tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4333561783327881412024-02-19T11:45:20.590-05:00The Life we Claim we Didn't Sign Up ForMostly loving tributes, a few bitter assessments, here & there, all written in the spirit of truth.
Little Slices of Life, the one we claim we did not sign up for.Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-52745000611805068232023-12-21T17:04:00.001-05:002023-12-21T17:15:17.605-05:00<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 3.75pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><br />A Grammy, An Angel and "Todzilla"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">Advent: The Coming of Something <i>Momentous</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">Advent for me is always what the definition is: waiting, lying in wait for something to happen. Growing up in the Catholic Church, my memories of Advent are of the dark purple vestments the priests wore for the four weeks at Mass, the Advent wreath, the hymns of waiting for the Savior’s birth (“Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel”), and the bare altar that suddenly exploded on Christmas eve into a stage of brilliantly lit Christmas trees and holly lining the altar and a spectacular manger scene complete with the Holy Family, a crèche with lots of blessed hay spread around, shepherds and angels in diaphanous white gowns with wings that looked like Michelangelo himself had created them. Fast forward into my younger Mommy years, and immediately after Thanksgiving my Advent was coupled with that feeling of “lying in wait for something to happen”– and always with the angst of <i>did I get it all done?!</i> right up to midnight of Christmas Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">In my Grandparent years I still feel the “lying in wait for something to happen.” But the angst is replaced with anticipation for how I’m going to knock the socks off my grandkids with an experience they might not have had the opportunity to enjoy with their overbooked and exhausted parents. Sometimes it’s an expensive event, but the memories are priceless. This year it cost me less than $25 for my granddaughter Meghan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">Meghan is tiny in a family of non-tiny people. She is also “affectionately” nicknamed “Todzilla,” and lately, “Toddy.” She actually is proud of the moniker. Her small size is a shrewd disguise for her huge temper, the volume of her articulate voice and not the least of all her razor sharp intelligence. Her brain never shuts down. I find it amusing more often than not, but she gives her parents an emotional workout.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">An application was sent home for which role a child would like to be in the Nativity play. My daughter Kate asked Meghan if she’d like to be something different this year, maybe a shepherd or a reader. Meghan’s response was without hesitation, direct and terse: “No! You said I could be an angel.” Okay, we won’t dwell on the double entendre in the statement, but this is life with Todzilla, and angelic is not one of her characteristics .<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">Meghan’s mom was in that very place of anxiety I remember so well. When she called, I could hear in her voice the restrained panic: “Toddy wants to be an angel in the Nativity play, we don’t have a costume. The play is in two weeks.” We dug out last year’s costume. Because she is so petite the angel dress still fit her. But then we found the homemade wings and the halo. Toddy looked at them and stated, “I thought we threw those away.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">It was a set of fairy wings we purchased at the Dollar Store and covered them with foil. The only thing we could find were pink ones and had no time to find anything else. Meghan had declared she could not have pink wings in a white gown, so we improvised. We thought our resourcefulness of using the shiny foil did the job, but apparently other parents’ angels were adorned with real feathered angel wings trimmed in maribou. There was nothing homemade about their wings. Meghan looked angelic throughout the Nativity play, but she continued throughout that evening about how she was the only one with “silver wings.” That was last year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">This year, Meghan’s had no change of heart about the homemade wings and halo. We tried to convince her that her wings were special because they were different. But Toddy wasn’t having any of that nonsense and walked away, arms folded and chin out. With two weeks until the play, I was confident I could find a set of angel wings that would be suitable to Meghan’s standards.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">Naturally, I consulted the internet. The initial search resulted in a lot of “sold out” or “out of stock” findings. It was beginning to look bleak. The feeling of anticipation and confidence that these wings were going to be a slam dunk was ebbing. After taking a break from the search, I went back online, determined we were going to have feathered wings for Todzilla in time for the play. Thanks be to God for persistence, patience and OrientalTrading.com: feathered angel wings, trimmed in white maribou, $8.50. Expedited shipping was more than the cost of the wings, but it did not matter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">They were delivered as promised and when I displayed them for her, Meghan exclaimed “Oh my God! They are HUGE!” Although the wings are almost the same size as Meghan, they are beautiful and look like real feathered angel wings.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEtRAyewUCrC05UghvvDTBpT2YSn_P2kNHSnQFGP1IOu4MH4xyHQk2_rQBU6jjh1cK2NJlT6mouEKY6z5Xngd6FtELLXfnuLxc0Jt2judiZkcaPyOXyIWrt3l0i5uEeSAqaIJ7KWCOXMcvrYsPiRbueNrcDpKU0Gv46pXg0OX65Kyj5xz3CKStALjIT3E/s679/angel%20wings%20more.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="679" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKEtRAyewUCrC05UghvvDTBpT2YSn_P2kNHSnQFGP1IOu4MH4xyHQk2_rQBU6jjh1cK2NJlT6mouEKY6z5Xngd6FtELLXfnuLxc0Jt2judiZkcaPyOXyIWrt3l0i5uEeSAqaIJ7KWCOXMcvrYsPiRbueNrcDpKU0Gv46pXg0OX65Kyj5xz3CKStALjIT3E/s320/angel%20wings%20more.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif">The halo never fit well on her head, so we’re going to forgo the halo and go with a trimmed white headband. Toddy is just fine with not wearing a halo. As she so astutely observed, “it’s always slipping off my head.” YEA, No kidding.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.25in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><i>Merry Christmas</i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.25in;"><span face=""Source Sans Pro", sans-serif"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-84640756871635195092023-10-14T09:10:00.000-04:002023-10-14T09:10:50.598-04:00<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;">I've shared my feelings on leaves before in <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/433356178332788141/7684981498055830097?hl=en" target="_blank">Leaving the Leaves</a> back in 2014. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlUZbKfT4-E5JYnijwxmE2qlIYiJSP6d0Icc6DRLYaXPsRm-MbLT3PmJpAuyXgDzufLp18m_YVE1mVjkDZzFy9r0GKsIqef8EZFF_9bj3WcaJjEy2a4ui2xhG801JZrQYgE5qu32s2kDAaD1RafGloS8MBS3gJ0H7thvyWvBipZB9VGphqXop8TZFmgs2/s612/small%20pileleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="612" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlUZbKfT4-E5JYnijwxmE2qlIYiJSP6d0Icc6DRLYaXPsRm-MbLT3PmJpAuyXgDzufLp18m_YVE1mVjkDZzFy9r0GKsIqef8EZFF_9bj3WcaJjEy2a4ui2xhG801JZrQYgE5qu32s2kDAaD1RafGloS8MBS3gJ0H7thvyWvBipZB9VGphqXop8TZFmgs2/s320/small%20pileleaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br />Every year I have the same argument with my family. Every year, as soon as the leaves begin to change color, one would think we are expecting a blizzard. The anticipation of how much of a mess the leaves will make is unbearable to them. They linger by the windows, gaze out and watch for days into weeks, seeing and monitoring how the leaves are falling and wonder out loud how and when the leaves will be cleaned up. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Every year I say the same thing, “Leave the leaves.” Their reaction is the same every year too, “WHY?”, more a whine than an inquiry. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;">I never understood the purpose of raking up dying leaves only to expose the drying grass. It seems to me a dumb and wasted effort. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;">Autumn is my favorite season and personally, I have always liked the look of a pile of leaves. I like the crunch under my feet as I shuffle through a nice pile of tawny crisp leaves just waiting and ready to be pulverized for their end purpose of food for the earth. Then there’s the smell of moldering leaves, musky and woody, to remind you that it’s almost finished its life cycle and ready for the last stage of their seasonal performance. Why not wait until the show is totally over? </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;">The best collection of falling leaves is under our maple in the back yard. Over the years this Maple has become a grand old lady. Every year it is a spectacular transition of dark green to blazing red to a brilliant yellow that almost glows in the sunlight. When the leaves begin to lazily waft to the ground they go from the yellow to a rich tawny gold where they collect in an almost perfect ring around the base of the tree, like a skirt that’s just dropped from a waist. </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: inherit, serif; font-size: 16pt;">I insist we leave the leaves where they fall and will eventually break down over the winter. It’s only natural.</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-14253595136785740602023-05-12T07:31:00.001-04:002023-05-12T07:35:46.659-04:00Happy 50th Anniversary to Us<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I was once asked, “What’s your greatest accomplishment? What are you most proud of?” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">My immediate response was, “my marriage”. The person asking the question responded, “Wow, your face really lights up when you say that.” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I never really looked at my marriage as an “accomplishment”, but in the grand scheme of things, compared to what some other people experience in marriage, we have been very lucky and blessed that ours seems to have been relatively effortless. It’s not that there have never been bumps in the road and rough patches, those times where you look at one another and think quietly but smarmily to yourself, “GAWD, I can’t stand that you are breathing the same air as I do.” That is the reality of what happens when you live with someone. A person can not share a bed and a bathroom with the same person seven days a week for years and expect to always think they are the best thing to come along since unlimited texting. We’re only human. And let’s be honest, only one of us is scrubbing the toilet and shower!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There is some personal sacrifice in every relationship and a great marriage is no exception. The ‘rough’ patches were brief and ended up being the glue that we didn’t know we needed at the time. Stuff happens. Time might heal, but moving forward as a team and a united front is one of hallmarks of our marriage. It hasn’t been hard. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">We were children when we got married. At 18 what could we possibly have known what life had ahead for us? What did we know about real life? When it’s said, “ignorance is bliss” I think it was our ignorance that became our bliss. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">On another occasion, a friend whose marriage was coming apart and soon ended asked, “Don’t you wonder just how long it’s going to last?” Well, no. It never really crossed my mind that being married was on some kind of time clock. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Without knowing it early on, we nurtured our marriage like a family member. We ‘took care’ of each other and each other’s feelings. We were blessed with good health for the first thirty years and when illness paid us a couple visits, we took turns in stepping up and taking over the other’s role of caretaker, without pause.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Marriage is never a 50/50 proposition. If you’re lucky it can be 60/40. Sometimes, you get the 60. Sometimes, you give the 60. Then there are the times when it is 90/10, hopefully those times are few and far between, but it happens. Nobody is exempt. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Our 50th anniversary is here. We both expressed that saying we’re married for fifty years sounds a lot longer than it feels. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14.85pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Awesome! That feels like 50/50!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JVJrwpLM409kutolDHbE6b7zv4XNgQ0wCl5q9IebiZG1fqZHjC1eyogrTVjJqgT6uADWUKJXvZJGePaqPi5-nM1i9O7BdbRvu0cDJVXXgp1iUSTosoNLqS6ZjNK-UFn1iQNY82KVwNRHREZlVnaALLTmGJBIqg8rCTDingetsPLSnwvFJDVynkhlwQ/s229/our%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="206" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JVJrwpLM409kutolDHbE6b7zv4XNgQ0wCl5q9IebiZG1fqZHjC1eyogrTVjJqgT6uADWUKJXvZJGePaqPi5-nM1i9O7BdbRvu0cDJVXXgp1iUSTosoNLqS6ZjNK-UFn1iQNY82KVwNRHREZlVnaALLTmGJBIqg8rCTDingetsPLSnwvFJDVynkhlwQ/s1600/our%20pic.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><o:p> <br /></o:p><p></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-58247698855113030162022-10-14T11:18:00.000-04:002022-10-14T11:18:49.673-04:00About Harry<div class="separator"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Very recently we lost a very dear friend to a sudden tragedy. Harry and half of his seven siblings were friends with my own siblings since grade school. Harry was godfather to my brother’s daughter. He was more than a friend. Harry was family. Harry travelled with us on a big family trip to Ireland and Scotland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Harry retired for the third time this past April. He was well-traveled and through much of this past summer he traveled almost non-stop and shared his possible plans for what would finally be his retired life. The next in his plans was maybe a move to Myrtle Beach, refining his golf game and enjoying the Carolina coastlands and as much golf as he could get in. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">After a visit with one of his sisters who also retired to Myrtle Beach, he could see this as his next step to a comfortable retirement. With a move to Myrtle Beach, after years in military service and a few career changes, it was a well-deserved plan for his retirement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">We came from a similar upbringing; city kids, big families, lots of interesting personalities and a daily dose of drama. We called it family dynamics. There always was and is somebody to talk about.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Harry was a single man and never married. Over the years he opened his home to one of his sisters and her son. The was a time when his mother needed end of life care and he brought her to his home. There was no way he was going to allow his Mom languish in a facility.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Harry’s sudden death left an emotional hole in many lives. For me, Harry was a regular for our weekly dinner at our local watering hole. He would sometimes razz my brother that I was his new bar buddy. We lived less than two miles from each other but my brother lives much further, like another state. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Harry was my “plus one” for golf scrambles. He drove the ball, I putted. I don’t play much golf, but when with Harry there was no judgement, just good company and commiserating about our similar beliefs, mostly about political theater.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Harry was one of the most generous and caring people I have been blessed to know. I miss him. Harry was 66.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAJ1OrR2XUgiYniODWyHx113NrdbNaqHPbCQ82wKaJCnO2M-DfwJxbZHvm2orOX6gSeHnxcFGKJgAwTYJAAHUp6XgW9SVEPvtOz1_KLu-uJ7MYAP1X_7W-TQ4SFg4v4hI1-BVzsPFU211GUIYndmOr7n7sYav1PEsviwVZ5L1GFJc7UR2ucyzxDKKBQ/s320/68745212911__BF528B01-6F64-43AD-A93D-39DE408FBB7D-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAJ1OrR2XUgiYniODWyHx113NrdbNaqHPbCQ82wKaJCnO2M-DfwJxbZHvm2orOX6gSeHnxcFGKJgAwTYJAAHUp6XgW9SVEPvtOz1_KLu-uJ7MYAP1X_7W-TQ4SFg4v4hI1-BVzsPFU211GUIYndmOr7n7sYav1PEsviwVZ5L1GFJc7UR2ucyzxDKKBQ/s1600/68745212911__BF528B01-6F64-43AD-A93D-39DE408FBB7D-1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0in;"><br /></p><p></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-84287660233905238412022-02-02T13:13:00.004-05:002022-02-02T13:18:24.292-05:00Black Holes and Role Reversals and a New Year<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivhqEH1bGFJTLY7WHaxetVsPvH-YsK1iqZWuJ9P8JSFrBNMD1c7tK3dd_5eyP4VrvEhZvtGeZHGt6zNBmGdi2CX30a8Lq_t3XfFozHxnnxKwRcrO_nBv-at9BrNgpq7oV3Kqloefi45PJxmdhVj4b7_rbq9AcLyxNwDZKdmlnM0BC3zcxV9IUHRELDMg=s434" style="font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="351" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivhqEH1bGFJTLY7WHaxetVsPvH-YsK1iqZWuJ9P8JSFrBNMD1c7tK3dd_5eyP4VrvEhZvtGeZHGt6zNBmGdi2CX30a8Lq_t3XfFozHxnnxKwRcrO_nBv-at9BrNgpq7oV3Kqloefi45PJxmdhVj4b7_rbq9AcLyxNwDZKdmlnM0BC3zcxV9IUHRELDMg=w212-h262" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Hole image from EHT</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I can’t say that 2021 was
a year to forget because there are a lot of things I can’t remember. I don’t remember
because I had a huge non-malignant brain tumor that was apparently affecting my personality,
my walking gait, my short-term memory, instant recall and most notably I was
forgetting my words while speaking. Friends and family are just recently
telling me of how they felt I was “off”. Something wasn’t quite right, but they
never relayed those feelings to me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There were apparently
several private conversations about me but nobody said anything to me, except
my husband Mike who would repeatedly look for some material reason for this
‘slip’ in my usual daily spunky personality. His was the opinion that just one
of my many pain medications was the primary cause, either that or early onset Alzheimer’s.
I was and still am treating for Psoriatic Arthritis. I have come to realize and
reluctantly accept that <b>“Mister Arthur R Itis</b>” and I have an arranged lifelong marriage.
There’s nothing to do except to manage the marriage and try to find what works
in finding some comfort and ease in daily tasks and mobility. I have resumed my
yoga, some meditation and embraced alternative medicine and analgesics and with the start of Medicare
pray that my current biologic treatment gets pre-authorized. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Navigating Medicare
is mess. I believe it’s by design to make it difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Pain management
program I was prescribed is no longer the preferred supposed panacea for me<b>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>must be able to function</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The <b>Black Holes</b> are just
that, blank spots in my memory and recall, some huge, some brief snippets of
time, but there is much I feel I’ve lost and have no hint at what it is that
I’ve lost. Maybe that is best but it is no less disorienting and frustrating.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Role reversal was
something that automatically happened. My husband took the reins I usually
held. I often say, He makes things happen, but I make them better. This time he
did both. I found after the surgery I was just fine with this. Recuperating
from brain surgery was and is major thing, a <b>BIG FFFing DEAL.</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4LY_GZj7Bn01UMxrJEMLGDdkRGGiofqRno5lQvr-Q_TsnC0nWCjb-RKhrgpTVn9m3bYy5mVcJ8y0CquQuaJXEs-iJor-oR3HPtE3GYackmqq_Xd8TPTqZqJhpf5RbLXu70qPlnWBPVbRcMboJhEa1SFCMFgJ1JIphhKVbgkHJmCMAnukCtGGPAbuYAw=s480" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="480" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4LY_GZj7Bn01UMxrJEMLGDdkRGGiofqRno5lQvr-Q_TsnC0nWCjb-RKhrgpTVn9m3bYy5mVcJ8y0CquQuaJXEs-iJor-oR3HPtE3GYackmqq_Xd8TPTqZqJhpf5RbLXu70qPlnWBPVbRcMboJhEa1SFCMFgJ1JIphhKVbgkHJmCMAnukCtGGPAbuYAw=w200-h198" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was not prepared to be almost totally dependent on being taken care of by another. That was
usually MY job.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Patients with brain tumors
usually have to become reliant in a caregiver, because they’re not always able
to do as much as they want to or were previously able to do, due to the side
effects from the tumor location.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The incision was long
around the top of my head, held together with staples. I am a relatively fast healer and was staple free
in one short week. I had the mistaken assumption that this was going to be a recovery
of a few weeks, not months if not the better part of a year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s a disappointment I
still struggle with, but I still move on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I welcomed 2022 at a New </span>Year's<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> eve party in the middle of the eastern Caribbean, on a cruise ship appropriately enough called the <i><b>Reflection</b></i>. It
was a fun celebration, as <u>I remember it</u>. </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here’s hoping that I have fewer black holes in 2022.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs5Aiw7H6sGe1h-xmKQ0UTeYV5no-qsXVBnf0csNPezL3KIyWo8cBfAVb47Yc5y0dWWYa9ViOceUI-egKsKaVngfruys--ZCZcAOSSF0aSadiueSAPUHpM3qFQ6Z3OoZZTuvmxdJL9Y1bkwTL5QG7BluVogKEHSXnczMHL_tGDPZIE3nlSOnQt6EMTJQ=s960" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="920" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhs5Aiw7H6sGe1h-xmKQ0UTeYV5no-qsXVBnf0csNPezL3KIyWo8cBfAVb47Yc5y0dWWYa9ViOceUI-egKsKaVngfruys--ZCZcAOSSF0aSadiueSAPUHpM3qFQ6Z3OoZZTuvmxdJL9Y1bkwTL5QG7BluVogKEHSXnczMHL_tGDPZIE3nlSOnQt6EMTJQ=w264-h238" width="264" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Happy 2022!</b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-81374154376573023732021-12-03T12:28:00.001-05:002021-12-03T12:35:27.373-05:00Gratitude and Appreciation<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am thankful for the here
and now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">On most weekdays, my house
is relatively quiet as everyone but my husband and I has left for work or
school. The noise of a full house of people and their day will descend on us in
shifts from 2:30 to 6p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days I
welcome it, but sometimes in what feels like just as many days, I do not. I pine
for the peace and quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The beginning of
retirement was not the happy go-lucky days, as in “everyday is Saturday” that
friends used to brag about to me. Although I did enjoy a trip to Key West
celebrating my retirement, these last eight months were far from anything I
thought or dreamed of how the summer of this retirement would be.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I had visions of weekday
pool parties with some of my fellow retirees. I planned to spend one-on-one
time with my younger grandchildren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scheduled a much overdue knee replacement for the end of April. That surgery was relatively uneventful, rehab was
challenging, more so than I and my rehab team could have imagined. Something
was ‘off’. But I soldiered on, sort of, hoping to pick up with my summer plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Have you heard the saying,
“If you want to make God laugh, just tell him YOUR plans.”?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t recall conferring
with the Almighty, but my plans were dashed by a Brain tumor. It was the pesky culprit that was making me seem ‘off’
and constantly falling, among other unsavory symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">So, one might ask, “how
can you write about gratitude and be thankful with such a scary and potentially
deadly episode, derailing your summer of retirement”?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Let me tell you the upside
to all this crap.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">My family calls me the
accidental matriarch. It’s not a role I signed up for or a club I wanted to
join, it just happened and with our revolving door, and always seeming to have ‘room at the
inn’, it is a place where more than a few have landed and stayed till their
world stopped spinning out of control and made their way back into it. It’s
what we do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Where does my gratitude
come in? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The matriarch had brain
surgery on Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> and needed constant care and attention
and everybody stepped up into some sort of support role. My husband took the over
and set up everything he thought I would need, from a hospital bed set up in
our living room to a commode with special liners so it could be easily emptied
(he was especially proud of his thoughtful and practical purchase). He took over my daily medications and being the Libra that he is, never missed a timely dose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am grateful for him
stepping up and taking over the care I needed. He is a man that was not used to
taking the reins of messy stuff like that, and he did it seamlessly. In all our
years together, he never changed a poopy diaper, but never hesitated to empty
and clean the commode.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">All I had to do was sit
back and get better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I am grateful for the
family members who dropped what they were doing and stepped in to do what
needed to be done: my brother for making things happen and especially my sister,
assuming the unpleasant task of keeping my nethers clean and fresh when I wasn’t
able; my kids for always ‘being there’ and assuring I was comfortable and not
in need of anything; my older grandchildren and their friends displayed their potential for empathy
and caring for another person. It is a very rewarding feeling that our family
is who we are and what we do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m grateful that this
bump in the road sent a timely message to my family that everybody has an
expiration date, and mine came close. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m grateful that this
episode has made my family realize that as strong as I appear and often hold
others up emotionally, sometimes we all have cracks in our veneer, ‘even the tough
up the middle’ matriarch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’m grateful for people
that have offered prayers, sent get well cards and Mass cards. It’s a
thoughtfulness that fills my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">With this holiday season, I am most grateful that I had thanksgiving dinner at my sister-in-law’s
with my 86 year old Mother-in-law, who I am most confident says a second rosary
in her nightly prayers, just for me, she has said so every time I see her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Our annual family Festivus
is tomorrow. We are a very boisterous bunch with lots of strong personalities that some might find overwhelming, and it
only adds to our reason to celebrate. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ll be grateful to be there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-90478665418799460682021-11-17T12:23:00.001-05:002021-11-17T12:23:37.518-05:00Leaves, Leaves Everywhere<p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xbm9xZRHQz4jd13n5-zRf8knrw6PL76FwhucECebw-Oc8VjleNmuoBvYdlz46myXVO6rLHzggwTdq_t-heM8UGvJpg5tXES88kTUolJdt4zW0IcXCUvfi79g-E63gpRhJybOZ6bJgyoK/s640/the+tree.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xbm9xZRHQz4jd13n5-zRf8knrw6PL76FwhucECebw-Oc8VjleNmuoBvYdlz46myXVO6rLHzggwTdq_t-heM8UGvJpg5tXES88kTUolJdt4zW0IcXCUvfi79g-E63gpRhJybOZ6bJgyoK/s320/the+tree.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> It's been over a decade since I wrote about Todzilla and</span> <a href="http://weneedmoresundaydinners.blogspot.com/2012/10/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html">Leaving the Leaves</a>. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbROJa8-RpkahPYapVebo44lZOauw5W0Ajozy99s6ccum_G3g8RL5gp9q5yww6K0oOOnMOi5BKLlNtFMgzHx7vV2h5jRIi1g7jFvZYgpSPggS4gI-sz3MDBQ89BvhYByLizi-OeI1hJ5K4/s225/Leaves2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="192" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbROJa8-RpkahPYapVebo44lZOauw5W0Ajozy99s6ccum_G3g8RL5gp9q5yww6K0oOOnMOi5BKLlNtFMgzHx7vV2h5jRIi1g7jFvZYgpSPggS4gI-sz3MDBQ89BvhYByLizi-OeI1hJ5K4/s0/Leaves2.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was a day that a rambunctious Toddler, named Meghan but
aptly called, Todzilla, got the chance to blow off some of her endless energy
and have some messy fun, much to the chagrin of her mother who preferred to
dress her little girl like a prim doll. But through the years Meghan, also
known as Toddy, has proven her strong will and among other things, dresses as she pleases, and it's
rarely prim and polished. That day of leaving leaves in a huge pile and letting
a toddler jump into it, tossing handfuls of leaves into the air, was memorable
and <i><u>most</u></i> of us enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today Toddy is putting most of her
energy towards sports, mainly field hockey and basketball. She's a small person
but has the hutzpah and spunk of a beast trapped in that small body. In our
family we don't have too many smallish members, coming from 'good peasant
stock', and she struggled emotionally when she realized that her lifelong height
probably won't go beyond 5'2". She barely reached that height this past
summer. It was a time of personal celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8y5bEMKphgTAimNIB7VCYgVJBHXz_fVdlbh0haMTt6UrwCT9iF48XS2AviUNJL08f6diC55DxJ1WhbtirXag-ocacPv9jeCeDrljr2m8QMPQOoZN5L1sg97nJ8-5F4OicJU9lHEE6qlMR/s761/toddy+homecoming.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="538" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8y5bEMKphgTAimNIB7VCYgVJBHXz_fVdlbh0haMTt6UrwCT9iF48XS2AviUNJL08f6diC55DxJ1WhbtirXag-ocacPv9jeCeDrljr2m8QMPQOoZN5L1sg97nJ8-5F4OicJU9lHEE6qlMR/w141-h200/toddy+homecoming.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">She
also is growing into a striking beauty. For the homecoming dance she wore a
beautiful blue dress, cut high on the thigh hemline, cascading hair, perfect
make up and finished off the look with white high-top sneakers. Yup, that's Toddy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">For me, the beauty of autumn and falling leaves is awe-inspiring as the season changes and staging the finale of warm weather preparing for the short days and long nights of winter.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Meghan noticed that big maple tree the other day and said, "Grammy, look, the tree still has most of it's leaves."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcdkvDwS9BxWlc5rcf6Ees7v-iHZYlRX3y_BuXogMY316B-WKGAlSnFKzGtmFNU_pK7QSDBB5NRLOqOymFAqEgFEyVdeJOphB2oDZKJa2z7rf9-EF8wkS_P73_HtU4eATMSJnj75sxxDU/w227-h320/toddy+today.jpg" width="227" /></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">And so it does and Toddy is wearing her white high-top sneakers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcdkvDwS9BxWlc5rcf6Ees7v-iHZYlRX3y_BuXogMY316B-WKGAlSnFKzGtmFNU_pK7QSDBB5NRLOqOymFAqEgFEyVdeJOphB2oDZKJa2z7rf9-EF8wkS_P73_HtU4eATMSJnj75sxxDU/s640/toddy+today.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">\</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></p></div><p></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-31419296489661478712021-10-17T14:07:00.000-04:002021-10-17T14:07:20.205-04:00'Tis The Halloween Season', The Picture in The Pet Store 🎵𝆔𝆔𝆔💀🖼😁<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>"How much is that doggy in the window?<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>The one with the waggly tail."</b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">That song by Patti Page played a constant loop outside
the pet store as I walked along Fifth Avenue. I could hear it as I left the
Starbucks sipping my $5.25 Pumpkin Spice Latte.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4nX_yvFsMl-SLDJnwUQSg2ytq8OiYSWYPfQebdnMegCs_ajF3m8t92olmTf9gP-vVV_oKeonil7O9miQtjFCrGA5J7Cpdlb6oEereQTGKC9-L3-2vraMOG9Zb0PKm4HwmAiMZQGVMeXl/s1000/pups.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4nX_yvFsMl-SLDJnwUQSg2ytq8OiYSWYPfQebdnMegCs_ajF3m8t92olmTf9gP-vVV_oKeonil7O9miQtjFCrGA5J7Cpdlb6oEereQTGKC9-L3-2vraMOG9Zb0PKm4HwmAiMZQGVMeXl/w224-h135/pups.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>I browsed the pet shop window watching the cute puppies
wrestling with each other in their fat fluffy puppy bodies. Knowing it was not wise to go into the shop, I lost my
inner argument with myself and went into the store anyway. What harm could it
be just to watch them at play?<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I went in.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">There was a tank full of Clown fish, almost as fat as the
puppies. Next to the puppies was a cubby of kittens not as playful as the
puppies but just as fluffy and pudgy. A solo bird cage across from the counter held a blue macaw.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Behind the counter was a young woman who seemed to be preoccupied
with a program streaming on her tablet and listening attentively through her
ear pods.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The Patti Page song continued to play over and over.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I noticed a faded picture was hanging on the wall behind
the woman at the counter. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The picture blinked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I thought it blinked and then it yawned! The macaw
started to mimic the picture’s yawn. I looked back to the picture and it began
to grin at me. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">“Go ahead,” said the macaw. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I motioned to the woman behind the counter, pointing back
and forth between the bird and the picture but she was entranced by what was on her tablet.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">All at once the bird began to sing along with the Patti Page. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-8c5zGR1fYkav9sGpTUantJRdxpvu0RY9V7VOtCRQJBUUxz44UI686LPR3Yh7PU12xHmCTqnm0dNXdI6TcuPNnlA9-v58AFVMtPWk8BeAooL31PxB1cpo5iQQqOwenh8h7KEyFeAG59x/s1782/macaw.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="1200" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-8c5zGR1fYkav9sGpTUantJRdxpvu0RY9V7VOtCRQJBUUxz44UI686LPR3Yh7PU12xHmCTqnm0dNXdI6TcuPNnlA9-v58AFVMtPWk8BeAooL31PxB1cpo5iQQqOwenh8h7KEyFeAG59x/w158-h245/macaw.jpg" width="158" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">"<b>How much is that doggie in the window? <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>The one with the waggly tail</b>…"<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">And then the picture shouted, “Oh why don’t you shut up?!”
The bird continued, <b>“I do hope that doggie is for sale.”</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The picture yelled at the bird, “I don’t want some parrot that
talks.” But the bird continued, <b>”That doggie will have a good home.”</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">By this time the lady behind the counter looked up,
unplugged her ear pods and said, “Can I help you?” Finally, I had her attention
but the bird went silent and the picture faded.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I asked what was up with the picture and the macaw and
their bickering, not to mention the singing. “Excuse me?” she asked and was
clearly annoyed with my question. The picture winked at me. “Never mind”, I said and skedaddled out the
door.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The song still looped outside and I heard her say
as the door closed behind me, “Okay, boys. Continue.” <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HwL2a_f-kuhf7hE3gVXFfFBQ0FX6fw1zmWvlMNTSuBwauW90DS_NgSLgvCUuY3cLKQhyphenhyphen4BlCqnirs8JHhYf4XHo8xfRIl589od18VE-_Hot9NPOjlPqpXuQIDHCfB0fIRKA8dLX1Einr/s247/pumpkinlollypops.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="209" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HwL2a_f-kuhf7hE3gVXFfFBQ0FX6fw1zmWvlMNTSuBwauW90DS_NgSLgvCUuY3cLKQhyphenhyphen4BlCqnirs8JHhYf4XHo8xfRIl589od18VE-_Hot9NPOjlPqpXuQIDHCfB0fIRKA8dLX1Einr/w168-h198/pumpkinlollypops.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: x-large;"><b>'Tis the season for spooky fun.</b></span></div><br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-81326087874461792482020-03-29T12:06:00.002-04:002020-03-29T18:41:24.035-04:00Discretion be damned - Biting my Tongue and it Doesn't Come Easy...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Reading an
article in Time magazine about how to support Older Relatives during the corona
virus pandemic... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I am the older relative and understand the danger of a
compromised immune system. My real concern is my 23 year old granddaughter who
THINKS she is practicing social distancing, but is truly putting her own life
at risk as well as the people she is casually interacting with. She has been a
lifelong asthmatic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">If she contracts Covid-19, she could die. But she doesn’t
thinks so. And nobody is going to tell her otherwise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">She is
considered an essential worker in a healthcare environment, and her workplace
is taking precautions to limit her interaction with the patient population. But
she still travels back and forth from home to her boyfriend’s family house. She
orders take-out meals for the households and to support our local small businesses.
It’s all very humane and generous. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">It is the community support that just might
lead to exposure. I worry and not needlessly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">At this
time, this pandemic has not peeked. The worst is yet to come according to the
medical experts. I believe them. I have survived the loss of parents, a cancer
treatment, thriving through an immune disease, the betrayal of a family friend
and many more emotional assaults. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I do not believe I could survive watching my daughter
lose her daughter because she refused to pay attention to a warning of concern
for her own well-being. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We
suggested she pick a place to stay until things calm down, the curve flattens
out. She dismissed that, repeating “I’m only going back and forth.” That’s not true.
She and her boyfriend are doing what they naturally should be doing a young
couple in love. I remember all too well the comfort of being in lust and love.
I married at 18 and by the time I was their age, I had 2 kids and a mortgage. Life
and all the trappings that go with it was all too real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This is a
difficult time on a lot of different levels. With the years of life us ‘old
heads’ have under our belt it is difficult for the younger ones to believe our
warnings could hold any weight of truth or experience. Life has been very good
to this generation. With the exception of 911, many of this generation has not
experienced the threat of potential disaster. Staying home is not a hardship if it could be life-saving.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">My fear is that has made them
cocksure and soft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-24964231943711912982019-05-23T22:32:00.000-04:002019-05-23T22:43:29.526-04:00One Step at a Time, Everything Gets Done<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I met Mike and his family in 2014. We were attending the
annual USA Hockey Disabled festival in Marlborough, MA. Our team, the Wings of
Steel Sled Hockey team, needed a goalie. USA Hockey drafted Mike to play for us. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Mike had just begun to explore Sled
Hockey and had not yet played with a team let alone between the pipes. He
played with the Wings the entire weekend and returned to Ohio as a Wing of
Steel. And we looked past the fact that he and his family are Steelers and
Pirates fans.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We have followed Mike and his twin from High School
graduation to their college experience. It’s kind of like watching a favorite
nephew on a rich path of life experience. So as not to wax on too much, after
reading the article below I asked him if I could share his piece that appeared
in <a href="http://www.kentwired.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Kentwired</span></a>. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It speaks true from the voice of a person born with a
disability who does not live his life as a disabled person. He is an
extraordinarily “differently abled” person. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Kudos, Iron Mike. Thanks for sharing your positive insight.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Here is his article below, and the link , <a href="http://www.kentwired.com/article_149c305a-78e3-11e9-9cc6-57809630e31a.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.kentwired.com/article_149c305a-78e3-11e9-9cc6-57809630e31a.html</span></a>.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 100px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "inherit" , serif; font-size: 31.5pt; margin: 0px;">Opinion: One step at a time</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px -5px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">Michael Reiner</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px -5px; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">May 17, 2019 </span><span style="color: #777777; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">Updated </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;">May 20, 2019</span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">My name is Michael Reiner, but my friends
call me Iron Mike. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHIEMnZWNh_ZgpF2d4ZA00uX60DJf1hOwk5RTsZEoG2zBnSHgd-2hvhKJDqaPpyPS1Sx-PFnv_FsVfYgCqCa2FeA-JAfj3427U5mmX5qTR-VmQVdiWDn6UfyA9kWIv84itrjo8kvtuCAG/s1600/reiner1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1055" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHIEMnZWNh_ZgpF2d4ZA00uX60DJf1hOwk5RTsZEoG2zBnSHgd-2hvhKJDqaPpyPS1Sx-PFnv_FsVfYgCqCa2FeA-JAfj3427U5mmX5qTR-VmQVdiWDn6UfyA9kWIv84itrjo8kvtuCAG/s200/reiner1.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">My family and friends know that I love sports,
WWE, and a good cheeseburger. If you have a recliner close by after I’ve eaten
a cheeseburger, it’s game over. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I live with my wonderful family in my hometown
of Wellsville, Ohio. My mom, Paula, is my hero and my biggest inspiration and
my dad, Bill, is my biggest fan. Then I have my twin brother Mitchell who is my
PlayStation 4 partner, roommate, and best friend. And lastly we have our
6-year-old German shepherd, Bell. She protects our house and makes sure to bark
at anyone and everything (by the way, Bell doesn’t like hats of any
kind). </span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">However, as the great Rocky Balboa used to
say, “Life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.” Mitchell and I were born three
months premature. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. It is a condition that
tightens the muscles in my body. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I do not let my disability slow me down. In
fact, my family and I say that I am differently-abled because I can do
everything in different ways. I’ve gone from walkers, to quad canes, to a
wheelchair, all the way to forearm crutches. I went through 12 surgeries in
2010 and I’ve been in great shape ever since. Life has definitely been a
journey. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbDt8NoA2ofgO-MZpCfN4R12yIC2wb1Cju4jTxFSj5Vj9wT0wNsQCUGG8sdSAT_yMO5CkBfNhY_qaliin9X3ml-OA0yYCD0wgdhWbEeXRf0Z6-bd7xCm7NrUXCKChMoJOpv4Mu0ziLMbP/s1600/reiner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbDt8NoA2ofgO-MZpCfN4R12yIC2wb1Cju4jTxFSj5Vj9wT0wNsQCUGG8sdSAT_yMO5CkBfNhY_qaliin9X3ml-OA0yYCD0wgdhWbEeXRf0Z6-bd7xCm7NrUXCKChMoJOpv4Mu0ziLMbP/s200/reiner2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><img border="0" height="3" src="file:///C:/Users/Joanne/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_2" width="4" /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Here I am in kindergarten standing with one of my quad canes. I
feel pretty cool in this photo. We went to go get ice cream the day this photo
was taken, so that must be the reason why I felt rather cool.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Courtesy Michael Reiner</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">My dream is to one day work in Pittsburgh as a
sports writer or broadcaster. My family and I love to go to Pirates and
Steelers games. I hope to be successful in Pittsburgh so that I can continue to
go to more games and enjoy the atmosphere of "The Steel City."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I just finished my junior year in the Kent
State journalism program. The experiences that I’ve had with Kent State’s
television station TV2 and radio station Black Squirrel Radio have been
top-notch. I have learned so many things so far that I will carry with me for
the rest of my career. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU24hnrxMfvQP9rJX0dgyr98_-wfbVM0bRArwzfmF7hBfMLKY5xvH978ULXUQQPfYeol1uDGX-_MCs2Q5aAxBTyBt-OseCFIaxQAlbpp_o_7PTPCsCnbqFHXGFyjBr1JlF2faK0veMpP1z/s1600/reiner3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU24hnrxMfvQP9rJX0dgyr98_-wfbVM0bRArwzfmF7hBfMLKY5xvH978ULXUQQPfYeol1uDGX-_MCs2Q5aAxBTyBt-OseCFIaxQAlbpp_o_7PTPCsCnbqFHXGFyjBr1JlF2faK0veMpP1z/s200/reiner3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><img border="0" height="3" src="file:///C:/Users/Joanne/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="4" /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">I had a great semester as the Tuesday morning sports anchor for
Kent State University's TV station, TV2. This coming fall, I will serve as
Portage Trail County (PTC) Director. I will oversee all high school sports news
coverage in Portage County.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin: 0px;">Courtesy: Michael Reiner</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Now it’s time to put the skills I’ve learned
to good use. I start my internship at a local news station on Monday, May 20,
and life is very, very exciting at the moment. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I will have to add 15 minutes to prepare
for my commute in the morning. This won’t be for breakfast, I already have
time scheduled for that. The extra 15 minutes will be for me to button my
shirt, tuck it in, and adjust my belt. These tedious things can be difficult,
but they just take me a little bit of time. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">It took one step at a time during track
practice for me to compete in the OHSAA State Wheelchair track events. It took
one step at a time for me to qualify for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in
the eighth grade. And yes, it took one step at a time to be able to walk on my
own two feet. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Everything gets done, one step at a
time. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I believe that other people with disabilities
have the same mindset as I do. We all overcome struggles and move forward in
our own way. Even though things can get difficult at times, I wouldn’t have my
life any other way. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px;">
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Michael Reiner is a columnist. Contact him
at </span></i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><i><span style="color: #0047ab; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">mreiner4@kent.edu</span></i></a><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">. </span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 13.33px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: #000120;"></span></u><br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-5285428854534761322019-05-13T14:55:00.000-04:002019-05-13T14:55:43.309-04:00What if Game of Thrones is Just a Game?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuyUW24QHBvso6FWBGZiMaNAhR30u0hMTGVQtSBnT87-DC9O8TjwTKJc7ccwNw5tzV2Xlt3znvQ_DZG0XPPH_k3tl5bXc9_zzUtZc1CNMZY4GvJsDVGH1G6L7KXGR0J1tUV4oZqF9jjfG/s1600/got.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvuyUW24QHBvso6FWBGZiMaNAhR30u0hMTGVQtSBnT87-DC9O8TjwTKJc7ccwNw5tzV2Xlt3znvQ_DZG0XPPH_k3tl5bXc9_zzUtZc1CNMZY4GvJsDVGH1G6L7KXGR0J1tUV4oZqF9jjfG/s1600/got.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What was there to be disappointed with Season 8 Episode 5 of
Game of Thrones? I was not disappointed. The show went pretty much as I expected.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hand wringing and wrenching angst of Tyrion and Jon Snow over the last three
weeks made it obvious they weren’t as confident as they claimed to be about ‘their
Queen’ and her oncoming volatile mental state, which was predicted early on
with the oft repeated line of her father, the Mad King before his own death, “Burn
them all”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I won’t wax on about character arcs and how the Game of
Thrones writers and company should have played this out. I enjoyed the ride and
will see it through to the end and over and over until I cancel my HBO
subscription. My personal investment of time with this series has been one of self-indulgent suspension of reality.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I find fault with
any entity it is with HBO. HBO should have expanded the 6 weeks to 10. The
shortened 6 week schedule I believe is partly the basis for the full on fabulous
CGI festival that has been showcased – I’ve seen some of the set construction
for demolition and the green screen at Titanic Studios in Belfast, it is a mammoth
production site. No dialogue or scene set up was ever going to do justice to
the special effects work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here is what I am proposing as to how the last episode
MIGHT end. Feel free to chime in as to whether you agree or disagree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the title of the last episode is titled, “Spring after
the long Winter”:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Arya will kill Daenerys for destroying Kings Landing and all the innocents.</li>
<li>Sansa will take over the throne, since Jon and Bran don’t want it. Tyrion will be her hand.</li>
<li>Arya Stark has a Baratheon baby after her one night stand with Gendry, melding the two houses as predicted in the first season.</li>
<li>Brienne of Tarth presents a Lannister bastard baby, a potential heir apparent, but she has no regal aspirations, so she will remain close to Arya and Sansa.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -24px;">Jon Snow leaves it all behind and return to the rebuild the Wall and the Knights Watch.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Throughout the series, women have been consistently some of the strongest characters. That might play out to the end.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end, regardless how inane it might turn out, I have
enjoyed the ride in suspending reality for and hour or two every week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-10235030543680972672019-04-07T13:58:00.001-04:002019-04-07T13:58:32.471-04:00From a Prompt: Cockleburs, Poison Ivy, Super Baby2, Slip N Slide Failure<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1whdB5NsCrubuInUfADv2bPyf_cmy2XPOTo0KZtoxuFnXb0g0XRgvSy0G_2QcK2y7E7urDFqy6geNTN9cml-u9PPCW5mnhyphenhyphen0kNpNp-Tlny-iaGViA2qrHV2S9niQC3JuEl-T8aieB2yQs/s1600/irish+setter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="291" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1whdB5NsCrubuInUfADv2bPyf_cmy2XPOTo0KZtoxuFnXb0g0XRgvSy0G_2QcK2y7E7urDFqy6geNTN9cml-u9PPCW5mnhyphenhyphen0kNpNp-Tlny-iaGViA2qrHV2S9niQC3JuEl-T8aieB2yQs/s200/irish+setter.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Poor Miss Molly, Bud Wise’s stupid Irish Setter was full of
cockleburs, again. She got all matted up after running through the fields
chasing the fat groundhog that seemed to constantly tease her. If it wasn’t bad
enough that last week’s trip to the vet cost him an easy 100 bucks to clear a
nasty case of poison ivy from Kurt Rashmen’s cheap root mulch that Miss Molly
kept digging in, now he had to head to the PetSmart to get Molly cleaned up
before the twin’s birthday party. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhxtOzBV5HUGC6ambyPGxPUBGR2I0Ii6mPNxIaNW2f-3WbQyqJhdQdRSmlK0FtvHqBK7qYOFGT46KBC3sg0vjUDObW31g4gtfDiudJqsEX7_DvqS7Xl-iegmL-WaiBB6KeFzdcGNFIDkn/s1600/potty+snatcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhxtOzBV5HUGC6ambyPGxPUBGR2I0Ii6mPNxIaNW2f-3WbQyqJhdQdRSmlK0FtvHqBK7qYOFGT46KBC3sg0vjUDObW31g4gtfDiudJqsEX7_DvqS7Xl-iegmL-WaiBB6KeFzdcGNFIDkn/s200/potty+snatcher.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It came to him in a moment of resourceful time management that
he could stop in the Target pick up the kids’ present, which was the next in
the series of Super Baby2 : Invasion of the Potty Snatchers, while Molly was
getting de-burred. With all his errands complete, Bud and Molly went home to
begin the festivities with the kiddies.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLXEElYVu_MHrAIZib_OEki9PSBIl3XotSsc9v7te8ZwyKEHtcTWF8qy59GKgIPZMHA5ZTTyX251Q054UFjRiaUOm35zfKsSqssC3RmGFyAkz6Ra5fdiDGJM0WrvGXMo8AgZ-a0Y_-Zqb/s1600/slip+n+slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="325" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLXEElYVu_MHrAIZib_OEki9PSBIl3XotSsc9v7te8ZwyKEHtcTWF8qy59GKgIPZMHA5ZTTyX251Q054UFjRiaUOm35zfKsSqssC3RmGFyAkz6Ra5fdiDGJM0WrvGXMo8AgZ-a0Y_-Zqb/s200/slip+n+slide.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was the dog days of August and the kids were already in
their bathing suits waiting for the hose to be turned on to fill the Slip N Slide.
Bud turned on the water to get the runner filled and ready for the kids. At the
same time the fat groundhog waddled across the lawn. It paused when the water began
to spray and looked directly at Miss Molly as if to say, “Come on. Let’s go another
round.”</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu-6yv9n8rwkt0hmfkAaDkM2gA8eMUHn1ANQIRwEgG_KttjNLsBHzXVKV352hIuN7XdEqsm5Tir0JanvGd8zj7l_LQ3IGakU-YpYNjAxYN2a63Sh01DfdObFgrx_HKYBm5yTCHDUV0es2/s1600/groundhog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="299" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu-6yv9n8rwkt0hmfkAaDkM2gA8eMUHn1ANQIRwEgG_KttjNLsBHzXVKV352hIuN7XdEqsm5Tir0JanvGd8zj7l_LQ3IGakU-YpYNjAxYN2a63Sh01DfdObFgrx_HKYBm5yTCHDUV0es2/s200/groundhog.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">With the challenge accepted, Molly launched from her position,
skating directly across the water slide on all four paws and snatched the
groundhog around its neck.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As she proudly presented her master with her prize, Bud saw that
Molly had caused a Slip N Slide failure. Her paws had ripped the plastic runner
in her pursuit of that taunting fat groundhog.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB_My-GT37Z7Tda6wWPoEhT-S6n4RqdVUzZ9Ik-sJbJAUYraZRVnhMF-ov2Z8HPnw8EgxSWkNm_T6gouk92iSND6xEJCUWBP6hc8OO8hgFqm-ZlnM4k95VdDuHlk2D5M4Whb9wMKa5Dod/s1600/beautiful-irish-setter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="925" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB_My-GT37Z7Tda6wWPoEhT-S6n4RqdVUzZ9Ik-sJbJAUYraZRVnhMF-ov2Z8HPnw8EgxSWkNm_T6gouk92iSND6xEJCUWBP6hc8OO8hgFqm-ZlnM4k95VdDuHlk2D5M4Whb9wMKa5Dod/s200/beautiful-irish-setter.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-68182560019559227292018-07-28T10:24:00.001-04:002018-07-28T10:27:07.609-04:00Bittersweet Comfort<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mom and Dad had been gone for over a year. They passed away
within a year of each other. It took us almost that long to clean out their
house, our childhood home, to prepare it for sale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a bittersweet chore, and
sometimes felt more like a journey back to who our parents were in their younger
years, like finding tucked in the bottom of a shoe box of old paperwork
intimate notes of love my dad wrote to mom. Dad liked to write letters as much
as receive them in the mail and he saved quite few letters. Mom was a collector
of ‘stuff’, things of personal importance, like the pink or blue beaded ID bracelets
hospital nurseries used to put on newborn babies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cleaning out their stuff wasn’t the real
chore, although my mom was not inclined to throw out much of anything, not so
much as a hoarder, but more a holdover of a post-depression mentality of “put
that away, save it, I might need that later on.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we finally cleared out the house to mostly just bare
walls it was time to freshen up the house to put it on the market and hopefully
sell it quickly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While still mourning the loss of our Mom and Dad and with our
busy lives of raising our own families we dreaded the weekends of making time
to work on this house for someone else to live in and make it a home of their
own. This particular Saturday was one of those days. I was in the throes of
helping my daughter coordinate therapies for her infant son with special needs,
my sister had three small sons, ages three to six years and my brother had five
girls ages five to twenty. We were all very busy with the stuff of our own
lives and families. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our house was a three story Victorian. We were weighted down
with painting materials as we entered through the vestibule into the parlor.
Although the house was totally empty for months there was an unmistakable scent
in the air that should not have been there because the house was vacant. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At first no one said anything about it. We dropped the
materials of our job at hand and just stood there in the room, until my brother
said, “is anybody going to say anything or am I the only one that smells that?”
My sister and I looked at each other and smiled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was my mother’s favorite perfume, <u>Anais, Anais</u>. Mom loved
her perfumes and after spritzing herself she would spray the air with a quick
wafting spray and say, “just to freshen the air”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was Mom sending us a message? She was indeed. A house is a home
until it’s not. It was time to freshen it up for someone else to make it their
home. Message received. Thanks, Mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-13082952548381579792018-02-24T09:57:00.000-05:002018-02-24T09:57:43.112-05:00Pennies from Heaven?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Eagles have won the 2018 Super Bowl. Was there any doubt
that the Birds would overcome the New England Patriots and Tom Brady, the best
quarterback in the NFL? Of course, there was. There was plenty of doubt. There
was good reason for that doubt. The previous decade (…and then some…) of
Philadelphia sports, especially football, has been an emotional roller coaster
ride that had more lows than highs. Even the most dismal losses tested the
commitment of the Philadelphia football fan. Yet the fans endured, literally
endured. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This winning season for the Eagles was cast a real monkey
wrench when Carson Wentz tore up his knee and the humble Nick Foles stepped in.
As a quarterback Foles had the arm and range of Wentz, but he did not project
the same practical confidence and on the field certainly does not have the same
eye for a receiver as Wentz. Yet, he soon gained an obvious confidence on the
field and with the support of the team, he stepped up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon after I sent my husband on his way to Minnesota to watch
his Eagles play the Super bowl, I sauntered off to my appointment at the nail
salon. As I hung my jacket on the back of my chair all my change fell out of
the pocket. With the mix of quarters, nickels, and dimes there was about 10
pennies included in all the change. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every penny was heads up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SDvHi7fNZhSX0HmuJXf4jok7ow7XZ2nOJBvx5_mvcR0oS2boc1tbsZr3Ns6_dQ7bEHoRILBqk9CNl5B9sIjyOPstSrQDaynESKLxN1c2jAP5sasYXYycqR9mSiYlPX1HDXcKq81QCYgM/s1600/pennies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="222" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SDvHi7fNZhSX0HmuJXf4jok7ow7XZ2nOJBvx5_mvcR0oS2boc1tbsZr3Ns6_dQ7bEHoRILBqk9CNl5B9sIjyOPstSrQDaynESKLxN1c2jAP5sasYXYycqR9mSiYlPX1HDXcKq81QCYgM/s200/pennies.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you give superstition any weight to fate, you will
understand the importance of a heads-up penny that lands on the ground. Heads
up, good luck, pick it up…Tails up, turn it over and leave it for the next
person to find and have some good luck and be a penny richer for the find.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My mother was firm believer in this mantra. She religiously
picked up pennies if she saw them on the ground, but only if they were heads up
and if it was tails up, she turned it over and left it for someone else to have
the luck of a little extra cash. I carried on this belief, superstitious or
not.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to double check all that fallen coinage and sure
enough, all the pennies were heads up. I took it as a potential omen, a message
from heaven. However, the jaded soul in me decided to not get too excited and
kept that secret to myself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was Super Bowl Weekend. I had to carry on as I
did every weekend during the season, no shifts in the routine. Now I share this
story about this fortuitous omen as the fans still bask in the glory of the
long overdue win.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do I believe my Mom was sending a message from heaven with
all those heads-up pennies? Maybe, but I wish she would send some winning
lottery numbers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-87819656387242885092017-10-21T20:50:00.001-04:002017-10-21T20:50:55.823-04:00Challenges, Choices and Lessons This is a guest post from Robert the "Beast" Vettese. Beast plays for the Virtua Wings of Steel, a sled hockey team. As he works on his college essays, he has graciously allowed me to post his English essay as he shared his thoughts on life's challenges and the lessons we can learn along the way. This young man has wisdom beyond his years. Please feel free to comment after reading this inspirational essay.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKW-2WFOchf5hyphenhyphenSrAZhVraApv-cBRJpa9xdlWEMY4SqAdd6FkqUp4aGyb9RKKQUKWuU_uEGH9aet6FFpqPZttFWZ8xf5EctNYt85_qxMSdb8lBgEzRM5KGo7L78qqKTzZjqRYCZOW1AkT/s1600/robert+capgown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="824" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKW-2WFOchf5hyphenhyphenSrAZhVraApv-cBRJpa9xdlWEMY4SqAdd6FkqUp4aGyb9RKKQUKWuU_uEGH9aet6FFpqPZttFWZ8xf5EctNYt85_qxMSdb8lBgEzRM5KGo7L78qqKTzZjqRYCZOW1AkT/s200/robert+capgown.jpg" width="171" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Challenges,
Choices and Lessons<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">By
Robert Vettese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">The
lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later
success. When I was younger my sledge hockey team was the best in the country.
Season after season we went undefeated in our division. In every national
tournament we went undefeated too. Years of hard work really does pay off.</span><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Some
of our guys went on to become Paralympic gold medalists in the 2010 Paralympics
in Vancouver. The work they put in was valuable and made them who they are
today, representing their country in one of the best ways they possibly can,
competing for a spot on the Paralympic team. With only twenty-eight spots they
worked and trained to make the team. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44yv-B4tUDBrEhSr7mmmEB9-Eg_10KDI5Jujgbfe5dzekNw3qaetplYcYUBqgfSw_hYGn3hNC8E-kTtcq88N82ds3TFI-FlGhxOd1tIy3gsRJQHPaSauOSw8QfW9ulTANxYyT9-mvmm2y/s1600/robert+in+helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44yv-B4tUDBrEhSr7mmmEB9-Eg_10KDI5Jujgbfe5dzekNw3qaetplYcYUBqgfSw_hYGn3hNC8E-kTtcq88N82ds3TFI-FlGhxOd1tIy3gsRJQHPaSauOSw8QfW9ulTANxYyT9-mvmm2y/s200/robert+in+helmet.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We
always thought that we could be the best team in the country. In a couple years
later we lost many of our good players because of college or aging out of the
youth program. In 2012 we had our first game as a younger team. We were playing
as hard as we possibly could. We lost that first game but we just brushed it
off because that was just one game. As the season went on we soon realized that
we were not the best anymore. We were upset with our performance and just gave
up. As the seasons went on we soon realized that we did not need our older
players to be a team. We challenged and pushed our own limits; we bonded
together, learned about each other. As the saying goes “ We win as a team. We
lose as a team.”<br />
Now still competing and competing in national events across the country, we
continued to win some and lose some.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHN635Dpc1tibia3o5L6DFXb2mYtykacX_Uo4czeLneLJ9kAH2lyEy4SdkCPRqMRdc_EhlqOxcm_3su-L1rcZIYPs0ggZwir2Kh7_frwVgox7rd8d3BpDjHWlR5kUaRnI9g41ZiQWXoj0/s1600/2016+champions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHN635Dpc1tibia3o5L6DFXb2mYtykacX_Uo4czeLneLJ9kAH2lyEy4SdkCPRqMRdc_EhlqOxcm_3su-L1rcZIYPs0ggZwir2Kh7_frwVgox7rd8d3BpDjHWlR5kUaRnI9g41ZiQWXoj0/s200/2016+champions.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The
competitions increased and skill levels began to change, but as they changed so
did our mindsets. We always believed that we would be the best not facing
bigger challenges like losing our games. Throughout these five years we have
grown closer together not only as a team but as a family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We
try to face our failures with good attitudes, not knowing if the next game
would be a win or a loss. We learned that life changes every second. The
challenges we face help us improve and progress as a whole. Failure is going to
always be a part of life. Failures can be hard to settle for, but they give us
something to improve upon. Just like when you failed that geometry test you
really tried your best on. You took your time and studied. You failed that
test. The test you took the most time on. It shows what you need to improve on.
Take it step-by-step, question-by-question. Improvement is always needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYmhyE_bxRb5ZVMy3s1G0pb5RHKlxSfrj5gkE1Lb2z8b-_20vfmtWVGRyF45TvHOF12z3WT9gHxubI8LJ2R-HekR-noQuzfsakQJnrHYsRawbBlnMqiw6A8xTjDNUVke1qqFQTAzw7QPB/s1600/robert+on+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYmhyE_bxRb5ZVMy3s1G0pb5RHKlxSfrj5gkE1Lb2z8b-_20vfmtWVGRyF45TvHOF12z3WT9gHxubI8LJ2R-HekR-noQuzfsakQJnrHYsRawbBlnMqiw6A8xTjDNUVke1qqFQTAzw7QPB/s200/robert+on+ice.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><br />
The last ten years of playing sledge hockey have really helped with so many
things in everyday life. Winning for years may help with the positives and look
forward to the medals-the smiles from all the young kids, the push to remaining
the best. The work we go through trying to get the drills right are
challenging. We might do them wrong but with every wrong there's a right. The
learning curves that we all face are obstacles we can overcome, just like
failure and challenges. It happens to all of us, hoping to achieve great things
like my teammates representing the greatest country in the world, going for
gold, but in order to achieve those goals is a challenge, hard work, and
dedication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The
sledge hockey community has a quote; “Everyday I face a challenge, and how I
face those challenges is with a smile and a good attitude.” Challenges are a
true part of life. We get the rink on time. We go out on the ice every week
pushing ourselves working to the best of our various different abilities. That's
what really matters. The work that you put in may not seem like a big
difference, but it will affect your outcome later in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><br />Tragedy hit us in April of 2013, the end of the season fundraiser. It
was a warm day. Everyone is smiling and having a good time. Volunteers were outside
selling 50/50’s, all the kids in their team jerseys helping out. We ended off
the night with a good note. Kids lined up thanking everyone for coming to the fundraiser.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">It
would be one of the hardest time that we all faced. Just a few short days later
we lost the team’s greatest role model. Her name was Jessica Shaw. Well known
with the happiest smile. She filled the team with laughter, fun, and joy. She
was my teacher and role model. She looked forward to the seasons and games and
especially the joy on all the kid’s faces. I can remember many things she told
us. Mostly she would say “Come on! Get moving!, You're not finished.” Of
everything that she told us there's one thing that sticks in my mind the most.
She always said, “Believe in yourself! The fun is not over yet.” She cared for
us. She was the girl on the team that we looked forward to becoming. Jessica
inspired each other to trust ourselves, and become the best we can be. She
didn't care if you were upset or if you had a bad day. She was there to cheer
you up - teasing me on the ice, and complaining about my singing. She was there
just to have a good time. She loved all of us. We strive to live up to want she
wanted us to be and to just have a good time. You might feel down on the
scoreboard but just keep playing until the buzzer rings. Play for fun. No
matter what happens just remember, “Not every victory shows up on the
scoreboard.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Challenges
are what make us who we are and with the people we might meet on the way, have
their inspirations shape us. They make us trust ourselves, and believe in what
is possible not what is impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Finally, what I've learned is that you may be the one
person in the crowd, the one person that stands out, being who you are, with
the brightest smile cheering on the young kids watching them take on the big
kids and watching them get slammed into the boards. But it helps them develop,
becoming the best they can be and even better. You watched them fail, fall and
lose all hope, but you kept them going. It may be just the words "Come on!
The fun hasn't stopped yet!" that keeps them moving, giving their all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I remember when I was just a small kid getting hit on the
rink against the boards, and boy did it hurt. It's helped me knowing that no
matter how small you may be you can take on the big things, as you’ve grown up
many things get harder. Did I give up?
No. Because they are just bumps in the road. Like blips on a radar they help
get you to where you’re going. Challenges are there to lead you, not fail you.
You have the choice to sit there and quit and lose hope or you face that challenge.
You make the choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits2QbUIRPiYnOtV6dWpF10cwjbTPN0XdJx0NzbxxpjVygFZCG-570fBYZ-kxYwwotBW8MSjIdCOH1QTyQ3MXJyQiBLx9v8ghEr1-Mh7fH7ApmhFvnzCZ1SXks4CYw-xBrreNa0u3jKLhS/s1600/2016+champions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits2QbUIRPiYnOtV6dWpF10cwjbTPN0XdJx0NzbxxpjVygFZCG-570fBYZ-kxYwwotBW8MSjIdCOH1QTyQ3MXJyQiBLx9v8ghEr1-Mh7fH7ApmhFvnzCZ1SXks4CYw-xBrreNa0u3jKLhS/s320/2016+champions.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica";"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.13333334028720856px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<br /></div>
Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-89593446591772504392017-06-04T13:53:00.001-04:002017-06-04T13:53:19.722-04:00The Comic Books of My Childhood Continue to Come to Life, Again
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT2h8FtQr6KHlKdiB1Nhi-5IyM6zkTtWdgqg4wTkDsB8espttXS6u5qiuAmqxwkc-4mcbA1mrsUGAyH_T_5YgBxp2IGwbclBcJLrEmmouLkg3XXf2OPl7T0314k_55zezkrDchS_0nKCf/s1600/mighty_mouse_using_pop_art_style_by_duceduc-d561xzj2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1325" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqT2h8FtQr6KHlKdiB1Nhi-5IyM6zkTtWdgqg4wTkDsB8espttXS6u5qiuAmqxwkc-4mcbA1mrsUGAyH_T_5YgBxp2IGwbclBcJLrEmmouLkg3XXf2OPl7T0314k_55zezkrDchS_0nKCf/s200/mighty_mouse_using_pop_art_style_by_duceduc-d561xzj2.png" width="185" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wonder Woman the movie starring Gal Gadot and Chris Pine was
wonderful and an awesome delivery pumping life into another character I relished reading
on four color pulp. While other girls were reading Nancy Drew or Bobbsey Twins
books I read comic books. Superman was my all-time favorite, the variety of
characters and their personalities were so engaging to my childhood perspective
of the “real” adult world, except I knew there was no real-life caped hero,
Mighty Mouse taught me that little fact.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDlJbljl2c-JKCcNlEfNDMRTCFUyXQAezijAYRucapQA7V2hwhtIoshUGhNMmYDaRkVMwqAWxOsAxdYo3hE0lcYimBBDm5SZ1RDwJqGdHVQCk85p8Ogahb2B_uS4i52YW2e6SkCb0Ov9C/s1600/wonder-woman-flying-clipart-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="500" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDlJbljl2c-JKCcNlEfNDMRTCFUyXQAezijAYRucapQA7V2hwhtIoshUGhNMmYDaRkVMwqAWxOsAxdYo3hE0lcYimBBDm5SZ1RDwJqGdHVQCk85p8Ogahb2B_uS4i52YW2e6SkCb0Ov9C/s200/wonder-woman-flying-clipart-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The DC and Marvel comic universes have successfully delivered
pop culture comics from pulp to film much to the extreme pleasure of those of
us who would rather fall in to the thrilling fantasy of graphic depictions with
text filled bubbles of dialogue and tagged blocks of portending action than the
chapters of mysteries to be solved by Nancy Drew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The cinematography in this film tells the story as much as
the clever dialogue. It has taken Wonder Woman’s iconic Amazonian battle ready
stance and transformed it right in front of your eyes as if it was slipped from
the paper to the silver screen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox-LhMZkfQTtZRGQt07ZbHheOmq0fUyit9dxkcaEnh5gUPGIPINXFJuTQwoe2Yi6Dk_VUmGtomm_ssJyq3Vrh5l9kPhNDxEunZfzukJNMOj8zj6ZfKJmk92Mk4VXSZCZD_W1EoWARYTBt/s1600/diana+running+through.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1560" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhox-LhMZkfQTtZRGQt07ZbHheOmq0fUyit9dxkcaEnh5gUPGIPINXFJuTQwoe2Yi6Dk_VUmGtomm_ssJyq3Vrh5l9kPhNDxEunZfzukJNMOj8zj6ZfKJmk92Mk4VXSZCZD_W1EoWARYTBt/s200/diana+running+through.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierKo9lv4sap2qRWtF5-fxGZt94HLw2B3DeA1Cl9XG84NTUlh8QVRGnoL7aoGrGiroDD9sr-E6OJamxEwW-JJS4nlAuiodYmqCJ1AVBZ5eTF-6oS4mSckPcwKv4-__oNkUZpt1AzdwIuR1/s1600/in+the+cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierKo9lv4sap2qRWtF5-fxGZt94HLw2B3DeA1Cl9XG84NTUlh8QVRGnoL7aoGrGiroDD9sr-E6OJamxEwW-JJS4nlAuiodYmqCJ1AVBZ5eTF-6oS4mSckPcwKv4-__oNkUZpt1AzdwIuR1/s200/in+the+cloud.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The setting in World War I Europe gives the look and feel of
chaos and hopelessness – it’s muddy, messy and there is lots of hunger and
pillage at the hands of invading Germans hoping to rage on and scurry any plans
for a peaceful armistice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through all that chaos arises the powerful image of Princess
Diana of Themyscira clearing a path for resistance fighters who have been
hunkered in bunkers waiting for an opening to advance on the enemy. Wonder
Woman makes that opening for them while fending off bullets with her magic cuffs and
shield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUUb6XQSxgLviOXGSAflTYkEl20MsgCU15UFpesvRu_UfLj6094LZnAFL00orN30_VToDEXVpZCTMPLfn0LKJJjETXDJxF1sS3FtSW0TUBx0FDkEtG2kQyXvNMWJbK7lHkaLiLIvPMKas/s1600/justice+teaser.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUUb6XQSxgLviOXGSAflTYkEl20MsgCU15UFpesvRu_UfLj6094LZnAFL00orN30_VToDEXVpZCTMPLfn0LKJJjETXDJxF1sS3FtSW0TUBx0FDkEtG2kQyXvNMWJbK7lHkaLiLIvPMKas/s200/justice+teaser.png" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This film is a good springboard to the upcoming Justice
League movie that unites Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, AquaMan, the Flash,
and Cyborg to save our planet from a catastrophe. It’s a most fitting theme for
the current times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">See the movie Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot is a charismatic
Demi-goddess and believable in her portrayal as sincere strong woman who has
hope for peace in our world. Chris Pine as Steve Trevor is eternally handsome and heroic
and just plain funny at the just right times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This movie is not just about “girl power”, it is about
strength, conviction in truth and respect for humanity. If that sounds too
deep, there are a few chuckles along the way that remind you we are all very
human.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9ZFzyMMicZl4eWN1NYzmXAptRBwubvDK1MUx-Sd4XVOazEF9z6CAn-hzZNPgMX2vYxqnss2IdturNbU2hO0BL3wypHQ1PQiA2L358xXe9On3hulEyNhAdlrN_QAQOBR4XZtSbOH4Ks8r/s1600/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-movie-chris-pine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="980" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9ZFzyMMicZl4eWN1NYzmXAptRBwubvDK1MUx-Sd4XVOazEF9z6CAn-hzZNPgMX2vYxqnss2IdturNbU2hO0BL3wypHQ1PQiA2L358xXe9On3hulEyNhAdlrN_QAQOBR4XZtSbOH4Ks8r/s400/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-movie-chris-pine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-5741421380851823982017-05-10T20:33:00.003-04:002017-05-10T20:33:36.834-04:00Somethings I Really Want to Say About Mother’s Day, Again<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Like many moms, I’ve experienced some pretty different and interesting Mother’s Day gifts over the years. On this day Moms will be given gifts that might have Mom give pause and think to herself, “hmmm, did I drop you on your head or some something when you were younger?” She might really want to say out loud, “WHAT were you thinking?” She will smile anyway, you’re her kid.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There are also Moms who will get the kind of gift that will bring tears of joy, genuine gratitude and maybe even pride.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLlcPYxiA75GAJP5cPR-RSDfNjlhe8IbCrWw-WtV-mItaRjx6Faqdh_5CxWPnMCG8paSqWSxtDPPQ52a31Qso04YT6KBeAEl8HmHNl22uhUBb6gV30QmlK5dbdsq1K1lhgFprGrgk-Ogr/s1600/MomsDayCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLlcPYxiA75GAJP5cPR-RSDfNjlhe8IbCrWw-WtV-mItaRjx6Faqdh_5CxWPnMCG8paSqWSxtDPPQ52a31Qso04YT6KBeAEl8HmHNl22uhUBb6gV30QmlK5dbdsq1K1lhgFprGrgk-Ogr/s200/MomsDayCard.jpg" width="200" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If you are lucky enough to have mom still with you this Mother’s Day, I want to say there are cues and clues your Mom might offer when and if you ask what she would like for Mother’s Day.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Some moms are coy. When asked what is wished for on Mother’s Day, they wave you off and say with a breathy sigh, “Oh, honey, you don’t have to get me anything.” <u>This is a lie</u>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You might not really have to purchase anything gift-wise, but you’d better have at the very least a pretty and elaborately designed die-cut Hallmark card with gooey sentimental verse, in the mail, and delivered no later than the Saturday before Mother’s day. You get extra points if it’s delivered Thursday or Friday giving her more time to show it off and admire it. This also indicates that there was forethought in this particular selection. Moms like it when their kids think about things in advance. It shows good training.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o7FWg4e3gCtLyW7GgMpu_4oXX2nB08JHxW0XHr3Drt8dZA9JpTG-lPtlYpFCT2P1lapcwMilKlPFDI9AWLZFmqTYB0AUKy881rhn2gsaxc07NrRdoy10sQAug268ABY-nkWD2Z3F3SgU/s1600/ChineseFood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9o7FWg4e3gCtLyW7GgMpu_4oXX2nB08JHxW0XHr3Drt8dZA9JpTG-lPtlYpFCT2P1lapcwMilKlPFDI9AWLZFmqTYB0AUKy881rhn2gsaxc07NrRdoy10sQAug268ABY-nkWD2Z3F3SgU/s1600/ChineseFood.jpg" /></i></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>That same question to a different Mom might get you this response, ”Please, you don’t get me anything, just a card if you want.” THIS would be MY response and it is not a fib. I really don’t want the card, but if you feel you must, don’t waste the stamp, because I know you are going to stop by anyway, I will still proudly display it in recognition of your thoughtfulness and good training. You are, after all, my kid.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Pay very close attention if, when asking that same question, you get a response like this, “Just once, I’d like to stay in bed all day, drink my coffee with the Sunday paper and my book, have some Chinese food delivered around 2 o’clock and just decadently hang out in some solitary time.” THIS is what I really want. You asked. I answered. Don’t make a screwed up face because it’s not what YOU want.<o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This decadent self-indulgent wish can only be achieved if the house is vacated. If you counter the suggestion that this could be achieved in the living room, this is a fantasy on your part, even if the house is empty. There are too many ‘to-do’ things in plain sight of moms that are simply not in anyone else’s field of vision.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If you offer to make dinner, make the meal she requests. If it’s meatloaf and baked potatoes, make her meatloaf and baked potatoes. A counter suggestion for something you would find more tasty undermines your own offer in the first place. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Another thing I want to say is, “Don’t expect your partner to buy your own Mom a Mother’s day card.” If you’re already buying a card for your wife, include your own Mom’s while you’re at it, unless of course your wife forbids you from making the selection. That also indicates good training.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Mother’s Day shouldn’t be a complex ordeal. It is simply one day that officially and maybe a little superficially honors Mom. It is the occasion to honor the gift of our own mother. It is the opportunity to shower her with a little more love, care and warmth that we might not take the time to do throughout the rest of the year. No material gift can match our love for Mom, but it does attach meaning and significance to the occasion in our own small way.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Here is one final sentiment that I really want to say about Mother’s Day. My own Mom is dead but I remember her every Mother’s Day with purchasing the card I would have sent to her and I give it to my Mother-in-law. She loves it and proudly displays it, right next to the one purchased from her son and I. Of course, I mail it so that it arrives by Thursday.</i></span><br />
<div style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaaXoHwNpPEw6RpX8-H7TdbnUG_dYltIVMDsGVsxPgCA4vsvUziT0LIFyJlxcSDX0BDbToNr_tqRwfWyGFTsuaYpLRkUgTolgOoZDDN6_dL2zhasycvSTOuZQLopGMRQrjgL549pQ-Wj9/s1600/MothersDay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaaXoHwNpPEw6RpX8-H7TdbnUG_dYltIVMDsGVsxPgCA4vsvUziT0LIFyJlxcSDX0BDbToNr_tqRwfWyGFTsuaYpLRkUgTolgOoZDDN6_dL2zhasycvSTOuZQLopGMRQrjgL549pQ-Wj9/s320/MothersDay2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-91621536758247895682017-04-13T19:16:00.003-04:002017-04-13T19:16:37.866-04:00Judas and Survivor Game Changers
<br />
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
There’s been more than one real life
situation where I have known secrets about people relatively close to me and
others, sexuality being the least of them. A secret confided to you is a sacred
trust. A secret you divulge because of personal gain is reckless and
irresponsible. It’s betrayal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_ObyWTnDimOSw8sqAyfcFKtvqgh9PpjseOnlRXJh7_jo-DG4kpwxnCdpCP8KESnMyzZw46aebWoW3YwgZBt4CPcE3jQx4kDTm4JYI1jVk8yLlxftqRigxUaC8A_414LrgYmuymoi5_hZ/s1600/Survivor-Game-Changers+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_ObyWTnDimOSw8sqAyfcFKtvqgh9PpjseOnlRXJh7_jo-DG4kpwxnCdpCP8KESnMyzZw46aebWoW3YwgZBt4CPcE3jQx4kDTm4JYI1jVk8yLlxftqRigxUaC8A_414LrgYmuymoi5_hZ/s200/Survivor-Game-Changers+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
Survivor,
Game Changers pulled out the last scripted reality stunt for me last night.
Survivor is one of the few TV shows I tolerate watching with my family, as they
are entertained far more than I, watching grown-ups ‘play’ a ‘reality’ game of
‘survival and strategy’ on a tropical island. The end of the game is $1,000,000
prize voted by a jury of the last survivors to the winner who best played the
game.</div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
When
the first season of Survivor aired, my first thought was, and still is, that a
million dollars was simply not enough money to live so exposed in front of a
film crew documenting such base human behavior. While the prize hasn’t changed
over the last 17 years, obviously the producers have figured out the show’s
motto, “outwit, outplay, outlast” is not as important to success and ratings as
tugging at the emotions of the viewer by throwing in weekly melodrama that will
foster feelings for the villain or the underdog and with scrupulous editing and
scripting there are always villains and underdogs. Always, for why else would
people keep watching this supposed Reality Show of everyday folks competing
with survival strategies to win a million dollars? </div>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13720" style="margin: 16px 0px;">
I
am a cynic. After watching the Tribal Council where Jeff Varner outed Zeke
Smith as deceiving his fellow survivors by not disclosing that Zeke is
transgender, I immediately slipped into my skeptic mode. I can’t be sure if the
disclosure itself was planned or scripted, but Zeke’s reaction felt to me as a
look more stoic than shocked or blindsided. </div>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13721" style="margin: 16px 0px;">
The
household booed my reaction. How could I think that the emotions weren’t
genuine? How could I think that such a thing would be scripted? I’ll tell you
how. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd1yFCFfa6GIMusqd3qm8sDyTjSsyqApPe38VnA6H-xgicfyhvfqo4YcOvnDKkIGR_Cwixs_Tb3oysU62Nyg7eigF58F9inHO8rcA4cWmbB5zN968ruAeXaWtQhSjboojZQImMyWW2j9B/s1600/varner+with+the+puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd1yFCFfa6GIMusqd3qm8sDyTjSsyqApPe38VnA6H-xgicfyhvfqo4YcOvnDKkIGR_Cwixs_Tb3oysU62Nyg7eigF58F9inHO8rcA4cWmbB5zN968ruAeXaWtQhSjboojZQImMyWW2j9B/s200/varner+with+the+puzzle.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13722" style="margin: 16px 0px;">
First
the immunity Challenge, lost to Zeke’s Nuku tribe, a puzzle spelling out one
word, Metamorphosis. Varner is arranging the letters.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
Then during the Tribal Council Zeke was extremely poised,
almost cool compared to the rest of the Nuku tribe. I believe Zeke was the only
one truly prepared for the reveal. I can’t be sure if Varner was truly as
desperate for his Survivor Life as he said or if he was prompted by the
producers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbjwPF7kqIPH6x9PGc3Jsyf6gqk9GyOrj02WiEXdlFyibbIt_Ptuonx8SG4C-VV-UxENVrT7U2gpKL7TORk5ciWmtjz2Dcg2gFAySWGdXiF2ESYdW87SrIyejur6sIQMtSm4M2er4W83o/s1600/survivor-game-changers-810x610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbjwPF7kqIPH6x9PGc3Jsyf6gqk9GyOrj02WiEXdlFyibbIt_Ptuonx8SG4C-VV-UxENVrT7U2gpKL7TORk5ciWmtjz2Dcg2gFAySWGdXiF2ESYdW87SrIyejur6sIQMtSm4M2er4W83o/s200/survivor-game-changers-810x610.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Outing someone with their permission is not outing, it’s relaying
information. Outing someone against their wishes, I think, would evoke some
very traumatic response – in Varner’s own words, “it’s an assault”. The only
one truly NOT emotional was Zeke and Jeff Probst. <br />
I went so far as to
compare the scene to being aired on the last Lenten Wednesday, known as Spy
Wednesday, the day Judas betrayed Jesus. Maybe that’s a stretch, but still
coincidental.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 16px 0px;">
However, after the show ended, <span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">a coordinated public relations campaign
between, Probst, Varner, Smith and representatives from GLAAD, the LGBT
advocacy organization, aired. Social Media traffic revved with even Jeff Varner
and Jeff Probst posting on Twitter espousing support and tolerance.</span></div>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13733" style="margin: 16px 0px;">
Also,
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13734" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Late Wednesday, the Hollywood Reporter <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/survivor-zeke-smith-outed-as-transgender-guest-column-991514?platform=hootsuite" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">published a lengthy guest column</span></a> from Zeke. It is thorough, thoughtful and well written. He described
his transitioning process, how competing on “Survivor” helped him prove his
“manliness” to himself and what it felt like to be outed on national television. His honesty was inspiring.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13731" style="margin: 16px 0px;">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13732" style="margin: 0px;"><span lang="EN" style="margin: 0px;">Whether or not Zeke Smith wins $1,000,000 on Survivor, he should certainly
make that much in book sales. I am confident there’s one in the works. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492123611469_13735" style="margin: 16px 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-23627997219207908222016-12-31T11:38:00.001-05:002016-12-31T11:38:34.021-05:00CTRL+ALT+ DEL 2016, Task Manager the year
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Goodbye
2016. The closest thing to a do-over is <b>CTRL + ALT+ DEL</b> and I’m hoping to
restart 2017 with enhanced <b>Processes</b>. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On
very personal note my 2016 was filled with some very awesome moments that will
be stored in the <b>Physical Memory</b>. I was blessed to officiate very lovely
weddings, and welcome with blessings a new baby girl to the McCormick-Boogaard
clan.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4-WBgqTK11EzRzLbGt56BxN7bSuNU45w2OMt6LHBgVl4ZrHzAkbQaeLf2xjqHL_oFOCdfMx4VgoTqm0pmloTRoWOUR0PtZe87Ag3j2Lu_F5-X6Z0jEfm49IdOBK2xE4cIl78xwWWmraW/s1600/luau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4-WBgqTK11EzRzLbGt56BxN7bSuNU45w2OMt6LHBgVl4ZrHzAkbQaeLf2xjqHL_oFOCdfMx4VgoTqm0pmloTRoWOUR0PtZe87Ag3j2Lu_F5-X6Z0jEfm49IdOBK2xE4cIl78xwWWmraW/s200/luau.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">My
entire family of kids, grandkids and sons-in-law spent an awesome day together.
We got a picture to prove it.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Granddaughter
#1 decided to stay in college, take her time and pay her tuition out of pocket,
rather than rack up more student loan debt. Although it’s sometimes is
frustrating, she is growing as an adult in her own fashion. Bravo!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotCRHLBuSTyvTsiTMONuLRVdbAKdMozZlmGN2OFomMZkpZb_rSBOeKU67sjmyPqlQ23h9xcp7uB3g1mhFvuMER2YCYflnExf_5-yYVSMCBxemjH5gVCXclcMyas79bfWC8MeHbPtiXCj3/s1600/prom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotCRHLBuSTyvTsiTMONuLRVdbAKdMozZlmGN2OFomMZkpZb_rSBOeKU67sjmyPqlQ23h9xcp7uB3g1mhFvuMER2YCYflnExf_5-yYVSMCBxemjH5gVCXclcMyas79bfWC8MeHbPtiXCj3/s200/prom.JPG" width="168" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Grandson
#1 attended his Senior Prom. He would have passed it by, since he was new to
this school, but his long time friend Victoria insisted she be his date and
that he not miss this important event. It was awesome!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFevuRJ3eYdy6qnbA1RNLV5AFxxoG71QNo5h4onZ3oWDXCHwOoPt7WHYBfLvS8TyKQDVVwdjCHiLVA2OCPK-KczuiOqghnWfV2a0mtLdmwJPtSz8luiS3YbLrldAzJTEIW9J2TMkPf5fFL/s1600/husky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFevuRJ3eYdy6qnbA1RNLV5AFxxoG71QNo5h4onZ3oWDXCHwOoPt7WHYBfLvS8TyKQDVVwdjCHiLVA2OCPK-KczuiOqghnWfV2a0mtLdmwJPtSz8luiS3YbLrldAzJTEIW9J2TMkPf5fFL/s200/husky.JPG" width="195" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">My
younger grands had notable accomplishments; #3 received the much sought after
teacher nominated Husky award for kindness, something she had wanted so badly
through her years in elementary school. Ironically, kindness might not be in
her wheelhouse, but maybe that’s just at home. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">#4 made a conscious decision to
play baseball and change positions to catcher, he’s a natural. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H__Jx429bTW8dLtLuB-l-aP8z5WBoY2CuZftmwych1Hs1FrvDSlK1c6imPW8IRi3z0r3KHS-9pH4ZlbHAbTzIdTD2tpY6uxXtw-Ne7NWE88Bjnr6Ql1bLMwVabhKDe7J10fOd2P-r-C2/s1600/bella+recital.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H__Jx429bTW8dLtLuB-l-aP8z5WBoY2CuZftmwych1Hs1FrvDSlK1c6imPW8IRi3z0r3KHS-9pH4ZlbHAbTzIdTD2tpY6uxXtw-Ne7NWE88Bjnr6Ql1bLMwVabhKDe7J10fOd2P-r-C2/s200/bella+recital.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Finally, #5 had
her first dance recital performing to “Teddy Bear Picnic”, one of my mother’s
favorite kiddie song, I’m sure she looked down from her heavenly seat and
beamed. I know I did.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Our
family suffered an unexpected death of a young brother-in-law. My admiration
for my sister-in-law’s strength is immeasurable.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwF5f-b_fvuodsNRVs5lzAJlBBgM9OW4pNgWY-4ZbpJnt_xGGmniv0we8tlGU4wHik0Qm0KiQdso_UqX-iXIoYtT0BZOZothTKkxsotgIopUOO8iIojhIP-OBL7S7-CWeWbmtAM6dBlt8/s1600/jpcruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwF5f-b_fvuodsNRVs5lzAJlBBgM9OW4pNgWY-4ZbpJnt_xGGmniv0we8tlGU4wHik0Qm0KiQdso_UqX-iXIoYtT0BZOZothTKkxsotgIopUOO8iIojhIP-OBL7S7-CWeWbmtAM6dBlt8/s200/jpcruise.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We
said goodbye to a dear friend who just didn’t have it in him to keep going in
this world, but he wanted one last cruise and we did it. It was a good thing.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH6F5vrbkVM-NianSJyEDtIhQG89bCgIUuToWM6ejLy1QVauqwehC1-265z57u3SawTnJk3TQulcYD_NXRExRJku1XWEby2ic1HhMnhqbEfyGcCIRGrNJQl1o6qzoooRfrZMGah_fAxgD/s1600/harry+potter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVH6F5vrbkVM-NianSJyEDtIhQG89bCgIUuToWM6ejLy1QVauqwehC1-265z57u3SawTnJk3TQulcYD_NXRExRJku1XWEby2ic1HhMnhqbEfyGcCIRGrNJQl1o6qzoooRfrZMGah_fAxgD/s200/harry+potter.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Goodbye,
2016. It had some good times. Oh yeah, we visited Harry Potter in November. That was very cool!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’m
hoping the<b> Memory</b> of the country’s voters remember this is already a great
country otherwise we would not have a vote to be counted regardless of the
desired outcome.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I’m
hoping the elected <b>Users</b> in their <b>Service(s)</b> engage their <b>Performance</b> with the
Constitution as the fundamental <b>Application(s)</b> of the laws and principles of
this country.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">I
remember this past year of 2016 as being filled with a distracting combination
of hope and anxiety. It was exhausting.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">2017
is ready for a Restart. Hit <b>CTRL + ALT+ DEL</b> and enter. Welcome 1/1/2017.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-73754619356740888992016-12-04T10:28:00.001-05:002016-12-08T09:50:31.158-05:00Size 8<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px; text-align: center;">
Size
8</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
While attending a dinner party my
hostess introduced me to a woman who was also her workout buddy. We found we
had much in common like growing up in the city and the things we missed living
in the suburbs like the neighborhood bakery. The conversation took a humorous
turn when they described their daily run to a bagel bakery on their travel route. These
two women leave their homes every morning at 5 a.m. and commence to their daily
hour workout at the gym followed by the daily run to their favorite bagel
bakery. I admired the commitment to working out every day but questioned the
daily bagel run. “I can’t help it,” my hostess exclaimed, “I’m really a fat girl
at heart!” I simply grinned and stated, “Well, I’m really a thin girl at heart.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
I am not a fat girl at heart. I’m
not a skinny girl either and never have been. But in my mind’s eye my body
image is not that of a fat person. While I don’t maintain a regular gym membership I do
have a regular yoga practice which began in my early teens. Slow movement is better
than no movement and often doesn’t leave me with strained or sore muscles and leaves me with a certain contented energy.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
There have been many moments of
clarity when I realized that my size is simply the space I take up in this
universe. One of those first moments was attending an information session on
the process of preparing for and living with gastric bypass surgery. I attended
with my daughter who eventually went with a gastric surgery. As I looked around
the room I was struck with the number of visibly sad and physically overwhelmed
people who were desperate for an intervention to change their lives. Although I
was gathering information and keeping company for my daughter, I knew immediately
that I did not belong in that room. I was not desperate for a change, nor was I
sad. There is so much more substance in my life than worrying about my weight
all day.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was another moment that hit me while
sitting in a Weight Watchers meeting listening to a lifetime member tell the
group about how she still wrestles daily with her inner mindset and will always
see herself as an overweight person. Her internal body image will never be thin.
I thought how very sad it was that after all her hard earned success of losing
weight, meeting and keeping her goal weight for years, that she still saw
herself as a fat person. I realized I don’t have that image of
myself. In my mind’s eye my body image in not that of a fat person.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
I see my size in the mirror and in
photographs. I’m not blind to my size. But what I see first is a smiling
redhead with a really great haircut and usually along with people who love me
as I am and I love them. I am big, big in size and personality. I’m a woman of
intelligence and wit along with being a wife, mother, matriarch and
grandmother. None of those descriptions have anything to do with my ample
hourglass shape or size. And when I’ve left this earth I am relatively sure my
weight and size will not be detailed on my headstone.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
Once I was asked in conversation,
“What if you could change something about your appearance what would it be?” Without
hesitation I replied, “My nose. I’ve always wanted a patrician looking Roman
nose.” One woman was surprised and responded, “Really? You wouldn’t want to be
thin? You have such a pretty face.” Well, haven’t I heard that one before.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
More often than not, I have been
relatively comfortable in my own skin. It is the only skin I’ve got and I can’t
trade it in.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
I wouldn’t know what to do with
‘thin’. To be truthful, every time I endeavored to lose weight, I encountered
some sort of health issue, the last one being breast cancer. I don’t believe
the weight loss caused the cancer. As a matter of fact it was having cancer
that led me to one of my “ah ha” moments in body acceptance. A year after
completing treatment and during a follow up visit, my oncologist asked if I was
interested is seeing a plastic surgeon for ‘scar revision’. I didn’t think I
was a candidate for it because of my size. Her response was, “This is not a ‘size
8’ world.” No, it is not. Especially for me since I have never been a size 8,
except my shoe size.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
Personal validation came when the plastic
surgeon requested to take before and after photos of my scar revision surgery to
use in his teaching med students about treating the larger patient, because we
do not live in a “size 8 world”. My body shape and size was going to contribute
to the study and training of future cosmetic surgeons!</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
That surgery repaired more than the
appearance of my chest. It reenergized my self-esteem at a time when I was physically
and emotionally weary. After recovery and healing the doctor asked me what I
thought about the results. “I love the view when I look down.” He said, “how
you feel about what you see is 90% of my job, the rest is medicine.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
The sweetest moment of clarity came
recently with cuddle time with one of my grandchildren. She was snuggling with
her PopPop and left him to come and snuggle up to me. As she got comfortable he
teased her and said, “Oh, I see where I stand with you.” And her priceless response
was, “Well, PopPop if you were chubbier, maybe you’d be soft and comfy like
Grammy.”</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px 0px 13px;">
That’s me, woman, wife, mother,
matriarch, and Grammy, all wrapped up in one big beautiful huggable package, in
size 8 shoes.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-16042881267266642212016-10-28T09:19:00.001-04:002016-10-28T09:19:03.436-04:00The Life we Claim we Didn't Sign Up For: Moments I Wish I Could Bottle Up and Save<a href="http://weneedmoresundaydinners.blogspot.com/2012/10/moments-i-wish-i-could-bottle-up-and.html?spref=bl">The Life we Claim we Didn't Sign Up For: Moments I Wish I Could Bottle Up and Save</a>: There are moments in life when you get way more out of an event than you could ever have hoped for or imagined. My teen...Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-57025590612193735762016-10-22T22:18:00.001-04:002016-10-22T22:18:26.113-04:00The Pulpit and Politics: Keeping it Real and Thinking for MyselfThis post might upset a few people, be forewarned.<br />
While trolling Facebook I read a post I fact checked, because I was relatively sure the headline was misleading.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ULwaxrkqnFR14PBtLAOlt3XtRg2ppS5PUsdKs38ewO1AiwOPHgjyRa5WwVyDBGVl_bN0IkSjFqv4uuy_oG_WlvFjN9BhUvqtMUuBYPgLpCC8aPlDLFR0z5OhrDI9Bf8mNZr4AvxU3YRY/s200/pope+francis.jpg" width="200" /><a href="http://www.presidentialvoting2016.com/pope-francis-forbidss-catholics-from-voting-for-hillary/" target="_blank">http://www.presidentialvoting2016.com/pope-francis-forbidss-catholics-from-voting-for-hillary/</a></div>
Pope Francis is a pretty smart and clever authority and great PR for today's Roman Catholic church. I am grateful he has not publicly endorsed a specific candidate. Church is not the place for politics and politics is no place for religious doctrine.<br />
Included in this link above there is a recorded homily given by Father John Lankeit where he informs the congregation of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=881aDDE5qFY" target="_blank">their duty as Catholics to vote pro-life</a>.<br />
I listened to the entire homily. I encourage you to listen. He very carefully walked a fine line of not suggesting a specific candidate or party by name. <br />
The Church enjoys a certain tax status with the understanding of a clear separation of church and state. However I have had more than a few 'animated' discussions with my parish priests in the past during election times regarding the appropriate placement of political agenda during a time of worship that has been designed to enhance and explain the scripture that has just been presented. On one occasion I was irate that our pastor stationed people handing out sample ballots of specific candidates to vote for as we entered church for Sunday Mass. On another occasion the homily segued directly to the issue of abortion and birth control and since that's day's gospel had nothing to do with either of those issues, I gathered my children and left. At the time of my somewhat public exit in the middle of the mass, they were mortified. I said to them, "Church doesn't tell the state what to do and the state doesn't tell the church what to do." Today as grown women with children of their own, they understand better my frustration and irritation.<br />
America is a great democracy because a political platform is no place for the platform of specific church doctrine, which has been crafted by male mostly celibate clerics, albeit by the spiritual guidance of God, whom they serve in His name. In my humble opinion the pulpit is not the place to direct a person's vote for a civil government position. That is how a theocracy takes hold.<br />
Furthermore, the word "abortion" has not been diluted, as the Rev. Lankeit states. It is and remains a volatile and emotionally charged issue that unfortunately has been cavalierly tossed about many political candidates to suit the tenets of their platforms at the time. Those platforms seem capricious compared to the angst of someone seeking spiritual forgiveness for something they believe has made them fall from the grace of God.<br />
I found this priest's argument/homily articulate, very carefully worded, but there is still the threat of eternal damnation if one doesn't follow the very strong suggestion of the church and which way your vote should be cast. I think that is wrong.<br />
<div>
In high school I attended Little Flower Catholic High School for girls, from the late '60's to 1972. It was a time of the so-called sexual revolution when views about sex outside of marriage and birth control changed radically. At least they did outside the confines of Sunday Mass and religion class for us Catholic girls. We found ourselves being taught by women of a variety of age groups, some who wrestled with their own personal opinions and what the diocese directed them to teach about sex and birth control. Abortion was never discussed, not even as a sin. I also don't recall any threat of my soul being eternally damned if I succumbed to the temptation of sex outside of marriage or use birth control. WHEW! At least that is how I remember it. </div>
<div>
Vividly, I remember one of my teachers, a nun who taught biology, actually ending a string of classes that held energizing conversations about self-respect, pre-marital sex and avoiding STD's and health advantages of using birth control with this statement, "As a Religious, I am not permitted to discuss this with you young women any further in an academic capacity." She was removed from teaching in that school the following semester.</div>
<div>
I was raised and educated in the Roman Catholic faith. I enjoy the ceremony of mass, especially with engaging homilies that expand on the scripture and music that enhances the liturgy of the Mass. I am also a woman of independent thinking that gained some of that independent thinking through my education. The rest of that independent thinking is ingrained in my DNA. Thanks, Mom and Dad.</div>
<div>
There are many issues that drive a highly charged political campaign. Focusing on issues that are already the law of the land is no promise of getting anything more necessary accomplished. Threatening my soul to eternal damnation should I cast my vote against Church doctrine gives me no pause.</div>
<div>
I am confident I will be in the company of like-minded independent thinkers.</div>
<br />Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-1293364340555980562016-10-01T11:48:00.002-04:002016-10-01T11:50:21.272-04:00Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-70746553804643984392016-10-01T11:48:00.001-04:002016-10-01T11:50:17.377-04:00Bra’s by the Fireplace III: An Ode to us Girls<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Celebrating Just being Girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
were young girls together more than four decades ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Connected
again when Elisa invited to dinner someone she thought she didn’t know!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMHxX6b0xzQAoJmBKbIUstNrOiWexwXMG9570wGixNJj-JXfDmQ9qByiKpfTq1J39Eiz3FR75Y1tLurNYHGYkJRRpVnLWxOiCGfsIhYWF4HzxC0I_84n3KOZW3daz8exgfZSslhg7L3H5/s1600/elisa+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMHxX6b0xzQAoJmBKbIUstNrOiWexwXMG9570wGixNJj-JXfDmQ9qByiKpfTq1J39Eiz3FR75Y1tLurNYHGYkJRRpVnLWxOiCGfsIhYWF4HzxC0I_84n3KOZW3daz8exgfZSslhg7L3H5/s200/elisa+dinner.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To
memorialize and revel in our aging gracefully<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
chose to celebrate what we thought to be tastefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9Vtv41_kmuMv0tmCMNLE2oCDCuJmIMHkMusmc3VEn-1XiF6aZDgCsDMATA_73Ennb67teOf6NftqSLFgBiwRFwYdTupNmx8i4rac8q83QdO_z8EYE4KPxT6KnAGnygyQ2A0cZ6Ad7-bY/s1600/covered+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9Vtv41_kmuMv0tmCMNLE2oCDCuJmIMHkMusmc3VEn-1XiF6aZDgCsDMATA_73Ennb67teOf6NftqSLFgBiwRFwYdTupNmx8i4rac8q83QdO_z8EYE4KPxT6KnAGnygyQ2A0cZ6Ad7-bY/s320/covered+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
social director Bernadette made the plans and informed us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
mountain chalet reserved for the holiday of Columbus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Accommodations
were perfect for the weekend ahead<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Except
for the staircase which Rose had to tread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
we now move through life at a much slower clip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rosie’s
trek up those steps is fine as long as she won’t trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As
we chat and talk over each other we find<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
lives have had substance that as kids we couldn’t define.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50b4JZtHmbw-ceeM8n2HZB6mFw6xJhANJrcDCq_v3Ur45J9rxEMtGIvFSyWqFlQRLeCH2xafRiauszKUSjCSROH9uYBSBoeKntgluvfeNkNQUE5AbZtcIj0MOpmbUnwP1PN_OzoAOzlU7/s1600/giggle+j%2526j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50b4JZtHmbw-ceeM8n2HZB6mFw6xJhANJrcDCq_v3Ur45J9rxEMtGIvFSyWqFlQRLeCH2xafRiauszKUSjCSROH9uYBSBoeKntgluvfeNkNQUE5AbZtcIj0MOpmbUnwP1PN_OzoAOzlU7/s200/giggle+j%2526j.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now
we are grownup, or at least claim to be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
plan social dates that often end in giggle fests of panties peed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
often it’s silly simple things that cheerfully inspire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
that is how we named this weekend, “Bras by the Fire###”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6rSgIhBu6SSA-KKk5mNxrCr4EJnt7HKISTYbMedztJ-AVYs2F9RBFMvMAwwtQTEd002XQZWmckcW3K4GremiHRe30S9fej8HlpE4W3nY2ITdGTk0Kux-zVKGeBs7F2Jl3twHWq-hClUE/s1600/bras+by+the+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6rSgIhBu6SSA-KKk5mNxrCr4EJnt7HKISTYbMedztJ-AVYs2F9RBFMvMAwwtQTEd002XQZWmckcW3K4GremiHRe30S9fej8HlpE4W3nY2ITdGTk0Kux-zVKGeBs7F2Jl3twHWq-hClUE/s200/bras+by+the+fireplace.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once
we settled in for the weekend we noticed the mantle had bottles of wine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Set
along the chimney wall lined up in a straight line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Who
knows how the idea came to fruition<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the bras hanging from wine bottles is now a tradition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
brassiere styles in taste may change as we get older<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the fact still remains they are over-the-shoulder-boulder-holders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
at least annually we gather to blather<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
most important of all we check in on each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-433356178332788141.post-29640830808093023502016-05-07T09:01:00.001-04:002016-05-07T16:42:01.749-04:00The Stress of Buying a Car, Relived and Relieved<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFP97wqujBRiM1gCuMjBCwKUQAwaggoR3ucXisbyK1Npblb841Zom2hSm7qDWPTZxi0r95jHpxURLjz0TUcKRZTFj-Zydp3XawVOZG4gPUKhHRnB_3U8HwEdVTlB76KnBWmbNgZeFHreN/s1600/maxine+in+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFP97wqujBRiM1gCuMjBCwKUQAwaggoR3ucXisbyK1Npblb841Zom2hSm7qDWPTZxi0r95jHpxURLjz0TUcKRZTFj-Zydp3XawVOZG4gPUKhHRnB_3U8HwEdVTlB76KnBWmbNgZeFHreN/s200/maxine+in+car.jpg" width="156" /></a>It was time to put OG to rest. OG is my name for my trusted
2002 Camry. It’s short for Old Girl. We are sisters in that way, with many
miles clocked and regular maintenance to keep us on the road safely. OG was
good to me and I to her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it was clear that my daily miles were beginning to be
too much for OG, I was forced to part ways. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stress of buying a car and dealing with the dance of
sales and negotiating is nothing I do well. Truthfully, I don’t do it at all. I
am not a negotiator and don’t have the emotional energy for such ‘dancing’. I
don’t want to do the dance of parlaying and sashaying with salespeople, their
managers and whoever else needs to be consulted for me to drive away in a car.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband’s last two car purchases were made through the
same salesperson, John Sireci. At that time he was with Kia. Hubby’s
experience was such that he sent relatives to deal with John when it was time
for them make a car purchase, plus Kia makes a fine vehicle. We learned that
John had left the Kia dealership and found him on Facebook, of all things, now
with <a href="http://www.mattblatt.com/dealership/about.htm" target="_blank">Matt Blatt </a>, a family owned dealership.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Working with John is a pleasure. His diplomacy in steering
me away from a less than desirable choice is silky smooth. I was clear that my
next vehicle was one that I wanted to be fun but functional. My initial choices
I <i><u>thought</u></i> were exactly what I had in mind, and I test drove every one of them.
John, being the seasoned salesperson that he is, let me get that out of my system
before recommending what ended up as my final selection, a cherry red Elantra, sporty looking with excellent gas
mileage and well within my budgeted price range.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjWB5zElNssfoGhsdoeIusPlab4lTD6pn7iKVnEYAnGEXpnZLtjswXZXLhobnWZV5p-YPZcLxSRkypcC246bfZndJesNLSTwI20DLRUZh4MGqIB6U2yLLpKp-MOXOe7w1zR6ihTYgJ8Y-/s1600/red+elantra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjWB5zElNssfoGhsdoeIusPlab4lTD6pn7iKVnEYAnGEXpnZLtjswXZXLhobnWZV5p-YPZcLxSRkypcC246bfZndJesNLSTwI20DLRUZh4MGqIB6U2yLLpKp-MOXOe7w1zR6ihTYgJ8Y-/s320/red+elantra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish there were more sales people like John Sireci. He
treats you like he would want to be treated as a customer. That kind of
customer service is invaluable. It goes
a long way in wanting to keep doing business with that person. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KGywSro7MboejxSuQpXNTXxGpjYU2D0d2DaNmfgndd2hSLztjFWfMkWz7b5wJkAQ-8siXbkP1mx1rjfPImereyJirwXTJscUuk9Vorx7brft2gLjgWfzokdf7KLdlECu-HWc3SSWn8He/s1600/me+and+my+new+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KGywSro7MboejxSuQpXNTXxGpjYU2D0d2DaNmfgndd2hSLztjFWfMkWz7b5wJkAQ-8siXbkP1mx1rjfPImereyJirwXTJscUuk9Vorx7brft2gLjgWfzokdf7KLdlECu-HWc3SSWn8He/s200/me+and+my+new+car.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Joanne Costantinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05169339324532541402noreply@blogger.com2