tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84777873920254771372024-03-12T22:57:01.564-06:00The Misadventures of Mama Bookworm and the LegoMasterElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-82586297842473381832012-03-23T16:41:00.000-06:002012-03-23T16:41:19.329-06:00Beachbody ChallengeI have this awesome friend. This awesome friend's name is Alice. She is a fitness instructor, a personal trainer and a beachbody coach. And to make her even more awesome she is French. Alice invited me to do the Beachbody Challenge and I (with only mild hesitation) accepted. The challenge comes in three parts (mostly) the first is nutrition, not only eating healthy also drinking a Shakeology shake every day. Which is honestly not very hard because Shakeology is really yummy. I have only tried one flavor but I am hoping to try the others soon. The second part of the challenge is exercise: I had to choose one Beachbody routine to work on and I chose Turbo Fire because I think it is cool and I already own it. I have been really good at hitting it every day (except for Monday and Tuesday when I was sick - yuck!). Lastly accountability, fortunately I have Alice and the team but it is also good to include family and friends. <br />
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My goals are simple. First to follow the challenge (drink Shakeology, workout with Turbo Fire and post on our challenge page). Second I added some simple goals for work. I have a tendency to sit and sit and sit. So I am trying to get up at least twice a day and move. I feel better already just getting away from my desk and walking up and down the stairs. Now that it is so nice I will try and check out the sun every once in a while. Drink water and keep a food journal. I am so excited to be on the challenge. It is time. A big thank you to Alice for inviting me and keeping me accountable.<br />
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I have been trying a few healthy recipes (from Pinterest of course)<br />
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First I tried Baked Oatmeal. <br />
<img alt="Baked oatmeal. Seems like the perfect on the go breakfast!" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache2.pinterest.com/upload/116812184054846922_P9bxdh8j_b.jpg" style="height: 144px;" /><br />
It was pretty good. The only thing I would add is a tad more cinnamon. It tasted a little bland but it had potential. I halved the recipe the first time just in case I didn't like it but I do and according to <a href="http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/personal-sized-baked-oatmeal-with-individual-toppings-gluten-free-diabetic-friendly/">Sugar Free Mom</a> it freezes really well. I tried the plain and the chocolate chip one (I don't do nuts or raisins). I think I will be making the regular size version soon. <br />
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I have also been looking for healthy smoothies because smoothies can be mischievous, sometimes they can pack a serious calorie punch for not so much full.I really liked this <a href="http://thischickcooks.net/2011/05/27/berry-banana-oatmeal-smoothie/">Berry Banana Oatmeal Smoothie</a>:<br />
<img alt="smoothie with oatmeal" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/180918110000254827_nNjZLonl_b.jpg" style="height: 249px;" /><br />
I was a little skeptical but it was really, really good. Grinding the oatmeal to powder before adding the other ingredients is the key. Can't even tell it is there. I really like it. Not that I will have it everyday but now that summer is coming and if I want something cool and sweet and refreshing, I think it will hit the spot.<br />
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Next I am going to try the 7 different ways to cook tilapia. I love tilapia but I have never really had success in cooking fish ... fingers crossed.<br />
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I also did a few other Pinteresting Experiments:<br />
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First:<br />
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<img alt="Decal Transfer Tutorial with Free Printables" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache5.pinterest.com/upload/168603579769523377_x1QWv4wj_b.jpg" style="height: 279px;" /><br />
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Okay mine don't look exactly like these but they are cool and decorative in my microscopic kitchen. Funny digression on Sunday I was making Orange Chicken (from a previous post - yes this stuff is YUM) and I needed a 1/4 cup of brown sugar - oops no brown sugar. The things are see through. Fail! <br />
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Lastly I tried a couple flat iron hair things:<br />
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First from the <a href="http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/p/hair-style-tutorials.html">Small Things blog</a> a hair tutorial on how to curl hair with a flat iron<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rS444Yd2_xg/Tspjb6dSr7I/AAAAAAAAB4I/wAF4UeiHfAg/s1600/2011-11-16_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><img border="0" closure_uid_s2nijo="21" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rS444Yd2_xg/Tspjb6dSr7I/AAAAAAAAB4I/wAF4UeiHfAg/s320/2011-11-16_004.jpg" width="235" /></i></span></a><br />
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So cute and so easy and it actually worked. Huzzah! Okay mine didn't look quiet as polished as hers did the first time but I have tried it several times and I am getting better and better. I like it a lot! I also got lots of compliments which makes me smile.<br />
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Okay so the next one, aka <a href="http://www.thewonderforest.com/2011/10/messy-chunky-beach-waves-easy-tutorial.html">chunky beach waves</a> I don't know I guess I am just not smart enough to figure it out but I couldn't figure out how to wrap it around my finger and then flat iron the wrapped curl without either burning my fingers or the curl falling out. <br />
<img alt="Messy Beach Waves... Easy Tutorial!" class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cache4.pinterest.com/upload/252272016597011805_n0H4gP2O_b.jpg" style="height: 342px;" /><br />
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I think the final look is way cute and I wish I could figure it out but since I earn my living with my cutsie little fingers I am not going to endanger the digits with a flat iron. <br />
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I am having fun with my pinteresting experiment. I am so excited about my Beachbody Challenge. Thanks again Alice for inviting me!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-90351317035967711992012-03-16T12:50:00.001-06:002012-03-16T12:51:37.653-06:00Green Heart<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R9fGfcZ2kDA/SwVmHPb1_ZI/AAAAAAAADRI/zDcw2xTarHM/s1600/hoffman+witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_R9fGfcZ2kDA/SwVmHPb1_ZI/AAAAAAAADRI/zDcw2xTarHM/s200/hoffman+witch.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="124" /></a>I recently finished reading Green Witch by Alice Hoffman, the second (and I believe last) book in a series about a girl named Green. I adore this book. This book is lovely and lyrical. The imagery is beautiful and the emotion is poignant. There is sorrow, yet there is hope. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">When I finished this book I jumped on Amazon determined to buy it because I loved it that much and found that the first and second book are in a volume called Green Heart. Which in a way makes a lot of sense considering both books are very short. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I loved this book. LOVED IT. So when I read on my Goodreads review of the first novel, Green Witch, I was surprised to find that I didn't like it very much. The book is about Green who is haunted by the loss of her family and her way of life. Struggling to survive she find solace in her garden. From the back of the book, "Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. But in destroying her feelings, she also beings to destroy herself, erasing the girl she'd once been as she inks darkness into her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters that Green can relearn the lessons of love and begin to heal enough to tell her story." Here is quote from my review, "It was an interesting story. I may have liked it better if Green could have seen faults in her family ... her moonlight sister was just too good to be true." However, I read it again (since I did buy it from Amazon) and I love it. A lot. I remember when I read this novel I was in a negative place and apparently I was incapable of liking anything, even something beautiful and refreshing like the Green series. (Makes me want to go back and reread some other novels that I didn't like but have been given good reviews by my friends whose opinions I trust. I suppose the opposite is also true. I may be too generous in my reviews of books when I am in a good place. Who knows.) </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There was a lot of sorrow and sadness in the first book so maybe since I was feeling the same I didn't want to relate. However, in the second book she finds more hope. I love the 'witches' in the second book. All the stories she finds and records. It moves a bit slowly and then too quickly for me but I love the words. Hoffman has a beautiful way of describing what is happening. The words are lovely.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I still like the second book better.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I hope I can hone my skill so that I can write beautiful words. Now, off to write something of my own. </div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-9347582094760965312012-03-06T14:30:00.000-07:002012-03-06T14:30:50.558-07:00Three Foods and a Shoe RackI have been remiss in my duties to my blog, however, I have not been remiss in my Pinterest experiment. Here are a few things I have been trying at home with varying degrees of success.<br />
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Better Than Take Out Orange Chicken recipe found at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/The%20Noshery%20Blog">The Noshery</a> Blog<br />
<img alt=""Better Than Takeout Orange Chicken"." class="PinImageImg" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/44754590016873534_JEAcL7OO_b.jpg" style="height: 127px;" /><br />
WOW. I halved the recipe because I don't like soggy orange chicken and I knew I couldn't (or shouldn't) eat 6 servings in one sitting. However, after eating the left overs the next day I realized that this stuff is so delicious that I didn't notice any problem with sogginess. So next time I am making the full recipe. I must admit it makes me wish for a kitchen that is larger than a closet. This is now on my EAT OFTEN list. I made it with brown rice which was very tasty too. I can't tell you how many times I have used the rice steamer by brother gave me for my birthday several years ago. Thanks Bro!<br />
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Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti by <a href="http://cookingwithkim-kim.blogspot.com/search?q=crockpot+cheesy+chicken+spaghetti">Cooking with Kim</a><br />
<img alt="Crockpot cheesy chicken spaghetti" class="PinImageImg" data-id="166070304979147362" data-src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/273101164873315431_xcSPhR6b_b.jpg" height="144" jquery171049014371863691275="40" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/273101164873315431_xcSPhR6b_b.jpg" style="opacity: 1;" width="192" /><br />
Yum. This also made delicious leftovers which is nice because then I fill up a weeks worth of plastic containers and my lunch is ready to go. It had a nice kick to it because of the green chilies but not so much that the boy wouldn't eat it. It isn't the most healthy meal I have tried in the past few weeks but it was yummy. I might try and play with it and see if I can get the calories down a bit. The recipe does call for 98% Fat Free cream soups but I think more can be done. I am definitely trying it with whole wheat pasta. <br />
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Healthy Banana Bread from <a href="http://8weekstoabetteryourecipes.blogspot.com/p/breakfast-smoothies.html">8 Weeks to a Better You</a><br />
<img alt="Pinned Image" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/190136415487859603_kmx1bFMr_c.jpg" /><br />
The first time I made this it was a DISASTER. But I chalked it up to operator error and tried again, the biggest problem was I did not read all the comments or even a few of them if I did I would have realized that the recipe called for way to long in the oven. Mine burnt. Badly. And I guess I was in hurry and didn't mash up the bananas very well. Remedied that the next time by having the boy mash the bananas - those things were MASHED! It came out perfect. Moist and delicious. It has a slightly different flavor with the honey, a different kind of sweetness. We really liked it. I also made three small loaves which work better for us. After the success of the second try will be making this again and again.<br />
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Clear Shoe Rack to Organize Kids Room (from <a href="http://blog.hellolittleone.com/get-organized-good-ideas-for-how-where-to-store-your-stuff/">HelloLittleOne</a>) AND Cleaning Supplies (from Pinterest but the link is broken - sad)<br />
<img alt="clear shoe rack to organize the kid's room" class="PinImageImg" data-id="166070304979080941" data-src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/149815125073985044_RHDqVxit_b.jpg" height="256" jquery171048776080247159814="79" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/149815125073985044_RHDqVxit_b.jpg" style="opacity: 1;" width="192" /> <img alt="Pinned Image" height="200" id="pinCloseupImage" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/24558760437576965_RwpQDVd5_c.jpg" width="149" /><br />
Basically the same idea just different products. I bought two clear shoe organizers. <br />
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The first I attached inside the boy's closet door. We filled it with his crayons (wow do we have a lot of crayons! - maybe I should try the popular Pinterest crayon art projects!!), colored pencils, paints and other craft materials. First I was surprised at how many duplicate things I had and second I was surprised at how many things I thought I had we were completely out of (i.e. glue sticks). <br />
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The second I attached to the hall closet. The best thing is that I do not have a lot of space in my house and with this little clear shoe organizer I cleaned off an entire shelf - may not seem like a big deal but it was a big deal to me. <br />
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I feel so organized!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-21236284268569463492012-02-13T15:00:00.000-07:002012-02-13T15:00:19.181-07:00Hot Soup in the Clean House TonightI was not expecting to have the weekend to myself so when I discovered I would be alone of course the first thought is CLEAN HOUSE. Okay, I know most people would not be as excited, well no, lots of my friends would be excited so maybe I am not as nuts as I thought. Because I work full time and I try to be a super good, focused, quality mom sometimes the house takes the back burner but not this weekend. <br />
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The funny things is that I cleaned like crazy and THEN I started organizing and pulling things out and rearranging things so if you came over to my house today you might look around and think 'this is clean?' well yes and no. If you look at my super clean shower head then yes, super clean!<br />
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I tried this shower head cleaner idea I got from <a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/2011/11/explosive-showerhead-cleaner/">Frugally Sustainable</a> I thought it looked easy so I gave it a try. I was amazed at how clean it was but even better how much better the shower sprayed. This is a keeper. Plus I think my son will love to watch the vinegar and baking soda reacting! (Maybe it will help him want to clean - one can dream!)<br />
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After a weekend of cleaning and organizing I wanted something yummy to eat and hopefully on the healthy side. So I tried Broccoli Cheddar Cheese soup. Now, I know what you are thinking - healthy?!? And you would be right. When I got this recipe from Pinterest it said, 'Broccoli Cheddar Cheese soup (light)' and I thought maybe it showed a lighter version of something with cheddar cheese in it. Well sort of this is the lighter version instead of heavy cream and tons o' butter. I still removed the '(light)' from the recipe card because it isn't, not really. I did use skim milk (as suggested - couldn't bring myself to try almond milk) but then adding four cups of cheddar cheese probably didn't help, not to mention the butter. Oh, well it was yummy and it has broccoli and carrots it is so it can't be ALL bad. It was easy to make. I love when recipes call for things that confuse me. Nutmeg for example. Who knew putting nutmeg in broccoli cheddar soup would give it that extra something special. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/=%22http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2010/12/17/broccoli-cheddar-cheese-soup/%22">Angie McGowan</a> knew that's who - she wrote the recipe. I loved it - this one is a keeper too. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpeqvetQDPY/TzmFgsP_TmI/AAAAAAAABLo/NVee9Cm3zp8/s1600/63472675968047063_lBqjV8li_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LpeqvetQDPY/TzmFgsP_TmI/AAAAAAAABLo/NVee9Cm3zp8/s320/63472675968047063_lBqjV8li_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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In my last post I said I was going to try healthy banana bread and a craft. I couldn't find 'almost' over ripe bananas at the store so they are ripening at my house as I type. Craft - hmm just could not bring myself to do it this weekend. Cleaning was so much more fun. Maybe next weekend. Since I call myself Mama Bookworm maybe the next post will be about a book or the very least Legos!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-66379373388148234252012-02-08T11:08:00.000-07:002012-02-08T11:08:34.440-07:00PinterestingI discovered Pinterest. It's like Columbus discovering America. The site is amazing and interesting and oh so fun. I found this quote "comparison is the thief of joy" (on Pinterest) and I wanted to make sure that I utilize Pinterest and enjoy it without allowing it to steal my joy. Thusly.<br />
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I decided to take something I find on Pinterest and use it - weekly. Whether it is making a scrumptious recipe or trying out a craft (which would be fun to watch, seriously me and crafts are like vinegar and water) or attempting a new and improved cleaning method or even (gasp) undertake a new exercise routine - I am going to USE my new knowledge not abuse my curiosity and interest in clothes or perfect homes.<br />
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So sit back and enjoy my "Pinetersting Experiment"<br />
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Experiment 1<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-UT7ireIeo/TzG8ye-evbI/AAAAAAAABK4/o46B47pBEtY/s1600/255860822549508644_sxzWFZ8g_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X-UT7ireIeo/TzG8ye-evbI/AAAAAAAABK4/o46B47pBEtY/s320/255860822549508644_sxzWFZ8g_c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Success! I tried the Over Baked Parmesan Seasoned Fries <a href="http://playwithsugar.blogspot.com/2009/07/oven-baked-parmesan-seasoned-fries.html">http://playwithsugar.blogspot.com/2009/07/oven-baked-parmesan-seasoned-fries.html</a>. Holy Toledo! In a word - YUM. Even my child who is notoriously fickle about his fries asked me to make these delicious spuds again. Practically fool proof too, as I mentioned on Facebook, I was half way through baking - yes baking these little tots are good for you! - when I realized I forgot the Parmesan, truly a disaster as they are called oven baked PARMESAN fries. I pulled the tuber sticks out of the oven dumped the whole thing back into the Ziploc bag I used to get the other seasoning on the fries, added the parm and placed back in the oven. Even with my culinary skills these little darlings made this Idaho Potato smile. This recipe is now on our permanent love list. <br />
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Additional Note: I made this again last night and they were even better than the first time!<br />
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Experiment 2<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-Y9Hdoq8zs/TzG93Kp7FII/AAAAAAAABLA/GgRNIx5aaL4/s1600/77124212338498828_4Qxlh5d4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i-Y9Hdoq8zs/TzG93Kp7FII/AAAAAAAABLA/GgRNIx5aaL4/s320/77124212338498828_4Qxlh5d4_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Disaster! Here are the exact directions: Section hair into 5-10 big sections then braid each in a loose braid. Run a flat iron over each braid, let them cool down, spray hairspray and undo braids. Okay I don't know if I don't braid correctly or if my hair is just too short but my hair was kinky and frizzy and out of control, except on the top of my skull which was stick straight. I looked like the Mad Hatter without his hat! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfVgvNY6lmQ/TzG-IVP6IAI/AAAAAAAABLQ/MzrsGprMc5M/s1600/mad-hatter1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NfVgvNY6lmQ/TzG-IVP6IAI/AAAAAAAABLQ/MzrsGprMc5M/s320/mad-hatter1.png" width="320" /></a></div>Short guy was like whoa, what did you do to your hair! Fortunately I had plenty of time to straighten it before work! Now, I wouldn't dismiss this as it is highly likely that this was operator error but I don't think I will try it again.<br />
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Experiment 3<br />
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Indifferent. Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken. Eh. <a href="http://slow-cooker.recipes-network.net/smothered-chicken.html">http://slow-cooker.recipes-network.net/smothered-chicken.html</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HSZs2k9B3I/TzKt8mHcjfI/AAAAAAAABLY/vygT9MZASpU/s1600/IMG_117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HSZs2k9B3I/TzKt8mHcjfI/AAAAAAAABLY/vygT9MZASpU/s1600/IMG_117.jpg" /></a></div>I wasn't impressed but I didn't gag it up either. Chicken is always good in the slow cooker because it is so moist and just falls apart. I love that! But the combo of soups and flavors was just, well like I said, eh. The boy ate a couple bites and then proceeded to create his butter and salt rice creation. If I don't watch carefully he will dump WAY to much salt on it. I think I will move on to a different slow cooker chicken recipe. Call me a website snob but I also thought the website looked a bit amateurish. Not that I could do any better but I would figure it out if I was pandering to the masses. <br />
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I am excited to try my next Pinteresting Experiment. I think I will try 'healthy' banana bread - sounds mildly frightening. And a craft - sounds terrifying!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-63481279686796296442012-02-07T12:41:00.000-07:002012-02-07T12:41:20.612-07:00Vocal PointI am sitting at my desk on Thursday afternoon and get a random email from one of the secretaries in the building. That happens more often than one would think, I was about to delete when I thought hmmm could have some interesting information. So I pop open the email and open the first attachment, classical music on a Saturday afternoon, hmmm no. Not that I don't like classical music, especially in the afternoon on a Saturday but I never know when I am or am not going to have Sam and he can only take so much classical music. Thinking that yes, I should just close the email and get back to work I open the next attachment. Vocal Point in the small theater - just across the street! Awesome. Not so awesome it is on Saturday, this Saturday. I call up the ticket office thinking they will be sold out. NOPE! I scored three tickets. I invited a friend that I was supposed to go see a movie with on Saturday but then I ended up having Sam so no movie for us but fortunately or unfortunately - depending on how you look at it - she couldn't go. Sam wanted to invite his friend Aiden.<br />
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We had perfect seats, not that there are any bad seats in a theater that seats 1,000 people. After we sat down my boss sat down next to us so I told the kids, "Be REALLY good!" I didn't really need to tell them that, they were well behaved gentlemen. <br />
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The concert was so fun. It was funny, uplifting, high quality entertainment. I asked the boys what their favorite songs were: Sam said his was Game Day which is very entertaining to watch and Aiden said his favorite was when 'that guy' (that would be Tanner) did the beat boxing thing. I have to admit that was one of my favorite moments too. I loved every moment but I thought it was hilarious when the 'deep base guy' (that would be Robert) did an Elmo voice, the best Elmo impersonation I have ever heard and then when one of the other members said "What part does Elmo sing?" He said in an Elmo voice, "Elmo likes to sing..." And then in a really deep rich base "BASE" So funny. They also sang some spiritual songs. <br />
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At the end they said they would be signing autographs at Deseret Book both Sam and Aiden looked at me with big eyes and pleading faces. Oh alright, we'll go. Happy children!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDYYlOveCow/TzF8vqTrv3I/AAAAAAAABKY/nU_SIVVTsbw/s1600/Vocal+Point+Concert+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GDYYlOveCow/TzF8vqTrv3I/AAAAAAAABKY/nU_SIVVTsbw/s320/Vocal+Point+Concert+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Tanner and Robert were so cute with the kids asking them their names and what their favorite songs were both Sam and Aiden asked to see Tanner's 'neck' mic - I have never seen anything like it! We learned a lot about beatboxing!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYnUdg3SPiM/TzF80RfbfHI/AAAAAAAABKg/eM91liCbO24/s1600/Vocal+Point+Concert+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYnUdg3SPiM/TzF80RfbfHI/AAAAAAAABKg/eM91liCbO24/s320/Vocal+Point+Concert+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I wish the pics weren't so blurry but everything happened so fast. Sam was so excited to shake McKay's hand. They were all so friendly and great with the kids. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aA4FnDbFlpI/TzF8314k54I/AAAAAAAABKo/vJ6F5JdDayU/s1600/Vocal+Point+Concert+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aA4FnDbFlpI/TzF8314k54I/AAAAAAAABKo/vJ6F5JdDayU/s320/Vocal+Point+Concert+010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Smiley happy people!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yeuf3V0S5Lo/TzF87b8TwPI/AAAAAAAABKw/IlOeynZxxcw/s1600/Vocal+Point+Concert+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yeuf3V0S5Lo/TzF87b8TwPI/AAAAAAAABKw/IlOeynZxxcw/s320/Vocal+Point+Concert+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I couldn't pass up the chance to buy a CD and let the boys get signatures. Both of them were like "I am going <span style="background-color: white;">to k</span>eep mine forever", "I am going to protect it from the ninjas" Seriously they were so funny about it.<br />
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The night was so fun. Thanks Aiden for coming with us we had a FANTASTIC time!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-9037819131728489862012-01-30T13:05:00.000-07:002012-01-30T13:05:24.251-07:00Party Planet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkbX2mB-u8s/Tyb36xq6vaI/AAAAAAAABKI/iLPBEUw0IdQ/s1600/Sam+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nkbX2mB-u8s/Tyb36xq6vaI/AAAAAAAABKI/iLPBEUw0IdQ/s320/Sam+Party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sam got lucky this year. We found a groupon for Planet Play with the best deal. Seriously the best so Sam got to take three friends to play laser tag, bumber cars, lots of video games, eat pizza and generally just have a good time. We all had so much fun. Even I wanted to try out the laser tag it looked so fun and non threatening. We were all exhausted when they day was over but it was so much fun. Let's do it again!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-11934062489222794082012-01-20T16:57:00.000-07:002012-01-20T16:57:01.431-07:002011 MisadventuresIt's funny that last time I wrote I spoke of trying to be better about blogging and then I never wrote again in 2011. It was a busy year and we had 'stuff'. Here are a few highlights:<br />
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I was co-conspirator with my friend Michele Ebright in planning our mission reunion. I think it ended up being perfect. It was so fun to see so many sisters. I think the furthest came from Australia but we had lots of people from lots of places. Can't wait til the next one!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWvTb1YMAJg/Txn5zeTaKaI/AAAAAAAABJA/_8BAt0u6FrI/s1600/Mission+Reunion+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YWvTb1YMAJg/Txn5zeTaKaI/AAAAAAAABJA/_8BAt0u6FrI/s320/Mission+Reunion+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We had a blast with our family at the Wood Family Reunion. Sam loves spending time with his Papa and Dede and his cousins, especially Cambridge. He loves taking care of Beckett and Jude and playing with Lincoln, Spencer and Hayden. The whole trip was loads of fun. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zdl-zTORx4A/Txn813bHwnI/AAAAAAAABJQ/wlARWPQTf0o/s1600/Wood+Family+Reunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zdl-zTORx4A/Txn813bHwnI/AAAAAAAABJQ/wlARWPQTf0o/s320/Wood+Family+Reunion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We went to the Utah Scottish festival for the first time and I can tell you we will be back again next year. We had so much fun. Who knew there was so much to do! Plus the root beer is to die for, I think I would pay to get in just to pay to get root beer, honestly it is that good!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0R1hXvJtJEo/Txn89oNIWmI/AAAAAAAABJY/serdZxQ5hY0/s1600/Scottish+Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0R1hXvJtJEo/Txn89oNIWmI/AAAAAAAABJY/serdZxQ5hY0/s320/Scottish+Festival.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sam and I had our first gun experience. My uncle is a gun kinda guy showed us how it is done, safety first and then lots of fun. We had a great time with my parents, aunt and uncle and cousin. I think we need to do it again ... and soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9aEOw0siuY/Txn9fMxu09I/AAAAAAAABJg/f-fjv39u3nw/s1600/Presentation1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9aEOw0siuY/Txn9fMxu09I/AAAAAAAABJg/f-fjv39u3nw/s320/Presentation1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sam finished up summer with his summer play. This is his fourth year and it was fun as ever. He was a Merry Man in Robin Hood's band as well as one of the three little pigs in a side skit. It was so fun to watch his facial expressions, he really gets into his part. He was amazing!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbRuQv8EpF8/Txn9jY8F0KI/AAAAAAAABJo/fwq_GWhcUYM/s1600/Summer+Play.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbRuQv8EpF8/Txn9jY8F0KI/AAAAAAAABJo/fwq_GWhcUYM/s320/Summer+Play.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Then summer was over we spent the week before school hanging out at the pool, spending a day at the zoo and partying it up at the Children's museum. I have to say to that I LOVE Sam's teacher this year. If you have children at Adelaide pray for Mrs. Packard because she has been a God-send to us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_W8WsF_Md_4/Txn9nywYjII/AAAAAAAABJw/BAm220hA8jU/s1600/Halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" nfa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_W8WsF_Md_4/Txn9nywYjII/AAAAAAAABJw/BAm220hA8jU/s320/Halloween.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sam was a pirate for Halloween but I have to say when he is next to our cousin Kellen who was Wesley from Princess Bride he could pass for Inigo Montoya, don't you think? He made out like a pirate in the candy department - funny he probably won't eat half of it, he is more a salty kid. His favorite treat a bag of microwave popcorn!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXMrrrPuL8s/Txn-emfmniI/AAAAAAAABJ4/47OAqxGX4gM/s1600/DSCN0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bXMrrrPuL8s/Txn-emfmniI/AAAAAAAABJ4/47OAqxGX4gM/s320/DSCN0717.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sam loves his counsin Cambridge. They email back and forth and Skype from time to time but nothing is better than a visit! Thanks for visiting!!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_CMMV3kXCk/Txn-mDumW8I/AAAAAAAABKA/1phGcoSO12o/s1600/Holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m_CMMV3kXCk/Txn-mDumW8I/AAAAAAAABKA/1phGcoSO12o/s320/Holiday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Finally the holidays. We loved Chuckarama with the Lanham family. Sam said it was the best Thanksgiving ever because he got pepperoni pizza. I think here is a new tradition in our family. We had so much fun setting up our Turkey Tree and remembering all the things we have to be grateful for. I got to sing in a Christmas Choir for the first time in years. Sam was a superstar and would come to practice with me every Sunday night for two hours. So grateful he is such a good kid. We also got to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas performance, wow was it amazing! Finally, Christmas day and New Years. I loved being with Sam on those holidays. Remembering our Savior and bringing in the New Year with Sam is the best way to celebrate. <br />
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Now it is time for 2012 and I am sure we will have plenty of misadventures!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-55160811125461684512011-02-28T13:02:00.005-07:002011-02-28T13:24:26.823-07:00It's March ... Already!I often think my life is boring, well if it is so boring how did January and February fly by so fast? I have a few clues that may lead me to understand how these two relatively long months flew past.<br /><div></div><br /><div>First, my Sam turned 8 years old on January 27th. He is such an amazing kid. He fills my life with laughter and stories and wild imagination. I went to his school the day after his birthday to share a birthday treat and play a game, we made Lego puzzles for all the kids. It was really fun. I loved watching Sam interact with his class. I don't get to do that very often but it is really one of my most favorite things.</div><br /><div>We had fun planning Sam's Pirate themed party at the local aquetics center. My favorite part was watching him try to eat with a pirate eye patches on both his eyes. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fB15QsMUP64/TWwCX0wpQ2I/AAAAAAAABH0/UFqjFiDzeWo/s1600/100_0537_resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578836646728123234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fB15QsMUP64/TWwCX0wpQ2I/AAAAAAAABH0/UFqjFiDzeWo/s400/100_0537_resized.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aokQ9PCFrjI/TWwCXuT2x6I/AAAAAAAABHs/QCFj36uaQtg/s1600/100_0516_resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578836644996761506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aokQ9PCFrjI/TWwCXuT2x6I/AAAAAAAABHs/QCFj36uaQtg/s400/100_0516_resized.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLBuectWTJE/TWwCXWqRSSI/AAAAAAAABHk/lTR8D3zKxek/s1600/100_0511_resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578836638648322338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PLBuectWTJE/TWwCXWqRSSI/AAAAAAAABHk/lTR8D3zKxek/s400/100_0511_resized.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Second, two weeks after Sam turned 8 he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a perfect day. And I do mean perfect. I had been stressing about the day for months, no need to go into the details but I just worried it would not be great. Then a couple days before I just felt peace, I felt that God was looking out for Sam and it was going to be a beautiful day and it was, it was perfect. I felt blessed to have so many family and friends come and show their love for Sam. He looked amazing in white and his smile was contagious. Brother Randy Benson baptized Sam. He has been our Home Teacher for over six years. Sam loves him like a grandpa.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_L6qlszqVE/TWwCYWyj1wI/AAAAAAAABH8/tI7eEkMTG9o/s1600/100_0550_resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578836655862961922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_L6qlszqVE/TWwCYWyj1wI/AAAAAAAABH8/tI7eEkMTG9o/s400/100_0550_resized.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUCFz4vq4qs/TWwCm8al5NI/AAAAAAAABIM/SOBpzTiMLwg/s1600/100_0560_resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578836906481149138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vUCFz4vq4qs/TWwCm8al5NI/AAAAAAAABIM/SOBpzTiMLwg/s400/100_0560_resized.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-57LLSUF6wSw/TWwDxMnPbAI/AAAAAAAABIU/dlXo3r86gZQ/s1600/100_0555_resized_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578838182139489282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-57LLSUF6wSw/TWwDxMnPbAI/AAAAAAAABIU/dlXo3r86gZQ/s400/100_0555_resized_1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>Third, Sam joined the ranks of the cub scouts. I'll be honest scouts scare me (funny my sister Facebooked me the same sentence!) but really scouts scare me. It also seems to want to nickle and dime me into poverty but that is a story for another time. Sam looks so dang cute in his blue shirt. At his blue and gold banquet last week they had made short films to show the parents. Sam's group was the best. It really was so funny. I think I may have an actor on my hands. He did a really great job. </div><br /><div>So the past few months have gone by fast and furious. I don't think it will slow down any so hopefully I will be better about blogging but probably not. Here is the update. I still can't believe it is March 2011. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-82032811489365074642010-12-28T16:40:00.004-07:002010-12-28T16:55:44.474-07:00Merry Christmas and Happy New YearI wanted to send letters to everyone but alas ... here is my Christmas letter to ALL my wonderful friends and family<br /><br />Dear Family & Friends,<br /><br />It has been a year of ups and downs. Mostly ups, a few downs.<br /><br />This past January my grandfather, Ralph Wood, passed away. Over the year, I have been reminded of what a wonderful example of faith and love he was to me. I have missed him but I am grateful for the legacy he left for my son and me.<br /><br />We took a couple of road trips this year, one of which was traumatic and financially painful but it was all worth it to see family. Many people know that I do not like to drive but I do it anyway. I may not take a road trip again for a time. I don't like to fly either so if you love me and want to see me I guess you will have to come to Utah!<br /><br />Sam performed in summer theater camp again. This year they did several skits of twisted fairy tales. They did Falling for Rapunzel, The Emperor's Old Clothes, Ode to Humpty Dumpty and the Princess and the Pizza. Then they also did four dances, Sam was a part of three: Smelling the Roses, a contemporary dance; Hero Battle, a hip hop routine in which Sam had a kickin' break dance solo; and a Bollywood dance. He had so much fun with all his friends. I was told (by people that don't even know us!) that Sam was their favorite. He has such a great face and gets into all the difference characters. He had a great time doing the play and I had a great time watching.<br /><br />I asked Sam what some of his favorite memories were from this year. He said his favorite memory of this year was spending time with family in California. It was so fun to spend time with my family hanging out at the condo, playing at Disneyland, seeing the ocean for the first time and swimming in the pool. The reunion produced wonderful memories that we will cherish.<br /><br />Sam and I are going to spend a quiet Christmas at home. During this time of year, we have reflected on the many the many blessings that we have been given. We are so grateful for our family and friends that love and support us. I am grateful for my job and the people that I have the opportunity to interact with every day. We are grateful to live in this country. We are most grateful for Jesus Christ, for His birth and for His Atonement.<br /><br />We wish you are the very best Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br /><br />Love Liz & Sam<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TRp4Cb8HPPI/AAAAAAAABHU/UFpDnNKNxlk/s1600/Christmas%2BCard.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555885073569889522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TRp4Cb8HPPI/AAAAAAAABHU/UFpDnNKNxlk/s400/Christmas%2BCard.jpg" /></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-2733466587216709342010-10-16T15:33:00.004-06:002010-10-16T15:45:14.188-06:00NaNoWriMo<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TLocJ_LrBGI/AAAAAAAABG0/_UaKFmRTVL8/s1600/nanowrimo_participant_08_120x240.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 120px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528762450455495778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TLocJ_LrBGI/AAAAAAAABG0/_UaKFmRTVL8/s400/nanowrimo_participant_08_120x240.png" /></a><br /><div>It is that time of year again. I was not going to do it this year but when October rolled around all I could think of was NaNo starts in November. What am I going to write?<br /></div><div>Then I had an idea about a huge empire that took care of the people living within the original country/kingdom but mistreated the 'colonies' some of which were the moons surrounding the planet. They bring 'worthy' warriors out of the colonies to become empire guards or whatever. My MC Riley is from one of the moon colonies. The reason the empire peeps are bringing in outside muscle is that they are guarding a dirty little secret. Anyway that is a start.<br /></div><div></div><div>Problem is this is the first time I have written from a male POV. I find I am struggling. So now with only a few weeks to go I am thinking of striking the whole idea and writing a different story back with my good ol' female POV but then I feel like that is giving up. NaNo is hard enough to write without struggling with the main character. But just now I thought I could write from third person which would mean I wouldn't have to get into my MCs head. Hmmm choices, choices. Nevertheless and notwithstanding I am doing NaNo this year. What exactly I am going to write it yet to be determined. </div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-29976898077730555282010-09-28T14:15:00.006-06:002010-09-28T14:56:45.130-06:00Happiest Place on EarthI am in serious neglect of my blog but I am here to redeem myself. We had a great time a couple of weeks ago in California here are the highlights:<br /><br />The first day we were there it was a beautiful day for the pool. The kiddos has a great time playing in the water and sliding down the water slide. They had not seen each other for a while but it didn't take long for everyone to jump in and play.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNuksYn7I/AAAAAAAABFU/0Ea6-yIRto4/s1600/100_0261.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522061555628810162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNuksYn7I/AAAAAAAABFU/0Ea6-yIRto4/s400/100_0261.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNvK5iBDI/AAAAAAAABFc/f-BBElE5xII/s1600/100_0292.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522061565884498994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNvK5iBDI/AAAAAAAABFc/f-BBElE5xII/s400/100_0292.JPG" /></a>We went to a farmer's market and got the best fresh fruit EVER. It was all so good. The only downer was I bought a lot because I just could not stop myself on the last day I was stuffing peaches in my mouth trying to eat it all before we left for home. Sam got some really cool clothes. Here he is trying them out.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNvZx_PkI/AAAAAAAABFk/l8lizXDmb_M/s1600/100_0294.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522061569879391810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNvZx_PkI/AAAAAAAABFk/l8lizXDmb_M/s400/100_0294.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Ah the beach. Sam LOVED it. It started off a bit cool and overcast but for me it was perfect. I love that kind of weather. Walking along the beach with a cardigan the water splashing on my toes. Then the clouds cleared and the sun came out. It was a perfect day at the beach. <div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNv-TUvQI/AAAAAAAABFs/k_hc5w2UEZU/s1600/100_0302.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522061579682888962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJNv-TUvQI/AAAAAAAABFs/k_hc5w2UEZU/s400/100_0302.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />The family at Disneyland. Needless to say we all had a great time. We laughed, we cried. It really is the happiest place on earth until you have to leave. Sam wanted to know if we could live there. Who doesn't want to live at Disneyland? Sam's favorite ride was the Matterhorn. Mine was Indiana Jones.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJQfgmCs1I/AAAAAAAABGc/u5DuiPk-ZaA/s1600/100_0351.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522064595365311314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJQfgmCs1I/AAAAAAAABGc/u5DuiPk-ZaA/s400/100_0351.JPG" /></a> Sam, Cambridge and Hayden at Disney. Everybody was so great and had such a good time.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJQgVIaMaI/AAAAAAAABGs/7EcCSQEtWrY/s1600/100_0375.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522064609468101026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJQgVIaMaI/AAAAAAAABGs/7EcCSQEtWrY/s400/100_0375.JPG" /></a>Sam loves Lego - he is a LegoMaster - so when i found out we were only 20 minutes from Legoland I couldn't resist. It was a blast. And Sam got his drivers licence. I have to say going to Lego after Disney slightly lessened the experience for me (although if you ask Sam it might be his favorite part of the trip). It is an amazing place but really nothing compares to Disneyland. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPLlakaZI/AAAAAAAABF0/Cu34I8QnJY8/s1600/100_0439.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522063153550354834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPLlakaZI/AAAAAAAABF0/Cu34I8QnJY8/s400/100_0439.JPG" /></a> <div></div><div>Note the super tired look in Sam's eye. Two full days of parks wears a person out!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPL1WfyFI/AAAAAAAABF8/UXGgsGhSsqY/s1600/100_0440.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522063157828241490" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPL1WfyFI/AAAAAAAABF8/UXGgsGhSsqY/s400/100_0440.JPG" /></a><br />Legoland. I can't believe I rode this thing. But Sam had so much fun I just could not resist. It is called the Knight's challenged. To me it looked like a giant dragon claw grabbed us then flung us about. That is pretty much what the ride did. And I didn't even get sick to my stomach! When you got on the ride you had to take of anything that could fall off - flip flops, earings, sunglasses - and take all items out of your pockets. They had a little cubby by the ride to hold your personal belongings. Sam pulled out of his pocket a tiny silver screw, he was so proud of his personal item.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJQf1XlbeI/AAAAAAAABGk/x6mS-Kksjmw/s1600/100_0405.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522064600941817314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJQf1XlbeI/AAAAAAAABGk/x6mS-Kksjmw/s400/100_0405.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br />Our last evening in California we went to a Padres game. We, OF COURSE, screaming and yelled for the San Fran Giants. Sam said it was the best, a least the parts he could remember. After all the fun and excitement he couldn't keep his eyes open. Even with loud and crazy fans all around us he was fast asleep after the 3 inning. I had never been to a professional game before. It was so fun.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPMhaXxII/AAAAAAAABGM/DJSWzVPxLFA/s1600/100_0450_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522063169655653506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPMhaXxII/AAAAAAAABGM/DJSWzVPxLFA/s400/100_0450_1.jpg" /></a><br />The last day at the pool. The kiddos loved chasing Papa around and he loved being chased. It was such a fun packet, yet relaxing adventure.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPMbjp-hI/AAAAAAAABGE/OEIIjfVrn2M/s1600/100_0447.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522063168083982866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPMbjp-hI/AAAAAAAABGE/OEIIjfVrn2M/s400/100_0447.JPG" /></a> Kipp, Sam, Lincoln and Spencer - the cool kats.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPNLcsLII/AAAAAAAABGU/j7vzsTF8-uU/s1600/September2010415.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522063180939668610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TKJPNLcsLII/AAAAAAAABGU/j7vzsTF8-uU/s400/September2010415.jpg" /></a> It was so much fun to spend the week with family. My sister is a rock star for putting it all together. Thanks Katie for all your hard work. Can't wait for the next one. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-66017338114087004782010-08-17T15:21:00.006-06:002010-08-25T13:40:54.956-06:00Twisted Faery TalesSam's play was awesome. The first skit was called Falling for Rapunzel. As you can see I was in the back but I moved up after the first skit and got much better pictures. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAjMWT7hI/AAAAAAAABCw/i5pQ9KQLIqE/s1600/DSCF0030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495574000791058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAjMWT7hI/AAAAAAAABCw/i5pQ9KQLIqE/s400/DSCF0030.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAitAocEI/AAAAAAAABCo/i81P8JjDrw8/s1600/DSCF0029.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495565588361282" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAitAocEI/AAAAAAAABCo/i81P8JjDrw8/s400/DSCF0029.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAiWhdqUI/AAAAAAAABCg/dgM4nCdD-Ls/s1600/DSCF0028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495559552051522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAiWhdqUI/AAAAAAAABCg/dgM4nCdD-Ls/s400/DSCF0028.JPG" /></a> This next skit is called the Emporor's Old Clothes. Sam was the cutest farmer. He did such a great job dancing and he really got into his character.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAtSsZEOI/AAAAAAAABDI/i8_oq8NtDYU/s1600/DSCF0033.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495747502706914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAtSsZEOI/AAAAAAAABDI/i8_oq8NtDYU/s400/DSCF0033.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAjrrPzvI/AAAAAAAABDA/eOva_Z7HM8M/s1600/DSCF0038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495582410100466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAjrrPzvI/AAAAAAAABDA/eOva_Z7HM8M/s400/DSCF0038.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAjezxISI/AAAAAAAABC4/hbZEN9oYoZk/s1600/DSCF0032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495578956177698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAjezxISI/AAAAAAAABC4/hbZEN9oYoZk/s400/DSCF0032.JPG" /></a> This next part was so cool. They did four dances and Sam was a part of three. The first was called "Smelling the Roses" and it was a contemporary style dance where one child is reading a book looking around at his friends when they all run around and do not slow down to enjoy growing up and then the all fall down and go to sleep. They don't die. The just sleep. The director wanted to make the clear. Sam was amazing and I am not just saying that because I am his mother. More than once person (a couple I don't even know) came up and said Sam did an amazing job.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAt1bb6cI/AAAAAAAABDQ/ce8Nk7KUat0/s1600/DSCF0041.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495756826831298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAt1bb6cI/AAAAAAAABDQ/ce8Nk7KUat0/s400/DSCF0041.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAuYdOngI/AAAAAAAABDg/mYQ4DU3uYzM/s1600/DSCF0044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495766229589506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAuYdOngI/AAAAAAAABDg/mYQ4DU3uYzM/s400/DSCF0044.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAuIeIIcI/AAAAAAAABDY/5qbLfYIsoOI/s1600/DSCF0043.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495761938391490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAuIeIIcI/AAAAAAAABDY/5qbLfYIsoOI/s400/DSCF0043.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA4IWPeTI/AAAAAAAABDw/PL_FVPhOAN8/s1600/DSCF0048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495933704010034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA4IWPeTI/AAAAAAAABDw/PL_FVPhOAN8/s400/DSCF0048.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAujUGZmI/AAAAAAAABDo/drlpRzb6MdY/s1600/DSCF0047.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495769144092258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsAujUGZmI/AAAAAAAABDo/drlpRzb6MdY/s400/DSCF0047.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA4hjudoI/AAAAAAAABD4/CBT_ievr6kI/s1600/DSCF0052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495940471453314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA4hjudoI/AAAAAAAABD4/CBT_ievr6kI/s400/DSCF0052.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This one was the hip hop routine. Sam had a solo where is did a little break dancing. My little B boy. This was a war between the heros and the heroines. It was pretty awesome. And they end up being friends in the end. Who doesn't like a happy ending.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA47ONBlI/AAAAAAAABEA/embYiaNYcAk/s1600/DSCF0055.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495947360503378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA47ONBlI/AAAAAAAABEA/embYiaNYcAk/s400/DSCF0055.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA5MOr6lI/AAAAAAAABEI/_4c7HtKWUSw/s1600/DSCF0059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495951925930578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA5MOr6lI/AAAAAAAABEI/_4c7HtKWUSw/s400/DSCF0059.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA5Su8vJI/AAAAAAAABEQ/06WlycDCMiI/s1600/DSCF0061.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506495953671863442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsA5Su8vJI/AAAAAAAABEQ/06WlycDCMiI/s400/DSCF0061.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBEz_GwEI/AAAAAAAABEY/Z_z9J8_JrQ8/s1600/DSCF0062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506496151576559682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBEz_GwEI/AAAAAAAABEY/Z_z9J8_JrQ8/s400/DSCF0062.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBFBhq4bI/AAAAAAAABEg/_Rrl8gvjZ9o/s1600/DSCF0067.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506496155211194802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBFBhq4bI/AAAAAAAABEg/_Rrl8gvjZ9o/s400/DSCF0067.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />This last one is a Bollywood number. It was a workout and a half. The all did such a great job.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBGVdpHWI/AAAAAAAABE4/V6LGyghDomo/s1600/DSCF0075.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506496177742880098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBGVdpHWI/AAAAAAAABE4/V6LGyghDomo/s400/DSCF0075.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBF6TwDMI/AAAAAAAABEw/e7NVRgoT1nI/s1600/DSCF0072.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506496170453634242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBF6TwDMI/AAAAAAAABEw/e7NVRgoT1nI/s400/DSCF0072.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBFlc490I/AAAAAAAABEo/F3VB2KkxaUo/s1600/DSCF0070.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506496164854822722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TGsBFlc490I/AAAAAAAABEo/F3VB2KkxaUo/s400/DSCF0070.JPG" /></a> It was an amazing night. I was so proud of Sam for learning the skits and the dances. The next night there were two new skits: Ode to Humpty Dumpty and the Princess and the Pizza. Sam had a great time. So proud of you son!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-83767333837295941372010-07-27T14:44:00.004-06:002010-07-27T14:57:23.725-06:00Summer LuvinSummer lovin had me a blast ... gotta love Grease. This summer is flying by. I can't believe it is almost August. Here is a pic of us at the 4th Fireworks at Sugarhouse Park. We were so glad that they were on this year.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9HECpNkyI/AAAAAAAABBM/bro1WTvtwl0/s1600/0703001929.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9HD3PJ-TI/AAAAAAAABBE/oMc2JWjcJxA/s1600/0703001930a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498691801735362866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9HD3PJ-TI/AAAAAAAABBE/oMc2JWjcJxA/s400/0703001930a.jpg" border="0" /></a> I look a little tired and my head HURT like crazy but it was fun nonetheless.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9GzFAcp0I/AAAAAAAABA8/Nr8PEjKF66M/s1600/0703001933b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498691513373992770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9GzFAcp0I/AAAAAAAABA8/Nr8PEjKF66M/s400/0703001933b.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is a pic of Sam pretending to be asleep on my dress. I was actually trying to get him to fall asleep while pretending to be asleep. It didn't work.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9Gy9-FNbI/AAAAAAAABA0/an0TI7XcwGo/s1600/0703001937.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498691511485019570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9Gy9-FNbI/AAAAAAAABA0/an0TI7XcwGo/s400/0703001937.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Sam eating his Shrek ice cream that got all over everything (including my dress) because the stick was not very far into the ice cream. It continually fell off it was messy, it was gross, according to Sam it was delicious.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9GynuAcQI/AAAAAAAABAs/KT5ytpnGdmY/s1600/0710001337a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498691505512018178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9GynuAcQI/AAAAAAAABAs/KT5ytpnGdmY/s400/0710001337a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a pic of Sam after he fell asleep in the car on the way to my cousin's daughter's baptism. He was coloring along and then BAM out cold. I thought it was cute how he pulled his hat over his eyes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9GyXAikQI/AAAAAAAABAk/N9GEl9-_BCM/s1600/0716001036a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498691501026349314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9GyXAikQI/AAAAAAAABAk/N9GEl9-_BCM/s400/0716001036a.jpg" border="0" /></a> Finally here we are at Sam's superhero fashion show at summer camp. I thought all the kids did a great job. But I have to say my superhero was the best!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9Gx0KK6VI/AAAAAAAABAc/ZVR7LwbUMGA/s1600/0716001036b_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498691491671501138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 322px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TE9Gx0KK6VI/AAAAAAAABAc/ZVR7LwbUMGA/s400/0716001036b_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-83024411042760401872010-06-10T21:54:00.010-06:002010-06-10T22:31:27.761-06:00The Good, The Bad, The UglyLet's start with the Ugly:<br /><br /><br />That would be my car being hoisted up onto the tow truck. Fun. NOT!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBGz4YfpoUI/AAAAAAAAA_c/FrCQmiiFZ0g/s1600/0604001649.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481360002715853122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBGz4YfpoUI/AAAAAAAAA_c/FrCQmiiFZ0g/s400/0604001649.jpg" /></a> So we were cruising along minding our own business when the car started slowing down like it was running out of gas. When I pushed on the gas it sputtered, lurched and then continued the downward spiral towards zero miles per hour. I safely maneuvered the car over to the side of the road, panicked and then said a little prayer.<br /><br />I called my brother (that is what brothers are for!) and he said he would come get us even though we were hours away from his house and he had a pretty big weekend on his plate. So I started the car again and kept driving. We pulled over four of five times before I finally realized that we would never make it. Brother to the rescue.<br /><br /><br />But then a guy from a service station pulled over and talked with us. His station was the one that gave us the tow. Just FYI when you are stuck in the middle of NO WHERE on I15 in Utah it is NOT cheap to get towed. Just for future use.<br /><br /><br />Here is Sam in the truck. He was having a wonderful adventure and it was because of him that I survived at all. There are many kinds of stress that I handle extremely well. However, I do not, I repeat, do NOT, handle car stress well. So I cried. When the tow truck got there I started to tear up again. Sam said, "just so I know are you going to cry again?" for some reason it struck me as hilarious. We both bust up laughing hysterically.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBGz37QEPtI/AAAAAAAAA_U/eAF7Hexmlow/s1600/0604001648b.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481359994865860306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBGz37QEPtI/AAAAAAAAA_U/eAF7Hexmlow/s400/0604001648b.jpg" /></a><br />Here we are in the tow truck. All smiles. Me - tear streaked face. Gotta love it.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG0DLBgRKI/AAAAAAAAA_k/be8wttb5_co/s1600/0604001648a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481360188078310562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG0DLBgRKI/AAAAAAAAA_k/be8wttb5_co/s400/0604001648a.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Fortunately, we made it safely to Cedar City, car in tow. It ended up being the fuel pump. I had got my car serviced the day before we left. I asked the guy if my shop had done a poor job and he said probably not. Even if they tested it the day before it might have been fine. Stupid fuel pump. The good news is that I now have a lifetime warranty on my fuel pump. Betcha I never have another problem with the fuel pump. </div><br /><div></div><div>Onto the bad: (you thought the above was bad, I am talking about another kind of bad!)</div><br /><div>S'more Brownies - oh so amazingly delicious. My sister-in-law made these bad boys up. Yum. Really, really yum.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG3GEgLYsI/AAAAAAAAA_s/_y4TFPDKMRY/s1600/untitled.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481363536402408130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG3GEgLYsI/AAAAAAAAA_s/_y4TFPDKMRY/s400/untitled.bmp" /></a></div><br /><div>And now onto the GOOD - the really good. The reason we went down the Cedar City in the first place. To see family. I have not seen my sister and her family in almost two years. Seeing her cute kiddos was so much fun. I had not seen my brother and family since Christmas. Being with family made the whole trip worthwhile. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG4KVx4anI/AAAAAAAAA_0/ez0MwwqIi3c/s1600/CIMG0716.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481364709271169650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG4KVx4anI/AAAAAAAAA_0/ez0MwwqIi3c/s400/CIMG0716.JPG" /></a><br />If that is not a picture of pure happiness I don't know what is. Love all those kiddos.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I was so happy to be a part of Cambridge's baptism<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG4LPR7GwI/AAAAAAAAA_8/UMzpnEpxH14/s1600/CIMG0664.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481364724706384642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG4LPR7GwI/AAAAAAAAA_8/UMzpnEpxH14/s400/CIMG0664.JPG" /></a><br />and to see cute little Beckett get blessed.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG4LlO8oBI/AAAAAAAABAE/9-xfbcNCd8E/s1600/CIMG0707.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481364730599481362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG4LlO8oBI/AAAAAAAABAE/9-xfbcNCd8E/s400/CIMG0707.JPG" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><p>Even through the trials it was a wonderful weekend. Seeing family, loving babies, enjoying the beautiful weather. I would do it all again, yes even the trauma of my car breaking down in the middle of no where just to be with the family again. Thanks everyone for helping us and letting us be a part. </p><p>We ended up spending a couple extra days. So thank to Cambridge and Addi and the rest of the crew for helping us have fun. Thanks to Parker and Beckett for letting me snuggle them lots.</p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG6JXQsNvI/AAAAAAAABAU/Vvmq1UV8O1A/s1600/CIMG0706.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481366891512215282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG6JXQsNvI/AAAAAAAABAU/Vvmq1UV8O1A/s400/CIMG0706.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG6IThjVlI/AAAAAAAABAM/GAvdaq9sOCE/s1600/CIMG0695.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481366873329325650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TBG6IThjVlI/AAAAAAAABAM/GAvdaq9sOCE/s400/CIMG0695.JPG" /></a><br /><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-1081342211262396222010-05-28T16:26:00.004-06:002010-05-28T16:50:23.628-06:00LaughterI love to laugh. I mean who doesn't. Today at work my co-workers had me in stitches. I was dying. Then the phone rang. I answered "So and So's office this is Liz". They said "hello, this is (insert prominent person's name here). <em>I</em> said "I'm good. How are you?" To which he laughed and said fine. After I got off the phone I said "I am a dumb." I guess when I laugh a lot my brain gets mushy.<br /><br /><br />I am just in one of those moods.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TABH2Icj30I/AAAAAAAAA-0/W1krmTvAiX0/s1600/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail-ver1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476456142188306242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 215px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TABH2Icj30I/AAAAAAAAA-0/W1krmTvAiX0/s320/monty-python-and-the-holy-grail-ver1.jpg" border="0" /></a> I need to go home and watch Monty Python<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />or Clue. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TABH25_8-pI/AAAAAAAAA-8/k0m85tBWTYk/s1600/Clue%2520cover.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476456155490089618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/TABH25_8-pI/AAAAAAAAA-8/k0m85tBWTYk/s320/Clue%2520cover.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward." ~ Kurt Vonnegut<br /><br />"Laughter is inner jogging." ~ Norman Cousins<br /><br />"Shared laughter creates a bond of friendship. When people laugh together, they cease to be young and old, teacher and pupils, worker and boss. They become a single group of human beings." ~ W. Lee Grant<br /><br />"I was irrevocably betrothed to laughter, the sound of which has always seemed to me to be the most civilized music in the world." ~ Peter Ustinov<br /><br />"May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility." ~ Maryanne Radmacher-HersheyElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-55922209294613902022010-05-18T16:40:00.005-06:002010-05-20T13:14:01.063-06:00Crying ShameI find it ironic that the first post after "Eternal Optimist" is about crying. My life is full of irony, I embrace it.<br /><br />Some days you just need to cry. The other day was my day. I left work after breaking down and decided to pick Sam up early because that would make his day. So I go to the school office thinking I have dried my face, cleared my eyes. They send Sam down from his class and I wait for him in the hall. He takes one look at me and says, "Why are you crying?" I am not <em>currently</em> crying, he could at least use the past tense. Kids are so observant. I told him some days I cry. Today is one of those days. He said something like 'as long as it isn't about me go ahead'. Made me laugh.<br /><br />The day did not necessarily get any better but that is not the point. The point is crying can be cathartic. Not the wailing, gnashing of teeth crying I think that just gives a person a headache. But releasing the emotion. Letting it go. Do-some-yoga kind of crying. Crying occasionally is good for the soul. The next day I woke up to the gentle sound of rain pattering on my window feeling better than I have in days. See - crying works.<br /><br />Then today at work a very wise man told me "There is a difference between pondering on a problem and worrying. Pondering invites the spirit, worry weighs you down."<br /><br />I liked it.<br /><br />I have been a little discouraged with my weight loss goals. I try so hard and yet I seem to fail. A lot. My relationship with food is not healthy. Not to mention the fact that I don't cook. People always give me these great healthy recipes but unless I can make it in 20 minutes (or less) AND it is made of stuff that doesn't rot in the fridge it just ain't gunna happen. People, I sit at a desk ALL DAY LONG. I love my job but sometimes I just want to throw the computer across the room and flea. But these are just excuses. I know that.<br /><br />You know what grates? My boss is doing weight watches with his wife. He hardly even tries. He only watches his points because his wife makes him report and he has lost over 20 pounds. He needs to buy new suits he has lost so much weight. I know it is unwise to compare myself with anyones weight loss let alone a man because they loose weight faster and easier but come on. He isn't even trying!<br /><br />But I am not giving up, failure is not an option. The funny thing is I have tried in the past to loose weight but I kept my goals very close to myself for one reason and one reason only. I hate to fail. So telling people about my goals has been difficult but good. I am not kidding. Failure is not an option.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-36102594679522907292010-05-13T14:43:00.004-06:002010-05-13T15:53:24.724-06:00Eternal OptimistSo I am not saying that <em>I</em> am an eternal optimist, although my dad did call me "Little Miss Mary Sunshine" when I was a kid. Sometimes I choose to be negative but it rarely makes me feel better. Usually I feel worse. Sometimes I cry or get angry about things that are out of my control. So much of my life feels like it is completely out of my control. But, really, being all grumpy about it does what? Nothing. Exactly. So why be all gloomy? I was talking to my sister and she told me about a woman she knows who complains about everything. I have known people like this in my life and usually I just want to avoid those kinds of people. I would rather look life in the face, laugh and move on.<br /><br />I heard from somewhere (I know amazing with my references) that George Washington made a list of things he needed to work on and every morning he would remind himself of what was on the list and every night he would review and reflect on how successful he was at accomplishing his goals. I thought about how character is built through work, day by day with conscious effort.<br /><br />I want my friends and family to think of me as a positive person, not to say that I will be fake because some days are just plain crappy but that I try to look on the bright side of things. The whole '<em>sun will come out tomorrow' </em>attitude. One of my favorite quotes from this past conference was from Elder Hallstrom, "...giving up is not an option ... without delay, turn to the Lord. Exercise all of the faith you have in Him. Let Him share your burden. Allow His Grace to lighten your load."<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S-xpSc67V4I/AAAAAAAAA-k/sW4xN0i27PY/s1600/27775.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470863413070223234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S-xpSc67V4I/AAAAAAAAA-k/sW4xN0i27PY/s320/27775.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today I have determined to find joy in my chaos, to find comfort in the rhythm of my storm tossed sea.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S-xo8OT90QI/AAAAAAAAA-c/0nY1WiEdEfg/s1600/27775.jpg"></a>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-54153086677343398112010-05-06T14:37:00.005-06:002010-05-06T14:52:29.405-06:00Brownie Points<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S-MsANZvPSI/AAAAAAAAA-U/O4aLopWAA7g/s1600/brownies.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468262754667150626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 304px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S-MsANZvPSI/AAAAAAAAA-U/O4aLopWAA7g/s320/brownies.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>First, I would like to make a confession. "Hi, my name is Liz and I am a brownie-aholic." </div><div><br /><div>I love brownies. I met someone once who did not like brownies. It was fortunate that I already liked this person <em>before</em> I knew they were anti-brownie. </div><br /><div>I love brownies: brown brownies, blond brownies, mulatto brownies. I have no prejudices against brownies. They are all one big happy family to me. May the world have lasting peace through chocolate gooeyness. </div><br /><div>So you are probably wondering, hmmm this girl has fallen off the weight watchers bandwagon which she only mentioned one post ago. No, never fear dear reader. I have found empowerment from a brownie. Yes it is true. So the first Thursday of random months is our staff meeting; seriously it is random, but I digress. Always at said staff meeting they produce yummy chocolaty brownies. I know this. It happens every time. Okay I think once they decided to get some other type of treat and there were riots in the halls. So I prepared, saved, planned so I could eat a brownie. And I ate one. It felt great to eat a treat I love AND to know that it is not going to set me back. Not going to hurt my life long goal of being healthy. Strange how planning to eat a brownie could make me feel so capable of reaching my weight loss goals. Nevertheless and not withstanding that was the feeling produced. Then I ate salad for lunch and fruit. Yummy fresh pineapple and watermelon. </div><br /><div>So I learned a great lesson today. I can eat what I want (albeit it sparingly) if I want it bad enough. Empowered by a brownie, who knew.</div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-31104718448704253102010-05-05T11:41:00.002-06:002010-05-05T12:00:04.656-06:00A Weight Watcher's Way of LifeSo a couple of weeks ago I jumped on the Weight Watcher's bandwagon. I decided it was far past time for me to do something about my weight. Yes, 'my' I possess it or rather it possess me. I decided that when I started to loath family events, refused friendly get togethers that it was time to change something. Okay perhaps loath is too strong a word but worry, despair, embarrassed. Those are appropriate words. I have done Weight Watcher's before and was moderately successful. So here is to a second try.<br /><br />I tried Metafast first. I think it could be a good program. I was enamored by it and I even coerced a friend into trying it (who was very successful at it by the way) but I just could not stand the bland food. Give me some flava' please. I liked the flavored water, even when I found out it was packed with caffeine (Yea, I know that was probably <em>why</em> I liked it so much). But the program just did not work for me. I felt hungry all the time and the food I did eat was yucky.<br /><br />So on to Weight Watchers. So far so good. I have lost 5 pounds. I am pretty excited about that and it motivates me to keep at it. I am connected by the hip (or the tips of my fingers rather) to the computer so I check the points on everything. I'll think to myself, hmm really how much could a Blizzard cost me. Yea. I took one look at the amount of points I would loose for a Reece's Blizzard and decided I would probably never have one again. There are so many things I would rather ingest, for less points and would probably keep me far more satisfied. Even Sam is getting into the whole points thing. When I eat anything he'll say, is that in your points. Most of the time I think it is cute and helpful. It is only when it <em>isn't</em> within my points that I get a bit frustrated that he asked. He has been very supportive and encourages me to work out. That or play Wii but he does <em>try</em> to be supportive.<br /><br />So the journey has begun. I have tried this journey before and lost but I think it is because I tried doing it alone. So that is why, embarrassing as it may be, I am reaching out to you my friends and family to support me in this journey. I want to be a healthy person. I don't need to be a supermodel (but honestly have you seen me? I am pretty hot!). So here I go, onward and downward.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-85851482058424858532010-03-31T13:38:00.003-06:002010-03-31T13:46:15.953-06:00Puppy LuvSam and I went to visit a friend whose dog just had puppies. You see below Sam with Zeek - the daddy! And what a daddy. He is a huge mass of muscle but a sweet kind BIG dog. Sam loved Zeek he wanted to take him home. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlIgsfoLI/AAAAAAAAA90/xD5a39cbV1g/s1600/0327001340.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454885139309895858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlIgsfoLI/AAAAAAAAA90/xD5a39cbV1g/s400/0327001340.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sam loved this puppy. He said it was his. Too bad he was already sold. Not that we could have taken a puppy home anyway because we can't have dogs at our apartment not to mention the fact that I am allergic to the cute little pups.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlIQYeheI/AAAAAAAAA9s/Onnq9GGVXHs/s1600/0327001316a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454885134930970082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlIQYeheI/AAAAAAAAA9s/Onnq9GGVXHs/s400/0327001316a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Just look at Sam's face. Pure love and excitment is what that is. Pure. He played and loved and played with those dogs for hours and then slept all the way home. He does not take naps anymore, naps are for babies says he, but he was so tired he zonked right out. I think before we even left their driveway.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlHnGQGeI/AAAAAAAAA9k/u2ySI1gQ9AY/s1600/0327001316.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454885123848673762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlHnGQGeI/AAAAAAAAA9k/u2ySI1gQ9AY/s400/0327001316.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sam is loving soccer. His little team is getting their act together and they have stopped running around like a swarm of bees. He loves being the 'defender' there is no goalie in his league so they call it the 'defender' instead. We may have a future goalie on our hands.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlHdMGq4I/AAAAAAAAA9c/H-BaaW6My1o/s1600/0325001856b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454885121188866946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlHdMGq4I/AAAAAAAAA9c/H-BaaW6My1o/s400/0325001856b.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sam and I went to the zoo on a teacher work day. It was crazy fun and a bit cold. The two thumbs up is his new thing. Can't wait for summer and more zoo trips.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlGwjVScI/AAAAAAAAA9U/jblMHptvPs4/s1600/0322001347.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454885109206698434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S7OlGwjVScI/AAAAAAAAA9U/jblMHptvPs4/s400/0322001347.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-52023519693963772482010-02-01T11:26:00.004-07:002010-02-01T13:55:32.469-07:00Women's Conference<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdJOkhIBI/AAAAAAAAA9E/hAkFB5wFz7s/s1600-h/Kristen_Oaks.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433343519813083154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdJOkhIBI/AAAAAAAAA9E/hAkFB5wFz7s/s200/Kristen_Oaks.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Women's Conference = Windows of Light<br /><br />This past weekend I attended a local women's conference. I was really excited to hear Sister Kristen Oaks speak. She talked like she was speaking to friends. Although the room was filled to capacity she made me feel like she was talking to just me. (and from comments I heard from others they felt the same way too - that is talent!)<br /><br />I wanted to share a few thoughts I had from the conference. One of my favorite things she said was to 'immunize yourself by knowing God's voice'. I thought to know God's voice you have to hear it. To hear it you have to listen through scripture reading and prayer, even singing or listening to Hymns. She said, 'negative thoughts are not from God, He may tell us hard things but in a loving way'. I knew that, I know that but sometimes I get caught up in the negatives. It is important to remember God loves us and chastises with peace and love, never chaos, confusion and anger.<br /><br />Another thought she shared that I love was a quote from I believe it was Elder Holland but don't quote me on that! "Salvation is not a cheap experience." Meaning Jesus Christ's life was not easy, his suffering was not easy, even his preaching the word was not easy. Why then would life be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him. Sometimes I want things to be easy. Life, love, relationships but in reality life is not easy it is how we live that makes life enjoyable. I believe that Christ was a happy person not because His life was easy but because he choose to be. It also relates to a workshop I went to on being happy she said something like 'deeper sorrow contours a place for greater joy'. Experiencing the hard, the sorrow, the pain grinds out valleys in our hearts for love, joy, laughter to resonate. I actually thought about this nature show I watched about the creation of valleys, created either by glaciers grinding away, or volcanoes bursting open, or earthquakes tearing things apart. Not an easy process but look at the beauty that is left behind.<br /><br />She spoke about many things but the last thing that really struck me was she told us that we must 'never disconnect ourselves from the real world'. She said she loves the Internet and movies and books but relationship with friends and family over a hot meal (or a cold one - everyone laughed) are really important. I love my friends and family and honestly most of the time because of long distance we can only connect over Facebook or blogs or emails but I hope that I am capable and willing to leave the virtual world and live in the real world too.<br /><br />Then I went to three workshops. I will give one or two of my favorites parts from each:<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdIxAfstI/AAAAAAAAA88/zJMzWYkzg88/s1600-h/Ann_Madsen_thumb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433343511877366482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 147px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdIxAfstI/AAAAAAAAA88/zJMzWYkzg88/s200/Ann_Madsen_thumb.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />First I listen to Ann Madsen she has been teaching Old Testament at BYU since 1976 (which is almost longer than I have been alive!). For the past several years her focus has been on the teachings of Isaiah. She also lived and taught at the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Talk about a women with amazing experience. </div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />She talked about studying the scriptures saying 'once you know, the Spirit will help you remember'. She spoke a lot about the scriptures being an 'anchor' and I thought about the storms of life and how I need to remain anchored.<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdIW2LalI/AAAAAAAAA80/PUkcl7UEs7k/s1600-h/0512-0707-3012-5855.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433343504854772306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdIW2LalI/AAAAAAAAA80/PUkcl7UEs7k/s200/0512-0707-3012-5855.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then I went to a photography class. Which is ironic considering the fact that I do not <em>own</em> a camera but here it to hoping. There were three things that stood out to me. First was change your perspective. The second light, light and more natural light. And finally, observe and find the beauty. (she also gave several hand outs about actually taking pictures)</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />I thought those were not only good tips for shooting pictures but living. Sometimes I just do not understand circumstances, other people but by changing my perspective I can perhaps see. She talked a lot about light, she said, 'sometimes we get too caught up with the background ... and we don't pay enough attention to the light'. Sometimes I get caught up in the background forgetting the really important things. And lastly observe. She said, 'there is so much that can go unnoticed in everyday life that is worthy of your attention'. She, of course, was speaking of photographs but I was thinking about the little miracles that happen all around me and that I would feel more peace and find more joy if I just took the time to notice.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdH_TiCPI/AAAAAAAAA8s/F86lDzwdHgc/s1600-h/Presentation1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433343498535438578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2cdH_TiCPI/AAAAAAAAA8s/F86lDzwdHgc/s200/Presentation1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, I went to a workshop on Humor, the title of the class was "Finding Humor and Peach through Lives Journey." She said we have to have in our arsenals humor at the ready. The quote on the picture says, "Never in recorded history has housework been finished." So true, so true. So we have to find the humor in living. She was a very funny lady and I hardly took any notes because I just kept laughing but I learned that we have to laugh, laughing makes me feel better. And anyway, it is much better to laugh than to cry. Although I did hear that crying is great for the complexion (after the redness and swelling go down that is...)</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />Really I learned three things: 1. God loves me. 2. There are wonderful women (and men) around me that lift me up. 3. Laughter is a good thing. (oh and I really want an camera)<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-67773727138998202862010-01-28T11:06:00.003-07:002010-01-28T11:41:22.906-07:00My Super Star = Sam<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HThA5s5EI/AAAAAAAAA78/GjUY5n5DQCs/s1600-h/Copy+of+IM000013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855189716689986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HThA5s5EI/AAAAAAAAA78/GjUY5n5DQCs/s320/Copy+of+IM000013.JPG" border="0" /></a> <strong>2005</strong> <strong>Birthday</strong> = We had just moved into our new apartment - literally I think that day or just a couple days before his birthday. I just love how he likes to cuddle and sit next to me on the couch, even to this day he is a snuggler and I love it.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HThdUcycI/AAAAAAAAA8E/bFCjcx0CsLA/s1600-h/IM000307.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855197345073602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HThdUcycI/AAAAAAAAA8E/bFCjcx0CsLA/s320/IM000307.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>2006</strong> <strong>Birthday</strong> = Sam loves superheros, especially Spiderman and Batman. He is my superhero. He is always willing to help clean the house or run errands with me. He is a great helper.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HTiMo6B-I/AAAAAAAAA8U/GxW3jrrK35U/s1600-h/IM000089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855210047342562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HTiMo6B-I/AAAAAAAAA8U/GxW3jrrK35U/s320/IM000089.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> 2007</strong> <strong>Birthday</strong> = Sam has a wonderful sense of humor. I love to hear him laugh it is contagious. He tells wonderful stories and has an amazing imagination.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HTh40yJfI/AAAAAAAAA8M/JGQyJH1Bry4/s1600-h/IM000870+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855204728448498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HTh40yJfI/AAAAAAAAA8M/JGQyJH1Bry4/s320/IM000870+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong> 2008</strong> <strong>Birthday</strong> = Sam is a Lego Master. He can build anything. He is so patient sitting there building, he could do it for hours and hours. He likes to follow the directions, once; and then he likes to build and create and imagine his own things. And doesn't he have the best smile!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HTiceBIBI/AAAAAAAAA8c/I4UbUyi1RzI/s1600-h/DSCF0079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431855214296637458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HTiceBIBI/AAAAAAAAA8c/I4UbUyi1RzI/s320/DSCF0079.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>2009 Birthday</strong> = Sam loves anything green. And if it is army green that is even better. He wants a green car, a green house, green clothes and if it were possible a green dog, however, he will settle for a regular dog ASAP please.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HWxawWMfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/fg0XPdOkd68/s1600-h/0127000708a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431858770069565938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/S2HWxawWMfI/AAAAAAAAA8k/fg0XPdOkd68/s320/0127000708a.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>2010 Birthday</strong> = The night before his birthday my friend, Kacy, brought over balloons and stuff to surprise him but he was still awake. He was so good staying in his room. He knew something was going on downstairs but he was obedient. When I went back up stairs he was sitting in his room in the dark. He said he felt like it was Christmas. Then he said you got me a snuggie and I couldn't help it I smiled. He said, "I knew it, I just knew it." He really wanted a snuggie. Sam is my best boy. He is bright and funny, loving and cuddly, head strong and energetic. I am so glad he is my son.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-58411208669769279402009-11-02T15:41:00.003-07:002009-11-02T15:47:10.089-07:00Happy HalloweenHalloween was fun. Sam was Luigi and I was supposed to be Princess Peach but I couldn't find a princess costume that was peach or even pink. So I was a blue Princess Peach. We had so much fun.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9grhWs2QI/AAAAAAAAA7o/EL-WB5UukPQ/s1600-h/DSCF0013_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399640779044739330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9grhWs2QI/AAAAAAAAA7o/EL-WB5UukPQ/s320/DSCF0013_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here is Sam with a few of his buddies from C Street. It was fun to see old friends.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gra2hFkI/AAAAAAAAA7g/2wzZJu0sV4U/s1600-h/DSCF0008_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399640777299138114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gra2hFkI/AAAAAAAAA7g/2wzZJu0sV4U/s320/DSCF0008_1.jpg" border="0" /></a> The cutest Luigi EVER!</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gqni1AQI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/k_0fNQlZPY8/s1600-h/DSCF0007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399640763526349058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gqni1AQI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/k_0fNQlZPY8/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gqBp51OI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/0UpkNhTaUlw/s1600-h/DSCF0002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399640753355478242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gqBp51OI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/0UpkNhTaUlw/s320/DSCF0002.JPG" border="0" /></a> The stash!!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gsLmc9ZI/AAAAAAAAA7w/eJrJPgUlAAA/s1600-h/DSCF0020.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399640790385096082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/Su9gsLmc9ZI/AAAAAAAAA7w/eJrJPgUlAAA/s320/DSCF0020.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div><br /><p> </p><p>I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. </p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8477787392025477137.post-86516116369275171232009-10-16T14:10:00.004-06:002009-10-16T14:23:52.614-06:00NaNoWriMo 2009<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/StjWAPnDvPI/AAAAAAAAA7A/8a-Toda93R4/s1600-h/nano_09_blk_participant_120x240_png.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393295853454867698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 120px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_dP_o3kOR9XQ/StjWAPnDvPI/AAAAAAAAA7A/8a-Toda93R4/s400/nano_09_blk_participant_120x240_png.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well it is just about that time again. I was very seriously considering not doing it, considering the fact that the last two novels I have written during NaNo are not finished. And just as I was about to scrap the whole month and just work on the stuff I need to finish I got this idea. This little glimmer of an idea that I really want to explore. So here goes nothin' (yes my grammar is immaculate). This is the least prepared I have ever been for the National Novel Writing Month. But I do have two weeks to try and do some world building, character development, a few sub-plots and a twist or two. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My last year NaNo which was a high fantasy (elves and all) is still yet to be named and is in the final draft phase. My co-worker has read the first eight chapters and has been bugging me to finish. She wants to know what happens. I am guessing that is a good thing. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I reworked my two years ago NaNo <em>The Forbidden Art</em> a techno fantasy. I changed the beginning almost completely. I am very happy with it. The same co-worker as above says the first chapter is creepy. I hope in the this-is-a-great-hook-and-I-would-read-the-rest kind of way not boy-this-is-really-creepy kind of way. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This year I am using a working title of <em>Time Escape</em>. Should be interesting to see if I can pull it off. </div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563611092513743254noreply@blogger.com5