicago, Minneapolis, Georgia <i>(we got married on one of our Georgia trips)</i>, and North Carolina, but we went all over. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZwidvty90o/YSUmb7D9s1I/AAAAAAAAcv8/JZp0uqUrGPkcjvQpkwjnYU9V6pQErnUtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1564/IMG_20210824_130248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZwidvty90o/YSUmb7D9s1I/AAAAAAAAcv8/JZp0uqUrGPkcjvQpkwjnYU9V6pQErnUtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210824_130248.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We don't travel nearly as much as I'd like too, but we take the kids on a 1-2 week long trip once a year, and do family day trips, and small weekend getaways. Hubby and I also go on an Anniversary trip every year too. I love a good long road trip with my family!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ8aWXaKtlQ/YSUv4vAmU6I/AAAAAAAAcwE/pieF89B04Sw5MYd7krYZU5pZQc5201O0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1564/20210824_134003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ8aWXaKtlQ/YSUv4vAmU6I/AAAAAAAAcwE/pieF89B04Sw5MYd7krYZU5pZQc5201O0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210824_134003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To me, driving is relaxing and there's nothing better than being by myself in a brand new car or truck, with an ice cold diet Mountain Dew beside me, the music turned up, and a long road ahead.... </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnbI6ONGEpA/YSSVjW9lnnI/AAAAAAAAcvE/XLtkfc0lrWktWzRYAtFIsUR5G--L3s-wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1246/20210824_005606.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PnbI6ONGEpA/YSSVjW9lnnI/AAAAAAAAcvE/XLtkfc0lrWktWzRYAtFIsUR5G--L3s-wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210824_005606.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">Since I spend alot of time driving, there are a few things that could definitely be improved upon in the auto industry to make the driving experience better. I have a knack for picking out all the little things... so here we go...</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-556VhvdrMqE/YSR09katqyI/AAAAAAAAcng/Zwjbz3NCpW8wEaInj9LVAZ1XmG4thJXDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210809_213737_700.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-556VhvdrMqE/YSR09katqyI/AAAAAAAAcng/Zwjbz3NCpW8wEaInj9LVAZ1XmG4thJXDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210809_213737_700.webp" width="320" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">1. All licence plates should have the same type of screw. In my job I put on and take off licence plates, sometimes multiple times a day. And different cars, models, and makes all use different types of screws for their licence plate. Why not have a universal standard for the screws? Or if not universal, could we at least have the same screw for each make, <i>(example all Fords have one size, all Chevy's have another, etc.)</i>?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And while we are on the subject... the screws with the 5/16 head are the best - a simple nut driver works perfect!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTWDs6rzDBc/YSR_P4k-MdI/AAAAAAAAcsQ/FEFyNp-CI0cwI-rRHoFdqdx2lGbXGqbeACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210610_154917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zTWDs6rzDBc/YSR_P4k-MdI/AAAAAAAAcsQ/FEFyNp-CI0cwI-rRHoFdqdx2lGbXGqbeACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210610_154917.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">2. The other thing would be if every car maker would pick which side of the car you want the gas tank on and leave it there for every model..... such as Ford's would always be on the right side of the car, Toyota's would always be on the left side, etc..</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most people don't realise this, but some Fords are on the right and some Fords are on the left.... and some cars have arrows pointing both directions for the gas, when its only on one side <i>(I'm not kidding!)</i> - its just very confusing when your doing a job that requires getting gas sometimes multiple times a day, in multiple vehicles, and you never know which side of the car the gas tank is on. Just pick a side.</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g31Tbjh35w0/YSR_TFWrEQI/AAAAAAAAcsc/GmFuznxakkU7KaEXmJrISLa7HR_p9RaEACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210331_231038_319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g31Tbjh35w0/YSR_TFWrEQI/AAAAAAAAcsc/GmFuznxakkU7KaEXmJrISLa7HR_p9RaEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210331_231038_319.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">3. It would be nice if all cars would come automatically with navigation. In our day and age, when paper maps are a thing of the past, and many states are issuing hands free driving laws, navigation should come standard in every make and model.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">4. Speaking of hands free driving laws.... carmakers should put a built in universal phone holder on the dash of every car. If it was universal so you can use different sizes of phones and it would be right there handy beside you when you're driving.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjn5trt93Sk/YSUGQBXbWZI/AAAAAAAAcvc/dxFBggvjuqMpp7VuFNVkmsK0xY52uuqZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1564/IMG_20210824_102018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjn5trt93Sk/YSUGQBXbWZI/AAAAAAAAcvc/dxFBggvjuqMpp7VuFNVkmsK0xY52uuqZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210824_102018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">5. SiriusXM should be standard in every vehicle!!! I absolutely love it when I get in the car and it already has a SiriusXM radio subscription. It makes driving so much better when you don't have to flip through channels. - especially when you spend 12+ hours a day in the car, driving out of state.... it just makes the whole driving experience way way better when you don't have to be flipping channels trying to find one that will come in for more than 30 minutes or listening to ads.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">6. All trucks should come with mandatory adjustable pedals.... It makes a huge difference for us <i>short</i> people, so we don't have the steering wheel in our face, just to reach the pedals! Hubby and I won't even consider buying a truck without adjustable pedals.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPlHEYg7U2M/YSR55Y03_EI/AAAAAAAAcpE/t2gU0rhHLWAnKQuvkc0bT8rQcMzo3b64ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200226_155359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPlHEYg7U2M/YSR55Y03_EI/AAAAAAAAcpE/t2gU0rhHLWAnKQuvkc0bT8rQcMzo3b64ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200226_155359.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">7. Last, but not least.... drivers are way underpaid.. I mean yes, its not a complicated or rocket science type of job, but seriously, we put our lives on the line everyday. There is a much greater chance of being hurt in an automobile accident when driving is your job. There are alot of crazy's out there and we come across alot of crashes. We drive on snow and ice, in pouring down rain, dense fog, </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and strong winds.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> As much as I love driving, I don't do it for the pay. For me, its simply something I enjoy. A reason to get away from the house. For me its stress relief from life. Don't get me wrong, driving can be tense and stressful at times.... there are deadlines, flat tires, dead batteries, tolls, paperwork, construction, detours, road closures, traffic jams, and lots more.... I love it, but it's a different kind of stress. So ya, a pay raise should definitely be a must!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnt14UyovRw/YSR61vngdmI/AAAAAAAAcp8/dEGUIJK1HZEXcYCI2i6GQWXxSAWAIttdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200803_133812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnt14UyovRw/YSR61vngdmI/AAAAAAAAcp8/dEGUIJK1HZEXcYCI2i6GQWXxSAWAIttdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200803_133812.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've driven alot of different makes and models of cars, from little tiny boxes on wheels, to work trucks, panel vans, sports cars, suv's, Jeep Wrangler, mini vans, Cadilacs, Bronco's, foreign cars, electric cars, and everything in between.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So probably the best vehicles that I've driven in my experience while driving for the dealership would have to be:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Mustang Mach E (0 to 60 in 3 sec. and yes, I tested it out.... I got it to 90 mph in 4.5 sec. -it was pretty awesome!) </span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWCdaC_AbTE/YSSAqQBoHKI/AAAAAAAActc/ZJk3Z0oET2wVfusHVmSxDvXUbylEAI4fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1087/Screenshot_20210315-230447_Layout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWCdaC_AbTE/YSSAqQBoHKI/AAAAAAAActc/ZJk3Z0oET2wVfusHVmSxDvXUbylEAI4fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20210315-230447_Layout.jpg" width="318" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ford Mustang's</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Dodge Challenger</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ford F150's and super duty's and Raptors </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Lincoln mkx and mkz</span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ford Explorer - I absolutely love to drive limited, sports and platinum (with every bell and whistle you could imagine on them) Ford Explorers.</span></p></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ube8n2HKaEU/YSR3grCo6jI/AAAAAAAAcok/dpVWI50qEvkas0JVa6SXhMtLPfxDThEhACLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Screenshot_20191101-203222_Layout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1080" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ube8n2HKaEU/YSR3grCo6jI/AAAAAAAAcok/dpVWI50qEvkas0JVa6SXhMtLPfxDThEhACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20191101-203222_Layout.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cars that I like to drive the least would be any thing little, like a Ford Focus, Hatchbacks, Eco Sport, Honda's, CRV's and Toyotas. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know that some people like Hondas and Toyotas, but after you drive a nice car they really are just junk. They are noisy, you hear a lot of road noise, The seats are not comfortable, they are just not as tight or as nicely put together. We call them boxes on wheels!</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OzW-7_8Tdo/YSUKFd88VmI/AAAAAAAAcvs/1NqToqO_uBwaeeg9vvUnYg7jjudkJA8FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1564/IMG_20210824_102131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1564" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--OzW-7_8Tdo/YSUKFd88VmI/AAAAAAAAcvs/1NqToqO_uBwaeeg9vvUnYg7jjudkJA8FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210824_102131.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm a bit biased towards Ford's obviously, but honestly there are 3 kinds of cars in almost any make or model. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">First you have just a cheap basic model that people that don't want to spend money on buy, because they look like a new car and they just want a car that will get them from point A to point B. But they drive like crap. Seriously. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Second, you have the mid line cars (the limited and sport's are in this category).... these are what most people are happy with... they look nice, drive decent, have a few bells and whistles, come with a bit more power, </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">and just all around are a pretty decent car.</div></span><p></p></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And lastly you have the 3rd category which would be what the rich people drive... I love it when I get to pick up these top of the line vehicles... like $100,000+ sports cars, Ford Raptors, Tremors, and custom anything! These vehicles have every bell and whistle you can imagine in them, they are super comfortable, (<i>some give you a back massage as you are driving down the road!</i>) and they practically drive themselves!</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/----ScBdXrmQ/YSR3I-Ke-aI/AAAAAAAAcn8/PvLSb8pp1ycvou011DpC6ucnsZIMqWiQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1118/20191102_024644%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1118" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/----ScBdXrmQ/YSR3I-Ke-aI/AAAAAAAAcn8/PvLSb8pp1ycvou011DpC6ucnsZIMqWiQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20191102_024644%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pet peeves of driving would have to be:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People driving slow in the fast lane, not getting over and staying in the fast lane even though they're not going faster, because they don't want to weave in and out of traffic. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQApoByENU1Q8Fl2gLA9BE_apwz4ARxD_H_i2KGr7w0iiTlzEPL3bP2NX8wzkfinsG5--TDZ3KnSeO2XEIECECN8L_OgjpRYZmbYGgNsXQM8B0_x-nYws4FmNTbXegQcCjpLLHMh55iestoqi2_3l1bls3DsFp0MIEnAs1NNVQeztqyPRMznd3et8x/s921/Screenshot_20220530-214349_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="921" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQApoByENU1Q8Fl2gLA9BE_apwz4ARxD_H_i2KGr7w0iiTlzEPL3bP2NX8wzkfinsG5--TDZ3KnSeO2XEIECECN8L_OgjpRYZmbYGgNsXQM8B0_x-nYws4FmNTbXegQcCjpLLHMh55iestoqi2_3l1bls3DsFp0MIEnAs1NNVQeztqyPRMznd3et8x/s320/Screenshot_20220530-214349_Samsung%20Internet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People that don't drive with cruise.... they go fast and slow, fast and slow and it drives me crazy! Either use the cruise or drive with your foot, I don't care what you do, but for goodness sake, keep a steady even speed!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Construction.... I mean, I really don't mind construction if they are actually working on the road, bridge, etc. But, if they have you slow down for no reason or go down to a single lane when they are absolutely doing nothing... thats just irritating!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Speed Limits - The speed limit should be raised. If you think about it, alot of our speed limits have been the same for 50+ years. With better and more roads, and safer vehicles, its past time. Most people don't go the speed limit anyway, so why keep it so slow. For example on I465 around Indianapolis the speed limit is still 55mph. However, with the exception of rush hour or traffic jams, traffic is always going around 75+ mph. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGjYg4I1kD4/YSSAsNxRTZI/AAAAAAAActk/zEapyZ8eKhYBZmcYNW0ggajJCSeqBaAywCLcBGAsYHQ/s1087/Screenshot_20210705-140016_Layout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGjYg4I1kD4/YSSAsNxRTZI/AAAAAAAActk/zEapyZ8eKhYBZmcYNW0ggajJCSeqBaAywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20210705-140016_Layout.jpg" width="318" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fun Fact: I always wanted to be a over the road long haul truck driver.... I still do.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I think my first love of big rigs was when I was a little kid... my mom owned a bulk food store and would get deliveries from Dutch Valley Foods.... my favorite driver was a guy named Nevin Ebersole.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I always wanted to ride in his big rig and he'd always tease me and say he was gonna take me home with him to meet his daughter! When I was 12 years old, my uncle Don who also drove for Dutch Valley, let me ride back to Pennsylvania with him.... and I loved it!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymuso3PyXhc/YSSP1b5ScTI/AAAAAAAAcuU/1n7iX5etxN0hmvrDDqXxE2dmI6u1BIJ1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210809_164353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymuso3PyXhc/YSSP1b5ScTI/AAAAAAAAcuU/1n7iX5etxN0hmvrDDqXxE2dmI6u1BIJ1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210809_164353.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After all these years... I still look for Dutch Valley Trucks when I'm on the interstate and when I see one, I smile and wave real big.... I'm sure the poor driver thinks <i>"look at that odiot!!"</i></span></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enql0Wo-mfA/YSUFvX_e6pI/AAAAAAAAcvU/iDxtDFP7KiETHMiiX3G9czCPortwhOJOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1508/20210824_104227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1508" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-enql0Wo-mfA/YSUFvX_e6pI/AAAAAAAAcvU/iDxtDFP7KiETHMiiX3G9czCPortwhOJOgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210824_104227.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In my opinion, my perfect job would be to drivelong distance over the road in a decked-out Ford F150, super duty, or Ford Explorer. Something that would pay great, have a flexible schedule, so I wouldn't be away from home all the time, let me bring the hubby or kids along every once in awhile, and put me up in hotels at night. If you find anything like that. I'm totally in! </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAzCn1C8tZk/YSSRksX3E4I/AAAAAAAAcuk/LFm4rg5rFJYsSfQVcEGx4Umd41Nz2Cj2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1072/20210824_013942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1061" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAzCn1C8tZk/YSSRksX3E4I/AAAAAAAAcuk/LFm4rg5rFJYsSfQVcEGx4Umd41Nz2Cj2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210824_013942.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po4wTJJg_M4/YSSRnmLgydI/AAAAAAAAcuo/vxRIPxvS5nA42jArkpTy-QlPUCcC2TePQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1074/Screenshot_20191225-223109_Layout.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1073" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Po4wTJJg_M4/YSSRnmLgydI/AAAAAAAAcuo/vxRIPxvS5nA42jArkpTy-QlPUCcC2TePQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20191225-223109_Layout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-59322930072462910202021-07-13T15:30:00.000-04:002021-07-13T15:30:00.229-04:00You Gotta Eat Cake!<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">I decided it was about time to show you all some more of my cakes....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have a love- hate relationship with making/decorating cakes. I think its fun and absolutely love trying to make exactly what the kids or I want to make.... only problem is they never turn out nearly as good as the image in my head and I hate that....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know some would turn out better if I'd use fondant or gum paste instead of butter cream, but I don't like using fondant (I've tried a couple times), I don't like the taste of it, so I use butter cream for all my cakes... it makes them taste better... especially since I use my a perfect secret frosting recipe!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sABbTItCVbs/YEZOv4uAzXI/AAAAAAAAcI8/iomMnjCITW0cDW5AUuNUPqmxOfngrRb_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210308_101155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sABbTItCVbs/YEZOv4uAzXI/AAAAAAAAcI8/iomMnjCITW0cDW5AUuNUPqmxOfngrRb_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210308_101155.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My dad passed away 3 weeks before Wyatt's birthday and left his little Kubota B6000 tractor in his will to Wyatt. <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/03/wyatts-little-tractor.html?m=1">You can read more about it here...</a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpRvHdu7uts/YEZVzNIOFfI/AAAAAAAAcJE/D3cfaidj6p4n-bsCmMHF95MjDqkXgChPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20170308_134119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cpRvHdu7uts/YEZVzNIOFfI/AAAAAAAAcJE/D3cfaidj6p4n-bsCmMHF95MjDqkXgChPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20170308_134119.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/03/camouflage-cake.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This cake had a camouflaged interior...</span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQZd9a1ojm4/YEZV-BZYLyI/AAAAAAAAcJI/v885HI6donk2qSv7Ss07W1aWzonn2zPkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20170317_144042.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQZd9a1ojm4/YEZV-BZYLyI/AAAAAAAAcJI/v885HI6donk2qSv7Ss07W1aWzonn2zPkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20170317_144042.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Barbie cake for an 7 yr. old - every layer of cake was a different color - purple, pink, blue and green inside.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eydf3bNnjBc/YEZWiOEuQYI/AAAAAAAAcJg/jEcZTKaoQSQlsI-iZN-CfMFicr0CYm2oACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20170507_180838%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eydf3bNnjBc/YEZWiOEuQYI/AAAAAAAAcJg/jEcZTKaoQSQlsI-iZN-CfMFicr0CYm2oACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20170507_180838%2B%25282%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/06/planning-graduation-party.html?m=1">My daughter's graduation cake</a> - simple but classic and oh, so good!</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt7IAvNfFfg/YEZWvpoOp7I/AAAAAAAAcJo/qYNJnb2HD6I5RWYsAgB88xJV6CKur0GXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20170911_093155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt7IAvNfFfg/YEZWvpoOp7I/AAAAAAAAcJo/qYNJnb2HD6I5RWYsAgB88xJV6CKur0GXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20170911_093155.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I loved this cake... it was kinda last minute, but I used fall flowers and white roses for a fall bridal shower.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSWliIsiCC4/YEZW2bmwMDI/AAAAAAAAcJw/MZ99bX1UcFE4GLgGBa_mXUQ75Ws_fOwdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20190307_145204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSWliIsiCC4/YEZW2bmwMDI/AAAAAAAAcJw/MZ99bX1UcFE4GLgGBa_mXUQ75Ws_fOwdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190307_145204.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This was a log cake... it looked better in real life! I used melted chocolate to make the tree bark.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3dubMJ3J34/YEZXFjB4LQI/AAAAAAAAcKE/7Ts8PWmt8BQcrePOktw6c13HnY0BqwITQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20190810_183536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L3dubMJ3J34/YEZXFjB4LQI/AAAAAAAAcKE/7Ts8PWmt8BQcrePOktw6c13HnY0BqwITQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190810_183536.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Carrot cake</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7h9VEY2JTs/YEZW8BNvH-I/AAAAAAAAcJ0/GwIjYbkmOXUzHpqHHfyrUeFB3bqqeQ6WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1079/20190817_015814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1079" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7h9VEY2JTs/YEZW8BNvH-I/AAAAAAAAcJ0/GwIjYbkmOXUzHpqHHfyrUeFB3bqqeQ6WQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190817_015814.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Strawberry Lemon roll cake</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OZ3FSfK09Y/YEZXBnJNJnI/AAAAAAAAcKA/HFBWK2LhIRsDCBWRPXE8RFlvtCXPOB-iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1067/20190817_023820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1039" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OZ3FSfK09Y/YEZXBnJNJnI/AAAAAAAAcKA/HFBWK2LhIRsDCBWRPXE8RFlvtCXPOB-iwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190817_023820.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/03/how-to-make-cat-cake.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She wanted a cat cake.... it was alot harder to make than I thought it'd be...</span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GFhxjGbqrE/YEZXFlWO7qI/AAAAAAAAcKI/D2Znw24kgWUcoi5rqWY_LPrbyUf5AZANgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1095/20190817_023832%2B%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1074" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--GFhxjGbqrE/YEZXFlWO7qI/AAAAAAAAcKI/D2Znw24kgWUcoi5rqWY_LPrbyUf5AZANgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20190817_023832%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This gun cake was pretty fun! The gun and bullets are made out of chocolate. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-skpOv_Xus/YEZXHIVJ8sI/AAAAAAAAcKM/Rk5s30TYcq01n6hEbctGwMfG4nF-KXo9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/20191101_091355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1080" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y-skpOv_Xus/YEZXHIVJ8sI/AAAAAAAAcKM/Rk5s30TYcq01n6hEbctGwMfG4nF-KXo9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20191101_091355.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I loved this cake! It was for my nephew... </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-tb41LNT8s/YEZXKIEoiVI/AAAAAAAAcKQ/Yfi1NToAcwAOsfzVHnhU0Dn5fsdA-1KsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1723/20210308_114024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="1723" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u-tb41LNT8s/YEZXKIEoiVI/AAAAAAAAcKQ/Yfi1NToAcwAOsfzVHnhU0Dn5fsdA-1KsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210308_114024.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Hubby loves peanut m&ms and I was in a hurry, so I left the cake in the pan and just did something quick....</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozIHmEyQQag/YEZXNxoOVJI/AAAAAAAAcKY/PRBqOQNSXso0LKzvntIAxy98Wut5fLmrACLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/20210308_114059.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="1800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ozIHmEyQQag/YEZXNxoOVJI/AAAAAAAAcKY/PRBqOQNSXso0LKzvntIAxy98Wut5fLmrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210308_114059.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">She wanted a tropical cake. I made the hibiscus flowers out of homemade marshmallow fondant.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKxU71pb8Fo/YEZXWdEb99I/AAAAAAAAcKk/lbFKNneTtRgF1no0ksodTWfOUUoAekxiACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20190526_191543_657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKxU71pb8Fo/YEZXWdEb99I/AAAAAAAAcKk/lbFKNneTtRgF1no0ksodTWfOUUoAekxiACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20190526_191543_657.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2019/05/dessert-burger-cupcake-sliders.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">These little sandwich cakes were fun to make... you can read more here.</span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhRI_F39l2A/YEZXRSJu79I/AAAAAAAAcKg/qDxChX9LFq0lpAOxdCPTxRC0crNf5bQXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/IMG_20200317_201930_759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhRI_F39l2A/YEZXRSJu79I/AAAAAAAAcKg/qDxChX9LFq0lpAOxdCPTxRC0crNf5bQXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200317_201930_759.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our youngest daughter was born on St. Patrick's Day.... this was another fun cake to make.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azJfAW61Hek/YEZXhsqxnwI/AAAAAAAAcK8/w1TY_T39JfoU2mzrQPL15ezSCHkU0tb1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20200603_145811_176.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2008" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azJfAW61Hek/YEZXhsqxnwI/AAAAAAAAcK8/w1TY_T39JfoU2mzrQPL15ezSCHkU0tb1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20200603_145811_176.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My first attempt to make a geode cake. I also tried to marble the icing. Its not too bad, but I had to improvise since I didn't have all the right things and we live in the middle of nowhere...</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo_jgst4QoU/YEZXgWMwcsI/AAAAAAAAcK0/0B8nOpDCkm0_g5PzrcgSbTxI9mAzmLSXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1092/Screenshot_20201007-203350_Instagram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1078" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uo_jgst4QoU/YEZXgWMwcsI/AAAAAAAAcK0/0B8nOpDCkm0_g5PzrcgSbTxI9mAzmLSXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20201007-203350_Instagram.jpg" /></a></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">40th Birthday Cake.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5_0qh1PaFRA/YOWyUKTBamI/AAAAAAAAcjg/VLJjoLsFNhs5NUGpUOP34C7BBaS3FheKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1089/Screenshot_20210321-194158_Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5_0qh1PaFRA/YOWyUKTBamI/AAAAAAAAcjg/VLJjoLsFNhs5NUGpUOP34C7BBaS3FheKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20210321-194158_Layout.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The wolf cake was challenging. The wolf was made from colored milk chocolate and the moon was white chocolate. The wolf looked perfect when I first made it, but it broke in 4 different places, so I had to keep trying to fix it... in hindsight, I really should've just made a complete new wolf, but my 11 year old was happy with her wolf cake, so thats all that matters!</span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">You can find more of my cakes here:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;" /></span></p><div readability="8" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2011/01/cake-anyone.html" style="background: transparent; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Cake Anyone</a> - Graduation Cake, Cakes for guys and more.</span></div><div readability="7" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2011/01/cake-anyonecontinued.html" style="background: transparent; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Cake Anyone Continued</a> - lots of birthday cakes for little girls.</span></div><div readability="12" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2014/09/even-more-cakes-by-srkindred.html" style="background: transparent; color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Even More Cake</a> - Anniversary, Wedding, Baby Shower, Campfire, Candy, and more cakes</span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif">. </span></span></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-51948160889043863882021-06-20T01:01:00.038-04:002023-03-24T15:18:13.550-04:00Dear Dad,<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Happy Heavenly Father's Day, Dad! I know you were never big on holidays, hugs, and all the mushy stuff... neither am I, but I'm laying in bed wide awake, with thoughts running through my mind, so here goes....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXHBEvTCGHK9MGnDLKzQllYQSSuI_GsvUgNyux4Ss8o_vI2i807BCPBaOBTux83HBGVyxv8SNYve_VTcRaFHC09bFoSNsXKMTF-tNXMpbmenaxHw-a-ajLpg3wcL9kziBHp6UxsFSzOq4yd5I-9HLBBHABxah-CPxsp2-USRBQO4jR0dgpsAicNeG/s3648/Frick%20family%20zoo%20trip%20Dad%20&%20Moms%2040th%20Anniversary%202014%20(195).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXHBEvTCGHK9MGnDLKzQllYQSSuI_GsvUgNyux4Ss8o_vI2i807BCPBaOBTux83HBGVyxv8SNYve_VTcRaFHC09bFoSNsXKMTF-tNXMpbmenaxHw-a-ajLpg3wcL9kziBHp6UxsFSzOq4yd5I-9HLBBHABxah-CPxsp2-USRBQO4jR0dgpsAicNeG/s320/Frick%20family%20zoo%20trip%20Dad%20&%20Moms%2040th%20Anniversary%202014%20(195).JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I sure wouldn't wish you back from heaven, but I miss you more then I ever thought I would.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I heard this song on the radio the other day, driving home from Cleveland for work, and I couldn't help but think of you... "Better Off There" -by The Browns</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Its no secret that we weren't close before you got sick, but those last five to six months, we had some of the best talks and the time spent, just me and you, gave me some of the best memories of us together!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I loved the fact that you kept your humor... Our trip to the Nurology center in Middletown (you getting your way with the truck, getting lost, eating corn chips and cold lunch meat sandwiches, and shoping at Walmart), and driving home from the hospital (even though you kept saying I was driving south) it was all fun!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> You became my friend, and l'm glad that you felt comfortable confiding in me. I love that we got to laugh, and cry together, that we talked about serious things, sad things, and happy things. I will always treasure our conversations and the relationship we built together in the end. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is so many questions I want to ask you.... you were Stephen and my sounding board and voice of reason on life's big moments.... (We are finally starting to remodel the house this year. We picked out the flooring and ordered cabinet samples.)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's so much I wish I could tell you....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I wish you could see the independent, and confident woman, Faith has become. She turned twenty this month... I wish you could see her first apartment.... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wyatt bought a hand survival chain and the first thing he said was that he wished he could show it to you, - he thinks you'd like it. The Crosley Car show that you were going to take Wyatt to is coming up in a couple weeks....</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He put oil stabilizer in your little Kabota and patched up the muffler.... its running smooth now. He got it all washed up and has used it to haul gravel, tree limbs, dirt, and take Adilayia on rides. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That tractor means the world to him, I wish you could see how much joy he gets from it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Adilayia is growing up so fast... she is thinning out and losing her baby face (and pudgy belly)! She has become so quiet, but takes everything in without missing a beat - just like you.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You were always a great Grandpa! I think its hardest, watching my kids miss you, the most. You had so much wisdom that you could have shared with them.... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've only been back to your place a couple times since you've been gone. I'm keeping my distance because of all the drama, hurt, and lies. It's weird not seeing you in the shop or sitting at the table.... or having you walk in and tell me 'hi' after I get there. It's weird going through your things... I almost feel like we are invading your privacy. Although I have found some cool stuff!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The family auction is coming up soon and I know how much you wanted to be here for it. We had a work day last week - it did NOT end well! The lies, favorites, and drama continue. You'd be so ashamed, in some ways I'm glad you aren't here to see how awful some have become. If you were here, it would go smoothly and be fair. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVM7-dBXiraeiAvVQI8ulj7hzbk_AEzjeLuEL4GEdILQTxEar1VNM9TohUDh9tTpE21hpC6kZAsabPB6gU1tPhruE1wFJ5o9LMTTLNCvTziPT2-3h4v5agyD_ip20Rzc3JwFqjnXRyXQwc40rV2JphTGREFpv39cmMc2uqRugpaaN4JKlnWnQdlMI/s4032/20210618_114807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVM7-dBXiraeiAvVQI8ulj7hzbk_AEzjeLuEL4GEdILQTxEar1VNM9TohUDh9tTpE21hpC6kZAsabPB6gU1tPhruE1wFJ5o9LMTTLNCvTziPT2-3h4v5agyD_ip20Rzc3JwFqjnXRyXQwc40rV2JphTGREFpv39cmMc2uqRugpaaN4JKlnWnQdlMI/s320/20210618_114807.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I stopped by your grave to talk for a bit this week.... it still seems somewhat surreal, and sad.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I don't know what I thought it would be like losing you, but it's not easy... especially since you were the glue that was holding what was left of our 'Frick' family together. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your death has made me think so much more on the circle of life.... on how I want my life and death to be, on who I let be a part of my life, and on what really is important to me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know you were far from perfect. There were some things we will never agree on, and there were things you said you'd have done differently, - me too.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thank you for all the lessons you taught.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The praise you gave to Stephen and I.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The patience, and love you showed your grandkids.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> And for giving me those last few months of conversations, and memories with you.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I miss you Dad, but your better off there.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">-Love, Rhoda</span></p>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-88894396083414537922021-06-09T02:01:00.004-04:002023-03-24T15:20:37.186-04:00Neutrality Is A Myth<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My husband listens to <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">Jarrin Jackson on YouTube</a>, and the other day I overheard this statement: </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>"Neutrality is a myth....." </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It stopped me dead in my tracks. What a dynamic and profound statement spoken in truth. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">This saying has been playing over and over in my head since then and has been a main subject of my hubby and my conversations.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Let me say it again...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>"Neutrality is a myth."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You see, when some of my siblings and <a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#">mom was fighting over my dads care </a>and who dad chose to be his Medical POA, there were a few siblings who would say that they were 'neutral' ...that they were not picking a side, which ultimately made matters worse, because they would not stand up for what was right or truth. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>"There is no such thing as neutral. There is no position, no placeholder, that doesn't carry with it some subjectivity based on our experiences in the world."</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My hubby and I have always believed that life is black and white. There is always two sides and even if you say you aren't choosing a side, you still ultimately pick a side by your words, or actions, or lack of....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“What hurts the victim most is not the cruelty of the oppressor, but the silence of the bystander.” ― Elie Wiesel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Its been said that neutral men are the devils allies, and that the hottest place in hell are reserved for those who remain or claim to be neutral in times of moral conflict."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZtOok7sR4I/YJLdFQM8SgI/AAAAAAAAcQ0/hJFkBUGrc2cepoDX-jDVAWiInzxuObpFACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images-2.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Here's the thing... if you are a professing Christian.... there is absolutely no way you can be neutral in any aspect of life. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The explanation is simple:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Matthew 12:30 KJV:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus said “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Matthew 12:30 NLT:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Jesus draws a line in the sand. Whoever is not with Him in the work He is doing is, by definition, against Him. Whoever does not help Him in His mission to gather the lost into His kingdom is guilty of scattering them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">To be neutral is to be against the work of God. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Nobody can remain neutral on the issue of Jesus. He demands full acceptance and participation in His mission from those who are with Him. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anyone who does not join Him is on the other side, no matter how much he or she may wish not to have an opinion (John 3:36). </span><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#" style="font-family: helvetica;">You can read it all explained here</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you love God, and have a relationship with him, you will chose to side with truth, and whats right, not just on biblical matters, but in all areas of your life. If, not, you cannot claim to be a Christian. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcikb3LNr1I/YJLdItXFBDI/AAAAAAAAcRE/MB_gl7LZ42wC955f8TWUNpWOHtt9-iLAACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images.jpeg.jpg" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So what exactly does it mean to be neutral? </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">- Neutrality is the tendency not to side in a conflict (physical or ideological), which may not suggest neutral parties do not have a side or are not a side themselves. <b><i>Neutrality implies tolerance regardless of how disagreeable, deplorable, or unusual a perspective might be.</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DOzAbF-V3NM/YJLdGy__CII/AAAAAAAAcQ4/xQdI80d8Fpc7MQefPVC9HtLaT52GMX4gACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images-3.png" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is no such thing as being neutral. “It’s a code word for existing in the system. It has nothing to do with anything, but agreeing to what is, and always will be — that’s what neutrality is. Neutrality is just following the crowd”. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i>We must pick sides, and when we pick a side we must be able to defend our reasoning for choosing that side. </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsqa9QzctZ8/YLW6zP5hfDI/AAAAAAAAcXQ/ca3323OOOs41oyUGKPo8b_OYnSe_QQQWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s225/images.jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rsqa9QzctZ8/YLW6zP5hfDI/AAAAAAAAcXQ/ca3323OOOs41oyUGKPo8b_OYnSe_QQQWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images.jpeg.jpg" /></a></div></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Claiming yourself as neutral is choosing the side of the dominant. <b>“… neutrality is the best way for one to hide his or her choice… if you are not interested in proclaiming your choices, then you say that you are neutral.”</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If someone is choosing to be neutral or claiming to be neutral in hopes of keeping a relationship with both the dominant and submissive then they are hoping for the impossible. You cannot play both teams. Pick one and fight for it to win.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>There is no way to remain neutral, and to believe that we can be neutral is where the danger lies.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.” </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">― Martin Luther King, Jr.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7G4PgiVcwc/YLW6or7IbuI/AAAAAAAAcXM/RHb5IuXZdQMKFxbKKt5T8QEghAp9s4pDACLcBGAsYHQ/s275/images.jpeg-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z7G4PgiVcwc/YLW6or7IbuI/AAAAAAAAcXM/RHb5IuXZdQMKFxbKKt5T8QEghAp9s4pDACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images.jpeg-2.jpg" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Most people never think being neutral is a bad thing, because they think that to be neutral appears as not harming one side or the other, but the truth is this: You can never truly remain neutral.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For example, when a car is in neutral it is either not moving or it is going whichever way gravity decides to pull it. Or, if two different people were pushing it, one from the front and one from the back, it would go in the direction that the strongest person was pushing. If we are like cars in neutral then we are going with the flow of society. To be neutral is to be the true danger to society. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u1SmmxvI1JQ/YJd6TuvlY7I/AAAAAAAAcSI/CpUhptrMrB4ZejJsa0fbMcA4_vqiz5H7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/20210509_015843.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“Neutrality is at times a graver sin than belligerence.” ― Louis D. Brandeis</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not being neutral can seem scary, for sure. But it’s much less so, when you frame it in the positive. Chosing a side, taking a stand,, speaking up for kindness, for what is good and right -for truth, is empowering. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2llGZVSxNKFpX36U6WS3oC0MB5CG1fgxjVAvnzAJ-AFCuqOi8l4HuiCGWsgCjHq1KcnMGnYOacK4mXASUji3V_CIlQC2io17HNcCeZrmNZw1EcB5S28DSrLtgH6B1jSd4eS7Dd6VydgrA7xFriKUNGPfS9qY4WeobGqH6TBSZUuL1a9lfLgXI3Ezx/s970/Screenshot_20221211_121722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="967" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2llGZVSxNKFpX36U6WS3oC0MB5CG1fgxjVAvnzAJ-AFCuqOi8l4HuiCGWsgCjHq1KcnMGnYOacK4mXASUji3V_CIlQC2io17HNcCeZrmNZw1EcB5S28DSrLtgH6B1jSd4eS7Dd6VydgrA7xFriKUNGPfS9qY4WeobGqH6TBSZUuL1a9lfLgXI3Ezx/w199-h200/Screenshot_20221211_121722.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Life is black-and-white, there is good and evil, right and wrong, and heaven and hell - there is no in-between. So pick a side, stand up for what you believe in, and fight for it. Don't hide behind a fake facade of neutrality.</div></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, I say yet again....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Neutrality is a Myth.</b></span></div><div> </div></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-5466756891828103442021-04-24T01:34:00.074-04:002021-04-24T01:34:00.208-04:00Waiting To Die<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was diagnosed with an incurable cancer on this day, the day my Grandma Stump died in 2012....</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Somedays, I feel like I'm just waiting to die.</i></b></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">It's the elephant in the room that no one talks about.... but it's always there. Every. Single. Day.</div></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've watched a close friend die from cancer the same year I was diagnosed. I've known of so many people who have lost the battle.... some young, some old. And I just wonder.... where do I fall in line at?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Two months ago, I was by my <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/01/saved-by-grace.html?m=1">Dads side when he passed away from cancer. </a>I watched as he took his last breath. The memory plays over and over in my mind. Almost like a dream. We knew it was the end, but yet, one second he was breathing and the next second, there was no breath. He was gone. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i>"We are wired to run away from death, but dying is a part of life."</i></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hB-messGjk0/YD3VE7mHeoI/AAAAAAAAcHg/hTUj0DHWh_s2lMOwJ0kd6POBkGg5Y6CzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1923/20210302_010044.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="1288" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hB-messGjk0/YD3VE7mHeoI/AAAAAAAAcHg/hTUj0DHWh_s2lMOwJ0kd6POBkGg5Y6CzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210302_010044.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can't help but wonder when my time to die is coming. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will I be able to see all my kids graduate and get married? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will my special needs son have someone to care for him if I'm not around? He relys on me to be his voice and help him understand. </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will I get to be a Grandma? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What about a Great-Grandma? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will I be able to enjoy retirement and travel with my husband? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will I ever get to celebrate my 20th, 30th, 40th, or 50th wedding anniversary?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will I live to see 50? What about 60, 70, or 80? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will I die a slow painful death? Or will it be sudden or quick? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will my family be able to cope with my death? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">What will it feel like to die? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have I done my best to live a good life for God? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did I teach my kids what they need to know if I'm not around?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do they know how much I love them? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will my hubby be okay? </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Will anyone even miss me when I'm gone?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There's so many questions.... and no answers. But my mind won't stop wondering. Is this going to haunt me for the rest of life?</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was diagnosed nine years ago and thankfully, it's a slow growing cancer that we have been able to keep from spreading by taking high quality <a href="http://www.srkindred.com">Shaklee</a> vitamins, Vivix, and supplements.... but that could all change -my cancer could become aggressive at any second. The years seam to be ticking by faster than ever and I know its just a matter of time.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I believe in God and my head knows he's in control, but my heart hurts with worry and the what-ifs.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Unless you've been diagnosed with an incurable cancer, you will never know the constant worry, wond</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ering, and stress that I face every single day.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Its like life goes on for everyone else, but for me... <b><i>I'm just waiting to die.</i></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>- Rhoda</i></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: x-small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[53ep5].[1][4][1]{comment10202294500750995_7214598}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[53ep5].[1][4][1]{comment10202294500750995_7214598}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[53ep5].[1][4][1]{comment10202294500750995_7214598}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">P.S. </span></span></span></span><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4e4e4e; font-size: x-small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[53ep5].[1][4][1]{comment10202294500750995_7214598}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span data-reactid=".r[53ep5].[1][4][1]{comment10202294500750995_7214598}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[53ep5].[1][4][1]{comment10202294500750995_7214598}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]">I hesitate to discuss my cancer, as I am not looking for sympathy - but have found that sometimes, I get relief by 'talking' about it here on my blog - it helps to 'get it out'. Please don't ask personal questions..... they will not be answered. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Other cancer posts: </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2013/07/cancer-you-need-to-know.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cancer-you need to know</span></a></i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2013/10/does-cancer-make-you-strong-or-is-it.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Does-cancer make you stronger</span></a></i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2019/06/cancer-funeral-planing-and-reflections.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cancer, funeral planing and reflections</span></a></i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><i><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2016/05/chase-away-cancer.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Chase away cancer</span></a></i></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-dad-and-i.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My dad and I </span></a></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/01/saved-by-grace.html?m=1"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Saved by grace</span></a></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/02/miracles.html?m=1">Miracles</a> </b></span></div>
SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-61720558982438982021-04-13T05:55:00.024-04:002021-04-25T13:06:35.742-04:00Not In, But Not Out....<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know just about enough to be dangerous.... that right now is my whole take on religion. </span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">You see I was raised very conservative (<i>think Amish, without the buggy</i>), and was taught conservative beliefs my whole life.... and there was alot of good that came from being raised that way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But, there was also alot of bad.... as my husband says, "if he wasn't already a Christian, seeing the way my conservative family and churches I was raised in act, he wouldn't want anything to do with God if that's how he was introduced to Christianity." Which is sad, but I agree with him 100%. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I joined an Independent Fundemental, KJV Baptist church (<i>which is pretty conservative</i>) and though I would say my belief aligns with a conservative Baptist, I am tired of the church politics, rules, and people acting one way on Sunday and another through the week.... the 'whatever' attitude of the Christian faith is off putting to me......</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On the other hand, I was rebellious in my younger years, married a catholic man (<i>who had been married multiple times</i>), who smoke, drank and ultimately cheated on me... but I enjoyed the karaoke bars, hanging out with friends, card games, spontaneous lifestyle of not planning, and living for the moment.... I miss the attention that life gave me. And the fact that in my life now, I feel invisible just adds to the pain of me not knowing who I am. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know right from wrong. I miss the wrong a little, but I don't want to do wrong.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Its complicated. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk4x1upImhE/YEdSr_4w8KI/AAAAAAAAcLQ/ELkuaJOVGmQwqlA7W2gd5il7v7OmIdCEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1058/Screenshot_20210309-054541_Textgram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1053" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk4x1upImhE/YEdSr_4w8KI/AAAAAAAAcLQ/ELkuaJOVGmQwqlA7W2gd5il7v7OmIdCEACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20210309-054541_Textgram.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have 3 kids and an amazing, loving husband. We have a beautiful peice of land with a few animals in the country. I drive part time for a dealership, I have a small <a href="www.srkindred.com ">Shaklee</a> home business, and I get to stay home with my kids... From the outside, looking in, my life seems perfect. I have everything most people dream of, and never get!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I love my life I have now, but I also miss my old life. Somedays I wish I could have both... it's almost like <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/09/living-three-different-lives.html?m=1">I lived and liked one way with one husband and another way with the other husband</a> and there are good and bad things about both, but the question in my mind is "how would I live if it was just up to me and there was no man in my life..... </div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Kinda like in the movie Runaway Bride... she (<i>Julia Robert's</i>) doesn't even know what kind of eggs she likes.... because she always orders whatever her fiance gets.... <i>(also can we just take a minute to appreciate how handsome Richard Gere is in that movie?!?)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'll never know the answer to that, because I love the man in my life and even if there was no man, I'm a momma to three kids, so I have to do the good things and have morals and values for them. I want my kids to know and do good.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> To be honest, I can never be the real me, because I've made choices in my life that includes kids. The things I mostly do</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> aren't because I want to do them but rather... because I have to do them....</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, to make a long story short, I really have no idea who or what I am, or what I should have been.... I really don't know if I'm in or out. I know just enough of two sides to make it complicated. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-3935106686822826052021-04-05T09:41:00.001-04:002021-04-05T09:41:38.704-04:00Organ Donation <div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNpbQPcefAo/YEmlHgb6lwI/AAAAAAAAcL4/T6TZx_MqzDAVgL8C0G_9aDlnEiu-x6BPACLcBGAsYHQ/s280/images.jpeg-31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNpbQPcefAo/YEmlHgb6lwI/AAAAAAAAcL4/T6TZx_MqzDAVgL8C0G_9aDlnEiu-x6BPACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images.jpeg-31.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b>"Leave a legacy of life - be an organ donor!"</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Are you registered as an organ donor? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know it sounds a bit crazy, but I have always wanted to be an organ donor, but I was always scared to register or put it on my licence.... somewhere along the line I was told (<i>and believed</i>) the myth that if I was an organ donor and was in a car wreck, or hospital, that EMTs, doctors, nurses, etc. would not give me the care I needed and instead, kill me prematurely to use my organs for someone else. </span>It sounds silly now, but that is the #1 most common myth surrounding organ donations.</div><div><br /></div><div> But here's the thing... even if you are a registered organ donor, y<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;">our life always comes first. Doctors work hard to save every patient’s life, but sometimes there is a complete and irreversible loss of brain function. The patient is declared clinically and legally dead. Only then is donation an option.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, the more I think on it, the more I want to chose to be an organ donor.</span></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MeqyukSoy0g/YEmlHMyNtbI/AAAAAAAAcLw/wQS56zMHT0MBlaFDz_i5tVptdiPSWuqUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s197/20210311_000216.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="197" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MeqyukSoy0g/YEmlHMyNtbI/AAAAAAAAcLw/wQS56zMHT0MBlaFDz_i5tVptdiPSWuqUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/20210311_000216.png" style="opacity: 1;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <b><i>I want my life to mean something. If I can help someone by giving them an organ, bone, tissue, etc., especially when I no longer have a use for it, I will have done some good in my death.</i></b></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the <a href="https://unos.org/">national transplant waiting list</a>.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">95% of people support organ donation, but only 58% are registered.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sadly, 20 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Nationally, there are more than 100,000 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can benefit as many as 75 others.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">~~~~~~~</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Organs that can be donated after death are the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas and small intestines, these can add years and significantly improve a patient’s life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Meanwhile, donated tissue such as tendons, skin, veins, heart valves, ligaments and bones can be used to restore mobility and hope for combat veterans, burn victims, and individuals with failing joints. Corneas, the most common transplant, can also be donated and used to restore vision.</span></div><div>More than 40,000 corneal transplants take place each year in the United States.</div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did you know that liver and kidney disease kills over 120,000 each year? More people than Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, or prostate cancer. </span>1 in 9 or 26 million Americans have kidney disease – and most don’t even know it.</div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">~~~~~~~</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">While not all of a donor’s organs or tissue may be suitable for transplant, even one life-saving gift can have a profound impact. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Many people mistakenly believe age or medical conditions would rule them out, but everyone is a potential donor!</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Being an organ donor does not affect medical care or funeral arrangements.</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If everyone was a registered organ donor, it is estimated we would double the number of lives saved </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://www.donatelife.net/">https://www.donatelife.net/</a></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">So, a few weeks ago, I filled out the papers and registered as an organ donor. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"We honor organ donors, who, in there final hour, gave a lifetime.</span>"</i></b></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-7818488477320222642021-03-08T14:00:00.008-05:002022-11-15T12:03:00.461-05:00Wyatt's Little Tractor <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnAdrweddRw/YD8m_TLVSWI/AAAAAAAAcIY/6zwfmdzvOrArcEIRex7SGBLca4sXdTyYACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210227_222138_432.jpg" style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnAdrweddRw/YD8m_TLVSWI/AAAAAAAAcIY/6zwfmdzvOrArcEIRex7SGBLca4sXdTyYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210227_222138_432.jpg" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Today, my son, Wyatt is 14 years old!</span></p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt is a <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/11/what-parents-with-special-needs-kids.html?m=1">special needs kid</a>. He has multiple learning disabilities and is on the spectrum. He can only read and write at a 2nd grade level. <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/i-cried-today.html?m=1">He tries very hard</a>, but still has a difficult time understanding and fitting into this world. He is however, the sweetest kid you'll ever meet!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt had <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/07/emergency-brain-surgery.html?m=1">brain surgery</a> in 2017 where his skull was removed for 5 weeks. He has been through lots of testing and struggles in life. He has had 4 surgeries, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and audio therapy, and more...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt has always had a unique relationship with his Grandpa Frick (<i><a href="http://www.frickssales.coshop4u.com/">owner of Frick Sales</a></i>).... when he was little he'd call him 'junk grandpa'! His favorite place in the whole world was to go to Grandpa Fricks. He'd wander through the junk yard and would find treasures that he'd talk about to anyone who'd listen.... his favorite was his Grandpa's little B6000 Kubota.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iwdo4qKiLeU/YE2DPIEgivI/AAAAAAAAcMg/Jc25SJjIMM86vcyJPcCzh0oZKDW6MEQ_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1100066.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iwdo4qKiLeU/YE2DPIEgivI/AAAAAAAAcMg/Jc25SJjIMM86vcyJPcCzh0oZKDW6MEQ_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-4MJFpLDsw/YE2DOI1ax2I/AAAAAAAAcMc/bHDhgMtWqoAr2tcPbGEn3z1Mn-Gy6bu4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/P1100068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8-4MJFpLDsw/YE2DOI1ax2I/AAAAAAAAcMc/bHDhgMtWqoAr2tcPbGEn3z1Mn-Gy6bu4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1100068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My dad had purchased/traded it off of a guy that had torn it apart and was planning on parting it out by selling parts on eBay. For a few years it sat in peices in dads junk yard.... Wyatt loved it even when it was in peices! After dad got it put together and running, Wyatt would go out and find it everytime we went to dads... he'd be out sitting on the little kubota.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt would talk non stop of how someday he was gonna buy Grandpa's kubota and fix it up. That someday he'd give it to his grandkids.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then last fall, <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-dad-and-i.html">my dad got the news he had brain cancer </a>and didn't have much time left to live. Wyatt was so worried that the kubota would be sold at an auction or be given to one of his uncles.... thats pretty much all he's talked about for the last 5 months.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dad told me back in September that he knew how much the kubota ment to Wyatt and that he knew Wyatt would always struggle living a normal life with his disabilities and he wanted Wyatt to have his little Kubota. But, he didn't want anyone to tell Wyatt till after he was gone....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw8KIcPwFjglmfjQbe9YYZojvQDwd1k5jHRU91TrAWqp539T9Mb7ya6EuEH8HW-RaIS-OJ0FHzJEQ4s5RVxUA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every week (<i>sometimes multiple times a week</i>) when I went to take care of dad, Wyatt would go with me. He'd sit by his Grandpa's hospital bed sometimes talking about tractors or chainsaws, and sometimes just sitting together with silence between them. But everytime we were there, he would spend some time out in the barn sitting on the kubota, dreaming. And every night on the hour drive home, he'd tell me all about it and how he was going to fix it up.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The last conversation Wyatt had with his Grandpa before he died, was about starting the little kubota, and letting the glow plug warm up.... Dad wanted to make sure Wyatt knew how to operate it, because he couldn't go out to show him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last month, his Grandpa, who understood him more than anyone, <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/02/miracles.html">past away from brain cancer.</a></div></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><img alt="55023844_1614744767709804_r.jpeg" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/55023844_1614744767709804_r.jpeg" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: inherit; color: #333333; display: block; font-size: 16px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-height: 490px; max-width: 490px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;" width="100%" /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;">Dad did what he said he'd do and left his little B6000 Kubota tractor to Wyatt in his will.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUd9-cM15LCW6fsrmpRuiCAoUkx6-LojZtY0Uqa-Za624tUWnDOkcX-gAGwFUOWHz8MCQUNfuFMmwHFZX7OE8i41pAcUIo0dlzFuTTLY1wO2D1WCLN1pgbxSfVBFsnWZf-yKzXeSAv0_G572or1Oj7eTgw0WnW_4oTpVE8ytB78JBIPZypA8iB6l8C/s800/20210227_230916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="800" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUd9-cM15LCW6fsrmpRuiCAoUkx6-LojZtY0Uqa-Za624tUWnDOkcX-gAGwFUOWHz8MCQUNfuFMmwHFZX7OE8i41pAcUIo0dlzFuTTLY1wO2D1WCLN1pgbxSfVBFsnWZf-yKzXeSAv0_G572or1Oj7eTgw0WnW_4oTpVE8ytB78JBIPZypA8iB6l8C/w320-h99/20210227_230916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Wyatt misses his Grandpa so much, but he is so excited to have his Grandpa's tractor. He kept saying over and over that he was afraid he'd wake up the next morning and it wouldn't be true.... he has spent every minute that he's not in school out with his tractor. He's even hooked his trailer to it to give his sister rides.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYktxobZ-qY/YE2E5xW2rXI/AAAAAAAAcM4/hvDcEH2mOPUQXSeQ9wtveFnI-Z3zSdu3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210303_184924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lYktxobZ-qY/YE2E5xW2rXI/AAAAAAAAcM4/hvDcEH2mOPUQXSeQ9wtveFnI-Z3zSdu3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210303_184924.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He wants to restore it/fix it up and keep it to always remember his Grandpa by....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The problem is.... the tractor is 47 years old. It was only in production for 3-4 yrs, parts are hard to find and if you do find them, they are very expensive. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/07/to-my-special-needs-son.html?m=1">Wyatt</a> will never be able to graduate school with a diploma or hold a 'normal' job to be able to save up to buy or to afford to restore his Grandpa's little Kubota tractor.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-wyatt-restore-his-grandpas-tractor" target="_blank">Would you please consider helping to make Wyatt's dream come true?</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/55023844_1614744721912444_r.jpeg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Other related posts:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/i-cried-today.html?m=1">I cried today</a></span><br /><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/11/what-parents-with-special-needs-kids.html?m=1">What parents with special needs kids want you to know</a></span><br /><br /><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/09/kids-with-learning-disabilities.html?m=1">Kids with learning disabilities </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2019/08/another-year-school-has-begun.html?m=1">1st Day of School</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2018/07/to-my-special-needs-son.html?m=1">To My Special Needs Son..</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/07/emergency-brain-surgery.html?m=1">Emergency Brain Surgery</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2017/07/finding-our-new-normal.html?m=1">Finding Our New Normal.....</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2012/03/best-info-ive-ever-read-on-autism.html?m=1">Best Info I've Ever Read On Autism</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2011/07/helping-my-son.html?m=1">Helping my son</a></div></span></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-39113389941350848742021-03-05T09:21:00.001-05:002021-03-05T09:21:02.317-05:00Jekyll Island Georgia Abandoned Amphitheater <div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: helvetica;">"Through a sea of Spanish moss in a forest just north of the firehouse on Stable Road is an amphitheater. More than 40 years ago, its 2,000 seats were filled with residents and tourists watching popular musicals as wood storks soared overhead and stars lit the stage." - Tess Malone</i></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaOUpsCoNMs/YD2zPrvqa2I/AAAAAAAAcFI/GP02_UZ46Q8hIdJJMuPilpfI_shG82QnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_20210221_175213_419.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaOUpsCoNMs/YD2zPrvqa2I/AAAAAAAAcFI/GP02_UZ46Q8hIdJJMuPilpfI_shG82QnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_20210221_175213_419.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our family's favorite winter vacation spot is Jekyll Island Georgia! When you live in Indiana and its been a cold winter with 7* F temps... walking along the beach in 75* F sunshine feels absolutely wonderful!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway.... we have been going to the Island for 5 years now, but we just discovered the amphitheater this year! It is a beautiful spot for this rust loving, abandoned spirit searching, nature loving, soul and I can't wait to visit it again on our next trip.</div></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1va_YNi0Bp0/YD3DNPz0v8I/AAAAAAAAcG4/E5tHn0GfeV0f88z9LD6tRtTqaOLd6s2rACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_153650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1va_YNi0Bp0/YD3DNPz0v8I/AAAAAAAAcG4/E5tHn0GfeV0f88z9LD6tRtTqaOLd6s2rACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_153650.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The true history of the amphitheater is slowly being forgotten. This once popular and family-friendly island attraction most definitely deserves its rightfully owned place in history, a memory that slowly fades with time passing by.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QTFeAXI7Uo/YD24LAbDQFI/AAAAAAAAcFg/wo1qgpS4p6woMYxvTtmHrnGXyrW7kTlAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210224_123844.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3QTFeAXI7Uo/YD24LAbDQFI/AAAAAAAAcFg/wo1qgpS4p6woMYxvTtmHrnGXyrW7kTlAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210224_123844.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once a main attraction of artistic and cultural beauty, it is now gently absorbed by natural vegetation; embraced by trees and shrubs, as it slowly crumbles into a beautiful abandoned scene.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nS3-_ZJ-g0/YD25boJQJBI/AAAAAAAAcFw/VdHEVNn8cHU4CpnwkKRssfpIYLn0wvr9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_153501.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_nS3-_ZJ-g0/YD25boJQJBI/AAAAAAAAcFw/VdHEVNn8cHU4CpnwkKRssfpIYLn0wvr9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_153501.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1972, the Jekyll Island Authority agreed to construct an outdoor theater to support the Arts. The amphitheater quickly became the center of the island’s rich theater scene. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-990j8q7bU2U/YD3BG93IxvI/AAAAAAAAcGo/od3yw1vSi3A8q-4oslo9W9UtYg7Zl93FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210224_123912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-990j8q7bU2U/YD3BG93IxvI/AAAAAAAAcGo/od3yw1vSi3A8q-4oslo9W9UtYg7Zl93FgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210224_123912.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">North Carolina playwright Paul Green brought history to life in the musical Drumbeats in Georgia, advertised as “the story of a state’s birth and struggle.” The theater helped revitalize other historic structures on the island, including the servants quarters and Villa Ospo Cottage, which provided lodging for dozens of performers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q96h9flPMq8/YD256KSi5nI/AAAAAAAAcGI/MWQbWeaBFpoXtA3PUQm86qSQJmVJH_tNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1342/20210224_180816.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q96h9flPMq8/YD256KSi5nI/AAAAAAAAcGI/MWQbWeaBFpoXtA3PUQm86qSQJmVJH_tNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210224_180816.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The amphitheater continued to be a hub for musical theater over the next three decades. Various university companies took up residence such as Florida State University, University of Georgia, and Valdosta State University.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-077PcplmNpw/YD25z9Kh-lI/AAAAAAAAcGA/uEqRtb2IZPU2b3ZSi_V6Uu8nARN4EYcWACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_154154.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-077PcplmNpw/YD25z9Kh-lI/AAAAAAAAcGA/uEqRtb2IZPU2b3ZSi_V6Uu8nARN4EYcWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_154154.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Attending shows became a regular part of island culture. Visitors could catch film screenings and concerts. But by 2005, the amphitheater closed and, in the years since, has fallen victim to the elements. Hurricanes have damaged the stage beyond repair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="213" src="https://www.jekyllisland.com/jekyllislandwp/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/amphitheater-1024x683.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since at least 2013, some have been looking for ways to restore the famed venue and bring back the musicals that once graced the stage. That dream is not dead.... reviving the amphitheater is still often talked about.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MtHiUmD7lw/YD250bg4zOI/AAAAAAAAcGE/FcATn-z9UFo8PJQ_zqdoC0hK7rAP21CWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_154715.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MtHiUmD7lw/YD250bg4zOI/AAAAAAAAcGE/FcATn-z9UFo8PJQ_zqdoC0hK7rAP21CWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_154715.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While the venue would need renovations to its stage, its concrete-and-metal bleachers are mostly intact. And the setting itself—next to a pond, nestled among the trees —makes the amphitheater a one-of-a-kind Southern showplace just waiting to be brought back to its full glory!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8t3qDj8FNY/YD257USJxcI/AAAAAAAAcGM/WJSaTtKzfeoIf0dwPHBWarI5A9QdDSOywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210224_123729.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8t3qDj8FNY/YD257USJxcI/AAAAAAAAcGM/WJSaTtKzfeoIf0dwPHBWarI5A9QdDSOywCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210224_123729.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>These twisted and broken up pieces of handrails were once the glorious work of the Artistic Ornamental Iron Works Co., specifically designed and beautifully made for the home of the Jekyll Island Musical Theatre.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQVgCe-ZeC0/YD2v-wdDAbI/AAAAAAAAcD0/edg-a6G2ZYEviBTdlCCwmELnT2dGgGiygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_154620.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQVgCe-ZeC0/YD2v-wdDAbI/AAAAAAAAcD0/edg-a6G2ZYEviBTdlCCwmELnT2dGgGiygCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_154620.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Today, the amphitheater is a quiet and desolate space on the island, barely visited, but still admired by folks like me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEbybMeeNpY/YD2vfo_No8I/AAAAAAAAcDk/12IGsDcCJbw1MVMBo5OUYWQRB0n13En5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_153800.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEbybMeeNpY/YD2vfo_No8I/AAAAAAAAcDk/12IGsDcCJbw1MVMBo5OUYWQRB0n13En5ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_153800.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you ever get a chance, take a seat on the upper balcony and try to imagine the music coming up from the stage, the crowd of 2,000 people giving an encore, and the cool night air touching your face!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Kreon, arial, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: #111111; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Kreon, arial, serif; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDqDkzF9ChM/YD29ECDA4VI/AAAAAAAAcGc/Ty8V7v3t2AIbin5NY7bGljHyZtm8FqrHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210221_154118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDqDkzF9ChM/YD29ECDA4VI/AAAAAAAAcGc/Ty8V7v3t2AIbin5NY7bGljHyZtm8FqrHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210221_154118.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Kreon, arial, serif; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It would have been an awesome unforgettable experience!</span></div></span></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-48831882193492005282021-02-23T19:53:00.005-05:002021-03-24T00:44:46.380-04:00Ashes To Ashes<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My Dads funeral was on a cold winter day. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The actual funeral service really didn't mean much to me. It seemed the preachers just talked about random stuff (<i>like sexual assault and how we shouldn't be cremated -it was weird). </i>My mom made it very clear which kids she wanted with her and those of us that were not welcome.... </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anyway, it was probably the weirdest funeral I've ever been too, and I've been to alot! <i>(My ex husband and I used to manage a Cemetary and help at the funeral home, so I do know a bit about funerals.)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But, when we got to the graveside, the most beautiful, big snowflakes were falling all around us. The little country Cemetary was covered in a white, fluffy, blanket of snow.. it felt like God made it perfect just for me! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrxPAiAvkn4/YEgeZf6UUzI/AAAAAAAAcLY/TpAcoDugy6sZJE0hoM93mu5j9cWFzxNngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1037/Screenshot_20210309-201702_Textgram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1037" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrxPAiAvkn4/YEgeZf6UUzI/AAAAAAAAcLY/TpAcoDugy6sZJE0hoM93mu5j9cWFzxNngCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20210309-201702_Textgram.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The graveside service and story about my Dad, ment more to me than any other thing that was said during the funeral. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The following poem was read by my Dad's long time customer and preacher friend, at the graveside service.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <b><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The commitment of ones immortal soul to God is a personal matter; no one can do it for another. </span></i></b><i><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is however, our solemn duty to commit the mortal body to the ground. </span></b></i><i style="font-weight: bold;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We commit you to the care of God and the earth.</span></b></i></p><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We are going to cover you with the beautiful garments of nature: </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The spotless white of winter,</span></i></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The lovely flowers of spring, </span></i></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The bight green grass of summer,</span></i></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The colorful leaves of autumn.</span></i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">May you rest in peace!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Your memory to your loved ones will be as fragrent as the rose and as long lasting as the evergreen. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">May the Lord watch over you and your people until we meet again in the full glory of the resurrection morning.</span></i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Until then,</span></i></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Beloved Husband,</span></i></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Beloved Father,</span></i></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Beloved Grandpa,</span></i></div></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Beloved Friend,</span></i></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We bid you farewell and God's peace.</span></i></div></span></i><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_210309_193643_733.sdoc-->SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-50736484989215672932021-02-19T20:27:00.002-05:002021-03-02T01:07:13.639-05:00Viewings and Visitation Lines<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I absolutely hate the visitation line at viewings and funerals. No matter which side of the line I'm on.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate standing there next to a deceased loved one for hours at a time. The loved one is gone, its just an empty shell <i>(if you know anything at all about embalming/autopsies, you know that the body has been so mangled, glued, wired, sewn, painted, etc, its really not the same person at all.)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate trying to come up with small talk with people, or trying to comfort them when I can’t even comfort myself.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate having to endure people I barely know trying to “solve” my grief, as if some saying or cliché can take away the pain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hate the awkward things people say, like, <i>"oh, doesn't he/she look so good!"</i> Excuse me. You don't look good when you're dead.... you just don't. <i>(This is one of the reasons that I will not have a veiwing, an open casket, or a traditional funeral when its my time to go.)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And most of all, I hate the cheap casket-side theology that comes out of people’s mouths.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1oJha26HVqA/YD2ddMHd3MI/AAAAAAAAcDA/MfcGs9PSY1QIhINpePXjotGPofEfLwFYACLcBGAsYHQ/s225/images.jpeg-10.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1oJha26HVqA/YD2ddMHd3MI/AAAAAAAAcDA/MfcGs9PSY1QIhINpePXjotGPofEfLwFYACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images.jpeg-10.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Who in the world thought it was a good idea to put a grieving family three feet from their dead loved one and force them to publicly grieve while a line of '<i>mostly</i>' strangers walk by them for hours at a time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, at my Dads veiwing all I felt like I said all night was "<i>I'm Rhoda, I'm the middle kid"</i>. The visitation went from 1pm - 10pm with a small break for supper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don’t want to be social when I'm grieving. I don’t want to be forced to stand in line while a bunch of people—whether I know them or not—come by and say things to me. Even if they’re saying good things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div>I would rather grieve on my own or with the people with whom I choose to grieve, at a time of my choosing. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you love me and my family, you’ll come by and say weird things to me later. You’ll bring me a meal. You’ll pray for me at church. You'll send me some flowers... or chocolate. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But for goodness sake, we’ve got to stop making three feet from a dead body the central location for this kind of “compassion.” -Because it’s not compassion for the grieving family—it’s torture. As if the family isn’t going through enough,<i> (let alone a family where there's a whole lot of drama going on and they're barely speaking to each other) </i>and now we’re going to torture them for hours?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I understand that no one is physically forced to stand in a visitation line. But there is often social, customary, traditional, or family pressure to stand in that line.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For my Dads veiwing, I felt like it would be rude of me to refuse to stand in line, -so for some of us, we feel like we are backed into a corner with no way out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Just between you and I, my Dad wouldn't have cared, he told me before he died that if it was up to him, he wouldn't even have a veiwing or funeral. He said he <i>"never much cared for them at all."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you are a traditionalist and feel like you need to have a traditional veiwing, I suggest that you forget the visitation line and let each family member choose a spot to stand in the room.... that way people can find the individual that they know and came to give their condolences to. By not having a visitation line, you aren't made to speak to every person in a line. You can go hide, engage, cut the conversation short, sit down, go get something to eat, and cry on a shoulder all in your own timing and with whomever you wanted.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's time we as a society rethink this whole idea of publicly grieving with a veiwing line.</div></span>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-40592111258308251812021-02-14T18:06:00.012-05:002022-06-19T00:29:35.966-04:00Miracles<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I was by my Dad's beside when he died today....</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Someone had said, that we should have prayed to God for a miracle so that my Dad would be healed completely here on earth.....</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But after talking with my sister about it... the way that I see it, my Dad's death was a miracle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdms5NO1pVo/YCmiDB8ZkvI/AAAAAAAAcBg/83vkT6w1WlASEw1nPm-_67l-3kyuu5t4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210214_171835.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdms5NO1pVo/YCmiDB8ZkvI/AAAAAAAAcBg/83vkT6w1WlASEw1nPm-_67l-3kyuu5t4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210214_171835.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that he lived for five months after his diagnosis, without standard treatment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that he was in his right mind up until the day that he died.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that we had five good long months to <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2021/01/saved-by-grace.html?m=1">talk with him, to be together, and to learn things about his life and spend time with him.</a> Dad and I just understood each other so much more... we just let the past go andade so many good memories.... just like the following song. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/DTFbGcnl0po">https://youtu.be/DTFbGcnl0po</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that he was pain-free the majority of the time..</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miricle that he was only in pain at the end. That he didn't have to suffer long.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that we were able to be by his bedside when he passed away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that Dad got to tell me good bye a few days before... he held my hand with tears in his eyes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that he could stay-at-home and have his kids, and grandkids around him. That visitors could come and go. No hospital rooms or doctors or protocols.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that he did not want to use a catheter or a bedpan and he never had to. He left this earth with his dignity still intact. He did it his way.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a miracle that because of him being terminally ill, I got to grow closer to my Dad than ever before. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even as he drew his last breath today... God gave one more miracle to us.... the miracle of peace and knowing that we will see each other again in heaven!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You see, my Dad's life and death was a <a href="https://youtu.be/Obp-9BEZe1c">miracle</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So no, I didn't pray for a miracle to heal my Dad, but I am thankful for the miracles that God gave us through my Dad's cancer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miracles aren't always big things.... if you look for it, you will find a miracle in all the little things of life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_210214_165530_376.sdoc-->SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-50494160684057264952021-01-21T09:50:00.005-05:002021-08-14T04:17:24.124-04:00When Your Oldest Daughter Moves Out<span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our oldest daughter moved out this month.... it really wasn't a surprise, I knew it was coming, and although I wanted her to wait for another few more months, I think deep down, I knew it was time.<br /><br />She is 19, has a full-time job at a busy Vet hospital, is enrolled in college, currently working towards a graphic design degree. She graduated school 2 years early, is a hard worker, a good employee, and managed to save a good sized nest egg. She has always paid for her own phone, insurance, and paid cash for her car, - and she did it all on her own.... she never got an allowance and we didn't spoil her with money or things. She worked hard to get where she is.....<br /><br />I'm proud of her....</span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjua0Onxc2c/YAzFZLspjSI/AAAAAAAAb9Y/udaH4iyMGk4WXyl7sgqvSfzHPBhkqsmVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1080/textgram_1602279444.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fjua0Onxc2c/YAzFZLspjSI/AAAAAAAAb9Y/udaH4iyMGk4WXyl7sgqvSfzHPBhkqsmVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/textgram_1602279444.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />And although I think I knew it was time she spread her own wings.... I had a tangled up mess of emotions. Somedays I would cry over everything. Somedays I was sad.... it was almost like all my dreams and plans that she and I had for years had died and were being buried. Sometimes I was angry.... it felt like she wanted to leave me behind and forget that I was her mom.... Sometimes I was excited... shopping and planning for her new place was like going on an adventure. Somedays, I really didn't know how I felt.... I wondered: How can I let her go? Have we prepared her well enough? What if she never moves back home, again? What if she chooses a life without me in it? Will my family ever feel complete again?<br /><br />The funny thing is sometimes I miss her alot.... other times, not nearly as much as I thought I would.... <br /><br />I miss the smell of her coffee in the morning and the counter is bare where her coffee maker used to be.<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd1PTS1Iyxw/YRd7f4Y3VaI/AAAAAAAAcmY/jUxe4HWO6vsB-GPiW9s70UfmpaP-nfuFACLcBGAsYHQ/s1686/Screenshot_20210103-095735_Messages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1686" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wd1PTS1Iyxw/YRd7f4Y3VaI/AAAAAAAAcmY/jUxe4HWO6vsB-GPiW9s70UfmpaP-nfuFACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot_20210103-095735_Messages.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">I miss her singing and playing the guitar..... check out her </span><a href="https://youtube.com/channel/UC0arqAVAIdf-QPHiU_Y1_JQ" style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">you tube channel...</a><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">I miss just randomly walking into her room, sitting on her bed and having random conversations. </span><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">I miss being able to give each other advise on our clothing or hairdos....</span><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">But, during the last few weeks I have come to understand that.....</span><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><br style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica; text-align: left;">This transition is a big deal. It’s completely natural to feel overwhelmed, scared or at a loss. Allowing myself the time and space to process our new situation -life without all my kids under the same roof is difficult, but also healing.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeZ5pn6waOs/YRd5VcQ_8yI/AAAAAAAAcmI/xjOgXxWYg10sQ_KLzaRFtlTgMS1EQbYnACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210814_040321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1894" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeZ5pn6waOs/YRd5VcQ_8yI/AAAAAAAAcmI/xjOgXxWYg10sQ_KLzaRFtlTgMS1EQbYnACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210814_040321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Parenting her has been my main focus for the past 19+ years, and all of a sudden thats changed. Coping with that isn’t easy. I am no longer responsible for her desisions, for her safety, for feeding and clothing her.... its now about her choosing her own path and for me to take a step back.</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Childhood is supposed to end—this is life’s natural order (even though it feels pretty unnatural, at first). As she transitions, I must transition also.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Dwelling on what might happen in the future is defeating. Focusing on what is happening in the moment is much better. I raised her well. I have to let go and trust that she is capable of making her own decisions whether they are good or bad.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Her life represents who she is, not who I am. She has the right to choose for herself where and how she will live. She no longer has to answer to me; she has to answer to God. This takes the pressure off of me—which in turn, takes the pressure off of our relationship. (As long as I can remember that!)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbRNJF4adOw/YRd7qgq27wI/AAAAAAAAcmc/OjhcFXVWOZ0x0DslQYjvHV7VoqlVpqC5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1218/20210814_041102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kbRNJF4adOw/YRd7qgq27wI/AAAAAAAAcmc/OjhcFXVWOZ0x0DslQYjvHV7VoqlVpqC5wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210814_041102.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> Helen Keller once said: “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” This means that I have to stop pining away for the past and accept that my life has changed. <br /><br />The fact that we no longer see each other every day isn't easy, but it helps to have a plan. Our daughter comes home once a week to do laundry and talk. I love it when she comes home.... I love that she raids the fridge and pantry, and that we can sit on the sofa and just talk. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I love watching her experience life.... visiting her place, hearing all her news.... it reminds me of when I was her age and had the world at my fingertips.... and even though I know she's all grown up.... to me she'll always be her daddy's little girl!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSIxUIH3W1M/YAzHfOd1lEI/AAAAAAAAb90/-W5-Sj6WNlg9jVjA3S_Ftoj9nVZ16qf0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201031_153636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSIxUIH3W1M/YAzHfOd1lEI/AAAAAAAAb90/-W5-Sj6WNlg9jVjA3S_Ftoj9nVZ16qf0QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201031_153636.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I never expected my baby girl to leave our nest so soon. But it happened; opportunity knocked, adventure beckoned. I'm still adjusting.... but I'm trying to be okay with it!<br /><br /><b>"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened." -Dr Seuss </b></span><br /></div></div></div></div>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1579849414733206900.post-37807591793170999532021-01-17T13:14:00.003-05:002023-03-24T15:21:35.471-04:00Saved By Grace<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My dad was diagnosed as having Glioblastoma in September 2020. It is the fastest growing brain tumor there is. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its hard to watch the dad I knew get weaker and weaker, but at the same time <a href="http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-dad-and-i.html?m=1">it has given us time to be together, time to talk, </a>time to laugh, time to cry together, and time just to be. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has told me more about his childhood, his teen years, his work, his marriage, church issues, and life decisions than I never dreamed of knowing. We have talked about our past relationship (or lack of it), our reasoning at the time, and what we wish we'd have done different. We have talked about Heaven and God and the Bible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have talked about my cancer, my kids, my marriage, my life, and about dying. We have shared secrets, some may be told after he's gone, but most of them I'll keep to myself and hold close to my heart....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We have our own little jokes about mom or my siblings or just people in general! Dad has a great sense of humor through all this and he makes me laugh! I have come to love our little talks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I consider it an honor that he asked me to be one of his medical POA's. (I didn't ask for, or want the job) but I consider it a privilege. I take care of his medication and work with my oldest sister and Hospice to make him comfortable and to give him the best care we possibly can! He deserves the best!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And even when some family members cause drama, spread lies, accuse us falsely and are upset because they wanted to be in charge, its heart warming to hear my dad say yet again, that he wants me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Its sad that he has to hear his family argue, but when he has tears in his eyes and says that He wants me (<i>and my sister</i>) to keep fighting for him -that alone has made Dad and my bond stronger. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Its like he whispered to me the other day.... "You, me and God know the truth!" </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, dad... we do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns-2QxaGKL4/X_il5O97mOI/AAAAAAAAb7E/7QB5roZ879gEloP1X1iY9lsP2BTvaQsLACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201217_120109.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns-2QxaGKL4/X_il5O97mOI/AAAAAAAAb7E/7QB5roZ879gEloP1X1iY9lsP2BTvaQsLACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201217_120109.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so thankful that he is at peace with dying. He knows who saved him and although our theology may be a little different, I believe he lived life for God, the best he could. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He has often said he lived an interesting life and he had fun doing it! He made a living (and raised seven kids) by junking and having a small engine store and repair shop. He loved going to auctions and talking with his customers and has many friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsGSsa83AqI/YB5xVFZdKdI/AAAAAAAAb_w/TmT4Reqc6VUcrC76GHbhm2Oq2P15ahyvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210204_005436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1406" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BsGSsa83AqI/YB5xVFZdKdI/AAAAAAAAb_w/TmT4Reqc6VUcrC76GHbhm2Oq2P15ahyvACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210204_005436.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When it came to spending thousands of dollars for his cancer treatment to gain maybe an extra 6 months to a year... Dad said that the thousands of dollars could help so many people in Africa or in other countries and that he is no more worthy of living than any of them are. He said "Why would anyone want to spend thousands of dollars, just to stay out of heaven?" - which when put that way, there really is no point to argue! He's right!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">His newest favorite song is: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></a></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/#"><span style="font-size: medium;">Saved by Grace" - listen to it here!</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Some day the silver cord will break, And I no more as now shall sing; But, O the joy when I shall wake Within the presence of the King!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And I shall see Him face to face,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And tell the story, saved by grace:</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I shall see Him face to face,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And tell the story, saved by grace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some day my earthly house will fall,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I cannot tell how soon ‘twill be,</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this I know – my All in all</div><div style="text-align: center;">Has now a place with Him for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or some day when my Lord will come, And called to meet Him I’ll be blest, He then will say to me, “Well done,” And I shall enter into rest.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Some day, till then I’ll watch and wait, My lamp all trimmed and burning bright, That when my Saviour I will greet, My faith will then be changed to sight."</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Wednesdays, when the hospice nurse leaves, she and dad have this little saying....</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Goodbye. I'll see you next week, Lord willing, if the silver cord don't break!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So while my dad is lying on the sofa dying, he is still sharing his faith. And I'm thankful that I know that he has no doubt that he'll see Jesus face to face soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's my dad and he's not perfect, but .... I'm gonna miss him when he's gone. ❤</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2020/09/my-dad-and-i.html?m=1">You can read more about my dad here....</a></div></span>SRKindredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08529872701689909857noreply@blogger.com0