tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55120740612426634552024-03-13T05:06:13.710-05:00my spirit rejoicesIt is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look.....To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
Henry ThoreauKrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-82652732774062168142013-07-12T07:23:00.002-05:002013-07-12T07:23:59.236-05:00this blog has been too long neglected am sitting next to a fire. No one is yet awake. The lake is gently rippling before me as I look up...in contrast to the gale force winds and white caps of yesterday. :) peaceful moments like these are a gift and unexpected blessing. They are provided from above, and should remind me to trust. I've been trying to make a practice of finding something to be thankful for each day. If I am honest, I find many graces to be found even in the worst moments. It's only my childish nature that wants to paint all black and despair. Already one young boy has escaped from the cabin and will be clamoring for some breakfast made on our humble campstove. This work, this service has above all saved me from swirling thoughts and quivering knees.In difficult times, what a treasure the mundane is. "The idea that humans can capture a mere mood--"happiness"--and somehow preserve it seems absurd. As an aim for a life, it is not only doomed but infantile."Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-30351557009135116722012-05-06T18:24:00.003-05:002012-05-06T18:24:52.108-05:00Winter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PWmRQ1xLSnd4AS0jdZtnE9swQF-8n5E2wBGYHhrB2BX2nUYkAY-3-O1KKVIVDvU6qIHKQRNqQh1gaztbTQSwJiDbKS6iYng5dsYG_Wq5UBdxE4gJf2TUO2TvPscTwjTkAk444vcqfLrL/s1600/IMG_8847.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708194933459889826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PWmRQ1xLSnd4AS0jdZtnE9swQF-8n5E2wBGYHhrB2BX2nUYkAY-3-O1KKVIVDvU6qIHKQRNqQh1gaztbTQSwJiDbKS6iYng5dsYG_Wq5UBdxE4gJf2TUO2TvPscTwjTkAk444vcqfLrL/s400/IMG_8847.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHjoiJWeoCaMKEdl-NvQRfb_-JOysNaH9cGqizTHfjk2ttJ7pigrYOfbfafJUv68YDL2xqDcFXZNH9EzeF0kCqG92AjQCoyAKdWj3U3O_-uF0l-StGcZoJPKZi1yh9acdvG6LnOOZtEIR/s1600/IMG_8835.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708194929114215858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHjoiJWeoCaMKEdl-NvQRfb_-JOysNaH9cGqizTHfjk2ttJ7pigrYOfbfafJUv68YDL2xqDcFXZNH9EzeF0kCqG92AjQCoyAKdWj3U3O_-uF0l-StGcZoJPKZi1yh9acdvG6LnOOZtEIR/s400/IMG_8835.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTHCkkFvdY7CJD_TwCrnvjeimBd_6dbwHOCjEYYt52P8yLGQUGvtOvQamAhNraSPT7DmyF4bAexzMMRSbphdeovwTEx5ill1HXgk5elwgiqK63rxaoiH5-D2tfGuSDJJ_XXclkjfX14-b/s1600/IMG_8827.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708194919350376466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTHCkkFvdY7CJD_TwCrnvjeimBd_6dbwHOCjEYYt52P8yLGQUGvtOvQamAhNraSPT7DmyF4bAexzMMRSbphdeovwTEx5ill1HXgk5elwgiqK63rxaoiH5-D2tfGuSDJJ_XXclkjfX14-b/s400/IMG_8827.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumqmm_5_B4lyRPZs6OA-lK-xcmbIqL_2lEzh7c6EW6ac2colKbcvtN_R_LmrFZ-SjlkNhE2q50sRLf59yL0-gtmVG1dmXnVXWGEKwxeiD_-_7S47py7k0MDjCUAT1sR6mmUlfallGPJMy/s1600/IMG_8809.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708194914653596914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumqmm_5_B4lyRPZs6OA-lK-xcmbIqL_2lEzh7c6EW6ac2colKbcvtN_R_LmrFZ-SjlkNhE2q50sRLf59yL0-gtmVG1dmXnVXWGEKwxeiD_-_7S47py7k0MDjCUAT1sR6mmUlfallGPJMy/s400/IMG_8809.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_8DEuZpjybpIjNWjGOLlpGvggGJj8ucdRhWEEQetTTdDxb1rIGGJK8g42BBA7ANZr-WOv1dYFUKBvAAJKqr6tJQumSTqcl0YXB1qCPlc2uvja9eUdqyOvMlDImDGOulsc9S_voQQkFrd/s1600/IMG_8807.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708194942066875122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_8DEuZpjybpIjNWjGOLlpGvggGJj8ucdRhWEEQetTTdDxb1rIGGJK8g42BBA7ANZr-WOv1dYFUKBvAAJKqr6tJQumSTqcl0YXB1qCPlc2uvja9eUdqyOvMlDImDGOulsc9S_voQQkFrd/s400/IMG_8807.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcAfbV1A-Kxu11WCmwExE4AdAkcpnH_SFzJYFtzj5wmKd1xphzZIOiuF25S-XwIFuBcsdZTo1Il1c2TAXQt6lNt0jQktiK027zbgxRt1vlB3QPryru8zFmE9JwH4mVmTweiHX5q95wP8k/s1600/IMG_8798.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708193738518504818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcAfbV1A-Kxu11WCmwExE4AdAkcpnH_SFzJYFtzj5wmKd1xphzZIOiuF25S-XwIFuBcsdZTo1Il1c2TAXQt6lNt0jQktiK027zbgxRt1vlB3QPryru8zFmE9JwH4mVmTweiHX5q95wP8k/s400/IMG_8798.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm2WO9jMSOfXKU_kxjYCXq5MzB3xIsCAJgDjqAXPczIaQTMZ6MnR8zBYkc3Sj5J2pXVd8LeRdOW_leopZOeU_GnXzsQvPp_kEqeY3Tdr1Bm9-eIy6a7QuNNpmzLhOxleEPw4Qpavi2s2o/s1600/IMG_8784.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708193722288176418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm2WO9jMSOfXKU_kxjYCXq5MzB3xIsCAJgDjqAXPczIaQTMZ6MnR8zBYkc3Sj5J2pXVd8LeRdOW_leopZOeU_GnXzsQvPp_kEqeY3Tdr1Bm9-eIy6a7QuNNpmzLhOxleEPw4Qpavi2s2o/s400/IMG_8784.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 267px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgCQSK67t57gMLUXhHZRWlFn2hv6KZtLKfqXepWmWhQ9bDbGMhk_qp5R99iWwLCbXg2MOYVY5DKvHq92C-osHnLAdYE2rUuKoBmV4lHoSa7Olpuzz2lLQtVfSfJ_ScqzEBGInU0KQCk_M/s1600/IMG_8783.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708193713983990274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgCQSK67t57gMLUXhHZRWlFn2hv6KZtLKfqXepWmWhQ9bDbGMhk_qp5R99iWwLCbXg2MOYVY5DKvHq92C-osHnLAdYE2rUuKoBmV4lHoSa7Olpuzz2lLQtVfSfJ_ScqzEBGInU0KQCk_M/s400/IMG_8783.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G_zcuwKUWqI69kUJCOcmpFMV09jvJ9LV15mlCC3yo0tMeucvrw8wE_E2l4GQxpzLcUjgZVbtBJ8pVNZavD6B3HRvffKJLhKNyugdsu_4iCz55Z47WXzTLsDm-deLpUh1d376vYM2GaWJ/s1600/IMG_8777.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708193707744685874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4G_zcuwKUWqI69kUJCOcmpFMV09jvJ9LV15mlCC3yo0tMeucvrw8wE_E2l4GQxpzLcUjgZVbtBJ8pVNZavD6B3HRvffKJLhKNyugdsu_4iCz55Z47WXzTLsDm-deLpUh1d376vYM2GaWJ/s400/IMG_8777.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2CQhoXVgIjWsaD_VRktkzn8ZT7327l5KSEpekwxHaONahMFhi25FHhPwq9i_mtpv1WP31qH6xnWNtqLJRt-ZktImPUEw6qH6ETJ6QrDj8GvI8xHxCk8qvOM6cFB3JfbAim5P7WIEgzE8/s1600/IMG_8797.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708193744036638898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2CQhoXVgIjWsaD_VRktkzn8ZT7327l5KSEpekwxHaONahMFhi25FHhPwq9i_mtpv1WP31qH6xnWNtqLJRt-ZktImPUEw6qH6ETJ6QrDj8GvI8xHxCk8qvOM6cFB3JfbAim5P7WIEgzE8/s400/IMG_8797.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The funny things kids say:</span> Me: So you got some snow while I was gone!" George: "Yes, it was really coming down like it was the real deal.....but the next day it melted. "<br />
I guess that sums up winter so far. We get brief interludes where winter seems like "the real deal" but then it reverts right back to early-springish. :)<br />
<br />
<b>On the bedside table:</b><br />
<br />
Kingdom: Hawaii's Last Queen, Sugar Barons and America's First Imperial Adventure<br />
Julia Siler<br />
<br />
This one I lost interest in before finishing. Hawaii is an interesting place with an interesting history, but I just couldn't keep interested. :) <br />
<br />
Clover Adams: A Guilded and Heartbreaking Life<br />
Natalie Dykstra<br />
<br />
Why I am so intrigued by Clover Adams is a mystery to me. Perhaps it was that she married into one of the great American families of the time. And I admire her husband ( Henry Adams, great grandson/grandson of "the" presidents). She was also a contemporary and friend of many of the greats of the Guilded Age. Hers is a tragic tale and really makes no sense. And since everyone who knew her, including her husband, have kept "mum" on speculating or giving any clues as to the "why's" of her early demise by her own hand, I suppose it is a mystery that keeps me intrigued. I read an earlier biography of her, and this is a new work. That fact makes me feel better ie: I'm not the only one who finds obscure people fascinating. <br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Guess What I Did?</b><br />
<br />
From the above pictures it may be obvious I ( along with my daughters) had a little visit to Disney World. :) Yes, the two girls and I were blessed ( and it was a blessing) with a trip down to Florida to visit with my parents and grandmere. My birthday spent in the Magic Kingdom. This was Gabriella's dream and Miss Naomi was enchanted as well. Poor little Gabs came down with a raging, double ear infection the day before we left, but she managed to blaze on through with the help of a few drugs. Maybe "blaze" isn't the right word, but she did enjoy in a hazy sort of way.<br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>As winter wrapped up and spring came upon us:</b><br />
<br />
We got to take a trip down to Memphis, where Tim hangs his hat every two weeks. The weather was delightful, and Memphis is a lovely place. We enjoyed our little jaunt there.<br />
We also saw our seventh confirmand! George Augustine Telemachus Vrazo was confirmed in the Catholic Church with Zak as his sponsor.<br />
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<br />
<b>What's Next on the Agenda?</b><br />
Now we are in the final rush to get school done by the first of June, and get Naomi graduated by the end of May! We look forward to a camping trip directly after all that and......a mid-July graduation party!<br />
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<b> </b><br />
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<br />Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-45002032835040433642012-01-16T04:48:00.009-06:002012-02-12T04:14:32.734-06:00What's new for the New Year?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevlDT60NTZpJ_FP3WqcpRz0THtz5c73neGgkByzF077J_gO6A6zoDrFvAg5kdqmdeRrTLFXIKvuouLYbs-tHteX5LaSv44rT8lD_HZbdv0j_rYQjQGIrdRbcZ5FrKQCyyJNWEBQWiNdHk/s1600/image00+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevlDT60NTZpJ_FP3WqcpRz0THtz5c73neGgkByzF077J_gO6A6zoDrFvAg5kdqmdeRrTLFXIKvuouLYbs-tHteX5LaSv44rT8lD_HZbdv0j_rYQjQGIrdRbcZ5FrKQCyyJNWEBQWiNdHk/s400/image00+%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708189983458411122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80uMEHBzy8wO42XrOI_-J2hWzk3FqC4JkZl1IbfVWmGByr9LiJL0_DY7XJd5YIPFjZR62yVj0LR8aXA4QBnHi4RTK_-oMfD0gVDUa2lnUhuSyQzo6YQTCrSCNk7bjFHQfTZj7gYKC_iRx/s1600/image00+%25286%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80uMEHBzy8wO42XrOI_-J2hWzk3FqC4JkZl1IbfVWmGByr9LiJL0_DY7XJd5YIPFjZR62yVj0LR8aXA4QBnHi4RTK_-oMfD0gVDUa2lnUhuSyQzo6YQTCrSCNk7bjFHQfTZj7gYKC_iRx/s400/image00+%25286%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708189980116847618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPAEH15hiA6TO9MJfdCk8VSFt7UY0mMCEYxX2uCAwz1CWTuuVdBQh71j3LPbkyMupAcMSy3A-NU82Ps6owseFww43rCZFT7oFE8L-pJ2MS0cFRysiKbeIsKfrZy8_C30_x2afr5UN592_/s1600/image00.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPAEH15hiA6TO9MJfdCk8VSFt7UY0mMCEYxX2uCAwz1CWTuuVdBQh71j3LPbkyMupAcMSy3A-NU82Ps6owseFww43rCZFT7oFE8L-pJ2MS0cFRysiKbeIsKfrZy8_C30_x2afr5UN592_/s400/image00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708189853995096594" border="0" /></a><br />I was recently looking at some pictures Naomi took of fall scenes around here. I was musing nostalgically about how nice our recent fall was when it hit me that the pictures were from the year before. I'm sure this will give-away the fact that I am a bit ditzy, but I was a little confused and confounded for a bit. The same season, same scene, two different years, so <span style="font-weight: bold;">alike</span> in our little neck of the woods. But really, except for some natural disaster or human intervention, why <span style="font-weight: bold;">would</span> it look different?<br />This past year, like our country road, has been relatively free of change. Which is no small milestone in the life of our family. When you are married to a gypsy, and have a good number of children, change is common fare. Moves ( to a new house, new state...or country) another baby, job changes, school changes, spiritual changes...the list goes on and on from year to year. But this past year has been relatively stable. Which is a gift in many ways.<br />Even my New Year resolutions ( that I didn't make) would be the same. Lose 30 lbs, try to tone up this flabby body, be more present to my children and those I love, complain less. Maybe an added one....be less scatterbrained. As someone who has had a pretty good memory throughout her life, I find I can't rely on my memory quite so thoroughly as I used to. :) Focus. It's a word I use a lot around here, but a good example starts at the top.<br />So this year, like the last, not much out of the ordinary is staring us in the face. A new boy in college, a girl trying to figure out where to go to college, a boy contemplating his future are some of the things will be different this year. Otherwise we are sticking with the status quo.:) It will be interesting to see what possible "natural disaster" or "human intervention" will change that as we progress, but for now, we rest at peace in sameness. :)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Quotes I am pondering:</span><br /><br />"One thing I do find intolerably unjust.....is the idea that one should have to renounce one's personal life in the name of universal love. I believe that there are obligations that are ordained by God, that no one has the right to deny them, and that the obligations actually promote rather than hinder the spiritual life." Sophia Tolstoy 1887<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reading/Watching/Listening:</span><br /><br />A bit ironic that I had two "connections" with popular media this month that touched on similar themes in different contexts. Both were about light skinned peoples ( specifically Southern) interactions with dark skinned peoples.<br />One was a book: "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingslover. Two things that surprise me about this book and the effect it has had on me are the title; it doesn't sound very favorable toward a beloved book ( it isn't) and that I found out later it was on the "Oprah Book List". Erg. But it was a very engrossing read. If you can peel off the layers of Miss Kingslover's apparent bones-to-pick with Christianity and Westerners ( Americans?) in general, her descriptions of southern folk and culture are both humorous and spot on. And while there is probably no one who dislikes the tired, old "religious man = bad man" character than me, the one in this book rings a bit more true than the usual overblown caricature. Misguided and blind to the fact that he needs healing as much as those he is coming to "save", he is someone I know I've met in the past, or maybe there is a little of him in us all.<br />The story is one of a southern family ( who interestingly enough, hail from Bethlehem, Georgia....a town we've actually lived in!) who go to the Congo in the 50's as missionaries and how Africa changed all their lives. The point is well taken that while wealthy ( even if we think we aren't) white, Christian, Westerners may have a lot to offer those in third world countries, a dose of humility is often what is missing. For however strange and outlandish we think their customs and practices may be, they certainly have cause to think ours are as well.<br /><br />The other was "The Help", which I didn't read, but watched the dvd. So I can't comment on the quality of the book. It may be very good. It certainly is a story that is good to be reminded of and outraged over. I found the acting in this one pretty sub par ( except for the two black maids, who were excellent). I need to haul out the thesaurus to find a solution for my overuse of "caricature", but that is what I would call the women portrayed in this film...by and large. Additionally, the fact that everything had to be wrapped up in a happy red bow by the end, no matter how implausible, was annoying. For instance, although we are introduced to example after example of injustice to the "help" by their employers throughout the film, near the end, one suddenly enlightened couple invites the maid to dinner at THEIR TABLE ( no less), and that wonderful act of kindness gives her ( said maid) the courage to leave her abusive husband! Come on.<br />Ok. I wasn't feeling well, and Naomi wanted to see it, so it seemed a good choice for a mother-daughter movie night. I can't say it was totally a wasted experience, but not a movie I'd watch again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">READING:</span><br /><br />The Photographs and Diaries of Countess Sophia Tolstoy by Leah Bendavid-Val<br /><br />(Let's say I am sort of "leafing" through this one more than reading it at this point:)<br /><br />"A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President -Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard.<br /><br />You know, the focus on Abraham Lincoln's assassination ( or JFK's) usually take front and center in history books, so much so that we forget there was another president who was assassinated. Of course, James Garfield was not in office very long, and so, not a pivotal character in our countries history. Nonetheless, this is a fascinating tale of his short presidency and the assassination that made it infamous. There are all sorts of sub stories going on in this book--related to the assassination and the presidency, that give it an added punch. I haven't yet finished it, but it's one of those books I look for every opportunity to read. Really hard to put down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Watched:</span> The Red Shoes<br /><br />This film was made in 1948 and re-released on DVD recently. The acting and plot may be somewhat 40's-esque, but it was worth watching for the lovely ballet scenes and terrific costumes. The "fab" way some of the men dressed back then ( especially in Europe and among the art crowd) was delicious. :) I think the intense use of color took everyone by storm back then and it is no less appealing now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Comings and Goings:</span> I would say we had a very wonderful Christmas, which we are all grateful for. It was a lovely family time, and we had much fun together. Tim was off for a week, and we had some visits with friends and extended family, as well. Let's not forget the extra treat of warm, snow-free January weather. We got a new trampoline for Christmas and I hemmed and hawed over the suitability of putting it up during the winter. Those kids have had MANY opportunities to use it, so I'm glad I overrode conventional thinking for once! :)<br />December 20th (Gabriella Ruth, 5!) started our most intense birthday season ( 5-in-a-six-week-period + Christmas and New Years=help!) Last night we had a dinner party for 30 ( and that's only 3 families among our crazy friends :) for Dylan's 21st birthday! On my birthday ( 1-30) Gabi, Naomi and I will be in Florida at DisneyWorld, thanks to my dear parents. How about that!? It wasn't fun having Tim fly out of town every week, but those frequent flyer miles come in handy. :) Manny's 7th birthday is right after New Year's and we'll finish things off with Jed's ninth the beginning of Feb. <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-88645944788707931632011-12-07T06:48:00.010-06:002011-12-25T04:05:12.304-06:00Farewell fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVfKFT6ARirWUnUdrB4_YfNHF_v6-zIYMHAT2TN6D66sfK9BPTnEMvNSotF57_Mp2lztlFZG16r2aU7-5-nczCzM9zIHoqUZbkLWZSjq0B8EVZxJuKRDIHnoPdYZt9wdrdtHBNP4D6GMW/s1600/DSCI0174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683723097466812322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVfKFT6ARirWUnUdrB4_YfNHF_v6-zIYMHAT2TN6D66sfK9BPTnEMvNSotF57_Mp2lztlFZG16r2aU7-5-nczCzM9zIHoqUZbkLWZSjq0B8EVZxJuKRDIHnoPdYZt9wdrdtHBNP4D6GMW/s400/DSCI0174.JPG" /></a> No, the calendar doesn't yet say fall is over. <span style="color:#cc0000;">(edited to add: now it does:)</span> But here in the north we've had enough gentle snows and chilly temperatures to say "winter" is here. At least in spirit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh300vai-jCAtiSlo1z60yoBZQqasp8_DG2BxApglWzwV0uuSmVEUac6DgcDZQrId9vtvygIhz0u0PcRL-_aWeMzw9FflFx_Xd9sMpVq8c5zSVmY1NK4lFycMzArU_knSlWu5tXP_P9CwdZ/s1600/DSCI0171.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683723095810499474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh300vai-jCAtiSlo1z60yoBZQqasp8_DG2BxApglWzwV0uuSmVEUac6DgcDZQrId9vtvygIhz0u0PcRL-_aWeMzw9FflFx_Xd9sMpVq8c5zSVmY1NK4lFycMzArU_knSlWu5tXP_P9CwdZ/s400/DSCI0171.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaTbUYP6nCQX9vLFRpTa8s7R8_SMWt1L4B0WatwMy2n-5-Ecb-S1K7h6Yq-TbAGK790bJGpwgHslbFE5U8wOQRAGiJqCTqBVrwHWzcHxqnyqEiPUWDYjaKnMQ2U9lduuwfT7OtKHR6JPr/s1600/DSCI0165.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683723084260640274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaTbUYP6nCQX9vLFRpTa8s7R8_SMWt1L4B0WatwMy2n-5-Ecb-S1K7h6Yq-TbAGK790bJGpwgHslbFE5U8wOQRAGiJqCTqBVrwHWzcHxqnyqEiPUWDYjaKnMQ2U9lduuwfT7OtKHR6JPr/s400/DSCI0165.JPG" /></a> George burning a fraction of the several tons of leaves raked. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWbZWUE6aw80GIgKD__8q-vivqs5JmjQiVqVih1HBJt6lbROCGaXDzaTEKZx1V9R0dafJxTrYZc07DtT0g-O_Fq9P0Ol1iHMX7JNor1s7VTQefE5LI2Ys3JVpyleLi35zFDr3mUcm-SwB/s1600/DSCI0163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683374810711554482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWbZWUE6aw80GIgKD__8q-vivqs5JmjQiVqVih1HBJt6lbROCGaXDzaTEKZx1V9R0dafJxTrYZc07DtT0g-O_Fq9P0Ol1iHMX7JNor1s7VTQefE5LI2Ys3JVpyleLi35zFDr3mUcm-SwB/s400/DSCI0163.JPG" /></a> Our Thanksgiving centerpiece!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGafnCkf6OpHG48_u6U-8m7OT5cRYJswCOznS8s94rgREtXqt9cPa7H1EMDQ5gXW1ZO2tm_72wkFDT2dYKY2UEjTlALvk93k5EOiHgync2M5DPFssd1i6iyE_1smk1DjeyieD9p3tXVRSI/s1600/DSCI0097.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683374804057676482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGafnCkf6OpHG48_u6U-8m7OT5cRYJswCOznS8s94rgREtXqt9cPa7H1EMDQ5gXW1ZO2tm_72wkFDT2dYKY2UEjTlALvk93k5EOiHgync2M5DPFssd1i6iyE_1smk1DjeyieD9p3tXVRSI/s400/DSCI0097.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZeehnvUEfYIQK_9hVAJcSXL3HlxVJbe3OWWKMp9FLGmmKewfkRWEHZ_G1itCwH-Ubb0kXzH_39G-l9W_WqtNAxoGdO9AhvNaP_cqoTYog-iZtiotghl5hSRsvifaBDuh0O5ylblNFRlR/s1600/DSCI0096.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683374792278557618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZeehnvUEfYIQK_9hVAJcSXL3HlxVJbe3OWWKMp9FLGmmKewfkRWEHZ_G1itCwH-Ubb0kXzH_39G-l9W_WqtNAxoGdO9AhvNaP_cqoTYog-iZtiotghl5hSRsvifaBDuh0O5ylblNFRlR/s400/DSCI0096.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2gnvcj8K2QHL0FPl9wai7hl2CRJLQr8q7HqV4lg50pWEsAaqt2bRugjORviVNcFM0xAl7RWHGrRmG80b-0-ckPxi1U_ABOwHeMKIgkC24xWf6YAxBD-nj5pKo35yFGGRsKSBFWHuL7hH/s1600/DSCI0095.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683374791608604818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2gnvcj8K2QHL0FPl9wai7hl2CRJLQr8q7HqV4lg50pWEsAaqt2bRugjORviVNcFM0xAl7RWHGrRmG80b-0-ckPxi1U_ABOwHeMKIgkC24xWf6YAxBD-nj5pKo35yFGGRsKSBFWHuL7hH/s400/DSCI0095.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CMYqdJBT6KReNBhnpqvDfDQ-UhAMHi3xKTjxlyI2Rlv3HIomcFJnXVHpf4uSYhSeXcqlYCq6Hs_KMFmjU69K1olYp_tgspJQ7ESPnG2bm-zBBbn6gSGBV4G5IyUIfYanjkp6exn1B3-Z/s1600/DSCI0092.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683373838944337826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CMYqdJBT6KReNBhnpqvDfDQ-UhAMHi3xKTjxlyI2Rlv3HIomcFJnXVHpf4uSYhSeXcqlYCq6Hs_KMFmjU69K1olYp_tgspJQ7ESPnG2bm-zBBbn6gSGBV4G5IyUIfYanjkp6exn1B3-Z/s400/DSCI0092.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL9GJ-9SPqVBgNp5afQ1OqNG1_3hkOu3WpXeX-VpjGFGFyf35Z3DUWZgfcS_FaU5JDvHUgwvYA426-NJiyiTwcvi_7B3X8eNfKqd-EAzfMJ3zqofsJoyBHsZu3xNy8eqtHDdJXZC8AUTZ/s1600/DSCI0088.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683373833183370706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwL9GJ-9SPqVBgNp5afQ1OqNG1_3hkOu3WpXeX-VpjGFGFyf35Z3DUWZgfcS_FaU5JDvHUgwvYA426-NJiyiTwcvi_7B3X8eNfKqd-EAzfMJ3zqofsJoyBHsZu3xNy8eqtHDdJXZC8AUTZ/s400/DSCI0088.JPG" /></a><br />I found these little trays at Sam's. They are so great for serving things like hummous and pita chips or chips and salsa, crackers and cheese, veggies and dip.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzbfqY6D6lU0YEf5eJzKCWId53B2Jok9eXaj3kJb9dpVaDD-DXXSA9yvOQ8geR8KRdj-tpCvdAI4U3oJzE5f4kQs1gEVBJPz68r6agId3DVb4hN5vd4LCTdXphOMhw3Ts2YsK2-1fI2Y_/s1600/DSCI0091.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683373590277127986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzbfqY6D6lU0YEf5eJzKCWId53B2Jok9eXaj3kJb9dpVaDD-DXXSA9yvOQ8geR8KRdj-tpCvdAI4U3oJzE5f4kQs1gEVBJPz68r6agId3DVb4hN5vd4LCTdXphOMhw3Ts2YsK2-1fI2Y_/s400/DSCI0091.JPG" /></a><br />Tim will often complain that I don't explain myself clearly enough. If I needed to be reminded that he is right, this example did it. What I said: "Put the leaves in a bag and take them down to the marsh" What I should have said "Put the leaves in a <strong>lawn and leaf bag</strong>, take them down to the marsh and<strong> empty</strong> it, bring the <strong>bag back and refill it. " :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>What I am thinking:<br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>"You're beautiful mom!" "Looking good, mom!" Words like this from my children warm my heart, of course. Even though I am decidedly less enthusiastic about my appearance. Sometimes I really wonder HOW they can make such comments. Free from guile, I know they aren't saying it just to win brownie points. And since trying to make someone feel good isn't generally high on their priority list either (I don't say they are unfeeling or uncaring, just that, as children, thoughtfulness isn't a well developed virtue. :)it probably isn't coming from there either. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I know that if a truly beautiful woman walked into a room, my little boys would never notice, or if they did, it wouldn't because of the way she looked. Gabriella may comment "How pretty!" but it would only be if she was wearing something showy. These thoughts have made me appreciate the fact that young children are attracted to beauty mostly because of an emotional attachment to the object of beauty. Or that an object ( or person :) becomes beautiful or attractive to them because of the fond feelings they have for it/them. I can see that many things will become attractive or repugnant to them based on this, many important things. Relationships, their beliefs, what they value. I'm very glad to be beautiful in their eyes because they love me, but I must also be careful that the things I believe are important for them to embrace become beautiful to them by cultivating positive emotions toward them.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Quotes I am pondering: </strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div>"On a huge hill, cragged and steep, Truth stands, and he that will</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Reach her, about must, and about must go,</div><br /><br /><br /><div>And what the hills suddenness resists, win so:</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Yet strive so, that before age, deaths twilight,</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Thy soul rest, for none can work in that night.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>John Donne</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Reading, Watching, Listening to:</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Almost done reading "The Sisters" The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary Lovell</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The lives of different families always intrique me, and this one, although obscure these days, was quite remarkable. They were a family of minor aristrocrats in England, although during WW2 nearly all of these sisters became "cause celebres". Two were fascist ( one called "the most hated woman in England", the other a fan girl of Hitler.) One a popular writer. One a communist, the last, became the Duchess of Devonshire. The whole book is both a fascinating history lesson and a study of family relationships. Of note is that the girls early education was provided by the "PNEU" system, now more popularly called "The Charlotte Mason Method" by home educators. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Listened to:</strong> The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maughm. "The Painted Veil" is one of my favorite movies, so I decided to actually read/listen to the book. It was remarkably close to the movie, except for a few things. The story of a spoiled, selfish girl who realizes the depth of character of her husband through adversity is thoughtfully poignant. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Watched:</strong> A new series I found at the library is "Royal Upstairs Downstairs" An antiques expert and a chef tour the great houses of England as Queen Victoria did during her reign. While that aspect of it is neither here nor there for me, getting a inside look at those great estates and castles is mind boggling. And what is even more interesting is that the chef goes "below stairs" and cooks up some of the period dishes using cookware, tools and ingredients from that era as well. While the chef (Rosemary Shrager) is a bit embarassingly over-enthusiastic at times, and the visit at each location is a little on the brief side, overall it is a very enjoyable series.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>From the kitchen:</strong> I tried my hand at making "cake pops" for Gabriella's birthday. I had little princess ( what else?) do-dads that you put on top of them ( ie: the actual "pop" looks like the princesses dress) In that regard, they were cute, but TOO sweet for me. Not for the kids, although I can't say they flew off the plate. :)</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>From the schoolroom: OFF.FOR.TWO.WEEKS. :)</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Comings and goings:</strong> Tim will have some vacation time this week, but I'm afraid the bulk of it will be spent carting boys to basketball practices and tournaments. Hopefully, we can eek out a little of it to do something fun ( not that basketball tournaments are not fun. ;) I hope to tackle some household projects (sort books, organize office) and have quiet New Year's celebrations that are relaxing. Christmas-time is fun, but grueling. There, I said it. :)</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-36900269081318045202011-11-18T03:38:00.009-06:002011-11-19T05:44:29.271-06:00I love God, because I love His creation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfm5uZraY090PUuJ14gTshbmas6ACa5hBgbvO5P6haEpLArB7zfD5ffh5_Cw7ypFeyNYa3JGgq7Xx8JtDDeMbkBfDtYrLOnID4vI2xhjNFR5mtmY6GLvrMH8ZkbAykemKa02PGl8UzQ-U/s1600/DSCI0107.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676270279614533698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfm5uZraY090PUuJ14gTshbmas6ACa5hBgbvO5P6haEpLArB7zfD5ffh5_Cw7ypFeyNYa3JGgq7Xx8JtDDeMbkBfDtYrLOnID4vI2xhjNFR5mtmY6GLvrMH8ZkbAykemKa02PGl8UzQ-U/s400/DSCI0107.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u>Outside My Window: I love fall! I found myself humming "It's the MOST wonderful time of the year!" ( Yes, I know it is a Christmas song) more than once after a walk or a jaunt outside. Out here in our rural area the day can sometimes "glow" with the sun coming through the brightly colored leaves. I'm not generally a person who enjoys hot weather, so I welcome the cooler temperatures. Cider, and apples and the scent of burning leaves, all is heaven to me. Now, we have sort of left the "glory" days of fall and all the leaves have blown off the trees and the days take on more grayness than sun. Still, it is my favorite season and I revel in it. Above are the "decoupage" pumpkin candle holders we made. I have discovered "Modge Podge". Pretty fun stuff!</u></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPDMAcPWflwTtiEiEdR1pLDyR-KWEMdmFd8jqRDdqsagK882EAKzy4KrCx-Zz6ToLlhjesyLDDXKeulAfpwT4AdI2jGzSMG0p3IixaRg9HIoeIK6t_Q93ZAHOoJg5935dnTjEYQPjFo5d/s1600/DSCI0111.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676270273783279874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicPDMAcPWflwTtiEiEdR1pLDyR-KWEMdmFd8jqRDdqsagK882EAKzy4KrCx-Zz6ToLlhjesyLDDXKeulAfpwT4AdI2jGzSMG0p3IixaRg9HIoeIK6t_Q93ZAHOoJg5935dnTjEYQPjFo5d/s400/DSCI0111.JPG" /></a>Well, our Halloween was a muted affair. We sort of scrambled to come up with costumes (Gabriella, by and large, came up with that one herself!) and since trick or treating doesn't happen on our country road ( too far to walk between houses :) we hid some candy bags in the backyard and the kids seemed happy with that. On a whim, we decided to drive to a neighborhood down the road, but even there, only 3 houses were giving out treats. For those to whom this holiday mattered, I think it was fun enough. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwArQO8wXTnNknLUEIsPyfmWs4VcXVMVjUMTEYhxMVwMdAFx9KW8z7jf0Xp5PFUMAeLTARQbPSmYPSUgvosaZDfe71tA-4Isqv1GLu3sSTfj7P1tlvi4HlJANDo7vbcDVjsoHZrbH5JSOw/s1600/DSCI0112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676270255449129650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwArQO8wXTnNknLUEIsPyfmWs4VcXVMVjUMTEYhxMVwMdAFx9KW8z7jf0Xp5PFUMAeLTARQbPSmYPSUgvosaZDfe71tA-4Isqv1GLu3sSTfj7P1tlvi4HlJANDo7vbcDVjsoHZrbH5JSOw/s400/DSCI0112.JPG" /></a>Jed is enamored of "Stupendous Man" from Calvin and Hobbes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdgCL8wVgz8X7t3rfKV8bKp3JtoXH3Q0LKcKtUSMrkpN05f-tcdS5VD4EvgMeMb56X4DnpZrgee-pVdep1T45sLFZ1mOFF7QpFNV6DZ_Vblx5Nz-0Lxrt6K3HF8diz_8MowMQZb7SrOLP/s1600/DSCI0118.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676270253420779042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdgCL8wVgz8X7t3rfKV8bKp3JtoXH3Q0LKcKtUSMrkpN05f-tcdS5VD4EvgMeMb56X4DnpZrgee-pVdep1T45sLFZ1mOFF7QpFNV6DZ_Vblx5Nz-0Lxrt6K3HF8diz_8MowMQZb7SrOLP/s400/DSCI0118.JPG" /></a>These pumpkins we actually got from the pumpkin farm, but we did get 6 or 7 small pumpkins from our own crop this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4dC-MLVUSEFNlEf-0ZWCyZl8xw9jO2BOCOqG3unWRfsXbAIyikxzDBYBQtgQYYUMTl3dKXEj5xuSAlSL1kETUs8kQh_zqf3gPt9XJ8mzken2vnOMxSnuwfc1DvGbIn1UVSl4n_tssWVW/s1600/DSCI0138.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676269787311755666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4dC-MLVUSEFNlEf-0ZWCyZl8xw9jO2BOCOqG3unWRfsXbAIyikxzDBYBQtgQYYUMTl3dKXEj5xuSAlSL1kETUs8kQh_zqf3gPt9XJ8mzken2vnOMxSnuwfc1DvGbIn1UVSl4n_tssWVW/s400/DSCI0138.JPG" /></a>Of course, even during fall, the inevitable happens here in MI.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Rx_qQfMXHHXhc0kj-w237oyOyg5a_cV00E4KZ_VlnCIBD3niM1Ym-AyyzpV8mmXUK6DXBv6ywB3kf3dIXdHKakAZ1iAJPWdXH3nua7lqsf_e7yo67gdHbsuUAj9C6dxkW7gB0VMC7LgE/s1600/DSCI0141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676269648216314226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Rx_qQfMXHHXhc0kj-w237oyOyg5a_cV00E4KZ_VlnCIBD3niM1Ym-AyyzpV8mmXUK6DXBv6ywB3kf3dIXdHKakAZ1iAJPWdXH3nua7lqsf_e7yo67gdHbsuUAj9C6dxkW7gB0VMC7LgE/s400/DSCI0141.JPG" /></a>You know, if I was out walking and saw a diamond ring on one of my neighbor's drive, I wouldn't be the least tempted to pick it up and pocket it ( unless it was to give it back to them) as I am if I see bittersweet on their property. Seeing that makes me start coming up with all kinds of covert operations to go and snip some for myself (they'd never miss it, right? ;) Thankfully, I was saved from my shameful thoughts by finding some in an open field, although by the time I discovered it, most of the pretty orange leaves had blown off by a couple windy days. Still, I love it and all the dried plant life I find this time of year. I adore flowers, but I think I love dried more...mostly because it can last so long. (I may add that if you find bittersweet at a Farm Market or such like , it is darn expensive...thus the excitement over finding it for...free :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO-dSIXPzpzxid7qXjiiEH57hniWr_jMuHY5pxsMY4mtOXIZhy26n1qds_PbJXARvjxIIoiQ9AeOPxqxQgZhoI8LwcVfCe00Kx2GIgEwhswGZSuRTMwHrzBQBzBKznISjAYSdxvmlg96F/s1600/DSCI0143.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676269532494830706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOO-dSIXPzpzxid7qXjiiEH57hniWr_jMuHY5pxsMY4mtOXIZhy26n1qds_PbJXARvjxIIoiQ9AeOPxqxQgZhoI8LwcVfCe00Kx2GIgEwhswGZSuRTMwHrzBQBzBKznISjAYSdxvmlg96F/s400/DSCI0143.JPG" /></a>A little Thanksgiving project. The original idea ( have to find that link) that a friend shared is much cuter and is done with more fallish colors. I was trying to use "what I have in my hand" and came up with this. You put little unruled index cards in the envelopes with things you are thankful for throughout the month and year and I plan to read them at T'giving dinner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ-UpA3XYhnrZyLGZiK_sOR14LmEUvjqecjHcqw1BwS_3MR9jsEQblRbW5dC3FotpjKJ2GSzah1imBZEAv9LZZ4D8mQxvxJGRY0jnfXyOBojTYyR04J43l8CErN0AHevjtPPVk1lhFo0j/s1600/DSCI0140.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676269373794245762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ-UpA3XYhnrZyLGZiK_sOR14LmEUvjqecjHcqw1BwS_3MR9jsEQblRbW5dC3FotpjKJ2GSzah1imBZEAv9LZZ4D8mQxvxJGRY0jnfXyOBojTYyR04J43l8CErN0AHevjtPPVk1lhFo0j/s400/DSCI0140.JPG" /></a>Here is what bittersweet is REALLY supposed to look like....this little bit I actually found down by our marsh. Funny, what a small amount there was when in other places there are trees just loaded with it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2EPxd8QvzJf_VOiZiOLw3LIQItkeMevDFUALbS4i0nbpAbpRyHNBTVX_nv8c82ri9uKGvYSESn9PPflDLWxOVfWlvCEHU6vqEW9lW324m58qprsNtF8e0gt8xzYEUg_DK8d4XeFVHUvy/s1600/DSCI0153.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676269243911218930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2EPxd8QvzJf_VOiZiOLw3LIQItkeMevDFUALbS4i0nbpAbpRyHNBTVX_nv8c82ri9uKGvYSESn9PPflDLWxOVfWlvCEHU6vqEW9lW324m58qprsNtF8e0gt8xzYEUg_DK8d4XeFVHUvy/s400/DSCI0153.JPG" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOx9dyY9QPlX3YQQcFsyPpB6eX-hjqQ4Y0sTq2aHywGa8LOJf_yCtl223IjmV01KiWTPPJnHMYnKlAsP7cbrqGCetb7gbcsnONt3E18crvKnaSjGJigP5UuZ0kAiFx6jRb4-14edFnRShV/s1600/DSCI0157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676268403553199378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOx9dyY9QPlX3YQQcFsyPpB6eX-hjqQ4Y0sTq2aHywGa8LOJf_yCtl223IjmV01KiWTPPJnHMYnKlAsP7cbrqGCetb7gbcsnONt3E18crvKnaSjGJigP5UuZ0kAiFx6jRb4-14edFnRShV/s400/DSCI0157.JPG" /></a>For some reason, this house is plagued with a glut of cables on the outside ( do cable-guys have no aesthetic appreciation?) I don't know if it is because we are out in the sticks or these particular cables were done long ago, but they really look ridiculous. The worst offenders are on the overhang to the door to the patio. I even found some cute lights to hang there, but I think it made it look worse with the electrical cord from them added to the mix. My magnum opus this fall was to hang some...what else....bittersweet vines and another vine...maybe wild grapes? (don't quote me) intermixed with the wires. Well, I have no idea how well this solution will hold up...if they will start looking tired soon, or if the snow and ice will bring them down eventually, but for the time being, I like.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><b>I am thinking:</b> <strong>"[Americans] are extremely eager in the pursuit of immediate material pleasures and are always discontended with the position that they occupy....They think about nothing but ways of changing their lot and bettering it. For people in this frame of mind every new way of getting wealth more quickly, every machine which lessens work, every means of diminishing the cost of production, evey invention which makes pleasures easier or greater, seems the most magnificent accomplishment of the human mind...One usually finds that the love of money is either the chief or a secondary motive at the bottom of everything Americans do."</strong> Alexis de Tocqueville, 19th Century :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><b>From the schoolroom:</b> Nothing much interesting here...just ticking away. </div><br /><div><b><br /></b></div><br /><div><b>I am reading/watching/listening to:</b></div><br /><div><b><br /></b></div><br /><div><strong>"On Canaan's Side" by Sebastian Barry</strong>. Mr Barry has definitely made it onto my list of favorite authors. Not only can he tell a good story, but has the added talent of inserting lofty thoughts into his tales. I have to say, as seems to be the case with a lot of authors, I don't always embrace his worldview, but enough of what he writes is edifying enough to keep me reading. I suppose the simplest review would be to say this is a tale of an Irish woman who has loved and lost, in a variety of ways, but there is much more to it than that ( of course. :)</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><strong>"Night Strangers" by Chris Bohjalian</strong> . "The Midwives Tale" was the first book I read by Mr Bohjalian, and I always liked that one, so when I see another title from him, I give it a look. None have ever measured up to the first, but I keep trying. This one I couldn't put down until the end. But the end was a huge disappointment, so that overshadows the rest of the tale. Sort of a creepy ghost story, sort of a psychological thriller. I hate to critique a seasoned author (what the heck do I know? :), but I always wonder how someone with such talent can just give up at the end and why do successful publishing companies and editors not say something?!? :)</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><strong>"The Englishman's Daughter" by Ben Macintyre</strong> . This is actually a true story of an English soldier who finds himself separated from his company during WW1 in rural France. The people of that community hide him from the Germans, often at great personal cost to themselves ( lack of food was a very real problem, as well as the threat of fallout to their own selves if the Germans found him). Eventually, he falls in love with one of the village girls and they beget a daughter. Not long after, he is betrayed and is executed. An interesting glimpse of life during WW1 in an occupied country and a bit of "who-dun-it" as the author tries to find out who gave the soldier away. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><strong>"Wait for Me!" by Deborah Mitford</strong>. This is a memoir of a lady who eventually became the "Duchess of Devonshire". Far from being of interest only to those who identify themselves as "anglophiles" :) it really is a story of a remarkable family, life during and between the two World Wars, and the end of the English aristocracy (sort of). One of 7 sisters ( and 1 brothers) two of her sisters were hated fascists, and one a communist. She also had a great deal to do with the restoration of "Chatsworth", the family manor ( and what a manor it is!) so that finds a soft spot in my heart. She is very critical of those who tore down many of the old English homes during the 60's and 70's because no one could think what to do with them. Hello!? FIND SOMETHING! You just don't throw a glorious and ancient work of art into the garbage because it doesn't match your decor....why would anyone think to tear down these beautiful and important works of architecture? (Alright, I know it is a bit more complicated than that :) Well, they sadly did. So, it is nice to find a kindred spirit both in someone who finds that a huge loss and did something to prevent it happening to yet another victim. The only critique I may have is that the writing of her experiences makes it somewhat evident why the aristocracy induces common folk to want to pull their hair out at times. While she sometimes complains of lean times during her growing up years and not being able to afford the latest Paris fashion, the family never lived in a cottage on the side of the road, and always had a houseful of servants ( including a nanny, of course!) which enabled them to do nothing more than go out riding, hunting with their cantankerous father ( Lord Resedale), attend fashionable parties and the like. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><b>Watching: </b>These dark and cold fall nights have definitely been enlightened by watching the original <strong>"Upstairs Downstairs"</strong> series. After viewing the more recent edition, I was curious to see why the first was so popular. It really is evident. It is well writen and well acted, and even though done in the 70's, the costumes and scenery are also stunning. ( Nothing against the 70's, but there is usually much more sophistication in modern renditions of historical fare). Thankfully, there are a WHOLE lot of episodes... I may just get through the winter with this one. :) I often wonder why the subject of the relations between servants and their "masters" back in the day is one that so fascinates me? I suppose because, being a real Yankee, I can't imagine how these people were in such awe of aristocrats during that time and did such demeaning work for them for shockingly low wages.. Yes, they were rich, but no better than anyone else ( says I! in true American form:). Simply by being born into the "right" family they were deemed socially superior. I suppose that goes for the monarchy as well. Such a different mindset than we have now, I'm always trying to understand it....although I know there are always threads of that mindset weaving through even our own enlightened times. Human nature, I suppose. As a humorous side note: One evening Tim came up and saw that I was watching it. He said "I remember this being on at our house quite a bit. We were always checking PBS to see if Monty Python was on and instead it was that darn "Upstairs, Downstairs"! " Yes, Tim and I's marriage is the epitome of "opposites attract" ;)</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><b>Comings and goings: </b>There have been a whole lot of comings and goings taking Naomi to her new job ( 5 days a week, I might add!), drivers ed, and the boys to basketball practices. Of course, there has been help from my dear sons when able, and a carpool with other basketball families, so it could be worse. Things I have been mercifully spared from driving to : are play rehearsals, youth group, and picking up/taking Tim to the airport. In everything give thanks! Well, there is a light at the end of the tunnel since as of today Naomi can actually get her permit and begin the task of logging driving hours. I don't know why there has been such reluctance on my part to get her driving. Call me sexist, but she seems so little and frail compared to her burly brothers to be operating a big lump of metal on wheels. She definitely is very responsible and has a good head on her shoulders. But, time marches on....in less than a year she will be off to college and being able to drive might come in handy. :) We are looking forward to the premier of "Briar Rose", a play written by one of the boys at our parish, with musical scores written by none other than our dear Dylan, and Naomi being part of the cast.</div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-52685323029652850222011-09-25T18:35:00.009-05:002011-09-26T06:01:03.961-05:00Words of wisdom<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaA5kd0tvOTm89L17V9kJRNessjQA7A9WjHVJZ5-f-w4y1e0yzdFyYdEOG_O9Cyf_-FoZGF2nC4BpaK4NcoWtTboXk1Vf3xslzuHwn1UxvBP2jZlqEniYvJ3ktrxkrDJBEFTSXEu9WCU7/s1600/179227_1519521036449_1487244868_31028188_7152457_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQaA5kd0tvOTm89L17V9kJRNessjQA7A9WjHVJZ5-f-w4y1e0yzdFyYdEOG_O9Cyf_-FoZGF2nC4BpaK4NcoWtTboXk1Vf3xslzuHwn1UxvBP2jZlqEniYvJ3ktrxkrDJBEFTSXEu9WCU7/s400/179227_1519521036449_1487244868_31028188_7152457_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656621341801646322" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP2oj_IaFyFZERI5AuNTQGRbW_iRZ_D-RjSsXDfYRtT5MgqynueS9ErmHlthOioe1Qdz65EfSAczc_Zrov6EZU5yh5HltT4MTot1KNcgDwV0cK6tk6MFA2WEwydaS3KIEMy4-Cxqpsnkl/s1600/166853_1519530716691_1487244868_31028199_6610624_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP2oj_IaFyFZERI5AuNTQGRbW_iRZ_D-RjSsXDfYRtT5MgqynueS9ErmHlthOioe1Qdz65EfSAczc_Zrov6EZU5yh5HltT4MTot1KNcgDwV0cK6tk6MFA2WEwydaS3KIEMy4-Cxqpsnkl/s400/166853_1519530716691_1487244868_31028199_6610624_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656621201626661938" /></a><br /><div>I had a conversation with my dad not long ago. He was probably on me for putting salt on my food ( something he is notorious for in general) and I probably said something glib like "Well, I like salt!" ( convincing!) His response was "Well, I like salt, too, I don't eat it because I know it is better for me not to!" Well, it's hard to argue with my father. One, because he is also known for being NW ( never wrong..... example: one time when I thought I was in labor and came to drop the kids off at their house, he said "You don't look like you are in labor." Sure enough, false alarm. :) Two, because he looks good and is in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">purty</span> good health for a 71 year old man. ( as does/is my mother!) Beyond that, I've thought a lot about that comment. I might argue with him about the salt issue, but not about the self discipline issue. Denying yourself things you really like seems to get harder for me the older I am. Maybe that isn't true. Maybe I've been living on good gene fumes for most of my life and have avoided chronic health problems because of it ( not because I've made a whole lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">conscious</span> choices to be a healthy person). I'm pretty sure that situation is starting to wind down. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I know the mental battle that rages within has mostly to do with "poor pitiful me " thinking. It's not that I don't enjoy my life or my vocation, but there are always things that are distasteful in any life/career. I know I don't want to add certain unpleasant tasks ( like lifting weights) or subtracting pleasant ones ( like eating whatever I want) because "Oh, I already have this, that or the other difficult thing to do on a daily basis and why shouldn't I be rewarded by doing things I enjoy and why should I punish myself by doing more things I don't like to do? ( yes, mature! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Something else I read underlines this as well. "I work out every morning, 7 days a week-even when I am traveling. I hate it. But I love the results! That's the key, baby!" Jack La Lane. Jack La Lane?! The grandfather, the patriarch of the fitness movement hates to work out?! Yes, I believe that is the key. What separates the men from the boys here. Doing things you don't like to obtain good results. So simple, so difficult. Hopefully the genes I've inherited include the wisdom & strength of will my dad possesses. I just hope I don't have to wait until I am 70 for it to blossom. :)</div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-89873236815939272052011-09-25T10:33:00.009-05:002011-09-26T05:55:32.089-05:00From Naomi's blog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL4HbiHxeM8WGF1CWSohn0pAfJ2iI_vB0RxbnPGwFAH38YeJt3seVTF26wuBh_v_GChiOFzDD9z_L6b9XIcu5eOTfk4FhYx4hiBt5JJleFSZiXoqGMaMzE63SqrdmhBC7_-CECy9ro2bW/s1600/IMG_9080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656325565313897074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJL4HbiHxeM8WGF1CWSohn0pAfJ2iI_vB0RxbnPGwFAH38YeJt3seVTF26wuBh_v_GChiOFzDD9z_L6b9XIcu5eOTfk4FhYx4hiBt5JJleFSZiXoqGMaMzE63SqrdmhBC7_-CECy9ro2bW/s400/IMG_9080.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>"Remember how much stress you had over the past year? It probably wasn't worth it. Whatever happened, happened and would have happened without the stress"</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Funny</strong> how mother and daughter learn the same things at the same time. Not that I have really LEARNED this lesson, but it's at least on my radar and I've been thinking a lot about it. So much of what we stress out about is gone and forgotten a year later, heck sometimes a week later! Why do we put ourselves through it? In reality there seem to be very few things to stress about in life. Case in point, Noah's grad party. Oh, I stewed about that one all summer. Would we have enough food, would we have too much food. Did I invite too many people, did I forget to invite certain people. How would I arrange tables/chairs, parking, invites and on and on and on....when, in the end, it was just a party. Sure, a party to mark one of your child's milestones in life, but nothing life or death for sure. I know I lost sleep, I know I was crabby about it, I know I was short, scatterbrained and distant from my children while I worked everything out. Was any of it worth it? Probably not. But that is just a vignette from the many things I get stressed out about during any given day, week or month. The funny things is, I am a nazi-like perfectionist about a few things, and not so much (even when I should be more careful) about a lot of things. Why not just be balanced? Well, the first step in conquering any given issue in your life is the realization it's an issue. So, onward and upward. :)</div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-80686233846501407062011-09-25T08:39:00.021-05:002011-09-25T19:37:21.303-05:00Summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFy4a810H7qD5yFd1nfpNM9SKNeZRtir7qdrEMtjz06vdlbwjYcAb2PKPuDQLb6JKHDZZ2Uu8V1FFsL-SGKuk38COL8TOZpn01XxDRTxvrAnORii-OFs6DZs1s8wrqiTcbcvcXVe6mMiu/s1600/DSCI0017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656301810873958194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFy4a810H7qD5yFd1nfpNM9SKNeZRtir7qdrEMtjz06vdlbwjYcAb2PKPuDQLb6JKHDZZ2Uu8V1FFsL-SGKuk38COL8TOZpn01XxDRTxvrAnORii-OFs6DZs1s8wrqiTcbcvcXVe6mMiu/s400/DSCI0017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF-XFzNQLyLuO-W8LiK0DR75KiEdl2Z1Ho7t1UUjDwa4dOIDMf6U1fIi7dmVMcBadpdmpb0UAN5Jnpfw_2ktbDB3Rm6vEIWK9VIoApry1PbL8OCO3OtVPY0sibk46EqfE3-Wyxt3Ui3rJ/s1600/259961_1753572007577_1487244868_31334692_2564497_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656301268948346018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLF-XFzNQLyLuO-W8LiK0DR75KiEdl2Z1Ho7t1UUjDwa4dOIDMf6U1fIi7dmVMcBadpdmpb0UAN5Jnpfw_2ktbDB3Rm6vEIWK9VIoApry1PbL8OCO3OtVPY0sibk46EqfE3-Wyxt3Ui3rJ/s400/259961_1753572007577_1487244868_31334692_2564497_n.jpg" /></a><br />Do we see some similarities? :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LHT-wDnHaehOmt0nzgs2F7yeEuJHE7T8EVAR8H9KNoKcCkL7ncOhL-kuZZKilltXdPclZ8esg8eBS_sRUa7GUUjTg8DiH6vI9xH13_1j-2nqNkRbCAQmJZ7Uipionkk6Bh0E0op28sAc/s1600/DSCI0022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656299346011727250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LHT-wDnHaehOmt0nzgs2F7yeEuJHE7T8EVAR8H9KNoKcCkL7ncOhL-kuZZKilltXdPclZ8esg8eBS_sRUa7GUUjTg8DiH6vI9xH13_1j-2nqNkRbCAQmJZ7Uipionkk6Bh0E0op28sAc/s400/DSCI0022.JPG" /></a> We FINALLY had Noah's grad party. This is about the only picture I got...but thankfully all went well. Especially the weather! We've had some wonky fall weather but somehow was blessed with a lovely day. (Pinata for littles)<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY-vcz59YIqZWomhxfjCzgdHPUs8E3kqUcti7_HBoIvPm9Ghqdahb78tRyFA5lovu-0sLtC9eLpec7JxjyIXY2RWfWV1jjWkDbpXCvMjajbNyX633KRHsdbQ9e1chMieZVOdCUGM5bCpp/s1600/DSCI0012.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656299342816746178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY-vcz59YIqZWomhxfjCzgdHPUs8E3kqUcti7_HBoIvPm9Ghqdahb78tRyFA5lovu-0sLtC9eLpec7JxjyIXY2RWfWV1jjWkDbpXCvMjajbNyX633KRHsdbQ9e1chMieZVOdCUGM5bCpp/s400/DSCI0012.JPG" /></a><br />Clay creations. School has started in earnest!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtgC-G06G04LI-pFuAKlmcLC4WeVcD69vUxvfXIqZQN9eO6Zcr9pWGXF8CWjpVlxt9IJY35MPyRRraq6-5kbt77xP725SxwMdHPnkmMFnDEMzcxFDN7GlO_i9oECGM1OIuMWYExBN7auM/s1600/DSCI0011.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656298911406347586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtgC-G06G04LI-pFuAKlmcLC4WeVcD69vUxvfXIqZQN9eO6Zcr9pWGXF8CWjpVlxt9IJY35MPyRRraq6-5kbt77xP725SxwMdHPnkmMFnDEMzcxFDN7GlO_i9oECGM1OIuMWYExBN7auM/s400/DSCI0011.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMThHkWsgV12VxTEu28JbTvt8qAL9Rnb17iXTf7Cn2fWExbaJOHRSnNcI2oCuJzGdoYfTB-sLkj0mUbxHIrHX-9nd3bvnU5eQ-DmHDQhIQEuqhG8MccYMBjMT3SzzsKBA5e2AtZSMjTZ6M/s1600/DSCI0010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656298907679968722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMThHkWsgV12VxTEu28JbTvt8qAL9Rnb17iXTf7Cn2fWExbaJOHRSnNcI2oCuJzGdoYfTB-sLkj0mUbxHIrHX-9nd3bvnU5eQ-DmHDQhIQEuqhG8MccYMBjMT3SzzsKBA5e2AtZSMjTZ6M/s400/DSCI0010.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZIe1cB_dUuEOU1dPhCpopneFV2u_H-T0yT6o8GD0VTYox1G9N_RevBBnixtfsEnkj3aINZMFGOVOCzCga4ZJcxVfuESgonkKaa1NytSXhFMUZKAySZWXRRTAOLZHGifyK2zuxN7Z8Zvo/s1600/100_0330.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656297573801102258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZIe1cB_dUuEOU1dPhCpopneFV2u_H-T0yT6o8GD0VTYox1G9N_RevBBnixtfsEnkj3aINZMFGOVOCzCga4ZJcxVfuESgonkKaa1NytSXhFMUZKAySZWXRRTAOLZHGifyK2zuxN7Z8Zvo/s400/100_0330.JPG" /></a> Parish festival. I do a little tent where small kids can come and play for free and get their face painted ( this wasn't my original idea, the genius of another lady....but I took it over from her).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEN65_NPzCCLVsm2MaCcFuvJhvQoS4N1drLdGB9xlHCU28elQNcVFzQfZ_Ba-wQ-5pUGN_yzeE5fgi-R7JvONA32zmEvpwZDNbPGQlspqKbNXC9Rj1ForEusq2r4c9yCIvCn0XX2Wxg4X/s1600/100_0339.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656297212720124690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEN65_NPzCCLVsm2MaCcFuvJhvQoS4N1drLdGB9xlHCU28elQNcVFzQfZ_Ba-wQ-5pUGN_yzeE5fgi-R7JvONA32zmEvpwZDNbPGQlspqKbNXC9Rj1ForEusq2r4c9yCIvCn0XX2Wxg4X/s400/100_0339.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK187DssNvAEpzZdTmM-yoLTctzGIL7C2oal-xU92_epjRmEBAzEhC3AImZuz-ZQwJz2QwEPUoVxzRE9x5Ofu1XKC5tLK09Zq0moCWkyYFqbqL4L7oalJQkH06CSzq7WPYsdT6rLhbH6W/s1600/100_0337.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656297209455935170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIK187DssNvAEpzZdTmM-yoLTctzGIL7C2oal-xU92_epjRmEBAzEhC3AImZuz-ZQwJz2QwEPUoVxzRE9x5Ofu1XKC5tLK09Zq0moCWkyYFqbqL4L7oalJQkH06CSzq7WPYsdT6rLhbH6W/s400/100_0337.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpeB8ndNBomsIUWHYyfZ1gqF1mKwWeBdPJsL2Zx9KQiB3iQHBiDPSWwLcC1uMQVfp7WMdA8icgJn-fC1BU0J5FWWXQngjq3aT0ZATVJ7fJMEBjRjDK5e6vQzYWC7MoOxlZDRZ2d4H2LfJ/s1600/100_0333.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656297097191679698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpeB8ndNBomsIUWHYyfZ1gqF1mKwWeBdPJsL2Zx9KQiB3iQHBiDPSWwLcC1uMQVfp7WMdA8icgJn-fC1BU0J5FWWXQngjq3aT0ZATVJ7fJMEBjRjDK5e6vQzYWC7MoOxlZDRZ2d4H2LfJ/s400/100_0333.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9YBw4eksu0G31bG32RUcfVQNb-aL_L-JDOKHUylv3YJU6OZaofFMxjLxpBDrGNS0cotrGi8gq-rDyC2hApopKJymqLaY24uRJWpfPQf26mPZ6C4VXYDsQp-xmfTvLto87XZe3bypnD_6/s1600/100_0329.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656296943656668290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9YBw4eksu0G31bG32RUcfVQNb-aL_L-JDOKHUylv3YJU6OZaofFMxjLxpBDrGNS0cotrGi8gq-rDyC2hApopKJymqLaY24uRJWpfPQf26mPZ6C4VXYDsQp-xmfTvLto87XZe3bypnD_6/s400/100_0329.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk8ZtUUB1Ux6PSe8bvusTEjleMbHpDYoPzmLc2Ga9xbiZmGexrCr87KhJMR9yicuU_MeOXl-NQoaQdMU7KGVEBHpphXEAeNabPhvDHINU4s-2IFzCq-c6_oojiLZr3Mf_9Ht2trqYYmiH/s1600/100_0327.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656296843030075986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk8ZtUUB1Ux6PSe8bvusTEjleMbHpDYoPzmLc2Ga9xbiZmGexrCr87KhJMR9yicuU_MeOXl-NQoaQdMU7KGVEBHpphXEAeNabPhvDHINU4s-2IFzCq-c6_oojiLZr3Mf_9Ht2trqYYmiH/s400/100_0327.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMsCaO8B6HTQawXEtyeqtPus7RInUmx7if2PZPwJ4oJI-Hi0cihZTXSk_au1BMc5YmZy6I3jl4jkEJtOA5HISMpwwNC5W5cuBsOCPBYvgv44it8SvKHGcNdb1wF4oRcs5mkRz0Kp7a0Dl/s1600/100_0351.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656296681866078450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMsCaO8B6HTQawXEtyeqtPus7RInUmx7if2PZPwJ4oJI-Hi0cihZTXSk_au1BMc5YmZy6I3jl4jkEJtOA5HISMpwwNC5W5cuBsOCPBYvgv44it8SvKHGcNdb1wF4oRcs5mkRz0Kp7a0Dl/s400/100_0351.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K-t9RUamTTloOpzXBFSDYffb70ZrUGKtLD4I-_QgrAx_wCod0mpdfu6ejVOn38_zARBYWX5utevSSY-mH9TPInS4rk_l_0bHVfzaC72PHn4dPn5MZDhlRvbXKxrmhsnPbUdiuJC4JiMF/s1600/100_0340.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656292469912767986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K-t9RUamTTloOpzXBFSDYffb70ZrUGKtLD4I-_QgrAx_wCod0mpdfu6ejVOn38_zARBYWX5utevSSY-mH9TPInS4rk_l_0bHVfzaC72PHn4dPn5MZDhlRvbXKxrmhsnPbUdiuJC4JiMF/s400/100_0340.JPG" /></a> As gardens go...this one is decidedly not that impressive. To me...it is a wonder! I still can't over that you can push some seeds into soil and up come these amazing plants! Maybe not so much with plants you buy from Home Depot ( which sort of seems like cheating :), but ripping open a little packet of seeds and a month or two later up come yards of pumpkin vines and 8 foot tall sunflowers. Gratifying. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Outside my window: </strong>Sort of gray. Looks like rain. We've had a lot of rain after barely any this summer.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>I am thinking: "An idiotic waste of life." (Charles, Lord Hazlemeare) </strong>For some time, WW1 has fascinated me. For one thing, it seemed to open the door to such social and political change in Europe. For another, I really didn't "get" why the assasination an obscure Austrian Arch Duke, in a small Eastern European country ( Serbia) could have set off such a huge, world involved conflict. Well, two aides helped me get a better picture of things over this summer. One was the book: "George, Nicholas and Wilhem: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War 1" by Miranda Carter. The other was the mini-series "Fall of Eagles". While I am sure you really can't boil things down to any one simplistic reason, these two resources make it clear that a good deal of the conflict was due to the ups and downs of familial relationships between the ruling heads of Europe at the time (who were, in many ways, a bit-"off" personality-wise). Which truly makes one scratch their head in despair. That a few men held the lives of millions of men ( and their wives, children, parents and others who knew and loved them) in their hands while they fumed and fussed over power and prestige on the European continent. I guess it is not a new story in the history of mankind, but such a recent one and very poignant. I don't believe wars are always unjustified, but, despite some of the good that came from it ( ie: absolute power of the monarchy was diluted in some cases, completely overthrown in others) this one was, well, dumb. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><strong>From the schoolroom: </strong>Our first day of school was Sept. 6th and so far, things are going suprisingly well. Manny continues to astound me with his readiness for full-blown school work, and everyone else jumped right in and fell into the "old" routine without much ado. Thankful.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Reading/Watching/Listening to: </strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Just finished "The Wilder Life" by Wendy Mc Clure . This was very entertaining. I thought I was the only one who lived, breathed and ate the "Little House" books as a young girl! It was humorous and interesting to find someone trying to re-live those little rays of sunshine in a pre-teen girls life. And it had a good bit of new information I didn't know about the family. It also makes me want to "do" her Ingalls road trips (visiting the places where they actually lived...De Smet, South Dakota, anyone?...they actually have a campsite there where you can sleep in a psuedo covered wagon!) and I am kicking myself for not pushing to go see the site in Mansfield, Mo when we were there last spring!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Watched:</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The most memorable of dvd's watched lately was "Of God's and Men". This was released this year or last year, and was well received (Cannes, Cesar, Best Foreign Language Film). It is slow moving and thoughtful, but what impressed me was that the monks belief in God was never ridiculed ( as that belief is so often in modern day movies). It was respected, and even admired. Beautiful.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Listened to: </strong>What I am trying to listen to ( on a "classics" roll lately) "Swann's Way" by Marcel Proust, "Mrs Dalloway" Virginia Woolf, "Tender is the Night" F. Scott Fitzgerald. I did finish "Winesburg, OH" by Sherwood Anderson. I can't say I loved it, but it was interesting. Especially being written in 1915. Underlines the fact that while times change, human nature does not.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>From the kitchen:</strong> "Chicken Taco Soup" good stuff ( see Food Network for recipe...can't get the link on here.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>Comings and goings: </strong>Well, Naomi finally landed a job ( at "Jimmy John's no less...there is some irony there for the girl who doesn't like to cook :) So, there will be lots of driving to and fro ( thankfully, not too far away) Hopefully, I will get to see one of my son's soccer games! Either there has been sickness or party prep on the weekends they play and I haven't gotten there ( Tim has, thankfully). Other than that we are trying to stick to doing school, with the usual trips to the library,etc. I am hoping now that we've had a few weeks under our belt we can branch out and do some field trips....to the zoo, farm, capital!</div></div><br /><br /><div>I should add, that to round out the summer, we had a lovely ( and more importantly, WARM) camping trip and a nice little party for Tim's 50th. Not sure why no pictures, but there you have it.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-46748664798734305192011-07-10T19:04:00.013-05:002011-07-15T20:22:47.358-05:00Spring....<div>I have to say this ranks right up there with the. most. busiest.spring.ever. for the Vrazo family. Which is probably why I haven't posted on this blog since the end of February! Stunning! (I don't know why these photos are posting in such a funky way....keep scrolling................<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubRPjBRrailcLxLZhwEflCOWv8Ke0ou7jZs9RF91wNe0Z69IaB8Mb1VbcLQPSv970TLoQdZ5nZ6i1yPKO-DlzxAKpMtY1fW0Itn8al73tz9rG_M0ZAPe-L_CFJ6mkb6_KRodBxQmu6qnV/s1600/100_0247.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887989756815266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubRPjBRrailcLxLZhwEflCOWv8Ke0ou7jZs9RF91wNe0Z69IaB8Mb1VbcLQPSv970TLoQdZ5nZ6i1yPKO-DlzxAKpMtY1fW0Itn8al73tz9rG_M0ZAPe-L_CFJ6mkb6_KRodBxQmu6qnV/s400/100_0247.JPG" border="0" /></a> Al, the proud, new homeowner. Our nest is emptier by two. ( He took Zak with him :)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlcugeEJY8MFAER2ibK3qEX5uo1WQrnpVizRDd7U6mZahTPW05YvUv6SEuQq-mZKAU8YrbacsxsOdPpcwyxYz0ag-0xXVFOj2BBar1RG7LzYILRkyvQH8Z69LuaE51Nv6izyC69ajsVie/s1600/100_0182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887977562097122" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlcugeEJY8MFAER2ibK3qEX5uo1WQrnpVizRDd7U6mZahTPW05YvUv6SEuQq-mZKAU8YrbacsxsOdPpcwyxYz0ag-0xXVFOj2BBar1RG7LzYILRkyvQH8Z69LuaE51Nv6izyC69ajsVie/s400/100_0182.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Vrazo Family Reunion in St Louis. ( St Louis Science Center)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNUBclD4dFVHkFOd-QBHBmJLpEfX2QPcxqdjeCe7Ohc6wsPT5vBKSm8IymTV7irm_YMiDI4Lo-dm65ODqISP-wZ9VQXiZgaM9YwFBnnIT0-smbcKWNmuCASUlLYoyIFkUhfbjrM_PqMAz/s1600/100_0180.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887970750890306" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNUBclD4dFVHkFOd-QBHBmJLpEfX2QPcxqdjeCe7Ohc6wsPT5vBKSm8IymTV7irm_YMiDI4Lo-dm65ODqISP-wZ9VQXiZgaM9YwFBnnIT0-smbcKWNmuCASUlLYoyIFkUhfbjrM_PqMAz/s400/100_0180.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ditto<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SsXUfeqXS06tJ9aEd2haUneHMKGKe4OScxzB3bVsufHY91qmO-S4F93bliIE0r60ajYE296H_7qmefiAahr-T0J3jsq6f4tGtGmcqK1DQqV7nUSmDXWai6weLZApjZH8k7CdJY4FYDAF/s1600/100_0179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887961806967778" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SsXUfeqXS06tJ9aEd2haUneHMKGKe4OScxzB3bVsufHY91qmO-S4F93bliIE0r60ajYE296H_7qmefiAahr-T0J3jsq6f4tGtGmcqK1DQqV7nUSmDXWai6weLZApjZH8k7CdJY4FYDAF/s400/100_0179.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Union Station<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1eVuIBaE7-aqVTsV1JJ8LPaV0lL6YuJB-o_M7PptI_Y9A5poH7qYoCfQRnmxRDVM5wJEWGkvvd1KkCXJWpOzlpu0IaSiiCaRvgePDu9YoOgXpZSz-pfBIt-9B0Dtb-qbW_0qWhZ1zdNL/s1600/100_0177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887954908307586" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1eVuIBaE7-aqVTsV1JJ8LPaV0lL6YuJB-o_M7PptI_Y9A5poH7qYoCfQRnmxRDVM5wJEWGkvvd1KkCXJWpOzlpu0IaSiiCaRvgePDu9YoOgXpZSz-pfBIt-9B0Dtb-qbW_0qWhZ1zdNL/s400/100_0177.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Vrazo offspring minus a few....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_3IZCQoXN2mWr-ggOViEgDdktCFUNp120Lc3EnsnvXGgfibEMmMhp-aQqj0amqobZO8-m0S-HK-tcmZHxH7wLt7jZyiqgQXWEt_ShNf8DCQU_A7KlyE460h5QAZHrnwfg8gqLwGU8RKN/s1600/100_0176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887476152539266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_3IZCQoXN2mWr-ggOViEgDdktCFUNp120Lc3EnsnvXGgfibEMmMhp-aQqj0amqobZO8-m0S-HK-tcmZHxH7wLt7jZyiqgQXWEt_ShNf8DCQU_A7KlyE460h5QAZHrnwfg8gqLwGU8RKN/s400/100_0176.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Family bowling in celebration of Jed's FHC.<br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkeC8BN-v6yuTik1R9NhyU6q5lbV47ff3U81d-MEB9O6cUmNB548K-5bNY4jI2BJuCOn305XL8dZSYVt1L9b_gA6Cnf0ULvv-jZa7JyNMTLU-V_OZGzzAtPvHZqetHxFn6Lcb4y1Mjs1X/s1600/100_0175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887464168962114" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkeC8BN-v6yuTik1R9NhyU6q5lbV47ff3U81d-MEB9O6cUmNB548K-5bNY4jI2BJuCOn305XL8dZSYVt1L9b_gA6Cnf0ULvv-jZa7JyNMTLU-V_OZGzzAtPvHZqetHxFn6Lcb4y1Mjs1X/s400/100_0175.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone having a good time?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8ZmEQpiCv03qKbnCizZfH0zr4gC8tcw3MMvnhuS3EZouhUVGAXwwIHL-1II5zyUguN-pwYosmhU8nGXoADH0LbbGs_DOV6eSQBSsVJkMl0G2CKwnnxYgR_SUc42lkB_UDcsHlaCIaSjL/s1600/100_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887455712348018" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8ZmEQpiCv03qKbnCizZfH0zr4gC8tcw3MMvnhuS3EZouhUVGAXwwIHL-1II5zyUguN-pwYosmhU8nGXoADH0LbbGs_DOV6eSQBSsVJkMl0G2CKwnnxYgR_SUc42lkB_UDcsHlaCIaSjL/s400/100_0172.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Look at that form!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5Imwp3csedzxMKHv5MFmEFqG5dyY7faT16HVDGqDtizJJ4o-xhWhPacNDVVxGoIx4b9tXY6IaDkCliOdiBbtzUjBOnvOH9K8N1TMkD1uuHUJHqYxlVcziJBKlM2sKjWhRcDwytiPi4LV/s1600/100_0169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887450082773170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5Imwp3csedzxMKHv5MFmEFqG5dyY7faT16HVDGqDtizJJ4o-xhWhPacNDVVxGoIx4b9tXY6IaDkCliOdiBbtzUjBOnvOH9K8N1TMkD1uuHUJHqYxlVcziJBKlM2sKjWhRcDwytiPi4LV/s400/100_0169.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It's a wonder there aren't cracks in the bowling alley lane after Jed whips his ball down it!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCCTLnYFNUn4xt8Yop3LN4sUOIgCKBI-zs4bkeJ5MigOS6h8WCYPLP4avEWPrILR-mh_3bU_vD1617Gh77I6_VdVwJ58GSz3gcaPw7PyVR77bWVOoV3RG3Z7l56Q7TG6Dz2FPjL7DGoAL/s1600/100_0167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887048911566386" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCCTLnYFNUn4xt8Yop3LN4sUOIgCKBI-zs4bkeJ5MigOS6h8WCYPLP4avEWPrILR-mh_3bU_vD1617Gh77I6_VdVwJ58GSz3gcaPw7PyVR77bWVOoV3RG3Z7l56Q7TG6Dz2FPjL7DGoAL/s400/100_0167.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gabi loves to bowl!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPKoFZAoP0wKJCniszSZriPhTf8URfmnlFENsWDfvdTQIpwQ69ksHGhYfZ9zxk-k15FGPXClaq43_ltDAZjVbA_84KJLr-Nk7O9hXgVRfe9H-zjZsKcM3uaoQe2l7n5AE8cl5QeaiFYtC/s1600/100_0166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887045917358194" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPKoFZAoP0wKJCniszSZriPhTf8URfmnlFENsWDfvdTQIpwQ69ksHGhYfZ9zxk-k15FGPXClaq43_ltDAZjVbA_84KJLr-Nk7O9hXgVRfe9H-zjZsKcM3uaoQe2l7n5AE8cl5QeaiFYtC/s400/100_0166.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54ONq_92b20ArGR22kSGLuG2mCz3C7LcZmgZqgy3M2W_hp88dhqfLJBC52vR6dSzFrlVsI4tCKXllSOQpcoByT5k3nWpuFtTpkrRUadJqjbebuglkF7QrmqUDsIntpffGlCs3oAEiK3jy/s1600/100_0162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887038218104834" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54ONq_92b20ArGR22kSGLuG2mCz3C7LcZmgZqgy3M2W_hp88dhqfLJBC52vR6dSzFrlVsI4tCKXllSOQpcoByT5k3nWpuFtTpkrRUadJqjbebuglkF7QrmqUDsIntpffGlCs3oAEiK3jy/s400/100_0162.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpOXzpveb1zsDb4tI7aH7_uJKpOl96KFFgedu9kJU3sWA51AdTUnOe6C30-_Z5W-S8zaah7nYRMg6iSQD64npyGk6e8rpQ5JQEG7xnndlQJWgUvVsHSVZSRQYTeVFFIezvmYZzK6ceGKJ/s1600/IMG_7522.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 267px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887033889717682" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpOXzpveb1zsDb4tI7aH7_uJKpOl96KFFgedu9kJU3sWA51AdTUnOe6C30-_Z5W-S8zaah7nYRMg6iSQD64npyGk6e8rpQ5JQEG7xnndlQJWgUvVsHSVZSRQYTeVFFIezvmYZzK6ceGKJ/s400/IMG_7522.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mother's Day ....feel the love.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUPATJDGuqc7Q8JfsAKMwRGKOcidKOzskKhhwSlnVQtfYzdeJX8G_dKH4XZU49gvSPYunZJVewpoUsCPFq-q-u_215KqxWxcR0u_cvQr0g8QPlk_gJCQ5NKxjOBYd3LD9sJ53ECJhUb3R/s1600/2011-05-20_20-34-39_548.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 226px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627887029797186242" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSUPATJDGuqc7Q8JfsAKMwRGKOcidKOzskKhhwSlnVQtfYzdeJX8G_dKH4XZU49gvSPYunZJVewpoUsCPFq-q-u_215KqxWxcR0u_cvQr0g8QPlk_gJCQ5NKxjOBYd3LD9sJ53ECJhUb3R/s400/2011-05-20_20-34-39_548.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A confirmation! Jackson Lewis Jerome Vrazo<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkY7G6b54GUjrL0poeV6_vm3bwyhFsQbRJI8LPK1Z-HzGzqCou3zPq1NJDJrOd7cArKBH76XSsoMSSdOOckX54WzEYi95KvvTfTNnl8Ozf-samab-WKpz2Nqlp3S9921PLqYS8P3W0e8o/s1600/100_0160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627879899732478994" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkY7G6b54GUjrL0poeV6_vm3bwyhFsQbRJI8LPK1Z-HzGzqCou3zPq1NJDJrOd7cArKBH76XSsoMSSdOOckX54WzEYi95KvvTfTNnl8Ozf-samab-WKpz2Nqlp3S9921PLqYS8P3W0e8o/s400/100_0160.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First Holy Communion</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh--yes, and there was a prom! Naomi's first. :)<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyt6b0DDK4fUtlghd-1SDVN_nn6vEMDoGysOYAiAwYRsBY4liR8LA2xErXGEMFwnA5T1kZqfgIvWzJ2ZLbScGJrp11V729adgE1Cxj7lDnysYRp5MCwxA8FlMirbgYuid-_ntP3ZPblCg/s1600/100_0147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627879887803266194" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyt6b0DDK4fUtlghd-1SDVN_nn6vEMDoGysOYAiAwYRsBY4liR8LA2xErXGEMFwnA5T1kZqfgIvWzJ2ZLbScGJrp11V729adgE1Cxj7lDnysYRp5MCwxA8FlMirbgYuid-_ntP3ZPblCg/s400/100_0147.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Auntie Em!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYw9JzNxvoSSG_pF1k_CPXb6SJP4F2YTL64hyphenhyphenzp_MuQEDWH5qZ9j8qSZ-MTB_STQn6xV9yWg5sogbKbfr_bEtoNCcRVlGDkXI7bzlSEh9yxQFzFpZwarI_g0qJXKS0aAkbIC6ckTx1jBb/s1600/100_0145.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627879878468720434" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYw9JzNxvoSSG_pF1k_CPXb6SJP4F2YTL64hyphenhyphenzp_MuQEDWH5qZ9j8qSZ-MTB_STQn6xV9yWg5sogbKbfr_bEtoNCcRVlGDkXI7bzlSEh9yxQFzFpZwarI_g0qJXKS0aAkbIC6ckTx1jBb/s400/100_0145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The gorgeous girls<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolE8r0ACRLY8KiPARhyhFu28UdcmFmwA03tq4DmIg4WPL-3IxFQG4P62upbTiMLA1OutyxhWAqBuOwkcgugh87vGRv9B4wIcbA9VyyZE1PHkJ3TbszNgEVLG_Qg_7iY8ThIROM-A_nNHE/s1600/100_0140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627879866790360482" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolE8r0ACRLY8KiPARhyhFu28UdcmFmwA03tq4DmIg4WPL-3IxFQG4P62upbTiMLA1OutyxhWAqBuOwkcgugh87vGRv9B4wIcbA9VyyZE1PHkJ3TbszNgEVLG_Qg_7iY8ThIROM-A_nNHE/s400/100_0140.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The lovely "do", thanks to Gabriella<br /><br />Lovely spring flowers...a balm to a soul weighed down by winter. ( not mine, of course ;)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFRAHPDNaEaX4H7-naJoBDV8NdCWTHm628R4zbA5vmujipku67LtMXYTM3JP6w83Wdbfts_eQuySKPLsumOp897zcjOh8SJnXBmtUWnqED7AfwZloJwTVEU6xRLqfhXVsPxa1619S_yNx/s1600/100_0135.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627879856719889794" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFRAHPDNaEaX4H7-naJoBDV8NdCWTHm628R4zbA5vmujipku67LtMXYTM3JP6w83Wdbfts_eQuySKPLsumOp897zcjOh8SJnXBmtUWnqED7AfwZloJwTVEU6xRLqfhXVsPxa1619S_yNx/s400/100_0135.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Add to all the "events" 5 kids in soccer and 1 in rugby ( I think I made it to all of 3 of his games...he could drive himself :) and me coaching soccer ( don't laugh) for the first time...well, it made for a rip-roaring few months.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Outside my window:</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Well, now it is July and very warm. Everything is green and lush and blooming. Garden is in and thriving ( note to self: read pumpkin seed package on how far apart to space plants BEFORE doing so.)<br /><br />Strawberry rhubarb and raspberry rhubarb jam made.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>Outdoor painting projects just about wrapped up! It's funny, I started painting my front door and shutters on St Patrick's day ( we were having a warm spell) . It took until the middle of June to be able to resume that work because it was either too cold, or too rainy!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I am thinking</span>: Well, I am trying out some philosophy. I must admit, reading philosophy is a struggle for me. My lazy brain just doesn't want to do the work to understand their point. :) However, I have stumbled upon Marcus Aurelius "Meditations" ...which is a pretty easy work to get into for me. Marcus Aurielius was a Roman Emperor and premier Stoic philosopher and has a generally good reputation for being a wise and kind Emperor ( except that a lot of Christians were persecuted under his reign, which puzzles many people. I suppose his lofty thoughts didn't translate into tolerance for Christianity :) He has lots of inspiring things to say, but mostly, what he writes has me thinking of lots of other things. I would say it has opened a floodgate of issues to contend with. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the schoolroom:</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I can say with unabashed joy that we are DONE with school and are thoroughly enjoying our summer break. This has been a grueling school year but good in many ways. We are signing back up with K-12 and adding Manny as a student. Jackson will be in high school next year and not sure what program I will use with him, but probably not K-12. Naomi ( GULP) will be graduating!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Reading/Watching/Listening:</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Read:</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I discovered Margaret Foster this spring and really enjoy her writing for the most part. I can sniff out some things I knit my brows at....but overall, she is a talented writer and writes about things I am interested in ( ie: historical fiction). Two I've read so far ( and one listened to) "The Bride of Lowther Fell" and "Keeping the World Away " The audio book was "Lady's Maid" about Elizabeth Barrett Browning's beloved ( or not so beloved at times) maid who had many insights into her life.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Watched:</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Some that stand out:<br /><br />"The September Issue" </div><br /><br /><div><br />This was a film about producing an issue of Vogue magazine with it's focus on Anna Wintour ( the editor in chief). Naomi and I were chuckling about the fact that neither of us are "fashionistas", but the fashion industry has a certain intrique for us. I suppose because it is so exotic and far from our normal lives. It "is" an artform, and I suppose we can appreciate it from that point of view. It gets me thinking about why certain clothing appeals to certain people and why it doesn't to others. Why is someone like Ms Wintour's opinion on such matters so widely held as the final word? For the record, I don't make a habit out of reading "Vogue". I may pick one up at the dr's office on occasion. In the end...I would say it was a little bit of fun to watch, but I couldn't get over the huge sums of $ spent on photo shoots and all that goes along with them just so the general public can have something to drool over. ( I'm sure just the airfare alone to Rome or wherever for all the models and staff could feed a few starving children in Africa. )<br /><br />A couple regarding the Holocaust...<br /><br />Rosenstrausse ( A German film about German wives married to Jewish citizens of Berlin, who stood outside the prison their beloveds were held day after day until finally....they were released. One of the brighter stories among the many tragic ones we all know of.<br /><br /> Secret Lives: This one was about Christian ( or otherwise) citizens who hid Jewish children. One thing I appreciated about this very well done documentary is that while it gave credit where credit was due ( of course it was very brave and noble for these individuals and families to take these children in, and I am in no way trying to take away from that) it didn't whitewash some of the difficulties encountered. One daughter felt very angry ( even as an adult) at her parents for putting she and her sister at risk by taking in a Jewish girl. Another (Jewish) girl lived happily with her adoptive family, but had a very hard time going back to her parents. It gave one a lot to think about, not the least being "Could I have been brave enough to do such a thing...especially knowing they would execute whole families if they found out what was going on?"<br /><br /><br />Series:<br /><br />Dr Findlay A post WW2 drama about a Dr. practicing in a rural town in Scotland. This was a well made and well acted series. They might have been a bit heavy handed on inserting some modern quandries into that time period, but overall, very good.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Listened to:</span><br /><br />Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger<br /><br />Ms Niffenegger is probably more well known for her wildly popular "The Time Travelers Wife". Well, I have never read that one. I did see the movie and didn't care for it. I noticed on one board, this one didn't get many good reviews. I wonder if it is because it is a departure from TTW and therefore a disappointment to those who were expecting something along the same lines. I can only guess. This one certainly stands out as one of the more memorable ones I've "read" via audio book this year. A bit far-fetched at times, perhaps, (especially the end) but she does have great talent at pulling you into her story and making you feel that you exist amongst her characters. Enjoyed.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">On my bedside table:</span><br /><br />Liberty's Exiles: by Maya<br /><br />Really, what exactly DID happen to all the pro-British citizens living in America post the Revolution? A fascinating idea for a book as she follows the lives of several individuals and families as they grappled with their lives after the war...if I could only find the time to read it. :)<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Comings and goings:</span><br /><br />Well, now that life has settled down somewhat, we finally made it to the zoo ( although briefly... the friends that we went with thought it was open later, but alas, we missed that by a week). Today was a trip to the farm ( complete with mom getting lost!) There have been graduation parties and more graduation parties...so many that I am seriously considering not attending our own graduation party ( just kidding, of course :) a very beautiful wedding and one to come! Church festival and camping trip will round out the summer. In between I try desperately to clean and organize the many places that were left neglected during the school year and watch the kids swim in our backyard pool ( a never-ending blessing this time of year...I think we have finally found the perfect spot and I am getting the hang of adding the chemicals correctly :) go for walks & bike rides, pick wildflowers, make campfires and grill delicious, warm- weather meals....ahhhhh...summer!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-62517437966519668332011-07-10T18:21:00.008-05:002011-07-10T19:04:51.852-05:00Backtracking. Easter :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aTZFsfw06lnTlOVScW2u732rwizDJCO-PmoTJIVkocs1BHIJMnXa_Xny6k2iS9LsZcDhoq8_LdFxJDIiEPCQGa27v4OwV8y1FuqKzDD1NBS56oEz_h9mujBCXqm1Ue-Np0CBs5Y_-cdi/s1600/IMG_6075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627877118204923890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aTZFsfw06lnTlOVScW2u732rwizDJCO-PmoTJIVkocs1BHIJMnXa_Xny6k2iS9LsZcDhoq8_LdFxJDIiEPCQGa27v4OwV8y1FuqKzDD1NBS56oEz_h9mujBCXqm1Ue-Np0CBs5Y_-cdi/s400/IMG_6075.JPG" /></a> Yum- candy!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGKg0HImrUaeaeeNwmsu5a-pmvwesNqs4uYZIccVggyd3vDFgydWmz5xdjihxmNOo9XBlYJOXnPnLJqGphj_-DW1gXIp6gQj24St_AAm_eN8c7eDqXT5Td5JF6YWtGOGE62KaOeGuyh-G/s1600/IMG_6077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627877109430778066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGKg0HImrUaeaeeNwmsu5a-pmvwesNqs4uYZIccVggyd3vDFgydWmz5xdjihxmNOo9XBlYJOXnPnLJqGphj_-DW1gXIp6gQj24St_AAm_eN8c7eDqXT5Td5JF6YWtGOGE62KaOeGuyh-G/s400/IMG_6077.JPG" /></a><br />Getting close!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNli53av4R65ZWSipAhS-kQE59gtnhudno7hbKQrcirJDBtK3Zn5fbz5S23PINJqF7_1Q4v_XgEpkK9torgmOSVm0ozxE7UsuDiEr_XiYRvqY7RwywexZLsdSaMPVJVI4kY57xFLE1E03/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627877104414160322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNli53av4R65ZWSipAhS-kQE59gtnhudno7hbKQrcirJDBtK3Zn5fbz5S23PINJqF7_1Q4v_XgEpkK9torgmOSVm0ozxE7UsuDiEr_XiYRvqY7RwywexZLsdSaMPVJVI4kY57xFLE1E03/s400/IMG_6088.JPG" /></a><br />More candy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyoOK6FKXJmtqgrwFhMJ0Njdh35Ufjopx6X-jhhg7ACUGYkcJlS_PGcnhfFfIbO1b2F7ZV5VyLXfhU7dKXkrVfzN1pUEBKhmEeKqMVFN86aZRtRSfXc-f6y52bsa68spKAJ8vUfNVfucI/s1600/IMG_6100.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627877097173897794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyoOK6FKXJmtqgrwFhMJ0Njdh35Ufjopx6X-jhhg7ACUGYkcJlS_PGcnhfFfIbO1b2F7ZV5VyLXfhU7dKXkrVfzN1pUEBKhmEeKqMVFN86aZRtRSfXc-f6y52bsa68spKAJ8vUfNVfucI/s400/IMG_6100.JPG" /></a><br />Cheerful window decor admist the backdrop of barren trees. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a7dKnErvQdJpIvwhCLlcomGC_eJ5JJ4WhkiWCYUdkTBkJE3CpPlvOaTZXC7H_XsUfpHWg1tRNsRRtvCO_qUmZYvDEZT37bYti_qG4ZboVTytEe6y5FaOD4_XK4rYIRsVjeQbhc7eYyj4/s1600/IMG_6113.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627876452745704306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4a7dKnErvQdJpIvwhCLlcomGC_eJ5JJ4WhkiWCYUdkTBkJE3CpPlvOaTZXC7H_XsUfpHWg1tRNsRRtvCO_qUmZYvDEZT37bYti_qG4ZboVTytEe6y5FaOD4_XK4rYIRsVjeQbhc7eYyj4/s400/IMG_6113.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Even the 20 year old gets in the act.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrQkOyBkWGnr0hMUpaWvrk82_7UY9chaMpSBD6S83L2n-Hz9Q-Gr0wgWltXtbxPBugFqf4oz-qR56O1Fh1dF0JYOlPeCr6mnhb4Yn3TkuIEL1vYwjjqvRO_wW4yjkJwzi4PJ9InXJaTxN/s1600/IMG_6117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627876444959310978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrQkOyBkWGnr0hMUpaWvrk82_7UY9chaMpSBD6S83L2n-Hz9Q-Gr0wgWltXtbxPBugFqf4oz-qR56O1Fh1dF0JYOlPeCr6mnhb4Yn3TkuIEL1vYwjjqvRO_wW4yjkJwzi4PJ9InXJaTxN/s400/IMG_6117.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Noah with Noah ( darling little doll made by cuzin Libby...who made our whole family, which was Gabi's Easter basket gift)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrv0ahkCpdXzZCs4ZpBLCmm6fJpRM98cIdUhBiq28v7d6jaPMCRZ15v_CdYoiAeDxco3OSsDVj6KLRG1jwMPheoNZkTrbiouKfsy4BI8EKjKAWPw87fiAbqIFMWE-qMcG72AxYwilJTbO/s1600/IMG_6131.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627876437954974402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrv0ahkCpdXzZCs4ZpBLCmm6fJpRM98cIdUhBiq28v7d6jaPMCRZ15v_CdYoiAeDxco3OSsDVj6KLRG1jwMPheoNZkTrbiouKfsy4BI8EKjKAWPw87fiAbqIFMWE-qMcG72AxYwilJTbO/s400/IMG_6131.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Smashing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP75ciupAaS2YdeKVPKDTmtPaXbc2-FhVH11Dv3t5EUAjpRMZjrw2GMj3pNeZnwTEO0B_MLQlPNErjsrKCBB5bxJoAdQ69OdeNatAN7iJolea5hOAMIs_WGym80kDE80K42Z_n1D_jItV6/s1600/IMG_6136.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627876035801094258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP75ciupAaS2YdeKVPKDTmtPaXbc2-FhVH11Dv3t5EUAjpRMZjrw2GMj3pNeZnwTEO0B_MLQlPNErjsrKCBB5bxJoAdQ69OdeNatAN7iJolea5hOAMIs_WGym80kDE80K42Z_n1D_jItV6/s400/IMG_6136.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I just had to.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Znxylm5TKD02Ar_FeA0RGWow26zQ4pbpaD3s9zHeSlfRRKasZYnGJ0IuLlnYEOZ54RqTO9TKVP5y6Xn0N9-wVQs6tAfio2MiXnNhIFjDUYTfgDio5ntYoUB6czB7j2YaoeC0EFyAJMK8/s1600/IMG_6157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872909432135122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Znxylm5TKD02Ar_FeA0RGWow26zQ4pbpaD3s9zHeSlfRRKasZYnGJ0IuLlnYEOZ54RqTO9TKVP5y6Xn0N9-wVQs6tAfio2MiXnNhIFjDUYTfgDio5ntYoUB6czB7j2YaoeC0EFyAJMK8/s400/IMG_6157.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />All my Easter eggs ( minus Zak who was with gf)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUycmVbF1LQRX1mNRQ1bpX7YaK5uL_XYAeS-Rk0lgwSDKs5W_NlFHj83JO0gGV7BjyAOzh3xdYwfUZz5e_uTNjV8JCk0DmqSoyuBfLm35Rf4Yx7FNO-elA7o8g8sQ35216UZ7OnqpCpHh/s1600/IMG_6162.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872899831445426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUycmVbF1LQRX1mNRQ1bpX7YaK5uL_XYAeS-Rk0lgwSDKs5W_NlFHj83JO0gGV7BjyAOzh3xdYwfUZz5e_uTNjV8JCk0DmqSoyuBfLm35Rf4Yx7FNO-elA7o8g8sQ35216UZ7OnqpCpHh/s400/IMG_6162.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />The littlest Easter girl.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4B6RGCo_cr-l2_uhGvVWezSAmi9Sg9Ypc1AhbfKrFbEEwj0JiPbTx_D7P8Ex4ZIOoVBIlN5K03PY6yolsXzK61uPEbNgh7icdPbTkOG7_ID179_m3Mry7uALPdycvRCySDbS72SyGtcq/s1600/IMG_6180.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872896251837426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4B6RGCo_cr-l2_uhGvVWezSAmi9Sg9Ypc1AhbfKrFbEEwj0JiPbTx_D7P8Ex4ZIOoVBIlN5K03PY6yolsXzK61uPEbNgh7icdPbTkOG7_ID179_m3Mry7uALPdycvRCySDbS72SyGtcq/s400/IMG_6180.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Woo-hoo! MORE candy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECvVQAQBXH2WJZ_9PND7eUWqrSJ8DPzz0azJgHifaTWPjWsM51lmFS_HFhW6ZNafhIt_D3eqsubXMuoxS1uBVmnWYiGEUGIgz9zb8QZDTp9VfbbYKTWzr9nTfnJuP7M5ZiJgnq2dwHcjp/s1600/IMG_6185.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872890076561954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECvVQAQBXH2WJZ_9PND7eUWqrSJ8DPzz0azJgHifaTWPjWsM51lmFS_HFhW6ZNafhIt_D3eqsubXMuoxS1uBVmnWYiGEUGIgz9zb8QZDTp9VfbbYKTWzr9nTfnJuP7M5ZiJgnq2dwHcjp/s400/IMG_6185.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Spring flowers struggling to emerge....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkj4VbBRqF4GajB9lG1aMRwbBiOlf4ZvHL4AZM6PaXgHiQ_kjQMCs_cIUem_Vk918mJUwnDvsAlReFskj_lxhL3Txn6KBmNCfB2jLymD7NFHeB75L_K3jBcG7wWtlJx9kN2FllC2r4Lh5/s1600/IMG_6199.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872882744315842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkj4VbBRqF4GajB9lG1aMRwbBiOlf4ZvHL4AZM6PaXgHiQ_kjQMCs_cIUem_Vk918mJUwnDvsAlReFskj_lxhL3Txn6KBmNCfB2jLymD7NFHeB75L_K3jBcG7wWtlJx9kN2FllC2r4Lh5/s400/IMG_6199.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Found it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssPl6Pv0Tk75kWRPQEGvlFcAd2yoPDWJHnUZD3N_51szqn-yqzCJ-I8USjzyVzon-N2xWUXWpjiMffxFjXK_Kzs6j_wQvX467yLLfW0pWO7s_v2DKbgKocvw_1PqtZK7hKkhluWpg3Pcj/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872279834095362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssPl6Pv0Tk75kWRPQEGvlFcAd2yoPDWJHnUZD3N_51szqn-yqzCJ-I8USjzyVzon-N2xWUXWpjiMffxFjXK_Kzs6j_wQvX467yLLfW0pWO7s_v2DKbgKocvw_1PqtZK7hKkhluWpg3Pcj/s400/IMG_6217.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />It's striking to see how barren our yard was at that time. Everything is so lush and green right now ( july)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvQtZJCPf0wsOMp2xHtg_gqgnTqf7OOCfBjkPcFjUREU6uyWG495XG3yH1LFkY9wuy8HLFtbL1ScowfRSPx5HENezyImB1nIbN-9EJbm3TwRst9_wHHPxqT-vLDXVvZFSV6tD6ekO5Ra5/s1600/IMG_6227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872270148494354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvQtZJCPf0wsOMp2xHtg_gqgnTqf7OOCfBjkPcFjUREU6uyWG495XG3yH1LFkY9wuy8HLFtbL1ScowfRSPx5HENezyImB1nIbN-9EJbm3TwRst9_wHHPxqT-vLDXVvZFSV6tD6ekO5Ra5/s400/IMG_6227.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSa1j87EfPD-pSh6JclVKIVgM7XZ7xxtjSwVv7ZdfKgw0_YtWBO4RETh28_UBYRLibP8ic9HItdXy71wuYDuKmCBzf3ULriPxt-fW7pGJnyEBIslAP2U7UtgD3l2GgxWjMY94iXO9OMED/s1600/IMG_6230.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872260427472914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSa1j87EfPD-pSh6JclVKIVgM7XZ7xxtjSwVv7ZdfKgw0_YtWBO4RETh28_UBYRLibP8ic9HItdXy71wuYDuKmCBzf3ULriPxt-fW7pGJnyEBIslAP2U7UtgD3l2GgxWjMY94iXO9OMED/s400/IMG_6230.JPG" /></a><br />Making a run for it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiiwi4_ZLPam9jsZmXE41tMakFl1b3zyd-Lp2Qqpe3UpCjbd6xXDQgLaVa7ivUFCIb9Kpwd35anLyb2_bTngBMQdO3jP1f1OGTiqUC-8dFFh8Z2OMDKw8y0D3801W1GslEp1xvPrTHGpx/s1600/IMG_6245.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872250908532738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiiwi4_ZLPam9jsZmXE41tMakFl1b3zyd-Lp2Qqpe3UpCjbd6xXDQgLaVa7ivUFCIb9Kpwd35anLyb2_bTngBMQdO3jP1f1OGTiqUC-8dFFh8Z2OMDKw8y0D3801W1GslEp1xvPrTHGpx/s400/IMG_6245.JPG" /></a><br />What a handsome fella!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLU6yMTenlciH_XmufPT-l4dMGiHe3Eki2GSBwbZ2JrteiuCmyn4qRUqLoPhKr7cGc2eJbJx6Gzxk-eltQKuTqVNA4qWT-O4ddNBYJq6SsgMgoaJR4p2bmIiHcTFgCSVDTlsirvqWjh7f/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627872243886513778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLU6yMTenlciH_XmufPT-l4dMGiHe3Eki2GSBwbZ2JrteiuCmyn4qRUqLoPhKr7cGc2eJbJx6Gzxk-eltQKuTqVNA4qWT-O4ddNBYJq6SsgMgoaJR4p2bmIiHcTFgCSVDTlsirvqWjh7f/s400/IMG_6249.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Ha! Ha! Beat you to it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v6Igh8DNxlBN7qih2zgs2DzWIkJ9OjPozJqhWVlVaWizekJx-M8JajiwJs66Z-3oI4S3b49147hvdJxJ_tTSn4sydpibEYK-BANp0T25TRFZicddoBbbxEfvZXlE_derxr45E5K0jGwK/s1600/IMG_6252.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627871568790907666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6v6Igh8DNxlBN7qih2zgs2DzWIkJ9OjPozJqhWVlVaWizekJx-M8JajiwJs66Z-3oI4S3b49147hvdJxJ_tTSn4sydpibEYK-BANp0T25TRFZicddoBbbxEfvZXlE_derxr45E5K0jGwK/s400/IMG_6252.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Loot.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All photos by Naomi G. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-67919124124389228892011-02-25T18:11:00.005-06:002011-02-27T05:33:05.353-06:00Friday-Vignettes from the week.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaWoQJ25Dk7za6nSPn5y7Q54xg4GbFYawexA8ehRyzGyMHKXY66Br-nXENt-Afuei-NsPr6Q9gAjnodIO1juAgb9qqC5-U_lvlMn2DsSoCp7SN5WSICqxahyM77jcGRf69e3olaovoQ2j/s1600/IMG_4646.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578328118700511602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaWoQJ25Dk7za6nSPn5y7Q54xg4GbFYawexA8ehRyzGyMHKXY66Br-nXENt-Afuei-NsPr6Q9gAjnodIO1juAgb9qqC5-U_lvlMn2DsSoCp7SN5WSICqxahyM77jcGRf69e3olaovoQ2j/s400/IMG_4646.JPG" /></a> 1. The BIG excitement of the week was Dyl winning Right To Life-Lifespan's "Volunteer of the Year" Award! Way to go saving babies, Charlito!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs33OBcRz9skv-Mh9Cd3T5j_V_qu4QwrmdTlR4B2vFh9ACmFU0Ri2xgo0aSxSTAv326TiBFmvC2xrp0chdYYr34blnMHmcem5EskyjWzr4tT0JLVKyhNT_aKZEKpZmaB_2lK_MemDlBlva/s1600/Birthday+boy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 355px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577785489562994066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs33OBcRz9skv-Mh9Cd3T5j_V_qu4QwrmdTlR4B2vFh9ACmFU0Ri2xgo0aSxSTAv326TiBFmvC2xrp0chdYYr34blnMHmcem5EskyjWzr4tT0JLVKyhNT_aKZEKpZmaB_2lK_MemDlBlva/s400/Birthday+boy.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>2. Favorite recipe tried: Thai Chicken Curry , which nearly tasted like the Gang Garee we get at the Thai restaurant and wasn't that difficult to make. See "Allrecipes" because it won't let me copy the link. (I did do a few switcheroo's....no pineapple, because it wouldn't fly around here, and I sauteed the chicken and vegetables before adding the coconut milk).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep37Yf-HZCSj2QMmV2vwFfzI9YxcgeBcFBwBO77tqjzwC-8_Rg-PnmNGwRM31c8g2ZIua0EeGVPPTQpnRMDtp58GZ4fx8lvGoV2U7_Ji_uYM0dyduegha2JoRAea2OkJOemPiuQa_1I7d/s1600/2011-02-12_16-40-58_167.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577785478528758066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhep37Yf-HZCSj2QMmV2vwFfzI9YxcgeBcFBwBO77tqjzwC-8_Rg-PnmNGwRM31c8g2ZIua0EeGVPPTQpnRMDtp58GZ4fx8lvGoV2U7_Ji_uYM0dyduegha2JoRAea2OkJOemPiuQa_1I7d/s400/2011-02-12_16-40-58_167.jpg" /></a> 3. I've loved the color combo, blue & white, for home decor for several years now. I even devoted the living room in our old house to that theme ( perhaps overdone, but that's how I roll ;). During a recent trip to Target I was highly gratified to see this duo as *in* for spring ( according to Target, anyway). Which probably means I'll find lots of great clearance items in a couple months!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCCdO2SQulSR4DoZk2ztvc_Ss1SFsmBBjumx8X_99g2qwFo-Tn03o-N3zCFJxnh0I0q5ZryGveEjRPpaf55JhhhNrX075-PpqYMl9_Z_aNs1HMXxW_jCiMgTqmxvMeGk8zPRmYSQ9_GeG/s1600/2011-02-11_12-48-22_112.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577785477868672786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCCdO2SQulSR4DoZk2ztvc_Ss1SFsmBBjumx8X_99g2qwFo-Tn03o-N3zCFJxnh0I0q5ZryGveEjRPpaf55JhhhNrX075-PpqYMl9_Z_aNs1HMXxW_jCiMgTqmxvMeGk8zPRmYSQ9_GeG/s400/2011-02-11_12-48-22_112.jpg" /></a> 4. Snow, snow and more snow. 8 inches on Sunday night, 2 or so more last night, 2 more predicted tonight and tomorrow! Will.It.Ever.End?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIWVvSdA52lB7jDJs6TVUkmmFcsK5whPJ-4bJmziB9I03niz3uNe1rlEde037egFJjqPSXPNtPqpnytqTdM2MyJnfYwkHsJBTqqXwmi67zGnrWD7xdopAxpsM7l5mqci0k3zMrba_hpxN/s1600/2011-01-29_13-40-48_129.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577785473502012946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIWVvSdA52lB7jDJs6TVUkmmFcsK5whPJ-4bJmziB9I03niz3uNe1rlEde037egFJjqPSXPNtPqpnytqTdM2MyJnfYwkHsJBTqqXwmi67zGnrWD7xdopAxpsM7l5mqci0k3zMrba_hpxN/s400/2011-01-29_13-40-48_129.jpg" /></a> 5. If there is one thing I can say about this winter, it is never boring! Every week we can look forward to a new and exciting malady invading the house. This week Manny was literally bedridden for 5 days with a severe ear infection. Just as soon as he started perking up, George looks to be down with bronchitis. It seems like it has been like this since the week before Christmas. Either we have no immunity this year or it is a really bad year for nasty bugs. I'm thinking the latter, based on ancedotal information.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zOuU49LV8T5D49WPwBGLN4XcgRvDm-8ADl9Tj2FeFKD1e4MpeVV2h_l82FWxk_5wzuRW6ccjCb8P5_JtfVDcwGUUevQmJCCCMUJE_5H4SsROmAwyxUywvJiuwoOp6Z1oxP5UvbGbDOop/s1600/2011-01-17_20-04-23_324.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577785463493098002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1zOuU49LV8T5D49WPwBGLN4XcgRvDm-8ADl9Tj2FeFKD1e4MpeVV2h_l82FWxk_5wzuRW6ccjCb8P5_JtfVDcwGUUevQmJCCCMUJE_5H4SsROmAwyxUywvJiuwoOp6Z1oxP5UvbGbDOop/s400/2011-01-17_20-04-23_324.jpg" /></a> 6. Funny of the week; An acquaintance asked Dyl how we keep our house so clean. We all got a big guffaw from that one!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>7. Even better than finding new and yummy recipes is having Zak here to cook! Although it can be argued he sometimes "overseasons" things :) whatever ideas and ingredients I throw at him, he comes up with a dee-licious meal!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-69454332568158532342011-02-21T06:33:00.008-06:002011-02-21T07:39:37.705-06:00January/FebruaryHow can it be that February is almost over?! Not exactly a bad state of affairs if you're tired of winter. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe79NfdtzhSbQu6XAWnzz0W1avzWDNBFM4eWmHkOWa7ZSSWejc8M4jA8-metIFkFUWVtlg5C3VMaRYzQ3bQiy6z8LeR2w-ZEJLm6zots_lvP1tMnYrnfLhLPp50omVoLdERpoGAJsdvMn/s1600/107_0071.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576123321279912130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe79NfdtzhSbQu6XAWnzz0W1avzWDNBFM4eWmHkOWa7ZSSWejc8M4jA8-metIFkFUWVtlg5C3VMaRYzQ3bQiy6z8LeR2w-ZEJLm6zots_lvP1tMnYrnfLhLPp50omVoLdERpoGAJsdvMn/s400/107_0071.JPG" /></a> The St Cyril's Sharks basketball season ended. They didn't quite have a winning season, but it was the first time for a team at St Cyril's and the boys really improved as they got used to playing together.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0dOKuVr9icKUwrT-iZlWblWcqV8vcoTqcTkRY0xZUarpMQjoNStNaqX_20K-T1SjdD54t_nt2agUm_qYEa2pcgywALCRoB8EIXM4-fo-DoxfiqucZnP1S0g62isPgSq-I_CF3eQPwBhW/s1600/107_0070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576123104534048434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0dOKuVr9icKUwrT-iZlWblWcqV8vcoTqcTkRY0xZUarpMQjoNStNaqX_20K-T1SjdD54t_nt2agUm_qYEa2pcgywALCRoB8EIXM4-fo-DoxfiqucZnP1S0g62isPgSq-I_CF3eQPwBhW/s400/107_0070.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cbzyCDDqZRFPMreRdONElIq5k5pVdXYTV4MDENCTiJvVZD3wMF8eKKq0gAtCd-Bmkt4wLuDPhWzQEKlSsKtALu-xIcxAdQQ2Zvqd9iV3iR5-ylTIvF_fteNkD7o-uDy2o2hfauTCentf/s1600/107_0043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576123099165784706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cbzyCDDqZRFPMreRdONElIq5k5pVdXYTV4MDENCTiJvVZD3wMF8eKKq0gAtCd-Bmkt4wLuDPhWzQEKlSsKtALu-xIcxAdQQ2Zvqd9iV3iR5-ylTIvF_fteNkD7o-uDy2o2hfauTCentf/s400/107_0043.JPG" /></a><br />Snow, snow and lots more snow.......<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTENPcXXgeJbNiynAuNZJkbePK2zGqCJWWGagm1ojk52Tit6VJa8FcXZt1MqWz4tUR4ntEKkbfbn3WIXpbHDTa98fUZi4HuqfTIpRSLhBxgwN9zNIgABSzO9pivOnKZKRdTs3BGdHNK1_n/s1600/107_0040.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576123096141438562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTENPcXXgeJbNiynAuNZJkbePK2zGqCJWWGagm1ojk52Tit6VJa8FcXZt1MqWz4tUR4ntEKkbfbn3WIXpbHDTa98fUZi4HuqfTIpRSLhBxgwN9zNIgABSzO9pivOnKZKRdTs3BGdHNK1_n/s400/107_0040.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvVUYJhWO4BK5NlPA0uhvQZy5Ow1-mKky1s-xaqM6FqyIof1GNV8n21Cflcy2TKGQn1Ot-67YutAqsX74Y0hPyp40CtKgxZtjcfjlHuXZmjJ093blvXSh_kSBF0atc4AG-CFreW5f6t1f/s1600/107_0036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576123093227527506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvVUYJhWO4BK5NlPA0uhvQZy5Ow1-mKky1s-xaqM6FqyIof1GNV8n21Cflcy2TKGQn1Ot-67YutAqsX74Y0hPyp40CtKgxZtjcfjlHuXZmjJ093blvXSh_kSBF0atc4AG-CFreW5f6t1f/s400/107_0036.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8u5VLK7l5epzUiO-QV7ZLB3JSVlJkJJvHIMyfFmHyyIt1aVYZBBQ-DKi1p8zSpz1kIJvrM2lNDPTLUrZ5-goJiij0tJlREdgMrJNvdWdvm7vxDJDA9x8rRewzg5lTUy8yCM1VCL-FNq6/s1600/107_0034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576123081515110066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8u5VLK7l5epzUiO-QV7ZLB3JSVlJkJJvHIMyfFmHyyIt1aVYZBBQ-DKi1p8zSpz1kIJvrM2lNDPTLUrZ5-goJiij0tJlREdgMrJNvdWdvm7vxDJDA9x8rRewzg5lTUy8yCM1VCL-FNq6/s400/107_0034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CsZ99XCkKD4ts2nc_LivXufQ49lHW4nb6p853vFs5-WcCRyDPy3KhsKlcmzJz2y7Ut_3NH3p_rsfePCLZJTPr34DozTBxvy226OqGAxxK-FmmJdb3FGoEp0I6o5WN72qLarif1o2A5co/s1600/107_0050.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576122336299832082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CsZ99XCkKD4ts2nc_LivXufQ49lHW4nb6p853vFs5-WcCRyDPy3KhsKlcmzJz2y7Ut_3NH3p_rsfePCLZJTPr34DozTBxvy226OqGAxxK-FmmJdb3FGoEp0I6o5WN72qLarif1o2A5co/s400/107_0050.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Noah can't wait for rugby. Hanging out with his three favorite things, G, his phone and rugby ball. ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgion-McBX5bAqU1ZDuZ4RWeMrB8yCjlxwKnCU_iDE-lIYgMgw_K-kJ5DknSd_GZ9SXoeKp000STh0mJdkEJcpHoXKKLtASuja90okmcju0ai9sOzT8jxcFUHsFKcCdNOnnl5akEM61Prl_/s1600/107_0038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576122333367266162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgion-McBX5bAqU1ZDuZ4RWeMrB8yCjlxwKnCU_iDE-lIYgMgw_K-kJ5DknSd_GZ9SXoeKp000STh0mJdkEJcpHoXKKLtASuja90okmcju0ai9sOzT8jxcFUHsFKcCdNOnnl5akEM61Prl_/s400/107_0038.JPG" /></a><br />Lovely thrift store finds!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13JLiJYjzk1gWkIwUq5h4nPme3Kz8Pl7qfnq0yFRtGNR3DYawFJ8fcQvY0ElpFb24VV4WzWoV-h31nWdblT7rNd6joCTKL_a3nKx4vVG8eYqtGDGZszIrYi-kZC19A66X4cd7JXd80pq_/s1600/107_0037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576122320658275202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13JLiJYjzk1gWkIwUq5h4nPme3Kz8Pl7qfnq0yFRtGNR3DYawFJ8fcQvY0ElpFb24VV4WzWoV-h31nWdblT7rNd6joCTKL_a3nKx4vVG8eYqtGDGZszIrYi-kZC19A66X4cd7JXd80pq_/s400/107_0037.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Ditto!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KMFe8vLR9tiIrFHoaLf0HMVXAfmVEe3NsDxz5FyG3ofE3FpQk_Uf2JIXKR6bypX2uoV_rhG6UmTlN3WMwF2ZTt1ZcVpO7huZNRVSWXEzypCtIkDTZR6YcL_R7_a2diNCJ7faHFtS-BV-/s1600/107_0031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576122317237853794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KMFe8vLR9tiIrFHoaLf0HMVXAfmVEe3NsDxz5FyG3ofE3FpQk_Uf2JIXKR6bypX2uoV_rhG6UmTlN3WMwF2ZTt1ZcVpO7huZNRVSWXEzypCtIkDTZR6YcL_R7_a2diNCJ7faHFtS-BV-/s400/107_0031.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Salt dough projects to keep the littles busy during freezing cold days.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsZRvUzJQEd5NE7MHIbEOUVt8O_rnwzeYQxg3lnCsIlcS1e3nz_LLBQ_6p6W9GqROqGRNlSJbmdEBT-Mfdk3gKf00iwhK2jtr9oKfhg869MW0z99lakTFiOSWYjV7IO1mEEEdOmo6y-xb/s1600/107_0055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576122315765456274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXsZRvUzJQEd5NE7MHIbEOUVt8O_rnwzeYQxg3lnCsIlcS1e3nz_LLBQ_6p6W9GqROqGRNlSJbmdEBT-Mfdk3gKf00iwhK2jtr9oKfhg869MW0z99lakTFiOSWYjV7IO1mEEEdOmo6y-xb/s400/107_0055.JPG" /></a> Gabriella was very undone that no one got her flowers and chocolates for Valentine's day ( they always get a little candy bucket from us and treats from meemaw and papa, but I guess she was missing romance. ;) I bought some the next day and had Zak give them to her. She insisted on wearing the tissue the flowers were wrapped in as a veil. She's a quirky one! ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGCAXlnAQI8t8b_IcKdICV_3HESROg4TqeIEuFLSevlgnP708j9aGQncC6q27yNngkPaOJb2m5M3i6lNWmuOnRrMWj5_fkrG-dHFMsYAU6PuT3D3RsmbvQ1HbMjd4QbFKOiOkmTcskLf7/s1600/107_0053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576121390749823426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGCAXlnAQI8t8b_IcKdICV_3HESROg4TqeIEuFLSevlgnP708j9aGQncC6q27yNngkPaOJb2m5M3i6lNWmuOnRrMWj5_fkrG-dHFMsYAU6PuT3D3RsmbvQ1HbMjd4QbFKOiOkmTcskLf7/s400/107_0053.JPG" /></a><br />From my Valentine!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQffCLDkS8afARLHq4TqApZlh3G7sZ-4cOimdDj4UhX2tr9HkOFDyVJT_z4Yn8uFMQmD_Qz8PrJf9haTa6yqgGhsF9UuHOM7sh3jT2qokXZbxzrw56MPAK8tsW91MVVwgnV9phfhHcNkyT/s1600/107_0030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576121387076652610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQffCLDkS8afARLHq4TqApZlh3G7sZ-4cOimdDj4UhX2tr9HkOFDyVJT_z4Yn8uFMQmD_Qz8PrJf9haTa6yqgGhsF9UuHOM7sh3jT2qokXZbxzrw56MPAK8tsW91MVVwgnV9phfhHcNkyT/s400/107_0030.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHRJNCRWnRDPlWIpq-R6jqBezRtiqwnBjDqk9HrJ0T1BkRTJBpCZYkgtsd1XN0F3nb5iqwmuZ0f9IcO34bhudPhBsChf5H6KkiPYucamV5wawOUA0pw-CwI-N-0-M3vKvmn5zBwa8tZ5T/s1600/107_0027.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576121378764852546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHRJNCRWnRDPlWIpq-R6jqBezRtiqwnBjDqk9HrJ0T1BkRTJBpCZYkgtsd1XN0F3nb5iqwmuZ0f9IcO34bhudPhBsChf5H6KkiPYucamV5wawOUA0pw-CwI-N-0-M3vKvmn5zBwa8tZ5T/s400/107_0027.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOLIoQBruXW3fT44QEtzTfqb243Ihgqeyr8WGbByZ4sUYA1ayakDukbPn3_ulJhjk74-1Yadxz3kW83mu5cjJTt82wh8mD56WhQ7PX2sNvX1vdQVDtVQhepHAE0pXIQtaXCowuvxsSB21/s1600/107_0004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576121375192298450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSOLIoQBruXW3fT44QEtzTfqb243Ihgqeyr8WGbByZ4sUYA1ayakDukbPn3_ulJhjk74-1Yadxz3kW83mu5cjJTt82wh8mD56WhQ7PX2sNvX1vdQVDtVQhepHAE0pXIQtaXCowuvxsSB21/s400/107_0004.JPG" /></a><br />Video games have been played a bit too often this winter. Mom has wimped out due to cabin fever. The addiction starts young around here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup-X5a9HcNxrXqmnsmrwq4jE2v2mGQfrswWabFaXvHH0VvhWmxtfOGgFjXbG62P6hJ2LclSbWFCpT-omxS6atldS3q9jWuSmR8PFj8jpPfcdGeN5CKDAR-HqNU1-ws4QgFT8iv-WfwyZY/s1600/100_0086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576121367812937826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup-X5a9HcNxrXqmnsmrwq4jE2v2mGQfrswWabFaXvHH0VvhWmxtfOGgFjXbG62P6hJ2LclSbWFCpT-omxS6atldS3q9jWuSmR8PFj8jpPfcdGeN5CKDAR-HqNU1-ws4QgFT8iv-WfwyZY/s400/100_0086.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A new tablecloth and a little dinner party made for a cheery winter day. New friends and old.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Outside my window:</strong> A winter storm last night brought 8 fresh inches of snow. The irony is we had a glorious *thaw* last week and the foot of snow we already had melted. I guess "old man winter" didn't like that. :(</div><div> </div><div><strong>I am thinking</strong>: Cars. We went from a driveway full of 4 clunkers to 2 in the last month. Van totalled, Noah's car died. Trying to figure out what the best course of action is in getting all our drivers back on the road.</div><div> </div><div><strong>School: </strong>Good MEAP results for the boys. Advanced or at level on all subjects. Jed whizzing ahead in math!</div><div>He really loves history like his mother. ;) </div><div> </div><div><strong>Reading/Watching/Listening to: </strong></div><strong></strong></div><div> </div><div><strong></strong><div>Finished: Too Close to the Sun by Sara Wheeler</div><div> </div><div>I was thinking how this man probably wouldn't merit notice except for his character in the movie "Out of Africa". Even in Karen Blixen's novel of the same name I don't think he achieved the same fame. But more than the man it was an interesting account of Africa in the early 20th century (British and German imperialism at it's best! cough) and for some biographical information about Ms. Blixen. </div><div> </div><div>On the nightstand:</div><div> </div><div>"The Wives of Henry Oades" by</div><div> </div><div>England's Lost Country Houses - Giles Worsley ( I don't know if I can get through this one because it is just too gut-wrenching to see all these treasures that were eventually demolished (often for maddening reasons). Kind of like when I go to downtown Detroit...although many houses are still standing, in a state of sad disrepair.)</div><div> </div><div><strong>Listening to:</strong></div><div> </div><div>At Home by Bill Bryson</div><div> </div><div>This is a fascinating look into how our homes came into being room by room. With all sorts of historical" this and that" about a great many subjects pertaining to them. I like that he asks so many questions that I have often pondered ( ie: who figured out how to make bread?! The answer: no one knows.....but at least he is as amazed that someone came up with it as I am).</div><div> </div><div>The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: by Kate Summerscale</div><div> </div><div>This was kind of a horrifying case in the middle of the 19th century (I'll spare the gory details) but it is more than that an intriguing look at one of Scotland yard's first detectives (Mr. Whicher). Really, it reads like a murder-mystery, yet it is true!</div><div>It seems a little morbid to say I enjoyed this one, but it was really, really well done and kept my attention from start to finish.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>and...I bought myself a birthday present...the ethereal "Creation" sountrack. Beautiful!</div><div> </div><div><strong>Watching: </strong>Since I finished my beloved "Foyle's War" series (hopefully they will come up with more!) I started on another, although a bit more cheesey and set in modern day. Still I can't get enough of the depiction of Scottish life on a "Laird's estate". It's sort of light and pleasant watching. "Monarch of the Glen"</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Comings and Goings-on: </strong>Well, I had a delightful birthday thanks to my dear family. Tim took me to brunch at "Kruse and Muer at the Lake" which was fantastic. Lots of seafood! He also got me "Wii-Fit" ( which was a request from me, not a sly hint from him ;) Everyone in the family loves it from young to not so young. It is somewhat addicting. If I don't do it one day I feel kind of antsy. I love that you can pick your routines, there is great variety.</div><div>The older kids took me to see "The King's Speech" which was very well-done, terrific acting. As Al said, if you can make a movie about a King's speech therapy that holds your attention for a full two hours, you have some serious talent! </div><div> </div><div>We also had little Jed's birthday in February, who isn't quite so little anymore at age 8. No more birthday's until April!</div><div> </div><div><strong> </strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-81008280406911386072011-01-23T04:58:00.013-06:002011-02-21T06:57:33.727-06:00Christmas/December<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoi8yUSPfG_nYG8m9oCdNmA16_8MHTOUC60deD_DHWC9NCXw7n5P-9A_LF6VIG-DY2VdOLd1nCmh_69gvggEZ5QzgFCAE7yfbyhrm53CKbpzl_0LViNfIlE9BjBVMZ8KO8CXU6vNAZPd2/s1600/IMG_1365.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565347194874197698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoi8yUSPfG_nYG8m9oCdNmA16_8MHTOUC60deD_DHWC9NCXw7n5P-9A_LF6VIG-DY2VdOLd1nCmh_69gvggEZ5QzgFCAE7yfbyhrm53CKbpzl_0LViNfIlE9BjBVMZ8KO8CXU6vNAZPd2/s400/IMG_1365.JPG" /></a> This must have been a "say cheese" shot!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NaOy2IO-qti8L5VgeAxmB3Rb_AAVoCqgdTuZupBVrnhhWu2MSiLh9FNmi2V0kWk_hSpWEAqmwj0VSxZccGZvdP2lhUT-Ef5ByVWXvuu8o566v1t1WPnFhJM_ip_GbYxpKOTEyk0m1IOF/s1600/IMG_1363.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565347186098951970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NaOy2IO-qti8L5VgeAxmB3Rb_AAVoCqgdTuZupBVrnhhWu2MSiLh9FNmi2V0kWk_hSpWEAqmwj0VSxZccGZvdP2lhUT-Ef5ByVWXvuu8o566v1t1WPnFhJM_ip_GbYxpKOTEyk0m1IOF/s400/IMG_1363.JPG" /></a> Better.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI9xpUav2k94Vbd60VdpFYw9No_mW2-ZPXj1fOblw0gxrkIfqlqol0D6nd5FyDtkUxpOW_mPp591A2wVPmL7ED14ZBrfOZQeP9dsFomou6HMYlqsFMjWLWQmE5YDFZnJckMClWv-oQBeJ/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565346710582000546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaI9xpUav2k94Vbd60VdpFYw9No_mW2-ZPXj1fOblw0gxrkIfqlqol0D6nd5FyDtkUxpOW_mPp591A2wVPmL7ED14ZBrfOZQeP9dsFomou6HMYlqsFMjWLWQmE5YDFZnJckMClWv-oQBeJ/s400/IMG_1304.JPG" /></a> A Lion's jersey for the team's biggest fan ( which may be an understatement ;) Tim.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi-zZQajzlmqLBwSdQobzwfub8_oYjlh8WJIEzaZXV31tiGWgxlhby0kughZgJFICUoBvq6s7mUDIQiztsAddWqxnKPkZ5Q6Zg0HHlOy1T39Vtnk1jegnnsNmIt6fXtde7BrZtDlyX8Cc/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565346703382434306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUi-zZQajzlmqLBwSdQobzwfub8_oYjlh8WJIEzaZXV31tiGWgxlhby0kughZgJFICUoBvq6s7mUDIQiztsAddWqxnKPkZ5Q6Zg0HHlOy1T39Vtnk1jegnnsNmIt6fXtde7BrZtDlyX8Cc/s400/IMG_1306.JPG" /></a><br />A t-shirt for Lipuma's biggest fan!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88it6a26AFjQZO0viBxV92wlW6601YoHOEyCUGKvARc0cZrw-FMIbdYqZskQ3jUU1ZJgAiSmmiALsdnjkKHthjMh5G6wMJObU502iAnK7Ndom1WCc8MmE2CQSYwfXPdBWFsBewfZU9Xc8/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565346700694179426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88it6a26AFjQZO0viBxV92wlW6601YoHOEyCUGKvARc0cZrw-FMIbdYqZskQ3jUU1ZJgAiSmmiALsdnjkKHthjMh5G6wMJObU502iAnK7Ndom1WCc8MmE2CQSYwfXPdBWFsBewfZU9Xc8/s400/IMG_1294.JPG" /></a> Here's a nod to wearing attractive lounge wear on Christmas morning. But I was very happy with my gift!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXaoC23A7f2U8w4NScei1rK6g3If3-LA4owa_LzlpyufKZSvunJzCKe-Q9rbrUak_IgeKm0yIKtBtDLUNgZaa2UNwpcZCPHKchIlY-DSmgTx6PnUMsuKg03ZDmyXkJJ9kuoYrwzNtcy5z/s1600/IMG_1253.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565346695777698178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXaoC23A7f2U8w4NScei1rK6g3If3-LA4owa_LzlpyufKZSvunJzCKe-Q9rbrUak_IgeKm0yIKtBtDLUNgZaa2UNwpcZCPHKchIlY-DSmgTx6PnUMsuKg03ZDmyXkJJ9kuoYrwzNtcy5z/s400/IMG_1253.JPG" /></a><br />Dad fiddling with doll clothes. A task he hasn't had much experience with recently.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUjUELW2XK8463FMbGLIm9yQzFumt6rPa1xnN9t1kRipuTgqnF1bO_b39UptMfkNxY9_jsCHQVy29hswu2WNjfDn5TXs84V4_Zvnx-S5YCoCCufFGFUYV_cJr-9qfEEwBALtC7ey0vlwY/s1600/IMG_1218.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565345938710431458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUjUELW2XK8463FMbGLIm9yQzFumt6rPa1xnN9t1kRipuTgqnF1bO_b39UptMfkNxY9_jsCHQVy29hswu2WNjfDn5TXs84V4_Zvnx-S5YCoCCufFGFUYV_cJr-9qfEEwBALtC7ey0vlwY/s400/IMG_1218.JPG" /></a><br />Al is 100% excited about being up before 9 am on Christmas morning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgsTcH10nC58_Hv1oVL1XdbuX476PHTm8cQBgpD357Gwzuhy0TJk1pTIeVVmu-Qt2GBf4P0U8YOWCgjjPx2nLT5d-OXYgIMUq3BTK3VmBS_OePZTitUvG5Pekq-WH2EkG1KdCJiJXN7-3/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565345937720241890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgsTcH10nC58_Hv1oVL1XdbuX476PHTm8cQBgpD357Gwzuhy0TJk1pTIeVVmu-Qt2GBf4P0U8YOWCgjjPx2nLT5d-OXYgIMUq3BTK3VmBS_OePZTitUvG5Pekq-WH2EkG1KdCJiJXN7-3/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" /></a><br />Zak intently studying a gift.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTiEleMWncnZqAvLkda0qXe7cWxfk8wKg3dHug1qGuYWYZln6WuOXrTh4pgkkMzUKOEXDBOkFuY3iIaJbwqRjfBOoEJucAA3C4B28S1NTEwbL6tZ2DP1Vb6vVKdloaoJFVLFPpEmBSySo/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565344658385031442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTiEleMWncnZqAvLkda0qXe7cWxfk8wKg3dHug1qGuYWYZln6WuOXrTh4pgkkMzUKOEXDBOkFuY3iIaJbwqRjfBOoEJucAA3C4B28S1NTEwbL6tZ2DP1Vb6vVKdloaoJFVLFPpEmBSySo/s400/IMG_1172.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Everyone's</span> a comedian around here.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi54fhIbMT3gksUbxsLJ9z4RNcmGy-5izW9Iknyu1fmPK9P5-8ro2sGeId74E2967Qf8GVySydECL_1tGrlZL8N1vm7dQQqgdKAVa0t-zxm3qZpum5yNhH4eaOiDP_QIpvYdUz-RBgKx5q/s1600/IMG_1160.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565344476680529122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi54fhIbMT3gksUbxsLJ9z4RNcmGy-5izW9Iknyu1fmPK9P5-8ro2sGeId74E2967Qf8GVySydECL_1tGrlZL8N1vm7dQQqgdKAVa0t-zxm3qZpum5yNhH4eaOiDP_QIpvYdUz-RBgKx5q/s400/IMG_1160.JPG" /></a><br />Ditto.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB84unDMeInveQBWEe8HNGNgFRGGOoK2JWMnCMvUfSQm4DevEyD7N1ZzIqWAgh0FVPA_GRFlZNd76SacfjWv-zvrmeONS9T3Hp9BdKY9YFFw03husedpxAa_lhy-29mPdzYfB2vmWswiUk/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565344284805184578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB84unDMeInveQBWEe8HNGNgFRGGOoK2JWMnCMvUfSQm4DevEyD7N1ZzIqWAgh0FVPA_GRFlZNd76SacfjWv-zvrmeONS9T3Hp9BdKY9YFFw03husedpxAa_lhy-29mPdzYfB2vmWswiUk/s400/IMG_1043.JPG" /></a><br />Excitedly waiting to open gifts on Christmas Eve.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn7M2EuftR6t9EggVBvzIidK8WwLe8Rk8MxlDEPUNKuEMKPKN8fmd2ePYQtHCWhkBhP_7vFWpp4tNw9aCQw3w0aJS43TX0s6V71gYTT2r9rgQk96URyrOEp7JNz6jLuLSPfyqBGxIyCRD/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565335211259255442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKn7M2EuftR6t9EggVBvzIidK8WwLe8Rk8MxlDEPUNKuEMKPKN8fmd2ePYQtHCWhkBhP_7vFWpp4tNw9aCQw3w0aJS43TX0s6V71gYTT2r9rgQk96URyrOEp7JNz6jLuLSPfyqBGxIyCRD/s400/IMG_1046.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbcTwcVjyH7GdloEI707pwfojxefey0HRJew9CNY5V0Xa4gY-3pZTqxB3d0N0bUZ2CIjiC2fdbS7Hr4NobfeOJhAeLC5oiwd1S2_H9faSDZo-CcjJb6a4sk8Z-_A5BbjOFxW1Qonn9Ro2/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhy_izk8VjidVQHurpEzB7w2exG0LQFkAw-kyQYGo2J-5ikztun7GuZJgNvgwtdZoOd7ugDdJFOm13eC0bnDPPekFA1Tay32vWVLSCiF6gPjVNnItXe9pxiYykmoxxZHi3ggX_mJjen1UP/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565335196852385746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhy_izk8VjidVQHurpEzB7w2exG0LQFkAw-kyQYGo2J-5ikztun7GuZJgNvgwtdZoOd7ugDdJFOm13eC0bnDPPekFA1Tay32vWVLSCiF6gPjVNnItXe9pxiYykmoxxZHi3ggX_mJjen1UP/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" /></a><br />The mayhem begins!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrsl2a9Mz-ZmMeozfjbqqDl1_P9umANPO9LgNjml9onO-I-zOpX6vwuwdgct-umuAWzitBi9VYbx6boCwJ4FU-4KXayVb43QmdnSqmvEfj8VSgUZrpISxqOtwSEzxfzoO5KdG68CeH5Pj/s1600/IMG_1053.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565335193502774162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrsl2a9Mz-ZmMeozfjbqqDl1_P9umANPO9LgNjml9onO-I-zOpX6vwuwdgct-umuAWzitBi9VYbx6boCwJ4FU-4KXayVb43QmdnSqmvEfj8VSgUZrpISxqOtwSEzxfzoO5KdG68CeH5Pj/s400/IMG_1053.JPG" /></a><br /><br />A happy customer!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBWBcIDeeEx_P8zNUHQvvANqnS-dej6Xu377TjBPgcssFSn5vn5Eq9xMYn2E2GTUv01CqL-FPjKOjdpxVOD27WryQ-qiVjU2A-XDmGsQwPL7Wi9qyO-vDmg2bSA3vmXC2VLQyOZPXTvZy/s1600/gabby%2525204th%252520bd%252520dress%252520from%252520meemaw.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565335192331734610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBWBcIDeeEx_P8zNUHQvvANqnS-dej6Xu377TjBPgcssFSn5vn5Eq9xMYn2E2GTUv01CqL-FPjKOjdpxVOD27WryQ-qiVjU2A-XDmGsQwPL7Wi9qyO-vDmg2bSA3vmXC2VLQyOZPXTvZy/s400/gabby%2525204th%252520bd%252520dress%252520from%252520meemaw.jpg" /></a><br />We couldn't forget our birthday girl. 4 years old on December 20<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, just shy of the big day. (In birthday dress from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">mee</span>-maw and papa that she was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">ga</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">ga</span> about!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Outside my window:</strong> Ridiculously cold. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#000000;">I am thinking</span>:</strong> "There is a privacy about winter which no other season gives you. In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other. Only in winter, in the country, can you have longer quiet stretches where you can savor belonging to yourself. " ( need to find author)</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong>From the schoolroom</strong>: It both seems heartening and discouraging that we are nearly half-way through the school year. Heartening because half- way is great, discouraging because it seems like we should be farther along than half-way. :)</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong>Read/Watched/Listen to:</strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div></div><div></div><div>Well, I finally got around to watching "Inception".</div><div>This was a big hit with my teens so I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it.</div><div>I think one problem might be that I tend to get hung up on details. For instance when conversing with someone I will be distracted by something said that doesn't make sense to me even though it isn't <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">germane</span> to the discussion. An example:</div><div>Noah "I saw Alan at the store today and he was telling me about his trip to Tahiti"</div><div>Me "What was Alan doing at the store today?!?"</div><div>If you've seen the film you will know that it is not a good way to view it, but there were just TOO many moments like that in it for me. My mind got twisted up in the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">why's</span>" of each scene to the point that I was actually angry at the film at the end. Ha! (No, it's not that I didn't "get it" , it's just that there were a plethora of unexplicable things...even for a fantastical film)</div><div></div><div>And it seemed to me ( although I appreciate the director was trying to do something clever) that they were making things up as they went along. And I don't particularly care for action films, since all 3 that I have ever seen appear to have the same formulaic scenes ( <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ie</span>: person A being chased down narrow streets and alleyways, person B being chased in the car during a traffic jam, etc etc). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>- to accentuate the positive....some of the acting was good (I like Tom Hardy). You can't deny there were some spectacular special effects ( even though that isn't high on my list of attractions in a film) and like I said, I do appreciate someone trying to do something unique in film, or writing for that matter. I just don't think it was executed well.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Next of note was "Creation" with Paul <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bettany</span> and Jennifer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Connelly</span>.</div><div>This was a period drama about a particularly difficult time in Charles Darwin's life. I didn't realize his wife was a devout christian and that his scientific findings were something they had to "work through" as a married couple with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opposing</span> beliefs. From that standpoint, I thought it was a well done film. It also sort of "humanized" Darwin, who is often so maligned in certain circles, while idolized in others. I'm not completely sure how much of this story was fiction or non fiction ( I know the *story* is true, just how much license was taken with it is what I wonder about) since I am not a student of Darwin's life :) but it was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">aesthecially</span> a very pretty film and emotionally engaging. ( His crisis of conscience also came at the time his young daughter was dying).</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div></div><div></div><div><strong>On my nightstand</strong>:</div><div></div><div>Larkrise to Candleford ( 1/3 done)</div><div>Too Close to the Sun ( A biography of Denys Fitch Hatton, the adventurer in "Out of Africa") 1/4 done</div><div>In Defense of Food ( haven't started)</div><div>The Ghosts Stories of Edith Wharton ( am losing interest...although I had another anthology of her work that I was enjoying, but had to get back to the library)</div><div>Suite Francais by Irene Nemirovsky ( two cd's down ;)</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong>Around the house</strong>: Well, this week saw the demise of our full size van. Dyl was borrowing it to get some supplies for his trip to Washington D.C and slid off our wonderful icey back roads. He is ok, but the van is totaled. And funny the emotional attachements you have to things like that, even though we barely drove it lately. It was sad to see it all crunched up and broken....never to be filled with the Vrazo clan again. It was one of those things that REALLY came in handy when needed, but for the most part we drive around our 7 passenger SUV without no space issues these days.</div><div> </div><div></div><div>Upcoming this week:</div><div>Well, my 46th birthday for one. I will be closer to 50 than 40 once that day arrives ( although, in reality, I suppose that's been the case ever since I turned 45 :) I have all sorts of resolutions for that day, ones I left off at the New Year. I don't know why this particular age is the impetus for that, but since it is, I will go with it and hope it works! I guess I don't want to hit 50 and be obese or very unhealthy or extra cranky ( which all seems to be the direction I am heading) so I reckon now's the time to get serious! ;) Other than that....soccer, basketball, 3 teens in Washington D.C for the March for Life, and on we go....<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-62298927390066292972010-12-26T04:24:00.013-06:002010-12-26T10:56:19.019-06:00Fall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyIUWiQlptyaA3dm-mKohZN4g011Z3PNSffszdMJT3BsDE6Gz1c8rk3OSWIaLtAXyIzQbeJkeK7OrpUYqOvci674rxncOm6N6qrrSwNupWBIhVQmDcktdD_1ESrHHctbXG1L21nQ8rmTG/s1600/DSCN1514.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554946899791071282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyIUWiQlptyaA3dm-mKohZN4g011Z3PNSffszdMJT3BsDE6Gz1c8rk3OSWIaLtAXyIzQbeJkeK7OrpUYqOvci674rxncOm6N6qrrSwNupWBIhVQmDcktdD_1ESrHHctbXG1L21nQ8rmTG/s400/DSCN1514.JPG" /></a> St Nicholas Day Tea Party<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnevJzzFpF2hNRqmD0S072NsF1BxMCJTqbAA4Y3OPJKiJgUP3Ho74ijzK7Dgrlzln3AWJpIgLa1c2RrSF9yWt2tu8n5v-8JsSoXx7baPtswCwfEKNxmq4GjYfmAlAa1PXk9-oXZSNUb6b/s1600/DSCN1512.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554946897514814034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnevJzzFpF2hNRqmD0S072NsF1BxMCJTqbAA4Y3OPJKiJgUP3Ho74ijzK7Dgrlzln3AWJpIgLa1c2RrSF9yWt2tu8n5v-8JsSoXx7baPtswCwfEKNxmq4GjYfmAlAa1PXk9-oXZSNUb6b/s400/DSCN1512.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BFfZDkzSb-aKl0fvpP2_sOJbO4nI6LDUr5y0_pSPMjuV-Q14LGv9_BQ7CzHJIuV2UPTgDWI5oSfEsqlcfjDDHJ02G7EZ6G05E2zDzAbE02diAO6Pbvv50iZCheljuIxxiJhnt33OEYEG/s1600/2010_Thanksgiving+%252810%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554936148780415058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BFfZDkzSb-aKl0fvpP2_sOJbO4nI6LDUr5y0_pSPMjuV-Q14LGv9_BQ7CzHJIuV2UPTgDWI5oSfEsqlcfjDDHJ02G7EZ6G05E2zDzAbE02diAO6Pbvv50iZCheljuIxxiJhnt33OEYEG/s400/2010_Thanksgiving+%252810%2529.JPG" /></a><br />Thanksgiving<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IpMnW6kpjCYwYAxyamuBQJE43iytUCNen9bjfCYONCs01_S55__dgW_qMIU7G8T_CVSIb92VHEn6l1AhT29VdVr4SaF2s-1ucGMTV5RxIjkMWYyGmKoT0Q1_qty8rKpPcvI5AKasOYyJ/s1600/2010_Thanksgiving+%25289%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554936137463561346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IpMnW6kpjCYwYAxyamuBQJE43iytUCNen9bjfCYONCs01_S55__dgW_qMIU7G8T_CVSIb92VHEn6l1AhT29VdVr4SaF2s-1ucGMTV5RxIjkMWYyGmKoT0Q1_qty8rKpPcvI5AKasOYyJ/s400/2010_Thanksgiving+%25289%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPBJLBnzzt0FCidzAvybGvhsQxmyfbtQVW9WuDXapOMa3XytD9R6QiGtzYSk8Nbn4uklakb4OTeXEx2tQzXSkS7ywxoHgsBbAFXmdvwZqjR0Ds64QJWUZq4rL5PIMCHOFpB2OATyEPFGC/s1600/2010_Thanksgiving+%25287%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554936132044941170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPBJLBnzzt0FCidzAvybGvhsQxmyfbtQVW9WuDXapOMa3XytD9R6QiGtzYSk8Nbn4uklakb4OTeXEx2tQzXSkS7ywxoHgsBbAFXmdvwZqjR0Ds64QJWUZq4rL5PIMCHOFpB2OATyEPFGC/s400/2010_Thanksgiving+%25287%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0GeYYbFToBYsxC7vGJJswjLfZ1Gaa2rDjnRwR8jt2TqDYSLObR5xwztyVXgGdVjpcZ3LlyVfmDTCU9skK2gyLkZYQ3j37qBnC7OCCLz-bbXEUteA5GgIgXQlV5E6RpZt_D1LbrI_EdDa/s1600/2010_Thanksgiving+%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554936127149348450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0GeYYbFToBYsxC7vGJJswjLfZ1Gaa2rDjnRwR8jt2TqDYSLObR5xwztyVXgGdVjpcZ3LlyVfmDTCU9skK2gyLkZYQ3j37qBnC7OCCLz-bbXEUteA5GgIgXQlV5E6RpZt_D1LbrI_EdDa/s400/2010_Thanksgiving+%25284%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs00oBVuLEzv_bar162K6WEQvbXBCNLWM6tIoIT2Ylv1jELQv7hUlYtYCuihqe4xNYA6tk2-da0jV5SP6QwsVi4XcL3mZL-A32JtbAnnSr-luyjCQTXChW8BwYz8L0JP8SYZYwq45pLDBD/s1600/2010_Thanksgiving+%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554935365519308530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs00oBVuLEzv_bar162K6WEQvbXBCNLWM6tIoIT2Ylv1jELQv7hUlYtYCuihqe4xNYA6tk2-da0jV5SP6QwsVi4XcL3mZL-A32JtbAnnSr-luyjCQTXChW8BwYz8L0JP8SYZYwq45pLDBD/s400/2010_Thanksgiving+%25283%2529.JPG" /></a> Since we didn't carve our pumpkins for Halloween, we decided to make a pumpkin/Thanksgiving centerpiece. :) </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Outside my window:</span> Snow and Cold. Winter.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">What I am Thinking: </span><span style="color:#000000;">Looking back on some of my posts, I wonder why I post what I am thinking. ;) Well, at least it makes sense to me. Sometimes.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">From the schoolroom: </span><span style="color:#000000;">Pressing on! Very glad for a bit of a winter break.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">From the Kitchen: </span><span style="color:#000000;">I'm back to reading "The End of Overeating" so I don't want to think about my cooking. Sugar+Fat makes you want to eat more Sugar + Fat. Let me carry that thought into the New Year. After NY's eve, of course. ;) </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">What I am Reading/Watching/Listening to:</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">I just finished a little gem of a book called "Hannah Coulter" by Wendall Berry. Just a short tale of a woman's life, but packed with so many things to think about and nod your head in agreement with. Beautiful!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This novel had a few loose ends in it, that I, if I was an author :) would tie up, but overall very good. Funny, I started reading "The Historian" by the same author ( which is her more acclaimed work) and I just couldn't get into it. This one I really liked.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Listened to: </span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Crimson Rooms by Katherine MacMahon</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Not a great ending, not exactly sure where she was coming from in a few places, but mostly a riveting tale. I tend to wonder if there will be a sequel.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotoy</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This one was mostly set in Stalinist Russia. Very well done.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Watching: </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;">I started watching the series "Foyle's War" and I am truly getting into it. Love Micheal Kitchen.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">Around the House: </span><span style="color:#000000;">I did go on a bit of a sewing spree ( which seems to happen quarterly). My head now fills with New Year plans for home improvement. Painting plays a large part!</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">What we will do this week:</span> Dad is off work. Huzzah! Too many plans swirling about in my head. Hopefully, we will make a loose schedule and make the most of the time. A trip to the mall (never made it before Christmas), some visits,a museum trip, swimming at the Y, & a family out to dinner all hope to be included. And we have a very special baptism to attend this weekend.<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-4680891743900812402010-11-07T08:41:00.006-06:002010-11-08T04:01:43.724-06:00Reasons the blog has been neglected......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwaPtl8USCigdX_cWCdyTUEtDngiWcvatb7GPg-o37CIUfDbAwzLOnIiUmnCm9rtUE7chxGL_6tgf2QY7BbAn_eWMFkmh6fLgKli3z4YDkOoH9IgMwArItYp8uoEMFYngramcwANgEJaQ/s1600/Fall+2010+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwaPtl8USCigdX_cWCdyTUEtDngiWcvatb7GPg-o37CIUfDbAwzLOnIiUmnCm9rtUE7chxGL_6tgf2QY7BbAn_eWMFkmh6fLgKli3z4YDkOoH9IgMwArItYp8uoEMFYngramcwANgEJaQ/s400/Fall+2010+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838785722188738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL0h1hbWstYoxsmJosI1M1PjYKG417SfVUNBAzU32QkESiNOT_NGppHdv9f62a2we1Fn2Ur26DmbI4KRzhPO8ykJh-pjDSmHHTB5vIq7omZrsaR2ZFYtgntX8Ylu1Ed3HTGaTUgBqgCbE/s1600/Fall+2010+014.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVL0h1hbWstYoxsmJosI1M1PjYKG417SfVUNBAzU32QkESiNOT_NGppHdv9f62a2we1Fn2Ur26DmbI4KRzhPO8ykJh-pjDSmHHTB5vIq7omZrsaR2ZFYtgntX8Ylu1Ed3HTGaTUgBqgCbE/s400/Fall+2010+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838783930178562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsYgzShrVhQ6N3h_DOaxmxeUQVgKr3NrlVtSxtfM8Nk_Rq-YWN8E2PH4kAAhyphenhyphenXTP0-dDAXSJZgOZ7qsehMx58PobSK8iEHpcJe7pEPUpXscg_fD6UAFo8G4LzzcLgn_Vk-sibGkscIeF-/s1600/Fall+2010+013.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsYgzShrVhQ6N3h_DOaxmxeUQVgKr3NrlVtSxtfM8Nk_Rq-YWN8E2PH4kAAhyphenhyphenXTP0-dDAXSJZgOZ7qsehMx58PobSK8iEHpcJe7pEPUpXscg_fD6UAFo8G4LzzcLgn_Vk-sibGkscIeF-/s400/Fall+2010+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838779097349986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMBHrb-T-JHW5F0YOB67JLxQGpXbDl8k4RZBhYQ3dXO_DULOUJJPBbdZPvQiqGKLKeXqi8Qdb4yaDdDksPypCERbnbd0OJqWj-9xog7gR5HdZjLniQ57I2HEiwUXIlNAqldULkny2_Bi6/s1600/Fall+2010+011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMBHrb-T-JHW5F0YOB67JLxQGpXbDl8k4RZBhYQ3dXO_DULOUJJPBbdZPvQiqGKLKeXqi8Qdb4yaDdDksPypCERbnbd0OJqWj-9xog7gR5HdZjLniQ57I2HEiwUXIlNAqldULkny2_Bi6/s400/Fall+2010+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838773360329954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS0jTni5E9eq2NEaGz02seb2Py_s1wvch3dmyvJrZH9jMKEEiyrDOK5_wCWNgXpGeoqh-DnQus8gEbAMEr3m_RW4X6sGU8_k9siSz7mFWFd2BzKTHylfEPXqj7FQrcDMGsGvnseL7LNQy/s1600/Fall+2010+009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidS0jTni5E9eq2NEaGz02seb2Py_s1wvch3dmyvJrZH9jMKEEiyrDOK5_wCWNgXpGeoqh-DnQus8gEbAMEr3m_RW4X6sGU8_k9siSz7mFWFd2BzKTHylfEPXqj7FQrcDMGsGvnseL7LNQy/s400/Fall+2010+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838272693728562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyUQNmOPk_-ZbHSB9cZfR8sfrnWqQ_8XFD9-GtlPbrBiyXP9MMyAW-t_xh5syKiXDt9wrZqO2cSiWL9QlZHMOgzAgVIF_oLW7qBA5sJDwAk-59GaDNErJ9IArz70cwDQkdky1jA5lCmbx/s1600/Fall+2010+008.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyUQNmOPk_-ZbHSB9cZfR8sfrnWqQ_8XFD9-GtlPbrBiyXP9MMyAW-t_xh5syKiXDt9wrZqO2cSiWL9QlZHMOgzAgVIF_oLW7qBA5sJDwAk-59GaDNErJ9IArz70cwDQkdky1jA5lCmbx/s400/Fall+2010+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838259568256306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLOOUvjNpblxKiLmETwNIBPL6bEl1rGZDokYCtoo8ikVEiRnq2R-JEh3SZxqqk3Ty_tuJ7swsRRiaT1Nv43FZU7G_hiotdl7ClMJwgDPfMLSwyPT6N7T5h418YvVQFKwgmoI-pT6dLrqc/s1600/Fall+2010+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLOOUvjNpblxKiLmETwNIBPL6bEl1rGZDokYCtoo8ikVEiRnq2R-JEh3SZxqqk3Ty_tuJ7swsRRiaT1Nv43FZU7G_hiotdl7ClMJwgDPfMLSwyPT6N7T5h418YvVQFKwgmoI-pT6dLrqc/s400/Fall+2010+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838249860563602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb2w5u3Mj1b5q62MVDRzvgLG4qxMNXkD5U6jpj6NLY4zPK6BNg-72TWOOhEfN3XmdfYScIqHnjc-t9X8Dlf93llmJvvvsOgzN0mSWYPPJUAEDB2wNLFz0MPU3mm1v_LbshsE4GU7I8Bgu/s1600/Fall+2010+001.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb2w5u3Mj1b5q62MVDRzvgLG4qxMNXkD5U6jpj6NLY4zPK6BNg-72TWOOhEfN3XmdfYScIqHnjc-t9X8Dlf93llmJvvvsOgzN0mSWYPPJUAEDB2wNLFz0MPU3mm1v_LbshsE4GU7I8Bgu/s400/Fall+2010+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838247374235570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2RAcO8qt3mDP5pG7pE1pfwAvAvEfxuX_yOiHMfIbVzsy2wUfvNQVXc_Li1R4S9sroV7DhRFUxVaFIfxxPRYH_fBpLePGUi96EF4aG18XnoLRLgNf3gEvzRAFycmi0J_car7x0JC0dTE7/s1600/Fall+2010+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2RAcO8qt3mDP5pG7pE1pfwAvAvEfxuX_yOiHMfIbVzsy2wUfvNQVXc_Li1R4S9sroV7DhRFUxVaFIfxxPRYH_fBpLePGUi96EF4aG18XnoLRLgNf3gEvzRAFycmi0J_car7x0JC0dTE7/s400/Fall+2010+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536838243224034722" border="0" /></a>(Yes, just about everyone, from the second grader to the college folk do some or all of their schoolwork on the computer these days!)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Outside my window: </span> These brisk days have reminded me that winter is just around the corner in all it's chilling glory.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What I am thinking:</span> Recently I was listening to a radio program about the history of women's right to vote. Well, it does seem pretty silly that women weren't allowed to vote in the past, so I have no qualms there. It was just a statement made by one of the participants that caught my ear. " ALL women were trained to do ( in the past) was to take care of their home and children" ( or something to that effect). I do realize that the aggravation in her statement was caused by the fact that women in times past didn't have a choice to do other things. Yes, I get that. It just struck me as ironic that even though women have won many freedoms and have a great deal of choice these days, the choice to be a stay at home mother ( who cares for her home and children full time) still seems to get little respect. On one hand, no one would argue that it is easy or a fluff job, some will even say "The most important job in the world", on the other, there seems to be an undercurrent of "women who stay at home are just doing so by default ( ie: they can't think of anything better to do) or until their children are raised and they can do something REALLY interesting and important. A scenario comes to mind: Here we have a group of mothers at a party discussing their daughter's future plans. Mother A "My daughter is going to Yale to study medicine!" ( oooo----ahhhh!!_) Mother B "My daughter is going to Stanford to study law!" ( oooo-oooo-ahh- ahh) Mother C "My daughter is getting married and wants to be a stay at home mother" Dead silence. :)<br /><br />The poor stay at home mother. Perhaps throughout the ages taken advantage of ( which gave rise to feminism) in recent history, domesticity is maligned as an inferior choice to what is available out there for feminine occupation.<br /><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the schoolroom:</span> School has pretty much overtaken our lives, but not in a bad way. We started a new program ( the three middle boys) and it is a lot of hard work, but something I think we all needed this year. No matter how much boys rail against routine and accountability, they do seem to thrive under it. Not to mention it has been very helpful to me, since most of it is so well planned out and user friendly. Even George, who was mightily struggling at the beginning of the year said "I see now that this program isn't so bad. I'm getting into a routine and it's not a big deal". That mostly sums it up right now. :)<br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the kitchen</span>: It seems like the cold weather brought about a cooking spree this week! It felt like I was constantly baking or rustling up some type of comfort food and I printed out reams of recipes. Choc chip cookies (we found a super, duper recipe that includes kosher salt...adds an unbelievable yumminess!), spinach pie, chicken linguine (baked) Alice Springs Chicken, hummus and pita, the list goes on and on.<br />I still have a pile of recipes to try. Maybe next week!<br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I am reading,watching and listening:<br /><br />Let me think of the highlights of the past couple months.<br /><br />Reading:<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> "Men at Arm's" by Evelyn Waugh. This is part of a trilogy Waugh wrote about WW2. I'm not really a *war* person, as in "it's -not-a-big-interest-of-mine", but Mr. Waugh very entertaining writer and it was a good eye into the realities of soldiering during the second world war. I always find his slant on life thought provoking. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I watched a movie based on this trilogy "Sword of Honor", which was pretty good and left me wanting to read the whole story. </span><br /><br /><br /><br />Watching: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The best movie I watched was called "A Woman in Berlin"....which was a German movie. What was interesting about this movie to me was that of all the many, many movies about WW2 and the Holocaust, you nearly never read/watch anything from a German point of view. This was based on a true story written by a women who lived in Berlin at the time the Russians invaded. It was a bit more disturbing than most movies I like, but it wasn't gratuitous. We are so far from the horrors of war ( well, most of us in America) these days I think in some ways it is good to be reminded about how * it was*.</span><br /><br />(Hmmm...war, war and more war..... do I see a theme here? :)<br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Listened to:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I've listened to a lot of A.S Byatt's work recently. My very favorite was "Possession" ( and I watched the movie by the same name which was also good, but needed a bit of casting help....the actor who played Roland.....tsk tsk tsk....Jude Law might have been a good choice :)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">A.S Byatt is intriguing to me because a lot of what she writes delves so deeply into the academic literary world. If I ever thought about going back and getting a degree, literature would be right up there as a choice. Maybe not so much after reading Ms. Byatt. I see politics ( on both sides of the spectrum) invade that world as they do so many others. And another annoyance....literary criticism, which I suppose makes me sound even less sophisticated. I really sometimes grit my teeth when my children are asked in their school curriculum questions about a certain poem or story they've read. I do understand that most writers write with a point in mind. And it is not a bad exercise to try and figure out what that point is, but sometimes I'm not sure that SO much thought has to be put into what the point is. Why can't the *point* just be whatever it is to you, whatever enjoyment or connection you feel to the story or characters? Well, I am really digressing here.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Back to A.S. Byatt. Can't say I 100% agree with her worldview, but there is no pablum in her writing. It's challenging and entertaining at the same time. She also has a wry sense of humor about certain things which I appreciate. I suppose that comes from being a 76 year old woman.</span><br /><br />Another good one: <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">"The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion. While this book was heart-rending, the writing was so engrossing it kept me in rapt attention. Like a good meal or a gorgeous painting, an example of someone who knows and executes their craft so well is a delight to read even if the subject matter was hard to listen to at times. Not only that, but I think just about everyone can relate to her thought processes while enduring tragedy. It is like there is one part of you that can step back and identify that the crazy thoughts coursing through your head are nonsense, yet another part of your body responds to them as if they were gospel truth.</span><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Around the house: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Finally got the bathroom painted, although it needs additional help since the tool to remove the wallpaper chewed up the wall in places. Cleaned out the shed. That's it folks! :)</span><br /><br />What we will do this week:<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> It seems like good old Dad has been working away from home for months. ( Maybe he has?) But this week, he is here. Hallelujah! And it looks like a nice week weather wise, so hopefully some outdoor projects will get accomplished. Certain members of the family are heading to Texas for dear cousin Abigail's wedding. The rest will do school and attend meetings, birthday parties and try to survive without them. Sniff :( :)</span><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-57732898836285428212010-09-05T04:58:00.009-05:002010-09-05T06:04:01.060-05:00The end of summer 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPL4eCXOk7C2XozYBoLsfTIoflFe3wH4Qu6wyO4gk5ArsJstEzvkpVIBXK4TNdwXL4ae3diuRT38euzDA1ldOMn6npKwr-bgAXXmUFbT1d48KZeky7f5BSDYeVdO1027uyB8jJM-9PgL6/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+087.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/AVvXsEjRPL4eCXOk7C2XozYBoLsfTIoflFe3wH4Qu6wyO4gk5ArsJstEzvkpVIBXK4TNdwXL4ae3diuRT38euzDA1ldOMn6npKwr-bgAXXmUFbT1d48KZeky7f5BSDYeVdO1027uyB8jJM-9PgL6/s400/Matt+and+Alex+087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513379025302194818" border="0" /></a>Dyl and Naomi found a turtle on the road while out running and brought it back for us to check out.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_i4K8Zw209-Pso0etCtuMCvladwz-3aowpYt923xxTuy4vni05VXsA8_KRKVuhPIWIrgzqzwYXq0anbuSeMzzyc7stLHf928wrwrfEOJvMKW6ewSu2jnbppQ5kuuCOhoSfViUhZfUmh_/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+084.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/AVvXsEgk_i4K8Zw209-Pso0etCtuMCvladwz-3aowpYt923xxTuy4vni05VXsA8_KRKVuhPIWIrgzqzwYXq0anbuSeMzzyc7stLHf928wrwrfEOJvMKW6ewSu2jnbppQ5kuuCOhoSfViUhZfUmh_/s400/Matt+and+Alex+084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513379016360452802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnacmWRorOBumtx7nJzf1zcVI_w7MPeJcTfYtw9fvm6UJZk-4V0pxpNoliWuWnkepJnkYNLSLdkXGxyJNbT6czRfHCjXEKLaTOVy2wz4LHvJGmr6oAwdhyM4OHT5OuunR8GohLaCFsTvB/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+083.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/AVvXsEjEnacmWRorOBumtx7nJzf1zcVI_w7MPeJcTfYtw9fvm6UJZk-4V0pxpNoliWuWnkepJnkYNLSLdkXGxyJNbT6czRfHCjXEKLaTOVy2wz4LHvJGmr6oAwdhyM4OHT5OuunR8GohLaCFsTvB/s400/Matt+and+Alex+083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513379013560295058" border="0" /></a>I love to see Jed out swinging ( although he mostly a swing- hog, much to the consternation of his siblings :) because it reminds me of my younger days when I would spend hours out on our backyard swing. Complete with my cherished "tomato" radio sitting next to the tree waiting for "Kung Fu Fighting" or some other popular song to come on. Thankfully, Jed usually listens to a "Redwall" book on cd.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QxyGnwvpRm3519fISEwlRcyrM1CQfl0InyhXsZXSCE-QJQPJjky8NgSqLdioreOS_tJKmRonIVvmTKwEvvE_J3cjOGY_hSA6JWlHBpsSHzfYtIBR4DTKczmlPe-TvXEvyYiFziDK8THC/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+082.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/AVvXsEj4QxyGnwvpRm3519fISEwlRcyrM1CQfl0InyhXsZXSCE-QJQPJjky8NgSqLdioreOS_tJKmRonIVvmTKwEvvE_J3cjOGY_hSA6JWlHBpsSHzfYtIBR4DTKczmlPe-TvXEvyYiFziDK8THC/s400/Matt+and+Alex+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513379007182284130" border="0" /></a>Black Eyed Susan's stolen....er plucked from a neighboring field.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYUlTzEIi6doWlgX9JYeh8FmaXNtovfXflWHE-pDiHRSHpswIhmf954j5kUJyCYUIFZV4P9Ca17VpDi2iWj1oGNrX87LwDsRdO55bPv33vGkXzNwAdWjJxGi9hvOci-CJbZTIwM-PfVy5/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+076.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/AVvXsEiYYUlTzEIi6doWlgX9JYeh8FmaXNtovfXflWHE-pDiHRSHpswIhmf954j5kUJyCYUIFZV4P9Ca17VpDi2iWj1oGNrX87LwDsRdO55bPv33vGkXzNwAdWjJxGi9hvOci-CJbZTIwM-PfVy5/s400/Matt+and+Alex+076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513379000677823522" border="0" />Summer sewing projects; purse A</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErVUzxJ4w8Vur8lwEiLWWh5MflML_Ys07Pcr4BdRZfNTlJny4SSSR9ZCnnJZCR_F8_3s9pHEYLYuvEnP5lFnNgS_1cT3tNxEY_AsTmlK3BwYbbAZ_7GktExExMcyMtAlpeGxybFmbTKZI/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+075.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/AVvXsEgErVUzxJ4w8Vur8lwEiLWWh5MflML_Ys07Pcr4BdRZfNTlJny4SSSR9ZCnnJZCR_F8_3s9pHEYLYuvEnP5lFnNgS_1cT3tNxEY_AsTmlK3BwYbbAZ_7GktExExMcyMtAlpeGxybFmbTKZI/s400/Matt+and+Alex+075.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513378399577044354" border="0" /></a>clutch ( which I will use for jewelry when traveling...since I travel so often! ha ha)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12HVTMPFPVuusf3ekCBjV2DS4HY-EBAHfCbk1KBzyot4gj-fpuJB8eJMtIwRAL19AaaVZWcXovr3pFGJGLfD3wuYo1vJbQ18ZazXwFf_6hQ1T2h04FcCPy5xnZdUrktgPSA8_A5kaOqaF/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+074.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/AVvXsEj12HVTMPFPVuusf3ekCBjV2DS4HY-EBAHfCbk1KBzyot4gj-fpuJB8eJMtIwRAL19AaaVZWcXovr3pFGJGLfD3wuYo1vJbQ18ZazXwFf_6hQ1T2h04FcCPy5xnZdUrktgPSA8_A5kaOqaF/s400/Matt+and+Alex+074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513378387933751362" border="0" /></a>apron made from a thrift store sheet<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yl4bg3pp1N_q6YRZ37Puxx5KOWAS4KEgM4L_E1_gbPsfAS6RpPsSe8jeMhB-K7qV-7w3oqd6Wsi1Hw1D4A4ZhxThN12pKMuohAH05HvqeH4-94BI54C4NbkZJD0vpZLUXRYxjv8X8qpN/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+073.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/AVvXsEh8yl4bg3pp1N_q6YRZ37Puxx5KOWAS4KEgM4L_E1_gbPsfAS6RpPsSe8jeMhB-K7qV-7w3oqd6Wsi1Hw1D4A4ZhxThN12pKMuohAH05HvqeH4-94BI54C4NbkZJD0vpZLUXRYxjv8X8qpN/s400/Matt+and+Alex+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513378378808404226" border="0" /></a>Purse B for Naomi<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8qJQqKCTXlDf5Tt1EifK_3WZZ4kGUszYVpz5kv9c6SREAQtt5JZE9fNa9VMWy306s6FdVllKuew0dR58pPg-w25q_JvUjLmvGOT4R8UYYgl1n5QZODUV8pFPqL6wDIdXqxAKVZzGTDui/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+071.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/AVvXsEhF8qJQqKCTXlDf5Tt1EifK_3WZZ4kGUszYVpz5kv9c6SREAQtt5JZE9fNa9VMWy306s6FdVllKuew0dR58pPg-w25q_JvUjLmvGOT4R8UYYgl1n5QZODUV8pFPqL6wDIdXqxAKVZzGTDui/s400/Matt+and+Alex+071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513378368263619554" border="0" />Somewhat lame attempts at face painting, which I thankfully didn't have to do much of at the festival!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNXQKPxqmiBDRkB_uIG-J_iYlL5qmjg3I28QhtbdGvkotEnmHovGQTVwOaINXO3AQ0EOCv41n3vamoRDP_5DKlC_BihiBXCqohIB9MZqwIrjJKVEbfM4rLgY7tkESHuNzd5urN_7Ui9Av/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+069.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/AVvXsEjpNXQKPxqmiBDRkB_uIG-J_iYlL5qmjg3I28QhtbdGvkotEnmHovGQTVwOaINXO3AQ0EOCv41n3vamoRDP_5DKlC_BihiBXCqohIB9MZqwIrjJKVEbfM4rLgY7tkESHuNzd5urN_7Ui9Av/s400/Matt+and+Alex+069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513378366411821058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8kvZJB7v66wHfRRfBCICwIeABs3n1KxYQr77jMEpNRhbzfdelkLJdliLcsTYYwM-GDc522TYk4q-PubY78Mt-N-BfYJlE5awojLzlWDhRhb9sir8WLmsYmBVhsOSF6kq9nZZwQlTBQa5/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+066.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/AVvXsEgL8kvZJB7v66wHfRRfBCICwIeABs3n1KxYQr77jMEpNRhbzfdelkLJdliLcsTYYwM-GDc522TYk4q-PubY78Mt-N-BfYJlE5awojLzlWDhRhb9sir8WLmsYmBVhsOSF6kq9nZZwQlTBQa5/s400/Matt+and+Alex+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513377923411413474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97G0OiWXg31udoveJQeuAJon-54OQiDeQO3s6m6E5ObW4tszm_P_vpapU4FDEFZSDbgcBQTpUvjIFQifYQMuPd-1Ffof9zBqDPnqQtgVRwkp0bVaAAGiYvMwVKSe54isS0MbWW0GcpzN7/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+036.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/AVvXsEg97G0OiWXg31udoveJQeuAJon-54OQiDeQO3s6m6E5ObW4tszm_P_vpapU4FDEFZSDbgcBQTpUvjIFQifYQMuPd-1Ffof9zBqDPnqQtgVRwkp0bVaAAGiYvMwVKSe54isS0MbWW0GcpzN7/s400/Matt+and+Alex+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513377914759426194" border="0" /></a>more clandestine wildflowers. Well, to assuage my raging conscience, I tell myself that this path has almost no one ever on it but us, and is SO overgrown it is almost unpassable at times...so who would miss a few bunches of flowers? Still, I nearly cringe on the way back to the car hoping no one will come by and yell at me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R1rnX3c5iAIcDkfQee_kOdeADIKasFZucmHLoDXMqCa27qsUdEzaWLSkOLFtQKPcm0nk_MhtSQcpnUT0oLP7VoFg7_l6nvZ8SY5-cbC0pWsIQP2KCvIcUalYGolDgAJDY_nfLLi0wQZq/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+034.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/AVvXsEh4R1rnX3c5iAIcDkfQee_kOdeADIKasFZucmHLoDXMqCa27qsUdEzaWLSkOLFtQKPcm0nk_MhtSQcpnUT0oLP7VoFg7_l6nvZ8SY5-cbC0pWsIQP2KCvIcUalYGolDgAJDY_nfLLi0wQZq/s400/Matt+and+Alex+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513377908645402562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PRp8F7MDUr2Q6f-98mqBjuvyqeFjY7j0O1hyphenhyphenud3kyjqS2T2QAdMX-HfTkCp5AKGOP5eQr5iKjQSnO0dCVempc_USzbPIsxdiguZZB86s6RoHWp92ZQ_bKyDA38bUHyIbKmLcjZjWo4n_/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+033.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/AVvXsEi5PRp8F7MDUr2Q6f-98mqBjuvyqeFjY7j0O1hyphenhyphenud3kyjqS2T2QAdMX-HfTkCp5AKGOP5eQr5iKjQSnO0dCVempc_USzbPIsxdiguZZB86s6RoHWp92ZQ_bKyDA38bUHyIbKmLcjZjWo4n_/s400/Matt+and+Alex+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513377903076700498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sMYkVYA056hneaPpL_2GSsdRfk9pPkBT8pdIedSYX1Mu-BJ49HSW0AVV7N7jWi6dt2Mbo4h4gXflKAqAo4KzkqME56cCy591dAtG6IKs_keYGhz2fAXfU-M00boG6Zg9Ts77tDziG5dp/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+031.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/AVvXsEg3sMYkVYA056hneaPpL_2GSsdRfk9pPkBT8pdIedSYX1Mu-BJ49HSW0AVV7N7jWi6dt2Mbo4h4gXflKAqAo4KzkqME56cCy591dAtG6IKs_keYGhz2fAXfU-M00boG6Zg9Ts77tDziG5dp/s400/Matt+and+Alex+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513377890718149826" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;" ><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Outside my window</span>: Very chilly and fall -like. For how long? Who knows? I thought I saw it is supposed to be near 90 in a couple days!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I am thinking ---- The ironies of life. One day this week I was on my way to "Papa Joe's", a gourmet market in town. I was listening to the news and of course, there was some big story on the gloom and doom of the economy. It seemed so funny to drive into a parking lot filled with shiny, new, expensive cars and stand in line with a crowd of people waiting in line at the deli to pay 10.99 a lb for turkey breast right after hearing that. (Of course, I wasn't paying that! heck no! ;) I just wanted some coleslaw and feta, which, of course, were reasonably priced....cough, cough ;) It felt very surreal to be in this fancy market, as if on a different planet than the one touted in the news story. Quite a different *scene* from a graduation party we recently attended where there was story after story of people/families struggling to get by. Not many shiny new cars lined the street of that get-to-gether. I don't really know what all this means ( well, I have some ideas), but it has crowded my thoughts lately.<br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the schoolroom:</span> I am struggling to get school together for it's big start on Tuesday. It doesn't help that I am not feeling well, but you can't expect life to make everything easy for you ( although I always do ;) I must say I am more nervous about starting this new year and new program than I have been in a long while. Deep breath. One day at a time!<br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the kitchen</span>: I made some eggplant Parmesan this week for the first time in a while. I realized why I don't make it that often is because I am the only one who will eat it and I am not fond enough of it to keep eating it day after day. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I am reading,watching and listening: </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Read: The Island Under the Sea by Isabelle Allende<br /><br />This was a good read. I do like I. Allende because she usually writes historical novels about somewhere in Latin America. Sometimes she gets a little, uh, I don't know, melodramatic? Kind of a funny word to describe a novel. If you can't be melodramatic in a novel, where can you be?:) I like this quote from it. "Walking and walking across the world he will gradually find consolation, and one day, when he is too fatigued to take another step, he will realize that he cannot escape sorrow, he will have to tame it, so that it doesn't harass him."<br /><br />Started: Fathers and Sons by Alexander Waugh. An autobiography/biography of a few generations of the "Waugh" men. Specifically the father/son relationships ( hence the title! ;) So far, I am finding it very interesting and informative.<br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Listened to:</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Major Pettigrew's Last Stand<br /><br />This was a charming book. Probably not one I would have picked had I just read the description, but I had heard good reviews. A lovely story of finding love later in life, of rural life in modern day England and the struggles with prejudices they deal with there. (It really wasn't as hokey as I make it sound :)<br /><br />Watched: "House of Eliot"<br />which was a British mini series from about 10 years ago. It focused on two sisters working in the London fashion industry in the 20's ( side note: how I would love to see "20's" style back in vogue. Feminine and pretty but with a bit of flair !) At times a bit cheesy, but it hooked me and I plodded through all 500 episodes ( not really ;) before it ended with a thud. Apparently they didn't know the show was to be canceled so it was a bit of a cliffhanger that will leave you eternally hanging. :)<br /><br />Around the house: Tried to start painting the bathroom but that didn't really ever get off the ground.<br /><br />What we will do this week: Well, besides starting school...what else is there? :) 3,000 soccer practices and games ( I am a bit prone to exaggeration today) An equal number of birthday's. ;) and perhaps a get-together or two.<br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div></span>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-17746771079174534512010-09-03T17:51:00.005-05:002010-09-03T18:03:24.594-05:00Party like a rock star?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhUx-OoOrB3Cv8Ap4fHak5MM9X7HUC91_2lchBjwiX89kqPBPpplURVEaPtfcxGKV2kF1BYi4tvF7CTgFy4pjW1_X9jANnDAIpUPs5Xwtdeq59LQa2ki3vOHod0AJRNz17O_Zb5VEsrkX/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+028.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/AVvXsEjyhUx-OoOrB3Cv8Ap4fHak5MM9X7HUC91_2lchBjwiX89kqPBPpplURVEaPtfcxGKV2kF1BYi4tvF7CTgFy4pjW1_X9jANnDAIpUPs5Xwtdeq59LQa2ki3vOHod0AJRNz17O_Zb5VEsrkX/s400/Matt+and+Alex+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512825397977858690" border="0" />A visit from Matt and Alex facilitated a Vrazo-tastic party. </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhUx-OoOrB3Cv8Ap4fHak5MM9X7HUC91_2lchBjwiX89kqPBPpplURVEaPtfcxGKV2kF1BYi4tvF7CTgFy4pjW1_X9jANnDAIpUPs5Xwtdeq59LQa2ki3vOHod0AJRNz17O_Zb5VEsrkX/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+028.jpg">Tim and Al at the "jam" session</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT96scs1ddZHL3h7WC1_71hT8EFSz9Dz0SNvpAHYaE4trL-QZSbwwgWzUy7SqhPHfM5D0fkwdI-CQiiZkrU0h5_cx9YJfmIGv89_brbKW-6jiSajfbpgmlRg01YFo1m59xSRBKjw056z5K/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+027.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/AVvXsEhT96scs1ddZHL3h7WC1_71hT8EFSz9Dz0SNvpAHYaE4trL-QZSbwwgWzUy7SqhPHfM5D0fkwdI-CQiiZkrU0h5_cx9YJfmIGv89_brbKW-6jiSajfbpgmlRg01YFo1m59xSRBKjw056z5K/s400/Matt+and+Alex+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512825244400926962" border="0" />Unca Joe on the drums.... ( Aly and friend looking on)</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvlxVBm5uDT9w4dpNQpsLFyEpGoreXXQgdivRMQ5FsdzDp6kTbcrFT2imYU41IvZgQfSNVayAbnBK_WrE5W8nV51Ej5zjH8sEnlqsXQPblwOekVUVDYuKLDkAHlu3HJBWXVu5VGwaXMwX/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+021.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/AVvXsEhUvlxVBm5uDT9w4dpNQpsLFyEpGoreXXQgdivRMQ5FsdzDp6kTbcrFT2imYU41IvZgQfSNVayAbnBK_WrE5W8nV51Ej5zjH8sEnlqsXQPblwOekVUVDYuKLDkAHlu3HJBWXVu5VGwaXMwX/s400/Matt+and+Alex+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512825238646232722" border="0" />Just had to include this because it reflected the chaos ( all good) of the moment. Imagine 6 children under 7, past their bedtimes while a rock concert was taking place in the next room. Good TIMES! :)</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7TawF7IYku9olhbtreUmHkF4gdJfISb4gx-jD-VyGll1eV_bIUTv-6YywSO9Uz_lP7dGDUg1XHuudOp5Ce30Kex3NmP-H40bb2eYekFKtaN6GA2RC6gJiOe3XnF0lhMCl79AJQXg91DM/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+014.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/AVvXsEjx7TawF7IYku9olhbtreUmHkF4gdJfISb4gx-jD-VyGll1eV_bIUTv-6YywSO9Uz_lP7dGDUg1XHuudOp5Ce30Kex3NmP-H40bb2eYekFKtaN6GA2RC6gJiOe3XnF0lhMCl79AJQXg91DM/s400/Matt+and+Alex+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512825232388531170" border="0" />We see you, George!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaxUUYWDOnz5A-BV2X_oBjSXc4bnaRQeOnH95uKhZImdMkbPSDrLOMtShl3xSUgFB64hhwpe3YRc5qcG3YZ51OVWXUp-JGeqz_U0lReLOrNP77m20KtEY4KnJjxt3AB5jCXOS7XeFTEsz/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+013.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/AVvXsEiEaxUUYWDOnz5A-BV2X_oBjSXc4bnaRQeOnH95uKhZImdMkbPSDrLOMtShl3xSUgFB64hhwpe3YRc5qcG3YZ51OVWXUp-JGeqz_U0lReLOrNP77m20KtEY4KnJjxt3AB5jCXOS7XeFTEsz/s400/Matt+and+Alex+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512825223207070866" border="0" />Al shredding</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TpajiQF9qMTu6G_ZQoOLXWVQtvhY-KUbkeY6kL8hVYyijTxiVFcQnwshXg-BQhtSP88e9Y_7v_jL5Ph_bKzDAjUUa9ki7Prc9KsOc-0G5V5rfW_46PTVTfvtNngrr09yCI5KUhmsnpyW/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+012.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/AVvXsEi8TpajiQF9qMTu6G_ZQoOLXWVQtvhY-KUbkeY6kL8hVYyijTxiVFcQnwshXg-BQhtSP88e9Y_7v_jL5Ph_bKzDAjUUa9ki7Prc9KsOc-0G5V5rfW_46PTVTfvtNngrr09yCI5KUhmsnpyW/s400/Matt+and+Alex+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512825220047940642" border="0" /></a>collaborative effort<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWTiSSmf8yrtvUkSXTAx3ddCIV1sekcjzibsPvtqjXO-OTrzYkmGzxwJCtYds4k9PY_xZH6FW7TBxk5KpmROaVS2oc6nbmhxJ8TZJzDjN5ZekOt1TkhEJpAz8OCLS4j664C5bZoXX6xh3j/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+011.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/AVvXsEhWTiSSmf8yrtvUkSXTAx3ddCIV1sekcjzibsPvtqjXO-OTrzYkmGzxwJCtYds4k9PY_xZH6FW7TBxk5KpmROaVS2oc6nbmhxJ8TZJzDjN5ZekOt1TkhEJpAz8OCLS4j664C5bZoXX6xh3j/s400/Matt+and+Alex+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824763341633954" border="0" /></a>Oh yeah- and cousin Matt was here somewhere!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sgFvJ_CbQCD8bJV9Wfc-QpAkWAWlVVYDLYpEASvzSPpdzVfON8zrounw8Scf_nLITxQR-cuu2rNvP8HHuODf7H6l4ArA-EUqkRl1suoXhRl1MBbFdXrNk8_v1E5N128K9q_hvZR3tClK/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+010.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/AVvXsEj3sgFvJ_CbQCD8bJV9Wfc-QpAkWAWlVVYDLYpEASvzSPpdzVfON8zrounw8Scf_nLITxQR-cuu2rNvP8HHuODf7H6l4ArA-EUqkRl1suoXhRl1MBbFdXrNk8_v1E5N128K9q_hvZR3tClK/s400/Matt+and+Alex+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824752112784898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uGOu9LBuyXZd7mx5haqMFKKLyX0XTEpcYJiBl0FzTU6JVzcb4tox8POUUDDw3DaRjq0eKxKuHIsWqLr7hvkfNzmbsyBDamv7JWJUGqgw_I3wRK_42IEePM8sm5Eq6hBNGziGISI2n0QA/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+009.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/AVvXsEg5uGOu9LBuyXZd7mx5haqMFKKLyX0XTEpcYJiBl0FzTU6JVzcb4tox8POUUDDw3DaRjq0eKxKuHIsWqLr7hvkfNzmbsyBDamv7JWJUGqgw_I3wRK_42IEePM8sm5Eq6hBNGziGISI2n0QA/s400/Matt+and+Alex+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824745717134306" border="0" />Sorry Naomi ( not really ;) Yes, Alex was here, too!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypUYq0SCDHT6Bhh7LXwyJ5tbzKIsntZHjQX08TNKGG4xrPHn2cObjickG9h1lFUrv2cBDkerffHRbnTg6XrS_jFN9ceLGNNle8iYCIif1553FULrOG1t-iWd0TIgF0PPNCzAnnYcm2MUB/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+007.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/AVvXsEgypUYq0SCDHT6Bhh7LXwyJ5tbzKIsntZHjQX08TNKGG4xrPHn2cObjickG9h1lFUrv2cBDkerffHRbnTg6XrS_jFN9ceLGNNle8iYCIif1553FULrOG1t-iWd0TIgF0PPNCzAnnYcm2MUB/s400/Matt+and+Alex+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824738226091538" border="0" /></a>Dyl and Anne with plenty of room for the Holy Spirit!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMw_C1DukimPkc7q72K0Q7Y646FxUUNAmiSIYgqIli4xvstSDtx6vJhCRpYqvKyvg0nbQlMMWNRCc-JfNZcdV_jvgDFVVmE2EZugWcwurvcqjJvWTVuhFMMajNzHQO-66L2BiGTqhnXDv/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+006.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/AVvXsEhyMw_C1DukimPkc7q72K0Q7Y646FxUUNAmiSIYgqIli4xvstSDtx6vJhCRpYqvKyvg0nbQlMMWNRCc-JfNZcdV_jvgDFVVmE2EZugWcwurvcqjJvWTVuhFMMajNzHQO-66L2BiGTqhnXDv/s400/Matt+and+Alex+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824726416811234" border="0" />Fun for all!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3l1E129R5cnnlFOQAQUHvEUFIJ0joFEQQ4uZKIjQvcbeC0xqwYlivf0tTATOHj2q81sjBlorEZf54NQRLze32jxXm6HmNIdpd7uSx2rJCmlZI2B4w12WzOixYEs8Wjd1q4ClPYDOCXKA/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+005.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/AVvXsEhY3l1E129R5cnnlFOQAQUHvEUFIJ0joFEQQ4uZKIjQvcbeC0xqwYlivf0tTATOHj2q81sjBlorEZf54NQRLze32jxXm6HmNIdpd7uSx2rJCmlZI2B4w12WzOixYEs8Wjd1q4ClPYDOCXKA/s400/Matt+and+Alex+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824284180592658" border="0" />Winston</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_3DTkqOdTKW8X79VvbxMk7pQMa3bhhdFYn7FGJAACllxlC3NEbKFb4Qfc00foKjqXV7S4D5KkVq7BrzS-VzRz65cr8049syfYT1GL3dxtKr16qXA9gcoLB9C64fORWtn5WVYqjFs3BB_/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+004.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/AVvXsEg4_3DTkqOdTKW8X79VvbxMk7pQMa3bhhdFYn7FGJAACllxlC3NEbKFb4Qfc00foKjqXV7S4D5KkVq7BrzS-VzRz65cr8049syfYT1GL3dxtKr16qXA9gcoLB9C64fORWtn5WVYqjFs3BB_/s400/Matt+and+Alex+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824254881647938" border="0" />Immanuel, large and in charge!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0FN-mKWFOzBTc2tIKTpRp-AkHHv6SLaFSQ1wOCK_KpNiMmc-qaB4FrnavNflB4t0BB2kcfKcfEh7l-YvoPWlC6abr71i7IN6QMSouL0f0ZBMWrNqH6NjoY1rpvqt0WGFhW7Stb8KUcJcx/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+003.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/AVvXsEh0FN-mKWFOzBTc2tIKTpRp-AkHHv6SLaFSQ1wOCK_KpNiMmc-qaB4FrnavNflB4t0BB2kcfKcfEh7l-YvoPWlC6abr71i7IN6QMSouL0f0ZBMWrNqH6NjoY1rpvqt0WGFhW7Stb8KUcJcx/s400/Matt+and+Alex+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824242071599218" border="0" />London and G!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnJ9ACcJ4k5jp3_AamGIvFSj0E1pf2s9e8Ap4vqghaCvTnJlFOp0x7NrJlJpr1TiiaQ0LPQxqHWTHn3qVR33FGemDgkkiDAFtOpC01j0cxa8_FM0TMBIueGRhgqLapbl6zB3jCOxP1kfF/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+002.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/AVvXsEgEnJ9ACcJ4k5jp3_AamGIvFSj0E1pf2s9e8Ap4vqghaCvTnJlFOp0x7NrJlJpr1TiiaQ0LPQxqHWTHn3qVR33FGemDgkkiDAFtOpC01j0cxa8_FM0TMBIueGRhgqLapbl6zB3jCOxP1kfF/s400/Matt+and+Alex+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824237839491026" border="0" />Zak-ree-Dee</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCiElIvf_qCTmwfvobgs8tfEBIwL0Uw3-eKNVebtFQoSpD15fjyRZCqgFgy_mXgkemKucHsX_buIFaP7RPbBP-jojhvi4O3ABPwPZJUH_0lgpPW1HrjPCY8HTVP9x39kZXn7Syf9bgEsu/s1600/Matt+and+Alex+001.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/AVvXsEjwCiElIvf_qCTmwfvobgs8tfEBIwL0Uw3-eKNVebtFQoSpD15fjyRZCqgFgy_mXgkemKucHsX_buIFaP7RPbBP-jojhvi4O3ABPwPZJUH_0lgpPW1HrjPCY8HTVP9x39kZXn7Syf9bgEsu/s400/Matt+and+Alex+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512824223171921746" border="0" /></a>Getting ready for grub.Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-30174347769050334132010-08-14T19:03:00.007-05:002010-08-15T05:06:43.043-05:00Daybook July-August :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dBCcFVkGrFN-aIatsLE4lCxh6uXNg3UZa_8adpviY8UF2ubFvKuhKgvxDbz6mpRI0tm3SUyOwF_AzeVPfbJkGIl5-zbvC3qfBavLozkKGiEKrfXEmtaA-ft76RLpWX4KHTzLA16Y2kZt/s1600/May+2010+042.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/AVvXsEg8dBCcFVkGrFN-aIatsLE4lCxh6uXNg3UZa_8adpviY8UF2ubFvKuhKgvxDbz6mpRI0tm3SUyOwF_AzeVPfbJkGIl5-zbvC3qfBavLozkKGiEKrfXEmtaA-ft76RLpWX4KHTzLA16Y2kZt/s400/May+2010+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505434389130820802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKpR966Fzawb4dfUphSF2NCFtDXSer5bC5IAgbMQUnlktOV_Fo4iMtb1OY70DL5uq1y44ONkiysVa2sg2AjilmyG6BBVWtgIkZWw2eRXIgipRLacWiLSZ_v27PlhBwxtilBbOEC5YmffQ/s1600/May+2010+041.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/AVvXsEjaKpR966Fzawb4dfUphSF2NCFtDXSer5bC5IAgbMQUnlktOV_Fo4iMtb1OY70DL5uq1y44ONkiysVa2sg2AjilmyG6BBVWtgIkZWw2eRXIgipRLacWiLSZ_v27PlhBwxtilBbOEC5YmffQ/s400/May+2010+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505433402975153490" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;" ><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Outside my window</span>: Enough with the hot, sticky weather already! This is Michigan, not Houston! ;)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I am thinking ---- I have decided I have to work of thinking only what is really right in front of me or I am going to be in big trouble. :) Too many gi-nourmous tasks (some a possibility, some for sure) face me in the coming weeks and months.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the schoolroom:</span> First load of school books came this week. New school books always bring a sense of excitement to start school. For about 10 minutes. :) No, I am looking forward to getting back in the swing of things. Haven't really been through the books yet, but a quick once- over leaves me impressed.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">From the kitchen</span>: While I didn't plant any zucchini, a friend at church was giving some away which made some luscious fried zucchini ( not the best dinner choice when so many around here struggle with weight-- :) and zucchini bread. For me, sometimes I "know" things and then I KNOW them..... for example I read the book <span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px;font-size:13px;" >"The End of </span></span>Overeating", (David Kessler) which of course points out that there is an epidemic of obesity in America and the reasons why. But it made me think of how the more...More...MORE mentality of eating has crept into my thinking and cooking over the years. Large and extra portions, abundance = good. I more and more notice that you are barely able to walk a yard in the grocery store without being assaulted by some tempting food ( sometimes it seems all they have are tempting foods there)! There are SO many places to eat and buy food. We just don't really need THAT much to eat. Much less than we think. How to feed my family nutritiously and adequately ( especially for the littlest who are dependent upon me for that) runs through my thoughts lately. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">I am reading,watching and listening: </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">This has definitely been the summer of Kate Atkinson. Her novels are not comedy but are about the only ones I --L(laugh) O (out) L(loud) at. Probably because her humor is wry and British. ;) Latest read and almost favorite ( tie between "Behind the Scenes at the Museum) was "Human Croquet".</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Listened to:</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">1000 Acres by Jane Smiley </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">This was supposed to be a modern day interpretation of "King Lear". I found it a moving meandering through the disintegration of a family. Where it started, where it ended, and all in between. I am impressed with Jane Smiley as an author. Also read "Private Lives" by her, which was also good.</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;font-size:14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><br /></span><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;">Watched: Zelary- which was a czech film. It was a lovely story, but sad. 5 stars in my book. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br />Around the house: Well, this month was a bang up month for re-arranging things with the arrival of Al back to the old homestead. Gabriella moved in with Naomi, George and Jackson came upstairs, Noah, Dylan and Al went downstairs and Jed and Manny moved across the hall. It was a good clean up and clean out. The garden has yielded some great things. Lots of cukes, plenty of sunflowers, cilantro, basil and parsley. 2 green peppers ( one from each plant) which was a dud from a financial standpoint since I paid about 3.50 each for those plants. Tomatoes are starting to ripen in abundance. Sadly, I don't know if our pumpkins and melons will produce as some sort of rot has taken hold of things ( perhaps from all the heat and humidity? a certain insect?). Overall, the garden has been well worth the effort put in.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;">What we will do this week: Prepare for a family visit. Try to finish some projects as the end of summer looms LARGE! Soccer practices will probably start this week ( sigh :) Hope for some cooler weather so we can enjoy the outdoors!</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin: 0px 0px 0.75em; width: 488px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6em; position: relative;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-76666411170197813362010-08-14T18:25:00.005-05:002010-08-15T05:14:37.799-05:00Virginia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m08lKK1Hv3nYR9JvcG5orBj_Xq-qTFwe38O_uolZb5Xyj93mmmA3EJolP32DgGui3e54NYBkAyVefLCt790qZeY-TibhqLvizgyGOoWN2DagGonCT-WGwjObExiK7oWjxRtmVAzbhQiu/s1600/May+2010+011.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/AVvXsEg7m08lKK1Hv3nYR9JvcG5orBj_Xq-qTFwe38O_uolZb5Xyj93mmmA3EJolP32DgGui3e54NYBkAyVefLCt790qZeY-TibhqLvizgyGOoWN2DagGonCT-WGwjObExiK7oWjxRtmVAzbhQiu/s400/May+2010+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505577723378486002" border="0" /></a>Swimming in the hotel pool was a popular past-time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHA5wU2nQxqVRu-gV3hiJoqBYB971X2MiNg-DwzTte1rYF47OFGf-39ixUmE2QiIRV9DQG9OUpsJNH_7KO-mhzlViVF08F2Y-IX7yJdVotEtKRmTaxMKlALF5leDCK5xoBgvfExtqOOt0/s1600/May+2010+013.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/AVvXsEgnHA5wU2nQxqVRu-gV3hiJoqBYB971X2MiNg-DwzTte1rYF47OFGf-39ixUmE2QiIRV9DQG9OUpsJNH_7KO-mhzlViVF08F2Y-IX7yJdVotEtKRmTaxMKlALF5leDCK5xoBgvfExtqOOt0/s400/May+2010+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505577108278496050" border="0" /></a>American Civil War Museum<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbybniICKQefQvLa8OI27QYb1WFSoJPiNPXbhAPKmGpH_eTLOO-8uw-VwTEnovAdzNWUde1LoYkKv1q630_wKwN0fenVTtl1RC0k1i-lfRjY5GgWXx4yc_wP0mkwClPBIwZaBBNfzPzc1/s1600/May+2010+012.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/AVvXsEhAbybniICKQefQvLa8OI27QYb1WFSoJPiNPXbhAPKmGpH_eTLOO-8uw-VwTEnovAdzNWUde1LoYkKv1q630_wKwN0fenVTtl1RC0k1i-lfRjY5GgWXx4yc_wP0mkwClPBIwZaBBNfzPzc1/s400/May+2010+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505577096565957170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXWnY811M9UXR6AvdUhskGxdUC7pRvyFZYAmjNdO628hBFBXgAwlheMfUB8C6cVDhI2q4yI4_UpQGI-BchiJD6FaBYYemy_7I01-tidwZVqKLTeQsa9BZaHcpX0AsRimIbpHKOC_cIn64/s1600/May+2010+002.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/AVvXsEjiXWnY811M9UXR6AvdUhskGxdUC7pRvyFZYAmjNdO628hBFBXgAwlheMfUB8C6cVDhI2q4yI4_UpQGI-BchiJD6FaBYYemy_7I01-tidwZVqKLTeQsa9BZaHcpX0AsRimIbpHKOC_cIn64/s400/May+2010+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505577086316604354" border="0" />Mountains!</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbXOHuPRcW7dwJH0iQ-J1nSQSZVFEK4N1gcBzWsYRwxiSr5vyMSjbd3X7W8dXF4q2opQ2B2Oc75BC-esWd_cj71YOBxiUsaYag3Xs-kQGUThmA2PRiNYLPRcXktM-QGQE001PXJjsRa0k/s1600/May+2010+003.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/AVvXsEgBbXOHuPRcW7dwJH0iQ-J1nSQSZVFEK4N1gcBzWsYRwxiSr5vyMSjbd3X7W8dXF4q2opQ2B2Oc75BC-esWd_cj71YOBxiUsaYag3Xs-kQGUThmA2PRiNYLPRcXktM-QGQE001PXJjsRa0k/s400/May+2010+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505577080679384306" border="0" /></a><br />We were blessed with a little unexpected trip to Richmond, Va. We were able to travel with Tim on a work project. It is a beautiful and historic place. Funny, we lived about an hour and a half away from Richmond for a year or so and only visited once. And it was for a conference, so I personally didn't tour through it besides the convention center.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz5E4LVv-Rr2ghfFieuj55LgO1JcH4bPTTjXzP6M5I-wOvhhI4O4wpusjg4ju1CDFTXVnS5aV_-dMMWeHB6nFdYoGJBIUWR7MNttefqU9SctDhlMfJO2OY-C-A_YCNixRAI4b_-Xlm_cm/s1600/May+2010+039.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/AVvXsEhdz5E4LVv-Rr2ghfFieuj55LgO1JcH4bPTTjXzP6M5I-wOvhhI4O4wpusjg4ju1CDFTXVnS5aV_-dMMWeHB6nFdYoGJBIUWR7MNttefqU9SctDhlMfJO2OY-C-A_YCNixRAI4b_-Xlm_cm/s400/May+2010+039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505412407097619954" border="0" /></a>Oooh it was hot, though. That put a bit of a damper on touristy plans ( ie: I really wanted to visit Jamestown but I am glad I didn't) This estate was called "Maymont" and we had to walk about a half a block to get to the house. Since the thermometer read 102 that short walk was tortuous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8D4LqZ76foiQAMxSEdI907q5CZ4_2Mxkxc5bnSIWOcQiTHcfiGnf_iIlkaZBtnDs-vKX8YZFfTn8U7QxCJ6SqMSJZd9UIWjglrws4IM3cokVmtQkmB1s3b5GWcvddnvUkhRxOEeTjPP_/s1600/May+2010+038.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/AVvXsEjA8D4LqZ76foiQAMxSEdI907q5CZ4_2Mxkxc5bnSIWOcQiTHcfiGnf_iIlkaZBtnDs-vKX8YZFfTn8U7QxCJ6SqMSJZd9UIWjglrws4IM3cokVmtQkmB1s3b5GWcvddnvUkhRxOEeTjPP_/s400/May+2010+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505412397882519234" border="0" /></a>But, a beautiful place. Even the littles were impressed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSI6e5N8rJ_u5G4XwyTru879dZShYOSDdk3bcqCQVNSkSTtb5vC_DjikEBBnkNBY-akTDoKZ-QZ0AleE2RKakk-xOCbVFH8mVFDYWe9cIpDcewABsFzfw8cFFpPtK3Vz1Ej1mY8P7XjBH/s1600/May+2010+037.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/AVvXsEikSI6e5N8rJ_u5G4XwyTru879dZShYOSDdk3bcqCQVNSkSTtb5vC_DjikEBBnkNBY-akTDoKZ-QZ0AleE2RKakk-xOCbVFH8mVFDYWe9cIpDcewABsFzfw8cFFpPtK3Vz1Ej1mY8P7XjBH/s400/May+2010+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505412384963742482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoQxgKpvdBNzeGfNtiaH_5mz87Sgytx0Kxaa572aXOnMq1Vc73OZVZU_dEkbt4AIR8nV-IxIxgwN-a4iiaV5IXtj7uP8p8Yx7sFUqu7jam5F2gW7AqDKKdyU1EV42lcvpyoLhVD0aaXYK/s1600/May+2010+036.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/AVvXsEgsoQxgKpvdBNzeGfNtiaH_5mz87Sgytx0Kxaa572aXOnMq1Vc73OZVZU_dEkbt4AIR8nV-IxIxgwN-a4iiaV5IXtj7uP8p8Yx7sFUqu7jam5F2gW7AqDKKdyU1EV42lcvpyoLhVD0aaXYK/s400/May+2010+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505412373792690498" border="0" /></a>G taking a breather! :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXSv4wrMDE1Unv4JiN8OlaplARfS8bABGbBp4hy8tMOw_QN1Jvjipej6ec471OVN5m7NB2A4rWVKw3-OSdT-Tuv59KMs0u4RaxeWAqElzBzW7reDElNTGOM3pSXxYO0PGVzPDZA-JLPkz/s1600/May+2010+034.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/AVvXsEiSXSv4wrMDE1Unv4JiN8OlaplARfS8bABGbBp4hy8tMOw_QN1Jvjipej6ec471OVN5m7NB2A4rWVKw3-OSdT-Tuv59KMs0u4RaxeWAqElzBzW7reDElNTGOM3pSXxYO0PGVzPDZA-JLPkz/s400/May+2010+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505412368685211074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAonHLRlIPF4f52g8ebMoxXP4JbptFtauyCaMKa_0-1NR3ZWotTqc0BX5pHIoSfWT9LBPUhzJ8g_cMvDVcLzmoAye3RMG0IiPpuOSOfiP27XJiBcN2ecfpM_mph5m1d4VHkyyL0plxLHy/s1600/May+2010+033.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/AVvXsEiOAonHLRlIPF4f52g8ebMoxXP4JbptFtauyCaMKa_0-1NR3ZWotTqc0BX5pHIoSfWT9LBPUhzJ8g_cMvDVcLzmoAye3RMG0IiPpuOSOfiP27XJiBcN2ecfpM_mph5m1d4VHkyyL0plxLHy/s400/May+2010+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505411735013065122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0aYiUsa9RlKFCfoiPGZWf3O-R44McnSl-jLR-RzRvLKvjvckGost8N1F9QFMNTImKtw4Uwz6kcQ6XKZOUFfeIHo-geptccee9eswgK20yfYxXB8EYai06DH2szUUWSZjwHyKX2auL-Kmq/s1600/May+2010+032.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/AVvXsEg0aYiUsa9RlKFCfoiPGZWf3O-R44McnSl-jLR-RzRvLKvjvckGost8N1F9QFMNTImKtw4Uwz6kcQ6XKZOUFfeIHo-geptccee9eswgK20yfYxXB8EYai06DH2szUUWSZjwHyKX2auL-Kmq/s400/May+2010+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505411730794351522" border="0" /></a>Manny in front of the turtle aquarium at the Maymont Nature Center.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6oFPrjuXACKvRHtO62KUcyw9_6yvZOrSN_CUSbTLmvHirEEVwXI5NSspiYpBWccGvU-u8psx80BBQV95qExgUyloAczdv6YV9GsYs-iOInf_TfncmlGnY0m8_hxcnY0GsFv66OITZlvxM/s1600/May+2010+026.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/AVvXsEg6oFPrjuXACKvRHtO62KUcyw9_6yvZOrSN_CUSbTLmvHirEEVwXI5NSspiYpBWccGvU-u8psx80BBQV95qExgUyloAczdv6YV9GsYs-iOInf_TfncmlGnY0m8_hxcnY0GsFv66OITZlvxM/s400/May+2010+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505411720096715314" border="0" /></a>Jackson in front of a statue of his namesake; Stonewall!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnolRTjJqhG38A0heEYqH29N9cUEr2UWjMuD2svv8Mq8kWmzWGKYsS_x-2m47fdrphhBSRxU3s62WrJDdorPTskMeKtUKMyp_AG7g9kz5Jcyt8HoWeyJk_ixyLskgDJvsogvu8DV59UZ1b/s1600/May+2010+024.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/AVvXsEjnolRTjJqhG38A0heEYqH29N9cUEr2UWjMuD2svv8Mq8kWmzWGKYsS_x-2m47fdrphhBSRxU3s62WrJDdorPTskMeKtUKMyp_AG7g9kz5Jcyt8HoWeyJk_ixyLskgDJvsogvu8DV59UZ1b/s400/May+2010+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505411717926595490" border="0" />S</a>t John's Episcopal Church where Patrick Henry gave his famous "Give me Liberty" speech! This neighborhood was particularly charming. Almost like you were stepping back in time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG21caz1irjOFWgI1YDiA_ks_GZClEWITz5gv0vu5OX3RB-IHGsC-EP_zPaZe39cNDWXXMoU5-TeqG8gzXa_6a4vUIjjGWAVjveJ4BfZODaysA5Qpb-jnyMqG2QORNN_MXJD1ppoHmo22e/s1600/May+2010+022.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/AVvXsEhG21caz1irjOFWgI1YDiA_ks_GZClEWITz5gv0vu5OX3RB-IHGsC-EP_zPaZe39cNDWXXMoU5-TeqG8gzXa_6a4vUIjjGWAVjveJ4BfZODaysA5Qpb-jnyMqG2QORNN_MXJD1ppoHmo22e/s400/May+2010+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505411709348933826" border="0" /></a>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-46161205003193058712010-06-25T19:32:00.000-05:002010-06-25T19:32:22.593-05:00Father's DayI have been blessed with a great Father. A great husband and father to my 10 treasures, a wonderful father in law ( who, I am sure, imparted his good fatherly skills to his son) and two terrific grandfathers ( God rest their souls, all three). We celebrated their day last week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicADaHurLRIuuBobgqDp1m2QWX7MMULbS_DA9uiBNYVNZEKl6TrLooAp8BDGrjPZ5QO08sXq66MfBzic5GHcjXx7fQUx_ZNESOE__C7VyhwnqdbcJ5Qi29syfyY9uAB9zwilSisSAw8svb/s1600/May+2010+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Aunt Nancy<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicADaHurLRIuuBobgqDp1m2QWX7MMULbS_DA9uiBNYVNZEKl6TrLooAp8BDGrjPZ5QO08sXq66MfBzic5GHcjXx7fQUx_ZNESOE__C7VyhwnqdbcJ5Qi29syfyY9uAB9zwilSisSAw8svb/s320/May+2010+001.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZdK-K31naQPrhCroQNmtciwmt2riPdZR6W2kcdYV557HTBYy6h-zT7nzARFQW-4S0zAGW62q66KzLMi9tFY-6-mMieCMYfvKZ2KnK8zxSPphsGxV69ZW6jmgRsiNzgNOK46uA9zuFv92/s1600/May+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZdK-K31naQPrhCroQNmtciwmt2riPdZR6W2kcdYV557HTBYy6h-zT7nzARFQW-4S0zAGW62q66KzLMi9tFY-6-mMieCMYfvKZ2KnK8zxSPphsGxV69ZW6jmgRsiNzgNOK46uA9zuFv92/s320/May+2010+002.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdZltbd7X5_Q8J8g_6qwKtiJqIJBhehRqFMl-8QYwh9IILoiCnYVmaBNRg8cV1OOu8olxYF9kN7SQAC_c476W0jKM_VjgYhD_v1b-iMxLN6MS3-UhheGGm9KjR1zF8M-n0AKVGAccZlGT/s1600/May+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdZltbd7X5_Q8J8g_6qwKtiJqIJBhehRqFMl-8QYwh9IILoiCnYVmaBNRg8cV1OOu8olxYF9kN7SQAC_c476W0jKM_VjgYhD_v1b-iMxLN6MS3-UhheGGm9KjR1zF8M-n0AKVGAccZlGT/s320/May+2010+003.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsz42zMpCtd6gDufnSJ2zQJERahwW41wR8A0ma6nb1XlqfwABs-ozuqhOKlWUd_gs-4drMiS1qdym3aO8q6YUsJ5L3VszYNKlMqzAvuY3DqjVxh5TU2nf5I26IU-OTi8PJdijuGlqhulR/s1600/May+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsz42zMpCtd6gDufnSJ2zQJERahwW41wR8A0ma6nb1XlqfwABs-ozuqhOKlWUd_gs-4drMiS1qdym3aO8q6YUsJ5L3VszYNKlMqzAvuY3DqjVxh5TU2nf5I26IU-OTi8PJdijuGlqhulR/s320/May+2010+004.jpg" />Dyl, Anne, Zak, the man of the hour- Papa, Al, Meemaw and Nan</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-SaHJ2fKXOFri3F5tVQM3u69tM9PNiJed-ApYdAqDBV7FdQxLA3Zbaceo7MDzW153XA3OuPJKC4gNNS0qWgPehUNLjnp_n6sShl0QJ3eycpdTm6cMfdWcCrOJmgYumnvldX62XByh_9L/s1600/May+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-SaHJ2fKXOFri3F5tVQM3u69tM9PNiJed-ApYdAqDBV7FdQxLA3Zbaceo7MDzW153XA3OuPJKC4gNNS0qWgPehUNLjnp_n6sShl0QJ3eycpdTm6cMfdWcCrOJmgYumnvldX62XByh_9L/s320/May+2010+005.jpg" />Dyl made smoked ribs. Dee-lish!</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUqrhXc535oZSn3l5pvpxE98zFblLu9-6rGGYlKxgtQUpUsS1MDtm9ompWafNs-1DdKCcMzctzqMb4k7oZyNoU_BkbtGW-PipjxgiHgKB9NPM9msxt6fFoUwMe0QJlpY_AIIVHXPOIQ0w/s1600/May+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUqrhXc535oZSn3l5pvpxE98zFblLu9-6rGGYlKxgtQUpUsS1MDtm9ompWafNs-1DdKCcMzctzqMb4k7oZyNoU_BkbtGW-PipjxgiHgKB9NPM9msxt6fFoUwMe0QJlpY_AIIVHXPOIQ0w/s320/May+2010+006.jpg" />Gwen spent the weekend with us and although she wouldn't pose for the camera....I must document she was there. :) </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrQfsOulr9Eaxl6t4Kiq0j-6rM_sIJ8TZNghorSj8b5fBYzYFEuvPBtxXx17Bo6eds58aCaMgCYC02Y3suO_kZLzLYgda70alwt27bx6kXiMdPGY3D6Saefz39ZGBN2UMt4lQ_J_wW_gj/s1600/May+2010+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrQfsOulr9Eaxl6t4Kiq0j-6rM_sIJ8TZNghorSj8b5fBYzYFEuvPBtxXx17Bo6eds58aCaMgCYC02Y3suO_kZLzLYgda70alwt27bx6kXiMdPGY3D6Saefz39ZGBN2UMt4lQ_J_wW_gj/s320/May+2010+007.jpg" />Our new bluebird house thanks to Uncle Bob and Papa.</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5NjTppewqCllciZy_tj0FYIXExqNAE0lbGiCgtDRXbwuLgu4LMFwl4yWViVsSNKX0aXK-OdR1LN_7XWQ8kwk0mu3qH3eOj4RYw2AlIizWlsm5aQlPyETm3__rNQyfXbKTlTTC1UwlMTs/s1600/May+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5NjTppewqCllciZy_tj0FYIXExqNAE0lbGiCgtDRXbwuLgu4LMFwl4yWViVsSNKX0aXK-OdR1LN_7XWQ8kwk0mu3qH3eOj4RYw2AlIizWlsm5aQlPyETm3__rNQyfXbKTlTTC1UwlMTs/s320/May+2010+008.jpg" /></a></div>Zak had to bring his homework. :) Summer accelerated classes are no joke!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-63412886320189281372010-06-25T19:16:00.000-05:002010-06-25T19:16:01.241-05:007 Quick Takes--Summer Days1. Today, June 25th, 2010 is our 27th wedding anniversary. In September we'll have known each other for 30 years. Yikes. I don't usually feel this way about aging ( ie: I would LOVE to be called grandma!) but 27 years seems like you have to be pretty old to be married that long. I sort of cringe to say it, although I am thankful for so many years with a good man. Every year I seem to appreciate something about him in a new and different light. We have our differences, of course ;) but I can say with all honesty I couldn't imagine a life that didn't include him.<br />
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2. JED MADE BREAD. I sometimes wonder if we didn't name Jed-Jed just because his name rhymes with so many things and we just LOVE to come up with silly nicknames at the Vrazo house. ( rolls eyes in a very teen age way!) He really did most of the simple recipe by himself, with just a bit of help from mom and it actually did turn out pretty yummy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73TMEliuGaiopz_X_bPl3vZylYfYdRnvdqOK03_xbUT3rE137EWDTMiYKMIthJjPuK-FAR1T6aLqMHC5n-eG43dzVIJwLXLKHzcXgSMwuyeGnItScQcUWnuRtLHfkW4w-Vmwd9n2fXGnl/s1600/May+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73TMEliuGaiopz_X_bPl3vZylYfYdRnvdqOK03_xbUT3rE137EWDTMiYKMIthJjPuK-FAR1T6aLqMHC5n-eG43dzVIJwLXLKHzcXgSMwuyeGnItScQcUWnuRtLHfkW4w-Vmwd9n2fXGnl/s320/May+2010+008.jpg" /></a></div>3. Well, we've been enjoying our little country paradise. I say, this place has more beautiful parks, paths and general areas of repose than anywhere I can think that we've lived before. A few shots of a walk on the "Paint Creek Trail" which you can actually take to the library. Win-win for the Vrazo's! :) Is there anything more glorious than wading in a little creek. I have such fond memories of it from my childhood. Not exactly sure where it was (somewhere after a "smelting" trip with my father :).....but I can recall being SO enthralled by the experience being a HUGE fan of the "Little House" books and of course, "On the Banks of Plum Creek" in particular. I love re-living it with my own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNps9WvMoGl0A-u1Qn2mn8coFMd5xidP4_eNtYGcCEb10v3r2efzFi27-hl3NmbxFU9jrraQmZjnzrtyK97BxttmPGSjY6jQd4-SuzAWkSyLi0AYe0rrSiYHGbUZaDvsGTTxrr5P0Mu-N/s1600/May+2010+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNps9WvMoGl0A-u1Qn2mn8coFMd5xidP4_eNtYGcCEb10v3r2efzFi27-hl3NmbxFU9jrraQmZjnzrtyK97BxttmPGSjY6jQd4-SuzAWkSyLi0AYe0rrSiYHGbUZaDvsGTTxrr5P0Mu-N/s320/May+2010+015.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigypfGl6uusm3DSVsJiDh-SwT7Lks7ICAt9Eimd2u1kVx4-g90FiaUqUswms8n7Ndjr1GTIXvs4jCFt-zrhC3Q3owX522zbGpVYeErZ76bTQU59CSqBKBCMVL7mwUsE9pdHE27FJwuiUgs/s1600/May+2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigypfGl6uusm3DSVsJiDh-SwT7Lks7ICAt9Eimd2u1kVx4-g90FiaUqUswms8n7Ndjr1GTIXvs4jCFt-zrhC3Q3owX522zbGpVYeErZ76bTQU59CSqBKBCMVL7mwUsE9pdHE27FJwuiUgs/s320/May+2010+011.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJvKlkJI_4BembkOYmJ4d5znmBN9CA8gw53DFU1sk4nzPsJV46B4Kt8bVpsBsuK7k0Zwgo3boCEgeuKqTLJ72mc6Jsm0IVkrKmxzNrFyV-kELu2WO7UOBQHHobQFu98myAZbwsXpOvp4u/s1600/May+2010+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJvKlkJI_4BembkOYmJ4d5znmBN9CA8gw53DFU1sk4nzPsJV46B4Kt8bVpsBsuK7k0Zwgo3boCEgeuKqTLJ72mc6Jsm0IVkrKmxzNrFyV-kELu2WO7UOBQHHobQFu98myAZbwsXpOvp4u/s320/May+2010+012.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNr6_KN_woAV3Cbx7Ks1Vn-Yxf4Jta8KqlNLP3Jyqh2r79JA2jsVBdZyTNyYESIPraEcz8TuBC9KsJznEWyh64puRYtV9FbXpfnjVzWeNIMaf4sLJAskpIXuQ6qypuN4OTf-TSE9zAGHX/s1600/May+2010+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNr6_KN_woAV3Cbx7Ks1Vn-Yxf4Jta8KqlNLP3Jyqh2r79JA2jsVBdZyTNyYESIPraEcz8TuBC9KsJznEWyh64puRYtV9FbXpfnjVzWeNIMaf4sLJAskpIXuQ6qypuN4OTf-TSE9zAGHX/s320/May+2010+014.jpg" /></a></div>4. Mosquitos anyone? These pictures were actually from our first camping trip but sort of underline the experience we've been having with bugs this summer. :) Poor Gabriella at times looks like she has the chicken pox from all her bites ( I tell her it's because she is so sweet....while I get NONE. Very telling. ;) Not to worry! We found bats roosting in our garage. This little fella obviously fell from his nest, but we got him on a stick, climbed a ladder and he crawled right back in. Munch away our batty friends!<br />
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5. Is it just me or does anyone else get on food "kicks" and then can't stand the same cuisine for weeks afterward. I try not to eat eggs everyday ( why? I don't know when I don't put restrictions on any other kind of food that is bad for me :) but I have really been into "huerve ranchero" for breakfast every morning. In fact, Mexican is definitely the top food I can eat for three meals a day for a week and then not want to look at for months afterward. Don't really know how to pace myself there. Other munchy goodness:....a grilled vegetable painini....which was simply some sauteed vegetables, Havarti cheese slices on a baguette split in half. Not entirely original, but I love it when I can come up with something tasty from what I find in the refrigerator ( ie: this wasn't a planned lunch :)<br />
Gabriella and I picked these black raspberries? from some bushes around the property. I can't believe the birds haven't eaten them. They probably have plenty of bugs :) I hope to harvest enough to make some jam!<br />
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6. I often have this strange co-incidence when reading. I will read one book and then another right after that have some connection. (unbeknown to me beforehand)The latest version of this was reading a book about the English poet Rupert Moore called "The Great Lover" ( which is the name of one of his poems) by Jill Dawson. Just before that I listened to a book on cd called "The Moon and the Sixpence" by W. Somerset Maughm. It was a biographical novel loosely based on the painter Gauguin's life. The connection is that Rupert Moore ended up in Tahiti ( which is where I always tell the kids I am going when I am ready to fly the coop ;) and loved life there and guess what? So did Gauguin ( he died there, actually). I really enjoyed both pieces even though I am not a poetry lover and really don't know why I find Rupert Moore all that fascinating,. It was a good story and of course, set mostly in the pre WWI English ocountryside, what's not to love for me? ;) Gauguin's life story was really very strange, and he seems to be yet another example of a genius-jerk, but he did do some interesting paintings. His use of bold color is enchanting...if not all his subjects are.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZZqZrTZRUFaSvvuTqcQAOYSk-iAvLL4ifInftMNmMp4ldNzbcTEa7x_6bC1spuSzUzWgnx3IJmQzrsAZC92KtWQE0blBJqkui_8s7zAgwKdFkRbnIok33XxxAAtMbBI7I-qsSw8M_6A4/s1600/May+2010+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZZqZrTZRUFaSvvuTqcQAOYSk-iAvLL4ifInftMNmMp4ldNzbcTEa7x_6bC1spuSzUzWgnx3IJmQzrsAZC92KtWQE0blBJqkui_8s7zAgwKdFkRbnIok33XxxAAtMbBI7I-qsSw8M_6A4/s320/May+2010+018.jpg" /></a></div>7. Finally, my little garden. I am really quite amazed ANYTHING is growing in it. Probably because the last place we lived in had so little sun in the backyard, our very minuscule attempt at gardening wasn't successful at all ( not to mention I didn't have the tricked out fence like this one to keep the animals and children under 10 out!) I actually used some parsley we planted today! I have high hopes, but I think even if it doesn't yield much produce, it was a step in the right direction. Now to get a compost pile going!Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-4889690425124334232010-06-13T09:55:00.002-05:002010-06-13T10:11:30.461-05:00May/June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblEpk_W_17oVNUDaOSEq_VuVkNnOvNnjN7e7EyAdDhoe3i7R-4QOewHZwa2dXrTOu71fD2Dn6PagbA4jf-YcmzPB1YWVNReEs89LvXVHUxj9fEbe5G7VuXzYrm5S7-XwDvldCqQaY9cTW/s1600/100_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblEpk_W_17oVNUDaOSEq_VuVkNnOvNnjN7e7EyAdDhoe3i7R-4QOewHZwa2dXrTOu71fD2Dn6PagbA4jf-YcmzPB1YWVNReEs89LvXVHUxj9fEbe5G7VuXzYrm5S7-XwDvldCqQaY9cTW/s320/100_0815.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Birdhouse painting!<br />
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<div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Outside my window</span>: It was incredibly hot and humid yesterday. Somehow, the lack of sun this morning has put a cooler spin on the day. Let's hope it stays that way! As much as we are enjoying summer weather humidity and I just don't get along. :)<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am thinking -- Trying to figure out the world and it's inhabitants, as usual. ;)</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">From the schoolroom:</span> Done, but had a whirl-wind week trying to get G/J in an online charter school for next year. Lot's of paperwork just to get them in the lottery makes me wonder if it will be worth it. But, obviously it's a popular idea from the number of applicants.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">From the kitchen</span>: Camping food this past week! Finally, our camping- packets turned out swimmingly :) Brought chili in the crockpot for the first night which was also a winner of an idea. Muffins, corn bread and 7 layer bars rounded out the menu.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am reading,watching and listening: (Highlights)</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Read: The Stoning of Soyara M ( which I think I read in one day....it was a small book, but still a record:)</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">It still boggles the mind that this story could be true. And not an isolated event.</span><br />
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</span><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myspiritrejoi-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1559702702&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myspiritrejoi-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1402211171&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Introvert Power: Why your inner life is your hidden strength. Laurie Helgoe<br />
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Well, I've known for some time that I am introvert. I have no misgivings about it, other than I do get frustrated by our seemingly extroverted world at times. (*Disclaimer*, I think extroverts on the whole, are fine. The world, I believe, needs both types of people to make it run smoothly :) I do think that the our society ( especially American society) runs on extrovert *ideals* though, and that can be annoying). I thought this might be an interesting book to read to help shed light on how to relate to my extrovert children, who I often wonder if I am not stifling by my extreme home-body-ness. :) While it didn't give a whole lot of pointers there, it was nice to read about someone who feels the same way you do about a lot of things. And I really liked her thesis that *speaking* is not the only way to connect with others and that introverts connect by writing, reading, pondering, art...etc. etc. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Watched:</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Frank Lloyd Wright ( by Ken Burns)<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myspiritrejoi-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000BITUH0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Frank Lloyd Wright was always someone who I had peripheral knowledge of. I have really been captivated by his genius in learning more about him. Well, his genius as an architect, some of his personal convictions were less than admirable. This was an excellent documentary. It interviewed several people throughout; his son, ( who was 100!) grandson's and even had an interview with him done by Wallace ( smoking a cigarette throughout the on -air interview! LOL! How times have changed!)</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Listened to:</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Piano Teacher: Set in Hong Kong in pre/post WW2. I really liked this one. <iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myspiritrejoi-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0143116533&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Great Gatsby:<br />
I know this is considered a great classic. While it was an interesting story, I can't say it was one of the best I've ever read.<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myspiritrejoi-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0743273567&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=myspiritrejoi-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0743273567&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Around the house</span>: Noah- our amazing "Mr Fixit" got the dryer back in order. It went from taking nearly all day to dry a load back to an hour. Huzzah!<br />
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</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">What we will do this week:<b> Recover from camping ( which = lots of laundry :) unpacking, and organizing things along with cleaning up a house that has been sadly neglected for a week. Festival meeting and a bbq with papa, meemaw and nan.</b></span></div><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; font: normal normal normal 78%/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; text-transform: uppercase;"><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-timestamp">AT <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://myspiritrejoices.blogspot.com/2010/05/week-of-may-9th-2010.html" rel="bookmark" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" title="2010-05-16T06:02:00-05:00">6:02 AM</abbr></a> </span><span class="post-comment-link"><a class="comment-link" href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5512074061242663455&postID=5052615633873274056" style="color: #333333; margin-left: 0.6em; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">0 COMMENTS</a></span></div></div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-50526156338732740562010-05-16T06:02:00.000-05:002010-05-16T06:02:52.777-05:00Week of May 9th, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Revisiting my florist days by making prom corsages :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZHod9_joRRJE4AM18etBZHTTNuJN8MWcqkW67xV0cC5rqUY7aO71Awq-EtyRur5lmNbEB7VOFd2Zx8C-PwH6TtWH0re7cZ0rJGTrqzLPD5rZokV18vTm_1NQuuTY6pqpJN5r6egf9v2H/s1600/100_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZHod9_joRRJE4AM18etBZHTTNuJN8MWcqkW67xV0cC5rqUY7aO71Awq-EtyRur5lmNbEB7VOFd2Zx8C-PwH6TtWH0re7cZ0rJGTrqzLPD5rZokV18vTm_1NQuuTY6pqpJN5r6egf9v2H/s320/100_0725.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN8B1BZOHa87HBYouLo2TlnFp8bbXGAOuie3GEU2R7usgqHasY5_XtCFinM8udiRmARWSfZO-mvRK3B8Io1OF1hqlESvBxEdMnkVfurBYlD11GAjScID_lscwwzbne4CzZ9GB0FQw55ww/s1600/100_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxN8B1BZOHa87HBYouLo2TlnFp8bbXGAOuie3GEU2R7usgqHasY5_XtCFinM8udiRmARWSfZO-mvRK3B8Io1OF1hqlESvBxEdMnkVfurBYlD11GAjScID_lscwwzbne4CzZ9GB0FQw55ww/s320/100_0727.JPG" /></a>G with a "leftover" bouquet. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2bLce-Sxd-o6zXXTqSyMqtZirWTvE8zhvsE_vwU3KPlDf3uBVkxDGijc4gQmOZviBkwpQE_nCn1r1oIRppwchwd91FTgGy8RRxiY9FdHf91e1Rbmy4dvHnclKY1SXDBeKvmzLFqMbXGH/s1600/100_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2bLce-Sxd-o6zXXTqSyMqtZirWTvE8zhvsE_vwU3KPlDf3uBVkxDGijc4gQmOZviBkwpQE_nCn1r1oIRppwchwd91FTgGy8RRxiY9FdHf91e1Rbmy4dvHnclKY1SXDBeKvmzLFqMbXGH/s320/100_0728.JPG" /></a>What handsome fellas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU095wx69dFD9OARGSN3OagmCpsm_-CGZ_uMLO00zlmksRnmv_gklbOW2mwpXvc7CsM7lNJu_m5f1jIhJXhkQAr2bsZaLVHM-Lpi-dQGrhDaO03QQipM-RYMCBu5NzVWPGSxE_76jqAJS/s1600/100_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNU095wx69dFD9OARGSN3OagmCpsm_-CGZ_uMLO00zlmksRnmv_gklbOW2mwpXvc7CsM7lNJu_m5f1jIhJXhkQAr2bsZaLVHM-Lpi-dQGrhDaO03QQipM-RYMCBu5NzVWPGSxE_76jqAJS/s320/100_0730.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfMRWpcOq1R6QyFL5j8jdtTFE2YCDjHWqAvNfwU8fL0rLvQOFx2exO3ijLoxXuXUOcb_6G0-w7Dvjrg6KRjL1QkY8NFXQjWilmsjh83Cpbd8zUfjJ9Ki3MZP14ezQLR2anVirqJnQe-r7/s1600/100_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfMRWpcOq1R6QyFL5j8jdtTFE2YCDjHWqAvNfwU8fL0rLvQOFx2exO3ijLoxXuXUOcb_6G0-w7Dvjrg6KRjL1QkY8NFXQjWilmsjh83Cpbd8zUfjJ9Ki3MZP14ezQLR2anVirqJnQe-r7/s320/100_0733.JPG" /></a>G in one of her fashion ensembles :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCxZcQFrYwlxcUvweapaJo_c78OHDUKIBHSwlbJ79YwlybFFYaKkAL22aj6zrCX9V_JIPD0NQyta6fPbnpy9Ql77_be0nAlpU8td9cXzEfng_njOgA9F-ectfCvZVYdyudc7Yzmpb5TUQ/s1600/100_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCxZcQFrYwlxcUvweapaJo_c78OHDUKIBHSwlbJ79YwlybFFYaKkAL22aj6zrCX9V_JIPD0NQyta6fPbnpy9Ql77_be0nAlpU8td9cXzEfng_njOgA9F-ectfCvZVYdyudc7Yzmpb5TUQ/s320/100_0735.JPG" /></a>I bet not everyone has a jug of milk, a boogy board and an old game controller in their sandbox!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Noah and Victoria<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c_KtmD77pSTUlW4K3Bj4oMUyPVVIZo0LdLCL27Bu5weoxlCIj9oazYogT-rcb8YBlsms1Tskio8v6r7bfwyI15vg2aWr9Y7Hx22XClTIMMnDG-vXpg_kuaHYo3kKst-sIx1aakFWLDVb/s1600/Cherry+Creek+Prom+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c_KtmD77pSTUlW4K3Bj4oMUyPVVIZo0LdLCL27Bu5weoxlCIj9oazYogT-rcb8YBlsms1Tskio8v6r7bfwyI15vg2aWr9Y7Hx22XClTIMMnDG-vXpg_kuaHYo3kKst-sIx1aakFWLDVb/s320/Cherry+Creek+Prom+039.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYvZwvm16-7jkPMy792I7MlDQ5hzsISTRlMJEVrgCr_Iu_kcTu4VB8o7-FK_IaCGPJeeFaUe1SXg8P5D9RX3ksvQHCRkuqs005mORdr_3MDLlIkReNnoLCtKIS0t0CpOUqJrXyEtyB8Ww/s1600/Cherry+Creek+Prom+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYvZwvm16-7jkPMy792I7MlDQ5hzsISTRlMJEVrgCr_Iu_kcTu4VB8o7-FK_IaCGPJeeFaUe1SXg8P5D9RX3ksvQHCRkuqs005mORdr_3MDLlIkReNnoLCtKIS0t0CpOUqJrXyEtyB8Ww/s320/Cherry+Creek+Prom+045.jpg" /></a><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs534.ash1/31292_394193252855_661107855_3959662_2637772_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs534.ash1/31292_394193252855_661107855_3959662_2637772_n.jpg" width="240" /></a>Anne and Dyl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Outside my window</span>: Sunny but cool. What happened to our warm weather?! <b>(Ditto!)</b><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am thinking -- <b>it was a nice couple weeks with Tim working at home....he's off again!</b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">From the schoolroom:</span> Just trying to slog through our last few lessons. George gives me a *how many days of school left* update everyday :)</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">From the kitchen</span>: I made some scones for the first time in a long time. I made them for some appreciation gifts, but the kids LOVED the leftovers. I guess we should add them as a regular feature on the V menu!<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am reading and watching:</span><br />
I actually finished "Ruby's Spoon" by Anna Lawerence Petroni. Another first time author, the lady has skills :) It was a very clever tale and so well written. Probably one of my top 10 reads for the year. I always appreciate a unique story because there are so many that follow a well-used theme. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Watched: </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Stoning of Soyara M</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Well, I don't know exactly what compelled me to watch this except there was quite a *buzz* about it. I am a HUGE wimp when it comes to films with any sort of violence or cruelty in it. Not that the violence was gratuitous in this, it was 100% there to make a point. All in all I think it is one of those films you have to watch from time to time. We think we have such huge, despairing problems in our American culture.....forgetting the horrors in many others. I am motivated to read the book.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Around the house</span>: I think perhaps I may have got a handle on our laundry situation. It gets so backed up because of the slowness of the dryer. Gah! I might really push for the extra dryer in our garage to be hooked up somehow. Two would make a huge difference!</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">What we will do this week:<b> Soccer, soccer and rugby tournament. George and Noah were goal scorers this week! Hopefully a visit to the zoo and our R.O kin :) </b></span></div><br />
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</div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-81459952783804284172010-05-10T07:08:00.000-05:002010-05-10T07:08:34.645-05:00Mother's Day, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaqtSR7U7zIHlvdXWrkGDsyj7mrv-GehUTDvG9U_4wAOpGiYnBI-zB8wvi_0vJ0l1qOGfvjC4Htf8yP19N3N8unvnn9e6a4L5_C52HNjsb6amTqMB-U0g6f9-Uz3DpVywbpx6n_5hJjsm/s1600/100_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaqtSR7U7zIHlvdXWrkGDsyj7mrv-GehUTDvG9U_4wAOpGiYnBI-zB8wvi_0vJ0l1qOGfvjC4Htf8yP19N3N8unvnn9e6a4L5_C52HNjsb6amTqMB-U0g6f9-Uz3DpVywbpx6n_5hJjsm/s320/100_0719.JPG" /></a>Al turned 23!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me with my progeny :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH9mHyTiPa9h_GEW5L0WUTKgOzA_PrLiHxRjf85s06Zi0lb5zq39gkkSWeI-IaYzVFD1OvLllaK1aeIb1zOLKRkSKTACPzPzJp-5kKu8bfFNkzQSGa6gm3K6KG1oczGP6rn6SpfpypO4w/s1600/May+2010+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH9mHyTiPa9h_GEW5L0WUTKgOzA_PrLiHxRjf85s06Zi0lb5zq39gkkSWeI-IaYzVFD1OvLllaK1aeIb1zOLKRkSKTACPzPzJp-5kKu8bfFNkzQSGa6gm3K6KG1oczGP6rn6SpfpypO4w/s320/May+2010+017.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWaWRSHZ-l5EKUs9cOcofvx9sJC3yNjRAZdmluvE68OAS_xPRxVBBhahh4z9MMhPWnCUFXRCzypAeJiSxUFvdrVyORZn6aDeWOQ1C0mW3OtYS-nZDBuhLUz-MdSx_Nsvp2XC17c2HFfHB/s1600/May+2010+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWaWRSHZ-l5EKUs9cOcofvx9sJC3yNjRAZdmluvE68OAS_xPRxVBBhahh4z9MMhPWnCUFXRCzypAeJiSxUFvdrVyORZn6aDeWOQ1C0mW3OtYS-nZDBuhLUz-MdSx_Nsvp2XC17c2HFfHB/s320/May+2010+018.jpg" /></a>Silly, silly.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4 generations on Mother's Day. Nan, Mee maw, me, Naomi and G</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgKVJK1CrQ0CicSC01KzEUOeq_zh03149WHb1E1_xRyygJNk9Rh38Tr51HXcnX2meLXfoPe4WCWuUm84UICfigReix5q2IErVTxzJcauzIAB37LLyqXPc90N61_GeIIJt3_SKXdPN_zWe/s1600/100_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgKVJK1CrQ0CicSC01KzEUOeq_zh03149WHb1E1_xRyygJNk9Rh38Tr51HXcnX2meLXfoPe4WCWuUm84UICfigReix5q2IErVTxzJcauzIAB37LLyqXPc90N61_GeIIJt3_SKXdPN_zWe/s320/100_0709.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitgKVJK1CrQ0CicSC01KzEUOeq_zh03149WHb1E1_xRyygJNk9Rh38Tr51HXcnX2meLXfoPe4WCWuUm84UICfigReix5q2IErVTxzJcauzIAB37LLyqXPc90N61_GeIIJt3_SKXdPN_zWe/s1600/100_0709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YF9xlrKYokYquFTEW4g05UByvq374CxNmNu4T80wHjsDd3TmJn88_ckrnBeyYBUrBUcFMKulIxUEP4UVcYjH_Ku8LpZFOvGm55qIBIK1ascTQaTxGM9GYaykslHQoYVDBhFl6kxQzBTC/s1600/100_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YF9xlrKYokYquFTEW4g05UByvq374CxNmNu4T80wHjsDd3TmJn88_ckrnBeyYBUrBUcFMKulIxUEP4UVcYjH_Ku8LpZFOvGm55qIBIK1ascTQaTxGM9GYaykslHQoYVDBhFl6kxQzBTC/s320/100_0712.JPG" /></a>Nan with her Vrazo "Greats"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hg3r23_emsUW167h49DJDK1sDwft8kD4c6DVohfxV1Kqoxj6onLP1Z-myXIYkZ-NAv-IXl2GOhhx8kcCKrFr8YV1j68XQFvmgg5rV8-OuVnfDAXhshhVlD8Lkv9o5vpqRbHwNlCB1GJS/s1600/100_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hg3r23_emsUW167h49DJDK1sDwft8kD4c6DVohfxV1Kqoxj6onLP1Z-myXIYkZ-NAv-IXl2GOhhx8kcCKrFr8YV1j68XQFvmgg5rV8-OuVnfDAXhshhVlD8Lkv9o5vpqRbHwNlCB1GJS/s320/100_0716.JPG" /></a>Jed gathering rhubarb for......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY66ye71-0LFJbWRNGvx_sjIq6WsJOty20UPR2NbSG3hVhMh4I2CW4zKp7Y3qdkgWtr3SN_muStDlkk-JNEVmm_J78r2gBZipgKidXfPUiQ2DEo65qQZ9RAJqwCladMZFAYRIHkj9qBMLm/s1600/100_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY66ye71-0LFJbWRNGvx_sjIq6WsJOty20UPR2NbSG3hVhMh4I2CW4zKp7Y3qdkgWtr3SN_muStDlkk-JNEVmm_J78r2gBZipgKidXfPUiQ2DEo65qQZ9RAJqwCladMZFAYRIHkj9qBMLm/s320/100_0724.JPG" /></a>strawberry-rhubarb jam!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m5C7SyVpgRGL_tVvVmjf9S2KaJ0RW3TIwzQMe7lgqySS7PWE596vHDMg59MAlFvhzXGmo5OnfMWUfZBJnfrRUgaMx5QmccnC2k1g1MDTWq0dpQJgO993FC5pOje55XTMUNFehc0NvGDu/s1600/100_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m5C7SyVpgRGL_tVvVmjf9S2KaJ0RW3TIwzQMe7lgqySS7PWE596vHDMg59MAlFvhzXGmo5OnfMWUfZBJnfrRUgaMx5QmccnC2k1g1MDTWq0dpQJgO993FC5pOje55XTMUNFehc0NvGDu/s320/100_0705.JPG" /></a>Farmer Tim!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbqiMJcdB_jONrXHiDOjez39FARbW656_zMD6522yktgt3-JIyqM8Q9K5rmkshR79gCTkHiw-SUrb-jaPpP28qr42gF9CMb0pG1j9UQyI9vWpEcGYUNX1YcnBjO12-KOfabmFnGMXufKp/s1600/100_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbqiMJcdB_jONrXHiDOjez39FARbW656_zMD6522yktgt3-JIyqM8Q9K5rmkshR79gCTkHiw-SUrb-jaPpP28qr42gF9CMb0pG1j9UQyI9vWpEcGYUNX1YcnBjO12-KOfabmFnGMXufKp/s320/100_0707.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hLOw5VWGZrQ0bvZkPnQakhc14JaEGBcUzDZ_bOKsEg9Qda6Ls6fgZOOUK_dxiQFntnzLjmPvGc6Ngp6W8hsIdBL-YqYYi-Qt_En3EuscAkdOKQOmMBYYEspX4uHXdUohPbFpUkXBne7a/s1600/100_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hLOw5VWGZrQ0bvZkPnQakhc14JaEGBcUzDZ_bOKsEg9Qda6Ls6fgZOOUK_dxiQFntnzLjmPvGc6Ngp6W8hsIdBL-YqYYi-Qt_En3EuscAkdOKQOmMBYYEspX4uHXdUohPbFpUkXBne7a/s320/100_0713.JPG" /></a>Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers! Too bad they are here to enjoy for such a short time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Outside my window</span>: Sunny but cool. What happened to our warm weather?!<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am thinking -- <b>about how to arrange the week. Haven't come up with much of a plan as yet.</b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">From the schoolroom:</span> Onward and upward.....catechism is over, last day of co-op classes this week, finals for the college kids. The year is really winding down! </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">From the kitchen</span>: Strawberry-rhubarb jam. Yum! The boys made smoked ribs and brisket for mother's day. The first time we have ever smoked meat ( fish, yes) and it was a brilliant success!<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am reading and watching:</span><br />
Simplicity Parenting by <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 16px;">Kim John Payne </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It seems like I have to read a new parenting book every so often to keep the memento going. This one has many golden nuggets in it. I was very intrigued by his theory that all children ( and people) have "quirks" but "quirks" turn into disorders when there is too much stress in a child's life. He has observed that many children in our American society show "disorders" that children who have lived through traumatic wars, displacement, etc in other, less prosperous and stable (?) countries have. All in all an interesting book so far.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Listened to: "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The premise/subject of this book isn't all that savory, I will admit. Still it was interesting to learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright. Tim and I have a standing joke anytime we see a garishly modern, 60's type house that it is a " Frank Lloyd Wright". But I see now that despite those pseudo imitations, he did have some compelling ideas about architecture. Mostly this particular story hit me as a cautionary tale about the lies people will believe/adopt in order to absolve themselves from guilt. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
Watched: </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Vanity Fair (william Makepeace Thackery)</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I have never read the book and it was a bit difficult getting into, but in the end it was worth it. I believe the book was a satire of English society at the time it was written. I'm not sure the film carried that out but it was entertaining. Natasha Little as Becky Sharp was outstanding.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Around the house</span>: Working on the outside. Raking, weeding, and hopefully.....lawn cutting and weed whacking will be happening this week. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>DITTO. We did finally find a riding lawn mower....</b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><b>the weeds that need to be whacked are still neglected and growing like....well....weeds!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">What we will do this week:<b> I've got a meeting to go to. I somehow signed on to be chairperson for a children's tent at our parish festival. I haven't a clue what I am doing, but I thought it would be a good way to serve the parish that serves us so well. And the family can be involved (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">look out, family!</span>. :) PROM for Noah and Dyl.....so some corsage making will be on the docket. Noah's last rugby game. </b></span></div><br />
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</div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512074061242663455.post-13625395784035364642010-04-27T07:44:00.002-05:002010-04-27T07:46:48.966-05:00Zak's birthday week :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past week held Zak's 21st birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQrB6t-QelifPz8xeO1lpu3KN_TB4RQws9h8QUdzQ9nZl2DYBy0Bzy3pHHp4agviTXZpqzFXR1sl1njO9hnsgxKR4vbPSsN2kVOmiE_BW66pWsih4S8ACQqHick2XUIoYDEDTEbjGYvQk/s1600/100_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQrB6t-QelifPz8xeO1lpu3KN_TB4RQws9h8QUdzQ9nZl2DYBy0Bzy3pHHp4agviTXZpqzFXR1sl1njO9hnsgxKR4vbPSsN2kVOmiE_BW66pWsih4S8ACQqHick2XUIoYDEDTEbjGYvQk/s320/100_0693.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8XY99-9ytfex4DlgItFhqEmUiNLrPZ1ZFal3FIEcoeswLVBAPZ-0HuhnBg6EVagBwqR-HmO1-2BYuDd2zKe74YXtRZaDmAKEfnM5f1-sC8kjlsGmQlCZ8KnulLJSa9NDyHbMVAKWU3cT/s1600/100_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8XY99-9ytfex4DlgItFhqEmUiNLrPZ1ZFal3FIEcoeswLVBAPZ-0HuhnBg6EVagBwqR-HmO1-2BYuDd2zKe74YXtRZaDmAKEfnM5f1-sC8kjlsGmQlCZ8KnulLJSa9NDyHbMVAKWU3cT/s320/100_0694.JPG" /></a>He had some pals over to play soccer...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6c9YZTSjc1ukcGuqY7XRIGlCUejFanERqqkB6OIyAY41lK3-Sj4QtiMX09tHCY-3YHhP_n2BRL64evJ7OTe5I8JXaIz8q4mArYXjb0gSHGUOhONnOsHMIJZ1TIcjvb5CS2NNVNdY338q/s1600/100_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6c9YZTSjc1ukcGuqY7XRIGlCUejFanERqqkB6OIyAY41lK3-Sj4QtiMX09tHCY-3YHhP_n2BRL64evJ7OTe5I8JXaIz8q4mArYXjb0gSHGUOhONnOsHMIJZ1TIcjvb5CS2NNVNdY338q/s320/100_0695.JPG" /></a>and made them some spaghetti <a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs450.snc3/25771_1442583141749_1148194496_31325271_1337967_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs450.snc3/25771_1442583141749_1148194496_31325271_1337967_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Noah's first rugby game ( with cousin Jay)<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px;"></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Outside my window</span>: Very, very bright sun but windy and cool.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am thinking -- <b>it feels like a vacation this week. T is home!</b></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">From the schoolroom:</span> Started a new writing program (Jensen's Format Writing) with the boys. I think it was a success! ( or will be)</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">From the kitchen</span>: Since there has been an abundance of low priced strawberries at the grocery store, freezer jam has made a reappearance in our lives :).<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I am reading and watching:</span><br />
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Reading: "Cider with Rosie" by Laurie Lee</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Such a poignant, funny, charming little book about a boy's life in rural England before WW 2. His father had abandoned the family and he was raised by his mother along with 6 other children. I don't think I have read vignettes that so masterfully transport you back into the past as these do. </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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Watched: </div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Berkeley Square</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">(love it, but only on Disc 1)</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Young Victoria</div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Absolutely gorgeous costumes and the actor who played Albert REALLY looked like him. I don't know, although it was a *nice* movie, it had a strange cadence to it.<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Around the house</span>: Working on the outside. Raking, weeding, and hopefully.....lawn cutting and weed whacking will be happening this week. Perhaps the start of a garden by next?<br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">What we will do this week:<b>"</b></span><b> I was so excited to find a PAVED path close to the house today. " </b> Wow, we really love that path. It is just long enough that the kids don't get worn out yet I feel like I have done some exercise ( probably I should take two trips around it, but I haven't gotten the kids on board with that yet :) It is so peaceful and lovely and so close to home. It feels like our little corner of the world.<br />
<div style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">All of sudden we have an explosion of GAMES from the various sports teams everyone is on. Well, that is spring...and fall...for our family it seems. 3 soccer and 1 rugby this week. Tickets for the Macomb Ballet's production of "Cinderella" with my girls on Friday!</div><div class="post-footer" style="color: #333333; font: normal normal normal 78%/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0.1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; text-transform: uppercase;"><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-timestamp">AT <a class="timestamp-link" href="http://myspiritrejoices.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-11-2010.html" rel="bookmark" style="color: #333333; text-decoration: none;" title="permanent link"><abbr class="published" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" title="2010-04-18T09:46:00-05:00">9:46 AM</abbr></a> </span><span class="post-comment-link"><a class="comment-link" href="https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5512074061242663455&postID=8278093349392191730" style="color: #333333; margin-left: 0.6em; text-decoration: none;">0 COMMENTS</a> </span><span class="post-icons"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-863732264" style="display: inline;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5512074061242663455&postID=8278093349392191730" style="color: #999999; text-decoration: none;" title="Edit Post"><img alt="" class="icon-action" height="18" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; margin-bottom: -5px !important; margin-left: 0.5em !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="18" /></a></span></span></div></div><br />
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</div>Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16091122428563704588noreply@blogger.com0