tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54361276479567828302024-03-05T14:42:41.648-06:00Ask GaylaRate at the end of each post.
.......Was it interesting, helpful, inspiring, or funny?
..............Let me know!Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-5191369855967058022012-01-16T17:56:00.001-06:002012-01-16T17:59:22.937-06:00So I'm Back Again... Again. HA!Oy!! I'm such a bad blogger!! Good thing I didn't get that GMA job, huh? So, what have I been up to? Let's see...<br />
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On the down side, the entire family has been down about the loss of our first grandchild, "Peanut". He/She was lost at the 12th week of pregnancy, and was due in November of 2011, so we had to struggle through several anticipated milestones that never happened.<br />
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<strong><u>ADVICE FOR ALL:</u></strong> A miscarriage of a wanted child can be as traumatic to the family as the loss of a known (aka, living) child. Never underestimate the love people can develop for a child expected. We all loved our little Peanut and have mourned the fact that we'll never get to hold or know him/her.<br />
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Since then my son has broken up with the girlfriend, met a wonderful new girlfriend, moved back to the states, and started back to college. My younger son has started driving (God help us all!), and my younger daughter is as sharp as ever. My eldest daughter is the one with the exciting news. She is going to be a mother in July!! She's into her second trimester, so we're feeling pretty secure. AND her ultrasound indicates a strong possibility of a baby girl! I could go into all of the technical stuff that shows why we think it's a girl, but just trust me on this. =D<br />
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So what have I been up to myself? LOSING WEIGHT! Big hoorahs for me! Last spring the entire family decided it was time to get healthy. We decided to only use poundage as a marker for our improvements, but to focus more on eating healthier and exercising more. My initial doctor's exam showed me doing "OK", but not excellent. My bone density test was right on the cusp of being strong, so I want to improve that along with everything else.<br />
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In the process of this, I have lost 40 lbs! Yes, yes, cheers and bows, but I have to confess, I gained 12 lbs of it back over the holidays. CHOCOLATE IS BAD. But I'm going to get back on track now. I'm hoping to be rocking it like a 20-something by next Christmas.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">So, What Got Me Thinking?</span></strong><br />
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I was reading my girl, <a href="http://www.rageyourwaythin.com/" target="_blank">Michelle's</a>, blog. You can click on her name here, or follow her badge (<em>Rage Your Way Thin</em>) down and to the right of the screen. Anywho, she inspired me. (Thanks Michelle!) I went simple; cut out the things I knew were killing me (fried foods, sweet tea, sugar), and started the things I knew were healthy (fish, chicken, rice, steamed veggies, whole grains). Before I knew it, I <em><strong>felt</strong></em> like walking, lifting weights, and doing more.<br />
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So I haven't been negligent on purpose, I've just been busy with other things. Don't even get me started on what we've been doing remodeling the house!! (unless you really want to hear the sordid details! lol)<br />
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But after talking to several friends about weight loss, I've decided to start a group to encourage other women to support each other. Who doesn't want to be healthier, right? As soon as I have it up, I'll edit this and give you the link! OR I'll just start a new thread introducing it, who knows, right?Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-71957531422218028412011-03-18T18:19:00.000-05:002011-03-18T18:19:00.501-05:00I'm Baaack!!Have you missed me? I got back online to find several messages in my email and Facebook account asking where I was. <br />
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As some of you know, I've been wrestling with cataracts for about a year now, then they started getting bad enough that I couldn't see enough to use my laptop. You can imagine how bad that was for me, it was like telling me I couldn't eat! So I broke down and had my surgeries.<br />
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The first one was three weeks ago on my right eye. I had it done in Evansville at the Tally Eye Care Center. They were W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!! Patient, funny, calming, and I only had a little discomfort through the procedure.<br />
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I had the left eye done this week at Fairfield Memorial Hospital by the same surgeon. The pre-op staff were great. The nurse that did my eye drops (FYI: there are TONS of eye drops for a cataract surgery), but something was different. The eye drop used to numb your eye must have been different than the one they used in Evansville because half way through the surgery I could feel it.<br />
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They had told me that if I felt pain tell them and they would give me more. I told them and the response was, "No it's alright, it's just a little discomfort." EXCUSE ME? I think I know whether or not I'm having pain or discomfort. The surgery in Evansville had discomfort, the surgery in Fairfield had PAIN.<br />
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Another huge difference. I'm a twitcher. I have trouble getting comfortable and laying still. I told the staff this in Evansville and requested that they restrain my head. They obliged by taping my head down. It wasn't going to stop me if I was determined enough, but it was enough to gently remind me.<br />
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In Fairfield I told them the same thing and they said they would restrain it for me. When we got to the OR I was simply told, "Don't worry, you'll be fine." Apparently after the pain set in I did start moving, because I suddenly felt somebody leaning on my forehead.<br />
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But enough of the complaints, I had some really fun side effects that apparently are occasionally part of the healing process. With my right eye I saw red for days, literally. It was funny, because everything blue was purple, and everything had a red or pink tint to it. It past after a few days, and I didn't have the same thing with the left eye.<br />
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Now I can see! I currently have 20/30 vision, and my doctor says it will continue to improve every day. I have to use reading glasses, but that's alright. The idea that I can drive without glasses is amazing for me. Now I can get some of those adorable sunglasses that I couldn't get before because I had to have my glasses to see at all. =D<br />
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Congratulations Liz Pryor!!<br />
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I'd like to send out my fondest congratulations to Liz Pryor for being the Advice Guru selected by Good Morning America! I haven't had the opportunity to talk to her myself yet, but I have heard from another former contender that she is a wonderfully friendly person. I've seen her on GMA and she seems so well suited for the job, I think they made a great choice. Go get'em, Liz! =DGayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-19244945497150879552011-02-20T14:40:00.001-06:002011-02-20T14:40:51.906-06:00Do u have AIM?? Also did u know about this site lol www.j.mp/e37Mjh it actually works they mailed an iphone to me for free yesterday I'm getting it this week<p class="formspringmeAnswer">No, I don't have AIM. I have my hands full with so many other sites that I communicate with others through, I don't think I could handle another! I'm fairly happy with my current cell phone, so I don''t need a new iPhone, thanks.</p><p class="formspringmeFooter"> <a href="http://www.formspring.me/GaylaTanner?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger&utm_campaign=shareanswer">Ask me anything</a></p>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-13472807716999918212011-02-20T14:38:00.001-06:002011-02-20T14:38:57.179-06:00What's your favorite quality about yourself?<p class="formspringmeAnswer">HHhmmm.... tough one. I would have to say my integrity. If I make a promise I do my best to keep it. I've been feeling guilty lately because I haven't been able to follow through with a few promises because I'm having vision issues, but I intend to complete them as soon as I have my surgery to correct my sight problems. I have interviews to finish!</p><p class="formspringmeFooter"> <a href="http://www.formspring.me/GaylaTanner?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger&utm_campaign=shareanswer">Ask me anything</a></p>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-32219061340147743862011-02-11T13:52:00.000-06:002011-02-11T13:52:21.351-06:00UPDATE on ME<span class="messageBody">UPDATE: My vision has deteriorated to the point I can barely read my computer any more, and I can't proof read my blogs. So, I'm going to be on here less and less until after I get my cataract surgery done. Then I'll be back with a passion! I go see the doctor to schedule the surgery next week. =D</span>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-62639966823085900942011-01-21T22:30:00.000-06:002011-01-21T22:30:52.355-06:00"Fireflies" in ASLI know I've been out, I'm still getting my strength back up, but I found this video and just had to share it. A YouTube user that goes by ChrisCalifornia does these great videos that are creative, eduational, and entertaining! I hope you love it as much as I do. For me, sign language is beautiful as dance. =D<br />
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Here is Chris' version of "Fireflies" by Owl City with his interpretation and translation in to American Sign Language.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cpRZ3FtkeSc" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-69930802498818906712011-01-17T11:30:00.000-06:002011-01-17T11:30:28.513-06:00Have You Missed Me?I apologize for not being on to post anything recently, but I've been sick as a dog for a few weeks now. I had to interrupt my sick time to speak out on the Tuscon shooting, but other than that I seem to be doing a lot of sleeping, coughing, sneezing, and generally feeling sorry for myself. =D<br />
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I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to go to the doctor about it, but I promise that as soon as I can regain my concentration I will be back to resume interviews, exchanges with all of my friends, and bringing updates on Gabby Giffords and the ABC advice guru contest.<br />
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Thanks for checking in on me! I'll be back!<br />
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</div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-89380971103973348252011-01-09T10:40:00.002-06:002011-01-09T13:32:16.231-06:00Congresswoman Giffords Shot in Tucson, Innocent Child Died<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I'd like to open with offering my deepest, sincerest sympathies to the friends and families that lost somebody in yesterday's shooting. Especially the family of Christina Taylor Green.</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkN-Yd1_uqVPEV_8GLcmk6qlvP-84ura-LL2BiGK3TRv7ttwcA-T4MbOt4xh86lqmugxol4nw5kqDXGQiF6V0XJRVznES_Oa0rWl9QtXM6rks6n8px44peD0uvfGgxkkWS0u26KFMkun3/s1600/ChristinaTaylorGreene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkN-Yd1_uqVPEV_8GLcmk6qlvP-84ura-LL2BiGK3TRv7ttwcA-T4MbOt4xh86lqmugxol4nw5kqDXGQiF6V0XJRVznES_Oa0rWl9QtXM6rks6n8px44peD0uvfGgxkkWS0u26KFMkun3/s400/ChristinaTaylorGreene.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina Taylor Green, Washington Post</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Little Christina was born on September 11, 2001, just two months before my own daughter. So for me, her death is two fold. She was one of the 50 miracle babies born during the nightmare that changed the shape of our nation. For her life to be cut short feels like an attack on our survival after that great tragedy. Was that the intent? I doubt it, but that is still how it feels to me.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The second part is the death of a small, innocent child. A child just like my own. Had I not been able to give my daughter a hug and kiss last night I don't know that I would have been able to get up this morning. For me, focusing on the adults that were the focus of the attack will be difficult, because an innocent child was caught in the crossfire.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This attack was focused on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). Was it because she is Jewish? Was it because of her political views? Only time will tell. But one thing we can be fairly certain of is that it was because somebody, or a group of somebodies, fed into this man's pre-existing mental illness.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We have freedom of speech that is only curtailed by using it responsibly. We can't yell fire in a crowded theater, we can't yell bomb in a crowded airport. That is considered inciting a riot, inciting violence. We expect truth in advertising, but we're dodgy about getting it in news.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In this day and age we find information from multiple outlets. Our televisions, radios, computers, telephones, everywhere. Having these multiple outlets also gives us more commentary and less news, however several people don't seem to know the difference between a commentator and a reporter. Commentators are less bound by truth because they are expressing opinion. They exaggerate their commentary in order to fire up their viewers/listeners/readers, but then deny responsibility when someone like Loughner turns out to be one of their fans.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Politicians will exaggerate or misrepresent events in order to fire up their constituents, but then they deny culpability when their fiery speeches lead an unstable person to act in an irrationally violent manner. They pretend they are only speaking to the people that are rational enough to pick about their rhetoric.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I rarely express a political view on my blog, in public even, because of the vitriol and anger that goes with politics in America today. And I won't list off politicians or commentators that I feel are responsible for this. If my readers can't figure it out on their own, then they are either blissfully unaware of the political players (which I envy), or they are blatantly in denial of what they are listening to.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Instead of going through the transcripts of others to see where they may have provoked this disturbed young man's behavior, I hope that politicians and commentators sift through their own transcripts. I know I will. We can't heal our nation while denying that we are spreading the infection ourselves.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I hope that we all reconsider what we say or write. That we all remember that we aren't strictly addressing sane, stable people that are capable of telling that we're being rhetorical. I hope we realize that just because we don't know they are there doesn't mean that they aren't. We have the power to bring down the tone of the dialog, but only if we make the effort. I get to kiss my daughter today. Christina's mother doesn't, and I'll cry for her today because of that.<br />
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**In Memorium from ABC's <em>This Week With Christiane Amanpour</em>**<br />
<br />
Pator Dorwin Stoddard, 76<br />
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John Roll, 63<br />
Chief Federal Judge in Arizona<br />
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Phyllis Scheck, 79<br />
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Gabriel Zimmerman, 30<br />
Director of Community Outreach for Congressswoman Gabrielle Giffords<br />
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Dorthy Murray, 76<br />
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Christina Taylor Green, 9<br />
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</div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-17010110870368940942011-01-06T09:23:00.016-06:002011-01-06T09:34:28.066-06:00Meet Sophia Venable!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Before introducing you to Sophia, I'd like to take a selfish moment. Since I started this series of interviews I'd had the opportunity to chat a bit with several applicants. Some made the finals, some didn't, but all of the people that I've had a chance to talk to are extremely down to earth, so easy to talk with.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Not just to talk with, but to laugh with. These are people you fire up the coffee pot and sit down to talk and laugh with for hours on end until the children think you're both gabby and a bit nuts. You know what I mean, you see that look on your own kids faces when you and your best friend get together.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">They really are average people, some not really knowing why they stood out in the crowd with the producers, but thrilled to get the chance at the position. And they've all contacted me, I didn't have to go begging for an interview with some famous, or quasi-famous, person. They're every-day people that felt I was doing something really nice that they'd like to be a part of. Like the rest of us, they're just looking to connect with people, and I'm honored to help them do that.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixNwqsukIK_SLufICj8fFxZ4N3pw7DIITFUyzCER1Vp8uUl0weigw9-1Rk6P3Uohy_1FcDXNGO607WSOUmZkJLMibWym_G5pVlKBZOrYUCpbnLfvBAgHbYIw6IjE2I7lvzu51FdN205-4/s1600/Sophiaxmas2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixNwqsukIK_SLufICj8fFxZ4N3pw7DIITFUyzCER1Vp8uUl0weigw9-1Rk6P3Uohy_1FcDXNGO607WSOUmZkJLMibWym_G5pVlKBZOrYUCpbnLfvBAgHbYIw6IjE2I7lvzu51FdN205-4/s400/Sophiaxmas2010.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophia with her daughters this Christmas, 2010.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">NOW...</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Meet Sophia Venable! Sophia, Sophie, or just Soph, she's a riot to talk to. She's very casual, very laid-back, and as funny as they come! When she isn't working, doing household chores, or spending time with her kids, she loves to dance! It's her outlet, her stress relief, her touch-stone to her childhood. Dancing is her personal passion.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Family and friends are very important to Soph. She wants to do what she can to help others, and while her friends and family are included in those she wants to help, they are also the ones that keep her grounded and give her the strength to offer help to others. She can help so many because she's been through some of the same problems they face, she's been in the position to learn from her experiences.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here is Sophia's interview with me, your chance to get to know her through her own words. Enjoy! =D</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">What would you consider some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your life? How do you think they've helped you become who you are today?</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This has to be a two part answer. One is a long time challenge since childhood and one is a life changing experience as an adult. <br />
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I was a dancer from the time I was 2 years old. I had an accident as a baby, so my mother, bless her heart, wanted to make sure I developed properly and put me in ballet as soon as I could walk. I also started ice skating at 3 yrs old. <br />
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However, my mother’s own body image and eating issues, combined with the pressures of the dance and skating worlds, caused me to be at war with my body from about 7 years old. I went on a two day starvation diet around that age because I had a dance performance coming up. I am honestly not sure how successful I was, but I was determined to eat ice for two days so that I wouldn’t be fat on stage. <br />
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By the time I was 12 years old, I was using diet pills and became severely bulimic for 5 more years. When I was 17, I approached a trusted teacher in school – he saved my life. I always get emotional when I talk about him. I am so grateful to him. His counsel helped me break the cycle and it was like getting out of jail. <br />
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Over the next 10 years or so, I went to therapy, furthered my recovery from bulimia, and learned to take care of myself. I had a professional career in theatre as a dancer and singer during that time as well, eventually going back to school for my BA in Psych. Grad school, marriage, and babies took its toll on my body and body image, but from about 34 years old until now, through pilates, dance, and yoga, I have made peace with my body. At 35, I treated myself to a breast reduction surgery, the greatest gift to myself EVER, and I became even more comfortable in my skin. I love my body with all of my cellulite, my baby skin, and my girly butt! I appreciate it, move it, express myself with it, and take good care of it. <br />
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The second challenge was my divorce. By the time I was 37, with both kids in school and myself in major body recovery, I was feeling very strong, excited about life, and deeply connected in myself, spiritually speaking. Unfortunately, my husband was not in a good place. He was unhappy, restless, and didn't see how he could solve that within the marriage. He’s a good man, and I don’t want to place blame… we have been very good about shielding our children from the grown-up drama around our divorce. It’s not for their little hearts to process. Marriage is complicated, and I was willing to compromise myself in far too many ways to make it work… he didn’t want that for me, and he wanted to move on, so I had to let it go. <br />
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Although I probably shouldn’t have been, I was blind-sided by my divorce. He was quickly in another relationship, and in the beginning I had my children 90% of the time. <br />
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Here was my reality at the time: <br />
I had built my whole life around him, his career, and our children. I was CFO of our company, talked to his agents, was at every meeting, hiring, firing, handling company events, bookkeeping, creative consulting, listening to every note of music he ever wrote, and counseling him for hours on end about business decisions, equipment purchases, and employee relations. I did not pursue my own career – HE was my career.<br />
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On my 38th birthday, I was essentially dumped, fired, and was about to lose my children 50% of the time…. the last part came about 6 months later in mediation… that day I wanted to throw myself into traffic.<br />
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So after 12 years, everything I had defined myself by was pulled out from under me. I was furious with him, but far more furious with myself. My dear friend and spiritual therapist said to me, “Sophie, when you betray yourself, no one will ever turn around and thank you.” And from that moment on, I owned my divorce. <br />
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I don’t regret my marriage. I got married for the right reasons at the time. I really thought I had the right kind of love. I have the most incredible children out of the deal, and my ex is being an awesome father. I give him so much credit for that. We are more than amicable now and are better co-parents than ever. <br />
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Within a year of my divorce, my heart was found by a beautiful man who loves me on every level and supports me in my dreams. What more can I ask for? <br />
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My divorce has taught me volumes about love, relationships, betrayal, faith, and forgiveness. It has confirmed for me that my connection to God, or that which is Divine in me, is the single most important thing to remember every day. That connection will get me through anything. That connection reminds me that I am as precious as anything or anyone else, and that everyone around me is precious, with all of our faults and weaknesses. <br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tell me a little bit about your family.</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I grew up in LA with an Armenian mother and an Anglo father, both from Wisconsin. My Armenian grandparents survived the genocide, so my mother was definitely a product of that tragedy. She went through an extremely tough childhood. My father had a more WASPy (White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) upbringing, went into the Army Band, and was a chemist. My mother was an RN, Director of Nurses, later went for her PhD in Law, and is quite brilliant with money. <br />
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My parents split when I was 8 years old. There was a long time affair my mom was having with a man who eventually became my step-dad. They dated 18 years and were married 2 before he passed away. My dad never remarried. My mom has been married to her third husband for 20 years now.<br />
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I spent the better portion of my childhood at the skating rink and dance lessons, and I was also with my mom for much of the time she had dinners with her boyfriend. I knew his family too... it was complicated for my young mind, so when my parents divorced it made so much more sense to me. I never even wanted them to get back together because it seemed that they weren't in love, and my mom had moved on 6 years earlier.<br />
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I have two older brothers and an older sister, with 11 years between myself and the oldest. The divorce was so hard on all of them. My oldest siblings knew my parents when they were in love, and they had a normal childhood. My middle brother was just lost in the shuffle. I was sort of my mom's 'mascot' and was always away from home, dancing or skating I guess. In my lifetime, the family was not very cohesive, so it wasn't that different for me. I ended up living with my mom, my brothers stayed with my dad, and my 16 yr old sister had run away with her boyfriend about a year earlier. That was heart breaking. I will never forget the first night she was gone.<br />
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Today, my siblings and I are very close. We would throw ourselves in front of a bus for each other... any one of us. My sister has been an angel in my life, and as I got older, I had the honor of being hers too.<br />
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The normal childhood I spoke of was brief. My parents drank, which was ok for my dad, who could handle it, but my mom was frightening. She had a drinking problem until I was at least 17 yrs old, which made for an incredibly chaotic time growing up. That's all I will say about that for now.... anyone with an alcoholic parent can fill in the blanks - different details, same story. <br />
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The amazing thing about my family though is this: we still have every holiday together; including my father, my mother, and her husband. My mom made huge efforts to remain friends with my dad, and to both of their credit, they did. She helps him with whatever she can, whenever she can. She cares about him dearly - it's obvious.... she just wasn't in love with him anymore. So we, the kids, never had to choose between our parents at the holidays and, although there was pain and discomfort around the situation, it kept us feeling like a family. My brother just brought my 83 yr old dad to my mom and her husband's home for Christmas dinner last week. That's just the way it is... and I am grateful. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">What is a basic day in your life like? What do you do to unwind, or for a hobby?</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A basic day in my life depends on whether or not I have my kids. <br />
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With the kids, it's making lunches getting them to school, writing or seeing clients, shopping for food, yoga if possible, picking them up, homework, swim practice or music lessons, food and bed times.... <br />
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During the week, without kids, looks much the same, just more bill paying and general putting out of fires.<br />
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With no kids, on the weekends, my boyfriend and I (the term ‘boyfriend’ sounds so casual; he truly is my partner and the love of my life), we have time for us, which is very special. We love to go to the desert, or visiting friends, and we both work out. We love non-serious poker, non-serious bowling, and non-serious living in general. <br />
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I go on at least one scuba trip a year, with my older sister... she is my heart.<br />
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I am also a competitive ballroom dancer. Last April I went to San Francisco for a competition and I won the Five Dance Latin Competition and placed 2nd in the Four Dance Smooth Competition. It's a serious hobby that I took up about 6 years ago. Dancing again was like coming back to life... truly reawakening a part of me that had been asleep for 12 years. <br />
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My teachers are incredible! Learning about partner dancing and also getting to perform again in such a safe and supportive environment has been a beautiful thing. Because my husband had gotten into dancing too, many thought I would quit when we split. There was no way I was going to heal without dancing. <br />
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At this point, I simply cannot afford to dance and compete as much as I would like, but I do prioritize it as something that is important for my soul. So I squeeze a necessary amount of it into the budget somehow! I take two lessons in a row one day a week, do one showcase (like a grown-up recital), and one major competition a year.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">The recession has impacted nearly everybody in America, how has it impacted you and your family?</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The recession has affected my ex-husband's business dramatically, which of course affects both of our households... but I was very conservative in how I handled our money when we were married, and downsized fairly quickly after my divorce. I'm very grateful to have my own home (a townhouse) so I don't really consider any of it all that bad. To ‘move down’ from wealthy to whatever ‘class’ I am now, is not a blow to me or my ego. (Not exactly sure where I land in those categories - I don’t think about it much.) I grew up lower to middle class, so all of it feels like icing to me. I have had lots of money in my life and have had very little money in my life. Lots of money is fun, but it's not the key to happiness - that is for sure. "Enough to pay the bills" is a blessing that I know many don't feel right now, so I consider myself to be one of the most fortunate people around. I can't complain. I don't complain. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">If I spoke to the people that know you best, what would I hear from most of them about you?</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Oh, my friends are so sweet and supportive. They would tell you that I am generous and kind. They would tell you that they "would be dead" without my advice over the years... so dramatic - but so loving and appreciative in their sentiment. They tell me that I am smart but accessible, irreverent but compassionate, and very spiritual in a practical and tangible way. That's why they call. <br />
Plus I'm fun at a party and I make a good margarita. :)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">What caused you to want to submit an application for the GMA advice guru position? What got you started giving advice?</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My friend Nikki sent me the link and I thought, "well, that's a perfect gig for me! I'm going for it!" Truly, this is a dream job for me. I started an advice column... tried it on Facebook, which I don't think was the best plan, and I have been seriously thinking about what steps to take to do a radio show... then this came up. <br />
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I have been giving advice since I was a child. When I was 8 years old, I counseled my older siblings about my parents divorce. I'm not kidding. It sounds ridiculous, and I don't really take credit for having the amount of empathy and insight that I did at that age. I think it's a spiritual gift, and I see it in my older daughter. <br />
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I hope that doesn't sound over the top. <br />
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I have just always had a certain amount of insight into relationships and behavior. The more I studied, the more interested I became. The more I work with clients, the more interested and excited I become now. I just love getting people to look at things differently and come up with their own solutions. They feel empowered and happier, and I feel creative – that’s fun for me. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers that you haven't had the opportunity to share yet?</span></b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">some dance pictures! :)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_-e7wNU2QmRz7lYVpQfos6DktGhdu3CI5x7GNmvs0qY_JJZzjVtZKUTbNneWXS8EeIjIfQNcY6dI3k1O0BlJOpnllLdmFZBqGRpgGVj5AaNJ5jEWTh-GESMfHmANrsYp9X9ZbP_vKkN-/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_-e7wNU2QmRz7lYVpQfos6DktGhdu3CI5x7GNmvs0qY_JJZzjVtZKUTbNneWXS8EeIjIfQNcY6dI3k1O0BlJOpnllLdmFZBqGRpgGVj5AaNJ5jEWTh-GESMfHmANrsYp9X9ZbP_vKkN-/s400/Picture+2.png" width="267" /></a></div><div align="left" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLaEf4zRAtyI3djdWmoEH6m3_7C6CUpAD3qrfOno8-WNsyiX3nleBlA9aFI1j6Acfm4qUSFcAqOdJycLkiNzmySYv74ut3Pop-rs75Bx4VNPMf4RVTgHU2e4BZUxk9fC4486c4s3QSzrj/s1600/Picture+13.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLaEf4zRAtyI3djdWmoEH6m3_7C6CUpAD3qrfOno8-WNsyiX3nleBlA9aFI1j6Acfm4qUSFcAqOdJycLkiNzmySYv74ut3Pop-rs75Bx4VNPMf4RVTgHU2e4BZUxk9fC4486c4s3QSzrj/s400/Picture+13.png" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_GE3cRGs9cu52ZTcakLmAthXPKUlai6fwDifHMdDaOIYllg61IQtP5xbFjoVL4QKf4nB4wtjN7vlEIqVAsDTmY9heuZw9NGYWggy5WTrj5nUSAq1O5GEwq1lpL4Xl2zU8rB6_RvmFmv2/s1600/Picture+19.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_GE3cRGs9cu52ZTcakLmAthXPKUlai6fwDifHMdDaOIYllg61IQtP5xbFjoVL4QKf4nB4wtjN7vlEIqVAsDTmY9heuZw9NGYWggy5WTrj5nUSAq1O5GEwq1lpL4Xl2zU8rB6_RvmFmv2/s400/Picture+19.png" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc5eHBDVHly6yjfl3J9iNuBMrb_lLA-LNkgEB7FjCu6ZsLtUcSDUjbon57oIY2ngru_r5W_KnugB1lxCb4_4FoFws9rTGMCdu8ILEVxVo5MPjUbOlHppPr62nlofGw1M0HEPSsFBW2ntE/s1600/Picture+35.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc5eHBDVHly6yjfl3J9iNuBMrb_lLA-LNkgEB7FjCu6ZsLtUcSDUjbon57oIY2ngru_r5W_KnugB1lxCb4_4FoFws9rTGMCdu8ILEVxVo5MPjUbOlHppPr62nlofGw1M0HEPSsFBW2ntE/s400/Picture+35.png" width="400" /></a></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-63045572822300884312011-01-04T09:17:00.000-06:002011-01-04T09:17:07.334-06:00GMA Advice Gurus Narrowed Down to Top Seven FinalistsThis morning GMA announced the Top 7 Finalists for their Advice Guru competition. Meet the finalists!<br />
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<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-carla-barnhill/story?id=12248940"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Carla Barnhill from Minneapolis, MN</b></u></span></em><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi43qaL4E-cMv1rGvCGFuF5abEmi836OdpQWqG7ehwZXaQ6hGBM5yIQ6G8trf5I1JjvrUfUU9PeJdyaVkwBf3cZXaFGr6bAaBKNOoz7T6PtqbEm0NtZWXyR-xJDoleW1uIwgv30TEqixF/s1600/CarlaBarnhill01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi43qaL4E-cMv1rGvCGFuF5abEmi836OdpQWqG7ehwZXaQ6hGBM5yIQ6G8trf5I1JjvrUfUU9PeJdyaVkwBf3cZXaFGr6bAaBKNOoz7T6PtqbEm0NtZWXyR-xJDoleW1uIwgv30TEqixF/s320/CarlaBarnhill01.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carla Barnhill</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.kyria.com/giftedforleadership/2007/01/carla_barnhill.html">Author</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parenting guru on "The Doug Pagitt Radio Show" </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/advice/lovesexdating/19.16.html">Former sex and dating advice columnist </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://themommyrevolution.wordpress.com/">Blogger at themommyrevolution.com</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Authors/Author.htm?ContributorID=BarnhillC&QueryStringSite=Zondervan">Former editor of the now-defunct (not her fault) "Christian Parenting Today" magazine</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Actress and show-tune singer </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBXo4CfTG5T2xLO31FRqSF3FeI0za5BS8008H9_r4hG_GKgxMi_aoI3JKwcjqMyM4vbovR0rn_jFm4syrJEO196T5xo4R3gvi6tXarX15YBb_6Cx3tvD281nn_WI6pJkd_JqYMX39uob9/s1600/LizPryor01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBXo4CfTG5T2xLO31FRqSF3FeI0za5BS8008H9_r4hG_GKgxMi_aoI3JKwcjqMyM4vbovR0rn_jFm4syrJEO196T5xo4R3gvi6tXarX15YBb_6Cx3tvD281nn_WI6pJkd_JqYMX39uob9/s320/LizPryor01.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Pryor</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=8MDNdB1AxvIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Liz+Pryor%22&source=bl&ots=Q8CiJdd2bZ&sig=HlMO2hAQ7zvOq1Bbsa2lhVkT2iI&hl=en&ei=ePbzTNnKG4-Qnwei0YXLCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEUQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false">Author</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lizpryor.com/">Professional giver of advice both on radio and online </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Write a parenting column for Munchkin Baby.com </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regular monthly guest on Leeza Gibbons nationally syndicated radio show Hollywood Confidential </span></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Fran Harris</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-fran-harris/story?id=12249286"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Fran Harris from Dallas, TX</b></u></span></em><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span> <br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Author </span></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">PhD</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://franharristv.com/">Public speaker </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life coach </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thedesignfile.net/thedesignfile/2010/02/hgtv-to-launch-new-lineup-in-march.html">Recently hosted "Home Rules" on HGTV </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">WNBA & NCAA Champion </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Former Fortune 100 sales executive </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blogger</span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa7vJz4kAXC29gTyrq6rbcg-hpCOWQrQ-rjb817RpKbC1oHZXR9SHSjV5uO19i77tFCBNnzOlsDzwcXvUwFcXu5X_08DKgCG8SSZ4vRPdz2lBePwv2LckBEkxqywA5ThmoaYGvWk9ujCb/s1600/BetteAlkazianSubmissionPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa7vJz4kAXC29gTyrq6rbcg-hpCOWQrQ-rjb817RpKbC1oHZXR9SHSjV5uO19i77tFCBNnzOlsDzwcXvUwFcXu5X_08DKgCG8SSZ4vRPdz2lBePwv2LckBEkxqywA5ThmoaYGvWk9ujCb/s320/BetteAlkazianSubmissionPhoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bette Alkazian</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_358857591"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>Bette Alkazian from Westlake Village, CA</u></span></em></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy Kean</td></tr>
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<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-amy-kean/story?id=12248842"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>Amy Kean from New York, NY</u></span></em></b><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Former advice columnist, New York Post </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Television </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">reporter/ contributor/ love advice expert </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>(</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>programs listed below)</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amykean.com/">Blogger</a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper Boone</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-cooper-boone/story?id=12249012"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Cooper Boone from New York, NY</b></u></span></em><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two masters and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cooperboone.com/">Award-winning song writer and performer </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://cooperskitchenusa.com/">Online show called Cooper's Kitchen</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip Van Munching</td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1484605544">Philip Van Munching, </a></u></strong><span style="color: black;"><u><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-philip-van-munching/story?id=12249585">from Darien, Conn</a></u>.</span><strong> </strong></span></span></span></em><br />
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</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.philipvanmunching.com/munching-bio.htm">Author, humorist </a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">Heir to beer distribution company</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-liz-pryor/story?id=12249584"><em><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Liz Pryor from Studio City, CA</b></u></span></span></span></em><strong><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b> </b></u></span></span></span></strong></a></div></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-30529172999208841902011-01-03T12:21:00.001-06:002011-01-03T12:22:53.712-06:00Second Cut Coming Tuesday on Good Morning AmericaGood Morning America will be making their second cut during Tuesday morning's airing of their program. <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/">Go to the Advice Guru pages</a> and cast your votes on their answers, on the candidates you like the best, and comment on their pages. Share your thoughts on the candidates in their comment sections. Help bring your favorite candidate to the forefront!<br />
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Check back tomorrow for a list of the second cut finalists. Best of luck to all of them from me and all of my readers. We're rooting for you!<br />
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My interviews will continue to run with the candidates, those that have made the cut and those that haven't. Get their thoughts on the process and on life right here.<br />
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Happy New Year friends! =DGayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-40757519105482754972011-01-01T14:23:00.001-06:002011-01-01T14:23:17.254-06:00Have an amazing 2011 !!!!! Looking forward to keeping in touch and learning from you. Carla<p class="formspringmeAnswer">Thanks, Carla! I hope you, and all of my other readers, have a wonderful 2011! <br /><br />If anybody would like to do an interview with me, you can contact me directly at gayla.tanner@gmail.com =D</p><p class="formspringmeFooter"> <a href="http://formspring.me/GaylaTanner?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger&utm_campaign=shareanswer">Ask me anything</a></p>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-86668654695041544722010-12-30T08:36:00.001-06:002010-12-30T08:36:37.560-06:00formspring.meAsk me anything <a href="http://formspring.me/GaylaTanner" target="_blank">http://formspring.me/GaylaTanner</a>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-66378467237937983642010-12-30T08:32:00.001-06:002010-12-30T08:32:28.398-06:00Hi Gayla. I'm a GMA finalist for advice guru and I think you're terrific. Happy New Year. You're great to do this blog. Well done! Warmest, Alan Fleischmann<p class="formspringmeAnswer">Thank you so much for saying so, Alan! Perhaps I can pick your brain as well! =D</p><p class="formspringmeFooter"> <a href="http://formspring.me/GaylaTanner?utm_medium=social&utm_source=blogger&utm_campaign=shareanswer">Ask me anything</a></p>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-44007197392733198762010-12-22T11:41:00.000-06:002010-12-22T11:41:48.843-06:00Meet Annie Zirkel!<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Meet Annie Zirkel! I've only talked to her a few times online, but one thing about her that becomes glaringly apparent about Annie is that the views of others are important to her. With that, I don't mean that she measures herself by what others think, but rather that she is aware that there are multiple ways of handling many situations, and the ideas and methods of others are just as important to her as her own. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Zirkel</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Annie has expressed more excitement about the people she's met during this competition than whether or not she gets the position. She has a gift for appreciating the little things in life. Life doesn't just happen while she makes plans, she appreciates all of the nuances along the way.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">She isn't a guru in the “know all, be all” sense, but in that she is willing and able to get the multiple options to any question. I think that if Annie had her way about it, there would be multiple advisers for the position of guru just so that viewers/readers are able to get various perspectives, to get all of the best possible answers.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Annie is a very warm, generous, energetic, and positive person. These attributes come through in everything she writes, and I for one hope that her prospects with Good Morning America are better than she thinks.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.anniezirkel.com/">Click here if you would like to check out her website</a>, and <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-annie-zirkel/story?id=12343348">click here if you'd like to read and rate some of her answers for Good Morning America.</a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>What would you consider some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your life? How do you think they've helped you become who you are today?</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There are really two ways to answer this question. One is to see challenge as adventure. The other is to see it as adversity. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As for adventure, I have always been drawn to doing things differently. Doing things outside of other people's boxes. In fact, if someone suggested that something was not in my “box” - that was the very thing I then set out to prove wrong. I'm very defiant, in a good way, which has helped me make a very big box! It brought me to traveling, it brought me to new experiences, it brought me to the University of Hawaii, to writing some books, to going back to school at the age of 38. And it probably brought me to the GMA Guru Contest. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now challenge as adversity is another story. My biggest two have been learning how to be a good wife and mother while remembering to value myself, AND learning how to be love, accept and care for my oldest son who is severely disabled. That last challenge has been the hardest and the most rewarding of all. One full of heartache and physical challenges - he is 125 lbs, totally dependent on us - and also full of great lessons, gratitude and wisdom - in fact, he is the happiest person you would ever meet and such a gift.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Tell me a little bit about your family.</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My family of origin was this big chaotic Irish/German Catholic family with 9 kids growing up on Long Island. My current family includes my husband, a great guy and hard-working family business man, my 3 sons - Alex 19, Adam 17, Nick 14, and Faisal 15 - our foreign exchange student son from Saudi Arabia, and our dog Kiko. Including the dog, I am the only non-male in the bunch and sometimes this makes me want to scream for girlfriends! But we do have fun; there's lots of music, kidding around, and for all the griping my kids do, they are amazing young men. My younger sons take care of their brother with kindness and no complaints, and we are always seeking opportunities to bring some fun into the house. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>What is a basic day in your life like? What do you do to unwind, or for a hobby?</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Basic day is seeing clients, doing a few workshops a month, writing articles for my website, answering e-mails, and then changing hats and being mom for my sons (and mostly my special son). I hate to cook and do whatever I can to get out of it. I love to write and I love to catch up with friends and family. As for hobbies – I wish I did more but my favorite thing to do is search for shells, stones, and sea glass along the beach. I have a decent collection and I just love to look at them.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>The recession has impacted nearly everybody in America, how has it impacted you and your family?</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I grew up with 11 people and a dad with a middle class income. So I've always been able to do without. In fact, I actually wrote a book in the 90s called :Cheap Living in Ann Arbor”. I am a huge second hand shopper and have always seen part of my contribution to the family as saving money since I don't earn very much. My husband is also extremely good at looking at our finances and finding better interest rates, or cheaper monthly services. So, while we have been impacted with a pay cut and some increased debt, we are fortunate to be staying above water for now. Luckily, Michigan is starting to come back to life which is wonderful. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Very energetic and enthusiastic. Will help anyone if she can (because I would). Has an odd sense of humor, loves optimism and is really into that gratitude stuff. If it were my kids they would say - tough momma, very challenging but we know she loves us.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>What caused you to want to submit an application for the GMA advice guru position? What got you started giving advice?</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My parents actually mentioned it to me and I was just so grateful that they thought I would be good at this that I checked it out. I was such a pain in the butt growing up that for them to see that I had come that far was the nicest compliment. Then I just wanted to test myself to answer the questions in the 150 word limit. As for giving advice - I'm not sure that's what I think I do. I see myself more as giving perspective and insight and helping people become aware of what skills are needed and how to get them. I do have a column on my website called “Ask Annie” which arose as a way to offer my ideas to those who seemed interested but couldn't or didn't want to come to counseling.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers that you haven't had the opportunity to share yet?</b></i></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When I first found out I was on this list, I was just glad to be there. Since then I have had some wonderful revelations about my faith in myself and my willingness to actually go for this. Realistically, I am not a front-runner, and I don't think my answers have been perfect, but out of all the people in this list, I am the only one that is so into this job that I already do it. And I'm doing it from my passion not because I get paid for it - since I don't. Not only that, I believe I am good enough to do it for GMA. Not that others aren't, because I think I am in some great company, but it took me a minute to see myself as also that good. In fact, learning this about myself has really been an even better surprise than getting that call in the first place. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-4324442568737064012010-12-16T22:54:00.002-06:002010-12-16T23:40:28.290-06:00Meet Deborah "Dr. Deb" Rouse-Raines! <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Our first advice guru interview is with Deborah “Dr Deb” Rouse-Raines. I'll admit somewhat of a bias because I've had a chance to really get to know Deb. She contacted me after I posted my first blog, and we've been emailing ever since.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH6RJ2YOf0DQROlX46w8w7fNve4WzqFl-Y7Xj5Foa-UyS5o17Up1E9CrL_zy6YJFQL9VopwayMIHU7aCbPFRJ-bTSZhbNHgTI47Y_e5HeoAK_aCJ0kIzCmB-Qcm8nnsbZ6TUd870_Wihj/s1600/DebSonInClass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIH6RJ2YOf0DQROlX46w8w7fNve4WzqFl-Y7Xj5Foa-UyS5o17Up1E9CrL_zy6YJFQL9VopwayMIHU7aCbPFRJ-bTSZhbNHgTI47Y_e5HeoAK_aCJ0kIzCmB-Qcm8nnsbZ6TUd870_Wihj/s400/DebSonInClass.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Used with permission by Deb</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">A warm, friendly, funny woman, Deb instantly makes you feel like she's the kind of friend you could turn to in your time of need. You feel as if you could cry on her shoulder easily and get comfort, and that's just from talking to her through emails.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Deb never comes across as a “know-it-all”. She has great insights, but she's not afraid ask for advice, or offended at finding out she's wrong about something. In my opinion, that makes her wonderful person, but also an exceptional doctor. The medical world truly lost an exceptional asset to their field when Deb was forced to close her practice.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">So let me introduce you to Dr. Deb as she answers questions about herself, in her own words, free of word limits. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><u>Gayla:</u></b></i></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>What would you consider some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your life? How do you think they've helped you become who you are today?</b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb:</u></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I have been very blessed in my life, but there were two challenges that have really shaped who I am today.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">The first has been my lifelong struggle with weight. I don’t really regard it as a struggle any more, not because I’m really skinny, but because I refuse to define myself by a number on the scale. I lost over 60 lbs almost 17 years ago and have generally kept it off except for weight fluctuations with my pregnancies. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I was a thin child, but when puberty hit, so did the curves. I started my first fad diet at age 11 when I was 125 pounds, and that set me on a destructive path of fad starvation diets over the next ten years. I yo-yoed my way up to over 215 pounds. Finally my parents realized that diets didn’t work for me, and they sent me to an eating disorders recover center. This experience changed my life. I learned that I wasn’t over-eating because I was hungry, but because I was stuffing down unpleasant emotions. I learned to love myself the way that I am, right now, and came to understand that being thin would neither make me happy nor solve my problems. I no longer felt the burden to chase perfection.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">Much of the eating disorder therapy took place in support groups, so I spent a lot of time listening to others’ problems. I was always the youngest one there, so the experience gave me insight into addiction at an early age, and it that has helped me counsel people throughout my adult life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">The second biggest challenge for me was being forced to abruptly abandon my medical practice just as it was blossoming. A medical malpractice crisis hit Cincinnati several years into my obstetrics career, and the skyrocketing costs of insurance forced many of us out of medicine. My life changed literally overnight. One day I was receiving the grateful praise of a new mother or the self-satisfaction of a successful surgery, and the next, I was stuck in the house with 4 children, ages 5 and under, drowning in body fluids, laundry, and dirty diapers. Yes, I was helping my family, but my entire professional identity, that for which I had labored for 24 years of schooling had vanished overnight. I had been following a well-laid path for my entire life and now everything was thrown off track. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I have grown from this experience, however. While I no longer have the security of the inexorable educations climb, I also now have the freedom to follow my dreams outside of medicine. I have learned that I can create new opportunities for myself and have accepted that not all my endeavors will meet with immediate success. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">This challenge has led me to this point, where I may follow my dreams with Good Morning America.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><u>Gayla:</u></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Tell me a little bit about your family.</b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb</u>:</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I count my marriage and children as my life’s greatest blessing. I have been married to my husband Max for almost 18 years. We met in an elevator on the first day of medical school, and we’ve lived and grown together as best friends ever since. We have 4 children, twin boys that are 12 ½ , an almost 10 year old daughter and a 7 1/2year old daughter. Our home teems with the activity and sounds of a busy, loving, and laughing family. We came to learn very early on that each child is an individual with his/her unique talents and inclinations. Our job as parents is to help each one of them find his/her own path.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am also very close to my parents and 6 siblings, both emotionally and geographically. My parents and most of my siblings live within a few miles of my house. We were immersed in our extended family, frequently spending weekends and holidays with aunts, uncles, and cousins. This upbringing reinforced my firm belief in the sacred family circle. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><u>Gayla:</u></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>What is a basic day in your life like? What do you do to unwind, or for a hobby</b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb</u>:</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">My realistic, basic dream day: wake with my husband at 5 and work out before I get the kids off to school. I then write and research for my blog and tv spots while getting all the laundry and cooking done, volunteer at school and greet my family to a homemade dinner before we do homework and have a family game night. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">Then real life happens.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">While some component of this day will happen, I spend most of my time putting out the daily fires that occur in our chaotic lives. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">At least once a day someone will ask for advice. Today I had a lady ask me about a polyp that was just removed from her cervix while I was watching my Godson’s Christmas play. Yesterday someone emailed me to buy them 30 schnecken from our local bakery and send it to Arkansas. Sunday someone called to ask about the best camera lens and Saturday night my neighbor’s daughter asked me to come over and make sure her 75-year-old Mom did not have a blood clot. There is always some emergency and people will come to me because they know that I am always willing to help. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I don’t have much time to unwind but I do love a good massage. My kids would say that I am the world’s best hugger/snuggler. I started Pilates reformer this fall and it has done wonders for my waist and well as my mood. My hobby/obsession is photography and movie making. I am a MAC-oholic and takes classes at the Apple store frequently. I love to cook, but not everyday. (I do cook everyday; I just don’t love it everyday.)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><em><u>Gayla:</u></em></strong></div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>The recession has impacted nearly everybody in America, how has it impacted you and your family? </b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb:</u></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">The recession hit us many years ago when my malpractice carrier pulled out of Ohio, and I had to suddenly stop practicing with the escalating malpractice costs of our new carrier.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">This was devastating for me, as I had spent my entire life training to be a physician and loved helping people. I never wanted to stay at home but couldn’t “afford” to work as crazy as that sounds.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">Fortunately, my husband and I came from meager backgrounds and have always lived well below our means. I am a coupon clipping, deal-hunting machine so we were able to adjust to our lower income. My husband took on another job at the Veterans Hospital in addition to his private practice to offset some of our expenses. His practice has suffered from the recession but we are grateful he has a job. My sister has to leave our hometown because her husband cannot find work in Cincinnati. We are sad that our cousins, who now go to our same school, are leaving, but grateful that they have a job.</div> <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">We are sad that our children and their cousins won't be attending school together any longer because of relocating, but we're grateful that their father has been able to find a new job. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><u>Gayla:</u></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>If I spoke to the people that know you best, what would I hear from most of them about you?</b></i> </div> <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb:</u></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I think my friends would say that I am a very loving and caring person that would always be there for them, no matter what they needed. They could talk to me about anything because I would listen and not judge. I am a “get the job done” kind of person and nothing I do would surprise them. In many ways, I am fearless and love to laugh, dance, and have fun.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I think they would also say that I talk to my kids about everything and have well mannered, insightful children because I am tough, but nurturing. </div> <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong><em><u>Gayla:</u></em></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>What caused you to want to submit an application for the GMA advice guru position? What got you started giving advice?</b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb</u>:</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I think that I have been giving advice since I was a child, although my siblings might just say I was bossy. I have always been a nurturer and a healer so giving medical advice became my vocation. Since I cannot practice medicine, I have been looking for a way to help people. While I am a medical correspondent now locally, an advice guru makes sense because I believe that much of what I have to offer comes from being a parent, wife, sister and friend, not just a doctor.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b><u>Gayla:</u></b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><b>Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers that you haven't had the opportunity to share yet?</b></i></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Deb</u>:</div> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I am not the single best person to give advice. No one has all the answers. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I do care about others and enjoy helping them. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">I believe that we all have advice gurus in our lives. The key is to find and listen to those people. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">=========================================================</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;">Check in often, and soon I'll be introducing you to other exceptional advice gurus. Some you know from the Good Morning America competition, and some that are just as helpful just less known.<br />
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<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-deborah-rouse-raines/story?id=12343620">Click here to read Deb's responses to real viewer's questions and to click "Like" for the Facebook vote! Rank her answer, and leave her a comment!</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-40142463460801619672010-12-13T19:46:00.000-06:002010-12-13T19:46:44.853-06:00What I Learned About ChristmasChristmas has always been a special time of year for many. And not always for the same reasons. For some it's a religious time, for others it is a time to bring families together, and others a time for having celebrations with friends that they've missed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ha8VrxK_xr-dAIGlSUuK_TKxQderfHFtOtBnRmNymxk0ovcphe39FTP3O-tILBtenDfYztjnI127m5jw41oz9iNiYVO998d_qM93E0UoyF_CnCE8go4jlG0z1gwatUQxE-W2k74k6hz8/s1600/gladys-boalt-handmade-christmas-ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ha8VrxK_xr-dAIGlSUuK_TKxQderfHFtOtBnRmNymxk0ovcphe39FTP3O-tILBtenDfYztjnI127m5jw41oz9iNiYVO998d_qM93E0UoyF_CnCE8go4jlG0z1gwatUQxE-W2k74k6hz8/s320/gladys-boalt-handmade-christmas-ornaments.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image borrowed from <br />
<a href="http://christmastreedecorationss.blogspot.com/2009_11_01_archive.html">christmastreedecorationss.blogspot.com</a></td></tr>
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</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For me, it has become a time of longing. Being reminded of loved ones lost, whether in death or simply drifting apart, lost none the less. This year my mother is gone, yet in exchange I have gained nieces and siblings that I haven't heard from in years. Even though I think my mother would have liked to have had the opportunity to reconnect with them, I can't help but feel grateful that at least I have them back.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The children I adored now have children of their own. Children I hope to connect with, I hope to give cause to remember me when I'm gone. And while looking at my over-burdened Christmas tree, I think I've found a small way to give them a reminder of me, and perhaps get reminders from them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My tree is full; there are ornaments on every limb. There are some Hummels and Disneys that I collected many years ago in order to have something of value to pass down to my own children one day, but those don't seem as precious anymore. The ones that strike me as important are the home-made ones. There are ornaments that my mother made, ornaments that my children made, and a few that I myself have made. I point at the little painted wooden puppy and tell my children that Granny made that when I was 4. There's the painted snowman that Aunt Shana made. Or the cross stitch ornaments that I got back after my grandmother died, the one I made for her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My tree carries heritage. So many ornaments on it have a special meaning, or came from a special person. There are so many special people that aren't represented on the tree, but I can fix that. I can make ornaments in their honor. Whether I use photos or mementos to make the ornaments, I can create ornaments to commemorate my mother, my father, my grandmothers, my grandfathers, even my aunts, uncles, and cousins.</div> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But is it necessary to commemorate those still here? Perhaps not. Perhaps I can suggest a new family tradition. An exchanging of ornaments instead of gifts. Whether they are purchased or home made, we can always look at them and say, "this person gave that to me." And these ornaments can be passed down to my children, along with the stories of the people who gave them.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I find my tree pretty satisfying right now. Every limb is full. And I know that it is nearly time for my children to start venturing out into the world on their own because I have ornaments to pass down without my tree turning sparse. So I can pass on memories to my children soon, without losing any on my own tree.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">To me, Christmas is about family; past, present, and future. And if I can connect my children to their ancestors, even those still living, then all of the fuss and hub-bub of the commercialized season is worth the trouble. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-90924908682928952252010-12-10T13:00:00.000-06:002010-12-10T13:00:46.721-06:00Happy HannaKwanzaRamaMas!<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Merry Christmas</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There, I said it. But that doesn't mean I'm pushing Christmas off on you. I want to hear people say whatever suites them, not just what is politically correct to say. If you celebrate Chanukah, say “Happy Chanukah!”. Say, “Happy Kwanzaa!” “Feliz Virgen de Guadalupe!”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I'm tired of the political correctness of the holidays, I'm tired of people being offended when you address them with the wrong holiday. If somebody wishes me a “Happy Chanukah,” I take it to mean “I'm having a good day and I hope you have one too.” I hope that when I say “Happy Snow Day!” People get the same intent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Also, I like the mix-'em-up greetings. “Merry HannaKwanzaMas!” I realize there may be some that find this demeaning to their individual belief system, but I don't see it that way. I see it as an effort to include any and all beliefs into a single greeting. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I would also like to say something on behalf of my atheistic friends. Celebrating this time of year isn't strictly for those with faith. Millions of atheists and agnostics do as well, in their own ways. This is the time of year to reconnect with friends and family, to remind others that you care about them. Atheists have friends, family, and joy in their hearts. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My holiday is a hodge podge of beliefs. Like the ancient Druids, I bring in evergreens like a tree, mistletoe, and holly. We light it like the ancient Germans. My tree is decorated with stars, pictures of loved ones, ornaments made by friends and family, angels, and special mementos of all shapes and sizes. We light candles and tell the children stories of hope, love, and history.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Christmas became a huge holiday in America because of good, old fashioned commercialism, but we each make the holiday, the time of year, our own special event. We give the season the special magic that makes it important. So whether you're celebrating Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or whatever, doing so with people that are important to you is what makes the season what it is.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So if you're a Christian and somebody wishes you a “Happy Kwanzaa!”, smile big and offer them a “Merry Christmas!” Share the warm feelings and well wishes no matter how they come.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVrReTeKf4pJ3QEeRBDwYUAGrCfOOcsOoHN6xN8ywVLJnCVEeEfaFyhmWMuDY40YgLx96MACRLwe2MdG2Qw6Bs3RiBcm9F4iuWRUZryetUTb5yPUiCKL6Txo_ooU5FP4skXBmqs32vaFD/s1600/XmasSeasonsGreetingsRedBallOrnaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVrReTeKf4pJ3QEeRBDwYUAGrCfOOcsOoHN6xN8ywVLJnCVEeEfaFyhmWMuDY40YgLx96MACRLwe2MdG2Qw6Bs3RiBcm9F4iuWRUZryetUTb5yPUiCKL6Txo_ooU5FP4skXBmqs32vaFD/s400/XmasSeasonsGreetingsRedBallOrnaments.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-11796357774523320862010-12-08T09:33:00.004-06:002010-12-08T12:45:17.215-06:00Deborah "Dr. Deb" Rouse-Raines ~ Our First Advice Guru Interview<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE6ZbYyt4P8iFgomU91urXP8BP5xjZG9DwUVhIgLxWh2bvpMalqRja7tpUOCIxKFkmB-GnSMa1zl2uTjE6EIGjmdGJ6GweH6qaNxggNEL6U8qRvZQCKekmee8351jIFdCsFt7ryZbLl29/s1600/DrDeborahRouseRaines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZE6ZbYyt4P8iFgomU91urXP8BP5xjZG9DwUVhIgLxWh2bvpMalqRja7tpUOCIxKFkmB-GnSMa1zl2uTjE6EIGjmdGJ6GweH6qaNxggNEL6U8qRvZQCKekmee8351jIFdCsFt7ryZbLl29/s200/DrDeborahRouseRaines.jpg" width="200" /></a>Meet Dr. Deb! Deb was the first finalist for the Advice Guru position on Good Morning America to give me an interview. Deb currently has a position as medical contributor on FOX 19 News out of Cincinnati Ohio where she gives medical advice to viewers on a weekly basis. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Deb had a thriving practice as a gynecologist and obstetrician (OB/GYN) until her malpractice insurance company increased her insurance premiums to the point where they cost more than her office was bringing in. When faced with unexpected unemployment, Deb created a new outlet for her medical training, she created her “Dr. Deb” website and started offering her service and experience as a public speaker and news contributor. <a href="http://www.fox19.com/global/Category.asp?C=195974&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5279189&flvUri=&partnerclipid=">Click here for a video link to her segment for FOX 19.</a> My interview with Dr. Deb will be coming soon!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-deborah-rouse-raines/story?id=12322830&page=1">***Add comments and Facebook "Likes" to help your fav guru. Their ABC profiles will be expanded soon. Click here if you would like to show support to Deb.***<script src="http://www.fox19.com/global/video/videoplayer.js?rnd=564453;hostDomain=www.fox19.com;playerWidth=640;playerHeight=380;isShowIcon=true;clipId=5279189;flvUri=;partnerclipid=;adTag=News;advertisingZone=undefined;enableAds=false;landingPage=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.fox19.com%252Fglobal%252FCategory.asp%253FC%253D195974;islandingPageoverride=false;playerType=STANDARD_EMBEDDEDscript" type="text/javascript">
</script> </a>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-84806601538021801002010-12-06T13:35:00.000-06:002010-12-06T13:35:49.123-06:00Are You an Advice Guru?I was very annoyed when Good Morning America announced their 20 finalists and I saw a majority of them with some type of PhD or other work experience that would put them over the top as picks for their advice guru. Then something changed. I got to know some of them.<br />
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Talking to some of the finalists through email I've come to realize many of them are just as “every day” as those of us that have gained our advice-giving experience simply through being trusted by those around us. They've had their trials and tribulations, they've gone through their tough times. And face it, in this economy degrees and previous experience don't guarantee that they're living high off of the hog and looking to live higher. Some are just as concerned about simply finding a steady pay check as I am.<br />
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So I've decided I want to help advice gurus, the finalists and those that were rejected by ABC, to be known better. Share their human, every day, average Joe sides. Even if you never submitted an entry but you'd like to let people know you're out there to help, I'll help show the world what a great person you are! The part of the person that gets missed in the mess.<br />
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I'll run an interview/bio spot for anybody interested in sharing, including a link to that person's blog, website, or other contact information. All you need to do is contact me. I won't hassle anybody that doesn't want featured, but I will help promote anybody that does.<br />
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So to all of the advice gurus out there, established or just starting out, send me an email and let's introduce you to the world! gayla.tanner@gmail.comGayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-83370325191161979312010-11-29T22:27:00.026-06:002011-01-03T21:58:06.351-06:00Good Morning America's Top 20 Pick<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">**See the GMA Advice Guru tab for updates**<br />
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<a href="http://gaylatanner.blogspot.com/2011/01/second-cut-coming-tuesday-on-good.html">Second Cut Coming Tuesday on Good Morning America</a><br />
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I'll admit it, I've been thinking about this all day. And I<i> know </i>why I didn't make the cut, why my submission had no right to be there. Mine was lacking personality. It was lacking <i>my</i> personality. With the 300 word restriction in mind, I focused more on what I had to offer. I put great pains into making sure I used proper sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling. But I left my personality along side the road in my process. It was like a slice of white bread without so much as a smear of butter. So I figured I wouldn't be in the cut. But the group we have is somewhat surprising to me.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em>“Teachers, nurses, hairdressers, bartenders, and stay-at-home moms applied.”</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">That's what they said after the closing date for accepting submissions. Quite a variety of people, but why not? GMA invited a variety of every day folks to enter submissions. <em>Teachers, writers, housewives, and stay-at-home moms.</em> You got the impression that they wanted the kind of advice you'd get from people that have been through it, not the trained psychologist responses. Having studied some psychology myself, I know there are merits and downfalls to the clinical approaches to things, but over all they are well trained and only want to help people. </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I expected to see more bartenders with sage advice, more hairdressers with tales of how others deal with things, more teachers that deal with dozens of children at a time. I didn't not expect to see one lone teacher in a cluster of psychologists, psychiatrists, best selling how-to authors, and advice columnists, all with lengthy resumes, taking the lead. Let's look at our top 20 contenders, then I'll meet you at the bottom of the page.. <br />
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<em>**UPDATE: Since the original posting of the blog, I've had opportunity to get to know some of the finalists. I have started interviews with those interested. Links to those interviews are included in the description of the finalists below.**</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name='more'></a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvv31KRXX0SKZlAtDQG8Kn0NQKt7UWwr4bp7udEyAsy0mekbDpFAFMLU52knvmIFhxgzf0J5XsgisvRsy9xU7kSSwNt3aRsuHkyenxz_OSOA8Go5sldpEUrvOH4b5CKUFEa4slwJsufID/s1600/DrDeborahRouseRaines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvv31KRXX0SKZlAtDQG8Kn0NQKt7UWwr4bp7udEyAsy0mekbDpFAFMLU52knvmIFhxgzf0J5XsgisvRsy9xU7kSSwNt3aRsuHkyenxz_OSOA8Go5sldpEUrvOH4b5CKUFEa4slwJsufID/s200/DrDeborahRouseRaines.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Deb Raines</td></tr>
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-deborah-rouse-raines/story?id=12249161"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Deborah Rouse-Raines from Cincinnati, OH</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b> </b></u></span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_358857449">Board certified OB/GYN </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_358857449">Host of a morning advice segment </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_358857449">Writer of a health blog </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.drdebraines.com/">Inspirational speaker.</a></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
<a href="http://gaylatanner.blogspot.com/2010/12/meet-deborah-dr-deb-rouse-raines.html">Click here for my interview with Dr. Deb</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie Zirkel</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalists-annie-zirkel/story?id=12248881"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Annie Zirkel from Ann Arbor, Michigan</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b> </b></u></span></a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Licensed Professional Counselor and Relationship Consultant </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.practicehow.com/">Online advice columnist both for her own site</a> <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-cp.cgi?__mode=view&blog_id=1&id=73">and annarbor.com </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Author</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-top-20-finalists-jc/story?id=12249447">JC Ellis from Germantown, TN</a></b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b> </b></u></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JC Conrad-Ellis</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: small;"><em>"I am witty, smart, and I look great on air. I know this because I was a featured correspondent on a live morning talk show in Milwaukee called "The Morning Blend". "</em></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blackdiamondseries.com/meet-jc">Author</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?id=90483">Local morning news contributor </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>396 word essay! (Remember, we had a 300 word limit.)</b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe5QBE3tFx6CoNBj9Ad4eavibWqJn5wAplWH8oDJSN4vR9rWaPEWiTuBFPhDurBN1fCwVOJzCoJj7Q1eKaHy59aoX5qZ3YsM0Hr7tN8jeNQGfsjyQuwbSwIUSxpZdiykJycCsVyiv2Qka/s1600/CarlaBarnhill01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe5QBE3tFx6CoNBj9Ad4eavibWqJn5wAplWH8oDJSN4vR9rWaPEWiTuBFPhDurBN1fCwVOJzCoJj7Q1eKaHy59aoX5qZ3YsM0Hr7tN8jeNQGfsjyQuwbSwIUSxpZdiykJycCsVyiv2Qka/s200/CarlaBarnhill01.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carla Barnhill</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-carla-barnhill/story?id=12248940"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Carla Barnhill from Minneapolis, MN</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blog.kyria.com/giftedforleadership/2007/01/carla_barnhill.html">Author</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Parenting guru on "The Doug Pagitt Radio Show" </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/advice/lovesexdating/19.16.html">Former sex and dating advice columnist </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://themommyrevolution.wordpress.com/">Blogger at themommyrevolution.com</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Authors/Author.htm?ContributorID=BarnhillC&QueryStringSite=Zondervan">Former editor of the now-defunct (not her fault) "Christian Parenting Today" magazine</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Actress and show-tune singer </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfi3J7sPOvgM_SDHN7gsOhTKiUUSbhc1eP9kKCF1bs3AjvS40WtXgW56RNCvdFUXSEv-LxUMYDTaSeRnei7qlmc1_Yr_GlrZ1x5cCwFQ2f9raZYK3RVWEYgOsw0iCfEIZZVl7_LBb2NC/s1600/VickieIovine04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMfi3J7sPOvgM_SDHN7gsOhTKiUUSbhc1eP9kKCF1bs3AjvS40WtXgW56RNCvdFUXSEv-LxUMYDTaSeRnei7qlmc1_Yr_GlrZ1x5cCwFQ2f9raZYK3RVWEYgOsw0iCfEIZZVl7_LBb2NC/s200/VickieIovine04.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vicki Iovine</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-vicki-iovine/story?id=12249373"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Vicki Iovine from Los Angeles, CA</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span></a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.girlfriendsguide.com/site/">Author</a> </span></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">TV and radio personality - </span></span></span></span><span style="font-style: normal;">regular contributor to </span><i><u><b>GMA</b></u></i><span style="font-style: normal;">, TODAY, </span><i><u><b>THE VIEW</b></u></i><span style="font-style: normal;">, the CBS MORNING SHOW and OPRAH </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Advice columnist</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude B.A. degree in Journalism from UC Berkeley</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">J.D. from UC Hastings College of Law </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rotary Fellow to Cambridge University in England where I earned a degree in International Law</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Published in the International Law Journals. </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><u>633 Word essay</u></i></span>! (300 word limit? As impressive as her credentials are, I wonder if she is the one on all of the producers' lists. They must really like her to ignore the limitation that was in place during the entire process.)</b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH2HIyYVnaUMoP4QXG4nsHyczNI2lYC4LEU5iSlRXlDcX7EXMzte93UN27_TYlWsgdKQ_bkX7J9AcMAngTXyOn08kz60ug4qUUI-5-s0mgsGAvpYCvM6Xq8prBfbVuQc8aKjUx98PEef1/s1600/SophiaVenable01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH2HIyYVnaUMoP4QXG4nsHyczNI2lYC4LEU5iSlRXlDcX7EXMzte93UN27_TYlWsgdKQ_bkX7J9AcMAngTXyOn08kz60ug4qUUI-5-s0mgsGAvpYCvM6Xq8prBfbVuQc8aKjUx98PEef1/s200/SophiaVenable01.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophia Venable</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-sophia-venable/story?id=12249670">Sophia Venable from Los Angeles, CA</a></b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Masters in Psychology</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Certified Professional Life Coach, specializing in relationships and finance </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proudly had plastic surgery </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ran a successful film music business for over 10 years </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Done voice over </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Competitive ballroom dancer </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQchlaFM2aJHPO5hR5Qh5I9nmse4VUoIIArgUMxpQQO074nlOaNtpRvJ9kwlGtdfy9_OQThd1Rlzq2GlbypPOWiEtjBOAqOFtONJD2bYnu328PG8J7ztj4BxZWN4KQIxgnThG05Ju4H_j/s1600/LizPryor01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQchlaFM2aJHPO5hR5Qh5I9nmse4VUoIIArgUMxpQQO074nlOaNtpRvJ9kwlGtdfy9_OQThd1Rlzq2GlbypPOWiEtjBOAqOFtONJD2bYnu328PG8J7ztj4BxZWN4KQIxgnThG05Ju4H_j/s200/LizPryor01.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Pryor</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-liz-pryor/story?id=12249584"><u><strong><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Liz Pryor from Studio City, CA</span></span></span></em><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></strong></u></a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=8MDNdB1AxvIC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22Liz+Pryor%22&source=bl&ots=Q8CiJdd2bZ&sig=HlMO2hAQ7zvOq1Bbsa2lhVkT2iI&hl=en&ei=ePbzTNnKG4-Qnwei0YXLCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEUQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q&f=false">Author</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.lizpryor.com/">Professional giver of advice both on radio and online </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Write a parenting column for Munchkin Baby.com </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Regular monthly guest on Leeza Gibbons nationally syndicated radio show Hollywood Confidential </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>309 Word essay! (OK, nine words over isn't such a big deal especially in light of being over nearly double, or despite the fact thousands of others counted each word carefully.)</b></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lissa Coffey</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-lissa-coffey/story?id=12249531">Lissa Coffey from Westlake Village, CA</a></b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.coffeytalk.com/pressroom/index.php">Autho</a>r </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Graduated from UCLA in 1983 with a degree in Sociology </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Certified in hypnotherapy, meditation, ayurveda </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worked as the parenting reporter at a local TV station </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-FXkjLLsNFmct52juV1p8VYEVSve668nuUo4wsZAIEtJhQpnLTFqfUr1W7DY-yt1a4NP7Snx2mfdyl6cZ-ZNuqw380DCo0K_FRy-Mdq9Lgq1qmW-jN6oD2nM8inSQIbUmRu4iDA5p2Xm/s1600/KimberlyGilesSubmissionPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-FXkjLLsNFmct52juV1p8VYEVSve668nuUo4wsZAIEtJhQpnLTFqfUr1W7DY-yt1a4NP7Snx2mfdyl6cZ-ZNuqw380DCo0K_FRy-Mdq9Lgq1qmW-jN6oD2nM8inSQIbUmRu4iDA5p2Xm/s200/KimberlyGilesSubmissionPhoto.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kimberly (Sayer) Giles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-kimberly-giles/story?id=12249452"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Kimberly Giles from Bouniful, UT</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b> </b></u></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Experience in radio and video </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://signupcoaching.net/">Professional writer, speaker (humorist) and life coach</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://coachkimsayer.wordpress.com/">Blogger</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-fran-harris/story?id=12249286"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Fran Harris from Dallas, TX</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Fran Harris</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Author </span></div></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">PhD</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://franharristv.com/">Public speaker </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Life coach </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.thedesignfile.net/thedesignfile/2010/02/hgtv-to-launch-new-lineup-in-march.html">Recently hosted "Home Rules" on HGTV </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">WNBA & NCAA Champion <strong>(Here is your WNBA player!)</strong></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Former Fortune 100 sales executive </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Blogger</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">“<span style="font-size: small;"><b><em>...it ain't about me.”</em> (I can't imagine it being considered excellent writing to use the word 'ain't'. That shows what I learned from all of this. Personality, even if it comes through with words that would make your English teacher cry.)</b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa7vJz4kAXC29gTyrq6rbcg-hpCOWQrQ-rjb817RpKbC1oHZXR9SHSjV5uO19i77tFCBNnzOlsDzwcXvUwFcXu5X_08DKgCG8SSZ4vRPdz2lBePwv2LckBEkxqywA5ThmoaYGvWk9ujCb/s1600/BetteAlkazianSubmissionPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwa7vJz4kAXC29gTyrq6rbcg-hpCOWQrQ-rjb817RpKbC1oHZXR9SHSjV5uO19i77tFCBNnzOlsDzwcXvUwFcXu5X_08DKgCG8SSZ4vRPdz2lBePwv2LckBEkxqywA5ThmoaYGvWk9ujCb/s200/BetteAlkazianSubmissionPhoto.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bette Alkazian</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_358857591"><b><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>Bette Alkazian from Westlake Village, CA</u></span></span></em></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Bette_Levy_Alkazian_MA,LMFT,BCPC_Thousand+Oaks_California_65725">Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on Counseling and Guidance.</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.balancedparenting.com/">Author, a speaker, a nationally recognized parenting expert </a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwDD5HobV6KpCUHR4XhnndkluZT0hYY5Xx9v1seC6P6OF9BZwL5rfNzkllmir3mk_b2hXW1vKPEUhqUHi9UMZIuUYDm1MB_W8_UIwbIu2CSVH1yeED0Tg6c2RS6MPLosnxJxQM_0xeEsO/s1600/AmyKeanSubmissionPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwDD5HobV6KpCUHR4XhnndkluZT0hYY5Xx9v1seC6P6OF9BZwL5rfNzkllmir3mk_b2hXW1vKPEUhqUHi9UMZIuUYDm1MB_W8_UIwbIu2CSVH1yeED0Tg6c2RS6MPLosnxJxQM_0xeEsO/s200/AmyKeanSubmissionPhoto.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy Kean</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-amy-kean/story?id=12248842"><b><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u>Amy Kean from New York, NY</u></span></span></em></b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Former advice columnist, New York Post </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Television </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">reporter/ contributor/ love advice expert </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>(</b></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>programs listed below)</b></span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amykean.com/">Blogger</a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="text-decoration: none;">"My TV credits include: The Today Show; The Early Show; CNN; Fox News; VH1; Good Day New York; Maury; Politically Incorrect; Entertainment Tonight; Living It Up!; The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch; Geraldo; Montel; Good Morning America (!); and The View which I co-hosted seven times when I was chosen as a co-host finalist by Barbara Walters."</span></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4WLXne4Be3Z8AHQlW5soDzaWFYFKzRhw6OtWHVEzGeBFfGrUNWLZz0zYH8tqFIhkhj2mqShhpMfF1MrqvMmfFjvw4JcWXkCoo76b7_z554ZzSnOH1kdg8vA5YZm_HoRd9_2kMJNnLlQU/s1600/ElisabethSalazarSubmission+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4WLXne4Be3Z8AHQlW5soDzaWFYFKzRhw6OtWHVEzGeBFfGrUNWLZz0zYH8tqFIhkhj2mqShhpMfF1MrqvMmfFjvw4JcWXkCoo76b7_z554ZzSnOH1kdg8vA5YZm_HoRd9_2kMJNnLlQU/s200/ElisabethSalazarSubmission+Photo.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Salazar</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-elizabeth-salazar/story?id=12249248">Elizabeth Salazar from Santa Fe, NM</a></b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b> </b></u></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Master's Degree in Counseling </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Currently working on my doctorate in Educational Leadership (grad May 2011)</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>369 Word essay! (I give up, clearly I missed the memo that said the word limit was just a suggestion. At least it isn't 600 words long.)</b></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5Dgne99MgRB49Mjk6ttCG_CFpr2uC8oes9oqWOHzzwOYdQ0bMttKvJuidpJjfdw_3sI01WlkSY_NW0PULQt6uamad7mZjUDlxn9nT8hyAmgJ0K36eQRCjZxPnPl-qyx-S4tH0k7TGlou/s1600/AlanFlieshman01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5Dgne99MgRB49Mjk6ttCG_CFpr2uC8oes9oqWOHzzwOYdQ0bMttKvJuidpJjfdw_3sI01WlkSY_NW0PULQt6uamad7mZjUDlxn9nT8hyAmgJ0K36eQRCjZxPnPl-qyx-S4tH0k7TGlou/s200/AlanFlieshman01.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan Fleischmann</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-alan-fleischman/story?id=12248744">Alan Fleischmann from Chevy Chase, Maryland</a></b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">NAFTA negotiations to the Kennedys </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obama's Transition Team </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Advised global CEO's with the Albright Stonebridge Group </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.imaginenations.org/bios/alan_fleischmann.aspx">Co-founded a non-profit group</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lost 50 pounds (camera ready!)</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><strong>(Hey, I can see getting out of politics, Washington D.C. is a scary place these days.)</strong></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWnWuqBkjE3S6-6K8od0IB3zqhQSjTLpUo4105-bKCJc490JRzUasnCIcTuBAfvDwX8z1f-Zky_HoOBvSP1UIgXLl_4tPjOUp01LS9u7unKc5BIstE-JjR6q7S84fFgN5c-7H5cVappH3/s1600/CooperBoone02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGWnWuqBkjE3S6-6K8od0IB3zqhQSjTLpUo4105-bKCJc490JRzUasnCIcTuBAfvDwX8z1f-Zky_HoOBvSP1UIgXLl_4tPjOUp01LS9u7unKc5BIstE-JjR6q7S84fFgN5c-7H5cVappH3/s200/CooperBoone02.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper Boone</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-cooper-boone/story?id=12249012"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Cooper Boone from New York, NY</b></u></span></span></em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Two masters and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cooperboone.com/">Award-winning song writer and performer </a></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://cooperskitchenusa.com/">Online show called Cooper's Kitchen</a> </span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Edward Freeman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-top-20-finalists-dr/story?id=12249243">Dr. Edward Freeman from Killeen, TX</a> </b></u></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.checkmd.com/physicians/TX/Edward-Freeman/120985/">Doctor of psychiatry at Fort Hood, TX </a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Nimmer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-scott-nimmer/story?id=12249669">Scott Nimmer from Liberty Township, OH</a></b></u></span></span></em><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Middle school and junior high school teacher </span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Eighteen years of military experience </span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><strong>(FINALLY!! A teacher!)</strong></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Ish Major</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-ish-major/story?id=12249364"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Ish Major from Greenville, SC</b></u></span></span></em><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></em></a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Board certified adult psychiatrist </span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Author</span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.littlewhitewhys.com/">Blogger/Radio</a> </span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></span></em><a href="http://littlewhitewhys.com/media-room_270.html">Television appearances </a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philip Van Munching</td></tr>
</tbody></table><em><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><u><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1484605544">Philip Van Munching, </a></u></strong><span style="color: black;"><u><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-philip-van-munching/story?id=12249585">from Darien, Conn</a></u>.</span><strong> </strong></span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.philipvanmunching.com/munching-bio.htm">Author, humorist </a></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">Heir to beer distribution company</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/DearGMA/dear-gma-advice-guru-finalist-billy-ward/story?id=12248897"><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><u><b>Billy Ward from Verona, NJ</b></u></span></span></em><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></span></em></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt297I2thwUQzxi8h_JeYrXpvmsaDSBl01_Y7JXutYtvy_VfsP3wmX3msqaPY63cMkWX1m_gttR_Tf844jLymtlqZNi_D26zgEa8jHoE0D9ZwSIMPUXr6gAaHzhAyB114KYIJgt-WyA6_/s1600/BillyWardSubmissionPhoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt297I2thwUQzxi8h_JeYrXpvmsaDSBl01_Y7JXutYtvy_VfsP3wmX3msqaPY63cMkWX1m_gttR_Tf844jLymtlqZNi_D26zgEa8jHoE0D9ZwSIMPUXr6gAaHzhAyB114KYIJgt-WyA6_/s200/BillyWardSubmissionPhoto.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy Ward</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1484605528">Licensed psychotherapist </a></span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><em><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/billy-ward/7/64/5b7">Certified life coach </a></span></span></span></em></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">OK, several of the women above, and a few of the men, would be considered the “whole package”. Extensive training in psychology, per-existing television presence, published authors, and let's be frank, gorgeous. They would be a credit to any major network looking for their own Dr. Phil. But wait. What were they looking for? Who did they extend the invitation to? Housewives? Teachers? Stay-at-home moms? Hairdressers? Bartenders? Every day people with every day advice. I can see the temptation to snag one of these gems, some expecting million-dollar contracts? But what about the hairdresser that has sage advice that she's been doling out for years that would be over the moon to get paid $100,000 a year, four or five paid trips to New York, Skyping in once in a while, and working from home? After all, that was the impression giving initially. Answering questions from viewers from home, making a web presence on a full time basis, with the <em>occasional </em>television appearance.</span></em></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">I think Good Morning America's producers lost sight of the intent they presented initially in the glow of the shiny prospects that landed in front of them. </span></em></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-11453112178356286942010-11-23T13:34:00.000-06:002010-11-23T13:34:45.915-06:00Have A Beautiful Day ~ India Arie<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jvARxJoLirE?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="480"></iframe>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-67173057462478868332010-11-19T08:51:00.002-06:002010-12-06T13:45:05.239-06:00I Wonder What That Means?<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I was reading one of my favorite blogs last night when the author said she didn't know where the expression “<strong><u>pull yourself up by your bootstraps</u></strong>” came from. So I decided I would write an article about these obscure little pieces of verbal bricabrack. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I know the bootstrap saying because my parents were very demonstrative. I saw my dad pulling his bootstraps daily. Boots were made, and many still are, with a small strap at the top of them to make it easier to pull them up. There would be days that cowboys were so tired they would grab the straps on their boots to lift their legs off of the edge of their bunks to start another day. There are dozens of origin stories to this expression, but this is the one that I grew up with, and frankly it seems more plausible than the ones that say it means to literally lift oneself all of the way off the ground by nothing but their bootstraps. Here are a few others that I know.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><b>Redneck</b></u> - The world has an image of a redneck thanks to Jeff Foxworthy, but not many know where the term comes from. Redneck comes from the sunburn on the back on the neck from long days of hard outdoor labor </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><b>As Mad as a Hatter</b></u> – No, this didn't start with Alice in Wonderland, the expression came first. This expression is used to describe utter insanity. Mercury used to be used to soften rabbit fur of felt hats, so hatters, or hat makers, would come into contact with this poisonous metal a lot. It was common for hat makers, or hatters, to develop mercury poisoning and becoming “mad”. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u>Make No Bones about it</u></b> – This has to do with making soup! When you 'make no bones' about something, you tell somebody the blunt truth making it 'easier to swallow'. When bones are left out of soup, or removed, it is of a consistency that makes it 'easier to swallow'.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And for those of you that get your soup from a can, bones are often added to soup to give flavoring. The cook stews the marrow out of the bone to give soup a meatier flavor. It's just not in your canned soup.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What expressions have you heard that you would like to know where they came from? Share them and I'll see if I can come up with it! =D</div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-91898799940749029722010-11-18T17:27:00.001-06:002010-12-06T13:45:52.057-06:00Updated Information ~ Rape<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Since posting my article on date rape I have received so many emails with questions and comments that I decided to write a follow up.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://womensstudies.homestead.com/rape.html">In the U.S. a woman is raped every sixty (60) seconds. Yet, it's still the most under reported, under investigated crime we know. The reasons are as different</a> as the women to which it happens Women don't report it out of shame, embarrassment, and fear. Authorities don't pursue it because unless it's a particularly violent attack they consider it a “he said/she said” incident. It's further complicated by those that do file false complaints.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Not Your Fault</b></u></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let's start with what we can control. Ourselves. Our bodies are our worlds. We have every right to do what we want with it, or restrict from it what we wish. We have the right to deny access to whomever we chose, and just because we've granted access to another, or even this same person, before doesn't mean we're obligated to do it again. Boyfriends and husbands aren't even guaranteed access, it is your body not theirs.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I can't emphasize this enough, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY NO TO ANYBODY. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You have the right to file a complaint anytime it happens. If a doctor or police officer refuses, take their name and make a note of their resistance. Admittedly, right now we see reports of unprocessed rape kits in the news all of the time in cities like Los Angeles, Pheonix, and Detroit. But this is being addressed by women's rights groups, you just need to worry about you. Have your evidence collected so that when the system is reformed you can get justice.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This season on <i>Private Practice</i> they are addressing the issues surrounding rape because of a main character being assaulted by a stranger in her work place. They are addressing many of the fears that women experience after an incident like this. It is of the utmost importance that women don't feel like it is in any way their fault, or it will diminish them to admit that they were raped. Admit it, claim it, take control of it.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There Is Help</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There are support groups, advocate groups, and shelters to help a woman deal with what has happened to her. They can help you with counseling, with navigating the legal system, help with medical needs, and to simply be there for emotional support.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You can contact one of the groups below for assistance or email me and I'll help you find your local assistance program. But PLEASE don't try to pretend it didn't happen. Help is out there.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentAction=ViewProperties&DocumentID=32369&UrlToReturn=http%3a%2f%2fncvc.org%2fncvc%2fmain.aspx%3fdbName%3dAdvancedSearch&gclid=CMLPoua_q6UCFQG6KgodZiukYg">The National Center for Victims of Crimes </a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://raaporg.presencehost.net/">Rape Assistance and Awareness Program </a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.rainn.org/">RAINN Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network </a></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5436127647956782830.post-31948958023100988232010-11-12T10:46:00.001-06:002010-12-06T13:49:08.651-06:00Latest Update on the Good Morning America Advice Guru Hunt <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juju, George, Robin, & Sam</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="search"></a>Good Morning America gave an update this morning on their show. They've moved on to the second stage of their decision making, calling finalists. Not the Final Ten yet, but the last 40 or 50 people. Some candidates have already been called, but according to <em><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/bianna-golodryga-biography/story?id=5563553">Bianna Golodryga</a></span></em><span style="font-style: normal;"> several more will be called over the next few weeks.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name='more'></a><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Interestingly enough, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/george-stephanopoulos-good-morning-america-anchor-biography/story?id=133369">George Stephanopoulos</a> stated that there was one candidate that was on the short list of all of the producers, but he didn't share who that candidate was. They shared the pictures of 18 candidates, and the videos of 3 others during the short update. I'm sure those candidates were thrilled at the exposure!</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Although they weren't identified by name, two of the panel members did give statements regarding what they were looking for in a candidate. The gentleman at the head of the table said, “We're looking for somebody with a lot of talent. They have to be able to write, to</span><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> dispense </span></span><i><span style="text-decoration: none;">useful</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> advice.” (his emphasis)</span></span></div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">The woman that was sitting to his right stated, “Whenever they made me smile, or just chuckle a little, I remembered them.”</span></span></div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">The following I don't say with regret, remorse, self-pity, or animosity. <u>I don't believe I'll be getting a call</u>. I recognize my mistakes and short-comings in this, my attempt at this job. I didn't provide a link to my blog or to a video in my essay (the thought never even crossed my mind), and I SUCK at talking about myself! I'm use to sharing myself in snippets, in offering people looking for help some little something to reassure them that I do understand. I start getting this feeling of guilt when I try writing about me, and then I'm wrestling with the need to be more modest. I don't see myself as doing anything amazing, I have just done what I needed to in order to get by myself, or help another get by. That is the same as anybody else would do, right?</span></span></div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">So, lesson learned, I'm going to work on writing about myself more and better. Next time an opportunity like this comes up I will be ready for it. Watch out world.</span></span></div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div align="left" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">To wrap this up I'd just like to say to all of those that have submitted entries, GOOD LUCK! And don't give up yet, they're still calling people. </span></span></div>Gayla Tannerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16146920184268654900noreply@blogger.com0