tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54724673010955047432024-02-02T08:53:03.952-08:00Hope's Rambling ThoughtsCan YOU keep up?Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-88249268990601027222012-11-18T19:21:00.001-08:002012-11-19T17:28:52.643-08:00Gratitude Journal<a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/006/0/5285239/il_fullxfull.379593628_4ups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/006/0/5285239/il_fullxfull.379593628_4ups.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Many months ago, I read an incredible books called <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913?ie=UTF8&tag=holyexper-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969">One Thousand Gifts</a> </i>(by Ann Voskamp), about a woman who feels overcome with busyness, a tragic past, life in general, and depression. A friend encourages her to write a list of 1,000 gifts; the process of writing them down brings her out of her depression and refocuses her on God and all the amazing gifts of life we take for granted. I highly recommend the book.<br />
She also has a blog here: www.onethousandgifts.com.<br />
I've been meaning to make my own list for ages, but haven't done it yet.<br />
Last week, my devotional book (<i>Small Steps for Catholic Moms</i>, which I also highly recommend, whether you are Catholic or not) had the assignment of starting a gratitude journal. I've been working on a little bit here and there for a week, and I am now going to be incredibly vulnerable by sharing it here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That's right. Brace yourself.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">God the Father, Jesus the Son, the
Holy Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus’ death and resurrection<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The promise of eternal life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chad<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ethan<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Benji<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fiona<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Three successful vaginal
deliveries (one at home in water)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Never miscarried<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Two
living parents who are still married and still love each other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chad’s
parents, who are still living and married and let me call them “Mom” and “Dad”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Benji’s
face when he tries not to enjoy me hugging and loving him, but you can tell he
secretly likes it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">13.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dressing
Fiona in adorable pink and purple and girly outfits<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">14.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fiona’s
ponytails. When I do two ponytails, they stick up and look so cute. They make
me so happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">15.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’ve
successfully nursed three children. What a special time in life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">16.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
Ethan gives me a kiss in the morning before he goes to school<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">17.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hot
coffee in the morning with milk and sweetener in it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">18.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Drinking
said coffee in the quiet of the morning before kids are awake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">19.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Watching
shows with Chad after the kids are in bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">20.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Autumn
leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">21.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
way I feel after I run 5 miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">22.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cool,
crisp autumn weather, especially if there’s a light breeze<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">23.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Warm,
fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">24.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cooking
healthy, creative, delicious meals for my family (Chad always appreciates them,
the kids mostly don’t)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">25.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fiona’s
laugh when she’s being chased<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">26.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">That
one engagement picture of Chad and me where we’re kissing and we look truly
happy, and my hair looks perfect<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">27.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Central
air<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">28.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Central
heating<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">29.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
roof over my head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">30.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
very comfortable mattress that has lasted 10+ years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">31.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Wedding
pictures, especially the one of me in front of the stained glass window<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">32.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mary
and her example<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">33.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Windows
(and window blinds in case I don’t want light)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">34.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Naps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">35.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Snuggling
up with blankets and bedspread when it’s cold<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">36.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Thick,
warm socks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">37.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
vintage chest of drawers from my grandfather’s house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">38.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
hundreds of dollars worth of freebies and hand-me-downs we’ve received from
others<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">39.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
closet full of clothes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">40.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
chest of drawer full of more clothes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">41.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
fact that Chad’s mom and my mother have bought almost all the kids’ clothes,
and I very rarely have to buy them clothing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">42.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carpeted
house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">43.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
ten minutes after my house is freshly cleaned before it gets dirty again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">44.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
hot, relaxing bath and hot showers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">45.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
fact that we have running water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">46.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
fact that we have two flushing, working toilets<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">47.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
house with three bedrooms and two bathrooms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">48.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
covered back porch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">49.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
Ethan and Benji play well together and encourage each other<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">50.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
Fiona gets hurt and the boys are gentle with her<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">51.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
way Fiona loves her stuffed puppy. She pets him, kisses his nose, and says “A
puppy. A puppy. A puppy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">52.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
parish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">53.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
fact that I can type over 60 wpm, I use this skill daily<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">54.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Trying
new recipes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">55.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Our
couch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">56.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
fact that we have three book shelves filled with books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">57.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
healthy family: no disabilities, no severe illnesses or diseases, no special
needs children<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">58.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">A
healthy, “normal” reproductive system<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">59.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
way I look in my favorite pair of New York & Co jeans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">60.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
temperate climate (at least comparatively)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">61.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
sister<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">62.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">My
two brothers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">63.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Two
sisters-in-law who are also my friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">64.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chad’s
brother and sister and their spouses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">65.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;">Having
nieces and nephews<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0px;">I challenge you to start a gratitude journal of your own. It's good for us to reflect on our blessings and the things that make us happy. No joy should be overlooked. If you do start one, share some of it with me.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-29681693185849863772012-11-12T19:35:00.002-08:002012-11-12T19:35:54.725-08:00What I Love About AutumnIt's that time of year again! Autumn is my favorite season (I can't say it's my favorite time of year because Christmas is my favorite time of year, but Christmas is not a season, so this is all logical to me). I love, love, love autumn. When I go outside in the morning and the air is crisp and cool and there's a tiny bit of a nippy wind ... mmmm! I love it! It makes me feel blissful. It makes me want to start dancing in the chilly wind, but don't worry, I won't embarrass you by actually dancing.<br />
Here are my favorite things about autumn, in reverse order; you gotta save the best for last.<br />
<br />
10. Hot drinks. Hot chocolate, tea, and coffee simply taste better when it's a little chilly outside.<br />
<a href="http://www.evernewrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hot-Chocolate-Drink-Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.evernewrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Hot-Chocolate-Drink-Recipe.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
9. Wearing warm pajamas<br />
<a href="http://article-niche.com/news_images/news_Footie-Pajamas-Will-Keep-The-F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://article-niche.com/news_images/news_Footie-Pajamas-Will-Keep-The-F.jpg" /></a> Isn't this picture hilarious? Can you imagine buying his 'n' hers matching footie pajamas?<br />
<br />
8. Thanksgiving. A holiday dedicated to eating ... I mean, to being thankful for all we have: yes please!<br />
<a href="http://www.delish.com/cm/delish/images/Mr/thanksgiving-turkey-dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.delish.com/cm/delish/images/Mr/thanksgiving-turkey-dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
7. Snuggling up under a blanket and bedspread when I go to bed<br />
<a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/animatedtv/1/0/7/D/1/LINUS_4F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/animatedtv/1/0/7/D/1/LINUS_4F.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
6. Pulling my cool-weather clothes from the closet: those cozy long-sleeved shirts, fabulous scarves, adorable jackets, and fashionable close-toed shoes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID24038/images/winter_cluster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID24038/images/winter_cluster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
5. Soups. I really enjoy eating hot soups and chilis when it's cold outside, especially with some nice crunchy bread. And there are just so many soup and chili recipes and variations, it'll never get old.<br />
<a href="http://eggsonsunday.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/soups_creamytomato_new.jpg?w=600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://eggsonsunday.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/soups_creamytomato_new.jpg?w=600" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
4. The smells: pumpkin-scented candles, and winter berry soaps, cinnamon, nutmeg ... mmmmmmm<br />
<a href="http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a04/ar/25/decorate-home-autumn-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new/ehow/images/a04/ar/25/decorate-home-autumn-800x800.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
3. The fact that Christmas is just around the corner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mikejohnston.com/christmas/free-christmas-powerpoint-background-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.mikejohnston.com/christmas/free-christmas-powerpoint-background-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2. The weather. (Now, admittedly, since I'm in Alabama, the weather really is nice. If I lived in Minnesota or Canada, I'd probably be miserable). I can't say how much I love that crispness, the coolness, the drop in humidity, that little bit of cold.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2bitches1blog.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/autumn_weather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2bitches1blog.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/autumn_weather.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
And the number 1 reason I love autumn is:<br />
1. The leaves. Oh, I love the leaves. They are so beautiful. Literally, when I'm driving down certain roads and on the freeway, I say (repeatedly) "Oh my gosh, that's so beautiful." (The kids started tuning me out after the first eight times I said it). I love the red maple leaves. There are lots of maples around here, and they are, quite simply, gorgeous. There are several oak trees, and their leaves get yellow. I love to see them changing. The colors are so, so beautiful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.akamum.co.uk/theblog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/traces-of-autumn-leaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://www.akamum.co.uk/theblog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/traces-of-autumn-leaves.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/37/Leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/37/Leaves.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/gocanada/1/0/M/3/-/-/fall_foliage_new_brunswick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/gocanada/1/0/M/3/-/-/fall_foliage_new_brunswick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
What are your favorite things about autumn? Share here!Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-23877295259646572332012-11-05T04:10:00.001-08:002012-11-05T04:10:11.787-08:00Homemade Monday: Homemade PlaydoughOriginally, I had this fabulous idea of making something homemade once a week and blogging about it. Like so many of my other amazing ideas, this one has fallen by the wayside ... like, really far down the wayside. Not because it's hard to making something homemade; I do that all the time. But who has time to upload pictures, sit down at the computer, and make a post? I have other priorities.<br />
Except for today! Today, I'm going to do it. And today's super-fun homemade project blog post is about homemade playdough.<br />
Seriously, this playdough is WAY better than store bought playdough. This stuff is just right amount of squishiness.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here are the ingredients you'll need:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 cups flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 Tbsp vegetable oil</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 cup salt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4 Tbsp cream of tartar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
food coloring</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxOqqTPsoFzjXybI1EWuFAjW-lkSN1W13Js1L4y1KD-p2XOIs-zmHpKxHlMbs45dE1JMqWtGnwgwPGXAtpRnJhCsH66ILX1NWDSmzP399RydUyAVfHdYj98_VlEsUGW_iqpJjAOv56nUS/s1600/IMG_1587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxOqqTPsoFzjXybI1EWuFAjW-lkSN1W13Js1L4y1KD-p2XOIs-zmHpKxHlMbs45dE1JMqWtGnwgwPGXAtpRnJhCsH66ILX1NWDSmzP399RydUyAVfHdYj98_VlEsUGW_iqpJjAOv56nUS/s320/IMG_1587.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Mix all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat until mixture forms soft ball. Remove from heat and dump the dough onto a countertop. Let it cool only a few minutes (not too long). Then knead the dough until it is smooth. Store in a ziplock bag. Ours usually lasts a few months.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is Benji kneading our orange dough.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4FS8y8U-Wx3AqqaM0Y8vMT1BRtFBN5w-o-gP3YzAq4goTaATj8yPFFJZJRRb2TytGEgjRMTqrqfbVwDc2wgfmh1Qrg4ifcWTtRG_vcLHjd2dSTupJLcMhSz2lMLcsbM7N8Z1Yow4AXLu/s1600/IMG_1586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4FS8y8U-Wx3AqqaM0Y8vMT1BRtFBN5w-o-gP3YzAq4goTaATj8yPFFJZJRRb2TytGEgjRMTqrqfbVwDc2wgfmh1Qrg4ifcWTtRG_vcLHjd2dSTupJLcMhSz2lMLcsbM7N8Z1Yow4AXLu/s320/IMG_1586.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have fun!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-87540684026705058352012-10-29T19:17:00.000-07:002012-10-29T19:17:51.608-07:007 Quick Takes<div>
1. Today is the start of seven days of no sugar, no white flour, and no processed foods (or at least foods with no more than five ingredients). I did this a few months ago and I made it for seven days I think. I'm going for seven again.</div>
<div>
2. I have registered for a half-marathon. It's exactly in 12 weeks, so today is the start of my 12-week training program. Thank, Hal Higdon! I can run 3 miles without too much trouble. Also, since I have finally decided to do another half-marathon and paid for it, it is likely that I will get preggos within the next few weeks. That would be my luck.</div>
<div>
3. I do want another baby, and life would always be welcome in this family. So when I say just my luck, I am only saying the timing wouldn't be fantastic. But, heck, I'd run it anyway. Or well, I'd walk it.</div>
<div>
4. Fiona has been vomiting for 5 days. I'm so doggone tired of doing laundry!! I took her to the doctor today, and he said it was a virus; it is just taking her a long time for the "lingering effects" of the virus to go away. I haven't slept well in a week. At night, every noise or movement by Fiona made me think "Is it time to get the vomit bowl?" And many of those times I didn't get it quickly enough and she threw up on our bed. And she's thrown up on 4 pillows. One just needed to be tossed; the others were washed. Oh boy, such fun.</div>
<div>
5. I love coffee. Oh, I love it. I have turned into the exact person whom I used to judge so harshly. I wake up in the morning, my eyes burning with lack of sleep, and I think, "As soon as I drink a cup of coffee, I'll be okay." I stumble into the kitchen, pour a cup, sugar it up, and add some milk. Mmmm, yes, I love it.</div>
<div>
6. Some of you may know that I have been avidly watching <i>Downton Abbey</i>, season 2. Just sign up for a free 1-week free trial of Hulu Plus (Swagbucks has a link to this, so you can earn swagbucks for doing it too!), then you too can experience such joy. This show has sucked me in, heart and soul; I've spent many "spare" moments watching it (which means I've put off laundry, dishes, and cleaning). I want to get my hands on season 3, but it doesn't even air till Jan 2013 (yes, that's right, I wikipedia-ed it).</div>
<div>
7. Ethan likes math (I'm really surprised by this), being read to (right now, we're on <i>Hank the Cowdog</i>, book 1), building Lego cars, making Fiona laugh, and sometimes playing well with Benji.</div>
<div>
Benji likes making Lego armored vehicles with treasure hidden inside, watching <i>Phineas and Ferb</i>, playing with Fiona, going to preschool, eating snacks, and playing in the sandbox.</div>
<div>
Fiona likes puppies, puppies, and puppies. She likes cuddling her stuffed puppy, she likes stealing her brothers' stuffed puppies, she likes looking at real puppies, and she likes looking at pictures of puppies on the internet. She also LOVES to sit in laps and be read stories.</div>
Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-84798269312933836642012-09-08T13:49:00.004-07:002012-09-08T13:49:39.287-07:00How I Spent My Summer VacationOkay, I know it's a little late because summer ended three weeks ago, but better late than never.<br />
Here is how I spent my summer (which hasn't been a vacation in 6 years):<br />
<br />
1. Spent 3 months going to the chiropractor three times a week. (Most of these visits were WITH the kids. Poor things. They were so good and patient though through all those appointments. And yes, it helped significantly).<br />
2. Took a road trip to Texas. If you missed that post, it's <a href="http://www.hopesramblingthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/06/trip-to-texas.html">here</a>.<br />
3. Not working out (started off because of back pain, then I was out of the habit, and I haven't been able to get motivated since!!!)<br />
4. Planted a vegetable garden. You can read all about it <a href="http://www.hopesramblingthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/07/adventures-in-gardening.html">here</a>. It has been a sad failure except for the 1 zucchini we've gotten out of it.<br />
5. Having playdates. We got together with several friends so our kids could play together. I love playdates as much as my kids.<br />
6. Reading <i>Magic Treehouse books</i>. (I love these! They are chapter books that tell a story but teach kids history and nature facts at the same time. And both Ethan and Benji enjoy them. It's a win-win. There are somewhere around 50 books, and we got through a good 25 during the summer).<br />
7. Took a road trip to Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Good times.<br />
8. Went swimming. (Sadly, the very first of the kids' swim lessons, Benji got out too far, swallowed water, and then was traumatized till near the end of the summer. So no swimming was learned for Benji. We spent most of the summer trying to get him not afraid of the water anymore. Ethan got even better than he was before. He's a little fish now. We hit up the public pool twice and friends' pools several times).<br />
9. VBS-hopped. (Hey, don't judge!) The first one was at our church, where the theme was "The Mass Comes Alive." The second one was the very next week at the church where I teach children's day out. The theme was "Daniel's Courage in Captivity." The kids attended, and I worked in the baby room. Needless to say, by the end of the week, we were all Vacation Bible School-ed out!<br />
10. Got older. I tried to turn 29 again this year, but it didn't work. I'm now .... 32.<br />
<br />
And so, three weeks ago, half-excited and half-sad, I sent my boys off to school.<br />
<br />
Ethan was excited about going to school; he was just annoyed that I wanted to take a picture of him:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe-32drEmjU6p3QZDIP_ADpDZDMu0kQC7hW5CZpPb753djOMiBXioexiK5c96c3ER-N_qlpldxcdDgozGKhZtyhKe0Ahk87_r8IUDPTmOmq07USFnZLipCCvNzO5xkxBDrOe3gb-QYXp2/s1600/IMG_1493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe-32drEmjU6p3QZDIP_ADpDZDMu0kQC7hW5CZpPb753djOMiBXioexiK5c96c3ER-N_qlpldxcdDgozGKhZtyhKe0Ahk87_r8IUDPTmOmq07USFnZLipCCvNzO5xkxBDrOe3gb-QYXp2/s320/IMG_1493.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Benji was definitely excited: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqmntcz60nyg9OClr4Tih-GsttStGIkpv-bGFUZR5J7ho-RU5g9hiijHm38ofWXgHSMzDEztvOAVqs7xeb6n1tHatx0smCztWL_lNx0j2j59c92qdYMF7kLkL1z_aCnhIvsh7pmaCNsnS/s1600/IMG_1494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdqmntcz60nyg9OClr4Tih-GsttStGIkpv-bGFUZR5J7ho-RU5g9hiijHm38ofWXgHSMzDEztvOAVqs7xeb6n1tHatx0smCztWL_lNx0j2j59c92qdYMF7kLkL1z_aCnhIvsh7pmaCNsnS/s320/IMG_1494.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And then I got to spend some quality time with this little pumpkin: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1pG2b7d5qIlB5XIeKpbGC8KhylfXue20G-A_3VfFh01z_k429MFK8MkIbQZyyM6r2ZPsXyaK-7xlfWlTXC1G6JRSaOhCggjdwuf5t0M1EggGFgqPW9PsKohx_PPCcskIIS4P0bK5xgo4/s1600/IMG_1497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1pG2b7d5qIlB5XIeKpbGC8KhylfXue20G-A_3VfFh01z_k429MFK8MkIbQZyyM6r2ZPsXyaK-7xlfWlTXC1G6JRSaOhCggjdwuf5t0M1EggGFgqPW9PsKohx_PPCcskIIS4P0bK5xgo4/s320/IMG_1497.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-57445246915767497242012-08-18T13:23:00.000-07:002012-08-18T13:23:39.798-07:00Road Trip, Part III: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxEa-J5uw8SzJ_bLH9OopmTqCWe_POe0yrNjNMc0Ffg0y389zt2IUZNrB9OiPbYUclaPQJoyB58cenjsbSkeCyHKE1bGEqZvmjXpaoLDZ-NfDeqpGh9i9BqHO21sutcUjVvQmnHKtGRst/s1600/IMG_1460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxEa-J5uw8SzJ_bLH9OopmTqCWe_POe0yrNjNMc0Ffg0y389zt2IUZNrB9OiPbYUclaPQJoyB58cenjsbSkeCyHKE1bGEqZvmjXpaoLDZ-NfDeqpGh9i9BqHO21sutcUjVvQmnHKtGRst/s320/IMG_1460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm0wX2IKaKqyxgcTXN4RRNTFrbcByyT7PDLDyIXAWAIKaQ5eBvds-hJwSwOZUlM_cSyH0Orv8hu4M5o4ud0j_Jzi75XX0JIsXeu-58xEOYljcH3CbgVulorQe2c_D7VqXo2kft9QKEauh/s1600/IMG_1461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqm0wX2IKaKqyxgcTXN4RRNTFrbcByyT7PDLDyIXAWAIKaQ5eBvds-hJwSwOZUlM_cSyH0Orv8hu4M5o4ud0j_Jzi75XX0JIsXeu-58xEOYljcH3CbgVulorQe2c_D7VqXo2kft9QKEauh/s320/IMG_1461.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWly8oY_BIHk0PpsPY-2bGYpQtl_wif553SIqcWHrsRJHBJPTW_B9MBKPBAsIXZuUrtSdqijH_CGIx85Fli4nc4_8L0VVwn8HnV66_oBcoHMXF5oYERzbL9OCMzGwa1YBEsoPUgj46Rfn/s1600/IMG_1462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWly8oY_BIHk0PpsPY-2bGYpQtl_wif553SIqcWHrsRJHBJPTW_B9MBKPBAsIXZuUrtSdqijH_CGIx85Fli4nc4_8L0VVwn8HnV66_oBcoHMXF5oYERzbL9OCMzGwa1YBEsoPUgj46Rfn/s320/IMG_1462.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzawz60TPDfBm50fKP7x_UttzR0Z2AIXyFXCDs-Imyn2jUDoYdMJeUk9l0jrraoMp6uSIz7fpL0NUt2NB2GEv1nLSeL683WYi6vVINyCQjdHvD6pyarTchNz58iBDNNKCNsXUsjCGMnwb/s1600/IMG_1463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzawz60TPDfBm50fKP7x_UttzR0Z2AIXyFXCDs-Imyn2jUDoYdMJeUk9l0jrraoMp6uSIz7fpL0NUt2NB2GEv1nLSeL683WYi6vVINyCQjdHvD6pyarTchNz58iBDNNKCNsXUsjCGMnwb/s320/IMG_1463.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp1dsX2HzKwfn6UDRjaEYprz-0AAJloQvhmRdl4coPacN7hpAzv43qJCf2pNjfM7jpnu8w73Cc7q3E3ynPmHYkeCJ1AeBGb-AD8hm78xgYOJ6kzpReeYbWHvJCJHpLNaTvo2lKAXCKeBu/s1600/IMG_1464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxp1dsX2HzKwfn6UDRjaEYprz-0AAJloQvhmRdl4coPacN7hpAzv43qJCf2pNjfM7jpnu8w73Cc7q3E3ynPmHYkeCJ1AeBGb-AD8hm78xgYOJ6kzpReeYbWHvJCJHpLNaTvo2lKAXCKeBu/s320/IMG_1464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgOJbWIXIZou17tVVf1x4u1iJsyIXqp784PpSZFdSKN6LRg617ux4wfs1CM9-ONy_uTXg8-S3MFmh9GF19dupQPOTGjtQBX3RGjVA9CcZCWA_SbFv2V1K9m89t83NwzLjX5Byoyhw2xJd/s1600/IMG_1466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgOJbWIXIZou17tVVf1x4u1iJsyIXqp784PpSZFdSKN6LRg617ux4wfs1CM9-ONy_uTXg8-S3MFmh9GF19dupQPOTGjtQBX3RGjVA9CcZCWA_SbFv2V1K9m89t83NwzLjX5Byoyhw2xJd/s320/IMG_1466.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqRMF6Q8plkR-zsmG0EW0-1H16dQ6xN-C_wuR2KTIRBFhJe52pU5yURU5UmGIE883PytEbpivTLOF_gpmK9Px8PdkMc8RMeVyb5bB-LqIBtOUqy6ubwZvi4VEcyGwxAjAx-OnqWlvp6Yp/s1600/IMG_1468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqRMF6Q8plkR-zsmG0EW0-1H16dQ6xN-C_wuR2KTIRBFhJe52pU5yURU5UmGIE883PytEbpivTLOF_gpmK9Px8PdkMc8RMeVyb5bB-LqIBtOUqy6ubwZvi4VEcyGwxAjAx-OnqWlvp6Yp/s320/IMG_1468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi858mzBlV7bZUqxpQfnZ3_Mr4NnpbJVNSgVwh_I5iAw_o3CvtuSAj2R07KBKUVgr2TpSBZ6DSPWWQU31Vs6lWBWnWlYKAgAQ04Dgb1A5Fh3raalzMQ2nPB4lm3gMjmh7HrRmwhoU5MNJ/s1600/IMG_1469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFi858mzBlV7bZUqxpQfnZ3_Mr4NnpbJVNSgVwh_I5iAw_o3CvtuSAj2R07KBKUVgr2TpSBZ6DSPWWQU31Vs6lWBWnWlYKAgAQ04Dgb1A5Fh3raalzMQ2nPB4lm3gMjmh7HrRmwhoU5MNJ/s320/IMG_1469.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOb0u-FPzE3ttrwSb9A7RBxr4jGi-f_DvXEGN-kthXlu6mDWFQdHg4hFqYwfcxOFSSH7F4X-t1WzSiFGmszhvtacKtNHfOSATMQX7pAcGsBGh00OtNJF1vs58H4u3SqJ5F-An_5nm7o0O/s1600/IMG_1474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOb0u-FPzE3ttrwSb9A7RBxr4jGi-f_DvXEGN-kthXlu6mDWFQdHg4hFqYwfcxOFSSH7F4X-t1WzSiFGmszhvtacKtNHfOSATMQX7pAcGsBGh00OtNJF1vs58H4u3SqJ5F-An_5nm7o0O/s320/IMG_1474.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtdc-SksA9KkqEVWLzlvcRw8VctBsGLMwaq-yYTcXc5wpHSBPjSKYgR2QxRfvhC1b-xODu_ORLY8GnCCyYz5nd-yOjDqhvrB-Wk49jv-MQqPK7954VcpXTd4yA0db7pWOUzqly272Tk3I/s1600/IMG_1476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtdc-SksA9KkqEVWLzlvcRw8VctBsGLMwaq-yYTcXc5wpHSBPjSKYgR2QxRfvhC1b-xODu_ORLY8GnCCyYz5nd-yOjDqhvrB-Wk49jv-MQqPK7954VcpXTd4yA0db7pWOUzqly272Tk3I/s320/IMG_1476.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktNJ6OuLjVEvPhPWY0EHPqdjSPnyJ5DDdZz3hSf31-KnM11-XbnqmSQZ6z-I6UdwLlG_9if_28qBMF7uNsSKyf9B7iAETc-ZJW9IB5dB-y6WZPLWB4fwDvTp749ppnXmTOeArZu2QtFry/s1600/IMG_1477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktNJ6OuLjVEvPhPWY0EHPqdjSPnyJ5DDdZz3hSf31-KnM11-XbnqmSQZ6z-I6UdwLlG_9if_28qBMF7uNsSKyf9B7iAETc-ZJW9IB5dB-y6WZPLWB4fwDvTp749ppnXmTOeArZu2QtFry/s320/IMG_1477.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3oEPtzYeF6Z8ch1-Gy9lBshU6LgTdULbcrY3UrmG1CD6yG5k_yBmX1ucksiHBk-OVQIgihf0qFCXMqgjWigMOMpPdpF0UpA_AMz-R-B5nTj1EvO2_MM5kzDxusAkhXvpWkGTg7hJzS-E/s1600/IMG_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3oEPtzYeF6Z8ch1-Gy9lBshU6LgTdULbcrY3UrmG1CD6yG5k_yBmX1ucksiHBk-OVQIgihf0qFCXMqgjWigMOMpPdpF0UpA_AMz-R-B5nTj1EvO2_MM5kzDxusAkhXvpWkGTg7hJzS-E/s320/IMG_1478.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHApl7WYWGUKOoBSaIdRYry3Xvo3c1bLxxVJmcBhRJ7M_D5jdLU1HnFTxJXR2bFdBCnBSUt_GBoQbjQkwBvwUq6hvXGTAwpPldq8IDS3gGmWpOXMBmmnBRqKWOfVhyphenhyphenP9Mr4MMBcalVf20/s1600/IMG_1484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHApl7WYWGUKOoBSaIdRYry3Xvo3c1bLxxVJmcBhRJ7M_D5jdLU1HnFTxJXR2bFdBCnBSUt_GBoQbjQkwBvwUq6hvXGTAwpPldq8IDS3gGmWpOXMBmmnBRqKWOfVhyphenhyphenP9Mr4MMBcalVf20/s320/IMG_1484.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-89455431423827073212012-08-18T13:08:00.000-07:002012-08-18T13:08:20.974-07:00Road trip, Part II: Charleston, South Carolina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next up was Charleston. I LOVED Charleston. I'd love to go there again some day and see more of it; I could even live there. Around the city, we law lots of beautiful buildings:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL9dPW4DuHSJ8Frn-3w4gRmmPa1Wof0qOsoD72J34DSYtHic0gGkMFMvLelEPxcgSNrDdFuVB3-Ut4P7qqbJNallAtKp8COgutya_eaQnwru0JkMwRd80WUHtJBk7e4d3DKGb12L9592z/s1600/IMG_1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAL9dPW4DuHSJ8Frn-3w4gRmmPa1Wof0qOsoD72J34DSYtHic0gGkMFMvLelEPxcgSNrDdFuVB3-Ut4P7qqbJNallAtKp8COgutya_eaQnwru0JkMwRd80WUHtJBk7e4d3DKGb12L9592z/s320/IMG_1360.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c-o82DjthWEdEAkNvou-uZ3YotDOSbr4mIAOcjoEmP0op7-uDhPFkDUrWhms-IuBKNxrYvjCtIeYBan3h1Xr0-V7zga-R7c3em9g7zWj108KR90aCkmWD-aZvW09Jmi66B7EIUfM95NL/s1600/IMG_1359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c-o82DjthWEdEAkNvou-uZ3YotDOSbr4mIAOcjoEmP0op7-uDhPFkDUrWhms-IuBKNxrYvjCtIeYBan3h1Xr0-V7zga-R7c3em9g7zWj108KR90aCkmWD-aZvW09Jmi66B7EIUfM95NL/s320/IMG_1359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is an old prison: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJhKTu9s7zefIagxRZH9qCY22o-8-QMyjsmkFwgcCfvhys76tkPuJi8oc7io22CIRPqNK8QZ731Eceb3ofyr7q5LT-dRBekuYh-xSIvmcSQ2x5zla2AxL8qDABzMm-aeNCkb8qWw5n8k/s1600/IMG_1363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeJhKTu9s7zefIagxRZH9qCY22o-8-QMyjsmkFwgcCfvhys76tkPuJi8oc7io22CIRPqNK8QZ731Eceb3ofyr7q5LT-dRBekuYh-xSIvmcSQ2x5zla2AxL8qDABzMm-aeNCkb8qWw5n8k/s320/IMG_1363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYBdtqYa0Skycx8_j70BYwg-olEgQcU-kd1tF2YF8npsAV0bGjuG8udD0yvzqmm0vSBKCLKLRkxwiT0ashxm3ZNbRSxV2CdCJ2JR-ka8vNWraYV4JM8-66SFLvi5AzVjZrbv9an5iHgSz/s1600/IMG_1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYBdtqYa0Skycx8_j70BYwg-olEgQcU-kd1tF2YF8npsAV0bGjuG8udD0yvzqmm0vSBKCLKLRkxwiT0ashxm3ZNbRSxV2CdCJ2JR-ka8vNWraYV4JM8-66SFLvi5AzVjZrbv9an5iHgSz/s320/IMG_1370.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDtmPX_HJGEWMu3oGjBOgjxRJxGsaVZhZCaRxIroQO0Amh5kkJgTJOpDRw5cavsEGXl-tukp1QiiyuT2Xa6ahN5CFuZnnhrW0Nx2Tj65lgiUuc4ouAqXJFewgHjnfdYKTYuHmDLjHI-kD/s1600/IMG_1371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDtmPX_HJGEWMu3oGjBOgjxRJxGsaVZhZCaRxIroQO0Amh5kkJgTJOpDRw5cavsEGXl-tukp1QiiyuT2Xa6ahN5CFuZnnhrW0Nx2Tj65lgiUuc4ouAqXJFewgHjnfdYKTYuHmDLjHI-kD/s320/IMG_1371.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After touring a famous, historical house, we went out to the back porch, where the kids enjoyed bouncing on this joggling board: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kzBcjON7HzH-AfyJiWDhTsApk85hYn4RZDP_FsT1-3bL3WsQ3a0NwvK43GU4gq7jUz2wmpq8cltOUUwBwbk2ShkFWxk3fWnsBSHIj2R1X1JN8rs-AeSK5hG-ivFdBP_Ta-vvC4pgB2-l/s1600/IMG_1374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kzBcjON7HzH-AfyJiWDhTsApk85hYn4RZDP_FsT1-3bL3WsQ3a0NwvK43GU4gq7jUz2wmpq8cltOUUwBwbk2ShkFWxk3fWnsBSHIj2R1X1JN8rs-AeSK5hG-ivFdBP_Ta-vvC4pgB2-l/s320/IMG_1374.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the Edmunston-Alton house that we toured: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwhFEN8bR5EldIdZbcAArTnTeJhQlWUYeySlTb3_ytE70kpz-8yf_3fk_62S5E1nuv1jiFjL9DMMzGp3lMPNrRwbLnG7P-soBIVNqSFgQPa7qfgNv_YN3vBMEOJt6Z1LtFV_ykM7GIj4p/s1600/IMG_1377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwhFEN8bR5EldIdZbcAArTnTeJhQlWUYeySlTb3_ytE70kpz-8yf_3fk_62S5E1nuv1jiFjL9DMMzGp3lMPNrRwbLnG7P-soBIVNqSFgQPa7qfgNv_YN3vBMEOJt6Z1LtFV_ykM7GIj4p/s320/IMG_1377.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got to go over this impressive bridge: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmQ2HBhrfrk0t8nNLIv_hoX8SGHivoCJOFwl-4jTwfoHKb3esIqpGbOe3c-94Bdyc6kbEpNNAt1HpG4Jgi8YfWmWSg89XL29aBpnPG1G1laszZ5pSlby1N4lLmS3_lN2Axy-rbceWTVxr/s1600/IMG_1380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmQ2HBhrfrk0t8nNLIv_hoX8SGHivoCJOFwl-4jTwfoHKb3esIqpGbOe3c-94Bdyc6kbEpNNAt1HpG4Jgi8YfWmWSg89XL29aBpnPG1G1laszZ5pSlby1N4lLmS3_lN2Axy-rbceWTVxr/s320/IMG_1380.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fort Sumter is where the first shot of the Civil War was fired: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivokLwlLHDuDkJ_lHEudZUA5LnVQGjztgv3yOq4droUUvbgWdF5ROI70CbEKcYYxPRQhyphenhyphenmphiDcybj87VcFXUAEY4sPKjxQvmNiRo2GSfbQY4ggGLY8zRZKJLi_99TV8hp7YrUjGw_aE18/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivokLwlLHDuDkJ_lHEudZUA5LnVQGjztgv3yOq4droUUvbgWdF5ROI70CbEKcYYxPRQhyphenhyphenmphiDcybj87VcFXUAEY4sPKjxQvmNiRo2GSfbQY4ggGLY8zRZKJLi_99TV8hp7YrUjGw_aE18/s320/IMG_1388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Benji with a cannon at Fort Sumter: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MM8BjPEbJ7CVF_u_IpJwB93OhCtVpGKyS0bP3Nk1wrymqgh_Tv2qD0KyJQy6f4qx1tBlT4orbgP2u105Xen72mIrL7Z2KkYfgFb5cnv9xFOQxnWa-WJzboidapykvxXzuwJrZ5j_1xbW/s1600/IMG_1384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MM8BjPEbJ7CVF_u_IpJwB93OhCtVpGKyS0bP3Nk1wrymqgh_Tv2qD0KyJQy6f4qx1tBlT4orbgP2u105Xen72mIrL7Z2KkYfgFb5cnv9xFOQxnWa-WJzboidapykvxXzuwJrZ5j_1xbW/s320/IMG_1384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is Angel Oak, a 300-year old oak tree. It was truly impressive and beautiful: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ccdBhIXuJ3rLc_Bk1J1I5dT4Bzh95seJ2Bs3adfny9Pum8GhQ-FZSVTYHuBdr0sRsmIR7XqWWioBNe8ZwKFXboHfOfWwco9MX4lokPVR7zdJ4PhEuM1B9mpe30gF4aoEKdpT7qxa9c1/s1600/IMG_1395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ccdBhIXuJ3rLc_Bk1J1I5dT4Bzh95seJ2Bs3adfny9Pum8GhQ-FZSVTYHuBdr0sRsmIR7XqWWioBNe8ZwKFXboHfOfWwco9MX4lokPVR7zdJ4PhEuM1B9mpe30gF4aoEKdpT7qxa9c1/s320/IMG_1395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I mean, look at those gorgeous branches: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZrkgszWpERSDCb0IOmf6Wt4dEXD4T80qQxHA-EWNVnF-vDNULweRfeb8UcAZ8nd4ZfN0StHSb6jdLhkpuwXIlOrpgIzrBhjdAVv51RIbFOXyArLn1AQFUdtseZ1nG66akTOrMVYPDfTJ/s1600/IMG_1398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZrkgszWpERSDCb0IOmf6Wt4dEXD4T80qQxHA-EWNVnF-vDNULweRfeb8UcAZ8nd4ZfN0StHSb6jdLhkpuwXIlOrpgIzrBhjdAVv51RIbFOXyArLn1AQFUdtseZ1nG66akTOrMVYPDfTJ/s320/IMG_1398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGzwPC_ciZcAN1SkJVwadC7d0zZ93cyEl39cs77RPWmxvoOAAzTHjqnUWRrnz5AVASZBp5FhYy-gobY6fqDwRvEKOQxtNYPcEVcRFRwEmzi-0siKMugG5NNV_hgXxXGzY6ZxD7joVAvq6/s1600/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGzwPC_ciZcAN1SkJVwadC7d0zZ93cyEl39cs77RPWmxvoOAAzTHjqnUWRrnz5AVASZBp5FhYy-gobY6fqDwRvEKOQxtNYPcEVcRFRwEmzi-0siKMugG5NNV_hgXxXGzY6ZxD7joVAvq6/s320/IMG_1399.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8kGP7Wlelf15-z9JXR_XSZ6DX4CZnH52WQtmdDDYf7y6W9jod5QCf_hgMeCoRrgQasyV7HDVOiogjoSMXJslip1Z8eySkURrCtsxDouhhlmM0OIDlNAlfdJad120Stp14crkpSY3CzA_/s1600/IMG_1403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8kGP7Wlelf15-z9JXR_XSZ6DX4CZnH52WQtmdDDYf7y6W9jod5QCf_hgMeCoRrgQasyV7HDVOiogjoSMXJslip1Z8eySkURrCtsxDouhhlmM0OIDlNAlfdJad120Stp14crkpSY3CzA_/s320/IMG_1403.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went to the Children's Museum, which was AMAZING. It was a lot like Pretend City (oh, how I miss thee, Pretend City). The kids were happy here for nearly 3 hours, and even then, the only reason we left was because they were closing. Their favorite was the water room: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnFkkXDrvwJ12RhDh6zV24HB1HtTyLdDUOwuklDQv04Xrmbr_tXifd5Rnr06e0GJwjBHB_LBZp6ftoRzDhxQyipi-x7i4q1EYIxsHJuGqpMLPumSlsjAKfDDE0a05E3-i_C0mfvY5PPNe/s1600/IMG_1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnFkkXDrvwJ12RhDh6zV24HB1HtTyLdDUOwuklDQv04Xrmbr_tXifd5Rnr06e0GJwjBHB_LBZp6ftoRzDhxQyipi-x7i4q1EYIxsHJuGqpMLPumSlsjAKfDDE0a05E3-i_C0mfvY5PPNe/s320/IMG_1405.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Benji made a dam, then a flood: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSgDR0R7pjk4rgavrIReCBWBQCv1BFsd5SwVD4257nfY7M_HZ44clcrP0C1bSC5YoVUU-euQaQqVwSM6WB_yZBbDRsmGT_yvvVeQitznufLQwywQWttOp0GjAX2jGLF9_Cxpi_iQqRKxR/s1600/IMG_1406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSgDR0R7pjk4rgavrIReCBWBQCv1BFsd5SwVD4257nfY7M_HZ44clcrP0C1bSC5YoVUU-euQaQqVwSM6WB_yZBbDRsmGT_yvvVeQitznufLQwywQWttOp0GjAX2jGLF9_Cxpi_iQqRKxR/s320/IMG_1406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And Fiona played with golf balls in the ball/science room: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7KMQRCAFdDH4l2G3QOT__TkCcB4_cybKvRD672MZZOz2JfWNepOi5lyzG_EvNgLdrfHHBjmsYgGfvkGUM0Xc198gPLO0Vow0NHSvL1AK4_5pnmDkmyjDhO4s8OPzGcookUwcWlZ4VFLk/s1600/IMG_1407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7KMQRCAFdDH4l2G3QOT__TkCcB4_cybKvRD672MZZOz2JfWNepOi5lyzG_EvNgLdrfHHBjmsYgGfvkGUM0Xc198gPLO0Vow0NHSvL1AK4_5pnmDkmyjDhO4s8OPzGcookUwcWlZ4VFLk/s320/IMG_1407.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then a little splash time in the fountain outside: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4YJRxa-f9hUe9Xcv5ghTMjonc6l8TgF5TNrxp7yWdPTyiRb_B6_4-z5DWVWCUASNksoBVpxPfZ4CZEa5BFJs-Z6szdow7xcE7pSG3VKVB0e2gTdSaE3hN1_KJvq0c1qxOM4pBas1Z1QX/s1600/IMG_1410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4YJRxa-f9hUe9Xcv5ghTMjonc6l8TgF5TNrxp7yWdPTyiRb_B6_4-z5DWVWCUASNksoBVpxPfZ4CZEa5BFJs-Z6szdow7xcE7pSG3VKVB0e2gTdSaE3hN1_KJvq0c1qxOM4pBas1Z1QX/s320/IMG_1410.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got to see REALLY old fire engines at a historical fire station. These two are from something like the 40's: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jwiRUEpekdci_B7QIBEh3ov6loOxVqWAjVxYzbjWDuZ9glMVy2xGiVlvb3GhHPTpcLwXfwLWRv5EAnlsWbeqwbvwiBZkzxWNU9KWiCKIy-6BAIHVvoYzAPhNag_X_hqqHmFIU4drtGCx/s1600/IMG_1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jwiRUEpekdci_B7QIBEh3ov6loOxVqWAjVxYzbjWDuZ9glMVy2xGiVlvb3GhHPTpcLwXfwLWRv5EAnlsWbeqwbvwiBZkzxWNU9KWiCKIy-6BAIHVvoYzAPhNag_X_hqqHmFIU4drtGCx/s320/IMG_1418.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this was from even earlier. It was a horse-drawn fire engine. Where did they put the water? I don't know! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVsnMzhlX5KN1okBHneRu8bWFxHx04ERuKwWjWBsdi9E15oaB6-Wla-yGm30PFThWTuEJVpbjHMNRpn8G4hNtkAtqmdGxZSnp5H9zPJgq6k5-Vk9L9_n8jIk7R8dCSqQQBsQuegcjppcU/s1600/IMG_1420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVsnMzhlX5KN1okBHneRu8bWFxHx04ERuKwWjWBsdi9E15oaB6-Wla-yGm30PFThWTuEJVpbjHMNRpn8G4hNtkAtqmdGxZSnp5H9zPJgq6k5-Vk9L9_n8jIk7R8dCSqQQBsQuegcjppcU/s320/IMG_1420.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you ever go to Charleston, EAT HERE! Jestine's Kitchen was the best dining experience of the trip: truly excellent Southern food, hospitality, and a great mom 'n' pop atmosphere. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-VckH2NPvLF-5w6WcyS69tRxiY-sNbo9VDwLB16ZqXm2OjWZnHf4ej7BlglnTu-7XtVSNVWXfWIBQZEk-UmmIDCHI7J7hgdgvVpA7lfmU6RZIr9F-KJTxhbiXESf2OAbTENDj-q8hSW1/s1600/IMG_1421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-VckH2NPvLF-5w6WcyS69tRxiY-sNbo9VDwLB16ZqXm2OjWZnHf4ej7BlglnTu-7XtVSNVWXfWIBQZEk-UmmIDCHI7J7hgdgvVpA7lfmU6RZIr9F-KJTxhbiXESf2OAbTENDj-q8hSW1/s320/IMG_1421.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A church: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l2Vsa-vX7gpCIaMYPuiBGYeuY_Eq1ILAbBPrPGwsN7O-h-mMhzgOtIHY9jS49Iwlb8riIcUwdYrExKQkm42WE9mgxsI8y4Yb_0Y7xl47bPHelzJop0nOjgYsmIO18mGQ4aR7XkQc2vn9/s1600/IMG_1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l2Vsa-vX7gpCIaMYPuiBGYeuY_Eq1ILAbBPrPGwsN7O-h-mMhzgOtIHY9jS49Iwlb8riIcUwdYrExKQkm42WE9mgxsI8y4Yb_0Y7xl47bPHelzJop0nOjgYsmIO18mGQ4aR7XkQc2vn9/s320/IMG_1423.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And another one: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMlNCs4SG92LucBVlfwjUdoSYiNC1RwwwJ-geI6Yfe8mEZW0oCZ31MgUlpFYZbnWpNV4sq6vzUR1xqIyO9-rnoPFwsZyjTZmJKztGpsM1eRUvB51dlpdekn-a0wpCX9RrsiSZQJxJbx-G/s1600/IMG_1424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMlNCs4SG92LucBVlfwjUdoSYiNC1RwwwJ-geI6Yfe8mEZW0oCZ31MgUlpFYZbnWpNV4sq6vzUR1xqIyO9-rnoPFwsZyjTZmJKztGpsM1eRUvB51dlpdekn-a0wpCX9RrsiSZQJxJbx-G/s320/IMG_1424.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Middle Place Gardens and Plantation was our final activity in Charleston. It was genuinely beautiful: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfUSR1paRBajJpVk-eENbXxOiLbImpIoKBRAcFzyRIxPlCN0IhKGZQON2qdzBySBQShkBdeGzI3lG-OI5JfvUio4YPJz3LfjuxiXcgYKEzkeMW_AbtUiSkloBzUn65D5gXDC48UsfFLwV/s1600/IMG_1432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfUSR1paRBajJpVk-eENbXxOiLbImpIoKBRAcFzyRIxPlCN0IhKGZQON2qdzBySBQShkBdeGzI3lG-OI5JfvUio4YPJz3LfjuxiXcgYKEzkeMW_AbtUiSkloBzUn65D5gXDC48UsfFLwV/s320/IMG_1432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e0RluMWHhkmRCc1eUNu4R61as_8Zy7LWrn63mPiNF-t39IMSrZ8-bgkNRUDH8VhlLAvsLqC0D_NiYHlQEXOfrhnW5Dp0mX0qQ6jBbg395gUQ8Kn4NF20_6IBjqnSkKH17gEnxwdQWV2M/s1600/IMG_1433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e0RluMWHhkmRCc1eUNu4R61as_8Zy7LWrn63mPiNF-t39IMSrZ8-bgkNRUDH8VhlLAvsLqC0D_NiYHlQEXOfrhnW5Dp0mX0qQ6jBbg395gUQ8Kn4NF20_6IBjqnSkKH17gEnxwdQWV2M/s320/IMG_1433.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk-zDCw4SK3wbYLzvQ3phYPZiAX9XsReYPVzxr-TRc7J-Jh7PWlwykkJe3nAKoVelU254w6AB31CVx5wf30SuUGos4EkUmJajrlx5fNAxpjZ2Id_z9wu5W4rW8qqH7-BHWkv-pJLwFTPw/s1600/IMG_1434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk-zDCw4SK3wbYLzvQ3phYPZiAX9XsReYPVzxr-TRc7J-Jh7PWlwykkJe3nAKoVelU254w6AB31CVx5wf30SuUGos4EkUmJajrlx5fNAxpjZ2Id_z9wu5W4rW8qqH7-BHWkv-pJLwFTPw/s320/IMG_1434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh-x3T2v-mR6mPNxxzrtYq6Sen6j46QEoVakTZFyxjs6z_oPIZPKQr4m4qpiT7I1gVQ2bm4HJsI79GAe4hTkd8ZY5ABr8tMdYjkcK4K_sm4mEUTdJsxK48J0M4a7xUVctZZcqWDxxL4dU/s1600/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbh-x3T2v-mR6mPNxxzrtYq6Sen6j46QEoVakTZFyxjs6z_oPIZPKQr4m4qpiT7I1gVQ2bm4HJsI79GAe4hTkd8ZY5ABr8tMdYjkcK4K_sm4mEUTdJsxK48J0M4a7xUVctZZcqWDxxL4dU/s320/IMG_1435.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUWosHPU_w5qd0CXAMxb7XWFx6ef1Kmmdh4hsJiHLQF0pWCx7h_FMsqXQZheVab2zAiVI4CXSPD7mFriw8BYEgJQj2ISqtGI6CDk2guIOyqWse2G_PUljRQ5B9qgVeZQWAruzDszUyOvI/s1600/IMG_1440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUWosHPU_w5qd0CXAMxb7XWFx6ef1Kmmdh4hsJiHLQF0pWCx7h_FMsqXQZheVab2zAiVI4CXSPD7mFriw8BYEgJQj2ISqtGI6CDk2guIOyqWse2G_PUljRQ5B9qgVeZQWAruzDszUyOvI/s320/IMG_1440.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI_puoj7xdhzjKA7G8CbuJiy_oMMlElz1PINc-P8_7uAtNL0NUSIb36B6x4v5ucK0aNhYFmXR-1zLkyB0Dl_Y2zK5uK82JB8VsLASna60nJvolo338xCvOKXFIQ_vU-sgRsmAhKlC53dj/s1600/IMG_1443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihI_puoj7xdhzjKA7G8CbuJiy_oMMlElz1PINc-P8_7uAtNL0NUSIb36B6x4v5ucK0aNhYFmXR-1zLkyB0Dl_Y2zK5uK82JB8VsLASna60nJvolo338xCvOKXFIQ_vU-sgRsmAhKlC53dj/s320/IMG_1443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look at this amazing tree! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaqNbAIjIOvVBCdnMnKEpMIIrIVPTZpIeodTDCGI_ZEdJu6pIz4PRptnKE0fWiKemoKtiHhk-eZLUhTg6m9mT3Le-AMhbr4VqmPfwgqPoXgTwy2KW-EjmjQL9UpTlInp2l0Bb-ss1ALq-/s1600/IMG_1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaqNbAIjIOvVBCdnMnKEpMIIrIVPTZpIeodTDCGI_ZEdJu6pIz4PRptnKE0fWiKemoKtiHhk-eZLUhTg6m9mT3Le-AMhbr4VqmPfwgqPoXgTwy2KW-EjmjQL9UpTlInp2l0Bb-ss1ALq-/s320/IMG_1446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs0nLnQv8VhQRsC5LpgKPiKHDM8fbx4L6Ym9QROq5Ou7DjlewLiDtNOIR2EHbc5JvdOAC8UbNUIlnZ2KYbECVVkXRzzS10dOUzMjEyRa7x-mYp1iRxTwaZ_z99_j4Od9_yyy_zyh6HrHd/s1600/IMG_1447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfs0nLnQv8VhQRsC5LpgKPiKHDM8fbx4L6Ym9QROq5Ou7DjlewLiDtNOIR2EHbc5JvdOAC8UbNUIlnZ2KYbECVVkXRzzS10dOUzMjEyRa7x-mYp1iRxTwaZ_z99_j4Od9_yyy_zyh6HrHd/s320/IMG_1447.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGCaO8ugIAsKZejNVd9RkmptovPWWPDjAasA2H8nvyhDxeG8V5DHoUaTWuAQQVyDTxqpL8IqMElXS7zhT_O0i78aiJZ6hGJyu7SDguq4VAvz7WdA4xsBTDRFH82nRH_FXxhce-B4tKPXd/s1600/IMG_1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgGCaO8ugIAsKZejNVd9RkmptovPWWPDjAasA2H8nvyhDxeG8V5DHoUaTWuAQQVyDTxqpL8IqMElXS7zhT_O0i78aiJZ6hGJyu7SDguq4VAvz7WdA4xsBTDRFH82nRH_FXxhce-B4tKPXd/s320/IMG_1448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was miserably hot there though. The kids were not impressed, although they did enjoy chasing the guinea fowl down the path. Too bad I don't have a picture of that. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK1CgneHbMllO5u_11UJYcGOZGmENc_XVjQV3iQRaF_qwngS9funUWoOfSsKY9ZiLBYauI0b6nzb8zs8LlI4raGizilBLUERSt3tkBV79KnCu0x4KnikA8ubp1jV8fszutz18MHagGcAl/s1600/IMG_1451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikK1CgneHbMllO5u_11UJYcGOZGmENc_XVjQV3iQRaF_qwngS9funUWoOfSsKY9ZiLBYauI0b6nzb8zs8LlI4raGizilBLUERSt3tkBV79KnCu0x4KnikA8ubp1jV8fszutz18MHagGcAl/s320/IMG_1451.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm23v-uQNS6hyvakBsHc1Yky6i79TAk7la3S5z1tizamtDl5rBLfBwG3KI9fatA8V7PfyzSAjuGLuZnuZkQYZ3IoJR9T-iHUHYzAmT7yeRwU5Emu9zkwqwcW_HySX0iPWCATj65V_zTq5/s1600/IMG_1452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipm23v-uQNS6hyvakBsHc1Yky6i79TAk7la3S5z1tizamtDl5rBLfBwG3KI9fatA8V7PfyzSAjuGLuZnuZkQYZ3IoJR9T-iHUHYzAmT7yeRwU5Emu9zkwqwcW_HySX0iPWCATj65V_zTq5/s320/IMG_1452.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So long, Charleston. You are beautiful.</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-32541932645416791442012-08-18T12:23:00.002-07:002012-08-18T12:23:42.035-07:00Road trip, part I: Savannah, Georgia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went on a road trip!! I'll tell you about it in three parts. Here are the kids at the beginning of the road trip. Keep this picture in mind because at the end of part III, I'll show you a picture from the end of the road trip:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlMRlVPCzJdnHK3NKftz-MAois2VVM66Dm6f3EC9FTEJuntTkn6KQSx5WwTJbjkUmg28dFwQ44xvLCqX-r9NFDVRn2o1ORpLA1Qme9x3iRlYxUu4mmmydjkpeI3PL9GXUj6SlX532MDRH/s1600/IMG_1281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlMRlVPCzJdnHK3NKftz-MAois2VVM66Dm6f3EC9FTEJuntTkn6KQSx5WwTJbjkUmg28dFwQ44xvLCqX-r9NFDVRn2o1ORpLA1Qme9x3iRlYxUu4mmmydjkpeI3PL9GXUj6SlX532MDRH/s320/IMG_1281.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
somewhere in the middle of Georgia. Look at those beautiful clouds: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jY-AHVlgDdxAEfMlw7FeKHCccjYvSWZBBjn_E1lnHcTQta7zWffUBp9elNjqJvt4-pnm3OfU_tHvWAVyeqGlLSxl5odZVC2fD7vp3Wk3L5PihBc1ac5gcMwzzlk6YXIVb9JBI-n9D4yC/s1600/IMG_1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jY-AHVlgDdxAEfMlw7FeKHCccjYvSWZBBjn_E1lnHcTQta7zWffUBp9elNjqJvt4-pnm3OfU_tHvWAVyeqGlLSxl5odZVC2fD7vp3Wk3L5PihBc1ac5gcMwzzlk6YXIVb9JBI-n9D4yC/s320/IMG_1282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah, Georgia: our first destination. The old section of the city was very planned in a perfect grid and every 2 blocks or so, there is a square, named after famous people from the city or people who have visited. Each square has a fountain and/or benches, gorgeous oak trees with Spanish moss, etc. Here's one of the squares:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1zwetaA9Z1mRhZuYKyFEl5msxKSANfPcNhZSG2UHO-dIf1kd2pyOAxZ3enA9fH0d8a2Iv8lMMqx6EzOcDha8qujXup_hx-l6PTU8ZaHXXZUG36W_vHvkWts-o2XdXp3hUknKkrZLXaxQ/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1zwetaA9Z1mRhZuYKyFEl5msxKSANfPcNhZSG2UHO-dIf1kd2pyOAxZ3enA9fH0d8a2Iv8lMMqx6EzOcDha8qujXup_hx-l6PTU8ZaHXXZUG36W_vHvkWts-o2XdXp3hUknKkrZLXaxQ/s320/IMG_1288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look at this! Yes, you're right: that IS Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady and Sons. They take resos now, so it was easy to get in. However, I was a little disappointed. We went on a Sunday, when they only offer a Southern food buffet. It was okay, but none of it was made fresh-to-order; it was made in bulk and so not that great. And the fried chicken was even a little disappointing. However, the mac'n'cheese was AMAZING, the barbeque was AMAZING, the home-made blue cheese dressing the salad was AMAZING, the corn on the cob, the dessert, and the corn cakes were quite good. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiwPKIqPK2EQH5EcgybYsneMGTPcrmBxPdbloelaypr4vokg3VCUtgzoNJJI7_iO9jLmZwp4DTQ3y2_hJCT5BKtQM8XpEQVzHeViXPOY8bC7M5OM0rfx6n5uoxuaHeP0c45zr3cXRJuPZ/s1600/IMG_1289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiwPKIqPK2EQH5EcgybYsneMGTPcrmBxPdbloelaypr4vokg3VCUtgzoNJJI7_iO9jLmZwp4DTQ3y2_hJCT5BKtQM8XpEQVzHeViXPOY8bC7M5OM0rfx6n5uoxuaHeP0c45zr3cXRJuPZ/s320/IMG_1289.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's a picture of my plate: a Southern food fest! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQvaZYdtZ1C2YHq9EqmRf-I007_2Sca1gcnlodTUQemjA6AVhtp264C4IxSXB2NQbZCiRP4DYDcgVF6VYEbshI3Jv76aen-wCbNU-Vkc43vNUI75N87MhayV5wuE8Zglfy_1cPdM1_qi7/s1600/IMG_1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQvaZYdtZ1C2YHq9EqmRf-I007_2Sca1gcnlodTUQemjA6AVhtp264C4IxSXB2NQbZCiRP4DYDcgVF6VYEbshI3Jv76aen-wCbNU-Vkc43vNUI75N87MhayV5wuE8Zglfy_1cPdM1_qi7/s320/IMG_1290.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here I am: drinkin' sweet tea. Ya'll know ya gotta order some sweet tea to help all that butter go down! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuDlvqdOBkS3rGiKzDXNjZNW0zWRgrsWqzjuTwXgbk9cZbcBOwDTW7QNqCICkA-tPy3I906l6zdryBHmCksEkIgZsSQVR1ccPIozX26jNmBqJh-AQwTYfkmySyk2kbvaWl80Gvf02Uh1x/s1600/IMG_1296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuDlvqdOBkS3rGiKzDXNjZNW0zWRgrsWqzjuTwXgbk9cZbcBOwDTW7QNqCICkA-tPy3I906l6zdryBHmCksEkIgZsSQVR1ccPIozX26jNmBqJh-AQwTYfkmySyk2kbvaWl80Gvf02Uh1x/s320/IMG_1296.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's what the boys thought about it. Actually, Ethan said the chicken was so good, he was gonna die, so I don't know why he decided to be annoying for the picture: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yGmaAlkokmuZT0BGt9u75dUuzD96jH6KhC5pc1zCfUbjDWHf9zLSck6LgOYHfGEShlp8fNT-FKNtFtQsRZEQ321dVwqCC1U_B6j1tX-HM6HUmlq27KznOBeDhsocSGcg7OWKTpU1bQcN/s1600/IMG_1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yGmaAlkokmuZT0BGt9u75dUuzD96jH6KhC5pc1zCfUbjDWHf9zLSck6LgOYHfGEShlp8fNT-FKNtFtQsRZEQ321dVwqCC1U_B6j1tX-HM6HUmlq27KznOBeDhsocSGcg7OWKTpU1bQcN/s320/IMG_1300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Of course, one last picture: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBob6u8OI8zg5Buz4CgoDGYThhKfaRRKZtEnEJPKFxaTfgJbsvTyi3SN12762-uAsYT-SQAK_Zp_l5Grqj-EO81l5_0wBZ9bz8XFZRmCvfjJf7IaDE44rA73L59ZdgR5XCsYGk4INBeL9/s1600/IMG_1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBob6u8OI8zg5Buz4CgoDGYThhKfaRRKZtEnEJPKFxaTfgJbsvTyi3SN12762-uAsYT-SQAK_Zp_l5Grqj-EO81l5_0wBZ9bz8XFZRmCvfjJf7IaDE44rA73L59ZdgR5XCsYGk4INBeL9/s320/IMG_1303.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went on a tour of the city in this little bus. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90WBurS5qBWaLfMde9_ncUW-aSpxJDMOhBJ3wafO8shLrsc3dYaNVuffoupAbsVle0edN6E2Y8O1a1Hba8IXzNBFrbzSko2LPp2tWwcjK6bs2uO0LxmmmmaSj-zRSnl5TauPARuuuHc7q/s1600/IMG_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90WBurS5qBWaLfMde9_ncUW-aSpxJDMOhBJ3wafO8shLrsc3dYaNVuffoupAbsVle0edN6E2Y8O1a1Hba8IXzNBFrbzSko2LPp2tWwcjK6bs2uO0LxmmmmaSj-zRSnl5TauPARuuuHc7q/s320/IMG_1309.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And saw lots of gorgeous houses and buildings, such as this: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwra254R0kz6uyMgQxUxDbz42fjjwcjizg89Ma1J2Qs8chGCCG3I_UMiJAfjhyphenhyphenEE2ka31sIGSjxzY07g48TVUogl3eNv5Zsx8tC3SElZXUUS9RFDZ3wLuahwyoMayWcbpL0w4VaII8C_cb/s1600/IMG_1315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwra254R0kz6uyMgQxUxDbz42fjjwcjizg89Ma1J2Qs8chGCCG3I_UMiJAfjhyphenhyphenEE2ka31sIGSjxzY07g48TVUogl3eNv5Zsx8tC3SElZXUUS9RFDZ3wLuahwyoMayWcbpL0w4VaII8C_cb/s320/IMG_1315.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei7FTPIpDjrhEJYZBoj_vKyVJV7jyCo2z2jtjY_EtG3OEsP0QiPETiqiyTDuilichOiW3XAvDRw2WKpNWgiEpQPaTrHdkF_aYtpvJ7WDQBoUsOWSRDmvA-RtRV_OLXs7bgcNBPvyaoz7z/s1600/IMG_1322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgei7FTPIpDjrhEJYZBoj_vKyVJV7jyCo2z2jtjY_EtG3OEsP0QiPETiqiyTDuilichOiW3XAvDRw2WKpNWgiEpQPaTrHdkF_aYtpvJ7WDQBoUsOWSRDmvA-RtRV_OLXs7bgcNBPvyaoz7z/s320/IMG_1322.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the inside of this Catholic church:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkevlJBAoM0PUKixTsKWMCpwK15ovtPZ89agL9-ETSx_U4N1lOJVpJ48kPxL14bLe6Vq6X5Z15gT22joto35a-GgvVoJP-x2dFvR7B2mwPOGNKGKiEqtIQXMXBxuf6yw0LNoZoJ775b0Pm/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkevlJBAoM0PUKixTsKWMCpwK15ovtPZ89agL9-ETSx_U4N1lOJVpJ48kPxL14bLe6Vq6X5Z15gT22joto35a-GgvVoJP-x2dFvR7B2mwPOGNKGKiEqtIQXMXBxuf6yw0LNoZoJ775b0Pm/s320/IMG_1325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most of the streets in old town were this gorgeous with giant oak trees, hanging with Spanish moss: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNXFSip2kQpdz_XAMFFy5fA2ywCOnQfULviZUR1ASGrt_Ut77d6Dm_6S4CrZWzRdooajDtJ7FSY0jUx7882twyR9LbXbNgKGfBzY4umpgBNdqBHlV7ME64uRmI9JZ7MKnajV-7J4QaYXN/s1600/IMG_1330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNXFSip2kQpdz_XAMFFy5fA2ywCOnQfULviZUR1ASGrt_Ut77d6Dm_6S4CrZWzRdooajDtJ7FSY0jUx7882twyR9LbXbNgKGfBzY4umpgBNdqBHlV7ME64uRmI9JZ7MKnajV-7J4QaYXN/s320/IMG_1330.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A visit to Leopold's Ice Cream shop:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbV-NzqaqOUCFw30AXhyphenhyphenJbIesdKlZL5HH2qZb2k6NJ2DFMHQ3pMLsOwFYggm1f88AQ6HN2BNwVqSSmvgiUzL2VI-URt9w1EZTjJnLv26Op5eQ6l8J6CFlcZGLia9ipwWO7uCgbokmI1_/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJbV-NzqaqOUCFw30AXhyphenhyphenJbIesdKlZL5HH2qZb2k6NJ2DFMHQ3pMLsOwFYggm1f88AQ6HN2BNwVqSSmvgiUzL2VI-URt9w1EZTjJnLv26Op5eQ6l8J6CFlcZGLia9ipwWO7uCgbokmI1_/s320/IMG_1331.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And a river boat cruise: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKsZhgumF0YLNQ-l7tG385JTOS74rmOY1jdGfugcgHpG5RVhtHH8KmadPgFcSQzUYZNEXtSiir_FPARvqmgrMKMSdLBlysqfdV2Xta5abfgl0FxR7_FuZiznFfKP3CR9ycYZTWI61-8pK/s1600/IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKsZhgumF0YLNQ-l7tG385JTOS74rmOY1jdGfugcgHpG5RVhtHH8KmadPgFcSQzUYZNEXtSiir_FPARvqmgrMKMSdLBlysqfdV2Xta5abfgl0FxR7_FuZiznFfKP3CR9ycYZTWI61-8pK/s320/IMG_1332.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Did you know that Savannah is the 4th busiest port in the US? I didn't either. Now you know: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVYgEmQCqlEsQSDgaZTaiveg_8fUDPvmb6olNaYK9m64IHtjH8-tspSZMod58lrizY2uRvKCRNbSqt1_wekEBWU8YFeNuLCY2NxPdnKMSMVyj1296iRjMLtifALkP0HYoCIzsOVgT9Vzc/s1600/IMG_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVYgEmQCqlEsQSDgaZTaiveg_8fUDPvmb6olNaYK9m64IHtjH8-tspSZMod58lrizY2uRvKCRNbSqt1_wekEBWU8YFeNuLCY2NxPdnKMSMVyj1296iRjMLtifALkP0HYoCIzsOVgT9Vzc/s320/IMG_1340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have you ever heard the story of The Waving Girl of Savannah? It's quite tragic. You can read about it <a href="http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/savannahgaattractions/a/waving_girl.htm">here</a>. She waved to every ship that came by for 44 years, waiting for her love to return. He never did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGZn5zJSOf-3zQN5ydT0rXDWtz3MMlt17RnCfBqnRZlyXWPHBN0E-j2unuZmVNUe6thutTY1DGNesKPMAZYK4DVXDGPeHTlHEVDq86ahSVHdDkUgPez7nS5c91OI6ng4a6RgrVTiTcZ4K/s1600/IMG_1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGZn5zJSOf-3zQN5ydT0rXDWtz3MMlt17RnCfBqnRZlyXWPHBN0E-j2unuZmVNUe6thutTY1DGNesKPMAZYK4DVXDGPeHTlHEVDq86ahSVHdDkUgPez7nS5c91OI6ng4a6RgrVTiTcZ4K/s320/IMG_1342.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Look at this Southern belle! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xBff2Q43Fhg6eqX4eZ3hOJVjMcDAN7nKcq3zSTyX1VPfFpnZv7jjQcIbIFgX7YPHp1PdLbGtd0pqJ5s51klNcaPCwod5jz9xejDMRrzJwmX_pAzgmT66ews677ML1uAaWmyUUd8H20zv/s1600/IMG_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xBff2Q43Fhg6eqX4eZ3hOJVjMcDAN7nKcq3zSTyX1VPfFpnZv7jjQcIbIFgX7YPHp1PdLbGtd0pqJ5s51klNcaPCwod5jz9xejDMRrzJwmX_pAzgmT66ews677ML1uAaWmyUUd8H20zv/s320/IMG_1345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Marshes and clouds on the way to Tybee Island: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElLJ-FFlKM_pB6TmUwleyz_2gbThe4-ZbRJfxLBw8FVtFbyIu6p3RgbceRnqsQEquDepdYulKDYo8d__tE1CdFI-iLZ6k04MwUnboTeDvQ92eY3sN3nse6lwzgd0YWDymHbgoSIyyPd3f/s1600/IMG_1348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElLJ-FFlKM_pB6TmUwleyz_2gbThe4-ZbRJfxLBw8FVtFbyIu6p3RgbceRnqsQEquDepdYulKDYo8d__tE1CdFI-iLZ6k04MwUnboTeDvQ92eY3sN3nse6lwzgd0YWDymHbgoSIyyPd3f/s320/IMG_1348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where we saw this Tybee Island light house:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUidQWV2F6pzuIurZy87IhnxRwwyB4dxqo3fAJXhEshmnumyqBZUB5NXrvP4395Yzgy8m2-lidcmlj1JFifUjm5W_IatDsU9BlxmrutysgQ3yW1uj7yr2Od5nSTO1Nu3D3EOSsnjedrdwl/s1600/IMG_1349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUidQWV2F6pzuIurZy87IhnxRwwyB4dxqo3fAJXhEshmnumyqBZUB5NXrvP4395Yzgy8m2-lidcmlj1JFifUjm5W_IatDsU9BlxmrutysgQ3yW1uj7yr2Od5nSTO1Nu3D3EOSsnjedrdwl/s320/IMG_1349.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went to the beach on Tybee Island: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHLcC_gYV5xsEAS9sJ80NpjRfna0LaDHjfcaq2s1uNUzN55HUod73zBUsOJa4n0g9xn9a1O9e9RGNIu4oi9j_03J84qd1YEkhpZJzxVDxOArBm4gGah8dlkLN4SIhK69b0R57ZKP1qpmF/s1600/IMG_1354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHLcC_gYV5xsEAS9sJ80NpjRfna0LaDHjfcaq2s1uNUzN55HUod73zBUsOJa4n0g9xn9a1O9e9RGNIu4oi9j_03J84qd1YEkhpZJzxVDxOArBm4gGah8dlkLN4SIhK69b0R57ZKP1qpmF/s320/IMG_1354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_f9K_NPRNvuRzZNw1uh_-2qnNw7ZBQGLU-PgRpA2mk-wzs0IpLSCmOztqpUyc_kzMnBowO60Dx7kaqKwd5cPe8EOFAYwiYUthENcfyBt2yoG6DPlVUnoK7U-RA5K_HuSh5Chzm6OU99J/s1600/IMG_1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_f9K_NPRNvuRzZNw1uh_-2qnNw7ZBQGLU-PgRpA2mk-wzs0IpLSCmOztqpUyc_kzMnBowO60Dx7kaqKwd5cPe8EOFAYwiYUthENcfyBt2yoG6DPlVUnoK7U-RA5K_HuSh5Chzm6OU99J/s320/IMG_1356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And that was it for Savannah! Stay tuned for part II.</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-72917614848116449142012-08-07T06:19:00.000-07:002012-08-07T06:19:27.558-07:00Homemade Monday: Homemade ToothpasteAnother disaster my friends, and here's how it went down. I followed this recipe:<br />
2/3 cup of baking soda<br />
2 tsp of salt (for "extra scrubbing power" according to the author of the recipe)<br />
a few drops of peppermint essential oil or 1 tsp of peppermint extract<br />
water to desired consistency<br />
Mix together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2YZx5EmNInS6nNNH_Kn_F2Ql4_uPU5qq3XnYp8kBGiZpjVYz8sn19jRNTZDuHs474AnVnjwkK2dE0oShgXNBMxpnapcMkvzTyNg_kE_P853k3RFUEXk-I9okZuL8IKkLgfSyjI3q7ELc/s1600/IMG_1170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2YZx5EmNInS6nNNH_Kn_F2Ql4_uPU5qq3XnYp8kBGiZpjVYz8sn19jRNTZDuHs474AnVnjwkK2dE0oShgXNBMxpnapcMkvzTyNg_kE_P853k3RFUEXk-I9okZuL8IKkLgfSyjI3q7ELc/s320/IMG_1170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Okay, so it wasn't a total disaster because I used it for about ten days. The disastrous part was that it was so ridiculously salty, it would burn my mouth, gums, and lips. After about the seventh day, my tongue was salt-burned (if there is such a thing), and anything that I ate that was acidic burned my mouth (tomatoes, oranges, pasta sauce).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VcpdlCZEjtDl3xVdu3WBBTQXJmrUNsLC-lRqCFgmsxjP2YPG0W2De68HQXo56Ksce12FSbf7PSxap4jCtIeOWFrYTf7TTKDKbOLUmWUHhGtN9jO4SL5QdKRrrtGUlckZQxSlPZlVvR8Z/s1600/IMG_1171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VcpdlCZEjtDl3xVdu3WBBTQXJmrUNsLC-lRqCFgmsxjP2YPG0W2De68HQXo56Ksce12FSbf7PSxap4jCtIeOWFrYTf7TTKDKbOLUmWUHhGtN9jO4SL5QdKRrrtGUlckZQxSlPZlVvR8Z/s320/IMG_1171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, I quit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But I DID love the way it made my teeth feel. See how pretty they are: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hx27w0r0BEJq7TS-OIVddvXq_rW3Es3Xj6YcT83wFE68EAAZhZisgUgWEjQcgZoVjwXgLL1ktsq-KkiVnoyu02UdBr15PodpNBYgKfb4Eg-Rpe-LekUSc_3SQ7zCha-n0PTLwWX1nIpG/s1600/IMG_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hx27w0r0BEJq7TS-OIVddvXq_rW3Es3Xj6YcT83wFE68EAAZhZisgUgWEjQcgZoVjwXgLL1ktsq-KkiVnoyu02UdBr15PodpNBYgKfb4Eg-Rpe-LekUSc_3SQ7zCha-n0PTLwWX1nIpG/s320/IMG_1176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Actually, they're lookin' a little yellow-y. I gotta do something about that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, you should try this at least once in your life, but LEAVE OUT THE SALT. All you need is baking soda and water, and for minty-fresh breath, a little peppermint extract.</div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-35127509234173520472012-08-05T05:34:00.003-07:002012-08-05T05:34:53.426-07:009 Days of Destruction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCRJoGKiUt0Ax6k9m6uIZW1KfFnhm1xhnnAhVGdzxOIA1ylni0kX_TFkYW_-KK8oqJRN-QpWknmSA8YoDU-9y-aFYn3OV7IfQlQcyuq7nhO-qe4MCaG4K7l5cTH7BGy4t6XO0Frcw7bv8/s1600/IMG_1164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCRJoGKiUt0Ax6k9m6uIZW1KfFnhm1xhnnAhVGdzxOIA1ylni0kX_TFkYW_-KK8oqJRN-QpWknmSA8YoDU-9y-aFYn3OV7IfQlQcyuq7nhO-qe4MCaG4K7l5cTH7BGy4t6XO0Frcw7bv8/s320/IMG_1164.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Monday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yzmlU2I-HkPkPB1vL8RjNR88CJsi5dgVD7pCSJz353wd01iMcVqPmdA88isBw1aXtEHkxy6cRvBoALZSB9_qqr_5sA18r0KcpBoSER7jKUrVbq7rw_yKj-HNNvRw2V25g5iGT2Fz7r4h/s1600/IMG_1165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yzmlU2I-HkPkPB1vL8RjNR88CJsi5dgVD7pCSJz353wd01iMcVqPmdA88isBw1aXtEHkxy6cRvBoALZSB9_qqr_5sA18r0KcpBoSER7jKUrVbq7rw_yKj-HNNvRw2V25g5iGT2Fz7r4h/s320/IMG_1165.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tuesday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUBLmXcaI4b0BxMq0VEOm88eOyUzBUftjqiZWBReCTAZLjBxA8XhIXIJ9m4mW4eOLkDssw9lw-tdCNVnhHpRR3-xO4ZNCh2YoPfkvlKeCrvF9ke9eo6iOa_QQekuBOR5ARpDwOWYrOJd_/s1600/IMG_1166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUBLmXcaI4b0BxMq0VEOm88eOyUzBUftjqiZWBReCTAZLjBxA8XhIXIJ9m4mW4eOLkDssw9lw-tdCNVnhHpRR3-xO4ZNCh2YoPfkvlKeCrvF9ke9eo6iOa_QQekuBOR5ARpDwOWYrOJd_/s320/IMG_1166.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wednesday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjeqK7UUfxrxmaWr1rXQ3xPXdby1thgH3qko3H35xEmzdFdwRHZU1-iVhXRIUOnv_WIBKZGmDYrRlvUGastssz8g3NlXex1kyQOqeZWot_sCJFq19jVIF3sU9GCwG8qCqqOFIumVpk9gR/s1600/IMG_1167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjeqK7UUfxrxmaWr1rXQ3xPXdby1thgH3qko3H35xEmzdFdwRHZU1-iVhXRIUOnv_WIBKZGmDYrRlvUGastssz8g3NlXex1kyQOqeZWot_sCJFq19jVIF3sU9GCwG8qCqqOFIumVpk9gR/s320/IMG_1167.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thursday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XibVeBty5f8UYfDhndAlaPoxuMjmaBu-tcpqwvKqjUAXQgkvk6gvTa5Oa7peWH5YuO952S4YMBJzO_fJKg1TAiQiwzTA3MuNtwE6nVV0fFXB0GTVBfVDBVE3BgmiqtdBtLrgVIKK6-LT/s1600/IMG_1169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XibVeBty5f8UYfDhndAlaPoxuMjmaBu-tcpqwvKqjUAXQgkvk6gvTa5Oa7peWH5YuO952S4YMBJzO_fJKg1TAiQiwzTA3MuNtwE6nVV0fFXB0GTVBfVDBVE3BgmiqtdBtLrgVIKK6-LT/s320/IMG_1169.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Friday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4zPZ4Rm8mw_3ccUWtHlvIL-1R4QLPTRHUuHQAAn-m_N1MLM_kcAx-gqdagJlksijhHJOmXzvgu7EFK0uD3KC1tEELm_VfKHBeUjUe0RwZa1jhyXkf1DBNj2eI4jT1u5IxWgV8IY9XfGi/s1600/IMG_1179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4zPZ4Rm8mw_3ccUWtHlvIL-1R4QLPTRHUuHQAAn-m_N1MLM_kcAx-gqdagJlksijhHJOmXzvgu7EFK0uD3KC1tEELm_VfKHBeUjUe0RwZa1jhyXkf1DBNj2eI4jT1u5IxWgV8IY9XfGi/s320/IMG_1179.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saturday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVdN8XpEJlfh-MSsS2evyILyH3yqHfKIsmKAF2tU86EU6bgunfM-zCtgSMWzgC5i_pCRrJkJErXGWbjc2_5AQpukFj93tUHVbxcouCvNFDxE84YcQOltYrllCZg-iF06rD7O90QRb6E_N/s1600/IMG_1180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVdN8XpEJlfh-MSsS2evyILyH3yqHfKIsmKAF2tU86EU6bgunfM-zCtgSMWzgC5i_pCRrJkJErXGWbjc2_5AQpukFj93tUHVbxcouCvNFDxE84YcQOltYrllCZg-iF06rD7O90QRb6E_N/s320/IMG_1180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzuJ_id_lIgbzvAMpeYqBg5Z-uERmBEXiayPcjImZhmM6ygxpg2SK6V01aVKx51PhyVtt7cd3PqvzpY317veAOb-W3yCPMtiTsBtkBp2IlpLnwZFQPYnYN9A1nT8n0AQrojQUoN3qGSRS/s1600/IMG_1264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzuJ_id_lIgbzvAMpeYqBg5Z-uERmBEXiayPcjImZhmM6ygxpg2SK6V01aVKx51PhyVtt7cd3PqvzpY317veAOb-W3yCPMtiTsBtkBp2IlpLnwZFQPYnYN9A1nT8n0AQrojQUoN3qGSRS/s320/IMG_1264.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Monday</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtMBxCpU-7twU-dJ2ZtkHLskQZRniMd4pjnwzDgI5WNPYq1rzOr7OECmcBWFwc2DFmt6Fzy6b-Sroz5x4Ms-vSwXyf1jGXYE2epDB977d2Wc9QnIzsJnOpteUyGfqS1QHtl6gOdcfrDjk/s1600/IMG_1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtMBxCpU-7twU-dJ2ZtkHLskQZRniMd4pjnwzDgI5WNPYq1rzOr7OECmcBWFwc2DFmt6Fzy6b-Sroz5x4Ms-vSwXyf1jGXYE2epDB977d2Wc9QnIzsJnOpteUyGfqS1QHtl6gOdcfrDjk/s320/IMG_1265.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tuesday</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-7382416561328722852012-07-29T20:45:00.000-07:002012-07-29T20:45:03.103-07:00Goals<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LAST WEEK’S LIST:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>30 mins jogging?, 5 mins abs (</s>I went with a friend to
her gym and did a 45-min spin class … I figure that’s a decent substitute)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>30 mins walking, 5 mins abs</s> (one day this week I
cleaned for a good 2 hours; I figure that was another decent substitute!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>30 mins zumba, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>30 mins weights, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>try a bar workout?, find one on youtube</s> (well, first
of all, I found out it’s spelled “barre” workout, not “bar”). Secondly, I found
5 good-looking videos on youtube and added them onto a playlist. I’ll try them
next week. Good enough).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Record last video of home videos</s> (I realize this has
been on my list for about 6 months. Well, I tried my darndest to get this done
but discovered that I’m more behind than I thought. I had lost of the editing
work I’d done, so I redid some of that, and got some of the videos ready to
record. But I’ll have to work a lot more on this).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Do one craft with the boys</s> (when I wrote this, I was
thinking doing a craft at home, something creative. But on Saturday, we went to
“artypants” at the art museum here and they made sculptures. That counts!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Finish reading <i>In Defense of Food</i></s><s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Read 2 <i>Magic Treehouse</i></s><s> books with the boys<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Rearrange bedroom<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Clean and straighten out back closet<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Update jewelry blog with new stuff<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to <s>Julie</s> and Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get milk kefir grains (?) and start a batch of kefir<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins yoga or similar, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>TO THIS THIS WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins jogging, 5 mins abs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
45 mins barre</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
45 mins zumba, 5 mins abs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins walking, some yoga (10 mins?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
45 mins weights, 5 mins abs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
work on home videos (get through July 2011)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finish reading<i> Away </i>(Amy
Bloom)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do one craft with the boys</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 2 <i>Magic Treehouse</i>
books with boys, read several board books with Feefs</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Update jewelry blog with new stuff<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get milk kefir grains and start a batch of kefir (still
not sure where to get some)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Try these new recipes:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
garlic pesto chicken with tomato
penne (<a href="http://cdargis.tumblr.com/post/18818836004/garlic-pesto-chicken-with-tomato-cream-penne">http://cdargis.tumblr.com/post/18818836004/garlic-pesto-chicken-with-tomato-cream-penne</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Avacado egg salad (<a href="http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2012/06/family-and-food.html">http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2012/06/family-and-food.html</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Sleep-slim smoothie (<a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/sleep-doctor-sleep-slim-smoothie">http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/sleep-doctor-sleep-slim-smoothie</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Grilled veggie tacos (<a href="http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2012/7/20/fresh-grilled-veggie-tacos.html">http://www.edibleperspective.com/home/2012/7/20/fresh-grilled-veggie-tacos.html</a>)</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-41741604777846582022012-07-23T12:47:00.000-07:002012-07-23T12:47:37.544-07:00Homemade Monday: Homemade Baby Wipes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm going to try to make something homemade once a week. I realize this is very ambitious (well, actually, the homemade part is really easy; uploading pictures to the computer, editing, then getting on here and writing a blog post about it -- now that's the time-consuming part). Anyway, this week's project was a total bust. It's actually pretty funny how wrong I did everything. First of all, you're supposed to use Viva paper towels. I didn't have any on hand and didn't want to go to the store, so I used Brawny instead. My first mistake.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You're supposed to start by cutting the role in half with a knife. It looked horrible already.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-5yX5uaxPgRHN8hF4OR-dSSxNbzSAV5XlziMgJonGJTXCYeTo3dhY9Y-Spd2ZtV3P3jEXLdiTYlHrA8KAjHdVtXtuhR2K_FqYVB0u07OTGaohQ33MHfFbZk12Sn77fMLPtcFYqf3pDaC/s1600/IMG_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-5yX5uaxPgRHN8hF4OR-dSSxNbzSAV5XlziMgJonGJTXCYeTo3dhY9Y-Spd2ZtV3P3jEXLdiTYlHrA8KAjHdVtXtuhR2K_FqYVB0u07OTGaohQ33MHfFbZk12Sn77fMLPtcFYqf3pDaC/s320/IMG_1136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Uh, not that way, Hope. In half CROSSWAYS!! (My second mistake).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But that's okay, I figured it out and cut them in half the correct way:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiQk5PtiI7Y_-KYYlBTyVroC78hb16YalNMefeZCmUz3vCFciXV4NhY6Pd-u7zpJF_w7aQY56Iu8wIhNM7SPmjTY31kvo35F-b3Vjm_KYnl6KlJLhmPNVyY3DgcM9L__EpSsaS76eUKR1/s1600/IMG_1139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiQk5PtiI7Y_-KYYlBTyVroC78hb16YalNMefeZCmUz3vCFciXV4NhY6Pd-u7zpJF_w7aQY56Iu8wIhNM7SPmjTY31kvo35F-b3Vjm_KYnl6KlJLhmPNVyY3DgcM9L__EpSsaS76eUKR1/s320/IMG_1139.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then because they were such different sizes, I further cut some of them in half again to make them roughly the same size:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy9AemL6NNDzAVHa18cVNmfLvw8p5bIqZSPZilT_O3h12D1njX938RqoiwrEG4-tA5JhK4XmriV1KfTU6I6p3Nmw5GWLlir_pNWd0OCCas44UZNSWO76YfPAIqqUfxWq1Ywd-N6rp7ISe/s1600/IMG_1142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy9AemL6NNDzAVHa18cVNmfLvw8p5bIqZSPZilT_O3h12D1njX938RqoiwrEG4-tA5JhK4XmriV1KfTU6I6p3Nmw5GWLlir_pNWd0OCCas44UZNSWO76YfPAIqqUfxWq1Ywd-N6rp7ISe/s320/IMG_1142.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then gather your necessities. The recipe is (for one WHOLE roll of paper towels): 4 cups of water, 4 Tbsp of baby wash, and 2-3 Tbsp of baby oil. A few things about that. I think that much water is a lot. That could be because I used Brawny, and Viva would have been a lot more absorbent. Secondly, I don't have baby oil, so I used 1 Tbsp of fractionated coconut oil and 1 of olive oil. Then I added a few drops of melaleuca (tea tree oil). One could also use a few drops of lavender or frankincense essential oils, just for a nice touch.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_zvlzTLu9yyAdveZcHOsIxUfUuQaHsouSVlEhWCmdNfak47h_o66AT1xInQd0GsE9abEsvuD_Lo__dAb5qn34lXSIZIcRANHvGIs2p28ie-UryUJTDOf6wkFWoh0YX3MWGNlRCTueWML/s1600/IMG_1143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_zvlzTLu9yyAdveZcHOsIxUfUuQaHsouSVlEhWCmdNfak47h_o66AT1xInQd0GsE9abEsvuD_Lo__dAb5qn34lXSIZIcRANHvGIs2p28ie-UryUJTDOf6wkFWoh0YX3MWGNlRCTueWML/s320/IMG_1143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Make your mixture and put it in a <span style="background-color: white;">baking pan (or whatever will work), then place your paper towels in the pan. They will soak up the liquid, but you'll probably need to turn the stacks of paper towels upsidedown once.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial2llgw-a8j0_tIYtOKzAqjBwK0vs5afqpDGBnwST1soq5moUtQ-uRyInFtk65HZFPASD0rvpHu8yialKdCTPsjIM1lmri00V9X1M8seLIhJfOsIOfg8vaopfe9umgqEiMMxCKT8S5tbX/s1600/IMG_1144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEial2llgw-a8j0_tIYtOKzAqjBwK0vs5afqpDGBnwST1soq5moUtQ-uRyInFtk65HZFPASD0rvpHu8yialKdCTPsjIM1lmri00V9X1M8seLIhJfOsIOfg8vaopfe9umgqEiMMxCKT8S5tbX/s320/IMG_1144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Place the stacks in ziplock bags or in wipe containers. And there you have it:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayCOuMFB7nJ1QZpSY0ZLpjkWmNN2dKGvs9nHJddOztkd2VCWIMp5Fn2CBeDvLl8iHu-RWVLD0ZpjvklKw4YISw87Dc86D1vgevo-hSHmIQKaa7imiuo_xHYjMiFAXJ83j5BswsWSt8vXc/s1600/IMG_1145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayCOuMFB7nJ1QZpSY0ZLpjkWmNN2dKGvs9nHJddOztkd2VCWIMp5Fn2CBeDvLl8iHu-RWVLD0ZpjvklKw4YISw87Dc86D1vgevo-hSHmIQKaa7imiuo_xHYjMiFAXJ83j5BswsWSt8vXc/s320/IMG_1145.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
SO, if you decide to do this project, make sure you use VIVA paper towels and cut them the CORRECT way! And play around with the liquid recipe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
*<i>Have you ever made homemade wipes? Do you think it's worth it? 'Cause I'm not sure it is!</i></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-16596054312711621692012-07-22T19:23:00.000-07:002012-07-22T19:23:15.864-07:00List<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LIST FOR LAST WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Work out 12 minutes surge
training + 30 mins zumba + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Work out 12 minutes surge
training + 20-30 mins walking+ 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Clean out car </s>(well, Chad did with the boys!)<s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Take car to Columbus to check engine</s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Have tires
replaced<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Read two <i>World</i></s><s>
magazines<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Read chapters 20-28 of Acts<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Make one homemade thing<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Read pages 100-150 of <i>In Defense of Food<o:p></o:p></i></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Do some “homework” with Ethan<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Email those two ladies about Paparazzi and see if they’re
still interested<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to <s>Andrea</s>, Julie, and Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins air climber + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins zumba (or similar) + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20 minutes circuit training + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do one craft with the boys<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>TO DO THIS WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins jogging?, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins walking, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins zumba, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins weights, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
30 mins yoga or similar, 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
try a bar workout, find one on youtube??<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do one craft with the boys<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finish reading <i>In Defense of Food</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 2 <i>Magic Treehouse</i>
books with the boys<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rearrange bedroom<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clean and straighten out back closet<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Update jewelry blog with new stuff<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to Julie and Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get milk kefir grains (?) and start a batch of kefir<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-63644620290911603052012-07-19T15:04:00.002-07:002012-07-19T15:04:26.000-07:00The deed is done; my hair is goneI know you're just DYING to know if I got my hair cut and what it looks like. Here ya go.<br />
This is what it looks like when I first get up in the morning, complete with scared face:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW7IpidCkDHMRozp8utvft6A9A8magkKqZHkdqZ9kA2l8sY0dAxY9KUdWpG1rtdQ46JgYYNBxKxNQZ2sQjhVD0YRf5gSaBp4Z3QsPtodinjUnz79JD46VG7XoKcZUCpSnrotKhH3wXe7s/s1600/IMG_1108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsW7IpidCkDHMRozp8utvft6A9A8magkKqZHkdqZ9kA2l8sY0dAxY9KUdWpG1rtdQ46JgYYNBxKxNQZ2sQjhVD0YRf5gSaBp4Z3QsPtodinjUnz79JD46VG7XoKcZUCpSnrotKhH3wXe7s/s320/IMG_1108.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here's what it looked like when I tried to straighten it, then went out in the Alabama humidity and got sweaty:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVtRyuO4HW45TBcymi66huQ_1wdqOIuzS5F1qZ2suUiwK8lWLIckMSBaiGWLjSeUj-jcQ6o7G7YjwS04W0d7-mEcprzCO_0YJ7gGib9ewMYxgKylLldfJ5sofe8SuBUc9LC59Rd__L86p/s1600/IMG_1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlVtRyuO4HW45TBcymi66huQ_1wdqOIuzS5F1qZ2suUiwK8lWLIckMSBaiGWLjSeUj-jcQ6o7G7YjwS04W0d7-mEcprzCO_0YJ7gGib9ewMYxgKylLldfJ5sofe8SuBUc9LC59Rd__L86p/s320/IMG_1117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here's my favorite way that I do it. It's just too hot to have ANY hair in my face, so I pull a little of it back. On this day, I used a bling pin:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJucwLsVD6nG4UXAKmvDAtZi2CJuqquHjvuIGKxyBSIM90hybMok0lirXx-zARUYecSsJfrDmwxjYMGgemmqYVUVbqEL8s0bjzTmx_umic6skY5zYHihkAUv2VarMYj_0cMXeY60Fm-UyP/s1600/IMG_1131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJucwLsVD6nG4UXAKmvDAtZi2CJuqquHjvuIGKxyBSIM90hybMok0lirXx-zARUYecSsJfrDmwxjYMGgemmqYVUVbqEL8s0bjzTmx_umic6skY5zYHihkAUv2VarMYj_0cMXeY60Fm-UyP/s320/IMG_1131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqxPHGacyNJLhMZaezkRC2oRV74ZhQEqroD9v_ktoLoCsZE9h_GNP7l-t3mC5dAKG6gVVJIW2K6U306z6evny0KX_Pv6rW0cAktId89HGXhuT8mYkGrBXu11PI8lcrnXTIHp1RphU9WP0/s1600/IMG_1132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqxPHGacyNJLhMZaezkRC2oRV74ZhQEqroD9v_ktoLoCsZE9h_GNP7l-t3mC5dAKG6gVVJIW2K6U306z6evny0KX_Pv6rW0cAktId89HGXhuT8mYkGrBXu11PI8lcrnXTIHp1RphU9WP0/s320/IMG_1132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-89378252037883276262012-07-15T19:41:00.000-07:002012-07-15T19:41:15.081-07:00Ambition in a List<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>TO DO LAST WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Work out 12 minutes surge
training</s> + 30 mins zumba + <s>5 mins abs</s><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Work out 12 minutes surge
training</s> + 30 mins air climber + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Work out 12 minutes surge
training + 30 mins zumba (or similar)</s> + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20-30 mins walking+ 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20 minutes circuit training + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Unpack car<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clean out car<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Upload pictures to Snapfish, label, share<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 3 <i>World</i> Magazines to catch up (only read 1)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Read 6 chapters of Acts<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Catch up on reading friends’ blogs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read pages 63-113 of <i>In Defense of Food</i> (got to page 100)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Check freebieshark.com, southernsavers.com, and
moneysavingmom.com a few times<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Earn 250 swag bucks (started at 1503) </s>(got 245, that’s
close enough)<s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do some “homework” with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Weed garden<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Write a blog post: Adventures in gardening<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Email those two ladies about Paparazzi and see if they’re
still interested<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to <s>Lynette</s>, Julie, and Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>LIST FOR THIS WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins zumba + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins air climber + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins zumba (or similar) + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20-30 mins walking+ 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20 minutes circuit training + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clean out car<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take car to Columbus to check engine??? Have tires
replaced???<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read two <i>World</i>
magazines<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read chapters 20-28 of Acts<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make one homemade thing<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do one craft with the boys<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read pages 100-150 of <i>In Defense of Food<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do some “homework” with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Email those two ladies about Paparazzi and see if they’re
still interested<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to Andrea, Julie, and Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-21793713800900153622012-07-11T17:29:00.001-07:002012-07-11T17:29:03.620-07:00Adventures in Gardening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Earlier in the spring, I decided to plant a garden. I didn't do much research, and this is the first time I've ever planted things, so this has been a learning experience. I've already learned so much like</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a) not to trust the back of the seed packets about when to plant them</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
b) that zucchinis are supposed to be planted in a mound, not in rows</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
c) that watermelons and zucchinis need A LOT more space than I gave them</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
d) that maybe letting my kids help put the seeds in isn't such a great idea because they end up putting 5 seeds in one spot, which leads to the problem stated in c) above.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
e) that I should never bend over as much as I did when I was tilling the garden, which was the last straw for my sciatica and the reason for which I now have to go to the chiropractor 3 times a week. But all that is another story.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here we are getting the garden ready. The kids LOVED the mud.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OY-2Zky8RK9mtpEl082eCeEIF3ZG-joY4LQwDRQ5CdSQ1fHIM6jvA3k5kypUBFvt2nND7p2hYcqA1cgE3PMWOeHxdNLjErsNlolMEHP_PemQxVX0pQCY2KLWC2-U5FqS5EpihdSwWMYC/s1600/IMG_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OY-2Zky8RK9mtpEl082eCeEIF3ZG-joY4LQwDRQ5CdSQ1fHIM6jvA3k5kypUBFvt2nND7p2hYcqA1cgE3PMWOeHxdNLjErsNlolMEHP_PemQxVX0pQCY2KLWC2-U5FqS5EpihdSwWMYC/s320/IMG_0557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"> Fiona really loved it:</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf_Ct7DfQ2bPsoCXK3uj_VgI7TxQ7gQK2HQh-u6JhFT2EeSXXgC8WpbP85e6D_S08KfCYhI4D3hb5HC4RHsDV9LPLI8XQ_DLLWMyw1W6fsIlDP8VPJuEc-3MvtnX9n6MPJIpVKUfylgHx/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf_Ct7DfQ2bPsoCXK3uj_VgI7TxQ7gQK2HQh-u6JhFT2EeSXXgC8WpbP85e6D_S08KfCYhI4D3hb5HC4RHsDV9LPLI8XQ_DLLWMyw1W6fsIlDP8VPJuEc-3MvtnX9n6MPJIpVKUfylgHx/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ethan loved the pick axe:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWZSxsHRWydFZPAaH8OnWzdlhn8Jh0YaWVJDhM1uuTRGEb7h4aTlHzPMifneBzBMgTadmDfOZWdfn0bfYHLOccqozMFZAD-hflnHb97Uom3ZjDgjUkjSeoCPoVordRNQCgnoI0dV2BpnI/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWZSxsHRWydFZPAaH8OnWzdlhn8Jh0YaWVJDhM1uuTRGEb7h4aTlHzPMifneBzBMgTadmDfOZWdfn0bfYHLOccqozMFZAD-hflnHb97Uom3ZjDgjUkjSeoCPoVordRNQCgnoI0dV2BpnI/s320/IMG_0563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I just couldn't resist doing a picture like this:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83KSecKqqyKuq8LIJfR9QP-QRlZF1WXzzUJlTXOP0MYYWArRCNBTNLMoAHd29QPeSQZ4HiF0Y25FDfFixZTwoK1khxOXABTuOo7sSprt68IzXGdTzPUPGJKo_pSlpFwhPvwoHpxczsBrh/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83KSecKqqyKuq8LIJfR9QP-QRlZF1WXzzUJlTXOP0MYYWArRCNBTNLMoAHd29QPeSQZ4HiF0Y25FDfFixZTwoK1khxOXABTuOo7sSprt68IzXGdTzPUPGJKo_pSlpFwhPvwoHpxczsBrh/s320/IMG_0565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
mmmm, yummy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's Ethan with the pick axe again:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggMMAeRdzUcl3jFYX2uOgU2fn4M6wucYjW1dnVuO4T6F2Q7iTggQfwlft6nBMiCOvVYdIhYDrlouHyIJOEDju3tQOB5d_neKidPhLyHZMsfOScvWYVeRgvRjOutACFqkeeZhT7t1TrNY_/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggMMAeRdzUcl3jFYX2uOgU2fn4M6wucYjW1dnVuO4T6F2Q7iTggQfwlft6nBMiCOvVYdIhYDrlouHyIJOEDju3tQOB5d_neKidPhLyHZMsfOScvWYVeRgvRjOutACFqkeeZhT7t1TrNY_/s320/IMG_0571.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And Fiona still lovin' the mud:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlwpadDxUi4vTkzIWWgXwPQC4Et5LxnkKMAsEH6N8z2uVkfNyJArVlPB2gMfTOC6_114HNqXW-YOPpl7mi45-zJ-y0ITwln9kOqXENq8VL4jRYemuuydDwcljnldzSDzUBVhr3mt3jZm6/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlwpadDxUi4vTkzIWWgXwPQC4Et5LxnkKMAsEH6N8z2uVkfNyJArVlPB2gMfTOC6_114HNqXW-YOPpl7mi45-zJ-y0ITwln9kOqXENq8VL4jRYemuuydDwcljnldzSDzUBVhr3mt3jZm6/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And one last one of Ethan weilding his weapon:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxToVP3zVmqJ-s9s2qLlpTpoKv-6ulCOSg3Yc_X7mYffDMFrXBOvlJEXR7lgAaBO5HXJPknTexslga5Lhm32ocB_rvQ8JkBS8Wm0FmUq_h8DfK_CSse6Berarro33vLPBhcykRYcXhEuLf/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxToVP3zVmqJ-s9s2qLlpTpoKv-6ulCOSg3Yc_X7mYffDMFrXBOvlJEXR7lgAaBO5HXJPknTexslga5Lhm32ocB_rvQ8JkBS8Wm0FmUq_h8DfK_CSse6Berarro33vLPBhcykRYcXhEuLf/s320/IMG_0578.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay, now time for the actual garden.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I planted basil in the first two pots there, and tomatoes in the one on the right:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSavQqAk4JKqSaxl-GJWNJ_d6cDqOFaNNrsIQVuA_HIa4wN6Fw4pBvrxPse10rlVc71_eQ7PczVQxeyWkZyGKRuB39_eTF7Nsgxk9G84g_mHHRlgwPBOqnz6slX9hFUQe5LFOcq-UT_UKK/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSavQqAk4JKqSaxl-GJWNJ_d6cDqOFaNNrsIQVuA_HIa4wN6Fw4pBvrxPse10rlVc71_eQ7PczVQxeyWkZyGKRuB39_eTF7Nsgxk9G84g_mHHRlgwPBOqnz6slX9hFUQe5LFOcq-UT_UKK/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here's the garden. Have you ever seen a more lovely looking garden? No, wait, don't answer that. I know, I know, it's over-crowded. Like I said, I've already learned a lot. Anyway, I have cucumbers, zucchini, watermelon, broccoli, and dying onions. I don't know what I did wrong with the onions.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRPbfzeZzLRWlpF_mV4H0k1aaibzBw1yL9ndE36z5T5-3DVpejU-dMyd96OZjQdmnLNGSxzpPr4oaSxDrcKOWs2yqoQtdEjTEy_ktcAvCGXhBYD-rhdoPKk5cerCkXMbvVv88QZbAaeu-/s1600/IMG_1101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRPbfzeZzLRWlpF_mV4H0k1aaibzBw1yL9ndE36z5T5-3DVpejU-dMyd96OZjQdmnLNGSxzpPr4oaSxDrcKOWs2yqoQtdEjTEy_ktcAvCGXhBYD-rhdoPKk5cerCkXMbvVv88QZbAaeu-/s320/IMG_1101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I even have this lovely hibiscus plant that I haven't killed yet. It flowers most days:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4msv3e9JhccLKKFwchVQmmAU9z0DAnfQ50rkEHeIE-xO3zhW57dB9RymIZTFv3e06F5d1TFv-eoH_dREpsR-Ymcc12Dn-NkG4gPR1983LOqDJnnG52d6-ew632rF8nuZ-XsSpUUoJGmNA/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4msv3e9JhccLKKFwchVQmmAU9z0DAnfQ50rkEHeIE-xO3zhW57dB9RymIZTFv3e06F5d1TFv-eoH_dREpsR-Ymcc12Dn-NkG4gPR1983LOqDJnnG52d6-ew632rF8nuZ-XsSpUUoJGmNA/s320/IMG_1102.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I tried to transplant a few of the watermelon plants so they'd have more space. Here they are. I don't know if they're going to make it or not:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGA5nxq_eHoxzrZOatH9ytVp-JgQSr-mNXonUgCPARCpqr6n4tHmMtS-eEIoT90txjIAspqh6UmvN31_gMuLusPwQTJIvJuOuZ9TJUNWIfR9On6MTV5yr3b7-KLYU1htz1k1nOlXqniby/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGA5nxq_eHoxzrZOatH9ytVp-JgQSr-mNXonUgCPARCpqr6n4tHmMtS-eEIoT90txjIAspqh6UmvN31_gMuLusPwQTJIvJuOuZ9TJUNWIfR9On6MTV5yr3b7-KLYU1htz1k1nOlXqniby/s320/IMG_1103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And here are zinnias that I planted at the front of the house. They're actually flowering! So exciting. I also planted marigolds, but none of them sprouted. I don't know what I did wrong there either.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK-958deK48O8dlfPrR8Ce-NCnucJc8LSIRRZwtA8i4q0LgS1dh-UZkII1mOgR1BMzaTsWl54LC03ktf8an1fUw8-LpV3Nt39gvZ8AdaZQcCqdMvpP0pF5YNx1Panmqsx7aK99rQygFjv/s1600/IMG_1104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheK-958deK48O8dlfPrR8Ce-NCnucJc8LSIRRZwtA8i4q0LgS1dh-UZkII1mOgR1BMzaTsWl54LC03ktf8an1fUw8-LpV3Nt39gvZ8AdaZQcCqdMvpP0pF5YNx1Panmqsx7aK99rQygFjv/s320/IMG_1104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, there you go. Gardening has been fun so far, and the kids have enjoyed watching things grow. I will, of course, check in later about whether or not we actually get any vegetables out of our garden. Here's hopin' we do...</div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-61857967910876497242012-07-08T20:31:00.005-07:002012-07-08T20:31:46.820-07:00To do this week<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>TO DO THIS WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins zumba + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins air climber + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20 minutes circuit training + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 30 mins zumba (or similar) + 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work out 12 minutes surge training
+ 20-30 mins walking+ 5 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unpack car<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clean out car<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upload pictures to Snapfish, label, share<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 3 <i>World</i> Magazines to catch up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 6 chapters of Acts<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Catch up on reading friends’ blogs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read pages 63-113 of <i>In Defense of Food<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check freebieshark.com, southernsavers.com, and
moneysavingmom.com a few times<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earn 250 swag bucks (started at 1503)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do some “homework” with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weed garden<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Write a blog post: Adventures in gardening<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Email those two ladies about Paparazzi and see if they’re
still interested<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jewelry to Lynette, Julie, and Perry<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-56493863162896461092012-06-19T22:16:00.002-07:002012-06-19T22:16:24.295-07:00Trip to Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We tried driving through the night on the way there, and it worked WONDERFULLY! I drove only about 2 1/2 hours, then went to sleep, and Chad drove another 7 hours while I fitfully slept. The boys slept till 6 am, and Fiona woke up only a couple of times and fussed minimally. It was GREAT. Now, it did take Chad the whole next to day to recover, but that's okay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First stop: Friendswood, TX to see Granmama and Grandaddy. We went blueberry picking:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7_Rr1lnoOVNUjSoOSkmGXf0OLE2UpND2VR4QOWIFVdcKM5v5P03uzPn6qa6jTQ1KudCKlFqhc1iB8G0ZN5DkUpFyl5hjlbo1_46fE3CJpD-DFIugZk3H6wS_qq_1xXniMm-C_7lOtKz-/s1600/IMG_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7_Rr1lnoOVNUjSoOSkmGXf0OLE2UpND2VR4QOWIFVdcKM5v5P03uzPn6qa6jTQ1KudCKlFqhc1iB8G0ZN5DkUpFyl5hjlbo1_46fE3CJpD-DFIugZk3H6wS_qq_1xXniMm-C_7lOtKz-/s320/IMG_0686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Wp6RTLWcYdtuH4hlhFiDO4CfvCh51Pz9A3a79Do0mW3DAfNZidIzrlTBcCpJ6hxEiipfpc6Nc6bZTc650z0hq5AW3R5_wOjpe-7qvQFfrHM9jAbjDoUkLvT62FGL4YceudoSSlvGWm77/s1600/IMG_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Wp6RTLWcYdtuH4hlhFiDO4CfvCh51Pz9A3a79Do0mW3DAfNZidIzrlTBcCpJ6hxEiipfpc6Nc6bZTc650z0hq5AW3R5_wOjpe-7qvQFfrHM9jAbjDoUkLvT62FGL4YceudoSSlvGWm77/s320/IMG_0689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xuskqN7wN3YCpmlrExqYZpLuocMGVJLZ9oKRwDybcLRJuaZSMISw45LljtX6mZhg6G3D7eWzhLkYePvn4PlGkopEJnr2CRKZXF0A0kvLgBHPdOWVFSTt0XIG5_mBIZ84SN39S2lq5BrA/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xuskqN7wN3YCpmlrExqYZpLuocMGVJLZ9oKRwDybcLRJuaZSMISw45LljtX6mZhg6G3D7eWzhLkYePvn4PlGkopEJnr2CRKZXF0A0kvLgBHPdOWVFSTt0XIG5_mBIZ84SN39S2lq5BrA/s320/IMG_0691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and Grandaddy took the boys fishing with a homemade fishing pole:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFlqEJ1_a0q8Rt6XQEv1HPq97Tbyh-aStS-yqX7iQlMJihCFt9ArtO4IuQuV3RCGOQRZ4tvz5q4IjCDIfskDvfO7n2J1wgZAguQVCg5obiNMWceKvWus0tvaBwjXm_VDG_P_PLSjFlHFG/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFlqEJ1_a0q8Rt6XQEv1HPq97Tbyh-aStS-yqX7iQlMJihCFt9ArtO4IuQuV3RCGOQRZ4tvz5q4IjCDIfskDvfO7n2J1wgZAguQVCg5obiNMWceKvWus0tvaBwjXm_VDG_P_PLSjFlHFG/s320/IMG_0694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpLytUvDKv_IROQNKaUuh3G-7iIIWXioWBcKa7aU7FHIF2NKACMOMTPLkQWXEhY7aMqOZcvAXJOsvOVpBX2kTjLcwQbIm7DO2Wl_2physGHMYNX-BvaPKXKtt0Eceqc3J6C7FP8q7gsLv/s1600/IMG_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxpLytUvDKv_IROQNKaUuh3G-7iIIWXioWBcKa7aU7FHIF2NKACMOMTPLkQWXEhY7aMqOZcvAXJOsvOVpBX2kTjLcwQbIm7DO2Wl_2physGHMYNX-BvaPKXKtt0Eceqc3J6C7FP8q7gsLv/s320/IMG_0697.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Ethan caught his first fish!!! And then caught another 4 by himself and 6 more with help.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw8i093g5Cxv4Pmjt4NEpDpSQJYPizX7Yemo8_erKpMQGjCry0c0W45FniGtRXC3qcXehQCLs3w-S-Oe81XA5FpCiWAGHt6erP-47aqz9_d4diyxgJQvVKzvDQ0XlTQswnG6Yi37sp5qe/s1600/IMG_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw8i093g5Cxv4Pmjt4NEpDpSQJYPizX7Yemo8_erKpMQGjCry0c0W45FniGtRXC3qcXehQCLs3w-S-Oe81XA5FpCiWAGHt6erP-47aqz9_d4diyxgJQvVKzvDQ0XlTQswnG6Yi37sp5qe/s320/IMG_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCyJEHc6yqYbWpDF9-Sf_cOA-aDX6vW-zzWZVE2-9fG0eCq4nd02UjRz-fHRoDF6g1CXJua6fMOEErccbY0J6MLo8wI67-EbadhYlCXZsaoKXNmKdMqb7JJALUIE7A7_KXYFQF9b3f8ER/s1600/IMG_0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCyJEHc6yqYbWpDF9-Sf_cOA-aDX6vW-zzWZVE2-9fG0eCq4nd02UjRz-fHRoDF6g1CXJua6fMOEErccbY0J6MLo8wI67-EbadhYlCXZsaoKXNmKdMqb7JJALUIE7A7_KXYFQF9b3f8ER/s320/IMG_0699.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was there for awhile, but I wasn't quite so sure about the heat and humidity. I'll take some air conditioning, please:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFOcfgjLUsNOFWDUL_eYl82TmOCAoKXxAF6hXVh69XuYpGmVuF54Y_7foeJc1mepG5yMboz-Sbd6zHjfGKIsU7LqemtUq-_u5jN-fEekVoOVX5a4gSsS_vEm4HkplRBFaEcASM_ntkv6t/s1600/IMG_0700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFOcfgjLUsNOFWDUL_eYl82TmOCAoKXxAF6hXVh69XuYpGmVuF54Y_7foeJc1mepG5yMboz-Sbd6zHjfGKIsU7LqemtUq-_u5jN-fEekVoOVX5a4gSsS_vEm4HkplRBFaEcASM_ntkv6t/s320/IMG_0700.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Benji had some koolaid and some cheetos. Here's the incriminating evidence:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17OyxK5ivi4rmloVgRfIJRzn29075MvWgyA58vxVFEcvOw97DKpwgucoznY5t2LjTdGGPBePJjXg2AWseYsOH0JgnJboUH7fWaoNbiUNgCcQxac5oViPpDJ8MIVF1SIzckUR9Vs0lbXV4/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17OyxK5ivi4rmloVgRfIJRzn29075MvWgyA58vxVFEcvOw97DKpwgucoznY5t2LjTdGGPBePJjXg2AWseYsOH0JgnJboUH7fWaoNbiUNgCcQxac5oViPpDJ8MIVF1SIzckUR9Vs0lbXV4/s320/IMG_0702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white;"> We went to the beach in Galveston:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQWbGgT-D7m-kmGqBdmvF595qwgftKFrY8xcn5JwX8u2tb7mEw5RyEUKGBcwNaE2wZrWaxHXZAe1fNJOgYJWs5Xa3qzum8tv6AWAcxSXakOk49TA1VXx4teBgxgxuayoVDgyi7o7ApLJl/s1600/IMG_0710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQWbGgT-D7m-kmGqBdmvF595qwgftKFrY8xcn5JwX8u2tb7mEw5RyEUKGBcwNaE2wZrWaxHXZAe1fNJOgYJWs5Xa3qzum8tv6AWAcxSXakOk49TA1VXx4teBgxgxuayoVDgyi7o7ApLJl/s320/IMG_0710.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOClXfm0m8y3Lu57lnum1kZ1MRuW1-jF9AD8DTwa0t-TFei6Ek_Cr7IkBrovDTODg9gXsYr2QBUAVziKkM6Zb3w4lfYTZTSd5YCod1hUEOp57Cw8-J0gXxwO5YSeFLqBaukOy6NJL2kpgi/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOClXfm0m8y3Lu57lnum1kZ1MRuW1-jF9AD8DTwa0t-TFei6Ek_Cr7IkBrovDTODg9gXsYr2QBUAVziKkM6Zb3w4lfYTZTSd5YCod1hUEOp57Cw8-J0gXxwO5YSeFLqBaukOy6NJL2kpgi/s320/IMG_0711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk2-PmyGfIeR29wLgyyh2VYEZmpAQBI3tYPYnGOCxPUyuxcBrqTG3yRCzOw0PIXYTuoGrbcTFX3sNW_w_RhXAPRlHEZMxxS4cUcFTK0pwTeqwwD0gRxr4tjdExTqNldWBIaKj4XgzMke1/s1600/IMG_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEk2-PmyGfIeR29wLgyyh2VYEZmpAQBI3tYPYnGOCxPUyuxcBrqTG3yRCzOw0PIXYTuoGrbcTFX3sNW_w_RhXAPRlHEZMxxS4cUcFTK0pwTeqwwD0gRxr4tjdExTqNldWBIaKj4XgzMke1/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
and built sandcastles:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2WEdRxYJLBBxH6h-AewBtMayb49cB1kYw61HlL9dqt5w4-rTQsmMTCI2XLFtfpyoesozF5lTFiF3L7mWcE3ikPFJircQ917F96rIxBiBl1EwVsQrtCtNKF7r30LrPqjupNSwNXAJv7k2/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2WEdRxYJLBBxH6h-AewBtMayb49cB1kYw61HlL9dqt5w4-rTQsmMTCI2XLFtfpyoesozF5lTFiF3L7mWcE3ikPFJircQ917F96rIxBiBl1EwVsQrtCtNKF7r30LrPqjupNSwNXAJv7k2/s320/IMG_0716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0DNJs_FetVjVl2iIxQvCxvWBeOFQYiQYYp5Ml4aRCnThx9FxZIA3LWErLwrW5SZ6QLX_mgVCxa4WZqyhuciNFbSTjUckyOymVoZ3CEte4sACwAbEy5c9EfFdIV96e4FHGKIylXau6Lyr/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0DNJs_FetVjVl2iIxQvCxvWBeOFQYiQYYp5Ml4aRCnThx9FxZIA3LWErLwrW5SZ6QLX_mgVCxa4WZqyhuciNFbSTjUckyOymVoZ3CEte4sACwAbEy5c9EfFdIV96e4FHGKIylXau6Lyr/s320/IMG_0717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Next stop: North Richland Hills to see Grammy and Gramps.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fiona had her first ice cream cone:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG0RN0k2aIw4p5eRhKVuVGpz_2GNKMymQ5N6IgKIdmCkSFfkiFPz5ouMoo-ANv93dtIPhirnOWIpb6_LFR4fTI4A5FwStFY9QeO10TIXCb6_xPAk30GeTXlR1pJgCqPsR53fjuZJgd5uA/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG0RN0k2aIw4p5eRhKVuVGpz_2GNKMymQ5N6IgKIdmCkSFfkiFPz5ouMoo-ANv93dtIPhirnOWIpb6_LFR4fTI4A5FwStFY9QeO10TIXCb6_xPAk30GeTXlR1pJgCqPsR53fjuZJgd5uA/s320/IMG_0718.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuTBK16khyhYfxypNu5AwZPyKVmAawGlPCN1o1orR86wWS3Yi8nkkE7kDCOj4LNbysFWn5x5nME1s743V_TrVvBpL9CyrRDJEVusWsdJrEnuHur7NHO1a4qmr3Uo9n6xB-LJwjhhB9mfD/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuTBK16khyhYfxypNu5AwZPyKVmAawGlPCN1o1orR86wWS3Yi8nkkE7kDCOj4LNbysFWn5x5nME1s743V_TrVvBpL9CyrRDJEVusWsdJrEnuHur7NHO1a4qmr3Uo9n6xB-LJwjhhB9mfD/s320/IMG_0719.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbxtnYPaFp4BcrRqx1hWwo3ubdFuVF4n8nu6RKHICx6sbSIH9k_YYcN5QUehBEGoZCKOUmFlRwCwBlBX7JLMiPPXakqnqIiVWTEHdMLYDi3Ezdt_nSnG72XzLhWB1UmQaPubHzjalxzOK/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbxtnYPaFp4BcrRqx1hWwo3ubdFuVF4n8nu6RKHICx6sbSIH9k_YYcN5QUehBEGoZCKOUmFlRwCwBlBX7JLMiPPXakqnqIiVWTEHdMLYDi3Ezdt_nSnG72XzLhWB1UmQaPubHzjalxzOK/s320/IMG_0721.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
uh ... this is Uncle Bryan licking his imaginary ice cream cone:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOlDuK2XqRCEqqG5aXRBP9GvaGcm2BIzkRiHr47uvl-ZfaL-ynrrr-TgjEBv3MjI60DFmIwcnlG6Yyo9IOj4XrCj-cyDpicT6ZJWUW8xikM8bgpterphtR4QY7_VjUpgOy-8I9mBVWvEu/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOlDuK2XqRCEqqG5aXRBP9GvaGcm2BIzkRiHr47uvl-ZfaL-ynrrr-TgjEBv3MjI60DFmIwcnlG6Yyo9IOj4XrCj-cyDpicT6ZJWUW8xikM8bgpterphtR4QY7_VjUpgOy-8I9mBVWvEu/s320/IMG_0723.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Benji was given a birthday party:<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-bmLAG49BLaXTVgFnndbDgKaabN7iB0Jll7N0bOMGvtS0FOlHTHPLKUJ13_cVabrQe35W5loRbB3pX-hupVSu3fPBxkPHjzH2rDmPKOxH7yUUyU_juH2ohux0Yvcm8zMn7vbFGQNWWQI/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-bmLAG49BLaXTVgFnndbDgKaabN7iB0Jll7N0bOMGvtS0FOlHTHPLKUJ13_cVabrQe35W5loRbB3pX-hupVSu3fPBxkPHjzH2rDmPKOxH7yUUyU_juH2ohux0Yvcm8zMn7vbFGQNWWQI/s320/IMG_0724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJIHaLG_EtyfFjnyofnlAkz4r5k7bfAppmTN1v3pH-xopZuBSeFrPToCWqe-iRUSQ8GFsTYA4sadyIoveKowM3IgLb44VkXZ64C-V2VWjvv5gDZ-gTXIzNS6xOE4_fzMU3ff74VLMFEeK/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJIHaLG_EtyfFjnyofnlAkz4r5k7bfAppmTN1v3pH-xopZuBSeFrPToCWqe-iRUSQ8GFsTYA4sadyIoveKowM3IgLb44VkXZ64C-V2VWjvv5gDZ-gTXIzNS6xOE4_fzMU3ff74VLMFEeK/s320/IMG_0730.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kf6xWAhW458HJ-gMLR3GYZQf3bhq1ySgdeLYF2G_QruFoIjyT2_-Qhi-MhM0Pwym34tsKlU411nXLedO44xnUnAjrvTYqYsiNBBTqAjU7vSRzPbosp5u4Blsx_b3ijxDSR_UcNhrIpKo/s1600/IMG_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kf6xWAhW458HJ-gMLR3GYZQf3bhq1ySgdeLYF2G_QruFoIjyT2_-Qhi-MhM0Pwym34tsKlU411nXLedO44xnUnAjrvTYqYsiNBBTqAjU7vSRzPbosp5u4Blsx_b3ijxDSR_UcNhrIpKo/s320/IMG_0732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And we tried out darndest to get a good picture of all the kids smiling with the grandparents. Fiona didn't make it easy on us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrHtYA6Rn7sHIr6cXSxm8s85hPm1xMz5KTe0CiN31gEf_U4OMbmE45dNjzCos6yEX7-n_nb2BwZA2FHIycll4uGZByH7mNnTSuH4Kr9xCTbRyTDcb8g_bA_4p2pucNv5yZEQOJUOSxie/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrHtYA6Rn7sHIr6cXSxm8s85hPm1xMz5KTe0CiN31gEf_U4OMbmE45dNjzCos6yEX7-n_nb2BwZA2FHIycll4uGZByH7mNnTSuH4Kr9xCTbRyTDcb8g_bA_4p2pucNv5yZEQOJUOSxie/s320/IMG_0736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This is the best we could do:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX65EwGfBsCZnj2Awyc21vKY8wHZdVbwWjQXHW75zUGZpZCxRvGXVKFEyc3nS_gmfo14SD10lIIkV-e9feqy_bfz73f5IG-mMcserriuiOCipO6G2rBPufc6kcbsODAJ5Id3cALpptNZa/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX65EwGfBsCZnj2Awyc21vKY8wHZdVbwWjQXHW75zUGZpZCxRvGXVKFEyc3nS_gmfo14SD10lIIkV-e9feqy_bfz73f5IG-mMcserriuiOCipO6G2rBPufc6kcbsODAJ5Id3cALpptNZa/s320/IMG_0738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
and one with Great Grandma:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirb3wVqADwgVB8mabgpCJCs0wCrsB-Ay21jaKjiRgGE5HMZekdLCp_FZmcVxZatW95erfIDFQAruqWuhRMISgTrWB3jxbkqWkHGULXa0LZmt4vIACP5Zs2qoVlY7C6lLbICV6CgtqC-ImH/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirb3wVqADwgVB8mabgpCJCs0wCrsB-Ay21jaKjiRgGE5HMZekdLCp_FZmcVxZatW95erfIDFQAruqWuhRMISgTrWB3jxbkqWkHGULXa0LZmt4vIACP5Zs2qoVlY7C6lLbICV6CgtqC-ImH/s320/IMG_0742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It took me several days to unpack and get everything put away. Here's Fiona trying on sunglasses to look like a cool chick while I'm trying to unpack.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9KP2dC8m21OF2tzxGQDZUOaZv8ucAWOLMVlktlKVZmLVYPuOtMRkm9A_z1jlccXCT6ykGO_v31SSOagCqcVa9yzIO6Pw6ZW9_TB0q1nctdfYsNlCli1ICF-nZcZXNLEffMqpkiHmdgLw/s1600/IMG_0775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9KP2dC8m21OF2tzxGQDZUOaZv8ucAWOLMVlktlKVZmLVYPuOtMRkm9A_z1jlccXCT6ykGO_v31SSOagCqcVa9yzIO6Pw6ZW9_TB0q1nctdfYsNlCli1ICF-nZcZXNLEffMqpkiHmdgLw/s320/IMG_0775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo01rvlLpGdFZ3Zc5_H-wln_w6s7ccozNjhtPUeOrZWau8SCTFRmrL6QEtK4jlqKrZ283xhsqQeHaAKzFpu8xFIEwKxFJPnOE8_At5nyRxTL6wTiKccPlHACvmBVDsbD93PykeiogQcpHO/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo01rvlLpGdFZ3Zc5_H-wln_w6s7ccozNjhtPUeOrZWau8SCTFRmrL6QEtK4jlqKrZ283xhsqQeHaAKzFpu8xFIEwKxFJPnOE8_At5nyRxTL6wTiKccPlHACvmBVDsbD93PykeiogQcpHO/s320/IMG_0778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Is her belly not the cutest little thing?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ639lmCfA1FznKZsofv0PYVCcgk8cTarLF5UrbKvHKGhuqeH12y3A7eKixnZJBCdoQyjd8eNVF1gbbaiWxmEuormHItkDqQ1xNhcvjURLajohkPjZXqUd4yCnSwoS_xPWPu9d-YFeQdOP/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ639lmCfA1FznKZsofv0PYVCcgk8cTarLF5UrbKvHKGhuqeH12y3A7eKixnZJBCdoQyjd8eNVF1gbbaiWxmEuormHItkDqQ1xNhcvjURLajohkPjZXqUd4yCnSwoS_xPWPu9d-YFeQdOP/s320/IMG_0784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-18039822606812780382012-05-25T05:19:00.002-07:002012-05-25T05:19:41.078-07:00To do listUh ... a little late on this, seeing as how the week is almost over, but better late than never.<br />
Version:1.0
StartHTML:0000000162
EndHTML:0000006608
StartFragment:0000002919
EndFragment:0000006572
SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/Hope/Desktop/goals.doc
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>219</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1250</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>10</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1535</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1282</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goals for last week:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
do blog post Confused by Food, part II<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>put an advert on WAHM.com<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
work out 4 hours this week (30 mins zumba, 30 mins pilates)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read chapters 6, 7, and 8 of <i>Dawn Treader</i> with Ethan (This is not working. Neither of us are
feelin’ it. I think we’re going to try some “Magic Treehouse” books instead)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Do one craft with the boys (use googly eyes and pompoms
that I have?)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Call Schools First FCU about putting off loan for the
summer </s><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><s><o:p></o:p></s></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 364-464 in <i>Omnivore’s Dilemma </i>(got to page 426)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Deposit checks at the bank<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Call Jule Collins about Saturday art clubs. 334-844-3486<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Call the Meat lab on AU campus </s><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Verdana;"><s>334-844-1566</s></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><s><o:p></o:p></s></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Call preschools (Sonshine, Sonshine II, Holy Trinity,
Bright Beginnings, Auburn First Bap, Lakeview, Hardy’s)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Call about advertising in Parents mag: 334-209-0552<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Call Paparazzi about 2 necklaces </s><span style="background: black; color: #666666; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><s>1-855-697-2727</s></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><s><o:p></o:p></s></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Call Emma again to babysit<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Make a 4-year appt for Benji<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Do thank you notes for Benji’s birthday presents<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Make flier and mail / email to people for jewelry
party!!!<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>TO DO THIS WEEK:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
do blog post Confused by Food, part II<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
work out 4 hours this week<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get a Magic Treehouse (or similar) book to read with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read 427-527 in <i>Omnivore’s Dilemma</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read half of the book of <i>Acts</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Call about advertising in Parents mag: 334-209-0552<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Catch up on reading friends’ blogs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check freebieshark.com, southernsavers.com, and
moneysavingmom.com daily<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earn 150 swag bucks (started at 1050)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Go through stack of papers with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-14479878031745888492012-05-22T06:07:00.003-07:002012-05-22T06:07:30.879-07:00Confused by Food, Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHhNBGwRg9D58_I32JKUL3kBjC-ckp2cyAF8NCl0jVkrqPUOYxGVU-02bNghgZksdsJoTX3OnY4Xlw0IUpLrLsAJSEr3dULXkeWgRFkbxMR5TtXl0u_GAhSlsoF9So8SMVMnDCaKz6Dmc/s1600/confused+food+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHhNBGwRg9D58_I32JKUL3kBjC-ckp2cyAF8NCl0jVkrqPUOYxGVU-02bNghgZksdsJoTX3OnY4Xlw0IUpLrLsAJSEr3dULXkeWgRFkbxMR5TtXl0u_GAhSlsoF9So8SMVMnDCaKz6Dmc/s320/confused+food+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I know you've all been sitting on pins and needles till I wrote Part II of this.<br />
After stressing the entire day after I wrote Part I, I came to the conclusion that stressing about it ridiculous. Stressing about food is probably just as bad as eating bad food. So, NO MORE STRESSING about it.<br />
One way I will be taking it easier is to just realize that it's going to take me a long time to do all the research I'd like to about food. It's going to be a long process. Since I should never make learning about food a priority over my children, I'll just have to do bits of research here and there when I have a little time. I'm thinking this could be a year-long process of research and phasing.<br />
Another way I'll be taking it easier is to phase some things out and ease other things in. For example, we have one 12 pack of diet Cokes left in the cabinet. When those are gone, I plan not to buy sodas anymore. (But lest you think I'm an extremist, I will still have diet Cokes, maybe once a week ... that's a good goal). And we are moving towards only buying meat that we know has been ethically raised, not fed animal byproducts and other things unnatural to its intended menu, and humanely killed. I've found a farmer's market that starts this week, and if Randle Farms will ever call me back (Sheesh, they have the worst customer service!), I can start buying meat from them.<br />
Except for fish, still not sure what I think about farm-raised fish. Probably okay...<br />
In the meantime, it's been fun and challenging to make vegetarian meals. I've made a yummy frittata, a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/05/mushroom-crepe-cake/">mushroom crepe cake</a> (10 stars!!!, you gotta try it), <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/portobello-mushroom-burgers/">portobello mushroom burgers</a>, and green smoothies.<br />
In some ways, I have become one of those "willfully ignorant" people. I just can't think about certain things, and I pretend not to know what I know; otherwise I'd just have to retreat into a cave for the rest of my life. For example, at a cookout recently, I ate sausage and hotdogs. And chili. And it was all very yummy. But I didn't, and don't, want to think about what was in that sausage and hotdog. Nope, not thinkin' about it.<br />
So ... sometime in the future, perhaps a year from now, I will have all this sorted out. I will be knowledgeable and will have an action plan.<br />
<br />
And here are some pictures of my adorable children to cheer you up and make this post a little more interesting:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzpTGoCI4KNTSQjdXU8lVfbxvq9AE8by3i_5mxpupLjLLS91ra_gj4PU0aIEZzkyH1k_dxJE66z_xHbj9m6IrNW0dWcRHyB-qSU1MYSx8qsgmShAPvoyR2RDiJgQGoZ1kqpgmu66DtWk1/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzpTGoCI4KNTSQjdXU8lVfbxvq9AE8by3i_5mxpupLjLLS91ra_gj4PU0aIEZzkyH1k_dxJE66z_xHbj9m6IrNW0dWcRHyB-qSU1MYSx8qsgmShAPvoyR2RDiJgQGoZ1kqpgmu66DtWk1/s320/IMG_0517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDeR1vkmCz_M2Geup5jLvLz0uYL-CM65u55vFPYEYOJsSWdL7PPCXOM-_YTHsst6aMz823_QhE8e-SQpdjQ_gc3op-ZQ_-6Yw3C-01ztOWOey7SpWWmNUPYTNdyf-MuIJ3tH0iPdg-Tyb/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDeR1vkmCz_M2Geup5jLvLz0uYL-CM65u55vFPYEYOJsSWdL7PPCXOM-_YTHsst6aMz823_QhE8e-SQpdjQ_gc3op-ZQ_-6Yw3C-01ztOWOey7SpWWmNUPYTNdyf-MuIJ3tH0iPdg-Tyb/s320/IMG_0518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjm_d7ZnLC1uE6v_iykU_VZBnSzpjuzFmLePYg_4Sje-Rjr3KT-JlQYAZmX9TTCZAU0YuFvZ103ZSUp_l4vfQkdArHktWRTJhzMIqIs9xMhgKo9g6-Q-bAIOGwrflnSsynhjU_nGfiJXK/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjm_d7ZnLC1uE6v_iykU_VZBnSzpjuzFmLePYg_4Sje-Rjr3KT-JlQYAZmX9TTCZAU0YuFvZ103ZSUp_l4vfQkdArHktWRTJhzMIqIs9xMhgKo9g6-Q-bAIOGwrflnSsynhjU_nGfiJXK/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGDGmohH8Ins1QHAxeQjQr-QX9SP8Gg_Mna_9WAWyrPYeM_kHO9AMVho7Q32-scCigwR96ddl2ZDjER6lONTjazNCr3LYGqY-cC79ZaMOlL1XIyNA9OjGSz2anBh_xp2t0iy5TOpRyWxw/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGDGmohH8Ins1QHAxeQjQr-QX9SP8Gg_Mna_9WAWyrPYeM_kHO9AMVho7Q32-scCigwR96ddl2ZDjER6lONTjazNCr3LYGqY-cC79ZaMOlL1XIyNA9OjGSz2anBh_xp2t0iy5TOpRyWxw/s320/IMG_0531.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL5Kx58dnnV29fJ3K5E1iXmbvCX0wSUqOfFIS28XnZCdFqFW6LHm9W2J9OiwAJLyRLDzSvC_FyaghLlBAdDE4dpdNsV77I-vJJUmi9e1QUg9hhRY0W0sLB_Z09-uNIzS7tUEBX_kl-qNl/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwL5Kx58dnnV29fJ3K5E1iXmbvCX0wSUqOfFIS28XnZCdFqFW6LHm9W2J9OiwAJLyRLDzSvC_FyaghLlBAdDE4dpdNsV77I-vJJUmi9e1QUg9hhRY0W0sLB_Z09-uNIzS7tUEBX_kl-qNl/s320/IMG_0520.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-55386637386259605982012-05-06T20:48:00.000-07:002012-05-06T20:51:45.195-07:00GoalsI tried SO HARD this week to do everything on my list. But I didn't. *sigh* Actually, I didn't try that hard with exercising this week. I just can't get motivated lately to work out. Blah. Blah humbug. It's way easier to just sit and think about working out. I wish that counted. Hey, does it??<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goals for last week:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
discuss summer plans with Chad and put things on calendar (<s>trip
to Bullios </s>It can maybe happen in August???, trip with Davises, weekend
with Boones in Atlanta)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>finish <i>Forks Over Knives</i></s><s> (documentary on Netflix)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>prepare and mount new pictures on the wall<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read 2 <i>World</i>
magazines (read one)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>read 3 chapters of <i>Dawn Treader</i></s><s> with Ethan<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>read pages 100-200 of <i>Omnivore’s Dilemma</i></s><s><o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>eat lunch at school with Ethan one day<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>make piñata for Benji’s birthday</s> (well, I didn’t end
up making one, I bought one!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>paint birdhouses with the boys and hang them up<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>make a sticker chart or smiley face chart for each boy to
work on 1 behavior<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
work out 4 ½ hours this week (uh … only <s>2 hours: 1 hour
salsa, 10 mins hula hoop, 30 mins zumba, 30 mins power yoga)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get two jewelry parties on the planner (nope. ARGH)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get one “distant hostess” on the planner (nope. ARGH again)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>do days 2-6 of “31 days to a more organized home” (<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series">http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series</a>)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>make a budget for May, go to
bank and withdraw cash<b><o:p></o:p></b></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goals for this week:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do one craft with the boys (use googly eyes and pompoms that
I have?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make a budget for the summer!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Get trip with Davises and trip with Boones on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read 2 <i>World</i>
magazines<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read chapters 4, 5, and 6 of <i>Dawn Treader</i> with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read pages 207-307 of <i>Omnivore’s Dilemma</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
work out 4 hours this week<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get two jewelry parties on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get one “distant hostess” on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
spend 20 minutes on Panda trying to reach the cash-out
minimum<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
contact the AU campus preschool to get pricing and other
info<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
find and contact 2 other preschools<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
make a trip to the library to get new books for kids<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
go through all my coupons and get rid of expired ones<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
update Benji’s baby book with his 4<sup>th</sup> birthday
party information<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
blog post: Confused by food, part II</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
do 5 more days of “31 days to a more organized home” (<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series">http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-28643793350112699302012-05-01T06:42:00.003-07:002012-05-01T06:43:03.370-07:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goals for this week:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
discuss summer plans with Chad and put things on calendar
(trip to Bullios, trip with Davises, weekend with Boones in Atlanta)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
finish <i>Forks Over Knives</i>
(documentary on Netflix)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
prepare and mount new pictures on the wall</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read 2 <i>World</i>
magazines<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read 3 chapters of <i>Dawn Treader</i> with Ethan<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read pages 100-200 of <i>Omnivore’s Dilemma</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
eat lunch at school with Ethan one day<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
make piñata for Benji’s birthday<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
paint birdhouses with the boys and hang them up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
make a sticker chart or smiley face chart for each boy to
work on 1 behavior<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
work out 4 ½ hours this week<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get two jewelry parties on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get one “distant hostess” on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
do days 2-6 of “31 days to a more organized home” (<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series">http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
make a budget for May, go to bank
and withdraw cash<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goals for last week:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
discuss summer plans with Chad and put things on calendar
(trip to Bullios, trip with Davises, weekend with Boones in Atlanta)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
watch <i>Forks Over Knives</i>
(documentary on Netflix)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>spend 20 minutes on Vindale to see if it’s worth it to
continue on with them<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>find a new survey site to start earning ? (dependent on
above item)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
prepare and mount new pictures on the wall</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
read 2 <i>World</i>
magazines<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>choose a new chapter book to read with Ethan<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
start making piñata for Benji’s party<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>finish making gum paste figures for Benji’s cake<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>work out 4 hours this week</s> (close enough: 1 hour of
zumba, 1 hour of pump & sculpt, 30 minutes walking, 30 minutes jogging in
place, 30 minutes zumba, 10 minutes yoga)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get two jewelry parties on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
get one “distant hostess” on the planner<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
do 5 days of “31 days to a more organized home” (<a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series">http://moneysavingmom.com/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-series</a>)
(did day 1!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>blog post on goals and an update on my unprocessed
adventure<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goals for week before last:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Earn 200 swag bucks (started at 356)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
discuss summer plans with Chad and put things on calendar
(trip to Bullios, trip with Davises, trip to DC, trip by ourselves?, <s>trip to
TX</s>, weekend with Boones in Atlanta?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
record last video of home videos<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Chad fix chairs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>watch <i>Raw for 30 Days<o:p></o:p></i></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>pay off credit card!!!<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>read and do workbook pages for last session’s Bible study<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>finish reading <i>Jungle Doctor</i></s><s> to Ethan<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
do 1 short Vindale survey<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>do 5 Panda surveys</s> (I completed 2 and got credit. I
tried to do 4 others, signing up for stuff and getting calls from lots of
people trying to sell me insurance, but didn’t get credit for them! ARGH. I
really hate Panda, and want to reach my minimum so I can cash out and be done
with them forever!!!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>make business announcement<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
prepare and mount new pictures on the wall</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
walk or jog 4 miles, 10 mins abs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>1 hour airclimber, 10 mins abs<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>1 hour pump and sculpt<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>1 hour zumba, 10 mins hula hoop<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>read through page ?? of <i>Creative Correction</i></s><s> (finished it)<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
finish reading last issue of <i>World</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>skype date with Faith<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Make 2 gum paste figures<o:p></o:p></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<s>Set a date for Benji’s birthday party, make invitation
list, and select location<o:p></o:p></s></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-49913592624917242342012-05-01T05:20:00.009-07:002012-05-01T06:34:44.450-07:00Confused by Food, Part I*If you read this entire post, I will be very impressed, and you will win a prize.* (a gold star by your name)<div><br /><div><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Oh, my friends, I am SO CONFUSED. I hardly know where to begin.</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I did an adventure with unprocessed foods, which you can read about here, by trying to eat no processed sugar or flour for 10-14 days. Well, I made it 7 days, which I'm pretty satisfied with. I honestly don't know how I did it. Okay, I do. I did eat 1 slice of a friend's homemade bread made with 1 Tbsp of sugar and whole wheat flour. And I did eat copious amounts of "cookies" made with brown rice cereal, agave nectar, natural peanut butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips (I couldn't make them ever stick together, so I ended up eating it with a spoon). Anyway, I am satisfied with my attempt, and I proved to myself that I could do it.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>However, looking at labels during that week was really depressing. For example, I used a bouillon cube in a soup. Did you know that SUGAR is the second ingredient in a bouillon cube? In a bouillon cube?? Yup, that's right. Sugar is in salsa too, and even my Trader Joe's hummus! It's in everything. Kinda disturbing.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-style: normal; white-space: pre; "> </span>We also watched a documentary called <i>Forks Over Knives</i> (available on streaming on Netflix). It talks about "The China Study," about the incidence of cancer, which followed hundreds of people, watching their eating habits and testing various health indicators. Basically, they found that animal proteins cause cancer cells and lead to heart disease and diabetes. It's a whole book, which you can order <a href="http://www.thechinastudy.com/">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The documentary also talked about a study in mice. When mice were fed higher levels of animal protein had more cancer cells. When the same set of mice were fed fewer animal proteins for 2 weeks, their levels went down. I am not able to find a link for this study.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>We also watched a documentary called <i>Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days</i>. Truly fascinating, this movie followed 5 type II diabetics who ate raw (no meat, no caffeine, no sugar, no foods cooked over 118 degrees, etc) for 30 days and ALL of them stopped taking insulin, most within a week. You can see more <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Raw-Reversing-Diabetes-Days/dp/B001BKLCCS">here</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>But here's where confusion begins to set in. There's <a href="http://www.cholesterol-and-health.com/China-Study.html">this website</a>, which says that Dr. Campbell's China study is wrong. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">And </span><a href="http://jn.nutrition.org/content/125/3_Suppl/698S.full.pdf" style="font-size: 100%; ">this scholarly article</a><span style="font-size: 100%; "> that says soy proteins cause cancer.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>It seems that a whole-foods-plant-based-diet is the best, the most all-around healthy. That's how it was the Garden of Eden. But then again, I believe that after the Garden, God meant for us to eat meat. Not in the amounts we Americans eat today (bacon for breakfast, a hamburger at lunch, and grilled chicken at dinner). And definitely not corn-fed, abused, mis-treated, brutally slaughtered, hormone-filled animals who live their lives in tiny pens crowded together lying in their own excrement. (Reading <i>The Omnivore's Dilemma</i> is very disturbing!)</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In the old days, let's say Adam's family (not to be confused with <i>the</i> Addam's family) killed a deer. No refrigerator, so it must be eaten that day. They share it with their family and family's family (community life!), so portions are small. They eat it all and then don't eat meat again until a week later when Adam gets lucky and chases down a wild boar.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Maybe silly, but they were probably mostly eating fruit and veggies. Maybe they even had a domesticated cow and drank milk. Or at least a goat with goat milk.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Here are some of the questions that kept me awake for an hour last night.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>1. Meat or no meat? Is it better to eat (free-range, hormone-free, humanely-treated) unprocessed meat or the over-processed soybean that is turned into tofu? Do I want cancer cells from the meat, or cancer cells from the soy?</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>2. False sweeteners or real sugar? I love that Splenda has no calories, but it's processed and not "natural." But white sugar is processed too. I suppose the answer to this would be stevia, which I do love.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>3. Is it even possible to eat raw and whole in America? We are thwarted at every turn: fast food joints on every block (that is no exaggeration in my town), grocery stores' merchandise, the food at my son's school's cafeteria, other people who don't even question what they put in their mouths (no judgment, I've been one of those people most of my life), the FDA (which approved "pink slime" for school cafeterias), genetically modified corn (did you know that farmers order the corn they plant by numbers such as "Pioneer Hi-Bred 34H31" [Pollan, <i>The Omnivore's Dilemma</i>, pg 63]). The people in the <i>Simply Raw</i> documentary lived for 30 days on a remote ranch with a gourmet vegan chef who prepared everything for them. I'm simply not sure that such a whole, raw diet is possible in urban America. Perhaps it is if you live rurally.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>4. Vegan or vegetarian, or neither? I love to bake and cook. Can I really go without butter in my cookies? Or eggs in my cakes? Or cream to make a rich cajun pasta sauce? Or ... I could go on and on.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>5. Is it healthy to eat proteins that are also carbohydrates as opposed to lean proteins? I love beans and sometimes lentils, barley, bulgar, edamame, and some whole wheat couscous. These have protein in them, but are also carbs. Will I become ever fatter if I don't eat lean meats?</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>6. Is there real truth when it comes to healthy foods? Or is there relative truth for each person. Shonda can never be vegan because she's allergic to soy. Diabetics have a conundrum: eat lean meats that have no carbs, as most doctors would recommend, or follow the whole-foods-plant-based diet, which does keep blood sugars more regular. I have high cholesterol: should I eat real butter which is natural, or margarine, which is processed and might have hydrogenated oils? Chad and I had an interesting philosophical, non-heated conversation this morning (rare!) about this: true truth or subjective truth when it comes to diet. He says it depends on each person's body make up, genetics (such as my high cholesterol), tolerances, allergens, etc. I'm not sure what I think.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>7. Cow milk or soy, coconut, almond, or rice milk?</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Let's just talk about milk for a minute. For many years, I've been wary of how much cow milk is pushed on children. An average pediatrician will tell you to put your weaned-from-breastmilk one-year old on to 2-3 cups of whole milk a day. "They need the calcium," I've been told. But whole milk comes from a 500-pound cow and was created to nourish and fatten a 90-pound calf. Not my 18-pound one-year old.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'm not saying cow milk is bad, but is it good to push cow milk on these little kiddos? I'm just thinking out loud here; <span >there is NO JUDGMENT coming from me.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>God made everything good. If God made it, why can't we eat it (here, Chad played devil's advocate and said, "Well, God made opium, and we can't eat that." Thanks, Chad). Why not eat meat if God made it? Why not drink milk if God made the cow? Again, not the milk from the cow who spends her life eating corn, being injected with hormones, is confined to a tiny pen, walks in her own poop, and is hooked up a milking machine twice a day -- and then that milk is pasteurized, where it loses 20 % of its iodine and most of its other vital qualities.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Soy milk has more calcium than cow milk and has no casein in it. But soy milk is a false estrogen, potentially dangerous.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Coconut milk seems like a good option. So does almond milk. But both are pretty pricey. Not sure about rice milk. And Chad says, "Why drink milk at all?" I say, "Because it's delicious, especially chocolate milk." And do you really expect me to drink coffee with no creaminess in it?? Come on. And children <i>do </i>need calcium ... Right?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I also went to a women's health class last night. FASCINATING! Have you heard of the Diva Cup? Or a sea sponge? Or Glad Rags? Imagine all the landfill space we can save using natural and reusable options like this! And did you know that most lipsticks that have red coloring in them are cancer-causing? What? I've never thought about the cosmetics and skin care things I apply, but the skin is the largest organ of our bodies. I better think twice about what I put on my skin, face, and lips. The teacher gave us this to start with: </span><span >http://www.ewg.org/.</span></div><div><span ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That will have to be a part II of this.</span></div><div><span ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I have now spent the last hour of my life compsosing this novel. I better go attend to my children, one of whom is up on the counter trying to get jelly beans from the cabinet, the other of whom is crying beside me and hitting my leg to get my attention. Poor things.</span></div><div><span ><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span >Your job: GIVE ME FEEDBACK ON THIS FOOD CONUNDRUM. Is there truth out there? Where do I find it? What should I eat?</span></span></div></div></div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-85599708630775530062012-04-22T20:47:00.002-07:002012-04-22T20:47:42.223-07:00Business Announcement<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Business Announcement</span></div>
</div>
<div>
I'm WAY overdue in doing this, but I have a business announcement: I am now selling jewelry! It's one of those work-from-home businesses called Paparazzi Accessories. The best part of it all is this: <span style="color: #6aa84f;">EVERYTHING IS $5!</span> Yup, you read that right: $5. Most of the necklaces come with matching earrings too. It's so fun. Most of the items are trendy and spunky, with a few classic pieces thrown in. Here's a sampling of what I have in stock right now.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Browns 1:</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFH8JZo6wLgng-LAnzORZEA8Z9T5l3Xndpp59J2yY_m8z26EMF0L500mcPnuKOVBzt0FSt3Y7e1Fb3a2pYjE2-uMwXn-rv3JaVRQOxF5-RSPGPd7ZY3rCB4Mp5v-Bhs6pDPLEHzsLVv7D/s1600/IMG_0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFH8JZo6wLgng-LAnzORZEA8Z9T5l3Xndpp59J2yY_m8z26EMF0L500mcPnuKOVBzt0FSt3Y7e1Fb3a2pYjE2-uMwXn-rv3JaVRQOxF5-RSPGPd7ZY3rCB4Mp5v-Bhs6pDPLEHzsLVv7D/s200/IMG_0336.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Browns 2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFo1yWITVxHzUrUNHNjMpsGuolpUvNJRz4Q58UeTKWQze5P5xIgTEIpQ3X2hwGFCiOE6Z2rgyoMzcko4p4G8hYME95L_8nT_hRVFvmLFGGSJBx7uye8oU9gSM767s9EFrX0Xb9doZe-XH/s1600/IMG_0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFo1yWITVxHzUrUNHNjMpsGuolpUvNJRz4Q58UeTKWQze5P5xIgTEIpQ3X2hwGFCiOE6Z2rgyoMzcko4p4G8hYME95L_8nT_hRVFvmLFGGSJBx7uye8oU9gSM767s9EFrX0Xb9doZe-XH/s200/IMG_0338.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brown 3:
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxdvxunLCxhP3GdUtdOhCllGKAa2ri2650OffMJ3UcJqiXCWJ6UStm_oKcBEyZARBZ9UEVyz3GcpzlWawHfCdYhyphenhyphenFIjXAFDdrz19EjuQAX6c8rMsITqj9nFCX2lzeuqDkAqBrxyEpR6dC/s1600/IMG_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxdvxunLCxhP3GdUtdOhCllGKAa2ri2650OffMJ3UcJqiXCWJ6UStm_oKcBEyZARBZ9UEVyz3GcpzlWawHfCdYhyphenhyphenFIjXAFDdrz19EjuQAX6c8rMsITqj9nFCX2lzeuqDkAqBrxyEpR6dC/s200/IMG_0342.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blacks 1:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsTKzQNmbMgMfPoXgo2m-Lzb9fa1IxcLySK1grBdlQlUnIRPFMDZYQILT3LMLsd8acSalKh3vzHXE8IlzI3rFWtLPkAU0qHwwsMxYcP6MvZnxVBxFqrNzqpDlCNAzRMCjs-74ee2Qn74W/s1600/IMG_0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsTKzQNmbMgMfPoXgo2m-Lzb9fa1IxcLySK1grBdlQlUnIRPFMDZYQILT3LMLsd8acSalKh3vzHXE8IlzI3rFWtLPkAU0qHwwsMxYcP6MvZnxVBxFqrNzqpDlCNAzRMCjs-74ee2Qn74W/s200/IMG_0339.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Black 2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0URsXqCK0oXPzsosSCuhoIxVfMfhF6jKBRVKqkY0Uz5MI3dpxDUD4_bGWe5eKoPtUSnD25mPfXcj8cpgjIPwOTtHlZlAvo6CUp2-1_txegFMZoIpntoyrMMJ8_GlpH0Q_5mWW9pFcl3z2/s1600/IMG_0341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0URsXqCK0oXPzsosSCuhoIxVfMfhF6jKBRVKqkY0Uz5MI3dpxDUD4_bGWe5eKoPtUSnD25mPfXcj8cpgjIPwOTtHlZlAvo6CUp2-1_txegFMZoIpntoyrMMJ8_GlpH0Q_5mWW9pFcl3z2/s200/IMG_0341.jpg" width="130" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Purples:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUHttu4xY6c9rS6X6JBdv6Bm362FT7LY16_CJbKPoDBw67Uyw6b9GeoC86wO1cGvDkZP6JwRopKViPRhaEq_qqxGZKL3rmFUuUbi5VK9AdSE2qXX2eFuukPqIeVd5LXO3ddo-C3Sqkny-/s1600/IMG_0343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUHttu4xY6c9rS6X6JBdv6Bm362FT7LY16_CJbKPoDBw67Uyw6b9GeoC86wO1cGvDkZP6JwRopKViPRhaEq_qqxGZKL3rmFUuUbi5VK9AdSE2qXX2eFuukPqIeVd5LXO3ddo-C3Sqkny-/s320/IMG_0343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hair clips (all the hair clips also have a pin on the back, so you can attach to a purse, hat, anything)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMsG5LzauO1MjOI_rO7I2vscJ3IEiS5LnSgyPA1apxaZjNow9hyphenhyphen0eC763879taECtD8HeeENiOpD-gyVkiRvj-pxVfOD_P-Wu4AljxEPx1zKgoNvHOsxmRwoDD9S4UbFTRkIuZpUvq-Np/s1600/IMG_0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMsG5LzauO1MjOI_rO7I2vscJ3IEiS5LnSgyPA1apxaZjNow9hyphenhyphen0eC763879taECtD8HeeENiOpD-gyVkiRvj-pxVfOD_P-Wu4AljxEPx1zKgoNvHOsxmRwoDD9S4UbFTRkIuZpUvq-Np/s320/IMG_0344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a sampling of the headbands (the headbands will fit baby girls or grown ups, and they're not tight enough to give you a headache like some headbands do):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUdKZXkFFVgKqDJ2c_HDS76RkZaN2WeN06fvYHEBnC6AoUKp_cggNiTLn1Stq23JBb8mkDVgAE125mkNdaLUC8y7hoRjSe1BTfH7f8lecLkwayaHd5QzTTgb-Oyd7sS9O__rUFkPJ0G0s/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUdKZXkFFVgKqDJ2c_HDS76RkZaN2WeN06fvYHEBnC6AoUKp_cggNiTLn1Stq23JBb8mkDVgAE125mkNdaLUC8y7hoRjSe1BTfH7f8lecLkwayaHd5QzTTgb-Oyd7sS9O__rUFkPJ0G0s/s320/IMG_0345.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
rings 1:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YHfTMv0VetHyepq0izi0hBzEN7PaRnzxlrS3iWc-pl01mgrVVS_P8XFGDPYBKdDHnsYlTpL1iJxQ64b85BVvj4DtcWNYJ4wHDkblrZ09pFnx5ZDA5KayCazlBfWJk00MrQ0Nk61aps0S/s1600/IMG_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YHfTMv0VetHyepq0izi0hBzEN7PaRnzxlrS3iWc-pl01mgrVVS_P8XFGDPYBKdDHnsYlTpL1iJxQ64b85BVvj4DtcWNYJ4wHDkblrZ09pFnx5ZDA5KayCazlBfWJk00MrQ0Nk61aps0S/s320/IMG_0346.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
rings 2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRzrh5m80l6wmwo3fBjl3IvJXigyw7sfGb4pwyW_TsG2tNkMlOoDSPvWDx6RZjRhyphenhyphen9iIB8XfV7sIZws6Mac6rE5EvkyqGCQNm4MGeRJ4jJ2Hpn_4BAgbWEM-xvjGMoGK0PeRFTPWU05w9/s1600/IMG_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRzrh5m80l6wmwo3fBjl3IvJXigyw7sfGb4pwyW_TsG2tNkMlOoDSPvWDx6RZjRhyphenhyphen9iIB8XfV7sIZws6Mac6rE5EvkyqGCQNm4MGeRJ4jJ2Hpn_4BAgbWEM-xvjGMoGK0PeRFTPWU05w9/s320/IMG_0348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
bracelets 1:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_qi1LzUIDwxBHFObFPIs9LOIneXCPxY2im-ehfYClUVraBArJ4QCBVWTW4dcUlsTeu5DHeDN9kzR6s7dUZN8mRJ8HRXbKzd-daJyeXt1JQXlrCp6ZCioKxta3kb3hew2nd1FSHPcBiI4/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_qi1LzUIDwxBHFObFPIs9LOIneXCPxY2im-ehfYClUVraBArJ4QCBVWTW4dcUlsTeu5DHeDN9kzR6s7dUZN8mRJ8HRXbKzd-daJyeXt1JQXlrCp6ZCioKxta3kb3hew2nd1FSHPcBiI4/s320/IMG_0349.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
bracelets 2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGfkVF7o2j2ByAhv9F2VF_U8c9aZGHUR89g7MfqoSK_BlVffK7tHjCZc_I4q8mUHQrhRK4esTA8vJCDPYX5rJJS1bq2HC8ISWA6G6d3_xBIt0Zqx9L4biTKVhey1NE_mC6eiEANi2wOqY/s1600/IMG_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGfkVF7o2j2ByAhv9F2VF_U8c9aZGHUR89g7MfqoSK_BlVffK7tHjCZc_I4q8mUHQrhRK4esTA8vJCDPYX5rJJS1bq2HC8ISWA6G6d3_xBIt0Zqx9L4biTKVhey1NE_mC6eiEANi2wOqY/s320/IMG_0350.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
silvers:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Ai2ElrwOWiCfgtFd9J9Fhqk3ajHDj2LP_FWmsNYZPphpNsx6EJd2crj8rQtzlEuu-xV9jD9EoWKFjJ5y_juLqDGph95sH_OiarD8EeGJqkkHxMNs162fJuNo2DIlI4HAdMngfO4CkJZ/s1600/IMG_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Ai2ElrwOWiCfgtFd9J9Fhqk3ajHDj2LP_FWmsNYZPphpNsx6EJd2crj8rQtzlEuu-xV9jD9EoWKFjJ5y_juLqDGph95sH_OiarD8EeGJqkkHxMNs162fJuNo2DIlI4HAdMngfO4CkJZ/s320/IMG_0351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
silver and whites:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfXQ515HeCMhI4KxcrRFlH__gcMC69SJsKhIQQ9bIhZzdtAX0CUeyeArN38j3ZSi903hZCv4PJS8sGIXtFddiDNpnqvUgokmSm9Ft8nqiOLeo2xXkiurfH7mr8K_BxgTBWSP_uoN4e_od/s1600/IMG_0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfXQ515HeCMhI4KxcrRFlH__gcMC69SJsKhIQQ9bIhZzdtAX0CUeyeArN38j3ZSi903hZCv4PJS8sGIXtFddiDNpnqvUgokmSm9Ft8nqiOLeo2xXkiurfH7mr8K_BxgTBWSP_uoN4e_od/s320/IMG_0353.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
earrings:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICLqvGGeiHwl37xKbDzEaQ3P8qcKsiVUJStG4oS7WCG0doqKF49JK7O1gcifDrEpyIuLWoWRkzKNxioj5bazWUIGIdtqhKT1R-4OLqvcCsIMaMdd-k8PyrxMAbcUNmZiIrI7Mo5VlsExX/s1600/IMG_0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICLqvGGeiHwl37xKbDzEaQ3P8qcKsiVUJStG4oS7WCG0doqKF49JK7O1gcifDrEpyIuLWoWRkzKNxioj5bazWUIGIdtqhKT1R-4OLqvcCsIMaMdd-k8PyrxMAbcUNmZiIrI7Mo5VlsExX/s320/IMG_0354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
greens:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqo1KbLlRFyph1O02p8qYH3W1wtHRDDJYeLHJuGEkOmVTpqfNq-eYTVMJsNjMRYE8PrvTUeF_Ax9pe6UdEizZI2vcFpTHaGqy7tItdghWWEo_aPsHpggJLLa2bJM6E8feOP1qjkg6tpXp/s1600/IMG_0355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqo1KbLlRFyph1O02p8qYH3W1wtHRDDJYeLHJuGEkOmVTpqfNq-eYTVMJsNjMRYE8PrvTUeF_Ax9pe6UdEizZI2vcFpTHaGqy7tItdghWWEo_aPsHpggJLLa2bJM6E8feOP1qjkg6tpXp/s320/IMG_0355.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
blues:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-jLQ1Zxxm277g7sl_ma_N7_vJ_01k1gZRuDEocE35iHWeLb5T-lcV1t1mAh77yMZOgqkQhTxdnNMXUj43IxSj6-E2bpeNiNTW9P0prxJ_sns1mI7aH6ceZb-idRFkhP3koNLJkjzGoZM/s1600/IMG_0356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-jLQ1Zxxm277g7sl_ma_N7_vJ_01k1gZRuDEocE35iHWeLb5T-lcV1t1mAh77yMZOgqkQhTxdnNMXUj43IxSj6-E2bpeNiNTW9P0prxJ_sns1mI7aH6ceZb-idRFkhP3koNLJkjzGoZM/s320/IMG_0356.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
pinks:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0A-Ql_HCnlDgP_5ljE1S7WQN03zDVn5toj12k7Yy7HM04skz1InYGLn7oWTULgD6apM31PhyphenhyphenM-GLAALiPcgRXjnANQJ2Ulw5RbQjyPtUsfD5BY0Cu0NrQ0uW8p183fZpYa4lEz2OOs54/s1600/IMG_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0A-Ql_HCnlDgP_5ljE1S7WQN03zDVn5toj12k7Yy7HM04skz1InYGLn7oWTULgD6apM31PhyphenhyphenM-GLAALiPcgRXjnANQJ2Ulw5RbQjyPtUsfD5BY0Cu0NrQ0uW8p183fZpYa4lEz2OOs54/s320/IMG_0358.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
reds:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDky2GpgxVYnkOXSjYw2TsB5YEvt9ITk5y9g6AHTxdWqGg0tv8jBZRL5sPEGPK4KAYb6VobqN9LonbU42vIApBE93xNXa6ITuyynJXaIFL_3Bu3aS5Js5yqWqlXH5O2IlcZADd_08Lfe7/s1600/IMG_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLDky2GpgxVYnkOXSjYw2TsB5YEvt9ITk5y9g6AHTxdWqGg0tv8jBZRL5sPEGPK4KAYb6VobqN9LonbU42vIApBE93xNXa6ITuyynJXaIFL_3Bu3aS5Js5yqWqlXH5O2IlcZADd_08Lfe7/s320/IMG_0359.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Are you drooling as much as I am right now? How fun is this for new spring accessories? If you want something, let me know. I'm also toying with the idea of me mailing a box of things to a "distant hostess," who can host a party or showcase the box around for a week. Hostesses earn great rewards. Have I piqued your interest yet?</div>Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5472467301095504743.post-54676365072702531242012-04-17T06:36:00.003-07:002012-04-17T06:49:56.317-07:00Unprocessed<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5093" title="Unprocessed Produce at Pike Place Market" src="http://c600847.r47.cf2.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/unprocessed-produce.jpg" alt="Unprocessed Produce at Pike Place Market" width="500" height="374" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; display: block; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Cabin, 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(153, 0, 0); " /><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-style: normal; "><br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-style: normal; ">The idea:</b> I am launching into 10-14 days (we’ll see how far I can get!) of unprocessed foods. As natural and as whole as I can manage. It’s like the “caveman diet” you’ve heard of: eating unprocessed, whole foods. <span style="font-style: normal; ">Mainly, I’m cutting out processed sugars and flours</span> (those who know me well know how much I love cookies and other delicious processed items). It’s also the idea behind <i><a href="http://michaelpollan.com/books/the-omnivores-dilemma/">The Omnivore’s Dilemma</a></i><i style="font-style: normal; ">, </i>which I haven't even read, but really want to. There's also <a href="http://www.homecuresthatwork.com/slideshow/eating-your-way-to-a-healthy-heart-2/#.T410gDJWqxY">this article</a>, which says it's great for heart health.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>Why?</b> I am inspired by <a href="http://www.runningofthebullio.blogspot.com/">Bridget</a>, who did this for 10 days and stopped craving sugars and flours. And Bobbi who did it for a few months with a diet called Prism. And <a href="http://drthayerfamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/guess-what.html">Rena</a>, who is going vegan for 100 days (obviously, since I’m going for 10 days, I’m not as hard core as she is!). And <a href="http://thedktrefflichs.blogspot.com/">Kirsten</a>, who once did it for 30 days. It’s a kick-start to getting me un-addicted to sugars and fast foods, and of course, I’m hoping to get rid of the belly that plagues my daily existence.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>The plan:</b> Avoid processed foods (no more Ritz crackers, granola bars, coffee creamer, leftover Easter candy, breads, hamburgers, French fries, margarine, cookies, cinnamon rolls, donuts … sigh … I could go on and on). Stick with as whole as I can: real butter (but not in the amounts I’d really love to use), sprouted breads, lean meats, lots of fruit and veggies, you know, nature’s items. If I use something processed, I’m trying to stick with things with only a few ingredients (like Ezekiel bread, cottage cheese, cheese sticks, hummus). I got to go to Trader Joe’s this weekend, so I stocked up on fantastic items like sunflower seed butter, peanut butter with sugar added in it, hummus, etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>But don’t worry folks, I’m not going too extreme: there will still be splenda in my coffee, half-and-half in my coffee, mayonnaise (not in my coffee), and a few diet cokes. Hey, at least I’m making steps in the right direction! Another “cheat” is going to be dark chocolate; I got some 72 % dark chocolate there. Mmmmm. Oh, and maybe some no-bake cookies made with oats, non-sugar peanut butter, honey or agave nectar, and dark chocolate chips.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>The challenge:</b> If you’d like to join me on this journey, let me know! I’m only on day two. There’s still time. Jump in!<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "> Also, if you can think of other things to add to my list, please give me more ideas. I know I’m going to need more snack options.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>The menu:</b> see below. If you want recipes for specific items and they’re not already listed, let me know.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>Breakfasts<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Oatmeal sprinkled with almonds<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Ezekiel bread (toasted)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Peanut butter banana smoothie (1 cup skim milk, 1 banana, 1 Tbsp peanut butter)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Chocolate smoothie (1 cup skim milk, 1 banana, 1 Tbsp cocoa, 1 Tbsp splenda)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Pear-ginger smoothie <span style="font-size:10.0pt">(3/4 cup skim milk, 1 cut pear, ¼ cup oats, 1 Tbsp cocoa, ½ tsp ginger)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Strawberry smoothie<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Raisin bran cereal from Trader Joe’s<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Eggs<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>Snacks<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Celery sticks with hummus<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Carrots sticks with salsa<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Apples with peanut butter<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Banana with peanut butter<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Other fruit<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Cottage cheese<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Edamame<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Cheesestick<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Popcorn (not the drenched-in-butter kind!)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Sliced tomatoes<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Cucumber<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Almonds<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Roasted kale chips<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>Lunches<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Greek salad (lettuce, tomato, olives, red onion, avocado, feta cheese)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Salad with beans (lettuce, tomato, carrots, kidney beans)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Ezekiel bread with turkey slices<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Tuna with mayo<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Microwaved sweet potato with 1 Tbsp butter<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/brown-rice-tomatoes-and-basil-recipe/index.html">Brown rice with tomatoes and basil</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/wheatberry-salad-recipe/index.html">Wheatberry salad</a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Broccoli, orange, and olive salad <span style="font-size: 9.0pt">(cooked cooled broccoli, fresh or mandarin orange slices, kalamata olives)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Cole slaw (shredded cabbage, carrots, grapes, and yogurt)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><b>Dinners<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Veggie and chicken stir fry<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.manyveggierecipes.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=29">Tofu-barley-spinach soup</a> (yes, I know tofu is processed, but ...)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Lemony bulgur, asparagus, and tilapia<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Spinach salad with bulgur, salmon, and orange dressing<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; "><a href="http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cajun-red-beans-rice-10000001867581/">Cajun beans and rice</a> (but without the andouille)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Zucchini and chicken curry<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Mexican rice, beans, and avocado salad<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Tabbouleh<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Roased bell peppers stuffed with rice and feta<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Roasted chicken, potatoes, and fennel bulbs<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-style: normal; ">Roasted broccoli, okra, cauliflower, other veggies<o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Hopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12578194395330819153noreply@blogger.com3