tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26897342819533088332024-03-04T23:35:17.945-07:00Confessions of a 21st Century Wonder WomanRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.comBlogger185125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-78386297425882988892021-01-04T01:02:00.004-07:002021-01-04T01:02:31.814-07:00And we start again<p> Hi there. </p><p>It's been a while. </p><p>Well, let's just cut the bullshit. It's been a hell of a long time. And I know there are probably different places or platforms or whatever-the-hells that I should be posting on, but this is it. For now. </p><p>I've decided to give the constant droning of my inner narrator a voice again. Because I think it's probably good for me.</p><p>So I'm embarking on a dump of my internal thought-vomit and if you are so lucky (or unlucky) to read it, then I thank you whole-heartedly for your time, your ear, your audience. </p><p>I don't have a plan. But I have a challenge - for myself - to just fucking put these thoughts and words and worlds and platitudes to fucking paper. Haha - "paper" - those were the days. I used to scorn the thought that I could ever commit my words to anything but paper with the aid of ink and now I've succumbed fully to the digital. And I have no regrets. Yes, I do - on occasion - commit actual pen to actual paper—but these days I'm so out of practice that it's hard even for me to decipher the scribbling. </p><p>(smh) </p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-26654862406487280452018-01-12T22:49:00.001-07:002021-01-04T01:20:45.657-07:00Words have never mattered moreEvery day for so many days (too many days, weeks, months) I have read, listened to, and been bombarded with excuses for why totally unacceptable words (thoughts, phrases, philosophies, mortifying boasts) were okay to say.<br />
<br />
Why those words don't mean what we all think they mean.<br />
<br />
Why we weren't in the room and that discounts any dismay and outrage.<br />
<br />
Why it's the spirit and not the content of the words that matter (those are RARELY different).<br />
<br />
Why we need an interpreter to understand the leader of our nation.<br />
<br />
Why we are the crazy, hateful, dangerous ones.<br />
<br />
I am sick of it.<br />
<br />
Words matter.<br />
<br />
Words are my life. My living. My soul.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.30seconds.com/tip/lg/The-formula-to-move-from-reacting-to-being-intentional-wit-13758-fdd039698d-1491265468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://media.30seconds.com/tip/lg/The-formula-to-move-from-reacting-to-being-intentional-wit-13758-fdd039698d-1491265468.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo - 30seconds.com</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
But even if I did not hold words so dear, they matter.<br />
<br />
Words tell the world who we are. What we stand for. What we accept. What we're willing to put up with. What makes us draw a hard line. What we aspire to.<br />
<br />
Massaging words to ease the pain they make us feel is wrong.<br />
<br />
And it could be the worst mistake we ever make.<br />
<br />
Words are what give monsters power. And when we make their words okay by dismissing what they're telling us, we're inviting them to hide underneath our beds.<br />
<br />
Over the past year I have purchased a surprising number of t-shirts emblazoned with words that scream what my heart is feeling.<br />
<br />
Shirts that show my<br />
shock,<br />
sorrow,<br />
fear,<br />
defiance,<br />
and rebellion<br />
in the face of those who would turn words into bullies.<br />
<br />
I've never done this before.<br />
<br />
But I feel an overpowering need to restore words to their objective meaning--even if it's only by broadcasting them across my chest. And ,thereby, lodging my strong dissent with those that would distort and render impotent these most valuable friends that have led us into every important human victory we have ever had.<br />
<br />
The Declaration of Independence is words.<br />
<br />
The Constitution is words.<br />
<br />
Prayer is words.<br />
<br />
I have a dream is words.<br />
<br />
I love you is words.<br />
<br />
I forgive you is words.<br />
<br />
I want to understand is words.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry is words.<br />
<br />
I need help is words.<br />
<br />
I'm afraid is words.<br />
<br />
How can I help is words.<br />
<br />
ze - cis - they - she - he is words.<br />
<br />
I hate is words.<br />
<br />
Shithole countries is words.<br />
<br />
None of those phrases need an explanation. We all know what they mean.<br />
<br />
To discount the inherent meaning of any of those words renders all the rest of them meaningless--futile.<br />
<br />
If any of those words somehow don't mean what they actually mean, than ALL are null.<br />
<br />
My heart is heavy.<br />
<br />
My soul is tired.<br />
<br />
My anger is ignited.<br />
<br />
My fire is fueled.<br />
<br />
As a messenger of words I want to also be a guardian of them--and what they mean.<br />
<br />
The <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/what-did-the-men-with-donald-trump-do-when-he-spoke-of-shithole-countries/2018/01/12/358a7e26-f7b5-11e7-beb6-c8d48830c54d_story.html?utm_term=.61553e5fb9e8" target="_blank">cowardice of our ELECTED leaders</a> who allow this to continue unchecked is shameful.<br />
<br />
The answer seems easy--let words mean what they mean.<br />
<br />
Let the people who say them be held accountable for them.<br />
<br />
Let the rest of us use our words to make sure that happens.<br />
<br />
I'm not dismissing actions--to utter words is an action. And, as they are the weapon being used against decency, empathy, compassion, humanity--we must wield them with ferocity.<br />
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-82186914334474536212017-12-18T22:58:00.001-07:002017-12-18T22:58:50.781-07:00The Ghosts of TV Christmas Past<i>There's only a week left. Not even that, really. Six days. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I've almost missed it. Almost.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>But I'll take those six days and deem it not too late to share a holiday blog. It's my favorite time to write and I always have so much to say, but I've just been letting the voices in my head hash it out so far this year. No more! I'm silencing those voices<span id="docs-internal-guid-2d7d55f2-6d1e-6771-1160-d119952dd417"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span></span>or at least sharing their cacophony with a larger audience.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>And now this...</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to the wonderful world of streaming TV we can now visit the ghosts of TV past whenever we want to. I have a regular playlist of episodes from beloved shows that always give me what I need<i><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d7d55f2-6d1e-6771-1160-d119952dd417"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span></span></i>be that laughter, comfort, or really, I'm looking for laughter, here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I snuggled down to watch one of these yuletide shows, I realized I had never shared these holiday treats with you. So, in an effort to right that grievous wrong, here is a (partial) list of must-see holiday TV</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d7d55f2-6d1e-6771-1160-d119952dd417"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>—</i>according to me.</span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" <i>The X-Files</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.awardsdaily.com/tv/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/How-the-Ghosts-Stole-Xmas-848x478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.awardsdaily.com/tv/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/How-the-Ghosts-Stole-Xmas-848x478.jpg" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: awardsdaily.com</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">f you like your holiday more maudlin and ghosty, but have tired of the "A Christmas Carol" trope, then this is one show that will not disappoint. This episode is the epitome of all the things I love, love, LOVE about </span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The X-Files.</i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> It showcases Mulder and Scully in all their believing and skeptical (respectively) glory. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mulder lures Scully to a haunted manor and basks in the perfection of his own words as he tells her the tale of the ill-fated young lovers whose spirits walk the halls each Christmas Eve, "I think I just gave myself the chills."</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scully is characteristically impatient and wants to go home to wrap presents (which are already wrapped when they pan to them) and get on with regular happy-family Christmas things. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The interplay between Mulder and Scully is just right and so much fun, as is the entire episode. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The ghosts are played delightfully by Lilly Tomlin and Ed Asner and they push the limits of Christmas ghost shenanigans.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/x-files/images/5/53/Mulder_and_Scully_deceased.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090907112136" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net/x-files/images/5/53/Mulder_and_Scully_deceased.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090907112136" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="765" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: X-Files Wiki</td></tr>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a spooky yuletide caper and one very much worth a look. When the agents uncover two corpses under the floorboards and Scully notes that "she's wearing my outfit," Mulder's pithy response is, "How embarrassing." </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little gems like that are scattered throughout, along with plenty of eloquent discourse about what the holidays really mean and our desire to believe in things greater than ourselves like ghosts (which, according to Scully, don't exist).</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"It doesn't take a degree in psychology to understand the unconscious yearnings that these imaginings satisfy..the longing for immortality, the hope that there is something beyond this mortal coil, that we might never be long without our loved ones...these are powerful powerful desires. I mean, they're the very essence of what makes us human...the very essence of Christmas, actually."</span></span><br />
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<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b>"A Very Supernatural Christmas" <i>Supernatural</i></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thewinchesterfamilybusiness.com/images/SeasonThree/AVSC/SamandDeanTiedtoChairsCrop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://thewinchesterfamilybusiness.com/images/SeasonThree/AVSC/SamandDeanTiedtoChairsCrop.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: The Winchester Family Business</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who yearn to ring in the holidays with some horrific ancient lore and two really hot guys, <i>Supernatural's </i>got you covered. They even throw in a healthy dose of really earnest Christmas spirit. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The show starts out with a little boy witnessing the magic of Santa (his costumed grandpa) delivering gifts under the tree. This Christmas dream-come-true is rudely interrupted when Santa gets yanked up the chimney</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d7d55f2-6d1e-6771-1160-d119952dd417"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>—</i>l</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">eaving nothing but a bloody boot behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, other merry-makers start to go missing as well, and it's not long before Sam and Dean come sniffing around. Other than the usual monster-of-the-week formula, this episode is interspersed with cut-backs to childhood memories of a Winchester family Christmas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A poignantly sad moment that still grabs a few laughs is when big brother Dean presents young Sam with presents on Christmas morning, saying that Dad just couldn't wake Sam up. Sam tears in only to find a Barbie doll and a sparkly baton.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://thesupernaturalfoxsisters.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/samulet-dean-sam-winchester-a-very-supernatural-christmas-pix.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="500" height="180" src="https://thesupernaturalfoxsisters.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/samulet-dean-sam-winchester-a-very-supernatural-christmas-pix.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: The Supernatural Fox Sisters</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Dad must think you're a girl," Dean says. But Sam gets what really happened, and in a show of gratitude and brotherly love hands Dean the special present he was saving for their father (it's the Samulet!). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In between soft, gushy moments and saccharine-soaked displays of holiday spirit on steroids we get to see the boys hilariously sing a Christmas carol, shop for "fussy" wreaths, and</span><i><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d7d55f2-6d1e-6771-1160-d119952dd417"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of course</span></span></span></i><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d7d55f2-6d1e-6771-1160-d119952dd417"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>—</i>beat the shit out of "Anti-Claus."</span></span><br />
<span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's a rollicking good time and is the perfect Christmas treatment from a show chock-full of angels, magic, and spirits of every kind. </span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<b>"The One with the Holiday Armadillo" <i>Friends</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is hands-down my all-time favorite funny holiday sitcom episode period. It's frickin' hilarious!! And I still laugh out loud ridiculously every time I watch it. It never gets old. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't watched it, you need to. I'm not going to tell you anything about it. Just go watch it. Right now. I mean it. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/1d/9d/62/1d9d62c61eef8b05051ef7d79f17be02--friends-christmas-episode-true-friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="474" height="318" src="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/1d/9d/62/1d9d62c61eef8b05051ef7d79f17be02--friends-christmas-episode-true-friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Pinterest</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b>
<b>"All About Christmas Eve" <i>Will and Grace</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a dream. And it's to spend Christmas Eve with my kiddos in a swanky hotel room overlooking Times Square, wearing a fluffy white robe, downing champagne, and calling room service, housekeeping, maintenance, and anyone else we can lure to our room so we can employ the age-old tradition of caroling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's a fantasy that was inspired by this episode and I'm going to make it happen one day, if it's the last Christmas fantasy dream thing I ever do! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://previously.tv/m/2013-12-18-will-and-grace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://previously.tv/m/2013-12-18-will-and-grace2.jpg" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="650" height="237" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Previously TV<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did I forget to mention the flashing? You're welcome NYC! </span></i><div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Christmas & God Bless Us - <i>Every One!</i></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-18942539599888978842017-07-20T22:59:00.004-06:002017-07-20T23:26:50.893-06:00Fireworks - Take Two<i>This post was originally published in July 2010, but I find the sentiment still rings true. I have made some updates to reflect the changes in the constellation of my life over the past seven years, but thought this entry was well-suited to kick off the blog after a six month respite. Enjoy!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzwVjc0DwbU/WXGOgrEQPnI/AAAAAAAAA5A/LI5PkJaBuWo4gGihvu1vKMwCYDedqUBGgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzwVjc0DwbU/WXGOgrEQPnI/AAAAAAAAA5A/LI5PkJaBuWo4gGihvu1vKMwCYDedqUBGgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I couldn't find a fireworks pic, but thought this beach sunset could stand in!</i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Fireworks</span><br />
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On my way home from Terri's one Fourth of July a few years ago, I saw brilliant explosions of color and light through my windshield and in my rearview mirror. I was surrounded by fireworks. And it was awesome.<br />
<br />
It got me thinking about how many bright, scary, fun and always surprising explosions happen in our lives all the time.<br />
<br />
<b>Savannah graduating from high school.</b> <i>(Then college, then getting a big Director of Communications job and traveling to foreign lands like Colombia and Australia all by herself.)</i><br />
<i></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgookpSJ6fAo_CMon8rQuzpAdUhiTU9KuPX978Z9ogT-C1zAO9uRig1smf19jpGQchBDKLY0NYNuXK6oNr-gDm7kt6s9tKpNsmTBsW8o3LNCzRXGBFqfuUSkzO6Xx8KeQVqXerNsei8a6Cu/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgookpSJ6fAo_CMon8rQuzpAdUhiTU9KuPX978Z9ogT-C1zAO9uRig1smf19jpGQchBDKLY0NYNuXK6oNr-gDm7kt6s9tKpNsmTBsW8o3LNCzRXGBFqfuUSkzO6Xx8KeQVqXerNsei8a6Cu/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Savannah's graduation from the U!</i></td></tr>
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<i></i><br />
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<b>Gabi's irresistible snicker at an "adult" joke she just shouldn't get. </b><i>(And turning into an adult who knows who he is [TYLER], who has weathered impossible storms like a pro and who can to grab a beer with me at <a href="http://thelocalboise.com/">The Local</a>.)</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Momma & Tyler<br /></i></td></tr>
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<b>A puppy nuzzling my neck. </b><i>(Living with TWO dogs and finding out I secretly love it.)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i> Lucas <br /> & <br /> Alexis (RIP 6.20.16)</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-peimfVWaz_Q/WXGOqomExYI/AAAAAAAAA5w/-L2D3Bimb98B3Tyh5zhzbm-eIUyrFag-wCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-peimfVWaz_Q/WXGOqomExYI/AAAAAAAAA5w/-L2D3Bimb98B3Tyh5zhzbm-eIUyrFag-wCEwYBhgL/s200/IMG_2023.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<b>Seeing Bachelor #2 drive by me smiling and waving in the Kaysville 4th of July Parade. </b><i>(Finding the right guy for me at my brother's wedding and <a href="https://wonderwoman21.blogspot.com/2013/04/fit-to-be-tiedover-hill-tying-knot.html">getting engaged</a> in the company of sea turtles on a Hawaiian beach.)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkgXkPuAxuM/WXGOoWKReRI/AAAAAAAAA5w/WoMwg9bOCLQO-i1hoJWvWYaL_EsF2eC1QCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_1448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkgXkPuAxuM/WXGOoWKReRI/AAAAAAAAA5w/WoMwg9bOCLQO-i1hoJWvWYaL_EsF2eC1QCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_1448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The sea turtles on the beach!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The ring!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The guy!</i></td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: 14.85px;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-size: 14.85px;">A bevy of young, 20-something guys vying for my affections.</b><span style="font-size: 14.85px;"> </span><i style="font-size: 14.85px;">(This would still be totally awesome, but the vying has most definitely cooled.)</i><br />
<br />
<b>Terri's mom having emergency exploratory surgery to find the source of internal bleeding after a "routine" operation. </b><i>(Discovering the frailties of all of our parents, and starting to see them in ourselves.)</i><br />
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<b>The surge of support and love triggered by a text message prayer chain.</b> <i>(AMEN!)</i><br />
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Every day we have many "fireworks" moments. Moments that cannot be ignored. That call us to full attention--whether in awe, in excitement, in happiness, in fear, in gratitude, in anger, in sorrow or in laughter.<br />
<br />
The form and delivery of these everyday explosions are varied and often unexpected, but what can be relied upon is that they will happen. It can be that touch on your hand that still feels thrilling after years of marriage or that accidental glimpse of your child being completely themselves when they think no one is looking.<br />
<br />
It can be an inexplicable feeling of calm in the middle of a furious emotional storm that you fear may overtake you. Or the simple joy of breathing in the air after a rainstorm.<br />
<br />
Some days we are searching for miracles<br />
and others they just show up,<br />
<br />
out of the night sky,<br />
<br />
in our rearview mirror.</div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-27237904481663576022016-12-22T21:41:00.000-07:002016-12-22T21:41:14.413-07:00It's finally happening!!Ready to dig in to some new Gilmore Girls!! Huzzah!!<br />
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-73852352885833608242016-12-21T20:49:00.000-07:002016-12-21T20:49:27.181-07:00Gilmore Girls Observances by Tyler & MeYAY! My Tyler-boy is home!! And, as expected, we have jumped right into some "Gilmore Girls" viewing. NOT the new season, of course, because we are missing the third of our three musketeers, but a few important, selected catch-up episodes for the sone who has not yet made it back through ALL the episodes!<br />
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So, the most wonderful of all wonderful things occurred as we began our GG session - we realized that we had MANY similar observations of the characters and series and I decided that those observations MUST be the next post I make.<br />
<br />
Here goes...<br />
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<b>1. Paris is crazy and scary and awesome and crazy. </b>This is not a news flash to anyone, but as we watched her "hunkered down in her hobo hut inside the 'Daily News'" (so said Tyler) it came into acute and glorious focus. We loves ya, Paris, we LOVE ya!!! <i>(and - YEAH - Paris Gellar does NOT perp walk!)</i><br />
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<b>2. Rory is a creepy kisser. </b>I really thought it was just about those gross first kisses with Dean, but, really, she's not an awesome kisser. And Tyler agrees. He thinks that Alexis isn't even good at it when she's not Rory - like in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." Ewwwww!<br />
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<br />
<b>3. Tyler dresses just like Luke. </b>In fact, they are literally wearing the same shirt right now as we watch season 6, episode 14. Yup.<br />
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<br />
<b>4. Emily is just divine!</b> Again, not a news flash, but one thing that we all seem to agree on is how much we LOVE Emily Gilmore. Sure, she's infuriating much of the time. But she's the OG when it comes to infuriating, passive-aggressive, shrill, biting comments and manipulative <i>cahoots!</i><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sECxXPqN8OU/WFtK1jikb5I/AAAAAAAAA3E/qwyvc6ukqTsrF5VWso-bvzHKctwOEjWdwCLcB/s1600/Emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sECxXPqN8OU/WFtK1jikb5I/AAAAAAAAA3E/qwyvc6ukqTsrF5VWso-bvzHKctwOEjWdwCLcB/s320/Emily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>5. Sometimes Rory's bangs are a bit heavy.</b> That's all. There's really not more to say.<br />
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<b>6. Luke does sort of resemble Nicolas Cage.</b> I recently made a post on Facebook about one of my favorite holiday movies, "The Family Man," starring Nicolas Cage. My mom made a comment, "Do you think Luke looks like Nicolas?" It took me a minute to figure out which Luke she meant, but then it was obvi. And, yes, tonite Tyler and I have noticed that Luke does, at times, resemble Nicolas Cage. Especially without the baseball cap.<br />
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<b>7. Rory's immaturity and fit-throwing bug us so much because we're used to her being the grownup. </b>Our catch-up viewing tour started with "Friday Night's All Right for Fighting" because of Savannah's strong recommendation and insistence that the family tension showcased at the end of the episode felt very, very familiar.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo - as I've already pointed out, this episode in particular seems to showcase Lorelai acting the mature parent with wise insights and helpful advice, while Rory acted the petulant, spoiled, only child (according to Emily at dinner!). The point is, Tyler said he wanted to throttle Rory and I explained that she is <i>supposed </i> to be acting like a brat and figuring things out and being ridiculous - because she's young and growing and learning. Lorelai, on the other hand, should have been the grownup all along, but she doesn't usually act like it - however, she suddenly jumps the shark in this episode into a wise, maternal sage spouting helpful, rational, reasonable, forgiving and even generous guidance. It's weird.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It may not look like it, but this is Lorelai's shining, mature mom moment!</td></tr>
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<br />
Well, friends, that's about it. Today is the last day in our resistance of the new GG episodes. Tomorrow we will dive in!<br />
<br />
WOOT!!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-22249220901020203072016-12-16T21:36:00.000-07:002017-07-20T22:39:36.808-06:00Day 6 - Emily Gilmore's Guide to Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She can be a polarizing figure, but the more times I watch "Gilmore Girls" the more I just love Emily.<br />
<br />
She's the Queen Bee, the Queen Bitch, the one who taught Lorelai to hold grudges and manipulate her loved ones - and a woman who takes life firmly by the balls (although she would <i>never</i> be that crude!) and makes it her bitch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb64X7oNP-ybSXrRAW9MNBzE176XVEyhYedIKX1Ka9SqhUfuuNSopey3aHOO30dm2aiLwNBiq3Y5O3MA3mOgqN_okM388W7jHviA5Riy0cC-j1UvokXbA9JdJSwVSOsr_fBYmlScjdkiL/s1600/prim+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb64X7oNP-ybSXrRAW9MNBzE176XVEyhYedIKX1Ka9SqhUfuuNSopey3aHOO30dm2aiLwNBiq3Y5O3MA3mOgqN_okM388W7jHviA5Riy0cC-j1UvokXbA9JdJSwVSOsr_fBYmlScjdkiL/s1600/prim+emily.jpg" /></a><br />
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Here's a peek at life according to the undeniable, unflappable, absolutely fantastic and perfectly infuriating Emily Gilmore.<br />
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<b>Know what you want </b></div>
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<b>and don't let anyone give you any shit for demanding it. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_hS6133ePwbwaorEa_bKC8d9Gih78m30QwccqJTqR6bKX5WKfBPvNVn5u624opFSTIyOd7YYZpTa4WXuyvwPQHFjwWOXOroUPgc5Wh_dPeu2O_ySk2tVUm2h0hXM3PIdi00eIo09ba2e/s1600/unreasonable+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_hS6133ePwbwaorEa_bKC8d9Gih78m30QwccqJTqR6bKX5WKfBPvNVn5u624opFSTIyOd7YYZpTa4WXuyvwPQHFjwWOXOroUPgc5Wh_dPeu2O_ySk2tVUm2h0hXM3PIdi00eIo09ba2e/s1600/unreasonable+emily.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>When it comes to men - make them work for it. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfUW0a6GNA2QqrpWvl3NnF5NW6At13hnQlrqN05tNg8ql0eyjJKQGX-_QTvr_ZpYZF8wM40wvMTEyPO-vMmRdEjA3Cv26_o2WPkY80YYFgFoZudHq_nUcUP_uqeo9qCKmVJarlblVWCg4/s1600/boy+honks+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfUW0a6GNA2QqrpWvl3NnF5NW6At13hnQlrqN05tNg8ql0eyjJKQGX-_QTvr_ZpYZF8wM40wvMTEyPO-vMmRdEjA3Cv26_o2WPkY80YYFgFoZudHq_nUcUP_uqeo9qCKmVJarlblVWCg4/s1600/boy+honks+emily.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Reward a person's actions accordingly...</b></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0LRgdgw3hU/WFS61fkWxwI/AAAAAAAAAy8/yqUr-RZAlwkePPlp8ObKGeISQFFqZJO0gCLcB/s1600/crack%2Bbaby%2Bemily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U0LRgdgw3hU/WFS61fkWxwI/AAAAAAAAAy8/yqUr-RZAlwkePPlp8ObKGeISQFFqZJO0gCLcB/s320/crack%2Bbaby%2Bemily.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Sometimes, even the most refined woman needs to pull out the big girl swears.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiZj4EQaNMXBL4GphhGS0MrZI6eOMJOJBGYcEFGFvbQYFYUugjZE4HXrfl2QLVVB2DxjB6IMO7GAhggPm92lX4jomLPwOuIgDwo7F6gY1ysWM5xXUmMfofeWwfm60dQjsw0_WS2ulaJTU/s1600/ass+emily+2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiZj4EQaNMXBL4GphhGS0MrZI6eOMJOJBGYcEFGFvbQYFYUugjZE4HXrfl2QLVVB2DxjB6IMO7GAhggPm92lX4jomLPwOuIgDwo7F6gY1ysWM5xXUmMfofeWwfm60dQjsw0_WS2ulaJTU/s1600/ass+emily+2.gif" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2k63yJzkJRUDJ9eoVC3oarhvvG_EwhcjEZh07IzgB2P_El3LTU0K27N5tOFYd1WaNLzNiQEO6L6Doo_r_s6Lb4m3lvqx15Wryu8NhIXBLpE4KNwC53KUoGslMFBauwnDwGgRxcQ9GTPv/s1600/ass+emily+1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2k63yJzkJRUDJ9eoVC3oarhvvG_EwhcjEZh07IzgB2P_El3LTU0K27N5tOFYd1WaNLzNiQEO6L6Doo_r_s6Lb4m3lvqx15Wryu8NhIXBLpE4KNwC53KUoGslMFBauwnDwGgRxcQ9GTPv/s1600/ass+emily+1.gif" /></a></div>
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<b>Don't cross her family - she'll make you pay.</b></div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBOhWB93GzY/WFS62Ig-oUI/AAAAAAAAAzI/MFa92yNTVTMdQEB0_gDgUYPziXqnDe1mQCLcB/s1600/hicksville%2Bemily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBOhWB93GzY/WFS62Ig-oUI/AAAAAAAAAzI/MFa92yNTVTMdQEB0_gDgUYPziXqnDe1mQCLcB/s1600/hicksville%2Bemily.gif" /></a><br />
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<b>Keeping up with the Joneses is for amateurs.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqNWWnlE-rXkCA9Pa-h7wjzNtwPmG_2PKll9yIpFYdiBidhVDDxW3tYNFU1OsFjdhgPYNft378vhSebVi3lnHdT2a3ECbaRlUoXmv3dKIGFbK3SnYisYvFgTFmAdzujJsRBMuetLNY6Co/s1600/huge+house+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqNWWnlE-rXkCA9Pa-h7wjzNtwPmG_2PKll9yIpFYdiBidhVDDxW3tYNFU1OsFjdhgPYNft378vhSebVi3lnHdT2a3ECbaRlUoXmv3dKIGFbK3SnYisYvFgTFmAdzujJsRBMuetLNY6Co/s320/huge+house+emily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Be culturally sensitive...</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkKtFqtR7oYsrcXeSLaMx8zUzcb6s-AFC4bHtSbv63saRMAKzRROeppL5W4UFAV6uLiS1SWm6jfCBfOO6k6KMaIKMohB77Nml4tWr9_842F2rQZiMI-tJCWOja5DTPXjJdxG9h9F0OT69/s1600/lesbian+emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkKtFqtR7oYsrcXeSLaMx8zUzcb6s-AFC4bHtSbv63saRMAKzRROeppL5W4UFAV6uLiS1SWm6jfCBfOO6k6KMaIKMohB77Nml4tWr9_842F2rQZiMI-tJCWOja5DTPXjJdxG9h9F0OT69/s1600/lesbian+emily.gif" /></a></div>
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<b>...to the best of your ability.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF-0hr0F_cUsrOVVVXYTdUPvfFxKc0o0RNgXkY40bS09XU1LXVgL8MpJUEjr2iwBbci-gkiPsSSgfacqj2dF8dz-cEfiyr733ZyZWUN0lRJbPGtVxaOTYudLIlGux9x0fijmPUm8G2HwZ/s1600/maids+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF-0hr0F_cUsrOVVVXYTdUPvfFxKc0o0RNgXkY40bS09XU1LXVgL8MpJUEjr2iwBbci-gkiPsSSgfacqj2dF8dz-cEfiyr733ZyZWUN0lRJbPGtVxaOTYudLIlGux9x0fijmPUm8G2HwZ/s1600/maids+emily.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Twinning ROCKS!</b></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-o5gYXY-OM/WFS63GnbYOI/AAAAAAAAAzk/WO8ICDAuNt80t_92rDr-qUNw3sXyqxkCwCLcB/s1600/twins%2Bemily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-o5gYXY-OM/WFS63GnbYOI/AAAAAAAAAzk/WO8ICDAuNt80t_92rDr-qUNw3sXyqxkCwCLcB/s1600/twins%2Bemily.jpg" /></a><br />
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I<b>f you're going to suffer, take the ones you love down with you!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kyUEx2faFAsiB0xxDIlEdPfcQDsf_S_1QQSI-_lsE2k1q9Z4BRTzJbzYYgNHlSglZNgDG-NGdIOkmRdeL40QQxtfd_o1VwXD_l27zlvk5FebkoWXDnteHu1wfBtJOWnc2bQftp4Ju6MT/s1600/insane+emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kyUEx2faFAsiB0xxDIlEdPfcQDsf_S_1QQSI-_lsE2k1q9Z4BRTzJbzYYgNHlSglZNgDG-NGdIOkmRdeL40QQxtfd_o1VwXD_l27zlvk5FebkoWXDnteHu1wfBtJOWnc2bQftp4Ju6MT/s320/insane+emily.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Sometimes we all need a little breakdown.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu99WK_QA-Q0aLFQHRNRg9MbZZpZqsd0YrtN2fMBKNvviEKBIfcazCe_7A_3DFnUX0vhRvXaN4e651t2Ins1WMp-kxERUDTatxMRqqZjiBmObStmhEo6FbfvZI0e6_zrbUJguwGCqQbzN/s1600/favorite+emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlu99WK_QA-Q0aLFQHRNRg9MbZZpZqsd0YrtN2fMBKNvviEKBIfcazCe_7A_3DFnUX0vhRvXaN4e651t2Ins1WMp-kxERUDTatxMRqqZjiBmObStmhEo6FbfvZI0e6_zrbUJguwGCqQbzN/s320/favorite+emily.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>NOTHING happens without her approval. </b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7LoMy8P6WXyPCluuqGQEIF4piK9apt6kszyyQ25dwCZwikwnI0PQ42B9PGM2HgikNstXThyphenhyphenjtjGKITSnjuSpZV3d5Ruu8rOOhj7mSkBuyBPdefd_3pKArvAFDMOp9EuVdbqjvz1CpXXT/s1600/death+defying+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7LoMy8P6WXyPCluuqGQEIF4piK9apt6kszyyQ25dwCZwikwnI0PQ42B9PGM2HgikNstXThyphenhyphenjtjGKITSnjuSpZV3d5Ruu8rOOhj7mSkBuyBPdefd_3pKArvAFDMOp9EuVdbqjvz1CpXXT/s1600/death+defying+emily.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>We all get a crack in our armor from time to time. </b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsHQlBPzv_ThmnIOITz09OBryDratzHqAWPAwoFClx5cDHDtNGG71knXn76Q02umZVFt904A9WEAuzIFseMCQT9_QJmYDBfE9F-DHE6DcPU1ee8I3qDR55Zdsy2euRSxTdNmy8SSlPZAc/s1600/real+person+emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFsHQlBPzv_ThmnIOITz09OBryDratzHqAWPAwoFClx5cDHDtNGG71knXn76Q02umZVFt904A9WEAuzIFseMCQT9_QJmYDBfE9F-DHE6DcPU1ee8I3qDR55Zdsy2euRSxTdNmy8SSlPZAc/s1600/real+person+emily.gif" /></a><br />
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<b>Never miss a chance to humiliate an enemy with lascivious secrets and bad fashion.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXteE5N_av4b43hWWvhsfJzlS31mHKB7XfK7h9xMZv5z23mVetScBNzyHCUjgcFTU8D8piDpFzvrov__HXU4w2qGtIaclG-m39JBhpiFBxHf7cHSDPpWUGGfNMut49HpSRVqeXz5fZor7/s1600/tracksuit+emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXteE5N_av4b43hWWvhsfJzlS31mHKB7XfK7h9xMZv5z23mVetScBNzyHCUjgcFTU8D8piDpFzvrov__HXU4w2qGtIaclG-m39JBhpiFBxHf7cHSDPpWUGGfNMut49HpSRVqeXz5fZor7/s320/tracksuit+emily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>You've got to have standards. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsPq9V5FFvsKLs2oEuIHje9XC2_2ud5-tlbkdiaxLWV8Bke-gTrIfxqS0FJNC5a79RkFBHrnm1TmdwwKnwpzRzSbnatogu-IWmCVGtR9rZ2Y3XcTIcx-c7TrMELRHUegraPBtQn27C6xd/s1600/hookers+eat+at+bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsPq9V5FFvsKLs2oEuIHje9XC2_2ud5-tlbkdiaxLWV8Bke-gTrIfxqS0FJNC5a79RkFBHrnm1TmdwwKnwpzRzSbnatogu-IWmCVGtR9rZ2Y3XcTIcx-c7TrMELRHUegraPBtQn27C6xd/s320/hookers+eat+at+bars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Do as I say, not as I do... </b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIC12au8qfZow9TpMsOktgWXA-s4ShojCbsegIpmVofUyy2cJdF2qMJzOQ5zxrVdR2QSkRPiAOXaIT3YZ_oz6OZHm3cTFQ4CT5qdM6oldXqhYnW3SSoSuRpzq68KENLm_Zq3wx_vxyAXH/s1600/sarcasm+emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIC12au8qfZow9TpMsOktgWXA-s4ShojCbsegIpmVofUyy2cJdF2qMJzOQ5zxrVdR2QSkRPiAOXaIT3YZ_oz6OZHm3cTFQ4CT5qdM6oldXqhYnW3SSoSuRpzq68KENLm_Zq3wx_vxyAXH/s320/sarcasm+emily.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
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<b>Call your loved ones out <i>before</i> they stage the intervention.</b></div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEtQ0JVhXjY/WFS63HghGSI/AAAAAAAAAzo/okFohAwFhTQIOPyGVyj5i2CCOcnVWA2pACLcB/s1600/psychiatrist%2Bemily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nEtQ0JVhXjY/WFS63HghGSI/AAAAAAAAAzo/okFohAwFhTQIOPyGVyj5i2CCOcnVWA2pACLcB/s1600/psychiatrist%2Bemily.gif" /></a><br />
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<b>And, finally...no matter what anyone else thinks, two glasses of wine at lunch is ALWAYS the right decision! </b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_tZT_pvB6Y/WFS63MpqWZI/AAAAAAAAAzs/tbK6JVSees44Z1-25QsLv54H3NVzojeogCLcB/s1600/wine%2Bemily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q_tZT_pvB6Y/WFS63MpqWZI/AAAAAAAAAzs/tbK6JVSees44Z1-25QsLv54H3NVzojeogCLcB/s320/wine%2Bemily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-58198892442536418902016-12-14T22:05:00.000-07:002016-12-14T22:05:45.141-07:00Day 8 - Friday Night's All Right For FightingMany of you may recognize the name of this post as the title of Season 6, Episode 13. About a week ago Savannah texted me at an ungodly hour to let me know she was literally LOL-ing her ass off watching this episode of familial dysfunction and confrontation.<br />
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I decided that I needed to immediately review said episode to refresh my memory of the exact context.<br />
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Savannah's description:<br />
"Momma! I'm watching the episode in season 6 when the whole family is fighting at dinner then getting along and then fighting and then getting along. It feels like our lives. Haha."<br />
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I received the message with a mix of pride and trepidation.<br />
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First, I was exhilarated that she was reminded of her own family and second, I was mortified that what inspired that comparison was fighting - then getting along - then fighting - then getting along.<br />
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I jumped into the tub, set up my bathtub office and re-watched the entire episode.<br />
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In the context of Savannah's declaration, and my previous countdown posts, I had several epiphanies during my review. Here you go:<br />
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<b>1. OMG - Lorelai actually shows all the growth and insight I have heretofore claimed she was without! </b>Yes, it's true! In this episode, Lorelai orchestrates a reunion between Rory and her grandparents (to which none of them consented) and counsels her daughter with these wise, wise, words:<br />
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"You and your grandparents are at a huge crossroads - a precipice, if you will - they are the bridges of Madison County and you are Meryl Streep...I know you and your grandparents are playing 'who can freeze out who the longest' - which I know can be fun - but if you ever hope to have a relationship with again, then someone needs to make the first move.<br />
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"I remember the first Christmas <i>(yes - there's a Christmas tie-in!)</i> after we left Hartford. We were at the Independence Inn and I got an invitation to their annual Christmas party and I didn't go, and that one move defined our entire future relationship."<br />
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Lorelai goes on to admit that her effort to break the ice so many years ago wouldn't have felt wonderful, but it may have been the first step to a different relationship and potentially different future for both her and Rory.<br />
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After Rory admits that it may - or may not have- made a difference, Lorelai pulls at her daughter's heartstrings, emphasizing how important a relationship with her grandparents has always been to Rory. Then Lorelai pulls out the big guns - she's already scheduled Friday Night Dinner for all of them - just like old times.<br />
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"C'mon - Friday night dinner - cocktails, Mozart, mind games, good times."<br />
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OMG! I have to reiterate the horrible text talk for this one. I actually feel badly for condemning Lorelia so harshly without giving her performance in this episode its due. She is the Lorelai I've always longed for - the one I knew was there somewhere - the one who was able to contribute to the growth and development of an exceptional daughter.<br />
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Kudos, Lorelai! Kudos!<br />
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<b>2. Family dinners are prone to awfulness. </b>I like to believe that when our family gets together it's always awesome, but I know that is likely not the total truth. While I, as the grownup, may have one perspective, my loinfruit may have another.<br />
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I tried to watch the melodrama of the Friday night dinner in question play out from Savannah's perspective. After a while, it wasn't a challenge to see what she was so ebulliently texting me about. <br />
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There was a veneer of formality and politeness, under which months and years of resentment, misunderstanding, fear, and love were bubbling.<br />
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They were all on edge until they were shouting outright at one another.<br />
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Then they were all admonished to behave civilly and give every one at the table their due.<br />
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Then they were all laughing uncontrollably as they all united in spiteful mirth against a common enemy.<br />
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Then they were dredging up age-old hurts and parading them out for good measure.<br />
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Then they were uniting again.<br />
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Then dissenting.<br />
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And so on...<br />
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I believe it is the combination of bi-polar responses and full cocktails that really brough thte episode home for my progeny.<br />
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<b>3. Through the years, we all will be together...</b>Even if it's only during the holidays, family will haunt you until the end of your days - and we wouldn't it any other way.<br />
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Whether we like it or not, family is hard to shake - and most of the time that's a really, REALLY good thing. And they're gonna stand by us no matter how much we go off their pre-planned course for us, or how many tattoos we get, or how much we vote for the opposite political party.<br />
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What watching this episode after the input of my daughter did for me, was to solidify the importance - and blessing - of family in our lives.<br />
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Rarely are we so motivated to understand the other side's point of view. To put aside our gut reaction to hear what someone else has to say. To look past our biases to see the best in others - because we see those others as human beings, and part of our whole.<br />
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The big, bad truth is that we very rarely see eye-to-eye with those in our lives. But there are reasons that we soldier on - business, friendship and family. And, when it comes to family, we don't really have a choice. Of course, we could choose to freeze out our family forever, but if those relationships matter, we're going to work to find a way to get to neutral ground. And that's exactly what this episode explores - and it doesn't make it pretty.<br />
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Whether we like it or not, we tend to love our family - and that forgives a multitude of (real OR imagined) sins. This "Gilmore Girls" episode shows us how to navigate those stormy waters. Next time you're at a loss for how to get past something with your great aunt or brother-in-law, sit everyone down in front of this episode and (if it's your style) pour a fresh round of drinks and watch a family that's more (for the moment) dysfunctional than yours.<br />
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And laugh, and shake your head, and use the break in tension to become friends again. Believe me, it will be worth it.<br />
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XOXO to all the families and other complicated relationships out there - love one another!<br />
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<b>Day #8 - My favorite quote from the episode under discussion:</b></div>
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<b>"I tried to <i>timeshare </i>a plane. It is in no way even close to the same thing."</b></div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-31616222779335800082016-12-13T23:44:00.000-07:002016-12-13T23:44:54.169-07:00Day 9 - soooo close!!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day #9 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</b></div>
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(just some favorite moments to make us all warm, fuzzy and not a little snarky)</div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-82126093108478902192016-12-11T23:24:00.000-07:002016-12-11T23:24:27.268-07:00Anniversaries (a re-post)<i>This week marks two tough anniversaries, and I just don't have the wherewithal to delve back in this year. But they are heavy on my heart and so I want them to be acknowledged. Therefore, here's the post I wrote one year ago...my Gilmore Girls tie-in is that I know they say goodbye to Richard Gilmore (Edward Hermann) in the new episodes, so here's to all of us who've lost someone and still feel the sting of their absence and the warmth of their memory.</i><br />
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<div class="vk_ans" style="color: #222222; font-size: xx-large; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span data-dobid="hdw">an·ni·ver·sa·ry</span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<span class="lr_dct_ph">ˌanəˈvərs(ə)rē/</span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; padding-top: 10px;">
<i>noun</i></div>
<div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" style="color: #878787; font-family: arial, sans-serif; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: 0.3s;">
<b></b><b></b></div>
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<div class="_Jig" style="color: #222222; font-size: small; margin-left: -20px;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
the date on which an event took place in a previous year.</div>
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"the 50th anniversary of the start of World War II"</div>
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<li style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-size: small; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; font-size: xx-small; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig" style="font-size: small;">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
the date on which a country or other institution was founded in a previous year.</div>
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;">
"Canada's 125th anniversary"</div>
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</div>
</li>
<li style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.2; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen" style="display: list-item; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 25px; padding-top: 5px;">
<div class="_Jig">
<div data-dobid="dfn" style="color: #222222; display: inline; font-size: small;">
the date on which a couple was married in a previous year.</div>
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"he even forgot our tenth anniversary!"</div>
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<div class="vk_gy" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif-light, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For better or worse — just as in the wedding vows so notably associated with the idea of anniversaries — <b>certain dates, moments, events mark us forever. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some are relatively easy. The day we were born or met our true love or became a parent or got proposed to on the beach. <b>Those are fine anniversaries. Dates to remember, revisit and celebrate.</b> Pop the champagne, crank the tunes and cue the laughs. These are moments to mark. They remind us of who we are, where we came from and where we hope to go.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="vk_gy">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Others are more challenging but just as persistent. Sometimes even more so. None more difficult than the dates, moments and events where we had to say goodbye. </span></span></div>
<div class="vk_gy">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="vk_gy">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>For as surely as the moon follows the sun, anniversaries of sorrow and pain dog our days. </b></span></span></div>
<div class="vk_gy">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">These occasions of remembrance are not less important than those occasions of celebration. In fact, they are so bittersweet because they co-mingle the joy of a person with the pain of their absence. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today marks one year <i>(two years, now)</i> since Tyler's dear, sweet girl Julianne took her leave. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Twelve months, 365 <i>(730)</i> days, 52 <i>(104)</i> weeks that I can scarcely believe have passed. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A year in which I have cried so many tears. For so many reasons. And so many for Tyler, for Julianne, for my friend who unexpectedly lost her husband, for old friends who tragically lost a son, for a baby boy lost so many years ago, for my beloved grandfather and wonderful aunt, for a desperate uncle, for my little brother's childhood best friend, for too many lost to the despair of suicide over the years and their loved ones left to carry on...<b>for everyone faced with the stark and irrevocable absence of someone they loved</b>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Most of these sorrows I have carried with me for years if not decades, but the beautiful Julianne opened my floodgates. I don't know why and I still haven't been able to really stem the tide. And part of me is okay with that. <b>I believe the memory of a person, the celebration of a person, the absence of a person deserves attention, notice, acknowledgement and even tears.</b> Especially tears as it seems that is the best I have to give in their honor. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Standing in Today and looking backward I am grateful for many things. I am supremely glad and eternally grateful that I answered the phone on the second ring when Tyler called in the wee hours of the morning. I am so grateful that I kissed Julianne on the cheek and said "I love you" the last time I saw her. I'm grateful I did the same to my grandfather the last time I was able to share a day with him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm thankful that it's a year <i>(2, now)</i> later and Tyler is strong, happy, healthy and more hopeful than I can remember. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>I'm grateful that I've seen enough loss to know that we can survive. </b>That we do survive. And that our survival honors and celebrates those we so desperately miss. But that doesn't diminish the loss or make the anniversary easier. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>What I do know is that over time — and it may be a very long time — the anniversaries come with less weight. </b>Less dark weather and haunted dreams. The first time you realize the anniversary is upon you without weeks of gloom and despair heralding its arrival you will feel guilty. For some reason <b>we are prone to wear grief as the testament of our love, devotion and remembrance.</b> But, when we think about it objectively, we would never want anyone paralyzed in mourning on our behalf. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The undeniable truth is that anniversaries are unavoidable. Some we look forward to and some we wish had no reason to exist. But their acknowledgement — and their passing — is imperative. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In the words of King Solomon, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"There is a time for everything,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and a season for activity under the heavens:</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to be born and a time to die,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to plant and a time to uproot,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to kill and a time heal,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to tear down and time to build,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to weep and a time to laugh,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>a time to mourn and a time to dance,</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to search and a time to give up,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to keep and a time to throw away,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to tear and a time to mend,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to be silent and a time to speak,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time to love and a time to hate,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a time for war and a time for peace."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;"><b>Anniversaries are a time for us to remember, to mourn, to celebrate, to share and to heal.</b> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;">For Tyler this is the first <i>(second)</i> of many tough anniversaries to come, and that breaks my heart. But he is up to the task and I am so proud of him. <b>Along with the pain, anniversaries also bring resilience. </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;"><b>I am indescribably devastated to have this anniversary to mark but am so grateful for the love, light, joy and healing that it brings along with the sadness.</b> Because to remember that bright girl is to remember sweetness, authenticity and a true, genuine spirit that was rare for a girl of just 17. She was delightful. I am so glad to have known her and cooked meals for her and watched the way she looked at Tyler and never once hesitated in calling Tyler "him." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif;">We love you Julianne. <b>You are in our hearts now and forever. </b></span></span><br />
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<b>Day #11 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</b></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-18681345069161344592016-12-10T22:00:00.000-07:002016-12-10T22:00:07.671-07:00Footloose vs. Mrs. KimIf you know anything about Mrs. Kim, you know that she is a formidable, Christian, Tiger Mom of the first order. Her daughter, Lane, is Rory's best friend and Stars Hollow's resident expert on all things punk, rock, and otherwise pop musical.<br />
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Growing up in the shadow of Mrs. Kim forced Lane to become inordinately creative in hiding her secular interests. Lane took sweeping things under the rug to new (and literal) heights heretofore unknown by mortal teenage miscreant. The fact that she had a completely categorized and indexed library of music, clothing, makeup and anything else deemed dangerous by Mrs. Kim, hidden in the floor of her bedroom makes Lane the iconic teenage foil of overprotective mothers everywhere.<br />
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For those of us who grew up loving "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/">Footloose,</a>" Lane's predicament resonated.<br />
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I, for years, have described my own teen years in terms of "Footloose." Secular music, dancing, makeup, etc. were all forbidden. My mother and Mrs. Kim would've been besties!<br />
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But I had something Lane didn't<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>a stepfather with an unwavering commitment to logic and reason.<br />
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In very similar fashion to Ren (we're back to "Footloose"), I, too, pulled out the big guns in my fervent quest to be allowed to dance. I also turned to the Good Book and the words of King David to make my impassioned plea in defense of dancing. It didn't hurt that I also threw in my stellar record of behavior, grades, and responsibility for consideration.<br />
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On her own, my mother<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>like Lane's<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>would not have been swayed.<br />
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And I can't blame her. She was acting in good conscience. In defense of my mortal soul. Her restrictions and limitations were out of love and a desire to save me from the inevitable follies, misfortunes and heartbreaks of growing up. And, of course, from the waiting lake of fire with all the wailing and gnashing of teeth.<br />
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However, my mother was not on her own. She was married. And, like any good, Christian woman, she believed in obeying her husband. A state of affairs that (I must admit) fills me with a mortal dread, but for which I was supremely grateful as a teenager eager to get her groove on.<br />
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This unexpected blessing was two-fold for me. First, I had an awesome man who was willing to listen to my arguments and consider my case in a fair and just manner. Second, I had a mother who (whether she liked it or not) was going to support her husband's take on the situation.<br />
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Ultimately, I think we all benefitted from this arrangement<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>even if we didn't realize it at the time.<br />
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In the end, I, along with Lane and the kids of "Footloose" won my right to dance.<br />
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And, when Lane finally reached out to Mrs. Kim, she got what she wanted, too. Mostly. In fact, Mrs. Kim became so gung-ho in her efforts to support Lane's Rock-n-Roll dreams, that she single-handedly booked Hep Alien on their first tour. Granted, it was a church tour, but she held nothing back when it came to believing in her daughter and her dreams.<br />
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The wonderful thing about each of these repressive situations is that when everyone finally opened up and talked (and listened) to one another, love always won out.<br />
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While I never went to the same lengths that Lane went to, in order to subvert her mother's smothering love, I've always felt she was a kindred spirit.<br />
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It wasn't until recently, during my reviewing of "Gilmore Girls" that I recognized the correlation between Lane and my own "Footloose" teen narrative. And, I realized that the townspeople of "Footloose" would have been hard-pressed to stand their own against Mrs. Kim. When it comes to strict rules about behavior, influences, and who you can date (Korean boys are always preferred), Mrs. Kim would win every single time.<br />
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There's no love like a mother's love, and even though "Gilmore Girls" is rife with motherly devotion, there's no mother more insanely dedicated to what she believes is her daughter's best interest than Mrs. Kim. She doesn't compromise. She doesn't waver. And, even though she has a first-class ticket on the crazy train, she always ends up doing the right thing for her daughter.<br />
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So, on this, the 12th day of my vigil waiting to watch the next chapter in the "Gilmore Girls" saga, I give props to Mrs. Kim and her fanatical motherly devotion.<br />
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<b>Day #12 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By (or not...)</b></div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-62155206578235371112016-12-09T20:11:00.000-07:002016-12-09T20:11:45.761-07:00Friday Night Promise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RccrYr_2OQIYe-03cbGDqCVne6bXP0ZsylUMJo3JpS0x9lZQv5Y5dvnv_fcII-1fYyYKy9nNZMKyQXmWDwiSv72tZfUA57e4rz_PJbMtP7X04MYtVLsS6Gjisd1N1PPtVoXw7NMjZ4Px/s1600/gilmore+homies.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RccrYr_2OQIYe-03cbGDqCVne6bXP0ZsylUMJo3JpS0x9lZQv5Y5dvnv_fcII-1fYyYKy9nNZMKyQXmWDwiSv72tZfUA57e4rz_PJbMtP7X04MYtVLsS6Gjisd1N1PPtVoXw7NMjZ4Px/s400/gilmore+homies.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have a great blog post in the works but neither the will nor wit to complete and post tonite. I am sooooo lame - but enjoy this Gilmore Girls gif of lameness in the meantime...<br />
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Ciao!<br />
<br />
(That quote is also the Day #13 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By - under 2 weeks to go!!)Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-59456700991547609522016-12-07T23:05:00.000-07:002016-12-07T23:05:47.614-07:00'Nuff Said<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-53913804919385224512016-12-06T23:00:00.000-07:002016-12-06T23:00:34.818-07:00Hate Mail for Christopher Hayden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Christopher,<br />
<br />
We don't know one another, and for that you should be grateful, because I have a very deep-seated disdain and dislike for you and your half-hearted deadbeat daddy antics. Not to overlook the sleazy, interfering, always-ready-to-hop-in-bed opportunism you employed whenever it struck your fancy to be in mating range of Lorelai.<br />
<br />
I don't care that you were 16 years old and that you didn't have any balls, backbone or moral compass to guide you to do the right thing and be there for the human being that you willingly created. You sucked as a father - actually - you never were a father. You were a sperm-donor, and in that department I have to say you did pretty well. Rory is, after all, a successful, attractive, smart, fairly compassionate person and you did supply half of her genetic material. Beyond that, though, you were a complete zero.<br />
<br />
Where were you for the first 16 years of Rory's life? You never even visited the town where she lived - and when you finally did, your credit card was declined trying to buy some favor in the form of a book.<br />
<br />
After you made your big reappearance, you acted like you were owed full daddy rights - whether in regard to parental concern or taking pride in the kid's accomplishments. You can't stroll in 16 years later and lay claim to a lifetime that you completely neglected. It's easy to walk in and start marking your parental territory when the kid is just about 15 minutes away from fully-baked. Their basic character, values, ambitions, etc. are pretty much already set at that point - and to try to take any credit for how that turned out while you were nowhere in sight is disgusting.<br />
<br />
But, not to worry, because you were gone again soon enough. And you didn't even make an effort to see the girl graduate from high school. The man who serves her coffee was there, but her DNA donor? No way.<br />
<br />
And, FYI - inheriting a bunch of money doesn't wipe out the jackassery of the past. Sure, it was great to give Rory some help and let Emily and Richard ease off the checkbook (although we know it led to the Rory Gilmore Observatory), but it doesn't make you a hero. Money today doesn't make up for not being there yesterday. Especially when you didn't have to work hard or sacrifice anything to make the gesture.<br />
<br />
By the way - I think it's awesome that you got a little bit of comeuppance when Sherry hit the road and Gigi turned into the second coming of the green-pea spewing girl from the "Exorcist." If it's wrong to gloat at an asshat's well-deserved misery, then I don't want to be right. If only you'd somehow lost all the money and had to struggle like Lorelai did with Rory, the justice would have been so much more poetic.<br />
<br />
Beyond your seriously lacking performance as a father, you were fantastic as a lust-driven douchebag. You played that role perfectly. Sure, it takes two to tango, but you never even considered turning Lorelai away - even when you were still with Sherry. You just couldn't wait to get back in that Gilmore girl's panties. And trying to turn it into some long, lost, fated destiny was just pathetic - even if Lorelai fell for it.<br />
<br />
Every time you had a chance to be better you missed it. Even when you had finally done all the supposedly right things, including getting married (GAG!), you still acted like a schmuck. Boo-hoo that Lorelai couldn't instantly turn off all her feelings for the man who has been in her life (and Rory's) all the years you weren't.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dZiSaCirfA/WEekGz0N0UI/AAAAAAAAAug/p-HZ-sqzbbIYfvwtJUONLcskFyC1iJLSACLcB/s1600/luke%2Bmattress.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6dZiSaCirfA/WEekGz0N0UI/AAAAAAAAAug/p-HZ-sqzbbIYfvwtJUONLcskFyC1iJLSACLcB/s320/luke%2Bmattress.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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You acted like the same 16-year-old doofus who lamely said, "I guess this means we have to get married now," while staring at his newborn baby - then promptly disappeared.<br />
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You were jealous and threw a temper tantrum and to prove your point decided to just blow off the fact that your father-in-law had a heart attack? Way to give your wife and daughter and a whole pile of other people who tried to love you and defend you (and always gave you one more chance) a great big middle finger.<br />
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The fact is, I could probably spew this hateful vitriol for days, but I don't wish to give you any more time than you deserve. I just needed to get this off my chest. I really, really don't like you. And I don't think you were ever a good guy. I'm not sure what I'll see from you when I finally get to catch up with the whole gang (only 16 more days!) but my bet is it'll only fan my flames of rage and disgust.<br />
<br />
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out - because even if you do show up, we know you'll be running scared in no time. I'd like to say I look forward to seeing you again, but I really don't.<br />
<br />
Terribly vexed,<br />
<br />
Rebecca<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day #16 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: start;">"I can be a family man. I'm responsible now."</span></div>
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<br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; text-align: start;">"Honey, you can't even buy a book without having your credit card declined."</span></div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-77078533671488290322016-12-05T21:35:00.000-07:002016-12-05T21:35:42.510-07:00I want Nanny!Remember when Doyle was sick and Paris had zero patience for it and totally sucked at taking care of him? But then she had one of her best brainstorms ever and pulled Nanny off the bench to nurse him back to health?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjSmIiG9WdAKeuLjzUm0DP3FITRGrRWUF3IufdYq9mSHtt4Klobyb_25YURwwlmrsLnWGF9E7PchBCRBzKG2_a3vqv65TDmoA3WivgsjFkJPaieNVTjDI3KrZQQGw5qAWP1StXOcXkRHn/s1600/sick+doyle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjSmIiG9WdAKeuLjzUm0DP3FITRGrRWUF3IufdYq9mSHtt4Klobyb_25YURwwlmrsLnWGF9E7PchBCRBzKG2_a3vqv65TDmoA3WivgsjFkJPaieNVTjDI3KrZQQGw5qAWP1StXOcXkRHn/s320/sick+doyle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wish I had a Nanny.<br />
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I know I'm a mom and there are many traits of mine that, in the right context, get mistaken for nurturing, but I am not awesome at taking care of sick people<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>especially if the sick people are my significant other.<br />
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Matty Patty has been sick for, like, EVER. And it totally sucks. And he is completely miserable. And, very selfishly, so am I. I just want him to feel better already. I lack patience for coughing and other unpleasant sounds sick people make. I have also had a cough, and I'm sure he doesn't think it's super sexy, but at least mine has had the decency to mostly go away by now.<br />
<br />
Even with my kids, I know I wasn't the best when they were sick. I'm good at offering the things I can offer, such as meds, hot beverages, soup, a bath, a blanket. But then I want you to take what you like from the comforts on my menu, go to sleep, and wake up all better.<br />
<br />
I don't know why I have so little patience for sick people. Maybe it's a sign that I have little patience for people in general.<br />
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Which, I guess, is pretty true. That's why right now, as I go through this girlfriend trial<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>and fail spectacularly<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>Paris is my hero.<br />
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Here's to you, Geller<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>long may you rave!<br />
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She knows herself<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>her strengths and her weaknesses</div>
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She gives zero fucks about most things most of the time.<br />
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She knew what Terri and I try to teach all the young women<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.3333px; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span>wear the bikini when you're young!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCu3JymIaP6secCsJXutENU3AgXaSedaRrKg96GVkHK2KQBCFPVYC0NmVicEi6dey378e-naVUqC6hzfrrX25_ki-YpE8dxEgQoa53pNN-ufUs5seKDrcZrjV7Zz82oZoTLkUK5g4aWAa0/s1600/good+ass+paris.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCu3JymIaP6secCsJXutENU3AgXaSedaRrKg96GVkHK2KQBCFPVYC0NmVicEi6dey378e-naVUqC6hzfrrX25_ki-YpE8dxEgQoa53pNN-ufUs5seKDrcZrjV7Zz82oZoTLkUK5g4aWAa0/s320/good+ass+paris.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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She has no time for stupidity.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3z-glGTHZ_8sXpj2xCHF0-QMShQG0_5Ux7VR_oxSuBpSSNlQ8KzED4Cn889yXr-uvXJzPwZ_voy4zVbtzowuShWZZ3Zfi0tgWzowDNoSucnpMXR-XG0ScfNvqOi8PBiA02-AK_BGEVOC/s1600/tietubes+paris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3z-glGTHZ_8sXpj2xCHF0-QMShQG0_5Ux7VR_oxSuBpSSNlQ8KzED4Cn889yXr-uvXJzPwZ_voy4zVbtzowuShWZZ3Zfi0tgWzowDNoSucnpMXR-XG0ScfNvqOi8PBiA02-AK_BGEVOC/s320/tietubes+paris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She never takes her eye off the prize.</div>
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<b>Day #17 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPK1fuO0ZWJ17AfYHNs8cLfpW1-9yoYkJMRKXPltc5qWlVR0dzwfiMIe2aJmFRV90y3Uh1xLX60OZSto_ys8gqgA_hLfvwQDMdn4j5B-MwPtExUMd79PKRTI7_5E9da3AU4haf6IjjsDd/s1600/paris+right.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPK1fuO0ZWJ17AfYHNs8cLfpW1-9yoYkJMRKXPltc5qWlVR0dzwfiMIe2aJmFRV90y3Uh1xLX60OZSto_ys8gqgA_hLfvwQDMdn4j5B-MwPtExUMd79PKRTI7_5E9da3AU4haf6IjjsDd/s320/paris+right.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-8919356427434667772016-12-03T19:30:00.000-07:002016-12-03T19:30:15.689-07:00Day 19 - Taking a Break<div style="text-align: center;">
Day #19 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyJV9k8-8Fw09vNg7muFgVIIDWmb3Silac2_doRhk_z4uLMuxCYIPeT20RyfAxtV1WYqIfldTo3o29f21ugXG3SFQhMYhoXze-xWt7x0RCFgjoo-poJm5HL61LhgDt9bsQisnJV6cpgt6/s1600/Luke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyJV9k8-8Fw09vNg7muFgVIIDWmb3Silac2_doRhk_z4uLMuxCYIPeT20RyfAxtV1WYqIfldTo3o29f21ugXG3SFQhMYhoXze-xWt7x0RCFgjoo-poJm5HL61LhgDt9bsQisnJV6cpgt6/s1600/Luke.jpg" /></a></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-8182074240832236762016-12-02T23:53:00.000-07:002016-12-02T23:59:06.766-07:00Random Gilmore Girls FandomI'm a little bit lazy tonite, so you're going to get a hit list of random thoughts I have about the "Gilmore Girls" universe:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Sookie </b>(Melissa McCarthy)<b> is, like, totally the best.</b> I mean, she makes all the awesome food and (unless she's with child) is always super happy. I love, love, LOVE Sookie!! Who's with me?</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Paris </b>(Liza Weil). Yes, she's cray-cray, but I am sort of in awe of her. She's a force to be reckoned with - and Savannah says that if I was a combo of two GG characters, I'd totally be Lorelai/Paris. So, of course, I have to think she's a-MAY-zing!</li>
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<ul>
<li><b>Lorelai's Jeep.</b> I like it, I love it, and I totally understand why she wants to replace it with the same exact vehicle when it finally dies. </li>
</ul>
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<li><b>Harvard, Yale, all the Ivies I dreamed of going to and never did.</b> I didn't even finish my bachelor's degree - but I totes love that Rory always dreamed big and made it happen. (and, yeah, a little bit jealous)</li>
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<ul>
<li><b>Town meetings. </b>I fantasize (there will be more about this in a later post) about being part of a small town like Stars Hollow where they have town meetings and weird festivals and everyone is all up in everyone's business. Then I remember that I sort of hate getting to know my neighbors and figure it's probably just as well that I stay in the city. </li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Dean - I SO hated him the first time I watched the series.</b> He seemed like such a pussy. Then I saw him on "Supernatural" as Sam (Jared Padalecki) - whose older brother (YUM!) is Dean (Jensen Ackles). It was an odd, fascinating coincidence. Then the boys took a tour of Warner Bros. studios on "Supernatural" and saw where "Gilmore Girls" was filmed. It was a sublime and wonderful moment. Now, even though Dean (Winchester) will always have my heart (and any other parts he might take a fancy to), I just can't hate Dean (douchey-boyfriend of Rory) anymore. </li>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZq08y4v-7Q/WEJpTtoV1ZI/AAAAAAAAAsM/N2CQHqchyA4CYReruo-VlD5uXUCPQrU0QCLcB/s1600/Dean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yZq08y4v-7Q/WEJpTtoV1ZI/AAAAAAAAAsM/N2CQHqchyA4CYReruo-VlD5uXUCPQrU0QCLcB/s320/Dean.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pussy Dean</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Winchester - not a pussy (usually)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MY Dean...oh yeah...</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>Jess was sort of a dick.</b> On first viewing I was all over the Jess situation, but now I don't really like him (except that he's the beautiful Milo Ventimiglia) until he moves away and gets his shit together. THAT Jess is the one that Rory should run to. </li>
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<ul>
<li><b>The Pixies. </b>They've been one of my favorite bands forEVER and they show up more than once in the pithy dialogue. Just one example of the awesome music references peppered throughout the series. </li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Sherry</b> (Madchen Amick) <b>was really, really weird.</b> And really immature. And a snob. And just not that awesome. But, of course, she fell for Christopher so that's one HUGE character flaw right there. And when she's in labor with Gigi and her hair is suddenly bleached blonde (in, like, a <i>really bad</i> way) - what was that all about? My best guess is she was working on something else and they needed her for this one episode so they just let the bad (REALLY bad) hair slide. </li>
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<ul>
<li><b>I didn't totally hate the 7th season. </b>I just watched it for the first time in preparation for the new episodes, and I must admit that I didn't hate it. There are things in it that I hated (like Lorelai and Christopher getting married) but the last three episodes gave me all the feels and had me verklempt despite my best efforts to be tough and aloof and recognize that <i>it's only a show!</i></li>
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I've got more to say - but I have 19 days left after today (today is Day 20) and that means I need to post 19 more blogs, so I'll save the rest for later. Thanks for playing! </div>
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<b>Day #20 - Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</b></div>
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<b>"But Mrs. Kim --</b></div>
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<b>she says that fries are the devil's starchy fingers."</b></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-61948036669985780942016-12-01T23:57:00.000-07:002016-12-01T23:57:12.049-07:0021 Days to Go - A Look at My Loinfruits & MeOne of the reasons I love "Gilmore Girls" so much is because my kids love it. Savannah was the one who discovered it and brought it into our lives and Tyler and I fell hopelessly in love right along with her. We got it. We related to it. We wanted to be as close and sassy and sarcastic and caffeinated as Lorelai and Rory - and we've done pretty damn good. We are each others' lifeboats just as they are, so in honor of the awesomeness of fierce, fantastic family, here's a glimpse at us through the years...<br />
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<b>Day #21 - Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</b></div>
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<b>"We're almost there, but nowhere near it.</b></div>
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<b>All that matters is that we're going."</b></div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-36401500652870455282016-11-30T22:24:00.000-07:002016-11-30T22:29:25.264-07:00Things I Can't Stand About Lorelai Gilmore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I used to gush about Lorelai and wish I had the same cool-mom cred, but after my recent re-viewing of all seven seasons, I feel a bit differently. I still love momma Gilmore, but along with my previous placement of her at the cool kids' table, I also think she'd be right at home in "Heathers" or leading the Plastics.<br />
<br />
In the pursuit of fairness, (and in response to my own list of things I love about her) here's a look at the things I really don't like about Ms. Gilmore.<br />
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<b>1. She's super self-involved.</b><br />
Lorelai seems like a great gal to have on your side - and I think that's mostly true. As long as whatever you have going on doesn't interfere in any way with her personal drama du jour. Whether's it's the baptism of Sookie's babies or the death of Michel's beloved Chin-Chin, Lorelai has a very hard time looking past her own feels to give any real compassion and/or empathy to those who give it to her on the regular.<br />
<b>Best examples:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Giving a magazine interview that publicly skewers her mother without any thought about the fallout. </li>
<li>Obsessing about the wedding date she didn't cancel instead of trying to understand how much April rocked Luke's world - she's the last person who should throw a fit because someone wants to put their kid first (especially after missing out on the first 12 years!).</li>
<li>Every time she treats Sookie like her personal assistant instead of her best friend.</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>2. She's often more a friend than a mother.</b><br />
This is one of the things that, at first, makes her seem like a cool mom. However, in my book (and as I told my own kidlets repeatedly), being a mom isn't about being friends. It's about keeping them alive and helping them become self-sufficient, happy adults who contribute to the world in which they live. I'm not saying that Lorelai didn't do that, but she was often more into being besties that she came off like a big sister instead of the grownup in charge.<br />
<b>Best examples:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Helping Lane and Rory lie to Mrs. Kim - no matter how cray-cray Mrs. Kim could be, that's not mom behavior.</li>
<li>The constant complaining about and belittling of her own parents - what kind of example is that (and where's the gratitude)?</li>
<li>Ganging up on the poor ballerina with Rory.</li>
</ul>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>3. She sticks her nose where it doesn't belong.</b><br />
Lorelai has an opinion about every little thing, and she (in her own mind) is pretty much always right. She speaks her mind freely and with very little (if any) self-editing. Sometimes that's endearing, but often it just made everything worse. She wants us to think she is the big, independent voice of reason who dares to say what everyone else is thinking, but usually she's just getting too involved in drama of which she needs no part.<br />
<b>Best examples: </b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Confronting April's mom after the slumber party without running it by Luke, or even checking with April. Not cool.</li>
<li>Every single "if you hurt my daughter" conversation she had with Rory's various boyfriends. In fact, nearly every private convo with Rory's paramours was cringe-worthy and over the line.</li>
</ul>
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<b>4. She's unforgiving.</b><br />
Oh. My God. Lorelai has a LONG memory and she never forgives and forgets - especially when it comes to her parents. She is still angry at them for trying to protect her as a kid and provide her with a life of privilege and opportunity. They'd never had a daughter who got pregnant at 16 before, and they didn't know how to handle it, but they didn't throw her out as many real-life people do. Yes, Richard and Emily know how to go overboard, be controlling and play the same grudge game, but she never learns to put her pride aside for the greater good. Lorelai even freezes Rory out when she goes to her grandparents for help.<br />
<b>Best examples:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Every time she reignites her years-old resentment and hurt because her mom looks at her funny.</li>
<li>Not inviting her parents to her college graduation.</li>
<li>Hiding her engagement to Luke from her mom.</li>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5dvnKdhD6M/WD-sr1PkfFI/AAAAAAAAAk8/WMjFeclQDqEQKXuXmxP23sPbcvm5Ok6DwCLcB/s1600/tiny%2Bscarf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g5dvnKdhD6M/WD-sr1PkfFI/AAAAAAAAAk8/WMjFeclQDqEQKXuXmxP23sPbcvm5Ok6DwCLcB/s200/tiny%2Bscarf.jpg" width="131" /></a><b>5. She wears tiny scarves.</b><br />
Seriously - what's up with those baby scarves?<br />
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<b>6. She's immature.</b><br />
The longer I watched Lorelai run around and around (and around) in the same circles with her parents, her love life and even her daughter, the more she seemed like the same clueless, frightened 16-year-old kid who got knocked up. Sure, she became a successful business owner, but her tantrums, fits and endless grudges became tiresome. No matter how much Lorelai is lauded as the cool mom to end all cool moms, she still mostly does exactly what she wants to do - consequences be damned!<br />
<b>Best examples: </b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Marrying Christopher and hiding it from Rory. Seriously?!?!</li>
<li>Sleeping with Christopher after blindsiding Luke with an ultimatum (did anyone else feel like she was just making up a reason to fuck this one up?)</li>
</ul>
<i>(Is it any coincidence that both of these involve Christopher, the deadbeat, douchebag boy wonder? GAG!)</i><br />
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<b>7. She keeps sleeping with Christopher.</b><br />
OMG - I can't even.<br />
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<b>8. She's afraid of intimacy.</b><br />
Unless it's getting it on with Christopher, this gal can't run fast enough from anything resembling intimacy. Every time she gets the chance to be close with someone - whether her parents or a love interest - she hits the road (justified self-righteous reason in hand).<br />
<b>Best example:</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Leaving Max high and dry. SMH</li>
</ul>
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<b>9. She never seems to pay for food or coffee at Luke's.</b><br />
Maybe this is just a personal pet peeve, but as an independent business owner, she must know how her constant leeching affects Luke. Sometimes we should still pay for our coffee - even if batting our eyes and flirting can help us get it for free.<br />
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<b>10. She won't give her own mother a break.</b><br />
This entry may seem superfluous as it is interwoven through so many of the others, but I really think it goes too far. Of course Emily makes it easy for Lorelai to push her away, but if Lorelai would just put her ego and wounded pride aside for one moment and really listen to her mother (followed by really talking to her mother) I think this relationship could take leaps ahead in short order. Lorelai needs to see Emily through a mother's eyes - it would make all the difference.<br />
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Being a mom made me see my mother with completely new eyes. And those new eyes had sympathy, compassion and a level of understanding I never knew before. It doesn't mean I think my mom did everything right, but I know that she did what she thought was right because she loved me. And, really, that's all any of us can do.<br />
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Love her or hate her, at the end of the day, it's the extremes of Lorelai that make her a character that we just can't get enough of. And I totally have to admit that her awfulness is part of her overall charm - after all, we're all pretty awful sometimes.<br />
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<b>Day #22 - "Gilmore Girls" Words to Live By</b></div>
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<b>"I can be flexible, as long as everything is exactly the way I want it, </b></div>
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<b>I'm totally flexible."</b></div>
<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-88726416352651256032016-11-29T23:48:00.000-07:002016-11-29T23:48:25.604-07:00Day 23 - Not a Blog<br />
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Truth be told, it was me who was particularly stupid today, but I took on some extra assignments and totally forgot about another article that was due yesterday! So, needless to say my writing brain is tapped out. In the meantime, enjoy Michel's Gilmore Girls Words to Live By - Day 23.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-51931302150792407822016-11-28T21:53:00.001-07:002016-11-28T22:07:37.192-07:00I Smell Snow<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Much to the delight of our beloved Lorelai, we received the first major snowfall of the season today. And, in its honor, I'm changing up my planned post to explore the magic, the wonder, the mystery <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— and misery </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— of this seasonal miracle. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">My best friend, Terri, doesn't have much in common with Lorelai Gilmore, but one thing that they both adore to a disturbing extent is snow. And they're both a little witchy about it. Lorelai can <a href="https://youtu.be/MuS5IrQPqFg">smell it coming</a> and Terri beckons it with a little penguin totem that sits on her front porch wielding a banner that says, "Let it Snow." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Terri can also make snow appear <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— and stay </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— through reading material. When she was reading the "Twilight" series it rained all summer long (and we live in a desert). Although that's not snow, the same principle applies. She is a witchy, witchy woman and, if she had her way, she'd pull an Elsa and put us in perpetual winter. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I, on the other hand, am not a lover of snow. In fact, I have hated it most of my life. But, in recent years, my resistance to the wet, fluffy, white stuff has started to wane. Don't get me wrong, I'm not even close to loving it Lorelei-style, but I'm beginning to see the allure. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Snow Is Magical</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Whenever Lorelai talks about snow, the word magic isn't far behind. She craves the magic so much that she continually <a href="https://youtu.be/AjWLfFCP3gI">freezes out </a>her loved ones — opening windows and dragging</span> them out of bed <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to get just one more whiff of that magical snow air. Lorelai says that all the best things in her life have happened in the snow </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— her best birthday, her daughter's first steps. She views it as a promise of good, unexpected things to come </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— and I think Terri does the same.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As I've started to look at snow as more than a huge pain in my ass that makes me cold, wet and possibly stuck somewhere getting colder and wetter, I think I'm beginning to understand the magic. At first I just equated that little tingle with the holidays. I've always loved a white Christmas. But that was about all the snow I was willing to take. T</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">he week before and the week following Christmas should be snow-filled. But the rest of the year? Forget it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, however, I looked at the brilliant blanket of white covering the world and felt a little bit of the Terri & Lorelai magic. I felt excited (and possibly delusional). I voluntarily donned my coat, hat, boots and mittens and went outside to shovel the snow </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— even though I have someone to do that for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The snow transforms my barren garden and naked trees into things of beauty. It makes our old dog act like a puppy. It slows everything down and makes the world quiet. Peaceful. Still. A world covered in snow almost feels like a secret. Like anything is possible.</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Snow Is Miserable</span></b></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After my jolly jaunt into the great, white world I became re-acquainted with why snow has never been my one true love. I was a dripping pile of wet — wet hat, wet mittens, wet coat, wet boots. My challenge was to get everything off and in a position to dry without spreading the cold, wet mess throughout my entire house. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Unfortunately, I went in through the back door, but needed to get to the front door to take off my boots. I considered taking them off in the kitchen, but in my efforts to un-drip myself I had pretty much already made the surrounding area around my feet wet. Any attempt to situate myself somewhere else in the kitchen would only lead to more puddles. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I rested my sopped hat on a barstool over a vent and left a trail of wet footprints and drips across the kitchen to discard my boots and coat in the front entryway. Once everything was hung up I dutifully wiped down the kitchen floor to erase the scene of the crime. However, the more I worked on the floor, the worse it seemed to get. I realized I had enough wet dog prints on the floor that you'd think I ran a kennel. And then I got a good, strong whiff of that wet dog smell. My favorite. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">And, once everything was clean and smelling better I looked outside to admire my work only to find it all covered once more in the beautiful, magical, promising (taunting) blanket of unending snow falling from the sky. The snow would always win. Always be one flake ahead of me. I couldn't conquer, control or influence it in any way. Unless having it melt all over me, the dog, and my house when I come inside counts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I was about to berate myself for giving up so easily on the wonder of snow, and then I remembered Lorelei's </span><a href="https://youtu.be/y5St0Ph4_Ps" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">falling out</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> with the white stuff. After her magical midnite viewing of the first snow, she woke up to find her jeep frozen, buried and then attacked by a fallen branch that could no longer hold the weight of the wonderful snow. And this tried-and-true snow devotee took it personally </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— she literally tried to inflict pain on the snow as she dug out her car. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If snow and all of its dastardly treachery could tear down a true believer like Lorelai, then I shouldn't feel bad for quickly returning to my own natural state, which prefers to be snow-free. </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether you're a snow lover or a snow leaver, there's no denying that there is something special about those goddamned falling flakes. I may not yet be a true convert to the snow-loving ways of Terri and Lorelai, but I'm closer than ever before. And, as long as it gives me a great excuse to cozy up in front of the fire with a glass of wine, I'll keep giving it the old college try.</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day #24 Gilmore Girls Words to Live By</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I smell snow...it’s just my favorite time of the year. The whole world changes color. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Flakes, flurries, swirls, crystals <span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">— </span>whatever form it comes in, I’ll take it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We go back, snow and me <span style="text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span> we have a beautiful history. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sleigh rides, ice skating, snow ball fights I’ll even take curling...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hot cocoa, hot toddies - it’s the best time of the year."</span></div>
Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-77335917841495321422016-11-27T23:49:00.000-07:002016-11-28T11:44:21.105-07:0012 Things I Love About Lorelai Gilmore<br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If mommyhood were high school, then Lorelai Gilmore would definitely be sitting at the cool table. She's hip, she's fun and she's most definitely hot. She's the kind of gal you want to confide in, and she's always good for a laugh, a lark or a scathingly sarcastic come-back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She's the anti-<a href="https://youtu.be/A5vM5E3uwzE">Donna Reed</a>, and God help us, we love her for it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In honor of the supremely cool Lorelai, here's my list of the top 12 things about her that absolutely adore.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. She's a Fierce Momma Bear</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lorelai may move through men faster than Miss Patty can find them, but one thing on which she never wavers if her immovable devotion to Rory. When it comes to dating, no dad (even one cleaning out a gun on the front porch) has ever been more terrifying than Lorelai Gilmore when she's telling Dean, Jess or Logan exactly how things are <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">—</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and how they're going to be.</span></span><br />
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<b>2. She Can Do TakeOut Like Nobody's Business</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julia Child she is not, but she can take a phone and a slew of take-away menus and turn them into a mind-boggling feast that only those who dig the Gilmore world can fathom. Whether it's from Luke's, Al's Pancake World, or an odd assortment of Chinese, Indian, and pizza establishments, Lorelai turns ordering takeout into an art form. Rory's inaugural night at the Yale dorm was a masterpiece.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. She's Knows How to Do Life Like a Boss</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This teenage momma worked her way up from housekeeping and sleeping in the spare shed to owning her own home and, later, her own inn as well. She outsources bake sale projects to the unsinkable (and gastronomically gifted) Sooki, she has coffee running through her veins, and she does it all in figure-hugging wrap dresses and knee-high boots. If she was into musical domination instead of quaint New England inns, she'd definitely give "Empire's" <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/Cookie-Best-Moments-Empire-GIFs-36681444#photo-36681444">Cookie</a> a run for her hard-earned money.</span><br />
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<b>4. She's 100% Committed to Who She Is</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe the reason Lorelai can't seem to say "I Do" to someone else, is because she already tied the knot </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">with herself. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There's no talking to this lady when she sets her mind to something </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">— and she doesn't distinguish between that which is good for her and that which is bad. But even when she makes you want to slap her (sleeping with Christopher <i>again?!?!?</i>) you have to admire her commitment to the action at hand.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Whether it's stubbornly defying her mother, doggedly supporting Rory or pathetically seeking comfort from her baby daddy, she jumps in with both feet every time. </span><br />
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<b>5. She's the Best Friend a Girl (or Guy) Could Ask For</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the midst of running her inn and single-mumming the hell out of her daughter, Lorelai still manages to make time for the supporting players in her life <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— m</span>ost notably Sookie and Luke. Even though she doesn't always follow through (leaving Luke in the lurch on painting party night), she always means well and she usually goes way over the top to make up for her mistakes. She even knows <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1nmIFDXNgU">Sookie's pregnant</a> before Sookie does. Lorelai and her friends are woven into one another's lives without reservation and I think that's a beautiful sight.</span><br />
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<b>6. She Loves Cheesy Shit</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I'm not just talking about pizza. Lorelai is in love with things like balloons at birthday parties, wacky town traditions and the first snow of the year. She loves the romance and spectacle of classics like "Casablanca" and "An American in Paris," but equally digs the "Final Destination" franchise and "Hard Bodies." She buys all the candy in Willy Wonka before sitting down to view the movie. She's a dork and she does it balls-out.</span><br />
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<b>7. She Gives Back to the Community</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It may seem like the town is always coming to Lorelai's rescue, but they wouldn't be there for her if she wasn't an integral part of the fabric of Stars Hollow. She and Rory are key players in all the town's many festivals and traditions <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— and when all the guests for the Victorian-themed Bracebridge Dinner get snowed in, she invites the town to come stay at the Inn and enjoy all the goodies (including Jackson in tights and horse-drawn <a href="https://youtu.be/0hJgwJ2Uw60">sleigh rides!</a>).</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8. She's Beautifully Flawed</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lorelai has inspired a cult-like following of ladies who look up to her, but the best part is that Lorelai isn't perfect. She messes up a lot. And she messes up spectacularly. In fact, I put forth that Lorelai may have been one of the original "<a href="https://youtu.be/iKCw-kqo3cs">Bad Moms</a>" as brought to us on the big screen by Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn and Kristin Bell. It's great to see a role model that doesn't get everything right.</span><br />
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<b>9. She's Plucky</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From its fun pronunciation to its undaunted definition, there's hardly a more apt word out there to describe Momma Gilmore. No matter what happens, she has an uncanny ability to get back up, dust herself off and live to snark another day. Neither fire, nor arrests, nor car accidents, controlling mothers, or bad-boy boyfriends can keep Lorelai Gilmore down.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">10. She Has No Filter</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of her most recognizable traits is her rapid-fire dialogue, chock-full of obscure pop culture references and dripping with sarcasm. Sometimes it's funny, others it's endearing, but every so often it gets her in trouble. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't think Lorelai even knows what an internal monologue is, but that makes her an open book that we get to read. And we get to live vicariously through her often ill-timed rants that put all the posh people on edge <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— and make them more uncomfortable than the sticks that are so well-placed up their arses. </span></span></span><br />
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<b>11. She Eats Dessert First </b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>—</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— n</span>ot every time, but Lorelai definitely has no qualms about ordering desert. She's constantly eating donuts, cake, pop tarts, pie, candy, and pretty much anything that's artificially flavored and stuffed with sugar. I just wish I could eat like Lorelai and still keep my girlish figure <span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">— I've never seen this junk food junkie work out, and it's simply not fair!</span></span></span><br />
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<b>12. She Believes Life is Cause to Celebrate</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One thing Lorelai does very well is mark an occasion. She throws killer slumber parties (just ask April), plans elaborate movie nights, <a href="https://youtu.be/Gllt01P9vF8">simulates Asia</a> in her house when Rory's plans change and takes on four Thanksgivings in one day. Lorelai doesn't hold back when it comes to celebrating life's important moments and she works hard to intentionally create memorable experiences for Rory to take away with her into the world. I've tried to do the same with my kids, and I love it every time Lorelai turns an ordinary Thursday into a special occasion.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day #25 "Gilmore Girls" Words to Live By</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(In true Paris Gellar form I'm going to write both sides of the issue, because I can - check back tomorrow for Things I Can't Stand About Lorelai Gilmore)</span></i></div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-28729478480196714932016-11-27T00:34:00.001-07:002016-11-27T00:34:25.327-07:0026 Days Until I Can Watch "Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life" (or Who the Hell Decided Patience Was a Virtue?)Unlike the rest of the "Gilmore Girls" devotees out there, my wait for the return to Stars Hollow has not ended. Indeed, the worst days, I fear, are still to come.<br />
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When we first learned of the new "Gilmore Girls" installment, my kidlets and I made a pact to set aside all other cares, obligations and considerations in order to huddle together on the couch <i>(with ample junk food, of course!)</i> and go back to Luke's Diner, town meetings, and the Dragonfly Inn together.<br />
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Our original plan was to commence on the day after Thanksgiving, the day the series was released. However, despite our best intentions <i>(always paving that road) </i>it was simply not possible for us all to come together. We discussed our options - viewing remotely together through FaceTime or Skype or plain, old phone calls, viewing separately and then re-viewing together - and decided that we simply could accept no substitutes to our original game plan.<br />
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Besides - if Lorelai could completely postpone Christmas itself until Rory returned from jolly old England - we could delay our "Gilmore Girls" reunion for a few weeks.<br />
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But now we must be on our guard and avoid any and all spoilers about the super-anticipated show we all love. Fortunately, the holidays should provide plenty of distraction along the way. And, to help me while away the Gilmore-less days to come, I've decided to post a Girls-centric blog every day until the viewing.<br />
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And, believe it or not, I have a LOT to say,.<br />
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So, if you're sick of all the "Gilmore Girls" nostalgia, I'm sorry - ignore me and my rantings for the next little while. However, if you - like me - have discovered new things to love <i>(and a few things you don't love so much, after all) </i>about the spirited, quick-witted, pop culture-loving phenoms of Stars Hollow, keep an eye out for my daily epistle.<br />
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<b>Day #26 "Gilmore Girls" Words to Live By</b></div>
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"Only prostitutes have two glasses of wine at lunch."</div>
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"Well, then buy me a boa and drive me to Reno, because I am open for business!"</div>
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-61840466152340326312016-11-20T01:44:00.002-07:002016-11-20T01:44:20.309-07:00confessions of a nasty woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">After reading all the news - all the reports and all the analyses - I feel like I should be a Trump supporter.</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I don't have a college degree.</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was a single mother at 20 - and a divorced mother of two by my early 30s.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm in the low-to-middle class (depending on the year).</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm white.</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And - to top it all off - I have blonde hair and blue eyes.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But I couldn't be more appalled at this election's outcome.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I am also a friend and family-member of mixed-race, gay, lesbian, transgender, immigrant, mentally and physically disabled/challenged, non-educated, religiously fervent and other wonderful people who are not exactly like me.</span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Despite all that, I believe in the undeniable right of all people to be treated equally and with kindness, respect, compassion, understanding and the benefit of the doubt (even the people I don't agree with).</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I drove across at least three states to go to my daughter's wedding to another woman.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I now proudly call that same daughter my son.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My greatest fears in the wake of this election are that we may no longer (for real) be listening to one another - searching for common ground - or even seeking basic understanding of that which we don't already know.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span>afraid that hate and fear are stomping out love and reason.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I may be scared about the future of my healthcare (I'm self-employed and the Affordable Care Act has been my best, most affordable and ONLY option), my right to control my own body, my son's safety in a bathroom, my daughter's chance at a fair shake in a man's business world, and the life and liberty of Americans not fortunate to be considered "normal" or lucky enough to have been born here - but I am stalwart in my faith that good will prevail, that right will out, that most people set out each day to make the world a better place and that we as a people learn from our mistakes.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">As a textbook, fundamental Christian for most of my life I was heartsick over the voice of Evangelicals in this election cycle. I did not find the love, forgiveness, understanding, grace and compassion that I was raised on.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I do, however, have to give a shoutout to the predominant religion of my state - the LDS church - they held fast to their convictions and did not bend them to accept a man whose public behavior (all we had by which to judge him) exhibited hateful, violent, racist, bigoted, deceitful, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic and otherwise deplorable (yep, I said it!)<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span>attitudes, actions and values.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Huzzah! to an organization that stands by its fundamental beliefs.</span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In the quest of my life I have thirsted after knowledge that would bring hope and relieve suffering and show me a path of giving, love and compassion.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I have not been a saint, but I have benefitted from the study of those who are.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">And - after having spent my life as a gentile in the world of Latter Day Saints, I must give them their props for being willing to stand up and say NO - regardless of the consequences.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I may be living in a perpetual RED state - and I may have to buy my wine at the liquor store instead of the grocery aisle - but at least I know that some truths remain self-evident: Mormons are really hard to hornswoggle and people can stand on their own truth even if it's not popular.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I'm not happy with this whole election cycle - but obviously we have a problem.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Now is the time to give each other a break - let's look one another in the eye and be human.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1" style="font-size: 17pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Who cares who sits in the Oval Office if we don't have each other's backs?<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2689734281953308833.post-37401132773572371832016-09-29T00:31:00.000-06:002016-09-29T00:31:30.917-06:00Never Underestimate the Power of Gilmore GirlsI'm not sure how it happened, but "Gilmore Girls" has become my life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXC7Bujd874wxxD_Ya8N4ocEVeAnPU85QjM7U6sL1Agd05HDtYdb9mrETi7FJPqdi-HIkLXsGbm7blxkrsofultkdIZ8cHGiQHvWbyU5MOrQUUPZ3OoU5hVNc4LsbQZ-jFkvRCElmmyvK/s1600/a7e78b5ce11d4a25f242a3be3d6a2ff6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXC7Bujd874wxxD_Ya8N4ocEVeAnPU85QjM7U6sL1Agd05HDtYdb9mrETi7FJPqdi-HIkLXsGbm7blxkrsofultkdIZ8cHGiQHvWbyU5MOrQUUPZ3OoU5hVNc4LsbQZ-jFkvRCElmmyvK/s320/a7e78b5ce11d4a25f242a3be3d6a2ff6.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
The kiddles and I have embarked on a complete re-viewing of the entire series – from the first episode to the last – in anticipation of a day-after-Thanksgiving marathon of the much-anticipated <a href="http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/gilmore-girls/feature/a783182/gilmore-girls-reunion-revival-on-netflix-cast-episodes-return-date-everything-you-need-to-know/">new installment</a>.<br />
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Oh how I have missed thee, Gilmore Girls!<br />
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For too many years than I like to admit, I have been lost. Off-track. Adrift. Battered by the harsh realities of teenagers, mistakes, the dreaded empty nest, and the devastating loss of the only thing that has ever truly been my purpose: being a mother to my loinfruits.<br />
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I know I'm still a mother, and I still do motherly things, but it's not the same when you don't come home every day to homework, "what's for dinner?" and a reassuring mess that leaves no doubt as to the necessity of your continued presence.<br />
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But – after they're all grown up – it's just not the same.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, I prepared for this reality for years. Bracing myself against the inevitable collision of independence and adulthood that was just waiting to plow me down. And – despite my best efforts – I learned that in this, as with any other crash, bracing yourself for impact only causes more damage. <br />
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And then the Gilmores brought me back.<br />
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I know it sounds ridiculous at the same time that it makes total sense.<br />
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Over the past several years (yes! I literally mean years) I have blamed my discombobulation on everyone and everything, but after just a couple episodes I realized that my major malfunction is really the loss of the one thing I always used to define myself.<br />
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I have been a mom for 55% of my life - 57% if you count gestation. It's always going to be the thing in my life (other than breathing) that I've done the longest. And I love it. I wouldn't want it any other way. But my sweet petites are now 24 and 21, and no one lives at home (although we all know it could happen again), and no one needs me after school or after work or for a ride.<br />
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It's true that I have looked forward to this very circumstance for a long time. Now that it's here, though – despite the fact that I do love the freedom and cherish so much my relationships with these amazing creatures I had the honor to help cook (even though they'll never be done) – I've lost my True North.<br />
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I feel it in my teeth, my fingertips, my follicles, my spleen, my toenails, and the deep, deep depths of my foundering soul. Before I fully realized the root cause of my discontent; however, Lorelai and Rory showed me the light. Going back to Stars Hollow restored my spirit. Recognizing myself – my faults, foibles, good intentions, and fierce love – in all the lovely ladies on this show made me remember who I was and the things that made me happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAdXc5nCijIeateQjbxrROuI4OXQsukcInK6iyp5mSCpU-I3aR8CJ9e34AVMib8DE42YUMxzyjU3mAYICXXMaHrwWR3hoQkLRbnmaG_lGnS1GQFiTtdy6lxQA3xb6EaV_WxVZQqFMV_vv/s1600/IMG_1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAdXc5nCijIeateQjbxrROuI4OXQsukcInK6iyp5mSCpU-I3aR8CJ9e34AVMib8DE42YUMxzyjU3mAYICXXMaHrwWR3hoQkLRbnmaG_lGnS1GQFiTtdy6lxQA3xb6EaV_WxVZQqFMV_vv/s320/IMG_1074.JPG" width="320" /></a>In typical Rebecca form I had been facing the loss of my deep-rooted parental imperative by stubbornly acting as if nothing were wrong. Then Lorelai, Rory, Sookie, Paris – and even Emily – gave me permission to feel all the feels.<br />
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Instead of going to therapy I have gone to Stars Hollow and Friday Night Dinners and Yale. And I must admit that (so far) the results are marvelous.<br />
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Thank you, Gilmore Girls – and I can't wait to catch up with you in November.<br />
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<br />Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09902020363922743379noreply@blogger.com0