tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38809206172850307422024-02-06T22:07:26.293-07:00Adventures in ColoradoObservations from a Canadian-born girl who has found her Bliss in AmericaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-18850383494141888672012-09-19T08:26:00.002-06:002013-04-23T13:51:23.806-06:00Meet Riley!Well, life around here just got a lot busier and a lot more fun!<br />
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Meet, Riley, our newest little family member:<br />
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Don't you just love that face?!</div>
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Riley is a yellow lab, just 8 weeks old, and he has already stolen all of our hearts! He is playful and sweet, and a joy to be around :)<br />
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I have never had a puppy, and they truly are a lot of work, especially at this young age. But just like having a newborn baby in the house, you do the work because you want to protect this joyful little being and do your best for him.<br />
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He is eagerly exploring his new home, when he is awake, that is! He plays hard and sleeps deeply and often.<br />
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We have an orientation tonight for the puppy kindergarten we will start attending next week, and I am very excited! Riley is so smart and eager to please, it will be great to learn how to train him properly- and he gets to socialize with other little puppies his own age in a safe environment. Win-win for all!<br />
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You can be sure I will be posting updates on our life with this little guy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-87049065565099169422012-09-01T17:38:00.000-06:002012-09-01T17:38:06.288-06:00The year in review?<div style="text-align: center;">
When did life get so busy? I wonder when I stopped having- or making- time to blog, when I actually enjoy it?</div>
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In any case, it's been nearly a whole year since I posted anything and I guess that means that I have a little catching up to do here :) Brevity is not normally my strong suit, but I will make an extra effort this time!</div>
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In October, we finished up marching season with the two girls, and in early December, the Columbine football team won the State Championship! The girls attended and played at that game- we watched it on TV.</div>
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Then came December with my birthday, some minor surgery, our holiday Open House, and Christmas with the kids and our little granddaughter! Isn't she just the sweetest thing?</div>
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We also had some sadness too, as our across-the-street neighbor was killed in a car accident just two days before Christmas, leaving behind his wife and two small children. We have tried to help out in as many ways as we can, and they have become part of our family.</div>
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Life is just so unpredictable and we always have to remember to cherish the ones we love. </div>
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The new year rolled in quietly. In January, I joined the After Prom Committee to make the Senior Wall, and we worked all the way through April on it. And I took a mozzarella-making class at the Truffle Cheese Shop in Denver. That was SO fun!</div>
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There isn't much to write about February; Rich had eye surgery in both eyes, and recovered well.</div>
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March was rather fun; my sister Sandy and I flew to Regina, Saskatchewan to surprise our baby sister Becky for the weekend for her 40th birthday! Sandy made these t-shirts and we all wore them for the whole day.</div>
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April brought about Prom- and after Prom. This was Heidi's Senior year.</div>
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The Senior was is made up of 10 panels on each side- and each panel measures 4' wide by 10' tall. The theme was "Games Rebels Play".</div>
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Heidi turned 18 years old in May, and my eldest, Holly, turned 23. Heidi graduated from Columbine High School at the end of the month, and school ended for the year for both girls.</div>
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June saw Chloe get her braces off!</div>
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Heidi started a six-week program up at CU Boulder in June as well, which prevented her from joining us on our Canada trip in July.</div>
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We stayed in Ottawa with my sister Sandy, and had a little reunion of sorts with everyone.</div>
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Then Rich and I continued on to the Maritimes, where we spent 12 days eating all the seafood we could manage. </div>
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We went to Halifax, Nova Scotia:</div>
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Prince Edward Island:</div>
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And St. John's, Newfoundland:</div>
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(these are statues of a Newfie and a Lab)</div>
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Back home again, it's August, and just in time to get the girls ready for a new school year. Chloe is a sophomore and in marching band again. </div>
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We got Heidi moved up to Boulder, into her dorm room, and she loves it up there!</div>
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I have been canning up a storm since getting home from our holidays at the beginning of August. I have done tons of tomatoes, dill pickles, peach jam, peach salsa, tomato salsa, peach butter, and I have grilled corn for the freezer. I still have a lot of jam to make, but the really seasonal stuff has to be done first.</div>
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This weekend is not only Labor Day, but the baby of the family celebrates her 15th birthday :)</div>
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They say there is no rest for the wicked- and if that is true, I must be VERY wicked! </div>
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How's that for a brief year in review???</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-27837958556893325102011-10-22T12:10:00.001-06:002011-10-22T12:15:23.935-06:00Time really flies!Another marching band season has come and gone- and thus explains one of the reasons I have been remiss in posting here...<br />
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The Columbine Rebel Marching Band finished its season yesterday up in Fort Collins at CSU; they competed in the state quarter-finals and though they had the best performance of their year, they didn't make it to the semi-finals. No one was disappointed though. They have a largely young band and so they really did well overall.<br />
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This year was especially fun for me, since both girls were in it together for this one and only year. Chloe entered Columbine this fall as a freshman and Heidi is a senior, off to college next year. Both girls have been really involved in music since their school days at Toniata, in Brockville, Ontario.<br />
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Heidi started in marching band playing the flute. She played flute for the remainder of the year in band class. In her sophomore year, she played mellophone (the marching version of the French horn) in marching band, then went back to flute for band class. Last year, her junior year, Heidi played mellophone in marching band, but switched to tuba for band class. This year, she marched with the sousaphone (the marching version of the tuba) and will play tuba for band class. From the smallest instrument to the biggest! Heidi is so tiny- just a little over 5'2" and 100 lbs- carrying an instrument that is half her weight!<br />
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She had a little solo in the show this year where she played and danced around a little- it was a huge crowd pleaser!<br />
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I'm a little sad that she is done with it all. Marching band really saved her when we moved here. She knew no one, had to start high school all alone- but joining marching band gave her a community, friends, and instant belonging. It's been great.<br />
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Here are some photos of Heidi:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Tucked inside the sousaphone</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing flute at the mall during a Christmas fundraiser for the band</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marching with the sousaphone during the Western Welcome Week parade here in Littleton</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heidi performing her solo in the field show (she is the one on the right)</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing mellophone, Heidi is right under the One Way sign</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing tuba during a band concert- she is the tuba on the right</div><br />
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Chloe has been active in music too, since moving here. At Normandy Elementary, Chloe played clarinet, tried her hand at oboe, and also was a member of the bell choir, which was very cool.<br />
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At Ken Caryl Middle School, she started off on clarinet, but switched to French horn soon after. She seems to like playing French horn, so maybe she will stay with that...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Looking all serious as the band prepares to start in the Western Welcome Week parade (Chloe is right out front)</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Warming up before the Arapahoe Invitational at Littleton High School</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playing the field show (Chloe is directly behind the blocks)</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Marching in the Grand Junction parade. In this competition, they had a full inspection, and they were being judged during the parade and the field show. So, full-on serious! (Chloe is on the right)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLs0bYFYOVgsGsrvm6XFecrrjebKMjsheyUDORveYb7HoN3OXkDWG9fMhp1PKFDO-Sga5mohAcAtJWnxAbcsc4IY_SeHHReAeR9FhT7HzLv4c0hWCBL-RHILU12K0O7IOiC6NYxtUJS8/s1600/DSC_2401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLs0bYFYOVgsGsrvm6XFecrrjebKMjsheyUDORveYb7HoN3OXkDWG9fMhp1PKFDO-Sga5mohAcAtJWnxAbcsc4IY_SeHHReAeR9FhT7HzLv4c0hWCBL-RHILU12K0O7IOiC6NYxtUJS8/s320/DSC_2401.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A little break from the sombre... (Chloe is in the middle)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fSAYqflxe-2ov33qQVXFvNuved-rQEOtERfjD5sxqURK6wOpAmT0GixPM3PwwQqfO_O5D47sg9BUoMA8IvFe2sHfSFwgOzoOHW_MpalODeZti8PltYSLA6mnIRQ66SQHuuYmVsNx5NQ/s1600/DSC_2404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fSAYqflxe-2ov33qQVXFvNuved-rQEOtERfjD5sxqURK6wOpAmT0GixPM3PwwQqfO_O5D47sg9BUoMA8IvFe2sHfSFwgOzoOHW_MpalODeZti8PltYSLA6mnIRQ66SQHuuYmVsNx5NQ/s320/DSC_2404.jpg" width="320" /></a>\</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Warming up before the field show at Grand Junction.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qmpSKMH3FblTVx3KbnkCy_b_JqJOdrI2pJtfLV9UkiRyIj7IsYrQEW1jCb2iPR43FcmY0IttZ864frED6KEq1skjLHT7BHsegqpuG4_AFBlpxpaW5X0_QwpXiGeH0bhP1Yxori_fclg/s1600/DSC_2423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qmpSKMH3FblTVx3KbnkCy_b_JqJOdrI2pJtfLV9UkiRyIj7IsYrQEW1jCb2iPR43FcmY0IttZ864frED6KEq1skjLHT7BHsegqpuG4_AFBlpxpaW5X0_QwpXiGeH0bhP1Yxori_fclg/s320/DSC_2423.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
This is the first Saturday that the girls haven't given up the whole day for either a band practice or competition since the beginning of August. And they were forced to get up mid-morning to help with leaf raking and cleaning.... ahhh, gotta love autumn!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-82931345728021223182011-08-12T07:57:00.001-06:002011-08-12T07:58:20.907-06:00Kids' VisitI say kids, but they really aren't anymore, at 22 and 20. <br />
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Holly and Ben spent ten days here, after we got back from our trip to Sweden and Denmark. We had a lot of fun shopping, hanging out, and just talking.<br />
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No visit would be complete without the obligatory photo shoot, so here are some photos for you to enjoy. Click on any photo to view it larger.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBRpYwO_rVYlPALrO00BhRXpuZLVwycvKy49pEW5Ss7KgyICw2rwb3ZcAFnRCDWe5IDz4KCroY2n411AtoAiw5Y0FFxeo4L9ZBHcMVFSkrwZFxtc9W5UmZRexPSluZQOsbGjkZoOCeVo/s1600/DSC_1607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBRpYwO_rVYlPALrO00BhRXpuZLVwycvKy49pEW5Ss7KgyICw2rwb3ZcAFnRCDWe5IDz4KCroY2n411AtoAiw5Y0FFxeo4L9ZBHcMVFSkrwZFxtc9W5UmZRexPSluZQOsbGjkZoOCeVo/s320/DSC_1607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This time, the location was the trampoline. Which apparently Heidi doesn't like. Who knew? lol</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love those mid-air shots!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjN7Ng3oyogyA5NSXDA_tBX646zhC3nzpXeQC99yUPJC6B26BYCPnv6gFDvZbvw_-48kIyR19TUSys1Aa4BXq2qJ1vlo2zR-4jPFye_3sFyxjkYheLxezOZEwRE5l_i2L_AJIwkbabJA/s1600/DSC_1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjN7Ng3oyogyA5NSXDA_tBX646zhC3nzpXeQC99yUPJC6B26BYCPnv6gFDvZbvw_-48kIyR19TUSys1Aa4BXq2qJ1vlo2zR-4jPFye_3sFyxjkYheLxezOZEwRE5l_i2L_AJIwkbabJA/s320/DSC_1624.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And everyone having fun! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZra-pBnin_7kuic15X4Q32hTYh8QuSr-d-Q5OK38Lvn9pXCIxMjnT-IMyHCarnGHscCJbMU68HjxYJZ2ZxIxrqRJsGda8rZjDws1xGLEu_uHAKfqoON_J92r_EidPeaNqaqVeM3comQ/s1600/DSC_1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZra-pBnin_7kuic15X4Q32hTYh8QuSr-d-Q5OK38Lvn9pXCIxMjnT-IMyHCarnGHscCJbMU68HjxYJZ2ZxIxrqRJsGda8rZjDws1xGLEu_uHAKfqoON_J92r_EidPeaNqaqVeM3comQ/s320/DSC_1628.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A pretty good photo of all four, no small feat!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holly, 22</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ben, 20</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVCnaG7GECH8QVUGTV6JOBGr3sWuydcFvDXWznYlez3HQn9wY0X1_u0hsIpNf8RILpvOXPMSoAKqqRYv6buTafPxEd_eCvtxvn11ODuWD4PN6flK_9703bN_4ozfpKuvuOmD4BLteGWM/s1600/DSC_1644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVCnaG7GECH8QVUGTV6JOBGr3sWuydcFvDXWznYlez3HQn9wY0X1_u0hsIpNf8RILpvOXPMSoAKqqRYv6buTafPxEd_eCvtxvn11ODuWD4PN6flK_9703bN_4ozfpKuvuOmD4BLteGWM/s320/DSC_1644.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heidi, 17</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwR4Sj4iXU8TVA-gYCKbsZEdRzr1iq-XYJ1tfvecCzqhVEorLMFiQPbB1G6vUM42cxZA_MuuKoQdgDdD52dv9j3FcKljhSKazjPwMTKhfB4Xn-uiRm4KiXGnJ15LVltyWlP2uz6bmNNI/s1600/DSC_1645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwR4Sj4iXU8TVA-gYCKbsZEdRzr1iq-XYJ1tfvecCzqhVEorLMFiQPbB1G6vUM42cxZA_MuuKoQdgDdD52dv9j3FcKljhSKazjPwMTKhfB4Xn-uiRm4KiXGnJ15LVltyWlP2uz6bmNNI/s320/DSC_1645.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chloe, 13</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRcgMzbRxzHzdaYXhm8tdQK-IX66Ea9DrZj-WMlY2pGRYz21ZrgxqeuuCKWxeRtvGVe2H1-X3tdvJcAKC1fja8jgu7Xoa6yRwAolZPg3SncCHytVvcVmCo8_s6Ja8W-GWuf6sAJf2zDM/s1600/DSC_1681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRcgMzbRxzHzdaYXhm8tdQK-IX66Ea9DrZj-WMlY2pGRYz21ZrgxqeuuCKWxeRtvGVe2H1-X3tdvJcAKC1fja8jgu7Xoa6yRwAolZPg3SncCHytVvcVmCo8_s6Ja8W-GWuf6sAJf2zDM/s320/DSC_1681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the end- and Heidi's face pretty much sums up how she feels about being on the trampoline... lol</div><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-36137645134802324302011-07-20T20:19:00.000-06:002011-07-20T20:19:22.713-06:00Oh boy.Has it really been THAT long since I posted something????<br />
<br />
I don't even know where the time has gone. But I DO know that next week, I am catching up!<br />
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I actually have lots of fun things to share, and lots of updates to post.<br />
<br />
Next week, my time is back to (mostly) my own and I will be here! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-28040063795703275372011-05-05T15:16:00.003-06:002011-05-06T17:59:27.755-06:00My BIG day!<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If you visit my blog on any kind of a regular basis, you will have noticed that I have not been posting much. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I do have some pretty good reasons, though- the new baby in our family and the trips involved with that, spring- and the work that our lawns and gardens demand, kids (need I say more?), a daughter having oral surgery, and of course the event I have been working towards and preparing for for months:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf-kcJMI4rynXlojXDOUd1jyTPOLVXNQPVUcG3Il9VGHt9-MMtPsMyDymgbGf7OYzNIKuk9gn_Or9mmsFzGlB5JpxW50AsmdHdcdtI-psv6JPaESqfi-oJH1XrFrxSZE32X3dO5VovFM/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf-kcJMI4rynXlojXDOUd1jyTPOLVXNQPVUcG3Il9VGHt9-MMtPsMyDymgbGf7OYzNIKuk9gn_Or9mmsFzGlB5JpxW50AsmdHdcdtI-psv6JPaESqfi-oJH1XrFrxSZE32X3dO5VovFM/s320/IMG_0107.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>I became an American citizen yesterday!!!</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I am very fortunate that being married to an American meant that my wait was shorter than some others have to go through.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Still, we have been at this since January 2007- four and half years! I have been fingerprinted and photographed (passport-style) more often in that time, than most people are in their entire lifetimes!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Mountains of paperwork, many interviews, lawyer's meetings, and endless submitting documents- it's all done!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And being in the Denver area means that everything is done the same day- I had my test and interview yesterday morning and was sworn in after lunch!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">This is a very happy event for my me and my DH- who can now stop worrying that I will be deported. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">What he thought I might be deported FOR- well, that's never actually been clear...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I learned a lesson a long time ago from my Grama- and I was thinking of her too, yesterday when I took my Oath of Allegiance to my newly adopted country.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My grandparents emigrated to Canada from Holland in 1952. They had six sons and Europe was still war-torn and struggling to get back on it's feet. They wanted their sons to have opportunities and lives that they knew wouldn't be possible in their home country.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">They left all of their family behind, they were not able to speak English, and literally had almost nothing when they arrived in Ontario.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">What they did have was love, a desire for a better life, and a determination to learn what it meant to be a Canadian.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Grama said they believed right down to their soul that choosing a different country to live in meant you had to truly love your new country and make it your own- that the "old country" ways were meant for the old country.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Both of my grandparents learned read, write, and speak English in a relatively short time, and they didn't spend any time sitting around saying "things aren't done this way in Holland...". They became Canadians in every sense of the word.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">They were required to renounce their Dutch citizenship to become Canadians and they did. I bet it wasn't easy, but they wanted to be true Canadians and were willing to do whatever it took.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I am fortunate in that I am able to retain both Canadian and US citizenship. On the way to my test and interview yesterday morning, I thought about what I would say if I was asked to give up my Canadian citizenship.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I moved here for a better life- a life filled with love and joy and peace and contentment, shared with the man I want to be with for the rest of our lives.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I have always been proud to be a Canadian girl, and that won't ever change. But I am thrilled to be an American now, to be able to fully enjoy- and give back- to a country has been lovely and welcoming to me since I crossed the border!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-88853046583421082702011-04-29T08:19:00.001-06:002011-05-03T16:24:59.340-06:00Day Without Hate<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It bears repeating- we need less hate and violence and much more love in our world.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Today is the Day Without Hate here in Littleton, Colorado. The kids are all wearing white t-shirts to show solidarity and remembrance for the victims of school shootings. This is a county-wide project now, started a few years back by Standley Lake HS in Westminster, CO. It was then adopted by Columbine HS and the rest of the county.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are some past photos, to show you an example of what the high school looks like leading up to today. I am hoping to have a chance to get up to the high school today to take some photos of this year's event.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You can- and should- click on any photo to see it larger- then you can read what it says. This first one is a list of school shootings. There are so many... it just makes me cry.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFn-cf6pgElwa30KnE7rAt5jxSiQB7PBKGRRXZmvcDi-Hxm6wd3rIVjzD68mdqgvRGayTCusjWi42DlHGzwafuQuMcX_HE_Nz3Qu9Amko3VEXDqOdFod1shSoqrGP7-_KNCu8b8ViQCA/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFn-cf6pgElwa30KnE7rAt5jxSiQB7PBKGRRXZmvcDi-Hxm6wd3rIVjzD68mdqgvRGayTCusjWi42DlHGzwafuQuMcX_HE_Nz3Qu9Amko3VEXDqOdFod1shSoqrGP7-_KNCu8b8ViQCA/s320/002.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">But the kids and this whole community- and communities across this country and Canada- are all working at stopping this madness. Raising awareness, focusing on being a little kinder to each other- just small changes in everyone's attitude and behaviour can make a huge difference.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nyRYpwIttO7PV9SxV-Zg-9DTFqn3fA69FHZYbHjGAqEjB0Bc-HHzlA4lFbXGZsdgP0L6QQat11CtEWtZDUiurM95w1YWSV04RvbjyWgVPQLoBrihLqa1EYDZMs4Pa6HCGtM8WcyjF1s/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nyRYpwIttO7PV9SxV-Zg-9DTFqn3fA69FHZYbHjGAqEjB0Bc-HHzlA4lFbXGZsdgP0L6QQat11CtEWtZDUiurM95w1YWSV04RvbjyWgVPQLoBrihLqa1EYDZMs4Pa6HCGtM8WcyjF1s/s320/003.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9oXff_wfDX_4o-wCT2OUNCZlZx5xvlGTPTmi7baxL0Lk9lGgoVOZr1VUGO1jYfy6Dw37N7kZZm23V5PO8pl689VhDIKixLgo9uPvrqrHSGz_nVGY32XB_R8sgnrwcuScOFdCOVPkKCY/s1600/n584019737_1680264_4949602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9oXff_wfDX_4o-wCT2OUNCZlZx5xvlGTPTmi7baxL0Lk9lGgoVOZr1VUGO1jYfy6Dw37N7kZZm23V5PO8pl689VhDIKixLgo9uPvrqrHSGz_nVGY32XB_R8sgnrwcuScOFdCOVPkKCY/s320/n584019737_1680264_4949602.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFsrA9CPkT1rwGsYuPmnbPB7yDuyIGjjD1xD_qEbbF0scZPKMHpcnFE6Bzou5qIqbs2WDUONnSjbk-9ZDCgCY7xeyQSQUN5sKPqzgz3fECMMk4JsIgkAYlVeyVb1kom4bgCQQIiqctQo/s1600/n584019737_1680267_5640954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFsrA9CPkT1rwGsYuPmnbPB7yDuyIGjjD1xD_qEbbF0scZPKMHpcnFE6Bzou5qIqbs2WDUONnSjbk-9ZDCgCY7xeyQSQUN5sKPqzgz3fECMMk4JsIgkAYlVeyVb1kom4bgCQQIiqctQo/s320/n584019737_1680267_5640954.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ifaod8X6y4sPHR4PGaiLBh2R9QfKUV4M8R7B2D2jU1LzuUssW0iAYDkdv4-xTiVKdBZRQpFc42rfGZ_yCseJg7IzVtLZ0TqJMTd2JM0mUDRSNX53xvWpDpetefSqmCzAYhAhsPa5RY/s1600/n584019737_1680269_480700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9ifaod8X6y4sPHR4PGaiLBh2R9QfKUV4M8R7B2D2jU1LzuUssW0iAYDkdv4-xTiVKdBZRQpFc42rfGZ_yCseJg7IzVtLZ0TqJMTd2JM0mUDRSNX53xvWpDpetefSqmCzAYhAhsPa5RY/s320/n584019737_1680269_480700.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9Tt2LvC6vFrWnGboC88RVWCDPZwz7IoyGJ6IJLwVZq-mxUl_zgGfB7QDnZKEYy0qNcTMYjUPXOEXQE-tUX4JRiNshqNYwi_e08VEl98i6QQXKvpIr0teBli7JDhJ8DeJaiTVuwemSwQ/s1600/n584019737_1680271_6568646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9Tt2LvC6vFrWnGboC88RVWCDPZwz7IoyGJ6IJLwVZq-mxUl_zgGfB7QDnZKEYy0qNcTMYjUPXOEXQE-tUX4JRiNshqNYwi_e08VEl98i6QQXKvpIr0teBli7JDhJ8DeJaiTVuwemSwQ/s320/n584019737_1680271_6568646.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiYAFd0u_BTYDZw3x3iu7BQOq9TxG1qA10eXqCJoT_j6BgEpyteql3mZQLaCOTEasU-L9vWjcrwFxEZOHrOIATffhp-Q9g1_ZlAHVrY9OrnAEN1N2ApGmmTB_qGfyjaeFEIEINVsVqig/s1600/n584019737_1680272_4895181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiYAFd0u_BTYDZw3x3iu7BQOq9TxG1qA10eXqCJoT_j6BgEpyteql3mZQLaCOTEasU-L9vWjcrwFxEZOHrOIATffhp-Q9g1_ZlAHVrY9OrnAEN1N2ApGmmTB_qGfyjaeFEIEINVsVqig/s320/n584019737_1680272_4895181.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">So today, why don't we all share a smile, do a random act of kindness for someone, be extra nice to someone who seems to need it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">And while we're at it, why don't we keep this attitude going not only today, but every day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Let's make EVERY day, a Day Without Hate!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-32569189845775910792011-04-15T17:52:00.002-06:002011-04-15T18:01:24.007-06:00She's here!!!Look who's here!<br />
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Aria (Ar'-ree-ah) was born this past Wednesday morning (April 13) at 10:01, weighed in at 5 lbs 4 oz and is just the sweetest little bundle of joy! She has been officially voted the cutest member of our family!<br />
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She and mommy are doing just great. We are all very excited to go and meet her as soon as she and mommy have a little time to rest and gear up for company.<br />
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Here she is, just a few hours old. Isn't she a sweetie?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBPY7Q2EJvlQvP4ZQNlCq1q9tvPOcXXAyeTjyAz7i_LVd8N0wSRSLrVRfAVOKu2UtO0GCJm3DK0TKoQ3AKSUynpHlNplW6FNZ5BzkGLc9i4S6RQBpukdtTdv7ja3hKHZDh0xl78CM3SQ/s1600/Aria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBPY7Q2EJvlQvP4ZQNlCq1q9tvPOcXXAyeTjyAz7i_LVd8N0wSRSLrVRfAVOKu2UtO0GCJm3DK0TKoQ3AKSUynpHlNplW6FNZ5BzkGLc9i4S6RQBpukdtTdv7ja3hKHZDh0xl78CM3SQ/s320/Aria.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-19880933386158347202011-04-09T15:34:00.000-06:002011-04-09T15:34:48.408-06:00All of a sudden...Just a little over a week ago, I was looking at snow and ice on the newly formed blossoms of my plum tree and my tulips out front.<br />
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I was worried that the cold and ice might harm or kill them- but it seems that the moisture has just been enough for things to start bursting forth in my gardens and yard!<br />
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I have an herb garden out back and already have usable chives and thyme. Parsley is poking up through the ground, as is another herb I planted and can't identify... I need to check my chart from last year! lol<br />
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My plum tree is full of blossoms and the bees have been quite busy there. It always makes me laugh a little that the full blossoms are out before you can really see the buds of the leaves- that seems backwards to me! It kind of looks like little tufts of snow on an otherwise bare tree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVahK54uUcocF0U9xN0bKrl2GXnrPtnz2_N6J0bwMdy3MtrAcD9GsG7pLUtgYEDoPHB6y2naZgHBr-X-60wNbFnzfFWqKzUNjKOgoOqdbux7tk094OzImWXwiCopHf_N0EwjrZZFFfKOc/s1600/DSC_1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVahK54uUcocF0U9xN0bKrl2GXnrPtnz2_N6J0bwMdy3MtrAcD9GsG7pLUtgYEDoPHB6y2naZgHBr-X-60wNbFnzfFWqKzUNjKOgoOqdbux7tk094OzImWXwiCopHf_N0EwjrZZFFfKOc/s320/DSC_1351.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Out front, some tulips are blooming and some of the rose bushes are greening up and budding leaves.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4HA1tfCaRnll4LMZuG4cw2wmTF_NjIW9kXnp-mXNjBVFVnDexRSORrbsnURktzJ28ST2P-dbzH2eXv7gTwsQ39qDSJWqZCR2O9MXctB_Q-qg8YoSI0AaE3OYu-1GrVO4Zeu5NNZD0oQ/s1600/DSC_1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4HA1tfCaRnll4LMZuG4cw2wmTF_NjIW9kXnp-mXNjBVFVnDexRSORrbsnURktzJ28ST2P-dbzH2eXv7gTwsQ39qDSJWqZCR2O9MXctB_Q-qg8YoSI0AaE3OYu-1GrVO4Zeu5NNZD0oQ/s320/DSC_1358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Things I didn't plant, like grape hyacinths and daffodils are out too, though the daffodils are pretty nearly finished.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxUOXostdqSoYSPvSeAVtErPZwvl4k2XrGrTo4Z2_cu1eErHiBXajD1GHueCfZsyFjzBvmqGunO6fdocyERpwJuXNPmfhA_zYKMAKJWx4PzkvET5VWYRYlYLqvWb8G4k6usz-aTCdjI/s1600/DSC_1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYxUOXostdqSoYSPvSeAVtErPZwvl4k2XrGrTo4Z2_cu1eErHiBXajD1GHueCfZsyFjzBvmqGunO6fdocyERpwJuXNPmfhA_zYKMAKJWx4PzkvET5VWYRYlYLqvWb8G4k6usz-aTCdjI/s320/DSC_1361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw9rlMwhc3DI8uK729MKO0257HtwLIBT5pTkAt8TotvE56enAy3AqXQHajeKsv0yZws_DmTjbUF8Iy1pXkusF_V0lUffqEaNt_hPq6iGqKXagfmcQPBGGSLcZP1RZN_AmRQjl8Q4qI6k/s1600/DSC_1364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcw9rlMwhc3DI8uK729MKO0257HtwLIBT5pTkAt8TotvE56enAy3AqXQHajeKsv0yZws_DmTjbUF8Iy1pXkusF_V0lUffqEaNt_hPq6iGqKXagfmcQPBGGSLcZP1RZN_AmRQjl8Q4qI6k/s320/DSC_1364.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I recognize the iris leaves and the thick stalks of peonies. And daisies, I believe, but I will have to see what blooms there to see if I am right or not! lol<br />
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Unfortunately, with this nice warm, spring weather also come the snakes. I am sure it won't be long before I see the little writhing mass in my front garden, and I have to say, I am dreading it.<br />
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My garden plans for this year are less than in previous years, as I have done plenty of work with little payoff and decided I need to be realistic for the time being. My soil needs a lot more amending before it will support a garden that sustains us throughout the summer.<br />
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Right behind the garage, I will again plant lettuce, spinach, and peas- they grow well there and require very little from me.<br />
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In the small raised bed, I will again plant my herbs, moving things around a little.<br />
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In the small fenced area, I will plant some tomatoes and beans, both of those do well here. Maybe some cucumbers, I am not sure. I do LOVE cucumbers and could eat many of them a day!<br />
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I will not be planting much- or anything in the large garden area that I have previously used. The soil is nowhere near soft enough for root vegetables, and other things I have tried just didn't grow well. I may put some melons or squash out there though, there is lots of room for them to grow. I will think about that.<br />
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It's much too windy to plant today, but the next nice morning we have will find me out there in my garden hat and boots, trowel and seeds in hand, getting ready to enjoy a new season of fresh food!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-66227829344057893032011-01-20T08:48:00.001-07:002011-01-20T09:00:21.729-07:00About my sister<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Just as this new year was getting underway, I got the sad news that my sister, Heather, passed away. She was just 43 years old.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My sisters and I are all spread out: I am here in Colorado, my youngest sister Becky is in Saskatchewan, my middle sister Sandy is in Quebec, and Heather was in our hometown in Ontario. Life circumstances and geography kept us from spending a lot of time together as adults, but we were the four musketeers when we were little.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I was fortunate to be able to travel to her service, and more fortunate that my thoughtful husband was able to come with me. Becky and her husband were able to come too, and we descended on Sandy and her family- though she took it all in stride like she has a houseful every day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It was the first time I have been back in Canada since I moved here. I still didn't feel ready to go, I didn't want to have to think about the past life that I left behind. And I wish more than anything that I had been making the trip to see Heather while she was still with us.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Heather was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, and through her whole life dealt with a myriad of impediments and health issues as a result. She had excellent doctors at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, and other than a few operations in her childhood, was able to live a pretty normal life until her mid-twenties. Adulthood brought out a host of new physical challenges and seemingly random illnesses.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">She married as a young adult and had a wonderful little boy, Dan, who was her pride and joy. That marriage didn't work out as she had hoped and she later married another man who loved her dearly and was a good helpmate to her. They were still married at the time of her death.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Her son Dan, is now a strapping 20 year old man, and a proud member of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. It was such a relief to us, his aunts, to know that he is not only in charge of his life, but is happy.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We were just in Ottawa for two days (the other two days were traveling back and forth), and it was busy so I, like many of us when trying to manage our way through a difficult situation, focused on the things that had to be done and the people we had to see, etc. I didn't let myself think too much about what we had lost.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">But now I am back at home and normal life resumes. Only it resumes with a little piece missing and that hurts.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I decided to go through my measly pile of old photos (I used to have a lot more, long story) and scan what I have to share with my sisters. I wish I had done it sooner so I could be making Heather a copy too. Years ago I did make her a little scrapbook with photos of the four of us sisters, and her husband told me at her funeral that it was one of her most prized possessions. I don't even remember what photos I used in it- and who knows, if I was making her one of these now, she might be laughing her head off at me for getting old and forgetting that I had already given her those photos... lol</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Heather loved to laugh and always had a smile for those she cared about, no matter what she was struggling with at the time. She loved to visit with family, and she loved to sing. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">She and I were less than a year apart in age and so only a grade apart. We both sang in the school choir (she was a soprano and I was an alto) and we would come home and teach the younger two sisters the songs and we would sing in harmony. We must have been pretty good, at least for our ages, because my father used to have us sing for visiting family members. Heather is the only one who kept singing in her adult life, she was an enthusiastic member of her church choir.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When she was able to, Heather volunteered her time knitting and crocheting for the homeless, and baked anytime someone in her church lost a loved one. Maybe that is how she managed to stay cheerful despite her disabilities, staying focused on others when she could. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It makes me really sad to see her smiling face in a high school photo and to know I won't see her smile in person again. But I will remember her smiling, and I will be thankful that we had her for the time we did. I will be grateful that she is no longer in pain or struggling with physical constraints.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I will remember her joy in some of my work and be comforted knowing she is now looking over us all.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-91610558172627395342011-01-07T14:54:00.000-07:002011-01-07T14:54:09.410-07:00Christmas 2010, round two!Holly and Ben finally arrived on January 2nd, to celebrate Christmas with us. This post covers their four day visit, so you might want to read it in pieces! lol And clicking on any photo will bring a bigger copy up for you to see.<br />
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When we got home from the airport, we went straight to opening presents:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Here is a painting of an octopus that Heidi did for Chloe:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGnGGlrS8zKvGoOSSt8fDiicicLBylWMTSUGHKxfFZWjrB7IQ4HdY-ehnI7GvcgqhHBcqul-2kRqwHvana5nGnOqpL94Th_SvKCYXHH-fEmAL7pz1p9XzL7xhzgtECg6naqIPlf77K5o/s1600/DSC_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGnGGlrS8zKvGoOSSt8fDiicicLBylWMTSUGHKxfFZWjrB7IQ4HdY-ehnI7GvcgqhHBcqul-2kRqwHvana5nGnOqpL94Th_SvKCYXHH-fEmAL7pz1p9XzL7xhzgtECg6naqIPlf77K5o/s400/DSC_1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and hamburger earmuffs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI69EWuFTqAAhl2Y90qMGrOVA6Djk4g2WqvMEEPhRXGsaLM-lqDrT8l7EUzDszHvzyCYGfYHWVdauGVDwGrzPA8k6E1FsgRx2rJBtvnW52Tp6cow6PY7sLDCAHavwc8wvIdlNUefLJp-w/s1600/DSC_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI69EWuFTqAAhl2Y90qMGrOVA6Djk4g2WqvMEEPhRXGsaLM-lqDrT8l7EUzDszHvzyCYGfYHWVdauGVDwGrzPA8k6E1FsgRx2rJBtvnW52Tp6cow6PY7sLDCAHavwc8wvIdlNUefLJp-w/s400/DSC_1202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ben got his PS3 and was a happy guy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsCa-W63basXRG1MiC6LikQGigypsZMZelas9ECSHXqXfd5YmP0gX5IF_z8wp14Wvzi-7NO4Dgvm1uLeydBmU5rYinIXbZInN-bYeuV4Nh14jEXh2m56iaeLvgwQBOypp2Z1vahyphenhyphenRdcA/s1600/DSC_1204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsCa-W63basXRG1MiC6LikQGigypsZMZelas9ECSHXqXfd5YmP0gX5IF_z8wp14Wvzi-7NO4Dgvm1uLeydBmU5rYinIXbZInN-bYeuV4Nh14jEXh2m56iaeLvgwQBOypp2Z1vahyphenhyphenRdcA/s400/DSC_1204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heidi got Holly some hot pink furry mittens!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH9cjr8RVyL5_gsSIbCzAkH9g81raHMGlbeum7Mh72h_Hy3TZhQ06lsQnvUtQ2G0Pu15omPXnV2Kv5tOXfk_YGTQ8urH5P5afS51iEfusn4ZHDFZFu1PrkTfYw03LKIa07BIBlpOPPCY/s1600/DSC_1206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyH9cjr8RVyL5_gsSIbCzAkH9g81raHMGlbeum7Mh72h_Hy3TZhQ06lsQnvUtQ2G0Pu15omPXnV2Kv5tOXfk_YGTQ8urH5P5afS51iEfusn4ZHDFZFu1PrkTfYw03LKIa07BIBlpOPPCY/s400/DSC_1206.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Holly got Rich a Canada trivia book. Just what I need: my husband to know more about my country than I do... lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWt5upaJI1FnwH5HUhbxeOkdEZNgEB4e0p6uXXq5huwLsaapXKNZ2A7gI9i5aucVfpz6AWrNJFbriF9xgcM2twkyoDpDcaT9CLJvaldluXpY8F-2EjJknY6X8YLStohwca1y7rhB6-Co/s1600/DSC_1207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWt5upaJI1FnwH5HUhbxeOkdEZNgEB4e0p6uXXq5huwLsaapXKNZ2A7gI9i5aucVfpz6AWrNJFbriF9xgcM2twkyoDpDcaT9CLJvaldluXpY8F-2EjJknY6X8YLStohwca1y7rhB6-Co/s400/DSC_1207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chloe made her siblings tiny photo scrapbooks. They were so cute when they were little!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1lKfX_6AZesAbce3aGM-zQuhK24aAN9e_Gsn7fb8j2E_Wei2xUMZdR1YxZCpT7_rwjxSaSVB4Y1U9JJLuFQi6e54rh1HQgLMi-aQrNvgh6EPa69K3KfIhEj3WWqyXURPLnxydLuBMlg/s1600/DSC_1208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1lKfX_6AZesAbce3aGM-zQuhK24aAN9e_Gsn7fb8j2E_Wei2xUMZdR1YxZCpT7_rwjxSaSVB4Y1U9JJLuFQi6e54rh1HQgLMi-aQrNvgh6EPa69K3KfIhEj3WWqyXURPLnxydLuBMlg/s400/DSC_1208.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holly also got Rich a Roots sweater- Rich loves to wear Canada things when we go out, and especially when we travel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hFNvVjvkDCEaTPjBThtkmtk7SotuCe6tiAV-m4pPXydjJ8JC2lozz2JXM49tMP3mQYdSH4JSXdFAA9zGO2NRHR70a4IKf6MYJFlqowAnGm6FbfAvbA0lR2rrY4qNiIXpWZEIGwR2z_k/s1600/DSC_1209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hFNvVjvkDCEaTPjBThtkmtk7SotuCe6tiAV-m4pPXydjJ8JC2lozz2JXM49tMP3mQYdSH4JSXdFAA9zGO2NRHR70a4IKf6MYJFlqowAnGm6FbfAvbA0lR2rrY4qNiIXpWZEIGwR2z_k/s400/DSC_1209.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the winner of our Christmas photo prize for this year is: Holly! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We surprised her with the entire Little House on the Prairie TV series on DVD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ8H_ChCkuWJC_VYrXMEg7fMdDIeABRHvEUjeCi56Awbdc2Kl0g8cFn9pJBxQFjBJg9CyDMlldC4zLZtjQsC8_0QLqeSpAZTN6vejIQcJD2KK8XvDgF7vocrmggt-SVdnG8uUFJ4oFwA/s1600/DSC_1212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ8H_ChCkuWJC_VYrXMEg7fMdDIeABRHvEUjeCi56Awbdc2Kl0g8cFn9pJBxQFjBJg9CyDMlldC4zLZtjQsC8_0QLqeSpAZTN6vejIQcJD2KK8XvDgF7vocrmggt-SVdnG8uUFJ4oFwA/s400/DSC_1212.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holly made me this to hang in my studio. I love it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vb52CA4jVklde7A6Of7ElnK9PvSCmjECz6t04AqfV0k61GlQwjlKGEEqKQJdEpIhtH7AVxE6ZqoVbkrmAqANd_ZsKfS-LPzP2Uftb_1b-OagL5mEZY-1GV90cr9tjn_TFhxW4U5pAWo/s1600/DSC_1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Vb52CA4jVklde7A6Of7ElnK9PvSCmjECz6t04AqfV0k61GlQwjlKGEEqKQJdEpIhtH7AVxE6ZqoVbkrmAqANd_ZsKfS-LPzP2Uftb_1b-OagL5mEZY-1GV90cr9tjn_TFhxW4U5pAWo/s400/DSC_1273.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the inside cover of a lyrics book Ben gave to me- he is writing the lyrics and music for a CD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBoKvFiom7BeQWbzzndAMYOEjOaBWWTQY32S85w1u-5a25XSNfGDNFhppZ29oT_XVBfxNE1HbCsdckworfimBl8h2qUJ_3GayPuyd7qTD7Zmzftz6tQOV0axIsAn1lXsy7Hsylj-6vEc/s1600/DSC_1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBoKvFiom7BeQWbzzndAMYOEjOaBWWTQY32S85w1u-5a25XSNfGDNFhppZ29oT_XVBfxNE1HbCsdckworfimBl8h2qUJ_3GayPuyd7qTD7Zmzftz6tQOV0axIsAn1lXsy7Hsylj-6vEc/s400/DSC_1282.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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We finished the day with a great turkey dinner and all the fixings! I would have liked to stretch out the Christmas stuff, but for such a short visit, we just didn't have the time.<br />
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Monday we did a little shopping, as another of Holly's gifts was a Macy's gift card. Ben and I dropped the girls off at the mall and went to a guitar shop so Ben could play me a couple of the songs that he has written. Here we are in one of the local shops:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY2i4T9a6_iLAX6M80DPPMeESavcBtaOagftpfISFEvs6PGpdyZz_ESudt_eDINxWjxIVe9lYQ4OYtArCcthAqol87yIctUOJC2yZV6MwRXjvaHI6ysjcY_0h2CySKepIOnGN3b6Z9FQ/s1600/IMG_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIY2i4T9a6_iLAX6M80DPPMeESavcBtaOagftpfISFEvs6PGpdyZz_ESudt_eDINxWjxIVe9lYQ4OYtArCcthAqol87yIctUOJC2yZV6MwRXjvaHI6ysjcY_0h2CySKepIOnGN3b6Z9FQ/s400/IMG_0301.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
We picked the girls up, went home for lunch, and headed in a different direction after that, we had a little more shopping to do.<br />
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Tuesday we took the light rail in and spent the day in Denver. What fun! We started the day at the Tattered Cover, we all love to read. The kids all had fun choosing something to buy and I was good, I didn't buy anything for myself- I have new magazines coming in the mail soon!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the very end of the 16th Street Mall- I thought we could get somewhere walking but it was way further than I thought- so this is our turning around spot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJUn2Tp5VHQ0pqFHpX9o7Utw3BjA7MqiwGJWjZcrk4Yot_V4FHO61S4tXQtaBInv_ji_O2MV96dz4h_615WN5S25wE1IG1V6XgbnKRZFXZJ220Kg_2B_du0IIZKr2cxPOKH5guKC7SYo/s1600/102_2768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJUn2Tp5VHQ0pqFHpX9o7Utw3BjA7MqiwGJWjZcrk4Yot_V4FHO61S4tXQtaBInv_ji_O2MV96dz4h_615WN5S25wE1IG1V6XgbnKRZFXZJ220Kg_2B_du0IIZKr2cxPOKH5guKC7SYo/s400/102_2768.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This sculpture is called "Cowboy Pajamas". I like it. I don't understand the pajamas part, but that's okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PxTBGggvnRRDBKcYkw72F81XyP3H3ks9NO5xpGiqybQ5IRLtktORX62Rv7ydb5zlPmheS0dkfdv2NJ5oU6iSAoNdi2nFSWXz7Rt1O4q1r-UrvVbynbQ5HKH14tcyrhAIKAateuLwQG0/s1600/102_2770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PxTBGggvnRRDBKcYkw72F81XyP3H3ks9NO5xpGiqybQ5IRLtktORX62Rv7ydb5zlPmheS0dkfdv2NJ5oU6iSAoNdi2nFSWXz7Rt1O4q1r-UrvVbynbQ5HKH14tcyrhAIKAateuLwQG0/s400/102_2770.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I HAD to order the Local Legendary Burger- which turned out to be a 13 oz. Bison burger, topped with mashed potatoes and gravy (hey, I AM Canadian!!!), cheese, and french fried onions. It was BIG. And yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuvNirke7jQmEmAqDCX5Jgu_8auu-1GduDOgprWMIJ360N6wSF1jVCnfy3EfEjNDDmVWVvD1pSRAR9WFzSc1XzudNsvz0g0Mydtl1HUl9wkFiyCuxfQkHnbjFbdXnZUQ1JjXbMfTujD4/s1600/102_2771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuvNirke7jQmEmAqDCX5Jgu_8auu-1GduDOgprWMIJ360N6wSF1jVCnfy3EfEjNDDmVWVvD1pSRAR9WFzSc1XzudNsvz0g0Mydtl1HUl9wkFiyCuxfQkHnbjFbdXnZUQ1JjXbMfTujD4/s400/102_2771.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our waiter took our picture before we left. The kids were very excited to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe! They did have some very cool memorabilia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipovUHqfIs6csDFoqvPbMQGMzg-S9KCKLtMoGJDIore6KWCmZJLkBafwgVdrqQn4Kk17ZP4RjUTLLZ5K6-9JZq7nt2w6dm2nR02XnNZggo-tQ7bAm3igRptZWJLMiRz47l7FC21BwJP0Q/s1600/102_2773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipovUHqfIs6csDFoqvPbMQGMzg-S9KCKLtMoGJDIore6KWCmZJLkBafwgVdrqQn4Kk17ZP4RjUTLLZ5K6-9JZq7nt2w6dm2nR02XnNZggo-tQ7bAm3igRptZWJLMiRz47l7FC21BwJP0Q/s400/102_2773.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another quickie picture before getting back on the light rail- we have more bags and stuff, everybody found something to buy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlAW0zshyphenhyphenRw_ngZHHruUKZ9HGWBJCC03e76k4ZPOA5HrapD60Yt0m1WdL_bVEP-uxo8fkE1PTEUB2uhzQCPJu9dRcIpt6s0dENZlkdae0yzMGaaU0CuMXkelYYADhj9OTliCubGFtRrc/s1600/102_2776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlAW0zshyphenhyphenRw_ngZHHruUKZ9HGWBJCC03e76k4ZPOA5HrapD60Yt0m1WdL_bVEP-uxo8fkE1PTEUB2uhzQCPJu9dRcIpt6s0dENZlkdae0yzMGaaU0CuMXkelYYADhj9OTliCubGFtRrc/s400/102_2776.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our last day was last minute shopping, and an eye appointment for Holly and Ben. Neither of them needed glasses and so were able to choose a good pair of sunglasses instead. Aren't they cool?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFDXyhBND2fdEWE_0r9fkA6JLUPgC8smGevPzSaGjmwK1nmvBCYaiFZuuWXRbfu7YXoFHTZF9FaWEEsOH04ybtz6HE8aCqN4AfSgxpTxHkIOrcJebPw2VFSimM0PT2YjAOJakxBqbVIw/s1600/DSC_1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFDXyhBND2fdEWE_0r9fkA6JLUPgC8smGevPzSaGjmwK1nmvBCYaiFZuuWXRbfu7YXoFHTZF9FaWEEsOH04ybtz6HE8aCqN4AfSgxpTxHkIOrcJebPw2VFSimM0PT2YjAOJakxBqbVIw/s400/DSC_1220.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJOC1IPkNRJPQbqmpurSJHhU3kXHfUN3WROqYA-NCr_1cq9JcD8F1BBfaARa7Vf9k9cVzllKg9eHGzHBRig9zy3k_yOAHUPBI6q2A4u-SPDYbqaY7r5AG1TXV3qjKzWNaeUZs9p9_JEs/s1600/DSC_1224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJOC1IPkNRJPQbqmpurSJHhU3kXHfUN3WROqYA-NCr_1cq9JcD8F1BBfaARa7Vf9k9cVzllKg9eHGzHBRig9zy3k_yOAHUPBI6q2A4u-SPDYbqaY7r5AG1TXV3qjKzWNaeUZs9p9_JEs/s400/DSC_1224.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I should have gotten a few photos of Ben with his new guitar, but I forgot. Hopefully he will send me one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then we did the obligatory photo shoot. I try to remember each time the four of them are together, to take a whack of photos and I have to say, my kids are very obliging. Of course, the deal is, we get some serious photos, then they get to be goofy and I have to take those too. Easy trade off!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So here is one of the good ones- when there are four of them, it's hard to get them all looking good in one photo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyERlzwx8S8cuRSpX4c9P27gA_suEtmoz_qnsAey6cDNq_xwfZI9qxqRhoApEtsHMRV9PFjzTLmtReCysy4of-W4Mq8ndawtLC1MqXRMAq1uYa_S6rcXCrF61d4vg1CVHpGpJxQ1tZ-UU/s1600/DSC_1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyERlzwx8S8cuRSpX4c9P27gA_suEtmoz_qnsAey6cDNq_xwfZI9qxqRhoApEtsHMRV9PFjzTLmtReCysy4of-W4Mq8ndawtLC1MqXRMAq1uYa_S6rcXCrF61d4vg1CVHpGpJxQ1tZ-UU/s400/DSC_1230.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is one of the goofy ones. I don't listen, I just click... lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGC2kdSUFfaYT_eBWNdV5PVXDrCOB6HVPjbb0pS0833wjo8_wn5df_3BTC04YLjrJYisUm_cye-dXrEnc5bJBllpN-fqE6lOxi6rFCuZIfpqwUhkYsbpjU69_pMG0Ro17fA7l7QA-IXk/s1600/DSC_1243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGC2kdSUFfaYT_eBWNdV5PVXDrCOB6HVPjbb0pS0833wjo8_wn5df_3BTC04YLjrJYisUm_cye-dXrEnc5bJBllpN-fqE6lOxi6rFCuZIfpqwUhkYsbpjU69_pMG0Ro17fA7l7QA-IXk/s400/DSC_1243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, before we knew it, it was over. Already. Took the drive to the airport yesterday and Holly and Ben were home safe and sound by around 11 pm their time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heidi and Chloe are back to school today, and the holidays are officially over now. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will take today to relax with Rich (his off Friday) and catch my breath from all of the cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping, preparing, and running around I have been doing pretty much since Thanksgiving. Speed wobble, indeed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My new year will officially start on Monday. Just so you know.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-9200396124041358132010-12-30T17:14:00.004-07:002010-12-30T17:23:09.507-07:00Christmas 2010, round one continued<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each Christmas is different here, I guess that is the way it goes when most of your children no longer live at home.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In 2008, our first Christmas in our new home, our kids' visits overlapped, with Rich's kids coming first and mine second. It was new and a little awkward, but fun just the same. And so lovely to be in our new home, TOGETHER.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Last year, we had all seven kids at home for the holidays and it was a bit of a madhouse! lol But good just the same.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This year, Rich's boys were here for the actual Christmas celebrations and his daughter couldn't make it. We hope to see her in January sometime. Christmas was quiet and nice. No snow or even cold weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Holly and Ben will arrive on January 2nd for a whirlwind belated Christmas celebration. That will be round two!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In the meantime, here are some photos from our Christmas 2010:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cBu8jTUMgGGbE7nOm-HLLNkYlhmiSWbRO6QbwYAbiKkkcVbj3dcdmSbz_2CThzpptLBIxVbMBM3ccUGZPftabhS0yoUfcjMeJslWucpn2eGFFBiYIbIFiStM1kKVHXsbYn1E35moAv4/s1600/DSC_1149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cBu8jTUMgGGbE7nOm-HLLNkYlhmiSWbRO6QbwYAbiKkkcVbj3dcdmSbz_2CThzpptLBIxVbMBM3ccUGZPftabhS0yoUfcjMeJslWucpn2eGFFBiYIbIFiStM1kKVHXsbYn1E35moAv4/s320/DSC_1149.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Feather trying to find the squeaker in her reindeer toy.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8a8m3lcjUQIAnE1BiRX1ycshmMXzJRGVpS_Hw6diFevyDJ7fzCXeOx1kZkHIxtetAqc2VZSM-HbukGLzElyee2G0mXHq5hOwTssKQ_2xK4cN5z6OW2ojhCYTo4zJSY2cfSGph7dp6rE/s1600/DSC_1150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8a8m3lcjUQIAnE1BiRX1ycshmMXzJRGVpS_Hw6diFevyDJ7fzCXeOx1kZkHIxtetAqc2VZSM-HbukGLzElyee2G0mXHq5hOwTssKQ_2xK4cN5z6OW2ojhCYTo4zJSY2cfSGph7dp6rE/s320/DSC_1150.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My girls, Heidi and Chloe reluctantly posing- nevermind that the light stinks, I was lucky to get both of them smiling in one photo... lol</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio92xqGeIuAVSFqmje3LAKPkF4rNPaVVZZk3QFBjfyA2FuIv51AftAubjQfZHj_D2T1hTWkTxev8SbjZ4DkBKjNh6B-PArHjCxyv2thyphenhyphenXLqfRjs2T4TrE4LSgFrMenezSGIH6fDOIIK9g/s1600/DSC_1157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio92xqGeIuAVSFqmje3LAKPkF4rNPaVVZZk3QFBjfyA2FuIv51AftAubjQfZHj_D2T1hTWkTxev8SbjZ4DkBKjNh6B-PArHjCxyv2thyphenhyphenXLqfRjs2T4TrE4LSgFrMenezSGIH6fDOIIK9g/s320/DSC_1157.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rich's boys, Zach and Ben</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv__42FW9cM87uFkiCVwDaMjtVHEKeMe92WzdSh0gm4q3HHKdkWZMHKusmW28kHV5U10lwnHlulzW20S_3oBPA9kkZba3zuqYCzLHKN_3KlOZBrp0guHNFFaxJkn9_Q_GVPBxpFf1KGa8/s1600/DSC_1160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv__42FW9cM87uFkiCVwDaMjtVHEKeMe92WzdSh0gm4q3HHKdkWZMHKusmW28kHV5U10lwnHlulzW20S_3oBPA9kkZba3zuqYCzLHKN_3KlOZBrp0guHNFFaxJkn9_Q_GVPBxpFf1KGa8/s320/DSC_1160.jpg" width="212" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Molly getting in the middle of things- she was either under the tree or in a box</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFeu-JFPm0JFChREOzTojwMVPDk_h__XtcA5TmD5PmY7Zi84wMhKaFLXqNt9wtDSsimshjQdPVPw97HzGSV9z0FpwZFWE1trPW8kCQYYFHLLQon2SxmZYOmQx_7cClPoKdryETgspNjo/s1600/DSC_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFeu-JFPm0JFChREOzTojwMVPDk_h__XtcA5TmD5PmY7Zi84wMhKaFLXqNt9wtDSsimshjQdPVPw97HzGSV9z0FpwZFWE1trPW8kCQYYFHLLQon2SxmZYOmQx_7cClPoKdryETgspNjo/s320/DSC_1163.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rich trying out one of his new toys, an RC plane (they are apparently not as easy to fly as it looks!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We didn't cook a turkey since Thanksgiving here was so late; we cooked a ham and a duck. A l'orange. A la Julia Child. Ahem.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">NOT a good idea to cook a brand new dish on Christmas when you have company. Just sayin'.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It did turn out well, but I don't think it was worth all of the babysitting I had to do for it, nor was it worth the amount of stress it caused me over whether or not it would turn out! lol</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson learned.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The girls and I did the HUGE Thanksgiving cleanup, so we decided that the Christmas cleanup should be for the boys, and we hopped in the car to look at the neighborhood Christmas lights. Some of our neighbors really go all out- check it out!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIf9iyAl4dAKyY6dYt6RyOw-I7zpYQXx09xJvWJDPO_D8MgClkM3zE-SW_ZGkE_PUl1afUfWksO6r-ilSEbOKktJ-vexMwmInOQosZosRkSAl7rV52pdtUhD6Rru7RwfYGuSbSR_uMck/s1600/DSC_1165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIf9iyAl4dAKyY6dYt6RyOw-I7zpYQXx09xJvWJDPO_D8MgClkM3zE-SW_ZGkE_PUl1afUfWksO6r-ilSEbOKktJ-vexMwmInOQosZosRkSAl7rV52pdtUhD6Rru7RwfYGuSbSR_uMck/s320/DSC_1165.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-WV6soamaIuj0O7SVcrSC4OW1tPxmJOqanVV85b1L075Ez_cG2k7s8o7U0Dr6nCcfbDtOIDvxV5aVoMb9qYmQSOCr5ad_fQXHRf4H7KK79iDwTLzx4wV1_LasBseygAwlALIbUe8Ns8/s1600/DSC_1168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-WV6soamaIuj0O7SVcrSC4OW1tPxmJOqanVV85b1L075Ez_cG2k7s8o7U0Dr6nCcfbDtOIDvxV5aVoMb9qYmQSOCr5ad_fQXHRf4H7KK79iDwTLzx4wV1_LasBseygAwlALIbUe8Ns8/s320/DSC_1168.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">There is another house that decorates every single square inch of their house and yard, and I took a little video. I will post it as soon as I figure out how to get it off of my camera!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As seen above, I got Rich an RC plane and here we are, out with the boys, trying to figure out how to fly it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b9ubiCP-BOdRUmACGSpEXAAPJ1hiPs-Vg6NCGzkHltUDumbKN4nCC_JOT6uUEQk3ILKVLzTawfUcJx6iP0ug6cE4TcoU0XK5mRNzN6VSAUesywTRG8XwVRNRyLmJpWGrxR89-8FLt-4/s1600/DSC_1176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b9ubiCP-BOdRUmACGSpEXAAPJ1hiPs-Vg6NCGzkHltUDumbKN4nCC_JOT6uUEQk3ILKVLzTawfUcJx6iP0ug6cE4TcoU0XK5mRNzN6VSAUesywTRG8XwVRNRyLmJpWGrxR89-8FLt-4/s320/DSC_1176.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson number one: Planes need a level place to take off from, and a bumpy lawn isn't it... So off we go from the park, over to the elementary school. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Notice how we are dressed? Does this look like Boxing Day weather to you? Not to this Canadian girl, it doesn't! But I'll take it! 60F at the end of December is pretty nice, I have to say.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9qPk6aophHCGezoCVJoARnaRdOdHUExBWe4li1x1Tn4A93u9zT8mm4gM5BRPPrGHXp0QhZSGv8cR0CzJXjyqVPTJltQ7gMWD43IpdbT-GAjQFHgDGlz3mOa-XLerAzVqP_RNP4sZ3V0/s1600/DSC_1181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9qPk6aophHCGezoCVJoARnaRdOdHUExBWe4li1x1Tn4A93u9zT8mm4gM5BRPPrGHXp0QhZSGv8cR0CzJXjyqVPTJltQ7gMWD43IpdbT-GAjQFHgDGlz3mOa-XLerAzVqP_RNP4sZ3V0/s320/DSC_1181.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Rich got it going! Flew it around for a bit, and then landed it in the tennis courts next to the elementary school lot we were at. lol There were some nice people playing tennis that caught it and gave it back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Lesson number two: controlling one of these things IS a lot harder than it looks!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtu87CYcKe6sismnraNNvO1PEwqEBy73Nm5kVlHI_138uJIAfuqGeXI5DgYT-LEkJvPHtb7SqeeVNztW3Ah4UY6YjPQIo5tJjC8e99lHS-s1Bwxy9sjeT8Ig39MtOs-KmFBZsmbwf0DA/s1600/DSC_1182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtu87CYcKe6sismnraNNvO1PEwqEBy73Nm5kVlHI_138uJIAfuqGeXI5DgYT-LEkJvPHtb7SqeeVNztW3Ah4UY6YjPQIo5tJjC8e99lHS-s1Bwxy9sjeT8Ig39MtOs-KmFBZsmbwf0DA/s320/DSC_1182.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">But I think he likes it. YAY!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-35340968353788048202010-12-30T16:48:00.000-07:002010-12-30T16:48:19.189-07:00Christmas 2010, round oneHello all! Hope you had a merry Christmas with your loved ones and are looking forward to a wonderful upcoming year.<br />
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This is our third Christmas here in Colorado. This year Rich and I held an Open House a week before Christmas to visit with our neighbors and co-workers and also to give the many workers who put our kitchen together an opportunity to come and see the completed job. We all enjoyed ourselves very much, and intend to make it a yearly thing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG-6iSN_N0R6PwqQDBRvDOS1EhAkVa2Pus8pnZZyo3KOcVmy9G0HqS50GmvuP8hIZ8I6cQjNKs3gooG39H5bxUZ-TTTKkR1hkg4pw3QXfPtYS6koNNJUhPoPsy9FHz9lqY3jTkerZYc0/s1600/DSC_1134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFG-6iSN_N0R6PwqQDBRvDOS1EhAkVa2Pus8pnZZyo3KOcVmy9G0HqS50GmvuP8hIZ8I6cQjNKs3gooG39H5bxUZ-TTTKkR1hkg4pw3QXfPtYS6koNNJUhPoPsy9FHz9lqY3jTkerZYc0/s320/DSC_1134.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting for our guests to arrive </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn11S4JhtaZN6VEEUQcJ_S9pAK69HWjpqHoF3Cfl2fOzNj0vpIAIj-1bBRQ1oUBj5KfRTpjQHuQNz3bnefEArp97RfjgrdciNA9s_YktldC0M1vl1q6SLRUYVBdZtdIALexileIllSRU/s1600/DSC_1135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn11S4JhtaZN6VEEUQcJ_S9pAK69HWjpqHoF3Cfl2fOzNj0vpIAIj-1bBRQ1oUBj5KfRTpjQHuQNz3bnefEArp97RfjgrdciNA9s_YktldC0M1vl1q6SLRUYVBdZtdIALexileIllSRU/s320/DSC_1135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Starting to put the food out </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_dJKVnv1M4Ns25YRg0c9slDncTgWaJOe1nAeCdyF-dUHTqV6jDiD5ZEDc6icoPeisr_iA9Ig7BtgLygNXSBqlgwRXObalLFZ2apuUzvqSt-a0NtPsxNQNgzxzoD3hQIc8sWyh0hv03E/s1600/DSC_1136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_dJKVnv1M4Ns25YRg0c9slDncTgWaJOe1nAeCdyF-dUHTqV6jDiD5ZEDc6icoPeisr_iA9Ig7BtgLygNXSBqlgwRXObalLFZ2apuUzvqSt-a0NtPsxNQNgzxzoD3hQIc8sWyh0hv03E/s320/DSC_1136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The punch and goodies and other beverages</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9SgmF6jZWdIVDTfkLrkjb0nWl0rSmuwLqEtveH_oDSfNZ__6sNJyp8lChxmP_yclyqKnbS50-LPEwu8NKj6-GrmcKDGAn0XhSaf46prP99_-J5CM9U5teoy5jTD0qLZKOo5jxipEwQg/s1600/DSC_1138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9SgmF6jZWdIVDTfkLrkjb0nWl0rSmuwLqEtveH_oDSfNZ__6sNJyp8lChxmP_yclyqKnbS50-LPEwu8NKj6-GrmcKDGAn0XhSaf46prP99_-J5CM9U5teoy5jTD0qLZKOo5jxipEwQg/s320/DSC_1138.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Rumaki and baked brie in the oven, sweet & sour meatballs on the stove top.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let the festivities begin!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned for more Christmas news!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-69563851923219099142010-12-06T10:26:00.000-07:002010-12-06T10:26:57.199-07:00Inspiring giveaway!Hey- for a really inspiring woman to read about and follow (on her blog), why not go to:<br />
http://cathybueti.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
Cathy wrote a book about her journey through breast cancer and is giving a signed copy away to one lucky winner!<br />
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I haven't read the book yet myself, but am looking forward to it- we women can always benefit from hearing that no matter how tough or impossible the road directly ahead seems, there is a way to get through it.<br />
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And while you are at it, if you like art, why not check out Cathy's art blog:<br />
http://artsybutterfly.blogspot.com/<br />
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I love both of these sites, and I think you will too!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-69537250255756986642010-10-31T21:37:00.000-06:002010-10-31T21:37:06.364-06:00Halloween 2010<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="color: #c94093; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.2em; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;"><a href="http://happyartgurl.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-art.html" style="color: #c94093; display: block; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">HALLOWEEN ART</a></h3><div class="post-header-line-1" style="color: #697ba7; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #697ba7; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><div style="line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Just had to show you the pumpkins that Chloe carved. There is an art to this- even if you are following a pattern!<br />
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The patterns were in an old folder; you tape it to the pumpkin and poke a bunch of holes around the design- then remove the paper pattern and set to cutting all the little pieces out.<br />
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It's weird- this child has very little patience for much, but for the past three years, pumpkins have commanded her full attention- and certainly command the attention of the adults taking their kids from door to door!<br />
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If you click on them, you can see a larger photo of them.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is pumpkin number two- Heidi didn't want to carve hers, and Chloe didn't have a lot of time, so she chose an "easier" design... wouldn't have been easier for me, but compared to the first one she did this weekend, I guess it is easier...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkH0lb5zelAN9SghpiEvOfBI6JxtTDrogN1_X9wAwWuWgJhktSnqZUi0qy6JKbAxVt9DJR8R4S72GqZNPLj_RATKfsPwx6cwS-A5r5xczGUic-uj1ylUX-dlQ7PHEtr47X6ESTVCm7WY/s1600/IMG_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ee3db4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkH0lb5zelAN9SghpiEvOfBI6JxtTDrogN1_X9wAwWuWgJhktSnqZUi0qy6JKbAxVt9DJR8R4S72GqZNPLj_RATKfsPwx6cwS-A5r5xczGUic-uj1ylUX-dlQ7PHEtr47X6ESTVCm7WY/s400/IMG_0229.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Where does she get the patience?!?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wouldn't even have considered it... and it even has a hanging spider.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBAhNRWi0BJHRC12qv0QGr05_ZPL3j5biSLAGXf9YXOWBM_ekqhyphenhyphenNuqfJSE4CZKKboto0pmCpywk3kUtyAJfoKlMHJ149-u23js5fjz2oHgP051ZwBhiWOlhFDfXQkXRcEmWwIucZw0I/s1600/IMG_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ee3db4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBAhNRWi0BJHRC12qv0QGr05_ZPL3j5biSLAGXf9YXOWBM_ekqhyphenhyphenNuqfJSE4CZKKboto0pmCpywk3kUtyAJfoKlMHJ149-u23js5fjz2oHgP051ZwBhiWOlhFDfXQkXRcEmWwIucZw0I/s400/IMG_0230.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She actually spent more time on these pumpkins than on her costume- because it isn't cool to have mom's help any more... but she was happy with how she dressed- and even more so because she was able to wear her footie pajamas underneath! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUrb69G1FenSOI9bVyJey8Cd7GwanjpNggr8DjYr5zFBiHf0Ahuo887aj3qhm8T_cFIMAOGdFfr96hujfhloxW0RX8lfQAq3Orlr4t4cTut57esH7w88Nn3Wl_fFUFLbWOSEsGEepDHM/s1600/IMG_0235_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #ee3db4; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUrb69G1FenSOI9bVyJey8Cd7GwanjpNggr8DjYr5zFBiHf0Ahuo887aj3qhm8T_cFIMAOGdFfr96hujfhloxW0RX8lfQAq3Orlr4t4cTut57esH7w88Nn3Wl_fFUFLbWOSEsGEepDHM/s400/IMG_0235_2.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(140, 105, 167); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had to cut her little friend off (she was dressed as a voodoo doll and looked great) because I don't publish other peoples' kids' photos without permission. You know.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you all had a happy Halloween!</div><div><br />
</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-63725994055328707602010-10-17T22:22:00.000-06:002010-10-17T22:22:22.938-06:00Day in Denver!My sweet hubby and I spent Friday in Denver and had a fabulous day!<br />
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We took the light rail and got off at the Theatre, ready to walk. It was a really warm day, I think the high was 85F!!! In OCTOBER!!!<br />
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We wandered around the 16th Street Mall and the surrounding streets, before caving and ducking into Taki's for an early lunch. BEST Japanese food I have ever had. MMMmmmm. I will have to take the kids there when they are here over the holidays.<br />
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We had purchased tickets to see the King Tut exhibit at the Denver Art Museum, but we were plenty early and thoroughly enjoyed walking around, soaking in the lovely sunshine.<br />
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We ended up at the Capitol Building. I have only ever seen it while driving/riding in a car, and really had no idea how big or grand it was. One one set of steps is a brass marker that shows were 5,280 feet is- one mile- for the Mile High City.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfpsWJEWsP3N4T0txSI3qwjBIRiD6rzNev1HlhmjY-lbA9pdlSL6y0fVxSh-ZFH-_hlJT_e-2XrK4q2BjyKze0fiA6YXrxQ2RwVmeuFK3NOWAhyphenhyphenxhB5UAYiDmVQ8wrFQpKbPeDqYK_9M/s1600/102_2690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfpsWJEWsP3N4T0txSI3qwjBIRiD6rzNev1HlhmjY-lbA9pdlSL6y0fVxSh-ZFH-_hlJT_e-2XrK4q2BjyKze0fiA6YXrxQ2RwVmeuFK3NOWAhyphenhyphenxhB5UAYiDmVQ8wrFQpKbPeDqYK_9M/s400/102_2690.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ThO4xo-kiYBCAo7io-yzwogmfq7GVWhI5TSOtdFVOX1a6Rci9uF_VmpceyWX4KVfICnrcFuFp-Qc5krW4hP836vEVILngL26Au4l3Ibm5O5bc1F_BiR5ivV5QgFaqNeX8vqV2kF1ssU/s1600/102_2695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ThO4xo-kiYBCAo7io-yzwogmfq7GVWhI5TSOtdFVOX1a6Rci9uF_VmpceyWX4KVfICnrcFuFp-Qc5krW4hP836vEVILngL26Au4l3Ibm5O5bc1F_BiR5ivV5QgFaqNeX8vqV2kF1ssU/s400/102_2695.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
We went in- and wow- what a place!Our intent was to go up to the cuppola and walk around to see Denver from up high, but alas, the balcony was closed. They did have some doors open to allow photos, and here is what we saw:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUTqq80ZDmIG1niz6NXI0mWKajfRX1AGomka3TAQnSXFyVh4D5vrhjJXuNJV79cHqHecmaKWmc7pOxUUgAmMR_qk7JXTtW0dYvSIfK6R6XQee0FnhIU9yHdvCyTxxNF25EGw8xHsU-ss/s1600/102_2697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUTqq80ZDmIG1niz6NXI0mWKajfRX1AGomka3TAQnSXFyVh4D5vrhjJXuNJV79cHqHecmaKWmc7pOxUUgAmMR_qk7JXTtW0dYvSIfK6R6XQee0FnhIU9yHdvCyTxxNF25EGw8xHsU-ss/s400/102_2697.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Cathedral</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-rm9qHfd0wrjyjENceyJkaJMGfUK0jym4V10tk5Pz6LVbb5Hs1aKpeO1orMJGoi7CUOyrb7Es334NG77CcyHhHuIF6Ta8He4TaYLLdFtnRAV-a5BlzokON4m5ZlNaTwbXLIpHKIzxmQ/s1600/102_2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-rm9qHfd0wrjyjENceyJkaJMGfUK0jym4V10tk5Pz6LVbb5Hs1aKpeO1orMJGoi7CUOyrb7Es334NG77CcyHhHuIF6Ta8He4TaYLLdFtnRAV-a5BlzokON4m5ZlNaTwbXLIpHKIzxmQ/s400/102_2699.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Scottish Masonic Center (round roof)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR7rZOl_J-fLjkT2WoImxoGSLfmmZr-FWKJJytYVo3L0-h-4m1qchHJ-7hQlAzAo_dSTJ9LXA3m-WsvX_PSlT-0WxLBXlspq0nj8zpE83V2YhZBI8P_7zAtbIIK7mRpP7KFlWH-IRSCY/s1600/102_2701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilR7rZOl_J-fLjkT2WoImxoGSLfmmZr-FWKJJytYVo3L0-h-4m1qchHJ-7hQlAzAo_dSTJ9LXA3m-WsvX_PSlT-0WxLBXlspq0nj8zpE83V2YhZBI8P_7zAtbIIK7mRpP7KFlWH-IRSCY/s400/102_2701.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Denver Art Museum and Public Library (center of photo)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR6Mnxg0fSdLnQrBaGGClQ-EjmkcDerKruA2mGlMoY0Q1WT46mU0WIAiPQoOcTVjMXEo4Fm7XR7edUVP0b0vMDGsYBq7RjTxypUcaTrV4mxed14PcWhdCGtrwkRE6898KEqC7mZ22qPQ/s1600/102_2702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR6Mnxg0fSdLnQrBaGGClQ-EjmkcDerKruA2mGlMoY0Q1WT46mU0WIAiPQoOcTVjMXEo4Fm7XR7edUVP0b0vMDGsYBq7RjTxypUcaTrV4mxed14PcWhdCGtrwkRE6898KEqC7mZ22qPQ/s400/102_2702.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Denver Courthouse with the beautiful Rockies behind it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmqV9WRwmMtWe0BtBshTJEhdcz-uISeNZ9JJ5_D_BKUriRX5BbxWbCXYe_DoIY6AHWfsklxS2fhz51DPTcL34MJwGi5eIgk459KXx-kuhaqPpLs42EyYFZt8hDLzO6-JJi77_Bo26zDk/s1600/102_2704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmqV9WRwmMtWe0BtBshTJEhdcz-uISeNZ9JJ5_D_BKUriRX5BbxWbCXYe_DoIY6AHWfsklxS2fhz51DPTcL34MJwGi5eIgk459KXx-kuhaqPpLs42EyYFZt8hDLzO6-JJi77_Bo26zDk/s400/102_2704.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Closer up- trying to see Red Rocks, a popular outdoor amphitheatre, which is northwest of where we live (Denver is northeast of where we live)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6lm2bJ8y6ySYdSJCitR2wj5bgUG9m6uQM3-F_l5sAQ9DC06XKL_IFXeIZZ92iGkimPbI3G2XYdMCIcPU5OeZwaKf_-GSDU07ahovzBgFl2LGwZE0g-5HWtj6xSJPFfmuZCDzQGLOO4o/s1600/102_2707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6lm2bJ8y6ySYdSJCitR2wj5bgUG9m6uQM3-F_l5sAQ9DC06XKL_IFXeIZZ92iGkimPbI3G2XYdMCIcPU5OeZwaKf_-GSDU07ahovzBgFl2LGwZE0g-5HWtj6xSJPFfmuZCDzQGLOO4o/s400/102_2707.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Office buildings? Not sure, but it was a nice view anyway!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQJhckf6-breHlFKowoVpYb0sDUrGx1C-9HC-qSdS6FROzhe1d9P4ox60Ap3pOpK4kbRqd8D2IrfqZQF1QxBhDi_aC02OUReMqjRLn0qAswx4J9M-0jACGXKNw1JVynaej4GR_VNCqSY/s1600/102_2708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQJhckf6-breHlFKowoVpYb0sDUrGx1C-9HC-qSdS6FROzhe1d9P4ox60Ap3pOpK4kbRqd8D2IrfqZQF1QxBhDi_aC02OUReMqjRLn0qAswx4J9M-0jACGXKNw1JVynaej4GR_VNCqSY/s400/102_2708.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More office buildings and that ultra blue sky we see so often!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't know if I was allowed to take photos inside, so I didn't. But next time I will ask, because if I am allowed, I would love to show you the grandeur of this beautiful building.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then it was time to head over to the Art Museum, as the King Tut tours were timed. We headed up to the exhibition, and I have to say, I was pretty disappointed. You know all the stuff you see in the ads and publicity about Tut- the golden caskets and all that? None of it was there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They had some pretty interesting things from different pharoahs, and some odds'n'ends from King Tut's tomb, but I didn't want to see just his golden finger and toe coverings and sandals- I wanted to see the GRAND stuff!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most impressive thing there, in my opinion, was a gigantic seated statue of Akhenaten. Even though some of the left side of his face was missing, it was beautiful. I was simply in awe of how detailed and how large it was.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The whole display was smaller than I thought it would be and really crowded. Too bad, really. Just a good example of hype I think.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we visited the Museo Egizio in Torino this past summer, the beginning of our tour of the museum was kind of like that- but it ended much differently!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Egizio is the largest collection and museum dedicated to Ancient Egypt outside of Cairo. They have many rooms of things and very cool things, including ancient textiles and real mummies. As we got to the last room, we thought: "Is that it?" Because it was raining heavily outside, we decided to go and look a little more, and went into a room that we thought we had been in, but hadn't- there were two enormous rooms of HUGE Egyptian statues, and they were breathtaking. Anyway, I digress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the tour, we went to see the 3D movie about the secrets of mummies and it was interesting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our tickets were good for the day anywhere in the museum, so away we went! I love me an art museum! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We saw a lot of beautiful work, a lot of things I didn't understand, a lot of thought-provoking work. It was great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I got a some of cool photos from there too- they had windows in random places. Of course there are a few that aren't fit to put here- some of the windows were so dirty, you can barely see what I was taking a photo of! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g-vgUvsMZNJdKSzO5K5NOnRxYsWFGJEgp_2zuF3Y9kT7Uw5HsEVPJRWN3BTxvnXFI9vkrmM4KEgAc_AtKSZPwgVirgkMbVUKNW40TN9axYVIRm_bJ-g3B9wL-YjM5zS7mwZiYFJB2B0/s1600/102_2713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g-vgUvsMZNJdKSzO5K5NOnRxYsWFGJEgp_2zuF3Y9kT7Uw5HsEVPJRWN3BTxvnXFI9vkrmM4KEgAc_AtKSZPwgVirgkMbVUKNW40TN9axYVIRm_bJ-g3B9wL-YjM5zS7mwZiYFJB2B0/s400/102_2713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Panoramic view of the mountains</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A small part of the Art Museum</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of the Capitol Building from the Museum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time we saw all we wanted of the museum, it was time to catch the Light Rail again- or wait till after rush hour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple more shots on the walk back to the station:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tribute to Christopher Columbus at Civic Center Park</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNBue9KVlkv6kLFBZj0mVha7wHdH3h0Ki6U7v20nU4TGWO_ifGKXw8KWpTYD0e5kzCP3llmRwUPdrqazYMoFtHwAhmeMpyiFOowbMHu29wetLX9c1QlRzdO9e3YFfks04Xostew-DmQU/s1600/102_2721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmNBue9KVlkv6kLFBZj0mVha7wHdH3h0Ki6U7v20nU4TGWO_ifGKXw8KWpTYD0e5kzCP3llmRwUPdrqazYMoFtHwAhmeMpyiFOowbMHu29wetLX9c1QlRzdO9e3YFfks04Xostew-DmQU/s400/102_2721.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "gateway" from the park to the street- I would have liked to get some photos of Civic Center Park, but they were setting up for the Rock and Roll Marathon over the weekend, and it was a madhouse there. Next time, I promise!</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look who's peeking into the Denver Convention Center window! It's quite something to see- and you see him as soon as you walk out from the Light Rail, if you get off at the Theatre/Convention Center (the station is just past the bear)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdzvjfBuf8KI8m_Tlkc2tV59hgai8YPw6ch6Ko2zej5XtDxY-8ww2QQNT9U4GDjKHNIltsxA1xr59QgN4BLLwWBWLXzv1JEzEGiBZII6qzoSEST_BAuwe9ELG2prqn_3emnfo13oGPU/s1600/102_2724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKdzvjfBuf8KI8m_Tlkc2tV59hgai8YPw6ch6Ko2zej5XtDxY-8ww2QQNT9U4GDjKHNIltsxA1xr59QgN4BLLwWBWLXzv1JEzEGiBZII6qzoSEST_BAuwe9ELG2prqn_3emnfo13oGPU/s400/102_2724.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's 40 feet tall, 10,000 lbs, and I think the sculpture is titled "I See What You Mean", though he is known affectionately as the Denver Blue Bear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a great day. I love Denver. I love the people, the city and all it's surrounding smaller cities, I love our community which is just a short 20 minute drive out of the city. It's a place I am happy to call home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-7876698470145063482010-09-21T09:14:00.000-06:002010-09-21T09:14:57.556-06:00Done, but not done- and a really good read!I haven't posted pictures of the kitchen lately, because there is nothing to show... :( For all intents and purposes, the kitchen is done- but NOT done.<br />
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Many of the cabinets are still missing the pulls.<br />
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A few shelves are still awaiting the little shelf supports- we either didn't get enough of them or they were inadvertently thrown out.<br />
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My stove, which technically arrived in town last week, was damaged in the move and is now sitting in the warehouse awaiting a new part on the front.<br />
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So though the room is basically finished, I am really only partially able to function.<br />
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I was warned that things can go wrong and get delayed, and I am not being grumpy about it. I just really want to get back to our normal routine.<br />
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While we are in the waiting stage, Rich helped me put the sitting room back to its former glory, and we started getting things on the shelves and hung up again.<br />
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Thankfully, I have had some good books to read while waiting for the kitchen transformation!<br />
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Before we went to Santa Fe a couple of weeks ago (posts & photos to come), I went to the library to get a couple of books from the ongoing book sale. I don't like to take borrowed books out of the house, so I always buy two or three to take with me when we go away.<br />
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One of the books I got was "The Expected One" by Kathleen McGowan. I don't know how many of you are familiar with this book- I surely wasn't until I brought it home. But I believe it caused a bit of a stir when it was released, as it challenges a LOT of what traditional religion has been based on.<br />
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I am not a religious person, though I do consider myself to be a spiritual one. And this book has really made me re-think not only what I was taught in church and Sunday school, but in school from my history books.<br />
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Though the story is specific to the Bible, it also brings up the question of the validity of all of the history books we learn from.<br />
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Most, if not all, of the history books were written by men of high social and economic standing with their personal slant. AND let's face the fact that traditionally (and still today in some societies and situations) women are considered to be unimportant and therefore have been left out, ignored, or made to look bad in some way, in those accounts.<br />
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I am not on a man-bashing mission here, and I am not explaining myself very well... I guess what I got most out of this book was the need to question things more, rather than just accepting someone's version of it.<br />
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I will put my latest reads at the bottom of my blog, on my bookshelf. I have been remiss in doing this lately... feel free also to recommend good reads to me in your comments- who doesn't love a really good read?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-34704872999156637232010-09-03T10:38:00.000-06:002010-09-03T10:38:02.081-06:00Plumbing and cabinets and tile, oh my!LOL Couldn't resist- The Wizard of Oz is still one of my all-time favourite movies and that line... you know the one... seems to stick in my head! Anyway, onto the renovation update.<br />
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</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yesterday was busy here too. The plumbers came to hook up my sink- YAY!!! We now have a working sink again and thank goodness for that.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I really love the sink, but I never would have chosen it based on any photos that the company has online. The photos they have are downright poor- I happened to see it in a showroom and didn't take a photo of it myself. When I tried to show Rich, he wasn't sure it was a great as I said it was, but trusted me. He agrees, now that it is in. Whew! lol</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I86R3RXCxUuCFD_dGL0Y7yUEftpvobmqiHHjrVWOFarnKbSc55cuzziUPV4NSFH6TnJvnRLTziXHHxgTjdkrvKN8VOHIYFOxYZNCCcZ3OQlXXN5rZJvvnQd-AzBUvIPoiZ6omoITvZ8/s1600/IMG_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I86R3RXCxUuCFD_dGL0Y7yUEftpvobmqiHHjrVWOFarnKbSc55cuzziUPV4NSFH6TnJvnRLTziXHHxgTjdkrvKN8VOHIYFOxYZNCCcZ3OQlXXN5rZJvvnQd-AzBUvIPoiZ6omoITvZ8/s400/IMG_0124.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">I like how the front and back edges are beveled in, and the divider doesn't reach the top. Plus I LOVE the undermount; it just looks sleeker and will be SO much easier to keep clean!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvuxHug2l7EodPsuNThIJI-QvJ7KqMwp5CFyM4cg8IgBsnA8GlsE854IIZo1hdXMMHPIM_my_9XpiJ06bAJlLVpsuNWW_EZB5hy6xC4Fnn7z_h5QzJUmuXss7kEiSu7tXF-CKnUkWfS4/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvuxHug2l7EodPsuNThIJI-QvJ7KqMwp5CFyM4cg8IgBsnA8GlsE854IIZo1hdXMMHPIM_my_9XpiJ06bAJlLVpsuNWW_EZB5hy6xC4Fnn7z_h5QzJUmuXss7kEiSu7tXF-CKnUkWfS4/s400/IMG_0125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A closer view. Rich likes the racks on the bottom- that means no more ugly dish racks on the counter!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The cabinet guys came in just to set the remaining cabinets so that the tile guy could do his work. They only set them and drilled the necessary holes- the trim and crown moulding will go in next week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly, the tile guys set up the mosaic on the counter so we could all make sure we liked it. Boy, that is a job that could take all day, if you let it. You could keep changing your mind over and over... But between four of us, we got it so that everyone thought it looked good and we let the guy get to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can see some of the stackstone tile behind the sink here, I think it is very cool. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY3joFHxiozhWS8Kerp4v58QO87t3M8IyaP_ceJpehBJmgkFSrqXR8alYA4oQBvXuWYE6tiBUEWI9VqT53Rpyfa0mp6VF8B5G4fYtr1Hvbo1KYTecsFR8JUJeIwAPMnpmfMZbYuMKMpc/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY3joFHxiozhWS8Kerp4v58QO87t3M8IyaP_ceJpehBJmgkFSrqXR8alYA4oQBvXuWYE6tiBUEWI9VqT53Rpyfa0mp6VF8B5G4fYtr1Hvbo1KYTecsFR8JUJeIwAPMnpmfMZbYuMKMpc/s400/IMG_0119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Starting on the mosaic tile layout for the backsplash behind the stove.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFsGBfNL1EVULqseOQAJU3Z1EqaGeQxqq2LfdhJwRP9oIFrdRo4Rc5KBXBI_ecFc8SqT1R-joDX51CvEGECvgJcGmZYqAUIOXotUBSdrP1c8tqFcexV286nzRKVhyaItAIGUIOvKK5I8/s1600/IMG_0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFsGBfNL1EVULqseOQAJU3Z1EqaGeQxqq2LfdhJwRP9oIFrdRo4Rc5KBXBI_ecFc8SqT1R-joDX51CvEGECvgJcGmZYqAUIOXotUBSdrP1c8tqFcexV286nzRKVhyaItAIGUIOvKK5I8/s400/IMG_0123.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here it is, up and finished. I wish the stove would get here already!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBqWpHCsjLhIXb4Pae7pZzjlTORR-yV0URmPB6Z5_-gvk-2CEhAsVrfO71O-8m12AR7jQy29oqcBdvQslOUmkkjV12MEJj5lYIx4Qs84I86v5ROH0XPAr5pumTshV56ouD04KRpUk7Ac/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBqWpHCsjLhIXb4Pae7pZzjlTORR-yV0URmPB6Z5_-gvk-2CEhAsVrfO71O-8m12AR7jQy29oqcBdvQslOUmkkjV12MEJj5lYIx4Qs84I86v5ROH0XPAr5pumTshV56ouD04KRpUk7Ac/s400/IMG_0122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A longer view of the tile- I will get a not-so-orange photo of it later today, when the sun moves!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's so hard to believe this is even the same room- we didn't change the actual layout, just moved the appliances around a bit and streamlined things. So how does it seem SO much bigger????</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The painter is here today, working on a few things, but everyone will be taking the long weekend off, so I won't have anything to show you till next week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope everyone has a relaxing and fun weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-62011191788322465172010-09-02T08:27:00.000-06:002010-09-02T08:27:52.943-06:00More paint and countertops!It's finally starting to look like a kitchen again, with the addition of countertops yesterday.<br />
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Most of the paint is now done, though the painter will be back to do a couple of sections of the eating area ceiling and to touch up the bookcases and window seat. We have decided to keep them white, at least for the time being. We figure it is easy enough to paint them brown later if we change our minds. Right now, we are enjoying the airiness of the room and letting the red really shine!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjvf2KKQqLndOXOylPVDg6ABawmrSCJk9qY2u2DVMClMc43UVqeQRtYtBpkSyct5knqoQX-gJSjDpm7RDJSsSxU3z2t1D-oWPi99huqbGmqRD2Nf4dpxorR0axvj-uXOpjb_DylGNa_Q/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjvf2KKQqLndOXOylPVDg6ABawmrSCJk9qY2u2DVMClMc43UVqeQRtYtBpkSyct5knqoQX-gJSjDpm7RDJSsSxU3z2t1D-oWPi99huqbGmqRD2Nf4dpxorR0axvj-uXOpjb_DylGNa_Q/s400/IMG_0110.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tan colour wraps right around the room, and into the kitchen. We do have a tile backsplash going in, right up to the bottom of the cabinets, so there won't be a lot of paint in the kitchen. But it's the continuity thing, you know? The tan really makes the fireplace pop!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYn6yiCMhYrHiHMS5yjSIBlUUfyWL96USWt7PFGtOtbHevttlVZ-kB6ouXUhGzZ_vWPKDP_m5tD0XlPUu3sE2BISbM1yUZgyiUWiaPR3Zkx09Fj2PirfpooJ5N_5V3SmZnRMQ9gQSUP8/s1600/IMG_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYn6yiCMhYrHiHMS5yjSIBlUUfyWL96USWt7PFGtOtbHevttlVZ-kB6ouXUhGzZ_vWPKDP_m5tD0XlPUu3sE2BISbM1yUZgyiUWiaPR3Zkx09Fj2PirfpooJ5N_5V3SmZnRMQ9gQSUP8/s400/IMG_0117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Early morning photo of the sitting room- I think it is dark enough in the early (and late) times of the day. I really like the red to stand out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rpCBzzwf-dHIxxCwno-xUGYfAtrD3zJdDPDU_jqBRj1PAg0o9kV0gc559-D2PWUXNKcY2LBZcX4v-FTGCwIPp-u8vdYsfphOAGVxPiZekvvNtni7y1bN63EZeydzioiXNfvnz-o-u5M/s1600/IMG_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rpCBzzwf-dHIxxCwno-xUGYfAtrD3zJdDPDU_jqBRj1PAg0o9kV0gc559-D2PWUXNKcY2LBZcX4v-FTGCwIPp-u8vdYsfphOAGVxPiZekvvNtni7y1bN63EZeydzioiXNfvnz-o-u5M/s400/IMG_0106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First view of the installed countertop! It just looks gorgeous, I am so happy with it!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And how incredible is it that this is ALL workspace! Woo-hoo!!! This photo was taken late afternoon, and it shows a different light than the photo below- it IS all the same... lol</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU6NgxgvpF8lJf-Zm-tFxc4hbp0jMoPzE4Nfi_0HBzexAcF4FAm58bfTK-3nr256LUdRpT5PjxzN1FW3hrNKJT6kXrx1v43mxWo7NSJBk4JIifgzxPhlBTKRPpv_c4fy80me1XTXq2qI/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLU6NgxgvpF8lJf-Zm-tFxc4hbp0jMoPzE4Nfi_0HBzexAcF4FAm58bfTK-3nr256LUdRpT5PjxzN1FW3hrNKJT6kXrx1v43mxWo7NSJBk4JIifgzxPhlBTKRPpv_c4fy80me1XTXq2qI/s400/IMG_0118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The piece of counter on the right side of the range. I just LOVE this granite!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This morning the plumber comes to hook up the sink, the cabinet guy comes to set the last two cabinets (they sit right on the countertop because of the appliance garages), and the tile guy comes to start on the backsplash. Another busy day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We are having a fun backsplash section behind the range, a mosaic-type of stone with some random coloured glass tiles mixed in. We chose a red (of course), a root beer colour, and a really light brown glass tile for this and I think it will be really pretty. I love glass tiles- but in the mix, not as a whole backsplash.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned, I will post photos of the (hopefully) working sink later today or tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It's weird; not having a sink has really been the biggest challenge. That and blowing outlets in the garden room... lol</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-14216133576787138992010-08-28T17:54:00.001-06:002010-08-28T18:05:39.257-06:00Time for paintOnce the granite guys have the template, it takes about a week to cut, so Amy has the painter coming in.<br />
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He started with my red wall. I LOVE IT. At night you can see more of the orange in it, but it is a lovely, rich, warm colour, and I am really happy with it. It is a custom colour of paint, the colour that my new stove will be. And the stove will sit on the wall right opposite this one. Also on the long wall will be the couch, the filing cabinet/end table, and my computer desk (on the unseen right side of the door here).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGWoVtbyc_-BLhOtqve1bIPYxQzyBlUzQflIrgc4nNUV-p94YUMJKCNu6_kyiF5iSmnGfgdPVwZD2U_eey_r_8bx_BSq2-RFc1oJdvX9Zs6v34gR9IwBO1IXLp-Iu7I9kBNuyStyaiJU/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGWoVtbyc_-BLhOtqve1bIPYxQzyBlUzQflIrgc4nNUV-p94YUMJKCNu6_kyiF5iSmnGfgdPVwZD2U_eey_r_8bx_BSq2-RFc1oJdvX9Zs6v34gR9IwBO1IXLp-Iu7I9kBNuyStyaiJU/s400/IMG_0076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Waiting for a second coat</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG29hxI7iK4czqUCbuL7jlc36ifrUK4LhpUqSGDRV0f02T0AeUUB-oP63VBhoGHzfWqtLO9wZxyn4WTDn3JEadu9RwQvhPZCTXZEFbi1iOnFMYEVVn1qL07q0Mq1xZ5MVIOhmEfSLndXw/s1600/IMG_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG29hxI7iK4czqUCbuL7jlc36ifrUK4LhpUqSGDRV0f02T0AeUUB-oP63VBhoGHzfWqtLO9wZxyn4WTDn3JEadu9RwQvhPZCTXZEFbi1iOnFMYEVVn1qL07q0Mq1xZ5MVIOhmEfSLndXw/s400/IMG_0085.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Second coat finished</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn2SO0cxH3YaEYAxJrNmmTnzNkV5sHar0CRjARkW0Iu7BsnFPCA1ITS_zMoS14U7UCQ_lERcrW-Vc_pUmFkhTMoi_fJDDHnSOYaxv6kdVyPziUc5yrWaO_4vNm1DQAddHcOB8tQA0BLY/s1600/IMG_0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn2SO0cxH3YaEYAxJrNmmTnzNkV5sHar0CRjARkW0Iu7BsnFPCA1ITS_zMoS14U7UCQ_lERcrW-Vc_pUmFkhTMoi_fJDDHnSOYaxv6kdVyPziUc5yrWaO_4vNm1DQAddHcOB8tQA0BLY/s400/IMG_0077.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">How it looks coming into the kitchen from the hall. Beautiful, I think!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next the base colour went on the walls, a tan colour which we chose to go with the tile backsplash, the cabinets, and the granite. I really like this colour too. It goes really well with the red.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugt9D84og-ccEvacftq8vVSgHoEBvg86CCb2xNuAtm82wTyyLvr2nf5IEojHWYjZ9tRC2QZh9eAnMnctcjXUq26XD0w4XPZkCzFkcFGjMXvaRxjWRlhkJSBIQalhW2fFBCN1ShuzzUZo/s1600/IMG_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugt9D84og-ccEvacftq8vVSgHoEBvg86CCb2xNuAtm82wTyyLvr2nf5IEojHWYjZ9tRC2QZh9eAnMnctcjXUq26XD0w4XPZkCzFkcFGjMXvaRxjWRlhkJSBIQalhW2fFBCN1ShuzzUZo/s400/IMG_0081.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See how it looks more orange at night? I took this last night so I could see how the red and tan go together, and I like it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCueqcq8g3GNejs4r3HS9ujhjpRt4geDmj4iJZZygyeBC9RPMD_PV_8-oDwgX4ZqdEON9o0dngT3giNm2UEryATXFjHltlA8wvqbHwVnmMTc8GdwSUdDTexpH7wBdaZ1URWdzFHTWWKU/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCueqcq8g3GNejs4r3HS9ujhjpRt4geDmj4iJZZygyeBC9RPMD_PV_8-oDwgX4ZqdEON9o0dngT3giNm2UEryATXFjHltlA8wvqbHwVnmMTc8GdwSUdDTexpH7wBdaZ1URWdzFHTWWKU/s400/IMG_0082.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A little closer so you can see the bookcase and window seat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now we have a decision to make. I thought we had already made it (brown), but then the painter comes in and makes suggestions to Amy & I, and we have to really think it through.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Our designer, Amy, thinks we should paint these bookcases and window seat dark brown, to make them look like built in furniture, to warm up the room, to echo the chocolate brown of my wonderful chair that will sit across from it. And as Rich and I use this room mainly in the fall and winter to sit in front of the fire to read and relax, we don't need the space to be really light. The large window gives lots of sunlight during the day (it's a south-facing window), and we have good lighting for reading in the evenings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The painter thinks we should leave the bookcases, window seat, and fireplace mantle and showcase it in the white, to match the ceiling beams, to accent it as woodwork. He and Amy both agree that painting the mantle will mean losing its detail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Rich thinks the white is nice, now that we can see the red, tan, and white together, but he thinks it is too contemporary for the house, and he is favouring the brown.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I do think the white is sharp, and it would keep a light, airy feel to the room. But I love the thought of cozying up the space, considering what we use it for. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I know it is just paint, I know we can re-paint if we make a mistake. I just really want to get it right the first time, because once this is all done, I know I am not going to want to be put out of the space again for a good long while! lol</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-5181149730176464242010-08-28T17:40:00.000-06:002010-08-28T17:40:15.044-06:00Granite templateSo the guys were here to template the granite.<br />
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The first thing the guy said was that the iron supports that we were planning to use instead of corbels were nowhere near good enough- they were far too short. Where they end would push up on the middle of the countertop and possibly cause cracking. I would cry like a baby if that happened! lol So they have ordered longer ones, ones that will go right across to the front of the cabinet and properly counterweight it.<br />
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They made the template out of balsa wood, all stapled together.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHQkuIl5dBNr-wzfm5uRHXRfilWnBITR3RGErVQh8_KM8oBuhD5-g9Tsuc2mTF-pVE-MRgz_6MVXhPrM-HWw2i7tsiEVyShya0uYRggchnKEFNjuWD090Ayq6t3BqsA5xAuOU9i70QVg/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHQkuIl5dBNr-wzfm5uRHXRfilWnBITR3RGErVQh8_KM8oBuhD5-g9Tsuc2mTF-pVE-MRgz_6MVXhPrM-HWw2i7tsiEVyShya0uYRggchnKEFNjuWD090Ayq6t3BqsA5xAuOU9i70QVg/s400/IMG_0071.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just getting started</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jL5oaxEmdDwYcZF7nvnenpke4Ieixzftrojma7bkFPtKXyYkvbTPpsexaoJgT1FESwZzej7Rau5TYJG03nBizUffup-izVfJt8dQQrGQF7i1ceSMueQIj8g5IEqK7EiVMx02-R-aM8Y/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jL5oaxEmdDwYcZF7nvnenpke4Ieixzftrojma7bkFPtKXyYkvbTPpsexaoJgT1FESwZzej7Rau5TYJG03nBizUffup-izVfJt8dQQrGQF7i1ceSMueQIj8g5IEqK7EiVMx02-R-aM8Y/s400/IMG_0072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Figuring out where the seams will go</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8AbyXsC87N1-aq24h3L3MiFY8U8nzTySoNltHodxm3QewUvrcZ-yBsdg9qvMi_tFDQ5pm53ahH95l6cKC8yW_i8egiZ00aa23tKntIGpWz4-oDJexCIirwREoaAAF_czzdYhdxffqHY/s1600/IMG_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8AbyXsC87N1-aq24h3L3MiFY8U8nzTySoNltHodxm3QewUvrcZ-yBsdg9qvMi_tFDQ5pm53ahH95l6cKC8yW_i8egiZ00aa23tKntIGpWz4-oDJexCIirwREoaAAF_czzdYhdxffqHY/s400/IMG_0073.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Done and ready to carry out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS1NegbeQLqctCv-uXEHibENzfmdLuo8tvHAPH2UUGTQpJIMkBa9G4o7_uiIG46A-vrIjFl_UzS6qKxC7ZGpq2l1rTIf1Zh_40sC2OPQsmgxqiNd-gdg3BPRblcs_unThFvZuru-A6Lo/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwS1NegbeQLqctCv-uXEHibENzfmdLuo8tvHAPH2UUGTQpJIMkBa9G4o7_uiIG46A-vrIjFl_UzS6qKxC7ZGpq2l1rTIf1Zh_40sC2OPQsmgxqiNd-gdg3BPRblcs_unThFvZuru-A6Lo/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the three slabs we have on hold</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's hard to imagine how this will look on our counter. Both Rich and I wanted large movement in the granite as opposed to the smaller, more uniform types. I love it and can't wait to see how it looks next week!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-23563693907153339742010-08-28T17:34:00.000-06:002010-08-28T17:34:12.616-06:00Most of the cabinets...I haven't had any time to post this week, but it has been a flurry of activity here!<br />
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Most of the cabinets have been installed and I am really pleased with them!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoQmKMGSnhEtdFFw5S2qYbZxQN59zEaaPacLb4qa4iESaOHCAUGbfr1Rf90U0vK_yBgx-uevebF5FoBsXKb_PHKGeSOgrebnwrdXjn847wZduMQNvgHVQ99S6ZmKZMbTuDSQnosKSgVY/s1600/IMG_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoQmKMGSnhEtdFFw5S2qYbZxQN59zEaaPacLb4qa4iESaOHCAUGbfr1Rf90U0vK_yBgx-uevebF5FoBsXKb_PHKGeSOgrebnwrdXjn847wZduMQNvgHVQ99S6ZmKZMbTuDSQnosKSgVY/s400/IMG_0066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is where the stove and hood will go.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the microwave/convection and fridge. There will be a small pot light in that space over the fridge. What I will put there, I haven't a clue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WhoNGrNO9mWm9WH-4D1HmavvKomY7-6z6YVPtI7Dtc1hjEdOCAzbs0WD9FwXTB09S_b6OkXHgJayEOhLOc4T4uMMpmrE7ASfrTpLkSGkzlS1-DOf72_d_Q0NB2_UvtWO7HG8jLptGSk/s1600/IMG_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WhoNGrNO9mWm9WH-4D1HmavvKomY7-6z6YVPtI7Dtc1hjEdOCAzbs0WD9FwXTB09S_b6OkXHgJayEOhLOc4T4uMMpmrE7ASfrTpLkSGkzlS1-DOf72_d_Q0NB2_UvtWO7HG8jLptGSk/s400/IMG_0069.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a little butler's pantry- attached sideways onto the pantry wall and will be handy as it is on our way into the dining room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLJ_EWrFG6HnHL20-dXJWyizZS3hU0IaIqrTgeXfnzfzqDPQs2BwcIvQX8Y_VFYD65qHOu2Q-_ueVp57wGALQIk4-NIif5zSeRUqGiZaD3__V5qXjGf8YY-WFfQy1eCYhGUSyGrY95tY/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLJ_EWrFG6HnHL20-dXJWyizZS3hU0IaIqrTgeXfnzfzqDPQs2BwcIvQX8Y_VFYD65qHOu2Q-_ueVp57wGALQIk4-NIif5zSeRUqGiZaD3__V5qXjGf8YY-WFfQy1eCYhGUSyGrY95tY/s400/IMG_0070.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And my workspace, the dishwasher, and sink. The two large cabinets on the floor behind can't be installed until the granite goes in, as they go right from the counter to the ceiling- the bottoms of them are appliance garages, to store and tuck away my heavy stuff. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNb8urLK0_PmmamBy4MLEEoyWov8aUUOgje9h0QQJrzcTS3v6Qj-7Kj6L8WxVIDJC5sO6shaHV2uN0pMX_RRJeyqR_YJ2OTjiodXn7oqzxwIy246sPBcoG9AmszzNb6lIurIkC9J6ybs/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNb8urLK0_PmmamBy4MLEEoyWov8aUUOgje9h0QQJrzcTS3v6Qj-7Kj6L8WxVIDJC5sO6shaHV2uN0pMX_RRJeyqR_YJ2OTjiodXn7oqzxwIy246sPBcoG9AmszzNb6lIurIkC9J6ybs/s400/IMG_0078.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A closer view of the crown molding. Is that how it is spelled???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The shelves are all adjustable and I won't put them in till I move back into the kitchen. Which will be at least a couple more weeks I imagine. Thankfully we are able to enjoy eating outside, shopping at the Farmer's Market, and out of our garden. If we have to be put out of our kitchen, this is the ideal time to do it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-43840039243915309212010-08-23T11:17:00.000-06:002010-08-23T11:17:19.303-06:00Over the weekend reno updateFriday and Saturday were busy reno days here too.<br />
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Most of what was done was drywalling and wall/ceiling texture.<br />
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The sitting room is going to be painted as well, I think I mentioned that. We took off the chair rail (if you remember, it was dark green below) and the top was white knockdown. That's a kind of texture- which I didn't know the name of till just recently! The bottom of the wall was done in the same texture, and once it was dry, you couldn't tell the difference.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX_uY3IUw-W1YlIpsWoKXO6c14w_kQc-CCCnH9z0BrgR26BwWCVx53e-GUTelX6gFdgQp61sEFRsGGAerEe-cjbZWfZuLQGTnYIlVOqPaT10O66k5wFeOzX61Zhu3GQiYiuC-usmkFF8/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX_uY3IUw-W1YlIpsWoKXO6c14w_kQc-CCCnH9z0BrgR26BwWCVx53e-GUTelX6gFdgQp61sEFRsGGAerEe-cjbZWfZuLQGTnYIlVOqPaT10O66k5wFeOzX61Zhu3GQiYiuC-usmkFF8/s400/IMG_0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The knockdown- I don't know if you can see it well enough- if you click on the photo, it will display larger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxiLwe6h0lrCDXQ6jTjY3dz6Y2l_LMsbLmBmjIXKvjztWb-n-rReW-R2i0YvUu28nmZJHEyHJAf1SuM0VLDwGmkw04cZQTFR6UHrIrZrNXS_ExitZF4zBnU3NFX0fFZZcDCQQE0hyphenhyphen2gw/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxiLwe6h0lrCDXQ6jTjY3dz6Y2l_LMsbLmBmjIXKvjztWb-n-rReW-R2i0YvUu28nmZJHEyHJAf1SuM0VLDwGmkw04cZQTFR6UHrIrZrNXS_ExitZF4zBnU3NFX0fFZZcDCQQE0hyphenhyphen2gw/s400/IMG_0052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not quite dry, but the green is gone and the whole wall is textured.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0ZvmNV8HBLDRqmzGwWdnImxt0dikkUDmOSB8H6qj2U9r54sKAsg3_ufL5HKWAyxjBmkwRHiQoijuu5n99CjU1SF2YFbako0j3bmkUX0CnaBGgeZ5ZidSYXWyFggFZKjwICXJhOHA96Q/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0ZvmNV8HBLDRqmzGwWdnImxt0dikkUDmOSB8H6qj2U9r54sKAsg3_ufL5HKWAyxjBmkwRHiQoijuu5n99CjU1SF2YFbako0j3bmkUX0CnaBGgeZ5ZidSYXWyFggFZKjwICXJhOHA96Q/s400/IMG_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The drywall is all done and the texture on the kitchen walls and ceiling too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCxcgHZRfAcYivfsNPKNaTr1HvuyynNbOWnDjDPyyR9m-5kA9ybzwRZQdIy0oEwlP-nWuWjDn7kxh19jhkjg5CzuVDmguO49kotZnG8qIHBYnuVfq9QbNErZM-NaZw2DW6eQz21xxazY/s1600/IMG_0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCxcgHZRfAcYivfsNPKNaTr1HvuyynNbOWnDjDPyyR9m-5kA9ybzwRZQdIy0oEwlP-nWuWjDn7kxh19jhkjg5CzuVDmguO49kotZnG8qIHBYnuVfq9QbNErZM-NaZw2DW6eQz21xxazY/s400/IMG_0048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The light beam is done and will be wired like a track- without the track.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, lots of work, but not lots to see. And LOTS of mess, holy cow. I feel like we are eating dust! When people warned me about it, I had no idea... it gets everywhere!!! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My biggest challenge has been my lack of ability to get into the fridge at will. I need to plan better...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are very excited- today the cabinets are being put in. They are beautiful! I will be back later today or tomorrow morning with another post to catch you up!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-43184613736089152082010-08-23T11:06:00.000-06:002010-08-23T11:06:16.775-06:00Western Welcome Week 2010The Western Welcome Week parade marks the end of the summer for the kids and the beginning of the official marching season. If you follow my blog, you know that this is Heidi's third year with the Columbine Rebels Marching Band- and Chloe will likely follow in her footsteps next year. I guess that means I will be sticking around with the band too... lol<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oszHAfT__YChgZaF15gqpYuC26qX4Mdme-vSErqn90OFzNonlzpJe3pyzCM_2wX18PjH6uW17F5wa7E4hOU_5uwy9Z9tz4cIOQoBTAjVWQ4gZDZcbBnJdbLf2Qe_TcFsiqWeTM48O1I/s1600/DSC_0720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oszHAfT__YChgZaF15gqpYuC26qX4Mdme-vSErqn90OFzNonlzpJe3pyzCM_2wX18PjH6uW17F5wa7E4hOU_5uwy9Z9tz4cIOQoBTAjVWQ4gZDZcbBnJdbLf2Qe_TcFsiqWeTM48O1I/s400/DSC_0720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A view of Littleton downtown, looking west.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Columbine High School Rebels Marching Band!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yzzz9CrNyEYqPjRL4wV0CdmmJ7fN9j-nldrn2An-FiHjBURymc276P8tBayqnyFCuUB_YEEj_X8dXQkG4pYLDwVYUzMbewQkxQKMEd_wiEE-PpAS7M51jrhG5VIpYdTS5FqKWKbUgmQ/s1600/DSC_0739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6yzzz9CrNyEYqPjRL4wV0CdmmJ7fN9j-nldrn2An-FiHjBURymc276P8tBayqnyFCuUB_YEEj_X8dXQkG4pYLDwVYUzMbewQkxQKMEd_wiEE-PpAS7M51jrhG5VIpYdTS5FqKWKbUgmQ/s400/DSC_0739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>That's my girl right in the middle of the mellophone section! (second girl from the left of the photo)</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHEJ1-Vm3L-9vLS0X-AzBF5HV3kCbdqTXbu76MYCDwsBgLfl2rMRSW1KaHD7URx6ZEfRdPJrzCaUkspteWTDOYBjW35jGc25RtgXUD-2hLuCMkIlltPDEJ4l4FP3XFHyKYsT_brPRQaw/s1600/DSC_0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnHEJ1-Vm3L-9vLS0X-AzBF5HV3kCbdqTXbu76MYCDwsBgLfl2rMRSW1KaHD7URx6ZEfRdPJrzCaUkspteWTDOYBjW35jGc25RtgXUD-2hLuCMkIlltPDEJ4l4FP3XFHyKYsT_brPRQaw/s400/DSC_0740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div>And again, going right by me. I'm not proud or anything. lol</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These kids are so talented and dedicated- they work SO hard! They practice two nights a week for 2.5 hours each time, and all day every Saturday- in addition to having practice/class every school day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was blazing hot out there and they must have been melting. But you would never have known it- they looked and sounded fantastic!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Looks like the Rebels are off to a great start!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3880920617285030742.post-22556177486730447382010-08-20T15:02:00.001-06:002010-08-20T15:04:05.484-06:00Renos updates<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> are nearing the end of the first week and have made some progress!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The beam we thought was load-bearing and wasn't, has presented us with another challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To build it back up with a 2x4 makes it too narrow to match the wall it attaches to, and it is too narrow to attach the pendant lights the way we planned.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">To build it up with a 1x6 would accommodate the pendants but require us to build up the opposing wall to match, pushing all the cabinets down the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully I am married to an electrical engineer who suggested using just one transformer for the three lights, instead of trying to accommodate for one for each. It will work, and the details- well, I don't really get it. What I have explained is about what I "get"... lol<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngb82W3SLv3nzL75s3Vou5S_NdMc4Q_A-Rmtgtq32UmNY33LfNfkcD2i0NJDDL-aycnHovVn_CfGvQNB8PRPdlOdMq2lsY7mnn3ZLR_H-Sp-PsAJkurWa5q7YKFd0bRRXbuLysvl24io/s1600/IMG_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngb82W3SLv3nzL75s3Vou5S_NdMc4Q_A-Rmtgtq32UmNY33LfNfkcD2i0NJDDL-aycnHovVn_CfGvQNB8PRPdlOdMq2lsY7mnn3ZLR_H-Sp-PsAJkurWa5q7YKFd0bRRXbuLysvl24io/s400/IMG_0042.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The drywall has been replaced and patched, outlets and switch boxes put in, the sitting room wall has been sanded and patched where the chair rail was removed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can see the red on the walls here- the paint store matched the colour of my new stove and we will paint that long wall red. We have chosen a taupe colour for what of the kitchen wall will show, and a chocolate brown (to match my chair) to paint the bookcases and fireplace mantle. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAQy2hw0HLEJ-mttU4emaP7mPw8CZEVRXeTLNy-EKFUscxGpQBpwYOxfZ_H1t81f-iUFfQm5diHwcEicwEYqDSXWnQlHoWK16ulXrtYv2dgIJxRuueZDtVkuGJVjTrjUEM6oBztl_MHc/s1600/IMG_0044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAQy2hw0HLEJ-mttU4emaP7mPw8CZEVRXeTLNy-EKFUscxGpQBpwYOxfZ_H1t81f-iUFfQm5diHwcEicwEYqDSXWnQlHoWK16ulXrtYv2dgIJxRuueZDtVkuGJVjTrjUEM6oBztl_MHc/s400/IMG_0044.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's looking so much better with stuff patched and sanded.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL2we5y_iM-qd2Y_JjQl8jxi7rZiJi0c3niJX6k-ltUMeuRPPWlB2aj2qsw2qA10c8ftaT7ayf1KV8nUJ5EoqzlCw-eizpDAJ-faHubaSJFJsWa-QxHKnH5YgvHIe8BC41jo_WyMvBEY/s1600/IMG_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnL2we5y_iM-qd2Y_JjQl8jxi7rZiJi0c3niJX6k-ltUMeuRPPWlB2aj2qsw2qA10c8ftaT7ayf1KV8nUJ5EoqzlCw-eizpDAJ-faHubaSJFJsWa-QxHKnH5YgvHIe8BC41jo_WyMvBEY/s400/IMG_0043.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuSPdae2SYGJHVF-KmGnbd91QULxYhNhzoANWhaodpIOjMUljvg5n3T5_jDuf6JMvKVz5a0JusPIyedpcI38W9vOo4Jid2Sk5BWLO69VPw0_n4ni3lkAYJvyvKHs9q67NNAMcvy7qPa4/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuSPdae2SYGJHVF-KmGnbd91QULxYhNhzoANWhaodpIOjMUljvg5n3T5_jDuf6JMvKVz5a0JusPIyedpcI38W9vOo4Jid2Sk5BWLO69VPw0_n4ni3lkAYJvyvKHs9q67NNAMcvy7qPa4/s400/IMG_0045.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOQIEDyDGO8-ncjCwZuTZqI6mpLGLirhqNcv3nx8xkYgEWiDyBy7GSXm_s7IJu-ZAlIwddzsA19HA968YRlwPD-uV6eTjRfciz5M4oR2vIo21eMwxYKGh1qQyBIVyrVLcuzqIuIMR65I/s1600/IMG_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOQIEDyDGO8-ncjCwZuTZqI6mpLGLirhqNcv3nx8xkYgEWiDyBy7GSXm_s7IJu-ZAlIwddzsA19HA968YRlwPD-uV6eTjRfciz5M4oR2vIo21eMwxYKGh1qQyBIVyrVLcuzqIuIMR65I/s400/IMG_0046.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Amy and I had to take another trip up to the granite place yesterday to choose the slab I like best to put on the island portion of the counter. The granite is called Golden Ray and is gorgeous- I can't wait to see it installed!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMjG_9aALIx0G7BgF3xAbndFBtwUDtWA1p8phsToPcrq5I_ew0XcfIIiqfWlczBMQzVezd1c4_V7XHcaNB7URCn5s9CGCH4oNL4SNZYw0qyO7vO9MH69Voe_MGHRvb6tp-slA6Wy7Seo/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFMjG_9aALIx0G7BgF3xAbndFBtwUDtWA1p8phsToPcrq5I_ew0XcfIIiqfWlczBMQzVezd1c4_V7XHcaNB7URCn5s9CGCH4oNL4SNZYw0qyO7vO9MH69Voe_MGHRvb6tp-slA6Wy7Seo/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This photo makes it look like there is some greenish colour in it, but you don't see that in person. In any case, there is lots of movement and interest in this, and I am sure however it gets laid out will be beautiful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">They have started patching the floor where necessary and tomorrow is set aside for finishing the drywall- plus whatever else crops up, I guess.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The cabinets were delivered this morning and the garage is full of huge cardboard boxes! They are due to be installed on Monday and then they will template the granite on Wednesday, assuming that everything goes according to plan... lol</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I will keep you updated- in between trying to stay on top of this horrible dust mess that is EVERYWHERE!!!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0