tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22569919921640553172024-02-19T07:14:11.757-06:00ReadThisAndTellMeWhatItSaysA place to find all my ramblings about reading, crafting, writing and parenting. I don't know what it all means, but maybe you can help.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-91592726029789612192010-01-16T08:30:00.002-06:002010-01-16T08:34:28.466-06:00I'm Moving!!!Well, I am not actually moving but my blog is. I have dreamed of learning how to program my own site that would give me freedom to blog, write, display art, and connect with other creative people. I have researched html, Wordpress, Typepage, etc. Finally, I have done it. I have a fully functioning blog and I plan to add more to the site each month in 2010, so I hope you will join me. You can find me and my antics at:<br /><br />Drum Roll Please.......<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">www.readandtellme.com<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>Enjoy and thanks for you loyal support! <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-70398907426222353812010-01-13T13:40:00.003-06:002010-01-13T13:45:17.104-06:00Ummmmmmm! A Yummy Lifestyle Change<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oeg7SCimPDkqyqZiso99w4F3-q-TluRIasGRaYD5JPm-W5fb6oAJjKuIgptKulgTPzFMnBt9-mByTwTu-v26a5-XWC637BgSWizApCvgkWvTcrpfMOBZy-CPtncy2ewCVxlt_UZbLlgd/s1600-h/IMG_1512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oeg7SCimPDkqyqZiso99w4F3-q-TluRIasGRaYD5JPm-W5fb6oAJjKuIgptKulgTPzFMnBt9-mByTwTu-v26a5-XWC637BgSWizApCvgkWvTcrpfMOBZy-CPtncy2ewCVxlt_UZbLlgd/s400/IMG_1512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426312304429116450" border="0" /></a>Turkey wrap with lettuce and low-fat wasabi mayo = 250 calories<br />Harvest Chicken Chowder = 340 CaloriesUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-1459517272941061732010-01-13T13:28:00.003-06:002010-01-13T13:40:38.655-06:00Welcoming In 2010!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something Painted, Something Knit,<br />Something Written.....Time to Sit<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have been thinking a lot about my goals/priorities for 2010. I am not huge on "resolutions". However, I do think every year what I want to achieve. Here are a few of my thoughts:<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Be less self-deprecating</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Create More</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Yell Less and Cry More</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Enjoy Life</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Cook and Eat more healthfully</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Work Out</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Take more pictures</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Work on my photography </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Develop a website</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Create a Peaceful environment for my children<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul>So, I have taken the first few days of this new year to think about how to make this a simple statement. This is what I came up with, <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">"Something Painted, Something Knit, Something Written.....Time to Sit."<br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Each month I want to do at least one painting, one thing knitted, one thing written and plenty of time to just sit and enjoy my children. As far as the work out/eat healthier, etc.....I have implemented a new "lifestyle change" to get myself in the physical condition I want to be in for my sisters wedding, my 10th anniversary, and just life in general. I will be featuring a little of the recipes and workout plans on my blog too.<br /><br />So, faithful readers, sit back....enjoy life....and tell me what <span style="font-style: italic;">IT</span> says to you!</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-13969526820150543242010-01-12T10:37:00.002-06:002010-01-12T11:01:22.248-06:00How is your mom doing?I was asked today, "How is your mom doing?" <div><br /></div><div>I smiled and said, "she died." What kind of answer is that? The kind that makes me think my heart has shriveled up and died with my mother. Maybe it froze in the past ice storm. I don't know, but it surprised me! </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, to make it worse, I giggled. Not the "funny joke" giggle, but the "someone just pulled off my swimsuit bottoms" giggle. That makes a little more sense to me. It <i>is</i> embarrassing. Why couldn't my mom have developed cancer from her drinking like Patrick Swayze or overdose like many others? Instead she slowly killed herself one little drink at a time. I am dreading the question that I know is coming as this year progresses, "How did your mom die?" I have been saying "she was sick for a while". I guess that is true, but it feels like I am hiding from the complete truth. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have not been to an Al Anon meeting since a year or so before she died. I feel like that is not really the place for me. Those people have alcoholics in their life that are still alive. Do they really want to hear my story of how my mom died, nothing worked, she gave up? </div><div><br /></div><div>I went to a grieving class at my church....<i>that</i> did not go very well. I did not get to tell my mom goodbye or spend days with family thinking of all the good times we had. I spent the days after her death dealing with the medical examiner, cleaning out her filthy apartment and trying to keep her car from being repossessed. There was a little "thinking about the good times", but it was tainted with the underlying anger and frustration we all felt toward one another for "not doing enough"...."not <i>saving</i> her". </div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I knew one other person who lost a parent to plain, simple alcoholism. I want to know them and I want them to know me. It feels like a very lonely existence. </div><div><br /></div><div>Recently, I was at the grocery store buying some cleaning supplies and snacks. I asked that they put it all in one bag. (I forgot my reusable bags, so I only wanted one plastic bag.) </div><div><br /></div><div>The man replied, "I just didn't want to mix the food and chemicals."</div><div><br /></div><div>I said, with very little thought, "Oh, we all die eventually."</div><div><br /></div><div>"Do you consider yourself as a realist or a pessimist?" he asked.</div><div><br /></div><div>"A realist," I replied, "but good question."</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess that is where I am right now. I am very optimistic about 2010 and the future with my family, my art, and life in general. But, this is my path. I have to face the difficult questions that have come up over the past year or ten.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-88713569708511390072010-01-04T16:01:00.004-06:002010-01-04T16:08:54.087-06:00Naughty is the New Nice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi8T4gaqKUw-QpeMsppcnPgmBvKRZQ_cv4_l_faN9Z0SCcbqOROaQ_MHscutO2YV0TFYd4-136nZ97qYmqBhNHoHv7pBA5rlXFPBFK2C7_UkLhVEa3-jXEdLi6SBfz9hMWTB-OBnu0FZb/s1600-h/Christmas+2009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi8T4gaqKUw-QpeMsppcnPgmBvKRZQ_cv4_l_faN9Z0SCcbqOROaQ_MHscutO2YV0TFYd4-136nZ97qYmqBhNHoHv7pBA5rlXFPBFK2C7_UkLhVEa3-jXEdLi6SBfz9hMWTB-OBnu0FZb/s400/Christmas+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423008430704114242" border="0" /></a>Here is a little look at our Christmas card from this year. I love Christmas cards, but I am ALWAYS a little late getting them out. So, I have gone to the generic holiday card just in case. I do think everyone received their cards BEFORE Christmas. <br /><br />I try to do something creative that reflects our past year. Well.....2009 was the year of two 3 year old's....Adam from Jan-July and Nate from December 14th and on. This WILL NEVER happen again. Thank goodness! I tell you three year old boys are a challenge. Now, I can just sit back and wait until my friends with girls have prepubescent daughters....then, maybe they will begin understand the sass! (Now if I can just survive until Nate is 4!) That is my resolution for this year...survive three!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-55057191945787699632009-12-31T14:01:00.002-06:002009-12-31T14:02:25.329-06:00I love this face!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xQEx7cyDIl4g-Njv4rhU6yQ5f0VoTJe-XL9dMqjPMi-QzFGgmyonEerkYx4Ene7mmXC56OiXbcMrAC6eCe-WeZ4mND-I8neu7o8Ri0Jgp-6Ej1plpKuLoBcMgThjFKhw6JfCYBYSjQ8u/s1600-h/Lomo+%28free+action%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 327px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xQEx7cyDIl4g-Njv4rhU6yQ5f0VoTJe-XL9dMqjPMi-QzFGgmyonEerkYx4Ene7mmXC56OiXbcMrAC6eCe-WeZ4mND-I8neu7o8Ri0Jgp-6Ej1plpKuLoBcMgThjFKhw6JfCYBYSjQ8u/s400/Lomo+%28free+action%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421493017795485138" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-34891337194427807052009-12-22T22:15:00.004-06:002009-12-22T22:47:52.429-06:00Preparing for ChristmasI really want to teach my children to be good stewards of their things and that we don't need six of everything to function. :) This has been much more difficult than I ever thought it would be. I believe that play is how kids learn and I want my kids to have toys that teach...not just entertain. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKYLJIQV_-FbrSMTSEadyd81OIfaz9on_ban-fyLjJuSZo3CFDn7mZMJXNLVkAIqw9tD9RTGAgtdnygWSsJ-tKG7iLEfBjbskkDvo1jCUsu-lvZrcJpbSlgq6K8FT2Tuf5Ok2GO0hxLz7/s1600-h/IMG_0192.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I spent a few days playing with the boys trying to evaluate what needed to happen. I realized that we had so much stuff they couldn't maintain the room themselves. We were missing pieces to at least half of our favorite toys.....which I did end up finding. The boys were not all that innovative with their play...i.e. The Little One just liked dumping out all of the toys looking for missing pieces. He was doing this last week and I ran over to him after he dumped over six baskets and pushed every toy off the window ledge.....I said, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"<br /><br />His response, "looking for my friend Nemo!" and he held up a little orange fish.<br /><br />So, I sat some parameters for the BIG CLEAN.<br /><br />Keep<br />1. Does the toy have all the parts?<br />2. Is it something that develops an age appropriate skill?<br />3. Is it something they love or the giver had special meaning?<br /><br />Give Away<br />1. Are most of the parts there?<br />2. Is it something others would enjoy?<br />3. Is it a toy that I would approve of in a childcare area my children attend?<br /><br />If the answer was yes we kept it or gave it away accordingly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOrWpFJcM7gFRBiOcQPECI2wuCg0v34gIO_qLeHyYCzVz9nsJec-UuME3k10O_pq3NDKrpqiBFtJJPaFpwNEOJLYT4ZXAu-MLNQdfqlGK0M10dMSQD9zNtTepdhNW4oTY1QEvs17tZmst/s1600-h/IMG_0947.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOrWpFJcM7gFRBiOcQPECI2wuCg0v34gIO_qLeHyYCzVz9nsJec-UuME3k10O_pq3NDKrpqiBFtJJPaFpwNEOJLYT4ZXAu-MLNQdfqlGK0M10dMSQD9zNtTepdhNW4oTY1QEvs17tZmst/s400/IMG_0947.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418281752025110930" border="0" /></a> Before I do not buy the boys toys for anything other than birthday and Christmas, but this is where our playroom was last week. Note: I pick it up everyday and this is really not even "that bad". I have seen worse, much worse.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKYLJIQV_-FbrSMTSEadyd81OIfaz9on_ban-fyLjJuSZo3CFDn7mZMJXNLVkAIqw9tD9RTGAgtdnygWSsJ-tKG7iLEfBjbskkDvo1jCUsu-lvZrcJpbSlgq6K8FT2Tuf5Ok2GO0hxLz7/s1600-h/IMG_0192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 161px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKYLJIQV_-FbrSMTSEadyd81OIfaz9on_ban-fyLjJuSZo3CFDn7mZMJXNLVkAIqw9tD9RTGAgtdnygWSsJ-tKG7iLEfBjbskkDvo1jCUsu-lvZrcJpbSlgq6K8FT2Tuf5Ok2GO0hxLz7/s400/IMG_0192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418287244282624050" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tpQ6OVGQkymPdBweBROlWWGZzgZPc38LLaoJgwVceoeyVm7xrhrtKJlohDSHONKAs4GIXYA69jCsc1fCI7hpq3xKSaiHgz10_A5kvFl735XY5OobSjtazWouQDuMdVq84oIRvr9bX8Xa/s1600-h/IMG_0948.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tpQ6OVGQkymPdBweBROlWWGZzgZPc38LLaoJgwVceoeyVm7xrhrtKJlohDSHONKAs4GIXYA69jCsc1fCI7hpq3xKSaiHgz10_A5kvFl735XY5OobSjtazWouQDuMdVq84oIRvr9bX8Xa/s400/IMG_0948.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418281745444094498" border="0" /></a>Before</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw473tv59_IwZa381iph5CSzTMMXjc8ncO-pVpjN3ZIT3Gn1u7F-SLATAQpD9rTQ7A9vD8hhUX_C-izwtUSlYuYXMrvch2ClUGzRcVW_vrnunsXNhR2UvNNcC2Orl3ByMYksskTw_Rnwr/s1600-h/IMG_0953.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglw473tv59_IwZa381iph5CSzTMMXjc8ncO-pVpjN3ZIT3Gn1u7F-SLATAQpD9rTQ7A9vD8hhUX_C-izwtUSlYuYXMrvch2ClUGzRcVW_vrnunsXNhR2UvNNcC2Orl3ByMYksskTw_Rnwr/s400/IMG_0953.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418281744025915778" border="0" /></a>During (I filled six tubs of give away toys).<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOYf8GIN6fldfEbbGrvLo4y9IDPSRZspuE5jDOTftVFjIsq5iTBVycx9vY9_119Ygd5RjCtajG9b2jG4fM_JQiYj1NLt-JHDmjbb88nmOdf9aKmjAX4rE3rllSJwtJPbDSLY2-JlsYeVq/s1600-h/IMG_0955.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOYf8GIN6fldfEbbGrvLo4y9IDPSRZspuE5jDOTftVFjIsq5iTBVycx9vY9_119Ygd5RjCtajG9b2jG4fM_JQiYj1NLt-JHDmjbb88nmOdf9aKmjAX4rE3rllSJwtJPbDSLY2-JlsYeVq/s400/IMG_0955.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418281733003779522" border="0" /></a>After<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsC7sHOv6BvdVhqKgbVRPokx-OUmO9dVxudlkYtoGSMchNv0BzEI-pgXn23jpatQNCVM3ojrSV5SDjADspwhcv7H4kNzpRzOdtMdzRkwyxqmtG70S0usT82pKNLJCC_rbomTnaWdWn4Go/s1600-h/IMG_0958.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsC7sHOv6BvdVhqKgbVRPokx-OUmO9dVxudlkYtoGSMchNv0BzEI-pgXn23jpatQNCVM3ojrSV5SDjADspwhcv7H4kNzpRzOdtMdzRkwyxqmtG70S0usT82pKNLJCC_rbomTnaWdWn4Go/s400/IMG_0958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418281722953586290" border="0" /></a>After<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What I learned:<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. We have done a pretty good job keeping pieces together. I only had to throw away a small bag of toys that were too broken or too few pieces.<br />2. The boys can pick up their own playroom if it is not too overwhelming.<br />3. They get along better when the toys are organized in a way that encourages cooperation and learning.<br />4. They have not noticed anything missing!!!!<br /><br />Where did the toys go?<br />1. To a local community group that allows kids that participate to bring can goods in exchange for Christmas gifts to give their parents and siblings.<br />2. My sisters daycare that is in need of some fresh toys.<br /><br />Other ideas:<br />Infant Crisis Services<br />Local Church Nurseries<br />YMCA/YWCA Programs<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-9384151399248389752009-12-21T15:22:00.004-06:002009-12-22T22:06:01.882-06:00I almost forgot....Here are some pictures from the cookies and punch after Big Boy's Christmas Program. Precious!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26zlBqYUn8u20phw_9taZ_nl7OnvZjietdbX0yPz8CskX5wmoh8w0tEaIBma77Sjs1Y4-6OXbct-WGFGl7CyT8wr1hZ7TJVhlQ3z6sdwPFhMii4HKIe9qB5_XknxUU4AbLMY3b1pSwMkX/s1600-h/IMG_0792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26zlBqYUn8u20phw_9taZ_nl7OnvZjietdbX0yPz8CskX5wmoh8w0tEaIBma77Sjs1Y4-6OXbct-WGFGl7CyT8wr1hZ7TJVhlQ3z6sdwPFhMii4HKIe9qB5_XknxUU4AbLMY3b1pSwMkX/s400/IMG_0792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418277464904770354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EO2TiLgQTIoYLiYOKKyyeaXdAVK6GgIsBaYN-RYthC2kv7QJnxzxxUaMbD3BV5lxq3n0lF24f6Ggmohv5aj6EHyg8KJCUhYuWS33gbhknwXnI4WdAx0Bhdtc-qlw0ybp3qCUlfOA0n2c/s1600-h/IMG_0793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EO2TiLgQTIoYLiYOKKyyeaXdAVK6GgIsBaYN-RYthC2kv7QJnxzxxUaMbD3BV5lxq3n0lF24f6Ggmohv5aj6EHyg8KJCUhYuWS33gbhknwXnI4WdAx0Bhdtc-qlw0ybp3qCUlfOA0n2c/s400/IMG_0793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418277456916822242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BVGh9TpU-SQW91BOsIGvJ3XqELdlpMQgg8RJ1me3_u5-bJ9u3m_KAFgirlN6C1E2vPtfTto3eyysxnha83OThJXLw4d9KSmF44-H0l8CB0EIPeZgZ5CufgzP5h0RbBB1R-M93bGWDbv-/s1600-h/IMG_0794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BVGh9TpU-SQW91BOsIGvJ3XqELdlpMQgg8RJ1me3_u5-bJ9u3m_KAFgirlN6C1E2vPtfTto3eyysxnha83OThJXLw4d9KSmF44-H0l8CB0EIPeZgZ5CufgzP5h0RbBB1R-M93bGWDbv-/s400/IMG_0794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418277447039049874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2myAIA0KvkiDOWGybolFYDdLzkV1_2CWcWsY2j0w9MaIksF_hHsH0c0Buud5uai8IY1sTXDwwqXe5eTqnrdrFi0vtTavzURQIw_atOj_eNhIBbba5Ws-z576XIHq8O4y0CT_HY7LbSH2/s1600-h/IMG_0795.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2myAIA0KvkiDOWGybolFYDdLzkV1_2CWcWsY2j0w9MaIksF_hHsH0c0Buud5uai8IY1sTXDwwqXe5eTqnrdrFi0vtTavzURQIw_atOj_eNhIBbba5Ws-z576XIHq8O4y0CT_HY7LbSH2/s400/IMG_0795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418277441549950066" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-22470887737562311212009-12-14T07:59:00.002-06:002009-12-14T08:03:23.575-06:00Our Baby is THREE<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Little Nate!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Alg9ijNgAIDr7j8T3qDuFq6C2yzD0yNav81JerbXWGT7fafqeCS8FjUBaA7jGICDF802lD2DCxqyG8AT2QYD29vlA5V_7sOD5cZmOW71R4D3kv-RxTcz-aV8GlzpQFMlG31z85tpKv9/s1600-h/IMG_0876.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6Alg9ijNgAIDr7j8T3qDuFq6C2yzD0yNav81JerbXWGT7fafqeCS8FjUBaA7jGICDF802lD2DCxqyG8AT2QYD29vlA5V_7sOD5cZmOW71R4D3kv-RxTcz-aV8GlzpQFMlG31z85tpKv9/s400/IMG_0876.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415091887105316306" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiTG_M0gPNeEzKGtqm_bG3M5aBSkVOgTppzWy2QcRDXFWE56W6Xr1bDKqjMNmwmJFf-NcwRcgY83DE1wzlAhWrHmh6bIMBPNkbuaKRbl35eYCFS-5xnczVQ1dCzpzzjV0htuHz4CPtK40/s1600-h/IMG_0856.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiTG_M0gPNeEzKGtqm_bG3M5aBSkVOgTppzWy2QcRDXFWE56W6Xr1bDKqjMNmwmJFf-NcwRcgY83DE1wzlAhWrHmh6bIMBPNkbuaKRbl35eYCFS-5xnczVQ1dCzpzzjV0htuHz4CPtK40/s400/IMG_0856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415091598007727778" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-24011884833598536782009-12-07T20:44:00.004-06:002009-12-07T20:57:51.771-06:00picture of ME, MondayI bet you think I forgot! I didn't, I am just now sitting down for the day. This has been a Monday for sure. Ironically, my sister in law <a href="http://thecurranchronicle.blogspot.com/2009/12/59.html">wrote</a> a little about her distaste of pictures of her last week too. I guess I am not alone. Well, I said if you sent me pictures I would show them. So here we go!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp81jiKCO3uhu1-hRd-Eo7qfwrQRK3K_M2hfQb2YPavreAk50vPxQ8beKVYsJHY0h2pAaQZGrp7XNK9fLBZVdzQ_MJwlsqtK5nddIg13yK0VxeVsFnCE5nPK9ZBSB6uvYqcN7PQixljiy/s1600-h/DCP_2056_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp81jiKCO3uhu1-hRd-Eo7qfwrQRK3K_M2hfQb2YPavreAk50vPxQ8beKVYsJHY0h2pAaQZGrp7XNK9fLBZVdzQ_MJwlsqtK5nddIg13yK0VxeVsFnCE5nPK9ZBSB6uvYqcN7PQixljiy/s400/DCP_2056_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412692728180430274" border="0" /></a>This one is from my <a href="http://cindysclipboard.blogspot.com/">aunt Cindy</a>. It is a sweet picture although the uncropped version is a little risque for this blog. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkVK1TYSireVAjcVRhAmlGOclMzrjJn5EfaTgBX1ftRiWWg2RYL-7Rsb6Jol730aTc_zdpLswwlEbAJGjyFSuOmWGsMrAgGd2-XV6sYqd0Jg_Zgg3aCHj7N2lyoMWFuqCIeH3NoPFsOUY/s1600-h/IMG_0017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkVK1TYSireVAjcVRhAmlGOclMzrjJn5EfaTgBX1ftRiWWg2RYL-7Rsb6Jol730aTc_zdpLswwlEbAJGjyFSuOmWGsMrAgGd2-XV6sYqd0Jg_Zgg3aCHj7N2lyoMWFuqCIeH3NoPFsOUY/s400/IMG_0017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412692729074036306" border="0" /></a>This is a picture of me and my parents my first Christmas. My uncle (mom's oldest brother) sent it to me.....along with some others that will make an appearance at some point. I think my mom looks beautiful in this picture. Dad isn't too shabby either.<br /><br />Here is a picture off my camera from the past week!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pIno5tfYdB7eANAluYoG89v5JZ_aHz52HALGzvXkEFaeOwvOV27o08lBvNndtUiafAvIjGY7vwhKTr5NCDFyXGsWDwHyh4I_tym7_0l3PmMn7VLC3qnTfD70w0pvktsBZZGnP0kjNNaO/s1600-h/IMG_0646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pIno5tfYdB7eANAluYoG89v5JZ_aHz52HALGzvXkEFaeOwvOV27o08lBvNndtUiafAvIjGY7vwhKTr5NCDFyXGsWDwHyh4I_tym7_0l3PmMn7VLC3qnTfD70w0pvktsBZZGnP0kjNNaO/s400/IMG_0646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412693882493087458" border="0" /></a>Me, Mary, and Tracy at Mary's fabulous engagement party!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-71703607142321683772009-12-03T13:34:00.003-06:002009-12-03T14:25:40.856-06:00The Cobbler's Children -- A Christmas LamentThis has been a week of deep thought and contemplation. I have laid awake, more than once, thinking about what I am supposed to be doing with this very valuable time of staying home with my young children. I am not one to sit back and just relish the moments as they happen, although I wish I had a little more of this in me. However, I do realize on a daily basis that each moment with my children at this formative age is so important and PRICELESS. (Even the moment yesterday when the youngest batted the glass ball ornament across the church bookstore in front of a good dozen people.)<br /><br />I have filled my time with <span style="font-style: italic;">some</span> blogging, painting, knitting, and playing with the boys. But, a good chunk of my time has been spent serving on some mission oriented boards, and doing church work. This week was frustrating to say the least. I realized that I had spent hours of time cutting out ornaments that went unused and the board that I sit on has canceled a program (well, not just any program, but my first baby....Project Transformation) for one of two reasons....perhaps both.<br />1. They can't find anyone to commit to be the Site Coordinator<br />2. They don't feel like PT understands their African American culture<br /><br />What is particularly upsetting to me about both of these situations is the lack of cooperative work at the detriment to people in our community who really need the services and ministry offered by each group. Communication is hard. It is hard for everyone, but for some reason it seems particularly challenging when we deal with social and spiritual matters. I guess people are just too afraid they are going to hurt someone's feelings. Well, <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> feelings have been hurt. I am at a point in my life where my time is my most valuable commodity and it is being misused. <br /><br />Fast forward to this morning. I am working out, listening to the <a href="http://www.creativemompodcast.com/blog/">CMP</a> and the following quote comes up in her opening monologue.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"The cobbler's children have no shoes." <br /></div><br />I have been so busy working on these projects/causes and losing sleep thinking about the children that will not have the literacy program their parents have come to count on that I didn't realize all of the time I was taking from my own children. It has been months since we went to the library, weeks since we went to the zoo, and days since I last sat down just to read a book outside of bedtime. <br /><br />So, where am I now. I am not rethinking my participation in these groups, but I am realigning my priorities. I am going to spend the next few weeks thinking about how I can help facilitate better communication and a mutual understanding with the groups that I am currently working with...starting with helping people understand that when I am not with my children my time is precious and it will be respected or they will need to find someone else to do what they need. <br /><br />I also have some big ideas about how to use the skills and interest I have developed with blogging and podcasting. I think it is going to involve some revamping an old <a href="http://www.colorsofcreation.net/">site</a>. Stay tuned. Now.....off to pick up my wild little men. <br /><br />Blessings and thanks for listening to me ramble.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-80003646726677232812009-12-01T08:51:00.003-06:002009-12-02T13:04:14.311-06:00TURKEY CraftingThe last two years my sisters and our children have gotten together Thanksgiving morning to eat breakfast, watch the Macy's Day Parade and do a little craft. Last year we did Turkey Hats with paper feathers. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuZt2suBQF0POo2jrC7rWUiKaP1hYji1R9wImDbNYjDG0m3uW4ydu-cQMZCWAheotwzSfAct6G9LwHWm9H-WOYi4ph1XgqklKYxQmPz-9UrdWmIa9acJOu4BVm22SQ1AxHr7P2bUBdRFn/s1600-h/IMG_4614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuZt2suBQF0POo2jrC7rWUiKaP1hYji1R9wImDbNYjDG0m3uW4ydu-cQMZCWAheotwzSfAct6G9LwHWm9H-WOYi4ph1XgqklKYxQmPz-9UrdWmIa9acJOu4BVm22SQ1AxHr7P2bUBdRFn/s400/IMG_4614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410715263997366994" border="0" /></a>This year we made Turkey Sculptures. I got the idea from one of my friend's blogs, <a href="http://laughpaintcreate.blogspot.com/2009/11/turkey-sculptures.html">Laugh, Paint, Create</a>. The boys loved it, but I think my sister enjoyed it just as much. I am really going to miss these crazy days when my boys are older and might even sleep through the parade like I used to do. What was I thinking?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JVP04Rmvf6hi9yfnupXXw1JKed578LtDc-SQjvNYEhYUvHEQhmlVYocE8rgozx-HEd55bwhznRMxbyNwTVlnMbXSEJVujO-5RX6xbxrCHArXSLubA-YlvTjXVz4et-v3SbuJiYeEpUuU/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JVP04Rmvf6hi9yfnupXXw1JKed578LtDc-SQjvNYEhYUvHEQhmlVYocE8rgozx-HEd55bwhznRMxbyNwTVlnMbXSEJVujO-5RX6xbxrCHArXSLubA-YlvTjXVz4et-v3SbuJiYeEpUuU/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410281756639068546" border="0" /></a>Nate hard at work.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSh-BnqjN6tjp-QI4hc62QgN8g54ygCSH06e60xUDpjnBxmEEL36Z1b__WB6Tgx0l6BMMGPjzrqlGPNGhRNZzaPcURbMG4o0uPELWtPyacPOeNMVFJkkN7IrUMMxkzXMZWCszhJIRUG4q/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSh-BnqjN6tjp-QI4hc62QgN8g54ygCSH06e60xUDpjnBxmEEL36Z1b__WB6Tgx0l6BMMGPjzrqlGPNGhRNZzaPcURbMG4o0uPELWtPyacPOeNMVFJkkN7IrUMMxkzXMZWCszhJIRUG4q/s400/IMG_0227.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410281749112241458" border="0" /></a>The oldest one concentrating!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGh4D1OodqZxw7PL-E7ysgCxcSBr0xquBgCR5cFUpjJB6ISg8mmrzXvk9Mi-YWg4wWcOUTLuWw4WIYbcw89Jluydb1heYOBs221JjtuhUNND1SBOuay0kFpOtOY0cwVE6_5C29BRc5T_f/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGh4D1OodqZxw7PL-E7ysgCxcSBr0xquBgCR5cFUpjJB6ISg8mmrzXvk9Mi-YWg4wWcOUTLuWw4WIYbcw89Jluydb1heYOBs221JjtuhUNND1SBOuay0kFpOtOY0cwVE6_5C29BRc5T_f/s400/IMG_0235.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410281742654337522" border="0" /></a>Aunt 'Chelle helping a nephew.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qJRRM97oj-x18ul-Uiy3EWIRWd8IKDwuTGikPLvQbycBGcjQHSTvXKhv24XKfHj8xvRbiLo3rXnmhD1miRyR8E46lXTDIBFg05YeJh1Jqrk3q_kvyY0SKoH0dZ-TVyfxg5hDejOSKXl0/s1600/IMG_0234.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qJRRM97oj-x18ul-Uiy3EWIRWd8IKDwuTGikPLvQbycBGcjQHSTvXKhv24XKfHj8xvRbiLo3rXnmhD1miRyR8E46lXTDIBFg05YeJh1Jqrk3q_kvyY0SKoH0dZ-TVyfxg5hDejOSKXl0/s400/IMG_0234.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410281733891955170" border="0" /></a>Aunt Tracy helping out too.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXlSvB89VoyOy4ytGcW7kxo1jjxWZU-NT-_KHXSfaOFuobRmNrxvQzdBv-wWWNj4SL2-P_kcYYiehjPrtj2O1NOWX5TlwpgIw16UsU_xf2cN9bFpTjmlJVn_LNFemTcC3zqo8QbgkcLg-/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXlSvB89VoyOy4ytGcW7kxo1jjxWZU-NT-_KHXSfaOFuobRmNrxvQzdBv-wWWNj4SL2-P_kcYYiehjPrtj2O1NOWX5TlwpgIw16UsU_xf2cN9bFpTjmlJVn_LNFemTcC3zqo8QbgkcLg-/s400/IMG_0217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410281724311434258" border="0" /></a>Ummmmmm! Pumpkin Bread Pudding. <br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-78626113237176063882009-11-30T08:12:00.003-06:002009-11-30T08:27:00.677-06:00Pictures of MeI have a HUGE phobia of pictures of myself. This might seem a little crazy with all of the pictures I take, but I think it is probably the reason I always find myself behind the camera. I have noticed the increasing lack of photos of myself since I had the babies. I have always been a little shy with pictures, but now I all out hide. <br /><br />This camera fear might have something to do with the dream of that first picture holding my baby.....it was crushed when I went through three rounds of epidural and gallons of saline to have my first child at 9 pounds 10 ounces. The picture......well, there was not enough room in the room to back up enough to capture my entire face. It was the size of a city block. I nearly died when I saw it for the first time. <br /><br />This "little issue" came up again when I received a phone call from my mother in law asking for me to send her a picture of myself. In all the pictures taken at the hubby's grandmother's 80th birthday, there was not one of me. I pretended to be surprised, but I am certain there were at least three or four. Where are they now? Deleted.....Bad Hair Day! <br /><br />So, here is my attempt to break my fear of photos. I will post pictures of me right here on this blog every Monday. Not to be vain, but in attempt to get over this crazy issue with looking at myself. Why? Because I don't want to look back and miss pictures like this with me and my children. Plus, when I look at pictures of myself more than a year old, I usually think they are pretty good. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v7RVVEB4I2V8bYjfu9wjonxVRc19njtoTEPh75Cc-MgF4sf_9NJt_QvsS7ly3kD11X49XqA1TRmYXnBfm8Nzx4BpZxCjqnjC1QXZwHtbYIstMHnjOzzBgakil99LXGRq5Ulcqe3UiD4i/s1600/IMG_9564.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4v7RVVEB4I2V8bYjfu9wjonxVRc19njtoTEPh75Cc-MgF4sf_9NJt_QvsS7ly3kD11X49XqA1TRmYXnBfm8Nzx4BpZxCjqnjC1QXZwHtbYIstMHnjOzzBgakil99LXGRq5Ulcqe3UiD4i/s400/IMG_9564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409900787798381234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtZIjsnS52v-qAuu3GI3vjQj2P72Z6mxpN2mIo_Yb9cXN_nv1Qy5OjX0qnO6TP6U_JRRWqf3VO3T2qEZ_EFRq_XDeMAFbarP3QNBndv3gMrW2AH2KuQ8xNrS84eo2qiQDHO5QDOc8CIO_/s1600/IMG_9711.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtZIjsnS52v-qAuu3GI3vjQj2P72Z6mxpN2mIo_Yb9cXN_nv1Qy5OjX0qnO6TP6U_JRRWqf3VO3T2qEZ_EFRq_XDeMAFbarP3QNBndv3gMrW2AH2KuQ8xNrS84eo2qiQDHO5QDOc8CIO_/s400/IMG_9711.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409900781503255346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oj0XHyQB6TWJw-7DAQMXt9sTgxD4-hTktnfwUR_bPsJAWcaApo7zMnIJzCn5oEPZ1iyHIRn8eQXhv87JQlA5YiXvr4QjxXTu4G1KQegyrlbYkEMWaSei30NIEUYbwqqQTzKavrrdCcg8/s1600/IMG_9888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oj0XHyQB6TWJw-7DAQMXt9sTgxD4-hTktnfwUR_bPsJAWcaApo7zMnIJzCn5oEPZ1iyHIRn8eQXhv87JQlA5YiXvr4QjxXTu4G1KQegyrlbYkEMWaSei30NIEUYbwqqQTzKavrrdCcg8/s400/IMG_9888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409900775571139890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA0_DFw_O72mJ0kXRfwo3AobIbabyzq_cBPcGvQXQQWqp2H42wJnNywf16MKlRvRIunHZyK6p0zHY0XaTkBWodYAAeMr9Eb8HDHfHWeqoeEBaC8N1uLT7dHVGFiECs_WX2r1dnfGhyphenhyphen0J8/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTA0_DFw_O72mJ0kXRfwo3AobIbabyzq_cBPcGvQXQQWqp2H42wJnNywf16MKlRvRIunHZyK6p0zHY0XaTkBWodYAAeMr9Eb8HDHfHWeqoeEBaC8N1uLT7dHVGFiECs_WX2r1dnfGhyphenhyphen0J8/s400/IMG_0369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409900770727174370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL809sW1dg7dVXcRdhn2zRzl8LzHqUZ5nqj7xlQ4OOvkRx8H2DzRLEooEWVabh9eLMGy-RcvRCnHie86LTqYl_dy_l3NzZxAbD2NsZax3Mrbo6mtXCZDMcK7elsPK_b46N2sxRvsRAHy5/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPL809sW1dg7dVXcRdhn2zRzl8LzHqUZ5nqj7xlQ4OOvkRx8H2DzRLEooEWVabh9eLMGy-RcvRCnHie86LTqYl_dy_l3NzZxAbD2NsZax3Mrbo6mtXCZDMcK7elsPK_b46N2sxRvsRAHy5/s400/IMG_0250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409900760737440594" border="0" /></a>Challenge to my readers: If you have or take a picture of me, send it this way and I will be sure to post it. <br /><br />Blessings!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-12755905736844577542009-11-29T22:29:00.002-06:002009-11-29T22:37:42.537-06:00Christmas is UPThanksgiving CAME<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpizwvQTF8gikHkAKnLbGR7AmGBdUH7rYCYl7c004emruPmTAb6sTC7ATosU4GOOTuRo7UBP-3U40iQuBpUhxSpBJfFz5Qnfoz3OsQE9z08yHPf64C-rvTrCIh1BLork-TtBxrcRLkLHg/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpizwvQTF8gikHkAKnLbGR7AmGBdUH7rYCYl7c004emruPmTAb6sTC7ATosU4GOOTuRo7UBP-3U40iQuBpUhxSpBJfFz5Qnfoz3OsQE9z08yHPf64C-rvTrCIh1BLork-TtBxrcRLkLHg/s400/IMG_0211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409750330544199634" border="0" /></a>and WENT.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAX8SnLF5nEh4ByiCAr8CnRefTxbkSvUO002sumhSb3CLPDXdunsgMNatSDHi6s3OyJD485lj8wP_cyUnvwTcDmVqshyphenhyphenXgzLD7UPtq0PWskcPfsGc8P3i48EDGSWMB4IFMsg6XCl3XNuSw/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAX8SnLF5nEh4ByiCAr8CnRefTxbkSvUO002sumhSb3CLPDXdunsgMNatSDHi6s3OyJD485lj8wP_cyUnvwTcDmVqshyphenhyphenXgzLD7UPtq0PWskcPfsGc8P3i48EDGSWMB4IFMsg6XCl3XNuSw/s400/IMG_0253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409750335649167442" border="0" /></a>Then it was time to bust out the Christmas decs......<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4gZssUQ00F5DB1a1fWjJ0U1Wj3ASdnvy6L6ARKEhOocWSpCWaVSj5RC9EIlHrQRQNSkJyKJnuHY0_cKX_AhzOQ9Gf-rE-VqqaVBomc79CCQF3iPGT708E3dkp_5IzghWNYVUIop2vKRh/s1600/IMG_0268.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4gZssUQ00F5DB1a1fWjJ0U1Wj3ASdnvy6L6ARKEhOocWSpCWaVSj5RC9EIlHrQRQNSkJyKJnuHY0_cKX_AhzOQ9Gf-rE-VqqaVBomc79CCQF3iPGT708E3dkp_5IzghWNYVUIop2vKRh/s400/IMG_0268.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409750342463070002" border="0" /></a>Now, they are up and.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6XkZd7TbXKc9RfjE8unLfCh0K8uNcK6yoLgg4hd__sOlyn___Dmxukz4WcRw1pKTw3CP5V8zY-oC7h2Tl9_1tMr6liPKUnsB_iBi0zzzex9qv1coVlJw8rFGULSWprkdV-hAowjIPtWf/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6XkZd7TbXKc9RfjE8unLfCh0K8uNcK6yoLgg4hd__sOlyn___Dmxukz4WcRw1pKTw3CP5V8zY-oC7h2Tl9_1tMr6liPKUnsB_iBi0zzzex9qv1coVlJw8rFGULSWprkdV-hAowjIPtWf/s400/IMG_0280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409750354039238530" border="0" /></a>we even have lights on the house. I know, it is not much but for us, Nov. 29th. It is a Christmas Miracle!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI0nL8pnT6kgbtZVCM_F87HsUt3acrX87P_ikDjtHH3pxt-bJG3OVx_8VBv_gJgFwfxIDllOYC0ak-9PQ-N8qiskeRsMtQjkVNrqLH3_gi64EByjzoHlYnqZ3nfOYLHDpyUjWxjE0oUWn/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI0nL8pnT6kgbtZVCM_F87HsUt3acrX87P_ikDjtHH3pxt-bJG3OVx_8VBv_gJgFwfxIDllOYC0ak-9PQ-N8qiskeRsMtQjkVNrqLH3_gi64EByjzoHlYnqZ3nfOYLHDpyUjWxjE0oUWn/s400/IMG_0274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409750360493341122" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-52411122778140434282009-11-23T07:59:00.004-06:002009-11-23T08:11:38.152-06:00A Little Holiday "Fist Bump"I know that the holidays will be difficult this year without my mom, but with so much to be thankful for, it is sure to be a great season in spite of all of life's challenges. Yesterday, as I sat in church, I was thinking about some of the stresses of the holidays, when I began to listen to the sermon about being thankful. It was in that moment that I realized that God had prepared me for this very holiday season over the last few years with a couple of "little fist bumps."<br /><br />It was Thanksgiving Day, 2004 when we found out we were expecting our first baby. This is a picture of me and JDC a little excited and very "freaked out." We had tried to have a baby for more than 9 months, I am not sure why we were surprised but we were!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWRH88hnxeRRH_7E86Tdbvmns_euty6HpJKcgROHgIRaY65K6zn67zIxf5cg1LWzIHOL1JRVG11gNupF6sWQzZC3Aa0EcPLxqb3QqDHOrpiTJeiNe9wdg5JLXuQc70lKyzOMEStGgjkpN/s1600/IMG_1529+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWRH88hnxeRRH_7E86Tdbvmns_euty6HpJKcgROHgIRaY65K6zn67zIxf5cg1LWzIHOL1JRVG11gNupF6sWQzZC3Aa0EcPLxqb3QqDHOrpiTJeiNe9wdg5JLXuQc70lKyzOMEStGgjkpN/s400/IMG_1529+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407298604432171842" border="0" /></a>Just a few months later we also invited our second baby into our home. I don't have pictures of finding out that piece of golden news, but I guarentee you surprised does not fully express the emotions we felt. Baby two was due on December 23, 2006. Sixteen months after we had son number 1 we had son number 2, two weeks early, December 14, 2006.<br /><br />This is our family on Christmas Eve with our 16 month old and our two week old. With memories like this, the holidays will always be sacred time for me and my family!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97pDZ7SrsTRgkR4YoYEaf7096q4J6QfJ2uBdG25WiRU1SDlNnQ0rUczAds_mhzHDsOWxHazNoQ1TsQlKpobqkaYwsHVHYzd9KnRj1i6c0dycn3N71hvOfiT_w9WK4Fz1dfk6yhGOjzMAL/s1600/IMG_5888.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97pDZ7SrsTRgkR4YoYEaf7096q4J6QfJ2uBdG25WiRU1SDlNnQ0rUczAds_mhzHDsOWxHazNoQ1TsQlKpobqkaYwsHVHYzd9KnRj1i6c0dycn3N71hvOfiT_w9WK4Fz1dfk6yhGOjzMAL/s400/IMG_5888.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407298606840075458" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Happy Thanksgiving!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-3186628005317583272009-11-18T13:01:00.005-06:002009-11-18T13:38:54.931-06:00Parties, Parties EverywhereI am running around like a mad woman trying to get geared up for the holidays. I look at my calendar and FREAK.....why did I think it was a good idea to have so many parties, get-togethers, etc? Well, that is just who I am. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rules I live and entertain by:</span><br />1. Have way too much food and then eat it ALL!!!<br />2. Always be ready for unexpected guests....the more the merrier. <br />3. Take a lot of pictures of the food<br />4. No mess = a bad day/party<br />5. Last minute planning works every time.....well, most every time. Vomiting child at the SS Ugly Sweater Party last year threw me a little off my game, but that is the only exception.<br /></div><br />But, here is why I do it.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love to just, "hang out" with my family.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLCWLxe_D_wNcVkOLecgDuz_lmtqWQQxwTHPQ8wyzO2QWU9Hw563jIis-ObRZvLAkTb-WSa9ClYdEAMMX8cayW9CczQjvKXSWMcY5UddAc01lFnkD9stS-UUgNe9W5RW-VApBxBTZSfCQ/s1600/IMG_4650.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLCWLxe_D_wNcVkOLecgDuz_lmtqWQQxwTHPQ8wyzO2QWU9Hw563jIis-ObRZvLAkTb-WSa9ClYdEAMMX8cayW9CczQjvKXSWMcY5UddAc01lFnkD9stS-UUgNe9W5RW-VApBxBTZSfCQ/s400/IMG_4650.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525586263128818" border="0" /></a><br />I LOVE to Cook<br /><br /><br />(turkey from last Thanksgiving....that is my "helper")<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoYTwGRD5uzsJ3_1utnpzGMJ9ZcthJm3DhQy67azde1jfqBnURjOUooR1ReKE5lflUufoZ_WhtjLk3UgXwKk53S8veGzuzhGN23NTT82GxClgprCiWWsfWMTqEUUUFqFTAXp4v9ZicKHO/s1600/IMG_4635.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoYTwGRD5uzsJ3_1utnpzGMJ9ZcthJm3DhQy67azde1jfqBnURjOUooR1ReKE5lflUufoZ_WhtjLk3UgXwKk53S8veGzuzhGN23NTT82GxClgprCiWWsfWMTqEUUUFqFTAXp4v9ZicKHO/s400/IMG_4635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525566539533778" border="0" /></a><br />Apple Sauce for recent Pork Wellington<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6HnjqIAcITdGDtRrpMhGWsDZyanFwiWEA_I4K6iR1mMmn-ljxecTn7TWltYzm2tZowmVQyYu4Ueb3BL8gMf9DRd76q0kBfbOu_zV7FbOXgnjbscdZVUU5zj54AUjHwvYvuv6sM8tU_1J/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6HnjqIAcITdGDtRrpMhGWsDZyanFwiWEA_I4K6iR1mMmn-ljxecTn7TWltYzm2tZowmVQyYu4Ueb3BL8gMf9DRd76q0kBfbOu_zV7FbOXgnjbscdZVUU5zj54AUjHwvYvuv6sM8tU_1J/s400/IMG_0161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405524711631584626" border="0" /></a>Pork Wellington....ummmmmm!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj1xJ6LPqS9RiBJAS2Uiod-0kFXij4JZ0ZQhnqqhP31uMZX9GPRTeTdgmz_vvefgq9nk0K7Q48LgrAHfLYaDdXf0wnPu3tzN8N0z-a8JJucz1Dh2i6arhR0fmSP_pocNl-YtSs6HIO1-y/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGj1xJ6LPqS9RiBJAS2Uiod-0kFXij4JZ0ZQhnqqhP31uMZX9GPRTeTdgmz_vvefgq9nk0K7Q48LgrAHfLYaDdXf0wnPu3tzN8N0z-a8JJucz1Dh2i6arhR0fmSP_pocNl-YtSs6HIO1-y/s400/IMG_0160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405524707500485362" border="0" /></a>The burnt...very broken two are mine....not the best baker.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSSqw0lonLcpyu3WY5jCyqg2EElcI4f0zuFB1eg86rdPfUkVR3n6SLNIS3fisba-FHhQMfQ37SAzzbrwoPsgG0uZDE2rxqf1u8AsAohE4wqR_tjlast3iUTpm0eqhBCGKs_geszXjdqXz/s1600/IMG_4647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSSqw0lonLcpyu3WY5jCyqg2EElcI4f0zuFB1eg86rdPfUkVR3n6SLNIS3fisba-FHhQMfQ37SAzzbrwoPsgG0uZDE2rxqf1u8AsAohE4wqR_tjlast3iUTpm0eqhBCGKs_geszXjdqXz/s400/IMG_4647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525582680010802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love to make things (especially food) pretty!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro0BsbLRZYMforCGtBEpT_hv78MB0Hz6K3B1HqWMrS02UKr5UgrKObro_XCKPsKGiczr6m8B6u0jio2jP3v5kPykJ5YdLJw0Vy-0FaDilzkd2bXE-RScPFvqPUeCsdr-t9Rr7svEm8pMG/s1600/IMG_4646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro0BsbLRZYMforCGtBEpT_hv78MB0Hz6K3B1HqWMrS02UKr5UgrKObro_XCKPsKGiczr6m8B6u0jio2jP3v5kPykJ5YdLJw0Vy-0FaDilzkd2bXE-RScPFvqPUeCsdr-t9Rr7svEm8pMG/s400/IMG_4646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525573056737474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxBTgEUKJhyphenhyphenleBx7diGAv6-niNCUwOEnfK58ffiB45Y6_FB3MINJ7l7Jq8EZNhAmM1JenucACBnlp8S_M0Kt1xhpyMLJyTaWEHyG9AaS8x2sa4_3PMHHeCh3UGjj62g0lCqo-KGRwtKLZ/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxBTgEUKJhyphenhyphenleBx7diGAv6-niNCUwOEnfK58ffiB45Y6_FB3MINJ7l7Jq8EZNhAmM1JenucACBnlp8S_M0Kt1xhpyMLJyTaWEHyG9AaS8x2sa4_3PMHHeCh3UGjj62g0lCqo-KGRwtKLZ/s400/IMG_4644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405525570818140722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OpqF06KYSJOkRCMN5M69uQL7zOXPmgtDstL-MkjZoI9NosUFAXe0OexQNWW7kLQgDJ9jeBy0-5U_qWmUVNZdBPFIRXCHHpObr1wZASfDwCVcl9GxjxBun5P1sXNSW-tD9nq-fLUMWEyh/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OpqF06KYSJOkRCMN5M69uQL7zOXPmgtDstL-MkjZoI9NosUFAXe0OexQNWW7kLQgDJ9jeBy0-5U_qWmUVNZdBPFIRXCHHpObr1wZASfDwCVcl9GxjxBun5P1sXNSW-tD9nq-fLUMWEyh/s400/IMG_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405524715920952818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5tEGGKbxr7AyzLahNkHrEpNFvpjC_pAEsgCU8fos0Q9hohniiQfGfc3KnelC3wOzxW4kTGoydk6SGJ_oDO6VDokla0_U29SR7_QrNKoXSYEJ6dJCAV7O0xNmsaHo0YEF1gtzPZwemLfm/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5tEGGKbxr7AyzLahNkHrEpNFvpjC_pAEsgCU8fos0Q9hohniiQfGfc3KnelC3wOzxW4kTGoydk6SGJ_oDO6VDokla0_U29SR7_QrNKoXSYEJ6dJCAV7O0xNmsaHo0YEF1gtzPZwemLfm/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405524702590511218" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Friends, neighbors, friends, friends, friends.....Everyone is always welcome at the Curran House.<br /><br />(pics from the Ugly Sweater Party last year)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBaYTHF2EXt81I8hBhqTQ_-YVGMH6DP1W8Sta46I7uRPeg4m3f6nlOjfW_Gv4DDqTszQrKX_fBHw0vOJP3Sn01IVPH3rCjQYj8Yn_eFGUefsV9Pk63r8oGxgreXmCQdebQpH3VKNcLkpE/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBaYTHF2EXt81I8hBhqTQ_-YVGMH6DP1W8Sta46I7uRPeg4m3f6nlOjfW_Gv4DDqTszQrKX_fBHw0vOJP3Sn01IVPH3rCjQYj8Yn_eFGUefsV9Pk63r8oGxgreXmCQdebQpH3VKNcLkpE/s400/IMG_4714.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405521726244736242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPkbVtbu4RlfoO6bMNZBXsHk04gYq15yP63qLOkfDbtcN9ODhbLMqjxi54pvyNppPOtiudpTRrmAZ2cFOy387d_MarT4bjL7uNRqZg0-vtKG2ZeGa6rU7QKrV8DChja96kI9j5UAb3u6x/s1600/IMG_4720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPkbVtbu4RlfoO6bMNZBXsHk04gYq15yP63qLOkfDbtcN9ODhbLMqjxi54pvyNppPOtiudpTRrmAZ2cFOy387d_MarT4bjL7uNRqZg0-vtKG2ZeGa6rU7QKrV8DChja96kI9j5UAb3u6x/s400/IMG_4720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405521741226024818" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQy3MMmIFmYGhy-IgJCGAVJqVTWAoYWCB15r7ufozp2fMxuLgRZYQOfTKui5KEM3wxGFOrGuuYsIHSj8SyM8ZTVkJe3e_oFIBi2BUWo19xevvSVkW4fFympDJjyTBMglknsWBOcfpuARM/s1600/IMG_4719.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQy3MMmIFmYGhy-IgJCGAVJqVTWAoYWCB15r7ufozp2fMxuLgRZYQOfTKui5KEM3wxGFOrGuuYsIHSj8SyM8ZTVkJe3e_oFIBi2BUWo19xevvSVkW4fFympDJjyTBMglknsWBOcfpuARM/s400/IMG_4719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405521736976237922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1DsOBss9FQDoqsPDqhlCLmbqbdnG4F3eZah6P4E-G8cqhWRrC6Icikvv_h5RKsZGYvMXP7-MpZ7pF63bsnLC1NBMhtxLslApNwutoXSfLUPEV29Pafw5Yi7j-XuT4N8TCKB8rCnEqdvB/s1600/IMG_4717.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1DsOBss9FQDoqsPDqhlCLmbqbdnG4F3eZah6P4E-G8cqhWRrC6Icikvv_h5RKsZGYvMXP7-MpZ7pF63bsnLC1NBMhtxLslApNwutoXSfLUPEV29Pafw5Yi7j-XuT4N8TCKB8rCnEqdvB/s400/IMG_4717.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405521729135094706" border="0" /></a>I am getting excited already!!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-83676943150523532742009-11-13T11:10:00.002-06:002009-11-13T11:15:29.879-06:00Happy Birthday Mom<center><div style="text-align: left; ">My mom would be 58 today. She was born November 13, 1952. It was not unusual for her birthday to fall on a Friday....Friday the 13th, none the less. She always joked about Friday the 13th being her birthday. I also remember my mom always being pleased that all three of her children were born on a Friday. I figured that this was just a convenient day of the week for two very busy parents. I never really checked this little fun fact out, but today....in honor of my mother, I did. I used this <a href="http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Esdavnprt/bday.htm">birthday calculator</a>. Sure enough, we were all born on Friday. I thought there was a chance she was born on a Friday, but no....my mom came into this world on a Thursday.<br /><br />She always loved this little poem. In fact, when she had my youngest sister, someone gave her a little porcelain box with these words on it.<br /></div><span style="font-family:Comic Sans MS;"><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Monday's Child is fair of face,</span></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Tuesday's Child is full of grace,</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Wednesday's Child is full of woe,</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Thursday's Child has far to go,</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Friday's Child is loving and giving,</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Saturday's Child works hard for a living,</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">But the Child that is born on the Sabbath Day,</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Is witty and wise and good and gay!</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><br /></center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><b>58 Things that Remind Me of My Mom</b></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Yellow Roses</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Soup Terrines</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">My Sisters</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Pot Roast</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">My Hands</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Dishes</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Table Settings</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">OU Football</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faberg%C3%A9_egg">Faberge Eggs</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">NCAA Basketball</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">My Boys (Sons and Nephews)</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Needlepointing</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">My Living Room Chairs</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Tulsa</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Birthday Parties</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.herendusa.com/">Herend China</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">My Wedding Ring</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Cross Necklaces</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedlam_Series">Bedlam</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">New York City</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Gardening</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.birkenstockusa.com/">Birkenstocks</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.uticasquare.com/">Utica Square</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Homework</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Tuna Casserole</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Daffodils</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Catalogues</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.harrychapin.com/">Harry Chapin</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Little "yippy" dogs</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">a good meal</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Christmas Stockings</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Antique Stores</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Books</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Spring</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">My Uncles</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Awesome Kitchen's</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Fresh Flowers</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.cristallalique.fr/v2/english.html">Lalique</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Note Cards</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Polishing Silver</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Sapulpa</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Diet Coke</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Her Maroon Leather Briefcase</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Little League Baseball</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.embroidery.com/product.asp?refer=froogle&productid=52568&EFID=71">Crane Scissors</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Ladybugs</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Williams Sonoma</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Italian Gardens</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Birthday Lunches</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Skipping Breakfast</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Red Shoes</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Souther Living Cookbooks</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">New Mexico</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">Silent Night</center><center style="font-family: georgia; "><a href="http://www.google.com/products?client=safari&rls=en&q=staffordshire+dogs&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=X5H9SqnfAYrcnAf2z92RCw&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=9&ved=0CDEQrQQwCA">Staffordshire Dogs</a></center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">April 14</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">October 5</center><center style="font-family: georgia; ">January 29</center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-30984383499094310252009-11-10T10:48:00.002-06:002009-11-10T10:51:01.777-06:00Hey Kids.....the Grand Canyon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvxe9Xr5bO20POAY0Ec60sqgpi5Be3PAVsqPN4_cux-bB5FaeH9eht8HfveE7UCGYoNKhvQiOgT1wmD8aK-SJogXbH30AC8hu2RBqZId9X-7yA_IXbxsQrOahXzgRU1innUByMfe78uU5/s1600-h/IMG_0364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvxe9Xr5bO20POAY0Ec60sqgpi5Be3PAVsqPN4_cux-bB5FaeH9eht8HfveE7UCGYoNKhvQiOgT1wmD8aK-SJogXbH30AC8hu2RBqZId9X-7yA_IXbxsQrOahXzgRU1innUByMfe78uU5/s400/IMG_0364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402518425560070178" border="0" /></a><br />I was so excited to sit by the window on the airplane flying out of Las Vegas. I looked up from my knitting and this is what I saw. I think this is just the edge....but, I am pretty sure it is the Grand Canyon. The boys were very impressed!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-45218296537836921322009-11-02T19:40:00.003-06:002009-11-03T11:06:10.659-06:00Curran CrazinessLast week was full of Halloween activities. So, I started the week in a mad dash to finish the 2 year old art work for the school carnival and auction. It turned out awesome, but it took 4 different shoots and a little photoshop to complete. I love how it turned out and it was a hot item at the auction.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim24Tpn0ndrm-nxhX0VZ9la-KSGtt3LhHOkIyxEKKGQvJSJVtr06czmAQHjSabL7AVesfvzPu3ZFNfRYxDIWx5nOwgSehEJsLNMahSpl-hGhqlyCfVvoo_9FPoJwJb_241-agxb0-4Cfnp/s1600-h/IMG_0048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim24Tpn0ndrm-nxhX0VZ9la-KSGtt3LhHOkIyxEKKGQvJSJVtr06czmAQHjSabL7AVesfvzPu3ZFNfRYxDIWx5nOwgSehEJsLNMahSpl-hGhqlyCfVvoo_9FPoJwJb_241-agxb0-4Cfnp/s400/IMG_0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687722221376658" border="0" /></a>I also had my supper organized <a href="http://cindysclipboard.blogspot.com/">aunt</a> came to help me organize my home....we started with the basement. Her initial comment, "Oh My!" Really? I thought I was doing pretty good. Here is a picture of the entrance to my basement. What do you think?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg652qnuQDTMvIRwrn4ZNDkPjzbNAhhsDaJT6-OIZAu0jFCBKDMWfSwn6ls48nMuf-mV1QfIQueiwm4pz-J0AnxN2zsETk3Acwxn8buSgcfNegjVYWYi0GtpsOOsgF7vOfG_dt-0Q4rx8_9/s1600-h/IMG_0045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg652qnuQDTMvIRwrn4ZNDkPjzbNAhhsDaJT6-OIZAu0jFCBKDMWfSwn6ls48nMuf-mV1QfIQueiwm4pz-J0AnxN2zsETk3Acwxn8buSgcfNegjVYWYi0GtpsOOsgF7vOfG_dt-0Q4rx8_9/s400/IMG_0045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687714827636210" border="0" /></a>Wednesday night the nephews joined us for the church carnival. It was a lot of fun, but Jesse thought it was a little loud. Nathan ate sucker after sucker and Adam is still looking for a place to bob for apples. I guess he took the Charlie Brown special to heart.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtVQmfPatZnLNucm5w4Wu-P5Xy0cJgiDIqCYc9wWC4i9SVAjL2krQRPt3sxkNU0Xh-Iq9Fzv2Fqym1hFVyKTbVrVpD-7Rcl3hbAjcr_Ux0Fuke9P3sbiOZF0jmyeTSyTTeAvXM_I0Bngn/s1600-h/IMG_0079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtVQmfPatZnLNucm5w4Wu-P5Xy0cJgiDIqCYc9wWC4i9SVAjL2krQRPt3sxkNU0Xh-Iq9Fzv2Fqym1hFVyKTbVrVpD-7Rcl3hbAjcr_Ux0Fuke9P3sbiOZF0jmyeTSyTTeAvXM_I0Bngn/s400/IMG_0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687730574587154" border="0" /></a>Thursday night was the school carnival. It was awesome. All of the mom's and teachers did a great job. The kids loved it and I loved shopping the auction.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NEFsiuJXMEFKDzeKb5j2x6v3XGcrUHsFa0zUCG4XKbSo4m-T_1nuGmBQ9HSuvUKa8XgLV90pR_asIDxS25tNAz8ONi6C942jmYQ4RHpCSjNh0ZzkyHSWE0G0OCVXnzfgo5cbGWa7mgdz/s1600-h/IMG_0118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NEFsiuJXMEFKDzeKb5j2x6v3XGcrUHsFa0zUCG4XKbSo4m-T_1nuGmBQ9HSuvUKa8XgLV90pR_asIDxS25tNAz8ONi6C942jmYQ4RHpCSjNh0ZzkyHSWE0G0OCVXnzfgo5cbGWa7mgdz/s400/IMG_0118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687733983968274" border="0" /></a>And, I WON this!!!!!........... The artwork from the Stingray class. Adam's flower is the orange and red one in the middle. I call it the "Ode to Bedlam". I love it!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDIvtyCO8M3Qk6zSr-sUtxOgrFdM6Kw601O4SoHIwFYtz0z12zvEsHN6CqK0qCoxg7jjMCVZ8KZ1Y9zowZneGyY6zVeXBS8EY4mHgTshul57slirShQDqwIXXKd-VJQ6TkxJVl3JfNVZa/s1600-h/IMG_0155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwDIvtyCO8M3Qk6zSr-sUtxOgrFdM6Kw601O4SoHIwFYtz0z12zvEsHN6CqK0qCoxg7jjMCVZ8KZ1Y9zowZneGyY6zVeXBS8EY4mHgTshul57slirShQDqwIXXKd-VJQ6TkxJVl3JfNVZa/s400/IMG_0155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399687739730649138" border="0" /></a>Saturday morning the sisters and I went wedding dress shopping. I loved the "bird cages". Mary, not so much. However, she has promised me one to go with my Matron of Honor dress. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCt9pfBZOpd4uPo9taP1blRiHth-XLUE2EGlB9FOWeNFZzK_7lCioa-GqrYyrSlhU7Up0PCN7vifV2TUsgZUFMz1WIazlsN3gfMOsvcFKpe5egRznE4pPIP4cVrxuQr9aA5PkGI7jVXMD/s1600-h/IMG_0182.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCt9pfBZOpd4uPo9taP1blRiHth-XLUE2EGlB9FOWeNFZzK_7lCioa-GqrYyrSlhU7Up0PCN7vifV2TUsgZUFMz1WIazlsN3gfMOsvcFKpe5egRznE4pPIP4cVrxuQr9aA5PkGI7jVXMD/s400/IMG_0182.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399688890172514834" border="0" /></a>The boys and I <a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Start-the-Halloween-Boo-in-Your-Neighborhood">Boo'd</a> a few neighbors!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_R59fHS8f2dPqEPWiuxTtxeaORL2agnytmcszJIipKcsfRnP610W1pXfdWwP-Pvjw72y0S3wERuKrCXfqlZ4fIYfMe0nn1umpKx1nPLBUeMtIda6QuChnMjGZVMXyWHza5o5ng5yZzHG7/s1600-h/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_R59fHS8f2dPqEPWiuxTtxeaORL2agnytmcszJIipKcsfRnP610W1pXfdWwP-Pvjw72y0S3wERuKrCXfqlZ4fIYfMe0nn1umpKx1nPLBUeMtIda6QuChnMjGZVMXyWHza5o5ng5yZzHG7/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399688896637966274" border="0" /></a>And then we went Trick-or-Treating!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JsHmTI9qfrssAd44DEhQFvJe54aU0hgN694ASlmXMok0q2P-DoUKZ6hwBCCEZrdNvE09jYwJa3wlCGifpTa8Rcnehjbl280G8Tzybzra8Yoqwhd50pXR-xRlqAvjWJEanTdTiT0HCksR/s1600-h/IMG_0204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JsHmTI9qfrssAd44DEhQFvJe54aU0hgN694ASlmXMok0q2P-DoUKZ6hwBCCEZrdNvE09jYwJa3wlCGifpTa8Rcnehjbl280G8Tzybzra8Yoqwhd50pXR-xRlqAvjWJEanTdTiT0HCksR/s400/IMG_0204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399688907526558754" border="0" /></a><br />Nate was just along for a ride........and some candy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16iCPIyYEQ47a1NSnz44_J5L9huc46AnWESlGQ0VdDb6fbT7_9CByv3SuSWUPIy7WiE0RUW5lHdIas7d1FdPgOfSW3169qmf14jcXXJDB9etepC87tsW2dPb1oGqYBGdcswGVPol2v_7J/s1600-h/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16iCPIyYEQ47a1NSnz44_J5L9huc46AnWESlGQ0VdDb6fbT7_9CByv3SuSWUPIy7WiE0RUW5lHdIas7d1FdPgOfSW3169qmf14jcXXJDB9etepC87tsW2dPb1oGqYBGdcswGVPol2v_7J/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399688915877098738" border="0" /></a>All in all it was a great week and weekend. I hope you all had a great Halloween!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-8277476698099509322009-10-28T22:22:00.001-05:002009-10-28T22:22:10.657-05:00A ghost story<p style="margin: 0; padding: 0 0 10px 0;"> No, I don't think so. I have seen lights, heard sounds and seen things move, but I have never actually seen a ghost. However, I once interviewed for a job as the youth minister for a church. One of the church staff members asked..."what will you do when you are on a youth trip and a youth member believes the place you are staying is haunted by ghosts?" Now, I am not even going into the assumptions with this statement, but really? I think this was an attempt at a "liberal" question. You know, to get an idea of my theology...and she was "liberal". This is the crap you get in the Bible belt. :)</p><p style="clear:both; margin: 0; padding: 0; margin-top:10px; font-size: 13px; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px;" class="plinky_badge_rid:17828"> <a href="http://www.plinky.com/mini/reroute/17828"> <img src="http://www.plinky.com/proxy/badge?id=17828" style="border: 0; padding-right: 4px; vertical-align: middle;" alt="" title="" /> </a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-2943919233894175342009-10-28T17:06:00.002-05:002009-10-28T17:11:08.153-05:00A New Piece<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOS43IaNwj7zlDjq-pqC7-nyOE6oWQ5gcQJa039xiqoz2QSHGKxS2YOT-rQ-GnGkeQbdN1dI-h2kfD4fAKBCry-ylqlf2oWtUpzWPzNk7qaP8Rqa_0n6s-1imiLfDlX9pxw_9zxiIytsh/s1600-h/IMG_9743.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOS43IaNwj7zlDjq-pqC7-nyOE6oWQ5gcQJa039xiqoz2QSHGKxS2YOT-rQ-GnGkeQbdN1dI-h2kfD4fAKBCry-ylqlf2oWtUpzWPzNk7qaP8Rqa_0n6s-1imiLfDlX9pxw_9zxiIytsh/s400/IMG_9743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397776694513365666" border="0" /></a><br />I have really been enjoying everything Marci has taught me with Watercolors. One of the best afternoons in New Mexico I spent in front of the cabin working on a piece for someone for Christmas. (Don't worry readers....the person it is going to does not read my blog.) Anyway, it was so much fun to set time a side to notice the intricacies of the cracks and shadows. I loved it and I love how it turned out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-52278610867899235042009-10-13T08:30:00.003-05:002009-10-13T08:38:28.589-05:00My New Toy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eVX_bzh8S3YOfU8QZ0TZyabBJEGHKHpp3ilStnu9dYyuRXdlUMMREoO8TYaz4dz9HSyCC4PBbCYefkcSatGeWNM8X7FM4v2CC4wbNi_1_qS74GTWduL72iCJ0n8gonOJZ-VlwgETxFgX/s1600-h/IMG_9067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eVX_bzh8S3YOfU8QZ0TZyabBJEGHKHpp3ilStnu9dYyuRXdlUMMREoO8TYaz4dz9HSyCC4PBbCYefkcSatGeWNM8X7FM4v2CC4wbNi_1_qS74GTWduL72iCJ0n8gonOJZ-VlwgETxFgX/s400/IMG_9067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392076961243296578" border="0" /></a>I was walking the dog a couple of Saturday's ago and noticed a yard sale at a house at the end of my block. I decided I needed to stop in mainly just to see the house up close. I was quickly checking things out as I heard one of the owners say, "I wish we knew a sewing guild to get a hold of." I stopped, dead in my tracks and asked what type of sewing materials they had. FOUR sewing machines and an assortment of notions. All of the machines were in awesome condition....books, presser feet, and everything. I crossed my fingers for a Singer Featherweight, but no such luck. However they did have a Singer 330A (I think) and a 1951 Singer Centennial Model that belonged to the late owners' mother. It was in a beautiful wooden case and appeared to be in working order. Now, I am the proud owner of my first vintage machine. I cleaned it up, but I am having a little trouble getting it to sew. I think it is user error, because everything appears to be in working order. Here are some more pictures of my little beauty!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SztNaIsFPICTPZm-vZSJhyphenhyphenBlDKpQ67JW5Rq6a7Gi5YbUdj8jZQJt8c-ko-uT__LORb8S5emz8RHpvtkkAAa2-XYuqLt-9NcUXrFnU7Xas0eEypS2VdwC5CSFJeO-XrTPCqOd5BDL1wdS/s1600-h/IMG_9066.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SztNaIsFPICTPZm-vZSJhyphenhyphenBlDKpQ67JW5Rq6a7Gi5YbUdj8jZQJt8c-ko-uT__LORb8S5emz8RHpvtkkAAa2-XYuqLt-9NcUXrFnU7Xas0eEypS2VdwC5CSFJeO-XrTPCqOd5BDL1wdS/s400/IMG_9066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392076950338791906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZ1M9Cq33zi9ejS02rjwchNSw40S_grTuZfQeHnn_S1eoZpVcdkkmgXhBItxadi8glzsfUzkO8-pc6Itx1I-AWPBdvhcRDiSwg6Quj66H_2lUqs740Aezt7fJABKsSwqMDr0g8vwnlhAq/s1600-h/IMG_9065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZ1M9Cq33zi9ejS02rjwchNSw40S_grTuZfQeHnn_S1eoZpVcdkkmgXhBItxadi8glzsfUzkO8-pc6Itx1I-AWPBdvhcRDiSwg6Quj66H_2lUqs740Aezt7fJABKsSwqMDr0g8vwnlhAq/s400/IMG_9065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392076934350831586" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-71416611948250578232009-09-23T10:32:00.003-05:002009-09-23T10:51:18.283-05:00Such a JoinerI have always been a joiner. I love to meet with other people and chat, knit, create, whatever. I come by it naturally. Here is and article about my paternal grandmother....Patsy Brown is my "Grandma Brown". FYI...she still calls this "study club" and when I ask what she studies she tells me they talk about raising their children. Now that is a committed mother. We should take notes.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chi Beta marks 60 years with celebration</span><br /></div><br />By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer<br />Enid News and Eagle<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvvg3no8kVUm52MrXZJwVtOq2tsvCZKdPFnFj143KQO06wcFAxB8J7a5NIkwh-4jUuMvUpVPDP6-lY2RQFke-enpr6bpGKVsjdGdzjUPOh9Z3GENp_fFFJ9rOvibNswwNfSV38CyEBPui/s1600-h/Chi-Beta.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvvg3no8kVUm52MrXZJwVtOq2tsvCZKdPFnFj143KQO06wcFAxB8J7a5NIkwh-4jUuMvUpVPDP6-lY2RQFke-enpr6bpGKVsjdGdzjUPOh9Z3GENp_fFFJ9rOvibNswwNfSV38CyEBPui/s400/Chi-Beta.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384690241911585490" border="0" /></a><br />Chi Beta, a former child study club, met Monday afternoon to honor charter members of the now social club at its 60th anniversary celebration.<br /><br />Three of the nine charter members of Chi Beta, Peggy Scheffe, Pasty Brown and Dottie Shockly, came to the meeting and discussed the early days of the club. Chi Beta started in September 1949.<br /><br />“I was in one in Sand Springs, Oklahoma,” Scheffe said. “When I moved here we decided to organize one here. It started as a child study group to learn about how to raise children.”<br /><br />Chi Beta always had 30 members. The only requirement to be considered for membership was a woman had to be pregnant or have a baby.<br /><br />“My rabbit died, so they let me join,” Brown said.<br /><br />She explained in that day when a woman was thought to be pregnant, the doctor injected a rabbit with fluid from the woman. If the rabbit died, the woman was pregnant.<br /><br />When the club was first formed they met twice a month at a member’s home.<br /><br />“We met two times a month. We had babies, and we were happy to get away,” Brown said.<br /><br />“And, our husbands learned to baby-sit,” Shockly added.<br /><br />The Chi Betas also did volunteer work.<br /><br />“All the Chi Betas worked on the telethon for the Vision and Hearing Clinic. We do Meals on Wheels,” Brown said. “We took a lot of toys and clothes to the YWCA. We always had a project.”<br /><br />Chi Beta now is a social club that meets in the afternoon once a month.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-55559996921190170972009-09-15T12:40:00.002-05:002009-09-15T12:44:51.268-05:00My Boy Makes Me ProudThis week I asked my oldest what he wanted to get his Papa John for his birthday. He threw out a few ideas, a trampoline, a pet (you are welcome Grandma...I nixed that idea), a new cat cage....I don't know why. Finally, he suggested a telescope for him and Papa to use. I asked where we might find one of those and this is what he said.<br /><br />"Well, we can go to the junk yard and find a big, big, big metal tube. Then we can collect some glass and take it to be recycled. We can use the glass to make a telescope glass and then we can give it to Papa."<br /><br />I thought this was so creative and I love that he wants to reuse and recycle. Precious.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2256991992164055317.post-4271044078714375412009-09-09T07:35:00.002-05:002009-09-09T07:41:20.600-05:00Summer Knitting Project CompleteI began some special hats for some special boys.....twins born May 18th. Their mom is a great knitter so I decided to do a little more complicated pattern. Well, lets just say these were the two most difficult baby hats I have ever made. I must have frogged them a dozen times. I like to make baby items after the baby(s) is(are) born so I can think about and pray for the little one. Last night I was thinking, I guess these little guys needed some extra prayers since they were born a little early. There mom got a few prayers as well! :) I will post pictures of the hats once I give them away.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1