tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15357757838408958272024-03-05T04:40:18.182-05:00enjoy right now!right now is all we have...enjoy it...love others...be happy...and be kind!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-44501276934225598682011-12-24T15:46:00.004-05:002011-12-24T16:19:59.191-05:00That awkward moment when...you feel sad at Christmas...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqQ5BmP9REHq3SZj_b5IYO7XcA_1Vzhpw7m21UQG9bI_QK_kakNruzs9vt7FUOgtn8b9OsSjEgWLTJOL6Y_3ERX18TcncxTfg2Y_1jVo7GuG_GXVG-uAgR1lhyphenhyphenqFx1wdMYaiZB4fQaTc/s1600/DSCN2450.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689806814736670930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqQ5BmP9REHq3SZj_b5IYO7XcA_1Vzhpw7m21UQG9bI_QK_kakNruzs9vt7FUOgtn8b9OsSjEgWLTJOL6Y_3ERX18TcncxTfg2Y_1jVo7GuG_GXVG-uAgR1lhyphenhyphenqFx1wdMYaiZB4fQaTc/s400/DSCN2450.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>I think I must like to feel blue at Christmas.<br /></div><br /><div>The melancholy usually sets in just about now...Christmas eve...</div><br /><br /><div>it's a perfect set-up, really...</div><br /><br /><div>Izzy and Sophie are staying tonight at their Dad's house because they do Christmas together with their dad on Christmas eve. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We do Christmas on Christmas. </div><br /><br /><div>I guess, the blues come from the build up...</div><br /><div>the expectations...</div><br /><div>the wanting to please someone, </div><br /><div>the waiting, </div><br /><div>the keeping the best secrets ever, </div><br /><div>the moment when you almost let something slip, </div><br /><div>the hiding it away until you can wrap it up, </div><br /><div>and then it's over.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>No more build up.</div><br /><div>No more secret fun.</div><br /><div>No more hiding.</div><br /><div>No more hoping.</div><br /><div>No more whispers.</div><br /><div>No more anticipation...</div><br /><div>it's all done.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'm thinking I know what the melancholy is now...</div><br /><div>it's all about missing the excitement...</div><br /><div>missing the traditions that we're lacking due to the divorce...</div><br /><div>missing kids who want to create new traditions...</div><br /><div>missing the baby girls that I once had...</div><br /><div>they don't find it as magical when we drive through the park to look at the lights...</div><br /><div>they aren't interested in making Christmas cookies with me...</div><br /><div>and they already know what they're getting for Christmas because it is so specific, there can't be any surprises.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I think I need to do a guerilla goodness act, don't you? That makes everything feel better! The melancholy will lift in no time!</div><br /><div>I'll let you know what I come up with!</div><br /><div>Merry Christmas... </div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-50811028693254963372011-12-06T16:30:00.002-05:002011-12-06T16:43:26.697-05:00Sometimes...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFyGX2n8TuGQvMfMA8Zyvc1bkWSLmaTB0pTvEjm4rYlRWmNUXq-BxFGTGYodtIJgmYmxKqaz2jM-dK87eJtvpGh0s52S7j7A_59VVkTSgER4NC9M5j174x4uzHh_Ask46McMOTb89GpU/s1600/DSCN1218.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683134044896459986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFyGX2n8TuGQvMfMA8Zyvc1bkWSLmaTB0pTvEjm4rYlRWmNUXq-BxFGTGYodtIJgmYmxKqaz2jM-dK87eJtvpGh0s52S7j7A_59VVkTSgER4NC9M5j174x4uzHh_Ask46McMOTb89GpU/s400/DSCN1218.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, it hurts too bad to talk about it...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, you wish you hadn't said it...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, you don't know what to say...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, talking about it only seems to make it more real...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, moving within it is too overwhelming, so it makes you stay in one place...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, a good cry can do wonders...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, I think our hearts are too soft...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, I worry...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, people hurt you on purpose...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, they do it because they are hurting inside...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, I feel what they feel...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sometimes, even at 40+, I want to be held and told that it will all be okay...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>So, I know that sometimes, even at 12, you might want that too.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-74848968883096211972011-08-20T19:38:00.015-04:002011-08-21T12:34:19.955-04:00Another First Day...<div align="center">Sophie is giving the first day a BIG thumbs up!!
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<br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643093588832122770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaJywyaVaNeXGEWRDSSnvVHnmj0ubzbB5nk2dBNSDLcJu2iJONj3NFD12B-1Yv0YFGy7W-qrkY7AK41NxPz-F0SbT6IiYGtrbeDJwPeBfGnmM6nV_IEsrZVrZZ1Mb_XGJPZ6-xQcvWg0/s400/sophthumbsup.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR8s1Lh-oBCsr8robSh5EpQCdKBAErLxEt5QMXTRXZaULnrhzDwqBjaXLnGq5u_6YYaoaWmeccGpKZCOvAwQGjIseMIh6cTq2_CiwxVfZi0yk_umiHEoRNY-3YjGTG_ebxoyDbbrrbGk/s1600/DSCN1476.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643092829835946994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR8s1Lh-oBCsr8robSh5EpQCdKBAErLxEt5QMXTRXZaULnrhzDwqBjaXLnGq5u_6YYaoaWmeccGpKZCOvAwQGjIseMIh6cTq2_CiwxVfZi0yk_umiHEoRNY-3YjGTG_ebxoyDbbrrbGk/s400/DSCN1476.JPG" /></a>Izzy is all smiles too!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHlXRrgdkpNvPLlkK-XNdFKAF9sgaQ9GTA2BWc35-Xw1_0DYLNG3Qdygay8cr2jqDHcoh7swFe65djy9GwNFlHkdECeEpQC1jnKcscdkk4zGeLAk45ZwhO7ZdrvmZ9_kHDkRl9A_7ZUc/s1600/DSCN1479.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643092814082216658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHlXRrgdkpNvPLlkK-XNdFKAF9sgaQ9GTA2BWc35-Xw1_0DYLNG3Qdygay8cr2jqDHcoh7swFe65djy9GwNFlHkdECeEpQC1jnKcscdkk4zGeLAk45ZwhO7ZdrvmZ9_kHDkRl9A_7ZUc/s400/DSCN1479.JPG" /></a> My favorite pose...the hugging pose!!
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM7defn14j6hkLtBjbHzc2jcUcpdDZ4jl-u6NS594MMbnphbdNDp5z4dzEXCLPBu1jMhaBFblzTXzvBu28F6oABUoN_UeyLkyiIxY_nLNZwvqcKHHFFN10TrYJXAo67oB6tNqog4dHuA/s1600/DSCN1477.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643092802924577762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuM7defn14j6hkLtBjbHzc2jcUcpdDZ4jl-u6NS594MMbnphbdNDp5z4dzEXCLPBu1jMhaBFblzTXzvBu28F6oABUoN_UeyLkyiIxY_nLNZwvqcKHHFFN10TrYJXAo67oB6tNqog4dHuA/s400/DSCN1477.JPG" /></a> My life calendar seems to be marked by school beginnings. You see, obviously, I went to elementary, then middle, then high school. Then I went to four years of college. School didn't stop there for me...I then became a teacher.
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<br />So, I've really never left the school rhythm or the school pace.
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<br />So, here we are, first day of school for all of us this week.
<br />It is always an ending and a beginning all wrapped up into one.
<br />Ending of a summer, carefree life, sweet summer plans, and the relaxed summer pace.
<br />It is the beginning, though, of new school experiences, new opportunites, and growth.
<br />Both are good, just different. </div>
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<br />
<br />
<br /><div align="center">You'd think I'd be good at starting school since I've been doing it for 30+ years...but,
<br />I'm still sad on the last day of summer...</div>
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<br /><div align="center">I still can't sleep the night before school starts...
<br />I still cry when I kiss my kiddos goodbye...
<br />I still wonder what I've done with my summer...
<br />I still start a new diet every beginning of school....(not sure when that one started)
<br />I still feel a little sick all the way to school...
<br />I still wonder if I'll have a friend...
<br />Hoping this year is great for all of you who are beginning school soon! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-91057663612939411772011-08-19T22:06:00.001-04:002011-08-20T22:30:49.040-04:00Izzy's and Greyson Chance!!<div align="center">Izzy wrote a letter for Greyson to give to him at his concert...the one in Oklahoma. Well, I had to look for another concert so that we didn't have to travel for 24 hours in one weekend. So, we went to the Illinois State Fair...about 3 and a half hours away.</div>
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<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx0cmWIM4ha-dK3GdlrW9BinKg6K65llcRh-vaXAkeZQR6JGYX7C2vf6pQ799-7aHVl_Sdqw2FC6_0YLtLCV7CUeggxCK4RhKIgz-H6sFss7sW3YE5R2CX8vHIHjQowZmbvf36j3wUSA/s1600/Izgccollage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643128466893389330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpx0cmWIM4ha-dK3GdlrW9BinKg6K65llcRh-vaXAkeZQR6JGYX7C2vf6pQ799-7aHVl_Sdqw2FC6_0YLtLCV7CUeggxCK4RhKIgz-H6sFss7sW3YE5R2CX8vHIHjQowZmbvf36j3wUSA/s400/Izgccollage.jpg" /></a> A huge collage of the concert and autograph signing afterward...it was excellent!
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQX3SvPT8DDu_DOPhVKpiZELFZ18SVTCKyCllaDiWW7mKIFHmyG2KISSLg14ouqbOueYUYP51qSs1GawlOoEtHdExDO4peu8cfXgJzy8Kg7iT5VhRV_40IWWQQQb6DJa68NKZ6EpaL-s/s1600/gccollage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643125402825599202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQX3SvPT8DDu_DOPhVKpiZELFZ18SVTCKyCllaDiWW7mKIFHmyG2KISSLg14ouqbOueYUYP51qSs1GawlOoEtHdExDO4peu8cfXgJzy8Kg7iT5VhRV_40IWWQQQb6DJa68NKZ6EpaL-s/s400/gccollage.jpg" /></a> Izzy LOVING every minute of it!!
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidCyZ5-LKcA6MtnlU-BlVJVDZBHd5qdCb92HkeOJbnQ7Wt2C1m4HtDuR8msfVHX2-0qAc77RoUnyvl7bCfRecze8FX23edQ5BlUgoqhUyyGmwVigeS0_2nTrH5-oTP25qCjlVi43x4eg/s1600/IzzywGC.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643125383858112514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidCyZ5-LKcA6MtnlU-BlVJVDZBHd5qdCb92HkeOJbnQ7Wt2C1m4HtDuR8msfVHX2-0qAc77RoUnyvl7bCfRecze8FX23edQ5BlUgoqhUyyGmwVigeS0_2nTrH5-oTP25qCjlVi43x4eg/s400/IzzywGC.jpg" /></a> Izzy and her BFF, Keylee, dancing their hearts out!!!
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdm92xovB7JzoHbRfdtvZpcYKVPf8dyGOsZIZISo6Q-w4MZYeZnfxKgT1BP50kHHUH7DLaTFHen5PiknRU436Ylw0_2ieTxGmg4uKm4c6IZJwpRH2i9XPMHkG6Jnt1cbaJJ2IrOgBGmo/s1600/IandKdancing.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643125377466914818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdm92xovB7JzoHbRfdtvZpcYKVPf8dyGOsZIZISo6Q-w4MZYeZnfxKgT1BP50kHHUH7DLaTFHen5PiknRU436Ylw0_2ieTxGmg4uKm4c6IZJwpRH2i9XPMHkG6Jnt1cbaJJ2IrOgBGmo/s400/IandKdancing.jpg" /></a> Loved the smiles...the laughs...the singing at the top of our lungs...the screams...the overwhelming teenage crazies...ahhh...I loved it!</div></div></div>
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-16138627867057075322011-07-25T11:39:00.010-04:002011-07-25T12:09:31.364-04:00Izzy WON!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWJdcBL_22QpNZJ37hwUzgn_IZ0Ona2bz7XLUGpF6MlPMFlMaFeT3sIy_AP7dZVInEI01wS5C_b-8I3CQbEDuye2QfOSQqoTmI79LTZ71I9xfTVn3F6NO3yg0HE4qTFjj8YjxmQAqhJo/s1600/DSCN1159.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633322094612118610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWJdcBL_22QpNZJ37hwUzgn_IZ0Ona2bz7XLUGpF6MlPMFlMaFeT3sIy_AP7dZVInEI01wS5C_b-8I3CQbEDuye2QfOSQqoTmI79LTZ71I9xfTVn3F6NO3yg0HE4qTFjj8YjxmQAqhJo/s400/DSCN1159.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://yfrog.com/mbgxpqz#.Ti2Rbl5zE0s.blogger">yfrog Video : http://yfrog.com/mbgxpqz - Uploaded by Isabelgracegc97</a><br /><br />Here is Izzy's <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>winning</strong></span> video for tickets to the Greyson Chance Concert! I think it is pretty convincing, don't you? The video is actually better when you can see it in "real action"...for some reason, the video is skipping. Probably because it was done on an IPOD. :)<br /><br />Now, the hard part...the concert that she won tickets to?<br />It's in <em><strong>OKLAHOMA.</strong></em><br />Yep, you read that right.<br />Oklahoma. <span style="font-size:78%;">We live in Indiana.</span><br />AND, the worst part of this is that it is on her second day of school and my FIRST day of school.<br /><br />What is a Mama to do???<br />Oh my goodness...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-88891037822656822872011-07-20T22:18:00.000-04:002011-07-28T22:40:39.939-04:00More Projects...<div align="center">I always have a summer to-do list. </div><br /><div align="center">This summer is slipping by so very quickly, so I've scrunched a bunch of projects in a short amount of time!</div><br /><div align="center">I made this canvas with one of my all-time favorite quotes.</div><br /><div align="center">I loved doing it so much, I'm afraid I might be putting quotes all over my house now.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKCJ_A2ljkbHFwAGUFp9sOxECiSZuwMTgF-3z2SaH4lP89Ervb91KGI67JUgAg_hHFZcjjw9c3JhdBLzQxE333OMePpjQmG9v-h-2e_Bu-swWrD3WamCfWqBOtnnXVYYe2U39NSvEFCY/s1600/DSCN1136.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634593333649166306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKCJ_A2ljkbHFwAGUFp9sOxECiSZuwMTgF-3z2SaH4lP89Ervb91KGI67JUgAg_hHFZcjjw9c3JhdBLzQxE333OMePpjQmG9v-h-2e_Bu-swWrD3WamCfWqBOtnnXVYYe2U39NSvEFCY/s400/DSCN1136.JPG" /></a> This was another great deal ...</div><br /><div align="center">it was an ugly brown. </div><br /><div align="center">So, I painted, and painted and made it pretty!<br />Added new knobs from World Market...(I wish you could see them better!)</div><br /><div align="center">I still need to paint the little legs...I just got too excited and had to get everything situated and changed around. :)</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_XKscW3-syODl8aj_V9prsOWC8i7_22LUPKqn23r-28JuefTiovcSngc39zSPH4GdiZZVO20aPHawl4mEnUDzfZPhr1AuVSbQzMeAQfhyphenhyphenjrMDX8M3UzAhLPcsIDxVWvB7kH4I8iQ5Is/s1600/DSCN1129.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634593323938253410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_XKscW3-syODl8aj_V9prsOWC8i7_22LUPKqn23r-28JuefTiovcSngc39zSPH4GdiZZVO20aPHawl4mEnUDzfZPhr1AuVSbQzMeAQfhyphenhyphenjrMDX8M3UzAhLPcsIDxVWvB7kH4I8iQ5Is/s400/DSCN1129.JPG" /></a> In person, it looks really beachy! </div><br /><div align="center">I'm thinking I can have summer in my house all year long!<br />Again, forgot to do the "before" pics...</div><br /><div align="center">how crazy is that?!<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-89967933777280724452011-07-19T14:51:00.001-04:002011-07-28T17:54:52.106-04:00Twelve Years ago today...<div align="center">Twelve years ago today, Sophie Wofie was born!<br />She rocked our world from the very beginning...in the very best way.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634485559319406322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dnQIwCL6oDOUzDHtG-c39yiooki_KvfcQ1_GIQpNMKH_7xFusKyRcrRRFqm2iNvhTZ9xp1JtEHWHnuOio2QzbOVhQlr9rwknVo4U5uPdQ-9r6YNS3FXU5j-Uv29ms92aqKkR0do7nmY/s400/SOPHmulan.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><u>Top 12 Things I've always loved about Sophie!</u></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">12. She was a cuddler from day one...and still is!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">11. She has crystal clear blue/green eyes that melt your heart.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">10. She is HILARIOUS without even meaning to be...</div><br /><br /><div align="center">9. She had a deep, Demi Moore type of voice from 0-around 4...I still miss that sometimes.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">8. She has always been a climber. To the top and beyond...EVEN as a baby!!!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">7. She has always been messy...but there is so much fun to be had in a mess!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">6. She has always known how to relax...</div><br /><br /><div align="center">5. She connects with people on a deeper level.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">4. She stands up for the underdog...even if it means that she will be left out.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">3. She is an excellent songwriter...she writes from her heart!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">2. She is a very genuine person...you know exactly where you stand with her!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">1. She is beautiful, charismatic, and my sweet baby girl!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Sophie's stack of presents...she woke up at 6:30 ready to open them!</strong></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm679hlqT7z1e0fDYq773SwU7pjwK8NEPyPj3lP5NjJiQkMJEu3kRjyKJXVAbPnWfjS6LflpMMfKZZQZoTELve-zqozlPaa-3noSojXJW_8NWskb4AYRwrVg_W0Ht9d42QpY6LamlTz4/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634478955845527138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPm679hlqT7z1e0fDYq773SwU7pjwK8NEPyPj3lP5NjJiQkMJEu3kRjyKJXVAbPnWfjS6LflpMMfKZZQZoTELve-zqozlPaa-3noSojXJW_8NWskb4AYRwrVg_W0Ht9d42QpY6LamlTz4/s400/DSCN1108.JPG" /></a> In the middle of opening gifts...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo8JivoHDFA3h4OmC2hNW2F25l6V8pM7nRdE_ZHW76ciTUi2JKf3lBo7MToxOBveUSnoVnVlXWMNO_Sc4TeUTuLkdsrGg3t4KKjlIgKssQUYtYI09PpHPICKbBnGF3mpUogqvYon2F7Q/s1600/DSCN1107.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634478945341376578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpo8JivoHDFA3h4OmC2hNW2F25l6V8pM7nRdE_ZHW76ciTUi2JKf3lBo7MToxOBveUSnoVnVlXWMNO_Sc4TeUTuLkdsrGg3t4KKjlIgKssQUYtYI09PpHPICKbBnGF3mpUogqvYon2F7Q/s400/DSCN1107.JPG" /></a>One of her favorite presents...it had all of the requirements:<br />Snoopy<br />T-shirt<br />EPIC<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8kISf3Sz1Xyzs4sr5HMadL9EhHzMfwE7gK7Ycdl85hdPFBDrJrWZD2CRIHULO4mmB9Oem055bsEpTl_aHezwbaRcKg39U7H9ezu3ju6zzvuR2DtSjQvLzB9DiYh6LvOkHknvZlf5xNU/s1600/DSCN1111.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634478934344635282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8kISf3Sz1Xyzs4sr5HMadL9EhHzMfwE7gK7Ycdl85hdPFBDrJrWZD2CRIHULO4mmB9Oem055bsEpTl_aHezwbaRcKg39U7H9ezu3ju6zzvuR2DtSjQvLzB9DiYh6LvOkHknvZlf5xNU/s400/DSCN1111.JPG" /></a><br />Happy Birthday to Sophie...I love, love, love you!! </div><br /><br /><div align="center">Always have, always will!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-49191653829602632462011-07-18T21:25:00.000-04:002011-07-28T22:17:39.780-04:00Chandelier Makeovers!!<div align="center">Okay, I'm terrible at taking before and after pictures. </div><br /><div align="center">I LUH-VE to do makeovers, but I forget the most important part...</div><br /><div align="center">the pictures...</div><br /><div align="center">and then the sharing.</div><br /><div align="center">So, my story on the chandeliers that I "made-over" is that I got them at Goodwill on the half-price Saturday. </div><br /><div align="center">They were 4 dollars each.</div><br /><div align="center">They looked just like this one (typical chandeliers that builders install in newly built homes). Mine were two sizes. </div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Big and Ginormous</span></strong>. :)</div><br /><div align="center">That was JUST what I was looking for!</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3J4x-Z3xjRL29DMlfjOkMEzXSYUq7RO2uaPAu_n0Yr1GWkA0-FkmXOpztCwXwt9WwmS_HarRIHNlQqo0HTLgb4CBJdEvrEQxj1GyRftnwqw2DQIAuOhR5rIVuE5fAei4idKFLkQDry8/s1600/brasschandelier.PNG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634588746813763778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3J4x-Z3xjRL29DMlfjOkMEzXSYUq7RO2uaPAu_n0Yr1GWkA0-FkmXOpztCwXwt9WwmS_HarRIHNlQqo0HTLgb4CBJdEvrEQxj1GyRftnwqw2DQIAuOhR5rIVuE5fAei4idKFLkQDry8/s400/brasschandelier.PNG" /></a> <br /><div align="center">I painted the chandelier for the front porch PINK! I'm just thinking that it adds so much character to my house! </div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>I LOVE it. </em></strong></div><br /><div align="center">I'm pretty much a PINK person, but this is REALLY perfect for me and my girlie poos!</div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">That was the BIG one.</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr0RJfN_vJ73w3jb9eBH4WaS0IeW57yoDaktdrXmUIXhI0xbBEowyMRpn2d06ApszBA7YJcykKAd4Xx_8QS_YDES206PEstzOurFW1Q5Jnm9xhzd1PP4eVYl8WsryiY2UIeou6pabUSY/s1600/DSCN1141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634580127603235170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdr0RJfN_vJ73w3jb9eBH4WaS0IeW57yoDaktdrXmUIXhI0xbBEowyMRpn2d06ApszBA7YJcykKAd4Xx_8QS_YDES206PEstzOurFW1Q5Jnm9xhzd1PP4eVYl8WsryiY2UIeou6pabUSY/s400/DSCN1141.JPG" /></a> Now here's the GINORMOUS guy.</div><br /><div align="center">LOVE him, don't you?</div><br /><div align="center">I painted him a TEALish/Dark AQUA color.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kfP0SIil3zkOadIKwr_bDvTvvX4gshocpt4th4YcrKR1E3YC_ItCe98IflqwACDYs4UtNm5s3G0O__GIbN1dE_5It7tNde5hUQmOFCcnOeuijvEswGugFbOEtgGEE3tSAGzw5SU0qmo/s1600/DSCN1128.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634580120222053970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kfP0SIil3zkOadIKwr_bDvTvvX4gshocpt4th4YcrKR1E3YC_ItCe98IflqwACDYs4UtNm5s3G0O__GIbN1dE_5It7tNde5hUQmOFCcnOeuijvEswGugFbOEtgGEE3tSAGzw5SU0qmo/s400/DSCN1128.JPG" /></a> It's in my living room. You can't tell, but it really spruces up the place!!!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6baK4yHuL_XA4-1NQtDtqMP2dDrAvDs_UminzHxD_N_apt-RBIVGqhuEdotUGYcgdb4XG_wrY7hZSrsJCOasQwWE10BIsCBjwn65T2LG4dCNOo4moRqYaWRcFx2y5T-ahLHvr4cd1z4A/s1600/DSCN1137.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634580112753554722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6baK4yHuL_XA4-1NQtDtqMP2dDrAvDs_UminzHxD_N_apt-RBIVGqhuEdotUGYcgdb4XG_wrY7hZSrsJCOasQwWE10BIsCBjwn65T2LG4dCNOo4moRqYaWRcFx2y5T-ahLHvr4cd1z4A/s400/DSCN1137.JPG" /></a> Here's another shot of the PINK on the front porch...now it looks like I need to wash the front porch siding. Nothing like "showing off" to put me in my place and give me a new job!!!<br /></div><br /><div align="center">By the way, Ron, the guy who does all of my handyman-type work around my house...</div><br /><div align="center">when I showed him the chandeliers...</div><br /><div align="center">he just looked at them for a minute...</div><br /><div align="center">then shook his head quietly...</div><br /><div align="center">and said, "if that's what you want..."</div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>I think he secretly likes them and wants one for his house. :)<br /></em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-89861597267242820102011-07-09T01:13:00.002-04:002011-07-28T02:20:14.738-04:00LOVE Riot turned Milkshake!So, today, I took my kiddos to see my favorite band from when I lived in Baltimore: Love Riot! The girls were excited to go because they know all of their songs because they grew up listening to the CDs.<br />This is the Love Riot I remember:<br /><iframe height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ltSZrqacSo0" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe><br />Pretty awesome, right?<br />Well, the band broke up right after their biggest fan <span style="font-size:78%;">(that's me!)</span> left Baltimore.<br />They started having children of their own and they have since formed the band for kids called <a href="http://www.milkshakemusic.com/">Milkshake</a>! They are on PBS, Discovery Kids, and have gained all kinds of popularity!<br />So, Izzy and Sophie went with me to see them at Eagle Creek Park in Indy.<br />Two band members remained the same: Lisa Matthews, the lead singer (below).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG55Eo2RlxXh8_G-HcNsucvYxIYquPXNWo7dA-7t7O48_aDhMG1-QIjDov2mMC_KhdyLfr3fers7yF5kn-fN7WDA5UNwJFiPCvFwvk4ewqBphrAaGwb-PhgmFYokyVN08AYiq5QduKV3M/s1600/DSCN1086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634274247262345746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG55Eo2RlxXh8_G-HcNsucvYxIYquPXNWo7dA-7t7O48_aDhMG1-QIjDov2mMC_KhdyLfr3fers7yF5kn-fN7WDA5UNwJFiPCvFwvk4ewqBphrAaGwb-PhgmFYokyVN08AYiq5QduKV3M/s400/DSCN1086.JPG" /></a> And Mikel Gehl (below) the lead guitarist!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n8gLCejbmtPSypyUUIXdjDOPyPYSGlh9Fiq2H56o7bIvSzBe0S_96EV4GmZSLWRlsgOCRdkL57LsaktXbq7BA8nwqTwNoaV3v0ClydqR6nXzBsirSzACXdMt2vAgWzUuVue4u_BZ1Uo/s1600/DSCN1087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634274240652829106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2n8gLCejbmtPSypyUUIXdjDOPyPYSGlh9Fiq2H56o7bIvSzBe0S_96EV4GmZSLWRlsgOCRdkL57LsaktXbq7BA8nwqTwNoaV3v0ClydqR6nXzBsirSzACXdMt2vAgWzUuVue4u_BZ1Uo/s400/DSCN1087.JPG" /></a> They have super cute, upbeat happy songs for kids, like this one!<br /><strong><em>Bottle of Sunshine!</em></strong><br /><iframe height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8PHGVJ-DaSA" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe><br />Here is what they did when we were watching...the kids that were there LOVED it!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX950h-wY7nWICVsQC78_oiajXHAOOvGYHrpSp_PNopt688o8FrKm4uuUjMWiTB7WlTWZR4HsNI-jniCe1TKs3PjuQ039H3PNrPNCWb7oT2lCQ8pZcQE_yZzJRQctcq9i41gghOPTi6o/s1600/DSCN1084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634274228970740370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX950h-wY7nWICVsQC78_oiajXHAOOvGYHrpSp_PNopt688o8FrKm4uuUjMWiTB7WlTWZR4HsNI-jniCe1TKs3PjuQ039H3PNrPNCWb7oT2lCQ8pZcQE_yZzJRQctcq9i41gghOPTi6o/s400/DSCN1084.JPG" /></a> We even caught some sunshine on our blanket!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeXIMDCmwFv_u_QZKH7Tee2xmEX0heMCMMhqUaETgGNT6sTkjRAgCUw6renE1pnR1VQEpVHEhI67XJPsT8JPhwL5xR9dbSpNfWWGdkomxNR-Ghz46sfB_EIvdGDRxfL5m1IQ5Y_ofaRE/s1600/DSCN1077.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634274222571039458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeXIMDCmwFv_u_QZKH7Tee2xmEX0heMCMMhqUaETgGNT6sTkjRAgCUw6renE1pnR1VQEpVHEhI67XJPsT8JPhwL5xR9dbSpNfWWGdkomxNR-Ghz46sfB_EIvdGDRxfL5m1IQ5Y_ofaRE/s400/DSCN1077.JPG" /></a> Here are my two sunshines! </div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">(We left Sunshine, the dog, at home...good thing, that could have been confusing for her!)<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtiGPXm_fq_mlZASZBlvlC5Ahws-72QVIKWLyahVpf3ChJDMdqAyrxjbULT63juzYg4HhKJU9CQ6Ja2QgCEBkbbYP_Lp4pe4y1hP9rLO70nAdVGvBoShsH4BeogmCXn9Yt_JbBacXE3o/s1600/DSCN1073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634274217117458402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtiGPXm_fq_mlZASZBlvlC5Ahws-72QVIKWLyahVpf3ChJDMdqAyrxjbULT63juzYg4HhKJU9CQ6Ja2QgCEBkbbYP_Lp4pe4y1hP9rLO70nAdVGvBoShsH4BeogmCXn9Yt_JbBacXE3o/s400/DSCN1073.JPG" /></a> All in all: Great concert. </div><br /><br /><div>So what if we were the oldest family there... we had SUNNY attitudes! :)</div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-48524439732530279232011-07-08T00:32:00.000-04:002011-07-28T00:56:52.366-04:00Grocery Goodness Mission...Well, Izzy and I set out today to do some <a href="http://kindnessgirl.com/2010/02/10/guerrilla-goodness-11-you-are-loveable/">guerrilla goodness </a>at the grocery store!<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(If you are unsure what guerilla goodness is, Click on the link to my friend, Patience's website (the inventor of GG) which explains guerrilla goodness perfectly.) </span><br />We grabbed a pad of post-it notes, our favorite Sharpies, and headed out. We gabbed and giggled the whole way about how fun this was going to be because we didn't want to get caught, but we DID want to get pictures!! So, we started by ambushing some of the cars in the parking lot...<br />This post-it note says: Every little thing...is gonna be alright (I think!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRcz9afi4_vUh-T5yxTuaUNhMXdiC5m6wf5JucQXQDO7RFzbaivJ_ht6d-6srQkrU9ZrU2xDU4u9_XPh4w2zOjEUA0fCOmEsYTG6S79YUnSV5IK77akz66w0-MerbA2DEsOQRuPcV8pE/s1600/DSCN1038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634257518424707154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRcz9afi4_vUh-T5yxTuaUNhMXdiC5m6wf5JucQXQDO7RFzbaivJ_ht6d-6srQkrU9ZrU2xDU4u9_XPh4w2zOjEUA0fCOmEsYTG6S79YUnSV5IK77akz66w0-MerbA2DEsOQRuPcV8pE/s400/DSCN1038.JPG" /></a>Then, we headed inside...we thought "sweet peas" were a perfect place to put our next note!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCkxwtPQ6oYNnZS5DhEUu8uuJzVU95yjXUtXEyDblLCncUCQQXUQYeoAphkv6-JSrTphr088Kvsl1_hwOPF2KNwhT3RINPKwcsxpARE6GIaiMCBW4z-Ie7isnsCbOSpn2t9_ETXWQQK0/s1600/DSCN1037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634257508920226098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCkxwtPQ6oYNnZS5DhEUu8uuJzVU95yjXUtXEyDblLCncUCQQXUQYeoAphkv6-JSrTphr088Kvsl1_hwOPF2KNwhT3RINPKwcsxpARE6GIaiMCBW4z-Ie7isnsCbOSpn2t9_ETXWQQK0/s400/DSCN1037.JPG" /></a> And, how about the unexpected places?! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2btl9PTm1ZmiB9_0qCiyyCmntcj0y3jBSXrVyOI8hM2QSl5I2m1e7wsdpqjeu8dpsnEuwNo2zrt1dr6k_o8b-YC2l6KP3497sIUCsIVxElFF_SUeSq7TV-ntpmjTMTtwVVKnaesqSTA/s1600/DSCN1036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634257502689377986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2btl9PTm1ZmiB9_0qCiyyCmntcj0y3jBSXrVyOI8hM2QSl5I2m1e7wsdpqjeu8dpsnEuwNo2zrt1dr6k_o8b-YC2l6KP3497sIUCsIVxElFF_SUeSq7TV-ntpmjTMTtwVVKnaesqSTA/s400/DSCN1036.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>And then this one was right out in the open! </div><br /><br /><div>Izzy was helping me think of great things to put on these post-its!<br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sxMu96_ZcvRBheH-8MtmljNb5TvF-kmzeRUGtGMET79Gc8QHlsuLuVKGcRtnC7IqnG-wF8Blt-u2ygf_yz3qgmi6fZu98IeKregtb_xEP36T7e3_tOM-1E7PI6qfyR6CWZP08AJNFWk/s1600/DSCN1034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634257479461981250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sxMu96_ZcvRBheH-8MtmljNb5TvF-kmzeRUGtGMET79Gc8QHlsuLuVKGcRtnC7IqnG-wF8Blt-u2ygf_yz3qgmi6fZu98IeKregtb_xEP36T7e3_tOM-1E7PI6qfyR6CWZP08AJNFWk/s400/DSCN1034.JPG" /></a>We left about 20 notes around the grocery, and then we headed to the hospital parking lot. We put more notes on the driver's side windows of several cars. Keep in mind, though, we live in a small town. SO, everywhere we went, we KNEW someone. When we were in the grocery, we knew all of the checkers in each lane...personally. When we arrived in the hospital parking lot, we saw a neighbor and a friend...so, even though this doesn't seem like a difficult stealth "mission," it truly was one! </div><br /><br /><div>We had to channel the inner Charlie's Angels in each of us...</div><br /><br /><div>the adrenaline rush was excellent too! </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-73932656836593185272011-07-04T00:58:00.000-04:002011-07-28T01:12:14.121-04:00Fourth of July at the DUNES!!We spent the 4th at Indiana Dunes State Park. <br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(I think the rest of Indiana had the same idea!!)</span> <br />So much for originality.<br />It did not take away from our perfect day at the beach!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx75z1Q2vcXBzeAyUHDTuVdkivikYyTTv_Bvdp7tajlSb8_WGp9tmmEayI7Nl0PzaBwzOfFqX7CpXFf7mxL0r-Q-KlWOMtAeRh7F0fnghCn8xQ7PCMfaHHdl2JGIMTYmoYc3O8QPqPHkw/s1600/DSCN1055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634264471202329554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx75z1Q2vcXBzeAyUHDTuVdkivikYyTTv_Bvdp7tajlSb8_WGp9tmmEayI7Nl0PzaBwzOfFqX7CpXFf7mxL0r-Q-KlWOMtAeRh7F0fnghCn8xQ7PCMfaHHdl2JGIMTYmoYc3O8QPqPHkw/s400/DSCN1055.JPG" /></a> Evan (the one who's buried) ALWAYS asks to be buried. <br />He's insistent until the other kiddos oblige.<br />They always bury him...and he can never understand why he has so much sand in his pants! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_tDg6LtXK7Fm2MUsZ4WzdhHjVLOM3h1exJWmmstlI3hlYNov5zNkWHMhi9mPxUDD3VgCvVp8q9YqGdIlGFFSxPn7_qSUyIE4dOO_KltXWFP9HiEcPAgO04TiZAVPoJmz2N06ThK5g8Y/s1600/DSCN1064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634264461313038514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_tDg6LtXK7Fm2MUsZ4WzdhHjVLOM3h1exJWmmstlI3hlYNov5zNkWHMhi9mPxUDD3VgCvVp8q9YqGdIlGFFSxPn7_qSUyIE4dOO_KltXWFP9HiEcPAgO04TiZAVPoJmz2N06ThK5g8Y/s400/DSCN1064.JPG" /></a> Izzy giving Sophie a piggy-back ride in the water! LOVE the smiles!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFspo_6ShahpCczbrHiaCW6wu4ZWwZuc11jxeHAPrcOw6w2YxflNW4O5qaEhY_BvquNfFusZ8Zi9Mgz2S6l7roknKgpfpxlmOsS9Yh9WRFZ7hDdTdZP6ku6rNhnkDeEytOA0Sgp2clsNw/s1600/DSCN1052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634264449997364018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFspo_6ShahpCczbrHiaCW6wu4ZWwZuc11jxeHAPrcOw6w2YxflNW4O5qaEhY_BvquNfFusZ8Zi9Mgz2S6l7roknKgpfpxlmOsS9Yh9WRFZ7hDdTdZP6ku6rNhnkDeEytOA0Sgp2clsNw/s400/DSCN1052.JPG" /></a> If you look really closely at the horizon, you can see the Chicago skyline.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCd4UU5OLa4wakMVi3cV4M6fzGiCmL2ky97eXkUyuPyNdVfKJ9JfXpZ7lSJifKYg2gu-og-q3Pe9HLcRGchp9WGVTiXSA5ycdKe2leW2unmqY9XjwbsM8xTFd0ORgytMvZFLPt1a6uJ8/s1600/DSCN1044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634264441238058978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCd4UU5OLa4wakMVi3cV4M6fzGiCmL2ky97eXkUyuPyNdVfKJ9JfXpZ7lSJifKYg2gu-og-q3Pe9HLcRGchp9WGVTiXSA5ycdKe2leW2unmqY9XjwbsM8xTFd0ORgytMvZFLPt1a6uJ8/s400/DSCN1044.JPG" /></a> Izzy always makes a comfy seat/reading spot out of sand...this is her 4th of July recliner!<br />What an incredible day! </div><br /><div>Perfect in every way!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-78458955700965117752011-07-03T00:22:00.000-04:002011-07-28T00:31:38.750-04:00Blindfolded Makeovers...Blindfolded Makeover. <br />Can those two words together EVER be a good thing? <br />Here are the results of the blindfolded makeovers of Sophie and her friend Hana! <br />Creative, I'll give them that...the giggles that were coming from upstairs were the best!<br />Here is Sophie...<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCO5ly7lzc_0ATHSXhQ6RPMjqc2zHN2_BCU-H93Rp_cJwN7y7CHaGVopiy1caRDogEzwMNgpCvG9PBZAGyg43GC25G2ldxQOR4b_yGN63W6NVR2rnbHHGb73yMa6UkpXYKmO9y2X4bFSc/s1600/DSCN0996.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634254490711259522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCO5ly7lzc_0ATHSXhQ6RPMjqc2zHN2_BCU-H93Rp_cJwN7y7CHaGVopiy1caRDogEzwMNgpCvG9PBZAGyg43GC25G2ldxQOR4b_yGN63W6NVR2rnbHHGb73yMa6UkpXYKmO9y2X4bFSc/s400/DSCN0996.JPG" /></a> Here they are together. I love Sophie's smile and Hana's eyes!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rwi_nidyylZyPVKIud6lMVkeDhLkuKS5yPCIIdXIBcif6csudHp_CGnA_lmg7kUF2GgeVimbXeYIaRnSM_KdFH0xkWS88dMfgS1T7s0FKGGx6fnlvG2eKaLik2PQwp1JtpxKfvDWYjo/s1600/DSCN0995.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634254481880211730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rwi_nidyylZyPVKIud6lMVkeDhLkuKS5yPCIIdXIBcif6csudHp_CGnA_lmg7kUF2GgeVimbXeYIaRnSM_KdFH0xkWS88dMfgS1T7s0FKGGx6fnlvG2eKaLik2PQwp1JtpxKfvDWYjo/s400/DSCN0995.JPG" /></a>Remember when you had the time, energy, and spontaneity to do something like blindfolded makeovers? Hoping you find the time, energy and spontaneity to do something outrageous in your life today! </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-25568836846125700322011-06-30T23:38:00.001-04:002011-07-26T09:41:28.101-04:00The Closet...the big reveal!Introducing...my new closet! I'm in heaven...I have a place for everything...it has made each day sunnier, my smile a bit wider, and my daily "what am I gonna wear" virtually non-existent!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBYrpj7r9opf-HYnVvfyYsZrAIm4i8M0_s_x58OAmBRHscOItEOnK-AZ1sQHYwfIGWJ_1TkmzYSiyeRr-EmTJNczLmNJPnn5wUBYAzs-M79YhQufbxbDnQkWFYr1-ccqyFUAt7kfvaI4/s1600/closet.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632022163718923474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBYrpj7r9opf-HYnVvfyYsZrAIm4i8M0_s_x58OAmBRHscOItEOnK-AZ1sQHYwfIGWJ_1TkmzYSiyeRr-EmTJNczLmNJPnn5wUBYAzs-M79YhQufbxbDnQkWFYr1-ccqyFUAt7kfvaI4/s400/closet.jpg" /></a> Looking to the left in my new closet, you will see a place for long hanging clothes and a huge shelf for blankets! LOVE that...I even have a step stool in my closet so I can reach those blankets without all of them crashing on my head. In fact, I just did that today!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f8dv-imNoogTVsALaxNVe_mhbB70w2os0cI0nQoDNjf3UphWv9cVz7GaRLb9srJiHHvL9qIcIwj7WvQio0HdEqUT-CqZLpfLoYSZ8PObCERuDWps8PKSOVCrAz0vBEBPD0u5QY348o8/s1600/blanket.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632022158924179906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3f8dv-imNoogTVsALaxNVe_mhbB70w2os0cI0nQoDNjf3UphWv9cVz7GaRLb9srJiHHvL9qIcIwj7WvQio0HdEqUT-CqZLpfLoYSZ8PObCERuDWps8PKSOVCrAz0vBEBPD0u5QY348o8/s400/blanket.jpg" /></a><br />If you look to the right, there is a place for tops and sweaters (on top) and pants and skirts (on bottom). I even had space to put a filing cabinet, but I'm not even sure I need it anymore...Ahhh...the luxury of taking my time deciding!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx-MigUW1wKojNYAHNgElhoFhH8J7eP_4gyvaqi2j3yxxNjfqgLJVfswREwfK8tnKtbiPBTrZ2UFkXUAic-FaQqME73oR8mZPSqy8xhfwy8lGjcxtt0l2JYBhHtOuCWOvUbjrVvDzPPM/s1600/doublehang.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632022152474110722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx-MigUW1wKojNYAHNgElhoFhH8J7eP_4gyvaqi2j3yxxNjfqgLJVfswREwfK8tnKtbiPBTrZ2UFkXUAic-FaQqME73oR8mZPSqy8xhfwy8lGjcxtt0l2JYBhHtOuCWOvUbjrVvDzPPM/s400/doublehang.jpg" /></a><br />If you follow the wall on down on the right, you will see a bright sunny window, hats, jewelry hanging, more shelves for various things that a girl might need...and of course, flowers in the window and a picture of her sweeties in the window!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ1ltRmjWZ3p8ClyUVKK5oF931uTkOXzybW7QTM7Q_pQ15Gh-MzC2ZsJAtJG16K6IxV6N_iejQvBZORL3HcKmU-gdN6ImeOpTZJokdX8Um_l7y_a58oh_W7GZtpI8pg8xZCsLwdf7arQ/s1600/vacuumandtubs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632022145758861138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQ1ltRmjWZ3p8ClyUVKK5oF931uTkOXzybW7QTM7Q_pQ15Gh-MzC2ZsJAtJG16K6IxV6N_iejQvBZORL3HcKmU-gdN6ImeOpTZJokdX8Um_l7y_a58oh_W7GZtpI8pg8xZCsLwdf7arQ/s400/vacuumandtubs.jpg" /></a>Following the wall around to the left...ginormous shelves. They weren't exactly in my original plan, but they were part of the back kitchen hallway. I decided to keep them in my closet and just deal with them...a very wise decision because I'm lovin' 'em!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU6VgpqMeFk-cllZSS9xqQ1XRjukx0Ssu0J6BrpJKO5cGqiOao0hb64h671HhphJ1U_Msamqa8M5CEF174MAahK5ucr8Wy1QxCOMwMFQfM_FWr5NVE0emLNrd8BaZMohbiUsaeLfIAZE/s1600/shelves.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632022136375622946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVU6VgpqMeFk-cllZSS9xqQ1XRjukx0Ssu0J6BrpJKO5cGqiOao0hb64h671HhphJ1U_Msamqa8M5CEF174MAahK5ucr8Wy1QxCOMwMFQfM_FWr5NVE0emLNrd8BaZMohbiUsaeLfIAZE/s400/shelves.jpg" /></a> Anyway, folks, that was the big reveal...it is what I spent the first two weeks of summer suffering through (very messy) and the past couple of weeks cleaning up from (again, very messy)! </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Admission: sometimes, I just go and stand in my closet...and I smile...it was a very good idea. :)<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-47658659509747430192011-06-16T10:00:00.002-04:002011-07-26T09:43:26.904-04:00She and They...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEizwm4rT9JWMeugFTRgt4z2JHsg7rK0JU-QB1rUhDO-W150rKMGU6sn3vq_TWrdGnys8ZL3CCsNLdwO9K7pNm_Th2Tz_rUv3kiwcgaFznCDV4vhD9lscDM0DOotm21n2RIiXTZpro8K0/s1600/DSCN0781.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619037734480788978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEizwm4rT9JWMeugFTRgt4z2JHsg7rK0JU-QB1rUhDO-W150rKMGU6sn3vq_TWrdGnys8ZL3CCsNLdwO9K7pNm_Th2Tz_rUv3kiwcgaFznCDV4vhD9lscDM0DOotm21n2RIiXTZpro8K0/s400/DSCN0781.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><strong>She</strong> needs to take the time to paint her toenails...</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> paint theirs several times each week.</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>wants to spend her time in the summer doing things with them...</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> want to spend their time with friends.</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>is trying to negotiate the tween/teen years...</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> are doing just fine!</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>wishes she could stop the world and hold them for awhile...</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> hold their i-pods.</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>waters the garden,</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> grow.</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>mows the lawn,</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> cut their dinner short.</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>washes the dishes,</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> wash their hair (and dry it and curl it).</div><br /><br /><div><strong>She </strong>picks up the house,</div><br /><br /><div><strong>They</strong> pick up her spirits when she sees their beautiful smiles...</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-8572500355575841952011-06-13T20:04:00.009-04:002011-06-13T22:45:50.232-04:00New Closet...<div><br /><div>For the past three or four summers, I've spent all of my saved money on necessary fixes for my house. </div><br /><div><br /><div><strong><em><u>GARAGE</u></em></strong></div><br /><div>One year, I had electricity wired to the garage, new garage doors and windows, and the dirt floors became nice new concrete! </div><br /><div><strong><em><u>FRONT PORCH</u></em></strong></div><br /><div>One year, I replaced the creaking, bowing front porch floor with concrete and added new columns and railings. </div><br /><div><strong><em><u>BATHROOM</u></em></strong></div><br /><div>Last year, I had my bathroom completely gutted and redesigned...new everything...walls, plumbing, tub, faucets, linen closet, toilet, and best of all, black and white tile floors. You name it, it was new. </div><br /><div><strong><em><u>SOPHIE'S CLOSET</u></em></strong></div><br /><div>I also had a new closet built in Sophie's room...it was excellent...roomy, bright (light was installed too), and I was jealous.<br /><br />This year, it's MY TURN! YAYYYYyyyyy....I'm knocking the wall out of my closet and extending it about four feet longer and wider than it originally was! I'm just about to roll around in it right now, and it isn't even close to finished. (I'd get all dusty if I did, but I'm not sure it really matters). It is gonna be roomy, beautiful, and all mine! I will have room to store everything in my closet! Here are my pictures so far!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><u><em>BEFORE of my closet:</em></u></strong></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617870371336292994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZH0A4xLTnN_lsJrFKNg48g27j5hAIMFl27Oyf2Ro2qI9jgcpnM-whAu5kh2M74Rb0aoN270ytbYhtFyCFoMFRTeC0841RYRVD6LRvmmTLZFVVIIR8HjWjTbDoO57CGOH6lbOxXt-NtVE/s400/DSCN0981.JPG" /></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><u><em>BEFORE of the back hallway where my closet will soon be extended to!!</em></u></strong></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 289px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617870851612068706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7wrlkjbjJa1pNaT3AzbMG0Ro5-1Rh1MKppPDDF_6NBbTAl2xkl6Qocw9GiiRf7OewDQH_5WdNRP_W4DKIiKGmvPmUu07Zi98tyfi6PDc7thlawgqHwsgtOlYJUN7nxRR40G16sIAwuU/s400/DSCN0982.JPG" /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-4820054576473716922011-05-31T13:52:00.002-04:002011-06-14T13:54:39.579-04:00Last days of school...I just love these smiles, watching the stress leaving their bodies, and the promise of relief that summer brings!<br /><br /><br /><object id="vp1ZTFcK" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1308073869&f=ZTFcKMKvKfOmcSnzdOKJLQ&d=178&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1ZTFcK" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1308073869&f=ZTFcKMKvKfOmcSnzdOKJLQ&d=178&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-3207948944291791912011-05-14T13:56:00.003-04:002011-06-14T14:17:22.957-04:00Sophie's Ready for Middle School...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdYWUlJdlPeQoQxHJhXsa2kgWZfsM_0IOcC4gazxF87aOwcBaVJSqHwsshM7n5IdqxIpuM5dxaoeWLmfts7eI9xhchSSHY4a0pIEOJkOMncUVEMaaf6VjmHz-oan9AStTu8IYmVHhSyE/s1600/DSCN0712.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618140361818254354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdYWUlJdlPeQoQxHJhXsa2kgWZfsM_0IOcC4gazxF87aOwcBaVJSqHwsshM7n5IdqxIpuM5dxaoeWLmfts7eI9xhchSSHY4a0pIEOJkOMncUVEMaaf6VjmHz-oan9AStTu8IYmVHhSyE/s400/DSCN0712.JPG" /></a> When I taught middle school, the two biggest fears were taking showers after PE class and the dreaded <em><strong>LOCK</strong></em>! Sophie has been having the fear of the lock...lockophobia, perhaps? Anyway, she's been practicing...<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618140355478742034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizX4t2N_3igFAocd2dwPsv61q3GBEADAbeKIwaABhHYcwBCH_v_fsFfByjS1uc3MvagTNw46N3XC6lgx9h6EKmiKHo8ljJPzXLQS421S8ST5Q7HLQQv3Bnp3wVQjJVHf8Fu7tVI2r-BFk/s400/DSCN0709.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">She did it!!! :) Yay, Sophie!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">FMS, here she comes!!</span></div><span style="font-size:180%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618140350061112690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHZXv6tMbo8T1zy6i5rOPva9cXEL29iVJ3V9YwA_GGxFdmRRnpPho6mZx_xpzmW1ZRezOQLlXdQElHj5jVUQoM8fxva_-P7_xLT-xCIUqws52ZgEDra_iaE9yUVjDqoU72_OeMHvXGFc/s400/DSCN0707.JPG" /></span><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-90762616809267779722011-05-05T12:30:00.009-04:002011-05-24T14:00:48.409-04:00It's all perspective...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYoSk1BOlVxYarQEoNWsPItlwEDcFdNau16opvG7wraxYwbWMuCtu3bKslf3KtVfg10jDwWCaY6ZbZvnOXiJzm-mTP-RkJQJjQahHPGW6DWLhQ58Q5jYXb22hjD_E5CWb0tGmoJuty2g/s1600/sophiecloseup.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603278011160052578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYoSk1BOlVxYarQEoNWsPItlwEDcFdNau16opvG7wraxYwbWMuCtu3bKslf3KtVfg10jDwWCaY6ZbZvnOXiJzm-mTP-RkJQJjQahHPGW6DWLhQ58Q5jYXb22hjD_E5CWb0tGmoJuty2g/s400/sophiecloseup.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">After making my kids watch <u>Secret Millionaire </u>with me, we had a discussion on homelessness.<br /><br /></span><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Sophie: </strong>"If that were me, I would go get a job...and a place to live."<br /><strong>Izzy:</strong> "They can't."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Sophie: </strong>"But----"</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Me:</strong> "Sometimes it's hard to convince people that you are a determined, hardworking person when you're homeless."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Sophie: </strong>"Well----"</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Izzy:</strong> "He did it in <strong><em>The Pursuit of Happyness</em></strong>." [Our all-time favorite movie]</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Me: </strong>"Yes, but that was just a movie...sometimes..." </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Sophie:</strong> "It's easy... you just fill out the job application..."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Me: </strong>"But they ask you...what your last job was...what have you been doing that shows that you are a hard worker...that type of thing..."</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Sophie:</strong> "Well, I would just tell them...<strong>I'm making my come-back!"</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">There it is, folks...easier than we might have thought...but what a great perspective...when you're down on your luck and people are questioning you about it, just tell them...</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div><strong><em><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm making my comeback!</span></em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-26504364702491233812011-04-20T15:11:00.005-04:002011-04-20T15:15:34.605-04:00Hello You..."Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields...Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness."<br />---Mary Oliver<br /><br />What a great quote...<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>happiness and kindness...</strong></span><br /><br />I strive to begin everyday that way...<br />(even though I'm so grumpy in the mornings...<br /><span style="font-size:65%;">my heart is still kind</span>)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-86382719843002109772011-04-18T19:35:00.009-04:002011-04-19T10:17:08.553-04:00DO-Over...You hear it when playing a neighborhood game...football, baseball, even volleyball..."DO-Over!" When the play isn't clear-cut, we just do it over and deal with the new consequences. It's kind of nice...a second chance that no one minds giving to you! Don't you wish life were like that? Today is a day when I'm thinking of some regrets and wishing I could have about a hundred "Do-Overs".<br /><br />Funny, because I'm having a great day...I'm happy, there isn't anything wrong...it is just a day where I've had a lot of quiet...when I have a lot of quiet (with me that can be rare because I even talk to myself!!) I reflect...and when I reflect, I seem to reflect on how I coulda, shoulda, woulda done things...<br /><br />Then I start thinking about what things might be like if I'd HAD a Do-over...<br />I wouldn't have bought my car that I have now...<br />I wouldn't have moved from Baltimore...<br />I would have recognized symptoms in my kids sooner...<br />I would have dealt with people differently...<br />I'd have been more caring...<br />I'd have been more gracious...<br />I should have been the "real me" with everyone...<br />I would have kept in better contact with friends...<br />I would have only fed my kids healthy foods...<br />I would have stood up to kid pressure with Facebook and phones...<br />I would have saved more money...<br />I would have eaten better foods...<br />I would have read more books...<br />I would have gotten better grades...<br />I would have taken more pictures...<br />I would have bought a video camera when the kiddos were little...<br />I would have gone on every field trip...<br />I would have ...<br />WOW this list could go forever...<br /><br />I just realized something...I can have do-overs now...for some things, it's too late (Baltimore--I miss the me from back then) ...but there are other things I can fix--if I really want to badly enough...<br />eating better foods...<br />saving more money...<br />taking more pictures now and cherishing the ones that I have...<br /><br />One thing that I'm going to start doing right now is <strong><em>offering up Do-overs </em></strong>to anyone and everyone who seems like they might need one! Including me!!<br />When you hear someone say, "Do-Over" just smile and know that 2nd chances can be even better than the first...<br /><br />Hope for a better ending this time...(which means that it will be a better beginning of something new!)<br /><br />What would you like to do-over in your life?<br />What if we had to narrow the list to <strong><em>just three things</em></strong>?<br /><br />Hmmm...I'm thinking on that one!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-87249051706488491332011-04-11T18:49:00.004-04:002011-04-18T19:34:03.487-04:00Lists... (Magazines I love to read!)I have lists of things that I need to do, things that I want to do, projects I love, projects to try, favorite meals, favorite names, happy songs, happy places, peaceful things, you name it...I have LISTS! I was inspired by another list maker to add one of my lists to my blog each week. So I will. My first one: <br /><div align="left"><strong><em><u>Magazines that I love to read</u>---</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>(<span style="font-size:78%;">even when I should be cleaning)!</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>1. Real Simple (So pretty...)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>2. People (Good information!!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>3. Somerset (ALL of them)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>4. Better Homes and Gardens (pretty home stuff, pretty garden stuff)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>5. Indianapolis Monthly (Gotta know what's happenin' here!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>6. Martha Stewart Living (She's the best!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>7. Country Living (This magazine is just so pretty!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>8. Dwell (Fun ideas!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>9. Self (Work on me for a bit!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>10. Whatever is in the grocery check out lane! (LOVE passing the time that way!)</em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em></em></strong></div><br /><div align="left"><strong><em>So tell me, what is your mag of choice? Why do you love it so?</em></strong></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-20142114877759249062011-04-02T08:25:00.004-04:002011-04-03T11:12:52.543-04:00Stretchy Kindness...<div align="center">You may wonder what I'm doing today as I'm drinking my morning coffee...well, I'm preparing some stretchy kindness!! I read about it over on <a href="http://kindnessgirl.com/2011/03/20/guerrilla-goodness-rubber-kindness/">Kindnessgirl's</a> blog...by the way...please see my post about her <a href="http://enjoyrightnow-artsymama.blogspot.com/2011/02/kindness-girl.html">here</a>! Anyway, I'm making kind, feel-good rubber bands that can be given to anyone and everyone!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3qH9bxx67W0rY0YhDipK9_E5A36foFiERXJsqRxERMFnB0Waiy6M5_VyLqJg5s9tuyM7r1BLHcwcWZd530BsGHKC5FR4ST50nL7PhK-6ElN-PcJeHWqU0Dum39QKogxI2rdyNCnYcI8/s1600/DSCN0675.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962630199036530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu3qH9bxx67W0rY0YhDipK9_E5A36foFiERXJsqRxERMFnB0Waiy6M5_VyLqJg5s9tuyM7r1BLHcwcWZd530BsGHKC5FR4ST50nL7PhK-6ElN-PcJeHWqU0Dum39QKogxI2rdyNCnYcI8/s400/DSCN0675.JPG" /></a> Here's the process...it's so easy...just stretch the rubber bands around something (we chose a jolly rancher box)...write your message in sharpie goodness...and then give them to someone who needs a lift!! </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMX9LM8wvbr0ohTOSNJpma2pxwyVFUlpPtDVkwfe4ok34-_6_7fNyrQMcbuGAWUu2sNBNzfY_GjKpD76v3sqrd_fqOjEpFk4EZoVaxNwR2mQ63zlISUoTmd28mU1ypT5wygi8u6FurZk/s1600/DSCN0676.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962625622139618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMX9LM8wvbr0ohTOSNJpma2pxwyVFUlpPtDVkwfe4ok34-_6_7fNyrQMcbuGAWUu2sNBNzfY_GjKpD76v3sqrd_fqOjEpFk4EZoVaxNwR2mQ63zlISUoTmd28mU1ypT5wygi8u6FurZk/s400/DSCN0676.JPG" /></a> Just sharpies... Thick rubber bands... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiE1N6Vxh6wpdsmsMTmgqbT9aaEhWYPF_bA8Wg5GStMZsjd3ZpKVTcJOITkBz-igSYwl8gHTyFiT66bwXWHi2oKYeURkvnJaShyphenhyphenuViNvr-7KAAEL0IokA03V1E0Mp_oY_n2USGkbycbf8/s1600/DSCN0678.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F8MgWpkwGAM3bRtyVlotTwI6-VFpjbZ3hCb4jj_FE60_TLoR3u1Zfg-_VMDNsY52MCf11IP3n38xPFbX3VPbyZrtslhHhWAifhDGQmRfktYHI9yHN6NcsJrhEJD9CrDiT8RoyB5CadA/s1600/DSCN0686.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590962596618208658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F8MgWpkwGAM3bRtyVlotTwI6-VFpjbZ3hCb4jj_FE60_TLoR3u1Zfg-_VMDNsY52MCf11IP3n38xPFbX3VPbyZrtslhHhWAifhDGQmRfktYHI9yHN6NcsJrhEJD9CrDiT8RoyB5CadA/s400/DSCN0686.JPG" /></a> And when you take them off of the box...they shrink up to look sooo cool... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EOno0JRsW6uB0zVzrTUFAwVcsCz-odWwOIVPdfmeHQSnUtyidE3ef6GVdH6WTByLKGa9dgFa_q7UkFESNHuH6lXbsO2NqoXQ1eROZtYWTI2BsWjI3wLX8_cI22y2z6aMi6w4H_k_0H8/s1600/DSCN0680.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590963098313942498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EOno0JRsW6uB0zVzrTUFAwVcsCz-odWwOIVPdfmeHQSnUtyidE3ef6GVdH6WTByLKGa9dgFa_q7UkFESNHuH6lXbsO2NqoXQ1eROZtYWTI2BsWjI3wLX8_cI22y2z6aMi6w4H_k_0H8/s400/DSCN0680.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>Wha-lah!!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD0A9PIPF9fChm67aO-XuSLxPoaoqTdCEFvshr6bXgRGBjQGTaJ8o38A8nVYfDTH6ELAuYgbhCgq9qf01ligtuxIT8fr-P3DwtG867RQ2b_fM6w5x0QxO7UmAp4l3fCRdX2bKjMcR_oE/s1600/DSCN0683.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590963088814035218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBD0A9PIPF9fChm67aO-XuSLxPoaoqTdCEFvshr6bXgRGBjQGTaJ8o38A8nVYfDTH6ELAuYgbhCgq9qf01ligtuxIT8fr-P3DwtG867RQ2b_fM6w5x0QxO7UmAp4l3fCRdX2bKjMcR_oE/s400/DSCN0683.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>Who will be the recipient of your stretchy kindness today??? <br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-34448934092468063862011-03-31T10:00:00.001-04:002011-03-31T17:05:10.817-04:00She and They<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdSEA9qTwoJgx5bxBrMu8_VV9BVLqqthdctpp3W2RA4VnN_ztya2v6BY6AzyGmlNtR9EFRvtCXAX-P82bv3QDjeyjQWlaNuQD1vVeTK5am-02vsyYrnz2pcEq1oR0cBcaqMjTX1vBhuY/s1600/DSCN0655.JPG"></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ghXhEj4PGXNXSc2Dfz85-6HXGeolzEvmTKHpSZL5Cit3RXAw7lH7Oc45ut2uOLc-SVAaz9okA6xBdeiEIJp-ArWvSL-YHu42b_iZj61QsSFidkG9Hq8ECi_3XaWvM7nAS3Xv4kQRKZg/s1600/DSCN0569.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590075809738434818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ghXhEj4PGXNXSc2Dfz85-6HXGeolzEvmTKHpSZL5Cit3RXAw7lH7Oc45ut2uOLc-SVAaz9okA6xBdeiEIJp-ArWvSL-YHu42b_iZj61QsSFidkG9Hq8ECi_3XaWvM7nAS3Xv4kQRKZg/s400/DSCN0569.JPG" /></a> <br /><div>She is on spring break this week...</div><br /><div>They are not.</div><br /><div>She painted her office a sunny yellow...</div><br /><div>They had homework and chores.</div><br /><div>She made a new taquito recipe this week...</div><br /><div>They liked it.</div><br /><div>She is busy organizing her life with about a zillion "to-do" lists...</div><br /><div>They are happily unorganized.</div><br /><div>She finally remembered to put the recycling out...</div><br /><div>They finally remembered to clear their breakfast dishes.</div><br /><div>She has reluctantly had to get up early every day of her spring break...</div><br /><div>They didn't want to get up early either.</div><br /><div>She and they are reading a book together called The Liberation of Gabriel King...</div><br /><div>They love the book...</div><br /><div>She loves them!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-86088817584122455602011-03-30T14:24:00.006-04:002011-03-30T14:40:38.413-04:00Chicago happenings<p>Can you believe how awesome our room was from HOTWIRE??? It was ginormous...and that is always good when you have girls and outfits and hair and late night snacking... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IjQ9BmWDhx4GIPA_SVtTVKEZCpHuCEaPk4IFR6xU0xmeERWZSZcJGnOsXYdDFAyVIgn13laJfKrN5G5qjRGEIk_NdDmgWsp7XoUrErvd-8gG4rhF0KutUjF9uESJLxOjPKvDCnv7zuM/s1600/Chi2011room.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589941087383392226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IjQ9BmWDhx4GIPA_SVtTVKEZCpHuCEaPk4IFR6xU0xmeERWZSZcJGnOsXYdDFAyVIgn13laJfKrN5G5qjRGEIk_NdDmgWsp7XoUrErvd-8gG4rhF0KutUjF9uESJLxOjPKvDCnv7zuM/s400/Chi2011room.jpg" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589942434952969250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdGYiWy73E_EigVc-ErVJ-DybKzyITsKR0UY9Hp4-xb1yOwJpno3Lh2itTvmXJPB-iRyGgsSmegI6KS39a76Jb2pFBPaiVzcnc8JM0pzDjVgx34ACoDhZA5KzJfw65QgW2RQRYLUTs3Y/s400/Chicago2collage.jpg" /> Left to Right: </p><br /><ol><br /><li>The Grand Lux Cafe...so yummy/awesome! We even got a seat right there in that window area...it was cozy...warm...and yummy. </li><br /><li>The next picture is a view of the gardens on the tops of the neighboring buildings. We also spied on the people in the other buildings and made up names and stories for them. Some of the names included...Shelly, Kathy, Ribsy, and Grandpa Joe. I won't even get into the fabulous stories that were invented about them! </li><br /><li>The room again...with a MURPHY bed!! :) </li><br /><li>Sophie standing in front of the coolest lightbulb fixture/exhibit at Urban Outfitters. So illuminating, don't you think? </li></ol><br /><p></p><br /><p>Can't LOVE Chicago enough...I think I will live there one day!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535775783840895827.post-39392741221293464172011-03-22T19:29:00.006-04:002011-03-31T17:05:59.919-04:00Chicago Spring Fun!!<div align="center">Oh my, do I ever love the city!! </div><br /><div align="center">Izzy, Sophie and I spent a long weekend in the city and walked our ever-lovin' legs off! </div><br /><div align="center">Here are a few of our highlights...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587064884262884674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUnUvbkaTaXwXVgRTlOVtZa1c8furt13wCqgS1kQfp7CsqvHSPsgiCHKqySMcczkn5zjuwHRHaAlyM1UQuhbGZEFB1T-fyqc9u17yebGiqvteG1UtK66QXpXrIDPfpzldLmlKdj6CZCA/s400/chicago2.jpg" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 384px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587062617638981426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4zNTbXeHq3eQnuzW8s053f6JIrX63odVqDXoLXjG7UnzA4bklOo54EfcgKRjcBVrU7lf23axRjqGeLhmzXeG_lDGcbnmF-SmgHdJnP8Dk1QjPc76CSQcvLcUgtWXJNps71INV39_4po/s400/Chicagocollage.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center">How nice to spend time with these lovelies!</p><br /><div align="center">Einstein Brothers bagels for breakfast every morning...</div><br /><div align="center">WALK, walk, walking all day...</div><br /><div align="center">Good food, LOTS of shopping, and LOTS of laughs! More to come on this trip!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0