News for today's 2018

Live From Phoenix 3: Sex, Money, And Hoop Dancing

10:10 PM Tukiyooo 0

Today began with Morning Prayer as usual, only it’s not the BCP. They are doing this innovative stuff that even the most progressive bishops hate. Instead of the Creed, we had an Affirmation of Faith that said Jesus loves children, but it omitted the creation, the fall, the birth, life, and ministry of Christ, the atonement, the resurrection, the Church, the sacraments, and our hope for everlasting life. If I had any hair, I’d tear it out. Then we met with the Liturgy and Music Commission who reported on their work on same sex blessings. They’d have had a lot more credibility if it weren’t for the liturgical atrocity we had just endured. But on same sex blessings, they told us their process so far, their plans for future process, and the principles they plan to follow theologically, liturgically, and pastorally. We discussed it all in small groups and gave them written feedback. In the afternoon we heard reports on: Reform of the General Ordination Exam The formation of The Episcopal Community – loyal Episcopalians who feel pushed out of the Daughters of the King – a good group. Two groups of bishops separately went to Lambeth last year to consult with the Archbishop of Canterbury – one liberal, one conservative. Today they met with each other and found substantial common ground. Safe Space For Theological Minorities In The Church – a group developing canonical protection for conservatives in the church generally and also for liberals who live in conservative dioceses – a plan to value and preserve theological diversity in the whole church and in each diocese. Task Force On Theological Education – a report on improving relationships between dioceses and Episcopal seminaries and on how to know which non-Episcopal seminaries have substantial Anglican studies programs. College For Bishops Resolution – a plan to separately incorporate the College For Bishops. This College has dramatically improved the unity of the House of Bishops and has improved the leadership of the bishops in their dioceses. Regrettably, the College is on the hit list of some leaders of the House of Deputies. Preserving our good progress may not be easy. The Church Investment Group reported on a proposal to develop a common investment pool where dioceses, parishes, etc. could aggregate their savings to invest in instruments for higher returns than they could get investing separately. Project for the Reconstruction of the Episcopal Church of Haiti – the kick-off of a $10 million capital fund drive to rebuild the center of spiritual, artistic, cultural, and academic life in Haiti. Upon touring the devastation in Haiti, Archbishop Thabo of South Africa said, “Africa must help.” We are being asked to join Africa in rebuilding the church in Haiti. The Theology Committee followed up on its earlier report on Same Sex Relationships. The report has been supplemented by the responses of seven ecumenical and interfaith theologians. It will be published in The Anglican Theological Review to advance the conversation within the Anglican Communion. Draft pastoral letters on the environmental crisis and immigration reform were presented for study before consideration next week. There was a lengthy closed session on a pastoral matter. Then we heard a reflection on our gathering from a guest, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt. Rev. James Jones. He commended us for our commitment to social justice, saying that social justice and personal evangelism are two sides of the coin of God’s mission. He expressed his hope that the Anglican Communion which shares our love of justice will learn the practice of kindness, citing John 13 in which Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. He notes that Jesus was doing a lowly job, a job that would have been done by women in that patriarchal culture. He spoke of how Peter’s challenge was to allow himself to receive this kindness and challenged us, as we try to live kindly, to be open to receive kindness. He then pointed out something I had never noticed. Just one chapter before, Jesus had received this kindness when woman washed his feet. Bp. Jones said that Jesus needed to receive kindness from her so he could give it to Peter. He noted that Jesus' commandment was not to “wash the feet of others” but to “wash each other’s feet.” It was a mandate to mutual ministry, lest service be an indirect form of one-up-man-ship. He also noted that a woman ministered to Jesus echoing how another woman, Mary, had fed the physical Body of Christ, showing how right it is that women today should feed the spiritual Body of Christ. John 13 is the only place where Jesus calls himself “Lord” – linking his lordship not to miraculous works of power but to humble service. Authentic service is mutual. It is an exercise in what Bishop Jones called “one another-ness.” He said – now note this carefully as I quote these gracious words of an English bishop – “One another-ness will someday transform the Anglican Communion from an inquisition into each other’s credentials.” Major standing ovation. Then we went to a Native American museum and watched hoop dancing.

Live From Phoenix 3: Sex, Money, And Hoop Dancing

Today began with Morning Prayer as usual, only it’s not the BCP. They are doing this innovative stuff that even the most progressive bishops...

U-M/UMass Reaction: All About Defense

1:56 PM Tukiyooo 0

Why has it been that the last two Michigan wins have felt like losses? Last week against Notre Dame I was so wiped out from that last ten minutes of the game that I could barely celebrate. This week was a little different. I was listening to podcasts this week, reading articles, and got myself ready for the fact that the University of Massachusetts - a Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-A is a Football Bowl School, or FBS) - is actually a pretty good team. They are part of the Colonial Athletic Association - just like James Madison, who upset Virginia Tech AT Virginia Tech last week. Four years ago they played Appalachian State in the national championship game - right before the winner of that championship played in Ann Arbor and football was never the same. UMass was 2-0 this season, even beating the former #4 team in the FCS: William and Mary. I was ready for a good Minutemen team to come into Michigan Stadium. Was Michigan's defense? The Wolverine defense gave up 439 yards of offense to UMass, most of which came from running backs Jonathan Hernandez and John Griffin. Even quarterback Kyle Havens had a stellar game, picking apart the Wolverine secondary and showing they were a freshman and sophomore secondary. He went 22-for-29 with 222 yards and 2 touchdowns. I was thrilled initially to find out that UMass is a primary rushing team, with Hernandez and Griffin. But I was quickly dismayed when both of them were finding all the holes in the world to rush through. Both of them combined had over 200 yards rushing. If the Michigan defense is having this much trouble on all parts of the defense, then how is it going to fare when a team like Michigan State comes to town, with their very potent offense? The defense made good steps last week, but this week it seemed to take a step back. Fortunately, the Michigan running backs had great games and helped make the offense a layered threat, instead of just the wonder and majesty of Denard Robinson leading that side of the team. Michael Shaw especially made his mark, with 126 yards of offense and (finally!) a few breaks through the line. It seemed like whenever Shaw rushed, he always got stopped at the line. Today he was finally getting some yards after that. I'm unsure if it was getting ripped by RichRod before the game, or that the linesmen had a great game. Maybe it was both. Do you say that Denard Robinson had an average game? He only had 361 yards of total offense this game. But I saw him stay in the pocket a lot more and complete some very nice passes. After the first 28 minutes of the game, where the Michigan offense looked like it hadn't woken up yet, the offense looked fine. But alas, another problem arises. The kicking team. I never thought I'd be as distraught with our kicking/punting unit than I did when Hayden Epstein left Michigan. But it's getting really close, especially since every kicker we've put out there hasn't been the reliable kicker we'd hope to have. Will Hagerup, our punter, still seems very scared when punting - going for only 33 yards in one punt and getting blocked, too. When are we going to see those two positions get off the ground? Will we have to go to the Michigan soccer team and recruit from there? I checked out our opponent for next week - Bowling Green - and they are currently 0-2. Hopefully that will be a good warm-up for our team next week. What we need to happen is for everything to go right: the defense allows fewer than 200 yards and accomplish tons of sacks, fumbles, and interceptions. The kicking unit gets all the time in the world to set up and kick beautiful PATs and field goals. The punter doesn't freak out. And Denard gets to play five series and then sit and relax for the rest of the game. We really need for a few of those dreams to happen next week - because if we have another nailbiter, we'll be down to our knuckles once the Big Ten season begins in October.

U-M/UMass Reaction: All About Defense

Why has it been that the last two Michigan wins have felt like losses? Last week against Notre Dame I was so wiped out from that last ten mi...

Live From Phoenix 2: Immigration Reform -- Economic Facts In Search Of A Theology

11:20 PM Tukiyooo 0

This House of Bishops began with Bp. Ian Douglas of Connecticut pointing out that we would be dealing with a seemingly wide array of issues from immigration to gay inclusion. But he suggested they are all tied together in that they are part of the changing context in which we do ministry. So he invited us to ask the basic missiological question of contextual theology. Let me unpack that church jargon. Contextual theology is the study of how doctrines are shaped by the situation in which they arise. Missiology is the part of theology that deals with the mission. So what is the basic question of mission in our context? Someone (I forget who) made the profoundly important observation that “The church does not have a mission. God has a mission in which the Church participates.” The question then is not what our mission is in this new cultural context. The question is “What is God up to?” We are not the ones changing the context. God is. So what is God doing and how can we cooperate? Yesterday, we dealt with evangelism in general. Today we dealt the Immigration Reform and evangelism with Latino/ Hispanic people. So immigration: We all have our stories. One of our Nevada Episcopalians who supports Arizona Bill 1070 tells the story of an American citizen rancher who was killed by a drug dealer who came here illegally from Mexico. My story is different. When I was 25, an undocumented worker, at risk to herself and her family, saved my life from two American citizens who had just robbed me and were bent on killing me. Our stories are bound to shape our attitude. We did not deal with the issue as theologically as I would wish. The Bible Study was not well focused. The texts were not well chosen. We do not do as good a job as we ought in developing the theology behind our social justice stands. This may be why a the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life just reported that a very large percentage of Americans say their political convictions on abortion and same sex relationships are shaped by their religious convictions, but hardly any base their views on Immigration on their religion. Yet, the only references to same sex relationships in the entire Jewish law are in 2 verses of Leviticus (actually one verse repeated) while Leviticus alone commands the welcoming of the alien 37 times. The alien seeking asylum and opportunity is a central theme – going from the wandering Abraham, to his descendants indentured in Egypt, to their escape into Canaan – all the way to the Holy Family – Jesus born in Judah instead of his native Galilee, the flight into Egypt, and so on. We did hear one theological statement that is central. I forget who said it. The alien, the sojourner is the “other” who we must dare to know and befriend if we are to befriend ourselves and know ourselves in Christ. The alien spiritually completes us. We needed to develop that much further. We noted that no one worries much about immigration during times of prosperity, but during hard times we look for someone to scapegoat. That is a major theological issue. Rene Girard argues that Judaism and Christianity are the great spiritual voices speaking against the human impulse to violent blame shifting. That needed more reflection. What we did learn were some practical and economic considerations. We have 12 million undocumented workers in the US. The cost of deporting them would be $240 billion dollars. That is the deportation alone. The states would then lose most of the $2.4 billion these people pay in taxes, thereby compounding the fiscal crisis in state government. The cost to state government occasioned by the presence of undocumented workers is less than the taxes they pay; so deportation is a net loss to state governments. Undocumented workers have paid $520 billion dollars into the Social Security system which they will never get back. It goes to support us. Economically, the contributions of undocumented workers are a benefit to middle class citizens with high school degrees, and a detriment only to those who have not completed high school. The HOB media brief for today reported: “Joe Rubio, senior organizer of the Valley Interfaith Program presented an overview of political and economic issues. ‘This country deals with this issue every 25-30 years,’ he said. ‘The last time was 1986 with the Immigration Control act signed by President Reagan.’ While it provided amnesty, it did not provide a means for people to come into this country. Arizona is the main way into this country from Mexico and noted that frustration is on all sides. Arizona Bill 1070 was the flashpoint and he predicts the situation will get more dangerous. He pointed out: ‘There is no way we are going to be able to deport 12 million people’. . . .Immigrants work mainly in construction, hospitality, and agricultural industries. Underscoring the complexity of the issue of immigration, he pointed out, is that there is a benefit to a younger immigrant population balancing the aging population of the United States. His suggestions for the future: ‘We need to work on comprehensive immigration reform. We need to bring 12 million people out of the shadows. It needs to be bipartisan.’ He said the passage of the Dream Act would be significant if it passed. The story needs to be changed to show that ‘people are willing to come here, work hard and educate their children. Immigration has always changed the way this country worked, but in a positive way.’” The last time we reformed the Immigration System with the 1986 Amnesty, it was a substantial boost to the economy and was part of the prosperity of the late 1980s. Economists project that comprehensive immigration reform would add $180 billion to our Gross Domestic Product. The Dream Act is far short of comprehensive immigration reform. It is just a chance for children. The Dream Act offers the undocumented workers’ children who have learned English, graduated from high school, and kept clean records the chance to become citizens so they will be eligible to attend college and receive financial aid. That way they can become more productive citizens, earning more money and contributing more to society. There is no legislative proposal for “open borders;” nor is anyone in the House of Bishops advocating that. But there are more human and less humane ways to enforce the immigration laws. The call for comprehensive immigration reform is largely an appeal for more humane enforcement and a chance for 12 million people already here to come out from shadows. A basic consequence for the Church is that since the passage of Arizona Bill 1070, church attendance has dropped dramatically because the undocumented workers are afraid to drive. Children live in fear that when they come home from school, their parents will be gone. Such fear presents a moral and spiritual issue for the church to address. So, back to Bp. Douglas’s question: “What is God up to?” What is God saying to us with the presence of undocumented workers? What is God inviting us to do?

Live From Phoenix 2: Immigration Reform -- Economic Facts In Search Of A Theology

This House of Bishops began with Bp. Ian Douglas of Connecticut pointing out that we would be dealing with a seemingly wide array of issues ...

Getting Closer!!

7:07 PM Tukiyooo 0

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Friday. Mine was great! I don't want to be anywhere else, but right here with my lil nephew and Wendi! It's so crazy how much you can love something so tiny & new! On the other hand, I'm not a fan of the hospital oatmeal. I only ate about half of what is pictured here. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_w2royxB4Ia1VG2iiHamb7cUPJyucX25M2Q3TeWjPPyih_NXLs9kuU1JO9XlwnQrjO4SMWeIK8CxMP4IG9mcHBb9eHA1RMmAxcojEbnNTcWDBcCRp-2HMQh5qNldGzdQeTeU21JEpeVb/s1600/DSC08644.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518070228267868002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_w2royxB4Ia1VG2iiHamb7cUPJyucX25M2Q3TeWjPPyih_NXLs9kuU1JO9XlwnQrjO4SMWeIK8CxMP4IG9mcHBb9eHA1RMmAxcojEbnNTcWDBcCRp-2HMQh5qNldGzdQeTeU21JEpeVb/s400/DSC08644.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I also had a piece of toast and a small plate of yogurt with a few strawberries & some granola for a total of 6 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzAyPo4_EtsWTucoNFvX1v8kaBHU9xGBZLq6qjmegAEg4xBsiazf7ug6Moum8N17RyBwvwCihCDkpnXXficFAiOi3Voy40BDG4QmyYq0J4jxiVDogqOb5O2Yj937He0AN6iQobV08b41H/s1600/DSC08645.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518070216052127634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzAyPo4_EtsWTucoNFvX1v8kaBHU9xGBZLq6qjmegAEg4xBsiazf7ug6Moum8N17RyBwvwCihCDkpnXXficFAiOi3Voy40BDG4QmyYq0J4jxiVDogqOb5O2Yj937He0AN6iQobV08b41H/s400/DSC08645.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Hayden was a little more fussy today. But I think it is because he was circumcised Thursday night. (I'd be fussy too!) Get this though, he didn't even cry when they did the procedure! He's such a tough guy! He is doing so well though. His blood sugar levels are good so they were able to remove his IV fluids. They just need to get his jaundice under control! He has no more oxygen, no more antibiotics, no more IV, just need to get rid of that light & we'll be good to go! :) Thank you God for answered prayers!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0cep-Z7R0CEkwKhunhyA07rm-Wsf2xh2F9yiDnZN69YiwPqEPXhYh_gSBYUTXizKOgrBz3b-TPso2Xk6CEI2mEA67D-4TW7dKOOj0kbxpHO6L5LhP68_nwphyphenhyphenqoo6eY57riAJlYUdFm4/s1600/DSC08656.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518084744896630738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0cep-Z7R0CEkwKhunhyA07rm-Wsf2xh2F9yiDnZN69YiwPqEPXhYh_gSBYUTXizKOgrBz3b-TPso2Xk6CEI2mEA67D-4TW7dKOOj0kbxpHO6L5LhP68_nwphyphenhyphenqoo6eY57riAJlYUdFm4/s400/DSC08656.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> All 3 of us were able to nap late morning into the early afternoon, so by the time Wendi fed Hayden, got him settled in again under the light, and pumped we realized it was going to be a late lunch! More like lupper! More hospital cafeteria food! (sense the sarcasm!) I'm happy though that they do have good options for me. I had a ham & turkey sandwich, cottage cheese, and fruit for 7 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDbqu0nXZ9YYAxgs7etBMOddWzvZExs1oVzIB1TnFn_rKZQ4X5xnjTle0mUU6Y7hAgAfqW1hAQNVWT7OkCHAyOALW5ad28koEtITafR0fIXsc6r5vfnpuhbKA6JJicYyfE10yMFtGIg-r/s1600/DSC08647.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518070717051511986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDbqu0nXZ9YYAxgs7etBMOddWzvZExs1oVzIB1TnFn_rKZQ4X5xnjTle0mUU6Y7hAgAfqW1hAQNVWT7OkCHAyOALW5ad28koEtITafR0fIXsc6r5vfnpuhbKA6JJicYyfE10yMFtGIg-r/s400/DSC08647.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I have to say again, THANK YOU to everyone for your continued prayers & support! I feel like my food blog has turned into a baby blog...but Hayden's pretty cute, so I'm sure you'll all ok with that, right?!?! Since we had such a late lunch we weren't hungry at the normal supper time. I just ended up having a few snacks when we got back to the Ronald McDonald House for 6 points. FRIDAY’S STATS POINTS = 19/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/0 week H2O = 72 oz EXERCISE = none

Getting Closer!!

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Friday. Mine was great! I don't want to be anywhere else, but right here with my lil nephew and Wendi! It...

Good News!

5:54 AM Tukiyooo 0

TGIF Friends!! But first, let's catch up on my Thursday happenings! It was weird to be back home and not in the NICU with Wendi & Hayden. I had a bowl of my usual oatmeal for 5 points before heading to work. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ5-XcNrGIby4HYMN-pnoE-9RaE0-9KQk2Rn91snwRnVmi6MBRPG3stBWMlm1nyZFNJbTleN7SGskRnHbVfb_NRZMx_JZa0sFZ0s7LqbaHinYrjytPxqknHA64vbYlQc_6MY1i0mIrZNV/s1600/DSC08630.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867551197065618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ5-XcNrGIby4HYMN-pnoE-9RaE0-9KQk2Rn91snwRnVmi6MBRPG3stBWMlm1nyZFNJbTleN7SGskRnHbVfb_NRZMx_JZa0sFZ0s7LqbaHinYrjytPxqknHA64vbYlQc_6MY1i0mIrZNV/s400/DSC08630.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I feel like I didn't get a whole lot done at work. Everyone wanted an update on Wendi & Hayden! I did have good news to share! His blood tests didn't show any sign of infection so they took him off his antibiotics and started to lower his IV fluids! Hooray!!! One step closer to coming home!! I managed to get a few projects done before leaving the office again while snacking on 1 c grapes for 1 point. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NsBvc54rJzxVrznpbzADleyVwInbTv7KEgwrZxvr0tI_w3dY7_3DEb0iZff7twtfx189DfQ4O8pcNXPo0FLbFJs-tUzHT0D2ibHdMpyj28LLmvaCU5VMmc7IK6d7jDf0pIs9fM6CHfCG/s1600/DSC08631.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867194492336962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NsBvc54rJzxVrznpbzADleyVwInbTv7KEgwrZxvr0tI_w3dY7_3DEb0iZff7twtfx189DfQ4O8pcNXPo0FLbFJs-tUzHT0D2ibHdMpyj28LLmvaCU5VMmc7IK6d7jDf0pIs9fM6CHfCG/s400/DSC08631.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I left the office around 2:30pm to go home, get some lunch, and pack to head back to the NICU. I heated up a SmartOnes for a quick 4 point lunch. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu9tEMgOEvJ_I9wv6N7L-yXtT33WMSWUoBVjyvcZfodCnqWYfBaxjwscUfm3ltuAoOCX4IO3QRzB4C72iKf8W2OtYtQ3-T-0xfMHR9_h3GkLyvpZhsauxwBpsxZTxd9NlRj7NP1cu-yo5/s1600/DSC08632.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867187075300450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxu9tEMgOEvJ_I9wv6N7L-yXtT33WMSWUoBVjyvcZfodCnqWYfBaxjwscUfm3ltuAoOCX4IO3QRzB4C72iKf8W2OtYtQ3-T-0xfMHR9_h3GkLyvpZhsauxwBpsxZTxd9NlRj7NP1cu-yo5/s400/DSC08632.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> I couldn't pass up a $0.59 Kum & Go fountain pop for the road trip. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CZn3t8rUuTmngfZtsC5N7ic1yy_uTeKTP9bG_3zb8fpoM1SShPP9KlEiFLL1ou0JZVRLIU7WRcFvLJl71Zq_iotGFPhEiXeEry_PTkkE7By1j7NKiCG3QSlF2f37EvbNxCodRnMOF9oU/s1600/DSC08633.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867179412616242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CZn3t8rUuTmngfZtsC5N7ic1yy_uTeKTP9bG_3zb8fpoM1SShPP9KlEiFLL1ou0JZVRLIU7WRcFvLJl71Zq_iotGFPhEiXeEry_PTkkE7By1j7NKiCG3QSlF2f37EvbNxCodRnMOF9oU/s400/DSC08633.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> I couldn't wait to see Hayden again! He was getting pretty jaundice so he had to wear his shades...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3svQGB63C-i1kY7Y6LCAOzpbbXy9g7uaGVA9ie7rz4ujey97Sc8J5zzzxmqT8BsWT3XarmnE7fEzN8FlC54buSA4E3WsGZGZx4377B43p5pbYtIEer5oXCiZ3ElWEUrPw5JzwZTq-yHp/s1600/DSC08635.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867169149080146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3svQGB63C-i1kY7Y6LCAOzpbbXy9g7uaGVA9ie7rz4ujey97Sc8J5zzzxmqT8BsWT3XarmnE7fEzN8FlC54buSA4E3WsGZGZx4377B43p5pbYtIEer5oXCiZ3ElWEUrPw5JzwZTq-yHp/s400/DSC08635.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> and work on his "tan"!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywe4dW8T7drQ8La6zVtBd2jPIvMg9WmgLXunTSU0Uy_XrChdmnyiBsgUYB6D_Kk0LZrtHLRJGqtj3G3WrXwHuzTouvDze4Kits7Biq5u0322tBWEI8e6dn0injV5_beGkEXaoNUmjB9El/s1600/DSC08634.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867822841041858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywe4dW8T7drQ8La6zVtBd2jPIvMg9WmgLXunTSU0Uy_XrChdmnyiBsgUYB6D_Kk0LZrtHLRJGqtj3G3WrXwHuzTouvDze4Kits7Biq5u0322tBWEI8e6dn0injV5_beGkEXaoNUmjB9El/s400/DSC08634.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> My Dad & Grandma also came down to see Hayden & Wendi. We went to the mall foodcourt for a change of pace! Wendi was excited for some Chipotle!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRnABWlXPPrW_9tjoOuEPTLk-RFbA3lHR03kmbqN3eKeqF7XPb0LQJ7eIdcWdPT1t28sYhcKNVv1rYLQ2If7v_rDtzV7ZuwO1KZcciXc61tnkHYQ_Jt_WJl41xAcKOhk9VX9apLCbfdcS/s1600/DSC08640.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517867563948956642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRnABWlXPPrW_9tjoOuEPTLk-RFbA3lHR03kmbqN3eKeqF7XPb0LQJ7eIdcWdPT1t28sYhcKNVv1rYLQ2If7v_rDtzV7ZuwO1KZcciXc61tnkHYQ_Jt_WJl41xAcKOhk9VX9apLCbfdcS/s400/DSC08640.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> I had Subway! A ham & turkey on wheat with pickles & cucumbers...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dNeF_2Xf0xel4vZ1IvaQ73Cdgo4SGn-BdigvDMESGBOdha8YFWntfykuKJsz7hROOXmKcvSJUniKcquccWj-4gOm84Vcmlh1jzFcX__yR4tiwwawmpiJpclKAAJqyROiKtMo56pkwAlx/s1600/DSC08641.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517866116729390130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dNeF_2Xf0xel4vZ1IvaQ73Cdgo4SGn-BdigvDMESGBOdha8YFWntfykuKJsz7hROOXmKcvSJUniKcquccWj-4gOm84Vcmlh1jzFcX__yR4tiwwawmpiJpclKAAJqyROiKtMo56pkwAlx/s400/DSC08641.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> And part of a bag of SunChips for 7 points total. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTYqJTkyAEX1Mtxgavj6rHkt3Ye8r9EKh8-c-DFyj9Wtfst8MzjAP0v23Wm7ezE1Px0_M95NQ-dxtxUi3xh8k9-Ez8gUSe6cQ2-h2kceMvtJKo_WVKHk0qTL7mRAmlz7Kg55Z9KyQGlgi/s1600/DSC08642.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517866113801062210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTYqJTkyAEX1Mtxgavj6rHkt3Ye8r9EKh8-c-DFyj9Wtfst8MzjAP0v23Wm7ezE1Px0_M95NQ-dxtxUi3xh8k9-Ez8gUSe6cQ2-h2kceMvtJKo_WVKHk0qTL7mRAmlz7Kg55Z9KyQGlgi/s400/DSC08642.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> THURSDAY’S STATS POINTS = 17/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/0 week H2O = 66 oz EXERCISE = none I know I've said it before, but I just can't say it enough, thank you everyone for your continued prayers & support! We have high hopes Hayden will be able to go home soon!! Enjoy your Friday everyone! I know I sure will enjoy it with my nephew!!! :)

Good News!

TGIF Friends!! But first, let's catch up on my Thursday happenings! It was weird to be back home and not in the NICU with Wendi & Ha...

Live From Phoenix I

8:42 PM Tukiyooo 0

Preliminaries: Here's my emotinoal pattern with House of Bishops. For weeks beforehand, I grumble about having to attend. I have work to do in Nevada. Then I get to HOB and immediately realize how lonely my vocation is. Being bishop is like being ET, the only one of my kind for a long, long way. Then I arrive at HOB and begin throwing my arms around and clinging to everyone I see. It's a community of my own kind. Then a few days into it, I remember I am an introvert and all this bonding makes me feel irrationally depressed and utterly out of place. So this time, I did the first step -- grumbled. Now I am happy to be here. But I'm taking the second step slower, pacing myself to avoid the spiritual equivalent of the pancreatic dump that follows a sugar rush. Still it is very good to be with these folks -- an altogether wise and holy assembly. I still feel that I don't quite fit but they accept me anyway. About not quite fitting, we are staying and meeting at the Ritz Carlton. I am considerably more at home at the Best Western. But I guess the Best Western didn't have room for all of us. Today, we had a series of presentations on evangelism that actually turned controversial --though this controversy will never make it into the popular press or the Foxy blogs. On the one side we had the Missioner for Congregational Vitality and the Communications Officer for The Episcopal Church. They presented the first edition of the new Evangelism Tool Kit, complete with all sorts of sociological data about what the unchurched are seeking, what they cherish and what they despise from their previous religous experiences, what they think of us before we meet, how they perceive us on first impression, and if they stay, what makes them stay. It was full of surprises and practical, helpful information. This was such a striking contrast to the persuasive and winsome presentations of two academicians at our last HOB who basically said, "It's over. Just close the doors and cheer for the 'spiritual but not religious'." This presentation was pretty darn hopeful in my book. Then came the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA who was one of the most powerful and persuasive preachers I've heard in a long time. He didn't have any use for the tool kit or sociology or marketing or any of that. He also thought the seekers were seeking the wrong thing and the finders (folks who stayed in the chruch) had found the wrong thing. He insisted that we need to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ which is the best news ever -- but it turns our lives upside down instead of patching them up as many of the seekers would prefer. So there it was: one group proposing a medium; the other, proposing a message. As for me, I agree 100% with the ELCA PB that our messsage is Jesus. One could read our Episcopal sociology as advocating our vaguely spiritual message of muddle. I am with the Lutheran voice that we need to state our case boldly and without equivocation. However, rejecting 21st Century communication insights is not necessary to a faithful proclamation of the good news. We need to know how desperate people are to experience grace -- not a dogmatic sermon but a welcome, an unconditional acceptance. In a nutshell, that was the moral of the story in the Evangelism Tool Kit. People need a safe place for themselves and their children. They need uncondtional acceptance, which is what Jesus is all about but churches are not always about. When we church people are feeling secure about our vital statistics, we are apt not to welcome people at all. When we are nervous about our vital statistics, we are apt to latch onto them conditionally, as pew fodder or pledge units. Grace is welcoming people absolutely unconditionally to show them God's love regardless of whether we ever expect to see them again. Paradoxically, that will win more lasting relationships than a sales pitch for "joining our church." And proclaiming Jesus does not mean shouting about a moral or spititual hurdle for people to jump over. "Believe this or die!" It means proclaiming God's infinite mercy made manifest in a human being who shares our life. The argument over impassioned gospel proclamation versus engaging the culture where it is goes back to Tertullian vs. Cyril of Jerusalem (3rd C) and carried on into the 20th Century theological dispute between Barth and Tillich. It's a generative tension. God bless it. I pray that we will proclaim the gospel boldly and faithfully to the people who are seeking salvation in terms they can hear and embrace until they are embraced by Christ himself.

Live From Phoenix I

Preliminaries: Here's my emotinoal pattern with House of Bishops. For weeks beforehand, I grumble about having to attend. I have work to...

Making Progress

1:49 PM Tukiyooo 0

G’day friends! Wednesday I was in the NICU again with my sister, Wendi, and nephew, Hayden. If you missed any of the posts you can catch up on what I’ve been up to this week. <ul> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/hes-here.html">Birth Story</a></li> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/im-proud-to-introduce.html">Day 1</a></li> <li><a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/nicu-tuesday.html">Tuesday in the NICU</a></li> </ul> I had a banana for 2 points to hold me over until we went down to the hospital cafeteria for breakfast. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoRqtUjoG8PdP1qToBYyEHbtXOv4rq0GF24Btpzg-adJYQunmcnVkqRCTSQYUszdZXv4itcKowqjNRusQSGuMs2yogn7JWaSrDKVetC-jQho-W4yQf1zl_4WUJ_ibFaP_mPvmnntkvqkf/s1600-h/DSC08609%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08609" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnm6EQEQok35xqjEGt6XDlBQYBI5RYXTbT0m1NDaul-JfgsLEv-6uQmGPAu0D_oY-gubJgyOQ6ddTzOet7h21UytvQhWYes58WNBSe8wAB9FKkIkttTGZZGmdVfYPKQuRy6MhhzmVFRw14/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08609" width="404" /></a> We had to say “good morning” to Hayden! Just melts my heart!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2rtbPKREDRlJVEdxH4s5ktzy-eO9xwJX5XiblkS7WuauToAJAXT4yhm0eGiwSTTaVyMCGurBpBvF6kIsb8XIpFiPYQ0XQwnRWTf-867O_RfTUP6FNoS7cjkKEDIgmCY2g0t9ZeE5qXWc/s1600-h/DSC08615%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08615" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX1ShCWRR2FLrwKb0wMgCWzYsk1CykwYz-Q7ixcfM26lbSaJtD2AkbVEQRZR6TrV3uGjWSMevtryst1mP9qFyOcbVIhmYoIdYtsYuD9dpSW-msDarUsNgYPbc6QYtK6bZ2ptZO2gfXUt3/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08615" width="404" /></a> Grandma loving on her very first Grandson!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_bwVi6oZI6LTraS6uBwrWRHGQeDVopjgsRoNVaoy12uWkWJDZDvugxfpJiyICsySU5q90lB6XEO4Ck6F-W7JCs0_KTDNtXhqC2JIw9mNh8hqQdHq34xtqzJm9kWG2Orb-vfVKM7Tv5m3/s1600-h/DSC08614%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08614" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivIS-OXHd8_VighfLBJvOrV-ZioX0CfsM7YwVJsHqGYYAZmeH5mb1boUDQ5PrjyxyMRkhWXcUTmKDWXoKPhtJ9Q0lEG8gfLDk4MArIp7XUBKy5gbZkruA3JuwFMWB5dcyJnLgOwKM9YFsA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08614" width="304" /></a> Cannot get enough of this lil guy!!<img alt="DSC08618" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihYwbtc6GHQ2JzvcFLMX4ZBWHMrlrJwtOkhe34MpPJY9nuJe0vyJx2Y5IJ9IeaDiK3ZJUwevJ19DvXfFAvPepE6r2ML41YpKmFbKeHf1v2d2iSZ6oW92iu3fHGoTZfnPWIgOqP674jIag/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08618" width="404" /> Once we headed down for breakfast I had oatmeal with raisins & granola and toast w/cream cheese. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYt4m1iftJllvhpawWHBjIl-BpOU3Ynkt3Q4o2h5bTg6QfgR41flnWaOuFH-_RdbBivJ7DqiwQrGLt6M41G4t248raLu6Mwn4IlDzALx-J9UkCp60rgguj-8i5xnqBpa6Qok_knacTI1YZ/s1600-h/DSC08620%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08620" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1coRygQ4qmGMC8nhbf1-NdIuNg25VGS_tFfrd9ZhX0kiWSNM06gEy-8Fm9tqrg3-vytjur2EQKa6eo3QTPfzcWxd5m0goySbAFJf6Dy7iK6B1I9_26SFqS7yNs2xIvcG-hnVIxYP0m_ms/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08620" width="404" /></a> Round breakfast out with a side of pineapple for a total of 5 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_Xy9l-GI3MarRg-tfzfE5Z80O72mibJA9sI7VP2qugqrcsxyuQdcnikSw1aBzsDVcDtUrVEIyqmnJEy1ML4iXX2tacrRWgp3hBIeqRGaos0DftP9pr1Z7k4ZG2bh8UAe2ru9dYQhLqas/s1600-h/DSC08621%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08621" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j7-Jmr1XvH8oVNwougsyEXtI7firU0SkPyMGZwGHHRQbIda971OqzWH_h-ns62cwRjQgIoVC1MDitJCTHM_DQqr2k-4wWPqiI2qR53DnlQ3UHpDn1TUGhz3sp0VMDakm4ZgKmxNT3c2c/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08621" width="404" /></a> We had some great news this morning…Hayden was strong enough to have his oxygen taken off!! He looks even cuter without it!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdkbaMl98OeX4cHt3kOc4SaV2Js9fcXDb-8EPThmwt-oAHz8Cdx06l1Zjzbelq7TXeOgC2fJ1LVdHMx9av5YRyZU-osySiF8ZbAmvHP2WnqYxb9aBdiHijECxNuSlB5EsFwH_YdkClQP-/s1600-h/DSC08626%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08626" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9DIA15xjPx4rp3_5q3l47KitvXVLsYUoyvxCvAjUhXFf-wa_xFTxGClUAerSd2uW4XkjxO52M8TqB0ogcSCbnP7GNZoUTgTWNiIrKXP_MSuqjntgE7U0jdV0IklhSlEK67Ca_Ycx7n7m/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08626" width="404" /></a> Wendi & I had lunch in the cafeteria again. I went for 1/2 sandwich this time, pineapple, cottage cheese, and just a few chips for 6 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCb8YaTAdbWjt6FOrFYU8awHCkGMhNEjVe1W_bXRzMtC0p65Qyj0r73OAPVXzSyegn2TmGXRABeYRdVYmPAqZPcjd1Llk7ki1lBvZrPFyaUiD-hu8SvrwhrimvQHqBWfHz97jSfeBWuUd/s1600-h/DSC08627%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08627" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_jp2uJFBiBZm7JbyJP00Hz7H8yXGpb2erLlGvGDvcZyMZCh-GhD5NFSyQ1iboX8VpLPTxYdANk2iTsZqipsgs5qg_2EpyvqG7bmqaW3kE3CUtPu1On1fyZhPNGK2gzkueu60v3xenKYa/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08627" width="404" /></a> I couldn’t resist any longer! Ice cream was $0.32/ounce. I got $0.59 worth, probably about 1/2 c with sf caramel sauce for 3 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8fPXe6Br42-JeJQ8uub9nvxuk91IHACo6FGlcjagPSW05TL6p9byBSXe_Vna-CT4wZs-YZuJ8OCmQFV5yoOPSyijCiHDZUBXqcQ8GcTD7K57iy0ytkf3P_bnoGWTed5cfC6ihdQYWgDi/s1600-h/DSC08628%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08628" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpAiy1Q-WGNyr_eRpy7TQ4wJ1-N8mkFwWhDQLeySs_B_hVfRXfavpqfZsfXBiGtpEn0DV_ag3bYibnSqGnwTyyK4aAmKBWdndjQ5DGuXXkWCrk3-UMcIsWS3vZmyQQjOloomhHTH1yXPz/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08628" width="404" /></a> Every 4 hours Hayden has to have an assessment and Wendi gets to help! He’s always a good little patient, so tough!<img alt="DSC08622" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRFqAeA18pn25aTc4wvkMD9OQbgCdUmChbeVN6WpKVph9LcF8VHjUgYN3JwZciUx80z3iEbmfSqHfYydlLKax6HxS8iRktabImUGN3a_fUR0ILtgxbPr35Zk5_hOFqhnofEfxVDsEnetR/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08622" width="404" /> I left to go home around 4pm. I got back to town and put in about 4 hours of work to get some things done and was anxious to see Kyle, he was working 1pm-9pm. We had a later supper when we got home, 2oz whole wheat pasta and 1/2 c marinara sauce for 4 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAr4IyouvB9Fbio3yH4zlCEYhgcjplfhnL5HbdJn_cy10Wzk6i2e-HS2b3Y5aIHaGSkqdUy95XzbQko18L9v9bNVqe8ktQ8fT4wGX9OSDQSpHO65tFB1HeZIdGUKiASovL7B_UtzLr3R6E/s1600-h/DSC08629%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08629" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvwLdr2SLRDXvAsQUO-ztHa24VbAcMeA_KyJfKSPLmMck2zUELchKtRNJb-FejNFhs2dXJp29OrEVZ7wLhOj5vuqrQQCd2nJDmtBx6gYPRjDNZUN8Amd9zRuaWb1UoHu-CXi8vzb4oVar/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08629" width="404" /></a> I inhaled my supper and crashed, but was already missing Hayden! That little boy has got me already, I love him to pieces!!! WEDNESDAY’S STATS POINTS = 20/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/0 week H2O = 100 oz EXERCISE = 2 sets of lunges, squats, & jumping jacks!

Making Progress

G’day friends! Wednesday I was in the NICU again with my sister, Wendi, and nephew, Hayden. If you missed any of the posts you can catch up ...

Cadres & Co en région Centre

7:55 AM Anonymous 0

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2vJHAhthueRSii4AtpIISrQovKCFij4w8_E1oZS-7ELNPfAcoBlIuCoOxtHD_mI6YtvkcwSIGWMypU2xysn5BxIKz2dHTk0uJAkv5C7PjegnsgdfhXxZmjbHFr_gBybCc3bYGOKkKMCY/s1600/logo_apec.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517483929568720306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2vJHAhthueRSii4AtpIISrQovKCFij4w8_E1oZS-7ELNPfAcoBlIuCoOxtHD_mI6YtvkcwSIGWMypU2xysn5BxIKz2dHTk0uJAkv5C7PjegnsgdfhXxZmjbHFr_gBybCc3bYGOKkKMCY/s200/logo_apec.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" /></a> Le salon Cadres & Co organisé par l'<a href="http://www.apec.fr/" target="_blank">Apec</a> et ses partenaires pour la région centre aura lieu : <ul><li>le jeudi 30 septembre 2010 de 9h à 17h. <li>au Centre de conférence d'Orléans 9 place du 6 juin 1944 45000 ORLEANS</ul> Il est recommandé de s'inscrire avant le 22 septembre 2010 pour vous faire connaître des recruteurs et faciliter votre accueil sur le salon. Pour en savoir plus, consulter le site de l'<a href="http://cadres.apec.fr/Emploi/Evenementiel/Agenda-des-evenements-Apec/Apec-Cadres-Co-en-Region-Centre" target="_blank">Apec</a>

Cadres & Co en région Centre

Le salon Cadres & Co organisé par l' Apec et ses partenaires pour la région centre aura lieu : le jeudi 30 septembre 2010 de 9h à 1...

The Rafael, My Local Theater

10:05 PM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e_agWaS3KuQLcyvbyU_PU5juz1LBwbkE0MvLunbPsFpIjGkMzoGYUW_luURnyKwvQe6AU-vsVdLodPpkXkXERzGteLnOVtyvrtLnvP8qPbc0CfuSnU9umDFy-feojeXRtDADF2JN9Ob5/s1600/2599500164_08344e8018%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517362929709756834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3e_agWaS3KuQLcyvbyU_PU5juz1LBwbkE0MvLunbPsFpIjGkMzoGYUW_luURnyKwvQe6AU-vsVdLodPpkXkXERzGteLnOVtyvrtLnvP8qPbc0CfuSnU9umDFy-feojeXRtDADF2JN9Ob5/s320/2599500164_08344e8018%5B1%5D.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 239px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1Omrshf1ouSOVEsYi_VAcW4NtMwFRlpdbLHE0szK-NrKoHyGKXReg_OAzV1F28LkKrjaA0t4pXSC6bQoCSzcf_SiVG7sqRrMIwAuq9fdWHYG35LhEYzwSP3JSllHxS2GoxBwRFiTz3MA/s1600/if7a9879_thm%5B1%5D.jpg"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2u8nboWnASJVKrZsU5Z6L4AFKqbI8fX9eb00hRGYPo2EqchyyyePYomb7WQVEVJLH6daYzKW9Nadh494iYnAUgZ03laVVJtEw5MENyNbrgABmfPNZoYLR5vXUkAphvfiBOCWQTnis13l/s1600/if7a9879_thm%5B1%5D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517363302722707634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2u8nboWnASJVKrZsU5Z6L4AFKqbI8fX9eb00hRGYPo2EqchyyyePYomb7WQVEVJLH6daYzKW9Nadh494iYnAUgZ03laVVJtEw5MENyNbrgABmfPNZoYLR5vXUkAphvfiBOCWQTnis13l/s200/if7a9879_thm%5B1%5D.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMWjlBYtfMTaJGRl1noxetO1AyknX9b_r-5_pLUXC7OmhHuL1RyKcbgsWkSQCXQyMS68dNe3eqHzLxkn2ls3-Lbs0CHIB-1rTKPWHlY4CuOODv253mSAo_oWJpONMzvkNCJFY3x7Rk-8o/s1600/2599500164_08344e8018%5B1%5D.jpg"></a> The Rafael Theater in San Rafael, California, began life as the Orpheus Theater in 1918, long before the Golden Gate Bridge connected Marin County to the city of San Francisco. A first-run movie house, the Orpheus was razed by fire and resurrected as the art moderne Rafael in 1938. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused significant damage to the building and the Rafael closed for ten years. In 1998 reconstruction began. The theater was gutted and renovated and reopened in 1999. Today it is a three-screen art/indie/revival house operated as a non-profit by the California Film Institute and has been renamed the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Theater. The Mill Valley Film Festival, which runs from October 7 - 17 this year (2010) and will honor such luminaries as Annette Bening, Edward Norton, Sam Rockwell, Ryan Gosling and Julian Schnabel, screens many of festival films at the glorious Rafael. In the last few years I've seen quite a variety of films at the Rafael - La Vie en Rose (Marion Cotillard won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance and attended the Rafael premiere), Starting Out in the Evening (featuring a remarkable performance by Frank Langella), Francis Coppola's Tetro (a film that brought Luchino Visconti to mind) and the Swedish sensation, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Most recently I attended a screening of the silent version of Alfred Hitchcock's Blackmail (1930) with accompaniment by the Alloy Orchestra (<a href="http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/2010/07/dial-h-for-hitchcock-blackmail-on-big.html" style="color: #990000;">click here</a> for my post  about it) and a free-to-the-public presentation of Hitchcock's North by Northwest (<a href="http://classic-film-tv.blogspot.com/2010/09/dial-h-for-hitchcock-north-by-northwest.html">click here </a>for the post). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1atKcd8fEqkyx1xiMucmeVsGAH92anIV0aZ7V9VWApPRWxn8cE-5qXiIuymNQNBKypnxbqpWojlzM2AeunEyokCisAnz5dYPHxPPJq_l6NpU9UcTlY0yZC5VPZQyI2nQ9rq1EWTd-UuD/s1600/537814%255B1%255D%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1atKcd8fEqkyx1xiMucmeVsGAH92anIV0aZ7V9VWApPRWxn8cE-5qXiIuymNQNBKypnxbqpWojlzM2AeunEyokCisAnz5dYPHxPPJq_l6NpU9UcTlY0yZC5VPZQyI2nQ9rq1EWTd-UuD/s320/537814%255B1%255D%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> A few years ago the Beatles' A Hard Day's Night was screened on the exterior of the Rafael. The street was closed to traffic and filled with people sitting and standing and singing along with John, Paul, George and Ringo. Some of the Rafael's illustrious guests... <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNZVjVobbj4V8t6dEZFGiNw7LpcPtmDKZg97Bzb-LSz5ToJanMhYAn3LeI3w0iVOka47yJRX7cMcMS84glwgULsDCPnY5rQsUYOLoLf9Yo7mbBG3l-Yx7jojB6Eidy968jSyRhKzyRDza/s1600/barbara+hale+at+the+rafael+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517762412342532482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNZVjVobbj4V8t6dEZFGiNw7LpcPtmDKZg97Bzb-LSz5ToJanMhYAn3LeI3w0iVOka47yJRX7cMcMS84glwgULsDCPnY5rQsUYOLoLf9Yo7mbBG3l-Yx7jojB6Eidy968jSyRhKzyRDza/s200/barbara+hale+at+the+rafael+2.jpg" style="float: left; height: 167px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 171px;" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbara Hale</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;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517762638183555666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOL4y2MBjJQZjSkAM-eoCtNEZhGdmdHoXeVrWj_aQ0oFr-mHZUgpNvgqkNQdpT7xoe0cNWLX18Yoe6U58EntxbBaEqfuYZtzA5Cdok-6cLxi7fyAwmzkFV0g4hywAVjyk0ORQwx3OTu8s/s200/Ray+Harryhausen+auto+graphs.jpg" style="display: block; height: 144px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 170px;" /></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ray Harryhausen</td></tr></tbody></table>   <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuop-gOPXgy_rFFpvB-VKbinm5WaAHTzH8r1-SQS5nL1QaqFqhz6gHk4qMo1im5o53L8Bx6jj99-TvsyLb7orf9RrkqYBjTwSJpGOH2gczca9xeov6n_QSN2ju_YYFlhBkBZUyLymi_7rR/s1600/Mirren+MVFF+the+queen+at+Rafael.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517763547007563826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuop-gOPXgy_rFFpvB-VKbinm5WaAHTzH8r1-SQS5nL1QaqFqhz6gHk4qMo1im5o53L8Bx6jj99-TvsyLb7orf9RrkqYBjTwSJpGOH2gczca9xeov6n_QSN2ju_YYFlhBkBZUyLymi_7rR/s200/Mirren+MVFF+the+queen+at+Rafael.jpg" style="float: left; height: 142px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 175px;" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helen Mirren</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;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519759120717768418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0eVOT0O3G0K2WBRuEAr5YG3C9qum4c9lvpAdEY8psUNMeyUPhBVF88G93yxG8OiFfAkT7NtbC-fmrA1jclLASgzJbW-9cbbS1KPexwjbAVfjOIt7GeDC0gr9FRqI5ZLQxygGR0JLi0q2/s320/Coppola+Tetro.jpg" style="display: block; height: 189px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 117px;" /></td></tr><tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Francis Ford Coppola</td></tr></tbody></table>

The Rafael Theater in San Rafael, California, began life as the Orpheus Theater in 1918, long before the Golden Gate Bridge connected Marin ...

NICU - Tuesday

12:58 PM Tukiyooo 0

Hello everyone! First of all, from not only me, but my sister, Wendi, & Hayden too, THANK YOU so much for your throughts & prayers, very much appreciated! Tuesday morning I stopped my office to do a few things knowing I would be out of the office a while and then helped Wendi get discharged from the hospital and we headed down to the hospital first thing. Hayden was hungry & needed his Momma! :) I did have a chance to grab some breakfast though! My favorite oatmeal comobo like always, 5 points. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXQKWPfjyf3gX6uNYSRaSvT4l2Qg1un0opWrzkKSg6OXCuA62Uc9B6P8QmXnOUePZ08MLOlW2ut3pnRpQNDtYI1OUGLDEPofd06ZfGUsfAcEI7O3_EU1n35FN_Op3nNA6pDdCBEx9z5pm/s1600/DSC08588.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517233169651663634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXQKWPfjyf3gX6uNYSRaSvT4l2Qg1un0opWrzkKSg6OXCuA62Uc9B6P8QmXnOUePZ08MLOlW2ut3pnRpQNDtYI1OUGLDEPofd06ZfGUsfAcEI7O3_EU1n35FN_Op3nNA6pDdCBEx9z5pm/s400/DSC08588.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> We got to the hospital and made it up to the NICU with Hayden. He ate really well first thing. Momma Wendi was happy to be with her boy again! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyonlu0aA_fbyO93fZWxh2pKB5ZMn6rQesf7oAhcYMmz7kbVej9D76fsCzvvuJzgb-TE7vvUdubnwuMR6VjvL7JBicxkNsrKz3xv5jJnYlI-Pq3h7G7nZ1t2UyiMRTFyVMBCFqqLy8GDi/s1600/DSC08591.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517234406966016626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyonlu0aA_fbyO93fZWxh2pKB5ZMn6rQesf7oAhcYMmz7kbVej9D76fsCzvvuJzgb-TE7vvUdubnwuMR6VjvL7JBicxkNsrKz3xv5jJnYlI-Pq3h7G7nZ1t2UyiMRTFyVMBCFqqLy8GDi/s400/DSC08591.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> I feel like there is always something do to with Hayden! Making sure he eats at the right time, doing his checks every 4 hours, diapers, and helping Wendi w/other things! We're staying pretty busy! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZbiU0f2qWGqaNMOHQx4KTKgLz3pmdB_AjVQuDeP2JCa7gOIYPrRPuTzAfjLsTbAhkzgtf97zl0KyoS2XL5UBsIjV95LK4dYGfk9GonuZsjMf2cmiMOJOrzWPqWsDptmwPYKeui0EgQHg/s1600/DSC08595.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517234988430354130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZbiU0f2qWGqaNMOHQx4KTKgLz3pmdB_AjVQuDeP2JCa7gOIYPrRPuTzAfjLsTbAhkzgtf97zl0KyoS2XL5UBsIjV95LK4dYGfk9GonuZsjMf2cmiMOJOrzWPqWsDptmwPYKeui0EgQHg/s400/DSC08595.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> For lunch we went to the cafeteria. I was nervous, but happy to find they had lots of great options! I had a ham & turkey sandwich... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyO8AZ_nSisrHwaR7zDiYrP1BmlrFPYCWFfhtm-ZOgIafvvCWHIk-WLuNev9NTxcjJG8NwZmHTlFkGmvUMV5R49TkrF-L1IH2waCHjSxi_Smy_aDKP62JMU-r-3t-5fbCX5C53CdX9jRb/s1600/DSC08603.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517235763407463570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyO8AZ_nSisrHwaR7zDiYrP1BmlrFPYCWFfhtm-ZOgIafvvCWHIk-WLuNev9NTxcjJG8NwZmHTlFkGmvUMV5R49TkrF-L1IH2waCHjSxi_Smy_aDKP62JMU-r-3t-5fbCX5C53CdX9jRb/s400/DSC08603.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> watermelon & pinapple <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RDy37igmZx0hNdPtnjkiznXcHMxZN92lWmBgHmbxF5dxthocjGZVAVAdyGdhHEO4GQGAwoWyrcZaCy2OagztmhN6nryH4HfE__xcJe-uxEUx0tLdQbtgWmHt4H-clb7SrPbsHjaOL9xB/s1600/DSC08602.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517235756109981730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RDy37igmZx0hNdPtnjkiznXcHMxZN92lWmBgHmbxF5dxthocjGZVAVAdyGdhHEO4GQGAwoWyrcZaCy2OagztmhN6nryH4HfE__xcJe-uxEUx0tLdQbtgWmHt4H-clb7SrPbsHjaOL9xB/s400/DSC08602.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> cottage cheese, veggies, & ranch for a total of 6 points. I didn't eat the veggies or ranch...neither were good! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA0gOHWGHbhjJIe6K9LlJL0cFvLIaL1kkccOBVK9wJU9hvgWAOr3uSrO02ci8hkq_hkpzNIDjKtKPjSDeQd2r4Lchlc1za_PoDmT1bXnxTBUzXPwGPwWw0GgLaBhLBpAsybXyw1YtweL_/s1600/DSC08601.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517235748855934546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA0gOHWGHbhjJIe6K9LlJL0cFvLIaL1kkccOBVK9wJU9hvgWAOr3uSrO02ci8hkq_hkpzNIDjKtKPjSDeQd2r4Lchlc1za_PoDmT1bXnxTBUzXPwGPwWw0GgLaBhLBpAsybXyw1YtweL_/s400/DSC08601.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> In the afternoon we took a short drive to the Ronald McDonald House to line up a room. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5FdvEm6IYyVj7dvAUOR_aBormYNzcqOfKeLhQ5GeuW5maoWyZuoADYHQkacPESNZJYPJcQYq4R8XOzk1WEgODFL3o3De38bnGk6J42YMfXa2Pq0W1jMzSWaXSnPi9USLDnCyDuxggzAB/s1600/DSC08608.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517236491363344178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5FdvEm6IYyVj7dvAUOR_aBormYNzcqOfKeLhQ5GeuW5maoWyZuoADYHQkacPESNZJYPJcQYq4R8XOzk1WEgODFL3o3De38bnGk6J42YMfXa2Pq0W1jMzSWaXSnPi9USLDnCyDuxggzAB/s400/DSC08608.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> The doctors are saying very positive things about Hayden, which is great! He is eating well and his respirations are closer to where they need to be. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPTbBe_BHfsKI8gjBlcWqRM95bmM2mofYiy1Hrjcb4J2K7Yd2HFLlpkY5-rPMnXKWWKiaJgQjEbNvs0ZaqxD6soWVDcG9uLKaEX-gTgynubgqEhwTBQci5V6ExapkN3wxMrLmxjBjMcED/s1600/DSC08605.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517237152494847250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPTbBe_BHfsKI8gjBlcWqRM95bmM2mofYiy1Hrjcb4J2K7Yd2HFLlpkY5-rPMnXKWWKiaJgQjEbNvs0ZaqxD6soWVDcG9uLKaEX-gTgynubgqEhwTBQci5V6ExapkN3wxMrLmxjBjMcED/s400/DSC08605.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" /></a> For supper we ate at the hospital cafeteria again. I had a grilled chicken sandwich and some more watermelon and pineapple for 7 points. No pictures...left the camera in Hayden's room. Hayden is doing so well, but still has some progress to make! This little guy isn't even 2 days old and I already love him to pieces!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapbfils7FCN2c6FN816CbphXKtIX1aIkj4JaaqJv4Oa6vgvevVWceuh_oCODQ0t14DY3BHi3dnGdY4Kh-rGuK9EYB8oxIfpUwR80T3GhT_YOskFq4zTGzLapzsIKXQPjK-OLFB_oUhXHt/s1600/DSC08599.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517238035971969922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapbfils7FCN2c6FN816CbphXKtIX1aIkj4JaaqJv4Oa6vgvevVWceuh_oCODQ0t14DY3BHi3dnGdY4Kh-rGuK9EYB8oxIfpUwR80T3GhT_YOskFq4zTGzLapzsIKXQPjK-OLFB_oUhXHt/s400/DSC08599.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a> Not much for exercise lately! I'm trying to keep my eating in check and bring in the exercise once things settle down. Thanks again everyone for all the comments, thoughts, & prayers. Keep em coming! TUESDAY’S STATS POINTS = 18/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 0 used/35 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/0 week H2O = 80 oz EXERCISE = none Oh! I didn't forget that Tuesday's are weigh in days...I weighed 167.5, a 1.5lb loss! I'll take it!

NICU - Tuesday

Hello everyone! First of all, from not only me, but my sister, Wendi, & Hayden too, THANK YOU so much for your throughts & prayers, ...

Still standing...sort of

12:47 AM Tukiyooo 0

I just logged off my work computer and yes, it's indeed 12:03 a.m. Work is the same as the last time I posted. High stress, long hours. This is just temporary and won't last much longer (and at this rate, I won't last much longer either!). However, today I seemed to be handling it a whole lot better. I'm not sure why, although I have a theory. Recently during this highly chaotic time I decided to start decluttering my life. Those Hoarder shows have really bothered me. Like just maybe I could become one of "those" people. I'm not a collector of anything, at least when you first walk into my house, that's what you'd think. I hate knick knacks. I really like the whole idea of Feng Shui, or actually, just the idea of no clutter. It makes me feel better. I think as you get older, you realize you've accumulate a whole lot of junk during your life and you don't want anymore junk. In fact, you really want to get rid of the junk you have stockpiled over the years. Even though I may appear to like clean surfaces and a clutter-free environment, open a closet or some of the drawers around here, and oh my goodness...look what we have here...a secret hoarder! I won't even discuss the garage...definitely the makings for a Hoarder show. During my decluttering these last couple of weeks I've been finding stuff I didn't even know I owned. One thing was a brand new, unopened New Testament on CDs. I'd never even taken off the cellophane. I opened it up this morning and thought maybe I should listen to it on my way to work. It's kind of cool because the reading is done with a lot of famous actors (and yes, James Caviezel does the voice of Jesus). It also has sound effect, if there's a storm, there's thunder and lightning. If there's water, you hear water running. It has all sorts of background noises and music. I started with Matthew this morning and at first I thought oh boy, all these "begets" are b-o-r-i-n-g! But it quickly became interesting and somehow, comforting. I know I have atheist friends that read this, but honestly, you really should give the Bible a try. It has some great advice on how to live your life. Swearing My new thing is to stop swearing. I'm not sure how this happened but recently I'm swearing like a sailor. Not the f- word, okay, sometimes the f- word. Usually it things like "oh crap!" or "that's crap!" or "what the hell" or "Oh my God!" or "Oh Shit!". It's really gotten out of control. I work in a business environment. One person I work with is very religious, and I'm sure he's offended by my language. I'm even kind of offended by the words coming out of my mouth. So I've started my own swear jar. It's not for other people, just for me. I don't really care if other people swear (except the GD phrase...I hate that one...prefer the f- word over that). Other people swearing doesn't bother me, it bothers me most that I swear. My Baptist mother would die if she heard me (if she were alive). I gathered together the dimes and quarters out of the change jar and decided the quarters are for the f- word, dimes for the "crap" and "shit" and "OMG" words (I have a lot of dimes). Within about thirty seconds of getting my money and jar together, I said "oh crap!' and then "oh shit!" because I had just said said "oh crap!" See what I mean, it's really bad when I swear because I just said a swear word! It's kind of disgusting if you think about it, and not cute at all for a 55-year old woman to sound like a trucker. Not classy, kind of trashy. The diet and the exercise (after all, this is a weight loss blog, in case you forgot) I went to Weight Watchers Saturday, and had a one-pound loss. I should have done better, but I didn't. I'm at 174.8. I could write a whole lot about this, but I won't, not tonight (this morning). I haven't been to the gym since Saturday. I know...who AM I?! Actually, I kind of hurt myself last Saturday. I pushed myself on the weights, doing concentrated dumbbell curls with 25-pound dumbbells, hammer curls with 20-pounds dumbbells, lat pulldowns with 75 pounds, and three sets of full plank for a minute each. That was just a part of my workout, and I overdid it big time. I was still sore this morning, three days later. I was trying to compete with a 20-year old working next to me. I need to remember...I am not 20. I am 55. I need to act appropriately. Well, it's off to bed. I have a million things I want to write about, but no time right now. I'm definitely going to the gym in about five hours (ugh!). I'm really missing reading all your blogs. I haven't been taking a lunch break at work lately so I don't even have that time to read. This will all come to a grinding halt in about a week. It's just a little tough right now, and I can hardly wait to have my life back!

Still standing...sort of

I just logged off my work computer and yes, it's indeed 12:03 a.m. Work is the same as the last time I posted. High stress, long hours. ...

I’m proud to introduce…

12:14 PM Tukiyooo 0

My first nephew, Hayden James!<img alt="DSC08548" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfYQgqRgI_A9IbTjlK7JOISzAHr-XQ5Jt9gThzpW3I92l3PUg8KQlBNobvOPsU1JrzR7_xTo4XAIUNqeoprUcT38bSjJ7flH3LlWvyrs-DCAIfr1U162ISKSfbjbiu9XP_OFrq605snyHs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08548" width="404" /> Click <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/hes-here.html">here</a> to read about how he came into this world! I finally got to bed about 2am early Monday morning, but I was ready to go and see my nephew first thing in the morning! Before I left the house I made a bowl of oatmeal like always, 5 points. Isn’t he SO cute!!!<a><img alt="DSC08544" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8s6AxexKVB74xwYAxohL9f_SiYUSL__dz46RmLhVYp5MHxVNMVLxjJV_h715ce9S2ofPqQJ0DDfkYEyQgYh36rfD4aouupJJFZyV5Gzr5xZmlilbaacudRcZwZACdlrx4SokSmatqIcYh/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08544" width="404" /></a> My little sister, Wendi’s, motherly instincts kicked in right away, she’s a great Mom!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIW3cmRBl-mhxSRL7siKg-N3pb8jJvyqY12jP2mE8IUY6h-c9ZxLY9tFiFbGYC5kCpuZMVsMB4kyibqnlbKdVzOEcrYWeGfAGA7LrNKIdj6q7YQGU-XpGnlw8xt_pdcZwgrYrGovDZXch/s1600-h/DSC08556%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08556" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lJ-z8MuLZMBXUEi1T8Ut0rhAutLcfqWYptQujFZFMLyoWNwpkrUaL_ffvvDVlEKbCd_dFo3NqxxY4E8ZikBapxqUvkOPDFNoysF88zWF5HKtms12DQyUbaXhp-On8uvtFR6bsD2A6far/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08556" width="304" /></a> And of course, I’m not the only Aunt…here’s Aunt Mindi!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp8lQrsP1Yn-u-9UFcXTNHf6h56gRr08JGyVZKLmIU_SKl5f1qLI6lp8acvY1QNIDgyOd-MdMsDxfSQFdTb6AT9C4WTGvcOqYOwCEx-wsjFfpjyxMH_amDeobSEQpwW_Kw8tdHBcsYHax/s1600-h/DSC08559%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08559" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarpLiFsc3jFk_oAMToWfLF-KEMDVr38FY1GZc28_mWVFw1iXzMgWXnYz1Nqje8eEwIxgEwf30V7Wm5jAa6QyMnw1cDJ13pPtDQZKnIeXnddchEoG-79F_wKL4DPGdP1HvhRoZCwVKpyL-/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08559" width="404" /></a> And Aunt Stef! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqSPnt-0z_OC89DJzKUVwtCgg7KPOpyd6mly_FWtcIWvgMqW9OCpa98IX-gN6o04_TEAPQCmkQ2FN6w7q3oXAm49JHujHX7oenwH7FSCE44HJxz9xRIY5aTh46qShTCpo1BgY81_lrG-y/s1600-h/DSC08546%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08546" border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWx6kNEUk-Wa-vMv9h2W2DIjS98JQms3Mx7A_MlH9-xzPq07qqA-2dJZ6NDkxU3Avftjj0P3b1dL7_vZ20Q0m-yqVJWnGOxhRXpPKegZ5Wov9-n-RkttdeDt3Wz176i5AFSCsoRYC2_wKo/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08546" width="304" /></a> This little boy is greatly loved!<img alt="DSC08563" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTO-UpWa08djbcVmGp24YBvVUgMUCumnLkxFOFwezdiWmk04Jn3g0FaRtTd3DXU_YQnTlPDUNGyV-U7ugZMowrR7Ce-VHi1QC3Bqi28XQuodhTipjOOnmBL35BdTI6wYu7qOK-D236w5Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08563" width="404" /> I picked up Subway for lunch for 6 points. It was hard to think about eating this afternoon though…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqw-GRqWMwRynzz7fdlsiiNxfAOOMpAvztq4wRx3_MOPXAqI647of_yyRw60F1F5dZD4Ihg3VD3QZNFSThd0oi8UfIenFDcivgA3Eade-3EoUenJqU72rNgFPxjPklvi26L20KTScu0GR/s1600-h/DSC08581%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08581" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJrV2z5g1SSgyB8Jny0zWlsB3mwp5Vk-e802of62bgFy9u3MLo_vDORFylRcE57ba3DnXoE0wGsnLz2PS7PSlhvJVijfaTh6EI6kp_YaiskIwgucT-fEpY3rlYv1MxPIWZBGiabSx4DDL/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08581" width="404" /></a> If you recall from my <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/09/hes-here.html">post about the birth</a> he wasn’t breathing right when he was born. They thought it was fluid in the his lungs, but then they detected a heart murmur on Hayden.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJVMbvID6PRSkpVRsdg-ZifqXk8KXzqoEvX_kB4kby-dUSdvTfEHebvC1KzGCInYvxSGfc-TPfq25LYeAR2WCBrXJt09KPfbuPa7t2vmB0NyrQPSql8tRcBOF595lr831YNmjwiDmlbM9/s1600-h/DSC08574%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSC08574" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4UIshxI2UfkMpOez97I2BZpcGoHGo5LZqbjIKFn8251r3xC0uhFfCG0IAadWzsYZTPl3N2nMVYJF64bNG6ewa68Su8DzvbaAmILfbm6Ta9vmf1KeBn7CADOdkbIkwPvR_H6Be0ALOU-u/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08574" width="404" /></a> They ran tests today and found out he has pulmonary hypertension, which means he is breathing like he is still in the womb and not like he should on his own. At birth there are some valves that are supposed to close and then the baby breathes through his lungs, but that didn't happen with Hayden. He was life flighted this evening by helicopter to a larger hospital with a NICU about 2 hours south.<img alt="DSC08578" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE2q-jAIYe6dBJ0t-mdQnwqVR_JRZS0EWlXDQ8ZbZflQH8p3yoT46XQC4v-J0svwMIT8Ypt8AcslW5hXqSvzWMZAgVTQyYhik-SJjyutAwLRY9tTeOFyIZlwTPcdoY1jGuM6e2-O5ktgS/?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" title="DSC08578" width="404" /> The nurses and doctors said they have seen this before and comparing Hayden to recent cases he was the most stable, so at least that was reassuring.   It was a long, emotional day. My sister, Wendi, had to stay in the hospital here. I am staying with her and hoping to go down to be with Hayden Tuesday morning.    I had a bag of SunChips & a granola bar this evening for 6 points. I’m trying to make smart choices while we are in the hospital. I am committed to this journey! MONDAY’S STATS POINTS = 18/23 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE POINTS = 1 used/34 remaining ACTIVITY POINTS EARNED = 0 today/0 week H2O = 32 oz EXERCISE = none Please keep my sweet nephew in your thoughts & prayers. I know Hayden is in great hands, not only with the NICU doctors, but more importantly God has His hand on him & has a plan for this his life!

I’m proud to introduce…

My first nephew, Hayden James! Click here to read about how he came into this world! I finally got to bed about 2am early Monday mornin...