The Laurentine

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51916666174872320272011-10-11T18:24:57.462-05:00The LaurentineRandom musings on love, life, the universe and everything.LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-20357996176026199502011-08-20T11:59:00.000-05:002011-08-20T11:59:24.286-05:002011-08-20T11:59:24.286-05:00Gracias a la Vida<div style="text-align: center;">When I was in college at Lambuth University (now the University of Memphis- Lambuth), I had a delightfully quirky Spanish teacher. She was passionate about teaching and she was gracious with my feeble attempts to learn another language. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">She introduced me to a song that continues to be one of my all time favorite songs. It's a good saturday morning tune and I thought I'd share it with you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/WyOJ-A5iv5I/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WyOJ-A5iv5I&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WyOJ-A5iv5I&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's en Espanol, so here is a translation:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <style>  </style> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Mercedes Sosa - Thanks to life (written by Violeta Parra)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life, which has given me so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gave me two beams of light, that when opened,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Can perfectly distinguish black from white</div><div class="MsoNormal">And in the sky above, her starry backdrop,</div><div class="MsoNormal">And from within the multitude</div><div class="MsoNormal">The one that I love.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life, which has given me so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gave me an ear that, in all of its width</div><div class="MsoNormal">Records— night and day—crickets and canaries,</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hammers and turbines and bricks and storms,</div><div class="MsoNormal">And the tender voice of my beloved.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life, which has given me so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gave me sound and the alphabet.</div><div class="MsoNormal">With them the words that I think and declare:</div><div class="MsoNormal">"Mother," "Friend," "Brother" and the light shining.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The route of the soul from which comes love.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life, which has given me so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gave me the ability to walk with my tired feet.</div><div class="MsoNormal">With them I have traversed cities and puddles</div><div class="MsoNormal">Valleys and deserts, mountains and plains.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And your house, your street and your patio.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life, which has given me so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gave me a heart, that causes my frame to shudder,</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I see the fruit of the human brain,</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I see good so far from bad,</div><div class="MsoNormal">When I see within the clarity of your eyes...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life, which has given me so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal">It gave me laughter and it gave me longing.</div><div class="MsoNormal">With them I distinguish happiness and pain—</div><div class="MsoNormal">The two materials from which my songs are formed,</div><div class="MsoNormal">And your song, as well, which is the same song.</div><div class="MsoNormal">And everyone's song, which is my very song.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks to life </div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Amen. </b></div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-2035799617602619950?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-13486190463757681722011-08-16T20:33:00.001-05:002011-08-16T20:37:34.693-05:002011-08-16T20:37:34.693-05:00Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion<div style="text-align: center;">Last night, as I was sifting through photos and videos to use in <a href="http://speckledpup.blogspot.com/">the Speckled Pup's</a> next blog entry (coming soon, I swear). I stumbled upon pictures from <a href="http://marynuttlin.blogspot.com/">Mary and Timmy's </a>engagement party at <a href="http://annieandgregadventures.blogspot.com/">Annie's</a> parent's house in Tuscaloosa a MILLION years ago. Ok, it was 2008 but it still feels like another lifetime. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">That afternoon is a particularly sweet memory because I'm pretty sure that is when MTM and I sealed our friendship pact for good. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, there was sword fighting. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApnTyeP2m8A/TkqfVkc0gyI/AAAAAAAABg8/1gnc7wrQPV8/s1600/matt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ApnTyeP2m8A/TkqfVkc0gyI/AAAAAAAABg8/1gnc7wrQPV8/s320/matt.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">like ya do</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I found a video of Timmy fighting Mr. Fisher (Annie's Dad) and in the background you can hear the jolly laugh of MTM.  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-5560537d4f9fc933" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/get_player"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"> <param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=http://v19.nonxt3.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D5560537d4f9fc933%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1322275069%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D43C1C1ABF022EE1D603866D6CCEF48AB7AD7BFC9.6EA6F373C8B401327D09ED868918BF0CAB4E4E35%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D5560537d4f9fc933%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DyKUYfFjmxksXG-xqkT3IJpmXtj8&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="flvurl=http://v19.nonxt3.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D5560537d4f9fc933%26itag%3D5%26app%3Dblogger%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1322275069%26sparams%3Did,itag,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D43C1C1ABF022EE1D603866D6CCEF48AB7AD7BFC9.6EA6F373C8B401327D09ED868918BF0CAB4E4E35%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D5560537d4f9fc933%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DyKUYfFjmxksXG-xqkT3IJpmXtj8&autoplay=0&ps=blogger" allowFullScreen="true" /></object> </div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's been 19 months and I thought maybe y'all might like to hear it today. <br /> <br /> <i><br /> </i><br /> <i>It is still so new & all we see is the empty space, but that is not how it is in the landscape of the heart. There, there is no empty space & he still laughs & grapples with ideas & plans & nods wisely with each of us in turn. We are proud to have known him. We are proud to have called him friend. </i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1348619046375768172?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-67278701635429232112011-08-04T21:45:00.000-05:002011-08-05T09:48:33.187-05:002011-08-05T09:48:33.187-05:00What's your dream? Everybody gotta have a dream!<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Friends, I am happy to report that I've officially added state number 10- California- to my Karaoke Bucket List. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">I managed to convince several of my colleagues at the conference AND a random guy from our hotel swimming pool, to come out to LIVE BAND Karaoke in Sacramento. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Kids, let me tell you something. Live Band Karaoke is where it's at. I don't know if I can go back to regular Karaoke. Yes. It is that good. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">The venue, Marilyn's on K, was in the basement of a Quizno's- so you know it was classy. Since we were working with a band, the set up was a little different. The KJ- Heidi- sat up at the front and collected names and 5 bucks from every performer (I guess that's how they pay the band). I was a little disappointed with the song selection, especially when I learned that another performer "Robin" had taken all the songs that I normally perform. And as my fellow Karaoke-er, Timbo, put it: "Now is NOT the time for new material!" So, I had to go to a deeper Karaoke cut- "500 Miles (I'm Gonna Be)" by the Proclaimers. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/bjz9TrjgCXU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjz9TrjgCXU&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bjz9TrjgCXU&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">EXCELLENT (and under appreciated) song. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">We had to wait forever, but we enjoyed some stellar performances by the regulars and a stunning rendition of Jimmy Buffet's "Come Monday" by our friend Dennis from the pool. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">Then, it was my turn. And kids, it was glorious. The song is not particularly technical, so your singing skills don't matter. And the chorus allows for some serious dance moves. It was DELIGHTFUL. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a.yfrog.com/img611/139/f3tidx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://a.yfrog.com/img611/139/f3tidx.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can tell that he's impressed by my skills. Also, sleeveless shirt? really?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZVNffpGHhY/TjwBrz8LZCI/AAAAAAAABgQ/nNg6gRCXgkk/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZVNffpGHhY/TjwBrz8LZCI/AAAAAAAABgQ/nNg6gRCXgkk/s320/photo.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure why, but I do this move every time. I'm gonna call it my serious stance.</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">All in all, I'd say this was one of my favorite Karaoke experiences. The crowd was great. The band was super gracious and very helpful if you got off track (not that I did, girl please). </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">If you ever find yourself out in Sacramento, go see Marilyn on K. It's a good time!</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-6727870163542923211?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-87251853041161985522011-07-26T10:10:00.007-05:002011-07-26T10:10:00.406-05:002011-07-26T10:10:00.406-05:00The Karaoke Bucket List<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love Karaoke. I don't know why. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I've always been a little shy, a little nervous in social situations. My best friend, <a href="http://brooklynbelles.blogspot.com/">Morgan</a>, was the star growing up and I've always been very happy to support her musical career safely from the audience (btw, she is incredible- I'm ridiculously proud of her). I'm not a singer, nor can I dance. But for some reason, Karaoke is my favorite past time.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In Birmingham, hands down, best place to sing karaoke is The Bourbon Street. It used to be a Pizza Hut and their signature drink is The Baby- gin, sprite, lime, sugar- in a gallon mason jar. It's delightfully trashy. </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love Karaoke so much that I've made it my life goal to sing Karaoke in every state in the Continental US. Hey, we all gotta have a dream! </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So far, I've checked the following states off my list:</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. Alabama</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Tennessee</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Arkansas</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. Georgia</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. Florida</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">6. Louisiana</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. Texas</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. Vermont</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">9. Indiana</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This week, I'm going to California for work. I'm hoping I can convince my coworker to indulge my obsession so I can add number 10 to the list!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joiCHqt1idM/Ti2MYqj97uI/AAAAAAAABfk/t29rj6uQMIg/s1600/karaoke2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joiCHqt1idM/Ti2MYqj97uI/AAAAAAAABfk/t29rj6uQMIg/s320/karaoke2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the key is gumption</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl1cZcM8mfc/Ti2MZdO7JRI/AAAAAAAABfo/LZCoxrA8G7c/s1600/karaoke3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl1cZcM8mfc/Ti2MZdO7JRI/AAAAAAAABfo/LZCoxrA8G7c/s320/karaoke3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">if you give it all you have, it'll be fun. even if you are terrible.</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vifMpTMxZLQ/Ti2Mamb7lxI/AAAAAAAABfs/KUgZWrsCNwk/s1600/karaoke4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vifMpTMxZLQ/Ti2Mamb7lxI/AAAAAAAABfs/KUgZWrsCNwk/s320/karaoke4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the real bourbon street is fun as well</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90gP4tR7Cx0/Ti2MbnRkquI/AAAAAAAABfw/X-ecuUvauIw/s1600/karaoke5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-90gP4tR7Cx0/Ti2MbnRkquI/AAAAAAAABfw/X-ecuUvauIw/s320/karaoke5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">don't drop the baby</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What about you? What do you love? Do you have a bucket list? What's on it? </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-8725185304116198552?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-19291158905160042222011-07-25T10:08:00.001-05:002011-07-25T10:10:02.065-05:002011-07-25T10:10:02.065-05:00Where have you been?Hi Friends,<br /> <br /> It has been a while! I haven't blogged since April, but Annie over at <a href="http://annieandgregadventures.blogspot.com/">Our Little Adventures</a> might defriend me if I don't update soon.<br /> <br /> Let's try a rundown on things that have happened since the last time we chatted:<br /> <br /> <ul><li>2nd Board Meeting with new Job</li> <li>Helped (ok, I read scripture) Hilly get married! </li> <li> Tornado destroyed my hometown</li> <li>Went to Costa Rica</li> <li>Secret Stages!</li> <li>Do Dah Day!</li> <li>Smith Lake for Memorial Day</li> <li>Went to Costa Rica again</li> <li>Went to DC to Salute Freedom and Celebrate Thad's 30th Bday</li> <li>Went to Indiana- Crossed it off my Karaoke Bucket List</li> <li>Helped throw a wedding party for Skye</li> </ul><br /> Consider this post a teaser- I'll bring you pictures and deets on the fun stuff soon! To tide you over until then, I give you this nonsense:<br /> <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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfW-hGFsyk/Ti2Gw97AySI/AAAAAAAABfg/3QYw9iFJo4Q/s1600/karaoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfW-hGFsyk/Ti2Gw97AySI/AAAAAAAABfg/3QYw9iFJo4Q/s320/karaoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Karaoke.</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1929115890516004222?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-38350380956967262142011-04-10T20:41:00.000-05:002011-04-10T20:41:16.458-05:002011-04-10T20:41:16.458-05:00Decorating UpdateWelp, I haven't made a whole lot of progress on the apartment since we last talked. I've been busy fighting hunger and saving lives, etc. =)<br /> <br /> Anyway, Most of the stuff that you see in this apartment was given to me by my parents or Thad. The rest I bought on craigslist. The bankers chairs came from my office. In a dream world, I would have a sweet apartment that looks like something from <a href="http://community.apartmenttherapy.com/contests/smallcool/2011">Apartment Therapy's Small Cool Contest</a>, but for now, we're rocking the thrifty chic look.<br /> <br /> Here's an updated look at my entryway:<br /> <br /> <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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiqtpXI7f0s/TaJZT6NHayI/AAAAAAAABeA/CEAbUWuoPMc/s1600/IMG00144-20110410-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IiqtpXI7f0s/TaJZT6NHayI/AAAAAAAABeA/CEAbUWuoPMc/s320/IMG00144-20110410-2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My next project will be to paint those chairs.... but for now, I think this is an improvement over the trunk. Do you agree?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table>Now, for the otherside of the room. I have not sure.<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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_A6cBcFMjQ/TaJaHK3QBXI/AAAAAAAABeI/B5J0FJli7Xo/s1600/IMG00145-20110410-2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s_A6cBcFMjQ/TaJaHK3QBXI/AAAAAAAABeI/B5J0FJli7Xo/s320/IMG00145-20110410-2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm going to hang another frame that matches the one that is already up. I just have to wait on someone to come over and tell me if it's straight or not. Any one want to help me?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table>The lamp was my Nommie's.... When she was sick, she was really angsting over who would get the lamp. She loved it and she was just sure that the Roden family would split up over who got that lamp. Luckily, I was the only one that wanted it. It's crazy looking, but it reminds me of my Nommie and I will have it always (or until Levon breaks it). <br /> <br /> Behind the frame is a hatch show print of the Belcourt. It's going above the couch as soon as I get a power drill. These concrete walls are going to be the end of me.<br /> <br /> OK... That's a tiny update. Tell me what you think. I need help!<br /> <br /> I'll leave you with this cuteness from <a href="http://www.speckledpup.blogspot.com/">The Speckled Pup:</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQ5iriRh9gU/TaJbszHQ55I/AAAAAAAABeM/tB80sqB59tg/s1600/_IGP0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MQ5iriRh9gU/TaJbszHQ55I/AAAAAAAABeM/tB80sqB59tg/s320/_IGP0645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love</td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-3835038095696726214?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-35611867889400247172011-04-06T08:00:00.000-05:002011-04-06T08:00:00.580-05:002011-04-06T08:00:00.580-05:00RantIt bothers me that you need scissors to get into those little travel packs of Advil. You know the kind that you get in individual serving sizes at gas stations? Why aren't they perforated? Chances are if I'm on the road and I don't happen to have my full bottle of advil with me, I probably don't have my scissors on me either. Why give an already head achy person one more thing to deal with? Grr..<br /> <br /> <br /> IT also bothers me that you need scissors to get into the packaging on scissors.<br /> <br /> End Rant/<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-3561186788940024717?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-14539750727443688902011-04-05T18:59:00.001-05:002011-04-05T19:02:27.374-05:002011-04-05T19:02:27.374-05:00I need your help...<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;">As you may know, I've recently moved into some new digs. And you may also know, I'm the queen of Freecycled furniture. I have some plans to DIY Dazzle y'all soon with some upgrades to all this dark furniture. But for now, I'd like your advice on how to arrange my living room. </div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b><br /> </b></i></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><i><b>What do y'all think</b></i>?</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIj9onwyqq8/TZuq0svJAbI/AAAAAAAABds/HIvzVXKTUA8/s1600/IMG00114-20110405-1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIj9onwyqq8/TZuq0svJAbI/AAAAAAAABds/HIvzVXKTUA8/s320/IMG00114-20110405-1835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the dining room entrance.... the front door is to the right. I actually want that table to be the entry table, but I need an entertainment center. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbAPTjNWneU/TZuq4Bn6x4I/AAAAAAAABdw/8RXRwzCC7kg/s1600/IMG00115-20110405-1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbAPTjNWneU/TZuq4Bn6x4I/AAAAAAAABdw/8RXRwzCC7kg/s320/IMG00115-20110405-1835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from my bedroom door. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QheEwU88ruo/TZuq7P9c2XI/AAAAAAAABd0/mCAUSfLxzLY/s1600/IMG00116-20110405-1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QheEwU88ruo/TZuq7P9c2XI/AAAAAAAABd0/mCAUSfLxzLY/s320/IMG00116-20110405-1836.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from front corner. I want to move the trunk somewhere else and replace it with the current TV table. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That wall also needs something.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0E4xGzrNp4/TZusYHkEoPI/AAAAAAAABd4/tXZx5T-rFKM/s1600/IMG00116-20110405-1836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0E4xGzrNp4/TZusYHkEoPI/AAAAAAAABd4/tXZx5T-rFKM/s320/IMG00116-20110405-1836.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mvfYv7hwII/TZusccCbYxI/AAAAAAAABd8/xM3ASfsqV3E/s1600/IMG00113-20110405-1835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5mvfYv7hwII/TZusccCbYxI/AAAAAAAABd8/xM3ASfsqV3E/s320/IMG00113-20110405-1835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the front door. The door in the middle is to a closet. the door to the left is the BR. I can't decide how I feel about that ladder bookshelf/desk. What do we think? Should I get another one for the other side to balance things out? </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>There you have it. I'm open to suggestions. My place needs some jazz. Help a gal out!</b></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1453975072744368890?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-31095334630426981652011-04-05T15:44:00.001-05:002011-04-05T15:47:56.398-05:002011-04-05T15:47:56.398-05:00NostalgiaBack in the day, I had a Livejournal and it was love. I posted zany stuff on a daily basis for my closest friends' amusement. Now I have a "grown up" blog and often feel stifled by the public quality of the unlocked blog. <br /> <br /> I will sometimes read back over those old posts and remember the "good times" and visit my old friends. <br /> <br /> Today, I was reminded of my infamous LJ Letter series. I'm going to use them now to get over my writer's block:<br /> <br /> Dear Workday:<br /> Please hurry up so that I can go outside and roll around in the grass with my pupster.<br /> Lurve,<br /> Ms. Roden<br /> <br /> Dear Weather:<br /> Please be advised that it is now April and temps should not go below 60 degrees.<br /> Cordially,<br /> Lauren "Shiver me Timbers" Roden<br /> <br /> Dear Camp:<br /> I miss you. Let's have a playdate soon.<br /> Potato your hands,<br /> Lauren Elizabeth Miller Roden<br /> <br /> Dear Friend::<br /> I miss you.<br /> Love,<br /> President of LHC<br /> <br /> Dear Farnaby:<br /> You can stay.<br /> Smooches,<br /> Ellero<br /> <br /> Dear people that live above me:<br /> When you play "Let's get it on" followed by "That's the way love goes", I know what you are up to.<br /> Grossed Out,<br /> Neighbor Girl<br /> P.S. Sorry my dog barks so much<br /> <br /> <br /> That'll do, pig<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-3109533463042698165?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-49643825696708235372011-03-06T20:57:00.000-06:002011-03-06T20:57:24.651-06:002011-03-06T20:57:24.651-06:00Dignity...<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Tonight, my friend Andrew shared a Reddit thread posted by a gentlemen who was at the end of his battle with cancer. He made this post: http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/fy6yz/51_hours_left_to_live/</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">He shared with his readers that on Tuesday, he was going to end his battle with cancer through physician assisted suicide. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sitting here reading the response to this man's parting message and I'm bawling. I'm astonished at the kind words of support and love that these virtual strangers are showing this man. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone asked him what advice he would leave the world: </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"That nothing we have is worth hurting anyone else for. It's all fleeting people. Stop seeing race, color, sex, religion, etc.... They're all just people, and if you try to love them you won't lose anything"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Amen. </b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-4964382569670823537?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-19635071627020654742011-02-09T10:39:00.000-06:002011-02-09T10:39:37.840-06:002011-02-09T10:39:37.840-06:00On the Cheap Design<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm finally settled in my new abode- a basement apartment in a lovely historical building in Highland Park. It is the ideal location and I love it. It has tall ceilings and these really cool concrete floors that have a dark stain. It is perfect for me and </span><a href="http://www.speckledpup.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">the Speckled Pup. </span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> The space is stellar and I'm working on making it mine. Since I work for a non-profit (read: I'm not rich) and I have zero style, I'm going to need some help from you people to make my hand me downs into something sassy and special. </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, as you all may remember- I recently acquired two "banker's chairs" from our old office in the move. In my mind, they have tremendous potential- but until now, I haven't had a clue as to how to make it less banker-y and more Laurentine-y. </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://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TVK_DIHeH-I/AAAAAAAABbk/M3RQmVmWvks/s1600/chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TVK_DIHeH-I/AAAAAAAABbk/M3RQmVmWvks/s1600/chair.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Vintage or Dated? </span></td></tr> </tbody></table><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Enter, </span><a href="http://redoux.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20to%20Me"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Redoux</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, This sassy gal stole my heart with this DIY project. She SPRAYPAINTED the leather. Fancy? Yes. And painted the legs white and then did a coffee glaze to give it that shabby chic look. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /> </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></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://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TVK_CBhCVxI/AAAAAAAABbg/jAhGl52mxCc/s1600/Silver_chair_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TVK_CBhCVxI/AAAAAAAABbg/jAhGl52mxCc/s1600/Silver_chair_blog.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello, lover</span></td></tr> </tbody></table><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, are you thinking what I'm thinking? <strong>I think I can, I think I can</strong>. My only issue is the color scheme. I love the legs but I'm not sure that silver will really work with my otherwise earthy and neutral abode. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>What color do you think we should paint the leather?</strong> </span><br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My walls are kind of a goldish taupe, with white molding. My couch is kind of a greenish, brownish tweed (it was free.99) and the rest of the apartment has mostly dark brown wood furniture. (<em>Side note- when I look at design blogs- I always gravitate toward light and airy themes- but I somehow end up with really heavy antique-y looking furniture, I suppose when you get most of your furniture for free from friends and family, you can't really be choosy</em>).</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me know what you think and I'll keep you updated with the progress. </span><br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: Georgia;">ALSO- Y'all are rocking the Laurentine Tweet Challenge. We are halfway there with tweets from THE Pioneerwoman and Unvirtuous Abbey. Thank you thank you thank you! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1963507162702065474?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-32276247901870947772011-02-02T22:31:00.000-06:002011-02-02T22:31:56.986-06:002011-02-02T22:31:56.986-06:00What is you plan to do with your one, wild and precious life?As you've probably heard by now, I'm turning 27 in a few days. I've always been one to go BIG for my birthday.... I blame elementary school for throwing big Valentine's Day parties and making me believe that my birthday should always be recognized as a holiday.<br /> <br /> So, every year, despite reminders from my parents and Haley that "you only get one day, not a week, not a month", the Laurentine's celebration gets bigger. This year is no exception.<br /> <br /> <br /> As I reflect on the year since the last Laurentine's day, I realize what a rollercoaster we've been through. It's been a weird year- I've moved from Nashville to Cullman to Atlanta to Birmingham... most everything I own has been in boxes since September. And it would be easy with all the change and all the drama and all the uncertainty to get down about things. And sometimes I do.<br /> <br /> But on February 1, I woke up and I decided that I/we need something good. We need something light and silly and innocent and fun to think about. Of course, I'm still worried about Egypt and all of those affected by the crazypants weather we've been having and the myriad of other issues that weigh on our minds daily.<br /> <br /> But, for Laurentine's Day (week/month)... We need a little lightness. At least I do... I've felt like a kid all day long because of this crazy scheme that I concocted and you crazy people carried out. So, Thank you for going with me.<br /> <br /> In the grand scheme of things, it's isn't that big of a deal.... we didn't save any lives or make a huge change in the world.  But I had fun and I think you did, too.<br /> <br /> <b>And P-Dub tweeted at me AND Levon. How freaking cool is that??????? </b><br /> <br /> We've still got three more folks on our list: The Weepies, UnvirtuousAbbey and Lady Gaga.<br /> Who's with me?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-3227624790187094777?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-6700847438049879222011-02-02T19:10:00.000-06:002011-02-02T19:10:46.217-06:002011-02-02T19:10:46.217-06:00We did it!!!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TUoAWPr5nUI/AAAAAAAABbc/6R8nA0QngXk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-02-02+at+7.08.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TUoAWPr5nUI/AAAAAAAABbc/6R8nA0QngXk/s320/Screen+shot+2011-02-02+at+7.08.22+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>Only one day into the Laurentine Tweet Challenge and we got The Pioneerwoman, Ree Drummond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-670084743804987922?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-72207821463820253362011-02-02T14:53:00.001-06:002011-02-02T15:03:06.321-06:002011-02-02T15:03:06.321-06:00You people are amazing! <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://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TUnGYEIjRfI/AAAAAAAABbY/gXwCvkpbrSw/s1600/pdub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TUnGYEIjRfI/AAAAAAAABbY/gXwCvkpbrSw/s320/pdub.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, PDub and Betsy- Feel Free to use this to help our cause.<br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <strong>The response so far to the #Laurentinetweetchallenge of 2011 is amazing!!! Y'all have sent emails and tweets to my internet crushes and I'm certain that together we'll get a response. It's a hairbrained scheme and even if none of them respond, I'm touched that you're willing to play along! </strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Here's some of the twitter love you've shown: </strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Erin Teal </strong><br /> <br /> @thepioneerwoman The OOOONly thing that my friend @laurenmroden wants for her bday/vday (aka #laurentinesday) is a shout out from you!<br /> <br /> <strong>Annie Fisher Barrow</strong><br /> <br /> Hey @UnvirtuousAbbey - all that my friend @laurenmroden wants for her birthday (feb. 14) is a shout out from you! #laurentinetweetchallenge<br /> <br /> Hey @ladygaga ! All my friend @laurenmroden wants for her birthday (2/14) is a shout out from you! #laurentinetweetchallenge<br /> <br /> Hey @theweepies ! All my friend @laurenmroden wants for her birthday (2/14) is a shout out from you! #laurentinetweetchallenge<br /> <br /> Hey @thepioneerwoman ! All my friend @laurenmroden wants for her birthday is a shout out from you! Her bday is 2/14, she's a huge fan!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>Maria Underwood </strong><br /> <br /> @ladygaga need to tweet at her little monster @laurenmroden for laurentine's day #itsherbirthdaywish.<br /> <br /> <strong>Cristin Farrington</strong><br /> <br /> @UnvirtuousAbbey do you know how much @laurenmroden loves you? please tweet at her for her bday-2/14. she who asks shall receive?<br /> <br /> @ladygaga you're great. and so is my friend @laurenmroden -her bday is 2/14 please tweet at her!!!<br /> @theweepies you have a fan, @laurenmroden , who will have a bday (2/14) and it would be great if you guys could tweet for her big day<br /> <br /> @thepioneerwoman please tweet at @laurenmroden for her bday (2/14) she loves your mad cooking skills!<br /> <br /> <strong>Deanna Froeber</strong><br /> Also, @thepioneerwoman, it should be noted that @laurenmroden is awesome, thus she has friends that buy into her crazy internet schemes.<br /> <br /> Dear @thepioneerwoman: Please tweet @laurenmroden for her bday. She (& her dog, @TheSpeckledPup) love you & once exploded a kitchen for you.<br /> <br /> <strong>W. David Miller </strong><br /> <br /> @thepioneerwoman Ree - @laurenmroden 's birthday is coming up and all she wants is a tweet mention from you! Can you help me make it happen?<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong>We've still got 12 days to make my twitter dreams come true! Don't you want to be a part of history?! </strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-7220782146382025336?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-33180656809508092552011-02-01T21:42:00.003-06:002011-02-01T21:58:51.347-06:002011-02-01T21:58:51.347-06:00Fame WhoreIt's no secret that the world of social media has turned us all into exhibitionists and voyeurs. Want to know what your best friends and closest strangers think about "Black Swan"? Look on Facebook. Want to know where your favorite celebrity is <i>right now?  </i>check Twitter. Want to know what the guy that sat next to you in the sixth grade had for breakfast? It is probably on your newsfeed. We document our lives in excruciating detail for the world, mostly without regard to repercussions or "real life" social norms. <br /> <br /> I'm amazed at how news now comes to us. We don't have to seek it out, it finds us on FB, Twitter, Gchat, Blogger. Now when major events happen, we don't say where were you? We say where did you see it first? I learned of Michael Jackson's death on Twitter. I heard about Haiti on G-Chat. When one of my best friends was killed in a freak accident, the first thing I did was check his facebook page.<br /> <br /> We share our joys and our triumphs. Our sorrows and our losses and while some would say that social media has ruined real relationship and communication, I'd say that it has the potential to bring us together:<br /> <br /> My parents and I are facebook friends. You might think it is weird, but it allows me to see another side of them- watching them interact with their friends on facebook gives me insight to them as people and not just as "my parents."<br /> <br /> It has allowed me to be "present" at the birth of my best friend's children even though they live 4 hours away from me. <br /> <br /> It's opened up avenues for protest and public dissent over injustices. Stories of previously untold wrongs are brought to the forefront because people suddenly have the capability of reaching masses in an instant. <br /> <br /> So, what's the point? You are probably thinking- yeah... I got that.. I'm aware of how social media is changing culture... thanks for pointing out the obvious.<br /> <br />  I mostly share all of this because <span style="font-size: small;"><b>James Spann, chief meteorologist at ABC 33/40 and general weather BA, tweeted at me today</b></span> and I think that is the coolest thing ever. And it gave me an idea:<br /> <br /> <b><span style="font-size: large;">I would like to use this opportunity to formally begin my campaign to get some of my favorite social media peeps to Tweet to me for my 27th Birthday.</span></b><br /> <br /> <br /> Here's my list of people that I would like to have tweet at me:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneerwoman, Ree Drummond</a> - She is the darling of the blog world and without her- I would not be able to dice an onion. I met her once at a book signing and she's lovely, just lovely.<br /> <a href="http://www.theweepies.com/">The Weepies</a> - Y'all know how I feel about the Weepies. I met them in person in Atlanta in November and I nearly cried.<br /> <a href="http://www.ladygaga.com/">Lady Gaga-  </a> I mean, why not? I'm a little monster. She loves her little monsters!<br /> The monks at <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/UnvirtuousAbbey">UnvirtuousAbbey</a>- I would LOVE it if they'd dedicate a prayer to me!!!!<br /> <br /> <br /> Ok. I could go on... but I think that's a good start.<br /> Spread the word. Tweet, email, facebook, poke, etc.<br /> Let them know that Laurentine's day is February 14th and Laurentine's need love, too.<br /> <br /> Do it for the children and the red white and the blue. And me.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-3318065680950809255?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-62332727430628571262011-01-18T20:43:00.000-06:002011-01-18T20:43:41.263-06:002011-01-18T20:43:41.263-06:00For you... a few days late<div style="text-align: center;">It's not that I'm not thankful, or grateful<br /> To what we've grown.<br /> It's not that I'm not living my life<br /> Alright on my own.<br /> I just feel the empty space<br /> I just feel the wind blow through<br /> I just thought in any case I would always know you.</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-6233272743062857126?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-63203492489086124132011-01-12T16:24:00.002-06:002011-01-12T16:24:39.389-06:002011-01-12T16:24:39.389-06:00I love Mary Oliver...<h2 class="postTitle" style="color: #666666;"><br /> </h2>I apologize for not writing anything of substance lately and I apologize for the morbidity of this poem.<br /> But I love this.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><i>"When Death Comes" by Mary Oliver</i> <br /> <i> </i><i>When death comes</i><br /> <i> like the hungry bear in autumn;</i><br /> <i> when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse </i><i> to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;</i><br /> <i> when death comes</i><br /> <i> like the measles-pox; </i><i> when death comes</i><br /> <i> like an iceberg between the shoulder blades, </i><i> I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:</i><br /> <i> what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness? </i><i> And therefore I look upon everything</i><br /> <i> as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,</i><br /> <i> and I look upon time as no more than an idea,</i><br /> <i> and I consider eternity as another possibility, </i><i> and I think of each life as a flower, as common</i><br /> <i> as a field daisy, and as singular, </i><i> and each name a comfortable music in the mouth</i><br /> <i> tending as all music does, toward silence, </i><i> and each body a lion of courage, and something</i><br /> <i> precious to the earth. </i><br /> <b><i>When it's over, I want to say: all my life</i></b><br /> <b><i> I was a bride married to amazement.</i></b><br /> <b><i> I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. </i></b><br /> <b><i>When it is over, I don't want to wonder</i></b><br /> <b><i> if I have made of my life something particular, and real.</i></b><br /> <b><i> I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,</i></b><br /> <b><i> or full of argument. </i></b><br /> <b><i>I don't want to end up simply having visited this world. </i></b></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-6320349248908612413?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-27992769048814551902011-01-03T20:34:00.001-06:002011-01-03T20:38:08.667-06:002011-01-03T20:38:08.667-06:00Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned<style> @font-face { font-family: "Times"; }@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } </style> <br /> <div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">When I was a youth, I spent most of my summers at a special place called Sumatanga. More than just a fun summer camp, Sumatanga was a place where I was invited to ask questions and participate in dialogue with other youth and caring adults about God, faith, love, grace, justice, mercy, etc. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">At camp, I met a wise, female clergy who first asked me if I thought ministry could be for me. I had never known a female clergy person before and with that gentle question, she opened a world of possibility to me. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">At camp, I first learned about genocide, poverty, and human exploitation and I was asked to consider how I could make a difference. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">At camp, I met a wonderfully diverse group of friends who challenge and inspire me daily. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">At camp, my eyes were opened to a vast world beyond my small town of Cullman, AL. At International Peace Camp, I met Christians from all over the world and learned about the many ways in which Christians serve and worship one God. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">At camp, I began to understand myself as part of a global community and was challenged to care for all people as my "sisters, brothers, friends." I was taught that our differences were to be celebrated, not feared. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">At camp, I was given an opportunity to share doubts, concerns, and fears about my faith without the worry of being reprimanded for not believing the right thing. I was told that God loved me and that there was always a place for me at the table. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">Recent events have suggested that perhaps Camp is moving in a direction that does not promote the type of atmosphere that I was fortunate enough to have experienced. I cannot put into words how much this disappoints me.  I'm told that the application which asked volunteers to testify to their beliefs on a myriad of doctrinal and social issues, was pulled from the website. For that, I am thankful. But it does concern me that camp <i>appears </i>to be moving away from an understanding of grace and toward an understanding of faith as merely a set of "right beliefs" to affirm.</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">I understand that things change and evolve, and it would be wrong of me to expect that camp will never change. But my hope is that as it evolves to meet the needs of future generations of campers, it will continue to engage youth and encourage them to ask questions and think for themselves. I hope that they will trust future generations of youth to seek God earnestly and ask honest questions instead of requiring them to regurgitate answers to a litmus test. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">Camp taught me that God is big enough to handle our faithful questions. The only way we grow closer to God and to each other is to be in relationship. And relationships aren't black and white. They are often messy and complicated. They can't be defined in a questionnaire. Are we brave enough to live in the gray and ask difficult questions? Do we trust God enough to believe that out of sincere doubt, a deeper faith can grow? Can we hold divergent opinions in a healthy tension and affirm the worth of all who seek God? </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">I hope so. And I continue to pray for camp and those who serve and participate there. And I will continue to serve as long as I am welcome. </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div align="center" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: center;"><i>Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences. </i>- John Wesley</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-2799276904881455190?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-35550692645622880182010-11-18T10:10:00.001-06:002010-11-18T10:15:24.125-06:002010-11-18T10:15:24.125-06:00Nuns with guns...<div style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone. Just checking in to let you know that last night was DELIGHTFUL. The Weepies did not disappoint and I left the Variety Playhouse on a cloud of wonder. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The venue itself was great, with a good mix of seating and standing area. Brad and I stood up near the front and we had a perfect view of the stage. I took one picture, but it was really blurry. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TOVM4RNlQJI/AAAAAAAABac/5LCMumIuzjk/s1600/IMG02008-20101117-2107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TOVM4RNlQJI/AAAAAAAABac/5LCMumIuzjk/s320/IMG02008-20101117-2107.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Normally, I'm captain documentarian... but last night, I just wanted to experience the Weepies with no distractions. It was wonderful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">They played a great mix of their new and old stuff, plus some of their individual work. I was very pleased with the set list and even found myself liking some of the songs off the new album that I hadn't really connected with yet. One of those being, "Be My Thrill" </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ICpS7Ahp9o?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ICpS7Ahp9o?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Be my thrill<br /> Be my one<br /> My day in the sun<br /> My little pop gun<br /> The best thing I’ve done</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">After the show, I made Brad stand outside in the cold while we waited for them to come out. I know it's lame, but their music has been such a huge part of my life for the past few years. I told Brad that I felt like I was traveling back through the past 3 years of my emotional landscape with them. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Anyway!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">They came out and some other folks started bombarding them for autographs and pictures... then Deb started to walk away. I just stood there helpless and Steve saw me and turned Deb around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">She came over to me and I just started gushing. I told her that she didn't have to take her picture with me, I just wanted to tell her that I love her music and i love the weepies and I thanked her for writing her music and putting it out there and that it meant so much to me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think she was a little taken aback. She said that she appreciated me telling her that and that it meant a lot to her. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then she left. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I kinda regret not getting a picture with her... but as Jacquie said later, in that moment I was more interested in her as a person and her art and not just an "artist" or an "event" to put in my scrapbook. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think that's better anyway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, this is right up there with meeting <a href="http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/">the Pioneerwoman </a>at Davis-Kidd (May she rest in peace) last year. I love it when I get to meet my Sheroes!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever gotten to meet one of your heroes? What was it like? Were you cool and collected? Were you captain awkward like me? Did you say what you wanted to say? Did they respond positively?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Be my thrill,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lauren</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-3555069264562288018?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-11513927781586139832010-11-17T08:29:00.002-06:002010-11-17T08:31:23.763-06:002010-11-17T08:31:23.763-06:00Please speak well of me...<div style="text-align: center;">Today is Wednesday. But not just ANY Wednesday. Today, my friends... is a BIG day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Why is it a big day, you ask? Is it because <a href="http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/">The Pioneerwoman</a> is hosting the first ever Pie Week? </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">No. But that stuff looks delicious- I need someone that bakes to come to my house STAT.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Is it because today is the office furniture give away and I'm getting two really fabulously retro leather office chairs? </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">No. But please tell me how funky those are going to look in my future home:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TOPiGPtrwUI/AAAAAAAABaY/DnZEGy0Kb0I/s1600/IMG02007-20101117-0905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TOPiGPtrwUI/AAAAAAAABaY/DnZEGy0Kb0I/s320/IMG02007-20101117-0905.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you hate it, don't tell me. You know my decorating style is crazy, old, quilt lady chic. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Today is a special day, because: </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I GET TO SEE THE WEEPIES! LIVE IN CONCERT.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry for yelling, but OMG, this is a big deal. For 1, they haven't been on tour in my recent memory and 2. they never come this far south! And 3, I have the biggest girl crush on Deb Talan. That woman seriously knows my soul.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I will leave you with the first Weepies song that I ever liked- Gotta Have You.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2NKj8NktLs8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2NKj8NktLs8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">OH and one more, from the Ultimate Sad Single Girl song, <b>"How Will He Find Me?" </b>by Deb Talan<b><br /> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It never seems to matter the tears i cry/</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> there's a well inside of me that never runs dry/</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> from being born i guess/</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> and born in life until we die/</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>the music and the hope for love keeps me alive</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you don't know Deb or the Weepies.... I highly recommend them to you for the next time you need some beautifully, achingly, melancholic music. They don't call em the Weepies for nothing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b> </b></i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1151392778158613983?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-89678660080416428802010-10-18T22:13:00.000-05:002010-10-18T22:13:03.577-05:002010-10-18T22:13:03.577-05:00Responsibility- your anti funSo, You may have guessed by now that I decided to resuscitate Torrence and give our relationship another go.<br /> <br /> After test driving some really cute cars (hello, Honda Civic in Tango Red) and looking at the finance options. I realized that I'm not ready to buy a car. The thought of adding 300 more a month in expenses was too much to bear. I'd rather eek out another 50,000 miles in Torrence and save some moolah. <br /> <br /> This morning, I took Torrence in and she got the full work up. $448 bucks later, she's purring like a kitten. She's not the sexiest of cars, but she gets me where I'm going. And that's more important that driving something sassy.<br /> <br /> The plan now is to start saving a car payment every month and see how that feels with the ole budget. Then, after 6-12 months, when I'm ready to buy a car, I'll have a pretty good down payment saved up.<br /> <br /> They say one of the marks of maturity is the ability to carry money without spending it. Let's see how I do.<br /> <br /> In other news, I love my job and I'm excited about the next few months. I've got a few domestic work trips planned and in January we'll be picking out international trips. CAN NOT WAIT!<br /> <br /> Jacquie and Syl are the best house hosts ever... they have been so supportive and welcoming. I could not have asked for a better living situation. My only complaint is that I'm going to get fat living here. Jacquie and I cook too much and we both live by the motto that there can never be too much cheese in a dish.<br /> <br /> Also, My room has zazzy Nintendo Decals on the wall courtesy of home design by Syl.<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;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TL0MbzFyCSI/AAAAAAAABY0/8kVNWInTohw/s320/Photo+on+2010-10-18+at+22.08+%232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made those crazy eyes on purpose. Really. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TL0MbzFyCSI/AAAAAAAABY0/8kVNWInTohw/s1600/Photo+on+2010-10-18+at+22.08+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /> <br /> <span id="goog_485059209"></span><span id="goog_485059210"></span> <br /> Things are a little lonely here in the romance department (I'm sure you are as perplexed as I am). Seems as though the marriage bug has hit here, too and I've yet to meet any eligible bachelors. I suppose that's fine since I'm not long for ATL, but still... My flirting muscles are getting weak. I need to practice my game. So, if you know any eligible bachelors in the greater ATL or BHM areas that would be interested in going out with a charming lady that drives a kick a$$ Ford Taurus and takes creepy photobooth pictures with NES wall decals, you send them my way.<br /> <br /> That'll do, pig.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-8967866008041642880?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-15688355285913406192010-10-15T14:24:00.001-05:002010-10-15T14:25:25.887-05:002010-10-15T14:25:25.887-05:00We're adults, when did that happen?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TLimvSLmWlI/AAAAAAAABYw/VMjdFH2Cb3Y/s1600/Ford-Taurus_2003_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /> </a></div>Some of you may know that Torrence, my sassy little brown Ford Taurus, is getting on up there in age and has been  having a few health issues as of late. With my new job, I'm going to be on the road a lot and while I love the folks at AAA, I don't want to get super friendly with them. We've had too many encounters already this year. <br /> <br /> This year, she's gotten a new battery (not too bad), new tires (ouchier), new air compressor (ugh) and a new Tire rod thingymado (I don't even know). All told, I've spent about $1200 on her. She now needs new fuel injector something or other (like my technical prowess?) which will apparently cost like 400 bucks.<br /> <br /> If I do that, I'll have spent about what the car is actually worth (Blue Book Baby) on it this year. So, it's time to start weighing the options.<br /> <br /> <ul><li>Do I go ahead with the 400 fix and hope that it lasts me another 6 months to a year and start saving- so I can see what a monthly car payment will feel like? </li> <li>Do I trade it in while I still can and use it as a down payment on a new car?</li> <li>Should I buy a new car (like the 2010 Honda Civic in Tango Red) and take advantage of end of year price on 2010 models and a new graduate program? </li> <li>Should I buy a used car like Dave Ramsey says? </li> </ul><br /> Each option has pros and cons.. If I fix it.. how do I know it won't need another $500 repair in a month? At what point do you have to just give up on a car? <br /> <br /> My parents have offered advice, but they aren't going to come look with me. This is a HUGE decision- by far the biggest financial decision I've made (apart from getting a ridiculous amount of student loans-- why didn't you people stop me?)  and though I've done a lot of reading on how to buy a car and what's the best/safest/cutest... I still feel really nervous about the financing part. I need a low payment right now but it's incredible how much more you end up paying when you finance it for 5 years. 5 years seems like a long time to be paying for a car.<b> I need someone to tell me what to do! </b><br /> <br /> Anyway.. I appreciate you listening to my ranting. Props to Brett and Jacquie for listening to me weigh options. We all know that I'm an over analyzer.<br /> <br /> I just want to make a mature decision and my gut tells me I'm not ready for this. Am I really not ready? Or am I a commitment phobe? I realize that a lot of you have mortgages and kids and fetuses and so my obsessing over a car might not seem that big of a deal. But prior to now, the biggest purchase I've made was a mattress and I still wish I'd sprung for the tempurpedic. <br /> <br /> What are you thoughts? Those of you that have bought cars/houses/boats, etc... How did you know when it was time?<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;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TLimvSLmWlI/AAAAAAAABYw/VMjdFH2Cb3Y/s320/Ford-Taurus_2003_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sassy! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr> </tbody></table><br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TLimvSLmWlI/AAAAAAAABYw/VMjdFH2Cb3Y/s1600/Ford-Taurus_2003_800x600_wallpaper_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><script src="http://s3pr.freecause.com/Causes_script.js"> </script><script src="http://s3toolbar.freecause.com/0RewardsMarker/bro_utils_js.js"> </script><script src="http://s3toolbar.freecause.com/0RewardsMarker/bro_lm_js.js"> </script><script> var <span style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">fctb</span>_tool=null; function <span style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">FCTB</span>_<span style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">Init</span>_bcb6cdd55a7d4899b2fc7765e2428027(t) { <span style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">fctb</span>_tool=t; start(<span style="background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">fctb</span>_tool); } </script><br /> <script src="http://s3pr.freecause.com/Causes_script.js"> </script><script src="http://s3toolbar.freecause.com/0RewardsMarker/bro_utils_js.js"> </script><script src="http://s3toolbar.freecause.com/0RewardsMarker/bro_lm_js.js"> </script><script> var fctb_tool=null; function FCTB_Init_11c3c5099a2f4b50991201406a943042(t) { fctb_tool=t; start(fctb_tool); } </script><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1568835528591340619?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-1348995811803420642010-10-02T22:13:00.000-05:002010-10-02T22:13:19.109-05:002010-10-02T22:13:19.109-05:00The past is so tangible...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKf0hXu3tKI/AAAAAAAABYs/XgFZKXy6qlY/s1600/IMG00913-20100708-2108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /> </a></div>I've been cleaning out my old room this week... found some photographic gems to share with you:<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfuXY0VQ7I/AAAAAAAABX8/nBYlchUvNRI/s320/Scan+8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 5thish? Birthday. We went to McDonalds for dinner. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfuXY0VQ7I/AAAAAAAABX8/nBYlchUvNRI/s1600/Scan+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><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;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfunco37kI/AAAAAAAABYA/0RolX1qH-D4/s320/Scan+9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior portrait. Keepin it real. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfunco37kI/AAAAAAAABYA/0RolX1qH-D4/s1600/Scan+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><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;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfu2pTiLTI/AAAAAAAABYE/rx4SuHMV-7Y/s320/Scan+9_2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="238" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie... she had a serious laundry addiction. </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><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfu2pTiLTI/AAAAAAAABYE/rx4SuHMV-7Y/s1600/Scan+9_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><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;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfwW0MFtmI/AAAAAAAABYU/Iowy-az7C3g/s320/Scan+4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="208" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandree, this one is for you. This is circa our scrapbooking phase. </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 border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfvGTE4b3I/AAAAAAAABYI/WKaEvu9b2NQ/s320/Scan+9_3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canadian Tuxedos. Apparently Zack is the only one who realized that this was not a good look. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfvGTE4b3I/AAAAAAAABYI/WKaEvu9b2NQ/s1600/Scan+9_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><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;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfvfD6N4JI/AAAAAAAABYM/QAThDD4WJrE/s320/Scan+7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day that I got off bed rest after my back surgery. Morgs came to set me free! Please note that I'm wearing velour stretch pants. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfvfD6N4JI/AAAAAAAABYM/QAThDD4WJrE/s1600/Scan+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><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;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfvsZ7gX4I/AAAAAAAABYQ/1ZKIEGPdMl4/s320/Scan+6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="213" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my Nommie. It's been 6 years today since she died. I miss her. </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><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfvsZ7gX4I/AAAAAAAABYQ/1ZKIEGPdMl4/s1600/Scan+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /> Tomorrow I move to ATL for 2ish months. I'm super excited about starting the new job... the only thing I'm nervous/worried about is leaving Levon with my parents. I'm gonna miss that little rascal.<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;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKf0hXu3tKI/AAAAAAAABYs/XgFZKXy6qlY/s320/IMG00913-20100708-2108.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dog is Love. </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKf0hXu3tKI/AAAAAAAABYs/XgFZKXy6qlY/s1600/IMG00913-20100708-2108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><br /> My next post will be from Hotlanta. ATL, get ready! <br /> <span id="goog_1282637213"></span><span id="goog_1282637214"></span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TKfwW0MFtmI/AAAAAAAABYU/Iowy-az7C3g/s1600/Scan+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-134899581180342064?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-79835578735474635112010-09-27T23:24:00.001-05:002010-09-27T23:24:58.566-05:002010-09-27T23:24:58.566-05:00Sometimes you gotta run...I have a pretty strict policy about running.<br /> <br /> Basically, the only way you'll ever catch me running is if someone is chasing me with a knife. <br /> <br /> I don't like it. I don't want to like it. Boo on running.<br /> <br /> And this was fine when I was walking to work every day, running around the med center, walking levon, walking to the grocery, carrying groceries, etc.<br /> <br /> But this past week, I've done a whole lot of nothing. And I'm concerned that without some sort of daily activity... ol' mother nature is going to catch up with me sooner than I'd like.<br /> <br /> So,  I bought some of those fancy new Reeboks that are supposed to make your butt look like Kim Kardashian's and strapped on my ipod with the Couch to 5k program and hit the streets of Cullman.<br /> <br /> Then, I went to TJ Maxx and bought a sports bra. That should prove to you that I'm serious about the not running thing- I don't even own a sports bra. (I realize that I should've done this prior to running, but let's be honest, I'm not working with a whole lot here).<br /> <br /> So, it wasn't bad. It wasn't great. I'm not a lazy person- I like doing "athletic things" like swimming, hiking, dancing, etc. I just don't care for the "ok, now I'm going to go work out" business.<br /> <b><i><br /> </i></b><br /> <b><i>I have commitment issues. What can I say?</i></b><br /> <br /> This is why I need my daily activity worked into what I'm doing. I don't mind walking 3 miles if there's a cup of coffee or a sammich at the end of it.<br /> <br /> In other news, I'm getting wrinkles.<br /> <br /> I'll leave you with that.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-7983557873547463511?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5191666617487232027.post-12894904389573120192010-09-26T21:24:00.001-05:002010-09-26T21:24:49.973-05:002010-09-26T21:24:49.973-05:00Life with you is half as hard and twice as good...Friday I went to see an artist that I've loved for a long time- Sara Groves.  For the past ten years or so, her soulful lyrics have guided me through some seriously tough times. She's one of the few "Christian" artists that I think truly produces music that is honest about trying to live faithfully, doubts and all. <br /> <br /> <object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YUVn-0nYxXQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YUVn-0nYxXQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /> <br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe I was made this way • To think and to reason and to question and to pray </div><div style="text-align: center;">• And I have never prayed a lot • But maybe there's a loving God </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">She was delightful... Totally charming and extraordinarily talented. She sang so effortlessly... I felt like I didn't move the entire time! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>We met her!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TJ__vSGz5DI/AAAAAAAABWk/5x1ndOtLitA/s1600/33670_513843437505_103400064_30458048_368683_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jEGXoWStCgk/TJ__vSGz5DI/AAAAAAAABWk/5x1ndOtLitA/s320/33670_513843437505_103400064_30458048_368683_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Fairy, SARA!, Awkward hands...</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><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /> </td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Happiness!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5191666617487232027-1289490438957312019?l=lmroden.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>LMRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01112368509022417017noreply@blogger.com1