tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26007634170432316162023-11-16T00:27:10.078-06:00Rodger's Family AlbumDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-34562507404408862072015-05-11T18:50:00.003-05:002015-05-11T21:22:11.377-05:00Comin' Home has moved to www.cominhome.net!<div style="text-align: center;">
If you are looking for Comin' Home, just <a href="http://www.cominhome.net/">click here</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for dropping by!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Donna Rodgers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVkXmZB_lXhQafWSeXVoeU7uGWSxRWwGuBo1gR3oRKvL3XWLEOLKN9nsUCBCPt25eMD0SwA0kfeFy60Jmlz0e3fmFbnnAtDBgHlHiZtIG5a1sItbhi3hBxSU9FwE_e6xb8opb3egdeQnO/s1600/frontpage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVkXmZB_lXhQafWSeXVoeU7uGWSxRWwGuBo1gR3oRKvL3XWLEOLKN9nsUCBCPt25eMD0SwA0kfeFy60Jmlz0e3fmFbnnAtDBgHlHiZtIG5a1sItbhi3hBxSU9FwE_e6xb8opb3egdeQnO/s640/frontpage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-67850254706167221642011-04-11T13:18:00.002-05:002011-04-11T13:22:48.887-05:00<br /><div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<img alt="Kids in Seattle" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvYW08iF1a8NXmTQ4T_x6kYaTx0j_NREe1rvexIjrM6ifRDCIx6YJnN2Yjn0tSJjDZ8lvs-kUVrnuE306ewON0tjG8WTGJEs93pkA_B6jEzHAMtU8KQSXkqxRXRyzthcMGEY0wodEvH7x//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Kids in Seattle" width="255" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeh4BblW_kxqBnWp_mHqt_pO3DaNn7zgu2uD4KvwiKuJjcqQP4uuB0pF4Lic2NLE9YqKYY6nFNelCLwsse7eDJPoDjm-sE5IRY0id-Pc2muR9jqQbcEGKLrW0R7YZGLxPBUfQowtVbzPR/s1600-h/EbethandLena8.jpg"><img alt="Ebeth and Lena" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TMoWdB5FxIlQZu578K8BIdNlGlndNWPnfW9DVYdvrH-uR7NbMj2H9pUMTLoGDTbJ9ATL-YIHz4zkZjAeYANNN0QVPpX9zLLVIgPoCw3b8PrhBrQis54ZnsKEa9GgIUI9ebd35zWFk5JU//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Ebeth and Lena" width="395" /></a> <br />
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Update on the Kids and Grandkids in Seattle</span></b></div>
<div align="justify">
Several of you have asked how my son, Andrew, and wife, Elisabeth, and grandkids, Lena and Augy are doing since they moved. Well, they are doing great! They found a lovely condo not far from the coast near Andrew’s job in Seattle. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhram6y0E_U4CoC3wymdVqtUEdwVaCRvHbsP2qX1ht4fH0j7n8zQN9h6BYwyxm9vtHPfLVzphZ_M4CV3OI0VaDtpd6wRaUxY6MBtZZW3Cgwa6fNgpoExXeBDkSBhMWnL7WXJsq9gehTWvQ1/s1600-h/Kids%20in%20Seattle%5B4%5D.jpg"> </a> They have been visiting parks almost every night according to Elisabeth. She said, “The air just smells so fresh!” It’s still rainy and chilly up there, but it’s so beautiful too! That’s why dear hubby, who grew up there, has had such a hard time acclimating to Texas. It’s a real ‘step down’ for him. LoL! He wants us to retire there someday, and now I’m sure we will!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Grandkids in their new home" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-BcFJ61Kj06w53rR5aglui9f5XApvvVnoHB-_kswsKxjb5ndbREb9ethlsEuZzUFOmPEQZGoiKpTmQoQDq_QETHgTLs81wxrZr3YIlDfm-_nK8n6ObcHlS8pYazq_WLQeinkIxLFfMVK//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><br />
</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 744px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="link1">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link1').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content1').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content1" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('content1').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link1').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
<div align="justify">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">New Job and New House</span></b></div>
<div align="justify">
Andrew’s job is going great!. He has settled right in and enjoys the work. He and Elisabeth found a gorgeous condo. I love the dark wood in their kitchen and bathroom. They bought quite a bit of furniture from IKEA and are getting everything installed and in place. They now have two matching high chairs for Lena and Augy. Aren’t the kids darling? We so miss them! But we are all getting very good at Skyping using web cams. Lena saw Tim and I during one of our ‘skype visits’ one night and she immediately said, “Bubbles!!” So they got the handheld bubble machine I bought her and she blew bubbles while we cheered her on. Oh..that hurts just a bit. How I wish I was there! (This was her favorite activity at our house.)</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:6a4f2628-3bf3-44a9-9773-14fe069153bd" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; width: 744px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bQlAXUd7joFtYFNuLJ8uKN_q7OoEeO-hxOmZaWh0o4c7tatziDphOrz3oMnAgrE5uIWoksbPB-4gYQIs7X5SXiQffZTP-0JOs3LmU6P_1gX78i6QKQfV7NF1xXRGlYXNSYLRNqUiW4zU/s1600-h/newcondo217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="new condo 2" border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uXaII7wEcvQAUsI3xoxeAX_XWAvBGLB7Y8ePPqhU9MguS0SLtodiR52DAk48vReDWSxdOSEmx-Ip97e8ibI-YY4Ak8zPxixqZmMa9K7dtH1Xb13cFVYtwjTXWNrFj-BFhXac6icPQwTS//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="new condo 2" width="312" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b>Visiting Family from Germany and Washington</b></div>
<div align="justify">
Elisabeth's mom, Elfie, is at their house for a visit this month (she’s from Germany), and her brother, Johannes came over for dinner with a friend from Vancouver last week. That really blesses me to know the Elisabeth’s family who have been so far away are now more accessible. She really needs that I think. :o) After Elisabeth’s mom flies back to Germany, they will come down here for graduations and saying goodbye to Jacob who will be leaving for bootcamp in Mid-May. Andrew and Elisabeth visited Tim’s Uncle Jon and Aunt Elaine and his brother and wife, Mike and Kristi Rodgers and their twins. I’m so glad they are getting to know some of Tim’s family from the Washington area. :o) </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:38ed22d2-1f65-4b76-a406-2df2a7a8ec2f" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; width: 735px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21111&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Their New Home" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ke2qZQAHkdkIZ5Luxb8xtcryLb3kt0_TajaOA4k4zMzLkQPtTNb7vT7pZKnBkU69BYUV1E-AVIsCEtn5zzUjrabJweEbthgULD8i9h-N7oUe2VaDWdGeVsxEDMLylYt3jxUuqRpYJbKE//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: right; width: 735px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21111&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b>Coming to Texas in May for a Visit!</b></div>
<div align="justify">
They will stay for us for a weekend, then Andrew has to fly back to work, but Ebeth will be here for a month. She will be staying with us for a week at the end of May. Ah..six or seven days of grandbaby and DIL bliss! I’m so looking forward to their visit! Well…for those of you who asked how they were, I do hope you enjoyed this photo update. :o) Here’s counting the days until May 17th!!<br />
<br /></div>
<br /><br />
</span>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">God’s Country…</span><br />
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfiWKAIkDVWkvPqbNtyKR2uBg4Uj7QBxjml0M5QxWx6JPnFQCZLuwpu48b1btw-xMInXnoHlyCozjEq__bv0vUBfioWqyMsCskeyG-RBiQ8RQ_A4SlucvasjX_V7v_G1CmadHD9X4_esD/s1600-h/view38.jpg"><img alt="view 3" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpzR86O8jliMTI2XooCwpopF98L0D5DcyvHA6PAKJC2nTlmpDxvfcSCmK0dX45Kb0sXAXri56hVepWH-rWbu-a1EEhJ7linMPAP9LIBs9rN8F0iNWPgfUFnDnaVUsyZkW7sLeVn3x1HMh//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="view 3" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
Ok, so it’s not the only country that God made..but you have to admit..It’s GORGEOUS!<br />
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21125&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View God's Green Country" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1yeIixN5_epM46wtJj6_t8uT8WAHQGquhXgpj_vHZHJGLalppUr_U5FEvVBShqsE4ThR5yTc6Bb-bWxRgZ0hyphenhyphenSZ6Xe_1ya3vGNh8vKK3DNZjvhVoaCY42pKnG1yYh04IccvWyLKrpIhZ//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21125&type=5">View Full Album</a><br />
<br />
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="link2">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link2').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content2').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content2" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('content2').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link2').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 2nd hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 3rd intro.
<br />
<br />
<span id="link3">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link3').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content3').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content3" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('content3').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link3').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 3rd hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 4th intro.
<br />
<br />
<span id="link4">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link4').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content4').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content4" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('content4').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link4').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 4th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 5th intro.
<br />
<br />
<span id="link5">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link5').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content5').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content5" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('content5').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link5').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 5th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 6th intro.
<br />
<br />
<span id="link6">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link6').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content6').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content6" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('content6').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link6').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 6th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-25384346131491319902011-04-11T09:06:00.000-05:002011-04-11T09:06:33.679-05:00<img alt="Kids in Seattle" border="0" height="303" src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Mom/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles111B69E/KidsinSeattle5%5B1%5D.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Kids in Seattle" width="244" /><a href=""><img alt="Ebeth and Lena" border="0" height="304" src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Mom/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles111B69E/EbethandLena_thumb6.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Ebeth and Lena" width="395" /></a> <br />
<div align="justify"> <strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Update on the Kids and Grandkids in Seattle</span></strong></div><div align="justify">Several of you have asked how my son, Andrew, and wife, Elisabeth, and grandkids, Lena and Augy are doing since they moved. Well, they are doing great! They found a lovely condo not far from the coast near Andrew’s job in Seattle. <a href=""> </a> They have been visiting parks almost every night according to Elisabeth. She said, “The air just smells so fresh!” It’s still rainy and chilly up there, but it’s so beautiful too! That’s why dear hubby, who grew up there, has had such a hard time acclimating to Texas. It’s a real ‘step down’ for him. LoL! He wants us to retire there someday, and now I’m sure we will!</div><div align="center"><a href=""><img alt="new condo 2" border="0" height="411" src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Mom/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles111B69E/newcondo2_thumb13.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="new condo 2" width="312" /></a> </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">New Job and New House</span></strong></div><div align="justify">Andrew’s job is going great. He has settled right in and enjoys the work. He and Elisabeth found a gorgeous condo. I love the dark wood. got quite a bit of furniture from IKEA and are getting everything installed and in place. They now have two matching high chairs for Lena and Augy. Aren’t the kids darling? We so miss them! But we are all getting very good at Skyping using web cams. Lena saw Tim and I during one of our ‘skype visits’ one night and she immediately said, “Bubbles!!” So they got the handheld bubble machine I bought her and she blew bubbles while we cheered her on. Oh..that hurts just a bit. How I wish I was there! (This was her favorite activity at our house.)</div><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" contenteditable="false" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:6a4f2628-3bf3-44a9-9773-14fe069153bd" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 744px;"><a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;"><img alt="View Grandkids in their new home" src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Mom/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles111B69E/InlineRepresentation2a901fa0d38b4524.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: right; width: 744px;"><a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><strong>Visiting Family from Germany and Washington</strong></div><div align="justify">Elisabeth's mom, Elfie, is at their house for a visit this month (she’s from Germany), and her brother, Johannes came over for dinner with a friend from Vancouver last week. That really blesses me to know the Elisabeth’s family who have been so far away are now more accessible. She really needs that I think. :o) After Elisabeth’s mom flies back to Germany, they will come down here for graduations and saying goodbye to Jacob who will be leaving for bootcamp in Mid-May. Andrew and Elisabeth visited Tim’s Uncle Jon and Aunt Elaine and his brother and wife, Mike and Kristi Rodgers and their twins. I’m so glad they are getting to know some of Tim’s family from the Washington area. :o) </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" contenteditable="false" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:38ed22d2-1f65-4b76-a406-2df2a7a8ec2f" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 735px;"><a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21111&type=5" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;"><img alt="View Their New Home" src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Mom/Local%20Settings/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter-429641856/supfiles111B69E/InlineRepresentation4618cc7273c24bde.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: right; width: 735px;"><a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21111&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify"><strong>Coming to Texas in May for a Visit!</strong></div><div align="justify">They will stay for us for a weekend, then Andrew has to fly back to work, but Ebeth will be here for a month. She will be staying with us for a week at the end of May. Ah..six or seven days of grandbaby and DIL bliss! I’m so looking forward to their visit! Well…for those of you who asked how they were, I do hope you enjoyed this photo update. :o) Here’s counting the days until May 17th!!</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-58509257272719284572011-04-10T00:05:00.023-05:002011-04-19T12:53:10.796-05:00Multiple Summaries or Jump Breaks with Open and Close Read More - TEMPLATEThis is the 1st intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link1">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link1').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content1').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content1" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content1').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link1').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 1st hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 2nd intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link2">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link2').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content2').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content2" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content2').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link2').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 2nd hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 3rd intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link3">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link3').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content3').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Expand button...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content3" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content3').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link3').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 3rd hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 4th intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link4">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link4').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content4').style.display='inline'; return false;">
READ MORE HERE...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content4" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content4').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link4').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 4th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 5th intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link5">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link5').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content5').style.display='inline'; return false;">
READ MORE HERE...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content5" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content5').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link5').style.display='inline'; return false;">
CLOSE...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 5th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 6th intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link6">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link6').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content6').style.display='inline'; return false;">
READ MORE HERE...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content6" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content6').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link6').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Close button...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 6th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>
This is the 7th intro.
<br /><br />
<span id="link7">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('link7').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content7').style.display='inline'; return false;">
READ MORE HERE...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content7" style="display: none;">
<a href="about:blank"
onclick="document.getElementById('content7').style.display='none';
document.getElementById('link7').style.display='inline'; return false;">
CLOSE...
<br /><br />
</a>
This is the 7th hidden content.
<br /><br />
</span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-73806770535324333842011-04-09T17:46:00.113-05:002011-04-11T11:08:32.744-05:00Tuesday Tea No.1~Tuesday Tea, Kids in Seattle, Best Cookie Ever, Civil War Ball Gown, and God's Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f8Z44lcEo_LPe32upy5nbn5MyMBf2ClXlLaG3Ghld0H8rA8Lrp50kdWrUk4_HgH9OLcm6OKlT6fP8or_mQ-rMyuEfqRjGfQnRtzTTLS2MUTVuT3FH-8333dc6Na_STyP1X-eygbtUkkU/s1600/Dickens+and+Tea3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f8Z44lcEo_LPe32upy5nbn5MyMBf2ClXlLaG3Ghld0H8rA8Lrp50kdWrUk4_HgH9OLcm6OKlT6fP8or_mQ-rMyuEfqRjGfQnRtzTTLS2MUTVuT3FH-8333dc6Na_STyP1X-eygbtUkkU/s640/Dickens+and+Tea3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></u><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Tea and Dickens...the Perfect Combination!</span></u><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome to my first weekly 'tea chat'! I'm so glad you dropped by today and hope you enjoy your visit through an entire week of adventures at our house. I'm having some English Breakfast tea in my very favorite coffee cup. It's the first piece of real 'china' that I ever owned and probably cemented my Anglophile tendencies! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-ihHfu3MB33d6NuHTEd9qVMR-Q_dVOwjC4z4Q4HQS-XbgCxyeuzJR_Kixx-sbQD004DTG5IaamYpmJ9oNYPiks2rFaCFzZ3yZsgFcJLo35tH7i-fwV5O0oOkFsVmi4LOEqYOwXEklOVe/s1600/coffee+cup+from+england.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-ihHfu3MB33d6NuHTEd9qVMR-Q_dVOwjC4z4Q4HQS-XbgCxyeuzJR_Kixx-sbQD004DTG5IaamYpmJ9oNYPiks2rFaCFzZ3yZsgFcJLo35tH7i-fwV5O0oOkFsVmi4LOEqYOwXEklOVe/s320/coffee+cup+from+england.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I found this at Ross (an outlet store) when my kids were just babies and it's made in England! That's where I'd most love to travel someday ...It's a trip that I hope we will make after the kids are all on their own.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5iKCnKnq-__hqWjTauoB5U0_Il4C3aJP4tVh3MLy2oSzNelei9fjibq7eCyQ9vWo5riS0Ft1kVXWTdJIputbgJzpp7jIjnY2ird8sFO-fhBWC_crRk56ZXsl6_IjfA3pXaaYAi5Nv4yV/s1600/cup+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5iKCnKnq-__hqWjTauoB5U0_Il4C3aJP4tVh3MLy2oSzNelei9fjibq7eCyQ9vWo5riS0Ft1kVXWTdJIputbgJzpp7jIjnY2ird8sFO-fhBWC_crRk56ZXsl6_IjfA3pXaaYAi5Nv4yV/s400/cup+up+close.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love this cup because many of my favorite authors (English ones I might add) have the spines of their books on the cup. I made my tea or coffee in this delicate coffee mug, regularly, to have for my afternoon quiet time while enjoying another chapter or two of one of my favorite Dickens novels. He wrote so many! And they are all nice and long. :o) Have I ever told you that one of Dickens' favorite topics is the 'virtues of a wonderful homemaker'?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<span id="linkid6">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('linkid6').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content6').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Read more...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content6" style="display: none;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienYTtox-nK0YKDPmauWfKQjSlZ8GlezHMBreS2OzKNF24PBfkv76Xicoy9wdhfVH6Z7e1iZSliBvx8maIBirkSI4h_JT2m5CryHRW94dhyXCmhh8o9EXNWZy0A__Q0npRvkfOEbohkSI_/s1600/Great+Expectations+Mrs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienYTtox-nK0YKDPmauWfKQjSlZ8GlezHMBreS2OzKNF24PBfkv76Xicoy9wdhfVH6Z7e1iZSliBvx8maIBirkSI4h_JT2m5CryHRW94dhyXCmhh8o9EXNWZy0A__Q0npRvkfOEbohkSI_/s640/Great+Expectations+Mrs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I ADORE Dicken's novels! Partly it was because he often honored and exalted the homemaker and the power of a good home and a loving woman of good character. You will find all types of homemakers in his novels. The best 'homemaking' novel besides perhaps David Copperfield, is less well known..but how I love it! It's called Bleak House. But it's not as bleak as it sounds...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyE4fRMIaWiU7Y1oPph0U5MU7n_dC521RRyIk5DchHf7svzxkoWiu9JQPZCDbXYgXjARiN6tF17fUl1fcyXrSrBh05psdUq_KX1rNglPnbEQQBi7zpsBrZVtiPTzpOJKKgsu52qsNNsw1/s1600/Esther+Summerson+Bleak+House.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyE4fRMIaWiU7Y1oPph0U5MU7n_dC521RRyIk5DchHf7svzxkoWiu9JQPZCDbXYgXjARiN6tF17fUl1fcyXrSrBh05psdUq_KX1rNglPnbEQQBi7zpsBrZVtiPTzpOJKKgsu52qsNNsw1/s320/Esther+Summerson+Bleak+House.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Esther was my heroine because she loved her role as homemaker..always jingling her 'housekeeping' keys wherever she went to remind her 'cheerfully' of her duties. It was her goal to be a blessing to everyone in the household. That's what I want. Dicken's is the homemakers cheerleader if ever there was one. (At least as an author.) I also admired him because he wrote to expose the plight of the poor and destitute in England. It's amazing what one man can do when he sets his mind to it!
<br /><br />
</span>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMSzV01CdfgOc0tJQKaSDKEGn9seRX2g8mD-vI_znoUQ0OWB_cH9pUTD2W8AJI41jFGy7G2t5b7G5welgcqtq9K7rhv1VNC_-FDSfm5fCnLlWVZf2h8hzYHxeOl8RZtXvuMOg7cS5U3yD/s1600/IMG_6219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQMSzV01CdfgOc0tJQKaSDKEGn9seRX2g8mD-vI_znoUQ0OWB_cH9pUTD2W8AJI41jFGy7G2t5b7G5welgcqtq9K7rhv1VNC_-FDSfm5fCnLlWVZf2h8hzYHxeOl8RZtXvuMOg7cS5U3yD/s320/IMG_6219.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2PK5zegkp6IScHDzwvJjrncVd9qN25KB37LvrH891cU4A70NJmTY9pOOdbP76vLdZpawUtgKAfuuMOsxRB-Fha_B4b2vT1vyTpjBfFuwr1Y8uywWKPYb54wo1qWLaT7u9KMA-DQTzZt/s1600/SDC11982-1_thumb%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU2PK5zegkp6IScHDzwvJjrncVd9qN25KB37LvrH891cU4A70NJmTY9pOOdbP76vLdZpawUtgKAfuuMOsxRB-Fha_B4b2vT1vyTpjBfFuwr1Y8uywWKPYb54wo1qWLaT7u9KMA-DQTzZt/s320/SDC11982-1_thumb%255B3%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I must say, Miss Amy of a <a href="http://teagirlworld.blogspot.com/2011/04/birthday-girl-tea-party-photo-essay.html">Tea Girl in a Coffee World</a> was determined to out do herself..but I just about died when I saw her birthday tea party for her little girl. It was just darling!! And <a href="http://anartsideoflife.blogspot.com/2011/04/sugar-cakes-and-tea.html">Rayanne from A Lovely Thought's </a> blue photos..were amazing..plus she shared a yummy looking recipe for Sugar Cakes. I've got to print that out and try those! Everyone's tea posts were just amazing..as usual! Thanks so much for joining! Be sure to visit ladies..It's like a free 'beautiful homes tour'. :o)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Let's have Tea!</span></b></div>
<br />
If you would like to join my tea party, just link up your post right here. I'd love to come visit and see your tea post too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq2RZyVNNaiv15h9nwhKFIfegyYhL8z_iOt5g-_e_p7Z5CFHnEwk7_kR2UGZ4eo9H2pQquZWetYCgnlVz6W__9ckYX5v0Jcoa77GlHIsnzlLbeLnS-Jyo_D-NHQS0v0vAUMthGjdN9lC6/s1600/DSC04079_thumb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=84180" type="text/javascript">
</script> </div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq2RZyVNNaiv15h9nwhKFIfegyYhL8z_iOt5g-_e_p7Z5CFHnEwk7_kR2UGZ4eo9H2pQquZWetYCgnlVz6W__9ckYX5v0Jcoa77GlHIsnzlLbeLnS-Jyo_D-NHQS0v0vAUMthGjdN9lC6/s1600/DSC04079_thumb2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">The <i>Perfect</i> Chocolate Chip Cookie </span></u><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"></span></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq2RZyVNNaiv15h9nwhKFIfegyYhL8z_iOt5g-_e_p7Z5CFHnEwk7_kR2UGZ4eo9H2pQquZWetYCgnlVz6W__9ckYX5v0Jcoa77GlHIsnzlLbeLnS-Jyo_D-NHQS0v0vAUMthGjdN9lC6/s1600/DSC04079_thumb2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq2RZyVNNaiv15h9nwhKFIfegyYhL8z_iOt5g-_e_p7Z5CFHnEwk7_kR2UGZ4eo9H2pQquZWetYCgnlVz6W__9ckYX5v0Jcoa77GlHIsnzlLbeLnS-Jyo_D-NHQS0v0vAUMthGjdN9lC6/s640/DSC04079_thumb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
My
best friend, Laurie, is the cookie queen, and just last week, she
shared her ‘The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie’ recipe. Rebekah, my
daughter, made them last night and they are NOT exaggerating! I’ve never
tasted such a good cookie! I was really skeptical that there even was
such a thing. But they proved me wrong. This photo is not of the recipe
I’m going to share. They are just cookies Rebekah made recently.<br />
<br />
The
cookies she made from this recipe are not pictured but they were crunchy
and chewy at the same time and were melt in your mouth heaven. If there
is such a thing as the perfect texture of a cookie, than this was it.<br />
<br />
Read the story of how Laurie found the perfect cookie recipe...and get the recipe..right here...</div>
<span id="linkid1">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('linkid1').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content1').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Read more...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<br />
<span id="content1" style="display: none;">
<div align="justify">
Laurie said that years ago, she set out to find the perfect recipe. She tried
MANY recipes before she found this one. For her, the art of the perfect
cookie, is her hobby and specialty. Need I say more? I think you
simply must try this. It really is the most amazing cookie I’ve ever
eaten. It really does pay to kitchen test recipes. You get what you pay
for. Laurie paid in lots of hard work and research..and the rest of us
just get to enjoy the benefits of her hard work.</div>
<blockquote>
<div align="justify">
Here it is.. Enjoy!</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Laurie’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></b></div>
<ul>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 1/2 c. butter softened</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 1/4 c. granulated sugar</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 T. vanilla</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">2 eggs</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">4 c. flour</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">2 t. baking soda</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">1 t. salt</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">3 c. (18 oz) chocolate chips</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">*1 c. nuts optional</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Heat oven to 350 degrees. <br />
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Mix butter, sugars, vanilla and eggs in large bowl.</span> </li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">Stir in chocolate chips and nuts 9if including0></span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">Drop dough by rounded measuring tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">bake 12-15 minutes or until light brown.</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet.</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cool on wire rack.</span></div>
</li>
<li> <div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: small;">Yields about 4 dozen cookies.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<br /><br />
</span>
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"> Update on the Kids and Grandkids in Seattle</span></u><br />
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<img alt="Kids in Seattle" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvYW08iF1a8NXmTQ4T_x6kYaTx0j_NREe1rvexIjrM6ifRDCIx6YJnN2Yjn0tSJjDZ8lvs-kUVrnuE306ewON0tjG8WTGJEs93pkA_B6jEzHAMtU8KQSXkqxRXRyzthcMGEY0wodEvH7x//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Kids in Seattle" width="255" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeh4BblW_kxqBnWp_mHqt_pO3DaNn7zgu2uD4KvwiKuJjcqQP4uuB0pF4Lic2NLE9YqKYY6nFNelCLwsse7eDJPoDjm-sE5IRY0id-Pc2muR9jqQbcEGKLrW0R7YZGLxPBUfQowtVbzPR/s1600-h/EbethandLena8.jpg"><img alt="Ebeth and Lena" border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TMoWdB5FxIlQZu578K8BIdNlGlndNWPnfW9DVYdvrH-uR7NbMj2H9pUMTLoGDTbJ9ATL-YIHz4zkZjAeYANNN0QVPpX9zLLVIgPoCw3b8PrhBrQis54ZnsKEa9GgIUI9ebd35zWFk5JU//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="Ebeth and Lena" width="395" /></a> <br />
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b></div>
<div align="justify">
Several of you have asked how my son, Andrew, and wife, Elisabeth, and grandkids, Lena and Augy are doing since they moved. Well, they are doing great! They found a lovely condo not far from the coast near Andrew’s job in Seattle. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhram6y0E_U4CoC3wymdVqtUEdwVaCRvHbsP2qX1ht4fH0j7n8zQN9h6BYwyxm9vtHPfLVzphZ_M4CV3OI0VaDtpd6wRaUxY6MBtZZW3Cgwa6fNgpoExXeBDkSBhMWnL7WXJsq9gehTWvQ1/s1600-h/Kids%20in%20Seattle%5B4%5D.jpg"> </a> They have been visiting parks almost every night according to Elisabeth. She said, “The air just smells so fresh!” It’s still rainy and chilly up there, but it’s so beautiful too! That’s why dear hubby, who grew up there, has had such a hard time acclimating to Texas. It’s a real ‘step down’ for him. LoL! He wants us to retire there someday, and now I’m sure we will!</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Grandkids in their new home" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-BcFJ61Kj06w53rR5aglui9f5XApvvVnoHB-_kswsKxjb5ndbREb9ethlsEuZzUFOmPEQZGoiKpTmQoQDq_QETHgTLs81wxrZr3YIlDfm-_nK8n6ObcHlS8pYazq_WLQeinkIxLFfMVK//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><br />
</a><br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 744px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21109&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="linkid2">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('linkid2').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content2').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Read more...<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content2" style="display: none;">
<div align="justify">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">New Job and New House</span></b></div>
<div align="justify">
Andrew’s job is going great!. He has settled right in and enjoys the work. He and Elisabeth found a gorgeous condo. I love the dark wood in their kitchen and bathroom. They bought quite a bit of furniture from IKEA and are getting everything installed and in place. They now have two matching high chairs for Lena and Augy. Aren’t the kids darling? We so miss them! But we are all getting very good at Skyping using web cams. Lena saw Tim and I during one of our ‘skype visits’ one night and she immediately said, “Bubbles!!” So they got the handheld bubble machine I bought her and she blew bubbles while we cheered her on. Oh..that hurts just a bit. How I wish I was there! (This was her favorite activity at our house.)</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:6a4f2628-3bf3-44a9-9773-14fe069153bd" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; width: 744px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bQlAXUd7joFtYFNuLJ8uKN_q7OoEeO-hxOmZaWh0o4c7tatziDphOrz3oMnAgrE5uIWoksbPB-4gYQIs7X5SXiQffZTP-0JOs3LmU6P_1gX78i6QKQfV7NF1xXRGlYXNSYLRNqUiW4zU/s1600-h/newcondo217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="new condo 2" border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uXaII7wEcvQAUsI3xoxeAX_XWAvBGLB7Y8ePPqhU9MguS0SLtodiR52DAk48vReDWSxdOSEmx-Ip97e8ibI-YY4Ak8zPxixqZmMa9K7dtH1Xb13cFVYtwjTXWNrFj-BFhXac6icPQwTS//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="new condo 2" width="312" /></a></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b>Visiting Family from Germany and Washington</b></div>
<div align="justify">
Elisabeth's mom, Elfie, is at their house for a visit this month (she’s from Germany), and her brother, Johannes came over for dinner with a friend from Vancouver last week. That really blesses me to know the Elisabeth’s family who have been so far away are now more accessible. She really needs that I think. :o) After Elisabeth’s mom flies back to Germany, they will come down here for graduations and saying goodbye to Jacob who will be leaving for bootcamp in Mid-May. Andrew and Elisabeth visited Tim’s Uncle Jon and Aunt Elaine and his brother and wife, Mike and Kristi Rodgers and their twins. I’m so glad they are getting to know some of Tim’s family from the Washington area. :o) </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:38ed22d2-1f65-4b76-a406-2df2a7a8ec2f" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; width: 735px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21111&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Their New Home" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ke2qZQAHkdkIZ5Luxb8xtcryLb3kt0_TajaOA4k4zMzLkQPtTNb7vT7pZKnBkU69BYUV1E-AVIsCEtn5zzUjrabJweEbthgULD8i9h-N7oUe2VaDWdGeVsxEDMLylYt3jxUuqRpYJbKE//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: right; width: 735px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21111&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<b>Coming to Texas in May for a Visit!</b></div>
<div align="justify">
They will stay for us for a weekend, then Andrew has to fly back to work, but Ebeth will be here for a month. She will be staying with us for a week at the end of May. Ah..six or seven days of grandbaby and DIL bliss! I’m so looking forward to their visit! Well…for those of you who asked how they were, I do hope you enjoyed this photo update. :o) Here’s counting the days until May 17th!!<br />
<br /></div>
<br /><br />
</span>
<br />
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Texas ~ God’s Country…</span></u><br />
<br />
<div align="justify">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrQfpCZmHCn8VOonYtWZeMCgnx7cikqU6A9y3NditGoEHMZhNk8Hd7rLYuPcw0Svqg1MlSjjRWH2GKEN_FgioyULjoPv9XEP_T0sFElktmCFhS875fb7h86P3wN3ZQ39yTFhJAeM3Jf57/s1600-h/Back%20Pasture%20and%20Side%20Yard%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Back Pasture and Side Yard" border="0" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd9IXZ_Dt3ha5SGAkeqxsZu_TKwqw247MLEB2bAtPBBao_pqB6qBAsZJa_3XDfr0wS4BLVbdg4uSq-Uxztm-mNeMCEpsQ8PvLY5KzaoC9W0O7WMQuqeiBNw3gtNyXM58WHzAQ9laEXBgz//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: inline;" title="Back Pasture and Side Yard" width="600" /></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:2d07883e-972c-444b-a5eb-2da61da15bdf" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21143&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Rebekah's Photos of Our Property" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6CQ18nYm9tYGiOONT_I8CBmThXGldFA_Kq_Wwdsa2ADEVybYX2WJxa9Kg2cNzgCWv80AvJxsq2g8V8DSxuSQCGO_AimZOBUDGViTRShwCOHzJg2J77WnAUfEvGoh0wNlH-N5GABjIqwl//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right; width: 567px;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21143&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="center">
Ok, so it’s not the only country that God made..but you have to admit..It’s GORGEOUS! Rebekah and I couldn't resist taking photos as our trees began to leaf out. What a scene!<br />
</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWXJADgFc70tiNqBxOrHzZCUxzP-SMgP6p0f7QOuMMDj3xOYt1I0AdeK1jtHY0vgWuUgb3r0_wV1Nz7M1kMptDzHxl2n4PthP5V2hVsaATVwI1ZKnXnEW8ct8oVDfD42HTmAY2L_Rrfz7/s1600-h/view411.jpg"><br /></a></div>
<span id="linkid3">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('linkid3').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content3').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Read more...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content3" style="display: none;">
<div align="center">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21125&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View God's Green Country" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1yeIixN5_epM46wtJj6_t8uT8WAHQGquhXgpj_vHZHJGLalppUr_U5FEvVBShqsE4ThR5yTc6Bb-bWxRgZ0hyphenhyphenSZ6Xe_1ya3vGNh8vKK3DNZjvhVoaCY42pKnG1yYh04IccvWyLKrpIhZ//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWXJADgFc70tiNqBxOrHzZCUxzP-SMgP6p0f7QOuMMDj3xOYt1I0AdeK1jtHY0vgWuUgb3r0_wV1Nz7M1kMptDzHxl2n4PthP5V2hVsaATVwI1ZKnXnEW8ct8oVDfD42HTmAY2L_Rrfz7/s1600-h/view411.jpg"><br /></a>
Our place has greened up and the view from every direction is stunning! I
think I’ll just let you take a look around..and enjoy!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxuOMepm6gVHUiyxSzTow8Dq1kDpkIUL4Lzx9KrQBpLwyu2yunGZcjvycGw6VfaHTUVB7uP0fzdYODoFQ966NROMm8IIUhKvywWpjHYR2nOMZfcQBicJ2Ho_ila2DUypmR31R9sxU7F3M/s1600-h/viewfromourdeck7.jpg"><img alt="view from our deck" border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisBlQEYfSwDXYfBdsnpXsnfewOB0I1POwjiodgtdj9MM5dbljXWZgKVNh1OXUYzrCA1q0FDEgtItnrLGDAfZFeaq9RGY4qTZNt4opYQhie-a3QeEUJqLSBlQsOkD8TGPV1enFWkUYD3CQx//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="view from our deck" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
I’m sipping my tea from my favorite lawn chair. Come sit a spell..the weather’s fine!</div>
<br />
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<br /><br />
</span>
<br />
<div align="justify">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Rebekah’s Civil War Ball Gown and a Peek at Dicken’s on the Strand</span></u></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmLxlwdpeAStfUfFMQGb78F9vAe6UI-UgZjJVMKFRcC8nb4LpOe0DcAKmfWVz_YsTLLhr050XeOWh_oEiroOOdXpn5iCgdzMwy8UgWAhyphenhyphenZxU2kPfaByom4ssnruTEIO9xMiBZrKok96p0/s1600-h/Rebekahinballdressback20.jpg"><img alt="Rebekah in ball dress back" border="0" height="535" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvh4sBCmVv6Xztu7Mjt9_a-ZuQmX93EVQqJQ6QK7J_PiEKpfe9jjNvV188NeCjo3cdSZv_r3b4tBTAkSSrH3qcLM9jJJ4FYln9Dkle7ZjOazJB5UFD8nsdPnupZRYW5qYdiI46-NkISfL//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Rebekah in ball dress back" width="449" /></a></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
It’s been a busy week here while we prepare for an upcoming graduation party. While cleaning the closets, what do you think we found, but the photo shoot of my daughter Rebekah, at age 14, in the Civil War Ball Gown that I sewed for her. It took me six months, had 17 yards of white satin, many yards of black lace, eight corsages (that we made ourselves) and tons of hand stitching! This was such a huge sewing task. I think I counted 79 pieces in the dress. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<img alt="1539270" border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgyLqpycNMDJuIuMffutXIFRLufG3xWgVlIau8s2qNLbXeGpmLkKnTPHD_rEhS0i2DJ_w25dtYls14bKAwWhgJffuNrS1FZIxkZH8pvmU39zZlIlLiDuH_lYKoPOWo1S_KAZtFPJS_msN//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="1539270" width="278" /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
The pattern I used was Simplicity 5724 and it’s a Civil War / Victorian era Ball Gown/Dress Pattern for her to wear to Dicken’s on the Strand in Galveston. We pulled out the dress..washed it..pressed it, and Rebekah tried it on. Can you believe she actually fit in it?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21112&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View The FAmily in Dickens Costumes" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-9fWF2NCl_TcixBxhEafEDz2yB5aXIr1ZDqi3qqIKDOHNU8YEA0zJseKZLiA5DyNFImfIP6fOiDJgC5wEHs0vyCGYVNaDmg1ncQDQdN32UP7thg-hoVoSkm_7SahqHBG4IrZGPvgDUF3//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" /></a> <a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21112&type=5">View Full Album</a><br />
<br />
<div align="justify">
Here are photos of hand sewn eyelet holes, boning, hand sewn homemade bias tape, oversleeves, and french puff sleeves. <br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:998f17e6-93b8-4e8b-a75f-2e39d6acbe46" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21136&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Elements of a Civil War Ball Dress" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWby83nEyISYOfmcVZCsIpkI8jmUYsjz1e6tOHAf7s10ORdEpcdzDaWJ4rqxiyZy5t1g3QjPajHUFkLh87jt3EdRe820L8tYXL0bE8Bc0A7w3MR0UQZFuF_lmP7oXKn8xDFYpZIkIdjcv//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center; width: 698px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21136&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span id="linkid4">
<a href="about:blank" onclick="document.getElementById('linkid4').style.display='none'; document.getElementById('content4').style.display='inline'; return false;">
Read more...
<br /><br />
</a>
</span>
<span id="content4" style="display: none;">
<div align="justify">
It has a lot of sewing features that I had never tried before like cartridge pleats, seven rows of ruffle gathered with quilting thread, French puff sleeves, oversleeves, overskirt, beveled pleats, boning in the separate bodice, bertha collar, hand sewn homemade bias tape, 40 hand sewn eyelet holes for the lace up back of the bodice and that’s just the main part of what comes to mind.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
It was a sewing education, I must say. So as not to get overwhelmed, I split up the parts of the dress into ziplock gallon bags and labled them~ collar, sleeves, bodice, underskirt overskirt, ruffles, bias tape, oversleeve etc. I remember sitting for hours sewing the tiny little eyelet holes. I love hand-sewing!</div>
<div align="justify">
When we went to Dicken’s on the strand, we could not walk three feet without people stopping us and wanting to have their photo taken with Rebekah. She was called up for round two in the ‘best dressed Victorian woman’ at the contest they hold at Dicken’s on the Strand.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Rebekah in Ball Dress" border="0" height="659" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KosWK8A6oGGYcDodj5eP109L0Rn_nTcjySpOFgoVW-Rb8P1s5Hc-hxq8mDi0Vi3uQdIeKhIM0yvZh6cmcMvV9q0p3uxFkAyW30Q7JNb7JSF2VLBuA_PFHaY7U41LmH58sQnfcPx4MFPq//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Rebekah in Ball Dress" width="416" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
I arranged for a photographer for Rebekah and she took these photos at The Woodlands Waterway, and the Fountains at Portofino Mall. Rebekah was in heaven the year I made this dress for her! We have such special memories of me ‘sewing away’ while she watched. She was terrified to help me. But she paid for most of the dress with saved Christmas money. She bought the black lace gloves, black lace, flowers, and black lace fan. </div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
While we were watching the parade at Dicken’s on the Strand, I was tapped on the shoulder by a woman from France who was there with her husband. She offered me a thousand dollars to make her the exact same dress. But I told her no thanks. My hands had begun going numb from the handwork. It took six months to sew (due to the rest of life interrupting of course) and I couldn’t see doing that again. :o) Really, it was a labor of love!</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:9cc7165e-7cf3-4216-bb02-471f8b89fcb5" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 0px; width: 805px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21119&type=5" style="border: 0px none;"><img alt="View Rebekah at Dicken's On the Strand" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFdM47-Phf5PM48mYuiJfDbRI8CtnqC6v033C6dE_wKJGFnUEm4QRlCMOp7vhl_30Q0PGMfFrvqOAGkBz8bIjvWbXquAypm4jlKwenIFn0zmADiZmOARa7PP1QeRkUQIO3wyYe9ssmh5Z4//?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px none;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: right; width: 805px;">
<a href="http://cid-49963f1098312ebb.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=49963F1098312EBB%21119&type=5">View Full Album</a></div>
</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
We plan to hit Dicken’s on the Strand again this year, since she can still wear the dress. Frankly, I was impressed. She’s a size 4. BTW, I put the darts in the bodice just as the pattern called for, but then I basted them flat because at the time, Rebekah didn’t need darts. It’s hard to believe that I made this when she was really just a young girl. A year later..we let out the darts. LoL! The nice thing is that the collar was made separately from the bodice. Then you hand tack it to the bodice after you make it. It hid the basting I had put in at the top. I didn’t want to spend half a year making a dress only to have it be worthless a year later when she started developing. :o)</div>
<div align="justify">
I have asked her to seriously consider a black and red wedding! Why make a wedding dress..when it won’t be anything compared to this!</div>
<br /><br />
</span>
<br />
For The All You 'tecky' Bloggers out there...a Bonus!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How to Make Multiple Summaries or Jump Breaks in the Same Post..</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you are at all impressed by the amazing format..just know that it
was all due to the genius of <a href="http://www.google.ad/support/forum/p/blogger/user?userid=02300689744954616809&hl=en">Leoparddrengen</a> who answered my 'blog'
question though I didn't ask it, "How do you do multiple page breaks in
the same post?" I knew I wanted to do that, but had no idea how to
begin. Well, this guy wrote up a quick html template to
answer someone's question (identical) to mine. My programmer hubby
analyzed it and taught me a 'quick' lesson in html programming and how
it works. And we designed our own post template based off of
his. You can access it <a href="http://thehomemakingarts.blogspot.com/2010/01/html-template-for-multiple-summaries-in.html">here</a>
if you can make use of it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But don't ask me to walk you through it.
Honestly, it would take a very very long post to explain how carefully you have
to cut and paste your html to fit in the text spots without messing up
the format. But a 'tecky' gal could do it if she was really determined--like me Ha!--, so I'm making it available
for the fearless bloggers out there. :o) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtFdhGEXmGKBuMH2leyYGS4vVhYeyITfLGv-4A5lP2uqqmMkz_Gij2yd6KBcGy0y1ISz85AUxRBHiK-2RPP_Vm5JV49flSiAAMsHo-gIKwiAwA22-VuOySbM495W72pFw3LRPxatZQBUD/s1600/my+literature+coffee+cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtFdhGEXmGKBuMH2leyYGS4vVhYeyITfLGv-4A5lP2uqqmMkz_Gij2yd6KBcGy0y1ISz85AUxRBHiK-2RPP_Vm5JV49flSiAAMsHo-gIKwiAwA22-VuOySbM495W72pFw3LRPxatZQBUD/s640/my+literature+coffee+cup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I tried and tried..and failed several times today (equaling about an hour and a half each) before I <i>finally</i> got this right. That's why I'm finally publishing at 1:00am! (Do you know how many cups of tea that equals?!) Yipes! This baby was written <i>hours </i>ago..parts of it LAST WEEK. But I kept copying and pasting the wrong code into my format! But I've finally come up with a system that works. Now my newsletter style post looks nice and streamlined..and <i>you</i> don't have a super long post to read. Just expand the parts that you want. :o) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU1NPuTd7ObS8JyYHYlZwsJ36JSuNDioelQZtM0NOX53SPWrQtQp4xwsoLKzRr2CgsvBqt9338sQZssQpSo-F2JUQIS0KCE31r3OHxQVtj0Mlztcb9IhN4P3cMIXhM7OMg0PCLJg6XoRv/s1600/windows+lw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEU1NPuTd7ObS8JyYHYlZwsJ36JSuNDioelQZtM0NOX53SPWrQtQp4xwsoLKzRr2CgsvBqt9338sQZssQpSo-F2JUQIS0KCE31r3OHxQVtj0Mlztcb9IhN4P3cMIXhM7OMg0PCLJg6XoRv/s640/windows+lw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The photo albums came from <a href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-writer-xp">Windows Live Writer</a> which Maria of <a href="http://www.colourmehappy.blogspot.com/">Color Me Happy</a> suggested. I'm so glad she did! There's so much you can do with that program..and it's free! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PS. I know that some of my albums don't work. I'm still learning how to work that feature. Sadly, my big computer crashed and the darling photos of the grandkids are all on there. So Tim will have to get the photos off the hard way. It may be a couple of days before I get my photos back. Thank goodness my computer is backed up though. Most of my stuff is safely burned on CDs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What a week! Hope you are not having so many kinks with your computer as I am. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ah well..such is life. :o)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VZ_TDZG_hMi9z3O8nZ-dTrSLS0E4Yh4OnP-1kQ2ZWZt8HimrV-LPQnlpXQjRDWD1CZJoyEmqzbA-TRF2d-VUccnXt_lZauqbHTlqZ0IXEaREBfMyR4Ueb8Gn3Uo8k6OD90Xkvlq98dJ6/s1600-h/signature_thumb%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="signature_thumb[1]" border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjSt34OYpGIpAPNkWDel7dVWqQmkKURPQBgnoGlDLa3O8eAtr8oPFUp6-5H6XVCZXwI5f0d_aGmbED8JEDyl5FroJdixVjaTXQVyycdF51eqnae7hPGD1BE0LxbjKlsn8Cp4CtlEeIyII//?imgmax=800" style="border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="signature_thumb[1]" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Linking with</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Tracie’s <a href="http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/">Cottage Flora Thursday</a></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Cindy’s Friday Show and Tell at <a href="http://romantichome.blogspot.com/">My Romantic Home</a></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Melissa’s <a href="http://www.untilwednesdaycalls.blogspot.com/">My Crafty Weekend</a></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Raising Homemakers’ <a href="http://raisinghomemakers.com/">Wednesday Link Up</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> Deb's <a href="http://www.jeremiah-2911.com/">Fantastic Friday</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And for Tea... </span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Lady Katherine's <a href="http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/">Tea Time Tuesday</a></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">
The Plumed Pen's <a href="http://theplumedpen.blogspot.com/">Tea for Two</a></span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">
Rose Chintz <a href="http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/">Tea Time Tuesday</a></span></b></div>
<div align="center">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">
Martha's Favorite <a href="http://www.marthasfavorites.com/">Teacup Tuesday</a><br />
Wanda Lee's <a href="http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/">Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday</a><br />
Pam's <a href="http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/">Teapot and Tea Things Tuesday </a></span></b> </div>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">
A Delightsome Life: <a href="http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/">A Return to Loveliness</a></span></b></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-71419534868107760672010-10-17T23:47:00.000-05:002011-04-09T11:48:30.742-05:00Cleaning our bedroom closet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE17umb_FxjmDC-8fr8zkPNQyfH90M806aYSUBlBw8cPtd0Jsd6GR4hlDX-VaiVf6ZNm23kaulogF64QYpcoo1sJ1LbXTY6jXRXRO3ereJqMcyJtno2S8wkdbNkz1WdQYV_gu_-jCqcDOK/s1600/DSC01723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE17umb_FxjmDC-8fr8zkPNQyfH90M806aYSUBlBw8cPtd0Jsd6GR4hlDX-VaiVf6ZNm23kaulogF64QYpcoo1sJ1LbXTY6jXRXRO3ereJqMcyJtno2S8wkdbNkz1WdQYV_gu_-jCqcDOK/s200/DSC01723.JPG" width="200"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83TfW4VlFS0L5We_kwKdbI3eTDs31Jpz0S6m-Z_QQvTW-xtTz4G-Cnl62cja5zxMiW4KDNjmmdzhS84ZF5KqEo7skpuI_dfAS4VW4L2rzBXByp_7JRSS0dr1gKqdxtmsYEN3_XB6Oz5_N/s1600/DSC01724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83TfW4VlFS0L5We_kwKdbI3eTDs31Jpz0S6m-Z_QQvTW-xtTz4G-Cnl62cja5zxMiW4KDNjmmdzhS84ZF5KqEo7skpuI_dfAS4VW4L2rzBXByp_7JRSS0dr1gKqdxtmsYEN3_XB6Oz5_N/s640/DSC01724.JPG" width="640">Writing a test post</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br>
<a href="http://cominhome.blogspot.com/2010/10/cleaning-our-bedroom-closet.html#more">Read more »</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-87624182663095111212010-07-08T19:26:00.001-05:002010-07-08T19:26:41.439-05:00What I'm doing today...photos of life at the Rodgers' House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR48s2UpE9UexDysqvYzoWFoPcLGgC-S5B1admbGTNcXLGkWmLDlr1MFxUHd8-5x7uJd3rXu65Z5L15yJFTMkiD2eRPXY7J2sNN7I7qQR9VE2O9F8CCXg2UWAt4ONQvAYYT3-iSnhJVi0/s1600/Making+soap+with+grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR48s2UpE9UexDysqvYzoWFoPcLGgC-S5B1admbGTNcXLGkWmLDlr1MFxUHd8-5x7uJd3rXu65Z5L15yJFTMkiD2eRPXY7J2sNN7I7qQR9VE2O9F8CCXg2UWAt4ONQvAYYT3-iSnhJVi0/s640/Making+soap+with+grandma.jpg" width="482" /></a><br />
<br />
Wow--Ten days can go by so fast! No way did I get everything on my list done while participating in the Ten Tasks in Ten Days challenge. ( I can't imagine why---though the photo above might give a clue. :o) I'm so glad that Gina at <a href="http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/07/ten-tasks-completion.html">Shabby Chic Cottage</a> started the challenge though. It really made me get a few balls rolling! Thanks Gina!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGSmafCwPo19S5ioOT-8MeTPbtu6HlJ5TvxNqqgDuvt2_hn17zM_aO-1kCUa8euj1u68NAAYVRFF5AGGEl4lC-e77HaCq8r_ER_rKWntrfyZscxp0_F4UALbFgjdzJgd4_GZdSFzy1Xw/s1600/Christian+pull+scolin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGSmafCwPo19S5ioOT-8MeTPbtu6HlJ5TvxNqqgDuvt2_hn17zM_aO-1kCUa8euj1u68NAAYVRFF5AGGEl4lC-e77HaCq8r_ER_rKWntrfyZscxp0_F4UALbFgjdzJgd4_GZdSFzy1Xw/s640/Christian+pull+scolin.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I did make some homemade soap (almost) with the grandkids and we had a lot of fun! Basically, five of my ten days were used to just have fun! And I sure did and so did the rest of the family. :o)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAKFHBkR24uuYy1xS1UfAZSIIvBJtXPLMCRkn_jcF_0AwFnqrC-BS3TDVloM2VRVk782AHA0uc7h3DaNadKSDlIFU9ekNmmPaRF4_URHnQr_kgJDkfCFwsdgbNp02N2mKC7meTUhm23M/s1600/close+up+of+apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAKFHBkR24uuYy1xS1UfAZSIIvBJtXPLMCRkn_jcF_0AwFnqrC-BS3TDVloM2VRVk782AHA0uc7h3DaNadKSDlIFU9ekNmmPaRF4_URHnQr_kgJDkfCFwsdgbNp02N2mKC7meTUhm23M/s640/close+up+of+apron.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I was also THRILLED to win a DARLING apron from <a href="http://thefreckledbug.blogspot.com/">the Freckled Bug</a> as part of Diana's<a href="http://texas-blogginggals.blogspot.com/"> Texas Blogging Gals Recent Giveaway</a>.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Wow--I just about fainted for joy. Though I can hardly imagine cleaning is this gorgeous apron! I did alter it a bit by gathering the waistband with elastic so Rebekah and I can both wear it. :o) It goes great with my home sewn blouse. :o) I love the colors especially!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://thefreckledbug.blogspot.com/" target="_self"><img alt="The Freckled Bug" border="0" src="http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy27/thefreckledbug/Custom%20Blog%20Design/Button-TheFreckledBugcopy.png" /></a></center> If you want to see more of the beautiful things the Freckled Bug Makes--just check out her blog.<br />
<h2 class="title">
<br />Ten Tasks in Ten Days Challenge at Shabby Chic Cottage</h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3-DbbiRT4Y0NuLkrJD4jl3hCsXV1fbuxT2n3vMNdGZl6zkzE06p1M9XGAlSmWHvHBPNCr_X4shCVgbgl2lfOMqieKfmtBkVT2OZOvO9cbtis1UMnJPugm_hfn5l3tDk3QJDYIMRvDsc/s1600/Dining+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
1. Finish Mom's couch cushion covers -<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">I'm starting today! Got four whole days to work on them while all the children are gone for the week.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGgcMAakIGvhDPgJS8lhxqlopQqzF4Sk2eb_4vCD1Gt6vm1ny3HPiwslGvlN_-rdZaJJhfKUcenaOsqlD0dHVX4I6tfynnAUDkt00CzLyTv9bkR2WvDr2zuNVGSs975qITKp49unqje4/s1600/Jacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGgcMAakIGvhDPgJS8lhxqlopQqzF4Sk2eb_4vCD1Gt6vm1ny3HPiwslGvlN_-rdZaJJhfKUcenaOsqlD0dHVX4I6tfynnAUDkt00CzLyTv9bkR2WvDr2zuNVGSs975qITKp49unqje4/s640/Jacob.jpg" width="492" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
2. Help son get driver's permit. -- <span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span><span style="color: orange;">Jacob finished his first six hours, studied the book...and we are going to the office tomorrow morning! Hurrah!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3-DbbiRT4Y0NuLkrJD4jl3hCsXV1fbuxT2n3vMNdGZl6zkzE06p1M9XGAlSmWHvHBPNCr_X4shCVgbgl2lfOMqieKfmtBkVT2OZOvO9cbtis1UMnJPugm_hfn5l3tDk3QJDYIMRvDsc/s1600/Dining+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3-DbbiRT4Y0NuLkrJD4jl3hCsXV1fbuxT2n3vMNdGZl6zkzE06p1M9XGAlSmWHvHBPNCr_X4shCVgbgl2lfOMqieKfmtBkVT2OZOvO9cbtis1UMnJPugm_hfn5l3tDk3QJDYIMRvDsc/s400/Dining+Room.jpg" width="247" /></a><br />
<br />
3. De-clutter dear hubby's closet. <span style="color: orange;">Oops--well..rats! NO, I didn't--but I did re-decorate the bedroom. :o) It's gorgeous though not painted with the proper colors yet. (I'll tell you all about my PAINTING plans tomorrow!)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx8H_cQ8UqkF1Qs5qaS4mnTUIwNXzhMmUQUCauvo1Ly7PaTYIC6XaU9hAYI1YNLMIY-4VkgreBNkbWYP02HI0BryVov842Zsu1ZOiRjZs6bKCkGG_552LX0a-Xs5NRJyGFEsvFidB3TI/s1600/tote+bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXx8H_cQ8UqkF1Qs5qaS4mnTUIwNXzhMmUQUCauvo1Ly7PaTYIC6XaU9hAYI1YNLMIY-4VkgreBNkbWYP02HI0BryVov842Zsu1ZOiRjZs6bKCkGG_552LX0a-Xs5NRJyGFEsvFidB3TI/s640/tote+bag.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
4. Finish purple square dance skirt. --<span style="color: #38761d;">Sigh...no I didn't do that either. I sure wanted too, but instead I've been working on a cute little "Just for Fun" tote bag for my daughter-in-law's birthday. Does that count?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82IR5ho9GFl2ym6mdtddyb3Tf-_f1XBXSh-tuuykhS-7KTFZhHHDiFkv5JtDNlOUi7QDe7LEB-ILGwe_ABX7aO0lq74g1TUmCAUSDqjw_ZE4Wg0beozAxBrU7KTadbasOfFan_oiFq3w/s1600/cute+apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82IR5ho9GFl2ym6mdtddyb3Tf-_f1XBXSh-tuuykhS-7KTFZhHHDiFkv5JtDNlOUi7QDe7LEB-ILGwe_ABX7aO0lq74g1TUmCAUSDqjw_ZE4Wg0beozAxBrU7KTadbasOfFan_oiFq3w/s640/cute+apron.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. Lose five pounds. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Lost 3 pounds--but whose complaining about that? Aim high I always say!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>6. Learn to sell on Ebay! <span style="color: #3d85c6;"> So--close and yet so far. I really need to to do this--and now that I want to buy paint I'm more determined than ever. My conscience..I mean--my daughter--talked me into waiting until we sell stuff on ebay to buy the new paint colors that my friend, <a href="http://www.colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/">Maria Killam</a>, recommended last week. I'll tell you all about that wonderful event tomorrow. :o)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY3ZVycMGZpZnKfh-y0mgBHu3VK8rVBl2J1nR_k9A613j1FmX27kGVOH3PGso7JwuTjOKVzzbSUXCVDMS-wYFW1UU1n6TAHf4wRRvLOT_lQp6kMdeX3pwtEU63ejx80KFO9vTXRNvXh4/s1600/re-decorating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuY3ZVycMGZpZnKfh-y0mgBHu3VK8rVBl2J1nR_k9A613j1FmX27kGVOH3PGso7JwuTjOKVzzbSUXCVDMS-wYFW1UU1n6TAHf4wRRvLOT_lQp6kMdeX3pwtEU63ejx80KFO9vTXRNvXh4/s640/re-decorating.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
7. Ship Dad's mementos to distant family. <span style="color: #38761d;">Sigh--no not yet. But hopefully, this week. :o)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
8. Get finances completely up- to-date. <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Almost done! Yippee!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLn-X_bSBWUgnrT34pVBXunfajE2BGDBq7oPYCKC59QWKTLsUhCsuE0lyHbpSzKHFIBd-P9Vnb3kFGFpl_XQq3SN_vMj5KkFq_4PWMnLlFAwmno16QbCMxa48FVYMdlbEvdwlJ0dhAAo/s1600/Christian+doing+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLn-X_bSBWUgnrT34pVBXunfajE2BGDBq7oPYCKC59QWKTLsUhCsuE0lyHbpSzKHFIBd-P9Vnb3kFGFpl_XQq3SN_vMj5KkFq_4PWMnLlFAwmno16QbCMxa48FVYMdlbEvdwlJ0dhAAo/s640/Christian+doing+school.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
9. Write Christian's lesson plans for summer school. <span style="color: #6aa84f;"> (Nope--but he's on vacation this week...so I'll do that at the end of the week.)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8flTmzkJ2eB6E-pO4y0ex6tUssLBVwnrcoCcln2voa3C8G2EaN84IuymREo6agTeR2KPJWw7svdVV0rRZlzbqLPXWU4Zdv_4rtd1h9uLkOLJa55cCRUHElgjLw1SIMkrV_eO4_qqC-c/s1600/DSCN0736.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8flTmzkJ2eB6E-pO4y0ex6tUssLBVwnrcoCcln2voa3C8G2EaN84IuymREo6agTeR2KPJWw7svdVV0rRZlzbqLPXWU4Zdv_4rtd1h9uLkOLJa55cCRUHElgjLw1SIMkrV_eO4_qqC-c/s640/DSCN0736.jpeg" width="428" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
10. Add ruffle to checkered square dance skirt. <span style="color: #6aa84f;"> Rats! And I so wanted to do that--but no sewing machine until this week.--Hope springs eternal!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvD6E0tXOiktU2w0HgAyATA5RG_cUJLA3BxUNTr59jpH9VMyE12S4zvV3jQgjk9ox4rL_p0G8EswV88vvGs2RBS8Y194TuenJsf4WqxQzdwILMDq3u40cKV_SGxXUPeCYHJsILWxW-U4/s1600/reproduction+quilt+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvD6E0tXOiktU2w0HgAyATA5RG_cUJLA3BxUNTr59jpH9VMyE12S4zvV3jQgjk9ox4rL_p0G8EswV88vvGs2RBS8Y194TuenJsf4WqxQzdwILMDq3u40cKV_SGxXUPeCYHJsILWxW-U4/s640/reproduction+quilt+001.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: black;">However, I did get my quilted wall hanging sent to Debby of <a href="http://cozyblanket.blogspot.com/">The Cozy Blanket</a>. I'm so glad she liked it. :o) </span></span><br />
<br />
And so goes life! What projects would you like to get done this summer?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Homemaking!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDGLCDNKuQYK3OKzr4Vo5TEHCWjOFBVDyrJem6DjEq2da8M_OOTDpEiC4zawoRDPbLcziRYetlAcZbxtJHXrPdBq295Zz3F01x7KSi1aDS_BZ52fY87wGZKFqTh_KVJy8Eg3oHNlAW_4/s1600/sunflower+for+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDGLCDNKuQYK3OKzr4Vo5TEHCWjOFBVDyrJem6DjEq2da8M_OOTDpEiC4zawoRDPbLcziRYetlAcZbxtJHXrPdBq295Zz3F01x7KSi1aDS_BZ52fY87wGZKFqTh_KVJy8Eg3oHNlAW_4/s1600/sunflower+for+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDGLCDNKuQYK3OKzr4Vo5TEHCWjOFBVDyrJem6DjEq2da8M_OOTDpEiC4zawoRDPbLcziRYetlAcZbxtJHXrPdBq295Zz3F01x7KSi1aDS_BZ52fY87wGZKFqTh_KVJy8Eg3oHNlAW_4/s1600/sunflower+for+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDGLCDNKuQYK3OKzr4Vo5TEHCWjOFBVDyrJem6DjEq2da8M_OOTDpEiC4zawoRDPbLcziRYetlAcZbxtJHXrPdBq295Zz3F01x7KSi1aDS_BZ52fY87wGZKFqTh_KVJy8Eg3oHNlAW_4/s320/sunflower+for+signature.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85796/donnacrodgers/1e49bbc432ed4a57017bd450a861c949.png" style="-moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-80660765514655246702010-05-24T00:05:00.000-05:002010-05-24T00:05:12.879-05:00Just a little Howdy from Colorado!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJupZ7TnId1PtB3xxb3PgtslD3v8xMjCztYBWA_20hQankupVc5nbJMoWwzO2_5HG7pak06PJQvf9-buA0_qymJTjcohUBjG63Obr3hBhbS8SctsUXwFOpIKFf8S35fuoxym6eweRlRy5c/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJupZ7TnId1PtB3xxb3PgtslD3v8xMjCztYBWA_20hQankupVc5nbJMoWwzO2_5HG7pak06PJQvf9-buA0_qymJTjcohUBjG63Obr3hBhbS8SctsUXwFOpIKFf8S35fuoxym6eweRlRy5c/s640/Skiing+in+Colorado+005.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUOFElOxDpAHhgpNBYtolFKT2m3r3K_SWZUdhD435zTDaN1OF2CNfqAhi_ddmRql942PG6oQ2dzXMs_tkDNNANVMrT_L4SXzjCb_vmaVM-zaoKEos0RV6goExJGvKUq75v-9JzKgQ6dzQ/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUOFElOxDpAHhgpNBYtolFKT2m3r3K_SWZUdhD435zTDaN1OF2CNfqAhi_ddmRql942PG6oQ2dzXMs_tkDNNANVMrT_L4SXzjCb_vmaVM-zaoKEos0RV6goExJGvKUq75v-9JzKgQ6dzQ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Dear Readers,<br />
I
just had to write a little note to say "Howdy" and thank <i>all of you</i>
who have signed up to follow my blog recently. I was so surprised and
blessed! :o) As you know, I have been on the road with my 17 yr. old
son, Jacob, and some friends since March 17th and the opportunities to
send a post or comment etc. have been very few and far between.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRNEwMXDP1_zglOqkum5G36yndhUSQyrchyIthZoOA2oS9zQEmnYC6vfurI5RL_m2HW-74_UcNqDVHwcYXpQjSdRUFk1hKT7u6DFeQIY7OO0GuZN6W3mKE4A6pCiPjnXUsYql2QTX1ntt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRNEwMXDP1_zglOqkum5G36yndhUSQyrchyIthZoOA2oS9zQEmnYC6vfurI5RL_m2HW-74_UcNqDVHwcYXpQjSdRUFk1hKT7u6DFeQIY7OO0GuZN6W3mKE4A6pCiPjnXUsYql2QTX1ntt/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The internet
just isn't that great at 11,500 ft!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBVmFh1hz6oaidzPHUZQK9Wi8Q1u7Dp3C_XePBkqoFZPdqIhuPChu7Tbwl8tGFeFUy9fvO0yJEOSEMG1FkOEo4UIGLRR4RhsYV470RxlwDG0XcvVR-mr_i-xBpLJocNE4f29A467F2URm/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBVmFh1hz6oaidzPHUZQK9Wi8Q1u7Dp3C_XePBkqoFZPdqIhuPChu7Tbwl8tGFeFUy9fvO0yJEOSEMG1FkOEo4UIGLRR4RhsYV470RxlwDG0XcvVR-mr_i-xBpLJocNE4f29A467F2URm/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And it is rather
embarrassing to climb through to the back of the closet of a nice
hostess trying to find the WPA number off of their router box. Karyn was
quite willing, but it still didn't work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJcK5iYrb_v2hbilkOOa7ewNiQGBhyphenhyphenXD4Uwu9EjZbuiYz6tJo9dvfJSsfHkYLY6DJwx8t8AwZ5UwZOQ040I7_8xOXyGXP24RFej_HYdzyWhS6GAMg4re7CHTIAiG6mOLk4ZSInTGEEg9R/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJcK5iYrb_v2hbilkOOa7ewNiQGBhyphenhyphenXD4Uwu9EjZbuiYz6tJo9dvfJSsfHkYLY6DJwx8t8AwZ5UwZOQ040I7_8xOXyGXP24RFej_HYdzyWhS6GAMg4re7CHTIAiG6mOLk4ZSInTGEEg9R/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+065.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I've had a few
opportunities to get online, but not many. Occasionally, I would work
offline and then save the posts to publish when I got 30 minutes here or
there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu5eYYCc3-tOCBAor90mFmeylAcYblL5Kp_Iw6_5o5neHKRUQm_Brpyrn6Mtsd6mGZPdsRPqlwLWn-m3mVg1J-B1v1E9FjThCsWhb8uVRRYv4feEt0rw2ObVDWvIhIAbTuyndIrTpRXEv/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu5eYYCc3-tOCBAor90mFmeylAcYblL5Kp_Iw6_5o5neHKRUQm_Brpyrn6Mtsd6mGZPdsRPqlwLWn-m3mVg1J-B1v1E9FjThCsWhb8uVRRYv4feEt0rw2ObVDWvIhIAbTuyndIrTpRXEv/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As
most of you know, I love posting helpful homemaking articles, my latest
sewing project, how to's for a new sewing or craft project, home
cooking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRNEwMXDP1_zglOqkum5G36yndhUSQyrchyIthZoOA2oS9zQEmnYC6vfurI5RL_m2HW-74_UcNqDVHwcYXpQjSdRUFk1hKT7u6DFeQIY7OO0GuZN6W3mKE4A6pCiPjnXUsYql2QTX1ntt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jbb_vUA40WE7-TDny1b7LBSuv-Q8M8EImrCNSO1tYCWJQ8oBnCgdstlONm2NvvK_wdRCGPeGcugDbluvN4NHi1mCs5Bt6aNJy89D6NqavSY3GuGia9mlDOiQ2MWB7rP5E3AbCcc6GCO5/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jbb_vUA40WE7-TDny1b7LBSuv-Q8M8EImrCNSO1tYCWJQ8oBnCgdstlONm2NvvK_wdRCGPeGcugDbluvN4NHi1mCs5Bt6aNJy89D6NqavSY3GuGia9mlDOiQ2MWB7rP5E3AbCcc6GCO5/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And I love sharing some
of the many talks I've given at workshops over the years on home
organizing, cleaning and even home education.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi661hDDHwtCNhg84fn7B6PIY4yRWCL9_LgK9_1ytH0aLy3FkXoSlibtZcdfEhKP9cU_ycbiHjyR2swKpDSDESP3mg2PaGXP_BY7h6XF5vT-joxCQ9K0ElnVs_-3yfxvk2x8raVYVw4yQoM/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi661hDDHwtCNhg84fn7B6PIY4yRWCL9_LgK9_1ytH0aLy3FkXoSlibtZcdfEhKP9cU_ycbiHjyR2swKpDSDESP3mg2PaGXP_BY7h6XF5vT-joxCQ9K0ElnVs_-3yfxvk2x8raVYVw4yQoM/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7CMlMoS57b-mPoxaEWFtdDKrk5sDEnOZXQuFk2EzpMe0A1cQj6WBgwgzUl0mj_En6HoYX7U9-kh2-UbPAocQ-lW7GycPxFYHun9guL4IELbJYqwmbAKuwP6tRoYnmh7jXnS_0VzTekKd/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7CMlMoS57b-mPoxaEWFtdDKrk5sDEnOZXQuFk2EzpMe0A1cQj6WBgwgzUl0mj_En6HoYX7U9-kh2-UbPAocQ-lW7GycPxFYHun9guL4IELbJYqwmbAKuwP6tRoYnmh7jXnS_0VzTekKd/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I also love
visiting your blogs and seeing your latest creations or what's going on
with you! I have to say I have missed you all so much! It's just not
real 'southern hospitality' to have visitors over and not get to say
thanks and drop by for a visit myself!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJupZ7TnId1PtB3xxb3PgtslD3v8xMjCztYBWA_20hQankupVc5nbJMoWwzO2_5HG7pak06PJQvf9-buA0_qymJTjcohUBjG63Obr3hBhbS8SctsUXwFOpIKFf8S35fuoxym6eweRlRy5c/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQNtpYj4Bc8zjBGejP6kc09_0OesHDo6aHHe-FXCI3YE2E7EFKBLwU64WK7aM7xKgUHxiDXNnAXcY4V6WgpNpcg9NDE-smjtzsvW-H14TOottOdcZS3M3iL3h7Cd5AWcUe9p8OCL6P9Yn/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK57_xeoiv2BqMWc8g8TKQn_N7oGtM4fO3pDSOV79MLmok7XiUHl491mQcOF1WQnzzgWYfj-ORMlyWcGi67MxK_uTwrFjUjuxdazqHGglkb4XXgLPEu8p1xc0QqF7j9I9hjTWwc9nOSlKo/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK57_xeoiv2BqMWc8g8TKQn_N7oGtM4fO3pDSOV79MLmok7XiUHl491mQcOF1WQnzzgWYfj-ORMlyWcGi67MxK_uTwrFjUjuxdazqHGglkb4XXgLPEu8p1xc0QqF7j9I9hjTWwc9nOSlKo/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+052.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Jacob and I
are having a wonderful time on this special road trip for him with the
two debate tournaments and a ski trip sandwiched in the middle.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4CmsFOONvwDM_JmYrflgq2rN1aWzYPXZN76ELHsC7xDuBwJsPAGIZ6H7BpScU_SVQEfugKSJmxaXoXkc9abXx5b2Pk0dm8jPNtw6maCkN_yoJaB6juusopx1qkpN5mvUV41Ewzxs5DIR/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
but I look forward to getting home again and spending a nice
evening making the acquaintance of all my new visitors too.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6wyNomQm0LJIvTpfiloTWtHaLPmpoohjiOzYQAQGiGq570usrm96TmJFtHxicLbsrkKqOn-hBma-RupGfzmeHzewPphRGLnBX88kH3H4ig1n1oAnCGpYYOUDHHNOGnjpgb_uEN2ru6Ix/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6wyNomQm0LJIvTpfiloTWtHaLPmpoohjiOzYQAQGiGq570usrm96TmJFtHxicLbsrkKqOn-hBma-RupGfzmeHzewPphRGLnBX88kH3H4ig1n1oAnCGpYYOUDHHNOGnjpgb_uEN2ru6Ix/s640/Skiing+in+Colorado+009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ6Ddrw_cj7evJqFb21kWwe28EK_EUcTYKG0LXxrOvOXERbC_FPtSdnzX5IY-O2I_nKmmc85cvz5Xkl3Rh134XMJoGeVwys8h_UmfNbGGkuyhdYC2LxrtBUeZ_aDkauUuTgkFHj4RwXHO/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ6Ddrw_cj7evJqFb21kWwe28EK_EUcTYKG0LXxrOvOXERbC_FPtSdnzX5IY-O2I_nKmmc85cvz5Xkl3Rh134XMJoGeVwys8h_UmfNbGGkuyhdYC2LxrtBUeZ_aDkauUuTgkFHj4RwXHO/s640/Skiing+in+Colorado+010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We will be headed home
this Sunday. I'll be sure to do some return visiting early next week.
Until then...I'll drop a note now and then here at Comin' Home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I did want to
say thanks so much for all the sweet comments--I really appreciate
them!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxxOPNt7Jvq_BtzHbpxVeTDqzp7IUWuxfsnX6Xi_GFUazdGmzypVi_kU30e3dJopfF8DjFV0kMnMf1ZpEHIb5JMMdzpn38SshDWvaGUa9Wk0Faa7JxW3q38Flg7g8ZXlpuM_kHvcZuVrD/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxxOPNt7Jvq_BtzHbpxVeTDqzp7IUWuxfsnX6Xi_GFUazdGmzypVi_kU30e3dJopfF8DjFV0kMnMf1ZpEHIb5JMMdzpn38SshDWvaGUa9Wk0Faa7JxW3q38Flg7g8ZXlpuM_kHvcZuVrD/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+087.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
And thanks so much for
coming by!<br />
<i>Donna</i><br />
<br />
<i> </i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyZFEyyteH1QQQdBmLQgcYxxHepGQn3Zch1m0f2UUdXtArdPzC8ICsnjli4PmgyDU2DtfjOaW6ExGutOZiV-WoK2BtkpJoionjwnMiNU4ykKBWGxXMpmtwOWgRe2AceAheFVzWDONuxH/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyZFEyyteH1QQQdBmLQgcYxxHepGQn3Zch1m0f2UUdXtArdPzC8ICsnjli4PmgyDU2DtfjOaW6ExGutOZiV-WoK2BtkpJoionjwnMiNU4ykKBWGxXMpmtwOWgRe2AceAheFVzWDONuxH/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+072.jpg" width="640" /></a>PS. I learned a great
photography tip that I wanted to share with you, just in case your are
headed out on a trip any time soon. I discovered that if I zoom in as
close as the camera will allow and then take all those pictures of the
beautiful panoramic scenes whizzing past the car, I get much more
'picturesque' scenes.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtNXiO98_1-y9KOtZdXY5f_oMAraDZoLqTjPhONParl5BOt322c4wTNnL5XQ6o2IThEdTMjzJD3AMlfijiTVnpYTohcBjavqV81ZS63Ly7ZBoLQcippnxMVXYZXoY2I5O0X7NAsTNIjiR/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtNXiO98_1-y9KOtZdXY5f_oMAraDZoLqTjPhONParl5BOt322c4wTNnL5XQ6o2IThEdTMjzJD3AMlfijiTVnpYTohcBjavqV81ZS63Ly7ZBoLQcippnxMVXYZXoY2I5O0X7NAsTNIjiR/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+032.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
I took all of these
photos while my friend Peggy drove through the mountains from New Mexico
to Colorado. They just turned out so much better zoomed in!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJRtDh9yKuZNEinJ2-P80xkOk8tzqW-MVBvxmDwdJMdnIedqYhGCsubKzcbJdrAMUkKUPSWh7a1sOmrnoZe0xzZEfbR34wD03vMG5yRXHBKsVXFoBmjGJyDZoIKvI-yEcqDxomwYju8pD/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJRtDh9yKuZNEinJ2-P80xkOk8tzqW-MVBvxmDwdJMdnIedqYhGCsubKzcbJdrAMUkKUPSWh7a1sOmrnoZe0xzZEfbR34wD03vMG5yRXHBKsVXFoBmjGJyDZoIKvI-yEcqDxomwYju8pD/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+077.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJv29q3JwnUViDWk0SgGeMDY1f4SRfSf_Y_ehx_opXnJibo2EqnCyNobt0Ov4kADgidgc_exV-_1AvVJ1ROmocsdt5th0z2jEF90i1sRUWVTOE0UT326v4cyhh0KJnZnSDaTuP_C8hFSn/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJv29q3JwnUViDWk0SgGeMDY1f4SRfSf_Y_ehx_opXnJibo2EqnCyNobt0Ov4kADgidgc_exV-_1AvVJ1ROmocsdt5th0z2jEF90i1sRUWVTOE0UT326v4cyhh0KJnZnSDaTuP_C8hFSn/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Then you don't have to
crop them later and the resolution is much better. Give it a try on your
next trip and tell me how you like it.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-76626086633422553502010-05-24T00:03:00.001-05:002010-05-24T00:03:56.508-05:00On The Road Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDURHo0yzTHriBPwNyeYbGL-MeaSUgVYqJ3isN2lkiwvLLZEQBVthYyBBWR4EE7HeEyO5ZkmeKo7anLEtaz5ZwtMKC_VHXmqqGwHGtXptccMmRHYaAd3YXPozVS2Jvbt6vVOp57FdQl8c/s1600-h/tx-pc222-AmarilloGreeting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDURHo0yzTHriBPwNyeYbGL-MeaSUgVYqJ3isN2lkiwvLLZEQBVthYyBBWR4EE7HeEyO5ZkmeKo7anLEtaz5ZwtMKC_VHXmqqGwHGtXptccMmRHYaAd3YXPozVS2Jvbt6vVOp57FdQl8c/s320/tx-pc222-AmarilloGreeting.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruc2iiaNkc7uM_YBmbR-sfBFR0t5a4n144vgfQW276nEMAtKl-M78tVW5pmTH2OX7VaLt1ZPra1NBPDQWQnmUJ69Rc-J8dItG-k3lqanJGAKggo7gikh2hZR769xrCG2oc4YJUexmiGED/s1600-h/CLE-Denver+3.sflb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
Well, hopefully I will be able to post on a semi-regular
basis..but for the next two weeks, my son Jacob, and I will be on the
road! We are traveling through Amarillo...whoo-hoo!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruc2iiaNkc7uM_YBmbR-sfBFR0t5a4n144vgfQW276nEMAtKl-M78tVW5pmTH2OX7VaLt1ZPra1NBPDQWQnmUJ69Rc-J8dItG-k3lqanJGAKggo7gikh2hZR769xrCG2oc4YJUexmiGED/s1600-h/CLE-Denver+3.sflb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixc3TbCijGLRV5YasVYJuaMSd4LR3nVGO9RW-uCS_3EyYC0Seccq0XwV7CZrK8kfn-RfY5wcyu2hTmki_ELVeFMNYjnRa5eZhJKtagFpdMY8AbWyJYRS-2H5QwAaGPMnXWf-1WZQIwFgfR/s1600-h/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd1LNimfq6T5UiksUEg_vLzPCXSUrIEf5-Ib6nqZDXsO106Xhz0ogBidjdFqxJJb0sIiF65tENhduivTSmT7aPkZO3huS3dT2a_irJgCSnmATHakZCmXx53at7MV-hvfUvUJinBn-mDHy/s1600-h/welcome-to-new-mexico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd1LNimfq6T5UiksUEg_vLzPCXSUrIEf5-Ib6nqZDXsO106Xhz0ogBidjdFqxJJb0sIiF65tENhduivTSmT7aPkZO3huS3dT2a_irJgCSnmATHakZCmXx53at7MV-hvfUvUJinBn-mDHy/s320/welcome-to-new-mexico.jpg" /></a></div>
Then on to New Mexico, for the Chile Regional
Qualifier (speech & debate tournament) for four days. From their
we will head up to Leadville, Co. for two days of skiing (I'll watch
thank you!) ...Jacob that is.. (Perhaps I can sneak in some crochet or
quilting!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruc2iiaNkc7uM_YBmbR-sfBFR0t5a4n144vgfQW276nEMAtKl-M78tVW5pmTH2OX7VaLt1ZPra1NBPDQWQnmUJ69Rc-J8dItG-k3lqanJGAKggo7gikh2hZR769xrCG2oc4YJUexmiGED/s1600-h/CLE-Denver+3.sflb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1tSrVCNQYj0K45loMW9bwBzvNPgEFAzo5G8th4cY9bLm0PAsqlIBtiI1SvWc63NKx6JRUrU_fkMEMv5qIS9UsGzpvZ95wFPDIO0zOtx1oaOmnqaZQ-OOyJbpnEBpET4rz4XyFUqu7UTm/s1600-h/greetings_from_denver_colorado_postcard-p239128317477885061qibm_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1tSrVCNQYj0K45loMW9bwBzvNPgEFAzo5G8th4cY9bLm0PAsqlIBtiI1SvWc63NKx6JRUrU_fkMEMv5qIS9UsGzpvZ95wFPDIO0zOtx1oaOmnqaZQ-OOyJbpnEBpET4rz4XyFUqu7UTm/s320/greetings_from_denver_colorado_postcard-p239128317477885061qibm_400.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtRNkXLsMWnc45Ww1LUJLkxGr65iLR_f6_xC9QI3vT21yR73NffxxTs7yhQPzkKH653ZGzs6XWm0PP0i1bb6wo3IwqxKsMFOtgdwsOFPx5SOo1DZxG-0vA3YxkZ0XO1AxK7-WuWajLrJA/s1600-h/pc384-Leadville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>
Then we will drive over to Denver, Co. for four more days at
the Colorado National Open tournament. (We know you'll do us proud,
Jacob!) And then it will be back down to Amarillo (Yee-Haw!) and
finally, back home... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtRNkXLsMWnc45Ww1LUJLkxGr65iLR_f6_xC9QI3vT21yR73NffxxTs7yhQPzkKH653ZGzs6XWm0PP0i1bb6wo3IwqxKsMFOtgdwsOFPx5SOo1DZxG-0vA3YxkZ0XO1AxK7-WuWajLrJA/s1600-h/pc384-Leadville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtRNkXLsMWnc45Ww1LUJLkxGr65iLR_f6_xC9QI3vT21yR73NffxxTs7yhQPzkKH653ZGzs6XWm0PP0i1bb6wo3IwqxKsMFOtgdwsOFPx5SOo1DZxG-0vA3YxkZ0XO1AxK7-WuWajLrJA/s320/pc384-Leadville.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been crazy getting ready...but
we're off! I will send some posts where I can. I should be able to put
up some things I've been working on. We'll have some book reviews,
favorite websites, a couple of good sewing 'how to's that I've been
saving, plus a couple of 'From the heart" issues. Plus...we'll drop a
few post cards along the way!<br />
<br />
See you..One thing is for
sure, I will get the Friday Show and Tell's posted...so send me some
pictures! That way I won't be too lonely until I get back!<br />
<br />
See
you soon! <br />
<br />
DonnaDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-32036260807746562722010-04-27T09:39:00.000-05:002010-04-27T09:44:48.489-05:00Tractor Happy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71QsAbp2NI3NFyGc0FEhbpTw3rPjAILf-aDsIavqUIR5Yz0FMUED-Vq8sMeXvf6dVAu2scWLnQg-bciw8CGDATiOQRe0kvW4mU07OGWw_MlZGJvmOgH8PXl6ASXkPa8yYz90YFyezZHMO/s1600-h/Fixing+the+road+007-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71QsAbp2NI3NFyGc0FEhbpTw3rPjAILf-aDsIavqUIR5Yz0FMUED-Vq8sMeXvf6dVAu2scWLnQg-bciw8CGDATiOQRe0kvW4mU07OGWw_MlZGJvmOgH8PXl6ASXkPa8yYz90YFyezZHMO/s400/Fixing+the+road+007-400.jpg" width="400"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-KriPboPBW8aBcNMti_zNYWZWfysDjvl7w5Mww_yGwzorlK8bMRdB0vazkfvBofgznVIDq8KX0LPiqDaMTkOKRBpo2tmaynA8Yr6v0XEwye7Al-uEBG9wR6cW_I9d0vrAkhlACjcXCMG/s1600-h/Fixing+the+road+042-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-KriPboPBW8aBcNMti_zNYWZWfysDjvl7w5Mww_yGwzorlK8bMRdB0vazkfvBofgznVIDq8KX0LPiqDaMTkOKRBpo2tmaynA8Yr6v0XEwye7Al-uEBG9wR6cW_I9d0vrAkhlACjcXCMG/s400/Fixing+the+road+042-400.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What do you do when you wake up to an absolutely beautiful crisp winter day? That's right..get out the tractor!!! At least that's what you do around here.What is it about tractors that is so fascinating to the male gender?...the mud?..the grease?..the feel of cold hard metal...or maybe it's just those awesome big tires! Whatever it is, the boys come running when they hear the beautiful sound of the tractor engine start up...<br>
<br>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72Akfe1T7bi44aK1o-IUIf4_96EfHVa8f1gaZ8DWTy-lRhEEUsctj8G5di6ampPHgdolAHUjBjxO_RCBqYZnE9e1j_sB1U1DEirGhVcybS-J9HIK9cPT-c-al1is_TuEg8oJIRXkSI9-W/s1600-h/Fixing+the+road+027-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72Akfe1T7bi44aK1o-IUIf4_96EfHVa8f1gaZ8DWTy-lRhEEUsctj8G5di6ampPHgdolAHUjBjxO_RCBqYZnE9e1j_sB1U1DEirGhVcybS-J9HIK9cPT-c-al1is_TuEg8oJIRXkSI9-W/s400/Fixing+the+road+027-400.jpg" width="400"></a></div>
I have to say that Tim is absolutely 'tractor happy' today. Actually he's been suffering from a severe case of 'tractor envy' for some time now. The gas powered blower satisfied him for some time...but it just wasn't quite enough--he wanted something much bigger!<br>
<a href="http://cominhome.blogspot.com/2010/02/fixin-roador-should-i-call-this-tractor.html#more">Read more »</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-39855650755036557272010-03-30T08:27:00.000-05:002010-04-27T09:36:51.999-05:00Jacob and Jasmine win 3rd place at NCFCA's Colorado Nat. Open!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdjmco9V4i3a8leEuEsJpxMIj1tiTdnDFnfRLhC3Gk8RuFm97uiC4j3aePrB-y0_3ikHdWA_itP9qEda1s1hyphenhyphenwx8L0y0gA1XnTckcNSsp34NTfiTCWCB-EEXlFehCQsM7GueZHcpCAHtj/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdjmco9V4i3a8leEuEsJpxMIj1tiTdnDFnfRLhC3Gk8RuFm97uiC4j3aePrB-y0_3ikHdWA_itP9qEda1s1hyphenhyphenwx8L0y0gA1XnTckcNSsp34NTfiTCWCB-EEXlFehCQsM7GueZHcpCAHtj/s640/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Jacob and Jasmine win 3rd place...missed finals by 1 ballot! (Split 2-3) against Paul-Walkenhaur!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5wlNKGZigxCy5zaHGfII3E6irvDY_hw-8dGTSfD_0mqGgafU-HPBoWRnDZnjPUdtnefS8OhbcvnByeEAxkOPih6v0ReY2bRj1L-nIB9PTRzQygDQchq1ujHMR_aI2OXKNwRp6kd62pLh/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5wlNKGZigxCy5zaHGfII3E6irvDY_hw-8dGTSfD_0mqGgafU-HPBoWRnDZnjPUdtnefS8OhbcvnByeEAxkOPih6v0ReY2bRj1L-nIB9PTRzQygDQchq1ujHMR_aI2OXKNwRp6kd62pLh/s640/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jacob wins 8th place speaker award!<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDCloW8rXgL0ro1CLQK47xkFL-_bcfNb8Jnb1p0TghRaRvzFNd9NebAcC0UoKBYSAj8qXGfEL7B5FLuK9ZsSJRLC_9SV4e6Dx1_BneK2SlfTnhTDJCnDQrLOnWCgnqTXXUve1yKl0OJ1H/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDCloW8rXgL0ro1CLQK47xkFL-_bcfNb8Jnb1p0TghRaRvzFNd9NebAcC0UoKBYSAj8qXGfEL7B5FLuK9ZsSJRLC_9SV4e6Dx1_BneK2SlfTnhTDJCnDQrLOnWCgnqTXXUve1yKl0OJ1H/s640/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+009.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jacob and Jasmine also pre-qualified for the Nationals competition in Virginia this June! Hurray!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUTuA_qTzzKxxdZcrGSoTR8oS_n6xCJVMnj8jSkJ6X7Txa1XbR2Vd90Yv94NdTqMQDfA2pflo85zpTtOwld4ojLgnDffFyHOT0VXW2RaOSMi-hJuJLy7Pe8z8kkWFdQwogkGO3fBfywb-/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUTuA_qTzzKxxdZcrGSoTR8oS_n6xCJVMnj8jSkJ6X7Txa1XbR2Vd90Yv94NdTqMQDfA2pflo85zpTtOwld4ojLgnDffFyHOT0VXW2RaOSMi-hJuJLy7Pe8z8kkWFdQwogkGO3fBfywb-/s640/National+Open++Colorado+012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Jacob
borrows Nathan's guitar to play a litte music too. Jasmine is enjoying
the break since they broke straight to Octafinals and didn't have to
debate Double Octs on Friday night. <br />
<br />
Laura and Ben
did not break but since they have already won to finals in previous
tournaments this year, we still think they did an awesome job!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpazHjNafQZu85IilIhFTNeqTFsXUhTuRN17QSkjhm28Ns6S4_xBucKzsjAMFj8oPaT_qndVBSO0w3V5zcNab_CAGZRYPzSCe49YPcOpdaMfPhYmWKRTdd5uutR4NMwir2hGXvK4KklEJE/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpazHjNafQZu85IilIhFTNeqTFsXUhTuRN17QSkjhm28Ns6S4_xBucKzsjAMFj8oPaT_qndVBSO0w3V5zcNab_CAGZRYPzSCe49YPcOpdaMfPhYmWKRTdd5uutR4NMwir2hGXvK4KklEJE/s640/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVFwRewFY5vKQUYMkoFdxkeXMa7WoZzKHvniI4YCKv2XhUgDVgHICYax0QNdhVcC05OjGBuOI683vFD59cbygnDUhRcAoZ-kHZmkXAkZvc7djKlKGdU-xZXTMfBrylJUtGmMk4wxmJFBX/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFVFwRewFY5vKQUYMkoFdxkeXMa7WoZzKHvniI4YCKv2XhUgDVgHICYax0QNdhVcC05OjGBuOI683vFD59cbygnDUhRcAoZ-kHZmkXAkZvc7djKlKGdU-xZXTMfBrylJUtGmMk4wxmJFBX/s320/National+Open++Colorado+011.jpg" /></a></div>
Laura
made it to semi-finals in Persuasive speaking--Yeah Laura! (on
right..sorry for the blurry pix!) The next picture of her is better.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO75FIG00fG0Q8K0hxDblz5neSC-nrG5WCrqq6GvlwtO6OU1gYwQ1T06hpotz10_7H6v5lXvnmAmTZUJDdpf3etMaKzgMNrfC-B4RlEcIwvHMghMHN3nii2R0sD-_ed4wYTMdfYiNZqval/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO75FIG00fG0Q8K0hxDblz5neSC-nrG5WCrqq6GvlwtO6OU1gYwQ1T06hpotz10_7H6v5lXvnmAmTZUJDdpf3etMaKzgMNrfC-B4RlEcIwvHMghMHN3nii2R0sD-_ed4wYTMdfYiNZqval/s640/National+Open++Colorado+Awards+005.jpg" width="568" /></a></div>
<i>Pictured
here are Nathan Exley, Grace Larimer, and Kristy Reid..friends from
Region 4 who wrote great speeches! Marshal did too, but my picture came
out pretty bad. </i><br />
<br />
Ben made it to semi-finals in
apologetics too! Jacob Philip and Daniel Rosenberger, also from Logos,
made it to semi-finals in Duo interp. Jacob Philip, from our Logos club
got 12th place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate and even more exciting...2nd
place LD speaker award! It was a great day for Logos and for our
region! You can read all about it at the <a href="http://www.ncfca.org/downloads/pdf/CO_Open_Debate_Results.pdf">NCFCA website</a> Also <a href="http://www.ncfca.org/downloads/pdf/CO_Open_IE_Results.pdf">click here for the Speech Events!</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWQamKBtIuS8J3Q0DnQ5bT1BjhCK_n8nDcowU7FaA3PSCmiWPt8KhbE1cAkJRxLNmS2Yl67o2uLZQvgiZPoxFhVYaTILU0d5_FqrCoC3fKzCHyIGNKdM8gmP-_dctqfp3aeExPNHelfRe/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWQamKBtIuS8J3Q0DnQ5bT1BjhCK_n8nDcowU7FaA3PSCmiWPt8KhbE1cAkJRxLNmS2Yl67o2uLZQvgiZPoxFhVYaTILU0d5_FqrCoC3fKzCHyIGNKdM8gmP-_dctqfp3aeExPNHelfRe/s640/National+Open++Colorado+004.jpg" width="640" /></a>The
kids had a great time visiting with their friends from Texas, Arizona,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Mexico. Pictured here areMarshall Yaklin,
Nathan Exley (guitarist), Pete Ehrett in the background and Jasmine
Noman and Laura Strack, (avid worship music lovers!).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBNWcxdo83gRVYWJ88sHNf1WnFoDdprwTb0WFCF_bK-e5CYCLwJFq8QGXk9DfGkhlnCEdRM-JdihJzhTgz3lbPbCYm6xe2VaKC7NDq_ptUH8hl7y-maHfM-RKSiTGKdfe0J0SRXZRK1kf/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBNWcxdo83gRVYWJ88sHNf1WnFoDdprwTb0WFCF_bK-e5CYCLwJFq8QGXk9DfGkhlnCEdRM-JdihJzhTgz3lbPbCYm6xe2VaKC7NDq_ptUH8hl7y-maHfM-RKSiTGKdfe0J0SRXZRK1kf/s640/National+Open++Colorado+003.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laura visits with friends, including Sarah Dana and Paul Exley after a long day of debating.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlT-LyqUTptqROCmAmBOHAxrCjUzg8GJOSxmj7dEiTg5GsM1hh7epuq7LmdFYGZw2OZaYeRMHaJZw859WMq1m2GIzi2z_q0nVpTYcD9BocqgzhOp-od7_sn-Y-k5D2CRQnZ5z_k_-1xlA/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlT-LyqUTptqROCmAmBOHAxrCjUzg8GJOSxmj7dEiTg5GsM1hh7epuq7LmdFYGZw2OZaYeRMHaJZw859WMq1m2GIzi2z_q0nVpTYcD9BocqgzhOp-od7_sn-Y-k5D2CRQnZ5z_k_-1xlA/s640/National+Open++Colorado+014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jacob and Jasmine wait for the debate to begin!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76rDusgpoGoJtjmUA0cP9g5PBUcJASZlD-5FAalgSWOWKJtw1kYyeom4QaYoo39dUgm6LR_VoI_eY6K6Wk7_RIMXzenPDF66hN4FbUzNYxxxnlEb0xWDqaRZjsZIyqOIaBJvuc-_eJNMM/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76rDusgpoGoJtjmUA0cP9g5PBUcJASZlD-5FAalgSWOWKJtw1kYyeom4QaYoo39dUgm6LR_VoI_eY6K6Wk7_RIMXzenPDF66hN4FbUzNYxxxnlEb0xWDqaRZjsZIyqOIaBJvuc-_eJNMM/s640/National+Open++Colorado+018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jasmine doesn't look one bit worried. She's cool as a cucumber. Watch out for her cross X!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFwjDGdQkI66oTC7Tu2-ZJoVy_8iOuU9AStcOMSmGG9hNL4ejBSlgGycqeRL3ldx99ttEmGix5BVlCI3ka_5PphNQWqSA5oCxvfB1yFvs8MZGNZDDx3Y0ZqKAoHdpVuNua3qGIQnVQilJ/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFwjDGdQkI66oTC7Tu2-ZJoVy_8iOuU9AStcOMSmGG9hNL4ejBSlgGycqeRL3ldx99ttEmGix5BVlCI3ka_5PphNQWqSA5oCxvfB1yFvs8MZGNZDDx3Y0ZqKAoHdpVuNua3qGIQnVQilJ/s640/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jacob, the second neg. speaker, greets the judges before the semi-final round with Paul/Walkenhaur. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdW7ruY8uS6-j8TZ5OgZ3OHXDZJRmbm1BA4LJpl2ifWBBw8tMTtTIB1O8B2a86KT9-mKrIh3nlN7JxH6GsqV8EECplm07FwjELrLzXHfiSHHJcqyiSHKbKEbWkcJ7BA6VnOk5_zvXN07/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjdW7ruY8uS6-j8TZ5OgZ3OHXDZJRmbm1BA4LJpl2ifWBBw8tMTtTIB1O8B2a86KT9-mKrIh3nlN7JxH6GsqV8EECplm07FwjELrLzXHfiSHHJcqyiSHKbKEbWkcJ7BA6VnOk5_zvXN07/s640/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Jasmine, the first neg. speaker, greets the judges next.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-pAveL2LSGqWBxHTvyHsarKIvCwyA8kOKHZIFVj_cUEKzEgPcJt2NcW34xWEoxu2qD46M_y0DIE-hhRPPv6o7-GEXv1o6kuNeDvyyMdEU0ozhCEt2wgziksPjclJVCb-N5YTg_UHEnzl/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-pAveL2LSGqWBxHTvyHsarKIvCwyA8kOKHZIFVj_cUEKzEgPcJt2NcW34xWEoxu2qD46M_y0DIE-hhRPPv6o7-GEXv1o6kuNeDvyyMdEU0ozhCEt2wgziksPjclJVCb-N5YTg_UHEnzl/s640/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Region
Four friends, including Laura, Chrissy, Patience, Ben, Nathan, Ty,
Pete, Mr. Ehrett and many others, crowd in to the room to watch the fun
and take a few notes. This will be a debate to remember! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqiEZdcgrrwW3Hy34OicbYTJTQ9wiWBP49xfWCg2-qpDAp8wicYsEoBOTPZOGJTWopIZMDFRvaSB86Jq922CfPIlUUvydtlW6qTOvq1_T9cad3afuuCEOi2WjcM8QUTuKarZYaX8GJX2T/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqiEZdcgrrwW3Hy34OicbYTJTQ9wiWBP49xfWCg2-qpDAp8wicYsEoBOTPZOGJTWopIZMDFRvaSB86Jq922CfPIlUUvydtlW6qTOvq1_T9cad3afuuCEOi2WjcM8QUTuKarZYaX8GJX2T/s640/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+001.jpg" width="582" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Peggy
and I, were present of course. Peggy even abandoned the 'tab room',
where she is usually working quietly away, to watch Jasmine. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqcVXI7awo8PolecO7xWhB7ZKM0Hq8yaYU4qSHHfWpqRWqm1rX_c92TydJFoWQlfSkTMLalLBWyeoEzO6byKwcvhcjw9WIc-e9uhXMQlsMknu7ZF-vlhvKOe0bshZ2DXZBCTbagtz3lYV/s1600/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqcVXI7awo8PolecO7xWhB7ZKM0Hq8yaYU4qSHHfWpqRWqm1rX_c92TydJFoWQlfSkTMLalLBWyeoEzO6byKwcvhcjw9WIc-e9uhXMQlsMknu7ZF-vlhvKOe0bshZ2DXZBCTbagtz3lYV/s640/National+Open++Colorado+semi+finals+002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laura is nearby and I for one was glad...she's my 'buddy'. :o)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ciY3HvKD7lo&hl=en_US&fs=1&">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ciY3HvKD7lo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a Video of Jacob giving a "Negative Speech" against their case. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dBGWmgJ6IoM&hl=en_US&fs=1&">
</param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
</param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
</param>
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dBGWmgJ6IoM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here's a video of Jasmine giving the first 'negative speech'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-66119068698340758422010-03-27T08:28:00.000-05:002010-04-27T09:37:14.057-05:00Howdy From Leadville Colorado!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJupZ7TnId1PtB3xxb3PgtslD3v8xMjCztYBWA_20hQankupVc5nbJMoWwzO2_5HG7pak06PJQvf9-buA0_qymJTjcohUBjG63Obr3hBhbS8SctsUXwFOpIKFf8S35fuoxym6eweRlRy5c/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJupZ7TnId1PtB3xxb3PgtslD3v8xMjCztYBWA_20hQankupVc5nbJMoWwzO2_5HG7pak06PJQvf9-buA0_qymJTjcohUBjG63Obr3hBhbS8SctsUXwFOpIKFf8S35fuoxym6eweRlRy5c/s640/Skiing+in+Colorado+005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Jacob, Jasmine, and Laura go Skiing between tournaments in Leadville, CO.<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUOFElOxDpAHhgpNBYtolFKT2m3r3K_SWZUdhD435zTDaN1OF2CNfqAhi_ddmRql942PG6oQ2dzXMs_tkDNNANVMrT_L4SXzjCb_vmaVM-zaoKEos0RV6goExJGvKUq75v-9JzKgQ6dzQ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+033.jpg" width="640" /><br />
Jacob and I have been on the road for a week now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUOFElOxDpAHhgpNBYtolFKT2m3r3K_SWZUdhD435zTDaN1OF2CNfqAhi_ddmRql942PG6oQ2dzXMs_tkDNNANVMrT_L4SXzjCb_vmaVM-zaoKEos0RV6goExJGvKUq75v-9JzKgQ6dzQ/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUOFElOxDpAHhgpNBYtolFKT2m3r3K_SWZUdhD435zTDaN1OF2CNfqAhi_ddmRql942PG6oQ2dzXMs_tkDNNANVMrT_L4SXzjCb_vmaVM-zaoKEos0RV6goExJGvKUq75v-9JzKgQ6dzQ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRNEwMXDP1_zglOqkum5G36yndhUSQyrchyIthZoOA2oS9zQEmnYC6vfurI5RL_m2HW-74_UcNqDVHwcYXpQjSdRUFk1hKT7u6DFeQIY7OO0GuZN6W3mKE4A6pCiPjnXUsYql2QTX1ntt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRNEwMXDP1_zglOqkum5G36yndhUSQyrchyIthZoOA2oS9zQEmnYC6vfurI5RL_m2HW-74_UcNqDVHwcYXpQjSdRUFk1hKT7u6DFeQIY7OO0GuZN6W3mKE4A6pCiPjnXUsYql2QTX1ntt/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+042.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here are some pictures on our way to go ski in Leadville, Colorado with Peggy Noman and her daughter, Jasmine (Jacob's debate partner.) and Laura Strack her good friend.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBVmFh1hz6oaidzPHUZQK9Wi8Q1u7Dp3C_XePBkqoFZPdqIhuPChu7Tbwl8tGFeFUy9fvO0yJEOSEMG1FkOEo4UIGLRR4RhsYV470RxlwDG0XcvVR-mr_i-xBpLJocNE4f29A467F2URm/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBVmFh1hz6oaidzPHUZQK9Wi8Q1u7Dp3C_XePBkqoFZPdqIhuPChu7Tbwl8tGFeFUy9fvO0yJEOSEMG1FkOEo4UIGLRR4RhsYV470RxlwDG0XcvVR-mr_i-xBpLJocNE4f29A467F2URm/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJcK5iYrb_v2hbilkOOa7ewNiQGBhyphenhyphenXD4Uwu9EjZbuiYz6tJo9dvfJSsfHkYLY6DJwx8t8AwZ5UwZOQ040I7_8xOXyGXP24RFej_HYdzyWhS6GAMg4re7CHTIAiG6mOLk4ZSInTGEEg9R/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJcK5iYrb_v2hbilkOOa7ewNiQGBhyphenhyphenXD4Uwu9EjZbuiYz6tJo9dvfJSsfHkYLY6DJwx8t8AwZ5UwZOQ040I7_8xOXyGXP24RFej_HYdzyWhS6GAMg4re7CHTIAiG6mOLk4ZSInTGEEg9R/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+065.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu5eYYCc3-tOCBAor90mFmeylAcYblL5Kp_Iw6_5o5neHKRUQm_Brpyrn6Mtsd6mGZPdsRPqlwLWn-m3mVg1J-B1v1E9FjThCsWhb8uVRRYv4feEt0rw2ObVDWvIhIAbTuyndIrTpRXEv/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu5eYYCc3-tOCBAor90mFmeylAcYblL5Kp_Iw6_5o5neHKRUQm_Brpyrn6Mtsd6mGZPdsRPqlwLWn-m3mVg1J-B1v1E9FjThCsWhb8uVRRYv4feEt0rw2ObVDWvIhIAbTuyndIrTpRXEv/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRNEwMXDP1_zglOqkum5G36yndhUSQyrchyIthZoOA2oS9zQEmnYC6vfurI5RL_m2HW-74_UcNqDVHwcYXpQjSdRUFk1hKT7u6DFeQIY7OO0GuZN6W3mKE4A6pCiPjnXUsYql2QTX1ntt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jbb_vUA40WE7-TDny1b7LBSuv-Q8M8EImrCNSO1tYCWJQ8oBnCgdstlONm2NvvK_wdRCGPeGcugDbluvN4NHi1mCs5Bt6aNJy89D6NqavSY3GuGia9mlDOiQ2MWB7rP5E3AbCcc6GCO5/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jbb_vUA40WE7-TDny1b7LBSuv-Q8M8EImrCNSO1tYCWJQ8oBnCgdstlONm2NvvK_wdRCGPeGcugDbluvN4NHi1mCs5Bt6aNJy89D6NqavSY3GuGia9mlDOiQ2MWB7rP5E3AbCcc6GCO5/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJupZ7TnId1PtB3xxb3PgtslD3v8xMjCztYBWA_20hQankupVc5nbJMoWwzO2_5HG7pak06PJQvf9-buA0_qymJTjcohUBjG63Obr3hBhbS8SctsUXwFOpIKFf8S35fuoxym6eweRlRy5c/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a></div>
Jacob and I are having a wonderful time on this special road trip for
him with the two debate tournaments and a ski trip sandwiched in the
middle.....butt I look forward to getting home again soon!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi661hDDHwtCNhg84fn7B6PIY4yRWCL9_LgK9_1ytH0aLy3FkXoSlibtZcdfEhKP9cU_ycbiHjyR2swKpDSDESP3mg2PaGXP_BY7h6XF5vT-joxCQ9K0ElnVs_-3yfxvk2x8raVYVw4yQoM/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi661hDDHwtCNhg84fn7B6PIY4yRWCL9_LgK9_1ytH0aLy3FkXoSlibtZcdfEhKP9cU_ycbiHjyR2swKpDSDESP3mg2PaGXP_BY7h6XF5vT-joxCQ9K0ElnVs_-3yfxvk2x8raVYVw4yQoM/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+058.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7CMlMoS57b-mPoxaEWFtdDKrk5sDEnOZXQuFk2EzpMe0A1cQj6WBgwgzUl0mj_En6HoYX7U9-kh2-UbPAocQ-lW7GycPxFYHun9guL4IELbJYqwmbAKuwP6tRoYnmh7jXnS_0VzTekKd/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7CMlMoS57b-mPoxaEWFtdDKrk5sDEnOZXQuFk2EzpMe0A1cQj6WBgwgzUl0mj_En6HoYX7U9-kh2-UbPAocQ-lW7GycPxFYHun9guL4IELbJYqwmbAKuwP6tRoYnmh7jXnS_0VzTekKd/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I couldn't ski because I just couldn't breathe. I pretty much struggled with alititude sickness the whole time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK57_xeoiv2BqMWc8g8TKQn_N7oGtM4fO3pDSOV79MLmok7XiUHl491mQcOF1WQnzzgWYfj-ORMlyWcGi67MxK_uTwrFjUjuxdazqHGglkb4XXgLPEu8p1xc0QqF7j9I9hjTWwc9nOSlKo/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK57_xeoiv2BqMWc8g8TKQn_N7oGtM4fO3pDSOV79MLmok7XiUHl491mQcOF1WQnzzgWYfj-ORMlyWcGi67MxK_uTwrFjUjuxdazqHGglkb4XXgLPEu8p1xc0QqF7j9I9hjTWwc9nOSlKo/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+052.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ6Ddrw_cj7evJqFb21kWwe28EK_EUcTYKG0LXxrOvOXERbC_FPtSdnzX5IY-O2I_nKmmc85cvz5Xkl3Rh134XMJoGeVwys8h_UmfNbGGkuyhdYC2LxrtBUeZ_aDkauUuTgkFHj4RwXHO/s1600-h/Skiing+in+Colorado+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ6Ddrw_cj7evJqFb21kWwe28EK_EUcTYKG0LXxrOvOXERbC_FPtSdnzX5IY-O2I_nKmmc85cvz5Xkl3Rh134XMJoGeVwys8h_UmfNbGGkuyhdYC2LxrtBUeZ_aDkauUuTgkFHj4RwXHO/s640/Skiing+in+Colorado+010.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
As long as I sat in the lodge and watched the skiers I was fine, but as soon as I started lugging bags around and hiking up and down the stairs and out to the car, I thought my heart would pound out of my chest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6wyNomQm0LJIvTpfiloTWtHaLPmpoohjiOzYQAQGiGq570usrm96TmJFtHxicLbsrkKqOn-hBma-RupGfzmeHzewPphRGLnBX88kH3H4ig1n1oAnCGpYYOUDHHNOGnjpgb_uEN2ru6Ix/s1600/Skiing+in+Colorado+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6wyNomQm0LJIvTpfiloTWtHaLPmpoohjiOzYQAQGiGq570usrm96TmJFtHxicLbsrkKqOn-hBma-RupGfzmeHzewPphRGLnBX88kH3H4ig1n1oAnCGpYYOUDHHNOGnjpgb_uEN2ru6Ix/s640/Skiing+in+Colorado+009.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here is a picture of Jacob, Jasmine, and Laura skiing at Ski Cooper in Leadville. It was cold but they had a great time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" width="640" /></a>At night, it was hard to breathe well. Thank goodness, Peggy thought to tell me to start drinking gatorade and water more. It really did help some. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofGS7I5rEZwt0dQ2gAra7uxlEROrWIZMhwehpEb_vhyphenhyphenN8mlxZ0qdIMrYW6JrIc6YoSTIh0fFVC095lINeNAH7b5K89LwW1hv8y23a8xBfuwKsoiv5fWMxK1C3qc7zjwZHBfnyjonve2UZ/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We we left for Denver and the second debate tournament on Wednesday. The first day of debate got cancelled due to snow closing the campus.<br />
<br />
Peggy did a great job driving down the mountains which had a lot of snow and ice. It was a steep grade down hill for miles! Instead of two hours it took about four plus stops. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P86kTPCTc5T01ucg5tl5_4IfDICwpx6N7dfCQ9m8xd3tOAUJLgBAqxCMdzVc8lXbBVoKGl1aThtn3ZjfPYj9ByL2pLaSTTcR841KcIljDeqN5U-CHOls4dcFnUsxOxc0hzBg5xlcNBYt/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxxOPNt7Jvq_BtzHbpxVeTDqzp7IUWuxfsnX6Xi_GFUazdGmzypVi_kU30e3dJopfF8DjFV0kMnMf1ZpEHIb5JMMdzpn38SshDWvaGUa9Wk0Faa7JxW3q38Flg7g8ZXlpuM_kHvcZuVrD/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxxOPNt7Jvq_BtzHbpxVeTDqzp7IUWuxfsnX6Xi_GFUazdGmzypVi_kU30e3dJopfF8DjFV0kMnMf1ZpEHIb5JMMdzpn38SshDWvaGUa9Wk0Faa7JxW3q38Flg7g8ZXlpuM_kHvcZuVrD/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+087.jpg" width="640" /></a><i> </i>We stayed with a family in Denver and drove Peggy's van while the girls and Peggy stayed at a nearby hotel. Our hostess' home was about 20 minutes away. They were a very nice family and we enjoyed visiting with them. I'm so grateful we managed to avoid hotels at both tournaments!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyZFEyyteH1QQQdBmLQgcYxxHepGQn3Zch1m0f2UUdXtArdPzC8ICsnjli4PmgyDU2DtfjOaW6ExGutOZiV-WoK2BtkpJoionjwnMiNU4ykKBWGxXMpmtwOWgRe2AceAheFVzWDONuxH/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iyZFEyyteH1QQQdBmLQgcYxxHepGQn3Zch1m0f2UUdXtArdPzC8ICsnjli4PmgyDU2DtfjOaW6ExGutOZiV-WoK2BtkpJoionjwnMiNU4ykKBWGxXMpmtwOWgRe2AceAheFVzWDONuxH/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+072.jpg" width="640" /></a>We went to several nice places to eat and saw lots and lots and lots of snow! We drove in it, climbed through it and Jacob skiied in it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtNXiO98_1-y9KOtZdXY5f_oMAraDZoLqTjPhONParl5BOt322c4wTNnL5XQ6o2IThEdTMjzJD3AMlfijiTVnpYTohcBjavqV81ZS63Ly7ZBoLQcippnxMVXYZXoY2I5O0X7NAsTNIjiR/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtNXiO98_1-y9KOtZdXY5f_oMAraDZoLqTjPhONParl5BOt322c4wTNnL5XQ6o2IThEdTMjzJD3AMlfijiTVnpYTohcBjavqV81ZS63Ly7ZBoLQcippnxMVXYZXoY2I5O0X7NAsTNIjiR/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+032.jpg" width="640" /></a> Even at the tournament, there was lots of snow and the Texan kids couldn't resist a snow ball fight or two. In fact I saw a few mini-snowmen... probably made by a few 'snow deprived' Houstonians. That looked a little odd on the grounds of the University of Denver where the tournament took place. Ha!<br />
<br />
Anyway, it's been a great trip...but it will be good to be home!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJRtDh9yKuZNEinJ2-P80xkOk8tzqW-MVBvxmDwdJMdnIedqYhGCsubKzcbJdrAMUkKUPSWh7a1sOmrnoZe0xzZEfbR34wD03vMG5yRXHBKsVXFoBmjGJyDZoIKvI-yEcqDxomwYju8pD/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJRtDh9yKuZNEinJ2-P80xkOk8tzqW-MVBvxmDwdJMdnIedqYhGCsubKzcbJdrAMUkKUPSWh7a1sOmrnoZe0xzZEfbR34wD03vMG5yRXHBKsVXFoBmjGJyDZoIKvI-yEcqDxomwYju8pD/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+077.jpg" width="640" /></a><i> </i>PS.
I learned a great photography tip that I wanted to share with you, just
in case your are headed out on a trip any time soon. I discovered that
if I zoom in as close as the camera will allow and then take all those
pictures of the beautiful panoramic scenes whizzing past the car, I get
much more 'picturesque' scenes.<br />
<br />
I
took all of these photos while my friend Peggy drove through the
mountains from New Mexico to Colorado. They just turned out so much
better zoomed in!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJv29q3JwnUViDWk0SgGeMDY1f4SRfSf_Y_ehx_opXnJibo2EqnCyNobt0Ov4kADgidgc_exV-_1AvVJ1ROmocsdt5th0z2jEF90i1sRUWVTOE0UT326v4cyhh0KJnZnSDaTuP_C8hFSn/s1600-h/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJv29q3JwnUViDWk0SgGeMDY1f4SRfSf_Y_ehx_opXnJibo2EqnCyNobt0Ov4kADgidgc_exV-_1AvVJ1ROmocsdt5th0z2jEF90i1sRUWVTOE0UT326v4cyhh0KJnZnSDaTuP_C8hFSn/s640/Colorado+Rocky+Mountains+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Then
you don't have to crop them later and the resolution is much better.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-9924230272256900152010-03-20T08:50:00.000-05:002010-04-27T09:27:35.625-05:00Jasmine and Jacob win 2nd Place at NCFCA's Chile Qualifier in New Mexico!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DBIRAajsDcDkO0500lz6SNAUcIWkPuQa9aD78pPt1XFtLX7M_wqK_lv_jGJm-o-cYiSyOVA_tvguFG0D4YRHafPuHVIotmHrFf0cGDMqtgbwbPP1R2kqqfAmGti5O1SHdN4z2k056ysV/s1600-h/New+Mexico+Tournament+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DBIRAajsDcDkO0500lz6SNAUcIWkPuQa9aD78pPt1XFtLX7M_wqK_lv_jGJm-o-cYiSyOVA_tvguFG0D4YRHafPuHVIotmHrFf0cGDMqtgbwbPP1R2kqqfAmGti5O1SHdN4z2k056ysV/s640/New+Mexico+Tournament+027.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
<br>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Jacob and Jasmine place 2<sup>nd</sup> at Chile Qualifier in New Mexico!</span>
and Jacob won 2nd speaker position! Jasmine also won 11th speaker team
policy speaker position. Peggy and I are so proud of them! Their good
friends, Ben and Laura won third place. It was very exciting for all of
us. Just thought you'd like to see some pictures from the Speech and
Debate Tournament we just attended in Farmington, New Mexico.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://cominhome.blogspot.com/2010/03/jasmine-and-jacob-win-2nd-place-at.html#more">Read more »</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-87033753227161943232010-02-15T00:03:00.000-06:002010-02-15T00:08:01.957-06:00Jasmine and Jacob win 3rd Place at DFW tournament<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3MZ8q7VaGTm9lGiD0PZ3KkNn60BaB021AP3hBOn2wrGYvZzmG3799rF3t3a3JyW_nqF_M0XWu659zz6AoT6E2IstFSMlVYB9-h8dUU61q-N5ZbS3lRBD4ueV2u-eoT-sYkqWH0fxwjH6/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+028-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3MZ8q7VaGTm9lGiD0PZ3KkNn60BaB021AP3hBOn2wrGYvZzmG3799rF3t3a3JyW_nqF_M0XWu659zz6AoT6E2IstFSMlVYB9-h8dUU61q-N5ZbS3lRBD4ueV2u-eoT-sYkqWH0fxwjH6/s400/DFW+Tournament+028-400.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg721-1u9z31SuJI4Z2tkhm_CTnXHl4pdHMoSEP5GAwks8a0wlj8e2ORsDmlLFrDHFTFT5tI6fQVuM5ldamRx7KNdRaE_bkz_Ig_N0f_qHu0W99XU9_ge0-kjc0GC_VQ0wwcdX6YUE9raNZ/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+027-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg721-1u9z31SuJI4Z2tkhm_CTnXHl4pdHMoSEP5GAwks8a0wlj8e2ORsDmlLFrDHFTFT5tI6fQVuM5ldamRx7KNdRaE_bkz_Ig_N0f_qHu0W99XU9_ge0-kjc0GC_VQ0wwcdX6YUE9raNZ/s400/DFW+Tournament+027-400.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwYQjNhU5VCEC44UsxyzgeS7AZxHsNu2NUKPzDX3vXkK36TF6Tp89-95hnEV1kiA4CitnAeU7L0j-jr5hMiKCgwHJn7xpzrwZ8YcOUtqt-nW87HdUFEqRjXMR1gKsOPcacYS0JsFssKN4/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+001-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwYQjNhU5VCEC44UsxyzgeS7AZxHsNu2NUKPzDX3vXkK36TF6Tp89-95hnEV1kiA4CitnAeU7L0j-jr5hMiKCgwHJn7xpzrwZ8YcOUtqt-nW87HdUFEqRjXMR1gKsOPcacYS0JsFssKN4/s320/DFW+Tournament+001-400.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9watwkGYVRNURRvellynNa3EYrmiUcGiDg71Ho5BcApd-vfCSY9CDCBoMG7oKIbZESi29DMzt84U0jBTWICiWaO8RqMCtWaLwBcxDt8wb-H5qbe_OmEfHIuX7X4wm1wUaPXpZTkHJv5g4/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+018-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9watwkGYVRNURRvellynNa3EYrmiUcGiDg71Ho5BcApd-vfCSY9CDCBoMG7oKIbZESi29DMzt84U0jBTWICiWaO8RqMCtWaLwBcxDt8wb-H5qbe_OmEfHIuX7X4wm1wUaPXpZTkHJv5g4/s1600/DFW+Tournament+018-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9watwkGYVRNURRvellynNa3EYrmiUcGiDg71Ho5BcApd-vfCSY9CDCBoMG7oKIbZESi29DMzt84U0jBTWICiWaO8RqMCtWaLwBcxDt8wb-H5qbe_OmEfHIuX7X4wm1wUaPXpZTkHJv5g4/s320/DFW+Tournament+018-400.jpg" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kDOcsd7H0ZvbDmXSi2-CLpj0amb6587ARQ8lBWPF2GM9bCGK8e4y6q6Uoi0TtN_Ow6zyicyYzpu1Qc9EKuSE60o_qcjdIVkt5uXljozaI2oE9sPDmvzaZPbRfxWaMDW_bkYALIevhyphenhyphenlJ/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+005-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kDOcsd7H0ZvbDmXSi2-CLpj0amb6587ARQ8lBWPF2GM9bCGK8e4y6q6Uoi0TtN_Ow6zyicyYzpu1Qc9EKuSE60o_qcjdIVkt5uXljozaI2oE9sPDmvzaZPbRfxWaMDW_bkYALIevhyphenhyphenlJ/s320/DFW+Tournament+005-400.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGUAeWelTL8jKdRxeHHUlEGKeHYh4rP8FL4koXvep2v737kjxl6mG6NkpskCNiNHp-SQGoLOTYtV81cSRmd5eVv1Z2Cg34cVL3i4LlZt5wffBWEG82nX9ognwXl0IcRaOvnWAEiiRrr5t/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGUAeWelTL8jKdRxeHHUlEGKeHYh4rP8FL4koXvep2v737kjxl6mG6NkpskCNiNHp-SQGoLOTYtV81cSRmd5eVv1Z2Cg34cVL3i4LlZt5wffBWEG82nX9ognwXl0IcRaOvnWAEiiRrr5t/s320/DFW+Tournament+010.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449"></a></div>
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHkHvOfGl-H5vg1GnYVpf2UBrEK4IW4JigtDV1A6_ScIJoPCUaUdASOz1W6OZiwoAE4jfT2K-j8iTaqX8T93ItNFy6vEioayn2apmhhEguCJAH0KQWgGVbz93i8PPACQkn6dB8d0L31lv/s320/DFW+Tournament+037-400.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRwb-5s9GMvdRZ_83NVipUX4HJzSJq9oSHgXfP1ZSVDiGky7OwTZUZFmjl1112F3YFmc1cITWkqEmvgzbqL28hvLNfm7xlWyDn1B8kfOyQ6ftyPjYUHsOgMsPURfXaFg0vakEMEi-Z0ih/s1600-h/DFW+Tournament+031-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRwb-5s9GMvdRZ_83NVipUX4HJzSJq9oSHgXfP1ZSVDiGky7OwTZUZFmjl1112F3YFmc1cITWkqEmvgzbqL28hvLNfm7xlWyDn1B8kfOyQ6ftyPjYUHsOgMsPURfXaFg0vakEMEi-Z0ih/s320/DFW+Tournament+031-400.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449"></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-51403888710108310702010-02-10T23:16:00.000-06:002010-02-10T23:16:11.993-06:00Tex takes a Break<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2zmfFAYD66-uatn83Z8RhpcR7v28hUIENFVqAZWIawFm7mCmAzzV7IFkudjrXuPEolmC7r8I3Q2W_jix-ZjQbsYwNy70dGfBWSfOuGu0O86O7pymdeiHlgfReAqpaBYTFFR4apsrIDsM/s1600-h/Tex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Tex decides to take a break in the back pasture<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2zmfFAYD66-uatn83Z8RhpcR7v28hUIENFVqAZWIawFm7mCmAzzV7IFkudjrXuPEolmC7r8I3Q2W_jix-ZjQbsYwNy70dGfBWSfOuGu0O86O7pymdeiHlgfReAqpaBYTFFR4apsrIDsM/s400/Tex.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-13072205946425145532010-02-05T23:44:00.000-06:002010-02-05T23:46:12.066-06:00New Grandbaby! Meet Baby Nicholai Stephen Rodgers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0wLym2OSvNeq4iHCsBlchloYxi_4fPU-5yJnFxkMLYPs1f1fLb9ltw0XPmkkoauY8-az9cuPnuloP_cgJ6FH__E_Pbjadb_5sYWbSrV5ZcUZnyhASMqqeLu1gowxoMVkEY1Uen2R21ai/s1600-h/Brennan+and+Nikolai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0wLym2OSvNeq4iHCsBlchloYxi_4fPU-5yJnFxkMLYPs1f1fLb9ltw0XPmkkoauY8-az9cuPnuloP_cgJ6FH__E_Pbjadb_5sYWbSrV5ZcUZnyhASMqqeLu1gowxoMVkEY1Uen2R21ai/s320/Brennan+and+Nikolai.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeSCy2BFAub4kEI3ecPr_-TiRoVmucUxeP5_iGVJkHNGpeJfKe2wyz7to7z2Dv3HMGubkmIT-70PFkFtI55sKS3ckwvQGStYNPDNoqpQ3OCsQ8Hd06d0MSfU0Z9hDKDlHNkfwb3kNrBGu/s1600-h/Colin+and+Nikolai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeSCy2BFAub4kEI3ecPr_-TiRoVmucUxeP5_iGVJkHNGpeJfKe2wyz7to7z2Dv3HMGubkmIT-70PFkFtI55sKS3ckwvQGStYNPDNoqpQ3OCsQ8Hd06d0MSfU0Z9hDKDlHNkfwb3kNrBGu/s320/Colin+and+Nikolai.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Isn't he so darling? Tim and I are so happy to have another grandson. The first picture is of Brenan (1) and Nikolai and the second is of Colin (1)with Nikolai. These three are my grandchildren from my oldest son, Matthew and his wife Amanda who are stationed in North Carolina at Camp LeJune. I sure wish they lived closer!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'll let Amanda tell you all about the birth of Nikolai in her own words.......</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>Here are a couple pictures of Nikolai that Matthew took. The labor was really great. I started
having contractions around 3 Monday afternoon, but didn't really go
into labor until around 9. The doctor broke my water just after 2 am,
and he was born about an hour later, at 3:20. Only the last hour after
my water broke was really intense, before that the labor was fairly
mild- I'd much rather have a 7 hour labor like this one than a 4 hour
labor like Colin's! Colin and Brennan were both very intense from
start to finish.
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Nikolai was born weighing 9 pounds, 1 ounce, and 21 inches long.
He had a pretty low blood sugar level right after he was born, even
after nursing, so I had to give him a bottle of glucose formula, and
that helped bring it up to normal. They still checked his sugar level
every few hours until he had several good readings in a row, because it
had been so low, and they wanted to make sure it didn't plummet again.
Everything else was pretty good, and the hospital was very supportive
of me wanting to have a natural birth. They knew I'd already had two
homebirths, and that Brennan was close to 9 1/2 pounds, so they weren't
too worried about me, and let me do pretty much whatever I wanted. All
in all, it was better than I expected it to be.
</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Colin and Brennan both love having a new baby. Brennan wouldn't
even look at either me or Nikolai the first day, until Matthew brought
him up on the bed and made him touch him. Today he's been climbing up
on the bed next to us and "holding" Nikolai and giving him kisses.
It's really sweet! Colin from the very beginning has been bringing
toys and blankets for him, and wanting to do everything he can for
him. He got kind of freaked out when he saw the umbilical cord when I
did a diaper change- I don't think he was expecting that! I told him
that was how his belly button was made, and "the black thing" will fall
off when it's done, and that made him happy again. He's been doing a
lot better than I thought he would.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>One of us will send some more pictures soon. I just wanted to get a couple sent now so everyone could see the new little guy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-2738653490058564672010-02-05T10:00:00.000-06:002010-02-06T23:34:41.574-06:00Happy Birthday to Donna<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAGhAP0GvUSPsMaDjhRktw8HpmL8-RlIbTF6zjKsKtle3SP9oplrAJspy9w4VLp6G4k3Z3IaOaLLU2XK3jCcRvRsB3yVnEKq8m8MECxgWoWXbdD35PD_Ziu5FhadoB-q2cdpGl9tWxY5b/s1600-h/Donna's+candles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAGhAP0GvUSPsMaDjhRktw8HpmL8-RlIbTF6zjKsKtle3SP9oplrAJspy9w4VLp6G4k3Z3IaOaLLU2XK3jCcRvRsB3yVnEKq8m8MECxgWoWXbdD35PD_Ziu5FhadoB-q2cdpGl9tWxY5b/s320/Donna's+candles.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4a_mUhMihd6aOkXg0pJoS19jWqOrTlx_o2e5CmP8h80kukZWHk6ztr9r8lU7efhjRjCqi4pnewQRl4UMCTmUbYRS2d25d6fuIO7LthUUi_7HCJ-FfqkpmrbIg654Tryrsj2mKka45aR0/s1600-h/Homemaking+blog+February+061-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4a_mUhMihd6aOkXg0pJoS19jWqOrTlx_o2e5CmP8h80kukZWHk6ztr9r8lU7efhjRjCqi4pnewQRl4UMCTmUbYRS2d25d6fuIO7LthUUi_7HCJ-FfqkpmrbIg654Tryrsj2mKka45aR0/s320/Homemaking+blog+February+061-400.jpg" /></a>Why am I holding my birthday candles...well that's a great question!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iNja0sX7vKdTwrRlBICdLsIVE0y1gIG2xtF2_ODXp2B-0DFo64qmAn_GmJZgW3hA5DCK421SVNlcy4IDa8dnVVjHLPd2luiHL02LOS2Y7qFBk3vjYgcvf_WavX-QnvjFCHwFZKmhiCU5/s1600-h/Homemaking+blog+February+065-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-iNja0sX7vKdTwrRlBICdLsIVE0y1gIG2xtF2_ODXp2B-0DFo64qmAn_GmJZgW3hA5DCK421SVNlcy4IDa8dnVVjHLPd2luiHL02LOS2Y7qFBk3vjYgcvf_WavX-QnvjFCHwFZKmhiCU5/s320/Homemaking+blog+February+065-400.jpg" /></a>It all started out simple enough. Jacob lit the candles on my birthday 'pie' (I love pecan pie!!) just like he was supposed to. Then Tim brought the pie while everyone sang Happy Birthday to me...just like they are supposed to. So far..so good. And I blew out the candles but due to age and mental confusion forgot to make a wish...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKwkUUc978dZC-bsj_3soBhgCikQjtR1LXyMOfero6VAWIzRy1mpsTy4AVh22Vc6THypm8Hrfg3GVxtqdOrpanVNXhhGZN1r5-Amk1N-aPKKECMwnp8jxTRZSQW4aQqXfA_ZuUQ5YUA3X/s1600-h/candles+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKwkUUc978dZC-bsj_3soBhgCikQjtR1LXyMOfero6VAWIzRy1mpsTy4AVh22Vc6THypm8Hrfg3GVxtqdOrpanVNXhhGZN1r5-Amk1N-aPKKECMwnp8jxTRZSQW4aQqXfA_ZuUQ5YUA3X/s320/candles+out.jpg" /></a></div>
Since we only had five candles...instead of 47...that was fine. Thumbs up..great job for Mom!<br />
<br />
And then I pulled out all the candles so we could slice the pie..and then they began to re-light, one by one. Hence the picture of me holding my candles...all lit up. Very funny...So I dipped them in water to put them out and we all had a nice piece of pie.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8BZDNWD3v-wM6ClWLs_dVmGXD1kGsYdACdkeyTNO_lEU36sqmgkTkB9Q5h8cwdDwIwpM_obI3J1uKQTfbflKsyWjvNHkpJ4crm0IERlSh6gHqw_DiUQxCYE2ENmBgHw1pFVEcWHiRKXP/s1600-h/sculpting+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8BZDNWD3v-wM6ClWLs_dVmGXD1kGsYdACdkeyTNO_lEU36sqmgkTkB9Q5h8cwdDwIwpM_obI3J1uKQTfbflKsyWjvNHkpJ4crm0IERlSh6gHqw_DiUQxCYE2ENmBgHw1pFVEcWHiRKXP/s320/sculpting+002.jpg" /></a></div>
We were going to all go out to dinner to Cracker Barrel, but I had missed so many family nights that I decided I wanted us to go somewhere cheaper and get a couple of movies and go birthday shopping instead. We went to Long Johns/A&W so everyone could get what they wanted. (I love Long John's!) Then we headed over to Movie Gallery and lo & behold...I got a free movie because ...you guessed it--it was my birthday-Hurrah! We also got a second free movie because we were 'inactive' and had just received a call inviting us back. I didn't know we had gotten a call..but hey--that's great!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSj7NISDbazcQXPUHysWmZsoq0ZjJ-5kWbIrEWwKl0YK5OTS13XYnIi4Lnt0lqULs5kEZFUJrV-rKYtqdFijBSdAQrsc78NuRuJprpKyCtnhx_ddqyJyipnvkceqXVFLJNOzA4GheSHx-/s1600-h/sculpting+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSj7NISDbazcQXPUHysWmZsoq0ZjJ-5kWbIrEWwKl0YK5OTS13XYnIi4Lnt0lqULs5kEZFUJrV-rKYtqdFijBSdAQrsc78NuRuJprpKyCtnhx_ddqyJyipnvkceqXVFLJNOzA4GheSHx-/s320/sculpting+003.jpg" /></a>We watched Ice Age 3 which was hilarious and had us all in stitches. We went to Hobby-Lobby to get a really special birthday present...a 25 lb. hunk of clay. I know--you're so jealous!! I inherited some of my dad's sculpting tools and a book and I really want to try my hand at sculpting...in my spare time. (I know..I don't have any--but you never know..some may pop up!) If I have the supplies on hand, then I can get started when that magic moment--spare time--arrives.<br />
<br />
Tim gave me some beautiful flowers and the kids gave me an Itunes card to buy some goodies for my new ITouch. Mom gave me a lady statue and a darling pile of turtles stacked on top of each other made out of shells (I collect turtles.) My sisters, Lisa and Trisha, bought me a very nice sweater (Yes.. I found it at the Dad's house--it was lost.) I got several sweet cards too. I also got one new grandchild, Nicolai, for my birthday--which was awesome!! Of course, I'll let Amanda and Matthew keep him for now. But the best gift of all..is just being home--at last!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-34611012525109827452010-02-01T00:19:00.000-06:002010-02-06T00:21:29.522-06:00Jacob & Jasmine win 3rd Place and Jacob wins 1st Place Speaker Award!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHie3VM0tUbyJbs5KRzpy3ZGyDONNF93LN15fLYju0V7VAX5iJ8wyR09syg1TIZnPzqrpQq9mgKZEw4rkkKBmxSt1qPioOxnUc3qSl9e3Wn4UQNM05iV4m5fZD4jx82y6rFMZ4ANDeVhT/s1600-h/trophies+for+1st+%26+3rd+place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHie3VM0tUbyJbs5KRzpy3ZGyDONNF93LN15fLYju0V7VAX5iJ8wyR09syg1TIZnPzqrpQq9mgKZEw4rkkKBmxSt1qPioOxnUc3qSl9e3Wn4UQNM05iV4m5fZD4jx82y6rFMZ4ANDeVhT/s320/trophies+for+1st+%26+3rd+place.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2qTuszRCGT3Sbd2qsvhUqvjl9jbKOB17hm-5bgzyAjt7m5sH-4HYWO_6d2RxW-5lEOo6J16YYRwvrDvraSLx6p9WuRDbj3XXaQzRsOzgq_tPYro_wkGenvP0wK0C8po5S7Csw7zKPQR9/s1600-h/Jacob+%26+Mom+regionals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2qTuszRCGT3Sbd2qsvhUqvjl9jbKOB17hm-5bgzyAjt7m5sH-4HYWO_6d2RxW-5lEOo6J16YYRwvrDvraSLx6p9WuRDbj3XXaQzRsOzgq_tPYro_wkGenvP0wK0C8po5S7Csw7zKPQR9/s320/Jacob+%26+Mom+regionals.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wish I had pictures from the tournament in Dallas to post, but Jacob is with Rebekah at the Reynolds' home getting ready for tomorrow's Mock Trial competition and he has the camera with all the pictures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ah well, for now you will have to settle for the trophies and a picture of us from last year. I was home about five days and then had to leave to take Jacob to the DFW qualifier tournament. He and Jasmine had a perfect record all the way up until finals. Of 58 teams, they were the only ones to have a perfect preliminary record of 6 wins and 0 losses! They were the top rated team of the tournament! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
They didn't lose any rounds or judges in the outrounds...not even one until the semi-finals. They will have to work on a few things in their case, but considering that Jasmine had a 104 fever the last day, I think they did fantastic! I can't wait to post the sweet pictures of them with their trophies and of our whole club who all did really wonderful!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Even though they won 3rd place as a debate team out of 58 teams (which is great of course) it was a really special treat that Jacob won FIRST PLACE Speaker Award for Team Policy!! Since this was a Texas State Championship tournament, he automatically received a free invitation to the Texas Home School Coalition Banquet to whom former president George W. Bush has been invited. They believe he will attend. Jacob is thrilled. He was given a standing ovation for his win and I was just about to burst! Usually the 1st place speaker is one of the members of the winning team. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Of course, he is already busily working at home to prepare for the next tournament. He and his good friend, Cody Stevens, are working on a duo and he and Jasmine will be working very hard to make their case even better. We finally got home on Tuesday night (my birthday), but that's for another post. It's great to be home!</div>
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-53893782534881194912010-01-21T18:57:00.001-06:002010-01-21T19:55:32.064-06:00Good-bye Daddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZT3o4GbH-19KlFVDeRcgMun9Gs1TOllB0aXSsU2d1IXNe9sgvMBxkKB9CIJkcigp3e4yJRDWVzDnPtwlIMpMvtcIssvT6QOZGIii4dU0AWjUnseqbGqT949hONdmgl8JBtr4WeEaN0e6/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXpvHcO5vktq-4jxEaoCDOT7P9tWlB2PNq2sB8OHXxC0ONkb4kU4ka-Ra_Pwof3HbJnBFhqlEoqSlb-hv8NuDvzjdIrQ0Bw2PA7SJe7V4P_RMBMWn4yCKDyanYF77wlghu8xrmufhBU13/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+005-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXpvHcO5vktq-4jxEaoCDOT7P9tWlB2PNq2sB8OHXxC0ONkb4kU4ka-Ra_Pwof3HbJnBFhqlEoqSlb-hv8NuDvzjdIrQ0Bw2PA7SJe7V4P_RMBMWn4yCKDyanYF77wlghu8xrmufhBU13/s320/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+005-400.jpg" /></a>Meet...my dad!!<br />
<br />
Stephan Arthur Smith went to be with his Lord and Savior in the early hours of January 8th, 2010 .at the age of 66. He courageously endured a year long battle with cancer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCxLKgsgmmXRM7XgBaPBYjn3l43KbzOl_VHaj8iUGNxawdjMSCesOGaBS2_XRthuizFOgDxYLfFrqaZ8EdDsnKeX99Ay9lK_krwM_jFht45UabR8BKgg-r1qwThQuAhHidR__PF9yATxj/s1600-h/100_4607-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCxLKgsgmmXRM7XgBaPBYjn3l43KbzOl_VHaj8iUGNxawdjMSCesOGaBS2_XRthuizFOgDxYLfFrqaZ8EdDsnKeX99Ay9lK_krwM_jFht45UabR8BKgg-r1qwThQuAhHidR__PF9yATxj/s320/100_4607-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
He was born in Chicago, Illinois and was the son of Floyd and Maxine Dody Smith. His family moved to Grandprairie, Texas when he was in grade school. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sandra, and a baby son, Stephen Jr..<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZT3o4GbH-19KlFVDeRcgMun9Gs1TOllB0aXSsU2d1IXNe9sgvMBxkKB9CIJkcigp3e4yJRDWVzDnPtwlIMpMvtcIssvT6QOZGIii4dU0AWjUnseqbGqT949hONdmgl8JBtr4WeEaN0e6/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZT3o4GbH-19KlFVDeRcgMun9Gs1TOllB0aXSsU2d1IXNe9sgvMBxkKB9CIJkcigp3e4yJRDWVzDnPtwlIMpMvtcIssvT6QOZGIii4dU0AWjUnseqbGqT949hONdmgl8JBtr4WeEaN0e6/s320/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+008.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Stephen is survived by his beloved fiance of 23 years, Nancy Vire, <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ceT5hOrD_QzrMwLj1fpEyI6O-QvBfJwjT-lxzyxOuY3Xzm8oBSZjzZY-fosPfYwevDeUimssq8-xjPDqQPHFXfAq0Ui61MrQErEgNfrc3_ppqf1P9CNZIfmkd4iSMgTF3D-8FDuh0Prd/s1600-h/Dad+with+teens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ceT5hOrD_QzrMwLj1fpEyI6O-QvBfJwjT-lxzyxOuY3Xzm8oBSZjzZY-fosPfYwevDeUimssq8-xjPDqQPHFXfAq0Ui61MrQErEgNfrc3_ppqf1P9CNZIfmkd4iSMgTF3D-8FDuh0Prd/s320/Dad+with+teens.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
by his four daughters,<br />
<br />
(Pictured with my dear step-mom, Mary. Donna not pictured in first photo--Heather not pictured in second photo.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow6z7RMLs0a6kUS8fWgsc6XjLEE6hsD8NcnrXacstSej3XpMW9eWsmhdZA9M4_KfQiVzTOuOPT2Dy3hJTglwNtuTH6TWuWrkRODcGT3kr_eMu4mh3ZKt4UUvPVKLYuNAjPi7g2-zgojZk/s1600-h/100_4591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiow6z7RMLs0a6kUS8fWgsc6XjLEE6hsD8NcnrXacstSej3XpMW9eWsmhdZA9M4_KfQiVzTOuOPT2Dy3hJTglwNtuTH6TWuWrkRODcGT3kr_eMu4mh3ZKt4UUvPVKLYuNAjPi7g2-zgojZk/s320/100_4591.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg705UKbSuBTR18E4M_u-aEsRapA2LqY_rssq4E_duV8hNkRqhbKf3CqUklSM6yUPRNEqvajPISgOzxwyoFjFkwundbqbQJmsc5Mc9ydGtCVa_3MOCwntk6y-O3n7DU-hBP_-IBw-VzouKZ/s1600-h/100_4610-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg705UKbSuBTR18E4M_u-aEsRapA2LqY_rssq4E_duV8hNkRqhbKf3CqUklSM6yUPRNEqvajPISgOzxwyoFjFkwundbqbQJmsc5Mc9ydGtCVa_3MOCwntk6y-O3n7DU-hBP_-IBw-VzouKZ/s320/100_4610-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLqqcZAuobzNzPRc_1Sv7cn9fVxjYnrOZBVlQ2-5nB4zCqOrrPPRnzVKY5mBMwFVZx060jI_3CqKLdKwTXJGVGSR-e9xdNt4pUd6UE0VWrMOoqFnfH_1yvodXgap4bM9cItCPg9sDvUMp/s1600-h/Steve+%28Dad%29+with+Matthew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLqqcZAuobzNzPRc_1Sv7cn9fVxjYnrOZBVlQ2-5nB4zCqOrrPPRnzVKY5mBMwFVZx060jI_3CqKLdKwTXJGVGSR-e9xdNt4pUd6UE0VWrMOoqFnfH_1yvodXgap4bM9cItCPg9sDvUMp/s320/Steve+%28Dad%29+with+Matthew.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Donna Rodgers and husband, Tim, of Willis, Tx., Lisa Aardmas and husband, Herman, of Glenwood Springs, Co., Trisha Tushim and Paul Vaughn of Campbell, Tx. and Heather Taylor and husband, George Stonequist of Denton, Tx, and by his brother, Terry Smith and wife Phyllis and their children, Debbie and Steve of Brownsburg, Indiana.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5JgOwgiBOiJeoE8lKiOioNYV6qpNihxRF7QGlKO5JXDdVcasFX0AHFqtvrwmeoLNOLxM1vXF8i2Cu9fMA6h7Dicwe9CeNTOE4GrqdledAlfxD-0MxKsSikzpAX1XhR7zJgVNGlDCIx4x/s1600-h/100_4585-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5JgOwgiBOiJeoE8lKiOioNYV6qpNihxRF7QGlKO5JXDdVcasFX0AHFqtvrwmeoLNOLxM1vXF8i2Cu9fMA6h7Dicwe9CeNTOE4GrqdledAlfxD-0MxKsSikzpAX1XhR7zJgVNGlDCIx4x/s320/100_4585-400.jpg" /></a>He was also survived by Donna C.(Wood) Yorke and Mary E. (Whisenant) Smith of previous marriages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GO3f4Nz7ViCGLsSsCnj0gRMb5aVSoEvqo-_nyX13jdaH9K10e8CY_7MGdsv08BDTBuwuq9uCJAYK-G3cLrDhohZJuYyT64J4tnQ6xtdN9MZV0y6SnGwWLoVa2QIxxt0Zr_kVai8JYgWq/s1600-h/100_4595-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GO3f4Nz7ViCGLsSsCnj0gRMb5aVSoEvqo-_nyX13jdaH9K10e8CY_7MGdsv08BDTBuwuq9uCJAYK-G3cLrDhohZJuYyT64J4tnQ6xtdN9MZV0y6SnGwWLoVa2QIxxt0Zr_kVai8JYgWq/s320/100_4595-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOCa1Mo_X4xIizYWsGbRrh03DXrXwfyDXNUvhUSD_9JcuXrUG5zMSFp8dFjKIy9bSdH52WnzbRBcSgLb0VsYKnVTq1L28CpOUepIgo11V9zVP4rUX6QjS5M55-uaPkMnFHSCb3RyIlclI/s1600-h/100_4606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOCa1Mo_X4xIizYWsGbRrh03DXrXwfyDXNUvhUSD_9JcuXrUG5zMSFp8dFjKIy9bSdH52WnzbRBcSgLb0VsYKnVTq1L28CpOUepIgo11V9zVP4rUX6QjS5M55-uaPkMnFHSCb3RyIlclI/s320/100_4606.JPG" /></a><br /></div>
He was a doting Grandpa
and is survived by 13 grandchildren, Donna's children, Matthew,
Andrew, Rebekah, Jacob, and Christian, Lisa's children, Amanda,
Jennifer, Crystal, Laura, and April and Trisha's children, Kimberly,
Samuel, and Makayla Tushim and by five great grandchildren, Colin,
Brenan, Stephen (due Feb.5), James and Lena.
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvKVCJexkahtvAAyBqFsv713GfzZOVOi3Sq-fDN1Tltwlrov9e6g_umKbHkwCVO9TRrHFN7w0uf_7ocnVVoKUQ4CjB6SKwsbYR__xNPTCM_IzPZyKUj0PUpKh5m-7PUDdiLYs79n6T0WX/s1600-h/100_4603-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvKVCJexkahtvAAyBqFsv713GfzZOVOi3Sq-fDN1Tltwlrov9e6g_umKbHkwCVO9TRrHFN7w0uf_7ocnVVoKUQ4CjB6SKwsbYR__xNPTCM_IzPZyKUj0PUpKh5m-7PUDdiLYs79n6T0WX/s320/100_4603-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISa3LWYNO-tG6GJcFE-kTxruXNX4NasDcpam70MiDIQZLJWclt4Uucx4zxlRbj71JGoNtrn4vgnLHkbxmfyxev9CgnrQKxlVEzZ5F3yODhzWvYyeqETQ_rl8fjFD_l_WyHN0zJV-7UYcZ/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+002-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISa3LWYNO-tG6GJcFE-kTxruXNX4NasDcpam70MiDIQZLJWclt4Uucx4zxlRbj71JGoNtrn4vgnLHkbxmfyxev9CgnrQKxlVEzZ5F3yODhzWvYyeqETQ_rl8fjFD_l_WyHN0zJV-7UYcZ/s320/Dad's+pix+002-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE2K-5DRK9sDHDMzGiQ6WZv5mIBXpMdMctPkRJVjt9yPRMHFls4898alEXHphQS0xQWEfdiTSgY80ln5-fjf5vXU3Ia-JpUxt5R1ISv8lo31rKHnJ2YsFrwGwTH4RX_xkBRLvfS4tcX2K/s1600-h/100_4626-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE2K-5DRK9sDHDMzGiQ6WZv5mIBXpMdMctPkRJVjt9yPRMHFls4898alEXHphQS0xQWEfdiTSgY80ln5-fjf5vXU3Ia-JpUxt5R1ISv8lo31rKHnJ2YsFrwGwTH4RX_xkBRLvfS4tcX2K/s320/100_4626-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7MpSuFopnQWR5gOaVHSMSDCSyByNnqcqohI_QhUpu4YTFycr1Z1CW61VT1fUJRR19ibfc95iixLSy970oF5tAVKKYFb6JVWZmdVeOhBj0yICVrQHC-_WGaMfEy1_Rt6YlkEzOK5UP-P-/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7MpSuFopnQWR5gOaVHSMSDCSyByNnqcqohI_QhUpu4YTFycr1Z1CW61VT1fUJRR19ibfc95iixLSy970oF5tAVKKYFb6JVWZmdVeOhBj0yICVrQHC-_WGaMfEy1_Rt6YlkEzOK5UP-P-/s320/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+047.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He was also dearly loved
and will be greatly missed by Nancy's family who have also call him
Dad and Grandpa for many years. He is survived by her children, Marty
and Mary Vire and their children, Katy, Mike, Angela and Jenny,
great-grandchild, Johnny as well as, David and Judy Vire, and
children Erin, Larry, and Kristen<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
.<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgxgCCkY-dCaPJAEl3jIWvqLrebc1aGJk4Z-LlWgnzyn8xjEoboHYwdbBa4DhFkLvAhR2ZYo1f21LbArghrccOT1ybWYDsVMNFM7495jdIGlrpAaGnIrZJnHVW-BWhRW_d4C1YNouNG06/s1600-h/100_4609-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgxgCCkY-dCaPJAEl3jIWvqLrebc1aGJk4Z-LlWgnzyn8xjEoboHYwdbBa4DhFkLvAhR2ZYo1f21LbArghrccOT1ybWYDsVMNFM7495jdIGlrpAaGnIrZJnHVW-BWhRW_d4C1YNouNG06/s320/100_4609-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stephen graduated from
Grand Prairie Highschool in 1961, and studied at Southwest Baptist
Seminary. He was a faithful employee of Bell Helicopter Textron
in Arlington, Texas for over 40 years as an inspector and retired in
2006.<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCxLKgsgmmXRM7XgBaPBYjn3l43KbzOl_VHaj8iUGNxawdjMSCesOGaBS2_XRthuizFOgDxYLfFrqaZ8EdDsnKeX99Ay9lK_krwM_jFht45UabR8BKgg-r1qwThQuAhHidR__PF9yATxj/s1600-h/100_4607-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3A-eMk6QxP5sdldOCTNr1-_WtRrurAWK8-HyWkzywzV1GsSM3lOHe_4aY6tj7c1sL6WjrHJyb9s5DfKIteknMVIxAZsIWGMPbDaQCSWMHOQC3oI9Nczx9NOZ0giMxzDWaAz1relGgy43/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+003-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3A-eMk6QxP5sdldOCTNr1-_WtRrurAWK8-HyWkzywzV1GsSM3lOHe_4aY6tj7c1sL6WjrHJyb9s5DfKIteknMVIxAZsIWGMPbDaQCSWMHOQC3oI9Nczx9NOZ0giMxzDWaAz1relGgy43/s320/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+003-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoEkAvapTe96EFgmdSFf6Jo15JGvML6UVRDk8yamiUhQ6SNEQcayIVuxvLA2nCou-qC9K-FwDbU6QXfTD9pAV_W7MmK4IssbCKgzEXw76QLQeUTy8ZQ3ZALpZetBYNTmw_Za2_KnwqxqJ/s1600-h/100_4594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoEkAvapTe96EFgmdSFf6Jo15JGvML6UVRDk8yamiUhQ6SNEQcayIVuxvLA2nCou-qC9K-FwDbU6QXfTD9pAV_W7MmK4IssbCKgzEXw76QLQeUTy8ZQ3ZALpZetBYNTmw_Za2_KnwqxqJ/s320/100_4594.JPG" /></a><br /></div>
He was a gifted artist who spent much of his spare time
painting and sculpting, and doing calligraphy, gold leaf writing.He
was an avid urban homesteader who loved raising livestock and enjoyed
riding horses. He had many hobbies and interests. He loved camping,
fishing, gardening, bonsai, raising fish in his huge tank,
horticulture, geneology, computer technology and psychology. He
thoroughly enjoyed exploring his Scottish heritage, learning to cook
Scottish dishes and regularly attended the Texas Scottish Festival
and Games and the Greek food festivals held in Arlington each year.<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zYTInpCmWNCdEbdooYK7OSoYhKPQDTDDryXdPfn5NOtyXXnHq7QsGNFL6V03x_MmSRQSVIcwwwvGCAh5xKRoQ6u7ZgVff9HZs_CElnS3ObRYGzwb6W3-BJRUzL0F6AYcUWj3X0PKvPc_/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF97emi_H_DrS1ogmyLnvCwhCBTBF8sw81iL3Qm6LAASqtfzacg9tXoPRAWIJHlyZzWKU6zLUJnIV_UDuB-FBGy5C0TxxxPcZdo16UjLSItV1QzrflU_A0bTYh9Fg0OaFer_dK9zli0X3/s1600-h/100_4635-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzF97emi_H_DrS1ogmyLnvCwhCBTBF8sw81iL3Qm6LAASqtfzacg9tXoPRAWIJHlyZzWKU6zLUJnIV_UDuB-FBGy5C0TxxxPcZdo16UjLSItV1QzrflU_A0bTYh9Fg0OaFer_dK9zli0X3/s320/100_4635-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
Stephen was a loving son
and brother--faithfully and lovingly caring for his mother and his
mentally ill sister for many years until their deaths.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zYTInpCmWNCdEbdooYK7OSoYhKPQDTDDryXdPfn5NOtyXXnHq7QsGNFL6V03x_MmSRQSVIcwwwvGCAh5xKRoQ6u7ZgVff9HZs_CElnS3ObRYGzwb6W3-BJRUzL0F6AYcUWj3X0PKvPc_/s1600-h/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zYTInpCmWNCdEbdooYK7OSoYhKPQDTDDryXdPfn5NOtyXXnHq7QsGNFL6V03x_MmSRQSVIcwwwvGCAh5xKRoQ6u7ZgVff9HZs_CElnS3ObRYGzwb6W3-BJRUzL0F6AYcUWj3X0PKvPc_/s320/Dad's+pix+from+Nancy+045.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
He was a
faithful and much loved member of St. Andrews Episcopal church
serving on the Vestry and as Junior Warden for many years.<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW5bbA-X8_7m8ayY4ivrhBPHg-D3RBdXR4KbFFbciy69K4Hbxn_djzNKC3cSfbKh6Kg-WyvzYVWmA9rADFcdi-Jj3u5gSMJqopcHuG6V4mtBdcaR6-vVH5mMwH0YoywwyQYg9_qt3FMxF/s1600-h/100_4616-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW5bbA-X8_7m8ayY4ivrhBPHg-D3RBdXR4KbFFbciy69K4Hbxn_djzNKC3cSfbKh6Kg-WyvzYVWmA9rADFcdi-Jj3u5gSMJqopcHuG6V4mtBdcaR6-vVH5mMwH0YoywwyQYg9_qt3FMxF/s320/100_4616-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He enjoyed
supervising their acolytes and was very active with Nancy, serving as
pack committee members of the St. Andrew's Boy Scout Pack No. 503.
He generously supported the Easter Seals, the Disabled American
Veterans and especially the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppq3NAy9nB1w3oN7y4j-_Sl3N5X7As6ifO-TcFlW_A_1yZTMFXnyVlpk7jGoe1UwBODl6Pk-Uyk88SmJjZsYvjgqLLDBRt5bMH8s266xnARrPgd5KoWyG8hIBZdZnIzOi47YDspKBYXhz/s1600-h/100_4620-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppq3NAy9nB1w3oN7y4j-_Sl3N5X7As6ifO-TcFlW_A_1yZTMFXnyVlpk7jGoe1UwBODl6Pk-Uyk88SmJjZsYvjgqLLDBRt5bMH8s266xnARrPgd5KoWyG8hIBZdZnIzOi47YDspKBYXhz/s320/100_4620-400.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
We will all miss his fun
loving sense of humor, his grin, and the twinkle in his eye as he
teased us. But we are also glad that he is now out of pain, happy and
at peace with His Lord.<br />
</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-8751758197512021422010-01-10T22:36:00.000-06:002010-01-10T22:44:33.955-06:00Dad has gone home to be with the Lord<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoXXpYYcn-13iJ9USmqyLtajd5stDNPsPTWWGEEupakoZTyWdsnFczcn17HxZi7VieQqdFylhfnbSnwlLCfzb3CcRYgp0LEvZMXbJTCZFDLTGMDq8Muv5aKZO0TNoGuQ-76GV97d72vGR/s1600-h/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnoXXpYYcn-13iJ9USmqyLtajd5stDNPsPTWWGEEupakoZTyWdsnFczcn17HxZi7VieQqdFylhfnbSnwlLCfzb3CcRYgp0LEvZMXbJTCZFDLTGMDq8Muv5aKZO0TNoGuQ-76GV97d72vGR/s400/Picture2.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Daddy's home...in the arms of our heavenly father as of 3:45am this morning. I'm so glad he isn't hurting anymore. He's at peace in a way that he has never been in this earthly life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaH3UHipLWByd5S8Ro6G3v5SOzY8JFsAWtB0uEO-CvdxzokpNA4O6b9idXwyHRS9N_RUVg6ZkwGo7acgQOiUZeTOcqzMIOwGz1d-VYVrqMl2_SnHrQniTa2CLzIOOPLEn5oU5BMy1jyDO/s1600-h/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaH3UHipLWByd5S8Ro6G3v5SOzY8JFsAWtB0uEO-CvdxzokpNA4O6b9idXwyHRS9N_RUVg6ZkwGo7acgQOiUZeTOcqzMIOwGz1d-VYVrqMl2_SnHrQniTa2CLzIOOPLEn5oU5BMy1jyDO/s320/Picture1.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I learned a new skill this week...but not one I ever dreamed of learning. How to make a dear father comfortable as he passed from this life to the arms of our Lord in the next. Can I ever express the gratitude Ifeel to all the hospice workers who helped make that transition as easy and homey as possible?</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBCXUOdOklLQiLf5mEH-fBDxMMlzvcbYntA_XSz4z-RkhOGf7PJ2rRf0z7HohSWxrTTlBQyEcQDJdyKCiFFq9nZi26D4qmIrL1w4oDE5KQ2Oi_dcm9F_H0AEJscTAx_zwFci0ApPbOxb2/s1600-h/Sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBCXUOdOklLQiLf5mEH-fBDxMMlzvcbYntA_XSz4z-RkhOGf7PJ2rRf0z7HohSWxrTTlBQyEcQDJdyKCiFFq9nZi26D4qmIrL1w4oDE5KQ2Oi_dcm9F_H0AEJscTAx_zwFci0ApPbOxb2/s320/Sunset.jpg" /></span></a><br />
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can't believe that someone, who loomed so largely in my life's picture, is now no more. The last 16 days have been special beyond words. Daddy gave me a sculpture to remember him by. But the real memories were the 20 hours a day of sitting by his bed assuring him that it would all be 'ok'.</span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOh64nCDT-Xv8ErtzQChVpw3gbcrhIS5BqOnUpQv106Ey2HLcg46wbyWuksSTtbYlI5rGqnMbxhtvNG8f50vPLZ6rqkdEwQnp8YKwJaNH1OZ9BVVKHcXP1zwPoCJ59ENRTYnXuQFREDYV/s1600-h/Blue+hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOh64nCDT-Xv8ErtzQChVpw3gbcrhIS5BqOnUpQv106Ey2HLcg46wbyWuksSTtbYlI5rGqnMbxhtvNG8f50vPLZ6rqkdEwQnp8YKwJaNH1OZ9BVVKHcXP1zwPoCJ59ENRTYnXuQFREDYV/s320/Blue+hills.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm so so so glad that he is finally out of pain and feeling totally accepted and beloved by our heavenly Father. That is something he has never known from an earthly father. Yesterday, I made another baby hat to pass the time between my father's lucid moments, and his sleeping or confused ones. At 2 am, the nightime nurse, Anna, told me it was time to give Dad his next set of meds. She wasn't allowed to give liquid morphine or anxiety meds..only family. </span><br />
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2S-XUc7H_qKG7xjFZ1ueY7bk7laIBZEkJHvCUXw-52lf5jJvMfsxd-KHiZLsVKf87dw028XvXvHPQhZbh5Xh635D5kfQIzCOV9dZqgKBHqCcHco02YsBenPYU21QecLJ-8xQrtmLRnyC/s1600-h/IMG0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2S-XUc7H_qKG7xjFZ1ueY7bk7laIBZEkJHvCUXw-52lf5jJvMfsxd-KHiZLsVKf87dw028XvXvHPQhZbh5Xh635D5kfQIzCOV9dZqgKBHqCcHco02YsBenPYU21QecLJ-8xQrtmLRnyC/s320/IMG0.JPG" /></span></a><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All night long I woke to give him more and keep him comfortable. At 2, I walked in to his bedroom and he said" Hi Donna!" ...just like the old comfortable loving Dad I have always known. I was so shocked that I sat with him from 2-4am. So what if those were the only sensible words he said the whole night. The tone was one I have always known--he remembered me and it was so wonderful!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How I am going to miss him. Please pray for a peaceful and smooth resolution of all the knitty-gritty details of planning the funeral, and settling the details of his will. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is suddenly so very quiet in his house. I turned the baby monitor off..the one I set up in his bedroom so I would hear the slightest call for help. I'm not running back and forwards and scrambling for meds, and soda or just running to comfort him and assure him that he is not alone. No more goose neck or medications. It's all done. I can sleep now for the first time in two weeks. But it seems lonely some how.</span><br />
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejzTG84Wo050Wi5qzlEIpKiUIoEUqbYq761U0qgz2olM3BAibJDFH0MOZhrTQIxyFiD3UEtGL2Jdk4zbzf2z1jQhfo9DJzSksVHKclYSOK8kDLKTnsmyKj7TFSKz07U8eRmWhZVIawmyr/s1600-h/Water+lilies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejzTG84Wo050Wi5qzlEIpKiUIoEUqbYq761U0qgz2olM3BAibJDFH0MOZhrTQIxyFiD3UEtGL2Jdk4zbzf2z1jQhfo9DJzSksVHKclYSOK8kDLKTnsmyKj7TFSKz07U8eRmWhZVIawmyr/s400/Water+lilies.jpg" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last night, after Nancy and I had arranged transport to the hospice center, while he was passing from this world to his heavenly home, I sang every hymn I knew to him. I saw a tear in his eye. I read passage after passage of scripture. Nancy held him in her arms and cuddled his head and told him he was going to be Okay. She's loved him for 20 years in a way a daughter cannot. He calls her his angel. Death, like birth, it seems,...is a miracle too. It is scary..but it is real and more importantly, it is the link between this earthly life and the next. I was awed as Dad looked off into the distance...so expectantly..as if he saw the Lord coming to meet him. I felt I was at the doorstep of heaven...but it is not my time to make that journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"I come to the garden alone...while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the son of God discloses..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> And he walks with me and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own. And the joy we share, as we tary there. None other, has ever known...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will really miss my dear dad...and am glad that someday, I will see him again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Donna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ps. The visitation will be at Bean-Massey -Burge in Grand Prairie, Tx on Mon. at 5-7pm. The funeral will be at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 2pm on Tuesday, Jan.12.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-90544565749568847782009-12-30T09:43:00.000-06:002009-12-30T09:43:03.523-06:00Dad is home from the hospital!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVfy5eltYRGKz29xJf1chQwyPkvyL3jL-cPCYWzI46s2yyn-giTl5cIE3dr9u3O5pm4R8I8G0b_L4kh0bVO2Y92hcXLJsjucnYVxcrW5kbZO8ZYMXKuj_cryIJyXAPOpvbehCnlNye_iW/s1600-h/Dad+and+Donna" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVfy5eltYRGKz29xJf1chQwyPkvyL3jL-cPCYWzI46s2yyn-giTl5cIE3dr9u3O5pm4R8I8G0b_L4kh0bVO2Y92hcXLJsjucnYVxcrW5kbZO8ZYMXKuj_cryIJyXAPOpvbehCnlNye_iW/s400/Dad+and+Donna" /></a><br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I am finally able to get on my father's computer, after I found his password, to post a little update. He couldn't remember it due to the influence of his pain medication. My last post was made from the hospital and I have been trying to get settled in with my dad, at his house, ever since. I just brought him home yesterday. He had a bad fall last night, but is fine now. <br /></div>
<br />
Today, I'm working towards getting my laptop connected through his wireless connection. Hopefully, I will be able to do some more posting in a day or two. This last few days have been some of the hardest of my life, but blogging, if I can make it work, will be my sanity saver! Last night, I finally thought to bring out something to work on while we visited. I spent the evening crocheting a colonial baby cap out of yarn while my dad talked and talked with me. It really helped pass the time and helped me be more patient. <br />
<br />
He is eating normally which is a miracle! He isn't hurting from the cancer and isn't throwing up or having diarrhea. He hasn't been able to eat real food in a month and now is enjoying every bite again. I helped him get through tons of mail, threw out old food, watered plants, and ordered new meds and oxygen tanks. <br />
<br />
Thursday....<br />
<br />
We mainly need to get a power of attorney done, I pray today, at the bank, so I can pay his bills. It's something he wanted me to do months ago, but never felt good enough to arrange. Also, we printed a medical power of attorney, so we can take care of him. I almost couldn't get him to sign in at the hospital. The meds are wreaking havoc on his ability to think...in fact he is just crazy on the meds.<br />
<br />
The stress on me has been intense but I'm getting better everyday. I'm looking forward to going home over the weekend. Nancy works during the day but is off on weekends and will stay with him then. Tim and the kids are saving our New Year's Celebration for me until Friday night.<br />
<br />
Rebekah and I will do our monthly grocery shopping then and get her stocked up. She said she is feeling like she can handle things, but I'm planning to buy quite a few frozen entrees to give her a few days off of cooking each week. She will start classes in mid-January.<br />
<br />
Tim moved his computer into the house so he can supervise school for Christian and Jacob next week. Apparently, we now own a 'new to us' truck!! It's a silver GMC and has a big cab. We finally decided to do that since our country roads tear up every vehicle that drives over them. It kills suspension, engine mounts, and tie rods. We never intended for a truck to be the main family vehicle, but it's the only thing that can handle the beatings that a community maintained road hands out-Ha!<br />
Please keep us in your prayers. My husband and kids are at home managing on their own and we don't know how long I will need to be here. We are making progress every day towards making this work for everyone and I believe my sisters will be able to take turns soon. We are still getting dad settled into the idea of us taking care of him instead of vice-versa. The home health care people are gearing up for regular visits for baths, and physical theraphy and medical evaluations. It's quite a process to get going, but I hope to it will all be more manageable soon.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Donna<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-53837194269167321452009-12-24T08:07:00.000-06:002009-12-24T08:07:24.369-06:00Dad is in the hospital..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_DnDaEVJadQeNrXXBsWUWVFVfqEt5WQLW__Aad2gbqPJYg7fMM4psUODVf0R0gc92tNS0T9-44gmZUWK_txnrIhRWzqsJkRs_Y8yQLmLL4LQUQsIdcW4uIXKKDwovFTzOqKY0SQWxenb/s1600-h/Christmas+Holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HDa7hfDfOJmqc74hWPkXUrk7wtEiqdmdBtDYftoN4YLl6Q4jyDUenf82xA8zs-_TRBas_ITjnUhyphenhyphenIUPSCZ9Cn4Xrl5OxMpObTzlaKmrH0ZawhR5uxFgxLe6qOGoNNdcP3lNp5zalsf1g/s1600-h/Dad+and+Rebekah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HDa7hfDfOJmqc74hWPkXUrk7wtEiqdmdBtDYftoN4YLl6Q4jyDUenf82xA8zs-_TRBas_ITjnUhyphenhyphenIUPSCZ9Cn4Xrl5OxMpObTzlaKmrH0ZawhR5uxFgxLe6qOGoNNdcP3lNp5zalsf1g/s320/Dad+and+Rebekah.jpg" /></a>Right now, I'm typing from Denton ...several hours from home this
morning, getting ready to go spend another day in hospital with my
dad. As you know, he has cancer and took a turn for worse only a few days ago. He
didn't sound right on the phone, so I started packing..quick. His
sweet fiance (of 20 years) had been worried all week that he was not
handling the chemo very well any more and I had already planned to come
stay the day after Christmas.Thank goodness, once I got here, we got him checked into the
hospital, and he was mostly suffering from dehydration from too much
vomiting and diarrhea along with confusion from too much pain
medication. Things just sort of snowballed into what could have been a
life threatening situation.<br /></div>
<br />
I don't know quite where we are going from here. For now, Tim is caring for the kids, Rebekah and Ebeth are preparing for Christmas
dinner, and I'm staying with my mom, about an hour from the hospital.<br />
<br />
I will get to drive home to Houston this Christmas Eve and be there for
the great Christmas gift 'reveal' and it looks like the weather will
allow it..the snow didn't quite make it along the I45 corridor. What a
gift from God for me! I will drive straight back to Denton after the
dinner. Then Nancy will go home to spend Christmas day evening and the
next couple of days with her family. Perhaps we will get dad home to
his house by then. The Lord knows for sure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_DnDaEVJadQeNrXXBsWUWVFVfqEt5WQLW__Aad2gbqPJYg7fMM4psUODVf0R0gc92tNS0T9-44gmZUWK_txnrIhRWzqsJkRs_Y8yQLmLL4LQUQsIdcW4uIXKKDwovFTzOqKY0SQWxenb/s1600-h/Christmas+Holly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_DnDaEVJadQeNrXXBsWUWVFVfqEt5WQLW__Aad2gbqPJYg7fMM4psUODVf0R0gc92tNS0T9-44gmZUWK_txnrIhRWzqsJkRs_Y8yQLmLL4LQUQsIdcW4uIXKKDwovFTzOqKY0SQWxenb/s320/Christmas+Holly.jpg" /></a><br /></div>
The halls of the oncology floor are ringing with Christmas carols being
sung by the staff. I opened the door so daddy could listen...and thank
goodness, he couldn't see me crying. It was so sweet...but sad too.
It wasn't where we planned to be for the holidays...but we are
celebrating because of the giving hearts of so many...<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and the Lord be with you however and where ever you may be celebrating today.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-77370257577884979512009-12-16T15:31:00.000-06:002009-12-16T15:31:29.548-06:00Yes Virginia...it really did snow in Houston!For the second time in our personal history in Houston...it snowed..for real!! I happened to have Christmas music playing while I was sewing for the Christmas craft show. Tim called from Denton where it WASN'T snowing to tell me.<br />
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-0SCcJM1dac&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-0SCcJM1dac&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
<br />
Within 30 minutes, this is what it looked like in our front yard! It didn't stick but it was still awesome!<br />
<br />
Poor kids--they were in Denton too at a tournament and missed it. But they did get to play in the snow here last Christmas. Wow..we could get used to this!<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-63008387721292256012009-12-15T17:38:00.000-06:002009-12-15T17:41:00.653-06:00Christian's concert videoChristian doesn't care for this video, because the band had such a hard time getting started, but remember it was only their second time to actually play 'as a group'. It gets better as it goes!<br />
<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9YLIi5jKk-Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9YLIi5jKk-Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2600763417043231616.post-53571087456993678512009-12-15T12:54:00.000-06:002009-12-19T08:38:43.607-06:00Christian's Christmas Band Concert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP7rFDwsZP4DocUBa12g00HRdYfVsx1GWhd7RZrZVe_YeNqA0cZaKPOUjUW2uxKAmgs7jUrjH9KLUZhdHdHkfyaf2ugd8tbIo8uatrGyHC07KooL8QZiTsgMU0A5kl1eKWy-cC-TJEXSr/s1600-h/Band+Concert+020-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP7rFDwsZP4DocUBa12g00HRdYfVsx1GWhd7RZrZVe_YeNqA0cZaKPOUjUW2uxKAmgs7jUrjH9KLUZhdHdHkfyaf2ugd8tbIo8uatrGyHC07KooL8QZiTsgMU0A5kl1eKWy-cC-TJEXSr/s400/Band+Concert+020-400.jpg" /></a>Christian's first band concert..
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
plays the trumpet.
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzBHItN_HEZHrIyE-HHTyiJ88cAOhgk_awUswNzuTRA5NrG1GED7eqOgDfOhev67UOUQyaBc-lfB5BiItAzAbg6ZoxWuyC5TZgUr9i5_dPmJ8xEWEeiJcwMNMYhz4WFctsoHwar1gOzTs/s1600-h/christian+in+band+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HbMvclc93JdIuMHY047A5wKwmsNcZrD7uCnNOZs4MM4cnOOB0onokVj6Ds8Jp_1o704JIr2l5CH9vsH34efgRuhyfCExtZI8CgV5KOwnBHrHhwvvz584hQl_4FcuhuhxHYdQZfbHxSJ0/s1600-h/Band+Concert+006-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</a>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6NRZNBAM6OjSjGeRJmOniSTEe7QKjKCYyVzyVYyZv2YCducJsKhzeU-pJZYmWxymD7G6QwFmSIh706Vg3OahAdw__b1K5D3CdSRYb_Sw8ghpFzdk2M0n6KJsdQ60C8PXaPzl0FHb82Ri/s1600-h/Christian+in+his+band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6NRZNBAM6OjSjGeRJmOniSTEe7QKjKCYyVzyVYyZv2YCducJsKhzeU-pJZYmWxymD7G6QwFmSIh706Vg3OahAdw__b1K5D3CdSRYb_Sw8ghpFzdk2M0n6KJsdQ60C8PXaPzl0FHb82Ri/s400/Christian+in+his+band.jpg" /></a>
<br /></div>
He has been performing in the intermediate band and had two concerts with the Instruments of Praise this week.
<br />
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYOoG5ISMIQZUYzUdnsYk4u0ZqMPqar0eNALREXIied9HpWLSjX-j2iP1f4wOw3-db9IWUYBeDr7vgfD5imC5yLOxxLD65wIACoazN0raS9wD5lPZ9FECywFJif2pEKPKV9Tpa2cQVOYU/s1600-h/Band+Concert+001-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYOoG5ISMIQZUYzUdnsYk4u0ZqMPqar0eNALREXIied9HpWLSjX-j2iP1f4wOw3-db9IWUYBeDr7vgfD5imC5yLOxxLD65wIACoazN0raS9wD5lPZ9FECywFJif2pEKPKV9Tpa2cQVOYU/s320/Band+Concert+001-400.jpg" /></a> He played at a nursing home on Friday morning and at a church in Houston on Monday evening.
<br />
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubatv8xfcP0FJTmfN7hYqYNhPj4M9IfpZfH7VUdKGHkoAehduyfZ5T9Zsy3e8OLaetSaOtIlL4nna6CVc8aV18oaLIea2r3Ec3Pr9DTgglL31NWWnPdcEEFXeTrmvBU1o_COsYTvoqibP/s1600/Band+Concert+012-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubatv8xfcP0FJTmfN7hYqYNhPj4M9IfpZfH7VUdKGHkoAehduyfZ5T9Zsy3e8OLaetSaOtIlL4nna6CVc8aV18oaLIea2r3Ec3Pr9DTgglL31NWWnPdcEEFXeTrmvBU1o_COsYTvoqibP/s320/Band+Concert+012-400.jpg" /></a>The band sounds pretty rough, partly because too many of the kids don't practice as they should and partly because they only practice as a group once before the concert.
<br />
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49LoAA0abQj2tw-S3DyDDSfZHDQYDY-9zM5gq_jMwWah9qF1bhjD_9H9ZaQ4ySbSJ51AYXNLzhIXPicXgEV766czOu1QP584JYgF3FYhFN_oNJGqz3pEwVV-GvAhxNQYIm-oVkAGAk0Bx/s1600-h/Band+Concert+014-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49LoAA0abQj2tw-S3DyDDSfZHDQYDY-9zM5gq_jMwWah9qF1bhjD_9H9ZaQ4ySbSJ51AYXNLzhIXPicXgEV766czOu1QP584JYgF3FYhFN_oNJGqz3pEwVV-GvAhxNQYIm-oVkAGAk0Bx/s320/Band+Concert+014-400.jpg" /></a> There are five different bands in five different locations and they only gather as a group and play once. It makes it very difficult for them to keep in time with each other.
<br />
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HbMvclc93JdIuMHY047A5wKwmsNcZrD7uCnNOZs4MM4cnOOB0onokVj6Ds8Jp_1o704JIr2l5CH9vsH34efgRuhyfCExtZI8CgV5KOwnBHrHhwvvz584hQl_4FcuhuhxHYdQZfbHxSJ0/s1600-h/Band+Concert+006-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HbMvclc93JdIuMHY047A5wKwmsNcZrD7uCnNOZs4MM4cnOOB0onokVj6Ds8Jp_1o704JIr2l5CH9vsH34efgRuhyfCExtZI8CgV5KOwnBHrHhwvvz584hQl_4FcuhuhxHYdQZfbHxSJ0/s320/Band+Concert+006-400.jpg" /></a> Christian did well, regardless. He's the best trumpeter in the intermediate band. Mr. Sommers does an excellent job working with so many kids in so many different locations.
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzBHItN_HEZHrIyE-HHTyiJ88cAOhgk_awUswNzuTRA5NrG1GED7eqOgDfOhev67UOUQyaBc-lfB5BiItAzAbg6ZoxWuyC5TZgUr9i5_dPmJ8xEWEeiJcwMNMYhz4WFctsoHwar1gOzTs/s1600-h/christian+in+band+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzBHItN_HEZHrIyE-HHTyiJ88cAOhgk_awUswNzuTRA5NrG1GED7eqOgDfOhev67UOUQyaBc-lfB5BiItAzAbg6ZoxWuyC5TZgUr9i5_dPmJ8xEWEeiJcwMNMYhz4WFctsoHwar1gOzTs/s320/christian+in+band+2.jpg" /></a>
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsZK5SQz9YOYnO7Ag9pvqbedE430kaiSYyveHBGl-jWSQmJnxmrS3loxQqPvWrLUascqHovToO7Wpv5IUstLU2wBdC4AnI4e5vllkhZWs_yTQHAVwdaS41275zhUwUoNK3-otR8PBfkAn/s1600-h/Tim,+and+family+at+concert.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsZK5SQz9YOYnO7Ag9pvqbedE430kaiSYyveHBGl-jWSQmJnxmrS3loxQqPvWrLUascqHovToO7Wpv5IUstLU2wBdC4AnI4e5vllkhZWs_yTQHAVwdaS41275zhUwUoNK3-otR8PBfkAn/s320/Tim,+and+family+at+concert.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOSv2gfdfuRzRfYK9CfsU7-22FGoN0SjORsROTaYXONhyOccUKaWgEgNREvGB-bPXjN-7pMEhOK1jcg1BmEbTPd7Qb3czxIfYPUfn7Spo15nUJeQ0Hip9iYwfSwsn3gnbT_4C9dBfelXn/s1600-h/Band+Concert+019-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOSv2gfdfuRzRfYK9CfsU7-22FGoN0SjORsROTaYXONhyOccUKaWgEgNREvGB-bPXjN-7pMEhOK1jcg1BmEbTPd7Qb3czxIfYPUfn7Spo15nUJeQ0Hip9iYwfSwsn3gnbT_4C9dBfelXn/s320/Band+Concert+019-400.jpg" /></a> We are really proud of Christian, of course!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HbMvclc93JdIuMHY047A5wKwmsNcZrD7uCnNOZs4MM4cnOOB0onokVj6Ds8Jp_1o704JIr2l5CH9vsH34efgRuhyfCExtZI8CgV5KOwnBHrHhwvvz584hQl_4FcuhuhxHYdQZfbHxSJ0/s1600-h/Band+Concert+006-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</a>
<br /></div>
Elisabeth, Rebekah, and Jacob all came too. It was a special evening for our family!
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhSppJzjVv4vCKTip56SXIO05abq9VHL7NyJTjqfzFyME6ZJj9Lm_4KbgQDrdbenZwkTFhrmI2eDh4c8Ev9PMoIVEp6EfjIfhCLFcdnxxM4-iRDvQcp0-HDp0UFOxRPuNE-IhQuqxU5IG/s1600-h/Christian+after+the+concert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhSppJzjVv4vCKTip56SXIO05abq9VHL7NyJTjqfzFyME6ZJj9Lm_4KbgQDrdbenZwkTFhrmI2eDh4c8Ev9PMoIVEp6EfjIfhCLFcdnxxM4-iRDvQcp0-HDp0UFOxRPuNE-IhQuqxU5IG/s320/Christian+after+the+concert.jpg" /></a>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span id="goog_1260900445981"></span><span id="goog_1260900445982"></span><br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.com0