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A lovely day on The Plains, and a great day for a win against \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/espn.go.com\/blog\/sec\/post\/_\/id\/27635\/final-auburn-41-mississippi-state-34\"\u003EStarkpatch\u003C\/a\u003E. My Uncle Mark came to Auburn to enjoy the game (as usual) and was also bringing with him 4 tickets for \u003Cem\u003Ethis \u003C\/em\u003ESaturday's game against\/at Clemson. He had the tickets in tow, because my brother was buying two of them from him, and they were to make the exchange at halftime. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen Mark arrived in Auburn, he checked to make sure he had the tickets (he did), and started his walk from the car to the stadium. When he got to the stadium - horror. He discovered he no longer had the Clemson tickets on his person. Figuring they were lost for good, he recounted the story to us at halftime at our standard family meet-up on the ramp outside of one of the scholarship sections where \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2009\/05\/happy-birthday-dad.html\"\u003EBG (my dad)\u003C\/a\u003E sits. We were all saddened to hear this tale and felt bad for Mark and baby bro who were planning on using the tickets the following (this) weekend. But wait....\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U5oio2-cXrU\/TnNi_VJ0r_I\/AAAAAAAAAo4\/dFIV0ATq2M4\/s1600\/Mark.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" rba=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U5oio2-cXrU\/TnNi_VJ0r_I\/AAAAAAAAAo4\/dFIV0ATq2M4\/s200\/Mark.jpg\" width=\"193\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EUncle Mark \u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\n\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\nBehold! The happy ending...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI don't have the full details of the story, but I'll give you the general jist. As it turns out, a faithful, wonderful, and TYPICAL Auburn Man found Uncle Mark's tickets and contacted the Auburn Ticket Office with hopes of finding the rightful owner and returning them to him\/her. As luck would have it, Mark did indeed buy his tickets through Auburn, so they were able to track them back to him. This wonderful Auburn Man\u0026nbsp;gave Uncle Mark a call\u0026nbsp;and said he would overnight the tickets to him, so he would have them in time for Saturday. Mark, eternally grateful, offered\/insisted to reimburse the gentleman for the shipping expense, but he wouldn't hear of it. \"Just do a kind deed for someone else in the future,\" the Auburn Man said. And that was that. All was right with the world (well, that might be overstating, but that's what I do).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo let this little story roll around in your soul a little bit today. It's so simple and something you would hope any decent person would do, but, when you hear it, it's a little surprising in the best possible way. Surprising, that is, if you don't really know Auburn people. Was I suprised? Delighted. Grateful. Inspired. Yes. But, surprised? Not really. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThat's just the Auburn Family, and it is real.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-n2d0iZ8udow\/TnNjOpQq3xI\/AAAAAAAAAo8\/wcvKLUMExfM\/s1600\/auburnfamily.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" rba=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-n2d0iZ8udow\/TnNjOpQq3xI\/AAAAAAAAAo8\/wcvKLUMExfM\/s200\/auburnfamily.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/7048838667062716942\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2011\/09\/not-so-surprising.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/7048838667062716942"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/7048838667062716942"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2011\/09\/not-so-surprising.html","title":"Not So Surprising"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-U5oio2-cXrU\/TnNi_VJ0r_I\/AAAAAAAAAo4\/dFIV0ATq2M4\/s72-c\/Mark.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-5456228988273962243"},"published":{"$t":"2011-02-18T11:55:00.013-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T12:59:23.805-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Auburn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"heartbreak"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Strong as Oak"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EWell this has been quite a week. I started off feeling all lovey dovey on Valentine's Day, and I'm finishing up with some heartache. The internet is overrun with articles, blog posts, status updates, and tweets about the trees at \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ocm.auburn.edu\/news\/oaks.html\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EAuburn's Toomer's Corner\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003E. I don't know why anyone would want to read another person's lament, but here it is anyway.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qTkDyXTTyRE\/TV6h50_iFSI\/AAAAAAAAAgI\/Ty2xxPFwl1Q\/s1600\/toomertreejpg.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" j6=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qTkDyXTTyRE\/TV6h50_iFSI\/AAAAAAAAAgI\/Ty2xxPFwl1Q\/s320\/toomertreejpg.jpg\" width=\"244\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EI am heartbroken. I just can't believe something like this has happened. Like so many before me have said, it's one thing to play pranks in the world of college sports. These things are to be expected, and, really, enjoyed. Even the teams\/schools\/fans on which the prank is played can usually eventually find humor in it. What happened to our beloved Toomer's Corner Oaks was not a prank and will never be funny...at least not to Auburn people.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EI've been amazed\u0026nbsp;by the outpouring of support from fans of our rival schools and particularly \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.com\/sports\/index.ssf\/2011\/02\/alabama_athletic_director_mal.html\"\u003EAlabama\u003C\/a\u003E. Rightfully so,\u0026nbsp;sane and reasonable Bama fans are just as outraged as we are\u0026nbsp;and are embarrassed to be associated with a complete loser like \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.com\/sports\/index.ssf\/2011\/02\/arrest_made_in_toomers_corner.html\"\u003EHarvey Updike\u003C\/a\u003E. It warms my broken heart to hear and read all the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/tidefortoomers\"\u003Elove\u003C\/a\u003E being sent our way. I've also loved the support we've gotten from \u003Cem\u003Esome\u003C\/em\u003E of the unbiased media.\u0026nbsp;Let's face it. There's a lot of opportunity here for poking fun at the ol' Cow College and our affection for a couple of trees, but, by and large, it seems like most people \"get it\". \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003EAnd of course, there are a few who don't. There's more than one\u0026nbsp;Harvey Updike in the world, and every fan base has them. I've made the mistake of reading through some of the comments at the bottom of articles and have seen the nastiness being slung around. I'm not really surprised. That being said, I'm happy to report that I've only seen one Alabama fan that I know personally who seems to be having fun with all of this. \u003Cem\u003E(Sidebar: Defriending someone on Facebook can be quite liberating)\u003C\/em\u003E. I really have nothing more to say to her or the others except - You don't get it, and I'm fine with that.\u0026nbsp;You should be embarrassed, but the fact that you're not says way more about you than I could ever write here.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ro8N3iMrHQk\/TV6dPIbpEWI\/AAAAAAAAAgE\/3hn-ZCC9r-4\/s1600\/Harvey2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"149\" j6=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ro8N3iMrHQk\/TV6dPIbpEWI\/AAAAAAAAAgE\/3hn-ZCC9r-4\/s200\/Harvey2.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cem\u003EAnd to Harvey-\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cem\u003EYou will have to live with what you did for the rest of your life. You are Public Enemy #1 as far as the Auburn Family is concerned. I feel sorry for your family and anyone who has ever called you their friend. You are a disgrace to the school and team that you claim to love and they think so too. I hope you realize that you failed. You may have killed our trees, but that's it and that's all. Your actions have made the Auburn Spirit stronger and more united than we were before all of this. Thanks for that, Harvey. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.com\/sports\/index.ssf\/2011\/02\/toomers_corner_alabama_reaction.html\"\u003EAs confirmed by officials at the University of Alabama\u003C\/a\u003E, you never set foot in a classroom there, which is no shock to any of us. I hope you get the help you need and someday grasp the hurt you've caused. I have a feeling it won't ever make a difference to you. We know you hate Auburn. I think I actually prefer it that way. Just know that ALABAMA is ashamed of you. ALABAMA wants nothing to do with you. And ALABAMA hopes you get what you deserve. That's gotta sting a little.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif;\"\u003ESo much of what I've read this week has truly inspired me and reminded me how strong the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.al.com\/sports\/index.ssf\/2011\/02\/toomers_corner_trees_auburn_fa.html\"\u003EAuburn Spirit\u003C\/a\u003E is. We ARE a family. That will never change. Other Auburn men and women have expressed their feelings and emotions way more eloquently than I ever could. Below are some of my favorite things I've come across as this story has unfolded this week:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"textexposedhide2\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EAnd The Whos Kept On Singing\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"textexposedhide2\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EThis whole thing with the Toomer's trees reminds me of the story of \"The Grinch Who Stole Christmas\". Perhaps \"Al\" aka Harvey Almorn Updyke, from Dadeville ought to read that book. The Grinch could no more steal Christmas by stealing the Whos' presents than \"Al\" can steal the Auburn Spirit by poisoning our Toomer's trees. Do you remember what happened when the Whos woke up and their presents were gone? I am sure they were upset at first but it just made them realize even more that the Christmas spirit isn't contained in boxes or bows-just as the Auburn Spirit isn't contained in those trees, so they still celebrated, and kept on singing. Spirit comes from and exists within, and no one, not even \"Al\" the Grinch, can take that away. In fact, hurtful and hateful acts only make the Auburn Spirit stronger because we realize how invaluable and intangible it really is.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"textexposedhide2\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\"And the toilet paper, the trunk, the branches and leaves, I'll bring it all down with poisoned disease. Their mouths will hang open a minute or two, all the fans down in Auburn will all cry BOO-HOO! That's a noise,\" grinned \"Al\" from Dadeville, \"That I simply must hear!\" So he paused. And the Grinch called \"Al\" put a hand to his ear. And he did hear a sound rising over the Plains. It started in low. Then it started to grow... But the sound wasn't sad! Why, this sound sounded merry! It couldn't be so! But it WAS merry! VERY! He stared down at Auburn! \"Al\" popped his eyes! Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise! Every Tiger down in Auburn, the tall and the small, were still celebrating without any trees at all! He HADN'T stopped the Auburn Spirit from coming! IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same! And the Grinch called \"Al\" stood puzzling and puzzling: \"How could it be so? It came without paper or shakers or trees, it came without all these things indeed. And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore. Then \"Al\" the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! \"Maybe Auburn's spirit\" he thought, \"means a bit more!\" And what happened then...? Well...in Auburn they say that \"Al\" the Grinch's small heart hopefully grew three sizes that day, after of course, they locked him away!\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"textexposedhide2\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EWar Eagle (internal shakers stirring and toilet paper flowing)! \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"textexposedhide2\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ENo Retaliation! \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E-- amyb \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/igkGhn\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Ehttp:\/\/bit.ly\/igkGhn\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"color: #0b5394; font-family: \u0026quot;georgia\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , serif; font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThis was posted on an Auburn message board by \"amyb\". I'm not the Amy B that posted it (I wish I was!), but I'm proud to share a name and an Alma Mater with her.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/lee-magazine.com\/blogs\/if-toomers-could-talk\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EIf Toomer's Could Talk\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E- posted by Lindsay Waits\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333; font-size: small;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sportsillustrated.cnn.com\/2011\/writers\/andy_staples\/02\/17\/toomers-corner\/\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EToomer's Corner Poisoning should enrage all college football fans\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E- by Andy Staples - SI.com\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333; font-size: small;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sassysouth.livejournal.com\/108336.html\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EToomer's Corner - More than Tradition\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E- posted by my friend, Sassy South, on her blog\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333; font-size: small;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERUMOR SQUASHED:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thewareaglereader.com\/2011\/02\/did-auburn-students-celebrate-bear-bryants-death-by-rolling-toomers-corner\/\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EDid Auburn Student's celebrate Bear Bryant's death by rolling Toomer's Corner?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E- The War Eagle Reader\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4DMhhl5FZdc\/TV6dBbvrTFI\/AAAAAAAAAgA\/UIzm_bpfL-0\/s1600\/toomersOak.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"200\" j6=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-4DMhhl5FZdc\/TV6dBbvrTFI\/AAAAAAAAAgA\/UIzm_bpfL-0\/s200\/toomersOak.jpg\" width=\"150\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\"We will take every step we can to save the Toomer's oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community,\" said University President Jay Gogue.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EGogue asked members of the Auburn Family to \"continue to be 'All In' in upholding its reputation for class\" and not allow anger to be expressed inappropriately or undeservedly.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism,\" Gogue said. \"However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.auburn.edu\/student_info\/student_affairs\/students\/aucreed.html\"\u003EAuburn Creed\u003C\/a\u003E. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts.\"\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan lang=\"EN\" style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;tahoma\u0026quot; , sans-serif;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #333333;\"\u003E_________________________________________\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"385\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c8VukngHWso\" title=\"YouTube video player\" width=\"480\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n____________________________________\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\" class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"320\" j6=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Ux2teHD-0I\/TV6cuUIkKeI\/AAAAAAAAAf8\/v5pYgOEOhu0\/s320\/Toomers4.jpg\" width=\"235\" \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/5456228988273962243\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2011\/02\/strong-as-oak.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/5456228988273962243"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/5456228988273962243"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2011\/02\/strong-as-oak.html","title":"Strong as Oak"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-qTkDyXTTyRE\/TV6h50_iFSI\/AAAAAAAAAgI\/Ty2xxPFwl1Q\/s72-c\/toomertreejpg.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-2517989890208546364"},"published":{"$t":"2010-10-25T20:33:00.004-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T12:59:54.928-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Auburn"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"One"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/TMYcQ805aAI\/AAAAAAAAAd8\/XSMWEEH-PuY\/s1600\/BCSshow.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"240\" nx=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/TMYcQ805aAI\/AAAAAAAAAd8\/XSMWEEH-PuY\/s320\/BCSshow.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\nNow that I’ve had a day to process this whole #1 business, I have a few thoughts on the matter (shocking). \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAs I watched the “BCS Countdown” show last night (still not sure why we need a 45-minute show for this) and saw the top ten tick away, I’ll admit – my heart was racing a bit. When that big\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #38761d;\"\u003E O\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/strong\u003E popped up in the #2 slot, I actually squealed. Yes, I squealed. People, I know this ranking doesn’t mean anything right now – Alabama, Ohio State, and Oklahoma have definitely proven that in recent weeks. It’s just different for us. The aforementioned teams have all had their time at the top, and all three of them have had national championships in this century. This week is different, because, as the Auburn family, we are in uncharted territory. We’ve never had “1” by our name in the ESPN ticker. As simply as I can state it, this is a first, and it feels good. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\nBama fans, I know it sucks for you to see us on the top of that list (or any list, for that matter). \u003Cstrong\u003EBELIEVE ME. \u003C\/strong\u003EI know. But I have to tell you that no amount of negativity that you send in our direction will change how much fun we're having right now. It simply has nothing to do with you. We have a good team and a GREAT quarterback. What more can you say about it? We have beaten everyone in our path – some (if not most) in heart-pounding fashion. One way or another, we’ve come out on top every week…so far. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/TMYdxr2_unI\/AAAAAAAAAeE\/uCDJH9qE-y4\/s1600\/camstudents.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"233\" nx=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/TMYdxr2_unI\/AAAAAAAAAeE\/uCDJH9qE-y4\/s320\/camstudents.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\nIn a lot of ways, Auburn and Alabama fans are so similar, but\u0026nbsp;there is one area where we couldn’t be more different. The Auburn family is, by and large, a group of realists – cautious optimists – even downright pessimists depending on the day. Being a generally positive and optimistic person, this outlook challenges my sensibilities, but I respect that my people tend to deal and live in reality – a very good thing when it comes to sports. We don’t make outlandish predictions before the season starts, and we don’t claim mythical national championships. That’s just not our style. And I like it. In the last 24 hours, I have heard\/seen a lot of you remind us that we still have to play Alabama. Thanks for that. This will be the 64th consecutive year that our little battle has taken place, but I sure am glad you feel the need to keep that in the forefront…you know, in case anyone forgets. But let me tell you what is in the forefront of OUR minds right now – Ole Miss. Next week it will be Chattanooga. The next week it will be Georgia. We’ll get to you soon enough. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\nI have no idea what is going to happen in the coming weeks, but there is one thing of which I am completely sure – it won't make a bit of difference in how proud I am\u0026nbsp;to be a part of the Auburn family. It isn’t a choice. I was born this way. It’s part of who I am. It doesn’t matter if we lose every game, I would still love it just as much and be just as proud to claim it as my alma mater. I would rather be an Auburn woman on our worst day than anything else on their best. \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\nAuburn fans will enjoy this week, but we will take it for what it is – just \u003Cstrong\u003Eone \u003C\/strong\u003Eweek. Just \u003Cstrong\u003Eone \u003C\/strong\u003Eranking. The only \u003Cstrong\u003Eone\u003C\/strong\u003E that really matters is the \u003Cstrong\u003Eone\u003C\/strong\u003E in the end, and we are nowhere close to thinking about that yet. We’ll leave the fantasy and speculation to you, Bama. We’ve got work to do. See you in November.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;\"\u003E\n\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/2517989890208546364\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2010\/10\/one.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/2517989890208546364"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/2517989890208546364"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2010\/10\/one.html","title":"One"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/TMYcQ805aAI\/AAAAAAAAAd8\/XSMWEEH-PuY\/s72-c\/BCSshow.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-5266768031665094083"},"published":{"$t":"2009-05-01T11:56:00.010-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T13:05:38.175-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"adventure"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Auburn"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Chicago"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"laughs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"love"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_0\"\u003EBG\u003C\/span\u003E turns the big 6-2 today. Happy Birthday, Dad!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnyone who meets my dad immediately falls in love with him. He is one special person. He grew up in the same town where he still lives today. He and my 2 uncles were raised on a farm by two of the most humble and warm-hearted people on the planet. Nothing is more important to \u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_1\"\u003EBG\u003C\/span\u003E than family and God with Auburn football - well, Auburn in general - coming in as a close 3rd.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_2\"\u003EBG\u003C\/span\u003E is the quintessential Southern Gentleman. He's a jolly, fun-loving guy who is so conservative he makes Rush Limbaugh look like a \u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_3\"\u003Ehippy\u003C\/span\u003E. He has been known to call me his 'liberal daughter' which, to anyone who knows me, would seem hilariously inaccurate. Compared to him though, it is absolutely true. In the little corner of the world where I grew up, \u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_4\"\u003EBG\u003C\/span\u003E is one of the most respected and loved members of the community, and with good reason. Stranger or old friend, he loves nothing more than to make someone laugh. As long as you don't say 'Roll Tide', after 5-minutes of knowing you, he will consider you a friend. Not long after that, he will dazzle you with his steak-grilling skills and\/or his precision on his high-powered complex lawn maintenance system. To call this piece of machinery a lawn mower, would be a gross understatement. It has a steering system that is so complicated, the average person would find themselves spinning in circles on the first attempt at operation. I am convinced it could reach speeds of at least 50 miles per hour though I've only seen him go up to about 30. Sheer genius at work, I tell you. But I digress...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy dad, has travelled the world and has stood in some of the most historic and amazing places in existence, yet his \u003Cem\u003Efavorite\u003C\/em\u003E place is simply anywhere his family happens to be - especially if that place happens to be Auburn, Alabama. From the womb, \u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_5\"\u003EBG\u003C\/span\u003E has \u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-corrected\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_6\"\u003Einstilled\u003C\/span\u003E a love of the orange and blue in me and my brothers that runs so deep there was never any question about where we would seek higher learning. My dad spent his life around boys. He has 2 brothers and 2 sons. My mother once told me how I (the only girl for a while) have always been such a mystery to him. True, there is a lot about me that I'm sure has been hard for him to understand, but one thing we could always connect with was Auburn. No matter what - silly little girl, angst-ridden teenager, college co-ed, young professional - we always had Auburn. For my 12\u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\" id=\"SPELLING_ERROR_7\"\u003Eth\u003C\/span\u003E birthday my dad and I went to the Auburn\/Georgia Tech game in Atlanta - a real treat for me as I had him all to myself while usually my football knowledge was overshadowed by my all-knowing brothers. I remember a lot about that day, but most of all I just remember how great it was to hang out with my dad. We saw a pretty spectacular game too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nFive years ago today, my dad dropped me off in Chicago and made the long drive back to Alabama. While I was excited and nervous about starting that new chapter in my life, I was heartbroken and terrified to know, for the first time, there would be that many miles between us. I'm sure leaving his baby girl in a big strange city wasn't a great way to spend his birthday either, but he knew it was something I needed to do. Two years ago, as I was unpacking my boxes in Atlanta once again, I sent him a birthday card and promised that I would never move that far from home again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan class=\"blsp-spelling-error\"\u003EBG\u003C\/span\u003E has always been my hero. He has saved me figuratively and literally more times than I can count. I have never made a major decision without his input. His guidance is a lifeline for me. I don't say it nearly enough, but I love him more than he could possibly ever know. I've recently had some moments that have made me realize just how lucky I am to have such an incredible and loving dad. I know how much he loves me. I know he is proud of me. I know I can always count on him when (not if) I need rescuing. I just hope he knows that I feel the same way about him.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/SfuSUNxSM-I\/AAAAAAAAALk\/eprJFVCWUm4\/s1600\/dad.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331015459914527714\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/SfuSUNxSM-I\/AAAAAAAAALk\/eprJFVCWUm4\/s320\/dad.jpg\" style=\"display: block; height: 214px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nHappy Birthday, Dad! I love you so much.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv align=\"center\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/5266768031665094083\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2009\/05\/happy-birthday-dad.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/5266768031665094083"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/5266768031665094083"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2009\/05\/happy-birthday-dad.html","title":"HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_cSRdB8sY4ZE\/SfuSUNxSM-I\/AAAAAAAAALk\/eprJFVCWUm4\/s72-c\/dad.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}}]}});