tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61799270102097028792024-03-14T05:49:30.896-04:00Boys My Joys...chronicling life in a house filled with boysDana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.comBlogger438125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-20058691965414277542012-02-04T16:54:00.021-05:002012-02-06T17:03:58.886-05:00Experiment 29- Day 4<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today's prompt- something simple you can't live without.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I would seriously be at a loss if I didn't have one-on-one time with Superman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We don't always have the time or money to go out on extravagant dates, so we make dates out of simple, mundane tasks.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It makes those tasks a lot more fun... and I love the chance to turn ANYTHING into a 'hot date'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Tonight, we had 30-minutes all to ourselves at the grocery store.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It was a great date!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We chatted.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We held hands.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And, I may have even snuck a few smooches in while we re-stocked our cabinets.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHLGLlylgjk/TzBN0rPmdaI/AAAAAAAADvs/v8e8Cse5Rew/s1600/day35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JHLGLlylgjk/TzBN0rPmdaI/AAAAAAAADvs/v8e8Cse5Rew/s640/day35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It's the little things, people!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Seek them out!</span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-18439019749281350202012-02-03T16:46:00.017-05:002012-02-06T17:06:53.665-05:00Experiment 29- Day 3<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today's prompt- a picture of something you wear.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today I took </span><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Miss Priss</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"> to the ballet to see 'The Little Mermaid'.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">She was wearing the sweetest mary jane's.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Oh my!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love little girl things!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I loved to watch her twirl in her dress, run on her tippy toes, and sit with her little legs crossed at the ankles.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So, of course, I had to make her the center of my picture for today...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQOK58tOyIM/TzBLtaOtmZI/AAAAAAAADvk/XcqdN2OnqNw/s1600/day34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uQOK58tOyIM/TzBLtaOtmZI/AAAAAAAADvk/XcqdN2OnqNw/s640/day34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-70344429287011051032012-02-02T19:11:00.006-05:002012-02-04T09:19:53.978-05:00Experiment 29- Day 2<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Today's prompt- Photograph something you love.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_uXxvQ-z9k/Ty08vP9tVlI/AAAAAAAADvc/lZq2WNY0iL8/s1600/day33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U_uXxvQ-z9k/Ty08vP9tVlI/AAAAAAAADvc/lZq2WNY0iL8/s640/day33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love that I have ONE child that craves order and organization!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I love that he thinks outside the box.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">When I showed him this old letter/printing tray at an antique mall, he wanted it for this very purpose.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New;">(He had seen similar displays in one of his Lego magazines.)</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I love that he has filled his walls with calendars and posters and shelves of Legos he's built and artwork and ...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I could go on and on!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I love that although I wanted his room to look magazine-perfect, he has worn me down and made it look like HIM!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I love him!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">It's a win-win!</span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-58790700618072344242012-02-01T09:10:00.002-05:002012-02-04T09:27:56.854-05:00Experiment 29- Day 1<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">One of my sweet friends has started a photo challenge on Facebook.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It simply asks you to take one photo a day during the month of February, based on a prompt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">For me, this was a no-brainer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I'm in my 3rd year of taking a picture a day, so since I'm already snapping away, why not have a daily prompt?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">If you're on Facebook and want to join in, go </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/One-Photo-Every-Day-Project/244798792261427" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Day One- Photograph your breakfast.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hty48-saQ2A/Ty07zZ0ofUI/AAAAAAAADvU/3tRqUOTf1GI/s1600/day32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hty48-saQ2A/Ty07zZ0ofUI/AAAAAAAADvU/3tRqUOTf1GI/s640/day32.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Eggs, fresh from the farm.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Picked them up last night.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Yum!</span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-55266402267749865552012-01-23T22:06:00.004-05:002012-01-23T22:09:47.070-05:00A Day in the Life (Crazy Edition)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>One day a month, my life swings out-of-control busy!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It's sometimes a little stressful.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>But, it's worth it in the end.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm1DKWw2M2s/Tx4SuWhpkvI/AAAAAAAADtc/sirWSXajNqw/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qm1DKWw2M2s/Tx4SuWhpkvI/AAAAAAAADtc/sirWSXajNqw/s640/DSC_0229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong> 7:55 am-</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>My alarm goes off.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>I was up until midnight last night, so I slept in a little to make sure I'd make it through the day.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n7Aj50INhc/Tx4SzrkZHrI/AAAAAAAADtk/-LfRXEW7i9k/s1600/DSC_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--n7Aj50INhc/Tx4SzrkZHrI/AAAAAAAADtk/-LfRXEW7i9k/s640/DSC_0234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">10:25am-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Dropped the boys off at karate for class.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TA2T4XBArqs/Tx4TvvbrKlI/AAAAAAAADvM/zdZcuOTrydw/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TA2T4XBArqs/Tx4TvvbrKlI/AAAAAAAADvM/zdZcuOTrydw/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>10:39am-</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Rushed home instead of staying with the boys at their class, to re-boot the laundry and clean the 1/2 bath for tonight's meeting.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiIOQmREGIk/Tx4S3tOB5TI/AAAAAAAADts/ZLlq_bbi_Y8/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiIOQmREGIk/Tx4S3tOB5TI/AAAAAAAADts/ZLlq_bbi_Y8/s640/DSC_0241.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1:23pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">While Wyatt was at OT, Cameron and I ran to the health food store to pick up some of the snacks I needed for tonight's meeting.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcVB3E8Vdsg/Tx4TAyURL8I/AAAAAAAADt0/7UNhbfOMwQ8/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcVB3E8Vdsg/Tx4TAyURL8I/AAAAAAAADt0/7UNhbfOMwQ8/s640/DSC_0244.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">1:50pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Back to pick Wyatt up from OT.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Waited until his session ended at 2:00</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecli1bwQixU/Tx4TE9Wp0wI/AAAAAAAADt8/bSdCllVHDqc/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ecli1bwQixU/Tx4TE9Wp0wI/AAAAAAAADt8/bSdCllVHDqc/s640/DSC_0250.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2:11pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">QUICK stop at Zaxby's to feed the boys.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Feeling pretty slack in the mama department at this very moment.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Breathe in.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Breathe out.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This, too, shall pass!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boZpkL8RV3c/Tx4TJxcL8zI/AAAAAAAADuE/mlTAGAjzdrE/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boZpkL8RV3c/Tx4TJxcL8zI/AAAAAAAADuE/mlTAGAjzdrE/s640/DSC_0253.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">2:18pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Arrived at dentist/orthodontist for the boys' appointments.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Having a high moment, their appointments weren't until 2:30.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Me, early?</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">No way!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlyGH5rTFt0/Tx4TOKlcKvI/AAAAAAAADuM/gvdShVf0fd0/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlyGH5rTFt0/Tx4TOKlcKvI/AAAAAAAADuM/gvdShVf0fd0/s640/DSC_0257.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>2:23pm-</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>Working on a little school while we wait.</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uHkBIJ9MXBg/Tx4TTjSClOI/AAAAAAAADuU/CaZ_-fZBuaU/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uHkBIJ9MXBg/Tx4TTjSClOI/AAAAAAAADuU/CaZ_-fZBuaU/s640/DSC_0261.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4:08pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">HAD to go to Wal-Mart for bananas and strawberries for part of tonight's snack.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">14 Carrot was out.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Could think of 4 million other places I'd rather shop, but today there just wasn't any extra time.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2cZzV9FZM0E/Tx4TYi78NOI/AAAAAAAADuc/EsOJyp0bHw8/s1600/DSC_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2cZzV9FZM0E/Tx4TYi78NOI/AAAAAAAADuc/EsOJyp0bHw8/s640/DSC_0264.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">4:54pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">HOME!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">FINALLY!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsgnkDFvSL4/Tx4Tb_HIrjI/AAAAAAAADuk/41LKOycbbY0/s1600/DSC_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fsgnkDFvSL4/Tx4Tb_HIrjI/AAAAAAAADuk/41LKOycbbY0/s640/DSC_0265.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">8:18pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Hosting the small-group meeting for our local homeschool group.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Love this night every month!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">So many good ideas shared amongst the other moms.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">LOVE IT!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyqkG6zFxh4/Tx4Tgrum_5I/AAAAAAAADus/vwGc-64KSw0/s1600/day16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pyqkG6zFxh4/Tx4Tgrum_5I/AAAAAAAADus/vwGc-64KSw0/s640/day16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">10:14pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Meeting over.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Superman and the boys are home from bowling...</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">and enjoying the new chocolate fountain.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bFS_95rlwE/Tx4TmRAgjdI/AAAAAAAADu0/HotFdmqFSSA/s1600/DSC_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bFS_95rlwE/Tx4TmRAgjdI/AAAAAAAADu0/HotFdmqFSSA/s640/DSC_0274.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">10:46pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Finished cleaning up the kitchen.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Starting a load of dishes.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qtJB37sHx6g/Tx4Tplm_T6I/AAAAAAAADu8/eZYxt9sngqQ/s1600/DSC_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qtJB37sHx6g/Tx4Tplm_T6I/AAAAAAAADu8/eZYxt9sngqQ/s640/DSC_0276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">10:50pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Tucked in the heffalump.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">She's beyond spoiled rotten these days.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6LwWLkcBgE/Tx4Tt25lpKI/AAAAAAAADvE/bmIdp1hizzw/s1600/DSC_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R6LwWLkcBgE/Tx4Tt25lpKI/AAAAAAAADvE/bmIdp1hizzw/s640/DSC_0277.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">11:23pm-</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Checking FB for the first time today.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Snuggled up to Superman.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Heart full and happy.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Realizing that though it was a crazy-busy day, it was so very worth it!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>.</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love being able to be home and taking the boys to all the places they need to go.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I am so thankful that there are stores I can go to to pick up our groceries, versus having to grow them all myself</span></div></span><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love being able to host our small-group.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I am so thankful to have a comfortable home to open up to other moms.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love that Wyatt wanted to buy a chocolate fountain for when we host gatherings.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love that the boys have some father/son time on Monday nights.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love that there is a dishwasher to clean up the dishes for me.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I love that my children have such compassion towards these furry cats that they've spoiled.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I am so thankful that I have a warm bed and an even warmer Superman to snuggled up up to at night</span>.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">At the end of the day, it was worth it all!</span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-55661403776116074172011-12-16T13:12:00.001-05:002011-12-16T13:21:13.081-05:00Samaritan's Purse~ Shoeboxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEbQma8J9dI/Tut4roTmQFI/AAAAAAAADrM/uaK-drpQOJg/s1600/DSC_0331_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JEbQma8J9dI/Tut4roTmQFI/AAAAAAAADrM/uaK-drpQOJg/s640/DSC_0331_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Last Friday, Cameron and I went with our local homeschool group and volunteered at The Samaritan's Purse Packaging Center in Charlotte, NC for Operation Christmas Child.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0h1ZZAiyQSw/Tut4gQ8d1tI/AAAAAAAADq8/pV8mScRmBi8/s1600/DSC_0325_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0h1ZZAiyQSw/Tut4gQ8d1tI/AAAAAAAADq8/pV8mScRmBi8/s640/DSC_0325_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Our day began at 5:30am, as we got up, dressed, packed a cooler of snacks, and left with our carpool at 7:00am.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">We arrived at Samaritan's Purse around 8:45am.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfy7i155PhY/Tut4lVMUpwI/AAAAAAAADrE/sh0nFwaY-kg/s1600/DSC_0326_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rfy7i155PhY/Tut4lVMUpwI/AAAAAAAADrE/sh0nFwaY-kg/s640/DSC_0326_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">First, we unloaded all of the shoeboxes that our church collected.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">43 shoeboxes this year!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">SO very proud of my church people!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kbLdaJHEA0/Tut4xwnKI-I/AAAAAAAADrU/joe2YJPKFBg/s1600/DSC_0333_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kbLdaJHEA0/Tut4xwnKI-I/AAAAAAAADrU/joe2YJPKFBg/s640/DSC_0333_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Then we headed inside and met up with our group.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It was a BIG group this year!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">If you're interested in volunteering, you can put together a group and go.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Click <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Processing_Center/" target="_blank">here</a> for more volunteer information.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">All volunteers must be at least 13-years-old.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">And, you need 1 chaperon for every 4 teenagers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMeLOVc7W5w/Tut43wLBo-I/AAAAAAAADrc/8itcmj5mbNc/s1600/DSC_0337_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TMeLOVc7W5w/Tut43wLBo-I/AAAAAAAADrc/8itcmj5mbNc/s640/DSC_0337_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">First, we were trained how to handle the boxes, what items must be removed and added, and how to perform each job.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxt3hZftcOc/Tut5BJwkS8I/AAAAAAAADrk/vya7DR4tZYA/s1600/DSC_0339_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rxt3hZftcOc/Tut5BJwkS8I/AAAAAAAADrk/vya7DR4tZYA/s640/DSC_0339_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Then we were sorted into teams.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDEkacceCq8/Tut5SwACX7I/AAAAAAAADr8/p3SL1zQVOBI/s1600/DSC_0350_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDEkacceCq8/Tut5SwACX7I/AAAAAAAADr8/p3SL1zQVOBI/s640/DSC_0350_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Each team was then assigned an area, and each team member was assigned a specific job.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I thought it was interesting to see the way each shoebox was processed, and thought you might like to see it, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uUavPBid1w/Tut5YEjaesI/AAAAAAAADsE/cWTdooxmx6g/s1600/DSC_0353_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uUavPBid1w/Tut5YEjaesI/AAAAAAAADsE/cWTdooxmx6g/s640/DSC_0353_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">At the first station, the volunteer must check the shoebox for money.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">(Samaritan's Purse asks that you include $7 with your shoebox to help with the cost of shipping.)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Once that money is removed and put in the dropbox, the box moves to the next station.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDNewxDtqsA/Tut5dYPxysI/AAAAAAAADsM/DZO7F2AHL9k/s1600/DSC_0355_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FDNewxDtqsA/Tut5dYPxysI/AAAAAAAADsM/DZO7F2AHL9k/s640/DSC_0355_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">At the next station, the volunteer goes through the contents of the shoebox and removes any items that are on the no-no list.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">These items include: food, liquids, war-related items, used items, etc.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Em-Vs8m4kRU/Tut5FlgorWI/AAAAAAAADrs/uIy7yPgDfgQ/s1600/DSC_0341_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Em-Vs8m4kRU/Tut5FlgorWI/AAAAAAAADrs/uIy7yPgDfgQ/s640/DSC_0341_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">While at that station, the volunteer makes sure that the shoebox is full and that it has candy inside.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">If it is not full or doesn't have candy, he gets additional items from the bins above to fill the shoebox.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">That was one of the neatest things to me!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I loved it!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I loved that someone thought ahead about children who may not have a full box, or that may not have any candy.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I loved that there are people and stores that will donate items to help fill boxes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WkaWs5VsV4/Tut5iWm9eII/AAAAAAAADsU/96nt3d7DLnI/s1600/DSC_0358_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5WkaWs5VsV4/Tut5iWm9eII/AAAAAAAADsU/96nt3d7DLnI/s640/DSC_0358_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">At the next station, the shoebox is securely taped shut so that no items are lost during shipping.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRQSwVU1tnA/Tut5oFYpckI/AAAAAAAADsc/LFuYVpmn6s4/s1600/DSC_0360_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRQSwVU1tnA/Tut5oFYpckI/AAAAAAAADsc/LFuYVpmn6s4/s640/DSC_0360_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The shoebox is then packed in shipping boxes according to gender and age.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">This shoebox is being shipped to 10-14 year-old boys.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2rhCiIKlnw/Tut9FopxjfI/AAAAAAAADs0/zLi-RIGtWyo/s1600/DSC_0370_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2rhCiIKlnw/Tut9FopxjfI/AAAAAAAADs0/zLi-RIGtWyo/s640/DSC_0370_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Though we were hard at work, there were still moments of fun!<br />
Often times, it happened when we discovered precious surprises tucked inside the shoeboxes we were working with.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">It made me think differently about our shoeboxes for future years.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpMC3c2zOos/Tut5NBvDruI/AAAAAAAADr0/ieG1j6VGhYY/s1600/DSC_0348_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpMC3c2zOos/Tut5NBvDruI/AAAAAAAADr0/ieG1j6VGhYY/s640/DSC_0348_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">For example, in all the years that we've packed shoeboxes with our boys, it never dawned on me to pack actual SHOES in the SHOEBOXES!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Yet, I have no doubt that the little girl that opens this box will be tickled!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">And the person that donated the box made sure that no space was wasted.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">There were socks and other goodies packed inside the shoes and all around the inside of the box.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otPKgWLRqag/Tut9KaS8AhI/AAAAAAAADs8/4Ru8FVd3rEY/s1600/DSC_0371_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otPKgWLRqag/Tut9KaS8AhI/AAAAAAAADs8/4Ru8FVd3rEY/s640/DSC_0371_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">We also saw lots of marbles.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">What a great idea!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">They're inexpensive, fun, and easy to squish in loose spaces in the shoeboxes.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Tvb4iNAtk/Tut9P2eJsmI/AAAAAAAADtE/v3MKoBabiwY/s1600/DSC_0372_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-Tvb4iNAtk/Tut9P2eJsmI/AAAAAAAADtE/v3MKoBabiwY/s640/DSC_0372_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Sometimes we'd pull a Slinky out of it's box to make more room for other fillers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-474jY9WF35g/Tut9T5YCSNI/AAAAAAAADtM/uPlwwjIvRds/s1600/DSC_0373_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-474jY9WF35g/Tut9T5YCSNI/AAAAAAAADtM/uPlwwjIvRds/s640/DSC_0373_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">At the end of the day, there were lots of no-no's in the buckets below our sorting tables.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">If you pack a shoebox, please don't put food, liquids, and other no-no's in the shoebox!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">They DO get removed!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">(These items are not thrown away! They are all donated to local charities and shelters that can use the items.)</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Items are removed for safety purposes.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">For example, we had to pull out lots of mouthwash and lotions.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Those items could leak and ruin the contents of their entire shoebox... or worse, the leak could ruin the contents of a whole shipping box full of shoeboxes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Awv9L9gjc/Tut9YMm8EYI/AAAAAAAADtU/GDax3dlK1Nc/s1600/DSC_0376_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Awv9L9gjc/Tut9YMm8EYI/AAAAAAAADtU/GDax3dlK1Nc/s640/DSC_0376_edited-1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">This bucket was mainly filled with food that had to be removed.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Samaritan's Purse is not against distributing food; however, they must abide by the rules and restrictions that the receiving countries levy.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">At this point, the only 'food' items that are accepted in every country that they ship to are hard candies.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MbAI0UIdoU/Tut5rq9P1dI/AAAAAAAADsk/JNbN94aALRY/s1600/DSC_0367_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MbAI0UIdoU/Tut5rq9P1dI/AAAAAAAADsk/JNbN94aALRY/s640/DSC_0367_edited-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">All in all, it was a wonderful day!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">We left pooped, but with full, happy hearts!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I loved that as we walked out the door, this board was displayed.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">It let us know that the fruits of our labor were being shipped to Georgia, Mali, and Zimbabwe.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">Since I hadn't filled out the on-line form to follow our shoeboxes, this was the next best thing!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">So nice to have an idea of where our packages were headed!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">On the way through the parking lot Cameron said, "Mama, I can't wait to come back and do this again next year!"</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">And my heart smiled!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">I felt exactly the same way!</span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-58267043876432570512011-12-13T11:20:00.001-05:002011-12-13T11:22:13.569-05:00Christmas Tea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Last week was one of the busiest weeks of my life...</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">but such a good one!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Through one of our homeschool groups, I was invited to attend a local Christmas Tea.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucLbbXUS1wI/TudzQbD9FMI/AAAAAAAADns/R2gHl99PJLo/s1600/DSC_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucLbbXUS1wI/TudzQbD9FMI/AAAAAAAADns/R2gHl99PJLo/s640/DSC_0385.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">It was a lot of fun.</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I even volunteered to decorate a table.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLFEGRrBSu0/Tud0PS6Os_I/AAAAAAAADoM/JjHPWN1PTRg/s1600/christmastea2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YLFEGRrBSu0/Tud0PS6Os_I/AAAAAAAADoM/JjHPWN1PTRg/s640/christmastea2011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I loved the chance to use the Christmas china I've been collecting over the last few years.</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, we use them at the house, but I never get to see them on a 'set' table.</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">One day, I WILL have a true dining room that I can make beautiful.</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Who needs functional, right?</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZOG7Vp7xpA/TudzXTOQo6I/AAAAAAAADn8/oHpBFOZtjS4/s1600/DSC_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OZOG7Vp7xpA/TudzXTOQo6I/AAAAAAAADn8/oHpBFOZtjS4/s640/DSC_0381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>And the very, very, very best part of the day?</strong></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>It would have to be that I was able to share it with The GodWoman!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4l3cStmP4bQ/TudzUStAsgI/AAAAAAAADn0/fp4OSyZDMK4/s1600/DSC_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4l3cStmP4bQ/TudzUStAsgI/AAAAAAAADn0/fp4OSyZDMK4/s640/DSC_0380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-24101317734158742522011-10-06T14:34:00.002-04:002011-10-06T14:44:36.875-04:00I'm Back! Birthday Edition<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It has been forever since I blogged, but...</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-Today is my birthday!</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-I was told to relax and enjoy the whoooooole day</span></strong>!</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-So here's my chance to get caught up in the blogosphere.</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(And, oh my word- Blogger sure has changed while I was away! I couldn't even figure out how to move my pictures around the easy way I had used before, so all of these pictures are completely out of order. Oh, well!)</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I've had friends and family tell me how far behind my blog is, and all I could say was, "I've been so busy living, I haven't had time to blog about living!"</span></strong></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And that's the truth!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_OlCGLkEGg/To3kPsmWMhI/AAAAAAAADmA/iMqNnSFB5Hc/s1600/day124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_OlCGLkEGg/To3kPsmWMhI/AAAAAAAADmA/iMqNnSFB5Hc/s640/day124.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This boys has kept me on my toes.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's been in a great way!</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But, I am NOT a fan of this growing up thing!</span></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzX5pbFU7W8/To3kBJk8_LI/AAAAAAAADl8/Roo8lC2im2o/s1600/day133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzX5pbFU7W8/To3kBJk8_LI/AAAAAAAADl8/Roo8lC2im2o/s640/day133.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We've been able to spend time with friends.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">This night we were enjoying the drive-in movie.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfT3QKqv3Io/To3kj8oDqcI/AAAAAAAADmE/vBc2g7bR74E/s1600/day135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PfT3QKqv3Io/To3kj8oDqcI/AAAAAAAADmE/vBc2g7bR74E/s640/day135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The boys have been busy with karate.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4DmA7Y-3Xs/To3jmdl0HLI/AAAAAAAADl0/Kxj_rvUuMA0/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4DmA7Y-3Xs/To3jmdl0HLI/AAAAAAAADl0/Kxj_rvUuMA0/s640/DSC_0289.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>We survived a HOT summer.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>This photo was the end of May... hotter weather was ahead!</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoxMtfksTtg/To3jPSqIqQI/AAAAAAAADlw/aHVrXqU-6_M/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoxMtfksTtg/To3jPSqIqQI/AAAAAAAADlw/aHVrXqU-6_M/s640/DSC_0324.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We spent a week with the grandparents at the beach.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Stayed at our usual place.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Love the fireworks there!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As0US-H1rOg/To3dy2B1OsI/AAAAAAAADk8/JsFtvbkwulo/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-As0US-H1rOg/To3dy2B1OsI/AAAAAAAADk8/JsFtvbkwulo/s640/DSC_0389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Enjoyed a night with good friends.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The kids had a great time.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But, we sure hated to see one of the families head back to Tennessee.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jcQRzWCMFGE/To3eAqRrkjI/AAAAAAAADlA/14vZMcqDwKo/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jcQRzWCMFGE/To3eAqRrkjI/AAAAAAAADlA/14vZMcqDwKo/s640/DSC_0273.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Began a new school year.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Figured out that using Friday afternoons for Math Bingo was a fantastic motivator for the joys to finish up their work!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLUsocfByLM/To3eagJM6bI/AAAAAAAADlE/wfzwmSXApL0/s1600/DSC_0067-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLUsocfByLM/To3eagJM6bI/AAAAAAAADlE/wfzwmSXApL0/s640/DSC_0067-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Had a quick visit with </span></strong><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-thought-that-was-uncle-daniel.html"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Baby</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> brother.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">:(</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Wish he could have stayed longer.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Love that he has to come to my town for business a few times a year!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4RdG5l-SkI/To3eqOiv2BI/AAAAAAAADlI/_3vTWAZaRP8/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w4RdG5l-SkI/To3eqOiv2BI/AAAAAAAADlI/_3vTWAZaRP8/s640/DSC_0030.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">My first-born became a teenager.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I cried!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Have I mentioned that I'm not a fan of this whole growing up thing???</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwjX6uFOYe4/To3iga178nI/AAAAAAAADlg/rcfMS8OSMm0/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwjX6uFOYe4/To3iga178nI/AAAAAAAADlg/rcfMS8OSMm0/s640/DSC_0400.JPG" width="424" /></strong></span><strong></strong></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And my baby turned 11.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">How dare he?</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Because, in my mind, I'm still only 23!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">There's no way I can possibly have an 11-year-old!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaoBbxsz50U/To3fF-6KtUI/AAAAAAAADlQ/Z2-IWmlquoc/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaoBbxsz50U/To3fF-6KtUI/AAAAAAAADlQ/Z2-IWmlquoc/s640/DSC_0309.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Aside from crying over my children growing up on me, we did manage to squeeze in a little more during the summer.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We ate our weight in tomatoes straight from the garden.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Have you ever eaten a tomato still warm from the garden?</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">If you did, you'd become a tomato snob like me, and not dare to eat tomatoes in the off-season.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They just taste like mush once you've eaten true, fresh ones.</span></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">These beauties came from our neighbor.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">He was always bringing up tomatoes and cucumbers from him garden.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">They were incredible!!!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIcNqeUHqwM/To3fZs6SUYI/AAAAAAAADlU/tIOTLFKhN0E/s1600/DSC_0178_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIcNqeUHqwM/To3fZs6SUYI/AAAAAAAADlU/tIOTLFKhN0E/s640/DSC_0178_edited-1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We spent a few days at the beach with Little Miss Priss.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Lord knows, I love that child!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vmPbQFlvhE/To3qqFn-V_I/AAAAAAAADmI/8te1Zjywb1E/s1600/day139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vmPbQFlvhE/To3qqFn-V_I/AAAAAAAADmI/8te1Zjywb1E/s640/day139.jpg" width="424" /></strong></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We spent a few more days at the beach with </span></strong><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/search/label/THE%20Godparents"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The Godfather and The GodWoman</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bf-CXtwuQ7U/To3fhmscZgI/AAAAAAAADlY/9SYf6kOdb5s/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bf-CXtwuQ7U/To3fhmscZgI/AAAAAAAADlY/9SYf6kOdb5s/s640/DSC_0039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">We made some serious changes to the house.</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm loving it!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Superman is awesome, as usual!</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBgvPqdQ3Mg/To3isFXALXI/AAAAAAAADlk/JQn6J6QSLyU/s1600/day165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBgvPqdQ3Mg/To3isFXALXI/AAAAAAAADlk/JQn6J6QSLyU/s640/day165.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'll eventually get all the before and after pictures together so that I can show you just how many changes we made.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRVQWGvxdkU/To3i4WjvmwI/AAAAAAAADlo/54IyJvsryZY/s1600/day163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRVQWGvxdkU/To3i4WjvmwI/AAAAAAAADlo/54IyJvsryZY/s640/day163.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And early in the summer, when we stayed at the beach with the grandparents (but stinkin' Blogger won't let me move these pictures up there without making me pull my hair out) the boys were able to swim with the stingrays at the aquarium.</span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBYahen8j0s/To3jBWwDrnI/AAAAAAAADls/8kch06hBylw/s1600/day161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YBYahen8j0s/To3jBWwDrnI/AAAAAAAADls/8kch06hBylw/s640/day161.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>On that same trip, we celebrated Grammy's birthday.</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>She's pretty amazing at spoiling the joys, so we had a chance to spoil her back just a little!</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><a name='more'></a></strong></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>So you see, we've been busy living!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>And I wouldn't change a thing!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>But, I'm surely going to have to do a better job of blogging about all this living we're doing!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Until next time, </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong>Dana</strong></span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-22768947704886390722011-05-09T21:46:00.000-04:002011-05-09T21:46:57.567-04:00365: Day 58-64<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztm80Cjil0g/TciTDVFeRsI/AAAAAAAADk0/nRspM1ZuX-U/s1600/day58.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604891421671573186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ztm80Cjil0g/TciTDVFeRsI/AAAAAAAADk0/nRspM1ZuX-U/s640/day58.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="425" /></a><span style="color: #073763; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>2/27/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Can you tell that they merely tolerate my camera?</strong></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VTuKXx6yzrE/TciTDKfHYDI/AAAAAAAADks/q5Btp8U5zaY/s1600/day59.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604891418826334258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VTuKXx6yzrE/TciTDKfHYDI/AAAAAAAADks/q5Btp8U5zaY/s640/day59.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></a><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>2/28/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>The oldest joy is working hard to get his Bo Kata patch!</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Maybe, just maybe, do I have to bite my lip during class to hide the ginormous grin that wants to spread across my whole face!</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>I.AM.SO.BLESSED.</strong></span><br />
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SFuI-07SEWg/TciODfLk5kI/AAAAAAAADkU/4ifSpDanZMY/s1600/day60.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604885926823388738" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SFuI-07SEWg/TciODfLk5kI/AAAAAAAADkU/4ifSpDanZMY/s640/day60.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="425" /></a><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>3/1/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Sorting produce for our co-op.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>A box full of fresh produce for $20.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Try to do that at the grocery store!</strong></span><br />
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_vGFn3RKME/TciODPUm4hI/AAAAAAAADkM/yZC0jWYvr_0/s1600/day61.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604885922566300178" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i_vGFn3RKME/TciODPUm4hI/AAAAAAAADkM/yZC0jWYvr_0/s640/day61.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></a><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>3/2/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Quite possibly the best invention ever.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>I'm in love with it!</strong></span><br />
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8yJRlpbCPA/TciOC_OpKTI/AAAAAAAADkE/AWxANE0onFc/s1600/day62.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604885918246316338" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G8yJRlpbCPA/TciOC_OpKTI/AAAAAAAADkE/AWxANE0onFc/s640/day62.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></a><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>3/3/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Did you know that newer cars don't have ashtrays?</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>That drove me crazy when we had the rentals after the wreck.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>Just curious, but if you have a newer car, WHERE do you keep your change?</strong></span><br />
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHO65yMAJ_c/TciOCoUQTjI/AAAAAAAADj8/KvahLkz0OPc/s1600/day63.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604885912095837746" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHO65yMAJ_c/TciOCoUQTjI/AAAAAAAADj8/KvahLkz0OPc/s640/day63.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="425" /></span></a><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>3/4/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>He saved his money to buy his own guitar.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>We're so very proud of him!</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>And, if it wouldn't make him roll his eyes at me, I'd gush about how cute he is, how well he plays, how much I love him, and how proud on so many levels he makes me- but since it would make him roll his eyes, I won't say any of that!</strong></span><br />
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QY7Xyn6BWqU/TciOCVJmtNI/AAAAAAAADj0/rCQO2HW3c4Y/s1600/day64.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><img alt="" border="0" height="425" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604885906950894802" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QY7Xyn6BWqU/TciOCVJmtNI/AAAAAAAADj0/rCQO2HW3c4Y/s640/day64.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><strong>3/5/11</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>She is beyond rotten...</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;"><strong>and the fur she sheds is driving me nuts!</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">But, I'm somehow out-voted on the whole animals-in-the-house-thing.</span></strong><br />
<div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />
</div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-89441795052927952952011-05-08T06:03:00.006-04:002011-05-09T21:49:45.618-04:00Happy Mother's Day<div><div align="center"><strong><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8H9c3-_Vajs?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm finally getting caught up on my DVR'd programs.<br />
Heard this song on Parenthood, and had to find and listen to the rest of it.<br />
<br />
Made me cry!<br />
Sure sign of a great song.<br />
<br />
Full circle.<br />
<br />
That's all I could think as it played.<br />
<br />
From thoughts of my little joys, that aren't so little anymore...<br />
to my sweet </span><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/search/label/Nannie-isms"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Nannie</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">, who fancied holding the hands of her children and grandchildren.<br />
<br />
If I could turn back the hands of time<br />
and read her mind as we sat quietly holding hands on her couch,<br />
I can't help but feel like the lyrics would be quite similar to her thoughts:<br />
<br />
</span><em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I see your face in mine<br />
And I know there will come a time<br />
When you will take my hand<br />
And I will understand<br />
That you're there, too.</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em></em></strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Hope you enjoy the song as much as I did!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It'll make your heart swell!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">And, Happy Mother's Day!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm off to </span><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/search/label/Central%20SC"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my childhood home</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> for lunch with my own Mama.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">See you again tomorrow!</span></strong></div></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-90801034615475746022011-04-07T12:46:00.007-04:002011-04-07T13:16:04.662-04:00For Paige<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmYhi37ZvRw/TZ3v--MWHMI/AAAAAAAADjk/uXf4uDQaF3w/s1600/paige1_edited-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592890177389731010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rmYhi37ZvRw/TZ3v--MWHMI/AAAAAAAADjk/uXf4uDQaF3w/s400/paige1_edited-1.jpg" /></a><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592890172030619074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ijFAoynylH8/TZ3v-qOojcI/AAAAAAAADjc/fvIwmFcwou8/s400/paige2.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592890161690073058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K5xJdl-IgF0/TZ3v-DtQV-I/AAAAAAAADjU/TJduXzKYny4/s400/paige3.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592890160097687410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rfz5mf2-0ts/TZ3v99xmd3I/AAAAAAAADjM/WXZaXMAzMCY/s400/paige4.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592890152044937426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DIVb1z11InE/TZ3v9fxrQNI/AAAAAAAADjE/pzzG95whyHw/s400/paige5.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592888139013143602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Izy7uqhcpgA/TZ3uIUpfvDI/AAAAAAAADi8/cexKjYkLBD0/s400/paige6.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592888130053618994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kf2dlFBis_I/TZ3uHzRYPTI/AAAAAAAADi0/H3AxaGVcPSw/s400/paige7.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592888125423236946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tdeUCQaZrC4/TZ3uHiBaN1I/AAAAAAAADis/TUDBAetxqLg/s400/paige8.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592888124404611682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wBmHVPMFO_w/TZ3uHeOjOmI/AAAAAAAADik/mIPN6CImyr4/s400/paige9.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592888119956346850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnew1Nq0ujs/TZ3uHNqAF-I/AAAAAAAADic/ahlEHfAUob4/s400/paige10.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885804372509714" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuow4r0w-70/TZ3sAbbyxBI/AAAAAAAADiU/t1J6_sQJUA4/s400/paige11.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885795576114194" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CgqweXHF9qw/TZ3r_6qkbBI/AAAAAAAADiM/NWwCTJ3_19E/s400/paige12.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885792346183906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hEhvIFTmPRE/TZ3r_uofmOI/AAAAAAAADiE/vRU1Q2fav1s/s400/paige13.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885786647341682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IOrFt2rHQtg/TZ3r_ZZyKnI/AAAAAAAADh8/KJ9lDAeaCRE/s400/paige14.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885782565844930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8bUJHfGslw/TZ3r_KMrd8I/AAAAAAAADh0/vzYIupLOW6U/s400/paige15.jpg" /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-26541520079953907962011-03-05T13:49:00.004-05:002011-03-05T14:45:35.375-05:00365: Days 51-57<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cEPtFe_OE8/TXKLz6MewFI/AAAAAAAADhs/sEo2RENG4TE/s1600/day51.jpg"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580676612176658514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--cEPtFe_OE8/TXKLz6MewFI/AAAAAAAADhs/sEo2RENG4TE/s640/day51.jpg" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"> 2/20/11</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">Enjoying the journey!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">Yep, there are some hard days along this road, but...</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">it's our journey together.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580676608866048818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LVea4cLNyaM/TXKLzt3K2zI/AAAAAAAADhk/i9aN8aWO690/s640/day52.jpg" /><span style="color:#006600;">2/21/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">He thought he could enjoy eating today.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">He thought he could enjoy some potato soup.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">He thought getting out of the house would do him good!<br />Well, the fresh air did us both wonders!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">And, he did manage to down a bowl of potato soup and a glass of tea.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">I'm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">lovin</span>' all the one-on-one time with him!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Too bad it took tonsil and adenoid surgery to get us here.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580676604965816642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ht-7eIZ9Y5E/TXKLzfVSCUI/AAAAAAAADhc/LMFom30AAR4/s640/day53.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#333333;">2/22/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">My dad orders hot tea every time we go out to eat.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I had a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hankerin</span>' for it myself tonight.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I snapped a pic with my phone and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">texted</span> it to him.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">He called me laughing, after receiving the text.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I love technology.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I love hot tea.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#333333;">And, I love my dad!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580676598483072562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3fhJ_bihStE/TXKLzHLrNjI/AAAAAAAADhU/dQBzBgrnKiU/s640/day54.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#cc0000;">2/23/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">I'm working on a little sewing project.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">I promise to post all about it once I have it all figured out.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Let's just say that it's harder to get this particular idea out of my head and into my hands!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#330033;">Ruffles may do me in!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580672887122331218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLf9_Q85pvk/TXKIbFSUhlI/AAAAAAAADhM/nybgv77Jvu4/s640/day55.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#003333;">2/24/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Sans make-up, but so happy my boy is back home!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">With one child incapacitated and the other out of town, my house literally sparkled this week.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">There is surely a day coming in which my house will sparkle every day.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">But, for now, I'd rather have a house filled with stinky, sweaty boys than every corner squeaky clean.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Lord, I love my boys!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580672884223306706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFpRTv-LU1A/TXKIa6fI69I/AAAAAAAADhE/sX2mAOZlCYI/s640/day56.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">2/25/11</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Happy Hour!</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Made a quick run for the joys while Wyatt was in guitar.</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">Picked up pick some to share, too.</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580672881638346594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ElNs-_MjDxI/TXKIaw21j2I/AAAAAAAADg8/PX3zg3FE-V8/s640/day57.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">2/26/11</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">The weather is amazing!</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">We all have SPRING FEVER!</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Can't keep the boys inside...</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">and wouldn't want to even if I could!</span></strong></div></div><br /></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-25486573354650260622011-02-21T12:16:00.011-05:002011-02-21T13:44:33.392-05:00365: Days 44-50<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">Whew! Am I the only one having trouble uploading pics to Blogger?<br />It took an hour to upload these...<br />one<br />at<br />a<br />time!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576207840835615474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3nD-wcsuVnM/TWKrfLrBOvI/AAAAAAAADg0/3vMS_OBn2A4/s640/day44.jpg" /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">2/13/11</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Superman has the flu. </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">He's pitiful! </span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">He thought these would make him feel better.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">(Have you ever read what's in them?)</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">GROSS!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Needless to say, they didn't help.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000099;">:(<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576207277244471922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cm8pbwSRBfg/TWKq-YIa2nI/AAAAAAAADgs/0LtQpFlEPvs/s640/day45.jpg" /></span>2/14/11</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">Cameron is his sign language co-op class.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">He loves it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576205377764300370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-anOvwRj_oEY/TWKpP0BDllI/AAAAAAAADgc/hsruGpMP73w/s640/day46.jpg" /><span style="color:#cc0000;">2/15/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">After 13 years married to Superman (18 in all), we've celebrated Valentine's Day all sorts of ways.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">This year he had the flu and I had an upper respiratory infection.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">We were both in bed early.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nyquil</span> + antibiotics= Very Romantic</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">But tonight, I had the best Valentine's gift ever- Superman went to Target for me and picked up the littlest joy's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">prescription</span>, so I didn't have to go.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">And he came home with me some chocolate!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">He knows my love language!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576197507362235938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3QeDJqT1Tg/TWKiFse-piI/AAAAAAAADgE/HFhVOxaWtWo/s640/day47.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#333333;">2/16/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">The littlest joy had his tonsils and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">adenoids</span> removed today.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#333333;">Hopefully this will help with his sleep apnea.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576196615771844418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yfDTZhjQKi4/TWKhRzDQ70I/AAAAAAAADf8/G9hVjn9KueY/s640/day48.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#666600;">2/17/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#666600;">So happy he's sleeping today.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#666600;">He was so hyped up after his surgery, that he hardly slept.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576194394843484146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4lUZh13Mx5c/TWKfQhcrj_I/AAAAAAAADfk/6e61KNQCUyc/s640/day49.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#660000;"> 2/18/11</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#660000;">With the oldest joy at Grammy & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">PawPaw's</span> for the week, the littlest joy has been able to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">recuperate</span> in Cameron's room.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#660000;">To say that he's enjoyed access to satellite and video games is an understatement.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#660000;">I'd say he's enjoying the special treatment!</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576193772121841042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87_V88TFTtY/TWKesRoRXZI/AAAAAAAADfc/basEfg-BR-I/s640/day50.jpg" /><span style="color:#6666cc;">2/19/11</span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#6666cc;">Not wanting to be redundant, but this is what the latter part of our week has consisted of- one sleepy-headed little fella.</span></strong><br /></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-69793200203987409422011-02-14T09:51:00.007-05:002011-02-14T13:17:27.473-05:00365: Days 37-43<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YY1ulTLcpBY/TVlqRfPBpdI/AAAAAAAADfU/t6kpPW9vF0M/s1600/day37.jpg"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573602862522541522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YY1ulTLcpBY/TVlqRfPBpdI/AAAAAAAADfU/t6kpPW9vF0M/s640/day37.jpg" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="color:#990000;"> <span style="font-size:130%;">I think this is the first time I've ever decorated for Valentine's Day.</span></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">You can read the how-to's </span></strong><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-mantle.html"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">here</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">.<br /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ULcc3fTTyUo/TVlqREHL48I/AAAAAAAADfM/wlCebmVM2JA/s1600/day38.jpg"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573602855241900994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ULcc3fTTyUo/TVlqREHL48I/AAAAAAAADfM/wlCebmVM2JA/s640/day38.jpg" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"> I've worked really hard to try and grow the meetings for our homeschool group's small group in our town.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">We have about 80 families in our group, with small group meetings in several different towns.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">I'm hosting meetings once a month in my town, and tonight we had our highest attendance of the year!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#333333;">So freakin' excited!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573601289344085426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-abYcNy-JyeQ/TVlo16sDbbI/AAAAAAAADfE/iX9FIU1lHyQ/s640/day39.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#990000;">The littlest joy and I dipped every fruit we could get our hands on in melted chocolate that I had left over from last night's meeting.</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">What a wonderful day!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">The days are few and far between when EVERYTHING seems to go as planned, but when we have one of those days, I rejoice!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm thankful for so many things.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm thankful for a husband who knows that the greatest desire of my heart is to be at-home actively raising our children.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm thankful for how hard he works to make that dream possible!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm thankful for the years of training I've been able to put into our boys.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm exceeding thankful for nights like tonight when I can SEE the fruits of that labor!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with them.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I'm thankful for children that WANT to spend time with us...</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">even if that time is spent working in the kitchen!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#990000;">Feeling so very blessed!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573601284226498674" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MR-KxUN5EtQ/TVlo1nn7QHI/AAAAAAAADe8/ZyZ4Pyk9sJw/s640/day40.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#663300;">I really need all of these sweets out of the house!</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#663300;">These were left over from Monday's meeting.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#663300;">Well, to be honest, I actually stashed them away for the boys.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#663300;">A little 'thank you' to them for helping me get everything in order before the meeting.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573563653473935314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OfySIc2NqI4/TVlGnOJXn9I/AAAAAAAADe0/fh7EbvSrzF8/s640/day41.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#000099;">I had to pick up a new soundtrack to sing at church on Sunday, and while at the store we picked up another CD set.</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">I love </span></strong><a href="http://www.whitsend.org/"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;">Adventures in Odyssey</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">Do your kids listen to them?</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">They are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">The joys listen to them a lot at night when going to sleep.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000099;">By putting in a CD instead of a DVD, the room can stay cozy and dark.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000099;">Perfect for drifting off to sleep.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573563642567932306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1HRyasys2s/TVlGmlhLOZI/AAAAAAAADes/ZcVdjkC-Gr0/s640/day42.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#006600;">Tried my hand at making the soup I love so much at our local Mexican restaurant.</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">It was actually pretty close!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573559899335878370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7bulnQNSVQ/TVlDMs5G5uI/AAAAAAAADek/flxj7M6exBM/s640/day43.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Working on a little sewing project.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Doesn't this fabric just ooze happy?</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#006600;">Cameron helped me pick it all out at the fabric store.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">We decided that we had the happiest buggy in the whole place!</span></strong></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-28277868852184371802011-02-10T13:53:00.005-05:002011-02-10T15:26:58.945-05:00365: Days 30-36<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLp6gb9umwY/TVRFkLrWH5I/AAAAAAAADec/SDWCxVSq4_o/s1600/day30.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572155126876348306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NLp6gb9umwY/TVRFkLrWH5I/AAAAAAAADec/SDWCxVSq4_o/s640/day30.jpg" /></span></strong></a><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#996633;"><strong>The drive to NC was sheer bliss! </strong></span></span></div><div align="center"><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#996633;"><strong>I thought the boys needed new TVs for the car for Christmas, Superman thought it was a waste. </strong></span></span></div><div align="center"><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#996633;"><strong>As we made the three-hour trek in perfect peace and quiet, I may or may not have reminded him that I was right!</strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvMj9AYSZX0/TVRBtgMjX6I/AAAAAAAADeM/p10JlmO8siQ/s1600/day31.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#996633;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572150888956649378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvMj9AYSZX0/TVRBtgMjX6I/AAAAAAAADeM/p10JlmO8siQ/s640/day31.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong></strong></span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#333333;"><strong>(photo by Cameron)</strong></span></span></span></div><div align="center"><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Names Caroline currently answers to:<br /></strong></span></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Caroline<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Beautiful<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Sweet Girl<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Pretty Kitty<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Little Heifer Cat<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Precious<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Worthless<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>Spoiled Kitty<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc6600;"><strong>And funniest of all...<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc6600;">BELUGA</span> </span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z4HDW3J3SI/TVQ_MfuJxrI/AAAAAAAADd0/wRGGe0uB4IU/s1600/day32.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572148122870204082" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z4HDW3J3SI/TVQ_MfuJxrI/AAAAAAAADd0/wRGGe0uB4IU/s640/day32.jpg" /></span></strong></a></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>Today we elected a new mayor in Elgin. </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>I always take the boys with me when I vote. </strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#000099;">I want to model the importance of voting, and not taking our right to vote for granted.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="color:#000099;">I love how they are so interested in elections now!</span> </span></span></strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572124415936084626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SCq8oY_oLWA/TVQpokgmupI/AAAAAAAADc0/Ng0UdwMwLKI/s640/day33.jpg" /> </span></strong><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><strong>A</strong></span></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="font-family:Courier New;color:#666666;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">fter a long day of appointments and schooling, I found meat thawing in the sink.<br /></span></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#666666;"><strong>Superman wanted to make sure I wouldn't forget to feed him.<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="color:#666666;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Looks like a roast and lots of cube steak will be on the menu!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572124413029516642" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oqLHhueZtDs/TVQpoZroBWI/AAAAAAAADcs/QJI7ylwbuEk/s640/day34.jpg" /></span></strong></p><p align="center"></span></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#006600;"><strong>Superman refuses to get a Facebook account, but I can't keep him off mine!<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#006600;">Every few months he goes through spells where I pick on him and say he's addicted to Bejeweled Blitz. This becomes my standard view of him.</span><br /></span></strong></p></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTYiOWZcE-E/TVQpoIhIqLI/AAAAAAAADck/SnOr8izofEc/s1600/day35.jpg"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572124408422115506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTYiOWZcE-E/TVQpoIhIqLI/AAAAAAAADck/SnOr8izofEc/s640/day35.jpg" /> </span></strong><p align="center"></a></span></span></span><span xmlns=""><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>We had a great time at the circus!<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Superman and I took the boys with our homeschool group, and made a day of it.<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>It was raining again this year, but that didn't slow us down.<br /></strong></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>After the show, we went out to Little Pigs for BBQ, then did a little shopping.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572124406114044866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QIAEKBav98/TVQpn_62S8I/AAAAAAAADcc/C098l5dWlnc/s640/day36.jpg" /></strong></span></p><p align="center"></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#663366;"><strong>Even though it looks really gross right now, I have big plans for this frame!<br /></strong></span><span style="color:#663366;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Courier New;">It just needs a little TLC.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Courier New;">With a good scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint, no one would ever believe we only paid $4 for this huge frame!</span></span></strong></span></span></span></p>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-40096943471615453522011-02-06T17:15:00.013-05:002011-02-08T23:21:43.554-05:00Valentine's Mantle<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TU8pFN_o5AI/AAAAAAAADcM/FkhZTpm1j_U/s1600/DSC_0173_edited-1.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570716433713259522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TU8pFN_o5AI/AAAAAAAADcM/FkhZTpm1j_U/s640/DSC_0173_edited-1.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong> I love to decorate for Christmas, but I can't say that I do a lot of other seasonal decorating.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Between cooking, cleaning, teaching, and all those other mama things, I just don't have the time, energy, or money to make the house festive all year long.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Or, so I thought.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Then I stumbled upon some super cute seasonal subway art downloads.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>If you're looking for something quick, easy, and inexpensive- here's a project for you!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>I started with this really yucky $4 frame from Goodwill.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>I took it apart, cleaned it, and spray painted it white.<br /></strong></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570715821674677426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TU8ohl-RRLI/AAAAAAAADcE/8kESnBT9D84/s640/DSC_0167.JPG" /></strong></span> <div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Then added this sweet,</strong> </span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentine-subway-art.html">free download from 1825</a></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"><strong>.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>(I printed it out as a 16X20 at Sam's for $6).</strong></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TU8mLDscGsI/AAAAAAAADbs/5eeLUwZwgZU/s1600/DSC_0191_edited-1.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570713235492707010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TU8mLDscGsI/AAAAAAAADbs/5eeLUwZwgZU/s640/DSC_0191_edited-1.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>So, for $10 and about an hour of my time, our house has some Valentine's decor- for the first time in a long, long time!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Now, I'm off to shop the house for some other red items and decorate a little more!</strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#990000;"><strong>(I also had </strong><a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-subway-art-banner.html"><span style="color:#333333;"><strong>this free download</strong></span></a><strong> printed for later in the year. It's stored behind the Valentine's print, so I can just swap them out and use the same frame.)</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-65066993161031378362011-02-03T15:39:00.014-05:002011-02-03T19:49:49.734-05:00365: Days 23-29<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsYz-Rh4VI/AAAAAAAADaw/omxcDWKF4jc/s1600/day23.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569572645342667090" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsYz-Rh4VI/AAAAAAAADaw/omxcDWKF4jc/s640/day23.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#339999;"> </span><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#339999;">1/23/11<br />Cameron still loves Legos.<br />I see no end in sight!<br />And, I must say, that makes me happy!<br />I love them, too, except for when I step on one.</span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569572640298492562" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsYzre54pI/AAAAAAAADao/9gXmcK0SwqA/s640/day24.jpg" /> <span style="color:#006600;">1/24/11<br />On his way out with our carpool to karate.<br />So glad that he enjoys karate now!<br />Incredibly thankful for good friends that make karate even more fun.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569572634501254210" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsYzV4vDEI/AAAAAAAADag/fOMvpr6uODs/s640/day25.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#003300;">1/25/11<br />I've found a new favorite at our local Chinese take-out place...<br />Vegetable Mei Fun with no mushrooms or broccoli.<br />One order of this can literally feed 3 of us.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569572635957997442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsYzbUDL4I/AAAAAAAADaY/sl_-L1lNEFc/s640/day26.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#003333;">1/26/11<br />I spent today helping Wyatt DEEP CLEAN his room.<br />This was when we were almost done- 2 of the 3 bags of trash.<br />Who knew one child could make such a mess?</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#003333;">I had promised him 30 minutes of help, which turned out to be more along the lines of two hours.</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#003333;">We rearranged some things, took out some furniture, brought in some other pieces.</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#003333;">It's looking really good now!<br />I need to make a couple of curtains for his room, then it will be finished!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569569481101297986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsV7yjmSUI/AAAAAAAADaQ/no_lx_Pi_6s/s640/day27.jpg" /> <p align="center"></span><span style="color:#cc0000;">1/27/11<br />We had a surprise visit from Grammy & PawPaw today.<br />They were on their way home from a meeting at the beach.<br />Love that our house just so happens to be 'on the way' to so many of PawPaw's meetings!</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569569474877673474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsV7bXxUAI/AAAAAAAADaI/etgXXp6T8HQ/s640/day28.jpg" /></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#333333;">1/28/11<br />Thanks heavens for these two!<br />While The GodWoman and I were working on a picture video, we had issues with some of the music files.<br />Superman and The Godfather fixed it for us.<br />Add that to the list of reasons we're thankful for them.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569569470864639794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TUsV7Ma_RzI/AAAAAAAADaA/Jhs7nLGdukA/s640/day29.jpg" /> <p align="center"></span><span style="color:#330033;">1/29/11<br />We traveled to Raleigh this weekend to celebrate Natalie's 40th birthday.<br />She is some kind of wonderful!<br />You know how there are sometimes people in your life that you truly feel blessed to have had an opportunity to know?<br />Well, Natalie is one of those people.<br />She has special needs, and I learned this weekend that she wasn't expected to survive the first year of her life.<br />I'm so grateful that God chose to keep her here on this Earth for a lot longer!<br />I'm a better person for having known her!</span></span></strong><br /></p>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-37834411216675316462011-01-24T16:02:00.006-05:002011-01-24T17:03:30.048-05:00365: Days 16-22<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3tHJ-zRaI/AAAAAAAADZ4/DTBs4j5Hjdk/s1600/day16.jpg"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565865421693994402" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3tHJ-zRaI/AAAAAAAADZ4/DTBs4j5Hjdk/s640/day16.jpg" /></span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"> <span style="color:#cc0000;">01/16/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">I sure love this boy!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">He's entering that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-teen stage that I'm not so fond of, but I'm determined not to lose his heart.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Sure, that means I'm having to adjust some of my strategies of dealing with him.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">And there are days when I catch him rolling his eyes at me, and I literally must count to ten in order to hold my temper, and respond kindly.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">But, I have no doubt that there is an incredible,responsible, respectful man inside that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-teen body!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565865407626685458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3tGVk5LBI/AAAAAAAADZw/5Nnz1hyBLio/s640/day17.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#003333;">01/17/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>I love the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">car wash</span>, but it had been too cold for me to run the</strong> </span><a href="http://www.google.com/images?q=war+wagon+suburban&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADSA_en___US358&prmd=ivns&wrapid=tlif129590448157910&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1276&bih=574"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>War Wagon </strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">thru</span> lately.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">With the snow last week, it was a mess and really needed some TLC.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">As I snapped this picture, I felt water splash on my hand.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Seconds later, water was gushing in the rear door.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Guess the body work from the wreck needs a little adjustment!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565865400569657922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3tF7SXekI/AAAAAAAADZo/9jHhTJYXygY/s640/day18.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#993300;">01/18/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">I heard Superman call out, "Honey, come here quick with your camera!"</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">I assumed the cats were doing something silly.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Not so!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">While experimenting with onion rings, Superman noticed a smiley face in the grease.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Love it!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Love it even more that he called me into the kitchen to take a picture.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Lord, I love that man!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565862844852312482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3qxKf3maI/AAAAAAAADZg/i3sB5qQ3P4g/s640/day19.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">01/19/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Time again to refill Superman's </span></strong><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/03/day-68.html"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">bedside candy jar</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565862836647977330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3qwr7zYXI/AAAAAAAADZY/_2Fmdh1CFkk/s640/day20.jpg" /></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#990000;">01/20/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">LOVE!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I absolutely love Sparrow & Co. jewelry.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I've posted about previous purchases </span></strong><a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/day-190-sparrow-co.html"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">here</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Her prices are crazy-good.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Here is a link to Missy's </span></strong><a href="http://www.sparrowandcompanydesigns.com/"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;">website</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Here is a link to her </span></strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparrow-Company/134860899874433?ref=ts"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">FB</span> Fan Page</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Go check her out, and tell her Dana sent you.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#990000;">Happy Shopping!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565862831091261138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3qwXO-ntI/AAAAAAAADZQ/3um0u6SUfTA/s640/day21.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#009900;">01/21/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">I'm playing catch-up, trying to finish my 2010 Project Life book.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">But, though I haven't finished it, I'm determined to stay up-to-date on my 2011 edition.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">If you don't know about <a href="http://beckyhiggins.ziblio.com/"><span style="color:#000000;">Project Life</span></a>, it's the brain child of <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/blog/"><span style="color:#000000;">Becky Higgins</span></a>, and a way to compile all of your photos and stories if you're taking a picture a day.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">I'm doing the digital version.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#009900;">Can't wait to see the final product!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565862824227492210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TT3qv9qh0XI/AAAAAAAADZI/haDtQAjoegA/s640/day22.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#336666;">01/22/11</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;">The afternoon sun that shines through the backside of our house makes me smile.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;">I was working in the laundry room and noticed the rays lighting up the 1/2 bath.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;">Had to snap a picture.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;">Maybe one day I'll actually get around to photographing our house.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;">We moved in the beginning of March, and I don't think I've truly photographed any rooms other than the kitchen and the laundry room.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;">Most likely <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">because</span> those are the rooms I'm normally in!</span></strong></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-62523108149352057882011-01-18T20:46:00.008-05:002011-01-19T15:01:52.538-05:00365: Days 9-15<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563979948515628178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTc6SLCrlJI/AAAAAAAADYs/IbF153hukAg/s640/day9.jpg" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>01/09/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Packing up Christmas.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Really needing things to be empty and sparse in the house again!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563979937971294466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTc6Rjwt0QI/AAAAAAAADYk/pXWNX729Aoo/s640/day10.jpg" /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>01/10/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>I can't believe it actually snowed here again!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>We got about 6 inches of beautiful, white snow.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>It's such a rarity, that snow days put me in the most amazing mood.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#330000;"><strong>I want to cook and bake like a fiend.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#330000;">Hot Ovaltine flows in abundance!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563983005552139682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTc9EHY-3aI/AAAAAAAADY0/9nfxVrZcUEY/s640/day12.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#000099;">01/11/11</span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">I love snow almost as much as I love Superman!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563977826334632690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTc4WpTTavI/AAAAAAAADYc/8Iu305hjqJ0/s640/day11.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#333333;">01/12/11</span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#333333;"><strong>Still cooking and baking everything I can get my hands on, but the beautiful snow has turned to treacherous ICE.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#333333;">The view from my kitchen sink is still beautiful, though.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563972464352867906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTczeiXOtkI/AAAAAAAADYM/wm8xzY3PWg4/s640/day13.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#000000;">01/13/11</span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>Superman has ruined Tiger.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>All it took was leftover ham from Christmas dinner.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><strong>After Cameron successfully trained Tiger to meow, "out" and "want out" at the door to be let out, Superman has now trained him to meow "ham".</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">If I ever learn to upload videos, I'll have to post Tiger in action!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563972457118768674" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTczeHafHiI/AAAAAAAADYE/wIgIffUiTYo/s640/day14.jpg" /></span><span style="color:#336666;">01/14/11</span></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;"><strong>An added perk of Wyatt taking karate is that he's started guitar lessons with one of his teachers at the dojo.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#336666;"><strong>We are so blessed to have Matt working with Wyatt.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563970688532439618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TTcx3K6pYkI/AAAAAAAADX8/ybcNUesW9xQ/s640/day15.jpg" /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;color:#993300;"><strong>(Italian Grilled Chicken)</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;"><strong>01/15/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;"><strong>You know you're old when your favorite Christmas present was a cast iron griddle.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;"><strong>I swear, I should have bought myself one of these years ago!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;"><strong>Since Christmas, I've used it at least 3 times a week.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#993300;"><strong>I am not only loving the griddle, but seriously lovin' me some cast iron these days!</strong></span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-2894875435244196452011-01-10T13:52:00.001-05:002011-01-10T14:17:32.042-05:00Off to a Good Start<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Look for weekly updates for our 365 in 2011 on Mondays this year.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>That should be much more do-able than posting them daily!</strong></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8zSQwE6I/AAAAAAAADXU/-n-uDrxqg5s/s1600/day1.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560393910459569058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8zSQwE6I/AAAAAAAADXU/-n-uDrxqg5s/s640/day1.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/01/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Ringing in the new year!<br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8zIMSWtI/AAAAAAAADXM/Y9820Mbfwno/s1600/day2.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560393907756489426" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8zIMSWtI/AAAAAAAADXM/Y9820Mbfwno/s640/day2.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/02/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Tree will be coming down soon and I wanted a shot of the view from outside.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Kinda miss the old house and the big front windows.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8yxMiqmI/AAAAAAAADXE/MhHjk_VXrIk/s1600/day3.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560393901583542882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8yxMiqmI/AAAAAAAADXE/MhHjk_VXrIk/s640/day3.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/03/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Starting the process of allergy and apnea testing with the littlest joy.<br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8yiWCmpI/AAAAAAAADW8/giV6Pi5AqUM/s1600/day4.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560393897596852882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8yiWCmpI/AAAAAAAADW8/giV6Pi5AqUM/s640/day4.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/04/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Muffin mix in the mini loaf pan was a hit.<br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8yYxkCTI/AAAAAAAADW0/L6GRuFh2PTc/s1600/day5.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560393895027935538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp8yYxkCTI/AAAAAAAADW0/L6GRuFh2PTc/s640/day5.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/05/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>A 'hot date' to Home Depot with Superman.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>When he heard the camera click he looked at me and said, "You'd better be glad you got that one!"</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>It drives him crazy when I take pictures in public... normally while shopping with him.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>oops!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp5SGlbu3I/AAAAAAAADWs/UYBlAUZZbzg/s1600/day6.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390041854524274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp5SGlbu3I/AAAAAAAADWs/UYBlAUZZbzg/s640/day6.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/06/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Long, long night with very little real sleep for either of us.<br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp5R-1DNCI/AAAAAAAADWk/gH_geOSW7RY/s1600/day7.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390039772541986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp5R-1DNCI/AAAAAAAADWk/gH_geOSW7RY/s640/day7.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/07/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>How did I not know about Red Box before tonight?<br /></strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp5RnIGiDI/AAAAAAAADWc/xKr01SyNra0/s1600/day8.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390033410000946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSp5RnIGiDI/AAAAAAAADWc/xKr01SyNra0/s640/day8.jpg" /></strong></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong> 01/08/11</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Superman surprised me by buying me an electric blanket today.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Guess he'll no longer have to hear me beg him to warm up my side of the bed!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>:)</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#000066;"><strong>Love that man!</strong></span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-33312020338898148752011-01-06T14:33:00.002-05:002011-01-06T14:47:10.447-05:00Have you ever...<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSYZ7NsgNBI/AAAAAAAADWU/NOoOGvvl810/s1600/day4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559159295114753042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TSYZ7NsgNBI/AAAAAAAADWU/NOoOGvvl810/s640/day4.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Have you ever had a spontaneous idea strike in the kitchen?</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>I wanted to whip up something quick, easy, and sweet.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>I had a few bags of strawberry and blueberry muffin mixes that needed to be used, but didn't want to dig for my muffin tins.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>I pulled out my mini-loaf pan and made loaves instead of muffins.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>Superman loved them!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>He said he actually prefers them over the muffins.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>So, that has me thinking, what else do I have in the kitchen that can be used a little differently than it's original purpose?</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>What have you successfully used in an alternative way?</strong></span></div><p align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">Linking back to </span><a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000066;">Rhonda@Down-to-Earth</span></a><span style="font-size:100%;">.</span></strong></span></p>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-69131073769659687062010-12-31T21:01:00.001-05:002011-01-01T19:16:58.757-05:00Day 365~<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TR_Awx6dBII/AAAAAAAADWE/ZUYxgdadmg0/s1600/DSC_0181_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557372409463243906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TR_Awx6dBII/AAAAAAAADWE/ZUYxgdadmg0/s640/DSC_0181_edited-1.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"> I DID IT!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I took a picture a day for the whole year.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I was just really bad at getting them all posted.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I'm planning on taking a picture a day in 2011, but I'm OK with it if I stop somewhere along the way... or if I don't get a picture a day, but do get 7 pictures in a week.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Sometimes I couldn't tell the whole story with just one picture.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Sometimes I had to search for something to take a picture of, because not much was happening.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">One thing is for sure, I'm going to try to do like </span><a href="http://tarawhitney.com/justbeblogged/category/life/personal-project/six-people-twelve-times/"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Tara Whitney</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> and get a picture of my whole family once a month.</span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">If I'm successful, I may just have one that will work for our Christmas cards.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Here's to wishful thinking!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I'm also for sure that I won't be even contemplating posting my pictures daily.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">But, I may try to post them weekly, like <a href="http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/365-days/"><span style="color:#000000;">Benita at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chez</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Larsson</span></span></a>.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Love her blog!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">She's one of the 3-4 that I actually read every day.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Here's to looking forward to all that 2011 has in store for us!</span></strong></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-8766910094117428122010-12-29T22:19:00.001-05:002011-01-01T19:25:49.405-05:00Day 363~<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TR_FMIS6qyI/AAAAAAAADWM/FMMO0ADi0n8/s1600/DSC_0162_edited-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557377277374409506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TR_FMIS6qyI/AAAAAAAADWM/FMMO0ADi0n8/s640/DSC_0162_edited-1.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>Great night.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>Friends over for dinner.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>Computer working again.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>Yummy southern leftovers for later.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>A clean kitchen to boot.</strong></span></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:Courier New;font-size:130%;color:#003333;">Quick photo before heading to bed.</span></strong></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-21023151616180483972010-12-25T00:01:00.001-05:002010-12-25T00:01:02.142-05:00Merry Christmas<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TRVplvwSNNI/AAAAAAAADVY/XFtNXvXsQSA/s1600/vintagesanta.jpg"></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TRVpln2WXpI/AAAAAAAADVQ/5MryXe9t9zk/s1600/nativityclipart1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554461810504392338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TRVpln2WXpI/AAAAAAAADVQ/5MryXe9t9zk/s640/nativityclipart1.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#003333;"><strong>Remembering that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong><span style="color:#003333;">Merry Christmas!</span></strong></span></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179927010209702879.post-30278817569165884092010-12-23T17:32:00.000-05:002010-12-31T00:49:42.620-05:00Day 357~<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556716893044889906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TR1sks9aWTI/AAAAAAAADV0/ja8PHrZ8BQM/s640/DSC_0371_edited-1.jpg" /><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Just a couple quick shots before heading to <a href="http://boysmyjoys.blogspot.com/search/label/Central%20SC"><span style="color:#006600;">Central</span></a>...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; DISPLAY: block; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556716894540681970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_NbkNbyc2B10/TR1skyiCUvI/AAAAAAAADV8/kLQir6SMf-g/s640/DSC_0363.JPG" /> most of these presents will be unwrapped there tonight.</span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ahhhh</span>, I'll be home for Christmas!</span></strong></div>Dana Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08320560308207668927noreply@blogger.com0