tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15261560400398035972024-02-19T10:19:09.155-06:00Cook's CornerRazinkids...one day at a timeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-2140913414520621192017-10-27T13:23:00.004-05:002017-10-27T13:23:45.781-05:00RESET!Reset!<br />Here's a post from 2014, repeated here as I attempt to return to blogging.<br />BAD HONEST<br /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Honesty isn't always the best policy. Sometimes it makes people feel uncomfortable.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Still, I've asked for others to be completely honest with me, especially where I have close friendships. I tell them, "just let me have it with both barrels."! I know what it feels like to hear the bad honest from others because I've found a few friends who will go deep enough to love me this way. Yes, I said LOVE me.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">It sucks sometimes. Sucks BAD sometimes. But still, </span><strike style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">I'm pretty sure</strike><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;"> its what I prefer.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Along that same thinking, I offer here my "bad" honesty. It's 'bad' because it crosses the line of where life is comfortable between two (or more) people into that place where the ugliness (aka the truth!) comes to light.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Ugliness - mine, yours, ours. No favoritism here. Its only fair.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">I think blogs are completely narcissistic. This one is no different.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Its for me to sound off.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Its therapy for me.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">And with the wonder of the internet, I can share it.</span><br style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;" /><span style="background-color: #ffffcc; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 14.43px;">Comments? I don't really care...Or do I....?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-21865426255223990872014-05-22T09:27:00.001-05:002014-05-22T09:27:32.376-05:002014 Moms Day Beile gift<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0BbNWbNq5cMXJg&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0BbNWbNq5cMT/0BbNWbNq5cMTcl/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1400768815000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>2014 Moms Day Beile gift</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-60967160929124186652014-01-26T10:07:00.000-06:002014-01-26T10:07:38.984-06:00Bad Honest<br />
Honesty isn't always the best policy. Sometimes it makes people feel uncomfortable.<br />
Still, I've asked for others to be completely honest with me, especially where I have close friendships. I tell them, "just let me have it with both barrels."! I know what it feels like to hear the bad honest from others because I've found a few friends who will go deep enough to love me this way. Yes, I said LOVE me.<br />
It sucks sometimes. Sucks BAD sometimes. But still, <strike>I'm pretty sure</strike> its what I prefer.<br />
Along that same thinking, I offer here my "bad" honesty. It's 'bad' because it crosses the line of where life is comfortable between two (or more) people into that place where the ugliness (aka the truth!) comes to light.<br />
<br />
Ugliness - mine, yours, ours. No favoritism here. Its only fair.<br />
<br />
I think blogs are completely narcissistic. This one is no different.<br />
Its for me to sound off.<br />
Its therapy for me.<br />
And with the wonder of the internet, I can share it.<br />
Comments? I don't really care...Or do I....?<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-62978226409204765582011-09-27T14:58:00.004-05:002011-09-27T15:23:40.434-05:00Starry Night<span style="font-weight: bold;">The night sky that we've observed over the past several evenings is more incredible than any I've ever seen. Beach front lighting is restricted around Cape San Blas due to sea turtle hatching, so the beaches are pitch black at night. We've been taking walks with flashlights to capture some of the sea creatures that come out in the dark. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvKMQGTVcTOOtzTpUmNat63t3eRWq9S0R9A1x6YUXoYnE9R7FUwwzMHMDnupfph_8MYuhdyPfXmlMgfs4QhOvzd0NNnh_9m_7U-W4bAenNwybCHZxE7xK3mH-5UqwFocblVyO01OC63dD/s1600/IMG_1883.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvKMQGTVcTOOtzTpUmNat63t3eRWq9S0R9A1x6YUXoYnE9R7FUwwzMHMDnupfph_8MYuhdyPfXmlMgfs4QhOvzd0NNnh_9m_7U-W4bAenNwybCHZxE7xK3mH-5UqwFocblVyO01OC63dD/s400/IMG_1883.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657136611288001410" border="0" /></a><br />Pictures don't do this starry sky justice....but Jeff tried to capture it anyhow.....absolutely amazing. Thanks, God!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmS8prRbbpg5QFBujtw-yRHc9VC-4bOy3zpwQp837b86DH3ZxEL0mGb5VLtvjTVN5BC8-Of5VrHcIiIdaeJl63gkJQPrEU0sKNz2x8LqtK1ChZC-OI6k47Rw31YZQCBN6oQsTCS5fBcjF/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmS8prRbbpg5QFBujtw-yRHc9VC-4bOy3zpwQp837b86DH3ZxEL0mGb5VLtvjTVN5BC8-Of5VrHcIiIdaeJl63gkJQPrEU0sKNz2x8LqtK1ChZC-OI6k47Rw31YZQCBN6oQsTCS5fBcjF/s400/IMG_1935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657131822985396466" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-64081081036007346582011-09-25T08:52:00.002-05:002011-09-25T09:20:44.426-05:00The ViewAfter about 16 hrs of traveling and suffering from a bit of sleep deprivation, I was ready to get out of the car. Around 10:30pm eastern time Saturday, we finally settled down for our bedtime family prayer. Last night we were thanking God for the beauty of the His creation (of which we get a seriously magnificent taste this week!). Our duplex is literally steps from the beach. We're just plain blessed to have this view for 6 days. We're lovin' every minute of it!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcLbB7SrYe9a_7cBt5jJozTyLbPVMNnEwnr6IF6ttrE4BoqC8_drkD_3lf_thDlRXNRFPbbxQCR84QVZOP393Bu5cvlfFl_628gKDafzCUJqyDvLfQkqZgmMv4UD-Wb7baPBCcXBx6TTm/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcLbB7SrYe9a_7cBt5jJozTyLbPVMNnEwnr6IF6ttrE4BoqC8_drkD_3lf_thDlRXNRFPbbxQCR84QVZOP393Bu5cvlfFl_628gKDafzCUJqyDvLfQkqZgmMv4UD-Wb7baPBCcXBx6TTm/s400/IMG_1308.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656295382602319922" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-76778573873754690412011-09-25T08:28:00.005-05:002011-09-25T08:50:03.680-05:00Vacation!Its been awhile since we had family vacation.<br /><br />Life is full...of home schooling, mom and dad working jobs outside the home, helping out with Grammy's affairs, and the boys' weekly 6hr Swim Team training, not to mention a few volunteer commitments.<br /><br />These next few posts cover our long awaited, much needed, first family oceanfront vacation. We're thoroughly enjoying a beachfront house on the Gulf Coast area called Cape San Blas. There's only one road on and off this forgotten coast. Check it out <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=pfwc&cp=7&gs_id=j&xhr=t&q=cape+san+blas&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1117&bih=524&wrapid=tljp1316957777296010&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl">here</a> on Google maps!<br /><br />More to come.....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-71969474146981643702011-09-09T12:13:00.006-05:002011-09-09T12:50:34.992-05:00Flashback Friday: My Three Sons Then & Now<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7V5NKY1A7PP6FVz6OIb3Z1BulqxcTAlknzXDy7W8UiNO1duSC0q4WKT4i1LgbWDngfCqCrdUPW96_xDZvxeOWcSczZB19Can6SryJknAF_2iGbSKjpXWpmHvqkijr4xgVgIAHhc_YJ5D/s1600/124_2439.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7V5NKY1A7PP6FVz6OIb3Z1BulqxcTAlknzXDy7W8UiNO1duSC0q4WKT4i1LgbWDngfCqCrdUPW96_xDZvxeOWcSczZB19Can6SryJknAF_2iGbSKjpXWpmHvqkijr4xgVgIAHhc_YJ5D/s400/124_2439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650417506784549554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">2005</span></span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrivtSYrBHju9IrGqzyaSv2VoVHp8ZLIBxhp2on8YwD8XMjrIWKKix5W5IrPqLrNEt4NhTl91JCPcKR7i5Vv1bSrm_3tdlQUPMLvEz-sOFaXO6Hy3scay6-U2PtvRJbpoB6hyktNBsrQTR/s1600/IMG_8629.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrivtSYrBHju9IrGqzyaSv2VoVHp8ZLIBxhp2on8YwD8XMjrIWKKix5W5IrPqLrNEt4NhTl91JCPcKR7i5Vv1bSrm_3tdlQUPMLvEz-sOFaXO6Hy3scay6-U2PtvRJbpoB6hyktNBsrQTR/s400/IMG_8629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650418166735501698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">2011</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-6622217681988630802011-06-28T09:41:00.003-05:002011-06-28T09:53:42.686-05:00Thank You Right NowLately I'm going with the convictions God gives me to write or share my heart when I feel prompted. After reading this short message from <a href="http://www.thisdaysthought.org/">This Day's Thought.org</a> , I just had to share it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Dear GOD:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I want to thank You for what you have already done.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles...I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Unknown</span><br /><br />This Day's Verse:<br />“Yea, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.”<br />Psalm 33:21 The Revised Standard Version<br /><br /> I often get stuck in a rut waiting for trials to pass or waiting for circumstances to be ideal before I will thank God or let myself be content with whatever is. Thoughts like those above, full of thanks, are the best way to begin the day so there's way less room for the negative. Glad I read it. Hope you are too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-24480405311539856112011-06-19T00:00:00.001-05:002011-06-19T00:00:00.161-05:00Fatherhood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyAhSeIkwIZFsAMKEbhMOldPlNWDQus2NKWQEpSR42pTNZb_JpkR0Lzu4vGIhwVMvQxPOOu6x4JUF_SHS95aIR6j5imSs6Si3uxw9AdeEz9LHFEUDWp_rXBylJTsaq4MiLIMHSgQ0L15w/s1600/IMG_8372.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyAhSeIkwIZFsAMKEbhMOldPlNWDQus2NKWQEpSR42pTNZb_JpkR0Lzu4vGIhwVMvQxPOOu6x4JUF_SHS95aIR6j5imSs6Si3uxw9AdeEz9LHFEUDWp_rXBylJTsaq4MiLIMHSgQ0L15w/s200/IMG_8372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619263127421122402" border="0" /></a><br />He isn't completely comfortable accepting compliments. Still, this post is in recognition of Jeff on Father's Day.<br /><br />This isn't a "brag fest" about how much better my husband is at fathering than anyone else, its just an honest, genuine note of thanks that he does his best.<br /><br />The fact is, he's been specifically chosen by God, hand-picked to father our three sons, and he is the best man for the job - period.<br />He isn't perfect, thank God! Oh, sometimes he <span style="font-style: italic;">thinks</span> he's perfect, but God put me right here up in his face to remind him that he isn't. :)<br /><br />Mistakes or no, he does father his children in his own special way, and I believe that's what God intended. I pray that Jeff and I together succeed in building spiritually rich, physically able, God honoring men.<br />My deepest thanks to Jeff for forging onward in the challenge<br />of fatherhood and razinkids with me!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvXxWWe6tfC5CEVv9vD0T-IE_puBgT3AfXS9kDtlPoCmagAyb37Jos5ggLsxq7ueSEx6m7Whem7t0mikCj-tUWrWn2Qqi5iWwoMrDdOYTL_o2jatMGwKDwCHFiurq2JJxKhuTUTNfmiJJ/s1600/IMG_8378.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvXxWWe6tfC5CEVv9vD0T-IE_puBgT3AfXS9kDtlPoCmagAyb37Jos5ggLsxq7ueSEx6m7Whem7t0mikCj-tUWrWn2Qqi5iWwoMrDdOYTL_o2jatMGwKDwCHFiurq2JJxKhuTUTNfmiJJ/s200/IMG_8378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619263712719878978" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-36359486655056928122011-06-17T11:43:00.011-05:002011-06-17T14:27:18.936-05:00Flashback Friday - Donald Leroy Earl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesKJHoklYiKG57iLslXOAK0dXE7wZMydJ5uWwIRdZQSCMRePweI0RdDI_ocMPf9ToZ0eNOxF8u2OGkyf-aDO-twFMGwNcWtXsZ78MarmAgFBR8e0VWdb4SNJq4rV8B3CnDi5_g6z1qxaj/s1600/Amanda+Dad+sleep+crop.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesKJHoklYiKG57iLslXOAK0dXE7wZMydJ5uWwIRdZQSCMRePweI0RdDI_ocMPf9ToZ0eNOxF8u2OGkyf-aDO-twFMGwNcWtXsZ78MarmAgFBR8e0VWdb4SNJq4rV8B3CnDi5_g6z1qxaj/s320/Amanda+Dad+sleep+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619231428610765490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Although my dad is gone, I still remember him often and especially on Father's Day. He was imperfect to say the least, but one of his greatest strengths was giving affection to me. He hugged and kissed me regularly, probably because I went looking for affection first and he was the one parent to always return it. I'm glad for that, because it did help to make up for the great deficits he left in other areas of fathering me.<br /><br />Occasionally I'll stop and let memories of dad come flooding in. Its good for me to remember the mixed bag that was dad. It gives my heart balance where there's emptiness left from wanting more from him as a father.<br /><br />My dad was full of goofy humor, and I loved that. We kids got a kick out of his occasional toilet humor, of which my mom disapproved, especially during mealtimes.<br /><br />Dad was the best hugger.<br /><br />Dad could draw really cool doodles and caricatures.<br /><br />Dad chewed a lot of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum, a replacement for a smoking habit he gave up when he was 40 something, I think. I remember he’d often make little shapes with his gum and stick out his tongue so we could admire his work. A few times he created some cool gum wrapper origami, which he gave to me as a little gift. I thought it was so cool.<br /><br />Dad was very creative. He played a Gibson guitar and sang(off pitch). Dad was a songwriter, and he also wrote poetry, which I didn't find out until I was an adult. These were his God given gifts(all except singing).<br /><br />Other random memories of dad….his curly perm fro (LOL!), his “plastic” hair, almost nightly trips to Baskin Robbins when his songs hit Billboards Top 100 or Top Ten, guns and tasers in our home, loose change in his basket, his salt n pepper beard, strange stories of St. Louis city cop life, and his own funny or even sad childhood memories.<br /><br /><br />I thank God for my dad, both the good and the bad. His strengths and especially his weaknesses have helped me be a better parent in the end.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-43824039550306032232011-06-16T12:26:00.005-05:002011-06-16T13:40:09.077-05:00Losing It<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFRYJQipaB0WMCVq0ofW7QAzfBX-eNAUNzaDjiOxTkubeprjRR4nHw2s6yV5F3tFoSOOJ04RSFhyr-KvB9Irh0bdeE6JBqOr-Hoi0ffwBGytGVzq-fa3vaQ3rGQWSYpGT607KW2C4tNha/s1600/IMG_3950.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFRYJQipaB0WMCVq0ofW7QAzfBX-eNAUNzaDjiOxTkubeprjRR4nHw2s6yV5F3tFoSOOJ04RSFhyr-KvB9Irh0bdeE6JBqOr-Hoi0ffwBGytGVzq-fa3vaQ3rGQWSYpGT607KW2C4tNha/s320/IMG_3950.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618887003022853906" border="0" /></a><br /> Its sad to observe a once healthy mind slowly succumb to memory loss. Its a helpless feeling, and I'm not talking about the one who's losing her memory, I'm talking about ME!<br />I'm losing it! (my sanity)<br />She's losing it! (her memory)<br /> My mom is 67 years young and mostly healthy. Mom has battled short term memory loss for the past few years, with a pretty significant increase in confusion over these last few months. While she's still mostly independent, I've begun to help her manage her medications and her fiances to a large degree. I'm on all her HIPAA forms, and she needs someone to go with her to all doc visits. Mom stays moderately active and remains involved in church activities, where she has a second family willing to love and guide her through this transition of her life. But its clear that we'll soon be paving the way for the next step in "memory care" life requirements.<br /> For my own mental health, I've decided that I'm putting my vulnerable stuff out there....and no one reads this blog anyhow, so I can just do some writing and sounding off all at once.<br /> The most prominent part of my personality could be called the CRITICAL PARENT. She says, "Quit whining about having to take care of your mom. It could be worse, so knock off the bellyaching and get on with it!" A less prominent part of my personality that people don't often see is the CLUELESS 12 yr old who just wants someone to hold her hand while they guide her through this crazy thing called life. I hide her out of necessity. She doesn't fit into the world because the world tells her to buck up and dig deep to be strong from within 'self'. But even this clueless 12 yr old knows she can't do it herself.<br /> I sometimes feel like I'm losing my own sanity as I step in to help my mom deal with her memory loss and its life changing consequences. As a Christ follower, I don't think Jesus wants me to lose myself or my peace of mind as a result of taking care of "others", so I lean even more heavily on Him to guide me to know how the heck I'm gonna manage all this without indeed losing myself.<br /> I'm overwhelmed and exhausted and this is only the beginning! Even so, I know I'm not alone, I have my Savior right here all the time. And God has given me Jeff, who is a downright ROCK for me when it comes to dealing with my mom. Then there's a long list of others who are there as well...siblings, best girlfriends, church family..... so many to have by my side - while I'm losing it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-36680341868861670372011-05-01T15:57:00.002-05:002011-05-01T16:07:21.234-05:00Making MemoriesI'll save my commentary on violence for another day and just post this work done by my nephews and sons.<br />I'm impressed with the editing and production that Christian has achieved with an old camera and limited resources.<br /><br />More movies to come....<br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jQ8y1Z5Bt8U?fs=1" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="344"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-49500080811405238262011-04-25T13:47:00.004-05:002011-04-25T13:56:20.621-05:00Fourteen and counting.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS0jftT5vX87QcpjmFGGtCrOs-u1pvrAhXZzgBOyi45mKefvJBv6YdZj0n_FZFpdUh0yljrY9ub5DSk12DuHc2RIIZ0Lk9-48yKdZhJkNw6nQI-lr5n6WB9zUBrp_jGvhp10ObtaOcrW3/s1600/IMG_7865.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiS0jftT5vX87QcpjmFGGtCrOs-u1pvrAhXZzgBOyi45mKefvJBv6YdZj0n_FZFpdUh0yljrY9ub5DSk12DuHc2RIIZ0Lk9-48yKdZhJkNw6nQI-lr5n6WB9zUBrp_jGvhp10ObtaOcrW3/s400/IMG_7865.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599596423940110866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnPFPAnIWdJciQ7YigVr-US6GYcaeOFjXUVvhtOHwJ7PqCzo1HddIfGU64mO3ptBj6SCvN_WceaSFRfId1jT2U3wSbgYKsxXoaXxi2-YQstcvW7qCog5P8hw31H6tnj_Ec3ZZ-y8jFL5d/s1600/IMG_7856.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnPFPAnIWdJciQ7YigVr-US6GYcaeOFjXUVvhtOHwJ7PqCzo1HddIfGU64mO3ptBj6SCvN_WceaSFRfId1jT2U3wSbgYKsxXoaXxi2-YQstcvW7qCog5P8hw31H6tnj_Ec3ZZ-y8jFL5d/s320/IMG_7856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599595823678655778" border="0" /></a><br />Yikes, when DID this happen???<br />The tallest person in the house is not dad.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-53252266971554934882011-04-14T08:23:00.005-05:002011-04-14T09:37:08.344-05:00Current Events - STORM!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU6nwrAP2M8-BMfPRkny9FneE30a2T8_lJcFMuSq50MvvsrAC9dtOaX4hZ6VsBLTDilpBf0nxp_kUY3LO8n1qzy__cfLsjbZRYmTC_LnR6cCQpymZycU_RCLtUuG-ey8B2rxNYNmlzKSV/s1600/IMG_5585.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRU6nwrAP2M8-BMfPRkny9FneE30a2T8_lJcFMuSq50MvvsrAC9dtOaX4hZ6VsBLTDilpBf0nxp_kUY3LO8n1qzy__cfLsjbZRYmTC_LnR6cCQpymZycU_RCLtUuG-ey8B2rxNYNmlzKSV/s320/IMG_5585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595443168457490834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-L0LxOTlcg1VgniOHgRE1w_6F0W6qAWzwJC8iswQZtWR63kK6DSPONK-8xTI2FHQAEe_HmuTkadH_B5Lb1t6Ov-TrJhO_rrdZJHyLvnYeaaKQqxjcDSyOR32_fF9V2eunsJraSG3zWtz/s1600/IMG_5708.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >2011</span> saw our family venturing into uncharted waters. Caleb and Lucas joined a Swim Team at the South City YMCA. Like any competitive sport, its a bit intense at times and even a bit "cultish" in my view, but in a good way. :)<br />The whole YMCA experience has been "interesting" as well. Mix together my boys and men's locker room/open shower experiences, and I guarantee you the dinner table conversations have been amusing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-L0LxOTlcg1VgniOHgRE1w_6F0W6qAWzwJC8iswQZtWR63kK6DSPONK-8xTI2FHQAEe_HmuTkadH_B5Lb1t6Ov-TrJhO_rrdZJHyLvnYeaaKQqxjcDSyOR32_fF9V2eunsJraSG3zWtz/s1600/IMG_5708.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-L0LxOTlcg1VgniOHgRE1w_6F0W6qAWzwJC8iswQZtWR63kK6DSPONK-8xTI2FHQAEe_HmuTkadH_B5Lb1t6Ov-TrJhO_rrdZJHyLvnYeaaKQqxjcDSyOR32_fF9V2eunsJraSG3zWtz/s200/IMG_5708.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595442281734859122" border="0" /></a><br />Overall, its been one of the best experiences we've had so far with our kids and team sports. Our thanks goes out to one of the THE best coaches ever, <a href="http://dreamtolosewithtrainerjamie.blogspot.com/">Jamie Hamilton, </a> and all the others who made this program possible.<br /><br /><br />Looking forward to next year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1fu7hqEM3yG33Dl5f_QtBHtmIaMG25_38AMYS96iL_9CojFKhV7qDd7Ux3QpKOucBlcTQuOUSBYQJpp-SmJHg2AXjWqpQU4a93VZgn6c2KqEcMunF0nRxGxB4hJEWcOU1XPlO-muTKPA/s1600/IMG_5701.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1fu7hqEM3yG33Dl5f_QtBHtmIaMG25_38AMYS96iL_9CojFKhV7qDd7Ux3QpKOucBlcTQuOUSBYQJpp-SmJHg2AXjWqpQU4a93VZgn6c2KqEcMunF0nRxGxB4hJEWcOU1XPlO-muTKPA/s200/IMG_5701.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595448129158996194" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-38113623967488482742010-10-13T00:00:00.000-05:002010-10-13T00:00:02.516-05:00Happy 45th Jeff<br /><br />Thanks for the all the ways you sacrifice to take care of our family~<br /><br />May you stay forever young as you grow old :)<br /><br />Love,<br />Amanda, Caleb, Lucas, and Isaac<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KqHk4YJfcoM?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KqHk4YJfcoM?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-52577922117285046182010-07-26T08:46:00.003-05:002010-07-26T08:50:39.028-05:00Blow Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcL2OLgOruMlaU8dJKwkEb0Pl4yWk1aJOQ4JwE4Dq0G-JPmbTnXeSoveZbGUx1RjhGK6yVqywziiuKiJb35h_np7Wj_Io7QVzSwAqkAEPKoRXS0vt5VFOzS75Yi9mS9vtxMe43DsOkc6z/s1600/IMG_6760.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcL2OLgOruMlaU8dJKwkEb0Pl4yWk1aJOQ4JwE4Dq0G-JPmbTnXeSoveZbGUx1RjhGK6yVqywziiuKiJb35h_np7Wj_Io7QVzSwAqkAEPKoRXS0vt5VFOzS75Yi9mS9vtxMe43DsOkc6z/s400/IMG_6760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498211866356022946" border="0" /></a><br />Before playing with small explosives,make sure to read the directions....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-13184552474732254852010-03-12T08:57:00.002-06:002010-03-12T09:07:25.692-06:00Happy Birthday to MeHere is a thoughtful gift from my sister. Thanks, Shannon, for the gift of memories! Great song choice, too!<br />And thanks to EVERYONE for the bday wishes. What a lovely day it has been....here's to many more years of life and love.<br /><br /><br /><img style="visibility: hidden; width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bT*xJmx*PTEyNjg*MDYxNDM3NTAmcHQ9MTI2ODQwNjE1MzMyOCZwPTI2ODQxJmQ9Jmc9MSZvZj*w.gif" border="0" height="0" width="0" /><div style="width: 466px;"> <object height="375" width="466"> <param name="movie" value="http://cdn.photoshow.com/psp_assets/exbed_player.0.2.0.swf"> <param name="FlashVars" value="showCode=Pg4Ec5Dm&systemConfigUrl=http://cdn.photoshow.com/publish/system_config.0.2.0.xml&viewerWidth=466&viewerHeight=375&autoPlayBack=false&muteOnStart=false&useWidgetMaker=false"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <embed src="http://cdn.photoshow.com/psp_assets/exbed_player.0.2.0.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="showCode=Pg4Ec5Dm&systemConfigUrl=http://cdn.photoshow.com/publish/system_config.0.2.0.xml&viewerWidth=466&viewerHeight=375&autoPlayBack=false&muteOnStart=false&useWidgetMaker=false" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high" height="375" width="466"></embed> </object></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-26882155325676696172010-03-11T11:16:00.000-06:002010-03-11T11:19:42.087-06:00Lost<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCGDjVbFak2q8Mtm-06IinYzbYNKyeUFxVmK9ahRA1fqe_8Dpfpd7HimNFepLoWOCzBBv0dE1nZRYjACJ3SKtnycefCvuzcXDWJPU33YSowdCWMAkMSalOGh8iDv88Va6dddRKlrBHnej/s1600-h/IMG_5618.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCGDjVbFak2q8Mtm-06IinYzbYNKyeUFxVmK9ahRA1fqe_8Dpfpd7HimNFepLoWOCzBBv0dE1nZRYjACJ3SKtnycefCvuzcXDWJPU33YSowdCWMAkMSalOGh8iDv88Va6dddRKlrBHnej/s400/IMG_5618.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447427117431320578" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-43249015928164571592010-01-22T09:16:00.005-06:002010-01-22T09:42:17.751-06:00<div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/stltoday/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=138743228">Jerry Arthur Cook</a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;">(click on name for obituary and service info)</span></span><br />father***husband***grandpa***friend<br /></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUqXUjnq2AOaYJq8ZEs8vn__XON1i5ThBhxQUuHHbDZHHSdwJxp18Vl-LvLuiIf3bFMfnhpq6K9E2X5rz7heWEQIncWmh8GEzPIagNFuEloA9SbKxmygekFyX3sQi1614-Bwejw1_QbvT/s1600-h/IMG_0648+Jerry+crop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUqXUjnq2AOaYJq8ZEs8vn__XON1i5ThBhxQUuHHbDZHHSdwJxp18Vl-LvLuiIf3bFMfnhpq6K9E2X5rz7heWEQIncWmh8GEzPIagNFuEloA9SbKxmygekFyX3sQi1614-Bwejw1_QbvT/s400/IMG_0648+Jerry+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429587562241779906" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-1883126104007943772010-01-12T15:36:00.001-06:002010-01-12T15:39:10.238-06:00Let it Snow 2010<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QZ_wszOzY20Hd-gsCIMDpT9cEJ9wqBfrRKaX32PlviLemKvQ_FtO9SYtifcsxJ7qpNy2RUd5keuGS-WQ4DetnyQ-6VkN4eWiULx3LBcEyiCneSscrSNKLKNpTDmpV8ona17bUIMS5Mz2/s1600-h/IMG_5351.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425970907634665234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QZ_wszOzY20Hd-gsCIMDpT9cEJ9wqBfrRKaX32PlviLemKvQ_FtO9SYtifcsxJ7qpNy2RUd5keuGS-WQ4DetnyQ-6VkN4eWiULx3LBcEyiCneSscrSNKLKNpTDmpV8ona17bUIMS5Mz2/s400/IMG_5351.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>Snowman #1 for 2010</strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong>We hope there are more to come!</strong></span><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-66859170614366630142009-12-09T06:00:00.001-06:002009-12-09T06:00:05.826-06:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPV4kLlDZDByIejmpBafGCGzgDslzMcwxPEPvE2PWR9gcpKth-hvFwMfruf7GGDE3iePf-GRbKqu_BLzbtFHCxqrmuxv_cWB9Dkf5P8g0jCJq1I3y_os6GRMgNPoZcgUOonRDiBWMnxtD/s1600-h/IMG_4864.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412608292264945426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPV4kLlDZDByIejmpBafGCGzgDslzMcwxPEPvE2PWR9gcpKth-hvFwMfruf7GGDE3iePf-GRbKqu_BLzbtFHCxqrmuxv_cWB9Dkf5P8g0jCJq1I3y_os6GRMgNPoZcgUOonRDiBWMnxtD/s400/IMG_4864.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBk0BlcKU2DGV6E38PuMjinBSh2tC0Rw8MN8dTEqGeVRwNi7Ac1_gr5vfA9SL0WuBhWbyGE2r0DkXWCBziozI6E66zJWCOcUqLAbhvpJ9rZJh8Qr4JJCD6Isu6maUFphtTQY9Yu_J8dg/s1600-h/IMG_4891.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412608285425667170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gBk0BlcKU2DGV6E38PuMjinBSh2tC0Rw8MN8dTEqGeVRwNi7Ac1_gr5vfA9SL0WuBhWbyGE2r0DkXWCBziozI6E66zJWCOcUqLAbhvpJ9rZJh8Qr4JJCD6Isu6maUFphtTQY9Yu_J8dg/s400/IMG_4891.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpT-oDsojyiw7yM-SgSIxyUogX299vX0UnaNz33S3t2nF8BFMpoin5ZULsFEXzq9dEOCKoP5CCrN-mnsTmCp5tIRoxJ_EEEd-TqbY_HgLvBJgMWcHbetDBqHKoneLOFeRWDrr9H7O2ezs/s1600-h/IMG_4904.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412608275006284162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpT-oDsojyiw7yM-SgSIxyUogX299vX0UnaNz33S3t2nF8BFMpoin5ZULsFEXzq9dEOCKoP5CCrN-mnsTmCp5tIRoxJ_EEEd-TqbY_HgLvBJgMWcHbetDBqHKoneLOFeRWDrr9H7O2ezs/s400/IMG_4904.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-4882717897645294202009-11-09T10:25:00.007-06:002009-11-10T09:39:10.703-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz51WSq9UIyR9uzSwM_59t10Z6rGKhO28d01zgSXi8sB2tcgqAXgABsSl3DT7nbd1ragheQNBAYEK8t9Ib-nm9XwAb7_htZ1wp7JFIEqzoNIF6i0lgdQ7TVxe1I23uQ8r8Lz1c8IHCgiS/s1600-h/IMG_4744.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402496775836438978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz51WSq9UIyR9uzSwM_59t10Z6rGKhO28d01zgSXi8sB2tcgqAXgABsSl3DT7nbd1ragheQNBAYEK8t9Ib-nm9XwAb7_htZ1wp7JFIEqzoNIF6i0lgdQ7TVxe1I23uQ8r8Lz1c8IHCgiS/s400/IMG_4744.JPG" /></a><br /><div>For the most part, I am decorating-impaired. I dread the thought of coming up with a plan for my new kitchen. One of the reasons that decorating drives me crazy is the one million and one choices of color, style, furniture, design, etc. I like a variety of everything. I need it narrowed down for me. Starting from scratch makes me feel a bit overwhelmed. I'd rather look at several completed room designs and pick one to recreate.<br /></div><br /><div>We recently removed the wall to wall carpet in anticipation of refinishing our hardwood floors. However, the living room hardwood is just too darn cold for my feet, so I insist on having area rugs to warm the place up. I took a leap and bought an area rug that I love. I'll worry about the rest of the living room details when the time comes. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-92152470202612991022009-10-30T12:09:00.003-05:002009-10-30T12:14:29.218-05:00Flashback Friday - Halloween '06<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXD69bgYEVhREwvPlvt20wM6AiUWZcrDaD-vt7Rw01668xkhxs3AGT_kH166_fzpX5BUTTJpgcSb_er-vPqzBW7rKSIZfU2uxQ5kAP52irHpgFr5hWZSiqiamK4IHSnNwWlBW9vd3SUix/s1600-h/IMG_5235.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398441838036887858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXD69bgYEVhREwvPlvt20wM6AiUWZcrDaD-vt7Rw01668xkhxs3AGT_kH166_fzpX5BUTTJpgcSb_er-vPqzBW7rKSIZfU2uxQ5kAP52irHpgFr5hWZSiqiamK4IHSnNwWlBW9vd3SUix/s400/IMG_5235.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjid9p7TD24o3L4peIFpp5Zt5H29oK4I1R2dMFPxGPZmA7w5NWuGVL_jPdIcVbstSnTXGNVOtU2paXD9K1ArA5bpgC9mve6E3GOCIetR66RCTR3hHlG6JbMDE0k1y6DFD6MrbnOFGfotLhP/s1600-h/IMG_5233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398441833843345314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjid9p7TD24o3L4peIFpp5Zt5H29oK4I1R2dMFPxGPZmA7w5NWuGVL_jPdIcVbstSnTXGNVOtU2paXD9K1ArA5bpgC9mve6E3GOCIetR66RCTR3hHlG6JbMDE0k1y6DFD6MrbnOFGfotLhP/s400/IMG_5233.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeK0h3v85lwzE-o_Uxo4FKQAXGdG5mmFPLpSqhazAAvlyLXrKVeq1bYwrQyKo-op2z0bsTowYizlsmp0FKCio5kXvhCB3MW_GVFZp36l7wOS20CP6OSO9fmvHa9tNLjfhkX2vMe0_veHx/s1600-h/IMG_5236.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398441827542391426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeK0h3v85lwzE-o_Uxo4FKQAXGdG5mmFPLpSqhazAAvlyLXrKVeq1bYwrQyKo-op2z0bsTowYizlsmp0FKCio5kXvhCB3MW_GVFZp36l7wOS20CP6OSO9fmvHa9tNLjfhkX2vMe0_veHx/s400/IMG_5236.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4daSfgr1KkLMrEfT7H9lXm_XUXFSsWb-JN2nSxR42crog0sef7QVK4xJD9wi_ksyE_A7XRxDrb3GI1ThcHRbC9wnCx5jlHhyphenhyphenW4DbBCl63762sMUbIPESG4QK5ZNc0atN4Sew_CkP3IEl/s1600-h/IMG_5232.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398441822970042690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4daSfgr1KkLMrEfT7H9lXm_XUXFSsWb-JN2nSxR42crog0sef7QVK4xJD9wi_ksyE_A7XRxDrb3GI1ThcHRbC9wnCx5jlHhyphenhyphenW4DbBCl63762sMUbIPESG4QK5ZNc0atN4Sew_CkP3IEl/s400/IMG_5232.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-69815691645440281792009-10-27T11:00:00.000-05:002009-10-27T11:12:17.486-05:00Playing Possum<span style="color:#000000;">We love living in a house that backs up to a wooded area, but it seems there's always some critter exploring a little too close to home. Often the little pests end up in the trash cans. As a result, all of <strong><em>our</em></strong> cans have tight lids which we make sure are kept closed. However, the neighbor's lid-less garbage haulers offer prime opportunities for feasting to skunks, raccoons, shrews, mice, squirrels, and birds. If one makes its way into the can, it isn't long before kids warn us of the discovery with shrieks of delight or fear. </span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">My favorite part of a critter close encounter is watching my neighbor release it back into the wooded area behind the house. Mustering all the machismo he can, he drags the can to the backyard and foot-tips the can away from the gang of gathered children. Sometimes it takes an additional kick or two on the bottom of the can to coax the creature out. The kids scream and scatter as the critter runs for wooded cover. The neighbor makes the rare "sissy scurry" away from the can as the beast escapes, but who can blame him? The wildlife around here have no fear of humans. Have you noticed the size of the common squirrel these days?! And skunk spray takes <strong><em>weeks</em></strong> to wear off, ya know.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">This picture has a high 'ick factor' with Mom....<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Here is the latest find: </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4SqLXEfYpSx3lsGn7SNhgKBl7ycyE062r6LyeOGiOOkqyCYtvda7s3PBnn3hKbqAm1YWwUp0EXMTqXwVmZCL9U4_CqqIls8vNrMY0lJQjINEnq16lQ5rHiVxQJ6z6PnRVC5X5aptlBYg/s1600-h/IMG_4131.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395459957984383282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4SqLXEfYpSx3lsGn7SNhgKBl7ycyE062r6LyeOGiOOkqyCYtvda7s3PBnn3hKbqAm1YWwUp0EXMTqXwVmZCL9U4_CqqIls8vNrMY0lJQjINEnq16lQ5rHiVxQJ6z6PnRVC5X5aptlBYg/s400/IMG_4131.JPG" /></a> <span style="color:#000099;">opossum - alive and well!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1526156040039803597.post-89806756737775901612009-10-23T09:59:00.002-05:002009-10-23T10:04:01.383-05:00Flashback Friday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNSqx3oN074EFZCZVxDSgpEGh8IbT2jHIJaVMehKB6pRTXnxclx0LD7R8wQiO01TDm9VcMzjcH7uwLvWNcsiIc2AcaD1XtKz4_hXXHxxlr2PivZM0lHKX-vzBA3eeR1CAQogMbFu-JArP/s1600-h/2004_10_09-OctFamilyBdayParty_collage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395811306124814674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNSqx3oN074EFZCZVxDSgpEGh8IbT2jHIJaVMehKB6pRTXnxclx0LD7R8wQiO01TDm9VcMzjcH7uwLvWNcsiIc2AcaD1XtKz4_hXXHxxlr2PivZM0lHKX-vzBA3eeR1CAQogMbFu-JArP/s400/2004_10_09-OctFamilyBdayParty_collage.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0