tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51471690085321374692024-02-07T04:02:39.006-06:00Oddity of OdditiesThis is the tale of a goober, a dodo bird, and a furball, as told by a dweeb, with the inclusion of fell swoops, acronyms, foibles, quirks, oddities... and the occasional love story :)Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-88590162321972190482010-04-02T20:28:00.001-05:002010-04-02T20:32:45.860-05:00This Blog.Hello everyone!<br />
<br />
Long time, no type :D<br />
<br />
I need to do some explaining here, but first I will start with an apology.<br />
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Life happens. It gets in the way of things that we may or may not have our hearts set on. Blogging has never been a passion of mine, truly. My passions lie elsewhere; a blog is a time-filler, a friend-maker, a typing tutor even... but not my passion the way I know it is for some.<br />
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In light of this, it's difficult to continue something that is not your passion when the interest wanes. This blog is, unfortunately, a victim of this. I find myself less and less interested in putting my thoughts online, and more and more guilty that I have not spoken to my dearest companion, my diary Self, for months now. Because Self is obviously myself, she knows everything that goes on in my life... but like you feel guilty when you haven't spoken to your mother for a few days, I feel bad about not writing to her.<br />
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Are you catching my drift or did you leave your boat docked somewhere else?<br />
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Now, let me go further with this. <br />
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Passions are unending. Interests vary. To keep an interest in something, it needs (for me at least) to be easily accessible, readily stimulating, and something that I am not nagged about on a daily basis.<br />
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At this moment, this blog is none of these. <br />
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While I wonder often about the lives of the people I've met here, I don't often have the gumption to go through all the steps necessary to read these peoples' posts and blogs. I have two emails. One of them is my older one, at Yahoo, and the other is new and much more mature, at Gmail. My lovely lappy has everything I need bookmarked for me, but to get to this blog, I have to log out of one, log into another, post, then log out again. <br />
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Call me lazy, but at 7:30 am, waiting for Andrew to finish PT, and only a few hours before I have to go smile and ask people if I can help them, that's just too many steps. Okay, fine. -I- will call me lazy, lol, because I am and I admit it.<br />
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I better bring this to a conclusion, huh?<br />
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I am going to be deleting this blog. I'm making a new one, with no promise to keep it regularly, on my email helen.adami@gmail.com so that when I log in, I am fully logged in and can come right on over, post, and go on my merry way.<br />
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The obligatory information:<br />
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helen.adami@gmail.com<br />
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Oddity of Oddities (of course)<br />
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http://oneoddcookie.blogspot.comHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-33443387627304782422010-03-08T15:25:00.003-06:002010-03-08T15:39:20.473-06:00Monday Mingle! Again!Mondays might end up being the only day I get myself on this thing and blog at you.<br />
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Well... vlog, I should say.<br />
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The questions this week over on <a href="http://eightymphmom.com/">EightyMPHMom.com</a> are:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">1. Do your kids have chores? Do you pay them to do chores?</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">2. Were you in Girl Scouts/Brownies or Boy Scouts? Are your kids? Favorite Girl Scout Cookie?</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">3. Does your family go camping? If so, do you have a funny/interesting experience?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> <a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/search/label/Monday%20Mingletarget"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px;"></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Ta-da!</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: small;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ZY4cTav_i0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ZY4cTav_i0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></span></div></div><br />
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Look... I told you I was frazzled! That's why I think it's actually a year ago! Do forgive the slip-up. Blame the bird!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-5040860436814594062010-02-28T23:43:00.004-06:002010-03-01T10:42:53.358-06:00Monday Mingle- Vloggy!<div style="text-align: center;">Today is Monday! That means, I get to Mingle!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so... at the moment, no, it's not Monday... it will be in about 30 minutes, but not yet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So because Andrew is asleep, I'm not going to vlog yet. I'm going to set up this post to vlog tomorrow. See, look how ingenuous I am at midnight! I should stay up more often.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you've never done a Mingle, but you really wanna, go to <a href="http://eightymphmom.com/">Eightymphmom.com</a> and check out Speedy and her Mr. Linky for lots of Mingling Mavens and their answers.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/search/label/Monday%20Mingletarget"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's now 9:53 am, on Monday, March 1, 2010, and I am back! I have my Mingle ready and rarin' to go for you, so take a look!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This week's questions were:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">1. Do you like to garden? What are your favorite flowers?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> 2. Faves: Coke or Pepsi? Milk Chocolate or Dark Chocolate? Coffee or Tea?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> 3. What nationality(s) are you? Or what is the primary one?</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue',Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> 4. Do you watch the Winter Olympics? What is your favorite sport?</span></span></span><br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zyTNNxlpqp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zyTNNxlpqp0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-gFDJq3DGKN6NJRZgTyHA_RCPnSlMortNWhOAyZ_Ff7gy9p1bIjPqcDlQxV3E_1CzQwC_4YEw7UTddaiW3wzbHnqhOvurUQnFZcnTsnaj_YxAG35j0zHaDNDm45qhPj0M1MtrJqb2aK5/s1600-h/field-of-daisies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-gFDJq3DGKN6NJRZgTyHA_RCPnSlMortNWhOAyZ_Ff7gy9p1bIjPqcDlQxV3E_1CzQwC_4YEw7UTddaiW3wzbHnqhOvurUQnFZcnTsnaj_YxAG35j0zHaDNDm45qhPj0M1MtrJqb2aK5/s400/field-of-daisies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-87680981008714846062010-02-28T12:45:00.000-06:002010-02-28T12:45:45.181-06:00Friday Recap... on Sunday.Is today Sunday?<br />
<br />
I haven't the foggiest idea.<br />
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This weekend has FLOWN by, faster than most weekends do... I chalk it up to all the time I'm spending with Teresa these days, though. I'm glad we're hanging out... in a few months, I'm going to need her just as much as she needs me now, because by then BOTH of our hubbies will be gone.<br />
<br />
So...<br />
<br />
Um. I can't actually remember what happened on individual days this week. I worked Tuesday and Thursday, and on Friday, we went out to eat at Olive Garden for lunch with her friend Haley, who is just sweet, and then had coffee and spent too much money and just enjoyed ourselves.<br />
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Wednesday was mom's birthday... <br />
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And... yup, that's about it. Besides dishes and laundry, and making travel plans and getting ready for Amy's wedding and Allison's baby shower.<br />
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Very exciting, huh? Maybe that's why I didn't bother updating on Friday, lol.<br />
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Tomorrow! Tomorrow is the Monday Mingle! Tomorrow is also get stuff done day at the house, and grocery shopping XP I hate grocery shopping...Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-89771073062375188632010-02-24T07:59:00.003-06:002010-02-24T08:01:28.716-06:00Wordless Wednesday: Happy Birthday Mom!I wish I had my mom's baby picture for you, because she was a chunky monkey back in the day.<br />
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In lieu of this, I will give you our family: one shot of the three of us from 1989, my first birthday, and one shot of the three of us from 2008, my wedding :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANTN5qIq9pVNp7YzLbU_3wOVkvJW_lDKn6U-456pg6QChgjdIhB7ZkSLT_989aq10MEK7-ba8LTKGy7F2UPu9rmdcyRnizjuiSDUTNTSxvmnxQbWUi991VtibGj2gP0mHkXHM-ZMRa4GD/s1600-h/Us+Three+1989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANTN5qIq9pVNp7YzLbU_3wOVkvJW_lDKn6U-456pg6QChgjdIhB7ZkSLT_989aq10MEK7-ba8LTKGy7F2UPu9rmdcyRnizjuiSDUTNTSxvmnxQbWUi991VtibGj2gP0mHkXHM-ZMRa4GD/s640/Us+Three+1989.jpg" width="508" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oracle, Arizona... May 5, 1989</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafET7ZIdHnN0P-qvfQnI4wHV9nwUgAA0vZOsEM4oYnUmi08Y7oZykZODQ4nuheW57x62ol5wbUFce-NdK9fgqbtxmR-QJTuUSLWZMbeLDEUGTDoQRYMS7fJAjioC86gv7R4zPZRAQ3A9F/s1600-h/Us+Three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafET7ZIdHnN0P-qvfQnI4wHV9nwUgAA0vZOsEM4oYnUmi08Y7oZykZODQ4nuheW57x62ol5wbUFce-NdK9fgqbtxmR-QJTuUSLWZMbeLDEUGTDoQRYMS7fJAjioC86gv7R4zPZRAQ3A9F/s640/Us+Three.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Tucson, Arizona... October 11, 2008</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mama, you are beautiful! </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Gorgeous then, gorgeous now.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love you.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #741b47; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Birthday.</span></i></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-65090085856090305842010-02-23T08:15:00.000-06:002010-02-23T08:15:29.289-06:00The Best Chicken Dish I Make :DOkay, so yesterday on the Monday Mingle, I talked about the most asked for recipe in this house. I mentioned the entire thing to Andrew, and that we were having chicken for dinner.<br />
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His face dropped when I told him I wasn't able to make the chicken potato bake for the third time this week.<br />
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So, as requested by the lovely and talented <a href="http://www.tobethode.com/">Stefany</a>, here is the recipe for <span style="color: #a64d79;">chicken potato bake</span>. It's so easy, I don't really use the measurements any more, but I'll give them anyway.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">4 bone-in chicken pieces</span> **Edit: I use boneless, skinless chicken breast and as many as I need for however many people I'm feeding that night, lol<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">1 1/2 lbs potatoes, cut into thin wedges</span> **I can't seem to get my wedges down pat, so I cut my potatoes into chunks, wedges, slices, scallops... whatever! And about 2 big potatoes is plenty for 4 chicken breasts, unless you really like them, then maybe 2 and a half.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">1/2 cup zesty Italian dressing</span> **I stopped measuring this ages ago. See further down for what I now do.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese</span> **Stopped with this too: keep reading!<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">1 tsp Italian seasoning</span> ** see past two notations, lol<br />
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So.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">Preheat your oven to 400.</span> You need <span style="color: #a64d79;">a baking dish with a lid, or</span> lacking such, a <span style="color: #a64d79;">baking dish and some foil.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">Put your breasts (no, no... the CHICKEN breasts, you pervert) in the baking dish.</span> Add enough <span style="color: #a64d79;">Italian dressing to half cover them.</span> I like to sprinkle a little cheese here, for good measure. <span style="color: #a64d79;">Add your potatoe whatevers</span>... I make the top as even as possible, then add an obscene amount of <span style="color: #a64d79;">Italian dressing over the potatoes.</span> When I say obscene, I mean on this one dish, I use about 3/4 the bottle. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PIG LIKE ME!! Use as much, as little, or even the exact numbers, as you want. No worries :) Last but not least, <span style="color: #a64d79;">sprinkle a thick coat of parmesan cheese over it all</span> <span style="color: #a64d79;">and a little Italian seasoning on that.</span><br />
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<div style="color: #a64d79;">Cover and bake for 30 minutes. </div><br />
<div style="color: #a64d79;">Remove cover and bake for another 30 minutes.</div><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Dig in :D and make sure you get some of the potatoes and the sauce that they cookied in.</span> Oh, baby, oh baby.<br />
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This recipe is so very easy. And quick, too, minus the potato cutting, which only takes me forever because I use a butter knife. I'm a wuss like that, guys. Really.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-84099536209748808192010-02-22T13:35:00.003-06:002010-02-22T13:46:02.221-06:00Monday Mingle- Vloggy!<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">So today is Monday! That means, Monday Mingle as promised in a vlog! I had to do it quickly (yes, 7 minutes IS quickly for me) because my goober wants to watch a few movies with me today <3</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.eightymphmom.com/search/label/Monday%20Mingletarget"><img src="http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo266/mtejen_bucket/mondayminglebrownnew-1-1-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I should have mentioned that Andrew is also a gamer, but he (and I) game in a lot of ways. Video, roleplay, board, etc... we do all of it and it's a lot of fun, but you're right, Alexes, they do get in the way A LOT.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">So, here it is, and good luck, lol!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DGT-jDihnZE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DGT-jDihnZE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">The questions were:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">1. Name your 5 favorite movies</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">2. What is the most requested/favorite meal in your house?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">3. Is your husband/partner/significant other into sports? If so, does it irritate you when he/she watches, or do you join in?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I would like to apologize for the quality. I do this on my webcam and for something reason, it records sounds a lot slower than it records actions. I dunno how to fix this, and any tips would be appreciated. Very sorry :(</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-80857188094346207952010-02-19T12:19:00.000-06:002010-02-19T12:19:13.206-06:00Three days a week and the RecapOkay... so I've decided to switch around my whole vlogging ideals. It's never going to be a Friday again, lol: I have too much to say.<br />
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I've also come to a theory, just this second... I wonder if I can blog/vlog on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and get away with it?<br />
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Monday Mingle, with a few Mumbles....Vlog n' Blog!<br />
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Wordless Wednesdays, that always ends up being not so Wordless.<br />
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And the Friday Recap, which tends to be long and boring.<br />
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I could do that. Could you do that? Like, I mean... could you read that much or that little every week and still like coming to my blog, assuming that you actually do like coming now...<br />
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It's a thought. And you'd get a lot more that way. I might even be able to do a lovely amount of photography for Wednesdays. I need to get you a picture of 13 1/2 St. is what I need to do...<br />
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So let's get on with the Friday recap as I contemplate this whole thrice a week thing.<br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Monday...</span> nothing special. Tried to make lasagna, forgot to take out the hamburger to thaw.<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Tuesday,</span> I worked. Got mad at Andrew because he was grouchy about taking me to work at 9 am, even though I wake up all the time to take him at 4. Laundry was done while I was gone, and the floor was vacuumed, and the dishes done. I think he felt bad. Tried to make lasagna. Had no ricotta cheese. Camp deployed for Afghanistan and Teresa spent the first of many lonely nights alone, poor girl.<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Wednesday...</span> nothing special. Played Sims. Drank orange juice. Ignored the laundry on the couch. Tried to make lasagna. Had no noodles. At this point, I was peeved.<br />
<span style="color: #e06666;">Thursday,</span> I worked. Ignored the laundry on the couch. Bought groceries at the commisary and REMEMBERED THE CHEESE, NOODLES, AND HAMBURGER! We ate frozen microwave dinners.<br />
<div style="color: #e06666; text-align: center;">Today:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I AM MAKING THAT DANGED LASAGNA!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So frickin' there.</div><br />
I'm planning on taking some to Teresa, along with some brownies, because she needs it. I don't know how well she'll take seeing Andrew, so I might leave him home.<br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">Now, let me tell you about this here:</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><a href="http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/" style="color: red;">The Incredible Mrs. B</a><span style="color: red;"> is having </span><a href="http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/2010/02/retro-cooking-cannellini-bean-casserole.html" style="color: red;">a) a retro cooking month</a><span style="color: red;">, and </span><a href="http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/2010/02/retro-cooking-giveaway-5-fantasy-me.html" style="color: red;">b) a give away today</a><span style="color: red;">. I want to win this give away. It would be awesome. It's the chance to win a Fantasy Me custom digital portrait from </span><a href="http://angeliqueartstudios.daportfolio.com/" style="color: red;">Angelique's Art</a><span style="color: red;">... and I would LOVE IT. I would love a lot of things, but this... this is awesome. If you dunno what a "custom digital portrait" would look like, go to </span><a href="http://exploringeve.deviantart.com/gallery/" style="color: red;">Angelique's Deviant Art Gallery</a><br />
<br />
<br />
If you'll excuse me, I need to go Tweet and follow and follow some more so I can win :)<br />
<br />
I leave you with this:<br />
<br />
Mattison and Masen, my Ducky and my Moose-moose <3<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKefrB1Jg2TilxoPRtWv0ylKbr073PpNqgWMa_GGc3vnT5LhOoTatenfmlZR8P09GSjmcTGcYhyphenhyphenIz3OSYmi5QkssfP9bio7Y7ogxTBwD_j6aPyvf0TPH4TvlWNi2M_serLI5QQQRIRKwBI/s1600-h/Mattie+and+Masen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKefrB1Jg2TilxoPRtWv0ylKbr073PpNqgWMa_GGc3vnT5LhOoTatenfmlZR8P09GSjmcTGcYhyphenhyphenIz3OSYmi5QkssfP9bio7Y7ogxTBwD_j6aPyvf0TPH4TvlWNi2M_serLI5QQQRIRKwBI/s400/Mattie+and+Masen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-46906517604203897222010-02-15T22:07:00.000-06:002010-02-15T22:07:39.534-06:00Masen<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hello, beautiful little boy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love you already and I haven't even touched you yet :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Masen Gabriel Adami</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">February 13, 2010 9:24 PM Tucson Arizona</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">8 lbs, 3 oz 21 inches long</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Looks like his daddy <3</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><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/AVvXsEh4HgE4nXS7lNHwObRQVGAmfFwFW1EnousiGbvG_BHVdowVqVRDqdIKWCUD7_wxOoMO54m2X40v63DZm1itEGY9qKBp08GLvEx02DjgoByFcmSf8TYLaWhnUM0mefzgBrubT03gNfzrRRjy/s1600-h/Masen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HgE4nXS7lNHwObRQVGAmfFwFW1EnousiGbvG_BHVdowVqVRDqdIKWCUD7_wxOoMO54m2X40v63DZm1itEGY9qKBp08GLvEx02DjgoByFcmSf8TYLaWhnUM0mefzgBrubT03gNfzrRRjy/s400/Masen2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">His first outfit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdp7_P12c8XkC4gtMIJAtL7z6SuZuL_g65SR-BBjpyGabH2lAbHcMS-f4IQC5yfclsA7P1a0JuHfel35iCBCi9pSVmspNjd5hgwDEyDkXk1KXNxn9Mo7MY97vwR0GBsDFvKFvLlCAJ5U3/s1600-h/Masen3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdp7_P12c8XkC4gtMIJAtL7z6SuZuL_g65SR-BBjpyGabH2lAbHcMS-f4IQC5yfclsA7P1a0JuHfel35iCBCi9pSVmspNjd5hgwDEyDkXk1KXNxn9Mo7MY97vwR0GBsDFvKFvLlCAJ5U3/s400/Masen3.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is him and Megan's oldest sister, Articia. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_YSBrU3WfQ8zQXvN1l6isDae3vmn1N0fWOUhff8JVmEfXBlqwuAbJsHPWIrgkDp1AczuVECzgDEpD2JIYhmViiGn31I-DLnxiioWU7iq4V__sArDECgXqk2IrRJ9Gza8wC0FoA8ChmVC/s1600-h/Masen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_YSBrU3WfQ8zQXvN1l6isDae3vmn1N0fWOUhff8JVmEfXBlqwuAbJsHPWIrgkDp1AczuVECzgDEpD2JIYhmViiGn31I-DLnxiioWU7iq4V__sArDECgXqk2IrRJ9Gza8wC0FoA8ChmVC/s400/Masen1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">He looks like a miniature Matt!</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-33908527324051361082010-02-07T12:49:00.000-06:002010-02-07T12:49:28.133-06:00Superbowl and the Sims: A TragedyHave you ever had something... a book, a game, a story to write, something... that made it virtually impossible to leave your house? Or, if you were younger, your bedroom?<br />
<br />
I have. It happens often, actually. When I was living at home, it was usually a story that had to be written, or a book that needed to be finished.<br />
<br />
Once we moved out and had our own place, it was chores that I needed to get done (or avoid somehow) added on top of that.<br />
<br />
Then it became a game, then a book again, then a chat site (IMVU) and now, I can see it turning into Sims 3.<br />
<br />
<br />
Andrew, bless his gooberish little heart, couldn't take the suspense any longer and gave me my Valentine early:<br />
<br />
SIMS 3!!!!<br />
<br />
I am tickled pink, I couldn't stop kissing him yesterday, and it took all my willpower to let him play it for right now, because I adore that game. I love the Sims in all shapes and forms, in all it's llama-obsessed glory!<br />
<br />
I build empires on that game, dang it. EMPIRES. The last time I had a Sim game, I had close to 6 generations of Adamis and my own family graveyard. <br />
<br />
So... if you don't see or hear from me for a few days, you know where I am.<br />
<br />
Also... Superbowl party today. Yay. I AM NOT PLEASED NOR EXCITED BECAUSE THE COWBOYS ARE NOT PLAYING!!!<br />
<br />
If they were... totally different story.<br />
<br />
But they're NOT. Gr.<br />
<br />
And yet... I will be going to watch whoever it is that beat whoever and the Cowboys to get to the Superbowl... and that means I will spend another 4 or 5 hours not playing my Sims.<br />
<br />
Today is sadness embodied.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-29030745277054351192010-02-05T08:15:00.002-06:002010-02-05T08:21:23.975-06:00Friday Recap, vlog style!If you are not interested in a nearly 5 minute video of me talking about nothing, skip it, lol. I'll do a text recap of the video of the Friday Recap at the bottom of this post for your sanity. <br />
<br />
<br />
<object width="340" height="285"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3G4XfkA6iz0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3G4XfkA6iz0&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
zqqqqqqqqq2 <<<<<<< that's the kitty's way of saying hello, by the way. She wants breakfast and she won't leave me alone til she gets it.<br />
<br />
So, in the video I talked about Easter decorations that would give a child nightmares, and to be honest with you, -I- had a night mare again last night, although it didn't include those nasty rabbits. Those things are awful, though.<br />
<br />
I talked about Amy's wedding, which I am SO excited for! It's a) a reason to go home b) a reason to go shopping c) a reason to see Amy and d) a reason to go to the Renaissance Festival! There is NO reason not to be excited! Plus, Masen will be here by then, so I'll get to have some snuggly wuggly time with my nephew who, by then, will not look like an alien!<br />
<br />
I mentioned the Super Bowl XXVVISTOPPEDCOUNTING and I guess it was the Longhorns that did all that proposing stuff, but I'll go with the Colts for Morgan's sake, lol.<br />
<br />
And Kahlan attacked my 15 of fame, so I gave her a few seconds.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-90326146520345426612010-02-04T07:17:00.000-06:002010-02-04T07:17:44.640-06:00Tell the Truth Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI9o1AVidZ-wy2UEdffjXTf_T3dBShnaxMYWiyDaoGq0SfDf8nYHAMTMxxWRQZoj6CcDGHzGhyBGK4zuYxJnjws7ms1AQTd1w6e6JwRCscMU523ohLCOmiD0zQpOsuhIfRsugbiT3nI6R/s1600-h/Tell+The+Truth+Thursday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI9o1AVidZ-wy2UEdffjXTf_T3dBShnaxMYWiyDaoGq0SfDf8nYHAMTMxxWRQZoj6CcDGHzGhyBGK4zuYxJnjws7ms1AQTd1w6e6JwRCscMU523ohLCOmiD0zQpOsuhIfRsugbiT3nI6R/s320/Tell+The+Truth+Thursday.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I'm starting something new this week in an effort to pull myself out of whatever little world I usually sit in and onto this blog a little more. Let's see if I can actually keep it up. I do great with Wordless Wednesdays, so we'll see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is Tell the Truth Thursday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
It was started by <a href="http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com/2010/02/tell-truth-thursday-options.html">The Redhead Riter</a> but I got it from the charming, vloggy <a href="http://oneclutteredbrain.blogspot.com/2010/02/tell-truth-thursday.html">Alexes at One Cluttered Brain</a>. There's a little linky-doodle thingy on The Redhead Riter's page to link up your Tell the Truth Thursday, so jump on board the bandwagon, why don'tcha?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The question today:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you could have free, unlimited service for five years from an extremely good cook, chauffeur, housekeeper, masseuse, or personal secretary, which would you choose?</span></b></div><br />
<br />
Ouch. Tough question that... so I'll do a little elimination.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A chauffeur</span></b> for 5 years would be an amazing thing, simply because in 5 years time, we would have enough money saved up to buy a second car. Heck, maybe even enough to get me a car AND replace poor old Zeddy-poo. However, our system is fine for the moment, although today is gonna be a squeeze, and that second car should be showing up soon anyway because of Andrew's upcoming deployment.<br />
<br />
An extremely good cook.... they would have to be an extremely good HEALTHY cook, otherwise 5 years on amazing fettucine alfredo and I'll look like a balloon. But I enjoy cooking, and I enjoy trying to perfect my fettucine, so this is a definite no. Plus, 5 years from now, I'll have forgotten how to cook!<br />
<br />
Personal secretary? Nah, we don't have enough paperwork for that. We've only just started considering a credit card, our very first one, and all of my bills are right here on my lovely lappy. Definite no.<br />
<br />
Housekeepers are another matter entirely and I'll tell you no right off the bat. No one will clean my house the way I do, not even my husband, because no one has the same emotional attachment to the space as the woman who spends her time there, who decorates it lovingly, who puts certain things in certain places to make up for vertically challenged self. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Someone please read that last half to my husband again, because my flour recently went missing in the back of my cupboard and I had to climb on the counter to get it in the middle of cooking.</span> I will clean my own house, thank you very much. Definite no.<br />
<br />
Masseuse. Ohhhh, a masseuse... Now, here I see definite possibilities, especially since my Goober is about to be called Gimpy, he's got so many aches and pains. Long hours logged onto the computer? Get a neck and shoulder massage. A tiring day at work? Reflexology, here I come... No more aching, complaining husband? Marry me, I'm yours!!<br />
<br />
So... the practical side of me says chauffeur. Real money saver, that one, if he's got the car and the gas. But if I'm paying for the car and the gas.... No.<br />
<br />
Let's go with the masseuse.<br />
<br />
Besides, I know three certified massage therapists without jobs right now =D One of which would NOT be touching my husband come hell or high water, but you get the idea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaX5SP8c8eQNrplThpmeY1AvAiiGkOBwHOq7rdBnPACmoT2Wo1llqCFwoEXEigW8r-PJOSiWshyphenhyphenTGtOUzwLJIOWhlmgdgh1uTyqoyAZNe9yX_AKfwNoJEnmAE8XaGM36mgLxF-XXuL2Kw/s1600-h/massagetherapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIaX5SP8c8eQNrplThpmeY1AvAiiGkOBwHOq7rdBnPACmoT2Wo1llqCFwoEXEigW8r-PJOSiWshyphenhyphenTGtOUzwLJIOWhlmgdgh1uTyqoyAZNe9yX_AKfwNoJEnmAE8XaGM36mgLxF-XXuL2Kw/s320/massagetherapy.jpg" /></a></div>Say it with me now, "I need a back massssaaaaaggggee...." *flops*Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-12833867395567011002010-02-03T10:19:00.000-06:002010-02-03T10:19:48.279-06:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh35tFAqqBOy3zthvvxZ7EYXA395dy7sP1AFQeAVPyXmo-3kTyoo789TBXl7NJbdQ85owLh-HkfqNK2ifI7Fq0JzrXYypFffCcGOm-q-VvZMD8tliiL-9cHVY10d8OjmKBmvBjnXwd5wN/s1600-h/SDC10635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh35tFAqqBOy3zthvvxZ7EYXA395dy7sP1AFQeAVPyXmo-3kTyoo789TBXl7NJbdQ85owLh-HkfqNK2ifI7Fq0JzrXYypFffCcGOm-q-VvZMD8tliiL-9cHVY10d8OjmKBmvBjnXwd5wN/s400/SDC10635.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, he is sleeping.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">No, I was not fully coherent when I married him.</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-40267622674376425992010-02-02T09:41:00.001-06:002010-02-02T09:41:37.873-06:00Happy Anniversary, guys! And someone shoot that danged groundhog....<div style="text-align: center;">Today is Groundhogs' Day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the little ************* decided he wanted to see his *********** shadow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Insert whatever cuss words you'd like in there, because I am livid.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">WINTER NEEDS TO TAKE A HIKE.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want my tan back. I feel like a ghost.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">In other news, today Matt and Megan have been married for two years! Yay!! Here, have a few pics :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_repyVPVrBL4ixjmJdb-7E2zraFHwLy6l8Eq4WsgBeqcsTBGXLWcBWkeGBktBgS-jJuavxBg3vvByku6jmeKFE-z7JTWmd5FocHzTyIUqKhF3TvHsYUhaptguxPZe1G9QxY8sRcGv6BJ/s1600-h/M&M+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_repyVPVrBL4ixjmJdb-7E2zraFHwLy6l8Eq4WsgBeqcsTBGXLWcBWkeGBktBgS-jJuavxBg3vvByku6jmeKFE-z7JTWmd5FocHzTyIUqKhF3TvHsYUhaptguxPZe1G9QxY8sRcGv6BJ/s400/M&M+1.jpg" width="267" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5B3bEpCVO9PtndRmCgYz6V0p4M-cKRJn4yp9SqY5eWrFhAVZKtoazzsCz-PQir08Q2VyxbDIG_pw-Tq4Qd-mJW_p620HO4gFkMKxZvBF0kzClY0GesbpUDQ03PPiLPRu20pzNYF6C_sC/s1600-h/M&M4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5B3bEpCVO9PtndRmCgYz6V0p4M-cKRJn4yp9SqY5eWrFhAVZKtoazzsCz-PQir08Q2VyxbDIG_pw-Tq4Qd-mJW_p620HO4gFkMKxZvBF0kzClY0GesbpUDQ03PPiLPRu20pzNYF6C_sC/s400/M&M4.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Left to right: Phil, Steve, Matt, Ben, Andrew </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0bsMKQaFaXllo0njq1PAKnNm0ZN03Lf_5dbtFQ_53m4HdTQFq8oCDAiS9AcfOrXq8wjH3SnmCu8VbGiIRPkZOYk1T4XURyMuSX74-eXpoIcAt7zDdAEW4oazGIcgvJEh7Qzj-MAhximx/s1600-h/M&M5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0bsMKQaFaXllo0njq1PAKnNm0ZN03Lf_5dbtFQ_53m4HdTQFq8oCDAiS9AcfOrXq8wjH3SnmCu8VbGiIRPkZOYk1T4XURyMuSX74-eXpoIcAt7zDdAEW4oazGIcgvJEh7Qzj-MAhximx/s400/M&M5.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-82882930352172341862010-01-31T12:26:00.001-06:002010-01-31T12:37:38.661-06:00Laundry + 7 inches of snowToday is Sunday.<br />
<br />
Sunday is laundry day in the Adami household, because I'm too lazy to do it on Saturdays and because a certain stinky soldier has to have clean PTs for Monday morning...<br />
<br />
Have you ever tried walking through 7 inches of snow in a broomstick skirt with a laundry basket on your hip?<br />
<br />
It is NOT easy.<br />
<br />
But life goes on...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDehAdjTZ83SmQF_JZRPqzx6wl7MHcEQV3FyLyEW0IYmThfzbz3zZZRgu5lF9x7MQ2ariduZdAW1vXFhu0pR7b2KWZboajeiR1Y1Lf7cmJhplHeADdHx45Aask8E-vKJV-_LPiAQ4TKm6/s1600-h/SDC10632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDehAdjTZ83SmQF_JZRPqzx6wl7MHcEQV3FyLyEW0IYmThfzbz3zZZRgu5lF9x7MQ2ariduZdAW1vXFhu0pR7b2KWZboajeiR1Y1Lf7cmJhplHeADdHx45Aask8E-vKJV-_LPiAQ4TKm6/s400/SDC10632.JPG" width="300" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank God for good boots! </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-2876951261255532622010-01-28T07:23:00.000-06:002010-01-28T07:23:08.493-06:00Manic.... Thursday?Anyone remember that old song by the Bangles? Yes, I realize it's not my generation, but have you met my parents?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkJg_ZaAfrZ_EFvv7BeLKSEbz1gkzt3cuIPPzlgr2ZkrwuoDEBTf5MR-7emODE3ZHacITyOmsH6byUuvC8doqXDh3vub4X8kuvyUYlk14ad6ZbMcy82SERDr7gdNLdaFFp62wPeIeNC06/s1600-h/Image023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkJg_ZaAfrZ_EFvv7BeLKSEbz1gkzt3cuIPPzlgr2ZkrwuoDEBTf5MR-7emODE3ZHacITyOmsH6byUuvC8doqXDh3vub4X8kuvyUYlk14ad6ZbMcy82SERDr7gdNLdaFFp62wPeIeNC06/s320/Image023.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
Please don't hate me, Mom. I happen to think of that as a very good picture of you. Ya look sassy =D<br />
<br />
In any case, it's been playing at work. I have the tendency to sing along when a song I know comes on. I've been getting weird looks lately. Apparently, a girl that looks 17 singing along to "Manic Monday" and the one that goes, "Sittin' on the dock of the bay, watchin' the clouds roll away..." without missing a beat is kinda odd.<br />
<br />
Me? Odd? Why, I never. *insert snooty sniffle here*<br />
<br />
It's a Manic Thursday, though: Helen style.<br />
<br />
"Six o' clock already, I was just in the middle of a dream<br />
I was kissin' Craig Horner by a crystal blue Australian stream<br />
But I can't be late cause then I guess I just won't get paid<br />
These are the days<br />
When you wish your bed was already made"<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Oh baby, oh baby.<br />
<br />
It's the necklace, and the man curves, and the fact that in this particular photo, he's playing Richard Rahl, who carries a sword and wears leather britches.<br />
<br />
Necklace. Man curves. Sword. <i>Leatherrrrr</i>...<br />
<br />
I know what Andrew's gonna be for Halloween.<br />
<br />
<br />
"It's just another manic Thursday, I wish it was Sunday<br />
Cause that's my fun day, *I don't have to run day<br />
It's just another manic Thursday!"<br />
<br />
Too much Starbucks.<br />
<br />
Too, too much...<br />
<br />
<br />
((<a href="http://www.alexziebart.com/tag/bridget-regan/">Link for hot guy here, at least the one I found. Thanks, Mr. Ziebert =D</a> ))Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-16381423368229586372010-01-27T06:53:00.001-06:002010-01-27T07:00:56.953-06:00Wordless Wednesday, with a twist!<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
<a href="http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=56613416">Musical Chairs</a><br />
<object height="360px" width="425px"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="movie" value="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=56613416,t=1,mt=video"/><embed src="http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=56613416,t=1,mt=video" width="425" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/nomdeplumedehelen">Helen</a> | <a href="http://vids.myspace.com/">MySpace Video</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To clarify:<br />
<br />
Yes, this is my wedding reception, and yes, we are playing musical chairs.<br />
I'm in the one in the white dress. Andrew has a white shirt and a green tie. He's 'conducting'.<br />
My mom is the one with the halter top dress and flowers, my dad has on the brown vest.<br />
Matt is in a black shirt and white tie. Ben's in a blue shirt, Phil's in a white shirt, he's pretty obvious. Mark is recording.<br />
<br />
=D<br />
<br />
Matt won, btw.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-33192261165683107162010-01-26T10:39:00.002-06:002010-01-26T10:45:02.629-06:00Pouring snow! And other stories....<div style="color: red;">Good morning!<br />
</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">It's Tuesday!<br />
</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">I work today!<br />
</div><div style="color: red;"><br />
</div><div style="color: red;">That is all.<br />
</div><div style="color: red;">.<br />
</div><div style="color: red;">.<br />
</div><div style="color: red;">.<br />
</div><div style="color: red;">.<br />
</div><div style="color: red;">.<br />
</div>Okay, so no, it's not really, truly all. But I felt like keeping it as short as some people's entries usually are. I am not one of them. I cannot be short... except possibly in comparison to people who are over 5'5".<br />
<br />
Today I am particularly wishing for home. I woke up feeling it, and it has yet to go away, although I have to tell you, Carrie Underwood's new song, "Temporary Home" really did some good towards it. It has absolutely nothing to do with homesickness (actually, it talks about foster care, homelessness, and death O.o) but the chorus was what got to me:<br />
<br />
"This is our temporary home/its not where we belong/windows and rooms/that we're passin' through/this is just a stop on the way to where we're goin'/ I'm not afraid because I know/ this is our temporary home"<br />
<br />
And... it really is. Yes, we're here for now and we need to make the best of it, but eventually we'll be back in the desert where we belong. We've decided that our goal as far as home ownership is a little piece of land outside of a small town, with room for a couple horses, a small garden, and three rambunctious children (not including cousins and friends, lol). I'm trying hard to look at Tennessee as a way to achieve those things. It's tough cookies, I'm not gonna lie... but I am trying.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">In the mean time, I will enjoy the snow!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">This was actually about a week or so ago, maybe a little more.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBheQtykodLRm6jsu26Dz-fUd5fxg9sDM3vZGeuK640VefGK3BR42WGsNEdrX6g7vy5Ympc4TSENDxNkCqbOTH_cIIZeSlGIqi00GwwuNlle5lh1bVyrmfS3d2fbi6_IKqzPeKuKx73bHX/s1600-h/SDC10597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBheQtykodLRm6jsu26Dz-fUd5fxg9sDM3vZGeuK640VefGK3BR42WGsNEdrX6g7vy5Ympc4TSENDxNkCqbOTH_cIIZeSlGIqi00GwwuNlle5lh1bVyrmfS3d2fbi6_IKqzPeKuKx73bHX/s400/SDC10597.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If this were rain, I would say it was pouring!!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnDnR0RGAS2WJ4CFT9ObFHMfixtF85V1VzapDYUGavK3IJ2VD48aJ1qH7zpkoGmDlyZBvrAjjrQGyFBKCR9DixjnSf0Fn9zxgxr0rJilSOShyphenhyphenr0IGNfGnlaJtMrruiCQqEWzAgrOVmsGw/s1600-h/SDC10599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnDnR0RGAS2WJ4CFT9ObFHMfixtF85V1VzapDYUGavK3IJ2VD48aJ1qH7zpkoGmDlyZBvrAjjrQGyFBKCR9DixjnSf0Fn9zxgxr0rJilSOShyphenhyphenr0IGNfGnlaJtMrruiCQqEWzAgrOVmsGw/s400/SDC10599.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I apologize for the blurriness of it, but it was rather a difficult shot to take. You see, I didn't really consider my actions when I ran out for pics. I had nothing under that brown sweater... and I mean nothing! I was shaking like a chihuahua on a caffeine overdose.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this... this might become a section. Something to rival <a href="http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/search/label/Where%20the%20hell%20is%20Tanner%3F">Where the Hell is Tanner?</a> by the lovely <a href="http://silvermoonwitch.blogspot.com/">Mrs. B</a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nah, probably not! But a cat owner can dream!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvhhfFoDqa-tBwdc3ikZ9bA0yshRA8Kl7Y_b4KEYd5IkmVAhkjuB0UwLUM2lWmw2Hi2VGg5UL8ochwM677DoUEE_zhmU5m-4ux9MtewBGN4xfXOQbrLjhhYrwRnqBApkhI1vAixth6dGn/s1600-h/SDC10596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvhhfFoDqa-tBwdc3ikZ9bA0yshRA8Kl7Y_b4KEYd5IkmVAhkjuB0UwLUM2lWmw2Hi2VGg5UL8ochwM677DoUEE_zhmU5m-4ux9MtewBGN4xfXOQbrLjhhYrwRnqBApkhI1vAixth6dGn/s400/SDC10596.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Feel free to comment on my reading habits. I was especially mortified when I noticed that the little red book next to my Palm Reading thingy was the Book of Mormon.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy Tuesday!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-79680127993307386652010-01-22T11:03:00.000-06:002010-01-22T11:03:50.735-06:00I feel like bragging.Bragging about wonderful things in my life, I have come to realize, is good for me.<br />
<br />
So I want to tell you about my husband's recent antics and let you decide how cool it was, or wasn't.<br />
<br />
<br />
We were in the PX (that is, for all you non-military lucky ducks out there, the post exchange, basically a gigantic everything store with food and other stuff in it) and he had just gotten his hair cut. We'd eaten lunch, and we were headed for the GameStop to see if they had a particular game he'd been looking for.<br />
<br />
As we walked by what could be termed a candle stand, with the vendor sitting at her cart on the phone, one of the shelves on the cart gave way. Just dropped right off... and the woman's face did about the same thing. Not three seconds after it happened, my husband dear plants his jacket, the bag we have, and both sodas in my arms and begins helping the woman put the shelf back up.<br />
<br />
It turns into an ordeal. By the end of it, he's lying on the floor on his back in the middle of the PX, banging on a shelf with his hand. Was I embarrassed? Yes, a little, because I could see his tummy hair for most of it, lol. The woman looked at us with a little bit of shock on her face, that even on a military post where I will say, most men have pretty good manners towards ladies (in public, sober), someone just dropped everything to help her. I smiled at her, held the stuff, looked at her candles and pretty much just let him go.<br />
<br />
Because that's how Andrew works. When he sees something that needs to be fixed, when he sees someone that needs help, he will. Right then. No questions asked, no bargains made, no time considerations. He just helps. At one point, she said it was fine and we didn't have to fix it and I shook my head and smiled and said, "Oh no, he's got it in him now. He won't leave til he's happy with it."<br />
<br />
I love that about him.<br />
<br />
I'm done now :)Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-26474390292341587962010-01-16T15:37:00.002-06:002010-01-16T16:01:59.947-06:00Long time, no see: what Powhatan said before he punched John Smith in the face.I've been at my computer for the last few days, berating and babbling in turn about not posting something, anything, even a lousy picture here for too long.<br />
<br />
Hello, friends. I have returned.<br />
<br />
I'm going to tell you a few things about the state of my house right now, and then explain them... because that's what's on my mind, and this is my blog, for bean's sake.<br />
<br />
There are cat toys everywhere. Not just cat toys... bits of cardboard from her scratching post, cat food that she likes to take to other places to eat, litter in the hallway from her stinky little paws, and strategically placed cat hairs. Strategically as in, they lie in wait on your cheek until you finally, finally go to lay down for a nap... and then, they POUNCE! Right up the nose, because that was the plan all along. All you cat owners: I'm not imagining this, am I? It's true... right?<br />
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A pile of clean clothes awaits me in the bedroom, calling my name, telling me how lazy I am. I have to keep resisting the urge to flip it off, given that a) I don't usually flip anyone or anything the bird and b) it's not actually sentient. But I can hear the moans... all the way in the living room, where I'm sitting a a three day old pair of pajama pants and a nighty I was pretty sure I washed, but still has bits of something on the hip...<br />
<br />
Andrew's battle gear in the den is sitting up and flirting with the vacuum. It looks quite gentlemanly, at least as much as a modern suit of armor can look with the camouflaged crotch cover poking out of the bottom and the name tag half off. The vacuum thinks he's dashing and debonair, however... and if I find some little, dirty green Hoovers in there, I am going to be mighty peeved.<br />
<br />
We have a new bookshelf! It's one of those dandy, 5 shelf editions, much more versatile than the little square three-shelves-if-you-count-the-top thing we moved into the den to hold Andrew's gaming thingamajiggers. I have filled the new one up already, with stuff and books and more books and a wee bit more stuff, too. Picture is forthcoming. Maybe. Possibly. Don't hold your breath.<br />
<br />
There's more. Oh there is more. Like the Christmas presents on the couch and my rearranged kitchen thanks to Andrew dear... and the mound of blankets on the bed because I slept in...<br />
<br />
Oh never mind.<br />
<br />
I'm gonna go take a bath. With bubbles. And maybe even a candle.<br />
<br />
Have a good night :DHelenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-43357749692206153692010-01-03T10:58:00.000-06:002010-01-03T10:58:10.331-06:00My 2010 resolution.This year, I'm going to be cracking the whip on myself. I have a lot of goals to accomplish, and for all of them, I need to be more disciplined in one very large area of my life.<br />
<br />
<br />
Money.<br />
<br />
<br />
Yes, I know. Don't cringe, I'm cringing enough for three people.<br />
<br />
Pretty much, I've decided that every extra penny is going to be put into savings. Bills will be paid, and we will get a certain amount each month for fun, and that's it. No more. No less.<br />
<br />
We reached our limit for this month already by a long shot. Since the 31st, we have spent over $200. Only some of it was food for both of us. Some of it was a game for Andrew's birthday, some was a bookshelf that was on sale and I couldn't pass up. And the rest? I honestly don't remember. It's that bad.<br />
<br />
So, no Starbucks or Border's cafe for me today. No lunch at the food court. Nothing, Nada. Zip. Zilch.<br />
<br />
I'm also starting a new cleaning schedule for myself. Mondays will be dishes and laundry. Tuesdays, I clean the bathroom. Wednesdays, it's dusting and vaccuming. Thursdays, more dishes and a good clean of the kitchen. Friday will be the general pick everything up day, and the weekends, I take a break, lol.<br />
<br />
Let's see how this goes, shall we? Wish me luck. I'm craving Starbucks like you wouldn't believe.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-7415856927201167902010-01-01T08:55:00.000-06:002010-01-01T08:55:45.583-06:00Big families mean more posts about them, right?So, here at Oddity of Oddities (like it's some kind of important something or other, right?) Christmas posting is still going.<br />
<br />
Yes, I realize it's 2010. Hello, New Year. I will blog about you, soon, I swear.<br />
<br />
Yes, I realize that Christmas was a week ago.<br />
<br />
Yes, I understand that you may or may not be interested in my in law's playing pool and being male.<br />
<br />
No, I don't care about any of the above realizations/understandings.<br />
<br />
Avast, me hearties! Brothers in law on the horizon!<br />
<br />
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More later, when I don't have to work... which is very limited this week, so yay!Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-23719971506558391262009-12-30T18:45:00.001-06:002009-12-30T19:13:12.500-06:00Christmas Pictures, again!<div style="text-align: center;">I have literally been sitting at the computer all day long, with this tab open, telling myself I am definitely going to post, I am, I am, I am...<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And now it's 6 pm. I'm finally posting.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There's not much to tell you, really, besides how much I hate flying, and how much I wish going home meant walking across the road from Meg's to our apartment.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">OH and go look at that link over there! The Lantana Ranch link! That's Leslie's new business venture: organic soaps, oils, candles and more! <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's more pics:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iyicC4pxq7C6uSJtv1TuIo_v00gSyoO79vaB82ww3KLpZ2FcwNpb-QZM_na9OTjx3cJ9oKiRErJmD2IIJYsuLJtvv8gbMQvm2wH_gyF-b5PGqgyDHl31oEzZbKGil3f0yFxe2WbST4S-/s1600-h/SDC10530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iyicC4pxq7C6uSJtv1TuIo_v00gSyoO79vaB82ww3KLpZ2FcwNpb-QZM_na9OTjx3cJ9oKiRErJmD2IIJYsuLJtvv8gbMQvm2wH_gyF-b5PGqgyDHl31oEzZbKGil3f0yFxe2WbST4S-/s400/SDC10530.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ben was Santa this year.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He handed out the presents and we open them one at a time.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MXNImq3suuZ8zkwUSEhnBHvLHtA3uh1qsHHXLwyn18-_Ww-sebAbnhII0RGfuXiHzgWgVHjIA0UySxZGr1Ar5hjdTcmzyDzscLygcDTaU_UbWZeIrV77ODWDK_pg7ricc16HYJriX_vQ/s1600-h/SDC10527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MXNImq3suuZ8zkwUSEhnBHvLHtA3uh1qsHHXLwyn18-_Ww-sebAbnhII0RGfuXiHzgWgVHjIA0UySxZGr1Ar5hjdTcmzyDzscLygcDTaU_UbWZeIrV77ODWDK_pg7ricc16HYJriX_vQ/s400/SDC10527.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We're all supposed to wait and watch the next person unwrap... but Mattie's not there yet, lol.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX_eT4wPKkXe-mYZmxjkpIcnuNUpGSBRYBw7n57B_0_YnWr9hTZQP066SnUfUUP-WwWyKqvT87NLaLzb4-YDDZAYzt9ZmRbybDs9H3VsS5eXAeVsNz9CxwZydaer9E48tvqjZI2GbheHJ/s1600-h/SDC10518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwX_eT4wPKkXe-mYZmxjkpIcnuNUpGSBRYBw7n57B_0_YnWr9hTZQP066SnUfUUP-WwWyKqvT87NLaLzb4-YDDZAYzt9ZmRbybDs9H3VsS5eXAeVsNz9CxwZydaer9E48tvqjZI2GbheHJ/s400/SDC10518.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk08o3_1Bybe6W3Ii5Xf-ogTNeIGCY4tZVedkXPBMj-XTP6T0JZpcXjbJpYPWLlxMdE2DgGj7X12iIfxgWK7njHjjCAxsYuX4fnij9IzSZWDe2CqpTamuWR_HjwKH7z_beYM_bADx1xziV/s1600-h/SDC10523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk08o3_1Bybe6W3Ii5Xf-ogTNeIGCY4tZVedkXPBMj-XTP6T0JZpcXjbJpYPWLlxMdE2DgGj7X12iIfxgWK7njHjjCAxsYuX4fnij9IzSZWDe2CqpTamuWR_HjwKH7z_beYM_bADx1xziV/s400/SDC10523.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4NjRvj3KrQRwLjeaiRIi_te066tPiHE0Aoqm0aaHjvR25z9NPQIEkIgL1zekZ0IxuETmK7ESQsRVP41XFdVUUT3lYb9CDoCH4xiSoOCqAX3o616Znm0akoflWK75GM5G-omDrisSlhzU/s1600-h/SDC10532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4NjRvj3KrQRwLjeaiRIi_te066tPiHE0Aoqm0aaHjvR25z9NPQIEkIgL1zekZ0IxuETmK7ESQsRVP41XFdVUUT3lYb9CDoCH4xiSoOCqAX3o616Znm0akoflWK75GM5G-omDrisSlhzU/s400/SDC10532.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not my best pic... but it has my roasting pan in it!!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8LafUfmG0YOr-rIBbLSUNgznNkiOTt8IBbOWqisXyoHZKbN9swLyUcBEvA2-VJvmp6MHQW9CPpvz0Uzw0Sox7afsX2SYaV7ZntL3-XX_JZ7XBl9KVJXRxWptNwFG_eh3S8nVJO6C2wsF/s1600-h/SDC10540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8LafUfmG0YOr-rIBbLSUNgznNkiOTt8IBbOWqisXyoHZKbN9swLyUcBEvA2-VJvmp6MHQW9CPpvz0Uzw0Sox7afsX2SYaV7ZntL3-XX_JZ7XBl9KVJXRxWptNwFG_eh3S8nVJO6C2wsF/s400/SDC10540.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steve is EVIL with tape. In this picture, he torments Phil as Phil tries to unwrap one of his monstrosities.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Shortly after this pic was taken, Phil used his teeth)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmEeYIgVrkMgn4mHtOxCnnvgFu6Zmhocth9lUlGtpn5DKJN1-F6-D_geA11FHzskoHGbp47sJbAqY91pnfF8MU31i_vrj34QWGxL6t16p_f6C9G3huJ6-kFQpWe-P2Dlr4VK5II3nUZft/s1600-h/SDC10538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmEeYIgVrkMgn4mHtOxCnnvgFu6Zmhocth9lUlGtpn5DKJN1-F6-D_geA11FHzskoHGbp47sJbAqY91pnfF8MU31i_vrj34QWGxL6t16p_f6C9G3huJ6-kFQpWe-P2Dlr4VK5II3nUZft/s400/SDC10538.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Heya, hot stuff <3<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGGwwOLDrlWx-xDwtvWQ7uZYR0J2uw_Xa12hgeHjGY0oLolKdFTSOWO_pzoBeLUAsCcdEOxBXo3tLxTXzotZkBbEmyphrSKcRbxC0NeRjb4S7CAM9aKlh85xhARyNGDzhzrbXWgdvJJ2h/s1600-h/SDC10546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGGwwOLDrlWx-xDwtvWQ7uZYR0J2uw_Xa12hgeHjGY0oLolKdFTSOWO_pzoBeLUAsCcdEOxBXo3tLxTXzotZkBbEmyphrSKcRbxC0NeRjb4S7CAM9aKlh85xhARyNGDzhzrbXWgdvJJ2h/s400/SDC10546.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and Megum =D <br />
</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-36665447550145021552009-12-27T03:20:00.001-06:002009-12-27T03:24:39.809-06:00Christmas, goober style.There is so very, very much to tell you about from Christmas. More than I can put here without killing you with words. So the next few posts might be nothing but pics, although this one is gonna be wordy;<br />
<br />
First of all, I hope everyone reading this has had a very merry, lovely Christmas. Mine has been one of the best so far. This year, everyone scrimped and scrapped to afford stuff for people, to make sure everyone got a little something, even if it was microscopic...and we all asked for very little, too, to balance things out.<br />
<br />
This year, amidst the recession, the trials, the tribulations and heartaches, and everything else.... we got everything we wanted.<br />
<br />
I got pajama pants, socks, undies, and some awesome "coupons" from Andrew; gift cards, candles, knick knacks, and soaps from the guys; mugs, an awesome roasting pan, more socks and more gift cards from parents and girls....<br />
<br />
and lots of love from every single one of them.<br />
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Did I mention sunshine? I've gotten lots of that too. I think I needed that the most.<br />
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<br />
And so... some pics:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YMACAkVVwluRry19uhDsibZEOteukhSPT6bEUvG3fNjbXhWLiu-ca8nfPQA-8E6mlJZdfe5Jl4I8k20iafbxWEDPEUKYWa2Hvdn7YsMcOGwl1j-PXP_hvDBhP_x63kynsjRjbEJRIGd6/s1600-h/SDC10454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YMACAkVVwluRry19uhDsibZEOteukhSPT6bEUvG3fNjbXhWLiu-ca8nfPQA-8E6mlJZdfe5Jl4I8k20iafbxWEDPEUKYWa2Hvdn7YsMcOGwl1j-PXP_hvDBhP_x63kynsjRjbEJRIGd6/s320/SDC10454.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFch6m3oUI48QsIzkHtNvoxCJ7FD5ARRcahbCICN0xvIongCOZUKcuhgpSlJtBITCaIrHWGGQsCXBuJp7l6vs9AGO8qNMkEXfZ0Fi-BkIiGMVpWG99kgLsVnFWpzHSZl_sA_uV61-dl8I/s1600-h/SDC10455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFch6m3oUI48QsIzkHtNvoxCJ7FD5ARRcahbCICN0xvIongCOZUKcuhgpSlJtBITCaIrHWGGQsCXBuJp7l6vs9AGO8qNMkEXfZ0Fi-BkIiGMVpWG99kgLsVnFWpzHSZl_sA_uV61-dl8I/s320/SDC10455.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's Benny.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt93aw14TmbcEedXnGjAdmN97dA-MnIP2Oivg7yd1WRwf6gUzmGZ4IK2BvgfsGCH8t-I6P74XYPujkO0mN4If0sXW_tsSitbPT9Yeq1e8cSGn49767z8D7A5cRoSU81uBcTHj-8dU5aDx/s1600-h/SDC10467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSt93aw14TmbcEedXnGjAdmN97dA-MnIP2Oivg7yd1WRwf6gUzmGZ4IK2BvgfsGCH8t-I6P74XYPujkO0mN4If0sXW_tsSitbPT9Yeq1e8cSGn49767z8D7A5cRoSU81uBcTHj-8dU5aDx/s320/SDC10467.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Joy is the light brown one, but she's actually white. Zoe is the one to the right and Doc is the one with the blue cover.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXiarhyZrlmkEeu0aInxoEoQ5ax-mPL7DZqNzoZzdI_MfcgzKHNc4nr3ErteOdZg_PlxkfotH1kqdmq8-UEBbOObhj9jJ2CoHP18ICGGhgEEb1b7jJFMA2FY0LYpshdtUxz-t7kLgQePV/s1600-h/SDC10492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXiarhyZrlmkEeu0aInxoEoQ5ax-mPL7DZqNzoZzdI_MfcgzKHNc4nr3ErteOdZg_PlxkfotH1kqdmq8-UEBbOObhj9jJ2CoHP18ICGGhgEEb1b7jJFMA2FY0LYpshdtUxz-t7kLgQePV/s320/SDC10492.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Leslie and Chip's front porch.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu5mMwIwz2Dmt5LOIX4MDhTT77-jk7ivhnfKMtSXlua7qYgXdEtWXpQ6wg_aeKmDKc6WO8pObmwzwa9EPgCYyaUjgFLzPZYgyQuuA9IXsRAaQoYJaRbVcqDbp35GRhWKtIOCukt8-Ygj_/s1600-h/SDC10481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu5mMwIwz2Dmt5LOIX4MDhTT77-jk7ivhnfKMtSXlua7qYgXdEtWXpQ6wg_aeKmDKc6WO8pObmwzwa9EPgCYyaUjgFLzPZYgyQuuA9IXsRAaQoYJaRbVcqDbp35GRhWKtIOCukt8-Ygj_/s320/SDC10481.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">One of these things is not like the other?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62v62kuEes89k9-ko65S2mZcQ2Vzl0gzclJqgr63sD_myva-YIUkYvsSREgwXtKftyq6_6WMEcJ0woqp92Erdk_QDAUyhDnEGCXUZFvIB6QGCQPghCsI1Pr04782VfYmns5slIfKLZ3cX/s1600-h/SDC10476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62v62kuEes89k9-ko65S2mZcQ2Vzl0gzclJqgr63sD_myva-YIUkYvsSREgwXtKftyq6_6WMEcJ0woqp92Erdk_QDAUyhDnEGCXUZFvIB6QGCQPghCsI1Pr04782VfYmns5slIfKLZ3cX/s320/SDC10476.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I actually got them to pose for a picture! Andrew, Ben, and Phil, serious:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkLTl2JScQLBkebf1pDmklXzlNNuu_XjKVH6b4XMI9WQHYJMdW7hgP3o9PZrl-ts6yELI60hrH1poHLx8HGLL5yCPKgNA686y5QmVL0J_sMSBMJ3LmORGydLtWXarfV0M9Ydd021CKsTL/s1600-h/SDC10493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkLTl2JScQLBkebf1pDmklXzlNNuu_XjKVH6b4XMI9WQHYJMdW7hgP3o9PZrl-ts6yELI60hrH1poHLx8HGLL5yCPKgNA686y5QmVL0J_sMSBMJ3LmORGydLtWXarfV0M9Ydd021CKsTL/s320/SDC10493.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Andrew, Ben, and Phil, not serious (and a random orange cat):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSr9Km3uNEqcYLZDABamQL-PHV3bPDf7qifZjVU7WXabRvHVHR4o-dN06DcoxoyQIdPVLMkD9sMjV7FIdDD46GAKSFwWoNiO4hNOR1RRpXTb-nP4WHV5yWPbig8nk8pSTnO5W_Z8Jaikw/s1600-h/SDC10494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSr9Km3uNEqcYLZDABamQL-PHV3bPDf7qifZjVU7WXabRvHVHR4o-dN06DcoxoyQIdPVLMkD9sMjV7FIdDD46GAKSFwWoNiO4hNOR1RRpXTb-nP4WHV5yWPbig8nk8pSTnO5W_Z8Jaikw/s320/SDC10494.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">And last but not least!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas!</span><br />
</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147169008532137469.post-28834565688902389262009-12-21T08:17:00.001-06:002009-12-21T08:30:53.555-06:00I'm dreaming of a brown Christmas, just like the ones we used to plan.... I honestly don't know why I'm here right now.<br />
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I have a QUADRILLION other things to be doing, not the least of which is packing, and there's dishes, and some wrapping, and I should be looking for that missing paycheck in the drawers...<br />
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But here I am. I am... here. And I am going to tell you about two things on this morning. My mother would call it, pardon my language, "colder than a well-digger's ass in Alaska".<br />
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Yes, it probably is, Mom, aren't you glad you work at Minit Market now?<br />
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First thing:<br />
I have a wonderful husband. These are the exact words of the card he gave me in my stocking (we opened on Saturday, my only day off til we leave):<br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My wife, my partner in love, my companion in pleasure, my soul's truest mate through this journey of life.</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(That was the front)</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>You are my refuge when the day is long, my shelter when times are hard. You are the sharer of my dreams, my support when I am challenged, and my very best friend on this earth.</b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Yours is the face I want to grow old with, and yours are the arms I want wrapped around me at the end of each day for the rest of my life. </b></span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Merry Christmas.</b></span><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"I Love You. If I was better with words I would tell you this. Andrew"</b></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yeah. That was my Christmas card.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I love you, too, Andrew.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Mine to him was not quite as sweet this year. It was cute, but not as sweet.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Second!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">WE'RE LEAVING TOMORROW FOR ARIZONA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Please excuse me for a moment. It seems I have peed my pants.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I have yet to pack anything but a couple shirts and a pair of jeans. Now, this IS Arizona, and from the wonderful forecast I've seen... that's about all I'm gonna need. At least, according to most people here. I myself am going to need a couple hoodies and probably my fuzzy warm jacket, too, because I hate to break it to you people<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">FIFTY DEGREES IS STILL TOO COLD FOR MY LIZARDY SELF!!!!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Camp and Teresa are coming over tonight for the key to the apt. and their Christmas present that I bought last night because I'm a dweeb and thought I'd already gotten it and hadn't... Tonight is also the IMVU Christmas party that I'm hosting for my group. Everyone got presents, it should be lots of fun, as long as no noobs come in and spoil it. But I'm booting anyone that's not a packmate on sight... so we'll see.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">And laundry. Today, I have to do laundry, so that everything I want to wear in AZ is clean, lol, because it's not right now... and shower, and shave, and wear that sexy little Santa outfit Andrew found in his stocking... O.O Did I say that out loud? Whoops.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">AND I NEED TO PACK!!! I might actually go take a look-see about what I can stick in there right now.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">OH OH OH OH.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Pictures! I have to take pictures! Of the ride to and from work, and the area around here, and work itself, so I can show everyone there in Tucson and Hallmark, and San Manuel.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The next time you talk to me, I'll be in Tucson. Or maybe in an airport, lol, it depends.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm dreaming of a brown Christmas, just like the ones we used to plan, where the cacti glisten and children listen to hear the coyotes on the sand....<br />
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I'm dreaming of a brown Christmas, with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright... and may none of your Christmases be white...<br />
</div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04044605316121029114noreply@blogger.com1