Friday- Family and Friends Day

Today was a good day. I started out going to see the surgeon and got most of my questions answered and I am still set for surgery on August 19th. I am so excited I can barely wait.
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After the Dr appt, I went to visit my friend Kathy, we had lunch and just chatted and we were planning on going to the pool for a couple hours. I brought my gym bag with all my pool stuff in it and I even brought another bathing suit for Kathy since she couldn't find hers. So it was almost time to leave and I went to get my suit out of the gym bag, and it wasn't in there! Ha I brought her a suit and not one for me, dope!! So instead of the pool we caught an afternoon movie... "The Ugly Truth" I laughed a lot. It had some language in it but the over all movie was quite funny.
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I left Kathy's and drove to my moms church. The kids had a vacation bible school program tonight and my niece and nephew were both in the program. While there I noticed the man sitting behind me and I KNEW I knew him. So I asked him if he remembered me, and I told him from where, and then suddenly the light came on and he knew who I was. He said I looked so different. I guess 300 pounds lost is noticable when you haven't seen me in 5 years, huh? He was so happy to see me he gave me a hug. We weren't really friends per say, he was a client in the insurance office I worked in for 20 years. He is still insured there and said he asks about me often, my boss told him I retired. Hmm I didn't know I retired. I may have to call my boss next week and check that story out, lol.
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My sister stopped by the house ofter church and visited and we taked about California. I may be going back out the end of September if I can get the $$ for the flight and she might come with me. That would be awesome.
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I was missing Adam tonight, he would have been in the church program if he was still in NY. Here is a picture of him and his new baby brother. It was taken when I was still in California. Does he look OLDER to you too?

And here is a picture of me and my two sisters... Erin the baby, Dayna the middle child and Me the oldest.

Tomorrow if the rain ever stops the three of us plan an afternoon in Dayna's pool and then an evening of Mexican Dominoes. I am looking forward to that for sure.
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Have a wonderful night everyone, catch you all tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
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AK

Thursday- This Was Fun

This was so fun. I went to a website to yearbook yourself (it's free) and just uploaded a picture of me and they placed it in all the different years. From 1952 to 2000 I think. So what hairstyle do you think suits me best? If you wanna yearbook yourself juct click here.
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I think spending all that time with my highschool buddies has me in a weird state of mind, ya think?
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Support group tonight was awesome as usual. They were glad to see me as much as I was glad to see all of them.
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I woke up today with some severe stomach pains, I think I had a couple too many of the sugar free chocolate minis last night and the sugar alcohol did a number on my insides so I never made it to the pool today. I usually limit this treat to 3 pieces but last night I had 6. Oops. Won't do that again.
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Friday I have another consultation with the surgeon. Hoping to get some details about the upcoming surgery on the 19th. After the appointment I am going to see my friend Kathy and then go to my moms church to see the VBS finale program. So a long day ahead but it should be a good one.
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I wish today had been a better one. It was a little stressful and some stressful things going on, but I am determined to stay above it all and let the Lord carry these burdens.
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Rachel, from KnitsbyRachel, helped me fix my pattern for the upcoming breast cancer calendar, she is wonderful. And just as a heads up when I have my next blog contest in September I will be featuring her patterns weekly as a prize. And for those of you NON-knitters if you win you can still pick out a pattern you like and I will KNIT the pattern for you in the color of your choice twice.
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I am pretty tired tonight and am planning on making it an early night. So I will bid you goodnight and wish you all sweet dreams.
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AK

Wednesday- Puppy School Graduate-Bella

Yesterday was graduation day for Bella, my dad's puppy And here is the proud papa holding Bella for her graduation photo I think my dad looks like the camera had him frozen, like a deer in headlights, LOL more then Bella.
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Bella called me tonight to tell me all about it, she was barking up a storm, lol. I actually miss her. Almost enough to want to get a dog of my own. ALMOST.
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I went to the Y today and swam some laps, it felt great. I think I might go again tomorrow too. Tonight I got to see my church family, I missed them a lot, they were happy to see me for sure.
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Tomorrow night is support group I am looking forward to that too.
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It's after 1 already so I better publish this and try to fall asleep. Busy day ahead tomorrow, bank run, Avon orders to sort and deliver, swimming, cooking, vacuuming and support group. I need to get an early start.
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Good night everyone, sweet dreams.
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AK

Tuesday- The Flight Home

Hard to believe the airport was this busy at 5:30am on a Tuesday, but it was. That yellow taxi broke down and was later pushed out of the way, it was plain crazy. My flight was scheduled to leave at 6:30am so I thought I had plenty of time...but I was wrong, so wrong. LOL
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I had pre-checked in online the night before so I expected smooth sailing. My two bags both weighed just under 50 pounds so I was good there. My dad came in with me to make sure I had no problems going through security and it turned out to be a good thing. While I was checking in my bags he went to stand in line for me to go through security.
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There had to be 500 people or more in that security line, it wound all around the airport and even outside almost. CRAZY I tell you. I forgot Comicon was last weekend and I think everyone was flying home this morning. It took me a few minutes to find my dad in the sea of people waiting to go through security but I did and then I had to get past the other people in line, I felt like I was cutting in but really I wasn't, I mean I was the one flying not my dad, right?
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I took off my shoes and placed all my carry on stuff on the conveyer belt and thought I was home free. WRONG. I heard the lady call... BAG CHECK, uh oh. It was 6:05am and my flight leaves at 6:30 and I am stuck getting the bag checked. I brought home food, Chorizo and some Machaca Burritos (you just can't get that stuff in NY) so that had to be inspected. I think they were just hungry and jealous of my treats, LOL.
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Then my purse beeped too... I heard the dreaded words... SHARP OBJECT. Oh man, you have to be kidding me. It was my Addie Turbo circular knitting needles. I brought them on the plane from NY to CA with not a question, so naturally I assumed it would be fine on the way back. NOPE. Another inspection, the guy was very slow looking through afraid he' be poked. I assured him it was just a knitting needle, told him where it was and that it was in a plastic zippered bag in my purse. No way he could get poked. He found them and then had to run it through the scanning maching again. You are kidding me, it's now 6:20. Thank God he didn't look in the metal sucrets tin that had my small scissors inside. I was sure I was going to jail if that happened.
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Finally I have all my stuff, trying to shove the food and laptop back into the carry on and get to the gate to board the plane. An then it happened... the nerves kicked in, the sadness of leaving the state I was born in, the stress of what awaited me at home and I suddenly HAD to go to the bathroom. I start towards the gate praying there is a bathroom along the way, I have 10 minutes right? WRONG. the plane takes off at 6:30 I have to be on the plane before then. I have less then 10 minutes to get to the end of the airport to board the plane. This is so not good. I decide to go to the gate first and see if I have time to go to the bathroom. Good thing I listened to that still small voice because as I arrived the lady was closing the door. I boarded by the skin of my teeth. (Do teeth have skins?)
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I am now quickly moving down the aisle to seat 13A with my bag and carry on. I can't get the carry on to fit in the overhead compartment. Now what? Obviously when I re-packed it at security I didn't do it right. Crazy. They had to take it and check it under the plane until we landed. There went my laptop, oh man.
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13A was a window seat, and the other two seats were already filled by a mother and daughter and a 7 month old baby. They had to get up so I could get in, and then they all proceeded to sleep for most of the 6 hour flight. I couldn't get out to go to the bathroom if I wanted to. I was doomed. See the pretty cloud views I got from my window though? That was flying over Missouri about 1/2 way through the flight.
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God was good and I read a little, slept a little and managed to forget about the bathroom issue. The flight was smooth and FAST. Why are flights home faster then flights out? I thought it took forever to get to CA but returning to NY was way faster. After I changed planes in Philly (and managed to get to the bathroom before boarding, lol) I actually arrived in NY 12 minutes ahead of schedule.
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So I am home, I am unpacked, and I am going to try to fall asleep even though I am still on West Coast time.
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Good night everyone, sweet dreams.
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AK

Monday- Last Call

Me, Trish and Cathy on my last night in CA. We had dinner... Mexican Chef Salad anf then played Progressive Rummy for 4 hours. Daddy won both games, as he expected to, lol.

This is my dad, me and Trish and of course their baby Bella. She is part Chihuahua and part Greyhound but she is so cute. I am gonna miss her very much too.

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It's almost 1am here in San Diego and my plane leaves at 6:30am. That means I need to be up by 4am and out of the house between 5 and 5:30am. I am wondering if I should even attempt to sleep. I guess I'll try.

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Hope you are all sleeping soundly and having sweet dreams.

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AK

Sunday- Sunday Best Shots

So my vacation is almost over one more full day then early Tuesday morning I head back for New York. I have stayed most of this vacation with my dad and his wife Trish here in Lemon GroveI still remember that lemon from when I lived here as a girl and went to high school.
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This is my dad and his wife Trish and their dog Bella.And here is a picture of my dad and I still dressed in our Sunday best after we went to church.Don't they have a great looking yard? Who wouldn't want to live in a place like this?
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Tomorrow I pack up and get ready for the flight home on Tuesday. But I hope to make a trip down to Seaport Village for some souvenoirs. Can I get you anything?
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Hope you had a wonderful weekend, sleep tight and sweet dreams.
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AK

Saturday- Goodbye's Are So Hard To Say

Today about 27 of us took a road trip to a quaint country town in the California mountains called Julien. Where else can you see a TeePee standing on the side of the road? LOLWe all ordered Buffalo Burgers for lunch, I think there is now a shortage on buffalo burgers in Julien.
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After Julien we drove back to the KOA Kampgrounds and they had a live band playing in the gazebo area, so we pulled together a couple picnic tables and my high school buddies and me and my dad's wife all sat around singing along, talking, laughing and even a little dancing too.Sadly though half of the friends I was able to re-connect with because of this wedding are all leaving to go home tomorrow morning.Most likely our paths will not cross again until May 2010 when I return to CA for my 30th high school reunion.
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Good bye to David and Lynn, Patty, Betty, Sue, Cathy, Caren, and of course Cory and all the family too. You all made this a great vacation for me. Thank you had have safe travels home.
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Good night everyone, another long day and I am ready for some beauty sleep. Sweet Dreams.
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AK

Friday- Wedding and Waves...Wonderful

The beach when we arrived this afternoonDavid the GroomThe men in the weddingThe bride, Cory, and her girlsEarlier in the day we all painted our fingers and toes while sitting in the hot tubThis was me after the wedding was over, we all wore name tage and attached to all the girl name tags was a handmade shell braceletAnd this is the beach just before we left to come homeWhat a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. It was so much fun to be there and this was the first ever wedding that I was actually IN the wedding party.
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Well it's late and I am exhausted. See you tomorrow, good night and sweet dreams.
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AK

Thursday- The Rehersal At The Beach

Cathy and Patty bought this cake for Cory and David. It was decorated so pretty, we are going to have alot of cake though, two more are coming tomorrow. Cake anyone?This was the part of the beach we were at today. It was more of a Bay, salt water but no real waves. I did walk in the water a little and soaked my feet but no real swimming. Maybe tomorrow.
They brought Cory, the bride, a tiera and a veil but she didn't want to wear it and somehow I ended up princess for the afternoon.This picture was taken just before sunset. Kind of a proof picture that I really was at the beach, lol.
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Tomorrow I hope to get some really good pictures of the wedding and everyone in their dresses. Maybe even a video.
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Good night everyone, sweet dreams.
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AK

Wednesday- Wedding Stuff Starts Today

The wedding festivities start today with a Tinkerbell party and decorating wedding bottles to send to sea on Friday. Bella wants to come she is a girl of course and has the name of a Disney princess almost, lolThe bridesmaid dresses are here. I tried mine on and it looks like ti will fit fine. Don't pay attention to my uncombed hair and pink sandles, LOL.
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I figured I'd blog early cause not sure when I'll be home tonight. More pictures of tonights fun to follow tomorrow.
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Good night all sweet dreams.
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AK

Tuesday- Time Flies So Fast But Some Things Never Change

Today was a day of meeting old friends and new friends. This is a picture of my best friend from High School, back then I knew her as Jennifer, but her name really is Jeanne and that is the name she uses now. But she still looks the same, some things never change.Of course she will always be Jennifer to me. Doesn't she look GREAT? And notice she is wearing a PINK shirt? LOL She brought her daughter too, who is now 15 and just beautiful. When we were in school we vowed to name our daughters after each other... she kinda forgot but I forgive her, lol. I named my daughter Jeanette (little Jeanne) though, I am like an elephant I never forget. Ok now what was I just gonna say????
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After Jennifer/Jeanne left it was time to drive to the train station and pick up Wendy. I know Wendy from Weight Watchers online. This was our first time meeting in person. Notice the color of her shirt too?We had a wonderful time and talked like we had been friends all our lives. We went to lunch at a mexican restaurant and then walked around Old Town. It's like a Tijuana without the violence and border issues. They don't haggle on prices though, bummer. I did still buy a few things, some for me and others as gifts.The bridesmaid dress hasn't arrived yet but will be here tomorrow so that picture should follow hopefully tomorrow unless of course the dress doesn't fit, gosh I sure hope it does.
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Watched a little TV tonight with my dad and Trish... Leverage, Dark Blue and Merlin, have any of you watched these shows?
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Well I am off to bed, my eyes are tired after another long day. Have a great night and sweet dreams.
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AK

Monday- The Friends Are Starting To Arrive

Tonight a couple friends from high school and my dad's wife Trish and I did a little shopping and then dinner at Applebee's. I decorated the left over take home boxes with crayons at the table, I know I am a goof. I can't help it I LOVE to COLOR
This is Patty and Cathy two of my closest friends from Mt. Miguel High School. Patty just flew in this weekend from North Carolina for the wedding on Friday.
And this is me and Patty, we were waiting in the mall for Cathy to arrive.
And Trish took this picture of Cathy, me and Patty after dinner.
Then I asked the waitress to take a picture of the four of us... Patty and Trish and Cathy and Me. Funny thing about the way we were seated, both Patty and Trish are "Patricia's" and they sat on one side of the booth together, and Cathy and I (both Kathy's, just spelt different) sat on the other side, LOL.
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Oh yeah did you catch that little bit of info? We sat in a booth... YES I FIT in a booth and didn't have to request a table. Dinner was delicious, I ended up with steak and veggies. I shared with Trish and brought home the left overs. One good thing about this surgery I always have lots of extra food left over to share.
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I bought a pair of Spanks today, I think thats spelled right... hoping they will work underneath the brides maid dress. The dress will be here tomorrow so I am praying it fits. I'll take a picture tomorrow if I can.
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Now I must get to bed, I have my best friend since 9th grade, Jennifer, coming in 8 hours to see me for the first time since 1990 and then after that another frind Wendy, whom I have NEVER met in person is coming in from LA on the train to spend the day in "Old Town"
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Good night all and sweet dreams.
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AK

Sunday- My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean...

This is my beautiful cousin Bonnie. She is 2 years younger than me. It's been several years since I have seen her and the first time I have ever been to her home.Tis is her lovely daughter Jessica and her grandson George. They are living with her right now. That George, OMG, what a cute baby and just a smiler all the time.And instead of me taking the train back to san Diego from Disney, Bonnie and I took a road trip and she drove me the 100 miles to my dad's. We then all went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant called "Por Favor" I had cheese enchiladas, yummy. It came with 2 of them but I only ate 1/2 of 1. I'll finish the rest off this week sometime. I tell you the East Coast has no clue what "real" Mexican food is supposed to taste like. I could eat this stuff every day, forever.
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Have a wonderful night and sweet dreams everyone.
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AK

Saturday- FIREWORKS

Disneyland Fireworks on Saturday night. We were sitting behind a tree but hopefully you can still see how pretty they were. I don't ever remember seeing fireworks at Disney so it was wonderful.
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We spent the whole day at Disney Saturday. My feet were killing me. And I rode several of the roller coaster rides all by myself. I haven't been on a ride much less a roller coaster in over 25 years. IT WAS A BLAST.
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I did so many things and I am still amazed. I was able to fit through all turnstyles, and in the rides and the bars closed and seat belts fit. I felt like a normal person almost.
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Hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday too. Good night all, sweet dreams.
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AK

Friday- The Happiest Place On Earth

At hotel no Internet service for free. Blogging fro
the I phone. Today was disneylands 54th birthday. I have photos but you won't see them until Monday or tuesday. If you see me on facebook I'll try to upload a photo or two tomorrow.

Good night and sweet dreams

ak

Thursday- I'm Going To Disney

I may not have Internet access until Friday night so I figured I'd so a quick blog now. I have another set of postcards going out to friends and family... usually I buy post cards and never mail them because I want to save the pictures and stuff... not this time. I am sharing the wealth, lol. So for those not on the mailing list this time here is a picture of the cards going in the mail tomorrow.

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Have I mentioned I am a San Diego Padres fan? Have been ever since I was a young girl. We used to go to every home game. I hardly even get to watch baseball anymore but I am still a fan. So today wwhen I was at Walmart getting some supplies for my weekend in Disney I picked up a T-shirt... isn't it beautiful?

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The last photo is just some napkins my aunt Barbara had out over the July 4th weekend... see we are all fans. After all we are So California natives.

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Sorry not much else picture wise but I'll have lots to follow from Disney. I leave in about an hour and am so excited. I am going to see my aunt and maybe my cousin too, and meet a friend or two for the first time.

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Have a wonderful night, sweet dreams, maybe even of Mice and Princesses like I will be dreaming, lol.

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AK

Wednesday- WOW It's A Whole Other World Out There!

Today we took a road trip to the Sea Life Aquarium which happens to be nextdoor to Legoland.
I think my dentist should have this picture posted in his office, lolAnd I can't help myself I LOVE Palm trees, and this was a perfect one don't you think?And lastly I had to get my picture with the Star Wats Lego life size figures for Adam, he loves Star Wars and Legos and Nana, lol.After we visited the two parks we went to Target, I am going to need some shorts for Disney, I leave tomorrow night. Still looking for tops to go with them but I am getting closer.
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Tonight my dad and Trish and I are playing CLUE, but first we are having dinner and I am hungry. So I'll catch you all later, have a great night and sweet dreams. I'll check back tomorrow when I can.
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AK