tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14092091957320033852024-03-22T00:09:41.493-04:00things of the cityhannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-69099516109299261912012-02-07T15:30:00.002-05:002012-02-07T15:54:22.351-05:00are you kidney-ing me??Sunday morning one of my kidneys decided it was tired of taking a back seat. I woke up with the most horrific pain in my side and couldn't do anything to make it stop. Not even a rousing episode of Downton Abbey would distract. Two hours later it was time to call Mom. In typical Parker fashion she suggested I drink some Peppermint tea and said she would bring me some on her way to church. By the time she came, I couldn't think straight and was ready for the hospital. We headed over and waited an ER hour before anyone would see me. The pain was brutal at this point! First thing the nurse asks me, "you been out drinkin' a lot last night?" To which I responded, "no, just watching a little PBS". I seriously thought I was going to die. Once we walked back toward a room, all of a sudden, the pain stopped. I felt really dumb. What if it was just last night's Willy's acting up? But just in case it really was my appendix...<br />
The best part was the adorable doctor who came to talk with me and the worst part was how disgusting I was looking at that moment. You have to know I was in the most serious pain of my life because I left the house without contacts, make up, half in my pajamas, didn't even brush my teeth. So here are my parents standing at the foot of the bed with huge grins while the doc tells me what is going to happen next. As soon as he leaves my Dad points to his 4th finger and smiles, "no ring"....okay Dad, great time to troll the ER for single doctors. In the end it was just a kidney stone and I am very thankful. The most embarrassing moment was definitely the doc walking in on me....no, not naked, but watching "Say Yes To The Dress" on the hospital TV and commenting, "seriously". It was pretty funny. So, that was a whirlwind adventure with a probable $7500 price tag. Yay! They want me to bring them the stone (spare you the details here) so that they can examine it and in the worst of my thriftiest brother Nathan, I should tell them it's gonna cost 'em! My deductible to be exact. And hey, they say it's like labor pain, so maybe I need to go register now to celebrate that it's over.<br />
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My new best friend, 4X a day! I'm also quitting caffeine, which is really tragic. I might have an entire post dedicated to grieving the loss.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZQwnDRarXz2J0LIfOrdcfTOW88LphFONu27694_9tDBdCVQYemptUBSW3EaCIpmrS0frMqQbFbza-gEQXjSfgauUjNbLqp_D3ZUGRGBByHr1HjIu4AVtojZ3dvAQUVAkuAyzf4RJEyko/s1600/water+bottle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZQwnDRarXz2J0LIfOrdcfTOW88LphFONu27694_9tDBdCVQYemptUBSW3EaCIpmrS0frMqQbFbza-gEQXjSfgauUjNbLqp_D3ZUGRGBByHr1HjIu4AVtojZ3dvAQUVAkuAyzf4RJEyko/s1600/water+bottle.JPG" /></a></div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-6885427665152307022012-01-30T11:37:00.002-05:002012-01-30T11:46:55.616-05:00food on his dogI'm sorry but this is funny. I intended to write a serious post today but I just feel like this is better. If this dude can have followers, there are so many more undiscovered topics out there to blog about!<br />
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<a href="http://foodonmydog.tumblr.com/">Food On My Dog</a>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-32134214306454424752012-01-29T16:51:00.001-05:002012-01-29T16:53:27.248-05:00hannah's prayerSometimes there are just no words to describe how to make sense of my life. I heard a pastor say once that Christians should learn to force feed themselves scripture (even when you're not feeling it) until something resonates. Today this prayer has resonated with me, and that is God's mercy.<br />
<br />
"My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord.<br />
My mouth derides my enemies because I rejoice in your salvation.<br />
<br />
There is none holy like the Lord.; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.<br />
Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth;<br />
for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.<br />
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength.<br />
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.<br />
The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.<br />
The Lord kills and brings to life, he brings down to Sheol and raises up<br />
The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.<br />
He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor.<br />
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's , and on them he has set the world.<br />
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He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in deep darkness,<br />
for not by might shall a man prevail.<br />
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;<br />
against them will he thunder in heaven.<br />
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king<br />
and exalt the power of his anointed."hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-77106061317808910652011-12-12T10:37:00.001-05:002011-12-12T10:45:39.213-05:00stinkin amazing cs lewis quote on love"Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and probably broken.<br />
Don't love, and lock your heart up in a casket of selfishness.<br />
Make sure you make yourself vulnerable to no one.<br />
But in that casket, dark and motionless, it will change.<br />
Your heart will not become broken but unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.<br />
The only place safe from the tragedy of a broken heart is hell. Where nobody gives their heart to anyone."<br />
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Bam. CS Lewis, you're amazing. I so much agree with this quote I don't even know what else to say about it but I'm so glad that my heart is wrung rather than being locked up in a casket right now and that is only because of God's grace.hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-37533032726708398162011-12-01T10:48:00.000-05:002011-12-01T10:48:46.938-05:00understanding hopeThe theme of "hope" has been on my mind and it seems also on many people's minds around me. Why? Because the world is not right and things aren't what they should be and we want something more. Even on the best day where the list gets checked off and the weather is perfect, relationships seem right and the bills are paid and absolutely on the days where it feels like more failure, more bad news, more to do than I have the capacity for, more anger and junk in my own heart to deal with; I hope for something better. Does God just want me to hope for good things to come my way? I want to think "yes", but then I actually READ the Bible and realize that's probably not the whole story. "Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit".<br />
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the HOPE to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.."<br />
I have true hope because of Jesus' sweet & specific sacrifice for me! This hope has amazing power in my life which gives:<br />
-Joy<br />
-Peace<br />
-More power in the Holy Spirit to do life<br />
-Eyes to see my calling<br />
-Eyes to see my inheritance<br />
True hope is a lens with which I see clearly what is mine now and in the future. Falsely, I make it something that I muster up, like a positive feeling or energy or a vibe that gives me enough guts to <i>wish or guess</i> that God might do something good in my life in the future. That is not it at all. Yes, God will do things. He will act on my behalf because he is my father and my best friend. He wants to give good gifts, but more than that he wants my heart. If I am hoping for good stuff that is not him, then my hope is misplaced. This is a daily struggle because I just want good stuff, an easy and comfortable life and to be the queen of my own kingdom. But in moments where I have had those things, there is so much emptiness. There is no peace, joy or power for life and I am so selfish. I have no eyes to see my calling or eternity or other people and their needs. Today I am praying for the God of hope to fill me with all joy and peace in believing so that I will abound in it by the power of the Holy Spirit.<br />
Last night I received a box at my doorstep from target.com. I hadn't ordered anything, but look what was inside:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRivj_uM-nv8W-eQSiFJFx3jqgEjLYP-J_PXHQnghKY4R-mxNcMc6PhwXwkr_Uzm9_ko_sXd2ZwK7y0jUB114YYO5PvnzDnh8xXCIRYRriuUwmgWCZsTpu25jrG9lUE2QHkZmG3ryLZPlB/s1600/HOPE+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRivj_uM-nv8W-eQSiFJFx3jqgEjLYP-J_PXHQnghKY4R-mxNcMc6PhwXwkr_Uzm9_ko_sXd2ZwK7y0jUB114YYO5PvnzDnh8xXCIRYRriuUwmgWCZsTpu25jrG9lUE2QHkZmG3ryLZPlB/s400/HOPE+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-79666560930667233782011-10-19T21:18:00.000-04:002011-10-19T21:18:03.974-04:00psalm 119"Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness, you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. vs.73-77<br />
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This piece of Psalm 119 resonates with me deeply after a three year season of suffering through loss of identity in many things outside of Christ. A much needed and necessary time of pruning and God's gentle revelation of many areas of sin in my life. God made me and fashioned me personally with his own hands, and certainly designed this season as well. I do not think that my experience caused many others to rejoice because they saw that my hope was in the Lord. It was a very hopeless season from my limited perspective. However, the Lord was my comfort and he did keep his promises to me during it all. His love was steadfast and his mercies were new every morning. There is great freedom at the end of such a season and I am so incredibly thankful that my hope is strengthened for the next time of affliction which will surely come. For God's glory maybe others will rejoice as they see this hope more fully displayed in my life.hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-10011429528031113792011-09-10T08:17:00.001-04:002011-09-10T08:18:06.510-04:00the best coat i've ever ownedThe BEST coat that I have ever owned was purchased from ZARA. I love it! It has a uniquely wide collar and three giant buttons on one shoulder and it ties around the waist. Also has great, deep pockets. I have mixed feelings about ZARA overall and sometimes the largest size is still minuscule since Spaniards are tiny and only eat a cube of cheese a week. I have worn it for 4 seasons now (that's right, during someones entire college experience) and still can't bear to part with it. It's totally pilled on the underside of the arms and when my dog was a puppy he chewed off the end of the waist tie. I had it fixed by a tailor but then he chewed one of the button enclosures and people always though it was some random fringe. Nevertheless it is the single most complimented item I've ever owned. I'm thinking I might just dust it off for one more season although Zara is starting online shopping with free shipping (what prompted this post).<br />
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<a href="http://thecapitolfashionista.blogspot.com/2011/09/style-spotlight-zara-launches-online.html#.TmtJc3hwFfs.blogger">STYLE SPOTLIGHT: ZARA LAUNCHES ONLINE SHOPPING IN THE U.S.</a><br />
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Back of the coat<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7woR7ByCXP0blcN9Ka9zPmgsRrAEyH0YUUpRWHvVhDT_oj9Z8ZsvkfIVULij6VlRb4OoBGkK7ER-sj-UFEI44eG5cwWzLyrIn7B5AlM8QMDbd03QhFQ_Tp_SrZr7NbZBjeN9PU-QafQLs/s1600/Christmas+2009+and+January+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7woR7ByCXP0blcN9Ka9zPmgsRrAEyH0YUUpRWHvVhDT_oj9Z8ZsvkfIVULij6VlRb4OoBGkK7ER-sj-UFEI44eG5cwWzLyrIn7B5AlM8QMDbd03QhFQ_Tp_SrZr7NbZBjeN9PU-QafQLs/s640/Christmas+2009+and+January+018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Front<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvAWzXzK-A0viTVzloiKMxkTPGWifupabvq-UgPXGdfeKu82-luggTmznxNl7TF1HwLQ2vas8C4mZOE0zl14xHPtEkByCFWJ9h_NZ4-s1rf2st3wpHBpN9FuGRiL-Jgz5siiuJ-ApWCJA/s1600/Christmas+2009+and+January+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvAWzXzK-A0viTVzloiKMxkTPGWifupabvq-UgPXGdfeKu82-luggTmznxNl7TF1HwLQ2vas8C4mZOE0zl14xHPtEkByCFWJ9h_NZ4-s1rf2st3wpHBpN9FuGRiL-Jgz5siiuJ-ApWCJA/s640/Christmas+2009+and+January+019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-79302537127138613932011-09-08T15:00:00.000-04:002011-09-08T15:00:44.534-04:00wow. just wow.This 12 year old Brazilian boy is just getting warmed up at the three minute mark!<br />
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<object height="345" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/e6cDQcLkprk?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/e6cDQcLkprk?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="345" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-74491864743158490302011-08-27T18:40:00.005-04:002011-08-27T18:53:25.650-04:00getting picked up at the assisted living home<div style="text-align: left;">Today was another one of those "Hannah has the funniest things happen to her" days. I told a friend who is in sales there that I would attend her Brighton Gardens (elderly care facility) Walk Out for Alzheimer's this afternoon. Insert "Dog" before walk and now you're probably getting a better sense of this event. I arrived late as usual and was ushered to the registration table where I had to fill out a long form all about my dog. I really only wrote in the basics because I was 30 minutes late:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Name: CHARLIE</div><div style="text-align: left;">Age: THREE</div><div style="text-align: left;">Breed: CAVAPOO</div><div style="text-align: left;">Things that you dog can do: <i>Hmmmmpf........well, he sometimes sits but only for a treat and even then it's about a 50-50 chance he'll do it.</i> So I wrote "sometimes sits for treats" and went on with it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The music starts and a guy on the bass is plucking along (Seinfeld style) really well with an over-the-top announcer who is calling each dog out one at a time to walk the floor and then to do their tricks or show off their <i>costumes</i> in front of the judges. It was serious business and I crammed into a small waiting area with Charlie bustling with nervous owners, dogs and tangled leashes. Everyone was looking at me as if I were an animal abuser because Charlie was costume-less. I gave him a bath people and that rarely happens.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
One by one the dogs pranced out and gave Hi-5's, or caught a ball, or just looked <strike>cute</strike> silly in their tu tu's.</div><div style="text-align: left;">A lady even told me that her poodle named Cecelia got a "bikini shave" for the special day.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last, but not least, Charlie steps up to the plate. It was rather anti-climactic as I tried to get him to sit (failed) and then eat a treat (spat it out on the sidewalk for me to pick up wet) so he neither sat, nor ate the treat. I also didn't realize that the form I filled out was where the announcer was getting his information to tell everyone about the dog. Apparently most people had written a private school application essay about their dogs while Charlie only had, "sometimes sits for treats". Awesome. He tried his best to talk about Charlie while I hurriedly walked around the courtyard before he had to say that Charlie was 3 years old for a third time....oops. In the end Charlie did charm all of the ladies and I'm sure brightened their afternoons. We went home with three goodie bags of treats (it pays to know the right people in high places at an active adult community).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After everything broke up, the bass player walked over and offered his congratulations to Charlie- for what, I'm not sure, followed by, "when are you going to come and see my band play?" Caught a bit off guard my instinct was to ask, "well what is the name of your band?" to which he replied, "MarTAY and the ParTAY!" We stood there in the middle of the cafeteria area with all of the ambiance you can imagine. The smells and sounds and of course a room full of half asleep elders tired from the afternoon's excitement. I couldn't have made this one up if I tried. I smiled and we walked out. Later, I looked down at his business card to read only this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Marty Berning</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">ROCK STAR</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">and his phone number.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought he was gutsy and attractive.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Charlie's new girlfriend with the "bikini shave":</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA063xBBs-iSlrIH8PoFGTmbGhk-qomC6KZtIIBK7NIe2pe5mrLW1nD2aLQ-VO874PFaYB1cLr4mpO9MTP3YsRY9s2zEIBEoiBbaD-J02vMFyyZG7WBF3Z5bGt6VJrrZaAhjz3ocsukUc/s1600/Charlie+and+his+new+girlfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPA063xBBs-iSlrIH8PoFGTmbGhk-qomC6KZtIIBK7NIe2pe5mrLW1nD2aLQ-VO874PFaYB1cLr4mpO9MTP3YsRY9s2zEIBEoiBbaD-J02vMFyyZG7WBF3Z5bGt6VJrrZaAhjz3ocsukUc/s640/Charlie+and+his+new+girlfriend.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Check out the hand sewn Tutu:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOlFm4YHMdgpFnZEFQFBPbqbjqifSUpAoABPuRxywqYD5mTz72cgIQNGh84cbN5FwPOFn1v517mhADfB1EA8k-o3D4dvr7FapMTwVMO-LRvcgxh0EGqjLAwGWtLIOlNulU_cFGuCILhkh/s1600/Charlie%2527s+girlfriend%2527s+tutu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOlFm4YHMdgpFnZEFQFBPbqbjqifSUpAoABPuRxywqYD5mTz72cgIQNGh84cbN5FwPOFn1v517mhADfB1EA8k-o3D4dvr7FapMTwVMO-LRvcgxh0EGqjLAwGWtLIOlNulU_cFGuCILhkh/s640/Charlie%2527s+girlfriend%2527s+tutu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-40271563491900463862011-08-15T16:30:00.004-04:002011-09-07T19:07:35.182-04:00things i am thankful for todayOk, these are the kinds of posts no one reads, which is fine. I'm just really thankful today about lots of little things. This morning as my Dad would say, the first hint of Fall was in the air. I love it. Fall is my favorite season by far and the temperature change from Summer is a big part of that. I even went inside and put on a button down shirt with my shorts instead of a t-shirt just to celebrate. Yay, Fall is coming!<br />
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I scored some beautiful Hydrangeas at Whole Foods on Saturday that have been lighting up the table in my foyer. Every time I walk by them I can't help but smile. They are so robust and fresh and alive (I know, they're actually dead).<br />
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I'm thankful for music. Sufjan Stevens is playing some great songs while I do some work.<br />
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I enjoyed a post from Gwenyth Paltrow's blog, <a href="http://www.goop.com/">GOOP</a>, which had a segment on travel in Hong Kong and made me think about great memories that I have from my time living in Asia and traveling there. It's hands down my favorite city in the world so far.<br />
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I'm really thankful that I have an informational conference call with a company today for a possible job. It is a sales position with a social media & digital marketing company called <a href="http://live.sanjika.com/">Sanjika</a>. I am talking to them at 5:00 PM today. I'll post more about how it goes.<br />
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Last but definitely not least, I'm really happy that I was able to connect with a friend last night over coffee who has grown to see amazing works of God in her life through a very difficult and tragic accident. There is abundant redemption for our suffering, for those who belong to Christ. She is changed, her husband is changed and her children are changed. Good is good. I am encouraged to continue to move through difficult circumstances with hope and to be transparent about struggles. If we never tell our stories, others can't see God at work.hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-16769416922184573692011-08-13T12:00:00.001-04:002011-08-13T12:01:37.101-04:0021st birthday funMy baby sister Joy (sorry Joy) turned 21 yesterday! I can't believe it because I changed her diapers and remember so clearly the day I found out Mom was pregnant in the Winter of 8th grade. On my first day of high school my Mom and Joy were still in the hospital as Joy had gotten a fairly bad infection right after her birth and had to stay for a few extra days, so I went to Riverwood High School by myself and signed up for my classes. In college when Joy came to visit she toddled down the hall of my freshman dorm and everyone fed her candy until she was in a sugar coma.<br />
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Last night my parents and 5 of Joy's close friends came over for dinner and drinks. I wanted to do a little bit of festive decorating, but per usual, nothing overkill. I always take off one piece of jewelry before I leave the house for the same reason!<br />
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I made a large pom pom for the living room and one for the dining table...thanks to Martha Stewart I have made these a thousand times in all different shapes and sizes. They are great for topping gifts as well.<br />
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I think they all had fun and Joy felt well celebrated! The only snafu was that somehow the glass container part of our blender went missing 30 minutes before the party. After turning the house upside down and finding the base, blade and top, there was no luck with the pitcher. It is truly a mystery as there isn't much you can do with a glass pitcher that has no top or bottom. Needless to say the recipe I was going to use for frozen margaritas ended up being on the rocks....and I accidentally doubled the Triple Sec and thought it wouldn't be a big deal....whoops! All the girls were tipsy after 30 minutes. I poured them all large glasses of water before they headed out with a DD, of course. This morning I woke up and found this in the refrigerator.<br />
Adult. Chocolate. Milk. <br />
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Happy Birthday Joy. You're so much fun and I love you. Maybe I will write a post later about all of the things I wish I had known at 21 that I know now. That would be very older sisterly of me.<br />
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hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-60474244575553461662011-07-22T20:45:00.001-04:002011-07-23T09:53:49.154-04:00happy birthday natey boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My best friend Emily recently commented that I should write about my family & our experiences together because we have some hilarious stories and characters among us. It's very true, but after being a part of it for so long you can't even see it any more. I'm going to do it every Friday and what a perfect day to start but Nathan's birthday?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The year Nathan was born, I was 22 months old and very clearly recall that I was sent to the neighbor's house to eat some watermelon while my Mom had a baby naturally, of course. My parents have always been very health conscious as well as drug free. Side note: we were the kids with brown bread sandwiches before they were cool, carrot sticks, apples and <i>maybe</i> a juice box of something 100% pure or a whole wheat fig newton from the health food store. The memories after Nathan's arrival are quite spotty, probably because I blocked everything out and suppressed the discomfort of not being the only child any more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is this not the essence of big sister control? stay. still. baby. brother. The afternoon didn't turn out so well for that bear in the background either. My entire nap time I covered Brown Bear with Vaseline. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rockin' Piedmont Park in this one. I can't believe my Mom took us there for picnics in 1979 when there were dead bodies floating in the pond. Wait, maybe that wasn't until the 90's. Anyway, I'm pretty sure Nathan is showing off the food in his mouth. Some things don't change. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So happy and enthusiastic about everything, even a pumpkin! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had pretty wild imaginations and Nathan was always a really good sport with the stuff I made him do. I recall lots of Wizard of Oz, where I got to be Dorothy and prance around the backyard with a stuffed dog in a basket while he had to be everything else running from here to there. So gracious. In this one I think we were in a parade. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A possible foreshadowing of becoming a pastor or teacher one day? Looks like a "Peace be with you" to me or I'm really excited about sugar. Happy 33rd Birthday Natey Boy! You are loved and missed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com3Atlanta, GA 30318, USA33.7946333 -84.44877199999996333.7552363 -84.501624999999962 33.8340303 -84.395918999999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-20001012016422207632011-07-14T23:09:00.001-04:002011-07-14T23:12:47.956-04:00love these people<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How much more fun can you possibly have on the most painful hill during the largest 10K in the world? This city seems small when you run into people you know and love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And not just any people...people who use empty beverage jars as restrooms before the race...(not him)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And people who generously give you impromptu rides home in costume.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy 4th of July! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had an amazing chocolate cake for dessert later that night but it was devoured before I could get a shot.<br />
Sorry Martha. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-87058240621586863412011-07-02T18:43:00.001-04:002011-07-02T18:47:16.620-04:00how the deal went down before the 4th<div style="text-align: center;">The transaction took place in the Starbucks' parking lot at Peachtree and 7th this afternoon. Pulled up to the dumpster area (no other spaces available) and looked for a guy named "Randy" in a "navy blue t-shirt". I told him I had "red hair". He was already waiting for me which made it that much easier. I thought I might just roll down the window, throw the money and grab the bag, but then decided I could be a bit less of a junkie than that. I paid him in cold hard cash and we exchanged a few words. He wished me luck and said he really wished he could keep it for himself, but it was doctor's orders that he not participate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The goods...</div><br />
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In all seriousness I had no idea what kind of goods these really were!! I felt like Willy Wonka with the Golden Ticket! #3752 out of 55,000?! I wasn't prepared for this. I did start running again back in the Spring, but this group runs just behind the elite class aka: Kenyans. I think I'll be staying to the right--side of the sidewalk.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Three cheers for Randy--who even crossed out his name for me and put an exclamation after mine...he's excited and I'm just wondering if I'll live to tell about this. </div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-70546442664683440762011-06-29T19:55:00.000-04:002011-06-29T19:55:40.499-04:00blind date...don't hate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuL00h8V9KXcZQm36TPRbaJz_ftS0HttXJgtP19qtUz7vUhZw-DjKIry4R9NsAcBb4aDgj_j6B_y-TPmLwgowAP32UUA6heiMiTa0xJJcE20vBpUSqfYlXNXdaQ5kpr57oL2bs8XeSvYT/s1600/blind-dating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnuL00h8V9KXcZQm36TPRbaJz_ftS0HttXJgtP19qtUz7vUhZw-DjKIry4R9NsAcBb4aDgj_j6B_y-TPmLwgowAP32UUA6heiMiTa0xJJcE20vBpUSqfYlXNXdaQ5kpr57oL2bs8XeSvYT/s400/blind-dating.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>You can interpret "don't hate" however you will. I have some things to say about a recent, "vision impaired" date. Wasn't totally blind.</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. He lives in a retirement community. You can call it Active Adult all day long, I don't care. And as much as the Realtor in me says this is practical when you are single because the homes are smaller, no yards; the rest of me says, "Seriously"?</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. He has a Facebook account but uses a fake first and last name for it and hasn't informed any of his friends. I can't imagine how this works for him. </div><div><br />
</div><div>3. One of his first few questions to me was, "What do you think of Joel Osteen?" </div><div><br />
</div><div>4. Mandals, or Man-sandals in case you don't know the lingo. </div><div><br />
</div><div>5. Jean shorts. </div><div><br />
</div><div>"Don't hate me for posting something so rude", or "I didn't <i>hate</i> the date", Which is it? </div><div><br />
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</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-81722504678061007892011-06-20T23:55:00.001-04:002011-06-21T00:13:31.122-04:00something on the market...emily giffin's home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not one to stay up late blogging, but I've spent the past hour pouring over these photos of <a href="http://emilygiffin.com/">Emily Giffin's</a> home for sale here in Brookhaven. It's just what I'd imagine her home would be. There is so much to comment on and if you'd like larger photos, you'll have to look at the slide show on the Realtor's website <a href="http://www.baynegroup.com/Call-for-Property-Address-a213719.html">here</a>. I absolutely love so many of her choices for furnishings, fabrics and finishes. The boy's names over their beds and their huge stripes....love! The hardscape path through the backyard to the guest house...love! Modern and classic, combined like warm brownies and ice cream. Yum!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-1938493452273165782011-06-17T09:20:00.036-04:002011-06-17T14:45:59.653-04:00the big appleWell, I'd venture to say we took a bite. I'm pretty much the kind of traveler that likes to wander, linger and take in the atmosphere, and New York City is just the place! I was reminded of my first trip there for my birthday almost five years ago now, and thought of these two dear friends as we filed through the streets for three days. This trip was a total surprise gift! <br />
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</div><div>Upon arriving to <a href="http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3154">The W Downtown</a> we entered a world of Zoolander meets Sex And The City meets Beetle Juice. In the lobby, I was waiting for someone to serve me a cocktail of pure oxygen. The beat didn't stop at 2:30 am and even our closet was back lit with bright red fluorescent lights as if a dancer would pop out at any moment. The oddest thing in the room was a silver looking cylinder about 4" long that sat on a stand bedside and beckoned us "WISH". </div><div>Right.<br />
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</div><div>I had several noble goals for the weekend, one: to find a wooden bangle, two: to find a purse. <a href="http://yourgardengrow.blogspot.com/">Ellen</a> hoped to hit up several notable bakeries--we all liked the idea of tasty cupcakes, and I think <a href="http://inthiscityatl.wordpress.com/">Jenn</a> just wanted to have fun celebrating her birthday. I guess you'd call these things privileged goals, sort of the opposite of privileged problems? (Things women complain about that aren't really problems to 99.9% of the world).<br />
Thanks Billy! Yellow cake with chocolate frosting and colored sprinkles- I gave it a 6. </div><div><br />
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</div><div>LOVED Chelsea Market...lots to photograph!<br />
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I'm pretty sure that's me saying, "you should take a picture of THAT...", since my camera stopped reading it's memory card. Thanks to Jenn and Ellen for the pictures.<br />
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<div>Sunday morning landed us on the Upper East Side where we hit up Tim Keller's church (yes we went to church while in NYC for the weekend) and took a very fortuitous walk to Central Park on Sunday afternoon which landed us right in the middle of a Puerto Rican parade! My favorite attraction was a group of drumming women with face paint and an angry beat. They were hilarious, but didn't really fit the look of the rest of the crowd simply enjoying the music and national pride. They looked more like angry housewives blowing off steam!<br />
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"Memphis" won the Tony Award in 2010 for Best Musical. Pretty good show!<br />
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I did learn one lesson, always double check when people give you suggestions for going out in this city. I'm proud to say that my dear friend Meredith came through for us on a classy little street of bars among Brownstones in Soho where we eventually found a spot called "Highland", a gin & tonic and some well, older men. Before that, our options were more Jersey Shore. I don't know which is worse? <br />
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On of my favorite spots was Bryant Park. It was a mild and breezy afternoon, perfect atmosphere with people out and about lounging & playing, an outdoor cafe under a canopy of bright green trees and tasty cocktails to top it off!<br />
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Newspaper on a wooden dowel...very Chinese!<br />
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The NYC Public Library was another fun stop. Gorgeous building with rich history. New York's most lovable public sculptures sit out front. Patience and Fortitude were commissioned for $13,000 and made from pink Tennessee marble. The lion's names have changed over the years but most recently were named in 1930 by the mayor of NY, LaGuardia, who felt those were the qualities needed for New York's citizens to survive the depression. I think they're also the qualities I need in this long season of career transition!<br />
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Rockefeller Center had a more comedic feel to it than my last visit. It's possibly the fact that Tina Fey buying a box of hot dogs for the whole crew is the image that came to mind when we first arrived there. Sadly, the Dean and Deluca that once sat opposite NBC is gone, but you can still watch Kathi Lee's face getting painted before she goes on air. Jenn, that was just for you. :)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not bad for a Blackberry photo of Central Park from the top of The Rock. A photographer friend from high school even commented. <a href="http://www.rolenimage.com/">Zach Rolen Photography</a>, check him out. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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By day three, we had accidentally gone to Brooklyn a few times thanks to conflicting iPhone directions, so made it our last stop for real. On the way, we hit up ESPRIT....Hello 1985. We look like a commercial about to shoot. To all of our surprise, it was a hit. We left with three red bags and I even found my wooden bangle. Ah...the spirit of a group dedicated to the cause of shopping.<br />
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A few final photos....<br />
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Until next time-- love you, New York City!<br />
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</div></div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-20586481179577844952011-06-09T10:02:00.002-04:002011-06-09T10:06:03.040-04:00nyc this weekend!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rJP9GA4hASI?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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It's been a while since I've posted, so there's lots to blog about! I decided to start training for the Peachtree Road Race and ran my first 5K a few weekends ago, it went really well other than catching a glimpse of the back of a girl's sorority t-shirt with the same letters as mine, and a rated X picture on the back. Someone please call the standards board on that one. Sheesh, all chapters are not created equal. Then, I spent last week on Blue Mountain Beach for 7 glorious days and will write all about that trip soon. Nearing the end of the week, the girl to boy ratio was 1:2.5 which was interesting and fun. I love how simple guys are, it's refreshing! Anyway, the subject matter at hand is NYC. I'm headed there this weekend to celebrate my friend Jenn's birthday and just can't wait. I've had the chorus to this Jay-Z song stuck in my head all week long. Three of us are going, each with distinctly different hair color, which begs the question, "who's who?" I'll let you know after the weekend. How's that?<br />
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On a more serious note, I actually prayed for some fun/inexpensive trips about two months ago. I know it sounds crazy, but this beach trip and then NYC have both come up since then, and both have come at very low cost. (Thanks to Jenn for the plane ticket...seriously!!) I just have to say that this is a reminder to me of how much God does care about the little things as well as the big in our lives. I'm not saying he always gives us trips (my sister laughed and told me that sounded really bratty to ask God for "fun trips") but whatever. All I'm saying is that he knows every detail of our hearts including when, in his timing, it is appropriate to give us gifts, which he by the way delights to give. Yes, even fun trips--and I'm thankful.hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-32609438714852573962011-05-23T09:42:00.001-04:002011-05-23T09:43:37.371-04:00rejoicing when others are flourishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWD09S5wsKpE1KEIGU-NX3SABa6CKLAiNm7exoKY57DGK4004RD4Dg_aNcrT4rr9oJ74K0R6XbBEQi5JBwjgAgTpTkeIlunGJjuXjsgAh-rcF6JrKVCg_apv034ASDy1Hd-B0ynJfO_8m/s1600/One+Thousand+Gifts+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWD09S5wsKpE1KEIGU-NX3SABa6CKLAiNm7exoKY57DGK4004RD4Dg_aNcrT4rr9oJ74K0R6XbBEQi5JBwjgAgTpTkeIlunGJjuXjsgAh-rcF6JrKVCg_apv034ASDy1Hd-B0ynJfO_8m/s400/One+Thousand+Gifts+book.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Someone recently asked me if it was hard to see others' prayers answered in the midst of mine continuing to seem unheard by God? My answer to that question is yes, and no. Yes, if I see myself as the most important person in the world, who has earned all that I have and just hasn't yet done enough for all that I don't. If I abandon all truth and demand my right to answers in my way and in my timing.<br />
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But, as God has his way of being gracious and slow to anger with us, I believe he is teaching me some things about this very topic. It is a really slow process for the light to be shone in the dark corners and closets of my heart. There I have found that I am prone to classify people as either important towards elevating my status and value, or a threat to it. This reaches from people out walking the streets, to one time interactions, to people I have known all my life. It is ugly and not glorifying to God, but it is at the heart of what I can not change about myself, and exactly the heart of God's business to transform. This is where the rubber meets the road in my life as a Christian. I am seeing how this sinful pattern plays itself out in my life in so many ways, and how it causes anxieties, fear, laziness and indifference, lack of love, I could go on. The next layer is how I see God responding to me and others around me, and how I believe his love too is directly proportional to the value that I place on others. For example, something good happens to someone on "important" status, it threatens my position and value. This even plays itself out in comparison of spiritual health & vitality of myself and others. But (cue redemption bell now) as God is moving my heart to simply <i>see</i> this pattern, he is also planting seeds of change towards bearing fruit! Seeds. Slow process. Lots of tending, lots of watering. The fruit of repentance and faith is a changed view of those around me, and of myself. The grace that God offers to give us our life in him and to allow us to flourish is for all of his children, for all those who fear him (trust in) him and call upon his name. <b>The grace and mercy that he gives to one by answering their prayer, is the same grace he offers to us who wait.</b> No less, and no more. It is infinite and deep, and when others flourish, we can rejoice. It is possible, as I am getting a taste. In the end, if I am honest, even when my prayers go unanswered in human terms, there is so much to be thankful for. There is flourishing in the midst of suffering too. A friend recently left this book on my doorstep, so sweet. "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-82677106230268694472011-05-21T15:23:00.002-04:002011-05-21T15:33:16.691-04:00a place where the earl grey flows like wineOne of the highlights of my having a flexible schedule right now is getting to do things I wouldn't be asked to do otherwise. Friends, Sean and Kristie Maddox have begun the launch of a mobile coffee & tea bar. (More to come on advertising for that as they are finishing up their branding and will be ready to go soon!) Last night I helped them to staff an event held at <a href="http://www.kingplow.com/">King Plow Arts Center</a>, a turn of the century machinery manufacturing plant on the Westside, full of history and charm. It was such a fun event and all of the Maddox' bars & equipment are top notch and built by Sean himself! They served hand poured brewed coffees and teas out of dainty glass pots and artful carafes. The Earl Grey had the most amazing aroma I have ever smelled in my life. I don't think I'll ever be able to handle tea on a string again. Their Barista, David, who also works at <a href="http://www.risendineatl.com/">Rise-N-Dine</a>, haven't been there but want to try it, served a steady stream of deliciously gorgeous cappuccinos and lattes, and I had fun talking to people and mixing the Italian sodas. Do you know how to make a good Italian soda? I sure didn't. Most of the people attending didn't know either. They were expecting ice cream, liquor, all kinds of other things. This would be my kitchen counter the day before, practicing my pouring for the event using water once I ran out of syrup. My brother, who ran a restaurant and bar in Mississippi while in college and whose boss has been written up in <a href="http://www.southernliving.com/travel/south-central/chef-salute-ty-thames-00400000038818/">Southern Living</a>, also gave me some tips like suggesting I should throw the bottles up in the air and catch them behind my back. In the end, I didn't think a girl in heels should be throwing bottles for any reason. Italian sodas are refreshing, light and the perfect end to a heavy meal, even after the "after dinner" cup of espresso or coffee.<br />
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</div><div><u>Italian Soda</u></div><div>7 oz. of sparkling water (San Pellegrino is best)</div><div>1 oz. of flavored syrup (ex: orange, lemon or mango)</div><div>ice</div><div>-Fill glass half full with ice . </div><div>-Add sparkling water and pour syrup over the top in a swirling motion. </div><div>-No stirring is necessary. </div><div><br />
</div><div>If you missed the quote from the title of this post, I'll give you another clue..."I'm talking about a little place called Aspen, Harry". </div><div><br />
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</div></div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-26799632033922349622011-05-18T19:55:00.000-04:002011-05-18T19:55:16.291-04:00ralph lauren<div style="text-align: justify;">I have said this before, but this blog takes some crazy turns. One day I'm thinking deeply, and then next, I'm wishing I was a clothing designer that left home at 20 to pursue a career in NYC. As I am continuing to journey through figuring out what I love, it's moments like almost falling off of the treadmill today while watching Oprah interview Ralph Lauren & family, that I just get really excited. I don't know why, but the ins and outs of starting at a drawing board, and making something that people put on their bodies is so fascinating to me. He talked about how each piece is a story that he is telling. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After 45 years of creating and designing, wildly new things continue to emerge. One comment did strike me though when he said that as he comes down the runway to wave good-bye at the end of a beautiful show, he's always feeling sick, already can't even enjoy his accomplishment or praise, because he fears deep down that he might not do it again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-45625315163479348492011-05-16T13:19:00.004-04:002011-12-01T11:09:54.751-05:00what's wrong with settling?<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I just found out that the home I'm living in will be foreclosed upon on June 7th, that's a lengthy 3 weeks from tomorrow. This is actually a familiar story for me as just two years ago the house that I was living in was in the same situation. Luckily, we all found places to go and it wasn't that bad. This time around it feels like a cruel joke in the midst of my uncertainty about full time work which has been dragging on for a good 9 months now. This morning while angrily emptying the dishwasher and dropping a few choice words throughout my thought process, it dawned on me--I am desperately seeking to be settled. That is my greatest desire right now, and it has reached idol status in my heart. I feel like it is a right, and most people would happily agree that it isn't a bad thing to want, wouldn't they? But then I started thinking about Jesus. Was he ever settled? Did he have a stable place to call home? I'm pretty sure the Bible says he had no place to lay his head. Is being settled the highest value, or even a value at all in God's Kingdom? I guess not, so now I feel guilty. If this is where I stop then I'm just going to be a miserably guilty Christian who doesn't believe the gospel at all. It will not inform reality and I will probably just move on carrying low grade bitterness and doing other things to numb my feelings and still won't be getting to the real issue. Turning my heart and its worship back toward Christ. I need to confess before God my idolatrous heart's desires and my desire to love the gifts and not the giver, and to seek out ways to hear, know and believe the satisfaction possible in his voice when he calls; and to believe the truth that where he leads is to an abundant life in himself, even when it feels unsettling. </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">"The sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name..the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. I cam that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". John 10: 3,4,10-11<br />
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</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-30250961297210848572011-05-14T12:30:00.018-04:002011-06-29T20:05:35.516-04:00camera dump<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was inspired by the back wall of a DIY bookshelf over at <a href="http://www.mygrowinghome.com/2011/04/big-bookshelf-project.html">Growing Home</a>, and decided that the final wall of the church office needed a dressed up bulletin board. This is what I've been looking at for a couple of months and can't take it much longer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyBMA_1oP-AkZw1dc-9q5r7wpoMdioP8hATgscsJBIsfuhyhUe_Fk1PZlqpGyaOSFmIo5RBA5hlP3iyz3jJ0Q0bS-F3ZJT2WZiG85whgukIr5uuVeIGL4zKL5xBqr0Mno-AMxd5r2zOea/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyBMA_1oP-AkZw1dc-9q5r7wpoMdioP8hATgscsJBIsfuhyhUe_Fk1PZlqpGyaOSFmIo5RBA5hlP3iyz3jJ0Q0bS-F3ZJT2WZiG85whgukIr5uuVeIGL4zKL5xBqr0Mno-AMxd5r2zOea/s640/IMG_1010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I really enjoy starting projects, but I don't like finishing them. Once it's 95% done, I'm ready to move on. The office started out something like this below. All men working there, you get the idea.<br />
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I honestly did find a half eaten Twinkie still in the wrapper inside a filing cabinet drawer. It was hidden in the back behind some empty folders. There's now a waiting area for people who stop by and the lighting is softer (lost the photos which were on my phone, so I'll have to add some later). I'm still hoping to do something fun with the bulletin board though. I also thought about changing out the flower picture in the kitchen with a piece of more cheerful fabric in a modern pattern. The kitchen is all white and so the flowers don't do much for it in terms of "pop".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTbmERzieMlB1I9KGpHmcWg3VIUJZpvILLVw0ejiNxufC6OLCmLOcyl5A-lPkzmo4jyKl8ABKpMCmnRB_MAN_el4Rk03m2opA85CrZiqveeCZczbqEWBqPqMjQYZHgkJgjI0YRlwOKaeh/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTbmERzieMlB1I9KGpHmcWg3VIUJZpvILLVw0ejiNxufC6OLCmLOcyl5A-lPkzmo4jyKl8ABKpMCmnRB_MAN_el4Rk03m2opA85CrZiqveeCZczbqEWBqPqMjQYZHgkJgjI0YRlwOKaeh/s640/kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The kitchen is NEWLY all white I should say. We had an Almond colored refrigerator from 1970 for two years, that made a sound like the house was going to blow, for about 1 minute every week. It froze everything on the bottom two shelves which ruined all the produce, so we just upgraded to a truly white version, possibly 1990, compliments of Craig's List. $250 total including delivery, removal of the old, hook up of the new and a 90 day warranty. We're excited.<br />
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Mother's Day was especially fun this year, knowing that MAD (Mom and Dad) would be leaving for England right after to see <a href="http://www.thelatestwiththeparkers.blogspot.com/">my brother and sister-in-law</a> who are living there. We are very low key with holidays and they always include a meal, a photo of us in front of the same fireplace or tree, and plenty of laughter. My middle brother is usually running late and calling to say "he's 10 minutes away". Translated: He just woke up from a nap and forgot it was *insert important holiday*.<br />
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Typical relaxing afternoon together. I would say the shoes were kicked off, but that is possibly my late brother who forgot to wear shoes at all (late as in still alive, just not punctual). Jake, the dog my parents have now inherited from my youngest brother, is interested in the camera; whereas Charlie is more emo and pondering his looming haircut.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZa_iZUwVENXoZjCH7JcoMUjrftB1PX0yG3A3f0TreZhGzdB-YDcF1jkDWto7OBdsdjmY_CowCPVvo1H-vwskVyXgyI9ysFZRmO3tFvHLFdH_CuRz10RQPWvVgx8iZ-AI3HLFqr7Hms-C/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZa_iZUwVENXoZjCH7JcoMUjrftB1PX0yG3A3f0TreZhGzdB-YDcF1jkDWto7OBdsdjmY_CowCPVvo1H-vwskVyXgyI9ysFZRmO3tFvHLFdH_CuRz10RQPWvVgx8iZ-AI3HLFqr7Hms-C/s640/IMG_1014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And with good reason. His self esteem takes a beating for about a month. Now I love my dog, but I'm just not that keen on treating him like a human. There's a dog daycare in the area called "Pets Are People Too"...really, people?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9iRHCfomQwA0t0BbyN-5Ao1X-kNRdZxu77MGYdq5Kynr5E75TciBlscBSgT19RJTouowv7GCXpkKPAWGuDG7o1lSMMfxW76Uk3D-3robwr3jDuGMSZpv7JT7MMo_Iq-RSyBH3Be5Jlc8/s1600/Charlie%2527s+hair+cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9iRHCfomQwA0t0BbyN-5Ao1X-kNRdZxu77MGYdq5Kynr5E75TciBlscBSgT19RJTouowv7GCXpkKPAWGuDG7o1lSMMfxW76Uk3D-3robwr3jDuGMSZpv7JT7MMo_Iq-RSyBH3Be5Jlc8/s640/Charlie%2527s+hair+cut.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the way, I realize that none of these photos are very good. However, I have decided that I'd rather capture the memories than not post them, and it's also practical help towards creating a blog about reality. We don't always look good, and that's just life. Since purchasing my first SLR camera last summer, I have been excited about getting into one of Kate Byar's photography classes, but every time I go to her site to register for one, they're all booked. She's an amazing photographer and I'm so happy to see that she has found work that she loves and is passionate about. Very inspiring. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What's even crazier is that she recently did <a href="http://www.katebyarsphotography.com/blog/">a photo shoot for one of my college friends with her sweet baby Nicolas.</a> I didn't even know she had hired Kate until I received a precious baby announcement in the mail with "Kate Byars Photography" printed on back. They're great pictures not only of the baby but also of the amazing nursery! Well done and congratulations Julie and Nic!</div>hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-81257054790736868282011-05-14T10:57:00.003-04:002011-05-16T14:26:02.043-04:00easter-ling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrtrXwhyphenhyphenzxydum24uoGceTXVXZAfoWwtVCDvWfIjVB2-bTJ8uKJBx-9YaUHJ5C__6fcB9ZMjt-KjkS1x_fhNIR7jFDn9NOJluSgqkRa7kDScFMc5wHqRcbhpyIjpNoka4Bdux8kBMYw0e/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrtrXwhyphenhyphenzxydum24uoGceTXVXZAfoWwtVCDvWfIjVB2-bTJ8uKJBx-9YaUHJ5C__6fcB9ZMjt-KjkS1x_fhNIR7jFDn9NOJluSgqkRa7kDScFMc5wHqRcbhpyIjpNoka4Bdux8kBMYw0e/s640/IMG_0992.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Easter in front of my parents house, with our good friend Bev who entertained us with hilarious stories about her students and ....who was also just written up in the AJC yesterday. She's an amazing teacher but never tells anyone about her awards. Sorry B, secret's out to the two people who read this blog! :) She was also awarded Class Act Teacher in January and was <a href="http://www.11alive.com/News/Education/174731/17/Teacher-Exposes-Kids-to-the-World">featured on 11 Alive news</a>.hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11300346665389297373noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1409209195732003385.post-42604990237686382162011-05-03T17:22:00.004-04:002011-05-21T09:17:24.150-04:00waiting<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have found it amazingly refreshing to sit in a place of pure honesty before God and others when life is cloudy, hard and I just can't make sense of <i>anything</i> happening to me. I have a desperate need to understand it all, and to explain it all to others, but why? So I can justify myself and functionally wipe out all that God has done to justify me once and for all, through Christ? Yes, pretty much. Well, there is grace for that too. And does God simply want to make us "blind from birth" (or insert your particular suffering) so that he will be seen as big "so that the works of God might be displayed in us", and we will just be miserable, pathetic creatures? No. Our faith gradually becomes more mature through sufferings, we know Christ more deeply as we share in his sufferings, we love others more genuinely when we have suffered, we have conversations that are honest and real with our friends and family members, we recognize and long more truly for the world to work properly again when Christ returns to right all that is wrong, and to bring us back to perfect harmony with himself, each other and with our world. Now, that might be a stretch to think through completely on the average morning, but it is a redemptive view of suffering that with God's help, we can grow to see glimpses of. I am just beginning to see these glimpses in my life. Ask the people around you. Often they can see them before you can. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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