tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-239537402024-03-14T12:09:37.749-05:00Sitting on My Back PorchA view of my life as I relax on the back porch...Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-55923498605541703992011-12-30T20:52:00.003-06:002011-12-30T21:27:09.624-06:00Ready to Delve into 2012?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXksNIgAFWoCkCKN9CbnixMRLhx_PJbluAur2XByXEVEDpsRX5ehvFSYmDqP510D-TihTC2UfM1eBjaZwLJdISVtudq4hprQY7hbb_OcerSvU74HuIO4LI-Xe4wBEZQ6Eq-u7XoA/s1600/2012-sand-beach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXksNIgAFWoCkCKN9CbnixMRLhx_PJbluAur2XByXEVEDpsRX5ehvFSYmDqP510D-TihTC2UfM1eBjaZwLJdISVtudq4hprQY7hbb_OcerSvU74HuIO4LI-Xe4wBEZQ6Eq-u7XoA/s400/2012-sand-beach.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692127380608752610" /></a><br />I love new beginnings. They always offer hope with no boundaries. I get excited about the beginning of a new month or even a new week, so it's no wonder that I'm almost giddy at the prospect of a whole new year! I think God intended for us to feel this way about each and every day since each new day is certainly a gift from Him.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span>"His mercies....are new every morning." Lamentations 3:22,23</span></div><br />In 2012, I want to <span><span ><i><b>Do More, Be More, and Live More!</b></i></span></span><div><br /></div><div>I also like to think I'll blog more, but that remains to be seen. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Tip of the Day: Take 30 seconds and hit the Unsubscribe link in one of your emails. </b>(Although I'm really hoping you won't unsubscribe me. But, hey, the last thing I want to do is hold you back from accomplishing your true goals). The past few weeks I've been overwhelmed with the constant bombardment of my inbox. I've decided to unsubscribe from one email newsletter or blog feed each day until the inbox and Google Reader count gets manageable.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a></div>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-27649100723230977022011-10-18T19:37:00.005-05:002011-10-18T19:54:09.876-05:00Old Window into ChalkboardWe had most of our windows replaced last November. Now eleven months later, we've finally finished the first project with the old windows I wasn't about to pay someone $100 to haul off. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeni9IkGu3GpOxYqG37nuxO5-32CE8JSuihoKyZSwGYUv6UGGTVrF4ktHWps3JOiORxavF77XVWDRuLYTvwTLldhttPDTFwjkaHN8Q3EQpX2nxgYn0n5hH5dWnq-YYYNwgijJj5g/s1600/20111018+007crop.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeni9IkGu3GpOxYqG37nuxO5-32CE8JSuihoKyZSwGYUv6UGGTVrF4ktHWps3JOiORxavF77XVWDRuLYTvwTLldhttPDTFwjkaHN8Q3EQpX2nxgYn0n5hH5dWnq-YYYNwgijJj5g/s400/20111018+007crop.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664997780474522674" /></a><br /><br />If you follow me on Pinterest, you know I have more ideas than I have time. But finally our chalkboard is complete!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrzXRhId9R8MUUyYuFE1zf90jmD2hpMO1rfOkiWpsfMerKFMYKPyApQMuxhxPI9_Isx-ihuR6uCZLLDATa_KlVqioGIe9R91kFtbf0_W8wZIIVROvo0yQGqlDatDkO3j1ccQw2w/s1600/20111018+028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrzXRhId9R8MUUyYuFE1zf90jmD2hpMO1rfOkiWpsfMerKFMYKPyApQMuxhxPI9_Isx-ihuR6uCZLLDATa_KlVqioGIe9R91kFtbf0_W8wZIIVROvo0yQGqlDatDkO3j1ccQw2w/s400/20111018+028.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664999979127429714" /></a> Oh...well not really....we still need to attach the hooks and wire on the back and actually get it up on the wall. It's going to hang right above this bench the kids use for their backpacks, dance bags, soccer bags, and anything else they need to take our the door with them. Usually there are so many shoes on that bottom rack you wouldn't be able to see that I've neglected to clean that baseboard or vacuum underneath. I'm hoping we can use the chalkboard to write down weekly/daily schedules or making a chore list! <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a></div>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-59898660762445175652011-09-19T23:31:00.002-05:002011-09-20T00:09:24.066-05:00What's on the Menu?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytN3eIIw5iX52_6DSKc-o2nTu6IedIJJ-wWXADuM-6nxaUvCFIOPUOSPPXb_UZqU-cQol7G3aaioOu5Jo-_D7WEijlsTtyTLOkt7KTLvzVNtpD6aavB2rJqIPMTiyUR-aGnXCWg/s1600/MPM_Button.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytN3eIIw5iX52_6DSKc-o2nTu6IedIJJ-wWXADuM-6nxaUvCFIOPUOSPPXb_UZqU-cQol7G3aaioOu5Jo-_D7WEijlsTtyTLOkt7KTLvzVNtpD6aavB2rJqIPMTiyUR-aGnXCWg/s400/MPM_Button.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654304384273892002" /></a><br /><div>After whining on Facebook about coming up with dinner ideas, I decided to go ahead and get it all laid out there this week in time for <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2011/09/menu-plan-monday-sept-1911.html">Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday</a> (well, almost in time). I finished up the grocery shopping tonight while Addison was at dance so here's what we're planning:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Monday - Totally a fend-for-yourself night since I was in the car from 5:30-9:00. The kids had chicken nuggets after school and cinnamon rolls for a bedtime snack. Carl made a quesadilla with leftover roast beef, I had a cinnamon roll and a dill pickle. *I know you're rolling your eyes*</li><li>Tuesday - Kielbasa, noodles, green beans.</li><li>Wednesday - <a href="http://passionatepennypincher.com/2011/03/whats-for-dinner-crockpot-nachos/">Crockpot nachos</a> - I have been meaning to try these for 6 months now!</li><li>Thursday - Grilled chicken strips, salad fixings & garlic cheese toast. Some will have salad, some will make wraps, some will have it all separate 'cause they can't stand their food to touch each other! </li><li>Friday - Fall Fest at the elementary school. If we don't eat there, we'll make French Toast.</li><li>Saturday - <a href="http://passionatepennypincher.com/2011/09/whats-for-dinner-pulled-pork-stuffed-potatoes/">Pulled pork stuffed potatoes</a>, Salad.</li><li>Sunday - Meat loaf, mashed potatoes, and corn.</li></ul>And just a note for next week's planning....Kroger has whole chickens on sale for $0.79/lb. this week. Go ahead and grab one then check out <a href="http://passionatepennypincher.com/2011/06/whats-in-the-slow-cooker-rotisserie-style-chicken/">this recipe for Rotisserie Style Chicken</a>. It is so good. As you can tell, I get alot of recipes from <a href="http://www.passionatepennypincher.com/">the other Laurie</a>.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-56645282791753586042011-08-06T20:14:00.004-05:002011-08-06T20:25:38.683-05:00A Little Creativity<div>Trying to get some mojo back! It's been way too long since I've spent any time crafting....</div><div><br /></div><div>I saw this <a href="http://decorate.tipjunkie.com/how-to-create-custom-knobs-inspired-by-anthropologie/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TipJunkieAllSites+%28Tip+Junkie+~+Creative+Inspiration%29">blog post on Tip Junkie</a> the same week we were deep cleaning Addison's room. I realized the pink knobs on her white desk really don't work any more since the little girl pink has been long gone. So I used some butterfly stamps and made these. The two larger ones will replace the ones on her closet doors.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0h_pDvZpM7nSvri_CeCaM4ji9W9wn-C8GnA1wsnrVc7d7uwIgaKHSp5a7VZZHlNOXisE14Q7-6rLGHZcER9WhG3DjN3ZlswUr5pVR1oV7kjffWgU6PpHgLXMmzXWL9SV7Gr20A/s1600/20110806+038edit.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic0h_pDvZpM7nSvri_CeCaM4ji9W9wn-C8GnA1wsnrVc7d7uwIgaKHSp5a7VZZHlNOXisE14Q7-6rLGHZcER9WhG3DjN3ZlswUr5pVR1oV7kjffWgU6PpHgLXMmzXWL9SV7Gr20A/s400/20110806+038edit.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637918197745391442" /></a><br /></div><div>I also am trying to make some scrapbook pages for Clark. You know what they say about the second kids....it's absolutely true. I was such a good scrapbooker when Addison was little, but life has gotten so crazy and poor Clark has so few pages just of him.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshhICM0GFD_vwZMP0tiSAj1-_FMG7z4OrS-0sBk7G_Z-iuLPNBFuRefauSAb-CYL45DeKXvEM9pwp1xQ1dJgGkOeiz9XAvtl7exEioGazPGGpZfKIfaNS8ZRT0X5U23OWOlsPfg/s1600/20110806+041edit.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 358px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshhICM0GFD_vwZMP0tiSAj1-_FMG7z4OrS-0sBk7G_Z-iuLPNBFuRefauSAb-CYL45DeKXvEM9pwp1xQ1dJgGkOeiz9XAvtl7exEioGazPGGpZfKIfaNS8ZRT0X5U23OWOlsPfg/s400/20110806+041edit.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637918205491852994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ603KnUPHmu8EhhlMWdNM2AWlYcQo24qXv_3DW7OHLueROdteILffqg3l48EHXEPUH4sZCF_eqJyICDu88vLgl7gxsG0XiGry8wFvCR-lx7sxE_8HcqfgEidYlXjhJ_FgvzowA/s1600/20110806+040edit.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ603KnUPHmu8EhhlMWdNM2AWlYcQo24qXv_3DW7OHLueROdteILffqg3l48EHXEPUH4sZCF_eqJyICDu88vLgl7gxsG0XiGry8wFvCR-lx7sxE_8HcqfgEidYlXjhJ_FgvzowA/s400/20110806+040edit.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637918202393266786" /></a>I've had fun spending little snippets of time here and there playing with paint and stamps and papers. I just need to realize the little snippets are all I have right now and remember to take advantage of them.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-85004259403611391052010-07-13T10:47:00.006-05:002010-07-13T11:01:06.368-05:00Wishes for Bella Blog Hop - Week FourI'm so glad you joined us for Week Four of the blog hop for <a href="http://www.bellatucker.org/">Bella</a>. You should have arrived here from <a href="http://katharina1704.blogspot.com/2010/07/wishes-for-bella-blog-hop-and-new-stamp.html">Katharina's blog</a>. If not, head on back to <a href="http://denisesstampingpage.blogspot.com/2010/07/wishes-for-bella-blog-hop-week-4-final.html">Denise's blog</a> so you don't miss a single thing in the Week Four blog hop. I can't wait to see how many cards will be heading to Bella this week!<br /><br />I used the <a href="http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2010/07/sketch-72.html">Card Patterns sketch 72</a> as a jump off for the card I'll be sending to Bella. Everything on the card is from <a href="http://www.theangelcompany.net/">The Angel Company</a> except the button I snagged from my stash.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSh7vvlFDCCfWHNMUUf1XelWTpMIOWRJhyphenhyphenmtQ_l1HOH6CHP-0-Shjq_TLwzv0cu7rf6sBlviniaqfDwkAwIKozjx9Evs6Lxpfch2Gyfm_GPPrPj9rXr7CAFGVWqxC_oeguWDATw/s1600/bearhugs.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 332px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493289242203885458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSh7vvlFDCCfWHNMUUf1XelWTpMIOWRJhyphenhyphenmtQ_l1HOH6CHP-0-Shjq_TLwzv0cu7rf6sBlviniaqfDwkAwIKozjx9Evs6Lxpfch2Gyfm_GPPrPj9rXr7CAFGVWqxC_oeguWDATw/s400/bearhugs.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The next stop on the blog hop is over at <a href="http://just4fun2-pat.blogspot.com/2010/07/wishes-for-bella-blog-hop-week-4.html">Pat's</a>. Please be sure to hop over to to see what she's created for Bella. Then after you finish hopping, if you decide to make a card for Bella, be sure to hop over to <a href="http://scrapstampandbemerry.blogspot.com/2010/07/wishes-for-bella-blog-hop-week-4.html">Erin's blog</a> where I know there's a place to link up for some goodies from Chrissy Armstrong, Whiff of Joy, firecracker designs by pamela, and Whimsy Stamps. There is also a GRAND PRIZE so make sure you <a href="http://scrapstampandbemerry.blogspot.com/2010/06/wishes-for-bella-blog-hop-cards-for.html">link up at the Grand Prize post</a> too!<br /><br />You can mail your card to Bella at:<br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">The Bella Tucker Fund<br />P.O. Box 199<br />Londonderry, NH<br />03053 USA<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">I'll be drawing a name from all comments left on this post for THREE new and uncut (although retired) stamp sets from The Angel Company. If you want to see some of the images, the sets are <a href="http://www.paperwingsonline.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=776">Marvelous Mottos</a>, Dropping Boxes (great for stamping labels to wrap up chocolate nuggets), and <a href="http://www.paperwingsonline.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=search&cat=0&pos=0">Salsa Flowers</a>. You have until Noon (EST) on Monday, July 19 to post your comments here and post your link on Erin's blog for the week four prize and for the grand prize. Winners will be posted on Tuesday July 20.</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><br />I really hope you'll send a card to Bella so she knows how much she is thought of.<br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0pt; BORDER-LEFT: 0pt; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-TOP: 0pt; BORDER-RIGHT: 0pt; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-size: auto auto" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-21164676694984525452010-06-16T17:07:00.004-05:002010-06-16T17:40:02.360-05:00Giving you a month's heads up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRpE4Ipw0rX1pLHJPSlcErqHsC6w0b_1ymiOiVCgNf4zkKqAI2me_9e3ES8NPVg7ghrbobBvB9ZpOSd0PMDA0UguspCeB46SkNS0yu1_vnWpFcwYborlGUKwNeMujZlPoVZkt3Q/s1600/bellatucker.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRpE4Ipw0rX1pLHJPSlcErqHsC6w0b_1ymiOiVCgNf4zkKqAI2me_9e3ES8NPVg7ghrbobBvB9ZpOSd0PMDA0UguspCeB46SkNS0yu1_vnWpFcwYborlGUKwNeMujZlPoVZkt3Q/s400/bellatucker.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483503116174809410" /></a><br /><a href="http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/06/rak-hop-can-you-join-in.html">Erin</a> put out the call yesterday for blog hop participants for <a href="http://www.bellatucker.org/">Bella Tucker</a>. Please read her story. As the mom of an active 8 yr. old girl, I just had to sign up. I won't be part of the blog hop for another 4 weeks or so, but that means I've got 4 weeks to pull together an awesome package of blog candy to be given away on my blog post during the hop. I already have some brand new, uncut stamps set aside. We'll see what else I can come up with between now and then. What do you need to do? Well, I don't have all the details yet...but go ahead and get started on making a card to send to Bella! And meet me back here on July 13.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-89128238106804074382010-05-09T07:44:00.000-05:002010-05-09T07:45:30.686-05:00Happy Mother's Day!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxDym6-XIpqkdK8N3O8OXEQ2m7zQb51FOpZp9r-md6sN1muNuOt9EqYHvdMwYAnjS6XMghJxi29I3zavoX-CAZL7fUGrWa-HIEkWWWzTc_S1vNZpQ9Hn5c8C3M9g6ZO7WrHj-Og/s1600/20100509+038edited.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxDym6-XIpqkdK8N3O8OXEQ2m7zQb51FOpZp9r-md6sN1muNuOt9EqYHvdMwYAnjS6XMghJxi29I3zavoX-CAZL7fUGrWa-HIEkWWWzTc_S1vNZpQ9Hn5c8C3M9g6ZO7WrHj-Og/s400/20100509+038edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469250462540486626" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-327398020649397102010-05-02T17:32:00.012-05:002010-05-02T19:13:04.416-05:00The Great Flood of 2010 - Our Story!Rain on Saturday. This is a view from our covered patio of our backyard. If you enlarge this photo, you might be able to see the white-caps on the creek behind the treeline. This creek bed will be dry rock during the hot summer months.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZcAYGVr761OIsq5Qk9zw44cZ7gl_-lomnbDVea8ZvxWkN4RfQWnQSDruEq9viKQ6CZoUpy2hO5pNkMPhQziXQEHB9od7CSrV4V0TV6zryjFpjkq0fmoM4CcVq9pZKUsUQ4KF1Q/s1600/20100502+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZcAYGVr761OIsq5Qk9zw44cZ7gl_-lomnbDVea8ZvxWkN4RfQWnQSDruEq9viKQ6CZoUpy2hO5pNkMPhQziXQEHB9od7CSrV4V0TV6zryjFpjkq0fmoM4CcVq9pZKUsUQ4KF1Q/s400/20100502+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466804950811947474" /></a><br />The view from our covered patio toward the neighbor's backyard. Notice the water pouring off the awning over the door of our bonus room --- which is nothing more than a converted garage. You'll see inside that door in just a minute.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aX7TN0G_9VrmfUJsLDSzXUm7ZDLKSxCppCc7cB7PXZUGTQZCtEzpydAiMBuuKiTdgAavdGmT_kC8o7DBca4rwpQSJZ-fs1ohH5ai3MpzcVf-sCYZasQ3uNScsBYKTeRW2a3cgA/s1600/20100502+007edited.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aX7TN0G_9VrmfUJsLDSzXUm7ZDLKSxCppCc7cB7PXZUGTQZCtEzpydAiMBuuKiTdgAavdGmT_kC8o7DBca4rwpQSJZ-fs1ohH5ai3MpzcVf-sCYZasQ3uNScsBYKTeRW2a3cgA/s400/20100502+007edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466804961798805266" /></a><br />The view from our front door. I have never seen that little creek around the circle of the cul-de-sac before!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OHes95JcZdQmgQlAg_bx-lKnk7Ao7KGW2lcoZxux-Z8TPMJaXV_7ws7R1Db553rk-5pADZTW_xXyepodTZ1ApMuPsSfeeHBR4sNzDLTP0CtjCZ_Qux5dqz9ud5_4EOgatu6zEg/s1600/20100502+009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OHes95JcZdQmgQlAg_bx-lKnk7Ao7KGW2lcoZxux-Z8TPMJaXV_7ws7R1Db553rk-5pADZTW_xXyepodTZ1ApMuPsSfeeHBR4sNzDLTP0CtjCZ_Qux5dqz9ud5_4EOgatu6zEg/s400/20100502+009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466805356713448914" /></a><br />Here's inside that downstairs door. Addison and Carl are sweeping the water out as it pours in behind that door. It's coming from the crawlspace which is actually higher elevation-wise than the floor of the bonus room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwwDkYf5pTpr9NBTToL1lgh-bw20LYTUB0W465nV5odBbrVio1sn5Vbb1e2aMEsRjRJ7ycUG2gbuq_MS6iDwJA8ZXkiQZ_xVENtk5f_4Fm0X8ORKlV49SsnsKhlCUVDqWhIXXSw/s1600/20100502+019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwwDkYf5pTpr9NBTToL1lgh-bw20LYTUB0W465nV5odBbrVio1sn5Vbb1e2aMEsRjRJ7ycUG2gbuq_MS6iDwJA8ZXkiQZ_xVENtk5f_4Fm0X8ORKlV49SsnsKhlCUVDqWhIXXSw/s400/20100502+019.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466805362377378210" /></a><br />Here's where the water is coming in from the crawlspace. You can see the ripples in the half-inch of standing water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4xM1oBpJhA2AxHHNGirFYix5u-BfVTUCtqAZkGcz3nh69r0D1y540_Gb3AsL7yVEmsFI0Jq_PI69hXQ7ZtXvmvWbLu83QyzQ5yK1t9zchNSz6oEp4NZj_95LkTjFT2JON6PX3A/s1600/20100502+021edited.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4xM1oBpJhA2AxHHNGirFYix5u-BfVTUCtqAZkGcz3nh69r0D1y540_Gb3AsL7yVEmsFI0Jq_PI69hXQ7ZtXvmvWbLu83QyzQ5yK1t9zchNSz6oEp4NZj_95LkTjFT2JON6PX3A/s400/20100502+021edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466812322799764978" /></a><br /><br />Sunday morning we didn't go to church. But my children gave their best performance acting out the story of baby Moses. There is a Cabbage Patch baby in that styrofoam cooler. <br /><br />Addison setting up the props:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_CrZ6P72hhjZclr2MGVle0oh-Em_6mVy85G7Bl09dFnv6wcnb-ND58pe8A1MFgXxNBYldDtWk8Anhx2bVIwTQRez7xjuNObGKtoM4nxp4gwsoSIbWETlLz5wtTZ1Oyziw-97_w/s1600/20100502+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_CrZ6P72hhjZclr2MGVle0oh-Em_6mVy85G7Bl09dFnv6wcnb-ND58pe8A1MFgXxNBYldDtWk8Anhx2bVIwTQRez7xjuNObGKtoM4nxp4gwsoSIbWETlLz5wtTZ1Oyziw-97_w/s400/20100502+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466816587464394386" /></a><br />Here comes the baby in the basket!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiL9iQeCPxCpO8XQnb8LcU1gfpzPqs6uWgvqCYE3CMWn6lOwi38d47xo2xILzXNZm3ybdKRrHh2edmasZV1-IYpqnCSA3EMj2perkIlYirzKlWMxSwAsrKpIV7fLARa1dP7Jheg/s1600/20100502+032.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiL9iQeCPxCpO8XQnb8LcU1gfpzPqs6uWgvqCYE3CMWn6lOwi38d47xo2xILzXNZm3ybdKRrHh2edmasZV1-IYpqnCSA3EMj2perkIlYirzKlWMxSwAsrKpIV7fLARa1dP7Jheg/s400/20100502+032.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466816592560802770" /></a><br />More rain!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhozX77dwFuRB-Q6OLyzRRF6XT1lIDuMfjCsX6h3iREHmwdgUask86TFjYeeIU_AXa8LKUGPGRNfAqwPkuESllzT1ta1MgKIXF6cjiweRJya4ghwR1SlPqiN4M9999jz7ktFsIsg/s1600/20100502+035.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhozX77dwFuRB-Q6OLyzRRF6XT1lIDuMfjCsX6h3iREHmwdgUask86TFjYeeIU_AXa8LKUGPGRNfAqwPkuESllzT1ta1MgKIXF6cjiweRJya4ghwR1SlPqiN4M9999jz7ktFsIsg/s400/20100502+035.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466817263258162338" /></a><br />During a break in the rain we got out to drive around the neighborhood and take some pictures. <br />In front of some houses in our subdivision:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE7UqJnAIRIYCFh4i-bd_dGPo3Lp2rTcRgVdoNCbjTdFhGiskjejzg5diRl518cllyMqwyALg7IoXTJ9RDk4qo0lGXe2VeCLEBUI9ilshuJyxABwIHTaJG-LeMLXo9IM9XDOm1w/s1600/20100502+069edited.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnE7UqJnAIRIYCFh4i-bd_dGPo3Lp2rTcRgVdoNCbjTdFhGiskjejzg5diRl518cllyMqwyALg7IoXTJ9RDk4qo0lGXe2VeCLEBUI9ilshuJyxABwIHTaJG-LeMLXo9IM9XDOm1w/s400/20100502+069edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466823302782278338" /></a><br /><br />Brentwood Country Club golf course:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPPbJ2LdpMQjDeA7Bbn_Kh6ngOUBBe97Cf65fFS_4FljVEtxbCz4VOwFp1ksr9ITlhfFuPJBwML0N3FszD4DQed_Zc1XrisqGWCudFlJRmMMSSuCQEnpI3rE62lPhmYY00WQxTg/s1600/20100502+043.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPPbJ2LdpMQjDeA7Bbn_Kh6ngOUBBe97Cf65fFS_4FljVEtxbCz4VOwFp1ksr9ITlhfFuPJBwML0N3FszD4DQed_Zc1XrisqGWCudFlJRmMMSSuCQEnpI3rE62lPhmYY00WQxTg/s400/20100502+043.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466820638925743762" /></a><br /><br />From the bridge of the Little Harpeth River (just south of Brentwood Country Club and north of Murray Lane):<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluK0ZQcQPOR_1tWE2c6fl9dsLkc7l5NXyBTohMWKSagBTbNWFm1_bEqqTxllKAw2cXAkcxknGkQxGYjgP0vUm9rwWcll2q_MJN-N3uxZMjMVNKZnMg1MvHYcHkmf3UD70jSkVtw/s1600/20100502+048.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluK0ZQcQPOR_1tWE2c6fl9dsLkc7l5NXyBTohMWKSagBTbNWFm1_bEqqTxllKAw2cXAkcxknGkQxGYjgP0vUm9rwWcll2q_MJN-N3uxZMjMVNKZnMg1MvHYcHkmf3UD70jSkVtw/s400/20100502+048.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466820649264968530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXAXsxvw2ehnABw421zRvHoMJab53qvi1no3Q5T3MKLv1wq3Hbz1SYywHhAEMu4HVG23O0HCzFxvVjNc1Azl3bDEtL17scjZEsZXPq4b_SY64ZOgvYiIGZDQT6E92mIQaeuU4tQ/s1600/20100502+051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXAXsxvw2ehnABw421zRvHoMJab53qvi1no3Q5T3MKLv1wq3Hbz1SYywHhAEMu4HVG23O0HCzFxvVjNc1Azl3bDEtL17scjZEsZXPq4b_SY64ZOgvYiIGZDQT6E92mIQaeuU4tQ/s400/20100502+051.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466820659019868386" /></a><br />And a zoom in of that tree above. Yes...someone is innertubing!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0BzO7N9Kpmow4FTyu4Ljc0hjhyphenhyphenhwBaGU2SK8gVFvJo29KhHZhFGj9jDpOS02amAjWgeMCBDAqbbJpBzYhF0_w5nLMT6FJaD3bt4zMytcCap1Snxf_Mfmiaj58irsceQgfCFQsQ/s1600/20100502+051zoom.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0BzO7N9Kpmow4FTyu4Ljc0hjhyphenhyphenhwBaGU2SK8gVFvJo29KhHZhFGj9jDpOS02amAjWgeMCBDAqbbJpBzYhF0_w5nLMT6FJaD3bt4zMytcCap1Snxf_Mfmiaj58irsceQgfCFQsQ/s400/20100502+051zoom.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466821973771177810" /></a><br /><br />Cal Turner's farm which is my favorite landmark near our house:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKB99pfwTq5idwNWCm0B0nU9W_hIZwlxdIdu_2z5n9r2D03zyRQKP0xwCIMYJ-WU22vLrC1pYibREs7utQ80rhnF11lu339P7dz3qHRFJnB2nR9QHOm2r66y-p06KQLXI8fannQ/s1600/20100502+054.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKB99pfwTq5idwNWCm0B0nU9W_hIZwlxdIdu_2z5n9r2D03zyRQKP0xwCIMYJ-WU22vLrC1pYibREs7utQ80rhnF11lu339P7dz3qHRFJnB2nR9QHOm2r66y-p06KQLXI8fannQ/s400/20100502+054.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466821977594669650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZShB2gSeSQ8SjJlY1aQbx3MfgrbRg8RZmkGcOx3PnCMgE-bvE_k0XO8NsozO0vvbiOrzdi4aMn_tsjSyLbBF2dikK2Zbvji972ht-i1Xta6zYoLwjoSprUmMtxc87skN0wXBWJw/s1600/20100502+057.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZShB2gSeSQ8SjJlY1aQbx3MfgrbRg8RZmkGcOx3PnCMgE-bvE_k0XO8NsozO0vvbiOrzdi4aMn_tsjSyLbBF2dikK2Zbvji972ht-i1Xta6zYoLwjoSprUmMtxc87skN0wXBWJw/s400/20100502+057.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822812988700962" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZLrmaGj85f9wYuKq6NJcNxpq9_xbYGHjzjFzAKbnFYWtrA4He8S90XzJOfW0gHZhocE9i8om1gS6Upc3SS4bW-SG56X177AmOMZas6nnHRi9emJc7AdEgN-E1uNn1zkKGhMJ8Q/s1600/20100502+061.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZLrmaGj85f9wYuKq6NJcNxpq9_xbYGHjzjFzAKbnFYWtrA4He8S90XzJOfW0gHZhocE9i8om1gS6Upc3SS4bW-SG56X177AmOMZas6nnHRi9emJc7AdEgN-E1uNn1zkKGhMJ8Q/s400/20100502+061.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822827980020674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCI0MhhUy2V9Av7wiMjCohF3sD5inM93_tPuuCLFVUsJOyHRaolgOwkCzytkYwlokfMhjTlfPp6xohtlOuY3stavEziqjnHtMnBtNQ0goG4pq8ZuQEMuH9FP8TuC2uzelTJ79hg/s1600/20100502+058.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCI0MhhUy2V9Av7wiMjCohF3sD5inM93_tPuuCLFVUsJOyHRaolgOwkCzytkYwlokfMhjTlfPp6xohtlOuY3stavEziqjnHtMnBtNQ0goG4pq8ZuQEMuH9FP8TuC2uzelTJ79hg/s400/20100502+058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822816311817010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORGg09gatwsVOzLaI7YEOoLWoX_TwEADIQQUQrQUyhGph_5mXQ6qvPNLPAy2ppcq45SsFpGUf10lVfHRRGnUz4qe0p6g3R-nb45W1_VUvNsB9YxXzM2vc5v7_ohdkF5-VnGyAyg/s1600/20100502+063.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORGg09gatwsVOzLaI7YEOoLWoX_TwEADIQQUQrQUyhGph_5mXQ6qvPNLPAy2ppcq45SsFpGUf10lVfHRRGnUz4qe0p6g3R-nb45W1_VUvNsB9YxXzM2vc5v7_ohdkF5-VnGyAyg/s400/20100502+063.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466822834986675426" /></a><br /><br />We are fine! A little water damage and about 7 hours without power, but we are very lucky. The news coverage of some of our neighboring towns and communities is just heartbreaking. Please pray for Nashville and Middle Tennessee as we recover from this disaster.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-11941814333312705022010-04-28T18:44:00.005-05:002010-04-28T19:09:04.970-05:00Railroad Depot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJVQ0KmBXxp_WGF8jjXRwwnjayscaL262b3N1wykCCSb8hS8tz5f7ZtbPDge85MFQWLgrPq3r2fPeRD9Rq4R9wSSlVD0DmJFrPOZ9LvzOdtBaheJp8c7spa7tDI87ZmJMyGRoA/s1600/20100428+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJcJVQ0KmBXxp_WGF8jjXRwwnjayscaL262b3N1wykCCSb8hS8tz5f7ZtbPDge85MFQWLgrPq3r2fPeRD9Rq4R9wSSlVD0DmJFrPOZ9LvzOdtBaheJp8c7spa7tDI87ZmJMyGRoA/s400/20100428+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465343089467943922" /></a><br />Four months later, I finally got my depot sign hung above the back door today. Not sure if you can tell, but that little ridge behind the treeline is the CSX short line. I do love this sign...it was my Christmas present to me!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-21511703581752090282010-04-28T09:04:00.012-05:002010-04-28T09:49:50.456-05:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7p1NKRBLcf3kUEgn2PHicJqjU96kqYrHA3fz6lHe5NH7OGJeBIMT4WvgCjeFbNTw6z41ns7CCx-nV2hNtyM0wSoutuxJnuyeiYy2DKqpIYuLdv4hhO_3T_RlMvEWu8CSyJ0N3w/s1600/20100426+440.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7p1NKRBLcf3kUEgn2PHicJqjU96kqYrHA3fz6lHe5NH7OGJeBIMT4WvgCjeFbNTw6z41ns7CCx-nV2hNtyM0wSoutuxJnuyeiYy2DKqpIYuLdv4hhO_3T_RlMvEWu8CSyJ0N3w/s400/20100426+440.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465194627987503634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTCucoQnb9_0vJ6TKyF6HKElFyRJgwywyMwmnBPGGiWF670jyqyaYcKstUdXGQLg-FTWQrnDf7vRLHVGVo-72YMRt05RLbvrPiFf3VbNQH23iUnIIuQnqUGq805QvdkgMDGJBwA/s1600/20100426+445.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTCucoQnb9_0vJ6TKyF6HKElFyRJgwywyMwmnBPGGiWF670jyqyaYcKstUdXGQLg-FTWQrnDf7vRLHVGVo-72YMRt05RLbvrPiFf3VbNQH23iUnIIuQnqUGq805QvdkgMDGJBwA/s400/20100426+445.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465194833224280722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgXpJJt4K-cpXd2e4FVren-BPQwkA0l3d4EMEgtWCRndZwDgjxqzQujdW_VCUye1eFoJN027xkd-aLygGXJmfz1WircoeCjknklgsq-pMI572viTHUJlP_kyWkGOGNYR6pSIExA/s1600/20100426+450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgXpJJt4K-cpXd2e4FVren-BPQwkA0l3d4EMEgtWCRndZwDgjxqzQujdW_VCUye1eFoJN027xkd-aLygGXJmfz1WircoeCjknklgsq-pMI572viTHUJlP_kyWkGOGNYR6pSIExA/s400/20100426+450.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465195889935566402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9YODTvxvfD5YUAB43KVWf_uaSIXmkG0aW9JsZUHuBL3hii6lHMsDH6TQ_R-d1jAfrr8T7NI_Y_ZKm6MtZCh_KptMlqRVwZazmcUNptPPlKDy-6ENmba1A9PZy2aWMMIAawSXhQ/s1600/20100426+448.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9YODTvxvfD5YUAB43KVWf_uaSIXmkG0aW9JsZUHuBL3hii6lHMsDH6TQ_R-d1jAfrr8T7NI_Y_ZKm6MtZCh_KptMlqRVwZazmcUNptPPlKDy-6ENmba1A9PZy2aWMMIAawSXhQ/s400/20100426+448.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465195235614460386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1QiLei3pP6NMcgdlIpXHy3Ja3meIHQDRKhJ9JYDHA5R8a0b3r6k2m1LbFfysIUK8peG6g8iWmQQbA9NYCos-P8gpmjK7T1x_ib8RPJqsp7a9liy60PMAAGN3rSSftNl4fwRiuw/s1600/20100426+446.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1QiLei3pP6NMcgdlIpXHy3Ja3meIHQDRKhJ9JYDHA5R8a0b3r6k2m1LbFfysIUK8peG6g8iWmQQbA9NYCos-P8gpmjK7T1x_ib8RPJqsp7a9liy60PMAAGN3rSSftNl4fwRiuw/s400/20100426+446.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465195047032797794" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-71540774804788237122010-04-04T08:26:00.002-05:002010-04-04T08:27:32.457-05:00Happy Easter!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWDL_8CIuc63QDqYDzg8RQmaK0jBnwlyJzKffKO8WkaViJ6n8ac5g33yz0RZv8wpWISdTiJIRicjxqTbC327SCK7sXZzQARt1yILCTBK-HAUuk8LLFRZ9u_k0b5bzqXmOv6SUoA/s1600/20100402+020.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqWDL_8CIuc63QDqYDzg8RQmaK0jBnwlyJzKffKO8WkaViJ6n8ac5g33yz0RZv8wpWISdTiJIRicjxqTbC327SCK7sXZzQARt1yILCTBK-HAUuk8LLFRZ9u_k0b5bzqXmOv6SUoA/s400/20100402+020.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456273325314136018" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-15744300731885548692009-10-31T06:35:00.003-05:002009-10-31T06:41:00.847-05:00Happy Haunting!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_GG3xVr7TaQFph93k3kMFY-Y-iivW_wBPew8CGp77QbgZBSN3wzpNuQ0FaBvZhJJ35vrKNp5hF8AlvWE6CIO_p9OfdJm3Dq7INJtJ7dDe0Y5TOqPGZ1zayhoZtWsUFPv1eElpg/s1600-h/20091030+023.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_GG3xVr7TaQFph93k3kMFY-Y-iivW_wBPew8CGp77QbgZBSN3wzpNuQ0FaBvZhJJ35vrKNp5hF8AlvWE6CIO_p9OfdJm3Dq7INJtJ7dDe0Y5TOqPGZ1zayhoZtWsUFPv1eElpg/s400/20091030+023.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398727306577126530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGJ-60bSVf6v9mZU8I7M5ocfdD5YjUFTA9zv9Nfb_VoHPxmtXPwZ_pGcNWLHR5_c7NCUomCOWW8ZdmMVcFy5ca9syYTfReVWPzVev4mlV5UyL4Xussu1Qa2TRvR4YrnBj-3WeGQ/s1600-h/20091030+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGJ-60bSVf6v9mZU8I7M5ocfdD5YjUFTA9zv9Nfb_VoHPxmtXPwZ_pGcNWLHR5_c7NCUomCOWW8ZdmMVcFy5ca9syYTfReVWPzVev4mlV5UyL4Xussu1Qa2TRvR4YrnBj-3WeGQ/s400/20091030+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398727312894472866" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-28906502585404990062009-10-20T21:30:00.007-05:002009-10-20T21:56:10.667-05:00Last Day of Fall BreakAfter some puniness and general malaise over the first 3 days of Addison's fall break, everyone seemed to feel much better this morning. Maybe it was the beautiful sunshine and pleasant temperatures. It really was a gorgeous fall day! <br /><br />I was very happy since I had been hoping we'd be able to get to one of the local pumpkin patches (if you consider an hour away local). But do you know how hard it is to find one that's open during the week? I think they reserve their weekdays for field trips, homeschool groups, etc. Luckily, we did find <a href="http://boydspumpkinpatch.com/">Boyd's Pumpkin Patch</a> (very friendly and reasonable too!). <br /><br />We got lost in the corn maze,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIJgbUsrBjXfqpIr4wUsZtT6irzIoCnkl1uSAKEwVnMqQOd7F7CdmneBYD_7qk4lqGUJKuMT4NNeaTH9VplgVzwyr-zZeQJkVDT-XzE0Be5lv1oJswMFu3WKKUMK7VcB24A-fSQ/s1600-h/20091020+013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIJgbUsrBjXfqpIr4wUsZtT6irzIoCnkl1uSAKEwVnMqQOd7F7CdmneBYD_7qk4lqGUJKuMT4NNeaTH9VplgVzwyr-zZeQJkVDT-XzE0Be5lv1oJswMFu3WKKUMK7VcB24A-fSQ/s400/20091020+013.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394878478609507042" /></a><br /><br /> took some pictures,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ7RRisdFjk-g1VQv0yQjXv3lTdPNI4pxiuhaGxSP_EOS3Fsie11H6B9NP_GVL5xAwJDUiVUtSdSrhdl_xNH-GLy1VbTND0G-lD0NSHCdX6bRU_tu9e0pOsGcZN6RB5uk_5mXwA/s1600-h/20091020+016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ7RRisdFjk-g1VQv0yQjXv3lTdPNI4pxiuhaGxSP_EOS3Fsie11H6B9NP_GVL5xAwJDUiVUtSdSrhdl_xNH-GLy1VbTND0G-lD0NSHCdX6bRU_tu9e0pOsGcZN6RB5uk_5mXwA/s400/20091020+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879906461239394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ_qtm5TpXRZTypiLGX7RTEbY2aVzTzO27Bx6u5CqqEsrPw62lATQyADH3T3SuGXjgzFb-pYmhkPZt6BWZAZlLt8euVm5eBIXv4xzKwW26gp2Yqf8jAPdoQymJMiHuoV1QHxVLg/s1600-h/20091020+015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ_qtm5TpXRZTypiLGX7RTEbY2aVzTzO27Bx6u5CqqEsrPw62lATQyADH3T3SuGXjgzFb-pYmhkPZt6BWZAZlLt8euVm5eBIXv4xzKwW26gp2Yqf8jAPdoQymJMiHuoV1QHxVLg/s400/20091020+015.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394878483584313746" /></a><br /> then picked out the perfect pumpkins to bring home.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDoX5xNw1tsVH6Eswm5rVpY8PQ6XDpomiQm07YA1_vW7CRslC_nYjpq5dI7vRzgCF-hfKgd67ORihC6jNFj3Hyg5KdivaTqUWvKxuqU92HSTevsZp1CD41PrcvWmLsKzdfLs9-Q/s1600-h/20091020+008sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDoX5xNw1tsVH6Eswm5rVpY8PQ6XDpomiQm07YA1_vW7CRslC_nYjpq5dI7vRzgCF-hfKgd67ORihC6jNFj3Hyg5KdivaTqUWvKxuqU92HSTevsZp1CD41PrcvWmLsKzdfLs9-Q/s400/20091020+008sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394878473663343026" /></a><br /><br />After we got back home, Addison and Clark had fun painting their little pumpkins. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjaQ1YkogfPe6O78Fdcas1JZVyuZSAw8fcTXxZafaCSBa51hQ4JZMCVCrArACMCYidciKunIP6KQ9UIb870bnf070xy2aPl86-PT6V5hQTP8Qx15KyelGZfK2-8KOJ3ewfH9wzg/s1600-h/20091020+028sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjaQ1YkogfPe6O78Fdcas1JZVyuZSAw8fcTXxZafaCSBa51hQ4JZMCVCrArACMCYidciKunIP6KQ9UIb870bnf070xy2aPl86-PT6V5hQTP8Qx15KyelGZfK2-8KOJ3ewfH9wzg/s400/20091020+028sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879159863712418" /></a><br /><br />Now if we can just get another warm, beautiful day to carve the big one into a jack-o-lantern!! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hkh7-8MUaoYpG6eZEdoJeI8Ai3ktox0rZQnQvXulOx4bh-jmQqaon-aMd9pb9C0_TL9nBhDnYiLZi_5VuGcLozLRfO2QUmM3SlCjilnbFM90BklXotF6Fjmssf7hTH7W2rd06A/s1600-h/20091020+038.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hkh7-8MUaoYpG6eZEdoJeI8Ai3ktox0rZQnQvXulOx4bh-jmQqaon-aMd9pb9C0_TL9nBhDnYiLZi_5VuGcLozLRfO2QUmM3SlCjilnbFM90BklXotF6Fjmssf7hTH7W2rd06A/s400/20091020+038.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394879911989797874" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-5156690233425291342009-10-04T20:28:00.004-05:002009-10-04T20:45:39.281-05:00Happy Birthday Clark!In just four short years, we've gone from this sweet little guy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9H8rNV8k_4QOOPLyDbE6Yah-MkLANgxlrVaCa6DixQRmBf2Fkt8rT_Vr642CESsrjg0MNKMee-u_ugk33EgQcqNopLeruBSmy83xkwJo9Ks3nWqJcc2VP2-55BoZfqJw028rDg/s1600-h/DSCF0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9H8rNV8k_4QOOPLyDbE6Yah-MkLANgxlrVaCa6DixQRmBf2Fkt8rT_Vr642CESsrjg0MNKMee-u_ugk33EgQcqNopLeruBSmy83xkwJo9Ks3nWqJcc2VP2-55BoZfqJw028rDg/s400/DSCF0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388923066950868434" /></a><br /><br />to this sweet little guy. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJOdSGzNPGHAMLQSpDxxW77TMPyCJ92Tzi3g_gvG7IkIyaHK0KDrx3d9bBMSbNIyiW_lBDMdll7ZIwrVTL29iu17YYGwPwAmi3pdYz-o4DbMlD08YmqmHhsYkjvsreVGhtW1nYQ/s1600-h/20091004+005sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJOdSGzNPGHAMLQSpDxxW77TMPyCJ92Tzi3g_gvG7IkIyaHK0KDrx3d9bBMSbNIyiW_lBDMdll7ZIwrVTL29iu17YYGwPwAmi3pdYz-o4DbMlD08YmqmHhsYkjvsreVGhtW1nYQ/s400/20091004+005sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388922726158826786" /></a><br />He is lovin' Buzz Lightyear right now (and Superman, Spiderman, Batman and any superhero he can find). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2nnWcCZj6BtyjlbRBneUga_yxxvSmspOUI29q_nDpgDsteHQQmAe10SdF6cvQr0bwO6kHA233kBbGAJQM-k7dyLAc3PmPmnN0op80I34e1AXrk1Id0rplPHjlDHtJA7phvqABA/s1600-h/20091004+012sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2nnWcCZj6BtyjlbRBneUga_yxxvSmspOUI29q_nDpgDsteHQQmAe10SdF6cvQr0bwO6kHA233kBbGAJQM-k7dyLAc3PmPmnN0op80I34e1AXrk1Id0rplPHjlDHtJA7phvqABA/s400/20091004+012sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388922718121461762" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1XCqjE4ybjKtHAhOy1DwQ-ODS6LWTXKb1TIEHGtIZUc-QT4phb9LzEF5IMgovzgNT02cSPPiDvVumG4N4QdEx3mutSETQ_sZWifqQR5G4c6TNvPXdZ_G0P1H7SlE5c9LOM9XXQ/s1600-h/20091004+016sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1XCqjE4ybjKtHAhOy1DwQ-ODS6LWTXKb1TIEHGtIZUc-QT4phb9LzEF5IMgovzgNT02cSPPiDvVumG4N4QdEx3mutSETQ_sZWifqQR5G4c6TNvPXdZ_G0P1H7SlE5c9LOM9XXQ/s400/20091004+016sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388922733178092114" /></a><br /><br />We even ventured out to Chuck E Cheese tonight to make sure he had a super special day since he's our special superhero!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaytKT2BGD1N_OwsdiBPKNje8UkkKHN05XttMSyT7vd2ra2RZ4qv4n2Nxv1ke_zd0PGzYGTDLBxxXomf_OSYT5HNk8jZ88WwaKkxL0iGj8CYuftD3pZHRytXMkmFtd-RbOicLKgw/s1600-h/20091004+020sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaytKT2BGD1N_OwsdiBPKNje8UkkKHN05XttMSyT7vd2ra2RZ4qv4n2Nxv1ke_zd0PGzYGTDLBxxXomf_OSYT5HNk8jZ88WwaKkxL0iGj8CYuftD3pZHRytXMkmFtd-RbOicLKgw/s400/20091004+020sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388922736119699362" /></a><br /><br />Happy Birthday Clark!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-75716783609277118182009-09-26T12:16:00.009-05:002009-09-26T13:23:26.119-05:00White Water Rafting (miniscale)I guess today is as good a day as any for my "Once-A-Month-Blogging". I realized a couple of weeks ago that given my transition from blogging to Facebook to Twitter, pretty soon I'll just expect you to read my mind! LOL And as a new blog feature, I've added my Twitter updates to the sidebar. <br /><br />We have had so much rain the past couple of weeks, our backyard is reaching lake status again. There is an underground spring in the backyard, and when it reaches its limits water actually bubbles up out of the ground (along with a crayfish or two). Somehow I doubt we'll be using the fire pit anytime soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLcyRjfE85SJmmO37O-YHDEW-Egud4F4uYSrDNV-BO5yZbGkXulJv42TdPq2zwmWXUVQU2ZzyFayKw81xMC951pvpIGf-GVUvdvZRTiZI8kOGBsdkGWb5dWxjxg1qRiAKQAdOVQ/s1600-h/20090926+019sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLcyRjfE85SJmmO37O-YHDEW-Egud4F4uYSrDNV-BO5yZbGkXulJv42TdPq2zwmWXUVQU2ZzyFayKw81xMC951pvpIGf-GVUvdvZRTiZI8kOGBsdkGWb5dWxjxg1qRiAKQAdOVQ/s400/20090926+019sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385837468295135602" border="0" /></a><br />This morning it was raining pretty steady, and the kids are acting bored to death. Once we got a little break in the rain, Addison and Clark head out to the creek right behind the treeline. It's in the 70's here, so I let them go for it. It has a little current going, and they both are having fun using it as a wading pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlfsv_A20TazTHG_FIkk63lVUCB_EReowCEcdcled8gptLLhwXwZDgqxy9NEM55BjRs6ui1QhmLLOoMec4bwl9k3EK2p1RryAJyD-MQtPCNzwIOWJZ5OEQHtpA-bJXKHcYraO6Q/s1600-h/20090926+018sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlfsv_A20TazTHG_FIkk63lVUCB_EReowCEcdcled8gptLLhwXwZDgqxy9NEM55BjRs6ui1QhmLLOoMec4bwl9k3EK2p1RryAJyD-MQtPCNzwIOWJZ5OEQHtpA-bJXKHcYraO6Q/s400/20090926+018sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385836559057826562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVZCS8FbnMFqagAzvXeQG5UCqItExtuIYR36LguwSGfpP4AlNjY5xtNDTzg-FDGCA_HIiU-cjGkAchvvy6d2gFBhqUN66dXI8thi_GiLnyjhyphenhyphenHo_MO8znukLzWLjODWCP-BZhPQ/s1600-h/20090926+015sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVZCS8FbnMFqagAzvXeQG5UCqItExtuIYR36LguwSGfpP4AlNjY5xtNDTzg-FDGCA_HIiU-cjGkAchvvy6d2gFBhqUN66dXI8thi_GiLnyjhyphenhyphenHo_MO8znukLzWLjODWCP-BZhPQ/s400/20090926+015sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385836550754039810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-suBZE9XJA8YHJ3J7_pBkg4UO-fKASIlgyCAC1CRVBFFsA6cKXQpYu-UyY4VnRX857tjjmLIGVjpBo35fnhu9UrG_hWx2PdJxckgvFo_SxKEo43QlwgpOe89l4npcwFmVXXXW-w/s1600-h/20090926+017sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-suBZE9XJA8YHJ3J7_pBkg4UO-fKASIlgyCAC1CRVBFFsA6cKXQpYu-UyY4VnRX857tjjmLIGVjpBo35fnhu9UrG_hWx2PdJxckgvFo_SxKEo43QlwgpOe89l4npcwFmVXXXW-w/s400/20090926+017sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385835917307792002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then Carl brings out the pool float and they had a blast "riding the raft." <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajWoEvnPtDqELs1VRwB5T94zQDCPj9ZwrnOpIzussegdt6yb64Lk00-8U0MumBSYfJQJdQq1kMP2iT7zB3lP1mg3hB_tF_HOuZrrfvahQCGbsSohcgHrUjc6P6ruL6lR_BYstyA/s1600-h/20090926+034sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajWoEvnPtDqELs1VRwB5T94zQDCPj9ZwrnOpIzussegdt6yb64Lk00-8U0MumBSYfJQJdQq1kMP2iT7zB3lP1mg3hB_tF_HOuZrrfvahQCGbsSohcgHrUjc6P6ruL6lR_BYstyA/s400/20090926+034sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385837741631706850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdFhbG1nceyZMeDTR92syRqzC9wjVeazxZazdmm0FQ2KtlvZjib2Qx7VzLzJ1aCOgPrsw1XlfYJZ5CSSHUVD1ovJ559arEfNTQIw49AxolRpjJ8wq86gKMbBlgpT3msK3_8FXTw/s1600-h/20090926+030sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdFhbG1nceyZMeDTR92syRqzC9wjVeazxZazdmm0FQ2KtlvZjib2Qx7VzLzJ1aCOgPrsw1XlfYJZ5CSSHUVD1ovJ559arEfNTQIw49AxolRpjJ8wq86gKMbBlgpT3msK3_8FXTw/s400/20090926+030sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385840771562221762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztTzKSz1MCmNJeuBzsjQR6TMIdUJM-eI3BczF1JFOzKrTy7gI2AK6SLk1AGRUVL9ZSYWwzVn8OxKfcXpVbNhygs_8JJLJ_0geC20INF2bKMt9CS7gGbEUwDQNmx1PFpO0EyzpXA/s1600-h/20090926+033sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjztTzKSz1MCmNJeuBzsjQR6TMIdUJM-eI3BczF1JFOzKrTy7gI2AK6SLk1AGRUVL9ZSYWwzVn8OxKfcXpVbNhygs_8JJLJ_0geC20INF2bKMt9CS7gGbEUwDQNmx1PFpO0EyzpXA/s400/20090926+033sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385838269653358994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY68gE1geMhe4pkHifGbdZsICVTloUV2XhQYmKKuD7-bnpgn9anpPQ0L3rJuStBMevIyRxCjAznqN94OxfwtrvEEO4K7uqgJMhAUUvv8ZYNhoFjNWXXvqLpXJOo6u-S2f3FVtQQ/s1600-h/20090926+035sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXY68gE1geMhe4pkHifGbdZsICVTloUV2XhQYmKKuD7-bnpgn9anpPQ0L3rJuStBMevIyRxCjAznqN94OxfwtrvEEO4K7uqgJMhAUUvv8ZYNhoFjNWXXvqLpXJOo6u-S2f3FVtQQ/s400/20090926+035sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385837959112602738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What fun for them! And I love that a little outdoor time and some hot chocolate afterwards have cured the "I'm bored" mantra for the moment.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-61769356382957346292009-08-26T14:38:00.006-05:002009-08-26T15:33:35.163-05:00Krazy Corner to Kids' CornerI was called on the carpet about a week ago by a friend who noticed that I hadn't updated the blog lately. Seems I've turned into a OAMB (Once-A-Month-Blogger). But instead of boring you with all our vacation and back to school pictures, I'll show you what I did today.<br /><br />The office/craft room has recently become a dumping ground for lots of things. We've been cleaning out my mother-in-law's house to get it on the market. Boxes and items from her house landed on the table and floor until I had time to figure out if we needed to give these things a home or not. But not all the blame lies there. Since there's not been much crafting going on in this room the past few months, the kids and I have gotten bad about letting the table pile up. I've been wanting to set up a little area for Addison and Clark to keep their art supplies instead of letting them spread across the house.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryXkIP1NPbl7Vws5U4t4JsQV3_YnrjXNEBIsJUL7o5jmAy6sYFVQsoMJIV4f_6E93UI2O5b5TPHasHQ2AA2_sDNc2MfodISOSzcYsnp720MwDyCOO-y2Whkz_-ZZbU9YVE3TPhA/s1600-h/20090826+002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryXkIP1NPbl7Vws5U4t4JsQV3_YnrjXNEBIsJUL7o5jmAy6sYFVQsoMJIV4f_6E93UI2O5b5TPHasHQ2AA2_sDNc2MfodISOSzcYsnp720MwDyCOO-y2Whkz_-ZZbU9YVE3TPhA/s400/20090826+002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374362197650239138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMulwJE7yTP6tkGsKGh7Jh7xL4HMvL6D8oYTKn12KjlldmQnpclE7986Cte4i52e7IOIuMU6VtTs71Fu1-HBMrpAbK3Ha8HlkldRgnSkP-jiLkWnzKMVbrXzdybvPdgtqx5UlPQ/s1600-h/20090826+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMulwJE7yTP6tkGsKGh7Jh7xL4HMvL6D8oYTKn12KjlldmQnpclE7986Cte4i52e7IOIuMU6VtTs71Fu1-HBMrpAbK3Ha8HlkldRgnSkP-jiLkWnzKMVbrXzdybvPdgtqx5UlPQ/s400/20090826+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374362186355511410" /></a><br /><br />I signed up for <a href="http://creativeorganizing.typepad.com/">Aby Garvey's</a> free one-week online workshop (started yesterday) to give me a jumpstart on getting organized. Since today is my day at home, I decided to tackle this crazy corner. One shredder to goodwill, other shredder moved upstairs near the filing cabinet. Rolling tote moved to the attic, paper files purged. I still need to unpack those scrapbook supplies under the table, but we're saving that for another day. I'm just happy that the kids have their scrapbook paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons, stickers, glue sticks and scissors neatly contained! So whether it's used for homework or artsy stuff, they have their own little area to work in. I can't wait for Addison to get home from school to see it! Clark has seen it, but he's much more interested in watching our plumber replace bathroom fixtures at the moment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZbsThn1fZEA1KxcYawDGL91VkfZRVxVOHvhi8eAwluTUkatXdAtGrjNtQNwC8oElsuN_TaaP0hD-VslM9MSYZVWcBdwcuBbvSnF2OM90teH2TF0yXtJ1oYxco32yvYyFwAXszg/s1600-h/20090826+003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZbsThn1fZEA1KxcYawDGL91VkfZRVxVOHvhi8eAwluTUkatXdAtGrjNtQNwC8oElsuN_TaaP0hD-VslM9MSYZVWcBdwcuBbvSnF2OM90teH2TF0yXtJ1oYxco32yvYyFwAXszg/s400/20090826+003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374362206715178658" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-78619212627071295142009-07-12T09:07:00.003-05:002009-07-12T09:27:03.832-05:00Does your family have a mission statement?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSExBpcIb7AYcMOBTBoz2nnRBDnfar1MjOXNwMyvSasLb9VuPMtvRem32BrlBBE0kJre3n8bA1wdFb3GFSTiCPWxEtMq1J8_-VGGLupgMH9JowJ7to-1RGsXxLFoTI2pauURz6XQ/s1600-h/mission-statement.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSExBpcIb7AYcMOBTBoz2nnRBDnfar1MjOXNwMyvSasLb9VuPMtvRem32BrlBBE0kJre3n8bA1wdFb3GFSTiCPWxEtMq1J8_-VGGLupgMH9JowJ7to-1RGsXxLFoTI2pauURz6XQ/s400/mission-statement.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357579988954557922" /></a><br />I've been mulling this over since I read <a href="http://simplemom.net/">Simple Mom</a>'s <a href="http://simplemom.net/back-to-the-basics-create-a-family-mission-statement/">blog post earlier this week</a>. No formal discussions with the family about this yet...just thoughts running through my mind. I can guarantee you we will be working on this in the near future. In today's crazy, busy world, I think we could use a clear-cut standard to measure against the activities we involve ourselves to see if they are helping us or hindering us from achieving our long-term family goals.<br /><br />If you have one, please share it (and you can also share it <a href="http://simplemom.net/back-to-the-basics-share-your-family-mission-statement/">here</a>)! If you don't, do you want to join me in formulating one for your family?<br /><br /><br /> <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-58836993575801993572009-06-28T22:35:00.009-05:002009-06-29T00:19:14.624-05:00Thank you Addison!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusqfhZ617pY_225d3pNdtvjnlVDzUZ6IK7HO10j35fYMLy6E204tBtGuR6MKMSVm372m0rvW0PhH8xRQXmULf8XxzB_noOGoFl0ZhSk2041ZjQGO3_hvKwQZB1BoPmZRSSBfyZg/s1600-h/IMG_2991.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusqfhZ617pY_225d3pNdtvjnlVDzUZ6IK7HO10j35fYMLy6E204tBtGuR6MKMSVm372m0rvW0PhH8xRQXmULf8XxzB_noOGoFl0ZhSk2041ZjQGO3_hvKwQZB1BoPmZRSSBfyZg/s400/IMG_2991.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352591919425420994" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GEwm3BR_B3t9rD9043NfzmlDFxdxgCCa7mSGWbhOTx-x7d1FibbPAhi8h0zysfjvkvPnAL0reJiKpatrH2XpftwDBnNJc2vuRRIEXI_y_XyH3cdKW0UD0kZrG8mtPUuqg0E5gg/s1600-h/IMG_2926.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GEwm3BR_B3t9rD9043NfzmlDFxdxgCCa7mSGWbhOTx-x7d1FibbPAhi8h0zysfjvkvPnAL0reJiKpatrH2XpftwDBnNJc2vuRRIEXI_y_XyH3cdKW0UD0kZrG8mtPUuqg0E5gg/s400/IMG_2926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352594570132730098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__XIS5wSaUGLlSAAsAPd8JXLSKTZJdvPlnsTbZv0RGqxBgW0U-CEcRjlraNKqRT-FzZ0N02-6fGJ6coPOMv7w6pnhOBzqELQpTp8FrpHxGlNy-B2r-BZArp2_ZwQ0pb2pWLAO6A/s1600-h/IMG_2960.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__XIS5wSaUGLlSAAsAPd8JXLSKTZJdvPlnsTbZv0RGqxBgW0U-CEcRjlraNKqRT-FzZ0N02-6fGJ6coPOMv7w6pnhOBzqELQpTp8FrpHxGlNy-B2r-BZArp2_ZwQ0pb2pWLAO6A/s400/IMG_2960.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352591923317578898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9i0OtK8RnfNEErXIyUu4SEmAXltbKz5IfSFknlA3xknVLGBUhvbg-aVB-drpMpcaGHEq-hnNPvFdyvuPgwsXJhUoE7jFNmnb2JMseZVIdsOgtAzfVs3b0V-nXb08BTYp9Y1MUw/s1600-h/IMG_2967.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9i0OtK8RnfNEErXIyUu4SEmAXltbKz5IfSFknlA3xknVLGBUhvbg-aVB-drpMpcaGHEq-hnNPvFdyvuPgwsXJhUoE7jFNmnb2JMseZVIdsOgtAzfVs3b0V-nXb08BTYp9Y1MUw/s400/IMG_2967.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352605238168934786" /></a><br /><br />We just got back from a little vacation to the Smokies. We stayed in a wonderful cabin way up on Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg with the most spectacular view from the back deck. The drive up was a little unnerving at first, but we got somewhat used to it. Our excitement was when this visitor showed up going through our trash can....no more than 20 feet from the front door!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpgm7v7mRRZS4O8XoNx1xFqKkOvTrxaqVUvvjgTJzvkj0R3uOaoXyFcb1bj2Ud1Ap8ex3ed47G_nxIAvXBNDj6Mq0w67-bcLvQnT16UAb71YXifbDnEXtYy3TYw7qFlS0dzOL9Q/s1600-h/IMG_2982edited.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpgm7v7mRRZS4O8XoNx1xFqKkOvTrxaqVUvvjgTJzvkj0R3uOaoXyFcb1bj2Ud1Ap8ex3ed47G_nxIAvXBNDj6Mq0w67-bcLvQnT16UAb71YXifbDnEXtYy3TYw7qFlS0dzOL9Q/s400/IMG_2982edited.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352605232327507170" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfkloteYpsK5PTl9yssyrCy-1sVCUemAboVI3KkRHLNN_fzY3ReaTLKMbJ2_drfXfJOUkIZNJRULmy9Xy-QzM3hW8-nZLzLMmyCMTTJfo1gGjFNfrhvM0rXkzNYLnoRB6UzLoRg/s1600-h/IMG_2978edited.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfkloteYpsK5PTl9yssyrCy-1sVCUemAboVI3KkRHLNN_fzY3ReaTLKMbJ2_drfXfJOUkIZNJRULmy9Xy-QzM3hW8-nZLzLMmyCMTTJfo1gGjFNfrhvM0rXkzNYLnoRB6UzLoRg/s400/IMG_2978edited.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352605244376880514" /></a><br /> And then he wandered off just as nonchalantly as he showed up. We didn't really do much tourist-y stuff except the Ripley's Aquarium which everyone enjoyed. <br /><br />But yes...it was because of Addison that we scheduled our little getaway. Her dance team participated in the Stage One National Finals Thursday and Friday. They didn't make it to the Shootout today, but I am so proud of how well they did...especially since this was the first year of competing for most of the team. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtYWhBxQWin_fGb2FlFwh8XheKvPgd98wpIFTZUqlmkPPpglYL2M5tS3R5qsYwIycreKWNS1cMdCIZAG5WzW80eDUS6scZ5fT6ANLgAZdP5LXMTWDLLo8SvAtLnd7bTNlyvyMkA/s1600-h/129_8785edited.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtYWhBxQWin_fGb2FlFwh8XheKvPgd98wpIFTZUqlmkPPpglYL2M5tS3R5qsYwIycreKWNS1cMdCIZAG5WzW80eDUS6scZ5fT6ANLgAZdP5LXMTWDLLo8SvAtLnd7bTNlyvyMkA/s400/129_8785edited.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352607232899385746" /></a><br /><br />It's no secret (at the studio or to my friends and family) that Addison has struggled with her backbend for "Germs". She nailed it during Friday's performance, but when I saw this picture I asked her why she and her friend on the far left are looking at each other. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDExHJugzGYgE-x4ST1IRSyyjaPlYhgl82EZNdi7Tm4ahpDgi6S0Jbjd0f2nR9ejq56vbOzSxH_Gl5UuAtm-3f69q7tFXn2tEzJrUCfvKqN_TT5j2W7fwsLH-rgx1OYjKoytZYw/s1600-h/129_8769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDExHJugzGYgE-x4ST1IRSyyjaPlYhgl82EZNdi7Tm4ahpDgi6S0Jbjd0f2nR9ejq56vbOzSxH_Gl5UuAtm-3f69q7tFXn2tEzJrUCfvKqN_TT5j2W7fwsLH-rgx1OYjKoytZYw/s400/129_8769.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352594570510106594" /></a> Her answer: Bella was saying "Great job Addison!" and I was saying "Thanks." You gotta love the sweet innocence of these little girls!<br /><br />And who can forget "The Cars That Go Boom!" It will be hard to find a costume or a catchy little tune to rival this number. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYy-OdHBje3RjOdv8Q_o3t3jBSxMA1rhGLxO2qSXciBDmzR49Ss8EkcAneVY2D7c6emyE5kEBXa_Q7QbW9XcqOxAf6QMdW2gJZ7UAhuoHAa2dvy8sea0LzDktmm_jtXensG0OKA/s1600-h/390_7016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYy-OdHBje3RjOdv8Q_o3t3jBSxMA1rhGLxO2qSXciBDmzR49Ss8EkcAneVY2D7c6emyE5kEBXa_Q7QbW9XcqOxAf6QMdW2gJZ7UAhuoHAa2dvy8sea0LzDktmm_jtXensG0OKA/s400/390_7016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352594575551945378" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn3oYuHeNZ-FS68Cq0VXeQCPT_cjCSfKC9KgtfNNvgqwQqYROqEf54gfk2jtISSHhP3dknlT6iYMymi81lkxsd39qXvvBbsOIUUuIn6-6B-wyGfY5Yzp52_o_oNFqRnivXVDtdQ/s1600-h/390r_4414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrn3oYuHeNZ-FS68Cq0VXeQCPT_cjCSfKC9KgtfNNvgqwQqYROqEf54gfk2jtISSHhP3dknlT6iYMymi81lkxsd39qXvvBbsOIUUuIn6-6B-wyGfY5Yzp52_o_oNFqRnivXVDtdQ/s400/390r_4414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352594583061118994" /></a><br /><br />Great job Hubbies! Thanks for the trip to Gatlinburg! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwdoesFWHNhg0_q5TbIHdLj3OrCguVNLI9ARqJggkFbQd-g54soriFGUylWx-DOWB3AkySuLoMoB0z4zyLNU6ydwCaXD2va_r-R6tR93dgEbibLZE8KLkgdMdgk7smpONw67A7w/s1600-h/IMG_2928.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwdoesFWHNhg0_q5TbIHdLj3OrCguVNLI9ARqJggkFbQd-g54soriFGUylWx-DOWB3AkySuLoMoB0z4zyLNU6ydwCaXD2va_r-R6tR93dgEbibLZE8KLkgdMdgk7smpONw67A7w/s400/IMG_2928.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352614443362395186" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /> <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-20366925980284992562009-06-03T23:55:00.003-05:002009-06-04T00:22:14.149-05:00Dress RehearsalAfter spending almost 9 nours at dress rehearsal today, I'm too exhausted to say much. But here are some pics of my little diva!<br /><br /><a href="http://onmybackporch.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-long-hiatus.html">Remember the hat</a> that goes with this?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3WwmSCaKofb_fm-JpJdA4XEXnYNrbK4g7DQ2JMitaIVuOYJ8OI7nvNq5o7ZyYOBQDEQmX7Sn82TA1k9eNBjRM4eycqYn4ybdY3TbF2ZnwP7BBc_mSu2g4Gcw_rjzwtCfntwMJg/s1600-h/20090603+047sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3WwmSCaKofb_fm-JpJdA4XEXnYNrbK4g7DQ2JMitaIVuOYJ8OI7nvNq5o7ZyYOBQDEQmX7Sn82TA1k9eNBjRM4eycqYn4ybdY3TbF2ZnwP7BBc_mSu2g4Gcw_rjzwtCfntwMJg/s400/20090603+047sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343334286838385970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Cc8zc-9ZSkZAJ3bW_HsZ7zfBB2W1F-gh5lehybtEVPcN9WV9O6PkSOErr90iO8Z6PicCJlX5Uf808aRfkqXEsr9leKvZFDznJIBqitdDNoTDxUfxbb3p2-3X4_FJYb81zXCpnw/s1600-h/20090603+088sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Cc8zc-9ZSkZAJ3bW_HsZ7zfBB2W1F-gh5lehybtEVPcN9WV9O6PkSOErr90iO8Z6PicCJlX5Uf808aRfkqXEsr9leKvZFDznJIBqitdDNoTDxUfxbb3p2-3X4_FJYb81zXCpnw/s400/20090603+088sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343334288186328946" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0TgdeDxTqQ8G6M3MERiAEvA5PESJw7s8Zylh3ngbaSSh6FgaY897OjTmIFH0EVk0lai0_Uff8Cm9oQ09JCNXmpcYNz6ki9DArKLJIz9C1AMWQ6y6-yMnqZq2_Z6M06hVSW7ebQ/s1600-h/20090603+086sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0TgdeDxTqQ8G6M3MERiAEvA5PESJw7s8Zylh3ngbaSSh6FgaY897OjTmIFH0EVk0lai0_Uff8Cm9oQ09JCNXmpcYNz6ki9DArKLJIz9C1AMWQ6y6-yMnqZq2_Z6M06hVSW7ebQ/s400/20090603+086sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343334297134585266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwajQkSgaIu-nMPqDCkbjoQzVNynJTdep4Id5bsvGfj4whS8h2ef02B9DXJBq1OtIeMoYIEUSPOTk68wRYJqnymdX68TGTwCOSaM7kZoEag3aRQ_5Af8KoeQuyWjHQ-W0Wg6_xA/s1600-h/20090603+083sized.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwajQkSgaIu-nMPqDCkbjoQzVNynJTdep4Id5bsvGfj4whS8h2ef02B9DXJBq1OtIeMoYIEUSPOTk68wRYJqnymdX68TGTwCOSaM7kZoEag3aRQ_5Af8KoeQuyWjHQ-W0Wg6_xA/s400/20090603+083sized.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343334295511532754" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-86053939756143463922009-04-28T14:21:00.006-05:002009-04-28T17:41:33.363-05:00Another Long HiatusI'm afraid I've had another long spell of neglecting the blog. It seems I've just moved from one crazy deadline to another lately. Tax season ended officially two weeks ago tomorrow...then we switched immediately into competition season for Addison's dance team. But life has not been all work and NO play.<br /><br />We did find time to color Easter eggs. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl2Cwjdo8bPA2yDCGGz4Ja4ZulSbFW6xv6sDJxT1MBXhNb42ealkra5siJ7CvzUXrQ9isvfIu-JftSMQPW0_yXurlxSYrI_sZq0w3Z9GpJqVTW8Ba9DywXW1GBtprnfdZf5zuPg/s1600-h/20090428+002sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxl2Cwjdo8bPA2yDCGGz4Ja4ZulSbFW6xv6sDJxT1MBXhNb42ealkra5siJ7CvzUXrQ9isvfIu-JftSMQPW0_yXurlxSYrI_sZq0w3Z9GpJqVTW8Ba9DywXW1GBtprnfdZf5zuPg/s400/20090428+002sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329835743678330498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGpJfIN_hGRWykJYxOR7QcNMAhm12ohmF8HfCLZrUtb5np5Nx4_gN94leXsLznxieX-QtnMAfKWNCh5hzknHXhTu7mjFZ49tXnitdymxRTUhg6QJfIsB_jT7Dr1-IJrTV7cCZ_g/s1600-h/20090428+006sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGpJfIN_hGRWykJYxOR7QcNMAhm12ohmF8HfCLZrUtb5np5Nx4_gN94leXsLznxieX-QtnMAfKWNCh5hzknHXhTu7mjFZ49tXnitdymxRTUhg6QJfIsB_jT7Dr1-IJrTV7cCZ_g/s400/20090428+006sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329835746128814114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And have an egg hunt.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMy7MKDJU6RF7JOkTwP23R3wFm4ni-5-tyfK11BMyPijaW_FnjyM2BiTCiphTPQ6dtX_60DiuUAGKiMguMj8sWNgInq1_gqNsD7gMjev9GkO1_7munJiuALM5QV7DTfVL0TLl-Q/s1600-h/20090428+022sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMy7MKDJU6RF7JOkTwP23R3wFm4ni-5-tyfK11BMyPijaW_FnjyM2BiTCiphTPQ6dtX_60DiuUAGKiMguMj8sWNgInq1_gqNsD7gMjev9GkO1_7munJiuALM5QV7DTfVL0TLl-Q/s400/20090428+022sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329835747711994786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ride with daddy on the lawnmower.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkalODLzCUZwP_GrR5_u9X10Tmmh0lcmqdQ-pPRl233C5y8TCxOZSDIxPrwQZSH1G6AwztxehBdXPMh939KL40qckPWuaAR4m2NVLfdnYPsP_7lioUDlMx54hm4z3SujnOITIwg/s1600-h/IMG_2713sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkalODLzCUZwP_GrR5_u9X10Tmmh0lcmqdQ-pPRl233C5y8TCxOZSDIxPrwQZSH1G6AwztxehBdXPMh939KL40qckPWuaAR4m2NVLfdnYPsP_7lioUDlMx54hm4z3SujnOITIwg/s400/IMG_2713sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329835743202745826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I will admit the only creative thing I've done is to turn this plain pink felt hat<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadO9EykwIjGGsDMr5PQXuwN-cpipSMzxGsd4YdVfPAxe6rxob6p3ADiaG3TpZElk9_DfwlJCAM7Pav4VwzJRaGFy2KgXr2o-YKDoDBtNX_Wex8zNsRpLqS-ipT4Qdesa2WcFbfg/s1600-h/20090428+029sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgadO9EykwIjGGsDMr5PQXuwN-cpipSMzxGsd4YdVfPAxe6rxob6p3ADiaG3TpZElk9_DfwlJCAM7Pav4VwzJRaGFy2KgXr2o-YKDoDBtNX_Wex8zNsRpLqS-ipT4Qdesa2WcFbfg/s400/20090428+029sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329835837533553362" border="0" /></a><br />into this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfAVPg1kMCuSEM7MpdnWIYZfxdgNN-cO9yB_g_PCK_QaYH7zd_PGtw7PMUztzE5jfLM-Sc60UQvldJEOaSh7p80dS7ly6J6z3QvGGycPcXEOzt73UFj1ldg83a3xusoFSUuQCQ/s1600-h/20090428+034sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfAVPg1kMCuSEM7MpdnWIYZfxdgNN-cO9yB_g_PCK_QaYH7zd_PGtw7PMUztzE5jfLM-Sc60UQvldJEOaSh7p80dS7ly6J6z3QvGGycPcXEOzt73UFj1ldg83a3xusoFSUuQCQ/s400/20090428+034sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329875779338622178" border="0" /></a>Addison's costume is definitely not one of those "off-the-shelf" numbers. Lots of time went into it, but they are definitely out of this world.<br /><br />My next project is to finish 6 pages in 22 scrapbooks for the end of school!!! I hope to be back soon to a regular blogging schedule! Where is that darn Calgon??? LOL<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-37407792916720102862009-03-11T23:18:00.003-05:002009-03-11T23:43:17.665-05:00Still no Thank You cardsIt's just been too busy to find ANY time at my craft table. We've been getting people off to a Daddy/Daughter dance at school, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y9ERltA-dPdttaWFu57ViLk7ZyZ2IO1Jg-JarHB5vNNFn6eZ8su60x8fQYC8JPyTDg5o30HmkliS4pEz92QHD3-QRNyr0sgbvlb2QjQ5Z9aBAMDNoRX_IJ7Q3Yx8O4YXMllJZQ/s1600-h/20090309+011sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y9ERltA-dPdttaWFu57ViLk7ZyZ2IO1Jg-JarHB5vNNFn6eZ8su60x8fQYC8JPyTDg5o30HmkliS4pEz92QHD3-QRNyr0sgbvlb2QjQ5Z9aBAMDNoRX_IJ7Q3Yx8O4YXMllJZQ/s400/20090309+011sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312153121221656258" border="0" /></a>playing outside,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT5U_huTvbIycdoCsteXHh32ZpmFmfLpOTbii_MYlSaQ60xgBcgiwuoZ5A5jfN7SAi2mnUbISVAGqXacyzlzkayiI73zSExJ5jGlx2mvCPxVJsFqwBa4VYNv0RdXnKiYmj7l-vw/s1600-h/20090309+014sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT5U_huTvbIycdoCsteXHh32ZpmFmfLpOTbii_MYlSaQ60xgBcgiwuoZ5A5jfN7SAi2mnUbISVAGqXacyzlzkayiI73zSExJ5jGlx2mvCPxVJsFqwBa4VYNv0RdXnKiYmj7l-vw/s400/20090309+014sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312156358456062578" border="0" /></a><br />getting connected with an uncle who lives out of town and we don't see as often as we'd like to, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TxDkziuSdXXia6wXw25Eo0GTG0JRb_X2T7NnzY7ML1bMxpPRUAz4IjVUm0IiTk7dUa6FwRLbGq9xEPB4InZCGeYzDc1k7URQNmPJ_8CMLJffEzAcmRsaNayNFzX-_ikS6ezfYg/s1600-h/20090309+027sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TxDkziuSdXXia6wXw25Eo0GTG0JRb_X2T7NnzY7ML1bMxpPRUAz4IjVUm0IiTk7dUa6FwRLbGq9xEPB4InZCGeYzDc1k7URQNmPJ_8CMLJffEzAcmRsaNayNFzX-_ikS6ezfYg/s400/20090309+027sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312153125155658658" border="0" /></a><br />and building the Washington Monument out of sugar cubes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHM5rshoT5_gtm87TV8hs8mEYdIb8wlfU19R6gNaq6DzOrvHRf69XihoIQECxk4hu9BM1ok1hKXSqqV_u_vYI3duQcUQBhJYwW2X4R63qcFgglxMGvE5a7dp5WLK4psxtpeI3aQ/s1600-h/20090309+033sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHM5rshoT5_gtm87TV8hs8mEYdIb8wlfU19R6gNaq6DzOrvHRf69XihoIQECxk4hu9BM1ok1hKXSqqV_u_vYI3duQcUQBhJYwW2X4R63qcFgglxMGvE5a7dp5WLK4psxtpeI3aQ/s400/20090309+033sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312156361165856562" border="0" /></a><br />Add in the tax work, lots of phone calls and details to attend to, and crossing my fingers and toes that one of the prospective tenants for the condo will actually turn in an application and have good credit. <br /><br />But Hope Springs Eternal so I'm holding out some grand intentions to find some time to play in the craft room this weekend.... <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-63814341795752243752009-03-07T07:33:00.003-06:002009-03-07T07:39:57.692-06:00Hoping for a little time this weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQigN4IKdaMpVPfu21zdfOwexVsnfAaYO6UMZ9tGvfEtZ8v6-w_4BkO5MirRp6JH1-_WP9Fp_kX0ecL9NN6Rs3cBS2q17L-2DkPMznynP104s_-V_AZEgt3Ukw9szYYt_5Gc8rg/s1600-h/cuprunnethover.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQigN4IKdaMpVPfu21zdfOwexVsnfAaYO6UMZ9tGvfEtZ8v6-w_4BkO5MirRp6JH1-_WP9Fp_kX0ecL9NN6Rs3cBS2q17L-2DkPMznynP104s_-V_AZEgt3Ukw9szYYt_5Gc8rg/s400/cuprunnethover.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310438960648431522" /></a><br />to get back to the blog. My MIL passed away on Wednesday so right now my "cup runneth over" with all the different hats I'm wearing and emotions we're experiencing. I do need to get some Thank You cards in the mail, so I hope to be back sometime this weekend with those to share. <br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-51287438078428337912009-03-01T22:37:00.004-06:002009-03-01T23:46:28.467-06:00A Dusting of Snow and a CASE Challenge!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8fyhT2fLA-80OmbuG8wMMylnIFChwDn8X02he25-1sKYhVnLtJgPCDk84K7F_Rp1e8YPcJ94bEXem4LtX08dFgS_B-jvb_Ysq3alNfszf0y8PMl7nKOVEhRKn7rsTt5DMws8Rg/s1600-h/20090301+015sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8fyhT2fLA-80OmbuG8wMMylnIFChwDn8X02he25-1sKYhVnLtJgPCDk84K7F_Rp1e8YPcJ94bEXem4LtX08dFgS_B-jvb_Ysq3alNfszf0y8PMl7nKOVEhRKn7rsTt5DMws8Rg/s400/20090301+015sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308447994571425794" border="0" /></a><br />Lest ye think that the view from our backporch is always as green and lush as the blog banner would lead you to believe, here is what I saw this morning from the porch. Quite a difference, eh? Just a dusting of snow, but enough to make the kids happy. And yes, the tree line is quite different. The ridge behind the trees is "our" railroad track...I've been told it's a local line that ships mostly between Nashville and the Saturn plant about 25 miles away. It only runs a couple of times a day, and now we can actually wave to the conductor when the train goes by! Between the track and trees is our little creek. Carl cleared out all the underbrush so that we have a better view of the kids when they're playing back there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsiwzu4EvDZchKjStfK7I9xRzvlSSzuQETXuButIbX2k28b3N5EzJp35PEkAosIi0Yizyr51CzeViYk0s7ZkC2wRHNASjeWP3yvW5z85TQEW3qsnOZaaC7iJAbYSw1sp5A4R0Kg/s1600-h/20090301+019sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsiwzu4EvDZchKjStfK7I9xRzvlSSzuQETXuButIbX2k28b3N5EzJp35PEkAosIi0Yizyr51CzeViYk0s7ZkC2wRHNASjeWP3yvW5z85TQEW3qsnOZaaC7iJAbYSw1sp5A4R0Kg/s400/20090301+019sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308447993484036578" border="0" /></a><br />Addison has ALWAYS wanted to keep snow around. So this big bowl of snow is now residing in the chest freezer. Around July, she'll decide she wants to eat some of it. LOL<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKe3qi_uk_td7ujDUtO8TtB8DwlG_Bl8dGuftOBNCzutlo7XQi_dih9mrovAobHvKXdhRb1jCxq_vGuxLfm-3laPqPVhU2oMfAf7bu_9DIO3sBXtukn1T4RQfhnZSuc1UKOBgmg/s1600-h/20090301+027sized.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKe3qi_uk_td7ujDUtO8TtB8DwlG_Bl8dGuftOBNCzutlo7XQi_dih9mrovAobHvKXdhRb1jCxq_vGuxLfm-3laPqPVhU2oMfAf7bu_9DIO3sBXtukn1T4RQfhnZSuc1UKOBgmg/s400/20090301+027sized.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308447998995541778" border="0" /></a><br />And my inspiration for the challenge....my bedside bookcase that I was dusting today. I've hung onto the idea books, that stack of Papercrafts magazines, the Cards and Scrapbook Trends issues. I'm really not ready to part with them, but I need to use them. So I'm challenging myself to CASE (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">C</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">opy <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">A</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">nd <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">S</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">teal <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">E</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">verything)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> one project a month from one of these publications. It's just another part of my "stash" that I need to dig into occasionally.<br /><br />If you want to join the CASE Challenge, leave a comment on this post with a link to your CASE-d creation. Your inspiration could be from a printed publication or anywhere online, but you also must link us up with the project or artist that inspired you. CASE-ing etiquette demands that you give credit where it's due and never use those creations for anything other than personal use. Have your project linked here by March 31 to be in the drawing for a RAK of goodies from me. :)<br /><br />On a side note, seeing that pic of the bottom shelf makes me thankful that the heating pad, back brace, and inflatable lumbar pillow are all neatly stacked. That means my back is behaving itself right now, and that is always cause for some gratitude.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-1594233123780709982009-02-28T18:03:00.000-06:002009-02-28T18:03:00.467-06:00Not Quite Ready for Spring Yet!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitukKz5I8JbwvEMMYodJ68Kk0BrUeoRXl9Ey2Xtcih1_e2KIUWwtlXviqTF2Tan_gO3qsi72pQiwIXQhkkJTFSknvi-EUAxK3F7cPFcLtfinjs99hoL9oez-SWXDfnpYJZeVwe_A/s1600-h/sassc3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitukKz5I8JbwvEMMYodJ68Kk0BrUeoRXl9Ey2Xtcih1_e2KIUWwtlXviqTF2Tan_gO3qsi72pQiwIXQhkkJTFSknvi-EUAxK3F7cPFcLtfinjs99hoL9oez-SWXDfnpYJZeVwe_A/s400/sassc3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307971850099594290" /></a><br />The <a href="http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2009/02/something-with-cold-winter-wind.html">challenge at Stamp Something</a> this week is to create something reminding you of the cold winter winds. I've been playing with the challenges at <a href="http://stampsandsmiles.blogspot.com/">Stamps and Smile</a>s this week, and I used <a href="http://stampsandsmiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/stamps-and-smiles-day-3-sneak-peek.html">Sketch Challenge #3</a> for this card. (Don't worry, I'll show you the other SAS challenges soon....I'm just keeping a little backlog of things to post over the next few weeks when life will be keeping me away from the scrap table). The stamps are from Treehouse Stamps colored in with my Prismacolor pencils and OMS. After I finished this one, I wished that I'd thought about using liquid applique on the marshmallows. Oh well...there's always next time. <br /><br />We're actually under a winter weather advisory tonight. It remains to be seen whether we'll get any accumulation, but since I have all the fixin's for some homemade vegetable soup & cornbread and my sweet family all around me, this card says it all for me!!! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23953740.post-88807018511689554692009-02-26T20:24:00.002-06:002009-02-26T20:33:54.497-06:00Blog Candy WinnerWe printed all the comments, cut them into strips, folded 'em and put them in a bowl. And Addison picked:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Denean!!!!<br /><br /></span></span>Denean and I were on a design team together way back when. She is always so good about leaving comments, and her photography is awesome!!! Make sure you check out <a href="http://alittlewebspacetocallmyown.blogspot.com/">her blog</a>. Denean, let me know which prize you choose! <br /><br />I'm about 95% finished updating the blogroll in the sidebar. When you have a couple of free <s>minutes</s> days, check out these links. These bloggers are my constant source of inspiration.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/58/0BAB57CEA1AC4989DA8C6359F9434205.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Rachel V.http://www.blogger.com/profile/14949910272912590835noreply@blogger.com1