tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9476465406739824212024-03-05T17:45:34.862-08:00Mark and LorriTfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-69558894709429331902012-11-14T19:38:00.002-08:002012-11-14T19:38:33.064-08:00LDS Talk on the ConstitutionI had the pleasure of talking in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, last Sunday. I have had a few people request a copy of my talk and decided to post it here to make it easier. <br />
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Hope you enjoy...<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I
feel extremely blessed to have the opportunity to address you today on our
topic…</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The
Salt of the Earth, The Light of the World. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In
preparation, I read several conference talks pertaining to this topic, and found it
very interesting the different ways we can apply it to our lives. One reference
was that we shouldn’t let our light go out or “flavor” die. We, as church
members, should not just sit back and blend in. Salt does not blend in. In
fact, it says if "salt has lost its flavor, it is good for nothing", and that
we need to be a light to the World. We need to be an example and stand for our
values and what is important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Veteran’s
day seems to be a very appropriate day to speak of being a light unto the world
and standing up for and defending what is right. I love Veteran’s day. I am
very appreciative and thankful to all those men and women who have served and continue
to serve us in the military. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">In John 15:12 -13 it says…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">14 “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have
loved you.”</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.”</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And
this is what has, and is being been done to preserve our country, our freedom and our
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have had many things go through my mind this week and what my Heavenly Father
wanted me to share with you. One thing that came to me over and over is
something that President Frank Rodarte Senior said to me when I was called to
serve in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency several years ago. He told me that
we needed people who were willing to speak plainly and boldly to the youth. I
feel the need to speak plainly with you today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When
reading the Book of Mormon, have you wondered why people didn’t listen to the warnings
or teachings of their prophets. I remember as a youth trying to figure out how
people could consider themselves followers and yet turn away from those people
who were called to lead them. It was so obvious and clear and yet, I look at
our time now and see some of the same patterns that we recognize in the
scriptures. One example would be when the First Presidency came out with “The
Family Proclamation”. Not only did portions of it receive criticism from
people outside the church, but many members didn’t agree or fully support it either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Most
of us have heard of the towers that were built on the edges of cities for protection. The purpose
was for men to stand guard in the towers, and watch for possible dangers that
were coming. They could then give a warning to the people and make preparations
for their defense. Our prophets have been likened many times to the watchmen.
They are inspired and given early warning of things that we need to prepare
for. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And
each prophet that has served us, was called with special talents and abilities specific
for that time and to give us heed so we can be ready. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">President Monson</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> – teaches os of
kindness and caring in a world where there is a total disregard for others and
men's hearts have waxed cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">President Hinckley</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> – took
the church into the public eye and educated people on who we are as LDS/Mormons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And
I had the blessing of being taught by my parents and Grandfather the teachings
of another great prophet, Ezra Taft Benson. He was a man who not only served in
the United States Cabinet as US Secretary of Agriculture, but was a valiant
defender of the constitution and spoke of its importance often. He said…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #10253f; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #10253F; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themeshade: 128;">“I don’t know how you feel, my brethren and sister, but I’d rather
be dead than to lose my liberty. I have no fear we’ll ever lose it because of
invasion from the outside. But I do have a fear that it may slip away from us
because of our own indifference, our own negligence, as citizens of this land.
And so I plead with you this morning that you take an active interest in
matters pertaining to the future of this country.” <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BYU Devotional, December 1, 1952</b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have heard many members say that we must pray for our country, and I agree. But
I also believe that we have become a passive people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We
are to busy to get involved. Running kids to sports, working long hours, family
functions, church responsibilities and on top of that we don’t want to say
anything to criticize or offend others. There have been many times in the
scriptures and the history of our country that people were called to speak up,
even though they knew it would be an unpopular thing to do. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Enoch</b> who felt he was slow of speech. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jonah</b> who attempted to run away from
the Lord’s errand. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joseph Smith</b> who
eventually gave his life in building up the church, not to mention our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">founding fathers</b> and many others who
fought for our freedoms. How do we repay them? By passively sitting back and “hoping”
for the best. We have a responsibility to stand up, speak up and share what we
believe and know. We do not have to be contentious. There is enough of that in
the world. We do not need to condemn and criticize others, but we should not
remain quiet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We
have been told that our constitution is a divinely inspired document. And yet we
allow it to be distorted and transformed. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ezra
Taft Benson</b> tells in a conference address <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Our Divine Constitution”</b> how we can <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“befriend”</b> the constitution in this critical hour and secure the
blessings of liberty and ensure the protection and guidance of our Father in
Heaven. He said…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">“First and foremost, we must be righteous…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Two great American Christian civilizations – the Jaredites and the
Nephites were swept off this land because they did not “serve the God of the
land, who is Jesus Christ” <strong>October 1987 General Conference<o:p></o:p></strong></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Are
we being righteous? Are we teaching our children how to be a righteous people?
Many times we fear calling right, right and wrong, wrong, because we don’t to
hurt feelings or seem critical. Our kids need to know there are consequences in
the choices that we make… go or bad. In “The Family Proclamation to the World”
we are told…</span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: #073763;">"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their
children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual
needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the
commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands
and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">accountable</b>
before God for the discharge of these obligations."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Another
part of being righteous is living the gospel all during the week. Do we attend
church on Sunday and then live our lives a little differently the rest of the
week. Do we read our scriptures, say our prayers and obey the commandments, not
just when convenient, but also when the choices are hard. And when we do make a
mistake, are we quick to repent? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ezra
Taft Benson then goes on to say…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Second he said, we must learn the principles
of the Constitution in the tradition of the Founding Fathers. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;">Have we read the Federalist papers? Are we reading the constitution
and pondering it? Are we aware of its principles? Are we abiding by these principles
and teaching them to others? Could we defend the Constitution? Can we recognize
when a law is constitutionally unsound? Do we know what the prophets have said
about the Constitution and the threats to it?” <strong>Our Divine Constitution, General Conference 1987</strong></span></i></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To
me, this says we must become educated. Heavenly Father gave you a wonderful
mind and the ability to find things out for yourself. Don’t take my word for
it. To many times we blindly accept what we are told without doing the research
and taking it to our Heavenly Father for confirmation. If it is important, and
I do believe this is, isn’t it worth your time and effort to know that? I use
to make a joke with my kids that I would give them $5 if they ever got kicked
out of class for standing up for what they believed in. It wasn’t a serious
challenge, but I wanted them to know that they didn’t just have to accept what
people told them. That it was okay to ask questions and find their own answers.
They also knew that I would be the first person sitting in their class with
them if I ever found out they were disrespectful to their teachers or school
leaders. But it opened the door for some really interesting conversation in our
house. We are not at the mercy of the world’s views. We have information at the
touch of our fingers and the ability to ask people we trust when we don’t understand
issues. So there really is no excuse for being uninformed. And once you
understand the constitution and how it applies to us, then you need to figure
out how does it align with current legislation and people running for office,
and then get involved! Vote!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #254061; font-family: "FuturaBdCnBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: FuturaBdCnBT; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #254061; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent1; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="color: #990000;">"We engage in the election, the same as any other principle; you are
to vote for good men, and if you do not do this, it is a sin: to vote for
wicked men would be a sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles
have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs." <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elder John A. Widtsoe, Conference Report, April 1944</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We
need to recognize that Satan is real. That anywhere there is great opportunity
for power, there is great opportunity for corruption. It is up to us to remain
vigilant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ezra
Taft Benson said in <strong>October 1988 General Conference</strong>…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(251, 251, 251); line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 16pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I testify that
wickedness is rapidly expanding in every segment of our society. It is more
highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more powerfully promoted than
ever before. Secret combinations lusting for power, gain, and glory are
flourishing. A secret combination that seeks to overthrow the freedom of all
lands, nations, and countries is increasing its evil influence and control over
America and the entire world.” </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember the parable of the 10 virgins? It is
not a story about the people of the world, it is a story about Christ’s church
in the last days. The parable tells us that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">half </b>of the church members will not be ready. We, the members of
the church in the last days are the ones who have been invited to the wedding.
We are the ones who are to be a light to the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Which
half are you in?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Have
you filled your lamp with oil? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Are
you ready to be a light to the world?<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What
is happening today is all part of the continuing war that started in heaven,
and which is now in its final phases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Are
you a valiant Soldier in the Army of Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If
not – then you are not living your religion as you should. And you are not
valiant in following the Word of the Lord and the many prophets who have given
us warning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Your
lamp is out, your oil is gone, and you are fast asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">The signs of the destruction of our society and our government are
all around </span><span style="color: black;">us.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• Our children are drug addicts</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• Murder is an everyday occurrence</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• The moral integrity of our homes and families are being
attacked from all quarters</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• Marriage is no longer a sacred institution</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• Lies, deceit, and corruption are a way of life</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• Even Christ’s message is being challenged</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;"><span style="color: black;">• Satan is winning the battle,
and the Army of Christ is asleep<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "AmerigoBT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: AmerigoBT;">Sound familiar?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It can be hard at times not to get
frustrated or fearful of what the future holds. But I love this by </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Harold
B. Lee…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Men may fail in this
country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be
great drought, disaster, and hardships, but this nation, founded on principles
laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. I plead with you not to
preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world.
This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #002060; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We urge members of the church
and all Americans now to reflect more intently on the meaning and importance of
the constitution, and of adherence to its principles. I have faith in the
future of this promised land of America.” <strong>Ye Are the Lighto of the world pgs 350-351</strong></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I
love my country. I am so grateful for the freedoms that we have and that it was
because of those freedoms, we have the gospel on the earth today. The Lord will
succeed. I love what my daughter said when we were talking about the things
that have been going in our country. She said “do you want to look back and
know that you took and stand and fought for what you knew was right? Or how do
you think you would feel to know that you just sat back on te sidelines and let others do the
work." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I
firmly believe the things that I have share with you today. I challenge you to
go home and study these things out for yourselves. I ask that you pray for the leaders
of our country, for the leaders of our church and for the members. That we will
stand strong and be a light to the world. That they can look to us as an
example of what it means to be free, and that it is possible. Pray that we can
be a tool in the Lord’s hands. That we can teach our children the principles of
the gospel and those which our country was founded on. And they can know the
sacrifices that have been made in their behalf. We are truly blessed to live at this time. As I sat on
the back lawn of my grandfather’s house and told him I was concerned of the
future, he told me “Lorri, it will be an incredible time. You will see miracles
happen”. I know this to be true and say these things in the name of Jesus
Christ Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-32711339961812872012-09-08T00:41:00.000-07:002012-09-08T00:41:09.561-07:00I didn't shower alone<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew that title would peak your interest. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been asked several times over the last month when I was going to start posting on my blog. Due to a lot of stressful situations that have taken place, I decided to take a break as apposed to let my sour attitude speak through my blog. But I am happy to say that I am beginning to find some peace. Life will never be the same, and at some point I may, or may not share a few of those things, but until then, I would like to share some fun and crazy things that go on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And back to the title!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a crazy morning. One of those where you aren't able to hit the shower until later... much later. By the time I found the time I was looking forward to just washing the morning frustrations away with the <strike>warm</strike> hot water. I turned the shower on so it could heat up, the hopped in, closed my eyes, tilted my head back so I could wet my hair. After a few moments of letting the water relax me, I opened my eyes to this on the wall..... right up...... by...... the ceiling...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So do I jump out of the shower, attempt to swat it down while dancing around buck naked. Run around the house in a towel to get the vacuum and suck it up? I honestly was to darn worn out. I have a deathly fear of mice/rats. Spiders are not a favorite, but I thought I could deal with it and finish my shower. So the whole time I am washing my hair all the while keeping my eyes open to make sure he didn't move. Then I got soap in one of my eyes. So squinting, washing my hair and keeping my good eye on the spider became a bit more tricky. Then I attempted to shave my legs while looking up... it was a no go. So I would quickly look down, shave shave shave, look up and make sure he hadn't moved. The whole time I was looking down I kept thinking how freaked out I would be if I felt something fall on the back of my neck. Shave shave shave... hurry and look up. I don't think he move at all the whole time, but I wear glasses normally, so he could have moved a foot and I probably wouldn't have known it. I finally jumped out of the shower, got dressed, brushed my wet hair so I didn't have to deal with some crazy hairdo all day and was ready to go back in and attack the beast only to find... he was no longer there. Oh crap! So somewhere in our bedroom roams a giant, long legged hairy spider, waiting for me to sleep so he can come drink the liquid from my eyeballs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, that may be a myth, but did you know that you have eyelash mites that live in the hair folicles of your face. They are so small you never notic<span style="background-color: white;">e them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And myth my tush... one night I turned off the light and hopped in bed. Was resting comfortably on my pillow when one of my kids needed something. So I hopped up, turned on the light, took care of the issue and was headed back to bed only to find a GIANT and I do mean GIANT (think 2 1/2 - 3 inches with its legs squashed out) on my pillow still wiggling every so slightly because my head had smashed it. If I had not gotten up to attend to my kids need, I would have slept on it all night. Yeesh!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BTW - the spider in the picture is about 2 inches from leg tip to leg tip. I did check out the size with my glasses on.</span></span>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-10284604209542263362012-06-22T00:46:00.002-07:002012-06-22T00:46:59.577-07:00A tempting life to liveI don't know if it is the fact we are getting older, or if things have just changed so much that we need a change. My husband periodically sneaks away to his parents place in Montana, where the closest neighbor is miles away. Where a herd of elk will come out of the mountains just as dusk is setting and eat 100 feet off the front porch. The sun usually shines and work doesn't consist of mental stress, but of physical work fixing fences, herding cows, building corrals and fun is fishing in the stream behind the house.<br />
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We both have felt a draw for a simpler life. There are a few blogs that I have found that I love reading and envy the people who write them.<br />
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The first is <a href="http://kaseybuick.com/">Kasey Buick, one girl talks</a>.</div>
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They use to live in Chicago, but where her husband lost his job, the put everything in storage and moved to Kaui for one year. What an adventure and I admire their guts to throw all fears aside and live a slower life. Love her kids are now entering surfing competitions. They learn the hula at school and she has even taken a "boot camp" class from Gabrielle Reece.<br />
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Next is<a href="http://longestacres.com/"> Longest Acres.</a><br />
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After much wandering and many life experiences, this couple ended up renting a small barn apartment and the large dairy barn for the animals they have collected. It also included 250 acres of "mountain top sweetness" as she calls it. They raise cows, chickens, dogs, goats, pigs, grow a garden and cook lovely farm food.<br />
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As you scroll through the pictures, it makes me realize that I could really love this type of life. A lot of work, sure, but every day you see the benefit of what you do. No more racing to and fro attempting to please the masses.<br />
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Finally, <a href="http://www.figandfauna.com/">Fig and Fauna</a><br />
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This couple own 3.5 acres in Florida. They sold their suburban home and moved out here to share their land with chickens, cows, dairy goats, rabbits, bees and dogs. She also does a lot of fresh farm cooking, such as making her own cheese and creating recipes from their own grown foods. </div>
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I keep telling Mark we need a 5 year plan to slowly step away from all our "responsibilities" and find a more relaxing life. The reality is, that no matter how much you do, people want more. Stress is an everyday reality, and the more I have read while working on Courtney's diet, I have become a believer in producing as much of your own food as you can. That way you REALLY now what is in it. </div>
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Will it happen? Who knows. But it definitely is a wonderful thing to think about as I fall asleep at night. </div>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-9988174880984029352012-05-10T13:18:00.004-07:002012-05-10T13:18:59.669-07:00Coty and Emma are marriedOn a brighter note... my son Coty got married back in March. There were some ups and downs involved. Think stomach flu running rampant the week prior to the wedding. We knew it was making its way through the family, so when I woke up Monday morning with my 10 year old throwing up, I thought... oh crude... we are dead. I tried to keep her confined to my bedroom. We shipped Coty over to my mom's house until the wedding. I ran around with disinfectant spraying everything and everyone. We had a few others get it, but had it all under control by the wedding. Whew!<br />
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Funny thing is that Coty ended up getting it right after the wedding (they had 3 days before they left on their honeymoon) and I guess Emma got a touch of it on their honeymoon. The one good thing is that it hits hard and quick and then is gone. So while it wasn't something we were happy about, it could have been a lot worse.<br />
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We love, love, love, Emma and her family. They were so organized in putting the reception together and so much fun to work with. Emma's mother is a powerhouse who has more energy in her little pinky than I have in my whole body. We have loved getting to know them and are glad that Coty made such a wonderful choice.<br />
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Here are some pictures of their wedding.<br />
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They are off now to BYU Idaho. Coty is hoping to be accepted into the Physical Therapy program at ISU in a few years and Emma is going for a Nursing degree. That is in between playing basketball. They are doing great, and even though we miss them a lot, are very proud of them.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-81224014555655565362012-05-10T12:50:00.001-07:002012-05-10T13:49:08.103-07:00Sulked long enough... SCD is workingI have felt bad that I left my last post a sulky post, but a lot has happened since then. I guess every once in a while it is okay to have a tantrum and then pick yourself up by your bootstraps and carry on.<br />
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Courtney is doing MUCH better. We have been on the SCD diet now for about 3 months. She has gained 10+ lbs. Her colonoscopy and endoscopy showed a complete healing of the upper intestines, but we still have work with the lower part. But she has more energy. She said she use to get dizzy just walking up the stairs. We have added rice flour to her diet, but have decided to take a step back and do the 5 day intro diet again as she is still having tummy problems in the morning. Then we will go back to the basic again and work up from there. I know we are both so excited to do that... not so much. But at least we see progress and that is enough to keep you motivated.<br />
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It has been hard trying to fix foods specifically for her and then feed the rest of the family. I spend quite a bit of time cooking or shopping for foods. When you are eating a lot of fruits and veggies, you end up shopping 2-3 times a week because they don't have a long shelf life and you are going through them so fast. Plus my food budget has gone up. The only flour she can have is Almond flour which is $11 for 1 lb. Yikes! But you do what you do.<br />
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I find it interesting that doctors say there is no connection to what you eat and Crohn's disease (as well as many other digestive diseases) but it is amazing when you see the results of the changes you make in your eating. If anyone is interested in our resources, here is the book we are using to help educate ourselves and has been very helpful.<br />
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<a href="http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/">Breaking the Vicious Cycle </a>website has been really helpful to and offers lots of information.<br />
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And here was an article that I found very promising about dong the SCD diet and recovering from tummy troubles.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://rapidcityjournal.com/lifestyles/natural-health-eliminating-sugar-carbs-can-help-digestion-issues/article_1d42140e-6fa4-11e1-9b87-001871e3ce6c.html">NATURAL HEALTH: Eliminating sugar, carbs can help digestion issues.</a></span></div>
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Thanks for all of those who have expressed concern or offered help. :) We are hanging in there.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-55026434228393130272012-02-13T14:32:00.000-08:002012-02-13T14:32:58.738-08:00Not every post needs to be happy - dealing with Crohn'sGuess I am going to be selflish and take this post to vent in hopes that it will turn my attitude around. I have always felt that blogs should be a positive experience where you help make someone's day just a little brighter. If you feel the same... please skip the rest of the this post :)<br />
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In a previous post I shared how my daughter was diagnoised with Crohn's and was being treated with remicade. Well after a few months, she developed antibodies and it stopped working. So on to Humira. Both of these medications supress the immune system, which they believe is the culprit for attacking the intestines and causing Crohn's. It appears after several months that the Humira may have worn out its usefulness also. I cannot describe the feeling you get watching your daughter waste away no matter how much food she eats. I hear on a daily basis, "mom, I am so hungry" as she eats another meal. I think most mothers feel successful if they provide a clean warm house, clean clothes, love and can put their kids to bed knowing their tummies were full with a good meal. Isn't there a reason someone came up with the term "comfort food". But no matter what you do or feed her, she keeps losing weight.<br />
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So I have studied, researched, read and the more I find out, the more confusing it gets. What "might" work for one person, doesn't help another. Diets, medications, supplements, accupuncture. We have been "trying" the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for almost a week now and so far haven't found a lot of relief. Anything! I will take ANY indication we are on the right track. No wheat, no dairy, no sugar, no fiber, no potatoes, no rice, no gluten. It leaves protein (which some people still have problems with), eggs (which some people still have problems with), fruit (which some people still have problems with), some veggies (which some people still have problems with). As you can see, it is kind of tough to sort it all out. What to eat, how to fix it, how do you feed the rest of your family while following this diet for one? I find my attitude about food becoming negative. Reading the ingredient labels of things I would normally bring home has me calling white bread "death in a bag". Running to any number or stores looking for bacon without nitrates or sugar. Spending hours in a health food store only to find that a lot of the stuff isn't actually that healthy.<br />
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I told my daughter about another diet that has found some success... the enteral diet which is a liquid diet for 4-8 weeks. Then you slowly add foods back in. I could see the frustration in her eyes and her voice when she said she wasn't sure she could do that. <br />
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I feel angry and frustrated. Some claim that people get Crohn's from eating unhealthy processed foods. I have always felt that my family ate better than most. I fixed most meals from scratch, we eat very little processed foods (except for an occasional pizza). Others say it is caused by a bacteria in the meat we eat, but we raise our own beef. I keep asking myself, where did we go wrong for this to happen. And what I wouldn't do for things to just go back to normal. I want people to stop asking me to do things for them, because my daughter is starving to death and nothing you need done is more important than helping her. <br />
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Thank you for letting me vent. Not sure I feel better, but I know that I am not alone. There are many others who are dealing with this also and I know that my Heavenly Father is there watching and comforting. I just pray that we will be guided to an answer on how best to help our daughter.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-59288925579387242022012-01-12T14:29:00.000-08:002012-01-12T14:29:51.464-08:00Wedding Plans!It is true! We have a son that is engaged. And might I add that he picked a winner. When you get to the point in your life that you know it is only a matter of time before one of your kids finds a spouse, you start to worry. Will they pick someone who will be good and supportive? Will they mesh with our family? Will all of us in-laws get a long? Will they improve the gene pool of our family? haha. Just kidding on the last one... kind of ;)<br />
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My answer to all of these is yes, yes, yes and YES! <br />
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It was about the time he went back to school that he realized how much he really cared about this girl he had been dating. By they time Thanksgiving was rolling around he knew that would be the perfect time to propose. But she was curious and knew something was up, so surprise was our friend. Coty driving back from college with some friends and told Emma (yes that is her name) that he would be in late that evening. She later claimed he lied and she can't believe that he "lied" to her. It was all necessary though to pull this off. Emma helps coach the Bonney Lake High School girls basketball team. So she went there thinking Coty would be in about 8pm. Thanks to some help from her parents, we snuck into the high school, with the whole entourage, and as soon as practice was coming to an end, Coty walked into the gym, dropped down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She was really surprised. SUCCESS!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH1q6Rgpi6ViYTHQa-Z3jSYCdkSdEc3HcEF30Ru_Qsuw80o0E2tx942_TI5pMuQmnu8wPRb7PQOE5PSFwzrY9EfayzAZiQD2ZlO-9_X2gzJTkDcAYMHyNknn08hc3Osf0PCGOwtgbTNY/s1600/coty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkH1q6Rgpi6ViYTHQa-Z3jSYCdkSdEc3HcEF30Ru_Qsuw80o0E2tx942_TI5pMuQmnu8wPRb7PQOE5PSFwzrY9EfayzAZiQD2ZlO-9_X2gzJTkDcAYMHyNknn08hc3Osf0PCGOwtgbTNY/s320/coty2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRKY-13d-Ly03oI3nQB2-vnM8ixzAOAsA9Qv5QmRWyU_3YTe4_FIYjKs94HwvSM5Se_E5S5VeSWiah-al_LoTb2fp0cl73Uy6ruERfDcRvivPfpk6z4u_BvxnnvEmtrtlwNDe0t5t714/s1600/coty3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRKY-13d-Ly03oI3nQB2-vnM8ixzAOAsA9Qv5QmRWyU_3YTe4_FIYjKs94HwvSM5Se_E5S5VeSWiah-al_LoTb2fp0cl73Uy6ruERfDcRvivPfpk6z4u_BvxnnvEmtrtlwNDe0t5t714/s320/coty3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wyfZRem6UPIXxWAHCcAxrr5MgNFrkzDQBPog504M27DD9Fr8_VD6IPH3Ui71s9hP48QvweVmWMN_d6KgT2JM-i0frQNet2HIoaMteIa-5k8GX7WFoSEjRQnVcxQQag0NuCMkeX9cFVY/s1600/coty4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2wyfZRem6UPIXxWAHCcAxrr5MgNFrkzDQBPog504M27DD9Fr8_VD6IPH3Ui71s9hP48QvweVmWMN_d6KgT2JM-i0frQNet2HIoaMteIa-5k8GX7WFoSEjRQnVcxQQag0NuCMkeX9cFVY/s320/coty4.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br />
Notice that she never dropped the basketball.... not at all. She is a basketball player at heart! A perfect match for my basketball loving son. We love Emma for so many reasons, she is smart, kind, a hard worker and most of all, my son loves her.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf1vFZTxSu74-_At9LVT_eqo6gMQtB7Xup4tJVPuKaqIdbu1-GtjNAO-k3Qn8dQj7qRTIzHCxR7bO5Kfcwo8QafO8BVJAlXs6m-j4SYYKgcyM49zTK8HNMevhAgGaJOouUwhYJp00ZIk/s1600/376184_2143035696178_1254792700_1764570_1557989792_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf1vFZTxSu74-_At9LVT_eqo6gMQtB7Xup4tJVPuKaqIdbu1-GtjNAO-k3Qn8dQj7qRTIzHCxR7bO5Kfcwo8QafO8BVJAlXs6m-j4SYYKgcyM49zTK8HNMevhAgGaJOouUwhYJp00ZIk/s320/376184_2143035696178_1254792700_1764570_1557989792_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
March 9th is the wedding. We are in full throws of planning. Thankfully Emma and her mother are very organized and keeping us all lined out. It has been a great joy meeting their family and knowing that Coty will be cared for as much there as we love him here.<br />
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Congrats Coty and Emma! We love you both!Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-71078609561635599992011-08-17T23:51:00.000-07:002011-08-17T23:51:25.754-07:00Cello CampWhat kind of mother makes her daughter go to Cello camp during the summer? Yep me, that's what kind (insert evil laugh here)<br />
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I will say that it is not easy task hauling your cello, bow, stand and music around. And the fact she was the youngest kid in the cello group by several years could also be daunting. But it was a very cool experience. I guess it wasn't so much a cello camp as it was an orchestra which broke up into their instrument groups to practice. The theme was "The good, the bad and the ugly". At the end of the week, they all played together and put on a show for us. It was actually pretty good. This was in conjunction with the Maple Valley Youth Orchestra. The people who ran it were fantastic.<br />
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The first day Sidney came home and I asked her what she learned. Her answer... "I learned how to fake play". Then she proceeded to sit down and show me how to run the bow across the strings without making a sound. She was pretty happy with herself. So the next day I took her back and we talked to the cello instructor who took some one on one time with her so she wouldn't have to "fake play" anymore. I will say, she is resourceful.<br />
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If you are interested, she had her picture on the webpage for The Reported which served Covington, Black Diamond and Maple Valley. Read about it <a href="http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/cmv/news/127667773.html">HERE</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSPv_8xf_V3yP_kmwFCz3d2sb1uDpXaxQEHOJcnD1ZmYVVp5wjj5s575vuv9Wi4Hz4ltp-NsItuv6nrDMVUVuCymJxgLxKb1svFdbuVkRzs7qTqdpIeqkSYVB7wcZS_-EfRezKcRMr6Y/s1600/Sidney+cello+camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSPv_8xf_V3yP_kmwFCz3d2sb1uDpXaxQEHOJcnD1ZmYVVp5wjj5s575vuv9Wi4Hz4ltp-NsItuv6nrDMVUVuCymJxgLxKb1svFdbuVkRzs7qTqdpIeqkSYVB7wcZS_-EfRezKcRMr6Y/s400/Sidney+cello+camp.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-32692811289235058342011-08-17T23:38:00.000-07:002011-08-17T23:38:43.519-07:00Another fantastic use for Apple Cider Vinegar - for Women OnlyIf you are a guy... I am warning you... retreat!<br />
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There, you had a chance.<br />
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<br />
I am 44 (almost 45). One problem I have had most of my life is heavy menstural cycles (I have endometriosis). As I have gotten older, they have gotten even worse (if that is possible). <br />
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I panicked when out of the blue, my Aunt Flo decided to visit early, which meant she was visiting while I went to our church's girls camp. We camp with over 250 girls for a week. So I googled! (see a pattern in my life? Google can fix anything haha).<br />
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The answer... apple cider vinegar (I got mine at Trader Joes).<br />
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Take 1 tablespoon of organic, non-filtered apple cider vinegar in the morning and in the evening in a glass diluted with water (yes it tastes terrible), then wash it down with some more water after. It will make a HUGE difference. I have tried prescription drugs which didn't even touch the problem. I started doing the ACV the morning Auntie came to town and it was pretty amazing. I read it is also great for the digestive system and many people take a tablespoon a day anyways. To get the full benefit of helping you through "that time of the month" continue to take it when you are off cycle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.iherb.com/m/BRA-00116-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qaa="true" src="http://images.iherb.com/m/BRA-00116-0.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-18241863647289539632011-08-15T17:19:00.000-07:002011-08-17T23:39:34.315-07:00Let's talk teeth.. and cavitiesI have Sidney stories coming out my ears. She is funny, spunky and troublemaker cutie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDTuEEE4Ob8KHkO2bCQlEynHxQ9mtQrl-IrPKizvixnbMQnKFD8qFBqiYVJdDD-gLZoGvd3MMlODTvm6LM07oVDxdvVXmmNkDBflmUenrt2blhO3gs4ETk0NA5mhPh5rXm_w7avy1isY/s1600/crazy+sidney.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDTuEEE4Ob8KHkO2bCQlEynHxQ9mtQrl-IrPKizvixnbMQnKFD8qFBqiYVJdDD-gLZoGvd3MMlODTvm6LM07oVDxdvVXmmNkDBflmUenrt2blhO3gs4ETk0NA5mhPh5rXm_w7avy1isY/s320/crazy+sidney.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I am learning so many new things being her mother. One that I would like to share with you, what do you do with a child who is VERY cavity prone? <br />
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Her first visit to the dentist resulted in 4 cavities. Even though he didn't say it, I know he thought I was the kind of mother who puts her child to bed with a bottle filled with Coke or Pepsi. Or snipped off the rubber part of her binky and replaced with with a Jolly Ranchers. <br />
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The only thing I had going for me is that between my other 3 kids, they have combined... MAYBE 4 fillings. And the oldest is 23. Proof that perhaps I am not horrific... well at least in dental hygiene department with my kids.<br />
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And yep, every visit after, even with all the fancy schmancy mouthwashes, toothbrushes, toothpastes, she ALWAYS has at least one cavity. I will say she is pretty tough in the dental seat.<br />
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I finally decided to do some research. Between my googling and talking to our current dentist (yeah I switched, beady judging eyes are hard to deal to with at each 6 month visit), I found out that while brushing and flossing HELPS prevent cavities, some people are more susceptible because of a bacteria they have in their mouth. And yes, it can be transfered by sharing spoons, straws etc. It is called mutant streptococci. There is more info <a href="http://www.xenophilia.com/zb0017.htm">here</a> (or google it).<br />
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So here I am, with a child who is actually attempting to do a good job on her teeth. Whatcha gonna do?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dentist.net/xylitol-teeth.asp"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Xylitol</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></div><br />
It is a tooth friendly, nonfermentable sugar alcohol. Which means this sweetener is actually good for your teeth. It helps to neuturalize the bacteria, prevents tooth decay AND can actually help <a href="http://www.healingteethnaturally.com/xylitol-sugar-substitute-anti-caries-treatment-and-prevention.html">rebuild enamel</a>.<br />
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Seriously, why haven't I been told about this sooner! <br />
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I went on Amazon and ordered Spry gum and mints. I figured they would be easy to carry around in my purse. Then I could give one to Sidney if we were out and had a snack. Or they are easy for her to just grab them a couple of times during the day. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HwuXJACfL._AA115_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41HwuXJACfL._AA115_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I also got this gum<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31GYKBRyIQL._SL500_AA300_PIbundle-2,TopRight,0,0_AA300_SH20_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31GYKBRyIQL._SL500_AA300_PIbundle-2,TopRight,0,0_AA300_SH20_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So far, the only gum that I have found that has Xylitol as the first ingredient is Ice Breaker Ice Cubes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31WMGFAxA1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31WMGFAxA1L._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><br />
There you go....<br />
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Hope this helps you, well and us too!Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-10459334164504523502011-08-06T22:31:00.000-07:002011-08-06T22:31:51.221-07:00Cool Picture Courtney Took<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iBgrJA6suWwARomuEBpxF6zqZOAxcfo9i8sNwPFMridz6WMSPLip2_IAhvRc4_yAAv1Sh1QujiiwqJgmQN46hEP2wk-R8uNPzVt2biV1aqHAuvad-XCcbQ3krk8CNkkk888pzuTbZf8/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iBgrJA6suWwARomuEBpxF6zqZOAxcfo9i8sNwPFMridz6WMSPLip2_IAhvRc4_yAAv1Sh1QujiiwqJgmQN46hEP2wk-R8uNPzVt2biV1aqHAuvad-XCcbQ3krk8CNkkk888pzuTbZf8/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I was going through one of my SD cards and found this picture that Courtney took several years ago. It is when we were up at Grandma and Grandpa Thomas' house. If it wasn't so cloudy you could see Mt. Rainier behind the big twisty clouds. Kind of weird, huh?Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-6994666301153330682011-08-06T22:26:00.000-07:002011-08-06T22:26:07.273-07:00TOFW - sister/mom get awayEvery couple of years, we try and sneak away from our mom/wife duties. This spring my mom single handedly arranged for us all to go to "Time Out for Women". We stayed in Seattle and were able to walk to the event, in between eating, shopping, site seeing and did I mention eating?<br />
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I love spending time with my mom and sisters. We have this really weird (funny to us) sense of humor, which we think is hysterical. Not sure how many people agree, but who cares. We are having a good time!<br />
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Here are a few pictures from our adventure. Remember this was back in April I think. Yes, I am behind in my posts. And if you think that is bad, you should see my laundry.<br />
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Us walking down the streets looking chic and cool. So cool in fact, that I believe later that evening Wendi was mistaken for one of the Charlie's Angels.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOVnryVOpLzy9Tait5LTqfopOEFxzRtqFweiN9q8z1l6DMyV8MRdFg20b3udGDvB-mwcwg8XzK_wntQvi79Ixigpdnx6bw7Pyx-lh5kB98WLPsa_JkPdP8jpm513OSPsgxQhg4BBRYvs/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOVnryVOpLzy9Tait5LTqfopOEFxzRtqFweiN9q8z1l6DMyV8MRdFg20b3udGDvB-mwcwg8XzK_wntQvi79Ixigpdnx6bw7Pyx-lh5kB98WLPsa_JkPdP8jpm513OSPsgxQhg4BBRYvs/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Trying on clothes at H & M.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wendi checking out a cute tan skirt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">We went into the bookstore looking for the cookbook "Our Best Bites" on recommendation from my sister Steff. Of course we thought there was only one left... so look who is the greedy greedy grabber. Thankfully for Wendi, another was found before it came to blows. Because we know I could take here... prison rules or no.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuJW2LC4SkX4tLXZpZnKjPCxWxWI_I8z6U-WGGHl_yp9XSbcttW66xudEb9pJB1Uyg7R4_EorvkoyFf7AddFEE37trgLTIvrXSoPFfiXrrUlK_MBU9yCJmhcmRO-RmuDfcVOlnFT_nsA/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuJW2LC4SkX4tLXZpZnKjPCxWxWI_I8z6U-WGGHl_yp9XSbcttW66xudEb9pJB1Uyg7R4_EorvkoyFf7AddFEE37trgLTIvrXSoPFfiXrrUlK_MBU9yCJmhcmRO-RmuDfcVOlnFT_nsA/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had to check out Menchies on Queen Anne Hill. Yummy and well worth the many interesting side streets we took to get there.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr777DRjyi6L7tNVaCT7AtNZxnf3O2rGCkGUUg_8dIiwVjRJPagYLFiVG_vY226Nlrb2LfRAme5tKJYAzKxXaAuY44Ye1S6P5wZ-w0fJ4vYovnc3EJQyx7UHqjxbtjc4OiF8cO6HiNbg/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr777DRjyi6L7tNVaCT7AtNZxnf3O2rGCkGUUg_8dIiwVjRJPagYLFiVG_vY226Nlrb2LfRAme5tKJYAzKxXaAuY44Ye1S6P5wZ-w0fJ4vYovnc3EJQyx7UHqjxbtjc4OiF8cO6HiNbg/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have nothing to say about the next 3 pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHyFx2fnKOteJPMhJ_bGxHM4eDxYvFSqQRl8YKXsqcmg4ffZWpYL1DJskF022y3Vxv_SADa2iHaBWhymPAEavGHj5fhFvlVNG_BJa9TVgD1AFLlDnZtyYddwpQEkobJbhDixihOg6i7Y/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHyFx2fnKOteJPMhJ_bGxHM4eDxYvFSqQRl8YKXsqcmg4ffZWpYL1DJskF022y3Vxv_SADa2iHaBWhymPAEavGHj5fhFvlVNG_BJa9TVgD1AFLlDnZtyYddwpQEkobJbhDixihOg6i7Y/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eating at a restaurant downtown. I forgot to take pictures of our food. It was very yummy. And maybe that was because we actually carried on conversations and ate at a relaxed, easy pace. As apposed to talking to and helping our kids as we simutaniously fix food, help with math, clean the house and run the kids to practices.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqlDo6KlsU_xWO2D6QMyMM55pO4KVBOXVGrvd8akmgNJiwsrlPvEJhc4BAmuOkJ0GIj8ht0cJEEgRpiswC7NxMjDoB5Uv341N_flM9u61CWj3n2Q3WcBEAyXzfO-e7dhMJNP99nzlwPc/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqlDo6KlsU_xWO2D6QMyMM55pO4KVBOXVGrvd8akmgNJiwsrlPvEJhc4BAmuOkJ0GIj8ht0cJEEgRpiswC7NxMjDoB5Uv341N_flM9u61CWj3n2Q3WcBEAyXzfO-e7dhMJNP99nzlwPc/s320/DSC_0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for the speakers at TOFW.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B6d13lljjhDO0GmwfXz-DRoeot_2FGfZBnW0Mc3FmVevUsw-xh5sIlwei_fgavnkB5kCwa1iQZ9NPB6UBISpvDIHlCnmZJtQAa38F6Rug35Ceg8Bh_wALAQAhrF0yllKpWmnj8u96U8/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B6d13lljjhDO0GmwfXz-DRoeot_2FGfZBnW0Mc3FmVevUsw-xh5sIlwei_fgavnkB5kCwa1iQZ9NPB6UBISpvDIHlCnmZJtQAa38F6Rug35Ceg8Bh_wALAQAhrF0yllKpWmnj8u96U8/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was one of the amazing speakers. Her name was Mariama Kallon. She survived the war torn Sierra Leone. She talked about seeing her friends and family members hacked with machetes and how she survived. It was amazing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwGvw4CNJpYM61YBVJYmGmDaGAuNmgGEHVn23UHQaSTrfLvsPFcgtsbonhnxreYQjFCgyQTRZ6-Kdl0mFgSei62Ff263omC4Wp_eVj7Cje-v6HmDNMTES84ckoGwp3diqBXt61JO98cc/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwGvw4CNJpYM61YBVJYmGmDaGAuNmgGEHVn23UHQaSTrfLvsPFcgtsbonhnxreYQjFCgyQTRZ6-Kdl0mFgSei62Ff263omC4Wp_eVj7Cje-v6HmDNMTES84ckoGwp3diqBXt61JO98cc/s320/DSC_0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A little melting pot fondue. We were to early for dinner, so we came back for the cheese fondue and chocolate fondue. It was yummy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU5ZfaGgIi9EIEhQReFoETFqaQLS-3_VhZAbDl9-1KK0diHq0Ctu6FRU5DgKLzPHpuXu9UYefNQXex37TE6YNtqr7TeCmh75rFSfGYIqIntBgpGVFXXzywaUxvJ0cEtqF5m0fk_kIyvM/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU5ZfaGgIi9EIEhQReFoETFqaQLS-3_VhZAbDl9-1KK0diHq0Ctu6FRU5DgKLzPHpuXu9UYefNQXex37TE6YNtqr7TeCmh75rFSfGYIqIntBgpGVFXXzywaUxvJ0cEtqF5m0fk_kIyvM/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHz1l0bkN0xMaaFELin93s6P4P8p8JQNmHGwjqwQYtf9JQaVhPzWdZCplDSWiVFplGU1z1gXhuqaxcSQpaeXGnAKXaQpWa8nSRtPbNn6IpKVrx-kK28Mg-ty_mkmUUw0u5qxZOS6WjQU/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHz1l0bkN0xMaaFELin93s6P4P8p8JQNmHGwjqwQYtf9JQaVhPzWdZCplDSWiVFplGU1z1gXhuqaxcSQpaeXGnAKXaQpWa8nSRtPbNn6IpKVrx-kK28Mg-ty_mkmUUw0u5qxZOS6WjQU/s320/DSC_0042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you see how yummy it was?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_a5xVyKccUaUEu-WySIqmD9cCFd9ZRgliBaI9zIKYjLa3sAT8KelvjoA4yrPaOfaWznFkNqbXIjaBa9woWcLN2yf9Kkgp5IZXYK5FfZoWsb89Fvx5fTCdw9BPVK2GYwYx9IRU9qYtTI/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_a5xVyKccUaUEu-WySIqmD9cCFd9ZRgliBaI9zIKYjLa3sAT8KelvjoA4yrPaOfaWznFkNqbXIjaBa9woWcLN2yf9Kkgp5IZXYK5FfZoWsb89Fvx5fTCdw9BPVK2GYwYx9IRU9qYtTI/s320/DSC_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">More shopping.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-jCYQWm06cdMcjIT36GolbysDXwdYwTGG0YHyHsV8KxqauGs4k-4L7EPT_f5u0RFYeN1YxT8p5OPccV2aU1D1StBnLi1qpj921JbawrGfW-BpEgJA2dHAOLQ6QcsZLotTOasVcwbw-E/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-jCYQWm06cdMcjIT36GolbysDXwdYwTGG0YHyHsV8KxqauGs4k-4L7EPT_f5u0RFYeN1YxT8p5OPccV2aU1D1StBnLi1qpj921JbawrGfW-BpEgJA2dHAOLQ6QcsZLotTOasVcwbw-E/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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We had a great time and amused ourselves. Wish it could have been a little longer, but we are grateful for the support of our husbands and families for giving us the opportunity to sneak away.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-79585304362518600092011-06-13T08:22:00.001-07:002011-06-13T15:38:02.492-07:00How do you view the world around you?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/39225074_YUHHiryx_c.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 268px;" src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/39225074_YUHHiryx_c.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="" freestyle=""><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.<br /><br />During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> 4 minutes later: </span></span><br />The violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> 6 minutes: </span></span><br />A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">10 minutes: </span></span><br />A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children.. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly..<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">45 minutes: </span></span><br />The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 hour: </span></span><br />He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.<br /><br />No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.<br /><br />Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100. This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. The questions raised:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">*In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">*Do we stop to appreciate it? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context? </span><br /><br />One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">How many other things are we missing? </span></span></span></span><br /><br />Shared via pinterest <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/39225074/">HERE</a><br /></div></span>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-56763546678857390502011-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:002011-06-09T17:10:59.554-07:00What do you do in the summer time?Yea, it is June, but I guess I wouldn't quite call it summer. What do the Thomas' do on a semi-warm weekend. While others are mowing lawns, BBQing and swimming...<br />we are doctoring cows.<br /><br />Since I am such a great sport, I stayed home and made a nice cold batch of lemonade. So I missed out on some of the fun...but not all of it.<br /><br />The first step in doctoring cows is to herd them into a small corral.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR85J84xlh3soyTfApZ5FiRT4Cd485L8H5r_3eWGttbQXH5J9A9sIGxB5P2QONDilWEknUCSZX6IVkYqiQBZfFiJiSyGd987HwkpJ-ac7TLgi4oo_9qkXDDJdiRsFSqUxZvGEP9Y1iG0/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR85J84xlh3soyTfApZ5FiRT4Cd485L8H5r_3eWGttbQXH5J9A9sIGxB5P2QONDilWEknUCSZX6IVkYqiQBZfFiJiSyGd987HwkpJ-ac7TLgi4oo_9qkXDDJdiRsFSqUxZvGEP9Y1iG0/s320/DSC_0100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616359866157366306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The shovel really plays an important part in the herding and separating process. I do believe that they were used a lot in ancient times and then one day a dad got fed up with his kid and gave him a wack on the backside.... that was then the spanking stick was born.<br /><br />Now we have to send them down the run. By now, they are a little leery and know this can't be a good thing. This is where you start whispering sweet nothings and talking kindly. We tell the boys this is good training for finding a wife... which is something that should NOT be done with a shovel in hand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBqvov7-Y5bqyenaL5dSeI_-glcjt39uXBRlc2CUJEBwZdJD6B4aQnxT5qRhHkx_wutNyMJdSqgMXMuGX8mtVGW4IZv4OtGCE21UD0rVD6W4VNv_R-oYefOQRb-FotWp2EaO5C_J2_jg/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBqvov7-Y5bqyenaL5dSeI_-glcjt39uXBRlc2CUJEBwZdJD6B4aQnxT5qRhHkx_wutNyMJdSqgMXMuGX8mtVGW4IZv4OtGCE21UD0rVD6W4VNv_R-oYefOQRb-FotWp2EaO5C_J2_jg/s320/DSC_0101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616367896807266434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally, after a few went in backwards and finally turned around, everyone is headed the right direction (maybe not in a happy motivated kind of way, but definitely enthusiastic). Coty is using his favorite herding tool.. the pokey stick, or his boot. Either works wonders, and helps relieve stress. Wonder if one of those would motivate my kids to clean their rooms?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcPpAGGPCPvE2kPeCPXigpE4RRoWWfX6JDOHrdhR58KUBsk2PwTBV6kfrOvSkamwaUUHe_cS7uS5PdUnesymQwuhG3hnof9LJydAzpRXrEieJNNiMqolOAEAYkOK0XvGbmmYHaJ2Ctpo/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcPpAGGPCPvE2kPeCPXigpE4RRoWWfX6JDOHrdhR58KUBsk2PwTBV6kfrOvSkamwaUUHe_cS7uS5PdUnesymQwuhG3hnof9LJydAzpRXrEieJNNiMqolOAEAYkOK0XvGbmmYHaJ2Ctpo/s320/DSC_0112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616362138862182722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Timing is of the essence. You need to keep the shoot open so the cow goes in it, but you need to flip the handle so it closees before he gets out. I am not a fan of this job as the person who runs this station has a tendency to get yelled at a lot. I am definitely better at making lemonade.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOCLhPhNhvjos6ZBsCfME94MfQUBo1b6K6fqiaz2OZ6jE_DhFLrz9YMGWJBO3miBatjuW2XC2dCpl1TxMLCWJ0UMyu6fnrukr5PDNOllYhgMTwD9SPOA8GihAApaYiH1qlblVTU6rdig/s1600/DSC_0097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOCLhPhNhvjos6ZBsCfME94MfQUBo1b6K6fqiaz2OZ6jE_DhFLrz9YMGWJBO3miBatjuW2XC2dCpl1TxMLCWJ0UMyu6fnrukr5PDNOllYhgMTwD9SPOA8GihAApaYiH1qlblVTU6rdig/s320/DSC_0097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616370502379231378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The cow gets checked, given any medication she might need (sprayed with wormer that kind of fun stuff). And then let loose.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ayQn4Jzu1_ni1VDEWf9-FGI-FxVLhnqljdfy0eKeF9CtlCiDPk-4lnHq7fqwoyBrrBuELhVtkvmBxwqSfE9nYi8zDJWRnNKfLygZKgfHVenS8ZGvZL4tPTKbwjW588mwrbHqnh5Kcic/s1600/DSC_0098.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ayQn4Jzu1_ni1VDEWf9-FGI-FxVLhnqljdfy0eKeF9CtlCiDPk-4lnHq7fqwoyBrrBuELhVtkvmBxwqSfE9nYi8zDJWRnNKfLygZKgfHVenS8ZGvZL4tPTKbwjW588mwrbHqnh5Kcic/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616371579554965570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No problem unless you are a fella. The young fellas gets a little extra special treatment... castration. "instert gasp here". I heard tell that in the old days they use to use their teeth to do this process. I have nothing more to say about that.<br /><br />If your smart, you sneak through without the above process being performed, but then when someone figures it out, it becomes an exciting cowboying event for all those watching (not so much for those participating).<br /><br />Blain roped this guy, let's call him Herbert, and then the plan was to pin him down while the master surgeon did his thing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOdFy8Isa8vFNGOHcg_rsUQv7NOfBBaYAWoiO4GIK8LEtvevj2slgCBs4OwiJ3Cg_1BAdVK8mOGSaBJ9vtHJEJEeorlSCE4UCeiSXPyCLiT5h6Gzy5Czv4pseyWhSdPbyVZhEzSO4gAM/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOdFy8Isa8vFNGOHcg_rsUQv7NOfBBaYAWoiO4GIK8LEtvevj2slgCBs4OwiJ3Cg_1BAdVK8mOGSaBJ9vtHJEJEeorlSCE4UCeiSXPyCLiT5h6Gzy5Czv4pseyWhSdPbyVZhEzSO4gAM/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616372503978261426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But I think Herbert was fully aware of the forthcoming procedure and did NOT want to be pinned down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOdFy8Isa8vFNGOHcg_rsUQv7NOfBBaYAWoiO4GIK8LEtvevj2slgCBs4OwiJ3Cg_1BAdVK8mOGSaBJ9vtHJEJEeorlSCE4UCeiSXPyCLiT5h6Gzy5Czv4pseyWhSdPbyVZhEzSO4gAM/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOdFy8Isa8vFNGOHcg_rsUQv7NOfBBaYAWoiO4GIK8LEtvevj2slgCBs4OwiJ3Cg_1BAdVK8mOGSaBJ9vtHJEJEeorlSCE4UCeiSXPyCLiT5h6Gzy5Czv4pseyWhSdPbyVZhEzSO4gAM/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616372503978261426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The 3 tough guys finally got a handle on him. I do remember something about sitting on his head being shouted several times before everything was under control. I am just saying... boys, sweating jeans, sitting on your head. Days like this, makes me glad I am 1. not a boy and 2. not a cow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdGenw9_fQnG_rhEFQxXIFKFNW8fymHAC8L1QyciNREMvvd_U9KU0E9uvmK__Pt8RPR4lK-rhPp6hv4hFDjRjcDZdbeni_S2YcSlLDBFF9OBN9yzlMXXEu1lA1V6KR_YNNBGwn2Nfe4Q/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdGenw9_fQnG_rhEFQxXIFKFNW8fymHAC8L1QyciNREMvvd_U9KU0E9uvmK__Pt8RPR4lK-rhPp6hv4hFDjRjcDZdbeni_S2YcSlLDBFF9OBN9yzlMXXEu1lA1V6KR_YNNBGwn2Nfe4Q/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616373766808333698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEHmpbXPKBCamfpc0QLPaEYrP9VQ-Mj6XzqLetVaYBJf9nGDZK1EghZNAln3_aSmVjG_x61kLsqk6p6WCc0YnJRrw9RYA9mkOk5sZYf7u4JHbCZH2dZBOrNZEocQ1KdFTL8fikj0PhA8w/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br />In the meantime, mother cows are crowding around, bellering about their babies being manhandled. I am telling you it isn't a pretty sight. Just something you learn to endure when living in the wild, well or on 10 acres in rural Washington.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchHtHB8PiKHDn5MkDU3bNAduP0Lr5luoAd4EmNBfFWowP3nYU2YckN0omchvchDI12df5ib0BN5D2y5jkUkF3xF9rlVvo853LE1KSuyiZnfA2a-vLp5ZM4SXNG5soLHuCsMZddKxV9b0/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchHtHB8PiKHDn5MkDU3bNAduP0Lr5luoAd4EmNBfFWowP3nYU2YckN0omchvchDI12df5ib0BN5D2y5jkUkF3xF9rlVvo853LE1KSuyiZnfA2a-vLp5ZM4SXNG5soLHuCsMZddKxV9b0/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616374259299526466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After finshing our cows and grandpa's, they are all turned back out to pasture. I know, you think it was tramatic. Don't let them fool you. If you look real close like, you can see a whiley old bull over there coddling up to one of the females. If I had not cooth, this is where I would make some commment about men being all the same, but I am not going to say nothing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9KFDUeNn2-ZigQYedjFMe7-fkDcdchUNpfog_3GZVvDCHBIV0rLuMO-hmqeOZ_xGo9jqrNQNxFaJseR_lJx9LjSPiyLY8h_2qNNp0ByOcYEDCA0pDLAwmpLUa4J1t2HSHHd3fT7jLVo/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9KFDUeNn2-ZigQYedjFMe7-fkDcdchUNpfog_3GZVvDCHBIV0rLuMO-hmqeOZ_xGo9jqrNQNxFaJseR_lJx9LjSPiyLY8h_2qNNp0ByOcYEDCA0pDLAwmpLUa4J1t2HSHHd3fT7jLVo/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616374593737277202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Look at this cool cucumber. Through all the excitment, she still has her yellow notepad. She takes her job very seriously. She is to write down the ear tags of each cow and record all procedures done.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C534AP9Jj-rOShsV5GhK6ooSQs8gyEk7pQCTRjGBgEW3JW21cSDTFk74tBpmfJGw5fyLmHcp60JLPK4x0v0V1zRKc_yNC_JnQfnGsHZzEtL6n5XypLus8CB_lGBHhYYSZwKJx5KB98c/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6C534AP9Jj-rOShsV5GhK6ooSQs8gyEk7pQCTRjGBgEW3JW21cSDTFk74tBpmfJGw5fyLmHcp60JLPK4x0v0V1zRKc_yNC_JnQfnGsHZzEtL6n5XypLus8CB_lGBHhYYSZwKJx5KB98c/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616375520141963042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You can see that she takes all aspects of the western life seriously. Including hunting with her bb gun with her cousin Jack. Picture was borrowed from my wonderful sister-in-law Kari :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhySUlgTuXccKoS2E9bBOWMgRaigtFmaQ3ZI49216ZtVrDonOy1WsUcX8DZ8UE0s5zf9U6t-AFrWDU32SgNXR03_xlw8aEHnAmaSh2TFMgIyb6_Hc0DegS34TbYKjIhvoK0phgr6hVwQm/s320/IMG_3613.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhySUlgTuXccKoS2E9bBOWMgRaigtFmaQ3ZI49216ZtVrDonOy1WsUcX8DZ8UE0s5zf9U6t-AFrWDU32SgNXR03_xlw8aEHnAmaSh2TFMgIyb6_Hc0DegS34TbYKjIhvoK0phgr6hVwQm/s320/IMG_3613.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Talking about cool cucumbers, look how our cow dog is keeping out of the heat (can you say 65 degrees). Someone is a slacker.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PXgQmaxGI3SLq8eHKcZEOrqZNasvIzVfv44AMW9v4ejaB4nUCaOQlwK-XtRsAqpINdWStZ2-M1G-lKV7M7eijjaNu2dPQdIJet5f9cjrxJMwPlh-MzOFGcq25v5PPe4ZlTDQFy6zkTg/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PXgQmaxGI3SLq8eHKcZEOrqZNasvIzVfv44AMW9v4ejaB4nUCaOQlwK-XtRsAqpINdWStZ2-M1G-lKV7M7eijjaNu2dPQdIJet5f9cjrxJMwPlh-MzOFGcq25v5PPe4ZlTDQFy6zkTg/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616376527790558018" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">All in a days work my friends, all in a days work.</span></div>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-8436884720425659682011-06-08T14:23:00.001-07:002011-06-08T14:55:05.687-07:00Welcome Home Elder ThomasFinally! I am posting about the return of our second son from the Buenos Aries Argentina West Mission.<br /><br />We have been counting down for M O N T H S (okay maybe from the moment he checked into the MTC). We loved all the emails and the 4 phone calls we got in those 2 years. It is amazing to see the growth in your son when he chooses at the age of 19 to serve Heavenly Father and others.<br /><br />When Blain came home, we thought we were getting there early, but his plane came in earlier than us. We just came running up a few minutes AFTER he come through security. I am sure he walked through thinking.... HEY FAMILY... wait, where is my family? Uhmm I hope they got the day and time right.<br /><br />So to prevent that from happening, we got there an hour and 1/2 early. This gave us time to find the correct security gate, set up chairs and tables for our group.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIks_10vd_iWIALKrYMGr3zVnIRYftCZ_iJbhrbxBLQ-6gnjptQsLEafZGmTjvmNyahqHtiqWPorqoL9c5mNgrRaVEfPmNpcJ_1UjpWGDf1-3RFV4p9soub65CNRQm6cIrdg9sybhZ-o/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIks_10vd_iWIALKrYMGr3zVnIRYftCZ_iJbhrbxBLQ-6gnjptQsLEafZGmTjvmNyahqHtiqWPorqoL9c5mNgrRaVEfPmNpcJ_1UjpWGDf1-3RFV4p9soub65CNRQm6cIrdg9sybhZ-o/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615963510212477570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We talked, we chatted, and one of use even rolled a cool yellow ball that Sidney had in her purse through security and attempted to retrieve it. If anyone could get past security, it would be Brody.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpzbZ8GWGhIGgeKvQYYoJgAosS5TnyogWP1bKcaSZ0HIg2j6CCzQ9szlZ5ra4iRYkmtcgL11_TiKVSv-sfa51unlIQ1fsMXmTqjMDToBdpGBQtP5q3lcA3OeFukSxu5bhWXNL0qziEn8/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpzbZ8GWGhIGgeKvQYYoJgAosS5TnyogWP1bKcaSZ0HIg2j6CCzQ9szlZ5ra4iRYkmtcgL11_TiKVSv-sfa51unlIQ1fsMXmTqjMDToBdpGBQtP5q3lcA3OeFukSxu5bhWXNL0qziEn8/s320/DSC_0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615964310321908274" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But before he could get the ball, the security lady flagged him down and made him stand on the correct side. We then had to convince some arriving passenger to pick up the ball and carry it across the line so we could get it back. If you look close, you can see Brody has the ball.... SUCCESS!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMf2hVXiIWxj_dxkT29NnE_UWh8T_1qX4TczA3VLzxHsSuu_tyZR4Dj3JBhxLyxGatcoCdrV6zx2EGmm3GNncM7QshcgtRMhTFuUeFfz2gPg0DsB9Qxa_ta3cGC5hRwKleYw0_gbqYUk/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMf2hVXiIWxj_dxkT29NnE_UWh8T_1qX4TczA3VLzxHsSuu_tyZR4Dj3JBhxLyxGatcoCdrV6zx2EGmm3GNncM7QshcgtRMhTFuUeFfz2gPg0DsB9Qxa_ta3cGC5hRwKleYw0_gbqYUk/s320/DSC_0078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615965046203488818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ever time we got a new group of passengers coming through, we would ask them... "What plane were you on?". Finally, we started getting some fro Coty's plane. Then we saw a tall fellow in a suit walking down the hall. Could it be him?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeO16eY1FU8nZCd-Qi7lyswokCHOg2z0CMghJwX0GWOlF7Xc-UY7fmPNkgUPHk0ZDO8OkGJomeDFKnSzLyPCgCmSaOh1JV2fAiIlizuAyr7pjJnI3-C3hhCcQc9J11UI9aIC2S1rIR1A/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeO16eY1FU8nZCd-Qi7lyswokCHOg2z0CMghJwX0GWOlF7Xc-UY7fmPNkgUPHk0ZDO8OkGJomeDFKnSzLyPCgCmSaOh1JV2fAiIlizuAyr7pjJnI3-C3hhCcQc9J11UI9aIC2S1rIR1A/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615965365125558930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Everyone stood up for a closer look.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJbtRfPyiHCN5TyTJIvlilJxb0GRSS5Dyc71aDEcTjvbgfcCrUf2Lp46txzpG7GMGIwriHM_AThknn7NWN_uVTELY-ljWTIlMbnnqx6oHbyqKMh0KG2TgOGiKQpKKYWu1fslMm27vac4/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJbtRfPyiHCN5TyTJIvlilJxb0GRSS5Dyc71aDEcTjvbgfcCrUf2Lp46txzpG7GMGIwriHM_AThknn7NWN_uVTELY-ljWTIlMbnnqx6oHbyqKMh0KG2TgOGiKQpKKYWu1fslMm27vac4/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615966713745670914" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And then he got closer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwy_eEYJWNmeBR3zdkUGOFUwCnJhVvXfMkuUvt0HnRP4DjaoccAQgRqAq6IHvWh_Vboh5VfTafgK4rTSPz3cU9PqI80QJzG_kSqswPlSMgNMCWhkDB7XJLrB6RU-DnoxYSTprpfiOMZU/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwy_eEYJWNmeBR3zdkUGOFUwCnJhVvXfMkuUvt0HnRP4DjaoccAQgRqAq6IHvWh_Vboh5VfTafgK4rTSPz3cU9PqI80QJzG_kSqswPlSMgNMCWhkDB7XJLrB6RU-DnoxYSTprpfiOMZU/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615965808581622498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It looks like him, but 2 years is a long time. Maybe my eyes are deceiving me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3Imb6ry7r12zaR9YiicXny7BRVLr8hDjr2KNbo5fVWF2qp9IUWzIruTxO_w7Aw_TSnPazQlcm9N6ZdC78R-xC-o1cq7J-AbBGmzy4eqAuAtPDuL68rP4frnxF4JYEpBg6mKLKllih8/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3Imb6ry7r12zaR9YiicXny7BRVLr8hDjr2KNbo5fVWF2qp9IUWzIruTxO_w7Aw_TSnPazQlcm9N6ZdC78R-xC-o1cq7J-AbBGmzy4eqAuAtPDuL68rP4frnxF4JYEpBg6mKLKllih8/s320/DSC_0082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615966080328760354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yes, yes I do believe that is our missionary. Doesn't he look great?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbuezahFj7klegaVC0AmjakMVFDllAcncAIGUfn14Q6AttnVrLh07hsQ5jT5y8WGfpogUXSxameQYUJavkXSY_oXMlBVB7IcR2xHPCG5UTVu7Oci6SSvQfY4TUtfLSzdfnPDWB6LqupU/s1600/DSC_0083.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbuezahFj7klegaVC0AmjakMVFDllAcncAIGUfn14Q6AttnVrLh07hsQ5jT5y8WGfpogUXSxameQYUJavkXSY_oXMlBVB7IcR2xHPCG5UTVu7Oci6SSvQfY4TUtfLSzdfnPDWB6LqupU/s320/DSC_0083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615966986059591314" /></a><br /><br />The welcoming committee did a great job with their signs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAuVnHhhUlWItnvrzCi_F544gM0TdONArcSrPV73osdP4c9mtsjnRaCxmmQctdklR3D96rjNSLyGmYDg4zOtoEdIUN2lBhYPeDC9_pNT0oSk8utd9-ZASrhulWOFlHop149KC-a1PAnY/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAuVnHhhUlWItnvrzCi_F544gM0TdONArcSrPV73osdP4c9mtsjnRaCxmmQctdklR3D96rjNSLyGmYDg4zOtoEdIUN2lBhYPeDC9_pNT0oSk8utd9-ZASrhulWOFlHop149KC-a1PAnY/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615967409436115042" /></a><br /><br />Hugs all around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyBM62UkSSLbiAECIPQNnnzRGeTUWuIcFxfW57ZZN7IEG6w_4Kys1SjzHdub_R8f_s2xfmYDoLKjtoWUGbuZxadVA5RwKkYF5WgAntx8ncVJKLWkaKcfEk1t5nSoQnzxUmOO-slgcwo8/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyBM62UkSSLbiAECIPQNnnzRGeTUWuIcFxfW57ZZN7IEG6w_4Kys1SjzHdub_R8f_s2xfmYDoLKjtoWUGbuZxadVA5RwKkYF5WgAntx8ncVJKLWkaKcfEk1t5nSoQnzxUmOO-slgcwo8/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615967711199273634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ilHYV8Uw8b-a26eojZt9fW8GZ9U2MGg9dU7kzs7Ovk9V56VvSRJZ2IpOZwHFH7nEaf6BVyY7iBPkokcgCx3udSXh8PrARYrFAh0oTBNsnhdLupAtNmIC5ppOgsSmsVEmZ6pfg2999aY/s1600/DSC_0088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ilHYV8Uw8b-a26eojZt9fW8GZ9U2MGg9dU7kzs7Ovk9V56VvSRJZ2IpOZwHFH7nEaf6BVyY7iBPkokcgCx3udSXh8PrARYrFAh0oTBNsnhdLupAtNmIC5ppOgsSmsVEmZ6pfg2999aY/s320/DSC_0088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615968094322975778" /></a><br /><br />Blain and Coty haven't seen each other for 3 years. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDNilQCQBub5Qly4oHAz75Nc2IBxTTUSPcp-xmOQlz4en7SmdHfdsMZ1Hnr2Hw7I5qLYt7zY8DM5obyeQKnftPu-akIIUy7sIgRhJFow86Elj2HvUbjpeduALqEZrWfloLZPqb_wpa1g/s1600/DSC_0090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDNilQCQBub5Qly4oHAz75Nc2IBxTTUSPcp-xmOQlz4en7SmdHfdsMZ1Hnr2Hw7I5qLYt7zY8DM5obyeQKnftPu-akIIUy7sIgRhJFow86Elj2HvUbjpeduALqEZrWfloLZPqb_wpa1g/s320/DSC_0090.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615968434749617154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL1mjc6qaemmIhoYwq2lyUZg8SzlF8NgJDlQ2n2on-eehCGj-pXQzWfHZbqzcQXfuAC5_nEKsZUFM0ONWpSYrFXL5UGEaZM9L2PZ40lYxN6hpLpTlNUpKAdRRno8GpEog9CXySSOPTQg/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL1mjc6qaemmIhoYwq2lyUZg8SzlF8NgJDlQ2n2on-eehCGj-pXQzWfHZbqzcQXfuAC5_nEKsZUFM0ONWpSYrFXL5UGEaZM9L2PZ40lYxN6hpLpTlNUpKAdRRno8GpEog9CXySSOPTQg/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615968720713721346" /></a><br /><br />The whole family together again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa1d9i3cwq6usI1SjrK8tVZQPW8e2GBw_EULN1LUTXKn_DDrmmaj_KQMUymfQIbofvH1ovGMwo-WVuHRRlsW29B1MuhuJEgv5kyGHQx10IiBgh8Wa8lzNpik9TcMiRiPge9LDVeJd3H4/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa1d9i3cwq6usI1SjrK8tVZQPW8e2GBw_EULN1LUTXKn_DDrmmaj_KQMUymfQIbofvH1ovGMwo-WVuHRRlsW29B1MuhuJEgv5kyGHQx10IiBgh8Wa8lzNpik9TcMiRiPge9LDVeJd3H4/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615969081508414098" /></a><br /><br />Coty left Argentina the night before around 6 pm our time. He got to us about 6 pm the next day. He flew from Argetina to Miami, then on to Dallas. But because his plane got delayed in Miami he missed his connecting flight out of Dallas. At first they told him he wouldn't be flying out until the next day. After a quick call to the mission home and I am sure a few prayers it got worked out. He arrived several hours later than his original arrival time. He has been flying or in airports for over 24 hours. He was T I R E D.<br /><br />Coty has been entertaining us with some great and some interesting stories from his mission. He definitely has a love for the people he taught. He loves that several of them are now his facebook friend. He says that Argentina is his second home. I am very thankful for 2 sons who were willing to put their life on hold to serve a mission for our Lord. Our family has been blessed through their sacrifice and they have both come back stronger and better men because of it. Both have said it was at times, the hardest 2 years in their lives. But they both said that they would never give them up, because they were also the best.<br /><br />I am one grateful mom to have such wonderful kids. Yes, that includes Courtney and Sidney too :)Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-13943958275299477732011-06-03T09:47:00.000-07:002011-06-03T11:16:01.089-07:00Favorite Things - PolyvoreMy sister, Steff, sent me an invite to pinterest. It is a fun place were you have boards that you can pin things you find on the internet or things you are interested in. You know how you try and keep track of links to recipes, clothes, craft ideas and pretty soon your bookmark list is HUGE. This kind of keeps track of everything in one place. PLUS you can go check out other people's boards and follow them. Warning: it is addictive. You do need an invite to join, but I believe it is unlimited on how many you can give away. So, let me know if you are interested. In the mean time check them out.<br /><br /><a href="http://pinterest.com/boards/?sort=picks">Pinterest</a><br /><br />The above link takes you to the pinterest staff favorite boards. So you can kind of get an idea of how people organize and what it looks like.<br /><br />Now on to my real reason for the post, <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/">Polyvore.com</a>, which I found through pinterest.<br /><br />Polyvore is a site where people put together outfits and so you can check them out. I am not a huge shopper. I like new clothes, and I like to look nice, but I dislike spending the afternoon elbowing my way through fellow shoppers and standing in lines. Not to mention I am usually a little busy to just take an afternoon to meander around looking at fun clothes.<br /><br />I also am not fantastic at putting together my own outfits. I know what I like when I see it, but putting A with B and adding a few C's to pull it all together and I would rather sit in the corner reading self help books.<br /><br />So here is an example...<br /><br /><div><div style="position: relative; width: 400px; height: 400px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/05.11.11/set?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=31382432"><img alt="05.11.11" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFkNrRE1EZnQ3NEJHRXltaFZlTzB6ZmcAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="05.11.11" force="1" width="400" border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/05.11.11/set?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=31382432">05.11.11</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=415826">M3Mom</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/j_crew_shoes/shop?brand=J+Crew&category_id=41">j crew shoes</a></small></div><br /><div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=26474051"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/26474051.jpg" title="J crew cardigan" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=33604663"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/33604663.jpg" title="J Crew jersey tank" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=6723691"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/6723691.jpg" title="Paige Denim jeans" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=4621099"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/4621099.jpg" title="J crew shoes" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=18775072"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/18775072.jpg" title="Kohls jewelry" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />I have a stripped tank similar to the one above. I see this an love the long red cardigan, brown purse and fun Kohl's earrings (can you say $5?). So I can then be on the look at for items to complete this assemble.<br /><br />Here is another one...<br /><br /><div><div style="position: relative; width: 400px; height: 400px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/16.11/set?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=31561356"><img alt="5.16.11" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFnNtbnNvOE9BNEJHNFZwQU5leHo2aUEAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="5.16.11" force="1" width="400" border="0" height="400" /></a></div><br /><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/16.11/set?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=31561356">5.16.11</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=313695">FFM</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cubic_zirconia_jewelry/shop?query=cubic+zirconia+jewelry">cubic zirconia jewelry</a></small></div><br /><div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=29881789"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/29881789.jpg" title="Kimono sleeve dress" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=18875610"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/18875610.jpg" title="Product Details - Shop Online at Lucky Shopping" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=3697780"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/3697780.jpg" title="J Crew bag" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=15129485"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/15129485.jpg" title="J Crew crystal jewelry" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=19147336"><img src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/19147336.jpg" title="Halleh earrings" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34175856"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34175856.jpg" title="Ippolita gold jewelry" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=30340690"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/30340690.jpg" title="J Weber cubic zirconia jewelry" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=7314486"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/7314486.jpg" title="Tom Ford gold sunglass" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=30279525"><img src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/30279525.jpg" title="Amelia - Gold Korkease Womens" force="1" vspace="4" width="50" height="50" hspace="4" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />The dress is from Target for $25. Some of the accesories might be out of my price range, but I now know to keep my eye out for some fun gold flip flops and jewelry (maybe at forever 21?).<br />Did I mention that they have links and pricing for each of the items shown?<br /><br />Then in this case, they took a look and figured out how best to re-create it with clothes from the site.<br /><br /><div><div style="position:relative;width:400px;height:400px;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/get_look_check_shirt/set?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=31914225"><img width="400" alt="Get the look - Check shirt" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-set/BQcDAAAAAwoDanBnAAAABC5vdXQKFktNN0ZicUtINEJHNEFlM0UzaGgtV0EAAAACaWQKAWUAAAAEc2l6ZQ.jpg" title="Get the look - Check shirt" height="400" border="0" force="1" /></a></div><br/><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/get_look_check_shirt/set?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=31914225">Get the look - Check shirt</a> by <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/profile?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed&id=1745090">-Miss Chessie Cat ϟ♥</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/gray_shoes/shop?query=gray+shoes">gray shoes</a></small></div><br/><div><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=35316103"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/35316103.jpg" title="Oversized top" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=33762553"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/33762553.jpg" title="James Perse short sleeve top" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=34047484"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/34047484.jpg" title="Citizens of humanity jeans" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=20655028"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/20655028.jpg" title="Pan e Tulipani gray shoes" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=15048397"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/15048397.jpg" title="Mulberry satchel shoulder bag" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=33613850"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/33613850.jpg" title="Tiger Lily Jewelry crystal jewelry" height="50" force="1" /></a><br/><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=31394348"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/31394348.jpg" title="Vanessa Mooney glass jewelry" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=22535480"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak2.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/22535480.jpg" title="All Saints oversized scarve" height="50" force="1" /></a><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=2529696&.mid=embed-imagelist&id=24389884"><img vspace="4" width="50" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/24389884.jpg" title="All Saints slouch beanie hat" height="50" force="1" /></a><br/></div><br /><br />When you find someone who creates sets that you like, you can add them to your "contacts" and follow them. So you can it is easy to see whatever things they put together. You can also make comments on their collections.<br /><br />You can even create your own looks and collections. There are templates and you can use their pictures or copy pictures from a website to use in your templates. You can search by price, type of clothing or color. <br /><br />I still haven't figured it all out yet. But it has been fun... a time waster.... but fun. My teenage daughter even created a few outfits. Better than paper dolls :)Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-42226666050482935152011-05-24T07:16:00.000-07:002011-05-24T07:36:53.249-07:00Favorite Things - Get rid of the scruffy heelsI have found the older I get, the more scruffy the heels of my feet have become. But unless you are willing to deal out $20-$30 a week for a pedicure, it is just one of those facts of life you have to accept. Until now!<br /><br />Recently I asked my husband to bring me home some sandpaper to refinish the side door. Because of my ADD (or at least that is the excuse) I 1. still don't have a refinished door and 2. discovered a fabulous way of keeping your heels nice and smooth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.createforless.com/p-images/3/2008/0111/136009-3-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 507px; height: 380px;" src="http://www.createforless.com/p-images/3/2008/0111/136009-3-1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >3M sanding sponges</span><br /></div><br />You can pick these up at most home supply stores (think Lowes). Look in the painting aisle by the sanding refinishing stuff.<br /><br />So here is how it works. In the evening before bed, get out a paper towel over which you will sand. Then rub the sanding sponge on your heels. If you do a bit every night they will stay smooth and callus free. I then rub a little lotion on them and go to bed.<br /><br />I have tried the pedi egg, which works good except it has a tendency to leave your foot a little rough and the sandpaper strip included to smooth it down doesn't last very long.<br /><br />These sanding sponges run only a couple of dollars and you can use all sides then run it under water to clean it up and let it dry so it is ready to be used again.<br /><br />Enjoy wearing your sandals this summer without the worry of having ugly old lady feet :)Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-65989183347002752822011-05-23T17:10:00.000-07:002011-05-23T17:15:20.266-07:00I've been installedMy husband was in a bit of trouble for disappearing for a 3 hours without letting his wife know ehre he was (the time is in dispute.... I say 3 hours he is sure it wasn't more than 2).<br /><br />In my husband's true fashion, he was being nice attempting to smooth things over. After some sweet talking, I asked him a question. I don't remember what it was exactly, and Sidney turned to me and said...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Mom, don't fall for it... he is just installing you". </span><br /></div><br />I think she meant he was stalling, but we had a good chuckle over it.<br /><br />And yes, my husband is forgiven.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-56544125469453365662011-05-19T09:21:00.000-07:002011-05-19T09:34:40.325-07:00Favorite Things - ShampooYes, I know it isn't Friday. But who wants to be confined to just one day to share favorite things!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.freecatcher.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/main/images/kirkland.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 210px;" src="http://www.freecatcher.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/main/images/kirkland.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Last summer my sister came to visit. She likes using Pureology shampoo, which can run $30 - $40 a bottle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.onlinebeauty.com/graphics/misc05/Hydrates.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 89px; height: 246px;" src="http://www.onlinebeauty.com/graphics/misc05/Hydrates.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />But since she is "in the know" she told us that recently Costco bought the rights to produce the same shampoo with their Kirkland brand. So of course we made a run to Costco where she stocked up (she doesn't have a Costco near here) and I bought one to try. I love it! It makes my hair very soft and manageable. It also works well on my color treated hair (yes, I am going gray).<br /><br />Don't trust me? Check out <a href="http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=135472/Kirkland_Signature_-_%28Costco%29_Moisturizing_Conditioner/0/Conditioner">THIS WEBSITE</a> where it rates 4.6 out of 5 stars and has many customer reviews.<br /><br />Kirkland brand is free of sulfates and has many ingredients you will find in high end brands.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-3117098038869464222011-05-19T09:14:00.000-07:002011-05-19T09:21:39.243-07:00Memory loss with age<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ccmag2.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Memory_Loss.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 258px;" src="http://www.ccmag2.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Memory_Loss.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday, I went into town to pickup groceries. Went first to QFC because they sell the plain yogurt I like and I wanted to get some slider buns for burgers tonight. Grabbed some broccoli and liquid smoke (watch re<a href="http://www.realgoodrecipes.blogspot.com">algoodrecipes.blogspot.com</a> for a delicious pork recipe soon to come). Then I dropped by Safeway to finish, since it is my grocery store of choice and I know where everything is.<br /><br />I finally get home and decide to stir fry some broccoli for lunch. I go through ALL the bags only to realize I am missing all my stuff from QFC. So I called there and sure enough... I had paid for my stuff, pushed my cart to the cart return and walked out to my car.. WITHOUT my groceries. Who does that? Thankfully, someone turned them in to customer service and I was able to go back in and pick them up.<br /><br />Maybe that is why we don't have kids as we get older. I can just imagine me leaving my cute baby strapped in the cart and strolling merrily out to the car and going home. Sheesh.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-58426008371741145982011-05-06T14:16:00.000-07:002011-05-06T14:35:09.423-07:00Favorite things Friday - Sunless TannerI am by no means and expert, but I know what I do and don't like. Between my daughter and I, we have tried out our fair share of sunless tanners. Everything from lotion to sprays.<br /><br />Due to time (and cost) restraints, I am not a fan of going into a tanning place and having them spray me down with chemicals. Although I think this gives you overall the most decent even coverage. Just make sure, if you do this, go just a little darker than your natural skin color, otherwise you might walk out looking like an oompa loompa.<br /><br />Case in point...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fatlosscheetah.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/badtan.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.fatlosscheetah.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/badtan.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My sister shared <a href="http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=58&sid=15036292">THIS</a> little video review of 3 spray on tanners. We tried the Sun Micro Mist, but for some reason our can sputters while spraying. You can use lotion to even things out and the color is good and the smell is great, but it is kind of a pain to make it even.<br /><br />So far my all time FAVORITE has been...<br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Victoria Secret Beach Sexy -<br />Instant Self Tan location with tint (about $12)</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XeMgRrWRy7Y/S_17ejt8lMI/AAAAAAAAAQc/j_XJX6vWWa0/s200/V296400.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_XeMgRrWRy7Y/S_17ejt8lMI/AAAAAAAAAQc/j_XJX6vWWa0/s200/V296400.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I like the color. It has a little tint to it so you can see where you have applied it. The smell is decent. That is one of the biggest things that puts me off about self tanners... smell really bad, even after you shower. So the smell was a big plus. I usually take a shower and exofliate really well, get out and lotion really well. Then mix the self tanner about 2/3 tanner with 1/3 lotion and apply. I then use a tissue and rub gently around my toes, knees and edges of feet so that it isn't to dark there. Just don't remove to much so there are white patches. Just a gentle brush.<br /><br />Hope this helps. Let me know what your favorite is (if you have one) and I will keep you updated on any new ones that I like.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-26492267400934425892011-05-06T13:49:00.000-07:002011-05-06T13:54:12.831-07:00Regal Cinema $2 small popcorn May 6-8Here is a link to a coupon for a $2 popcorn from May 6th to the 8th.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/118914/invites/coupon?ogn=website">COUPON</a></span><br /></div><br />Might I suggest that you google "regal cinema coupon" and then look at images before you go to any major theater chain. There are usually coupons out there that can help defray the expense of going to the movies.<br /><br />Here is what the coupon looks like, but go to the above link to print if off, since it is the official coupon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://somethingmassive.com/clients/regal/poppedcorn.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 202px;" src="http://somethingmassive.com/clients/regal/poppedcorn.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-48663912349725831512011-05-06T13:33:00.000-07:002011-05-06T13:47:48.870-07:00I did it.... curtain fabric decisionI have needed a serious redo of my kitchen curtains/window seat. But I....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">AM A POOR DECISION MAKER!</span><br /></span></div><br />There I said it! If you see someone standing in front of the card section at the store for hours on end... that would be me. Ordering pizza.... plan on an hour (unless my kids chime in with help). And you know what is silly, that most of those decisions aren't really that big of deal. I think it is hereditary. Can't you plan most of your problems on that?<br /><br />Anyways... ::::insert drumroll here:::: My decision is....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/29e5cb0b-9037-4154-9246-34bf1dc78319/Images/Medium_BM-449.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 252px;" src="http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/29e5cb0b-9037-4154-9246-34bf1dc78319/Images/Medium_BM-449.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This for the top.<br /><br />And this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/e55e39ea-545b-4ac1-8632-0c9fb1754913/Images/Medium_AW-148.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 251px;" src="http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/e55e39ea-545b-4ac1-8632-0c9fb1754913/Images/Medium_AW-148.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />okay or this....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/ece64b1f-4f91-42d7-876e-2d92bf43b411/Images/Medium_AW-170.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 251px;" src="http://www.fabric.com/Webdata/Product/ece64b1f-4f91-42d7-876e-2d92bf43b411/Images/Medium_AW-170.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />for the bottom. I will put a green strip of fabric about 1" wide between the two. So it will looking something like this...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.chinatraderonline.com/files3/2010-11/11/amy-butler-coventry-fabric-shower-curtain-17193288441.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 380px;" src="http://www.chinatraderonline.com/files3/2010-11/11/amy-butler-coventry-fabric-shower-curtain-17193288441.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />but with my fabric.<br /><br />And yes, I know that the above is a shower curtain. I just like the proportion of the fabric strips. Now I just need to figure out if I want to use the same fabric on my window seat cushion or find one more coordinating fabric. I really wish that I could afford an Amy Butler rug for under the table, but I am to stingy. So I will continue on my quest for that. Any suggestions? It needs to be 8 X 10.Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-4370337514121489402011-05-02T22:05:00.000-07:002011-05-03T08:33:50.910-07:00Air QuotesSo my daughter, Sidney who else, came down the stairs and began sharing some information with us. I actually don't even remember what she was saying, becaues it caught my eye that she kept throwing up "air quotes". You know, when you use your fingers to make quote marks around words you want emphasized.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.topdatingsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/air-quotes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 177px;" src="http://www.topdatingsites.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/air-quotes.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Finally when she was done I asked her what it meant when she used her fingers to put quotes on a word. She said...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"you know, you do this (she made the quotes with her fingers) when you mean the opposite". </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">"You sure look "nice" today"</span> actually means you look crummy.<br /></div><br />We had a good chuckle, but then realized how many times has she told me<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"sure mom, I "will do" my jobs".</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">Skunk!</span></span><br /></div>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-947646540673982421.post-34895831980513677552011-05-02T10:43:00.000-07:002011-05-02T12:19:34.054-07:00What signs are we wearing?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2-together.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 467px; height: 350px;" src="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2-together.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">A time ago, I was checking out blogs, following one link to the next, when I ran across this article. It really made me think about people differently. In fact, it had such an impact that I included it in a talk I gave in church several months ago.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Basically the gist of the article is this woman shares an experience they had. Her and her husband owned a lovely, large farm where they raised horses. Her husband was in an accident that caused damage to his brain. As a result of the accident he became a different person (he eventually recovered). He was angry, couldn't work, depressed and just difficult to be with. Because of his condition and bills, their financial situation changed.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/1-signs-husband.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 402px; height: 268px;" src="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/1-signs-husband.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Periodically he would come around and be the person she knew. At one of these points, she told him how stretched they were financially. He immediately went to work and parked much of what they owned out by the road, tractor, boat, cars, and put for sale signs on them. He also got a big sign, you know the one with big letters, and listed stuff they had for sale. While the couple was sitting in front of their house, looking at what use to be a neatly manicured lawn which had now become overgrown with weeds, the phone rang. Here husband answered it and turned away from her attempting to shield her from the coversation, but this is what she heard....</span><br /><br /><p><strong>“You are bringing down the value of my property with that ugly sign!”</strong></p> <p><strong>“What are you doing?”</strong></p> <p><strong>“That is the most obnoxious sign, do you have a permit to have that out there?”</strong></p> <p><strong>“Are you starting a used car lot?”</strong></p> <p><strong>“You have got to get all of that moved and out of here or I am calling the authorities”</strong></p><p style="font-family: arial;">She was mortified. But this was her husband's response...</p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><em>“Sir,” he said, “There was a time in this country, in this community…when if you drove past your neighbor’s house and saw every single thing they own was for sale in front of their house…and that their lawn had not been mowed for weeks….that you would stop and say….WHAT IS GOING ON, SOMETHING MUST BE TERRIBLY WRONG, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOU?”</em></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;">The man was silent…..and then my husband went on to tell him a few details about what was going on with our family….</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;">The man waited a moment and then his tone changed…..he apologized….I mean, really apologized and then said…</p> <p style="font-weight: bold;">“I am going to call all of my friends and see if any of them need any of this stuff….”</p><p style="font-family: arial;">How often do we judge people based upon our own circumstances. We see a child who is out of control and think that parent needs to get a handle on him or her. Maybe we don't know that that child has physical or mental challenges. We see someone who is standoffish and unfriendly. Maybe we don't know they are depressed or going through some tough personal situations.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;">Hasn't there been times when you where going through something tough and wish that you could just wear a sign around your neck saying something like this...</p><p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/1-four-signs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 389px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/1-four-signs.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I love the way she ends her article</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I wish with everything in me that we could have put a sign up on that big stupid lit up billboard in our field that said OUR LIFE IS FALLING APART…. but all that we really could put up is a sign with the price of everything that we owned that was worth any money…….</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">WHAT IF we could all wear a sign that said what WE REALLY MEANT? What if we could go straight past the small talk……..or the masks…….and we could actually go straight to the heart of the matter…….what if our friends and family wore signs like this?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">…we would treat each other differently.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I think we should just try to imagine it………that when a friend is quiet…or not showing up to stuff she usually shows up to….or acting a little “off”….or a family member is wearing pajamas to the grocery store for weeks on end……or not answering the phone…..or the lawn is not mowed…..<br /><br />whatever it is……….<br /><br />IT IS A SIGN. It is not a sign that can be read in words and letters, but it is a sign that someone needs to be treated gently…that they need help….most of all, that they need love, understanding…and that they DEFINITELY DO NOT need to be judged.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2-please-be-gentle.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 497px;" src="http://www.bravegirlsclub.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2-please-be-gentle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Every time I think of this story….I want to be better…I want to do better, I don’t want any silent signs to go unread before my eyes or my heart…..I don’t want to make up my own answers to what must be going on…I don’t want to assume………..<br /><br />Let’s be gentle with each other.<br /><br />Let’s read each other’s signs.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">This is the </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/2151">LINK</a><span style="font-family:arial;"> to the whole article if you are interested.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>Tfamilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02870980719486375593noreply@blogger.com0