tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64244023051459542342024-03-12T18:05:25.130-05:00Hilary Dow Warddesign inspiration musings imaginationHilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-40750024843441971682017-05-23T11:44:00.000-05:002017-05-23T11:44:07.663-05:00May Things 2017This has been a funny month. Last year, the school I worked for in NYC didn't finish school until June 26. This year, the university I work for was finished by approximately May 12 and graduation was on Mother's Day. The academic calendar is a funny thing.<br />
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1. Harris is fabulous. We went to Dallas this past week and he made his 5th round trip flight (14th take off and landing) and spent his 13th night in a hotel. He's doing good and is quite the sturdy little traveler. He's set foot in over 12 states and flown over another (about) 5 more. Next week, we add to the pile with another trip to Kansas.<br />
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Life on our little mountain is quiet right now - students are gone and our population has gone from 1800 students + 1300 citizens to basically just the 1300 citizens. Summer school and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival start after Memorial Day, I will gladly welcome the extra foot traffic back to the mountain!<br />
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Until then...Off to the Land of Oz. Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-72659168692827533702017-04-05T12:56:00.001-05:002017-04-05T12:56:19.283-05:00Under the VSG knife. I typed in about 4 post titles and for right now I'm going to leave "under the knife" as the title to this post. So, as one might imagine this might indicate that I'm going to have surgery. If your nose and previous knowledge pointed you to that, you would, in fact, be correct. <br />
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On April 17th a mere 12 days from now, I'm going to have a vertical sleeve gastrectomy. In short, VSG. One of the first things many people say in response is, "well I trust you've researched this and know this is the best option for you" or some variation on that point. This is surprising to me because any person I've told, obviously they are someone I do know well and they should know me well enough to know that I do my homework and if my highly anxious self is willing to have a surgery, it has come to {surgery} this as the only remaining option. Or, subsequently, being overweight and being able to do nothing about it. Nothing about it you say? Yes that's correct. I have documented medical treatment and attempts for the past 6-7 years of trying to not be obese. If you've been a reader of this blog you know that approximately 6 years ago I was part of a medical research study at University of Tennessee. For 6 months they gave me all of my food, I had weekly check ups, I abide by their every word on what to do. I did lose weight. And, at the conclusion of that study, it was discovered that I likely had PCOS. Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is no baby game. It's awful. It's hard. It's emotional. It hurts your body. It eliminates your ability to deal with insulin. It's a monster. <br />
Flash forward these many years later, I'm done with it. Hearing the doctor say at one of my latest appointments that he thinks "the PCOS will entirely go away" was absolute music to my ears. And I'm a strict critic on what's music to my ears.<br />
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I am now on day 3 of my 14 day pre-operation liver diet. It's not easy. Going cold turkey on all chewable foods is really tough. Occasionally, I'll see in discussion boards people that think folks who have bariatric surgery are taking the easy road. I will wildly beg to differ. Getting to the point you get to have a surgery date for bariatric surgery is a lot of work. Ever wonder what goes into it?<br />
Here's what you have to do:<br />
1. Find a bariatric surgeon you're comfortable with and that is close to your house. If they're not close by everything else just gets really complicated.<br />
2. Attend an information meeting at your chosen bariatric clinic.<br />
3. Find out if your insurance will pay for the surgery. If it does not, they you have to figure out if you can finance it through any of the clinic options. If your insurance does pay for it then your list of steps gets way longer. My insurance did not pay for it. I am cash paying. This is a double edge sword. If your insurance pays for it, it takes on average of 6-8 months longer to get a surgery date. If you cash pay then this is what happens next...<br />
4. You attend a group/support class. During this approximately 5 hours class, you also get instruction from a licensed nutritionist how to not only prepare for the surgery but what happens after surgery.<br />
5. You have a psych evaluation with a social worker. The social worker I met with was at the hospital and focuses in this specific area (weight loss/eating disorders/morbid obesity).<br />
6. Radiology appointment. This was fascinating. Probably my favorite appointment. You drink a variety of liquids. The Radiologist watches how you swallow, how your stomach reacts, looks to see if/how your body deals with acid reflux/indigestion and so on. Really cool appointment. <br />
7. Meeting with the Chattanooga Bariatric Nurse Practitioner. This appointment was the last one I had and it cleared me for surgery. We also discusses all of the medical ins-outs.<br />
8. I applied for/got my surgery date. Fortunately, you can make this request. Because this surgery is out patient, you need to be able to deal with the pain/rest/balance how to get through the initial time following surgery.<br />
9. Meeting with the surgeon. I must admit that felt pretty good to get through all those hoops to finally get the appointment with the surgeon.<br />
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During my final appointment at the clinic, the clinic staff also gave me the schedule for what would happen day of surgery (the time line) and then told me I would come back to the clinic the morning after for IV fluids (if needed).<br />
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Is this laborious. Yes. it absolutely is. Is it practically a godsend to my person. Yes it is.<br />
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As I shared above, I am now on day 3 of 14 days of liquids. <br />
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This is tough.<br />
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I'm a little bit grumpy. <br />
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I want something else to eat, etc.<br />
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What I wouldn't do for some eggs right now. Which is odd because I'm already consuming a huge amount of protein.<br />
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If you are interested in following my journey. Check me out on instagram @vsg_hilary. <br />
<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-1042656577190885522017-03-15T14:42:00.000-05:002017-03-15T14:43:51.743-05:00October happenings (a lost post from 2016)<div style="text-align: center;">
I just noticed this post in my drafts section. . . I never did post it. </div>
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Here are photos from October of 2016. </div>
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<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-55258232479577611132017-03-15T14:36:00.001-05:002017-05-23T11:39:36.630-05:00Where did 2016 go? Quite seriously? Where did 2016 go? I didn't blog for an entire year. Well more really, because my last post is from fall 2016 and now it's spring 2017.<br />
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So here's what happened over the past 16 months.<br />
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#1. We had a baby. He's magical and was born on August 26, 2016. If you follow my instagram you know that he is already a social media presence. Yes, I'm that parent. BUT, that account is his <br />
"21st century baby book" and has a private, select audience. None the less, you can still see him on my feed @hilarydowward<br />
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#2. I moved back to Tennessee. But this time to the wayyyy other side. I now live on the Atlanta side of Tennessee instead of the Dallas side of Tennessee. Yes, it's a super long state.<br />
What are we doing here you ask? Dr. Professor Mr. Ward got a job. A job that had been occupied for approximately 40 years and hadn't been open in my lifetime and he applied and got it. So, now we live here. What am I doing here you ask? I'm a Visiting Assistant Professor and faculty sponsor of the university radio station. (Remember, radio is kind of a "thang" I enjoy.)<br />
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#3 while writing this post I get to add two new hashtags. #sewanee and #babyHarris.<br />
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I am going to do better in typing up blog posts. I love the documentation I've made over the years. It was fun to read it today and think of all the things that have happened. <br />
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<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-15245281274848273042015-09-15T20:57:00.002-05:002017-03-15T14:36:07.377-05:001 month as a new yorker4 delightful weeks as a New York city dweller have passed. Hard to believe. It went by quickly. And, was a delight. The seasons are starting to change and the mighty musky mornings of subway humidity are something we can practically kiss goodbye. Fall is at the doorstep and I will gladly welcome it in. July was so nice - the subway stink wasn't even on my radar. As we moved into August...GOOD-NESS! Hello hotness in a giant way! My weekends have been full of exploration, and big naps! This school day biz is nothing to sneeze at! The kiddies surely can wear a gal out! <br />
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Sunday Exploration - Kate Spade Flagship on Broome in SOHO</div>
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After new student orientation at school - week three of in service </div>
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During week 2 of in service</div>
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During the first day of school - 5th graders in the gym</div>
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I am STILL a doctoral student at University of Memphis - This is hopefully my last semester of classes. Thankfully for SKYPE, I dial in for class and the learning continues and instead of sitting next to my "wolf pack" cohort in class - class looks like this...</div>
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On the personal front....</div>
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I am the proud keeper of a giant stack of apartment keys.</div>
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And they open all the right doors in this beautiful brownstone! </div>
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...on a tree lined street that looks like this...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(this isn't actually my block - it's one a few over)</span></div>
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It's funny how time can change plans. As of July 1, 2015 we were set to move into this house on Labor Day weekend (approximately 2 months later)...and instead I moved to NYC. Time is a funny "thing"...it really is amazing what can happy in the span of a few days, a week, or a month! <br />
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Alas, the time wasn't right for this house...<br />
Perhaps there will be another house, another day/week/month/year<br />
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All in all - things are great! It's still hard to believe that I'm here and doing what I love. Teaching - working with the masses, growing everyday in knowledge and with a group of humans who ask questions and desire answers, or at least have the fortitude to move towards results in some way shape and form. I enjoy being on a faculty of hard working educators from diverse backgrounds who bring a sizable volume of worldly experience with them. I enjoy being able to celebrate the cultures and rituals of various types of religions and backgrounds of the people I am now part of. I enjoy getting to actually apply what I've now spent over a decade in university studying. The desire and outcome so far, far outweighs the difficulty it took to get to this place and time. Virtually everything in my daily life is new. There's newness in my daily routine, perhaps the biggest that when I leave home in the morning I'm not climbing inside my Lexus that's parked in my heated garage, now I'm walking 8 blocks and then getting on a subway. (And yes, my legs are looking nice.) I'm living in an apartment that's approximately 1000 sq ft. as opposed to a house with 5000 sq ft. I have 1 bathroom, not 4. I have a bath tub, not a indoor salt water swimming pool and hot pool (yes, that was hard to let go of that.). I don't have a dishwasher, I don't have a washer and dryer (although I'm totally fine with the later because the "fluff and fold" is the best thing EVER. I may never do laundry again). I hardly cook - but then again I didn't really in Memphis either. For the first time in approximately 8 years, I'm living without a piano of any kind. This is maybe the hardest amongst the amenities that I'd grown accustomed to in daily life. In fact, I haven't even played a piano now in over a month! This, obviously, is something I'm working to fix, but none the less is perhaps the longest I've gone EVER not playing. Yes my fingers itch to play and I have songs in my head basically all the time. My days are longer and usually include some sort of deep breath exercise at some juncture in the day, but, I love it, and am so very, very happy. </div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-20450447044932074212015-08-23T15:44:00.000-05:002015-08-24T13:38:26.009-05:00My first week as a "New Yorker"So as I shared yesterday, I now live in Brooklyn. 7 weeks ago tomorrow, I came to Brooklyn for the first time to visit the illustrious place called <em>Williamsburg. </em>Naturally, coming from another part of civilization...it all looked scary. Honestly. I was a wimp. As it turns out, Brooklyn is lovely and were it a stand alone city, it would be the 4th largest in the US. So, yes, that is also cool. Lots going on in T-H-E Brooklyn. Thankfully I've secured a perfectly lovely apartment for which I may have to live in forever because the apartment rent in this area is going through the roof. Fortunately, per my post yesterday, you can see it is a delightful apartment. At 900 sq. ft. it also has a decent amount of space. I have access to several train lines at an easy pace from my front door and the neighborhood houses/buildings are beautiful. <br />
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So. Now. Let's discuss the fact that I now live in Brooklyn. All I'm going to say is this...It's a long story. A story that's been in process approximately 9 years but more realistically, about 6 years. <br />
And so to give description through singing...I give you Ariana Grande and my summer theme song.<br />
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Although, there were several mornings this week I played this song to simulate the beginning of "The Devil Wears Prada"....<br />
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So. 7 weeks, 220 hours of summer school, multiple flights via Delta (Memphis, NYC, Cleveland, Memphis, NYC, Destin, Memphis, NYC), a broker and her fees, starting a new job, I now live in Brooklyn. So yes, it's a very long story. Just listen to Ariana singing. You'll thank me. She pumps up the "jam". <br />
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So now let's talk about my apartment. Because again, that's all anyone really wants to talk about. <br />
Here are some funny anecdotes relating to the apartment. How did I find the apartment you ask? <br />
Well, I searched through Craigslist and then found Street Easy and quite literally, it was easy. So that's where I found the apartment. Once I realized where I'd be working and what time I had to be there in the morning 5 days a week, I knew that living in Manhattan wasn't realistic. Searching in Brooklyn, seemed like an even bigger task. There is tons of gentrification going on, which is good because it is always nice to pick things up, BUT, that also means that the rent is sort of unrealistic and in many, many places more expensive than it is in Manhattan! What you do get in Brooklyn, at this point, is a bigger apartment. For the money, I was able to get 900 sq. ft. as opposed to 250-400 sq. ft. in Manhattan. I can fix little janky things but I can't fix small. Small is small is small and location doesn't fix it either. So, once again, I say here I am in Brooklyn. I have a delightful landlord who also happens to be the owner of the brownstone and lives in. So, handy. <br />
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After I looked at about 40 apartments on line, I narrowed it down to about 8, then I narrowed it down to 2. I went to see the first apartment (which happened to be the one I chose, basically on the spot). The location was perfect for getting to school and did I mention that one of my dearest friends from high school lives about 200 yards away. That security felt right. So I promptly messaged the broker after seeing it to rent the apartment. There was a little bit of negotiation that happened because I needed to take possession immediately (less than 7 days from the day I viewed it) as well as negotiation through the broker fee. This broker's fee was 12% of the annual rent, we renegotiated 10% because, well, I didn't have enough money to pay 12%. That part was hard because she was fantastic and so accommodating, but I just couldn't swing 12%. At some point, I will make this up to her, somehow, whether it be through renting another apartment with her or something...? <br />
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Now, to rent an apartment in NYC basically anywhere, there's a broker's fee. Most apartments I was interested in had a broker's fee. This seemed to range between 10%-15% of the annual rent, in addition to the first and last month's rent and the deposit. So yes, it is basically like putting a down payment on a house. Kind of scary. So in some ways it feels like I just "closed" on an apartment. <br />
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Exactly 1 week after I saw the apartment, I "moved" into it. And in that time, I started my new job with Uncommon Schools, flew back to Memphis, packed suitcases and boxes that will arrive Labor Day week, sold over 50 pairs of shoes, and my Lexus, and then...flew back to NYC. It was a really hectic week and when I went to bed at 2am on the day I moved into the apartment, I was exhausted both emotionally and physically. It was a hard week. The good part, it is past me. <br />
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The funny part. There's more. <br />
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Okay so August in Brooklyn is ridiculously hot. Much like Memphis, but oddly different. I thought I'll be okay with no air conditioning the first night. NOT! I was going for the "tree house" set up and surely there will be a breeze. Not so much. Fortunately, this is where the element of having a friend living 200 yards away is very helpful. He saved the day. 2 nights in a row. What did happen though in that time is that I also learned the magic of going to buy 2 air con units and a box fan, and the super cute part where I hauled them home. A short comedy film could have been made about me schlepping those darn things home. The save in this story is that my landlord carried them upstairs and installed them for me. See. Good ending. And then I had air con in the apartment, my aerobed blown up and I felt like I lived there. Also within that time, my broker's assistant (or maybe he was another broker, I couldn't tell) offered me a new mattress from Ikea because he said when he moved to NYC he had nothing. So he was paying it forward. (I too will have to do this for another someday) So he organized a task rabbit to drop it off and I paid the fella $60 to deliver it. Worked out lovely. So the mattress went down, then the aerobed on top and bada-bing I have something that is actually like a bed. The story just keeps getting better and better. <br />
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Alright, so now we are on day 3. Day 3 I went to Bed Bath & Beyond and bought some proper bedding, a extra long shower curtain, and 2 real pillows. All I had was my airplane neck pillow. Talk about a sad part of the story, I didn't have room in my suitcase to pack a real pillow. Okay, be resourceful, Hilary, you worked it out. So this is the part of the story where I looked like Julie from Julie and Julia when she is schlepping groceries home from Dean and Deluca and busy that bundle of sticks and takes them home on the subway and she's hot and knocking people out with the sticks...yes that was me but not with sticks but a giant bag of pillows. I could feel myself laughing through this. And, yes it builds character and my first week in NYC story. When I was purchasing all that "crap" I kept saying to myself, now remember you have to take this all the way home. I imagine I'll find myself asking myself this often when shopping for various things whether it home products or food or clothes or whatever. But in this instance, every bit of it was VERY needed. So it was okay. <br />
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Okay so in the meantime, I've started a new job. I mentioned that right, the whole entire reason for moving to NYC...the new job?!? All this while, the new job is very sparkly and full of delightfulness. So that is a plus. No scabs there, no potholes. Just delight. I have high desire to keep this status for this portion of my life because this is something I've not had ever. A sparkly job where people are happy I'm there and using me and my skillset in full. So far, this is on track with my hopes and dreams. All this work I've done over 4 degree programs...it's starting to pay off. <br />
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Okay now back to the apartment and such. <br />
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So the first week comes to and end. And now it's Friday night. <br />
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Where did I spend my Friday night? Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, Haydn Creation. And though I practically fell asleep on the subway headed there because I was SO tired...I didn't because I was so excited to hear the music and be at LC and naturally, the music was SO beautiful. Sort of a prayerful and very grateful moment in the story of my first week in NYC as a resident. <br />
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Saturday night, an encore to my weekend of classical music...I got to hear a dear NYC friend sing Susanna along with 2 Jayhawks cast members in a Dell'Arte production of Marriage of Figaro. Also, I got a pedicure. Can't go wrong with that one. <br />
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I'm so thankful to my friends who have helped me and will continue to help me make this move. It wasn't something I could have done without their help on this end. I stayed with them several times during the transition, and they've continued to support me this week in all the newness. Thankfully, I have spent a good amount of time in NYC over the years, so not everything is new to me. But the fact that I actually do have an address at this point is very unreal. I have a place to come home to everyday that is the same, with my things in it, in a beautiful place I'm learning to call home. Lots of adjustment to come in continuation of this thing I'm calling #northernmigrationsituation but none the less, the migration into a life I'm after. For now, learning to be by myself. That's hard. After being part of a team for nearly 14 years, learning to do a lot of things by myself again...that's a transition. <br />
I'm writing this very disjointed sentence structure story and hitting "publish" because I know this is a story I will want to remember (though am likely to never forget...EVER) how things went my first week in NYC. <br />
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More to come. Probably a little light hearted, and probably with more decorative photos. Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-32467927638833743472015-08-22T13:32:00.000-05:002015-08-23T15:52:01.510-05:00#northernmigrationsituation <br />
SO. I now live in New York City and am gainfully employed by Uncommon Charter Schools in Brooklyn. This process is more than a 1 post pony. But here's the most pertinent portion of the information. I also have a new place to hang my hat. And let's be honest. That's the biggest question anyone has had..."OH MY GOODNESS WHERE WILL YOU LIVE..." So let's ease those anxieties first. <br />
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So, I give you...my apartment! Photos from apartment listing.</div>
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Living Room (first view)</div>
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Living Room (second view)</div>
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Bedroom (first view)</div>
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Bedroom (second view)</div>
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2nd "bedroom" (which will either be an office/ "lady room")</div>
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Bathroom (which is approximately 2 times the size of my Memphis </div>
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bathroom and oddly enough the same color tile, a rosey mauve situation)</div>
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The kitchen. Which is all new. But needs some love. </div>
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I looked at tons of apartments through Craigslist and through StreetEasy and was generally searching my location, first and foremost. Then I was looking at apartment size. After downsizing from 5000 sq. ft. and an indoor saltwater pool and hot pool...this was obviously a little difficult. But I did find several that I really liked and ultimately ended up with this one because I really liked the broker. She was so good to me and very caring disposition given I was moving here very quickly, and when I did ultimately move here, I was moving with 3 suitcases and an aerobed. So, yes, having a good broker is a very important entity. </div>
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In approximately 2 weeks, I will have a truck full of furniture arrive from Memphis, and yes I am looking forward to that. Until then....me, the aerobed and my 2 newly purchased air conditioner units (that's a blog post to come and yes it is terribly "funny") are kicking it NYC style. </div>
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School starts on Tuesday and I am so excited to get busy with my new students. </div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-78985981666374567412015-05-26T16:27:00.002-05:002015-05-26T16:27:30.987-05:00WKNO 91.1 NPR <div style="text-align: center;">
"You're listening to 91.1 WKNO Memphis, or 90.1 WKNP Jackson. NPR for the Midsouth."</div>
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For the past 2 years and 10 months, this has become a fluid sentence within my vocabulary. </div>
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And...a place with which I've been spending a good portion of my time (working) as an on air classical music show host. <br />
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I don't believe I've ever showed/shared photos from the 'KNO...so the time has come. Here are a few pics from my camera roll throughout the last year or so. </div>
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my wkno staff profile head shot. <br />
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It's awfully early when I go but it is so much fun and something I've really enjoyed doing! </div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-12136770704112812462015-04-11T18:19:00.000-05:002015-04-11T18:20:51.165-05:00Keeping it real - Easter Dress Style <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even though I'm now in my 30s...an "Easter Dress" is still a must. I don't know that I will ever outgrow this notion and requirement. This year Easter snuck up on me and the week of Easter I was clicking through the web looking for said garment. All of these photos are ones I took on my phone while texting with my Mother about "which one looked best"....so I'm keeping it real with my camera photos instead of the actual web pics. You know...a little blogging character. The majority of the options I selected were from ASOS Curve, but I also liked a few from Talbots, Simbly Bee, Rachel Pally, and MimuMaxi (where approximately 80% of my dresses are from these days.) I ended up ordering a dress from ASOS with 2 day shipping and it did arrive on time. I also ordered a Rachel Pally dress with 2 day shipping and it didn't come until Easter Monday (#fail). </div>
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Dress #1 - ASOS </div>
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Dress #2 - ASOS I have this one in a shorter version and LOVE it</div>
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Dress #3 - ASOS I decided this one had way too much going on in the hip region. </div>
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I don't need any extra attention drawn on that area. Thus this dress didn't make the short list. </div>
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Dress #4 - ASOS this is the dress I ordered and love it. It is long and has a very nice shape about it. </div>
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The back is a little lower than I would like and naturally it has no sleeves. I don't do bare arms in church (period). Has nothing to do with size. I is just something I don't do. I'm of the cover your knees/arms THE END persuasion. I don't care if you're 15, 32, 50, or 85. Keep it real while you're in church. Long story short, I like this one a lot. I bought a navy elbow length cardigan to wear of the top. It's lovely. </div>
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Dress #5- Simply Bee</div>
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This one was $29. And it is pink. </div>
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The end. A good deal to be had. </div>
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Dress #6 - MimuMaxi</div>
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I have nearly every dress they sell. I wear them with everything to everything and for everything. </div>
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It is probably the most versitle articles of clothing I've ever owned. That keeps me a loyal customer. </div>
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I can do a day's work in it - looking good - feeling good - and roll into the evening activity per day and still feel appropriately dressed. Likewise, it suits my personal guidelines for church of keeping it real (if you don't remember that portion look up about 2 photos). I highly recommend this company. </div>
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If you've not done it - check them out! </div>
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I ended up wearing the white Cascade dress (pictured above) for Easter and was quite pleased with it. In addition to being a bit of a goose about various wardrobe things - I also am into grey scale pieces. It is unlikely to see me wearing a bunch of color - and if so, it is an accessory. I'm good with black and white and all the shades in between. So that was another part of my conundrum searching for an Easter dress. I felt like a flower garden in 95% of the options. Thus, decided to stick with the solids of my preferred grey scale. </div>
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Well - so - I ordered 2 dresses. 1 of them showed up on time and 1 did not. I ended up wearing one of my Mimu dresses for Easter. I'll wear the other two undoubtedly sometime this spring/summer. In addition to my modesty rule, I also have a rule that if I won't wear it at least 3 times in the upcoming season - I don't buy it. So alas, here we go for spring and with some new, quite dandy dresses to sport.Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-41850936776837376162015-04-11T17:59:00.002-05:002015-04-11T18:28:20.379-05:00Where have you been? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where in the world have you been young lady? </div>
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Sorry...I've been a bit tied up lately. Per usual. </div>
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Here is one of my sporadic blog posts to show you what I've been up to. </div>
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I've been spending my time on campus - obviously - as I'm a doctoral student</div>
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BUT - BUT - BUT<br /> I'm also working on campus in the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. </div>
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(the building on the left in the picture below)</div>
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I've been doing some temp work in the music school at University of Memphis for the past few weeks. It has been nice to return to the habitat of "my kind"...I will say the smell of a music building (at least the ones I've been in) smell like music buildings, rather than science buildings...there's something about that smell that throws me back to Murphy Hall at my undergrad and summers of music camp, etc. That smell, the same nostalgic smell is what I'm experiencing every day at work. And perhaps it isn't at all that it smells like a "music building" it is just a cognitive reminder of happy things in the past. Regardless of any notion - it is good to be "home" in a place where the sounds (and smells) are familiar.Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-25029324363282640032015-02-11T21:41:00.000-06:002015-02-11T21:43:24.972-06:00I turned 32. Well. It happened. I turned 32. For some reason unpronounced to me this birthday felt the most traumatic of all the "I'm getting older birthdays". It was kind of like that scene from SATC when Carrie Bradshaw turns 35...well, that happened for me 3 years early. So, I'm going to stay 31 until I actually do turn 35. I swear. My sakes.<br />
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31 (2014) was an okay year. Not exactly a gravy train. But, it happened. Seemed like one transition point after another. It felt like one adult type thing after another. Perhaps an opportunity to chalk it up to growing pains? But there were good things as a 31 year old. Perhaps my favorite of the year, spending July in NYC. That was terrific. I will always remember that trip, the learning experience, etc. Things that were not lovely about being 31. Perhaps at the top, the realization that I wasn't doing something that made me happy or that I wanted to do any longer. When you figure out you're going down the wrong path at 31, that's harsh when you've made so much effort to be in the right place. So, I said goodbye to my 31 year old self on January 30th at midnight and welcomed in my 32 year old self. Which, thus far, I'm optimistic that something more sunny is coming my way. <br />
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My birthday weekend started with some extra props for music lessons. </div>
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I give you the girls from Frozen as well as Beethoven Bear and Mozart Mouse. </div>
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Hey, when you're 5, it's all good. I say bring'em. I'll use them to help you learn the piano. </div>
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And...my Mom sent me a new book for the collection. </div>
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And yes. I wore some pink. </div>
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Through in other years it consumed more of my outfit, as I'm growing older...it's a smaller portion. </div>
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I got two of these new to me lamps from Antique Warehouse on Summer Ave. </div>
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They are brassy gold with a solid carerra marble base. LOVE THEM. </div>
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I have one in the living room and the other is in the lady room. </div>
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And as you can see, Handsome was on hand to assist. </div>
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I share my birthday (January 31) with Justin Timberlake. </div>
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Shout out to JT. </div>
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Okay...and a shout out to Handsome. </div>
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Later in the day we went to see "Cake"...</div>
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And do not me decieved this is not a happy birthday cake kind of movie. </div>
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Though...it was thrilling. Fabulous movie, wonderful acting. Terribly sad. </div>
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Then Dr. GHW had to rush off to marry some folks so the bday celebration was put on hold.</div>
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Post wedding, we hit the Peabody for some beverages. </div>
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My pick, an ode to my pinky love...Pink Cadillac. </div>
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F-U-N in a glass. </div>
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Following the adult beverage portion of the evening at The Peabody, </div>
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we loaded back up and headed to midtown for dinner at Restaurant Iris. </div>
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Me + Him on my 32nd Birthday. </div>
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Our dinner reservation was at 9pm. As we were driving back to East Memphis, we realized that since the next day was Superbowl Sunday that perhaps we should stop off to pick up some food to avoid the crowd. Well we did get some food and we also came home with this delightful caterpillar. It was on sale and was purchased for $29.98. I love it. </div>
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Fun evening indeed. </div>
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Then, Sunday brought lessons and preparation for our </div>
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"SuperBowl/Downton Abbey/Birthday gathering" </div>
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I share a birthday weekend with a lovely group of ladies from our church so we have celebrated around our collective birthdays for the past 7 or so years. I am the youngest, the next is 62 and the eldest is 82. We are quite the group. </div>
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Dot with our shared birthday cake. </div>
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And a birthday box from my family in Kansas. </div>
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Being away from home is very hard. That will never get any easier. </div>
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But, it does help to have a few treats from the fam at home. </div>
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Here we go 32, let's do this. </div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-80154690962728555182015-02-07T21:39:00.000-06:002015-02-07T21:44:29.528-06:00New Photos of Me + Him <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple of weeks ago, I had a new head shot taken for <a href="http://wknofm.org/">WKNO</a> at WKNO by none other than <a href="http://marcilambert.com/">Marci Lambert.</a> The whole process took about 7 minutes. She took probably 20 photos and behold the very first one she took was the chosen photo. I haven't had one taken in several years - at least of a serious nature - so this was a treat not to mention just plain fun. </div>
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The hubs came with me so she snapped a couple of photos of him too. Which is cool because now we have a matching set. Our collection of <a href="https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEVvoZ2tZUlQcAsw0nnIlQ?p=olan+mills+church+photography&fr=&fr2=piv-web&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001">Olan Mills Church photos</a> are ridiculous - that's not my bag at all. So this is fun to have photos of the two of us in a different light - Literally! <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zq0bcbNB5e0/VNbZx8jNIXI/AAAAAAAAQxA/cKLdAUawXF4/s1600/GEOFF%2BWARD-101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zq0bcbNB5e0/VNbZx8jNIXI/AAAAAAAAQxA/cKLdAUawXF4/s1600/GEOFF%2BWARD-101.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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If you're in the market for a friendly photog - check out <a href="http://marcilambert.com/">Marci Lambert</a>! </div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-73193672927949690902015-02-07T21:30:00.002-06:002015-02-07T21:31:13.205-06:00Mid Century Renovation Inspiration Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every morning I open my email, very nearly before my feet hit the ground. Amongst the myriad of emails, mostly junk these days, is one of my favorites, the daily email from <a href="http://www.domainehome.com/">Domain Home</a>. I can always count on 2 things from that blessed email. 1. That I am going to ooo-ahh at the approximately 6 article links the email provides. 2. I am then going to practically rewrite some aspect of my "final" plan for projects in at #dwh2. </div>
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On Thursday, February 5, this happened in a mega way. </div>
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Now, as I've clearly said about 3 other times in this post, these photos are from Domain/Pinterest. </div>
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Not my house, not my monkeys, but man is this a circus I could be part of on a daily basis. </div>
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So without further adieu...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">All photos via Domain Home/Pinterest</span></div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-62329263082849111672015-01-27T12:32:00.001-06:002015-02-18T11:44:32.008-06:00The Kitchen at #dwh2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We moved in at #dwh2 in late May of 2013. The previous 20 months have been a good time for discovery (figuring out what works and what doesn't), observation (what do we use and what is waited space), moving things around (as in it would be more functional if we moved it over here). A good period of time, but now, it is time to make the plans to really liven the joint up a bit. </div>
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Like any *good* house-dweller, I have a fully stocked collection of inspiration photos from Pinterest. Sometimes I like the whole photo, but most of the time, there is an element, or two that I like and would like some portion of it to resemble what my space will eventually look like. So, to begin with, I am going to start with the inspiration photos, THEN, we will go to what it actually looks like. I like the reverse presentation in this particular instance. Because, it is good to start with something positive! </div>
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Kelly Wearstler is amazing. Her style is very unique and it is used in some super chic places. </div>
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The floor in the above photo is like the flooring in 80% of our house, Terrazzo. Ours is white and gray, as this is obviously turquoise/green. None the less an elemental feature that is similar. I like to see how this type of flooring is styled other than in photos of a post office or bank. Additionally, I like the bar stools in this photo. Good mix of hard and soft. When the kitchen gets the revamp, I want to open up one of the walls of the kitchen that is connected to the breakfast room that has Terrazzo floors. Bar stools, such as the lovely ones above, would be a great addition. Alas, those puppies cost about $2k EACH - so that's a no go. Let's see what else I can come up with. Next photo...</div>
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If you've read more than 2 posts on my blog you know I'm a fan of white paint. </div>
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Moving forward in our kitchen *shocker* there will be more white paint. </div>
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Now...let's get down to brass tacks and the super important first step towards rejuvenation. </div>
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As this is project rejuvenation, not renovation. </div>
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As you can see in the photo above and below...<br />
1. there are 3 different types of flooring exposed in the kitchen. Green (old linoleum), Brown peel and stick planks I used in the den and ran out of and didn't buy anymore for the kitchen), and illustrious marble tile. <br />
2. It looks like the stove is all by it's lonesome stranded to one side of the kitchen. More on that in another picture.<br />
3. You can see into the breakfast room. The wall above the stove is toast (hopefully) and will become a bar area so that the two rooms are combined.<br />
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Obviously, Handsome has to inspect to make sure it is up to scratch for his high/mighty standards.</div>
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Okay so now back to the layout in the kitchen. </div>
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Before I started laying the peel and stick planks in the kitchen, it looked like this. This is after the original stove top was taken out and the stove was put in. As you can see, there's a space situation happening because the larger cabinet unit was removed. And as you will notice in the photos moving forward, there is also a lighting issue. The kitchen is completely interior and doesn't have any windows to the outside world. So the only natural light comes from the floor to ceiling windows in the rooms that are next to it. Yet another reason to take down the wall above the stove, there's a huge window right here (more light for the kitchen). <br />
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And this fine thing is what was in the cabinet unit that was removed to make way for the new stove. <br />
It works, but it was really dirty and well...it was time to go. It is currently in our storage room if anyone wants it!<br />
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And this...this is the whole in the counter top where the stove top was removed from.<br />
Yep, that's a big, giant stove top. <br />
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The last photo I snapped before the electrician came to remove the unit. It was hardwired to the wall. <br />
And by the way, I had this project done last May about 1 hour before my parents arrived from Kansas for a visit. As you can see from the corner of the photo below, the new(er) range was smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. That would be a no go for their time in the house.<br />
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Nice green floor, huh? I know you're all super jealous.</div>
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Or should I say, GREEN WITH ENVY? </div>
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Ha! Designer knee slapper joke. </div>
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And yes, Handsome does try super hard to be helpful in any way possible in the kitchen as he believes that any good deed should be rewarded (with food/snacks).<br />
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Okay, so here's how the kitchen looked just before the stove was delivered in the kitchen. <br />
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Looked okay. It was waisted space. On the wall to the right of the stove is a double oven, that will also be removed, and the entire set up wasn't quite right for this particular kitchen circa 2013/4/5.<br />
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Okay so now, about the stove...</div>
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Originally, I started looking for a 47" cookstop that could replace the one that was in the space. </div>
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Well, that didn't go very well. And after also trying to locate a 23" double oven to replace the units that are currently still in the kitchen, that was also unsuccessful. The next option, Craigslist. </div>
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And BINGO was her namo. I found this year old electric Viking stove from a fabulous house in an equally fabulous neighborhood in Memphis. I messaged the seller and went over as soon as I could to look at it. I promptly made the purchase. And it was delivered a few weeks later. They were in the midst of an entire home renovation and were converting from electric to gas which meant it was my lucky day. And without (not very many more) thoughts, the whole cabinet would come out and I'd figure out what to do with the space moving forward. </div>
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We've been using this stove/oven for about 7 months now and really like it. I was familiar with Viking as my family has a gas range and other Viking appliances in their kitchen. SO the only difference was the electric cook top. I didn't even know Viking made an electric version. To my surprise, this had been a special order and lucky for me we were able to get it. Gas is nice, but let me tell you having the flat surface that is durable enough to basically extend the counter top space when it is not in use, that's priceless. It heats up in a blink of a eye and cooks beautifully. Likewise, the oven has the full gamete of Viking options and it lives up to the name. Quite the deal if you can find one.<br />
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Now, after all of that perparation, and after the contracter made his visit, I want to move the stove to the wall the ovens are on to add a new vent hood and put a wine fridge where the current stove is. Alas, back to Pinterest I go. Flooring is selected (pics above) it's time to get this ship rolling!Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-59767545466202835982015-01-22T12:42:00.000-06:002015-01-22T12:42:06.665-06:00The Story of Christmas 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The story of Christmas 2015 started out like this...</div>
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With a happy pose by the fireplace. </div>
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Little did we know that a dark cloud was on the way...</div>
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Emergency room 3 days later at 11pm. </div>
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Our stay lasted until approximately 4am. </div>
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Flu. The big bad flu. </div>
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So it was Merry time and we were in the house. </div>
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GHW in the bed, down for the count. </div>
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Poor guy. We missed Christmas. </div>
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And for a person who works at a church, you have to be really sick to miss Christmas. </div>
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GHW was down for approximately 6 days and after that..</div>
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We experienced a few outings by car in the neighborhood.</div>
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AND....</div>
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Found our favorite house in the neighborhood, with the exception of ours, naturally. </div>
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Then something else really awful happened. </div>
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Somebody tried to poison our neighborhood Brown Dog. </div>
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Other dogs ate the poison instead. Just awful. </div>
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The neighbors are out in full force trying to find the perp. </div>
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Rest easy. Handsome survived the whole thing with minimal disruption.</div>
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Food on time. Pets on time. Head scrathes, snacks, all on time. </div>
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A few days later, GHW decided he was well enough for us to make the trek to Kansas. </div>
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The little neighborhood car trips determined he wouldn't get car sick or something of that nature. </div>
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So we loaded up in the big ol' car and went west. </div>
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I hadn't been home for a little over a year so time it was to go. </div>
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Driving through Arkansas is really something.</div>
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I think the state gets a bad wrap but it really is lovely.</div>
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Very beautiful while passing through. </div>
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And oh yes. Handsome came too. </div>
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Cat in the car.</div>
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Santa (and the powers that be) brought us cheap(er) gas for the trip. </div>
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Always an added bonus. </div>
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And at last, after the 9+ hour drive, we are at home. </div>
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The home team. </div>
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Patrick, Dad, Mom</div>
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Our usual trip that begins on Boxing Day, turned into a trip that was more of a New Year's trip. </div>
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This year started out with a bit of an edge, hopefully good things to come. </div>
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2014 brought many good things of note...</div>
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1. the second, third, and fourth semesters of doctoral work</div>
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2. another successful year at WKNO</div>
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3. a graduate assistant-ship at U of M</div>
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4. lots of music making at #dwh2 from my 40+ little students</div>
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5. progress on updating #dwh2</div>
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6. we actually closed on #dwh2 - lease purchase complete</div>
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7. july in New York City (LOVED THAT)</div>
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8. a trip to O Canada for Andy and Julie's wedding</div>
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9. trip to Destin, FL to our very favorite spot</div>
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10. GHW as an adjunct at Memphis Theological Seminary and U of M</div>
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11. new friends/old friends</div>
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Lots more, the list should never have an end.</div>
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Here's to 2015. Hopefully the best yet. </div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-706454292599340492014-11-24T14:55:00.000-06:002015-01-22T12:46:35.416-06:00Time to give thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is hard to believe how quickly this semester has been. I remember when I was a young child my mother and other family members would always say that time moves quicker as you get older. I thought that to be complete gibberish at the time, but truth be told it is in fact true. With the holiday season at the door, and my 32nd birthday not far behind I am reminded of those childhood memories that include my mom saying this.<br />
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I am grateful for many things this fall. Perhaps, more things than I can actually name, which seems like a good thing. Among them are love, health, safety, security, community, growth, laughter, and really good music. That seems like an excellent place to start with reflection. The news of chaos and calamity in this country and beyond this fall has been troubling and sad. Even now, those words are not strong enough to depict the sadness of what is happening in society both in the US and abroad. <br />
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Alas, this week is for giving thanks. We are able to do that twice during the fall months in our house, once for Canadian Thanksgiving and once for American Thanksgiving. Now that...is a good thing!<br />
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Happy and Merry to all! <br />
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<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-3446521022419008082014-08-20T19:16:00.002-05:002014-08-20T19:16:20.565-05:00#dwh2: Artwork <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Remember this giant frame that I spray painted about 2 months ago...or was it 3? </div>
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Well I did have a purpose for spraying it and having it ready to go. </div>
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Just a quick post to share it's whereabouts. </div>
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I used my fav spray paint - It took a trillion or more cans to spray this giant frame. </div>
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Job well worth it though - the end result was super exciting. </div>
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Frame in progress - Already looking good! </div>
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After I finished the frame it sat for about 6 weeks (while we were in NYC and other trips). When I got home from NYC I took it to the framer - so excited to have this done (did I say that yet?)!<br />
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I got it back yesterday - so excited - and it is now hanging in the dining room. Where it may stay, but I will likely try it in several different other settings in the next few days to see how it looks. I like how the stark white frame looks against the almost black wall. It helps fill the wall too with color.<br />
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Like many other things in my house - it usually doesn't get to come in/stay if I can't find at least 3 places to put it. So now I'm on the hunt for the other two possible places for this gem.<br />
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Oh and I'm sure you're wondering about the artwork - the piece is acrylic and pencil on paper and is about 25+ years old I do believe. The artist is Kathleen McElroy - a I teacher taught with at St. Mary's Episcopal School. She's so lovely - her pieces are amazing and I'm always proud to say that I know her! <br />
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<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-9068128739917488402014-08-08T20:02:00.002-05:002015-01-22T12:52:54.473-06:00What's up in August?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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August 2014 . </div>
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8 Days in. </div>
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Rather eventful. </div>
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Changes. </div>
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Progression. </div>
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Self-Actualization. </div>
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Improvement. </div>
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Okay, so...August 2014, let's do this.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">All pics from Instagram from non trademark pages. And if one of these is your registered photo - take comfort in the fact it made me happy! </span></div>
Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-26569952147688575252014-07-23T21:21:00.002-05:002014-07-23T21:43:17.501-05:00#DWH2 - Gallery Wall #DWH2 The Den - Gallery Wall<br />
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I posted several times this spring about working on the den at #dwh2.<br />
Check out this <a href="http://hilarydowward.blogspot.com/2014/03/dwh2-den-floor.html">post</a>, <a href="http://hilarydowward.blogspot.com/2014/02/dwh2.html">post </a>and <a href="http://hilarydowward.blogspot.com/2014/03/dwh2-den-whats-happening-now.html">post</a> about her progress.<br />
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When we went to Chicago in January, we hauled it out to Shaumburg to Ikea...in the middle of a snow storm. It was great. GHW got to use his Canadian snow driving skills and I got to go to Ikea.<br />
Happy. <br />
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When I bought the shelves in January, I intended to put them in the lady room. As the den started coming together, it came to be that they really were best used in there. So there it is.<br />
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The inspiration for this "installation" comes from Barney's. (The department store, not the purple dinosaur. Just wanted to clear that up. ) Their home section is really quite lovely - a museum, if you will, for home decor. Their book section is one of my favorite areas of the floor. <br />
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Barney's Department Store - Home Floor </div>
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And then there's my new Kate Spade 2015 planner. Hmmm. </div>
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Considerable nod to the wall at Barney's, don't you think? </div>
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<a href="http://www.lifeguardpress.com/product/2015-kate-spade-new-york-large-17-month-agenda">Kate Spade 2015 Planner </a></div>
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So here's what all the hah-bub is about. </div>
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Enter: My favorite spray paint (pictured below) for the brackets that were originally stainless steel. At the last minute I took them out back and sprayed a coat on them. The stainless steel seemed like a good idea and would probably have been okay but that wasn't the look I was after. I wanted the shelves to be a non factor - merely utilitarian and to completely blend in with the (VERY) white wall. </div>
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<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79929647/">Ikea Ekby</a> - The planks were already finished in a nice lacquer white. I used 4 planks for this project. 2 small, and 2 large. The larger planks are on the bottom and the smaller are on the top. </div>
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The final product is quite good. All in all it took about 20 minutes to have all 4 shelves up on the wall. I can't believe we waited 6 months to actually do it. What a great additive to the room. It really feels nice walking in/out/through the space having this in place. I'm sure that I will continue to fiddle with the positioning of the pieces, etc. over the next few days. Within about 10 minutes of having the shelves up, this is what landed in place. Gotta start with something, right-o. </div>
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I don't really intend to put books on these shelves, using them for pictures is really the intention. There are shelves available for books to the immediate right around the closet door if need be. I have so many framed pieces and other items that really needed a place for them to be displayed without looking ridiculous. A work in progress none the less. In under an hour - work well done.<br />
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Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-11172574368768677102014-07-22T18:14:00.001-05:002014-07-22T18:20:07.165-05:00Laundry (Play)list <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Laundry (Play)List </div>
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1:33pm - July 21, 2014 - Kenmore and Lafayette - SoHo</div>
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My last pic in the city for #ghwlci14</div>
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This pic is posted in my Instagram account at the top left side of the home page screen. </div>
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Sigh...Good pic, Huh. </div>
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It's the last view I had of NYC before we got to the airport yesterday. </div>
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Back home to #dwh2 today - laundry by the loads and I have a couple of house
projects in the hopper. Yes, it does involve my favorite spray paint and
yes I am a mess, it's everywhere. Theme today - "Keep it moving people,
keep it moving". And for that, sometimes you just need a playlist.<br />
Those suitcases weight 49.5 lbs and 47 lbs respectively.Yikes. <br />
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Well - I actually made the playlist yesterday before our flight took off in New York. It's the playlist I listened to en route to Memphis and the one I'm listening to again today. Last week when in NYC I realized how much I missed my tunes. I shared this with a new friend from class and explained in saying that since I reside in a city that drives in their own car everywhere, the radio is always available. Being in NYC that many days seriously but a slash in my radio tune time. (Which then explains why everybody has a set of Beats headphones on their head - okay well very nearly everybody but that's another story for another post at another time.) <br />
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iTunes took the liberty of alphabetizing the playlist for me...wasn't that nice? <br />
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1. Always in My Head - Coldplay <br />
2. Beggin' - Madcon (Heard it in Jersey Boys but like this version better)<br />
3. Brave - Sara Bareillas (bought this album when it came out - good tunes all around) <br />
4. Empire State of Mine (Part II) - Alicia Keys solo version (I've been in NYC for 17 days, any surprises with this one?)<br />
5. Girl On Fire - Alicia Keys<br />
6. Halo - Beyonce<br />
7. I Choose You - Sara Bareilles<br />
8. Irreplaceable (Ralphi Rosario Dub Remix) - Beyonce<br />
9. Just for Now - Imogen Heap<br />
10. Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5<br />
11. My Eyes Adored You - Jersey Boys (Original Broadway Cast)<br />
12. No One - Alicia Keys<br />
13. Quermos Paz - Gotan Project<br />
14. Shake It Out - Florence + The Machine<br />
15. Show Me What I'm Looking for - Carolina Liar <br />
16. Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat's Heavenly House Mix) - Nina Simone & Felix Da Housecat - Verve Remixed 2 - <i>The original of this song was in Thomas Crown Affair when he stole the painting from the Metropolitan Museum, I also listened to this one on the Met steps on Sunday. It was totally great. </i><br />
17. Time To Pretend - MGMT (Memphis hometown heros)<br />
18. Umbrella (feat. Jay - Z) - Rihanna<br />
19. We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monae) - Fun.<br />
20. When Your Mind's Made Up - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova from Once (Music from the Motion Picture) <br />
21. Whole Wide World - Wreckless Eric<br />
22. Why Can't I? - Liz Phair (the clean version, mind you) <br />
23. Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus (come on... you know you like this song don't throw it under the bus. Miley may be a bit "dirty" but she sings)<br />
24. You've Got the Love - Florence + The Machine <br />
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If you're in need a rockin' playlist to supply energy, mood, a tapping toe - this is a good spread.<br />
Now...back to that laundry list. <br />
<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-46849715074717967922014-07-21T15:21:00.001-05:002014-07-21T15:21:20.733-05:00Language - testimonial part 2 I'm back. I've thought of some other things. This is the second post for the day. I've not had a substantial amount of school homework so I've got to stretch my words to some other canvas. Also, this is something I actually want to write about so there's the element of "fun" within this that doesn't always extend to homework, know what I mean? So - Read the post prior to this if you're interested. <br />
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Yesterday, Sunday July 20th we scored some great seats to Jersey Boys...and by great I mean front row and we were practically ON the stage. Yep. I felt every breathe the dudes took.<br />
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Have you seen it? My lord...dudes can sing! It pumped my spirit - like good music usually does.<br />
It's worth the download - Jersey Boys (Original Broadway Cast Recording). Songs of specific interest include "My Eyes Adore You", "Beggin", "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"...amazing. Good songs, good lyrics, good singing. Done. Done. Done.<br />
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Prior to hitting up the show - I walked about 25 blocks north. We are staying at 47th and Lex and I walked right up Ave of the Americas to the Met. It was terrific. No tourists walking slowly or taking photos with their ipads up in the air. It was nice to have the calm on an otherwise busy street. It was so fun and highly enjoyable that I continued walking - I walked - and walked - and walked some more. For a while I walked with a similar group of people. I wondered what they were doing or where they were going. I wonder if they thought the same of me? At one point, an older man I'd been walking by for probably 12 blocks actually said "good bye" before he turned right and walked away from me. It was like we had experienced the same beauty - I agree (with myself) - it was nice that he said bye. We didn't speak a word that whole time - just walked practically side by side. <br />
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After many more blocks it was my turn to turn left - this led me to the Met. A happy place from the week's past (and 2 summers ago when I first came as a student to LCI). <br />
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I sat on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Classy joint, ya know? Okay so I sat there for probably two hours (and subsequently I have a ridiculous sun burn because I can't get any whiter and people who are as white as I am are supposed to use sunblock) and when I initially walked up the steps I wondered..."how long do I have to sit here before I see somebody go by that I know...?" I have an answer for you. Within the first few moments of time sitting there, perhaps 20 minutes in actuality, I saw 2 people pass by that I knew. Crazy, right? The first person was in my class at Lincoln Center TWO YEARS AGO! That was wild. Remember, when you meet somebody, you never know where their path will cross yours again. It does happen - the world is not that big. The second was somebody I heard during a group panel this summer. She was with her family and they were partaking in the plethora of street vendor food options. <br />
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It was fun to hear the conversations of people around me sitting on the steps - regardless of the language they were speaking - their voices emphasized content that demonstrated their emotion. That's the neat thing about words - they always have lots of meaning. While sitting on the steps I also witnessed a marriage proposal. It made me cry. Yep. It was very beautiful. It was entirely in Spanish, but let me tell you...everybody within ear/eye shot understood what words this man was speaking to his (future)wife. <br />
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It is now time to pack up the computer - to zip up the suitcase and to return to Shelby County Tennessee. I wrote these to "testimonials" because I wanted to remember them. They were not part of my school experiences these past two weeks but rather important details that needed notating in some way, shape, or form. Things to learn from, by, and to remember. Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-27835019645172225682014-07-21T09:56:00.003-05:002014-07-22T06:17:09.032-05:00EMPIRESTATEOFMIND - Testimonial The font above is out of control - I need to re code that - it says EMPIRESTATEOFMIND <br />
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Today is my last day in NYC. I knew upon arrival on July 5th that the time would fly by - sadly, it has. And now it is time to return to Memphis and the actualities of what's to come. What's to come you say? I'm not sure - but I feel like something good. Time in the city always clears my head - reminds of of what I love - helps me focus on what I'm good at - and what my priorities are. This time more than ever - I have realized this.<br />
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If you take a scroll over to my Instagram account to on the top right of my blog home page - you can see over 100 pics from time in the city. If you can't see them, just look up the hashtag #ghwlci14 that will direct you to them.<br />
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10 Things I discovered while in the city....<br />
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1. I am fast walker. Due to the supreme lack of walking in Memphis, this was lost on me. One of my very dearest friends, Dr. Jeffery Robinson M.D., says "walk with a purpose"...so I did.<br />
2. I really like getting dressed up every day. This sounds goofy perhaps, but I find it really easy to slide into a routine of "frump town" in Memphis. Perhaps that is related to my daily duties of working with small children? None the less - it is true that when you are dressed, you do feel better about what you're doing.<br />
3. There are lots of really cool people in this world. When you come across one, or two, or three new ones that is a real treat. When you can leave with a whole new circuit of contacts, that's saying something. <br />
4. I really like Thai food. I don't eat it enough. Does this exist in Memphis? I mean, more than Bangkok Alley? I need to investigate.<br />
5. Socks and shoes are really the best idea. I've realistically tried every combination that could look outfit appropriate. When it comes down to it - socks make the difference. Your feet are your ride - invest in good tires.<br />
6. I am in love with the sense of "wonder". Don't ever eliminate it as part of what you do each day. When you have lost that sense - time to refocus and/or get the hale out of town.<br />
7. While I do have friends everywhere on the globe - as I said to one of my new friends I made this trip - the bulk of the people I've like for more than 5 minutes all live here (NYC). People who have been with me for decades...yup there's a bunch of them here. You can't ever override the effectiveness of having a good circle of friends close by. Misery is the alternative, and it is no good. Live it. Learn it.<br />
8. This one may be a bit brutal but it is the truth in all actuality - My skill set is highly under utilized in Memphis. I'm stuck... And it's killing me. If you haven't experienced growth and/or joy, time to reevaluate. <br />
9. Size doesn't always matter (in this case). Now, I know that we have only been here for about 3 weeks but I am good with not having a ton of space. And by a ton, considering the 5000 sq ft we have now in Memphis vs. the probably 600 sq ft I've lived in while in NYC. That is something I always thought would be "just awful". Not true. It's totally fine. And quite honestly, it would likely downsize the amount I accumulate - I've got a ton of unnecessary stuff. <i>Seriously. Seriously. </i> Time to get rid of some stuff. Look out for an upcoming online shoe sale. <br />
10. It is okay to be quiet and still. Reflection is very important towards progress. If you don't have anything to reflect on -find something- make it a priority - trust me you'll feel better.<br />
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I would imagine that this series of noticing will continue. I have about 6 more hours before take off. I may find some more in that time causing my collection may grow. Stay tuned.<br />
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<br />Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-49322978501862060322014-06-05T09:49:00.001-05:002014-06-05T09:49:05.990-05:00#dwh2 projects as of late. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is true that my "to do" list for #dwh2 is quite long. That is no lie. It will always be long and part of that is my own willingness to continue to better the place regardless of the state. Okay so that's said. Now back to the list. I have 2 things cooking this week off that list.<br />
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1. curtains for the sliding glass door wall by the hot tub.<br />
There is a particular fabric I would like to get for this project but it will be a while before it gets to the top of the list...so in the meantime I did this. I had 13 yards of this fabric pictured below in a bolt in one of the closets. I have had it for 2 years. Obviously, I needed to do something with it. Obviously, these windows needed some attention. So 2 + 2 = I pulled it out of said closet laid it down on the floor and started cutting. My long term plan for these 5 panels is that I will use them as the backing for the fabric I would like to ultimately get. And in the meantime...I think it looks good! <br />
<br /><i>(and yes I have 1 more fan to spray paint the blades and change the globe on that fan. </i><br />
<i>It is around the corner from the other 2 that I did last fall...need to get that done.)</i><br />
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Project 2. Paint the giant gold frame. </div>
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When we moved to #dwh2 I propped this frame up in the entryway. Left it there...didn't know where else to put it. Then I offered the commentary on whether or not I should paint this giant thing. Some said yes and some said no. A few weeks later I put it away in yet another closet and it has been there for approximately 7 months. So...that means it is time to paint it. If it is in the closet not being used, that means something needs to be done so that it will be used, you know quality item and all...</div>
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Enter a lovely Saturday afternoon, my plywood boards, and several cans of spray paint. </div>
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I've used several different brands and kinds of white spray paint and recently, this is my product of choice. I really like the coverage, the price and the finished product. Do you really need another reason? Nope. Me neither. Done. I've now purchased about 20 cans of this for various projects. </div>
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And a few minutes later...The first coat of paint it on. Now approximately 2 weeks later, the frame has had about 4 coats of paint and it looks amazing. Looks like a factory lacquer job. I'm totally impressed. <br />
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I'm planning to take this frame to a frame shop and put an original piece in it that I've had for about 2 years and needs a frame face lift. I'm really excited.<br />
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Project 3 - finally getting around to painting the bamboo/rattan table and chairs that are in the pool.<br />
I've had these for 2 plus years and it was (again) time to do what I originally intended to do.<br />
This change was quite dramatic and left me saying "why did I wait so long to do this, it was so easy" <br />
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This shows a before and after of the chairs. </div>
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I didn't get one of the table but it was the same color as the unpainted chair. </div>
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It certainly makes the space a lot lighter. </div>
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In my last post I said I was excited because school was out...well that hardly changed anything. (whomp, whomp) Summer school started this week and it is, per usual, soaking up any free time.<br />
I keep reminding myself, short term pain - long term gain. And in the meantime, these projects keep me smiling. Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-44749075558055665852014-05-19T15:32:00.002-05:002014-05-19T15:33:13.280-05:002 months went by?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(photo:pinterest)</span></div>
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TWO MONTHS WENT BY!</div>
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How did that happen? </div>
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Oh...wait...I know how...</div>
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1. I've been teaching over 40 private music students</div>
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2. Working a 20 hours a week GA at U of M</div>
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3. at the "other school" (as my Dad calls) 28 hours a week</div>
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4. Doctoral homework (who needs time for that craziness? HA!) </div>
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5. Oh yeah, then there's actually going to class (9 credits this semester)</div>
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All - in - All</div>
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I've started to look more like this photo above as the things start to end for the semester. </div>
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Way to much going on - have you ever technically over committed yourself? It's awful. </div>
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Don't do it. Although I'm sure you already knew that. </div>
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This post will serve as a reminder to me - if not anything else - about how this semester was no good. </div>
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To much to do - not enough time. Period. </div>
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So...if I ever have a 2 month blogging lapse, somebody check in because I may have done it again. </div>
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And trust me...nobody needs any part of that. </div>
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Here's to the end of May, the hopes for more blogging, more house projects, </div>
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and the end of my first year of doctoral work. </div>
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Cheers. </div>
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Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6424402305145954234.post-11979373582710439682014-03-06T09:37:00.001-06:002014-03-06T09:41:25.763-06:00#dwh2: The Den FloorThe den finally has new paint on the walls and new peel and stick flooring. Yes, I saint peel and stick flooring. Something I have been so very adamantly opposed to. In this case, I will make an exception. <br />
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Here is my list as to why:<br />
1. the floor was GREEN. Couldn't take it another day.<br />
2. the den is right off the pool - flooring needs to be waterproof<br />
3. peel and stick meant I could do it myself - easiest DIY ever. <br />
4. peel and stick doesn't take very long<br />
5. peel and stick is cost efficient. $46/box and readily available at Lowe's. <br />
6. actually looks like hardwood<br />
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I think that list should suffice. It did for me. And away we went to Lowe's to buy the first boxes. <br />
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And now you're thinking, "Hmm, Hilary I think you skipped a step"...Yes this is true. <br />
I accidentally deleted about 7 photos from my camera. Those 7 photos were the details between the picture above and the picture below. <br />
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So, now we have furniture moved back into the den and have it arranged differently than before. We brought a rug from another room in and the navy blue rug is rolled up waiting for another place to go. <br />
The yellow curtains came from the breakfast room. They needed more space and a better space to "brighten". Mission accomplished on that front. The parsons desk came from the guest bedroom. <br />
Eventually, I'll get a tv console to put here but for now the parsons desk serves the purpose just fine. <br />
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There are still many things to be done in this room, but it is sort of back together. There are a few more things to receive "treatment" and art to hang, etc. But for the most part, the room is back in use. <br />
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Once I finished the den I was eager to continue into the laundry hallway. And guess what, I wasn't paying attention to how many planks I had left and all the sudden...I was out. So I got this far and then left it like this for like 4 days. It's okay, I only fidgeted a little bit. <br />
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By the time I got another box of planks I was completely impatient and just put them down. I wanted to floor covered and only had a small window of time to get it done. Alas, it looks way better than it did before. I had to remove the linoleum from the walls that was in place of base boards. For now, Magic Dave will just sand/paint those places. Eventually when we do get different flooring, baseboards will go in more permanently. <br />
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In total, it took about 3 1/2 hours to do the den and about 1 1/2 hours to do the laundry hall area. But yay, it's done. We are considering options for the kitchen next. This flooring is the leading option but there are some other fun options for consideration. Fortunately, it is nearly spring break so there might be a little bit of time to whip up something fun for the kitchen too!Hilary Dow Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13443849864436892198noreply@blogger.com0