tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87862754642775545392024-02-12T17:08:27.237-08:00The Top 5 Reasons I Do What I DoSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.comBlogger931125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-82559620637594506292023-03-05T18:10:00.000-08:002023-03-05T18:10:29.356-08:00Progress Report<p>This was a long week. Workwise. Familywise. And emotionally. Most of which it doesn't feel like my place to share. I had a hellacious day Wednesday. Day job was busy. Side gig was busy and had issues that required a redo. Thursday was much the same without the redo. BLAH. I finally caught up Friday with the day job so hopefully this next week will be more manageable.</p><p>The Main Habits I'm Tracking:</p><p> 1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days.</p><p> 2) 20 Minutes Walking -- I haven't done a concentrated walk. It's still a goal though so I'm leaving it up here. However, I have started tracking the days I at least met my step goal per my pedometer and that was a wonderful 5 of 7 days this week.</p><p> 3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 7 of 7 days. I failed to read a non-fiction book in February so my goal is to read/listen to two this month. I actually started one yesterday and have another I need to transfer from my email to my ereader. It's been forever since I had an epub book I had to charge and restart my poor Nook! </p><p> 4) Work Writing -- 3 of 7 days. This was a major miss week due aforementioned long week.</p><p> 5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days. I ended up writing a page of my frustrations out Wednesday but that was expected. I struggled to come up with 3 things I was grateful for Wednesday and Thursday but did manage it.</p><p> 6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 3 of 7 days. I get three in pretty easily most days but that final one it hard if I don't get it drunk before I get home from work. (I mean, who wants to be up multiple times a night? LOL)</p><p>I'm feeling the financial pinch since the first payday in March is always small due to the short pay period at the end of February. Definitely tightening the belt. Hopefully, the other contributors to the monthly expenses step up to the plate. </p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-33716108289059613342023-02-26T14:24:00.001-08:002023-02-26T14:24:24.901-08:00Weekly Progress<p> For a short week it sure felt long. I took last Friday off which gave me a nice four-day weekend. I got quite a bit done on my current writing project. The goal is to get that bad boy done and edited by summer. I'm not putting a specific date on it but am aiming for June, I would be happy with July though.</p><p>The Main Habits I'm Tracking:</p><p> 1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days.</p><p> 2) 20 Minutes Walking -- I haven't done a concentrated walk. It's still a goal though so I'm leaving it up here. Per my pedometer, I'm averaging 1.5 miles of walking per day which I'm happy about. </p><p> 3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 4 of 7 days. I've failed so far this month to read a non-fiction book - Sigh. </p><p> 4) Work Writing -- 5 of 7 days. I began to process of moving my WIP back into Scrivener. It's a bit easier to move scenes around when you need to. </p><p> 5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days. No real surprises this week during my review. I fought some stress headaches though. </p><p> 6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 2 of 7 days. I get three in pretty easily most days but that final one it hard if I don't get it drunk before I get home from work. (I mean, who wants to be up multiple times a night? LOL)</p><p>I can't believe we're moving into March already. This year is just flying by.</p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-40066035451986283732023-02-19T15:08:00.002-08:002023-02-26T14:10:02.055-08:00Weekly Progress Times Two<p> Well, oops. Superbowl and all that.</p><p>The Main Habits I'm Tracking:</p><p> 1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days - both weeks.</p><p> 2) 20 Minutes Walking -- I haven't done a concentrated walk. It's still a goal though so I'm leaving it up here. Per my pedometer, I'm averaging 1.5 miles of walking per day which I'm happy about. </p><p> 3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 6 of 7 days - both weeks. I've failed so far this month to read a non-fiction book - Sigh. </p><p> 4) Work Writing -- 6 of 7 days - for last week. 7 of 7 days for this week. I've actually been trying to get my WIP plotted to my satisfaction this weekend. </p><p> 5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days - both weeks. No surprises this week during by review for either week. Though I was hard pressed to find 3 one day this week due to some work related drama that was resolved the following day.</p><p> 6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 3 of 7 - both weeks. Which seems wrong so I may have forgotten to record this accurately.</p><p>I've started the whole take care of medical stuff I've been putting off. I had my doctor's appointment with my primary care doctor this week. I was even able to get my labs done that day. Cologuard arrived in the mail yesterday so that will be taken care of this week. I have a mammogram scheduled - joy :snicker: and I have my dermatology appointment scheduled. Definite progress on that front. Go me.</p><p>I need to find a short non-fiction book for the little over a week I have left in the month!</p><p>Short and sweet today :)</p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-78416112684846467112023-02-05T13:55:00.001-08:002023-02-05T13:55:37.076-08:00Weekly Progress<p>I felt tired most of this last week and I'm not sure why. We wrapped up January and moved into February and it's a bit mindboggling how fast the year is going. I did complete my non-fiction book for January. I listened to <a href="https://amzn.to/3I0lAka" target="_blank">Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose</a> though I also have the paperback version as well. This is definitely one of those books I suspect I'll gain more each time I read/listen to it. I recommend it if you want to learn more about deep reading whether or not your goal is to be a better writer. I still need to decide on my non-fiction book for February. </p><p>The Main Habits I'm Tracking:</p><p> 1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days.</p><p> 2) 20 Minutes Walking -- I haven't done a concentrated walk. It's still a goal though so I'm leaving it up here. Per my pedometer, I'm averaging 1.5 miles of walking per day which I'm happy about. </p><p> 3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 6 of 7 days, including wrapping up my non-fiction book for the month as noted above. </p><p> 4) Work Writing -- 5 of 7 days, including some editing for<a href="https://joelysueburkhart.com/"> Joely. </a>Run, don't walk, and pick up <a href="https://amzn.to/3HWY0ow" target="_blank">One Cut Deeper by Joely Sue Burkhart</a> and fall in love with Charlie and Ranay.</p><p> 5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days -- No real surprises this week.</p><p> 6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 4 of 7 -- The calendar reminder is definitely helping. I'm also tracking this on my pedometer. </p><p>My plan was to do another no book buy month for February but I already kicked that to the curb. I'll have to come up with another thing to apply to February for my no-spend goals for the year. </p><p>I decided to take my trip. It's a bit scary because I really can't afford it and continue with my plan to be debt free by May/June of next year. However, yesterday, I bought my flight and ticket to <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lls23-mysteries-magic-mayhem-mastery-and-monsters-tickets-375193021427" target="_blank">LLS M5</a> and reserved the hotel in Savannah. I plan to take advantage of this trip to visit friends in Miami and, maybe, Fort Mill. This trip will tick the box of going somewhere I've never been before - Savannah. Joely and Molly will be at LLS as attending authors so it will be a blast no matter how it shakes down.</p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-1156249059540237352023-01-29T14:05:00.000-08:002023-01-29T14:05:28.239-08:00Weekly Progress<p> As discovered last week, Sunday makes more sense so on we go.</p><p>Moulin Rouge was everything it was billed to be. We had a fantastic time.</p><p>The Main Habits I'm Tracking:</p><p> 1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days.</p><p> 2) 20 Minutes Walking -- I actually got this in once this week. It wasn't all at once but I got outside for about 20 minutes yesterday. I also pulled out my pedometer and got that set up again yesterday. I managed to hit about 63% of my step goal. </p><p> 3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 7 of 7 days, including 3 more chapters on my non-fiction book for this month. I have three chapters left which is about two hours of listening. </p><p> 4) Work Writing -- 2 of 7 days. I missed Wednesday due to the show and Thursday was spent catching up on side gig work because of the show.</p><p> 5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days -- The biggest thing that came through in my review is that I created cleaning focuses for each weekend day and have been feeling productive in that area this week.</p><p> 6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 4 of 7 -- The calendar reminder is definitely helping. I'm also tracking this on my pedometer. </p><p>I broke my no book buying. Sigh. There was a flash sale. It was only 99 cents but my streak is broken. I will likely attempt this again for February. I have a bunch of books on Audible just waiting for me to find the time to listen plus a number of Kindle books I can read.</p><p>The other reason is I'm planning a trip. I won't commit until I know what's happening with the next season at the Smith Center (preview coming February 6th) but I'm getting my ducks in a row. On one hand, I really shouldn't do the trip because that won't help me get debt free in 18 months. On the other hand, it ticks off the box of taking a vacation somewhere I've never been before. I need to live. I can't keep putting things off without feeling like I'm drowning. The trip will also give me the opportunity to connect with someone I haven't seen since I lived in Florida along with some people I met during a business trip a few years ago in South Carolina. Like I said, just getting my ducks in a row right now.</p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-47421867555940883092023-01-22T11:56:00.000-08:002023-01-22T11:56:18.134-08:00Oops - A Day Late - Weekly Progress<p>Well I have egg on my face...if I ate eggs anyway. I was in bed, doing my gratitude journaling when I realized I'd forgotten to do this little task. But, all things considered, Sunday is probably a better day for it anyway. </p><p>I spent a bit of time yesterday getting my budget/cash flow worksheet set up for the year. I really like this system and you use it in Google Docs so you have it anywhere: <a href="https://cashflow.truemoneysaver.com/" target="_blank">True Money Saver</a>. I highly recommend it. Just my own laziness that I didn't do this on the 1st of the year like usual. But hey, I was de-Christmas-ing the house on the 1st.</p><p>I also spent a bit of time yesterday finetuning the habits etc. I'm tracking in the spreadsheet I downloaded from <a href="https://emilyexcels.com/" target="_blank">Emily Excels</a> previously mentioned. I've broken the list into Morning, Noon, Evening, and Night groups along with a Review group. </p><p>The Main Habits I'm Tracking:</p><p><span> </span>1) Morning Affirmations -- 7 of 7 days.</p><p><span> </span>2) 20 Minutes Walking -- HA HA HA, that'd be a big ol' no this week (I'm keeping it on here because I REALLY, REALLY need to get back into this habit).</p><p><span> </span>3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 7 of 7 days, including 2 more chapters on my non-fiction book for this month. I need to get on the ball with this though because the next two chapters are LONG.</p><p><span> </span>4) Work Writing -- 7 of 7 days.</p><p><span> </span>5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 7of 7 days -- I didn't really do a review last night but it was a pretty basic week with no surprises.</p><p><span> </span>6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 4 of 7 -- I did quite a bit better this week. I made a calendar reminder for myself to drink 24 ozs four times a day which really helped keep me on track.</p><p>I've held to my no book buying though I was really tempted to break it yesterday when I learned of a flash sale by one of my go-to authors. I haven't got around to the other books in that series yet and in the end, that is what stayed my hand.</p><p>I'm looking forward to the <a href="https://thesmithcenter.com/tickets/2223/moulin-rouge/" target="_blank">Moulin Rouge Musical</a> this Wednesday. Even though it is sometimes challenging to find someone to go to the Smith Center with me, I love having season tickets to the Broadway series. We get a preview for the 23-24 season on February 6th. </p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-22871257587447330392023-01-14T17:57:00.001-08:002023-01-22T11:57:44.374-08:00Weekly Progress<p>Week Two is almost a wrap.</p><p>Fun event this last week was seeing To Kill a Mockingbird at the <a href="https://thesmithcenter.com/" target="_blank">Smith Center</a> with Ian. Normally, I'll read the program before the show starts but Ian and I were talking/catching up. I spent the entire first act recognizing the voice of the actor portraying Atticus Finch but not placing it. (My seats are good but without binoculars, you'd be hard pressed to see individual faces. Since focusing on faces via binoculars means missing other aspects of what's happening on stage, I no longer even take them to shows.) Of course the minute the lights went up for intermission I was looking up Atticus...it was none other than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Thomas_(actor)" target="_blank">Richard Thomas</a>! Another I recognized was <a href="https://www.playbill.com/person/jeff-still-vault-0000115353" target="_blank">Jeff Still</a>! Yeah, a bit of a fan girl moment.</p><p>Habits I'm tracking:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">1) Morning Affirmations -- 6 of 7 days </p><p style="text-align: left;">2) 20 Minutes Walking -- HA HA HA, that'd be a big ol' no this week</p><p style="text-align: left;">3) 20 Minutes Reading -- 3 of 7 days</p></blockquote><p>I created a quick and dirty Google Docs sheet to track my reading. Nothing fancy, just title, series/book number, author, month completed, and format (ie: paper, ebook, audio book, etc.). I used to keep a much more detailed list back when I barrowed from the library more and paper was my default format. With Kindle, I can just drop completed books into a collection and call it good. As of today, I've read nine books this year and did a beta read for <a href="https://joelysueburkhart.com/" target="_blank">Joely</a>. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">4) Work Writing -- 4 of 7 days, I completed my read through of my current WIP and added 1k new words...Yay!</p><p style="text-align: left;">5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 6 of 7 days (haven't done tonight's yet) - I'll do my weekly review of the journal I'm keeping for this tonight</p><p style="text-align: left;">6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 1 of 7, which isn't to say I don't drink water daily I just didn't meet my daily goal of 4</p></blockquote><p>I had two items I wanted to complete this week 1) scan and shred papers on desk - done, and 2) schedule doctor's appointment with primary care doctor - done.</p><p>I've been successful in not buying any books this month. Though I admit to adding some to my wish list.</p><p>Today has been insanely productive on the cleaning front and I was able to tick off a lot of items from my to-do list. I'm pleasantly tired.</p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-83008859704265737142023-01-07T17:49:00.001-08:002023-01-22T11:56:39.635-08:00Weekly Progress <p> Well, that's one week almost wrapped.</p><p>I'll start by saying I downloaded a spreadsheet from <a href="https://emilyexcels.com/" target="_blank">emilyexcels.com</a> to help track my progress. It's a pretty simple spreadsheet I have in Google Docs and I probably could have recreated it but why. </p><p>Habits I'm tracking:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;">1) Morning Affirmations -- <span>7 of 7 days</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>2) 20 Minutes Walking -- <span>HA HA HA, that'd be a big ol' no this week</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span>3) 20 Minutes Reading -- <span>7 of 7 days, including 2 chapters on my non-fiction book for this month</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>4) Work Writing -- 3 of 7 days</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>5) Name 3 Gratitudes -- 6 of 7 days (haven't done tonight's yet) - I'll do my weekly review of the journal I'm keeping for this tonight</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span>6) Drink 4 "bottles" of water -- 1 of 7, which isn't to say I don't drink water daily I just didn't meet my daily goal of 4</span></span></span></p></blockquote><p>I have what I need to schedule my primary care doctor appointment - step one of my mole removal goal.</p><p>I successfully did not buy any new books this week as part of my January no spend month.</p><p>For a short work week, it was a crazy one. I'm feeling pretty positive about my progress so far.</p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-62500254514547297052022-12-31T18:12:00.001-08:002022-12-31T18:12:22.035-08:00Hello 2023<p>I'm going to dust this ol' blog off so I can have some accountability, even if no one reads it, I'm at least putting it out in the world.</p><p>Here we are at the end of another year. Resolutions. Goals. Intentions. However you want to label it, we all seem to attempt it. I'm no different. I've been in a kind of limbo since 2020 and COVID and I really need to get back on the horse so to speak.</p><p>There are a number of areas I want to focus on this year. So, in no particular order:</p><p>1) I intend to read/listen to12 non-fiction books this year. I already have the first one queued up on <a href="https://www.audible.com/" target="_blank">Audible</a>. I figure one book a month is very doable</p><p>2) I intend to be more active. Pre-COVID I was walking 2 miles a day. With my kid taxi schedule I won't be able to attempt that for a bit. To start, I am committing to walking <u>outside</u> for 20 minutes a day as soon as I get home from work. </p><p>3) I want to have a more positive attitude. I'm committing to 5 minutes of affirmations each morning as soon as I wake up (instead of scrolling through emails or social media) and naming 3 things I'm grateful for each night before bed. I plan to keep a notebook to track my feelings and progress.</p><p>4) I've been putting off getting a mole removed. I will schedule an appointment with my primary care doctor so I can get that referral. Hopefully, I can have this resolved by summer. (I would also like to get in to the dentist -- funds permitting -- for a full cleaning/filling type appointment by the end of the year.)</p><p>5) I will finish my photo organization and back-up project by summer. It's one of those things that is easily derailed by other things.</p><p>6) I intend to reduce my debt by at least half (excluding my car loan that I'm starting over with but that's a story for another day, or not) by the end of the year. I will schedule no spend months like no buying books in January. Using the snowball method, I should be able to be debt free in 18 months (excluding my car loan). </p><p>7) I want to take a real vacation. Not that visiting family isn't great or a priority, but I want to go somewhere I've never been before. If I can't make this work for 2023 due to funds (see that whole debt thing above) I want to at least have something planned for 2024 and saving toward it.</p><p>8) I want to work on my writing more. As <a href="https://joelysueburkhart.com/goodbye-2022/" target="_blank">Joely Sue Burkhart</a> said, it could be a good side income. That means working my craft and actually completing something! I have a project I've been working on and my goal is to have it drafted, and hopefully edited, by July. (Dare I link this to Joely?!)</p><p>9) I will finish my scan and shred project by the end of the year. No. More. Paper. Like the photo project above, this is easily derailed by other things.</p><p>10) I always seem to lose some of my PTO at work. I will schedule mental health days and take at least one day off every other month for no reason other than me time.</p><p>Well, look at that...I ended up with a Top 10 List.</p><p>Okay, for the accountability aspect of this whole thing, I will post my results weekly. Since this is publishing on a Saturday, I'll stick with that. </p><p>On the off chance someone reads this, what are your intentions for 2023? </p><p>Happy New Year! I hope 2023 is an amazing year for all of us.</p><p><br /></p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638344266358269539noreply@blogger.com0Nevada, USA38.8026097 -116.41938910.492375863821152 -151.575639 67.112843536178843 -81.263139tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-30920879433957079262011-08-10T05:24:00.000-07:002011-08-10T05:24:01.270-07:00Whirling WednesdaySorry for the blog silence.<br />
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Soon after returning from our vacation I found out I'd run out of image space here on the ol' blog. I did a quick sweep and deleted duplicates, old headers, etc. but am still dangerously close to the free storage max. I'm left with a challenge.<br />
<ul><li>Do I delete the images from the older posts, say from 2007 through 2009?</li>
<li>Do I pull the images, re-size them smaller, and re-post? </li>
<li>Do I bite the bullet and PAY for extra storage?</li>
<li>Do I call it a good run and wrap the blog up?</li>
</ul>I suspect, whichever way I go, things will be very quiet around here until after school starts again when I'll actually have time to tweak things.<br />
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Speaking of school...<br />
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The school supplies have been bought with the exception of new backpacks. Hair cuts are on tap for this weekend. I need to do a final inventory to make sure everyone has appropriate clothing (3 of the 4 have to wear 'standard attire') and fill any gaps.<br />
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Then we have Back to School Day for Cam at middle school so he can get his locker assignment and class schedule. Seventh grade...it's hard to believe.<br />
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The following day is a parent only Kinder orientation for Robbie. My baby :whine: Can I just say this is completely bittersweet? I'm excited for him and this next stage but he's the last one to head off to school. A part of me is looking forward to the 3 hours of quiet I'll have each afternoon yet I think that's going to wear off sooner than I expect, LOL<br />
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Finally, we'll have the general orientation at the elementary school for all 3 boys to meet their teachers, drop off supplies, and all that fun stuff.<br />
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And Monday, August 29th, school is back in session :throws confetti:Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-56964925488454624872011-08-04T05:35:00.000-07:002011-08-04T05:35:00.159-07:00The Road HomeThe road home from our annual vacation to see family in Oregon was paved in hell, LOL<br />
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We were cruising along, making decent time, when Mark noticed a noise. He didn't even have time to identify it before this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWYM193f0S_sQPkR3ge_Ih3SdgU5KxpkBm1lU_37Jt-Z7Tso7Vo1nNCmqvpUGYapstCatblIYIuEev-PCaz6IdNHrlhmXUznogWJJhsbx09tLh8QOqSBfrNv7SrhfrVQu6p9IrETssA/s1600/P7177799+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWYM193f0S_sQPkR3ge_Ih3SdgU5KxpkBm1lU_37Jt-Z7Tso7Vo1nNCmqvpUGYapstCatblIYIuEev-PCaz6IdNHrlhmXUznogWJJhsbx09tLh8QOqSBfrNv7SrhfrVQu6p9IrETssA/s320/P7177799+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
He was able to get us safely to the side of the road. Thankfully, no one was hurt and no accidents occurred.<br />
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Loaded for the trip home, getting to our jack was not easy, LOL. Because we have just the standard factory jack we figured we'd have to unload the majority of the van to use it safely thus elected to call on AAA. The rain helped decide it :)<br />
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Waiting for AAA to show up...<br />
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Then the decision: continue on to the next city and hope we can find a tire store open or turn around and hope to find a tire store open at the previous city.<br />
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Did I forget to mention it was Sunday afternoon when this happened? Sorry. <br />
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We continued on figuring worst case scenario we'd have better luck finding a hotel for the night. We squeaked in by the skin of our emergency spare tire -- why don't they put full-sized spares on vehicles anymore? -- into the Eugene Sears service bay 15 minutes to closing. (<em>Huge shout out of thanks guys in Sears Automotive! You saved our bacon</em>.) <br />
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Trying not to completely waste the stop we went to dinner. All this put us 3 hours behind schedule and we ended up driving through Death Valley in the heat of the day.<br />
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Did I mention we were loaded down? We had to turn off the A/C a couple times while driving through Death Valley to make sure the poor van didn't over heat. (Yeah, that would have been the icing on the cake of the trip.)<br />
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After four years of making this trip I guess we were due but boy was this the neverending trip. <br />
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We had a challenge on the way up too, you can read about that <a href="http://raelynbarclay.wordpress.com/2011/07/14/budding-author-in-the-house/">here</a>, but that one ended up being kinda cool :)<br />
<br />
<strong>What trip from hell have you experienced? </strong>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-74569684718661929582011-08-03T05:24:00.000-07:002011-08-03T05:24:00.524-07:00Me Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-Te1V3kbU3UgkacRk4Ym2-osQAxalPLh_oIWPcbZzWkPX94Bnw0sjgsyYOszL7mSQDaGQyafOfxUy08IhTe3Q_A9lNXFVWh4AjjDEi1EUMMaZxZ1KKSK3LutOifz-a7t3eimtEjymw/s1600/P7137556+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-Te1V3kbU3UgkacRk4Ym2-osQAxalPLh_oIWPcbZzWkPX94Bnw0sjgsyYOszL7mSQDaGQyafOfxUy08IhTe3Q_A9lNXFVWh4AjjDEi1EUMMaZxZ1KKSK3LutOifz-a7t3eimtEjymw/s200/P7137556+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="133" /></a></div>While on vacation, I made sure to get <i>me time</i>. (Don't worry. Mark got some <i>guy time</i> and long overdue <em>family time</em> with his parents.) <br />
<ul><li>It came in the form of dinner and a movie with BFF.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Getting a pedicure with Debbie...a long overdue pedi! Is it my imagination or is this color the same as my avatar? Oh well, the pedicures were a few years apart.</li>
</ul><ul><li>Going to the Highland Games. Of course one of the best parts of going to the games was spending time with Debbie and Helena! </li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS9fQ9i-RE-Rq4tgKpqiVOKO_pKIrG5mzZdEhVUWyYnYfbgpChbnF7wGirSs-j6U1G8HofTaQ3feiB_Dw8JCk9UD7NyCn1vOBQ1H1p8bUslAxZ33dWcQaG-80oFaMtervg7kJWqjFwQ/s1600/P7167572+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS9fQ9i-RE-Rq4tgKpqiVOKO_pKIrG5mzZdEhVUWyYnYfbgpChbnF7wGirSs-j6U1G8HofTaQ3feiB_Dw8JCk9UD7NyCn1vOBQ1H1p8bUslAxZ33dWcQaG-80oFaMtervg7kJWqjFwQ/s200/P7167572+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="132" /></a></div>While at the games, niece Helena, found this shop and bought one of these hair do-dads. Is this not gorgeous? Yeah, I was whining about my lost hair. I've got the business card :) and a reason to grow out my hair again, LOLSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-24343688212721062452011-08-02T05:29:00.000-07:002011-08-15T15:58:02.927-07:00Book Review: The Devil to Pay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055LHRSM/ref=as_li_tf_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0055LHRSM" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0055LHRSM&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thto5reidowhi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0055LHRSM&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
<blockquote><i>The road to Hell is paved with good intentions and bad tequila. Shannon McKee finds herself at the end of her rope, and she offers her soul to whoever can save her first.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, she sends that request to both agencies. Shannon’s plea is answered immediately by two men who couldn’t be more different from one another. Yet they share a bond and an affection for the stubborn Miss McKee that even they don’t understand.<br />
<br />
When Heaven and Hell demand their payment, Shannon has no choice but to submit. No matter who gets her soul, she’s not getting out of this alive.</i></blockquote>My lovely friend <a href="http://mariazannini.blogspot.com/">Maria Zannini</a> sent me a copy of her new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055LHRSM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0055LHRSM">The Devil To Pay</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B0055LHRSM&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />. Thank you! (She didn't ask me to <strike>pimp</strike> review it.) <br />
<br />
This is Maria's first foray into indie publishing and I think she nailed it with a great cover, clean editing and formatting, and her usual amazing storytelling. <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66088?ref=PeachesNCream">The Devil to Pay</a> is the first book in her <em>Second Chances</em> series.<br />
<br />
At novella length (about 55 pages) there wasn't an overwhelming amount of world-building, just enough to ground the reader in the story, but what there was Maria peppered throughout the narrative and made every word work for its space in the story. Amazing characters but because this is the start of a series we don't learn everything about them. <br />
<br />
We're pulled into the story by a situation I think most of us can relate to in this economy and we care about Shannon, worry about how she's going to get out of her predicament. Delicious hero number one walks in. Just when you think maybe Shannon has an answer...well, then it gets complicated :) <br />
<br />
The story came to a conclusion, all the questions for THAT plot were dealt with, and the series was nicely set up. Still, I was left a bit disappointed in the ending. I can't completely put my finger on it. Perhaps it is that the romance wasn't resolved. But I have faith in the story and trust Maria. After all, this is the set-up of a series, and oh, there are so many ways things can go!<br />
<br />
As a self-published series, I'm crossing fingers the wait won't be long between releases. What are you waiting for? Go pick up your copy of <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/66088?ref=PeachesNCream">The Devil to Pay</a> today :)Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-7861111145475801492011-07-31T05:29:00.000-07:002011-07-31T05:29:00.963-07:00July Reading Summary<strong>Total number of books read:</strong> 10 (I'm actually surprised I got through that many this month as I slacked quite a bit in July.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hpTuzIEHx7yzLE42JItt_Aq5ORS2Rgl5OkbAWpjsQnjqj5I7qQEvv79KL5Hr2ROxbIRhjn0ObvTUFYSpih_IcRUyBqf3hp_-YoINHDaBIXoX4fSiwtmeVgxSBmgTPDEbwMk17U98UdI/s1600/2011bookstoread.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hpTuzIEHx7yzLE42JItt_Aq5ORS2Rgl5OkbAWpjsQnjqj5I7qQEvv79KL5Hr2ROxbIRhjn0ObvTUFYSpih_IcRUyBqf3hp_-YoINHDaBIXoX4fSiwtmeVgxSBmgTPDEbwMk17U98UdI/s1600/2011bookstoread.gif" /></a></div><strong>Monthly reading goals:</strong><br />
<br />
<ol><li><strong>1 new-to-me author each month</strong> -- <a href="http://www.staceykennedy.com/">Stacey Kennedy</a></li>
<li><strong>4 genres/sub-genres each month</strong> <em>(I'm adding to that at least one book a month must be non-fiction and/or writing related.)</em> -- Non-fiction (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005455MSG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005455MSG">No More Blank Screen: Blogging Ideas for Fiction Authors</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B005455MSG&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by Krista D Ball), Romance (<a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/49693?ref=PeachesNCream">Indian Moon</a> by Carolyn McCray), M/M Romance (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608200884/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1608200884">Conquest</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1608200884&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by SJ Frost), Steampunk (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RQD40G/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004RQD40G">The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004RQD40G&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by Catherine Bell), Paranormal Romance (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986593141/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=0986593141">Stolen Dreams (The Lingering Spirit)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=0986593141&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /> by Stacey Kennedy), </li>
<li><strong>Alternate male and female authors</strong> <em>(I will say at least one male author per month.)</em> -- didn't happen this month</li>
<li><strong>Write a note to 1 author each month</strong> -- hasn't happened yet but will</li>
</ol>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-40780434365643334682011-07-29T05:36:00.000-07:002011-07-29T05:36:01.057-07:00Heavy AthleticsIs there anything more delicious than a man in a kilt?<br />
<br />
Not in my book :grin:<br />
<blockquote>Kilt, n. - a costume sometimes worn by Scotsmen in America and Americans in Scotland. ~ Ambrose Bierce</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RoE4IFnwdr5qCsSsPO_CxuDbXSWOnNIPjhYkTrE9wwV85a5sJf3_JtVHvG_zPX8BJksqsyxL7l3F1lAatMOoc2R6EPKGqK15WCBbFmM3-NHJnsLvNHwxHkG2Bp00PH_Ab9B1L6nxxg/s1600/P7167763+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RoE4IFnwdr5qCsSsPO_CxuDbXSWOnNIPjhYkTrE9wwV85a5sJf3_JtVHvG_zPX8BJksqsyxL7l3F1lAatMOoc2R6EPKGqK15WCBbFmM3-NHJnsLvNHwxHkG2Bp00PH_Ab9B1L6nxxg/s320/P7167763+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></div>The Portland Stone -- okay this event is unique to the <a href="http://www.phga.org/">Portland Highland Games</a>. These guys are "tossing" a 96 pound stone over 9 feet. Now, that would be like me, well maybe Mark, tossing Cam!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDPCU-hU0glOCblHevrV9STaVq2Dgu4l9KrcEx2yCMuW2xlO9sZlczRbkUGDtxCvRuPfllPMBTytT3oWKdi7NhV83boDVyCWqkbHK6hP63Tno3uSmMXdf3FWAdPMGs-qQUmkjVQK2nA/s1600/P7167764+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDPCU-hU0glOCblHevrV9STaVq2Dgu4l9KrcEx2yCMuW2xlO9sZlczRbkUGDtxCvRuPfllPMBTytT3oWKdi7NhV83boDVyCWqkbHK6hP63Tno3uSmMXdf3FWAdPMGs-qQUmkjVQK2nA/s320/P7167764+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div>This was actually the judge of the competition proving he still has it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a8NojhjZ6Ysuf7VRx-5sYvE3ng7u33TRWPDtAbwmnr5ApD1Sxxqowutnn-FwPWZqL_f2rCBBYy3o3uiENmp4TN1H8F0p08R4tv2ww-lKwYnFcw3opaci_GcQbGxH2dGFr-mcBOwnEA/s1600/P7167772+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5a8NojhjZ6Ysuf7VRx-5sYvE3ng7u33TRWPDtAbwmnr5ApD1Sxxqowutnn-FwPWZqL_f2rCBBYy3o3uiENmp4TN1H8F0p08R4tv2ww-lKwYnFcw3opaci_GcQbGxH2dGFr-mcBOwnEA/s320/P7167772+rev1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Caber Toss -- the tossing of a telephone pole, LOL. The Caber is 19-20 feet long and weighs about 150 pounds. The goal is to toss it so the Caber pivots on its top and to fall in a straight line from the athlete in the 12 o'clock position. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskm89MRnrnkulZ8vI3XoAN6BewoPrk6MlFtNRN5Z19wSmxdAeWQf-4K5LIRnWY5v14MUv9LTb8hTvXnSSgm027lNqaiVegHOdjd7e6gVvvQoGxUUcw2VpGT4lMXgY0x6EL5ALNXvzew/s1600/P7167773+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskm89MRnrnkulZ8vI3XoAN6BewoPrk6MlFtNRN5Z19wSmxdAeWQf-4K5LIRnWY5v14MUv9LTb8hTvXnSSgm027lNqaiVegHOdjd7e6gVvvQoGxUUcw2VpGT4lMXgY0x6EL5ALNXvzew/s320/P7167773+rev1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlWkBPreIge6ed7rDIpzrXdt8BK1hvjdm1262ibvPgDBGVFgAo__-3VABGcKploft45w-LDhhpUbNsmPRIl1jFKM0vv9KHrPOkqtqZsbA2yOZ_Sx4xl_T8JFcaS-xIqq-qXz9_a9Heg/s1600/P7167774+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlWkBPreIge6ed7rDIpzrXdt8BK1hvjdm1262ibvPgDBGVFgAo__-3VABGcKploft45w-LDhhpUbNsmPRIl1jFKM0vv9KHrPOkqtqZsbA2yOZ_Sx4xl_T8JFcaS-xIqq-qXz9_a9Heg/s320/P7167774+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I remember the time I took a friend to the games, we were at one end of a football field and the Caber finalists were at the other end -- she was worried that we'd get hit, LOL. It's a telephone pole, it won't go far!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d4YA2tH2jw4cpUP-tZi_abEYCXsTUlJaNphl6fi8zMtaE_TqqkBVZxYnX5ZQs9j-RyEx97BokUveQ6z1djO1hpqcAtjgE_ryqQJzIVUhg5vn-zjmOaCOKo1nm7csv4VBWshWnkeIcA/s1600/P7167775+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d4YA2tH2jw4cpUP-tZi_abEYCXsTUlJaNphl6fi8zMtaE_TqqkBVZxYnX5ZQs9j-RyEx97BokUveQ6z1djO1hpqcAtjgE_ryqQJzIVUhg5vn-zjmOaCOKo1nm7csv4VBWshWnkeIcA/s320/P7167775+rev1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOPp86A6Ct3XSIR08VSNOrPRUDKtvdi5XKy98Ms_7iyq21qx3LvW9Qsg-KI6USBpNi8qTnnjmURiBvdXMLj2sm1gG5TKMPp65mgHKgdQhK0MvffwCr2f_a9CmFk5CmJnGeJjgeycg8Q/s1600/P7167779+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOPp86A6Ct3XSIR08VSNOrPRUDKtvdi5XKy98Ms_7iyq21qx3LvW9Qsg-KI6USBpNi8qTnnjmURiBvdXMLj2sm1gG5TKMPp65mgHKgdQhK0MvffwCr2f_a9CmFk5CmJnGeJjgeycg8Q/s320/P7167779+rev1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLdEer5mZJkuH4cHWKjimJXZo3X1v4FH19q1DC9igUjneP9ApPSXWMFoSFzrqFtQvkulmIGcYS_1XUZzWuXiAI5zD_f50jQ7D16ItL7DzkM0-QIqdkyGigGU7XFbxmCyBIMaX9fu7iw/s1600/P7167759+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLdEer5mZJkuH4cHWKjimJXZo3X1v4FH19q1DC9igUjneP9ApPSXWMFoSFzrqFtQvkulmIGcYS_1XUZzWuXiAI5zD_f50jQ7D16ItL7DzkM0-QIqdkyGigGU7XFbxmCyBIMaX9fu7iw/s320/P7167759+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Weight for Height -- this is like the high jump but with a 56 pound weight. The athlete gets three chances to clear the bar. If successful her can move on to the next height.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi571h23JjUcCgmr4yeiXgxyhzJj_wnM8N2IItcyDRYRW6rT6HNEVQau_wNriIwU9cfYcN24GMr8SDZzoVt-TEZpGFNnfBI4KbJwQ7JerPV0xtt5ZrZPQHRRBBHJcVCIFonELkQ_ExjgQ/s1600/P7167760+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi571h23JjUcCgmr4yeiXgxyhzJj_wnM8N2IItcyDRYRW6rT6HNEVQau_wNriIwU9cfYcN24GMr8SDZzoVt-TEZpGFNnfBI4KbJwQ7JerPV0xtt5ZrZPQHRRBBHJcVCIFonELkQ_ExjgQ/s320/P7167760+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2lt5OEix5CpaoBDVFor2ZQFJJsDk53_zcZ0sXbPnkjtjMIny6C2cLBpG9yDt-sMIXq7c0S8hmEXUUKzLkkG-CXasgwbuv67y_RCMOE2lDB6zIb8JTwkEB4gEKQtp1JgrENA4FderEg/s1600/P7167761+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY2lt5OEix5CpaoBDVFor2ZQFJJsDk53_zcZ0sXbPnkjtjMIny6C2cLBpG9yDt-sMIXq7c0S8hmEXUUKzLkkG-CXasgwbuv67y_RCMOE2lDB6zIb8JTwkEB4gEKQtp1JgrENA4FderEg/s320/P7167761+rev1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-40729925450623558752011-07-28T05:27:00.000-07:002011-07-28T05:27:00.754-07:00Highland DancingThere's a wee part of me that wishes my parents had encouraged Debbie and I to take up dancing -- not the bit of ballet I have vague memories of but the highland stuff -- but in their defense there may not have been anything in the Bay Area where we grew up. One of my cousins took the highland dance and demonstrated at one or more of our reunions. Sigh.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD69gnNTo-XRgcyPaZL1w-mpIb7rzQbjNlet6zWr-Jjk3g82AP7u0y7GaSJeJy8QFMpOV44Lj7sKj2xKWggspn_M7at3WEtsIxzuHwpcMjLjFx4vrtP92ya8f3PRJnE_i7qjNzCPh2fg/s1600/P7167674+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD69gnNTo-XRgcyPaZL1w-mpIb7rzQbjNlet6zWr-Jjk3g82AP7u0y7GaSJeJy8QFMpOV44Lj7sKj2xKWggspn_M7at3WEtsIxzuHwpcMjLjFx4vrtP92ya8f3PRJnE_i7qjNzCPh2fg/s320/P7167674+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IUQbz-RKSPtokFOF55ZUMqqNoK0zQ3RQzXuWYUX8vjSEEKyEKvREpSY2WVwhKADMb0p3Fy1m_vkhc435U-vjd2tuFXtKio-xXXhP8aWIZnuTFIxGrDBrIpFedANqLFmSD_-G7qdKBQ/s1600/P7167675+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IUQbz-RKSPtokFOF55ZUMqqNoK0zQ3RQzXuWYUX8vjSEEKyEKvREpSY2WVwhKADMb0p3Fy1m_vkhc435U-vjd2tuFXtKio-xXXhP8aWIZnuTFIxGrDBrIpFedANqLFmSD_-G7qdKBQ/s320/P7167675+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq5SfNG8PLwVcuwBhyphenhyphenKtRDGum-gY0eSm7PHnQ4j2cuhsrWNYTbEWmKgvfkRa4yEHhn7e6PU9kLOjw4fFDKrxoHss20S3vMSRztlCnCHlonNuNLXziXP-0t7FDQ2YPEO7fB-z65GU8fw/s1600/P7167676+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEq5SfNG8PLwVcuwBhyphenhyphenKtRDGum-gY0eSm7PHnQ4j2cuhsrWNYTbEWmKgvfkRa4yEHhn7e6PU9kLOjw4fFDKrxoHss20S3vMSRztlCnCHlonNuNLXziXP-0t7FDQ2YPEO7fB-z65GU8fw/s320/P7167676+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And Coquitlam, BC must have one hell of a dance studio because the majority of the winners were out of Coquitlam. Wonder if that's where my cousin went?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlOCRVX1DD2O0Xvc0VxpPhWenzBduHipW53-X61LGP4td0g5KGxVqF_Ov1umiLHOzXLmxyk13UQ_XL5pvroOd8dpL5QyM85lUkkFhMDB0tNzfQ1PB0yxoBl9Gr79xnYBF3bKCaKSK8A/s1600/P7167685+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlOCRVX1DD2O0Xvc0VxpPhWenzBduHipW53-X61LGP4td0g5KGxVqF_Ov1umiLHOzXLmxyk13UQ_XL5pvroOd8dpL5QyM85lUkkFhMDB0tNzfQ1PB0yxoBl9Gr79xnYBF3bKCaKSK8A/s320/P7167685+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="212" /></a></div>During one of the competitions we saw...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYmahyceYZJfrFHyDGMJJ-mkOSlcrmS41OMH6qkzQW7HiRVRtqqyd6ieiOXq3BkJ6e-OOKm-JwFlCZPAnkZwc6If67aMfo52KHx4oJxqnAMaW9NwcFQymthMGAuKPtGxSscOmN49ZLg/s1600/P7167688+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYmahyceYZJfrFHyDGMJJ-mkOSlcrmS41OMH6qkzQW7HiRVRtqqyd6ieiOXq3BkJ6e-OOKm-JwFlCZPAnkZwc6If67aMfo52KHx4oJxqnAMaW9NwcFQymthMGAuKPtGxSscOmN49ZLg/s320/P7167688+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="212" /></a></div>THIS!<br />
<br />
Is this little sweetheart not the cutest thing you've ever seen? She was mimicking the dancers...doing a pretty good job of it too!<br />
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I just wish I could have gotten in behind her so I could take a picture with her in the foreground and the competitive dancers on the stage in the background. It would have been the coolest picture.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-58890450692746834612011-07-27T05:25:00.000-07:002011-07-27T05:25:00.970-07:00Pipes, Drums, and Bands Oh My!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4QtWHVI39mNX7Hblloe8DSedngOR09XQIF5KOs0VuhBu6TNY5LyVZA7NjX2fCgSrxBnW9F5yvkgxHELTkLgGSAFQtVR-P6-5xVu9rua1B-cCNISJhpGqwQEQG9SgtL2pXhcGhETddQ/s1600/P7167578+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4QtWHVI39mNX7Hblloe8DSedngOR09XQIF5KOs0VuhBu6TNY5LyVZA7NjX2fCgSrxBnW9F5yvkgxHELTkLgGSAFQtVR-P6-5xVu9rua1B-cCNISJhpGqwQEQG9SgtL2pXhcGhETddQ/s320/P7167578+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I think the music is one of the things I miss most about not going to the <a href="http://www.phga.org/">Portland Highland Games</a> for so many years. My CD's from previous years only take me so far.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-gba7tFoDw4DTMvPpK1NQKcQjWveeGoF8T9U9tWxkv0XaIri-zgBbLF5DgJ_P7wvVAsyVwXSCRff6CjVNsMf3iIhghF3NtxNjBYioDr9vi-m2L67WJyJGIuRcfyCDgbAqyxVrmmCPQ/s1600/P7167788+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS-gba7tFoDw4DTMvPpK1NQKcQjWveeGoF8T9U9tWxkv0XaIri-zgBbLF5DgJ_P7wvVAsyVwXSCRff6CjVNsMf3iIhghF3NtxNjBYioDr9vi-m2L67WJyJGIuRcfyCDgbAqyxVrmmCPQ/s320/P7167788+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Mark thinks I'm crazy. Maybe it's just my Scottish blood. But whatever it is, there is nothing like the sound of bagpipes to me. I get chills, in a good way, my blood starts pumping, and sitting still is impossible. I want to dance a Highland Fling -- of course, I'd need to learn how first -- or at the very least tap my foot. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlaSF-HGY9FZa_F8Xa9zFIQ7A1W-m2huz6czFRMeyvmarip0W0M7ridsrcg3bgJgWgmly8xTW0BvTxdMwHEGn5NwtltdyWDoXNjIaXk2q970uvkanBIhVwfxXvaO09pYEV0i5nm93cA/s1600/P7167710+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlaSF-HGY9FZa_F8Xa9zFIQ7A1W-m2huz6czFRMeyvmarip0W0M7ridsrcg3bgJgWgmly8xTW0BvTxdMwHEGn5NwtltdyWDoXNjIaXk2q970uvkanBIhVwfxXvaO09pYEV0i5nm93cA/s320/P7167710+rev1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I love the music. Not just the pipes and marching bands people associate with the Highland Games but the traditional Celtic sound.<br />
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One of the specialized music acts was <a href="http://www.menofworth.com/">Men of Worth</a>. Below is a sample of their sound. I'm kinda kicking myself now that I didn't pick up one of their CDs at the Games.<br />
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<div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hk2p3_Ub6u0" width="425"></iframe></div>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-22697896596837045022011-07-26T06:30:00.000-07:002011-07-26T06:30:15.310-07:00Opening Ceremonies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8A8xAl-JH56zOhdrwE8hY8Fu9MQe5eDoWfEdaFn_prDRYDTAPbCqbenxiyJuc94UcrRThV38lrMBjcS7W9EWfiZJFRqWxZqTMrxdh4f2D7qf7zZkWmReneWL_zonUhJ275NXpo0qmw/s1600/phga+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8A8xAl-JH56zOhdrwE8hY8Fu9MQe5eDoWfEdaFn_prDRYDTAPbCqbenxiyJuc94UcrRThV38lrMBjcS7W9EWfiZJFRqWxZqTMrxdh4f2D7qf7zZkWmReneWL_zonUhJ275NXpo0qmw/s200/phga+logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I used to be a card carrying member of the PHGA and volunteered at many games. I've yet to make it to the Vegas version. You can imagine my joy that our vacation coincided with the <a href="http://www.phga.org/">Portland Highland Games</a>. On the statistically warmest/driest day of the year Oregon gave us rain, LOL<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJS6yoes-MOIHbCD4PhiTe7IOYPFzcvtYvYeFliF_8Ij4R8DSctYhMU3T-CUzM_1L0vGabH7gbdqF6oW7Ep8hiJuZg3n4H3eMTr0y_EvynX5EBJAT4DBaTP0tdGJVCMqL_BGxaqsOWw/s1600/P7167576+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJS6yoes-MOIHbCD4PhiTe7IOYPFzcvtYvYeFliF_8Ij4R8DSctYhMU3T-CUzM_1L0vGabH7gbdqF6oW7Ep8hiJuZg3n4H3eMTr0y_EvynX5EBJAT4DBaTP0tdGJVCMqL_BGxaqsOWw/s320/P7167576+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regimental Drum Major Inspection & Decorum</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZBxYyVyJhWZtTfsLgufvUu04-Legxh-FOAYl6OrujzEomwb6apyoMAAjxxB4tcvT2MViVk0LfJ-GF9cXxx226Ju_a4pPW6betuaLkZnnd2YDIFFH4IhetQQNdGD0HED6ku0ayESJpg/s1600/P7167588+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZBxYyVyJhWZtTfsLgufvUu04-Legxh-FOAYl6OrujzEomwb6apyoMAAjxxB4tcvT2MViVk0LfJ-GF9cXxx226Ju_a4pPW6betuaLkZnnd2YDIFFH4IhetQQNdGD0HED6ku0ayESJpg/s320/P7167588+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prince Charles Pipe Band</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx_EihjeKdYuMqzH42o_j75D0G31Cq0PwinpuFvkKpHEk8hr1jGQQt0h-RSy2JJJcS0AgNk2Mwod1PeqHmKlw0pFOBlfyvsBPT-kw8m3C4TIcN6TOVc69Mj4MW__k5SjviyI6qNKxVA/s1600/P7167591+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx_EihjeKdYuMqzH42o_j75D0G31Cq0PwinpuFvkKpHEk8hr1jGQQt0h-RSy2JJJcS0AgNk2Mwod1PeqHmKlw0pFOBlfyvsBPT-kw8m3C4TIcN6TOVc69Mj4MW__k5SjviyI6qNKxVA/s320/P7167591+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw64MhORNmVrwwa2fyiiufSlGRJmfaWd_QySRAwbZRQiGlXgcCxIx7FjUjL9E3uTBF25Y1uKBwpT9bLNpug3oVUx6ows1NU9d7mm-ck8hBbO4j-gFGEtB37ugd-pymcRogvE8CxxnIA/s1600/P7167593+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcw64MhORNmVrwwa2fyiiufSlGRJmfaWd_QySRAwbZRQiGlXgcCxIx7FjUjL9E3uTBF25Y1uKBwpT9bLNpug3oVUx6ows1NU9d7mm-ck8hBbO4j-gFGEtB37ugd-pymcRogvE8CxxnIA/s320/P7167593+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Color Guard: 2nd Battalion 162nd Infantry IBCT</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9c4yx638vr_OlLqYRAOtggzhA-EeUvDPg21l2R2plBj-O2l27L0MNwUDlFbXoOd6CI-SYhR3az9XXhGHaU06zNumIhRfFLrvIW12xgUMqjZGYiYDDu8NEKkSSJVw0CoU8man1PUEmw/s1600/P7167594+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9c4yx638vr_OlLqYRAOtggzhA-EeUvDPg21l2R2plBj-O2l27L0MNwUDlFbXoOd6CI-SYhR3az9XXhGHaU06zNumIhRfFLrvIW12xgUMqjZGYiYDDu8NEKkSSJVw0CoU8man1PUEmw/s320/P7167594+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NW Scots Guard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tQb3mFiy2_hyphenhyphenYt9kdYJbtb50KpMIDqmiym4CP4WkZnIF1Re2NjhHlZEPgi2GdaGjZR9Rf55yNdfeaIgvfz1Lj7fVPE7y47MjnfdMH1CS8tpiXk6Ch8MCT6nm7zFSbrFi7PkRjmXtpA/s1600/P7167595+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tQb3mFiy2_hyphenhyphenYt9kdYJbtb50KpMIDqmiym4CP4WkZnIF1Re2NjhHlZEPgi2GdaGjZR9Rf55yNdfeaIgvfz1Lj7fVPE7y47MjnfdMH1CS8tpiXk6Ch8MCT6nm7zFSbrFi7PkRjmXtpA/s320/P7167595+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade of the Clans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7L_ocY70rIDp4G_0ASY4GzXkBPSuW9oi91PwT1ZdrX8x26Qc2lVZmZ4UIYOiJRU9qs5LvdB2krz0R-4QWvJTfPPiKB1fmc0BCMFXVjjIphvR7gwS7QTehsPIfUnxKaklceQmKC6pqQ/s1600/P7167622+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7L_ocY70rIDp4G_0ASY4GzXkBPSuW9oi91PwT1ZdrX8x26Qc2lVZmZ4UIYOiJRU9qs5LvdB2krz0R-4QWvJTfPPiKB1fmc0BCMFXVjjIphvR7gwS7QTehsPIfUnxKaklceQmKC6pqQ/s320/P7167622+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alma Lynn McDowell singing the <br />
UK, Canadian, and US national anthems.<br />
Behind her are: <br />
Chieftains of the Day Colin & Bonnie MacKenzie, <br />
and PHGA president Marianna MacKenzie Day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNw9cDA7bkkrVzJodb4FgEXHKNuj4vNlFzMMXs5N4PoVfqiNWlEHWdSAIspwmlbCVFdoB6tUWnqahu2sJiRcdoHAnYJ1Dt_Gsx4L6odx5HMeiEJvc_vulDavlOYgqgHTrQlbpWe5PhQ/s1600/P7167623+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNw9cDA7bkkrVzJodb4FgEXHKNuj4vNlFzMMXs5N4PoVfqiNWlEHWdSAIspwmlbCVFdoB6tUWnqahu2sJiRcdoHAnYJ1Dt_Gsx4L6odx5HMeiEJvc_vulDavlOYgqgHTrQlbpWe5PhQ/s320/P7167623+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jori Chisholm preforming the lament.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6tkogd2h9LxF4PGT8k63kCa9lhITEX8Cu6os2ImCqUAGF_8zdxx1OQgzuCKRGZDCofCCPzUdwziabKicXzmTuy-3o0ppr4Z0C5UUiWOJFGZbwtSJP4nKg9n55N7kuuog6iyVGfiTOg/s1600/P7167628+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6tkogd2h9LxF4PGT8k63kCa9lhITEX8Cu6os2ImCqUAGF_8zdxx1OQgzuCKRGZDCofCCPzUdwziabKicXzmTuy-3o0ppr4Z0C5UUiWOJFGZbwtSJP4nKg9n55N7kuuog6iyVGfiTOg/s320/P7167628+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Christopher Grewe giving the invocation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHczr5JHYDwvmN1ArKUtINBgQ1NdkIWBj_LylsC7ELeurnHYRFZ7iGRohJaEHwA2We_Pe8Up08gNZ3ZAtAvWF3tnIqMqk4hK2-yhfJNSH-tJoAumUwwRkErVSu5SMeldO-_kBtdqVIw/s1600/P7167636+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHczr5JHYDwvmN1ArKUtINBgQ1NdkIWBj_LylsC7ELeurnHYRFZ7iGRohJaEHwA2We_Pe8Up08gNZ3ZAtAvWF3tnIqMqk4hK2-yhfJNSH-tJoAumUwwRkErVSu5SMeldO-_kBtdqVIw/s320/P7167636+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kilted Mile Race</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp4lQJLmMQw_3zN-oMal7VCU0oB9kkb3GMyvY48ZKtl2cwiJmtr9gvPLX7fHfP29khjz17FumgQBLUOlND1FqPSptmsBSKiBuDSqGbzn_7ExWF6DZiW1VT90fNTbq2FolPqYXog6KSQ/s1600/P7167643+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp4lQJLmMQw_3zN-oMal7VCU0oB9kkb3GMyvY48ZKtl2cwiJmtr9gvPLX7fHfP29khjz17FumgQBLUOlND1FqPSptmsBSKiBuDSqGbzn_7ExWF6DZiW1VT90fNTbq2FolPqYXog6KSQ/s320/P7167643+rev1.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fastest time: 5'40.08<br />
However, 73 year old Patrick Feser broke a record with 7'06.11!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-73893677802342274902011-07-25T05:31:00.000-07:002011-07-25T05:31:00.132-07:00A Day Out at the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGL-FQC7Tbc9DT_isPYBjWgsrGJSQgvqIEywVEO7A4WBFCxGpw7ZiavVBLWzgrVmxVjxSPsel9RUzQMpHXRL9xLMiU7PLZxu3GzqtgcCPHRIwx8sSotqqlTVezlumLR7JYnHTKIGObA/s1600/P7127503+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGL-FQC7Tbc9DT_isPYBjWgsrGJSQgvqIEywVEO7A4WBFCxGpw7ZiavVBLWzgrVmxVjxSPsel9RUzQMpHXRL9xLMiU7PLZxu3GzqtgcCPHRIwx8sSotqqlTVezlumLR7JYnHTKIGObA/s320/P7127503+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had a couple "what's with the weather" moments on this trip. Hello? Oregon, have you heard of the season commonly known as <i>Summer</i>? <br />
<br />
Sigh. <br />
<br />
After a damp morning, we took the boys out to a park to run off some of their energy. Yes, that is a running theme of our life, LOL<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJlO-TJeH9XIw1lssAE-QoVXRU76ZytqWAc_48_R6OBqtYipM__YPYTX39Gbexb0EV8E2rQUmX_TbaV2FHffwmKFnLz2x6o-xoWXuM63k7k9tIYcpy172gzGUzRqbf6F7lHk4OEfCDA/s1600/P7127506+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJlO-TJeH9XIw1lssAE-QoVXRU76ZytqWAc_48_R6OBqtYipM__YPYTX39Gbexb0EV8E2rQUmX_TbaV2FHffwmKFnLz2x6o-xoWXuM63k7k9tIYcpy172gzGUzRqbf6F7lHk4OEfCDA/s320/P7127506+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I don't know what this thing is but I want one for our backyard!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxJInNATq1bUbbUsh574-PM9L-IOZ_os3CEUZJY4qlFLYQsCw39BTUkjsIUIo7Vw73T7CT82p4Y041XekUpTcjO5WHR0E71XYb0W10IysTN3yNYKGY15wb8xTzZFI0lF77h-u5gP7UQ/s1600/P7127512+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxJInNATq1bUbbUsh574-PM9L-IOZ_os3CEUZJY4qlFLYQsCw39BTUkjsIUIo7Vw73T7CT82p4Y041XekUpTcjO5WHR0E71XYb0W10IysTN3yNYKGY15wb8xTzZFI0lF77h-u5gP7UQ/s320/P7127512+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW_WOVbuq3aES59CJti4aSyl__oDWSw_kVLi9kkS7fHAEps3nuWWzIoiQMX-XXnVe6ZYB8Bni8Il_vFtvO7bkJclp48OMpkNNdC04JTLEXMoNA8TKRtk95m1XxhYMo7zfYKEbHR9-TA/s1600/P7127515+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikW_WOVbuq3aES59CJti4aSyl__oDWSw_kVLi9kkS7fHAEps3nuWWzIoiQMX-XXnVe6ZYB8Bni8Il_vFtvO7bkJclp48OMpkNNdC04JTLEXMoNA8TKRtk95m1XxhYMo7zfYKEbHR9-TA/s320/P7127515+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFPElQedjIEqES5gvZMMHrXPwR_kkHqD81iNEoqOGrAi5Za0qw_fODS00brs3Q0LIHHpZH2NFSKoQ4LPQ5y9un1wLd4YkprkimsT0cRugzKTXEHLq5zyRIoEznC5YkOULprXlKzs92w/s1600/P7127524+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFPElQedjIEqES5gvZMMHrXPwR_kkHqD81iNEoqOGrAi5Za0qw_fODS00brs3Q0LIHHpZH2NFSKoQ4LPQ5y9un1wLd4YkprkimsT0cRugzKTXEHLq5zyRIoEznC5YkOULprXlKzs92w/s320/P7127524+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrWs_SxNBli61Wp9s5UX0RLbTydf3z0makcUuJvy5QcXGhA8p5ZtqmzAR2uAHMvNRWZbvj4HKDtQe6622XuwYZxHTfH7l8AAhCCIniGT1-UI39zy8eNu_qKjRWOR6JTSf3hR2PX77yg/s1600/P7127526+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrWs_SxNBli61Wp9s5UX0RLbTydf3z0makcUuJvy5QcXGhA8p5ZtqmzAR2uAHMvNRWZbvj4HKDtQe6622XuwYZxHTfH7l8AAhCCIniGT1-UI39zy8eNu_qKjRWOR6JTSf3hR2PX77yg/s320/P7127526+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlwpNZkEjSaX9cV3xCOiPovKhZxrkXtivAZYFCrkhNj6W2Cs_pqtor7A5Z_4vMqyjT2XnyFZn_4ykmQYOsYVlFMs8Hri-DIjhrxpasfxX7GX2JzO0hMsutBnZ7i3-ax6gdLo7IG5jxw/s1600/P7127529+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUlwpNZkEjSaX9cV3xCOiPovKhZxrkXtivAZYFCrkhNj6W2Cs_pqtor7A5Z_4vMqyjT2XnyFZn_4ykmQYOsYVlFMs8Hri-DIjhrxpasfxX7GX2JzO0hMsutBnZ7i3-ax6gdLo7IG5jxw/s320/P7127529+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Ian, impressing us with his monkey bar talent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLyB0BLYNAU-PRimTkOb-EtE7efinHeeCTyGLK14PNcKkhdEaccvnB2m1BU3Vrl2tr7BH66qAf6rpg8M08rutIELn1OU13bPmwpJbF7QMUysi5pkfAKUpVTSq1s4CWnf9b4jPrL7cHA/s1600/P7127536+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLyB0BLYNAU-PRimTkOb-EtE7efinHeeCTyGLK14PNcKkhdEaccvnB2m1BU3Vrl2tr7BH66qAf6rpg8M08rutIELn1OU13bPmwpJbF7QMUysi5pkfAKUpVTSq1s4CWnf9b4jPrL7cHA/s320/P7127536+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I love this picture...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw3NHAxE-StW0Z8zDDfLfR58f4gypBhYpjVlQI9KQfG5b-mO4mWtEvHjpEZDTIaNbkOMsL4ezx1n1K-Mrig0jobvMei9Og2SqH6IpZxKhnA0gwiUrmnuqct7X3rj_ExssmYkgjoBKyA/s1600/P7127537+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw3NHAxE-StW0Z8zDDfLfR58f4gypBhYpjVlQI9KQfG5b-mO4mWtEvHjpEZDTIaNbkOMsL4ezx1n1K-Mrig0jobvMei9Og2SqH6IpZxKhnA0gwiUrmnuqct7X3rj_ExssmYkgjoBKyA/s320/P7127537+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Because I usually get this!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYBECstsDU_GUoVweYUUOQeeg-XVPf8Px-neBaLemyqgD3ICn93PzZaswOvZCEFIp56tszGdu6SzkrGMXlrymEInvvrJxtkPu5Pi2QSXsIOsRswSSoa-TeWv0715cta_RhVYwMD3EVg/s1600/P7127539+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYBECstsDU_GUoVweYUUOQeeg-XVPf8Px-neBaLemyqgD3ICn93PzZaswOvZCEFIp56tszGdu6SzkrGMXlrymEInvvrJxtkPu5Pi2QSXsIOsRswSSoa-TeWv0715cta_RhVYwMD3EVg/s320/P7127539+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcX7lJJ7p9T1u-B5UEOXR_MTEET-IfKcgRJm486eM9B146dMLFY34ar5EjDmmBdw22pFm1xztNDfJJoEo6-2nba7Cc7lplGyCyC6M4gBfjRp4pU83r_3mREEnabH68qfciNjIWGiXQA/s1600/P7127542+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcX7lJJ7p9T1u-B5UEOXR_MTEET-IfKcgRJm486eM9B146dMLFY34ar5EjDmmBdw22pFm1xztNDfJJoEo6-2nba7Cc7lplGyCyC6M4gBfjRp4pU83r_3mREEnabH68qfciNjIWGiXQA/s320/P7127542+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Robbie giving the monkey bars the ol' collage try.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-43644947100009277562011-07-23T05:22:00.000-07:002011-07-23T05:22:00.461-07:00Caption This<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6LFxCo4sbQ/TidaT-6twLI/AAAAAAAAADA/I7XxsmOYWCs/s1600/P7147564%2Brev1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631569158403375282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6LFxCo4sbQ/TidaT-6twLI/AAAAAAAAADA/I7XxsmOYWCs/s320/P7147564%2Brev1.jpg" /></a>Camhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11323117356098502258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-72386299891846719062011-07-21T05:16:00.000-07:002011-07-21T05:16:00.583-07:00Jungle Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOeYe_Rj-IAaR-GZYJXwhhK3C2YNfZXpB7XdQEf-LKr88pS_HHtN3xAqT06Nw4Q49hG5YLs5QSg75bW2OWOhkpDORihbBzuBFPmUNCEPkhdZ8-FBx6O3_RY1s8qq-xDVLybzgsjUo6w/s1600/P7137544+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOeYe_Rj-IAaR-GZYJXwhhK3C2YNfZXpB7XdQEf-LKr88pS_HHtN3xAqT06Nw4Q49hG5YLs5QSg75bW2OWOhkpDORihbBzuBFPmUNCEPkhdZ8-FBx6O3_RY1s8qq-xDVLybzgsjUo6w/s320/P7137544+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It wouldn't be a trip to Oregon without a visit to <a href="http://www.jungleoffun.com/index.html">Safari Sam's</a>! I LOVE this place. This is where I take the boys to run off all that energy they have to keep a grip on during the drive. I'd be the happiest parent on the planet if they'd build one in Vegas...hint, hint.<br />
<br />
Mark and I parked ourselves at a table, bought drinks, and told the boys to play till their knuckles drug the floor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzP4eAiUyMdq0Ip_FGLLsGPjExNVZyfhjWy0m0wUoy5h3zwiWS85pGwnu1g6GYh-K2hv6KKE-B7LdT4iH9XDX4GnmoOieQ2_8SYdgB7fZ3X_DLkWrpqWsrBpknVj1BA9lAeyr4mloig/s1600/P7137545+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzP4eAiUyMdq0Ip_FGLLsGPjExNVZyfhjWy0m0wUoy5h3zwiWS85pGwnu1g6GYh-K2hv6KKE-B7LdT4iH9XDX4GnmoOieQ2_8SYdgB7fZ3X_DLkWrpqWsrBpknVj1BA9lAeyr4mloig/s320/P7137545+rev1.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>Robbie gets more daring with each visit!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi3GgmiGIf7hVady8lMnboZB-osvrp1UCv-layfeu3mNUgGf5IYCEUjdRHM3__8zkZqfP0FYFnr7UWaWcMQK_7J20syxyG9J0SO0XRZqnZcpT0t2zdABP2vqn2JKx034LUSKba69F0Q/s1600/P7137546+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTi3GgmiGIf7hVady8lMnboZB-osvrp1UCv-layfeu3mNUgGf5IYCEUjdRHM3__8zkZqfP0FYFnr7UWaWcMQK_7J20syxyG9J0SO0XRZqnZcpT0t2zdABP2vqn2JKx034LUSKba69F0Q/s320/P7137546+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Of course, he keeps the security of an older brother near by, LOL<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77v1SBk2GagegeKdUqvcXeSHUwyuG2BW_Gr6IkP_ger-myuwMfjVLtb_9v47kusbar56HVvsKCdWJwelW0ll6uXMgK0EUfeWRsq5CkpmGoaJE0mqnBciZMN0cITGyzh8d9fiRi42mmw/s1600/P7137547+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77v1SBk2GagegeKdUqvcXeSHUwyuG2BW_Gr6IkP_ger-myuwMfjVLtb_9v47kusbar56HVvsKCdWJwelW0ll6uXMgK0EUfeWRsq5CkpmGoaJE0mqnBciZMN0cITGyzh8d9fiRi42mmw/s320/P7137547+rev1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I think we may have reached the cap of enjoyment with this one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Avc-r3mkZPJvoz9OAPC5eWilkdjbiHKzE-vhEJ9onMI3A1kIhH3c0XN2FLswk0_tj1az953t1UH8hpdm-zb-NKiVija1XperL4keJEFpq94HE1pwV2d4Q1AwrD6PIY9G7l-N8Ha01w/s1600/P7137548+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Avc-r3mkZPJvoz9OAPC5eWilkdjbiHKzE-vhEJ9onMI3A1kIhH3c0XN2FLswk0_tj1az953t1UH8hpdm-zb-NKiVija1XperL4keJEFpq94HE1pwV2d4Q1AwrD6PIY9G7l-N8Ha01w/s320/P7137548+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's another one who seems to gain confidence with each visit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkPryq7pGiBJ2qIsjV2DsBMlw346EqZYAFAEsgZhKvHWxLLCBN6lhFQoerooh4Ngz1Qg4cQw7gSn47rpaE1sca8VyciTwqXu3TUKR3uHKgmF9BWurNEoRID-S4QI1DUwyx-6ra2a5AA/s1600/P7137549+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkPryq7pGiBJ2qIsjV2DsBMlw346EqZYAFAEsgZhKvHWxLLCBN6lhFQoerooh4Ngz1Qg4cQw7gSn47rpaE1sca8VyciTwqXu3TUKR3uHKgmF9BWurNEoRID-S4QI1DUwyx-6ra2a5AA/s320/P7137549+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Not exactly how he's suppose to get out of the Black Diamond...<br />
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Four hours later, we propelled the boys toward the van. Success.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-44938732517900831872011-07-20T05:22:00.000-07:002011-07-20T05:22:01.439-07:00Train Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEmt5agxtiRHrifHUE78dAHHOGy_BCgU2dWJYEk0W-NaZY5DoxGX0NQxxlCZ3SBQhFYpnTTnUIz1iILfeffbrrmxO9U-4GL2WPYQgyT6D9vaHwoKcmlWkYlZ3awZ4dhIm0h69tS1EKw/s1600/P7097476+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEmt5agxtiRHrifHUE78dAHHOGy_BCgU2dWJYEk0W-NaZY5DoxGX0NQxxlCZ3SBQhFYpnTTnUIz1iILfeffbrrmxO9U-4GL2WPYQgyT6D9vaHwoKcmlWkYlZ3awZ4dhIm0h69tS1EKw/s320/P7097476+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>No trip to my parents would be complete without running the trains! I think we ran them all but one or two nights while there.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNcFUFI6Zx3lyWzbPyROhBtixChwhMaeWbYve3YvlnEtE0okZv41stp5NdmAdQkLMw7FAdD1NupVm5cv2A2vOEZmU9_Zb7g14JuAFU0Lp8GpnIfQRNMitbHEqnoDDqavz8LgCuMLgOA/s1600/P7097479+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNcFUFI6Zx3lyWzbPyROhBtixChwhMaeWbYve3YvlnEtE0okZv41stp5NdmAdQkLMw7FAdD1NupVm5cv2A2vOEZmU9_Zb7g14JuAFU0Lp8GpnIfQRNMitbHEqnoDDqavz8LgCuMLgOA/s320/P7097479+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The boys got their hands dirty this time as Grandpa needed to clean the tracks before they could get the trains out. I think Ian found a new love of the trains this trip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGh8PVaxolxTsU2PP5jlL1YMKy1981bhFumeMa5ijEHy1URgA6796q5ishZGpsnm6cE0GShkS1MxC4KqzKEf9zIuobRRzWmlF9Hhaha0yd47r2G_GOnjSFCEyRFsSQWA4vPZwuEymnw/s1600/P7117496+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGh8PVaxolxTsU2PP5jlL1YMKy1981bhFumeMa5ijEHy1URgA6796q5ishZGpsnm6cE0GShkS1MxC4KqzKEf9zIuobRRzWmlF9Hhaha0yd47r2G_GOnjSFCEyRFsSQWA4vPZwuEymnw/s320/P7117496+rev1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Alex always has some hand in running the trains. This trip, Alex showed Ian the ropes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7es5tERYKz0pAopVJe-pNj2U5-VNm3AR2F7yEpHfrpLP_bS4ptd-WcApwu8zfo5HQLfYrgIDoKklMXe9znRz3QzuBnXTR8AnkWCbkArr-ncuCS56juVmO5-yRGhNXRqMri9yta6Agg/s1600/P7117501+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7es5tERYKz0pAopVJe-pNj2U5-VNm3AR2F7yEpHfrpLP_bS4ptd-WcApwu8zfo5HQLfYrgIDoKklMXe9znRz3QzuBnXTR8AnkWCbkArr-ncuCS56juVmO5-yRGhNXRqMri9yta6Agg/s320/P7117501+rev1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I love it when the boys discover new interests.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">~*~</div><br />
Ian also was able to spend quality time with Daniel (who you may remember from other posts as the little boy who lives in the lower level of my parents home with our long-time friends) even getting to go out to the <a href="http://www.portlandcm.org/">Children's Museum</a> with him. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of the two together but these boys have a special connection.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-61759669055865413912011-07-19T05:21:00.000-07:002011-08-15T15:33:52.969-07:00Craving Perfect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>My blogging friend, <a href="http://lizficherablog.blogspot.com/">Liz Fichera</a>, has a new release coming out next week, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005078ONS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005078ONS">Craving Perfect</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B005078ONS&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" />.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005078ONS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005078ONS" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B005078ONS&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thto5reidowhi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005078ONS&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
<blockquote><i>A Life Less...Hers<br />
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Grace Mills craves being perfect almost as much as she craves raspberry scones. In fact, her life would be perfect if only she could lose ten more pounds, if only the pastry café she co-owns with her sister would turn a profit, if only the hottest guy at the gym would look her way...<br />
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And then "if only" comes true. Grace is suddenly straddling two lives: an alternate reality where she's a size two, weathergirl celebrity and being chased by the hot guy. Only Mr. Gorgeous isn't very nice, and she doesn't get to eat...anything, much less bake! <br />
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In her other life, she's starting to realize her sister is less than happy running the family café, and hunky Carlos, the gym's janitor, seems to have a secret crush on her. Maybe there's more to him than meets the eye...<br />
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Grace is living two lives and it's beginning to cost her. Is there a way to pick one...that's perfect?</i></blockquote><br />
Does that not sound delicious? It comes out on the 25th and I can't wait to get my hands on it :) <br />
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Congrats, Liz!Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-35958341796363484082011-07-17T05:36:00.000-07:002011-08-15T15:40:41.479-07:00Author Krista D. Ball is in the house!I met <a href="http://kristadball.com/blog/home">Krista D. Ball</a> through Maria Zannini and have enjoyed getting to know her through her blog. When the chance came to read and review a story or two (<a href="http://sherrimeyer.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-flying-kite-crashing-ship.html">Flying Kite, Crashing Ship</a> and <a href="http://sherrimeyer.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-review-harvest-moon.html">Harvest Moon</a>) for her blog tour I jumped at the chance. A woman after my own heart, she has a recipe -- <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bannock_(food)">Bannock</a> sounded so Scottish I had to look it up :)</i> -- for you today.<br />
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Please welcome, Krista D. Ball!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">~ ~*~ ~</div><br />
<b>Where's the Bannock</b><br />
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In Western Canada, bannock ("ban-nick") is a widely-recognized aboriginal food. It is a combination of lard, flour, and water. It’s then wrapped around a stick and cooked over a campfire. At home, it’s common to add raisins or another kind of dried fruit and bake it on a large cookie sheet. Then, you cut it into large squares afterwards. Other recipes deep-fry the dough. I've even seen hamburgers made with it! <br />
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Bannock became integrated into aboriginal cuisine post-European Contact as part of the fur trade, inter-marriage, and the eventual relocation of First Nations peoples to reservations. There's some talk that it might have existed in the US, but there's no evidence that it did in Canada.<br />
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The world of Dancing Cat is pre-Contact. She would not have eaten wheat flour in Northern Alberta. So, I could not include it, even if bannock is delicious! <br />
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When I worked at the homeless agency, I looked after their evening meal program. A large percentage of our regulars were aboriginal men. They relentless hounded me to make bannock and (oddly enough) liver with onions. I didn't tell any of them, but I planned with a large volunteer group to make bannock for our huge Thanksgiving meal. It took us all day but we cooked a full turkey dinner and 900 pieces of bannock the size of my palm! I used cranberries in my recipe, since it is a local fruit.<br />
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Here's the recipe for baking it. Give it a try, though I do recommend baking some on a stick over a campfire at least once. Kids love it!<br />
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June, Patsy, and Krista's Combined Bannock Recipe <i>(this avoided any fighting in the kitchen!)</i><br />
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6 cups flour<br />
1 cup shortening <br />
3 tbsp baking powder<br />
1 tbsp salt<br />
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries <br />
3 to 3 1/2 cups of water<br />
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Mix the flour and shortening together by hand until well combined. Add the baking powder, salt, and cranberries. Add half the water and mixed until just combined. Add the rest until you have a just-mixed dough. If you want to bake it over a fire, use a little less water than if you were going to bake it in the oven.<br />
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To cook in the oven, spread across a sided and greased baking sheet and bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 20 minutes. <br />
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To cook over the fire, wrap clumps of dough around a stick and cook until golden.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">~ ~*~ ~</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005455MSG/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005455MSG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B005455MSG&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=thto5reidowhi-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thto5reidowhi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005455MSG&camp=217145&creative=399373" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><br />
Bio: Krista D. Ball was born and raised in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, where she learned how to use a chainsaw, chop wood, and make raspberry jam. After obtaining a B.A. in British History from Mount Allison University, Krista moved to Edmonton, AB where she currently lives.<br />
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Somehow, she’s picked up an engineer, two kids, seven cats, and a very understanding corgi off ebay. Her credit card has been since taken away.<br />
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Like any good writer, Krista has had an eclectic array of jobs throughout her life, including strawberry picker, pub bathroom cleaner, oil spill cleaner upper and soupkitchen coordinator. These days, when Krista isn’t software testing, she writes in her messy office.<br />
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You can find Krista on her <a href="http://kristadball.com/blog/">blog</a>.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8786275464277554539.post-22382194489176595032011-07-15T05:23:00.000-07:002011-07-15T05:23:00.464-07:00Fantastic Food Friday: Cranberry CoolerMany, many years ago, my sister and I were at T.G.I. Friday's (are there any still around?) for drinks and dinner. -- For those who know my sister, this was during her Fuzzy Navel period. I swear that was the only alcoholic beverage she drank. -- We were introduced to the most delicious cocktail, Cranberry Cooler. With this cocktail being a hit for both of us, we bought the ingredients and played with the formula until we came up with as close a facsimile as we could get. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEug32JkKzm6vW1yq_cmMH2YhhRBWJ5v8kU2PnBziCYs-ijOELp0jjfYZ2AmShZBTwW9511OS2ZIUahWZuo1iLmiv6FaRrc3a-aTCD3h68xu2whU2EY5_-zjoJYGOixyFvEwbxGjgJ4g/s1600/P5247289+rev1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEug32JkKzm6vW1yq_cmMH2YhhRBWJ5v8kU2PnBziCYs-ijOELp0jjfYZ2AmShZBTwW9511OS2ZIUahWZuo1iLmiv6FaRrc3a-aTCD3h68xu2whU2EY5_-zjoJYGOixyFvEwbxGjgJ4g/s320/P5247289+rev1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Visiting with her this week reminds me of many good times and how much I miss seeing her on a regular basis. :raises glass: Cheers Sis. Love you!<br />
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Put ice in an old fashion glass. Add a shot (jigger) of Amaretto Liqueur. Fill to just shy of full with Cranberry Juice. Stir if desired. Top with a splash of Orange Juice. Enjoy.<br />
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If you want to be fancy, garnish with a thin slice of orange.<br />
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This is the perfect summer cocktail for a lazy evening. And hey, cranberry and orange juices are good for you ;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAZqE-j-o8LRNm6OZ5xVMXCoMapnY5xQBKM7N8ElImJJRx95XLuYprt8CvkuidvSiGYGPRROjnL0xRP13gcZJkQITghhNfgheB7AppAlIGgwN4LulpUvtGmokEtqJEn40kxd6YbIgRzQ/s1600/4743469666_12ec5f0dfa_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAZqE-j-o8LRNm6OZ5xVMXCoMapnY5xQBKM7N8ElImJJRx95XLuYprt8CvkuidvSiGYGPRROjnL0xRP13gcZJkQITghhNfgheB7AppAlIGgwN4LulpUvtGmokEtqJEn40kxd6YbIgRzQ/s320/4743469666_12ec5f0dfa_m.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Click <a href="http://potsandplots.wordpress.com/">here</a> for more great recipes.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03042368061073048819noreply@blogger.com2