tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-247412112024-03-21T00:41:38.251-06:00practically perfect . . .bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-83274199615346173482012-06-24T17:09:00.001-06:002012-06-24T17:10:38.108-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">* A handwritten letter* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I broke my ankle 20 years ago this month, and only now have they come up with the technology to repair it permanently. This came through the use of a cadaver tendon. With the discharge paperwork, included was a card with brief information about the donor program and where it encouraged recipients to write a brief note to the family of the donor to let them know of our appreciation of their sacrifice during such a difficult time. The first day that I was lucid, I sat down to write them my note. I do not know their name, but my card included a coded sheet of paper that I could include with my letter so that it could reach the proper people. I am a donor, and I would like to encourage each of you to consider what a blessing it can be for others if you choose to do the same. Here is a copy of the letter that I wrote them after a prayerful desire to express my gratitude and experience to them gracefully. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">To my dear family~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am only just recovering from my surgery that linked me to you forever and I have tried again and again to find the right words to express my gratitude properly, but as the "right" ones escape me, please accept my basic attempt. I cannot imagine the circumstances you have gone through to bring you here, so I will share min. It is one month shy of twenty years ago that I broke my ankle on a trampoline. I ended up with a rather more significant tendon injury which I have gone through surgery to correct unsuccessfully. As a result of this damage, I have lived with an unstable ankle which gives out roughly once every other week. It has caused me to fall down flights of stairs repeated, sometimes holding children, sometimes causing concussions and so forth. I have been scared of having problems during a pregnancy, and I am very careful when taking care of loved ones for fear of it giving out when they depend on my physical strength. Ten years ago, when I first married, there was no real medical solution for me and so I mostly gave up tennis and other sports and learned to adapt my life for the most part. This month, I went in to my doctor and was told of a new procedure which called for a transplant. They tell me that now it will function as it once did thanks to your choice during such a dark time in you lives. There is no way to express my gratitude, so I tried to offer this note and let you know that I am one of 9 children with 18 nieces and nephews thus far, and I shared with them how I was able to be healed and my choice to become a tissue donor as well as an organ donor, and I asked each of them to consider making the same choice. I know that getting a new tendon may seem unimportant to most, but for myself, it will change how I get to live my life. I wish there was more I could say. I will pray for all of you for comfort and thank you for the legacy your loved one left behind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Most Sincerely~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Bethany M.</span> </div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-56439473598995610142012-02-28T17:00:00.001-07:002012-02-28T17:04:25.781-07:00<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsPOeYslb5h10JPb0IAcka30GTynFLfAn-p7xsD65VBerNy8gLitgNiP5jRGGxpWymqX60VISS_ci2RnIu3DTZUlqbZLdku647tUUmNIy5_gtRcWeKXuVMTxvDSlu_n_T7h1k/s1600/bike+ride+228+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsPOeYslb5h10JPb0IAcka30GTynFLfAn-p7xsD65VBerNy8gLitgNiP5jRGGxpWymqX60VISS_ci2RnIu3DTZUlqbZLdku647tUUmNIy5_gtRcWeKXuVMTxvDSlu_n_T7h1k/s640/bike+ride+228+024.JPG" width="426" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">*Come ride with me*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">Today I went out and after roughly 18 months of consideration, I bought myself a bike. This morning, as I sat in my room doing my morning devotional, I realized today was the time to spend the rather considerable amount of money on a "toy" that I had not tried in about 20 years. At roughly the age of 12, I went on a "death march" bike ride with my family in Dallas. It was such a horrible experience bike riding in the Dallas heat on a junky bike, trying to keep up with others in the family, that I swore I would never do it again. Well, I am a liar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">So this morning, I left the house with the intention of finding a bike to ride by the end of the day. At the first shop,<i> </i>I walked in fully expecting to buy a fancy Electra cruiser bike with a darling basket, and a little bell. So, the sales clerk walked up to me to greet me. So, I told him I wanted to buy a bike but didn't know what I should be looking for as I hadn't been on one since I was a child. His advice: just pick out a pretty color. Seriously?!? Needless to say, I was not going to drop that kind of cash at a place where they just didn't care to explain things like, gears matter, how it feels to sit in the seat, am I sitting erect, is it pushing me forward.... Anyhow. Then I headed down the street to the next Bike shop, Taylor's Bike's in Provo, and tried again. This time I discussed things like what kind of biking would I be doing, how did I want to be seated, how did I like the comfort? Anyhow, by the time they were done, the poor girl got a hug from me, who hates hugs! I could not have been more grateful for the family running that shop and treating me with respect and not shaming me for being a thick lady trying to go bike riding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">I went straight home and literally prayed that the old adage is true, " it's like riding a bike..." well, luckily it is. I was panicked at first at the idea of lifting my feet and figuring out how to get started, but that was sorted out soon enough and I headed out to explore the neighborhood I have lived in for the last 7 years. How beautiful. It was snowing, and cold, but a gorgeous day for a ride. I went down a mile or so to the cemetery by my home, and determined that would be as good a place as any to try out the gears, breaking, and general biking skills. It was so beautiful. I am grateful for the time out of the house in the sun, and allowing for inspiration to come to me. I was able to call my brother and have a sincere talk with him, and I was able to once again, feel like myself. I was not hiding in my home, I was not ashamed. I was free......</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">A beautiful statue from around 1900. I felt the familiar tingle I once enjoyed in cemeteries in Europe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCFRJ9sqTDiSNquwxAoJclgWsSahcxnc18REBZaAos3_jZbbqxuB3NEY7RfBib8IFLFMAncCQ-HqjTDV2bFcelV0GBAKI1OFJ95xev0r20o9xofTL-6Xfjr8HW7ydS9T-zvL5/s1600/bike+ride+228+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCFRJ9sqTDiSNquwxAoJclgWsSahcxnc18REBZaAos3_jZbbqxuB3NEY7RfBib8IFLFMAncCQ-HqjTDV2bFcelV0GBAKI1OFJ95xev0r20o9xofTL-6Xfjr8HW7ydS9T-zvL5/s320/bike+ride+228+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-DjMC12n_ZNh0vn_d2IJv_DXPY6iuHk6stIguecZW0CDPXcWiYVcUt1xFRFRmU0xmb5ZE9VT622qqF7MMLIZYuNEEod6gDw1dE3K-brnaKqgMQV4PkW6hKiO55R_wQ09osMz/s1600/bike+ride+228+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-DjMC12n_ZNh0vn_d2IJv_DXPY6iuHk6stIguecZW0CDPXcWiYVcUt1xFRFRmU0xmb5ZE9VT622qqF7MMLIZYuNEEod6gDw1dE3K-brnaKqgMQV4PkW6hKiO55R_wQ09osMz/s320/bike+ride+228+014.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">This is the part of the cemetery called the Angel Garden. It is the graves of the tiny children who lived only long enough to enter the world and be seen by their families, some lived a few weeks or months. There were headstones with Birthday balloons and stuffed animals. There was a headstone just past these for a young child that had a shepherds hook with a flashlight hanging on it for a child who was afraid of the dark.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo0hizGkt9tOTTsW1OTbQquIA96lwBwOrIIq-aqoebNx503ZIT6vm_xJX2L8RIJZmKjaxZUao5_LnyY1IC5spiDKAHiellP6_jv58j5haly8W6gfA2Z3c75KfmgeZbNxmEps3/s1600/bike+ride+228+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoo0hizGkt9tOTTsW1OTbQquIA96lwBwOrIIq-aqoebNx503ZIT6vm_xJX2L8RIJZmKjaxZUao5_LnyY1IC5spiDKAHiellP6_jv58j5haly8W6gfA2Z3c75KfmgeZbNxmEps3/s320/bike+ride+228+016.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq3zOm9_2GjA2ArUi06BknFTM7-xIdvmlXnLMHuUS7QjhJkAsm7uiWJ7aLzjUd28NEOaBYkJlHOz8_Da9aRBmOxz8jZK1rWGGKpnM8XE9AHNWr8TOnKXDyL9ljnf8kAaMyfyt/s1600/bike+ride+228+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq3zOm9_2GjA2ArUi06BknFTM7-xIdvmlXnLMHuUS7QjhJkAsm7uiWJ7aLzjUd28NEOaBYkJlHOz8_Da9aRBmOxz8jZK1rWGGKpnM8XE9AHNWr8TOnKXDyL9ljnf8kAaMyfyt/s320/bike+ride+228+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"> My favorite headstone</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekaFnKfryG_2MGwkz5QhN8Mnoxob5iLiYvbKx-KnH48ef9aW_xb72HjCOoKJBnWTfpbWDBD1IdRVyWdwILX8tDzQiD4wxpJx3Kgy34sPQz38Gf_jrI8eqbKx3thArlTJuFnZb/s1600/bike+ride+228+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekaFnKfryG_2MGwkz5QhN8Mnoxob5iLiYvbKx-KnH48ef9aW_xb72HjCOoKJBnWTfpbWDBD1IdRVyWdwILX8tDzQiD4wxpJx3Kgy34sPQz38Gf_jrI8eqbKx3thArlTJuFnZb/s320/bike+ride+228+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhc7fYJLbaYBnnT8keO7LJHv5meoW2O0nsgqlSj5EmS0A_8DsW1YJ3Ie2df6Hhv7Ox6HjnH6egj4wX5TbuFqbEzNheAc4xqEHU03fj4snfs1BECf6EVeNR-G7uNjkcrl96C9f/s1600/bike+ride+228+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhc7fYJLbaYBnnT8keO7LJHv5meoW2O0nsgqlSj5EmS0A_8DsW1YJ3Ie2df6Hhv7Ox6HjnH6egj4wX5TbuFqbEzNheAc4xqEHU03fj4snfs1BECf6EVeNR-G7uNjkcrl96C9f/s320/bike+ride+228+020.JPG" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">This is about a block from my home. I had to loop back around when I saw this beautiful door with the wreath on the wood panel. I am thinking about asking them for it! Perhaps, I will cut it down to a square of the woodwork section and hang it on a wall, or make it a side table.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">Home at last...I love this bike and the freedom of my days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-60059377706799411152012-02-18T17:11:00.000-07:002012-02-20T15:30:43.044-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">*I heart organizing*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">In the last week, I have immersed myself in every area of my closet/craft space </span>. <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I heard on an organizing podcast that I should organize top to bottom, left to right. So, here is my spare rooms various walls. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Here I created a makeup vanity out of a tiny corner and added my ironing station and necklaces~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My</span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">first closet section has purses, scarves, accessories, glasses, drawers of sweaters by color, and my bathroom backstock supplies as my bathroom is very small in this house~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My second wall section is for my most often used craft supplies. There are lots of cricut and cardmaking supplies sorted out and decanted as I found that when I had them out of sight, they rarely were used. The pull out drawer is actually made for socks and ties, but I find it much more useful this way~</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">My third wall section holds my bottoms by color with first pants, then skirts, and finally dresses. I have seldom used supplies at the top (wrapping paper and summer workout tanks). Then next to that, here is my tops section and jackets on the bottom rack. You can clearly see that I worked in clothing retail for ages as I am obsessed with having everything colorized and rotate it each season~ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Finally, abutted against the tops section forming an L shape, I have my shoe wall. This works well for me because I cannot buy new shoes unless I get rid of an old pair as my space is limited to one floor to ceiling section~</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Next up: MY KITCHEN!!!</span></div>
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</div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-46469343827082902652011-11-28T15:48:00.009-07:002011-11-28T16:17:59.567-07:00<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeViwm3m8nXeknPo2lBjNecEQuZHVawiknXy0AEfH7uobdlBxJIQkxBaLn3HdV9d1Ipef2NRw9JQrhzXCfnLtT2FW4EymBA0MywVUGkkHPJ7L1bkjyh-LtkUWw2fT0r_fFCcx/s1600/Cats+eggnog+030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680186483675661314" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeViwm3m8nXeknPo2lBjNecEQuZHVawiknXy0AEfH7uobdlBxJIQkxBaLn3HdV9d1Ipef2NRw9JQrhzXCfnLtT2FW4EymBA0MywVUGkkHPJ7L1bkjyh-LtkUWw2fT0r_fFCcx/s400/Cats+eggnog+030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*Ladies and Gentlemen, the devil is<em> real*</em></span></span></div><div align="center"><em></em> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"> Now I know that this is not the site where one typically expects to see images of the supernatural, or musings on deity and the like, but today has just been one of those days, so as it is my place to write, enjoy this if you might.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"> I have been married more than 9 years, and during that time, I have been brought to realize the true nature of evil. Evil wants you as miserable as he is, he constantly confronts and challenges you in ways that you previously thought unendurable. He is nasty, hateful, and when I sense his presence, I feel anger, fatigue, and helplessness. I of course refer to, the adversary, the devil, my cat Kenshin.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;">That bugger has been with me since roughly a month after saying "I do" and his goal in life is to make me sorry I have ever met him. Well, it has worked. This afternoon as I sat home while the cable company worked on restoring my connection, I had offered the gentleman at my home a drink, and so just as I stepped into my front room to deliver it, the devil laid me low. I had barely handed my guest the glass when I heard a tremendous whooshing noise, and upon turning round to the kitchen, I saw Kenshin, the devil incarnate, had knocked off a gallon of egg nog from where it sat closed on the counter and had created an egg nog orgy for himself and the three other youngsters who are prone to follow his bad example.<br /><br /></span></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;">One of these days, that damn cat will be gone. <em>Please </em>make it sooner rather than later!!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMJQB0IIeJCQz0_KPd64pueZaEww4c1dzByWmCak8yLylCCa8QTcGMeVgjO2Mp6v-DWX-KY4OxSGUkS5QRQ7-YCEN_sEdY52yg1nEHl2xmStXLIJ0CSaJ9Eug43SuE365xW-I/s1600/Cats+eggnog+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680186250057207346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMJQB0IIeJCQz0_KPd64pueZaEww4c1dzByWmCak8yLylCCa8QTcGMeVgjO2Mp6v-DWX-KY4OxSGUkS5QRQ7-YCEN_sEdY52yg1nEHl2xmStXLIJ0CSaJ9Eug43SuE365xW-I/s400/Cats+eggnog+002.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;">All four kitties, gorging themselves on my sorrow<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv98jPdy-6WtYZyKNexy2h1AwxysYQ6vF02rF_Wg7L2mkCc7mDlTEq4i-eBUcWPbs7W4H5rlTDH5RxEqu8YqUkYX7NSaaTTnaKEMutwOy8JQS6J1Yj1JT2iasy1YaD32QyXDC4/s1600/Cats+eggnog+024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680186275710918866" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv98jPdy-6WtYZyKNexy2h1AwxysYQ6vF02rF_Wg7L2mkCc7mDlTEq4i-eBUcWPbs7W4H5rlTDH5RxEqu8YqUkYX7NSaaTTnaKEMutwOy8JQS6J1Yj1JT2iasy1YaD32QyXDC4/s400/Cats+eggnog+024.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;">Poor Gigi has been blind since birth and has never had to take a bath in the sink before, though she has never been drenched in egg nog before either. Thank goodness my sink was essentially empty to begin with.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEE8s5df5bh6Dtbb2j9TezaACZvuapJyo_Uf9FtC_bD4-srDhcZRJBB3xYCUsL_bm8tr9wWCpASBnyVQ65EUvar7vd_WlN6VN15pSJj9wiLJVrFWUE498r9t3h25buP7duS-_/s1600/Cats+eggnog+028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680186470517874722" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEE8s5df5bh6Dtbb2j9TezaACZvuapJyo_Uf9FtC_bD4-srDhcZRJBB3xYCUsL_bm8tr9wWCpASBnyVQ65EUvar7vd_WlN6VN15pSJj9wiLJVrFWUE498r9t3h25buP7duS-_/s400/Cats+eggnog+028.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;">Sad note, she has no clue that faucet is right in front of her nose. I kid you not. Luckily for us all, my cable guy suggested I photograph the evidence of this misbehavior to share with the world before I got about the business of once again, doing my floors. </span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-61053735099821811402011-11-27T02:20:00.013-07:002011-11-27T21:56:43.627-07:00<div style=" text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><br /></div><div face="courier new" style=" text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAIWRB4mR5cxbojpkt0sN0B-OXKWZD_qs7M4sTHOeq7P_pz4kM7kpTEE552Yw1m2YLlSB0YPcQwRTFakhMTzszcpsmflOMfUbCYUVAP-2S4aPYuxZAJEBnG73eXHw9g4mKDvu/s1600/397.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604063234397970" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAIWRB4mR5cxbojpkt0sN0B-OXKWZD_qs7M4sTHOeq7P_pz4kM7kpTEE552Yw1m2YLlSB0YPcQwRTFakhMTzszcpsmflOMfUbCYUVAP-2S4aPYuxZAJEBnG73eXHw9g4mKDvu/s400/397.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><div face="courier new" style=" text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Road Not Taken<br /> - by Robert Frost<br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"> </div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="1"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">And sorry I could not travel both</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="2"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">And be one traveler, long I stood</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="3"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">And looked down one as far as I could</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="4"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">To where it bent in the undergrowth;</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Then took the other, as just as fair,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="6"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">And having perhaps the better claim,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="7"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Because it was grassy and wanted wear;</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="8"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Though as for that the passing there</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="9"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Had worn them really about the same,<br /><br />And both that morning equally lay</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="11"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">In leaves no step had trodden black.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="12"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Oh, I kept the first for another day!</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="13"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Yet knowing how way leads on to way,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="14"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I doubted if I should ever come back. </span></div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I shall be telling this with a sigh</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="16"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Somewhere ages and ages hence:</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="17"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="18"></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I took the one less traveled by,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a name="19"></a><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And that has made all the difference.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLzlvi29vneJZF2hRa2t61YqnoXOqopU9odCyizr8oueK05pl548YI0lHLYb24kLRLRmK01NpDZH8K_Nz2WHoOQcX68cVp3y-q9oDZ3rH55UgVjb0dub_aT7NxlgqComxBGXF/s1600/399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604065043593186" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLzlvi29vneJZF2hRa2t61YqnoXOqopU9odCyizr8oueK05pl548YI0lHLYb24kLRLRmK01NpDZH8K_Nz2WHoOQcX68cVp3y-q9oDZ3rH55UgVjb0dub_aT7NxlgqComxBGXF/s400/399.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I started off on my adventure, ignorant to the fact that at the end of November in the Utah mountains, one would expect to see snow...<br /></span></div><div><div><div><div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmH4zJGeIzNOWegP9fJyHFgZYZj6QBC1-vxdNon4KpvQySCL8BgrW48gx4szQ1nfmcOef7qm_cn0npY9TvjDxkyDxHN14jRKjfmoroK0nh2wQ-aDrPGXQs5IeJHWHaE0cHFr_/s1600/406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604072223856674" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmH4zJGeIzNOWegP9fJyHFgZYZj6QBC1-vxdNon4KpvQySCL8BgrW48gx4szQ1nfmcOef7qm_cn0npY9TvjDxkyDxHN14jRKjfmoroK0nh2wQ-aDrPGXQs5IeJHWHaE0cHFr_/s400/406.JPG" border="0" /></a>To someone else, this means something.... stay on course? Anyhow, it wasn't bad to start and the terrain looked manageable though slow going.<br /><br /></span></div><div><div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS3Q1ZzyFWJ13Jy3_T3qozdvi9SmkupP2kUY0KDz3631aSG3xKGAFMmThsg3kpSIXexsKqBmEwlBIIjnuT0sqgAb5EmAjQW5JFKYOSCqcHNFSV0HYVbNewsw7Xdd9g4RmPHN1/s1600/425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679605974832822418" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXS3Q1ZzyFWJ13Jy3_T3qozdvi9SmkupP2kUY0KDz3631aSG3xKGAFMmThsg3kpSIXexsKqBmEwlBIIjnuT0sqgAb5EmAjQW5JFKYOSCqcHNFSV0HYVbNewsw7Xdd9g4RmPHN1/s400/425.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><div face="courier new" style="font-family: courier new; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp3to_CmP8sx63NBrMehebe62dxm_-nEnGXvOTRG5JGCGItePz64jdCuNrgfmQ-mNqMuDw-aTJPHcRJlujlbZzdT0S1uj6Kj651V0ynQABhODY5LKkaCA1pufNdqOdNVrMRFj/s1600/426.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679605968274735986" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp3to_CmP8sx63NBrMehebe62dxm_-nEnGXvOTRG5JGCGItePz64jdCuNrgfmQ-mNqMuDw-aTJPHcRJlujlbZzdT0S1uj6Kj651V0ynQABhODY5LKkaCA1pufNdqOdNVrMRFj/s400/426.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP-rNHxVFg55sr0TNmMzQrMdEPmin2J2JTVtM6OpOjOrk_5cxBvIoziRPZYn3Uu7-yEXZwdNNk_ZBhHop7p4X9vru2cc82BSipNupAYrJOnnOnHluwOEmv4c7v5fZJDxXHus8/s1600/410.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604528052506818" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQP-rNHxVFg55sr0TNmMzQrMdEPmin2J2JTVtM6OpOjOrk_5cxBvIoziRPZYn3Uu7-yEXZwdNNk_ZBhHop7p4X9vru2cc82BSipNupAYrJOnnOnHluwOEmv4c7v5fZJDxXHus8/s400/410.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60WyroVBnDVL-MO7wPmhR8is41xRrxfr4-LGS8Exi9-VLjIdzFJ0pIQ6JHyCja7fNo_bWDmOm9QTKT4vU8cOHGjuqwDur0g2rkpXGCNLbZpIBamQlswmnW8-GbTHBN8u6Hp8j/s1600/411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604511103514434" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60WyroVBnDVL-MO7wPmhR8is41xRrxfr4-LGS8Exi9-VLjIdzFJ0pIQ6JHyCja7fNo_bWDmOm9QTKT4vU8cOHGjuqwDur0g2rkpXGCNLbZpIBamQlswmnW8-GbTHBN8u6Hp8j/s400/411.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The trail quickly went from snow ankle deep to something more disheartening...knee deep!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF1KmT0ItUdaAvVHQpn8GvAJNQxTiqWx1Gyhd22a6WvdMtkMCiPpnI9F7rMe11zkajqNBElKeboWOets_0agePyhhhJ4RzRTpF-x5QuCZwwr4hbbbHy75RMm0yUtn9WSSMdid/s1600/413.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizF1KmT0ItUdaAvVHQpn8GvAJNQxTiqWx1Gyhd22a6WvdMtkMCiPpnI9F7rMe11zkajqNBElKeboWOets_0agePyhhhJ4RzRTpF-x5QuCZwwr4hbbbHy75RMm0yUtn9WSSMdid/s400/413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679608982187064274" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx3J6wqb8IVVV3jfZCKWpzclc46TyJIfEnMdTQxOxYTT4l-ak4zq907vyymRSjEJKIHsL_7fmQXYEHjo-NYaMBZ-GQTGxgt8__euusxUQjbeT9icPOFvIXSqDH_UOkQU5F7Fj/s1600/414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604519347922962" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx3J6wqb8IVVV3jfZCKWpzclc46TyJIfEnMdTQxOxYTT4l-ak4zq907vyymRSjEJKIHsL_7fmQXYEHjo-NYaMBZ-GQTGxgt8__euusxUQjbeT9icPOFvIXSqDH_UOkQU5F7Fj/s400/414.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is the exact point I turned back. I looked above me on the mountain side and saw a merry group of cross country skiers making their way across the terrain. There is no shame in turning about when one has short hiking boots and ankle socks where snowshoes and skis are the proper apparel.<br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_oIL1QWOvWgOLBuxjamfBzKdikzlc7fgnHOtJxXnWBUcTc85cCj-FwcFs3Gzk6wza3lB5IMOJYkfsH0FLKkf7oj081Jt2rQh9kK7zgpwtdmpGM6zt6MO_GePK30eFf3ScTsq/s1600/405.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604508722956386" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_oIL1QWOvWgOLBuxjamfBzKdikzlc7fgnHOtJxXnWBUcTc85cCj-FwcFs3Gzk6wza3lB5IMOJYkfsH0FLKkf7oj081Jt2rQh9kK7zgpwtdmpGM6zt6MO_GePK30eFf3ScTsq/s400/405.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMglF5qEB1i9tTbaG2DPL0PEOcn-dz43ijo91PazOI0UmyAB94aMuBugJKmnn4qraOYVT87v0qi0Kq8zV1ZTUZipoD35F2C1NbEBODbjTrEmV_zVGJ12xWTGEvCw5KmTiIcF2/s1600/403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604083814769090" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMglF5qEB1i9tTbaG2DPL0PEOcn-dz43ijo91PazOI0UmyAB94aMuBugJKmnn4qraOYVT87v0qi0Kq8zV1ZTUZipoD35F2C1NbEBODbjTrEmV_zVGJ12xWTGEvCw5KmTiIcF2/s400/403.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">My very own "Road less traveled." Rather than follow the relatively mild path I ventured out on, I decided to take the higher trail which offered more scenic views. Please note, this ended up being the path that I was knee deep for the last 30 minutes or so of my adventure though the prospect of this is precisely what precipitated my turning back in the first place.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof46FSdYQp8T0cmT2QpUN3YWJr7av4pVvfo4X8ycpeHjWIl1isOm2GQbxFtrHGtuu3xqkJR9Ede99o0Cs5gOT8h_Fq2UHGacnYIQWSHcubuEvS_PSFZF5abGWN3KQE0Un-Ml-/s1600/418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679604077466929394" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof46FSdYQp8T0cmT2QpUN3YWJr7av4pVvfo4X8ycpeHjWIl1isOm2GQbxFtrHGtuu3xqkJR9Ede99o0Cs5gOT8h_Fq2UHGacnYIQWSHcubuEvS_PSFZF5abGWN3KQE0Un-Ml-/s400/418.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">After I realized that my snow filled shoes and surprisingly warm calves (despite being repeatedly dunked in snow) might be a reason for concern, I began a sad attempt to run a portion of the "trail" to get to warmth faster.</span><br /></div><div><div><div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtb98qQZWLblmKy4fpS26CIIybzosOqfIOoo2ga7DFVTDzAw5CM72Yan_9uY5tvnk7-mvf0_foG_d5p3V-ynk8Qb0GNqQGb9nUQrk00ulQsT07ybVJIX2aIgTUjlEjDvUc0vC/s1600/423.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679605996482397746" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtb98qQZWLblmKy4fpS26CIIybzosOqfIOoo2ga7DFVTDzAw5CM72Yan_9uY5tvnk7-mvf0_foG_d5p3V-ynk8Qb0GNqQGb9nUQrk00ulQsT07ybVJIX2aIgTUjlEjDvUc0vC/s400/423.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >The most beautiful cabin in the world! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhCwF47m1Gaem8QPtcL4o0WF5aq01x2DN6isWeDCiY-UsW_eoIFLUr3dFuXZ8ozceZ46Ns3_K2B6iyl5yiqgsfRzjeNViYPq4bMSAV1NtGLTmp-BosP2ennC2M6XYubIW3OLw/s1600/428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679605965670259490" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWhCwF47m1Gaem8QPtcL4o0WF5aq01x2DN6isWeDCiY-UsW_eoIFLUr3dFuXZ8ozceZ46Ns3_K2B6iyl5yiqgsfRzjeNViYPq4bMSAV1NtGLTmp-BosP2ennC2M6XYubIW3OLw/s400/428.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >A welcome sight after 2.5 hours on the ice covered mountain side</span><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaPzY4h-owhwNidmsA2uwGqZTIaEpywI46xH4vZh1sx00HUDdVlSyij9-7BheCrx1R9V3KP1yEOz7bldS2KdE7DY20FTrcTrckPAeJ6SEvex4-u5IlVnxqWCsK-777lsx5-aZ/s1600/449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679606297966349266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaPzY4h-owhwNidmsA2uwGqZTIaEpywI46xH4vZh1sx00HUDdVlSyij9-7BheCrx1R9V3KP1yEOz7bldS2KdE7DY20FTrcTrckPAeJ6SEvex4-u5IlVnxqWCsK-777lsx5-aZ/s400/449.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: courier new;font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >Welcome home!</span><br /> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-66344948984760213122011-11-26T12:06:00.007-07:002011-11-27T22:09:26.889-07:00<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg6shVNCjeEfwXWL3l_7QLETV4gITxwhWLRxx8zbZ9d_L70uQ2d1zNm4DoNQK3jyQFS-9PiT-Eduz8zcI_UusAIoUcY6KWaCNjEOFhOIpBtNLEef6E2U5tc53URkIDbVZlPBb/s1600/Turkey.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384499573705506" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg6shVNCjeEfwXWL3l_7QLETV4gITxwhWLRxx8zbZ9d_L70uQ2d1zNm4DoNQK3jyQFS-9PiT-Eduz8zcI_UusAIoUcY6KWaCNjEOFhOIpBtNLEef6E2U5tc53URkIDbVZlPBb/s400/Turkey.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">* Remains of the day*</span></span><br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3Aa-a13HNk41577wWlzi6_sAgA2kz_ghQjqSK2DZOTO5XUOzuNqMV5psliPiA4WakKJ1rIE1ZVnB_xXnhSGznW-I2-iZNEOtFZXCJMi9Gv_QwJfEPdOmrNfM3yBHJjQamzxI/s1600/still+life+with+foil.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384489215109922" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3Aa-a13HNk41577wWlzi6_sAgA2kz_ghQjqSK2DZOTO5XUOzuNqMV5psliPiA4WakKJ1rIE1ZVnB_xXnhSGznW-I2-iZNEOtFZXCJMi9Gv_QwJfEPdOmrNfM3yBHJjQamzxI/s400/still+life+with+foil.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Thanksgiving still life</span></span><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfef_TzS0vh9r4CgmeF3KXE7XFh67XOuBlYgfgglRHuQ0hrRFbp6EQ7Fj7RtYmU42iR69vRucP3fOaPAv9b7r1JP-kjibiq7b1WKQrw_D9gmMS5XmXUwbws5tlpvgWa3Cx5JA/s1600/spinach+salad.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384487122038818" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfef_TzS0vh9r4CgmeF3KXE7XFh67XOuBlYgfgglRHuQ0hrRFbp6EQ7Fj7RtYmU42iR69vRucP3fOaPAv9b7r1JP-kjibiq7b1WKQrw_D9gmMS5XmXUwbws5tlpvgWa3Cx5JA/s400/spinach+salad.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Spinach Salad</span></span><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvQp7jPilpbDqCnlPQVWjXOtXL94gZrUshl4deyKuLHDBZxAisGLQ4ZDOxfM37520qBaN8QMfuIKzWM1oJEdQQ1_XKFJBw_OVNqNn2zcyWicu9wxaGaDf8Awrvd0MsyHUqFut/s1600/sides.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384039145365074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvQp7jPilpbDqCnlPQVWjXOtXL94gZrUshl4deyKuLHDBZxAisGLQ4ZDOxfM37520qBaN8QMfuIKzWM1oJEdQQ1_XKFJBw_OVNqNn2zcyWicu9wxaGaDf8Awrvd0MsyHUqFut/s400/sides.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sides</span></span><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlHid-BlmHALrBPQNhzwZ1YbHDJhtTz6ImNZOOm9n0p77RHQZnGNAj-wP4Auu-8XcR2kGizj5meZ4VIXQyikyI8HkLRYVx3Hl_MZluF1aEZjJlr9ymoXCRcMv5soK0zWg1vGB/s1600/sides+two.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384036530855362" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlHid-BlmHALrBPQNhzwZ1YbHDJhtTz6ImNZOOm9n0p77RHQZnGNAj-wP4Auu-8XcR2kGizj5meZ4VIXQyikyI8HkLRYVx3Hl_MZluF1aEZjJlr9ymoXCRcMv5soK0zWg1vGB/s400/sides+two.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC7yt5zqMv7YzUn5IAKVxTxOpLx4ysQOtHq-3vzeNLJTxJ1eBuoG_lGBp7IDkQYp3HQ6WpdZ-PgkTA6brsHvNNVYcdZGnkYelM6iBDG-QLyNVkwf4H1Q64lj0vid7xVXkffnp/s1600/hericots+verts.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384030549226962" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC7yt5zqMv7YzUn5IAKVxTxOpLx4ysQOtHq-3vzeNLJTxJ1eBuoG_lGBp7IDkQYp3HQ6WpdZ-PgkTA6brsHvNNVYcdZGnkYelM6iBDG-QLyNVkwf4H1Q64lj0vid7xVXkffnp/s400/hericots+verts.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Haricots Verts</span></span><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc6Kvoch90rCJROnxop0v5cM3rAN1FHjSISUQjLcWEgNYMZztNX1CL34ek_R46yiTK8sKqyaLcmrYNLMptoczXvrXO_uf0xDpKqRHJ8dQsCSw8TspybV9CM2N_ds1TiaVJGkT/s1600/coconut+pie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384018267061810" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEc6Kvoch90rCJROnxop0v5cM3rAN1FHjSISUQjLcWEgNYMZztNX1CL34ek_R46yiTK8sKqyaLcmrYNLMptoczXvrXO_uf0xDpKqRHJ8dQsCSw8TspybV9CM2N_ds1TiaVJGkT/s400/coconut+pie.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Coconut Pie</span></span><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI4sxiOrDBYrSDKwvyn9RC92cXiONbTYK9GuZAINAVL8rorqG3GTAnfwa2PSMJbfJ4_yYWwIu3pq87tfMxQlwhT4oIVn3sqV8FO6By8yGTlTlFBn1xYVz07OtqISgDomC78ih/s1600/inside+pb+pie.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679384012442840802" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI4sxiOrDBYrSDKwvyn9RC92cXiONbTYK9GuZAINAVL8rorqG3GTAnfwa2PSMJbfJ4_yYWwIu3pq87tfMxQlwhT4oIVn3sqV8FO6By8yGTlTlFBn1xYVz07OtqISgDomC78ih/s400/inside+pb+pie.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Peanut Butter Chocolate pie</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBw4kPoTiGTeSbtM6DrINGCpWMmJWWrB3Am2syVCtmCdiGbajQLYrc_X4CFoaTl7c-5gnbGtxqNjg-T7nt_t5G1nQnMDgs7DchE4tqjq_zj7wnvU17x9uIBu6tghDY-w_dyOl/s1600/coma+flake+family.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBw4kPoTiGTeSbtM6DrINGCpWMmJWWrB3Am2syVCtmCdiGbajQLYrc_X4CFoaTl7c-5gnbGtxqNjg-T7nt_t5G1nQnMDgs7DchE4tqjq_zj7wnvU17x9uIBu6tghDY-w_dyOl/s400/coma+flake+family.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679387494119841394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Family Flop Time</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uBri8HP7pZ1uS9OcNdtgz4CNtNrrdi_-t6pzEmW62mQ36fGKTJQLAL4782YpUKS6GgNsS2o2yxQ9o1D-p0ZQPbIPcqzzxbG6tyHMT-ZkfjrLIisnCDOHPPr-WMt5ryui0PnE/s1600/perky+penny+and+the+fam.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uBri8HP7pZ1uS9OcNdtgz4CNtNrrdi_-t6pzEmW62mQ36fGKTJQLAL4782YpUKS6GgNsS2o2yxQ9o1D-p0ZQPbIPcqzzxbG6tyHMT-ZkfjrLIisnCDOHPPr-WMt5ryui0PnE/s400/perky+penny+and+the+fam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679388732283344290" border="0" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyKI03h6hcotRtZgt5Aqsk4cKtZciTzOO_mhVJMVintFVK1EjK3qOaoA4dG1CZJkwtOO9N6Dr9bPnheJyMJz5bH3lfBgXEKxECD7qb3f5ncazk_RTQtRdMJm3_Is9mnO1t8ID/s1600/pj+and+char+relax.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyKI03h6hcotRtZgt5Aqsk4cKtZciTzOO_mhVJMVintFVK1EjK3qOaoA4dG1CZJkwtOO9N6Dr9bPnheJyMJz5bH3lfBgXEKxECD7qb3f5ncazk_RTQtRdMJm3_Is9mnO1t8ID/s400/pj+and+char+relax.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679387499519292498" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">PJ and Char watch shows as we nap</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CyiWIHPs-ntFsKbWYjxbAXvcw2rsuBnvWrJMVs97MykWBI8SkbYRcmSpXi-syzpKDSeUtwjpG9dPlY17C5yKe0mP97762dAT4ofC9QuX6hC_GK3VMUhe3ll-2jkR9w1RJmtM/s1600/char+3+skirts.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CyiWIHPs-ntFsKbWYjxbAXvcw2rsuBnvWrJMVs97MykWBI8SkbYRcmSpXi-syzpKDSeUtwjpG9dPlY17C5yKe0mP97762dAT4ofC9QuX6hC_GK3VMUhe3ll-2jkR9w1RJmtM/s400/char+3+skirts.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679387509638495010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Dress up time! (Char layers skirts in her daily life too)</span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-ex3a8wrjn_yeSpN23yzsTUiFUfqG5d2XnlmGeppeoEpZVcT-W3XY5SyBGBrhpErBLTA_uTAwG6YYPYOryUO0uMQm__Dvk0xqtiLqtsiXIojwx2T4vgfzor-maSzf8Ltj5ub/s1600/disco+penny.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-ex3a8wrjn_yeSpN23yzsTUiFUfqG5d2XnlmGeppeoEpZVcT-W3XY5SyBGBrhpErBLTA_uTAwG6YYPYOryUO0uMQm__Dvk0xqtiLqtsiXIojwx2T4vgfzor-maSzf8Ltj5ub/s400/disco+penny.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679387928869724674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">PJ regained her energies and showed off some cheer moves before we called it quits</span></span><br /><div align="center"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-91998308059867960822011-11-21T19:09:00.006-07:002011-11-27T22:57:14.558-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TAR656sirsKm7La1g1m_Lm06lRcdmnWm_PCWrLf-LlAkP_ALK500r7qoD8Co7mOUPNmet1KE1GpOFHn38nJsxRYDDU48Y24EARAl561gzGLULQjCVp6xEEzA5yqgu-7hxuzC/s1600/turkey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TAR656sirsKm7La1g1m_Lm06lRcdmnWm_PCWrLf-LlAkP_ALK500r7qoD8Co7mOUPNmet1KE1GpOFHn38nJsxRYDDU48Y24EARAl561gzGLULQjCVp6xEEzA5yqgu-7hxuzC/s400/turkey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677642726741607954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">* Give Thanks*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Well, this year, I took off essentially the entire week of Thanksgiving in order to give thanks to the beauty around me, my home, and my family, and do something for each of them.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"> </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">This week some of my goals are to:</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Assist a friend in packing up her home to move</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Teach Lisa how to make miracle rolls taught to me by Martha</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Organize my kitchen with my new pots and pans (Thanks special Costco in Vegas)</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Make a Christmas banner for work</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Send off my paperwork to begin the completion of my basement renovation</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Merchandise my closet and make it appropriate for my scrap-booking </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Put up the rest of my Christmas decor (Since I will be in Texas for Christmas, I want to squeeze every moment from it)</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Get the pantry repaired and sorted</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sort the basement and then put away seasonal items<br /></span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">Do laundry</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Go to twilight</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Oh, and make a huge Thanksgiving dinner</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">On the menu this year, I am considering the following:</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Turkey-20 lbs</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Julia Child's mushroom stuffing</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Green Beans</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">Fresh rolls with honey butter</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Spinach salad with strawberries, candied pecans, and blue cheese</span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Goat cheese mashed potatoes</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Southern sweet potato casserole</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Cornbread pudding</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Apple pie</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Pumpkin pie</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Peanut butter pie</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Chess Pie</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Tollhouse Pie<br /><br /></span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">I have decided to be more casual than I usually am at this time and do a rustic burlap themed Thanksgiving with beautiful sticks, leaves, and twine rather than crystal, as I typically use at my parties. </span> <span style="font-family:courier new;">I will post photos as I get them as well as the recipes I end up using and any modifications. Bonne chance to you all~</span></span><br /></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-19654373551214807142011-03-23T14:57:00.005-06:002011-11-27T21:59:06.426-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGrE3NFRE3sCnmyVmHiV-ygZ6jqTf14_3a1Pz89tTsqYT1CtlML8Ai_tptOEyL3WDjEDKTzC5zU_SeFoMbHMRJ3-KjV_2UBn5urUas0xIW3qZCh_JLpZ0vShfk7s0lWlJuYgE/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+407.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGrE3NFRE3sCnmyVmHiV-ygZ6jqTf14_3a1Pz89tTsqYT1CtlML8Ai_tptOEyL3WDjEDKTzC5zU_SeFoMbHMRJ3-KjV_2UBn5urUas0xIW3qZCh_JLpZ0vShfk7s0lWlJuYgE/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384821631722642" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">A few more photos that I just had to share~</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVEKB_yb-Cjm1LK8ncNkmsZ5MbrEB5bOQVsiZUR5UGBLJ1R39Zll1hFZwQtrGJyg4sU7NZQqtTprcQZ_qfKEbu3YMn2AcCMdahEuiRAkjMmXfUB7ZGMRWbldozWuZxft2jZ2G/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+262.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/AVvXsEiOVEKB_yb-Cjm1LK8ncNkmsZ5MbrEB5bOQVsiZUR5UGBLJ1R39Zll1hFZwQtrGJyg4sU7NZQqtTprcQZ_qfKEbu3YMn2AcCMdahEuiRAkjMmXfUB7ZGMRWbldozWuZxft2jZ2G/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384813789345746" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">The little ladies had a blast<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OEVS_YRXZ0sd1_vOHHdnZJ6YIlJ6d6B2s5vHf9hnD1ssZn3xQSEtwfMAlwiJe_wQOSV4T070WIUDzynJqHv3FaCfDJb0H5T5KQ96iUdKT9wBYjNFKQOfnD5ld7E1QRYEr7TZ/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+276.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/AVvXsEj8OEVS_YRXZ0sd1_vOHHdnZJ6YIlJ6d6B2s5vHf9hnD1ssZn3xQSEtwfMAlwiJe_wQOSV4T070WIUDzynJqHv3FaCfDJb0H5T5KQ96iUdKT9wBYjNFKQOfnD5ld7E1QRYEr7TZ/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+276.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384183385915122" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Will loves that he finally figured out to master the <span style="font-style: italic;">funny face</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0vEA8yqX0ERn-GFYy_qnNgIoFJh_mypCbWFd_8hlfeyTtTzldxJD-3tcmOGEKD3-hVfwOMm9UAzq95A2xwaBYF6K-DtxwixTxdyDCbC1kT4yDuJ2YKBDonN_hIVRwo9pEXKl/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0vEA8yqX0ERn-GFYy_qnNgIoFJh_mypCbWFd_8hlfeyTtTzldxJD-3tcmOGEKD3-hVfwOMm9UAzq95A2xwaBYF6K-DtxwixTxdyDCbC1kT4yDuJ2YKBDonN_hIVRwo9pEXKl/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384171881238482" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">This is one of my favorite shots of miss Lucy<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAuOcgU372R8c0WkUXQ5c3Fcpzg85PBwNyMSg_UocOQOORK4iaonUQVX93KApaBihw-968FfHwdFcOQTUdZGn_aHMho4H-rATppcO_6mnUKvR0xfj7tI3eCId2B7Nr-6R_vYN/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+149.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/AVvXsEgUAuOcgU372R8c0WkUXQ5c3Fcpzg85PBwNyMSg_UocOQOORK4iaonUQVX93KApaBihw-968FfHwdFcOQTUdZGn_aHMho4H-rATppcO_6mnUKvR0xfj7tI3eCId2B7Nr-6R_vYN/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384166951510066" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Charlotte and Bea during the spa party<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAs7zQsnjonoN7B7-74GPnv1wCxXISJqHd_URIFdV7vV_cGsxPkJaZSZ0h4RecgoZ61oVojsD2zi1Z0Mi7cNJw7bsuItqnxV-6pWm-GNmesRSFuiEJwJBJCEnohArHCC3bk5p/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+125.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/AVvXsEhRAs7zQsnjonoN7B7-74GPnv1wCxXISJqHd_URIFdV7vV_cGsxPkJaZSZ0h4RecgoZ61oVojsD2zi1Z0Mi7cNJw7bsuItqnxV-6pWm-GNmesRSFuiEJwJBJCEnohArHCC3bk5p/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384151661408866" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Will and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Teesa</span> love wrestling<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: courier new;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTC3LCJTGWX5TlbN-HGIHwkV_b0_5VEkrxNtRF-3SkFxiO20d4yOYQwsxJVyRgDvUGaZLRJ3I3u2tzNFha8IGPkBSwEa73aGzmhk-Nc6VIjk9Qh74BFvwkuVVAAg0ZZLCc-TR/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+119.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsTC3LCJTGWX5TlbN-HGIHwkV_b0_5VEkrxNtRF-3SkFxiO20d4yOYQwsxJVyRgDvUGaZLRJ3I3u2tzNFha8IGPkBSwEa73aGzmhk-Nc6VIjk9Qh74BFvwkuVVAAg0ZZLCc-TR/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587384143692973090" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBVqUjiIkvWcVvPyUR2BHjoYBCJO35sH8xKksvxW30l_qqGfnvVgEvBnPu-ZVbKPHaS9zMfhUn5XFuoiT1qErokZlJt9Z0U2avOdmo4qhI7lWaxM4rsUm2YlpbJ0HfHAiO1Xv/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+118.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/AVvXsEiLBVqUjiIkvWcVvPyUR2BHjoYBCJO35sH8xKksvxW30l_qqGfnvVgEvBnPu-ZVbKPHaS9zMfhUn5XFuoiT1qErokZlJt9Z0U2avOdmo4qhI7lWaxM4rsUm2YlpbJ0HfHAiO1Xv/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587383534179490258" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Theresa helped teach me how to read<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbiDC0ZAFT57Hqoyaxf2bherfXA2JLvFhmCCznAspoY_sx1ahCAWlQEWdiznVsU7aHOellgr_DGGPn3K16GBUm5mMZiipteEC6S0FbgYdfGKfkrNTIxTo4p_T1bbhS9BhxuLq/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+103.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbiDC0ZAFT57Hqoyaxf2bherfXA2JLvFhmCCznAspoY_sx1ahCAWlQEWdiznVsU7aHOellgr_DGGPn3K16GBUm5mMZiipteEC6S0FbgYdfGKfkrNTIxTo4p_T1bbhS9BhxuLq/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587383531211568882" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">These are the faces of a contented pair watching a beloved movie (this is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Teesa's</span> favorite way to snuggle her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">blankie</span>)<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaVPZzaG1DrxtINIcFNsGqKT23dWQ0tbFRP7LEQfKu8R9Li95tzZnAYsUGESsiqMKQkOV_IR4kGydca86mWxSKBmha4u8NOLnT9V08MloY4UlQ9zgX8j20o-QLpjVL3Brb4Bd/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+097.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaVPZzaG1DrxtINIcFNsGqKT23dWQ0tbFRP7LEQfKu8R9Li95tzZnAYsUGESsiqMKQkOV_IR4kGydca86mWxSKBmha4u8NOLnT9V08MloY4UlQ9zgX8j20o-QLpjVL3Brb4Bd/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587383519903331522" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Lucy happy as ever<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2_SABRAB6Km4PShwMvB71gUAZThvb25YaiZswyZ6XM3N95DGte493WmktUmQtenBQFxTe53mLLT2QN5-WcOLxZXY4xKY_kgZQuhVKUY6l3Bvwqm2eFoBBtsFXu9iiK1_IYK2/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+086.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/AVvXsEiU2_SABRAB6Km4PShwMvB71gUAZThvb25YaiZswyZ6XM3N95DGte493WmktUmQtenBQFxTe53mLLT2QN5-WcOLxZXY4xKY_kgZQuhVKUY6l3Bvwqm2eFoBBtsFXu9iiK1_IYK2/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587383005744035714" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Here she is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">buried</span> in the sand with Mommy and Poppa looking on. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Teesa</span> got a bit confused which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Benac</span> family that she is in.<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUihUhzfqV00lHyUKQCGiIIBbaat1NKfAzjDANdrcnJDpzqJl92BiyURjv3SowcSg_xPr6hAxq3KQEwdFVQ6roy6A4MUffvIs5O59hOiW9dR_El3fDlzix4Q1ySqOnPENOnTI/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+100.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUihUhzfqV00lHyUKQCGiIIBbaat1NKfAzjDANdrcnJDpzqJl92BiyURjv3SowcSg_xPr6hAxq3KQEwdFVQ6roy6A4MUffvIs5O59hOiW9dR_El3fDlzix4Q1ySqOnPENOnTI/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587382991525545010" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Happy Poodle<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc_DQSkN5xDlCT5nYQc183yLBS807WugawCR5YRUVeJhnquwqBb0CZBUyvOh_PO_tXJAJ_kxPB59K03-6ODIxuNlJZdxqdeAZt2XgIN9UB9ZdvEVF125RsqUWnbX_5knO-lBQ/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+079.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc_DQSkN5xDlCT5nYQc183yLBS807WugawCR5YRUVeJhnquwqBb0CZBUyvOh_PO_tXJAJ_kxPB59K03-6ODIxuNlJZdxqdeAZt2XgIN9UB9ZdvEVF125RsqUWnbX_5knO-lBQ/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587382988939069282" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Lille and Grace mastered Boogie boarding<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: courier new;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNMMCCmxN1iA50ulx6QY9b2_FFnH6WNFOBW2xb15N5OYvm8miVB0iPmjh65YyESgUVLRNWG-r-6Yj2ViFaGvC1qw6CNKTF4ts0bK_vK4pq4rlB8WY5kIKk7jUFdMgmgOP_qHZ/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+073.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNMMCCmxN1iA50ulx6QY9b2_FFnH6WNFOBW2xb15N5OYvm8miVB0iPmjh65YyESgUVLRNWG-r-6Yj2ViFaGvC1qw6CNKTF4ts0bK_vK4pq4rlB8WY5kIKk7jUFdMgmgOP_qHZ/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587382980318384626" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-48032737411399682392011-03-23T13:59:00.012-06:002011-11-27T21:59:28.564-07:00<div align="center" style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr9QQNCeZcopP7uqh32P-J3VR_5GBBwq5qOaliQWHfSJhtKFKIHgX8XRF3JVYwU23W5i2CXPf_K0L8_PDw6u0hPkqw26Ek4R1AyzGEVleS-E5HKNrsPV2llqXeDt42TqFUYPe/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+411.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; display: block; height: 267px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587376778200969442" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr9QQNCeZcopP7uqh32P-J3VR_5GBBwq5qOaliQWHfSJhtKFKIHgX8XRF3JVYwU23W5i2CXPf_K0L8_PDw6u0hPkqw26Ek4R1AyzGEVleS-E5HKNrsPV2llqXeDt42TqFUYPe/s400/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+411.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> The Alabama beach vacation brought to you through the eyes of the children<br /><br /><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">*I'm Alive! *<br /></span> </div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Ladies and gentlemen, I still do exist! I recognize that it has been close to a year since I posted. For that, I apologize. As I wrapped my last post, my trusty laptop breathed it's last, and at last I had to let it go in peace. My iPhone has worked for my general <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> needs as the home computer has generally been for Brian's sole use, but as we just got back from the latest vacation to the Gulf Shores in Alabama..... I have many pictures to share and thus, as it is my day off and there is a free computer, enjoy!<br /><br />Meet this years cast~<br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAobktS2ndeNNW0AAYgGWgnXALKqrCY5DQ0n3v8_v1wjS_6xAu-f9BJxvuCNscDwLvRZel15jg7mPuhPDLU7gfgTQCYmMA7uF1wp33H7U5o2SH6YQUIsw9hRiOQagcvKI0fEeT/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+157.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587376406016947138" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAobktS2ndeNNW0AAYgGWgnXALKqrCY5DQ0n3v8_v1wjS_6xAu-f9BJxvuCNscDwLvRZel15jg7mPuhPDLU7gfgTQCYmMA7uF1wp33H7U5o2SH6YQUIsw9hRiOQagcvKI0fEeT/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+157.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"> This year at the beach brought to you by Mr Bill</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: courier new;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCANFcywSAl08IuxSIVRZyLoPorMKyNr2tVMx5FKL6t1dJQQgKP2FNiBsrFHLtZ-l-2VsEqpXfovBU9SY2_zOSQoDWp_dhoEwugTkePk5Qo4zalB4SuKKA-9sOLT5eApCVv5WK/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+307+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587376401781021426" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCANFcywSAl08IuxSIVRZyLoPorMKyNr2tVMx5FKL6t1dJQQgKP2FNiBsrFHLtZ-l-2VsEqpXfovBU9SY2_zOSQoDWp_dhoEwugTkePk5Qo4zalB4SuKKA-9sOLT5eApCVv5WK/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+307+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">And the newly trained <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">yuke</span> playing Momma B</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">in attendance as well was the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Morphis</span> family...</span><br /></span><div style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dC_rhHO3iBHap12WWVB42EIlGm0UtqpmgUu3cIIYnV6BCtga3CwTl6ttqgU4PCLmLyrY3EsIQDtvrQzfFIt4IqGIW3sIIba4_lEka8kv2OGRO94rTOEarc7WGFcWo3dI9pQX/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+175.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587375369949038818" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dC_rhHO3iBHap12WWVB42EIlGm0UtqpmgUu3cIIYnV6BCtga3CwTl6ttqgU4PCLmLyrY3EsIQDtvrQzfFIt4IqGIW3sIIba4_lEka8kv2OGRO94rTOEarc7WGFcWo3dI9pQX/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+175.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Matt and Sabina<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n7vXufd4DP3gEIVtG4Cht98pcCiTttFj11MpDXJsAWtFTHYz5a0-bV8EmWK7nFok0gyE4mDxVZE61PoQOpN__rcTBYio3ZWilNo0Fe8_IulhxCL_Mn7ZdUP9x8lJ1DH8gsiw/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+228.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587375359251139650" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_n7vXufd4DP3gEIVtG4Cht98pcCiTttFj11MpDXJsAWtFTHYz5a0-bV8EmWK7nFok0gyE4mDxVZE61PoQOpN__rcTBYio3ZWilNo0Fe8_IulhxCL_Mn7ZdUP9x8lJ1DH8gsiw/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+228.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Catherine and Lille<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72hZ9tCyZ7inmAbO4y0kMBU5qhhbxBhhDEWiXQwRGDMmW1pWr88cAn1146szTXCJ-HH_dEnU04FC9biNKsPysmc7KsNWPMkRthV9jFTWWm4BDE0XL-ScHSBczjXmmjkAkU9sF/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+231.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587375347561582210" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72hZ9tCyZ7inmAbO4y0kMBU5qhhbxBhhDEWiXQwRGDMmW1pWr88cAn1146szTXCJ-HH_dEnU04FC9biNKsPysmc7KsNWPMkRthV9jFTWWm4BDE0XL-ScHSBczjXmmjkAkU9sF/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+231.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Catherine and Grace<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyDRKwbqShoLRmg9l7lS0R_0keQQ8v1KpSLr0iIdtVAgiGidPdVWy6CGVdN5zHHXyjfK76XRp7nnWCJpqiCm0nqY0sfbnBHe8oLYGb25-fXOzBk-c0AC2WmmWOinlHqdAhJ7m/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+215.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587375337945175538" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyDRKwbqShoLRmg9l7lS0R_0keQQ8v1KpSLr0iIdtVAgiGidPdVWy6CGVdN5zHHXyjfK76XRp7nnWCJpqiCm0nqY0sfbnBHe8oLYGb25-fXOzBk-c0AC2WmmWOinlHqdAhJ7m/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+215.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Max being loved with his parents<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwwNj6eWZC8QnA3b3qQC78XlDgI4Hjl4bfTUUEWIDhBBxhOfU7XJQnAjsKo2Sy-epYHTqv6DkUilMoKK4BeGw1K-CsmXdHjeVTpg6YfZaybyUBXOGR9caMsfIutZOGcpbqnMk/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+254.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587375332109256034" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwwNj6eWZC8QnA3b3qQC78XlDgI4Hjl4bfTUUEWIDhBBxhOfU7XJQnAjsKo2Sy-epYHTqv6DkUilMoKK4BeGw1K-CsmXdHjeVTpg6YfZaybyUBXOGR9caMsfIutZOGcpbqnMk/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+254.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Catherine and Matt as the cold water strikes<br /><br /><br /></span><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJsFn5bxeXu2PVulsl0KcfNBrGe5Iqmkyn52Mx8iBeDf6FVyUEg1BHoiHbGPPpNhh8whuRpOurKzmeAPrUegxzriVZoMCVuC6RAGQ3QD7iyf8lTuqrUhONG4Qy8-GAXkFxAuw/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+165.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587374467103624962" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJsFn5bxeXu2PVulsl0KcfNBrGe5Iqmkyn52Mx8iBeDf6FVyUEg1BHoiHbGPPpNhh8whuRpOurKzmeAPrUegxzriVZoMCVuC6RAGQ3QD7iyf8lTuqrUhONG4Qy8-GAXkFxAuw/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+165.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Bea and Max go for a walk<br /><br />next I present<br />the Billy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Benac</span> family. . .<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGkBGn0JajvF6a57a_rxafXqUSR-cPjQoKYQNjHsx9fZa21ggJEHCEodUvuiuYBR54PSl_Y9QAmvHGnOdwxP5imIlGvlA9XXDuKdnQ6oHc7oIyqmKkD9AHIhyEorDNdhhlXci/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+463.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587373875712925378" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGkBGn0JajvF6a57a_rxafXqUSR-cPjQoKYQNjHsx9fZa21ggJEHCEodUvuiuYBR54PSl_Y9QAmvHGnOdwxP5imIlGvlA9XXDuKdnQ6oHc7oIyqmKkD9AHIhyEorDNdhhlXci/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+463.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Like father like son: Billy and Will both <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span> to pull faces<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhK4z8Yxlc8PntNqjGpd_9IG2vpyIwxbWLevIwbPOEGaNGlcAborDXvqYXhBqUJdB8R2_RMp5-5t6WIgeSxklWD0AnlDJ6h79ZyjqBxsa5hjzYFzmtahxnLMCvai9Ot7_0XNn/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+413.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587373596924220690" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhK4z8Yxlc8PntNqjGpd_9IG2vpyIwxbWLevIwbPOEGaNGlcAborDXvqYXhBqUJdB8R2_RMp5-5t6WIgeSxklWD0AnlDJ6h79ZyjqBxsa5hjzYFzmtahxnLMCvai9Ot7_0XNn/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+413.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Family portraits where the children act like themselves are so much more interesting. . .<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk8zQ0T1QvkZJeQ4EP9eHJqSploawKXVg51MEcAVlFb-qJb4FRBX2g7KGvrYg5Dqws8KwL4MSmZo8M0vceU-WXkpbIf6YPWo7ESa8P4_xKpoz1bOzWWlxvGoWAt08fJWOMi_C/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+433.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587373589924822418" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqk8zQ0T1QvkZJeQ4EP9eHJqSploawKXVg51MEcAVlFb-qJb4FRBX2g7KGvrYg5Dqws8KwL4MSmZo8M0vceU-WXkpbIf6YPWo7ESa8P4_xKpoz1bOzWWlxvGoWAt08fJWOMi_C/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+433.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Theresa loves her momma<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FQ51PVSn3rHUZtL8tLguM0V9HE8QaIaRBIerd5rv4POUg1T98cLg0oBJVrBjtMBAxS_kkJlDUw6jmV6iT9O6kyPZvltlfmACQuXp7kbrLHD1LdLn2yUc0KNP2wdPp65IKvKc/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+442.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587373580221951730" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FQ51PVSn3rHUZtL8tLguM0V9HE8QaIaRBIerd5rv4POUg1T98cLg0oBJVrBjtMBAxS_kkJlDUw6jmV6iT9O6kyPZvltlfmACQuXp7kbrLHD1LdLn2yUc0KNP2wdPp65IKvKc/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+442.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Kelsey and Bill taking a moment for themselves<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeSFr-5T4E6oi6ZlFpi1-YeBTTTWv7YjVgGcvyQhYAaU8pNnTuvNErg24fAAzguST8GB0w7GPCrrOUN6-VhkphyGUmXbN1CzG45VF_a5Cq9hpgbJjmS4ex_SU24tRfqqcic0l/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+113.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587373576887100402" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeSFr-5T4E6oi6ZlFpi1-YeBTTTWv7YjVgGcvyQhYAaU8pNnTuvNErg24fAAzguST8GB0w7GPCrrOUN6-VhkphyGUmXbN1CzG45VF_a5Cq9hpgbJjmS4ex_SU24tRfqqcic0l/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+113.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Theresa and Kelsey take a break to paint their nails. This was the first time that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Teesa</span> got to use nail polish<br /><br />The next family in attendance was the Flakes. . .<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8RHu8dgENgXaOrUV6x1mDSaZdR57ddo_kqtPlgCw70c3PfApPhZwI7ChngJ0MUHPH_EjHKGOBR5Co1rHp4iUVCJyUlojrxLAjensXUyi2PKiu0OB79kl_RcCkb26lFOYDTzW/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+275.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587372637408256482" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8RHu8dgENgXaOrUV6x1mDSaZdR57ddo_kqtPlgCw70c3PfApPhZwI7ChngJ0MUHPH_EjHKGOBR5Co1rHp4iUVCJyUlojrxLAjensXUyi2PKiu0OB79kl_RcCkb26lFOYDTzW/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+275.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Penelope loved spending time with Lille<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZbswBbQj9Qtl-VxeJ2NCh6Kuoq2ah9lDnruq9lYsb3SPaFa2-tp2A8AtGQwrkPgVZAHH41fDqysuWCv1gq0LNdAMOF0WnsJKg_XWwJEL7NxZkttEdKSfgCPKpHTpAj60nMOf/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+367.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587372632648338674" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZbswBbQj9Qtl-VxeJ2NCh6Kuoq2ah9lDnruq9lYsb3SPaFa2-tp2A8AtGQwrkPgVZAHH41fDqysuWCv1gq0LNdAMOF0WnsJKg_XWwJEL7NxZkttEdKSfgCPKpHTpAj60nMOf/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+367.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Sarah and Adam love spending time with each other. Life is always just a little funnier with them<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy62L2S8zWXCjYYpYiLiMKA7sXuzBFFvoOzy3exBOxYVPz5nlgr97YzGjnXQub8VT50Gx0xGDFbMhCLdLZFLYM2TydUQuXldYe_zCpnEwvNjCU6NwVKa9TCmua01FIXvjgOQLq/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+104.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587372623278867410" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy62L2S8zWXCjYYpYiLiMKA7sXuzBFFvoOzy3exBOxYVPz5nlgr97YzGjnXQub8VT50Gx0xGDFbMhCLdLZFLYM2TydUQuXldYe_zCpnEwvNjCU6NwVKa9TCmua01FIXvjgOQLq/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+104.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Charlotte morphed into the newly named "poodle"<br /><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Finally meet the John and Mamie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Benac</span> family:</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG5YZfnwxWP4QFFw_c71oCuVLr0Y4lvskueRe64yBqt3uadUeelTRh3HAI2uZJXp5C8bPjfItOBxn61kG7s5vdp2-RyfKHs_B7p7ZIZNNVpII9DeliX19lTWBRrHahjiR3HzJ/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+058.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587369600394844466" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcG5YZfnwxWP4QFFw_c71oCuVLr0Y4lvskueRe64yBqt3uadUeelTRh3HAI2uZJXp5C8bPjfItOBxn61kG7s5vdp2-RyfKHs_B7p7ZIZNNVpII9DeliX19lTWBRrHahjiR3HzJ/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+058.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> The little man Rowan putting in hard labor<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s3-5IbmWrwBv9eBC8eIPgFBYsujO1-fhh-Pdy3_NU3NZzVRftguBrQw9nqvW_9FiEoMc_Khh9SzQnAs-tZXyz7Y5ZX8QHkfpWDuF0Jf84PTj2bTUoO4b23bEt4aYJ3gvPNJ/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+300.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587369594997333298" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8s3-5IbmWrwBv9eBC8eIPgFBYsujO1-fhh-Pdy3_NU3NZzVRftguBrQw9nqvW_9FiEoMc_Khh9SzQnAs-tZXyz7Y5ZX8QHkfpWDuF0Jf84PTj2bTUoO4b23bEt4aYJ3gvPNJ/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+300.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Miss Lucy looks thoughtful as she enjoys her birthday treasure hunt<br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4_RJG8bcPVOeheJVvIre6mTQ1n_lA4I91Uk_s7pv5zwALlxDwT-XGKvkgYPjUQTw3AfLDSCAIWa6wf8dBlkPOU0BLLErn9SWst0PnfiBJ03K2iRTZzdZoB8TYz4AcSBOcYqP/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+278+-+Copy.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 214px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587369593807845586" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4_RJG8bcPVOeheJVvIre6mTQ1n_lA4I91Uk_s7pv5zwALlxDwT-XGKvkgYPjUQTw3AfLDSCAIWa6wf8dBlkPOU0BLLErn9SWst0PnfiBJ03K2iRTZzdZoB8TYz4AcSBOcYqP/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+278+-+Copy.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Happy 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> birthday Lucy!<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GGYGz94-H1jHaUE3OVKUmbOpWumEAH2ybRhbiY45GcdnOiwkI6-mi4OxKZAnJ1DKztnROk5UdrYh7TX8tiVoyHAZVgqLxS_85UhJ1Y-QNb-yiMNtwnxrWuDD66AnTb8Lcsdb/s1600/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+085.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587369586920124738" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GGYGz94-H1jHaUE3OVKUmbOpWumEAH2ybRhbiY45GcdnOiwkI6-mi4OxKZAnJ1DKztnROk5UdrYh7TX8tiVoyHAZVgqLxS_85UhJ1Y-QNb-yiMNtwnxrWuDD66AnTb8Lcsdb/s320/final+edit+beach+vacation+2011+bethany+085.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't worry, it was Lucy's idea~ </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-91036864097149790112010-07-25T12:49:00.008-06:002011-11-27T22:09:55.806-07:00<span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-AhsZnU-MBnhHjM1ivMN5dU9cUg4WtabItggLeScKIzvLoJIrV0kdUKq19gEHSHImooV1ib9sy1d7Dy7pdsYncSggdHtlRgRz9Fd9JGY5sJAbZn59T29AjSv5f3tXavKoaHN/s1600/IMG_2256.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-AhsZnU-MBnhHjM1ivMN5dU9cUg4WtabItggLeScKIzvLoJIrV0kdUKq19gEHSHImooV1ib9sy1d7Dy7pdsYncSggdHtlRgRz9Fd9JGY5sJAbZn59T29AjSv5f3tXavKoaHN/s320/IMG_2256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497926578688054162" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*The feasts*<br /><br />I made a promise to include another post regarding my latter half of the Dallas visit which included both a feast of lobster and that of lamb. It is a great family tradition that we hold dear to take a mass of live lobsters and eat them until we are ill. After that point, we take the remaining meat and shells and from there make a lobster bisque that would put Thomas Keller to shame.<br /><br />* I must admit though that as I write this, I use the word<span style="font-style: italic;"> we </span>rather liberally. All credit is in fact to be given to my glorious and talented father. *<br /><br />First up was lobster fest. This was a time when as young children, we learned how to eat a rather complicated food and enjoy its delicate flavor.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JTAQyNJjeTNgUAqFfDCzmFrZAX82KWN-GfFlnYegCCYqbqvxg5F-aQn0ebhSZ7Wo1HLUnHPznKQvEhu8P4VpULJ2FWGj7r4XP-3Tr8GhKKAm84s76aeZSjRCcgzi4wfM9zVY/s1600/IMG_2249.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JTAQyNJjeTNgUAqFfDCzmFrZAX82KWN-GfFlnYegCCYqbqvxg5F-aQn0ebhSZ7Wo1HLUnHPznKQvEhu8P4VpULJ2FWGj7r4XP-3Tr8GhKKAm84s76aeZSjRCcgzi4wfM9zVY/s320/IMG_2249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497926560698327842" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Max watched Brian prepare to eat his meal full of wonder<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-fY88KDqixcLkSdu74u8XGCYQOT4oiZTgjcqbP90RnaVX3NnIzLYhWs5_7yc2U9xsO3eUih3oSw0dZBDMjww4hig5juFHrTFail5QPd8B3LPoMVKv8sypHN2XI7dpteJhwG/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-fY88KDqixcLkSdu74u8XGCYQOT4oiZTgjcqbP90RnaVX3NnIzLYhWs5_7yc2U9xsO3eUih3oSw0dZBDMjww4hig5juFHrTFail5QPd8B3LPoMVKv8sypHN2XI7dpteJhwG/s320/IMG_2247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497926543592376642" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Mother displays the fresh out of the pot lobsters to the surrounding children.<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxQTKE5miQX46aovbTb3Q0EArQ34tGiFWzs2Huo-tc34Rwi0QbS9bidIyM29fPpTY1u-DmOCIfLx6G7iNhPJRDLQwbIcrXfHnf5TgJul9PgTrpwUsfNuHpxp5iJjMuAIeFBF7/s1600/IMG_2243.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxQTKE5miQX46aovbTb3Q0EArQ34tGiFWzs2Huo-tc34Rwi0QbS9bidIyM29fPpTY1u-DmOCIfLx6G7iNhPJRDLQwbIcrXfHnf5TgJul9PgTrpwUsfNuHpxp5iJjMuAIeFBF7/s320/IMG_2243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497926552352220194" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />All and all, we had a <span style="font-style: italic;">lovely</span> meal~<br />***<br /><br />Next we move onto my personally favorite meal of the year and the reason we saw fit to fly down for the weekend - lamb fest... I will continue with that one next<br /><br /></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-35764584537685521922010-07-24T11:01:00.008-06:002011-11-27T22:01:08.540-07:00<span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: courier new;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf83tlTWHmceeiYy8-7taz2sVfT6IjIg1U7IE0BeneEFVSLSusKTKokX95HD6TZVALVWu-Nd-JY1SCCP90v0TdyJQtNXGiGqjdyWdGCmj35Zbt5aGLDmay_BmuSe-2hyphenhypheneRbLD/s1600/HPIM0965.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTf83tlTWHmceeiYy8-7taz2sVfT6IjIg1U7IE0BeneEFVSLSusKTKokX95HD6TZVALVWu-Nd-JY1SCCP90v0TdyJQtNXGiGqjdyWdGCmj35Zbt5aGLDmay_BmuSe-2hyphenhypheneRbLD/s320/HPIM0965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497528358129078770" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">* What a delight*<br /><br />Recently, I have begun following the Fly Lady routines again (which you will recall from months past) and my life has once again become rather seamless. I am more able to manage the stresses of work, I answer the doors when people come knocking free from CHAOS (Cant Have Anyone Over Syndrome), and last night, the most remarkable thing of all happened.... Brian invited over a group of friends to play cards for the first time in our eight year marriage!<br /><br />Brian told me the night before that his buddies were headed my way, and rather than protest, or spend the night in a frenzy of activity preparing the house for guests, I smiled and went about my regular routines. The night of the party, when Brian and I came home from work, we spent about ten minutes getting ready for his guests to arrive. It was darling, Brian put out a fresh roll of toilet paper, put grapefruit scented soap in the bathroom rather than using the usual one in the kitchen, he laid out a hand towel rather than use our usual bath towel from the morning, and then even encouraged me to make treats for his buddies. So, last night I had five people in my living room, brownies, quiche, monkey bread, and a number of drinks in the kitchen, and lively music playing from the TV.<br /><br />I made sure that they had all that they needed and then gave them some space as Brian seems to be most comfortable with his guests without my exuberance <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">impeding</span> his social mores. I slipped out to run on our treadmill for an hour, took a cool shower, made myself a lovely cup of peppermint tea, did my before bed routines, and then went into our cozy and tidy bedroom to read myself to sleep with the lovely Anne Of Green Gables. I nodded off, listening to my typically <span style="font-style: italic;">silent</span> husband laughing and interacting with his friends in the front room - all because he felt comfortable enough to have them over on a moments notice thanks to the recent re commitment to my life and our home.<br /><br />*Thanks Fly Lady!*<br /><br /></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-52571098703087771152010-07-20T23:50:00.011-06:002011-11-27T22:02:23.309-07:00<span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">preface-<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">i have started several posts lately, but inevitably, i feel that when i haven't posted in quite some time, the next one needs to be brilliant. this is quite a bit of self inflicted pressure, so i have chosen to do what my old college friend Marshall advised me worked best for him. he was an artist and often found filling the blank canvas a far too daunting task as he was in perpetual fear that he would "mess up" his new work by having an errant line, or something that was out of proportion to the rest of the piece. he would often fail to do anything for the fear of destroying his canvas. his solution was a simple one, simply start with the mistake. he would slash a line of color across the canvas in a bold and confident stroke and then from there, he would allow the rest of the painting to form. though he shared this with me ten years ago, it has always been something i have called upon in such a case as this. so, here is <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> colorful stroke--<br />***<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">*Simple Gatherings*<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Over the last month I have been blessed to travel around the country to visit family and have found myself once again impressed by the beauty not only of the people, but of those things they hold close to them in their homes, and the landscapes of the various places in the country. Allow me to make some introductions . . .<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB1frseChdSv73P_f7v2ZXdQhktDy3yBailibF7SfkLsvzgV1kSBKArPKy9KGukKlyDdFLm_AytcRtwxSOy7upY4gmUEGoHfyTjul-bUZq1ApbJ7ZK9S1_8lsDDwS_oos5uaa/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB1frseChdSv73P_f7v2ZXdQhktDy3yBailibF7SfkLsvzgV1kSBKArPKy9KGukKlyDdFLm_AytcRtwxSOy7upY4gmUEGoHfyTjul-bUZq1ApbJ7ZK9S1_8lsDDwS_oos5uaa/s320/IMG_1939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237070372226834" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Before I left for my family tour, I purchased a lovely orchid to brighten the kitchen (but only after proper coaching from a dear friend of mine who is one of those illusive folks who can keep an orchid alive for years and years) His big hint? Neglect them for the most part and only water them once a week.<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1D4DSRQSM0WG62iiAcR-to7BITtYY9wn75Y7H1Igjjpys9z1jmPGbkYIN6AEl2pfLQScwkvlHIihPnIyInDwbHgtv82vkSR4X8GxS02gJwJ2kVvc5ANLqSNQyWlAcoqh0zD/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1D4DSRQSM0WG62iiAcR-to7BITtYY9wn75Y7H1Igjjpys9z1jmPGbkYIN6AEl2pfLQScwkvlHIihPnIyInDwbHgtv82vkSR4X8GxS02gJwJ2kVvc5ANLqSNQyWlAcoqh0zD/s320/IMG_2024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496238278490888370" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />First up on the tour- I went to one of my favorite places to visit two of my <span style="font-style: italic;">dearest</span> nieces.<br /><br />Penny illustrates that for some, posing comes effortlessly. . .<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2CIasGZmLeeH3v1k07WY993LDf3-UXQksJ9Pnd7AWQ0DWcah33Cxub4AM0Ja2nsf9jtb0mfQR4zhTIWIk4L2kfaQgd9rqxK48Lgtk1WlHmE1Bb_geQac0mEka2SGSL9OkkG8/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2CIasGZmLeeH3v1k07WY993LDf3-UXQksJ9Pnd7AWQ0DWcah33Cxub4AM0Ja2nsf9jtb0mfQR4zhTIWIk4L2kfaQgd9rqxK48Lgtk1WlHmE1Bb_geQac0mEka2SGSL9OkkG8/s320/IMG_2025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496238289302154082" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />While for others, it is a learned skill. . . (I fall into this category too Charlie)<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbuN77U4IC3V8eVmPqJWobhngpVABVoT2411WWrpNO6wR5GwwV9O4T_PxoffCTAIki5Y_l9qJH6xk7uCXhhwfTJ4ITOiBBP7NiieFM5mkq5ArfxHm0hE2wqBlRe9B-c433lcS/s1600/IMG_1966.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSbuN77U4IC3V8eVmPqJWobhngpVABVoT2411WWrpNO6wR5GwwV9O4T_PxoffCTAIki5Y_l9qJH6xk7uCXhhwfTJ4ITOiBBP7NiieFM5mkq5ArfxHm0hE2wqBlRe9B-c433lcS/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237079571495682" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />It must be said though that after awhile, I find that what I am most drawn to in children's photographs are those of them just being themselves with silly faces smeared in chocolate and all. . .<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr87daFyDPvanvC-Ys9QrDhAkxaTZR8xQ9R2-F7Kn56mbT20ZURrnOYryodavhIX7gTGS9N5_bX8PVCyUQGxVOBc6156I0TKcCOxZsSa1ap_OU7Rqe6bJ6TPh8ScpPd4jVbafa/s1600/IMG_1967.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr87daFyDPvanvC-Ys9QrDhAkxaTZR8xQ9R2-F7Kn56mbT20ZURrnOYryodavhIX7gTGS9N5_bX8PVCyUQGxVOBc6156I0TKcCOxZsSa1ap_OU7Rqe6bJ6TPh8ScpPd4jVbafa/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237091457934786" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur4pbeeiTXsRj5IXS3BGMdWSyW2vQmQ3Fk5PJ_004D4gaLs2SdnwMPDl_0x1NwDWi8-j_WrbAXu2WqSxi9rX7ZtQS0PYO5AQAtV6EYFXhga5d9tMY82wD4-pcay1HUSSpMbfU/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhur4pbeeiTXsRj5IXS3BGMdWSyW2vQmQ3Fk5PJ_004D4gaLs2SdnwMPDl_0x1NwDWi8-j_WrbAXu2WqSxi9rX7ZtQS0PYO5AQAtV6EYFXhga5d9tMY82wD4-pcay1HUSSpMbfU/s320/IMG_2043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496237095159070946" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Well, well, this little love of mine does clean up rather nicely, though not <span style="font-style: italic;">too </span>nicely. When dressing a little girl, I have found find nothing more sublime that a child swathed in pearls (often a great juxtaposition) and so while I stayed, I allowed the girls to drape themselves in some of mine.<br />***<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_lZNhE3dp5xxCG_g5T9S9JCmbH5Sy_tMOPMzVTiW0v9wJnMGjP-hTsZST_mEtFfGsqsnaXF-naqyiBGd_FJvpdv1xSu9Ibfyu36H4IrPLLmn_86eSQMwExSwE-9zurtkY4x0/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_lZNhE3dp5xxCG_g5T9S9JCmbH5Sy_tMOPMzVTiW0v9wJnMGjP-hTsZST_mEtFfGsqsnaXF-naqyiBGd_FJvpdv1xSu9Ibfyu36H4IrPLLmn_86eSQMwExSwE-9zurtkY4x0/s320/IMG_2163.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496243073241615122" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">After a few short days in Las Vegas, I then returned home for a brief rest before I headed out to Dallas with Brian to see the families. . .<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy45JTfKqi2reY0eO8mlOSyhRS7XRiu_fkpwqPEHsbdPhVPk0AbORla_MTZ4WLNU1Zdubls_V7FSrGC_UCwB1dmI01ff-EDrejj-Da_1HX9XnwkT8fisaTi8QPwCrfLnERki7/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy45JTfKqi2reY0eO8mlOSyhRS7XRiu_fkpwqPEHsbdPhVPk0AbORla_MTZ4WLNU1Zdubls_V7FSrGC_UCwB1dmI01ff-EDrejj-Da_1HX9XnwkT8fisaTi8QPwCrfLnERki7/s320/IMG_2165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496244129461321586" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Mother greeted us with excess and warm welcome. . .<br />***<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVGPkyMa0lbhNyFjnQNYdxTSFg3GInoj04dYTLFp5-j_9dtXqwAZWYJ4Sq-6n1RYeJs0INS2Q-4uo-rTaYWCbzUZcsG1umx7Y4YqrzAdRxlKSFKpFQ2ugqn8iJ6ewSFndahc1/s1600/IMG_2168.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVGPkyMa0lbhNyFjnQNYdxTSFg3GInoj04dYTLFp5-j_9dtXqwAZWYJ4Sq-6n1RYeJs0INS2Q-4uo-rTaYWCbzUZcsG1umx7Y4YqrzAdRxlKSFKpFQ2ugqn8iJ6ewSFndahc1/s320/IMG_2168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496244120538345506" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">where we all sat down to a simple but pristine supper. . .<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLgDQ5kHo9XY0L2kMi5QWfBD9_LsSJSMXEcUdpXFakYkDrSFjIKHuqbgr2MWud4mVjGRl9HkYu5kR16IQz83bpjrRVKonsnxcCP8iVMvQrk8nBdkpX8RayGkA8SW6R9j71prX/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLgDQ5kHo9XY0L2kMi5QWfBD9_LsSJSMXEcUdpXFakYkDrSFjIKHuqbgr2MWud4mVjGRl9HkYu5kR16IQz83bpjrRVKonsnxcCP8iVMvQrk8nBdkpX8RayGkA8SW6R9j71prX/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496244137266609666" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">followed by a sumptuous room for my Pooh and I to slip off to by ourselves for some respite from the summer heat.<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2z9xpQkRfnZ1qvz6K9L-ZFGeJ6XVFQHEqfiRaBavgTgZRDBR-VWiC21MYyNxWawOAg4oIuLHWmt5lTaTcquYRJOFrnMHMafQ1h9CELqqBS_mLNEmIL2VjvGXvwqHrFPXbbk9a/s1600/IMG_2188.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2z9xpQkRfnZ1qvz6K9L-ZFGeJ6XVFQHEqfiRaBavgTgZRDBR-VWiC21MYyNxWawOAg4oIuLHWmt5lTaTcquYRJOFrnMHMafQ1h9CELqqBS_mLNEmIL2VjvGXvwqHrFPXbbk9a/s320/IMG_2188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496245910896859170" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">We were able to head to the arboretum for a picnic and concert in the gardens with the parents and friends.<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt0K1d4LV6ZiVuIoOuYKHNODXWJH76VBdpK9Rx6t-0l8Li-6mW4ZCt3Imva6Gf0qxLpqJTeN5lWQeJb40RbHFhrQCOaRJ39vod8amcRvDWNRkZEazGhBflQmzYejTnpFshGEn/s1600/IMG_2186.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvt0K1d4LV6ZiVuIoOuYKHNODXWJH76VBdpK9Rx6t-0l8Li-6mW4ZCt3Imva6Gf0qxLpqJTeN5lWQeJb40RbHFhrQCOaRJ39vod8amcRvDWNRkZEazGhBflQmzYejTnpFshGEn/s320/IMG_2186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496245902845967666" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YcDUC_HWdYJkTqxEimmtCxKoYXP39wH2bpEjbgN2xCsgMQdAAmcVTbBlFmTF_pvvozSERnzrfPRgLYVhnqkSIedRYrVzvi18y98mm0is0KyyxD5zV8HjaeHl-pPs5Uw6zDvJ/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YcDUC_HWdYJkTqxEimmtCxKoYXP39wH2bpEjbgN2xCsgMQdAAmcVTbBlFmTF_pvvozSERnzrfPRgLYVhnqkSIedRYrVzvi18y98mm0is0KyyxD5zV8HjaeHl-pPs5Uw6zDvJ/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496246382672617042" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />(mom and dad still look good soaking up the Dallas sites)<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d4yApcOcaXd08JSwNA0tPt3zDbKN-C4rHsjCxaAFVkM2YsZ7-Z4hXT6hh_Lw9eyzpW-sH1aGJKehnnjZYcC7GmbLfuUFEzGlkG700Fv6bgOQepGHqh8MLwB_OcaY6wJqFgSY/s1600/IMG_2200.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d4yApcOcaXd08JSwNA0tPt3zDbKN-C4rHsjCxaAFVkM2YsZ7-Z4hXT6hh_Lw9eyzpW-sH1aGJKehnnjZYcC7GmbLfuUFEzGlkG700Fv6bgOQepGHqh8MLwB_OcaY6wJqFgSY/s320/IMG_2200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496247016418207074" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">While later that night, our party was joined by John and Co.<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPFhVGhcnk07bPcYUjX4EN3s62C-eoqDSxEteL7yZURIcpeTXxxO8pDpnoCXxh2ARP5Tge0yzGK7D3R8dDphMHDKyuBjwXLxyDH4TCyd87llQ8w-E_vdftyy2r89qmLvXNAIM/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPFhVGhcnk07bPcYUjX4EN3s62C-eoqDSxEteL7yZURIcpeTXxxO8pDpnoCXxh2ARP5Tge0yzGK7D3R8dDphMHDKyuBjwXLxyDH4TCyd87llQ8w-E_vdftyy2r89qmLvXNAIM/s320/IMG_2210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496247027696593666" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Once the Houston crowd was in town, Mother decided to impress us all by making a quiche-like side dish that was divine in its utter simplicity (I must admit that the other "adults" in the room kept scolding me for stealing off bits of this heavenly dish prior to the prayer) Know what? I <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> don't regret it!</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />***<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV60k5om8JkSsM5dTLTghGTFzZB64GAEIlPrEtduK2WeHCUqRHMWeZi6IFQ2Z2cIsty7gyG2uUpRE4srMHAGS7ky6Q1LPtWOigbSQWuWCgNN6LbVsQTorrU6H7g8vP-fOTpny0/s1600/IMG_2206.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV60k5om8JkSsM5dTLTghGTFzZB64GAEIlPrEtduK2WeHCUqRHMWeZi6IFQ2Z2cIsty7gyG2uUpRE4srMHAGS7ky6Q1LPtWOigbSQWuWCgNN6LbVsQTorrU6H7g8vP-fOTpny0/s320/IMG_2206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496246991604551650" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Mamie impressed us all by making homemade crescent rolls that looked like chubby happy little babies all snuggled in. (hmm, we ate them though so perhaps not a great analogy)<br />***<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhYolA-wV7EVU6YdOhyoft9C-LyzWmXQLAqnvy2iAyCgmbcOU7EP6vA4ioN21GtP5uNLcU9Q5N8Y-YncgEQwfjp5Olpu4iQd0AHdAlGqatjDQeJDHksQrCN9dJrBYwbE4OWbX/s1600/IMG_2207.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhYolA-wV7EVU6YdOhyoft9C-LyzWmXQLAqnvy2iAyCgmbcOU7EP6vA4ioN21GtP5uNLcU9Q5N8Y-YncgEQwfjp5Olpu4iQd0AHdAlGqatjDQeJDHksQrCN9dJrBYwbE4OWbX/s320/IMG_2207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496247002780486274" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Stay tuned for part two of the travels.... lobster and lamb fests!<br /><br /><br />*Side note*<br />My dear friends, I am aware of the fact that I have copious amounts of photographs embedded in some of my posts. I like it this way. I have found that this has become a living journal in many ways and I am stirred by photographs which is why I utilize them. No fear though, they are easily passed by!<br /></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-69987871820500902412010-06-13T22:14:00.003-06:002011-11-27T22:04:22.094-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-bGf0JQXobqbYM4skJi2qG5i8taFp440owfFCx9o0yriOIRvXqr6bwrZ9oxvqaZH7I0B0N-xlG0MjDR6W2bWCixoDZpw9l0JyOcGiRi-AXNZxT6A2aRZ744Rw5rNfmaaLX15/s1600/041_13.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-bGf0JQXobqbYM4skJi2qG5i8taFp440owfFCx9o0yriOIRvXqr6bwrZ9oxvqaZH7I0B0N-xlG0MjDR6W2bWCixoDZpw9l0JyOcGiRi-AXNZxT6A2aRZ744Rw5rNfmaaLX15/s320/041_13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482484648062100098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*My favorite time of day*<br /><br />I don't know if this seems silly, but my favorite part of time day or night is those tender hours when I lay in bed next to my Pooh bear. He is tough to track down at other times of the day, but at night, when we are finally asleep, I love that we are close together. I think about what it is in our daily routine that keeps us from being the couple we once were, but I take comfort in the fact that I feel we express our truest selves when no one else is around, sometimes <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> aren't even fully there. It makes me smile that rough as it can be after being married for almost 8 years, we still sleep with our foreheads pressed together, our legs intertwined, or lovingly in an arm nook. So, though days may be long and we may seem tough, at night and in the morning, the place I want to be most in this world is snuggling back in bed.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-76555355566315772622010-06-09T20:27:00.008-06:002011-11-27T22:52:17.945-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*When Its Good Its Very Very Good But When Its Bad, Its Horrendous*<br /></span></span><br /><img alt="http://malistya.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/sarah-or-tina.jpg" src="http://malistya.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/sarah-or-tina.jpg" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Today, with my peers, we attended the highly anticipated business seminar at the Jazz stadium. In my opinion, it couldn't possibly have started much better. Rudy Giuliani spoke on the importance of embracing the new technology revolution in order to be a success in business and life. He urged us to get iPods, iPads, Smart phones, Computers, use facebook, and twitter, and even get a higher degree online. He spoke of the importance of connecting with the world that exists around us. Giuliani stressed that this world has gone high-tech and us being bitter and standing belligerently against the tide makes us foolish. We should not be bragging about our ignorance, desperately clinging to the comfortable, <span style="font-style: italic;">choosing</span> to embrace it our failure to evolve but rather have someone share their knowledge with us, and learn how this new frontier can enhance our lives and make our systems we have in place more efficient. There is no reason to allow ourselves to be intimidated by the new technologies as that is of no use to anyone. Giuliani politely disagreed with 'Bama and his recent remarks at Hampton University where he wa<span style="font-family:courier new;">rned, </span>"With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations — none of which I know how to work," Obama said, "information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation." Giuliani expressed that </span><span style="font-size:85%;">though essentially all technology has the power to create good as well as damage society if allowed, that is no reason to cower in the face of this revolution and stand idly by as society marches past. <span style="font-family:courier new;">He spoke of the importance of expanding our minds by all means possible and most impressively, he sold me on ebooks.<br /><br />In the second part of his lecture, he suggested a few ways for us to expand ourselves. He shared that he is currently taking an Italian class online and suggested we try not only that but to continue our more traditional education, and to be <span style="font-style: italic;">voracious</span> readers</span>. He recognized that there are those who currently aren't in the habit of reading and needed to learn to appreciate it and how it relaxes the mind. Simply by picking up a book on a topic that they are already passionate about until they are comfortable with regular reading time, and then to expand their reading selections to a variety of topics from there. In order to both enjoy reading and expand his mind, he shared his habit of always reading two books at once. One book is meant to teach him in some way and works educate and diversify his opinions while the other is simply a pleasurable read. As a result of this study, he has become literate on numerous topics and at the end of a long day, he looks forward to sitting down to take his personal time. Finally, he ended sharing the need to take our new found knowledge and listen to and debate people who have differing points of views in order to understand our world even better.<br /><br />As the day progressed, I appreciated the remarkable opportunity to have the pleasure of listening to Zig Ziglar, John Walsh, Colin Powell, Mit Romney, Apolo Anton Ohno, Sarah Palin, (ok, she was a <span style="font-style: italic;">total</span> moron when seen in person as she couldn't keep her thoughts straight wit a flatiron), and several others regional characters. Though a half dozen of the sessions were fun, inspiring, and thought provoking, a few were more in line with the late night slap chop/ sham wow characters or America's newest sweetheart, Tina Fey. I tried desperately to remember that the reason we were able to have all of these leaders fly out to speak to us is because someone has made this a profitable venture and could afford to pay them for an appearance. Though cerebrally I got it, there were a few who squeezed the life out of the chance to do just that and came within an inch of my sharp mental obliteration technique.<br /><br />Bob Patelle was the most adamant opportunist of the presenters. Mid way through his seminar, he shifted us all into the land of late night television testimonials and pitched us all <span style="font-style: italic;">real good. </span>Rather than discuss principles, he shared his website, rather than share knowledge, he praised his free lunch session between breaks, and rather than expand our interests, he hocked his courses which were <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> $3999, <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> $2999, <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> $599, and no <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> $399 but if you were one of the schmucks who is lead by loud music, a booming voice, and a quarter pound of charm, you could get his courses for the special one time offer of $99 !! Just because he wants to help you out and because he connected so deeply with this audience, he is going to send each of those lucky drones home with a free trial offer of his website, a free trial of his newsletter, a free coaching session with his "talented" life and financial coaches, and a TWO DAY ONCE IN A LIFETIME SEMINAR</span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> with him and his team in the upcoming months at a hotel near <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span>!<br /><br />Well, now is the time to take a deep breath shake it off, take just a moment, and then do as my newest buddy Giuliani suggested... take in all of the information possible-including likely morons whose point of view actually might have lowered my already tenuous IQ, and then filter the good from the bad keeping only the true gems. Oh, and its a good thing he suggested we have a sense of humor about life, so rather than be shocked and offended that a "cutie" basketball mom - sorry I might have liked her when she claimed hockey, but as politicians are chameleons in public she tried out a different persona today. Anyhow, though I'm an ardent opponent to the current administration, I find it shocking as this lady with the "precious" voice and perfectly teased hair who seemed completely ADD and incoherent was nearly the Vice President of this lovely country, I have Tina Fey to make horrendous encounters of this kind a bit more delightful in hindsight.<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thank you all and as Tina would say.... Have a good night New York!</span></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-52592222671200195342010-06-07T23:01:00.007-06:002011-11-27T22:06:52.397-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZE1bLYeCFQ0GIZEmLF9CCGrhvKPHzsmK_pIop4EEf92y9Xtw-t2N4JRDF4nCAipPSTkTe5hszCFaAXkPgoywqDHagpnzeZIR74ZKYZOaXon5YJ_2MCOc_Nm1eykwm-ryyEVO/s1600/140_2A.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZE1bLYeCFQ0GIZEmLF9CCGrhvKPHzsmK_pIop4EEf92y9Xtw-t2N4JRDF4nCAipPSTkTe5hszCFaAXkPgoywqDHagpnzeZIR74ZKYZOaXon5YJ_2MCOc_Nm1eykwm-ryyEVO/s320/140_2A.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480270858809675714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*Eloise at the Plaza*<br /><br />Well fine, perhaps I am <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> Eloise and rather than the Plaza I'm staying at a lovely downtown Marriott, but I do still love the idea of taking full advantage of a hotel stay. Tomorrow afternoon, I work in Salt Lake and wont be returning home until roughly 7 PM. Though this seems reasonable, I have to be back up there the next morning at 6:30 AM for a huge event at the Delta center with thousands of people to listen to a leadership seminar given by the likes of Zig Ziegler, Rudy Giuliani, Sarah Palin, Mit Romney, General Colon Powell and several more. Realistically speaking this means that the traffic will be horrendous, the parking would be impossible, and the stress of doing all of this with my peers as well as my District Manager and my Regional Manager present makes my eye twitch. So, not one to drive an hour and a half in the morning while battling deadlines, traffic, and peer pressure, I decided to chose easy. I used one of Brian's gift cards and got a hotel suite three blocks away from the event. Now rather than the drama, I have scheduled to have a girls night of shopping and fun downtown, a plush robe for a lovely bath, breakfast in bed, a wake up call and then a leisurely stroll to the arena. Now fingers crossed that it works out that these best laid plans are worth the extra few hours of sleep and some self inflicted pampering.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhxUc_ZyzA8BUnlD3ka3Ihjuuh_CRP_uxJsPZd0r3CL_fv1GDG4VWfxb_ZT6zXAHnVQvZflPAt6IVk5zr9JK4Pf-BdD8TN_OkZc6VCAT7Y3m3u3jL7vWK_1weStKoAhxPHC2t/s1600/snuggle+up+pjs.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhxUc_ZyzA8BUnlD3ka3Ihjuuh_CRP_uxJsPZd0r3CL_fv1GDG4VWfxb_ZT6zXAHnVQvZflPAt6IVk5zr9JK4Pf-BdD8TN_OkZc6VCAT7Y3m3u3jL7vWK_1weStKoAhxPHC2t/s320/snuggle+up+pjs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480270878865203538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Evidence that Brian and I have actually successfully relaxed in the past. Hopefully we will have a repeat performance. </span></span><br /><br /><br />*update* the girls cancelled on me so I shopped alone, I ended up at dinner with some of the out of town managers and sat next to my DM trying to make conversation that would not result in her rolling her eyes in my direction, oh, and the demons who had the room next to mine at the hotel had their TV blaring until past 3 AM and held <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> social event of the season in the hallway directly in front of my room when mercifully around 3:30 or so, I was able to drown out the din with Celtic chants from my iPod. Looking on the bright side, at least room service woke me from my near coma-esque state with eggs benedict at 6:09 so I was able to make it to the stadium a full hour before anyone other than my work buddies showed up. At least we got to pick our seats, eh?<br /><br /></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-77487985556603843352010-06-05T15:45:00.008-06:002011-11-27T22:50:35.436-07:00<span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8STSMx9kXH7-iMUDcdb7ZkWqLR3lnb6RHrA3_VH58kKUq0Xufn3pqikzbVO_3awUjPRhdsi67A_90DCU8ZytaQCGIJksHd7ZbL7LQdI5weJYkwtLgSFnAjq2SaCpNWucmR51r/s1600/IMG_1755.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/AVvXsEh8STSMx9kXH7-iMUDcdb7ZkWqLR3lnb6RHrA3_VH58kKUq0Xufn3pqikzbVO_3awUjPRhdsi67A_90DCU8ZytaQCGIJksHd7ZbL7LQdI5weJYkwtLgSFnAjq2SaCpNWucmR51r/s400/IMG_1755.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479411359081071186" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*Today's Spring Cleaning*<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />So today I lack the <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span> to work. This is an issue. So, what I have chosen to do is to use you as my manager, and share my goals for the day. Later, I will check in and see how I do. Here goes my list as well as some before and after photos that I have included. After all, everyone has times where they would cringe if company showed up unexpected... I may as well admit it to myself and share with you a few before and afters. Enjoy!<br /></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />-Do more dishes<br /> (to finally clean up from the lingering remnants of the memorial day party.<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />kitchen counters before</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcB8gLEUdSCEFqK1oleV7Qp1gnNA4JugnwCeTRkj6LhpgLR40zf0YYh79crUACwXa9k0g7iqZrgJeBB7xESfvA7M85nLnzuwmkbLWFSa8o2fLUKZF_hhqwUMVsyMCDEvYbn46/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcB8gLEUdSCEFqK1oleV7Qp1gnNA4JugnwCeTRkj6LhpgLR40zf0YYh79crUACwXa9k0g7iqZrgJeBB7xESfvA7M85nLnzuwmkbLWFSa8o2fLUKZF_hhqwUMVsyMCDEvYbn46/s320/IMG_1831.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479536374573812354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5XS0CPgaaNURkjHU9nZ1Jv3oddTgOOk6EaYJspnmLq1wuL5cEc6MyK0f6njvLaM4IJDwLEpGg9hsHmwpZGuh7xk_K_hyNqxckE_YmEonKsfYC3x4xnJzIELTT-AkvvnaI_T1/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5XS0CPgaaNURkjHU9nZ1Jv3oddTgOOk6EaYJspnmLq1wuL5cEc6MyK0f6njvLaM4IJDwLEpGg9hsHmwpZGuh7xk_K_hyNqxckE_YmEonKsfYC3x4xnJzIELTT-AkvvnaI_T1/s320/IMG_1834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479537731330978210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYvpk74sgYSNG5WBdJTIRJZ93sJG0fpE3zQPYX_6yZZreWcE7UhqfwDgVw2Dq9RZU3pF7KTeAcjNDrFHLMG3gYWlGREr1uA-rHCSl0iq_Haf348wzsTbFtGkna4Y5iiToNUlV/s1600/IMG_1838.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUYvpk74sgYSNG5WBdJTIRJZ93sJG0fpE3zQPYX_6yZZreWcE7UhqfwDgVw2Dq9RZU3pF7KTeAcjNDrFHLMG3gYWlGREr1uA-rHCSl0iq_Haf348wzsTbFtGkna4Y5iiToNUlV/s320/IMG_1838.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479536411642456018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">kitchen counters after</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBO5vWExLTh6y8LyOh5tlHbbRNBjMz7xkqR9OSsId6WXAkEzUpTRd-GrfVtsitbijWXGtIjcdi9upkB4x9_twQB9U6YIOSr09hZmsGpl9sYSqJNwsVx4viQ1IfuWSn_w-Qcfc/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQTgypN_NrqhBHtJBU-WW4wyQvm-rxvfhDZ28qIFIfV97Rw-HtbeyiJzN7Y4TCtsy0xQ1XDdmBE4OT7ybz0MTC55BecO7jecWmG_SQpSMJPp_S6Rg9-3o8U0KSUYzmE_adQ9o/s1600/IMG_1923.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQTgypN_NrqhBHtJBU-WW4wyQvm-rxvfhDZ28qIFIfV97Rw-HtbeyiJzN7Y4TCtsy0xQ1XDdmBE4OT7ybz0MTC55BecO7jecWmG_SQpSMJPp_S6Rg9-3o8U0KSUYzmE_adQ9o/s320/IMG_1923.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479536402376742482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jziQuTwC50JEZ15dt78-D6TiBLcVBpx0vgItGfsSbRS2tvlRQIgh_11jCUB2lJKdNdXGiwhRY64zP1y2WcUQDooEG3rXT7VU99b9CtA-Cysi21dFxyG83ZxuFUlb6q5j1eeG/s1600/IMG_1910.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jziQuTwC50JEZ15dt78-D6TiBLcVBpx0vgItGfsSbRS2tvlRQIgh_11jCUB2lJKdNdXGiwhRY64zP1y2WcUQDooEG3rXT7VU99b9CtA-Cysi21dFxyG83ZxuFUlb6q5j1eeG/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479536392495160226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkPzHMfGpR3RCG_FLQJRN5NSkYmA9qS9RR_M_mt_7NcykjWe9RSu6lzB0cnJ3NQqvRFuUfm-3YTOtjvhGjoVr9Qv1_bRAhPo_2leA3OPR4T_rvYcBk6V6yAKNs7sGtKSgJtkB/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkPzHMfGpR3RCG_FLQJRN5NSkYmA9qS9RR_M_mt_7NcykjWe9RSu6lzB0cnJ3NQqvRFuUfm-3YTOtjvhGjoVr9Qv1_bRAhPo_2leA3OPR4T_rvYcBk6V6yAKNs7sGtKSgJtkB/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479536385469760402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBO5vWExLTh6y8LyOh5tlHbbRNBjMz7xkqR9OSsId6WXAkEzUpTRd-GrfVtsitbijWXGtIjcdi9upkB4x9_twQB9U6YIOSr09hZmsGpl9sYSqJNwsVx4viQ1IfuWSn_w-Qcfc/s1600/IMG_1831.JPG"><br /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">-Snuggle Brian on the couch watching How I Met Your Mother for our version of quality time<br /> (this photo is just for us)<br /><br />-Clean up the bathroom<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The bathroom before<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPYNwn4F324jwzfFH_XVYbMBCDm1Eyx4RoR_j5vm8kfYFCN2RzIoeEPFcyjZqvsTUkzkS9EdE4fW9gMbXf_uBvRU_10oCSge905sdWHCT5DDEA-JnsdCnaF-iYqqEwr5fIoJr/s1600/IMG_1839.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPYNwn4F324jwzfFH_XVYbMBCDm1Eyx4RoR_j5vm8kfYFCN2RzIoeEPFcyjZqvsTUkzkS9EdE4fW9gMbXf_uBvRU_10oCSge905sdWHCT5DDEA-JnsdCnaF-iYqqEwr5fIoJr/s320/IMG_1839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479537766010724882" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The bathroom after... everything in its place and smelling fresh</span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVkUsFd3qKgomvj1uuaiV01ofxhcZxd6Z4Wi1tGSmz7iODdfck5Kwa1iOUd2prtN_tMecvHncHIsAJehqJplwreBqEKoUBFwzGwVn_byNaxB1tjGBW-NKsm4ZHvzGEqTD3q3s/s1600/IMG_1901.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVkUsFd3qKgomvj1uuaiV01ofxhcZxd6Z4Wi1tGSmz7iODdfck5Kwa1iOUd2prtN_tMecvHncHIsAJehqJplwreBqEKoUBFwzGwVn_byNaxB1tjGBW-NKsm4ZHvzGEqTD3q3s/s320/IMG_1901.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479537753341318562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXfzjh-RbkV8VONnzpOVfNczFOAOcB0v7FWad5pt3Ghkqebb3E1IqDlLGS8l3bwjYmKJPqoNBU3Zx4DrEl3Pbuc2l3rpRtgjynF8ofrjHVruJfOYTyEsbTomrZcRCIvrn3aBL/s1600/IMG_1900.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXfzjh-RbkV8VONnzpOVfNczFOAOcB0v7FWad5pt3Ghkqebb3E1IqDlLGS8l3bwjYmKJPqoNBU3Zx4DrEl3Pbuc2l3rpRtgjynF8ofrjHVruJfOYTyEsbTomrZcRCIvrn3aBL/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479537745444625922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11hyphenhyphenPg3AlRto67wKH-9wxMCVFto5nnzZYF7Dem3A0XhC8dF0MCUiAQ5O_KtyA4bsXmLahHddYPEkih0ZbPbWwU9GLx9LhWfvsxOK63TLcHKgdMSwp-XwQXDaZ3JkeD7SOU5vi/s1600/IMG_1899.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11hyphenhyphenPg3AlRto67wKH-9wxMCVFto5nnzZYF7Dem3A0XhC8dF0MCUiAQ5O_KtyA4bsXmLahHddYPEkih0ZbPbWwU9GLx9LhWfvsxOK63TLcHKgdMSwp-XwQXDaZ3JkeD7SOU5vi/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479537737505275106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5XS0CPgaaNURkjHU9nZ1Jv3oddTgOOk6EaYJspnmLq1wuL5cEc6MyK0f6njvLaM4IJDwLEpGg9hsHmwpZGuh7xk_K_hyNqxckE_YmEonKsfYC3x4xnJzIELTT-AkvvnaI_T1/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5XS0CPgaaNURkjHU9nZ1Jv3oddTgOOk6EaYJspnmLq1wuL5cEc6MyK0f6njvLaM4IJDwLEpGg9hsHmwpZGuh7xk_K_hyNqxckE_YmEonKsfYC3x4xnJzIELTT-AkvvnaI_T1/s1600/IMG_1834.JPG"> </a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />-Put away the cursed laundry<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Before hand, even Bella looks clearly ticked</span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltVW88JfRQ2st2UN2O408OZCBq9kEe-A9T7JEkHqLxn8T2Z7a3sSeUJbPPHqnllUEJ4rELAQmUtSzghKohhq4Io7t3DR-4CcrVeHGPTMCLjetPTL8VJ08ySr5KW9AssNCH-Ma/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltVW88JfRQ2st2UN2O408OZCBq9kEe-A9T7JEkHqLxn8T2Z7a3sSeUJbPPHqnllUEJ4rELAQmUtSzghKohhq4Io7t3DR-4CcrVeHGPTMCLjetPTL8VJ08ySr5KW9AssNCH-Ma/s320/IMG_1848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479539354391113682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE0P2-mw6xJ_XGSYwFgyzGihegYOe6yD1XPFWYJKD6o09Xq865n6VW_4S-mkyLP0fbbNZCOJdrUTUnFVE3yUvkbs0hrFsLKuTA25p61eQozaJEVjqUAYfW8IKjn1bVaDzo9hyphenhyphen/s1600/IMG_1845.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizE0P2-mw6xJ_XGSYwFgyzGihegYOe6yD1XPFWYJKD6o09Xq865n6VW_4S-mkyLP0fbbNZCOJdrUTUnFVE3yUvkbs0hrFsLKuTA25p61eQozaJEVjqUAYfW8IKjn1bVaDzo9hyphenhyphen/s320/IMG_1845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479539346487170562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />-Wash even more laundry<br /> (no one is perfect so lets push that to tomorrow)<br /><br />-Make the bed<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M9dfKAe1QYtoybERIjrxMN0kgYq7Fd6k11DiWnPMkBDJ0fLXGZAxe0hNu6A5EOtdPagW33BVa8S9MA4uBmCRMj2rwv8-wiUe2nVTP2I6iUT2pNlMG1jmqScTclFtNKCQxqUp/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bedroom before</span></span><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5mizxZNXSBNs9grOqRuyjRRRfTmuGgqj-lBFLj2zoyjictyMRemAOr3OQMzMPXSRseC1sD3Z5hepU2ye2Z9i5cyMHTLtb0pK6tqELvi0s-FT7uqb6dFepcjF_SQiiWykFwxv/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5mizxZNXSBNs9grOqRuyjRRRfTmuGgqj-lBFLj2zoyjictyMRemAOr3OQMzMPXSRseC1sD3Z5hepU2ye2Z9i5cyMHTLtb0pK6tqELvi0s-FT7uqb6dFepcjF_SQiiWykFwxv/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479539370096621154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYdwKq-aRlbncE60m7JgGOqPOZXBWT3yei2R5uXrOI-SuNEwpfWQSzXCyE-tUIeI9bFB0ysYqmfcflNnbBBDQqDcGEGpzlbARjDkYRtKw4jE2lP7wqmfEj9c1Ho7k2bjmneBN/s1600/IMG_1881.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYdwKq-aRlbncE60m7JgGOqPOZXBWT3yei2R5uXrOI-SuNEwpfWQSzXCyE-tUIeI9bFB0ysYqmfcflNnbBBDQqDcGEGpzlbARjDkYRtKw4jE2lP7wqmfEj9c1Ho7k2bjmneBN/s320/IMG_1881.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479539376975470994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bedroom after a good clean </span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagGTsmXtw0ZDb_HsM5F9YOm3AA4M7xabbLGXvF0oTbI31Sv52S1U_247V52XHpGYtbnc58mRFleFB8aF82C1ZaqSzlRGdw11U5z0D8UehfbnHpCeCWuB0OPrQWGEdNznG-tv-/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagGTsmXtw0ZDb_HsM5F9YOm3AA4M7xabbLGXvF0oTbI31Sv52S1U_247V52XHpGYtbnc58mRFleFB8aF82C1ZaqSzlRGdw11U5z0D8UehfbnHpCeCWuB0OPrQWGEdNznG-tv-/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479540063230526130" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M9dfKAe1QYtoybERIjrxMN0kgYq7Fd6k11DiWnPMkBDJ0fLXGZAxe0hNu6A5EOtdPagW33BVa8S9MA4uBmCRMj2rwv8-wiUe2nVTP2I6iUT2pNlMG1jmqScTclFtNKCQxqUp/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3M9dfKAe1QYtoybERIjrxMN0kgYq7Fd6k11DiWnPMkBDJ0fLXGZAxe0hNu6A5EOtdPagW33BVa8S9MA4uBmCRMj2rwv8-wiUe2nVTP2I6iUT2pNlMG1jmqScTclFtNKCQxqUp/s320/IMG_1894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479540089066827058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKjodco2PagrVyK8SV-r2rdaLIALKw36C_J46nhOTOOMNfXaMQ4uHVUGMdHZ_ZraL9QvJTinzj5whVsuUVtTkunLvVNNU3xEsamHSos57i7KncIji-8oYKvKQTSNisbpAOecC/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKjodco2PagrVyK8SV-r2rdaLIALKw36C_J46nhOTOOMNfXaMQ4uHVUGMdHZ_ZraL9QvJTinzj5whVsuUVtTkunLvVNNU3xEsamHSos57i7KncIji-8oYKvKQTSNisbpAOecC/s320/IMG_1893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479540078327411538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bNyNSQStmCOzR1f6D4K8PAVfJIAY6bnlFncj-dzigfvlj-ZBYhdRYuyBM0rQ-sPgEO6vCyqZs9qISlkcl-7Pg7AVbwSDo5Nf5ZaEWEnNsn4Qn7KTwtPVCupmknhB6e6JFa8V/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bNyNSQStmCOzR1f6D4K8PAVfJIAY6bnlFncj-dzigfvlj-ZBYhdRYuyBM0rQ-sPgEO6vCyqZs9qISlkcl-7Pg7AVbwSDo5Nf5ZaEWEnNsn4Qn7KTwtPVCupmknhB6e6JFa8V/s320/IMG_1885.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479540070528516738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />-Photograph the house for Mom and Mary<br /> (this is on mom's flickr album)<br /><br />-Shower<br /> (ran out of time, essentially ran in the hose rather than a lovely shower)<br /><br />-Head out to dinner and a movie with Madison<br /> (well we did get dinner, but went to Sephora rather than a movie)<br /><br />-Finish my Capote book<br /> (this is my before bed ritual which I will finish right as I finish this post)<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBFEeRHveg6fyStLZuAWnkzeRaXxhUuukMYdhCu15x-rbNK1j-O5EHnzSp5s8SPY3uEb72nOJGiiejSFo9Hfp8NNs4g25cKu3FLKYasiieiimPsmyzoivJoiZlChIDbIajpCy/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBFEeRHveg6fyStLZuAWnkzeRaXxhUuukMYdhCu15x-rbNK1j-O5EHnzSp5s8SPY3uEb72nOJGiiejSFo9Hfp8NNs4g25cKu3FLKYasiieiimPsmyzoivJoiZlChIDbIajpCy/s320/IMG_1924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479544521536927218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />hmmmmm i think that is it. Ta ta for now!<br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-72294226365615286052010-06-01T19:59:00.008-06:002011-11-27T22:09:01.580-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCI2dd3TLU9ePGq8j8jd-IMSRUwoJko2Mmzbh7-h1bkHL8j2rlaInGtgRaXPZbB2z1vg3tDnvzI6AjDXl7xGwRRTU_ixdR8xcNHJsaSHsp4jOdJG6XgBf0epD-0VdJFVqloP8/s1600/megan+wins+the+battle.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSr6Vs-Vdtm21IuWsuxqa4LHm8aMZXFa1ZekhLKcd0Oj8OUCeGBJq9SONlnCDCI7QKVG20DGro8vqIlog8HLqFWv_k7t7rG8YprHVZRvBM3q_7wJfokK2y-rvl4R9dVsFtxjB/s1600/adam+migraine.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/AVvXsEjgSr6Vs-Vdtm21IuWsuxqa4LHm8aMZXFa1ZekhLKcd0Oj8OUCeGBJq9SONlnCDCI7QKVG20DGro8vqIlog8HLqFWv_k7t7rG8YprHVZRvBM3q_7wJfokK2y-rvl4R9dVsFtxjB/s400/adam+migraine.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478006367560413858" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*Some Days Make You Work For It*<br /><br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Most days I am happy to head to work, but other days--- well, it's a real effort. Today was one of the latter. It is tough working at a job where the bigger the sob story the client gives, the more they are used to getting in fees reversed etc. This leads to an environment where people who view themselves as victims <span style="font-style: italic;">thrive. </span>At times, this makes it difficult for me to be empathetic towards each story as often I have heard a version of it a dozen or more times a day. Today, I sought desperately to cling to the positive moments. The one I grabbed hold of was when the wife of one of the guys who works for me brought in her three year old twin boys to visit and chat for a few minutes.<br /><br />At the ripe old age of 29 and with almost 8 years of marriage under my belt, I have <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> gotten to the point where I am fixated on having my own children and doing something I consider a valuable investment in my daily life. Though working my regular job is important on the surface and I recognize that what I do can truly change peoples' lives, I want to make a difference in a smaller sphere. Rather than teaching virtual strangers financial independence and how to budget, </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I want to spend my time shaping the character and the memories of my own children. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">I can't wait to teach them how to sew, cook, tell a great story, journal, and travel adventurously. How amazing it would be to make a difference in my own particular way. It is surprising to say this aloud as for years I was far more interested in buying heels than diapers, and I didn't believe that I would ever feel that having children would be anything other than an opportunity to damage another human being. Suffice it to say, <span style="font-style: italic;">lots</span> has changed in a year. So for now, until I have my own brood, I am adopting the children around me.<br /><br />With that, please allow me to introduce you to a few of my favorite little friends in the neighborhood...<br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO_czrWPVH71m2P-Zn79Pjy_1bTVbTU7jgYGp4yfBX9u7ixA6Xlmes34HEeIVxjKht0Z6mkMadnTUB-hX828PhdoJXbI8s0KQXyDegurlcDO96Ca8vNKw_iLYPrPqgX5C1sH7/s1600/adam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNO_czrWPVH71m2P-Zn79Pjy_1bTVbTU7jgYGp4yfBX9u7ixA6Xlmes34HEeIVxjKht0Z6mkMadnTUB-hX828PhdoJXbI8s0KQXyDegurlcDO96Ca8vNKw_iLYPrPqgX5C1sH7/s400/adam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478007144017868898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Adam decides to rock out in my glasses<br /></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKR4pEzP5Dzaa0TeEN6Ihze9V3BX6rN30TjYz29tzoa503FfYeG8Sdz6PL5EY225Z-XJnDdA-CK5FBV5tt8aQtGQw7Xg0tpEPkMYs14ODveurXD104FZzmqMh5c4XMZNOxTyDZ/s1600/IMG_1541.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/AVvXsEgKR4pEzP5Dzaa0TeEN6Ihze9V3BX6rN30TjYz29tzoa503FfYeG8Sdz6PL5EY225Z-XJnDdA-CK5FBV5tt8aQtGQw7Xg0tpEPkMYs14ODveurXD104FZzmqMh5c4XMZNOxTyDZ/s400/IMG_1541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478007016881563714" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09U_SaNP77FwE-VZF8EIHCcpktz6kJRo3xqf4uHut-Bm-hQ991joRvcxPwRGGoI1c1bAqT5seZs_bLptqCrdQ2B3LWHYj_g11Q2PFlcHIife528dj_O-BjyfjM8KZNSfOtzoq/s1600/IMG_1542.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/AVvXsEg09U_SaNP77FwE-VZF8EIHCcpktz6kJRo3xqf4uHut-Bm-hQ991joRvcxPwRGGoI1c1bAqT5seZs_bLptqCrdQ2B3LWHYj_g11Q2PFlcHIife528dj_O-BjyfjM8KZNSfOtzoq/s400/IMG_1542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478006994920923986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Luke's effervescence makes me realize that having a boy might just <span style="font-style: italic;">loads</span> of fun<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDOd48sEN8NSK3jmlUA5-zhkys82fbtIvhXrpYPA9fw8eGgsU8MFs1GnxQzInMMYj5RFcNdWE3RSVixthS9JhmTmiTYkosv-vg2DwIm3kZQfqkNbYlfv57f7aEwv_8MltFaOK/s1600/tootsies.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/AVvXsEiQDOd48sEN8NSK3jmlUA5-zhkys82fbtIvhXrpYPA9fw8eGgsU8MFs1GnxQzInMMYj5RFcNdWE3RSVixthS9JhmTmiTYkosv-vg2DwIm3kZQfqkNbYlfv57f7aEwv_8MltFaOK/s400/tootsies.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478006392034394418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Little dirty toes are just a few of my favorite things<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNBWZ4XKQrlrOdFPCBT5lLTz3seEiuOCQAOuIybwkl1FsOXUNRmiH6eG_y0GJ_Qv9K1kKh1QZAtg8KAtcGXFKfIUGtS42SN-8gFY8NPcgnJekh3q7apvxcovfr1623G9oZEA2/s1600/pensive+lads.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/AVvXsEjZNBWZ4XKQrlrOdFPCBT5lLTz3seEiuOCQAOuIybwkl1FsOXUNRmiH6eG_y0GJ_Qv9K1kKh1QZAtg8KAtcGXFKfIUGtS42SN-8gFY8NPcgnJekh3q7apvxcovfr1623G9oZEA2/s400/pensive+lads.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478006381430238978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0yGD3Mfygnnn3PGsd74P5K9cTO69Pwx9Pg-r81A6BI9kvHLJbTeOnXBjqp9oCcs9Zascw1-R86qRCgtqCbz7S_eGlXl_vSa60PBKbCrLGs9MAMHPdFINVx3MVCgl3t0hl06W/s1600/naughty+boys.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/AVvXsEiO0yGD3Mfygnnn3PGsd74P5K9cTO69Pwx9Pg-r81A6BI9kvHLJbTeOnXBjqp9oCcs9Zascw1-R86qRCgtqCbz7S_eGlXl_vSa60PBKbCrLGs9MAMHPdFINVx3MVCgl3t0hl06W/s400/naughty+boys.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478006404948878562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Spencer and Adam were well behaved. . . for a moment<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDJ2TuGWsIADT2V6ZkMbHDK8ZShxnv37SfNcUmKS8JJVJvP4nuKgNvCzhdam68hjndUrBqO8rqUzDsffQWT5pm20vYZiI-n0fc9O_5Qc3SMDMH_dJGWOGzgXfNC29nug-iIPY/s1600/katie+and+troy.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/AVvXsEhUDJ2TuGWsIADT2V6ZkMbHDK8ZShxnv37SfNcUmKS8JJVJvP4nuKgNvCzhdam68hjndUrBqO8rqUzDsffQWT5pm20vYZiI-n0fc9O_5Qc3SMDMH_dJGWOGzgXfNC29nug-iIPY/s400/katie+and+troy.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478006411451577298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Thanks for hanging in there raising those boys Troy and Katie and giving me a reason to smile</span></span> <span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">on days such as these</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa_VmB3iKKw5zYy8ruXuvN77xVFS0Q33v1NNdRL3rqmv5lQYxxJTf5CtL1r2tV0ms5T2P9e4i2WlFqeu5CmlvSY-UsQUN37eGh9BX6ojGWLEH45BOA_DTfpajZ0Wb-CjoJcSv/s1600/IMG_1554.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa_VmB3iKKw5zYy8ruXuvN77xVFS0Q33v1NNdRL3rqmv5lQYxxJTf5CtL1r2tV0ms5T2P9e4i2WlFqeu5CmlvSY-UsQUN37eGh9BX6ojGWLEH45BOA_DTfpajZ0Wb-CjoJcSv/s400/IMG_1554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478008357639444722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCI2dd3TLU9ePGq8j8jd-IMSRUwoJko2Mmzbh7-h1bkHL8j2rlaInGtgRaXPZbB2z1vg3tDnvzI6AjDXl7xGwRRTU_ixdR8xcNHJsaSHsp4jOdJG6XgBf0epD-0VdJFVqloP8/s1600/megan+wins+the+battle.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/AVvXsEjQCI2dd3TLU9ePGq8j8jd-IMSRUwoJko2Mmzbh7-h1bkHL8j2rlaInGtgRaXPZbB2z1vg3tDnvzI6AjDXl7xGwRRTU_ixdR8xcNHJsaSHsp4jOdJG6XgBf0epD-0VdJFVqloP8/s400/megan+wins+the+battle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478008365324604466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Megan and Cory, thanks for bringing Luke into my life. His kisses and piggie sounds always are guaranteed to make me crack up~</span></span><br /><br /></div></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-87043423330350328052010-05-31T21:49:00.005-06:002011-11-27T22:50:48.590-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*Summer Lazy Days*</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_Ll2_zazUE7QlsueQ_3AmNQa0y_Dvbl7hqRXevwTNjucMkBh2QVnQek1Nm3azh1YQJObapUKMqGaOVS3O4AIhkePIMFxjtGiad4yceoEI2JZ4tpXKdAe9czUqr2mCDJCEI7I/s1600/IMG_1798.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/AVvXsEgG_Ll2_zazUE7QlsueQ_3AmNQa0y_Dvbl7hqRXevwTNjucMkBh2QVnQek1Nm3azh1YQJObapUKMqGaOVS3O4AIhkePIMFxjtGiad4yceoEI2JZ4tpXKdAe9czUqr2mCDJCEI7I/s400/IMG_1798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477648371306494498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Im not really a great fan of cherries but these were just too beautiful to pass up</span></span>...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTurigX6st9me7XLqEL3-ySqmyAYaMcEfnTT7Ss4fCJHqSCgE0udevjxVCW0qISedOvcUHmn8jZLaSFDik40_pYpL6tXyQpysjR07bH0U_mtx3-ClxznSun52IdGbiauNE0HT/s1600/IMG_1793.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/AVvXsEiYTurigX6st9me7XLqEL3-ySqmyAYaMcEfnTT7Ss4fCJHqSCgE0udevjxVCW0qISedOvcUHmn8jZLaSFDik40_pYpL6tXyQpysjR07bH0U_mtx3-ClxznSun52IdGbiauNE0HT/s400/IMG_1793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477648367471983682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Kelsey and Brian stopped in to say hello</span></span>...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvEI_70XmR6efxgQFgvhd5sNAzPtlPniYyZT66b3qFakBREvXrDrtoCqAp-KoHF-huFYzZogPnQly3DFP0PPehdOx1GBYfLa-DR7zWUkx0GslAre-YVKdgIq9naEZHCn7wrpx/s1600/IMG_1826.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/AVvXsEgNvEI_70XmR6efxgQFgvhd5sNAzPtlPniYyZT66b3qFakBREvXrDrtoCqAp-KoHF-huFYzZogPnQly3DFP0PPehdOx1GBYfLa-DR7zWUkx0GslAre-YVKdgIq9naEZHCn7wrpx/s400/IMG_1826.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477648390581507058" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Madison enjoys a day of rest...<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RbQrzGCUu3ewYu4SFKbWg7YAKnLulQmfS_py51RQiBVDuR97Nx92E4UbCICkVR_Hmu74H9xYR8bg4d3ofa4o-taquMaZgaS1clF_Y0OUfDOth310ALw8q1roeNYJ-7-175Wn/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RbQrzGCUu3ewYu4SFKbWg7YAKnLulQmfS_py51RQiBVDuR97Nx92E4UbCICkVR_Hmu74H9xYR8bg4d3ofa4o-taquMaZgaS1clF_Y0OUfDOth310ALw8q1roeNYJ-7-175Wn/s400/IMG_1795.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477648403638646610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Mary's recipe for tabbouleh...<br /><br />*all and all, a lovely day*<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></span></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-62129583294613246382010-05-31T01:38:00.007-06:002011-11-27T22:53:24.979-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ROWKiLH2Rppqq9pvEJ4J7LA7-h2IFZVDk7oOXhN_uBmlVf1GlDQkUL4SAQsCKDylRNcV8tmTQFPis8FrY_F5eqkog34fNOz-5PNd8eJkUooUFEg52MJ_0NeEg-aLyThGQbF9/s1600/IMG_1790.JPG"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ROWKiLH2Rppqq9pvEJ4J7LA7-h2IFZVDk7oOXhN_uBmlVf1GlDQkUL4SAQsCKDylRNcV8tmTQFPis8FrY_F5eqkog34fNOz-5PNd8eJkUooUFEg52MJ_0NeEg-aLyThGQbF9/s1600/IMG_1790.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/AVvXsEj_ROWKiLH2Rppqq9pvEJ4J7LA7-h2IFZVDk7oOXhN_uBmlVf1GlDQkUL4SAQsCKDylRNcV8tmTQFPis8FrY_F5eqkog34fNOz-5PNd8eJkUooUFEg52MJ_0NeEg-aLyThGQbF9/s400/IMG_1790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477340516859621730" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*Fancy a Peach/Blueberry Crisp?*</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"> Tonight I have been in a bit of excited panic - note that as I write this it is 1:45 am and I have yet to feel sleeps restful hand. I determined a few days ago that I would hold a rather impromptu Memorial Day picnic tomorrow (or technically in a few hours) after I get off of work for just two or three friends. Well, we all want too much of a good thing at times, and now we have a pretty healthy group of people headed to 4th south at 4 pm for some good old fashioned fun.<br /><br /> Yes, I know this sounds idyllic: a BBQ in the freshly grown gardens in the backyard with summer fruit and lawn games, but pause for one moment if you will. I realized a few minor things this evening. People <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> stay in the yard. They will invariably wander into the kitchens to provide some assistance of some sort, and it will most certainly be appreciated. Someone will go to visit the powder room as we will be enjoying ourselves for quite some time, and invariably, a tour of the home will be requested which is a gift for the hostess to provide. All of this sounds lovely and should be but for one small detail... my house is a mess! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;"> This is where many feel they ought to panic and spend the day dressing their home for company, but <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> am a special sort. What did<span style="font-style: italic;"> I</span> do today? Well I began a new Capote book, snuggled in bed with my Pooh bear (the hubby) played with the kitties, and got in some DVR <span style="font-style: italic;">Craig Fergueson</span>, and then finally went shopping to get the ingredients for tomorrow. Simple enough but on the way to the store I recalled that I could really use a new camera charger as I have once again begun documenting my life for each of you and it would be a pity not to have photographs of the party. After running to multiple stores to get to one who had the charger in stock, Madison and I (my usual partner in crime) finally returned to my home around 8:30 where we proceeded to practice a new dessert for tomorrow night and where we added yet four more people to our little fete. After such a diverting day, we sat down and were <span style="font-style: italic;">delighted</span> to discover that the newest recipe of the pear and blueberry crisp with a bit of vanilla ice-cream is truly one of life's little luxuries and perfect for our picnic. After the much appreciated brief respite to snack, Mads and I came somewhat into this reality and in one swift choerographed motion, bounded up and into the kitchen and front room like two desperate cats in water to once again make things somewhat presentable for tomorrow. Now, all I have to do is prepare the kabobs, shuck the corn, make the salad, ready the tabbouli, make the apple pie and the official version of the crisp we sampled tonight, clean the bathroom, mop the floors, tidy the laundry room, freshen up the little girls' room, prepare the back yard, and cook the food. Ahh, did I mention that I work until 2 tomorrow and I have everyone coming over at 4? No fears though folks as I was just reminded of a few simple truths.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span> We can always cross our fingers, bless the stars that we only invite <span style="font-style: italic;">good</span> friends over in the first place who love us and help us tuck away less flattering piles of daily life, and know that it is <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> party and it isnt starting without me!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ROWKiLH2Rppqq9pvEJ4J7LA7-h2IFZVDk7oOXhN_uBmlVf1GlDQkUL4SAQsCKDylRNcV8tmTQFPis8FrY_F5eqkog34fNOz-5PNd8eJkUooUFEg52MJ_0NeEg-aLyThGQbF9/s1600/IMG_1790.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgyBlEygA3UhU0yFYV5G1KI0tj2JEZjDWN2z4FsY25v3QN_-5ELcIo2lvUcrczuQwUNqNgTkxXd4yrIBg8ZWoc18YcRIgT7_5IsbCKa_KmnIPUQmDFndb3Fdbw6jBLYYrhSd3/s1600/IMG_1780.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/AVvXsEgmgyBlEygA3UhU0yFYV5G1KI0tj2JEZjDWN2z4FsY25v3QN_-5ELcIo2lvUcrczuQwUNqNgTkxXd4yrIBg8ZWoc18YcRIgT7_5IsbCKa_KmnIPUQmDFndb3Fdbw6jBLYYrhSd3/s400/IMG_1780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477340499648700994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">We prepared the veggies for the skewers tomorrow</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAuaY1dHXBt66AJ81ezPYFG1l0T1kINBUlpuw_tvgdo50CUn2Aftsatz-dRW9OTFvUMB2tgOFaxqvr6ZXnCeOq8Sqbbmh1tS5FOELFzC2xBkxTvgeiH437S3vGyl02M1C6WdQ/s1600/IMG_1779.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/AVvXsEjIAuaY1dHXBt66AJ81ezPYFG1l0T1kINBUlpuw_tvgdo50CUn2Aftsatz-dRW9OTFvUMB2tgOFaxqvr6ZXnCeOq8Sqbbmh1tS5FOELFzC2xBkxTvgeiH437S3vGyl02M1C6WdQ/s400/IMG_1779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477340487942277698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Fruits and veg are awaiting their entrance into the party</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCFoQikCCZ_f09Q0ypSM8naT09_y8ausSliVKR5-YmINGiE3cKARXfjgQGt1-z8PVdSv78cUf-pe4wiHTkimSM6YUVuhVzFDPh3QVfeYiqX6shkcxaNCg7V52OClOBqEmEMuP/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCFoQikCCZ_f09Q0ypSM8naT09_y8ausSliVKR5-YmINGiE3cKARXfjgQGt1-z8PVdSv78cUf-pe4wiHTkimSM6YUVuhVzFDPh3QVfeYiqX6shkcxaNCg7V52OClOBqEmEMuP/s400/IMG_1778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477335745182192690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Here is the fruit crisp as we sliced the poached peaches and combined the ingredients for the crisp</span></span><br /></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-88903748721475176582010-05-27T20:45:00.003-06:002011-11-27T22:12:56.158-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQhuaLlSmfvK68J3rKlV7TPZaFklN_i_Unl9r1AmC9vygIpypBOAA5_CPRL_4BGpE4UFVm_na8cusedok4hZepfi4UVQ6ooMsl3-37bqS45aeWfNXvcIyk6q-djw2WLt69HG2/s1600/front+interior+2.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/AVvXsEhWQhuaLlSmfvK68J3rKlV7TPZaFklN_i_Unl9r1AmC9vygIpypBOAA5_CPRL_4BGpE4UFVm_na8cusedok4hZepfi4UVQ6ooMsl3-37bqS45aeWfNXvcIyk6q-djw2WLt69HG2/s400/front+interior+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476146160599344898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*Have a seat on my couch*<br /><br />Yesterday was a <span style="font-style: italic;">crazy</span> day at work! There I was at my weekly meditation session though traditionally, some may call it therapy, and right as we were getting into some good stuff, my phone began vibrating. Now, my people at work know that my Wednesday mornings are reserved for my personal time, and so when my phone rang as I sat on the couch, I assumed that it must be BIG. This is true! It appears that though my staff understands the importance of my Wednesday morning ritual, the state auditor for the bank had not been informed. Needless to say, I stopped mid-sentence, got the call, and bolted out the door for work. I do <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> believe that this sort of event which only comes by every two years or so is something that I would be able to follow my own timeline. Well, now it is all said and done and a big sign of relief as it appears that we did quite well. Hurray! So what do I recommend to bring yourself down from 60 mph to 0? For me it meant looking at fun websites, playing house in my head, and looking at the Alice Lane Blog. Enjoy the loveliness of my favorite store here in Provo which inspired my home. More photos on that coming up. ENJOY!<br />http://blog.alicelanehome.com/<br /><br /></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-15150683856404518982010-05-25T20:56:00.011-06:002011-11-27T22:13:28.529-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClEVO79c5KQttBg1YZCYEpIZrdyCFPop51UnmUWlVbYj27_nMJnhEG7z4KB8jlGdSSlwWtoWS8M5xBqputEWa6jNc3mj61q3-zpYG-9zPMi6dpDQluux3KVOE7aLq7DqlwWuV/s1600/HPIM1010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhClEVO79c5KQttBg1YZCYEpIZrdyCFPop51UnmUWlVbYj27_nMJnhEG7z4KB8jlGdSSlwWtoWS8M5xBqputEWa6jNc3mj61q3-zpYG-9zPMi6dpDQluux3KVOE7aLq7DqlwWuV/s320/HPIM1010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475441998318786210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_jhgoX8P5E5w9o05l9BHm3XFCFwtMeXhKgxM_g571CrglTq_FGBPOp0nYwiWO176Mqhu1Gg7syjWj-ZzCyFB7NyYCLo_x-NM0tWjQpKJMr8oU_iuXs9LCAkM6gZ5E9oY0Luj/s1600/pinkish+flower.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_jhgoX8P5E5w9o05l9BHm3XFCFwtMeXhKgxM_g571CrglTq_FGBPOp0nYwiWO176Mqhu1Gg7syjWj-ZzCyFB7NyYCLo_x-NM0tWjQpKJMr8oU_iuXs9LCAkM6gZ5E9oY0Luj/s320/pinkish+flower.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475440784401349634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN9Gi_GFKr4PCaG0UWOJSu76XuVqEEiTFxV1MSneDrElrntCHTZlLAfdNyLxdbWkfe_Yjmj_XGiU5TmDCpmDN8w7l0pfCuL6RWy2B-L1DfsPeIRHjI8yQUfODVolMpxvCcYaW/s1600/aster+2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN9Gi_GFKr4PCaG0UWOJSu76XuVqEEiTFxV1MSneDrElrntCHTZlLAfdNyLxdbWkfe_Yjmj_XGiU5TmDCpmDN8w7l0pfCuL6RWy2B-L1DfsPeIRHjI8yQUfODVolMpxvCcYaW/s320/aster+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475415146446361570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*Walk in my garden*</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">OK folks, I am back with all of you, and why not? It is spring and flowers are pushing up through despite the temperamental daily environment. Saturday we got my garden finished with planting and then Monday after weather in the 80s, there was what can only be described as a total snow storm which knocked out lilacs, african daisys and some of the weaker budding flowers. Let me take you on a tour of some of the scenes of my yard coming to life. Enjoy!!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zwBXdd69jZ8xYfclUmK1zpKk1aWW-KbNlszq3WtYFhFnpBRQCfIN5pVD2HRPE2CRVJ_32ZPhTo9PDeig0YqVdHJ2OEgC2QAprwC2NP5v6CXwQAiv1GGpbj_2aNIrl4Aw23iN/s1600/photo+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zwBXdd69jZ8xYfclUmK1zpKk1aWW-KbNlszq3WtYFhFnpBRQCfIN5pVD2HRPE2CRVJ_32ZPhTo9PDeig0YqVdHJ2OEgC2QAprwC2NP5v6CXwQAiv1GGpbj_2aNIrl4Aw23iN/s320/photo+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475415104519358242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">My front entry after removing the spiral topairies with wisteria just planted to grow up the posts and across the porch. There are also the rust lanterns to welcome friends.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ozxyt4kdXnnplk4VdgFD_ZV0UqFtjygzEwavyNbfA4D4RCfDUVIrP2lxK9n9UMc8LBf0-KxraQH46HoTWhc7x3hxOcA9i0kx7KWQurlS5fEoux0olVn2dH0OEh2POYQ2RenJ/s1600/red+planter.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ozxyt4kdXnnplk4VdgFD_ZV0UqFtjygzEwavyNbfA4D4RCfDUVIrP2lxK9n9UMc8LBf0-KxraQH46HoTWhc7x3hxOcA9i0kx7KWQurlS5fEoux0olVn2dH0OEh2POYQ2RenJ/s320/red+planter.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475410699274989106" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Window boxes upfront</span></span></div> <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJnnUNCEqcusOk2i0PBLBUEqz2Nb3XJdb2TFmogUZJelJqDONuP-fC0rD2vHselpEYT0eyNXaKfjW8pFVYeR6nI6AcPOBzJc-u2EMsH7GtxLcZXzYzzfIQhdxHpcJkDKsFP3a/s1600/orange+planters.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJnnUNCEqcusOk2i0PBLBUEqz2Nb3XJdb2TFmogUZJelJqDONuP-fC0rD2vHselpEYT0eyNXaKfjW8pFVYeR6nI6AcPOBzJc-u2EMsH7GtxLcZXzYzzfIQhdxHpcJkDKsFP3a/s320/orange+planters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475410719158813698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">A window box off of the front railing</span></span></div> </div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemsepmQqsI66h3izCn1sZWvd4EDPZMm8uCjI4FwRWSkGIuB1rk91jFpK0Sy_RVC1BrUn21ixYerHOEAELNMLoj6F3HE43XwbgqX0YUiKa3BHUxe_WzVy4D3NNjfWV9HVo8Pbx/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemsepmQqsI66h3izCn1sZWvd4EDPZMm8uCjI4FwRWSkGIuB1rk91jFpK0Sy_RVC1BrUn21ixYerHOEAELNMLoj6F3HE43XwbgqX0YUiKa3BHUxe_WzVy4D3NNjfWV9HVo8Pbx/s320/IMG_0583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414289147439634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Walking into the backyard on my pebble path. The swing is just out of the frame on the left and the shed and cutting garden are just on the right.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8scUOfHhk0vRzzGEP3MW6dan57pb9sdMSd1eHGGCeg79pJZs5Gq0SGqBDDUf0y49CBemLVDxFfTve58HDIvlzkarabY6zKebg2NH8_NC0fGtl903zMiVCEIvv-CrTu9Kh4_LI/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8scUOfHhk0vRzzGEP3MW6dan57pb9sdMSd1eHGGCeg79pJZs5Gq0SGqBDDUf0y49CBemLVDxFfTve58HDIvlzkarabY6zKebg2NH8_NC0fGtl903zMiVCEIvv-CrTu9Kh4_LI/s320/IMG_0579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414276741226610" border="0" /></a> <span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:85%;" >My sitting nook under my "popcorn tree" - a perfect place for a cup of tea</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZwJvejRo_4kHD4FDZ2ITdYLNO9_9XUaUYScj-7BXVc_cpxoQTiswM-GjUFjqfc2NVwAmo2J00vlGaOyMRJDVUy8fauDG7eLnBAofkgiov5zl0_fl-xHcalwBbb-nA-kwgsFv/s1600/popcorn+popping.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZwJvejRo_4kHD4FDZ2ITdYLNO9_9XUaUYScj-7BXVc_cpxoQTiswM-GjUFjqfc2NVwAmo2J00vlGaOyMRJDVUy8fauDG7eLnBAofkgiov5zl0_fl-xHcalwBbb-nA-kwgsFv/s320/popcorn+popping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475410724225160530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">When the popcorn trees begin to bloom</span></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPvcq3dS5VEeKK1_5is2JPb899ieWRICWxfm3-5sM5qrWi7_Dy3roShnl37D85cQ-WIGbOjzSKtAnzlXxy8ui_-TDXqvTHozBVfOLOyfQl-GOMtzTjOGinoYnDIGkVYyfmSTz/s1600/cutting+garden+rear.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPvcq3dS5VEeKK1_5is2JPb899ieWRICWxfm3-5sM5qrWi7_Dy3roShnl37D85cQ-WIGbOjzSKtAnzlXxy8ui_-TDXqvTHozBVfOLOyfQl-GOMtzTjOGinoYnDIGkVYyfmSTz/s320/cutting+garden+rear.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475411750768276978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">My reading nook and corner garden in context next to the cutting garden</span></span></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99m8SfXSEz3U7Eo8wPGHfUMg2v8mIBRJZjuEexaZCt2MfsrrpwvZLoprkH7NfFS9IunU7FcTwshfHoO8StpVjyoezQjwmcZSNT2zGS5wOqUvkww39Tu3O2-VcrBrfgwWdOB43/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99m8SfXSEz3U7Eo8wPGHfUMg2v8mIBRJZjuEexaZCt2MfsrrpwvZLoprkH7NfFS9IunU7FcTwshfHoO8StpVjyoezQjwmcZSNT2zGS5wOqUvkww39Tu3O2-VcrBrfgwWdOB43/s320/IMG_0577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414269357816322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">At the base of my ladder looking into the orchard behind. There are pumpkins, squash and zucchini below</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NqqLPw2Zl7URNxAT_nW3d2IALJpzFyrTCs_IjSe8ILfH6f0wEPblcRXhfdJC9sVie3Y4MvxHhBMqD4l-buaEiAcIT3KxbLvkraitRDFFdwQtsvLi8aEdXGbWpnWe1T1G72FY/s1600/ladder+lilac.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NqqLPw2Zl7URNxAT_nW3d2IALJpzFyrTCs_IjSe8ILfH6f0wEPblcRXhfdJC9sVie3Y4MvxHhBMqD4l-buaEiAcIT3KxbLvkraitRDFFdwQtsvLi8aEdXGbWpnWe1T1G72FY/s320/ladder+lilac.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475415117462812066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">My old wooden ladder from the orchard looking into the lilacs~</span></span></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh_0urqPJXf2Af34X2blB4hmx2GmI_5sd4kqsKmh63HKW0jUAuRSUsjfG8ryD8LmATJXqDuDltXghGb_BRpqFxtHFk7grbm1LuCXVGWmh-SLiTtjDjLH5asvJQj6qhyVnKv7t/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh_0urqPJXf2Af34X2blB4hmx2GmI_5sd4kqsKmh63HKW0jUAuRSUsjfG8ryD8LmATJXqDuDltXghGb_BRpqFxtHFk7grbm1LuCXVGWmh-SLiTtjDjLH5asvJQj6qhyVnKv7t/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414254547225586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">My favorite flower of all, english daisies<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzrDoEajvKurkY3sj_yRDKiYgLgRKZqGG2BvYjM8mkSTw6EwezevdCGmOSLhcnSkYThLQnMAkNczUkxZ6zn9c4rCSBpX3YcDsH6aCPQCyFNCcIVbPndFXtdE4W8ITqpYshHr6/s1600/IMG_0575.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzrDoEajvKurkY3sj_yRDKiYgLgRKZqGG2BvYjM8mkSTw6EwezevdCGmOSLhcnSkYThLQnMAkNczUkxZ6zn9c4rCSBpX3YcDsH6aCPQCyFNCcIVbPndFXtdE4W8ITqpYshHr6/s320/IMG_0575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414246818366738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tucked in my little corner of the yard, my favorite place of all... english daisies and soon a big peony bush.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6KHrWAAhXfZ1NEQWJXELAy4RFlWv1SKXSpa-2ymJFrOJ0HNOUfbUmk9RaBtb9OGDSlvZUjGgzzFA0OiBeQNnd7teoCIlFlmydgE8g-uJMljVa8Ehfl07v7h_Qghf7YTW9Ct7/s1600/blooming+branches.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6KHrWAAhXfZ1NEQWJXELAy4RFlWv1SKXSpa-2ymJFrOJ0HNOUfbUmk9RaBtb9OGDSlvZUjGgzzFA0OiBeQNnd7teoCIlFlmydgE8g-uJMljVa8Ehfl07v7h_Qghf7YTW9Ct7/s320/blooming+branches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475411737494966802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />A look through to the lilacs<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib82nAzWrpqjzAFQ4ldWRYXTYxoREW3ItRhHK1LfXeLIUgEjUHvMbtTNRw26CaluulkkdHI5-r02zr54OJbTLrL9JsVx1u2rF-e_Gak-Vl5ii7pJjxt8VR9bIjq8edyLR5D5CR/s1600/grape+hyacinth+cluster.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib82nAzWrpqjzAFQ4ldWRYXTYxoREW3ItRhHK1LfXeLIUgEjUHvMbtTNRw26CaluulkkdHI5-r02zr54OJbTLrL9JsVx1u2rF-e_Gak-Vl5ii7pJjxt8VR9bIjq8edyLR5D5CR/s320/grape+hyacinth+cluster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475411731202887650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">One of my favorite photos. Anyone who knows me knows that I adore grape hyacinth. I took this before the garden was planted. Beautiful brown earth mixed with the different textures around it.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLbXeyPeXAmQItV_2v-JV2Di7TEs8H2N0JvI4vKqg0S2vgEU7OcIc1mf8WgZzQ5jss-0_lLnpQp6YMnSiaP7b_CELI4g4PKJgE-jpnowiOsQrrYcYLSYDyQFLuqoZmXzwH4jA/s1600/the+budding+flower.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLbXeyPeXAmQItV_2v-JV2Di7TEs8H2N0JvI4vKqg0S2vgEU7OcIc1mf8WgZzQ5jss-0_lLnpQp6YMnSiaP7b_CELI4g4PKJgE-jpnowiOsQrrYcYLSYDyQFLuqoZmXzwH4jA/s320/the+budding+flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475411726184846098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Somethings to marvel at<br /><br /></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieElKr2pN_uQZyr4b_UilnZy61189xXj8gbSzDN17OtGX5UU-jg7PCzBm58rnd5-LeXAOr77JGaJdXB5yv1AViFL5hQtjpNit1pA09ZAWKEtLQ_eC5pJcCNTiPcD8FYsp3MulK/s1600/funky+3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieElKr2pN_uQZyr4b_UilnZy61189xXj8gbSzDN17OtGX5UU-jg7PCzBm58rnd5-LeXAOr77JGaJdXB5yv1AViFL5hQtjpNit1pA09ZAWKEtLQ_eC5pJcCNTiPcD8FYsp3MulK/s320/funky+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475411718628393074" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ik1k9hsUYRR9a3pXvUfA8EULvqtD-LUD12HKxZ8T1up6IxuWzugemSbEo7Ro_zUsR1RbnBBepWqEe-F4uHbDuKFwWHyOADnNgNEfxiqEt9RMYO8My0B93_bWGnSfdVXm_f1a/s1600/top+down+peonies.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ik1k9hsUYRR9a3pXvUfA8EULvqtD-LUD12HKxZ8T1up6IxuWzugemSbEo7Ro_zUsR1RbnBBepWqEe-F4uHbDuKFwWHyOADnNgNEfxiqEt9RMYO8My0B93_bWGnSfdVXm_f1a/s320/top+down+peonies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475410708856216946" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">These were too beautiful to cut to bring inside and this way I can share it with all of you~<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-19817053597783229982010-01-10T12:12:00.007-07:002011-11-27T22:52:49.582-07:00<span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: courier new;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew36ETFVn0vhLK42owc6P4oJsIFYObATzemXBfPURk6cvERgpi0CN-iRtB6TGVryzwHubwCIjHy13f6f8rXhFyFcE__ZK2nknq2VTYAutqPB1i0s0YgrExe6elaPtKSK7N7aN/s1600-h/HEART"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhew36ETFVn0vhLK42owc6P4oJsIFYObATzemXBfPURk6cvERgpi0CN-iRtB6TGVryzwHubwCIjHy13f6f8rXhFyFcE__ZK2nknq2VTYAutqPB1i0s0YgrExe6elaPtKSK7N7aN/s320/HEART" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425198022887941426" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*Boxing Day*<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Now that the holiday season is over, just like you, I have the sad task of having to pack up what so many of us see as happiness. So, last night, I wrapped up my </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" style="font-size:85%;">Christmas</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> tree, filled my newly purchased ornament </span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" style="font-size:85%;">snapware</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, and removed all traces of Christmas from my home. It didn't upset me to remove the snowmen and nativities alone, but the gentle reminders of peace, love, and hope that we are all better than the news states day after day. Perhaps I </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" style="font-size:85%;">shouldn't</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> be so simplistic. Why do I look to these symbols to remind me to love a bit more, or trust humanity just a bit more than I would typically expect to? Well, because a bomber stepped onto a plane Christmas day and tried to create another horrific scene of panic and hopelessness. Perhaps because people who are "too qualified" and desperate for employment are being turned down for positions like the ones that I offer because they have lost their current jobs due to downsizing, the stars, whatever it may be. Perhaps because daily I have to look people in the face who are on track to lose their homes, their cars and so eventually their jobs. So, for me, packing up the advent calendar, the pillows, the cookbooks and other </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" style="font-size:85%;">paraphernalia</span><span style="font-size:85%;">, was more </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" style="font-size:85%;">significant</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> than in years past. It was harder for me to put away those daily </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" style="font-size:85%;">remembrances</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> of the dream that we are better than the sum of our parts. That it will be </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" style="font-size:85%;">OK</span><span style="font-size:85%;">. That we can collectively fix this, and that we get to trust more and judge less. So, for this new year here is to love, to safety, to security. And perhaps I will put up some hearts and glitter for Valentines day to remind me to once again love my brother.<br /></span></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-83517690946344371722009-09-14T19:06:00.004-06:002011-11-27T22:51:15.849-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">*There is potential in this old house*</span><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Sorry everyone, I was trying to email these to a few people, but it wouldn't work, so if you want to see some of the fun that is unfolding in the next week or two, enjoy. If not, no worries. PS- you might just get motion sick. Enjoy!</span></span><br /></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwdCSmUriu6sSWoZoAGesEXBFWOIBfXlEMDBSIDNoO-xI8E0hsGcoMcuYvgpOA6p5TJWTRjwBwDMmI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx-wxE3uSOFrt_zXAg0NulP_dOfMmlKsZkG73-tLqKAMVjHIvb4bpy6xIPVHjnKtXwLBezlVsA1WYE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxcI9_Owl0lrlnUTWnSpTAQGixHKs4hwjF9GziwA4-bllPHJTlyAKkIE0dCNQlY-kCNPHt39T8aFIw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-55484679048549627762009-09-07T15:17:00.005-06:002011-11-27T22:15:36.170-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNBBoMHVWLm_BwLtCQLlgqpUNp_ZI8kfQlMq7Bw_nM3YX-XEuTTt-f5CQeKwUbprPhfpD31jc98q30tjsGbagIuOiXVlmaant06ykAzhWNZv-fNxdKczmuJgKnU-JXoIWLf6i/s1600-h/IMG_0016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNBBoMHVWLm_BwLtCQLlgqpUNp_ZI8kfQlMq7Bw_nM3YX-XEuTTt-f5CQeKwUbprPhfpD31jc98q30tjsGbagIuOiXVlmaant06ykAzhWNZv-fNxdKczmuJgKnU-JXoIWLf6i/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378841508825111490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">*The Game Plan*<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span> folks, I do best when I have some sort of accountability so here is my to do list<br /><br />Today since I got off work early for the holiday and have admitted to slumming around lately I get to complete the following:<br /><br />Make homemade clam chowder ( I made corn chowder yesterday but it wasn't as creamy as I like it to be)<br /><br />Do two loads of dishes<br /><br />Hang up the current laundry piles<br /><br />Do two loads of laundry<br /><br />Change the sheets and make the bed<br /><br />Wash the fabric to make the table linens for Kelsey's wedding<br /><br />Iron Linens and sew table cloths and napkins<br /><br />Choose the ribbon for each set of linens<br /><br />Whew! Well I will check in later and let you know how I do. Today has been a cleaning day both at work and now at home.<br /><br />*****<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>, it is now 11:15 pm and I have completed the following:<br /><br />Three loads of laundry, three loads of dishes, washed the fabric for making linens, incredible clam chowder (roughly the third thing I have ever made that Brian said is good!) changed the sheets on the bed, hung my current laundry piles. Whew, a good night and I even got in watching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">waaay</span> too much of my new obsession on television, <span style="font-style: italic;">Bones.<br /><br /><br /></span><br /></span></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24741211.post-6720207780643661202009-09-06T23:03:00.005-06:002011-11-27T23:15:30.052-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS2sYLg7NMcMpvcLK0tkKkKV0byHlA7TyogotQZe8VEgzmDgOBTAra71pz5XcBCzpDjuLAd9sbYlRGhTsL7sCah5dJY7QjQYeUTbLGZ8f5B9A8tB9AA9FjlJlz2eSA6-el-iN/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS2sYLg7NMcMpvcLK0tkKkKV0byHlA7TyogotQZe8VEgzmDgOBTAra71pz5XcBCzpDjuLAd9sbYlRGhTsL7sCah5dJY7QjQYeUTbLGZ8f5B9A8tB9AA9FjlJlz2eSA6-el-iN/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378599533003018754" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;">* I am unfortunately an open book*<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Here is a little bit about me. When I am tired and stressed, a few things happen. First, no people are invited over. My home gets overwhelmed and dishes pile up on all surfaces. It starts to smell like cats, and their hair seems to follow wherever I go. My clothes stop getting hung up and instead get piled on my closet shelf. I stop changing my sheets every few days, and making my bed every morning. I start going to sleep later and later each night, and on the rare day that I don't work, rather than spend time with friends or working on projects, I sleep.... all day. One day I woke up at 1, today I got out of bed around 11, but then ended up taking a four hour nap in the evening and missed seeing my sister and her children for dinner. I stop cooking and doing the laundry. My car fills with bags of what should be happiness while at the same time, my refrigerator becomes bare. I have now recently added a new symptom to my list... I stop writing.<br /><br />Right now, I am blessed in many personal ways. I love my husband. I love how he knows what is best for me, even when I hate him for being right. Fine, it is true that it is better for me to go bed to read and and get drowsy before he comes in. Yes, I am crotchety and toss and turn for the first hour at night, but by the time he comes in to blow out the candles, I am snugly and sleepy. I love that he has navigated the subtleties of my needs, and is supportive by allowing me to simply be without complaint.<br /><br />So what is bothering me? I suppose that we all know that we become more vulnerable to stress from time to time in our lives for various reasons. Sometimes this is due to finances, family, or work. Currently, it is all of the above. It seems that the outside forces are more oppressive that I have been prepared to negotiate and of course, all of this happened to coincide as I thought it was an appropriate time to get off of my anxiety medication. Hmm... perfect recipe for disaster.<br /><br />So how does one get past this phase when work will most certainly become yet even more stressful and difficult, when a family member has chosen to continue to indulge their absurdities causing pain and isolation, and to cope with it all, I fell off the wagon for a short time financially trying to buy some peace and happiness? I don't know. Tonight I decided that perhaps the thing to do was to simply chose to move on. So, tonight, I write. I have nothing to say except that I choose to rejoin the human race and I hope that you will indulge my rusty attempts. So, here is to cleaning, to budgeting, to writing, to forgiving, to managing, to cooking, to working, and to smiling. Wish me luck, and lets end this quarter in style.<br /><br /><br /></span></div></div>bdmaloufhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16791886929293118318noreply@blogger.com4