tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61715182003856545172024-02-18T22:01:11.580-06:00Life at the LakeLife at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-44781511415032422982013-03-05T21:01:00.000-06:002013-03-05T21:01:00.411-06:00Rachel's Big MoveI have wanted to blog about Rachel's move, but just never seem to <strike>find</strike> take the time to sit down and write! Rachel auditioned last March for a trainee position with Light of the World Ballet in Syracuse, New York. She was accepted and was finally at peace with plans for the next step beyond high school. Wow - Syracuse, NY - do you know how far that is from Greenwood, Arkansas?? It is just over 1300 miles!! That is a long way to move your baby girl. <div>
We spent the summer preparing for the big move, but summer sure passed quickly and before I knew it the day had come and it was time to leave. The plan was that I would drive to Syracuse with Rachel, help her settle in and then fly back home. Rachel packed her car to the brim. Literally, there was hardly an inch of space left to fill! We drove to Effingham, Illinois the first day. The second day we set the GPS for Millersburg, Ohio in the heart of Holmes County, Ohio which is the largest Amish community in the world. We spent the night in an Amish Bed and Breakfast -<a href="http://www.thebarninn.com/"> The Barn Inn</a> . When I first suggested this idea while planning our trip, Rachel was not thrilled with the idea. I have always been intrigued by the Amish way of life, however, and decided it was just too close to our route to not make the side trip. Rachel and I both enjoyed the beautiful drive through the Ohio countryside. We checked in to our beautiful room at The Barn Inn and then explored the grounds. Rachel loved the farm animals and beautiful landscaping! We had a wonderful dinner at an Amish restaurant, and yes, we did have pie for dessert! We enjoyed sitting on the back porch of the B&B in the evening and then watched a movie. We were treated to a bountiful breakfast the following morning and Loretta, the owner of the inn, gave a very informative talk about the area during breakfast. One of the recommended stops was a "basket house" where the family makes baskets and sells them from their house. Rachel was very interested so we found our way through the countryside to the basket house. We were greeted by the small children who showed us the way to the room where they sell the baskets. The mom was making jelly that day and it was unbelievable how many jars of juice she had sitting ready to make into jelly!! It was an awesome experience to visit briefly with the family and purchase a few baskets and a jar of jelly. Each child (when old enough) participates in making the baskets and each basket is marked by the child who made it. After we left the basket house we continued on our way, stopping at the J. M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe in Orrville, OH. The store carried every product made by Smucker's. We finally found our way back to the interstate and continued on toward Syracuse. We spent way more time than we thought we would in Amish Country so we ended up arriving in Syracuse a bit later than we had planned. We BOTH loved our time in Ohio and hope to visit the area again. As we entered NY, I remember being amazed at the vineyards along the interstate highway. I never realized they grew grapes there. We continued on through New York via the New York State Thruway in the dark and rain. I was very happy when we finally arrived in Syracuse!! When we arrived at Rachel's house, we were warmly welcomed by several of the girls who were already there. After a quick visit, the girls helped us unload Rachel's car before we left for a night at the hotel. </div>
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I stayed in a hotel while in Syracuse, and Rachel stayed with me that first night and the last night. First order of business the following day was to start unpacking and get her bed ready so she could stay at "her house" the second night! As we unpacked we started making lists of what we needed to buy and then the shopping began. Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Wegmans... you get the idea : ) We spent a couple of days getting her room settled, meeting her roommate when she arrived, and then we set out to have some fun. We did some exploring around Syracuse, ate at the infamous Dinosaur Barbecue (delicious, by the way), found some parks, the mall, pumpkin spice lattes and ended with some time by Lake Onondaga under a willow tree, Rachel's favorite, savoring our final hours together. Was I really ready to leave my baby girl 1300 miles from home, and was my baby girl ready to really be on her own, that far from home??? Rachel spent that last night with me at the hotel - after all, she had to be up to drive me to the airport around 4:30 a.m.!! I prayed with her and tried my best to hold in the tears and I did pretty well until I was checked in for my flight and headed to the gate ; ) It is unbelievable how those emotions are welling up inside as I write this six months later. </div>
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Six months have passed since I left Rachel in Syracuse. Wow, how proud I am of my "baby" girl! She is so grown up!!!! She has done phenomenal since she moved. She has grown up so much and has handled the new responsibilities so well. She spends 5 to 6 hours a day at the ballet studio, does homework, performs with LWB, works a part-time job as a hostess at Ruby Tuesday, has found a church home, takes care of her car, grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, and house responsibilities. She has learned how to live in a house with 6 other girls!! Her daddy and I couldn't be any happier for her. </div>
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Rachel had a 4 week Christmas break and we loved having her home! Her spring break is coming soon and I am going to Syracuse to spend the week with her; I am beyond excited. She has sent me a packing list (which includes my passport among other things - hmm) and an itinerary of places we should visit. I can't wait to be back in beautiful Central New York!</div>
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<a href="http://www.lightoftheworldballet.com/">Light of the World Ballet</a> is a small Christian Ballet that has an academy, professional company, and trainee company. They minister through dance in a variety of venues regionally and internationally. I am so glad the Lord led Rachel to LWB! Knowing that she is where the Lord wants her to be is the only way I have managed to have peace with my girlie so far away. If you want to learn more about Light of the World Ballet, check out their <a href="http://www.lightoftheworldballet.com/">website</a> or <a href="http://lightoftheworldballet.blogspot.com/">blog</a>.</div>
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Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-65283495219303247152012-11-10T20:01:00.000-06:002012-11-10T20:01:02.262-06:00Life ChangesWow! 16 months without a blog post. Life has been busy and full of change in our home. Since my last blog post, we have completed our journey of home education with the graduation of our youngest, Rachel, in April 2012. Her senior year was busy with schooling, ballet, college visits and auditions. We traveled to colleges and ballet programs across the country trying to find the new direction for her life. Those travels were fun times together with some definite adventures to go along with them! I think the craziest weekend was a trip to Jackson, MS where she finished her audition at 6:00 on Friday evening, we got in the car and drove as far as Longview, TX to stop for the night. The next morning found us back on the road early in the morning headed for a 2:00 audition in Norman, OK. We made lots of good memories in our travels! Rachel has ultimately ended up in Syracuse, NY dancing as a trainee with Light of the World Ballet. It has been a great fit for her and I will likely try to give that story it's own post soon. <div>
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Allan gave OTR trucking a try, but decided that was not the best career for him. He traveled to all corners of the country while he was trucking! He is now working at a local Hampton Inn as a desk clerk and likes the work and contact with many different people. He is still living at home, but is not home much, lol!! I love spending time with my son - he is such a joy to be around! I will miss him when he is on his own.</div>
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Work keeps Robert busy as always. He is still volunteering as a Boy Scout leader, but has moved on to help a smaller troop grow. He loves the interaction with the other dads and being a positive influence in the lives of boys, as well as all the camping and hiking!</div>
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The end of our homeschooling and Rachel moving to Syracuse has meant big changes for me! I am adjusting fairly well and try not to dwell on my sweet girl being so far away. Life has definitely slowed down as we stepped down from serving on our home school association board of directors after 8 years and I also stepped down from serving on the board of the ballet. It is very quiet at home now, but I am learning to embrace the quietness and slower pace. I will likely go to work at some point, but for now, I am taking care of my health. In my last post, I talked about the BRCA 1 genetic mutation I have for breast cancer. I had a bilateral mastectomy in October and am still healing from the surgery and post-surgery pleurisy. I finally started driving this past week and have gotten out several times. It feels good to be back out a bit, but I am still very weak and have to be careful about not overdoing. I find myself napping a lot!! Reconstruction will be an ongoing process through the winter. I will go back to Dallas this week for follow ups with both of my surgeons there. I will get a quick visit with my mom, brother and family, and a lunch with a long-time friend who lives in Frisco. I am so thankful for my guys who have taken great care of me during my recovery - taking care of things around the house that I can't do (and we know that drives a mom crazy), cooking, cleaning, laundry.... It is great to now be able to do much of that myself again!! </div>
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Now that I have figured out how to blog again, I hope to be back soon with a post about Syracuse and who knows what else! </div>
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Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-86990130879786571712011-07-05T22:28:00.002-05:002011-07-07T15:26:34.258-05:00FIVE Years!!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >Today is July 5, 2011…just another day to most people, but not to me.<span style=""> </span>Today marks 5 years survival from a breast cancer diagnosis!!<span style=""> </span>July 5 will forever be etched in my mind as the anniversary of the day I heard the four words that forever changed my life: “you have breast cancer”.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >July 5, 2006, I was 40 years old, living and loving life with my husband and two children who were 16 and 12 at the time.<span style=""> </span>I was in the midst of packing for a trip to North Carolina with my kids and older sister to visit my younger sister and her family.<span style=""> </span>I’d had an ultrasound guided core needle biopsy a week prior after my first routine mammogram, and a follow up ultrasound both showed an area of concern.<span style=""> </span>Having had two benign tumors in my mid- and late-20’s I wasn’t overly concerned.<span style=""> </span>At every test the doctors had been reassuring that they felt it was just a fluid-filled cyst – nothing to worry about.<span style=""> </span>When my phone rang that morning, I knew it would be the surgeon’s office with the results. What I didn’t know was that they were about to tell me I had cancer.<span style=""> </span>I remember being stunned as I listened and tried to write down what the doctor (my doc was on vacation so it was one of the others in the practice) was telling me and trying to keep my composure.<span style=""> </span>He made it sound like it probably wasn’t too bad and that I needed to follow up with my doctor when I got back into town after vacation.<span style=""> </span>I mean, how could I have cancer?<span style=""> </span>I didn’t have a family history of cancer; I was *only* 40 years old; there was no palpable lump; and this was my first routine mammogram – surely I didn’t have cancer. The first call I made was to Robert and I could barely utter the words.<span style=""> </span>I don’t remember the conversation other than hearing him telling me I would be okay.<span style=""> </span>When I told my family, I think I went into survival mode and was very matter-of-fact, trying not to fall apart.<span style=""> </span>I promptly left town the next day as planned and stayed gone for almost 2 weeks (having a great time with my sisters was probably the best thing I could have done at the time!). <span style=""> </span>I called the surgeon when I returned and heard “where have you been”?<span style=""> </span>I should have known then that this would not be an easy, simple road to travel.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy in early August and received the official diagnosis and staging:<span style=""> </span>invasive ductal carcinoma, stage IIB, with 2/10 lymph nodes testing positive for cancer as well.<span style=""> </span>The referral to an oncologist came next and I *<b style="">really</b>* lost it when I found I would have to have chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal treatment in addition to the surgery I’d had.<span style=""> </span>Chemotherapy meant losing my hair and we all know how important hair is, right??<span style=""> </span>In addition to losing my hair, you have to understand I have had a life-long needle and throw-up phobia and chemotherapy definitely involves needles and when you read the side-effects of those drugs, well, it sounds like throw-up will be involved too!! However, God is good and faithful – I managed to reign in the needle fear (I didn’t say I got over it!!) and I never threw up!! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >Three days after my 41<sup>st</sup> birthday, I started 27 weeks of weekly chemotherapy.<span style=""> </span>I participated in a clinical trial and received adriamyacin and cytoxan every Friday for 15 weeks, followed by taxol every Friday for 12 weeks.<span style=""> </span>During the first 15 weeks of treatment I also was to get a neupogen shot every day. Remember how I mentioned my fear of needles?<span style=""> </span>Well, when you find out you have to give yourself an injection every day for 15 weeks, you begin to get over that fear just a bit!!<span style=""> </span>At first, we thought Robert would be able to give me the injections, then we found out that they had to be done at a certain time every day and that it would be impossible for him to do. I did lots of praying at 10:00 every morning!!<span style=""> </span>I finished chemo on April 6, 2007 and began taking radiation treatments five days a week for 7 weeks.<span style=""> </span>By the time radiation was finished I had very short hair (and I do mean short) and it was getting hot so I decided to do away with the wig.<span style=""> </span>What freedom!!<span style=""> </span>In early May 2007 I started taking the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen. One of the somewhat unexpected side effects of chemotherapy has been early menopause; therefore, I was switched from tamoxifen to anastrozole in 2010. Tamoxifen and anastrozole caused a lot of joint and bone pain that were heavily interfering with daily life so I recently switched to femara. Thankfully, the side effects are not as severe with this drug.<span style=""> </span>I will have to take this drug for the next 5 to 10 years.<span style=""> </span>In February 2008, I also had to have another excisional biopsy which happily was not cancer – just a lymph node that showed up in the wrong place.<span style=""> </span>After you are diagnosed with cancer, you spend a lot of time in doctor’s offices.<span style=""> </span>I was so happy when I was finally able to move to seeing my oncologist every 6 months and my surgeon yearly!! Every little step you take moves you that much closer to feeling “normal” again.<span style=""> </span>I’ve hoped to keep making progress forward to the point that cancer is just a distant memory, but I am learning that is a hard place to get to.<span style=""> </span>I have come a long way in 5 years, but I still have a way to go.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >My mom recently finished treatment for ovarian cancer – Yay! for finishing treatment and being on the road to recovery for her!!<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >After my mom’s diagnosis, my doctors wanted me to have genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations.<span style=""> </span>It was a hard decision to make – I was almost 5 years out from my own diagnosis and that is a huge milestone in the life of a cancer survivor.<span style=""> </span>To be tested meant being thrown back in “cancer land”, while not testing would mean having to go through heavy surveillance, possibly unnecessarily.<span style=""> </span>In the end, I decided to have the test and this spring found out that I am BRCA1 positive.<span style=""> </span>This was not the news I wanted to hear…AT…ALL.<span style=""> </span>Hereditary cancer is really not that common – it’s pretty rare actually.<span style=""> </span>However, it means my odds of having a recurrence or a new breast cancer or ovarian cancer are much higher than is normal. With the BRCA1 mutation, all three of my doctors – oncologist, surgeon and gyn are heavily recommending I have a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and hysterectomy.<span style=""> </span>They tell me it is really not a case of “if” breast cancer will return, but “when”. I have always said that if I had cancer again, I would have a mastectomy, but to have to make that decision when I do not have cancer is tough. I am currently researching surgeons to have a consultation/second opinion with.<span style=""> </span>If I opt to not have the surgery, it means more scans and surveillance than usual and I am not sure I can do that.<span style=""> </span>Every time you return to the doctor after cancer treatment, there is a certain amount of anxiety that comes with it.<span style=""> </span>Every mammogram, every blood test, every ultrasound, every exam causes anxiety for days leading up to and in the days waiting for results.<span style=""> </span>I am so fortunate that I have friends and acquaintances locally and across the nation that I can turn to for support and advice when needed. I have turned to a number of them in the past couple of months.<span style=""> </span>Those friends and acquaintances are one of the positive things to come from having had breast cancer.<span style=""> </span>As I mark this fifth anniversary of survival, I am happy to be here celebrating this significant milestone and refuse to let what lies ahead darken the coming days. I choose to celebrate and live life…every day!!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style=";font-family:";" >I would be remiss if I didn’t give some testimony of God’s goodness through the past five years.<span style=""> </span>As I look back through a journal I kept and scriptures I wrote in the back of my church notebook during the past five years I am reminded of how He has had his hand on my life.<span style=""> </span>In the few months leading up to my diagnosis, I began to let go of some of the responsibilities I had held in our homeschool support group (I had been serving as co-op administrator) and working in children’s ministry at church.<span style=""> </span>As a homeschool mom, I believed I needed to be more available to our son as he was finishing his high school work over the next two years and preparing for college.<span style=""> </span>Little did I know how important those decisions would be in the coming months.<span style=""> </span>After I was diagnosed one of the questions I faced was “what about school”? I prayed and these scriptures were an answer</span><span class="verse"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" >:</span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><span class="verse"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" >I Thessalonians 5:24 “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it</span></b></span><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" >.”</span></span><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;" ><span style=""> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><span class="verse"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" >2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</span></b></span><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" ></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" >We continued on with school, relying on God every step of the way.<span style=""> </span>My kids were awesome – on days I could barely get out of bed, they got busy and did their schoolwork with little help or they curled up on the couch with me for help.<span style=""> </span>They learned a lot about housework that year as well</span></span><span class="verse"><span style="font-family:Arial;">☺. </span></span><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" >The following year was hard too, but we persevered leaning on this scripture:</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" >6:9</span></b><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" > “<span class="verse"><b style="">Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”</b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" >Allan was a senior and through perseverance we saw him earn his Eagle Scout award, successfully take college algebra as concurrent enrollment, graduate from high school and he was awarded a scholarship for college!!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style=""> </span>We had many friends and family who provided meals, cards, playdates, and sleepovers – we were blessed! Those meals, cards and sleepovers <b style="">always</b> came at just the right time – God’s time.<span style=""> </span>We were blessed by Robert’s job in that he was able to take me to chemo *every* week except one that he had to be out of town – 27 days or ½ days off is a lot!!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style=""> </span>Today and on the days I am not sure what to do or what lies ahead, I try to remember this scripture:<span style=""> </span></span></span><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" >Proverbs 3:5-6 “<span class="verse">Trust in the </span><span class="smallcaps">LORD</span><span class="verse"> with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;</span><span class="versenum"> </span><span class="verse">in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="verse"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";font-size:10pt;color:blue;" ><span style=""> </span></span></b></span><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" >I share my story in hopes that it will bless or encourage someone with God’s faithfulness. There is no doubt in my mind that God has his hand on my life and that He walks with me every step of the way, never leaving me, and carrying me when I cannot walk alone.<span style=""> </span>I don’t have all the answers and I don’t always understand, I just have to trust and believe.<span style=""> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: -4.5pt;"><span class="verse"><span style=";font-family:";" > </span></span></p>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-87158387981463121282010-11-04T09:33:00.003-05:002010-11-04T23:42:53.690-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYpo_s1_xygKUEwWXSsQ1A9rfNlgcWorPIoB206j9Cwy6gm-NTyRxm0rzsdLeW_P_W8kd5U4CCmFUfKegdoKPqwRi_wIrj_xfC76D3Ha8k-VqA9hco3Hoa7-6-rldqtdM64QYm1dJrUs/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYpo_s1_xygKUEwWXSsQ1A9rfNlgcWorPIoB206j9Cwy6gm-NTyRxm0rzsdLeW_P_W8kd5U4CCmFUfKegdoKPqwRi_wIrj_xfC76D3Ha8k-VqA9hco3Hoa7-6-rldqtdM64QYm1dJrUs/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535703091207454098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Today...</span>November 4, 2010<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window...</span>beautiful sunny, blue skies and a pretty good west wind blowing across the lake.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking...</span>about the growing number of phone calls I need to make today (because they have been put off much too long) and the fact that due to terrible cell reception at my house, I should really drive to town and sit in my car to make the calls. I won't go into how much I can't wait for May so I can finally be free of this cell phone contract and go back to being able to talk on the phone *in* my house. I wish it wouldn't cost $$$$ to get out of a cell contract!!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for...</span>health insurance. We have been blessed with excellent coverage for years. This was so evident when I was in treatment for breast cancer several years ago. Yes, there are things I have had to fight for coverage for and it hasn't always been easy to deal with. However, I know many who have suffered devastating financial problems due to medical expenses after a serious illness. This week we have to sign up for our benefits for the coming year and although there are changes to our plan I'm not crazy about, I am thankful for the coverage and thankful that the premium isn't going up. I'll have more expense out of my own pocket in the form of a deductible we haven't had previously, but I know the Lord will take care of us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning room...</span> we began a Music Appreciation course this week. Rachel is loving it! I watched her listening to the CD Monday and I knew exactly what was going on in her mind - she was choreographing ballet to the music!! It was pretty funny when she told me that's what she was doing because I could already tell : ) We are also starting a new writing program this week and I am actually excited about it. Wow, did I just say that?? We are starting Jensen's Format Writing and praying for good results.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span>Today I will be making Taco Soup to take to Mom's Renew tonight. My family will be having leftovers ; ) They don't mind and there is a choice - Dirty Rice, Crockpot Mexican chicken and rice or sandwiches. Love that I have an easy to please family!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing...</span>jeans and a black turtleneck. So glad to be able to start wearing some fall clothes now that the weather is cooler.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am creating...</span>lesson plans and Christmas lists.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going...</span>to our homeschool group's Mom's Renew tonight. Tonight is a Souper Renew - soup, bread, and dessert and Detra Thomas will be sharing a light-hearted message with us followed by a sweet time of fellowship.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am reading...</span><span style="font-style: italic;">A Walk in the Woods</span> by Bill Bryson. It's the story of Bill Bryson hiking the Appalachian Trail. Parts of it are quite funny and some of it I'm not crazy about because I think he's an evolutionist so I skip over it because it gets boring and I don't agree with him ; ) Mostly, I love the tales he tells of his hikes! He adds in some of the history of AT as well as the National Forest Service. I'll give you a warning if you might be inclined to read it - it has some foul/crude language in it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping...</span>to find the perfect pair of shoes for the Western Arkansas Ballet Silver Anniversary Gala. I found the outfit yesterday, but no shoes. I tried raiding Rachel's closet but that didn't work out too well - her foot is bigger than mine : ( I have a couple of other places to shop this afternoon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hearing...</span>Pencil eraser and the gas heater. It's pretty quiet in the school room : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house...</span>let's skip this one and hope no one knocks on my door for a few more days!! Let's just say I can't wait for Saturday to get here so I can get some major cleaning done. The dust bunnies are taking over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>parent observation month at ballet! I observed Rachel's Advanced Pointe class on Monday. She even asked me to videotape some of the center work. Love the opportunity to sit in on her classes and see progression from one year to the next.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span>Saturday night I'll be attending the Silver Anniversary Gala for Western Arkansas Ballet. We've spent untold hours with this organization for the past 10 years and look forward to celebrating this milestone with them!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing...</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u9tPRZnt1lIcP19qZER9x9-mbR6Py3tbQdsU0CtXI4e1KlfmZmpKnhZrqrSaE5oHVAJbl5aH9CvFlx4WyAZiHDcdfPK1ecT6BXu0u0_E5hLVDe4OzcRWb1ykAfdA7K1VQVBx4YYxPQk/s1600/house3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u9tPRZnt1lIcP19qZER9x9-mbR6Py3tbQdsU0CtXI4e1KlfmZmpKnhZrqrSaE5oHVAJbl5aH9CvFlx4WyAZiHDcdfPK1ecT6BXu0u0_E5hLVDe4OzcRWb1ykAfdA7K1VQVBx4YYxPQk/s200/house3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535716799940438354" border="0" /></a>Wishing I was back here. Spent a week in this house @ Estes Park, CO in August with all my siblings and most of their kids. One of the greatest vacations ever...<br /><br />To read more Daybook entries, visit <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peggy</span> at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a>.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-41423475062778956682010-07-21T23:02:00.021-05:002010-07-22T14:30:48.489-05:00Summer Fun - July 2010Robert and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on February 22, 2010! We wanted to take a trip but we knew it would have to be later in the year since Robert's job as outage coordinator keeps him working long hours and unable to take vacation pretty much from Feb. - May. Then, Rachel got accepted to a 4 week ballet intensive in MI and we decided to let her go, knowing we might not be able to have quite the trip we were hoping for. Robert was pretty surprised that I would sacrifice the trip, knowing how much I'd wanted it but, I really wanted Rachel to have the opportunity to attend this particular intensive. So, we decided that we would send Rachel to MI and hopefully be able to enjoy a short trip to pick her up at the end of her camp. The Lord blessed us unexpectedly this spring so we were able to plan a trip after all!! We decided that we would fly Rachel to MI and then we would drive up at the end of her camp to see her performances and bring her home, stopping in Chicago for a few days on the way north. The highlights of the trip follow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, July 12, 2010</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We left Fort Smith about 10:00 a.m., stopping in Springfield, MO for a late lunch. We considered spending the night in St. Louis but decided to go ahead and get most of the drive to Chicago out of the way on day 1. We stopped for the night in Ratoul, IL. Our drive was great. I've never seen so many cornfields in my life!! There were some beautiful farms along the way. I have traveled through quite a few states in my life but I had never been through Indiana and Illinois.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7Dv7H8kk2vxPmIk_lZjGUgGG6lRsqsJcmnnxuAe3BgrSaDWYiMEXqK-6r2ZrvuyFTCWTbqtnxep0rkxuu0-SGKMB-sUZwC4pelpv1GMLbqeSLFU6U2j67OBOsKBdF91-nhPQC-4TCoU/s1600/106_5894b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7Dv7H8kk2vxPmIk_lZjGUgGG6lRsqsJcmnnxuAe3BgrSaDWYiMEXqK-6r2ZrvuyFTCWTbqtnxep0rkxuu0-SGKMB-sUZwC4pelpv1GMLbqeSLFU6U2j67OBOsKBdF91-nhPQC-4TCoU/s200/106_5894b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809093935072930" border="0" /></a>Illinois Cornfield<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday, July 13</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We arrived in Chicago about 11:00 a.m. First stop was the Museum of Science and Industry and Lake Michigan. We parked at the museum and walked under Lakeshore Drive to see Lake Michigan - wow! It's so pretty and felt like we were at the beach : ) We walked back to the museum and spent a few hours exploring the exhibits. Very cool place - we could have spent a few more hours there. We'll keep it on our list of places to visit next time. We drove further north on Lakeshore and got checked in at our hotel, The Ambassador East, in the Gold Coast area. The hotel is on a quiet, mostly residential street about 2 blocks from Lake Michigan. We could see a bit of the lake from our room. We got settled in and then started the first of many miles of walking we did in the city! We stopped at the Water Tower Visitor Center and bought 3 day CTA passes that are for the buses and El. We had <span style="font-weight: bold;">great</span> Chicago pizza at <a href="http://www.giordanos.com/">Giordano's</a>, thanks to the recommendation of several friends. The hotel porter asked if we were going to have pizza while in town and when we told him Giordano's on the recommendation of friends, he said we have good friends!!<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Thanks LeAnn and Janine! After dinner, we took the bus to Navy Pier and enjoyed a few hours there. We then walked down Michigan Avenue and back to our hotel.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-lRAgbgARe5HuDt_A08UhCxOWuQGIN9tJvvC2gNTxHq68INojdYeHBm2N323GalBbtTDHgv_m1fLHNoKEx0ZV5t-9ZD1-TNncGM5FOCTot-fybp1XWrrGQOedC1qQDPIxqKcfkX7hhI/s1600/106_5904b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-lRAgbgARe5HuDt_A08UhCxOWuQGIN9tJvvC2gNTxHq68INojdYeHBm2N323GalBbtTDHgv_m1fLHNoKEx0ZV5t-9ZD1-TNncGM5FOCTot-fybp1XWrrGQOedC1qQDPIxqKcfkX7hhI/s200/106_5904b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809097093318706" border="0" /></a> Lake Michigan<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQJNDwCLOKQZdKHU4cVprJetgcak-zB8RAqQGDr5OSjpetPbaKBqtbdm1e_mJ3Q_-UWkZP_KwcaEsbYEJj4YNLP78txJDbh06Zpj1hHzYCcOaL5IdOT1dXxK6nIgeKwLabHWQ9wmeP4w/s1600/106_5927b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQJNDwCLOKQZdKHU4cVprJetgcak-zB8RAqQGDr5OSjpetPbaKBqtbdm1e_mJ3Q_-UWkZP_KwcaEsbYEJj4YNLP78txJDbh06Zpj1hHzYCcOaL5IdOT1dXxK6nIgeKwLabHWQ9wmeP4w/s200/106_5927b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809103238130002" border="0" /></a>Navy Pier<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday, July 14</span><br />The first adventure today was taking the bus to the Farmer's Market at Lincoln Park. WOW! What an awesome farmer's market! We enjoyed strolling through the booths and seeing all the great produce and baked goods. We bought some raspberries and enjoyed while listening to some music. We walked a bit through Lincoln Park and then took a bus back to State Street. We had an awesome lunch at <a href="http://www.pjclarkeschicago.com/gold-coast.html">P.J. Clarke's</a>. Spent the afternoon exploring more of the city by bus, the El and walking, of course - shopping at Macy's, texting pics of Joffrey Ballet studios to Rachel (love ya girlie!!), exploring <a href="http://www.millenniumpark.org/">Millennium Park</a> and taking pics at Cloud Gate. After returning to the hotel we had a quick dinner and then headed for Burnham Harbor. We took a three hour sunset/Navy Pier fireworks sail on the <a href="http://www.redwitch.com/redwitch.aspx">tall ship Red Witch</a>. It had been a hot day but on the water it was nice and cool. A very fun evening! As if we hadn't experienced enough of the transportation options of the city, we hailed a taxi for a ride back to the hotel.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxZ2201zICRlDQ10WlbKdYJljLjGh7OlFwwpp8n7cGpDgsJUfvtHHGBEawGt3BZ3lUzFyCXflSC43uj2Qqfno2xU94zua-Z21GOtAO4oZYKyPCcQTdjgti0vuzGF2ubHo6MtTFaBsF1I/s1600/106_5931b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCxZ2201zICRlDQ10WlbKdYJljLjGh7OlFwwpp8n7cGpDgsJUfvtHHGBEawGt3BZ3lUzFyCXflSC43uj2Qqfno2xU94zua-Z21GOtAO4oZYKyPCcQTdjgti0vuzGF2ubHo6MtTFaBsF1I/s200/106_5931b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809111309569426" border="0" /></a>Joffrey Ballet<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhRe5p-2ucDfqH8_LZOBigZLb9_8TJ50OKxV39jbMdlF-bedMHa2q07dvZ9b7VYPFWQejIaJDGegdCmVaaJjNcGgK9mMWhP6rhPbYqOMl7CvIEZdmxVyQU7_9Vh-2iJ70iOExr4RDlnA/s1600/106_5935b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMhRe5p-2ucDfqH8_LZOBigZLb9_8TJ50OKxV39jbMdlF-bedMHa2q07dvZ9b7VYPFWQejIaJDGegdCmVaaJjNcGgK9mMWhP6rhPbYqOMl7CvIEZdmxVyQU7_9Vh-2iJ70iOExr4RDlnA/s200/106_5935b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809327220891826" border="0" /></a>Cloud Gate @ Millennium Park<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYASOlw3pXBguC50NqYdVsLrhWqox101GckHbdzhgnEeOlu58iw3nTZJ-M5RNUsSEDzqjgmtkUMlYRH5YVyl-mxPzbXQN0wXU46xUcrdGhdFYlYwpgEuRTC1bVq1UK3V591A1mb9Emmk/s1600/106_5938b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYASOlw3pXBguC50NqYdVsLrhWqox101GckHbdzhgnEeOlu58iw3nTZJ-M5RNUsSEDzqjgmtkUMlYRH5YVyl-mxPzbXQN0wXU46xUcrdGhdFYlYwpgEuRTC1bVq1UK3V591A1mb9Emmk/s200/106_5938b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809326474415938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7-nAybzY7r0pXhzrRlTQua8ni2kRrv5cofrmE9Xh-5qMAIdgL8RoMOVCjk7ful7XZ3cR181Hgux7rDTNQydNNdhVLO4amnA44cB-Hi4xayW5SGKIUIFD33AsuJhYeZfcUH0ESCYxxgQ/s1600/106_5950b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7-nAybzY7r0pXhzrRlTQua8ni2kRrv5cofrmE9Xh-5qMAIdgL8RoMOVCjk7ful7XZ3cR181Hgux7rDTNQydNNdhVLO4amnA44cB-Hi4xayW5SGKIUIFD33AsuJhYeZfcUH0ESCYxxgQ/s200/106_5950b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809330117600034" border="0" /></a>Helping raise the sails<br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday, July 15</span><br />We started the day with a late breakfast at <a href="http://www.loumitchellsrestaurant.com/index.html">Lou Mitchell's.</a> Located at the beginning of the old Route 66, this place was like walking back in time. The food was oh, so good! Can you say fresh squeezed orange juice, double yolk egg omelettes, and fried potatoes? Robert says this was probably the most expensive breakfast we have had but it was so good and there's nothing like going to a good old-fashioned diner every now and then. We took a peek in Union Station and walked along the Chicago River for a bit before taking a water taxi to Navy Pier. We considered taking an architectural river cruise but decided to just take the water taxi instead. In the end we were glad we opted for the shorter water taxi to the pier as it was pretty hot on the river and the architectural cruise was 90 minutes in the sun. In the past two days we had done so much walking that by this time, I had shin splints and was exhausted!! We decided to spend the afternoon visiting "Sue" at the <a href="http://www.fieldmuseum.org/">Field Museum of Natural History</a>. This was a museum that we could definitely pass up on our next visit to Chicago. It was a good escape from the heat of the afternoon but we didn't enjoy it near as much as we enjoyed the Museum of Science and Industry. We spent an adventurous hour trying to get back to the Magnificent Mile by bus as rush hour was starting. I'm still not sure how they got that many people on that bus!!!! At one stop we finally decided we could probably manage to get off the bus so we did. We caught the next one and it was nearly empty : ) We enjoyed a really nice seafood dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish house, followed by a little people watching in the park across from Tavern on Rush. It was fun watching the valet's parking all the $$$$$ cars and then watching them try to open a car they had locked the keys in : ) We made our way out to the shores of Lake Michigan and enjoyed spending some time at the water on our last night.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk6sAg-ojnuffIJLyLko2gs1xOIvAVHO0j-VGfskU_RLvQ72uhWCOjvremqaV5GHbou6BOV5-jkJDkCLhlQ9rd3OAniMotLRxrvdYM8k2UDEYqClkC1PAPxzGPded7JVsfzhnLk6-pwo/s1600/106_5986b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibk6sAg-ojnuffIJLyLko2gs1xOIvAVHO0j-VGfskU_RLvQ72uhWCOjvremqaV5GHbou6BOV5-jkJDkCLhlQ9rd3OAniMotLRxrvdYM8k2UDEYqClkC1PAPxzGPded7JVsfzhnLk6-pwo/s200/106_5986b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809339629653986" border="0" /></a>View from the water taxi<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf3dl6ed4NotNAOFhHzzRG0Nmh9Q2C-Q5XoR5tWDu9Mfy0xChFXf3kvhrdqEAqLIfZaKJfuRBpTgAJUnFEdDtqw1v_9f4ZxmbWvFmx5h-H-vN-8SlOyi7SiZGTaXeqlWnkdv03pRqE5Y/s1600/106_6003b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf3dl6ed4NotNAOFhHzzRG0Nmh9Q2C-Q5XoR5tWDu9Mfy0xChFXf3kvhrdqEAqLIfZaKJfuRBpTgAJUnFEdDtqw1v_9f4ZxmbWvFmx5h-H-vN-8SlOyi7SiZGTaXeqlWnkdv03pRqE5Y/s200/106_6003b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809601538569106" border="0" /></a>Another view of the river<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ15DXPz4oxs8KwcP93JUJ9die_4KX0Jgym-s9j-oXkDkX4RgxOeLG3MyKsGbJzJrxY09eUvxIDUZODdMEVjoB1TaT-qvhHoXiUgs5TVcZFhqxPvcZzWfcYIZe9S2eiyn8J2fwyXEK_14/s1600/106_5991b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ15DXPz4oxs8KwcP93JUJ9die_4KX0Jgym-s9j-oXkDkX4RgxOeLG3MyKsGbJzJrxY09eUvxIDUZODdMEVjoB1TaT-qvhHoXiUgs5TVcZFhqxPvcZzWfcYIZe9S2eiyn8J2fwyXEK_14/s200/106_5991b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809596697977506" border="0" /></a>"Sue"<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday, July 16</span><br />Today we said goodbye to Chicago and headed for Flint, MI. We got a call from Rachel while we were stopped for lunch and she said if we made it to Flint before 5:00 to call her as she had a three hour break between rehearsals. We made it to Flint about 4:30 and stopped by the Whiting for a quick hello and of course, a great hug! It was so good to see our girlie, even for just a moment. A month is a long time, you know!! We checked into our hotel in Flint and then drove about 20 miles north to <a href="http://www.frankenmuth.org/">Frankenmuth, MI</a> to visit <a href="http://www.bronners.com/">Bronner's Christmas World</a>. I ordered some Nutcracker ornaments from Bronner's last year and somehow remembered it was close to Flint. It's the largest Christmas store in the world so, of course we had to shop a little! After we had had enough of Christmas in July we drove to the <a href="http://www.bavarianinn.com/?page=56366">Bavarian Inn Restaurant</a> to try a little German food. Let me re-phrase that - it was A LOT of German food!! Neither of us had ever had German food but we really liked it. It was fun to try something new. I'd love to go back to Frankenmuth for a visit if we are ever in the area again. It was a really neat little town.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday, July 17</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Today is the day - We get to see Rachel's end of camp performances! We spent a lazy morning at the hotel then walked across the street to visit Flint's Farmer's Market. They have an awesome market - part of it is in a permanent building and is open year-round with fresh meat, chicken, cheese, wine, and produce. During the spring, summer, and early fall there are booths outside selling produce, flowers and homemade salsas, etc. After visiting farmer's market's in Flint and Chicago, I think I'll have to try the Fort Smith market soon. We met Bob and LeAnn (their daughter was in Flint as well) for lunch and then we went to the matinee performance of the <a href="http://www.magnusmidwest.com/">Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive</a> at <a href="http://thewhiting.com/facilities/index.html">The Whiting</a>. Rachel's level danced their ballet piece in the matinee performance and all levels were cast in the finale. After the matinee we went out for a light dinner with Bob and LeAnn. We had fun with our waiter who liked to hear our southern accents! The evening performance was great and we loved seeing Rachel perform her jazz piece. Fun to watch our mostly classical ballet dancer in a jazz piece with a blonde, bobbed wig as part of her costume!! The evening performance was followed by a nice reception and we finally got to see our girlie again - all dressed up. She spent her last night back at the dorm with her friends, enjoying those last few bittersweet hours before the girls would all say goodbye and head back to their home studios.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1kT8qZZrulryTtyoXH5VDi5e-kyN_JgfLRemCtAWRdlvklQamATqgYuX1xhfYLq4z4S6aKDZcXTzORc7L1TTxrnIQ2KuBTCtbRSmHAJSOw23JJjeszaibYc8YzfIpbN_uIftrlIFT28/s1600/106_6007b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1kT8qZZrulryTtyoXH5VDi5e-kyN_JgfLRemCtAWRdlvklQamATqgYuX1xhfYLq4z4S6aKDZcXTzORc7L1TTxrnIQ2KuBTCtbRSmHAJSOw23JJjeszaibYc8YzfIpbN_uIftrlIFT28/s200/106_6007b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809603618422546" border="0" /></a>Post performance family pic<br /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday, July 18</span><br />We moved Rachel out of the dorm and were on the road by about 10:15 a.m. We stopped for lunch in Lansing, MI, dinner in Effingham, IL and made a stop at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO before stopping for the night on the west side of St. Louis. Enjoyed hearing Rachel's stories from her month in MI along the way.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oQEXJqORODOYws7NPOantqQL9Dk__oZmVGzbl9k2fpfmhJ3Xy_cOSIHsTz7Ng5zsryPjOzfQCX79cPjjdCEBvEfmVifO9hi0BTgshqQb4hyphenhyphen5Vx0yj2ER5qBzPQXnVbQdMF2zMXuu66M/s1600/106_6071b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oQEXJqORODOYws7NPOantqQL9Dk__oZmVGzbl9k2fpfmhJ3Xy_cOSIHsTz7Ng5zsryPjOzfQCX79cPjjdCEBvEfmVifO9hi0BTgshqQb4hyphenhyphen5Vx0yj2ER5qBzPQXnVbQdMF2zMXuu66M/s200/106_6071b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809618623957442" border="0" /></a>Flooded Mississippi River @ St. Louis<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5XA9ZEFOEHJ-e3b0-EpAr62P-jEr8zqD49R0eTf8ijKJeZyy3v3xFSqNrp4MsKrqmlogTTONMS_bWmzEDf71g-ompJhhwTGRnyrBlZ5W1NZ-lthtzwJfHjJO2I8p2jKoU2ff3JtGF4/s1600/106_6033b.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK5XA9ZEFOEHJ-e3b0-EpAr62P-jEr8zqD49R0eTf8ijKJeZyy3v3xFSqNrp4MsKrqmlogTTONMS_bWmzEDf71g-ompJhhwTGRnyrBlZ5W1NZ-lthtzwJfHjJO2I8p2jKoU2ff3JtGF4/s200/106_6033b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809614191037330" border="0" /></a>Gateway Arch<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, July 19</span><br />We were on the road by 8:45 a.m., made a lunch stop in Joplin, MO and were home around 4:30 p.m. It was a great trip and it's good to be back home with everyone back under one roof. Now the unpacking and laundry begin ; )<br /><br />Thank you, Lord, for blessing us - first, with 25 years of marriage and secondly, with a fun trip to celebrate.Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-21872463313274148862010-03-29T22:45:00.007-05:002010-03-29T23:43:26.298-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUm0-cL5iPFTlZ2kzpBKElbcmn8B16np_Gc47r_tnlnv8NXZWkjem69rzg0M7W8EKGNWus-Shb1oES1GNTU1mHe8wULs0EXcgwurY0TdMl-8T6y3C5-awY2RQSTH4v5pk7a_DjALwkgo/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUm0-cL5iPFTlZ2kzpBKElbcmn8B16np_Gc47r_tnlnv8NXZWkjem69rzg0M7W8EKGNWus-Shb1oES1GNTU1mHe8wULs0EXcgwurY0TdMl-8T6y3C5-awY2RQSTH4v5pk7a_DjALwkgo/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454268193830251186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For today...</span>March 29, 2010<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window...</span>another late night daybook entry means it's dark outside<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking...</span>about how much I would love to finally get around to some long overdue blog posts. I love the daybook because it's pretty easy but I really want to sit and blog some other thoughts.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for...</span>God's word - ever so timely! Pastor Marty preached on Lordship yesterday and the message really helped me determine some priorities today, including getting back to having a daily quiet time in the MORNING. Last night an unpopular clothing decision had been made involving the girlie in our house and she wasn't very happy about it even though she knew the reasons behind the decision. This morning after I had read my devotional and some scriptures, I picked up <span style="font-style: italic;">The Power of a Praying Parent</span> by Stormie Omartian (it's been untouched for months) and flipped to a page to read. The title, you ask? "Staying Attracted to Holiness and Purity". Hmm, coincidence? I don't think so!! Here's a portion of the prayer included with this chapter: "You have said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" Matthew 5:8. May a desire for holiness that comes from a pure heart be reflected in all that she does. Let it be manifested in her appearance as well. I pray that the clothes she wears and the way she styles her hair and chooses to adorn her body and face will reflect a reverence and a desire to glorify you, Lord." At lunch I was able to share this with my daughter and let her know that I believed this was confirmation that the correct decision had been made. Later this afternoon, we went shopping together and were able to find clothing that she liked and that also met with the approval of the parents. She admitted as we left the store today that she was just mad last night because she couldn't get the "cute" stuff online but what she had found today was much to her liking. Cute <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> appropriate - thank you, Lord for showing us the way!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning room...</span>trying to regroup after spring break and get as much work done as possible before ballet festival mid-week, next week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span><br />Monday...Fajitas and refried beans<br />Tuesday...Turkey Club Pizza and salad<br />Wednesday...Red Beans and Rice (from scratch, not a box mix, just for Robert!)<br />Thursday...Italian Chicken and Pasta Toss, salad, french bread<br />Friday...not sure yet<br />(maybe I'll blog some of these recipes this week)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing...</span>the usual - jeans and a shirt<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am creating...</span>a plan for planting! I bought basil, parsley, and cilantro seeds to start this week. I already have mint that has come up from last year. I want to get flowers in my bed but the weather man says not to plant the flowers before April 10, the average date for a last hard freeze here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going...</span>to Mom's RENEW tomorrow night. This is a gathering of Mom's from my homeschool support group. We'll be discussing high school transcripts and enjoying sweet fellowship with one another.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am reading...</span><span style="font-style: italic;">Return from Tomorrow</span> by George G. Ritchie with Elizabeth Sherrill.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping...</span>for a date night soon : ) Those are especially rare during "shutdown" but a girl can hope! We were given a gift card for our 25th anniversary and we haven't used it yet so who knows, maybe this long weekend will give us the opportunity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hearing...</span>noticing the neighbor's dog finally quit barking. I can only imagine how annoyed some of our neighbors must have been when we had a dog who would sometimes bark endlessly when there was a possum or some other critter outside at night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house...</span>it's a mess! There's no other way to put it : ) Rachel and I started cleaning out closets last week when we got home from visiting family. The closets look great but the "stuff" that we are getting rid of is still in various places in my house. Gotta get it outta here!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>sweet surprises from sweet friends. For example, Rachel turned 16 last week and some friends got together a surprise lunch for her at one of her favorite restaurants! She was truly surprised. I wish I'd had a picture of her when the realization of what was going on hit her : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span>Mom's RENEW, Rachel's getting a haircut tomorrow, returning library books, and preparing for celebrating our risen Savior!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFre3BbzBT0i0ZOH1eMgX6w8LrNHXTJC26gqzaX6ruE2sVa4MB5tFs6uqGJgGONSnWAX1-iBe8NsEWMWIinqrXTbROz_-RUQ6t10-F7PoRBsW8qXAa_9FwvfiflMV1EdaaSXM8hQgaxSI/s1600/106_5627blog2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFre3BbzBT0i0ZOH1eMgX6w8LrNHXTJC26gqzaX6ruE2sVa4MB5tFs6uqGJgGONSnWAX1-iBe8NsEWMWIinqrXTbROz_-RUQ6t10-F7PoRBsW8qXAa_9FwvfiflMV1EdaaSXM8hQgaxSI/s200/106_5627blog2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454282319031038114" border="0" /></a></span></span>Happy Birthday Rach!<br /><br />To read more daybook entries, visit <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peggy</span> at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a>.<br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-67208649238238496232010-03-16T21:56:00.005-05:002010-03-16T22:51:07.275-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXypUF_P3EIsXzBccaYVkpKly1NTexZWhjCe1mlS61_0hMWJUHHJYg0S6AD1EwFHE21qKSvqoU2pIB5ZFrUbLK-TiaLOF72w0a8NXdGACPOzQedrGWdSd8uJtbFCZjFuLNNk2XNWxdUc/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXypUF_P3EIsXzBccaYVkpKly1NTexZWhjCe1mlS61_0hMWJUHHJYg0S6AD1EwFHE21qKSvqoU2pIB5ZFrUbLK-TiaLOF72w0a8NXdGACPOzQedrGWdSd8uJtbFCZjFuLNNk2XNWxdUc/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449444384765375634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Today...</span>March 16, 2010<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window...</span>night has come after a beautiful spring day with lots of sunshine<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking...</span>about planting flowers in my flower beds. I'm sure I'll be really inspired after I visit my sister this weekend and see what she's been planting!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for...</span>the trip I took to Oregon two weeks ago. My grandma went home to be with her Lord and Savior and I was able to fly back for her funeral which was really a "celebration of her life". She was blessed with a long life - 93 years! I have so many great memories of visits with her and my grandpa. There are nine grandchildren on this side of my family and we were all able to be at the service. It was the first time since 1977 that all nine cousins were together in the same place at the same time!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning rooms...</span>trying to get some work done before we take our spring break. Geometry...proofs...need..I..say..more??<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span>yummy lasagna from the freezer. Gotta love freezer meals : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing...</span>jeans and a new super soft sweater<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am creating...</span>a packing list, an errand list, and a to-do list<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going...</span>to visit my mom, sister, and in-laws later this week : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am reading...</span>just finished Karen Kingsbury's <span style="font-style: italic;">Even Now</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Ever After. </span>Need to finish <span style="font-style: italic;">What the Bible Says About Healthy Living </span>by Rex Russell, M.D. and <span style="font-style: italic;">Eat Right for Your Type </span>by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping..</span><span style="font-style: italic;">.</span>I get lots accomplished tomorrow despite a couple of appointments that will interrupt our day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hearing...</span>Rachel's ankle's pop as she walks down the hall! That girl pops and cracks like crazy. Must be a ballet thing - the girls at the studio do it all the time too!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house...</span>preparation for my trip to La. later this week. Trying to think about decluttering and spring cleaning *soon*<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span> long phone calls to catch up with a lifelong friend...then knowing we might actually get a rare "in person" visit in a few days!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span>couple of appointments tomorrow for Rachel; prep for my *baby's* sweet sixteen birthday next week!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing..</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtr38nBx_4kWp1hnEflvb4mP2269Z22Cxb8e6sVQ3lqGhe6Uy8v2ek8_1PDjbfq5bF8ilbB34maTZ2AWe7k7QuzczL47GL37W0_KGvt5e0F9QblHdE65jd4IW2RqjfYjT1hH160areDI/s1600-h/106_5598blog.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtr38nBx_4kWp1hnEflvb4mP2269Z22Cxb8e6sVQ3lqGhe6Uy8v2ek8_1PDjbfq5bF8ilbB34maTZ2AWe7k7QuzczL47GL37W0_KGvt5e0F9QblHdE65jd4IW2RqjfYjT1hH160areDI/s200/106_5598blog.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449444380981095090" border="0" /></a>Nancy, Carolyn, Jody<br />3 Cousins at the Oregon Coast<br /><br />To read more Daybook Entries, visit <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peggy</span> at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a>.<br /><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-32978937618916072462010-02-08T22:29:00.006-06:002010-02-08T23:07:04.843-06:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUGqXhG62Bl8raI12Lboi_R8k1v-FktZ25E5NC3STGNXMrLv3OyIzJQRYeP-ouY5u6Qn5yM-ZLKsWIKw8HOH23qcznBuh4xcbJ7GNUU1w5QYhK9BLxkaHakG9CyoXbycLqn7gwW_V3R8/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUGqXhG62Bl8raI12Lboi_R8k1v-FktZ25E5NC3STGNXMrLv3OyIzJQRYeP-ouY5u6Qn5yM-ZLKsWIKw8HOH23qcznBuh4xcbJ7GNUU1w5QYhK9BLxkaHakG9CyoXbycLqn7gwW_V3R8/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436103925663627490" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOR TODAY</span>... February 8, 2010<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window</span>...this is a late Daybook entry so it's dark outside, but I have my back porch light on so I can still watch it snowing!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking</span>...about how nice it has been to have had a day at home since all activities were canceled tonight due to the snowy weather.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for</span>...SNOW! I think I am worse than a kid - I love the snow. I don't like being out in the snow, but I love watching it fall and how fresh it makes everything look. Now, tomorrow, will be a different story...wet, slushy, mud.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing</span>...sweats, a turtleneck, a long sleeve tee, and warm socks<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am remembering</span>...that I need to type lesson plans for the rest of the week<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going</span>... to run errands tomorrow afternoon ~ need to buy a birthday present for my sister, do some banking, and return library books while Rachel is at ballet<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am currently reading</span>...Lots of travel books : )<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping</span>... to figure out Quickbooks soon!!!!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">On my mind</span>... my Mom and my big sis - called them both this evening and had a nice visit. Can't wait to see them in April.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Noticing that</span>...the picture collage frames are still waiting to be hung on the wall. I just have to hurry and choose which pictures to finish filling them with and decide where to hang them. Decisions, decisions, decisions...(and I'm learning<div style="text-align: center;"> </div> after all these years that I really don't like making decisions!)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"> </div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pondering these words</span>...Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." From Pastor Marty's "First" series to start 2010.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen</span>...used this slow, snowy day in this busy, busy week to spend some time in the kitchen and put some things in my freezer. Bieroks for dinner tonight and the freezer; beef and bean burritos for dinner tomorrow night and for the freezer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BIEROKS</span> (a pocket type sandwich)<br />1 lb. ground chuck<br />chopped onion (to taste - <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> </div>maybe 1/4 cup)<br />chopped green pepper (to taste - maybe 1/4 cup or less)<br />1 can sauerkraut<br />1 bag frozen roll dough (I use Rhodes brand and I usually thaw about 20)<br /><br />Thaw the roll dough according to the directions on the package. Brown the ground chuck with the onions and peppers, then stir in the sauerkraut. Take two balls of roll dough and roll them flat on a lightly floured surface. Spoon several tablespoons of meat filling in the center of one piece of the rolled out dough. Top with another dough circle and press the edges to seal, making a "pocket" type sandwich. Place on a cookie sheet. Continue until you have used all of the meat filling and rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes - until golden brown. These freeze well, wrapped in foil.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house</span>... laundry and ironing tomorrow<br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> </div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things</span>...SNOW!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From my picture journal</span>...another picture from the Jan. 29 snow. I didn't really take any today. It's not near as pretty today because the temperature stayed about 33 or 34 so the snow was melting all day as it was snowing. The pictures of today's snow would never show the amount we actually got because of the ongoing melting.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxX6X7Zy-Qk8inaW8adLqEeAfZCcCw98CpQ_O8NXJOs8By8JAC4U_oLz6wOlqNVgDpMT-V6VcSykRqoFAfdz6JpsOXlQeNE6J2sELYnsVHH_xsBvY-MFx2-2mQtka-1HOX7Khlx9a3nEI/s1600-h/106_5392e.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxX6X7Zy-Qk8inaW8adLqEeAfZCcCw98CpQ_O8NXJOs8By8JAC4U_oLz6wOlqNVgDpMT-V6VcSykRqoFAfdz6JpsOXlQeNE6J2sELYnsVHH_xsBvY-MFx2-2mQtka-1HOX7Khlx9a3nEI/s200/106_5392e.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436103791140332418" border="0" /></a></div> </div> </div> To read more Daybook entries, visit <span style="font-weight: bold;">Peggy</span> at <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-29062029208736171942010-02-01T08:45:00.004-06:002010-02-01T09:05:31.735-06:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LjwxvRtg_udz_z5ip5d_PlRyxMuIjCJ4MyN6t9JjH-CE0qXYp3L4b6MqHv03835JjwLOfTApGCvfFKxSQbfIaJT9b1lj_SHDTZlIup6YrzcYdyBdaznAQKxkrPiHqZlzwOsDgj3i1Y4/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LjwxvRtg_udz_z5ip5d_PlRyxMuIjCJ4MyN6t9JjH-CE0qXYp3L4b6MqHv03835JjwLOfTApGCvfFKxSQbfIaJT9b1lj_SHDTZlIup6YrzcYdyBdaznAQKxkrPiHqZlzwOsDgj3i1Y4/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433286416035949330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">FOR TODAY</span>... February 1, 2010<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window</span>...there is still a good bit of snow left from Friday's storm but the sun is trying to shine today.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking</span>...I have really neglected my blog for a long while.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for</span>... the simple things in life...a long walk through the snowy neighborhood with my favorite person : )<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing</span>...jeans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am remembering</span>...the nice slow weekend with nowhere to go.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going</span>... it's a typical Monday ~ home until early evening; then, drop Rachel at ballet and I'll go to the young women's cancer support group I am part of.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am currently reading</span>...Lots of travel books : )<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping</span>... to find a decent airfare this week for my trip to Atlanta at then end of the month.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">On my mind</span>... my Grandma who is in the hospital and scheduled for surgery today.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Noticing that</span>...I really need to hang the collage frames the kids gave me for Christmas.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pondering these words</span>...Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." From Pastor Marty's "First" series to start 2010.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen</span>... crock pot barbecue<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house</span>... laundry and cleaning floors<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things</span>...SNOW!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From my picture journal</span>...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqfU7xh4Pb-6SMHH5N2nqz8c6s7peiBVK2Kw6VDeqTW_b3hp0vMAGi7XENv1eww2ao5vc4Haic7ryjg33SLoO2uTTxEya6ZjRlj69AMbtSNBwJnrM-My1L2WM2l5A1R0zb2qqCHiaO2g/s1600-h/106_5405e.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqfU7xh4Pb-6SMHH5N2nqz8c6s7peiBVK2Kw6VDeqTW_b3hp0vMAGi7XENv1eww2ao5vc4Haic7ryjg33SLoO2uTTxEya6ZjRlj69AMbtSNBwJnrM-My1L2WM2l5A1R0zb2qqCHiaO2g/s200/106_5405e.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433289714279514450" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A snowy view of our house from the dam.<br /><br />To read more daybook entries, join Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a>.<br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-41633040724924467822010-01-04T12:48:00.003-06:002010-01-04T13:32:22.080-06:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDZw7IxaYQCNehIcy-Hmvx3_9VTnctuFAwcOTTs9GI_QPp0qrBbuIvb85cKsomv-nGcVPITyRBysidROy6itrdk3PnTnhc7IzoNmV1kalMTHLqmQcQDsFOvY_zL0-GlowKrxkZEcQ6W0/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDZw7IxaYQCNehIcy-Hmvx3_9VTnctuFAwcOTTs9GI_QPp0qrBbuIvb85cKsomv-nGcVPITyRBysidROy6itrdk3PnTnhc7IzoNmV1kalMTHLqmQcQDsFOvY_zL0-GlowKrxkZEcQ6W0/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422958811259416242" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR TODAY... January 4, 2010</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong> cold and sunny after waking up to a surprise dusting of snow and light snow throughout the early morning.<br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong> hubby asked me last night where I would like to go to celebrate our upcoming 25th anniversary. I'm not sure so I've been doing some looking online and thinking about where I'd like to go. We'll most likely be staying in the states. Any ideas?? Where are your favorite places?? Leave a comment to let me know your favorites!<br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong> my warm home<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong> jeans and a turtleneck layered with a new tee<br /><br /><strong>I am remembering...</strong> how nice it was to spend time with family through the month of December<br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong> nowhere until this evening!!<br /><strong><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am currently reading...</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Shades of Blue</span> by Karen Kingsbury<br /></strong><br /><strong>I am hoping...</strong> to get my blog layout changed. I intended to do it months ago but have neglected my blog since then. I tried earlier but I can't seem to get the layout saved.<br /><br /><strong>On my mind...</strong> friends who are going through some difficulties.<br /><br /><strong>Noticing that...</strong> I need to put away a few more Christmas items.<br /><br /><strong>Pondering these words...</strong> <em>"</em> <span style="font-style: italic;">Why do we give all the power to the new-year and overlook the power of a new day? Why do we believe January 1 has more hope than a simple sunrise</span>?" <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Pastor Marty Sloan</span></span><br /><em></em><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong> Monday - Broccoli Ham Ring & salad<br />Tuesday - Homemade Pizza<br />Wednesday - Chicken Enchiladas, corn & salad<br />Thursday - Jambalaya from the freezer & salad<br />Friday - Meatloaf from the freezer, roasted red potatoes<br />I'm also making vegetable soup with a leftover ham bone which will be great with all the frigid weather this week.<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong> still trying to get the house back in order after Christmas and traveling the week after. Most of the boxes are packed away but there are still a few items lingering that need to find their homes : )<br /><br /><strong></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span> seeing joy on the face of my daughter!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A photo I am sharing with you...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGyGv-5Sx5TgsFmeczCxNYlfQ8maeT_SnG3kEC8yse9HnbTDJ1EWFGag1se-7nFmRIH_rz0WsYfyX6p7hvvc_C4IBPUU6kFYHyNbg8W8U4HUipE0FQJxF56womnGr9ObvHK-1F0O0m4E/s1600-h/blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGyGv-5Sx5TgsFmeczCxNYlfQ8maeT_SnG3kEC8yse9HnbTDJ1EWFGag1se-7nFmRIH_rz0WsYfyX6p7hvvc_C4IBPUU6kFYHyNbg8W8U4HUipE0FQJxF56womnGr9ObvHK-1F0O0m4E/s200/blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422967771850112738" border="0" /></a>Allan & Rachel on Nutcracker day<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To read more Daybook entries, visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a>.</span><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-83612634007609876942009-11-02T16:22:00.003-06:002009-11-02T16:51:34.872-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguzx7n91yL4bGb_HT3R7fNJzOSP95AeMj-vVrLtRix2BJmLz9SjdIINvCUcqlJre-eg9CSYq19IBJs42YWuIdeuppi98VMEjjMWzp1LlgfEr4xmiE8PblQuu_G9-WpDAYjYBYP1CpzlQ/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgguzx7n91yL4bGb_HT3R7fNJzOSP95AeMj-vVrLtRix2BJmLz9SjdIINvCUcqlJre-eg9CSYq19IBJs42YWuIdeuppi98VMEjjMWzp1LlgfEr4xmiE8PblQuu_G9-WpDAYjYBYP1CpzlQ/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399635910619072402" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;" class="widget-content"> <strong>FOR TODAY... November 2, 2009<br /></strong><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong> a beautiful fall day with sunny blue skies, mild temperatures and a gorgeous maple tree<br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong> how nice it was to wake up to sunlight this morning<br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong> a convicting message at church reminding me that my #1 priority should be teaching my kids to worship our Almighty God. Sometimes it's easy to let our other schoolwork take that #1 spot. Thankful it's never too late to readjust our priorities : )<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong> the typical - jeans and a fall top<br /><br /><strong>I am remembering...</strong> how nice it feels to wake up and get my day going early so I have time to sit and blog in the afternoon instead of running like crazy all day, trying to catch up<br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong> to Young Women's Cancer Support Group tonight with yummy desserts in hand. Tomorrow I get to stay home all day - yippee! No ballet tomorrow night and no where else I have to be.<br /><br /><strong>I am reading...</strong> hoping to get to some reading I have bookmarked about vitamins and supplements<br /><br /><strong>I am hoping... </strong>to have dinner with a couple of friends later in the week<br /><br /><strong>On my mind...</strong> changes I need to make in my daily routine<br /><br /><strong>From the learning rooms...</strong> Rachel says she is finally to the part of American History she likes - don't laugh - the wars! She said she doesn't much care for all of the exploration stuff and she's finally finished with that and moving on.<br /><br /><strong>Noticing that...</strong> I need to update the background of my blog - maybe something "fall" looking<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong> brownies and a new recipe from Southern Plate, <a href="http://www.southernplate.com/2009/11/pumpkin-crumb-cake-yummm.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pumpkin Crumb Cake</span></a>. The Pumpkin Crumb Cake is really yummy!<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong> really wanting to start decluttering before the holidays! Need to get a plan of action going.<br /><br /><strong>One of my favorite things...</strong> days at home<br /><br /><strong>From my picture journal...</strong><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZzgMeZjRA1sGJJ5t4DrW1Xe97ZFHH99OxMk_L_zhGxY_V4to_t5HS7txxCpph62hrzgFzqHMNJYppxIjSC5yLDZcW9xCcbnj4bs3tma5wSJkZ3b-cILaJPt-lmN88xWjjZTi9Wz79us/s1600-h/100_5003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZzgMeZjRA1sGJJ5t4DrW1Xe97ZFHH99OxMk_L_zhGxY_V4to_t5HS7txxCpph62hrzgFzqHMNJYppxIjSC5yLDZcW9xCcbnj4bs3tma5wSJkZ3b-cILaJPt-lmN88xWjjZTi9Wz79us/s200/100_5003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399641759855765522" border="0" /></a><br />To read more daybook entries, visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a>.Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-61982414101660187592009-10-19T21:43:00.003-05:002009-10-19T22:20:09.997-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeuz0pP4Z-gWeSxBa3AROdH5BhX2YiLls6gMO4XYyQ-wHNkNDym6EtyKCAv8_48gnF8L4DZEuS-78zGju6Sc_p93BNZc730upPgFyXb1Fzj3hq7c_0HP2tGO9Fec6iuyWHBLsiPA2IL0/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixeuz0pP4Z-gWeSxBa3AROdH5BhX2YiLls6gMO4XYyQ-wHNkNDym6EtyKCAv8_48gnF8L4DZEuS-78zGju6Sc_p93BNZc730upPgFyXb1Fzj3hq7c_0HP2tGO9Fec6iuyWHBLsiPA2IL0/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394507977758183266" border="0" /></a><strong>FOR TODAY...October 19th, 2009</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong>a cool autumn evening<br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong> about making plans for the weekend<br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong>a productive day and a fairly empty calendar for the week<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong> jeans and a new fall top<br /><br /><strong>I am remembering...</strong> Pastor Marty's message yesterday..."The Perfect Family". It's nice to be reminded that there is no such thing as a perfect family, so try as we might, we will never have a perfect family.<br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong>to bed at a decent hour this week ; )<br /><br /><strong>I am reading...<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></strong>my Bible<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping...</span>to take the kids pictures this week with the beautiful fall colors as a backdrop<br /><strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></strong><br /><strong>On my mind...</strong> planning for a possible weekend trip to Branson<br /><br /><strong>From the learning rooms...</strong> American History test, Biology test, and Algebra test<br /><br /><strong>Noticing that...</strong> the leaves are rapidly changing color and they are so pretty!<br /><br /><strong>Pondering these words...</strong> "No perfect family exists. The idea of perfection keeps us from pursuing betterment."<br /><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong> tonight was leftover night. Tomorrow I'm planning to bake granola and Cajun pretzels<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong> cleaning out Rachel's closet and dresser to see what she needs for winter<br /><br /><strong>One of my favorite things~</strong> a day spent with three friends visiting craft fairs in NW Arkansas last week. Years ago we would try to make it to the spring and fall fairs. It's been a few years since we've done it so it was that much sweeter. So thankful for those girlfriends : )<br /><br /><strong>From my picture journal...</strong><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgciPokVvl_bGgiAcVEFb7vMlolbMW7j4v3HWmg5kQkLV8FRKThopcy6H1DR_NbyZxf0x8hiFQpmCSyfTuITKr6tcdpvcX20c0CztQE0R_JYsVlutA_G0Vg8q8kfsPqjjkvD7xDic_MI/s1600-h/101B4710blog.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgciPokVvl_bGgiAcVEFb7vMlolbMW7j4v3HWmg5kQkLV8FRKThopcy6H1DR_NbyZxf0x8hiFQpmCSyfTuITKr6tcdpvcX20c0CztQE0R_JYsVlutA_G0Vg8q8kfsPqjjkvD7xDic_MI/s200/101B4710blog.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394513342110939122" border="0" /></a>Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 2009<br />We spent the weekend at the Balloon Fiesta last weekend!<br /><br />Thanks to Peggy for hosting at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgciPokVvl_bGgiAcVEFb7vMlolbMW7j4v3HWmg5kQkLV8FRKThopcy6H1DR_NbyZxf0x8hiFQpmCSyfTuITKr6tcdpvcX20c0CztQE0R_JYsVlutA_G0Vg8q8kfsPqjjkvD7xDic_MI/s1600-h/101B4710blog.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-62015460088041119352009-09-28T08:55:00.006-05:002009-09-28T09:28:16.078-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUXTd4uU23KIZBUU4GvYavTEMCNmk_4TFQwO9z2piUgB5igNT2IbK7XrWIuGklrzgx66l1Lziu_o3fc1zK4EHdLDxGTBKotpKfAG9x3ldH653FMQHLbvok1q5icdawspbfLQUuoDqbg4/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUXTd4uU23KIZBUU4GvYavTEMCNmk_4TFQwO9z2piUgB5igNT2IbK7XrWIuGklrzgx66l1Lziu_o3fc1zK4EHdLDxGTBKotpKfAG9x3ldH653FMQHLbvok1q5icdawspbfLQUuoDqbg4/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386522147695836466" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOR TODAY...September 28, 2009</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong>cool morning with blue skies<br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong>about cards I need to buy for a few upcoming birthdays<br /><br /><strong>I am thankful for...</strong>a good night's sleep.<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong>shorts, t-shirt, flip flops<br /><br /><strong>I am remembering...</strong>the fun and laughter shared with Rachel and her friend, Rachel over the weekend<br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong>to the fair this week to see Rachel's photography exhibits!<br /><br /><strong>I am reading...</strong><span style="font-style: italic;">Summer</span>, by Karen Kingsbury; <span style="font-style: italic;">Know Who You Believe</span>, by Paul Little<br /><br /><strong>I am hoping...</strong>for a very productive week for both Rachel & I<br /><br /><strong>On my mind...</strong>what comes next on my "to do" list today<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning room...</span>extras this week: homework for photography class and driver's education<br /><strong></strong><strong></strong><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong>need to bake a batch of granola and some cookies<br />Monday...baked ham, potato salad, baked beans<br />Tuesday...new recipe to try - poppy seed chicken<br />Wednesday...crockpot meal - ham & scalloped potatoes<br />Thursday...parmesan crusted tilapia<br />Friday...maybe broccoli ham ring?<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong>ironing - one of my least favorite jobs. At least I mopped over the weekend : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>fall candle scents<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A picture thought I am sharing with you...</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvQQkc_Mtv2Ufwag3zKsCP6F8B2owEyDqM9hEJcV2P-0_Mhnu-XgvV4fl5AQW4G1P-VtOj0oEWkto-r49xE2idYkLnjzZTsiOPdVl1bsuGxnAdLmJC0D9V6qQu1VqPAxxdSPzHTh8U-g/s1600-h/102_3614b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvQQkc_Mtv2Ufwag3zKsCP6F8B2owEyDqM9hEJcV2P-0_Mhnu-XgvV4fl5AQW4G1P-VtOj0oEWkto-r49xE2idYkLnjzZTsiOPdVl1bsuGxnAdLmJC0D9V6qQu1VqPAxxdSPzHTh8U-g/s200/102_3614b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386523911559448322" border="0" /></a>One of Rachel's entries in the fair. Picture was taken during the ice storm last winter.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />For more Daybook entries, visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a><br /></div><strong></strong>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-10907132845965076932009-09-14T23:33:00.009-05:002009-09-15T09:05:13.717-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLmuBW415W7MFID8Unc9MZVH76qKS6L3o6SGPbRVfnwTU-upOXqasB-RqCkuWJDi0AgaDOXBPIoIBz5e09qO36mApHWRiUpedDApfaNEqjrlG8Ux-6P2Mi-N_gWuPXzqtwtdo6faNDZc/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLmuBW415W7MFID8Unc9MZVH76qKS6L3o6SGPbRVfnwTU-upOXqasB-RqCkuWJDi0AgaDOXBPIoIBz5e09qO36mApHWRiUpedDApfaNEqjrlG8Ux-6P2Mi-N_gWuPXzqtwtdo6faNDZc/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381684352390716738" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong>FOR TODAY...</strong>September 14, 2009<br /><br /><strong>Outside my window...</strong>another dreary, overcast day makes me realize that autumn is just around the corner.<br /><br /><strong>I am thinking...</strong>it's nice to be creating a Daybook Entry again after a break for summer.<br /><br /><em></em><strong>I am thankful for...</strong>the blessing of friends in my life: homeschooling friends, church friends, ballet mom friends, longtime friends, and probably best of all - sister friends!<br /><br /><strong>I am wearing...</strong>jeans and last year's <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.komenozark.org/ppp/">Paint the Park Pink</a> tee shirt.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>I am remembering...</strong>what a great summer I had! I enjoyed having so much time with my sisters, brother and their families.<br /><br /><strong>I am creating...</strong>this blog post for the second time - it disappeared last night when I uploaded a pictures so I'm doing my best to re-create it.<br /><br /><strong>I am going...</strong>to drive Rachel to ballet tonight and run a couple of errands while she is in class.<br /><br /><strong>I am reading...</strong>I've been reading Karen Kingsbury's <span style="font-style: italic;">Redemption</span> series, followed by her <span style="font-style: italic;">Firstborn</span> series. I have two books left in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Firstborn </span>series and I can't wait to read them. I checked out the previous two on Thursday and had them both finished by Sunday evening : ) This week, Rachel and I will start reading "<span style="font-style: italic;">Know Who You Believe</span>", "<span style="font-style: italic;">Know What You Believe</span>", and <span style="font-style: italic;">Know Why You Believe</span>" by Paul Little as part of her schooling.<br /><br />I<strong> am hoping...</strong>Allan will get his car fixed this weekend so I don't have to share a car with him another week! I'm really not trying to be selfish : ) It just makes an already crazy schedule even crazier!!<br /><br /><strong>On my mind...</strong>the phone call I have to make to my health insurance company. Asking the Lord for favor : )<br /><br /><strong>From the learning rooms...</strong>finally getting back in the routine. On the schedule this year: English, American Lit., American History, Biology, Spanish, Algebra I (almost completed) and then Geometry, Fine Arts/Photography Class, and Home Ec.<br /><br /><strong>Noticing that...</strong>there are birds singing in my backyard this morning. They've been quiet lately. Saw a cardinal for the first time in a while.<br /><br /><strong>Pondering these words...</strong>from Sunday's sermon: "Faith that works, is Faith that works"<br /><br /><strong>From the kitchen...</strong><br />Monday - St. Mary's Stew<br />Tuesday - <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-layered-dinner-steak-potatoes.html">Crockpot Layered Steak and Potatoes</a> (thanks <a href="http://busybusymommy.blogspot.com/">Kelli</a>!)<br />Wednesday - Turkey Club Pizza<br />Thursday - <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.30daygourmet.com/eNewsletters/Archived_Newsletters/Articles_2002_10/crock_chops.asp">Crockpot Saucy Pork Chops</a><br />Friday - work dinner @ Shogun<br /><br /><strong>Around the house...</strong>a little lingering laundry and a little ironing<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>laughter and silliness of teenage girls<strong><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span></strong><br /><strong>A few plans for the rest of the week:</strong> the usual driving Rachel to ballet and photography class this week, dinner with a couple of ballet mom friends Wednesday night, a nice quiet weekend at home<br /><br /><strong>From my picture journal...</strong><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1xxHBe0OgN_t3JO8Hq5HEUryzPJsU1McTZLpZDVAYKKtXRhyphenhyphen_L3DwR62C1A73vetkP-Xj5XI14btbeqVH17aBGg0M4vxoxQ8FfKF3zlKvXoZDtDameyc2ZsoF5Sj1dqwpsDYwMV7QBw/s1600-h/9330_163930096288_724506288_3618262_6869683_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1xxHBe0OgN_t3JO8Hq5HEUryzPJsU1McTZLpZDVAYKKtXRhyphenhyphen_L3DwR62C1A73vetkP-Xj5XI14btbeqVH17aBGg0M4vxoxQ8FfKF3zlKvXoZDtDameyc2ZsoF5Sj1dqwpsDYwMV7QBw/s200/9330_163930096288_724506288_3618262_6869683_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381692917825845362" border="0" /></a>Ballet Company swim party - they wouldn't let the rain stop them from having a blast!<br /><br />To read more Daybook entries, visit <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-49380105822215995942009-08-30T14:48:00.009-05:002009-08-31T09:16:36.342-05:00More Summer FunI returned home from Amy's wedding to unpack, wash clothes, pay bills, catch up on household chores, and finally...repack all within a week's time. Rachel was headed to North Carolina for a month-long summer dance intensive. My sister, Nancy, joined Rachel and I for this road trip. After all the wedding planning and festivities, I think she was due for a "sister's trip"!<br /><br />Nancy, Rachel and I headed out of town about 4:30 a.m. on July 1, hoping to arrive in Charlotte by dark. I think this was the easiest road trip we have ever taken to Charlotte. After weeks of sweltering heat, we enjoyed awesome cool weather on the day of our trip. We stopped for a picnic lunch in TN and it was actually quite cool in the shade! We had no traffic delays and pulled into Wendy's (baby sister) driveway 961 miles after leaving home and just before 9:00 p.m. EST.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoNkimdoQ1vHanT3O1C1iQ_PdZWi449cebNb2FUFAK8ltBVLTswXd8Bnm1fu3AFQbN9kK6wTtKMXE0RKDhZdIQHJYgvLFPnOxejDr9Iu0xNJNZ3KvqRjecA9iIsAS1B3FtJokxrxRjVA/s1600-h/100_3648e.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoNkimdoQ1vHanT3O1C1iQ_PdZWi449cebNb2FUFAK8ltBVLTswXd8Bnm1fu3AFQbN9kK6wTtKMXE0RKDhZdIQHJYgvLFPnOxejDr9Iu0xNJNZ3KvqRjecA9iIsAS1B3FtJokxrxRjVA/s200/100_3648e.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121235985241778" border="0" /></a>Sister's Pic<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAC46SvkfYLYf7pU3_aXVRTDYmzc2pRvQBD9pxenRi4VYEZ_S3hL-8oSbD2qd-ufN7XAL5E0tpo_li5X3v02q_6UaJsAfpi-oc3zg2FhDkzDQEkwJxD4u-0PqKrAt4iJm78MeUzY9SX4/s1600-h/100_3683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAC46SvkfYLYf7pU3_aXVRTDYmzc2pRvQBD9pxenRi4VYEZ_S3hL-8oSbD2qd-ufN7XAL5E0tpo_li5X3v02q_6UaJsAfpi-oc3zg2FhDkzDQEkwJxD4u-0PqKrAt4iJm78MeUzY9SX4/s200/100_3683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121240805592690" border="0" /></a>Brooke<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixzaIoPvzq0whucoSLfyRMVD7t5kdwV8ltF6u4HrLTRrTHEYejO0ocmnjj4Mvgg9Y4jsMIb73rrcumX3FdULReU5tnEN0I06d_He9ooD-V7lP8kQsw8g3-VhOsdSj5N4vvaassiQeQm4/s1600-h/100_3692.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixzaIoPvzq0whucoSLfyRMVD7t5kdwV8ltF6u4HrLTRrTHEYejO0ocmnjj4Mvgg9Y4jsMIb73rrcumX3FdULReU5tnEN0I06d_He9ooD-V7lP8kQsw8g3-VhOsdSj5N4vvaassiQeQm4/s200/100_3692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121244364987938" border="0" /></a>Emily<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">July 2 we just enjoyed visiting and playing with Emily & Brooke. Friday, Wendy took us shopping at the Metrolina Expo. It's a large expo of booths selling everything from antiques to artwork to gifts. Then, Nancy treated us to pedicures and what a treat it was! What a fun day we had. Saturday we celebrated Independence Day! Wendy & Brad live in a great neighborhood and every year they have a parade on July 4. The kids decorate their bikes, scooters, power wheels, and some parents even decorate floats and cars. Emily rode her bike and Brooke rode her scooter all decked out in red, white, and blue. What fun to watch all the kids having such a great time, making great memories! Brad fired up the grill for a cookout that night with some of his family and a neighbor family.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOdDWLTjypP_SlLsngS2bRuIkArG6_Cp_aueMyBYKZPIVUi0mMrZcd-4sMjEm0SwLsOwUMkE1xUpvDu5Lsb12XPo5vf2n3sShxo2vsIi8kQI5n9YGiNEKZEUIntR3_f9qvty37Bk1QM0/s1600-h/July+4th+2009+013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 163px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOdDWLTjypP_SlLsngS2bRuIkArG6_Cp_aueMyBYKZPIVUi0mMrZcd-4sMjEm0SwLsOwUMkE1xUpvDu5Lsb12XPo5vf2n3sShxo2vsIi8kQI5n9YGiNEKZEUIntR3_f9qvty37Bk1QM0/s200/July+4th+2009+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122565901217170" border="0" /></a>Fun on the 4th<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOdDWLTjypP_SlLsngS2bRuIkArG6_Cp_aueMyBYKZPIVUi0mMrZcd-4sMjEm0SwLsOwUMkE1xUpvDu5Lsb12XPo5vf2n3sShxo2vsIi8kQI5n9YGiNEKZEUIntR3_f9qvty37Bk1QM0/s1600-h/July+4th+2009+013.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4waDYna171bLrZ4lmZo4gHvnp_fnlobUe-v8NOP_AtMVzBPJnQb6dKumIHWRc63cKmQ-VhgbT2VekdK7xhTEGiYy56TzWEX1ljQrvc7ZbzvojuzTEu5pvC8dPCv2_sWpyZMEc5NPSWqY/s1600-h/104_4147.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4waDYna171bLrZ4lmZo4gHvnp_fnlobUe-v8NOP_AtMVzBPJnQb6dKumIHWRc63cKmQ-VhgbT2VekdK7xhTEGiYy56TzWEX1ljQrvc7ZbzvojuzTEu5pvC8dPCv2_sWpyZMEc5NPSWqY/s200/104_4147.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376124799734980354" border="0" /></a>Emily<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBCC9ouW2U3EFXoz4RUVlURo-2VnqWq221xiJ47-F81uJjRjeIPazK_T9ssPqG4FIaiq9WOW4c8x4CExzludE52N3s3GO_hpcny45-vH4-xECN5MEw58ZfVoQ3s6oGdTJc3gdQd3tbR4/s1600-h/July+4th+2009+018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBCC9ouW2U3EFXoz4RUVlURo-2VnqWq221xiJ47-F81uJjRjeIPazK_T9ssPqG4FIaiq9WOW4c8x4CExzludE52N3s3GO_hpcny45-vH4-xECN5MEw58ZfVoQ3s6oGdTJc3gdQd3tbR4/s200/July+4th+2009+018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122571053889682" border="0" /></a>Brooke<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3vc7EYpQjlPiX20JWsLOZXUPLxOaRODrsRTBoEIu6idjuhVwhHteE7Ka5OzTR7HYDAklLBydCjbqBa80WBJW33Mf0FCSEZeNnrJZKfI0tyhayQIcFKRE7O9-bXIBqi6Xo3VUCI4lO9w/s1600-h/July+4th+2009+034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3vc7EYpQjlPiX20JWsLOZXUPLxOaRODrsRTBoEIu6idjuhVwhHteE7Ka5OzTR7HYDAklLBydCjbqBa80WBJW33Mf0FCSEZeNnrJZKfI0tyhayQIcFKRE7O9-bXIBqi6Xo3VUCI4lO9w/s200/July+4th+2009+034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122579801166834" border="0" /></a>Brad, Brooke, Wendy & Bentley<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sunday, July 5, was check-in day for Rachel. After lunch, Nancy and I drove her to University of North Carolina at Charlotte and moved her into the dorm. We got to meet her roommate and suitemates and their parents before we left. If I didn't already know my "little" girl was growing up - she let me know that day. She had us help her take everything out of the suitcases, assemble the drying rack, etc. and then she said, "Emily and I will get our room organized how we want it after you leave." I took that as my cue that it was time to say our goodbyes. What a difference a year makes. She asked me not to cry because she knew it would make her cry so I tried my best to hold up my end of the deal. I did okay but, I did feel a few tears fall on my cheeks as I turned to leave. She had lots to do to get settled in that night and to be ready to start classes Monday morning.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L4_X5HqAe6ZH7kWkrSat7PCk_eDQpgNQYNiLh0Z5QgOdjHSJh-Y__T3UyMrNQ5eC7iJCLuKrYgy6epZGswAXlwCtq8KMLaTTp8VOREe3Y47SWhxMnUUE4GTmQPtwPRcmDwBzRIPlajc/s1600-h/104_4181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L4_X5HqAe6ZH7kWkrSat7PCk_eDQpgNQYNiLh0Z5QgOdjHSJh-Y__T3UyMrNQ5eC7iJCLuKrYgy6epZGswAXlwCtq8KMLaTTp8VOREe3Y47SWhxMnUUE4GTmQPtwPRcmDwBzRIPlajc/s200/104_4181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121720248208754" border="0" /></a>"Roomies" - Rachel & Emily P.<br /></div><br />Monday was spent shopping at Southpark Mall after lunch at Cheesecake Factory. My girlie called that night to say she LOVED her classes and had a great day. A great report for this mom's heart! Rachel's dorm room was really cold so we borrowed an extra blanket from Aunt Wendy and delivered it to her after classes on Wednesday. I said goodbye again knowing that I was headed toward home the next day and wouldn't see her again for at least 3 weeks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Before leaving on our trip, Nancy and I had decided to spend a couple of nights in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, TN on the way home. We were delighted when it worked out for Wendy to join us for those two nights. We set out Thursday morning, headed for a lunch stop in Ashville, NC. We had a great lunch at a Greek cafe and walked around downtown Ashville before heading on to the mountains. We ran into a bit of rain after leaving Ashville but it wasn't bad until my windshield wiper blade started coming apart...in the middle of nowhere!! Wendy's following me and I'm driving as best I can when it's finally evident I'm going to have to pull over and try to fix the wiper or wait until the rain stops (and it doesn't look like it's stopping anytime soon). I found an abandoned gas station with a cover to stop under. I get out to tell Wendy why we are stopped and I'm trying to fix my wiper and realize it's NOT going to go back together and the blade is separating from the wiper. Wendy came to the rescue with a ponytail holder!! So, picture me wrapping a ponytail holder around my wiper blade on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Hey, it worked!! As we drove into Gatlinburg, I spotted a Napa store so I stopped and bought a blade and was so thankful for the saleman putting it on the van for me!! Note to self: learn how to replace a wiper blade. We arrived at our condo, unpacked the car and headed to dinner at Joses. Awesome Mexican restaurant!! We did a little shopping around the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge after dinner and then headed back to the condo to map out a plan for Friday. Friday morning we started with an awesome breakfast at The Old Mill to fuel our bodies for the shopping and sightseeing we had planned for the day. After breakfast we drove in to Gatlinburg shopped in the downtown area. Lots of neat little shops there, especially at The Village. Next, we decided a drive in the mountains was a great way to rest our feet. We drove through some of Smoky Mountain National Park and took lots of pictures - it was gorgeous!! Back from our mountain drive, we decided to take a lunch break but couldn't decide what to have so we did what all good mom's do when they are on a trip with no kids - we had Baskin Robbins ice cream for lunch. We drove back to Pigeon Forge and hit the outlet mall and the Incredible Christmas Place. There's nothing like shopping in a multi-building Christmas store when it's about 90 outside. We finished the shopping we had planned to do for the day and we weren't really ready for dinner so we pondered what to do. Finally, we decided to drive back to Gatlinburg and drive the 5 mile loop we had skipped earlier in the day. So, we start down this loop road and it's just like a regular road for a while. Pretty scenery along the way. Then, we see a sign that the "loop" is beginning and it becomes a one way road. Well, can you say "sweaty palms"? I was driving but I could not look out my side window for some of the drive - it was straight down...a...long...way...down! It was a beautiful drive but it was a little scary at times. My family would never believe I drove on that road. We finally finished the loop drive and decided on a late dinner at Red Lobster. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying our last hours together, knowing it might be next summer before we are all together again.<br /><br />Smoky Mountain National Park<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa2l6lOepH8UJiAL8quctMo5AlAsdCuSF9IH1dDGEfWS8WylrqjdWq09TU-MhK9GyhIyU30NnqhyphenhyphenmWcHOKkvkxE-mlVFeKgUHey9_F5ZeMYLFuHZlWeKKjgipY5AvMrNzDtaDKWf-SKI/s1600-h/104_4256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKa2l6lOepH8UJiAL8quctMo5AlAsdCuSF9IH1dDGEfWS8WylrqjdWq09TU-MhK9GyhIyU30NnqhyphenhyphenmWcHOKkvkxE-mlVFeKgUHey9_F5ZeMYLFuHZlWeKKjgipY5AvMrNzDtaDKWf-SKI/s200/104_4256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122555680189650" border="0" /></a>A picture from the "loop" drive : )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtd9G5PcHFWxQXOzy6Tsnhs2EUAgN1A6z5-OyFXSScMDZbCcSJ6eVnRywOEwM4VZ_J4uOmH941FzqrJ3F-OQrGEI-Yvn6X952dwrjwRO-lFiwTDmTcCpx0tkRIixTsSYh6p7ysNWrKA0/s1600-h/104_4246.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtd9G5PcHFWxQXOzy6Tsnhs2EUAgN1A6z5-OyFXSScMDZbCcSJ6eVnRywOEwM4VZ_J4uOmH941FzqrJ3F-OQrGEI-Yvn6X952dwrjwRO-lFiwTDmTcCpx0tkRIixTsSYh6p7ysNWrKA0/s200/104_4246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122552458831186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVQBHK7bqQB0VphnJrYGxTCMCSWuO8No2Dgm39yTaa3PLJ8m8NamXk5icb-vaOvPmxlmTTL8_06K1OvkBfpFN95J7efsrcFa6-vr1zi0uw6ZJgXUQZBDyxoWV30CvoFu0bJZZ2dSrOn4/s1600-h/104_4242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVQBHK7bqQB0VphnJrYGxTCMCSWuO8No2Dgm39yTaa3PLJ8m8NamXk5icb-vaOvPmxlmTTL8_06K1OvkBfpFN95J7efsrcFa6-vr1zi0uw6ZJgXUQZBDyxoWV30CvoFu0bJZZ2dSrOn4/s200/104_4242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122242618665602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrigFMFBNS_6RF5JMnGnc_sz2SCcFzdafujpkiZ3zIBy06FgFn3XVvXWRnZDzJAVw94Mv5FCuSFgNip8k6XkjNOp38n_jRsl8VbcPhOB8OFaVU_4nO_aHr8l1SQgAW_1dm-eMIeKy2UB8/s1600-h/100_3730.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrigFMFBNS_6RF5JMnGnc_sz2SCcFzdafujpkiZ3zIBy06FgFn3XVvXWRnZDzJAVw94Mv5FCuSFgNip8k6XkjNOp38n_jRsl8VbcPhOB8OFaVU_4nO_aHr8l1SQgAW_1dm-eMIeKy2UB8/s200/100_3730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121258256752082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoDlRYJyV029BWcWblBmZQU23VuaN_v__Q4mmh7sWHEa5Yn9q-luvXEcForxqtExuOOSeLFtvrH2ITfGBGAnis4vaBbXSqeWARugDhqjhPlnIBt4VF4Zrk4ZfMfP9dG8mqUAZ_Ks_Grs/s1600-h/104_4232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoDlRYJyV029BWcWblBmZQU23VuaN_v__Q4mmh7sWHEa5Yn9q-luvXEcForxqtExuOOSeLFtvrH2ITfGBGAnis4vaBbXSqeWARugDhqjhPlnIBt4VF4Zrk4ZfMfP9dG8mqUAZ_Ks_Grs/s200/104_4232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122238552170114" border="0" /></a>The Old Mill - Pigeon Forge, TN<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHK8Mo5K0sHjlJXuJKPSo8QPg9mNW3C-9znI0rISW89y6SIzTEHl_MpbaslzcrhLTAVb6zmMuK_FfG8_W-0WhuajWO1BJh6x2nwwXq_Ol5kToDAd5t89zzsotRVdGz4UZ8-HnX9nPg4w/s1600-h/104_4192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHK8Mo5K0sHjlJXuJKPSo8QPg9mNW3C-9znI0rISW89y6SIzTEHl_MpbaslzcrhLTAVb6zmMuK_FfG8_W-0WhuajWO1BJh6x2nwwXq_Ol5kToDAd5t89zzsotRVdGz4UZ8-HnX9nPg4w/s200/104_4192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122218636194690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMXXGGMQgegO_9t3U_rFQvDwEhvuTWjkMxTCYJOsGKkmCQgLka22EqMa5nKZetQO6CJ-x1IeV5VH4qP1O830IgsKJonKjAXDB7yQB3R__8K_cPsKkQ79iYfRAWcIUqOVynPf7RKoz8h8/s1600-h/100_3703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMXXGGMQgegO_9t3U_rFQvDwEhvuTWjkMxTCYJOsGKkmCQgLka22EqMa5nKZetQO6CJ-x1IeV5VH4qP1O830IgsKJonKjAXDB7yQB3R__8K_cPsKkQ79iYfRAWcIUqOVynPf7RKoz8h8/s200/100_3703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121249117444594" border="0" /></a>Fun at the Incredible Christmas Place, Pigeon Forge, TN<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O1dRh2SbqVoqKYiK0tU5BUOi9tVsGSjIeRtLvi6NDotFc_PAcxAA03YEvDMy98gdXu8mTZLkYdrTMQTsb6mOMPh17wPwLz-fAiKzzWCJGRS9VJXx8D6HiEdkLVfgMbohcLaQBUbHEP4/s1600-h/100_3742.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0O1dRh2SbqVoqKYiK0tU5BUOi9tVsGSjIeRtLvi6NDotFc_PAcxAA03YEvDMy98gdXu8mTZLkYdrTMQTsb6mOMPh17wPwLz-fAiKzzWCJGRS9VJXx8D6HiEdkLVfgMbohcLaQBUbHEP4/s200/100_3742.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121702946455010" border="0" /></a><br />Gatlinburg, TN<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p1-_OV0cfs0aoFa9QLLHfQnz8SCCKq0pA2GTCvPpZtcbUHSNVTODJP5UbAt_TrZ4hc27XnpEYR55VTdOg6B3Tsqu_jzfSDihk6Vufb4YcdtrQEjF4-HAlmg_F9GOn_zWgdh6YyMIwoU/s1600-h/100_3735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9p1-_OV0cfs0aoFa9QLLHfQnz8SCCKq0pA2GTCvPpZtcbUHSNVTODJP5UbAt_TrZ4hc27XnpEYR55VTdOg6B3Tsqu_jzfSDihk6Vufb4YcdtrQEjF4-HAlmg_F9GOn_zWgdh6YyMIwoU/s200/100_3735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376121700533825010" border="0" /></a>The Village<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P7oqAAcG7RhS75h35VifTLcAB6XgPlubFimxpZ9o7fEVigs4fiCjM-BEVu2tUp_SpQJl2lTBi8JNN8ldzhRpqhzhK-w9_OCOSsLrNLWARUHs-uK67huxkrLOCtlXS7aBIYzb2o5VNpk/s1600-h/104_4215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P7oqAAcG7RhS75h35VifTLcAB6XgPlubFimxpZ9o7fEVigs4fiCjM-BEVu2tUp_SpQJl2lTBi8JNN8ldzhRpqhzhK-w9_OCOSsLrNLWARUHs-uK67huxkrLOCtlXS7aBIYzb2o5VNpk/s200/104_4215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376122232956829986" border="0" /></a>The Village Fountain<br /></div><br />Saturday morning we packed our cars and headed our separate ways - Wendy back home to Charlotte; Nancy and I back to Fort Smith. Nancy and I had a good drive home and were glad we had shaved a few hours off of our trip by not driving straight from Charlotte. I was thankful to have spent a week with my sisters and so happy that the three of us were able to spend a couple of nights together in the mountains with no kids and no hubby's - just us girls!!Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-18571279480133729592009-07-20T10:28:00.010-05:002009-07-20T12:11:52.376-05:00Summer Fun - Post #1 - Trip to La. & Amy's WeddingSo, it's been a while since I blogged. I do have a great excuse - I've been having fun staying on the go!!<br /><br />Rachel and I drove to La. June 10. I dropped her off at Robert's parent's house for her summer visit *alone* with Granny & Grandad. She loves spending time with them in the summer and who wouldn't? She gets to sleep late, swim, drive the golf cart, watch cable tv (yes, we are those weird people who don't have cable at home!!) usually gets pretty spoiled - who wouldn't like it?? After getting Rachel settled in with her grandparents I continued on across town to "set up camp" at Nancy's (my older sister). It's always so nice to stay at Nancy & Jerry's - they live at the end of a country lane so it's always very quiet out there and she has beautiful flower gardens to enjoy and this year they even have a pool to lounge in.<br /><br />I got to have lunch with two of my childhood friends and one of my junior high/high school friends while I was in town. One of my childhood friends, Kelly, and I were roommates in college as well and have kept in touch through the years. We may not talk to each other for months but she's the kind of friend you could talk to after all that time and it would be like you had talked to her yesterday. Janice is another friend from childhood - we went through school together and then I have seen her periodically over the years. My other friend, Lori and I became friends when she moved to town in 8th grade and we went to the same church and school. We were suitemates our first year of college and kept in touch for some time. The last time I saw Lori was about 12 years ago when I was in Oregon visiting my grandma and Lori drove up from where she lives to visit. Sometime after that visit, we lost contact with each other but thanks to Facebook, I found her again and found out she was going to be visiting her dad in East Texas while I was going to be in La. We made a plan and met for lunch - Lori, Kelly, Janice and I. It was fun to catch up on what we have all been doing for the last ?? years!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnk5DDMx0uHj-s-SQ5ljrO1lsZexD_0zGGpc_3ov8QEoVKKC2id5OUZoeA5UMwxxhJwmV6W3GGqpuB8uYD2IXAEHzq3Kr7GI8kLB49pzgCp6I_YSUb5mZutDYe-jYrYQDTMK_xoLXlao/s1600-h/104_4039.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDnk5DDMx0uHj-s-SQ5ljrO1lsZexD_0zGGpc_3ov8QEoVKKC2id5OUZoeA5UMwxxhJwmV6W3GGqpuB8uYD2IXAEHzq3Kr7GI8kLB49pzgCp6I_YSUb5mZutDYe-jYrYQDTMK_xoLXlao/s200/104_4039.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585373557698978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Rachel and I drove down to visit Mom and Jack on Sunday. Mom cooked a great lunch on the grill for us and we enjoyed visiting with them. Wendy, Emily and Brooke (baby sister and her girls) came in from NC a few days later. We girls had so much fun together!!! Mom and Jack invited us all down for dinner at Fisherman's Galley on Toledo Bend Lake. Had a nice dinner and visit.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKiV6GF4SvY0hPUqbjTs6kvexCwgNtoftwllcm1uX-FhqMObcIQMBiGVN8zN5ccmVVDRhkZ2Iw3hevfEoj7hZa81Wb8RH6EmQv6zJk8hyJKW-sfmpgtG7qoMN9icNIRGGXL2WvPc0aJ4/s1600-h/104_4048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKiV6GF4SvY0hPUqbjTs6kvexCwgNtoftwllcm1uX-FhqMObcIQMBiGVN8zN5ccmVVDRhkZ2Iw3hevfEoj7hZa81Wb8RH6EmQv6zJk8hyJKW-sfmpgtG7qoMN9icNIRGGXL2WvPc0aJ4/s200/104_4048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585374492242258" border="0" /></a> Grammy & G'pa Jack with Rachel, Brooke & Emily<br /><br />Okay, so on the the REAL reason we were in Louisiana - my neice Amy was getting married!!! Amy is the oldest cousin on my side of the family and the first to get married so everyone was really excited for her. Rachel was honored to be asked to be one of Amy's bridesmaids. I was there to help my sister with anything she needed me to do : ) We ran errands; folded, hole punched & tied ribbons in the programs; tied ribbons on the little tubes of bubbles (after washing the sticky off of them all!); got sunburned in the pool; got stuck in a carwash; went to the nail salon with Amy; had dinner with Amy & Jeffrey; planned a family cookout for the day after the wedding; and who knows what else we did but it was so much fun to be there and help get things ready for Amy's big day. Nancy is the ultimate list maker and planner - you should see that girl's wedding planning notebook. When one of my kids gets married, guess who I am calling first? You got it - Nancy and her notebook : )<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrfHFTis3r3QI1rEIMEPAmY5k7DZ6-MzpiZGX5U4EZLXHZOznSK1kYPJCrsCPuB1ZKqhpfrwcjNmv2MiN96S8s5YP2rfI6sYuvdelqwWmW2m4GpCh9pjBMey59wHqogWIjVMWv5Yq2R8/s1600-h/Wedding+064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrfHFTis3r3QI1rEIMEPAmY5k7DZ6-MzpiZGX5U4EZLXHZOznSK1kYPJCrsCPuB1ZKqhpfrwcjNmv2MiN96S8s5YP2rfI6sYuvdelqwWmW2m4GpCh9pjBMey59wHqogWIjVMWv5Yq2R8/s200/Wedding+064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586647398851762" border="0" /></a> some of our "work"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrfHFTis3r3QI1rEIMEPAmY5k7DZ6-MzpiZGX5U4EZLXHZOznSK1kYPJCrsCPuB1ZKqhpfrwcjNmv2MiN96S8s5YP2rfI6sYuvdelqwWmW2m4GpCh9pjBMey59wHqogWIjVMWv5Yq2R8/s1600-h/Wedding+064.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpX5mTqKVRG2fL7u5irmoHj1PPXdKtDZempMD8lQz1EChkByPBmSix-gKf8qPhGg7gWubbjRv2IDHRkMvYZeGhf-XWezlB4fmin2uIR-pAFIJc6eOmU97NeSU2JVBe1OidPWomvr4NJo/s1600-h/104_4052.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpX5mTqKVRG2fL7u5irmoHj1PPXdKtDZempMD8lQz1EChkByPBmSix-gKf8qPhGg7gWubbjRv2IDHRkMvYZeGhf-XWezlB4fmin2uIR-pAFIJc6eOmU97NeSU2JVBe1OidPWomvr4NJo/s200/104_4052.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585386669472226" border="0" /></a> Dinner w/Amy & Jeffrey<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0sC3pONW2J7BRXV-AEeywWwjx8p_oNRjpCihfoy0trp3B1DehjlFinVzqGMdkdLpYawVQX7iUchcrB0mgag5A46UEOqBscXXFSwlyZdEwxjowCT4vwUzoQ9dRfoq-BRIOHSlhngEEF0/s1600-h/104_4057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0sC3pONW2J7BRXV-AEeywWwjx8p_oNRjpCihfoy0trp3B1DehjlFinVzqGMdkdLpYawVQX7iUchcrB0mgag5A46UEOqBscXXFSwlyZdEwxjowCT4vwUzoQ9dRfoq-BRIOHSlhngEEF0/s200/104_4057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585391161783282" border="0" /></a> Stuck in a car wash!!!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-WL3TRVbq1_BJQcN09IgnrB8R5w9Y3LqoRbrHF8BqXUiMW3EEEdXvbn-Oauh9t0H1-XIVmuNszz7Lrl3ACPUTPWd8ELTbX6UGkcNYlAQNHc5z8HBfDcFmcKWI0kW6843vfGAM3qmWGk/s1600-h/Wedding+027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-WL3TRVbq1_BJQcN09IgnrB8R5w9Y3LqoRbrHF8BqXUiMW3EEEdXvbn-Oauh9t0H1-XIVmuNszz7Lrl3ACPUTPWd8ELTbX6UGkcNYlAQNHc5z8HBfDcFmcKWI0kW6843vfGAM3qmWGk/s200/Wedding+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586635261029906" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUDsgf1SI5W0hkUxFykCYq7_Z7L1wu1IVzKu157mYbOD_vFisZUUl0eeG4Vnpn5UAsybe9LTDMeYaiErb4d-BmQKTlIY8fv4qvEYN8I8_QRoEda3lrmWKBj252-O1ASNSNCxXkODFnEA/s1600-h/Wedding+028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUDsgf1SI5W0hkUxFykCYq7_Z7L1wu1IVzKu157mYbOD_vFisZUUl0eeG4Vnpn5UAsybe9LTDMeYaiErb4d-BmQKTlIY8fv4qvEYN8I8_QRoEda3lrmWKBj252-O1ASNSNCxXkODFnEA/s200/Wedding+028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586637283949442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwnhH_v345GOxo9PmLr3TraqwVHMN4niBbIyxav_0JWLWJsTPrfTPOOd0pW80uCM0ca57pqQ9qtMPzzLwP1Y8v4oY0BB08LXgXANBIzRrt4TIvJvaDeuHk5EkmtE1jmdO53B4ubvapYM/s1600-h/Wedding+029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwnhH_v345GOxo9PmLr3TraqwVHMN4niBbIyxav_0JWLWJsTPrfTPOOd0pW80uCM0ca57pqQ9qtMPzzLwP1Y8v4oY0BB08LXgXANBIzRrt4TIvJvaDeuHk5EkmtE1jmdO53B4ubvapYM/s200/Wedding+029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586645328316002" border="0" /></a> Amy, Emily & Rachel @ the nail salon<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf6b9vVMvvXJxjq8IHGgJov8jrt2bO1Tt4VekPQK_QOHBQBbQiA1swJmFMe1H_2IvHwewTdSnt1xcs9bJZFA_uLWT4ttT3UI41eBvneIA4nOTUvhUCdsMbZ87vuwH22WGWjA4h_mumpA/s1600-h/104_4061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf6b9vVMvvXJxjq8IHGgJov8jrt2bO1Tt4VekPQK_QOHBQBbQiA1swJmFMe1H_2IvHwewTdSnt1xcs9bJZFA_uLWT4ttT3UI41eBvneIA4nOTUvhUCdsMbZ87vuwH22WGWjA4h_mumpA/s200/104_4061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585784937426370" border="0" /></a> Rob, Sharon & Ryan (bro & sil) at rehearsal dinner<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GxV01RKt9wmt8IL9L8odRx2-qJYq1_nwZVt2ILVANZGnst8FvU7KZyRTH4WssnwCOmRPcvOIDLtoINVOoMLLbAZoSKb69Kl9ePzcblnJrP254riWVcpLVQh9auY0L8mxZusZO1rQL0Y/s1600-h/104_4062.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GxV01RKt9wmt8IL9L8odRx2-qJYq1_nwZVt2ILVANZGnst8FvU7KZyRTH4WssnwCOmRPcvOIDLtoINVOoMLLbAZoSKb69Kl9ePzcblnJrP254riWVcpLVQh9auY0L8mxZusZO1rQL0Y/s200/104_4062.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585790419555202" border="0" /></a> my nephew Charlie @ rehearsal dinner<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvcqTDyKD5uGTMtLgcjUAc8ZVULzGXUqBPBeoAxCkCPsKhTMz_vkJIr-q8xo8A09Z6_jMa6-QUeqfg2mNdpkoUXZrpLNkFxhFSQ7Uz57YR5LHLOQpXx6gC5pfiqqZmgLM-J4Jd-VADbA/s1600-h/104_4067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvcqTDyKD5uGTMtLgcjUAc8ZVULzGXUqBPBeoAxCkCPsKhTMz_vkJIr-q8xo8A09Z6_jMa6-QUeqfg2mNdpkoUXZrpLNkFxhFSQ7Uz57YR5LHLOQpXx6gC5pfiqqZmgLM-J4Jd-VADbA/s200/104_4067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585792724220898" border="0" /></a> Allan & cousin Emily @ rehearsal dinner<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRAZxqpPq7g1Rh_Vid5MIsoEYHOMIEkyAiixskMU-Vyvc0kLSBaw8-D3-ODV_R04c48PD33kaQe90401clqxPZBD4UxgUew5QaKew8W04NILhbBP0Qzwmo2JmrxEbQWFoZZ-hngx62fI/s1600-h/Wedding+050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRAZxqpPq7g1Rh_Vid5MIsoEYHOMIEkyAiixskMU-Vyvc0kLSBaw8-D3-ODV_R04c48PD33kaQe90401clqxPZBD4UxgUew5QaKew8W04NILhbBP0Qzwmo2JmrxEbQWFoZZ-hngx62fI/s200/Wedding+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586647526129266" border="0" /></a> Emily, Sophie & Amy - flower girls & the "princess"<br /><br />Amy & Jeffrey's wedding was wonderful. She was a beautiful bride : ) The ceremony was very nice and the reception was lots of fun - just ask the flower girls who danced all night!! I wish Amy and Jeffrey all the happiness in the world as they begin their married life together in their beautiful new home. They have a really neat story - they dated in high school, then went their separate ways, only to find their way back to one another and end up getting married! We enjoyed visiting with family and friends, some of whom we haven't seen in a number of years, at the rehearsal, wedding, and reception.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv4c52YpDcA-sFvkeyCZl1_YCHx04JOYMlZ7gGFcwy-HRKJyCUndrlrx5GW_P38SZbYetEkHw6EqZZvqiPX-YeOIwygZY7lLgdaDNc4bXnhftfPp-j7MJdIMm53-vX73DzlOp17536f8/s1600-h/104_4082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv4c52YpDcA-sFvkeyCZl1_YCHx04JOYMlZ7gGFcwy-HRKJyCUndrlrx5GW_P38SZbYetEkHw6EqZZvqiPX-YeOIwygZY7lLgdaDNc4bXnhftfPp-j7MJdIMm53-vX73DzlOp17536f8/s200/104_4082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585792750252338" border="0" /></a> Rachel & Amy<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8XhsglLIvVa29gW9j4GuAUbQ7KxIZfVxllpU7Am1xrm3fR_f8WNqzEwjSpdBaa2tafGG0ZIvU65x-nFLiUtyfD3QL9Fg4jpBsxM8mpVYbvSzgur8e1gY0I_NIscjOTW7Zrst6qRKS2Q/s1600-h/104_4089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8XhsglLIvVa29gW9j4GuAUbQ7KxIZfVxllpU7Am1xrm3fR_f8WNqzEwjSpdBaa2tafGG0ZIvU65x-nFLiUtyfD3QL9Fg4jpBsxM8mpVYbvSzgur8e1gY0I_NIscjOTW7Zrst6qRKS2Q/s200/104_4089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360585795652958914" border="0" /></a> Father of the Bride!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhoCG_p3stzin72A-nHget_FywVbRJsHD6aru9zTWtVShvcXFKKLBaJylcKBDM5otg2-jQOtkaBiVwbSOFB6OVcfHC0SwkzkP1hN2U-gZMwU1ERtWLh2vDXgAH5jYsN8eB48E-fJeFTY/s1600-h/104_4091.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhoCG_p3stzin72A-nHget_FywVbRJsHD6aru9zTWtVShvcXFKKLBaJylcKBDM5otg2-jQOtkaBiVwbSOFB6OVcfHC0SwkzkP1hN2U-gZMwU1ERtWLh2vDXgAH5jYsN8eB48E-fJeFTY/s200/104_4091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586112819164754" border="0" /></a> Jerry, Nancy, Amy & Charlie<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm8r2NGyOdhl0uYa6HTNHrFwYyzV4R1lGTF8-pq9ravvlrVH7fKWd8sV0CdQ2868oRUyxj5p4Qc54KA8UeOvaOz7rQbKIXEi6ZDYnxc6uRCJqGik38yZT1UbhxBXFL_KNCtwg388JO_c/s1600-h/104_4098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm8r2NGyOdhl0uYa6HTNHrFwYyzV4R1lGTF8-pq9ravvlrVH7fKWd8sV0CdQ2868oRUyxj5p4Qc54KA8UeOvaOz7rQbKIXEi6ZDYnxc6uRCJqGik38yZT1UbhxBXFL_KNCtwg388JO_c/s200/104_4098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586120465591666" border="0" /></a> Rachel & Grammy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TEKsuL0jGPnbNFEc44_IlJr7M7BWp8vU-TZIcJB7z0xwzXWe8pgffMg_GWjZLaXWqi7Sw557OqT7lJDnRphwGUEwJhOWxucl1lls5VrXZvYVgliBIQovBmqkHWMAE3SohqqTp7naRyc/s1600-h/104_4105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TEKsuL0jGPnbNFEc44_IlJr7M7BWp8vU-TZIcJB7z0xwzXWe8pgffMg_GWjZLaXWqi7Sw557OqT7lJDnRphwGUEwJhOWxucl1lls5VrXZvYVgliBIQovBmqkHWMAE3SohqqTp7naRyc/s200/104_4105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586122982226098" border="0" /></a> Aunt Dot & Uncle Bruce<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwu-y_d_kvBAcCUZLU7OhMC_AsAYZ-kMBeW2GapSsmfjkvXFOdr4ZAJ5r3QlNkOb-nO4Hw3bum16OYMzdW8S_cswkOV6MJIdnPG99W2wE4HdJv9nNXMjqNWYyScPCkdE__fpsvtkY1tgg/s1600-h/grooms+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwu-y_d_kvBAcCUZLU7OhMC_AsAYZ-kMBeW2GapSsmfjkvXFOdr4ZAJ5r3QlNkOb-nO4Hw3bum16OYMzdW8S_cswkOV6MJIdnPG99W2wE4HdJv9nNXMjqNWYyScPCkdE__fpsvtkY1tgg/s200/grooms+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360586126066407714" border="0" /></a> Groom's cake - how disgusting - LSU????<br /><br />Robert and Allan drove down on Friday for the wedding and we all spent a few days with Robert's parents before driving home on Tuesday. It was a great trip and a great beginning to a great summer.Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-8594492117747157282009-06-01T20:26:00.003-05:002009-06-01T20:48:55.319-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrR_YUz_U3ExYrN7Zoic8mvQl62h2cfT2b0Ly9WCmi69mwXk7TwE7ZvVGr-cxcdhMpXd8p7H81tkLvvjb6xuna_84tRsbAdw5AouGKFpqrvGVgd4AXOulwvGcSJurINnU5Jeri-PD4lc/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrR_YUz_U3ExYrN7Zoic8mvQl62h2cfT2b0Ly9WCmi69mwXk7TwE7ZvVGr-cxcdhMpXd8p7H81tkLvvjb6xuna_84tRsbAdw5AouGKFpqrvGVgd4AXOulwvGcSJurINnU5Jeri-PD4lc/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342535780075411634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Today...</span>June 1, 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window...</span>the sun is setting after a really nice day. It was a bit on the warm side but a pretty day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking...</span>about working on my "to do" list. I have a lot on that list this week but there is even more to be done that isn't actually on the list.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for...</span>Allan's willingness to help me grocery shop this evening.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning rooms...</span>I have declared that school is officially on summer break with the exception of working on finishing algebra and English on the days we are home. Cleaning out books for the book sale later this month.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span>tonight - chicken strips, roasted red potatoes, and steamed broccoli. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing...</span>jeans and a favorite shirt<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am creating...</span>lists, lists, and more lists. Shopping lists, "to do" lists, packing lists, etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going...</span>to bed early tonight!!!! Early meaning before 1 a.m., Lol!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am reading...</span>no time to read right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping...</span>and praying that Rachel's appointment tomorrow goes well. She has to have a toenail removed (it's already on the way off) and it totally grosses me out to even think about it. Wonder if daddy might be willing to take her?? When Allan had to have an ingrown toenail taken care of several years ago, Dad got the honor of taking him because Mom was a chicken.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hearing...</span>the t.v. and a shower running<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house...</span>working on laundry and the stacks of homeschool membership renewals and new applications.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>my wicker swing. It used to hang in our downstairs den but has recently been moved outside because we rarely use the downstairs den. It's in my carport overlooking my flower beds. A nice place to sit out in the shade for a bit. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span>still need a dress for my neice's wedding. I bought one but it's just not "the one". So, shopping for a dress and shoes; Orientation meeting for our homeschool group - this is the first for Robert and I as we transition to take over membership duties for our group in addition to the treasurer job; shopping for camp supplies for Rachel; helping Rach sew multiple pair of pointe shoes for camp.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...</span>I'll have to add the picture tomorrow as it's too dark to take the picture now. I'll share a picture of my wicker swing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To read more daybook entries, visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a>.</span><br /><br /><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-25009011812841647022009-05-04T14:06:00.004-05:002009-05-04T14:25:27.692-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbbzxBVIKAgb405UeoARqHzmMMuW9GO2ZwX2AhygoNv6iG8cGDgXkaOt3bTuXvy6SNWWabCygUJpVFwC_QMpShEYxvM34obPjvrH_E6QT4qqIaRzXMPCNZ1Iyfz_5UCYGPeTpZlpM5j8/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbbzxBVIKAgb405UeoARqHzmMMuW9GO2ZwX2AhygoNv6iG8cGDgXkaOt3bTuXvy6SNWWabCygUJpVFwC_QMpShEYxvM34obPjvrH_E6QT4qqIaRzXMPCNZ1Iyfz_5UCYGPeTpZlpM5j8/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332047394772091202" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Today...</span>May 3, 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window...</span>the sun is trying to peek through the clouds<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking...</span>I should be going to the grocery store instead of blogging ; )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for...</span>safety during weekend storms. The kids and I were in La. visiting my sister and my in-laws when severe storms passed through. Many trees were uprooted near my sister's home and power lines were down. They are without electricity and water still today. Thankful everyone was kept from harm.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning rooms...</span>today's work is almost done!! Lesson plans are ready for the next few weeks as we try to finish up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span>homemade guacamole and bean burritos for lunch.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing...</span>jeans and a sweater<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am creating...</span>a plan for the weekend<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going...</span>to the grocery store when I finish this post<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am reading...</span>new curriculum catalogs trying to decide for sure about next year's curriculum<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping...</span>to clean off a table in my bedroom - which means putting a year's worth of photos in order and in books.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hearing...</span>birds singing; Rachel asking questions about her geography review pages<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house...</span>catching up on laundry from the weekend<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>getting to spend the weekend with my sister. Spent last weekend there - went to a wedding shower for my niece.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span>a family trip to Branson, MO for the weekend!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCSsoPN979ypxLBLnzcI8YGz-bD6yqm5oUthjDT14uRx1NwBMWiBGTwh3qJcws-NGTVq9ZFSNfR-2IhIY17u1NJpCMcwncWvqfjy8FvJpzDJ40WDYXb1KnhTy3rQEZSEGFhqPmwrbWfA/s1600-h/104_3956.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCSsoPN979ypxLBLnzcI8YGz-bD6yqm5oUthjDT14uRx1NwBMWiBGTwh3qJcws-NGTVq9ZFSNfR-2IhIY17u1NJpCMcwncWvqfjy8FvJpzDJ40WDYXb1KnhTy3rQEZSEGFhqPmwrbWfA/s200/104_3956.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332050768084905810" border="0" /></a>This Painted Bunting visited our bird feeder this morning!! We were so excited to see it. Robert sees them occasionally on his drive to work but we've never seen one at our house. We've watched for him to return but so far, we haven't seen him.<br /><br />To read more entries for The Simple Woman's Daybook, visit Peggy at<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Woman's Daybook.</a><br /><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-74917330457057409752009-04-27T09:27:00.019-05:002009-04-27T10:57:38.558-05:00Weekend<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SATUR</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">DA</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Y</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I participated in my first Komen Race for the Cure Saturday. I was so happy when I was getting ready to register and Rachel told me she would like to participate with me!! We had to get up at 4:15 to pick up one of my support group friends at 5:15 and be in Rogers by 6:30 for the survivor breakfast festivities. It was an early morning but it was a fun day! We met up with several of the other ladies from my support group at breakfast. I wish we'd gotten a picture together but we got in a hurry and I didn't get it. I was AMAZED by the number of people who were there. They say there were about 18,000 registered for the run (I <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">think</span> that includes the 5K <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and </span>the 1 mile family fun walk). Let's just say this - there were A LOT of people there!! I was even interviewed by a young man from a student newspaper - I didn't ask but I am assuming from U of A. I think it all finally hit me Saturday night when I hit the shower and I was thinking about a question I heard being asked that day - why do you run?? My simple answer came to me in that short moment - because I CAN, because I am HERE, because I am HEALED!! I was overcome with emotion thinking of how grateful I am because I know some who are <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">not</span> able and some who are <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> </span>here. To GOD be the glory!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxz4dnE3Wc26OZMdzfnloolk2PCUhtDpNUjHYbeRpnlQ1MmgvTwPbkShxJal_ayv1lip52WUbuleQ0yRgEUGM-UuyNDJJulYuoV8O6zfiYe7ljdyAirH3baAKjv382da9irH0gtL9b_c/s1600-h/100_3917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxz4dnE3Wc26OZMdzfnloolk2PCUhtDpNUjHYbeRpnlQ1MmgvTwPbkShxJal_ayv1lip52WUbuleQ0yRgEUGM-UuyNDJJulYuoV8O6zfiYe7ljdyAirH3baAKjv382da9irH0gtL9b_c/s200/100_3917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329382115283979266" border="0" /></a>This is after the 5K participants took off and we were waiting for the 1 mile family fun walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmd2FYZ1xuLH_KBy6gkFPPHakox2KYGRi2a3gfZehdG6ix6-XYielka8EM-niOTP3zqKKZYoqCYO8XvK3rZxibfhxGSCyIQDearH4Zj4c6YmRjHJ_UbBLtU9l_0oJmNZr0qD-6c-BNtw/s1600-h/100_3918b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmd2FYZ1xuLH_KBy6gkFPPHakox2KYGRi2a3gfZehdG6ix6-XYielka8EM-niOTP3zqKKZYoqCYO8XvK3rZxibfhxGSCyIQDearH4Zj4c6YmRjHJ_UbBLtU9l_0oJmNZr0qD-6c-BNtw/s200/100_3918b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329382736234016018" border="0" /></a>I wish these pictures were better to show you how many people there were - they were stretched as far as the eye could see!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e26Gexp375FkidYgucfD40e1qAv0X7K3Cgm2zXsdHe7cK-upZ2qZPCEnKY9FTaFAPfQhe1GeZFb23U99YnmQ-oO7taCjYBrxfScANErjGxPiXToygxkHrTLUkgXTqSBgn6o0ioPRws8/s1600-h/100_3913b.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9e26Gexp375FkidYgucfD40e1qAv0X7K3Cgm2zXsdHe7cK-upZ2qZPCEnKY9FTaFAPfQhe1GeZFb23U99YnmQ-oO7taCjYBrxfScANErjGxPiXToygxkHrTLUkgXTqSBgn6o0ioPRws8/s200/100_3913b.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329398236053952514" border="0" /></a>Rachel & I at the Survivor Breakfast<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SUNDAY</span><br />I lost or deleted this while uploading the pictures so I hope it works this time!! Robert bought a used canoe over the weekend and Rachel decided Sunday would be a great time for a family float trip to try it out. The guys have been on several multi-day float trips in the past few years but Rachel and I haven't been on the river for a while. Robert and Allan started loading the canoes and gear while Rachel and I packed a picnic lunch and lots of sunscreen (that I *should* have put on my legs). We decided to float the Mulberry River from Byrd's to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.turnerbend.com/index.html">Turner Bend</a> which was about a 3 1/2 hour float. It was a gorgeous day for a float trip!! We headed out from Byrd's with Robert and I in our aluminum canoe with the cooler and most of the other gear. The kids were in the "new to us" canoe which is a smaller fiberglass? Mohawak canoe. They did well for the first little bit and then...they were upside down for the first of about 4 times to turn over. Rachel was fine after the initial shock of it. Allan...he was a great sport about it all - even after the last spill!! Robert and I never turned over!!!! We did have to stop to empty the water twice after getting swamped going through some rapids though. It was such a fun day together! Normally, we probably wouldn't have skipped church for a day of canoeing but these kind of days have been rare since the summer of 2006 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am finally feeling somewhat normal again and trying to live life to the fullest! It's great to be on the go again - the kids and I will be in Mansfield this weekend for a wedding shower for my niece, Amy; the following weekend we'll all be at The Wilderness Lodge at Big Cedar in Branson. It's great to be living...loving...life!!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfmh5z3mZpRecQTDHHZrwIugP5EjcmlRPnAstrsNkmdoATb8S9wQtWR9vJg8YJFGR0rnARvFa4dlSawA3zdQTIQIfbNmE99qlDRsloaA9UWJRX09HmvA51VX7BGwRq3IFp6nqS52FNAU/s1600-h/100_3933.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfmh5z3mZpRecQTDHHZrwIugP5EjcmlRPnAstrsNkmdoATb8S9wQtWR9vJg8YJFGR0rnARvFa4dlSawA3zdQTIQIfbNmE99qlDRsloaA9UWJRX09HmvA51VX7BGwRq3IFp6nqS52FNAU/s200/100_3933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329392785207468338" border="0" /></a>The kids took a different route and had to portage over two trees!! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EyYpvfxUWvglHI2_4abhJi3Ta3RIObUOOCM79cqT_IJ846qSFKeyBPrH92RF7fFB2EQ4DahrmwCyMtCCr-h4cPTMq7_ERLlqrajsb_JeL8EdsAmnkPdWJWKoUzIQ9NPCj8PPoHxGjcE/s1600-h/100_3934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EyYpvfxUWvglHI2_4abhJi3Ta3RIObUOOCM79cqT_IJ846qSFKeyBPrH92RF7fFB2EQ4DahrmwCyMtCCr-h4cPTMq7_ERLlqrajsb_JeL8EdsAmnkPdWJWKoUzIQ9NPCj8PPoHxGjcE/s200/100_3934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329398237772640914" border="0" /></a>On the go again<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-Loql-lwluk7Gy7z95upCIDnZSAArEjS4OMT3VvhLIRyL_7f7lINnokstWkoIhclFaR5MF-BAouRQzb_e8MARVGaideChPoOPXWbu_SmKY63kKfQl01tlpm-mcuU_0N-Lvaa9WuBnpI/s1600-h/100_3928.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-Loql-lwluk7Gy7z95upCIDnZSAArEjS4OMT3VvhLIRyL_7f7lINnokstWkoIhclFaR5MF-BAouRQzb_e8MARVGaideChPoOPXWbu_SmKY63kKfQl01tlpm-mcuU_0N-Lvaa9WuBnpI/s200/100_3928.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329392483214617106" border="0" /></a>Pretty water<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunGM4jwuNZmCZI93RZt2FmbSlElhgg3zlnAVby9taEAFqwfjVFn0rSQuBxBBfnbRwVyZnEdt6iwLqwjfcSOw4n1TG61_sxHYjBG6lHvZiPZdaJvFfh4C5EHlh6Z9P4jpFoSxLBp9bRy8/s1600-h/100_3925.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunGM4jwuNZmCZI93RZt2FmbSlElhgg3zlnAVby9taEAFqwfjVFn0rSQuBxBBfnbRwVyZnEdt6iwLqwjfcSOw4n1TG61_sxHYjBG6lHvZiPZdaJvFfh4C5EHlh6Z9P4jpFoSxLBp9bRy8/s200/100_3925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329392483623151746" border="0" /></a>Pretty girl ; )<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eWTeEuVfKTRkX7ScUE9NPuewPYoq_iLQtOZ1difCwKaDjv5GGzJe5xdT2dsEXGFGTW8KrFIKnei_PiClCWJsFexgs_lJHTaetpzsUDrL9CONl-lpavnyDphcKrSsGqwlicuhJOskRto/s1600-h/100_3924.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eWTeEuVfKTRkX7ScUE9NPuewPYoq_iLQtOZ1difCwKaDjv5GGzJe5xdT2dsEXGFGTW8KrFIKnei_PiClCWJsFexgs_lJHTaetpzsUDrL9CONl-lpavnyDphcKrSsGqwlicuhJOskRto/s200/100_3924.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329392485844598066" border="0" /></a>more pretty water<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLxq5Xa0ogdwB1y27DnV1P422qcjmrCSoxeN1M5-TY21YsgVeYqRwSECNHte3xkWS53OzTAzQcAugTYg6pqG6T9kL8qqvtOxu29Nh3e7yFh-h3yIaOXlzL4am7RzDk576KNnBxk_jNMQ/s1600-h/100_3930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLxq5Xa0ogdwB1y27DnV1P422qcjmrCSoxeN1M5-TY21YsgVeYqRwSECNHte3xkWS53OzTAzQcAugTYg6pqG6T9kL8qqvtOxu29Nh3e7yFh-h3yIaOXlzL4am7RzDk576KNnBxk_jNMQ/s200/100_3930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329392488447656994" border="0" /></a>There were lots of these butterflies around<br /><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-54728556899698352752009-04-27T08:32:00.005-05:002009-04-27T09:24:51.937-05:00The Simple Woman's Daybook<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4Psh0oIglIa_kbyLFJb8NLRH2xW_JhvjMJIdYQoCbiEvN09YYQFEvb2CWRkrBljTkdL8CkDGedej4Jxy_CNCkgH7bg3mNuTAv_HNfT1jweR2h9tVAsgBsLL201gri5mJEdxZKiuwUQs/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 141px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4Psh0oIglIa_kbyLFJb8NLRH2xW_JhvjMJIdYQoCbiEvN09YYQFEvb2CWRkrBljTkdL8CkDGedej4Jxy_CNCkgH7bg3mNuTAv_HNfT1jweR2h9tVAsgBsLL201gri5mJEdxZKiuwUQs/s200/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329377000067065058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">For Today...</span>April 27, 2009<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outside my window...</span>dark grey clouds<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thinking...</span>about what needs to be accomplished this week. We'll have a four day week this week so I need to get lots done in a short amount of time. The kids and I will head for La. Friday morning. Rachel and I are so happy we get to share in wedding shower festivities for my niece!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am thankful for...</span>time spent with my family over the weekend! I've learned as my kids have gotten older that family time with all of us together is something to cherish. Saturday we were gone our separate ways...Robert was at a BSA campout, Rachel & I were at Race for the Cure in NW Arkansas, and Allan was working on his car. Robert came home with a "new to us" canoe that a friend found at a garage sale on Friday and promptly sold to Robert : ) Rachel decided it might be fun to go canoeing Sunday as we haven't been as a family in a few years. So, Sunday morning we loaded our 2 canoes, all the gear, and a picnic lunch and drove to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.turnerbend.com/index.html">Turner Bend</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>for a day on the Mulberry River! What a gorgeous day and what a fun time we had together!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the learning rooms...</span>work on the last regular chapter of English!! The last few are optional review chapters. Attempt to get five days work done in four : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the kitchen...</span>thinking of making barbecue chicken in the crockpot. It would be much better on the grill but since the forecast calls for heavy rain and storms later today I think I'll go with an inside cooking plan.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am wearing.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">..</span>t-shirt and *soft* knit capri pants that are easy on the sunburned legs until I have to go to town later : ) btw - luckily the only place I got a sunburn was my legs!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am creating...</span>well, I bought some scrapbook paper and stickers last week. Does that count for "creating" even if I am nowhere near ready to scrap those pages???? I suppose you could say I am creating "ideas" - Lol! I need to wrap my Mom's birthday gift and niece's wedding shower gift, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am going...</span>to spend the weekend with my sister!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am reading...</span>nothing at the moment...just trying to get through the end of the school year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hoping...</span>we don't get bad storms this week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I am hearing...</span>the weather report on the news. I'm not hearing the washer which means it's time to go "reboot" the laundry : )<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the house...</span>LOTS and LOTS of laundry. Needless to say, after our canoe trip yesterday, there was an added load of "wet" stuff on top of lots to be done anyway. I think laundry multiplies as soon as it hits the basket.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">One of my favorite things...</span>enjoying God's creation with Rachel. She has developed a love for birdwatching which has led to watching all sorts of nature in our yard. This weekend we spotted a red-breasted Grosbeak at our feeder. We have a rabbit that appears to be living down by the lake underneath our pedal boat. He's fun to watch in the morning when he comes out to sun. We saw lots of pretty, small lavender butterflies at the river yesterday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span>a few errands later this morning. Ballet schedule is a little different this week - WAB company is dancing at Mayor's Honors tomorrow night so tonight is dress rehearsal. Tomorrow I'll attend the Mayor's Honors as one of our studio teachers is being honored for her contribution to the arts in Fort Smith. Need to make sure the house is clean and pack for our weekend trip.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing...</span>today I'll share two pictures from our weekend canoe trip.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQC197S0PeD_4V0G0XUMTFsyQjHQrIdq8IeS3kQAye8BO4W5HWQXtuoutldO7YrviAQ0XU2i8pdW0jo5wh2LAFL-rpsTEcXWn_XZIRP7ROrEmfOpWzbW2VNYVCBiwV-a1RXVEHCx6NCE/s1600-h/100_3933.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQC197S0PeD_4V0G0XUMTFsyQjHQrIdq8IeS3kQAye8BO4W5HWQXtuoutldO7YrviAQ0XU2i8pdW0jo5wh2LAFL-rpsTEcXWn_XZIRP7ROrEmfOpWzbW2VNYVCBiwV-a1RXVEHCx6NCE/s200/100_3933.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329373044942011282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvS_SqWZ5h_vYToHLYN1wqlseVxNfgoBzffo6NqROWeMSrr6O5XiuxcXORF5c6KvakIDXbSQfAxUQiDFNsUaownzIU5OepcoF8y_1A1e9RwU9kSpeHanjBTCkx5zA01M0kD6_VpQcOYI/s1600-h/100_3930.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvS_SqWZ5h_vYToHLYN1wqlseVxNfgoBzffo6NqROWeMSrr6O5XiuxcXORF5c6KvakIDXbSQfAxUQiDFNsUaownzIU5OepcoF8y_1A1e9RwU9kSpeHanjBTCkx5zA01M0kD6_VpQcOYI/s200/100_3930.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329372852639422962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />To read more "Simple Woman's Daybook" entries, visit Peggy at <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a><br /><br /><br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-19114558798044963062009-04-22T21:46:00.004-05:002009-04-22T21:52:09.456-05:00Easter Pictures and maybe my last post of the day : )The weather on Easter wasn't very conducive for our normal outdoor Easter pictures and I had one person who didn't really want his picture taken. Therefore, there aren't many pictures to show! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ53cuCfu5S0-xPLW3d6MGTvHOC54-i-rZbfWdZnzRuFZY8TyGZbWo9aQH9aj2CnupD1ZqS75AneTrX4AnfoouMx2yDa_zIIldSdrGVTWjJdnGabgoUxhIRMW9ohYLqVpthHOYSnrvro/s1600-h/104_3843.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ53cuCfu5S0-xPLW3d6MGTvHOC54-i-rZbfWdZnzRuFZY8TyGZbWo9aQH9aj2CnupD1ZqS75AneTrX4AnfoouMx2yDa_zIIldSdrGVTWjJdnGabgoUxhIRMW9ohYLqVpthHOYSnrvro/s200/104_3843.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327713332271034386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlyVHcnITxfeF64zHpCNZk1A30X7xY27EdrmrGC-YZdocNP_ndvzMdZmLQNHij29vmYWhft1cTxHywu1yCfcImvOKpsRrj5iw7gi3-e3_EApmznrYa-gJich-yDHLLEdLT5nwpeawkCk/s1600-h/104_3854e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlyVHcnITxfeF64zHpCNZk1A30X7xY27EdrmrGC-YZdocNP_ndvzMdZmLQNHij29vmYWhft1cTxHywu1yCfcImvOKpsRrj5iw7gi3-e3_EApmznrYa-gJich-yDHLLEdLT5nwpeawkCk/s200/104_3854e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327713333425620370" border="0" /></a><br />Note to my mom (who wondered if everything was okay since I hadn't blogged in a while) - I think I'm caught up on my blogging with the exception of a post about Allan's car! Happy reading and enjoy the pictures. Love you!!!Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-69868354869811173022009-04-22T21:28:00.004-05:002009-04-22T21:45:37.665-05:00Cinderella Ballet<div style="text-align: center;">Rachel danced as the Winter Fairy and a Ball Guest in "Cinderella" last weekend. Here are some pictures from the weekend.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b1_b6SvZcEXZaqRShlwgwOKy_-X0uM7q6ZGGT-QC5UPoU4zWi6eGBbamrD6hBAt7oiP2ILPKeV2SCDHwsxgLdn5HCvdoF8zV9Fx7Dl8EO_hi3gOPbTg1tbcckKe2rW236HzKxT50w-0/s1600-h/100_3906r.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b1_b6SvZcEXZaqRShlwgwOKy_-X0uM7q6ZGGT-QC5UPoU4zWi6eGBbamrD6hBAt7oiP2ILPKeV2SCDHwsxgLdn5HCvdoF8zV9Fx7Dl8EO_hi3gOPbTg1tbcckKe2rW236HzKxT50w-0/s200/100_3906r.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327711254100944290" border="0" /></a>Rachel & her fairy attendent<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmNXQX4Xp4s8CDY7-pWAqoAXBDih55mp2idFzvGhPrMVeb6w-IjssEBkkgZ0a0HGTv8ptHikq2h4W4rgT2ywXiBcl7pNhGIEpn2d2q91WL-fpZeNWqpxmtSlEA69LTGIetkJ0wRc79yA/s1600-h/2986_1109481090293_1024801308_30627379_1462428_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmNXQX4Xp4s8CDY7-pWAqoAXBDih55mp2idFzvGhPrMVeb6w-IjssEBkkgZ0a0HGTv8ptHikq2h4W4rgT2ywXiBcl7pNhGIEpn2d2q91WL-fpZeNWqpxmtSlEA69LTGIetkJ0wRc79yA/s200/2986_1109481090293_1024801308_30627379_1462428_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327711423120251490" border="0" /></a>Winter Fairy, Spring Fairy, Summer Fairy, Autumn Fairy<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLdD3QwJo_MtBpYZtfiitjWrglTEIRX6vXUNJPxbXP3TbkCX7TsKFC7iyzq3mxhpSK9FF2J44Whr7jnBtp-WIM8Y5B6ixfPfQBRhB1_9X0AH1nWrBz1Oq2G-AgcZysXiIIXoA2dOUZgI/s1600-h/104_3859.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLdD3QwJo_MtBpYZtfiitjWrglTEIRX6vXUNJPxbXP3TbkCX7TsKFC7iyzq3mxhpSK9FF2J44Whr7jnBtp-WIM8Y5B6ixfPfQBRhB1_9X0AH1nWrBz1Oq2G-AgcZysXiIIXoA2dOUZgI/s200/104_3859.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327711261232735314" border="0" /></a>Fairy Godmother & Rachel<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPxFffWz6abz9t7lMUrfEOtbDbDOI7Hgzq-9I-cABCjwQOPe_E8KY0mxukq1f47aFDC-3D2kHZDgy9uMsyPk-VDwylOEtzJWNJjKX_IWVWHkxuxUbcTUhvDeL7EVSANQKWcqdoqy5sH8/s1600-h/100_3907.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPxFffWz6abz9t7lMUrfEOtbDbDOI7Hgzq-9I-cABCjwQOPe_E8KY0mxukq1f47aFDC-3D2kHZDgy9uMsyPk-VDwylOEtzJWNJjKX_IWVWHkxuxUbcTUhvDeL7EVSANQKWcqdoqy5sH8/s200/100_3907.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327711259368860066" border="0" /></a>Rachel & Cinderella<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyhAbRprdifV48LE_owAHzDp69nrACrLcI7vB89F1da_p7tBJUkNt2vV0dd2wUOOk1NkSwA1rHv9QE8w6-tBjHYvfLc14a0zIYcb1-La6aP5clWfaOKaeuJCiLGM1y13DB8qc-0sE8dM/s1600-h/104_3856.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyhAbRprdifV48LE_owAHzDp69nrACrLcI7vB89F1da_p7tBJUkNt2vV0dd2wUOOk1NkSwA1rHv9QE8w6-tBjHYvfLc14a0zIYcb1-La6aP5clWfaOKaeuJCiLGM1y13DB8qc-0sE8dM/s200/104_3856.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327711256919402738" border="0" /></a>Getting the hairpiece in just right<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F8RhxI_GbC8fLncoA6D6vnv9LaP7O-dcBptnF1JV6nstsxvgZflLB_LsHMhXNJiV9eHxQAz5z1JvBNiX4TvKNVQprg0PsLT0GTSXPygx8dx68if4idGN6__Ww20xHTIWwdo6K3ZEPrI/s1600-h/2810_68110751238_556586238_1751657_5139687_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6F8RhxI_GbC8fLncoA6D6vnv9LaP7O-dcBptnF1JV6nstsxvgZflLB_LsHMhXNJiV9eHxQAz5z1JvBNiX4TvKNVQprg0PsLT0GTSXPygx8dx68if4idGN6__Ww20xHTIWwdo6K3ZEPrI/s200/2810_68110751238_556586238_1751657_5139687_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327711263345335618" border="0" /></a>Ready for "Paquita" at the Monday school performance<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you Rach for more great memories!<br /></div></div></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-70978576725339367382009-04-22T20:36:00.003-05:002009-04-22T21:26:00.000-05:00Our Birthday Girl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFzZdmJ_n40sqYFUIxN3ebt5VKQ-fjzwTMkVlgwTbvhP3O4-RkWBKFcKFKI4sRd89r4jE4u_e36VZmGlTO-nnUHZAxMdoGb8SQnnobWqU-Lg3r4B3YkTl_cTD9amsrR2QnRSf6mvKNB8/s1600-h/100_3822.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFzZdmJ_n40sqYFUIxN3ebt5VKQ-fjzwTMkVlgwTbvhP3O4-RkWBKFcKFKI4sRd89r4jE4u_e36VZmGlTO-nnUHZAxMdoGb8SQnnobWqU-Lg3r4B3YkTl_cTD9amsrR2QnRSf6mvKNB8/s200/100_3822.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327696726784870898" border="0" /></a>Rachel's 15th birthday started off with a surprise at breakfast while we were at RDA in Sugar Land, TX. All the ballet company girls gathered in the breakfast room and surprised Rachel with cookie cake and singing Happy Birthday. There were two cookie cakes and sadly, I only got a picture of one of them. The other one had white frosting and a pink ballet shoe - it was so pretty! Most of the girls ate some of the cookie and then we packed the vans to come home. One of the guys at the hotel was helping me load my van so I set the leftover cookie cakes on the curb while we unloaded the luggage cart. About an hour down the road the girls started asking about the leftovers and suddenly I remembered I had set them on the curb and guess what? They were still there!!!!!! Well, really, they probably weren't still there. I would imagine that at least the unopened one was probably enjoyed by the valet parking attendents who had teased earlier in the weekend that they took French fries for tips : ) Rachel did finally forgive me for leaving her cakes on the curb!<br /><br />A couple of days later I took Rachel and her friend, Jessica out for lunch and to a movie to celebrate. For our family celebration we made her favorite chocolate cake and had dinner at Cheddars. She also got to stop by the driver's license office and pick up a study guide to study for her driver's permit - oh, no!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfxXLeAo65eL7ik_AdsRKdvkqtjhuc0GEJ4Y0nsi14SLYXCe4Hz_YnFV_d3BSlaokf0EEHD-W-sYqLsd0Z4PI5SCZrg27vjy3kNXLHY2-TKSaQnnakcsR-lxu3XrBXdYC8SR76WuHN6I/s1600-h/100_3850.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOfxXLeAo65eL7ik_AdsRKdvkqtjhuc0GEJ4Y0nsi14SLYXCe4Hz_YnFV_d3BSlaokf0EEHD-W-sYqLsd0Z4PI5SCZrg27vjy3kNXLHY2-TKSaQnnakcsR-lxu3XrBXdYC8SR76WuHN6I/s200/100_3850.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327696304567473650" border="0" /></a>Rachel entered the world just before midnight, March 23, 1994 after 20 *long* hours of labor ending in a c-section. We were overjoyed to have a girl join our family as girls are rare on Robert's side of the family. Rachel was such a good baby! She was quite shy as a preschooler and through early elementary age but she was never quiet at home : ) We started homeschooling when she was in second grade. She's always been a hard worker and always wants to please and do things correctly. Rachel started dancing that same year and hasn't stopped. She *loves* ballet and is a senior company member of Western Arkansas Ballet. She takes class four nights a week as well as many Saturday rehearsals for The Nutcracker and Cinderella ballets each year. Rachel loves the Lord and her favorite passages to read are usually Psalms and Proverbs. The next year should be exciting to see her grow and mature. She's leaving home for the month of July to attend a summer dance intensive at North Carolina Dance Theatre and she'll be learning to drive soon. She's gaining her independence and growing her wings - a scary thing for this mom, yet also a welcome sign of growing up. We love you birthday girl!!Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-89018240883953206762009-04-22T11:18:00.004-05:002009-04-22T11:43:59.157-05:00Regional Dance America/Southwest Festival 2009 - Sugar Land, TexasI traveled to Sugar Land, Texas with the ballet company from Western Arkansas Ballet in March. They were attending Regional Dance America- Southwest Region's 2009 Festival. This was my third trip to RDA with the WAB girls, but my first to attend as a chaperone. Oh my goodness, can you say EXHAUSTED?? That's exactly how I felt when we got home and I didn't even dance ; ) We drove down on Thursday, checked in the hotel and took the girls to dinner. Friday - Sunday the girls took classes from 8:30 a.m. until 4 or 4:30 p.m. Each night there were performances to watch. A few of our girls danced Friday night in an emerging choreography piece by one of our former company members. There is a dancer party following the performance on Friday night so we were out until about midnight. Most of our girls danced Saturday night in the piece that our adjudicator had chosen. Saturday night there was no event after the performance so we got to bed maybe a little earlier. Sunday night was Gala Night - 3 hours of ballet followed by a VERY late banquet. We were up early Monday morning for the long drive home - exhausted!! As a chaperone, I had three girls in my room and also had responsibility for making sure the girls were fed at meal time. The festival provides pre-ordered box lunches so all we had to do was pick those up each day, but supper was a fun experience. Ever try to order takeout for about 25 people? Umm, giving an Italian food order to a man with a heavy Spanish accent while riding in a car in Houston traffic was a memorable experience! Hey, they delivered and got the order perfect. Chik-fil-a rocks when placing a large order, especially when you place it early in the afternoon! They priced each order individually so LeAnn and I weren't stuck with a calculator for an hour like we had been the day before!! Actually, as exhausting as it was - it was a lot of fun and our girls were great. The only downside of the entire trip was that Rachel was playing around in a van on the way down and cut her toe and is losing a toenail. She didn't take some of her classes so she missed out on some good stuff but I hope she learned a lesson about taking off her shoes in the back seat of a van and kicking the seat in front of her - Lol : )<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf91jTzVIW2soWhL9eb3rRzB5SRs2kK-yi6AJckW_Mr7RsxsJY0BUSNICcrHk-WdEtOZpbPEdJqG-7TRsYye5uZhFlMVkAVB03Hf90GZ_kqy7lXR6WKkzGLa2Z26WFmQmHeA2tMnAniU/s1600-h/100_3819a.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNf91jTzVIW2soWhL9eb3rRzB5SRs2kK-yi6AJckW_Mr7RsxsJY0BUSNICcrHk-WdEtOZpbPEdJqG-7TRsYye5uZhFlMVkAVB03Hf90GZ_kqy7lXR6WKkzGLa2Z26WFmQmHeA2tMnAniU/s200/100_3819a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327555517765793154" border="0" /></a> Rachel @ RDA Gala with some friends from last summer's OU SummerWind Dance Intensive<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx2hAQ6TW9eD3c7sCvCU17MMYgq5BSBXID9LizU01JNLDjnjzqMtPqDDZpqFPrHFK3nQe_DAcPKxKUds6uQ557nlw9r4fwl4NFcD63up5iRXTNsINnmsE7yUXRPZFP4mowD7uPAy73RI/s1600-h/104_3788.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx2hAQ6TW9eD3c7sCvCU17MMYgq5BSBXID9LizU01JNLDjnjzqMtPqDDZpqFPrHFK3nQe_DAcPKxKUds6uQ557nlw9r4fwl4NFcD63up5iRXTNsINnmsE7yUXRPZFP4mowD7uPAy73RI/s200/104_3788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327555523373452978" border="0" /></a><br />WAB Company girls @ RDA Gala (being silly late at night)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFg9_NC-vVLhj2r4xWXP6Burpuxmt5twcHl2h35VJHW_Ww8lW5gf5dwllkGqJLmVoTb-CX0Y5vvCz2gBW24H9cz76isJKtZzv1KVRhlpdtx9Uj_aZmUQxMBRHSMgN77wnV4qegHSsass/s1600-h/104_3784.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFg9_NC-vVLhj2r4xWXP6Burpuxmt5twcHl2h35VJHW_Ww8lW5gf5dwllkGqJLmVoTb-CX0Y5vvCz2gBW24H9cz76isJKtZzv1KVRhlpdtx9Uj_aZmUQxMBRHSMgN77wnV4qegHSsass/s200/104_3784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327555516800319234" border="0" /></a><br />Rachel & Emily at dinner before the Gala performance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixN8X3BJXcqLbVvDvx8XOgKWItSmsNpdEQpEf4epDJOirayTW5SzSZ20dELjyNaKot6SUMx6PvzInsvLFYMdj2E6f8aKe23of9Fud1NSZ0txFzHWRptve08T0DZKx_p-oo-q3Ognj2yg/s1600-h/104_3780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixN8X3BJXcqLbVvDvx8XOgKWItSmsNpdEQpEf4epDJOirayTW5SzSZ20dELjyNaKot6SUMx6PvzInsvLFYMdj2E6f8aKe23of9Fud1NSZ0txFzHWRptve08T0DZKx_p-oo-q3Ognj2yg/s200/104_3780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327555520197570114" border="0" /></a><br />Rachel & Mom<br /></div>Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6171518200385654517.post-38241458354003832282009-04-22T09:47:00.010-05:002009-04-22T11:11:58.921-05:00February - Dallas Trip & YSC/LBBC ConferenceRachel and I traveled to Dallas the last weekend of February and spent a few days at Rob & Sharon's with Nancy & Jerry, Wendy & Brad, Sophie, Ryan, Emily & Brooke. This was our first visit to meet the newest addition to our family, Ryan Thomas Schmitz! Isn't he a cutie?? <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hc7HpF4o06fQ2REtf-uvC1enkG9tox77IawiabvXihUDxVeFC_POgOdcS9UMZ1IhMLdGDXzMTbFC7riJ2v2BM-RIXhRMW2OTAWtdBlZqHVA0zdvl7RPfABWJp_zo-GeOCRMbR36iycQ/s1600-h/102_3676.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hc7HpF4o06fQ2REtf-uvC1enkG9tox77IawiabvXihUDxVeFC_POgOdcS9UMZ1IhMLdGDXzMTbFC7riJ2v2BM-RIXhRMW2OTAWtdBlZqHVA0zdvl7RPfABWJp_zo-GeOCRMbR36iycQ/s200/102_3676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327531257017459810" border="0" /></a><br />Sophie started playing soccer last year and she is an awesome little soccer player!! I was so happy we got to see one of her practices. Nothing like watching a bunch of preschoolers playing soccer. And, I have to give it to the girls - they were tough!! There were boys practicing on the next field over and they were the ones crying and whining for mom - NOT the GIRLS!!! Way to go Soph!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8qzruVM6eCuQmkzERdNfe72Y2W3161Squv_xcPsG4t-EsyTMWMiF5OzLMJ48a6E1xWpXVn33_24N5hyCKwFTptX0MPPq60lZWH96DzWllXz0vJkKTDh3M2Kov4X04zN3gYeoN1J2NEI/s1600-h/102_3672.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8qzruVM6eCuQmkzERdNfe72Y2W3161Squv_xcPsG4t-EsyTMWMiF5OzLMJ48a6E1xWpXVn33_24N5hyCKwFTptX0MPPq60lZWH96DzWllXz0vJkKTDh3M2Kov4X04zN3gYeoN1J2NEI/s200/102_3672.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327532439023854114" border="0" /></a>We took the kids to what my nieces refer to as a "bounce house". It's a big warehouse type building full of inflatables - what a way to keep them occupied, entertained and wear them out all at once!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XQZy0b4WMnpTteZkoX-MLXiNTR4YBJq6ZNlTlsz4ejRvhEu34NpIZ5QaadrN45EE6apvgaHAQjM6s52u15hP1OeHKI6_WFxRJ-BcjKu1tJhxBXle0Whnq6YWVxDJDs8er8DJkGbJhMc/s1600-h/102_3652.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XQZy0b4WMnpTteZkoX-MLXiNTR4YBJq6ZNlTlsz4ejRvhEu34NpIZ5QaadrN45EE6apvgaHAQjM6s52u15hP1OeHKI6_WFxRJ-BcjKu1tJhxBXle0Whnq6YWVxDJDs8er8DJkGbJhMc/s200/102_3652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327533104956729762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaGXt5ouLqWmTD5i8Iy8OCvoXDiqhf5xHr7NXeNC1l3nD9wzQsJIRoKBRU4UmvYfr2TaACRgDtQf_h-S0IDyLgDvASavoWZsV2qwL25Vr1u9rwefihMPz6CXWWzPO9fjwCT1gjMNWi9M/s1600-h/102_3666.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaGXt5ouLqWmTD5i8Iy8OCvoXDiqhf5xHr7NXeNC1l3nD9wzQsJIRoKBRU4UmvYfr2TaACRgDtQf_h-S0IDyLgDvASavoWZsV2qwL25Vr1u9rwefihMPz6CXWWzPO9fjwCT1gjMNWi9M/s200/102_3666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327533101815630530" border="0" /></a><br />Soph on the slides<br /><br />Brooke & Emily at the soccer fields:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pK0zgawyl00HCD6dPwZt5wKhVEucW7-UQEW-YJwXv7qTpN3njFHJyNHcrvmYIiPCsojze_TxhT2nLrJd1DM0SIEvyl6tdWMdul6vKXoajmnbwj-WiBB7O89lY1hiddhEr4dbEvumeHM/s1600-h/102_3674.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9pK0zgawyl00HCD6dPwZt5wKhVEucW7-UQEW-YJwXv7qTpN3njFHJyNHcrvmYIiPCsojze_TxhT2nLrJd1DM0SIEvyl6tdWMdul6vKXoajmnbwj-WiBB7O89lY1hiddhEr4dbEvumeHM/s200/102_3674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327533614647191762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Somehow, we missed getting a picture of the adults this trip. We usually try to do that when we are all together but it was a little hectic this trip. We'll all be together again in June and I'm sure there will be lots of picture taking at Amy's wedding.<br /><br />While we were in Dallas, Rachel got to spend the weekend with her cousins, aunts and uncles while I slipped away for a few days. I attended the 9th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer at the Hotel Anatole. This conference is sponsored by Living Beyond Breast Cancer and the Young Survival Coalition. I participate in a YSC bulletin board and have come to "know" many women who, like me, were diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger. I was able to meet some of these awesome women over the weekend as well as make new friends.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_hYn-tihi0XeH0QK6_aNhsFzIJMXSJ46jxLgoltpNx5fah8EWTl2lGiL7zQFTOnwaN9Npva92a0_mRWOuSIv3uWXxKnlgbAtxi501KqezG72UXhWSQcc1EjkHgSZTuybUKpZ7P_iidE/s1600-h/499627550115_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_hYn-tihi0XeH0QK6_aNhsFzIJMXSJ46jxLgoltpNx5fah8EWTl2lGiL7zQFTOnwaN9Npva92a0_mRWOuSIv3uWXxKnlgbAtxi501KqezG72UXhWSQcc1EjkHgSZTuybUKpZ7P_iidE/s200/499627550115_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327545591583940418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLen6jQ1iQGbfwWyYjlGGMjsUTGxmKEa1ww-qwtIgAbOqGK3PJfcbUrMcxZU6fXM9dbyK5MfVMUYddtB2omYI1U9bUEyf9uxhyGyq855UcsMq461G3Ax0MptSt4ui4RFfWUt0GwvYf70/s1600-h/413976550115_0_ALB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLen6jQ1iQGbfwWyYjlGGMjsUTGxmKEa1ww-qwtIgAbOqGK3PJfcbUrMcxZU6fXM9dbyK5MfVMUYddtB2omYI1U9bUEyf9uxhyGyq855UcsMq461G3Ax0MptSt4ui4RFfWUt0GwvYf70/s200/413976550115_0_ALB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327545593096238754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_0wBFIK6Y3h_MlDUoy3yZ1mn8beoKpqVqYjwb71HA2NpkN9JnEFsfnM1jVyu-zz_USnILkp_SFouBSZsBaG59rKE57MPacDWyQuHXGvnGjdtw5kv8ixro66DSrMuW_DPiK23QiXPdq0/s1600-h/103_3729.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_0wBFIK6Y3h_MlDUoy3yZ1mn8beoKpqVqYjwb71HA2NpkN9JnEFsfnM1jVyu-zz_USnILkp_SFouBSZsBaG59rKE57MPacDWyQuHXGvnGjdtw5kv8ixro66DSrMuW_DPiK23QiXPdq0/s200/103_3729.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327545589742385330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> Vendors and Survivors!!<br /><br /> <br /><br />I attended workshops on Bone Health, Practical Tools for Living with a History of Breast Cancer, and Breast Cancer Genetics. There were general sessions with Medical Updates, Embracing Life Through and After Cancer, and Diet and Nutrition Research. At the banquet, I sat with women from Arkansas, California, South Africa, Arizona, and another state but I can't remember which one ; ) I had a great time and hope to attend next year in Atlanta!!Life at the Lakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06714156573082307619noreply@blogger.com0