tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77289071100489375852024-03-06T00:52:52.541-05:00Billie's BlogMaybe there are things you can't see,
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending.
Someday, somehow, you'll see...
~Josh WilsonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-62494413435833140902013-01-13T21:23:00.000-05:002013-01-13T21:23:15.058-05:00Beauty in Brown and Gray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I went for a walk on a dreary, rainy day. Can one find beauty in Ohio in January? I believe we can find beauty anywhere, in any circumstance.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxe9fZAwQ3sUiykAOLzW3SJSw_O6rfN9iPq0XQoQIuugbgz0Mz6DPbl_rocN5QVoPOe47BZSGqgt0iXlRdarmM8nGQxNJn8wZaceKX41OuuCuU2ABpFgYbEF0NF8LRCsPqZJo7Pu_YM0/s1600/IMGP2283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxe9fZAwQ3sUiykAOLzW3SJSw_O6rfN9iPq0XQoQIuugbgz0Mz6DPbl_rocN5QVoPOe47BZSGqgt0iXlRdarmM8nGQxNJn8wZaceKX41OuuCuU2ABpFgYbEF0NF8LRCsPqZJo7Pu_YM0/s640/IMGP2283.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water always fascinates me, even if it's brown.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbkLsvjgo-yiTBldth5TZL9fSP-Y_KA9_LYMtDQiPZ_YNJhnNAeKPsBjOzprkWg55QU6NMLDUQtRwBAvowCCN2-CuTTmKnGv5sAJmbmDmhYk7fi-wdVkQUyvc4rT7AC7aTfcZ4hif0M0/s1600/IMGP2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbkLsvjgo-yiTBldth5TZL9fSP-Y_KA9_LYMtDQiPZ_YNJhnNAeKPsBjOzprkWg55QU6NMLDUQtRwBAvowCCN2-CuTTmKnGv5sAJmbmDmhYk7fi-wdVkQUyvc4rT7AC7aTfcZ4hif0M0/s640/IMGP2286.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fiGGhSWfZDqeUhMjJSO0yGzrJ-TZB4jGpiyCDQw6WobCQAF_BxyMDiS5PJSl1xD1IpDZJxgfO5XRqyWw6d2iB_TXA16h3O_RLwGEcSyfJ3K8gJ5t_Mnobzi_MEXB8Nu8if7CtUM8lPg/s1600/IMGP2290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0fiGGhSWfZDqeUhMjJSO0yGzrJ-TZB4jGpiyCDQw6WobCQAF_BxyMDiS5PJSl1xD1IpDZJxgfO5XRqyWw6d2iB_TXA16h3O_RLwGEcSyfJ3K8gJ5t_Mnobzi_MEXB8Nu8if7CtUM8lPg/s640/IMGP2290.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the textures</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and shapes left after the flowers fall...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeguM9vh9VjHc2UT61lUjDxNIzF6d1FF9XT2-O3AEboYUD5vwsWgTzSbL8Kcwg2gSNX4xwtxchNvK79L6rBwaHfQ5sRwEDn2vTTDs09gGeArtKqR78E4MwvBnoooHDPUFnv5qq2a80o3o/s1600/IMGP2295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeguM9vh9VjHc2UT61lUjDxNIzF6d1FF9XT2-O3AEboYUD5vwsWgTzSbL8Kcwg2gSNX4xwtxchNvK79L6rBwaHfQ5sRwEDn2vTTDs09gGeArtKqR78E4MwvBnoooHDPUFnv5qq2a80o3o/s640/IMGP2295.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like rock cliffs.... it's a tree!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmGqKj-oANbIw9wdaH-WezZLa1V5ZuCLv3O1oGU4lxU6qPcFcIN0XbJ1zRfiE5NdEsx0abBbOo5S_gWnq8KXbwbJeWZUqfGzuQmecUE8qXScxz5h3fYnWgkgB2fFceQ0oinE0kDGjy6Q/s1600/IMGP2317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmGqKj-oANbIw9wdaH-WezZLa1V5ZuCLv3O1oGU4lxU6qPcFcIN0XbJ1zRfiE5NdEsx0abBbOo5S_gWnq8KXbwbJeWZUqfGzuQmecUE8qXScxz5h3fYnWgkgB2fFceQ0oinE0kDGjy6Q/s640/IMGP2317.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a bit of snow left.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96w12wxO98K7tCjfRRqOTEqTZTQqwrMa-a_e-63DNNLu6IrVe1EtY72SBLp6R0y7uQIBDOqJ_RvvWz39qJOFP4fDWwPoimKUVGKVYuMJ8CwVLpybm392NbRE_8ZEldxCqpGETwL1wJPo/s1600/IMGP2318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96w12wxO98K7tCjfRRqOTEqTZTQqwrMa-a_e-63DNNLu6IrVe1EtY72SBLp6R0y7uQIBDOqJ_RvvWz39qJOFP4fDWwPoimKUVGKVYuMJ8CwVLpybm392NbRE_8ZEldxCqpGETwL1wJPo/s640/IMGP2318.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-34082951762768957702013-01-13T18:30:00.000-05:002013-01-13T18:30:59.354-05:00Making My Own Cat Scratch Post!<br />
So, I finally decided to get a cat. My allergies to cats kept me from owning a cat for several years now, but alas, I am a cat lover. I finally gave in. I've noticed I'm not as allergic to some cats as I am to others. In researching cat allergies, I found that their are certain breeds that seem to be less allergenic. I decided I would look for one of those. My other desire, however, was to adopt a rescue cat rather than get one from a breeder. It is difficult to find any pure breed in a shelter. I found a year old cat who is half Russian Blue and half short haired domestic cat. I think her Russian Blue traits are not so strong as she is completely black and has brown eyes. Nevertheless, I decided to try. So far, my symptoms seem mild and are relieved with allergy meds.<br />
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Now, for the purpose of this post: I wanted to get her something to play with and meet her scratching needs, but I didn't want to spend a fortune. I did get some ideas from others online, but then I put together the items I had and figured out the best way for me to make this cat scratching post.<br />
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<u>Supplies:</u><br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzMB65QittMa4-Vh-trAbVxTSpOb7GDGr_iD6ZXfJQSSI96V7tupbn8-P-yJ9F5MYZ_4xAQZBeZpL823HmXPuOTo-EjRDSL2LqIlfBfvUnS2JLH5m5-6Qp8luJR0BPvEw_8SwzkIXpu4/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzMB65QittMa4-Vh-trAbVxTSpOb7GDGr_iD6ZXfJQSSI96V7tupbn8-P-yJ9F5MYZ_4xAQZBeZpL823HmXPuOTo-EjRDSL2LqIlfBfvUnS2JLH5m5-6Qp8luJR0BPvEw_8SwzkIXpu4/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+01.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<li>12 inch round wood (Any shape will do. It should be heavy enough and large enough that post will not be easily knocked over by your cat.)</li>
<li>1 empty, clean vegetable can</li>
<li>Approx. 75 feet of 1/4 inch Sisal rope</li>
<li>duct tape</li>
<li>liquid nails</li>
<li>5 screws (shorter than the depth of wood)</li>
<li>screwdriver</li>
<li>hammer</li>
<li>a nail</li>
<li>permanent marker</li>
<li>scissors</li>
<li>utility knife (not shown)</li>
<li>cardboard tube (The kind posters are mailed in)</li>
<li>piece of carpet (large enough to cover one side of your wood)</li>
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<i>Note: See that the tube barely fits over the can.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6E-AbsgK6TAvqKVMkF4XWvg2MjoutSTZgPhNhFc0g7s_G2ooscUbnqtfyCjSnl3x0pLMKp8L6HZNfzD9NIn5los78pR10fTyN85aup5ZHXSBjCLSOnVCmwAxB1NqnYZ8Ifaksg5otvI/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6E-AbsgK6TAvqKVMkF4XWvg2MjoutSTZgPhNhFc0g7s_G2ooscUbnqtfyCjSnl3x0pLMKp8L6HZNfzD9NIn5los78pR10fTyN85aup5ZHXSBjCLSOnVCmwAxB1NqnYZ8Ifaksg5otvI/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
1) With the marker, trace the shape of your wood piece onto the backside of your carpet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WxLzwuPGF5kHlzWhXam9-ApG1-wt8pWhKfRpGqnlyTfb0ae0WPmpR6fr2gOE1ygR1dcml2rDMG1OR69uhv3FFmSDV3QO4F3pSPS2edYVyeRjK0ICZhSqYWhtUdkeS5zTHChAxmWHw5U/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WxLzwuPGF5kHlzWhXam9-ApG1-wt8pWhKfRpGqnlyTfb0ae0WPmpR6fr2gOE1ygR1dcml2rDMG1OR69uhv3FFmSDV3QO4F3pSPS2edYVyeRjK0ICZhSqYWhtUdkeS5zTHChAxmWHw5U/s200/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+03.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new kitty wants to help!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX1tCCY2sfKACRPOIY1_7E9M08lDKOcZZSMSbi2AjTDY1saUb9S13wYXfm7LCyNBOEvCMKNg0DaVrGvmmyUrtiKKlnKIkBQMuOpOqLvYRHm_l9L0bDjD46ZSxqAMR1xv2U72BANX-fVA/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkX1tCCY2sfKACRPOIY1_7E9M08lDKOcZZSMSbi2AjTDY1saUb9S13wYXfm7LCyNBOEvCMKNg0DaVrGvmmyUrtiKKlnKIkBQMuOpOqLvYRHm_l9L0bDjD46ZSxqAMR1xv2U72BANX-fVA/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+05.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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2) Use the utility knife to cut through the carpet backing along the line. Then, use the scissors to completely cut out the circle.<br />
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3) Use liquid nails to glue the carpet to the wood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZNHcmbEgD4_FkY5BPNoQiZHl2LrnErhXSuaSAjTdGMfcVW7bsaku0OLHF0fp46_-3Pz0P8QzDY9S12aFVwb8XfsGiktA1BuMd_JAARBI5zYkmWrk0ZHktztB-7fCEb2uqdTTDsk2c_k/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkZNHcmbEgD4_FkY5BPNoQiZHl2LrnErhXSuaSAjTdGMfcVW7bsaku0OLHF0fp46_-3Pz0P8QzDY9S12aFVwb8XfsGiktA1BuMd_JAARBI5zYkmWrk0ZHktztB-7fCEb2uqdTTDsk2c_k/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+06.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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4) Use the nail and hammer to tap 3 holes into the bottom of the can as shown. This gives a guide for your screws, making it easier to place them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_bJ1vdHlMZNnpFMccipVWCQoDV1MnHBKrQWR8p7tGlqRDYwKa2l_pA55IeflVQsg_MAc5NsYnzeMTcp43M2y4ug4fsyoBWUoK1bPpHIp8_WRzCLFenksuO38x7kAid2ZbUFrr4V2dKY/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_bJ1vdHlMZNnpFMccipVWCQoDV1MnHBKrQWR8p7tGlqRDYwKa2l_pA55IeflVQsg_MAc5NsYnzeMTcp43M2y4ug4fsyoBWUoK1bPpHIp8_WRzCLFenksuO38x7kAid2ZbUFrr4V2dKY/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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5) Place the can, bottom down, in the center of the carpet side of your wood piece. Insert the screws, one at a time, into the nail holes and use the screwdriver to tighten them down into the wood.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHRnG2IKA7lHOmjTufW3KK9fBLoHMwSkE_TYOLyXHiQ6V1RuWNvmnbdolr7hrb22blHJOn696W37mAXbKbV1WdLqrqdrkoBf44cHnsgRGXMOFBOkWs0A_VJdOIRp3lREa9oTe9qiOqxo/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHRnG2IKA7lHOmjTufW3KK9fBLoHMwSkE_TYOLyXHiQ6V1RuWNvmnbdolr7hrb22blHJOn696W37mAXbKbV1WdLqrqdrkoBf44cHnsgRGXMOFBOkWs0A_VJdOIRp3lREa9oTe9qiOqxo/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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6) Place the tube over the can and secure it to the can with the remaining two screws.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0_IvQnrIFonTnWZYqNxuF6oXkc7NNLvATT5uBDXhwBBVnqxGRZDpg1bzGPD6WN-rlrXArMfmoN0m47LQ7O6A5JLw3bmYW4MP5MXpkssR-IWJWOEkHJYcgXYfQp2Wh0k9CTIvxRt0VNw/s1600/securedownload.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0_IvQnrIFonTnWZYqNxuF6oXkc7NNLvATT5uBDXhwBBVnqxGRZDpg1bzGPD6WN-rlrXArMfmoN0m47LQ7O6A5JLw3bmYW4MP5MXpkssR-IWJWOEkHJYcgXYfQp2Wh0k9CTIvxRt0VNw/s320/securedownload.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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7) Rather generously coat the outside of the tube with liquid nails. Starting at the bottom, wind the sisal rope around the tube until you reach the top. Secure the end with a piece of tape until the glue dries (about 30 minutes.)<br />
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I found it easiest to hang the edge of my wood off the table and turn the wood with one hand while placing the rope with the other. If you put the rope on the floor, it will unravel itself nicely as you turn the wood. Every few rows, I stopped and pushed the rows tighter together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMXgFTg0iY629xrgTTmwKMnhJlN3Px8waINWIpPSIO_B2oxOpvoAkMkhXLxC15IdNFCIDCbkRZFfJ8iV_dj0t6gcyOApcQKPvahSy78CTKPnL32IFMAp79EdUNgFE05BnRKVOvp3wg0c/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMXgFTg0iY629xrgTTmwKMnhJlN3Px8waINWIpPSIO_B2oxOpvoAkMkhXLxC15IdNFCIDCbkRZFfJ8iV_dj0t6gcyOApcQKPvahSy78CTKPnL32IFMAp79EdUNgFE05BnRKVOvp3wg0c/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+08.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEZ8mnI36p8AE87FLUrPJF3ifjDdsgSqT5vkumPyCoTcf-0moEf1-8vcrCZZGf0AAkdcGAnvFcSSgqlgzNREdNWLfQJqDOcbZ9fZq2VfcDK_iK2ZwMw5PzKT5OKTlsPeFaj-QorkpV44/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEZ8mnI36p8AE87FLUrPJF3ifjDdsgSqT5vkumPyCoTcf-0moEf1-8vcrCZZGf0AAkdcGAnvFcSSgqlgzNREdNWLfQJqDOcbZ9fZq2VfcDK_iK2ZwMw5PzKT5OKTlsPeFaj-QorkpV44/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+07.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't buy enough rope and had to stop mid project!</td></tr>
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8) Replace the cap on the open end of the tube. I decided to hang a toy by catching the string inside the cap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGiQsDnTMZj6ks8x-qeBr0RvC3O0eDgYa7kMcPipSSfHI-aT159PPSsPTFkntdNbfWyQwaAdJNZTZy-hfpMthNKl0JM2Ob20vvvCVzuq7UyjWFIy1epRn1g4bHmdcEYI8Za8Loo4cvdY/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGiQsDnTMZj6ks8x-qeBr0RvC3O0eDgYa7kMcPipSSfHI-aT159PPSsPTFkntdNbfWyQwaAdJNZTZy-hfpMthNKl0JM2Ob20vvvCVzuq7UyjWFIy1epRn1g4bHmdcEYI8Za8Loo4cvdY/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She likes it!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhrc1IrEj4enef7kQ_V4CKC5a8IhErj3a8yUKZw_0Pon6InU6X5vXofAD4jStzAVXcuhBbZy5dbXKfiZrSry10ZhNS56RjDAh_gCn1nIGlWv_fOjN45pOPHsu-UYIVTxtN6dPyzgF-K8/s1600/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhrc1IrEj4enef7kQ_V4CKC5a8IhErj3a8yUKZw_0Pon6InU6X5vXofAD4jStzAVXcuhBbZy5dbXKfiZrSry10ZhNS56RjDAh_gCn1nIGlWv_fOjN45pOPHsu-UYIVTxtN6dPyzgF-K8/s320/Cat+Scratch+Post+-+13.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-2583846315691921792012-11-10T16:50:00.000-05:002012-11-10T16:55:16.407-05:00Westerville; A City Within A Park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5vM-4jpwb-0qKVS49eXy5KrIwtXibFpBUESHEzgjowXgwzbsbm-jJFzm1judElRs1YYW-sIC0WgIL6vy635posdFwJKJ8Um19uyfVWvsHPXL7fgaX4feLRu9mUCib3MNXtaE9odgy70/s1600/IMGP2176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf5vM-4jpwb-0qKVS49eXy5KrIwtXibFpBUESHEzgjowXgwzbsbm-jJFzm1judElRs1YYW-sIC0WgIL6vy635posdFwJKJ8Um19uyfVWvsHPXL7fgaX4feLRu9mUCib3MNXtaE9odgy70/s400/IMGP2176.JPG" width="178" /></a> I've been in my new home for a month now. I thought it was time I checked out the bike/ walking trail that passes right by my home. One of the things I've missed since leaving Middleville, was the beautiful walk along the West Canada Creek. Walking there was not a chore, but an enjoyable experience in nature! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjGSq6rhuNL90U48_V2pnGk9f5DgRPsR5xhyphenhyphenzyEdWYBSiNeGNVmkpnE88oUuYkDRsTRC3gm4pH2ILVZfPLgFQT-AytmHheLb8zRkwB2zBkRgIG5DH3QUx5BXbS0Vfp_XhzovqKp9Jmeo/s1600/IMGP2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjGSq6rhuNL90U48_V2pnGk9f5DgRPsR5xhyphenhyphenzyEdWYBSiNeGNVmkpnE88oUuYkDRsTRC3gm4pH2ILVZfPLgFQT-AytmHheLb8zRkwB2zBkRgIG5DH3QUx5BXbS0Vfp_XhzovqKp9Jmeo/s320/IMGP2181.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
So, I decided to see what this trail across the street was about. I was thinking that I'd walk for about 30 minutes, then head back home, making it an hour round trip. Within minutes I found myself feeling very HAPPY! The trail runs along Alum Creek and is surrounded by trees and nature! Even now, with most of the leaves gone and the colors muted by the oncoming Winter, it was beautiful. There were many varieties of birds to see and I noticed wren houses placed throughout the trail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJkDE3QX5l2QumeTi7iYAYTTPiH5vZIfgHpUEDdJCo5z0eTf1ErnmIbb2gmQaX-7eDKrVNYemOGjT1z1ZAJHsmz0lwcFWM8UpZ1b6O0OW7-r11Gq30tl3s4F8rDycEhoTefdGcBe9e6k/s1600/photo-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJkDE3QX5l2QumeTi7iYAYTTPiH5vZIfgHpUEDdJCo5z0eTf1ErnmIbb2gmQaX-7eDKrVNYemOGjT1z1ZAJHsmz0lwcFWM8UpZ1b6O0OW7-r11Gq30tl3s4F8rDycEhoTefdGcBe9e6k/s320/photo-8.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUR34LAzvrcbVrm3dafEMJq6Pg6CpA4PMIKSKbHJJI8Ih-A9Dl_qbsQmUN7a8PZbY0kV6JHSYN3UaUMUTb9kHQ6qb95LNDoPltygKU9dWhXvXcepFOUNRPKBySWdd_S-XTPKsIhhUc-U/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuUR34LAzvrcbVrm3dafEMJq6Pg6CpA4PMIKSKbHJJI8Ih-A9Dl_qbsQmUN7a8PZbY0kV6JHSYN3UaUMUTb9kHQ6qb95LNDoPltygKU9dWhXvXcepFOUNRPKBySWdd_S-XTPKsIhhUc-U/s320/photo-10.JPG" width="320" /></a>Another fun thing is all the choices!! I won't have to take the same path every time I walk. There are many directions to choose from and even some "pedestrian only" paths which I did check out today. It seemed that each time I came around a bend, I wanted to walk just a bit further to see what was up ahead! The trail went under overpasses, over water, through woods and fields and led to various parks, streets and even gardens. I just wanted to keep going! Of course, I realized that the further I went, the more walking it would take to get home. I forced myself to turn around and go back. About a mile from home, my hips began to complain... when I arrived, they were screaming at me! It's funny how a little pain is worth it when you're having so much fun!<br />
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With 26 miles of trails in Westerville alone, I may need to get a bike!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuM6yW8cTsqfzLA1ONOABlOSV9zvOwIxVnAcQNMTmEJk30bVlu1n9s1Pesu-g6-FAb4ClSK_YyM-bQc8LejfHGOIQS8DmYu6q8joBzPu6eUID9kuEME2bo1abW0oUNSXUamtelxFPkv0/s1600/IMGP2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuM6yW8cTsqfzLA1ONOABlOSV9zvOwIxVnAcQNMTmEJk30bVlu1n9s1Pesu-g6-FAb4ClSK_YyM-bQc8LejfHGOIQS8DmYu6q8joBzPu6eUID9kuEME2bo1abW0oUNSXUamtelxFPkv0/s400/IMGP2191.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black walnuts that I don't have to clean up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGUs7ijgmLoXpqk7PnUKKTdPo9qVy4bALmT9J1H5KI_CESFvxnM7lwtlYu1O81ZBsVbYEr60ecoScIB1JbGAkfIU203akydcqiGofLWoQcPVy9-vTyL4dgvXCRSrBNudTNv4_-i2MhHU/s1600/photo-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGUs7ijgmLoXpqk7PnUKKTdPo9qVy4bALmT9J1H5KI_CESFvxnM7lwtlYu1O81ZBsVbYEr60ecoScIB1JbGAkfIU203akydcqiGofLWoQcPVy9-vTyL4dgvXCRSrBNudTNv4_-i2MhHU/s400/photo-11.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My entrance to the path.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm4kASRjf5D-u0CViUv_zR3A8Lme3sbKliolY7BYAoB82u-ctWWeq67UJh4UZq4sA4fWVuufpBJ08pGGQhl4seu_1M9uyrFhZLCpqnv3apVYNweTRbZ1FYhmy1gTTBduuSRZ9NC-QgIs/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigm4kASRjf5D-u0CViUv_zR3A8Lme3sbKliolY7BYAoB82u-ctWWeq67UJh4UZq4sA4fWVuufpBJ08pGGQhl4seu_1M9uyrFhZLCpqnv3apVYNweTRbZ1FYhmy1gTTBduuSRZ9NC-QgIs/s640/photo-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stone "benches" if I need to rest.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUStk0kRRs4RjFDvYp5sXi1nF_jadfWNpXBGiWF9qmo-k9nl9R9dz06h_VhZzn2iDdHDg0jD2BC3FrJmJhMBe9WTh0_9leisxIsVkj79WsKTDfA7_y9OPOHUNg6mplZ0egJMwGsu3imQ/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYUStk0kRRs4RjFDvYp5sXi1nF_jadfWNpXBGiWF9qmo-k9nl9R9dz06h_VhZzn2iDdHDg0jD2BC3FrJmJhMBe9WTh0_9leisxIsVkj79WsKTDfA7_y9OPOHUNg6mplZ0egJMwGsu3imQ/s400/photo-4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSrkL0cGsbdZnsQ_8FVYh7BfkBdWEdbM0ZjvW4CHMhShjfi37fq8soobvp1la5IYFfPAZzmSY0couXcSJVaU4ZR3rt41P35bHX9NRS09V32o0OsmGsW6Bn2Pwlt_PsNyWXDiHOeRhB1E/s1600/photo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSrkL0cGsbdZnsQ_8FVYh7BfkBdWEdbM0ZjvW4CHMhShjfi37fq8soobvp1la5IYFfPAZzmSY0couXcSJVaU4ZR3rt41P35bHX9NRS09V32o0OsmGsW6Bn2Pwlt_PsNyWXDiHOeRhB1E/s400/photo-5.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paths go under and over bridges!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FM1tRGd1DOC1Ur1u9fHSI-LYYL9DJg8SpVOCgpoC55CaYRT0CKQRLdU19eIQf9MMnZSe2eJoFh2fzYZoqbIuDntR_Y4UEWKYOQGgw1KjFt7OdgoVKGn50e399tanfw08Y8rUzO0AndE/s1600/photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FM1tRGd1DOC1Ur1u9fHSI-LYYL9DJg8SpVOCgpoC55CaYRT0CKQRLdU19eIQf9MMnZSe2eJoFh2fzYZoqbIuDntR_Y4UEWKYOQGgw1KjFt7OdgoVKGn50e399tanfw08Y8rUzO0AndE/s400/photo-7.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a lot of white birch trees.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4dAB55kotgPGLT8FZgG9EOI9UX-LBQkgKES7ojLbIHfck_6Z7o2ccxdNva1JCCeIx1xPJ6G-byuLrrrVtoncekSViAwlylTBSB5znwfmirmvGL7gvCSBwxB_ly5zmgvnyqsR5LXIYbM/s1600/photo-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4dAB55kotgPGLT8FZgG9EOI9UX-LBQkgKES7ojLbIHfck_6Z7o2ccxdNva1JCCeIx1xPJ6G-byuLrrrVtoncekSViAwlylTBSB5znwfmirmvGL7gvCSBwxB_ly5zmgvnyqsR5LXIYbM/s400/photo-9.jpg" width="298" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-19190353300384068092011-06-14T21:15:00.001-04:002011-06-16T09:37:02.270-04:00Rest in Peace, Sweet Jessie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wNatbB1QIeyXPab9nlW8e4YaQPJB6bSGWvHFv7K2v6KMTxjk2yk37hYD94vt22lWiYCRTeRUv_kUp9dkVvO-MDaNLP9RLT8pdldTKJG5Jrzmf2BbqyvFLmOrSqtBVWYQ88HZCJ2nXuk/s1600/P1040076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wNatbB1QIeyXPab9nlW8e4YaQPJB6bSGWvHFv7K2v6KMTxjk2yk37hYD94vt22lWiYCRTeRUv_kUp9dkVvO-MDaNLP9RLT8pdldTKJG5Jrzmf2BbqyvFLmOrSqtBVWYQ88HZCJ2nXuk/s320/P1040076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My sweet Jessie passed away on Thursday, June 9, 2011. I was able to be there with her as she slipped peacefully through the veil leaving behind her frailty, pain and suffering. I will always count Jessie as one of the greatest blessings ever bestowed upon my family.<br />
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</div><div>She came to us at a very sad time, when my children needed someone to love and someone to love them as well as fill a void. My wonderful mother arrived at our home in Ohio with two adorable puppies! She said she bought them both and wanted us to have one. They were a boy and a girl from the same litter of boxer/pit puppies. The children chose the girl and named her Jessie.</div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-oqG-0BBgBDayyfZ_lyoUsunoWESRM8LnqgsSnI58TU-40EDGQFrvlutIwWwPjxCgxG3Knx7M1ieTtswOnTeOIeFQbDAgKS-N1D7U74IjkDsJPzlqasBVgLOIofYEFFA8CSHpzmsZnE/s1600/Jessie+pics+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-oqG-0BBgBDayyfZ_lyoUsunoWESRM8LnqgsSnI58TU-40EDGQFrvlutIwWwPjxCgxG3Knx7M1ieTtswOnTeOIeFQbDAgKS-N1D7U74IjkDsJPzlqasBVgLOIofYEFFA8CSHpzmsZnE/s200/Jessie+pics+005.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught on the bed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In her youth, Jessie was a playful and energetic puppy. I know she gave my children many hours of playfulness and so very much love. I had strict rules for her: No table food. No jumping up on the furniture. No sleeping on the beds. I know that Jessie convinced the children to allow all of those things when I wasn't looking!</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaiCXojkr58VVtB0k386UmUKVnb0tCb9cFKW8730UKXj-K4aiLDNRmHxKN_i4A0zZHfha6XFHogLGHzIkS3hHLDij9OewObeyKMB599K7uSed2rGbvoJP2fSxSAD8vKad97T4VSrbQBI/s1600/232323232%257Ffp43239%253Enu%253D3236%253E288%253E7%253B8%253EWSNRCG%253D3232%253C733%253C48-7nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaiCXojkr58VVtB0k386UmUKVnb0tCb9cFKW8730UKXj-K4aiLDNRmHxKN_i4A0zZHfha6XFHogLGHzIkS3hHLDij9OewObeyKMB599K7uSed2rGbvoJP2fSxSAD8vKad97T4VSrbQBI/s200/232323232%257Ffp43239%253Enu%253D3236%253E288%253E7%253B8%253EWSNRCG%253D3232%253C733%253C48-7nu0mrj.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_vmRtdGfplA54CgRaLrPJsshWjP4oTdyb4WG8rzXHKiKSjQi0CAnjNtHpXd3-WUdJ4TmnnPiEPmmQr2AZOeCRlVmkeG1cpZYCbaHlTCxeG0rPKx4yJlRasZtXE44NOGByyh2ZJE00gU/s1600/232323232%257Ffp43236%253Enu%253D3236%253E288%253E7%253B8%253EWSNRCG%253D3232%253C733%253C48%253B-nu0mrj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_vmRtdGfplA54CgRaLrPJsshWjP4oTdyb4WG8rzXHKiKSjQi0CAnjNtHpXd3-WUdJ4TmnnPiEPmmQr2AZOeCRlVmkeG1cpZYCbaHlTCxeG0rPKx4yJlRasZtXE44NOGByyh2ZJE00gU/s200/232323232%257Ffp43236%253Enu%253D3236%253E288%253E7%253B8%253EWSNRCG%253D3232%253C733%253C48%253B-nu0mrj.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the Adirondacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<br />
</div><div>Even as she grew older, Jessie loved to play and romp, especially outside. We used to go for long walks along the West Canada Creek. She enjoyed running through the trees and tall grass and sniffing the ground as any good dog does. She always left cats alone and completely ignored other dogs. But, when it came to birds.... they were a temptation beyond resistance! One time, on a walk, we passed a small farm. Jessie took off running toward a flock of chickens. Before she could be caught, she made it into the hen house where she was dragged out with feathers in her mouth! Thereafter, she was dubbed the "Chicken-Chaser!"</div><div><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfaLe6RXa20S1axiO650pJtlVJmvQmZoWaOfDbyycrh6kGao6u0NgZo0vSrvGKvY-G_scIUN6zRZkD-uw1CK2dhZXZsoHYnVAgG7iHqJaRlno9t9p8Q-bb8j5wT8g5xCaB6TW-n5CLyA/s1600/DSC02648_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfaLe6RXa20S1axiO650pJtlVJmvQmZoWaOfDbyycrh6kGao6u0NgZo0vSrvGKvY-G_scIUN6zRZkD-uw1CK2dhZXZsoHYnVAgG7iHqJaRlno9t9p8Q-bb8j5wT8g5xCaB6TW-n5CLyA/s200/DSC02648_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie and Ben</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsvKYd9JD_yNuP5k-KOwppLkkD4TFo9kEN53uNI0iSn2pEbEO3DJ3z66LIYAppDjy59IRDixQCp-8WEeOqInq8kjlP_k97keC12PjUyUc24SuJzG-TY9cQeOyWtvrfMaOwZbWV207P_g/s1600/DSC02866_2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsvKYd9JD_yNuP5k-KOwppLkkD4TFo9kEN53uNI0iSn2pEbEO3DJ3z66LIYAppDjy59IRDixQCp-8WEeOqInq8kjlP_k97keC12PjUyUc24SuJzG-TY9cQeOyWtvrfMaOwZbWV207P_g/s200/DSC02866_2_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessie with her best pal, Butter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>She was also loyal and loving. Jessie absolutely HATED water! Bathing her was a huge challenge. She never, ever went swimming. She even walked around puddles. She loved a wild, rambunctious pup named Butter. Being a Lab, Butter loved water and often jumped in the West Canada for a swim. Jessie would not even get close to the edge. One day, the current was too strong and Butter was having a difficult time getting back to shore. Jessie saw her struggling and actually came down to the water and stood with both front paws in while we tried to reach out and pull Butter to safety. Once on dry ground, Jessie ran after Butter growling and barking at her in such a way that we just knew she was giving Butter a good scolding!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYIG1PknMulXgFBA0H8zTQ4qlro5Vf7dMXVAfkiLN_UY938fBdt6fUMob-5Ex53S1_btA2lStFsEpVBnqFcxmCsERQtwX9I_H9OXLfBsXtuCB4HCLoKmWif2tiz5W28bdtBgVGB2aEbk/s1600/0128112202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYIG1PknMulXgFBA0H8zTQ4qlro5Vf7dMXVAfkiLN_UY938fBdt6fUMob-5Ex53S1_btA2lStFsEpVBnqFcxmCsERQtwX9I_H9OXLfBsXtuCB4HCLoKmWif2tiz5W28bdtBgVGB2aEbk/s200/0128112202.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the sweater I made her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10xecdWoQYBucSmnh-vzUIIt0UBgazcfxSoq-UFBZKBPXxrecdBa8U6KhyphenhyphenrKJAg4tFWhu5YhyphenhyphenWxIqw-wa2gsqap-gv2PpOfBDoTTQto1MiFqbNPFZGZJ_xOp4IxtkIM-DQ5z2YmnyGNo/s1600/P1040073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10xecdWoQYBucSmnh-vzUIIt0UBgazcfxSoq-UFBZKBPXxrecdBa8U6KhyphenhyphenrKJAg4tFWhu5YhyphenhyphenWxIqw-wa2gsqap-gv2PpOfBDoTTQto1MiFqbNPFZGZJ_xOp4IxtkIM-DQ5z2YmnyGNo/s200/P1040073.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She REALLY hated her picture taken!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although she didn't have puppies of her own, she was a nurturing and protective mother. One night, my teenage children decided to sneak out for an adventure in the middle of the night. Jessie stood at my bedside whining until I got up to let her out. Once I opened the door, she refused to go out. She just looked at me and whined. I finally woke up enough to realize she was trying to tell me something was wrong. I went to check on the children and... well, they were gone.... BUSTED!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQefcoMv4MDOo_g-w3hFP8SA0kDFY3qM8fPOkO93THK6PSkKvqCiNO6ww_uiLP4xszTsRTDe5i2HuqoDd3MM6Ij8h-ZpA8LKPa9yC5JqDTKJE_VInpTR74DYBJQTbYRah8kE4HIm2duLY/s1600/24225_1256144288489_1376042180_30607914_1081388_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQefcoMv4MDOo_g-w3hFP8SA0kDFY3qM8fPOkO93THK6PSkKvqCiNO6ww_uiLP4xszTsRTDe5i2HuqoDd3MM6Ij8h-ZpA8LKPa9yC5JqDTKJE_VInpTR74DYBJQTbYRah8kE4HIm2duLY/s320/24225_1256144288489_1376042180_30607914_1081388_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In our favorite place on the West Canada.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15jlwjSUtZu9M6f22fj9PKhTnOz21GXLxcL6zy7bEWNOjj543Pq1iOyglAXSrf4_cwNO8Yr0pstYA_aiJbLgBwmehgY7HZWrxMz27A3nWWzd71Cv4chknltSuRW4rRdl_NrAdUr-tc2g/s1600/Jessie+pics+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15jlwjSUtZu9M6f22fj9PKhTnOz21GXLxcL6zy7bEWNOjj543Pq1iOyglAXSrf4_cwNO8Yr0pstYA_aiJbLgBwmehgY7HZWrxMz27A3nWWzd71Cv4chknltSuRW4rRdl_NrAdUr-tc2g/s200/Jessie+pics+007.jpg" width="200" /></a>In our last days together, she was my only companion, faithful and loyal. She slept by my bed, laid at my feet and walked by my side. Although she became weak and tired easily, she made every effort to continue to be the loving companion she's always been. She's been sick for a long time now, but just kept going. Finally, she just could not continue... she stopped eating and I knew that I had to do a most difficult thing. Because I love her, because she does not deserve to suffer even for a second, because she would not choose it on her own.... I made the choice to give her peace and rest. I think that my mother, who gave her to us and my father, who was a dog lover, met her on the other side. Now, she has a Heavenly home with them where she once again romps and plays in the grass and chases chickens to her heart's content.<br />
<br />
Rest in peace, my sweet Jessie. <i><b>You have perfectly fulfilled the great measure of your creation.</b></i> I will see you on the other side.....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3V1VDMLUXSWxEt0jW_mztsqXXZ3_MiL9_rmyWmhGJkuER3QSdDyRxGqZagOK9cAaotHsQVElH8iQBNUnK5BApJRCJYD35x7g978xldn8f5We4bZnmszAIU-XiYR3NGlai4gXHkrmlG4/s1600/25775_1239781279424_1376042180_30572591_3450513_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3V1VDMLUXSWxEt0jW_mztsqXXZ3_MiL9_rmyWmhGJkuER3QSdDyRxGqZagOK9cAaotHsQVElH8iQBNUnK5BApJRCJYD35x7g978xldn8f5We4bZnmszAIU-XiYR3NGlai4gXHkrmlG4/s320/25775_1239781279424_1376042180_30572591_3450513_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>April 14, 1996 - June 9, 2011</b></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-39251975247460486412011-04-27T21:31:00.000-04:002011-04-27T21:31:37.297-04:00All Things Yellow...<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Finally, Spring has arrived! At dusk, this evening, I went for a long walk and couldn't help noticing all the wonderful </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>yellow</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> adding brightness to my new little town!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrB_zdg1Asl3lRhFYR0vxOdX2WysTjJoWDf72mKjqvK530uSLqU_HwVnxGDP5CfY0o200PJswFot21f2PW0KTbWf0Ejkq39tlHvV5Z_EzwCOCR9n6Q_ppullmvowHXch0Bmnk0KS4XSA/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrB_zdg1Asl3lRhFYR0vxOdX2WysTjJoWDf72mKjqvK530uSLqU_HwVnxGDP5CfY0o200PJswFot21f2PW0KTbWf0Ejkq39tlHvV5Z_EzwCOCR9n6Q_ppullmvowHXch0Bmnk0KS4XSA/s200/IMG_0015.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n8s-edbn0M0rppOzAIM8AylrRVoPjZ7MWDI3ZrxBhVfK6hZC6rIRBiu8MjH5Jrrstqc5kZcHXJhsguo91j0YcQXUtHHptWRa3MqtRhBoWCGuxy6JYRgtwHI0MQ4HnGzEI440nd8LJbQ/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n8s-edbn0M0rppOzAIM8AylrRVoPjZ7MWDI3ZrxBhVfK6hZC6rIRBiu8MjH5Jrrstqc5kZcHXJhsguo91j0YcQXUtHHptWRa3MqtRhBoWCGuxy6JYRgtwHI0MQ4HnGzEI440nd8LJbQ/s200/IMG_0010.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxkLQZFdQ1VlZLn16A8vJswzLYa_ReDD9S9YVDzgD-Q4DuFmGarLH9ncsQIoobAGwrIy8nocs_r_w779pOrYdx045C8f5WGJW2F1Vfnk7UnXQpZavX0d91MtzkFaJhI1T4Gb5UbLnSJc/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxkLQZFdQ1VlZLn16A8vJswzLYa_ReDD9S9YVDzgD-Q4DuFmGarLH9ncsQIoobAGwrIy8nocs_r_w779pOrYdx045C8f5WGJW2F1Vfnk7UnXQpZavX0d91MtzkFaJhI1T4Gb5UbLnSJc/s320/IMG_0017.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZrdWKp3lZRjlQfCE8h2yr3iaZuJPBTNpb5jDYQBIc7q4NCzL1N4rlpNexdmtCqhuBuHy7UAtr2XutO82DgLsQCmTENbpMXKw9ob5wHeHSeOB-DdJEyD3goCd7unAqk144CcjO1P5uf8/s1600/IMG_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZrdWKp3lZRjlQfCE8h2yr3iaZuJPBTNpb5jDYQBIc7q4NCzL1N4rlpNexdmtCqhuBuHy7UAtr2XutO82DgLsQCmTENbpMXKw9ob5wHeHSeOB-DdJEyD3goCd7unAqk144CcjO1P5uf8/s320/IMG_0044.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvX-K3DEjlNi0zezHAOeXkfpfIzml9OhTV_TO21Jup2pPSD1Oc4ZhSTYNna7RmMuu6jeE6tooHY92eNlYnKDKjZtoMXCa7Cxk94d18q0Ic7Mcca77M4VDmOSXGsFV00K23fy0opZS4WY/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbvX-K3DEjlNi0zezHAOeXkfpfIzml9OhTV_TO21Jup2pPSD1Oc4ZhSTYNna7RmMuu6jeE6tooHY92eNlYnKDKjZtoMXCa7Cxk94d18q0Ic7Mcca77M4VDmOSXGsFV00K23fy0opZS4WY/s200/IMG_0039.jpg" width="149" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFESTLnUcG0eB0ykJG60GE7d03tdwy4rsLuGgUuWl7_-GpHb5aF5GWOyzucdLDilC7RMus8IAxRNa-6NVafgqxYESHVC6GUFMoTicQtH6GH56nDGnQM5vByORVL-zrKYgqy1sQnszAR4/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFESTLnUcG0eB0ykJG60GE7d03tdwy4rsLuGgUuWl7_-GpHb5aF5GWOyzucdLDilC7RMus8IAxRNa-6NVafgqxYESHVC6GUFMoTicQtH6GH56nDGnQM5vByORVL-zrKYgqy1sQnszAR4/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFESTLnUcG0eB0ykJG60GE7d03tdwy4rsLuGgUuWl7_-GpHb5aF5GWOyzucdLDilC7RMus8IAxRNa-6NVafgqxYESHVC6GUFMoTicQtH6GH56nDGnQM5vByORVL-zrKYgqy1sQnszAR4/s200/IMG_0052.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIFESTLnUcG0eB0ykJG60GE7d03tdwy4rsLuGgUuWl7_-GpHb5aF5GWOyzucdLDilC7RMus8IAxRNa-6NVafgqxYESHVC6GUFMoTicQtH6GH56nDGnQM5vByORVL-zrKYgqy1sQnszAR4/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Loved watching the firemen during an exercise! The fact they were in yellow made me smile.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MTjrAQFxXAX9y6qdPjw-69h6DZbB9bfhirAy13Q2K07FL72gDjYz02Ennjn2mA0N_Ph3jEoWi6jjz3HSnJ-Pl4nZhpIcB5YgSGy4V3mSLMa2wsUMNeKVoXvYfMrv3cHTtdSUenNPBSY/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MTjrAQFxXAX9y6qdPjw-69h6DZbB9bfhirAy13Q2K07FL72gDjYz02Ennjn2mA0N_Ph3jEoWi6jjz3HSnJ-Pl4nZhpIcB5YgSGy4V3mSLMa2wsUMNeKVoXvYfMrv3cHTtdSUenNPBSY/s320/IMG_0047.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iZJi8VK-QdUNbpuE3W_16yvESgScJFi1nvDf71F6cPRUvtc4ukY8nNqvMyVXgmxpH_OUVsGaD1PbXw3GKcstjXGyt8LUmNCxIWjYoL5NSuxVDSHYyF423bH3mIklghfL2Rp1AoS3oGk/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iZJi8VK-QdUNbpuE3W_16yvESgScJFi1nvDf71F6cPRUvtc4ukY8nNqvMyVXgmxpH_OUVsGaD1PbXw3GKcstjXGyt8LUmNCxIWjYoL5NSuxVDSHYyF423bH3mIklghfL2Rp1AoS3oGk/s320/IMG_0046.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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<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/AVvXsEg6P1y_2Lyy7pVRV_uZaWiP2_vKGRHx6bweusdReqJsVo2gDYnUhHdpgcTik1de1itX3q_CTuVukWyMlr2CstQ-bkrtIDedtjbehaXQxkFxMsF0RqoJP1kLFOrYHrV-nEij3-lVvE0n-QM/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P1y_2Lyy7pVRV_uZaWiP2_vKGRHx6bweusdReqJsVo2gDYnUhHdpgcTik1de1itX3q_CTuVukWyMlr2CstQ-bkrtIDedtjbehaXQxkFxMsF0RqoJP1kLFOrYHrV-nEij3-lVvE0n-QM/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" width="266" /></a></div> I had today off and enjoyed the warmth. My mood is so much brighter! There is hope for Summer after all!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-5209174685813583332010-10-15T08:25:00.002-04:002010-10-15T08:43:41.876-04:00Growing Things...I've spent a few minutes reading some of my own posts on all 3 of my blogs! I've decided that blogging is a really good thing. It's very much like journalling. It's good for the soul, I think. I can look back and see where I've been and how far I've come.<br />
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My last post on this blog was about how I would not be having a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">garden</span></span> this year. I didn't. I was in Indonesia and Timor Leste all Summer! Wow! That was a fantastic experience! Does that mean I did not <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;">grow</span></span> anything? NOPE!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YGw801VpN_NX_4cfE_vrbjtm_BDUdF9oHHIOc_gb6ZUwYB6Q8e25JybCtO12Hye5PJslQVyamYgdQDCYmXflr2J1me55mPZt4Gtg9_8R4-aQ_TRDmY_398EfFdkILjqUF-rzQQ0GJmg/s1600/Service.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YGw801VpN_NX_4cfE_vrbjtm_BDUdF9oHHIOc_gb6ZUwYB6Q8e25JybCtO12Hye5PJslQVyamYgdQDCYmXflr2J1me55mPZt4Gtg9_8R4-aQ_TRDmY_398EfFdkILjqUF-rzQQ0GJmg/s320/Service.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I grew <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">healing</span></span>, in my heart. Getting away from the one causing the harm was key. The first thing you do with a wound is stop the bleeding. Being completely away from my usual environment was such a good thing, in so many ways... it's hard to explain, but it got me out of myself. The world suddenly seemed bigger and more vast, which gave me <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">hope</span> and a desire to explore it! Then, add <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">service</span> to the mix and the healing power increases exponentially! I'm pretty sure that the power of service does not need to be explained to anyone who has served another. Immersing myself, for an entire Summer, in service was the most healing thing I could have done and I will never regret it.<br />
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I grew <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">faith</span></span>. Funny thing about faith... you have to use it to have it. You must exercise it to grow it. I had no idea why I was going on my "mini mission" but I knew I was meant to go. It was hard to leave my family for so long, live with a 1000 complete strangers, and travel to a place where I did not understand the language or the culture to do a job that I had no idea what it would be before I got there. I sensed that my purpose in going was for my own healing, but I did not understand how that would happen. I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #45818e;">trusted</span>. It worked! I can't even tell you now, how that healing happened. There was not one moment of epiphany, not one great witness of a miracle, not one big spiritual revelation..... Instead, there were hundreds of tiny moments of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">joy</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">awe</span>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">humility</span>,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">surprise</span> and witnesses of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Spirit</span>. Little by little, Heavenly Father whittled away the hard shell of anger and bitterness I had developed as a protection. Then, he drizzled on me, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">love and kindness</span>, like the salty mist of the sea cools the heat in a Pacific storm.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz7fx5TUye5TEl8IQJmGzkgUTOOiBWx0oBk0Nxbcqme_PC6l_2NRzDFxNAORGgMBZhh_A8qmAzipPf8OGkaEsV7F0vUh2LYzVy0e1ozZoMSWA7v233gNAHJmhmsky-SOMbbhGyekLgLo/s1600/Pacific+Storm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifz7fx5TUye5TEl8IQJmGzkgUTOOiBWx0oBk0Nxbcqme_PC6l_2NRzDFxNAORGgMBZhh_A8qmAzipPf8OGkaEsV7F0vUh2LYzVy0e1ozZoMSWA7v233gNAHJmhmsky-SOMbbhGyekLgLo/s400/Pacific+Storm.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this from the ship, on the way to Guam.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I grew my<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">testimony</span></span>. I was privileged to work and live with the most amazing Latter-Day Saints! Every night, we gathered for a devotional where I was honored to listen to their strong testimonies and the inspiring thoughts that had come to them while serving on the USNS Mercy. As I learned of their lives of struggle and hardship, I realized that the trials of life are not any easier on some than others. We all must endure things that are tailored to try us where we need strength. It is in the choosing that determines what happens to us. Two people can have the same struggle and one end up bitter and miserable, while the other ends up <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">stronger</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">enlightened</span>. It is not the trial that did it... it is how we chose to deal with that trial. I met so many who were choosing to become like God, following His example. I saw the results of those choices and I want to be like them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAp-cfwpWFwim128OSPKguyiO5It8-CSVmtiDKlWhuW4o50MHN_fbk4UJK2L6VUV0jIUjTCt_4FCId7jNi9fDObv0njRIZKR3ArWZ2i5maNlfIdkX0Ip08uuSQEpU1hglc5xfsWOqPWk/s1600/Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAp-cfwpWFwim128OSPKguyiO5It8-CSVmtiDKlWhuW4o50MHN_fbk4UJK2L6VUV0jIUjTCt_4FCId7jNi9fDObv0njRIZKR3ArWZ2i5maNlfIdkX0Ip08uuSQEpU1hglc5xfsWOqPWk/s320/Friends.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my examples....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I grew friends. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I grew love.</span> I grew compassion. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I grew thankfulness.</span> <br />
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I grew closer to my <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7;">Savior</span></span>..... to Him, I give thanks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-70307383440598912282010-05-26T09:45:00.000-04:002010-05-26T09:45:25.806-04:00Growing Strawberry/Rhubarb Pie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">plant</span> anything in my yard this year. I'm not going to have a garden. The wonderful thing is that I still get to enjoy some things I've <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">planted</span> in the past.... asparagus, chives, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">mint</span>, onions, etc. Soon, I'll be enjoying the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">strawberries</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">rhubarb</span>, together, in a pie! <b>Y</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>UM!</b></span></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/AVvXsEjXSFbvDwv99MG0PtJzmtEHKNspO7J2hB963FUXhgE_LP_AJDVbNErQBp8U64wREJJfZ_NBZ7mP1wN9fVZpPU2vIqEi5q_tzkE4jxxHTeeu_dejRum0d4kvhHIoCKZU0n0k01Ez5fRJy2A/s1600/DSC00173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSFbvDwv99MG0PtJzmtEHKNspO7J2hB963FUXhgE_LP_AJDVbNErQBp8U64wREJJfZ_NBZ7mP1wN9fVZpPU2vIqEi5q_tzkE4jxxHTeeu_dejRum0d4kvhHIoCKZU0n0k01Ez5fRJy2A/s320/DSC00173.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Strawberries are <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>blooming</b></span> nicely!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeJD7yuRdPNESFnrXI5R0xmJMjqDrKQpG2Cy-unkVyRvxwaUyHFLejd9-fQ5jV2bKklK6IOzeHTAIowd-yuzxo42CxQVjsLXOw_m69Pg5EB4MNCDqINcWmLykEdZoMSyohgRhjGoVvoc/s1600/DSC00169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHeJD7yuRdPNESFnrXI5R0xmJMjqDrKQpG2Cy-unkVyRvxwaUyHFLejd9-fQ5jV2bKklK6IOzeHTAIowd-yuzxo42CxQVjsLXOw_m69Pg5EB4MNCDqINcWmLykEdZoMSyohgRhjGoVvoc/s320/DSC00169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>rhubarb</b></span> has gone wild!</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/AVvXsEiHeJD7yuRdPNESFnrXI5R0xmJMjqDrKQpG2Cy-unkVyRvxwaUyHFLejd9-fQ5jV2bKklK6IOzeHTAIowd-yuzxo42CxQVjsLXOw_m69Pg5EB4MNCDqINcWmLykEdZoMSyohgRhjGoVvoc/s1600/DSC00169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBF9XzQ3xMxY6TktpzBpJwoiCm1zZC2vdGjCbNa3yY0S32OFWBzWnUW5debbOQPSEVwTdPt1a8In0ggCwKYUSKFhyphenhypheniiZixxVpc1_YM04VFM1-tLQqKa4F8XoJmk3NXWu37NkPh_KTXn4/s1600/DSC00180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBF9XzQ3xMxY6TktpzBpJwoiCm1zZC2vdGjCbNa3yY0S32OFWBzWnUW5debbOQPSEVwTdPt1a8In0ggCwKYUSKFhyphenhypheniiZixxVpc1_YM04VFM1-tLQqKa4F8XoJmk3NXWu37NkPh_KTXn4/s200/DSC00180.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AmFFt-dUbL2E1Bx__0_LIUNxB-PGYXa06pCK-uYaHGDZolDqFcj7Ppqk0yhbOVZT6FCRAmYxksbcSivAgYUxkT4ajylT2SfZMbDAEumtIf2vCOsaOs7fhM-s0cTLs1EuHNryJMDJiBY/s1600/DSC00181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AmFFt-dUbL2E1Bx__0_LIUNxB-PGYXa06pCK-uYaHGDZolDqFcj7Ppqk0yhbOVZT6FCRAmYxksbcSivAgYUxkT4ajylT2SfZMbDAEumtIf2vCOsaOs7fhM-s0cTLs1EuHNryJMDJiBY/s200/DSC00181.jpg" width="150" /></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/AVvXsEh6AmFFt-dUbL2E1Bx__0_LIUNxB-PGYXa06pCK-uYaHGDZolDqFcj7Ppqk0yhbOVZT6FCRAmYxksbcSivAgYUxkT4ajylT2SfZMbDAEumtIf2vCOsaOs7fhM-s0cTLs1EuHNryJMDJiBY/s1600/DSC00181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Isn't it beautiful? I love how <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">big</span></b></span> it is!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AmFFt-dUbL2E1Bx__0_LIUNxB-PGYXa06pCK-uYaHGDZolDqFcj7Ppqk0yhbOVZT6FCRAmYxksbcSivAgYUxkT4ajylT2SfZMbDAEumtIf2vCOsaOs7fhM-s0cTLs1EuHNryJMDJiBY/s1600/DSC00181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVAuIT2lSht3atfINZkAC-fzZ20VRReQ7-oua3SSDsJYUm0ZtYhOBNK1cY3dp_HOH8Vn24Run_B-tzX5c7zJnenNql6i2R4rvjQpNR661BqAILl5eqj-iyNxOpGmOYmhj5CKG4azi8AE/s1600/DSC00232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVAuIT2lSht3atfINZkAC-fzZ20VRReQ7-oua3SSDsJYUm0ZtYhOBNK1cY3dp_HOH8Vn24Run_B-tzX5c7zJnenNql6i2R4rvjQpNR661BqAILl5eqj-iyNxOpGmOYmhj5CKG4azi8AE/s320/DSC00232.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfhGbH6OLaJdUNuQ8vYg9rA5R9dSiI-uuXx0eeVI0cmeq9QHlN8420UrDOrc6qfMl04xMhcKOj8ONlT-kZO5K1RHpcNyiFHMI1Wmt4KKVZXw7KEgVr2xGk1TYjc5c8385PvyTtTBUr74/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfhGbH6OLaJdUNuQ8vYg9rA5R9dSiI-uuXx0eeVI0cmeq9QHlN8420UrDOrc6qfMl04xMhcKOj8ONlT-kZO5K1RHpcNyiFHMI1Wmt4KKVZXw7KEgVr2xGk1TYjc5c8385PvyTtTBUr74/s200/DSC00237.JPG" width="200" /></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/AVvXsEiLfhGbH6OLaJdUNuQ8vYg9rA5R9dSiI-uuXx0eeVI0cmeq9QHlN8420UrDOrc6qfMl04xMhcKOj8ONlT-kZO5K1RHpcNyiFHMI1Wmt4KKVZXw7KEgVr2xGk1TYjc5c8385PvyTtTBUr74/s1600/DSC00237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I cut the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">leaves</span> off outside so they don't overrun my kitchen! Did you know the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">leaves</span> are poisonous?</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/AVvXsEiN0XwYd1BkuuaMFzgXP2Q9b8TkRv7CyyThnvyzN0D7sxiRyqMEqBX2jfVIINZQLggSIDMxH0Efm9NJhqU6ieg0BZV19AagU0U7Lv5IOH1kbvq4tdfwe2pFpJ5DBE19dAsjFRsyWQfP_3g/s1600/DSC00249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN0XwYd1BkuuaMFzgXP2Q9b8TkRv7CyyThnvyzN0D7sxiRyqMEqBX2jfVIINZQLggSIDMxH0Efm9NJhqU6ieg0BZV19AagU0U7Lv5IOH1kbvq4tdfwe2pFpJ5DBE19dAsjFRsyWQfP_3g/s200/DSC00249.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFmN6jqeQm1f14Qjv7msttxAVQXHNIxNL6NeVUy2n2stLI5cdeQSBCUt6xfF8YZfGhgXkfMDGxsraDrKDfKmuwuzPavbwZGmZ6OK6d2fpoVqncxQDHRPnuyxKWmWUZFdWIVCpjQfONw0/s1600/DSC00254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFmN6jqeQm1f14Qjv7msttxAVQXHNIxNL6NeVUy2n2stLI5cdeQSBCUt6xfF8YZfGhgXkfMDGxsraDrKDfKmuwuzPavbwZGmZ6OK6d2fpoVqncxQDHRPnuyxKWmWUZFdWIVCpjQfONw0/s320/DSC00254.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had enough to make 7 pies! I still have more <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">rhubarb</span> coming! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">......now, waiting on the strawberries.....</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-5632010393844424452010-04-05T23:47:00.001-04:002010-04-05T23:54:27.886-04:00Just Ducky!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">I decided to try a bit of sewing. It's a pastime I used to really love, but it had gone by the way side for various reasons over the years. I used to find it very relaxing and comforting in stressful situations. I'd say my life fits that description now, so I thought, "What have I got to lose?" I already had a pattern and some material so I dug it out and this is what came of it!</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvcHefNW7xPTC-STKAP3_FE-g0WlBnYCoXVayiNB7ei9AvwZcRMc7ql9dJjNWPQ3l1Wcq8f5OT6NuTjICLGbldmfmlHZe-05DFzQxsSdXf6-8vDKz1KEzqC_3LntJt1Dpdf5qt_KofuA/s1600/DSC03209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvcHefNW7xPTC-STKAP3_FE-g0WlBnYCoXVayiNB7ei9AvwZcRMc7ql9dJjNWPQ3l1Wcq8f5OT6NuTjICLGbldmfmlHZe-05DFzQxsSdXf6-8vDKz1KEzqC_3LntJt1Dpdf5qt_KofuA/s1600/DSC03209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvcHefNW7xPTC-STKAP3_FE-g0WlBnYCoXVayiNB7ei9AvwZcRMc7ql9dJjNWPQ3l1Wcq8f5OT6NuTjICLGbldmfmlHZe-05DFzQxsSdXf6-8vDKz1KEzqC_3LntJt1Dpdf5qt_KofuA/s200/DSC03209.JPG" width="132" /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMtIkOzy6t7S8HwwGQih2M23mEKtNUSHymAXyTVxdPniKoor1S8kopZiI7oKhBYEV5LjFoUwFa6S9Y3xkAtNysyL3KNVs8zFEzQSCOR4eiPD-S2f6H4tm_TsMJy_NyeSDc3srI0BDTME/s1600/DSC03229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMtIkOzy6t7S8HwwGQih2M23mEKtNUSHymAXyTVxdPniKoor1S8kopZiI7oKhBYEV5LjFoUwFa6S9Y3xkAtNysyL3KNVs8zFEzQSCOR4eiPD-S2f6H4tm_TsMJy_NyeSDc3srI0BDTME/s200/DSC03229.JPG" width="131" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"></span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlcSWHajbxShAsK3H0gTA7HbYNjyASuNckbLrnlWH62CQwEjZXYZZ5eXkcIxq4rrV2C9y2EPJTWs9sx-BtM80qXNgB70vmfT_LSNbq18Otqr1noMJj9OjxOiFKHdGfxCvJAj7Xi6SzkE/s1600/DSC03228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlcSWHajbxShAsK3H0gTA7HbYNjyASuNckbLrnlWH62CQwEjZXYZZ5eXkcIxq4rrV2C9y2EPJTWs9sx-BtM80qXNgB70vmfT_LSNbq18Otqr1noMJj9OjxOiFKHdGfxCvJAj7Xi6SzkE/s400/DSC03228.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Isn't she cute!? I decided that it was almost Easter so I would give it as a gift to my newest niece, Nora. I gave my ducky light blue eyes to match hers....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">On Easter, I had so much fun watching her open her gift!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_MbiSRgipd2YEJZIaHPymUelue-eQQFXCqdP26wmwGnLSphtKZ08j1s3LebLrzVvyeaSxb5bxrn9DqIOW0wSbEA35U1KhyphenhyphenawcjRcFkgX67otaIpzgjMsikT4AQ_U-PNcFEfYwrVKW-A/s1600/DSC03298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_MbiSRgipd2YEJZIaHPymUelue-eQQFXCqdP26wmwGnLSphtKZ08j1s3LebLrzVvyeaSxb5bxrn9DqIOW0wSbEA35U1KhyphenhyphenawcjRcFkgX67otaIpzgjMsikT4AQ_U-PNcFEfYwrVKW-A/s200/DSC03298.JPG" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BjVinw_czvEFvbCJ71oMJuzH0wKdh9B23l6W4qt53gxvQkbpdMAbf8rTuJD3PoxnPcozwrJqjqQNBkRc5iT2Xf_D3n8fQjlbIzf9RSBjRyF-BzbR791Xztql_PP2kz-3Bb8hCw7xmwo/s1600/DSC03293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BjVinw_czvEFvbCJ71oMJuzH0wKdh9B23l6W4qt53gxvQkbpdMAbf8rTuJD3PoxnPcozwrJqjqQNBkRc5iT2Xf_D3n8fQjlbIzf9RSBjRyF-BzbR791Xztql_PP2kz-3Bb8hCw7xmwo/s200/DSC03293.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDmD_rP5dm8QFC-wQ2NYhRt7WyjRYaHJEyny7E8oNuAX_ev9yykCf0MMY65dGrYUoIvZdKX5mcQ9Jeu3h_u2GEUO35aWYRZQNzD4usTtArETqUdupX04bBcjUVwmBi1qi3VbK8Q7scKA/s1600/DSC03297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDmD_rP5dm8QFC-wQ2NYhRt7WyjRYaHJEyny7E8oNuAX_ev9yykCf0MMY65dGrYUoIvZdKX5mcQ9Jeu3h_u2GEUO35aWYRZQNzD4usTtArETqUdupX04bBcjUVwmBi1qi3VbK8Q7scKA/s400/DSC03297.JPG" width="282" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">She really, really loved her new duck!</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs9MsGLIVcw9Y32MBRXtnYE4qjQnfUYlbAamcsrYZAUnPXS7CP9NpW_c-Vb5s77zQX_4QnBcDNas-14wcvyXh9mVE7sgsY2_NvuIohH2aQmwLCuw4PgDnJ7uKvx0WY5ILnQwejT5FuME/s1600/DSC03317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs9MsGLIVcw9Y32MBRXtnYE4qjQnfUYlbAamcsrYZAUnPXS7CP9NpW_c-Vb5s77zQX_4QnBcDNas-14wcvyXh9mVE7sgsY2_NvuIohH2aQmwLCuw4PgDnJ7uKvx0WY5ILnQwejT5FuME/s400/DSC03317.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, her mom reminded me that she had dressed up as a duck for Halloween! Boy! We had some fun with that!!!!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2Bagnsz3oBoixJxFlFRu7bW78jXRszaS6YoB1kRIFGvVAAKji5Qo85VrWKwrA5Tdm7XCJICTfEoLNvc-l-k2hZ8w7fTkBAU1PACB4XLzuD2MX_ozp4Nns0AeesZ1HwwAnSGbxnjkFoc/s1600/26958_1429683702510_1245369182_1278136_7494004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2Bagnsz3oBoixJxFlFRu7bW78jXRszaS6YoB1kRIFGvVAAKji5Qo85VrWKwrA5Tdm7XCJICTfEoLNvc-l-k2hZ8w7fTkBAU1PACB4XLzuD2MX_ozp4Nns0AeesZ1HwwAnSGbxnjkFoc/s320/26958_1429683702510_1245369182_1278136_7494004_n.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmt6tVtY4X9eyfQuagZyA-akDYHlSybWbv_-Ol-vU7zSH_KZjqz1cgXI7DVaO_E3ypJ0OpSrWUNcPgNgK_PSOBZ3kVlYfYYKMgtIMCcUGpiirUL1w6cugEGtRDk8s3JDnnbz8rk-acr4/s1600/26958_1429683782512_1245369182_1278138_1225176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmt6tVtY4X9eyfQuagZyA-akDYHlSybWbv_-Ol-vU7zSH_KZjqz1cgXI7DVaO_E3ypJ0OpSrWUNcPgNgK_PSOBZ3kVlYfYYKMgtIMCcUGpiirUL1w6cugEGtRDk8s3JDnnbz8rk-acr4/s320/26958_1429683782512_1245369182_1278138_1225176_n.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-k__vAdR0Psxg2c13cR_f4NGbET935uP-CpREUD662I0JMdLQhJKAvL3pY4jVyWkhlAjvcZo1e9uqh-D4fmvf6-WID7qUVQxZmFK9Id3CYT78BwQiHUwvtZ-V0ABmlWi-PatfmAgE5w/s1600/26958_1429676022318_1245369182_1278063_271740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-k__vAdR0Psxg2c13cR_f4NGbET935uP-CpREUD662I0JMdLQhJKAvL3pY4jVyWkhlAjvcZo1e9uqh-D4fmvf6-WID7qUVQxZmFK9Id3CYT78BwQiHUwvtZ-V0ABmlWi-PatfmAgE5w/s400/26958_1429676022318_1245369182_1278063_271740_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmt6tVtY4X9eyfQuagZyA-akDYHlSybWbv_-Ol-vU7zSH_KZjqz1cgXI7DVaO_E3ypJ0OpSrWUNcPgNgK_PSOBZ3kVlYfYYKMgtIMCcUGpiirUL1w6cugEGtRDk8s3JDnnbz8rk-acr4/s1600/26958_1429683782512_1245369182_1278138_1225176_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Happy Easter!</span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-65351325348486340372010-02-26T17:26:00.000-05:002010-02-26T17:26:52.255-05:00Snowmageddon!I heard that title from someone on Facebook. I think it fits the weather we've had in the past 24 hours! I just awoke from a nap... taken for the sole purpose of getting warm. We had no electricity and therefore no heat for almost 24 hours. I woke up to see my alarm clock flashing and hearing the furnace running... music to my ears!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fSX6HfeNeIAYFtWbrLaTOVrr4K4yzmijZJuU-Q6WGpPZtzp1Rpus-Lqj7XgDYBx-rahRleaNl4cPgM_zgRzeygcZy083pfv05tnhcUvq2IYwzj7Y4XzcGhE9zY13PymZ9yELvE9pCoE/s1600-h/DSC03005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fSX6HfeNeIAYFtWbrLaTOVrr4K4yzmijZJuU-Q6WGpPZtzp1Rpus-Lqj7XgDYBx-rahRleaNl4cPgM_zgRzeygcZy083pfv05tnhcUvq2IYwzj7Y4XzcGhE9zY13PymZ9yELvE9pCoE/s320/DSC03005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning, I woke up to a ton of snow and realized I should have parked the car near the end of the drive. Today's PT appointment.... canceled. :-( Let the shoveling begin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Wk4xBv0Gxg0jRWoxteIr4HxdBVnEyA9dXhCtKuBk9CSrUfQlc8WAx7fNkwZM_8NUMkas2bwbd4D61YipaVAZ0amkTC5smeAxhZC1o-PaYFUOlkAgPwC439e62phjmWcxiOYajN0iIzY/s1600-h/DSC03006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Wk4xBv0Gxg0jRWoxteIr4HxdBVnEyA9dXhCtKuBk9CSrUfQlc8WAx7fNkwZM_8NUMkas2bwbd4D61YipaVAZ0amkTC5smeAxhZC1o-PaYFUOlkAgPwC439e62phjmWcxiOYajN0iIzY/s320/DSC03006.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcpaKPzT81yksnWeFsFS6QqWTNpbRXhmpCgD3_szKhHTa-zgKaHMlZmPEG78Q5LB-XClL_R84ropVa4_mSLrIX6oBSYEeU9SSY05zpiDk80Fh2xdPtySNYAJSrVGJv1Gh8CGECcxquSQ/s1600-h/DSC03007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcpaKPzT81yksnWeFsFS6QqWTNpbRXhmpCgD3_szKhHTa-zgKaHMlZmPEG78Q5LB-XClL_R84ropVa4_mSLrIX6oBSYEeU9SSY05zpiDk80Fh2xdPtySNYAJSrVGJv1Gh8CGECcxquSQ/s320/DSC03007.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tree branches were down everywhere, to add a bit of diversion to the white monotony.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qsrSU5q29C2kxIu9_6b_LOtnwDEdQtGiTVenAewNg85fNzKY1k2z3qRW8NBi6_ZMzSuyvKbH0npkdacO0SbSRrqK-o9dmIx3HX1YfF0N6jD5iBkZgWLf6wFZakkymzIEVYMPijSW3W0/s1600-h/DSC03008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qsrSU5q29C2kxIu9_6b_LOtnwDEdQtGiTVenAewNg85fNzKY1k2z3qRW8NBi6_ZMzSuyvKbH0npkdacO0SbSRrqK-o9dmIx3HX1YfF0N6jD5iBkZgWLf6wFZakkymzIEVYMPijSW3W0/s320/DSC03008.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I started shoveling a path for my tires. Yes, I had silly dreams of still making it to my appointment... The snow was so deep at the end of my driveway where the plow dumps it all, that I had to work in layers. The whole time I was working, I was wondering if I could even back out straight enough to keep my tires in the shoveled path! That would have been a challenge for me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Neighbor to the rescue! He saw me out there and stopped by to tell me he would send a friend over to clear my driveway for me. He made a call and told me to go back in my house. "You're getting all sweaty out here!" he said. LOL. He was so right! (Not to mention the burning torn rotator cuff.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few minutes later....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xP6_GISfi2-TSrZ-jprYdoAnxfN692GsRcYRePJUwGJM5OswlSWS1cQpm4u8XKmoi5jsL8nMckOUYP89O79fjGMuQUWS9q50UC16he_Gr9sw_s_IW5d8Ta073MoE7E2-bbUC-DPmJUQ/s1600-h/DSC03012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xP6_GISfi2-TSrZ-jprYdoAnxfN692GsRcYRePJUwGJM5OswlSWS1cQpm4u8XKmoi5jsL8nMckOUYP89O79fjGMuQUWS9q50UC16he_Gr9sw_s_IW5d8Ta073MoE7E2-bbUC-DPmJUQ/s320/DSC03012.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WOW! It felt like a Superhero had arrived! Aaaar Aaaaar Aaaar! Now, that's a MAN's machine!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS5vcOOSvx2svg6rToKyRXdMk6qzNfeV9GdYrvEgJ19aL0Aj4Pg8CpI2smi6ru0ToYe1qL8AxlB2hMaKeeVBcBahUmrtIOsi5OloMZHSelzg4pbPatlfRhcCwfpIS5TVSBDTJ4JkZls0/s1600-h/DSC03011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwS5vcOOSvx2svg6rToKyRXdMk6qzNfeV9GdYrvEgJ19aL0Aj4Pg8CpI2smi6ru0ToYe1qL8AxlB2hMaKeeVBcBahUmrtIOsi5OloMZHSelzg4pbPatlfRhcCwfpIS5TVSBDTJ4JkZls0/s320/DSC03011.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In all seriousness, today was an example of how a community should work. I did my best to help myself. Ben shoveled off the roof. A neighbor came and saved me in what I could have never done. Then, he learned of the 84 year old woman next door. I brought her some soup later, as she doesn't have a gas stove and can't cook if the power is out. I found him there plowing her drive too. Everyone was dug out, everyone was warm enough, everyone was fed hot soup. Everyone pitched in. That is the way the world turns and it feels good to me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Matthew 25</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"></span></div><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><div id="matt/25/35" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)">35 For I was an <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/35a" mark="a" style="color: #40639d;" title="TG Poor." type="B">hungred</a>, and ye <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/35b" mark="b" style="color: #40639d;" title="TG Almsgiving; TG Generosity." type="B">gave</a> me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/35c" mark="c" style="color: #40639d;" title="TG Hospitality; TG Strangers." type="B">stranger</a>, and ye took me in:</div></div><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="" name="36" style="color: #40639d;"></a><div id="matt/25/36" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/36a" mark="a" style="color: #40639d;" title="GR took care of, cared for." type="P">visited</a> me: I was in <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/36b" mark="b" style="color: #40639d;" title="Heb. 13: 3." type="A">prison</a>, and ye came unto me.</div></div><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="" name="37" style="color: #40639d;"></a><div id="matt/25/37" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed <i>thee?</i> or thirsty, and gave <i>thee</i> drink?</div></div><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="" name="38" style="color: #40639d;"></a><div id="matt/25/38" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took <i>thee</i> in? or naked, and clothed <i>thee?</i></div></div><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="" name="39" style="color: #40639d;"></a><div id="matt/25/39" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> 39 Or when saw we thee <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/39a" mark="a" style="color: #40639d;" title="TG Health." type="B">sick</a>, or in prison, and came unto thee?</div></div><div class="verse" style="padding-bottom: 5px;"><a href="" name="40" style="color: #40639d;"></a><div id="matt/25/40" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"> 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/40a" mark="a" style="color: #40639d;" title="Mosiah 2: 17; D&C 42: 38." type="A">done</a> <i>it</i> unto one of the <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/40b" mark="b" style="color: #40639d;" title="TG Good Works; TG Neighbor; TG Poor." type="B">least</a> of these my <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/matt/25/matt/25/40c" mark="c" style="color: #40639d;" title="TG Welfare." type="B">brethren</a>, ye have done <i>it</i> unto me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://paperclippings.com/lds/images/jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://paperclippings.com/lds/images/jesus.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div id="matt/25/40" onclick="return toggleMarked(event, this)"><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-84366793140848715362010-01-26T09:09:00.004-05:002010-02-28T16:20:21.519-05:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is better to have loved and lost than to live with a psycho for the rest of your life...</span></span></span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I just heard this song by Theory of a Dead Man.... interesting name..... It's called "Not Meant To Be." I guess I'm not alone in the troubles I've been having as I find so many songs, poems, etc that I totally relate to. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">It's never enough to say I'm sorry<br />
It's never enough to say I care<br />
But I'm caught between what you<br />
Wanted from me, and knowing<br />
If I give that to ya<br />
I might just disappear.<br />
<br />
Nobody wins when everyone's losing<br />
<br />
Oh, it's like<br />
<br />
One step forward and two steps back<br />
No matter what I do you're always mad<br />
And I can't change your mind,<br />
<br />
Oh, it's like<br />
<br />
Trying to turn around on a one way street<br />
I can't give you what you want<br />
And it's killing me and I, I'm starting to see<br />
Maybe we're not meant to be<br />
<br />
It's never enough to say I love you<br />
No, it's never enough to say I try<br />
It's hard to believe that's there's<br />
No way out for you and me<br />
And it seems to be,<br />
The story of our life<br />
<br />
There's still time to turn this around<br />
Should we be building this up<br />
Instead of tearing it down<br />
But I keep thinking<br />
Maybe it's too late.<br />
<br />
It's like one step forward,<br />
And two steps back,<br />
No matter what I do<br />
You're always mad,<br />
And I, Baby I'm sorry to see,<br />
Maybe that we're not meant to be</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I really relate to this song because I truly feel like I've tried everything possible to please him. In doing so, it was never enough. I DID feel as if I was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #009900;">disappearing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">. He was always mad, no matter what I did or didn't do. It was killing me. Certainly, all of that is not meant to be....</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I used to believe that love was always enough. Love could overcome anything. It is not always true. I have loved with all the capacity of my being.... it still was not good enough.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffcc33;">No miracles</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">. No sudden healing. No cure for the illness. No explanations. No answers.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I've tried very hard to keep this mostly to myself and a few trusted friends. I've tried hard to have faith, and to stay positive. (Unsuccessfully I might add.) I don't want to be a negative person, but I've realized that I have to work through this before I can heal and move on. So, I post this as a beginning to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6600cc;">recovery</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; line-height: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">It's going to be a difficult</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3366ff;"> journey</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">, recovering from a near death experience. I was nearly dead emotionally and spiritually. I have repeatedly been told that I need to be tougher, to understand the intent of what is said, not the actual words or tone, to choose not to be hurt by what is said... President Monson has said</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">Men, take care not to make women weep, for God counts their tears." </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">He did not tell women to get thicker skin or choose what we feel.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">In the pamphlet, "Responding to Abuse: Helps for Ecclesiastical Leaders" the LDS Church states, "Abuse in any form is tragic and in opposition to the teachings of the Savior. Abuse is the physical, emotional, sexual, or spiritual mistr</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">eatme</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">nt of others. It may not only harm the body, but it can deeply affect the mind and spirit, destroying faith and causing </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993399;">confusion</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">, doubt, mistrust, guilt, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">fear</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">." Any member of the LDS Church who abuses children or others is not a "member in good standing in this Church. The abuse of one’s spouse and children is a most serious offense before God," </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">Men who abuse their wives are not worthy to hold the </span></span></span><a href="http://lds.about.com/library/glossary/bldefpriesthood.htm" style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">priesthood</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">I need to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">work</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"> on letting this go</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;">. I need to allow the Lord to hold others accountable in His own due time. It is hard to be the one suffering right this very instant and watch those who are causing that suffering go on with life as if nothing bad has happened. I need to keep reminding myself that it is just a show... and act put on to make others think he is not in the wrong and that he is worthy of the praise that he needs, like the rest of us need oxygen.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">I would not say my faith is destroyed. It is, however, most definitely <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #33cc00;">shaken</span>. I am confused and afraid. I have many doubts... mostly in myself. I doubt my own ability to understand God. I doubt my own testimony and all the ways in which I thought I had received it. I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000099;">doubt</span> my relationship with my Father in Heaven and I'm no longer sure who He is or what His nature is. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">That scares me and I wonder if I will ever heal....</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-16204210602406267822009-12-27T18:08:00.006-05:002009-12-27T18:21:21.786-05:00What ARE my priorities? Really!<span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It has been told to me that I have my priorities wrong. (Among some other very vile things.) Although it bothers me to hear it from someone that I want to cherish everything about me, I KNOW it is not true. I know what is in my heart.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Look at my blog, for instance. Included in this blog are the things that mean the very most to me, the things that ARE my life, that occupy my thoughts and the things in my daily prayers. When I look at my previous posts, I see family. I see my children, my husband, my parents, and even my ancestors. I speak of love, Christmas, God and family. The music that plays is about faith in God and His mercy. Sprinkled into the mix is a bit of nature and, yes, one post that vents some frustration. What are the blogs I follow? That of friends.</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, what do I truly care about? What are my priorities? Family, God, Friends. Anyone see anything wrong with that? Anyone see anything different in me?</span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-72461723761898059942009-12-19T17:51:00.010-05:002009-12-20T16:02:50.479-05:00Christmas Spirit???<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Well, I suppose that since my last post involved pictures of Summer and soaking my feet in a lake, it's probably time to update my blog!<br /><br />Christmas Spirit has been an elusive thing for me this year. I know it's not about the gifts, but when you don't have enough to buy the things you know would make your loved ones happy, it can be depressing. Who wants deodorant in their stocking? Then, I was asked to speak at church in December... topic... Christmas. Yippee. Well, the date wasn't decided, but they would let me know. So, I put it out of my mind. The last Sunday of November came and I had plans to tell them I just could not muster up the energy to think on Christmas. Too late! Imagine my surprise when it was announced that I would be the next speaker! So much for preparation... and waiting until December to speak!<br /><br />So, I helped to serve the missionaries a luncheon at zone conference last week, I've baked Christmas cookies and bought a few gifts. I've even tried listening to Christmas music... just not getting into it. Then, I got THE tree! Katie and I went to buy a live one this year. We found one we liked, but Katie said it was too big. I have 8 foot ceilings and the guy said it was a 7 foot tree. What's the problem? HA! It's so FAT, we barely got it through the door! It takes up an unbelievably huge chunk of my living room.... it's quite ridiculous, actually. BUT, it boosted my spirits considerably. Katie and I had a good laugh over it and I love big, fat trees! It's gonna be a bear to decorate, but I look forward to it.<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hAmenTSLVRCjPMEepKms5LNNXX3WACnkTaKBDi8bUgYBNoCUFeQc-IMctUZT4Yu5oo9zoWZpgbbfIeRNbx5_fN8x14QaVxZC-V9G9vGcLT9FNtToGCyfGNgxIGEaP-HoFrjy6qrAeA0/s1600-h/DSC02876.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hAmenTSLVRCjPMEepKms5LNNXX3WACnkTaKBDi8bUgYBNoCUFeQc-IMctUZT4Yu5oo9zoWZpgbbfIeRNbx5_fN8x14QaVxZC-V9G9vGcLT9FNtToGCyfGNgxIGEaP-HoFrjy6qrAeA0/s400/DSC02876.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417092673429667602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br />Then, Larry came over last night and we took some super adorable pics of the dogs. I laughed so hard watching Larry try to get ADHD Butter to cooperate!<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM2MxKasP5iZtIxw7E4UnS02Ls8Yn80ErZdSUCW6gLNGbyI4nj7-o-fjUYvmgrHS3PiyPYjZsXe6ataeNKbPTJbka8G7nbh3vhAMTV5SWgAYmErCXjYluvEIR_ZVsEgYFLdve3fj0aLI/s1600-h/DSC02858_2.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM2MxKasP5iZtIxw7E4UnS02Ls8Yn80ErZdSUCW6gLNGbyI4nj7-o-fjUYvmgrHS3PiyPYjZsXe6ataeNKbPTJbka8G7nbh3vhAMTV5SWgAYmErCXjYluvEIR_ZVsEgYFLdve3fj0aLI/s400/DSC02858_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417089714618863426" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">I also got a beautiful gift for my birthday from my husband, Larry. It was quite unexpected and thoughtful. As you can see from the picture, it will bring the true meaning of Christmas into my home and </span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">my heart.<br /><br /></span></span><img style="text-align: center;float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-pvchpKGGRu8DrgQYgu6efdoadSGM7H2G4vV-INR6RwikHT8MH6skG4PeQtu0HlhCbGihVROIovE7Xf36EWyPQ4wLgcCJ3L-xOIAzM_gBjE37UMIziMWz1YzKjwxEKBFWMs6LT5OXLI/s400/DSC02869.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417090136685982370" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;"><br /></span></span></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-49937296274451486582009-08-18T14:25:00.005-04:002009-08-18T14:53:11.232-04:00Adirondack Hike<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcMky4A4oG5DdIx_qhyphenhyphen47B9wJwECFFuRRJWAgHF4siTY5NnD8zeMXNtI6x85EzjC9if9jTOsQVfP1THfGn2gNDqz5bHXTcmI9ztOSlOAclzN_6dvZMEioKx3EAOxT3lG_FA_AZ34qo9g/s1600-h/mmi.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcMky4A4oG5DdIx_qhyphenhyphen47B9wJwECFFuRRJWAgHF4siTY5NnD8zeMXNtI6x85EzjC9if9jTOsQVfP1THfGn2gNDqz5bHXTcmI9ztOSlOAclzN_6dvZMEioKx3EAOxT3lG_FA_AZ34qo9g/s320/mmi.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371372499847051698" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM-CzK8HpPaXXoDx4Bw4DddSlwb7SjyO0kgELF8aU6lSO6cvuhrHCKWEfR11Yiz5-s848pHaDF2HVJ9RaBDtHQgPNewxaWUxdpZVhnMk6fwEuoD-ngvAzlWS9gnaX0hlwNaOqb7MOJzs/s1600-h/mmi.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM-CzK8HpPaXXoDx4Bw4DddSlwb7SjyO0kgELF8aU6lSO6cvuhrHCKWEfR11Yiz5-s848pHaDF2HVJ9RaBDtHQgPNewxaWUxdpZVhnMk6fwEuoD-ngvAzlWS9gnaX0hlwNaOqb7MOJzs/s320/mmi.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371372497046217666" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOpHzdZYprIppOSur0A-X4GjY8iTyCdSK4oULD_gjeLuZtheNa2mbpfhPPQraAzo9UQjDxiN85DPP9j4pk5qJOznYdZO047iBQ33cMCILaqTjcMiJGJYQj5Ar2fz2zEqlVp71BaqB-_w/s1600-h/mmi_2.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijOpHzdZYprIppOSur0A-X4GjY8iTyCdSK4oULD_gjeLuZtheNa2mbpfhPPQraAzo9UQjDxiN85DPP9j4pk5qJOznYdZO047iBQ33cMCILaqTjcMiJGJYQj5Ar2fz2zEqlVp71BaqB-_w/s320/mmi_2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371372490424986290" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gyh15OS8_yYm-uwE4TC0JvTxnh35a57dcR_DCTRNR9wPhI-Jx7DO9g93ynyrftX4ROTWJpv7_mfieCgADawl4qLMnY_KZqllNwFdaxV6b0LAOffEyxTHugijivFtxhHce1PhcyRJ890/s1600-h/mmi.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Gyh15OS8_yYm-uwE4TC0JvTxnh35a57dcR_DCTRNR9wPhI-Jx7DO9g93ynyrftX4ROTWJpv7_mfieCgADawl4qLMnY_KZqllNwFdaxV6b0LAOffEyxTHugijivFtxhHce1PhcyRJ890/s320/mmi.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371371971048750946" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Larry and I went hiking in the Adirondacks with the dogs. I was too lazy to bring the digital camera, so the cell phone pics aren't the best. Oh well!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">It was hot, but we hiked in the shade of the woods and cooled off in streams and lakes...oh, and by squirting water from the camelback over our heads!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Even Jessie, the dog who is deathly afraid of water, got her feet wet! We were glad we didn't end up carrying her out on a makeshift gurney. She's 13 years old and this was a pretty good hike for the ol' gal! Then, she didn't seem to manage the bridges well and her legs would get caught in between the slats of wood. We worried she'd break a leg or something! She slept well that night! LOL!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Butter, on the other hand, is young and loves the water. We couldn't have kept her out of it if we tried! She dug in the mud, ate bugs, galloped through puddles, sniffed out....who knows what...in the forest, and swam in the lakes. She had the time of her life!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">For Larry and I... it was a time for pondering, friendship and some healing....</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-87528693695257431972009-07-19T23:40:00.004-04:002009-07-20T00:04:05.498-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr9tDf4wTSO_V7oN3pfnZWiV-9OrVc7kMbcmCoo_-oITS-a6KuJKiWzWJjbw10DMl9rfFSM1KkiZIKCzFCpA9jYC1heB9KMKdhwcv82_KyQKjBexhyXIs_OwzZphKFYzWx9zMTNRUiTM/s1600-h/Childhood+Photos-47+(2)_2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQr9tDf4wTSO_V7oN3pfnZWiV-9OrVc7kMbcmCoo_-oITS-a6KuJKiWzWJjbw10DMl9rfFSM1KkiZIKCzFCpA9jYC1heB9KMKdhwcv82_KyQKjBexhyXIs_OwzZphKFYzWx9zMTNRUiTM/s320/Childhood+Photos-47+(2)_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360386387253759330" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">Unwritten Stories</span></span><br /></div>Recently, I've been going through my childhood photos that my Mother had kept through the years. I want to make sure they are safe in case anything should happen to the original album. Now, they are on my computer and will be uploaded to the internet so I can retrieve them if I need to.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Of course, doing this has given me cause to ponder my childhood, my family.... my life. I think it is easy for me to get so caught up in my adult trials that I forget I even had a childhood. I've so enjoyed looking through these pictures, remembering good times, thinking of cherished loved ones who are now gone from this Earth. I'm feeling very blessed. I've been going through some very sore trials of late, so it is like a soothing balm to think upon better times. I realize that I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents. NOBODY could ever have better parents than I had. I was so protected and sheltered by them. I grew up feeling safe and secure and completely loved.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">I've posted a video on this blog with some of these pictures from my youth, along with a song by Hilary Weeks that expresses my feelings so well. There are many stories that could have been written in my youth, but were not. For that I am thankful.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-25585844686139539312009-07-12T17:52:00.015-04:002009-08-18T15:15:13.312-04:00Mum's Missionary Musings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAELuTzZpQr6Eryi5P45TBiBWBTj9ptIAsYP-S-htiu6yqB41xaE57GPsO-7eSEqOYbg6NXqtGwb6y0ir2YnoEZ0W5mTQDqm9AlDqAqq967CQnZA-lB1OC-jaaHCyMG9Zlx8MZpMmk69Q/s1600-h/DSC02188.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAELuTzZpQr6Eryi5P45TBiBWBTj9ptIAsYP-S-htiu6yqB41xaE57GPsO-7eSEqOYbg6NXqtGwb6y0ir2YnoEZ0W5mTQDqm9AlDqAqq967CQnZA-lB1OC-jaaHCyMG9Zlx8MZpMmk69Q/s320/DSC02188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371382431169499202" /></a><br />The day finally arrived! We picked Nathan up from the airport Friday evening. He looks wonderful and seems very happy. Mum can finally relax... just a bit... now the next step... college! Does it ever end? My own "Mum" always said motherhood never stops. So true!<div><br /></div><div>OK, so the sign at the airport is a bit over the edge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8qp76c6nV0U28jxxmy0KkO1iT5yGo56mrCRNhNXLQTc88e4FaKniKPw9kbvCqEL08hPWXzYm-rrEXrsCM08jqACc9oK_T9PW-DJt-cm0etO5AvIkk2VE6imyJ4DeCpSQMekIx8jVRi0/s1600-h/DSC02185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8qp76c6nV0U28jxxmy0KkO1iT5yGo56mrCRNhNXLQTc88e4FaKniKPw9kbvCqEL08hPWXzYm-rrEXrsCM08jqACc9oK_T9PW-DJt-cm0etO5AvIkk2VE6imyJ4DeCpSQMekIx8jVRi0/s320/DSC02185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357706372605878002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Jf5kam3vCd8/SlpcT-k-fyI/AAAAAAAAACY/aMoeUR0tTXo/s1600-h/DSC02185.JPG"></a>Jon, Ben and Katie had to pretend they didn't know me! Ha Ha! Nate may have been a bit embarrassed too. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I had scary visions of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The RM </span>running through my head. At least I didn't have 50 people shouting "welcome home!" while releasing helium balloons and throwing confetti.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jf5kam3vCd8/SlpbdsVdlzI/AAAAAAAAACQ/-S-uZFWQvIo/s1600-h/DSC07076_2.JPG"></a><br /></div><div>Friday night, Nathan was so wide awake, that we all had to go to bed and leave him up wandering aimlessly around the house. After all, it was morning down under. Saturday, I took him with me to run a few errands. He made it until about 3 pm and fell asleep in the car. After all, it was the middle of the night down under!</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, he was officially released as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He met with the High Council and gave an accounting of his mission and bore his testimony. What a proud day for a Mum!</div><div><br /></div><div>In thinking back, however, Nathan's success thus far in life can't begin to be attributed solely to me or the way I've raised him. </div><div><br /></div><div>First, he was born with a spiritual gift. I do not know what it would be called, but I've always known he had something special about him in a spiritual sense.</div><div><br /></div><div>Secondly, I was pondering upon the last ten years or so since we moved to the Herkimer Branch. I recall countless scouting trips, camp outs, basketball games, cookouts, service projects, etc where huge chunks of time and energy were sacrificed by others to provide these experiences for our youth. Not once was there a Father-Son outing where my boys were not asked to allow another father the privilege of "adopting" another son for the event. I recall youth and adults alike walking for hours in the rain to collect items for a food drive for this future missionary's Eagle Project.</div><div><br /></div><div>How many times have I looked down the hall at church to see a father figure with his arm around my son's shoulders, giving counsel, or patting his back? How many miles have been driven to go out the way to pick up my children for an activity because I was at work and could not bring them? How many hours of preparation have been spent in preparing the spiritual lessons my children were taught each and every Sunday? How many times have their names been mentioned in prayer? How many mothers baked a special cake or made a special meal just because one of my boys was spending the night and she knew he loved it?</div><div><br /></div><div>No, this young man has grown into a man who has "returned with honor" from his mission due to the blessings of Heavenly Father and many, many saints who understand the true meaning of charity and love.... and who aren't afraid to sacrifice a little time, energy and sleep for their God.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogEcIOm-vibnPfDIb7MMmoqEH5-Md8ljG7mylciNcZIfTXojVmM0kdMpUEfSQpruMIFwrq82QyQrs1V_ybiz9xIMqtlX_SE3Y_W_Y9wNvoCylb6YlmLe2UFxWLlYGRcrjrpO_jhjJlOs/s1600-h/DSC07076_2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogEcIOm-vibnPfDIb7MMmoqEH5-Md8ljG7mylciNcZIfTXojVmM0kdMpUEfSQpruMIFwrq82QyQrs1V_ybiz9xIMqtlX_SE3Y_W_Y9wNvoCylb6YlmLe2UFxWLlYGRcrjrpO_jhjJlOs/s320/DSC07076_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357709456793851458" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>How do I say thank you to countless numbers of people, some whom I may not even know what they have done? I will try my best to do the same for other young men and women who may benefit from some love and charity too.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-18575814843781386252009-06-05T16:15:00.004-04:002009-06-05T16:49:21.782-04:00The Garden of My SoulIt would seem that I've taken up weeding as my new hobby! In the past, I've never enjoyed it much, but now.... well, it's been a bit therapeutic. It began with a desire to get outside in the sun and get the yard looking nicer for the party I'm planning in July.<br /><br />When I found myself weeding a friend's flower garden two days in a row, I decided that maybe it has more meaning in my life than getting some fresh air. Hmmm... maybe it's symbolic. Weeds are invasive, kill beautiful plants, keep flowering plants from blooming.... Cutting them, breaking them off, mowing them down doesn't help. They just keep growing back. They have to be pulled up by the very roots. One also has to learn to recognize them. In my friend's garden, I wasn't always sure which were the weeds and which were plants that she so lovingly put there. Oh my! I just hope I didn't pull up Great-Grandma's prize plant!<br /><br />Maybe I'm enjoying this work so much because I'm trying to recognize and pull up some "weeds" in my own life right now. It's strange how things can creep into your life. Like weeds, these unhealthy things can crowd out the good within, block the "Son" and keep beautiful things from "blooming." Sometimes these weeds of the soul have lived there so long and have grown so big, they seem normal. It may be hard to recognize them as invasive and damaging.<br /><br />At first, I felt like I could take care of my weeds by cutting them back. Simply draw the line, set my foot down, or maybe use some reasoning. Ever reason with a weed? No, none of that works. A weed is a weed and MUST be pulled up by the roots.<br /><br />The other thing about weeds is that when they are overgrown, it takes a lot more time and work to get them all out. The damage to the good plants is worse too. In my friend's garden, I found some sad, little tiny flowers that were invisible under the overgrowth and will now be able to grow full and blossom many more flowers.<br /><br />In my life, some of the things I loved so dearly became so overgrown that the flowers wilted, the plants stopped blossoming and the roots were starved for nourishment. At times, I just wanted to take a lawn mower to the whole dang garden!<br /><br />Well, it is taking a lot of determination and hard work, but the weeds of my life are slowly getting pulled. I began with the most invasive and deadliest. The main plant is gone, but I think some roots were left behind... I try to pull them up as they resurface. Now, it's time to recognize smaller weeds and pull them too. Time to given nourishment to some weak and failing plants of my spirit. There are many "plants" within me that I'm not sure are salvageable... maybe they are dead, I don't know. I may need to search for new plants.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-46422281867791444272009-05-15T21:41:00.007-04:002009-05-15T23:19:27.569-04:00A Bird in Hand...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC6jsO45N5sy4-XUUaY5XuQTSdh07k3iMc7p6vQDJjLvVYpoxsTdwyAvJRpsqiQdiP2VcltrPseDCYgfi4Gw71Fq7LzUOND_SQLm0NQquohHOClm-EeT4MO4T_NKrlgdQEhGwJBjjN5g/s1600-h/chickadee.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336254059613610386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC6jsO45N5sy4-XUUaY5XuQTSdh07k3iMc7p6vQDJjLvVYpoxsTdwyAvJRpsqiQdiP2VcltrPseDCYgfi4Gw71Fq7LzUOND_SQLm0NQquohHOClm-EeT4MO4T_NKrlgdQEhGwJBjjN5g/s320/chickadee.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In the past couple of years, I've begun to do some bird watching. I never realized how many absolutely beautiful birds there are in upstate New York. Looking at them through binoculars allows one to see the wonderful colors and fantastic detail the Lord created in them.<br /><br />Some of them, like Mourning Doves, are easy to observe as they like to sit still for long periods of time on telephone wires. Others, like Cardinals, tend to hang out in bushes and thick tree tops. They are skittish and flit about frequently. For me, that means the second I locate him with my binoculars is the second he flies!<br /><br />This morning, I went out on my back porch to find a sweet little Chickadee trying desperately to get back outside. I thought if I opened the window he had landed near, perhaps he would fly out of it. Well, wouldn't it be my luck, there was a wasp sitting on the window latch. Yes, he got me right in the finger!<br /><br />When I jumped, so did the bird. He ended up stuck between the window and the screen... poor little thing. I reached down and was actually able to pick him up! Well, I was afraid to hold him too tightly and he got away from me, but still couldn't find his way out of the porch. He landed elsewhere, but what were the odds I could pick him up again? I was shocked when he actually let me! To me, it was amazing to hold a wild bird in my hand... to see the detail of his markings without the binoculars! I brought him to the open window and opened my hand. Happily, he flew out, across the yard and landed high up in a leafy tree.<br /><br />So, IS a bird in hand worth two in the bush? Most definitely!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-61601501776609432532009-05-11T00:14:00.003-04:002009-05-11T00:31:06.592-04:00A Mum's RewardsOne thing in life that feels so good is being able to look at your children and feel a small measure of success. Not that I think I'm a great Mom, that's not quite what I mean. It's just that I see who my kids are becoming and it gives such satisfaction to know that I didn't screw up so badly that they are ruined... just damaged a bit, like anybody else in this world!<br /><br />I was able to have dinner with 3 of 4 of my children today... Mother's Day. It was fun and made me feel happy. On our way home, Jon played an Oldie's station on the radio. The music brought me back to younger years. The combination of the music and the company of my wonderful children brought me great joy! What more could a mom want for Mother's Day?<br /><br />Then, I got to talk with Nathan on the phone. He's been in Australia on his mission for almost two years now. He sounds happy and wonderfully Australian with that accent! He'll be coming home in July and talks excitedly about his plans for the future. He's humble when I ask him if he feels he's matured on his mission. He says, "I don't know, I guess that's for you to decide." I think I already know my answer!<br /><br />So, although I feel ever so old when I see my grown up children, the satisfaction I feel is worth the aching bones and the grey hairs. I'm so blessed to have children with good, kind hearts. And, in spite of all their faults, they love their mother and that... is the greatest reward!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-48803896455830304842009-05-03T16:55:00.003-04:002009-05-03T17:07:11.009-04:00Mental MadnessHot N Cold by Kate Perry<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-LhyAVzDBI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-LhyAVzDBI</a><br /><br />WARNING: there is one bad word in the lyrics to this song which I didn't put in the written lyrics, but if you watch the video.....<br /><br />I just have to post the link here as it is about my life for the past two years.<br /><br />You change your mind,<br />Like a girl changes clothes,<br />Yeah you, PMS,<br />Like a #<span style="font-size:78%;">@#&^</span> I would know.<br />And you over think,<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Always speak,</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Crypticly</span>.<br />I should know,<br />That you're no good for me.<br /><br />{CHORUS}<br />Cause you're hot then you're cold,<br />You're yes then you're no,<br />You're in then you're out,<br />You're up then you're down,<br />You're wrong when it's right,<br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">It's black and it's white</span>,<br />We fight, we break up,<br />We kiss, we make up,<br />(you)You don't really want to stay, no.<br />(but you)But you don't really want to go-o.<br /><br />You're hot then you're cold,<br />You're yes then you're no,<br />You're in and you're out,<br />You're up and you're down,<br /><br />We used to be,Just like twins,<br />So in sync,<br />The same energy,<br />Now's a dead battery.<br />Used to laugh bout nothing,<br />Now your plain boring.<br />I should know that,<br />You're not gonna change.<br /><br />{CHORUS}<br /><br />Someone call the doctor,<br />Got a case of a love <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">bi-polar</span>,<br />Stuck on a <span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">roller coaster</span>,<br />Can't get off this ride,<br />You change your mind,<br />Like a girl changes clothes.<br /><br />Life has been pretty unfair lately and I've been going through more trials than I'd even hoped for! I'm trying to be tough, strong and all the other stuff you're supposed to be during times like this.... boy, it can be discouraging!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-18405290360236429692009-04-01T19:38:00.010-04:002009-04-02T17:21:28.783-04:00Genealogy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAWZlH7outvNqXiuKuu8ZNIsb1VDtkNh5lIRtvczyqvZ-JfeScG8H6iKKKHDGZobnrOTsD0PS9iEb9OhrWK0m4fS0Gl4ZjUJdP7yIA3Vjfu8eJO2tdnKp_Mxza39b6z_4FiImWL2k8tQ/s1600-h/tree5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319883910040827346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 202px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAWZlH7outvNqXiuKuu8ZNIsb1VDtkNh5lIRtvczyqvZ-JfeScG8H6iKKKHDGZobnrOTsD0PS9iEb9OhrWK0m4fS0Gl4ZjUJdP7yIA3Vjfu8eJO2tdnKp_Mxza39b6z_4FiImWL2k8tQ/s320/tree5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've been spending quite a bit of time searching for my ancestors. It's a great way to get your mind off of stress, yet it feels good, unlike wasting time in front of the TV or something. (I do that too!) It's also a bit addicting! It reminds me of sewing... "I'll just sew the arm on, then I'll go to bed... well, maybe the collar too..." "Let me just see if a quick search comes up with who his mother was." Next thing I know, hours have gone by.<br /><br />The really neat thing is that I have been able to find ancestors that my dear Mother searched for for years and never found. That is the miracle of the Internet and of indexing. I've been doing that too... indexing. It is the work of taking a scanned document and typing the information into a form online to make it searchable on the web. It's another good way to serve while keeping your mind busy. Check it out at: <a href="http://www.familysearch.org/eng/indexing/frameset_indexing.asp">http://www.familysearch.org/eng/indexing/frameset_indexing.asp</a><br /><br />Today, I mailed Nathan two ordinance cards. These are cards with an ancestors name and date of birth on them. He can take them to the temple in Australia and do "work" for them there. He gets to go to the temple there about every 6 weeks. Confused? Get answers at: <a href="http://www.lds.org/temples/familyhistory/0,11267,1906-1,00.html">http://www.lds.org/temples/familyhistory/0,11267,1906-1,00.html</a><br /><br />There are also frustrations. I get lost in my tree and don't know which branch I'm on! I thought I found a great-great-great grandfather. Now, I don't know. What are the odds of two Charles Buxton's being born in Providence, RI in the exact same year? I'm so confused as to which is which! Oy Vey!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319876602661795394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 98px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJpTYBiOFNKkOXhhSn39a1KPPZPozL1T33JQPu5EjCihCfuo0BUTAV2w9zEa2vS0t1E4Ip0rJKcHNDGwPngD015KMTbOJOQIA-NtS9z-JE4o806PLN5P_AVSWWc_1ekohFHl4M4aCFrQ/s320/familytreeimage.jpg" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7728907110048937585.post-14450824982440171112009-03-31T23:01:00.000-04:002009-03-31T23:06:46.965-04:00My First BlogOK, does this mean I'm now tech savvy? I'm proud to have figured out how to start a blog... now if I can come to a better understanding of what a blog is! LOLUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3