tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928665873887934162024-03-14T08:08:42.230-04:00Gayle TalesGaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05200845275983743314noreply@blogger.comBlogger446125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-6801249341579883662019-05-10T08:13:00.000-04:002019-05-10T11:22:34.609-04:00On Turning Sixty<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My 60th birthday is next week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's funny how momentous it is when the first digit of your age changes. To me, it always feels similar to when I begin a new chapter in a book - I'm comfortable with the storyline so far, but know that this next chapter may bring new and interesting plot twists that I did not anticipate. If it has been a good book, I move on with great enthusiasm even as I know I'm approaching the final chapter. In the last few pages, I am not ready for this story that has been so dear to me to come to an end. But I know there will be another book to fall in love with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The major difference in this analogy is this: in life, often there is no way of knowing when the end of the book is approaching. And my next book</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I begin the 61st year of my life, I feel good. I love this life that is mine. I look forward to every day. I have so many things I want to do and try, places I want to visit, and goals I strive for. I am learning new things daily. I still feel young - which to me is a state of mind more than physical measure. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But also, as I begin my 61st year, my body often tells me something else: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My hair is thinning and has begun to gray. Where did that white eyelash come from? It wasn't there yesterday! Am I really coloring my eyebrow hairs? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pains come and go (thankfully). My elbow, knees, and feet tell me when I've done too much, and I've learned that it is very important to listen and adjust. But despite the pains, more than ever I know how important it is to keep active and moving and exercising and stretching and pushing my body beyond where I think it can go - and have fun doing it. It not only will keep my body younger, but helps mentally too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm thankful for the large supply of reading glasses in the house which enable me to read, knit, sew and see those dark hairs that grow out of my chin! And no matter how many pairs we have, it's always hard to find them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My face continues to change, and more than ever it tells the truth about me. Some mornings I look in the mirror and say "who is this person?". I can no longer disguise a bad night of sleep or a week of worry. It seems like I have new wrinkles every day, but I prefer to call them "laugh lines" in appreciation for how they got there. The sun is no longer my friend. I have realized the best way to look my best involves 3 things: get a good night of sleep, exercise almost every day, and be happy with myself and my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I do a lot of crossword puzzles and word games to help keep my brain sharp. I listen to books as I walk the dogs, run, or fix dinner. I challenge myself with more and more difficult knitting patterns. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, in this next chapter of my life, I look forward to so much, even as I know that nothing is life is certain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to travel and have many places I want to see, but I am an introverted homebody at heart and find the most joy in simple things:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- the joy of planning my garden each season and watching as it comes alive in the spring and summer, sometimes in ways I didn't expect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- the joy of seeing my children find their own way in life and being a part of that adventure as it unfolds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- the joy of creating beauty around me, whether through photography, or any other artistic endeavors I can imagine and attempt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- the joy of living simply, slowly, and peacefully. The best thing about this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">time of life is to have the time to do things at a more relaxed pace. There is no need to multitask. No need to hurry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- the joy of connecting (or reconnecting) with friends more often as they, too, enjoy retirement. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- the joy of having my husband by my side to travel, play, relax, work on projects, and spend time with our children</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My sixtieth year begins on Sunday. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It could be said that I am "over the hill". I used to hear that saying and think it sounded depressing. As someone who is a 60 year old cyclist, I now understand what it really means:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I'm riding my bike and see a daunting hill ahead of me, I know it's going to be difficult. I know it will be painful at times. I know it will zap my energy and I will be feeling the burn in my legs. Sometimes I force myself not to look ahead and just concentrate on going the next 10 yards. I shift gears to make it easier. But when I reach the top and the terrain levels out, I am proud of the climb that I just achieved. Flat ground seems much easier than it was before. And very often, the payoff for that climb is a beautiful long stretch of gliding downhill with the wind in my face and a big smile on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's exactly how I feel right now. And it ain't bad at all! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm ready to begin what may be the the most exciting chapter yet!</span>Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-48632161943413756332019-02-12T16:28:00.000-05:002019-02-12T16:28:27.161-05:00I Am Her Person<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a picture of me with my cat, Maddie, when she was a young kitten.</div>
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I love Maddie so much, even if she is</div>
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feisty,</div>
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strong-willed,</div>
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unpredictable,</div>
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short-tempered,</div>
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and </div>
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some would say</div>
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mean.</div>
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She is a one-person cat,</div>
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and I am that person.</div>
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She makes me laugh every day,</div>
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and makes me angry every day.</div>
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She does many weird and exasperating things,</div>
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but her favorite pastime is sitting inside things.</div>
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She especially loves boxes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiSM9FPR65Gm8bhKPs2ZGyb5GorOjTPO4lyleKbJBSbB8lx49VD3lbn-TXkMoMJDFvcU3kMMtRPnn92XpZMylixUG9Z4p8fC7sCeMwGZHGbQz6CGQJYrxxwHOlFGL3T_xJXGr9miwOaZ3/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiSM9FPR65Gm8bhKPs2ZGyb5GorOjTPO4lyleKbJBSbB8lx49VD3lbn-TXkMoMJDFvcU3kMMtRPnn92XpZMylixUG9Z4p8fC7sCeMwGZHGbQz6CGQJYrxxwHOlFGL3T_xJXGr9miwOaZ3/s640/Gayle-iPhone-274.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
It doesn't matter the size</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW2pW7XgG_ZgU_p_cIiLTwik-gnDswyzgu4FldRfdHEk098I8IJzlSzLSd7m4pCpCFizl7yCwXhFFE0xJS8tEJoF29wJlNY_6l95eiTW7EEMBA_fdvd2qOt2-Kw1xA6wlIScImhr2uNza/s1600/maddie_in_box-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjW2pW7XgG_ZgU_p_cIiLTwik-gnDswyzgu4FldRfdHEk098I8IJzlSzLSd7m4pCpCFizl7yCwXhFFE0xJS8tEJoF29wJlNY_6l95eiTW7EEMBA_fdvd2qOt2-Kw1xA6wlIScImhr2uNza/s640/maddie_in_box-005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
or the shape.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oC-Oi0K8oZbEZlAgBE0RzsOwigokx10XN7_hw0W_XwcDGAEo48L7ncvacsr8XmI7E02tQbaZ9SmMeZbAIEYi0SKccOGDV4bPmZ64gKHoNFbpFlQCaSuRLSr5BbPXP2wbrJKzFI6rC_NY/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oC-Oi0K8oZbEZlAgBE0RzsOwigokx10XN7_hw0W_XwcDGAEo48L7ncvacsr8XmI7E02tQbaZ9SmMeZbAIEYi0SKccOGDV4bPmZ64gKHoNFbpFlQCaSuRLSr5BbPXP2wbrJKzFI6rC_NY/s640/Phone-October-Dump-593.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrbCV3ce33AScttwCW-Tf78pLcnyJ0QS3H5_UfaxXqu5-WPF8tTo0Emx6Si8pGGGHSj5tLNoTBLgO5QbSlJajRuPAZzyIkbGSCOaSXY7PzH1m39L00HtyldC99eS8HPC-BQmaXKNV0rtd/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrbCV3ce33AScttwCW-Tf78pLcnyJ0QS3H5_UfaxXqu5-WPF8tTo0Emx6Si8pGGGHSj5tLNoTBLgO5QbSlJajRuPAZzyIkbGSCOaSXY7PzH1m39L00HtyldC99eS8HPC-BQmaXKNV0rtd/s640/Gayle-iPhone-115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But when there isn't a box handy, </div>
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she makes do.</div>
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And it always makes me laugh and grab my camera.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybzW9DglYWyfyQI5vD1PZWx8We-a0Y7j9rHDp5rmLmt_mq8p9CIQfW54wHedH9dN__l1DEmt_zfefuAOxSBGrWpcrw_cEZZHosadg8YLsnOEI2O57Xi8mtfnFVEYLofAYrp5nFNKLfAd6/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybzW9DglYWyfyQI5vD1PZWx8We-a0Y7j9rHDp5rmLmt_mq8p9CIQfW54wHedH9dN__l1DEmt_zfefuAOxSBGrWpcrw_cEZZHosadg8YLsnOEI2O57Xi8mtfnFVEYLofAYrp5nFNKLfAd6/s640/Gayle-iPhone-199.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A Christmas sleigh basket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdjJkxmME9w2Pb9mV-CZkbtBwueqUtuamwWyDyKnxIL34AalnGFwKbyLJMbu-KyI2b4Md1ojL3qkTlC_vjtxBuanql3CEBXOcmqIo1a6BCEFIMsPGqzE_n0UXRoWw714H9YXRcelEJOak/s1600/untitled-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdjJkxmME9w2Pb9mV-CZkbtBwueqUtuamwWyDyKnxIL34AalnGFwKbyLJMbu-KyI2b4Md1ojL3qkTlC_vjtxBuanql3CEBXOcmqIo1a6BCEFIMsPGqzE_n0UXRoWw714H9YXRcelEJOak/s640/untitled-8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My weed cart in the garden.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HjYEbdOhpErx2y_T2-x1pSMQRBui1b4iD_usBNBInD0b_bcpQAjd7DhTunKSjMle5dUAN8s4WPqDlpix04u6ZOhe15HIr0E_qDaCFr1YlblZvZsmLRAWTV2MFf4K7ddKO3aP-eO5NQxw/s1600/Maddie-Catnip-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1493" data-original-width="1600" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HjYEbdOhpErx2y_T2-x1pSMQRBui1b4iD_usBNBInD0b_bcpQAjd7DhTunKSjMle5dUAN8s4WPqDlpix04u6ZOhe15HIr0E_qDaCFr1YlblZvZsmLRAWTV2MFf4K7ddKO3aP-eO5NQxw/s640/Maddie-Catnip-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The catnip planter on the porch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlV48J-Aoanqgn7_RGdxFPRWA0NQRTJ6hi77RIxbaaKUnjI7fWBTB2jTMktsZlPDga3dPlv4_vZFUwIxtXHBLVfMziX4qPxPub8IXIcYo9mcx6Zi1TvpwuBOwuL43q598INn2svnu7Tye/s1600/IMG_1872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlV48J-Aoanqgn7_RGdxFPRWA0NQRTJ6hi77RIxbaaKUnjI7fWBTB2jTMktsZlPDga3dPlv4_vZFUwIxtXHBLVfMziX4qPxPub8IXIcYo9mcx6Zi1TvpwuBOwuL43q598INn2svnu7Tye/s640/IMG_1872.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The shoe bin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj29f5HMVF931djmyUCggFQA0qbej1mle46D8iWRnDBjhX3-PjtU_ZtFYNstRp0LdWHDyJ2YKhAqSlsqxahExX5rsQlgejWdLoXdMmqvC9I4qXnVVaskKokwKutdFWpypMW2UX_VuivyZ/s1600/_MG_8187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYj29f5HMVF931djmyUCggFQA0qbej1mle46D8iWRnDBjhX3-PjtU_ZtFYNstRp0LdWHDyJ2YKhAqSlsqxahExX5rsQlgejWdLoXdMmqvC9I4qXnVVaskKokwKutdFWpypMW2UX_VuivyZ/s640/_MG_8187.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The stryrofoam packaging from a lamp.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsOu7CAlcQSAl9gtkkK8GDQ65u6Ko47mOV4yXX7vAg8zGBnOZoEUxju-9V7Je8p0TG4cEqbcgXshrpLMultFp1RAlUgU5l2bPynl4vbtU7ReuquDYXcQ6mbU0aYYmRJdRhyphenhyphenfC1fhTKhoa/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="1600" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsOu7CAlcQSAl9gtkkK8GDQ65u6Ko47mOV4yXX7vAg8zGBnOZoEUxju-9V7Je8p0TG4cEqbcgXshrpLMultFp1RAlUgU5l2bPynl4vbtU7ReuquDYXcQ6mbU0aYYmRJdRhyphenhyphenfC1fhTKhoa/s640/Gayle-iPhone-164.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An empty gift basket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8Ln_eYN1D2CAK4fxB9MM0_8WcaXmI14r5bYryLua1-uCpsFr3R_GudB9zYYDTYnPUKQcEFaI9YIiw7cMC11R5jbwNWikHlaHv3aP4HRArpb6dkMtQHPEEgB4UHCyueNEV8f6tCvwJO3S/s1600/IMG_0632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1277" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8Ln_eYN1D2CAK4fxB9MM0_8WcaXmI14r5bYryLua1-uCpsFr3R_GudB9zYYDTYnPUKQcEFaI9YIiw7cMC11R5jbwNWikHlaHv3aP4HRArpb6dkMtQHPEEgB4UHCyueNEV8f6tCvwJO3S/s640/IMG_0632.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A larger empty gift basket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrqGMl6x_UkIPSAUacAyQ7z4qMEdf7Vtdvhsv3vhLNAgu5Ieliufz9_Zne-Mo77Cf2bcbU4mkuvNW9x5rURjljtuqAQeAtGuS6qvGiHwpjN5XfOrs27ZTY-QdCV16ekNDyehPn52C331C/s1600/IMG_1172+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrqGMl6x_UkIPSAUacAyQ7z4qMEdf7Vtdvhsv3vhLNAgu5Ieliufz9_Zne-Mo77Cf2bcbU4mkuvNW9x5rURjljtuqAQeAtGuS6qvGiHwpjN5XfOrs27ZTY-QdCV16ekNDyehPn52C331C/s640/IMG_1172+copy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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A waste basket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUJa7ZK7SDnWVVIPNDDWbXx0uZXDNB3HNp-9zEjf6tupbXod2jtG9T-0bwTPJX69US98dR-0dWaLE296WCF6qqnQPKCNKBTozue4tUo9f5TQZS9TxPQVJUDCbMeHsTWGvRY4Ea4t1nDti/s1600/untitled-196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUJa7ZK7SDnWVVIPNDDWbXx0uZXDNB3HNp-9zEjf6tupbXod2jtG9T-0bwTPJX69US98dR-0dWaLE296WCF6qqnQPKCNKBTozue4tUo9f5TQZS9TxPQVJUDCbMeHsTWGvRY4Ea4t1nDti/s640/untitled-196.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Any basket, really.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucRhM_K1gEC3InoW90I_3oD7kTp42T1sFYKGCptYph1Lg9yBOxwLgbuk2TljQPvosY0pI1Djew-Zud74xl08GQfoyBZn-NI6StnZpoFIWr2fVFMsV3_zq0YNwgyZWILUb5tVi3-hNnnlL/s1600/Christmas_Day_2012-037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucRhM_K1gEC3InoW90I_3oD7kTp42T1sFYKGCptYph1Lg9yBOxwLgbuk2TljQPvosY0pI1Djew-Zud74xl08GQfoyBZn-NI6StnZpoFIWr2fVFMsV3_zq0YNwgyZWILUb5tVi3-hNnnlL/s640/Christmas_Day_2012-037.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A shopping bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOjUow8eBloF_fGGzuhU005xXbRLhXfl9Ckf8sC8mX_SKPyH2t65E9iZg3ci-0PgPofNh_m-Z2mkj4D5wFhjFtP27WzojK-SMgbfsBXAw1zKPZVris576AT3E2kT_tX0CqB7RRvbBGTpU/s1600/Maddie_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOjUow8eBloF_fGGzuhU005xXbRLhXfl9Ckf8sC8mX_SKPyH2t65E9iZg3ci-0PgPofNh_m-Z2mkj4D5wFhjFtP27WzojK-SMgbfsBXAw1zKPZVris576AT3E2kT_tX0CqB7RRvbBGTpU/s640/Maddie_0241.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A grocery bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GnHCSxXFbvABZtwTuOS8xr-NLuD-YfYOiQ7RwzpHX41HPGwsBmWBYXnCbUO7ocWI6Obhs6yNi57G55iDpsLc8Q018vb8CJGieDTfyB4a_ayw3fjxj7nQxITEpld6OVmhl48v2RJw-b0s/s1600/IMG_2148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3GnHCSxXFbvABZtwTuOS8xr-NLuD-YfYOiQ7RwzpHX41HPGwsBmWBYXnCbUO7ocWI6Obhs6yNi57G55iDpsLc8Q018vb8CJGieDTfyB4a_ayw3fjxj7nQxITEpld6OVmhl48v2RJw-b0s/s640/IMG_2148.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A bubble-wrap bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK9NPmFpo7YezPpLA7JCQHyNMgfcXfmgT_3fxCAfvrZLCDeTCd8osme4uihB_TuizQzntVMDxNK11C42FEC3oa-bU2oNadVNrJkyeybBU5hyphenhyphenOueW1bShVLTfTJ5Ui3iZvrwACoiRehpfp/s1600/Gayle_iPhone_pics-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWK9NPmFpo7YezPpLA7JCQHyNMgfcXfmgT_3fxCAfvrZLCDeTCd8osme4uihB_TuizQzntVMDxNK11C42FEC3oa-bU2oNadVNrJkyeybBU5hyphenhyphenOueW1bShVLTfTJ5Ui3iZvrwACoiRehpfp/s640/Gayle_iPhone_pics-007.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A school bag.</div>
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A travel bag.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpm_Hs5LtohnBMSDRFefvnZWWMdrhLn6eqczWKeHL_L7RtQ6Bv5Y0U5HivjkoneVkciMz02mWgrZUB21Vt_pLDOZ74MlfuUhUjqenbFbroFN2uxV7XVX543CCDgOViIxpxQwVTN-SshIn/s1600/untitled-192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpm_Hs5LtohnBMSDRFefvnZWWMdrhLn6eqczWKeHL_L7RtQ6Bv5Y0U5HivjkoneVkciMz02mWgrZUB21Vt_pLDOZ74MlfuUhUjqenbFbroFN2uxV7XVX543CCDgOViIxpxQwVTN-SshIn/s640/untitled-192.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
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The bathroom sink.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqP8XSyu7DxQqmN9ke7nozrQy29kZelFMWpKe20TBPnYWYRF4g0vyfwTp84mHZP799l241l9YlN0aDf-w_FgqQMWWvVSJ2b-rPFdNQ-uVmjCti_hIufeUra-uWw4PfKwUkx68R92tAVR/s1600/untitled-195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqP8XSyu7DxQqmN9ke7nozrQy29kZelFMWpKe20TBPnYWYRF4g0vyfwTp84mHZP799l241l9YlN0aDf-w_FgqQMWWvVSJ2b-rPFdNQ-uVmjCti_hIufeUra-uWw4PfKwUkx68R92tAVR/s640/untitled-195.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1kqBRQQ7qryJyN2Oc63kGU-FZIO-bgCxyIv70WDf-R1whJ43wsv0iGFkNQQA6WgbpGeYzoiJbGDPKiPoh7GKEzHiCFlreEEaLbcIdSISq8yIiZ0xH2VDtRRSI5lMSNfkL2zWQMIX_t9q/s1600/untitled-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1kqBRQQ7qryJyN2Oc63kGU-FZIO-bgCxyIv70WDf-R1whJ43wsv0iGFkNQQA6WgbpGeYzoiJbGDPKiPoh7GKEzHiCFlreEEaLbcIdSISq8yIiZ0xH2VDtRRSI5lMSNfkL2zWQMIX_t9q/s640/untitled-60.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Any bowl.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPO_E7lfnTtihu-sLZZX7GsP4NHX6YQdmbr3zo9WGOCIdSLgZ_cYFCywL-xh0r0gk6i0m4zhg9XVcv3r6-HPL1s1RA8E-i6MEweNGGsKlfvX8zVV7b-6BWPvdLLj8sCag-PL-pfZHZcvI/s1600/untitled-47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPO_E7lfnTtihu-sLZZX7GsP4NHX6YQdmbr3zo9WGOCIdSLgZ_cYFCywL-xh0r0gk6i0m4zhg9XVcv3r6-HPL1s1RA8E-i6MEweNGGsKlfvX8zVV7b-6BWPvdLLj8sCag-PL-pfZHZcvI/s640/untitled-47.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Even a lasagna pan.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos75c3oFpxAPvZ4FgouBembNSi0NELukHuYIOcGA9RBCBO5TXK-j9gaZlv_5dvTmoLBJqxsolBVHSFXdKVCb8FleTMViSm9W84nI9rG49_TJrEga9SP2CnuVlDG9e0aPe8UU1TeWmFmEA/s1600/untitled-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhos75c3oFpxAPvZ4FgouBembNSi0NELukHuYIOcGA9RBCBO5TXK-j9gaZlv_5dvTmoLBJqxsolBVHSFXdKVCb8FleTMViSm9W84nI9rG49_TJrEga9SP2CnuVlDG9e0aPe8UU1TeWmFmEA/s640/untitled-51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dq88tmcgokg4aCqhnnrXXcDQMF30UKVLUC6Psm7itGBOHTdCzDGY_ML8Y_BTd1uYt6J-_OyosnN6Zv4aUNRixmdQ5lMdyHX17w7wDOIf_6UPPtlygN0xHl4y1R36RVKY2BYBE6l_aq9V/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Dq88tmcgokg4aCqhnnrXXcDQMF30UKVLUC6Psm7itGBOHTdCzDGY_ML8Y_BTd1uYt6J-_OyosnN6Zv4aUNRixmdQ5lMdyHX17w7wDOIf_6UPPtlygN0xHl4y1R36RVKY2BYBE6l_aq9V/s640/Phone-October-Dump-589.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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She gets inside just about anything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu1wze44TIJY7JhW5ykQDKYuO_AKnXnW10EQHfvS-cxo_pFDhyphenhyphenl_rNF9vI3q-bpIn1UUA5O9meiZEKTSAI5qQVAtGwmgonZh97taWSuHt2kv14DdaQ2Wmv_CqfNQp4RV-GKtiby-FK1_e/s1600/Maddie-072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu1wze44TIJY7JhW5ykQDKYuO_AKnXnW10EQHfvS-cxo_pFDhyphenhyphenl_rNF9vI3q-bpIn1UUA5O9meiZEKTSAI5qQVAtGwmgonZh97taWSuHt2kv14DdaQ2Wmv_CqfNQp4RV-GKtiby-FK1_e/s640/Maddie-072.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QEzcL6XembfDsxNcQN05FQND4C_Jm6KWQX_AzCmuUmr4cKt64ThTTVdQZ2YJR4Pt-P7DrKjM8PyyW_wSbmKJs6VRCIlf9M3rWrGwR9Pb1U3cc2nZU13rQgpCXNgo0iakYKwvUdl9IrhF/s1600/pets2018-136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QEzcL6XembfDsxNcQN05FQND4C_Jm6KWQX_AzCmuUmr4cKt64ThTTVdQZ2YJR4Pt-P7DrKjM8PyyW_wSbmKJs6VRCIlf9M3rWrGwR9Pb1U3cc2nZU13rQgpCXNgo0iakYKwvUdl9IrhF/s640/pets2018-136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And sometimes she doesn't need walls at all.</div>
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I think it's important to feel loved, understood, and appreciated</div>
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by at least one person in this world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP0QukNVdR9X7KIUTJGgoM34rixdiLApxMfszLeIdhNo_wz5htqRGklidAblD8pnviBqZM8yB9wS61XfO_CqHegUY-FkpyDq5HcKDtj-yDggBW9RDRwiOyyoYWEeMiMAzUqB5jQvKrw_y/s1600/untitled-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1600" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP0QukNVdR9X7KIUTJGgoM34rixdiLApxMfszLeIdhNo_wz5htqRGklidAblD8pnviBqZM8yB9wS61XfO_CqHegUY-FkpyDq5HcKDtj-yDggBW9RDRwiOyyoYWEeMiMAzUqB5jQvKrw_y/s640/untitled-54.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm glad I can be Maddie's special person.</div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-4326227663592822212019-02-07T10:53:00.000-05:002019-02-07T11:30:58.444-05:00Oh, What a Weekend!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weekends in our house tend to be pretty laid back lately.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But last weekend our house came alive with activity,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IT WAS WONDERFUL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main event was to celebrate Annie's 24th birthday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, circumstances also brought </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">other friends and loved ones to our home</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to gather around our table</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to enjoy each other's company.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On Friday, we welcomed my niece, Mikey, and her husband, Lance,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">along with their close friends, Molly & Tyler. Kaylee was visiting</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from Utah. Mel, Josh, and Emily are just part of our family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday morning began with a private yoga session with Mel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was followed by lunch at our house and a few</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">competitive games of duck pin bowling!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After dinner at the Flatbread Company,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we headed home for Annie's birthday celebration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vance broke out his grade school trumpet for an</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">unforgettable version of "Happy Birthday".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were many lovely and thoughtful gifts, but none</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">could compare with the hand-drawn piece of art by </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><strike>Vincent Vance Gogh</strike> Vance!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy8A2ZoQDMAirVYfX6fE2L7XefwgUZnmRXho3KDt7yMVZ7Ly58Voptw9dycG43pUbgfIJavMT5pH4jkHpEBnMMRkffLSTcl9CYGJCpPgeV2-m_RLBmmUOsJemwIusA5mTbCAKtD5Uf7of/s1600/Annie-bday24-157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy8A2ZoQDMAirVYfX6fE2L7XefwgUZnmRXho3KDt7yMVZ7Ly58Voptw9dycG43pUbgfIJavMT5pH4jkHpEBnMMRkffLSTcl9CYGJCpPgeV2-m_RLBmmUOsJemwIusA5mTbCAKtD5Uf7of/s640/Annie-bday24-157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to wish Annie a very happy 24th birthday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also want to say that </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vance and I feel so privileged to be surrounded these</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">happy and loving young couples who have so much</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ahead of them in their life journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hope to be there with you and for you </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for many years to come!</span></div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-89107152376452530362019-01-20T21:03:00.000-05:002019-01-20T21:03:28.735-05:00The More You Use, The More You Have<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul." ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ever since I was a young girl, one of my greatest joys</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">has been making things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I learned embroidery from my mother, but I was mostly </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">self-taught. I had no internet videos to show me how to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">do things. I borrowed books from the library, and if I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">couldn't find any instructions there, I tried to figure it out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would see something interesting and </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">say to myself -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> "I can make that!". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I taught myself to knit and crochet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I figured out how to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sew clothes from a pattern. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made patchwork quilts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did cross-stitch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made cornhusk dolls and dried apple heads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I sewed neckties for my father, and it became a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">small business as his co-workers requested ties too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I made macrame plant-hangers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I folded origami.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought a good camera as a teen-ager and taught</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">myself photography.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't always successful, but I liked the challenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This past year has been a very creative time for me once again.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihINRdDepdNYGPDghInstj_bvgmyAzumDTZymXGfq_3CtOjcVlShf_mHqltxUv2fg0wNHnk-gj2dRiQs-HTRYknJHpZfOdYk3xSf5r3V8S7mduh9GiBqWS2E9WFJp6t2PAvW7-Xlc_Kr2h/s1600/Making-Things-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihINRdDepdNYGPDghInstj_bvgmyAzumDTZymXGfq_3CtOjcVlShf_mHqltxUv2fg0wNHnk-gj2dRiQs-HTRYknJHpZfOdYk3xSf5r3V8S7mduh9GiBqWS2E9WFJp6t2PAvW7-Xlc_Kr2h/s640/Making-Things-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I saw an ottoman like this online and bought the fabric and filling to make one. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NS8vTLX4QNhE6v8WU5CAswRPnEMlqPyrrHbHVUJnUaIdtIy5jk23BZ_UYEg3raBWD6-LAzrOSyoXI0luCsLqLXW7DjvNj4PuvYGf0QipWbw-KUmb9D-WjW6wFGmtI5-ir2qsCF6nItQL/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NS8vTLX4QNhE6v8WU5CAswRPnEMlqPyrrHbHVUJnUaIdtIy5jk23BZ_UYEg3raBWD6-LAzrOSyoXI0luCsLqLXW7DjvNj4PuvYGf0QipWbw-KUmb9D-WjW6wFGmtI5-ir2qsCF6nItQL/s640/Gayle-iPhone-400.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I made more for Adam and Kerry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iNMAmcK6aHE2SJcNji9PK6QfQ3nHDCse9l9vLnkT0eWaxemqpHplrmEH3zVe49y0fcqdPp7UsqFbnQ5Ej_OstaBKUGRp_3-Jdz61U20AWD8-79bKtlCsXLHekzrm6fdj5OWGWVCV97tY/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iNMAmcK6aHE2SJcNji9PK6QfQ3nHDCse9l9vLnkT0eWaxemqpHplrmEH3zVe49y0fcqdPp7UsqFbnQ5Ej_OstaBKUGRp_3-Jdz61U20AWD8-79bKtlCsXLHekzrm6fdj5OWGWVCV97tY/s640/Gayle-iPhone-716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I tried a large "bench" type of ottoman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Momo likes both of them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahJjyxvmatpTEeh2RZ10kYvVGjJD_ySnPadvIfoI7GPNh_QkJ1jV1zKSkCmWI7sf5J6PIITn6DLCTn6jjDyPNap1ZUpP1tjTInlNJMjAStj7o21mzudX1VokvF85HB-mygbOYebioCU2P/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahJjyxvmatpTEeh2RZ10kYvVGjJD_ySnPadvIfoI7GPNh_QkJ1jV1zKSkCmWI7sf5J6PIITn6DLCTn6jjDyPNap1ZUpP1tjTInlNJMjAStj7o21mzudX1VokvF85HB-mygbOYebioCU2P/s640/Gayle-iPhone-726.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also saw a Japanese papercut artist on Pinterest </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and decided to give that a try.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxWkW1YOKANrghA27khpW4f-ukoAoVxHFmUmuE2xbsLa2KTfHPPg4wuGOxQz2Hg0QKkrw5LZdEfh5UQw76y0AoJjMzR1Vr9D1paBIRGiwWZfwaGNDNXOxaNpaI8IbZuhlZs6Gh36s6MRX/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxWkW1YOKANrghA27khpW4f-ukoAoVxHFmUmuE2xbsLa2KTfHPPg4wuGOxQz2Hg0QKkrw5LZdEfh5UQw76y0AoJjMzR1Vr9D1paBIRGiwWZfwaGNDNXOxaNpaI8IbZuhlZs6Gh36s6MRX/s640/Gayle-iPhone-689.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rUwcq45Iqdc3poc33sCV354uBZ2r5dAMUnXEU2KDlPHfqFsIoxr8ZUKC-UJ_68_oARsbaseC7VnHhYAsfZLE1381EKP0F3mejmGHRG7QvE5_AjUtVvkrnDLjww2L6UobZUfQq9y1vghQ/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rUwcq45Iqdc3poc33sCV354uBZ2r5dAMUnXEU2KDlPHfqFsIoxr8ZUKC-UJ_68_oARsbaseC7VnHhYAsfZLE1381EKP0F3mejmGHRG7QvE5_AjUtVvkrnDLjww2L6UobZUfQq9y1vghQ/s640/Gayle-iPhone-691.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxc6vKuxkrUcCeiXf8IAnHO-kuLLBjXmBArxjAFPA8o3XAOaoiE_l5qrIC_O1QnrQxzP_e7Mqo2WifJVMBKsxczc5y2SyPxfAjvhsOQRTARrKMBy1QPYiHM5R9j0CIzxShW18UPuAfD1i/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxc6vKuxkrUcCeiXf8IAnHO-kuLLBjXmBArxjAFPA8o3XAOaoiE_l5qrIC_O1QnrQxzP_e7Mqo2WifJVMBKsxczc5y2SyPxfAjvhsOQRTARrKMBy1QPYiHM5R9j0CIzxShW18UPuAfD1i/s640/Gayle-iPhone-481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for Christmas I made one for my sister.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlyqFYKhwz2vyXoNTUa13RI2LrDK0c3nuqOqBJ2X6_X36boVPXcP6QiPtlTfeIUNOn2TfeXqrKCFL5lXqR330csC68INVdPBaoG185iSvBglhyt6Sl7dH6FFGjM5sof1YYPfCuZExgsk1/s1600/untitled-226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlyqFYKhwz2vyXoNTUa13RI2LrDK0c3nuqOqBJ2X6_X36boVPXcP6QiPtlTfeIUNOn2TfeXqrKCFL5lXqR330csC68INVdPBaoG185iSvBglhyt6Sl7dH6FFGjM5sof1YYPfCuZExgsk1/s640/untitled-226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally got around to redecorating Adam's old bedroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I painted the walls a bright white.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I bought a bunch of small sampler paints</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in custom colors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZegszGZuUMF8btaeSEIX0UK6FDJ4BLTGn3-z3gNSRaNvd9CTe9CN00V3E2SPtbwaOB5_MNpQjKOg3pTYQfHCFtXcuGN0AcEv8nD_Zyg7fjbnMeMMUPU00RFdyOQG8DThA221pnGdR_Qo/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZegszGZuUMF8btaeSEIX0UK6FDJ4BLTGn3-z3gNSRaNvd9CTe9CN00V3E2SPtbwaOB5_MNpQjKOg3pTYQfHCFtXcuGN0AcEv8nD_Zyg7fjbnMeMMUPU00RFdyOQG8DThA221pnGdR_Qo/s640/Phone-October-Dump-577.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I taped off a large rectangle on the wall</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and began duplicating a piece of modern art </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that had attracted my eye.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1p72y_KGX_-CfW9dhFFLYSLwRNTP58gAT9Syv6DAPOBtJItKi-WmugPUuGv2CyCz5c59Ost5aYhERFJgDWw4Rc6fWbhnkT9LpqTCSdM7RtFalfgVddNlhDYbpCNlon41WXWRkJ9K2_Zo/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1p72y_KGX_-CfW9dhFFLYSLwRNTP58gAT9Syv6DAPOBtJItKi-WmugPUuGv2CyCz5c59Ost5aYhERFJgDWw4Rc6fWbhnkT9LpqTCSdM7RtFalfgVddNlhDYbpCNlon41WXWRkJ9K2_Zo/s640/Phone-October-Dump-580.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yudQsOLkE802aMmNkvWZeyL3vG55_nJAuTwwW6w3sXIQtGbZXlzNOaJdEXhyphenhypheno6T7Jh0wrZJTWpqmdpP0HaHJVhDRezFLRIBuHr0DnOQgSEILlDA2-DyQ898mG816f7le7PHFXzwf8NKi/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yudQsOLkE802aMmNkvWZeyL3vG55_nJAuTwwW6w3sXIQtGbZXlzNOaJdEXhyphenhypheno6T7Jh0wrZJTWpqmdpP0HaHJVhDRezFLRIBuHr0DnOQgSEILlDA2-DyQ898mG816f7le7PHFXzwf8NKi/s640/Phone-October-Dump-583.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I liked it so much I did another one on the other wall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdKdlSXtWN9ZQelUaVb5oJKpSiziDwChal3tqCntgCPEcslYbU_bYKBgckzwF91AnyZdy9W3NvqMZmzLMT-JNvwY5Ev0fuBq3ZgqV8Pz_aCOU2iSbzXis7JCNAMDDa-5gs2FM6omyAXPj/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdKdlSXtWN9ZQelUaVb5oJKpSiziDwChal3tqCntgCPEcslYbU_bYKBgckzwF91AnyZdy9W3NvqMZmzLMT-JNvwY5Ev0fuBq3ZgqV8Pz_aCOU2iSbzXis7JCNAMDDa-5gs2FM6omyAXPj/s640/Phone-October-Dump-587.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1a-YfdvzRkK0OmWtEClAjymxPOSXtSSVcltqWfdRkbEf4Z3QYSBIJPl-XqDk6UM5_9kuApTOCbdX82v0WK3QAGUJDpnHGozhbNRE3EQs_jDayoMv5InBimBAgI8MLrmXGkWkwDTD8HLm/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1a-YfdvzRkK0OmWtEClAjymxPOSXtSSVcltqWfdRkbEf4Z3QYSBIJPl-XqDk6UM5_9kuApTOCbdX82v0WK3QAGUJDpnHGozhbNRE3EQs_jDayoMv5InBimBAgI8MLrmXGkWkwDTD8HLm/s640/Gayle-iPhone-161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kerry bought the hollow hexagons for her wall,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but needed more to fill up the wall. So I got some</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wood and made some solid hexagons with mini shelves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to hold her mini succulents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3S4yaEqtizGPoc2wkDN_oSpW1zmWLYGwMdZfiukHAeW1Zwh8Zd7RmmW8tzuOzQs75oJKWhVd67k9KVF7RZbSYa9T5aawYr4-y-mF6aXlf8JOHX4xSmUgTMU0GkSetAenboKxyYzQX9_5/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3S4yaEqtizGPoc2wkDN_oSpW1zmWLYGwMdZfiukHAeW1Zwh8Zd7RmmW8tzuOzQs75oJKWhVd67k9KVF7RZbSYa9T5aawYr4-y-mF6aXlf8JOHX4xSmUgTMU0GkSetAenboKxyYzQX9_5/s640/Phone-October-Dump-511.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister and I both learned punch needling this fall. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pillow was my first project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaKtrt38iELTpfc6od7rU0_XN4pPI19GEPLfKRjilAcN25RRsndlzQ-hOyWqxmeznBbp0aospnTeQ6LcILPNBsZp9tqFs5hzTwnWjLnXcO-liGpPwRE_ogebUTGlsFMu0dYiu87VlJaFw/s1600/Making-Things-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaKtrt38iELTpfc6od7rU0_XN4pPI19GEPLfKRjilAcN25RRsndlzQ-hOyWqxmeznBbp0aospnTeQ6LcILPNBsZp9tqFs5hzTwnWjLnXcO-liGpPwRE_ogebUTGlsFMu0dYiu87VlJaFw/s640/Making-Things-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then another. A polka dot pattern.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YByJkblcP0zFHA5Z0wzmCLx5dNl6SaebadZXlkUwdbJGj0WbGavmGwlrXaqg1oKhccuqVPnzsjO3OBKl16FKwsmsW6YbyYM3nlY_8M8yeeERQ35jbiTEPZVg7sWbQL4zk5R8fK8Uwg9Z/s1600/Making-Things-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YByJkblcP0zFHA5Z0wzmCLx5dNl6SaebadZXlkUwdbJGj0WbGavmGwlrXaqg1oKhccuqVPnzsjO3OBKl16FKwsmsW6YbyYM3nlY_8M8yeeERQ35jbiTEPZVg7sWbQL4zk5R8fK8Uwg9Z/s640/Making-Things-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope to make a rug this year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNFQt9BiQ7rUhy2VoBL_Q545QFbOVMUnUzWaBQ2X8zU9el6SUvNUt3d9kaOt-kMF3j25uD2wG4bK7wXzS5KHzRY2rk44JnHQta4Dsn9zfYmOZD7orG8XiZD-tLRfwyJ6BtTkvLVoX1H0B/s1600/Phone-October-Dump-558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNFQt9BiQ7rUhy2VoBL_Q545QFbOVMUnUzWaBQ2X8zU9el6SUvNUt3d9kaOt-kMF3j25uD2wG4bK7wXzS5KHzRY2rk44JnHQta4Dsn9zfYmOZD7orG8XiZD-tLRfwyJ6BtTkvLVoX1H0B/s640/Phone-October-Dump-558.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm all set with yarn colors!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYevhNoatodimtXz00yXmrJLXDgj3hKvjnu9dgcxHvvptt9_Did1oYfo7PRAz3XpYcjdipan6fYWck5afYagDJYr3dOtIph0664rKuP-vw8IpqHw8DAlC6r1otYAHi1V6XaHIv4e9MeHb/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYevhNoatodimtXz00yXmrJLXDgj3hKvjnu9dgcxHvvptt9_Did1oYfo7PRAz3XpYcjdipan6fYWck5afYagDJYr3dOtIph0664rKuP-vw8IpqHw8DAlC6r1otYAHi1V6XaHIv4e9MeHb/s640/Gayle-iPhone-226.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I crocheted this modern granny square afghan,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwFDwFAThh1ue-N-MZoLaYciD3m4nuqzfdYtnEOLInxjFDzSc8AcAKCmysTCrcNO0N22tl09kjWYLHlMLFGlAFvvYBFHtCo373mL3IRnP_hfRHEQA1zEH18OShSjPoPgV-FxUej19l8HP/s1600/Making-Things-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwFDwFAThh1ue-N-MZoLaYciD3m4nuqzfdYtnEOLInxjFDzSc8AcAKCmysTCrcNO0N22tl09kjWYLHlMLFGlAFvvYBFHtCo373mL3IRnP_hfRHEQA1zEH18OShSjPoPgV-FxUej19l8HP/s640/Making-Things-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and knitted this mosaic throw</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI49JMYO-NREhGypwCm0cZJi7qiQO4mPParobRgLKBdZl398WCUlymb0H4HFeEeGhK_NE0O1AOQzwH2QwYVvKNInN1KC31eNv0fmpomPgbu9tHapXIu1lJYHa5xIKp0Pe4Znw4EsfrBeM/s1600/Making-Things-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI49JMYO-NREhGypwCm0cZJi7qiQO4mPParobRgLKBdZl398WCUlymb0H4HFeEeGhK_NE0O1AOQzwH2QwYVvKNInN1KC31eNv0fmpomPgbu9tHapXIu1lJYHa5xIKp0Pe4Znw4EsfrBeM/s640/Making-Things-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and this colorful cotton throw.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkQwPnq0tm5Osp7d3Q6VIjRglmZTsBC8lLqqEulhSc7GAUcXWwSbfxQk0au1_2oHg3Ln3A3Ez4THpAUzA_GEslTMYaLpeNk7m8dn7hhdRwHrTE4rDRUcr_Z0a_m3N9Stu7QqHpAjEumLi/s1600/untitled-362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkQwPnq0tm5Osp7d3Q6VIjRglmZTsBC8lLqqEulhSc7GAUcXWwSbfxQk0au1_2oHg3Ln3A3Ez4THpAUzA_GEslTMYaLpeNk7m8dn7hhdRwHrTE4rDRUcr_Z0a_m3N9Stu7QqHpAjEumLi/s640/untitled-362.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Christmas gifts, I was busy knitting cozy cowls for the kids.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2xZRdVp0g-h_rTo9JHX01AuWBLJtZ_iyG9qf5v-MgATFDqkfCEmcBk4pKvdP08Li-TBw5UoHmQntl2Q71yevM0Bz2HBFQpqvKiE5LYDGhjv3aU-KPRmpA_smAOpX2qrex6N_SnLI9LHN/s1600/phone-dec2018-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2xZRdVp0g-h_rTo9JHX01AuWBLJtZ_iyG9qf5v-MgATFDqkfCEmcBk4pKvdP08Li-TBw5UoHmQntl2Q71yevM0Bz2HBFQpqvKiE5LYDGhjv3aU-KPRmpA_smAOpX2qrex6N_SnLI9LHN/s640/phone-dec2018-63.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I just finished this soft merino/alpaca/silk sweater!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf90HuYZXG8FU6g9qDrdsIVBUNZLGLpVNgubkEN2D8NacDoqRynjug9LiMMlFWJcRlQ3EP5EU6eFhlZohaGAQKkoUgDoiYI7g2Cx10S0XW8cGCy2mceQPwjd0XgBrCR-b4jIvj9fCJ2Lze/s1600/phone-dec2018-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf90HuYZXG8FU6g9qDrdsIVBUNZLGLpVNgubkEN2D8NacDoqRynjug9LiMMlFWJcRlQ3EP5EU6eFhlZohaGAQKkoUgDoiYI7g2Cx10S0XW8cGCy2mceQPwjd0XgBrCR-b4jIvj9fCJ2Lze/s640/phone-dec2018-64.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm trying to get better at knitting clothing so I will be able</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to outfit my future grandchildren!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These projects bring such joy to my life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They calm me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They challenge me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They inspire me to expand my mind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They test my patience.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They allow me to conquer self-doubt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They let me nurture inspiration into a reality.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now what will I make next?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"You can't use up creativity. </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more you use,</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the more you have." </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ Maya Angelou</span></h3>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-9445198553022905452018-11-02T00:19:00.000-04:002018-11-02T00:37:08.853-04:00What Do You Call A Person Who Is Happy On Monday?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He's been working for most of his life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During his teen years, he worked picking tobacco</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and doing manual labor installing pools.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I met him in 1981, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we were both in a computer programming training class</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at The Travelers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cvrUdywPA0eQuYDhioUjLbRUH-aodax_vXGkw7bkEFxri1Q-5XAqavivbYUAcwjxRAtY65p6DHwuA1vOlmxs9RV0ydYcnpeoDuMSgC7IC3g7dWroSY7ND5Tz9GU2tyd2RbY8pvyyMUSe/s1600/IMG_4365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9cvrUdywPA0eQuYDhioUjLbRUH-aodax_vXGkw7bkEFxri1Q-5XAqavivbYUAcwjxRAtY65p6DHwuA1vOlmxs9RV0ydYcnpeoDuMSgC7IC3g7dWroSY7ND5Tz9GU2tyd2RbY8pvyyMUSe/s640/IMG_4365.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My professional career ended in late 1994 before the birth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of my 3rd baby, but Vance has been working through it all,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">supporting our family financially.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvYCNm1kHrilg8YUCu4bQpjTdBUG_Qqiap-eDjRFGr0iq-OHKfoxjsdvqSv_lc3ZXqjmlBS4xqYYhpikk2HKkfr3n8aDhq64TnbZ9o2PnalT1Y9G5JW8sohbG4-6ydmS0fbk4l11JHNZK/s1600/IMG_4367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvYCNm1kHrilg8YUCu4bQpjTdBUG_Qqiap-eDjRFGr0iq-OHKfoxjsdvqSv_lc3ZXqjmlBS4xqYYhpikk2HKkfr3n8aDhq64TnbZ9o2PnalT1Y9G5JW8sohbG4-6ydmS0fbk4l11JHNZK/s640/IMG_4367.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He worked his way up the ladder at The Travelers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and was even featured on an affirmative action brochure</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">back in the 1980's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has worked at various other insurance companies since then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But not anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TODAY IS HIS LAST DAY OF WORK - EVER.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, this post is not about Vance's jobs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't want to focus on that because I know </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he wouldn't like to be defined by his work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Business trips, meetings, emails, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">voice mails, client dinners, getting stuck in traffic...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">these took up a lot of his time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But no matter what,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he ALWAYS made time for his family!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16HNSAV7XOMoapfAG0d2QYBSj6ml7A_spi89qmi_RL0qh0ODrI5h8YZuV-syJPuJO5XbzwLw95s-JzS7jNJr6baZqmZOOJ2hHyHJrho48NTVJJ1Y9d-gUsbcRGNw3KYszEMKzl-LksRf-/s1600/Jan-Feb-1995-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16HNSAV7XOMoapfAG0d2QYBSj6ml7A_spi89qmi_RL0qh0ODrI5h8YZuV-syJPuJO5XbzwLw95s-JzS7jNJr6baZqmZOOJ2hHyHJrho48NTVJJ1Y9d-gUsbcRGNw3KYszEMKzl-LksRf-/s640/Jan-Feb-1995-007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, one of his most attractive qualities has</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">always been his love of children. He has a soft spot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for kids, and I knew he would be an amazing dad.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcYHRrDoYqMXkoak9aY33Gb5fQR1g2CVYZrnE4-6KT8VOxKqF_RXKgAVAsT-_Qvo-LvS1vSxmZr0QHFQh4HJKyZVoXCbuyE2jnC8BuCDTVu6FjnibbakkO6oq5qv3YApKl8Y7f4-16fVc/s1600/July-Aug-1998-112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcYHRrDoYqMXkoak9aY33Gb5fQR1g2CVYZrnE4-6KT8VOxKqF_RXKgAVAsT-_Qvo-LvS1vSxmZr0QHFQh4HJKyZVoXCbuyE2jnC8BuCDTVu6FjnibbakkO6oq5qv3YApKl8Y7f4-16fVc/s640/July-Aug-1998-112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has been a dad who could get down on their level.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9r1gbpRAw15XKYIHOQEFV09vsJxzSYUfT3Zc4yPMSYYoX2TyNo21dBUCaS3tS7x68XZGrPVuFZ_Ykn0Ay85SkLfcY4KIF2P6DuVpLZy1l2WQMt72vMU7-0eSkHegh8mNLmmR050wQWoY/s1600/Jan-Feb-1997-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1129" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9r1gbpRAw15XKYIHOQEFV09vsJxzSYUfT3Zc4yPMSYYoX2TyNo21dBUCaS3tS7x68XZGrPVuFZ_Ykn0Ay85SkLfcY4KIF2P6DuVpLZy1l2WQMt72vMU7-0eSkHegh8mNLmmR050wQWoY/s640/Jan-Feb-1997-004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He wasn't afraid to look silly.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYroHVHgbgjeVdmpTXZnR4v6Axj4p2De5zSRkLsTo_CKNIRLcdr1mCdLH87LPlI7O36BwCsahbL31AoheadRILg556EjfEXkxVzoNVPM4IQP2dt59mG5AcyNabP_nfYeJX6plHSGT1aRg0/s1600/July-August-1996065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="1047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYroHVHgbgjeVdmpTXZnR4v6Axj4p2De5zSRkLsTo_CKNIRLcdr1mCdLH87LPlI7O36BwCsahbL31AoheadRILg556EjfEXkxVzoNVPM4IQP2dt59mG5AcyNabP_nfYeJX6plHSGT1aRg0/s640/July-August-1996065.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyYs5Nk2IOsJ_gG2WbaRDQ_NNZ0xMvs6_AIuQZgFZgjXrMH3S6bYmj9Kppcqv1TUEMY6T1fCvSN2-wHRDhWrdrTHjefYKHZxOMfoJBQWcbZKgne_yXDg0CC5-mTJlnz1K5yb9lbPXvOrP/s1600/My+Post+%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyYs5Nk2IOsJ_gG2WbaRDQ_NNZ0xMvs6_AIuQZgFZgjXrMH3S6bYmj9Kppcqv1TUEMY6T1fCvSN2-wHRDhWrdrTHjefYKHZxOMfoJBQWcbZKgne_yXDg0CC5-mTJlnz1K5yb9lbPXvOrP/s640/My+Post+%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He went with them on the scary rides.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj3ZiVu67RwG3YXA6T1lxgswpQ8AZiscfqCZ_HJ3FJfn63QWxVypV4jvpoHjVyzvFzzRkDhSgTStIB-E44hevBlyd1ZiJgTY6zdFL-jpfkLWYB1dTnFHdf4vFuJiIe9xxmnBdGQXDpqG_/s1600/My+Post+%252819%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwj3ZiVu67RwG3YXA6T1lxgswpQ8AZiscfqCZ_HJ3FJfn63QWxVypV4jvpoHjVyzvFzzRkDhSgTStIB-E44hevBlyd1ZiJgTY6zdFL-jpfkLWYB1dTnFHdf4vFuJiIe9xxmnBdGQXDpqG_/s640/My+Post+%252819%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUGTVE87_K28TNz3zka2hppLhT8DRw0r60QLN93pckISEpGz26hNZ0AMDslbq6PqLCFAYA_VrIRDjqtnZiS7hHCzoS8P1OEw-xTDn1NVbwcPjBg1_3a7RZXghdIoUXtBD-7LDG-_a7ojG/s1600/Sept-Oct-1999071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUGTVE87_K28TNz3zka2hppLhT8DRw0r60QLN93pckISEpGz26hNZ0AMDslbq6PqLCFAYA_VrIRDjqtnZiS7hHCzoS8P1OEw-xTDn1NVbwcPjBg1_3a7RZXghdIoUXtBD-7LDG-_a7ojG/s640/Sept-Oct-1999071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He ran beside little bikers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSncfdIM61Z5CAX9YW0Bw34TiMSE6myHc0iPh9PhZKAaJW3ni5aXDMpIkEWTlKBnQqPvsTP5aaB3zDOXJbbAEp_BNi8ZDTScE4MXWfg5quR-11vMtmI4os0SLg-8Na9oKDSDP2PBz9dkf/s1600/July-Aug-1995-081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSncfdIM61Z5CAX9YW0Bw34TiMSE6myHc0iPh9PhZKAaJW3ni5aXDMpIkEWTlKBnQqPvsTP5aaB3zDOXJbbAEp_BNi8ZDTScE4MXWfg5quR-11vMtmI4os0SLg-8Na9oKDSDP2PBz9dkf/s640/July-Aug-1995-081.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was by their side all the time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut2HHqYC4hnnT7m8G9EnfJm2bIwl-VNWU-NJUlp4pEV8fJQlyuN-oD_lJuYrMW77jObK21D8PCnJs5v_kQlWNxlyoJzLxknvQXGcF_G3M8xB902s3nHn7W6bEOuGCTzQEI2IiRpXQltib/s1600/July-August-1996007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiut2HHqYC4hnnT7m8G9EnfJm2bIwl-VNWU-NJUlp4pEV8fJQlyuN-oD_lJuYrMW77jObK21D8PCnJs5v_kQlWNxlyoJzLxknvQXGcF_G3M8xB902s3nHn7W6bEOuGCTzQEI2IiRpXQltib/s640/July-August-1996007.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was at the bus stop on the first day of school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and he was there on last days of school too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was a scout as a kid, and became a</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">scout leader for Adam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has been a lap to sit on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and one to sit beside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vance loves to fish, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and he taught our kids how from a very young age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He spent many hours fishing with </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">other kids too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure he'll spend lots more time by the water after today!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vance LOVES ice cream, especially soft serve.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vance also loves baseball!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He made it into the Hall of Fame for his Senior League Connecticut State Champion baseball team.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In later years, he has been a softball coach and spectator!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact, he is a <b>world-class </b>spectator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With three kids who did softball, track, and cross-country,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he very rarely missed a game or a meet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He even cheered at parades for my Girl Scout troops.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He always wants a picture with any of his kids...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but he is very popular with their friends too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">His love and care extend beyond humans too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last, but not least, he takes care of me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today is Vance's last day of work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's not his last day of being a husband and father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure the best thing about retiring is that <b>now</b>,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he will have <b>even more</b> time to do the things he loves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work will not get in the way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other day, Vance asked me a question:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What do you call a person who is happy on Monday?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I knew the answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"RETIRED!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Congratulations, Vance!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You really are the BEST!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for all you have done for me </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and our family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to all of our time together!</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-2747870683402337872018-10-20T14:30:00.001-04:002018-10-20T16:47:16.170-04:00Up, Up and Away (in a Beautiful Balloon)<div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Before we left on our vacation to Scottsdale, Arizona,</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">I was very excited to book a hot air balloon flight.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Upon landing in Phoenix, I turned my phone on and</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">read an email notification that our balloon flight had been cancelled.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Why?</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Because Trump was coming in for a rally and the airspace</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">had to be closed for his arrival and departure!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">I was not a happy camper!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Nevertheless, I persisted.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">I called the company immediately and booked it for another day.</font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><br> <div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">We met at a small airport outside of Phoenix at 6 AM. </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">There were more than 70 people flying that morning</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">In 6 balloons. We were divided up and taken in vans</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">to the launch site about 1/2 hour away. The balloons</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">take off from different places each day, depending on </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">wind direction and speed.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d454_8e54_2a12_54b6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-15a3x-ab6cU/W8t0JRtWyUI/AAAAAAAAOcU/anZd7eESQYImOu897i6hoiXTyEvxFmYtwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">When we arrived at the launch site, our balloon was mostly inflated</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">but still lying on the ground. Multiple powerful fans were used to </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">inflate it initially. They allowed us to look inside and it was spectacular!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_2607_7e10_c5f1_f0d9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HQHL9ds0knk/W8uJo4NEx5I/AAAAAAAAOc0/fbvHfgBljQICEwwhxuJBSvgBw1t5zIJzQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">There were 12 people in our group and we were divided up and assigned</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">to one of 4 compartments in the basket. At this point, the propane was </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">used and the balloon began to slowly lift upright, pulling the basket upright with it.</font></div><br></div><div><img id="id_c404_69df_9cf0_4387" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B_S30VG1ix8/W8uJpaKkx6I/AAAAAAAAOdA/edTaCU32gAoYxAFFcua8c2K9KXjAgfLKwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">There was a short period of time when we had to climb into the basket.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">The flight crew on the ground took pictures with our cameras,</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">we were given instructions, and then the pilot added a lot of flame</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">and we began to float gracefully up into the blue sky!</font></div><br><br><img id="id_cd8b_e0f6_bd88_5e4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cb-0fuNi2yo/W8uJozbge3I/AAAAAAAAOc4/ZMpWfwG--L4dwg4y3oSJ3f1XZ0xLO6YFwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ed1d_8642_8eaf_ed7f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1L5zwP3jSK0/W8uJm-Ck5nI/AAAAAAAAOck/px3zV7xySkgxn8E22A5jMf6b3bx28Gc2QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4e76_d38d_ba5c_8ca9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YzdPtdwHKzw/W8uJq9cAH8I/AAAAAAAAOdY/XQtJYUrs8TU4GbhDPJ96nhyNqOSt3GkkACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">We were told beforehand that people rarely experience a fear of height</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">while in a hot air balloon, and from someone whose legs get all shakey</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">while climbing to the top of a ladder, I can attest that this is true.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d87a_a46e_3a20_a055" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L1VRaZAQskA/W8uJqpsLxvI/AAAAAAAAOdU/RKRObLm3ycIQkF9VaDeN3kKhx3YznggmgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">It just felt like we were floating.</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">The pilot initially brought us up high, then lowered</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">the balloon to skim over the desert, sometimes</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">even brushing the tops of trees.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3abd_5928_c6a5_f835" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r9sR3QZhImw/W8uJqlXIwsI/AAAAAAAAOdg/yCmTdtTPWWIaIeLevFqjpN0jDaHroe69ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_120e_59e8_4ef5_e028" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cFWXzEDkLvk/W8uJpfipdwI/AAAAAAAAOc8/O_bL02zYcs4PKOtOWoIZAftg6wnHHEpnQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">What I never understood is that the flame is not “on”</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">for most of the flight. The pilot uses it sporadically</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">to give lift to the balloon. When it was turned on, the top</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">of my head got very hot. Hats were offered if it bothered anyone.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cfbf_da4c_b91c_6202" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iAM1vDSzvX4/W8uJqj-QWZI/AAAAAAAAOdI/23nQ33p3560J8pM1KvGLORNyZiGLqvGVwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_86e0_ec52_237f_8c07" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eoFjKla0iO8/W8uJnY-wAjI/AAAAAAAAOco/edlVWjriYsAiKHYXKAygItTKipNesff4QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">As we floated across the desert, the flight crew on the ground</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">was following us off-road in the vans.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ec2d_2841_c425_29d4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dQqUpZZ69pM/W8uJquvFcjI/AAAAAAAAOdk/RSM0uUU33BIYHnxlPOWSFDZz1vo8MaQQwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">After about 45 minutes, the pilot announced that we were</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">about to begin our landing. There were handles in the basket</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">that we had to hold on each side of us and bend our knees</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">slightly before landing.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b8fa_7291_851a_bfee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lsoL_-_emL4/W8uJqpkbbPI/AAAAAAAAOdQ/bXxWr7_NuSYAp4Q_Tw6ZNO8r7dKygdQNgCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">The process of landing took about 15 minutes</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">as the pilot searched for a clear area. When we finally</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">touched down, it was with a pretty gentle thud.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">The time AFTER landing was the scariest for me.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">The balloon was swaying back and forth and the basket</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">kept tipping. Then, the basket was hooked up to a truck </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">we were towed by the truck, hovering inches above the</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">ground, to an area where the balloon could be deflated</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">without injuring it on cacti or trees. It was a rough ride!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">I was glad to finally get out of the basket.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2ebe_84b2_aa51_6de5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VUVh2NPAhQE/W8uJnkqXKDI/AAAAAAAAOcs/jg6cVofqXso0g2irRhaqb5VfAYnFKMn4ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f110_84e2_8c1d_9a71" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QKM6GQsBPcE/W8uJquN5s7I/AAAAAAAAOdc/FyMTHRbttvMUfgoVoLVGpnGgX_rrxg9_ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">After taking care of the balloon, the flight crew</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">laid out a nice breakfast for us to enjoy.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6623_c32a_8e94_a07c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CBsA3Trl_14/W8uJpr1gUfI/AAAAAAAAOdE/UhZHZXNjWmIbEXDjrk8GRAQdWGIdxNC4gCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">There was a “first flight ceremony” ending with a champagne toast.</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">This toast is reputed to have started with the first balloonist in France.</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Early balloons would land on farmer’s fields and the farmers were </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">offered champagne to make amends for their inconvenience.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_de34_e707_3d73_b843" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZDfiWr0c3Dc/W8uJqsDUcOI/AAAAAAAAOdM/GpxHaqSNIfwe_9_U3wJUcPlre50RNBHegCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">Breakfast consisted of quiche, cheese, apples, and a croissant.</font></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_8ed0_36d3_67d3_7866" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GUi4ic9KeAo/W8uUI6GCOwI/AAAAAAAAOeE/9ENXypC1LYEIO36xxGOtC_CYXD5hd5HAwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 960px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">After conquering our first flight, I wouldn’t mind experiencing</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">another flight in an area with more to see (the desert doesn’t have</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"> much variety to look at!).</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">If you ever get the chance, go for it! </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial">You’ll be happy you did!</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Arial"><br></font></div>Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-68534586574990254392018-10-08T10:28:00.000-04:002018-10-08T10:28:05.264-04:00Pumpkins Get Lit Once Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the kids were young, it was a family tradition</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to go to the pumpkin patch. Each of us would choose </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a pumpkin and we would come home and carve them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX549vAzuKrZDHO7aVboBXEYBxXgWJ9UYkWYo7JZlENGMEbWLPOv1iqGjxRcrCUQioHvd18dwnZ0UUGYGltPJtzXvVTC7BCJ-kyVQBSpDfsSRaHeYeQDGE50rFmwxyS8QWhBaJ4HFeA6Bu/s1600/Sept-Oct-1997-052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1162" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX549vAzuKrZDHO7aVboBXEYBxXgWJ9UYkWYo7JZlENGMEbWLPOv1iqGjxRcrCUQioHvd18dwnZ0UUGYGltPJtzXvVTC7BCJ-kyVQBSpDfsSRaHeYeQDGE50rFmwxyS8QWhBaJ4HFeA6Bu/s640/Sept-Oct-1997-052.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7520_p-WNTg3WLpmkUMrRUlEAPGsPzcRgs9ZRLkcaDZypyJA2pt7cIfNiVTQGJvb9h-a_o5siAZ3DM6MocAijpeLZJH-Xm7w3LgY41JEfCO_rxwBzYaXfN-_havV-P_xZNJ4BU-aqJS-/s1600/DSCF0089+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7520_p-WNTg3WLpmkUMrRUlEAPGsPzcRgs9ZRLkcaDZypyJA2pt7cIfNiVTQGJvb9h-a_o5siAZ3DM6MocAijpeLZJH-Xm7w3LgY41JEfCO_rxwBzYaXfN-_havV-P_xZNJ4BU-aqJS-/s640/DSCF0089+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtykV7ax8t9I4cWDt5lTjli3lVqe-GYSyGJ_2-jxUxzCvFY0gvFen817g3KU3ZjY0qqpWzVDdid4W6RSFLoR7AQ_OAEeBlG_twLNBaWAYZeEA0koIUoDrnjgQcN6UIDWLY3PBIL2MGqFZL/s1600/Sept-Oct-1997-049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtykV7ax8t9I4cWDt5lTjli3lVqe-GYSyGJ_2-jxUxzCvFY0gvFen817g3KU3ZjY0qqpWzVDdid4W6RSFLoR7AQ_OAEeBlG_twLNBaWAYZeEA0koIUoDrnjgQcN6UIDWLY3PBIL2MGqFZL/s640/Sept-Oct-1997-049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the kids became more skilled at carving, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it inevitably became a competition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But when their lives became so busy in high school,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there was no time anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After many years, I am very happy to see the tradition revived.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWGaVV3_ppt40GVh6hzv-l20fZg8pSf8Hkcb0UuIkFNfXiJ_bIJjVVh6XuDCbqUe8wmyqU42yx5b2OM8ksrx9BJXbGHYuumek1UYFbh_AIKcx8I0b9rKJRXy2HouHIFglFnaKJMaGQjGq/s1600/IMG_2072+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWGaVV3_ppt40GVh6hzv-l20fZg8pSf8Hkcb0UuIkFNfXiJ_bIJjVVh6XuDCbqUe8wmyqU42yx5b2OM8ksrx9BJXbGHYuumek1UYFbh_AIKcx8I0b9rKJRXy2HouHIFglFnaKJMaGQjGq/s640/IMG_2072+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was heartwarming to watch these three young couples</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">having a simple fall afternoon together.</span></div>
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Annie and Drew, Mel and Josh, Kerry and Emily.</div>
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Our neighbor, Linda, came over to see the carvings in progress.</div>
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She has often been the judge of our family contests,</div>
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but this time she was here on friendlier terms.</div>
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After the carving was completed, seeds were</div>
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gathered for roasting.</div>
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Candles were put in place.</div>
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We had a few games of cornhole.</div>
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Then the pumpkins were lit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFC8qk3ba4_xabW3SZu2fwBzzqsvZDt0OUCN_sHYVSrh-WQ6PEM68lD8UX1uIEp5_C9PjivOCpL_LF1VBrtmSmO9sMdEexCHRxEkeGUDSb236LCLzlHlkmLvl5r9Ff_Gk7hhYkiVxXyZC/s1600/FallFun-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFC8qk3ba4_xabW3SZu2fwBzzqsvZDt0OUCN_sHYVSrh-WQ6PEM68lD8UX1uIEp5_C9PjivOCpL_LF1VBrtmSmO9sMdEexCHRxEkeGUDSb236LCLzlHlkmLvl5r9Ff_Gk7hhYkiVxXyZC/s640/FallFun-70.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The day ended with a dinner of homemade bread, hot soup,</div>
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and pumpkin pie.</div>
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<br /></div>
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It was so nice that our home was the hub of fall</div>
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traditions like this once again!</div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-56849585317266771062018-09-19T11:09:00.003-04:002018-09-19T11:09:43.974-04:00Grief<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grief is a funny thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mother passed away 11 years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My father passed away 9 years ago.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofBKoYCcm77HU3eJ2AedX9KhgwkOMTH1MErFA3sogdIe0qf39g08V01kN3DAV8GZT2WFK4J8-Hv6CUo3eXEt2JXoottMrL1MTLFHxKjo12eoZfdpnHwxYaSlID6g5QVuJ2Q-dyV9uKejF/s1600/baptism.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofBKoYCcm77HU3eJ2AedX9KhgwkOMTH1MErFA3sogdIe0qf39g08V01kN3DAV8GZT2WFK4J8-Hv6CUo3eXEt2JXoottMrL1MTLFHxKjo12eoZfdpnHwxYaSlID6g5QVuJ2Q-dyV9uKejF/s640/baptism.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I grieved deeply in the days, weeks, and months afterward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have always believed that grief is something that</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lessens over time. Life goes on. As you continue without</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">your loved ones, you build more and more memories </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of times that do not include them anymore.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Old memories fade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Life has a way of proving you wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My aunt passed away last week, so I drove home </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to Burlington for her wake and funeral. I now have only</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one aunt and one uncle left, so my family consists of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cousins, their husbands and wives, and their children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Funerals are an important time for me, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">not only to grieve </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the loss of a family member,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but to reconnect with the family that is remaining.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My parents, of course, were not there physically,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but there were photos of them on the memory boards,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and stories told about them by my uncle and cousins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was in the town where I grew up which in itself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">floods me with happy memories.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started feeling it during the funeral mass. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The priest was a childhood friend. We were in</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an older Catholic church with old wooden pews </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and kneelers. There were those little clips in the pews</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that I remember so well. I have clipped many pairs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of mittens gloves to them during mass. The rituals </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of the mass, although different at times, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">were comfortably</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The funeral service ended and I began the walk to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the neighboring cemetery where another aunt, uncle,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and cousin are buried. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was at this point that I was flooded with a very</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">intense feeling of yearning for my parents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I could visualize them walking with us, among my family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">members, arm in arm, my father's white hair gleaming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the sunshine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was grieving my parents, but this was definitely nothing </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">like the grief I felt during the days and months following</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their deaths. Then, my grief was tempered by the knowledge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that they were no longer in pain, or distracted by my concern</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for the surviving parent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, I was just missing them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Intensely. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I cried, but it actually felt good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I welcomed it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I felt close to them.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's so easy living in Connecticut to go through my days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">without many reminders of my parents. There are times</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that I get the urge to pick up the phone and call my Mom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or times that I wish I could call my Dad and get his</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">advice on how to fix little things around the house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I have never experienced grief like this before.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My life continues without them,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but they are not only with me still,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they are inside me:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My mother's sense of humor and compassion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My father's creativity and patience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I expected to reconnect with family at this funeral.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I did reconnect, but in ways I never expected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Grief is just like love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It evolves over time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it never goes away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-78646209319811690042018-09-05T11:07:00.001-04:002018-09-05T11:09:13.973-04:00Joy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently, while spending a few hours at the beach,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I listened to something that made a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>huge</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">impression </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on me.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a TED talk by Ingrid Fetel Lee entitled</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "Where Joy Hides and How to Find It". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She began by discussing the difference between </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">happiness and joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happiness is more of an "overall longer-term feeling". </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joy is something that happens "in the moment". </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Things that bring joy are passing pleasures,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">yet extremely important to our lives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bubbles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rainbows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fireworks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hot Air Balloons.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kittens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Feeding a chipmunk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last one is actually something that happened on our</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vacation in Lake George this summer, and I have photos</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to illustrate it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ap8dzaYTBWM8-zmu1DNGZU9w1JQy0AhJ4a9-s3_FpLvaRt4QVRo0b7HJ0qGEcqbyjmc25BvfWeSh3Dnc0I2NQPeid_ouWmCdUMQAI_yMwdYj5BTMf2lqiswGwA062s0OLH43UT9xTdM8/s1600/untitled-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ap8dzaYTBWM8-zmu1DNGZU9w1JQy0AhJ4a9-s3_FpLvaRt4QVRo0b7HJ0qGEcqbyjmc25BvfWeSh3Dnc0I2NQPeid_ouWmCdUMQAI_yMwdYj5BTMf2lqiswGwA062s0OLH43UT9xTdM8/s640/untitled-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the 3rd day of our vacation, my daughter, Kerry, noticed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a chipmunk scrounging in the grass for the crumbs of our</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s'mores the night before.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg477d5qLM-kSn5JVVBf0oDEBOpcAVzV0qdjybSWKCxD19lTIDjgSzg9DbSeoMjhPJ_DGrIt4F6InD5UOLmgkMDSkpbxyCPNC9zp_auB7t8yZIqLc5Zc-DQiLEYjCTlDLpodB8cDMEdXIZ2/s1600/untitled-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg477d5qLM-kSn5JVVBf0oDEBOpcAVzV0qdjybSWKCxD19lTIDjgSzg9DbSeoMjhPJ_DGrIt4F6InD5UOLmgkMDSkpbxyCPNC9zp_auB7t8yZIqLc5Zc-DQiLEYjCTlDLpodB8cDMEdXIZ2/s640/untitled-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kerry walked slowly toward the chipmunk and held out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a piece of cracker for him. She waited patiently and it paid off.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoHoyO06dnryG-62oS-pH2seAAYuK_ow-kJNEJAZpMOb2z4GqrbKjkXqmbPsMpewVNFiOqtVJVQXn-QarKqhyH-svErpJGcME3mi9sIt33XG2Umr1h_JaHxjBVUCAvpDnahgaxzCUuxzm/s1600/untitled-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="1600" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoHoyO06dnryG-62oS-pH2seAAYuK_ow-kJNEJAZpMOb2z4GqrbKjkXqmbPsMpewVNFiOqtVJVQXn-QarKqhyH-svErpJGcME3mi9sIt33XG2Umr1h_JaHxjBVUCAvpDnahgaxzCUuxzm/s640/untitled-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She named him Chester.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIah8lc2FWopLJjEMFv7tl-wPs2ew-4JIefQpfyfgIq2DUXSnEhg6D5um7WWhEjxav0CdkHUaiZrdFNv4Soi1_rIUhOViw6QGHMD29sGyIat19ist4_kL9FlLsi_JjK8fo0BDbvH5uDb9/s1600/untitled-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1473" data-original-width="1600" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIah8lc2FWopLJjEMFv7tl-wPs2ew-4JIefQpfyfgIq2DUXSnEhg6D5um7WWhEjxav0CdkHUaiZrdFNv4Soi1_rIUhOViw6QGHMD29sGyIat19ist4_kL9FlLsi_JjK8fo0BDbvH5uDb9/s640/untitled-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chester demonstrated where the term</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"chipmunk cheeks" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">comes from.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjujizbf-sVdSuzXdEdP3mK_nWWGVdKsDiqlaEPybWjgjViBzFlDU4Iqm7o6P5PYV5Zi2FjY1sq44alLezcsHv37uq9LjbnxOUZ3VpDxMNk0oB1_StEobCFEoY9jL_RuvIIKwWbv88Pcp/s1600/LG2018-115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjujizbf-sVdSuzXdEdP3mK_nWWGVdKsDiqlaEPybWjgjViBzFlDU4Iqm7o6P5PYV5Zi2FjY1sq44alLezcsHv37uq9LjbnxOUZ3VpDxMNk0oB1_StEobCFEoY9jL_RuvIIKwWbv88Pcp/s640/LG2018-115.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Three days later, we noticed a chipmunk eating leftover yogurt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the breakfast table on the deck. It ran off to the rock wall </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when people arrived, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but kept an eye on us nonetheless.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZZWlRGp0sEssIFwGTmo0OiQTosx6yQTIXV_F_wyQLpcQlCVou0OvT1mGsD_GpagOPnly6dd6TyHb5pdwSrUQpiatAw4VMJXxQNRNOkEE2gFUx4ddZ_7hXUx8_7-IQs1UaeAY5H4lyGhz/s1600/LG2018-133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZZWlRGp0sEssIFwGTmo0OiQTosx6yQTIXV_F_wyQLpcQlCVou0OvT1mGsD_GpagOPnly6dd6TyHb5pdwSrUQpiatAw4VMJXxQNRNOkEE2gFUx4ddZ_7hXUx8_7-IQs1UaeAY5H4lyGhz/s640/LG2018-133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I grabbed my camera, and the girls went to work to entice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the chipmunk to eat out of their hands. Kerry said it was Chester,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but we didn't believe her (there were hundreds of chipmunks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">running around).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHfTSnHnkTOGWGJ7PO2y5JXV9RId3dXB-vZaV7mrKR3KYes-d1FQSYiLi8_QdEJm-RIPRb8cNRYeBfrstHmpLHlVrqwjAwgTLSLAi4UtgKi1gmYev-YifLPGT5e-ajSJmpcQRZ7mkiX5R/s1600/LG2018-121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHfTSnHnkTOGWGJ7PO2y5JXV9RId3dXB-vZaV7mrKR3KYes-d1FQSYiLi8_QdEJm-RIPRb8cNRYeBfrstHmpLHlVrqwjAwgTLSLAi4UtgKi1gmYev-YifLPGT5e-ajSJmpcQRZ7mkiX5R/s640/LG2018-121.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It didn't take long for "Chester" to come closer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4zy4-PNkeBhgtZnJM_8AaeHa-xS5P7FC5elKm1fvTt38snQ2xK3Nqu6nioR0sHB931u4VC8QV4vIPZc1nn9uaCouV0OpAjSo841xyLgYvqFwqBD9iW9nJYVhenaVmLGRsRYtK4PrbJ9o/s1600/LG2018-151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4zy4-PNkeBhgtZnJM_8AaeHa-xS5P7FC5elKm1fvTt38snQ2xK3Nqu6nioR0sHB931u4VC8QV4vIPZc1nn9uaCouV0OpAjSo841xyLgYvqFwqBD9iW9nJYVhenaVmLGRsRYtK4PrbJ9o/s640/LG2018-151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He first took a cracker from Kerry,</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfvMbQ69SWCBkjgGKaVdOPrC9a3ggMAM2mh8ONX9vt2yO6e5tlFoemZCuKG9UUVKCAR9z9vqx7-9r7UFoY6oLrgflTtF4_vAQC1ov2oFzowwVu03g9d3tvwGUsLiOjQ7ahpMi9JamAr1o/s1600/LG2018-116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfvMbQ69SWCBkjgGKaVdOPrC9a3ggMAM2mh8ONX9vt2yO6e5tlFoemZCuKG9UUVKCAR9z9vqx7-9r7UFoY6oLrgflTtF4_vAQC1ov2oFzowwVu03g9d3tvwGUsLiOjQ7ahpMi9JamAr1o/s640/LG2018-116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and carried it away to eat it.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeOl_ljv6zJta854uxBWIJUV87OpU3bYiiAPxeinQjpqYObhd2BnDImKqS4-sQkyNlLVtWc_LZ_Mz4kVTTVaR179YY36ECltq-gY9_5pDok-CqKUUbd8LtbWeI32byXGWiWAPAIjWySGq/s1600/LG2018-134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeOl_ljv6zJta854uxBWIJUV87OpU3bYiiAPxeinQjpqYObhd2BnDImKqS4-sQkyNlLVtWc_LZ_Mz4kVTTVaR179YY36ECltq-gY9_5pDok-CqKUUbd8LtbWeI32byXGWiWAPAIjWySGq/s640/LG2018-134.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then he was back for a cracker with peanut butter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The peanut butter made him linger a little longer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and even put his little hand on Annie's finger to steady himself!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEhvNZDgs8ioOBN4mRZyjcA3Gi6dLMeewc6pKXwWf7pYPOsbxb67lrH25B2tFYA6hQ19qIq-0_PLBBKYMr5FKiXoan_urxFnQ_dZopi9H8PGqzmlNTmiFNJlFjt8lUsDV9a3dm0f3nMdO/s1600/LG2018-153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEhvNZDgs8ioOBN4mRZyjcA3Gi6dLMeewc6pKXwWf7pYPOsbxb67lrH25B2tFYA6hQ19qIq-0_PLBBKYMr5FKiXoan_urxFnQ_dZopi9H8PGqzmlNTmiFNJlFjt8lUsDV9a3dm0f3nMdO/s640/LG2018-153.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This time, when he got back to his perch, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he busied himself cleaning the peanut butter </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">off his little hands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But he wasn't done yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next time he came back was to eat some yogurt </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">from a spoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a brief time, we were privileged to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gain the trust of this small creature.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It brought us joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The idea that little things in life can make a big difference</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is something that intrigues me a great deal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll be posting more about what brings "joy" to my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also want to note that Kerry was right. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This was "Chester".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do I know?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I zoomed into the pictures, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chester had an identifying cut in his right ear.</span></div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-36635963595971573412018-08-23T17:08:00.003-04:002018-08-23T17:08:49.821-04:00Twenty-Four Years and Counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year was the 24th year in a row that my family has</div>
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vacationed in Lake George. There was one MAJOR change</div>
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this year - we moved from our tiny cabin and rented a house!</div>
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There was no beach, but we had our own boathouse and deck.</div>
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We had a great week!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Here are some of my favorite pictures from the lake.</div>
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<br />Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-47890573160244821472018-08-14T20:25:00.001-04:002018-08-14T20:26:59.248-04:00A Perfect Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Friday was a perfect day.</div>
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What could be better than spending a day with your sister</div>
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in your favorite place (Burlington, Vermont)</div>
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on a glorious summer day?</div>
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We started the day early with breakfast at Mirabelle's </div>
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before heading to the lake to rent kayaks.</div>
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Lake Champlain was even bluer than the sky!</div>
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Afterward, we headed back to the hotel to shower </div>
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before hitting the sidewalk sale on Church Street.</div>
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We bought a few things, and also dreamed of times in the</div>
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coming years when we may have grandchildren to buy</div>
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(or make) little sweaters like this for.</div>
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We stopped for refreshments too.</div>
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With a fresh-squeezed lemonade from the King Street Center stand,</div>
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we needed a little something to eat with it.</div>
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Some of the best-kept secrets in Burlington are the beignets</div>
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from Leunig's Petit Bijou. They are cooked fresh and served</div>
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piping hot, covered with powdered sugar.</div>
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(Lori evenput herself out of her state of ketosis for one of these!)</div>
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The friendly girl who made them for us was nice enough</div>
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to snap a few pictures for us too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWnTZ3Kli-jzg9_GtljfTPr6jefLH3g9LmOl2PeNAVCyVDCs7art78KMCgSRU8rt7XDZZJQ7Nw8WKXSGsr6wUzwj5sk7l8xuE09cOQ21N8vh5p1o1zrHRm5IDirFVpeY2MP-jn5iV4lbf/s1600/untitled-180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWnTZ3Kli-jzg9_GtljfTPr6jefLH3g9LmOl2PeNAVCyVDCs7art78KMCgSRU8rt7XDZZJQ7Nw8WKXSGsr6wUzwj5sk7l8xuE09cOQ21N8vh5p1o1zrHRm5IDirFVpeY2MP-jn5iV4lbf/s640/untitled-180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Later on, we decided not to go to a restaurant for dinner.</div>
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We got take-out pizza from Pizzeria Verita and took it down</div>
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to the waterfront where spread a blanket to eat on.<br />
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Then, we ATTEMPTED to get a good selfie to mark the moment!</div>
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While we walked around, waiting for sunset to begin,</div>
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Lori took pictures of many dogs, big and small.</div>
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When the star of the show arrived, all eyes were on the </div>
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Adirondacks across the lake, the beautiful sky, and it's</div>
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reflection in the water.</div>
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There's nothing quite like a Lake Champlain sunset.</div>
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To finish off the night, we walked to Burlington Bay for a Creemee.</div>
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When I drove Lori back to where she was staying,</div>
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it was sad to see the day end. It was such a relaxing day</div>
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with plenty of laughs and smiles. It is rare that we </div>
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get the chance to spend time alone together.</div>
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Before leaving to drive home the next morning,</div>
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I walked to August First Bakery and got a </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wonderful wild blueberry muffin.</div>
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I brought it down to the waterfront to eat.</div>
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I also brought my knitting. </div>
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So I sat on the swing,</div>
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knitting</div>
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and smiling</div>
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and reflecting </div>
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on the</div>
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perfect day</div>
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I had</div>
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with my sister. </div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-19425231300731379092018-07-18T18:26:00.000-04:002018-07-18T18:32:26.514-04:00My Neighbors<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I go to the gym early in the morning before even the dogs are awake.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I get home, my husband is already on his way to work</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and my dogs are waiting at the door to greet me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">About a year ago, I began a ritual that the dogs have come to know and love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the serotonin boost from my workout, I walk in the door and say brightly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, as their tales wag uncontrollably, I start to sing the song</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I learned from Mr. Rogers. As I sing, I pet them enthusiastically </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">all over their bodies, from heads to tails. When I get to the line</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I've always wanted to have a neighbor JUST LIKE YOU"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pat them three times on their backs for emphasis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and continue to the end of the song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I believe Sami and Halle really look forward to this, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but not as much as I do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It makes me happy and appreciative</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Needless to say, I was and continue to be a big fan of Fred Rogers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He was someone who taught me how to be a good neighbor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and was a role model for how to love my neighbor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was young, my "neighborhood" was quite limited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it should be, as I grew, so did my "neighborhood".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, my understanding of my "neighborhood" is quite worldly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Still, the wisdom of Mr. Rogers can guide us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillTgiXMuyXCqleqjCNs9L6nx5ZQ4gmPC2erJN-6vhPJwiJJOX-NeqYdJuZVDk0F2jDE5sDp9Ps9BqELqf6mVSzxdt_R0YOr-T-EXYgTEkBg9HaYGzux0rRippzh_2J04Y9rOElcDz55d4/s1600/pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1501" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillTgiXMuyXCqleqjCNs9L6nx5ZQ4gmPC2erJN-6vhPJwiJJOX-NeqYdJuZVDk0F2jDE5sDp9Ps9BqELqf6mVSzxdt_R0YOr-T-EXYgTEkBg9HaYGzux0rRippzh_2J04Y9rOElcDz55d4/s640/pool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If Mr. Rogers had been on television in recent years, I suspect he would have</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">advocated for the rights of the LGBTQ community. As a mother to a member</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of that community, the last quote is especially meaningful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My neighborhood, now, also includes so many people that I will never meet or know:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">refugees fleeing violence and war,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">children separated from their parents at the border,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">people persecuted because of their race, religion, color,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or sexual orientation,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and so many more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mr. Roger's wisdom applies universally and could be used to help make the world </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a better place for all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(For those who may be interested, the documentary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Won't You Be My Neighbor?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is excellent! Bring a tissue!)</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-45551082423948397052018-07-14T12:51:00.001-04:002018-07-16T20:48:56.490-04:00The End, or A New Beginning?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I began writing this blog in 2010. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It began as a way to document the renovation of my kitchen. Adam was a sophomore in college. Kerry was beginning her Freshman year of college, and Annie was starting her sophomore year of high school. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJjHRP2IbHK_9vYCeDNX_SIiBvrm9daM6O5KnYpFbc7lMU0MUXhV6exi3BU0-AX4i-6MytaHiezh0Fem65OWKHBrLVPqYlGgdK0Ud2S8BtnCrHfEPf9a8ELtp1I5Iyo5WKxnzpmn5mVO3/s1600/FathersDay-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJjHRP2IbHK_9vYCeDNX_SIiBvrm9daM6O5KnYpFbc7lMU0MUXhV6exi3BU0-AX4i-6MytaHiezh0Fem65OWKHBrLVPqYlGgdK0Ud2S8BtnCrHfEPf9a8ELtp1I5Iyo5WKxnzpmn5mVO3/s640/FathersDay-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eight years later, all of my children are grown and live on their own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I live an active but uneventful life (in comparison to before).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am looking forward to my husband's retirement in the not-too-distant future.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y_xtq68-BjE5kFYqzNF4X770IyWlHKEragJvsufQyhO6DuEBSBsLFyKcsn2xo_pcPqjj_g0449O1Ag1-s8y2p6Cjo6A5gcV6BISDNyM1PqHTkRWBmKf_LnsYDvhhVZwApw_fs5W3G3dY/s1600/FathersDay-5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y_xtq68-BjE5kFYqzNF4X770IyWlHKEragJvsufQyhO6DuEBSBsLFyKcsn2xo_pcPqjj_g0449O1Ag1-s8y2p6Cjo6A5gcV6BISDNyM1PqHTkRWBmKf_LnsYDvhhVZwApw_fs5W3G3dY/s640/FathersDay-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also I find myself at a crossroads.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t5Q-FaQx_j6nJogvkOYAzYBueig2w9NoH7M8fYl-tIDWs5kzAfteKGDRAGoX1LfvCPClHC9_wpU-hT3Mz5E2Bwr7PJG7bJ_yz-4JEz8xif9Z32ELDnUflaJ8LMn3twhahDNhe8ZWdFnc/s1600/FathersDay-11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2t5Q-FaQx_j6nJogvkOYAzYBueig2w9NoH7M8fYl-tIDWs5kzAfteKGDRAGoX1LfvCPClHC9_wpU-hT3Mz5E2Bwr7PJG7bJ_yz-4JEz8xif9Z32ELDnUflaJ8LMn3twhahDNhe8ZWdFnc/s640/FathersDay-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So much of what I write about has to do with being a mom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, my role in that respect has dramatically changed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is it my place, now, to tell THEIR stories? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think not.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna1xcr0EuxQUzjtIllN2tCF1JHZnbpYwlSlFRAfVflUiIPd1evO8IEFt4Uh0VT0XwqIcal_NxSRmnGxbYGTrLFFRCIKdxWfPOLC3uUm8DxE7DRmOzvZrSXTUu8SrU2KI7aYMV0rXknNQM/s1600/FathersDay-16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhna1xcr0EuxQUzjtIllN2tCF1JHZnbpYwlSlFRAfVflUiIPd1evO8IEFt4Uh0VT0XwqIcal_NxSRmnGxbYGTrLFFRCIKdxWfPOLC3uUm8DxE7DRmOzvZrSXTUu8SrU2KI7aYMV0rXknNQM/s640/FathersDay-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have found that I've posted less and less over the past few years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've done a lot of thinking as to why, and I realize that my life has changed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">significantly since 2016. My focus has changed. The world has changed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMncrfYgWkir-GHly3V4_pIMTs9acofhd5LaHAMpI3aBHJK-d8d5-o7at_cHiMd_I6lhyjU5dosEEu98aG67jEkL200gLw20J3XSnxmPDi3Jcsu3U_g_qkqf0CzzqO9tpzUYVgDqG-RC2/s1600/FathersDay-29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMncrfYgWkir-GHly3V4_pIMTs9acofhd5LaHAMpI3aBHJK-d8d5-o7at_cHiMd_I6lhyjU5dosEEu98aG67jEkL200gLw20J3XSnxmPDi3Jcsu3U_g_qkqf0CzzqO9tpzUYVgDqG-RC2/s640/FathersDay-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until 2016, I have never been greatly interested in politics. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sure, during presidential elections I would try to educate myself </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in order to make an informed decision, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but on a daily basis,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I had more important things to do.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0_MU6tr5AkgJFq3RURNznAtjEtgFp5AR_MQKtAFKJCzrJkFyxO-L4ypqQC5rhof9P_ECKExkvGvZ51Ez5UjDRGHiMM50UgUb96nSZbPc2e-Y2HpjDt1O9aYb6ukNpQLZx8YwSjqpdMOF/s1600/FathersDay-45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0_MU6tr5AkgJFq3RURNznAtjEtgFp5AR_MQKtAFKJCzrJkFyxO-L4ypqQC5rhof9P_ECKExkvGvZ51Ez5UjDRGHiMM50UgUb96nSZbPc2e-Y2HpjDt1O9aYb6ukNpQLZx8YwSjqpdMOF/s640/FathersDay-45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the past 2 or 3 years, my primary task each day </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">has been to keep abreast on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">what is happening in our country </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and the world. I find it extremely interesting. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45kgOSE5dTY-iJ_YHoYgEqoepNScbefkJbq8b8ZD8CLsoN_H4ZuSusEvRjuuoH3Wa483WMqGNJJOSvi7zbMvVy2UmngD5V67iRljCoTcP34KlfsE1kU4jhj8Ydyr4lL7fVMy4srrE4ple/s1600/FathersDay-51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1447" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45kgOSE5dTY-iJ_YHoYgEqoepNScbefkJbq8b8ZD8CLsoN_H4ZuSusEvRjuuoH3Wa483WMqGNJJOSvi7zbMvVy2UmngD5V67iRljCoTcP34KlfsE1kU4jhj8Ydyr4lL7fVMy4srrE4ple/s640/FathersDay-51.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The downside to this wave of knowledge is how it weighs so heavy on my heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I think about writing a blog post, I say to myself,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"With everything happening in this world that is so important,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nobody would want to read about something so insignificant."</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpYQanNR7ae6vuJV0jJ-iXy8uw6vG8QuftyXUjtWs-HHB-QZv2m7B8xelUI8Z59afIflCleizjNUeddP9R1AmfSufd728zwiXNCPiVyGludOuPk1WrkYwD44muLy3scp97ichqnmfGeE5/s1600/FathersDay-61.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpYQanNR7ae6vuJV0jJ-iXy8uw6vG8QuftyXUjtWs-HHB-QZv2m7B8xelUI8Z59afIflCleizjNUeddP9R1AmfSufd728zwiXNCPiVyGludOuPk1WrkYwD44muLy3scp97ichqnmfGeE5/s640/FathersDay-61.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, my camera rarely comes out of its case. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I used to find peace in photography. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And since photos have always been the main focus of my blog,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(in addition to being the inspiration for each post)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there has been something missing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8K0qDNiztjg71aOQfsGAcvzERkf1t1LONJRfucpFw4SqgSHAuEkqZv9DtvhKZCTZveydkjuwcQttpbQhvvDMGSMRLEnJar9X8535X4a6cWXD8MTl4UzT2dLgz_70JhwwfgXKdh3r-9IN/s1600/FathersDay-65.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8K0qDNiztjg71aOQfsGAcvzERkf1t1LONJRfucpFw4SqgSHAuEkqZv9DtvhKZCTZveydkjuwcQttpbQhvvDMGSMRLEnJar9X8535X4a6cWXD8MTl4UzT2dLgz_70JhwwfgXKdh3r-9IN/s640/FathersDay-65.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of this brings me to today. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfFht2J3z2__wOQsG_-z4VeNgyZUczwtRLKKvJgvLFlBCMBX9Q_BxMQjyA2G3cmE05X4RQp5SeYOmO4MtjqEkUZezZYyK0b94Wsx_JdqM0ojldDghhnkYG54oxsrVO4a5yNZNzLYGYuGb/s1600/FathersDay-67.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfFht2J3z2__wOQsG_-z4VeNgyZUczwtRLKKvJgvLFlBCMBX9Q_BxMQjyA2G3cmE05X4RQp5SeYOmO4MtjqEkUZezZYyK0b94Wsx_JdqM0ojldDghhnkYG54oxsrVO4a5yNZNzLYGYuGb/s640/FathersDay-67.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In recent weeks, I've taken my camera out more frequently.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When my family was together on Father's Day, we took these</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">pictures in the yard. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The kids especially wanted pictures</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> our older pets who we </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">suspect might not be with us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> for much longer.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-nx-k3PV5XRvcgjm8yRmV8GHzWWgh9sukKnXR0l8LytnCtTnFGAk0UWixqFiQfoAIrlVMHupPYyGMm0hAtxZagUr9VMdldpLgAVVyWkVJBPYqXH2d9y-97Z-2SWNunJYuMU4_oHH-8xU/s1600/FathersDay-78.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-nx-k3PV5XRvcgjm8yRmV8GHzWWgh9sukKnXR0l8LytnCtTnFGAk0UWixqFiQfoAIrlVMHupPYyGMm0hAtxZagUr9VMdldpLgAVVyWkVJBPYqXH2d9y-97Z-2SWNunJYuMU4_oHH-8xU/s640/FathersDay-78.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I really do love taking pictures!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJg7SDpjF1S3AJe6mwrcqN7YhLYUETwqmFEcUZoktCPhApO4Nv_2bnEMacq7Pf-5QxQEbUYupQKy-KX7mpZfZbaD72pL68aPFE5tByYG-vRqOByFMdt-E62dxac3NHy1gL9x96Irs2B2/s1600/FathersDay-86.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJg7SDpjF1S3AJe6mwrcqN7YhLYUETwqmFEcUZoktCPhApO4Nv_2bnEMacq7Pf-5QxQEbUYupQKy-KX7mpZfZbaD72pL68aPFE5tByYG-vRqOByFMdt-E62dxac3NHy1gL9x96Irs2B2/s640/FathersDay-86.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I do continue to blog, will I be able to find enough inspiration in my life?</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPdW0_9VhY7AQ9UXZe6_fGukM3O2pm0V2ru1jZ4SKZt9HnftL5oA1G3ENly7sHTM_QKOdr5pemgvC4U7VT3YTW7GKpFJhLnTtF446VNEsM_Ph02wR0SZvZ62cbbn964K5WjxHnefBMO60/s1600/FathersDay-94.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPdW0_9VhY7AQ9UXZe6_fGukM3O2pm0V2ru1jZ4SKZt9HnftL5oA1G3ENly7sHTM_QKOdr5pemgvC4U7VT3YTW7GKpFJhLnTtF446VNEsM_Ph02wR0SZvZ62cbbn964K5WjxHnefBMO60/s640/FathersDay-94.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't think of myself as an exciting person. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't take a lot of chances.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not a thrill-seeker.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not really comfortable being the center of attention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIJ9S1EpEH6G9DuxgAxaSOQjKfOWEpTNt4g7_XiGvqAtp3EwM8rAEljPz9Bs-g4_GCJ7fxmBdb7a3VTHsyKD9L83vBtL-pRK9e6sZXjaiBpOZWz8qmVrXbLJAPk1FUqrSqCgqSDm7oBHe/s1600/FathersDay-95.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1362" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIJ9S1EpEH6G9DuxgAxaSOQjKfOWEpTNt4g7_XiGvqAtp3EwM8rAEljPz9Bs-g4_GCJ7fxmBdb7a3VTHsyKD9L83vBtL-pRK9e6sZXjaiBpOZWz8qmVrXbLJAPk1FUqrSqCgqSDm7oBHe/s640/FathersDay-95.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nonetheless, I do have a story of my own.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF6x_VefvlQcUEB1jvjWno2IU-esHWSHGDZVEdLFI5f2tvJnRDeCw6mcJseDeLlG-8o_fqTz1tL6zDTeaM620eL78uWQFumZn2joujhoEfQyfPmeCILKgTVsUoLdK_HGcUYrDcL5Ds3PR/s1600/FathersDay-98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF6x_VefvlQcUEB1jvjWno2IU-esHWSHGDZVEdLFI5f2tvJnRDeCw6mcJseDeLlG-8o_fqTz1tL6zDTeaM620eL78uWQFumZn2joujhoEfQyfPmeCILKgTVsUoLdK_HGcUYrDcL5Ds3PR/s640/FathersDay-98.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone does.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT3geDrZFc-9N9q09_MN9zM4zNdEWdtB7ZyUdJIjGfqLZ_o62Vz8NvLFsAq4B_yL4EAM3YP4zbcw4sArj7XxFDFLOtYYX8vcBklR54vtA_5u5t_oomzE0v7zPmJvO7X83eYNSwYZK7iVx/s1600/FathersDay-107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdT3geDrZFc-9N9q09_MN9zM4zNdEWdtB7ZyUdJIjGfqLZ_o62Vz8NvLFsAq4B_yL4EAM3YP4zbcw4sArj7XxFDFLOtYYX8vcBklR54vtA_5u5t_oomzE0v7zPmJvO7X83eYNSwYZK7iVx/s640/FathersDay-107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I LOVE my life.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5yQ7CzSi_97HLj8B5Vb5GVA6Uf_X45jAg_fxIqVd4VVhe9coOCSQDZOTM_NeQ2Y27vyvbolsmxH3gAg6nrmTwJiCt5XSXY_tHeDUUt9S3Z4dcy23Oc_hsDSS0m_6ehgNLWXZyfHkeVMi/s1600/FathersDay-109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5yQ7CzSi_97HLj8B5Vb5GVA6Uf_X45jAg_fxIqVd4VVhe9coOCSQDZOTM_NeQ2Y27vyvbolsmxH3gAg6nrmTwJiCt5XSXY_tHeDUUt9S3Z4dcy23Oc_hsDSS0m_6ehgNLWXZyfHkeVMi/s640/FathersDay-109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If I do continue, it will have to be MY story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not theirs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh325dTVKywrdoRkzgtggAnJ8s_Ri5pRFSozbE-1PLofWRK0CZCsYVoNGlj1_fOUCQ8UrTzQfW_NkUaraNntC2DCK1QVRs7iGBpMidVZIpr77Uv42wKvKl0mMsrU54_g2Z-M_uhlxF0IYaq/s1600/FathersDay-122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh325dTVKywrdoRkzgtggAnJ8s_Ri5pRFSozbE-1PLofWRK0CZCsYVoNGlj1_fOUCQ8UrTzQfW_NkUaraNntC2DCK1QVRs7iGBpMidVZIpr77Uv42wKvKl0mMsrU54_g2Z-M_uhlxF0IYaq/s640/FathersDay-122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Perhaps I'll give it a try. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Until the end of the year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That's always a good time for endings and beginnings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-89998123234084318952018-07-07T11:29:00.000-04:002018-07-07T11:29:55.494-04:0026<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf04Ptpx8ufeYYJUH2rVOEfu5Sn7MvB21V2PJYui-eLepLgQR0BA5s4rDZaSvvi022O0vtAMx_1PJ5OfyIaVfRNBe73WsVo21VseoCvZVciTnA-fA6J0kHS2WrZ_0I1L2fjIons4zs7W_/s1600/Sept-Oct-1995-013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnf04Ptpx8ufeYYJUH2rVOEfu5Sn7MvB21V2PJYui-eLepLgQR0BA5s4rDZaSvvi022O0vtAMx_1PJ5OfyIaVfRNBe73WsVo21VseoCvZVciTnA-fA6J0kHS2WrZ_0I1L2fjIons4zs7W_/s640/Sept-Oct-1995-013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twenty-six years ago today, this little</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"bundle of joy"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
came into our world. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And in Kerry's case especially,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"bundle of JOY"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is exactly what she has been from day one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xxJJFw2ciYxB44Om3wM2mIwUfPnOLbYf1IJH3T25muDfol7WIw6mW_wBWrZhNtKI4nrfogGZbNH3SYATjdqirmeuDb85gPaV4eVS6R8K4SmLDHHQzseCOLtdArAvt5jquDSdFxFRj3iT/s1600/July-Aug-1995-102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_xxJJFw2ciYxB44Om3wM2mIwUfPnOLbYf1IJH3T25muDfol7WIw6mW_wBWrZhNtKI4nrfogGZbNH3SYATjdqirmeuDb85gPaV4eVS6R8K4SmLDHHQzseCOLtdArAvt5jquDSdFxFRj3iT/s640/July-Aug-1995-102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From her youngest of days, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think anyone in our family would agree</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that Kerry brings fun and laughter to our lives.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She's not one of those extroverted, life of the party types.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She has a special kind of quiet, creative sense of humor which pops up when you least expect it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcE8uUBIlkvoFpdaRiqF8zuArEXPquV9XeNidKew1-SOBu4L38fjstOgHHpbEA5_RGRC1cFmKK56e7rSJZRbkYRiVzB3MS_v_hpY3Dw6ieDlK8R_JvnuAvWAcUSeFKGOi7qXzJbaAOmQ9/s1600/July-Aug-1997-056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1288" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcE8uUBIlkvoFpdaRiqF8zuArEXPquV9XeNidKew1-SOBu4L38fjstOgHHpbEA5_RGRC1cFmKK56e7rSJZRbkYRiVzB3MS_v_hpY3Dw6ieDlK8R_JvnuAvWAcUSeFKGOi7qXzJbaAOmQ9/s640/July-Aug-1997-056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She has always been this way. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the photo (above and below) you have sweet, tender Adam.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then you have Kerry!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6MJsPkDuugHoYdJR6XRA5owu6EKEj6VSmeGTOnitgmzP2wrYn54Yo4EqG3M7h3pxGMp5in3whEBO3WASVFgj745qGGey4lit5mzKPP5mYXO37gwcB4Qk2UOdTaTBZypDi2vMkymGacNJ/s1600/IMG_6838.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="1600" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6MJsPkDuugHoYdJR6XRA5owu6EKEj6VSmeGTOnitgmzP2wrYn54Yo4EqG3M7h3pxGMp5in3whEBO3WASVFgj745qGGey4lit5mzKPP5mYXO37gwcB4Qk2UOdTaTBZypDi2vMkymGacNJ/s640/IMG_6838.jpg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Very frequently she makes use of things around</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
her in unique and creative ways.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoQizLatpSLynf5K7sxreMMSdNThBovkP_8joMCcZ8q0pTaAvSJfYCI2sSGmEu00XF_GoKmzwaU2liiP4rSgwRjQmQjC9bOglSAEyMIH4YZKUNN0pz4qrjAb8CGTT3vfP-zo9iQIDug6G/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoQizLatpSLynf5K7sxreMMSdNThBovkP_8joMCcZ8q0pTaAvSJfYCI2sSGmEu00XF_GoKmzwaU2liiP4rSgwRjQmQjC9bOglSAEyMIH4YZKUNN0pz4qrjAb8CGTT3vfP-zo9iQIDug6G/s640/Gayle-iPhone-193.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A blanket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYPvjTi2cwnSBVaztsdMMEEBzcUVUU35UXHDBAkLVRi97VQ6oVS0spVhP0kutwLnIfIkTrFWXQHRKGdG20MPvOvxKvlcBZT-bO880vkqDmAQZO0lIqCDPya_UB-BrqUoI8Uf0A0cTk7Kw/s1600/Christmas2015-386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1565" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYPvjTi2cwnSBVaztsdMMEEBzcUVUU35UXHDBAkLVRi97VQ6oVS0spVhP0kutwLnIfIkTrFWXQHRKGdG20MPvOvxKvlcBZT-bO880vkqDmAQZO0lIqCDPya_UB-BrqUoI8Uf0A0cTk7Kw/s640/Christmas2015-386.jpg" width="624" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A frosting decorating tip.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzgwo38dg0uUWxxkwG1EQ4v7axq1gab45_X3FXbd06i-d0sE6IvazNu3xioRU7L1wFuL6iA4RUiZacC-7MlMWOEExKraSeus_poKDbsijKY1eWTLEh9_JUugi7uJCu-J9fnV6po3wl_Ta/s1600/IMG_8559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="590" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzgwo38dg0uUWxxkwG1EQ4v7axq1gab45_X3FXbd06i-d0sE6IvazNu3xioRU7L1wFuL6iA4RUiZacC-7MlMWOEExKraSeus_poKDbsijKY1eWTLEh9_JUugi7uJCu-J9fnV6po3wl_Ta/s640/IMG_8559.JPG" width="528" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spoons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NN3dVScSQgLqe95dM9qDm2yx0XGpn1u17UbLqRD-lmv4ln0JOSu-2zhgSLzYiYR_-G0tKfh3J3IL4dEYDGbUmOmcH2c2gfWyN0dQQ7nAsZ1ZczMb9jq4r29_RYHsO7L8Us0X2lXidaDn/s1600/IMG_8470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NN3dVScSQgLqe95dM9qDm2yx0XGpn1u17UbLqRD-lmv4ln0JOSu-2zhgSLzYiYR_-G0tKfh3J3IL4dEYDGbUmOmcH2c2gfWyN0dQQ7nAsZ1ZczMb9jq4r29_RYHsO7L8Us0X2lXidaDn/s640/IMG_8470.JPG" width="536" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A soda can.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZazPudzqcbwtVQHqSMcnldrXFnfskiqyfRsFZwPFeItjM2JnmYvn1KtnfHnhs-XMKfXEsBW_eExVqcb-xL480TgNZk6Sja0CDPKFZ-Y-shqCVLtfjYcNf7Wa7LQMQi_QHQDRaM-Bnjz9/s1600/IMG_4436.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZazPudzqcbwtVQHqSMcnldrXFnfskiqyfRsFZwPFeItjM2JnmYvn1KtnfHnhs-XMKfXEsBW_eExVqcb-xL480TgNZk6Sja0CDPKFZ-Y-shqCVLtfjYcNf7Wa7LQMQi_QHQDRaM-Bnjz9/s640/IMG_4436.jpg.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dough.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6-8LJWrV4qyGq8_nGfzwQXvKVnieD1-nKJPXr6hQFq999SMjECqgVgo1lobjSbDIB4CSk2RN3RVoIZdNc4UyC4ksRlb5ndq0qeeSJciUD0Z39AkfGpAJaJ_NvkgxQLU21NugVUJlgvws/s1600/IMG_1050.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1600" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6-8LJWrV4qyGq8_nGfzwQXvKVnieD1-nKJPXr6hQFq999SMjECqgVgo1lobjSbDIB4CSk2RN3RVoIZdNc4UyC4ksRlb5ndq0qeeSJciUD0Z39AkfGpAJaJ_NvkgxQLU21NugVUJlgvws/s640/IMG_1050.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Straws.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbBkT8BCn69LHVaBZB0CMtlsWi7Cvq-pNfn_rveBjbQ-FOxU9jDI1McqkNisLK91zYRh6JnHGI4hhQfTH5_zQ_egxnd_TCF1v5rBrll7viw-c6UYW9VcxkLfbyb-908ljSjb4cG6EMMDx/s1600/Christmas2016-393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1554" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbBkT8BCn69LHVaBZB0CMtlsWi7Cvq-pNfn_rveBjbQ-FOxU9jDI1McqkNisLK91zYRh6JnHGI4hhQfTH5_zQ_egxnd_TCF1v5rBrll7viw-c6UYW9VcxkLfbyb-908ljSjb4cG6EMMDx/s640/Christmas2016-393.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Little hands. </div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LPR8jC1AR_IsSr7dt7gln86vCcO1v5xL33GNtS2PQU1ngtbb9Wo3L4L-XqzzJBsBjldN4MFlACJacl4nhmEohsMvxsvoAv0_wJWWqgVklS2UIqnu-MoYe-EZYPEIM-sTxogaaVe8hznr/s1600/IMG_0941.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LPR8jC1AR_IsSr7dt7gln86vCcO1v5xL33GNtS2PQU1ngtbb9Wo3L4L-XqzzJBsBjldN4MFlACJacl4nhmEohsMvxsvoAv0_wJWWqgVklS2UIqnu-MoYe-EZYPEIM-sTxogaaVe8hznr/s640/IMG_0941.jpg.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Often the prop is a food item, such as Girl Scout cookies.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHSop3PAX9MTCbQcQkIMaCPRyRNTZCFyvHPlItIatKewHcN0VLunvYlDMaLXuw4o1fBUqNuTC8qLEymHMtcpoSaciHBBcvV90ZOHL6yDh3c8m4IMYOrzV83nde_dwwG10hA9_nj5L7xrv/s1600/IMG_0311.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHSop3PAX9MTCbQcQkIMaCPRyRNTZCFyvHPlItIatKewHcN0VLunvYlDMaLXuw4o1fBUqNuTC8qLEymHMtcpoSaciHBBcvV90ZOHL6yDh3c8m4IMYOrzV83nde_dwwG10hA9_nj5L7xrv/s640/IMG_0311.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pie dough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyqafqeSbdK7w7kf5dExOvI6Mvp2UDB9dowARQ4SnsuykKxSi575_cgxXfLOuIG0PekcUyOBtn9zHf9mFzEEuNow9LGIASY9bd4V6utuiI8Gm8GVmxu8XGqkow-y69ON35kAG7-7Ey4sp/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyqafqeSbdK7w7kf5dExOvI6Mvp2UDB9dowARQ4SnsuykKxSi575_cgxXfLOuIG0PekcUyOBtn9zHf9mFzEEuNow9LGIASY9bd4V6utuiI8Gm8GVmxu8XGqkow-y69ON35kAG7-7Ey4sp/s640/IMG_8423.JPG" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pasta. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ7Rwaq9ww1gM-cENrLLymooBYPy-d2ggp-DknukTcjGBkdANYVhEGLCeoKd1INmPSesBHeNlUNXGwiHwTqOj3wJdPSJfFdCYpX1w1lJWrfIU3GOO0GxAnmErnu5bQ5JHHd3OeJkm4m-b/s1600/Gingerbread-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1600" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ7Rwaq9ww1gM-cENrLLymooBYPy-d2ggp-DknukTcjGBkdANYVhEGLCeoKd1INmPSesBHeNlUNXGwiHwTqOj3wJdPSJfFdCYpX1w1lJWrfIU3GOO0GxAnmErnu5bQ5JHHd3OeJkm4m-b/s640/Gingerbread-024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Frosting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3KGxVwx5bsm2UDKl7YH81qAD-kbMhfonW67MwCta2bnaFdslK2jVVP3BDxrZCO-WWV4ii79hAxNREzvfrOP1RQViBXsWgb6jq-xV59ds7Sn_DwEkOl22Z6HsvDnTUS7d8eWV6QNxfJLy/s1600/IMG_4027.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3KGxVwx5bsm2UDKl7YH81qAD-kbMhfonW67MwCta2bnaFdslK2jVVP3BDxrZCO-WWV4ii79hAxNREzvfrOP1RQViBXsWgb6jq-xV59ds7Sn_DwEkOl22Z6HsvDnTUS7d8eWV6QNxfJLy/s640/IMG_4027.jpg.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Raspberry pie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7l8563f3ItsAMKe75UBfSq9xfOaiGJRndRiBwd9wUIjpuJwqDpoj7sJJkMcq-K4MNoixaaj8SwbKIEACZJLkz2fvW8nTz2ZtquQGDfkqoiwb9BGe3yWuLFCmbq7ndC1yTmCzCshN905-/s1600/IMG_8350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7l8563f3ItsAMKe75UBfSq9xfOaiGJRndRiBwd9wUIjpuJwqDpoj7sJJkMcq-K4MNoixaaj8SwbKIEACZJLkz2fvW8nTz2ZtquQGDfkqoiwb9BGe3yWuLFCmbq7ndC1yTmCzCshN905-/s640/IMG_8350.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Freshly picked strawberries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaW3s50HSkbatl2J3xOFBj-RSVnoG2XKtQcN1D6mXEGh_ukTpJZ0bEaQFRmGv6Ig42ODgjkImi52OPUWqTOrLtCFNenBIIVYgguTf5W-zHwLkMudxtZPBBfgmqyGQ5Fc3Cr2hjyB7HhrzW/s1600/IMG_1531.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1523" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaW3s50HSkbatl2J3xOFBj-RSVnoG2XKtQcN1D6mXEGh_ukTpJZ0bEaQFRmGv6Ig42ODgjkImi52OPUWqTOrLtCFNenBIIVYgguTf5W-zHwLkMudxtZPBBfgmqyGQ5Fc3Cr2hjyB7HhrzW/s640/IMG_1531.jpeg" width="608" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chocolate toffee bars.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Snapchat filters.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-5jn02NlJOiUXKnNys5I64QnERt7vmCjCDlzZtAgwNdnN-JZkoNx-XCttqNfgXqeDEeEqq39_bL8bzOH4V3nAk_RfDFTfDTa2pKimPkeVpG3wYubEMY2Nvsg76MVJfgHRq9IrjPF_33I/s1600/FathersDay-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-5jn02NlJOiUXKnNys5I64QnERt7vmCjCDlzZtAgwNdnN-JZkoNx-XCttqNfgXqeDEeEqq39_bL8bzOH4V3nAk_RfDFTfDTa2pKimPkeVpG3wYubEMY2Nvsg76MVJfgHRq9IrjPF_33I/s640/FathersDay-49.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When our family gets together, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kerry's absence changes the dynamics altogether.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I can honestly say that Kerry's mood </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can make or break a family gathering.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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So on this day, Kerry, I wish you all the best that</div>
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life has to offer. </div>
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You were my perfect little girl 26 years ago today,</div>
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and you still are.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Happy 26th!</div>
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With Love,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mom</div>
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<br /></div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-41073229331471185292018-06-21T16:46:00.001-04:002018-06-21T16:48:52.679-04:00From Giverny to Ellington<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At about this time last year, my daughter and I had just arrived home from a trip to London and Paris. It was a wonderful trip, but one of our favorite days was the one spent visiting Monet's house and garden in Giverny, France.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While there were thousands of gorgeous flowers, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Annie and I were drawn to the poppies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H-qV3JWRBY7OCcfRrCB-TzhyphenhyphenolIweThxfqJdA4tOdm1LCV8Hyok_HYbhB1R6uddlZADFNSSljbehpskW3U8IggtA2TJfDKE72EGbQjvjN2hxm0K2ALcOBgVgiSFSUOlBeh5bZNDY4rQB/s1600/FullSizeRender+53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H-qV3JWRBY7OCcfRrCB-TzhyphenhyphenolIweThxfqJdA4tOdm1LCV8Hyok_HYbhB1R6uddlZADFNSSljbehpskW3U8IggtA2TJfDKE72EGbQjvjN2hxm0K2ALcOBgVgiSFSUOlBeh5bZNDY4rQB/s640/FullSizeRender+53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I purchased a packet of red poppy seeds in the gift shop that day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for planting at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The delicate field poppies were everywhere along the roadsides too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ever since then, I have been on a mission to grow poppies of my own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Very early this spring, when snow was still on the ground, I spread the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">packet of seeds from Monet's garden. I also spread seeds from various</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">other types of poppies that I had purchased online.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAdl9T6w-GTf5h5ybOdGVbBYFqp5tbf3KMWd2CaYNFBF6BCj_Y4BAVNrdBZj7NH1HzQNZSuWcYB8EGjlY2M7DjWc9Mt7vL8rMNomvs2YsP5ycfbPe8FkApSLMIeTr9kDmTtgvRDyahHwy/s1600/Gayle-iPhone-737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAdl9T6w-GTf5h5ybOdGVbBYFqp5tbf3KMWd2CaYNFBF6BCj_Y4BAVNrdBZj7NH1HzQNZSuWcYB8EGjlY2M7DjWc9Mt7vL8rMNomvs2YsP5ycfbPe8FkApSLMIeTr9kDmTtgvRDyahHwy/s640/Gayle-iPhone-737.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And THEY GREW!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLu4ujrMv7dyIQeyVfVPuMJOYlkeEwRCZGRx3CMzmP4FnnUKosNj5McPYkei60EBwp-RO6x3x8wJBXsYWIOdD_sNh-th782GC9J1F9aFVG95kkwB3ZicBVQVNkTvK_B_lWFkmbDN7a9Xk/s1600/Poppies-207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1206" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLu4ujrMv7dyIQeyVfVPuMJOYlkeEwRCZGRx3CMzmP4FnnUKosNj5McPYkei60EBwp-RO6x3x8wJBXsYWIOdD_sNh-th782GC9J1F9aFVG95kkwB3ZicBVQVNkTvK_B_lWFkmbDN7a9Xk/s640/Poppies-207.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first ones to blossom were the very delicate California poppies. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjtutnd6AZ-2JPamxgL4mULxqGtKG6N8PHYo3Qxr7NpyHyqF1k7pt7IUK3NsxuajNrUfGdEkvwMGGytSM7yt6q6dyHNC4Hp2gi9O4TQCy_3tsZwaPbg7x7QFhbql_-p-rTHfCPtey-FDw/s1600/Poppies-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1447" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjtutnd6AZ-2JPamxgL4mULxqGtKG6N8PHYo3Qxr7NpyHyqF1k7pt7IUK3NsxuajNrUfGdEkvwMGGytSM7yt6q6dyHNC4Hp2gi9O4TQCy_3tsZwaPbg7x7QFhbql_-p-rTHfCPtey-FDw/s640/Poppies-34.jpg" width="578" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqMC2llvzEhm2y8hl1O2y-IUQLudzy0eX95bX9uRyDyaH3TEqJyNe9dPZuJWmgkfnvQ2hhtvzaz0YRehwQ3qAmbwGNcUcNEa-8QsRpXqIGCBELXN6gLnlhWY5EI38ap0jXypNbaL5pdgS/s1600/Poppies-203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqMC2llvzEhm2y8hl1O2y-IUQLudzy0eX95bX9uRyDyaH3TEqJyNe9dPZuJWmgkfnvQ2hhtvzaz0YRehwQ3qAmbwGNcUcNEa-8QsRpXqIGCBELXN6gLnlhWY5EI38ap0jXypNbaL5pdgS/s640/Poppies-203.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The petals are thinner than crepe paper and the seeds </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are yellow. I love ALL of the shades of pink, coral and red!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every morning, I go outside to see more and more blooms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been picking them daily to enjoy in the house too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A taller, sturdier variety just began blooming today!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTcr5MfxO1k81Po8NpqDOhv2_W9ZrCVaDVgizsp6JoX3wuWvohUwwJfhlFFIf1e5ZhG6Lk4KV3qRowSfHM4RKbwcvscMGKZAcMPyCbZrq5xYjAjGtPSYWcXaqAzOr6t3qYusr81Yos5LL/s1600/Poppies-201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTcr5MfxO1k81Po8NpqDOhv2_W9ZrCVaDVgizsp6JoX3wuWvohUwwJfhlFFIf1e5ZhG6Lk4KV3qRowSfHM4RKbwcvscMGKZAcMPyCbZrq5xYjAjGtPSYWcXaqAzOr6t3qYusr81Yos5LL/s640/Poppies-201.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's very pretty with more layered petals and a darker center.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3CWJ8VFE4WrnVAjzyVrKysH3hrY4zkKaHbqizOuq3hVACnNuA6QknIApfvfl152lI-StO2HiFjICqUWQTS4dBe2JUG2eMddKJkjlIGdf3HM7QOYxe2NBMhSpX7yc8rO5mwsR9BGfDQRz/s1600/Poppies-212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3CWJ8VFE4WrnVAjzyVrKysH3hrY4zkKaHbqizOuq3hVACnNuA6QknIApfvfl152lI-StO2HiFjICqUWQTS4dBe2JUG2eMddKJkjlIGdf3HM7QOYxe2NBMhSpX7yc8rO5mwsR9BGfDQRz/s640/Poppies-212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what makes gardening so much fun. I don't like to see the same</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">garden year after year. I'm always moving things around and adding new</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">flowers that catch my fancy. Sometimes things work out and sometimes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they are a flop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It makes me VERY happy that this is a time when THEY GREW!</span></div>
Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-31700175328463950332018-05-03T16:55:00.001-04:002018-05-03T19:39:06.161-04:00Wicked Tulips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yesterday, I did something I've never done before.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QOL7DqPryMqA4yVIKZ4P8XzTW_asFQD5Zg6OGOxozfuIJFFYhz-8fFnVGRL-CikwRRPlbl9RnljeAP14k8HkNdA4HpYEPyEEgqbC0LMVvK8yxKpKEwM-_tzJ8XH2xOYQewK8Xs8E7i-1/s1600/IMG_2657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QOL7DqPryMqA4yVIKZ4P8XzTW_asFQD5Zg6OGOxozfuIJFFYhz-8fFnVGRL-CikwRRPlbl9RnljeAP14k8HkNdA4HpYEPyEEgqbC0LMVvK8yxKpKEwM-_tzJ8XH2xOYQewK8Xs8E7i-1/s640/IMG_2657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I went to a tulip farm with my two daughters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Dy9WjqWRugIY37w-tHhHBMeDvHgU94odEgDt84Qzff6xl1UM5aqIpffUPB_JHvZi3XND3yQMuugvOAFe4C2Bha1_zhHLiBL1NDWja4kyo9YKHbfeew9SnvS6_jOpDkwCoX-XXCzRdVpA/s1600/wickedtulips-849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Dy9WjqWRugIY37w-tHhHBMeDvHgU94odEgDt84Qzff6xl1UM5aqIpffUPB_JHvZi3XND3yQMuugvOAFe4C2Bha1_zhHLiBL1NDWja4kyo9YKHbfeew9SnvS6_jOpDkwCoX-XXCzRdVpA/s640/wickedtulips-849.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We drove to Johnston, RI to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wickedtulips.com/" target="_blank">Wicked Tulips Flower Farm</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tickets are needed in order to enter. They can be purchased on</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their website, but the tickets sell out pretty fast - especially for weekend days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were two areas on the farm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One field was just for "show". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tulips were labeled and planted in groupings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No picking was allowed here.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzef0zGSPi6xzbNHi6w_LWmLDvRiZkM4GZHzJiaRZshE4OhzN8lmk-Jq7VgwGTwJI9qkRvFecQNrfapTBUiNSt9Y4dy3X8gErK0AwUIkdneHmBuzrjYYnyh3PzfFiVqgrRTT2lVD7dFvo/s1600/wickedtulips-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzef0zGSPi6xzbNHi6w_LWmLDvRiZkM4GZHzJiaRZshE4OhzN8lmk-Jq7VgwGTwJI9qkRvFecQNrfapTBUiNSt9Y4dy3X8gErK0AwUIkdneHmBuzrjYYnyh3PzfFiVqgrRTT2lVD7dFvo/s640/wickedtulips-800.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rest of the farm was open for picking</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with a charge of $1 per stem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a beautiful day - sunny and warm with a gentle breeze.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were many colors and varieties of tulips to choose from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We spent over an hour at the farm, picking flowers and taking pictures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before checking out, we went to a wrapping station to bundle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and count our stems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After stopping at a store to get a few buckets and some water to help our </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">$40 worth of tulips survive the heat, we stopped for dinner </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g54100-d884840-Reviews-Cindy_s_Diner_Restaurant-North_Scituate_Rhode_Island.html" target="_blank">Cindy's Diner </a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in North Scituate, RI.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chocolate milk shakes, grilled cheese, french fries, hamburger - everything</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was soooo good! And it was a very friendly atmosphere too!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaqoYZvxQJcyQ1T2tA-GK0rAkO8ICi0rre4DoqimhmW1Ty9r9-eOAXg19AMEzcJDyyzI3Wb1btDfiFpzoWUn5mGE05wFF6hVKP7y5KVUiXnWvv8aK8Te6fqXWi1BX07Oy8flnZ5mHTNUI/s1600/IMG_2648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1293" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaqoYZvxQJcyQ1T2tA-GK0rAkO8ICi0rre4DoqimhmW1Ty9r9-eOAXg19AMEzcJDyyzI3Wb1btDfiFpzoWUn5mGE05wFF6hVKP7y5KVUiXnWvv8aK8Te6fqXWi1BX07Oy8flnZ5mHTNUI/s640/IMG_2648.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ARAwTnMhRhAaqEP5MbmQaL0i_qba4tiyiWlvKm720yzjhxTr4sDDuczjtAVhJGf00o2PPGjpkzp1WAoX_8vZWMMs3kEKa-g8WlavzSCZr6HruYf8KqNLHnSRJKDIfgCF6j_KwpQ_KwbO/s1600/IMG_2665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ARAwTnMhRhAaqEP5MbmQaL0i_qba4tiyiWlvKm720yzjhxTr4sDDuczjtAVhJGf00o2PPGjpkzp1WAoX_8vZWMMs3kEKa-g8WlavzSCZr6HruYf8KqNLHnSRJKDIfgCF6j_KwpQ_KwbO/s640/IMG_2665.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I got home, I made two beautiful arrangements!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Putting them in ice water revived the drooping tulips.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4duYD97JlCedtogcDbSG_CmzWUj1qXjL6fIXqGxFUFkK-RFu2NIvFA4V6vH0ICgTelW5fSqwTtDFZ2DSfuMKyKJiXnmmlVePtJG6qRy38ClKxmJTUnUfHUO3FN9CmG5Hr1OxA9PhthfCv/s1600/IMG_2666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4duYD97JlCedtogcDbSG_CmzWUj1qXjL6fIXqGxFUFkK-RFu2NIvFA4V6vH0ICgTelW5fSqwTtDFZ2DSfuMKyKJiXnmmlVePtJG6qRy38ClKxmJTUnUfHUO3FN9CmG5Hr1OxA9PhthfCv/s640/IMG_2666.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm so happy that both of my girls live close enough</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for us to be able to do things together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a very simple day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but a very good day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red;">*****************************************************************************</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red;">Do your tulips droop when you put them in a vase?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"> Try this.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red;">The reason they droop is that the stems are hollow and</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as they attempt to soak up the water, they get air bubbles</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that can't escape inside the stem. The air bubble prevents</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">water from going up to the flower.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you poke a hole in the stem right below the flower</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with a pin or toothpick, the stem will remain straight</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and won't droop! Try it!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(I hear this also works for other hollow-stemmed flowers</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">such as Gerbera Daisies.)</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-70202128971480087142018-04-22T16:25:00.001-04:002018-04-22T16:25:04.896-04:00A Different Birthday Blog<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a standing tradition of posting a blog on the birthday of each of my kids to celebrate their lives in a special way. In the past, I've included lots of pictures. I have thousands of pictures from their childhood days, school events, and family times to draw from. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I am faced with a dilemma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is unlike dilemma's I've faced in years past, such as whether or not it's time to potty-train</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">or what time to set a curfew for teenagers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the first time, this year, I feel like it isn't appropriate anymore to post pictures of my angel-faced little boy at different stages of childhood. BUT, at the same time, I also don't feel it's appropriate to brag about my grown-up son and how wonderful he is - not to mention how I just scrolled through my phone and don't have a single photo of Adam from the recent past. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The funny thing is this: I don't wish I could go back in time. I don't wish that my son was still a teenager struggling to find himself. I'm happy that Adam is a successful man who has a meaningful career, living in a city that he loves. I love that he's happy with himself and his life. I am proud of who he is and look forward to all the future has to offer him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A wise person once said there are two important gifts a mother can give to her child. The first is roots. The second is wings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Check.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Finito. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since this is a birthday blog, I have one more thing to do before I'm done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam, I have known you and loved you longer than any </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">other person on this earth - 27 years to be exact. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wish you the happiest of days, today and always!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(see you next weekend!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mom</span><br />
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<br />Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-90620907979540827052018-04-10T10:27:00.002-04:002018-04-10T10:27:55.977-04:00Happy National Siblings Day to My Sister, Lori!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh4vx5HsvzrxhZ4BkELrkpGSuspLpUXOuQci66xE8E3O_36HdGfewg3lOWyi89K63Ei9oqYfzBoOA-O34fcOxGHVjqLfTG8rS0ORwLsiPekV9GU12p-Ut4QV-ml9U2Ij70x7k9SlNJyN2/s1600/beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGh4vx5HsvzrxhZ4BkELrkpGSuspLpUXOuQci66xE8E3O_36HdGfewg3lOWyi89K63Ei9oqYfzBoOA-O34fcOxGHVjqLfTG8rS0ORwLsiPekV9GU12p-Ut4QV-ml9U2Ij70x7k9SlNJyN2/s640/beach1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I did not get my love of photography from my parents. </div>
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On this National Siblings Day, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was hard pressed to find decent photos of</div>
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me and my sister, Lori, before the age of 20.</div>
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The ones that I show here are from our old </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"home movies"</div>
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that replaced real photos in our house at about the</div>
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same time that my sister was born.</div>
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Nonetheless, I was able to capture screen shots from these</div>
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grainy, blurry 8 mm film reels to create some of </div>
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our history together as young children.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0yOChm80IWCpAZqn6Q12ZHsXTPfmqts6U7ojlN28ECS1z4TiXIYXhQ99tfBc5jhXKqF1u7MAxh9Gl9WpOaHlVjrtAFHPP_EASLRUolKOLUUH8YAK10ZQ-H7vP2l3PQfeVC7d-LmzI1Kf/s1600/horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0yOChm80IWCpAZqn6Q12ZHsXTPfmqts6U7ojlN28ECS1z4TiXIYXhQ99tfBc5jhXKqF1u7MAxh9Gl9WpOaHlVjrtAFHPP_EASLRUolKOLUUH8YAK10ZQ-H7vP2l3PQfeVC7d-LmzI1Kf/s640/horse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am 4 years older than my sister, Lori. We used to ride</div>
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the mechanical horse together when my mom took us to </div>
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the laundromat .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVW3RPdUt2jN6YbWhoTE0JemjgGU-Iec4Aap99vOE9zmW2ko-h5wseA3IQ7EAPtpU1jwFF96hn5K8HJUZC9w8S4WjHY9kWMSgU6x4vnXXgTlrz7_rlApKuOTiAdy_gaRbyBu4EKIkSJ9L/s1600/img390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVW3RPdUt2jN6YbWhoTE0JemjgGU-Iec4Aap99vOE9zmW2ko-h5wseA3IQ7EAPtpU1jwFF96hn5K8HJUZC9w8S4WjHY9kWMSgU6x4vnXXgTlrz7_rlApKuOTiAdy_gaRbyBu4EKIkSJ9L/s640/img390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This actual photo was taken the day of Lori's baptism. </div>
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She was held by Aunt Connie as I looked on adoringly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjQGDqApgDqpw9wv08KtBoVHSpGYcMOJGFPCD76zKP63L8bKMvv1aQejW0VpmioqlY651YifW9PnVLNk4Bxcw8pDk5onscMV1t_A9iUs4H1PiAY59q07-nSnvTR0VDc0_aq360Pa4PdnA/s1600/dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjQGDqApgDqpw9wv08KtBoVHSpGYcMOJGFPCD76zKP63L8bKMvv1aQejW0VpmioqlY651YifW9PnVLNk4Bxcw8pDk5onscMV1t_A9iUs4H1PiAY59q07-nSnvTR0VDc0_aq360Pa4PdnA/s640/dunes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here we are running down the sand dunes on Cape Cod.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOqC_QnSe5xSTYJKspEPDANq3QDJQPz9rhXZEwUSQiHZDT8Q2cGi6_uaH7Tb1sFZn3SDmSoKOaSTZEyZy1ocwy-md6I-G-vHYejvjGHr5qjXhulBNq0W66Y8nclOn3aQsahpOCennRBqu/s1600/beachwmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1390" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOqC_QnSe5xSTYJKspEPDANq3QDJQPz9rhXZEwUSQiHZDT8Q2cGi6_uaH7Tb1sFZn3SDmSoKOaSTZEyZy1ocwy-md6I-G-vHYejvjGHr5qjXhulBNq0W66Y8nclOn3aQsahpOCennRBqu/s640/beachwmom.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
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Most likely on the same trip, we were splashed by a giant wave</div>
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on the beach with my mom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdhPRVjvi-ikL0snkCsQKufhek6kFwZSXOBl5ddDvZJU6YMR-MBaUsFe5ACO2PlexA8p0qxiops4XKeRn820oemUd-L9l9ByvKSdlSQ8ao3_JXEq3oJRGFwYUfZT2nKEkKvcETPI6UZHo/s1600/_MG_9077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdhPRVjvi-ikL0snkCsQKufhek6kFwZSXOBl5ddDvZJU6YMR-MBaUsFe5ACO2PlexA8p0qxiops4XKeRn820oemUd-L9l9ByvKSdlSQ8ao3_JXEq3oJRGFwYUfZT2nKEkKvcETPI6UZHo/s640/_MG_9077.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was Christmas morning with our snap-on curlers still in our hair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs6z9AvKEDGOmqcyeg84fYZlQfgphXUPek7ARoHForIMk8tkUUHL-beA1971enxLNZtC9WyFGPcsevZ86fDCsHwKdrq2vkDjz245Ex1oJQAaQ85iL11Gcxgh9OMvpRU8tKy0SZ8g62vQ4/s1600/camping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs6z9AvKEDGOmqcyeg84fYZlQfgphXUPek7ARoHForIMk8tkUUHL-beA1971enxLNZtC9WyFGPcsevZ86fDCsHwKdrq2vkDjz245Ex1oJQAaQ85iL11Gcxgh9OMvpRU8tKy0SZ8g62vQ4/s640/camping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I believe this was filmed when we were on our way back</div>
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from the camp store with ice cream treats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnOfKhyIDD7NFOIK8G_UVruRcKjiNMdZdsXkV51JB6NwiaWR-YbB0n9rSZ7fGmQDpZsNi9_wrX78tWrb82vOxA1thhp0O8Iw1yXhPxOay4Bs1gnN-1Ar0eVQyLJyuXD12OZeputkPmG1c/s1600/beachwdad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1380" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnOfKhyIDD7NFOIK8G_UVruRcKjiNMdZdsXkV51JB6NwiaWR-YbB0n9rSZ7fGmQDpZsNi9_wrX78tWrb82vOxA1thhp0O8Iw1yXhPxOay4Bs1gnN-1Ar0eVQyLJyuXD12OZeputkPmG1c/s640/beachwdad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another beach picture - this time with my dad.</div>
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I still remember this bathing suit - but I don't remember what</div>
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those strategically placed emblems were on my patriotic</div>
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bathing suit! Stars? Mom, what were you thinking?</div>
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We were twins in our red Danskin shirts </div>
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in Florida that year.</div>
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I don't know who took this once-in-a-lifetime shot, but it was taken at </div>
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the Canadian Open with my heart-throb - Jack Nicklaus -</div>
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and only half of me made it in the picture!</div>
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There have been many good pictures since then.</div>
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And I hope there will be many, many more!</div>
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On the National Siblings Day 2018,</div>
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I hope you know how important you are to me.</div>
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I hope you know I am always here for you.</div>
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I hope you know how much I love you!</div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-30217572298760360312018-03-24T15:18:00.000-04:002018-03-24T15:20:49.057-04:00I Didn't March Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIiumJmdT5MjPJWjl9q1XFmlCNt4ruiVQ9TWA8XL9LPFcsPlBXKzOAXWW3Uk2Qxi8hdiHLxzgE2daEU-Iq1eFw6_BPJcEYskZf4S4aDKRtGTEtZQBvneL1ew4Rcmb37knIEs-o9YE0B6H/s1600/IMG_6822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJIiumJmdT5MjPJWjl9q1XFmlCNt4ruiVQ9TWA8XL9LPFcsPlBXKzOAXWW3Uk2Qxi8hdiHLxzgE2daEU-Iq1eFw6_BPJcEYskZf4S4aDKRtGTEtZQBvneL1ew4Rcmb37knIEs-o9YE0B6H/s640/IMG_6822.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I made this poster yesterday in anticipation of attending March for Our Lives in New York City today. I was unable to make the trip this morning. Initially, I was disappointed that I couldn't be a part of this historical event. However, as I watch the non-stop coverage of the March for Our Lives event in our nation's capital, I know that this is what I was meant to do today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am so proud of the youth of our country that are participating in rallies against gun violence. I am in awe of these young people who are fearless as they go up against the government and the NRA. The pain and anger they feel propel them into action. They are not intimidated by elected officials. They do not believe adults who tell them change is impossible. They speak with confidence and clarity on national television. They grieve together and inspire each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am now watching Martin Luther King Jr.'s granddaughter with tears at the hope in her eyes and the response of the crowd to this little girl who carries on the dreams of her grandfather. I can so easily remember when I was a young teen who was untarnished by the world of adults. I felt deeply about issues of my day. I, too, was idealistic. This is the way of the young.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SFCK7nxFyx-jZh7q6dm_WYPcX3kwvV6GFDkpxUVwPh910b0fmP2jlt7Pve55KDv2bQTS9jev3cauDzrwsDKl8sJlS7nxelfnxyUr8o2eEyLZxyFAaWx1HIpOTZT_Jf5D075xua9VP7rG/s1600/71Nomlj8kCL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SFCK7nxFyx-jZh7q6dm_WYPcX3kwvV6GFDkpxUVwPh910b0fmP2jlt7Pve55KDv2bQTS9jev3cauDzrwsDKl8sJlS7nxelfnxyUr8o2eEyLZxyFAaWx1HIpOTZT_Jf5D075xua9VP7rG/s640/71Nomlj8kCL.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The top-selling book of my teen years was Jonathan Livingston Seagull. It was a story of a young seagull with big ambitions. He was determined to be more than an ordinary gull. Against the conventions of seagull society, he learns to fly higher and faster than any other gull. I remember reading this book often and being inspired by its words. I remember crying tears of joy for Jonathan as he learned to do the impossible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are some quotes from the book that apply to these young people today and in the coming days, months, and years as they too strive to accomplish what others feel is impossible:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN9yepT49r4Hb8zHKX4VDWQj6PDY0EKdREz1wZtsWTNJyn1lb4UEeUxkuB1PUfSRvOthroNwFvFW_JZ3uRPB6cBaeJddUdeteeaC63tGkADT5_TTKp-GwhTlR2zYIrafeuTwoi55bx8dI/s1600/1404408350d9ba26f220db07e0eb9350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTN9yepT49r4Hb8zHKX4VDWQj6PDY0EKdREz1wZtsWTNJyn1lb4UEeUxkuB1PUfSRvOthroNwFvFW_JZ3uRPB6cBaeJddUdeteeaC63tGkADT5_TTKp-GwhTlR2zYIrafeuTwoi55bx8dI/s640/1404408350d9ba26f220db07e0eb9350.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These young people are choosing the kind of world they want to live in. They have learned this the hard way. They have been on the receiving end of gun violence and believe that they can overcome what others feel are incredible limitations. They believe they are capable of being the force of change in this country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure many people view these young people as idealistic yet unrealistic. They may not believe these kids are capable of making a difference with lawmakers against the NRA. A few weeks ago they were just high school students, yet today they have organized an incredibly moving rally of more than a million people. Their message is well-spoken. They are young but it is apparent that they are very powerful. They are united in mission - from all parts of the country, from all ethnicities, from all economic backgrounds - to make America a safer place. I can't wait to see what they are able to achieve in the weeks, months, and years to come!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-13213867409239310892018-03-16T10:50:00.000-04:002018-03-16T10:50:28.639-04:00Bad to the Bone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0nKB7ueHWH2oRrKxVIS9qHocWEj1_1AYaNru7b5ONKcXKzCekTQeiXQ08RGQi9cHomhqxvYyecz2KZWiynh23L6DIeT66jD5ZocSQMcy4ZM4wfeGDc9p6CO_HBzB9J_5q7aJ_rLzQM8q/s1600/IMG_2316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1045" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0nKB7ueHWH2oRrKxVIS9qHocWEj1_1AYaNru7b5ONKcXKzCekTQeiXQ08RGQi9cHomhqxvYyecz2KZWiynh23L6DIeT66jD5ZocSQMcy4ZM4wfeGDc9p6CO_HBzB9J_5q7aJ_rLzQM8q/s640/IMG_2316.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm 58 years old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I make no bones about wanting to stay fit as I age - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mentally</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">physically</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spiritually.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuJb6XfEyygEjSdhxJm11EO3WosQ2zxsjPBjoeu0Ii7oNJd_QdDzEoZ7SI-2DTNcAo4jF1hNqTpbtAX2FxptdN2oDePHfvjW8KIxXbIDkI-KF6glmkS0hc-O8HvCAWdcH_8ZOeUEyZh2h/s1600/IMG_2323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuJb6XfEyygEjSdhxJm11EO3WosQ2zxsjPBjoeu0Ii7oNJd_QdDzEoZ7SI-2DTNcAo4jF1hNqTpbtAX2FxptdN2oDePHfvjW8KIxXbIDkI-KF6glmkS0hc-O8HvCAWdcH_8ZOeUEyZh2h/s640/IMG_2323.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My determination is bone-deep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give me a challenge and I have to try to meet it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was 50, I had my first bone scan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It revealed that my bones were not as strong as they should be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The doctor said it was probably because I am a petite woman</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and it is common to have less bone mass than larger women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't very concerned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We increased by vitamin D to normal levels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I started jogging.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYsl3IHzj-bOLefNAiw_2oVMpdVfnku0kxT2QVQvjHwZUmJEX9ai1T8dyL8LjQ829Q2vhSFXg5x2NUFZfkMBfouEyyBRV7KZ_IXAcrYe1nhFyl1ytoSlrv1IysNUgyOsQJyzOqWaRNAy2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-27+at+8.17.28+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="818" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYsl3IHzj-bOLefNAiw_2oVMpdVfnku0kxT2QVQvjHwZUmJEX9ai1T8dyL8LjQ829Q2vhSFXg5x2NUFZfkMBfouEyyBRV7KZ_IXAcrYe1nhFyl1ytoSlrv1IysNUgyOsQJyzOqWaRNAy2/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-27+at+8.17.28+AM.jpg" width="570" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A repeated bone scan a 52 showed a slight improvement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, despite walking miles daily with my dogs and keeping active,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bone density scans at age 54 and 56 revealed more and more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bone density loss to the point of showing slight osteoporosis in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sections of my spine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew in my bones that I needed to do more.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3Sp3xVyzZh82Mw_0yrb2YXdU1QxCm5s_v2W5rnCkA5EupgSwOAH_4bgaRNNmy5uZW6V_iNCnb0Lzy1_sliVXbcC1ciM1V4mGqHtYipVES1jszC_94tLr82G2PNEArXfn5JkBBkaMh30_/s1600/IMG_2347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3Sp3xVyzZh82Mw_0yrb2YXdU1QxCm5s_v2W5rnCkA5EupgSwOAH_4bgaRNNmy5uZW6V_iNCnb0Lzy1_sliVXbcC1ciM1V4mGqHtYipVES1jszC_94tLr82G2PNEArXfn5JkBBkaMh30_/s640/IMG_2347.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent hours and hours online - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">boning up on osteoporosis.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I am not a lazy-bones).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew I didn't want to take medication to build up my bones.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what I found:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The bare bones of the matter is simple.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weight training makes your muscles AND BONES stronger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4_TskU7IZq2Dgm8UV3VjD6SM1Pm5m502U9bamaNceeOoE-aKxFk3xjrTYE5ETMWAXgrC3ucTenxOZdk3mZve2wPjJwpYdMXv_3qLZXx7YpSL2SeR8yPdFUp2zJzTh_x9c_ELSZetgfAf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-13+at+9.34.36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4_TskU7IZq2Dgm8UV3VjD6SM1Pm5m502U9bamaNceeOoE-aKxFk3xjrTYE5ETMWAXgrC3ucTenxOZdk3mZve2wPjJwpYdMXv_3qLZXx7YpSL2SeR8yPdFUp2zJzTh_x9c_ELSZetgfAf/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-13+at+9.34.36+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For two years, I have been going to the gym 4 or 5 times per week,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">lifting weights for about 30 minutes each time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I began, I couldn't lift much weight at all, but over time I</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was able to lift more and more. Each day, I would concentrate on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">different muscle groups.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have also been active in other ways. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I still walk the dogs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I play pickle ball.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I play racquetball.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do heavy yard work.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have changed my diet too. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I eat calcium-rich foods.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I limit my salt intake because when your body eliminates</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">excess salt from your body, calcium is also eliminated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I take vitamin D and magnesium supplements daily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ybrPtNGhR0T9TFgXJ6Ti6YV-IBv1EBNUvKJzlaJK2nS5Z1ogMgbX72fMx6hx3HrTP9Z7zzWp_WgZ85WpOTKZ3LesJ0hTv83CQm29xM3pFMzBsua5MWMEOSchOaW0vaZFZ7Q3CtKbtIzQ/s1600/IMG_2325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1371" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ybrPtNGhR0T9TFgXJ6Ti6YV-IBv1EBNUvKJzlaJK2nS5Z1ogMgbX72fMx6hx3HrTP9Z7zzWp_WgZ85WpOTKZ3LesJ0hTv83CQm29xM3pFMzBsua5MWMEOSchOaW0vaZFZ7Q3CtKbtIzQ/s640/IMG_2325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had another bone scan done last month.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I got a message from my doctor when the results came in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Great news on your bone density. It is significantly improved from your previous test. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">No osteoporosis. Both hip and spine have improved. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep exercising and maintain your Vitamin D supplementation."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMpy8aRNVIws9Zkk2WcWCg-A3B-gmO6JbSJ4cMTS4EoWXMd487jm3fZexG2zbA7Zfh6KApHqRmVl8TSl8-maQ77uhadTykVJJ5N002kkXMbiMpO4kEUbgAT2t5sIsc-9H0JZpI99XYBmR/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1444" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMpy8aRNVIws9Zkk2WcWCg-A3B-gmO6JbSJ4cMTS4EoWXMd487jm3fZexG2zbA7Zfh6KApHqRmVl8TSl8-maQ77uhadTykVJJ5N002kkXMbiMpO4kEUbgAT2t5sIsc-9H0JZpI99XYBmR/s640/IMG_2330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In just two years, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have increased the bone density in my lumbar </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spine by 4.5% </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and increased the bone density in my hip by 11.1%. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFcZYS5hDytrpdybDZIzxfwCOlAX5_zmQnSuE7N0JzF7doxdGORTAuiXYWpQuFR4FbhEVLuz43JBNKS4OsOCj31UzkE0XYJTJAxp9VdrcEdxumBq6AG7yCCkURYQXX3x8jMuEdapjVySj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-13+at+9.19.24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1557" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFcZYS5hDytrpdybDZIzxfwCOlAX5_zmQnSuE7N0JzF7doxdGORTAuiXYWpQuFR4FbhEVLuz43JBNKS4OsOCj31UzkE0XYJTJAxp9VdrcEdxumBq6AG7yCCkURYQXX3x8jMuEdapjVySj/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-13+at+9.19.24+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It feels so good to see my efforts rewarded!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the change is not limited to my bones.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The increase in muscle has enabled me to eat more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">without gaining weight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My clothes fit and look better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I wore a bikini for the first time in many years.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The serotonin released when I exercise has made my</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">life better in so many ways too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And for all of you out there that are still young and figure this </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is not something that applies to you - you're wrong.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The more you build your bones while you're young,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the better off you will be after menopause when you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">start losing bone mass faster. You will have more bone mass</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to begin with.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as it's never too early to start strengthening your bones,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">it's also never too late!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"To succeed in life you need 3 things: </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a wishbone,</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a backbone </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a funny bone.</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ~Reba McEntire</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-6564153606680936742018-02-12T22:48:00.000-05:002018-02-13T16:48:46.913-05:00Long Goodbyes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the years, I have been fortunate to have loved many pets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Over the years, I have said goodbye to many beloved pets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their lives ended for many different reasons. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The thing they all had in common was this:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they all passed away very quickly.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've never had a long good-bye - until now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our family currently includes 2 cats and 2 dogs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our oldest cat, Momo, was diagnosed with kidney disease over a year ago,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">our oldest dog, Sami, has recently been found to be in the early stages</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of congestive heart failure.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this point, they are both doing fine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, we don't know how long this will last.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, for now, we appreciate them more than ever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We spoil them more than ever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We go out of our way to make their days happy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">we take lots of pictures!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3BX1Z4il6todhRwgshSBx97S7WMmIBtw43VaY9sScgr-lukPh7wHY12mdRzufZklof0QdbYeM7kJ5A3luQl_j-1dkywE3ogRu-nxBgEBqdM2Md3do78_Yn1_sQ9V6Pqn9-u6iu3N4aWc/s1600/pets2018-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3BX1Z4il6todhRwgshSBx97S7WMmIBtw43VaY9sScgr-lukPh7wHY12mdRzufZklof0QdbYeM7kJ5A3luQl_j-1dkywE3ogRu-nxBgEBqdM2Md3do78_Yn1_sQ9V6Pqn9-u6iu3N4aWc/s640/pets2018-171.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Momo always has a piece of long fur</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stuck in her mouth.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37iu5NxBHihvtiyW8hKt8NDGChPRgFEYMDFK-zDtzSZXmUX7Rt8Rl3xCZUEjjaHlMYcu4gNiVj576Uy7HgNFbn0zDzbh2TzCieZJE-2M9-EYXS-zBLit8DknS0u-G0A6BI_-AJinbDc72/s1600/IMG_2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37iu5NxBHihvtiyW8hKt8NDGChPRgFEYMDFK-zDtzSZXmUX7Rt8Rl3xCZUEjjaHlMYcu4gNiVj576Uy7HgNFbn0zDzbh2TzCieZJE-2M9-EYXS-zBLit8DknS0u-G0A6BI_-AJinbDc72/s640/IMG_2027.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Sami loves to share an orange with me every night.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtfcxFpbjcOhZru7IEvw6880h34FEHodPkG9eOY8SOMXfcLrom6gIHxcjGnC8Jout2nGZ-mxL84jkFH3v7XRxXBwuS4L1E6GD2mQgf-K6lwHsjir97_9XV3YDce-SohNLx-LeLZyn-YqJ/s1600/pets-692-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtfcxFpbjcOhZru7IEvw6880h34FEHodPkG9eOY8SOMXfcLrom6gIHxcjGnC8Jout2nGZ-mxL84jkFH3v7XRxXBwuS4L1E6GD2mQgf-K6lwHsjir97_9XV3YDce-SohNLx-LeLZyn-YqJ/s640/pets-692-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Momo always lays on top of my knitting projects.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CM7LWGdbKUd4eCNUE-z-nsWR1j-rrN-mW4aUa23jKiA8g-_xPSwQSqC6injGcmecUkcEHAF5hhgmSNmqVcffkmK81vk3fVspbyP7zCDElNNDQpl3u6zRVYZquHDDNkqU1qszTQYne_cc/s1600/IMG_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CM7LWGdbKUd4eCNUE-z-nsWR1j-rrN-mW4aUa23jKiA8g-_xPSwQSqC6injGcmecUkcEHAF5hhgmSNmqVcffkmK81vk3fVspbyP7zCDElNNDQpl3u6zRVYZquHDDNkqU1qszTQYne_cc/s640/IMG_2015.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember the view from my kitchen window </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">every day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePKAxbE6ZH6yxdRaqsD4_yt-NF3Y0jg2JkfjHjH-cGmY0G7dTiVTCSrFy_qWZwamb9iWQuEjxfj_g295BxC3Y7kt4DLmFSorbph4bGPPU4RBWShpWLnCjopjzqTVdilCNdqDA99aP9e4p/s1600/pets-501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjePKAxbE6ZH6yxdRaqsD4_yt-NF3Y0jg2JkfjHjH-cGmY0G7dTiVTCSrFy_qWZwamb9iWQuEjxfj_g295BxC3Y7kt4DLmFSorbph4bGPPU4RBWShpWLnCjopjzqTVdilCNdqDA99aP9e4p/s640/pets-501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember the cute black spots on Momo's nose...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-fzS_O5kHNck631mKHBaC11Vc4djx2c9BfxkuZF1zXRVlBL4cWo_quljUsmSImJ_2qGVNAhGMJFfMPMDjEXqXgtHeVWnIXEc5azrlq_ZslDYkxwG6__FeHLf9SP2s8rWH3Xc8I33OmY7/s1600/pets-503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1600" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-fzS_O5kHNck631mKHBaC11Vc4djx2c9BfxkuZF1zXRVlBL4cWo_quljUsmSImJ_2qGVNAhGMJFfMPMDjEXqXgtHeVWnIXEc5azrlq_ZslDYkxwG6__FeHLf9SP2s8rWH3Xc8I33OmY7/s640/pets-503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and her feet with wacky tufts of fur.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ7baemk_-eozc06cUDnfgHL2VqlXntFsDXolvFpzndBXKWO954LLo5IDu-9amCr3Igzlx0dUZO2VccNf4uEcrICbutt_UOXpeaTPo4pRty8L_s49ckYwlX1ZsOrd00UhpFKJ_5OoYFXN/s1600/pets2018-416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZ7baemk_-eozc06cUDnfgHL2VqlXntFsDXolvFpzndBXKWO954LLo5IDu-9amCr3Igzlx0dUZO2VccNf4uEcrICbutt_UOXpeaTPo4pRty8L_s49ckYwlX1ZsOrd00UhpFKJ_5OoYFXN/s640/pets2018-416.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember Sami running and having fun...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFgyM3eYEdKv1PcOY1afNjl-GOhvIO0uqRk17XNdtcJYcCF33n0uMeb5YVuy-oFBl_mkxKKQ0gZgRdX-yYjzN1zSeln38wzbIdnq-YA2ip8055OsjheL0P9fkIvte-eCUdQnVFKixvYvA/s1600/pets2018-342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWFgyM3eYEdKv1PcOY1afNjl-GOhvIO0uqRk17XNdtcJYcCF33n0uMeb5YVuy-oFBl_mkxKKQ0gZgRdX-yYjzN1zSeln38wzbIdnq-YA2ip8055OsjheL0P9fkIvte-eCUdQnVFKixvYvA/s640/pets2018-342.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and even barking.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1o52w8ZCaA6Wkq4R5tiTCl_q9dvu3baPVxHRIF72QBgC7uMIoVvGrjASFbpilifaKVEiS2bmGJNatOuueTAQ36yLmeOuJSxx_CtKJn9j7Wltl9TfmypcKALIIUaSwOeesgZ-MgN3SfsS/s1600/Momo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1o52w8ZCaA6Wkq4R5tiTCl_q9dvu3baPVxHRIF72QBgC7uMIoVvGrjASFbpilifaKVEiS2bmGJNatOuueTAQ36yLmeOuJSxx_CtKJn9j7Wltl9TfmypcKALIIUaSwOeesgZ-MgN3SfsS/s640/Momo-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Momo sleeps in the sun next to the catnip plant on the porch.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm15gsSpirzXdAjRww1nXdrr0TGvYLDP_w8ePGF5PGfmRQeDI3oYfeTwXc6lO7nrqK7Jmoy-7WNSL01t4U4uwF-fRiZLoA2zx9KBKlwenV4vEkw1y8srqk2lSKcOESNNVO5TdTYJSMTOV5/s1600/untitled-315-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1359" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm15gsSpirzXdAjRww1nXdrr0TGvYLDP_w8ePGF5PGfmRQeDI3oYfeTwXc6lO7nrqK7Jmoy-7WNSL01t4U4uwF-fRiZLoA2zx9KBKlwenV4vEkw1y8srqk2lSKcOESNNVO5TdTYJSMTOV5/s640/untitled-315-2.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Sami loves Adam.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLl9OfpFcQkIJp-w9RfgFBiZ1jZXggHUPLeCqH4LE5OiMxP76EX2QWGTFqDtScf9rKCEJzr9d83NdPXTBtAgmtHAsv9OtnjWswu8STbMu4-VUHQ0ou8RffZGklH05vrRGuttr04O4DRV8/s1600/pets2018-161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLl9OfpFcQkIJp-w9RfgFBiZ1jZXggHUPLeCqH4LE5OiMxP76EX2QWGTFqDtScf9rKCEJzr9d83NdPXTBtAgmtHAsv9OtnjWswu8STbMu4-VUHQ0ou8RffZGklH05vrRGuttr04O4DRV8/s640/pets2018-161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Momo always finds a piece of sunshine to bask in.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWvxIGlQ0twSLxfKhAr_GELtmp6LXaGB0zZcKPBT0dbXIZrNxDNdsUe0l4K6whhcVESL_ujh44TspMzPPAYZH2QN6JhgWP2DQH2351552b__5LwSFPcbmFz3f7ORdcHlq8CcWk74qz3Cb/s1600/pets2018-201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjWvxIGlQ0twSLxfKhAr_GELtmp6LXaGB0zZcKPBT0dbXIZrNxDNdsUe0l4K6whhcVESL_ujh44TspMzPPAYZH2QN6JhgWP2DQH2351552b__5LwSFPcbmFz3f7ORdcHlq8CcWk74qz3Cb/s640/pets2018-201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Sami and Halle are inseparable.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF-OjCCcalcZblYWtb1Zya8Q8ce0GhB77xW16GqjNFLV0Ttz-M6RsmM_3KXU8mjY5eUduxt4AZs2A0XWys3ev5XNePodKWq-uSM9NYxWudp6UNY5_kaLhTPZv0utjuRLtLDPaLTyHihnl/s1600/momo-bench-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcF-OjCCcalcZblYWtb1Zya8Q8ce0GhB77xW16GqjNFLV0Ttz-M6RsmM_3KXU8mjY5eUduxt4AZs2A0XWys3ev5XNePodKWq-uSM9NYxWudp6UNY5_kaLhTPZv0utjuRLtLDPaLTyHihnl/s640/momo-bench-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Momo loves to lay on the bench in front of the window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH1u1NBM2ih1eTVYEGFdbGw6YqgtL6LpnicKUFOiUZutsmiSRx1LJA8vgG9kf5x0JIOM2dYURJpmkY4lN3RDXa2MTDtaJDWntzQI8EIdAGChfAtCLGgs5q3nrTv3uzakj07maJ3KlFd-C/s1600/pets-532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1313" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiH1u1NBM2ih1eTVYEGFdbGw6YqgtL6LpnicKUFOiUZutsmiSRx1LJA8vgG9kf5x0JIOM2dYURJpmkY4lN3RDXa2MTDtaJDWntzQI8EIdAGChfAtCLGgs5q3nrTv3uzakj07maJ3KlFd-C/s640/pets-532.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember Sami covered in snow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IklVC3o_N21uRqs4In-zuGdzIjOrlKSPEY2mpQd41DUj__pPnLn3ZUBbsyR41A-oRrJVgtuF0XlJ_4mVEihdiUnBDelEe5ivYaAEiZD7jokLUXS3uFLNFG6mKiZRyek_2E1bGkig6SAt/s1600/IMG_8474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IklVC3o_N21uRqs4In-zuGdzIjOrlKSPEY2mpQd41DUj__pPnLn3ZUBbsyR41A-oRrJVgtuF0XlJ_4mVEihdiUnBDelEe5ivYaAEiZD7jokLUXS3uFLNFG6mKiZRyek_2E1bGkig6SAt/s640/IMG_8474.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how happy Momo makes everyone.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsyRye73acVy0w1wN0tF2tyxg5zPQ1hyphenhypheniS0Sz1BIobcxjwE_C6GWhrkkjFjOFvMlj54896yJX0aNpVifUqiMmvhsPxadjRqngVmwLTMDP43eRG08py-5dzcHU31ECKhjCE-j0ZhRMMRJ-/s1600/pets2018-222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKsyRye73acVy0w1wN0tF2tyxg5zPQ1hyphenhypheniS0Sz1BIobcxjwE_C6GWhrkkjFjOFvMlj54896yJX0aNpVifUqiMmvhsPxadjRqngVmwLTMDP43eRG08py-5dzcHU31ECKhjCE-j0ZhRMMRJ-/s640/pets2018-222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to remember how Sami hates to have his picture taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are so many things that we have grown accustomed to over the years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that we just take for granted every day. But not anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't know when or how the end will come.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcWrzn7fGZrKeF4DIFWsCuLEesYkL69d0l22FIw-jj9g4VCMEX9TMVo_Dt3inubas2H0NRyT5GlIUwFd0T11dZp_S1EN5SV4Md30dcxekz5wfImA-hRAR6_DC3m4ksIZjfQuqMcyI8f2Q/s1600/IMG_1980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcWrzn7fGZrKeF4DIFWsCuLEesYkL69d0l22FIw-jj9g4VCMEX9TMVo_Dt3inubas2H0NRyT5GlIUwFd0T11dZp_S1EN5SV4Md30dcxekz5wfImA-hRAR6_DC3m4ksIZjfQuqMcyI8f2Q/s640/IMG_1980.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And I'll never be ready to say good-bye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But I will forever be grateful to have this precious time</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to have </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a long goodbye.</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-35845089510818213832018-02-01T22:03:00.000-05:002018-02-02T07:16:09.226-05:00Annie at 23 - Then and Now (Happy Birthday!)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Happy Birthday, Annie! Wow! Twenty-three years old!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Birthday blogs have become a tradition in our family, and I have been racking my brain to come up with a theme that hasn't been done before. I try to make each birthday blog special because I consider them a gift to my children every year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This has been an eventful year for Annie. As I was looking back through the photos taken this year, I was reminded of those taken in years past. I've taken A LOT of photos over the years. I may not have a great memory for some things, but I can pretty much remember most of the pictures I've taken of my kids. For this post, I had to do some digging, but I was able to find what I was looking for!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So here's Annie - then and now.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0k_2iIVLA0a5fHR1ZuWGGy30gMObWg0BYQVRmUUmSFEvT3kPVAmk1scPNtcgNqvtkeGMZBIsmjPRTSSczEr1t6umdEuNW4gT7Biz_GSUxUZBcB84Y4rz-2CUEAOJJ6m1orVw0oSI8MK4/s1600/March-April-1997-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1165" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0k_2iIVLA0a5fHR1ZuWGGy30gMObWg0BYQVRmUUmSFEvT3kPVAmk1scPNtcgNqvtkeGMZBIsmjPRTSSczEr1t6umdEuNW4gT7Biz_GSUxUZBcB84Y4rz-2CUEAOJJ6m1orVw0oSI8MK4/s640/March-April-1997-010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN we had a black cat named Molly. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW Annie has two black cats named Wells and Charles. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSsaNpRLeqpC6UiyhK0jfMgV0lMDB39IQ8Ot7C_d0bywJ_yiflycQpuv1VE4sWHSPKD8vIYzhnzbnvPORQQu7jlru7sJbnRMZf6wHhflEyDK10B_eWpUbY31zZe5Hjspb_n4vmjjpc2l-/s1600/xmas2017-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSsaNpRLeqpC6UiyhK0jfMgV0lMDB39IQ8Ot7C_d0bywJ_yiflycQpuv1VE4sWHSPKD8vIYzhnzbnvPORQQu7jlru7sJbnRMZf6wHhflEyDK10B_eWpUbY31zZe5Hjspb_n4vmjjpc2l-/s640/xmas2017-16.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwVRppxfpMYjKXVRxDJPw6Q7I_CzJwLF2f4g_0GY_H5GFuhyphenhyphendCIe2Ygky0lWIlsJ8DOfSQC2rxcC8Y7482QqyJ2-0kgVp4xLVuoMdtR2QCRq5HOdbGSc2rkmWvaNOX1n3W-77EpzQv7wu/s1600/March-April-1996001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwVRppxfpMYjKXVRxDJPw6Q7I_CzJwLF2f4g_0GY_H5GFuhyphenhyphendCIe2Ygky0lWIlsJ8DOfSQC2rxcC8Y7482QqyJ2-0kgVp4xLVuoMdtR2QCRq5HOdbGSc2rkmWvaNOX1n3W-77EpzQv7wu/s640/March-April-1996001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN Annie and Kerry had matching long-sleeve white shirts. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW they have matching sleeveless white shirts. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVCBPIFFU-gRWOJJ6jYMb0QkoqOugH9-Ak8lMqgmPS635iy7tErT62pZKmvAubnNC6VvtmkkEnATsG12W833vOIXIaY10KUGbZPPakbzf5FkARGwl0UlzZ5atRWax3mCQ_fSY-BGgX34L/s1600/iphoneJune2017-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVCBPIFFU-gRWOJJ6jYMb0QkoqOugH9-Ak8lMqgmPS635iy7tErT62pZKmvAubnNC6VvtmkkEnATsG12W833vOIXIaY10KUGbZPPakbzf5FkARGwl0UlzZ5atRWax3mCQ_fSY-BGgX34L/s640/iphoneJune2017-51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN we rode bikes on our street. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW we rode bikes in France. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgPRnZ7jB7ww9fghQddO5MrJnWdwV83QxPG7vDU0Xj-2UscLr6knbJwGkJut-qkZCRyxs2sbiqhcU_gKemxysgH49tmUDw2qodD9Sp4d0MZauqesQPswCO6cCc3KrxKzw5nT0s9C5ubVu/s1600/Nov-Dec-1999016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1275" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgPRnZ7jB7ww9fghQddO5MrJnWdwV83QxPG7vDU0Xj-2UscLr6knbJwGkJut-qkZCRyxs2sbiqhcU_gKemxysgH49tmUDw2qodD9Sp4d0MZauqesQPswCO6cCc3KrxKzw5nT0s9C5ubVu/s640/Nov-Dec-1999016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN she made friends with the swan at our local duck pond. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW she made friends with the swans in Kensington Park in London. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5WGvEF9yt9QevQjjpTLAVFxo7OPDUPkS4BxE3_io3hKJIWfQPT4FJL4X00R7I1VkCWMThDQNEXQQLIy2nXYi8gFfgCR7baWNvhlGd_5meB8Vuq7STupC66sVVI1nfa429oCVDyj8Y4wj/s1600/untitled-1315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF5WGvEF9yt9QevQjjpTLAVFxo7OPDUPkS4BxE3_io3hKJIWfQPT4FJL4X00R7I1VkCWMThDQNEXQQLIy2nXYi8gFfgCR7baWNvhlGd_5meB8Vuq7STupC66sVVI1nfa429oCVDyj8Y4wj/s640/untitled-1315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS7JHXO1_pl0gwOKoyBLttAR4BMjYBHv9M0yIcQ7DDI2B2wFXTdcnENtr11DAEb-0I61tb7TopaF4XN_eXzLAX2L1Qci8ty33mw69YmEbPlUhr27lHifxXeSmFFn_E6JpqJhtuN46xHHm/s1600/feb-2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1145" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihS7JHXO1_pl0gwOKoyBLttAR4BMjYBHv9M0yIcQ7DDI2B2wFXTdcnENtr11DAEb-0I61tb7TopaF4XN_eXzLAX2L1Qci8ty33mw69YmEbPlUhr27lHifxXeSmFFn_E6JpqJhtuN46xHHm/s640/feb-2001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN her dad played the part of the prince. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW there's someone else in the picture. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4j38goqcaqc77by_vd81B90fdO4tOF982gF8IhO6-Sgm1e3FcRAV9sd-79kNOuvUqvc-Mf5k3CODuk6ru57elHtJUNsK12yVufPt_e0Ruu3au_6echhQ8DdovYxCKWEY7zKiH3gBn3AB/s1600/DSCF0002_226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4j38goqcaqc77by_vd81B90fdO4tOF982gF8IhO6-Sgm1e3FcRAV9sd-79kNOuvUqvc-Mf5k3CODuk6ru57elHtJUNsK12yVufPt_e0Ruu3au_6echhQ8DdovYxCKWEY7zKiH3gBn3AB/s640/DSCF0002_226.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN Annie was proud to catch a tiny fish. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW Annie was proud to catch a BIG fish. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNK3f49-dZVQLCQp_6TzVtmuSZ5Xk8YIS1GbyFFKBFQgoiu9ZqLUDulDAb34LnbTpL60jcOmIeYiXx8BKxpH2ABkqmd34w_s5PNRrw94bx462PyMh68mygTkppEEqUIwFSOq4PmLy6aVb/s1600/LakeGeorge2017-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNK3f49-dZVQLCQp_6TzVtmuSZ5Xk8YIS1GbyFFKBFQgoiu9ZqLUDulDAb34LnbTpL60jcOmIeYiXx8BKxpH2ABkqmd34w_s5PNRrw94bx462PyMh68mygTkppEEqUIwFSOq4PmLy6aVb/s640/LakeGeorge2017-20.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sCcA6DSF_AkuzKYRWa5WlcxL83S2l0m7b3LZ1UV7V5ici3CGjnWA0npD1FYoJXTE-i9ieg-MM1NLweLVemBASt3tay7YMTmuGWtf7WGdeZd_BE_qMEHpiFUn7VHnyfOcgBrXtYLgyald/s1600/Annieconcert6th007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sCcA6DSF_AkuzKYRWa5WlcxL83S2l0m7b3LZ1UV7V5ici3CGjnWA0npD1FYoJXTE-i9ieg-MM1NLweLVemBASt3tay7YMTmuGWtf7WGdeZd_BE_qMEHpiFUn7VHnyfOcgBrXtYLgyald/s640/Annieconcert6th007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN Annie posed with Mrs. BIgge after her concerts. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW Annie's students pose with her after their concerts. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQyPms05fctkbs0397x5wpT_BcfsSva3tysZPJERd8tRN5fmal9Obwm-K4EehPTHumTXx-IKETEQL_Ng4h4MzL9sSqlyJdcV7POKyrl8kUp1DnizsHe-P7m5omCkAkf2mSgtuJAzw85oB/s1600/Woodstock-Elem-Fall-Concert-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQyPms05fctkbs0397x5wpT_BcfsSva3tysZPJERd8tRN5fmal9Obwm-K4EehPTHumTXx-IKETEQL_Ng4h4MzL9sSqlyJdcV7POKyrl8kUp1DnizsHe-P7m5omCkAkf2mSgtuJAzw85oB/s640/Woodstock-Elem-Fall-Concert-52.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ucCB5l4rsmnsds4Q5Maf1gpUaVqGZ97i6Yyb_WTwrvkO99f-NFTR4_SeQv8hPPH6Mdq3PrnXaVDUVTIxcE0bVRGjUF4H_Y3uivTIu6A6I_Ce1qBvdYznw2T0tqlG9Ixu2CGVwlKyXtZa/s1600/May-June-1999058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ucCB5l4rsmnsds4Q5Maf1gpUaVqGZ97i6Yyb_WTwrvkO99f-NFTR4_SeQv8hPPH6Mdq3PrnXaVDUVTIxcE0bVRGjUF4H_Y3uivTIu6A6I_Ce1qBvdYznw2T0tqlG9Ixu2CGVwlKyXtZa/s640/May-June-1999058.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN Annie wore white sequins for her first dance recital. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW Annie wore white sequins for her senior recital. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vx8nhzoqZ8a5BPGjK8tcciBzX37rmlSPBUD74QoikzAE4M6Mz77clpifVu7U5pD3L6E4zf_RnURu7GnAdyrpmM7iM3_diF_vK07vPH8go6-2MBtMagPCOPomeKB6q1oAb1DRMskGkLw1/s1600/Eastman-Senior-Recital-54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1551" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Vx8nhzoqZ8a5BPGjK8tcciBzX37rmlSPBUD74QoikzAE4M6Mz77clpifVu7U5pD3L6E4zf_RnURu7GnAdyrpmM7iM3_diF_vK07vPH8go6-2MBtMagPCOPomeKB6q1oAb1DRMskGkLw1/s640/Eastman-Senior-Recital-54.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyudX519Vx_ih7EDemjCDuE9daI4Sm4HO6FohFY6eZdGgdO7DxqiT339mqp_MOX-UhxhEJReBZU8PZ6gRRNS0W_1bSfZ1L1n3imOfKd0z0ZRkRDVYd1DE8DiY-JxFyyEBiiaMHG43ywLg/s1600/March-April-1999-005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyudX519Vx_ih7EDemjCDuE9daI4Sm4HO6FohFY6eZdGgdO7DxqiT339mqp_MOX-UhxhEJReBZU8PZ6gRRNS0W_1bSfZ1L1n3imOfKd0z0ZRkRDVYd1DE8DiY-JxFyyEBiiaMHG43ywLg/s640/March-April-1999-005.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN they posed for Easter in front of our front door. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW they posed for Christmas in front of our front door. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFwY1cmj6GWm6Tp2RQPNpnGMv0ez-3rwrpbFrnuGXFC-aFeU0MIWw2NUgXBFOuAp_GSefQzqGjR84xHHJy-qN1V1lL62LTScoPCwkJ7ph58WJ2uOlEnrvkcAW9Uvgoul0clD1kpnT4XJz/s1600/ChrismasCard2017-173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFwY1cmj6GWm6Tp2RQPNpnGMv0ez-3rwrpbFrnuGXFC-aFeU0MIWw2NUgXBFOuAp_GSefQzqGjR84xHHJy-qN1V1lL62LTScoPCwkJ7ph58WJ2uOlEnrvkcAW9Uvgoul0clD1kpnT4XJz/s640/ChrismasCard2017-173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTLG3v90i7NS_bdEGewMIe-ZVfdOXIS99m_vfacNI3x4erFFDxQO5PSCnHrT9KMmxXCWJhDRZ742usTGhF7nS_BDwW-VJKOVjl_U9uChyt1MuNHMtev7OTj6QtI1IqBMLnkQ1T686eJo2/s1600/July-Aug-1998-060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1003" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTLG3v90i7NS_bdEGewMIe-ZVfdOXIS99m_vfacNI3x4erFFDxQO5PSCnHrT9KMmxXCWJhDRZ742usTGhF7nS_BDwW-VJKOVjl_U9uChyt1MuNHMtev7OTj6QtI1IqBMLnkQ1T686eJo2/s640/July-Aug-1998-060.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN we took a boat ride on Lake George. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW we took a boat ride on the Seine in Paris. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jU0NHOThQWqs1A2ProDzll-Ys-E13vqLVRUWktfNNHe-iouBtRxSy1xz3E-Jdbm6M_S6dWRdothfzU_hmbCRPRfcHlnz8szqqgQWmpfU9q_kgnCj-Sd6PgiaZAVuo9ZuddaYOCY331z8/s1600/untitled-1032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jU0NHOThQWqs1A2ProDzll-Ys-E13vqLVRUWktfNNHe-iouBtRxSy1xz3E-Jdbm6M_S6dWRdothfzU_hmbCRPRfcHlnz8szqqgQWmpfU9q_kgnCj-Sd6PgiaZAVuo9ZuddaYOCY331z8/s640/untitled-1032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rrj4zyikZconSZ7w6QSFdUezcZXkNONF9REnzjhyphenhyphenx0xSYmloofbzmy5CNRqj1yxcfgkALmadHB8FqyeAjSDBo7XL1lcWj7-FWEkblW1icEwKmWtDmiTAAm1ipxOwrBC5w88Q_B_wcDEO/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Rrj4zyikZconSZ7w6QSFdUezcZXkNONF9REnzjhyphenhyphenx0xSYmloofbzmy5CNRqj1yxcfgkALmadHB8FqyeAjSDBo7XL1lcWj7-FWEkblW1icEwKmWtDmiTAAm1ipxOwrBC5w88Q_B_wcDEO/s640/IMG_2275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN she played in the band in Middle School. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW she directs the Middle School band. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOO7BHCUJY6YbjhHFDqMRBv0yQ-NmoUMUaZOMm64m182NXEsxDHGL2aq_17e5CW5taeWYQ10lyi2d41arCAlR0YPy3CwJ7AsUMfLuClEm64wJmY2kpspC6XZGW73DuU4XIl-sQE-sn1uw/s1600/DSCF0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOO7BHCUJY6YbjhHFDqMRBv0yQ-NmoUMUaZOMm64m182NXEsxDHGL2aq_17e5CW5taeWYQ10lyi2d41arCAlR0YPy3CwJ7AsUMfLuClEm64wJmY2kpspC6XZGW73DuU4XIl-sQE-sn1uw/s640/DSCF0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN they posed for a picture with their dad. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW they posed for a picture with their dad. ⬇</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ecnJfpLtkEYjkTwpDLgLuDU__qxM5-IwIJO3_osV6Rl7kXTHwqXSYuERmlg7SSjjuIb1q9m5qN8vGxixVZPa4R2oQbpjKPEj5iK9ArNmuPIIdZGCJG8fcncIbk3fNgAabTFIKso_A5pq/s1600/Nov-Dec-1997-022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="1165" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ecnJfpLtkEYjkTwpDLgLuDU__qxM5-IwIJO3_osV6Rl7kXTHwqXSYuERmlg7SSjjuIb1q9m5qN8vGxixVZPa4R2oQbpjKPEj5iK9ArNmuPIIdZGCJG8fcncIbk3fNgAabTFIKso_A5pq/s640/Nov-Dec-1997-022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN we coordinated our outfits. ⬆</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW we coordinated our sunglasses. ⬇</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time has gone by. Annie has grown up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So many things have changed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in many ways, they remain the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May you have the happiest of birthdays!</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-50002323649481316552017-12-30T08:24:00.000-05:002017-12-30T08:34:58.518-05:00Christmastimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a WHITE Christmas this year </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at our house</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also had 2 dogs & 4 cats,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> many laughs, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">great gift-giving,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lots of food,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and much love for each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our 3rd annual cookie decorating contest results:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1st place: Annie (Elf) by one vote </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2nd place: Kerry (egg)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3rd place: Adam (grill)</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-30686354978365474132017-12-22T20:07:00.000-05:002017-12-23T12:50:14.182-05:00Life After College<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I haven't posted in a while, and wasn't planning to start again until the New Year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But plans change when there's a very good reason!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2017 has been a year of change for my daughter, Annie. College graduation in May, job interviews, accepting a job offer in July, move to a new apartment in August, adopting 2 kittens, and beginning her first teaching position in mid-August...all happening in four months.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ld1zNj_iexr-86Bz_2rhyxEmBkjJWLxY3WR8nNcgeW0IzfaauF51GUxSh5NpJ2xqBZkxvdDbxxHLcS4s-__NfwAImZ2eSiBAqZvq40WUjwZQ_hSWMTmI0B9g8FZjSUtuEBoK8OxX1IK7/s1600/Annie-blog-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ld1zNj_iexr-86Bz_2rhyxEmBkjJWLxY3WR8nNcgeW0IzfaauF51GUxSh5NpJ2xqBZkxvdDbxxHLcS4s-__NfwAImZ2eSiBAqZvq40WUjwZQ_hSWMTmI0B9g8FZjSUtuEBoK8OxX1IK7/s640/Annie-blog-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Annie found a large, beautiful, bright, cheery apartment in a small town in Massachusettes only 40 minutes from home and 15 minutes from her new job!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUYS1TAC6q_Lk-dgsdS4BmgrHtEbjcIY0OHpPl2jfWh-uYbj1kia1waSVqs-XvLisg9vXR1FJvU-H4wPoDLlOs4OyaUo9iEZTry1yCG7mu7KRjMwFcQCXPHXv1Ly-dSzyXydyeJGIoZCO/s1600/Annie-blog-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUYS1TAC6q_Lk-dgsdS4BmgrHtEbjcIY0OHpPl2jfWh-uYbj1kia1waSVqs-XvLisg9vXR1FJvU-H4wPoDLlOs4OyaUo9iEZTry1yCG7mu7KRjMwFcQCXPHXv1Ly-dSzyXydyeJGIoZCO/s640/Annie-blog-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is the 3rd floor of an old house which was just totally renovated.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFWki6xMn8JWl-nQtuAcqOtRC-Az8nMRfgawkz14GNfuTnzcfJPg8_aOSg3f9l4zQobnC7eqpIuNlaPgGgXTHlMfJyYH1nAfK2ibKLPXdX6FrIYDgPQSNOxhP0yNFCbcTdGKUU2F3h5IS/s1600/Annie-blog-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFWki6xMn8JWl-nQtuAcqOtRC-Az8nMRfgawkz14GNfuTnzcfJPg8_aOSg3f9l4zQobnC7eqpIuNlaPgGgXTHlMfJyYH1nAfK2ibKLPXdX6FrIYDgPQSNOxhP0yNFCbcTdGKUU2F3h5IS/s640/Annie-blog-3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a spacious kitchen, dining room, and living room.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7x-LrrT0jokawqcXY2_i2ameemM7pYPLmpTe-8SX_1g35eoEYWFPvAXPiSQKxKxzhVw9XVr1MlpM8bvA8BFN5uWdgIj8tXcko877O3wudCU0aAnSIDjHJEZEi2YlL1HaSFNuk8APQuSm/s1600/Annie-blog-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7x-LrrT0jokawqcXY2_i2ameemM7pYPLmpTe-8SX_1g35eoEYWFPvAXPiSQKxKxzhVw9XVr1MlpM8bvA8BFN5uWdgIj8tXcko877O3wudCU0aAnSIDjHJEZEi2YlL1HaSFNuk8APQuSm/s640/Annie-blog-4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3ff9NtsjflT7sk07uZTXVMG3__OoKq5DyPfituiwwYZhvJxEGwVhaGCtq_6jVfPGkKIiyiECSjYRvKRBtg6MCO8gyy5RGvTfBl6wPK3VIM6bKQ5r6kAzuq2q23tbHQAvavTaSneUNuCh/s1600/Annie-blog-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC3ff9NtsjflT7sk07uZTXVMG3__OoKq5DyPfituiwwYZhvJxEGwVhaGCtq_6jVfPGkKIiyiECSjYRvKRBtg6MCO8gyy5RGvTfBl6wPK3VIM6bKQ5r6kAzuq2q23tbHQAvavTaSneUNuCh/s640/Annie-blog-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZos9C7SW4UkUH49-GFCJJRjbyVKeEmxQ0FuQdIVjnFpRN5Aj6zD1uzg1-HtpcPXSfT0zAT-mJbkB7DgZEGyrJ5CdIBXkw6oI1Lr0BggR8g4dXpXct1e3FIRbpWAB2OfPLSXbbFNxr8hyphenhyphen/s1600/Annie-blog-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZos9C7SW4UkUH49-GFCJJRjbyVKeEmxQ0FuQdIVjnFpRN5Aj6zD1uzg1-HtpcPXSfT0zAT-mJbkB7DgZEGyrJ5CdIBXkw6oI1Lr0BggR8g4dXpXct1e3FIRbpWAB2OfPLSXbbFNxr8hyphenhyphen/s640/Annie-blog-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vZS8aP5eJskUMiZB9-JX7JlVnXwmcPnNzIAkAokr-R71jd5ey5CTwWlpiXfH-4b1qndNkS-RRauQaC6Myi4UKfqQwV6u806gY_y6JIcbXuUNM91uSGr91xYKQ3Be-NLPSyKw9lCja2Wq/s1600/Annie-blog-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1600" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vZS8aP5eJskUMiZB9-JX7JlVnXwmcPnNzIAkAokr-R71jd5ey5CTwWlpiXfH-4b1qndNkS-RRauQaC6Myi4UKfqQwV6u806gY_y6JIcbXuUNM91uSGr91xYKQ3Be-NLPSyKw9lCja2Wq/s640/Annie-blog-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The kittens, Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab came home a few weeks later.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzArEV4SCsx1CtH6RuKYMTEOnjt8aJLRlbZ9NpAxXJYwn6i8p_AuKp5fho5x9eeugCmPwcyW-3D-UMCLOarIOe6rejuRYjlWtwWMkTf1jOdFmAth9dePOBAnHwvjvyAbYR125zeNPlFXAC/s1600/Annie-blog-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzArEV4SCsx1CtH6RuKYMTEOnjt8aJLRlbZ9NpAxXJYwn6i8p_AuKp5fho5x9eeugCmPwcyW-3D-UMCLOarIOe6rejuRYjlWtwWMkTf1jOdFmAth9dePOBAnHwvjvyAbYR125zeNPlFXAC/s640/Annie-blog-30.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then she entered the "working world".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Since September, there have been ups and downs as Annie has been finding her way through the struggles of first-year teaching. Over time, we've noticed less focus on her difficulties and more talk about "her kids" and the funny things they say, notes they've written to her, and appreciative emails from parents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Annie's time is split between the elementary school and the middle school. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She teaches general music to 3rd and 4th graders, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is the band instructor to 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last week she put on a wonderful holiday concert with her elementary students.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0alQFby5Od1gWM_HkDP8vuHXh_ueZt90_5BKx5PAtib9fP3Nbirqt1RxJDp364gyrHDscY_CKKX5DU7sW-EEeY_NQIN0y1pvjlg7VlVpHOPMlfmtDLdkTunukCKOldWCVerX4KeIAgh3-/s1600/Annie-blog-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1433" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0alQFby5Od1gWM_HkDP8vuHXh_ueZt90_5BKx5PAtib9fP3Nbirqt1RxJDp364gyrHDscY_CKKX5DU7sW-EEeY_NQIN0y1pvjlg7VlVpHOPMlfmtDLdkTunukCKOldWCVerX4KeIAgh3-/s640/Annie-blog-57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She was extremely nervous beforehand, but you'd never know it once the show began.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoiKNi3ARAWRKsg3yEJm6JL-aFWHz5Dj6v2EVX5yNPy5NSCUFJbKpQRICwhfbdHx7DHkOWlM6e33OJhS3kKmyBi5r0X8ov1cf5bgmNinVLfi1187r0vCGeZLRy_N9IAFQtLUgEInI_tZQ/s1600/Annie-blog-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoiKNi3ARAWRKsg3yEJm6JL-aFWHz5Dj6v2EVX5yNPy5NSCUFJbKpQRICwhfbdHx7DHkOWlM6e33OJhS3kKmyBi5r0X8ov1cf5bgmNinVLfi1187r0vCGeZLRy_N9IAFQtLUgEInI_tZQ/s640/Annie-blog-52.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEmCJYXUxm_x5HvcBR-Tia07zJ6YJzNeA_TANnfqupJ1_Bptai9BdLmteVPocvjnCrRRg9-kketHqELwfOswI39nhoX58q9ik1NBOzC5Dqb-dS6QqM9r6VHAGHMS6BHgVEsL1zeySKPWR/s1600/Annie-blog-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEmCJYXUxm_x5HvcBR-Tia07zJ6YJzNeA_TANnfqupJ1_Bptai9BdLmteVPocvjnCrRRg9-kketHqELwfOswI39nhoX58q9ik1NBOzC5Dqb-dS6QqM9r6VHAGHMS6BHgVEsL1zeySKPWR/s640/Annie-blog-53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Watching her interact with the kids, we couldn't help but wonder where</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the years have gone. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was one of the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> little ones on the stage? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe5Cpanu1Jzl2GUbbbhbd8INE6Bxa4Fkgfx4tBBYroiY5pxaw7YO5HZtddIh9saonviJVHvgsFskW6rdFh9mtjHuwpbup3FAA5V4f6tZ8KzqdUXHVtLp1FmcLjjkpr4HHq2LF-H9RcTKd/s1600/Annie-blog-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKe5Cpanu1Jzl2GUbbbhbd8INE6Bxa4Fkgfx4tBBYroiY5pxaw7YO5HZtddIh9saonviJVHvgsFskW6rdFh9mtjHuwpbup3FAA5V4f6tZ8KzqdUXHVtLp1FmcLjjkpr4HHq2LF-H9RcTKd/s640/Annie-blog-56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a parent, it was wonderful to watch the kids looking up to Annie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and to see her face light up in response.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEFIt16w6EjcSkmirT568NEdyTR0YmKixpK76T6qJ82MWSWNFh5KMJ_kUSz3Ys3ZJq4uyeKMJyjHRZeq6A5xsG5ESkiXaO6QXcKwS6oRbjvXPfvoKuWdDZilJ6Jh3TofgmC2x4UxkMocB/s1600/Annie-blog-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1574" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEFIt16w6EjcSkmirT568NEdyTR0YmKixpK76T6qJ82MWSWNFh5KMJ_kUSz3Ys3ZJq4uyeKMJyjHRZeq6A5xsG5ESkiXaO6QXcKwS6oRbjvXPfvoKuWdDZilJ6Jh3TofgmC2x4UxkMocB/s640/Annie-blog-58.jpg" width="628" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not very many years ago, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Annie would scramble up to her music teacher, Mrs. Bigge, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">after every concert so I could take their picture together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78u5UhPn_TkdgRLDJ9rkVF_kBeQo6iQlHdcWeqshWW6ynBYHz_R6572wLt3xD_zE-PTji2UewgELTHkxoYaIekBvL-dbmT0tuqp5mL5aiLrKGkQXrTTUnZ6yB6mersDw3G4vMXMB5N0Yk/s1600/Annie-blog-59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78u5UhPn_TkdgRLDJ9rkVF_kBeQo6iQlHdcWeqshWW6ynBYHz_R6572wLt3xD_zE-PTji2UewgELTHkxoYaIekBvL-dbmT0tuqp5mL5aiLrKGkQXrTTUnZ6yB6mersDw3G4vMXMB5N0Yk/s640/Annie-blog-59.jpg" width="446" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now she is the "Mrs. Bigge" for these kids.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTIcj1zn35LqoLHPUTDHTjdGUzzSlGyE50ZGIsSBh8-WXClClyta9M1PsCmsVdIpCa3bIFSHdARdjfiBcenYfDkzDbVGTdZwvkYoAb9bUIYtyu1PRhpLTtx0-8-DIzW1eogIBfxGP8eAL/s1600/Annie-blog-60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTIcj1zn35LqoLHPUTDHTjdGUzzSlGyE50ZGIsSBh8-WXClClyta9M1PsCmsVdIpCa3bIFSHdARdjfiBcenYfDkzDbVGTdZwvkYoAb9bUIYtyu1PRhpLTtx0-8-DIzW1eogIBfxGP8eAL/s640/Annie-blog-60.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhei0tMtTDjZf451obMdxx1_fZ7gFcV6Ma7hEvQdepPuHJ_h_ItRB07SM5s_uAadSRDplHI3ySkEEUZDVO8w_J7io99jzWj-_7-JoMCtEywvEElhxqpeZZUyNfIW4f2rsM2R4OYqYjFQ4ms/s1600/Annie-blog-61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1255" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhei0tMtTDjZf451obMdxx1_fZ7gFcV6Ma7hEvQdepPuHJ_h_ItRB07SM5s_uAadSRDplHI3ySkEEUZDVO8w_J7io99jzWj-_7-JoMCtEywvEElhxqpeZZUyNfIW4f2rsM2R4OYqYjFQ4ms/s640/Annie-blog-61.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last night, we were honored to attend Annie's first Middle School Band Concert.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIuedDiiptXURBUU2YchYX0Y3z3zJiAlH3K82IGPjdyZRYcLP7nW0sJ7lG6ieKaHwE5idB2TX9z65eC7NFz-ZyY6fSZamxfgOyMSELddrSHSlmzT5Wfl3o2C6hMp4CaYfRb3I7JxYqKK1/s1600/Annie-blog-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIuedDiiptXURBUU2YchYX0Y3z3zJiAlH3K82IGPjdyZRYcLP7nW0sJ7lG6ieKaHwE5idB2TX9z65eC7NFz-ZyY6fSZamxfgOyMSELddrSHSlmzT5Wfl3o2C6hMp4CaYfRb3I7JxYqKK1/s640/Annie-blog-71.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMCxuCVobqOhOIaiTEZ0G4B2Ir6-SHmgsH2-BKkoBQl_7_sKJtjhRSTqH1ozA5UZYdMfs0du8f44YC0DBE96a_opM5iZzACJjon4GhkgYxQ3EE8TRbuF-n0xormwrOvHzekz3Wi9blHNP/s1600/Annie-blog-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMCxuCVobqOhOIaiTEZ0G4B2Ir6-SHmgsH2-BKkoBQl_7_sKJtjhRSTqH1ozA5UZYdMfs0du8f44YC0DBE96a_opM5iZzACJjon4GhkgYxQ3EE8TRbuF-n0xormwrOvHzekz3Wi9blHNP/s640/Annie-blog-73.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here, she directed the very cool Jazz Band.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcn1m1j8ryRNDJM20wg2R_Pd__0hPvRu2egeHkoV9XF7QUSbDdlITUwWncSNJRDgH1091y6QzUgZopLuZM8rc6gy_a4wmHqzda-wVfC2RQgDDc6zTzpELtCYAj_MNARbeeAJLfyhBlg8f/s1600/Annie-blog-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcn1m1j8ryRNDJM20wg2R_Pd__0hPvRu2egeHkoV9XF7QUSbDdlITUwWncSNJRDgH1091y6QzUgZopLuZM8rc6gy_a4wmHqzda-wVfC2RQgDDc6zTzpELtCYAj_MNARbeeAJLfyhBlg8f/s640/Annie-blog-76.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DwyszmhrkoqN6KPVAtNxZP7bo3XL2j19btmG6BpXvms4nAAxHtI8YW1ETeFGYCFtdNSz0ctCg8zNemClMy9esZUejBNnbOrNKRAU4bLrOMw4xAZk980etxnExhZr6pCtCXLKQXIfxgqr/s1600/Annie-blog-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DwyszmhrkoqN6KPVAtNxZP7bo3XL2j19btmG6BpXvms4nAAxHtI8YW1ETeFGYCFtdNSz0ctCg8zNemClMy9esZUejBNnbOrNKRAU4bLrOMw4xAZk980etxnExhZr6pCtCXLKQXIfxgqr/s640/Annie-blog-78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then the full band did extremely well too!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji99U3hgHGdMDzKW3Ff5EgtzU6q_O41lPSr2KPfhmAE5cMEnAWRs_go1ZQystS1_xhLGr0UHPUYS7rt5qEQadz1RRLv5_fOLhO5BaQC6_1C5YnNV32UBdDrGvBMpRn-542g39ZIEuUbx1q/s1600/Annie-blog-79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji99U3hgHGdMDzKW3Ff5EgtzU6q_O41lPSr2KPfhmAE5cMEnAWRs_go1ZQystS1_xhLGr0UHPUYS7rt5qEQadz1RRLv5_fOLhO5BaQC6_1C5YnNV32UBdDrGvBMpRn-542g39ZIEuUbx1q/s640/Annie-blog-79.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was nice for us to be able to meet the school principal and a few of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Annie's colleagues that we hear so much about.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7my2F-a8TCYhcYLHFcV77h109kP9VxzD2qQMgWkx9VJGekldO0yBXS2E274CnXk2qKxakzwF_EfLvBpFg_hIU2skGzYmJhZvYiuH4OuFusSqib38ZbtWnnJHZlBrQsUSTJD-kYkIca-9H/s1600/Annie-blog-80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7my2F-a8TCYhcYLHFcV77h109kP9VxzD2qQMgWkx9VJGekldO0yBXS2E274CnXk2qKxakzwF_EfLvBpFg_hIU2skGzYmJhZvYiuH4OuFusSqib38ZbtWnnJHZlBrQsUSTJD-kYkIca-9H/s640/Annie-blog-80.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were very proud of Annie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She looked confident and professional,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but the best part was, again, seeing how she</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was connected to the kids and how they responded to her.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YimF05CW2Hnf8YPc2UbD5iMrwvmlvJ2ZwrGUApFh4xFXkramWOHD0C8w-W-dXTUeI-WJFn1r6rGqEV3tkxOJPPIZc86spmzIRJ1cFN-Gls-xo_unKmEyqsZre3RwF_GA76tDEjUu30pk/s1600/Annie-blog-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YimF05CW2Hnf8YPc2UbD5iMrwvmlvJ2ZwrGUApFh4xFXkramWOHD0C8w-W-dXTUeI-WJFn1r6rGqEV3tkxOJPPIZc86spmzIRJ1cFN-Gls-xo_unKmEyqsZre3RwF_GA76tDEjUu30pk/s640/Annie-blog-82.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We would have traveled far to attend these concerts,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but we feel fortunate to be less than an hour away!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Congratulations, Annie!</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-692866587388793416.post-42213012946067705442017-10-30T14:23:00.002-04:002017-10-30T14:23:36.715-04:00A Mighty Oak Falls<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning in anticipation to discover</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who had been indicted by the Grand Jury</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in the Trump investigation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In complex investigations such as this, often the first to be charged are</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">those at the bottom. It is common that prosecutors </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">use information from lower level people to help the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">investigation as it works its way higher up the ladder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early this morning, as the rain came down and the wind </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">whirled through the trees, a mighty oak toppled to the ground in our front yard.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSn1gEI_O6C_RKpapyTED8UOC-CxBsqQzlb7U_iwS_dccMo4vYs6KhyphenhyphensGgZH4O3pvyQJo1R4mLblfjAtsPF1DBSC16T59Po8m6ozkr_YLkiRwZd6uqolVZprf8dQ5dlHSz1R4pDaNJefp/s1600/IMG_1485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSn1gEI_O6C_RKpapyTED8UOC-CxBsqQzlb7U_iwS_dccMo4vYs6KhyphenhyphensGgZH4O3pvyQJo1R4mLblfjAtsPF1DBSC16T59Po8m6ozkr_YLkiRwZd6uqolVZprf8dQ5dlHSz1R4pDaNJefp/s640/IMG_1485.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDb6oNXl1h2RQeldLT8x71QMfjQy1B6Oi9KBV_4660YO3YCp-sP4D_MCYtWkbuSkggNwYfR9VKzbJoFDT_C2DjIEKVPbcuvR5AyGd8eU8Ls_riBJz-w6BQ7vaomfykDZIOijBsKZ8rZAG/s1600/IMG_1468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDb6oNXl1h2RQeldLT8x71QMfjQy1B6Oi9KBV_4660YO3YCp-sP4D_MCYtWkbuSkggNwYfR9VKzbJoFDT_C2DjIEKVPbcuvR5AyGd8eU8Ls_riBJz-w6BQ7vaomfykDZIOijBsKZ8rZAG/s640/IMG_1468.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It fell away from our house, across our neighbor's driveway, and across the road.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ0xCByv1Euw3HIEZRvBV8x9GmE8wa3Ni-lVmnBY9X_LJS8KLdVZPPUFDZ32eZEcwDzHH_4bWRF8aSUCB2B95iLkKl1j_0IrjjUB1cZdbjO2g1x7rNpP61vttWUsmSR3U4kDy-FARAj1Y/s1600/IMG_1472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ0xCByv1Euw3HIEZRvBV8x9GmE8wa3Ni-lVmnBY9X_LJS8KLdVZPPUFDZ32eZEcwDzHH_4bWRF8aSUCB2B95iLkKl1j_0IrjjUB1cZdbjO2g1x7rNpP61vttWUsmSR3U4kDy-FARAj1Y/s640/IMG_1472.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oIHcNRw8HGkmrk9paLCI9_lXCcZrGfNR1-vHA4BKFiy5GHbTaTeJjVbQPtzISBEOH2HBx2KIOpQiOcdSqVIRF567szagQ1LejwDL3aAWKLcLwSzz1tdsOFJK18VFVrxJlay2DrugRX5r/s1600/IMG_1486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oIHcNRw8HGkmrk9paLCI9_lXCcZrGfNR1-vHA4BKFiy5GHbTaTeJjVbQPtzISBEOH2HBx2KIOpQiOcdSqVIRF567szagQ1LejwDL3aAWKLcLwSzz1tdsOFJK18VFVrxJlay2DrugRX5r/s640/IMG_1486.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, it also crushed our neighbor's car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU1ZZe_BCJMeX765dWtM1YgQ04P6-UJT01BoAHCEo5vU2E0Up5Fc9skMbAM2LYd5as-r0xn_4vGGyN9CVphHAZ07l2t6fJyEnYMCUfI1JcXpJSo5TooXijimL5t2fRYnhIV9xxEe_A4u4/s1600/IMG_1478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU1ZZe_BCJMeX765dWtM1YgQ04P6-UJT01BoAHCEo5vU2E0Up5Fc9skMbAM2LYd5as-r0xn_4vGGyN9CVphHAZ07l2t6fJyEnYMCUfI1JcXpJSo5TooXijimL5t2fRYnhIV9xxEe_A4u4/s640/IMG_1478.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BUT their mailbox and newspaper boxes remained untouched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFQZRuJwvI5OzNEPmJZsyDcJmLN5qd1yR2Tdt17RJzZm-0HQ-zylcFyBGEpR5Acr8WnNdUXdNkZzn8yCMLBSGDN60QYzfE619f5zDzYrLa9HRvu1JVMRZ7qogrSi6IfrIE2n6rBgiMWNP/s1600/neighbors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFQZRuJwvI5OzNEPmJZsyDcJmLN5qd1yR2Tdt17RJzZm-0HQ-zylcFyBGEpR5Acr8WnNdUXdNkZzn8yCMLBSGDN60QYzfE619f5zDzYrLa9HRvu1JVMRZ7qogrSi6IfrIE2n6rBgiMWNP/s640/neighbors.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's nothing like a disaster to draw the neighbors out of their houses</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">before 7 o'clock in the morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBUmDyYWaVrtMF28tSGzcRlY7S7vm_4LK_redq-o1Uf4RS-3Ds9F9gJFFG3mEQHHBi4pvHaymE_VGlwmSlD6tKOU8_tI9-mkNiioDTc2F4OwEKmV4I-y7MuEp1esVj6acVtPszQ7xYICK/s1600/IMG_1492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBUmDyYWaVrtMF28tSGzcRlY7S7vm_4LK_redq-o1Uf4RS-3Ds9F9gJFFG3mEQHHBi4pvHaymE_VGlwmSlD6tKOU8_tI9-mkNiioDTc2F4OwEKmV4I-y7MuEp1esVj6acVtPszQ7xYICK/s640/IMG_1492.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within 1/2 hour, the town was here to clear the branches from the road to allow cars to pass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r9Cn9WE2IXkLJaC6wEF4SoQffNwHanIH-CjwckMO9WB5ru0FVYdsSO2zOdLm0hyphenhyphenuTN6XlLwEV19U4F3ay1HsWatQzkMHLFYYmjY6iACavrgxQ_gGLrRA65njFc0viU2_577sS7NhHghr/s1600/IMG_1502+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r9Cn9WE2IXkLJaC6wEF4SoQffNwHanIH-CjwckMO9WB5ru0FVYdsSO2zOdLm0hyphenhyphenuTN6XlLwEV19U4F3ay1HsWatQzkMHLFYYmjY6iACavrgxQ_gGLrRA65njFc0viU2_577sS7NhHghr/s640/IMG_1502+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And within a few hours, the Distinctive Tree Care was here to remove the rest </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of the tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The car was uncovered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PQBBPqgb3h8h5EnpqyqM0FrNK0SxThVVQx-mN4uYu50rCRixhwKQvUgcoAYQDy5E9XCjomv7NjwRsxKye6-7vqTrcj8jWVV5ZUTCx7xRJeZKxAkplPppcOs7DTqbqlpqgr4JD0TaOfQy/s1600/IMG_1527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PQBBPqgb3h8h5EnpqyqM0FrNK0SxThVVQx-mN4uYu50rCRixhwKQvUgcoAYQDy5E9XCjomv7NjwRsxKye6-7vqTrcj8jWVV5ZUTCx7xRJeZKxAkplPppcOs7DTqbqlpqgr4JD0TaOfQy/s640/IMG_1527.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The crime scene was taped off so as not to endanger any Trick-or-Treaters tomorrow night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I looked more closely at the root ball, I noticed how small the roots of this enormous tree actually were. I asked the arborist about the root system. After all this tree had weathered over its many, many years, what made it topple now?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He explained that, unlike what many believe, the roots of large oaks are not huge and mainly extend only 18 inches into the ground. The many small roots extend way beyond the canopy of the tree and make up the entire support system for the tree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over time, and for many reasons, these many small tentacles of roots can weaken or be broken. When this happens, and the support system of the mighty tree is no longer as strong as it once was, it can be uprooted if the conditions are right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no law of nature that the most powerful will inevitably remain at the top.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the Meuller investigation chips away at those small roots in Donald Trump's world,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">what will be discovered? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Will it be enough, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and will conditions be right</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to bring him down?</span></div>
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Gaylehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06656059987155564665noreply@blogger.com1