tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15635926772948754962024-03-13T09:11:28.577-07:00Making MemoriesLiving life, one day at a time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-62544678095419997812016-01-26T20:58:00.002-07:002016-01-26T20:58:47.263-07:00Holy Shizzle<div style="text-align: center;">
Dude.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been almost one year since I last posted.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's a long time with a lot of water under the bridge.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently I stink at this blogging business. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
How do you sum up one whole year in one post?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can't! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll just be brief.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You know, for posterity's sake</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">**************</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Flynn is still working at his "new" job. <br />
He has taken on a second hospital in the same state, about 4 hours from where we'll live,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so he is spending even more time on the roads than before. <br />
He stays in a hotel when he travels, so he's racking up<br />
"frequent flyer miles" (as it were), which is nice when it comes to taking family vacations.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">**************</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Speaking of vacations, we got a couple good vacations in this summer. <br />
The first was planned... a trip to the midwest to visit my sister and go through<br />
the new LDS temple that had just been built near her.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We traveled to Independence Missouri to visit some church sites, <br />
then over to St. Louis to spend 5 minutes at the arch,<br />
then up to Dayton Ohio, where we spent an entire day at the Air Force Museum.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(My boys drooled the whole day as they gazed at the hundreds of airplanes housed there.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then a couple days with my sister, then onto Carthage and Nauvoo, Illinois</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for more LDS history.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We also visited two presidential libraries and drove home through Kansas and Colorado,<br />
so we could add two more states to our list of states we traveled through.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Wyoming, Nebraska, Ohio, Illinois, Missiouri, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Colorado)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
About two weeks after returning from that epic road trip, Flynn had a meeting in <br />
Kansas City, so Scooter and I hopped back in the car with him and back we went,<br />
to the beautiful midwest!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While Flynn was in meetings, Scooter and I played the part of tourist.<br />
We went to Adam-ondi-Ahman, the Federal Reserve and the WWI museum.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We ate magnificent BBQ in Excelsior Springs and drove through some <br />
very scary rain storms!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll be honest.<br />
Missouri was great!<br />
It was beautiful!<br />
And we loved KC.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We can't wait to go back!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl38HMDZaJU/Vqg67xLE0cI/AAAAAAAACjo/foGLesBnZXI/s1600/IMG_3487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cl38HMDZaJU/Vqg67xLE0cI/AAAAAAAACjo/foGLesBnZXI/s320/IMG_3487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scooter with his favorite airplane, an SR-71. He almost cried when he saw it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Abu0LuIaYE/Vqg815aElDI/AAAAAAAACkA/norENExodU4/s1600/IMG_3556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Abu0LuIaYE/Vqg815aElDI/AAAAAAAACkA/norENExodU4/s320/IMG_3556.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UtO85s-7s0/Vqg8_G5JddI/AAAAAAAACkM/rAb7NwUxGJg/s1600/IMG_4355.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UtO85s-7s0/Vqg8_G5JddI/AAAAAAAACkM/rAb7NwUxGJg/s320/IMG_4355.JPG" width="240" /></a> </span></b></div>
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</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">**************</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We still haven't built our home.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We waffled for a bit on where we wanted to live...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in town or out of town.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally, we decided that the houses in town are too close together, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so out of town it is!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We found a lovely lot on an old ranch, about 8 miles from Flynn's work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lot is pure prairie and it is beautiful. <br />
It looks south, toward town and toward the mountain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has nothing to obstruct the view of the big, blue skies.<br />As a cloud/storm lover, that is <i>exciting!!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our neighbors will be<br />
pronghorn antelope, deer, fox, coyote, birds of prey and even prairie dogs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Maybe a mountain lion or two.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The lot is 40 acres.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's a lot for us "city folks"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But we look forward to the isolation and the quiet.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When did we become so anti-social? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mostly, we look forward to the views.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7PZBsA0fas/Vqg-T9x-VXI/AAAAAAAACkU/6NYmWmBMce0/s1600/IMG_5132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--7PZBsA0fas/Vqg-T9x-VXI/AAAAAAAACkU/6NYmWmBMce0/s320/IMG_5132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day after we put the deposit on the land, there was a HUGE prairie fire, that burned only 4 miles away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">**************</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a new grandchild.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I guess I've got to come up with an internet name for him.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will call him Skippy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was born in November and I was blessed to be there for his birth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He is an angel and such a good baby.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Belle is doing great being a mommy of two small kids.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vG1KXRk50wc/Vqg-5JNvasI/AAAAAAAACkg/jFIeSxWGxRg/s1600/IMG_5592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vG1KXRk50wc/Vqg-5JNvasI/AAAAAAAACkg/jFIeSxWGxRg/s320/IMG_5592.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMT32qELyG4/Vqg_bJpm_0I/AAAAAAAACks/dXCfTL1Fbn8/s1600/DSC_0345a.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pMT32qELyG4/Vqg_bJpm_0I/AAAAAAAACks/dXCfTL1Fbn8/s320/DSC_0345a.jpg" width="320" /></a> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> **************</span></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that's it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our year in a nutshell.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's hoping 2016 will be great.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here's hoping I'll be better at blogging!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VLiFKi3eKBE/VqhAXtyLt7I/AAAAAAAACk8/g8E5RirYBGU/s1600/DSC_0175a.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VLiFKi3eKBE/VqhAXtyLt7I/AAAAAAAACk8/g8E5RirYBGU/s320/DSC_0175a.jpg" width="212" /></a> </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-82896306074169690582015-03-27T18:14:00.004-07:002015-03-27T18:21:40.300-07:00Wassup!<div style="text-align: center;">
Hey, Peeps!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I say that because Easter is only a week away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Who doesn't love Peeps?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Well, okay, I don't. But I love the idea of them! I think they're cute! And colorful!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, what's up these days?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plenty, I tell you!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;">(1) </span></span></b><br />
Flynn started a new job in a new state. It's actually closer to Zion, where we live now. <br />
About 100 miles closer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But there are no interstates to get there, two large mountain passes to cross and hundreds, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I say <span style="font-size: large;">HUNDREDS</span> of deer and antelope to get past safely.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't care what the song says, conjuring up all that Wild West romantic imagery:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">♫</span> "Where the Deer and Antelope play" <span style="font-size: large;">♫ <span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oh please!! Deer and antelope playing on the road </span></span>isn't cool at all. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's dangerous and scary! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So far, we have been fairly lucky. (Knock on wood)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We've not hit any big game with our vehicles as we travel back and forth.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flynn has hit a small something (it was dark and he didn't see what it was. But it knocked something loose on the bottom of the car).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I hit an already dead skunk... which was just as terrible as if I'd hit an alive skunk.<br />
The residual smell left on the bottom of the car was pretty terrible!<br />
Thank heavens for automatic car washes with HOT water.<br />
No tomato juice was needed to rid my car of the nasty smell.<br />
Not that tomato juice works anyway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's an old wives tale. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Silly old wives. Didn't know what they were talking about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holy cow!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I digress.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now that we're past winter, Flynn is able to fly back and forth more frequently, which is <br />
a whole different set of worries. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Too bad you can't see the top of my head and all the new gray hair that has sprouted out.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, he loves it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He can fly here in 2 hours</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
vs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
driving for 6.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's a no brainer for him!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But what about us moving to the other state to live with him to stop all this dangerous traveling back and forth?!?!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good question!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-size: large;">(2)</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A long, long time ago,in a galaxy far away....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, in January, which seems like a long, long time ago we were in that galaxy far away</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(where Flynn is working now),</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and we got together with a real estate agent and a builder.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We picked out a lot. And we picked out some house plans.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We put some earnest money down on the lot and house plans.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then we noticed something.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember when gas prices started to drop? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Remember when they were almost $4/gallon and all of a sudden they were below $2/gallon?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yeah.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was pretty amazing, since we're people who spend a lot of time in cars driving down roads,<br />
using that gasoline.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those low prices, however, STINK for the people who are working in oil fields.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flynn's new employment is near a lot of oil fields. A lot of people in his town work out in those oil fields.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lot of the oil rigs are being shut down, and workers are losing their jobs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Very sad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, for us, that meant that the housing boom that has been going on in this town will probably slow down. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which also means the prices of houses will drop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At least, we hope they will.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we walked away from our lot, our house plans and our builder <br />
(still trying to get our earnest money back).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For 6 months, that is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
And we cross our fingers that the prices will continue to drop and that we will be able to find a house that is not only great but more affordable!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three months have passed since we made that decision.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And we've noticed that prices are indeed dropping.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It hasn't been as dramatic as we'd hoped, but it's happening.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's the plan...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: large;">(3)</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Scooter and I finish out the school year here in Zion.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* We are committed to helping out/performing in our local community theatre production of<br />
"Little Mermaid, Jr." (children's theatre) during the month of June.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I will probably need to be committed when it's over. I'm "assistant director"!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* I am NOT registering Scooter for school here next fall.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* We begin looking, in earnest, for a home for us all to live in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* We will be living together, UNDER ONE ROOF, by the end of summer/beginning of the school year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Holy cow!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been 4 years of living like this! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's dang exciting to think of seeing Flynn every day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope he can handle us!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;">(4)</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am still a grandma to the most amazing little guy ever born, in the existence of the world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some might say I'm being dramatic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I say I'm just being truthful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Squirt just turned two years old and he calls me or FaceTimes me almost every day.<br />
Sometimes he doesn't say a word, but that's okay. <br />
I just talk and talk and talk to him. I think he just likes hearing my voice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have a connection you know.<br />
Last week, when they were leaving our house after a visit, I heard him say to me, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I love you!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm the first person he has said that to.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Brings tears to my eyes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He always kisses the phone or iPad when he hangs up after our conversations.<br />
Love my guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to miss him horribly when we move.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: large;">(5) </span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scooter is doing well in school.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's no longer in his "nerd herd" classes and that's been a tough adjustment.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He has no patience for naughty children or mean teachers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And when you're shoved back into the general population of the school, that's what you get.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My boy is turning into an activist. He can't sit quietly when he sees injustice being done.<br />
He told off a student teacher who he felt wasn't teaching the subject</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(she was supposed to be teaching geography, but was teaching "what do you want to be when you grow up?" or "what piece of the playground do you identify most with?" or "don't judge other people by their outside appearances").</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Those are honest-to-goodness subjects that were taught during Geography hour.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He reaches out to help the autistic child in homeroom that he feels is being bullied by the teacher.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He looks for ways that he can help his homeroom teacher who is obviously stressed and acting out against the children (she sends kids to the office every day!). He tries to find ways to make her burden a little lighter.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He's a good kid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;">(6)</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started working.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I work at an assisted living home. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am working in the kitchen as a cook, server and dishwasher.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cooking and serving is fine and fun!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this profession (chef) I have chosen!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love working with the residents. And I have to say the residents with dementia and/or Alzheimer's are my favorite. But that's another story for another day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's the dishes that kill me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Imagine with me, if you will, your kitchen on Thanksgiving.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You have just cooked the biggest meal possible. You have fed your family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone is fat and sassy and comfortably resting in the living room.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You return to the kitchen to clean up the dishes that have created this culinary masterpiece.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You are shocked when you realized that every dish from your cupboard has been used and is dirty on the counter. Just waiting to be cleaned and put back in its proper place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can you see it?<br />
It's overwhelming, isn't it? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's exhausting, isn't it?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Okay, now times that by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">x10!! </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was shocked the first week I worked and I saw the amount of dishes we have to wash/clean.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it's not just <i>once a day</i>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nope.<br />
On my shift, I have to wash the same amount of dishes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>twice a day!!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(breakfast and lunch)</span><i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With three of us working on clean-up, it can take 1.5 hours just to wash and put away the dishes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That's straight work time.<br />
No breaks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No stopping.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It's hell.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Not gonna sugarcoat that one!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, these wonderful people have to eat. And they deserve to eat the best food we can provide.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is their home, and who wants to eat hospital food three meals of every day?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It takes a lot of dishes to make good food.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, we keep on cooking, serving and washing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And washing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And washing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And washing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">(I did give my notice, however. I need to focus on getting our house packed up and ready to rent.<br />My last day of work will be May 18.<br />My fingernails are grateful.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that, my friends, is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WASSUP!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
XOXOXOXO</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-74727112763933494612015-01-28T20:31:00.002-07:002015-01-28T20:31:35.137-07:00A Bad Joke<div align="center">
In recent months a doctor from Venezuela was visiting the United
States.<br />On his return trip home, he was flying out of Miami International
Airport.<br />When the ticket agent asked him if he had any explosives in his bag,
the overly tired<br />man responded, “Yes, he had C-4 in his luggage.”<br />The
ticket agent was unsure what that was, and asked if it was a gun.<br />”No,” the
doctor replied, “It’s explosives.”</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Now, I’m no genius, but even I can see that that was not a smart
move to make.<br />Especially in the Post 9/11 world.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
The airline worker also didn’t think it was a joke.<br />The
police were called.<br />His luggage was searched.<br />Five airlines were delayed
and two concourses shut down.<br />Thousands of people were affected by his
joke.<br />Because, he insisted that it <em>was</em> a joke.<br />He really didn’t
have C-4 in his luggage. He was just trying to be funny.<br />He was also very
tired, he claimed, and didn’t realize the effect his joke would have.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
His joke ended up costing him $90,000.<br />Because he had the
funds to pay the fine, he didn’t have to serve any jail time.<br />Dude is lucky
he’s a doctor and had money sitting in his account!</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
(You can read the story here:<br /><a href="http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/12/02/dumb-joke-doc-bomb-prank-at-miami-airport-will-cost-surgeon-almost-0000/" title="http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/12/02/dumb-joke-doc-bomb-prank-at-miami-airport-will-cost-surgeon-almost-0000/">http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/12/02/dumb-joke-doc-bomb-prank-at-miami-airport-will-cost-surgeon-almost-0000/</a>)</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I can read this story and get a chuckle and shake my head in
disbelief.<br />I can say this guy was a dummy and <br />“WHAT THE HECK WAS HE
THINKING?”<br />But really, I can’t.<br />That would be the pot calling the kettle
black.<br />I cannot sit in judgment on this poor doctor.<br />Why?<br />Because I did
the same thing.<br /><br />Remember my statement earlier?<br />That I’m no
genius?<br />Yeah.<br />I’m not.<br /><br />Way, way back in the 1990’s – I think it was
around 1996 – <br />(thankfully <u><strong>PRE</strong></u> 9/11)<br />we lived on
the Oregon coast.<br />The Smithsonian Museum took several of its displays and put
them on the road<br />so America could see some of its treasures.<br />The display
came to Portland.<br />Flynn, Belle and I had to go see it.<br />There were some
fabulous things to see:<br />Indiana Jones’ hat<br />The Fonz’s leather
jacket<br />The capsule that the first astronauts splashed down in the ocean
with<br />Dorothy’s ruby red slippers<br />I think we even saw the bar from
<em>Cheers</em><br />There were many other wonderful things that I can’t
remember</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Since this was such a special exhibit, there were also Secret
Service agents that traveled<br />with it, to keep it safe and protect the
artifacts – most of them are irreplaceable. <br />I was new to security
checkpoints. <br />We didn’t need them back then.<br />We were safe.<br />We weren’t
scared of terrorists or bad guys.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
And Secret Service guys are hot.<br />Have you seen one up close
and personal?<br />If not, take my word for it.<br />At least the agents traveling
with the exhibit were quite attractive.<br />(Don’t judge! Yes, I was married, but
I wasn’t dead! A girl can still appreciate attractive men! <br />Have you seen Hugh Jackman?!?!)</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
So it was my turn to go through security.<br />A very attractive
agent took my purse and said,<br />”Do you have any guns, knives, pepper spray or
any weapons of any kind?”<br />I looked at him, and with smoldering eyes
said,<br />(I cringe when I think of it)<br /><span style="font-size: medium;">”Yes, I have ALL of
it!”</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Good Hell!!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What was I
thinking?!?!?!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I would love to kick old Betty in the knees and tell her to
knock it off.<br />Use the head that’s on her shoulders and keep her mouth
shut.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Of course I had no guns.<br />Of course I had no knives.<br />Of
course I had no pepper spray<br />or any other weapons of any kind.<br />I still
don’t have items like that… almost 20 years later.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Mr. Secret Service man didn’t think I was as cute as I thought I
was.<br />As a matter of fact, he didn’t like me at all.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I was MORTIFIED as he said (in a very official tone of
voice),<br />”Ma’am, come with me.”<br />And he took me away from Flynn and Belle,
<br />to a secure room.<br />He took my purse and searched it.<br />And then, the
ultimate of humiliation,<br />I got a pat down.<br /><br />I was ready to cry the
entire time. <br />I was so embarrassed.<br />I wanted to DIE!<br /><br />Thankfully the agent
realized I was just an idiot, </div>
<div align="center">
spouting off my too large mouth, and sent me on my
way.<br />With my tail between my legs, I crawled back to my family and tried to
enjoy the exhibit.<br />Which, amazingly enough, I did.<br />It was amazing.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
BUT… (and here’s the important part)<br />I learned two very
important lessons that day:<br />There are only 3 surviving pairs of Dorothy’s
Ruby Red Slippers<br />and <br />Don’t mess with a Secret Service Agent.<br />They may
have big muscles and cute butts,<br />but they don’t have a sense of humor.<br />They have a job to do, and they do it well.<br />Very well.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
PS – 20 years has removed me far enough from this story that I
can look back and chuckle.<br />Just a little…<br />I’m still quite embarrassed by
it, <br />but that was a different Betty at a different time of life.<br />Of
course, I would NEVER do anything like that again and hope I’ve learned <br />the
value of keeping my mouth shut.<br />Especially in the days since 9/11.<br />There’s
no room in this world for “jokes” like that!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-81267646427192570462014-09-10T20:53:00.001-07:002014-09-10T21:09:29.261-07:00Books<p align="center">Recently, on Facebook, several people have been talking about <br><strong><font size="4">ten books</font></strong><br>that have made a lasting impact on their lives.</p> <p align="center">They don’t have to be fine literature,<br>classics, or “deep reads”. <br>Just 10 books that stayed with you or shaped your life.</p> <p align="center">Instead of doing this on Facebook, I thought it would be fun to do here.<br>However, in the interest of being interesting, :-)<br>I will only do 5 books.</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4"><em>1. The Dick and Jane Books:</em></font></strong><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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">These are the books that I learned how to read with.<br>I remember sitting at a table in Mrs. Wickham’s 1st grade class, <br>pouring over these books,<br>feeling wonder and awe as the letters came together and started to form words.<br>I could feel the magical world of books coming alive at that time! <br>Who knew that all these jumbles of letters would take me through so many time periods,<br>introduce me to so many interesting people<br>and take me on journeys to far-away lands I could never afford to visit?<br>Dick and Jane began this adventure for me!</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">2. Pippy Longstocking<br></font></strong><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" 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">Pippy lived the life that I was too afraid to live at the time.<br>She was adventuresome. <br>She was brave.<br>She didn’t care what people thought of her.<br>She was rich.<br>She had a pet monkey.<br>And she could do what she wanted, whenever she wanted.<br>And, didn’t we all wish to wear braids that stuck straight out from our head?<br><font size="5">Heck yes!</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">3. Laura Ingalls Wilder Series</font></strong><br><img src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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"><br>Can you see a pattern here?<br>Another strong, female character that wore braids! <br>Hummm…<br>I must have been a very timid child, longing for adventures.<br>I loved that Laura got to live on the land,<br>and run freely through the meadows.<br>The thought of a “dug-out” for a house was both <br>enthralling and repulsive to me. <br>To be surrounded by all that dirt…. <br>Can you imagine the bugs?<br>Confrontations with Native Americans were also exciting and terrifying to me.<br>And the blizzards where Pa had to hang on to a rope, or he’d get lost going to the barn…<br>oh, it was so dangerous, cold and unimaginable.<br>I still think of this when a big snow storm hits or we see a dug-out along the highways in Montana.<br>Thank you, Laura, for teaching me what this is!</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">4. Jane Eyre</font></strong><br><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" 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">This was probably one of the first “classics” that I ever read.<br>I thought it would be sweet, romantic and beautiful,<br>which is how I envisioned that time period.<br>I wasn’t planning on living through the horror of Jane’s abusive childhood.<br>I thought she would be beautiful, not plain looking.<br>I wasn’t planning on Rochester being so gruff.<br>What sold me on the book was Jane’s integrity.<br>Her moral character that was imbedded deep into her soul.<br>Even though I knew it was wrong, I <u>wanted</u> her to run away with Rochester!<br>True love conquers all!! Right?<br><strong><font size="4">WRONG!!</font></strong><br>Your ability to love yourself and look at yourself in the mirror is the most important.<br>Jane taught me that.</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">5. Ann Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl</font></strong><br><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" 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">I read this for the first time in Jr. High.<br>When I read it the first time and every reading since,<br>I hope and pray the ending changes.<br>I pray that I’ll get to that last chapter and it will have all been a terrible dream,<br>that it was just an amazing/horrible work of fiction.<br>To this day, I cannot wrap my brain around the horror of living life<br>as a Jewish person during that terrible time.<br>I cannot imagine being a girl her age, living her life in hiding…in an attic.<br>Every time I read it, I’m thankful for the simple things:<br>fresh air, good food, freedom, security<br><br><font size="4">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ <br></font><br>I find it difficult to only stop at 5 books.<br>Maybe another entry, another day, I will write about 5 more books that have changed/shaped my life.<br><strong><font size="4">I love books.</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-58122668822144848212014-07-14T21:15:00.001-07:002014-07-15T09:43:32.981-07:00Summer Dump<p align="center">What’s been going on?</p> <p align="center">A <font size="4">lot</font>, I tell ya!</p> <p align="center"><font size="5">A heckuva lot!</font></p> <p align="center">Pictures are worth a thousand words, so I’ll let them do the talking…</p> <p align="center">Squirt learned how to throw rocks into a lake!<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZB2E-otrt8Y/U8SqZtn78QI/AAAAAAAACe8/5x1ZBVRiSUk/s1600-h/IMG_6356%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6356" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6356" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DtBrd-vzdcY/U8SqagITq2I/AAAAAAAACfE/D0p91Tc7iI4/IMG_6356_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="353"></a></p> <p align="center">Flynn’s dream of owning his own airplane came true.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1z1iA60rmV4/U8SqbqACTLI/AAAAAAAACfM/kBiqdc2WtdY/s1600-h/IMG_6306%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6306" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_6306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jhCjhCGitjk/U8SqcbOQqZI/AAAAAAAACfU/n0aApcrTtI4/IMG_6306_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="358"></a></p> <p align="center">Some of us participated in a major community theatre summer musical production.<br>And some of us acted as producer of this same musical.<br>And some of us grew a few more wrinkles and grey hairs.<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ou-iWicfw00/U8SqdePhePI/AAAAAAAACfc/IENWervo7Fk/s1600-h/_DSC0258%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC0258" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC0258" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uCWHFfPnaD0/U8SqeR_sFwI/AAAAAAAACfk/NFmDPfqUe_E/_DSC0258_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="318"></a></p> <p align="center">Some learned how to goof off a little more<br>and be more like a wild monkey.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3o2MsoLKUc4/U8SqfaKHJEI/AAAAAAAACfs/-UQbR4pmXU8/s1600-h/_DSC0327%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC0327" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC0327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_QNKroN7YkA/U8SqgIkjyPI/AAAAAAAACf0/g1hpESseeBY/_DSC0327_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="318"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6R_eoTde2ko/U8SqhOYn7hI/AAAAAAAACf8/5I3VS-fuIuI/s1600-h/_DSC0334%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC0334" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC0334" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zZC1C5_v81I/U8SqiKeLI3I/AAAAAAAACgE/PLF3FIbYerY/_DSC0334_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="318"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-64seZi9Ki7E/U8SqjxuCnJI/AAAAAAAACgM/JPy_iolN2wg/s1600-h/_DSC0449%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC0449" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC0449" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T_l7y0K3UGc/U8SqkkTf_qI/AAAAAAAACgU/gMysnV0tTOY/_DSC0449_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="318"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jIm3k3eR7vw/U8Sql5cd9tI/AAAAAAAACgc/H5CnjIfXKu4/s1600-h/_DSC0497%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="_DSC0497" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="_DSC0497" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i-Y7U9NC31M/U8SqmoAk9tI/AAAAAAAACgk/XO1yPFA8THg/_DSC0497_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="318"></a></p> <p align="center">Also, we went panning for gold in an old ghost town<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nqAuzbyY0wQ/U8Sqnt-lDhI/AAAAAAAACgs/lDssRGCE-d8/s1600-h/DSC_0403%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0403" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0403" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y-yjEmBD4qk/U8SqoZMpZiI/AAAAAAAACg0/-JDLJUpvEv0/DSC_0403_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="440"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LtedpGuqT64/U8Sqpbg_3VI/AAAAAAAACg8/VMa1ZDESqOU/s1600-h/DSC_0410%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0410" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0410" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y8KXQYEZvc4/U8SqqPDw0xI/AAAAAAAAChE/gboEkgh7XM4/DSC_0410_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="440"></a></p> <p align="center">Throw in a pathetic firework show<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JREjQWZGUb4/U8SqqhhZtYI/AAAAAAAAChM/8wEGjADUbr8/s1600-h/DSC_0323%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0323" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0323" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f4phkN5xs8U/U8SqrWFSo2I/AAAAAAAAChU/fNrpEZyuvA8/DSC_0323_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j0mq62vv_0g/U8SqsPPvNgI/AAAAAAAAChc/YSX9i8q0bns/s1600-h/DSC_0324%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0324" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0324" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NXpkP816QwQ/U8Sqs9glo2I/AAAAAAAAChk/_oQaVVMyxRs/DSC_0324_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a></p> <p align="center">And a fabulous weekend spent with family</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kqfxnC2ZpPM/U8SquS3xWQI/AAAAAAAAChs/-Nc06EuylWk/s1600-h/DSC_0344%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0344" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0344" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cGlLcD8HbNA/U8SqvEzLHJI/AAAAAAAACh0/SGpwS67Snh0/DSC_0344_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="287"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qdCUdX8oX4A/U8Sqwq_MEmI/AAAAAAAACh8/5RUe1DvHGwA/s1600-h/DSC_0345%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0345" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0345" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OfvAGmtqqr4/U8SqxTFLw0I/AAAAAAAACiE/GDdxRBbA8rc/DSC_0345_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jgT3VAxnMU4/U8SqyqXC64I/AAAAAAAACiM/OBq_6GzH-XE/s1600-h/DSC_0368%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0368" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0368" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MjiolJwgtxA/U8Sqzhq78gI/AAAAAAAACiU/VPdN-UNj-_4/DSC_0368_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" height="273"></a></p> <p align="center">And I’d say we’ve been pretty darned busy.</p> <p align="center">I have a good excuse for not blogging, or staying in touch with anyone, or doing much of anything, really.<br><br>Now, the musical is over,<br>and I’m trying to catch up on<br>*yard work<br>*house work<br>*laundry<br>*family time<br>*pastry school</p> <p align="center">I guess it will be another 3 months before I blog again.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-90730865949279006092014-04-10T15:23:00.001-07:002014-04-10T15:38:10.196-07:0012th Grade Paper<p align="center">It’s always a treat to go through a desk drawer that hasn’t been cleaned out for a while.<br>As you cull through mounds of pens that haven’t worked for decades,<br>unsharpened pencils missing their erasers,<br>lone staples that have broken away from the pack – therefore making them unusable,<br>and paper clips that have been straightened out so you could use the end to push<br>”reset” on some outdated electronic device,<br>you find a document that is even older than the pens and paperclips that litter the drawer….<br><br>How this document got into the desk drawer will forever remain a mystery,<br>the reason lost to the ages.<br><br>Besides, how it got there isn’t important.<br>The fact that it is there and you got to read it once again is what’s important.<br>Because reading it has brought such large amounts of laughter <br>and reflection into your afternoon.</p> <p align="center">Because, as you read it, you are reminded of the young girl you used to be.<br>A young girl filled with ideals, innocence, a little humor and a whole life ahead of her.<br>So. Much. Innocence.</p> <p align="center">I found an English composition that I wrote my senior year of high school.<br>(That was a while ago.)<br>My English teacher had us write about our life, up to that point.<br>The topics included<br>*My Early Childhood *Early School Days *My Friends<br>* About Me *My Family *My Hopes For My Life</p> <p align="center">It sounds long, but it’s only 8 typewritten pages long.<br>Yes.<br>High School was so long ago, it was typed using a <strong><font size="4">typewriter</font></strong>.<br>(You remember what that is, right?)<br><br>I thought I’d share some of my favorite highlights of this paper. <br>Moments that made me laugh out loud as I read about myself and my teenage perceptions of my life.<br>Maybe you’ll get a chuckle out of it too.</p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center">“<em>It was a summer evening, during a rain and thunder storm when my mother got the first hints that I was to be born soon. After waiting the full nine months, plus five extra days, she was more than ready. <br>After eight hours or so of labor, I was finally born.<br>The date was June 24, 196? at 5:13 in the morning. I weighed seven pounds,<br>two and one half ounces and was 19 inches long.</em></p> <p align="center"><em>My early childhood was a happy one. Although I spent a large portion of my growing up years being grounded, I remember mostly the happy things.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center"><em>“I wasn’t always the little angel that people thought I was. <br>There was always little things I tried to do without my parents finding out about.<br>One Sunday, I went to my Sunday School class and didn’t put any underwear on. <br>My mom about died because that was when the dresses girls wore were extremely short. <br>She pretended I wasn’t her daughter that Sunday and when we got home,<br>you can believe I got quite a talking to (I probably got grounded too!) <br>We <u>both</u> remember that day and she still teases me about all the little boys in Sunday School <br>(who are all good-looking young men now)<br>seeing my cute little fanny.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center"><em>“I started kindergarten when I was five years old. I attended a private kindergarten. I made a lot of friends that year and I had a boyfriend other than Brett.<br>I was even brave enough to get up during one of our lessons, walk up in front of the whole<br>class, and give him a big, fat kiss.<br>He was very embarrassed.<br>That was a happy time.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center"><em>“While I was growing up, I basically had the same friend.<br> I had one best friend who lived two houses down from me. I think that is why we fought so much.<br><br>One time we were in a real bad fight. This was the worst one...<br>…On this particular day, we decided to see who was the toughest of us two.<br>We were going to fist fight.<br>Just like in a real fight, we went to different corners of the yard to make our plans.<br>We were fans of Charlie’s Angels at the time so we<br></em>(my sister was my fighting coach, Joni’s sister was her coach)<br><em>used what we saw on the show to make our plans.<br>I was going to wait for Joni to get close enough, then I would kick her in the stomach.<br>Of course it would hurt, so when she grabbed her stomach and doubled over, <br>I would jump on her back and knock her to the ground.<br>When she was on the ground, I would sit on her and knock her senseless.<br>Perfect!<br>Only, I was so nervous I totally missed her when I kicked and she grabbed my foot and tripped me.<br>I don’t think she would have hurt me real bad, but someone stopped the fight before<br>anything could happen.<br>We were lucky.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center"><em>“During elementary school, I only made one bad choice as a friend….<br>….she scared me to death.<br>She didn’t believe in God.<br>She believed in Thor and Indian Gods, etc. <br>She told me one day I had an ugly demon following me and it wanted my soul. <br>She had me very scared and she finally got rid of it one night by some spell.<br>When she would spend the night at my house, in the morning she would tell me how she had all these demons in my house and they practiced their black magic on our various pieces of furniture.<br>She would also tell me that she saved me many times because her devil friends wanted to practice on me….<br>… She was only my friend for a year.<br>All my friend have since been normal.<br>At least they didn’t practice black magic on me.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center"><em>“I wonder a lot about what it’s like to be old.<br>It scares me a lot too. I am really frightened to go into nursing homes because I may be like that<br>one of these days and it doesn’t look like fun.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥<br></font><em><br>“I always joke around about getting a face lift when I’m twenty.<br>Well, twenty (even the thought of that sounds old to me) may be a little young, <br>but I definitely see one at twenty-five or thirty.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center"><em>“As I get older there is a certain way I would like to be.<br>I want to stay happy my whole life.<br>I also want to make other people’s lives happy. <br>I would like for the whole world to get along and be happy.<br>Happiness is very important to me.”</em></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥</font></p> <p align="center">Well, there you have it.<br>My teenage brain’s perception of life.<br><br>At least I got the last part right.</p> <p align="center"><font size="1">(My senior portrait)</font><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d4z6RDxYLJw/U0cZvlf3SgI/AAAAAAAACeg/F695ZkdSzys/s1600-h/Senior%252520Portrait%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Senior Portrait" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Senior Portrait" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cjLBCM4txjM/U0cZwaT8qVI/AAAAAAAACeo/jg8cs01cTsk/Senior%252520Portrait_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="441"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Oh yeah,<br>I got 100% on the paper!</strong></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-83005293720142257172014-04-07T16:17:00.001-07:002014-04-07T17:39:53.920-07:00Bee<p align="center">There are over 25,000 known species of bees world wide.<br><br>You have <br><font color="#ffc000">Honey Bee</font><br><font color="#f79646" size="4">Bumble Bee</font><br><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><em>Ground Bee</em></font><br><font color="#4bacc6" size="2">Wasp</font><font color="#4bacc6" size="2"><br></font><font color="#8064a2" size="5"><em>Hornet</em></font><font color="#8064a2" size="5"><br></font><font color="#ff0000">Carpenter Bee</font> <br><font size="4">& <br><em><font color="#ffff00"><font color="#808000">Yellow Jackets</font><br></font></em></font>in all their varieties and species.<br><font size="1">(There are about 4000 species in the US and 250 in Britain. In case you didn’t know.)</font></p> <p align="center">Then there are the other types of bees.</p> <p align="center">You have <br><font color="#0000ff" size="4"><em>Quilting Bee</em></font><br><font color="#800040"><font color="#ff0000">The Birds and the Bees</font><br></font><font color="#ff8040" size="5"><strong>Busy as a Bee</strong></font><br><font color="#9b00d3"><em>The Bee’s Knees</em></font><br><font color="#9e7c7c" size="4"><strong>Bees in your Bonnet</strong></font><br><font color="#f79646"><strong>None of your Beeswax</strong></font></p> <p align="center">Of course, you’ve all heard of the<br><font color="#800040" size="4"><em><strong>Spelling Bee!</strong></em></font></p> <p align="center">But have you ever heard of the<br><font color="#0000ff" size="5"><strong>Geography Bee?</strong></font></p> <p align="center">I hadn’t either.<br>Until Scooter won the top prize in his middle school.<br><br>I didn’t even know he was competing, until one day he came home from school and said he was in the semi-finals.<br>And then he came home and said he’d made it to the finals.</p> <p align="center">I was speechless.</p> <p align="center">I knew the kid liked geography.<br>He always liked playing with US map puzzles as a kid.<br>He could put the puzzle together without even thinking.<br>He knew the states and their capitals.<br>But that’s all I thought he knew.<br>I was surprised.</p> <p align="center">I wasn’t invited to view the semi-finals (because he didn’t invite me),<br> but I made sure that I knew when/where the finals were.<br>It was exciting to watch!</p> <p align="center">I videoed him answering one of the easier questions.<br><font size="1">(You’ll have to click on the link. I can’t get the video to embed.)</font><br><a title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMAdFDWx7kg&feature=youtu.be" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMAdFDWx7kg&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMAdFDWx7kg&feature=youtu.be</a></p> <p align="center">There were 10 kids from his school that made it to the finals. <br>It was neck and neck at the end.<br>Scooter was competing against a classmate and friend .<br>To my surprise and delight,<br>and with my heart stuck in my throat as I watched them answer question after question,<br>Scooter prevailed and won.</p> <p align="center">He won a trip to the State competition.<br>(It was held here in town at the University)<br>The winner of state goes on to compete in nationals.<br>It’s a big deal.<br><br>Here’s what <em>National Geographic</em> (who sponsors the bee) has to say about it:<br><br><strong><em>”Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee <br>using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. <br>The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, <br>spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. <br>Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining <br>and challenging test of geographic knowledge.</em> “</strong></p> <p align="center">To help him study, we bought books and study guides.<br>My house has huge maps pinned on the walls.<br>There’s a practice test online that he took every day<br>and then he’d go study the things he got wrong.<br><br>We spent hours each day reviewing potential questions. <br>Looking up answers to make sure they’re still correct and accurate.<br>Verifying facts.<br><br>Learning rivers, valleys, mountains, plateaus, ancient civilizations, history of languages<br>monetary systems, governments, rainfall amounts, geography terms, etc. etc.<br>You name it, it’s included in the Bee.<br><br>Finally, the day of the state bee arrived.<br>Flynn was here for the big occasion and gave him a priesthood blessing <br>to help calm his nerves.<br>We felt like that no matter what,<br>Scooter had studied his heart out, so no matter where he placed<br>he could hold his head high and be proud of his accomplishment.</p> <p align="center"><font size="2">(Doesn’t he look handsome?)</font><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-10ZJ33D83BI/U0MyE0W_WhI/AAAAAAAACdg/jELynfdffmY/s1600-h/DSC_0003a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0003a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0003a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zIUMNCxy_oo/U0MyF5qonbI/AAAAAAAACdo/wresRh0FdmM/DSC_0003a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="470"></a><br><br>In our state, only 79 kids qualified to attend.<br>Scooter beat 804 kids in his school.<br>Plus, he’s competing against kids as old as 14!! Gah!<br><br>One of the added benefits of the day was having his <br>most excellent school teacher be there as one of the judges.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8aVuF-eeQK4/U0MyG4UuJDI/AAAAAAAACdw/CTLRYtMts9A/s1600-h/DSC_0001a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0001a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0001a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Degs2j16rUg/U0MyHlwsPtI/AAAAAAAACd4/1OUeqVU6Bxc/DSC_0001a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="470"></a><br><br>Of course, Mr. D. couldn’t be Scooter’s judge,<br>but it was still nice having him there.</p> <p align="center">In the end, Scooter didn’t place in the top 10.<br>He felt pretty terrible.<br>We consoled him, dried his tears,<br>and stayed and watched the final round<br>(which he knew almost all the answers for!)<br>and began strategizing for next year’s bee.</p> <p align="center">Like I said, we’re pretty proud of our boy!<br>He’s smart, he’s cute and most importantly, he’s a nice kid.</p> <p align="center">♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ <br><br><strong><font size="4">Another added bonus for the day:</font></strong></p> <p align="center">After the preliminary rounds were over, the contestants were given a candy bar.<br>Scooter says it was like a Nestle Crunch Bar, <br>only the bits in it were hard (I’m guessing toffee).</p> <p align="center">As soon as he took a bite, his tooth felt funny.</p> <p align="center">Upon closer inspection, we found out that his back molar<br>had split in half.<br><br>So we called the dentist, <br>and as soon as the bee was over,<br>he had his final baby tooth extracted.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z4K-2F-1YYA/U0M8Jl6JXqI/AAAAAAAACeI/A9G6MNnXWgs/s1600-h/photo%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XGBy60b5K54/U0M8KtPxSfI/AAAAAAAACeQ/MkwfL94xbm0/photo_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center">Not every kid can walk away from a Geography Bee with a broken tooth as a prize!</p> <p align="center"><font size="1">Don’t let the drama of the photo fool you!<br>The laughing gas did it’s work!<br>The boy was giddy and as high as a kite.<br>It was an easy breezy extraction made funnier when Scooter asked to see the tool the dentist was going to use.<br>(He used his curiosity as a ruse.)<br>When the dentist showed the pliers to him, Scooter grabbed them and tried to take them away.<br>It took the dentist both hands to get them back.<br>Scooter laughed the whole time.<br>(Little stinker.)<br></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-1967426810705778142014-03-04T14:24:00.001-07:002014-03-04T14:24:20.847-07:00D.A.R.E.<p align="center">Scooter is in 5th grade, <br>which means he’s doing the<br>D.A.R.E. program.</p> <p align="center">The school resource police officer comes in and teaches the kids<br>about drugs, alcohol, and bullying.<br>They teach ways of saying “no”<br>and<br>of coping with stress and peer pressure.</p> <p align="center">Scooter has enjoyed the program.<br>He talks to me frequently about it.<br>He has long held an abhorrence for any substance:<br>tobacco, alcohol and drugs.<br><br>He always freaks out when he finds out someone he admires<br>(Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Bill Cosby or any other Hollywood-type person)<br>actually drinks alcohol.<br>Why would anyone drink it, if it can cause so many physical and emotional problems?<br>It breaks his heart.<br>Telling him that MJ and JC also did drugs was horrifying to him.</p> <p align="center">We’ve had many (I mean MANY) looong talks about these people<br>and how they didn’t make the same covenants he did when he got baptized.<br>We talk about free agency.<br>We talk about worldly ways vs. godly ways.<br>We talk about being non-judgmental. <br>I think he finally gets it.<br>He wishes they wouldn’t do these things, but understands they’re free to choose<br>for themselves.<br>But I also hope and pray he will continue having the abhorrence for these substances.<br></p> <p align="center">One of the final activities before “graduation” is writing a report.<br>I thought he did a pretty good job.</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺<strong><font size="5">☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺<strong><font size="5">☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺</font></strong></font></strong></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font size="5">D.A.R.E REPORT</font></u></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font size="5"></font></u></strong> </p> <p align="center"><em>Don’t you think D.A.R.E is fun? In D.A.R.E we have learned how to avoid alcohol, tobacco, and bullying. We all need to know what it does to us and how to avoid it.</em> <p align="center"><em>Bullying is a very depressing thing. It can harm you physically or emotionally. One bad form of bullying is cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is where people are bullied on some social media such as Facebook or Twitter. Unlike cyber bullying, physical bullying hurts you through physical ways like shoving, pushing, and doing all other acts of mean things to your body. Emotional bullying, only hurts your feelings, but it is in some ways, the worst. It is where the bully starts to make fun of you, say bad things about you, and make people hate you. There is a thing called a help network that helps us go through trials such as bullying. A help network is a bunch of people that you are able to turn to for help. Some people on your help network might be your mom, dad, or teacher. If you think bullying is pretty bad, you should see what alcohol does.</em> <p align="center"><em>Alcohol is something you drink that hurts your body. One thing that it does to your body is that it weakens your heart, so it causes it to slow down and eventually, it will stop giving blood to the rest of your body. It causes memory loss which means they might not remember ANYTHING at all. In some cases, they might not even remember YOU. Even though alcohol does some pretty nasty things, I believe tobacco is the worst.</em> <p align="center"><em>No one should even use tobacco. It can hurt your lungs meaning you will die of cancer from all those chemicals that you inhale from the smoke. Did you know that there is more than 200 harmful known chemicals in cigarette smoke? One bad thing is nicotine. It causes you to be addicted to the cigarette. </em> <p align="center"><em>All the drugs and bullying can injure your body in numerous ways. Alcohol and tobacco hurt you internally, bullying hurts your outside body. So, I promise never to do drugs OR bully anybody.</em> <p align="center"></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-85225622165643094072014-02-06T21:40:00.001-07:002014-02-06T21:49:58.971-07:00Pastry School<p align="center">One day, <br>not quite a year ago,<br>Flynn and I were having a conversation<br>about my future.<br>About my lack of ed-joo-kay-shun.</p> <p align="center">See,<br>I went to Jr. College<br>and I had a GREAT time.<br>I chased boys ….<br> had water fights….<br> chased boys….<br>went dancing…..<br>and<br>CHASED BOYS<br>I didn’t do so good in the classroom learning part.<br>(But I had fun chasing boys!)</p> <p align="center">I caught Flynn and my chasing days ended.<br>He awarded me my MRS. degree<br> – which is somewhat different from a college degree – <br>and I quit school and went to work to support him as<br>he got his accounting degree and CPA.</p> <p align="center">Over the years I thought intermittently about going back and getting that piece of paper.<br>One time I actually signed up and was accepted at the local university.<br>I was going to attend as a “<em>non-traditional</em>” student.<br>That meant taking only one or two classes a semester, or something.</p> <p align="center">But I didn’t go.<br>Why didn’t I?<br>Hmmm…. I don’t remember.<br>Fear.<br>Probably.<br>I’m a wimp.<br>Scared of everything.<br><br>Anyway,<br>the years have gone by and I still don’t have a degree, associates or otherwise.<br>I still don’t have an “official” career.<br>This is concerning.<br>What if something happens to Flynn?<br>Sure, he’s got a <strong>GREAT</strong> life insurance plan, but I still need some way <br>to support myself and my children.<br>That money will only go so far.</p> <p align="center">This was our discussion that day.<br>I remember he said, <br>“If you could pick anything in the world that you would want a career in,<br>– regardless of income – <br>what would it be?”<br><br>”Regardless of income.”<br>Hmmm…..<br>That made me think. <br>That made me realize, that my dream career didn’t <em>have</em> to be practical.<br>It could actually be something I loved!</p> <p align="center">I took his question very seriously.<br>I pondered. Thought. Probably even prayed about it.<br>And like a bolt of lightning out of the sky,<br>like the angels descending from on high singing choruses of <br><font size="5">Hallelujah</font> <br>I knew my answer.<br><br><font size="5"><strong>♥ CULINARY/PASTRY SCHOOL ♥</strong></font></p> <p align="center">I want to cook.<br>I want to create beautiful masterpieces of food art.<br>I want to fill people’s bellies.<br>I want to make them happy.<br>I want to make their taste buds happy.</p> <p align="center">That’s what I want to do.</p> <p align="center">Ok. <br>But where?<br>No culinary schools around here.<br>The local university has no pastry program.<br>There’s one in Portland.<br>There’s one in Denver.<br>But nothing close enough for me to attend.<br><br>And then I thought,<br>”online?”</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>Bahahahahahaha!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">An online pastry school?<br>Seriously?<br>*insert eye roll here*</p> <p align="center">But I looked anyway.</p> <p align="center">{cue more singing angels}</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>I found one!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">I actually found a school that has figured out a way to teach how to cook<br>via online webinars, texts and tutorial videos.<br>It’s amazing!<br>It’s <em><a href="http://www.escoffieronline.com/" target="_blank">Escoffier Online</a></em></p> <p align="center">Escoffier is a name that is very well known in the culinary arts world.<br>Auguste Escoffier is the “father of modern French cuisine.”<br>His methods have transcended time and are still in use today in all modern kitchens.<br><br>Well, this school is based on his methods.<br>His grandson is the head of it.<br>And from what I can tell, it’s a great school.</p> <p align="center">I signed up.<br><br>It’s been slow going for me.<br>I work at my own pace as long as I finish within a year.<br>I’m slightly behind.<br>Ok,<br>a LOT behind.<br>But I’m working hard to catch up.<br>I believe I’ll be finished in time.</p> <p align="center">I have learned oodles and gobs. <br>I’ve learned exactly what “gluten” is.<br>I’ve learned what it does in pastry products.<br>I’ve learned about fats, eggs, pastries, breads and yeast.<br>I know what the term “lamination” means<br>when it refers to Puff Pastry.</p> <p align="center"><br>Believe it or not, <br>this girl<br> – the girl who refused to bake with yeast – <br>has learned how to bake bread<br><font size="5"><strong>SUCCESSFULLY!!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">It has been fantastic.<br>I love it!<br>No regrets!!</p> <p align="center">Thank you to my handsome husband,<br>Flynn<br>for pushing me to do this.<br>For supporting me.<br>For paying for the program ☺<br>Most importantly <br>for <strong>BELIEVING</strong> in me. ♥</p> <p align="center">Some of the things I’ve made:</p> <p align="center">Apple Pecan Muffins<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fEvzHK5Nf3o/UvRjlkqAfII/AAAAAAAACb4/LumLE_6qeA0/s1600-h/DSC_0160%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0160" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3Jhjpr-maEc/UvRjme1WpwI/AAAAAAAACcA/Vaz4eQbmR_M/DSC_0160_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="235"></a><br><br>Brioche<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QIGaXZ8dvlM/UvRjnTUmSTI/AAAAAAAACcI/fHVuhiGo5SA/s1600-h/DSC_0093%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0093" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0093" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BaGPDM8TqzI/UvRjoFPiKJI/AAAAAAAACcQ/O_00luQUC38/DSC_0093_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="184"></a><br><br>Vienesse Butter Cookies<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2QzhSUAurRc/UvRjpJHZd-I/AAAAAAAACcY/hLbJF6rpvFc/s1600-h/DSC_0025%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5hrYnH4lZR8/UvRjqcdEU4I/AAAAAAAACcg/mLCpp2izHj8/DSC_0025_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="202"></a></p> <p align="center">Chelsea Buns<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9EnUyisWICI/UvRjrbNYe6I/AAAAAAAACco/V-IQ_R9bCTU/s1600-h/DSC_0040%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0040" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sC41CV7EsgE/UvRjsVnHkqI/AAAAAAAACcw/u2ToRf5ngd0/DSC_0040_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="202"></a></p> <p align="center">Red Velvet Cupcakes<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jp2JLpt703M/UvRjttdYi3I/AAAAAAAACc4/8rKWCDJfr4E/s1600-h/DSC_0156a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0156a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0156a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nq1eGP6Iuy4/UvRjuJ1oGgI/AAAAAAAACdA/bIy7SGBFPKw/DSC_0156a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center">Choux Paste (Cream Puffs)<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nxyrQrz_PBo/UvRjvbH6e8I/AAAAAAAACdI/DTmA65rigEY/s1600-h/DSC_0057%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_2Mn6soCvCA/UvRjwK2p5DI/AAAAAAAACdM/5JLkEJFUgsE/DSC_0057_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="202"></a></p> <p align="center">Next on the list, however, is homemade <br><font size="4"><strong>Puff Pastry</strong></font>.<br>I keep telling myself, <br>if I can conquer yeast breads, I can make puff pastry.<br>But I’m scared out of my mind.<br></p> <p align="center">Don’t call/text/write/<br>or whistle at me that day.<br>I’ll be having a mental breakdown.</p> <p align="center"><font size="1">(This is a great program available to anyone! If you have any questions let me know and I’ll try to answer them, or I can give you a phone number to my school counselor who can also help you!)</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-19029501991416176522014-01-19T15:18:00.001-07:002014-01-19T16:26:17.789-07:00Texting Guffaws<p align="center">We live in a day and age when texting reigns supreme.</p> <p align="center">Unless you’re my parents <br>– who still don’t have texting ability on their flip-phone –<br>just about everyone who has a cell phone texts. <br><br>We keep in contact with teachers, coaches, real estate agents, coworkers, friends, family and many others <br>via this easy to reach medium.<br><br>I remember when Belle was in high school and she was texting friends.<br>We had to sign up for the “unlimited texting” plan on our cell phones, or go broke paying for them.<br>One month, she sent about <font size="4"><strong>15,000</strong></font> texts to her friends.<br>Yes.<br>I typed that correctly.<br><strong><font size="4"><em>Fifteen Thousand texts….<br><font size="5"><u>in</u> <u>one</u> <u>month</u></font>!!!!</em></font></strong></p> <p align="center">We would watch her fast fingers in awe.<br>She could hold her phone in her hand and her thumbs would fly over the keys.<br>She wouldn’t even need to look down at the screen to know what she was typing.<br>She’d take one glance to know she got it right and then hit ‘send’.<br>The replies were almost instantaneous from her friends.</p> <p align="center">Yet, it was still something that was reserved for the younger generation.<br>I didn’t text much in the mid 2000’s.<br>The month Belle generated 15,000 texts, I only sent about 100 texts.<br>If I needed to “talk” to someone, I would phone them or send an email.</p> <p align="center">Gradually, as cell phones improved and as “smart phones” came into common usage,<br>I began texting too.<br>Now, I might send a couple thousand texts in a month. <br>There are some months I probably send more texts than Belle<br>(we still pay for her cell phone). <br><br>Now, I text more than I make phone calls or email.</p> <p align="center">With the increased texting, however, comes increasing chances of making mistakes.<br>I’m talking about the mistake of sending a text to one person,<br>thinking you’ve sent the text to another person.</p> <p align="center">It can be embarrassing!</p> <p align="center">Flynn and I got a huge laugh over one of his co-workers in Mordor who sent him a very sweet text.<br>”I Love You!”<br>is what the text read.<br>Within a few minutes, the very embarrassed co-worker sent another text.<br>”Ooops! I meant to send that to my wife!”<br><br>We laughed and laughed at this hapless co-worker for a long time.<br>Until….<br>yep, you got it….<br>it happened to us.</p> <p align="center">We were in the process of purchasing an investment property (a rental house) and Flynn<br>accidentally texted,<br><font size="4">”I love you”</font> <br>to our real estate agent.</p> <p align="center">She was so sweet about it.<br>She teased him <br>and of course I teased him mercilessly about it.<br>But it was enough to stop us laughing at and making fun of his co-worker.</p> <p align="center">Then it happened to me.<br>One night, I started texting Flynn, sending him silly little texts about the wind blowing, and the weather<br>and terrible roads.<br>It was 11:30 pm.<br>Pretty late.<br>He’s usually asleep by then, so when I didn’t get a reply, I wasn’t concerned.<br>I ended with an emphatic<br>”I LOVE YOU!” <br>and went to sleep.</p> <p align="center">The next morning, I got a nice reply.<br>From Scooter’s best friend’s mom.<br>”Do you really love me?”</p> <p align="center">Oh dear!<br>My face was red!</p> <p align="center">There have been a few more instances when this has happened. <br>I have worked very hard on being very vigilant and looking at the names before I hit ‘send’ on a text.<br>So, it doesn’t happen very often.<br>Flynn does the same.<br>But every once in a while, we get tired and let our guard down.<br><br>I think the funniest instance happened a couple weeks ago.<br><br>Flynn texts me every morning.<br>”Good morning.”<br>This particular morning, he added something special to his message.<br><strong><font size="4">”Good morning, sexy!”</font></strong><br>was his message.</p> <p align="center">He didn’t hear back from me for a long time.<br>He wondered why.<br>When he finally got a return text he understood.<br>And he wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.<br><br>”Ummm…. hello.”</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">It was from his boss.</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-32482617208195191612014-01-14T21:57:00.001-07:002014-01-14T22:00:18.318-07:00Ahem….<p align="center">Well hello there! I feel like every time I come to this blog, I need to reintroduce myself. </p> <p align="center">I don’t know why I have neglected it for so long.<br>I think I have a writer’s block.<br>Remember when I would write and would say something witty and clever?<br>Sometimes it would be Laugh-Out-Loud funny.</p> <p align="center">Sometimes it would be deeper with more meaning and feeling.<br>Sometimes brutally honest.</p> <p align="center">Then I forgot how to write like that.<br>My blog turned into a travelogue.<br>We went here…. We did that… We saw this… We saw that….<br>Blah<br>Blah<br>Blah<br>*****snore*****</p> <p align="center">Also, Scooter started growing up.<br>Admittedly, a lot of my posts were about him and the funny things he’d do and say <br>(Who remembers him crying upstairs while looking at his skinny bum in the mirror saying his crack had disappeared?<br>It had disappeared because he was bent over and he has NO FAT!<br>But that’s beside the point!<br><strong>He was looking at his bum in the mirror for heaven’s sake</strong>!!!!)</p> <p align="center">(Or the time he came sobbing down the stairs and when we asked him what was wrong,<br>he said, in as dramatic a voice as possible, <br>”I feel like an OLD MAN!”)</p> <p align="center">Things like that don’t happen as much anymore.<br>Which is a LOT sad.<br></p> <p align="center">So here I am looking at my blog.<br>It’s a new year.<br>Maybe I should make some new promises regarding this area:<br>* A new post once a week<br>* If not once a week, at least twice a month<br>* More pictures (Hah! As if I don’t already put too many on here.)<br>* <strong><font size="4">LESS </font></strong>pictures<br>* More creative writing<br>* etc. etc.<br></p> <p align="center">I probably won’t.<br>As Mary Poppins says, <br><font size="4"><strong>“It’s a pie crust promise. Easily made. Easily broken.”</strong></font></p> <p align="center">But,<br>I can promise to try to be more diligent.<br>I can promise to not be a stranger.<br>I can be more engaged in life so I can think of more things to write about.<br>I can still include some travelogue. It’s nice to remember where we’ve been and what we’ve done.<br>And I would love to include a couple hundred pictures of this cute little guy.<br>Because, I don’t think there is any cuter babies in the world than him!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BBukbg7MHLU/UtYVTWqZ7XI/AAAAAAAACbk/fZ310HimaIo/s1600-h/DSC_0022%2525208X10%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0022 8X10" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0022 8X10" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U-aEQIbfSFw/UtYVURVblLI/AAAAAAAACbs/7qLs1gbbxqg/DSC_0022%2525208X10_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="404"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-77651854250978617832013-11-10T20:45:00.001-07:002013-11-10T20:55:15.984-07:00Evolution of a Costume<p align="center">Scooter loves Halloween. <br>He begins planning his costume on Nov. 1.</p> <p align="center">Of course, his plans change a gazillion times over the year,<br>but you can bet that by the time Halloween rolls around,<br>the costume he has picked reflects a lot of thought,<br>an <em><u><strong>immense</strong></u></em> amount of creativity as well as<br><font size="4"><strong>100%</strong></font> of his personality.</p> <p align="center">This year was no different.<br>He settled on a final design in September.<br>I told him there <br>“ain’t no way…<br>ain’t no how…<br>I was going to get out my sewing machine and sew him an outfit.”</p> <p align="center">I told him that it had to be put together easily,<br>it had to fit over warm clothes,<br>that it <font size="4">had to be put together easily</font>…<br>(Do you get the idea? I <u>wanted</u> it <strong><em>easy</em></strong>!)<br>velcro, glue, etc. etc.<br><font size="1">(remember, we’re the family that doesn’t buy Halloween costumes!)</font></p> <p align="center">So, what costume did he choose this year?</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>Ender Wiggin.</strong><br></font>From the old science fiction novel<br>and newly released movie,<br><br><em><font size="5">Ender’s Game.</font></em></p> <p align="center">We listened to the book via Audible on one of our trips to visit Flynn <br>and as soon as we got home, Scooter took his own money and bought <br>the paperback book, so he could read it again.</p> <p align="center">He’s hooked.<br>He’s a fan.<br>(And he reminded me exactly what a great book it is!)</p> <p align="center">We got online and started research.<br>We Googled the search words<br><br><font size="4">Ender’s Game Costume</font><br><em><font size="5">Ender Wiggin Costume<br></font></em><strong><font size="3">Ender Costume</font></strong><br><font size="4" face="Times New Roman">Ender’s Game Halloween Costume</font><br><u><font size="5" face="Arial Narrow">Halloween Costume Ender</font></u><br><br>Okay, you get the idea. We searched and searched and searched for an idea.</p> <p align="center">We found exactly<br><font size="6"><u>0</u></font><br>results.<br><br>Could it be? Is it possible? No one has dressed up as Ender before?<br>Well, at least, dressed up as Ender and posted pics on the internet?</p> <p align="center">Oh – for this original child – that sealed the deal!<br>There was no talking him out of it!</p> <p align="center">He was going to be<br><strong><em><u><font size="5">Ender Wiggin for Halloween!</font></u></em></strong></p> <p align="center">Oh, and there’s that little problem of sewing!<br>Remember how I said I wasn’t going to sew the darn thing?</p> <p align="center">“It’s okay mom! I promise, I’ll sew it! All you have to do is show me how!”</p> <p align="center">Like a fool, I bought the line.</p> <p align="center">Okay.<br>Great.<br>Now how to do this?</p> <p align="center">The first thing we did was go to JoAnn Fabric.<br>We knew we wanted a silver fabric.<br>I didn’t want a silky, slippery dress fabric. <br>Too hard to run through the machine <u>and</u> not exactly warm enough for<br>Trick-or-Treating in Zion.</p> <p align="center">I was skeptical that we’d find anything suitable,<br>but Scooter had faith… so we started searching.</p> <p align="center">Can you believe, that after approximately 4.2 seconds, we found the <br>PERFECT fabric for a space suit?<br>We walked right up to it.<br>There it was.<br>I was floored!</p> <p align="center">So we headed to the pattern section.<br>We decided on a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OA7D8O/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">McCall’s jumpsuit pattern</a>.<br>That looks perfect for a space suit, doesn’t it?<br><font size="1">(We bought the pattern on Amazon! Saved a lot of money!)</font></p> <p align="center">Later, we happened to be at Zirker’s Party Store and he came running up to me with <br>the perfect space helmet.<br>(Which we got for 1/2 off because it was TRASHED!)</p> <p align="center">Seriously, this kid get what he wants and he doesn’t even know it!</p> <p align="center">We worked together on cutting the pattern out, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to put the zipper in.<br>My mom was gracious enough to help.<br>I’m so grateful!<br>It went in perfectly!</p> <p align="center">After the zipper was in,<br>Scooter sewed the front seams together.<br>His first time using a sewing machine.<br>And under my mom’s calm, cool, patient direction,<br>he did a<br>SUPER JOB!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6uGZozEDV8M/UoBSkXKzL4I/AAAAAAAACas/_TvtI8drJDg/s1600-h/IMG_4340%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4340" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4340" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3lOVGVgTRYU/UoBSk6IvEZI/AAAAAAAACa0/7ZFgNU2UkVQ/IMG_4340_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="245"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jmhQPSw8FPs/UoBSl2GG28I/AAAAAAAACa8/TS6Zfkxj2KQ/s1600-h/IMG_4343%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4343" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4343" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NwXePob6SqE/UoBSmz4VcOI/AAAAAAAACbE/VO2DUIEf5uw/IMG_4343_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="353"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6WZxGdkaLGM/UoBSoCGHlpI/AAAAAAAACbM/3EG605nQtrs/s1600-h/IMG_4357%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4357" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_4357" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-50IJz06cnEY/UoBSo-YadXI/AAAAAAAACbU/-mOmMPBGpKI/IMG_4357_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="245"></a></p> <p align="center">After that we sewed when/where we could.<br>We hauled that big old clunky sewing machine to Flatlandia when we went to visit Flynn.<br>Flynn and Scooter carved pumpkins while I sewed.<br>And I remembered how to read a pattern and I remembered how to sew.<br><br>It was a happy moment went I realized that I had actually gotten the <br><u>front</u> sewn together with the <u>back</u>,<br>(no unstitching)<br><font size="4">ATTACHED SLEEVES<br></font>and…<br>(sit down for this)</p> <p align="center"><font size="5">I HEMMED IT ALL!</font><br><br>I know… I know… <br>Praise and adoration is in order.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pdMo5u_JFE8/UoBSr5MMhAI/AAAAAAAACZ4/831RqljvH3w/s1600-h/IMG_4389%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4389" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4389" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NfA3RfS_haU/UoBSspMPedI/AAAAAAAACaA/CcJJ4veoBW8/IMG_4389_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center">Well, our short story is getting much too long.<br>Suffice it to say, <strike>we</strike> (ahem… I) were able to get the collar in and a belt made.<br><br>Scooter insisted on having a gun (of the water variety)<br>so I had to come up with some kind of a holster.<br>That was a challenge, but I figured something out.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--Re7NfdGNEY/UoBStk64V8I/AAAAAAAACaI/yOoIj2zur8s/s1600-h/IMG_4413%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4413" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4413" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7PcZOMgkvCw/UoBSuVeNf4I/AAAAAAAACaQ/ZFxoSS-iKlg/IMG_4413_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="260"></a></p> <p align="center">It’s soooo not perfect. <br>But when you’re 11, good enough is GREAT!</p> <p align="center">The final touch was the strip of orange Duck Tape down the sides and across the shoulders.<br>In the movie photos, Ender’s costume has a splash or orange on it, and we wanted to make sure we had that.<br>The Duck Tape was the easiest solution for that.</p> <p align="center">And now, for the final reveal….<br>I give you<br><br>Scooter and his <br><font size="5">ENDER WIGGIN/ENDER’S GAME<br> HALLOWEEN COSTUME!!</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RnaeyaYTj68/UoBSv3B8fbI/AAAAAAAACaY/4i8r1_7mR_A/s1600-h/Halloween%2525202013%252520Large%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Halloween 2013 Large" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Halloween 2013 Large" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TXJLDzk3O1A/UoBSwyyl5LI/AAAAAAAACag/K4tbepyEiIs/Halloween%2525202013%252520Large_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="360"></a></p> <p align="center">(Isn’t that fabric PERFECT!?!?!)</p> <p align="center">(Scooter isn’t smiling because he’s in character. <br>Ender isn’t a happy-go-lucky kid that smiles.)</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-52038896891843519232013-10-02T20:12:00.001-07:002013-10-02T20:53:26.782-07:00Scooter Speaks<p align="center">It has been a long time since I’ve blogged some of the funny things Scooter has said.</p> <p align="center">I have tried to keep track of them on my phone,<br>so I thought transfer them here and that I’d share a couple funny quotes with you.</p> <p align="center">I don’t know the date of this. But it’s HILARIOUS! <br>This is how I wrote it when it happened:</p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff">This kid of mine:<br>This morning I was playing the piano and was goofing around with a <em>Glee</em> songbook. <br>The song was <em>Dancing With Myself</em> by Billy Idol. <br>Scooter walked by and said,<br>”Wait! That’s the name of that song? I thought it was<br><strong><em>Dancing with A <font size="4">Camel</font></em>.”</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff">Cue screeching tires.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff">“Ummmmm….. Darling son, <br>Why would anyone dance with a camel?”</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="4">“Because they can, Mom.”</font></strong></p> <p align="center">Seriously, you can’t beat that logic.<br><br><font size="5">Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ </font></p> <p align="center">When we go to Yellowstone we like to joke around about all the plumbers<br>the Park Service has to employ.<br><br>You know, the <strong><font size="4">HUGE</font></strong> workforce that’s required for turning on and off the geysers<br>all day, every day…. Right?<br><br>We think we’re so clever and funny.<br><br>The last time we went was no different, (Sept. 21, 2013)<br>except for the fact that Scooter joined in. <br>And he proved that he can play with the big boys in joking around.<br><br>(He was trying to convince his brother-in-law, Beast, that the plumbers have been working overtime.)</p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5">“Have you heard of the new geyser addition?<br>It’s the Geysertron 2000!”</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ </font></p> <p align="center">Another of our “funny” family jokes is that I, <strong>BETTY</strong>, actually own Yellowstone Park<br>and that I allow all the tourists to come and visit out of the <br>extreme goodness of my kind heart. </p> <p align="center">On the same trip Scooter was telling us about the Yellowstone unit his class had<br>just finished in school.<br>So I said to him,</p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="4">”Did you tell your classmates that your mom owns Yellowstone Park?”</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff">Without missing a beat.<br>Without taking time to think or even breathe,<br>Scooter replied with:</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5">“No. Because I didn’t want them to be jealous!”</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ </font></p> <p align="center">Scooter, dude, <font size="6"><strong>YOU ROCK!!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5">Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ Θ </font></p> <p align="center">On a slightly different note, Scooter has won a role in the new play <br>our community theater will be performing this Christmas,<br>”A Christmas Carol”</p> <p align="center">His role is “Simon”, who is the young boy Scrooge uses to fetch the Christmas goose<br>in the morning after the ghostly visits.<br>It’s a great role for him.<br>He has 9 lines and is in one scene at the very end of the play.<br><br>It’s great for us, because he doesn’t have to show up for a rehearsal until November.<br><font size="4"><strong>Wahoo!</strong></font><br>A show that won’t consume our whole life for 3 months!</p> <p align="center">I kind of like that!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DsdoJ-PPL2s/UkzgqMf_brI/AAAAAAAACYw/eF0Vz9LH9Ok/s1600-h/DSC_0049a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0049a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0049a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VcUMsWNTURk/UkzgrJZdyYI/AAAAAAAACY4/f1KGMBT6lLY/DSC_0049a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-89383962748967718222013-08-25T21:11:00.001-07:002013-08-25T21:41:06.222-07:00Summer Run Down<p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Summer vacation is ending.</strong></font></p> <p align="center">Yes, I said it.<br>And yes, I will wash my mouth out with soap now.<br>’Dem are dirty words in my house!</p> <p align="center">Summer.<br>Beautiful summer.<br>Hot summer.<br>Fabulous summer.<br><strong><font size="4">We love summer!<br></font></strong><br>And it’s with tears that we approach the beginning of the new school year.<br>Well, 3/4 of us approach it with tears.<br>The weird child,<br>our youngest,<br>a.k.a Scooter<br>shouts hurrah when school is mentioned.<br>He seriously celebrates.<br><br>If I hadn’t given birth to him myself, I’d question his parentage.<br>If I hadn’t kept him in the hospital room the entire time we were there,<br>I’d <strong><u>swear</u></strong> he had been switched.<br>Oh, and there’s that little thing about him looking EXACTLY like his father.<br>But, other than that, I definitely question:<br><font size="4"><strong>WHERE DID HE COME FROM!?!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">As quickly as this summer passed, we still had some fun times.<br>Can you tell by the lack of posts?<br>There was no time for blogging.<br><br>I’ll do a quick photo catch up now.<br>Just for posterity… you know….</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Squirt’s Blessing<br></font></strong><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9OiIkZ-OE_w/UhrUNOOsfxI/AAAAAAAACLU/UGatqNyZAEo/s1600-h/DSC_0157%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0157" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0157" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N3ZuHm_SQO0/UhrUOJRPRhI/AAAAAAAACLc/yK8cwyiWPOU/DSC_0157_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Flynn’s Birthday Surprise</font></strong><br>An hour flying with an instructor</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v4-j8oIhr5A/UhrUOxY3CxI/AAAAAAAACLk/c7-4vPrDt2A/s1600-h/IMG_2393%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2393" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2393" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yGyTAbOXjtU/UhrUPdiUoFI/AAAAAAAACLs/p5-MwuaDm4Y/IMG_2393_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bZqb1GmNnOU/UhrUQcajt6I/AAAAAAAACL0/_lk477KY9iQ/s1600-h/IMG_2396%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2396" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2396" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m9aKn-fvWqs/UhrUQxrTQbI/AAAAAAAACL8/_J-UTy0cPdg/IMG_2396_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Children’s Theatre</font></strong><br><em>Aladdin</em>. <br>Scooter played the part of “Baker” and had a line…<br>”Thief! Thief! Someone stole my bread!”<br>I was lucky enough to be part of the production crew, helping the director work with 120 kids.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-emgAYxyaKAY/UhrURzVIC6I/AAAAAAAACME/LHDarvMwTgk/s1600-h/DSC_0265%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0265" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-clu-uG4tWu4/UhrUSrpq3BI/AAAAAAAACMM/6z3x4wFH6BE/DSC_0265_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4GVeWNwMR6Q/UhrUTX_HrmI/AAAAAAAACMU/3DNc6JjCMjM/s1600-h/DSC_0276%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0276" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nb96w4Djt0w/UhrUTxZ0uTI/AAAAAAAACMc/t_g3DeouXB8/DSC_0276_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2yUrlT3ZGyc/UhrYLYtPkoI/AAAAAAAACXA/6FZysZvGGZ0/s1600-h/IMG_2398%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2398" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2398" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nf6cTleRG9s/UhrYMIU0SEI/AAAAAAAACXI/z49pRr-PrWs/IMG_2398_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">4th of July at Cabin</font></strong><br>Playing in the lake, crawdad catching, hiking</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--dSSPDq4y_A/UhrUU0BlpHI/AAAAAAAACMk/dvzw438824Y/s1600-h/DSC_0339%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0339" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0339" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K2KkFuBrif4/UhrUVnJdbJI/AAAAAAAACMs/pJn0j49XE_g/DSC_0339_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HR4Tp5qZJKA/UhrUWPGmmcI/AAAAAAAACM0/kl6FnFPP8Zw/s1600-h/DSC_0355%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0355" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0355" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Lj4NZygNkU/UhrUWt4qBhI/AAAAAAAACM8/iFNndOPrqU0/DSC_0355_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vN2LjK1cW8M/UhrUXq53RwI/AAAAAAAACNE/K8NvDh5bIL8/s1600-h/DSC_0383%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0383" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0383" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4rHMjw3Jcew/UhrUYLMxJDI/AAAAAAAACNM/G_Zw9NjByYE/DSC_0383_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gChlPhvzzHI/UhrUY_V4dtI/AAAAAAAACNU/01oL_MV1NvQ/s1600-h/DSC_0416%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0416" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0416" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ZHT3OhCrW0/UhrUZfkd1YI/AAAAAAAACNc/oIFxqxt3Ecs/DSC_0416_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--bGOl8nJlKA/UhrUazAaO7I/AAAAAAAACNk/th54C_OVHVY/s1600-h/DSC_0457%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0457" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0457" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-beocLMnWwTU/UhrUbiYqvfI/AAAAAAAACNs/ipZLr0jPK9U/DSC_0457_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oIyUbZqWlHs/UhrUdKHI6gI/AAAAAAAACN0/AHT0J39OoCs/s1600-h/DSC_0463%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0463" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0463" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SuDNwwQeumk/UhrUdoAbc8I/AAAAAAAACN8/ZXOb3Jc-e9U/DSC_0463_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xdB12LJSdB4/UhrUfG9SmnI/AAAAAAAACOE/oo1xn38ei_k/s1600-h/DSC_0506%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0506" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0506" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WVTNinJUano/UhrUf0DGLgI/AAAAAAAACOM/JiZa48vzcuA/DSC_0506_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-915Iq-Igg9I/UhrUguezP_I/AAAAAAAACOU/ZhhETHIBL5o/s1600-h/DSC_0484%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0484" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CjHgA7Vc5Zc/UhrUhMpD9QI/AAAAAAAACOc/f2CGM7PTtas/DSC_0484_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a></p> <p align="center"><u><font size="4"><strong>Spontaneous Camping Trip</strong></font><br><br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D2QC4H5nMUo/UhrUidjENPI/AAAAAAAACOk/CsS3l5z2_oU/s1600-h/DSC_0551%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="DSC_0551" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0551" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-44x5Y5BZo_M/UhrUi0FvlzI/AAAAAAAACOs/aWET-fhzEaM/DSC_0551_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="221"></strong></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k-YE1v24D_Q/UhrUjtNrpSI/AAAAAAAACO0/1I8szK_9w-E/s1600-h/DSC_0555%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="DSC_0555" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0555" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gm_w_n44jiY/UhrUkOrYwNI/AAAAAAAACO8/aUvUbuwIQLE/DSC_0555_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="221"></strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--Vlk31xoV-A/UhrUlpVacNI/AAAAAAAACPE/xO_CT0aS-64/s1600-h/DSC_0572%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="DSC_0572" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0572" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-19yb56_Bl9I/UhrUmNtNYPI/AAAAAAAACPM/KJJlxLIKaqc/DSC_0572_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="254"></strong></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--FCTXlj2jD8/UhrUnixUVAI/AAAAAAAACPU/99rHBYbqp8M/s1600-h/IMG_2773%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="IMG_2773" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2773" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jq16NPji1ns/UhrUodw3CPI/AAAAAAAACPc/ZhbDvcPNB1c/IMG_2773_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248"></strong></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yTtHdyH1OhQ/UhrUp8dVjpI/AAAAAAAACPk/mEMHatrYVoU/s1600-h/IMG_2774%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="IMG_2774" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2774" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U_fQKhTtQh8/UhrUqmFbrMI/AAAAAAAACPs/3Qirb0r_8a0/IMG_2774_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248"></strong></a><br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KUlJ6n2oJEk/UhrUrgxUruI/AAAAAAAACP0/KTYOwFRAjNw/s1600-h/DSC_0596%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="DSC_0596" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0596" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YWmqtn27pJs/UhrUsU_V1gI/AAAAAAAACP8/SULxKSRpjZo/DSC_0596_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></strong></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YcV-auukj2Q/UhrUt6SaNfI/AAAAAAAACQE/G4vrw58oOno/s1600-h/DSC_0614%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><strong><img title="DSC_0614" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0614" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0ukxwrUFxCA/UhrUuYp3vgI/AAAAAAAACQM/7p-YS4AsoWw/DSC_0614_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></strong></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>Golfing</strong></font><br>With Flynn’s apartment in the background<br><font size="1">(I can’t get the underline button to turn off…. weird.)<br>Flynn lives in the apartment on the top left.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kdWvDmsgGpo/UhrUvZCuCZI/AAAAAAAACXk/-R8ToKqEQwc/s1600-h/DSC_0660%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><strong><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kdWvDmsgGpo/UhrUvZCuCZI/AAAAAAAACXs/PoL8tbnv5Kg/s1600-h/DSC_0660%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0660" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0660" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vrPaXW1ofYQ/UhrUxqk--7I/AAAAAAAACQk/8sD506-8INY/DSC_0660_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></strong></a><strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cQ29a4tVF2U/UhrUyyw7PNI/AAAAAAAACQs/4JpiYCgmeyU/s1600-h/DSC_0662%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0662" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0662" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZXbEY8B29SU/UhrUzinRk3I/AAAAAAAACQ0/-mc8xN8D3w4/DSC_0662_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XClEnk3uJvg/UhrU1CkaMAI/AAAAAAAACQ8/VtWTstiFv3g/s1600-h/DSC_0664%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0664" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0664" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4xB0mmTDlRY/UhrU1q2rTiI/AAAAAAAACRE/x1qd69VteI0/DSC_0664_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WXff4Jc6DpA/UhrU27QY6vI/AAAAAAAACRM/i52hG0XveNI/s1600-h/IMG_2886%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2886" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2886" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_mOhr90ZwO0/UhrU35gNadI/AAAAAAAACRU/aBp-U-g8sHI/IMG_2886_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">A New Toy!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-O_kXKZUw4L0/UhrU40XcqnI/AAAAAAAACRc/ImRBqUrQqMY/s1600-h/IMG_2971%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2971" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_2971" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5z6Vh1InhLU/UhrU5nFkh1I/AAAAAAAACRk/KKb4MTHlqiI/IMG_2971_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n0rmrIGYUbo/UhrU7djqW7I/AAAAAAAACRs/KXV7MF5xuRU/s1600-h/IMG_2976%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2976" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2976" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JOJJQWoIFlI/UhrU7_2x2-I/AAAAAAAACR0/bozoGMgUNV0/IMG_2976_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vpL6jlqkVyg/UhrU9dHPIGI/AAAAAAAACR8/PsAMvDC-cgA/s1600-h/IMG_2978%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2978" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2978" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-84X7pNmiYDU/UhrU9zYNLAI/AAAAAAAACSE/A74t24pBAK4/IMG_2978_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rY4WgVxXn5Q/UhrU_8lLo_I/AAAAAAAACSM/HhCZGS4z6lw/s1600-h/IMG_2981%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2981" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2981" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hhBXW8FNPqI/UhrVAUsUUBI/AAAAAAAACSQ/7E6GDvQC9R0/IMG_2981_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">More Camping mingled with Huckleberry Picking</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rUzIsWkZBP0/UhrVBQM1pQI/AAAAAAAACSc/g2WF-bS-Hn0/s1600-h/DSC_0676%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0676" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0676" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0w1c9XRXsqA/UhrVB6GDeeI/AAAAAAAACSk/Bk5D-9hRDrg/DSC_0676_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--SXhEw_lKuU/UhrVDoBLDeI/AAAAAAAACSs/lCtHIczHh7o/s1600-h/IMG_3100%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3100" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JAMd8QjRZTw/UhrVEaI8NJI/AAAAAAAACS0/_AL4KLz9L9w/IMG_3100_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DI-LB_ogtpM/UhrVFZ24HbI/AAAAAAAACS8/2TpxzDBBK0I/s1600-h/IMG_3104%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3104" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3104" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q0C50j332Oc/UhrVF_7sTbI/AAAAAAAACTE/3YN6Mvlt-u8/IMG_3104_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a><br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6zxowi8-yhw/UhrVHfGnvdI/AAAAAAAACTM/OnrEi0VHJ_Y/s1600-h/IMG_3167%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3167" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3167" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8I9mHbCECX0/UhrVIX1xLMI/AAAAAAAACTU/ILCJ6z7Jb5M/IMG_3167_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Devil’s Tower and a Mud Run</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rwl9F3KZ_BA/UhrVJmz-s6I/AAAAAAAACTc/oNNf6Qwwcuw/s1600-h/DSC_0009%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0009" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0009" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jGqFdpkLn7E/UhrVKe67I5I/AAAAAAAACTk/YWcwwyr3UmU/DSC_0009_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PmisdJxBwLA/UhrVLOQY61I/AAAAAAAACTs/xJmQKw0jRG4/s1600-h/DSC_0032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ke9B2Zti3JY/UhrVMZpguwI/AAAAAAAACT0/9daHARPFxuM/DSC_0032_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZXP68hoTR4/UhrVNM4evzI/AAAAAAAACT8/hA8iJ8PYha4/s1600-h/DSC_0011%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0011" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0u32An_QMOk/UhrVNqF6NzI/AAAAAAAACUE/viD2FKeQkak/DSC_0011_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SQWIwmloKpo/UhrVOhVeIyI/AAAAAAAACUM/XMoo6HlU_NI/s1600-h/DSC_0046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0046" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0046" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ir2AgABMtrM/UhrVPbtlj0I/AAAAAAAACUU/Q7712BhIQ3M/DSC_0046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342"></a></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_N8G6vylrzc/UhrVQ4aka4I/AAAAAAAACUc/tZfvVTSTi6E/s1600-h/DSC_0095%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0095" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0095" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zR4R7aCeTQc/UhrVRf7CEhI/AAAAAAAACUk/3Hq2KCDRy10/DSC_0095_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8LzObuR6ehw/UhrVSdG-5eI/AAAAAAAACUs/3RyUARTi7q8/s1600-h/DSC_0104%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0104" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0104" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JdRqY9TRvzo/UhrVSxUpOxI/AAAAAAAACU0/ka5B0t1x2fw/DSC_0104_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-olzEpOWlH3g/UhrVUhxarkI/AAAAAAAACU8/Awwm_Z5MWQA/s1600-h/DSC_0108%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0108" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VePzX3nNEVE/UhrVVLFgi-I/AAAAAAAACVE/JifRBfjG8IY/DSC_0108_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fulazKe05JI/UhrVWJ-oCAI/AAAAAAAACVM/_EZ5Q-8Ibno/s1600-h/DSC_0133%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0133" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0133" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-snnalwcAKf4/UhrVWmvwxtI/AAAAAAAACVU/sFeaPYGVXBo/DSC_0133_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HZn_0CG_Aws/UhrVYDGZVBI/AAAAAAAACVc/m7KGCNk6COI/s1600-h/DSC_0147%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0147" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0147" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RiMTXjZB7-o/UhrVYvtPhII/AAAAAAAACVk/lcHpRN45jOU/DSC_0147_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-guZRkmrbz_0/UhrVaAgF5wI/AAAAAAAACVs/5IF6nFmexRA/s1600-h/DSC_0165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0165" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0165" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KhpioiZAQAY/UhrVaq6FFXI/AAAAAAAACV0/YRcZd_WwaVs/DSC_0165_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="237"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Gramps and Squirt Bonding Time</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dfxOP1r_wJQ/UhrVbgtOk5I/AAAAAAAACV8/OalyzIHYIvc/s1600-h/IMG_3245%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3245" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3245" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2988mVoFe6k/UhrVcfmySTI/AAAAAAAACWE/Gnv9qSijW-Y/IMG_3245_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">It was a <strong><font size="4">GREAT</font></strong> summer, filled with fun and lots of<br><font size="6"><strong>MAKING MEMORIES!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"></u></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-56047795606906121002013-08-20T14:16:00.001-07:002013-08-20T14:24:15.812-07:00Eleven-teen<p align="center">I can’t say my boy turned “eleventy-one”.<br>That would make him one hundred eleven<br>and if he were that old,<br>I’d be DEAD…</p> <p align="center">But Scooter was excited to have all the same digits in his age.<br>Two ones.</p> <p align="center">One.<br>One.<br><br>ELEVEN!!</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>MY BOY TURNED ELEVEN YEARS OLD!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">I don’t know, but for him that was a big deal.<br>It’s the first time it’s happened to him, that’s for sure.<br>He’s only had two numbers in his age for one year.<br><br>Last year, it was a big deal when he turned 10, knowing he’d (most likely) only have<br>two numbers in his age for the rest of his life.<br>Now, he’ll only have the same number once every 11 years.<br><br>He’s a math geek.<br>Things like that excite him.</p> <p align="center">An important birthday like that deserved a birthday party, don’t you think?<br><br>This year, we decided to do a<br>”Minute to Win It”<br>theme for the party.<br><br>I looked all over the web and Pinterest to find some games that the kids would enjoy playing.<br>I think we found some great ideas!</p> <p align="center">But first things first…<br><strong><font size="4">THE INVITATION</font></strong>.<br><br>My boy didn’t want to make a paper invite.<br>I mean… that’s already been done to death. <br>He decided he wanted to make a video invitation.<br>It was a novel idea and I’m just weird enough that I agreed to it.<br>I’d love to share the video with you, but we have personal information on it. <br>If you know where my YouTube channel is, you can view it there.</p> <p align="center">Next came the cake.<br>Scooter thinks the cake is the most important.<br>The cake is a reflection of him, and his interests and hobbies at the time.<br>It’s just as important as his Halloween costume,<br>and is always in the planning stages.<br>(We start discussing both items in January.)<br><br>This year, currently, he’s obsessed with the computer game<br><font size="4">”Spore.”</font></p> <p align="center">Don’t feel bad if you haven’t heard of it before. I hadn’t either.<br>It’s a SIMS type game, where you grow from an amoeba to a more complex life form.<br>How in the world do you make a cake like that?<br>I did what I could.<br>It’s basically a hairy monster cake, with lots of eyeballs.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wxo9cXpuQ2M/UhPcK38vqWI/AAAAAAAACGM/YxZuKxv36Ro/s1600-h/DSC_0022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0022" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-djPY4lapWLY/UhPcLQCbfnI/AAAAAAAACGU/dO8Lnt3IRL8/DSC_0022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="342"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Izijg2cgW-E/UhPcMsZeBzI/AAAAAAAACGc/-KXvyw1BzeU/s1600-h/DSC_0122%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0122" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0122" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rbAgeqW6_Sk/UhPcNV7nVLI/AAAAAAAACGk/myYfk_OZ-_o/DSC_0122_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center">He loved it and declared,<br>”It’s exactly what I wanted, Mom!”<br>(He’s such a nice boy!)</p> <p align="center">The games were fun too.</p> <p align="center">I’ll briefly describe them:<br><font size="5"><strong><u>Vanilla Wafers on the Face</u>:</strong></font><br>You start with a cookie on your forehead, and then move the wafer down your face to your mouth<br><font size="4">ONLY USING FACIAL MUSCLES.</font><br>NO hands.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XgKHg8klYQ8/UhPcOElwdaI/AAAAAAAACGs/UkdYfIUSkwk/s1600-h/DSC_0092%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0092" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0092" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q_19Eq-CMrw/UhPcOiqyG2I/AAAAAAAACG0/xa3Iw291ft4/DSC_0092_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="356"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qdaPoyCN84s/UhPcPZbFBmI/AAAAAAAACG8/BAHPSWqo3Fo/s1600-h/DSC_0096%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0096" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0096" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JVY2lU6_1fY/UhPcQG9t6HI/AAAAAAAACHE/ft_ZX_GF8o4/DSC_0096_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="356"></a></p> <p align="center"><u><strong><font size="5">Balance the Fruit Loop</font></strong></u>:<br>Put a popsicle stick (craft stick) in your mouth and see how many Fruit Loops you can stack on it.<br>The boys only got up to 4. <br>In practicing, I got up to 6.<br>It’s tougher than it sounds.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A15Oo9nhF1c/UhPcQ7awt3I/AAAAAAAACHM/1qEnWTVLGjw/s1600-h/DSC_0043%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0043" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5ZPwJSbjvdo/UhPcRQhWLfI/AAAAAAAACHU/UkwUv-fkgTY/DSC_0043_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a></p> <p align="center"><u><strong><font size="5">Suck it Up:</font></strong></u><br>Put about 15 dry beans on a plate (we learned this the hard way).<br> Use a straw to move the beans around the plate to make a face.<br>Suck the bean to the bottom of the straw to make this happen. <br>Again, NO HANDS and no PUSHING the beans around with the straw!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RhYsXn0DNpE/UhPcSeClK-I/AAAAAAAACHc/QbG5cU8a8JQ/s1600-h/DSC_0050%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0050" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0050" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YweRjb1kqtE/UhPcS6VRyEI/AAAAAAAACHk/xiEjmcstjA0/DSC_0050_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="379"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d0uITKDex-Q/UhPcTk6I9cI/AAAAAAAACHs/zNj-MsN_3eM/s1600-h/DSC_0055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0055" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yyHmsGIAuuw/UhPcUP9t6RI/AAAAAAAACH0/E8I64LXgyiI/DSC_0055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center"><u><strong><font size="5">Junk in the Trunk:</font></strong></u><br>You have to have an empty, rectangular tissue box.<br>Put 8 ping pong balls inside it.<br>Tie it around your waist.<br>And then jump.<br>Jump. <br>Jump.<br>Jump.<br>You have to get all 8 balls out before the minute is up.<br>It’s harder than it looks.<br>I cut the opening just a little larger to make it easier.<br>Still, it was HARD!</p> <p align="center">(We played most of the games in teams. We had an odd number of boys, so Beast filled in to help make the games even.<br>He was a good sport!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7pQ2gPr_UUY/UhPcV-3ySpI/AAAAAAAACH8/_wivtV4vETs/s1600-h/DSC_0083%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0083" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0083" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-okCT5N2zuoE/UhPcWVATq2I/AAAAAAAACIE/awUj9iPh6zs/DSC_0083_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="221"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZIbcZpKswB0/UhPcX0wGrkI/AAAAAAAACIM/pbeXnXIyu_A/s1600-h/DSC_0087%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0087" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0087" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-27NKq2QUofk/UhPcYhbbgOI/AAAAAAAACIU/-Z_RSx5DCU0/DSC_0087_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="221"></a></p> <p align="center"><u><font size="5"><strong>Backwash Central:</strong></font></u><br>This game was Scooter’s invention.<br>Each party goer has 2 cups.<br>One is filled with water, the other is empty.<br>Using a straw, they are to empty one cup and fill the other. <br>We envisioned the boys moving the water one straw-full at a time,<br>but one of the boys got too clever.<br>He sucked up a MOUTHFUL of water, via the straw, <br>then, via the straw, put the water back into the other cup.<br>He finished the game in 30 seconds.<br>Not what we had in mind.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L_YFxoUBeLM/UhPcZisFUpI/AAAAAAAACIc/anZfRbwIzb8/s1600-h/DSC_0056%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0056" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0056" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RqMRdJrFkhE/UhPcaeJdwVI/AAAAAAAACIk/YdmcVFYEiBM/DSC_0056_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="395"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Iee8o0XzUUM/UhPcbeY3i_I/AAAAAAAACIs/TOSMEUVmKjk/s1600-h/DSC_0057%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0057" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UbNQ_32ERqs/UhPcbwSyyYI/AAAAAAAACI0/TLukdjrJayg/DSC_0057_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="395"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><u><font size="5">Elephant March:<br></font></u></strong>Take a pair of panty hose and put a baseball in the toe.<br>The boy puts the hose on the head, and NOT USING THEIR HANDS swings their head<br>back and forth, trying to knock down water bottles.<br>I had them hit 6 FULL bottles, but I think more would have been better.<br>And I would have made it an obstacle course instead of putting the bottles in a circle or a line.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vOAMvZPqExw/UhPcdVY8dGI/AAAAAAAACI8/WxDPZQ63Z1U/s1600-h/DSC_0062%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0062" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0062" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9JJPbK4NOZY/UhPceLDw4mI/AAAAAAAACJE/CU8izBRgxcI/DSC_0062_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2dSPYSEtbuM/UhPcfFNK7ZI/AAAAAAAACJM/IaVCK5g04i0/s1600-h/DSC_0065%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0065" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0065" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VohRVI8jQps/UhPcf61H8sI/AAAAAAAACJU/qAiQuzb4QIw/DSC_0065_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="395"></a></p> <p align="center">And finally, the last game wasn’t really<br>A Minute to Win It<br>type of game.<br>This was just a:<br><font size="4">”These are 5th grade boys and I want them to get dirty”</font> type of game.<br>We did an old fashioned<br><strong><u><font size="5">EGG TOSS!</font></u></strong></p> <p align="center">Each team was given a raw egg.<br>They had to throw it back and forth to each other.<br>Each throw, they took a step backward.<br>Throw until it breaks.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JmYJDsLy3WE/UhPcgxQRa8I/AAAAAAAACJc/CmRnC4MG364/s1600-h/DSC_0099%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0099" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0099" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ECALHosg_fI/UhPchhzakJI/AAAAAAAACJk/S0Jur0EC8l8/DSC_0099_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="416"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o72KoBZLMUc/UhPci-5fv0I/AAAAAAAACJs/jUp0Ol-WuDs/s1600-h/DSC_0101%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0101" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0101" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mdI1h59sztI/UhPcjfz3sVI/AAAAAAAACJ0/222LHfsMj9g/DSC_0101_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204"></a></p> <p align="center">The unbroken egg of the winning team was cracked open on the head of one of the party goers. It was hilarious!</p> <p align="center">I made a medal for the winner of each game. <br>It was just a lid from a canning jar, a little scrapbook paper, some mod podge, hot glue and ribbon.<br>Simple, really!<br>The boys were excited to get one.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PkC-tUwtm8Y/UhPckaucArI/AAAAAAAACJ8/yecOaqFTdUU/s1600-h/DSC_0037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0037" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AzGZbfJWPsM/UhPclHG2KoI/AAAAAAAACKE/QbB6Qli0bEA/DSC_0037_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="531"></a></p> <p align="center">We had a solemn award ceremony each time a boy got one.<br>(Scooter was the last to win one.)<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f-_oXsRlHYA/UhPcl_7m9uI/AAAAAAAACKM/01uvNAxLxQk/s1600-h/DSC_0107%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0107" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0107" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ghl3OU5T534/UhPcmkcoc3I/AAAAAAAACKU/o2qLYBJSD0M/DSC_0107_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="531"></a></p> <p align="center">Opening presents isn’t the same unless you play<br><font size="4"><strong>Heavy Heavy Hangover.</strong></font><br>It’s a staple from my childhood and I’ve insisted my children play it too.<br>Do you remember what that is?<br>The gift giver stands behind the birthday child and recites the poem,<br><font size="4">”Heavy Heavy Hangover<br>Thy poor head<br>Whatcha gonna do<br>With a bump on your head?”</font></p> <p align="center">Then they list some things that the birthday child could do with the gift:<br>eat it, play with it, wear it, read it, etc. etc.<br>(someone always says “flush it down the toilet”)<br>And if the guesser doesn’t guess right, then they get bonked on the head<br>GENTLY<br>by the gift.</p> <p align="center">Playing with a bean bag chair, is… unique.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6vNCUB8uxXI/UhPcn_cXuNI/AAAAAAAACKc/6avUDkVnkb4/s1600-h/DSC_0111%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0111" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0111" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-roIh1O_WmPk/UhPcokQF5zI/AAAAAAAACKk/ioTIznNyAlU/DSC_0111_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center">This friend warned him that the bag was VERY HEAVY!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xMxuweHkuX4/UhPcpi6yn4I/AAAAAAAACKs/iN_pLHUTRcM/s1600-h/DSC_0117%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0117" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0117" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yAUuADtoTFM/UhPcqYUqIbI/AAAAAAAACK0/ogpvLR7rlnE/DSC_0117_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center">It was a happy day!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7p9_CinGkdE/UhPcrUeXtrI/AAAAAAAACK8/z_nsJu0_5kc/s1600-h/DSC_0109%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0109" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="DSC_0109" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dQYUWdGkcY8/UhPcsIcuI-I/AAAAAAAACLE/RRld8_H_RDg/DSC_0109_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="529"></a></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="5">HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOOTER!!</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-64846958538584218732013-08-13T15:37:00.001-07:002013-08-13T15:40:11.712-07:00FaceTime Fail<p align="center">Hello blogging friends.</p> <p align="center"> Are you still there? <br>I am! <br>I promise to catch up SOON! <br>But until then, I thought I’d share a little funny collage I made. <br>This shows the perils of FaceTime chats when one person lives in Flatlandia. </p> <p align="center">Yeah.<br>Internet ain’t so great out there!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xu4yP8zFPlo/Ugq1Ll-t8hI/AAAAAAAACF0/Bew8L_1mxuw/s1600-h/FaceTime%252520Collage%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="FaceTime Collage" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="FaceTime Collage" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A1Yj4ar2kwA/Ugq1MYt2tVI/AAAAAAAACF8/hxcNIJG3djE/FaceTime%252520Collage_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="739" height="666"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-17170548359845501712013-05-28T21:17:00.001-07:002013-05-29T21:21:53.630-07:00My Men of Memorial Day<p align="center">Memorial Day at my parent’s cabin was <strong>wonderful</strong>.</p> <p align="center">As usual.</p> <p align="center">It’s interesting, as I look at the photos I took,<br>I only got photos of the guys.<br>My dad.<br>My husband.<br>My son.<br>My son-in-law.<br>My nephew-in-law.<br>And my grandson.</p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>No</strong></font> photos of my mom,<br>or daughter,<br>or sister,<br>or niece.</p> <p align="center">What’s up with that?</p> <p align="center">Oh well…<br>Too late to change all of that.<br>Here’s some pictures of my men<br>on<br>Memorial Day<br>weekend.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8DrpbZoqidk/UaWA1uH-FwI/AAAAAAAACAs/pOuxs-3wNhM/s1600-h/DSC_0087%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0087" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tgJtcTQCuEI/UaWA2cD1N1I/AAAAAAAACA0/F-MyUOZRGsM/DSC_0087_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a><br>My dad gave Scooter the job of cleaning bird poop off the deck railing.<br>Not a pleasant job, as you can see.<br>(He’s not crying. He’s grossed out!)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nG55FkIeqSE/UaWA22bDPtI/AAAAAAAACA8/s8wisNFX9Qc/s1600-h/DSC_0105%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0105" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0105" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uTS8elPJnaY/UaWA3YVch_I/AAAAAAAACBE/hmC_2uWxQGw/DSC_0105_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="358"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zdyjDO0OTt8/UaWA4GJUZTI/AAAAAAAACBM/IBJeAOH4wpw/s1600-h/DSC_0106%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0106" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0106" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X6HI1O_i2ys/UaWA4iHG6JI/AAAAAAAACBU/LXiWseBbsa8/DSC_0106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="358"></a><br>My Dad let us play hairdresser on him after he washed his hair.<br>What a great sport!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zn7Cxr9V4k8/UaWA6IU3aQI/AAAAAAAACBc/W58ljiknR_w/s1600-h/DSC_0108%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0108" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0108" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4FXU_ArE5_g/UaWA6lj2M2I/AAAAAAAACBk/xo39x5w58-k/DSC_0108_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a><br>There is no well at the cabin.<br>(One will be dug this summer.)<br>So, my dad has to haul water from the community well.<br>He hauls it in this big 300 gallon tank and then pumps it into a 1,000 gallon tank in the basement.<br>When you have 10 people staying at the cabin,<br>we go through a LOT of water, so he has to haul it frequently!<br>He’s really looking forward to getting that well!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XVkiLJDEtxo/UaWA7lSVzUI/AAAAAAAACBs/BocbItvcc6c/s1600-h/DSC_0123%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0123" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0123" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZNCnqh9yhaE/UaWA8Hj3NuI/AAAAAAAACB0/lDm-9fXKnOc/DSC_0123_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="370"></a><br>Not a photo of a man, but I practiced my photography with some small wild flowers!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dpd4JUXVLBA/UaWA9OXkSlI/AAAAAAAACB8/4sHllY_-Y50/s1600-h/DSC_0128%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0128" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0128" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lt1pv9CpxW4/UaWA9hyoJHI/AAAAAAAACCE/KNNtu4PpfqU/DSC_0128_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a><br>This pic makes me laugh. <br>The guys were being so goofy with their pellet guns!</p> <p align="center">♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦<br>So, here’s the drama from the weekend.<br>While I was out practicing photography, I had Lola Dog with me.<br>I guess I was being too quiet because next thing I knew, a herd of antelope <br>went racing past me (within about 20 feet of me).<br>I didn’t know they were coming. They didn’t know I was there.<br>I thought they had gotten far enough past me without Lola seeing them, so I didn’t hold on to her.<br>Unbeknownst to me, there were 3 stragglers behind the group of 7 that had just run past.<br>Lola Dog saw them and off she went, racing to catch them so she could play.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZvVaFB4_VAo/UaWA-lSL39I/AAAAAAAACCM/sp4hqFbjlpo/s1600-h/DSC_0178%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0178" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0178" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-01Ze3YCgiXU/UaWA_fwHa_I/AAAAAAAACCU/hsqojofop6c/DSC_0178_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="261"></a></p> <p align="center">I was only wearing slip on shoes and I’m horribly out of shape, but I had to run to try to catch her.<br>Sadly, I don’t run as fast as a dog chasing a herd of antelope.<br>Thankfully, my sister’s car drives as fast. <br>She and Beast jumped in her car, picked me up and we attempted to find the animals.</p> <p align="center">We found the antelope with no problem.<br>They were spooked and still running.<br>But we couldn’t see Lola Dog.<br>However, 3 deer had jumped into the fray, were further ahead of the antelope, and were running down the hill.<br>It was possible Lola decided she wanted to chase deer. <br>I jumped out of the car and started up one side of the hill where the antelope were.<br>Beast jumped out of the car and decided to search going down the other side of the hill where the deer had run.<br>(Keep in mind, we had seen a wolf the night before. A night out in the wild for my pampered dog <br>would mean certain death.)</p> <p align="center">As I was starting up the hill, I got a text and a phone call that Lola had abandoned her chase and <br>had returned (on her own) to the cabin.<br>So, that meant I had to chase my sister and Beast down and tell them everything was okay.<br>Red was easy. She heard my whistle.<br>But Beast didn’t hear it and once we got to the spot where he jumped out of the car,<br>he was gone. Outta sight. Outta ear shot.<br>We yelled.<br>We whistled.<br>We couldn’t find him!<br><strong><font size="5">BEAST!!! WHERE DID YOU GO!!</font></strong></p> <p align="center">By this time, my mom had joined the search. She went down another connecting road to look for him.<br>She couldn’t see him.<br>We yelled.<br>We whistled.<br>Holy cow! What were we going to do?<br>Had he sacrificed everything for a lousy dog?</p> <p align="center">Finally, I gave one final yell,<br>”BEAST!!!!”<br>and I heard a faint, <br>“Yeah?”<br><br>I could hear him, but couldn’t see him in the sea of sagebrush and prairie grasses.<br>Finally, I saw him.<br>He was a long way away.<br>He must have busted his rear end to find that dog.<br>His devotion and sacrifice is inspiring.<br>What a good guy!</p> <p align="center">He was almost to the other road, so we told him to continue and we’d pick him up.<br>This is how we found him.<br>Wiped out. <br>Exhausted.<br>Plus, he had thrown up twice in his exhaustion.<br>Poor guy.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5qQ7uA8fccM/UaWBAj_9B-I/AAAAAAAACCc/gPeuQ47-8hE/s1600-h/DSC_0180%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0180" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8mKJ0b8JEtw/UaWBBAdONGI/AAAAAAAACCk/3Vzn8XPlb_o/DSC_0180_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="268"></a><br>See the steep hill on the left of the picture. Just out of sight there is where he started.<br>It’s pretty much straight down, and straight up.<br><strong><font size="5">Beast, you’re the hero of the weekend!</font></strong></p> <p align="center">♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iHyuvuONFec/UaWBCCviDDI/AAAAAAAACCs/EfBtC5oUd2s/s1600-h/DSC_0185%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0185" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0185" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HRxdRvWFQSU/UaWBCma6v0I/AAAAAAAACC0/G9Mcwdo54G8/DSC_0185_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a><br>Chip was darling all weekend, in spite of being constipated.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6KM0knaR7no/UaWBDkJp-CI/AAAAAAAACC8/gYSCqCU4-9I/s1600-h/DSC_0187%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0187" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0187" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fAM7aTwX9DY/UaWBELxV-hI/AAAAAAAACDE/jzgM1QKzIwI/DSC_0187_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="237"></a><br>My Dad and Flynn look at the remaining 300 gallons as it empties into the basement tank.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ClH1Xy4mia4/UaWBJGfgDKI/AAAAAAAACDM/zYUFLnXuWmA/s1600-h/DSC_0191%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0191" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0191" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ipbuV5rtrM4/UaWBJ-7mFoI/AAAAAAAACDU/KcfFbWFGR2I/DSC_0191_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="470"></a><br>We took lots of mini hikes and walks over the weekend.<br>Even though the skies were grey, it was great walking weather!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZunMkWpnjho/UaWBLGgTRsI/AAAAAAAACDc/iynH5pd-W4s/s1600-h/DSC_0210%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0210" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0210" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zxO0SxGscrk/UaWBL-Xr9nI/AAAAAAAACDk/C_DFaqisVjA/DSC_0210_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="470" height="320"></a><br>Getting ready for the family picture.<br>See, there were girls at the cabin this weekend!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kklDuVL_As8/UaWBMbyOBHI/AAAAAAAACDs/YdDr_qT2ztY/s1600-h/DSC_0218%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0218" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0218" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M_aDO15Twqo/UaWBM9YlfJI/AAAAAAAACD0/K1OTEX5DAdI/DSC_0218_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="620"></a><br>Papa and Squirt.<br>How cute is this?!?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_yi1bpACSbg/UaWBOZANreI/AAAAAAAACD8/rrmZcdQsTjs/s1600-h/DSC_0222%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0222" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0222" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1w199Vh3Fnk/UaWBO8zRriI/AAAAAAAACEE/ZX3ZqM12Wgw/DSC_0222_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a><br>Scooter and Papa head for the ravine full of trees.<br>We were looking for elk and antelope.<br>Maybe a bear.<br>Hopefully not a bear because<br>I forgot to take Lola’s leash.<br>I guess I’m a slow learner.<br>But we found no wildlife.<br>Just lots of trees.<br>Tall, old trees.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cMstcK_vjus/UaWBQQ_kuZI/AAAAAAAACEM/tUAQFAVjEZg/s1600-h/DSC_0226%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0226" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0226" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DdguzfdH4CY/UaWBQ-lThLI/AAAAAAAACEU/5XHE0KlzLMg/DSC_0226_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="237"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7XvmwcnnYE4/UaWBSE-AB5I/AAAAAAAACEc/tCS9RTS5z4U/s1600-h/DSC_0230%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0230" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0230" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4N4nSkkfONc/UaWBStgDXRI/AAAAAAAACEk/v_hubSxtYl0/DSC_0230_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="395"></a></p> <p align="center">♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ <br>And I close with two parting photos:<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JYpAzyB15uQ/UaWBT2Z52kI/AAAAAAAACEs/ZUYlkZfQHRw/s1600-h/Wolf%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Wolf" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Wolf" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lZxIPQ0wz9Y/UaWBUUnMaEI/AAAAAAAACE0/tw5L8Zobps0/Wolf_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="556"></a><br>Is it a wolf?<br>Is it a coyote?<br>Most people lean toward coyote,<br>but my cousin who was a ranger in Yellowstone<br>says it’s a wolf.<br>I’m sticking with her answer.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hwgk8QdE3II/UaWBV8tzVaI/AAAAAAAACE8/XHq5fuMDs3w/s1600-h/DSC_0238a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0238a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0238a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vVbAWuZrqic/UaWBWS696gI/AAAAAAAACFE/6jcEjhPaP3A/DSC_0238a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="287"></a><br><strong><font size="5">And this, my friends, is why we love it up here!</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-69266476503942563652013-05-05T21:00:00.001-07:002013-05-06T18:08:23.580-07:00Give Me a Hand<p align="center">I did it!<br>I’m a survivor.</p> <p align="center"><font color="#192338" size="4"><strong>WAHOO!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">Three weeks ago I embarked on an adventure no one believed I’d be able to survive.<br>I told (a few) people what I was going to do<br>and 90% responded the same, </p> <p align="center"><font size="4"><strong>“YOU’RE DOING WHAT?!”</strong></font></p> <p align="center">The doctor didn’t try to talk me out of it, but he didn’t exactly encourage it.</p> <p align="center">His nurse told me – flat out – that I was crazy.</p> <p align="center">The receptionist at the dentist’s office said, “why in the world would you….?”</p> <p align="center">My parents, who had been through the same ordeal 25 years ago, were encouraging.</p> <p align="center">And Flynn, the amazing husband he is, said<br><font size="4"><strong>”GO FOR IT!!”</strong></font></p> <p align="center">So, what did I do?</p> <p align="center">I had <strong><font size="4">CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE SURGERY.</font></strong></p> <p align="center">Which really isn’t a big deal.<br>Not in the grand scheme of things.<br>(Especially considering my brother’s fiancé had major brain surgery only about 10 days after my hand surgery!)<br><br>But, having surgery on BOTH hands at the same time can be a little incapacitating.<br>Think about all the things you use your hands for…<br>* Opening doors<br>* Drinking/Eating<br>* Personal Hygiene<br>* Driving<br>* Getting dressed<br><br>That’s just a SHORT list of basic things. Without your hands, you’re….</p> <p align="center">well….</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>HANDLESS!!</strong></font></p> <p align="center">So why have both hands operated on at the same time?<br><br>The answer can be summed up in two words:<br><strong>I’M CHEAP!</strong></p> <p align="center">I don’t want to pay for <br>(2) anesthesiologists<br>(2) OR’s<br>(2) Recoveries<br>(2) of EVERYTHING!</p> <p align="center">So, I made the plunge and did both.</p> <p align="center">I’ve said it since the beginning…<br>I have <strong><font size="4">NO REGRETS</font></strong>!<br>None, whatsoever. <br>I promise.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-caBzVTyR5lo/UYcqwr7q5sI/AAAAAAAAB-4/kLdBPcJ2j1w/s1600-h/IMG_1728%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1728" border="0" alt="IMG_1728" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7vg6wVXo5qI/UYcqxe7c2oI/AAAAAAAAB_A/y7utLplFYKE/IMG_1728_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="404"></a></p> <p align="center">I wasn’t nervous the day of the surgery.<br>We stopped at my parent’s house on the way to the hospital so<br>Flynn and my dad could give me a priesthood blessing.<br>I felt calm… cool… collected.<br><br>I checked into the hospital thinking I was going to have the surgery under local anesthesia,<br>but after talking to the anesthetist, we decided that since we were doing<br>BOTH HANDS<br><strong>general anesthesia</strong> was a better option.<br>I didn’t think I wanted general, but after we talked about it,<br>I realized I really didn’t want to be awake while a team of people were slicing into my hands.<br>General was just fine with me!<br><br>We did the surgery at the hospital 1/2 mile south of Zion.<br>No regrets on that choice either.<br>It was a GREAT experience!<br>They put that beautiful paper-ish gown on me.<br>It’s big and bulky because it has a tube that attaches to it that fills it full of nice, warm, comfy air.<br>Yes, the gown is hideous. <br>Especially the with it being the color it is…<br>Can we say BEACHED WHALE?<br>At least I was a <strong><em><u><font size="4">warm</font></u></em></strong> beached whale, right?</p> <p align="center">I also loved how the surgeon wrote the word<br><strong><font size="4">BOTH</font></strong><br>on both of my wrists with a sharpie marker.<br>Whatever it takes to remind him what he’s doing!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wQj8wCukwLU/UYcqx2VOmII/AAAAAAAAB_I/sqNK5vkJdDg/s1600-h/IMG_1729%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1729" border="0" alt="IMG_1729" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CuaCmUMBZrI/UYcqynGg6jI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/hxxee1-g3Tg/IMG_1729_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center">I don’t remember much after this picture was taken.<br>I remember the anesthetist coming up and doing something with my IV,<br>people started rolling my bed down a hall, <br>and I looked at him and I said,<br>”HEY! I feel weird!”<br>He just smiled at me and said,<br>”You’re supposed to!”<br>I was awake long enough to make it to the OR, <br>but right after they wheeled me in I was OUT!<br><br>The surgery only lasted about an hour.<br>But let me tell you, I got 8 hours of amazing, great sleep in that one hour!<br>I wish I could sleep like that every night!!</p> <p align="center">The next thing I remember is waking up<br> – having a conversation I don’t remember — <br>with the recovery nurse.<br>Flynn was there too.<br>But I didn’t notice him right away.<br>I was concerned I’d say something that would embarrass me,<br>but Flynn says I just held a normal conversation.<br>Seriously… Me? Normal?<br>I hope he’s not lying!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5d83LOSAp_A/UYcq1BY-82I/AAAAAAAAB_Y/t_re1fzlDus/s1600-h/IMG_1731%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1731" border="0" alt="IMG_1731" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cMMR576rCwk/UYcq15bCPfI/AAAAAAAAB_g/CTu6EVq9muc/IMG_1731_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="471"></a></p> <p align="center">I honestly don’t remember having that oxygen thing in my nose,<br>which disappoints me.<br>I’ve always wondered what they feel like.</p> <p align="center">Cute socks too? <br>Another forward fashion accessory from the hospital.</p> <p align="center">Oh! And see the tube going into the sock on the left?<br>That’s the IV that started in my arm BEFORE the surgery.<br>Why did they move it from my arm to my foot?<br>Geez! If I would have known they’d be looking at my feet, I would have had a pedicure!<br>Flynn says it didn’t come out easily.<br>Thank heavens I was doped up.<br>I didn’t feel it.</p> <p align="center">Flynn took the week off work to stay home and help me.<br>What a great guy!<br>I don’t think I could ever say enough words that would describe how grateful I am to him<br>for everything he did for me that week.<br>And when I say “everything he did”, it’s because he did <br><strong><font size="4">EVERYTHING!!<br></font></strong>I can’t list all the things he did, because the list will be too long.<br>He knows and I know and that’s really what’s important.<br><strong><font size="4">I love him</font></strong> for it and I’ll be<strong><font size="4"> forever grateful</font></strong> to him for the tender loving care he showed me.</p> <p align="center">Recovery hasn’t been as quick as I’d like. <br>I thought I’d have full function of my hands faster than what I have.<br>I can do most everything except the things I really want to do…<br>like play the piano.<br>I’m dying to sit down and play the songs that hurt before.<br>But I’ll get there.<br>The basic functions are back and we are doing fine.<br>Flynn, sadly, had to go back to Flatlandia and I miss him more than ever.</p> <p align="center">But the good news is… <br>my carpal tunnel symptoms are GONE!<br>I can go all night without my hands going to sleep!<br>I can take photos and edit them on the computer for longer than 15 minutes!<br>The discomfort I feel in my hands and wrist is all surgery related.<br>(Believe me, after typing this <u>long</u> post, I’ll definitely need to take some ibuprofen!) </p> <p align="center">Like I said before, <br><strong><font size="5">NO REGRETS!!</font></strong></p> <p align="center">And if you’re a carpal tunnel sufferer, you may not be as insane as me and have them both done at the same time,<br>but please, end the suffering!<br>GET THEM DONE!!</p> <p align="center">This was right after we took the bandages off (day 5)<br>You can see extensive bruising, especially on the left hand.<br>You may not be able to notice the big black bruise on the palm of the left hand.<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WBgT8ebGLjI/UYcq29wEvyI/AAAAAAAAB_o/lDObUiiAWHI/s1600-h/IMG_1759%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1759" border="0" alt="IMG_1759" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5sp4skuMBn0/UYcq3dytV2I/AAAAAAAAB_w/utNURhjStPc/IMG_1759_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a></p> <p align="center">The day we took the stitches out. <br>Not a pleasant experience, but it’s over with.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RQ6zFR630Ls/UYcq4X2xOPI/AAAAAAAAB_4/m0TUWXFOTJk/s1600-h/Image%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Image" border="0" alt="Image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QJRFK8zt6b0/UYcq4vRqxnI/AAAAAAAACAA/C-EThv56fDA/Image_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Me, drugged up and trying to be creative with the camera on my phone.<br>The bandage on my foot is where the IV was.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4LYoA3-joHE/UYcq52RF1PI/AAAAAAAACAI/rVUPbmiyNFg/s1600-h/IMG_1742%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1742" border="0" alt="IMG_1742" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M0Y4Uf5V7Gc/UYcq6W0F6OI/AAAAAAAACAQ/kQv3GukFPzU/IMG_1742_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="285"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-31481993333302211472013-03-25T21:30:00.001-07:002013-03-25T21:59:53.333-07:00Say That Again?<p align="center">As Scooter’s mother,<br>I’m quite proud of his taste in music.</p> <p align="center">Why?</p> <p align="center">Because (IMHO) he likes musical artists who actually HAVE TALENT.<br>Who actually sing… using their throats and voices,<br>who are not singing through their noses <br>or<br>electronically enhanced microphones.<br><br>And it doesn’t hurt that his tastes are so similar to mine!<br> <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j62JNxVEBw8/UVEkQjPSOeI/AAAAAAAAB90/zRryhBgIR9E/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"><br>Justin Bieb-who?<br>Jonas Whats?<br>Christina and Britney? I don’t think so.<br>Don’t even mention the word RAP to him… he’ll smack you!</p> <p align="center">However, he certainly knows who the<br>Bee Gees are.<br>And the Mamas and the Papas.<br>Olivia Newton-John? <br>He’s down with that!<br>Peter, Paul and Mary are some of his favorites!<br>(Among others. <strong>MANY</strong> others.)<br>And we can’t forget his current obsession,<br>Johnny Cash.</p> <p align="center">When we drive, we listen to my iPod and play, <font size="4"><strong>“Name The Artist”</strong></font><br>and more often than not, he gets them right.<br>Keep in mind, that most of the music on my iPod is considered<br>CLASSIC.<br>It’s mostly from the 70’s and 80’s.<br>(I stopped listening to the radio in the 90’s when listening to music <br>made me want to slit my wrists.<br>Jewel, Alanis Morisette and Sarah McBarflin<br>howling about how awful life and the world was…<br>But that’s another post all together!)</p> <p align="center">However, I think that the naming game is getting old.<br>It’s gotten too easy.<br>When Leo Sayer starts singing,<br>”You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”<br>in his falsetto voice,<br>Scooter yells,<br>”IT’S THE BEE GEES!”</p> <p align="center">He grabs the iPod to “check” to see if he’s correct, <br>and then “confirms” it to the people riding in the car with us.</p> <p align="center">“See? I told you it was the Bee Gees!” he yells. Then turns his head and snickers.<br>He thinks he’s so funny!<br><br>This last weekend it was our turn to travel to Flatlandia to visit Flynn.<br>Belle came with us, and brought Chip too!<br>(He traveled like a champ! What a good baby!)</p> <p align="center">While we were there, Flynn introduced Scooter to two more great bands:<br>Creedence Clearwater Revival <br>and<br>Lynyrd Skynyrd.</p> <p align="center">A new fan has been born.<br>And he’s only 10 years old.</p> <p align="center">On our trip home,<br> we were once again playing, <strong><font size="4">“Name The Artist.”<br></font></strong>Again, Scooter was being funny and saying everyone was either<br>Bee Gees or<br>Olivia Neutron-Bomb (ha ha).</p> <p align="center">But then he threw in another band.</p> <p align="center">At first we didn’t know who it was.</p> <p align="center">And when Belle and I figured out who he was talking about,<br>we laughed.<br>And since it was dark, I had to video the moment.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 448px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:3ca66aa2-1c31-483e-86d2-31fda180dfa6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="b8266b1e-90a2-4c74-b870-377bfceefc13" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkbqR_FIp7A&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZIFtZBjakDo/UVEkRICmYUI/AAAAAAAAB-w/YCjT4sCpToY/videoc3fc63e771af%25255B42%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('b8266b1e-90a2-4c74-b870-377bfceefc13'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/EkbqR_FIp7A?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/EkbqR_FIp7A?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center"><strong>╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟ ╟</strong></p> <p align="center">And just because I can….<br>(because I’m Granny)<br>here’s a little photo we took of Chip last week.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZXXWYKJK5AA/UVEkRoPXbzI/AAAAAAAAB-E/k8NS6BR-LRY/s1600-h/016a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="016a" border="0" alt="016a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3if4lAQJqRM/UVEkSKG_fjI/AAAAAAAAB-M/ft4TO4cK99k/016a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="304"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-65872723031136528952013-03-17T22:43:00.001-07:002013-03-18T19:34:43.582-07:00World Basketball Championship<p align="center">Last Saturday was Scooter’s last basketball game of this season.<br>He has been playing on a city league.<br>We’ve struggled with consistency this season.<br>He missed several games due to the fact we were traveling to Flatlandia to visit Flynn.<br>And his team only practiced once a week.<br>Sometimes, we’d forget about practice, so he’d miss that too.</p> <p align="center">He’s not the most aggressive player, but he loves running up and down the court.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZnsVBwcKWVw/UUapKFmxs3I/AAAAAAAAB68/qBrjBFbZpaA/s1600-h/DSC_0322%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0322" border="0" alt="DSC_0322" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FhIqcLsKQ8o/UUapKkSh4dI/AAAAAAAAB7E/hOdn9u2sxdc/DSC_0322_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="253"></a><br><br>He loves jumping up and down.<br>And waving his arms.<br>And grimacing when someone on his team throws the ball out of bounds.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XXRhfK52U8k/UUapLd1GWwI/AAAAAAAAB7M/JsrduXj7Rhc/s1600-h/DSC_0321%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0321" border="0" alt="DSC_0321" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MvXYJqRuJHw/UUapL5tAGsI/AAAAAAAAB7U/MEbIoJ3N6Ic/DSC_0321_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="240"></a><br><br>Sometimes he panics when someone actually passes the ball to him.<br>More often than not, he’ll pass it right back.<br>I think the hordes of boys running at him while he has the ball, freaks him out a bit.<br>Just a bit.<br>And when he shoots the ball at the hoop, he misses.<br>He feels good about taking that chance.<br>And we cheer and root for him no matter what.<br><br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F5krQYmYezo/UUapNM83IgI/AAAAAAAAB7c/Ii-PSXxyb0s/s1600-h/DSC_0332_edited-1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0332_edited-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0332_edited-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E-aKqiCq8rY/UUapNifJbwI/AAAAAAAAB7k/eC4AlCiNfRk/DSC_0332_edited-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="269"></a></p> <p align="center">But he has a blast.<br>That’s all I care about.</p> <p align="center">Saturday’s game was special.<br>A HUGE group of kids from the University came to cheer both teams.<br>The coaches and most parents knew they were coming, <br>but it was a surprise to the players.<br>The game had already started when 60-80 college kids came running, yelling and cheering into the gym.<br>The player’s eyes got wide with confusion and then wider with excitement <br>when they saw that the students were carrying signs that said things like, <br>“GO RED!” or “GO BLUE!”<br>The most exciting part was that several of the signs had the player’s names on them.<br>I could see the boys scanning the crowd, looking for their name<br>and then a big smile crossing their face as they saw their personal cheerleader yelling for them.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zaa9roV7aU0/UUapOoc7qQI/AAAAAAAAB7s/lU2BE5szXRE/s1600-h/DSC_0304%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0304" border="0" alt="DSC_0304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WPCZBX1IiQc/UUapPLWVFcI/AAAAAAAAB70/QMEVi1qGfTw/DSC_0304_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="233"></a></p> <p align="center">Speaking of cheerleaders, yes, there were cheerleaders there too.<br>Pompoms and everything.<br>And – at half time – they performed a little dance. <br>Just like you’d see at a high school basketball game.<br>A <font size="1">little</font> over the top for a 4-5 grade boy’s game.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zLZQ7DbPekg/UUapQr-fVKI/AAAAAAAAB78/xAvQEkLulVg/s1600-h/DSC_0315%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0315" border="0" alt="DSC_0315" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RBeY11RGQ4g/UUapRL1AYII/AAAAAAAAB8E/nAYMVDlc5Ps/DSC_0315_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="252"></a><br><br>This final game was a massacre.<br>Scooter’s team was outmatched and outscored. <br>The opposing team was older,<br>MUCH more aggressive,<br>and taller.<br>Okay, I’ll say it – they were better players!<br>Thankfully, the boys were having fun in spite of the bad score.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S7zviUQEOB8/UUapR4IfM1I/AAAAAAAAB8M/MJLP-Rx80Q4/s1600-h/DSC_0335%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0335" border="0" alt="DSC_0335" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CsB7vpGsFXs/UUapSQg6B9I/AAAAAAAAB8U/LL_x-TYnbEo/DSC_0335_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="305"></a></p> <p align="center">At the end of the game,<br>the boys met the students who were cheering for them and they got to keep their signs.<br><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N9uhl1mrTew/UUapToPIFGI/AAAAAAAAB8c/rC1vUVEECes/s1600-h/DSC_0344%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0344" border="0" alt="DSC_0344" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fJJQFAqATWo/UUapUFHt4iI/AAAAAAAAB8k/jApsnT4R-Wk/DSC_0344_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="247"></a></p> <p align="center">They also got little medals.<br>I’m not sure why.<br>It was the student’s idea to hand them out.<br>(Shhhhh….. I think it’s silly.)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H8655aaDv60/UUapVPpRVCI/AAAAAAAAB8s/fi3ZjQxM9TA/s1600-h/DSC_0349a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0349a" border="0" alt="DSC_0349a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lDY1Kzz4JVA/UUapV7BIoPI/AAAAAAAAB80/nH7IoJClR6w/DSC_0349a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="234"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RRt2Sn4rczU/UUapWiD0B0I/AAAAAAAAB88/Ezcr8rfSC8M/s1600-h/DSC_0350_edited-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0350_edited-1" border="0" alt="DSC_0350_edited-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nGOpSXGGqrI/UUapW92U3MI/AAAAAAAAB9E/GERxI6kMWhM/DSC_0350_edited-1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="260"></a><br><br>What’s amazing, is that this is the only game these students did this for.<br>The poor teams that were scheduled to play after our game were feeling confused.<br>It was anti-climatic for them to walk in, see all the screaming and cheering, <br>then watch all the excitement walk out the door.<br>I ran into some friends whose son was playing and they said, <br>“Geez! I guess you guys were playing for the World Title?”</p> <p align="center">It sure seemed that way.<br><br>Yes, my son who was on the losing team, even had a gaggle of girls <br>surround him asking for his autograph!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BT9y0xYvCOw/UUapXiSnbjI/AAAAAAAAB9M/y2go93eCEeA/s1600-h/DSC_0357%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0357" border="0" alt="DSC_0357" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4sJXP859ccU/UUapYEUsCII/AAAAAAAAB9U/AwXBCZislyM/DSC_0357_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="395"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Nctw9_yhgk/UUapY3lLqAI/AAAAAAAAB9c/sAves_EOHqw/s1600-h/DSC_0358%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0358" border="0" alt="DSC_0358" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VMt3X7M3WWk/UUapZZ7ShQI/AAAAAAAAB9k/Kd3Aa1HaM0U/DSC_0358_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="395"></a><br></p> <p align="center">He’s 10 years old and had his own set of groupies?<br><font size="4"><strong>Sheesh!</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">Watch out world, Scooter’s ready to make his mark!</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-33319078690049793412013-03-14T23:09:00.001-07:002013-03-15T00:13:34.782-07:00A Member of the Club<blockquote> <p align="center">I joined a new club last week.<br>The club of grandma-hood.</p> <p align="center">I tell myself I’m the youngest member of this club.<br>After all, I’m not a typical grandma:<br>gray haired, wrinkly with baggy stockings.<br>I’m only PLENTY-NINE YEARS OLD!<br><font size="1">(Okay, I’ll admit a: I color my hair, b: I have plenty of wrinkles and c: if I wore stockings I’m sure they’d be baggy.)</font></p> <p align="center">Most women who are between the ages of <br>PLENTY-FIVE AND PLENTY-NINE<br>are not members of this club yet.</p> <p align="center">Uh huh.<br>Sure.<br><br>Then I get on Facebook,<br>and I see some people that I graduated from high school with have 2 or 3 grandkids.<br>Some even have more.<br>(Honestly, I don’t know how that’s possible, but these women claim to have them…<br>and even post pictures to prove it!)<br><br>So much for the “<em>I’m too young” </em>theory.<br>Who am I kidding?<br>I <u>AM</u> old enough to be a grandma!<br>Grandma’s these days <em>aren’t</em> gray haired and wrinkly!<br>The grandmas I know are fun, active and cool women!<br>I hope I can fit into the club and be cool like them!</p> <p align="center">Well, whether or not I am in denial with the fact that my offspring are having offspring,<br>I simply can’t refute it anymore.<br>My beautiful daughter gave birth to a beautiful son, last Friday.</p> <p align="center">What a day! <br>They say a picture is worth 1,000 words,<br>so my post will mostly be in photos.<br>(Probably overload!)</p> <p align="center"><font color="#c0504d" size="4">▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ <font color="#c0504d" size="4">▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓ ▓</font></font></p> <p align="center">The night Belle went to the hospital to be induced.<br>She and her doctor decided to induce on her due date.<br>They felt the baby was big enough and didn’t want him to get too much bigger.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9GWn6IqVCHY/UUK6sFIE6bI/AAAAAAAAB1s/plnmSs-6zlY/s1600-h/021a.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="021a" border="0" alt="021a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6OOi3xr7OFo/UUK6s1NhjAI/AAAAAAAAB10/1vHrKMJlq2I/021a_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="342"></a><br></p></blockquote> <p align="center">This next pic is <strong>BEFORE</strong> the epidural.<br>My poor girl labored all night and no one knew!<br>She was put on Cervadil to soften things up so she could be put on Pitocin in the morning.<br><strong><em>She is one in a million.<br></em></strong>Even though Cervadil is not supposed to induce labor, <br><strong><font size="4">IT DID</font></strong>!!!<br>By the time the doctor came to check on her at 7 am, the baby had already crowned.<br><strong>EVERYONE</strong> was incredibly surprised!<br>The person you see in the back right side of this pic is the anesthesiologist prepping to give <br>her an epidural.<br>I was quite surprised that they would offer her this procedure this late in the game.<br>But everyone in the room was so glad they did.<br>She wasn’t the most pleasant person.<br><strong>(Okay, we <u>all</u> agree she was MEAN!)<br></strong>After the epidural took effect, <br>my daughter – who everyone was calling SYBIL –<br>was called by her real name again.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9RxPC0QCFCg/UUK6t7lv86I/AAAAAAAAB18/Hid4XZG_2zE/s1600-h/025a%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="025a" border="0" alt="025a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F6rdwxsZLjQ/UUK6urxMAyI/AAAAAAAAB2E/4OFJsAxX-0Y/025a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="226"></a></p> <p align="center">Beast got the courage to cut the cord.<br>He wasn’t sure he could do it.<br>I’m so glad he did!<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mkv4DYb-_rQ/UUK6wK1mTqI/AAAAAAAAB2M/svcndRegKHI/s1600-h/041a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="041a" border="0" alt="041a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F2OCvu07KdM/UUK6wiFzbII/AAAAAAAAB2U/J3UD4qIbr3k/041a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="239"></a></p> <p align="center">I love this picture so much!<br>It’s a testament to the peace an epidural gives.<br>My daughter smiles calmly at the labor nurse.<br>You can’t tell that <strike>Sybil</strike> Belle had been yelling profanities at this <br>poor nurse just two hours before.<br>(The nurse was VERY PATIENT and forgiving of my daughter.)<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-63kRCqolDqg/UUK6xiBVYtI/AAAAAAAAB2c/eSI1_vGEn5s/s1600-h/043a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="043a" border="0" alt="043a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GZaPmwgDtpY/UUK6yF6JRII/AAAAAAAAB2k/i-WxGGoxsno/043a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="239"></a></p> <p align="center">HE’S HERE!<br>7 LBS 12 OZ<br>19 inches long<br>Squished nose and cone head<br>but incredibly beautiful in spite of it!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hiMt0Gll-ow/UUK6zPvQroI/AAAAAAAAB2s/0-fqwVboDw4/s1600-h/050a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="050a" border="0" alt="050a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oKATBIWGgiU/UUK6zTJFbwI/AAAAAAAAB20/7mfXPRXa23A/050a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="228"></a></p> <p align="center">Quite possibly the world’s youngest Elvis impersonator.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-09T7ZyfDJDs/UUK60LmZD3I/AAAAAAAAB28/G0bIi4zp86k/s1600-h/051a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="051a" border="0" alt="051a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OQRVNbYKShs/UUK608hWHJI/AAAAAAAAB3E/yW1Rvr8R3Xk/051a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="384"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QijJXtVd4mk/UUK611DHOkI/AAAAAAAAB3M/Gt5DLiTDxm4/s1600-h/052a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="052a" border="0" alt="052a" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kOpt22-0d8w/UUK62dmLzBI/AAAAAAAAB3U/ONEBmzslonM/052a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="239"></a></p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FWBYBdISoyw/UUK627dc4SI/AAAAAAAAB3c/xsd7g6TVq4E/s1600-h/075a%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="075a" border="0" alt="075a" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-o_aTqNSVj_M/UUK63dEcrnI/AAAAAAAAB3k/Ivb9q_Ai1p4/075a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="239"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4UH8ACVa_1Y/UUK64T_ZjzI/AAAAAAAAB3s/Cpu-HwN30lw/s1600-h/113a%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="113a" border="0" alt="113a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R0oylQGP-wM/UUK648piHvI/AAAAAAAAB30/W7eJt43n1b8/113a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="228"></a></p> <p align="center">Little Baby <br>who shall be known as <font size="4"><strong>CHIP <br></strong></font><font size="1">(keeping with the Beauty and the Beast theme)<br></font> is looking for work as a<br><strong><font size="4">YARD GNOME!</font></strong><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9SR0gOKT8wE/UUK658vXp_I/AAAAAAAAB38/uQesfIdPjqk/s1600-h/116a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="116a" border="0" alt="116a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AIUILanDn04/UUK66fJdBlI/AAAAAAAAB4E/KKyVCieuN80/116a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="621"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7XZTz8Hfv6U/UUK67cTgHxI/AAAAAAAAB4M/sZko36LOFYc/s1600-h/117a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="117a" border="0" alt="117a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NGIgxE3V6FE/UUK676zgdsI/AAAAAAAAB4U/R-hCf4XtZko/117a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="239"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fjdph5YmOCo/UUK68rkOH_I/AAAAAAAAB4c/s2NStC4LttY/s1600-h/090a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="090a" border="0" alt="090a" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-klDBmCW1Hcg/UUK69cs-lXI/AAAAAAAAB4k/O82LP7buWv8/090a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="456"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EOVzT31azCM/UUK6-KEsWxI/AAAAAAAAB4s/kmNJzv1j8SE/s1600-h/135a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="135a" border="0" alt="135a" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2NZwHUYFU6c/UUK6-q0f0ZI/AAAAAAAAB40/jpoH0QddfZA/135a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="273"></a> <p> </p> <p><br> </p> <p align="center">Even though we like to tease Belle about the little outbursts directed at the nurses,<br>I am incredibly proud of her.<br>She labored for about 6 hours without the benefit of an epidural.<br>That was NOT her birth plan. And was NEVER her birth plan.<br>In spite of it all, she handled the pain and discomfort until her hero, the anesthesiologist showed up.<br><strong><em>Belle, you are MY hero!<br>There’s NO WAY I could have done what you did!</em></strong></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I5mCh0DXux4/UUK6_vn_9OI/AAAAAAAAB48/a4XlllWIN9k/s1600-h/130a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="130a" border="0" alt="130a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zGk2quB6_OU/UUK7AIT-kYI/AAAAAAAAB5E/gZWERIclzNc/130a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="531"></a></p> <p align="center">Poor Scooter is only 10 years old,<br>which left him 8 years short of being able to visit Belle, Beast and Chip <strong><font size="4"><u>IN</u> </font></strong>the hospital.<br>(Due to the high RSV risk, no one under the age of 18 was admitted into the baby area.)<br>He was pretty disappointed.<br>Until we figured out a way he could still see his brand new nephew!<br>We pretended we were going to see a baby the old fashioned way:<br>through a nursery window.<br>Only it was 32° for those of us viewing the baby because <br>we were standing on the sidewalk OUTSIDE the hospital window!<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JnHLZ9i-asg/UUK7BMW3mKI/AAAAAAAAB60/QJPgC5OUj-E/s1600-h/119a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="119a" border="0" alt="119a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wfDButO23ok/UUK7BgKJUpI/AAAAAAAAB64/6Ki00j90lp8/119a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="331" height="223"></a></p> <p align="center">This guy makes me laugh --<br>when I’m not threatening to kick him out of the room.<br>One day, I swear, he’s going to get us ejected from a hospital.<br>Dang, he’s cute though.<br>Isn’t he?<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oML_1o267c8/UUK7CDPkibI/AAAAAAAAB5c/z-aY5GNuE0E/s1600-h/125a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="125a" border="0" alt="125a" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CiPxJzexlt4/UUK7CjbxxJI/AAAAAAAAB5k/MJbrkuH2G-U/125a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="577"></a></p> <p align="center">Chip isn’t fond of<br>a) being put down<br>b) having clothes put on<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TT2n_wJ57i4/UUK7DiLKbVI/AAAAAAAAB5s/BuLvUNJV0IU/s1600-h/146a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="146a" border="0" alt="146a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hRFunVV_Sn0/UUK7EFBW_vI/AAAAAAAAB50/WAd2JnCUXCY/146a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="206"></a></p> <p align="center">Uncle Bean loves singing to Baby Chip to help soothe him when he cries.<br>The song of choice is<br>Peter, Paul & Mary’s version of<br><em>Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word<br></em>(Papa’s gonna buy you a mocking bird)<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dvYEYmh3BDU/UUK7E4BzBoI/AAAAAAAAB58/u5xFAFbZI7g/s1600-h/157a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="157a" border="0" alt="157a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KVqNSurKVuQ/UUK7FlAGOTI/AAAAAAAAB6E/fPaWbLWe5oo/157a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="456"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CGdYAhCg09s/UUK7GKePO8I/AAAAAAAAB6M/eRcnpdqr5eo/s1600-h/187a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="187a" border="0" alt="187a" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YCna-9FPMT0/UUK7GkHkXVI/AAAAAAAAB6U/E9oAOJsyMYY/187a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="456"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hhARunuG7Bs/UUK7HHczvAI/AAAAAAAAB6c/6sK5O93yB04/s1600-h/189a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="189a" border="0" alt="189a" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AA-2Gk08fcM/UUK7Hrtxs9I/AAAAAAAAB6g/Z_GTsrZ1FBo/189a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="455"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">As you can see, our hearts have been stolen by this little guy.<br>He is an angel.<br>Such a good baby.<br><br>I never knew being a grandma would be so much fun.<br>Seriously,<br>if I would have known this,<br><strong><font size="4">I would have had him first!!</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-9995399722244220312013-03-08T17:00:00.000-07:002013-03-08T17:00:02.602-07:00Email<p align="center">Scooter is at it again!</p> <p align="center">We gave him Flynn’s <em>very old</em> outdated iPod Touch<br>and Scooter figured out how to put his email account onto it.<br>(I still haven’t figured out how to put my email on my iPhone.)</p> <p align="center">The other day I got this email from my son<br>(who is very excited to be an uncle, by the way):</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lv5Bmzc-f5E/UTl4-b1CDJI/AAAAAAAAB1U/GatnXdA3RJc/s1600-h/email%252520photo%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="email photo" border="0" alt="email photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4oCVhAWBsMY/UTl4_O8WuZI/AAAAAAAAB1c/VJeZyBJExJw/email%252520photo_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="554" height="270"></a></p> <p align="center">This email cracked us all up.</p> <p align="center">Really, where did this kid come from?<br><br>Oh, and I guess it needs to be said that Scooter is <em>insisting</em> that his nephew will call him….<br><br><font size="5"><strong>Uncle Bean</strong></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-54954587356433076322013-03-07T20:42:00.001-07:002013-03-07T21:43:37.051-07:00More Instagram<p align="center">I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again,</p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="4">I LOVE INSTAGRAM!</font></strong></p> <p align="center">Seriously.<br><br>Facebook irritates me.<br>There’s so much junk on my newsfeed these days, it’s hard to see what people are saying.</p> <p align="center">That’s <strong><u>if</u></strong> I can see what people are saying.<br>Half my friend’s status updates don’t show up in my feed at all.<br>But how can they, with all the “shared” posts<br>and “liked” posts<br>and advertisements.<br>I find it hard to weed through all the junk.</p> <p align="center">And weeding irritates me.</p> <p align="center">That’s why I don’t have a garden. <br>Because the weeds come in and take over all the good things.<br>BECAUSE I DON’T WEED!!</p> <p align="center">Here are some of my recent favorite Instagram pictures.</p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><strong>╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ ╚ </strong></font></p> <p align="center">Scooter got in this shower at Home Depot.<br>He stood there like that as strangers walked by.<br>I don’t think he thought they could see him.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-veVPq9UVkFE/UTld7iV-LAI/AAAAAAAABy8/mPxuRbesfjA/s1600-h/IMG_1112%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1112" border="0" alt="IMG_1112" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9jRIRemM7M4/UTld8MCPaMI/AAAAAAAABzE/67BAuUEfDow/IMG_1112_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center">Playing with glow sticks.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kXf6g1ko7t0/UTld8ffH7kI/AAAAAAAABzM/wzqWdoogjlU/s1600-h/IMG_1172%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1172" border="0" alt="IMG_1172" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9scQeyqjm5s/UTld81YfDqI/AAAAAAAABzU/asuQlcCMC20/IMG_1172_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="337"></a></p> <p align="center">This was a foggy morning in town.<br>We have a family joke about fog.<br>I’ll spare you the details (this time)<br>but it was a fun shot.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WuhrV3q5oqA/UTld9sQp3hI/AAAAAAAABzc/sK6SO71EGFI/s1600-h/IMG_1342%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1342" border="0" alt="IMG_1342" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ug81SUEgyCU/UTld-JfyzyI/AAAAAAAABzk/1HAYxTq9__E/IMG_1342_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304"></a></p> <p align="center">Scooter wanted to play a game on his computer,<br>but the TV is in the same room as the computer, and Belle was watching Glee.<br>Scooter and I HATE that show,<br>and Scooter refuses to even be in the same room when it’s on.<br>I’m proud of him for sticking to his principals.<br>But in the meantime,<br>he couldn’t play on the computer.<br>So he and I had a quick, fun game of Battleship.<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lFuIPI9UarY/UTld-00mvgI/AAAAAAAABzs/qS1hUCsiSIw/s1600-h/IMG_1394%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1394" border="0" alt="IMG_1394" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UiTqQOoVcIE/UTld_U3tWOI/AAAAAAAABz0/wuAWnp14res/IMG_1394_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="310"></a></p> <p align="center">Today, Belle and I went to get pedicures.<br>I labeled this one,<br>”Due date pedi’s” <br>It’s good to pamper yourself when you’re 40 weeks pregnant!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-spURyLN1d-M/UTld_9mgZkI/AAAAAAAABz8/Uadu1daN2Rw/s1600-h/IMG_1396%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1396" border="0" alt="IMG_1396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wXaoR_AKSAc/UTleAblwzuI/AAAAAAAAB0E/M-JFZ2jhlcI/IMG_1396_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="254"></a></p> <p align="center">This is a bridge about an hour away from Flatlandia.<br>I love how the picture turned out!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MIVEtS6051c/UTleBulQn7I/AAAAAAAAB0M/kzlWejDmNF8/s1600-h/IMG_0918%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0918" border="0" alt="IMG_0918" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SzR_HhPqOR4/UTleCXPE11I/AAAAAAAAB0U/8IakqkQ0REk/IMG_0918_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="433"></a></p> <p align="center">Jack Frost visited and left his mark on my windshield.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-arjBoa6YH_s/UTleD9fOLPI/AAAAAAAAB0c/DlQFDBj8B0Q/s1600-h/IMG_0415%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0415" border="0" alt="IMG_0415" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fFfWVRXsCw8/UTleENaYDuI/AAAAAAAAB0k/JreiIA3vg9k/IMG_0415_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="192"></a></p> <p align="center">Another of my favorite photos.<br>We took this at the Supernacle<br>(Conference Center)<br>in Salt lake.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mKCBH-WJiyI/UTleFo6Z8yI/AAAAAAAAB0s/FHXq3jdS2yw/s1600-h/IMG_0557%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0557" border="0" alt="IMG_0557" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zGWhcptILhA/UTleGNmaCnI/AAAAAAAAB00/YqxBYYgNZQ8/IMG_0557_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="342"></a><br><br>And finally,<br>I just don’t know what to say about this picture!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v4EJDjba6XQ/UTleHGikuCI/AAAAAAAAB08/laOoeynRZ-8/s1600-h/IMG_0736%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0736" border="0" alt="IMG_0736" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ObWtSD7B2qk/UTleHlp2qtI/AAAAAAAAB1E/42rCHWa3uQ0/IMG_0736_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="431"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-50718215925646853492013-03-05T21:59:00.001-07:002013-03-05T22:22:44.065-07:00Lellowstone<p align="center">It has been a<br><font size="4">LOOOONG<br>COOOOLD <br></font>Winter.</p> <p align="center">Do you know the last time we went to Yellowstone was the end of September?</p> <p align="center">It has been <br><strong><font size="4">164 Days<br></font></strong>since we were there.<br><br>Or…<br><strong><font size="4">5 months, 11 days.</font></strong></p> <p align="center">Or…<br><font size="4"><strong>23 weeks</strong>.</font></p> <p align="center">That is unacceptable in my book.</p> <p align="center">Thankfully I’m married to the <em><strong>very handsome</strong></em> Flynn.<br><br>This same Flynn,<br>who back in June or July of last year said,<br><em>”I think this winter we need to take a snowmobiling trip to The Park.”</em></p> <p align="center">And believe me, <br>once he put it out there,<br>I wasn’t going to let him forget he said it!<br>(Bonus: He <u>DIDN’T</u> forget!)</p> <p align="center">So, as soon as Christmas was over, we started planning our trip.<br>We invited a few people.<br>Some accepted the invitation.<br><strong><font size="4">YAY!<br></font></strong>Other’s had to decline.<br><strong><font size="4">BOO!<br></font></strong>We included friends, family and co-workers.<br>(Sadly, it was the friends who were unable to come with us.)<br>It was a nice mix.<br><br>There are decent snow levels this year, which is a good thing,<font size="4"><br></font>since we couldn’t go until the end of February.<br>There’s nothing worse than a snowmobiling trip when there’s no snow.<br><br>It was also risky because the excursion was only a week and a half before Belle’s due date.<br>It would have been terrible if the coolest events of the year (so far)<br>both happened on the same day!<br><br>But we got lucky!<br>Plenty of snow <u>and</u> no contractions!<br>Whew!<br><br>Another good spot of luck happened when I called the company to reserve our little trip.<br>The government limits how many machines can go into The Park each day,<br>and we got the last 6 machines that were available.<br>Yeah.<br>Can I get a huge <font size="5"><strong>WHEW!<br></strong></font>If we had needed one more machine, I don’t know what we would have done!<br><br>The weather wasn’t great.<br>We had heavy snowfall all day… some called it the “Blizzard of ‘13”<br>which was cool!<br>But the wind… oh the wind….<br>It wasn’t so cool.<br>The wildlife stayed in the protective cover of the trees.<br>That definitely wasn’t cool.<br>I was hoping for a semi-close encounter with a bison.<br>Or an elk.<br>Or a wolf.<br>Even a coyote.<br><br>Didn’t happen.<br><br>But…<br> ▲ We did see some beautiful scenery!<br>Seriously, Yellowstone in the winter<br><font size="4"><em>takes your breath away</em>!</font>! <br>▲ We were the only people in our group, <br>so we had a little more control of where we went and how long we got to stay<br>▲ Our awesome guide told us how to avoid the lunchtime crowds at the Old Faithful restaurants<br>(which we tipped him handsomely for).<br>▲ And we got to hang out with some pretty cool people.</p> <p align="center">It was a great day!<br>I can’t wait to do it again!<br><font size="1">(Some pics were taken with my DSLR and some with my iPhone)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qJIYAZ2Cr4A/UTbMwIarW1I/AAAAAAAABtA/6sctS5DwHcw/s1600-h/DSC_0094%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0094" border="0" alt="DSC_0094" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wLXiVBQizIE/UTbMw8GNg2I/AAAAAAAABtI/IypD_DHp34E/DSC_0094_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="454"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gZJZ4BxBpNY/UTbMx5eayiI/AAAAAAAABtQ/0kKPw_ts1Qg/s1600-h/DSC_0096a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0096a" border="0" alt="DSC_0096a" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SNwizd7_EAU/UTbMyq3DM3I/AAAAAAAABtY/VUZqlMYFUIk/DSC_0096a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="239"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cD1F0RgRuBs/UTbMzptDbFI/AAAAAAAABtg/LWsGXEu6md4/s1600-h/DSC_0110a%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0110a" border="0" alt="DSC_0110a" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mn-ItScPqOo/UTbM0Nz0xZI/AAAAAAAABto/GJiXElizKt0/DSC_0110a_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="426"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eDYaRWJm7NI/UTbM1YKC6uI/AAAAAAAABtw/Gfu5FqIHFOo/s1600-h/DSC_0126%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0126" border="0" alt="DSC_0126" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gmeConVU4vM/UTbM1s7acGI/AAAAAAAABt4/Z0xrJukkCPw/DSC_0126_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="236"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-llSMr5eEr7Q/UTbM25gas8I/AAAAAAAABuA/UHresU_Zj8E/s1600-h/DSC_0129a%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0129a" border="0" alt="DSC_0129a" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FrJU5mVy0XI/UTbM3ZuK0zI/AAAAAAAABuI/WPh-dAxr9qs/DSC_0129a_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="234"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Aa4CT5Qc7qg/UTbM4tFOI3I/AAAAAAAABuQ/mwjkXlOr3kw/s1600-h/DSC_0137a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0137a" border="0" alt="DSC_0137a" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JSMuZ0_CMIc/UTbM5ZeJjrI/AAAAAAAABuY/k88AY-l9QKA/DSC_0137a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AzUbzZZ91ps/UTbM646bg_I/AAAAAAAABug/ysD4EDM-56E/s1600-h/DSC_0139a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0139a" border="0" alt="DSC_0139a" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0giLtl-Ps0w/UTbM7hw7CdI/AAAAAAAABuo/aPbwk2hUxc8/DSC_0139a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="294"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right">Flynn and my Dad. The two favorite guys in my life! </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yxPN2fh9hIk/UTbM8OTjLdI/AAAAAAAABuw/Ogl1FY2qBjU/s1600-h/DSC_0119a%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0119a" border="0" alt="DSC_0119a" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Af43vVXSMBI/UTbM86miO3I/AAAAAAAABu4/gr1m-vSwVXA/DSC_0119a_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="286" height="426"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F2bY_1QZ_A4/UTbM946AhcI/AAAAAAAABvA/yySRrBnumwY/s1600-h/DSC_0122%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0122" border="0" alt="DSC_0122" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YmKgTnLxl8Y/UTbM-y1h_dI/AAAAAAAABvI/F3eNUJgjuhA/DSC_0122_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="273"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="right">Our group listens to the guide tell them scary stories of<br> people who fell to their death in the boiling waters of geysers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ziiG-x8HpZw/UTbNAKj3UnI/AAAAAAAABvQ/b8ZagjYpH7E/s1600-h/DSC_0109%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0109" border="0" alt="DSC_0109" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NWCy9_XT3Wc/UTbNA6zODiI/AAAAAAAABvY/1lQtQUeH4Jg/DSC_0109_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="259"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>My Sis, Red, and Scooter wait for Old Faithful<br>to erupt.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8dxMLKkU0sw/UTbNB4DIjaI/AAAAAAAABvg/IOLZeN0y5D8/s1600-h/IMG_1294%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1294" border="0" alt="IMG_1294" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vx65xzdISo4/UTbNCvtZTHI/AAAAAAAABvo/vDgrQpRGZqg/IMG_1294_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="406"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><u><font color="#2932d5"></font></u> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6p6KznxAjrc/UTbNDnYgsvI/AAAAAAAABvw/QxawR7UnRHE/s1600-h/IMG_1295%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1295" border="0" alt="IMG_1295" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qxAx2D0nZP4/UTbNEXN8PbI/AAAAAAAABv4/xINcSVFttfs/IMG_1295_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="406"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZzPcHiHZed0/UTbNFUoxpQI/AAAAAAAABwA/m9a9UDj8x8g/s1600-h/IMG_1264%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1264" border="0" alt="IMG_1264" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bGhayOKYbV0/UTbNGNKt_oI/AAAAAAAABwI/9C36PaVLheI/IMG_1264_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268"></a></p> <p align="right"> If you could have seen my hair, you’d understand <br>why I was wearing a hat indoors. <br>Seriously. It was scary!<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SGPpdKfJfIk/UTbNHP_wLlI/AAAAAAAABwQ/opcVmPDJlvA/s1600-h/IMG_1271%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1271" border="0" alt="IMG_1271" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ITwDxqXUG-I/UTbNILFpwoI/AAAAAAAABwY/21RY9OB_xqA/IMG_1271_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268"></a></p> <p align="center">Look closely at the entrance.<br>I think it’s giving us the<br><font size="5"><strong>“PEACE”<br></strong></font>sign.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jlZ6nR7w3IE/UTbNJB_1OVI/AAAAAAAAByM/ZFrYYOvl5PM/s1600-h/IMG_1265%25255B6%25255D.jpg"></p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1265" border="0" alt="IMG_1265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RPAPwuAXAdo/UTbNJvHCpCI/AAAAAAAAByQ/kzUIHmdj5SI/IMG_1265_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="419"></a> <p align="center">Yes, we only went for a day, yet, I felt compelled to make sure we were prepared for all contingencies.<br>We carried food, extra (dry) clothing and lots of water in packs we wore or strapped onto the machines.<br>Seems excessive, doesn’t it?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9fwiyGynVBM/UTbNKyED2-I/AAAAAAAAByU/2V9y-pbosUs/s1600-h/IMG_1274%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1274" border="0" alt="IMG_1274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_xrTrDwRG_k/UTbNLoN-zQI/AAAAAAAAByY/uaDB7l8f4Hs/IMG_1274_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268"></a></p> <p align="center">This is the Old Faithful Visitor’s Center.<br>I included this picture to show how much it was snowing while we were there.<br>But I’m not sure the picture does it justice.<br>There was a TON of snow coming down!<br><font size="1">(Click on the picture to see it better.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3ovdfpdU0ak/UTbNNA8t88I/AAAAAAAAByc/ItK_Z9CU3gQ/s1600-h/IMG_1269%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1269" border="0" alt="IMG_1269" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CjOT_dcv-Fg/UTbNNvPSa8I/AAAAAAAAByg/QdZj4-z4uOc/IMG_1269_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268"></a></p> <p align="center">I took the wrong lens, so I had to use my iPhone to take a picture as Old Faithful was going off.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ICYHEuPzafs/UTbNOokpEjI/AAAAAAAAByk/Qc39ah7wnXA/s1600-h/IMG_1286%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1286" border="0" alt="IMG_1286" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VHX3SSV5Ieg/UTbNPHID7FI/AAAAAAAAByo/lk8WRm5uHLc/IMG_1286_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268"></a></p> <p align="center">In a fun moment between father and son,<br>Flynn took Scooter and threw him into a snowbank<br>(this may have happened more than once).<br>Flynn takes a moment to relish his conquest.<br>Scooter is a happy kid and didn’t mind.<br>He even tried to get his dad back by throwing him into a snow bank.<br>Scooter’s 60 pounds was no match for Flynn’s muscular brawniness. <br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FkSfcYCZzsE/UTbNP7sJmbI/AAAAAAAABys/fZaCcdGKjBQ/s1600-h/IMG_1275%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1275" border="0" alt="IMG_1275" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iQfjecTTmdo/UTbNQrtNETI/AAAAAAAAByw/_2PbcX3tlj8/IMG_1275_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="433"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07iCUcIxEds/UTbNRvPd55I/AAAAAAAABy0/XEkccmEb2_M/s1600-h/IMG_1276%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1276" border="0" alt="IMG_1276" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lCf4fCy3wjo/UTbNSIDGuII/AAAAAAAABy4/3XXzHDj5rUE/IMG_1276_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="339"></a></p> <p align="center">I’m already dying…<br><strong><font size="5">CAN WE GO BACK TOMORROW?!?!</font></strong></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1563592677294875496.post-5337652311848056152013-02-18T21:44:00.001-07:002013-02-18T21:44:51.550-07:00Holy Tragedy<p align="center">I guess I’m a blogging fool this week.<br><br>3 posts in 2 days seems a bit excessive.<br>Oh well.<br>I guess I’m stocking up for the<br>blogging drought we know will come.</p> <p align="center"><font size="6"><strong>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</strong></font></p> <p align="center">As I was going through pictures on my old Nikon tonight,<br>and I was looking at photos of our <br>New Year’s cross-country skiing trip,<br>it reminded me of this silly video we made while we were out there.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 481px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:b73e70a3-1adb-4852-964f-051aef7a8f20" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="5b079011-702b-41f6-aee0-dbff7360ed39" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQEQ7nBcAyA&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZAv2Gmj2X2Y/USMDQTPkuyI/AAAAAAAABrk/tOQjs0lVotw/videoce3105d925f4%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5b079011-702b-41f6-aee0-dbff7360ed39'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"481\" height=\"270\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/XQEQ7nBcAyA?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/XQEQ7nBcAyA?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"481\" height=\"270\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p align="center">We laugh.<br>Every.<br>Single.<br>Time.<br>We watch it.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11729624735843262739noreply@blogger.com3