tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126659505334035502024-02-08T00:16:47.508-05:00The Collins ClanHollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-10639764870428112122011-08-26T13:06:00.001-04:002011-08-26T22:12:07.636-04:00Come On Irene!<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/AVvXsEgJqAF7I4m2OQFopLN0X4Y8vZKDf-z3sSVxY2IWolvi-2xxfyvJXANb0bW-_lzkv6abSeVgReqAt9myVD-WNA3OVOoz8t9w2S0o7B5PKmLAaMFCq7foqjbAE7SJQNXm96AbiF_02gEyw8lL/s1600/Irene+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqAF7I4m2OQFopLN0X4Y8vZKDf-z3sSVxY2IWolvi-2xxfyvJXANb0bW-_lzkv6abSeVgReqAt9myVD-WNA3OVOoz8t9w2S0o7B5PKmLAaMFCq7foqjbAE7SJQNXm96AbiF_02gEyw8lL/s400/Irene+IV.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The latest track (as of 12:53 p.m 8/26/11). We're the red dot...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay, I know the song is actually "Come on Eileen," but I just couldn't resist! Irene is making her way to our shores...the rain just started a few minutes ago. Winds are predicted to reach 50+ mph this evening, then increase to 90+ mph tomorrow around noon. We'll get plenty of rain, but I'm hoping the flooding won't be too bad and that the power holds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Just to take my mind off the seriousness of the situation, I came up with a Hurricane Irene Playlist: </span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><ol><li>"Under Pressure" - David Bowie & Queen</li>
<li>"Before the Storm" - Queensryche</li>
<li>"Panic Switch" - Silversun Pickups</li>
<li>"Only Happy When it Rains" - Garbage</li>
<li>"Ocean Breathes Salty" - Modest Mouse</li>
<li>"Please Don't Go" - Double You</li>
<li>"Invisible Sun" - The Police</li>
<li>"Ghost Town" - Shiny Toy Guns</li>
<li>"Hurricane" - Panic! At the Disco</li>
<li>"Rock You Like a Hurricane" - Scorpions</li>
<li>"Wave of Mutilation" - Pixies</li>
<li>"Flood" - Jars of Clay</li>
<li>"Float On" - Modest Mouse</li>
<li>"Destroy Everything You Touch" - Ladytron</li>
<li>"Weather With You" - Crowded House</li>
<li>"The Iron Sea" - Keane</li>
<li>"Daylight" - The Judybats</li>
<li>"Beautiful Day" - U2</li>
<li>"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina & The Waves</li>
</ol>Like it? I think it's a pretty good mix. I just might have to put this together on iTunes as a way to remember this weekend. <br />
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Charles came home at lunch and says traffic is already miserable heading out of town. Grocery store parking lots are full and the line at the little ice stores that dot Highway 70 toward the beaches have long lines of folks waiting to fill coolers. Everyone seems to be waiting until the last minute to prepare. Thankfully, we did most of our preparations Wednesday night into Thursday, so we're ready to ride her out.<br />
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My big worry is the beautiful beaches that we've come to love. The weathermen here are saying that extensive beach damage/erosion will occur along Emerald Isle Beach/Atlantic Beach/Salter Path/etc. and that it make take quite a while to get things back to normal. I also worry about all the <strong><a href="http://www.shacklefordhorses.org/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">wild horses out on Shackleford Banks</span></a></strong>, but I've been told they've made it through similar storms just fine.<br />
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Wish us luck! We'll keep you posted...</span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-29351139928757349412011-07-16T10:43:00.001-04:002011-07-16T10:46:13.827-04:00Pirates on the Brain & Art Worth Framing<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All I can think about right now is pirates! The Beaufort Pirate Invasion is less than a month away and we're working on the ultimate costume for Riley. I've already ordered her a new, handmade captains coat and muslin shirt on Etsy and I even found a good baldric to hold her sword. All that's left is finding a good pair of boots and pants to complete the look.<br />
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I got the idea to make Riley her very own pirate flag. I don't know what possessed me, but I've started the design, pinning all the pieces in place, but now I have to sew it. Problem is, I don't own a sewing machine--I'll have to do all the stitching by hand!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
I think it looks pretty good so far, but I just hope I can pull this off! I'm really excited to see everything coming together.<br />
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Riley's been busy the past few weeks attending weekly art camps offered by her art teacher at school. She's loving every moment there and has brought home great work! Our favorite is below...we actually framed it and have started a "gallery" of her artwork.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlj22k0ot6QRGG6KSI3cCmnr4Rr2iFCtoqypRlcjErjsiRv0sWBkTPjPeMRCTswxlw3rlD5YEWp_J37dy9-Rdb97_agcdrtqTu7PFS9YEsuZtr8BXf-4W-jeU4ZKwNizno91w8uCrIJbu/s1600/Riley%2527s+Art+July.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlj22k0ot6QRGG6KSI3cCmnr4Rr2iFCtoqypRlcjErjsiRv0sWBkTPjPeMRCTswxlw3rlD5YEWp_J37dy9-Rdb97_agcdrtqTu7PFS9YEsuZtr8BXf-4W-jeU4ZKwNizno91w8uCrIJbu/s320/Riley%2527s+Art+July.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-65090542342624056382011-05-09T16:43:00.000-04:002011-05-09T16:43:58.122-04:00Drowning in a Sea of StressCan you die from stress? I know the answer is a solid "yes," but I'd really like to avoid that outcome. The pressures of work, combined with keeping the house clean, the laundry washed, the dishes done, cooking meals, carting Riley to Taekwondo three times a week, swimming lessons once a week and life in general--it's all becoming too much to bear. At 37, I feel like an 80-year-old woman.<br />
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On top of the stressers mentioned above, I'm in the middle of dealing with some weird, doctor-stumping skin issue. I've had two biopsies with no real answers and I'm now in the process of finding a doctor at The School of Medicine in nearby Greenville, NC. I'm also still dealing with problems related to my septoplasty surgery two years ago. I've been going to an ENT doc whose tried to solve my issues, but, following a CT scan and having an endoscope shoved up my nose, has decided to take a biopsy of the lining of my nose. I'm thinking it's not going to be a very plesant experience, as he's prescribed Valium for me to take before I leave the house on Thursday, again when I get to his office and again after the proceedure. Sounds like it's going to be fun, huh?<br />
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I'm just hoping I'm back to normal by the next day because we're driving to Concord, NC (just outside Charlotte) to take Riley to her next Taekwondo tournament. We're staying at my step-sisters house and my parents will be driving over from Tennessee to spend the weekend with us. I haven't seen them since Christmas so I'm super excited. <br />
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At her last tournament two weeks ago, she took third place in forms and first place in sparring. We were so proud! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Cann gives Riley last-minute instructions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving it her all!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited to get her first-place trophy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmx3FOvdqzw6hqCOryaYNZJvafC_5SFplM2cjApJt-rWhXZzOKyg8G_169H_TA3N_bjlHq-tSOMBSwXORyki9U8PieZ-AoDfYdYyQ2S-hVm-KXbnY7FIAEtmx5VrO_zKbv6YfWfTm0R-O/s1600/First+Place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmx3FOvdqzw6hqCOryaYNZJvafC_5SFplM2cjApJt-rWhXZzOKyg8G_169H_TA3N_bjlHq-tSOMBSwXORyki9U8PieZ-AoDfYdYyQ2S-hVm-KXbnY7FIAEtmx5VrO_zKbv6YfWfTm0R-O/s400/First+Place.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The over-celebration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzRpbhbTnUdbmwPIFJ_UGsP3fCsebzuTb-EDqOTBNYAjEa3MYkloFvyrd44xihjY0853aDxA3czS-psv0T6gzPCO40M4PW9cB9HgEOAeIXzedzYwjR_v0AMEMgyQY3H2Ma6JNrlME9bkq/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzRpbhbTnUdbmwPIFJ_UGsP3fCsebzuTb-EDqOTBNYAjEa3MYkloFvyrd44xihjY0853aDxA3czS-psv0T6gzPCO40M4PW9cB9HgEOAeIXzedzYwjR_v0AMEMgyQY3H2Ma6JNrlME9bkq/s400/IMG_1508.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presenting her form.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU4LWI5TZNlNv6VBjxYdORlmIvFhbQBDe4kdnQw3RWl_9sTT453_gwbmm4qkKDCUZGOaL2OtOS4BGo0zGJIiyCFtvFN41D-S8WRQ8M-1MI0OIBy8HvdLBczOFJKr0AAlsXVSQSNX-tIvj/s1600/Third+Place+II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU4LWI5TZNlNv6VBjxYdORlmIvFhbQBDe4kdnQw3RWl_9sTT453_gwbmm4qkKDCUZGOaL2OtOS4BGo0zGJIiyCFtvFN41D-S8WRQ8M-1MI0OIBy8HvdLBczOFJKr0AAlsXVSQSNX-tIvj/s400/Third+Place+II.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off her third-place trophy for forms.</td></tr>
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So, this week and weekend will be busy: Lots of time in the car and not enough time visiting with family. The tournament will be an all-day thing, but at least my Mom is going with us--I can chat with her the entire day!<br />
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Oh, we visited D.C. for Spring Break. Click <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.2023867239438.138419.1326714441"><span style="color: #134f5c;">here</span></a></strong> to see some of the photos posted on Charles' Facebook page.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-83088314744276710132011-01-02T00:31:00.001-05:002011-01-02T01:11:11.635-05:00The Holidays are Over...Finally!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ahhh, the holidays are over...well, kind of. Charles' dad leaves tomorrow and then we'll take down the Christmas trees, lights and other decorations. I can't wait for it all to be over--the holidays this year were a bit too stressful for my liking. <br />
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Mom and Doug arrived on the 24th, Riley's birthday, and we had a blast opening presents and eating one of the coolest birthday cakes EVER...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday table is all set.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhqJDMtaw7liPWODfn6gy9uMz8barj3zdAdtAX0ZtTlTrqbNep5_quLppfVFoRkP0L8ZdlYFVD1yp5ZCCTHNp6_KrL016x8T-LZnvZaow905moFWWbLSeob1ZfJMAOTMQeMNUbEQRsY3J/s1600/Presents+Waiting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhqJDMtaw7liPWODfn6gy9uMz8barj3zdAdtAX0ZtTlTrqbNep5_quLppfVFoRkP0L8ZdlYFVD1yp5ZCCTHNp6_KrL016x8T-LZnvZaow905moFWWbLSeob1ZfJMAOTMQeMNUbEQRsY3J/s400/Presents+Waiting.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The presents are waiting...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQvP6JGAsAfzfPKlaTA881EC7g18PYY2WioHNCT-_2EeCZIIW2GdKinWLPNs-LwZPOhm11JBi8jYJXLwGybH44yMDUdxSV3Faw1jb9sbv3dXSjkO0MZ47csR-4WPau-FceaZh38625vmD/s1600/Birthday+Cake+III.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQvP6JGAsAfzfPKlaTA881EC7g18PYY2WioHNCT-_2EeCZIIW2GdKinWLPNs-LwZPOhm11JBi8jYJXLwGybH44yMDUdxSV3Faw1jb9sbv3dXSjkO0MZ47csR-4WPau-FceaZh38625vmD/s400/Birthday+Cake+III.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, how cool is this cake?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIftxUqh_rj8eD8DTEXflzA0u1XaL3itYxTMfmmCiYqmGM406ikGAZyTG4mb5d86Psh_AyWI7h_HrdYGACuraoGb_syh06zXrQGTWu0WrOSb_mlA3hEElztF7RJf5EVgPZAlHIgllgoN-/s1600/Inside+the+Cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIftxUqh_rj8eD8DTEXflzA0u1XaL3itYxTMfmmCiYqmGM406ikGAZyTG4mb5d86Psh_AyWI7h_HrdYGACuraoGb_syh06zXrQGTWu0WrOSb_mlA3hEElztF7RJf5EVgPZAlHIgllgoN-/s400/Inside+the+Cake.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eight yummy layers inside!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF4r30bVjvANSDS34ga9FhStnh-CsYHViw6eHBuCDdbD8M3Z-deEVx5mdRPwMNPoapqvkChrdckIpyudmiQFoW9OmEFXtcxbXvT4wtyva5yCW4i8_VlojJsHJyV4UdKg6KzE4lpTf0QhK/s1600/I+Got+a+Clock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF4r30bVjvANSDS34ga9FhStnh-CsYHViw6eHBuCDdbD8M3Z-deEVx5mdRPwMNPoapqvkChrdckIpyudmiQFoW9OmEFXtcxbXvT4wtyva5yCW4i8_VlojJsHJyV4UdKg6KzE4lpTf0QhK/s400/I+Got+a+Clock.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool! A Darth Vader Lego alarm clock!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswpL-ARnU9HVckr_2q-t_7MPqBd253U4rt4q34dOFxO3t3vhLQUE-Ld2SAlxz7VzSKW5AZIWv1OXDD3rhkyHlBH6lfx2244VMvbl4LgnAALHbg8EH9NltIJduuAfHp1w6gDYoGnaNleJ7/s1600/Lego+Game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswpL-ARnU9HVckr_2q-t_7MPqBd253U4rt4q34dOFxO3t3vhLQUE-Ld2SAlxz7VzSKW5AZIWv1OXDD3rhkyHlBH6lfx2244VMvbl4LgnAALHbg8EH9NltIJduuAfHp1w6gDYoGnaNleJ7/s400/Lego+Game.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play-Doh and Lego games!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The birthday celebration was fun, but we made sure to get in bed at a decent time for Santa. Riley left him a special red and green donut with sprinkles from Dunkin' Donuts with a glass of milk. She also sprinkled special "food" she made at school out on the lawn for the reindeer.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZihrS1sPSk0Vy6bi8ZiZsqy6ndErs10r7CvW46Yg_EHCfL21ceOsLHgHEApiFYtOL_56hh0Ctvh2sva_eI8gJ0OyF1JeZoA9QPaeAXfsB4q7Wjv-a6ybpdx-TxOTFzCwkS0hvu059L9y/s1600/Santa+Comes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZihrS1sPSk0Vy6bi8ZiZsqy6ndErs10r7CvW46Yg_EHCfL21ceOsLHgHEApiFYtOL_56hh0Ctvh2sva_eI8gJ0OyF1JeZoA9QPaeAXfsB4q7Wjv-a6ybpdx-TxOTFzCwkS0hvu059L9y/s400/Santa+Comes.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa left lots of presents...and an AT-AT!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRB-AArp5LhCzl3-UcfztpLeDiJ3KttoPRR4svmbLYYC-kHWr43oAffq8-PPpqt_y4k0hCa6XAUMhGmJPpx0hyphenhyphenGX0fGRA-rMG1LmDnY0lq5p5NlUzuCMkSC2ClEnrBzTwUhWN2w_Ygcid/s1600/Charles+%2526+Riley+Christmas+Morning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRB-AArp5LhCzl3-UcfztpLeDiJ3KttoPRR4svmbLYYC-kHWr43oAffq8-PPpqt_y4k0hCa6XAUMhGmJPpx0hyphenhyphenGX0fGRA-rMG1LmDnY0lq5p5NlUzuCMkSC2ClEnrBzTwUhWN2w_Ygcid/s400/Charles+%2526+Riley+Christmas+Morning.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening presents Christmas morning with Daddy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwctGQ4R411iN27RkHCrqPhFIFkFE7ZQpjpZjntR2VwTDd9bu0zRTML-226y8CTfAAbbpMwF9Epb0ul62ObYijGmtupZhHB3cuxTxqOGu9m_vvNDX9xZcvtpLYIqY8fk1MoEJqQrYgY5Ko/s1600/Doug+%2526+Riley+Fighting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwctGQ4R411iN27RkHCrqPhFIFkFE7ZQpjpZjntR2VwTDd9bu0zRTML-226y8CTfAAbbpMwF9Epb0ul62ObYijGmtupZhHB3cuxTxqOGu9m_vvNDX9xZcvtpLYIqY8fk1MoEJqQrYgY5Ko/s400/Doug+%2526+Riley+Fighting.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley and Papa testing out the new toys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Late Christmas night, it began to snow. And it kept snowing. And snowing. Mom and Doug (mostly Doug) insisted on leaving in the middle of the storm to head back to Charlotte and, then, on to Morristown. We tried to get them to stay, but no dice. They said it was the worst trip ever and that, at one point, it took them over an hour to drive 5 miles. I doubt they'll ever make the drive to our house for Christmas again. Bummer.<br />
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The snow was beautiful here though--the weatherman said it's the most snow the area's gotten since 1989. We got just a bit over 4 inches--it doesn't hold a candle to a New England storm by any means, but we'll take it. It was really cool to see palm trees covered in snow!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjVNEl29tV_eUNaiJTNcHpagtsLXOB5OuvQ2yACQ3GTDjfAfiYMMOzfbKku1DK0cVIwXQ5kJIFFGR1zkod2WiwQZxqvuadzW1q8xTbUJPjxeU1Ch3u01DruJVvTxW31zI8X88oxz5MzC7/s1600/Snow+through+Tiki+Bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjVNEl29tV_eUNaiJTNcHpagtsLXOB5OuvQ2yACQ3GTDjfAfiYMMOzfbKku1DK0cVIwXQ5kJIFFGR1zkod2WiwQZxqvuadzW1q8xTbUJPjxeU1Ch3u01DruJVvTxW31zI8X88oxz5MzC7/s400/Snow+through+Tiki+Bar.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing the snowman.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-heY3z4ranwYu2tnXKuUwHRnUcl2DeOng0bRPX9pCjG5dXzq302tXMhgjE-y4JSTyzJerLhg6k38I9ZZUxzyRpAR_lJI0WItCZN6NKdDRpz8yO9K_1x0ayEit5A6OwUSsfGcMnOkRvDk/s1600/Charles+%2526+Riley+in+Snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-heY3z4ranwYu2tnXKuUwHRnUcl2DeOng0bRPX9pCjG5dXzq302tXMhgjE-y4JSTyzJerLhg6k38I9ZZUxzyRpAR_lJI0WItCZN6NKdDRpz8yO9K_1x0ayEit5A6OwUSsfGcMnOkRvDk/s400/Charles+%2526+Riley+in+Snow.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley and Charles discussing strategy...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuwSKuOfeuFQrTEAcP28nQQHDOaDeesLtzQknxPfnA3zPMg1ERsUuZ67-FrYk3aq_h4F8dRV_xiDPqgU03P7PKkDkdhvimoT7uzmzG6jyZIqGN3Hjmb8gZz5MIUHjg06KkXvxWUG3x-Ng/s1600/Our+Snowman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuwSKuOfeuFQrTEAcP28nQQHDOaDeesLtzQknxPfnA3zPMg1ERsUuZ67-FrYk3aq_h4F8dRV_xiDPqgU03P7PKkDkdhvimoT7uzmzG6jyZIqGN3Hjmb8gZz5MIUHjg06KkXvxWUG3x-Ng/s400/Our+Snowman.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM9lWbryT89Op-0Twxd6BabvNaPWDLNED5lBJZlIbPZbDVzIYNY4ohI5R1drGFZepOaEwDxAZChPx2xKcTJJLHNigWcH3sICAC2NeLep6SySfQH-vblbNyvj83X88KonK_jibkhkh7Otq/s1600/Snow+on+Neuchatel+II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM9lWbryT89Op-0Twxd6BabvNaPWDLNED5lBJZlIbPZbDVzIYNY4ohI5R1drGFZepOaEwDxAZChPx2xKcTJJLHNigWcH3sICAC2NeLep6SySfQH-vblbNyvj83X88KonK_jibkhkh7Otq/s400/Snow+on+Neuchatel+II.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The neighborhood covered in snow. We got about 4 inches.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'll finish with a picture of one of Charles' gifts which, ironically, I'll most likely be the one to use.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_JTMwNi7vnztael9krT99ViZbPQxzYDlmm7qj8Ov9eBghXNUhK1QkzwGSroa8ODI8_-dJAaP-V8zKlrh9N__oN9jQoASHtTtz6dQ6m1w445DJ77I5lV_bBHxTEg2o2fyvZTprZllydgw/s1600/New+Toys.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_JTMwNi7vnztael9krT99ViZbPQxzYDlmm7qj8Ov9eBghXNUhK1QkzwGSroa8ODI8_-dJAaP-V8zKlrh9N__oN9jQoASHtTtz6dQ6m1w445DJ77I5lV_bBHxTEg2o2fyvZTprZllydgw/s400/New+Toys.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New toys for Mommy and Daddy for the New Year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay, now for some random items:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Riley can kick some serious a$$--here she is <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1768824463528&comments&ref=mf">breaking a board</a></strong> at her Taekwondo Christmas party.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">From my uncle Butch, two amazing holiday videos: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dy0qKIFJWGXQ%26feature%3Dchannel&h=a4d49"><strong>Santa Went Down to Georgia</strong></a> and <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DF9XNfWNooz4%26NR%3D1&h=a4d49">The North Point iBand</a></strong>, too cool!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Here's a great instructional video for all you zombie fans, <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D0UqEhUm2B_8&h=a4d49">A Very Zombie Holiday</a></strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Allie does it again--makes me laugh until tears are dropping on to my keyboard: <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com%2F&h=a4d49">The Year Kenny Loggins Ruined Christmas</a></strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia;">You gotta love <strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=175849069101995&oid=62507427296&comments&ref=mf">A Christmas Message from Bill Maher</a></strong>.</span></li>
</ul>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-3482359047172279202010-12-21T08:33:00.000-05:002010-12-21T08:33:53.649-05:00The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?I've decided that I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. I love the "feeling" that the holidays bring, but I hate all the school functions, work functions, parties, gift buying/wrapping, decorating, planning, cooking, cleaning and increased stress that come with Christmas. Thankfully, we're not travelling at all this year--everyone is coming to us. I think if I had to add 16 to 18 hours in a car to this season, I might just go crazy!<br />
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We attended the town Christmas parade a couple of weeks ago. We had a great time, but it was frigid!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYUwnoIFr17CLLkSO2TRXTUKF2PTpy5XtoV7c4DGCuoBTxDeKBuASXTMJW9v54mquRBlR0mNdPCfAid-ldlGuJ0IEUOEEeoKvSzCKFHVSM5Gw_aRG_azhMx-mEkAuahBdQMo6QLT4D3DI/s1600/Cold+Riley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYUwnoIFr17CLLkSO2TRXTUKF2PTpy5XtoV7c4DGCuoBTxDeKBuASXTMJW9v54mquRBlR0mNdPCfAid-ldlGuJ0IEUOEEeoKvSzCKFHVSM5Gw_aRG_azhMx-mEkAuahBdQMo6QLT4D3DI/s400/Cold+Riley.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I snuck away before the parade to look around in a few of the shops downtown and came accross an empty alley and a great view of Christ Church...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G9G4xcDaySoIsl2mW7pgzN_zk_RekbEdpWpm71kT-OQSntmpMDlwZbMMY174zmsFu8q8rVLmA6soYhr2EzVmwJVNctHnusDylvpjRIYRu9NxJ_HPHcFAwWfkwrQqc8oRgzS1_kSqh02M/s1600/Christ+Church+at+Christmas.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6G9G4xcDaySoIsl2mW7pgzN_zk_RekbEdpWpm71kT-OQSntmpMDlwZbMMY174zmsFu8q8rVLmA6soYhr2EzVmwJVNctHnusDylvpjRIYRu9NxJ_HPHcFAwWfkwrQqc8oRgzS1_kSqh02M/s400/Christ+Church+at+Christmas.JPG" /></a></div><br />
After the parade we had planned to watch the Christmas flotilla, but it began to rain (eventually turning into our first snow of the season!) and we decided to go back to a warm house. But, before we did, Charles made a trip to the local nursery to pick up his very own crab pot Christmas tree!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-WxT3XRLXU4eI80lLNXu2NTs3YV9yC1Fljej8-Yb6-XTZ9LjJ6qHQ0n9GoZ7XtY6dm7gx5NtLB5ufCDQDJAY3M-6kWu8UKMSIus8G53y81nazA6vdvDsl2NfoXcJ8irsLXrmC4hdTbAt/s1600/Crab+Pot+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-WxT3XRLXU4eI80lLNXu2NTs3YV9yC1Fljej8-Yb6-XTZ9LjJ6qHQ0n9GoZ7XtY6dm7gx5NtLB5ufCDQDJAY3M-6kWu8UKMSIus8G53y81nazA6vdvDsl2NfoXcJ8irsLXrmC4hdTbAt/s400/Crab+Pot+Tree.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Today is Riley's last day of school until January 3, so we'll get a bit of a break there--I'll get to sleep in!<br />
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We've ordered her birthday cake as well and should be picking that up this Thursday. I found a woman locally to bake it and who thinks she can tackle Riley's request: Boba Fett with a Santa hat. I'm confident she can pull it off--what sold me was a Seymour (from <i>Little Shop of Horrors</i>) cake she did. Amazing! Don't believe me? Take a look...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwMeIgelm7YtZ7zm6iaSwZdphfymaYbWaJi8ZoFmWvMuODcegCF1AInyWypIFBY3dgtwmXhaxXBEJsCswulxec8zbSiWdcwmhbIh97ptJoEwH2qfSaSwhV_doDUNLjX2kA7TaM_wSKSnZ/s1600/Seymour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwMeIgelm7YtZ7zm6iaSwZdphfymaYbWaJi8ZoFmWvMuODcegCF1AInyWypIFBY3dgtwmXhaxXBEJsCswulxec8zbSiWdcwmhbIh97ptJoEwH2qfSaSwhV_doDUNLjX2kA7TaM_wSKSnZ/s400/Seymour.jpg" /></a></div><br />
One issue did come up with the cake though--to make it look correct, the baker needs to make the cake a certain size, big enough to feed 35 people! I think we'll be eating cake for a full week after Riley's celebration.<br />
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Our house will be full for the next several days: My parents are coming in on Riley's birthday, the 24th, and staying through the 26th; Charles' mom Nancy is coming the 26th through the 30th; and Charles' dad is coming the 30th through January 2nd. Whew! It's going to be a busy holiday!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-28242964637174129222010-12-01T23:30:00.003-05:002010-12-05T23:41:20.317-05:00Tournaments, Teeth and Turkey<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I haven't posted in quite a while--I get so busy that I don't take the time to log our lives like I would like to. Work has been all-consuming lately, but I'm hoping that additional help will arrive along with 2011. <br />
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First, let me catch you up on Halloween. I didn't take a lot of pictures--I was too busy having fun! Charles' mom Nancy was here with us, along with our wonderful friend and neighbor, Jessica. We had tons of wonderful food and a great time trick or treating. Here's a couple from the night...</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP0plMzgZCGrXCJfzJB61guubC4o-Zi1clwVM_T8Q3miLXNvaHl42rBrT_6sPHPTjswRi14EXnPFW0Aad720bYdBxTCwB6342tPmGyqDAKxRnUZJbqCtPXaO25VpEr1fKwYXr5GBUrgqI/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP0plMzgZCGrXCJfzJB61guubC4o-Zi1clwVM_T8Q3miLXNvaHl42rBrT_6sPHPTjswRi14EXnPFW0Aad720bYdBxTCwB6342tPmGyqDAKxRnUZJbqCtPXaO25VpEr1fKwYXr5GBUrgqI/s400/IMG_1093.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We went 80s old-school Pac-Man for our pumpkin!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXLLq02gv1aRcrZ_Jdoj_ZxMcFQ8F4uM46LvjI1bzCUpIte68ANfzrBNlP_mpuVVN2mChRrWbdql63DR2tN1BLNyzu-_SAMM7oDct9YHmEaVXzlZ1ZbjzbaovBA98tAyiPiwTE94xGoxM/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXLLq02gv1aRcrZ_Jdoj_ZxMcFQ8F4uM46LvjI1bzCUpIte68ANfzrBNlP_mpuVVN2mChRrWbdql63DR2tN1BLNyzu-_SAMM7oDct9YHmEaVXzlZ1ZbjzbaovBA98tAyiPiwTE94xGoxM/s400/IMG_1098.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's Riley as Harry Potter.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After yet another drama-filled few weeks, Riley lost her other front tooth. She would not let us touch it or even talk about it. One morning, as I was brushing her teeth, the tooth went completely sideways. She began freaking out and running through the house. Charles got her in the bathroom and asked to take a look--she let him breifly touch it, but then started crying loudly. She said she knew it would hurt to pull it out and didn't want us to touch it. She went on for 10 minutes. <br />
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When she finally calmed down, Charles said, "Take a look." He opened his hand and there sat her tooth. It had literally fallen out of her mouth when he first touched it! All that drama AFTER the tooth had come out without her even realizing it!!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpQDd1yc0z32kz-ycbEst3WzTrjkjydGysksS0lY2ql44YfHkP5WTYyDQGNW7TfJ_qGnUAl2IcW8zkMPXoOA7G0TWXCsR-bdgSysaRP_4EqKI-VXWWN3G30mUMatyi6t3Iox3hGsO-tK0/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFpQDd1yc0z32kz-ycbEst3WzTrjkjydGysksS0lY2ql44YfHkP5WTYyDQGNW7TfJ_qGnUAl2IcW8zkMPXoOA7G0TWXCsR-bdgSysaRP_4EqKI-VXWWN3G30mUMatyi6t3Iox3hGsO-tK0/s400/IMG_1137.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
Last month, Riley competed in her first Taekwondo tournament. She was so excited and did an amazing job. She did her forms, broke a board and showed off her fighting skills...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nlxo9qsX1a9opR2RL0VmCsIHszSFSkkNOIBH1M3Chx1B3NwxpmvAEifMj0MHs4e0pngSZOSm1Ln_PgfQv2wxWg8jVdFB43eNQLwZayyxsGJ6tm1pjy2jNOZKgP1YSwGFxGeB3PKazSUY/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nlxo9qsX1a9opR2RL0VmCsIHszSFSkkNOIBH1M3Chx1B3NwxpmvAEifMj0MHs4e0pngSZOSm1Ln_PgfQv2wxWg8jVdFB43eNQLwZayyxsGJ6tm1pjy2jNOZKgP1YSwGFxGeB3PKazSUY/s400/IMG_1120.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off her forms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvGuj_douD2cDNUZzOJAU4oHx0zna1bQY2IVtc-7oaW43f3CkMnd19GN-FGVqrNxb8p6CDYmZF6yeIG75nev3hduvk2Sjt3IKOivmtCMb3KOCIoe3XJIQjANy2bJVHzXpmuxFPXecrhCE/s1600/broken+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvGuj_douD2cDNUZzOJAU4oHx0zna1bQY2IVtc-7oaW43f3CkMnd19GN-FGVqrNxb8p6CDYmZF6yeIG75nev3hduvk2Sjt3IKOivmtCMb3KOCIoe3XJIQjANy2bJVHzXpmuxFPXecrhCE/s320/broken+board.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She easily broke the board with one kick!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHz9wjjmjjGbZxxdgkLT-0ILIXMhIuCoPHa71gr15GJEYa2eOiVsUEW_Nl8BfYzs9vNu2BIpMNyboeU6sy8SN3Ty0Y4AuJIUgR-BIlmku78QfIDfOtPQuCi8xvsLy6_mHw7qy_TMt1_ML/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHz9wjjmjjGbZxxdgkLT-0ILIXMhIuCoPHa71gr15GJEYa2eOiVsUEW_Nl8BfYzs9vNu2BIpMNyboeU6sy8SN3Ty0Y4AuJIUgR-BIlmku78QfIDfOtPQuCi8xvsLy6_mHw7qy_TMt1_ML/s400/IMG_1126.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to fight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7peQq4-LRKV0rtgMInZw0PvlVeiRPwsyTprSlOdyz2Z47vbCO1r-qshDcXapaR0BvlujsAodf3ciH52YdzePPLawWle91cXVSEIvvov7k1JkrQjPIXBHzYh0gE6rpfKXjo-Wm2bDCD6qu/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7peQq4-LRKV0rtgMInZw0PvlVeiRPwsyTprSlOdyz2Z47vbCO1r-qshDcXapaR0BvlujsAodf3ciH52YdzePPLawWle91cXVSEIvvov7k1JkrQjPIXBHzYh0gE6rpfKXjo-Wm2bDCD6qu/s400/IMG_1128.JPG" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great punch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AdW8MZykgvp72er19yYo9wq5D4mQMTzEx7LDqIFPQau0zb425c1Z5TVtDGfGo_uIKJcM_u5qqywxSEFLFz7iXHuSJ79TNuV1guv5f57NsyfAJT8YeG05PwwB8NVAp_wQ9sC0pfjlfGE9/s1600/medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AdW8MZykgvp72er19yYo9wq5D4mQMTzEx7LDqIFPQau0zb425c1Z5TVtDGfGo_uIKJcM_u5qqywxSEFLFz7iXHuSJ79TNuV1guv5f57NsyfAJT8YeG05PwwB8NVAp_wQ9sC0pfjlfGE9/s320/medal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the medal stand--second place out of eight!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are so very proud of her! There will definitely be more tournaments to come and she even has a "Taekwondo Camp" December 17-19. She's so excited she can barely wait!<br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We stayed here for Thanksgiving. I really missed being with my family in Tennessee, but spending the holiday here wasn't too bad. Nancy (with dog Snowy in tow) rented a house for the week at Emerald Isle Beach and we had dinner there with our neighbors Jessica, Marc and Bruschi.</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2euwzytwdyygW09Ish8ewccD7eFIhudY-cXQ6Amz1AJABZMm5WkzBeOvBkBRgMgwMh7jGOv8zH-6_J0Ok_2xWLKCBWX5IvWWKaDYmTovI8Q6mhvyFcr4qYyI8moCij_SoOHZ6NEnouYvd/s1600/IMG_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2euwzytwdyygW09Ish8ewccD7eFIhudY-cXQ6Amz1AJABZMm5WkzBeOvBkBRgMgwMh7jGOv8zH-6_J0Ok_2xWLKCBWX5IvWWKaDYmTovI8Q6mhvyFcr4qYyI8moCij_SoOHZ6NEnouYvd/s400/IMG_1141.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the front porch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45QA56F3gNmwpAIwlTxGI9nrNfxKNvrtBRK4luJzLEYdyERGj_MVYJ3wDF3NPjzWNQ1HjYHuBsqWIR3fhIrpJShMZXNJRJZ1xUdJNkvRV0wEF0z2u_oSZhaPqeinlvqt1ZpUWUSg8gBy8/s1600/IMG_1161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45QA56F3gNmwpAIwlTxGI9nrNfxKNvrtBRK4luJzLEYdyERGj_MVYJ3wDF3NPjzWNQ1HjYHuBsqWIR3fhIrpJShMZXNJRJZ1xUdJNkvRV0wEF0z2u_oSZhaPqeinlvqt1ZpUWUSg8gBy8/s400/IMG_1161.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley and Snowy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImiroSFPGHfIbpBMyDa5YF6EWzDzXRabj34UwiHroJccs96S1fhXRZe4nBe929f0JhLdeexsmaPlgTl_qZQ-lrw-f9m6pf6ZmY3_2IcGR0ouMbUX6EB_yOLGIuCv9gK1dj28MPnGaGhp6/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImiroSFPGHfIbpBMyDa5YF6EWzDzXRabj34UwiHroJccs96S1fhXRZe4nBe929f0JhLdeexsmaPlgTl_qZQ-lrw-f9m6pf6ZmY3_2IcGR0ouMbUX6EB_yOLGIuCv9gK1dj28MPnGaGhp6/s400/IMG_1139.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view from the living room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGe6QprKMa2w2Pfr9FR4PjONRWiNj7TkwryRXuGibz6W6TcbWXPDyJ0UzoFmi4LQsQ0KFVHx3j25RdP0T7d_C-G4oaFvaSmTPTr4wkURowgfxi6gzyQqigz_ECpuDjcr1U34xr9lQXMfv/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGe6QprKMa2w2Pfr9FR4PjONRWiNj7TkwryRXuGibz6W6TcbWXPDyJ0UzoFmi4LQsQ0KFVHx3j25RdP0T7d_C-G4oaFvaSmTPTr4wkURowgfxi6gzyQqigz_ECpuDjcr1U34xr9lQXMfv/s400/IMG_1151.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving morning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-21717556686636951342010-10-23T21:31:00.002-04:002010-10-24T00:42:10.571-04:00Ready for Halloween, Excited About Zombies and Finding a Black Widow in Your Breakfast Treat<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Halloween!!! Okay, I'm a bit early, but it's my favorite holiday and our decorations have been up since the end of September. Last night we enjoyed the Fall Festival at the YMCA--Riley played in a few bouncy-houses, painted a pumpkin and we all went on a hayride. Very cute.<br />
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Today we drove downtown and went to the pumpkin patch at Christ Episcopal Church. I'm in love with this church (it's the oldest in town) and we had a great time finding the perfect pumpkins.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0VfwVHrZyvhCsCpkIGaq_U1jbu9I160Z0zusf7ArmwfQc3sHevABb3bQbpa1y7hyphenhyphen3d4O5cIIFaCFjo6Sbl2GmO9Wo1iT3QXJ-GRvcLxhlsEwmAHLq0X0Tj3I2zbZycZ1cUXjzW8-7ioG/s1600/IMG_1039+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0VfwVHrZyvhCsCpkIGaq_U1jbu9I160Z0zusf7ArmwfQc3sHevABb3bQbpa1y7hyphenhyphen3d4O5cIIFaCFjo6Sbl2GmO9Wo1iT3QXJ-GRvcLxhlsEwmAHLq0X0Tj3I2zbZycZ1cUXjzW8-7ioG/s320/IMG_1039+-+Copy.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decisions, decisions...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2f3GUCtaa_xK1mEzEIpnT_rJrudOHGp_RJA33c3cFUHUIS14pgGxAVhCNHrcS72g2bwxOjOoKfUy3vqqBhewKa-hnaCRczMmw56fvJx4ejGNWRQR8MXa_mwrGQsJozw7_N69E5AzOfpx/s1600/IMG_1041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2f3GUCtaa_xK1mEzEIpnT_rJrudOHGp_RJA33c3cFUHUIS14pgGxAVhCNHrcS72g2bwxOjOoKfUy3vqqBhewKa-hnaCRczMmw56fvJx4ejGNWRQR8MXa_mwrGQsJozw7_N69E5AzOfpx/s320/IMG_1041.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, that's one way to display pumpkins!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4DG2aItsI6dEnyQtqQj3pic_LtnPcNkr7CyLvIFO0Daed1jZU2lz1738yUwH1kgjLHj4XJX-uT6PFz7jVI_hpjN5-BJ7ZmojxAmLxSP5gzolOtLMkGP6ceCSFwGxXZjPJuZ2rJLbrQsE/s1600/IMG_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4DG2aItsI6dEnyQtqQj3pic_LtnPcNkr7CyLvIFO0Daed1jZU2lz1738yUwH1kgjLHj4XJX-uT6PFz7jVI_hpjN5-BJ7ZmojxAmLxSP5gzolOtLMkGP6ceCSFwGxXZjPJuZ2rJLbrQsE/s320/IMG_1043.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A playground right next to 300-year-old graves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb02GXVy648UXzBph1yvfbHw5f2SnjU-lO2soGGaPo-w7JmaG_1Oy7t4buNQEbhjBdcwdcf3cT3oMv3oWJn7mO9YPwWJ0yQpyvBPEujywb45MU6qBVcduppq6L0ybFLPLprqr9i-sz-8Lk/s1600/IMG_1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb02GXVy648UXzBph1yvfbHw5f2SnjU-lO2soGGaPo-w7JmaG_1Oy7t4buNQEbhjBdcwdcf3cT3oMv3oWJn7mO9YPwWJ0yQpyvBPEujywb45MU6qBVcduppq6L0ybFLPLprqr9i-sz-8Lk/s320/IMG_1045.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grounds of the church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXZXiHRdTMuD8qDu3X6b91xLlSyK7gPPuyC7EUBYJueb2dTnEon7-sX8NI3L_p3Y0GpBoXZ19FWyNq6tN7Hc0Q8IfyHCzgbpreQRUMKLe1NxU-nDTtiPnHBj6_SapvN21K_exvphve9fJ/s1600/IMG_1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXZXiHRdTMuD8qDu3X6b91xLlSyK7gPPuyC7EUBYJueb2dTnEon7-sX8NI3L_p3Y0GpBoXZ19FWyNq6tN7Hc0Q8IfyHCzgbpreQRUMKLe1NxU-nDTtiPnHBj6_SapvN21K_exvphve9fJ/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front door of Christ Episcopal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
During a recent trip to our one-and-only bookstore, I found myself in heaven--a huge Halloween display with so many wonderful reads...<br />
<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/AVvXsEjdPYDxbnE-MSDB6h6yC5Zy4V4wDS1QJDDJUjnhN58X47jxHmb30eNzXlXOjqhJgkRZAWdWT_4-wSOtgAWhX6GS7OkMJP8STquhxSUqeYct2C_ySGovW0VeTLqUzNHzOIAEjhrJQcARZA0o/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPYDxbnE-MSDB6h6yC5Zy4V4wDS1QJDDJUjnhN58X47jxHmb30eNzXlXOjqhJgkRZAWdWT_4-wSOtgAWhX6GS7OkMJP8STquhxSUqeYct2C_ySGovW0VeTLqUzNHzOIAEjhrJQcARZA0o/s320/IMG_1025.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See what I mean?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnZEbt5v2sv3R7soqNB3PmMsQDHXrQf0WKLb-PjLDbaxbcSYz8qbN5pzF2OBzPPRnWa0eTkoPvkCNaNvpi4NDWyX84tO_aa0SBvwSfXqWXook_H6PpABdTuowJhN61Ex4AzY3F2BbFU86/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZnZEbt5v2sv3R7soqNB3PmMsQDHXrQf0WKLb-PjLDbaxbcSYz8qbN5pzF2OBzPPRnWa0eTkoPvkCNaNvpi4NDWyX84tO_aa0SBvwSfXqWXook_H6PpABdTuowJhN61Ex4AzY3F2BbFU86/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh, "The Walking Dead" series...<br />
can't wait to watch this next Sunday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And...in other news: A couple of weeks ago we went to Emerald Isle to enjoy a day at the beach and walked down to the pier. Too many fishermen, but it was worth walking through them all for the amazing view at the end...<br />
<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/AVvXsEhBwSAQ8sQbCIif2AJrnY5MfI7bWs8ZYvHat5eLpY_2N1QvdgeocxNxIBXuWWLR_bvCs8yakYNSJ4CGLd_43II326sTw_bg40qNWqO9x-dlG7SRXofXtSgAc632Dk-4yPYjNPVMZDFyKob4/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwSAQ8sQbCIif2AJrnY5MfI7bWs8ZYvHat5eLpY_2N1QvdgeocxNxIBXuWWLR_bvCs8yakYNSJ4CGLd_43II326sTw_bg40qNWqO9x-dlG7SRXofXtSgAc632Dk-4yPYjNPVMZDFyKob4/s320/IMG_0970.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the end of the pier back to the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFbxWcVxwgZFxONbYzRMD-DGlM0hCQ1vTvRYr9h2Q7qNgjhJYE655VLJ2UdLkd1bKBiFmgygwJexq_PxBSkKJwaCr7hhMvzOoWesU95gUX-xl22D7RnuP-6GMxCXSMvcqEqBPI3igOOlY/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFbxWcVxwgZFxONbYzRMD-DGlM0hCQ1vTvRYr9h2Q7qNgjhJYE655VLJ2UdLkd1bKBiFmgygwJexq_PxBSkKJwaCr7hhMvzOoWesU95gUX-xl22D7RnuP-6GMxCXSMvcqEqBPI3igOOlY/s320/IMG_0966.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There had to be about 30 surfers enjoying the <br />
waves kicked up by the tropical storm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMxbogRRH1RzCBEmLP4ArLz6W2VNveB9PYxn7hrNnxvxxA6SdNgPVj0tu7yCtCTyz-ozBWg-V66MKlXCMsfnAoMblXJFz_kVPLqc8kze9jpBMZn01QvOqE0DnuGs2ghxYOq8D1WlObJZh/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMxbogRRH1RzCBEmLP4ArLz6W2VNveB9PYxn7hrNnxvxxA6SdNgPVj0tu7yCtCTyz-ozBWg-V66MKlXCMsfnAoMblXJFz_kVPLqc8kze9jpBMZn01QvOqE0DnuGs2ghxYOq8D1WlObJZh/s320/IMG_0976.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you have really great eyesight, you should be able to <br />
see about 15 dolphins swimming just past the pier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Just a couple of weeks ago, Riley was up early, as usual, before school and eating breakfast. She really wanted some grapes so Charles pulled the bag out of the refrigerator, pulled out the grapes, washed them off in the sink and put them in a small bowl for her. Maybe 10 minutes later she comes running to Charles: "Dad!! There's a spider in my grapes!"<br />
<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/AVvXsEjVuH25g69yFEiGAtRY3jNTVa0VjxNfIjCEq7fbskgU9YfJ77Odma3FDlQwsVPAw4sL4NG-_bQSreMVoN7jiWJzwM7pbmB5MBMnYpRBTIxTki4Dn0puW7ktyCYqNbCHMhgEEfjbaaUwOIex/s1600/Spider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuH25g69yFEiGAtRY3jNTVa0VjxNfIjCEq7fbskgU9YfJ77Odma3FDlQwsVPAw4sL4NG-_bQSreMVoN7jiWJzwM7pbmB5MBMnYpRBTIxTki4Dn0puW7ktyCYqNbCHMhgEEfjbaaUwOIex/s320/Spider.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the ...?!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In case you can't tell from the photo, that's a Black Widow. Yes. In. Her. Grapes. What if she'd eaten it? The lesson here, kids? Even washing your fruit does not guarantee that a spider won't end up hanging out with you at breakfast. Be careful!<br />
<br />
Several days ago we made the decision that the van had to go. She's old and falling apart--plus, we really don't need something that big anymore. We traded her in for a Hyundai Santa Fe and came out with lower monthly payments and cut our interest rate in half!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwCNRQQi18_ehSgL28A6IwMtMguocRC0wT3bBC6H7mX7LHSinUV12Q30V1SJzuxCWn-21vhP0EvbxZ4jovVUrxQF4vr4drQ_kn2VXF1_zwVKL42PujtvXXLQ_-pLbi-kgi5nOHF1DBWF0/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwCNRQQi18_ehSgL28A6IwMtMguocRC0wT3bBC6H7mX7LHSinUV12Q30V1SJzuxCWn-21vhP0EvbxZ4jovVUrxQF4vr4drQ_kn2VXF1_zwVKL42PujtvXXLQ_-pLbi-kgi5nOHF1DBWF0/s320/IMG_0996.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new car.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Things to note and other fun facts: <br />
<ul><li>Don't forget that what could be one of the best TV shows ever is premiering Halloween night on AMC--"<a href="http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/"><strong>The Walking Dead</strong></a>." Added bonus: It's directed and created by Frank Darabont! I will be glued to the screen!! Oh, and here's a <strong><a href="http://www.gearfuse.com/fan-made-opening-sequence-for-the-walking-dead-is-worthy-of-your-tv-screen/">fan-made intro</a></strong> for the series--so cool!</li>
<li>Baba Ghanouj is very good...and my six-year-old child loved it! Great recipe <strong><a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/1">here</a></strong>.</li>
<li>Did you know that Michael J. Fox wasn't the original Marty McFly? I had no idea! See orginial footage with Eric Stoltz <strong><a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/12/michael-j-fox-wasnt-the-original-marty-mcfly/?hpt=Sbin">here</a></strong>.</li>
<li>Are you a die-hard Democrat like me? Do you need a good laugh? Watch "<strong><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiQJ9Xp0xxU">I'm Voting Republican</a></strong>."</li>
<li>I want Charles do make breakfasts <strong><a href="http://www.parenting.com/gallery/mom/Husbands-Food-Art-for-Pregnant-Wife-on-Bed-Rest">like this</a></strong> for me. The Angry Birds one is my favorite. </li>
<li>These <strong><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/entertainment/2010/06/10/vintage-ads-thinking/?test=faces#slide=1">vintage ads</a></strong> are hilarious! What were they thinking?</li>
</ul>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-83878073878553510652010-09-03T00:17:00.002-04:002010-09-03T00:18:46.478-04:00Oh, I Almost Forgot...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWCqzZVobrHQD-mehnrNyNrg1b3U6WYPxAP_TCTr0h1lH58ZEJAU6CdTMwgRCE_EN2k8Clzf-zxNcABQWpabEW2dWxP5cMusxMrEkp7VYUmWK2VROcASEjKMtwwgUQJIcOG873Z_PZE0b/s1600/Locke+and+Key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWCqzZVobrHQD-mehnrNyNrg1b3U6WYPxAP_TCTr0h1lH58ZEJAU6CdTMwgRCE_EN2k8Clzf-zxNcABQWpabEW2dWxP5cMusxMrEkp7VYUmWK2VROcASEjKMtwwgUQJIcOG873Z_PZE0b/s320/Locke+and+Key.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><br />
I've learned that one of my favorite authors, Joe Hill (son of the master, Stephen King), is coming to my television. His comic series "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locke_%26_Key"><strong>Locke & Key</strong></a>" is being turned into a series that will air on FOX. The kicker? Steven Spielberg will be a producer.<br />
<br />
So. Freakin'. Excited.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeyuZEq6XlOxrhyphenhyphenkWJjJw313SL1tVmG2zqofqWvQIWLB4qxtYHY0QMMvzse2iBNwIPhYmeIB4fOHCiZmLki4mDjoKWXrDD5SmxL2HDb_Q2ebci1IAbm-8NHDjdfkkmuSSAw6_xaoZYSzA/s1600/Horns+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeyuZEq6XlOxrhyphenhyphenkWJjJw313SL1tVmG2zqofqWvQIWLB4qxtYHY0QMMvzse2iBNwIPhYmeIB4fOHCiZmLki4mDjoKWXrDD5SmxL2HDb_Q2ebci1IAbm-8NHDjdfkkmuSSAw6_xaoZYSzA/s320/Horns+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />
By the way, Hill's latest novel "<strong><a href="http://joehillfiction.com/?page_id=1300">Horns</a></strong>" was a super-fun read.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-47969428710929350132010-09-02T21:58:00.001-04:002010-09-02T22:00:12.628-04:00Here Comes EarlRiley's school dismissed at 1:00 p.m. today ahead of Earl and is on a three-hour delay for Friday. It's been overcast here all day--increasing clouds and wind as the afternoon progressed. Late this evening, I was amazed to stand outside and watch the clouds above swirl and move almost like I was watching someone hit the "fast-forward" button in the sky. <br />
<br />
Here's a radar image I just captured--the red dot marks our spot--and we're right in the middle of the action right now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2_QelwJplL_8tDT5YW_0e-vJxq8LnncOP0yW3IANP6ygfqAKE7VCHhpK-CSfFWW-3cpiRt2aDAyyuLz3gMaR7Qj4KPv0Q_nqdYF0a1U9Yw_Urlyndp0UO64Pc-QyogyQkRicm8Q8lg6A/s1600/Radar+III.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2_QelwJplL_8tDT5YW_0e-vJxq8LnncOP0yW3IANP6ygfqAKE7VCHhpK-CSfFWW-3cpiRt2aDAyyuLz3gMaR7Qj4KPv0Q_nqdYF0a1U9Yw_Urlyndp0UO64Pc-QyogyQkRicm8Q8lg6A/s320/Radar+III.jpg" /></a></div><br />
One of our usual beach spots, Atlantic Beach, is getting hit with the wind and 12- to 14-foot waves. They are also starting to see the pier deteriorate. A couple of the pylons are coming loose and the whole thing may be gone by morning. <br />
<br />
As of now (9:45 p.m.) the wind is really roaring and the rain has started in earnest. Thankfully, Earl has now been downgraded to a Category 2 with winds at 110 mph. The experts say that the worst will start to hit us around 2:00 a.m., but the worst will be over Friday morning. <br />
<br />
We've "battened down the hatches" and prepared the best we can. I think we'll be just fine!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-33987894682763268192010-08-31T22:23:00.002-04:002010-08-31T22:29:20.978-04:00His Name is Earl and Missing My "Zzzz"Okay, I've found the first disadvantage of living so close to the coast--his name is Earl and he's projected to possibly hit very close to us. We are currently under a hurricane watch and they've issued a mandatory evacuation for Okracoke. Yikes!<br />
<br />
I'll be watching the weather very closely during the next 36 to 48 hours. At the moment, the weather folks are saying things could start to get rough late Thursday into Friday morning.<br />
<br />
In other (boring) news, I discovered today the possible reason for my failing memory, fatigue, general confusion and terrible headaches. My doctor thinks I may be suffering from sleep apnea. He's sending me to a pulmonologist and I will more than likely have to take part in a sleep study. Wonderful.<br />
<br />
Oh, and I've completed my UT pedicure--it's officially the start of college football season! I can't wait!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hpm501PALIHzpi318-anHxr3NAUqJfCgYxOfOQYV5VWAykR7Hm3JIV6491fGMU4XIoxRjAk2_dA9luJ50UxS-ZD5KjbiQBG15j3KH6-0MtGu0MFcDdXNWI9XCcH2-_yK5ysd7qyPK9es/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hpm501PALIHzpi318-anHxr3NAUqJfCgYxOfOQYV5VWAykR7Hm3JIV6491fGMU4XIoxRjAk2_dA9luJ50UxS-ZD5KjbiQBG15j3KH6-0MtGu0MFcDdXNWI9XCcH2-_yK5ysd7qyPK9es/s200/IMG_0910.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-88399505522439838352010-08-24T23:46:00.001-04:002010-08-24T23:49:00.142-04:00Williamsburg, Random Turtle, Bruschi Visits and School StartsWell, it's been a busy month here...we ended July and began August celebrating Charles' birthday in Williamsburg, VA. Neither Charles nor I had been in years and we were excited for Riley to explore the town. Overall, she loved it and we had a good time re-acquainting ourselves with the spots we remembered from earlier visits. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqdbRyideeImb8sLudB0mDBYFAzfjPTjVS3DQ1Q1wDluHZjulf4E5irmUo0jSg0qxDLkAtiKFS5hfdSVUq0bNYKrZR_dPiYLFCCRjDSJD7NA8Q8hd4Fk8BXHk-w3w6dpiWEKrYWBAP3IJ/s1600/IMG_0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqdbRyideeImb8sLudB0mDBYFAzfjPTjVS3DQ1Q1wDluHZjulf4E5irmUo0jSg0qxDLkAtiKFS5hfdSVUq0bNYKrZR_dPiYLFCCRjDSJD7NA8Q8hd4Fk8BXHk-w3w6dpiWEKrYWBAP3IJ/s320/IMG_0822.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy was an amazing story-teller!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvWq8tpKCSizjsXNHnn5xK_Wo86xx54ISlluY1_TgC7zbBWlnIMOabNYsG5YA9W7Lgsn0c4mkuaSFewFzZV_AXYh4ZURfJuMuYHlF-6z0fLZL5Rfr0p76Q90_x9wg3HIS7PPxgta8q4sh/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvWq8tpKCSizjsXNHnn5xK_Wo86xx54ISlluY1_TgC7zbBWlnIMOabNYsG5YA9W7Lgsn0c4mkuaSFewFzZV_AXYh4ZURfJuMuYHlF-6z0fLZL5Rfr0p76Q90_x9wg3HIS7PPxgta8q4sh/s320/IMG_0855.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Governor's Mansion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUNJWIWKjdEm-pDc5K0RU2djGL-3VWhHqOeOJ2WFEh-WczkTzwc5JPg5g2nKxH9MWxNvF6X6Q39wkg5T6Lu8BKPcA0uikkVHF5zVKfASog_7PrwaBDv80QpKzkauqxodmR4KORZaB0575/s1600/IMG_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUNJWIWKjdEm-pDc5K0RU2djGL-3VWhHqOeOJ2WFEh-WczkTzwc5JPg5g2nKxH9MWxNvF6X6Q39wkg5T6Lu8BKPcA0uikkVHF5zVKfASog_7PrwaBDv80QpKzkauqxodmR4KORZaB0575/s320/IMG_0869.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree-covered walkway in the gardens.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While there, we enjoyed a ghost tour. Riley was super-excited and we had a great time listening to the more "modern-day" ghost stories as related by our tour guide. Quite a few of her stories really made you think... <br />
<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/AVvXsEi2-ppUcVvwKvK2KGQLtlf2Rfwsj_UZrHNwsPSjPvRS8zGBu5TdjZNZ4aPFxi3aVl6QLTimoioQJfxoZNKbNiskzvt-AWKO92RH0K8YmVYm_BTEovz0MUktfhgqBIun6v9Jjrdv4jKs07Zk/s1600/IMG_0834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-ppUcVvwKvK2KGQLtlf2Rfwsj_UZrHNwsPSjPvRS8zGBu5TdjZNZ4aPFxi3aVl6QLTimoioQJfxoZNKbNiskzvt-AWKO92RH0K8YmVYm_BTEovz0MUktfhgqBIun6v9Jjrdv4jKs07Zk/s320/IMG_0834.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley listens intently to a ghost story about a young boy and a man said to "reside" in this house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincZs31sLRx80R-F1HVOQ88h7Y87DCl48sa3FOYv0rwbn0l9qH-CD3ff1ExU-HT_OjF4vSzXi8k9ri7Wvz2-OBKyIGnQGy0h8Iz5Nn25XVJjEEf1OBuIqShVsA_D35_1QnkbtiSv35RRv2/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincZs31sLRx80R-F1HVOQ88h7Y87DCl48sa3FOYv0rwbn0l9qH-CD3ff1ExU-HT_OjF4vSzXi8k9ri7Wvz2-OBKyIGnQGy0h8Iz5Nn25XVJjEEf1OBuIqShVsA_D35_1QnkbtiSv35RRv2/s320/IMG_0836.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a picture of this particular window because this is where people have seen a face staring back at them...I guess he was camera-shy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3gnzlhxGZWKcqFcWf8HjkIVg150CydgbkGPQldR0j132TpV1g2rcnQ7wKrXol-a5UCkemFqs_aYldk9067uJIWQ6edJoRgSXe_A5-w9n5ma5-YMt297FypCylFZoYs6kEUavDfh6j1bT/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3gnzlhxGZWKcqFcWf8HjkIVg150CydgbkGPQldR0j132TpV1g2rcnQ7wKrXol-a5UCkemFqs_aYldk9067uJIWQ6edJoRgSXe_A5-w9n5ma5-YMt297FypCylFZoYs6kEUavDfh6j1bT/s320/IMG_0831.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another stop on the tour...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6t2tcjRQlkgHpsfr7DcmSWgdwIdmymnYNYQqthp0OL4mhRR2to4o0vLC2fHI_URcaWkv73uhgqhMlW_9OYZqf4Kc20MXB8lgjNkeP4dXPLK4baPlITrlcys172fU7qs8xL4uYSSKozJl/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG6t2tcjRQlkgHpsfr7DcmSWgdwIdmymnYNYQqthp0OL4mhRR2to4o0vLC2fHI_URcaWkv73uhgqhMlW_9OYZqf4Kc20MXB8lgjNkeP4dXPLK4baPlITrlcys172fU7qs8xL4uYSSKozJl/s400/IMG_0844.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last stop on the ghost tour...and the creepiest story of all!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Riley acted up a bit during our trip, but we took care of that... <br />
<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/AVvXsEi4PjZrFJG41KmyWWwReRPNdxJVKsF5_WJljFM5NE7UM4XbU_gP00n3VF0yCdBPdQ3SiZvgZ9BCCBXLm8PGsIdocvrg9ePA7v36xqBfaWDCX7IE9RIng_itjObV6iqVRH1nawkhU1Yl668J/s1600/IMG_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PjZrFJG41KmyWWwReRPNdxJVKsF5_WJljFM5NE7UM4XbU_gP00n3VF0yCdBPdQ3SiZvgZ9BCCBXLm8PGsIdocvrg9ePA7v36xqBfaWDCX7IE9RIng_itjObV6iqVRH1nawkhU1Yl668J/s400/IMG_0847.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were tempted to leave her there, but realized we'd really miss her...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's been unbelievably hot here with the heat index reaching as much as 109 a couple of weeks ago...even the creatures around us must be searching for a shady place to rest. This guy showed up out of the blue...<br />
<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/AVvXsEgkpQmXZnOm7orirCeqXrLD55x2M4NZOgA0DE2EbzUXpXJ3NTuQDawyLVAvu41ixFgiz-9skUH7sq4WXgk970FJIJWyqU2qg69a1mVItJ3DMkXtScRRCs7MxEs7mZGjKotAU0Fo_efbKlIC/s1600/IMG_0879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpQmXZnOm7orirCeqXrLD55x2M4NZOgA0DE2EbzUXpXJ3NTuQDawyLVAvu41ixFgiz-9skUH7sq4WXgk970FJIJWyqU2qg69a1mVItJ3DMkXtScRRCs7MxEs7mZGjKotAU0Fo_efbKlIC/s400/IMG_0879.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was right at our doorstep, but had trouble reaching the doorbell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We also visited Beaufort a couple of weeks ago for their annual Pirate Invasion. Riley got all dressed up and revelled in the excitement!<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/AVvXsEgNOOrnLUr09FQuN_AhzFGDQpinlIBKrxIUBiqBg67p-yJmRBCPeuzV6TPwmvN1d2TbzJtJM-wS_kSmUsfMvjUzo3uo7ti45U03D7x3JSmfnLvsOyhkOqwxb8eyCugSwK8k5xSlDhxGxfRZ/s1600/Riley+at+Water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOOrnLUr09FQuN_AhzFGDQpinlIBKrxIUBiqBg67p-yJmRBCPeuzV6TPwmvN1d2TbzJtJM-wS_kSmUsfMvjUzo3uo7ti45U03D7x3JSmfnLvsOyhkOqwxb8eyCugSwK8k5xSlDhxGxfRZ/s400/Riley+at+Water.jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfect pirate pose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEjnTmefUyT_NlzmbEDUyJo4rETibCH-SeCXayGd8Zky7iBSZyPRLmnKwB19B1yUIh-fKak7RscEigL6FcIteVmw4OyoIjZAz3QnbBOT4xmGevARWoIY0KoUcCRxmQF3kE9w7cUR1-Imgqbz/s1600/Riley+at+Costume+Contest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTmefUyT_NlzmbEDUyJo4rETibCH-SeCXayGd8Zky7iBSZyPRLmnKwB19B1yUIh-fKak7RscEigL6FcIteVmw4OyoIjZAz3QnbBOT4xmGevARWoIY0KoUcCRxmQF3kE9w7cUR1-Imgqbz/s400/Riley+at+Costume+Contest.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking part in the costume contest...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEidcLJLjeQQIcik3yuo5j0AJIHzpobsaSyV-TejnK0sEqt7lHDPBlQ_HEwUKlnN2Tlmk-5-7VUXMSg0Xx0ur8vzxIh4UVuRbK202KVKOTzmCdPLlMFXNYtLtJP4TIo1HpZBsEnNVRvSerT-/s1600/Riley+and+Pirate+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcLJLjeQQIcik3yuo5j0AJIHzpobsaSyV-TejnK0sEqt7lHDPBlQ_HEwUKlnN2Tlmk-5-7VUXMSg0Xx0ur8vzxIh4UVuRbK202KVKOTzmCdPLlMFXNYtLtJP4TIo1HpZBsEnNVRvSerT-/s400/Riley+and+Pirate+Friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting up with a couple of her old friends...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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/AVvXsEhGBq1BV7L1NAvDwyyKloO1ilolsRRujx8Ssb-lKMmO6a0sy9Z7C8oAiPbWfHab_2JnjfHinBo281uYbbw1ld9_ijBPCvFufVXbUAkgQ9d4J7OAYIdd-QTm1ec8m3nCHLsRjBXghp59jMxx/s1600/Blackbeard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGBq1BV7L1NAvDwyyKloO1ilolsRRujx8Ssb-lKMmO6a0sy9Z7C8oAiPbWfHab_2JnjfHinBo281uYbbw1ld9_ijBPCvFufVXbUAkgQ9d4J7OAYIdd-QTm1ec8m3nCHLsRjBXghp59jMxx/s400/Blackbeard.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Highlight of the day: Lunch with Blackbeard!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
As I've mentioned before, our neighbors' dog Bruschi is Riley's best friend. Last week, Mark dropped by and asked if we could babysit for the afternoon--of course, I (mostly Riley) said yes. He was very well behaved, but really wanted to play with Bailey. Bailey just wanted to hiss, growl and smack Bruschi on the nose. You'd think Bailey would find a nice, quiet spot during Bruschi's three-hour visit, but no one has ever accused Bailey of being the smartest of cats. He'd stroll right by the dog and the whole "let's play/no, let's hiss and smack" scene would start up all over again... <br />
<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/AVvXsEhrivmrz2AlnJWQl2kCc8H22Q6bqqVZBQyMat-7pOpqM4xr4D9bBMGACXVNiaR2aBEUQV9nu0ITpBwVhQwvnOhHXFb8QCRJh8Mb5J5sMcEZHMaPsebOtknJ5aqdKTkR_eJL7RpT9uoh1XGq/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrivmrz2AlnJWQl2kCc8H22Q6bqqVZBQyMat-7pOpqM4xr4D9bBMGACXVNiaR2aBEUQV9nu0ITpBwVhQwvnOhHXFb8QCRJh8Mb5J5sMcEZHMaPsebOtknJ5aqdKTkR_eJL7RpT9uoh1XGq/s400/IMG_0891.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look deep into my puppy-dog eyes...you know you can't resist...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last weekend we made the short drive to Emerald Isle--it's one of the nearby beaches we had not yet visited. I think it's now our new favorite beach...very quiet, great sand, good shells and not very crowded! <br />
<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/AVvXsEiYJQze_7V7TsEK3AyA5Gbp_AdFDOgIBXfZlUq6kGhlJSep7zhYysmqf_MT1QN8PO42KmjXeYfjLgu3d22UvTFDcwcU92ciY5jCbqdJ8dkABO2DcnVklgtPGa7y2wWlSYJVJwlt_EwEaVm8/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJQze_7V7TsEK3AyA5Gbp_AdFDOgIBXfZlUq6kGhlJSep7zhYysmqf_MT1QN8PO42KmjXeYfjLgu3d22UvTFDcwcU92ciY5jCbqdJ8dkABO2DcnVklgtPGa7y2wWlSYJVJwlt_EwEaVm8/s400/IMG_0893.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where is everybody? Wait, who cares!?!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvAAPK79sFHnujmiexlRWKNHKqWb9KrppQZDqPV51TdAAOcnE2QYrRy5P9qv-goK_UeVm9fAzTXfwQx4ZBzd5sirb1YEXQp3eGP6MjRPjFOCAanTKYbNYop1xXmcH_OWXP50OISywdczy/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvAAPK79sFHnujmiexlRWKNHKqWb9KrppQZDqPV51TdAAOcnE2QYrRy5P9qv-goK_UeVm9fAzTXfwQx4ZBzd5sirb1YEXQp3eGP6MjRPjFOCAanTKYbNYop1xXmcH_OWXP50OISywdczy/s400/IMG_0892.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unobstructed view of the ocean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI2TAvvZXV1dRdvkTJUfoDXWWI49EO5PsTvdbB6hA-0s3k2Vj8srseS-53mOmoZMDUEn3DYxs49ESSa5PdvOJ8k7RxK8xK_tDI6AU90VJcpY_TMPYkBieNfscZnmMlJnsHcy3Z_Cg_dzA/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHI2TAvvZXV1dRdvkTJUfoDXWWI49EO5PsTvdbB6hA-0s3k2Vj8srseS-53mOmoZMDUEn3DYxs49ESSa5PdvOJ8k7RxK8xK_tDI6AU90VJcpY_TMPYkBieNfscZnmMlJnsHcy3Z_Cg_dzA/s400/IMG_0894.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley digging holes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Oh, and kids, don't trust that your SPF 30 lotion and sitting in the shade will prevent a sunburn. It won't--especially for those of us so incredibly pale that we actually glow in the dark. Here's the proof... <br />
<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/AVvXsEiY3RQypczmUuYQsYsxZTx4J1QjErsK0N_3ae6jl1Cblb1l_wfm_VUX_j_6ELETqPW81uBDyeORNqyHLPcj82Vy8Od16uX3ZFkgDfmBIJ0t0B6Ti4u_1IwshxDXbAw0KLyOKtD21XBgPl-c/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3RQypczmUuYQsYsxZTx4J1QjErsK0N_3ae6jl1Cblb1l_wfm_VUX_j_6ELETqPW81uBDyeORNqyHLPcj82Vy8Od16uX3ZFkgDfmBIJ0t0B6Ti4u_1IwshxDXbAw0KLyOKtD21XBgPl-c/s400/IMG_0898.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One word: Ouch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We stopped at a few shops on our way home from Emerald Isle and while at one very cheesy surf shop I spied this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPoRr8e1VLHIAYI_3xkVO-eD5uqpmTRGWx8ZoLYVnViabvxBj0p5ngibaN1RY9hO4Rve3j9KNi6kcZpKYxMOTzuCS32B1SbjFHxcn9U7dbTE0m8C3-7UU4Fg3_IPvvdfD4aZ9BsT0P4AS/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPoRr8e1VLHIAYI_3xkVO-eD5uqpmTRGWx8ZoLYVnViabvxBj0p5ngibaN1RY9hO4Rve3j9KNi6kcZpKYxMOTzuCS32B1SbjFHxcn9U7dbTE0m8C3-7UU4Fg3_IPvvdfD4aZ9BsT0P4AS/s400/IMG_0896.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want this so badly--I can't even put it into words.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you didn't know, I have this thing for VW buses. This was obviously made with me in mind. Hello! UT colors!<br />
<a name='more'></a>Tonight we went to an open house at <strong><a href="http://teacherweb.craven.k12.nc.us/CES/">Riley's new school</a></strong>. We located her classroom and brought in all her supplies to place in her desk. We met her teacher, Mrs. Cook, and got a chance to scope out the room before the big day tomorrow. She's sooooo excited, but I'm a tad nervous. She's going from a Montessori school with a total of 80 students to a public elementary school with nearly 500 students! <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/AVvXsEgeSDx0QvbA6_u3wKC_rqXungdGE1P3ZK8Bo6W8ohVMKc_KvzTn2V6sQfDJwUDwRP7Ejn9i81GQkVjRWFqyiHfue_jYlqqSWk6a0wHzCqg0sRpdV2a-NyWcU8jJwU_5TgEHeohKcP7asT_v/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeSDx0QvbA6_u3wKC_rqXungdGE1P3ZK8Bo6W8ohVMKc_KvzTn2V6sQfDJwUDwRP7Ejn9i81GQkVjRWFqyiHfue_jYlqqSWk6a0wHzCqg0sRpdV2a-NyWcU8jJwU_5TgEHeohKcP7asT_v/s400/IMG_0901.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think she's found her favorite classroom feature...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHM0SKqgUm6WAsrxvcxTSdKuzIAWAoyl4_lG2rYFiPQX7GS19GkdyMlO7LmwSUcb9FI_IkWqTFRvRnggPg8VAlFnK5lvzxPJTJdpJL3xXiLi0XyNKpe5ldHjjM5iJN_jWd7j3Ak1I3MDJ/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHM0SKqgUm6WAsrxvcxTSdKuzIAWAoyl4_lG2rYFiPQX7GS19GkdyMlO7LmwSUcb9FI_IkWqTFRvRnggPg8VAlFnK5lvzxPJTJdpJL3xXiLi0XyNKpe5ldHjjM5iJN_jWd7j3Ak1I3MDJ/s400/IMG_0904.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riley checking out her new desk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>She's already picked out her outfit for the first day of school--a Yoda t-shirt, shorts and her new tennis shoes. That's my "girl!"<br />
<br />
Earlier this week Riley enlightened us with deep thoughts: 1) "Dad, I don't dream, I just see my thoughts." and 2) "Why can't you feel air?"<br />
<br />
Okay, I end with recent random items:<br />
<div></div><ul><li>A stunning photograph--the <a href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100823.html"><strong>shadow of the Milky Way</strong></a>!</li>
<li>I so need <a href="http://www.soberinanightclub.com/2010/08/i-need-one-of-these-tees.html"><strong>one of these tees</strong></a>, but I'm afraid to wear them in this "red" state.</li>
<li>What do you do with your old pencils? Can you turn them into <a href="http://kronikle.kidrobot.com/pencil-tip-micro-sculptures-by-dalton-ghetti/"><strong>incredible "micro-art</strong></a>?"</li>
<li>Who would survive the <a href="http://punditkitchen.com/2010/08/23/political-pictures-zombie-apocalypse/"><strong>zombie apocalypse</strong></a>? Not her, of course!</li>
</ul>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-85483849313900363492010-07-13T22:08:00.013-04:002010-07-13T23:05:02.912-04:00We're Alive, Damn Those Cookies, 14 Years and Random LinksOkay, I know I've been slacking when it comes to this blog, but I'm not even sure anyone ever reads this thing anyway! Yes, we're all still alive and happy. In fact, Charles and I just celebrated our 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> anniversary last week. I guess Father Smokey was right about us! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Anyhoo</span>...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN_zerwdGFGy9JB3Jwz6bJR5Jp0YDRFLIOUgww8tI59uuOQ3AcEwf0x3mZODwG1jgb7Tcm8l4pQKSTwHSld_xPHSqAtQZSROso2UBRvjhVLL6qV5Xk4HAzUDzjPpH__bP6FiAadTeIc2d/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493578489911521698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnN_zerwdGFGy9JB3Jwz6bJR5Jp0YDRFLIOUgww8tI59uuOQ3AcEwf0x3mZODwG1jgb7Tcm8l4pQKSTwHSld_xPHSqAtQZSROso2UBRvjhVLL6qV5Xk4HAzUDzjPpH__bP6FiAadTeIc2d/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We've finally settled into the new house. Things are going well, but with the open design of this house, we're finding it hard to find the perfect spot for a few large pieces of furniture. Not to worry, though--my Mom is coming in a couple of weeks and she can work her magic on organizing the entire house.<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibvQec6X47jamuUy6472GqAieu9IP6uUYWn8UAj79_E_clx9BzKHDMeqdXGZWZCI51QF03ymeatQDRkOTTw2mYFwn-jqGL24J-TJxEtMN1E2nH1KLzgMvVz3I9oGv6P9H26MGnrsEYIXN/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493579260362089986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibvQec6X47jamuUy6472GqAieu9IP6uUYWn8UAj79_E_clx9BzKHDMeqdXGZWZCI51QF03ymeatQDRkOTTw2mYFwn-jqGL24J-TJxEtMN1E2nH1KLzgMvVz3I9oGv6P9H26MGnrsEYIXN/s400/IMG_0777.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWCt_bFA7Ckoc65-FCG-Xgx8J_5_vfHpMaEbzFwWrINLDDsiNwAh-EKi_nYJUmRgR60yWBH9Iy6jVMURQBQY7ojKjsUlXNrgPsUwoRMg9ODU7Ej1ybCvofDHXKM4xrVRnu9OEd5nRafBq/s1600/IMG_0779.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493579274146267298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWCt_bFA7Ckoc65-FCG-Xgx8J_5_vfHpMaEbzFwWrINLDDsiNwAh-EKi_nYJUmRgR60yWBH9Iy6jVMURQBQY7ojKjsUlXNrgPsUwoRMg9ODU7Ej1ybCvofDHXKM4xrVRnu9OEd5nRafBq/s400/IMG_0779.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />We really have no yard to speak of, but we're getting used to that--Riley can at least still ride her four-wheeler around the back yard, she just can't go very far!<br /></div><div><br />I'm still working from home and I got a bit of a promotion recently--our company acquired a competing magazine and I'm now the editor for that Web site as well. I'm extremely busy, which means that Riley must find ways to entertain herself...<br /><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPl8nMe5UCjqIpdxA-c4KwWb5Cx2BkwRkdsaZ0ywKOJhSdb0UTuwhzohJ4EKDXs2GKCeatUNe6FaUPrSMXXA25x45mL204qCy5om6whq7ezJ8qo4GCxykRHNI-F7VHRr0AxMgTAv81XZm/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493581144938389538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPl8nMe5UCjqIpdxA-c4KwWb5Cx2BkwRkdsaZ0ywKOJhSdb0UTuwhzohJ4EKDXs2GKCeatUNe6FaUPrSMXXA25x45mL204qCy5om6whq7ezJ8qo4GCxykRHNI-F7VHRr0AxMgTAv81XZm/s400/IMG_0711.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />We also get some cool catalogs and magazine thanks to the Marine pilot and his wife who used to live here. Charles ordered a few new goodies and here's the result.<br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6v-7LJX0EQDNqZq_3lD4EwKG7aFShYGXtvZ-_PVNYfUYp1dWBVVRSfDaO-o2UYk14NJ4PXQs8LU9aPf4Dfht0M06L2gGkUPsSQ8EMhsi57tI2zPUG6rx9vfhjryMTXq62MEOxoCWWM1G/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493581852547844706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6v-7LJX0EQDNqZq_3lD4EwKG7aFShYGXtvZ-_PVNYfUYp1dWBVVRSfDaO-o2UYk14NJ4PXQs8LU9aPf4Dfht0M06L2gGkUPsSQ8EMhsi57tI2zPUG6rx9vfhjryMTXq62MEOxoCWWM1G/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyyMOIW1e7TCiyVAm4k1Ec_5X7JBP3D7nCSRyf0BVL9en9OnLoppwwWyup3fSSnbkC_5HBBE17OfvLpuiKJmfuQlPsu9zrVav88EsYAsUmRruyKasKBIUoq_YQgoJOkqBUK_eea8sqY__/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493582062126285490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyyMOIW1e7TCiyVAm4k1Ec_5X7JBP3D7nCSRyf0BVL9en9OnLoppwwWyup3fSSnbkC_5HBBE17OfvLpuiKJmfuQlPsu9zrVav88EsYAsUmRruyKasKBIUoq_YQgoJOkqBUK_eea8sqY__/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Let me tell you, those cookies were a b!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tch</span> to decorate...they looked nothing like the picture on the box of cookie presses. The folks at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Willliams</span> & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sonoma</span> must have some major artists working there--that, or they are really great at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Photoshop</span>!<br /></div><div><br />We also found a massive moth in the garage a few weeks ago...<br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewdqht0ePavMqVAsTyj2DpT97oJooTSnJE9SDJ7TJvk6gfIOAZFdVlQg71-nkIhKRnTiJ8C4O29SSUKMRDIYYdq42McBHv2E7JZrtJCnqxV2UvYGyk4T6lwHQY16QJmkyEZPl4ZjDj-7B/s1600/IMG_0702.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493583086499816898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewdqht0ePavMqVAsTyj2DpT97oJooTSnJE9SDJ7TJvk6gfIOAZFdVlQg71-nkIhKRnTiJ8C4O29SSUKMRDIYYdq42McBHv2E7JZrtJCnqxV2UvYGyk4T6lwHQY16QJmkyEZPl4ZjDj-7B/s400/IMG_0702.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Doug told me that it's a Green <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingidae"><strong>Sphinx moth</strong></a>--way cool.<br /></div><br />We've also been visiting the beach quite a bit--easy to do when <a href="http://www.atlanticbeach-nc.com/"><strong>Atlantic Beach</strong></a> is only a 30-minute drive from our house. If you get there early enough in the day, you can practically park at the ocean...<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fRa7V09miE-sAFKsd3mhaicMNX9Iea856UtljjvivMQ6c_zPeiFKWJyaDWErXISRSz9ndUMFkvuMDYPFAnXEi7fViVLagjFywFaDxYnXskF10PZxIoUxhnlAj7xTJA1v8ZCB4Rl7RppL/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493584496931556594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fRa7V09miE-sAFKsd3mhaicMNX9Iea856UtljjvivMQ6c_zPeiFKWJyaDWErXISRSz9ndUMFkvuMDYPFAnXEi7fViVLagjFywFaDxYnXskF10PZxIoUxhnlAj7xTJA1v8ZCB4Rl7RppL/s400/IMG_0726.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />We always have a good time and find tons of great shells. Riley enjoys it when Charles buries her in the sand.<br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPt8vM3ykTD7Ktcy1GvWaHBC5hYOcHrrI43-gB0uLxI5uEhlXJtB9ca342SN42waoNtgF-tyXrF-rldPvVXi5XSifunyMG8uJZkGEKVu6j7VbHUKZzKjXz2XfFkpLzuiLbghOvUWgm6FL/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493585073892039202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPt8vM3ykTD7Ktcy1GvWaHBC5hYOcHrrI43-gB0uLxI5uEhlXJtB9ca342SN42waoNtgF-tyXrF-rldPvVXi5XSifunyMG8uJZkGEKVu6j7VbHUKZzKjXz2XfFkpLzuiLbghOvUWgm6FL/s400/IMG_0728.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />I'll leave you with some pictures of one of the most beautiful churches I've ever seen--and it's even one of the town's Episcopal churches!! This place is all kinds of cool...<br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzbu9MuwY4Fsu8cwZpfKN_TGz0HrAivahVqM0aEqHOLOXe3cl2oQbEEULjn1sopTEEqmAIxxKZpUxavpaZaXZHNtZN4TxdqB79IS32Io1fnP_DJSmaqFp1Gc-1U3XNyiBg4MTZiggL9ZI/s1600/IMG_0774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493585632881777074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzbu9MuwY4Fsu8cwZpfKN_TGz0HrAivahVqM0aEqHOLOXe3cl2oQbEEULjn1sopTEEqmAIxxKZpUxavpaZaXZHNtZN4TxdqB79IS32Io1fnP_DJSmaqFp1Gc-1U3XNyiBg4MTZiggL9ZI/s400/IMG_0774.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsRzCvJrK_LUWpGM9bqb9ZuMQJ-qi_3_8_L-9FYS73OI88J9zfpzUPq8ujis-ue05G27txNqwPj5kLAAtddYLDym-R3pFbNuY2-vrlsncnhavtroO0ObBunZLG6jauaDd4qcN7jD-2Kok/s1600/IMG_0773.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493585883648071106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsRzCvJrK_LUWpGM9bqb9ZuMQJ-qi_3_8_L-9FYS73OI88J9zfpzUPq8ujis-ue05G27txNqwPj5kLAAtddYLDym-R3pFbNuY2-vrlsncnhavtroO0ObBunZLG6jauaDd4qcN7jD-2Kok/s400/IMG_0773.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br />Isn't it beautiful? The entire town is full of buildings, churches and historic spots just like this. It seems as though there's a historical marker every 200 feet in <a href="http://www.ci.new-bern.nc.us/"><strong>this town</strong></a>--Charles is in heaven.<br /><div><br />Plus, we're just 15 miles from the <a href="http://www.marines.mil/unit/mcascherrypoint/Pages/default.aspx"><strong>Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point</strong></a> so he gets to see tons of awesome helicopters and jets. In fact, our next-door neighbors are flight <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">surgeons</span> at Cherry Point--they are very cool people with a nine-month-old lab, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bruschi</span> (named after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Tedy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bruschi</span>). He and Riley have become fast friends--even though he barks like mad at her four-wheeler. He must think it's some kind of monster!<br /></div><p>Okay, I really need to wrap this up, but I end with the following random issues: </p><ul><li>Now that I have my new iPhone4, I might need to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/07/13/iphone.4.duct.tape/index.html?hpt=C2"><strong>apply duct tape</strong></a>? Are you kidding me? </li><li>I want a baby sea otter. In fact, I want <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1142479137675&ref=mf"><strong>this one</strong></a>. </li><li>One of <a href="http://www.hulu.com/watch/113207/saturday-night-live-digital-short-shy-ronnie#s-p3-sr-i2"><strong>my favorite <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">SNL</span> skits</strong></a> was nominated for an Emmy. Speak up! </li><li>In honor of my designer friends, I give you: <a href="http://jezebel.com/5582562/clueless-secretary-makes-for-hilarious-office-email-thread"><strong>Clueless Secretary Prompts Hilarious Office E-Mail Thread</strong></a>. </li><li>For the Star Wars fans: <a href="http://epicwinftw.com/2010/07/07/awesome-video-it-was-a-busy-day/"><strong>At-At Day Afternoon</strong></a>. Priceless! </li><li>Forget "Thug Life." We're <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">livin</span>' the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZa7hU6tP_s"><strong>Dad Life</strong></a>."</li></ul></div></div></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-59073692875665348722010-05-04T23:55:00.005-04:002010-07-14T14:37:41.481-04:00Three Words: Sold, Packing, ExcitementOkay, where to begin? It's been quite a while, but I have plenty of news to share.<br />
<br />
Charles has been gone now for two months and that time has been very hard for all of us. We've gone to New Bern to visit (a whole week in April) and he's flown down here to visit us a couple of times, which makes all this a bit easier to handle. The good news is that the "count-down" is on and things are going to change completely near the end of May!<br />
<br />
The house is sold! I thought it would take months, but we only had it on the market for a little over three weeks before someone put a contract on it. We closed on April 29th and are now "renting" the house back from the buyer for the remainder of May so that Riley can finish up the school year.<br />
<br />
School ends on May 21st and we are making our big move on May 23rd. We cannot wait! A PODS unit will arive on the 20th and we'll frantically pack all weekend and make the final drive to New Bern that Sunday. We'll then stay in Charles in his apartment for a week (unfortunately, the cats will have to be in a kennel those days) until we can move into our rental house on June 1st.<br />
<br />
The rental is very nice and in the subdivision we'd like to buy a house in. The owners are military (of course) and he's a pilot being temporarily transferred to Washington state for the next two or three years. They've done amazing work on the house and we've promised to take good care of it for them while we are there. Best of all? The house is maybe three miles from Riley's new school--one of the best in the area. I so won't miss the 45 minute drive (twice a day) to her school now.<br />
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We still have plenty of packing to do, but I don't mind--all the extra activity just means we're that much closer to being together as a family again!!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-73707340580480863042010-03-21T15:18:00.004-04:002010-07-14T14:38:41.131-04:00Molly & McGee (and, now, Max!)Want to see something really cool? Riley's school has been carefully monitoring <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox#more"><strong><span style="color: #ffcc00;">The Owl Box</span></strong></a>--a Webcam set up by a family in California. The camera is inside an owl box and I just watched the first little owl come out of it's shell just a few moments ago! It's not too late to check in though--Molly the owl still has four eggs left to hatch.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-9170786586633291252010-02-18T12:35:00.005-05:002010-07-14T14:39:02.913-04:00Moving On<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IZlfSQvR9K5DazAWIbp4gqE3nGidmg3THVkJcKloZu0ojGmImsxf9n48ggbEhagbh27EPMAdXFqrd5RpreZs7El8hyJjt4T2H4Ih0H2RrEmoPddspL4C3Vcxq4WAfibM8j8-KVoAu-aq/s1600-h/new+bern.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439640793646743810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IZlfSQvR9K5DazAWIbp4gqE3nGidmg3THVkJcKloZu0ojGmImsxf9n48ggbEhagbh27EPMAdXFqrd5RpreZs7El8hyJjt4T2H4Ih0H2RrEmoPddspL4C3Vcxq4WAfibM8j8-KVoAu-aq/s400/new+bern.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 263px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 264px;" /></a><br />
<div>Exciting news this week: We're moving to New Bern, North Carolina! Charles just accepted a job offer at a law firm there and starts his new position on March 8. Riley and I will hang out here until the school year is finished and join him as soon as we can.<br />
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Unfortunately, we desperately need to sell our house--not an easy feat during these iffy economic times. We've found plenty of good options in New Bern, but we really need to sell the house we're in now! We need all the luck we can get.<br />
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We spent Sunday through Wednesday in New Bern, touring the area and looking at houses. It's a great area and only a 30-minute drive from the beach--a big plus for Riley. The downtown area is so neat--buildings, churches, etc. are 100 to 200 years old...amazing.<br />
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We're excited overall, but I'm a bit terrified of how much needs to be done in such a short amount of time--send positive thoughts my way!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-91379213926635721062010-01-31T01:09:00.005-05:002010-07-14T14:39:54.446-04:00Not a Good Day...<span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm feeling really depressed. Had a terrible afternoon which ended with my one-and-only aunt calling me "trash" and telling me to "go gain 20 more pounds, leave Riley motherless" because, as she texted, "its all about food and you." She then told me to "call your Mom and cry." All because I wouldn't jump in my car, drive an hour south and check on some friend of hers she hasn't heard from in two weeks.<br />
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Things have got to get better soon. Hopefully, good news is just around the corner and we, as a family, can make a fresh start! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, please.</span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-60541574305085573882010-01-08T12:15:00.006-05:002010-01-08T12:20:06.074-05:00Happy Birthday to Me...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0pRjmfzkSahi2KMB5THX05R3A-_GeEAKhhwp5pQHDdmtdIJbriEeFbp50I3FSmcrFv8jKfVpNyB3tsdMMvdWHGjgtRC0-8a4xBgD_BV9LPbosGEnPHpy6DTg-wmKC4ekXkTNPNKAP1hp/s1600-h/Birthday+Desk.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424419089908661138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0pRjmfzkSahi2KMB5THX05R3A-_GeEAKhhwp5pQHDdmtdIJbriEeFbp50I3FSmcrFv8jKfVpNyB3tsdMMvdWHGjgtRC0-8a4xBgD_BV9LPbosGEnPHpy6DTg-wmKC4ekXkTNPNKAP1hp/s400/Birthday+Desk.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I woke up to this lovely decorating job from Charles and Riley this morning! They decided to decorate the space where I spend most of my days--my "home office" in the corner of the living room.<br /><br />It's also a snow day here in Atlanta. Riley's out of school and the roads are incredibly icy. Our temperature is currently 16 degrees with a wind chill of 2 degrees...brrrr!</span>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-12367620516799168102009-12-24T22:55:00.007-05:002010-01-08T12:20:23.936-05:00This is CNN<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I feel so cool. I got a shout-out on CNN this week from the man himself, Tony Harris. Now, if I could only win a Beat 360 t-shirt, I'd be in heaven! </span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwNlef0rhUieJ_Wcfiy1F6ecU9DjDufnFt15nDGyCt1EjhdFMhq1aC9RMsYILDrABzFK_3WGC_MxxKa9hhy-w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-85688187815862000052009-12-05T21:18:00.004-05:002009-12-05T21:51:19.149-05:00An Early Birthday<span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;">We had an early birthday party for Riley today at </span><a href="http://www1.jump4joey.com/"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ffcc66;">Jump 4 Joey</span></strong></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> so that would not interfere with the holidays--many of her friends from school were able to come. They had a blast!!<br /><br />She had pizza, lemonade, an ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery (devil's food cake with chocolate ice cream mixed with Kit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kats</span>) and I made "magic wands" (pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with colored sugar) to go with her Harry Potter cake.<br /><br />Our friend George took a couple of videos:</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzWGiIGUoB0lyOlpLKcjtMBZMF6U3Vggws2hjvpLUzXEP4h-jhBIqwhSbHbazRNWd0OA0dOitqLHONgZu4NrA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Alex, Riley and Paul in the birthday chair.</p><p></p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyBr_tc_zV25u2MYuTlWVfAQ3PoEqI4zXZNKbES-TlWTxeZEdCezqndMbps7XyO0sqH1dNQtBcsLAGm-cxYdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Riley really focusing on blowing out the candles...</p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Charles took quite a few pictures and I'll upload them later.</span></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-33326414352616667902009-11-05T00:29:00.002-05:002009-11-05T00:33:52.003-05:00The Excitement is Killing Me!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gIziZyRSyjkRI-inVLfVv4S27nc3Um1X0GZwUg9pBhB0TB5wtgZlU35qeHZYys4W6DgFfdTkAQu661ZRTy537c5rwL1uwK2rZRR4AamhxgMBuS6KevauNO5lqcxWYonYdBMdVMQ4iwtj/s1600-h/Dome.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400488436287643762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gIziZyRSyjkRI-inVLfVv4S27nc3Um1X0GZwUg9pBhB0TB5wtgZlU35qeHZYys4W6DgFfdTkAQu661ZRTy537c5rwL1uwK2rZRR4AamhxgMBuS6KevauNO5lqcxWYonYdBMdVMQ4iwtj/s400/Dome.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I'm very excited--only five more days until the release of <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Dome-Novel-Stephen-King/dp/1439148503/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257398871&sr=8-1"><span style="color:#ffcc99;"><strong>Under the Dome</strong></span></a></em>, the latest from Stephen King!! I feel like Christmas is coming early...<br /><br /></span></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-21565338279846498962009-11-01T21:28:00.011-05:002009-11-01T21:52:49.961-05:00Check Ya Later, Halloween!<div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Well, another Halloween has come and gone. Riley had a full day on Saturday: Karate, a birthday party and then Trick-or-Treating with her cousin Ann.<br /><br />The birthday party was for her school-friend, Abby, and featured a fun carnival theme. Unfortunately, the weather was quite cool and misty the entire time, but the kids didn't mind a bit. Most of the parents huddled by a fire pit to keep ourselves nice and warm. </span><br /></span><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeyN2DLfzO6Nnri2a0UqJmLb1OynCtzsVInQUT7g1HY6rKVpcbmX5z9_A9WKgJ7ugP-QfgDfUpwgydvePLotm7kyTnFmCx1SiG2QbyGLIm3-RTqEWb6wWsSZx730WaUHu2jug0Yr683ni/s1600-h/IMG_0551.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399330458475851746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeyN2DLfzO6Nnri2a0UqJmLb1OynCtzsVInQUT7g1HY6rKVpcbmX5z9_A9WKgJ7ugP-QfgDfUpwgydvePLotm7kyTnFmCx1SiG2QbyGLIm3-RTqEWb6wWsSZx730WaUHu2jug0Yr683ni/s400/IMG_0551.JPG" border="0" /></a> <p align="center"><br /><align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Riley and Paul on the swings.<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FzFaGDkEfCJqe89vdtaQAtMTQWSEN2F6sJ3_qT1_cf72GT59MG5W8CL-qIIqhNMI8k58w5SClAam0M__a02fxvbaiA_6-F2B6J4mmq3rEX8bSgu_ydq55optEYuqu_yhfjRy0qSwpBvH/s1600-h/IMG_0554.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399328654292967346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FzFaGDkEfCJqe89vdtaQAtMTQWSEN2F6sJ3_qT1_cf72GT59MG5W8CL-qIIqhNMI8k58w5SClAam0M__a02fxvbaiA_6-F2B6J4mmq3rEX8bSgu_ydq55optEYuqu_yhfjRy0qSwpBvH/s400/IMG_0554.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Paul, Riley and Alex wating on cupcakes.<br /></span><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399329233247380482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwrkP9GCw6bS5PAjQtC9kdFFCn0P8wNaozLPq9QB58mMdatas4Q9Xey-cos0XIdzL2umKP3NxXWQ7F0ZEJiWnzRIGRonFRADH6I1zw8IVz9MKA5egPMCmeYfdUgIGWeyUB8IGzkwsw-Z5/s400/IMG_0560.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Riley's cousin, Ann.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsM96zjM3alCjGYpc5k9-ss67XTVkZ9PCneThKjsT8yY0DZgCpC_whO5xCPUZg2FQkpu7eoqe8UPycKMqAC-pa2_o2rv5PB8jHDvD4h8-5W2Yios-z2u6sVcWuVTHLxDi4Lnz05MEi_w2/s1600-h/IMG_0562.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399329664474353234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsM96zjM3alCjGYpc5k9-ss67XTVkZ9PCneThKjsT8yY0DZgCpC_whO5xCPUZg2FQkpu7eoqe8UPycKMqAC-pa2_o2rv5PB8jHDvD4h8-5W2Yios-z2u6sVcWuVTHLxDi4Lnz05MEi_w2/s400/IMG_0562.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Riley and Ann help Grandma prepare their supper.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx7MvjDIJDE2lc-UjSo3PF5QklreM00YrC7tnDeIlCOChZXkoEz1SSJZRDSCsmMB2If0LyQKHCgPabT4gJnIp_reR1FGNMAytvsDmV7lSDitP0UBU-NoZjQCNMKogzbzFy_cnKlC1n9Dg/s1600-h/IMG_0565.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399330982338623378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOx7MvjDIJDE2lc-UjSo3PF5QklreM00YrC7tnDeIlCOChZXkoEz1SSJZRDSCsmMB2If0LyQKHCgPabT4gJnIp_reR1FGNMAytvsDmV7lSDitP0UBU-NoZjQCNMKogzbzFy_cnKlC1n9Dg/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Grandma & Papa's dog, Snowy.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWCqXpTehlhImHtL8OMrVadBPu-k-Qt5Uh90E2a66MVHP-0N07NMqiakhEt4fCT0JIkWsTR5nPj6Vp21daVV-MX0NwjsYPMQi7WgCGdzLyLs5YznkLNtKm5FoeySZ4IX5Hy51KV2F5g1d/s1600-h/IMG_0567.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399331449669088850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWCqXpTehlhImHtL8OMrVadBPu-k-Qt5Uh90E2a66MVHP-0N07NMqiakhEt4fCT0JIkWsTR5nPj6Vp21daVV-MX0NwjsYPMQi7WgCGdzLyLs5YznkLNtKm5FoeySZ4IX5Hy51KV2F5g1d/s400/IMG_0567.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">One very cute skeleton and an<br />adorable Minnie Mouse!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Halloween was a long, full day, but we all had a wonderful time. Riley's already planning next year's costume. Right now, it's a werewolf, but last night it was a zombie. I'm sure she'll change her mind hundreds of times between now and next October--that's the beauty of being a kid!</span><br /></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-51211805655764943222009-10-26T22:50:00.012-04:002009-10-26T23:15:46.298-04:00I'm Having Flashbacks to "It"<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">So, we finally got our pumpkin and decided to carve it on Sunday. I pulled out all my pattern books so we could choose a design. I recently bought "decades"-themed book and was hoping to carve a <a href="http://www.pumpkinmasters.com/pattern_books.asp"><strong><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Pac-Man design</span></strong></a> (from the "Dig Those Decades" book) this year.<br /><br />Unfortunately, with a five-year-old, plans mean nothing! Riley looked through the books and found a design we just <em>had to use</em>. Of course, she picks one that the book calls "challenging." I tear it out and soon realize that the design is way too small for our rather large pumpkin. No problem! I just walk over to the printer/copier and re-size the design. I hit print and nothing happens. No ink. Great.<br /><br />Riley <em>really </em>wants to carve the pumpkin so I have to improvise. I pull out some tracing paper and tape two sheets together so I'll have enough room to increase the size of the design. I had to draw the design myself! I just looked at what I had and tried to double the size just by sight.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">I must say, things turned out pretty well. We transferred the design and began disecting our poor specimen. Riley and I dug out the guts and she and Charles pulled out all the seeds. We roasted them in the oven later--yummy!<br /><br />When I was drawing and carving, I thought the design was just a weird scary face, but--after finshing and lighting it up--I noticed it reminded me of someone else. Pennywise. You know Pennywise, right? The "thing" that dressed up as a demonic clown and terrorized a 1960s town in Maine?<br /><br />Pennywise is the main dude in Stephen King's "It" and pretty much ruined clowns for me--forever. I hate clowns. They creep me out. Now, I have a morbid looking one staring at me each and every time I enter or exit the house!<br /><br />Thanks Mr. King...and thanks to Riley.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClNMyTRiu4erai4Mnlb4ibtOjUcfmg72lSoylHFwsp6uAi1Lfq1MwLTFqlKrYt2X11MVCPapkeLWmkyR-4gEEupw-u0i3Ekhi1bsTNRibSI9wxgP2JolxX-rRK-CMJHUehJtPdHdUJ-5n/s1600-h/2009+Pumpkin.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397109622250241362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClNMyTRiu4erai4Mnlb4ibtOjUcfmg72lSoylHFwsp6uAi1Lfq1MwLTFqlKrYt2X11MVCPapkeLWmkyR-4gEEupw-u0i3Ekhi1bsTNRibSI9wxgP2JolxX-rRK-CMJHUehJtPdHdUJ-5n/s400/2009+Pumpkin.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Think I'm reaching? I don't think so...</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2Lj896eLePJDLupSd3sp0ijLJE0kJVtroFGXF1dxU7dA2RCgEbrnjAGfN4YKlfkMLVETc5MetziyPLa4VzADQTYJ-F5grNhg21ydLBcPcWxhMxS0Eeto1B4uxhOK0DXs5OH-pyozzwEK/s1600-h/It.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397110678099625474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 372px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2Lj896eLePJDLupSd3sp0ijLJE0kJVtroFGXF1dxU7dA2RCgEbrnjAGfN4YKlfkMLVETc5MetziyPLa4VzADQTYJ-F5grNhg21ydLBcPcWxhMxS0Eeto1B4uxhOK0DXs5OH-pyozzwEK/s400/It.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Halloween!<br /></span></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-19968608839037583022009-09-24T11:14:00.012-04:002009-09-24T16:22:15.429-04:00Maybe We Should Buy a Boat...As most of you know, the Atlanta area received rain of biblical proportions this week. Riley was out of school for two days and Charles was unable to get to work during the same period due to hundreds of road closures--including major interstates I-20 and I-285. I read on a local news site that Powder Springs (our little town) got 20.1 inches of rain in just over 24 hours. Incredible!<br /><br />Downtown Powder Springs, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Austell</span> and Hiram were the hardest hit. I found a great <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWVQYJxNBjA"><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">video</span></strong></a> that shows just some of the flooding in the area. We were big news, I saw reporters on The Weather Channel, CNN, Fox, The Today Show and Good Morning America all reporting from our area. I also found a great <a href="http://projects.ajc.com.coxnewsweb.com/gallery/view/metro/ajc-photo-stories092209/"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><strong>photo gallery</strong></span></a> on the AJC's Web site.<br /><br />Here are some pics Charles took on Monday while trying to get Riley to school (she didn't stay long--they got out early due to flooding and the ever-worsening road conditions).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqwGtEP2puT83PZGqrSR6_fFJIB0FVyQjg4k_HviMZp3wGpgI-G2DKG1dk-EO0bPJ7Juq6x6JrL8-kmVgmXZURLZF1n-QmjSefxNrTX8rfy79Yn6TOGpfiAiykpmydm1W-A_DwD_l_jAe/s1600-h/Flooding+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057006098713586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqwGtEP2puT83PZGqrSR6_fFJIB0FVyQjg4k_HviMZp3wGpgI-G2DKG1dk-EO0bPJ7Juq6x6JrL8-kmVgmXZURLZF1n-QmjSefxNrTX8rfy79Yn6TOGpfiAiykpmydm1W-A_DwD_l_jAe/s400/Flooding+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rpo4o7pzp_CqPW1BtSMcivhvlGqzYT02if2V46cWvuwPoH2BRSWTZz6JuqRlLpaPrxhC0-Fwgc1891zZgvKYXZOO7x_NJd_Tx7nqijPfBePFXWTJvM7UoDV5JiQwX1AC4sNQgSO_VPOp/s1600-h/Flooding+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057006895507714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 323px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Rpo4o7pzp_CqPW1BtSMcivhvlGqzYT02if2V46cWvuwPoH2BRSWTZz6JuqRlLpaPrxhC0-Fwgc1891zZgvKYXZOO7x_NJd_Tx7nqijPfBePFXWTJvM7UoDV5JiQwX1AC4sNQgSO_VPOp/s400/Flooding+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBARYhJhcsPsrJZwVzZDl4n0f97Q2fw5Y0BeY_EnaYy2hxD07ew6cpl7_32jhFKYQdlOeqM38wZh6zOkbAKw9GaPEk25z-U3U6UOSOYwXVNowOpxOWpkv38g2xnvfYXq2cMyDIi2cGRjRh/s1600-h/Flooding+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057013802041474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBARYhJhcsPsrJZwVzZDl4n0f97Q2fw5Y0BeY_EnaYy2hxD07ew6cpl7_32jhFKYQdlOeqM38wZh6zOkbAKw9GaPEk25z-U3U6UOSOYwXVNowOpxOWpkv38g2xnvfYXq2cMyDIi2cGRjRh/s400/Flooding+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH-OqAIUUwx6sg5F2xgzYlbBGjHEwt4Z0PkcdZXSxdE6I8hfeqouu0WhEZYZufL0B2mEIbQuTYTlgsrLylLx-x8GpsnZtJVfSN7g4WDKafp5CIJ245xMjs_voRguGPuwwHlG-cmnMEdE1/s1600-h/Flooding+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057673763444738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH-OqAIUUwx6sg5F2xgzYlbBGjHEwt4Z0PkcdZXSxdE6I8hfeqouu0WhEZYZufL0B2mEIbQuTYTlgsrLylLx-x8GpsnZtJVfSN7g4WDKafp5CIJ245xMjs_voRguGPuwwHlG-cmnMEdE1/s400/Flooding+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27udumHgW08QTWnTX5oU3XyJDw8uuUV_l7T-c2uP6RBIoy-vzOy1k1rkj3mHjk5hZo09Gs9ZhC1yjFH1MC2zzRX-xF_getJqot256ayjqV8AVJyrWTVtvZelIKeYfDMWBkUTPJsd0KFFi/s1600-h/Flooding+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057677185447026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 332px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27udumHgW08QTWnTX5oU3XyJDw8uuUV_l7T-c2uP6RBIoy-vzOy1k1rkj3mHjk5hZo09Gs9ZhC1yjFH1MC2zzRX-xF_getJqot256ayjqV8AVJyrWTVtvZelIKeYfDMWBkUTPJsd0KFFi/s400/Flooding+5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmPbA0JL9L_5AT9WZCkoY0aHuC8Mz4HQC0ui7k1Xi_2geQ-nLL9PP46_wViZSqYcdyUDvfxJxNCMsYhbPv7vF3_8ckFcFFm5FUGcSSZs6B8Q_Ootb5LHriakYGM5mQtwYKkx2XmA_Bus-/s1600-h/Flooding+6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057683179366914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 318px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmPbA0JL9L_5AT9WZCkoY0aHuC8Mz4HQC0ui7k1Xi_2geQ-nLL9PP46_wViZSqYcdyUDvfxJxNCMsYhbPv7vF3_8ckFcFFm5FUGcSSZs6B8Q_Ootb5LHriakYGM5mQtwYKkx2XmA_Bus-/s400/Flooding+6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppB3Y163Eh3cbdMTlZ0dmrJw1SYuQMSh4sNQ0yJ8-VpEaouCAysIqBXcdxd1SCa_gArMsRJ7whAne94nBoI59-MYdGtQJFrEO4tMwaxrVVQXCdQCsgfZUO_LheuxMWjKmf18Jxw6TI21v/s1600-h/Flooding+7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057690691055922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 335px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppB3Y163Eh3cbdMTlZ0dmrJw1SYuQMSh4sNQ0yJ8-VpEaouCAysIqBXcdxd1SCa_gArMsRJ7whAne94nBoI59-MYdGtQJFrEO4tMwaxrVVQXCdQCsgfZUO_LheuxMWjKmf18Jxw6TI21v/s400/Flooding+7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VwyDaTf575_IhOVtfjsSEb76Bl8Jlub-ONgFGlwqN4mpl7QnJ7X3WFjfrxB8C1GQimMDU-ILMbHndZTO4n5Ku6LDKGAA7X2QRG7OBia3XEbMk_rzUrXH6vg8WK7cE9gTyc4axVP2N69F/s1600-h/Flooding+8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385057695748632626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VwyDaTf575_IhOVtfjsSEb76Bl8Jlub-ONgFGlwqN4mpl7QnJ7X3WFjfrxB8C1GQimMDU-ILMbHndZTO4n5Ku6LDKGAA7X2QRG7OBia3XEbMk_rzUrXH6vg8WK7cE9gTyc4axVP2N69F/s400/Flooding+8.jpg" border="0" /></a>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-17515824669840951922009-09-09T00:12:00.007-04:002009-09-09T00:16:55.820-04:00She's Ready!<span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;">Riley is definitely ready for Halloween. She already decided her costume and we bought it a few days ago...</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFcGHFJFEohzqZ2NSBTGH65H3T0vyCtyLSPuU8HJQhIk8-Gfptp3RYR7PJJqx3XibZwY6982OlUx2AcI_sog17kd7_BvO4AsNV_K9bc2-fQc8yXRtqRkDXl2bsQxhWjdfk-tYGCB6X46P/s1600-h/Riley-Skeleton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379316275683201618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFcGHFJFEohzqZ2NSBTGH65H3T0vyCtyLSPuU8HJQhIk8-Gfptp3RYR7PJJqx3XibZwY6982OlUx2AcI_sog17kd7_BvO4AsNV_K9bc2-fQc8yXRtqRkDXl2bsQxhWjdfk-tYGCB6X46P/s400/Riley-Skeleton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I think she'll make one cute skel-til-on (Riley speak for "skeleton")!</span></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1912665950533403550.post-92122177649048324102009-08-25T22:52:00.005-04:002009-08-25T23:09:42.672-04:00Who Dresses This Kid? and More Evidence<span style="font-size:130%;">Sunday morning was a bit cool for yardwork, but Riley and Charles headed out to mow the lawn and play anyway. Not long after, Riley comes back inside and tells me she's cold and could I please find her "skeleton" mittens. Odd request, but I get out the basket in the closet filled with all our winter goodies and go on about my business.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Minutes later, I check to see what Riley is up to and this is what she looked like:</span><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49XI9wGmMi35CSBFEkXjZHsVgxCt38aE9nLlkgrMc7ap_Y0OJTKSpir7ACiJBi8c_UzwabfYBiPZJs0BtaHBpUpiB5hF_QVMawoihETvs_68YsfXPigcmEOniQvfypF5iW9aRpatYsqnD/s1600-h/IMG_0512.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374102098432629346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49XI9wGmMi35CSBFEkXjZHsVgxCt38aE9nLlkgrMc7ap_Y0OJTKSpir7ACiJBi8c_UzwabfYBiPZJs0BtaHBpUpiB5hF_QVMawoihETvs_68YsfXPigcmEOniQvfypF5iW9aRpatYsqnD/s400/IMG_0512.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Okay, this is a nice look for her...</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">She cracks me up! Hopefully this phase of wearing only boy clothes will pass--I actually heard a little girl behind us in line at Kohl's the same day tell her Mommy to "look at that little boy's shirt." God help us.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Remember Riley's little <a href="http://areyoudaft.blogspot.com/2009/07/creative-language-and-covert-operations.html"><strong>Houdini act</strong></a> with the candy wrappers a few weeks ago? Well, yesterday we found even more hidden wrappers behind the big screen in her play room downstairs. When I say a "few" more, I actually mean a lot more:</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE7gkVmm1PLNXc4DRhGMQElI89JF5UfT5lWR_sW3AAryPSQa0HUKC1dB2TdHVUPTgLnC7ZFuRthJ9nc70YGsf88Nnpb9iYWrGwlwTx69aMI78iDH_YjEo8P4bP1Q315uzlU1qwX3E7JL5/s1600-h/IMG_0513.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374103176643998530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLE7gkVmm1PLNXc4DRhGMQElI89JF5UfT5lWR_sW3AAryPSQa0HUKC1dB2TdHVUPTgLnC7ZFuRthJ9nc70YGsf88Nnpb9iYWrGwlwTx69aMI78iDH_YjEo8P4bP1Q315uzlU1qwX3E7JL5/s400/IMG_0513.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">How did we not notice all this missing candy???</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I thought it was humourous the first time--this time, not so much. I think I'm going to have to start hiding the candy in really obscure places--or just ask Dad to quit sending so much of it.</span></p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17831279459931006745noreply@blogger.com0