tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25923037864021332882024-03-13T09:06:18.185-07:00Defining Myself One Day at a TimeEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-67111711361268765012014-05-16T15:16:00.000-07:002014-05-16T17:21:40.150-07:00A Little Bump in the Road<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I write today I’m a little less scatterbrained than I was on
Wednesday, but a little more disheartened. After impatiently waiting for what
seemed like forever, I received a call from my physical therapist in Detroit,
Diane.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Before I get into details of the call, let’s talk about bone density a
little bit. Bone density is measured by what they call T-scores. Your T-score
is your bone density compared with what is normally expected in a healthy young
adult of your gender and it shows you if you are above or below the average. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you have a T-score of -1 and above, your bone density is considered
normal. If your scores are between -1 and -2.5, you have osteopenia, a
condition which your bone density is below normal and could lead to osteoporosis.
Anything below -2.5 is considered as osteoporosis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My T-score in my hips is -4.2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Despite my extremely low T-score, I hoped that Diane would have good
news for me – that I would still be able to come up in June for therapy.
Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. The medical director for CSCIR sets bone
density parameters in which patients must adhere to and still be considered safe and
not subject to a possible fracture. The lowest T-score they allow in the
program is -3.5 which means I am .7 units away from qualifying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Being .7 units off doesn’t sound like much and you would think I’d be
able to acquire that in no time, right? Not necessarily the case. I am going to
start on a medication that will hopefully help me regenerate some bone, as well as begin a
calcium regiment. Between those things and continuing my workouts of peddling
10+ miles on my e-stim bike and standing in my standing frame, I hope by next
summer I will be at -3.5 or better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would be lying if I said I wasn’t bummed about not being able to go.
I love Detroit, but I can’t tell you how glad I am to find out about my
osteoporosis through a bone scan instead of the hard way…fracturing a hip. I’m
confident in our plan to curb the degeneration and I know that as fast as time
passes, next summer will be upon us soon and hopefully I’ll be packing my bags
to head up to the D.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s just a little bump in the road, but God has a plan, right? He must
have know I’m a first-year head volleyball coach and that it would be in my
best interest to stay home and put all my energy into prepping for the season!!
Those girls better be ready because I sure will be! =)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Side note:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> After Wednesday’s post, I have to thank you all for your support
and your prayers. It means more to me than you’ll ever know! </span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-76373788164607625982014-05-14T14:42:00.003-07:002014-05-14T14:45:24.114-07:00Patience is a Virtue…and a Tough One, To Boot!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mind is swimming today. I can’t complete one task without thinking
about something else, then my cell phone beeps, an email comes in, the phone
rings, and I’m totally distracted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m preoccupied to say the least. With what, you ask? Bones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yep, you read that right, bones. You see I had a bone density scan
yesterday because it is now a prerequisite for the intense physical therapy in
Detroit. (I’m hoping to make another trip up there this summer.) Going into the
scan, I knew my bones wouldn’t be like an able-bodied person…that they might be
a little softer than normal, but I didn’t think it was going to be anything
serious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wrong - turns out I have a pretty good case of osteoporosis in my hips.
This was devastating news to me and after I read the report yesterday evening,
I had a million thoughts running through my mind about it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What about Detroit? Will they let me still do therapy? Can you
regenerate bone? What medication do I need to take? Am I going to break a hip? You
name it, I thought about it. After going through every scenario, I could think
about...I prayed. I went to bed thinking what will be, will be and that I’ll
soon know my fate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fast forward 8+ hours to today and I’m calmer, a little less emotional,
but still scatterbrained. I’ve put in two calls to my doctor and three emails
into Detroit and now I wait, impatiently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why is it when you really want/need to know something, you have to
wait? The seconds feel like minutes, which in turn feel like hours, and the
hours feel like days. Come on people, don’t you know how badly I need to know
these results!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God is testing me, no doubt, and while I would like to say I’m accepting
His challenge with open arms, I’m not too keen on it. </span></div>
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" 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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waiting sucks, period!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-71413880316476104202014-05-08T18:54:00.002-07:002014-05-08T19:09:17.123-07:00A Happy Heart Habit<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am a creature of habit and unlike my younger years full of spontaneity
and flying by the seat of my pants, I have a routine and I stick to it pretty
regularly. Every morning when I arrive at work, I login to all of my programs,
get a cup of coffee, and open my email.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Before I begin looking at anything work-related, I find the email that
holds my daily devotional and read it in its entirety. It’s the boost I need and
it starts my day off right. Today’s devotional held the verse of Proverbs 17:22
“A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.”
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At every speaking engagement I have had the chance to participate in, I
talk about attitude. I tell the story of how I consciously made the choice to put
a smile on my face, be positive, not dwell on my accident, and put every ounce of energy
into my recovery. I knew at that time if I was to fall into the ‘woe is me’
trap, I wouldn’t get out of it nor would I get any better…and that wasn’t an
option.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Easier said than done, right? Trust me I know, but even Aeschylus said,
“Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There is so much hurt in our world right now that we can’t even turn on
the TV without hearing something bad - about another shooting/stabbing, the
crisis in Ukraine, the kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls, the
sinking boat, the missing plane. Every day, something new…it’s exhausting to
hear and unfortunately we can’t change it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We can’t control other people’s actions nor can we control every
situation we may face in life, but if there’s anything I know it’s that we can’t
dwell on the hurt for forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The hurt will suffocate us if we’re not careful – it will drain every
ounce of strength that we may possess and therefore we must hope. We must hope
and pray for the good…make the choice to smile…maintain the good attitude….make
the heart happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seeing that verse today not only made me realize how important it was to make that small little decision almost eight years ago, but how those words still resonate with me today. I'm blessed to have the life that I do and for that I will smile as much as possible and always look at the glass half full.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> Now that's the habit I hope to keep!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-60861821675936216132014-04-29T05:39:00.000-07:002014-04-29T05:39:09.277-07:00My Relationship with Facebook<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I don’t know about you, but I have a love/hate relationship with all
things social media (except Pinterest, it’s all love there). It is a great tool
to keep in touch, connect with people from your past, and see what’s going on
in everyone’s lives….especially with pictures, I love pictures! However, I hate
Facebook – I hate some of the stupid statuses I see (don’t worry it’s not
yours), I hate seeing gorgeous beach photos when I’m stuck in wind-blown,
dust-covered Kansas, and I hate to admit how much time I spend scrolling
through my newsfeed just to make sure I don’t miss anything.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It was that reason right there that when Lent came around this year, I
decided to give up Facebook for 40 days. I wanted to start conversations with
something other than “Did you see this on Facebook”…I wanted to spend my
evenings with my family or my nose in a book, instead of being in front of my
laptop…I wanted to be more productive. I’m not going to lie – it was a great 40
days and only once did I get an itch to login. Is it funny to say that life was
simpler for that timeframe because that’s exactly how I felt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">During the Lenten season, my cell phone shot craps and I had to get a
new phone, so I splurged and got myself a fruit phone (much to my own chagrin,
saying that I would never own an iPhone). Yep, that’s right, I was a hypocrite –
but no longer, I am proud to say I love my iPhone, although I have no idea how
to do even a fourth of what it is capable of doing. It took me almost a month
to figure out how to make the fancy smiley faces and just 2 days ago, I
downloaded the Facebook app.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Worst decision ever! The clarity I possessed after my Lenten Facebook
hiatus is done and gone and I feel myself creeping back to needing to be “in
the know” at all times. I literally checked my account twenty-some times yesterday.
Just thinking about that makes me cringe!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The easy thing would be to just delete the app and go on with life, checking
my account once a day, or even better, once a week on my trusty laptop…but I’m
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-11317784661343057282013-11-30T14:07:00.000-08:002014-03-19T14:09:17.732-07:00Snyder's Hope<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From September through the first of November, all of my extra time is focused on volleyball, but with another successful season under our belts – my downtime can be filled with friends, family, and one of my favorite pastimes…reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We just celebrated Thanksgiving and like always, it was a fun and entertaining afternoon at Grandma Bea’s, but after we got home – I didn’t know what to do…I was a bit bored. I “pinned” a few things on Pinterest, I came up short while looking for bargain Christmas gift, and finally I gave in and went to bed. Before I shut my light off and closed my eyes for the night, I looked to my bookshelf to find my Friday’s entertainment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My book of choice was Bill Snyder’s <i>They Said It Couldn’t Be Done</i>. If you haven’t read it, you need to. It was published after he retired the first go around and tells the story how he took charge of the greatest turnaround in college football history.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have always been a K-State fan and knew they had a phenomenal coach, but I was ignorant to how great of a man and how caring Snyder was…that was until I first read this book back in ’06 when I received it during my initial rehabilitation in Houston along with a letter that gave me so much hope. Don’t believe me, read <a class="" href="http://lifeasiknowit.mwks12.com/2013/03/24/letters-from-home.aspx" target="">Letters from Home</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In addition to hope, Snyder’s letter and book left me with some great life lessons…famously know as The 16 Wildcat Commandments. If you’re not aware of them, google them…they are some of the most basic, yet most important life lessons one could receive – and impressed me right off the bat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fast forward to 2012, I got to meet Bill Snyder thanks to my dear friend Tamren – see <a class="" href="http://lifeasiknowit.mwks12.com/2013/03/24/hot-date-in-manhattan.aspx" target="">Hot Date in Manhattan</a>. It solidified what I had thought about the man since 2006. He was so genuine, down-to-earth, and one of the nicest men I have ever met. I remember telling him that if I could be even ¼ of the coach he was, I would be a happy lady.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This afternoon, I finished his book for the second time and once again I was amazed and inspired. Ideas are running rampant through my head and it makes me think and dream of if/when I get the chance to head a program of my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It has been a pretty great Thanksgiving weekend and I have enjoyed both my time spent with family and my time spent with my nose in a book. Monday will come all too soon, but once again Bill Snyder has left me with hope and dreaming of what might lie ahead.</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-64448352494519032792013-09-25T14:54:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:54:31.908-07:00#TBW Random<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This post is just as the title states, random! I have no rhyme or reason as to why I picked this picture to post other than the sheer fact that my shirt is clearly awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't tell you where we were going, but it had to be somewhere special and western...so Cowboy Up?</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-74366547996866964672013-09-19T14:05:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:05:34.367-07:00Nothing Short of a Little Hiatus<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">“Write a blog post” has been on my To Do List for little over a month. Obviously I have not gotten that done since my last covered my last week in Detroit which is pretty darn pathetic on my part. I wish I had some grand reason as to why I haven’t been writing, but I don’t, and I can’t use the excuse of being too busy and not having the time because that’s not true either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p> </o:p>Sure, I’m back to work at BTI and volleyball season is underway (Side note – we’re really on a roll right now, 8-0 baby, undefeated!), but by no means am I swamped beyond my control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p> </o:p>Nonetheless, when I began writing this blog I didn’t want to be something I forced myself to do. I wanted to write about things I was curious and passionate about and let you into my life a little bit – I never meant for this to be something that ends up on my To Do List for the day and I think that right there is the reason I haven’t wrote since I have been home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p> </o:p>I feel as if I was trying to force myself into doing something that I first intended to be an effortless, yet fun thing to do and we all know how much fun things are when you feel forced into doing them! We all encounter these situations, but I am beginning to see the importance of taking a step back and taking that break – whether it be for a few days, a few months, or even a few years – to regain that interest and spark that passion once again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p> </o:p>I really enjoy writing this blog and sharing my thoughts and adventures to whoever is interested in reading it. I can’t guarantee you anything, but I am going to try to write more often…I have taken my break and refueled, but if you don’t hear from me for awhile know that either I have absolutely nothing going on in my life or I needed another little break! </span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-85858730169209769932013-09-11T14:53:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:53:43.567-07:00#TBW Kirkus<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">September 11th is a day that no one will ever forget...I'm sure that everyone can recall exactly where they were and what they were doing when the Twin Towers were hit...I know I sure do. However, what everyone might not know is that September 11th is also one of my best friend's birthdays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kirk and I have been friends forever and to say that we've been through a lot together, would be an understatement. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He's the guy who I know will always have my back and be by my side when I need him, the guy who I've spent countless night cruising Main Street and all the country roads with, and the guy I think of every time I hear "Smooth Criminal!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kirk's laugh is infectious and his smile can light up a room. The guy can always make me smile, no matter how bad of a mood I may be in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Kirk!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you for always being by my side!</span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-46206538921045219822013-09-04T14:52:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:52:25.070-07:00#TBW Love Birds<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My parents hit a milestone earlier this week... a milestone that is becoming less and less common in today's society. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On Monday, September 2nd, they celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To celebrate, they headed back to the city in which they met, but opted to head to the casino instead of the student union. It was there a long-haired hippie with an army jacket and "stupid hat" approached the studious, naive girl from the farm. After much persistence she finally agreed and the rest is history!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">May there be 35 more years of love, laughter, and joy!</span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-63124212663619591092013-08-28T14:50:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:50:52.464-07:00#TBW School Crush<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past weekend was Southwest Country Fest in Ashland, KS and if you've never heard of it, you should definitely check it out. It is two nights jam-packed with some of the best red dirt country music! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was able to go both nights, but for Friday night's concert, I scored me a hot date with the new PE teacher in town! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By Monday afternoon, his students knew all about his "new girlfriend" and my volleyball girls gave me quite a bit of grief and seemed a bit jealous that I had a date with the dreamy Mr. Stegman!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What they don't know is Joe and I go <b>WAAAYY </b>back! I vividly remember playing at his house with him and his cousins when we were young and in our high school days, he was like my little brother! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Truth is, I had a great time on Friday night with a great friend of mine. I'm so proud of Joe in all he has accomplished and am glad to have him back home and teaching in the Bucklin school system. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't wait to have many more "hot dates" with Mr. Stegman!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-16198516411359685152013-08-21T14:47:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:47:45.457-07:00#TBW 'Tis the Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Guess what started on Monday? </span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><b style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE!<br /></b><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Can you tell I'm excited? I mean I've only waited 10 or so months for this week to be here...it's one of my most favorite times of the year! This is my third year being one of the assistant coaches for the BHS volleyball team and quite frankly, I love every minute of it! Doubt me? Read </span><a href="http://lifeasiknowit.mwks12.com/2013/03/24/for-the-love-of-the-game.aspx" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" target="">For the Love of the Game</a><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">!</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/20040911Volleyball0025.jpg?a=11" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Nonetheless, since I am more than excited to be in the gym again with a great group of girls, I thought it'd be fitting to post a picture of a great group of girls who I was blessed to call my teammates.</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/20040911Volleyball0029.jpg?a=59" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Here's to another great volleyball season! </span></span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-60639091689035687262013-08-08T14:45:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:45:45.125-07:00#TBW Rainy Days<div align="center" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know I’m a day late for thus post to be considered it a #TBW, but that is why this post is not based on a picture from the past. It’s going to be based on a fun-filled memory spurred by a present day rain.<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />It rained almost every day while I was in Detroit and at the time it sickened me a little bit knowing how much we needed moisture back here at home. I just wanted to bottle it up and send it home. Well, there’s no need now – we went from severe drought to flash flood warning. The amount of water standing around is absolutely amazing and it makes me think back to my younger days.<br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whenever we had a significant amount of rain in the summertime while I was growing up, you could guarantee one thing – my best friend Tamren was coming over…we were getting our inner tubes…and we were headed to the draw(a drainage ditch that simply runs north to south through town).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> We would start at one end of the block and float downstream to the other end, always daring each other to go through the concrete culverts under the street. I don’t actually remember going through with any of the “double dog dares” - those culverts were always a bit too dark, scary, and smelly for me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Although I don’t remember going through the culvert, I do remember losing one of my favorite and totally awesome clear jelly sandals during one of our float trips. Do you remember those sweet shoes? They were the best and I was completely devastated. I looked for days for that sandal, but it somehow slipped into the water and made its way down the Rattlesnake Creek.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s supposed to rain again tonight…too bad Tamren lives four and a half hours away because tomorrow would be a great float day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(Photo by Scott Tilley)</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-86958605417770934172013-07-31T14:44:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:44:45.672-07:00#TBW The Bells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">As you all know I consider Detroit to be my little home away from home for numerous reasons, but one that you may not know about is family. </span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">My cousin's wife, Emily, grew up in the surrounding area of Detroit and her parents continue to live in Milford...so at least once every summer, Chris, Emily, and the kids make the trip from Ohio to the Detroit area. While visiting her family, they have always taken the time to come see us or invite Mom and I out to their family celebration. </span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/298209000235058447n.jpg?a=90" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">We don't get to see Chris, Emily, and their kids on a regular basis so it is always great to see them and it is a guaranteed good time! We have celebrated the 4th of July with them on Milford Lake, made a trip to Frankenmuth and Bronner's, the world's largest Christmas store, and so much more.</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/6120966079785053235760n.jpg?a=32" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">This year we decided to switch it up. Instead of them making the trip to come see us, we are going to them! We are heading out tomorrow and I can't wait to see them. </span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/107261368580785051706697n.jpg?a=70" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">This is exactly why I chose them to be the topic for my #TBW post.</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;"> Check out some of our adventures!</span></span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-30407278724379125412013-07-28T14:04:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:04:25.217-07:00Dragging My Feet<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">“But I don’t want to go!” That phrase is often heard in our household when Jason & Heather come to pick up their kiddos after a day of playing and I can’t help myself, but I want to yell the same thing now as I head into my last four days of therapy…my last four days in Detroit. I’m just not ready to go home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Once again we had a great week - therapy was good as always and as we head into the home stretch, I need to not only continue to focus on the tasks at hand, but also how to incorporate some of what I have been doing here into what I do at home. If only I could kidnap one of my trainers and take them with me! Just kidding...kind of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This past week Mom and I actually ventured out of our normal area and headed north a little bit. On Wednesday, we made a trip to Warren to visit my Great Aunt Ruth and on Thursday, we went to the Holocaust Museum in Farmington Hills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0797.JPG?a=85" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br />Aunt Ruth is my Grandma Bea’s younger sister and boy, can you tell it! We spent about two hours sitting around her kitchen table talking. When Aunt Ruth pulled out the cookie dough to make chocolate chip cookies and put them in the oven, I was immediately reminded of sitting around Grandma Bea’s table. Grandma and I always had our discussions over hot tea and chocolate chip cookies and it just made me feel at home with Aunt Ruth. It was a great afternoon trip and the only thing that would have made it better was if Grandma Bea would have been there as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />Thursday’s trip was to the Holocaust Museum was a little bit more somber. I have studied the Holocaust quite a bit and although this may be somewhat morbid, I am fascinated by it. I think my fascination lies in the fact that I don’t understand it – I don’t understand that level of hatred and how one person can have so much power to cause such hurt and devastation. The museum was extremely interesting as it covered Jewish culture, WWII, the reign of Hitler, and the mistreatment of the Jews. They had numerous videos of Holocaust survivors telling not only their personal stories, but what life was like in a concentration camp and on the death marches. I don’t know how to describe it other than sad…and sickening. It is something I will never fully grasp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/FSCN0804.JPG?a=33" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />It was Mom’s birthday on Friday so after therapy we walked down to the Hudson Café, ate a late lunch, then continued onto Campus Martius where a bunch of vendors has set up shop for the weekend. We browsed quite a bit, but nothing caught our eye enough to buy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0795.JPG?a=16" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Also in celebration of Mom’s birthday, we went to the Tigers game on Saturday evening! After a one hour rain delay, the game began and the Tigers took no mercy on the Phillies. At the end of the 1<sup>st</sup> inning, we were up 5-0. Tigers ended the game 10-0 and despite the colder weather and burning my tongue on my hot chocolate, I would say the evening was a success!</span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-68066942523022998582013-07-24T14:43:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:43:47.344-07:00#TBW Ricky J + Susie Q<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy Anniversary Uncle Rick and Aunt Sue!</span></b><br /></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">21 years ago today, Mindy and I walked down the longest aisle I thought I had ever seen and we forgot our only job for the day - to throw the rose petals. However, nobody seemed to notice our mistake. Their eyes weren't focused on us, but on my Aunt Sue as she cascaded down the aisle. </span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">The Evans family hasn't been the same ever since.</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;"> (and I mean that in a good way)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">I can't even begin to tell you how much these two mean to me, but I am sure am going to try. Here's to two of the most caring people who can always make me laugh and put a smile on my face...who have supported me in every step and stage of my life...who makes any time, a good time...who loves me unconditionally.</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Here's to you, Uncle Rick and Aunt Sue! </span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">May there be many more years filled with love, laughter, and happiness.</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-3341326389170264642013-07-21T13:59:00.000-07:002014-03-19T13:59:45.147-07:00Barmaid Play Me Some Buffett<div align="center" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b> </b>Drunk girls on my left…drunk girls on my right…the smell of marijuana wafting through the air. Where was I last night, you ask? Nope, it was not some shady club in downtown Detroit…I was simply attending the Jimmy Buffett concert at Comerica Park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jimmy Buffett is amazing and he puts on one heck of a show! He is so fun, charismatic, and entertaining – one of those people who you would love to spend a day with! He performs effortlessly and puts out such a laid-back vibe, one can’t help but have a good time at one of his concerts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0691.JPG?a=75" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Thanks to Dr. Bill Restum and DMC, we were able to take in the show in the amazing Tigers Suite with some great people! There was free drinks and food everywhere and it didn’t take me long to think that I could get used to watching Tigers games from Suite 202…a girl can wish right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/FSCN0639.JPG?a=49" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Speaking of wishes…I wish I could stay longer! We will be home exactly 2 weeks from today and like I mentioned last week, time is just flying by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/FSCN0670.JPG?a=37" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />This week is therapy was great. Instead of boring you with tons of detailed exercises, we kept our focus on what it has been since I have gotten here. I continue to think I am improving each day and I think one way to see that is in my transfers. I am needing less help each day and am feeling much more confident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0608.JPG?a=0" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Today after church Mom and I made our usual walk down to Greektown where had some delicious food at Pegasus and knowing my recent luck (see <a href="http://lifeasiknowit.mwks12.com/2013/07/07/greektown---2-emily---0.aspx" target="">Greektown - 2, Emily - 0</a>), I decided it was best to stay away from the casino today and so we ventured back home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0746.JPG?a=17" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />This week brings 4 days of therapy, a trip to the Holocaust Museum, Mom’s birthday, a visit to Aunt Ruth, and a possible Tigers game…sounds like a pretty good time to me!<br /><br />--------------<br /><br />Here's a few more pictures from the concert!<br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0730.JPG?a=45" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0725.JPG?a=49" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0728.JPG?a=91" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0688.JPG?a=74" style="border: 0px solid;" /></span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-63425292699630361882013-07-17T14:39:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:40:14.495-07:00#TBW Scotty<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last week, I wrote about my brother Jason for his birthday...this week I write in honor of my oldest brother Scott as his birthday is just two days away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Scott and I have always been close and have had the ability to talk to one another with no boundaries. When I was younger, I remember sitting on his bed just talking to him about all of life's happenings in the evenings. Even to this day, if he comes by while I am still in bed - he comes down to my room, plops on my bed, and we discuss life.<br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/Scott4.jpg?a=55" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />I have so many memories with Scott, but some that stick vividly in my memory are the time just he and I went to Coldwater Lake. I'm not certain exactly how it happened, but both he and I ended up in the lake and the boat's throttle was still pushed forward. As the boat circled, we exhausted ourselves swimming to catch it. Finally, I did.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/Scott2.jpg?a=61" style="border: 0px solid;" /></span><br /><br />Fast forward numerous years later, I was prepping myself to go to my junior prom. My date that year was Jack Ramthun who was new to Bucklin and never had met my brothers. I was still down in my bedroom when Jack came to pick me and guess who answered the door? Yep, that's right. It was Scott. As soon as we got in the car, Jack turned to me and said, "Don't worry, we're going to have a great time and I won't try to make any moves." I laughed and asked what prompted that. He simply replied, "Your brother...he's huge and could definitely kick my a$$." If only Jack knew how much of a teddy bear Scott is. <br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/Scott1.jpg?a=81" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />If you know Scott, you know he loves to go driving around in the country. We have spent countless hours dinking around, but it was when I came home from Houston after my accident, we went for a drive down south, through Giles Ranch and by Clark County Lake that I will never forget.<br /><br />Speaking of vehicles, did you know that Scott was the person who taught me how to drive a stick shift? It was in his green Chevy pickup on the way home from Moscow one summer. I won't say that I was an expert by an means, but I could at least get around if I needed to, thanks to him.<br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/Scott5.jpg?a=57" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Scott has always been my protector and I look up to him more each an every day as I see him be a wonderful husband to his wife, Megan....an amazing father to my nephews, Eli and Carson...and great friend and brother to me. Thank for you always being there Scott.<br /><br />I love you!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-31961755531524583452013-07-14T13:57:00.000-07:002014-03-19T13:58:21.974-07:00Time Flies When You're Having Fun<div align="center" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Another week down and time is flying by entirely way too fast! I can’t even tell you how much my heart sank today when I received an email from our apartment complex with departure instructions…I don’t want to leave, I’m not ready! We’ve got 19 days left and you better believe that I plan to make the most of each and every one of them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Every week we have been up here has been pretty awesome, but this past one was one notch above the rest…I might even go out on a limb and call it phenomenal. In therapy, we continue to work on the same target areas which I have mentioned in my previous posts and I still think I am improving more each day. I just feel stronger. Speaking of strong, listen to this news…I lifted my butt up off the mat this week! This is HUGE (and no, I’m not talking about the size of my behind). Never before did I have the balance or the strength to off-weight myself like this and it is a huge step in the right direction for transferring independently. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It’s no doubt that I miss home – my family, work, and friends...but it is improvements like this and other little things that make me wish I could just pack my bags and move to Michigan. It makes me wonder what I could have if I were able to stay for a long period of time. If I ever win the lotto, you can bet that I will become a snowbird – I’ll be in Michigan from the Spring to the Fall and back to Kansas for the winter!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0537.JPG?a=91" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Nonetheless, we had a pretty eventful week on the entertainment front… and it mostly consisted of baseball. We made it to three games this week: Thursday afternoon against the White Sox, Friday night against the Rangers, and this afternoon again against the Rangers. A little much? I think not. Although the Tigers lost against the Sox, that game was probably the most eventful. There was a small brawl that got both Putkonen and Leyland ejected from the game. Friday’s game was great – I have to send a special Thank You shout out to Shannon and Greg for the tickets! We had a good time watching the Tigers claim a 7-2 win and the beautiful fireworks after the game! Today’s game was also awesome. Verlander pitched a no hitcher up to the 7<sup>th</sup> inning and we got some great hits in. It was a quick game, but fun, nonetheless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">On top of three great days at the ballpark, the President of RIM, Dr. Bill Restum, presented Mom and me with one <b>AMAZING </b>gift…suite tickets to the Jimmy Buffett concert next week! Earlier this week I ran into Bill in the hallway and he was making sure we took in the sights and scenes while we are here which brought up the concert. Before I knew it, he left with telling me he was going to make some calls. The rest is history!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0521.JPG?a=27" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />Once again, we started the week off right…this time in Grosse Ile Township. Shannon and Greg invited us to their church this morning as they were hosting an outdoor service at their house. With the Detroit River in the background, we sat and partook in a beautiful church service. It was picturesque. Following the service, was brunch, and we couldn’t have joined a more friendly and welcoming group. It was a great day of fellowship!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Hope you all have a great week and stayed tuned next weekend for the next update! I also ask that you keep my coworker, Tim Milford, and his family in your prayers. He was involved in a catastrophic accident yesterday that has left him paralyzed from the chest down. </span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-28504183792739363822013-07-10T14:38:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:38:28.290-07:00#TBW Jas<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Isn't it funny how time flies by so fast, but yet you remember certain memories as if they were yesterday. Today marks my brother Jason's 30th birthday and I have spent the evening remembering some of my most favorite memories with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we were kids, we spent many of afternoons "farming" all of the carpet in the house, building blanket forts in the basement, and so much more. However it was when Jason would reluctantly agree to play "store" with me that I will never forget. We'd gather things from around the house to sell and most of the time he let me be the cashier while he was the customer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There was also the afternoon games of hide-and-seek in Grandma Bea's barn and the nightly games of kick-the-can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When we got older, I relished the summer days we would spend at the lake with friends, but I will never forget the night my freshman year of high that he yelled at Fritz for having his arm around my shoulder during a party out at Demuth's. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we have gotten older, there's not as much sibling rivalry as there used to be and I find myself looking up to Jason as I never did before. He's one of the hardest working people I know...he's a great husband to Heather...an amazing father to Karlee and Jake...and a great friend/brother to me. Thanks for always being there Jas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday Jason!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love you</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-58980359529719427732013-07-07T13:54:00.000-07:002014-03-19T13:55:05.399-07:00Greektown - 2, Emily - 0<div align="center" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past week was pretty low key – other than therapy, we didn’t embark on too many adventures…well until today, but I’ll get there in a second or so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This week in therapy we continued to focus on my core, triceps, scaps, and weight bearing. Although it has only been two weeks, I do feel as if both my balance and my transfers are getting better and I’m much more conscious of my posture!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0478.JPG?a=98" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />I think I’ve told you before but my scaps are absolutely terrible. My shoulder blades wing terribly and stick out like you wouldn’t believe. My trainers like to say there is a canyon between my blades and although I hate to say it, it’s a little true! We have really been working on strengthening my scaps and other shoulder muscles to hold my shoulder blades in and down. I’m not lying when I say my arms are jello every afternoon when I get in the car!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />If you are paying any attention to my Facebook pictures, you’ll noticed I posted one of me standing the other day. Karlee had been begging Mom to take a picture of me standing, but get this – after she got to see the picture, we were chatting on the phone and our conversation went a little like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Karlee</b>: I saw your picture today</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: Oh ya, what do you think? Isn’t that cool?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Karlee</b>: Ya, but Emily…how do I know you weren’t sitting? I couldn’t see your feet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: I promise you, I was standing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Karlee</b>: Can you please have Grandma take a picture of your feet next time?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Me</b>: Yes squirt, I’ll get you a picture of me standing where you can see my feet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here you go, my sweet Karlee, a picture of me standing with my feet!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0489.JPG?a=48" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br />(Why is that blue mat behind my butt you ask? This standing frame really isn't made for tall people and so the mat puts my hips right where they need to be!)<br /><br />So today after church, Mom and I went and ate lunch at the Fountain Bistro and then made our way over to Greektown. We did a little shopping, made a quick stop at the casino, and then walked down the street to Astoria Bakery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/temptation.jpg?a=7" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />This bakery is like heaven, I’m not even lying…and today, I went out of my norm and ordered a chocolate cannoli. Can we seriously say HOLY CANNOLI? I haven’t experienced a sugar shock like this since I had one of Phuong’s triple chocolate brownies with the marshmallow topping on top.<br /><br />All I’m saying is between this cannoli and my trip to the casino, Greektown has once again defeated me.</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-81416386095405982402013-07-03T14:36:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:36:19.264-07:00#TBW What Happens in Hays...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;">I'm a bit limited on my pictures here in Detroit and my posts will rely on just what I have on my computer, but regardless of what kind of collection I have to chose from, the picture below will always be a favorite of mine.</span><br style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/2252955047524057438274n1.jpg?a=49" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-center;">This was a crazy night in Hays back in '06 and it is one I will never forget. It began with a calf fry and ended with cops...I saw things I never thought I would, but as the saying goes, "What happens in Hays, stays in Hays."</span></span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-3691444596541658832013-06-30T13:53:00.000-07:002014-03-19T13:53:57.670-07:00An Official "Detroiter"<div align="center" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I can’t believe we’ve been here for a week already! On one hand it seems like we just pulled into town, but on the other, I’m much more content…it feels like we have picked up just where we had left off last time we were here!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /><br />My last post was on my first day of therapy so with this one, I’m just going to recap the rest of the week. I have therapy on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday…leaving Thursday and the weekends for my days of play. For therapy this past week, we really focused on getting back into the game and working on some core things – balance, posture, my horrible, winging scapulas, weight bearing, back extensors, and triceps. All things I lack great strength in…but hey that’s why I’m here, right?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It is so great to be back at CSCIR and although things have changed, surprisingly it is still quite the same. The big change for me is that instead of working mainly with just one therapist, they now work in stations so every hour I get to work with someone new. It’s different, but I think I like it – you get to know more people plus you are subjected to working with people with different strengths and weaknesses…all in all, I think it’s a win-win situation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">For my day off this week, Mom and I hit up the Tigers game Thursday afternoon. Our apartment is just blocks away from Comerica Park and so I hope to hit up as many games as possible. We played the Angels, but unfortunately didn’t make it out with a W for the afternoon. Although we didn’t win, I still had a great time…I just love the atmosphere at the ballpark and if the game isn’t good, the people watching always is!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">This weekend, we really just hung out and did some relaxing. On Saturday, we took a stroll down in our old neighborhood, stopping for brunch at the Hudson Café, and today we hit up church and then made our way down to Vicenté’s Cuban Cuisine and made a brief stop at Campus Martius.<br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/DSCN0469.JPG?a=28" style="border: 0px solid;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Our church we have been going to is St. Aloysius’s Parish and is actually just right down the street from our apartment building. From the outside it is a conspicuous building that blends in with all of the wall-to-wall building on the block, but as soon as you walk in the doors, you are dumbfounded. It is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever been in! Although it is not very wide, it is three stories tall (all with views of the same altar) and is wall-to-wall marble.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Mass is great as always, but what I love the most is the music…Just think, your traditional Catholic hymns mixed with a Motown flair! It just wants to make you clap your hands and sway to the rhythm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">We finished off the afternoon by sitting by the pool and reading our books. It was a perfect Sunday and is the perfect catalyst I need to start a great week!<br /><br /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/4th.jpg?a=39" style="border: 0px solid;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">If I don’t write before then, I hope you all have a fabulous and safe 4<sup>th</sup> of July!! Here's a taste of the fireworks we had on Monday evening!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-80841970309287753422013-06-28T14:34:00.000-07:002014-03-19T14:35:13.000-07:00#TBW Let's Go Tigers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">Eeek! I just realized this evening that I forgot to post a #TBW picture on Wednesday...so here's the scoop - since I spent yesterday afternoon at Comerica Park watching the Tigers play the Angels, I thought why not show you a picture from my first Tigers game!</span><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/5/3/4/4/2/329693-324435/6120966144335055798382n.jpg?a=39" style="border: 0px solid; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><br style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-center;">I love a good day at the ballpark...I mean who doesn't love hotdogs, beer, and America's favorite pastime!</span></span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-23240890415665766582013-06-24T13:52:00.000-07:002014-03-19T13:53:03.401-07:00First Day in the Books<div align="center" style="font-size: 13px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This morning I was up bright and early with a tummy full of anticipation! I was like a kid getting ready for the first day of school, however for me; it was my first day of physical therapy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I wasn’t nervous per say, but I was definitely anxious – anxious to get started and anxious to see where exactly I stood. I haven’t been involved in this type of intense physical therapy since 2010 and so I was hoping I hadn’t regressed too much. Thankfully, I hadn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><img src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/4/3/4/4/2/329693-324434/CSCIR.jpg?a=66" style="border: 0px solid;" /><br /><br />We began with my evaluation – I’ve got good range of motion, decent balance, my hip flexors are firing…as well as my gluts, and some decent strength in my arms. I was quite pleased! Nonetheless, my goals for my time here is to really work on my balance, my, core and my transfers so guess what we worked on for the next two hours? Abs, scaps, back, and much, much more. Plus I got to stand for about 25 minutes or so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">All in all, it was a pretty successful day, but I knew it would be. Our stay thus far has been the perfect start for us – yesterday we started out our day with church then headed down to Greektown for some lunch and hit up the casino just long enough to lose $20. When we returned home, I sat out and read my book awhile and then finished up my evening with some work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">It’s been great so far and I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">PS – Sorry I’ve been lacking in the picture department…I promise, there will be more to come!</span></div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2592303786402133288.post-85183230987228308992013-06-22T20:05:00.000-07:002014-03-18T20:06:21.913-07:00Life on the Road<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="font-size: 13px;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's
official, we have arrived at our destination...Detroit, MI!<br /><br />Our road trip
was good...great, really. I like to think that Mom and I make an excellent
traveling team with her driving and my navigating. Well, technically my
navigating just involves me retelling Mom what Toots (our Garmin) has to say,
but I did plan out how far we were to drive each day!<br /><br />Our main stops
included Springfield, IL and Kalamazoo, MI, but our journey consisted of much
more than that. We experienced numerous laughs...three hours of rain...beautiful
fields of corn...good food...two-lane highways...four-lane interstates...and
lots of green!<br /><br />After 1,098 miles on the road you would think I'd have
some great photos for you, but after our stop in KC - I'm not sure I could find
anything better and more humorous than this business advertisement!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Nonetheless, I am more than glad to be in the city I consider to
be my "home away from home." <br /><br />Stay tuned for more happenings in the
313! </span></div>
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00690730391666870237noreply@blogger.com0