tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86288555498247799332024-03-05T05:22:10.035-05:00AbsolutRachelHere I am, baby. Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger78125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-45281545135451271002011-04-20T01:31:00.000-04:002011-04-20T01:31:52.968-04:00HeavyIf you are looking to read something all sunshiney and full of rainbows, you might want to skip this blog. I'm in a funk, and I am going to funking talk about it :p<br />
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There has been a lot on my mind lately. Lots of things to do, things that I need to get ready to do, things that I should have done already and have not. I'm fine, really, just bogged down with a lot of shit on my mind, and having troubne organizing all that shit and handling it in an effective way, if that makes sense.<br />
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My strange ability to remember birthdays, anniversarys and the like has not been handy this year. It has caused me more grief than good. Seem's like every time I turn around it's been ten years since this happenned, or someone would be having a birthday if they were still alive, an anniversary if they were still together, etc. Sometimes I wish that I could just forget. Maybe that would make it easier to ignore some scars that obviously haven't healed yet. Is there really bliss in ignorance? Probably not. Maybe I need to remember these things in order to remember how blessed I really am. Maybe some scars aren't meant to heal. Who knows. I am young yet, so I will have to get back to you after I've done some more living. At this point, I think there are things that will always be raw with me. I've had manny unexpected things happen in my life, some wonderful, some super shitty, and I think most of them I will never forget completely, even if I was able to forget these dates.<br />
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Another thing running around in my mind lately are thoughts and concerns for a friend whose husband was recently injured in Afganistan. At first when I found out he had been injured, I wasn't sure whether he was alive or not, because I simply saw someones status update on Facebook that read something to the effect of "sending prayer to the familly". It scared the shit out of me. I know my friend does not want to be a widow. She has made that pretty clear. I was thrilled to learn that her husband is alive, and fully cognitive. But my heart aches for her, her husband, and their children. I have never met my friends husband, yet this feels very close to home. I keep thinking about their bright, adorable kids, and hoping that the day when the entire family is at home, together, under one roof, sharing the same walls comes with lightning speed. I know in the end they will all be ok, once they adjust to whatever their new reality may be. I feel selfish even writing about it, when it is not my family that is goiong through hell. I just feel like I need to air it out somewhere, that I hurt for them, that I appreciate the sacrifice her husband and their entire family has made and wish them some glimmer of normalcy soon, and as much laughter as their hearts can hold during this crappy ass time for them.<br />
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And as always, you can add a healthy dose of stress about my hearing on my list of woes. What I wouldn't give to just not have to worry about it at all. To just be able to hear like most people do, and move about my life without having to deal with the bullshit that is caused by my shitty hearing. It is hard not to grow bitter over the way that things shook out regarding my eligibility for a cochlear implant. I deserve one, I feel, and I damn sure need one. I guess I just get a case of the "why me's" every now and then. I know that I am so lucky that things are not worse than they are. This is another area where I feel guilty or selfish expressing how I feel, especially the negative feelings. I know I should be happy to have what I have, and I am. Oh God, am I ever grateful that things are not worse, and they have been in the past, and I never want to go there again. But at the same time, it wouldn't be realistic at all not to acknowledge the fact that I get really pissed off about the situation, the lack of a solution, and every now and then it makes me just want to scream.<br />
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So that is what is on my mind. Heavy though it may be. That's just a bit of it really. There are a lot of lighter things in my head too, thoughts and excitement about Everett's first birthday, my upcoming 30th birthday, and of course, Easter (my favorite!!), excitement about my new lawn mower, etc. and I will write about all that stuff soon. But there is no way that I could sit here and write about easter eggs and freshly cut lawns, without addressing the things that I have been thinking about foremost in the past few days. I needed to get it out, and if you have managed to read all the way to this point, I commend your patience :p Please do not worry about me, I am fine and I don't need anything. But I did have some shit that I needed to get off of my chest, and now I can bubble that one in on the calendar.<br />
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Good night. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-50010445031810022022011-03-14T05:44:00.000-04:002011-03-14T05:44:44.616-04:00Time FliesSo a few weeks ago I decided I needed to print out some of our pictures of our new little family and put them in a photo album or something. Seems like no one prints pics anymore, and that real life photo albums have gone by the wayside, being replace by facebook mobile uploads and crap like that. Maybe it's because uploading photos is BORING, but I'll get to that later.<br />
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Of course, what started as "let's print a few pictures" has turned it "let's scrapbook Everett's entire life, from conception until whenever "the present" happens to be when we finish this enormous project". How to you decide which pictures to print when you think they are all the cutest thing you've ever seen? I've printed apx 400 pictures, and thank God Matt has helped me make a few scrapbook pages.<br />
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Matts pages are pretty, with layered sheets of different color papers and cute handwriting. His pictures are all framed with cute little borders and such. They look like they had a lot of time and though put into them. They are great. I assumed I was on my own with this project when I started, so I am super happy to have Matt's help, and its fun for us to work on it together. <br />
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My pages look like they were made by a woman who has 400 more pictures to put somewhere. They give the impression that they have been pumped out assembly line style at break-neck speed. They remind me of my moms scrapbook pages, the few that she has completed in her lifetime. Finished long before she ever considered having kids, the pages in moms scrapbook are worn and faded, her handwriting right beside the pictures instead of on clever notecards or whatever. They look rugged, like they have been around for a while, and they have. Those they are not full of luster, I like them because they are hers, just like I like my pages because they are mine, ugly or plain thought they may be :)<br />
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I know it will be fun later, to look back on what used to be my scrapbook, but is now a collaborative effort between me and Matt, born in a rush to catch up to present day pictures. It's now part of the family, and it tickles me to think that Everett will one day get to add his own pages. And though I know that not most little boys get a kick out of scrapbooking, and he will probably blow me and Matt off, abandon our arts and crafts one day in favor of something more boyish, I hope that he will take an interest in it while he is little. That way, he will have some of his own creations in the family book that will one day be a treasure to him when he is adult, regardless of how boring it may be when he is a child, or embarrassing it may be when he is an adolescent. <br />
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Having said all that, it is my sincerest hope that this project gets finished. I say that because I know myself well. Hell, you have all seen how great my follow-through has been with keeping this blog up-to-date. A lot of my projects turn out that way: half finished. Hopefully we will actually scrapbook all of these pictures, but if we do not, I vow to at least have them all dated and placed in an album in chronological order within a reasonable amount of time, because I am going to be major pissed if I never get anything else done, and have nothing to show for all of the time I have spent uploading pictures to Shutterfly to be printed this week. If there were nothing else to motivate me, I believe that the sheer memory of the pain in the ass that i have endured uploading pics will surely drive me to at least archive them in an organized, and hopefully creative, way. <br />
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So with that I shall leave you with something to look at. Looking through all of these pics has really put things into perspective. What a wild and wonderful past year I have had, and damn, its flown by fast!! Here is a picture from a year ago. Man, what a difference a year makes :)<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/AVvXsEj6PsAe8HkF4gbVCi98GZHgMuj4MxKSgxA42NicbWi1arbwciM_F9ka7gMArresIoqS4FiJm3X6xnhDwoFCKsEaAZ58VpLvfJQfq6Uku7U50RGZAnGlucjRVRa4rAAGszpmNgVCXlcsbv4/s1600/mar+16-+30+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PsAe8HkF4gbVCi98GZHgMuj4MxKSgxA42NicbWi1arbwciM_F9ka7gMArresIoqS4FiJm3X6xnhDwoFCKsEaAZ58VpLvfJQfq6Uku7U50RGZAnGlucjRVRa4rAAGszpmNgVCXlcsbv4/s400/mar+16-+30+weeks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">March 16, 2010 - 30 weeks</td></tr>
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The reward, a year later :) - <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe2moJ9OkP0_Wufh9H_7ZLQj78D08G4Xal_mM-ajl7EXzuxLjFHL7NocSkRuroHIlTsXjfeT7B1u0pZ_cDoMwJk0U6qD4FhtFrjSbK62nZW_MmzNwbCSBejjHWCN4d7QN6SpFeBEWB-A/s1600/February+2001+066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe2moJ9OkP0_Wufh9H_7ZLQj78D08G4Xal_mM-ajl7EXzuxLjFHL7NocSkRuroHIlTsXjfeT7B1u0pZ_cDoMwJk0U6qD4FhtFrjSbK62nZW_MmzNwbCSBejjHWCN4d7QN6SpFeBEWB-A/s400/February+2001+066.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy and Everett March 12, 2011. Everett's ten month birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-80871947697167880642011-02-28T02:04:00.000-05:002011-02-28T02:04:07.965-05:00YAY!!I finally got a new laptop!!! YAYAYAYAYAAAAY! Gone are the days of the missing "a", "f," and "c" Keys, the jiggly space bar, the mouse pad with the worn out tapper. This should make keeping up with the blog much much easier. If I can't keep up now, then there may be no hope at all :p<br />
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In recent news, winter seems to be on its way out for this year, praise Jesus. I have grown old and crotchety and snow sucks now. When you are a kid, it's neat and all. When you are an adult, its just a pain in the ass. Sure as I say this, a blizzard will hit tomorrow, but I really hope not, lol. I'm ready to wear tank tops again!!!!<br />
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Everett is now nine months old, and he has figured out how to crawl. He doesn't do it a lot yet, because he mastered the walker a long time ago, and still prefers to be upright instead of on all fours. My baby is so evolved. :) His main objective in life right now is to figure out how to walk without the walker. Any time that he is not eating or asleep, he is working towards this goal and it is with certain level of fear that I know he will achieve this goal probably sooner rather than later. He will be into EVERYTHING! In a way I want it to hurry up and happen for him, because I know he wants it so bad, but there is a smarter side of me that knows not to rush anything :) He is growing way to damn fast as it is.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-22333258395867458672010-09-29T21:24:00.000-04:002010-09-29T21:24:09.928-04:00It doesn't get much better than this.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuAkImekTnacZMIdEUCI0zQAkGQ1_AVXOY3wWxy-rSLtaAHQEQVPjtREVmfECVhxnSxKIUT13m1CQYFx5bo3HHU-8qWe5I4747iWkQwyeKGIfmdCV6zos8_EGydD7aKrGryVXYxCXcNU/s1600/August+10+284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuAkImekTnacZMIdEUCI0zQAkGQ1_AVXOY3wWxy-rSLtaAHQEQVPjtREVmfECVhxnSxKIUT13m1CQYFx5bo3HHU-8qWe5I4747iWkQwyeKGIfmdCV6zos8_EGydD7aKrGryVXYxCXcNU/s320/August+10+284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is my son. :) I like to say that, so let's do it again. This is my son :)<br />
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You guys out in the blogosphere haven't seen him since November of last year, when he was just a wee little fetus. He is now a super cute 4 month old :)<br />
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Becoming a mom is probably the most amazing thing that I will ever do in life. I could go on all day about how life changing it is, and how it goes by so fast, and how sometimes it seems to go really slow, and how stressful it is, and how you get these frequent moments of bliss and pure joy like nothing you have ever felt in your life, but the truth is, you will never get it until you become a parent yourself, and I need to get off of the computer and wash bottles....again. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-51231682343643114802010-04-08T01:20:00.000-04:002010-04-08T01:20:44.052-04:00This blog could use a name changeMaybe I should change the name of this blog to "Rachel's Excuses For Not Blogging Very Often. Seems fitting. <br />
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Today's excuse: I don't have one. I give up. You guys should know me by now. My follow through with this blog sucks. Sorry :p<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So anywho, winter is over! Surely as I say that it will snow tomorrow. :p It's been a crappy winter. We were lucky in the fact that we never lost power for more than a few hours during the snow storms, and unlucky in the fact that our driveway seriously resembles a mud pit, lending us to be shut in for at least two days longer than everyone else. Well, everyone else but Steven. My God, I feel guilty complaining when I think about the torture he and Wayne have been through with that God forsaken driveway of theres. Point of the story? Snow really sucks. It's pretty, and thats all that its good for. No wonder Sarah Palin is a nut. The Alaskan snow is eating at her brain.<br />
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So the best part of the spring is no snow, and right below that is the flowers. It does my soul some good to watch the flowers sprout and bloom. The tulip tree in our yard bloomed this year. That never happens. It's marvelous. And the best part of the flowers, other than picking them, is taking pictures of them. Yep, you guessed it, I have Spring pictures to share. :) Enjoy :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KokhxrbMYFUQPsooqcyv0KnRY961EZ8k_zpTy4FoEr7_JT5HUAVF5jvFrjw7f1j7u9iDQnVrlzspS-Bznisi70QXKteQSfIF_e_vVU8u49BZ4CwKI7-NxBbNXIJuA22JesAay_-ydns/s1600/2010-03+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6KokhxrbMYFUQPsooqcyv0KnRY961EZ8k_zpTy4FoEr7_JT5HUAVF5jvFrjw7f1j7u9iDQnVrlzspS-Bznisi70QXKteQSfIF_e_vVU8u49BZ4CwKI7-NxBbNXIJuA22JesAay_-ydns/s320/2010-03+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First true sign of Spring. Dirty hands!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG6Rnak5yxTyj38BXSaUdpctlZdHV_qBmtzidtAge9B9hvMrr2EKSEF0Oj6pp_NZXNOcQL6nQsFpg6M2w-5UkpfgVnnJBG5iP4Xpn4UKghnRO4K_z6dEYBeUCN4KC9opORICfM23UM5M/s1600/2010-04+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG6Rnak5yxTyj38BXSaUdpctlZdHV_qBmtzidtAge9B9hvMrr2EKSEF0Oj6pp_NZXNOcQL6nQsFpg6M2w-5UkpfgVnnJBG5iP4Xpn4UKghnRO4K_z6dEYBeUCN4KC9opORICfM23UM5M/s320/2010-04+096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So pretty :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0N8jn3-5g5VlLnHwblzp0jS6jH1Chyphenhyphen9sxuf5LSJTHpY8sJyvvhpqM4yP2koEqNexQblFnV2N2MCODnroiTE8vfgwi2JOaJbXHE_2a1xcVs7v-fYW9wvPgWr0Zu0da3O_3J1AmR1kvH0/s1600/2010-04+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0N8jn3-5g5VlLnHwblzp0jS6jH1Chyphenhyphen9sxuf5LSJTHpY8sJyvvhpqM4yP2koEqNexQblFnV2N2MCODnroiTE8vfgwi2JOaJbXHE_2a1xcVs7v-fYW9wvPgWr0Zu0da3O_3J1AmR1kvH0/s320/2010-04+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elena relaxing with Jango</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyi9mq8PBrzRKe-UVw8lXffJc5kzZlNjLwV0kEq4wI4PvvSIYYixZ5TUSXOXs7IJZ63Cq4PPfASYZjP5_JDWNNf6qgZqmPQtfGaaQONF5nHsdD2FBOUIqR2ShfIJe2HKQHdnp903iWqo/s1600/2010-04+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyi9mq8PBrzRKe-UVw8lXffJc5kzZlNjLwV0kEq4wI4PvvSIYYixZ5TUSXOXs7IJZ63Cq4PPfASYZjP5_JDWNNf6qgZqmPQtfGaaQONF5nHsdD2FBOUIqR2ShfIJe2HKQHdnp903iWqo/s320/2010-04+040.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gratuitous belly pic</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rIpthc5kWsrWBnhZxPiC5e2aNV69IVDnCyVr-1qcpmOQY4uf1xqZyY6ET5Bl9IML-iLkpEGWQ19IYE4vXTG1tHDw53KWVlVHxWvZdSv7P65UhWnaQut4at5PpaPr-0RubxvO5EQr3Uk/s1600/2010-04+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rIpthc5kWsrWBnhZxPiC5e2aNV69IVDnCyVr-1qcpmOQY4uf1xqZyY6ET5Bl9IML-iLkpEGWQ19IYE4vXTG1tHDw53KWVlVHxWvZdSv7P65UhWnaQut4at5PpaPr-0RubxvO5EQr3Uk/s320/2010-04+048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Little daffodils and big daffodils</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ctpbyp2BnhQdK6VQiIlq0bQ2vdYfbab1cEBMEoQITYFu3Dq3OPxaRplA4wgmnStSXqzLUpYdnZA_nL-_EpcEcuRZAIH7vnIGRSbhWXj9lxlvhNRPlBfkAS6wctvDkqSgEyHpRBpwKOE/s1600/2010-04+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ctpbyp2BnhQdK6VQiIlq0bQ2vdYfbab1cEBMEoQITYFu3Dq3OPxaRplA4wgmnStSXqzLUpYdnZA_nL-_EpcEcuRZAIH7vnIGRSbhWXj9lxlvhNRPlBfkAS6wctvDkqSgEyHpRBpwKOE/s320/2010-04+051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mi familia enjoying the pretty weather together. Makes me warm and fuzzy inside :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GE_wl3-k2pippjCBPG431WsvaX7Q_qBNZUVq7Ld5o192yWHoFrJMiJoUzjEht8cWFUXryRnfhnKpq208IbbToTQgcxlgozwDwpCgtgS8hFGM_FhBZFzJuA7pX7H7tn9OOYFwSrslG7w/s1600/2010-04+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GE_wl3-k2pippjCBPG431WsvaX7Q_qBNZUVq7Ld5o192yWHoFrJMiJoUzjEht8cWFUXryRnfhnKpq208IbbToTQgcxlgozwDwpCgtgS8hFGM_FhBZFzJuA7pX7H7tn9OOYFwSrslG7w/s320/2010-04+084.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretending she is a princess bride :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiDR20uZf1UzuB_EkuWBxgRgj0qDseWnBB9tOoDnvofYNeMrqizYOnRtmvM7m7nbpb5UpcEJXwc8Ux4AUnpAt8no96zKsU3_YZ01FZ5T0oH4W9_p5aQZ5pFRvEd-XdHY7dakE7ujVOT0/s1600/2010-04+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiDR20uZf1UzuB_EkuWBxgRgj0qDseWnBB9tOoDnvofYNeMrqizYOnRtmvM7m7nbpb5UpcEJXwc8Ux4AUnpAt8no96zKsU3_YZ01FZ5T0oH4W9_p5aQZ5pFRvEd-XdHY7dakE7ujVOT0/s320/2010-04+070.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is that Tulip Tree I mentioned :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlG3Cci3xQtD5J90t-IdejFsrVQzcLOwT25dB-JmMvKZdSPnb0TPrGtq2G8ncMpny8c8F7pF5V2EcO-8B4Rkd6kdamlwb3XiG0qviNodBq6R12Nq4D367imkv3P9m5jaR6lBDh6tOoLs/s1600/2010-04+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwlG3Cci3xQtD5J90t-IdejFsrVQzcLOwT25dB-JmMvKZdSPnb0TPrGtq2G8ncMpny8c8F7pF5V2EcO-8B4Rkd6kdamlwb3XiG0qviNodBq6R12Nq4D367imkv3P9m5jaR6lBDh6tOoLs/s320/2010-04+076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Matt and Elena are like tiny specks way out on the Green River Bridge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3YXRRp9GWOiA5ylcGIyqjKo6zvPtp1GLy-K906ttg8UjmuMpV09Cg5KpTjsVXZOXQxLNyaeFDPZR_qa7saJ2QQpE4ktXV-KcYOnKoph6aQW2dWJMri0yRmAI2nrLXcc80eys6_JRqiY/s1600/2010-04+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3YXRRp9GWOiA5ylcGIyqjKo6zvPtp1GLy-K906ttg8UjmuMpV09Cg5KpTjsVXZOXQxLNyaeFDPZR_qa7saJ2QQpE4ktXV-KcYOnKoph6aQW2dWJMri0yRmAI2nrLXcc80eys6_JRqiY/s320/2010-04+077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Uncle Jim in his element</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3V9SdbzNw9pM4a03v7navps8mwdJ19-nGy11uz6N0vbbpsxeJ87EFyqGughJvSLU8sQrE2vgcjhnbqUmvbLyHqpwIKNAg8q1xjrWmpNNjoIPDWDqPjLWoR7NbSQ9btK4HLbmLkCgLs0/s1600/2010-04+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3V9SdbzNw9pM4a03v7navps8mwdJ19-nGy11uz6N0vbbpsxeJ87EFyqGughJvSLU8sQrE2vgcjhnbqUmvbLyHqpwIKNAg8q1xjrWmpNNjoIPDWDqPjLWoR7NbSQ9btK4HLbmLkCgLs0/s320/2010-04+081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View of the farm from yonder side of the lake</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-83640382810321409652009-11-08T13:39:00.001-05:002009-11-08T13:43:01.268-05:00Hello Darlin'. It's been a looooong time.Hey guys. Sorry that I have totally let this blog go stale. If any of you have been paying attention, you know this happens from time to time. :p Allow me to do my best to try to catch up from where we left off.<br />
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I don't even remember when I last posted anything, and I am too lazy to go back and look. So if I haven't told you already, I'm pregnant!! Matt and I are expecting our first in May 2010 and I could not be more excited. I am 12 weeks along, so almost out of the first trimester. We will find out the sex of the baby sometime around Christmas.<br />
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I am already learning that pregnancy has its ups and downs. It's really great to have an excuse to eat like a cow and be lazy. If someone is moving, you don't even have to consider that they might ask you to help. Asking for seconds is the hip thing to do. Bitching is expected, so I will start with that now :) I've been tired almost to the point of being completely useless. I have had a little bit of morning sickness, but thank God that has been few and far between. I constantly feel like I might puke, but most of the time nothing happens. I am happy for that. <br />
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Matt has been beyond wonderful with this entire thing. He has kept the house spotless, taken care of the dogs, driven me to Sonic when I know he didn't want to. He is marvelous, despite his sometimes horrid choice of accessories.<br />
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So needless to say that is the biggest thing going on right now. Or the tiniest, depending on how you look at it ;) I have a lot of other stuff to say, but I thought I might as well get the major news out of the way first. Now I must simply continue to resist the urge to spend every dime I have on baby stuff. I have been assured that the day will soon arrive when that will no longer be optional :p<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzsf4jojWWzY8p6EqMXamdnoLmR7mrAosETRNoA9uoXtFq1A_J-eovbeyQ96mEieU0noKV11OBtPMElZGMwmi9O44ETKRJ69Z-B0KPA49ucCuI4EdnuCxr0vnW6CVmGNyakBJt__Gh38/s1600-h/10wks+5days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzsf4jojWWzY8p6EqMXamdnoLmR7mrAosETRNoA9uoXtFq1A_J-eovbeyQ96mEieU0noKV11OBtPMElZGMwmi9O44ETKRJ69Z-B0KPA49ucCuI4EdnuCxr0vnW6CVmGNyakBJt__Gh38/s320/10wks+5days.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-49627939899916668482009-07-20T01:23:00.002-04:002009-07-20T01:32:10.887-04:00I think I'll keep him.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbF-U6Uj6NffQjRtHCmvueub7jdL5_1LqJ-MxiPxI0e1EN-RZ0lPNVCN_TINTadxSjtfcLzxYT2g8Vw0XlCPtbge4vBpwSDtnt8sofo7oVC4kX6zlTKNRzV1zW1B3EoR8IzQg0nenYxY/s1600-h/2009-07-15+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbF-U6Uj6NffQjRtHCmvueub7jdL5_1LqJ-MxiPxI0e1EN-RZ0lPNVCN_TINTadxSjtfcLzxYT2g8Vw0XlCPtbge4vBpwSDtnt8sofo7oVC4kX6zlTKNRzV1zW1B3EoR8IzQg0nenYxY/s400/2009-07-15+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360409193792960466" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You just have to love a man who puts flowers on your desk before you wake up in the morning.<br />And he even grew them himself :)<br /><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really enjoying your gardening <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">endeavours</span>, Matt. It makes the yard seem so much friendlier. I our little home, our little fur family, and I love you :-)<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-81882309827236876812009-07-18T00:00:00.004-04:002009-07-18T00:09:52.441-04:00Happy Birthday Sis :)Sis, I was gonna send this to you via email but I lost your address. Now everyone gets to see Ebony, and, Sis, you can just steal them from here :) Mikey will know how to do it if you don't already know.<br /><br />Hope you enjoyed your birthday :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDTmBhIrMbZ7ayyFPQVYzyhzh-mrAMhhE6-xQoCjVXFEu76VpfzgujOAHIz9TPWm6mOlrffvJBtwQFqPU52BPbwTbejDsYm_H6O5sRXrYjMZmnhob-z6AZJAZe1Po04VQmGu9n3eqkH0/s1600-h/2009-07-15+007.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDTmBhIrMbZ7ayyFPQVYzyhzh-mrAMhhE6-xQoCjVXFEu76VpfzgujOAHIz9TPWm6mOlrffvJBtwQFqPU52BPbwTbejDsYm_H6O5sRXrYjMZmnhob-z6AZJAZe1Po04VQmGu9n3eqkH0/s400/2009-07-15+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359646787179026994" border="0" /></a><br />Eating grass. Ebony's favorite thing to do to pass the time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzyvLN2GrqRfQ7DOwuXVwnblDIzenTOIx5AUqbiTTfEjNWMRTsIOZF-MHIEMQwSNcIpUa-oecs54O0iECGFiZcaAQoZR-_f3Zeth_jOAMtkIKYL5p4Bg-x-yXdwzy2erg_RHb35CDJwU/s1600-h/2009-07-15+004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzyvLN2GrqRfQ7DOwuXVwnblDIzenTOIx5AUqbiTTfEjNWMRTsIOZF-MHIEMQwSNcIpUa-oecs54O0iECGFiZcaAQoZR-_f3Zeth_jOAMtkIKYL5p4Bg-x-yXdwzy2erg_RHb35CDJwU/s400/2009-07-15+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359646770519038130" border="0" /></a><br />I don't think she really likes the flash that much. Or maybe<br />it was my obnoxious whistling?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyL6QHQl-z3kFHCivtrkRo97JqvWL1BGtq_sgJCPtshJJEc025QBx2_Ag7yT6UdDHmrks1MeCT5notcRCCXQqjq0Jq0lj9Qvp-10aMZCxo9FHHxDOVQang9wA9Pe_fvJqGIlgm33EIYU/s1600-h/2009-07-15+005.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyL6QHQl-z3kFHCivtrkRo97JqvWL1BGtq_sgJCPtshJJEc025QBx2_Ag7yT6UdDHmrks1MeCT5notcRCCXQqjq0Jq0lj9Qvp-10aMZCxo9FHHxDOVQang9wA9Pe_fvJqGIlgm33EIYU/s400/2009-07-15+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359646777460989666" border="0" /></a><br />Back to eating grass. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-24655517349235488772009-07-04T17:50:00.004-04:002009-07-04T18:05:13.102-04:00RiteAid wants the ladies to be more independant.Earlier today I had to declare a household state of emergency when I realized that I was drinking THE LAST soda in the house. I am trying to quit smoking. If I am depriving my body of all these cigarette chemicals, I'll be damned if I am gonna torture myself by going without carbonated beverages. Screw that.<br /><br />So I went to RiteAid, because it's close to the house and (warning: too much info starts here) they carry soda and something else that we are out of, KY.<br /><br />I grabbed my 12 pack of Mountain Dew, and made my way back to the "family planning" section of the store. While looking at the gazillion personal lubricants that they have on the market these days, my eyes drifted a little too far, and I saw that they actually sell vibrators at RiteAid!!!<br /><br />I'm not talking about a fingertip pleasure machine here. This thing was the real deal. Complete with a "natural contour design" and "discreet carrying pouch." It was manufactured by Durex, the same peeps that make the condoms. It was large. And to show that we have really stepped into a new era here, it was on the third shelf from the bottom, for all to reach, packaged in a bright purple and pink box, with a convenient "look at me!" flap that opened on the front of the box, so that you can take a look at the product.<br /><br />Vibrator at RiteAid: $19.99<br />Temptation to buy it and see look on cashier's face: priceless.<br /><br />I am not offended by this, but I am shocked as shit. I remember back when a woman's personal pleasure needs had to be taken care of via catalog or that sketchy store on Highway 25. It was great when Adam and Eve got and online store. Still, I never thought I would live to see that day when people were selling dildos less than 15 feet away from where my grandmother picks up her Lipitor.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-33392685182554385732009-06-29T23:22:00.002-04:002009-06-29T23:57:31.862-04:00Lack of creativity, obviouslySo, I lifted this survey, or whatever you wanna call it, off of Facebook. Thought I would throw it in the blog since I haven't written anything here in a while. Erin tells me she is having AbsolutRachel withdrawals, so something had to be done :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">USING ONLY ONE WORD<br />(I really hope you guys appreciate how hard it's gonna be for me to answer ANYTHING in one word.)<br /><br />Where is your cell phone?<br />Pocket<br /><br />Your significant other?<br />Tall<br /><br />Your hair?<br />Black<br /><br />Your mother?<br />Chocolate<br /><br />Your father?<br />Willerwoller<br /><br />Your favorite thing?<br />People<br /><br />Your dream last night?<br />none<br /><br />Your favorite drink?<br />carbonation<br /><br />Your dream/goal?<br />bliss<br /><br />What room are you in?<br />Living room (That was impossible answer in one word. Not fair!)<br /><br />Your hobby?<br />dogs<br /><br />Your fear?<br />misery<br /><br />Where do you want to be in 6 Yrs?<br />home<br /><br />Where were you last night?<br />home<br /><br />Something that you aren't?<br />easy<br /><br />Muffins?<br />no<br /><br />Wish list item?<br />baby<br /><br />Last thing you did?<br />play<br /><br />What are you wearing?<br />overalls<br /><br />TV?<br />TruTV<br /><br />Pastime:<br />relaxing<br /><br />Your pets?<br />love<br /><br />Friends?<br />best<br /><br />Your Life?<br />marvelous<br /><br />Your mood?<br />exhausted<br /><br />Missing someone?<br />always<br /><br />Smoking?<br />sure<br /><br />Your car?<br />new<br /><br />Something you're not wearing?<br />socks<br /><br />Your favorite store?<br />CharlotteRusse (sorry, had to make that one word :) )<br /><br />Your favorite color<br />pink<br /><br />When is the last time you cried?<br />recently<br /><br />Where do you go to over and over?<br />Executive (now that's embarrassing, but another 'thing that I am not' is dishonest)<br /><br />Five people who email me regularly?<br />(So now they are giving me permission to break the "one word" rule? What the hell.) spam, Verizon, Blogger, Progressive, Richard. (in that order)<br /><br />My favorite place to eat?<br />Schlotsky's<br /><br />Favorite place I'd like to be at right now?<br />OuterBanks<br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-82738626299602612702009-06-18T20:48:00.004-04:002009-06-18T20:52:58.274-04:00Because I think I may have promised Abi I would post this<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Dvhh00oCQdQ6Pd8w6DLpT7nb14VbNVVPfhVCRQ5CGj4U-e8fkUknCbVeLsrGJWm0RSuS-3vRNdyTo1tVAtj2Oi9X-Xdwmd_Fao4Ypvjc9747_oHRPSv4LSh0NOqFngLBBmWHAOo3Pvk/s1600-h/Stephen+Hawk,+Rachel+Wilson,+Prom,+Rachel%27s+junior+year.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Dvhh00oCQdQ6Pd8w6DLpT7nb14VbNVVPfhVCRQ5CGj4U-e8fkUknCbVeLsrGJWm0RSuS-3vRNdyTo1tVAtj2Oi9X-Xdwmd_Fao4Ypvjc9747_oHRPSv4LSh0NOqFngLBBmWHAOo3Pvk/s400/Stephen+Hawk,+Rachel+Wilson,+Prom,+Rachel%27s+junior+year.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348834625647596162" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Old, worn out photo from Prom, junior year, 1998. Why didn't someone feed me<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyCenter" title="Align Center" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 11);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" class="gl_align_center" border="0" /></span></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-32184156861025368212009-06-17T18:51:00.003-04:002009-06-17T19:02:05.459-04:00Just fine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPSOPla3tyb7yjBm6344qLlXdYpaP3zznTzm9yHWiXhsnNJm11l3lmxH4pZMsD5_n3oE8r9TCroG2uuMjjhgmSOYl_1zqUHJS2B7RmV99fte1YMLJlGiTH-KVf0sxXaexZt84h2BYJyw/s1600-h/HPIM2156.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPSOPla3tyb7yjBm6344qLlXdYpaP3zznTzm9yHWiXhsnNJm11l3lmxH4pZMsD5_n3oE8r9TCroG2uuMjjhgmSOYl_1zqUHJS2B7RmV99fte1YMLJlGiTH-KVf0sxXaexZt84h2BYJyw/s400/HPIM2156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348435124238660178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />If this song doesn't make you wanna get up and shake-it, you may need to adjust your Prozac dosage. :)<br /><br />Thanks for re-introducing me to this song, Gina, and sorry about the pic. I just had to :) Look at the time on the clock!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETfNxDVlpQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETfNxDVlpQ</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-40796620690988514282009-06-12T18:25:00.007-04:002009-06-12T19:24:56.264-04:00I Love Being My Brother's SisterI was about ten years old when my brother, Joe, was born. There is an oddly wonderful, very-difficult-to-describe, different-than-normal sibling experience when you are old enough to remember every milestone in your younger siblings life. You wouldn't know the feeling if you haven't been there, and I am sure there is an equally indescribable feeling that comes from being the younger sibling when there is such a huge age gap. It's something no more special than any other sibling experience, but it is pretty unique.<br /><br />I'll share a story, so you can get a little bit of a better feel for what I am talking about here. When Joe was about seven years old, he told me that he wanted a brother or sister. My response was "who do you think I am?".<br /><br />"No, I mean like a real one. One that goes to the same school as me and wants to play with the same stuff."<br /><br />"If you had a 'real' brother or sister, they probably wouldn't be old enough to take you to the movies, or make pancakes better than mom, and mom wouldn't trust you guys to just wonder off in the woods any place you please."<br /><br />"Good point."<br /><br />I'd say we <span style="font-style: italic;">both </span>knew that our age gap was unusual, yet pretty cool. I know I have always been happy with it. Most people don't remember when their brother was born. I do. Vividly. It snowed that day. Do you remember your brothers first day of school? I do. I was so happy that he got the same kindergarten teacher I had ten years prior. And when he learned to walk, when he got old enough to ride in the front seat, when he was first trusted to cook something without burning the house down, I was there. I remember seeing the following absolutely precious keepsake as it was being made.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-dYkPW0lKrRWbmjY7rk1VlTLQbATdnx826zYaBomSW1dp3E_tV_k9u840WJciVRhagQSG3xzJbT9UXlWoWlKLO15VZy7u_DXqpFZs5Ddm_KmjRANfiOP6g01E5jLHQI4JwYph58ln9o/s1600-h/Joseph+Michael+Wilson+03-08-1991+footprints.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-dYkPW0lKrRWbmjY7rk1VlTLQbATdnx826zYaBomSW1dp3E_tV_k9u840WJciVRhagQSG3xzJbT9UXlWoWlKLO15VZy7u_DXqpFZs5Ddm_KmjRANfiOP6g01E5jLHQI4JwYph58ln9o/s400/Joseph+Michael+Wilson+03-08-1991+footprints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346571865123751202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Today I got to make another really cool memory. And I have a feeling this one is gonna stick too. I took Joe to get his learner's permit today. I'll be the first to admit that the thought of Joe being able to drive has always terrified me. Not because I expected that he would be a bad driver, but because there are SO many other bad drivers, and his world would be open to so many more unimaginable dangers than it previously had been. But as I sat in the waiting room of the DMV while he took the test, I was thrilled and nervous and excited for Joe, not me. Sitting there wondering if he passed the test was getting to me, and finally I got up and took a peek into the office, where I saw Joe sitting in front of the camera. HE PASSED!!<br /><br />I was so happy for him! I immediately went into "that's my little brother!!!" mode. I noticed the guy at the front desk was distracted, so I took the chance to mosey straight past him into the office. I was like the obnoxious mom at the school play. The one who creeps up to the very edge of the stage to get a perfect picture. Yes, I took his picture at the DMV, and as you can see, he was clearly expressing his desire not to have me flashing pics with my pinkberry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFhn1soKtDkp6anFk4ratSlBN26SYZNG53VRsEF5LN_Kf7MX_7XRENSz5vG04b1KfJc03Or-3x4e0t87gWagNOrjgT1xcVgc0MsQi96nv8nPrdaB14M2YZBKhOPdsnuA9K8im8kVh1Ts/s1600-h/IMG00066.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFhn1soKtDkp6anFk4ratSlBN26SYZNG53VRsEF5LN_Kf7MX_7XRENSz5vG04b1KfJc03Or-3x4e0t87gWagNOrjgT1xcVgc0MsQi96nv8nPrdaB14M2YZBKhOPdsnuA9K8im8kVh1Ts/s400/IMG00066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346579387262682146" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Yep. I have many pictures with this look on Joe's face. The look that says, "Rachel, people aren't allowed to come up on the stage and take pictures!". I have embarrassed myself, and Joe, (well, mom and dad too) many a'time by making a total ass out of myself to get a shot of a milestone. Why would I act any different at a government run agency when Joe is legally an adult? This poor child has and always will have the burden of his sister following him with a camera. I cherish the memories too much not to capture them. Embarrassment, rules and regulations, even risk of arrest, would be unlikely to stop me. One day I will be all old, and the memories may start to fade, but at least I will have them well documented, in case I need to jog my memory a bit. Sorry, Joe, but I do it out of love:)<br /><br />Here is another picture for you, just for shits and giggles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_i6oykBaFMG9w3ae_ZQ_HJOtA99zgeB22bW8EBX4K2snLSSzaMxjx32-ZvYHcOTDwYcTqkj6J1HxHV-hfmqqnKsu2nY00tcSlo0-PMPwNosZ2gqGhhLgus-mChwA50ZPh3BhNweodtjw/s1600-h/IMG00067.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_i6oykBaFMG9w3ae_ZQ_HJOtA99zgeB22bW8EBX4K2snLSSzaMxjx32-ZvYHcOTDwYcTqkj6J1HxHV-hfmqqnKsu2nY00tcSlo0-PMPwNosZ2gqGhhLgus-mChwA50ZPh3BhNweodtjw/s400/IMG00067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346571863870338642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Congratulations Joe. I love you and I am so proud of you. You are growing up, but you'll always be my "little brother". :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-59208379287540745062009-06-08T14:33:00.003-04:002009-06-08T14:45:35.320-04:00This makes my heart all warm and smileyI apologize for the fact that I am not sharp enough to figure out how to steal a video from YouTube and post it on the blog. You'll just have to deal with good ol' fashion links.<br /><br />I found this video the other day and I love it. It's a group of Marines having a little fun at work in Iraq. These men are someones kids, husbands, brothers, etc. They are in some really sucky conditions over there, to say the least, and making a huge sacrifice for us. (Thank you!) Still, they manage to keep their sense of humor and wit in tact, which makes me feel silly for letting anything get me bent out of shape. It truly is heartwarming. I hope that the guys in this video are still safe, wherever they may be now. Most of all, I hope they are home.<br /><br />See if you can guess which one is my fave :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX5ZVC1YY1k">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX5ZVC1YY1k</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-6002731714350406502009-06-07T23:06:00.000-04:002009-06-08T00:07:46.203-04:00CelebrationsThe past few weeks have been scattered with a lot of celebrations and not a lot of blog posts. Forgive me as I try to catch up :)<br /><br />We'll start with Memorial Day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNhiG17PcamFYY62KY4Zc1FASY1r2JcgWk3ySQu7PLp904kOK2nrS2Od9odCND8oeQLnmz0MB-QteDw2h6JTjW0OnJUjvsnpRieXDKnulSkeINNRSaB5OIQ5pE42sgVfDxwJmRXCBLdI/s1600-h/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNhiG17PcamFYY62KY4Zc1FASY1r2JcgWk3ySQu7PLp904kOK2nrS2Od9odCND8oeQLnmz0MB-QteDw2h6JTjW0OnJUjvsnpRieXDKnulSkeINNRSaB5OIQ5pE42sgVfDxwJmRXCBLdI/s400/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789092204827346" border="0" /></a><br />The Memorial Day celebration at Heather and John's<br />house (thanks for hosting us, guys!!)was really a celebration<br />of many, many things. Here, Kasey listens patiently as Connie<br />reads the list of things that we were celebrating (in no particular order).<br /><ul><li>Memorial Day</li><li>Connie's Birthday</li><li>Kasey's birthday (early)</li><li>My birthday (late)</li><li>Mother's Day (late)</li><li>Heather getting the breathalyzer taken out of her car</li><li>Kasey successfully completing his DUI classes</li><li>Me, Connie, Heather and Erin all getting new cars</li><li>The death of Matt's cancer</li></ul>We'll use just about any excuse to fire up the grill :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeQgvDzhFJESyZyiERk0w60BvzXwJJzvlVnwskbMnNi17-IJ4FbAvCU3E9PAJJmtA_hLwika6YsbwQTwmiqzDNETpJeL5Gdy1Feoynmjjztx31TbNtnwl7G1ncVCfBdKKGLMQBBvI0Qo/s1600-h/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+013.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioeQgvDzhFJESyZyiERk0w60BvzXwJJzvlVnwskbMnNi17-IJ4FbAvCU3E9PAJJmtA_hLwika6YsbwQTwmiqzDNETpJeL5Gdy1Feoynmjjztx31TbNtnwl7G1ncVCfBdKKGLMQBBvI0Qo/s400/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789104076195938" border="0" /></a><br />Matt's cancer free gift :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr5BzXU1NQjIFZdQ2hyBMSBthNeqvHm_V7j_wLCsRzs7vpj2pGhM6ebdm6Uywrb3lpk4JdT2tg8DIv2j3wD7oIMBEMcmTqEw2HklH29MoGq6j5pjFmx89-_ln8CvWAOkFcVdmycKgEeU/s1600-h/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr5BzXU1NQjIFZdQ2hyBMSBthNeqvHm_V7j_wLCsRzs7vpj2pGhM6ebdm6Uywrb3lpk4JdT2tg8DIv2j3wD7oIMBEMcmTqEw2HklH29MoGq6j5pjFmx89-_ln8CvWAOkFcVdmycKgEeU/s400/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789101866855938" border="0" /></a><br />Erin and me. Had to get a picture together<br />while she still has her hair dark :p<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xpyZ8RfdOsEjYvCESmajFt0dQWNtPDDEcpC8ACoNUG_WIJ1FXK2H5VV-0dhM9sPbSN4Mark9RRh9t9xVDH5ks2ao3JyR1z56Nm9-FAZf4bZzB89QfXlduTGKYOCSPrPJXqFRtM7OY7E/s1600-h/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+025.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xpyZ8RfdOsEjYvCESmajFt0dQWNtPDDEcpC8ACoNUG_WIJ1FXK2H5VV-0dhM9sPbSN4Mark9RRh9t9xVDH5ks2ao3JyR1z56Nm9-FAZf4bZzB89QfXlduTGKYOCSPrPJXqFRtM7OY7E/s400/2009-05-25+Memorial+Day+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344789104061756610" border="0" /></a><br />Random Memorial Day ducks in our front yard<br /><br />Dad's birthday was right after Memorial Day, and we did celebrate, but believe it or not, I didn't get any pictures!! So here is a nice retro shot of dad for you to enjoy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzK9Qks_DmUlEpwfdHWshkPM8s9W9GEoDZTOWG5zeS2SigE70OXq2fsIo-MJ3EryCnvcIqJrnggReSbIjPT1JDT4dT_WooPGVPVYPVfX7r3FvYS2ChDsxQgMSRVfIEmY6WGKIv6G_4FU/s1600-h/Mike+Wilson+mid+70%27s+001.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzK9Qks_DmUlEpwfdHWshkPM8s9W9GEoDZTOWG5zeS2SigE70OXq2fsIo-MJ3EryCnvcIqJrnggReSbIjPT1JDT4dT_WooPGVPVYPVfX7r3FvYS2ChDsxQgMSRVfIEmY6WGKIv6G_4FU/s400/Mike+Wilson+mid+70%27s+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344792197698480050" border="0" /></a><br />Dear ol' dad, 1975. Happy Birthday again, daddy. Love you :)<br /><br />Saturday was Waylon's Birthday. My fur baby is 4!! I can't believe it. Seems like the past four years have flown past. Who knew what a ride I was in for when I brought this dog into my home? He has been a wonderful companion, despite his quirks and less-than-perfect behavior. Marley has nothing on this dog. Seriously. Regardless, I love him to pieces.<br /><br />Yes, I throw birthday parties for my dog :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n96Q9hYUrMuCpBkncOgL1Z9lSppWikwgh9ADFdwyATjBZNV7eiw2SejIneIxNTFTNHCG5eGgHNdI7boPsHcLxhNCyEAoYYF1QFO79P6b2TYfMgXTGsUs2WkdNoEe_0y8kao9xXFt7QE/s1600-h/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+002.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n96Q9hYUrMuCpBkncOgL1Z9lSppWikwgh9ADFdwyATjBZNV7eiw2SejIneIxNTFTNHCG5eGgHNdI7boPsHcLxhNCyEAoYYF1QFO79P6b2TYfMgXTGsUs2WkdNoEe_0y8kao9xXFt7QE/s400/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344794254867434002" border="0" /></a><br />This is NOT how I envisioned the cake in my head, but this<br />IS how it turned out in reality. I'm gonna have to become<br />less creative or better skilled at cake decorating (mom, help me!!)<br />before I have a real child. A human 4 year old would be<br />ridiculed through high school after their friends saw this cake.<br />Waylon's friends didn't seem to mind.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNGkeEl8KofxqBBvBwRtYEo9QU4jIZI_NwDv0ZphTOuCROkqARzFPi798uqx5CqVXlgJmTW2tDMz_d-AayzZ3WyWM7TP8_yOy0urNx4-dc_l9sZQdCB-lQMfM3CiD3aSgCV8b6owLErM/s1600-h/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNGkeEl8KofxqBBvBwRtYEo9QU4jIZI_NwDv0ZphTOuCROkqARzFPi798uqx5CqVXlgJmTW2tDMz_d-AayzZ3WyWM7TP8_yOy0urNx4-dc_l9sZQdCB-lQMfM3CiD3aSgCV8b6owLErM/s400/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344794262029052146" border="0" /></a><br />My baby brother is not a baby anymore :(<br />He has grown up into a great guy though,<br />nice enough to humor me by coming to my<br />dog's birthday party :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Lvtoc4uFg5DgdS8PjLyaiyR0WV6lax_F349p6to0i9tEjQbhsS1sDnE8UYKI9ho9nRSjI_szVKwiw4V1xUNjDCIVRWecMD7BO69fz4V5iXXp9lQa45pf1Ls7lMJx2vCcpGCyshS-5NU/s1600-h/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Lvtoc4uFg5DgdS8PjLyaiyR0WV6lax_F349p6to0i9tEjQbhsS1sDnE8UYKI9ho9nRSjI_szVKwiw4V1xUNjDCIVRWecMD7BO69fz4V5iXXp9lQa45pf1Ls7lMJx2vCcpGCyshS-5NU/s400/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344794268831708130" border="0" /></a><br />Waylon is thinking "Want cake NOW!!" Elena is patiently<br />waiting for us to stop singing, so she can make a wish for<br />Waylon and blow out the candle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr4XbVCTq8-13uVW_VIZKTjLbEodNEXnWTBTrID9XnLySNvfuv1yX2Eir0LdexHN7JGhBHw-ZnoDfOo8g0UL26hxuCspckoK_YmamHr48gQ2MKpp-S8RACYnCLVoPPZI1BqAKSQLaok8/s1600-h/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCr4XbVCTq8-13uVW_VIZKTjLbEodNEXnWTBTrID9XnLySNvfuv1yX2Eir0LdexHN7JGhBHw-ZnoDfOo8g0UL26hxuCspckoK_YmamHr48gQ2MKpp-S8RACYnCLVoPPZI1BqAKSQLaok8/s400/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344794271536749298" border="0" /></a><br />Look close enough and you can see an entire cupcake in<br />his mouth. (Spare me the comments about how unhealthy<br />this is, please. You only turn 4 once.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUIKQi4idL87hQnmg-5CYGUppfZECnDuNcu8OnRTjDoT90x8vblxr5UXoR5DeSBeTXaPAUzXkhzBIkJ4iaPhDID3Dz8fB52iiEEd8689HLxNlfO7bSyGHdRkoZqRTMyppo_LDMGkUybA/s1600-h/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+019.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVUIKQi4idL87hQnmg-5CYGUppfZECnDuNcu8OnRTjDoT90x8vblxr5UXoR5DeSBeTXaPAUzXkhzBIkJ4iaPhDID3Dz8fB52iiEEd8689HLxNlfO7bSyGHdRkoZqRTMyppo_LDMGkUybA/s400/2009-06-06+Waylon%27s+Birthday+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344794281687662610" border="0" /></a><br />Waylon's buddy Winnie.<br /><br />And finally, here are some pics of the weenie roast at Matt's parent's house today. No specific reason to celebrate but it is not that often that we are able to get so many members of the clan together at once. And if you think about it, there is a lot to celebrate in that neck of the woods. Several cancer survivors, a new grandbaby for Ellen (Elizabeth and Andrew's son, James, who would have been more appropriately named "Absolutely Adorable"), John's birthday was last week and it's almost time for the younguns to be free from school for the summer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h0bNNfPYjo5E69zU9ucbERHu0LGCFrU3B-KqdgWm50-KK4Q2ijHtmF1RsP6FAlTeMaYzTZnWAnFyiuZORRRLyW6aOZfEWmcrruMkIkddbrfWVdm7GRzD8TIPOD9Pag8rc4VLkPvXlI0/s1600-h/2009-06-07+004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8h0bNNfPYjo5E69zU9ucbERHu0LGCFrU3B-KqdgWm50-KK4Q2ijHtmF1RsP6FAlTeMaYzTZnWAnFyiuZORRRLyW6aOZfEWmcrruMkIkddbrfWVdm7GRzD8TIPOD9Pag8rc4VLkPvXlI0/s400/2009-06-07+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344799539552631362" border="0" /></a><br />We hadn't seen Katie in ages :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZV2Xy0YRPnG-PFJzgGowuAFijQtkCcrzOBeVCQK0Trr_zL5eaBBl6mmqeKdLb8fGlD8HKecSZbqcizMYV8WKWALuPqsBhwwHoUxly9mlYiQOAC376fSdm1r7VbEsguaP4rSvvSuR3fg/s1600-h/2009-06-07+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZV2Xy0YRPnG-PFJzgGowuAFijQtkCcrzOBeVCQK0Trr_zL5eaBBl6mmqeKdLb8fGlD8HKecSZbqcizMYV8WKWALuPqsBhwwHoUxly9mlYiQOAC376fSdm1r7VbEsguaP4rSvvSuR3fg/s400/2009-06-07+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344799541200401010" border="0" /></a><br />So peaceful<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXf5010Lwo3neqshiOSWpBFQKxwpJ0leB_G9SU3p3XGoY9VsiPLcY0fSe29DTk4nEy2IpBWIuzsgr0nQGhK5EJ3wwwQnorpv1ouRuzbwD81GB0Rb3jByjmGr0pmdhabTi3t7UouGQ2_k/s1600-h/2009-06-07+016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXf5010Lwo3neqshiOSWpBFQKxwpJ0leB_G9SU3p3XGoY9VsiPLcY0fSe29DTk4nEy2IpBWIuzsgr0nQGhK5EJ3wwwQnorpv1ouRuzbwD81GB0Rb3jByjmGr0pmdhabTi3t7UouGQ2_k/s400/2009-06-07+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344799546652763458" border="0" /></a><br />Evidently it's damn near impossible for me<br />to do a blog post with this many pictures without<br />including a gratuitous self-portrait of myself<br />with Matt. I just love him so :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB4a_c4BYvhBeTs4zQnQcWlwnNVfwpQVVPlhm0GIEZ1NXvKiU_XrIGE8SQPe73Q9iuNSa6aDouzrDflKS-R_1cTzwa5bexvJ2C79qmRRZRiB77RmmuoAq5DYmhVVD3_wnBKCskC-ZM1A/s1600-h/2009-06-07+026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB4a_c4BYvhBeTs4zQnQcWlwnNVfwpQVVPlhm0GIEZ1NXvKiU_XrIGE8SQPe73Q9iuNSa6aDouzrDflKS-R_1cTzwa5bexvJ2C79qmRRZRiB77RmmuoAq5DYmhVVD3_wnBKCskC-ZM1A/s400/2009-06-07+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344799550089561890" border="0" /></a><br />Should we really allow this kid to have a stick<br />with not one, but two, sharp, metal prongs on<br />the end? Eh, why not?<br /><br />I promise, one of these days I am gonna get off my lazy ass and actually write a blog entry instead of just flooding you guys with pics. Maybe. :pUnknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-4077697022093390122009-05-27T20:57:00.000-04:002009-05-27T21:16:54.973-04:00Future Candy Stripers of AmericaDon't worry, Matt is fine. These pictures are from a few weeks ago, when Matt was getting a blood transfusion before he was finished with chemo. Elena and I decided it would be fun to go get Happy Meals and take them to the hospital. Elena was hellbent on the idea that a toy, along with the sight of her, would make Matt all better. Maybe she was right :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWE1B_el-M0dkma4H_vGzACRyYeYsdJ9VltX9a1BpnDpDtdnQ6DRSKhYP0UsCQnomiogBcP94NCBzCRx65CY965AOw-kp9Xb8UA41KLtkIn7AAix7jCcHyW05temMq22c12nWBaPrMaA/s1600-h/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWE1B_el-M0dkma4H_vGzACRyYeYsdJ9VltX9a1BpnDpDtdnQ6DRSKhYP0UsCQnomiogBcP94NCBzCRx65CY965AOw-kp9Xb8UA41KLtkIn7AAix7jCcHyW05temMq22c12nWBaPrMaA/s400/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340673984234601330" border="0" /></a><br />Anticipation<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNZSiu_mo4UcXKyxeC6JTlgw4wrRIoCbvH1UZeQdKxZkHPTqixiALuBjJ6oWQILWrmkwnaUiGwjuKYn7axgZfwrWpz3-E_Vk8G_mzAfJTIkjYwS6n4waGoc1ZeDJ3mYIh1dxYPEWb_co/s1600-h/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNZSiu_mo4UcXKyxeC6JTlgw4wrRIoCbvH1UZeQdKxZkHPTqixiALuBjJ6oWQILWrmkwnaUiGwjuKYn7axgZfwrWpz3-E_Vk8G_mzAfJTIkjYwS6n4waGoc1ZeDJ3mYIh1dxYPEWb_co/s400/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340673994653643730" border="0" /></a><br />The Happy Meal toys sucked, so we had to improvise :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFBvU6YaSs5ZUs6KAGXtglEsKF8ejDcrkLQ0pXoNLnNCbYDATijWyeBtHQAHAxWNhjYzxGemuV8rw7hI7xkRkeBNMRHrKnol0zOl3yr5EEivBn9MavrnWMTBBXxi9O5c4t-UQ-x6ZZ8Q/s1600-h/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+014.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvFBvU6YaSs5ZUs6KAGXtglEsKF8ejDcrkLQ0pXoNLnNCbYDATijWyeBtHQAHAxWNhjYzxGemuV8rw7hI7xkRkeBNMRHrKnol0zOl3yr5EEivBn9MavrnWMTBBXxi9O5c4t-UQ-x6ZZ8Q/s400/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340673997032711858" border="0" /></a><br />Wasting medical supplies in the name of fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6Ix6o4Oa_0kl4ll2b-atg172WjB4uZ75SLRfaRoh0Qwu_wPz7azCvVXKX-le0r02PAF3HVVPUMBbPg5YJKCjhOekq2jy1LdPtSeJznw6I2nJdss2LJcuj73_pHqVZgdTeBX-r61KtXc/s1600-h/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+020.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6Ix6o4Oa_0kl4ll2b-atg172WjB4uZ75SLRfaRoh0Qwu_wPz7azCvVXKX-le0r02PAF3HVVPUMBbPg5YJKCjhOekq2jy1LdPtSeJznw6I2nJdss2LJcuj73_pHqVZgdTeBX-r61KtXc/s400/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340674011450120306" border="0" /></a><br />Matt and Elena, and the tattoos they gave each other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLQiJkXgEJ6YaHubcXBMb8jx5znOcUJ3mqnVAJOEIQMop5F7yza-X5j8XMIRhKDIrmTNrhRV-HvLd_ys8N-rRTfLIGaIVHy3-y3v-o_V2UJ_zaoIFvE0I97FrFGbWDu9_lTgtjX3Nj_w/s1600-h/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+018.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLQiJkXgEJ6YaHubcXBMb8jx5znOcUJ3mqnVAJOEIQMop5F7yza-X5j8XMIRhKDIrmTNrhRV-HvLd_ys8N-rRTfLIGaIVHy3-y3v-o_V2UJ_zaoIFvE0I97FrFGbWDu9_lTgtjX3Nj_w/s400/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340674000207915426" border="0" /></a><br />Sleepy? Elena had a nap that day. I did not :pUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-61154541366335776092009-05-27T20:07:00.000-04:002009-05-27T20:36:44.220-04:00Sippin' & Dippin'North Carolina passed a law last week prohibiting smoking in public places. I am not sure whether the law applies to ALL public places, or just indoors. Either way, the law states that it is unfair to force a restaurant worker to participate in "passive smoking" (formerly known as "being exposed to second-hand smoke").<br /><br />Erin is not ready to make nice on this one yet. So like a true tobacco addict, she's found a way to skirt the law. It's probably not a coincidence that she got the idea to start dipping about two days after she attended her first NASCAR race. Dippin' ain't easy. There are all kinds of issues, other than the obvious ones, like the fact that tobacco doesn't stick together that well, so the dip falls out, and if you forget to spit, you'll barf. Regardless, I have a feeling she'll be a skilled pro by the time the new law takes effect next January, and ready to spit some Skoal in Bev Perdue's eye if given the chance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjdwog8dJx5PnxOklYbQ648hNvO_KY6kwiQ6fqcBbwtRIEjdTzqablZJKrvOLqh7gbY-Nwf0u6HlZBIlCb63-y1uGWp2dxvDJzTOkqkFObDsNprva8Wai_9_iZsmE6zHNLp5X984BKjA/s1600-h/2009-05-19+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjdwog8dJx5PnxOklYbQ648hNvO_KY6kwiQ6fqcBbwtRIEjdTzqablZJKrvOLqh7gbY-Nwf0u6HlZBIlCb63-y1uGWp2dxvDJzTOkqkFObDsNprva8Wai_9_iZsmE6zHNLp5X984BKjA/s400/2009-05-19+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340665763837625490" border="0" /></a>Whether you agree or disagree, I still think she should get an A for dedication. Know your rights, ya'll. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-83227535270545079352009-05-21T22:11:00.000-04:002009-05-21T22:27:28.306-04:00No Mo Chemo<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgtTgVi2JRPqje28x_nwRJYs_jbXa12qV5Pf6vABQ_FKUZPmu5xu-5QJFX4Q2Bplmehpcz0TIaQ_5_F8dptP_sadFLWIYri1QcLQYc2IKrtEJG8pc-HNQPpHZ2ozw6F6_F3IEeRyPeSQ/s1600-h/2009-05-21+First+day+officially+cancer+free+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgtTgVi2JRPqje28x_nwRJYs_jbXa12qV5Pf6vABQ_FKUZPmu5xu-5QJFX4Q2Bplmehpcz0TIaQ_5_F8dptP_sadFLWIYri1QcLQYc2IKrtEJG8pc-HNQPpHZ2ozw6F6_F3IEeRyPeSQ/s400/2009-05-21+First+day+officially+cancer+free+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338465753167445282" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Collective sigh of relief<br /><br /></span>It's official!!!! We got Matt's CT results today and his cancer is in remission :)<br /><br />I'm sure I will end up writing more about this later, getting into more details and reflecting/rambling on some things. Not today.<br /><br />Today's word of the day is "gratitude".<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-47523346965038696782009-05-18T00:40:00.000-04:002009-05-18T02:16:02.766-04:00Songs that remind me of youIt's late. I'm bored.<br /><br />I've been sitting here listening to my Pandora station. Being able to hear is a wonderful thing, you know? There are so many songs that take me back so a certain place or time or remind me of someone. So I thought it would be kinda fun to share a few songs that remind me of people. I don't wanna hear any bitching from anyone who doesn't like "their" song. I'm 28. I can't change these memory associations, or control what they developed in the first place. The song just reminds me of you for some reason. I'll try to add some sidenotes about where I think the association between person and song developed (but with this mind of mine, who the hell knows?). For some of you, it will be hard/inaccurate to name just one song, but I don't have all night. Also, there is no way that I could list everyone in one post. So if you aren't listed, don't be offended. I'll have to continue in another post later. Enjoy, and feel free to let me know if you have a song that reminds you of me. I think it would be neat :)<br /><br />Mom: Mariah Carey, <span style="font-style: italic;">I'll be there</span>. Reminds me of Mom because when I was a child she told me to think of her when I heard this song. Pretty simple :P <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52d20PK_Kyk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52d20PK_Kyk</a><br /><br />Dad always sang a lot when I was a kid. Mostly songs to make me laugh or embarass me, but this one was my favorite :) The Hollies, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Air That I Breathe<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7S8-Iewi0&feature=related"> </a></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7S8-Iewi0&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7S8-Iewi0&feature=related</a><br /><br />Joe: The Beatles, <span style="font-style: italic;">In My Life</span>. I apologize for the horrible spelling at the beginning of this video.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI0Q8ytD44Y">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI0Q8ytD44Y</a><br /><br />Gina: Rolling Stones, <span style="font-style: italic;">You Can't Always Get What You Want. </span>But if you try sometimes, you might just find, I love you enough not to tell the world why this is your song, because I know that you already know why :) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0jyKabLHVc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0jyKabLHVc</a><br /><br />Brandon: Elton John, <span style="font-style: italic;">I Wan't Love. </span>Robert Downey, Jr. kinda looks like Brandon in the video. And I just LOVE Elton :) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_u6l7EsQMc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_u6l7EsQMc</a><br /><br />Matt: Here is one you wouldn't expect, since you and I have had this talk before. This one reminds me of some damn good times :). Toby Keith(sorry, Gina), <span style="font-style: italic;">I Love This Bar. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85rPq1u9sc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q85rPq1u9sc</a><br /><br />Erin: Duh. Janis Joplin, <span style="font-style: italic;">Me and Bobby McGee. </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FMhnl0__Vo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FMhnl0__Vo</a> . Good audio, nothing like how we do it, but at least the Janis video montage is cool.<br /><br />Lex: Two days past 18, baby. Two fuckin days. It's a shame. I'm not kidding. Bring our troops home ASAP, please?. Sorry, you know I can't pass up a chance to give an unsolicited opinion :P Dixie Chicks, <span style="font-style: italic;">Travelin' Soldier.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLBgmbXBOb8"> </a></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLBgmbXBOb8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLBgmbXBOb8</a><br /><br />Elena: The Beatles, <span style="font-style: italic;">Get Back. </span>Honey, you loved it when I sang this song when you were a baby. Always got a giggle with this one. Not sure if she was laughing at my singing or dancing?? <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlWFpdPX45g">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlWFpdPX45g</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I've saved the best for last. :) World's Cheesiest Song<br /></div><br />Steven Corn: You already know, don't you? Celine Dion, <span style="font-style: italic;">Because You Loved Me</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji-GONSfwnE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji-GONSfwnE</a> . You gotta see it, Steven. Celine is so full of her own shit in this video.<br /><br />Alright, that's all I've got in me tonight. G'night.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-62658779682051810992009-05-16T02:01:00.000-04:002009-05-16T02:31:48.992-04:00A promise is a promise<div style="text-align: left;">So, most of you probably already know that I promised Matt back in March (when we thought that the surgery would most likely catch all the cancer) that if he had to have chemo, then I would let him do whatever he wanted with my hair. For the past few years, I have been repeating a cycle of growing my hair long enough to donate to Locks of Love, and then having it chopped off. For the past few years, Matt has begged me to try different things with my hair, but I don't really care that much about my hair, and don't like to spend time or money on it. So I thought that if Matt had to do chemo (and lose his eyebrows and eyelashes, his biggest fear) then it would be proper to do my own little "Locks of Love" project a bit closer to home. Instead of donating my hair, I promised to get it cut, colored, permed, whatever Matt wanted, at the hands of a well trained professional.<br /><br />That's not exactly how it worked out. First, Matt still has not lost his eyebrows OR eyelashes. But, like the title says, a promise is a promise. I have learned my lesson. I should have been more specific. "If your eyebrows fall out, you can have total reign over my hair" would have been better. Second, we have NOT had the time to find a well trained professional, and I started getting really sick of my hair as it started getting hotter outside. Third, it's been kinda boring around here lately.<br /><br />So the other night, we decided to throw caution to the wind, and I let Matt take a pair of scissors to my locks*. My lovely lady locks. I have to say it was fun. At first Matt was scared, but after a few times of me repeating "I don't care if you screw it up, I'll just shave it off, I've done it before, and you may never cut hair again, so enjoy yourself" he loosened up and we had a blast, along with just a few scary moments when Matt went hog-wild and almost stabbed me with the scissors. Ok, he did stab me with the scissors*, but he didn't draw blood, so we're cool. And of course we got some funny pics :)<br /><br />*I know you are wondering. We were totally sober. I swear. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBT_lxM0uJRBvc0qfalnL9F9Qw-g8UfYIuilr2DCRkEsZDSzfenX5ChrzmLPk_c5ConasMwHRjReL2yhuwgz60b-2mv7bXX0IwuWJb335lYmFSuThb_59Q3q-dr77Nb-QH3tIFGIDCm8/s1600-h/2009-05-12+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+16+010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBT_lxM0uJRBvc0qfalnL9F9Qw-g8UfYIuilr2DCRkEsZDSzfenX5ChrzmLPk_c5ConasMwHRjReL2yhuwgz60b-2mv7bXX0IwuWJb335lYmFSuThb_59Q3q-dr77Nb-QH3tIFGIDCm8/s400/2009-05-12+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+16+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336301947452353602" border="0" /></a><br />The look in my eyes makes me pretty<br />sure that this pic was shot <span style="font-style: italic;">after </span>the<br />accidental stabbing.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHF7VxDK9C8MAPtnizDQO9uyR3U3a2giEkU37nR2IvVRi5eo5QIaUUSMjkVmOuuKvFE6gONijI7L3MoiVCudLq-xzlH2dHK5Skfb_DhFpV0WkKFeLcKpqGBtvbAIA9VJ7YwEZ-TkchPg/s1600-h/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHF7VxDK9C8MAPtnizDQO9uyR3U3a2giEkU37nR2IvVRi5eo5QIaUUSMjkVmOuuKvFE6gONijI7L3MoiVCudLq-xzlH2dHK5Skfb_DhFpV0WkKFeLcKpqGBtvbAIA9VJ7YwEZ-TkchPg/s400/2009-05-15+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+20+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336301952742805890" border="0" /></a><br />But it didn't turn out half bad. I like it a lot :) It's very<br />layery and and it looks quite nice when rockin' the dogwood<br />blossom, which just happens to be the state flower (or is<br />it tree?) for NC. My 4th grade teacher would be ashamed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-27537695072591983652009-05-11T20:29:00.001-04:002009-06-08T00:58:47.721-04:00It me birthday yesterday!!Thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes my way in one way, shape or form yesterday. Mad props to Liz, who commented via the blog ;)<br /><br />I had a great birthday. I sure all of you can guess that I was ready to kiss 27 goodbye and watch the door hit it in the ass on the way out, so needless to say, I was very excited about my birthday this year. 27 sucked. Hopefully 28 will be much better. 27 was full of heartache. It is a year that I will never forget mostly for negative reasons. Two failed pregnancies, dad's tumor, Matt's cancer, and a couple of deaths in the family are just the first things that pop into mind when I think about what has happened in my life since my 27th birthday. I could probably think of more sad stuff, but who wants to sit around and do that?<br /><br />The point is, even though it sucked, I have learned a lot in the last year about happiness, love, gratitude, compassion and how to take what you life gives you and do the best that you can with it. There are a lot of things that have happenned that made me want to run for the hills and become a total recluse so that the world couldn't get me anymore. Even though it wasn't the best year ever, I am thankful to have lived through it and for having the chance to see strength and love in myself and the people around me. I always knew that it existed, but now I know better than before that it is <span style="font-style: italic;">solid, </span>and knowing that is a good feeling. It's the only measure of safety I can have in this totally unpredictable world. When I think about all that I have learned this year, about appreciation, hidden strength, gratitude, sympathy, peace, and what is really important, using the word "thankful" seems trite.<br /><br />Even though life often seems like an episode of "As The World Turns", I am ready for my next trip around the sun and the joy that I hope it brings. Happy Birthday to me :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIrOUk3LcC1YKae6OPn4EuCtBryoVKg0yTlIH4fItuudrQPEXxlVUyycJGFlmfH3mGwqKaulO_FNVEi5wwt86uYwRwm_cLjY9xJkBAT1Z7n_U7T_UHlP6wcMVFhjjSmfd4xdZCwXVIbw/s1600-h/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIrOUk3LcC1YKae6OPn4EuCtBryoVKg0yTlIH4fItuudrQPEXxlVUyycJGFlmfH3mGwqKaulO_FNVEi5wwt86uYwRwm_cLjY9xJkBAT1Z7n_U7T_UHlP6wcMVFhjjSmfd4xdZCwXVIbw/s400/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334729450511609490" border="0" /></a><br />Celebrating with the family. Judging by the look on<br />Mamaw's face, I think I may have dropped an F-bomb<br />right before Matt shot this pic. Mamaw has started a new policy:<br />each time I say that word, it's costing me a quarter. Now<br />the economy is hitting me EXTRA hard :b<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSnDKkwYQBffvpGWhI7DSuD2eZRi3lzqVB4ljZAhZOhaKsqybkuvCR7vp-AzrcpBsWfY-T1uMEAgjpYtB8oCPIERwxzFbjxayi0RK6N2YaarcOac-8EhlsvDNc_VtFbZdrO475-VLN1g/s1600-h/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+021.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSnDKkwYQBffvpGWhI7DSuD2eZRi3lzqVB4ljZAhZOhaKsqybkuvCR7vp-AzrcpBsWfY-T1uMEAgjpYtB8oCPIERwxzFbjxayi0RK6N2YaarcOac-8EhlsvDNc_VtFbZdrO475-VLN1g/s400/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334729455115079282" border="0" /></a><br />Heather remembered to bring the<br />Sesame Street shirt that says "Party<br />Animal" on the front, and "It me birthday"<br />on the back. I think I made her wear it<br />for two birthdays, so happy that she<br />remembered to carry on the tradition :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vlV7qCORm4pErC-oXVQNY8HYm9_IdsctHB5JuCVITb2dVnqLCjAcT1QBV8Kox74VBvQnnDSk2XYfUw4R-nJ1LecbUdFM5XibD3r3Vq18eSxEa9VszxpFmtHii1uf9JS_f57hkDVEnR0/s1600-h/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+055.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vlV7qCORm4pErC-oXVQNY8HYm9_IdsctHB5JuCVITb2dVnqLCjAcT1QBV8Kox74VBvQnnDSk2XYfUw4R-nJ1LecbUdFM5XibD3r3Vq18eSxEa9VszxpFmtHii1uf9JS_f57hkDVEnR0/s400/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+055.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334729461626566626" border="0" /></a><br />With Waylon<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlUphziiXkHyzkjbfYAjVadPpKbIxrhDbmT66rERALxVsjJH0ABJNAXvPcYDdV9zXdDu6VH-AiIV2151k6R0AsOp2WqDA_BS6GwYmfSG_GIN22Qa10M5v1pu8-J6-E9OGBYVjmesLPQQ/s1600-h/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlUphziiXkHyzkjbfYAjVadPpKbIxrhDbmT66rERALxVsjJH0ABJNAXvPcYDdV9zXdDu6VH-AiIV2151k6R0AsOp2WqDA_BS6GwYmfSG_GIN22Qa10M5v1pu8-J6-E9OGBYVjmesLPQQ/s400/2009-05-10+Chemo+Round+two,+Day+14+Rachels+Birthday+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334729447923169074" border="0" /></a><br />Erin on balloon duty. I think she has a new<br />sympathy for Brenda now :) (sorry, inside<br />joke, but I couldn't resist.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-19928007144948884632009-04-30T17:18:00.000-04:002009-04-30T17:18:00.377-04:00Chemo with a side of BlackberrySo, this is my first attempt at posting a blog entry from my Blackberry since I became the proud owner of a pretty, pink Blackberry last week. I am absolutely in love with this thing! I can get on the internet ANYWHERE!!!<br /><br />I went out earlier to get us some lunch and now I've been sitting here for a while watching Matt sleep through his chemo. The nurse is changing the IV bags. All of this while I work on my blog. Multi-tasking just became pocket-sized. Technology is amazing, kids. :)<br /><br />Stayed tuned for inevitable future entries about my development of carpal tunnel syndrome and possible family intervention for my Blackberry addiction. This thing is better than crack. Well, I've never done crack, but I can't imagine any non-living thing that could be more fun than this (right now, at least), and it is surely equally addictive. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-46180903751580660012009-04-29T22:03:00.000-04:002009-04-30T23:04:33.545-04:00Family OutingI'm too tired and lazy to write. Matt is doing well. Enjoy the pictures from our trip to the zoo. We make such a lovely little blended family. I had a great time and hope to be able to do it again soon.<br /><br />Hope all of you are well :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ni-fp0lN80aYEskApe75j5vREmnyqPKmLqsoEAdWewXvEXqTy1whewAUjXwGIIRIWARdAZF48DvQkZ3nxSZVUoN6BU3bbQNgmBZKllimihDROf6Ii_mTymX0hSaNhldpZIyXXQfBKfk/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+003.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Ni-fp0lN80aYEskApe75j5vREmnyqPKmLqsoEAdWewXvEXqTy1whewAUjXwGIIRIWARdAZF48DvQkZ3nxSZVUoN6BU3bbQNgmBZKllimihDROf6Ii_mTymX0hSaNhldpZIyXXQfBKfk/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330301005456255346" border="0" /></a><br />John Mills (Matt's youngest brother, 9), Elena (my neice,<br />Gina's daughter, 3) and Matt (the best room mate I have<br />ever had :b, 27). The playground was SO cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3uEfqQcyXmizrGwbGKIBsETqAAw3BFzKO49PfgApyqaWzZuSXshrvGH1JKJ6GIIC5TpQmLclfPQjlPpIROPKFeJfkrO9ot15e594zbPUeSHTiyHJe3KoGLoyaCxqwWinhFqg0ci5BQ4/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3uEfqQcyXmizrGwbGKIBsETqAAw3BFzKO49PfgApyqaWzZuSXshrvGH1JKJ6GIIC5TpQmLclfPQjlPpIROPKFeJfkrO9ot15e594zbPUeSHTiyHJe3KoGLoyaCxqwWinhFqg0ci5BQ4/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330301008557635554" border="0" /></a><br />We brought the wheelchair because Matt's<br />Neupogen shots make his bones hurt like<br />hell, it was 85 degrees and sunny, and<br />frankly, it just made me feel better to take<br />it and know that the chances of Matt hitting<br />the pavement would be lessened at least<br />50%. Immediately upon arrival at the zoo,<br />it became clear that the wheelchair would<br />be the kids' favorite attraction. We loaded<br />that thing like a pack mule, and never had<br />a shortage of ready volunteers to push. I'll never<br />take a bunch of kids to the zoo without one<br />again. It was a fuckin life saver. In this picture,<br />Lex is checking out (and bitching about) the<br />accessability of the zoo playground. The lady<br />behind him looks freaked out.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPLkCqbG8U1K2E6PDWhQBNzCvqD9F6GXmuZpU5YABz50c8XXQiPLLjQ4CUFcZlaTOdZgCqeD24MdB4q5w3czAQy2ih-bKf5IIrkzZcVw9TgM87DQXLQCe6cHqIEErrkTfZU84XrQ2SiY/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+029.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPLkCqbG8U1K2E6PDWhQBNzCvqD9F6GXmuZpU5YABz50c8XXQiPLLjQ4CUFcZlaTOdZgCqeD24MdB4q5w3czAQy2ih-bKf5IIrkzZcVw9TgM87DQXLQCe6cHqIEErrkTfZU84XrQ2SiY/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330305103886866274" border="0" /></a><br />Elena gets a hand from Uncle Matt<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazUflu9Kg1sRQwrgm2gSeR6a0aOpwGftDTYMHDFYE2jOkRYqYmtirw-GF_-ymg4UbJyIF4ROKck9mX_ONTWSerGr1j90JvPcnlud461RGxSK5qKbjkmlXf7LzwcFF2vn0l0xickIzyrI/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazUflu9Kg1sRQwrgm2gSeR6a0aOpwGftDTYMHDFYE2jOkRYqYmtirw-GF_-ymg4UbJyIF4ROKck9mX_ONTWSerGr1j90JvPcnlud461RGxSK5qKbjkmlXf7LzwcFF2vn0l0xickIzyrI/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330301012425204642" border="0" /></a><br />Lex rides the artwork. He'll ride anything.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTtQvUkTtfYCKbtFP2qTpzU0ieSw39AQZ_-HxcNwOQlBEWBIB1zfTQnFNe8n3ttNFgtzrhG9DBX5zrnh8fCnZTkQGjqDhK6-5myXqmc2MEcdXEoLI3CRAg7u9M-nuW-dQOIQyQmHte-w/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+011.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTtQvUkTtfYCKbtFP2qTpzU0ieSw39AQZ_-HxcNwOQlBEWBIB1zfTQnFNe8n3ttNFgtzrhG9DBX5zrnh8fCnZTkQGjqDhK6-5myXqmc2MEcdXEoLI3CRAg7u9M-nuW-dQOIQyQmHte-w/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330301014611498242" border="0" /></a><br />Me with Gina (sister-in-law, bff)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhTYg-8HT8O2nV5rMf1-iuTAX9_Mlo697VvQhnfQvIMPmUki5nzgkKUOXpPHTFpHpc53gL1Ikx8JMZKApagZh58kUnnUbwagLgZbDNg61PVB8VtOvFOAw3Vqw9JAfsTwN1OY8WY43FBg/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+028.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhTYg-8HT8O2nV5rMf1-iuTAX9_Mlo697VvQhnfQvIMPmUki5nzgkKUOXpPHTFpHpc53gL1Ikx8JMZKApagZh58kUnnUbwagLgZbDNg61PVB8VtOvFOAw3Vqw9JAfsTwN1OY8WY43FBg/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306245013921282" border="0" /></a><br />Matt making sure the kids walk the line.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc-AAgOHJ2wXaAF8ob70PJOmKl9ZuNbjseTAxUnAn9JgwcCDIqbudaAVlvSIjpoHS2aDCT4VCWQT671yMmVklfxi9yJSqLckRNj2cPXz64VUT6O7hWPhzDZBLbn_0cvIO1k4RYegFfiQ/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+037.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc-AAgOHJ2wXaAF8ob70PJOmKl9ZuNbjseTAxUnAn9JgwcCDIqbudaAVlvSIjpoHS2aDCT4VCWQT671yMmVklfxi9yJSqLckRNj2cPXz64VUT6O7hWPhzDZBLbn_0cvIO1k4RYegFfiQ/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306248485763458" border="0" /></a><br />John climbing the spider web thing. This<br />pole is WAY taller than it looks.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcaDkS0TE_-W23ZrS2P9nszDmT3oRpr7DQJtceBquxMGIYvdqN8Xd9oST3zeaaoAm5NUiAsiNMgizl9LcdOWz0zZhwnJwpJtDQCvUynlD_4xtt-2FPPqp5aeu9O3Zldkw-oeotkuJLZk/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+016.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlcaDkS0TE_-W23ZrS2P9nszDmT3oRpr7DQJtceBquxMGIYvdqN8Xd9oST3zeaaoAm5NUiAsiNMgizl9LcdOWz0zZhwnJwpJtDQCvUynlD_4xtt-2FPPqp5aeu9O3Zldkw-oeotkuJLZk/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330305087737963170" border="0" /></a><br />The whole crew, Minus Lex, at our post-playground/pre-<br />zoo picnic. (Someone has to take the pictures :b ) Elena,<br />Matt, John, Gina, Joe (my little bro) and me.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wSvsZZPVu8rNZojzj33G59wppf4a_TvhO6l3DWairgTdwYFHxA0jX2DGww57fxD_Kt67cmpcSJM9fqe7QPLqCazdsLGnY9HcB5L0rEOc6MiIp4mf3oFkNErcqSu2NqaNscNxIgQ_j7E/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+017.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wSvsZZPVu8rNZojzj33G59wppf4a_TvhO6l3DWairgTdwYFHxA0jX2DGww57fxD_Kt67cmpcSJM9fqe7QPLqCazdsLGnY9HcB5L0rEOc6MiIp4mf3oFkNErcqSu2NqaNscNxIgQ_j7E/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330301018772908194" border="0" /></a><br />Elena with giant strawberry.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKQhmLLU_lKFauchWfLy0pw3_t1W5_EE5F2AmnCndautbHI4I7a0EujMww745iBr2kU9zpDslDOHD2ue8Or6vZnOxRtPdqLHLLHJaTeqPan0bDKyFybjW-1effwiMzIzC6fa3h3v0mK0/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+020.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKQhmLLU_lKFauchWfLy0pw3_t1W5_EE5F2AmnCndautbHI4I7a0EujMww745iBr2kU9zpDslDOHD2ue8Or6vZnOxRtPdqLHLLHJaTeqPan0bDKyFybjW-1effwiMzIzC6fa3h3v0mK0/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330305090500528146" border="0" /></a><br />Elena crashing John into a trash can. They were helping<br />with picnic clean-up.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNNheIiFhYR-LvvA90xuQnLk70NRz3zWZ3CNA-Hk37Cat9zlB8bz4w9FQGXwqjRihAaY490TTvvd70-tRhZIe03calxenMrDM0dUPkSkrZkVH_8o7-VlKKs1Ss6RESLXNygrwz0VVx44/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+038.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNNheIiFhYR-LvvA90xuQnLk70NRz3zWZ3CNA-Hk37Cat9zlB8bz4w9FQGXwqjRihAaY490TTvvd70-tRhZIe03calxenMrDM0dUPkSkrZkVH_8o7-VlKKs1Ss6RESLXNygrwz0VVx44/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+038.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306249207177922" border="0" /></a><br />John forgot to bring gas money, so we put<br />his ass to work. Just kidding. Major thanks<br />to both little brothers, Joe and John. They<br />we ON TOP of the wheelchair pushing. They<br />should go into a wheelchair pushing business<br />together. Seriously.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJca2tiVUwAnfymny2M5NfisvQxJ41lfoL67ZozWXNvAq_SJcD1SAFM8qHT0vAW2tOPwY4N67xMq7Ec6dJsoHCy5yTobcYgfFdTfUREXcsSq-lrq-bW6EzY8wrmYnDbXhO8XgS6wIskMo/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+023.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJca2tiVUwAnfymny2M5NfisvQxJ41lfoL67ZozWXNvAq_SJcD1SAFM8qHT0vAW2tOPwY4N67xMq7Ec6dJsoHCy5yTobcYgfFdTfUREXcsSq-lrq-bW6EzY8wrmYnDbXhO8XgS6wIskMo/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330305102028116866" border="0" /></a><br />And, we're off to the zoo :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eplx8JtnDefC4qAtIa1hAC13fdH7q59m3U0f5yaa-H6nLFi15tHkE8jkEMfa3YwsfOA6TGQcpMSJLHxKu40fDEr7sbNaaFfmSl_jEM6RUiDGw7HkEQg9pfjBqbi9IF-D4GbgGLHQ64M/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+041.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eplx8JtnDefC4qAtIa1hAC13fdH7q59m3U0f5yaa-H6nLFi15tHkE8jkEMfa3YwsfOA6TGQcpMSJLHxKu40fDEr7sbNaaFfmSl_jEM6RUiDGw7HkEQg9pfjBqbi9IF-D4GbgGLHQ64M/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306250929298242" border="0" /></a><br />God, I love this kid. My baby Brandon girl.<br />*This lovely moment was later ruined when<br />Elena noticed that one elephant was catching<br />another elephants poop in it's mouth and<br />eating it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUgyCjYj08qaw5Y5ikqZr_h6B0S3Kd5hfyM4HLQLNOU_Xen8g3QF0rhUQ92XhLSKUHMuAZPp0nT1uS-lbvcJM38UKEw2iySDvnCCYUxfiwBJfUY62O5Rs-WGH5F-WJJadzOBKWEexNpA/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+042.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUgyCjYj08qaw5Y5ikqZr_h6B0S3Kd5hfyM4HLQLNOU_Xen8g3QF0rhUQ92XhLSKUHMuAZPp0nT1uS-lbvcJM38UKEw2iySDvnCCYUxfiwBJfUY62O5Rs-WGH5F-WJJadzOBKWEexNpA/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330306256168487138" border="0" /></a><br />Me: "This lion's ass is HOT!"<br />Elena: "Lion has a hot ass"<br />Me: "no, no, hiney, Honey, say hiney."<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnTXLIt5GDDuwUHNl4vc069-_y67YXq8oF5bkCg7skT1MMrAZycerVBNwzpmeq_h5ubgz3YOC9YxlRVqYaXevLfdkCReTCOhznGQwSmj7C25X430eQLHjGFmyVfimXdwy2QDRRIiAPsE/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+050.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnTXLIt5GDDuwUHNl4vc069-_y67YXq8oF5bkCg7skT1MMrAZycerVBNwzpmeq_h5ubgz3YOC9YxlRVqYaXevLfdkCReTCOhznGQwSmj7C25X430eQLHjGFmyVfimXdwy2QDRRIiAPsE/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330307307463287106" border="0" /></a><br />We LOVE the giant turtles!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA_eSaywhGqCZDCz2dzJS0tT6RSy0nxuHonNsQr7_Ne7KDeXVSKZ_E5N4__5nCprW0ij0QnarARkAb21Cd2i29DyKJ24AUL9bH_oTmXmsOEuN294Oc4RM2L_IeBLKp7tE6x7j5q8I0ew/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+061.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLA_eSaywhGqCZDCz2dzJS0tT6RSy0nxuHonNsQr7_Ne7KDeXVSKZ_E5N4__5nCprW0ij0QnarARkAb21Cd2i29DyKJ24AUL9bH_oTmXmsOEuN294Oc4RM2L_IeBLKp7tE6x7j5q8I0ew/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330307313130771202" border="0" /></a><br />Looks like a damn good argument for evolution if you ask<br />me. :P<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSaGrquBwt5gjc4mofEpcWGnHxkB3mFKRtFzH5FDs3W56v23SNa9VoEAEMKPSnOKm8dYSrDvFZYc9U0gHIvHL034p8Sl7QJjGhbboyvEoTMJa0mSFsmmgFbpYW4EX5kzUS7gyDCvEkqA/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+057.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSaGrquBwt5gjc4mofEpcWGnHxkB3mFKRtFzH5FDs3W56v23SNa9VoEAEMKPSnOKm8dYSrDvFZYc9U0gHIvHL034p8Sl7QJjGhbboyvEoTMJa0mSFsmmgFbpYW4EX5kzUS7gyDCvEkqA/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330307314558950754" border="0" /></a><br />The mommy orangutan hangs out with her face smooshed<br />against the glass with the most pathetic "get me the hell<br />out of here" look on her face. It's heart-breaking.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBvE6Hnu-AEtuZhR1AwB5fBgceiOveh3l88Us1OhhOLGiCPnPeZIqG8lRrwg5TjrQbz41nnvb0AMDMJrNVS1AmBJnoSK7BXA7hbmES3SmTlPlHgi5HZ9PslEc2Vr2NQIloy0_hFP-SOU/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+063.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBvE6Hnu-AEtuZhR1AwB5fBgceiOveh3l88Us1OhhOLGiCPnPeZIqG8lRrwg5TjrQbz41nnvb0AMDMJrNVS1AmBJnoSK7BXA7hbmES3SmTlPlHgi5HZ9PslEc2Vr2NQIloy0_hFP-SOU/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330307321949044402" border="0" /></a><br />Cotton candy/ice cream break #1<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fpk-N5P3khFO82f1-NQ77xL7tVYY2-otE_QfKpY_jhJuGtrSg1uF9lCTDquRhbT5-LdTmugpGTBtdGT7uPU-v7j_a9ETbCFvG9tl2XiWV2iCP9tSmkqaMMBrws6gHc3vNYuDyQ3tLTs/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+065.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fpk-N5P3khFO82f1-NQ77xL7tVYY2-otE_QfKpY_jhJuGtrSg1uF9lCTDquRhbT5-LdTmugpGTBtdGT7uPU-v7j_a9ETbCFvG9tl2XiWV2iCP9tSmkqaMMBrws6gHc3vNYuDyQ3tLTs/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330308436391239586" border="0" /></a><br />love<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwalDv5qDyIfCtdioCfOKDWl03wgWYQ96g4uGlWR1YbBB1V6h7K6r7BMYCmCiQR4Jw4KHnDD_InSDqkxhUqFLm5e-rgDKfes2ff1oZDnYKO4l8u76E44tMxIUKf8uZ9IU6dvPd2STIWYk/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+067.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwalDv5qDyIfCtdioCfOKDWl03wgWYQ96g4uGlWR1YbBB1V6h7K6r7BMYCmCiQR4Jw4KHnDD_InSDqkxhUqFLm5e-rgDKfes2ff1oZDnYKO4l8u76E44tMxIUKf8uZ9IU6dvPd2STIWYk/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330308444533083202" border="0" /></a><br />No. I was not the one who fed the monkey the azalea that<br />was in my hair.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQqztE4Zo3p4JwVfHSF6vnM0DOKW4aOObxZPg7K-0vt8-YoqWaOdBOdSbcD95Qjqv5o21jnOoZsSwwFsrxexGzxgFPwxZL1QdwYbI2HiBwxgsC8gCUykv11ZkRlfiRTXUErOUFFvF8rc/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+052.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQqztE4Zo3p4JwVfHSF6vnM0DOKW4aOObxZPg7K-0vt8-YoqWaOdBOdSbcD95Qjqv5o21jnOoZsSwwFsrxexGzxgFPwxZL1QdwYbI2HiBwxgsC8gCUykv11ZkRlfiRTXUErOUFFvF8rc/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330590536740694130" border="0" /></a><br />You can see Elena's head in the bottom of this pic. She was<br />hell-bent on seeing baby giraffes and disappointed to find<br />out that there weren't any. She said, "No babies? That's<br />so sad." Lex replies, "It's not always sad for a couple not to<br />have babies. Some people don't want children for one reason<br />or the other." Lex, the constant teacher.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4bH2OhsTlPhJgHI_GuTUxfsSMaKDUBsLfyi-Zrvq9oxxCyZAt5W1z-HZsc8C5RxlSvSTGAsYwgNIhyXNpaEls2JtwTXSjFhBGyyOyBPwa9vVkE9XPSh04RoR_uUaoEbk-0-8StBNTuY/s1600-h/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+076.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4bH2OhsTlPhJgHI_GuTUxfsSMaKDUBsLfyi-Zrvq9oxxCyZAt5W1z-HZsc8C5RxlSvSTGAsYwgNIhyXNpaEls2JtwTXSjFhBGyyOyBPwa9vVkE9XPSh04RoR_uUaoEbk-0-8StBNTuY/s400/2009-04-26+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+21+Greenville+Zoo+076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330308450318567714" border="0" /></a><br />Last ice cream stop at the end of the day. Elena got a<br />Dora the Explorer ice cream thingy that looked a LOT<br />like Elena.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-81327848497497362702009-04-25T23:14:00.000-04:002009-04-25T23:46:52.123-04:00Maisy's New HomeJust a quick update tonight. Mom and Dad adopted my friend Manny's dog. Maisy is cute as a button, sweet as a doll, all that stuff. Mom is in love, my little brother is so happy to have a dog again, and Maisy and dad are bonding well. She took a seat at his feet as soon as she walked in. I think she has melted every heart in the house. I will admit, once I had her in my possession, I didn't want to give her to my parents, but they have been looking for a dog, and Maisy needed a home, and they are a perfect match.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf3baSdXO-l-ZH22kmSbGkeLP90U6IiEzWnYbx8MKkVmv4bH3CdV9OIwOXJ2F6YmiVdDLB6UCAG9LeDG87u3u6TXsGBLM4KiNrq-ln-da-HrUAx5vsqD0gqc0EmKFZv_imMa3xDjvX8I/s1600-h/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyf3baSdXO-l-ZH22kmSbGkeLP90U6IiEzWnYbx8MKkVmv4bH3CdV9OIwOXJ2F6YmiVdDLB6UCAG9LeDG87u3u6TXsGBLM4KiNrq-ln-da-HrUAx5vsqD0gqc0EmKFZv_imMa3xDjvX8I/s400/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328838405317548450" border="0" /></a><br />Maisy meets dad.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5q1n8XDf0qnv7UuDGFx6WHnPoL3gqX4nM7jXaa65RbFFVR7B41C-1smDsMsoec0TbHWYhvStKzNtGic86eXyLfJ8iClrSgDk3gaETm9UJ8bTbWEwvA_f0nLdw28gCE0Mvw6vbnIf9rA/s1600-h/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+010.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5q1n8XDf0qnv7UuDGFx6WHnPoL3gqX4nM7jXaa65RbFFVR7B41C-1smDsMsoec0TbHWYhvStKzNtGic86eXyLfJ8iClrSgDk3gaETm9UJ8bTbWEwvA_f0nLdw28gCE0Mvw6vbnIf9rA/s400/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328837987512361426" border="0" /></a><br />Maisy likes sleeping with all of dad's other<br />stuff. His CD's, his weights, his cane. Works<br />out well because dad likes to dangle his leg<br />off of the bed and pet her with his feet :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3NAAtWjLXkEDpwZxmXEVKFcQNwQmCfmMD4SF2WmB6vPHCk73OnTJ-reZOhVcpLazD6l2-2kmDLc5rlNIcLjROAWofeMyFGrtsciSYZ5sc9h3fir9_9C-ABzriog6yGhR2E7IVIhhDQs/s1600-h/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+008.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3NAAtWjLXkEDpwZxmXEVKFcQNwQmCfmMD4SF2WmB6vPHCk73OnTJ-reZOhVcpLazD6l2-2kmDLc5rlNIcLjROAWofeMyFGrtsciSYZ5sc9h3fir9_9C-ABzriog6yGhR2E7IVIhhDQs/s400/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328837972695190130" border="0" /></a><br />Maisy smiling at mom in the kitchen. Sorry, I have no<br />clue why this pic is so blurry or how to fix it. Maisy's<br />bed that she brought with her fits PERFECTLY into this<br />weird little notch in the hall where she can relax and still<br />see what's going on in the whole house. I think the space<br />originally made for a wood stove years ago, but now it<br />makes a lovely indoor dog house. :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalJe_7lFM5XBVTLoGkAMzWAyqpfut_nvEO2xYOxoalDH1-O2ZsqaJmR5Ca8Hgo-afKyi9P56SJ7VjIIEW6aNWD7ZNvGkeAH-YiIHQlCCb_nQzHOnqfqH6KdKJkxMD4irOdh0FFbTRX-A/s1600-h/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+012.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalJe_7lFM5XBVTLoGkAMzWAyqpfut_nvEO2xYOxoalDH1-O2ZsqaJmR5Ca8Hgo-afKyi9P56SJ7VjIIEW6aNWD7ZNvGkeAH-YiIHQlCCb_nQzHOnqfqH6KdKJkxMD4irOdh0FFbTRX-A/s400/2009-04-25+Chemo+Round+One,+Day+20+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328837992021984162" border="0" /></a><br />Exploring her new yard.<br /><br />Thank you, Manny. Visit anytime :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8628855549824779933.post-54974871617120236852009-04-22T21:06:00.000-04:002009-04-22T21:12:42.158-04:00Open EndedSo, my blog is nearing the 1,000 hit mark, a very exciting thing for me :)<br /><br />Weird thing is, I don't get a lot of comments and I feel like I don't even know most of my readers. So I thought that I would give you guys a chance to speak up. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think of the blog, let me know how you found it, how I can improve it, ask me questions (which I will answer any reasonable ones) or give me some topics that you think I should write about.<br /><br />I probably won't get many takers on this one, but thought it would be fun anyway :)<br /><br />To leave an anonymous comment, click on the link below the blog post that says "(whatever number) comments", add your comments in the space provided, type in the captcha, scroll down, click "anonymous" and then click "submit".Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7