tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875174798874575322024-03-17T23:32:24.889-07:00Allspice & Acrylicsthe joys of baking and painting...and a celebration of life
visit www.amyoes.com for more!Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-22058920478788249842015-08-09T20:33:00.001-07:002015-08-09T20:39:56.315-07:00My last post on Allspice and Acrylics...<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><i>*spoiler alert* still blogging. <b> just on <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com </a>:)</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Everything has to come to an end, sometime.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3242.L_Frank_Baum" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">L. Frank Baum</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_179565" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/21430714" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Marvelous Land of Oz</a></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.amyoes.com/wp-content/gallery/mixed-media-art/dynamic/Beckoning-Branches.jpg-nggid0298-ngg0dyn-240x160x100-00f0w010c011r110f110r010t010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.amyoes.com/wp-content/gallery/mixed-media-art/dynamic/Beckoning-Branches.jpg-nggid0298-ngg0dyn-240x160x100-00f0w010c011r110f110r010t010.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hi Everyone - Happy Monday...</div>
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<b>I'm exciting to announce that I will NOT be blogging at Allspice & Acrylics anymore.</b></div>
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But don't be sad - it's a good thing!</div>
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I started blogging in 2011 after my very first art show. After my surgeries, it was the first time I was exposing myself and my heART to the outside world. After the show was over I was so sad for all the spectators to leave, I slammed the door to my room and bawled my eyes out as soon as I got home.</div>
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Setting up this blog was a way I could still create and connect. I'd share my work with friends and family - a small network, but my creations were having a second life and helping me reach others - and that was all that mattered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7FwcrZIiRlqbg3eNpSq_JN1iD5uxMXXVugpwJ6nzAEehnsRg4nI65OMm2sHI-632Feg6yvgDcexlUNizIjzA3V2h0oD7Ou15zPMDvqDihBhqYkBhU9nUM0OGD6RAvbjjmuoO0kHjNrF8/s320/IMG_7687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7FwcrZIiRlqbg3eNpSq_JN1iD5uxMXXVugpwJ6nzAEehnsRg4nI65OMm2sHI-632Feg6yvgDcexlUNizIjzA3V2h0oD7Ou15zPMDvqDihBhqYkBhU9nUM0OGD6RAvbjjmuoO0kHjNrF8/s320/IMG_7687.jpg" /></a></div>
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So that was my blog. Until my doctors told me to just STOP eating and drinking all at once to heal a fistula. Right, no big deal, right?</div>
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So you'll see in the 2011 posts I start counting day 1, 2, 3, 80...yes it's pretty miserable to look back on, I know. Poor sick artist girl dying for an ice cube. Even I feel bad for me reading those.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7AM6SbZ1NFPCiH7i9Fm0n7mJCmW7W32-TDTdlq-0NWBz3t3W9qJMLMxa7rGPbDI3MxiXJZVL-QV3F8f-EIu9sj0RxZO9f-4DVzSMLtBd7r99Z0unslk-mTV6Q6lHaQWRFxrk0ahA9dSE/s1600/2012-01-17+19.10.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7AM6SbZ1NFPCiH7i9Fm0n7mJCmW7W32-TDTdlq-0NWBz3t3W9qJMLMxa7rGPbDI3MxiXJZVL-QV3F8f-EIu9sj0RxZO9f-4DVzSMLtBd7r99Z0unslk-mTV6Q6lHaQWRFxrk0ahA9dSE/s320/2012-01-17+19.10.16.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I stopped blogging when I said "enough of this NPO, I'm going to eat and drink because I'm human and I can't take this anymore." The fistula didn't heal but I felt human again, at least.</div>
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I restarted my blog last February when my (then) fiance suggested I get back into painting then.</div>
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There's a line in my one-woman show that says "Whatever I do, I tend to do obsessively..."</div>
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Anyway, I explain the whole inspiration for my blogging in my article for the amazing site <b><a href="http://www.beyondyourblog.com/amy-oestreichers-success-story-blogging-for-creativity-therapy-inspiration/">Beyond Your Blog.</a></b> Let me get back to my point.</div>
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<a href="http://www.beyondyourblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Amy-Oestreichers-Success-Story-Blogging-For-Creativity-Therapy-Inspiration-Guest-Post-By-Amy-Oestreicher-on-Beyond-Your-Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.beyondyourblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Amy-Oestreichers-Success-Story-Blogging-For-Creativity-Therapy-Inspiration-Guest-Post-By-Amy-Oestreicher-on-Beyond-Your-Blog.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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My site amyoes.com came just last year. I realized that my art, my show, my story...I wanted to use what I've learned from my own beautiful detour to inspire other people. I want my passion for creativity to come together to show the power of the arts as a means of personal expression, of finding an anchor in the midst of uncertainty, and as a connection to the world. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhadeV1tEPFx2LMQQSVQwnQZW7CTwvIQHzv0DmOK417j7I0KKLFz7O5X0k8aX6_c82Cuk6BBf-PATaW9yHTiXC_83_pkkEfIPfm-nZBTNyYmSNRL96jcREUfozx6IBI-61FqxQtquO6cM/s1600/2014-01-16+21.08.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhadeV1tEPFx2LMQQSVQwnQZW7CTwvIQHzv0DmOK417j7I0KKLFz7O5X0k8aX6_c82Cuk6BBf-PATaW9yHTiXC_83_pkkEfIPfm-nZBTNyYmSNRL96jcREUfozx6IBI-61FqxQtquO6cM/s320/2014-01-16+21.08.44.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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So I spent the entire day yesterday (refer back to the "obsessively" line) transferring all of my old blogs, articles from amyoes.com and everything else to my main site amyoes.com. I'll still be blogging, but on one domain. I have bittersweet memories of Allspice and Acrylics - the Allspice came from my love of cooking - ironically when I couldn't eat or drink, I became obsessed with preparing meals for my family, go figure.</div>
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This is a step towards my new future. Hopefully sharing how this ten year ordeal has enhanced and deepened my life with greater meaning and a richer purpose. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlEghI3oUCQYz0Cx4Jde5JP_ud4SIk0G8Gbg7GsU7B9Pbu1vfUZz8NBeAnmIa-yxYXcOK4LmH4AKmY9EsWr_Ei6IxZFJvW6xhAKY5gZvUBUjnGNYo6cENPwwP_qjIbW7ehQsIZmiv4ncq/s1600/IMAG3570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlEghI3oUCQYz0Cx4Jde5JP_ud4SIk0G8Gbg7GsU7B9Pbu1vfUZz8NBeAnmIa-yxYXcOK4LmH4AKmY9EsWr_Ei6IxZFJvW6xhAKY5gZvUBUjnGNYo6cENPwwP_qjIbW7ehQsIZmiv4ncq/s200/IMAG3570.jpg" width="113" /></a><br />
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I've got a story to tell and hopefully a message that can really make people live differently - or at least see things differently.</div>
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And that's what I think creativity is. Not just arts and crafts. Creativity is a way of seeing the world. It's how my world felt beautiful through 27 surgeries, setbacks, trials and disappointments. I created joy through gratitude, love and connection.</div>
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<i>You can too.</i></div>
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So follow me on my site <a href="http://amyoes.com/"><b><i>amyoes.com</i></b></a> - I'll be blogging over there, plus you can see everything else I've got going on - my one woman show, my writing, my art...my husband....no, that part's mine. But everything else, I share!</div>
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Subscribe to my newsletter, check a few posts, a gallery or two, watch some clips - come on, I'm a theatre geek, I like attention. Sorry. Just being honest.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4GzZFwH-51GwVnTcwdxl2Y5Ko66C03_-TdirBMT25kuqkf1FATxrs3BDwLvosw3jeyRfxb-O8jSwhlUEaW-x6YUeC5wtRczBOAyJ8UTT9XMUvQVUJH3C163_6P8tUw1XF-PgZn5rKMg5/s1600/Amy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4GzZFwH-51GwVnTcwdxl2Y5Ko66C03_-TdirBMT25kuqkf1FATxrs3BDwLvosw3jeyRfxb-O8jSwhlUEaW-x6YUeC5wtRczBOAyJ8UTT9XMUvQVUJH3C163_6P8tUw1XF-PgZn5rKMg5/s320/Amy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Before I Go...</u></i></b></div>
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I don't mean to spend this entire post blabbing on about me. BUT CHECK OUT <b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">AMYOES.COM</a></span></i></b> ok I'm done, anyway, also check out...</div>
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<a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-amazingly-inspirational-websites-forgot-bookmark/"></a><a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-amazingly-inspirational-websites-forgot-bookmark/">7 Amazingly Inspirational Websites That You Forgot To Bookmark</a></div>
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It's been a crazy ride on Allspice and Acrylics. And I can't wait to keep traveling...</div>
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<b>Check out my new site and definitely let me know what you think!</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/566.Paulo_Coelho" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Paulo Coelho</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_1427" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/3341790" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Zahir</a></i></span></div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-50679279374395863652015-08-05T21:01:00.000-07:002015-08-05T21:01:37.817-07:00This too shall pass - Gratitude for the blessings and the curses<i>Today I am feeling gratitude that all things pass. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8Ri41orp_qHJczka9NBWbDz-NSr7yXL6spJC5oSNB0UgiDdBQDc5PO5D69nx1Dl8f5JjgWldymwZrmlTGoNCcn-Wi4exEfngR-6D28ArcDscfTjtyJHfNpmAr-3D7p4gIrXmW1dfiwTZ/s1600/20150518_114051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8Ri41orp_qHJczka9NBWbDz-NSr7yXL6spJC5oSNB0UgiDdBQDc5PO5D69nx1Dl8f5JjgWldymwZrmlTGoNCcn-Wi4exEfngR-6D28ArcDscfTjtyJHfNpmAr-3D7p4gIrXmW1dfiwTZ/s320/20150518_114051.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
I'm looking back on my wedding day with fond memories, laughing as I think of me dancing around in that huge dress, and getting a wee bit sniffly as I think about saying our vows in front of all our friends and family. <br />
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I am so grateful all of this love has come into my life. It's filled each moment with endless wonder and comfort.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I'm also looking back at harder times that have passed. I found this old blog post from May 2011. After a surgery that didn't go as planned (surprise surprise) I ended up with several pesky <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fistula">fistulas</a> that refused to close. The doctors told me if I just "stopped eating and drinking" altogether - seriously - it would close. And for how long? "Until it closes." </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">uhh....what????</td></tr>
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I obeyed, the good patient that I was. It was more than difficult. <br />
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My fistulas never closed.<br />
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Eventually I got so fed up that I just started eating and drinking again. Because I'm human, not a robot. Having the fistulas was a sacrifice I was willing to have in exchange for my humanity. <br />
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It's amazing that these blog posts are the only real glimpse I have on that time for me. This was day 55 of four months - just more months to add to the six of the past ten years without food or drink.<br />
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But hey, I'll stop my sob story now. I just got back from my honeymoon and this was my dinner - no joke.<br />
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The lesson? <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b> THIS TOO SHALL PASS!!!</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12_Bg-2dMcF_6ioFBtYE_gL07hhJ6zy7JSRevZ7qMPfenwdq1lkdV1H6rtk0kXfHoDC4-IpjFoWYDINpEsZjcxQ7EzzAyfsfpJhoLdREUtaM-2sK8z6NrlLZ8YpTP7ovP0VJrqmOPa6TJ/s1600/20150721_122154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12_Bg-2dMcF_6ioFBtYE_gL07hhJ6zy7JSRevZ7qMPfenwdq1lkdV1H6rtk0kXfHoDC4-IpjFoWYDINpEsZjcxQ7EzzAyfsfpJhoLdREUtaM-2sK8z6NrlLZ8YpTP7ovP0VJrqmOPa6TJ/s320/20150721_122154.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BUFFETS ARE THE BEST!</td></tr>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">DAYS 55 AND 56 - TRYING TO HOLD ON</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">MAY 2011</span></u></i></b></div>
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This is so hard. I am so hungry that I have to physically restrain myself from eating food. Every minute feels like hours. This is what I wrote to my doctor:<br />
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<span id="OLK_SRC_BODY_SECTION"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><b><i>I just wanted to touch base with you for this upcoming week. All week, I have had only two cups of Jello, which are four ounces each, and a quarter of a cup of soup broth. My output has decreased for 80cc to probably less than 5cc per day. Just enough to wet the gauze I have covering the site. I should note that the stain on the gauze comes out red when I have red Jello. I am starving and my hunger grows each and every day - truly miserable at this point. If you thought it was okay, I was going to increase to have three Jellos per day. What do you think of this, and are there any (if any) other increases you should make this week, or is this how much I should do until the fistula site dried up completely? Thanks so much. I eagerly await your reply.</i></b></span></span></span></span><b><i> </i></b></div>
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And this was his response:</div>
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<b><i>My preference at this point is to achieve a completely dry, closed fistula before advancing your oral intake further. Although I do not know that increasing the jello to three times per day will have any negative effect, I caution you that any increase may well increase the fistula drainage and prevent closure. You have to balance your need to satisfy your hunger, your need to keep your sanity, and your need to close the fistula. Not any easy balancing act. Let me know what you decide.</i></b></div>
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I am so disappointed, I don't even know what to say. I am just going to try to take it day by day, because I really want this fistula to close.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuxPx8n5BKVd-RFwSvxj9O8Y-0dJlE6l13Yvlw-ewQlENt6y5zOZ0hE2VOaOqGwwTwdeYLuPBfGpOVx3uUbqWNBpDYO5as5WQh-9l0w5VivyJmMmWazvqqyYRFcfFG7NyvN3pAAwdys_S/s1600/2011-05-14_15-58-53_56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuxPx8n5BKVd-RFwSvxj9O8Y-0dJlE6l13Yvlw-ewQlENt6y5zOZ0hE2VOaOqGwwTwdeYLuPBfGpOVx3uUbqWNBpDYO5as5WQh-9l0w5VivyJmMmWazvqqyYRFcfFG7NyvN3pAAwdys_S/s320/2011-05-14_15-58-53_56.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">What I tell myself every day.</td></tr>
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Saw some cute puppies at the mall which made me smile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88iCrcckq_27cfD0SOnv5-ssqQXOsBh2GOS84Rj7ujY23H9lZHafrz-cxLMqk6Y89Y6ix59omvix0JrvZB-KDMH0Kj0Au8j4_2njEmP_W5er7I9JN2-0hOpYNIsOtOOWmVQuG3sCyiKNF/s1600/2011-05-14_16-04-49_178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88iCrcckq_27cfD0SOnv5-ssqQXOsBh2GOS84Rj7ujY23H9lZHafrz-cxLMqk6Y89Y6ix59omvix0JrvZB-KDMH0Kj0Au8j4_2njEmP_W5er7I9JN2-0hOpYNIsOtOOWmVQuG3sCyiKNF/s200/2011-05-14_16-04-49_178.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaDmpZwd-JBCBIdY7LM80DGszEqyQH-S9VzUd9426kHp0eVojSKmDDSbnKn3iA1OECwHs0RE4aIK9kW_4O_GD8RdCkbBO8VvBDo9sT59LQ6Jrvn3PhusdnnoYPwCSYA6sQf61iAn9ENA8/s1600/2011-05-14_16-04-36_526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaDmpZwd-JBCBIdY7LM80DGszEqyQH-S9VzUd9426kHp0eVojSKmDDSbnKn3iA1OECwHs0RE4aIK9kW_4O_GD8RdCkbBO8VvBDo9sT59LQ6Jrvn3PhusdnnoYPwCSYA6sQf61iAn9ENA8/s200/2011-05-14_16-04-36_526.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Then I smelled my amazing deep dish pizza which made me cry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6VTSi89OvzeYl83i3ojfvI3RomWWHQeb35gM59oiPNb_zDaEQWjcWBZ1ljyt4EKbFtvmqyQDiztWeCA33Ym9iJKbLhoBr7BGksBWAt1r8oAVmdhNN4FiafNP4aydjtX6j2opt2m6ZBp1/s1600/2011-05-14_18-52-30_587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6VTSi89OvzeYl83i3ojfvI3RomWWHQeb35gM59oiPNb_zDaEQWjcWBZ1ljyt4EKbFtvmqyQDiztWeCA33Ym9iJKbLhoBr7BGksBWAt1r8oAVmdhNN4FiafNP4aydjtX6j2opt2m6ZBp1/s200/2011-05-14_18-52-30_587.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEa9-27fJ3Pask-X5pWnU48wtVL6uKPF4eFkAfDPI2m4lvm1eTgZ8D3fadM2jw55Kb9DKjJxprKktJvy_onPg3qXAi6704zZz4FhO4tKJH1EE8onFo-kJIP7KJeXeqNyiIOwNVy5HFPmC/s1600/2011-05-14_18-50-38_791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJEa9-27fJ3Pask-X5pWnU48wtVL6uKPF4eFkAfDPI2m4lvm1eTgZ8D3fadM2jw55Kb9DKjJxprKktJvy_onPg3qXAi6704zZz4FhO4tKJH1EE8onFo-kJIP7KJeXeqNyiIOwNVy5HFPmC/s200/2011-05-14_18-50-38_791.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Very uninspired and hungry, I started a piece called "Match Your Heartbeat to the Heartbeat of the Universe."<br />
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Then I played with some iron-on transfer paper.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6LGEdC5CcK7dYoUuVluKCv7WNNuBM4bUGR1v9VGhfZzR5ScW_D0izt1Zp3PIBHt9E-NZ7K4dWZcaHrLibQHBPxvZxv4VAgEjAmCL7TeRmLKDgHe6gfaZlYeKdjVnWTYhiXrpkv4-MNrX/s1600/2011-05-14_19-52-23_601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6LGEdC5CcK7dYoUuVluKCv7WNNuBM4bUGR1v9VGhfZzR5ScW_D0izt1Zp3PIBHt9E-NZ7K4dWZcaHrLibQHBPxvZxv4VAgEjAmCL7TeRmLKDgHe6gfaZlYeKdjVnWTYhiXrpkv4-MNrX/s200/2011-05-14_19-52-23_601.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_d2xi390aHC67cPvXeWCENv7cOFuu42jyC7AsJYtptTNx2Z2cN57Nl8WqgzfbIgql-FTajKA4AZbHFccY_0eLPBdtl0S-BJIwoENCQrDZUUu4ePgmWnV7OxC_QcIfeYUTTm5aI2YPsmA/s1600/2011-05-14_19-52-14_183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_d2xi390aHC67cPvXeWCENv7cOFuu42jyC7AsJYtptTNx2Z2cN57Nl8WqgzfbIgql-FTajKA4AZbHFccY_0eLPBdtl0S-BJIwoENCQrDZUUu4ePgmWnV7OxC_QcIfeYUTTm5aI2YPsmA/s200/2011-05-14_19-52-14_183.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRonEc7Me8-lGURYK_HkRo65byon6USm35ES-KCknFZ3uu0F1KtIHYAevHWp1tIuiTlOay_wIm2g_XSKuV2h8lP6PbUTVtxbrtRW5gcOTkJr-bxdj0QcxQ4ovrxr1Y29gPxOAuj0qzcQg/s1600/2011-05-15_13-21-39_254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQRonEc7Me8-lGURYK_HkRo65byon6USm35ES-KCknFZ3uu0F1KtIHYAevHWp1tIuiTlOay_wIm2g_XSKuV2h8lP6PbUTVtxbrtRW5gcOTkJr-bxdj0QcxQ4ovrxr1Y29gPxOAuj0qzcQg/s320/2011-05-15_13-21-39_254.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">We are going to a lot of malls to pass the time.</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewYXkZKvL320UJLDtWoRqho-rsRXNf2u4GjsSt0VzUgiNpnYqeRsAvo3cefB-DyfFZ7YjZvjOVTq4QUmq0ItTWXbsyLOTWJkMcgqaJ3zaI3c0a6PoU4cAEi-UKJhOIWumjDPf-OIDmqzc/s400/2011-05-15_20-04-50_290.jpg" width="225" />I did an abstract background in preparation for another inchies piece. It's a project I can lose myself in that is very time-consuming, and I can do a little bit every day, so it's a good thing to do right now.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBC-FDyo_Kqnvqp0MN-Quu3uuHHyl-NQI34O7NCQ-9owpmf5Otwem94wCM8qejKNO05JhJIF4gv0OK1RKAjotHFbxd7q9b0nT3uk21w3xyWfwBhyBONKvTteKmiwhj_fF8xhN7rqL9ijZ/s1600/2011-05-15_20-04-58_95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBC-FDyo_Kqnvqp0MN-Quu3uuHHyl-NQI34O7NCQ-9owpmf5Otwem94wCM8qejKNO05JhJIF4gv0OK1RKAjotHFbxd7q9b0nT3uk21w3xyWfwBhyBONKvTteKmiwhj_fF8xhN7rqL9ijZ/s320/2011-05-15_20-04-58_95.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">I found this adorable chocolate box and thought it would be the perfect shadow box for some three-dimensional inchies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Some more abstract backgrounds...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCPJAWsVZ8bfgewP_pHCIwwMCHKSfgIlvy_31QAIYVxsywXht58HIrMZvhDczLtIgOpJwK32C-7WPNVdlBghlU8If53AAPq-bQkGOuvYucJNYa56Q_9eyjV1mCk1gGnNCa51JD8Rca7uQ/s1600/2011-05-15_20-06-07_608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCPJAWsVZ8bfgewP_pHCIwwMCHKSfgIlvy_31QAIYVxsywXht58HIrMZvhDczLtIgOpJwK32C-7WPNVdlBghlU8If53AAPq-bQkGOuvYucJNYa56Q_9eyjV1mCk1gGnNCa51JD8Rca7uQ/s400/2011-05-15_20-06-07_608.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHFT8JYVuFU1VN6CNCPtIcDBNrZARKxVlMBG4Juf8HZf6i3zxr0OLsm4-G8Ck-sRjvgt5spOqzlU9uPFmQHiync81M-Yqo8oGXnHFLc5xxj0WI0zrTuqN6TiXJaKdOqhf52m59gkCygoI/s1600/2011-05-15_20-05-46_173.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHFT8JYVuFU1VN6CNCPtIcDBNrZARKxVlMBG4Juf8HZf6i3zxr0OLsm4-G8Ck-sRjvgt5spOqzlU9uPFmQHiync81M-Yqo8oGXnHFLc5xxj0WI0zrTuqN6TiXJaKdOqhf52m59gkCygoI/s400/2011-05-15_20-05-46_173.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Match Your Heartbeat to the Heartbeat of the Universe<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODdwr0bvhQwg2DeFk5DpmhTMuWpEc31jImtw30V4-8c-QepQLKPmLn_I0lziPjMA6e267F60V4qG0MM2UQJKH72MmVKfwzcPxaPe2zhq_aGUFxd7unCBf-5dwEt-SusKnEwIGP2nwX_8X/s1600/2011-05-15_20-54-27_973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODdwr0bvhQwg2DeFk5DpmhTMuWpEc31jImtw30V4-8c-QepQLKPmLn_I0lziPjMA6e267F60V4qG0MM2UQJKH72MmVKfwzcPxaPe2zhq_aGUFxd7unCBf-5dwEt-SusKnEwIGP2nwX_8X/s640/2011-05-15_20-54-27_973.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The girl is playing the triangle and the earth is playing the drums.</td></tr>
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I started this piece too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbscQir_wqVmI9E3CRf4zdMleqeVMWWHo_Iwc9URPEehSeXMcLntXZ9ARr558KPmDC_Yx5NDzxb55pw7XQ2qNKRip5QE1CMbjdWODRztcmJrOjIhSC1GSg80eiLnVzZhB4HheTIHBN0bZq/s1600/2011-05-15_20-56-02_642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbscQir_wqVmI9E3CRf4zdMleqeVMWWHo_Iwc9URPEehSeXMcLntXZ9ARr558KPmDC_Yx5NDzxb55pw7XQ2qNKRip5QE1CMbjdWODRztcmJrOjIhSC1GSg80eiLnVzZhB4HheTIHBN0bZq/s640/2011-05-15_20-56-02_642.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOuxPN6YeeFJx9rvOrA_4A1JdL3ByNAKE87_t1jeF63tpt3F78Ks8bJ0_CYUGqbnercdujTIHtllQ-AIHZVP3AcayBSLme37ZIHOB-nawqr0vTzLXSIwZSzdY8PlhEeUWmFaUbalzv0v7/s1600/2011-05-15_20-56-11_867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOuxPN6YeeFJx9rvOrA_4A1JdL3ByNAKE87_t1jeF63tpt3F78Ks8bJ0_CYUGqbnercdujTIHtllQ-AIHZVP3AcayBSLme37ZIHOB-nawqr0vTzLXSIwZSzdY8PlhEeUWmFaUbalzv0v7/s400/2011-05-15_20-56-11_867.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Wish me luck. This is one of the hardest times in my life I've had for a long time. I don't want a colostomy so I'm willing to do whatever it takes, but gosh this is impossible.</i></b><br />
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<b><i>BLOGGER'S NOTE</i></b><br />
<b><i>*****</i></b><br />
Today, be grateful for where you are. Things might not be perfectly how you'd like them to be, but be grateful for how far you've come.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Everything passes. So don't forget to live it up every passing moment.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrw8lt1vAWjSyibIiZJNEcD3jULrJClNlvYHtOn-xUbOGIF1l3dao7hPwJGzVVWTVjMJ1QoKQmKcLycPSAIBwnCcbKQ5ItdpxKlKLT5hGHs1RjUAq5tBVy2gpLKzJ-M_DDwdjiPQZFdm-/s1600/20150505_134903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrw8lt1vAWjSyibIiZJNEcD3jULrJClNlvYHtOn-xUbOGIF1l3dao7hPwJGzVVWTVjMJ1QoKQmKcLycPSAIBwnCcbKQ5ItdpxKlKLT5hGHs1RjUAq5tBVy2gpLKzJ-M_DDwdjiPQZFdm-/s320/20150505_134903.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-35539995307069035872015-08-04T23:40:00.000-07:002015-08-04T23:40:13.785-07:00DIY Essential Oils: Inspired, Creative Pampering!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cXf3BgmrK8eLKzPpqfYPZP67RMFeRztFjfwbbLrA3vSXv4uvrpgPdybomzlD8jxrY_iSM0gbBKaC06tCTr6n4dHafqtE_xC89TofZIwpp7-cK6wsFiK_nQs-b6chnEkLLFoMp90xsUaO/s1600/Guardian+Angels+IMG_0406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cXf3BgmrK8eLKzPpqfYPZP67RMFeRztFjfwbbLrA3vSXv4uvrpgPdybomzlD8jxrY_iSM0gbBKaC06tCTr6n4dHafqtE_xC89TofZIwpp7-cK6wsFiK_nQs-b6chnEkLLFoMp90xsUaO/s320/Guardian+Angels+IMG_0406.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good morning folks - have you been keeping up with my August Art Challenge? Sign up at <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a> to join in the fun - I'll be sending you some tips every week. It's never too late, too hard, too much, or too HOT to start creating! There's nothing very challenging about it - except the <a href="http://www.allspiceandacrylics.blogspot.com/2015/05/seeing-things-differently-idea-for-kid.html">challenge to see things differently</a> :)</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6_4SG3si3GYskivS2Pck1_iHNP7zDwuDFQGyOuiC__n6ginvFNKBbISXb66hXVhxMOqu5kHfHXVqYRozGUngQ9ckYiRX5p1kuTLnV1cY9syMYkqZbVDcrZvBS-DE0q5AQNXRc2Bojc93/s1600/augustartchallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6_4SG3si3GYskivS2Pck1_iHNP7zDwuDFQGyOuiC__n6ginvFNKBbISXb66hXVhxMOqu5kHfHXVqYRozGUngQ9ckYiRX5p1kuTLnV1cY9syMYkqZbVDcrZvBS-DE0q5AQNXRc2Bojc93/s320/augustartchallenge.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see <a href="http://amyoes.com/Newsletter/Archive/2015/7/30">last week's newsletter here.</a> Next week's has the official lowdown :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But you might not feel like <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2013">creating a doodle or drawing to hang on the fridge today</a>. How about some DIY pampering instead? </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs9jVY8P2lIWJjAvA7f6QfDqAPL0RFe184IqknJKiCytpU1QGi9z1cl4WtFHCZNM7-nJzqY0g95E5aOuU-n2BC8pn6rAcbfnMVpyG3k6CpVN9wBLsv11NALqTYxWwp_6Yz6KGX6y_nueD/s1600/2011-04-22_19-41-46_377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQs9jVY8P2lIWJjAvA7f6QfDqAPL0RFe184IqknJKiCytpU1QGi9z1cl4WtFHCZNM7-nJzqY0g95E5aOuU-n2BC8pn6rAcbfnMVpyG3k6CpVN9wBLsv11NALqTYxWwp_6Yz6KGX6y_nueD/s320/2011-04-22_19-41-46_377.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Admittedly, this is not my area of expertise - although I'll take a nice foot rub any day. But I would like to introduce you to an expert on the subject - Breanna over at Brea Getting Fit! I've lent her some of my own ideas which you can check out on her blog...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i0.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/inchies-tutorial.jpg?zoom=2&resize=683%2C1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i0.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/inchies-tutorial.jpg?zoom=2&resize=683%2C1024" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://breagettingfit.com/2015/07/09/rainy-day-art-project-inchies-tutorial/">Make Your Own Inchies!</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?zoom=2&resize=700%2C1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?zoom=2&resize=700%2C1000" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://breagettingfit.com/2015/06/10/7-simple-steps-to-find-your-creative-side/">Find Your Creative Side :)</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I'll hand the "mic" over to Brea now - take it away, crazy oil lady! :)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1t4kX-orVYCEli3mbzcQj5UQh_pWoRzv_G2y46oCtS9yq5o_AZ2r237rK-8pfdoFLHhU8YSwrwjuAZiyFJ92tTbETv5gcu0Ov93zRXbCCKgYzGmg-DplY6TvwiWxHaUjvVC6Ztj4yKwD/s1600/peppermint+lemon+foot+scrub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1t4kX-orVYCEli3mbzcQj5UQh_pWoRzv_G2y46oCtS9yq5o_AZ2r237rK-8pfdoFLHhU8YSwrwjuAZiyFJ92tTbETv5gcu0Ov93zRXbCCKgYzGmg-DplY6TvwiWxHaUjvVC6Ztj4yKwD/s200/peppermint+lemon+foot+scrub.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Amy and I were talking, she let it slip that she’d never really dabbled in essential oils. Which prompted some indignation on my part. How on earth has someone I consider a friend </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not heard of essential oils</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaF1jp-p9Y5iuYfbrQSYMkwnW_3ivOgtVsORWsSr_bsPEgkxzJlhY4TsyMC2TYFpRD2Ott8hqEgNWgUIn5D2etWOtAeN9WvuAYdvRSEyc4tuEMEsRQjbn8qeV_hzasvtjhkoX2J0NmCmx/s1600/young-living-lemon-essential-oil1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuaF1jp-p9Y5iuYfbrQSYMkwnW_3ivOgtVsORWsSr_bsPEgkxzJlhY4TsyMC2TYFpRD2Ott8hqEgNWgUIn5D2etWOtAeN9WvuAYdvRSEyc4tuEMEsRQjbn8qeV_hzasvtjhkoX2J0NmCmx/s200/young-living-lemon-essential-oil1.jpg" width="80" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-cae3b781-ea66-2026-1169-0c9a9e8af6e4" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How does this happen? My husband refers to me as the “crazy oil lady”. I like to think that it’s with fondness...though I’m not entirely convinced. The thing is, he’s right! Essential oils are a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">slight </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">obsession of mine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6iqWbCuDF0fDjWaoBFH8Y38ksp3Opr8c68Y-DkGKgrG4y4SCLiwAzgECWdIz30cMOdOU5vDuUzkurCsEmsTgO6YIElP4EPBV-db_6mbdmIlDFVh5ZMWSXzOvwom7n0Lh4Yko2BuxEUGX/s1600/Dollarphotoclub_31341831-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6iqWbCuDF0fDjWaoBFH8Y38ksp3Opr8c68Y-DkGKgrG4y4SCLiwAzgECWdIz30cMOdOU5vDuUzkurCsEmsTgO6YIElP4EPBV-db_6mbdmIlDFVh5ZMWSXzOvwom7n0Lh4Yko2BuxEUGX/s200/Dollarphotoclub_31341831-2.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps because I’ve seen and felt what they can do for myself, my family, and my friends, and mostly because they actually save me money. You read that right. Using essential oils (which can seem like a hefty investment) has actually saved me money in the 2 years that I’ve been using them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6V0xexAWr_bGNk9PjC9y6uM5JSrhEGkbHDUgyaa_nsbhNR4rkYFjL708sXWuxZ9RaqISZFxOt2l0wyyuNWVxtjBQfP8yYd8PHA55xEA5bu-DQAZsQd-SF6OJMpv6hdy-5uhEPITYMsq5G/s1600/young-living-peppermint-essential-oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6V0xexAWr_bGNk9PjC9y6uM5JSrhEGkbHDUgyaa_nsbhNR4rkYFjL708sXWuxZ9RaqISZFxOt2l0wyyuNWVxtjBQfP8yYd8PHA55xEA5bu-DQAZsQd-SF6OJMpv6hdy-5uhEPITYMsq5G/s200/young-living-peppermint-essential-oil.jpg" width="81" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wait. How is that possible? I don’t use the oils that you see on the shelf at Whole Foods (and I sincerely hope you don’t either-those scare me!), because there really isn’t a regulating body for essential oils. In fact, in order to label an oil “100% pure”, it only has to contain 5% actual oil. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FIVE.PERCENT.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is why </span><a href="http://breagettingfit.com/why-i-chose-young-living-2/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like knowing where my oils come from</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, how they’re processed, and that they come with a guarantee. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now. You’re probably wondering why (and how) these oils can possibly save my money. Well, for starters, I make my own face wash. I also use them to make my own laundry soap, dish soap, and more. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAvWICybmB2Q8sqHrdk7EJT2usXio7hPqXjQs1n3Vi2u9nvEwNSdEq2ufDjkQuWhfUzfrUcb9xIknTjxh4yRVHI35qSXKFnzNeLDNU1fKTx0_A2sReAFlEe-rbVgpSpRSogcEfSATOQ54/s1600/water-with-lemon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJAvWICybmB2Q8sqHrdk7EJT2usXio7hPqXjQs1n3Vi2u9nvEwNSdEq2ufDjkQuWhfUzfrUcb9xIknTjxh4yRVHI35qSXKFnzNeLDNU1fKTx0_A2sReAFlEe-rbVgpSpRSogcEfSATOQ54/s200/water-with-lemon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also no longer have to buy candles (which my husband usually ended up being allergic to...so they were a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">huge</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> waste of money!), air fresheners, or bug repellant. I make my own. I even made my own sunscreen. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before you write me off as totally crazy, hear me out: most of the products that you use already rely on essential oils as one of their ingredients. But you can’t possibly know where these oils are sourced, or if they’re pure. This is why I make my own stuff, y’all. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So today, in the spirit of sharing my oily craziness, I’m going to share one of my favorite things to make in the summertime: a foot scrub. Because, let’s face it: we wear a lot of sandals (or no shoes at all) when it’s hot. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n8sDNtJJgXQxNW4UFrdDZAAFy-8a1AZbGoMtRb7b_5IspKc8vJs_iVDa4bNe-AHmmk8mryKKMCgEjIa-n-xCB7cvFmBWobdd5Ci3OtBapgsFnFuZXMQyNMdk8t76pTpD-T8ZUabsXjHE/s1600/IMAG0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n8sDNtJJgXQxNW4UFrdDZAAFy-8a1AZbGoMtRb7b_5IspKc8vJs_iVDa4bNe-AHmmk8mryKKMCgEjIa-n-xCB7cvFmBWobdd5Ci3OtBapgsFnFuZXMQyNMdk8t76pTpD-T8ZUabsXjHE/s320/IMAG0015.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 21.3333333333333px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peppermint Lemon Foot Scrub</span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1 cup epsom salts</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>½ cup coconut oil</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2 Tablespoons raw honey</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10 drops lemon essential oil</b></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>10 drops peppermint essential oil</b></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grab a glass mason jar to mix your foot scrub. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gently melting your coconut oil. You don’t want it super hot. Once it’s melted, stir in your honey until combined, then add in your essential oils. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because we’re using a citrus oil, make sure that your coconut oil/honey combo is not hot, as this will negate the properties of the lemon oil.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, add in your epsom salts and stir to combine. Seal your jar, and let it sit for a few hours to make sure everything is well combined. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you’re ready to use your scrub, grab a small scoop and, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">while sitting</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> apply to your feet, paying close attention to any rough spots. Rinse with warm water, and pat dry. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Store your scrub in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Be warned: your feet may tingle a bit-that’s part of the fun. The peppermint is very invigorating, and the lemon helps to stave off odor. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<b>Thanks Brea!</b></div>
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Well, I've got a new project to start and honey to pick up at the store - I think I might have found a new hobby! Do you have an essential oil recipe or recommendation? Send it along!</div>
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And be sure to visit Brea over at her blog for some more great tips :)</div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brea Gunn is the beauty and the brains behind </span><a href="http://www.breagettingfit.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BreaGettingFit</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. She is a hard-working, fun-loving mom, wife, and entrepreneur, who writes about the things that interest her: parenting, family, natural living, healthy habits, and more. Brea is currently working on her personal trainer certification, and is taking nutrition classes so she can help herself and her fans. She loves to sing and dance, though not in public. You can catch up with her on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/breagettingfit" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://www.instagram.com/breagettingfit/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Instagram</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/breagettingfit" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pinterest</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6666666666667px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6666669845581px; line-height: 20.2399997711182px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><b>Before I Go...</b></u></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwEKWH2rIhsp1px2UXATbUmRMkswC1DsazFy15tpGRWelXdJddrYV-LrN6Zk-jVBjTxuZ9eOtNCtCuuoN2uZEzphlGVsjsbDaAMn0lfJdxjvv5pc0Eprn39NP6Fep0QI80lzT5x13kIHA/s1600/Fantasy+Walk+IMG_0408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwEKWH2rIhsp1px2UXATbUmRMkswC1DsazFy15tpGRWelXdJddrYV-LrN6Zk-jVBjTxuZ9eOtNCtCuuoN2uZEzphlGVsjsbDaAMn0lfJdxjvv5pc0Eprn39NP6Fep0QI80lzT5x13kIHA/s400/Fantasy+Walk+IMG_0408.jpg" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: normal;">“Do your thing and don't care if they like it.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: normal;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4385839.Tina_Fey" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: normal;">Tina Fey</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: normal;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_9418327" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: normal;"><i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/14302659" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Bossypants</a></i></span></span></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-39497949338065648202015-08-03T21:34:00.002-07:002015-08-04T05:28:41.058-07:00What's the deal with all those coloring books?<div>
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<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>Happy Tuesday!</i></b></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/119700.Ian_Wallace" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Ian Wallace</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm9oNiD2r8gb2otCaZ3Np_j28IiJ9XLk3T1nt80nnS4jTzm-2gkInGpdOJTzV-lSZcadycehHAcGpdHU8T_GbJSgnV5urw5f0NtFPRRhOCYvK87zV7Az3n9ZRnY0NxK6C2Q8l5NQF8DU_/s1600/20150617_130512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm9oNiD2r8gb2otCaZ3Np_j28IiJ9XLk3T1nt80nnS4jTzm-2gkInGpdOJTzV-lSZcadycehHAcGpdHU8T_GbJSgnV5urw5f0NtFPRRhOCYvK87zV7Az3n9ZRnY0NxK6C2Q8l5NQF8DU_/s320/20150617_130512.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Haven't I been telling you <a href="http://allspiceandacrylics.blogspot.com/2015/04/children-trees-and-soul-birds-are-best.html">to get out those box of crayons?</a> Amazingly, coloring books are all the rage right now! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9QSsC8ctCa7BMCS_wZ51tB0awkPzVPeTseaPa3gcpPSrszwRCgKn60OeFPzfISgxQzaSxpWRg5VqqpOnUqrJyrJUZVfZSrJNP8pwWeJSRL40TspRiwirk51BoL9FjChTv5ts5ZwvTA_R/s1600/2011-04-21_21-02-07_44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9QSsC8ctCa7BMCS_wZ51tB0awkPzVPeTseaPa3gcpPSrszwRCgKn60OeFPzfISgxQzaSxpWRg5VqqpOnUqrJyrJUZVfZSrJNP8pwWeJSRL40TspRiwirk51BoL9FjChTv5ts5ZwvTA_R/s320/2011-04-21_21-02-07_44.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Well...you know all is right with the world when you see this clip on Fox Evening News...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://reschoolyourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/blueduck2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://reschoolyourself.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/blueduck2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp2skYYA2B4">Possibly the best movie scene ever (from Billy Madison)</a></td></tr>
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<b><i> COLORING IS MAKING A COMEBACK! (FOR ADULTS!)</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuXbdB0disdu3JK-BEzVUr4WrDXPxgMq2Py1RV0jMVsMMCc-JIgfRaKbKQDGoJjgb-MU6JNRlhghBoUE9cXwtjRczXJmzn6tkXgHw6mqe9rKobMIWvLoA67sAxlTWMJRjpwBLZufVyxI9/s1600/20150615_092535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuXbdB0disdu3JK-BEzVUr4WrDXPxgMq2Py1RV0jMVsMMCc-JIgfRaKbKQDGoJjgb-MU6JNRlhghBoUE9cXwtjRczXJmzn6tkXgHw6mqe9rKobMIWvLoA67sAxlTWMJRjpwBLZufVyxI9/s200/20150615_092535.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiqJ5kIcRqczrbcOo1xKJayG8PE2rWy-NZX6C6494uQZE7Cm2VdxCiWPPeT2WTRxrv5X5lYwg5JCN-s1hAjE5oCyFDFJQpxoODME-KmVUIzsTNVmdXNsg-L7X4-bDxwxA9Ta39wEjgYwx/s1600/20150617_132903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiqJ5kIcRqczrbcOo1xKJayG8PE2rWy-NZX6C6494uQZE7Cm2VdxCiWPPeT2WTRxrv5X5lYwg5JCN-s1hAjE5oCyFDFJQpxoODME-KmVUIzsTNVmdXNsg-L7X4-bDxwxA9Ta39wEjgYwx/s200/20150617_132903.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjamx4MQpkPBXHqRbktrI1o8Yq3GmjcFbDyBBDh99E8GPPk7wkSyjIBi1ZQXRXXZeLMynbxLex7PS_MZ1Pw5v_s5gq4Eg3GgUtDpbviBga2Eocx4WpvPvyOsiC04RTUB4D9uydADUE5pIY/s1600/20150528_115339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjamx4MQpkPBXHqRbktrI1o8Yq3GmjcFbDyBBDh99E8GPPk7wkSyjIBi1ZQXRXXZeLMynbxLex7PS_MZ1Pw5v_s5gq4Eg3GgUtDpbviBga2Eocx4WpvPvyOsiC04RTUB4D9uydADUE5pIY/s200/20150528_115339.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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It's not just me - there was a wonderful article from about .com - <a href="http://bestsellers.about.com/od/nonfictionreviews/fl/Whatrsquos-Up-with-Coloring-Books-for-Adults.htm?utm_source=cn_nl&utm_medium=email&utm_term=About%20Entertainment&utm_campaign=bookssl&utm_content=20150728">What's up with coloring books for adults? </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://f.tqn.com/y/bestsellers/1/W/z/L/-/-/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://f.tqn.com/y/bestsellers/1/W/z/L/-/-/garden.jpg" height="197" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is just one of the many adult coloring books flooding bookstores right now - being a kid is so in right now - I love it!</td></tr>
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"> Coloring is a creative act that requires little actual creativity, as all you’re doing is choosing colors. This limited creativity makes it an ideal stress relieving activity because you have </span><i style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">some</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;"> control over your creation (the choice of colors), but you don’t have to make any serious of complex decisions, because all the drawing has been done for you. And it’s difficult to argue that adult coloring books are the same as the much more simplistic books kids play with; one glance at the pages in </span><i style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 25px;">will demonstrate that." - <a href="http://about.com/">about.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDEsbTrnJ1pFxwUvyj81emN6E8MD2BdJzxizpbZyoe-PlMK3m5jG6iGpAnHL2Ku8hgkjr-XNts_kNxaJ8pH3ddZWb2Eg75v0nMcrZwTbrh1Uukrwpb0ROIsFmW43QklzDLsw9Gfo8rapu/s1600/2011-04-24_13-01-13_611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDEsbTrnJ1pFxwUvyj81emN6E8MD2BdJzxizpbZyoe-PlMK3m5jG6iGpAnHL2Ku8hgkjr-XNts_kNxaJ8pH3ddZWb2Eg75v0nMcrZwTbrh1Uukrwpb0ROIsFmW43QklzDLsw9Gfo8rapu/s320/2011-04-24_13-01-13_611.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And here's another article that says</div>
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<a href="http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Adult-coloring-books-grow-in-popularity-as-6405324.php">Adult coloring books grow in popularity as relaxing pastime</a></h1>
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and now there is <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/grownups-pay-big-bucks-attend-nyc-adult-preschool/story?id=29701836">preschool for adults</a>? Sign me up for that!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASErhSaM7zhxlpBwH225V4i-jpGfDjWCzccjmd9OSYIKQNfM2F5pt4Z_Hgx-ikRRK64LOdoYFwm-RTs7nb-PKg1_tNlRuU1QKJ2s-I4JRQUEdd9zUWcG9MgoEYfs0_Us8JKoy16l0fnNQ/s1600/2011-05-13_11-43-41_261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASErhSaM7zhxlpBwH225V4i-jpGfDjWCzccjmd9OSYIKQNfM2F5pt4Z_Hgx-ikRRK64LOdoYFwm-RTs7nb-PKg1_tNlRuU1QKJ2s-I4JRQUEdd9zUWcG9MgoEYfs0_Us8JKoy16l0fnNQ/s320/2011-05-13_11-43-41_261.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I'm a big fan of coloring pages. In fact,<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233521049/singing-tree-poster-18-x-24?ref=shop_home_active_4"> I made my own coloring page of Singing Tree that I sell along with the poster.</a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubQ9Zr7dn9lZXxV_CaRVUhGsNjYP5MDAvJVgu09cmQFPaw6nF7ckqXXej-pWq7claa7_1I8_vLfRb23ogEAtcgDL3my6o4WPEOfjxvBzQ9nmit4O-oYhda74YUMZ0Zhb86N-jAKowuzjv/s1600/craft+fair18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubQ9Zr7dn9lZXxV_CaRVUhGsNjYP5MDAvJVgu09cmQFPaw6nF7ckqXXej-pWq7claa7_1I8_vLfRb23ogEAtcgDL3my6o4WPEOfjxvBzQ9nmit4O-oYhda74YUMZ0Zhb86N-jAKowuzjv/s320/craft+fair18.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnvbkTxO7Bc7P-kS6Wg-tuydy4Pof17tJMmKm_cWt24UhGnDGDm_lxBYUScEoKWv9iJIZgDz3PBFdU4a8epSWEGnFvk60NuT-LXHCgjP0XVJtsO3TsecEMd8o2hNZRwk2CIdzslrHNox3/s1600/Oestreicher_SingingTreeRevisited_img6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnvbkTxO7Bc7P-kS6Wg-tuydy4Pof17tJMmKm_cWt24UhGnDGDm_lxBYUScEoKWv9iJIZgDz3PBFdU4a8epSWEGnFvk60NuT-LXHCgjP0XVJtsO3TsecEMd8o2hNZRwk2CIdzslrHNox3/s320/Oestreicher_SingingTreeRevisited_img6.jpg" width="254" /></a><br />
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You can also learn how to make your own coloring pages from magazine articles - I have a fun little tutorial for that on<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/guest-blogger-amy-oestreicher/"> Sunbeams and Heartstrings.</a></div>
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That's why I bring art to the hospital - I can color out my fear or frustration (or boredom)</div>
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Drawing is not just for kids, and I've always felt that way. And who doesn't enjoy a whiff from a box of fresh crayolas?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhN_JQN_aeRD7jrA4_gaiSjnIOwStR5l79194eBhJg9jx7qY0lkXNVJ_rFeZKoGb_-zVMGpCxks1n9DgtaV-OdX7MF0zqtrov6X6ZAQwWEl7h5EHbvv2wmtjQc13im0_4yj36JXAx48HR/s1600/2011-06-04_15-36-34_599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhN_JQN_aeRD7jrA4_gaiSjnIOwStR5l79194eBhJg9jx7qY0lkXNVJ_rFeZKoGb_-zVMGpCxks1n9DgtaV-OdX7MF0zqtrov6X6ZAQwWEl7h5EHbvv2wmtjQc13im0_4yj36JXAx48HR/s320/2011-06-04_15-36-34_599.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or Copic markers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also love to draw out my visualizations...</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/1181" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/1181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visualizing my goals for 2011</td></tr>
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In my article on<a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2005"> art therapy for addiction,</a> I write</div>
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<span style="background-color: #ede6dd; color: #666666; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">I love visual metaphors to help stay on the right track. I like to imagine anxious, addictive thoughts as red frantic tadpoles along a river, swimming swiftly through one’s mind. I imagine myself kneeling by a riverside, just calmly noticing those tadpoles passing down the river. I see the tadpoles pass on by and leave my view. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq-NyRa4sgpR5SObj9AE77AdG_ZVoYdKLhyphenhyphenOVZ6MgrN5GKpHhLueAGFDdxkixXxSDYKPsk156OgnSIK0NPsKVK03vPVK-HZppzxOzuZ2mqOvz3ZuxuJMNQ3c9hfcSEPLHKThbPDp2bd8W/s1600/2012-02-04+19.31.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirq-NyRa4sgpR5SObj9AE77AdG_ZVoYdKLhyphenhyphenOVZ6MgrN5GKpHhLueAGFDdxkixXxSDYKPsk156OgnSIK0NPsKVK03vPVK-HZppzxOzuZ2mqOvz3ZuxuJMNQ3c9hfcSEPLHKThbPDp2bd8W/s320/2012-02-04+19.31.08.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A drawing I made to visualize myself at peace with my anxiety.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #ede6dd; color: #666666; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">As I notice these thoughts come and go, I say to myself, </span><span style="background-color: #ede6dd; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: #990000;">“My anxious thoughts are like tadpoles in a river. They keep swimming toward me and quickly swim away as I let them pass.” <b><a href="http://ctt.ec/dZtmV"><Click to Tweet!></a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ede6dd; color: #666666; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pjNhom1t2cvyvFvi7LfPypVZNrf9-rTYDC2RX7jGonHiJMDb6QGWbTPfNJ3qXyTt7jMWa-duEs3s8IV-f0i7FblDBiOOjvfle3T0KQuX3OPti38Q_1ibc8gFyhhIiEnMjx6whm05Gvg/s1600/2011-06-04_15-36-05_555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pjNhom1t2cvyvFvi7LfPypVZNrf9-rTYDC2RX7jGonHiJMDb6QGWbTPfNJ3qXyTt7jMWa-duEs3s8IV-f0i7FblDBiOOjvfle3T0KQuX3OPti38Q_1ibc8gFyhhIiEnMjx6whm05Gvg/s320/2011-06-04_15-36-05_555.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>In The Studio...</u></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">My oblivion and unashamed passion help to silence my inner critic. Whatever I paint, I create from the heart. I try to focus on the physical sensations of feelings my brush glide across the canvas, drenched in a juicy glob of heavy-bodied paint. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A6C1pyV-5BPcYtSbauKKwSkDRAMm6pGljISIukpZBj_nEUQ6Xyu2tgH0EXmI8x9Z0mI0MuVkLJzubfVxvIeZvqIuqZIaeXT8ZvFS90xcwQ1vDHqthyphenhyphenRCoIU8n9iSMJPLExxkyykEip4q/s1600/20150617_131147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0A6C1pyV-5BPcYtSbauKKwSkDRAMm6pGljISIukpZBj_nEUQ6Xyu2tgH0EXmI8x9Z0mI0MuVkLJzubfVxvIeZvqIuqZIaeXT8ZvFS90xcwQ1vDHqthyphenhyphenRCoIU8n9iSMJPLExxkyykEip4q/s320/20150617_131147.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmKeqIlDleakSTBqYmzwB__LxCh321dnMlEosgNaUNQ4rOs1OGlRb8pPBnTxwtc_u2c61F-xyTP6aikAzonJg6797NPkaUiWFvxBDk2MNqWLvudPU7EQ3fNKWbA-lsaAK4G_7VTwDbLR2/s1600/20150617_131352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmKeqIlDleakSTBqYmzwB__LxCh321dnMlEosgNaUNQ4rOs1OGlRb8pPBnTxwtc_u2c61F-xyTP6aikAzonJg6797NPkaUiWFvxBDk2MNqWLvudPU7EQ3fNKWbA-lsaAK4G_7VTwDbLR2/s320/20150617_131352.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Whatever I paint, I paint from the heart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEPbchplKFdS2EZe-HcpfK88KWxrPqbRma96tR-_iN5grNE9F-YWHWOFHTYRd_RdVp6_E0Y6IGeGhnqoW_FGNwRAL3Kl73NtOYxhLhfC9TamBrRIkD26G0d5d6wzU1QjXXCchnnB3upAp/s1600/20150617_132012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEPbchplKFdS2EZe-HcpfK88KWxrPqbRma96tR-_iN5grNE9F-YWHWOFHTYRd_RdVp6_E0Y6IGeGhnqoW_FGNwRAL3Kl73NtOYxhLhfC9TamBrRIkD26G0d5d6wzU1QjXXCchnnB3upAp/s320/20150617_132012.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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And today I was thinking about my <a href="http://allspiceandacrylics.blogspot.com/2015/06/wedding-day-bliss.html">wedding...</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvURhNYY31tcd04q4v0PI5s7kRLUjjmoBesR9hUn_O5pYmAtTy6wfBrZqNnKQ3tAjaHBu3mrTYw2LTwrJQDTiDNlWLlclDcrokk4qG9S2MZmTTzbfP2FSK64450oy8LFqpPz0809sPS7j/s1600/20150617_132751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvURhNYY31tcd04q4v0PI5s7kRLUjjmoBesR9hUn_O5pYmAtTy6wfBrZqNnKQ3tAjaHBu3mrTYw2LTwrJQDTiDNlWLlclDcrokk4qG9S2MZmTTzbfP2FSK64450oy8LFqpPz0809sPS7j/s320/20150617_132751.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Of course, I botched up the magazine photo when I put a bit too much white paint on it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpNGkj5QsdOL25PgPckzPTVNzmIx9D4-QQRhMzeOqvboT4Eecn_VPHXixrhIgvvcAPZmFrl9oXm7N1IaTtqnX1RkoEpUqinAcZHcizlLFdFbC0Igmc0nXYv0jEZeKnKBRpHZ_9oq9OFxo/s1600/20150617_132903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpNGkj5QsdOL25PgPckzPTVNzmIx9D4-QQRhMzeOqvboT4Eecn_VPHXixrhIgvvcAPZmFrl9oXm7N1IaTtqnX1RkoEpUqinAcZHcizlLFdFbC0Igmc0nXYv0jEZeKnKBRpHZ_9oq9OFxo/s320/20150617_132903.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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But did I mention that acrylics are <a href="http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/from-patient-to-person-how-art-helped-me-find-my-identity-062915">incredibly forgiving?</a> And that a paper towel does WONDERS?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5A4A74m_RDqucJ80QwyZ9IU7iEK3pGL6dECwmfNzcf7Z6fE6F8BZV2ssfCM8qkw0XL1F3ZVzr6fJC9Ra3knFdUuQH_qf_9Xg4R26A_F9BVpuqvO7uaBzPk0izZUeMEvF58D4MtZYTByK/s1600/20150617_133108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5A4A74m_RDqucJ80QwyZ9IU7iEK3pGL6dECwmfNzcf7Z6fE6F8BZV2ssfCM8qkw0XL1F3ZVzr6fJC9Ra3knFdUuQH_qf_9Xg4R26A_F9BVpuqvO7uaBzPk0izZUeMEvF58D4MtZYTByK/s320/20150617_133108.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I didn't know where I was going with this...but do I ever?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hi3AflOxBBr1NQqKv6hEDaYDRPW2hkj5AP7qLMZR56olCoFJSfFbCX8KaAdK5Vl_l43cOQB94_pmR8ugKrw0Fjr9SoXESamDnNUIz__SymJm3zEBjGxfRdSuPvEqGiodnxPwJoFJzvYe/s1600/20150618_133604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_hi3AflOxBBr1NQqKv6hEDaYDRPW2hkj5AP7qLMZR56olCoFJSfFbCX8KaAdK5Vl_l43cOQB94_pmR8ugKrw0Fjr9SoXESamDnNUIz__SymJm3zEBjGxfRdSuPvEqGiodnxPwJoFJzvYe/s320/20150618_133604.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Although perhaps I did have a little something in mind...</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmQ1Bp9b_KI47YhXfwQIF-nSijVTs93CNYDKvF0PBhaG5GqDvCVsPlsuRQjKKClB1K1DP-h4XFtczKRAVaN55qpBu8PJHaIIuwchQ09P9X4Yo9_sjhy5K0nII2V70Xjp3DZKtoOwHslcI/s1600/20150618_173029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmQ1Bp9b_KI47YhXfwQIF-nSijVTs93CNYDKvF0PBhaG5GqDvCVsPlsuRQjKKClB1K1DP-h4XFtczKRAVaN55qpBu8PJHaIIuwchQ09P9X4Yo9_sjhy5K0nII2V70Xjp3DZKtoOwHslcI/s320/20150618_173029.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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I can't believe <a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/40-things-ive-learned-from-being-engaged/">I'm married now</a>. It's not even the feeling that "I've planned and planned for this and it was over before I knew it." It's more like, "Wow, I did the marriage thing. I've checked that off of my life list."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSPkt2rom9HUE9pFSs64jv3htOv1NYg2s2-WJSN4J0kDyh0Qz7zR6FzmL7kTjrkvbFkeS-dQLxmNmVeUpuAuvNpSHUqK-rVd2ypV5h1IM9lt_leeRXQbevUL3AKubrwkTpLlxi7aemaVb/s1600/20150618_133851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSPkt2rom9HUE9pFSs64jv3htOv1NYg2s2-WJSN4J0kDyh0Qz7zR6FzmL7kTjrkvbFkeS-dQLxmNmVeUpuAuvNpSHUqK-rVd2ypV5h1IM9lt_leeRXQbevUL3AKubrwkTpLlxi7aemaVb/s320/20150618_133851.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Wow.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQoxizmAhIvxo1WUXpwXfHBoccwzNNt2kKPEdhblTYxWV8-gt-gDVPXrXOFuHOt4Zq9VdbGXetIJwj4iK7haSKPIHk-Isxcwc-X1QshOUYe-PZ7hQ4Na3bEmNh958_iAGcB7LQ3rXzYH5/s1600/FB_IMG_1435519197722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQoxizmAhIvxo1WUXpwXfHBoccwzNNt2kKPEdhblTYxWV8-gt-gDVPXrXOFuHOt4Zq9VdbGXetIJwj4iK7haSKPIHk-Isxcwc-X1QshOUYe-PZ7hQ4Na3bEmNh958_iAGcB7LQ3rXzYH5/s320/FB_IMG_1435519197722.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And as the pun-derful world of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllspiceandAcrylics">greeting cards</a> might put it....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby2Ib5grhY7SE6ns-L326lPh01Ti0HOnNhzNxTOrYlQecHRefQ2MRMFVrKigFkeR_YENsQ4KQpdwhkibQtDAKsWUmarR9NnbMbjMzVPGNCoHWjrQt-bG7xsR9tIdlfmaHXsWN3V0_5RUg/s1600/20150702_164620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiby2Ib5grhY7SE6ns-L326lPh01Ti0HOnNhzNxTOrYlQecHRefQ2MRMFVrKigFkeR_YENsQ4KQpdwhkibQtDAKsWUmarR9NnbMbjMzVPGNCoHWjrQt-bG7xsR9tIdlfmaHXsWN3V0_5RUg/s320/20150702_164620.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u>Before I go...</u></i></b></div>
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This was just one of the amazing views from our honeymoon cruise. Here's some more eyecandy:</div>
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They took a hike so you don't have to. Check out <a href="https://www.distractify.com/there-and-back-again-1197779986.html">45 Breathtaking Views from the World's Greatest Hiking Circuits</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNML9jbc10OpRjSTC1QCAZ0yIoMf4i-yX6PFJzgvaTGD81qDi0aYqacK_gUlAcOL0IaBMaTGs7Vb86AvkQZOvYFVXzmOi6g3cMyvy0ecVr3eTEPGMlmPvKVUtD3MzUyjwzQUqJ9MLwRHT/s1600/20150719_111256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNML9jbc10OpRjSTC1QCAZ0yIoMf4i-yX6PFJzgvaTGD81qDi0aYqacK_gUlAcOL0IaBMaTGs7Vb86AvkQZOvYFVXzmOi6g3cMyvy0ecVr3eTEPGMlmPvKVUtD3MzUyjwzQUqJ9MLwRHT/s320/20150719_111256.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“whatever you do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">be gentle with yourself.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">you don’t just live</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">in this world</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
or your home</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
or your skin.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
you also live</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
in someone’s eyes.” </div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8023620.Sanober_Khan" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Sanober Khan</a><br />
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Show me your doodle! <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/amyoes70/show-me-your-heart/">Pin it</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/amyoes">Tweet me</a>, telepathy...(sorry to link for that, figure it out yourself)</div>
</span>Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-61116897931969450972015-08-03T02:11:00.001-07:002015-08-03T02:11:36.664-07:00Mosaics: Beautiful, Broken, Open<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Monday!</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>“The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story,
and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume
as it is with what he vowed to make it.”
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b><i>―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5255014.J_M_Barrie">J.M. Barrie</a>,
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/846422">The Little Minister</a>
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<i><u><b>Art Challenge!</b></u></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3253.Pablo_Picasso" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Pablo Picasso</a></i><br />
If Picasso said it, then it's true - <a href="http://amyoes.com/Newsletter/Archive/2015/7/30">Discover Inspire Create #17 is here!</a> Definitely head over to <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a> to subscribe for next week's...you can get some exclusive tips, crafts, inspiration and be part of my August Art Challenge - remember, you're an artist!<br />
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I'm excited to get <a href="http://www.thisisreallife.co/from-where-i-blog/">back in the studio,</a> now that we're back from our honeymoon and back to real life.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newlyweds!</td></tr>
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But not without a dose of island life in our souls... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzVI-IbZNCafmfM4Qo-X59wskgDMVU2ybf6uMkchBS5btkZZYsKqBq9PDbRacgOeXsgK1I-Mr3voalCNEciSa453YuyetL2EZexN6646V2co3K-Tov9pT2FnmTb6Vj-6YVj_eWPw4nMNT/s1600/20150722_112156.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzVI-IbZNCafmfM4Qo-X59wskgDMVU2ybf6uMkchBS5btkZZYsKqBq9PDbRacgOeXsgK1I-Mr3voalCNEciSa453YuyetL2EZexN6646V2co3K-Tov9pT2FnmTb6Vj-6YVj_eWPw4nMNT/s320/20150722_112156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take me back Aruba...</td></tr>
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And now we come back to the states, married. Different, but still the same.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVotQvEtuzZ5YTviXnDrVIvBEk35_4DLS9z3PrzPnSTFaqIW6rywcnmZeL0ZF9_5YAEAA1EmmmxOTfiWkwy-2sXhoPUikHzbxdzN4b8Nw-8gsqc4_7RwLHAd1bZwUlQQ7Gy1-MTN7hFEI/s1600/20150723_214605.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVotQvEtuzZ5YTviXnDrVIvBEk35_4DLS9z3PrzPnSTFaqIW6rywcnmZeL0ZF9_5YAEAA1EmmmxOTfiWkwy-2sXhoPUikHzbxdzN4b8Nw-8gsqc4_7RwLHAd1bZwUlQQ7Gy1-MTN7hFEI/s320/20150723_214605.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey we're in the paper!</td></tr>
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That idea of returning home but differently reminded me of my own personal journey. I woke up from a coma very different from the Amy I knew before.<a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/how-losing-my-stomach-made-me-hungry-for-life/"> It took every second of the past decade to reassemble who I was. I'm still not done. </a> But the beauty is, I can keep adding, revising and tinkering as I go. I'll never recreate the same Amy. But I like who I am now. Who really wants to recreate their 18 year old selves anyway? Or is even <i>able</i> to?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSqoITlQeXkgI3nNhxZ6Pw-c7yF-QgCWlWhYBTo6ChPbRffw5LyKO2_mSAY48P30dzPWIKiSeQ1O-smBXewJ28Vw-RcyDgWHoCJDzc5hDFavScjvqLU6PWIJRpw8ubDirbwOmv0IWDu37/s1600/IMG_2645_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSqoITlQeXkgI3nNhxZ6Pw-c7yF-QgCWlWhYBTo6ChPbRffw5LyKO2_mSAY48P30dzPWIKiSeQ1O-smBXewJ28Vw-RcyDgWHoCJDzc5hDFavScjvqLU6PWIJRpw8ubDirbwOmv0IWDu37/s320/IMG_2645_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've used the metaphor before of a mosaic - and I love that idea. Something beautiful, that once shattered, can never be put back together the same way. But when it's reassembled it's still beautiful - a broken beauty - different, but still breathtaking all the same.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmp8VKOHIcHp1fyvnhc7dOv4zTuVAStW0QaAfM6v7AwwC0um2CHGb38QbZDwWjHfisMmdeqHBh7OMszfY19xfSVLTHAO0jNE_NlIHN8swSOXDRCLiDyX5vx0QwidNRIl_N5gIMD5_kv7L/s1600/20150525_180800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmp8VKOHIcHp1fyvnhc7dOv4zTuVAStW0QaAfM6v7AwwC0um2CHGb38QbZDwWjHfisMmdeqHBh7OMszfY19xfSVLTHAO0jNE_NlIHN8swSOXDRCLiDyX5vx0QwidNRIl_N5gIMD5_kv7L/s320/20150525_180800.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My first essay for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-oestreicher/my-messy-beautiful-detour_b_7834132.html">HUFFINGTON POST!!!!</a> talks about that a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11059572_10153554258019658_8540375346584470633_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11059572_10153554258019658_8540375346584470633_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-oestreicher/my-messy-beautiful-detour_b_7834132.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living">Read it!</a></td></tr>
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(sorry, very excited - I've been pitched thousands of times - well maybe not thousands....never give up!!!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LNfrtQbAinj20yI7gdScBUPUIxQvS2dV2Wkn_wn3wVBq4FumXf3Xvkd9lQfLLITZLhUnP-LZy6O1HNDf5ekRxaK9UyThgX-bH75SlrLhG68J78c7w48En_OB6UFgSESKvsIwtkCmepXo/s1600/20150720_133250.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LNfrtQbAinj20yI7gdScBUPUIxQvS2dV2Wkn_wn3wVBq4FumXf3Xvkd9lQfLLITZLhUnP-LZy6O1HNDf5ekRxaK9UyThgX-bH75SlrLhG68J78c7w48En_OB6UFgSESKvsIwtkCmepXo/s320/20150720_133250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is something very beautiful about the cracks in the pavement, the cracks in shattered glass, in broken fragments of seaglass. What is broken <i>is</i> beautiful. <a href="http://www.bonbonbreak.com/out-of-my-nature/">Nature shows us that.</a><br />
<b><a href="http://ctt.ec/u4q2b"><Click To Tweet!></a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShhuPcvTKkRigRcxCxk3MReWapZ0mRXpJYdoAC0fREa0IOuSA63ziImYYoXsKP8f5DPqTPEDEQlBAlgb-N6y_EagZe4igqZ3IOjT_AEXHxkTxcHHr9Ub5gj6di6pBkuNi1Bjv9Q8nw4JL/s1600/IMG_20150328_110940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShhuPcvTKkRigRcxCxk3MReWapZ0mRXpJYdoAC0fREa0IOuSA63ziImYYoXsKP8f5DPqTPEDEQlBAlgb-N6y_EagZe4igqZ3IOjT_AEXHxkTxcHHr9Ub5gj6di6pBkuNi1Bjv9Q8nw4JL/s320/IMG_20150328_110940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of my favorite books is titles "Broken Open" - How difficult times can help us grow.</div>
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How have difficult times allowed <i>you</i> to grow?</div>
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It's true - sometimes cracking the "seal" is <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/1">the only way to liberate ourselves and find out who we <i>really</i> are. </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLttt8dtY6AHtqnU-F-tfdjwttt2GprrhiGACji4_W64_5vqJ2-V9TzTcPOco9wLFSeXaCgoiigAiGc1Yv4pg2vLqBzJ946TlgGRCCmDKo1yLl1uJLGw4EBsjNcnIZVln0lxUVwyqSV466/s1600/20150719_112855-ANIMATION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLttt8dtY6AHtqnU-F-tfdjwttt2GprrhiGACji4_W64_5vqJ2-V9TzTcPOco9wLFSeXaCgoiigAiGc1Yv4pg2vLqBzJ946TlgGRCCmDKo1yLl1uJLGw4EBsjNcnIZVln0lxUVwyqSV466/s320/20150719_112855-ANIMATION.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Imagine yourself being "broken open" right now, at this very minute. An egg cracking, a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, a <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2020">broken glass at a wedding</a> - whatever that means to you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwhmnUfIlFkJskgYtqWmARx2wI4AYnywKxhOg3ZwHrl-qqyTaQDuopy0fveSLoxuIgS8WJLKvubsdDgKXuNBJgXv78rBo4-FYms04wjO7-pgvfHhyphenhyphenIOca4PU1sv4QUqWndc_-EwMouadK/s1600/IMG_20150329_105458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwhmnUfIlFkJskgYtqWmARx2wI4AYnywKxhOg3ZwHrl-qqyTaQDuopy0fveSLoxuIgS8WJLKvubsdDgKXuNBJgXv78rBo4-FYms04wjO7-pgvfHhyphenhyphenIOca4PU1sv4QUqWndc_-EwMouadK/s320/IMG_20150329_105458.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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Imagine the shell, the container that you once found warmth, home and comfort in - or perhaps the container that was preventing you from breaking free.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9FBAfnk_I6INfJhPFRTGzsdv8EL7_G1Twc71BcLGZLUt-fi_kDPhcS7J3vOO7QU8044QLLKn4VExTNT_2mqkTUum5lh0LSFSsUZnoGm3iZab1zt1Kv0Yj8x6cwsKiMm5HRuzXrwbrhDI/s1600/20150719_105938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9FBAfnk_I6INfJhPFRTGzsdv8EL7_G1Twc71BcLGZLUt-fi_kDPhcS7J3vOO7QU8044QLLKn4VExTNT_2mqkTUum5lh0LSFSsUZnoGm3iZab1zt1Kv0Yj8x6cwsKiMm5HRuzXrwbrhDI/s320/20150719_105938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, feel the burst of color, of sound, of light that overflows from those cracks. All of those beautiful hues of your aliveness, finally breaking free. That's what being "broken open" means to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrzMEPKaUVLz1M1dcNxymULVPnrNGKIuri9I0gnD8eduVWPAaJT6gUqzgu0wyZzOvh5A0QMmgaTpD10McsYOog80_90SZswzPrRQDpxiyUNgFGm7PhDd8DugkCdpSgFrhGyN3LbOXgQd_/s1600/20150717_095632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrzMEPKaUVLz1M1dcNxymULVPnrNGKIuri9I0gnD8eduVWPAaJT6gUqzgu0wyZzOvh5A0QMmgaTpD10McsYOog80_90SZswzPrRQDpxiyUNgFGm7PhDd8DugkCdpSgFrhGyN3LbOXgQd_/s320/20150717_095632.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Through creating, we discover that <a href="http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/from-patient-to-person-how-art-helped-me-find-my-identity-062915">there are actually <i>many</i> colors, rhythms, shapes, emotions and <i>worlds</i> inside of us that would have never come to light</a> had we not allowed ourselves to become shattered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwUAXHkZO-VVUsNPvh6lgpZee2n2I4gTES0oGXawi6nCN7Bn-f6Sgp5N-6WjWk0xEh2NeUlxvE8hxXHBEJVwZla7XPUOQDOd_tZymdtnZ1QcjI0wxvUa369y-JQ0kXdEQ73K1k4BuHpO3/s1600/20150715_220143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwUAXHkZO-VVUsNPvh6lgpZee2n2I4gTES0oGXawi6nCN7Bn-f6Sgp5N-6WjWk0xEh2NeUlxvE8hxXHBEJVwZla7XPUOQDOd_tZymdtnZ1QcjI0wxvUa369y-JQ0kXdEQ73K1k4BuHpO3/s320/20150715_220143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Imagine the beautiful ripples that continue for miles and miles when we toss one small stone into a body of water. Now remember the stillness that would have kept the water silent, had the surface never been broken open.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR70SI5rKpVwB2k31UR1R0EsvMkR8__leclAsveIropCG9wALGpHmQhpX1vIJ_TRZvZhRYDkj95b5if1sxz2VKmLdZnlM8KCK7HXr5YjIpyQgv5VVdL6TtTHXeoa1QPdtApNRpyr5shxu/s1600/147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR70SI5rKpVwB2k31UR1R0EsvMkR8__leclAsveIropCG9wALGpHmQhpX1vIJ_TRZvZhRYDkj95b5if1sxz2VKmLdZnlM8KCK7HXr5YjIpyQgv5VVdL6TtTHXeoa1QPdtApNRpyr5shxu/s200/147.jpg" width="200" /></a><span id="goog_1664765460"></span><span id="goog_1664765461"></span></div>
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It's a wondrous thing to have <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/alo13/why-my-ostomies-are-awesome-1e8bz">leaks, scars, tears, broken bits.</a> And it's an amazing feeling to start putting together those pieces once again.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnmLZ2RpUDMIbDJ4Lo9wbea5CMpOUI-Y60V4KcdzQGvGX6xeRrBFagXFXimUpUKZ2BlEehk4Vv_mZe3W2tHhuo-ggnV43y7xR-B3XikrhO6ExClkBINv37W48emGplgYrP4mxhTqXtLBr/s1600/20150717_095612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnmLZ2RpUDMIbDJ4Lo9wbea5CMpOUI-Y60V4KcdzQGvGX6xeRrBFagXFXimUpUKZ2BlEehk4Vv_mZe3W2tHhuo-ggnV43y7xR-B3XikrhO6ExClkBINv37W48emGplgYrP4mxhTqXtLBr/s200/20150717_095612.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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<b>I never enjoyed puzzles as a child.</b> I thought the task was tedious, redundant and quite boring. Why would I want to spend hours trying to get random pieces to fit together exactly, when I can just look at the picture on the front of the box and know precisely what my end result will be?</div>
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<a href="http://contentinjection.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/perfect-happiness-on-playing-jigsaw-puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://contentinjection.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/perfect-happiness-on-playing-jigsaw-puzzle.jpg" height="121" width="200" /></a></div>
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(Although I guess you can also argue that it's pointless to read Romeo and Juliet if you know they'll both die - SPOILER ALERT!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7O_PTKNH462tUTCUiUVpDsjBXd_-_ld3U40YBPlfsLKe_NlfE0KCK0Ud1uncVZp4_Dd-ZSuu688oCzrb4iP_OScvC_5JMV6gp42UJZawWuGbShJsLlJxMYH9nFPJqnH84kN4zvEFVMc/s1600/Romeo+and+Juliet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7O_PTKNH462tUTCUiUVpDsjBXd_-_ld3U40YBPlfsLKe_NlfE0KCK0Ud1uncVZp4_Dd-ZSuu688oCzrb4iP_OScvC_5JMV6gp42UJZawWuGbShJsLlJxMYH9nFPJqnH84kN4zvEFVMc/s1600/Romeo+and+Juliet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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But I guess my kind of puzzle - the mixed media artist's preference, one might say - is to take those pieces, and rearrange them into <a href="http://www.lovelivehealth.com/lifes-rediscovery/">something different, but still beautiful.</a> A beautiful mosaic. Like me. Shattered, put together with the experience of a true survivor, and creating a finished product that is nothing like what I started with - and also nothing like I had ever anticipated.</div>
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But...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J63UdBR5g0VKAA4mVHQ4S5OW-TAZJuPj59VFUcv6QGjecRf6mLrsfuMqD6kqVQKSwMW8xw6yz0A8Y1QhcrUaEZjyvYCWECT69qocIuWwQwB-HVvLQD9UjjgDOShxbi4SRW_hx53okDPO/s1600/20150720_122652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5J63UdBR5g0VKAA4mVHQ4S5OW-TAZJuPj59VFUcv6QGjecRf6mLrsfuMqD6kqVQKSwMW8xw6yz0A8Y1QhcrUaEZjyvYCWECT69qocIuWwQwB-HVvLQD9UjjgDOShxbi4SRW_hx53okDPO/s320/20150720_122652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><b>“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”
<br /> ―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/276029.Allen_Saunders">Allen Saunders</a></b></i></div>
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Today, think about whatever you feel is "broken" in your life. <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2021">Something didn't go as you planned</a> - it could be a life-altering event, or you could have ordered the wrong burger - suffering is relative :) Find the broken pieces of your life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yDEGRJhc3fmwqG-2et-t9vAWrDXM6XYAOr5i_Utb0kVORnFQyKDbXKzO8xJANDrMp8Gcs6A1haVBGAxxkIGleLhMrI_MjMUypFHgbEdtmHlDyrQvFSlTy0-MrqQqStp9rF2eqoYRGLpp/s1600/DSC_4638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yDEGRJhc3fmwqG-2et-t9vAWrDXM6XYAOr5i_Utb0kVORnFQyKDbXKzO8xJANDrMp8Gcs6A1haVBGAxxkIGleLhMrI_MjMUypFHgbEdtmHlDyrQvFSlTy0-MrqQqStp9rF2eqoYRGLpp/s320/DSC_4638.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Imagine how you once felt as a "whole"...what gave you that feeling? For me, <a href="https://youtu.be/yCWs01aOQrQ">I feel whole when I feel my heart.</a> And I feel my heart when I'm with those I love, when I'm doing what I love, when I feel love for my body, and <a href="http://missmillmag.com/millennial-mindset/forever-gutless-forever-grateful/">gratitude for the life I live.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlXiDXzsabsx4tTUOD54McAKbMPqUkWTNwXIlg-Kz82q7GnklBdWchKf9x-mj1gqxUrjAmTNZJBRtWzjuHPxJCYxRXYZWW6li_Y6T8EXzjYcHWWzesEZ5x3j-3dVZsy2GCYiubOpduRNM/s1600/beach+scene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article225464.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/trivial-pursuit-996483700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article225464.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/trivial-pursuit-996483700.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></div>
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Finding that place of wholeness is NOT like a boardgame <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2015">where by the end, you have to land </a><i><a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2015">exactly where you started</a>.</i> The wonderful thing about your heart is, <b>it's everywhere <i>you are. <a href="http://ctt.ec/00582"><Tweet this!></a></i></b></div>
<a href="http://ctt.ec/00582"><img alt="Tweet: You don't need to land where you started. The wonderful thing about your heart is, it's everywhere you are http://bit.ly/1JWCiIK @amyoes" src="http://clicktotweet.com/img/tweet-graphic-1.png" /></a>
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<b><i>Have a great day...and don't forget to t<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyWCRoHPdzw">ake your heart with you</a>.</i> Spend today making beautiful mosaics out of unexpected events, disappointing setbacks and other random surprises. What kind of <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2027">new masterpiece will YOU create?</a></b></div>
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<i> </i></div>
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<i>(A beautiful new masterpiece, different, but beautiful all the same.)</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlXiDXzsabsx4tTUOD54McAKbMPqUkWTNwXIlg-Kz82q7GnklBdWchKf9x-mj1gqxUrjAmTNZJBRtWzjuHPxJCYxRXYZWW6li_Y6T8EXzjYcHWWzesEZ5x3j-3dVZsy2GCYiubOpduRNM/s1600/beach+scene.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlXiDXzsabsx4tTUOD54McAKbMPqUkWTNwXIlg-Kz82q7GnklBdWchKf9x-mj1gqxUrjAmTNZJBRtWzjuHPxJCYxRXYZWW6li_Y6T8EXzjYcHWWzesEZ5x3j-3dVZsy2GCYiubOpduRNM/s400/beach+scene.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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“I try not to make plans. God always laughs at your plans. I’m going to
keep the door open, and keep the page blank, and see what gets painted
upon it.”
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―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5166208.Tom_Hiddleston">Tom Hiddleston</a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKETIk0CdcoXZl1miovJWLU_OZJ02aRUSN6fhCLYdCudFGEyJlagAfrENDP9VMjCM2U1T2xGS4KfoKDBXD5PLJMFwUhF7E7H9_PZ0awNtON9A_5NnfCiCXOTslRG0daTqsVwgSrH-5-Uw2/s1600/10257041_10152396176629658_7925780802146199202_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKETIk0CdcoXZl1miovJWLU_OZJ02aRUSN6fhCLYdCudFGEyJlagAfrENDP9VMjCM2U1T2xGS4KfoKDBXD5PLJMFwUhF7E7H9_PZ0awNtON9A_5NnfCiCXOTslRG0daTqsVwgSrH-5-Uw2/s320/10257041_10152396176629658_7925780802146199202_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's how I happened to meet my husband - <a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/online-dating-following-major-medical-complications/">definitely didn't plan that one!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> <i><u>Before I Go...</u></i></b><br />
Okay, I sort of lied - I like SOME puzzles, but more like brain-teasers - <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/nedfulmer/are-you-smart-enough-to-get-these-brain-teasers#.kgqlvbKmK">are you smart enough to get these?</a> (I didn't say it, Buzzfeed did.)</div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-59064334084742774542015-07-30T22:31:00.001-07:002015-07-30T22:31:12.584-07:00It's great to be on the outside, and other discoveries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/4" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>“It's possible to go on, no matter how impossible it seems.”
</b></span></div>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>―
Nicholas Sparks<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">,
<span id="quote_book_link_5526">
<i>
Dear John
</i> </span></a></b></span><br />
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Oh Schroeder....I enjoyed being a little artsy myself this weekend - I had a great time showing my art at the Discovery Museum!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz85BQDJAxHQSZxVF6MHPqvpG4SHLVlgKoFUVG9l0Di4hKOvCutLoyjfCZgGt9TFVgLwet3T9WIw789Uqxqzy6XEpNpPVekjoWs1OdbxhGtPVCxipoaKzZeaKf7eK8NheaQoo1_6xOBVv/s1600/20150726_161325.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz85BQDJAxHQSZxVF6MHPqvpG4SHLVlgKoFUVG9l0Di4hKOvCutLoyjfCZgGt9TFVgLwet3T9WIw789Uqxqzy6XEpNpPVekjoWs1OdbxhGtPVCxipoaKzZeaKf7eK8NheaQoo1_6xOBVv/s320/20150726_161325.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign up for my newsletter at <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a> for exclusive updates!!!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT_2riCM_KIc3s__e3oYjPCYPq4sTkiJZT7P6YwmrAkcMyauqp2WDYfITUm1nMLqgzUaoMGbr39NGHjXgGB_4vlVQwJsbriqEZZg01Koo_cNsWIIqcDo7pn8YpINTd6MnJxEAXeCevv8q/s1600/20150726_161338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcT_2riCM_KIc3s__e3oYjPCYPq4sTkiJZT7P6YwmrAkcMyauqp2WDYfITUm1nMLqgzUaoMGbr39NGHjXgGB_4vlVQwJsbriqEZZg01Koo_cNsWIIqcDo7pn8YpINTd6MnJxEAXeCevv8q/s320/20150726_161338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
My <a href="http://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/Artist-overcomes-adversity-in-Tree-Dreams-6400088.php">solo show Tree Dreams</a> will be up through September, so check it out if you're around!<br />
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<a href="http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/37/65/51/8346214/3/628x471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/37/65/51/8346214/3/628x471.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a></div>
I gave a bit of an artist talk about <a href="http://treewhispers.com/2015/02/01/intrusion/">what trees mean to me in my art</a>, and how art can be a transformative tool - through painting, my feelings can shift, and when others view what I've created , my art has the power to move them as well. <a href="http://artismoving.org/2015/06/i-am-an-artist-amy-oestreicher-connecticut/">Art moves us all!</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoWXInhEbjECl1fO1Tkv_-SZNWVwZJ9NCfUtOtq9gTDNMQytTvsNL0YmAcTKUUVP7_goRJXegitpIwzhhgxBbftD83D53cesveFCyhohLZJM9PSrsIiUeeIfW6zVHgZpVh2VmvkYEUryw/s1600/20150726_154805.mp4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoWXInhEbjECl1fO1Tkv_-SZNWVwZJ9NCfUtOtq9gTDNMQytTvsNL0YmAcTKUUVP7_goRJXegitpIwzhhgxBbftD83D53cesveFCyhohLZJM9PSrsIiUeeIfW6zVHgZpVh2VmvkYEUryw/s320/20150726_154805.mp4" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8Ce52ldgC4E5jdVX7UnAr_vpDS9SULQDsBUeO9WBsqFe3l-6H_XeIl1nzzyLBQxQXcyiPjaIjXxazaTHjfVaooLur1RVPn14Yt3Q_TAtbSE2opOcp8rXI6uo34PK9vuC2rjacaRoQbDH/s1600/20150726_154011.mp4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8Ce52ldgC4E5jdVX7UnAr_vpDS9SULQDsBUeO9WBsqFe3l-6H_XeIl1nzzyLBQxQXcyiPjaIjXxazaTHjfVaooLur1RVPn14Yt3Q_TAtbSE2opOcp8rXI6uo34PK9vuC2rjacaRoQbDH/s320/20150726_154011.mp4" width="180" /></a></div>
I am a self taught artist, so I am spoiled by oblivion and also a
creature of habit. I first learned to make “art” when stuck in the
hospital for months after a disastrous surgery. My mother simply piled
some scraps of fabrics and a kid’s paint set on my bed. You might call
that “Mixed Media”!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QQAcGdXTh8OQQU0JY686LLN7-iSH92v9O3WeNTAzZ97Ye8Q9SAbz1kNgjovjDFxhR4wHT1u7ba2VPA13AdLQhZx5nCG_ZNWT5-ecyI-s12YX4NOqZ0urNsU7Ek8DdbB60Slg8bccGvCW/s1600/20150726_171250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QQAcGdXTh8OQQU0JY686LLN7-iSH92v9O3WeNTAzZ97Ye8Q9SAbz1kNgjovjDFxhR4wHT1u7ba2VPA13AdLQhZx5nCG_ZNWT5-ecyI-s12YX4NOqZ0urNsU7Ek8DdbB60Slg8bccGvCW/s320/20150726_171250.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
I love experimenting with acrylics, painting my world of trees, birds,
flight, girls dancing, and tear drops. These are symbols that have
appeared over time to me – my “markers” to let me know how “Amy’s”
really doing. The minute I start seeing a tear emerge on the canvas, I
can tell I’m harboring up some feeling about an old memory. That red
knot I’m scribbling away at? Oh, I must be anxious. And when my flowers
start to sing…I’m happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3cObiiFTaTgDxkv9ld9ueFE7JOVxt5tZtrTEVrDPQRVQEYreN0EO470FblvmBjmv2syQtAluSmWMiUsBWdsUtBD6vRgdTuMvI0aYQOvdapspVQn9fVGMykU0BvItNtdmJDHZseHf9x9p/s1600/20150726_161331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3cObiiFTaTgDxkv9ld9ueFE7JOVxt5tZtrTEVrDPQRVQEYreN0EO470FblvmBjmv2syQtAluSmWMiUsBWdsUtBD6vRgdTuMvI0aYQOvdapspVQn9fVGMykU0BvItNtdmJDHZseHf9x9p/s320/20150726_161331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I sold quite a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238023542/mixed-media-customized-inchie-pins">few inchie pins</a>, which means I've got to go back down to the studio tonight!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80TUKnzd3z_lYsqWCqk5u5O4tqtYJ5sbUnABmHQnc9NeF3VmrvLnWDIhrlhJMklwJtmFy1lKUKF59BxGgIcRDMd3_BQGOa80-ja_FxX5Kc6Wx6dJO8w49ymxRqOXZukX-9yHyCr0W9cII/s1600/DSC_4665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80TUKnzd3z_lYsqWCqk5u5O4tqtYJ5sbUnABmHQnc9NeF3VmrvLnWDIhrlhJMklwJtmFy1lKUKF59BxGgIcRDMd3_BQGOa80-ja_FxX5Kc6Wx6dJO8w49ymxRqOXZukX-9yHyCr0W9cII/s320/DSC_4665.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<u><i><b>Outsider Art</b></i></u><br />
<u><i><b> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/399150/slide_399150_4921738_free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/399150/slide_399150_4921738_free.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Image from Huffington Post</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></i></u><br />
<i><span class="sqq">“<a class="sqq" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.</a>”</span><img align="middle" alt="" src="http://thinkexist.com/i/sq/as3.gif" height="9" title="Author Popularity 6/10" width="11" /> <a class="sqa" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Carl Gustav Jung</a></i> <br />
<br />
Someone who bought a few pieces mentioned that my art reminded them of "Outsider Art" - I had never heard of the term, so I looked it up and found a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/30/what-does-outsider-art-mean_n_6574138.html?utm_hp_ref=world&ir=WorldPost">wonderful article in the Huffington Post about it.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2NgLT7uj8xq-_P794Y3xAJ1qsj7DfBymKnq2CSxax2hy3fTV0fgSLAMPsKJQxyq7koJ5i5P_kiIhX25IsFQ845FfByz58FibMF7FLsrtwco3tX3-wbjPLhH_DtXiDWTROAR9T0ybe1xD/s1600/20150726_150515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2NgLT7uj8xq-_P794Y3xAJ1qsj7DfBymKnq2CSxax2hy3fTV0fgSLAMPsKJQxyq7koJ5i5P_kiIhX25IsFQ845FfByz58FibMF7FLsrtwco3tX3-wbjPLhH_DtXiDWTROAR9T0ybe1xD/s320/20150726_150515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>"Primarily, what we term outsider art is self-taught or non-academic
work. So, that could be somebody who is a mathematician who has taught
himself how to paint. That could be somebody who [has severe autism] and
expresses himself through drawing. That could be a member of an
aboriginal tribe in Western Australia, a herdsman for her entire life,
who painted prolifically for her final 14 years of life. That could be
someone who was drawing to escape violence in New Orleans. It could be
someone who took to marble carving to express all of the diverse
experiences he's undergone."</i><br />
<i> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2552132/thumbs/o-SUSAN-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/2552132/thumbs/o-SUSAN-900.jpg" height="200" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An image from the Huffington Post Article</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i><br />
Reading the rest of this wonderful article, "outsider art" truly resonated with me. As a self-taught artist, and someone who expresses myself through, art, this is exactly what my work feels like. I don't create art to be a working artist, I create it to heal and to actually understand or access what I'm feeling.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSjnFz9XnlaLKZ7yZ-cKSgm04oII-5zh7eqprsqscZ3SG6868mYwLqtJhHkVwOkguk7wwRSGEe8wSaZZojKuZSj1o6RcZq92g3En4P3wPoBvLeZlOGhMeErxddf2vpk5o9H8qf8nSULCA/s1600/10686679_10153268143704658_1318195130998892836_n28129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSjnFz9XnlaLKZ7yZ-cKSgm04oII-5zh7eqprsqscZ3SG6868mYwLqtJhHkVwOkguk7wwRSGEe8wSaZZojKuZSj1o6RcZq92g3En4P3wPoBvLeZlOGhMeErxddf2vpk5o9H8qf8nSULCA/s1600/10686679_10153268143704658_1318195130998892836_n28129.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating in the hospital</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's a fascinating history about Outsider Art at <a href="http://www.outsiderartfair.com/outsider_art">Outsider Art Fair...</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLpgoJaxKW9l09s3CErXiWn0_FRMzcE9mMjE5ptxdN4FK9kGaO3YzL63TV_WyZbbpdNXr5CQvSQSeJ0Q-cplO8wICSn07ZQyKJLT89LPUYHHhG6mQxrkBI_oy-qS7_fzc3R-TOlj1ZnKk/s1600/20150604_032233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLpgoJaxKW9l09s3CErXiWn0_FRMzcE9mMjE5ptxdN4FK9kGaO3YzL63TV_WyZbbpdNXr5CQvSQSeJ0Q-cplO8wICSn07ZQyKJLT89LPUYHHhG6mQxrkBI_oy-qS7_fzc3R-TOlj1ZnKk/s1600/20150604_032233.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mixed Media Work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>"The genesis of Outsider Art could well be traced to an imagined
prehistoric cave wall, to the work of your favorite eccentric visionary
(think William Blake), or to the mythic artist-genius dreamed up by
Romantic philosophers and poets. Outsider Artists began to emerge as a
force to be reckoned with during the early 1920's, with the publication
of two pioneering studies of art made on asylum inmates, conducted by
European psychiatrists in search of universal truths about human
creativity. "</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YGNkbFBGji-cAo_k3OlP5gyvx5W05l2G_6oYGIieq0N9SH6gbKIOks5k08NdN4tyt-A1Io5bKscAB_oxqg7wRoLrzzsW4x_77Od_rcWjtSQmmalhppcVAXt9T6cGj0J9s4oT-8iBQGRs/s1600/IMAG3959.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YGNkbFBGji-cAo_k3OlP5gyvx5W05l2G_6oYGIieq0N9SH6gbKIOks5k08NdN4tyt-A1Io5bKscAB_oxqg7wRoLrzzsW4x_77Od_rcWjtSQmmalhppcVAXt9T6cGj0J9s4oT-8iBQGRs/s1600/IMAG3959.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mixed media work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i> </i>This brought to mind an amazing YouTube video I saw years ago about an autistic gentlemen who was able to draw the entire city of Rome exactly to scale in five minutes, while just taking a brief helicopter ride over the city - watch it, it's really fascinating:<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVqRT_kCOLI">WATCH IT HERE: </a></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="watch-title " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="Stephen Wiltshire draws Rome from memory">Stephen Wiltshire draws Rome from memory
</span></span></i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jVqRT_kCOLI/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/jVqRT_kCOLI/0.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
I like to describe my art as what I feel, abstract, childlike, expressive, whimsical, mixed media - but I feel Outsider Art is an appropriate term. Wikipedia calls it <i><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-taught" title="Self-taught">"self-taught</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Na%C3%AFve_art" title="Naïve art">naïve art</a> makers who were never institutionalized."</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J4iqwXLVAXr7oecqA8Xem0_xJ2aVfPvGbB-D5mauo_4yfzjXLCiPsn7NGFwjXZmi7mSk110A_X17y6ShesVdIyeFuoBDscMT3ouJJ47-8QJgY06XjUEtWIsCX5jm79JDGGgu6Qn9R4GN/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J4iqwXLVAXr7oecqA8Xem0_xJ2aVfPvGbB-D5mauo_4yfzjXLCiPsn7NGFwjXZmi7mSk110A_X17y6ShesVdIyeFuoBDscMT3ouJJ47-8QJgY06XjUEtWIsCX5jm79JDGGgu6Qn9R4GN/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my intuitive collages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>So there you go - </i>now we're ALL artists, and we have a name for it! It's <i>lovely</i> being on the outside, don't you think?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92eWweSIu8cNcQT9pvS_xpOU5hClc_AwgmhWBe4NAc3HB3OXCuu1ISg-O8ApjVWAxEAAWRQOYYhI9eIuzLsNTfKNsRFUyd7au1eCeb4TRKVgejZ9R5skH5GYfGGSc6cN3yHRq0aypPB_X/s1600/Broken+Wings+IMG_0493.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92eWweSIu8cNcQT9pvS_xpOU5hClc_AwgmhWBe4NAc3HB3OXCuu1ISg-O8ApjVWAxEAAWRQOYYhI9eIuzLsNTfKNsRFUyd7au1eCeb4TRKVgejZ9R5skH5GYfGGSc6cN3yHRq0aypPB_X/s1600/Broken+Wings+IMG_0493.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Broken Wings <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's amazing that my art is now in <a href="http://amyoes.com/Artist">real artist galleries</a>, but that doesn't make me feel any more "professional" - I just view it as an amazing opportunity to show others my heart. I like being an open book - or canvas, so to speak.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig98hTPbQNjidAqy7qcnZNfVyynvuq-y59dmVyr6nEpieggDXZtTUQt-H6oUUTqSTpLbke-MmEHiY8atQmxcdblrwgpetCS14Zcv1pUXHk5nCD0-LBh6KBu_9WeqRgR3d0EBdmU_RsUBgN/s1600/20150726_161507.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig98hTPbQNjidAqy7qcnZNfVyynvuq-y59dmVyr6nEpieggDXZtTUQt-H6oUUTqSTpLbke-MmEHiY8atQmxcdblrwgpetCS14Zcv1pUXHk5nCD0-LBh6KBu_9WeqRgR3d0EBdmU_RsUBgN/s320/20150726_161507.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Discovery Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No matter where my art ends up, I will always firmlu stand behind my belief that anyone can make art. And SHOULD make art. Art is therapy - and this kind of <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sometalkofyouandme.com/2015/06/22/how-creativity-therapy-saved-my-life-amy-oestreicher/">creative therapy saved my life</a></span>, at a time when doctors really didn''t know how to.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4bIunSEAcft1MISN0ecTZur8HPFj7sbgEcrdYTjEbGpt5WcJ63fsq6oWXmUXP87ZqMqg41dbuhYdfZWcMyGde42rzGCbETb10n5RnOIvxay-Z855jDxao60_Tpz6MJ4f-uPgJRyuilZr/s1600/20150726_161705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4bIunSEAcft1MISN0ecTZur8HPFj7sbgEcrdYTjEbGpt5WcJ63fsq6oWXmUXP87ZqMqg41dbuhYdfZWcMyGde42rzGCbETb10n5RnOIvxay-Z855jDxao60_Tpz6MJ4f-uPgJRyuilZr/s320/20150726_161705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My inchies - <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllspiceandAcrylics"><b><span style="font-size: small;">they're on etsy too!!!</span></b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><i><b>Before I Go...</b></i></u><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img0.joyreactor.com/pics/post/full/comics-Dark-Side-of-the-Horse-facebook-friday-668495.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://img0.joyreactor.com/pics/post/full/comics-Dark-Side-of-the-Horse-facebook-friday-668495.gif" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let this happen to you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><i><b> </b></i></u> <br />
<br />
Go ahead and make some art. Draw, scribble, splotch. You're an artist, remember, an outsider artist. <br />
<i></i><br />
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr9VlpY_v_BkOwIAJmfZO0DmOyWMsv2i6xfgt-Kl41GXQ8unl2oIDZuYgwBXHpcWZU-x2yKy0_87-Fz_eWpD9E2PFjPQzyy-jnBucymrd4S_b1AjjP41gErFbbgiKpltuUhDlUyYCI8Pa/s1600/IMG_2662.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr9VlpY_v_BkOwIAJmfZO0DmOyWMsv2i6xfgt-Kl41GXQ8unl2oIDZuYgwBXHpcWZU-x2yKy0_87-Fz_eWpD9E2PFjPQzyy-jnBucymrd4S_b1AjjP41gErFbbgiKpltuUhDlUyYCI8Pa/s320/IMG_2662.JPG" width="320" /></a></i>I've got <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/2027">seven simple tips to get you started...</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?resize=700%2C1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?resize=700%2C1000" height="320" width="224" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Remember:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi3qXvD26uLU8spu4-WoElGXMKYS78ei3UlhJaHWZI3gxjA1mwBEjS5LGoBtzcbY_ydxuQliAUh9Nz08sRl1pizMf6c_26aY-r-g9W_WcJNBA7yie9l1C6-2dF5MGdRVNjt_g8_6fXGgY/s1600/peanuts+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRi3qXvD26uLU8spu4-WoElGXMKYS78ei3UlhJaHWZI3gxjA1mwBEjS5LGoBtzcbY_ydxuQliAUh9Nz08sRl1pizMf6c_26aY-r-g9W_WcJNBA7yie9l1C6-2dF5MGdRVNjt_g8_6fXGgY/s1600/peanuts+5.jpg" height="172" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes things require a second look, a second try, just one more attempt. Keep trying, keep going, keep creating. If at first you don't succeed- change the way you see things!</div>
<br />
<i><span class="sqq">“<a class="sqq" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Inside yourself or <b>outside</b>, you never have to change what you see, only the way you see it.</a>”</span></i><br />
<div style="padding-top: 3px;">
<i><img align="middle" alt="" src="http://thinkexist.com/i/sq/as2.gif" height="9" title="Author Popularity 5/10" width="11" /> <a class="sqa" href="https://www.blogger.com/null">Thaddeus Golas </a></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDNxOp92ZNK1Ayv2660SfeRmAaClmsrAhFVvWVmjYoX4HItteJuZfNQOXLD3w9tgw1WMTiJ_BtT2g40Um2mkNIQp8PN5dhyphenhyphenmtc4RhIv6vpnheDRbUJq6tkns4jtuhbaqAWzEbJodERjuo/s1600/20150723_142602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><u><i><b>p.s. If</b></i></u> you sign up for my <a href="http://amyoes.com/">newsletter Inspire, Discover Create,</a> you'll be able to take part in my August art challenge - so go ahead and sign up! Now <i>that's</i> something you don't want to be on the outside for :)</span><br />
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-75412496360968710462015-07-28T22:37:00.000-07:002015-07-28T22:41:19.843-07:00Leap - the magic it takes to break the rules and follow your dreams...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/30" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/30" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding My Way Home <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275.Helen_Keller" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Helen Keller</a>, <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7276877" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Open Door</a></i></span></div>
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<b><i>Risk. Leap. Jump into the abyss. </i></b></div>
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What does that mean to you?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...</td></tr>
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One of my favorite quotes was said by Patrick Overton. He said:</div>
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<i>“When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen. There will be something solid for you to stand upon or you will be taught to fly.”</i></h1>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/22" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/22" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edge of the Unknown - <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I even made artwork about this quote - something really resonated with me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKR7sZm_APonMJs05PMz1k4bD3Bnb5dG-1161HtWCHU9Pw7ZbeyYCLuN_E0uqWDti1vI4T9-vxkVqw0D9fG6pxF1NjurQHzBvdDQSMbxiJDDB8ZrD_Oglvj4A6Ff4yH7an9wF19sg7Lm5/s1600/image_9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKR7sZm_APonMJs05PMz1k4bD3Bnb5dG-1161HtWCHU9Pw7ZbeyYCLuN_E0uqWDti1vI4T9-vxkVqw0D9fG6pxF1NjurQHzBvdDQSMbxiJDDB8ZrD_Oglvj4A6Ff4yH7an9wF19sg7Lm5/s1600/image_9.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Are you willing to make that leap, take that risk and catapult yourself into the unknown, knowing that you will be given a solid landing or wings to fly?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYFovZ8tB9zqPWpTEypxEhjZH7xo5Nm6F4RwFhCEYN_WrpajmyQ05kuECAtLLDS9sGqVoiOn4Tutjsk8OxEIo1irIulmN7lMssqWNeVfqS1Q-e9bizy4wGTYaBDKHrtIPKeqyYPicrdzt/s1600/IMG_20150322_113700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYFovZ8tB9zqPWpTEypxEhjZH7xo5Nm6F4RwFhCEYN_WrpajmyQ05kuECAtLLDS9sGqVoiOn4Tutjsk8OxEIo1irIulmN7lMssqWNeVfqS1Q-e9bizy4wGTYaBDKHrtIPKeqyYPicrdzt/s320/IMG_20150322_113700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is my honor to introduce a wonderful blogger Gretchen, who has written her own reflection on leaping, breaking rules, and following your dream. </div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><u><i><span style="font-size: large;">Leap</span></i></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><u><i><span style="font-size: large;">The magic of women who break the rules and follow
their dreams</span></i></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #4c1130;">By Gretchen Comcowich</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Andi never seemed like someone who would jump. She usually
wore a t-shirt and jeans, a diamond and a sweet smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met as we suffering through music history
class, and both wore cowboy boots. She was already married – I didn’t
understand the concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of us just
grasping at 20. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maybe it was because I was really young, maybe I was too judgmental,
maybe it was because I was just starting to cultivate a strange addiction to
the tingle down my spine when I am happily proven wrong, but if you had told me
that when we talk now, it would be via Facebook and she would be in Norway I
would have told you to check your facts- I would have been sure you had the
wrong person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://cdn.fbsbx.com/hphotos-xpt1/v/t59.2708-21/11737762_10152963519049109_1672929189_n.gif?oh=584d61476f3309bd67b8743bbee06d68&oe=55BA6945" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://cdn.fbsbx.com/hphotos-xpt1/v/t59.2708-21/11737762_10152963519049109_1672929189_n.gif?oh=584d61476f3309bd67b8743bbee06d68&oe=55BA6945" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis Making Waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Andi’s husband expected her to shut up after college. Both
he and even some of her family members thought that she had had her fun, and it
was time to put that all away and stay home. I imagine the isolation creeping
in like Russian cheat grass taking over the native brush on the Colorado plains
around her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her dreams, her thoughts,
her ideas, meant nothing, she was only as good as the warm spot she left in the
bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Maybe this is what drove her to jump. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739717_10152963520079109_1130271077_n.jpg?oh=7e51dca11180a6355e5b0953a1e0703f&oe=55A653E4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis Making Waves</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">For graduation from Colorado state University, Andi took
herself sky diving. Like an addict shooting up for the first time, she was
hooked after that first fall. This wasn’t a needle or a band around her arm, a mirror
and a razor blade, it was the sensation of the Boulder Flatirons coming in
quick or the tug of ropes on the Shute, and the grins from the other jumpers
around her as their feet came safely to the ground. Andi fell in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t34.0-12/11733498_10152963519064109_91829815_n.jpg?oh=b3b5a3054c6e84f0fb6030717c9c207d&oe=55BA1C03" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t34.0-12/11733498_10152963519064109_91829815_n.jpg?oh=b3b5a3054c6e84f0fb6030717c9c207d&oe=55BA1C03" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis Making Waves</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">One jump turned into three, three turned into twelve and
soon enough she found herself a certified sky diver. Her husband began trying
to keep her from going, she ignored him and snuck out anyway. Like any divorce,
there was more to it than a few leaps from an airplane, but I like to think
that from up there Andi found her feathers, and saw that the horizon in front
of her went far further than the backyard fence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t34.0-12/11739717_10152963520079109_1130271077_n.jpg?oh=3d2ba601a08301e84f7f527818537e2e&oe=55BA1A64" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t34.0-12/11739717_10152963520079109_1130271077_n.jpg?oh=3d2ba601a08301e84f7f527818537e2e&oe=55BA1A64" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis Making Waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">After the divorce Andi moved to Norway on a whim. She worked
dumb jobs, learned the language and met someone new. She can even still
describe the emerald sheen of the fjords as she plummeted toward them. Now, she
has a good job, an apartment, a cat, a boyfriend who supports her and a stamped
passport: Madrid, Belgium and even a few adventures back here in the American
west.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Alexa on the other hand doesn’t have a cat, a parachute, a 9
to 5 or an apartment, she lives in RV. Her dog Beans rides shot gun. For me,
she inspires the same sense of awe that Andi does. Alexa is an artist, she
paints sea turtles, sharks, jellyfish, octopi and waves that seem so life-like,
I can smell the salt and want to stretch my arms so that I can dive under the
barrel in a hurry. She is also one of the hardest working and most ambitious
people I have ever met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Like Andi, Alexa found her muse had a wild side. Alexa is a
surfer and her surfboard lives in the back of her RV with her canvases, clothes
and paints. She lived on Maui for years and made sure that she hit the water whenever
she could. Perhaps this is why you can feel each vibrant blue ripple and lather
of foam in her brush strokes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">Because of this, her mentor urged her to pack up what she
could and sell the rest, buy a ticket to the mainland and start doing art
shows. Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Alexa has parked
her RV in these states and more and the collectors have come running. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11748539_10152963520104109_1845745170_n.jpg?oh=cbdd494fc6de25e80d5093a93bc82406&oe=55BA43EF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t34.0-12/11748539_10152963520104109_1845745170_n.jpg?oh=cbdd494fc6de25e80d5093a93bc82406&oe=55BA43EF" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis Making Waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">As school children we all read the posters that told boys
and girls to “try try again,” or stated that “We are doomed to fail what we do
not try”. However, almost 50 years after Rosa Parks was arrested for not going
to the back seat of the bus, almost 150 since the Wyoming territory gave us the
right to vote and almost 300 since Abigail Adams urged her husband to “remember
the ladies” many of the girls are still expected to sit down and shut up. Women
like Alexa and Andi refused to listen.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130;">When I think about my own choices, I think of these women. I
know that there is no revolution without risk and women taking risk, are still
revolutionary. I know that like many women, I have felt the pressure to “settle
down”, have children before I am ready and stay close to my family. While I can’t
paint and don’t plan on jumping out of planes, I hope that I too can leap
because I too can see the boundless horizons as I fall. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739562_10152963520074109_945953632_n.jpg?oh=336f4327836244b96cafd6ef4787112e&oe=55BB2C11" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t34.0-12/11739562_10152963520074109_945953632_n.jpg?oh=336f4327836244b96cafd6ef4787112e&oe=55BB2C11" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexis Making Waves</td></tr>
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<b><i>Thanks Gretchen! That definitely inspired me to get in touch with my wild side..maybe not skydive, but ay least try <u>one </u>new thing!</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Have a wonderful day and let me know...what leap are YOU willing to make today?</i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“A ship is always safe at the shore - but that is NOT what it is built for.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9810.Albert_Einstein" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Albert Einstein</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Gretchen Comcowich</b> is a Colorado Native, a part time Nantucketer and a Nonfiction MFA student at Columbia College Chicago. She also works as a publicist for several visual artists. Follower her on twitter: @lidamarketing
Hawaii resident, <b>Alexa Caskey</b>, AKA Alexa Makin’ Waves Travels the country in an RV with her dog Beans selling her photo real paintings of waves, sea turtles and all things ocean. You can see her work on her website:</span><a class="_553k" href="http://alexasmakinwaves.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">http://alexasmakinwaves.com</a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">
</span>Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-43300482714660915622015-07-27T06:25:00.000-07:002015-07-27T06:25:33.268-07:00So what's it like to work at Disney World?<div style="text-align: center;">
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”</div>
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- Walt Disney </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/93" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/93" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasure Tree <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<i>I could not be more excited to feature this guest post from Jocelyn, who runs the amazing blog <a href="https://inspirepassport.wordpress.com/">https://inspirepassport.wordpress.com/</a> where "The world is your oyster, adventure awaits"- I had some fun adventures on my honeymoon last week, but I think my next vacation will be back in the land of pixie dust - Disneyworld - where I can proudly say I've visited <b>22 times!</b></i></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/10340069_10152400731199658_1254294396153576936_n.jpg?oh=2de7b2351cd7271e8ed0ac08f35c1f27&oe=5644E2B9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/10388117_10152410021034658_9124231621179713713_n.jpg?oh=210ffbdabd9249c64fbad89e7c7dfbfa&oe=56101A84" width="112" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/v/t1.0-9/10308097_10152404894589658_6455020338962337065_n.jpg?oh=91a235f607609ee1db877ec57c3ff54f&oe=5615E1C2" width="112" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/10340069_10152400731199658_1254294396153576936_n.jpg?oh=2de7b2351cd7271e8ed0ac08f35c1f27&oe=5644E2B9" width="112" /></a></div>
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<i>I'm a bit jealous - she got to WORK at Disneyworld. They can PAY you to stay there? I think I found a new calling...thanks Jocelyn for bringing back some wonderful nostalgia, and tell me after you read this, <b>do you still think Disney World is just for kids?</b></i></div>
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<b><i> What is <u>your</u> favorite vacation spot? Shoot me a comment - I'd love to round up some recommendations for my next <a href="https://amyoes.com/Newsletter">Newsletter </a>- you can subscribe at <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a> :)</i></b></div>
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Life is made up of different points of view. It is how the world moves and creates, how it innovates and inspires. This is the story of how I learned to start seeing with a new point of view. It’s only a small portion of a much greater story but it contains parts that really, truly resonated with me. It also contains just a touch of pixie dust.</div>
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2013 was a big year for me. I moved cross-country at barely 21, worked a full-time job and traveled between 11 different countries all while staying within the city of Orlando, otherwise known as being a participant of the Disney College Program at the Walt Disney World Resort.</div>
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Dreams were made and magic was witnessed every day for 7 and a half months. Because I worked in the Magic Kingdom, I was going to the parks ALL THE TIME. That gift, that blessing allowed me to experience the parks in a more up-close, detailed way. It also allowed my father to remind me that I was hurting myself by going to the parks so much. He was right. I went ride-deprived for 7 months after my Florida program ended. First world problems, right?</div>
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While I may be a rollercoaster/theme park ride junkie, I am also the type of person who LOVES to just explore and check out the little details that make up places (boardwalks, theme parks, art festivals, food festivals, etc). </div>
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The World Showcase at Epcot is a place that fits right up my alley. With buildings and landscaping that match the named country, it gave me a chance to do something I’ve always wanted to do: Travel the world. </div>
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I loved walking through the World Showcase. If I had the day off from work, I’d make a day of it. I would start over in Canada when the Showcase opened and I would always, always, always start my trip with a viewing of the O Canada film starring Martin Short (starring? Hosted by?). The 360 theater gave me a regular chance to view some of Canada’s most beautiful landscapes and cities (which is now permanently on my list of places to visit). </div>
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From Canada, I would walk through the UK pavilion, sometimes stopping by to get some fish and chips. Morocco followed and what was special about Morocco was the fact that if you walked far enough into the pavilion, it felt as if you left America. You were in a totally immersive place. <br />
France was one of my favorite pavilions to visit. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go to, the food is divine (those eclairs…) and I spent small portions of each visit reading the cookbooks. <br />
I really could continue to take you through the rest of a visit to the World Showcase but I won’t (send me an email if you so desire) because there are other things I want to share. </div>
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Being a part of the College Program, I was learning how to see the world from a new point of view. I was surrounded by art, talented people and a creative company. I was in Florida during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival (where my money went to the Ireland and Scotland booths) and for the Festival of the Masters in Downtown Disney, now called Disney Springs. </div>
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I can cook, I can draw, I can take photos. I’m not very good at any of those, not where I would want to sell my work to people. But being around all that creativity, I was inspired. Whether it was reading the cookbooks or eating the Scottish Seared Salmon or the Fisherman’s Seafood Pie (besides making me want more), it had me thinking about working on my culinary skills. Walking through the booths at the Festival of the Masters had me thinking about improving my visual art skills. Experiencing either festival made me want to seek out similar events, to get new ideas and see the world through the eyes of people I have never even met yet. </div>
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Unfortunately my program ended in January of 2014 and I returned to school. But that creative fire had been lit and it’s been burning ever since. After completing more time in school, I applied and was accepted to a second program in Anaheim, California. Here I have found more art and creativity and I am surrounded by some of the most amazingly talented people that I have ever met. My journey through my first program got me started on a creative path that I now share on my blog, inspire Passport, and I am constantly trying to see the world with a new point of view, even if that point of view contains just a touch of pixie dust. </div>
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<i> Ahhh, the memories. I can completely relate. In fact, this was my last day at Epcot...</i></div>
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Yeah, it wasn't easy to pull me from that sign.</div>
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<u><i>Before I go...<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/nickguillory/this-guy-used-a-fantastic-flash-mob-and-the-magic-of-disney#.tsEdJLMGQ">This Guy Used A Fantastic Dance Ensemble And The Magic Of Disney World To Propose To His Boyfriend And It Will Melt Your Heart</a></i></u> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Better Half <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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“If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started by a mouse.” - Walt Disney<br />
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-545251203399737802015-07-23T01:17:00.000-07:002015-10-04T17:19:49.552-07:00How to DIY the Wedding of your Dreams on a Budget!<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>amyoes.com</b></i> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Diving for my Treasure - <a href="https://www.amyoes.com/"><b>amyoes.com</b></a></i></td></tr>
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I'd like to introduce a guest post from an awesome blogger I know - Karen from Subneams and Heartstrings. I was able to do a guest post for her on creating beautiful artwork bsed on a favorite mixed media technique of mine. You can learn how to make gessoed magazine page collages<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/guest-blogger-amy-oestreicher/"><i><u><b> here.</b></u></i></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/a21.jpg?w=169&h=300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/a21.jpg?w=169&h=300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u><i><b>Make Your Own<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/a21.jpg?w=169&h=300"> (way more than) Coloring Pages!</a></b></i></u></td></tr>
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<i><b> And now Karen's written a really amazing post - I wish I had read this before my own wedding! </b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="diy wedding on a budget" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-629" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding.jpg?w=199" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Post by Karen of Sunbeams and Heartstrings</td></tr>
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<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding.jpg"> </a> Every girl dreams of her wedding from the time she is a child. As adults, we know that sometimes money struggles prevent us from having the things we want. But what if you CAN have a gorgeous wedding and still keep a low budget!? Check out two DIY wedding ideas for a $1000 budget.<br />
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<b>Invitations</b><br />
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I did my own invitations on the computer. I bought pre-made ones on clearance at Walmart (they were very pretty). They also came with RSVP cards. I went to the website it listed in the directions. It walked me through how to personalize them step by step. They came out beautiful, and they were very personal because I took the time to do them myself, However, I am a very creative person.
*An alternative for people who are not as creative or do not have the time or access to a printer would be to find a local college who has a document center. Their prices are inexpensive. They will design them for you or you can choose from designs they already have.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-4.jpg"><img alt="diy wedding 4" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-616" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-4.jpg?w=208" width="208" /></a><br />
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<b>Wedding Dresses</b><br />
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Many places, including David's Bridal, have clearance sections. These sections are often dresses from "last season." What are last season dresses? To me, that is just for designers and stores. My wedding dress was a $1,200 dress that was marked down to $300. Some bridal shops also have a $99 section where they place last season's dresses. My aunt bought a GORGEOUS dress in the $99 section of an expensive wedding boutique because it was from "last season."
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/232.jpg"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="size-medium wp-image-571" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/232.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a>
My wedding had been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. During that time, I had gained wed due to medical reasons and was unable to lose it before the wedding. Instead of buying a new dress, I had a family member remove the dipper and turn it into a corset. Excuse the safety pin; I accidentally ripped it when I was pulling on it to see how strong it was.<br />
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<b>Bridal Party</b><br />
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Surprisingly, David's Bridal can have rather inexpensive Bridesmaids dresses. They are not so fantastic if you are looking for a variety of sizes, though. Flower girl dresses cost even more than some of the bridesmaid dresses. Here are some more inexpensive alternatives:
*Use the same color but different dresses to give the bridesmaids more freedom to be comfortable and to have more options from different stores. This also allows people to have more options to choose a dress within their own budget.
*If you are having a wedding in late spring, early summer, look for Easter dresses on clearance for the flower girls.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150623_131247.jpg"><img alt="20150623_131247" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-609" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150623_131247.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a> (These are what my younger two (not these two) wore to my mom's wedding as the Flower girls. My girls are 8 and 4. Their dresses were $19.99 at Sears. They were leftover from Easter.)
*If you are planning a wedding in early to mid summer, look for prom dresses on clearance.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150623_122224.jpg"><img alt="20150623_122224" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-608" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150623_122224.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a> (These two did end up getting these dresses for my mom's wedding. They were junior bridesmaids. The dresses were @19.99 at JC Penneys. They were on clearance from Prom. While my girls are only 13 and 9, they were able to wear sizes 3 and 1.)<br />
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<b>Shoes</b><br />
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Keep in mind that the best time to find dress shoes is in the springtime. Once summer hits, stores start releasing back to school items. In the fall, they begin releasing winter boots and fashion boots. toward the end of winter, they begin releasing sandals and dress shoes. In mid spring, flip-flops and sandals are released. If you have a winter wedding, you will have a more difficult time finding a variety of shoes to choose from, so you may want to get them early.<br />
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<b>Jewelry</b><br />
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For my wedding, we all got matching jewelry from Avon. It was a set of earrings that matched a necklace for only $7.99. I bought all 6 sets, and they were my gifts to my bridesmaids.
For my mother's wedding, I made her jewelry.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-1.jpg"><img alt="DIY cross necklace" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-610" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-1.jpg?w=208" width="208" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150624_171824-e1436460074791.jpg"><img alt="diy cross necklaces" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-579" height="180" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150624_171824-e1436460074791.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
These cross necklaces were $3 for 5 crosses. The chain was $3 for enough chain to make 5 18" necklaces. We bought 2 backs of each. There were 2 clasps in each, so I had to grab another pack of clasps with rings for $1. Total cost $13 for 8 necklaces (and extra to make more).
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-2.jpg"><img alt="diy wedding 2" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-611" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-2.jpg?w=228" width="228" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150624_171609.jpg"><img alt="20150624_171609" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-578" height="180" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150624_171609.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
These earrings were made with strands of beads, wire from Dollar Tree (comes in three packs), and earrings. The strands are $3. We bought two just in case. I barely needed the second one. One pack of 100 earrings is $2. And the wire is $1. I have had the wire for several months and still have not used it all. Total cost for these 9 pairs of earrings = $9.<br />
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<b>Hair</b><br />
Find a friend or family member who is really great at doing hair. For mine, my future sister-in-law did mine for free. I just paid for the kids. The bridesmaids could do whatever they wanted.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0903011210a.jpg"><img alt="flower girl hair front" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-598" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0903011210a.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0903011210.jpg"><img alt="flower girl hair back" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-597" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0903011210.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/053.jpg"><img alt="bride" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-619" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/053.jpg?w=214" width="214" /></a>
For my mom's wedding, my oldest stepdaughter came over to help with hair and make-up.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-3.jpg"><img alt="DIY wedding hair" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-615" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-3.jpg?w=197" width="197" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0152.jpg"><img alt="diy bride" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-627" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0152-e1436469309284.jpg?w=205" width="205" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0145.jpg"><img alt="diy wedding hair" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-626" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0145-e1436469280614.jpg?w=178" width="178" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0103.jpg"><img alt="diy wedding" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-606" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0103.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0198.jpg"><img alt="diy wedding" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-628" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0198.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Marriage License</b><br />
<br />
Call the office of the county you will be married in. THAT is the county you must obtain your marriage license in. Some have waiting periods between the time you fill out the forms and the time you receive the marriage license. You also want to ask them what information and documents you need to have with you.<br />
<br />
<b>WEDDING CEREMONY</b><br />
<br />
*If you are not a member of a church and wish to be married in one, start by asking your wedding party where they are members. That is a good starting point for where to call.
*Do you know someone who really wants to be a photography? Let them use your wedding for their portfolio. You get a free photographer, and they get a fantastic opportunity. There are even free online programs if that person is also struggling, such as www.picmonkey.com and www.canva.com. You can also leave disposable cameras on the tables for some fun candid shots. Here are a couple pictures from a friend of mine who took pictures for me for free.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/021.jpg"><img alt="Wedding shot" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-567" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/021.jpg?w=214" width="214" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/019.jpg"><img alt="wedding shot 2" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-566" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/019.jpg?w=214" width="214" /></a>
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/231.jpg"><img alt="wedding shot 3" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-570" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/231.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
Have the photographer take pictures of the reception hall the night before so you can see the initial set up. Then have him or her take pictures of everyone getting ready, the ceremony, and the reception.
*Dollar stores have beautiful pew bows for cheap. We have a Dollar tree that sells white ones, 2 for $1. We bought 10 packs and alternated them going down the aisle.
*I chose to buy inexpensive programs then print them off on my computer and printer. Many weddings I have gone to skip this part, If you need to cut something from your budget, this is one of the first things I would skip.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2801-e1436458898725.jpg"><img alt="wedding programs" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-612" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2801-e1436458898725.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a>
*My mother wanted to do a lighting of the candles at her wedding ceremony. She bought the cheapest candles and candlesticks she could find, then I spruced them up a bit.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_001129.jpg"><img alt="20150627_001129" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-581" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_001129.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0121-e1436458390100.jpg"><img alt="DIY wedding candles" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-607" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0121-e1436458390100.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Flowers and Ring Pillow</b><br />
<br />
*Fresh flowers can be expensive. My mom chose to do fresh for the wedding and fake for the reception. I chose to do fake all the way. The bridesmaids had the same bouquets, then I doubled what they had for mine. My flowers are also shown above on the train of my dress.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/024.jpg"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-568" height="214" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/024.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/043.jpg"><img alt="diy ring bearer pillow" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-569" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/043.jpg?w=214" width="214" /></a>
*I bought a cheap, plain, white ring bearer pillow then added small, fake, silver flowers to it and ribbons for tying rings on.
*My mom loves teddy bears, so for hers, I used a seat belt cutter to remove the hat and scarf from a teddy bear and transform it into a ring "bear"er.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_103007.jpg"><img alt="Before" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-583" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_103007.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_104808.jpg"><img alt="20150627_104808" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-584" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_104808.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Extras</b><br />
<br />
Check out these cute ideas for adding a little extra to the wedding.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20320_871069712948835_8935363384651532548_n.jpg"><img alt="20320_871069712948835_8935363384651532548_n" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-617" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20320_871069712948835_8935363384651532548_n.jpg?w=179" width="179" /></a> The sign was $1 at Dollar Tree. I cut it smaller for him and made new holes. His outfit was gathered from various places. The bow-tie was made with a clip and ribbon. His boots were from winter (we try to do boots that also go with dress clothes so they pull double duty).
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/110.jpg"><img alt="all girls in the wedding" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-618" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/110.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a> For this wedding, there were three little girls and no boys. One girl was the flower girl. The second pull the third (who was the ring bearer) in a wagon down the aisle.<br />
<br />
<b>RECEPTION</b><br />
<br />
Halls can be very expensive. Try fire halls first. Many have banquet halls, and the proceeds go the the fire department. Local clubs, such as Eagles, Elks, and Moose are also usually cheaper than hotels and large banquet halls.
*When looking for a DJ, try to find someone local who doesn't do gigs in large cities, because those people tend to charge more. If they do local clubs such as the ones mentioned above like Eagles and Elks, they are likely to charge less. Many only charge about $200 for local clubs. You can call the local clubs and as who they use for a DJ and get a phone number for them.
*Use pastic tablecoths settings that match the color of the wedding. Here, I chose white table cloths with white plates, silver silverware rolled into white napkins that were tied with teal bows, and centerpieces that were teal, white, and purple (the wedding colors were teal, purple, and white).
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011324.jpg"><img alt="0902011324" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-589" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011324.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325c.jpg"><img alt="0902011325c" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-593" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325c.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
Here, the main tables (head table, gift table, cake table, etc) are white. The guest tables are alternating light and dark purples. The centerpieces are white, light purple and dark purple (which were the wedding colors).
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0072.jpg"><img alt="diy reception" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-600" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0072.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0082.jpg"><img alt="diy reception" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-602" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0082.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
*Choose simple yet elegant centerpieces.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011326a.jpg"><img alt="0902011326a" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-596" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011326a.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011326.jpg"><img alt="0902011326" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-595" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011326.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325d.jpg"><img alt="0902011325d" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-594" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325d.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> The purple calla lilies are in one type of vase with lighter teal rocks. The white calla lilies are in a different type of vase, also with lighter teal rocks. Between the two are small, round, glass containers with darker teal rocks and tea light candles. These alternate down the tables.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0054-e1436458655282.jpg"><img alt="paper lantern centerpieces" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-599" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/hpim0054-e1436458655282.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a> Paper lantern centerpieces: flip them upside down, place the flowers in, and set automatic tea lights next to them. Have a friend turn the tea lights on and drop them inside as soon as the ceremony is over, while everyone else is chatting at the church.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Children's Table</b><br />
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/277.jpg"><img alt="kid table at a reception" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-574" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/277.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/276.jpg"><img alt="reception kid table" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-573" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/276.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a><br />
Will you have a few children at your reception? Kids get bored. They love to be entertained. A children's table is a fantastic way to keep them entertained. Throw a cheap, plastic or paper table cloth on it, and buy a few things from the dollar store such as coloring books, crayons, dinosaurs, cars, barbies, etc. You could bring things from home instead, or you can have a friend with kids gather a few toys for entertainment if you do not have kids of you own.<br />
<br />
<b>Seating Chart</b><br />
<br />
Do you have family who doesn't get along? A seating chart is a great solution. It also makes for a more sophisticated look, even if you family gets along really well.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325b.jpg"><img alt="0902011325b" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-592" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325b.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> Here, the seating chart is hung where people walk in. It is listed alphabetically by last name. The Tables are numbered with cardstock to match, and the individual seats were labeled with seed packets that were folded over (these were made specifically for weddings at a local craft store).
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-5.jpg"><img alt="diy wedding 5" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-625" height="165" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/diy-wedding-5.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Cake</b><br />
<br />
Do you know someone who is a fantastic baker? Wedding cakes really do not have to be that difficult. I have make a three tiered wedding cake before. I cannot find the picture for that one, unfortunately... I have a friend who teaches culinary arts at the local career center. His class took on my wedding cake as a project for free. It was very hot outside, and the middle layer melted, so he had improvise to fix it that day, but it turned out fantastic considering it was the middle layer that got ruined.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2841.jpg"><img alt="career center wedding cake" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-613" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/2841.jpg?w=225" width="225" /></a>
They sell pans at Walmart in a pack that are spring form pans for making three tiered cakes. They are not expensive, either. Any really great friend who loves baking would probably love the challenge and love to do it for you as a gift. Here is the gift for my mother from a friend who bakes:
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_0405.jpeg"><img alt="Wedding cake" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-621" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_0405.jpeg?w=200" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Cookies</b><br />
<br />
Something that seems to have become a very popular trend is a cookie table. I made cookies for my mother's wedding. I made one batch each of eight different kinds; s'mores, berry shortbread dreams, banana chocolate chip, peanut butter Reeses Pieces, Andes, snickerdoodles, raspberry cheesecake and washboards. I always make the batter up ahead of time. I either make the batter one day and the cookies the next or I freeze the batter and make the cookes when I am ready. My grandmother, however, makes the batter then cookies then freezes the cookies she needs them.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_0467-1.jpeg"><img alt="Wedding cookies" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-622" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/img_0467-1.jpeg?w=200" width="200" /></a>
You can never tell which she freezes and which she doesn't. If they are a softer cookie, lay wax paper between the layers. Both dough and cookies can be frozen for up to three months. You could also have eight different people each make one batch of cookies. Just about all of the cookies were gone. there were about 80 people present. I would say at least 10 batches if you have 100 people. I was told that a good rule of thumb is 4 cookies per person.
Another way to display the cookies is to make a cookie stand using candlesticks, trays, and E6000. you will need plastic and plastic or glass and glass, but never both.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123929.jpg"><img alt="diy cookie tray" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-587" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123929.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a> <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123948.jpg"><img alt="diy cookie tray" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-588" height="300" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123948.jpg?w=180" width="180" /></a>
<b>Favors</b><br />
<br />
There are SO many things you can do with favors. Here are just two ideas to get your creative juices flowing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/253.jpg"><img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="size-medium wp-image-572" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/253.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325a1.jpg"><img alt="0902011325a" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-623" height="225" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/0902011325a1.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a> These are little bags with candy. I hot glued ribbon around them. I then cut out circles of cardstock in a color that matched our wedding. I wrote our names and wedding date then glued it over the ribbon.
For my mom's wedding, I made homemade truffles (two batches each of lemon, salted caramel mocha, strawberry coconut, mint oreo, and blueberry cheesecake. We layed each in a mini cupcake wrapper and placed three truffles into 100 little white boxes. Once the boxes were closed, we hot clues purple flowers on the lids. We waited until after they were closed so that we did not accidentally glue the flower onto the wrong flap.<br />
<br />
.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150709_143638.jpg"><img alt="DIY Wedding Favors" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-624" height="180" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150709_143638.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Gift Table, Card Box, Guest Book</b><br />
<br />
*The gift table is a great place to put the guest book at a reception!
*The gift table should be away from food and fairly out of the way.
*If you cannot find a card box that you like, you can borrow one from a friend (like I did), or make one (like I did for my mom). Here is how I made hers:
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123838.jpg"><img alt="20150627_123838" class="alignnone wp-image-585" height="180" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123838.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a>
I got an empty cheese box from a local pizza place. Their boxes are very sturdy. the box was free. I went to the dollar store to see what I could find there, since it was the morning of her wedding when she told me she didn't have a card box. This was made in FIVE MINUTES! I bought 1 roll of wrapping paper, 2 rolls of sheer ribbon, and 2 bunches of flowers. Total cost = $5. I taped the box shut with packing tape. I wrapped the box very tightly and very neatly. (Obviously you would have to buy scotch tape and packing tape if you don't have any. I also already had a small hot glue gun and glue sticks.) I cut a hole in the box about 12" by 2." I cut the ribbon to size by measuring it once around the box each way. I taped it to the inside on one side, wrapped it around, then taped it on the other side. I did this going in the other direction as well. I flipped the box over to tape where the two pieces of ribbon overlap, then I turned the box upright again. Lastly, I hot glued the flowers on. I started by removing the flowers and leaves from the stems. I only liked the leaves from one bunch, so I threw the others out. I evenly spaced the white flowers and glued those down. I did the leaves second, and the purple flowers last.
<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123849.jpg"><img alt="20150627_123849" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-586" height="185" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/20150627_123849-e1436468118843.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Food</b><br />
<br />
The most expensive part of a wedding is food. I made my own food. Yes, you read that correctly. It really is not that difficult. You just need to get ahold of a few roasters. Go shopping with a friend who has a membership at a bulk store such as Sams Club if you don't already have one. Buy already sliced ham and turkey. Buy large cans of new potatoes, sticks of butter, parsley, pineapple juice, salad, salad dressings, rolls or bread that can be sliced, butter packets, gravy for the turkey, and a vegetable such as green beans. The turkey can go in a roaster with gravy. The ham can go in a roaster with pineapple juice. The potatoes can go in a roaster (drain them first) with butter and parsley. The green beans can go in a roaster (drain half the cans). The salad can be thrown into a large bowl, covered, and put into the fridge until ready. The bread can be sliced and placed into bags until ready. You can set it up before hair appointments and turn everything on low. If you feel that is too early, then set it up and have a friend or family member return to turn it on at a specified time.</div>
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<a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/blog-background.jpg"><img alt="Blog Background" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-9" height="100" src="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/blog-background.jpg?w=300" width="300" /></a><i> </i></div>
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<i>Karen is from Sunbeams and Heartstrings, where she co-blogs with her friend, Sarah. Karen and Sarah are stay at home moms (both due to medical reasons). Karen has a blended family of 13 kids (7 boys, 6 girls) ages 24 to 1. Sarah has 3 year old twin girls, a 1 year old son, and helps raise her 3 year old nephew. Both women enjoy cooking, baking, crafts, and helping others. You can follow them on their <a href="https://sunbeamsandheartstrings.wordpress.com/">blog</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunbeamsandheartstrings">Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/sbeamshstrings">Pinterest</a>.</i></div>
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<b>Wow! Thanks Karen! And I thought <i>I</i> did everything for my wedding!</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsD8LcNeNKWIBKurfCQhCXx_wWGuBMb5dhArwy3Ki4FR90rvZGjrNuLA1t1FU96VVKvKLAe8OS145mVCUbEI-6wcEVDiSgSLZrIm94OsJt6DmiWTqH5DNR-KLf1IsqhuK9HdhfqH_Jxad/s1600/wedding+dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsD8LcNeNKWIBKurfCQhCXx_wWGuBMb5dhArwy3Ki4FR90rvZGjrNuLA1t1FU96VVKvKLAe8OS145mVCUbEI-6wcEVDiSgSLZrIm94OsJt6DmiWTqH5DNR-KLf1IsqhuK9HdhfqH_Jxad/s320/wedding+dip.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Have a great day everyone...and to quote my friend Karen before we wrap this up... </b><i> </i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_zlToOxHR72vcSkvmkTz5nYi2Ajf7sbaHwP8tH4rPlka3FvfNpi_8VsZ-VIQEATJHdimDl5GiZokiqmK5ZvkVRF5dGdkAsVf998W6iC2VclkoPz4KM8gRgr-ioQttIjsbWaDU3Dpb3OV/s1600/20150605_025830%25280%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_zlToOxHR72vcSkvmkTz5nYi2Ajf7sbaHwP8tH4rPlka3FvfNpi_8VsZ-VIQEATJHdimDl5GiZokiqmK5ZvkVRF5dGdkAsVf998W6iC2VclkoPz4KM8gRgr-ioQttIjsbWaDU3Dpb3OV/s200/20150605_025830%25280%2529.jpg" width="112" /></a></i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"</i><i>
DON'T BE SO STRESSED OUT THAT YOU PUSH EVERYONE AWAY. IT DOESN'T HAVE
TO BE PERFECT. SOMETIMES THE BEST PART IS THE IMPERFECTIONS. FIND
THINGS TO MAKE THE WEDDING UNIQUELY YOURS. DON'T BE AFRAID TO DO THINGS
OUTSIDE THE BOX. AND MOST OF ALL, DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!" </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfZNpa_8C_zBqoUV-4fg0JYai6Ru5fxw0IayqbnaY4zGxqzNW-7KG_Q2vzSdfhyphenhyphenFktPqsbA4ar2BO6LF4JX0HvBzsn0Eqqs3KXaEKqdV2SQndtv279Li-fxV08E-tdnHjK939lSRDn_Wd/s1600/20150604_032328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfZNpa_8C_zBqoUV-4fg0JYai6Ru5fxw0IayqbnaY4zGxqzNW-7KG_Q2vzSdfhyphenhyphenFktPqsbA4ar2BO6LF4JX0HvBzsn0Eqqs3KXaEKqdV2SQndtv279Li-fxV08E-tdnHjK939lSRDn_Wd/s320/20150604_032328.jpg" width="320" /></a></i> </i>
</div>Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-63088713858319637262015-07-21T00:39:00.000-07:002015-07-21T01:12:07.751-07:00The First Dance...With Myself...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3286" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3286" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World's Eye View - <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13661.Victor_Hugo" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Victor Hugo</a></div>
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<b><i><u>Wedding Music...</u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
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I am still daydreaming about my wedding day, still feeling that gown swirl around my ankles, and still hearing that spectacularly fun wedding play on in my head. I wish the night never had to end but the great part is, my wedding day has opened the door to many more fun nights, first dances and memories to share.</div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11229374_1061484033885201_4394074504560348474_n.jpg?oh=9411e8808d198b0014e771ffafa093aa&oe=565BE2C3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11229374_1061484033885201_4394074504560348474_n.jpg?oh=9411e8808d198b0014e771ffafa093aa&oe=565BE2C3" width="320" /></a></div>
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Brandon and I chose "Music of my Heart" by N*SYNC and Gloria Estafan as our first dance - I'm a 90s girl at heart! <br />
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Picking the first day took some thought - what song did we feel really summed up our journey together?</div>
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Listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blz-npEbOHA</div>
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Picking one song certainly can't do the crazy story of our relationship any justice, but it was a lovely first dance! </div>
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That lead me to thinking...in the spirit of trying to pick the “perfect” first dance song that attempts to sum up an entire relationship in a few minutes, I’d love to do a post featuring your comments on the question, “If you had to pick a ‘first dance’ song with yourself, what would it be?” The intent is to share a song that would be your “love song to yourself” – what do you love most about you, what song sums up where you are right now?</div>
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<b><i>A while ago I asked some fellow bloggers which song they would choose as their own first dance. Read on for quite the playlist!!!</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFfUsX1EzqjgdIQMpSIqL0qFZkqve-DlsQW094iLNWSxUu9re0yZ7IPdUyeM2yqk5f1kHTJAbUn2dicGK3rFHxuhkG4vzwiPsoC63Ib_E4J7PbIoEMAjvka_fugs3K5-4awj0Z0fSdgf2/s1600/from+your+trunk+to+mine.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFfUsX1EzqjgdIQMpSIqL0qFZkqve-DlsQW094iLNWSxUu9re0yZ7IPdUyeM2yqk5f1kHTJAbUn2dicGK3rFHxuhkG4vzwiPsoC63Ib_E4J7PbIoEMAjvka_fugs3K5-4awj0Z0fSdgf2/s320/from+your+trunk+to+mine.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">My First Song...With Myself!</span></u></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="background: #F6F7F8;">"My song would be
"Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion. </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8;"><i>I'm just now learning how
to truly love who I am and what I stand for. For so long I've struggled with
poor self-esteem and worried about what people thought about me.<br />I'm still working towards being completely and freely myself and embracing all
the wonderful things that life has to offer without worrying about what other
people think. It's a long road, but I'm finally on it and moving forward."</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8;">Listen to it here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve4XD4LveU0."><span style="color: windowtext;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve4XD4LveU0</span><span style="color: windowtext;">.</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8;">- Colleen Jonger</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8;"><i>"Our first dance was to
Lauren Wood's Fallen. I would choose it again in a heartbeat, old school
romance."</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8;">- Sam Taylor <a href="http://www.pomegranatedays.co.za/">www.pomegranatedays.co.za</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #F6F7F8;">Listen to it here: <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_xHP9l3xX0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_xHP9l3xX0</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>"Right now, the song that sums up
my life and how I feel about it all is Verge by Owl City ft. Aloee Blacc! I am
just about to officially finish my freshman year of college, I have had so many
new experiences and I can feel myself starting to come together and I love it.
I know I still have a long ways to go in terms of really finding myself and
figuring out who I am as an overall person, but I am enjoying the process and I
am beyond grateful for that. To paraphrase/quote the song, 'I can see my whole
life ahead of me and I know that is my time'."</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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- Mikkaela
Salamatin <a href="http://thesouthwesternprepster.blogspot.com/">thesouthwesternprepster.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Listen to it here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP95wwpOm9s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP95wwpOm9s</a></div>
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<i>"I'd pick Brooklyn Girls by Catey Shaw! I've been trying to
get my confidence up and I'm pretty happy being single right now. It's the
perfect kind of carefree "jump up and dance" song. </i><i>Of course, if I had to pick my a wedding song for my actual
wedding - it would either be So Close by Jon McLaughlin or The Next Ten Minutes
from The Last Five Years :)"</i></div>
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- Stephanie Jennssen, <a href="http://www.thelovelyessentials.com/">www.TheLovelyEssentials.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Listen to So Close: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH8WAoRL1xo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH8WAoRL1xo</a></div>
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The Next Ten Minutes (Amy's note - I LOVE this musical!!!) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWGjUKyffM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWGjUKyffM</a></div>
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<i>"'Hear Me Roar' By Katie Perry. <span style="background: white;">Lately I have been rediscovering myself. This song is
a reminder to me I am unique and powerful."</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">- Cassie Celestain
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<i>"The song Alfie is my recommendation. It's p<span style="background: white;">ossibly my favorite song of all time. truly sums up
love and the meaning of life.."</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">- Samantha Preis <a href="http://www.samanthapreismusic.com/">http://www.samanthapreismusic.com/</a></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Listen to it here: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKt4IWKy1mU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKt4IWKy1mU</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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(Amy's note - Sam is also an amazing singer-songwriter herself!)</div>
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<i>"Ours 13 years ago was Brian
McKnight's "Back at One". This part...<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Say farewell to the dark of
night<br />
I see the coming of the sun...<br />
I feel like a little child<br />
Whose life has just begun.<br />
You came and breathed new life<br />
Into this lonely heart of mine.<br />
You threw out the life line<br />
Just in the nick of time.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>...meant most to me, she
actually cried when I wanted to pick the song!"</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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- Tom Shewbridge <a href="http://www.amedicsworld.com/">www.amedicsworld.com</a> Listen to it here:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKe3I6YpY_I%C2%A0"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKe3I6YpY_I </a></div>
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<o:p>*wiping away tears* Thank you so much for all who participated - I've got some great new songs to check out now! </o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj0VzL1U_SFD5HsgKXTyy4js-n1q7zvMY4SxjlHvN7I9OEDv-HpBlJm_8VKGTy7HV0rxtBR2CilEyWj7JjS5xr0so4syhKzvgNW8t5uFlTqIkTTILSO_zkyyW8mC_wSKe4lqDh5ZkgLRg/s1600/love+gives+you+wings.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGj0VzL1U_SFD5HsgKXTyy4js-n1q7zvMY4SxjlHvN7I9OEDv-HpBlJm_8VKGTy7HV0rxtBR2CilEyWj7JjS5xr0so4syhKzvgNW8t5uFlTqIkTTILSO_zkyyW8mC_wSKe4lqDh5ZkgLRg/s320/love+gives+you+wings.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p>And now it's <i>your</i> turn...</o:p></div>
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<o:p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">What is your song, your anthem, your song to yourself? </span></i></b> </o:p></div>
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<o:p>Think about it, and let me know!</o:p></div>
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<o:p><b><i><u>Before I Go...</u></i></b></o:p></div>
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<o:p>IN the spirit of wedding music, here's a medley I serenaded my husband with...</o:p></div>
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<o:p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuk-HalNT-c&feature=em-share_video_user">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuk-HalNT-c&feature=em-share_video_user</a></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11012951_1061484053885199_7390879433397252399_n.jpg?oh=140d275c4240bb94396babb4b30d2cdd&oe=56181C66" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/11012951_1061484053885199_7390879433397252399_n.jpg?oh=140d275c4240bb94396babb4b30d2cdd&oe=56181C66" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p>Here's a pretty hilarious song that my brothers wrote to me...</o:p></div>
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<o:p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwWkqXYLj-4&list=PLqqhtI1i5QxdvX6H9ZwpG0lQP3I_aVN04">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwWkqXYLj-4&list=PLqqhtI1i5QxdvX6H9ZwpG0lQP3I_aVN04</a></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11667367_10100349397940828_2264927968817635888_n.jpg?oh=9a5c2cc2041a6a843e690de4673ac66d&oe=561DD152" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11667367_10100349397940828_2264927968817635888_n.jpg?oh=9a5c2cc2041a6a843e690de4673ac66d&oe=561DD152" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family! My three awesome brothers wrote a pretty epic song for me...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p>And it wasn't easy picking the perfect song to dance with my father either. You can read about my struggle to show gratitude for the real hero in my life here!</o:p></div>
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<o:p><a href="http://www.bonbonbreak.com/how-to-dance-with-your-father/">http://www.bonbonbreak.com/how-to-dance-with-your-father/</a></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://cdn.bonbonbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/how-to-dance-with-your-father.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.bonbonbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/how-to-dance-with-your-father.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Without music, life would be a mistake.” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1938.Friedrich_Nietzsche" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">Friedrich Nietzsche</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/19234046" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Twilight of the Idols, Or, How to Philosophize With the Hammer</a></i></o:p><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/19234046" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbTPEOx21RJY3AaDhTUpXRLYOdq4B82DmiaV4gf9QKRSpu4_0EFFsq81kMbMfsR9a3Y07n0JTlp_oOtjoRtzbUMbQMr5WGRwsHNeVbMkmTMTqyjAu0coO-6xd0QR9-ZyLvaKfCbBGwQH1/s1600/IMAG4755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbTPEOx21RJY3AaDhTUpXRLYOdq4B82DmiaV4gf9QKRSpu4_0EFFsq81kMbMfsR9a3Y07n0JTlp_oOtjoRtzbUMbQMr5WGRwsHNeVbMkmTMTqyjAu0coO-6xd0QR9-ZyLvaKfCbBGwQH1/s320/IMAG4755.jpg" width="181" /></a></i></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-43780988997383446742015-07-19T23:26:00.000-07:002015-07-19T23:26:55.207-07:00Make Your Own Inchies!<div dir="ltr">
“Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”
<br />
―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/875661.Rumi">Rumi</a>,
<i>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/965212">The Essential Rumi</a>
</i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/13" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CAN'T DISTRACT - AMYOES.COM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
I love creating inchie art, and in dire medical circumstances, this was
the best way to express my uneasiness in the midst of uncertainty.Each
individual inchie expressed a fear, worry or concern I had about my
future. I called this "Can't Distract" because I was unable to take my
thoughts away from this anxiety. Rather than deny these thoughts, I
made art from them. Suddenly, they became less scary.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjlnfB2UGrzFd1zIbxlUfgs1TNM-5aZqU-76uBv3Pq2LEI4VqdjeFjmB6ePj33pRzcPqZWlWS7M1cvOlmbvAhxbjOkUe-3zw55dP0t1cfy20Lcomo5de2HnwR5tKYtrcZnaBobiGVh_dr/s1600/20150615_092732.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjlnfB2UGrzFd1zIbxlUfgs1TNM-5aZqU-76uBv3Pq2LEI4VqdjeFjmB6ePj33pRzcPqZWlWS7M1cvOlmbvAhxbjOkUe-3zw55dP0t1cfy20Lcomo5de2HnwR5tKYtrcZnaBobiGVh_dr/s320/20150615_092732.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the endless wonder of inchies...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I was very excited to do another guest post for Brea Getting Fit on how to<a href="http://breagettingfit.com/2015/07/09/rainy-day-art-project-inchies-tutorial/"> make your <i>own</i> inchies</a> !</div>
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<a href="http://i0.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/inchies-tutorial.jpg?resize=683%2C1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i0.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/inchies-tutorial.jpg?resize=683%2C1024" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
You can learn how to <a href="http://i0.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/inchies-tutorial.jpg?resize=683%2C1024"><i><u><b>make your own inchies here.</b></u></i></a><br />
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<a href="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?resize=700%2C1000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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I love posting for Brea, who runs an awesome blog! You can also see my simple little steps for accessing your own creativity on a post I first did for her: <a href="http://breagettingfit.com/2015/06/10/7-simple-steps-to-find-your-creative-side/"><i><u><b>Seven Simple Steps To Finding Your Creative Side.</b></u></i></a></div>
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<i><u><b><a href="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?resize=700%2C1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i2.wp.com/breagettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/7-Simple-Steps-To-Find-Your-Creative-Side.jpg?resize=700%2C1000" height="320" width="224" /></a> </b></u></i></div>
So thanks Brea for let me share some art and simple tips again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpwRzUJAzJUsIHe7mZeCSMFyvye7HqDZom7pEBLts0JyYRDiWguci60iP0QhQO22OvDYNwjKNyoVa8QXQcR4obcWdm3NU_GMefumcj83GHr5MaHZtjXm33zGuQq5W_CMuDAnwQwbL7IPs/s1600/20150615_092709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpwRzUJAzJUsIHe7mZeCSMFyvye7HqDZom7pEBLts0JyYRDiWguci60iP0QhQO22OvDYNwjKNyoVa8QXQcR4obcWdm3NU_GMefumcj83GHr5MaHZtjXm33zGuQq5W_CMuDAnwQwbL7IPs/s320/20150615_092709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Inchies can be sad, joyful, funny, random, and most importantly, little thumbnail sketches of you life. Go ahead, make some, and let me know what you come up with!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjma_BxFPsOOomaXZsT9n0aOp_vrgHuf_UWGiZhryGgWwsrU7DiQtXZVlozspO7I3msQXJNXbO0_GswT8cBMJP71GiDYpNLTDindHn0IIQCwhpW7pS4OtveeHpSRAOQhxFRMZfH1Px_3/s1600/20150520_122619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjma_BxFPsOOomaXZsT9n0aOp_vrgHuf_UWGiZhryGgWwsrU7DiQtXZVlozspO7I3msQXJNXbO0_GswT8cBMJP71GiDYpNLTDindHn0IIQCwhpW7pS4OtveeHpSRAOQhxFRMZfH1Px_3/s320/20150520_122619.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94EidWou0QZWh4XulEI8JHSbEfkcglou6MeBkvo1-Y34TWn5JyE1Q4qAUPWISnIWyf0yM-Bt7rbCizNtEQp88hvrfsDqa4uSD9ujdVDyNhyhXRXpeNNMdl5ode1EmkCUot4IgH3vGE7vg/s1600/20150520_122613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
If you follow my board <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/amyoes70/show-me-your-heart/"><i><u><b>Show Me Your heART on Pinterest</b></u></i></a>, I'll invite you to post your creations there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lyu5esFuUr1FHDAeyuxpz_2G4wTEb58_JHk1A1h1K50lHDjyYnVtsEMVZu9kNUclhGSI3exCtnWPL0-EhXH8CZJ42NCT33oAq2MSQC0ZXLPgXkQcTuquSgsskXN-_GsW2UJRr-UttxRr/s1600/20150520_122607-ANIMATION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Lyu5esFuUr1FHDAeyuxpz_2G4wTEb58_JHk1A1h1K50lHDjyYnVtsEMVZu9kNUclhGSI3exCtnWPL0-EhXH8CZJ42NCT33oAq2MSQC0ZXLPgXkQcTuquSgsskXN-_GsW2UJRr-UttxRr/s320/20150520_122607-ANIMATION.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEjma_BxFPsOOomaXZsT9n0aOp_vrgHuf_UWGiZhryGgWwsrU7DiQtXZVlozspO7I3msQXJNXbO0_GswT8cBMJP71GiDYpNLTDindHn0IIQCwhpW7pS4OtveeHpSRAOQhxFRMZfH1Px_3/s1600/20150520_122619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>These are my own mixed media inchie
pins - I love inchie art - I find that it is a very fun way to make
little thumbnail collages - a moment in time, portrayed visually. I've done a lot fun work with inchies - you can see a few of my bigger pieces in my <a href="http://amyoes.com/Artist/InchiesGallery"><i><u><b>Inchies Gallery.</b></u></i></a></div>
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/061/0/11129026/il_570xN.791076769_oxa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/061/0/11129026/il_570xN.791076769_oxa7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/061/0/11129026/il_570xN.791076769_oxa7.jpg" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Now my inchies celebrate the joy in my life. You can also have them yourself on my<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238023542/mixed-media-customized-inchie-pins?ref=shop_home_active_1"><b> <span style="font-size: large;">Etsy shop</span></b></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<span style="font-size: large;">“Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not. ”
<br /> ―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3253.Pablo_Picasso">Pablo Picasso</a>,
<i>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2231454">Pablo Picasso: Metamorphoses of the Human Form : Graphic Works, 1895-1972</a>
</i></span><br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238023542/mixed-media-customized-inchie-pins?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"></a></div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-24343367737244904102015-07-15T21:12:00.000-07:002015-07-15T21:12:03.660-07:00Do one thing that scares you. Reflections on camping (which I did not do. Because it scares me.)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt</b></i></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/59" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/59" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting My Sky - <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In case you haven't noticed, I like nature.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4ibhaj7mG-Pc_gi3b501uw_wOSC69LR5ImA8qChjZNY4ifwIMlRW73HAQAHOEAVdrXEAfTlzltEdY0CyV4Pky60UDO8KOd6nTKJTn7W8uy1hFj83ua4PNV637YlBVraWjUmH_V9dN0me/s1600/WP_20150322_21_21_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4ibhaj7mG-Pc_gi3b501uw_wOSC69LR5ImA8qChjZNY4ifwIMlRW73HAQAHOEAVdrXEAfTlzltEdY0CyV4Pky60UDO8KOd6nTKJTn7W8uy1hFj83ua4PNV637YlBVraWjUmH_V9dN0me/s320/WP_20150322_21_21_15_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJqVO55C04t_0sWT-HJMQh9d8VyayQPWZLWGx3r-3Uvc0bW_LdGFC7_aMuIPm_WBf7jdQWgkHq1bIWKv-QMQXArTGz3pzuquU3ztuRiGZkt6bx0ITrakC1hd4aI8bnsdtEwj5vMKsQ1CW/s1600/10985273_10153242954609658_3981176551742771180_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<i><b> </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>A lot.</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMvj14Yc5H6X4n5n68egDfCsBRXCE0T_oWAHiULMAMFt11nrHTQPwJc8FsHw4t33gmE5qfIDVRft6-Avf0zAGzLbOFH8IRGrw7LRhHmlj0hyX3NYNBbboMYT9s85bhwxQFVLl44pxezcp/s1600/11182144_10153363591698777_6915416987306082014_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMvj14Yc5H6X4n5n68egDfCsBRXCE0T_oWAHiULMAMFt11nrHTQPwJc8FsHw4t33gmE5qfIDVRft6-Avf0zAGzLbOFH8IRGrw7LRhHmlj0hyX3NYNBbboMYT9s85bhwxQFVLl44pxezcp/s320/11182144_10153363591698777_6915416987306082014_n.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I write about it a lot too. <a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/1003">A lot of reflective essays. </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjI-GGV699dIeC0A9OaeJpUMnofbDQbTd5wgDL8QuGw7fYEfbZAwRAfiPSuH_08MnDEKmzF0niFQetWUUjalEbGT88SNilZYOTDuMzbrynF33kVL_dQrOJUTxaswzrB4w0U5d_7lkttXn/s1600/Together+We+Can+Reach+Stars+IMG_0407+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjI-GGV699dIeC0A9OaeJpUMnofbDQbTd5wgDL8QuGw7fYEfbZAwRAfiPSuH_08MnDEKmzF0niFQetWUUjalEbGT88SNilZYOTDuMzbrynF33kVL_dQrOJUTxaswzrB4w0U5d_7lkttXn/s320/Together+We+Can+Reach+Stars+IMG_0407+%25281%2529.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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I wrote poems in homage to them...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://creativedreamers.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/intrusion-a-poem/">Intrusion - a poem</a> </div>
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<a href="https://creativedreamers.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/from-your-trunk.jpeg?w=540" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://creativedreamers.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/from-your-trunk.jpeg?w=540" width="259" /></a></div>
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Even some <a href="http://songs.../">songs...</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJqVO55C04t_0sWT-HJMQh9d8VyayQPWZLWGx3r-3Uvc0bW_LdGFC7_aMuIPm_WBf7jdQWgkHq1bIWKv-QMQXArTGz3pzuquU3ztuRiGZkt6bx0ITrakC1hd4aI8bnsdtEwj5vMKsQ1CW/s1600/10985273_10153242954609658_3981176551742771180_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJqVO55C04t_0sWT-HJMQh9d8VyayQPWZLWGx3r-3Uvc0bW_LdGFC7_aMuIPm_WBf7jdQWgkHq1bIWKv-QMQXArTGz3pzuquU3ztuRiGZkt6bx0ITrakC1hd4aI8bnsdtEwj5vMKsQ1CW/s320/10985273_10153242954609658_3981176551742771180_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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I love taking nature walks. But I'm pretty terrified of camping.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjBsjSdZaq5kMrVPXUeREHQ3dJe44tW-sIwPNjtFsnPx5lClhq-TVHLx_Mh7_UGSBcDRA0-cmalcQ6cBJfmb9sTosrS1Rxmrl1c9-L9K_605YuDd5r6cdajMuo7-C8MslKX-CB3LD9XM_/s1600/11046648_10153255044134658_2121247411418155388_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjBsjSdZaq5kMrVPXUeREHQ3dJe44tW-sIwPNjtFsnPx5lClhq-TVHLx_Mh7_UGSBcDRA0-cmalcQ6cBJfmb9sTosrS1Rxmrl1c9-L9K_605YuDd5r6cdajMuo7-C8MslKX-CB3LD9XM_/s200/11046648_10153255044134658_2121247411418155388_n.jpg" width="110" /></a></div>
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(shrieekkkk!! ahhh!!!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsum4RmHF9WMo0so-eBnDy3_lwQzGm0tnb2lPpNMmrBw8qJ6Ii681utOWJm7Jy7nlikJPCRPyUpPts67MMUcefzuiiyfwiQ-f_v7oeEk6lEVkeLQSJHzaDwx6LWQMCyimqXRGmvxjoM07/s1600/20150426_154240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsum4RmHF9WMo0so-eBnDy3_lwQzGm0tnb2lPpNMmrBw8qJ6Ii681utOWJm7Jy7nlikJPCRPyUpPts67MMUcefzuiiyfwiQ-f_v7oeEk6lEVkeLQSJHzaDwx6LWQMCyimqXRGmvxjoM07/s320/20150426_154240.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't have any traumatic experience that was camping related. I've been to summer camp. But I think I pretty much stayed in the Art Barn.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegDpE1XZ6ucqKfOxKwmCSJSDW90fwPaNLD5pSrcGJSdQnmhqBpXg3He0ASaStntvnlqfPtcD3UbbssIQ3LdTI20w1EfglpefvgqBxP96f28BDDLoO7CUm07M4p2PT6OXnM9WOBLzIbOyL/s1600/11149428_10153280840649658_3176475269707794361_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegDpE1XZ6ucqKfOxKwmCSJSDW90fwPaNLD5pSrcGJSdQnmhqBpXg3He0ASaStntvnlqfPtcD3UbbssIQ3LdTI20w1EfglpefvgqBxP96f28BDDLoO7CUm07M4p2PT6OXnM9WOBLzIbOyL/s200/11149428_10153280840649658_3176475269707794361_n.jpg" width="110" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm scared of camping because I've never been. And I'm always preaching about trying new things. But I think of camping, and I think woods, tent, no bathroom, woods, sleeping in woods, bears, etc.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdNW2GnNLU9UhWhRaVWS7t78WtU5V6H_7sRv1_QrSpfMyKRFxKQlaTNmXIy-SFPCLE0xj-YCQ9I5zePrQGWyxNsGatt0KNzB1f6D3EzGxL_m5SAGMTTnvm1buMPLxBSSrc_k5iAkOZhOU/s1600/IMG_2762.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdNW2GnNLU9UhWhRaVWS7t78WtU5V6H_7sRv1_QrSpfMyKRFxKQlaTNmXIy-SFPCLE0xj-YCQ9I5zePrQGWyxNsGatt0KNzB1f6D3EzGxL_m5SAGMTTnvm1buMPLxBSSrc_k5iAkOZhOU/s320/IMG_2762.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCvvKVds9wNrKOOUkVh5Tc1iayiWXvAOUDeSrIi008o-SbkqKzFdgHqBYXHuikwQrPR3Px3FDbOcrc1Nu79gN9KnKhRkQ1gb85wVB9TyZK_X2d-duCT3P7FhRPzQCkxv2F7u56jPbHUIg/s1600/IMAG3264.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
however, I'd like to introduce to you someone who has camped, and came out triumphant...even triumphant enough to offer a blog post about it - pretty cool, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHmKxUhuXhoUWExPFTaj5cCqf58aWFmZ1E36aSVdZojVlv3EouzdEUrvoX45C58AgK8bWp0pd3HZH3nHzbtbsPKrnQOxqAHL0z840FEepv4QHBIH4lJWlt9LN4yY-q2_To1MJDCsUdtTZ/s1600/11139424_10153275117309658_5499243759449843807_n+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHmKxUhuXhoUWExPFTaj5cCqf58aWFmZ1E36aSVdZojVlv3EouzdEUrvoX45C58AgK8bWp0pd3HZH3nHzbtbsPKrnQOxqAHL0z840FEepv4QHBIH4lJWlt9LN4yY-q2_To1MJDCsUdtTZ/s320/11139424_10153275117309658_5499243759449843807_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I hope you enjoy her reflections on camping, and today...what's one thing that scares you? Make one little step towards doing it. My little step is publishing this point - which means<b> <i>I support this message! :) :) :)</i></b></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>I'd love to introduce a fellow blogger, Jessie from <a href="http://ourhappyhouses.com/"> OurHappyHouses.com</a>! Jessie's<br /> had a great time camping in some beautiful nature spots, which you can read more about on other blog. She's also going to share a bit of a recipe that is making me want a firepit and a long roasting stick right about now...</b></i></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5iQirHql9lKQPCHYPupC_A96OEzH20hhrIloD85FSMFXAd56kR4I7sHc-B0Xp9LJvym39Kk1tcBM7wxZmymm-v8i6V-3dfg8OPX-Muj73i8L_m5buiyOJ4J0KuxsDXVgEU1FA_NYfr_Q/s1600/nature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5iQirHql9lKQPCHYPupC_A96OEzH20hhrIloD85FSMFXAd56kR4I7sHc-B0Xp9LJvym39Kk1tcBM7wxZmymm-v8i6V-3dfg8OPX-Muj73i8L_m5buiyOJ4J0KuxsDXVgEU1FA_NYfr_Q/s320/nature.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">I
just got back on July 4th from a week of camping all over Michigan. I
wrote a lot about that on my blog, but I saved something special for
Allspice & Acrylics! My friend Kerry went with me on the trip and
she came up with the idea of putting strawberries on Smores! This is
hardly a recipe, it's really more of an idea, but it is a great idea! A
simple and delicious idea. The strawberries brighten up the decadence of
a classic Smore, allowing you to feel less guilty about eating 2 or
3...or 7.</span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGA8V3n1btny7KJNxLC9aRazS4gh_hm5cbbLFlxGUw-2bsym7QgO1XJHtxSrLVZluilVG3OZPwtL0uBfzfGkTFEkUOMOMiI7uDXWPw9J-DWwtKunCpQ0200e6Q__o3d-rnsb816NVGqot/s1600/strawberry-smores.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOGA8V3n1btny7KJNxLC9aRazS4gh_hm5cbbLFlxGUw-2bsym7QgO1XJHtxSrLVZluilVG3OZPwtL0uBfzfGkTFEkUOMOMiI7uDXWPw9J-DWwtKunCpQ0200e6Q__o3d-rnsb816NVGqot/s320/strawberry-smores.jpg" width="244" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Smores are quintessential camping
food, and I usually eat at least 3 or 4 when I am sitting around a
campfire. It is one of the things that make camping and hanging out with
friends at a campfire so awesome. We did our fair share of that as we
camped throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It was the sort of trip
that you think warmly about in the middle of winter. The sun kindly
beamed at us as we drove over hills, through woods, and by beautiful
blue and green lakes.</span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVQvaKaRNYFejI21fLXh159LgL3oY-zomvISG9FrH7gzUld0jwSOSe1ipbYu0uOwElNWPBd6toSEISqRzpRG7Py4FBgM9uwgdheIAGRAp7FfJ2Cm9Ewvv5EU3MOdrEil7E6YFVMOrZqf/s1600/wildflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVQvaKaRNYFejI21fLXh159LgL3oY-zomvISG9FrH7gzUld0jwSOSe1ipbYu0uOwElNWPBd6toSEISqRzpRG7Py4FBgM9uwgdheIAGRAp7FfJ2Cm9Ewvv5EU3MOdrEil7E6YFVMOrZqf/s320/wildflowers.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Being in
nature really relieves stress for me, and this tripped helped me to
realize that about myself. Normally I have a hard time shutting my mind
down and drowning out my endless To-Do list, but the crisp breeze from
Lake Superior and endless chirping of birds clears my mind and allows me
to experience the kind of peace I haven't had since I was a child with
no responsibilities or concept of the world. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">With
everyday life being as chaotic as it is, I think people could really
benefit from taking a step back from society and culture to just look
around and see what a beautiful place the world can be. I think people
wouldn't be in such a rush to everywhere if we just realized that simple
pleasures like sitting by a lake or walking down a trail can be
peaceful, rewarding and worth slowing down for.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;">Needless
to say, I recommend taking the time to get out of your routine, head
into nature, make some Strawberry Shortcake Smores, crack a few beers
open and allow your self the privilege of unwinding and enjoying being
alive! </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f905bae4b085f067297b01/t/54e6055be4b030ea3a7f6b16/1424360798227/menu?format=500w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Thanks Jessie! You should definitely brose around Jessi's blog - two of my favorite posts are<a href="http://www.ourhappyhouses.com/blog/2015/6/29/even-pretty-girls-get-bullied">A Negative Mind Will Never Give You A Positive Life</a> and a <a href="http://www.ourhappyhouses.com/blog/2015/2/19/dry-erase-menu-board">DIY Dry-Erase Menu Board</a> - which for me would just say food, any food, all day. But still, love the idea! <br /> <a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f905bae4b085f067297b01/t/54e6055be4b030ea3a7f6b16/1424360798227/menu?format=500w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f905bae4b085f067297b01/t/54e6055be4b030ea3a7f6b16/1424360798227/menu?format=500w" height="200" width="150" /></a></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>And in the spirit of summer, she also gives a great recipe for an easy<a href="http://www.ourhappyhouses.com/blog/2015/4/2/easy-plum-and-blueberry-upside-down-cake"> upside-down blueberry and plum cake</a> - thanks Jessie!</b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f905bae4b085f067297b01/t/551eb56be4b00fd1a1b3aa6f/1428075889991/Plum+and+Blueberry+Upside+Down+Cake?format=500w" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f905bae4b085f067297b01/t/551eb56be4b00fd1a1b3aa6f/1428075889991/Plum+and+Blueberry+Upside+Down+Cake?format=500w" height="320" width="113" /></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u><b>Before I Go...</b></u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Alright folks, be sure to do one thing that scares you today! Even if it's little :)</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsERJDUYGnLEJv4fllFq4Dbua9Xc9JOJACWbotg5JZSmGwx512n-vtfmEViFL6ohgP45tL1jcctSkMideQ5sv-zt5pRM6Whb5DmI5sxYJ37IYnqfIO5JxOsAc7fz3Ou5auQmLXnRjZcvJ/s1600/20150424_131249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsERJDUYGnLEJv4fllFq4Dbua9Xc9JOJACWbotg5JZSmGwx512n-vtfmEViFL6ohgP45tL1jcctSkMideQ5sv-zt5pRM6Whb5DmI5sxYJ37IYnqfIO5JxOsAc7fz3Ou5auQmLXnRjZcvJ/s320/20150424_131249.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-54572977386875836832015-07-14T06:03:00.005-07:002015-07-14T07:58:33.059-07:00Artful, Heart-full Success: What's Your Secret?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“If you dare nothing,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">then when the day is over,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">nothing is all you will have gained.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1221698.Neil_Gaiman" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Neil Gaiman</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2219449" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Graveyard Book</a></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mixed Media Lamp <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">Success...some musings</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u>I'</u>ve been doing some thinking about what success means to me. I've reached a milestone in my life - I've just gotten married, I'm half-way through my college career, and my life's passion blended with my life's beautiful detour have taken me in breathtakingly new directions in terms of my career and my goals.</div>
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<br /></div>
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When we say "I want to be successful", what are we looking for? Happiness, Stability, fulfillment of our core values? Satisfaction?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8c0mSjn83yCEtwuDvRljgrvdvlEdRszDk1OCAex00L4taPNHkAIiXKpiFXJNn5miXD5UXyGvZs896K9Kck7xvgZrOrpSZQ4a-b1-apRHnMfkDGtLaedLQOmQY2IHHVzoUW2k9y3i-Ye6/s1600/IMAG0634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8c0mSjn83yCEtwuDvRljgrvdvlEdRszDk1OCAex00L4taPNHkAIiXKpiFXJNn5miXD5UXyGvZs896K9Kck7xvgZrOrpSZQ4a-b1-apRHnMfkDGtLaedLQOmQY2IHHVzoUW2k9y3i-Ye6/s320/IMAG0634.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's more art up in my <a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/MixedMediaGallery/1">Gallery today!!! Check it out :)</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I write a bit about finding success,<a href="http://sharpheels.com/2015/06/luck-and-happiness/"> luck and happiness for Sharp Heels.</a></span></div>
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<i>Here's a bit of it...</i></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b>Thoughts and Motivation on Regaining – and Keeping – Them After Misfortune </b></span></div>
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“I wish I were happy.” We’ve all been there. We look back on our childhood memories, or those of an old boyfriend from ten years ago, stare at old photographs fondly, and dote on what we mistily-eyed regard as “better” times, thinking, “I was happy then…why can’t I be that way now?”</div>
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I still miss old times; after all, don’t we all come across childhood photos, and wish that things could be as simple as a fourth-grade talent show or a Polaroid snapshot of a family dinner? I still go through family albums occasionally, captivated by that innocent childlike “happiness” beaming from every smiling red-eyed kid in the pictures.</div>
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But what exactly <i>is</i> happiness? Does it come and go, but still feel the same way in your heart every single time? Or does it grow, evolve and mold into different forms at each stage of your life? Can you ever get it back once you lose it?</div>
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Read the rest of the article on <a href="http://sharpheels.com/2015/06/luck-and-happiness/">Luck and Happiness HERE.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC87S1mi6cwszJLceGdFfsB9zh1jHlDyrX6cRsb2s8i1193w_WUHTeE39Y9SmiusO8af4TkwuforuVBHOQ50xTkCuDf5zlVV5l8DzAzVRkxt6dINtTr8hUs6QMFgPYAHCHJOVifnJYDPhJ/s1600/IMAG0636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC87S1mi6cwszJLceGdFfsB9zh1jHlDyrX6cRsb2s8i1193w_WUHTeE39Y9SmiusO8af4TkwuforuVBHOQ50xTkCuDf5zlVV5l8DzAzVRkxt6dINtTr8hUs6QMFgPYAHCHJOVifnJYDPhJ/s320/IMAG0636.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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Once we're successful, are we automatically happy? Or is success an insatiable need, some kind of momentum that keeps us going, and forever reaching? </div>
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On Lifehack.org there was an article about the <a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/fifty-habits-of-highly-successful-people.html">50 habits of successful people</a>. What do you think?</div>
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<a href="http://cdn-media-1.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2008/05/team-work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn-media-1.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2008/05/team-work.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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I'm going to define it as a small metaphor. Success is finding satisfaction in the little things. Nature, family, values...and it's also diving into that one project you've been intimidated by.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT-0kWmBV8G-WWy05DTUGVjl1z9x9hiP63n5dSifCKbgiFNBi6TYQM2uVRMjhSFPvdFV5pEwIDSNDf3UFaIe2yQ5iyw9NNob8SlM2mO4pH_Rr47ld0Ytn-yqH5na34XrEetMe91ojbWQI/s1600/IMAG0635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT-0kWmBV8G-WWy05DTUGVjl1z9x9hiP63n5dSifCKbgiFNBi6TYQM2uVRMjhSFPvdFV5pEwIDSNDf3UFaIe2yQ5iyw9NNob8SlM2mO4pH_Rr47ld0Ytn-yqH5na34XrEetMe91ojbWQI/s320/IMAG0635.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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Case and point: I bought a lampshade for $10. I wanted to do something with it but had no idea what to do. I wanted to branch out artistically. I made a mixed media lamp. And that was my small success for the day :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQigU7JV1pISi7GgxWI9gl5p-mZlhKbl9HhzRaiu5PD4P8SITbNqTnJte9VVDTAWRqPfZ8ZuMb73O3m4IQi2WQxP00yLL-_Rc9MlTUrVtU0rKRL_B18-wPxfkUjm-ybAqNXtRRCBRm1uF/s1600/20150413_135502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQigU7JV1pISi7GgxWI9gl5p-mZlhKbl9HhzRaiu5PD4P8SITbNqTnJte9VVDTAWRqPfZ8ZuMb73O3m4IQi2WQxP00yLL-_Rc9MlTUrVtU0rKRL_B18-wPxfkUjm-ybAqNXtRRCBRm1uF/s200/20150413_135502.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VHXkorP60a45ATQcMkvZIkfoF2UG8Br1gW1ih5QRDj3vJa3S896YBE6QT_DwamkY1yI6_PtLGr244t8mJSgMT799aBLzakPCeJHTb2XV-hEnTivPx20DWF9KXhqE5iJy4z76sDlbRG3U/s1600/20150413_135506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VHXkorP60a45ATQcMkvZIkfoF2UG8Br1gW1ih5QRDj3vJa3S896YBE6QT_DwamkY1yI6_PtLGr244t8mJSgMT799aBLzakPCeJHTb2XV-hEnTivPx20DWF9KXhqE5iJy4z76sDlbRG3U/s200/20150413_135506.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQtIEo0cM4tq5CaYjTTkADF5uSMe5tJunnzfuVjv1Pj7qZU8o6ZqbjPN_9vN25q5bbUjt1p7SZBSNJzi6oRVQBZFe4DmDa7qRBXYkQfHNmtRFBR0S8g85-aySM8dB4oEnNO7OoB0gl3xX/s1600/20150413_135514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQtIEo0cM4tq5CaYjTTkADF5uSMe5tJunnzfuVjv1Pj7qZU8o6ZqbjPN_9vN25q5bbUjt1p7SZBSNJzi6oRVQBZFe4DmDa7qRBXYkQfHNmtRFBR0S8g85-aySM8dB4oEnNO7OoB0gl3xX/s200/20150413_135514.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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I wrote a poem about success I'd love to share with you. Let me know what you think - </div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>What does success mean to you?</b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">Success</span></u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u>By Amy Oestreicher</u></i></b></div>
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<b><i><u>2015</u></i></b></div>
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Success is getting up and starting the day<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is getting through a different way<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is accepting a hard way to feel<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is embracing what’s now and what’s real<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2XMHMo0e5QfICZI3JCkHr3V9XuHFOGka8FD2R3Zb1olgurioDJmYVR61T4p2T5BL-bZqfPPsSk_Kb8eQWC9M93chNg4QuCr1M3tyr6Xktp5tUYpzy-T1il__LoXqLUYTNrtV3BGK8n4z/s1600/IMG_20150401_112237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2XMHMo0e5QfICZI3JCkHr3V9XuHFOGka8FD2R3Zb1olgurioDJmYVR61T4p2T5BL-bZqfPPsSk_Kb8eQWC9M93chNg4QuCr1M3tyr6Xktp5tUYpzy-T1il__LoXqLUYTNrtV3BGK8n4z/s320/IMG_20150401_112237.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Success is making yourself smile when you’re down<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is a soul-nourishing lunch date downtown<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is a good talk with your family<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is a small step towards self-discovery<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3311" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3311" width="213" /></a></div>
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As you go through this weekday’s lengthy routine<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s easy to put up a filter or screen:<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’ll never get better, I can’t do this right – <o:p></o:p></div>
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All I do is struggle from day until night.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutQVRzlzwc_AP3J74xbwd-u7fx0e2gS5cTKdx-neIXiB9wQcfGnryedE56hdtHkwsV6K46ABSC6Ags4px_cEnNQQSNkBeAt5Ynma3VRPyM8Q2k7aGKkXeYvaedWwqnGI63ll_i2INe7SD/s1600/20150410_124034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutQVRzlzwc_AP3J74xbwd-u7fx0e2gS5cTKdx-neIXiB9wQcfGnryedE56hdtHkwsV6K46ABSC6Ags4px_cEnNQQSNkBeAt5Ynma3VRPyM8Q2k7aGKkXeYvaedWwqnGI63ll_i2INe7SD/s320/20150410_124034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don’t let small slips taunt or make you lose hope<o:p></o:p></div>
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Or tempt you to quit or unhealthily cope<o:p></o:p></div>
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Just focus on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one</i>
action that you can work towards<o:p></o:p></div>
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That may turn a wall into wide-opened doors<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3312" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3312" width="213" /></a></div>
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Courageously passionate, keen and consistent <o:p></o:p></div>
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As long as you press on – be brave and persistent<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do not get discouraged from one awful instant<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don’t pity yourself or become numb and distant<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMHOu8i86A2ixUJNBEFqjA9xsSAtEWET5C_xh2lbJPig8qhNPxvNaWAO5ghZMPxT5cG3dVWyL6BYlVxjebke5Mi6jN8YjmkdKBdyEv0vUDzdJz73Cjbo_qaLMi7uD7ZSXsQlVYcGX75Ni/s1600/20150413_131308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMHOu8i86A2ixUJNBEFqjA9xsSAtEWET5C_xh2lbJPig8qhNPxvNaWAO5ghZMPxT5cG3dVWyL6BYlVxjebke5Mi6jN8YjmkdKBdyEv0vUDzdJz73Cjbo_qaLMi7uD7ZSXsQlVYcGX75Ni/s320/20150413_131308.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Because you succeed when you never give up<o:p></o:p></div>
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Your own back is patted, half-filled is your cup<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tell yourself “Perhaps I could have done things better,<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I will just exhale, get myself together,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3312" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3312" width="213" /></a></div>
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I’ll process what happened, forgive myself, then<o:p></o:p></div>
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Take one more breath and start over again.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Success is acknowledging how far you’ve come<o:p></o:p></div>
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When you’re hungry from more, remember where you started <o:p></o:p></div>
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But don’t get hung up on one thing that went wrong<o:p></o:p></div>
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Learn from events, then keep moving along<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having passionate dreams is exciting but rough - <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whatever you do might not feel like enough<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3313" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3313" width="213" /></a></div>
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We all need a confidence boost sometimes<o:p></o:p></div>
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When struggles appear without reason or rhyme<o:p></o:p></div>
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So listen up, your inspirations not far - <o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you know how strong and determined you are?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNZJxbHEiEDoojuXVnUYSMH4CNrD8_9dxozXsFOE9efWAlQ_ndngg542UCHlX_YtHdFj7TzPVD9yP6bS3ewwvECceQAszpIqPcZYuzwLPCMivBiIHt6hqRlYuCcVJEwoXnFAL3bznA6vi/s1600/IMAG4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNZJxbHEiEDoojuXVnUYSMH4CNrD8_9dxozXsFOE9efWAlQ_ndngg542UCHlX_YtHdFj7TzPVD9yP6bS3ewwvECceQAszpIqPcZYuzwLPCMivBiIHt6hqRlYuCcVJEwoXnFAL3bznA6vi/s320/IMAG4497.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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YOU’RE your own hero in this wondrous story<o:p></o:p></div>
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Each tiny success amounts to epic glory<o:p></o:p></div>
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Name three things that you did today that surprised you<o:p></o:p></div>
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Did you let your intuition guide and advise you?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3314" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3314" width="213" /></a></div>
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Did you execute plans with a slickness and slyness<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Or initiate some random act of great kindness?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Remember that no one is perfect or steel<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We’re just flesh and blood, and our struggles are real<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvieJbFwkTsl02u5p_A5Rz9qrCUefkAuKt28fycMLU-fzTbWJbCmVDgrf2vsbdwjeZ0RJWwkDqi8wl5LFijOH1X-UTliQHso4uEqySF0R0qp2ht-2uqXAf1Wow2c1HiPhsWoCTGmH7x2n/s1600/IMAG4656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvieJbFwkTsl02u5p_A5Rz9qrCUefkAuKt28fycMLU-fzTbWJbCmVDgrf2vsbdwjeZ0RJWwkDqi8wl5LFijOH1X-UTliQHso4uEqySF0R0qp2ht-2uqXAf1Wow2c1HiPhsWoCTGmH7x2n/s200/IMAG4656.jpg" width="113" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We’re fragile like glass, though we’re tough like tree bark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We’re specks in this world, but we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> make our mark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So do one thing meaningful, something inspiring<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Do something with all the skills you’re acquiring<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3315" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3315" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Keep your mind open – face NOW with a “YES”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Just being receptive to all life’s success<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Succeed by giving thanks to your little errors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Succeed by confronting life’s fears and small terrors<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tv1lnmKpA1fwou5oTYPmw7hXk21rMnT8ig9tL9jc6RAi2kFGMn8_6TU9FCL84LWX4HLf30XlW6NmCpgnoivpnHlAnrQ_5NWGv9WJbNxYMOBSnCwYfqH9pCZOm7Rsj6jMZFsnnVreLAuq/s1600/20150413_135536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Tv1lnmKpA1fwou5oTYPmw7hXk21rMnT8ig9tL9jc6RAi2kFGMn8_6TU9FCL84LWX4HLf30XlW6NmCpgnoivpnHlAnrQ_5NWGv9WJbNxYMOBSnCwYfqH9pCZOm7Rsj6jMZFsnnVreLAuq/s320/20150413_135536.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you keep beating up yourself for your faults<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You’ll run ‘round in circles – a get-nowhere waltz<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Lift up your chin and keep moving ahead<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Don’t curl in a ball and crawl back into bed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3316" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3316" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
You struggled – so what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each blessed moment is new<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
What you choose to do with it’s all up to you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So decide right now, do you want to succeed?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Allow your own progress at a steady speed?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Your mind has the power to defeat or commend you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Don’t let your thoughts discourage, hurt or offend you<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Know that you’re trying your best to reclaim<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Your beautiful self – there’s no guilt here or blame<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3317" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3317" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
There’s bound to be thorns in a garden of flowers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
We can’t do it all right in 24 hours<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So focus on ONE thing that you did today<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
To flaunt all your values in one bold display<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Just asking for help is a way to succeed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Success is examining what you truly need<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
So start off this morning and boldly express<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
That you are the picture of health and success!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“...maybe sometimes it's riskier not to take a risk. Sometimes all you're guaranteeing is that things will stay the same.” </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50428.Danny_Wallace" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Danny Wallace</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">, </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/950286" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Yes Man</a></i>Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-27714296244123285102015-07-13T01:00:00.000-07:002015-07-13T07:04:30.699-07:00Forever Gutless, Forever Grateful<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_m_IfrLmkw8zBtEDeKv1OtZMHL4Nqp9AKoW9Z2LDzhm0MxfUGFpqvhqyDhUx6cSQ4mjj-gSfVRONvoSrXyyULj1N_wBA_M5pbFPBfVjEPHFyToZqHaipS50Vn27hfyvGL7oCkuDD0blX/s1600/WP_20150226_21_35_39_Pro__highres.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_m_IfrLmkw8zBtEDeKv1OtZMHL4Nqp9AKoW9Z2LDzhm0MxfUGFpqvhqyDhUx6cSQ4mjj-gSfVRONvoSrXyyULj1N_wBA_M5pbFPBfVjEPHFyToZqHaipS50Vn27hfyvGL7oCkuDD0blX/s320/WP_20150226_21_35_39_Pro__highres.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mixed media - <a href="http://amyoes.com/"><i>amyoes.com</i></a></td></tr>
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<i><span class="bqQuoteLink">Keep
your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and
belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication.
Remember all things are possible for those who believe.</span></i><br />
<i>
</i></div>
<div class="bq-aut" style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Gail Devers</i></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;">Happy Monday! And here's a fun start to your week...</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.amyoes.com/Newsletter/Archive/2015/7/13">Discover, Inspire Create #16</a> is out this morning - you can read my newsletter here, but be sure to go to amyoes.com to sign up for next week's edition!!!</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYRVkADv2E0QOWg6pZhapQTskRS5BrnIUaLf30iWY61FkNJdaKnkGs39YuWrsdNeLLLCtNi7OI3FEh7ZGtyxinJjzXfxEN5Oi0zCdpEm1_SRseMdkReNl1rF_P6VVD-5QANvLw3DdO5Or/s1600/IMG_20150322_110551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYRVkADv2E0QOWg6pZhapQTskRS5BrnIUaLf30iWY61FkNJdaKnkGs39YuWrsdNeLLLCtNi7OI3FEh7ZGtyxinJjzXfxEN5Oi0zCdpEm1_SRseMdkReNl1rF_P6VVD-5QANvLw3DdO5Or/s200/IMG_20150322_110551.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; color: purple;">Read it here: <a href="http://www.amyoes.com/Newsletter/Archive/2015/7/13" style="background-color: white; font-style: italic;">http://www.amyoes.com/Newsletter/Archive/2015/7/13</a></span></b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<i><u><b>Tales of a Theatre Geek...</b></u></i><br />
Here's something I bet you didn't know about me...<br />
<br />
(or maybe you did.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10354892_10153250014369658_2431387684453013845_n.jpg?oh=6e2f71aca265047082075132c327a6fc&oe=5625A431" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10354892_10153250014369658_2431387684453013845_n.jpg?oh=6e2f71aca265047082075132c327a6fc&oe=5625A431" width="110" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm musical theatre geek - I've been obsessed since childhood and always have been.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQiRjTm0Vrdr7upWhXzPZ4BD0OCbtVqqnv5xHkq_DwI3zuhdNIgK8ctS64GKphYYDPKYp-TPcmKVcGQLFCs5Yg3uO-ea0Dyf-oqfzIY5vuPoxH01eDw1kEJv5e-sGtPyQ-E7oTJTHpj9H/s1600/WP_20150226_21_36_47_Pro__highres.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQiRjTm0Vrdr7upWhXzPZ4BD0OCbtVqqnv5xHkq_DwI3zuhdNIgK8ctS64GKphYYDPKYp-TPcmKVcGQLFCs5Yg3uO-ea0Dyf-oqfzIY5vuPoxH01eDw1kEJv5e-sGtPyQ-E7oTJTHpj9H/s320/WP_20150226_21_36_47_Pro__highres.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Polarities - by me, mixed media</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was a piece of art I made for myself to show the polarities I felt between my "sick self" and my "theatre loving old self". When I awoke from my coma, I was still singing musical theatre songs in my head, yet was faced with a new tune of beeping machines and loud ventilators. The disparity was difficult for me to process.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvALRCD3N_8mrzogSmJqkX4AskOxWXjPOj_h8RFmkHFaGaMBLi4WVtzKpIzSqoGwA1kOrcFKG4aKmISLng9_ZbgaioiFluuJyDEDtLaDjPnsCUBPZdVbN8mJIzlciainuDOTbZoAHGvzYH/s1600/Broken+Open+16+x+20+IMG_0473.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvALRCD3N_8mrzogSmJqkX4AskOxWXjPOj_h8RFmkHFaGaMBLi4WVtzKpIzSqoGwA1kOrcFKG4aKmISLng9_ZbgaioiFluuJyDEDtLaDjPnsCUBPZdVbN8mJIzlciainuDOTbZoAHGvzYH/s1600/Broken+Open+16+x+20+IMG_0473.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I created a lot of art to express the two halves of me I was experiencing after my coma.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Eventually, I was able to combine these two parts of me into a one woman show which expressed my honest journey from a coma, to the imperfect-but-fulfilled state I'm in now. I was especially excited to write for Ms. Millennia Magazine about the makings of my autobiographical one woman show <i>Gutless & Grateful.</i><br />
<br />
I've talked about it before, but never really elaborated on how this was a baby-dream of mine in my old hospital days - back when doctors didn't even know if I'd be able to walk or talk again.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Forever Gutless, Forever Grateful</b></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>By Amy Oestreicher July 2015 </b></i></span></span></div>
<i>Read the full article here:</i><br />
<a href="http://missmillmag.com/millennial-mindset/forever-gutless-forever-grateful/"><b>http://missmillmag.com/millennial-mindset/forever-gutless-forever-grateful/</b></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://manhattanwithatwistdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/amy-oestreicher-in-gutless-grateful-a-second-helping.jpg?w=490" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://manhattanwithatwistdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/amy-oestreicher-in-gutless-grateful-a-second-helping.jpg?w=490" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It all started with a dream...<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">I grew up doing musical theatre.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;">
</span><span style="color: #351c75;">Let me rephrase that. I grew up thinking my life was a musical. Call
it the “theatre bug”, call me a “drama queen” or a great big ham – I
lived for the world of the stage. For me, singing and acting were ways I
could connect with the world around me. When I took a deep, grounded
breath from my gut, I sang what my heart longed to express. I found
comfort in the words of my favorite composers. I read scripts like they
were novels. I would play with my playbills from various shows I had
seen like they were my Barbie dolls. Through theatre, I had a place in
this world. I could make believe by inserting myself into characters
from every era, situation and mindset, while still expressing my own
individuality.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">
</span><span style="color: #351c75;">I was the kid who got sent to the principal’s office because when the
teacher left the room, I would jump on her desk and start tap-dancing. I
was the girl who forced every unwilling classmate to join me in a <em>Les Miserables</em> medley, assigning them their designated parts to pass the 30-minute school bus ride.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">
</span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://missmillmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/263a532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Amy starring in her one-woman musical, "Gutless and Grateful"" class="size-medium wp-image-40020" src="http://missmillmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/263a532-300x300.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Amy starring in her one-woman musical, “Gutless and Grateful”</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_40020" style="width: 310px;">
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #351c75;">
</span><span style="color: #351c75;">Even all the way up to high school, I was the theatre-girl. It was my
identity, my passion, my livelihood. I sacrificed my social life and
gave up many opportunities to immerse myself in what I loved.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;">
</span><span style="color: #351c75;">I’ve always been warned not to put all of my eggs in one basket, but
theatre ran through my veins – it was all I thought about, lived and
dreamed. I’d write songs in my assignment notebook as I waited for the
school bell to ring, then hop on the train to the next open call I’d
read about in Backstage. When I fought with my brothers, I could only
debate with them if we could do in the spirit of a musical theatre duet.
<i><b>They weren’t so keen on that.</b></i></span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a class="u112c9f0d98754290560bdf7a22bcb9c9" href="http://missmillmag.com/relationships/5-ridiculous-services-can-use-prank-people/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a></span><br />
<div style="padding-left: 1em; padding-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a class="u112c9f0d98754290560bdf7a22bcb9c9" href="http://missmillmag.com/relationships/5-ridiculous-services-can-use-prank-people/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="ctaText"></span><span class="postTitle"><br /></span></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><a class="u112c9f0d98754290560bdf7a22bcb9c9" href="http://missmillmag.com/relationships/5-ridiculous-services-can-use-prank-people/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
</a></span></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
<i><b>So what do you do when you’ve invested everything into your passion and
you can’t follow it anymore</b></i>?</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"> I’ve always thought about what would a
world-concert pianist would do if he injured his hand, or a dancer
breaking a leg… </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.t2conline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/get-attachment-1.aspx_5-300x224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.t2conline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/get-attachment-1.aspx_5-300x224.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #351c75;">…but sprains heal and wounds can eventually mend. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;">Dire circumstances
felt much more long lasting; when at 18 I awoke from a coma. Although
the medical staff—that suddenly became everyday faces—was more concerned
about keeping my organs and me alive, I was still trying to grapple
with one frightening new concern:</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Would I ever be able to sing and dance on stage again?</strong></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Yka4o7Bu0Uu7VtA5iGFNvq6eYIyaK5PBjUw2nWO9kwN7RJWODYYz-7xyMNXrW5sJqWTMeRPSIgEhRzNejNKEXihekCC9p4m55r-4cUDIx0W_BXryKQCd1lkkNFMIsd9Xz9axvkrAfRu/s1600/340799_10150602709799658_500205866_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4Yka4o7Bu0Uu7VtA5iGFNvq6eYIyaK5PBjUw2nWO9kwN7RJWODYYz-7xyMNXrW5sJqWTMeRPSIgEhRzNejNKEXihekCC9p4m55r-4cUDIx0W_BXryKQCd1lkkNFMIsd9Xz9axvkrAfRu/s320/340799_10150602709799658_500205866_o.jpg" width="240" /></a> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So that's a littl<u><i><b>e</b></i></u> teaser for you, bu<span style="font-size: large;">t <u><i><b><a href="http://missmillmag.com/millennial-mindset/forever-gutless-forever-grateful/">you can read the rest of the article HERE!</a></b></i></u></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i><br /></i></u></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u><i><b>(And watch a <a href="https://youtu.be/-RbxtLjXOxU">two minute teaser of Gutless & Grateful here!) </a></b></i></u></span><strong> </strong></span></div>
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The point of my story is that <i>anything is possible - </i>and not just in the inspirational poster kind of sense...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa4NJGi085Xrf2vKQQMcGiR_S_bp2P3outHrasQPX635eCPK3s_sh1XhK96KCi33s0o8T3HuJn7gVxruRTihblYoEzR04ppq4PIOSa22g-qEcEnJMqXQW2RsipUFwxNvigpSodL3Fj2wB/s1600/20150507_111819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa4NJGi085Xrf2vKQQMcGiR_S_bp2P3outHrasQPX635eCPK3s_sh1XhK96KCi33s0o8T3HuJn7gVxruRTihblYoEzR04ppq4PIOSa22g-qEcEnJMqXQW2RsipUFwxNvigpSodL3Fj2wB/s320/20150507_111819.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
I spent months in hospitals with not only doctors telling me to basically invest in new dreams. When nurses looked at my long legs and said "You mst have been a dancer", corrected them with "I AM a dancer" and they looked at me sadly, laughed nervously and changed the subject.<br />
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<i><b>But I didn't let that stop me.</b></i><br />
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So, I hope my article for Ms. Millennia gives someone out there hope to achieve that one thing that they - or people aroundo them - is telling them is a pipe dream. Pipe dreams can happen if you hope hard and work harder. Make hope an active thing.<br />
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When I was in a coma for months, the nurses left me on my right side for months and never turned me. As a result, I got horrible neuropathy on my right leg. At first, I couldn't even move my leg. Physical therapists told me to be patient because the nerves only grow a milimleter a month.<br />
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(That's worse than watching paint dry, right)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8jz-ZQFiwVTX9281gCPAg2ZMFYDRdbFZo_yT3idZgREtgvZUhcJhUClXejA4P86stpJ-F1BxFCIQFdoWOfXlnaI8oQ-LnU6MqjMUrb6Nz896Z5Azh5BQV7cy4-220qGePjt_nLlgObyd/s1600/20150511_113953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8jz-ZQFiwVTX9281gCPAg2ZMFYDRdbFZo_yT3idZgREtgvZUhcJhUClXejA4P86stpJ-F1BxFCIQFdoWOfXlnaI8oQ-LnU6MqjMUrb6Nz896Z5Azh5BQV7cy4-220qGePjt_nLlgObyd/s320/20150511_113953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And I got my strength back in my right leg - but <i>very</i> slowly. To this day, it's a little weeker, but I've got many more months left in my and many more milimeters to grow - so it makes every day an adventure, and literally, an opportunity for growth!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOnC7nzwI_2wbyLO_cPFUcpw5llsUJilx1FppYNxTVUrZYbQef3D2Eyzwl31FpdH4UoDmF3ASC1BifLHSS1O6ww928nVgwg12TpcKwQfGkyxxMZ1XAOxprBlgpH6e552XkWpBqL448E4i/s1600/20150514_100449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOnC7nzwI_2wbyLO_cPFUcpw5llsUJilx1FppYNxTVUrZYbQef3D2Eyzwl31FpdH4UoDmF3ASC1BifLHSS1O6ww928nVgwg12TpcKwQfGkyxxMZ1XAOxprBlgpH6e552XkWpBqL448E4i/s320/20150514_100449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><u><b>Before I Go...</b></u></i><br />
I did the impossible. But that's not an impossible task. Are you willing to believe that you can too?<br />
You can learn more about<a href="http://amyoes.com/Performer/GutlessAndGrateful"><i><b> my show Gutless & Grateful HERE. </b></i></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1uxVDp8Sf8MUp0AZKIwTDISmsUG4sdjDfR7EkeLllNOOsooygf00ps84kor8TouRPIZG0u8szI4D04uIcIisC5cCpzUcFG9QABL9STzfQwpuFsAsx6txQk3gLwKsxltCPRr2MDQu9c_0/s1600/FB_IMG_1424878182456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1uxVDp8Sf8MUp0AZKIwTDISmsUG4sdjDfR7EkeLllNOOsooygf00ps84kor8TouRPIZG0u8szI4D04uIcIisC5cCpzUcFG9QABL9STzfQwpuFsAsx6txQk3gLwKsxltCPRr2MDQu9c_0/s320/FB_IMG_1424878182456.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's true!!!</td></tr>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i><br />
<i><u><b>Dream it. Do it. And tell me about it!</b></u></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcHsK8Er4BB4FYqqzhUR81TVfihBwTXKA7puuCjaI7H1GaqJKHSvBGqS900uVhoZL-wR7HkvT1lIAC0kt0YIqnWRdCYqWgARYHHkWZgFIpq_9MuKLP8_4OW3Hp_NShNxgpEkF6f56wkqL/s1600/20150512_153357.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcHsK8Er4BB4FYqqzhUR81TVfihBwTXKA7puuCjaI7H1GaqJKHSvBGqS900uVhoZL-wR7HkvT1lIAC0kt0YIqnWRdCYqWgARYHHkWZgFIpq_9MuKLP8_4OW3Hp_NShNxgpEkF6f56wkqL/s320/20150512_153357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...</td></tr>
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<i><span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="qt_157864" title="view quote">Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.</a></span><br />
</i><br />
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<i>Og Mandino</i></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-74457336307992392502015-07-09T22:55:00.001-07:002015-07-09T22:55:55.295-07:00The Power of Place.<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Friday!!!</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>amyoes.com </i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3304" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3304" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Scene<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3304"> amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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<i><b><span class="bqQuoteLink"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="qt_383153" title="view quote">Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.</a></span><br />
</b></i><br />
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<i><b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="qa_383153" title="view author">Abraham Lincoln</a></b></i></div>
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<i><u><b>Having a Place...</b></u></i></div>
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Do you have a certain place in your life that you can go back
to again and again, and although you are different, something about you still feels the same? The power of <i>place</i> is an amazing thing. I got to write a bit about this feeling in a piece I wrote for Bon Bon Break - <a href="http://www.bonbonbreak.com/out-of-my-nature/"><i><b>Out of my Nature.</b></i></a></div>
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<a href="http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/28/100128-004-2A3B6CD2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/28/100128-004-2A3B6CD2.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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I've written about the magic I feel in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts many times - Over The Red Line Magazine just published my reflections on a favorite trip I took with my brother there. I find that whenever I choose to "go to my happy place" in my head, and findn a sense of calm, happiness, peace joy, and simpler times, my head goes right to those hills.</div>
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<a href="http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000xZSTZQAOOTo/s/750/750/MABSFL-1010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000xZSTZQAOOTo/s/750/750/MABSFL-1010.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgKo8vqQc9SmHFb4jDvIYeviYRGY0YFkMPULDR6u9decxIpegHVBSgwFcFFEbF5TH7GP1DfZqFExuyaAsjKfRIGT6bOfz-OwIYbZRSKtlmCwstJawaFh9etI0dsd0u59VuoSFf0qgY4gw/s1600/20150514_100702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Maybe seeing all of that lush greenery surround me at once is what my soul craves. Maybe it's the crisp air, the open roads, the yoga center up the road, the rustic and quaint town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx4qj5T5Y0pIhK53PPA9puEJFvtT0DU60UUhWR8yChBrNhsGr_VHJyHFYg8RBkVgU2D_G-hJVqEjUUdK8yqZcqykhT3wQ-pZsw2IZ8KHlDUqUSztyZdgvezLixuIL1q8WkioafkzMQDPI/s1600/1+The+Industrial+Road+to+New+Unknowns+Amy+Oestreicher.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx4qj5T5Y0pIhK53PPA9puEJFvtT0DU60UUhWR8yChBrNhsGr_VHJyHFYg8RBkVgU2D_G-hJVqEjUUdK8yqZcqykhT3wQ-pZsw2IZ8KHlDUqUSztyZdgvezLixuIL1q8WkioafkzMQDPI/s320/1+The+Industrial+Road+to+New+Unknowns+Amy+Oestreicher.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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Or maybe it's that it is a place I still have in my memory that is pure, simple and carefree, and now that I've gone through so much - medical things, and then just the everyday pains of getting older and dealing with more issues that we all face - and the Bershires represents more than a mere place - it represents a mindset for me, a daydream that has the power to transport me out of whatever is bugging me and back into a place of sunlight, birds chirping, and the scent of fresh summer grass.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bonbonbreak.com/out-of-my-nature/">You can read my writing for Bon Bon Break here.</a></div>
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But more importantly, I'd love to know - <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>what is the power of Place for you?</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgKo8vqQc9SmHFb4jDvIYeviYRGY0YFkMPULDR6u9decxIpegHVBSgwFcFFEbF5TH7GP1DfZqFExuyaAsjKfRIGT6bOfz-OwIYbZRSKtlmCwstJawaFh9etI0dsd0u59VuoSFf0qgY4gw/s1600/20150514_100702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgKo8vqQc9SmHFb4jDvIYeviYRGY0YFkMPULDR6u9decxIpegHVBSgwFcFFEbF5TH7GP1DfZqFExuyaAsjKfRIGT6bOfz-OwIYbZRSKtlmCwstJawaFh9etI0dsd0u59VuoSFf0qgY4gw/s200/20150514_100702.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Do you have a place you can come back to over and over again, whether just in your dreams or in actuality, and still feel that same feeling, even though you have changed?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_1u7vm_mMHljAKEQnaxsqnF8oIVQHj3ryZWQ5RUYVNBrhSIoZGS3jgAYtQnUJ1_UV_awPvuxdugeZ7npqWdHdUcLNqBQf4e4W1BKMZeSqmUAjGA7o-1E_mZ0YZ5vzbIjRi9TiJiQdSsh/s1600/IMG_2688.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_1u7vm_mMHljAKEQnaxsqnF8oIVQHj3ryZWQ5RUYVNBrhSIoZGS3jgAYtQnUJ1_UV_awPvuxdugeZ7npqWdHdUcLNqBQf4e4W1BKMZeSqmUAjGA7o-1E_mZ0YZ5vzbIjRi9TiJiQdSsh/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The power of Place. The world is huge. There is so much to take in, absorb, gather collect - that is where our insatiable need to explore, travel, learn, walk, live, sight-see. </div>
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To know that I have only seen a tiny wedge of our earth. That's the amazing thing. We are just so... small. </div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/105" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">This is a beautiful post from the Mother Nature Network:</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/too-beautiful-to-be-real-16-surreal-landscapes-found-on-earth">Too beautiful to be real? 16 surreal landscapes found on Earth </a></div>
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<a href="http://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2013/05/prismatic_springs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2013/05/prismatic_springs.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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And these are <a href="http://www.youramazingplaces.com/the-100-most-beautiful-and-breathtaking-places-in-the-world-in-pictures-part-1/"> The 100 Most Beautiful and Breathtaking Places in the World in Pictures</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youramazingplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.youramazingplaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/0.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
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But forget about all of that. The power of Place doesn't have to be three planerides away. Any place could have signicantly heavy meaning for you. For me, I'll always remember an old museum I grew up down the street from as a child. It was where I fbought my very first digital watch, and to me, it was a sign that I was really a "big kid"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BwvcuQ9RvygBWeiF54Dm9hpO42qHfy2QG3GfrXebAzJO6ehzqHuHgN-RZh4pRKuOCqjvDBd3P4FZ5UEJHA11lnCDMlrL17GjLv12hxsVGaiWWvMmIx1Tof_GGfsmY65dHNSmk-OocJH8/s1600/IMAG4041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BwvcuQ9RvygBWeiF54Dm9hpO42qHfy2QG3GfrXebAzJO6ehzqHuHgN-RZh4pRKuOCqjvDBd3P4FZ5UEJHA11lnCDMlrL17GjLv12hxsVGaiWWvMmIx1Tof_GGfsmY65dHNSmk-OocJH8/s320/IMAG4041.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
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So coming back there now to<a href="http://www.fcbuzz.org/events/visual-arts/14010/"> display my art in the museum's gallery i</a>s an extra special treat!!!</div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11403190_1637147726530058_435358207412534159_n.jpg?oh=74ed59bd8fc98c4ed7a4ddd8a529e017&oe=5620FCF6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11403190_1637147726530058_435358207412534159_n.jpg?oh=74ed59bd8fc98c4ed7a4ddd8a529e017&oe=5620FCF6" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10511282_1632064770371687_4493233143075932666_n.jpg?oh=7dcc85814863ded26f497d56a9e7e1d7&oe=5613A766" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10511282_1632064770371687_4493233143075932666_n.jpg?oh=7dcc85814863ded26f497d56a9e7e1d7&oe=5613A766" width="180" /></a></div>
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<i><u><b>Before I go...</b></u></i></div>
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Today, find that place where something resonates in your soul. It could be a place you remember fondly as a child...or, start now! Find a place that strikes you deep inside, and come back to it again and again..either by foot, by car, or by imagination....a powerful thing thing, you know!<i><u><b> </b></u></i> </div>
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Wherever something resonates in your soul - </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gIq3CgtgtGjD1yQ8L3ToEy5FZDmO4rJtOhKFmr1m1rKkEmu3JO3FCH4a3ckH3oNPxB9E77rPa2OyBM2yPiEf5upC9-BR_bO8612KTot53BDL46OMoGnyYj0xed32U7MtTgQeGRO9rhVG/s1600/20150510_144416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gIq3CgtgtGjD1yQ8L3ToEy5FZDmO4rJtOhKFmr1m1rKkEmu3JO3FCH4a3ckH3oNPxB9E77rPa2OyBM2yPiEf5upC9-BR_bO8612KTot53BDL46OMoGnyYj0xed32U7MtTgQeGRO9rhVG/s200/20150510_144416.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Ultimate meaning is not grasped once and for all in the form of timeless
idea, acquired once and for all, securely preserved in conviction. It
is not simply given. It comes upon us as an intimation that comes and
goes. What is left behind is a memory, and a commitment to that memory.
Our words do not describe it, our tools do not wield it. But sometimes
it seems as if our very being were its description, its secret tool. </div>
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<b>Oh and P.S. - so I made this painting years ago - I called it "Winter Meeting"...</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/105" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/105" width="320" /></a> </b></div>
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<b>I just saw this children's book at the bookstore - remind you of anything?</b></div>
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<img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttz4t2Gu5_Ot-ywACIlUvL9Pc-6G9uUmazYZaVe3N2YaKp87EswX8Pj0cTLhyphenhyphenZBv7vSQy_Xz-2_n7dCUCbmcRH4gKKdBB3rWRKy0lYVdpQBb1nFFWpQTP-u1Tf9HGuWZq03Hm7ptpXI-m/s320/20150623_173501.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<a href="http://cdn.makeuseof.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/inspirational.jpg?11624f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I'm <i>really motivated </i>to writing that children's book I've been dreaming about!!!</div>
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:)</div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-31057919065464694052015-07-09T04:41:00.000-07:002015-07-09T04:41:49.643-07:00Pursuing Happiness...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="justquote" style="background-color: transparent; color: #003366; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;">
Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness.
</div>
<div class="entry-cited" style="background-color: transparent; color: #003366; font-style: italic; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;">
<ins class="ezoic-before-el ezoic-bla-2-marker" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #003366; content: none; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- </ins>Harold Kushner
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6IEaHjmuaMr5PY7OH5k75r5CqSHESJBWTN7n5FAqJCKV0zmlak4Sp4QfIH9YogvI-vKeUKEH_jptTtHnMkktNivTCYSd_dIMWC8CfeRe5EiH6oD4IhDis7ZVgmfZm9XDi13Pq92ZM9ig/s1600/20150511_114513.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6IEaHjmuaMr5PY7OH5k75r5CqSHESJBWTN7n5FAqJCKV0zmlak4Sp4QfIH9YogvI-vKeUKEH_jptTtHnMkktNivTCYSd_dIMWC8CfeRe5EiH6oD4IhDis7ZVgmfZm9XDi13Pq92ZM9ig/s320/20150511_114513.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On the Today Show this week, there was an interview with some
filmmakers who are filming a documentary in search of the happiest
people in America. You can watch this extraordinary interview about
"Pursuing Happiness" <a href="http://www.today.com/video/filmmakers-search-for-americas-happiest-people-477963331830">in this TODAY show interview.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/473197/photo-original.jpg?v=1397811734&w=1536&h=1152&fit=crop&auto=format&q=92&s=b01603882a61ec9443465f84a99a6071" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/projects/473197/photo-original.jpg?v=1397811734&w=1536&h=1152&fit=crop&auto=format&q=92&s=b01603882a61ec9443465f84a99a6071" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div id="u12395-24">
"<span id="u12395-20">Pursuing Happiness</span>
is our diary of interviews with America’s happiest people. We asked the
300+ supporters of our Kickstarter campaign “who’s the happiest person
you know?” and travelled the country based <span id="u12395-22">solely </span>on those referrals, showing up at complete strangers homes with our cameras rolling."</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpnA4iqRtFdhv3zB8Uq3e028NcUlBcSqY4DFwV8_wnsnl6doQKDmEfZ1rTzGC7prFamfPuGHpE2_qveKanLCwYMGDcVV3CpmkrRL5sb8yUfmW1NVLkjnP4b4gtnPoZyxaRBnYaTdo-R19/s1600/20150428_144227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpnA4iqRtFdhv3zB8Uq3e028NcUlBcSqY4DFwV8_wnsnl6doQKDmEfZ1rTzGC7prFamfPuGHpE2_qveKanLCwYMGDcVV3CpmkrRL5sb8yUfmW1NVLkjnP4b4gtnPoZyxaRBnYaTdo-R19/s320/20150428_144227.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What makes YOU happy?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div id="u12395-24">
<br /></div>
<div id="u12395-24">
So...<i>who's the happiest person that YOU know?</i> </div>
<div id="u12395-24">
<br /></div>
<div id="u12395-24">
The show continued to discuss that the path to happiness involves gratitude, and random acts of kindness. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTpJKl3DhUTyfh68D5lVAchYTVLG15-FA_XHiXo_M-F2dDb0C4wSg__1h0fo9bEuZMyhwucYqvV7OYnb-Xs9WjhFaFw3kugxLgl1pwI4zirOncrSFk6JXgMRlCHDg6joIPcTnCBhy7HZL/s1600/20150507_190122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTpJKl3DhUTyfh68D5lVAchYTVLG15-FA_XHiXo_M-F2dDb0C4wSg__1h0fo9bEuZMyhwucYqvV7OYnb-Xs9WjhFaFw3kugxLgl1pwI4zirOncrSFk6JXgMRlCHDg6joIPcTnCBhy7HZL/s320/20150507_190122.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div id="u12395-24">
There
is actually an official website for <a href="https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/">Random Acts of Kindness</a> where you
can submit your own story, or even apply to become a <a href="https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/raktivists#application_form">RAKtivist</a> - why
not? Consider it a random act of kindness :)</div>
<div id="u12395-24">
<br /></div>
<div id="u12395-24">
Sometimes happiness comes in the simplest of things...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uBHkieztsIuT9fIGoFFRFfKlkIjTJxUeKOt1STYBxa6Jhw2s9rANY_fiAeKIZlakbHSf29EEk8zH1i4fMBaEegGFtPyYHwHOL1gYV-DKRtPLp-22uTLG3bpXhQydaINuRtXCo8rs8P3F/s1600/DSC_4635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uBHkieztsIuT9fIGoFFRFfKlkIjTJxUeKOt1STYBxa6Jhw2s9rANY_fiAeKIZlakbHSf29EEk8zH1i4fMBaEegGFtPyYHwHOL1gYV-DKRtPLp-22uTLG3bpXhQydaINuRtXCo8rs8P3F/s200/DSC_4635.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mother who gives the warmest hugs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pqMzmicH9fEo7-3KcZfqAAHl5VEjDYuunR1KeNRyuRJcSjt1KSs593wnovnS6rCA4g8qyg-45aYWyBLyQT1eYFZ4dheimv41ajyb2qbI28b3x5nLMAULbV-LX3vJv2T_-nIzQj-Ne8FE/s1600/IMAG3892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pqMzmicH9fEo7-3KcZfqAAHl5VEjDYuunR1KeNRyuRJcSjt1KSs593wnovnS6rCA4g8qyg-45aYWyBLyQT1eYFZ4dheimv41ajyb2qbI28b3x5nLMAULbV-LX3vJv2T_-nIzQj-Ne8FE/s200/IMAG3892.jpg" width="113" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fridge inundated with goodies...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUmVN7e85JrH3YpohlLaWAs0u2DaSRZHugExM-HajFnwWctQkalJyZY2M0L3W_tm23vyKzga43qCaGOcXYXd3UosH3tx9N0ksuQsaLbnL8s7zaGY4M69DJzGjR4_mBHfwQyRPfUl_gNrp/s1600/WP_20150403_18_21_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUmVN7e85JrH3YpohlLaWAs0u2DaSRZHugExM-HajFnwWctQkalJyZY2M0L3W_tm23vyKzga43qCaGOcXYXd3UosH3tx9N0ksuQsaLbnL8s7zaGY4M69DJzGjR4_mBHfwQyRPfUl_gNrp/s200/WP_20150403_18_21_56_Pro.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy first week or so of marriage :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LbhtIomnXtl60YmMa03Lr21jjEFgDUqurkLVSD8QqlAIuBNCfWtAlPizOSwFFh1xW_WytekxwymUF91pk5JZKiRtU1AqA_Ipl7eWVUF711U6ApYmFmvnc4Dk2cWTA5kCeSgCQ5ZO18jm/s1600/image_2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LbhtIomnXtl60YmMa03Lr21jjEFgDUqurkLVSD8QqlAIuBNCfWtAlPizOSwFFh1xW_WytekxwymUF91pk5JZKiRtU1AqA_Ipl7eWVUF711U6ApYmFmvnc4Dk2cWTA5kCeSgCQ5ZO18jm/s200/image_2+copy.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning to accept the body you have.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_Fy_rtY8yIRy2I2sSLbNSz12tAsxaQ80y_Adj90cGY3TpDhQYiv0dwSHtmS2cRj_0k5uFUsibWdj8CN0Ud_Kn61IQgEKV6nazx2yVR_5zE5pXRFGckvJKh5KC4lvw6L6j_SMo6TTyP_h/s1600/MVI_2837.AVI" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_Fy_rtY8yIRy2I2sSLbNSz12tAsxaQ80y_Adj90cGY3TpDhQYiv0dwSHtmS2cRj_0k5uFUsibWdj8CN0Ud_Kn61IQgEKV6nazx2yVR_5zE5pXRFGckvJKh5KC4lvw6L6j_SMo6TTyP_h/s200/MVI_2837.AVI" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beauty of the natural world around us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_CayhnCpYe3k0ZzPyJl1VCi2TkeA8BcVsazHTBRF-NpXAEDNnD6f4gfTLPP4P2nQEvMUkeyU9SXkfzK0eA6DzPbx8mYUHlWxUm-3b9m6S7nHDgWVV90NEGSWB166qhQRLUhh7H25solg/s1600/474739_10150910888784658_1549661696_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_CayhnCpYe3k0ZzPyJl1VCi2TkeA8BcVsazHTBRF-NpXAEDNnD6f4gfTLPP4P2nQEvMUkeyU9SXkfzK0eA6DzPbx8mYUHlWxUm-3b9m6S7nHDgWVV90NEGSWB166qhQRLUhh7H25solg/s200/474739_10150910888784658_1549661696_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Health and vitality</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRRyYnTjZ2KM2nlB72K7uGVak8kcqgkn5rQ8Wn9puT9C3MpJTl6Knp5ru6dXR2-P2w81R3VUfhs4CO0uqoiTbX6H_xwHuRATGxZMFeig20hVOIJrc20HykGtektntx7BSxbCJcxscuam0/s1600/IMAG3101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRRyYnTjZ2KM2nlB72K7uGVak8kcqgkn5rQ8Wn9puT9C3MpJTl6Knp5ru6dXR2-P2w81R3VUfhs4CO0uqoiTbX6H_xwHuRATGxZMFeig20hVOIJrc20HykGtektntx7BSxbCJcxscuam0/s200/IMAG3101.jpg" width="113" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKA6wnrAq9574r9gAlOvIQelvVoWh4_4ZhqePocfV3NVVeW5pHTQcsyqHg1zqluHDqzZhojM3yX_DlnJThbXeTn_enYqRNka0zhPE4fZJQ5MItD718EkIo8h1REeeKv6KKQ_InSoXfBACR/s1600/20150629_220614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKA6wnrAq9574r9gAlOvIQelvVoWh4_4ZhqePocfV3NVVeW5pHTQcsyqHg1zqluHDqzZhojM3yX_DlnJThbXeTn_enYqRNka0zhPE4fZJQ5MItD718EkIo8h1REeeKv6KKQ_InSoXfBACR/s320/20150629_220614.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having that special place in your heart, wherever it may be, where dreams really go come true...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmKQcf-HLzrwf5ENXfjqV5_LgU2oc-1PAEeArW6ipD3GnJa-Fw0KMBjNWOznowVe8A1fKlhzgsEhGRskvHqpj_wd3Qrr0mE1Kniv2HAxiErtO3me8ak6dhe4YT7s7VZ4cghR-ab2BUioB/s1600/20150427_183050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmKQcf-HLzrwf5ENXfjqV5_LgU2oc-1PAEeArW6ipD3GnJa-Fw0KMBjNWOznowVe8A1fKlhzgsEhGRskvHqpj_wd3Qrr0mE1Kniv2HAxiErtO3me8ak6dhe4YT7s7VZ4cghR-ab2BUioB/s320/20150427_183050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beauty that all things pass, and sometimes the good times just pass too quickly, which make you enjoy them that much more</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnRmObiPwnpCSWgvUGLXM8Jc4kEx0HHhyphenhyphenQIt6WmVbhqF_eJa5yZ18ugasMSydDW83iR01QoXAyWhctsQLe6XKZquzozTnUtby5xbe_cIDNodwvlN1-44PLl6cXHdrYzyBF_j8VmQrWmk/s320/20150601_074638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnRmObiPwnpCSWgvUGLXM8Jc4kEx0HHhyphenhyphenQIt6WmVbhqF_eJa5yZ18ugasMSydDW83iR01QoXAyWhctsQLe6XKZquzozTnUtby5xbe_cIDNodwvlN1-44PLl6cXHdrYzyBF_j8VmQrWmk/s320/20150601_074638.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or sipping hot chocolate from the perfect sized mug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's funny how we all connect to some kind of drinking glass, to the point where it "doesn't taste the same" if we don't have it. I got to participate in a fun feature on the <a href="http://www.funningupmylife.co.uk/2015/07/my-mug-and-i-with-amy.html">blog Funning Up My Life, </a><br />
talking about "My Mug and I"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JWwDZaFoPJDDQe7G9LH5jLI3GKmiMBwR3PDRcNEZU_GrOb_Afe05sMsj6ergeKi6hyA6RfNGpHzumGBQfxTb5cfQfsPzWhChunqa85sQfuKjjIki49uWRaV_0hBCwxhjcuVw5XpqpYw/s1600/IMG_4378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JWwDZaFoPJDDQe7G9LH5jLI3GKmiMBwR3PDRcNEZU_GrOb_Afe05sMsj6ergeKi6hyA6RfNGpHzumGBQfxTb5cfQfsPzWhChunqa85sQfuKjjIki49uWRaV_0hBCwxhjcuVw5XpqpYw/s1600/IMG_4378.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuw7QaHoSRdoINyE-Y3SOGYLNimvXU4WWBj3gMlGNitYN_AmQEEh8Z9zSEhBgYmi9Wft7PjhIJOUz2hOacFX6g4ueqigMyEj1eGT-INThEgUVtyaCiMOj_UT9peJVbQtdpTxgBQYrlB4/s320/20150601_074650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkuw7QaHoSRdoINyE-Y3SOGYLNimvXU4WWBj3gMlGNitYN_AmQEEh8Z9zSEhBgYmi9Wft7PjhIJOUz2hOacFX6g4ueqigMyEj1eGT-INThEgUVtyaCiMOj_UT9peJVbQtdpTxgBQYrlB4/s320/20150601_074650.jpg" /> </a></div>
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And of course, getting down to that dang art studio of mine...</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbzazNm5rpYHsDjDUtu4Vg-y7-EewQi5jFhg6kNkWr5080fTNO2ZqS8LURobQ0MYe8KhG52AgS7rwlxVBIdgFmLeeyH5yYGbYIfjZ9So2nHg0KDpETylU9z8EFZvo_X8Tu0SFaikqpoN2/s320/20150508_090249.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Painting is <a href="http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/from-patient-to-person-how-art-helped-me-find-my-identity-062915">my happy, my connection to life, gratitude and kindness, to my heart.</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixM9zt_MMJk5YivX5Favy13BSmXe12ehG6rD56LWqKvFYCFfhf3U9DWyvzGbFuSFFkqNI5S4_h5PtJWtDsz-rQyMmjJRWcYBRpFvq3VSW_-qXO1Vb569nFpDt36ohEEFElZRyT0yL-u28/s1600/20150511_114830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixM9zt_MMJk5YivX5Favy13BSmXe12ehG6rD56LWqKvFYCFfhf3U9DWyvzGbFuSFFkqNI5S4_h5PtJWtDsz-rQyMmjJRWcYBRpFvq3VSW_-qXO1Vb569nFpDt36ohEEFElZRyT0yL-u28/s320/20150511_114830.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfI8mbPGwOwSiHHm2V-80S2fZhHaTJZG5zI2D0OhGoYOnD4mp0-cLrE3kGq64sCXTqRBDFt0IL9bnZ_rP89SVi8ulsLReJv8msJ2AtuaROXSeSj9big1yMlluQhjHBwWprGxqcmQu9A0W/s1600/20150511_114312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>For me, <b>Happiness,</b> <b>Gratitude, Kindness</b> - they're all the same deal. Accept where you are now, and find <b>gratitude</b> for the world around you, wherever, however, whoever you are. And be <b>Kind </b>to
yourself - every time and at every random time you can think of - be
kind to others for no reason except that each molecule of this universe
and every soul you encounter is another part of yourself.. Let others
bring out the best in you. And thinking of all that, and how connected
that makes you become, how can you not be <b>Happy?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRyKLrwi8JPkgi236eMyE3XQaHcsv-RPdx-7eDzNIPC_AzVlTPo4qyW_9GP_Y1kVG0IRVvSGaKckTcRmsvL39v8RbLJfaY0h5vylcCkSg6B8jvqtg5Rg2-8Dc3mTYMBDRhbI-9TQ6vZbs/s1600/20150604_032305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRyKLrwi8JPkgi236eMyE3XQaHcsv-RPdx-7eDzNIPC_AzVlTPo4qyW_9GP_Y1kVG0IRVvSGaKckTcRmsvL39v8RbLJfaY0h5vylcCkSg6B8jvqtg5Rg2-8Dc3mTYMBDRhbI-9TQ6vZbs/s320/20150604_032305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfI8mbPGwOwSiHHm2V-80S2fZhHaTJZG5zI2D0OhGoYOnD4mp0-cLrE3kGq64sCXTqRBDFt0IL9bnZ_rP89SVi8ulsLReJv8msJ2AtuaROXSeSj9big1yMlluQhjHBwWprGxqcmQu9A0W/s1600/20150511_114312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><b>Before I Go...</b></i></a></div>
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<i><b><a href="http://www.creativity-portal.com/images/articles/amy-oestreicher/detour-t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.creativity-portal.com/images/articles/amy-oestreicher/detour-t.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b>I was </b></i>so excited to be featured o Creativity Portal for my art and creativity. When I was in the hospital, I used to peruse this site constantly for inspiration! Go check out <a href="http://www.creativity-portal.com/articles/amy-oestreicher/art-beauty-detours.html">Creativity Portal</a>, and be sure to check out my <a href="http://www.creativity-portal.com/articles/amy-oestreicher/art-beauty-detours.html">artist's profile! </a></div>
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<i><b> </b></i><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfI8mbPGwOwSiHHm2V-80S2fZhHaTJZG5zI2D0OhGoYOnD4mp0-cLrE3kGq64sCXTqRBDFt0IL9bnZ_rP89SVi8ulsLReJv8msJ2AtuaROXSeSj9big1yMlluQhjHBwWprGxqcmQu9A0W/s320/20150511_114312.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="justquote" style="background-color: transparent; color: #003366; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;">
I caught the happiness virus last night<br />
When I was out singing beneath the stars.
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<div class="entry-cited" style="background-color: transparent; color: #003366; font-style: italic; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;">
<ins class="ezoic-before-el ezoic-bla-2-marker" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; color: #003366; content: none; font-family: arial; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- </ins>Hafiz of Persia
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-42435169345956954802015-07-08T05:55:00.004-07:002015-07-08T05:55:54.035-07:00The Art of Life is Improvisation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="copy-paste-block" style="text-align: center;">
<div id="qt_121023">
Wednesday. ..<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">AmyOes.com</span><br />
<br />
Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.</div>
<div class="bq_fq_a">
<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/f/francis_of_assisi.html" id="qa_121023">
Francis of Assisi
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDsROMGWFxqQH4aFLK3T6vNT1EIzj6ed9YGwrLpd8MUJuNUwj9gZMuAlssAp3KWVr79q3XCf_CgG8jgYmhoYvVozoFfH7aGFzK6kLeIV6j7DQF368mlKxWAJJjgY5IWlamjnQcEJ9U5SQ/s1600/Childhood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDsROMGWFxqQH4aFLK3T6vNT1EIzj6ed9YGwrLpd8MUJuNUwj9gZMuAlssAp3KWVr79q3XCf_CgG8jgYmhoYvVozoFfH7aGFzK6kLeIV6j7DQF368mlKxWAJJjgY5IWlamjnQcEJ9U5SQ/s400/Childhood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">childhood<a href="http://amyoes.com/"> amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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You can say a lot of my work comes from sheer improvisation...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvR5mFDOYCd9MpSnAuiS0iaWz10jbTlTaE0G5l2UApsZ1cJb5pR3CmgUO6mV4CnhykqLs3WcNnFWmp0VMGHBrcG9gxIisQ0X8PIqOnA8S3q2SksaTHEZ9X06Sn8H29mP8pddozMGqIvgy/s1600/2011-05-09_16-37-15_923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UYGuS-vhqbwbCdHmiMuSCdpHIgu1SGDQXudrbmoZbHhBQLeNuj_MUqBPgoGshfOkIBkKGySsQP1TJdMHKJVGdRTA52sA8l9QYYDNZcFYjCGudpkmdnvZWZtUjT_9VefxUZl-uQ6zivQy/s320/2011-05-09_11-00-16_945.jpg" width="320" /> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UYGuS-vhqbwbCdHmiMuSCdpHIgu1SGDQXudrbmoZbHhBQLeNuj_MUqBPgoGshfOkIBkKGySsQP1TJdMHKJVGdRTA52sA8l9QYYDNZcFYjCGudpkmdnvZWZtUjT_9VefxUZl-uQ6zivQy/s1600/2011-05-09_11-00-16_945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I guess you can call it instinct too.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvR5mFDOYCd9MpSnAuiS0iaWz10jbTlTaE0G5l2UApsZ1cJb5pR3CmgUO6mV4CnhykqLs3WcNnFWmp0VMGHBrcG9gxIisQ0X8PIqOnA8S3q2SksaTHEZ9X06Sn8H29mP8pddozMGqIvgy/s1600/2011-05-09_16-37-15_923.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvR5mFDOYCd9MpSnAuiS0iaWz10jbTlTaE0G5l2UApsZ1cJb5pR3CmgUO6mV4CnhykqLs3WcNnFWmp0VMGHBrcG9gxIisQ0X8PIqOnA8S3q2SksaTHEZ9X06Sn8H29mP8pddozMGqIvgy/s320/2011-05-09_16-37-15_923.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Even in the kitchen when I'm cooking...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfvJmFYEYojMHELKg3B9ZRMOF36ZNMapXOn1aVthGqSWOqSoilI84RmiXJCTaggFphL354MQY0iSGcTjUyBhd-T9u7oGXWjVC0ODhpGRFKsRJHIUapkHuj5hO2s9uRcI_JUuZLP_hJXQf/s1600/2011-05-08_08-12-59_307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Although it "improv" doesn't always work as well when it comes to baking...</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTpmMIkXO-kKUcwdgiuYrbUUEdrfef9n6xPMq7bT_kE6NtET45m6ZSQemcNppOuk9OeAEbrMTL6hb0aSu_3u0FM7z4DQV-xYaLKMZo3E3UjAZSfDBGS44EKj1Tal6VIXjvL8kG-0Adej_/s1600/2011-05-09_07-48-30_169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTpmMIkXO-kKUcwdgiuYrbUUEdrfef9n6xPMq7bT_kE6NtET45m6ZSQemcNppOuk9OeAEbrMTL6hb0aSu_3u0FM7z4DQV-xYaLKMZo3E3UjAZSfDBGS44EKj1Tal6VIXjvL8kG-0Adej_/s320/2011-05-09_07-48-30_169.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Sometimes a formula has a time and a place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5iNPVT1LfLmrmbgsrzkGCdEHgi2ipDc1VwbXRIH3CTfmpYeVB7NxSgQcNZyyMgssqeANQG5z4aHbY6KSqQzbZ9KY8-qf_ldeUl6Rhnb-ckGOTQTHNJ80qxgwr9WY1FNhXSd2zMk2jsUc/s1600/2011-05-08_08-13-04_505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5iNPVT1LfLmrmbgsrzkGCdEHgi2ipDc1VwbXRIH3CTfmpYeVB7NxSgQcNZyyMgssqeANQG5z4aHbY6KSqQzbZ9KY8-qf_ldeUl6Rhnb-ckGOTQTHNJ80qxgwr9WY1FNhXSd2zMk2jsUc/s320/2011-05-08_08-13-04_505.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Like with still lifes...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGphJh11XVjltyFlkMhbpH03UzpbLfhO5DJDZ_Rx8_tuMHLgTfMaCa520RBk-ovXQ_KNVplDQ6M9LZ1NoXFicujGA22QiFLbW9qcGfuXA4YB_oZOcbS3xg3ApGI9xobVOHhEh9rsRZIfo/s1600/2011-05-25_20-10-26_136.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGphJh11XVjltyFlkMhbpH03UzpbLfhO5DJDZ_Rx8_tuMHLgTfMaCa520RBk-ovXQ_KNVplDQ6M9LZ1NoXFicujGA22QiFLbW9qcGfuXA4YB_oZOcbS3xg3ApGI9xobVOHhEh9rsRZIfo/s320/2011-05-25_20-10-26_136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although there is a sense of "improv" wondering what all those colors on your palette are going to end up doing...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5QJzIa6tgkiYlifPMlWO0Wj2GcRwMuHwbovG80nHZ-g7nDz63InB4q7dNOErnoJlhDMaNyT5iFrhq6qH_KS8V9_pc_sPOsQeiJ2BD-09C9MdElHS811Iw76cjV4CYNWlo70AAyMLoN0r/s1600/2011-06-03_14-26-31_57.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5QJzIa6tgkiYlifPMlWO0Wj2GcRwMuHwbovG80nHZ-g7nDz63InB4q7dNOErnoJlhDMaNyT5iFrhq6qH_KS8V9_pc_sPOsQeiJ2BD-09C9MdElHS811Iw76cjV4CYNWlo70AAyMLoN0r/s320/2011-06-03_14-26-31_57.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But with some trust that everything will turn out okay, it will, because you trusted that it would.</div>
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<img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAcwYe-TtwWax6twaowL6uDIIiUCp4BotSUHDlAXUUTnpdPfPIdx38Y6f4qtVcI_HK5x9BaW8WSGGjkZCnUe0C6eZUANqnuPmF0bfWKrryLXfU_Amzo6dOMp3SFzgbn1B115JecY8o2QU/s320/2011-06-03_14-22-22_898.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Trust is just believing in your instincts. What evidence do you have that they're wrong until you try and follow them?</div>
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Here's a fun fact - I bet you don't know that <b>Walt Disney</b> was thinking of nature documentaries long fefore National Geographic and Animal Planet. His first nature film - <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Living_Desert"><i><b>The Living Desert</b></i> - barely made it to theatres because nobody thought anyone would be interested.</a></div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Living_Prairie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/05/Living_Prairie.jpg" /></a></div>
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Walt Disney went ahead and made it anyway, because he trusted his instincts. And that is the art of improvisation.</div>
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I wrote a bit about the <a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/the-art-of-life-is-improvisation/">art of improvisation</a> for Sammiches and Psych Meds - you can start reading it here:</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://i2.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/The-Art-of-Life-e1434944252628.png?resize=600%2C900" height="320" width="213" /></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47;">We’ve all encountered things in our lives that have gone in different
directions than we had hoped or at least anticipated. It’s what makes
us human – living at the mercy of whatever life throws at us.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">But that’s the art of life – the improvisation. That’s where we get
to be creative, work with what we’ve got, and sometimes, we end up being
pleasantly surprised by what our efforts amount to.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">I’ve found that “sometimes” can be “all the time” in three ways:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>1.) We can choose to view the “hiccup” in a certain light, seeing the glass as “half-full.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>2.) We can just follow that detoured path and patiently wait, holding
onto the idea that things will improve, hoping that eventually the
“bigger picture” will come to light. This reminds me of a favorite
quote: “Everything will be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s
not the end.”</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><b>
</b></span><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>3.) If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. We can just shrug off what we
had anticipated, laugh it off, go with the flow, and surrender to the
uncertainty, which is neither good nor bad – just be with it and
experience what <i>is</i> rather than what <i>should be</i> (i.e. “Man plans, God laughs”).</b></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDsROMGWFxqQH4aFLK3T6vNT1EIzj6ed9YGwrLpd8MUJuNUwj9gZMuAlssAp3KWVr79q3XCf_CgG8jgYmhoYvVozoFfH7aGFzK6kLeIV6j7DQF368mlKxWAJJjgY5IWlamjnQcEJ9U5SQ/s1600/Childhood.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">This is what my paintbrush teaches me day after day. I love the
feeling of moving around a big glob of paint on a fresh linen canvas and
having no idea what to expect. Sometimes I feel like creating very
exact detail…and sometimes I just want to throw some colors around on an
empty space.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">Painting is just a great exercise for learning how to live. Or at
least, it’s a lesson I need to learn myself day after day. To have the
courage to just start from somewhere – anywhere. To not judge it, and to
just keep going, even if you don’t like how it is turning out.</span><br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jyzPw9YBjU-_SCHzBsmtetLAR_V-XKwVFBswsJup-qBkbZagfCiWaXcmLFNLAgQ-KRAas-PYnZYaRFLI97rd3JMx9-9b9Rk5cFnG8YWQlBjPNKDOvGTc3MoQs8zpdoHlqrCnRNqNoPs-/s320/IMAG4739.jpg" width="181" /><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">Sometimes you have an image in mind, and you start with that idea.
And sometimes you even stay with that initial idea for a bit.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">But when the paint smears, or you blotch something up, or your
sleeves get on the paint and smear the nice clean line you just painted,
it’s a little frustrating. But then you just learn to go with it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">And with a bit of patience, and the determination to eventually see it to completion, you’ll get there.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">
</span><span style="color: #741b47;">And then sometimes, you start off painting, and you’re on a roll. You
feel the adrenaline of creativity jolting through you like a fluid wash
of watercolors, and then – HALT – painter’s block. You have no clue
what comes next.</span><br />
<br />
You can read the rest of my article, published on Sammiches & Psych Meds, <a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/the-art-of-life-is-improvisation/">HERE... </a><br />
<a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/the-art-of-life-is-improvisation/">http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/the-art-of-life-is-improvisation/</a><br />
<br />
<i><u><b>Before I Go...</b></u></i><br />
<br />
Go ahead and trust your instincts today. What direction will they move you towards?<br />
<br />
<i><u><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnACKRlrpquWGgfAYVRO-jApaUoFOGPt5NirKVFY0qM5u65QcNPQSen0LdZxJTWZkmvQi_ZplLY4lA8b3pwim03O6_DbkcCztjADMh7IKYiSTjWR1JImMbG4Yj0_ez6bF0dWO0XFMAVrHA/s1600/IMAG3869.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnACKRlrpquWGgfAYVRO-jApaUoFOGPt5NirKVFY0qM5u65QcNPQSen0LdZxJTWZkmvQi_ZplLY4lA8b3pwim03O6_DbkcCztjADMh7IKYiSTjWR1JImMbG4Yj0_ez6bF0dWO0XFMAVrHA/s320/IMAG3869.jpg" width="320" /></a> </b></u></i><br />
<br />
<i><u><b>See you there! </b></u></i> </div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-47318956463402881162015-07-07T05:24:00.000-07:002015-07-07T05:24:51.021-07:00Fierce Heart Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><u><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/28" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/28" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/MixedMediaGallery/2">Fierce - Mixed Media</a></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</b></u></i></div>
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<i><b><i><b>"We become what we think about." –Earl Nightingale</b></i></b><u><b> </b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b>Some Wedding Music...</b></u></i></div>
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I may have gotten married over a week ago, but it feels like just yesterday. It's wonderful to start seeing some videos surfacing of that magical night.</div>
You can hear me singing two of my favorite songs, On My Way to You by Michel Legrand and The Story by Brandi Carlile to my (now) <i>husband</i> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuk-HalNT-c&feature=em-share_video_user">here...</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3NK3gDCsN4zSy39QE38O4FJeOGDfo5mBmXSrKAyG-Ht-tOcgYrkoAL5hH38m2nsd2CzYwuyi_tBvySHWW7zgNhvgqrImX9fx_sYIWy9nG2jehNN2eEb2cpP-06WKvI5A07cr7_IyvYhG/s1600/FB_IMG_1435519197722.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3NK3gDCsN4zSy39QE38O4FJeOGDfo5mBmXSrKAyG-Ht-tOcgYrkoAL5hH38m2nsd2CzYwuyi_tBvySHWW7zgNhvgqrImX9fx_sYIWy9nG2jehNN2eEb2cpP-06WKvI5A07cr7_IyvYhG/s320/FB_IMG_1435519197722.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuk-HalNT-c&feature=em-share_video_user"><b>A wedding serenade...</b></a></i></td></tr>
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<i><u><b>Fierce Heart Talk...</b></u></i><br />
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<a href="https://sometalkofyouandme.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/amy-broken-wings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://sometalkofyouandme.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/amy-broken-wings.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Healing involves storytelling, expressing, speaking from the heart. Sometimes the words from your heart might not even be conscious speech. For a long time after I was sexually abused, I became very numb. <br />
<i><u><b> </b></u></i><br />
<i><u><b>I was</b></u></i> told later on, when trying to piece together fragmented memories, that in the face of trauma, you can flee, freeze, or fight. I froze. Only years later did memories start to consciously surface. I wrote about my reaction to my abuse for <a href="http://droppingkeys.net/recovering-from-sexual-abuse/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork">Dropped Keys</a> and <a href="http://sometalkofyouandme.com/2015/07/01/from-frozen-to-free-fiercehearttalk-day-1-amy-oestreicher/">Some Talk of You and Me</a>. You can read it <a href="http://sometalkofyouandme.com/2015/07/01/from-frozen-to-free-fiercehearttalk-day-1-amy-oestreicher/"><b>here.</b></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>From Frozen to Free</i></b></span><br />
<i>by Amy Oestreicher </i><b> </b><br />
<h2>
It took me a very long time to speak the words, “I was sexually abused.”</h2>
It took me an even longer time to believe it.<br />
And what took so much longer than I ever could have predicted was to believe that I was sexually abused…and it wasn’t my fault.<br />
I had heard this dozens and dozens of times. Many victims of abuse,
molestation, and domestic violence often feel a guilt that they are not
deserving of.<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>For months I had beaten myself up
thinking, “why did I do that?” wondering, “what was I thinking?” and
assuming, “something must be wrong with me.”</i></div>
It also took me a very long time to accept that a mentor and father
figure in my life had violated our trusting relationship. I kept
replaying the events that had occurred in my mind, telling myself,<br />
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>“I must have done something wrong—why else would he have done this? I must have instigated something.”</i></div>
I blamed myself, convinced that no one could take advantage of me if I had not invited it.<br />
I couldn’t shake off this “shame” I felt no matter how hard I tried
to forget what had happened. The more I tried to block my memories, the
more anxious and confused I became.<br />
I became a space cadet—hardly feeling at all. It was how I protected myself.<br />
This way, I couldn’t feel the sense of loss and betrayal. I couldn’t
feel the shame of still thinking this was all “my fault.” My numbness
started to alarm my friends and family, to whom I insisted that nothing
was wrong at all.<br />
<h4>
I kept this secret hidden inside, burning in my gut, hidden from those I loved.</h4>
<br />
The more I tried to repress what had happened, the more anxious I
became, until I couldn’t handle keeping these secrets locked up so
tightly. When I turned 18, I finally spilled everything to my mother. I
was so afraid of what she might say or if she would judge my actions. I
was embarrassed to say these kind of words out loud, let alone with my
mother.<br />
My mother was shocked, upset, and as overwhelmed as I was. But she still provided me with the one solid anchor that I needed.<br />
She told me it was not my fault.<br />
No matter what I told her, how I explained what I could remember, or
what I confided in her, she reassured me with the certainty only a
mother can have: it was not my fault.<br />
Reaching out to someone I knew loved me unconditionally calmed my
anxiety. Telling someone what had happened made my “dark” secret come to
light. I became open to viewing my abuse in a different way—I was
willing to take some of the responsibility off of myself.<br />
My mother and I started reading about “trauma.” I learned that in the
face of trauma, you can have three responses: You can fight, flee, or
freeze. I could have immediately fought back against my abuser, yelling
“no” or defying him in some way. I could have just ran in the other
direction as fast as I could.<br />
<h4>
But I was so shocked by everything that happened that I froze. Like a
deer in the headlights, I couldn’t come to terms with the idea that a
man that I trusted as my mentor could turn into such a monster in the
blink of an eye. I mentally left the situation, disassociated from my
body, and became a passive bystander to a trauma that my body was
directly involved in.</h4>
<br />
I learned that the physical sensations of “guilt” register in the
same way that “shame” and “helplessness” do in your body—so when a
person feels helpless in a situation, the body automatically pairs that
sensation with “guilt.” When you undergo any kind of trauma it causes a
disturbance in your energy flow. Suddenly, you are unable to feel those
emotions that once came so naturally at a time.<br />
My body stopped breathing the same way it used to—a big knot of tension evolved in my chest and remained there like a cocoon.<br />
My thoughts became rigid—frightened to wander into past memories. I
put up a daze like four safe walls that protected me from being
consciously present in the abuse, and that daze stayed with me with or
without him.<br />
I lived in a world separate from everyone else.<br />
<h4>
I wanted to see my world in color again. I wanted to feel brave enough to feel again.</h4>
<br />
I protected myself in a traumatic situation by becoming numb to my
emotions, but now the danger was gone, my abuser left the picture long
ago. Now, the work was up to me. I told myself “it wasn’t my fault”
until I believed it. And once I felt these words resonate in my body,
in my soul—I liberated myself.<br />
I had nothing to be ashamed of. And I had every right to reclaim my
life, my aliveness, move on, and experience the world in all of its
radiant colors once again.<br />
I was sexually abused. It was not my fault.<br />
In a traumatizing situation, I froze, while others might have fled or
fought back. But with time and with confiding in those I trust, I have
unthawed and faced what I’ve tried to forget. And with nothing to hide,
nothing to regret or redo, and everything to look forward to in the
future, I’ve allowed myself to move on.<br />
<br />
<i><u><b>Before I Go...</b></u></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TXjMFx6RGd0JEos41C0sR2nq_otBy7KTQZC39dFo2wx0SqF57w-hbVYnPrE6_plsSWeDwqYNxVZjibRP5ESouUOFz7HZ0pIrfPhzPQl4CYNJxmJUinS-PTCnDaJywXMs3zl8oK0mtz2E/s1600/20150705_145106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TXjMFx6RGd0JEos41C0sR2nq_otBy7KTQZC39dFo2wx0SqF57w-hbVYnPrE6_plsSWeDwqYNxVZjibRP5ESouUOFz7HZ0pIrfPhzPQl4CYNJxmJUinS-PTCnDaJywXMs3zl8oK0mtz2E/s200/20150705_145106.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Share with me your fierce heart talk today...<u><b> </b></u></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that
you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines,
sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore, Dream, Discover. –Mark Twain </b></i> </div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-67655201630306866362015-07-06T05:40:00.000-07:002015-07-06T05:40:29.296-07:00Colors of Summer...are mouthwatering!<style>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Monday!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://amyoes.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><i>amyoes.com</i></span></span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/"> </a></span></b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3298" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3298" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3298">Summer Bite of Childhood - Mixed Media by Amy O.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Recipes!!!</span></b></div>
<div class="copy-paste-block">
<i>“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” <span style="color: grey;"><i>- Will Rogers</i></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b>I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! I'm so excited to introduce yet another phenomenal Blogger - Collette who blogs for <a href="http://www.eatdrinkcook.co.uk/">http://www.eatdrinkcook.co.uk/</a> Cooking can be quite the colorful art - enjoy this colorful pallette of delicious, mouthwatering summer recipes! I think I'll go do some ingredient shopping now...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Colors of Summer – A Trio of
Seasonal Sensations</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">British Summers don’t have the best
reputation and it’s fair to say that they’re not exactly reliable if you’re
after guaranteed good weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
being said, when the weather <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> good
then a British summer is hard to beat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everywhere is lush, green and full of vibrant colour. The parks are
filled with families picnicking and playing Frisbee, the towns are filled with
people socialising and enjoying their local beer gardens and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">actual </i>gardens? Well they’re full of
beautiful seasonal produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wild
strawberries, sweet, juicy tomatoes, green peas, plumptious peaches… the list
goes on and on!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This post is a celebration of that
wonderful seasonal produce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be
sharing three fantastic recipes, which celebrate three of summer’s seasonal
stars – beetroot, watermelon and peach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Beetroot
& Goat’s Cheese Salad</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZw8KslOBFcmLZlcdj1htRtWiqjtRMnHp0pjgyoneix-Eh9gbJijqVbMUjf2LpdS5lk7UbIVnGOHOzWcLzbQFPArJnM32-QS92eCnhFfpGA2npiC9gqpJtELoCZJAU4DtiIMntN7X99Mn/s1600/salad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZw8KslOBFcmLZlcdj1htRtWiqjtRMnHp0pjgyoneix-Eh9gbJijqVbMUjf2LpdS5lk7UbIVnGOHOzWcLzbQFPArJnM32-QS92eCnhFfpGA2npiC9gqpJtELoCZJAU4DtiIMntN7X99Mn/s320/salad.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This simple salad makes a perfect starter
or light lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sharp, creamy goat’s
cheese and the sweet, earthy tones of the beetroot complement each other so
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add in the peppery watercress,
crunchy walnuts and sweet, tangy orange dressing and you’ve got yourself a
really beautiful little meal!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Serves
2 as a light lunch or 4 as a starter</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">You
will need:</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">3 Beetroot</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">100
g soft Goat’s cheese</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">100
g Walnuts</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
tbs Maple Syrup</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">2
big handfuls of Watercress</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">For
the dressing:</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Juice
of an ½ Orange</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
tbs Walnut oil</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
tbs Extra Virgin Olive oil</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Mix together all the
ingredients for the dressing and set aside</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Put the beetroot in a pan of
cold water and bring to the boil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Continue to simmer for 20 minutes, until the beetroot is tender all the
way through. Then leave to cool in cold water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Now peel the beetroot and chop
into segments (I usually cut into eighths)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Now lightly crush your walnuts
to break them up a bit – you don’t want to turn them to dust, just to get them
into smaller pieces</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Chuck them into a hot, small
frying pan and dry fry for about 30 seconds before adding the maple syrup and
stirring to cover all the nuts. Fry for a further 30 seconds or so and then set
aside to cool</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Add your watercress, walnuts
and beetroot to a big bowl and then crumble over the goat’s cheese</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Now drizzle over your dressing
and gently toss it so everything is covered</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Season to taste</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Watermelon
Cooler</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-UDOY2-B9frw4hHze0rg9Q2f1T82I00t5UuG7EjUFiDovUK2xtivS0wTB81mDzTzrCSJ2-8pwiByxF571Jwu1iYxx_Gg3vK_bR91J8iE9Mvt9XuR_0KzhBondwLWZxDXa26ObJzTH-d2/s1600/watermelon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-UDOY2-B9frw4hHze0rg9Q2f1T82I00t5UuG7EjUFiDovUK2xtivS0wTB81mDzTzrCSJ2-8pwiByxF571Jwu1iYxx_Gg3vK_bR91J8iE9Mvt9XuR_0KzhBondwLWZxDXa26ObJzTH-d2/s320/watermelon.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Who doesn’t love a bit of watermelon in the
summer? This drink is so refreshing that it’s absolutely perfect on those hot
days when you just can’t get cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
only 3 key ingredients, it really lets the natural flavours speak for
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, adding a
dash of rum certainly doesn’t hurt, and turns this into a fantastic cocktail
for friends.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Serves
2 in a tall glass, or 4 as a cocktail</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">You will need:</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">½ a small
Watermelon, cut into chunks</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">A small
handful of Mint leaves </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">(not
too many – you don’t want to overpower the delicate flavour of the watermelon)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Juice
of 1 Lime</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">A
large handful of ice</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
tbs Agave Nectar (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Add all of your ingredients to
a blender and blitz until smooth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">To add a bit of glitz, take
your glass and dip the rim into some of the lime juice and then into a plate of
sugar before pouring in your finished drink</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Add an extra ice cube to serve</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Peach
Tart</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMX4nVxX91M_t3-uM5tWTwZX0KeJw8gIP0Fsyiw3Bag15QJL-aE2rThXLJElKrS7awM7UKnyBloFq-plhfLvOwVQlwU5jGgMUY0ApLYSvQ43FAzlnPkNNl2p6dsufg__MLsakqMxa2q0J/s1600/peach.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMX4nVxX91M_t3-uM5tWTwZX0KeJw8gIP0Fsyiw3Bag15QJL-aE2rThXLJElKrS7awM7UKnyBloFq-plhfLvOwVQlwU5jGgMUY0ApLYSvQ43FAzlnPkNNl2p6dsufg__MLsakqMxa2q0J/s320/peach.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Ok, you’ve enjoyed your healthy salad and
you’re all chilled from your Watermelon Cooler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think you really deserve a bit of something sweet and slightly naughty
now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Peach Tart is so simple but so
delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, using just a few
ingredients helps to let the sweet peach flavour sing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The slight back note of orange just helps to
emphasise the peachiness a bit more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">You will need:</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
sheet puff pastry</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">4
ripe peaches</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">Juice
of ½ <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an orange</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
tbs vanilla sugar (or normal sugar is fine if you don’t have any)</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">1
egg</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Pre-heat your oven to 180C</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Get your puff pastry out of the
fridge</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Now chop your peaches into thin
slices and place them in a bowl with the orange juice and sprinkle over the
sugar</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Now get your pastry out and
spread it over a baking tray, lined with greaseproof paper</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Score a line all the way around
the pastry, about an inch in from the edge to create a border. Careful not to
cut all the way through!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Now take a fork and make
several holes in the inner square</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Lay your peach slices out over
the inner square of the pastry so each one slightly overlaps the last</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Pour the remaining orange juice
and sugar into a small pan and bring to the boil. Let it reduce down to a syrup
and then pour over the peaches</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">Paint the outer rim of the tart
with some beaten egg and put the tray into your pre-heated oven for around 25
minutes until the pastry is cooked and golden and the peaches are soft and
sweet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">TIP: For an extra special treat, stir up
some cream cheese and peach jam and then spread over the inner base of your
pastry before adding the peaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yummm!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Serving
Suggestions</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">If possible, all 3 dishes should be enjoyed
outside in the sunshine with a group of friends or family </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">:)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3301" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3301" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3301">"Sweetness" - Mixed Media by Amy O.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">Thanks again Collette and again, please do check out her blog: <a href="http://www.eatdrinkcook.co.uk/">http://www.eatdrinkcook.co.uk/</a> - there are plenty more wonderful recipes where these came from!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">Hope your day is filled with sun, color and some mouthwatering bites!</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Content/images/Canvas%20Talk%20Tree%20Dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://amyoes.com/Content/images/Canvas%20Talk%20Tree%20Dreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come see my <a href="http://patch.com/connecticut/westport/canvas-talk-tree-dreams-now-discovery-museum-bridgeport-ct-artist-reception-july-26th/">Artist Reception at Discovery Museum July</a> 26th!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-35123877987853286422015-07-02T05:23:00.003-07:002015-07-02T05:23:41.271-07:00Knowing Myself...<style>
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<b>Thursday!</b></div>
<div class="Firstlineindent" style="line-height: 10.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<i> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk7Q0bwo4sTIXbSY3IJeAoBz5TcHr9c1l039scIfmLvnkfpl3OSxq_goYY5Tqjc6aYPwafGtIhopHlWh6itQKDCdDK0qwV5_IZrbuP7zGphSJ-CI0iiqkA-TS8D19D19hkZTvK1xjGjwI/s1600/Dancing+Trees+18+x+24+IMG_0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLk7Q0bwo4sTIXbSY3IJeAoBz5TcHr9c1l039scIfmLvnkfpl3OSxq_goYY5Tqjc6aYPwafGtIhopHlWh6itQKDCdDK0qwV5_IZrbuP7zGphSJ-CI0iiqkA-TS8D19D19hkZTvK1xjGjwI/s1600/Dancing+Trees+18+x+24+IMG_0483.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/"><i>amyoes.com</i></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i><br />
<i>Good Morning Everyone!</i><br />
<i>I </i>want to introduce to you another guest blogger who is amazing and inspirational. Alexis is a phenomenal writer with a great blog and book. I was honored to guest post for her last week. <br />
<br />
I wrote <b><a href="http://alexisdonkin.blogspot.com/2015/06/thrive-guest-post-insatiable-hunger.html">on <i>feeding my insatiable hunger </i>(you can read my guest post HERE).</a></b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/35" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/35" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://alexisdonkin.blogspot.com/2015/06/thrive-guest-post-insatiable-hunger.html">My Insatiaable Hunger on Alexis Donkin's Blog</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Read her reflection on self-discovery and ask yourself, <i><b>how have you come to know yourself? </b></i></div>
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<i><u><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Liberation Serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Liberation Serif";">“</span>Knowing Myself”</b></u></i><br />
<i><b>By Alexis Donkin</b><u><b> </b></u></i></div>
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Once I knew myself, my path through life became easier,
clearer, and all around better.</div>
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I remember as a child going to the fair with a domineering
“friend.” We were six. She asked me if I had any money. I was an honest child,
so I told her that yes, my mother had given me a twenty dollar bill. When I
produced the bill, this little girl snatched it from my hand and proceeded to
tell me we should immediately get all the tickets we could from the ticket
booth. The girl gave the money to the ticket seller. Luckily, right in the
middle of the transaction, her mother arrived, and forced the seller to refund
us the money.</div>
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But the mother did not give me back my money. She held on to
it.</div>
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I don't know if she gave it to my mom when I was picked up.
All I know is how I felt when this girl took the money out of my hand, and how
her mother did not give it back to me.</div>
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To this day, the memory stirs anger in my heart. At the time
I didn't know anything about people, myself, or the world. I didn't understand
that I needed time to observe before I could come to a conclusion or act. I
didn't know that I hate being pressured to do <i>anything</i> by <i>anyone.</i>
In fact, being pressured is the quickest way for someone to <i>not </i>get what
they want out of me. I didn't know that I am a fairly possessive person by
nature, and that when I see something as mine, I am deeply offended by anyone
taking or using that thing without permission. I didn't know that I expected to
be trusted by adults, and treated as equal, regardless of other
characteristics. I didn't know my respect for a person is permanently damaged
when I see him ignore or dismiss someone because of a single characterisitic.</div>
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I didn't know those things at the age of six. I barely knew
my address. I'm not sure I knew my favorite color.</div>
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A lot has happened in the thirty some years since I had that
twenty snatched from me. I've encountered plenty of people who wanted to
domineer, get something, make a quick buck, or use me. I've been angry by
little actions, like taking something without permission, and big ones, like
taking advantage of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>employees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgIVc1B2v3iHQTRsgEIyeu6YvCrrFYXCMW61VfYW78c_Gtnd4T31ohE4mKxVRliZfgkP_D_KUzofqNpArW_fsalhwwF6jhamXnQsFvpytdJhThqiZ1ERlyFAanPCuoGcb2pKsmTMINE4a/s1600/my+path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgIVc1B2v3iHQTRsgEIyeu6YvCrrFYXCMW61VfYW78c_Gtnd4T31ohE4mKxVRliZfgkP_D_KUzofqNpArW_fsalhwwF6jhamXnQsFvpytdJhThqiZ1ERlyFAanPCuoGcb2pKsmTMINE4a/s320/my+path.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Now, however, I am more myself than I have ever been and I
understand why I feel certain ways and what I can do about it.</div>
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Over the course of life, I've learned a lot about who I am,
what I want, and my purpose for being. I know what I can do – for example,
stick up for myself - and what I will <i>not</i> do under any circumstances –
such as compromise my principles. I learned that everyone has their own
journeys, with pain and joy, influences and ideologies. Those journeys are
beautiful and powerful in their own right, and do not compete in any way with
mine. I don't need to worry about where other people are on their paths.
Instead I can cheer others on and celebrate their successes as they do for me.
All I need to worry about is me, living my purpose, being the best <i>me</i> I
can be.</div>
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I'm not finished learning about myself. As life continues, I
will change. Knowing that, accepting that, I have a strategy for checking in
with myself and adjusting my course (I even wrote a <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/542316">journal guide</a> for
others to follow my process, as well as remind myself of all the steps.). Now I
don't worry about people taking my money or forcing me to choose something
before I'm ready. I know I can say, “I'm going to look around the fair before I
buy anything.”</div>
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My life is so much better because I know what I need and who
I am. If someone can't respect the boundaries I've established, they probably
don't know or accept themselves. In that case, it's a good idea for them to do
some serious self-work. I can honestly say it was the best investment I ever
made.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZz-9Tf16y0F6gxN3-jLjI7RW_dfzV_WQFafTA3I8W1oYPipG6NNZZGXScKPeDeGLAYDLu8FlO7D3upLNOUzGoeBV3x1_37eoVL_XdJ95cWoO5qFagxx8edSEdI6bmA4FF0tHdY5JQkVU/s1600/author+photo+pod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZz-9Tf16y0F6gxN3-jLjI7RW_dfzV_WQFafTA3I8W1oYPipG6NNZZGXScKPeDeGLAYDLu8FlO7D3upLNOUzGoeBV3x1_37eoVL_XdJ95cWoO5qFagxx8edSEdI6bmA4FF0tHdY5JQkVU/s200/author+photo+pod.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";">Alexis Donkin lives in Southern California
with her family and real life familiar. She has lived many places and studied
many things. She paints, sings, and dances when she's not writing or speaking. Pick
up a copy of </span><a href="https://www.createspace.com/5499900"><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";">THRIVE:
HOW I BECAME A SUPERHERO</span></a><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";"> to read more about her personal journey.
Be sure to connect with her and check out other books at </span><a href="http://alexisdonkin.com/"><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";">http://alexisdonkin.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";">.</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47;"><i><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";">Thanks</span></i> Alexis! Be sure to check out her website and her book. Let me and Alexis know...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;">Do you know who you are?</span></b><i><span style="font-family: "DejaVu Sans","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "DejaVu Sans";"><b><span style="color: #741b47;"> </span></b></span></i></div>
</div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-52017344670779829722015-07-01T04:30:00.002-07:002015-07-01T04:30:36.237-07:00Making Sense of the Sublime<style>
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Wednesday....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/1153" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/1153" width="127" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Body Remembers" - Amy Oestreicher 2015</td></tr>
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Hey everyone - I'd love to introduce to you my very first guest blogger, Jacki Christopher! Today, Jacki's writing about a very powerful topic and I am honored to be able to post it here. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Making Sense of the Sublime</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">By Jacki Christopher </b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I write about the
power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing. I write about
generosity because I battle selfishness. I write about joy because I know
sorrow. I write about faith because I almost lost mine, and I know what it is
to be broken and in need of redemption. I write about gratitude because I am
thankful—for all of it.” —Kristin Armstrong</i></div>
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I wrote my way through eating disorder recovery, through
love, through heartbreak, through childhood pain, father issues, frustration,
uncertainty, fear and loneliness. I wrote to try to make sense of a life that
felt like it made no sense. And writing is good for that. It is a firm shoulder
to lean upon and a forgiving ear upon which we heap the confessions and the
complaints, the cries for mercy and the charge that this life is simply not
fair. </div>
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We write to get through It. We write to get better, to make
sense of suffering, to come out the other side, to reconnect with our lost
selves. I have written for all of these reasons. It has been cathartic,
therapeutic, healing and revealing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP976SLME60WNXRF6C5Wc3mnsI78zwEAqVV7B1WRQa-EKGbbPt0V-HeGvzQezDi3lcFlV61eHzyvsipyBEDaySVlU6uEZJYPhCVY5mIe75Bi2e5b07JDfI6gYCCWPV5QV30NqNC5EqM2yX/s1600/DSC_4566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP976SLME60WNXRF6C5Wc3mnsI78zwEAqVV7B1WRQa-EKGbbPt0V-HeGvzQezDi3lcFlV61eHzyvsipyBEDaySVlU6uEZJYPhCVY5mIe75Bi2e5b07JDfI6gYCCWPV5QV30NqNC5EqM2yX/s320/DSC_4566.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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As Neil Gaiman said in his famous commencement speech, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Make Good Art</i>, “Life is sometimes hard.
Things go wrong, in life and in love and in business and in friendship and in
health and in all other ways that life can go wrong. And when things get tough,
this is what you should do. Make good art.”</div>
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The impulse to make art out of pain is a good one. And
actually it isn’t always an impulse, certainly not the first one. Sometimes the
stronger pull is toward a bottle of wine or another destructive relationship to
really put the icing on the cake of your last breakup. Sometimes we don’t want
to work it out, we want to check out. But the more we reach for art (rather
than fill-in-the-vice), the more available it is as a sharpened tool for
tackling the wreckage when things fall apart. </div>
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And in the process, something unexpected happens. The
practice of scrawling out the emotional vomit sets us up for something else. It
cracks us open to notice, to become present, to feel what we genuinely feel. And
as we become attuned to noticing and reflecting upon the things in life that
are so painfully wrong, we reap a side benefit: the acuity to perceive when
things are so wonderfully right. </div>
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I have, for the past several months, been writing for a
different kind of therapy; I have been writing to make sense of the sublime. It
is a quest to parse serendipity, to figure out why the cosmos moved in my favor
when it completely didn’t have to, to puzzle out beauty and delight and joy.
The writing goes beyond connecting me to myself; it connects me to something
bigger and greater and more wonderful as I try to figure out not why things
fell apart, but why they came together. </div>
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We get to use art for this too. We get to use it to gaze
upon what is good, to relive our finest moments, to hold on to grace and
gratitude. After trying to make sense of loss, I’m now trying to make sense of
gain, to conceptualize abundance in my life, to get comfortable with wonderful.
</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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After art saves our lives, it sweetens our lives. Or it
allows us to stop and reflect upon why our lives are so sweet. And I love this.
I started writing my current work for just this reason; to galvanize a
philosophy that good things happen in this life, and they even happen to me. I write
to remember that this is the kind of world I live in. </div>
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So I would riff a little on Gaiman’s quote and say, Life is
sometimes wonderful. Things go well, in life and in love and in business and in
friendship and in health and in all other ways that life can go well. And when
things are delightful, this is what you should do. <i><b>Make good art.</b></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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We can do more than write ourselves out of bad, though many
of us start there. We can write ourselves straight into good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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--<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwHNcKi0scBkpS2wXjZEoOWazhmsmJ909BniqR59YKwiErAm4fkonJit0-MROQtp4DbJ3zVtBSZFww8KZ1hkvjnUDS8lxroDL75dvr1deJvDvckVY48WUvFK5IAhu4xgN6-G2hbh_fS0-/s1600/Jacki-Christopher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwHNcKi0scBkpS2wXjZEoOWazhmsmJ909BniqR59YKwiErAm4fkonJit0-MROQtp4DbJ3zVtBSZFww8KZ1hkvjnUDS8lxroDL75dvr1deJvDvckVY48WUvFK5IAhu4xgN6-G2hbh_fS0-/s200/Jacki-Christopher.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jacki Christopher is a
copywriter with </i><a href="http://www.coquicontentmarketing.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coquí Content Marketing</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. She is passionate about Hugh Grant movies,
sport bikes, British slang, chopped salads, the empowerment of women, economic
development and scrap paper. When she’s not writing, and even sometimes when
she is, she is tasting and enjoying a new wine or trying out a recipe. </i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a></td></tr>
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Thanks Jacki - I think that's a question we can ask ourselves each and every day - It's one thing to get ourselves out of the bad...but how can we write, create and propel ourselves straight into good? </div>
Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-71317714504053631512015-06-30T06:14:00.001-07:002015-06-30T06:14:20.412-07:00Berkshires and Natural Beauty - where to find your happiness<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><i>Tuesday...</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3296" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3296" width="249" /></a></div>
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<div style="background-color: transparent;">
"Creativity is discontent translated into arts.”-Eric Hoffer<br />
<br /></div>
<b><i>Updates!</i></b><br />
<br />
<b>Besides</b> being married and all, there have been some exciting things coming up...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rXMSKSMqSV7Y33EDED-1MfEta9xmlhZehewUrI72svZNfEiisUXRZAVOT6AsLAk_K49O7tyFSKxhkfIb_1_3VJo0kyqRimTxqdxMMT3GrvNjARKCkJaK7BOTu4jqS1ygEvvfq2GHJwP6/s1600/FB_IMG_1435544838361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rXMSKSMqSV7Y33EDED-1MfEta9xmlhZehewUrI72svZNfEiisUXRZAVOT6AsLAk_K49O7tyFSKxhkfIb_1_3VJo0kyqRimTxqdxMMT3GrvNjARKCkJaK7BOTu4jqS1ygEvvfq2GHJwP6/s320/FB_IMG_1435544838361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
First, the 15th edition of my <a href="http://amyoes.com/">amyoes.com</a> newsletter <i><b>Discover Inspire Create </b></i>is out today - so check out a little preview here, and then go to my website amyoes.com to sign up for next week's! Lots of fun things coming up you won't want to miss....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmiLr4Zd0Ya013dqp_KZLmJ1R3kNT0-RNVBwxY9wyPH1yWJ1bhpzfxybtNgjpNADT2dY_tItALUgyON5cVOwp_iRvQ3x72qca29C-8U545NBbbLx4Wu_dIfC2gECmKTEg2r7qdq6xSCjF/s1600/2011-04-24_19-03-28_25.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmiLr4Zd0Ya013dqp_KZLmJ1R3kNT0-RNVBwxY9wyPH1yWJ1bhpzfxybtNgjpNADT2dY_tItALUgyON5cVOwp_iRvQ3x72qca29C-8U545NBbbLx4Wu_dIfC2gECmKTEg2r7qdq6xSCjF/s320/2011-04-24_19-03-28_25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read <a href="https://amyoes.com/Newsletter/Archive/2015/6/30">Discover Inspire Create #15 HERE!!!</a></td></tr>
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You can read my newsletter HERE! <b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(insert here the complaint that Facebook won't let me share with groups for another week, so share this with everyone you know and check me out on <a href="https://twitter.com/amyoes">Twitter, </a>I<a href="https://instagram.com/amyoes70/">nstagram</a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/amyoes70/">Pinterest</a>. Okay I'm done.)</i></span></b><br />
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<i><u><b>More art...</b></u></i> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeNlQmdBsaWx9ERXj5ooVHhr9dXnwYdWkDFqvB4g7ARbgH4hzcsBodvPQ5yM_J20KdkNru5fQz79n5-To7bfGYQ0EoNg7uj2MKAKtgT6x3lX3mbqnTYzmEt7ftRszcNasI8e_1VzNE8n-/s1600/IMAG4283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeNlQmdBsaWx9ERXj5ooVHhr9dXnwYdWkDFqvB4g7ARbgH4hzcsBodvPQ5yM_J20KdkNru5fQz79n5-To7bfGYQ0EoNg7uj2MKAKtgT6x3lX3mbqnTYzmEt7ftRszcNasI8e_1VzNE8n-/s320/IMAG4283.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More pictures are in in my <a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/MixedMediaGallery">Mixed Media Gallery,</a> as of yesterday, there's a 14th page! So scroll through, and let me know which pieces you think would be the nicest as my next batch of greeting cards in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllspiceandAcrylics"><i><b>Etsy Shop!</b></i></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoXQ0fgt3YtHUfjhj_PuciqpGFXQRodksZOxKoVnEIU-r9BJMcm6SJKN7Ps9KkWriqOU9TEL_x59yLrTUktgY2VaV9eB84Ac3zsb0d_Ia6jPHjz4Pr32oCIPL_s-RphrUImR8MGTB7YDY/s1600/20150607_152701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoXQ0fgt3YtHUfjhj_PuciqpGFXQRodksZOxKoVnEIU-r9BJMcm6SJKN7Ps9KkWriqOU9TEL_x59yLrTUktgY2VaV9eB84Ac3zsb0d_Ia6jPHjz4Pr32oCIPL_s-RphrUImR8MGTB7YDY/s320/20150607_152701.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><u><b>And </b></u></i>more fun things for sale are in the works...coasters anyone?</div>
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<i><u><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKWCYPE2hwaMuMOgm1-weZRlailwguhSENoy9InNyETWXU0kwZ_LvYgoPhyu8B1ezG-7ERBBKa1bbrNQY-U4GiX8L5lqG6Ue_EnIqH-9-qJL9TQinB2KNDnA99qkYzoysefZzKU01IQu5/s1600/IMAG3966.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKWCYPE2hwaMuMOgm1-weZRlailwguhSENoy9InNyETWXU0kwZ_LvYgoPhyu8B1ezG-7ERBBKa1bbrNQY-U4GiX8L5lqG6Ue_EnIqH-9-qJL9TQinB2KNDnA99qkYzoysefZzKU01IQu5/s200/IMAG3966.jpg" width="200" /></a> </b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b>The Berkshires...and my brother (well, one of them.)</b></u></i></div>
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Now I'd like to talk about one of my three awesome brothers - Matt Oestreicher. And one of my other favorite things - the Berkshires.<i><u><b> </b></u></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f1Dvx4bWaC_4AwbOEq74oQIjxM1ZrbHSSeMu3uSQ4CeFIyJ-apxDrBvCdQ5lq0LmuXklOUcgGLUrdTliTRTo65u_52Ua02P5-Yc1LT8aEtEukOfXj5wRdClwAnAqWum8nefC-6Ue_Q0v/s1600/20150605_025814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIL5v929UzUM-3-0uFZCsbiGXsXyjAfDdxfQqM7JE74jsuJhO8xMYqqopEcJG72JCCOAMfuskStP9oBFUDcUXSl7b77-U9E2WGDVf8Rx9VduMVG0TXveT4-qS9nkkiBhzH-rHgJsmVnKN/s1600/20150626_182939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIL5v929UzUM-3-0uFZCsbiGXsXyjAfDdxfQqM7JE74jsuJhO8xMYqqopEcJG72JCCOAMfuskStP9oBFUDcUXSl7b77-U9E2WGDVf8Rx9VduMVG0TXveT4-qS9nkkiBhzH-rHgJsmVnKN/s320/20150626_182939.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The Berkshires are my haven, where I can go and just be with nature, carefree, centered and as grounded as the trees around me. I wrote this reflection on the Berkshires, happiness, and Matt for Over The Red Line Magazine. You can read my full writing on the<a href="http://overtheredline.com/berkshires-by-amy-oestreicher/"><b> Over The Red Line</b></a> Website. </div>
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<i><b>Where do you go when you need a place to relax, find happiness, and be one with nature?</b></i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f1Dvx4bWaC_4AwbOEq74oQIjxM1ZrbHSSeMu3uSQ4CeFIyJ-apxDrBvCdQ5lq0LmuXklOUcgGLUrdTliTRTo65u_52Ua02P5-Yc1LT8aEtEukOfXj5wRdClwAnAqWum8nefC-6Ue_Q0v/s1600/20150605_025814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f1Dvx4bWaC_4AwbOEq74oQIjxM1ZrbHSSeMu3uSQ4CeFIyJ-apxDrBvCdQ5lq0LmuXklOUcgGLUrdTliTRTo65u_52Ua02P5-Yc1LT8aEtEukOfXj5wRdClwAnAqWum8nefC-6Ue_Q0v/s200/20150605_025814.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Berkshires</b><br />
<b>By Amy Oestreicher</b><br />
Matt lives with us now, he is working close to home so he sleeps in
the room next to mine, in his childhood bed. It’s a lovely feeling, as
though I have a brother and friend now. His energy transforms the
entire house to the point where setting the table, washing the dishes,
or putting the milk away all become a kind of happy ritual.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://overtheredline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/4006892690_d44e2b04ca_o.jpg"><img alt="4006892690_d44e2b04ca_o" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1332" src="http://overtheredline.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/4006892690_d44e2b04ca_o-300x225.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
I secretly
enjoy quibbling with him or waking him up
in the middle of the night, anything to stir up some good old sibling
rivalry that I was never able to have before. My three brothers, 11 to
13 years older than me, belonged to a realm of their own, unexplored by
me. But now, Matt sleeps in the room next to mine, in his childhood
bed. We go through the day together, and perhaps we have finally
discovered the person behind the sibling. It’s the illumination of a
part of him that I was unable to see before, the realization that not
only do I love Matt, I like him too. A deeper kind of love, a trust,
sprouts from this awareness. As I watch our relationship evolve, I
can’t help but reflect on a poignant glimpse I got of Matt the Person
during a week we spent in the Berkshires.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jq9zMMAR5cBXPSXQp6ykdz7AlwgRGMPAMfsCx8g2WyIww5LuGzX07VGQi3_NLv-x9T2K5lE8U2jNnXox0ZlX5FAxr12DEVRidVnfdU44eaJfnZGfyAoarKVAD-2CxPF-6NX76QqRdd4x/s1600/20150605_025821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nneaREaUd6vhk_YihXCDvKMwfdK58jbiqvyaloZM14H9u6vSeZkyfysi7a4MIPX5dgwlJQKmziLdCNngj0VW9m4_s5aj-WRPoN5s9c4AYNTs5ug-gDjwbGd0u8XOmd98dk2BVsyNm0BD/s1600/20150605_025830%25280%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nneaREaUd6vhk_YihXCDvKMwfdK58jbiqvyaloZM14H9u6vSeZkyfysi7a4MIPX5dgwlJQKmziLdCNngj0VW9m4_s5aj-WRPoN5s9c4AYNTs5ug-gDjwbGd0u8XOmd98dk2BVsyNm0BD/s200/20150605_025830%25280%2529.jpg" width="112" /></a><br />
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I had never seen Matt with his head shaved before. It drew more
attention to his prominent facial features and gave him a European
look. His beauty was an austere one, a noble, antique beauty that
inexplicably connected me to history, to ancient earth through his
unyielding eyes. He kept a firm stance, his feet clutching the earth as
if he were drawing it to him like a breath. And then the exhale, the
involuntary lift of each foot as a release, only to press it down into
the leafy earth again. Reveling in the tension of opposites and then
repelling it. He marched on and on like this, purposeful and elegant.
So elegantly, in fact, that a subtle imperfection became more and more
glaring with each step. <br />
<br />
His arms seemed to be split into tiny segments;
they seemed to lack the natural flow that connected them into a fluid
whole. So he made awkward, sporadic motions with his arms, as if his
stabilizing energy only ran longitudinally. I envisioned him with no
arms as I trailed behind him, and then without a body, only as a narrow
strip of vertical florescent pink energy, bobbing determinedly up and
down the path like the dancing broomsticks in <i>Fantasia.</i> I felt
sorry for him for having to keep his burning line of pink energy in his
awkward body, sorry that he couldn’t bob up and down the trail like an
enchanted broomstick. Instead, here he was, a precious remnant of an
olden, nobler way of life, trapped in a body he didn’t know what to do
with.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesFRdm9j1Dh6aK2MSb4dwsPno6SR_llrBU4h3kB4t5QG-rUX8QstBHKG0KUAd0uIUB6Qk7xKTasNEGIq46tu6poKDX6YeZYcDs6ImEcgYAibuHFNkM1Go7ie8SBnsnrKnBQ3x7Ghyphenhyphenr4Ev/s1600/WP_20150226_21_37_00_Pro__highres.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesFRdm9j1Dh6aK2MSb4dwsPno6SR_llrBU4h3kB4t5QG-rUX8QstBHKG0KUAd0uIUB6Qk7xKTasNEGIq46tu6poKDX6YeZYcDs6ImEcgYAibuHFNkM1Go7ie8SBnsnrKnBQ3x7Ghyphenhyphenr4Ev/s640/WP_20150226_21_37_00_Pro__highres.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
But with a shaved head, the energy seemed to flow off the top of it
and resist gravity, pouring upwards to the heavens, only to be returned
by the trees, by the life hovering over the dark path. All of nature
seemed to return it like a sigh, contented, as if they had finally found
an outlet, a friend. It all flooded, everything, back into his naked
head, filling him with inward glow. I couldn’t help comparing him to
the leafless trees that surrounded us – they both had found the soaring
art within their grounded forms.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EcAmsI1F_H5td4x01-a6WrkvkUviBPMDNmOP1j-7F8ELzacntYpQoNCEhELO7HA8UvZXhRZkkEf6XTErygUJmxJqaCl6VAaLNFnjz6NLP9hCrrq3u8wLFnVmoBm9Fm_ezxM5s3uu3Gbg/s1600/IMAG3958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EcAmsI1F_H5td4x01-a6WrkvkUviBPMDNmOP1j-7F8ELzacntYpQoNCEhELO7HA8UvZXhRZkkEf6XTErygUJmxJqaCl6VAaLNFnjz6NLP9hCrrq3u8wLFnVmoBm9Fm_ezxM5s3uu3Gbg/s320/IMAG3958.jpg" width="181" /></a><br />
<br />
The feet stop, the head regains its balance on stately shoulders as it turns to me.<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“You okay?”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“Yup.”</i></span><br />
It was pink after all – a florescent pink energy that oozed between
his lips with his voice, blending to make a resonant, heavenly sound. A
layer of warmth subdued its tremendous depth, and it was almost like
hearing a waterfall from indoors.<br />
With a bit of effort I caught up to him, my trotting not half as
graceful or noble as his. In fact, I didn’t appreciate how Matt had
effortlessly avoided the dismembered tree trunks on the floor until I
tripped over every one of them. And it wasn’t until then that I
realized how much of an intruder I was on this undisturbed tree
cemetery. We were the prowlers who had once dreamt of an everlasting
communion with nature and now stealthily peered over the barrier that
separated us from the natural, flowing world of freedom and beautiful
simplicity. With our feet resolutely pursuing the trail, we centered
ourselves in the natural world, and wholeheartedly believed, for a
moment, that we had a right to belong to it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jq9zMMAR5cBXPSXQp6ykdz7AlwgRGMPAMfsCx8g2WyIww5LuGzX07VGQi3_NLv-x9T2K5lE8U2jNnXox0ZlX5FAxr12DEVRidVnfdU44eaJfnZGfyAoarKVAD-2CxPF-6NX76QqRdd4x/s1600/20150605_025821.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jq9zMMAR5cBXPSXQp6ykdz7AlwgRGMPAMfsCx8g2WyIww5LuGzX07VGQi3_NLv-x9T2K5lE8U2jNnXox0ZlX5FAxr12DEVRidVnfdU44eaJfnZGfyAoarKVAD-2CxPF-6NX76QqRdd4x/s320/20150605_025821.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Whether we were the trespassers, the aliens or not, I was able to
catch a glimpse of the world as it was intended to be – the realism
thrilled me. In a world of perfect geometric shapes, of painted signs,
of bright red automobiles, it was almost a relief to catch the world in
disarray, in asymmetry. The trail seemed to want to tell us a story
with all its many paw prints, bird calls, and huge daddy long legs
crawling under rocks – its moist air and shadowy trails, rocking trees
comforting one another in their dark forest community. The whole
picture seemed like its own miniature fairytale, untainted by our
“improvements” and “progress” throughout the ages, and I believe that
Matt and I were in simultaneous awe of it all.<br />
<br />
<i>Oh…this Berkshire trail is bursting with magic…in the twitching
of the bushes, in the swirling shadows, in the fact that we are living
in someone else’s world…to think that we share land with creatures and
creations so different from us! Inanimate objects that have so much to
teach us, that have adapted to the ways of the world far better than we
have, that possess inconceivable wisdom! Objects that are (consciously
or unconsciously) all we truly want to be. And we haven’t completely
obliterated them yet! We almost, sort of, kind of live harmoniously!</i><br />
<br />
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsTVHk8hfsDMXzYZnGlN0SaJKXbC7QPHlEWuXwb4sUMNJY_q4nW_7ZLIm2vq0FJUH-m97aK4q_lC2VsNJ3CY7THY2Lc9_CIIMZGew11om4QigFP9V5ZuipFrx-RvWXvy73M-HiSLoPcOZ/s1600/IMAG4117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsTVHk8hfsDMXzYZnGlN0SaJKXbC7QPHlEWuXwb4sUMNJY_q4nW_7ZLIm2vq0FJUH-m97aK4q_lC2VsNJ3CY7THY2Lc9_CIIMZGew11om4QigFP9V5ZuipFrx-RvWXvy73M-HiSLoPcOZ/s320/IMAG4117.jpg" width="320" /></a> </i><br />
<br />
I wasn’t uncomfortable with the silence until I realized it was
there. Matt and I had hardly spoken since we started off on the trail,
but I suddenly grew very curious to know if he was thinking anything
along the lines of what I was.<br />
“Hey Matt…I love you man.” I don’t know, it was the best I could come up with.<br />
“I love you too Ame.” His awkward arm tried to find its way around
my shoulder. So little was said, yet it was enough, it was a kinder
silence now. Here we were, brother and sister, whimsically walking a
grand path to nowhere, overwhelmed and frenetically trying to slice
pieces of meaning from all the beauty soaring around us, trying to
ground ourselves in a world that we wanted so desperately to belong to.
Matt had seemed like such an enigma at home, and now that we had
unitedly exposed ourselves to the faceless world of nature, of beauty,
we were no longer rivaling siblings but two common truth seekers. And
suddenly I understood him a lot better.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPkawiOv8nwV87heLxpBW5bKRsMjo7VeNbG3IwWtAaq2-PZwE-Ef3S9DZ4koJMphYiK0Sb9wc7avxLxdx7oxBIVUe8A-9YBnDdBFiXXL4h1Hl3TkgGidyRByhkSSTh3duEHma2U1IAJw2/s1600/20150512_153524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPkawiOv8nwV87heLxpBW5bKRsMjo7VeNbG3IwWtAaq2-PZwE-Ef3S9DZ4koJMphYiK0Sb9wc7avxLxdx7oxBIVUe8A-9YBnDdBFiXXL4h1Hl3TkgGidyRByhkSSTh3duEHma2U1IAJw2/s200/20150512_153524.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
It was very bizarre what happened next. The leaves wobbling on
branches, the moss gathering in unclaimed territories, the rich browns
and the melodious silence, it all seemed so poignant. It was such
unperturbed beauty; what it was was a beautiful mess as if some divine
energy had a penchant for modern art. And it all manifested in me as a
kind of melancholy. The overwhelming scene had softened into wistful
thoughts, into a realization that the life we lead as modern humans is
something very different from what the earth could have ever intended
for us, something very unintentional I would like to think. It’s
becoming harder and harder to recognize that we want life like it was – a
life that we’ve never experienced, but sensed, and instinctually
yearned for with every stroll by a pond, with every deer we see leap
across the road. And this instinctual yearning was agonizingly
intensified in the midst of the Berkshire natural splendor.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bp5y3TfydqaAApZC3r8UWmzkv4xDQ2cODghtI4W4bVlS8MKfo0MQ4OkLW71LmmRTZ-WdwP9VxsH_mzinBUCWw4jU5-m3ALBPgg_XOkT9bT2xL1mVbSICGEnjCC7WfEC566fNmSFkzmqO/s1600/20150512_153546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bp5y3TfydqaAApZC3r8UWmzkv4xDQ2cODghtI4W4bVlS8MKfo0MQ4OkLW71LmmRTZ-WdwP9VxsH_mzinBUCWw4jU5-m3ALBPgg_XOkT9bT2xL1mVbSICGEnjCC7WfEC566fNmSFkzmqO/s200/20150512_153546.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“Matt.”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“Hmm?”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“I don’t think I’m very happy.” New, New Words. We felt their weight together.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“What-do-you-mean?” “I-don’t-know.” He had to know what he meant; he had to feel it too.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>Crumble crumble crumble. The obnoxiously crunchy leaves on the trail heightened the tense speechlessness.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“I just feel like…if I were happy then I wouldn’t be thinking about it, right?”</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>“Hmm.” God I hate when he does that.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>
</i></span><span style="color: #4c1130;"><i>We had introduced each other to a very unfamiliar concept and so,
quite intrigued, we carried on, marveling, suggesting, denying, our
words fading in and out of awareness.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U2xJcsVQRUBTMzkZqT7OUTMKmScKV1ESEkEFyiNO54bxvhopoJhXEUNBBJbv_cot4idmZw_rXKrAsaw4Lz7WfZIw2gZNHyK_ID57ZMje6R_hcAOIiHUFx-SO1jGZ8YCVdLSiUb4E0WyB/s1600/20150512_153552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_U2xJcsVQRUBTMzkZqT7OUTMKmScKV1ESEkEFyiNO54bxvhopoJhXEUNBBJbv_cot4idmZw_rXKrAsaw4Lz7WfZIw2gZNHyK_ID57ZMje6R_hcAOIiHUFx-SO1jGZ8YCVdLSiUb4E0WyB/s200/20150512_153552.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
I think I did more things in that week than I did in the whole
summer. We hiked eight mountains, saw countless overlooks, played
soccer on beaches, slept in his friend’s cabin, saw two Shakespeare
plays, got the most amazing view of the mountains and the whole
Berkshire layout, had our car break down. Meeting his friends, chasing
after the setting sun in his Jeep, watching the sky turn to night in
West Stockbridge, having leftover Chinese food for breakfast every
morning, my feet turning to jello on the pavement after enduring the
Mount Holyoke hike, it was all so wonderfully capricious. But the
memory that stands out the clearest is a moment that I gave no thought
to while it was actually taking place.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDIR9DFody3bvY9AD2D2hFFKcTvh7XX8YlBzOIz6XDOUvY9dyjZg-ruTMvQo7nH9A8cP9YrbVLhhZ0TRT6ER7TM1433Hfk0m-8IIlLR8q2Bk9gjN2ae8Ez6HzIHMb6dBNsjhSXwXz3e45/s1600/20150605_025803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDIR9DFody3bvY9AD2D2hFFKcTvh7XX8YlBzOIz6XDOUvY9dyjZg-ruTMvQo7nH9A8cP9YrbVLhhZ0TRT6ER7TM1433Hfk0m-8IIlLR8q2Bk9gjN2ae8Ez6HzIHMb6dBNsjhSXwXz3e45/s200/20150605_025803.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
Matt and I had wandered down
roads paved onto hills in search of a swimming pool and we finally
caught it hiding behind a garden gate, guarded by a stern evergreen tree
with a robin flitting about its head. The pool was right in the middle
of those magical Berkshire Hills, those huge, motherly, majestic hills
surrounding Matt and I. It was as if those voluptuous hills had
centered themselves towards us and graciously offered us their home,
their hospitality, a glimpse of their family. Matt and I sat ourselves
down on a grassy hill and were helplessly humbled and awed by the raw
enormity of nature, of these hills who seemed to be shelter, parent, and
enchantress all in one. What startled us the most was the interplay
between the enormous and the miniature; the contrast was mind-blowing.
The crows circled around the mountains as though they were dropping
their giant friends a visit, and every mountain seemed to gleam, and
give their tiny friends the warmest greeting an old friend can give.
Big and small seemed to fit for the first time.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20T8uVDA8ZVJ32dbyrR3JJQ3ZMycSlV-5fpp8xwHPoW-H6B0-BrYoPx4LLnldJh5UHbR6xUd_93o0dGk7rcDoE89kznGZC2tyJ3tVgsXbwf7t-aGx-i8-_ZZKEw-IFXlA-f6d5DRsjAQ_/s1600/20150622_151248.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20T8uVDA8ZVJ32dbyrR3JJQ3ZMycSlV-5fpp8xwHPoW-H6B0-BrYoPx4LLnldJh5UHbR6xUd_93o0dGk7rcDoE89kznGZC2tyJ3tVgsXbwf7t-aGx-i8-_ZZKEw-IFXlA-f6d5DRsjAQ_/s200/20150622_151248.jpg" width="112" /></a> <br />
<br />
My brother Matt is a person, is my friend who sleeps in the room next
to mine, in his childhood bed. Like me, he is trying to piece together
his own worth from the aimless mission of life. Like me, he is finding
solace in happiness in the enchantment of the natural world.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeWv9Ip3_UU9EgBFKZOleBs3qBreb8T2et3J5xG1YiIl5CERJ6CVuBAbq2imam03Lnv1dvTzd4Tx_vtWeFGVz6yfwD6G6iTDevsfytp7MfaBZLAwxSCYcc9sn_l8uF_TWyONSAwqJlltH/s1600/20150620_195857.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeWv9Ip3_UU9EgBFKZOleBs3qBreb8T2et3J5xG1YiIl5CERJ6CVuBAbq2imam03Lnv1dvTzd4Tx_vtWeFGVz6yfwD6G6iTDevsfytp7MfaBZLAwxSCYcc9sn_l8uF_TWyONSAwqJlltH/s200/20150620_195857.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt doing his thing at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwzDS11VjEU">Your Time To Shine (and me singing</a>!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><u><b>Before I go...</b></u></i><br />
<i><u><b>Find</b></u></i> your own happiness today. Wherever, whenever, with whomever makes you feel a home in your heart.<i><u><b> </b></u></i><br />
<i><u><b></b></u></i><br />
<i><u><b></b></u></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVjGIvb09OpGXTj8Q9Z7lrJVX9HjRpl1IycR4TzvsYMslgPRQDKLcsWKRKU6C7ZAnyZdLsGvthLVHag1fq_1P8ukzMjvTKeVKo_5ic0M_KW_btwl1uleDGAwsOVUHmFaeotIkxStb7mAA/s1600/FB_IMG_1435502067969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVjGIvb09OpGXTj8Q9Z7lrJVX9HjRpl1IycR4TzvsYMslgPRQDKLcsWKRKU6C7ZAnyZdLsGvthLVHag1fq_1P8ukzMjvTKeVKo_5ic0M_KW_btwl1uleDGAwsOVUHmFaeotIkxStb7mAA/s200/FB_IMG_1435502067969.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><u><b><br /> </b></u></i>Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-64708404385057152232015-06-29T06:19:00.002-07:002015-06-30T13:17:30.227-07:00Wedding Day Bliss<br />
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Married Monday...</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFozuqWSX0DPcsX9ca6bCFDgIuaHDluS7fNCNeJuN7KmSZMUmZUjq0E3wzCuiGbi9PFNr0rRSSwV6N2llh-RFN81hQnXeGW8WJ67-JtMVH6uN606nAsyUqDbQk3GT-roYudNTLR-bTGRo/s1600/FB_IMG_1435501948025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFozuqWSX0DPcsX9ca6bCFDgIuaHDluS7fNCNeJuN7KmSZMUmZUjq0E3wzCuiGbi9PFNr0rRSSwV6N2llh-RFN81hQnXeGW8WJ67-JtMVH6uN606nAsyUqDbQk3GT-roYudNTLR-bTGRo/s320/FB_IMG_1435501948025.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of
art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not
heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's
indifference.”
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1049.Elie_Wiesel" target="_blank">Elie Wiesel</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<i><u><b>Updates...</b></u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u><b> </b></u></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HvmOCz30GXAJQyTvFXLfYqhR91bRC6Fz4V1cMdVLC9Yt5JFqnWTEP5jdwAcFez8ghLE9_5qKMLtk2C_u44__i-TrKjenAbbUSgGM2V7q_mjp5H0DzPvDPlQv_mhreQO-7d9RAbS3t97S/s1600/FB_IMG_1435502054678.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HvmOCz30GXAJQyTvFXLfYqhR91bRC6Fz4V1cMdVLC9Yt5JFqnWTEP5jdwAcFez8ghLE9_5qKMLtk2C_u44__i-TrKjenAbbUSgGM2V7q_mjp5H0DzPvDPlQv_mhreQO-7d9RAbS3t97S/s320/FB_IMG_1435502054678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got married.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238023542/mixed-media-customized-inchie-pins" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPjWiBSguuRct57gOeA6aJAhcBknV0RMgLs5IYO5WJ5TqtZ1_94umvSv31chIjIbeFXoqeGbNTYbrG5CDX7ttsAJfVbCV0pbs358j2c4RE-z-X0L7aOMwmAa4f9FQqDuPjX3f-jWmIgbj/s320/FB_IMG_1435519197722.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks A<a href="http://alittlesomethingwhite.com/"> Little Something White for an amazing dress!</a></td></tr>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i>Hey - go on over to <a href="http://amyoes.com/"><b>amyoes.com</b></a> - I have some news... :) (Maybe something about that...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKHBTiPsdK4qpEELuo1OmDlpAWsmHidInTqJC9bQri2LNDH30YCPGCGUPGjpFE7xSuaqNkBtbTmqm-2FvreWRqnh4DKu8h8s6EwaDB7ac485_6ErgjcrjFmM-MbGsJgNLKgPsqAgJSy9u/s1600/FB_IMG_1435502067969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKHBTiPsdK4qpEELuo1OmDlpAWsmHidInTqJC9bQri2LNDH30YCPGCGUPGjpFE7xSuaqNkBtbTmqm-2FvreWRqnh4DKu8h8s6EwaDB7ac485_6ErgjcrjFmM-MbGsJgNLKgPsqAgJSy9u/s320/FB_IMG_1435502067969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><u><b>A bit more on that topic...</b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYjZEo0uozZuevmWJ-7n7UIPd-xRu484xrRy8MLuoWBZW_LgpOo6_wSRAbTcy2Ba8KvFPnAvNb0XQIzx5UAMsuBlTXnZFLVTGcRxPWLnhpliol2OWmY7yTQqKPZLKxbdUUw0D4IIwWKqC/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524531927.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYjZEo0uozZuevmWJ-7n7UIPd-xRu484xrRy8MLuoWBZW_LgpOo6_wSRAbTcy2Ba8KvFPnAvNb0XQIzx5UAMsuBlTXnZFLVTGcRxPWLnhpliol2OWmY7yTQqKPZLKxbdUUw0D4IIwWKqC/s320/FB_IMG_1435524531927.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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It was a beautiful night - I still can't believe it's over. I feel <a href="http://theindiechicks.com/how-to-love-the-luck-youve-got/">so lucky, in love, and blessed</a>. It did end up raining the entire night, but as my brother Matt so eloquently stated in his toast:</div>
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<i><u><b><i>"Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...</i><br /> <i>It's about learning to dance in the rain."</i><br />~Vivian Greene</b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRccZxUfDrzsxBQQueiLMbMcqlYPiB_ZmqVLm5DfOyI8g_5Cke2lVhi2S-4Luj1rlln0kZt1fzQ881dooD6mL2QVcOTRxC34n63QVwvTJrWjaTei4_zUv88wJLfsvVX3xqbLBzmp54YlIh/s1600/20150514_100828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRccZxUfDrzsxBQQueiLMbMcqlYPiB_ZmqVLm5DfOyI8g_5Cke2lVhi2S-4Luj1rlln0kZt1fzQ881dooD6mL2QVcOTRxC34n63QVwvTJrWjaTei4_zUv88wJLfsvVX3xqbLBzmp54YlIh/s200/20150514_100828.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Most importantly, we were surrounded by people we love. The thing that left me the most tickled is that here we were with an opportunity to bring together people from all over the country, in one room to celebrate - people who without us, would never have gotten the chance to meet. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fxXgnM9aDK0skbfzQwPaE4ZTuBDD1QalpR574tOkKZ7-jlhPnYl1bakOdJFNvrROhc1f1kSerB3wW8DGt6lfGIfympyLh7IvRZwYu9DtED1PAd5pWJQv7xLCy1T0t1tqEDZW9IF180HZ/s1600/FB_IMG_1435502019894.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fxXgnM9aDK0skbfzQwPaE4ZTuBDD1QalpR574tOkKZ7-jlhPnYl1bakOdJFNvrROhc1f1kSerB3wW8DGt6lfGIfympyLh7IvRZwYu9DtED1PAd5pWJQv7xLCy1T0t1tqEDZW9IF180HZ/s320/FB_IMG_1435502019894.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bruceplotkin.com/">Bruce Plotkin</a> was an amazing photographer</td></tr>
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And even if this is the only time these people ever get to interact, Brandon and I were responsible for igniting that spark - the fire that illuminates itself when recognized by another.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z2PoR5Vf4laWFCs96zScgCCTpO3jzbMYDTBzzaQdYLe3JhyC2kO5nsSDoC5mbWV6et0-AG7BAi7ADskg3JlOdJ1lskpYcrWiDzfxVaICSm1dXvfIbj_6_H3PQbWnxKwdo5sX3OwK_QOI/s1600/13419_10153363591903777_2785457180701975254_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z2PoR5Vf4laWFCs96zScgCCTpO3jzbMYDTBzzaQdYLe3JhyC2kO5nsSDoC5mbWV6et0-AG7BAi7ADskg3JlOdJ1lskpYcrWiDzfxVaICSm1dXvfIbj_6_H3PQbWnxKwdo5sX3OwK_QOI/s200/13419_10153363591903777_2785457180701975254_n.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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Because Brandon and I joined as husband and wife on Saturday, we've gained an army of family and friends. It was so poignant to see our own "groups" mingle and dance the night away. That is what marriage is - a union, a coming together, a celebration of every day life and all of the everyday moments to coming. A wedding serves to make the ordinary sacred. And every moment yesterday felt sacred, dear, rich, real and true.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11051925_10153466368359658_6190906246640365512_n.jpg?oh=fc816bd05d8945a2cad7685e52ed88a9&oe=55EA8DA6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://scontent-lga1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11051925_10153466368359658_6190906246640365512_n.jpg?oh=fc816bd05d8945a2cad7685e52ed88a9&oe=55EA8DA6" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally found the perfect father daughter dance -<a href="http://www.bonbonbreak.com/how-to-dance-with-your-father/"> you can read about it HERE!</a></td></tr>
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They say that the wedding day is just the beginning. I think that's true, but it also marks a milestone in our relationship, that look at us, look at how far we've come, (I<a href="http://trueagape.net/2015/06/40-things-i-learned-from-being-engaged/"> learned so much from being engaged for two years</a>) and look at the people that care about us so much and want to celebrate with us. A wedding closes the door on many things you'll never get back. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rXMSKSMqSV7Y33EDED-1MfEta9xmlhZehewUrI72svZNfEiisUXRZAVOT6AsLAk_K49O7tyFSKxhkfIb_1_3VJo0kyqRimTxqdxMMT3GrvNjARKCkJaK7BOTu4jqS1ygEvvfq2GHJwP6/s320/FB_IMG_1435544838361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rXMSKSMqSV7Y33EDED-1MfEta9xmlhZehewUrI72svZNfEiisUXRZAVOT6AsLAk_K49O7tyFSKxhkfIb_1_3VJo0kyqRimTxqdxMMT3GrvNjARKCkJaK7BOTu4jqS1ygEvvfq2GHJwP6/s320/FB_IMG_1435544838361.jpg" /></a></div>
http://www.allspiceandacrylics.blogspot.com/2015/06/wedding-day-bliss.html<br />
<a href="http://amyoes.com/Writer/View/15">But it's different that the desolation I felt waking up from my coma, knowing I would never get back what I had lost.</a> This time, I immediately know all the gifts I will gain from this new venture. After my coma, it took nearly a decade to feel the full and beautiful gifts of this detour in my life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgtmYUlM6svyJXmOCfBZSrqCEsiuLMMzLs_gH3hKdNMUu4r3JWsUsaMLdNl0g0NFt7hMx-NL2cb62wdZ0hB7IoWq2UCF3Xq8-Tx3TNcB-kQmalXf31_QpApk1d9Rwg2H0l8fr7pgTlzC0/s1600/11174870_10153363592513777_1980541856091323625_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgtmYUlM6svyJXmOCfBZSrqCEsiuLMMzLs_gH3hKdNMUu4r3JWsUsaMLdNl0g0NFt7hMx-NL2cb62wdZ0hB7IoWq2UCF3Xq8-Tx3TNcB-kQmalXf31_QpApk1d9Rwg2H0l8fr7pgTlzC0/s1600/11174870_10153363592513777_1980541856091323625_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With marriage also, many of the gifts are yet to come. Everyone says marriage is hard work, but it's the most amazing thing you'll ever have. Everyone also says that Brandon and I make a relationship look so easy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrk33W56_PnHC7uiz8b4KWlLpfY8YJVX4qpnvcuLiUejFEKRB8U3dX9O8DBQPDppsxFIpKEahMebLRSR8jYC2APtIWxS6FePM10d3Fh5xvEW8H3bKOiHBrtO8WpazsWeuzvxoD1Ydqlnn/s1600/11025631_10153363592383777_3063865798905473526_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrk33W56_PnHC7uiz8b4KWlLpfY8YJVX4qpnvcuLiUejFEKRB8U3dX9O8DBQPDppsxFIpKEahMebLRSR8jYC2APtIWxS6FePM10d3Fh5xvEW8H3bKOiHBrtO8WpazsWeuzvxoD1Ydqlnn/s1600/11025631_10153363592383777_3063865798905473526_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's easy to spend the rest of your life around someone who makes you involuntarily giddy at the sight, at the thought, at the sense that someone really <i>knows</i> you and loves who he knows. And to know <a href="http://I learned so much from being engaged for two years">this all started because of a really awful surgery!</a> Making things happen for a reason isn't always easy. <a href="http://missmillmag.com/millennial-mindset/millennial-mindset-making-things-happen/">It's hard to decipher what can be a springboard for something better, or a setback for worse - but if you frame it in a positive light, </a>who knows what a little faith and resilience can do.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeIqjYsgDP29Td7q4lQVODD84Av3ivUR_eMyFw9doM695SPlX4PIe5lbLsC42LZwWxq8T9OpBdBOQC0viAFBy47c5U3K7zqXTk5-Za9uUdCcRfZJaFsSnI7zOOs4PJ0CrjGN5Nm4JWBOR/s1600/20150618_173029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeIqjYsgDP29Td7q4lQVODD84Av3ivUR_eMyFw9doM695SPlX4PIe5lbLsC42LZwWxq8T9OpBdBOQC0viAFBy47c5U3K7zqXTk5-Za9uUdCcRfZJaFsSnI7zOOs4PJ0CrjGN5Nm4JWBOR/s200/20150618_173029.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBy9QDP4OO-gla29hYcEjgIy5tu3551qe94W7aHu_cy9h5TR9bxf5UhSFaZZheiWBmqtKXUaVYDb3Yvr6DWp1_Nyx3YlTEp4M7vPrZEkIfG2WGrRKtE5YFs0lF_U0ApyRC60rviPkf7GC/s1600/20150608_204032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Rm0QrMZaTvamauMSYRUiWzdNSjl-eoOtQbs9Uj6eAcXImBJnKEhHy3CUhYo1ItC2BwVyMk3BSPe8Rmeq_UOQq9MzlU4a6FpejhIl0qSgku-yUVGeuKggb05XZ5B-dPX6ZUuorS_bmTyc/s200/20150608_210339.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBy9QDP4OO-gla29hYcEjgIy5tu3551qe94W7aHu_cy9h5TR9bxf5UhSFaZZheiWBmqtKXUaVYDb3Yvr6DWp1_Nyx3YlTEp4M7vPrZEkIfG2WGrRKtE5YFs0lF_U0ApyRC60rviPkf7GC/s200/20150608_204032.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeIqjYsgDP29Td7q4lQVODD84Av3ivUR_eMyFw9doM695SPlX4PIe5lbLsC42LZwWxq8T9OpBdBOQC0viAFBy47c5U3K7zqXTk5-Za9uUdCcRfZJaFsSnI7zOOs4PJ0CrjGN5Nm4JWBOR/s1600/20150618_173029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Anyway, I could blabber on about this, because I'm <i>feeling.</i> But I won't. <i>Feeling, </i>as I've written about before, took time, and is still a daily process. <a href="http://droppingkeys.net/recovering-from-sexual-abuse/">Because of my own personal traumas, I've had to become quite numb. </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjLAzhfwwA9nm6jKYZN2zmNmS329srzT7mrhNEWfEiT-Q5EaDG4EvI8BYVmBxX8L49g8c2Kwkwkb08xQ5RHjNgLc2qayf_5ujsWiJ7N6cQmPFbEg_K9azyycq-cVWa8vtSKNeEBrrUA7U/s1600/10986805_10153363592078777_8330313697215906891_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjLAzhfwwA9nm6jKYZN2zmNmS329srzT7mrhNEWfEiT-Q5EaDG4EvI8BYVmBxX8L49g8c2Kwkwkb08xQ5RHjNgLc2qayf_5ujsWiJ7N6cQmPFbEg_K9azyycq-cVWa8vtSKNeEBrrUA7U/s1600/10986805_10153363592078777_8330313697215906891_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Now I am starting to feel the full spectrum of emotions - the loss I feel when <a href="http://theindiechicks.com/waiting-for-miracles/">thinking of my late grandmother (and the miracle of her I felt with me on Saturday),</a> the sadness I feel reflecting on my "old" life, the frustration I feel when pondering my medical circumstances...but because I've committed to life and agreed to "feel" all of life, the good and bad, I also have the privilege of feeling the incredible highs. Like last night.</div>
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<i><u><b>Now what you REALLY care about...</b></u></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGWil5DSI1Y2siGIrl3C8Z6_9LewYdKfy2GnZD1oYpADD-emvTMaqPSObZtF4za4phT1IEy8cDI7_FmLVd3jtFlsQOr812KltPz_knTP0hsqdtUPlmP9w5VX0LpohhHqweqOt_rNbQFYq/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524515167.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGWil5DSI1Y2siGIrl3C8Z6_9LewYdKfy2GnZD1oYpADD-emvTMaqPSObZtF4za4phT1IEy8cDI7_FmLVd3jtFlsQOr812KltPz_knTP0hsqdtUPlmP9w5VX0LpohhHqweqOt_rNbQFYq/s320/FB_IMG_1435524515167.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/anaparzychcakes">Ana Parzych designed a beautiful and amazingly delicious cake!</a></td></tr>
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Red is my lucky color...</div>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb8XtltDKvtB0BD6Vjj0gaq5B6XCRrC5jet-uvuuFMOnaQKHj0xZVFFqw9Rka4lWrlTa9BWg9ASk4AGAntLEGG3XQuO81Pfen8PGplE_xy5UYyk-OKZ5HGvhQG-1WEHMfhf0rSrjSu_5k/s1600/20150601_091503.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb8XtltDKvtB0BD6Vjj0gaq5B6XCRrC5jet-uvuuFMOnaQKHj0xZVFFqw9Rka4lWrlTa9BWg9ASk4AGAntLEGG3XQuO81Pfen8PGplE_xy5UYyk-OKZ5HGvhQG-1WEHMfhf0rSrjSu_5k/s200/20150601_091503.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So of course I had to have red shoes for the ceremony</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Go Aerosoles!)</td></tr>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIKet7fKauL0pVzlZt62yZwk-xOB-L9JtYyHLOEbZ2Wa4lTFPcBX_fEI5_sFnSRY1EKkjLe6wmrkDdMCOWdU6BFstXGFYzSx-33Epvb2sSS7kuuwBZADDbRsbs4LCdRGoBAjRS0scCHE_/s1600/20150625_224358.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIKet7fKauL0pVzlZt62yZwk-xOB-L9JtYyHLOEbZ2Wa4lTFPcBX_fEI5_sFnSRY1EKkjLe6wmrkDdMCOWdU6BFstXGFYzSx-33Epvb2sSS7kuuwBZADDbRsbs4LCdRGoBAjRS0scCHE_/s200/20150625_224358.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And reception! (Go ASICS!)</td></tr>
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Did I mention I love <i>red?</i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaSHSr8uGzDfvm8gDjLLhx37mzi3HuLN-1ojVZ9se8LpGHTpQuuhJ66iOlJ3k8G2QtLkSZT1C9ZJX0dlBIL-hqahTpTfEeyW_Ins7suCN5l-riG4dGxc6UXoQCIJUefP2YcdFBQIf6FYb/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524474622.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaSHSr8uGzDfvm8gDjLLhx37mzi3HuLN-1ojVZ9se8LpGHTpQuuhJ66iOlJ3k8G2QtLkSZT1C9ZJX0dlBIL-hqahTpTfEeyW_Ins7suCN5l-riG4dGxc6UXoQCIJUefP2YcdFBQIf6FYb/s320/FB_IMG_1435524474622.jpg" width="320" /></a> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I do </i>my one-woman show in red every time, and my wedding shouldn't be any different!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rkzzn1cIJVmsoWBNcJje2sAxuOv1lVl_j1vujHAQKjwFXU3A0OuvO4zDxfbJdBDzli8cOe5Ll_aG8JtdytbyjLXCBof9YmkTdaD8AOBDMzDY8ydbc1Nm2_aam0ZygJOdB8Vra_D4CuTq/s1600/amyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rkzzn1cIJVmsoWBNcJje2sAxuOv1lVl_j1vujHAQKjwFXU3A0OuvO4zDxfbJdBDzli8cOe5Ll_aG8JtdytbyjLXCBof9YmkTdaD8AOBDMzDY8ydbc1Nm2_aam0ZygJOdB8Vra_D4CuTq/s1600/amyo.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://amyoes.com/Performer/GutlessAndGrateful">Gutless and Grateful</a>...(and married.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vimeopro.com/mygo2media/great-comebacks/video/98000427">I may not have a stomach</a>, but I should did eat like there was no tomorrow...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HcKRBqxECAiJvhXYTMu_UzD8MVD4RaVxZMGx592bUxad3Z2lLBb8cPC60ka4L4Vi0W8bfQofaLKAJHIVFdjXq2fYtIkH_0uVuwFn5kn7n3sKM5Uptwzw8oonYB3s5yVndK3tKWFQXeP-/s1600/20150610_182052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qkblkA5190g_dt7b7mJSprw-g4i20-KSFx7r8iw1mwDJVbsnscawjcys9wF4fvzpX8ZnkcnYYZ0UB6JEPejhBtCS6VfSY9EkVEpI4ldtLRQME66IfjDUmrM5IJQ-i0OwMi8HGhaNM3nn/s200/20150610_182049.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HcKRBqxECAiJvhXYTMu_UzD8MVD4RaVxZMGx592bUxad3Z2lLBb8cPC60ka4L4Vi0W8bfQofaLKAJHIVFdjXq2fYtIkH_0uVuwFn5kn7n3sKM5Uptwzw8oonYB3s5yVndK3tKWFQXeP-/s200/20150610_182052.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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My<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/MixedMediaGallery"> art was everywhere</a>, including the centerpieces!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugF1ADNJO_SSvF24Lh1oiUx7re08K21rrtyM3xV3aWbExc6kkvoFQpLfFn-THcFvOqmRqxcP3fablQccpirYGnMgNg48PP4ZCwcVnv5pXqd4AViR3pwywJIstHMBSirrYBwPJaVWgRU1U/s1600/20150609_150736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugF1ADNJO_SSvF24Lh1oiUx7re08K21rrtyM3xV3aWbExc6kkvoFQpLfFn-THcFvOqmRqxcP3fablQccpirYGnMgNg48PP4ZCwcVnv5pXqd4AViR3pwywJIstHMBSirrYBwPJaVWgRU1U/s320/20150609_150736.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ruthridgeway.com/">Ruth Ridgeway</a> was an amazing planner to work with...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzjdP3e5RCBBvzTys43ElpSdv6ggunX7S0YOJmFCqtCdVsWIHEUyGyLV6WSyjHCRgQhibwJSsmcelDnuPu0GUSRBljp8GyRgPdap-MGXB0Vbjb8jcPPImMZn5uUklI-znYtPi4p9DDFCD/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524501472.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzjdP3e5RCBBvzTys43ElpSdv6ggunX7S0YOJmFCqtCdVsWIHEUyGyLV6WSyjHCRgQhibwJSsmcelDnuPu0GUSRBljp8GyRgPdap-MGXB0Vbjb8jcPPImMZn5uUklI-znYtPi4p9DDFCD/s200/FB_IMG_1435524501472.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GSc0iL-p3qDEQOZpBxI4s4VZWbJZ0Z-61vqZMuufJhMCFIwBqfbWm61pewirixLQwr9onMIyQXiYuNyI9fcr4L5El-O0aTcQ49LYoCBslhs2DQ1YYb760lUJ5HqR9x-qQzqBWiDn4y0z/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524452212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GSc0iL-p3qDEQOZpBxI4s4VZWbJZ0Z-61vqZMuufJhMCFIwBqfbWm61pewirixLQwr9onMIyQXiYuNyI9fcr4L5El-O0aTcQ49LYoCBslhs2DQ1YYb760lUJ5HqR9x-qQzqBWiDn4y0z/s200/FB_IMG_1435524452212.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzjdP3e5RCBBvzTys43ElpSdv6ggunX7S0YOJmFCqtCdVsWIHEUyGyLV6WSyjHCRgQhibwJSsmcelDnuPu0GUSRBljp8GyRgPdap-MGXB0Vbjb8jcPPImMZn5uUklI-znYtPi4p9DDFCD/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524501472.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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For
the table place settings, I made my customized inchies to put on each
card - you can even get some of my inchies - customized to be whatever
you like, of course, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/238023542/mixed-media-customized-inchie-pins"><b>on my Etsy shop.</b></a></div>
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/061/0/11129026/il_570xN.791076769_oxa7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/061/0/11129026/il_570xN.791076769_oxa7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/063/0/11129026/il_570xN.791079573_f3pb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/063/0/11129026/il_570xN.791079573_f3pb.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<a href="http://sometalkofyouandme.com/2015/06/22/how-creativity-therapy-saved-my-life-amy-oestreicher/">Creativity has saved my life </a>so far, and this weekend, I got to use my <a href="http://breagettingfit.com/2015/06/10/7-simple-steps-to-find-your-creative-side/"><b>creativity in quite a few ways</b></a>. </div>
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<a href="http://faithineverysingleday.blogspot.com/2015/05/women-of-faith-amy-from-all-spice-and.html?m=1">My Jewish Faith is very important to me</a>, so I took great care in fashioning my own mixed media chuppah...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpUx7JH28DwXQrf-HYkTmWlx_S8ZUJAuT1CNRsCvKeusNQBdPFAwR_KiNp0czI9uOgzpa3TqZ-oTwt99PRyBpBHP4eausjcEp9LnMo96Hjm0h3GUyZAOV-vb8aeYaOe51hWjbjV7ruf1V/s1600/20150628_000412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy5A8KC_1rQDT3b9x3dWo0X9VINFNCSXRuZbM-wcdJQffbAuVnrW1egPZDl3nGh4LKSnL-GNh-jY-M47eigQoS2Q2GC9eLTCBioRPu62ZAZbTo5mn8OOzvomtc-BAfKOEDPIlPmqmm8We/s200/20150628_000414.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpUx7JH28DwXQrf-HYkTmWlx_S8ZUJAuT1CNRsCvKeusNQBdPFAwR_KiNp0czI9uOgzpa3TqZ-oTwt99PRyBpBHP4eausjcEp9LnMo96Hjm0h3GUyZAOV-vb8aeYaOe51hWjbjV7ruf1V/s200/20150628_000412.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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And by the end of the night we were exhausted!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7-aEsIkywITFqWHwErVtQlJxLIz-MYZkCcqoH4h4RbzOk2smeWge6q5HUF6Jk9QGHhwVrW1QClJSTZSbUx7LEaYQfTn3FXmAzCUPJ0mwDrS7zZHy24EnSl0dfD5kVe4XokJrDgRGlFOn/s1600/20150628_012857.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7-aEsIkywITFqWHwErVtQlJxLIz-MYZkCcqoH4h4RbzOk2smeWge6q5HUF6Jk9QGHhwVrW1QClJSTZSbUx7LEaYQfTn3FXmAzCUPJ0mwDrS7zZHy24EnSl0dfD5kVe4XokJrDgRGlFOn/s200/20150628_012857.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mV9-PhyphenhyphenqyDv50nTLmhbGwg_jf0BYH4VCBXrObfyS-7kJBNMxXMC77G9UxFv1RTS5XbfpGIGFiTWV5BTG9jZ8DCJ_8QW288Nan91Q7WvXV-riyhqV_9Vnq1t9SZ7Gp8bc9XAVhfbvpx-D/s1600/20150628_004716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mV9-PhyphenhyphenqyDv50nTLmhbGwg_jf0BYH4VCBXrObfyS-7kJBNMxXMC77G9UxFv1RTS5XbfpGIGFiTWV5BTG9jZ8DCJ_8QW288Nan91Q7WvXV-riyhqV_9Vnq1t9SZ7Gp8bc9XAVhfbvpx-D/s200/20150628_004716.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://sharpheels.com/2015/06/luck-and-happiness/">You can say it's luck</a> that Brandon was the first guy I met online, few 27 or so surgeries, and<a href="http://www.sammichespsychmeds.com/how-losing-my-stomach-made-me-hungry-for-life/"> a long-gone stomach cannot keep me from being hungry for life</a>, and for FOOD, for marriage, for food in my soul, in my heart, and all the soul-food to come. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiVn2rJcdxkUohoIGkx_02k_mLe2vRCopNbmGs_ep8HiyL6mT8TuS76HynokoRDgxVKlbp6BcnXSRNMn7IgLysZt8znjJC1obh7PusFx3iZawMjGlMfNaxNg6s7X7BuSX8hVABkmlxeyQ/s1600/FB_IMG_1435524481489.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiVn2rJcdxkUohoIGkx_02k_mLe2vRCopNbmGs_ep8HiyL6mT8TuS76HynokoRDgxVKlbp6BcnXSRNMn7IgLysZt8znjJC1obh7PusFx3iZawMjGlMfNaxNg6s7X7BuSX8hVABkmlxeyQ/s320/FB_IMG_1435524481489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><u><b>And looking ahead...</b></u></i></div>
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And now back to work! I've got to start preparing for my artist reception ay Discovery Museum on July 26th. <a href="http://patch.com/connecticut/westport/canvas-talk-tree-dreams-now-discovery-museum-bridgeport-ct-artist-reception-july-26th"><b>(More info on that HERE.)</b></a> You can even take a <a href="http://amyoes.com/Artist/DiscoveryMuseum">virtual tour HERE!</a><br />
<br />
I'm also on <a href="https://instagram.com/amyoes70/">Instagram now</a> - look at that!<br />
...and <a href="https://twitter.com/AmyOes">twitter :) </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK7Vx1FE6rPdY2LmTRojhZcV5hsT5lQ_gcxk2MkpapLPGZLIZP-VJmMA8SqMm9lX3bG6eEJAbvUpVFX2pMsTwR6z79LYWlMEa_IVvZ_Vx-A2abg5MDA1ffRoN2CJNlebeNdJwv4_H2W9c/s1600/11169977_10153363592158777_3059909373692561909_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNK7Vx1FE6rPdY2LmTRojhZcV5hsT5lQ_gcxk2MkpapLPGZLIZP-VJmMA8SqMm9lX3bG6eEJAbvUpVFX2pMsTwR6z79LYWlMEa_IVvZ_Vx-A2abg5MDA1ffRoN2CJNlebeNdJwv4_H2W9c/s1600/11169977_10153363592158777_3059909373692561909_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
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―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2622245.Lao_Tzu" target="_blank">Lao Tzu</a></div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/22499_10153329709679658_5976259367148986968_n.jpg?oh=5b10db823fc8f04cda68ec72e5a2a519&oe=560BF11A&__gda__=1443625060_965d8f96940091e795756572fd0e8680" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/22499_10153329709679658_5976259367148986968_n.jpg?oh=5b10db823fc8f04cda68ec72e5a2a519&oe=560BF11A&__gda__=1443625060_965d8f96940091e795756572fd0e8680" width="176" /></a></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>There are names for what binds us:</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>strong forces, weak forces.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Look around, you can see them:</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>the skin that forms in a half-empty cup,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>nails rusting into the places they join,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>joints dovetailed on their own weight. </i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>The way things stay so solidly</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>wherever they've been set down—</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and gravity, scientists say, is weak.</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>And see how the flesh grows back</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>across a wound, with a great vehemence,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>more strong</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>than the simple, untested surface before.</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>There's a name for it on horses,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>when it comes back darker and raised: proud flesh,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>as all flesh,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>is proud of its wounds, wears them</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>as honors given out after battle,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>small triumphs pinned to the chest—</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>And when two people have loved each other</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>see how it is like a </i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>scar between their bodies,</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>stronger, darker, and proud;</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>how the black cord makes of them a single fabric</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 1em; text-align: center;">
<i>that nothing can tear or mend.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb8XtltDKvtB0BD6Vjj0gaq5B6XCRrC5jet-uvuuFMOnaQKHj0xZVFFqw9Rka4lWrlTa9BWg9ASk4AGAntLEGG3XQuO81Pfen8PGplE_xy5UYyk-OKZ5HGvhQG-1WEHMfhf0rSrjSu_5k/s1600/20150601_091503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-27024816480621754592015-06-26T08:05:00.002-07:002015-06-26T08:12:38.807-07:00Gratitude Takes Guts.<div style="text-align: center;">
Friday!</div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3297" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3297" width="248" /></a></div>
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<i>“For just one second,
look at your life and see how perfect it is. Stop looking for the next
secret door that is going to lead you to your real life. Stop waiting.
This is it: there’s nothing else. It’s here, and you’d better decide to
enjoy it or you’re going to be miserable wherever you go, for the rest
of your life, forever.” ~Lev Grossman</i><br />
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<br />
Hey everyone...in case you haven't read me blabbing on about it, I'm getting married tomorrow.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KNEDMI29j4NW7uSgbaM3Xv9Bn7aVJ-7r8I6ei4a6QycivVJ4Dw38fM_Ll2zTeG_Luw-oyJnvA9-xvNY6B_-eJmoR27g3wkuUCJ9xg2S7JU0ct-SkxAYzOg0MCD7ddred7WUyp2KbEDCh/s1600/FB_IMG_1435176315070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KNEDMI29j4NW7uSgbaM3Xv9Bn7aVJ-7r8I6ei4a6QycivVJ4Dw38fM_Ll2zTeG_Luw-oyJnvA9-xvNY6B_-eJmoR27g3wkuUCJ9xg2S7JU0ct-SkxAYzOg0MCD7ddred7WUyp2KbEDCh/s200/FB_IMG_1435176315070.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAhaNJkCHi5Yi_3F_g4co989MZcPVJGE8Dzl2VdC2cUHZ_DmeeZwfaKr0Txo-D1dQap6S-PoOTvpMS7C8RlxZ10O8rZYei_3A47IcJow3tCVlnn7k6Xqr5pxkF7qOBEFcSw8Uz0R-NMuR/s1600/20150617_133108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAhaNJkCHi5Yi_3F_g4co989MZcPVJGE8Dzl2VdC2cUHZ_DmeeZwfaKr0Txo-D1dQap6S-PoOTvpMS7C8RlxZ10O8rZYei_3A47IcJow3tCVlnn7k6Xqr5pxkF7qOBEFcSw8Uz0R-NMuR/s200/20150617_133108.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZcQJ_8wTDwHhNrIe_PYezc54lkXdwkT6VWG7lGnnnMzmQH3RoVGsQ5QPLvPHgp3-5bPU0jk3aXA3Nh-FnwCKPjr_sh2hRPa9aEAyjAfIwAzszyACT23XkM-Ka8K990jWMAeIK3LJT-WC/s1600/FB_IMG_1435176592373.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZcQJ_8wTDwHhNrIe_PYezc54lkXdwkT6VWG7lGnnnMzmQH3RoVGsQ5QPLvPHgp3-5bPU0jk3aXA3Nh-FnwCKPjr_sh2hRPa9aEAyjAfIwAzszyACT23XkM-Ka8K990jWMAeIK3LJT-WC/s200/FB_IMG_1435176592373.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i>(Shameless plug - hey it's my blog - check out my <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllspiceandAcrylics?ref=hdr_shop_menu"><b>Etsy shop</b></a> </span>and buy things to support the charity of Amy and Brandon wanting to go on a honeymoon...just kidding. Just check out my art. It's fun - more stuff on <a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/MixedMediaGallery"><b>my gallery!</b></a>.)</i><br />
<br />
I am extremely excited.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_IbGzjkfHjx3VhAKZDmJMts2FVsxB_Bwt9euswx15ZybLqQnYZAu4duo5Tpt9HZV_Guc7xpvHlsPwarutkXc_nAo2310q-Evm_vLfW5XSXYPmpHVQlE2Oua_YENxY4bg4y45HFeeGRWd/s1600/20150526_141055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX_IbGzjkfHjx3VhAKZDmJMts2FVsxB_Bwt9euswx15ZybLqQnYZAu4duo5Tpt9HZV_Guc7xpvHlsPwarutkXc_nAo2310q-Evm_vLfW5XSXYPmpHVQlE2Oua_YENxY4bg4y45HFeeGRWd/s320/20150526_141055.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1JASzmzOXMYqT7GlKHvCW6ljf2lPtI8Gdjz_xcRRzfldalmNgtNYtdlVtq7NMiFD6ZsFHYFlLUcb-0Okkw2LtxDv-TSPT0jk-UNnzD4s6-GBQAbuaW24qIItpU-eAC54oiATNbHO5C3e/s1600/20150625_165854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
And pensive.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjBmrzxzKjw44Ag3hFvU_iVzJXbdkcqL8tJ99AyZuCr7o8pD2w-oq0IcLhRUCq4dxK5OIORS0UBs6Jryc9HZVNzDz8OATC2n22KE78tXVKFED3P7Wm8lOEp4jCiaptj6TvwNkF50GINMe/s1600/20150514_111645.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjBmrzxzKjw44Ag3hFvU_iVzJXbdkcqL8tJ99AyZuCr7o8pD2w-oq0IcLhRUCq4dxK5OIORS0UBs6Jryc9HZVNzDz8OATC2n22KE78tXVKFED3P7Wm8lOEp4jCiaptj6TvwNkF50GINMe/s320/20150514_111645.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95cj3pBYZ2iweCNJIo-6C1GGSZMlHzGWJAolMPxUOo0Y6HDAfpHtajIk3pn64ZKIzVFEyhvSUHe-IH41azqzWUXqOXt1FpfVtEzD_IzbKAvR62kzgUmFtbT-aPZyWJWCMKxjUueisi4og/s1600/20150518_131815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
Sad.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIZVtan7ESMOSfnuZIldDl8M0FlzNqX2q0mH7rUmW6c8juljX93DezYZAS9T7wgd7kebnWAy7t4BB4-x42r2Ipnesk0IcW5SPBjyjjtGxanuOvQA05D_1v_vvGDBDjJIVipqdZ2uAVqsC/s1600/20150519_114402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIZVtan7ESMOSfnuZIldDl8M0FlzNqX2q0mH7rUmW6c8juljX93DezYZAS9T7wgd7kebnWAy7t4BB4-x42r2Ipnesk0IcW5SPBjyjjtGxanuOvQA05D_1v_vvGDBDjJIVipqdZ2uAVqsC/s320/20150519_114402.jpg" width="179" /></a><br />
Nostalgic.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZve90d7_f65FBq4NnvCX-Xw5AeJ4oAXn63A-x5qCQUqcIGyitD8RMkkX8szOs7zCYRe4r2h20PpaGplY7nQ6QuHhE9lREfSa7PRQImivgZVNFAiDchhCqfBvZojhARefM02lh0cwfvf-/s1600/IMAG0754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZve90d7_f65FBq4NnvCX-Xw5AeJ4oAXn63A-x5qCQUqcIGyitD8RMkkX8szOs7zCYRe4r2h20PpaGplY7nQ6QuHhE9lREfSa7PRQImivgZVNFAiDchhCqfBvZojhARefM02lh0cwfvf-/s200/IMAG0754.jpg" width="113" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rftIkKrgCVOrgomlSSt3lad0v48D6N1x0ZrsD28n2ao7BsfgX-NTaGfisZh0jGDjpav-ZQMSQNSQ9OtxvBClk306wkA5RPtF-xcPX00p8DowdbzON5VNV_Wkfth56xdLP5EkISnmizsH/s1600/20150517_140043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<br />
Looking forward.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7D_wiMNfE4lbmEaQ5-_c7SRREir_XTDCitLljmodMbU8vkH_zHr5FtlDAGGqEOjDpu8K0WEtSW3AejlYyt07E2-cCTErq8RaG62zRunY-43GwlGH8-JgzPfdEiVFhOX9K6IA-j2yY8ll/s1600/20150520_104845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7D_wiMNfE4lbmEaQ5-_c7SRREir_XTDCitLljmodMbU8vkH_zHr5FtlDAGGqEOjDpu8K0WEtSW3AejlYyt07E2-cCTErq8RaG62zRunY-43GwlGH8-JgzPfdEiVFhOX9K6IA-j2yY8ll/s320/20150520_104845.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Optimistic<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOGvc0j03rfNRzwVYLKVAWHo0ZQvMJuTi1w6h_HkfFXn1odOyVGLwJA4y4AictcrP0EICHlqRow5Fm441Z-RKMH4gA9BTk-IWWpyrzcxCtdbBuUrbD6P4u75qy4l2UsWMmu1KOeSDaYys/s1600/20150604_032233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOGvc0j03rfNRzwVYLKVAWHo0ZQvMJuTi1w6h_HkfFXn1odOyVGLwJA4y4AictcrP0EICHlqRow5Fm441Z-RKMH4gA9BTk-IWWpyrzcxCtdbBuUrbD6P4u75qy4l2UsWMmu1KOeSDaYys/s320/20150604_032233.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Anxious<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOarPypCMOi5FzmU472oclUpASjKvczYj2q-oqX82Pm9khOhAW3BEhBE7bjz_YB7HmGYdBdJpF7YJfVRt3iJlJv-V9E2IbZJD-7f6AOxgl4ea8QWpI-R5o6St3qZJXeFPaRCkX_y57c8lZ/s1600/20150604_032351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOarPypCMOi5FzmU472oclUpASjKvczYj2q-oqX82Pm9khOhAW3BEhBE7bjz_YB7HmGYdBdJpF7YJfVRt3iJlJv-V9E2IbZJD-7f6AOxgl4ea8QWpI-R5o6St3qZJXeFPaRCkX_y57c8lZ/s320/20150604_032351.jpg" width="179" /></a><br />
Thankful<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio29MxFaPPHULTadZbQi33MkcTLDuAKMbPWUqcuEI49ltRsjy-JTdh6gyAbzNAk47ija1kkL5hutIGZjt4BrWNFCj_qRGNckHem2eHQ2FuqrCPGBdQwZCUuwam8Y0F7Vx_itgtQSbpJy15/s1600/20150520_122613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio29MxFaPPHULTadZbQi33MkcTLDuAKMbPWUqcuEI49ltRsjy-JTdh6gyAbzNAk47ija1kkL5hutIGZjt4BrWNFCj_qRGNckHem2eHQ2FuqrCPGBdQwZCUuwam8Y0F7Vx_itgtQSbpJy15/s320/20150520_122613.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
<br />
And feeling.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03QEKmrTyBUGA6sxRN8f7_pqiWTXycmjliaDvjsZsmH1v9IvuebwPfZWXn5jwKnXJtfAidUsXMffYvQOchLXr2ziosIoweNMTrmtxSKLLvnKND-00UvjEYzATzJs9gP6l9FnueBrvzUfl/s1600/20150611_125831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bQMdja9U5Y5bchkPsWpGGaP7N5D4Fe4GDjB2gOSiXRUpzW8U4SutEgZIzH7UShQcOhjqF8cPl5i_CX-LZenYvshyphenhyphenb0Vwfu-RHkBDgZz4_Ns17nK2g7oIsMhjPvBS_c0EfSGLFZrLhosw/s1600/IMAG3959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bQMdja9U5Y5bchkPsWpGGaP7N5D4Fe4GDjB2gOSiXRUpzW8U4SutEgZIzH7UShQcOhjqF8cPl5i_CX-LZenYvshyphenhyphenb0Vwfu-RHkBDgZz4_Ns17nK2g7oIsMhjPvBS_c0EfSGLFZrLhosw/s320/IMAG3959.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Nothing had to happen this way. I didn't have to make a dating profile - especially since I was still on IVs and stuffed with gauze. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rftIkKrgCVOrgomlSSt3lad0v48D6N1x0ZrsD28n2ao7BsfgX-NTaGfisZh0jGDjpav-ZQMSQNSQ9OtxvBClk306wkA5RPtF-xcPX00p8DowdbzON5VNV_Wkfth56xdLP5EkISnmizsH/s1600/20150517_140043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8rftIkKrgCVOrgomlSSt3lad0v48D6N1x0ZrsD28n2ao7BsfgX-NTaGfisZh0jGDjpav-ZQMSQNSQ9OtxvBClk306wkA5RPtF-xcPX00p8DowdbzON5VNV_Wkfth56xdLP5EkISnmizsH/s320/20150517_140043.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I didn't have to get a 27th elective surgery that has still made me a medical catastrophe.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgRHoS647jJvpfDD1ziB6J_6Fp2fGyk1Ga9QNtIOln1mC4runHAmcP5waJWx5bc79k5gS8K_RGuMhBFiATXeg9Yw8wBsYjcjYDw0Sd9RRE7dlJCVJaS-taduX6aihHGEjD1NDQ7meY65Q/s1600/20150609_150752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgRHoS647jJvpfDD1ziB6J_6Fp2fGyk1Ga9QNtIOln1mC4runHAmcP5waJWx5bc79k5gS8K_RGuMhBFiATXeg9Yw8wBsYjcjYDw0Sd9RRE7dlJCVJaS-taduX6aihHGEjD1NDQ7meY65Q/s320/20150609_150752.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I didn't have to have an amazing family who literally slept in the ICU with me for months.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLocNLz11a_kW5o0SmvBFu8XcGBt76GMWmFMwBJ52pcCt3K4duIvJCZL5UENh5MvKo5p7qSshrFZ48ExrRuL41-mVlvJqI4bgkU2cJn1KzurdgRJjadC8TLPRlm5FFY85st9y2U25JlzS/s1600/20150607_161520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLocNLz11a_kW5o0SmvBFu8XcGBt76GMWmFMwBJ52pcCt3K4duIvJCZL5UENh5MvKo5p7qSshrFZ48ExrRuL41-mVlvJqI4bgkU2cJn1KzurdgRJjadC8TLPRlm5FFY85st9y2U25JlzS/s320/20150607_161520.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I didn't have to force myself to keep going.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dzm0i304sX-ByLgBenhlDXryJZ0SYdNM7OUrJRbDK80ALzqXFPnRnxNOPKu-firGYKjHg5irdD0iEf3HXn-Q9WCZRMjRSj8AprB7UwDShfkdrLlwVUWWHO-c_m_VbLqP_nQqahf48rvP/s1600/20150607_165538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dzm0i304sX-ByLgBenhlDXryJZ0SYdNM7OUrJRbDK80ALzqXFPnRnxNOPKu-firGYKjHg5irdD0iEf3HXn-Q9WCZRMjRSj8AprB7UwDShfkdrLlwVUWWHO-c_m_VbLqP_nQqahf48rvP/s320/20150607_165538.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
But I did have to. Because even when I hated my life...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqf34mqRpJmoLMal83DCD0OA46W6IiR5yJ9856A-ZoJ_njWpqEkeVB01BNucame7RdsbyzuLf5d792pVtWf3-mkAmIqkwhL93HAT4NU9_7ikdIG18a8NvRMwfu8gN6w4g7MoLLyc4Hx8T/s1600/DSC_4623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqf34mqRpJmoLMal83DCD0OA46W6IiR5yJ9856A-ZoJ_njWpqEkeVB01BNucame7RdsbyzuLf5d792pVtWf3-mkAmIqkwhL93HAT4NU9_7ikdIG18a8NvRMwfu8gN6w4g7MoLLyc4Hx8T/s320/DSC_4623.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
I liked being alive.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1JASzmzOXMYqT7GlKHvCW6ljf2lPtI8Gdjz_xcRRzfldalmNgtNYtdlVtq7NMiFD6ZsFHYFlLUcb-0Okkw2LtxDv-TSPT0jk-UNnzD4s6-GBQAbuaW24qIItpU-eAC54oiATNbHO5C3e/s1600/20150625_165854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1JASzmzOXMYqT7GlKHvCW6ljf2lPtI8Gdjz_xcRRzfldalmNgtNYtdlVtq7NMiFD6ZsFHYFlLUcb-0Okkw2LtxDv-TSPT0jk-UNnzD4s6-GBQAbuaW24qIItpU-eAC54oiATNbHO5C3e/s200/20150625_165854.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Even when it felt awful. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFlzHGa6bSvPmmZmyDLnoTdDXjF7CmHLGNd1AREsUWInIicKnl0wLCBRzPy_cW21m1QAZumqauoQiSQWEHFlUfG7M-HX3BoyM0xz-LRQ9olZsp5N6UOdbMfQS2i9DrW92OWG_0V8ZHIv/s1600/Self+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafFlzHGa6bSvPmmZmyDLnoTdDXjF7CmHLGNd1AREsUWInIicKnl0wLCBRzPy_cW21m1QAZumqauoQiSQWEHFlUfG7M-HX3BoyM0xz-LRQ9olZsp5N6UOdbMfQS2i9DrW92OWG_0V8ZHIv/s320/Self+Portrait.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
And so now I'm getting married.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlfHNbDCIGigWYULN_4i-HSqrHliDMnryi7sxmfS5ig7e1OMTyW9D-MjJFeGxU9vshm2fco3rJy9tuH3z9hNiAKlc7p6mDFjSy0A3zJODpCj3_TnzMz8d8bck23cisuISQJlvNzwFbHUj/s1600/20150609_150736.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlfHNbDCIGigWYULN_4i-HSqrHliDMnryi7sxmfS5ig7e1OMTyW9D-MjJFeGxU9vshm2fco3rJy9tuH3z9hNiAKlc7p6mDFjSy0A3zJODpCj3_TnzMz8d8bck23cisuISQJlvNzwFbHUj/s320/20150609_150736.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
And it feels so happy-like...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95cj3pBYZ2iweCNJIo-6C1GGSZMlHzGWJAolMPxUOo0Y6HDAfpHtajIk3pn64ZKIzVFEyhvSUHe-IH41azqzWUXqOXt1FpfVtEzD_IzbKAvR62kzgUmFtbT-aPZyWJWCMKxjUueisi4og/s1600/20150518_131815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLt__Huhn_kJH3RQ9iNQ9kjOAHEzNCbpQL54QKAPQJps5Oy3NP_M3OZEWd8TW47iuGJDiOpOEA95yxtSErBDUm-70Hra1MxhZtiDKkkxAaWjBUY2LXb1gulGn-EjIfAO-y9BQU1azcogK/s320/20150604_032328.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
...to be excited for something...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF8KIbLIcwceiZ_30d2FZ5OesRI11XR1VXGQ4I9qRw8K_JvCLBSSWVsNVaIUmKJybxL0ygHnlfIfMylQviAQmv-wf8G395k37LdKV9wFl62mUPhf6JznlW5AOLRgUZhAz1ifwkUqwwiHU/s1600/11174958_10153280840904658_5276020388600717105_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF8KIbLIcwceiZ_30d2FZ5OesRI11XR1VXGQ4I9qRw8K_JvCLBSSWVsNVaIUmKJybxL0ygHnlfIfMylQviAQmv-wf8G395k37LdKV9wFl62mUPhf6JznlW5AOLRgUZhAz1ifwkUqwwiHU/s200/11174958_10153280840904658_5276020388600717105_n.jpg" width="110" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost as exciting as it was<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FviMcR4pzdI"><b> tap-dancing at the Apollo theatre :)</b></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...something that no one can predict or know how the journey will go...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIRLF7n6Efdrp6l3-H06hroX-Ag92WYm01zTXAuLdKWGZzifQdjUCD13zlGK9T1HVZxV-N8MueKOmx-Xu2qcEEQrETRvGoqO0FYnSh1gRpsfsnG2Cs8eQCDWEZloIhPNkZLAB37WTRXpx/s1600/10686679_10153268143704658_1318195130998892836_n+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIRLF7n6Efdrp6l3-H06hroX-Ag92WYm01zTXAuLdKWGZzifQdjUCD13zlGK9T1HVZxV-N8MueKOmx-Xu2qcEEQrETRvGoqO0FYnSh1gRpsfsnG2Cs8eQCDWEZloIhPNkZLAB37WTRXpx/s320/10686679_10153268143704658_1318195130998892836_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="176" /></a><br />
but just that it is. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95cj3pBYZ2iweCNJIo-6C1GGSZMlHzGWJAolMPxUOo0Y6HDAfpHtajIk3pn64ZKIzVFEyhvSUHe-IH41azqzWUXqOXt1FpfVtEzD_IzbKAvR62kzgUmFtbT-aPZyWJWCMKxjUueisi4og/s1600/20150518_131815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95cj3pBYZ2iweCNJIo-6C1GGSZMlHzGWJAolMPxUOo0Y6HDAfpHtajIk3pn64ZKIzVFEyhvSUHe-IH41azqzWUXqOXt1FpfVtEzD_IzbKAvR62kzgUmFtbT-aPZyWJWCMKxjUueisi4og/s200/20150518_131815.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
I don't always feel good.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8E1fnWlxlBGihrK6B0g_eFxX6Stol9BWFh4OlF4ZpbN-BDv58XDsGIZpd43rTc89BYO5mkvcAg0e8Ejm8M3xreMx0WwkEpotKrhaaXe5435irLoXM-sun132ljiBfC2JZ8RGEUiBVtwH/s1600/1975067_10153268144029658_1154451023592776278_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8E1fnWlxlBGihrK6B0g_eFxX6Stol9BWFh4OlF4ZpbN-BDv58XDsGIZpd43rTc89BYO5mkvcAg0e8Ejm8M3xreMx0WwkEpotKrhaaXe5435irLoXM-sun132ljiBfC2JZ8RGEUiBVtwH/s320/1975067_10153268144029658_1154451023592776278_n.jpg" width="176" /></a><br />
But it feels good...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVvEj48ugVC_fvEJeB9EmXiyplQ4QpMsSNLEHlNJb6atfWqvbFKDsZ0WI6UfBtnBfPMBUe3W4URJIV50QpSeCTcEXwfL1x2ehj2PRj04YZ8hx6vMAz_3gLddQV1XAQOhyphenhyphen58RaWupkJ6Nw/s1600/20150625_172936.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVvEj48ugVC_fvEJeB9EmXiyplQ4QpMsSNLEHlNJb6atfWqvbFKDsZ0WI6UfBtnBfPMBUe3W4URJIV50QpSeCTcEXwfL1x2ehj2PRj04YZ8hx6vMAz_3gLddQV1XAQOhyphenhyphen58RaWupkJ6Nw/s200/20150625_172936.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
<br />
...to be here now.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjASeRsveuSA_rZgGEtJgIGhhfzOY82EuPFTw76E9sc8psvoK1NtVkUDpiozY0wkYqJYsxSwhSpobe35i_EtSIzGqGhLE3UWCjUhdW9I74VQeOiiy9b3tn4lU_SH5BRA4Ut0Sjxz1hJqU/s1600/IMG_3087.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjASeRsveuSA_rZgGEtJgIGhhfzOY82EuPFTw76E9sc8psvoK1NtVkUDpiozY0wkYqJYsxSwhSpobe35i_EtSIzGqGhLE3UWCjUhdW9I74VQeOiiy9b3tn4lU_SH5BRA4Ut0Sjxz1hJqU/s320/IMG_3087.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
And that is what I think gratitude means. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03QEKmrTyBUGA6sxRN8f7_pqiWTXycmjliaDvjsZsmH1v9IvuebwPfZWXn5jwKnXJtfAidUsXMffYvQOchLXr2ziosIoweNMTrmtxSKLLvnKND-00UvjEYzATzJs9gP6l9FnueBrvzUfl/s1600/20150611_125831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03QEKmrTyBUGA6sxRN8f7_pqiWTXycmjliaDvjsZsmH1v9IvuebwPfZWXn5jwKnXJtfAidUsXMffYvQOchLXr2ziosIoweNMTrmtxSKLLvnKND-00UvjEYzATzJs9gP6l9FnueBrvzUfl/s320/20150611_125831.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” ~Desmond Tutu<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA0JwkDj-Z-_nDadpw0ZotrlAsKg1o4WRiAiHtctCsDO1V3ImCjTL5xwKyTYvfRUEzo_iM6gTE6gRSzknJm4EF1fSfJbgRcIDfVsbEHLRWQuJRVaVDblPpkK1qZPCMCQzanvW_-O1j4kl/s1600/20150605_025803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA0JwkDj-Z-_nDadpw0ZotrlAsKg1o4WRiAiHtctCsDO1V3ImCjTL5xwKyTYvfRUEzo_iM6gTE6gRSzknJm4EF1fSfJbgRcIDfVsbEHLRWQuJRVaVDblPpkK1qZPCMCQzanvW_-O1j4kl/s320/20150605_025803.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What does gratitude mean to you?</i></span><br />
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<i></i></div>
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<u><i><b>Before I go...</b></i></u></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; text-align: center;">
<b>This post is in honor of my grandparents.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWBfsiKnrklX3jL0eIgp68IP8JGfN18zDdNw3V6owaTYSGiTrxqSztXFPGlt_OMaUC8B3gRjOifu49CyQfPPQf0gdrZMQV1ViKGqzauzSUzfaQRbKqX-AxMowKb4LuKg_00IJLeL-iXqw/s1600/11180328_10153280840729658_2857668004053449326_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWBfsiKnrklX3jL0eIgp68IP8JGfN18zDdNw3V6owaTYSGiTrxqSztXFPGlt_OMaUC8B3gRjOifu49CyQfPPQf0gdrZMQV1ViKGqzauzSUzfaQRbKqX-AxMowKb4LuKg_00IJLeL-iXqw/s200/11180328_10153280840729658_2857668004053449326_n.jpg" width="112" /> </a></div>
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You can read more about my grandmother's miracles in my life and with me tomorrow, I know, <a href="http://theindiechicks.com/waiting-for-miracles/"><b>HERE. </b></a></div>
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<b><i>love you, grandma & grandpa</i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquhSDuvsv34Qn50AaiYylA7vcsxodKgypx2ajzDUr9D7CdhoTmNncU4janM65gAbvn-nVK0YAFPz3lUHX7qVrvOcruZ_X1WiEdB6m08gux-Nlr9TsYtmQetvrVYitGh5k9KyXf0W5k3nR/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquhSDuvsv34Qn50AaiYylA7vcsxodKgypx2ajzDUr9D7CdhoTmNncU4janM65gAbvn-nVK0YAFPz3lUHX7qVrvOcruZ_X1WiEdB6m08gux-Nlr9TsYtmQetvrVYitGh5k9KyXf0W5k3nR/s200/IMG_2788.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b><i> </i> </b></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787517479887457532.post-27641723777700245832015-06-25T05:43:00.000-07:002015-06-25T05:43:04.827-07:00How to Love the Luck You've Got...<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thursday!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">amyoes.com</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-size: small;">@amyoes </span></i> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3294" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3294" width="237" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u><b>“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.”
<br /> ―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/205.Robert_A_Heinlein">Robert A. Heinlein</a>,
<i>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/908211">Stranger in a Strange Land</a> </i> </b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b>Updates...but mostly a wedding countdown...</b></u></i></div>
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<i><u><b> </b></u></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLPTKyKpZDOP_lq8EDhlstxeq25wL4Di7bUgdLXTha1Q6QPSNHolvFujMvODQJAaoCa-7y8KPfvlSiRMa-edTX-71m_44MSIyIKcBrlSROHAIEq6tsFYfBH_uCC9VHxDRt_FhQWCRAkt6/s1600/20150624_150347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLPTKyKpZDOP_lq8EDhlstxeq25wL4Di7bUgdLXTha1Q6QPSNHolvFujMvODQJAaoCa-7y8KPfvlSiRMa-edTX-71m_44MSIyIKcBrlSROHAIEq6tsFYfBH_uCC9VHxDRt_FhQWCRAkt6/s200/20150624_150347.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86DMh2ZeTCdyxROjK5FN74Lzh3_KdfQNdjiBGI1a0JS4m9_FyHft2Np1BTKprlMlRlAvsLn7OqtA2E_mc4S431wYnSBnxiF2lzVP_385Uy4HX6vj4lBHaDYVVBdBBGGtxpBwDW3JOHNnr/s1600/20150624_150355.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86DMh2ZeTCdyxROjK5FN74Lzh3_KdfQNdjiBGI1a0JS4m9_FyHft2Np1BTKprlMlRlAvsLn7OqtA2E_mc4S431wYnSBnxiF2lzVP_385Uy4HX6vj4lBHaDYVVBdBBGGtxpBwDW3JOHNnr/s200/20150624_150355.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yep, I'm getting married (more than relatively) soon, and it's made me quite reflective.<i><u><b> </b></u></i> Because of my unexpected life turn, I obviously did go through many years of "why me" - and when I get frustrated, I still do. However, I am marrying the love of my life, and life is <i>not</i> perfect. but <i>life is good. </i></div>
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I wrote a bit about my thoughts on love, luck, happiness, and what feels "fair". Indie Chicks is a <i>great</i> online publication with empowered women writers and wonderful thoughts on life, great advice, and all that fun chick stuff. Here's an essay I wrote for them. You can read some of it here and then check it out on <a href="http://luck, love the luck, the indie chicks, karma, perspective, life, attitude,"><i><u><b>Indie Chicks!</b></u></i></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theindiechicks.com/how-to-love-the-luck-youve-got/"><i>http://theindiechicks.com/how-to-love-the-luck-youve-got/</i></a></div>
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<h1 class="entry-title" style="text-align: center;">
How to Love the Luck You’ve Got</h1>
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<span class="updated"><img alt="luck, love the luck, the indie chicks, karma, perspective, life, attitude," class="attachment-vce-lay-a-nosid wp-post-image" height="96" src="http://theindiechicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/shutterstock_214011244-1.jpg" width="200" /></span></div>
<div class="meta-item author">
<span class="vcard author"><span class="fn">by <a href="http://theindiechicks.com/author/amy-oestreicher/">Amy Oestreicher</a></span></span></div>
</div>
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<img alt="Amy Oestreicher" class="avatar avatar-100 wp-user-avatar wp-user-avatar-100 alignnone photo" height="100" src="http://theindiechicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Amy-Oestreicher-BW-2006-150x150.jpg" width="100" /> <div class="meta-author-wrapped">
Written by <span class="vcard author"><span class="fn"><a href="http://theindiechicks.com/author/amy-oestreicher/">Amy Oestreicher</a></span></span></div>
<div class="meta-author-wrapped">
<span class="vcard author"><span class="fn"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3wrtiLdAlxh4cFCfbrCRYrwOQlRCookBTCgMbnvYAP4MLZMCjpOsxDBXNx5kSpmWnUnGiyPreWeuyw8ZjT4Rr3uXWvpa4x84K0mwiU_Ee6P2jSusmzroA2722fOENiGdEBphCiD77qI-/s1600/contributorbadge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3wrtiLdAlxh4cFCfbrCRYrwOQlRCookBTCgMbnvYAP4MLZMCjpOsxDBXNx5kSpmWnUnGiyPreWeuyw8ZjT4Rr3uXWvpa4x84K0mwiU_Ee6P2jSusmzroA2722fOENiGdEBphCiD77qI-/s200/contributorbadge.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></span></div>
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You accidentally park in a towing zone. You
miss the last train home by a split second. The elevator in apartment is
broken – and you’re carrying a week’s worth of groceries. Your college
friends seem to have picture-perfect lives on Instagram, and you still
feel like you haven’t found your “<a href="http://theindiechicks.com/find-passion-find-purpose/" target="_blank">true calling</a>” yet. Whether it’s an incidental hiccup in life or a sudden, dramatic hit, how many times have we asked ourselves, <em>“Why Me?”</em><br />
<h2>
How Do I Find My Luck in Life?</h2>
<h2>
<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3295" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3295" width="199" /></a> </h2>
What’s the secret to a “lucky” life? When I think about “luck”, a few
things come to mind. I think of the lottery, and bingo – both of which I
never won as a kid. I think of chance. I think of the odds magically
working in your favor, and hitting the jackpot when you least expected
it. Luck makes me think of unpredictability, anything could happen,
either the worst of circumstances or the best surprise you could ever
ask for. I think of <a href="http://theindiechicks.com/allow-pain-in-cry-a-lot-and-then-get-back-up/" target="_blank">unfairness</a>,
of how if bad luck happens to you, it’s just not fair. “Of all the
people in the world, I had to get this rotten luck?” However, if
something wonderful miraculously happens in your life out of the blue,
landing in your lap with bells and whistles, that’s great luck – unfair
or not. Life only feels unfair when you’ve been jolted with bad luck
time after time, seemingly with no release. Just when things can’t seem
to get any worse, they do.<br />
<h2>
Reversing Life’s “Unfairness”</h2>
<h2>
<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3292" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3292" width="147" /></a> </h2>
You could say that I’ve had a lot of bad luck over the past ten
years. Nearly thirty surgeries, a decade in and out of hospitals,
medical traumas galore, and the “burden” of mapping out a new path for
myself after life clearly had different plans from what I had expected
growing up as a teen. You could say I’m so lucky that surgeons were able
to create a makeshift digestive system for me so I would finally be
able to eat and drink again after years of living off of IV nutrition.
And I <em>am</em> lucky – I take time every day to count my blessings
and remember what it felt like to not even be able to wet my lips with
an ice cube in the dry heat of summer.<br />
Then I think about what I’ve lost. I think of what I might have been
able to accomplish in the years I spent bouncing from surgeon to
surgeon. I think about my grandparents who died while I was still in a
coma. I think about the wonderful oblivion of only going to doctors for
yearly physicals. I think about and being petrified of a finger-prick,
and being frightened by monsters under the bed, not a wound being unable
to heal.<br />
I think about my old body and long for the feeling of running my
fingers down smooth, baby-soft skin free of scarring and wounds. I
lament about the permanent physical changes that so many life-saving
interventions have caused.<br />
<h2>
Turning “Why Me” to “Why Not?”</h2>
<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN7zoqVzNyMEAccLz6NxtTXn4jQCvipo8GVm9Z6GoVpSQ3CE6fEZdTf5nn-m8ioWSRg2_IVQgz9HF87lZM38DFgmnrOoTnOu5WNrA-0FIrDZGp860KY4UBjqMy_j1IzH7bbvWdU_cIFsm/s1600/20150624_165750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN7zoqVzNyMEAccLz6NxtTXn4jQCvipo8GVm9Z6GoVpSQ3CE6fEZdTf5nn-m8ioWSRg2_IVQgz9HF87lZM38DFgmnrOoTnOu5WNrA-0FIrDZGp860KY4UBjqMy_j1IzH7bbvWdU_cIFsm/s200/20150624_165750.jpg" width="112" /></a> </h2>
Before I get led too far down that “Why Me?” path, I stop myself. It is <a href="http://theindiechicks.com/10-daily-mantras-will-change-life/" target="_blank">a daily practice</a>,
and an ever-evolving one, but slowly I am learning to love the life I
have. Often, when people hear my entire medical saga, their first
instinctive reaction is to reach out with their condolences, “I am so
sorry you had to go through all of that’ and “these years must have been
terrible for you.” Immediately, I get defensive and want to fire back,
“Don’t be sorry; I’m happy this happened to me!” I’ve never been
comfortable pitying myself, and have tried to stay determined to find
the blessings in what has happened to me.<br />
Recently, I was thinking to myself, is “happy” the right word? Do I think to myself, “I am <em>so</em>
happy all of these surgeries happened to me and I wouldn’t have it any
other way!”? Then I realized – “happy” isn’t the right word…<br />
<br />
<u><b>Curious</b></u> <b><i>what the word is? No worries - you can read the rest of the article <u><a href="http://theindiechicks.com/how-to-love-the-luck-youve-got/">HERE</a>.</u> Thanks Indie Chicks!</i></b> <br />
</div>
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<a href="https://amyoes.com/Artist/SmallImage/MixedMedia/3294" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u><b>Before I Go...</b></u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u><b> </b></u></i> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQjMzyKiGsYOhDdTSc3rhKr65Nbpr_0KNHOVygvPHV7aMsdSv8hHBWTHhlGmo1XotsucDPPwv94fUzNe8T7wXmfPU4B_smwmqqzgNpF8m4EjxflpdAlfxTa_zv3f09o7F3LKpcsNZ4v9r/s1600/FB_IMG_1435176315070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQjMzyKiGsYOhDdTSc3rhKr65Nbpr_0KNHOVygvPHV7aMsdSv8hHBWTHhlGmo1XotsucDPPwv94fUzNe8T7wXmfPU4B_smwmqqzgNpF8m4EjxflpdAlfxTa_zv3f09o7F3LKpcsNZ4v9r/s200/FB_IMG_1435176315070.jpg" width="200" /> </a></div>
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So what do you think? Does life have to be fair to be good? Do you have to be happy all the time to feel lucky? I'd love to know your thoughts. But you know what I always tell myself?</div>
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Alright...w<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPfI69DDQnU">atch this video</a> and go to 29:00 </div>
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<br /></div>
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It's a bit from my one-woman show "<a href="https://amyoes.com/Performer/GutlessAndGrateful">Gutless & Grateful"</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7T7CP2ZN1Ur80gzFqH95tSZ0jzK10GhLpZwc9cLk8-FDnmD8g3Z2m09czeIszQJxt_Zke77Sj9sko1r1qwS-scJ7EZRMA7F8XRTEgVSX_e02dIWetSV3n0iaDCO9qVilRlBRjQWW3rJm/s1600/2012-10-26_18.35.19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7T7CP2ZN1Ur80gzFqH95tSZ0jzK10GhLpZwc9cLk8-FDnmD8g3Z2m09czeIszQJxt_Zke77Sj9sko1r1qwS-scJ7EZRMA7F8XRTEgVSX_e02dIWetSV3n0iaDCO9qVilRlBRjQWW3rJm/s200/2012-10-26_18.35.19.jpg" width="112" /></a> </div>
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"<i>I was watching an episode of Bridezillas the other day, and this bride was completely freaking out because the flowers on her cake were the wrong shade of <u>magenta.</u> I mean, we all blow things out of proportion sometimes - I still scream at my mom when she treats me like I'm TEN...but sometimes you just have to remind yourself...</i></div>
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<a href="http://childrensbooksguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/did-i-ever-tell-you-how-lucky-you-are-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://childrensbooksguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/did-i-ever-tell-you-how-lucky-you-are-main.jpg" height="200" width="146" /> </a></div>
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<br /></div>
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So everyone - keep some friends close by</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhU4LLlv43Q/VPERFOwx4-I/AAAAAAAAO4M/PcBnCYfFCx8/s1600/2011-04-26%2B18.48.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AhU4LLlv43Q/VPERFOwx4-I/AAAAAAAAO4M/PcBnCYfFCx8/s200/2011-04-26%2B18.48.33.jpg" width="112" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0PcKPRlZt0/VPEREkwYp4I/AAAAAAAAO4A/oWUFIaunaaU/s1600/2011-04-24%2B19.03.28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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A song in your heart</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0PcKPRlZt0/VPEREkwYp4I/AAAAAAAAO4A/oWUFIaunaaU/s1600/2011-04-24%2B19.03.28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o0PcKPRlZt0/VPEREkwYp4I/AAAAAAAAO4A/oWUFIaunaaU/s200/2011-04-24%2B19.03.28.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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some furry tagalongs</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_eUYx3ust1_JNvw2iLPMrNzkmWSApN69blOkO11hd98INb2TBi3cuNILgROJzHkRNGvbP9mZRcD5DqBm_WbyJjXJnpwSvutEZQJWQgCXXdt5P1VilSc285WrRBF2FelmhZeI_lKLptxl/s1600/20150623_163317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_eUYx3ust1_JNvw2iLPMrNzkmWSApN69blOkO11hd98INb2TBi3cuNILgROJzHkRNGvbP9mZRcD5DqBm_WbyJjXJnpwSvutEZQJWQgCXXdt5P1VilSc285WrRBF2FelmhZeI_lKLptxl/s200/20150623_163317.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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a spectactular view </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh1H0XIRMfvRK1UENA1Uz8M-VRTbbU-PYzQA24Q38B86N1Iux_zX3KEdn5ZYKTcjWjW9SVueTXjxvURMbImL-AtfOzlaqrdiYMPqwxecfA7UEAQecDUDhZNp6nLHe56If7eXOo9U6NPts/s1600/WP_20150403_18_22_19_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh1H0XIRMfvRK1UENA1Uz8M-VRTbbU-PYzQA24Q38B86N1Iux_zX3KEdn5ZYKTcjWjW9SVueTXjxvURMbImL-AtfOzlaqrdiYMPqwxecfA7UEAQecDUDhZNp6nLHe56If7eXOo9U6NPts/s200/WP_20150403_18_22_19_Pro.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
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and the passion to create...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUogrrTy-IJKiv8sFnB-GIzIJN9lWKo0bf2mInGA0VCPOgS_xD_XbKwV1F8gYxx8R77wdYYvdZlRpQmNja6IorCHPhIR3ZPiBZf8hFo_xsf8zcmjFdTbkMf9_Xn5ZAG2OZCH3TyvHJ78Yd/s1600/IMG_20150321_100159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUogrrTy-IJKiv8sFnB-GIzIJN9lWKo0bf2mInGA0VCPOgS_xD_XbKwV1F8gYxx8R77wdYYvdZlRpQmNja6IorCHPhIR3ZPiBZf8hFo_xsf8zcmjFdTbkMf9_Xn5ZAG2OZCH3TyvHJ78Yd/s200/IMG_20150321_100159.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQlp1PpZ78lmgeS69Qovt_BJM2mPCqpazEHC-zRQ8zD9dUzUhMl_YpZ8Xhc9Sud3q1CXjqUUdAx4yJequoiHS0AQej8oCMX7hOhqRjOrhpnq-pjzNc_9ofVCEYqSErE86hRVbbvWXeN_P/s1600/IMG_20150331_102629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQlp1PpZ78lmgeS69Qovt_BJM2mPCqpazEHC-zRQ8zD9dUzUhMl_YpZ8Xhc9Sud3q1CXjqUUdAx4yJequoiHS0AQej8oCMX7hOhqRjOrhpnq-pjzNc_9ofVCEYqSErE86hRVbbvWXeN_P/s200/IMG_20150331_102629.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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anything!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBUOa7EkE6shn2BvgUQ2NDmJPutHn6gXe4hggQDvt-7Blutwo6SLddQF3OeFK9wnJNj9lMi2JpVCvubBLhgG-1qyX6M3HZ42N2VW_OvPB4i4BwVG6K0d6-X_0EequEZPuq91HNk1mVafb/s1600/IMG_20150330_131832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBUOa7EkE6shn2BvgUQ2NDmJPutHn6gXe4hggQDvt-7Blutwo6SLddQF3OeFK9wnJNj9lMi2JpVCvubBLhgG-1qyX6M3HZ42N2VW_OvPB4i4BwVG6K0d6-X_0EequEZPuq91HNk1mVafb/s200/IMG_20150330_131832.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIuIYwyPO1jEprEetTghYnsIYB39EVet25xwrhDyLN6gD-41fByFCnzy_ykLmjVcNsQviJ6HBlL0AHSr6xAEbUjR1NDC6cLj7YqsC0qxfsGjjZnPtnudMVNSUMAl29Fpwbpb-4CQyiYNF/s1600/image_10.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIuIYwyPO1jEprEetTghYnsIYB39EVet25xwrhDyLN6gD-41fByFCnzy_ykLmjVcNsQviJ6HBlL0AHSr6xAEbUjR1NDC6cLj7YqsC0qxfsGjjZnPtnudMVNSUMAl29Fpwbpb-4CQyiYNF/s200/image_10.jpeg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBUOa7EkE6shn2BvgUQ2NDmJPutHn6gXe4hggQDvt-7Blutwo6SLddQF3OeFK9wnJNj9lMi2JpVCvubBLhgG-1qyX6M3HZ42N2VW_OvPB4i4BwVG6K0d6-X_0EequEZPuq91HNk1mVafb/s1600/IMG_20150330_131832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">And you'll know...how lucky you are. </a></div>
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<a href="http://s.ecrater.com/stores/200817/4d658dc311b4a_200817n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s.ecrater.com/stores/200817/4d658dc311b4a_200817n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLPTKyKpZDOP_lq8EDhlstxeq25wL4Di7bUgdLXTha1Q6QPSNHolvFujMvODQJAaoCa-7y8KPfvlSiRMa-edTX-71m_44MSIyIKcBrlSROHAIEq6tsFYfBH_uCC9VHxDRt_FhQWCRAkt6/s1600/20150624_150347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_eUYx3ust1_JNvw2iLPMrNzkmWSApN69blOkO11hd98INb2TBi3cuNILgROJzHkRNGvbP9mZRcD5DqBm_WbyJjXJnpwSvutEZQJWQgCXXdt5P1VilSc285WrRBF2FelmhZeI_lKLptxl/s1600/20150623_163317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<i> </i></div>
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Amy Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05481929173308932505noreply@blogger.com9