tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28318947379888565502024-03-13T07:57:30.917-07:00protagonistically inclinedannaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-86264621044819432662013-02-01T06:31:00.000-08:002013-02-01T06:31:01.621-08:00A New BlogThe day before Punxsutawney Phil emerges to his shadow (or not), I come out of bloggy hibernation.<div>
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To direct you to my new blog...</div>
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<a href="http://www.journeytocharlie.blogspot.com/">Story of a Starfish</a></div>
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It's not a replacement of this. It is a temporary blog...as we begin...<span style="font-size: x-small;">(drumroll)</span>...</div>
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<i>oh, just go read ;)</i></div>
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Whether or not it the groundhog sees his shadow, may indicate how many more months before I write again here...after all, I am a Pennsylvanian now...I think we actually listen to the little, furry dude out here...</div>
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then again, I've really missed you all!</div>
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In either case, I will definitely be posting/updating at the blog above~ so I'll see you around!! :)</div>
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annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-64660112323101211192012-03-30T10:35:00.000-07:002012-03-30T10:35:05.189-07:00The Good I've Found (TGIF) : harvesting simplicity<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC1cydxoB6n5QgT6rB-kLY4LSRjbcIqQbuk-nuw4XizAlFrDk0LOwd6396lBdE1BYR9voVAW1gep71kaWlf7ThKBngIdk4y1Ql4slS6zSbwXUu6eyCp3N8mo6AZ1fyriwaOBUS7zPUr1S/s1600/blueberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHC1cydxoB6n5QgT6rB-kLY4LSRjbcIqQbuk-nuw4XizAlFrDk0LOwd6396lBdE1BYR9voVAW1gep71kaWlf7ThKBngIdk4y1Ql4slS6zSbwXUu6eyCp3N8mo6AZ1fyriwaOBUS7zPUr1S/s400/blueberries.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aren't they beautiful?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Not having 5 acres to care for is so nice.</b> We were never terrific at it, and began to despise the constant maintenance needed. Weekends meant yard work or <span style="font-size: large;">Even More</span> yard work the next weekend if you slacked.<br />
<br />
However, I missed my apple tree and blueberry bushes. The excitement of watching the blossoms turn to fruit entranced me every year. The hope that one day I would actually get to harvest some of it Before the deer ate it made for fun pursuit. (never happened by the way!)<br />
<br />
When we planted our small flower bed garden for Valentine's Day, I smiled as the kiddos selected fruit trees and blueberry bushes. And, this week, I triumphantly harvested<span style="color: blue; font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> ripe blueberries</span>!<br />
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Five. No, I did not take a photo of only the best. That is all. Five. But they are big and juicy and, from watching Shell's face as she ate them...very Sour! :)<br />
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So,<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">we traded 5 acres for 5 blueberries</span></span></i></span>. huh. <br />
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Here's TGIF: <span style="font-size: x-large;">simplicity</span>. May you be blessed by the little things. And may they be your joy as you remain steadfast in the big things.annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-90187570586035607482012-02-15T11:22:00.000-08:002012-02-15T11:22:22.444-08:00Wordless Wednesday: The one where our front planter is now filled with all kinds of fun plants! From a lime tree, to a blueberry bush, tomato plant and five different flower varieties ~ it is going to be so much fun to watch the kiddos tend it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SqumpYU0D7nsxeeOf5Ss7K0Eh5naUx9Gc7X1thCTJwcEVQ-XZ1myDJUmcqSpn3mg7IDV8Ma_2inivtBLR6-oyUuedt3SG5PwsefigVXL0ZIK5qKrlbIBbINH1YDfOyNNR6N-n4VQhL_s/s1600/valentines,+breaking+dawn+party+and+garden+(58).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SqumpYU0D7nsxeeOf5Ss7K0Eh5naUx9Gc7X1thCTJwcEVQ-XZ1myDJUmcqSpn3mg7IDV8Ma_2inivtBLR6-oyUuedt3SG5PwsefigVXL0ZIK5qKrlbIBbINH1YDfOyNNR6N-n4VQhL_s/s400/valentines,+breaking+dawn+party+and+garden+(58).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-54217654328326360932012-01-13T03:00:00.000-08:002012-01-13T03:00:12.028-08:00The Good I've Found (TGIF): Him<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg536onaP029B9FzxyHIxtkfj8JGOH9iLx-iPJzKPofxw7EpgTQplesoldfwMLciphbay_vNA4CuLe5iDv3soht8cnS-dJm86hNeFlxvhfwHN3pLwCoxQY_oGkYJZ8fveoyhjvMaZPS659M/s1600/Jeff+in+woody+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg536onaP029B9FzxyHIxtkfj8JGOH9iLx-iPJzKPofxw7EpgTQplesoldfwMLciphbay_vNA4CuLe5iDv3soht8cnS-dJm86hNeFlxvhfwHN3pLwCoxQY_oGkYJZ8fveoyhjvMaZPS659M/s320/Jeff+in+woody+hat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my man</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's his birthday today. And I love him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>there is no greater TGIF this week.</strong> <span style="font-size: large;">He is so much of what is good in my life.</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">oh, and he's home today from a week-long business trip ~ and yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. But, for me, with him, it is true <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>even when he leaves for work. I cannot wait until I get to see him again</strong></span>. Too mushy? <em>Too Bad</em>!! It's my post about my man ;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Happy Birthday, Love :)</div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-58897546043572242362012-01-09T10:57:00.000-08:002012-01-09T10:57:18.976-08:00Monday Memories: Jack Daniels, summer 2008<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHOMlxVyq53GZq8YeUtgLlR73FBVbojHnL4HJ0RS7zZV3QxJNVJlWlVII5aV8WYjo6zw0lZorBRx3yrYzmOwLafew-B8aiuIBLQXDnDx4LumjJmdIvxbKQxflidVknNRN0MqgP2r6ioon/s1600/tennessee+rebecca+and+i2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHOMlxVyq53GZq8YeUtgLlR73FBVbojHnL4HJ0RS7zZV3QxJNVJlWlVII5aV8WYjo6zw0lZorBRx3yrYzmOwLafew-B8aiuIBLQXDnDx4LumjJmdIvxbKQxflidVknNRN0MqgP2r6ioon/s320/tennessee+rebecca+and+i2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I haven't done a Monday Memory in a while...and was missing my childhood friend, Rebecca (hi, bec! <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I miss you so much my WEF</span>!!) so, thought I'd take a moment to share <strong><span style="font-size: large;">a very important moment in our lives</span></strong>...our first shot of Jack Daniels. bwahahahaha! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Alright, not exactly an important moment. <em>But a funny one.</em> We had toured the <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Jack Daniels distillery</span> that day with our husbands, but since it is located in a dry county in TN (irony) had not been able to taste it...and since neither of us ever had<span style="font-size: x-small;">...(or maybe we had, just hadn't had a shot of it---which by the way---I do NOT understand. Shots, that is. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Seriously not a fun way to ingest alcohol</strong></span>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As evidenced by our faces, she had already done it--me, not quite yet--notice, I'm still smiling ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Monday, Everyone!!</span></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-66391924144511118272012-01-07T09:52:00.000-08:002012-01-07T09:52:30.511-08:00Writer's Block<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pqUBmwzoH4fpznIIedVKfJ4Hf6brwZaKm8SAWj84OYRIahcVVMAaMEMsT6KPr7vsBX3Gr0MjtXiGs_k_UImsu2f3SwAvf2l9niRdpt6yQGcSxiLHOwN_L4iDjVdKGuVUAQyfWNWcgG3g/s1600/perry+blocking+computer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pqUBmwzoH4fpznIIedVKfJ4Hf6brwZaKm8SAWj84OYRIahcVVMAaMEMsT6KPr7vsBX3Gr0MjtXiGs_k_UImsu2f3SwAvf2l9niRdpt6yQGcSxiLHOwN_L4iDjVdKGuVUAQyfWNWcgG3g/s400/perry+blocking+computer.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-9108395406616377342012-01-02T15:39:00.000-08:002012-01-02T15:41:24.066-08:00My calendar ran outFor the first time in at least 10 years, <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have no calendar hanging on the wall.</span> (well, technically, I do...it just says 2011) <br />
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Having consistently stayed on top of the whole <em>'family-calendar-on-the-wall' thing</em> has been a great blessing to my forgetful/distracted mind <span style="font-size: x-small;">(quite honestly i can't believe this is the first year I forgot to order a new one!</span>) not to mention to the family as a whole. It gives me a fighting chance at staying on top of upcoming events and it helps us all to look forward to special trips or guest arrivals.<br />
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As I glance across the room at <strong>DECEMBER 2011</strong> staring at me from above well filled-in boxes, I figure I have a couple of choices:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">1. Stop blogging about it and open another page with calendars.com and place order.</span><br />
<ol></ol><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">2. Claim ignorance about any upcoming appointments, classes and/or tasks...stay on vacation forever </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and spiral into complete and utter chaos.</span><br />
<ol></ol><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><em>*sigh*</em></span></div><br />
<strike>number 2!!!! definitely going for number</strike> nope. I don't really have a choice. going to...ummm...go do something...be back in a sec...annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-16289114124644448992012-01-01T14:16:00.000-08:002012-01-01T14:16:39.173-08:00Happy Twenty Twelve!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBE3sUVKiuQ/TwDQaPe6zPI/AAAAAAAABuo/pBVr7XwkMvY/s1600/2012+happy+new+year+evie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBE3sUVKiuQ/TwDQaPe6zPI/AAAAAAAABuo/pBVr7XwkMvY/s320/2012+happy+new+year+evie.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Cheers!!!</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><strong> A toast for you, my friends:</strong></em></span></div><br />
~<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May this year bring you all kinds of surprises</span>, the good ones, of course, but also the hard ones that we all need to kick us in the pants and push us to become better, stronger and wiser. (please don't blame me when they happen, it is just a toast...)<br />
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~<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May you know love</span>. True Love. His name is Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Peace. And may His Love spur you on to love those around you. (are you getting the warm fuzzies, yet?!...no we're not going to join hands and sing kumbaya, <em>relax</em>)<br />
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~and finally, <span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May you visit Disneyland often</span>. Hey, it is a toast from me and I do want you to share the smiles ;)<br />
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I love you all (no not writing this during margarita binge, really do love you!) and pray that I get to see each and every one of you this year. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">unless you are a random lurker to my blog, in which case, welcome, but if we don't get together this year, I understand...you're probably busy...</span>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-54198422704278834562011-12-23T19:50:00.000-08:002011-12-23T19:52:13.093-08:00The Good I've Found (TGIF): sunshineTwo days before Christmas and all through the windows<br />
Came streaking and shining with jubilant fun<br />
These bright rays of light, shimmering and dancing<br />
Proclaiming that summer's not the only season for sun.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alright, so it's a bit rough...but you get the idea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Maybe it is just because I've only lived back in sunny, SoCal for a year and a half, after being away in rainy Washington for almost 11 years...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">maybe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Or maybe it is that scientifically proven fact that <span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;"><em>sunshine makes you happy</em></span>. ---or something like that, Vitamin D and all... (no, I'm not a scientist...but those who have the special lamps in their houses or go for light therapy treatments can back me up on this one, right?!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">hey! that one song by that one guy proclaims the fact..."...sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">No matter the reason, the fact is... I don't miss the snow this year. Nope. Not one bit.<em> ok, that's extreme</em> --I do miss the beauty of it. But you know what? Fake snow is really beautiful, too ;) And my favorite place has lots of fun, fake snow. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8adI3iqXuN4/TvVKiXOpTaI/AAAAAAAABss/SpreekEpDB4/s1600/disneyland+at+christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8adI3iqXuN4/TvVKiXOpTaI/AAAAAAAABss/SpreekEpDB4/s400/disneyland+at+christmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HR_Q0lbZeLo/TvVK21VbT0I/AAAAAAAABs4/KrvN2EExjo0/s1600/evie+in+winter+stuff+kind+of.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HR_Q0lbZeLo/TvVK21VbT0I/AAAAAAAABs4/KrvN2EExjo0/s320/evie+in+winter+stuff+kind+of.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my Evie in her winter wear :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I know, I know. It's not the same. You are right. It is not cold. It is not damp. It is not messy. Yeah. I think I can deal with that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My TGIF for this week is that I am, unashamedly, in love with this Southern Californian Christmas. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">May your Christmas be as wonderful, wherever, however and with whomever you celebrate it !</span>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-64399409699069468732011-12-09T02:00:00.000-08:002011-12-09T02:00:09.747-08:00The Good I've Found (TGIF) : friendsI learned a song in girl scouts about friendship...without being able to sing it to you (I know you would all just <b><i>love</i></b> that!) here are the lyrics, at least:<br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">make new friends</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">but keep the old</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">one is silver </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">and the other gold.</div><br />
It was sung as a round (you remember those, right?) So as the first group got to the end of the 2nd verse, the next group started at the beginning, Which resulted in us proving that the clever writers of the song had created two equal parts (wow), and made for mixed up singers in a really loud, confusing mess.<i> sigh.</i> <span style="font-size: large;">good times.</span><br />
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Good times with friends, in fact! <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And yes, I do consider those girls my friends.</span> Even though I don't have any idea where most of them are, or have been for the past 25 or so years! (through the amazingness that is connected technology and social media I am happy to say that I do stay in relative contact with at least 2 of them, though...<i>seriously cool!</i>)<br />
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and speaking of social media ~ the very word FRIEND has become a much used verb in that context. To FRIEND someone.<br />
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so...let's vote. <i><b> <span style="font-size: large;">are they actually your friend</span></b></i>, if they bear that title on your computer? (check yes, no or maybe and send back to me immediately!!!) They are in my book. If you are a part of my list, on Facebook, on my phone, in my blogroll...you are my friend.<span style="font-size: large;"><b> For Real</b></span>. I want to get to know you better. I desire to see your photos, share in your life, read about your dreams...ok, except for those VERY few exceptions that use rather explicit language to describe your photos, life and dreams...you I hide and look at only when I can stomach it--<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">my goodness some of you have potty mouths!</span> </span><i>(and I'm no saint!! lol)</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I miss my friends</span> that I have moved away from recently...sometimes I even miss my friends that I moved away from in 7th grade!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I am excited to welcome new friends</span> to my life through a new neighborhood, school and small group at church this year.<br />
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I love that I am finally feeling like<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I am friends with my parents.</span> Not that they weren't friendly or there was anything bad before, but with age comes a new type of relationship...and I am so glad ours is friendship. <br />
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I don't have much to tie this all together.<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>Just a musing</b></span> this Friday about TGIF being the many, many friends in my life. May I be ever mindful <span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>of how blessed I am by you.</b></i></span>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-78012941942640870862011-12-02T11:49:00.000-08:002011-12-02T11:49:20.767-08:00The Good I've Found (TGIF): Literally...Stuff I found...Ok, so I've been having MASSIVE issues with my photos on my computer. <br />
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No, I'll rephrase by saying I've been having MASSIVE issues with my computer. period.<br />
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That being said, my tech guy is amazing. He's just tired of having to deal with tech issues all day long and then come home to them as well. And between the 5 of us waiting for him at home...there is usually at least 5 computer questions/issues for him. Poor tech guy. We love you :)<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">ANYWAY...I have <strike>blamed</strike> <strike>cursed</strike> put off posting for a couple weeks now due to said issues...but enough is enough! There are GOOD THINGS that need to be posted!!! (and should I regain ability to add photos, I certainly will!)</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You ready? Cause this is a REALLY COOL STORY:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, the kiddos and I left the house around noon for an ortho appt. When we returned, an hour and a half later, I noticed our 'yard debris' container (it was trash day, so they were on the curb) was stuffed to overflowing with broken wood pieces--furniture and old frames--stuff that we definitely had not put in there and that had not been there before we left the house. I was a tad upset, thinking that it might not get hauled off--not to mention that someone had put it in our can without asking!--so I decided to try to transfer as much as I could over to the regular trash can. I accidentally lifter the 'recycling' can lid though and WOW, am I ever glad I did! Someone (presumably the same broken furniture off loading folks) had carefully deposited <strike>a large</strike> an enormous glass tank/aquarium inside. AND...that tank was full of another tank...AND...THAT tank was full of another...and another...and so on...and so on...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">seriously, we now own 6 tanks. 3 glass and 3 plastic. Plus 6 heat lamps, bulb refills, sunning rocks and other accessories. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and it is all in great condition. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ian has been asking for a turtle. I think God just said yes. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Moral of the story: If you have any really cool stuff you've been wanting to get rid of, please come dump it in one of my trash bins...on Thursdays...I guarantee I will never not check them again because of TGIF this week! :)</span>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-49148139325275590892011-11-16T06:00:00.000-08:002011-11-16T06:00:04.258-08:00Wordless Wednesday: The one where I smile because my guys are smiling at me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXO7M6_khp9aAKP9Xo3hPz8cwqGEj2kIgFfqd16um8BtLYpnGdk5qax3J1-38ZsmWugSysP-plQWBEHKG4W-gJDQqz47ZXNKZ_kkTNHdgEZkIXdsfoW4Gj6dP8MxE2MQPejfzG-LGIMUi/s1600/AZ-wedding-megan-jeff-and-i.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXO7M6_khp9aAKP9Xo3hPz8cwqGEj2kIgFfqd16um8BtLYpnGdk5qax3J1-38ZsmWugSysP-plQWBEHKG4W-gJDQqz47ZXNKZ_kkTNHdgEZkIXdsfoW4Gj6dP8MxE2MQPejfzG-LGIMUi/s400/AZ-wedding-megan-jeff-and-i.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-72867918253347227152011-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:002011-11-11T11:35:54.870-08:00The Good I've Found (TGIF) : 11:11 on 11-11-11<i>Don't tell me this time and date isn't cool</i>!!! '<b style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Cause it is</b>!!!<br />
<br />
As my oldest daughter would say, <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"> "Make a Wish!"</span></i></span><br />
<br />
some days<i><span style="font-size: large;"> I feel that I am living a dream</span></i> and can't imagine what else I could wish for.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"> <i><span style="color: #134f5c;">this is one of those days.</span></i> </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaHsJhRoWSjBSUqPCVp48It9cacC-X_1DvXb5OrKKnIEHgqZ_cu1TbDdfpmON-UpxKTxeWE3lMnY3tqMzWrBcbwC3yP8gel73ZCeyXyFHkMNSGUqJl_fxidItUZOdDxgNTmy8n7Nuuxza/s1600/kids+petting+shamu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaHsJhRoWSjBSUqPCVp48It9cacC-X_1DvXb5OrKKnIEHgqZ_cu1TbDdfpmON-UpxKTxeWE3lMnY3tqMzWrBcbwC3yP8gel73ZCeyXyFHkMNSGUqJl_fxidItUZOdDxgNTmy8n7Nuuxza/s320/kids+petting+shamu.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a beautiful moment in my beautiful life</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">TGIF</span></span> ~ <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">memorable moments.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> special seconds</span>.<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">times I love</span> to record and remember. </div><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(sooo...did you make a wish? or are you like me and just said thanks for all the wishes granted?)</span>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-58700864627851365802011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:002011-11-11T10:50:20.857-08:00Wordless Wednesday: the one where I, once again, back date post to Wednesday, but also use an image stolen from a friend. But it's beautiful, so Enjoy! :) In case you are wondering, it is still wordless. This is just the title.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgbV1E7YA1nc_GyDcpFIA-K3MJzB5XrbeQO7C-lvtmQE_sHo9a6rx6v8JViAwo2yhtGlQwhvAoP-nlv-0TNlP9OvnNhDBcd-vdCB6P4TbhozS83oSzXe6DG-rCbe0IihydJlTumqUp4jh/s1600/mark+twain+in+sepia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgbV1E7YA1nc_GyDcpFIA-K3MJzB5XrbeQO7C-lvtmQE_sHo9a6rx6v8JViAwo2yhtGlQwhvAoP-nlv-0TNlP9OvnNhDBcd-vdCB6P4TbhozS83oSzXe6DG-rCbe0IihydJlTumqUp4jh/s320/mark+twain+in+sepia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-59622103382207420422011-11-04T06:00:00.000-07:002011-11-04T06:00:08.457-07:00The Good I've Found (TGIF) : the secret of happiness<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">No, it's not <span style="color: #073763; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Disneyland</span>. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjAqURsH_Aygp_nbx0GOmDVpWNq9-I7UfhiY197Hw1DxqCFgwaMJeUYTkrMih0J8wMNV7U23aM3XI2sb8tfu9NapvsKvY73J-BV4Ne2SgeyCf_yEIIICWRFU2BmBIY1TnCtqaX7kS4_rE/s1600/kiddos+in+front+of+castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjAqURsH_Aygp_nbx0GOmDVpWNq9-I7UfhiY197Hw1DxqCFgwaMJeUYTkrMih0J8wMNV7U23aM3XI2sb8tfu9NapvsKvY73J-BV4Ne2SgeyCf_yEIIICWRFU2BmBIY1TnCtqaX7kS4_rE/s200/kiddos+in+front+of+castle.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(although living close, certainly doesn't hurt one's 'happy meter')</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The truth is..<span style="font-size: large;">.I've never much liked the word <i>HAPPY</i></span>. And I consider myself a pretty 'happy' person.<b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> <span style="color: #20124d;">Now...JOY--that's a whole different animal--not to mention post!--and that's certainly an awesome thing...a thing I treasure as a child of God.</span></span></b> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">But happy is well...meh. </span><br />
<br />
let's see what mr. webster has to say about it, shall we?<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>happy</b> (hap'ee) adj.1 favored by circumstances; lucky; fortunate 2 having, showing, or causing a feeling of great pleasure...</span></div><br />
and therein lies my issues with the word. <b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> circumstances</b> <span style="font-size: large;"><i> lucky</i></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> feeling</span> <b> all temporal</b>. all <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">variable. </span><br />
<br />
now, please <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">do not misunderstand me.</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> I<i> like</i> to be happy</span></span>. Very much. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">HELLO</span></span>..Disneyland!!! :) But what I don't like is how much time I spend trying to BE happy. Trying to maintain that <span style="font-size: large;"><i>feeling</i></span>. it is not something I am proud of.<br />
<br />
But ...<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> TGIF</span></span>!!! Check out this quote:<br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Happiness is finding something more important than you are and dedicating your life to it." </span></b></div><br />
This video contains that quote in it. And I like it. <br />
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/3686182">The secret of happiness</a><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is not my life's philosophy. </span></i>And I certainly still do not love the word<span style="font-size: large;"> <i>happy</i></span>, but this quote, this video THIS view of happiness is a nice reconciliation for me... it is <span style="font-size: large;">T<span style="font-size: small;">he</span> G<span style="font-size: small;">ood</span> I<span style="font-size: small;">'ve</span> F<span style="font-size: small;">ound</span></span> this week :)annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-54380066570703460012011-11-02T11:00:00.000-07:002011-11-03T11:36:30.584-07:00Wordless Wednesday: the one where we walk around the lake on a Thursday, but I back date the post to the day before so I can use this catchy title<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfX2cYcUvj9NqcmNszE13aRvRN_1J2vglT4ZDPrvtETzFu7XOG-FQrjQnqeYrGUIPVixNY3gc5allvmhcvMhPaQFTZgiGUhustPmtbfME_8j26A7uMXPdg6VjVszST10H5C-nohllctmj/s1600/lake+in+november.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfX2cYcUvj9NqcmNszE13aRvRN_1J2vglT4ZDPrvtETzFu7XOG-FQrjQnqeYrGUIPVixNY3gc5allvmhcvMhPaQFTZgiGUhustPmtbfME_8j26A7uMXPdg6VjVszST10H5C-nohllctmj/s320/lake+in+november.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-65757561651052988232011-10-31T12:00:00.000-07:002011-10-31T12:00:43.221-07:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMOglrA5gcE16NzfBOAW3XJgO1hmdiE9A5ZBCWV9mwl1rgcM2DGUz2j-8JO2XMlk9gAaiX5wSUWbmQmz-88_a08COI4fSwqOnw2mFpLFyp52dEsfKIdJCSWT5yMzHvcWqpmfot5Z2ZItT/s1600/girls+with+minnin+at+halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMOglrA5gcE16NzfBOAW3XJgO1hmdiE9A5ZBCWV9mwl1rgcM2DGUz2j-8JO2XMlk9gAaiX5wSUWbmQmz-88_a08COI4fSwqOnw2mFpLFyp52dEsfKIdJCSWT5yMzHvcWqpmfot5Z2ZItT/s320/girls+with+minnin+at+halloween.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Gabby and Evie enjoying their friend, Minnie Mouse, at Disneyland last week. </strong></div><br />
I have many more photos to share from this past weeks' celebrations, but <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">this is it for today</span> as we attempt to <span style="color: cyan;">1.</span> recover from the weekend (oof! Mondays are <em>HARD</em>)<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="color: cyan;">2.</span></span> get our schoolwork done...we are on double duty this week in an attempt to not get to far off schedule when our friends come to visit next week and we take 3 days off to party with them!!!...and <span style="color: cyan;">3.</span> get dressed (yet again! this is our 3rd time!) in our costumes to trick-or-treat at daddy's office then the neighborhood. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">wow.</span><br />
<br />
I'm tired and it's not even noon. <br />
<br />
but I'm throwing another post out in the blog world, and that's all I promised I would keep doing. for now. Eventually I will up the ante and will actually promise content and quality. eventually. <br />
<br />
And<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><em> it's Halloween</em></span>! So, let's all go have fun, be safe and Rot Those Teeth :) (you are welcome, dentists).annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-73509823657436869342011-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:002011-10-28T05:00:06.226-07:00The Good I've Found (TGIF) : schematic drawings and math<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIamgvbnMdUcQtvBNaju2swOUcIM9yqN_9mfTGGtvuA9Nc28EPDFroOqw0YBZXdZykZHkbUjFxxvK7uKfa2iEJWM-8oDMTg3aZN8xcD4hwn5Hea5lTzR4cgztXutRo8U6SIVPrlesChVtG/s1600/tgif+wall+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIamgvbnMdUcQtvBNaju2swOUcIM9yqN_9mfTGGtvuA9Nc28EPDFroOqw0YBZXdZykZHkbUjFxxvK7uKfa2iEJWM-8oDMTg3aZN8xcD4hwn5Hea5lTzR4cgztXutRo8U6SIVPrlesChVtG/s320/tgif+wall+drawing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I have always loved sketches</i>. Perhaps because my dad is an artist and it reminds me of watching him begin a drawing or lay the ground work for a painting. Perhaps because I did so well in jr. high shop class and am still so proud of the A's I earned in a traditionally 'boy' class.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I think it is more than just that. There is just something so intriguing to me about the plans/dimensions/numbers being visible.<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> A skeletal, mathematic base</span></b> from which the final piece will emerge. The necessary blend of creativity and precision. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">a very good reminder for me as I struggle through teaching my children math. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My artistic mind wants only to<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> r<span style="font-size: small;">ead</span></span></b>, to <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>'r<span style="font-size: small;">ite</span></b></span>...but certainly not to<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> 'r<span style="font-size: small;">ithmatic</span></b></span>. <i>yuck</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">yet, looking at this simple charcoal and ink, I am humbled. <span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: large;">Math is everywhere.</span> And I have been blessed with children with strong, capable minds...minds that deserve the opportunity to experience <b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: #20124d;">life unhindered</span></b> by predjudices against this subject. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">yes, MATH is my TGIF this week. (and, yes, I'm surprised, too!) </div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-79521768985202937352011-10-28T04:59:00.000-07:002011-10-28T04:59:00.986-07:00The Good I've Found (TGIF) : an explanationThe saying <span style="font-size: x-large;">TGIF</span>, or Thank God (Goodness) It's Friday, is used to express a relief that the work week is almost at an end and the weekly time of rest is upon us.<br />
<br />
I am stealing this acronym<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (sue me)</span> and renaming it<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> T</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">he</span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> G</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">ood</span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> I</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">'ve</span></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> F</span></span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">ound</span></span>, to express my favorite thing (or something I've<i> chosen to see in a good light</i>) each week.<br />
<br />
My inspiration is the Bible verse:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> 'Whatever is<b><span style="font-size: large;"> true</span></b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> whatever is<b><span style="font-size: large;"> noble</span></b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> whatever is <b><span style="font-size: large;">right</span></b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> whatever is <b><span style="font-size: large;">pure</span></b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> whatever is<span style="font-size: large;"><b> lovely</b></span>,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> whatever is <span style="font-size: large;"><b>admirable</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span>--if anything is<b><span style="font-size: large;"> excellent</span></b> or <b><span style="font-size: large;">praiseworthy</span></b>--think about such things.'</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Phillipians 4:8</div><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I shall, of course, continue to complain and whine all other days of the week. </span></i>;)annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-448399964228421552011-10-27T20:46:00.000-07:002011-10-27T20:46:47.063-07:00Starting Again...again! Coming out of bloggy hibernation is never easy for me. <br />
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The pressure to create the perfect awakening post is intense. Enough so to delay this moment quite a while.<br />
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But there is stuff to say. Photos to share.<br />
<br />
And I miss you all. And writing here will ensure that I check my sidebar and read your blogs...and jump to others...and widen my world.<br />
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If you are seeing this today, I am impressed. You truly never gave up on me. If you are noticing that I began posting again and it is now November...or December...or 2012...Well, I am sorry I left for so long ---But! I'm back :) So, be sure to catch up ;)<br />
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If I go back and fill in a post that was begun but never posted, I will be sure to put a link to it in a current day. There are a number of birthdays and events that I want to keep chronological that I have not yet published.<br />
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Tomorrow: TGIF ! I know you've heard the saying before, but you'll have to come back to see just what it means on this blog :)annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-15122806177746262112011-06-13T12:04:00.000-07:002011-06-13T12:04:58.501-07:00A Star Tours Smile<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Star Tours</span></span> has been closed for quite a while getting a make-over. In fact, it was closed before we moved here in September, so the re-opening is a pretty big deal to us.<br />
<br />
To advertise the newly refurbished adventure, Disney released a commercial featuring Darth Vader. <br />
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Have you seen <a href="http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/06/darth-vader-spends-a-day-in-disneyland-park/">THIS</a> yet? If not, you must. It is amazing. Seriously, click the link. Go now. I'll wait.<br />
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<br />
did you do it? really? 'cause if you did, you are laughing, right? (or you were while watching?) and if the answer is no....well, please exit this blog because nothing else here is ever going to be that awesome so you might as well stop looking ;)<br />
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And tomorrow, I will post a photo of us at the attraction, since it is now open ~ we are going to ride!!! (shhh, some of us have already been on it a couple of times...not naming names, but there are some major Disneyland addicts around here...just sayin'...)annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-60965849782681253882011-03-07T14:33:00.000-08:002011-03-07T14:33:47.688-08:00TodayTime is just flying by! (story of my life...but that's a story for another time...) I am currently trying to wrap my head around the fact that it is March. My apologies to the month of February, I am not sure where I was, but I seem to have missed you this year...?<br />
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Anyway, Hello, world! So glad you are still there! :) (although won't it be a huge relief when it is not?! just saying)<br />
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Today, as per our usual routine (aka NON routine), my youngest two kiddos have succeeded in doing just about everything BUT their actual book work. *sigh* However, they are playing so well together, currently with Mario Cart, I simply cannot interrupt for the sake of 'school'. Gabby's smooth transition into a more traditional school has shown me that my lack of structure in her early homeschooling years has not damaged her. (too much...lol!) In fact, she still enjoys school! (including math and science! yay!) So, another year or so for Ian and Evie ~ allowing them to play more than pound them with book work, seems to be the plan for now.<br />
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Funny that I got on the blog today after quite some time away, really don't have anything to say ~ and yet I am going to publish this--without a photo, without a real "point". Just simply going to put this out here ~ more to prove to myself than anyone, that I AM still a blogger. :) <br />
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Have a wonderful day!annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-27278567785788924502010-12-10T23:19:00.000-08:002010-12-10T23:19:52.449-08:00"It's beginning to look a lot like"...every other day! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFpqiASHQk34peT5XGRuHKQtrMjYQpnAgyIIch5euA28NhhLCtjYLewYhpPirM4k3rqd4QC-WTerJrYpYQsJLKoJMHbuYK7tLdJFc0FOLqzBKBnGKcej9M9gDvUqA39tm7YKZHbJxCJsl/s1600/Xmas+2008+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFpqiASHQk34peT5XGRuHKQtrMjYQpnAgyIIch5euA28NhhLCtjYLewYhpPirM4k3rqd4QC-WTerJrYpYQsJLKoJMHbuYK7tLdJFc0FOLqzBKBnGKcej9M9gDvUqA39tm7YKZHbJxCJsl/s320/Xmas+2008+240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going to have to hunt some of this white stuff down!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Thank goodness for Christmas lights and trees (<em>yes, even the fake, plastic ones</em>!) ~ without them, I wouldn't believe it was that time of year! Because (to paraphrase another song)...<br />
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"Oh the weather outside is"...<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">lovely!</span></em><br />
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This return to Southern California living does not take much getting used to in the weather department--every day is quite nice. We are planning a trip to nearby mountains, though, to experience some of <span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">the chill that really SHOULD accompany December</span> ;)<br />
Truly, the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas make my heart glad. I am happy to have a staircase, once again, in our current house to wrap with garland and lights. <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>There is just something special about ascending a softly, glowing staircase at night as I head to bed.</em></strong></span><br />
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Which is where I am headed now. <em>*yawn*</em><br />
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I just wanted to make sure a <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas"y" </span><span style="color: #274e13;">greeting</span></span> awaited you here on my blog. (in case you are here for the first time--welcome! if you are a return visitor, well--you know I love you and welcome you, too!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I would promise to get back with more photos and such, but I say that all of the time---and then I usually (eventually) do--- but for now, I am enjoying just posting when I can, and reading other blogs when I can, and <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>living life</strong> on the 'outside' <strong>with intention :)</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Merry Christmas to all!</strong> (and of course,... to all, a good night!) </span>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-68877939248157578962010-12-05T17:00:00.000-08:002011-02-16T14:23:09.952-08:00Gabby's 10th<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gabby celebrated here birthday by getting a<em><span style="color: #351c75;"> 'rock star' make-over</span></em> at</span> Downtown Disney's 'Disney 365 Studio'. <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Evie and cousin, Julianna, also had make-overs, and after, we were able to play in California Adventure for a bit before heading back to the house for cake with the rest of the family. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ian entertained himself while the girls had their make-overs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9TXN1uWMfR5Xx1GGPBzEBn1S5cgScgSt-7Z43PXPF9Jgo8snxYguinfDnwlXSuK1PNxUTNWHypUQ9FuvmZXbV0IkY-DItOpYSa6Ci0wgGclfFxdulVlarcYREexcuwkuav33hKb2dwEX/s1600/gabs+10th+party+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9TXN1uWMfR5Xx1GGPBzEBn1S5cgScgSt-7Z43PXPF9Jgo8snxYguinfDnwlXSuK1PNxUTNWHypUQ9FuvmZXbV0IkY-DItOpYSa6Ci0wgGclfFxdulVlarcYREexcuwkuav33hKb2dwEX/s320/gabs+10th+party+101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">may they all come true, Gab-girl. I love you!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2831894737988856550.post-60503924954066689872010-11-10T12:35:00.000-08:002010-11-10T12:35:57.177-08:00periwinkle <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfyu10hCZer8D7VZVvtFKIZwZ_ug8h9g_Mf5oiilO9Vk-91QEdRJaZQ1o_SNKheTbPl_o00bnt4d00ZNHNY_E6hlNcwXz4Psb0Cf0FoUpiwpRLHNvoiEjm99L0TpNnBhjay8WaHIZdi4b/s1600/gab+and+peri+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfyu10hCZer8D7VZVvtFKIZwZ_ug8h9g_Mf5oiilO9Vk-91QEdRJaZQ1o_SNKheTbPl_o00bnt4d00ZNHNY_E6hlNcwXz4Psb0Cf0FoUpiwpRLHNvoiEjm99L0TpNnBhjay8WaHIZdi4b/s320/gab+and+peri+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seriously. don't mess with me. or my girl.</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Because of our move from acreage to cul-de-sac living he has transitioned from outdoor, hunting cat to indoor pussy ~and this cat now has a serious attitude problem with everyone except Gabby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa_zhbkOYsdxEDzhW_TapiLPcEUZ09WyJtQqfH91cv6A1DKysrN_QOoOiuqeXV8jv5P_HCo_za6Jp6w12oJGsmouQynYO71xK_lIfe177_YXCBW4Tx04cscuyXMEQvtIFkm0R6251BoYC/s1600/gab+and+peri+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwa_zhbkOYsdxEDzhW_TapiLPcEUZ09WyJtQqfH91cv6A1DKysrN_QOoOiuqeXV8jv5P_HCo_za6Jp6w12oJGsmouQynYO71xK_lIfe177_YXCBW4Tx04cscuyXMEQvtIFkm0R6251BoYC/s200/gab+and+peri+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
He knows she is the one who picked him and she has hauled him around since she was three years old, so he is fiercely protective of her. They sleep together every night, and in the morning, this is the kind of unwelcome looks I am greeted with. ( from him, not her--she's a lovey!)<br />
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Sometimes he is as sweet as can be to me, allowing me to pet him, even purring --but most times he only tolerates me ...then he bites me. hard. <br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I miss the free-roaming, outdoor Peri --and we have actually attempted to let him go outside here (got him a collar and ID tag) but he is very afraid and does not like it even for a moment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE3myJE1nvs7kQvSgO6oeGW6bO5sYRACpUT7g-yTGHUeBIpdBVmXyLRrrXWV-iVr0Qf7dLi8i4iXj6F5kZDroTrw_L1GJaFaxE5qO9lhb2Ph1jBygTv7W3EvrII3vrrT6v9uCQRBW_L10/s1600/gab+and+peri+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfE3myJE1nvs7kQvSgO6oeGW6bO5sYRACpUT7g-yTGHUeBIpdBVmXyLRrrXWV-iVr0Qf7dLi8i4iXj6F5kZDroTrw_L1GJaFaxE5qO9lhb2Ph1jBygTv7W3EvrII3vrrT6v9uCQRBW_L10/s200/gab+and+peri+3.jpg" width="150" /></a>--but, despite his new nasty temperament, I would miss him even more if he were gone.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here's to you ~ Mr. Periwinkle ~ I love you anyway ;)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>annaliesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11025595501225706886noreply@blogger.com3