tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44179022040965999702024-02-20T01:09:35.734-05:00So How Was Your Day?This is just a "not quite" daily update from me about the family, about my crafts, and life in general. Hope you'll come visit often. What I'd really love to know though is .... So, how was your day?Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.comBlogger630125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-87837241176990882452013-11-21T22:08:00.001-05:002013-11-21T22:08:55.209-05:00Somewhere Between Fall and WinterIt's the time of the year when Fall is ending and Winter is just beginning. Some of the trees are still in full bloom while others have completely lost their leaves, ready for the cold air to invade our area. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EWk0nnjQdgUWsNC0isKjTUVUm_RKRLutZ1eatx4vXyx-GnIPssVlOoJDAfDoFZ_nDoPzxrIscMCuPKrJtqDGkuxR0LH5Z_oaZcYZrK819RkzzpFCUeQesj7E8Y_V9Pjw2_rK9NQrpMBN/s1600/DSC00298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EWk0nnjQdgUWsNC0isKjTUVUm_RKRLutZ1eatx4vXyx-GnIPssVlOoJDAfDoFZ_nDoPzxrIscMCuPKrJtqDGkuxR0LH5Z_oaZcYZrK819RkzzpFCUeQesj7E8Y_V9Pjw2_rK9NQrpMBN/s320/DSC00298.JPG" /></a></div><br />
This is the view from the window in the family room. Like the leaves on the trees, I feel I have a foot in both seasons in so many ways. I have been doing craft fairs the last 3 weeks. Some call themselves "Fall Festivals" while others are labeled as "Holiday Fairs." <br />
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The stores, of course, have holiday decorations up, as do most of the cities and towns in the area. The weather changes on a daily basis. I've put the shorts and flip-flops away (always a sad thing) and yet can't completely get behind bundling up. When I can get away with capris, I still do, and sleeveless shirts still work with light sweaters over them.<br />
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In my mind, I am preparing for the cold months ahead. Looking forward to snow, yet dreading the icy cold wind and rain. They say it should be a harsh winter in terms of snow. I like snow days when I have nowhere to go ~ when I can look out the windows and everything is white ~ a real winter wonderland. On days like this, the family is all home, safe and sound. We can put on a movie, pop some popcorn. Hot chocolate is most definitely called for. Soups and stews for dinner are delicious. <br />
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I need to stop and appreciate the beautiful colors of fall and the crisp air. Appreciate the now while it is here. Live in the present and deal with tomorrow when it comes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-45203472544914115202013-10-31T21:27:00.000-04:002013-10-31T21:27:22.812-04:00Happy HalloweenIt was a quick Halloween here ~ I think mostly cause it was drizzling outside. We normally have tons of trick or treaters here. Tonight we had just under 50. They started right at dark around 5:30 and we were done by 8:00. <br />
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And also in the quick category we didn't put the decorations up until about 4:00 this afternoon<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8OwILzLPs1wg_EIuKqGSgS0TE8DjdwIs1AeU1IQgO6AAIHP5oyIiCHfeA0JdRWqGXaJP6AFZzDWhC8bqKfvuHMBgITWx348MqCWFfOh4w40R0f0MLUYh_cgLgXcugNTp0Cd-3WKWfT1Y/s1600/DSC04433.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8OwILzLPs1wg_EIuKqGSgS0TE8DjdwIs1AeU1IQgO6AAIHP5oyIiCHfeA0JdRWqGXaJP6AFZzDWhC8bqKfvuHMBgITWx348MqCWFfOh4w40R0f0MLUYh_cgLgXcugNTp0Cd-3WKWfT1Y/s320/DSC04433.JPG" /></a> <br />
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They looked pretty good in the dark. We used several little plastic pumpkin buckets and put tea lights in them. Definitely will do that again next year. It was a big hit.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4uBnlnxBtGBRKPvQ6WDYmwA5YI01-8oXwicB6yIg0Resw17w1tLbLT2ci27Ou_1wh_RNlfrdVktNWlXIOXVeWXSpEHlrDYynQeKlt3GVz5XrA6vfIKG3TA6A6wYptxd9Qej1_RJel_-N/s1600/DSC04442.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4uBnlnxBtGBRKPvQ6WDYmwA5YI01-8oXwicB6yIg0Resw17w1tLbLT2ci27Ou_1wh_RNlfrdVktNWlXIOXVeWXSpEHlrDYynQeKlt3GVz5XrA6vfIKG3TA6A6wYptxd9Qej1_RJel_-N/s320/DSC04442.JPG" /></a><br />
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And speaking of looking good, check out our neighbors' window decoration<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-gQS9GUuClUM-dKKVmTmBAQkfcIhUNIWVqb5L-vjzVPkHvnCzFG0nIv0tDOWqCqObSbtYbgev9eTW_uJTm3zcbIozqqgwbaeuLw4HJnNBaH_jbueIRhfvIl3qovElGq6kY49ewduhpr_/s1600/DSC04444.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-gQS9GUuClUM-dKKVmTmBAQkfcIhUNIWVqb5L-vjzVPkHvnCzFG0nIv0tDOWqCqObSbtYbgev9eTW_uJTm3zcbIozqqgwbaeuLw4HJnNBaH_jbueIRhfvIl3qovElGq6kY49ewduhpr_/s320/DSC04444.JPG" /></a><br />
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Nate decided not to go out this year but Julz and her friends all went as cowgirls. I wasn't able to get a pic of them together but here's Julz<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbSH7I9aHPujgiAFVLE0nr2Qc1IzsW6BQEWALq-dCA0W3SU-Y5iEJ_6ss4S59Vbitmqxb8hLBUFoaveUabyqA7xKOT5YJiCQ03F7GbqxBrezqVd9CvrU9dbWp36SR0fk2654DtInxr_lE/s1600/DSC04429.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbSH7I9aHPujgiAFVLE0nr2Qc1IzsW6BQEWALq-dCA0W3SU-Y5iEJ_6ss4S59Vbitmqxb8hLBUFoaveUabyqA7xKOT5YJiCQ03F7GbqxBrezqVd9CvrU9dbWp36SR0fk2654DtInxr_lE/s320/DSC04429.JPG" /></a><br />
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Sadie is still in her cone of shame ~ when anyone asked (she hung out on the porch with us) we said she was dressed up as the dog from "Up!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6TB1LKkHH9qI1xDeIteswAvN3li3vrR92EuoEW75kWuFkR1kxUn32hiPyRudUU5Xf8tbXCm_xk6FIH_NsoD2LIiOxlPtUQv5sqAxMkEMo0e5je1CpuSjbqguRA4ukrXR8GZQg9daXgLs/s1600/DSC04448.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6TB1LKkHH9qI1xDeIteswAvN3li3vrR92EuoEW75kWuFkR1kxUn32hiPyRudUU5Xf8tbXCm_xk6FIH_NsoD2LIiOxlPtUQv5sqAxMkEMo0e5je1CpuSjbqguRA4ukrXR8GZQg9daXgLs/s320/DSC04448.JPG" /></a><br />
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But the good thing for Julz is that the kids that did go out got TONS of candy. Her bag of candy weighed in at 7 lbs!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSFKaFCUZ184_bXcpSxx9pRZRJgArKJSYLA_46Cr4G3k87CaPACBalC78h2Op3YhA23DAbRHO_V1EETR-YYPWQZJTVGDsscjobpieLI0kBzXGLGnoIZKLLYKkh9v-HZmmOA2PYMGGhBbF/s1600/DSC04449.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSFKaFCUZ184_bXcpSxx9pRZRJgArKJSYLA_46Cr4G3k87CaPACBalC78h2Op3YhA23DAbRHO_V1EETR-YYPWQZJTVGDsscjobpieLI0kBzXGLGnoIZKLLYKkh9v-HZmmOA2PYMGGhBbF/s320/DSC04449.JPG" /></a><br />
Hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween! I'd love to hear about it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-80889478605017312852013-10-26T12:33:00.000-04:002013-10-26T12:33:38.032-04:00Merida's Adventures in AnnapolisSo for Charlie's birthday last year, which was a Disney's "Brave" themed party, I got Charlie a Merida doll. I also made Merida a few outfits. I mean a girl has to have options, right? It turned out to be a great gift for her and she loves dressing Merida up and I have continued to make her outfits throughout the year.<br />
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Well the family was meeting up in Annapolis, Md for the day, which is just about half way between Jen and I. Of course Merida needed an appropriate outfit to wear for the outing so I made this (modeled here by Merida's friend Snow White)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESNHyI5JG_yEx_I7NcihaqjBgrSw2ZPDJ1_x3lL23wlKy1rCbApzzvndsLlcnNqFLqHI5kQEqjeWiOmg9J7DrqQAas2CVXdzVenL-7s0sOJmEh-izEIAekMoQBrkzcaYpiVUjK6kW4siJ/s640/blogger-image-1916591639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESNHyI5JG_yEx_I7NcihaqjBgrSw2ZPDJ1_x3lL23wlKy1rCbApzzvndsLlcnNqFLqHI5kQEqjeWiOmg9J7DrqQAas2CVXdzVenL-7s0sOJmEh-izEIAekMoQBrkzcaYpiVUjK6kW4siJ/s640/blogger-image-1916591639.jpg" /></a>Well, we had a great time in Annapolis. Unfortunately some of us had a bit too much fun. At first Merida was doing really well, stopping to smell the roses </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGHW708c_DSHvndx2SrMhZeMB7OUOM2zxe1RN_NfFihVN5t7Tug6cO51Q3nCkm6crDwmwBsicXdk2pOJOw9Yo0Q6pEBALEoxbeg6tJNp7E3VPnkg3ml7VtBgvYt2Zvh7uI9kyRs8mX_mX/s640/blogger-image-265637918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGHW708c_DSHvndx2SrMhZeMB7OUOM2zxe1RN_NfFihVN5t7Tug6cO51Q3nCkm6crDwmwBsicXdk2pOJOw9Yo0Q6pEBALEoxbeg6tJNp7E3VPnkg3ml7VtBgvYt2Zvh7uI9kyRs8mX_mX/s640/blogger-image-265637918.jpg" /></a>She loved climbing the trees </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5sgbQwOhBriEJT4Q-yCFz5-z-grAGhXoLmrNGFuKhpHezZd31_FVIcBiYtrNmh2HNkKmLmTF2SS2-tvTcPz8WEN1mmtZ_kjjmuIgH2uD-uP5R9Vd616CBlU2IbSVx3shh6h5U7EKhN7W/s640/blogger-image--1839302697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5sgbQwOhBriEJT4Q-yCFz5-z-grAGhXoLmrNGFuKhpHezZd31_FVIcBiYtrNmh2HNkKmLmTF2SS2-tvTcPz8WEN1mmtZ_kjjmuIgH2uD-uP5R9Vd616CBlU2IbSVx3shh6h5U7EKhN7W/s640/blogger-image--1839302697.jpg" /></a></div>
She even made a new friend (who am I to judge her "friends")<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2hcX_h4LHZYIf2DhpZwpXv5mO1AJzEWsH09Gf5ysZQcufU4712Rqx5HpD9cAzZoxIhztq8x7YBQplVxhyuz1Z8j2oK3orXNx3TXJ98iNaeveSA8oKlv9jpmKGXEdR1xBXmyPgkK_jG6j/s640/blogger-image--522842092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2hcX_h4LHZYIf2DhpZwpXv5mO1AJzEWsH09Gf5ysZQcufU4712Rqx5HpD9cAzZoxIhztq8x7YBQplVxhyuz1Z8j2oK3orXNx3TXJ98iNaeveSA8oKlv9jpmKGXEdR1xBXmyPgkK_jG6j/s640/blogger-image--522842092.jpg" /></a> </div>
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But then we made a stop here... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P36e3hJ7CgE5ZRAHxbayn33deEUzwOMYZ88m1gPx6KjafCNWn3M6uFjM1mthDCLL9L0GQ26UZgRk0P5GoCAAIkr7rtjFL0Ibi_ZmcVTOf_cZWJzj_sCE-8CenRsJMveYSZLZjWhsN9NQ/s640/blogger-image--866437556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P36e3hJ7CgE5ZRAHxbayn33deEUzwOMYZ88m1gPx6KjafCNWn3M6uFjM1mthDCLL9L0GQ26UZgRk0P5GoCAAIkr7rtjFL0Ibi_ZmcVTOf_cZWJzj_sCE-8CenRsJMveYSZLZjWhsN9NQ/s640/blogger-image--866437556.jpg" /></a></div>
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And maybe it wasn't such a good idea to let her have this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbgCoE23ID_-B5tUpYh4Bmt3F-zxh9yZsPaTFmMbGDJg3mju9rZ9CmkqPGj7w2VYVYGCXve79GUNFnZXX6i7xMejSiAyy4YRsSq8ZNeE4ijyl208Uo9sQppNIwQRpOboUJh0oIT-ABxWa/s640/blogger-image-58605737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbgCoE23ID_-B5tUpYh4Bmt3F-zxh9yZsPaTFmMbGDJg3mju9rZ9CmkqPGj7w2VYVYGCXve79GUNFnZXX6i7xMejSiAyy4YRsSq8ZNeE4ijyl208Uo9sQppNIwQRpOboUJh0oIT-ABxWa/s640/blogger-image-58605737.jpg" /></a></div>
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But it was harmless enough and kinda funny when she started doing stuff like this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp8LpmZWv3FXaIkiivKLHJ1aK0Upv_wd47mKeFxY90bdjWi9ukecsRzLdNpPbrh-xbpDEBceofn3qX9wZ6XugMYIgw9oaW1ahdTP_l2jOfolryHxanUIhvIeNYZjw7Wup7avMVBKUBX0a/s640/blogger-image--491512196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijp8LpmZWv3FXaIkiivKLHJ1aK0Upv_wd47mKeFxY90bdjWi9ukecsRzLdNpPbrh-xbpDEBceofn3qX9wZ6XugMYIgw9oaW1ahdTP_l2jOfolryHxanUIhvIeNYZjw7Wup7avMVBKUBX0a/s640/blogger-image--491512196.jpg" /></a>Better watch your backside there.</div>
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But then when we weren't looking guess she was helping herself to this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5jEcSl2vFqDunzXttSSvFuKUcCFA5RBrjLny6bh0gyEY7gITbbjG4P7evP0ETqtV8WZ8T1NaI7kQRn_VjUqKhMXJ8XCaCdIjEzpHhDjKDrtp87MQpFwKqYFMaDP0VxMgFQ2m_A_bvUVK/s640/blogger-image--1356608513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5jEcSl2vFqDunzXttSSvFuKUcCFA5RBrjLny6bh0gyEY7gITbbjG4P7evP0ETqtV8WZ8T1NaI7kQRn_VjUqKhMXJ8XCaCdIjEzpHhDjKDrtp87MQpFwKqYFMaDP0VxMgFQ2m_A_bvUVK/s640/blogger-image--1356608513.jpg" /></a> And the next thing you know THIS is happening</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAq2f584QJo0DxINj48EXY_RlfTy7p7q7i4U_sAquSwMTT2uKBUQERQUQeUAJjByiUc7JaJUBTQKhs5uXkgIpXRbP0nNbHy5F6fNwKI4ddCQU0RFhKxDw7KrFEJoDIh0KzfsEFzWFhRn2/s640/blogger-image--1167285717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVAq2f584QJo0DxINj48EXY_RlfTy7p7q7i4U_sAquSwMTT2uKBUQERQUQeUAJjByiUc7JaJUBTQKhs5uXkgIpXRbP0nNbHy5F6fNwKI4ddCQU0RFhKxDw7KrFEJoDIh0KzfsEFzWFhRn2/s640/blogger-image--1167285717.jpg" /></a> Now that can't be too safe, especially in her condition. And then she went really overboard with this little stunt</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v1LyL3q5XXDjOVDFlykl5dP2PPydfCqASYXS4aK6QgFJjP4Za6VQYb-Vidx5vmKoWu3ba5FguDXTI2Cu8-VeR8bVuvQ0qu8HE61m3sP0CJuzL-Josy-KwGSqTTPk7EcntfK76T3GCRcr/s640/blogger-image-355498672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-v1LyL3q5XXDjOVDFlykl5dP2PPydfCqASYXS4aK6QgFJjP4Za6VQYb-Vidx5vmKoWu3ba5FguDXTI2Cu8-VeR8bVuvQ0qu8HE61m3sP0CJuzL-Josy-KwGSqTTPk7EcntfK76T3GCRcr/s640/blogger-image-355498672.jpg" /></a></div>
Fortunately the Annapolis police are very understanding... I think we should just let her sleep it off, don't you?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AKVnK9gerrPUobN7V2wYl4ocQ9oY6wWbeZRUkGbozMa0s-VJ527ZLUOusllTKJ45PjpKdgfNkAAvYAS6ioWgC8WwjHuaTJYzRMfNvBO1IN0QSZ9oKnDp50F7jm9SfFNXkVP3vHDX6S70/s640/blogger-image--1218204767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AKVnK9gerrPUobN7V2wYl4ocQ9oY6wWbeZRUkGbozMa0s-VJ527ZLUOusllTKJ45PjpKdgfNkAAvYAS6ioWgC8WwjHuaTJYzRMfNvBO1IN0QSZ9oKnDp50F7jm9SfFNXkVP3vHDX6S70/s640/blogger-image--1218204767.jpg" /></a>I think next time we take Merida on an outing we'll be watching her a little more closely. You should take note however, she did not once loose her Tiarra. Girls gotta have her priorities, right.</div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-34674127149399410922013-10-25T18:08:00.005-04:002013-10-25T23:13:02.820-04:00Anybody Still Out There?So yes, I fell off the face of the earth. I can't believe it's been over a year. I have missed writing. I have also missed reading your blogs. I have no excuse. Life has been busy, but not any more than usual. So many times I have thought about writing. Made up great posts in my mind. Even took the pics to go with them. I had good intentions really.<br>
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So to catch you up a bit... <br>
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Richard and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Still as much in love as ever!<br>
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Nate (16) and Julz (14) are now both in high school. How in the world did that happen already?<br>
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Jen got her Ph.D ~ <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Congrats Dr. Cox!</span><div>
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Jeremy was offered and accepted a full time job at the Daily Times, Salisbury's newspaper.<br>
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Charlie (aka Smooshy) is now 3 1/2 and more adorable if that's even possible. She goes to school or as she calls it, "Charlie work," full time and is doing great. <br>
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Richard is still at the same job only it has been bought out by Dell so that's been a plus. And yes, that's an Apple computer. That'll never change!<br>
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Me, I'm still sewing. Still have<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/Tinkquilts"> the Etsy shop</a> and getting ready for the upcoming craft show season. I have 4 shows booked this year. Two in Ashburn, one in Chantilly and one in Annandale.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPI_JPPSkHMlEqoUmE8Zzf_QE-FkMpBlfd4MNxwxrWmSKTJZ15_fdKUROP-aRJR8b-vAkPnZlwKZQ4zAEzeO9HT0oQbsrXMV4UqBDWruiDmDV7ISGJR0zvMHLL1l6HFh3A_MzUrMP32TP/s1600/Barb.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPI_JPPSkHMlEqoUmE8Zzf_QE-FkMpBlfd4MNxwxrWmSKTJZ15_fdKUROP-aRJR8b-vAkPnZlwKZQ4zAEzeO9HT0oQbsrXMV4UqBDWruiDmDV7ISGJR0zvMHLL1l6HFh3A_MzUrMP32TP/s320/Barb.jpg"></a><br>
Well that brings you up to date on our life ... I would love to hear about what's happening in yours.<br>
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I've got some great new ideas for posts so keep checking in. As Jack would say "I'M BAAACK!"<br>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;"></a></div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-44345331682036859252012-10-20T14:37:00.001-04:002012-10-20T15:06:53.833-04:00In a Teeny Tiny TownSo last week I actually did "take the road less traveled." I was on my way home from my favorite quilt store "<a href="http://www.webfabrics.net/">Web Fabrics</a>" in Purcellville and decided to take the smaller backroads instead of the highway I usually take.<br />
I was a beautiful day for a drive and nestled in between Purcellville and Historic Leesburg is the tiny town of Hamilton, VA.<br />
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Hamilton has a population of 528 and is a total of 192 acres ~ told you it was small. But it is not without merit.<br />
Here's what I found in the Teeny Tiny Town....<br />
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I found this great purple house all decked out for Halloween
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTX1_SAtON6nv16ZmgqoST6uwnyZ1uxaIoCNRAOC5DOnGclN1n2Zikvyn-VAw3vxcuvPn-VRphorWnbaPlGbWWT8_prK4WDliPKnLVeYC2GjkTE1wNGZajsXZfQy70mINk18iNB4uEZfC/s1600/8092115665_e3d650859b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTX1_SAtON6nv16ZmgqoST6uwnyZ1uxaIoCNRAOC5DOnGclN1n2Zikvyn-VAw3vxcuvPn-VRphorWnbaPlGbWWT8_prK4WDliPKnLVeYC2GjkTE1wNGZajsXZfQy70mINk18iNB4uEZfC/s320/8092115665_e3d650859b_b.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Here is a closer look at the sign
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXIIKGBLXXqdITcBTZJQ5PcIMV7PlLqzxUT9G2cGkM7BCERvIPiLrfqyWXpUOA65rVkImYhm8dJ49yFTqpJ1uHB8WR9KQsNGdZRLkLA7P52cTu9JWFxBnkk_nFOBlthxQBPb560mYnDah/s1600/8092115883_d5885de7b7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXIIKGBLXXqdITcBTZJQ5PcIMV7PlLqzxUT9G2cGkM7BCERvIPiLrfqyWXpUOA65rVkImYhm8dJ49yFTqpJ1uHB8WR9KQsNGdZRLkLA7P52cTu9JWFxBnkk_nFOBlthxQBPb560mYnDah/s320/8092115883_d5885de7b7_b.jpg" width="320" /></a> And speaking of signs, I saw this one outside the local real estate office
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb6c6aTtoKX7A1-l3GUKPPPVSHk1g9A2yszfj6QLEMe4cBkKazis4laiPRk2dUV-hLsuBQoDMzxIkodJkC4sk0Gnf7PwyyxHcZIEvAZbRSOFrS-DE_4WlPrplho53e-2fbWA0G_FWOI5-/s1600/8092122552_8de7ae7ab5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKb6c6aTtoKX7A1-l3GUKPPPVSHk1g9A2yszfj6QLEMe4cBkKazis4laiPRk2dUV-hLsuBQoDMzxIkodJkC4sk0Gnf7PwyyxHcZIEvAZbRSOFrS-DE_4WlPrplho53e-2fbWA0G_FWOI5-/s320/8092122552_8de7ae7ab5_b.jpg" width="180" /></a>
Words to live by, doncha think?<br />
I also found this old Mason Lodge from 1873
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ri5qNP0HmZGr9G_zbSdbckHeGJs9c4jB01y9nEgqnS_8shR140uSd4gBMEvPrTXR5VPs76GhKp1wTKGgzaUav-g4k78WND73IqtsK9T9BgPMYq7TISjZJMoJtIqmLb7V9qsFfrNGCdZu/s1600/8092123080_98e86852e2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ri5qNP0HmZGr9G_zbSdbckHeGJs9c4jB01y9nEgqnS_8shR140uSd4gBMEvPrTXR5VPs76GhKp1wTKGgzaUav-g4k78WND73IqtsK9T9BgPMYq7TISjZJMoJtIqmLb7V9qsFfrNGCdZu/s320/8092123080_98e86852e2_b.jpg" width="180" /></a>
It's empty now. It used to be Hamilton Lodge #37 back when Hamilton was a booming city, actually the second largest city in Loundoun county.<br />
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Even more importantly I found more of the osage oranges I wrote about <a href="http://tinkquilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/where-two-blog-posts-collide-part-two.html">here</a> and <a href="http://tinkquilts.blogspot.com/2012/01/where-two-blog-posts-collide-part-one.html">here</a>. Although we no longer have spider crickets occupying the basement, I took more home just in case.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4RrSofPY2p-6T43zt-33_0wgPcS3VmhEPFjlmUpplf0stD5eFpoX42Ke5ray7NTqmZuVWrXVbQDC4g7eLiqyt0bM2lYcdHnBeJ0z2ACPACSyLz2UHM_IXrbbM3U8m0BzzzLmIVZiNar1/s1600/8092121568_0bbc8bf018_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4RrSofPY2p-6T43zt-33_0wgPcS3VmhEPFjlmUpplf0stD5eFpoX42Ke5ray7NTqmZuVWrXVbQDC4g7eLiqyt0bM2lYcdHnBeJ0z2ACPACSyLz2UHM_IXrbbM3U8m0BzzzLmIVZiNar1/s320/8092121568_0bbc8bf018_b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
And just so you know, it's definitely fall in Hamilton
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU4eZ8Wyf3geVKZ-7BNvHVrXiT_jRQAVw_D1932elXrSkmnCo0LSDtm8HVOXUetjqWXDUU9c7rQlpJuzsGZESOtMl87f-prYHFehwCEO2PrXovowpgJiF7bu0WtTTHtqyWQfOKGIv_n1F/s1600/8092101458_012d86b932_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicU4eZ8Wyf3geVKZ-7BNvHVrXiT_jRQAVw_D1932elXrSkmnCo0LSDtm8HVOXUetjqWXDUU9c7rQlpJuzsGZESOtMl87f-prYHFehwCEO2PrXovowpgJiF7bu0WtTTHtqyWQfOKGIv_n1F/s320/8092101458_012d86b932_b.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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So if this is what I find when I take the alternative route, I should do it more often and hopefully I'll always have my camera and note pad with me cause I never know what I'll find.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-46875378289742056512012-10-18T19:09:00.000-04:002012-10-20T15:07:24.632-04:00An Experiment in Happiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I decided to try a little experiment on Friday.<br />
Thursday I was watching "Katie" ie. Katie Couric show and it was about trying to find happiness or being happy. One of the things they talked about was how giving rather than getting can make you happy.<br />
Now I've always believed this to be true and I could always use a little happiness in my life so....
I went to my local Starbucks and bought a $20 gift card. I explained to the cashier that I would like her to use my card to pay for the next few people that came in to get coffee... But not to tell them it was me, just that someone wanted to "pay it forward."<br />
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I sat nearby looking like I was busy working on my iPad but really listening and taking notes on what happened. I was not sure how this experiment would go. People here in north Virginia are for the most part privileged and seem to feel entitled so I was eager to see what would happen.<br />
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I went just before 11:00 am so that it wouldn't be too busy. The first couple of people that came in were all women in their 50's and 60's. It took each of them a minute to understand what was happening and it seemed to brighten their day a bit. One of them did ask "So should I do the same thing?" At first it sounded like she felt obligated but she genuinely seemed pleased.<br />
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After them a young girl walked in. I guess she was either in her late teens or early 20's. She ordered a hot chocolate. When the cashier told her it had already been paid for she just shrugged her shoulders, took her hot chocolate and left. Ah youth! This was what I was afraid would happen.<br />
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The next people made up for it though. It was two women (60's?)together and once they got over their disbelief they were just tickled. Immediately after them a couple came in ~ man and women maybe late 60's. They were just amazed and then asked the two previous women if they were they ones who had paid. They said "no" but the four of them stood there chatting very animatedly. From their conversation I got the idea they were thinking of doing the same thing in the future.<br />
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So, that was my experiment. Did it make me happy? Not exactly. I would say I was pleased with the outcome. Did it make the people receiving the free coffee happy? Maybe a little.
I'll tell you who it made happy .... Angela, the cashier at Starbucks. Every time she got to tell someone their order was already paid for she broke out in a tremendous grin. I think she was basically a happy person to begin with but this seemed to really make her day. So now that I think of it, making her happy did make me happy so I'd have to say my experiment was a success.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-75643558810616768962012-10-11T18:04:00.003-04:002012-10-11T18:04:32.761-04:00My Date with FLOTUS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRic2RaYjLKQfqL9Ev5GJny4cRvtqYntPpigh5y2jGTuiyVy3HT-t3VgoQPPlrimNLXn5KQLbo0gkox_G82vPgLZo4_Ki3SSH88kp3r_UlOoX9scaLKi9ft9rNqs9RhYrxNJHMkpfn4vS/s1600/DSC03383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRic2RaYjLKQfqL9Ev5GJny4cRvtqYntPpigh5y2jGTuiyVy3HT-t3VgoQPPlrimNLXn5KQLbo0gkox_G82vPgLZo4_Ki3SSH88kp3r_UlOoX9scaLKi9ft9rNqs9RhYrxNJHMkpfn4vS/s320/DSC03383.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
Okay ~ so just in case you didn't know FLOTUS is the First Lady of the United States!<br />
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Yes, I got to see Michelle Obama.
This is not a political blog, nor will I make it one but whatever your affiliation, seeing someone in such a position I believe is always a plus.<br />
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I subscribe to Ashburn Patch. It's a great little on line news source and I receive an email each day telling me what's going on in my community.<br />
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Well last week, Thursday I think they posted saying that the First Lady would be speaking here in Loudoun County.<br />
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I have always admired Michelle Obama ~ and even more so after her speech
at the Democratic National Convention. It was a great speech and made
me like her even more <br />
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The chance to see her speak in person was one I didn't want to pass up.
Saturday I went over to the Obama campaign headquarters here in Leesburg and picked up two tickets. One for me and one for Julianne. Not only is she a fan but she is in civics this year and studying the election. A great reason, if there ever was one, to miss a couple hours of school.<br />
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Anyway... I picked Julz up from school at 1:15 and after a stop to grab a bite to eat headed to the fairgrounds arriving at 2:00. Doors opened at 2:45<br />
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There was quite a line and we waited and chatted and made friends while waiting. It was a beautiful day. Cool but not cold so hanging around was actually rather pleasant. They even handed out water bottles while you wait.
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We were also lucky enough to snag some VIP tickets so once we got through security we were escorted around the large crowd right up to the front of the stage. We had a couple of people in front of us but still had a great view.<br />
Actually, once the speeches started the lovely couple in front of us put Julz in front of them so she really was right up front.<br />
Michelle was AMAZING. To hear her speak is something I will always remember. She is so passionate and so engaging. I really felt I was in the presence of someone great.<br />
I took tons of pics. I've only posted a few here because her face is so animated when she speaks, many of the pictures were not very flattering and trust me, she is a beautiful woman and I would not want to post anything less than flattering.<br />
That was the good part. The bad part was that we (I and 1499 others) were crowded into a fairgrounds building with no windows and no air ~ not even fans. It got really hot and the air was really stale.<br />
We waited almost 3 hours to hear her speak. That's 3 hrs in very crowded and way too warm conditions. Shortly after she started to speak the first person went down ~ fainted right in front of her. She did stop her speech to make sure they were okay. She spoke for almost an hour after which she started at one end of the center and went around shaking hands and meeting the people. Julz was in perfect position to be able to meet her.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH0ItavD31kRQEWPjrJqrS9Q_TjpFFkannywKwn1ZPDkuAuzlvDecsaeo5HcW_MsjdOC5HoNT8i1zYsz05mbevzppOq3uOXs96Glj4TP-Yvm48dFPd4CGPwrhhxVO1kXmPakrXhsn2aRz/s1600/DSC03408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH0ItavD31kRQEWPjrJqrS9Q_TjpFFkannywKwn1ZPDkuAuzlvDecsaeo5HcW_MsjdOC5HoNT8i1zYsz05mbevzppOq3uOXs96Glj4TP-Yvm48dFPd4CGPwrhhxVO1kXmPakrXhsn2aRz/s320/DSC03408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
See the woman in purple with blondish hair? That is Julz standing next to her. You can just see the top of her head.Michelle Obama is just a couple of people away from them. See the next pic? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoDItTdWiDi-XCjnsbpfA2TYu_XqF-oTmAuGIdnQaesCtbX0dMOHZV26GVwQxd1mpjcoqsv8tpXGvrQ6KgdpRTifSFtVsAcfdhzKyKARSOBE18FZNm6pLyGSMzuQGKinmi49ps9YsvfR6/s1600/DSC03410.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoDItTdWiDi-XCjnsbpfA2TYu_XqF-oTmAuGIdnQaesCtbX0dMOHZV26GVwQxd1mpjcoqsv8tpXGvrQ6KgdpRTifSFtVsAcfdhzKyKARSOBE18FZNm6pLyGSMzuQGKinmi49ps9YsvfR6/s320/DSC03410.JPG" width="320" /></a>
You can still see the woman in purple and she is next in line to meet Mrs. Obama. Now look at the next pic. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIjhHSSh929dIEW3WQc__eWymSjbT1EpQaAwQys38NaR6fkbYkEwLMG8qFqAELBhuX6_RHoLofQzz9ohlOpWBQR7KakNdqoQm-FQ_TurlYabT4a_C4HXzX6yEbXlFj8ADfoWGtKXAqmy_/s1600/DSC03411.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIjhHSSh929dIEW3WQc__eWymSjbT1EpQaAwQys38NaR6fkbYkEwLMG8qFqAELBhuX6_RHoLofQzz9ohlOpWBQR7KakNdqoQm-FQ_TurlYabT4a_C4HXzX6yEbXlFj8ADfoWGtKXAqmy_/s320/DSC03411.JPG" width="320" /></a>
You can still see her purple shirt but she is passing out, right on Julianne. Michelle Obama is right in front of her.<br />
That's the secret service man who has now shoved my daughter out of the way ~ moving her so that Michelle Obama, after making sure the fainted woman is okay has now moved on to the person on the other side of Julianne, making NO CONTACT with my daughter.<br />
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While we were concerned for the woman, Julz and I were so upset. She was inches from shaking her hand, and now it would not happen. Actually right after this another woman to my left also passed out (I told you it was hot and stale in there!) and this time the secret service men started shoving through the crowd, pushing my new friend Gina right into my chest (I think she may have gotten to 2nd base!) and then shoving me (very roughly I might add) out of the way. I know they are just doing their job but they are very rough and not considerate at all.<br />
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At this point I have now lost site of Julianne and can't get to where I think she might be. Fortunately Gina found her and was able to grab her and pull her back to us. We then had to wait for Mrs. Obama to leave the fair grounds before they would let us out of the building ~ so now we have 1500 trying to push towards the doors... we did get out fairly quickly and the fresh air felt amazing.
All in all it was a really good day. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4cp7Cg1t8cm_KCB_BvrrZ03Km8vq0zSf0vAHn1FQvfRwwLJJl4lxtcDRD18QOqNL789GjbFWeHYPwnKv1HrkQuoPOdT_LDXAV6C5nJO4bkklWXv39yQOvfwG8oL_RxXHP2K3fbjqdQzw/s1600/DSC03355.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4cp7Cg1t8cm_KCB_BvrrZ03Km8vq0zSf0vAHn1FQvfRwwLJJl4lxtcDRD18QOqNL789GjbFWeHYPwnKv1HrkQuoPOdT_LDXAV6C5nJO4bkklWXv39yQOvfwG8oL_RxXHP2K3fbjqdQzw/s320/DSC03355.JPG" width="320" /></a>
We also got to see Ann Holton — wife of Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Kaine. She seems like such a nice person and while I need to do a bit more research on her husband it's likely he's got my vote as well.<br />
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Another impressive candidate we actually got to meet was Kristin Cabral, Democratic candidate for Congress. I came to her attention because of the screen bag I made and brought with me just for this event.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF-kmgXh_X_JMpVNbDLGhq20Nq8gud9IBLe6RJIhZg_Vt_snNG_UNRkAJADT4TreQ933_f20XHPcLxZ43_SamWbENt373QpWKEPUf-woBueg2s3GxGKgZ8E5h9PvkCtZijQUmx8Gzi8Fm/s1600/DSC03348.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF-kmgXh_X_JMpVNbDLGhq20Nq8gud9IBLe6RJIhZg_Vt_snNG_UNRkAJADT4TreQ933_f20XHPcLxZ43_SamWbENt373QpWKEPUf-woBueg2s3GxGKgZ8E5h9PvkCtZijQUmx8Gzi8Fm/s320/DSC03348.JPG" width="180" /></a>
Yes, I have Obama fabric! Was there ever a doubt? Anyway we had a great chat about women in small businesses and I liked what she had to say about how she could help people just like me. You know she'll have my vote for sure. She also asked about buying one of my bags. COOL! I didn't think to get a pic of her but you can go to <a href="http://kristincabral.com/">KristinCabral.com</a> to see her and read all about her. If you are in Loudoun County definitely check her out!<br />
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I know Julianne and I will never forget this day! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-78553728183573727972012-10-01T14:07:00.000-04:002012-10-01T14:14:46.499-04:00Let Autumn Begin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPco2lqc6Wl0ev-dGd36pn6SLy8wzO-A9uIgbZLbIgoWcbR3uBhSZcAfT0ScqwdolJDAyfPQ6vBrkcu9YiOFzlYeTrQlg3z0pEL60ZbZcRpEmD63j5jUP2ysin7j-ZMIo6ADM0P35fW6BH/s1600/1029-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPco2lqc6Wl0ev-dGd36pn6SLy8wzO-A9uIgbZLbIgoWcbR3uBhSZcAfT0ScqwdolJDAyfPQ6vBrkcu9YiOFzlYeTrQlg3z0pEL60ZbZcRpEmD63j5jUP2ysin7j-ZMIo6ADM0P35fW6BH/s320/1029-11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So on Saturday we went to the <a href="http://http//www.nvrpa.org/park/the_maize">Temple Farm Corn Maize</a> in Leesburg, VA. And by we I mean me, Rich, Julz, Jen, Jeremy and Charlie. Nate stayed home to do homework (cough cough).<br />
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Anyway... we had a wonderful time. We, well they, bounced on a giant bouncing thingee.
It may not be an actual trampoline but they definitely got some air.
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdxWzFFHnwi-rTHMjWfhyc01af9gakkckyx4eQaauGHTyiz3hHOLkA1lAeJoiRtJ_FaQiiTBSrEf4uUN8aC-bzWSMqLwTOl_RVjIT5bK4VEVF3zNYFVcLCzC-7kHSGUTAoSeyogQNUyJh/s1600/1029-4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdxWzFFHnwi-rTHMjWfhyc01af9gakkckyx4eQaauGHTyiz3hHOLkA1lAeJoiRtJ_FaQiiTBSrEf4uUN8aC-bzWSMqLwTOl_RVjIT5bK4VEVF3zNYFVcLCzC-7kHSGUTAoSeyogQNUyJh/s320/1029-4.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbtv8WZk_CK5C8D1IqYjI9KNlww8s7V7UD-vskAva3K4plDPBjlVfD_85KDiLrubM_-X6Bc8vAvNApJUpt_nfu4Vip04by-oOJ4rWmjzGsI3EB74GGqIQ1eJnzt6xCP4TOOLGRIsnfZ9-/s1600/1029-5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbtv8WZk_CK5C8D1IqYjI9KNlww8s7V7UD-vskAva3K4plDPBjlVfD_85KDiLrubM_-X6Bc8vAvNApJUpt_nfu4Vip04by-oOJ4rWmjzGsI3EB74GGqIQ1eJnzt6xCP4TOOLGRIsnfZ9-/s320/1029-5.jpg" width="320" /></a>
We, again they, played in a big ol corn pit.. The corn was really cold but silky feeling. It was kinda cool. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2QDzUwvGAy9PYV3cfakU-g0teU0h80cL2SIJy5asZ5pZ-_0FfXnWt10bEol47KVz-JAeTcMcvbF6XsqOEZkCMO_epDYLzAbYBeqg8zWjYF9CA-n3pj14I7SP3K7-cqFF0Lrsh1yxCpxp/s1600/1029-8.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2QDzUwvGAy9PYV3cfakU-g0teU0h80cL2SIJy5asZ5pZ-_0FfXnWt10bEol47KVz-JAeTcMcvbF6XsqOEZkCMO_epDYLzAbYBeqg8zWjYF9CA-n3pj14I7SP3K7-cqFF0Lrsh1yxCpxp/s320/1029-8.jpg" width="320" /></a>
We climbed on a giant spider web. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCm7VUt5r1Lb-CedxcNUCnGNFuCdemdB-5rEFwAmWEUkolEjJG4liQbrGeBqxgCC1LPrBxbdR3i3yUV8gykVfnC0R7WRS-sUAkAtIvxEXGzCNoqmVtmI_M-0SN_k0p_t9g5HsQ9OlToPO/s1600/1029-6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCm7VUt5r1Lb-CedxcNUCnGNFuCdemdB-5rEFwAmWEUkolEjJG4liQbrGeBqxgCC1LPrBxbdR3i3yUV8gykVfnC0R7WRS-sUAkAtIvxEXGzCNoqmVtmI_M-0SN_k0p_t9g5HsQ9OlToPO/s320/1029-6.jpg" width="320" /></a>
We climbed large bales of hay. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMnbeV71iXFR25CF3TQP2d-Rrkj2tiHn7_G28szpj97o-MJlLZ6Quc7Ve2DAQDs-8mbbD9ODVdUh9npXMYlIXKm2Ht91elyh-cUCMHLJVbQz6MQzfvkLxeDbjY-lT2ePIH87egwxBZVdl/s1600/1029-7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMnbeV71iXFR25CF3TQP2d-Rrkj2tiHn7_G28szpj97o-MJlLZ6Quc7Ve2DAQDs-8mbbD9ODVdUh9npXMYlIXKm2Ht91elyh-cUCMHLJVbQz6MQzfvkLxeDbjY-lT2ePIH87egwxBZVdl/s320/1029-7.jpg" width="320" /></a>
We rode inflatable horses.. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3duO931BFeq6dD4oSBSu15WhDbIQFa-owtzlE1jKD7zkpLvEZCrxCzmg31U04PNTsD3kXWWoue_14fcwIP-JtlgvbMh6CIkaXGgD6e8iRHP2LzZDo9lxa4iNkq-civiokpo_mw03rBvi/s1600/8042003452_d8ef5222ec_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS3duO931BFeq6dD4oSBSu15WhDbIQFa-owtzlE1jKD7zkpLvEZCrxCzmg31U04PNTsD3kXWWoue_14fcwIP-JtlgvbMh6CIkaXGgD6e8iRHP2LzZDo9lxa4iNkq-civiokpo_mw03rBvi/s320/8042003452_d8ef5222ec_b.jpg" width="320" /></a>
with some not so successful results... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU7gHI8NHamAgmi-n47s3sCj9omgc_1GnIMKY_nVX1Q0ebl5XKVQzyT59IgdqB8pV63bfDivrzodVm5Ozk2XrUeEzL-X0lLFB8sgejpeuUvhcZD6KjcjIbkE8wrIS93gGHsqCg7BDTraa/s1600/1029-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYU7gHI8NHamAgmi-n47s3sCj9omgc_1GnIMKY_nVX1Q0ebl5XKVQzyT59IgdqB8pV63bfDivrzodVm5Ozk2XrUeEzL-X0lLFB8sgejpeuUvhcZD6KjcjIbkE8wrIS93gGHsqCg7BDTraa/s320/1029-2.jpg" width="320" /></a>
Charlie's favorite was the duck races ~ pipes and water pumps. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXG2eICay4ZjMgId9J0UVM47H24tx0c59Yu6U3I-UB6BYYuYdzZYcTI08CVXt0IKpE8Py8Hnlx9NqsXMuWYOpIQ2_rn4XdA8MjQCCiNiFnldDS6MCN-1scPkH5Ee0yDIeTFn0Ei9MBv3b/s1600/1029-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXG2eICay4ZjMgId9J0UVM47H24tx0c59Yu6U3I-UB6BYYuYdzZYcTI08CVXt0IKpE8Py8Hnlx9NqsXMuWYOpIQ2_rn4XdA8MjQCCiNiFnldDS6MCN-1scPkH5Ee0yDIeTFn0Ei9MBv3b/s320/1029-3.jpg" width="320" /></a>
And we picked pumpkins.. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyFPRJK2URlu2O9jAl3pBP89VafXgQscqZf-StOfHXHFQZZGhwbYBWltl_z8yAtqpF5HEINjzwRsGh5WjX1yyead1lv1nBFuznci_X9uyFVP3UXTVaualqLbNYffU0hK9JwGWu85PMvWE/s1600/1029-10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyFPRJK2URlu2O9jAl3pBP89VafXgQscqZf-StOfHXHFQZZGhwbYBWltl_z8yAtqpF5HEINjzwRsGh5WjX1yyead1lv1nBFuznci_X9uyFVP3UXTVaualqLbNYffU0hK9JwGWu85PMvWE/s320/1029-10.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzavPB0lFoBQYUCs528iM-eP_wGCQPRqtFTikBOF2GTZZIcH1V_Mkq36up-iOVzV1gd7gjNcXuyxintdXirgo5F50H1JQAhrhIj5CvZwHEdXdpCYYLAO4hff97ZNhKnfGfko8Xc7Q6moF/s1600/1029-9.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzavPB0lFoBQYUCs528iM-eP_wGCQPRqtFTikBOF2GTZZIcH1V_Mkq36up-iOVzV1gd7gjNcXuyxintdXirgo5F50H1JQAhrhIj5CvZwHEdXdpCYYLAO4hff97ZNhKnfGfko8Xc7Q6moF/s320/1029-9.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
We took pictures with a giant bear made out of hay bales <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iUi0-fwtbAM6N-u46O7Cw_0Pz4fEiLzLNJ0_LPsB6sixy4vU5ji6u3scCD78Qoc6klgTAMXMvvbj7DBoL4j3FrEK6veuT2rMRQ2m1hAmfhjs6A3VGA1QLfDbpzpfsqvV_Kp3ZmbcIWl0/s1600/1029-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8iUi0-fwtbAM6N-u46O7Cw_0Pz4fEiLzLNJ0_LPsB6sixy4vU5ji6u3scCD78Qoc6klgTAMXMvvbj7DBoL4j3FrEK6veuT2rMRQ2m1hAmfhjs6A3VGA1QLfDbpzpfsqvV_Kp3ZmbcIWl0/s320/1029-1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
There were also animals (horses, cows, pigs, chickens, goats, peacocks) to feed and pet. There is a giant corn maize which we skipped. Also pumpkin cannons and air guns that shoot corn, and paintball.<br />
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There was snacks and drinks and a whole day of wonderful fun!
If you are anywhere in the area, I highly recommend it. It's open through Nov 6th. It was actually a bit chilly out and leaves are starting to change ~ fall is really in the air here.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-4459805078836041292012-09-28T18:29:00.003-04:002012-09-28T18:29:48.130-04:00Charlie This and Charlie That<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC3OgfMYi3fRqzod64oYiFNbEGaVIuG2bOeX1OVhsjCqmNaL4D8qDMnkOOUSCJSje3J0k54IrR60PT0ZMG-V-Oaz5tKhzXfvpv3ZgHed6vXJoRaD1FuxX6la0Rv0o9K_FXNS5gYibA0Jw/s1600/DSC05484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC3OgfMYi3fRqzod64oYiFNbEGaVIuG2bOeX1OVhsjCqmNaL4D8qDMnkOOUSCJSje3J0k54IrR60PT0ZMG-V-Oaz5tKhzXfvpv3ZgHed6vXJoRaD1FuxX6la0Rv0o9K_FXNS5gYibA0Jw/s320/DSC05484.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So for the last couple of days I've been a bit busy ~ good busy, no ~ Great Busy.<br />
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I've had my little Smooshy! Tell me she's not the cutest little thing ever! She and Julz had fun playing dress up!<br />
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Me, I've been making Micky Mouse scrambled eggs and toast
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwHxJASSuxAArA_dGULr3uWccQ62PzdQIjhyphenhyphenl18vntu9DP1b9oMh-UwmlubRfHAsbENXb7i5859-P2NvlSji-rlQKpBARbfytvfkXWNbOdhhP-vv7-1rWbnMCM0JxxcHcR4p7M2MCIK4b/s1600/DSC05503.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwHxJASSuxAArA_dGULr3uWccQ62PzdQIjhyphenhyphenl18vntu9DP1b9oMh-UwmlubRfHAsbENXb7i5859-P2NvlSji-rlQKpBARbfytvfkXWNbOdhhP-vv7-1rWbnMCM0JxxcHcR4p7M2MCIK4b/s320/DSC05503.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Fun hair ribbons for the littlest Dolphins fan
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UeVsH6nIlb3md6VpopIHYKwiKSg0nsP4L3wDAfXX-kWKMFISszlm4AYTUeFP_otUgIYXvP66jP8ja_jHEJsZ-umyvSa5HQ8il5b7BgS5rFW20Vh09WlyQHY43ZAYqaO9Z2g-REZA5tF1/s1600/DSC05510.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UeVsH6nIlb3md6VpopIHYKwiKSg0nsP4L3wDAfXX-kWKMFISszlm4AYTUeFP_otUgIYXvP66jP8ja_jHEJsZ-umyvSa5HQ8il5b7BgS5rFW20Vh09WlyQHY43ZAYqaO9Z2g-REZA5tF1/s320/DSC05510.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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And last but not least ~ this fun little Doxy puppy. It's <a href="http://badskirt.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-1000000-pageviews-gift.html">Moxie the Doxie</a> pattern by Bad Skirt which I got from which I got from Michele over at <a href="http://http//nostalgiccafe.blogspot.com/">Nostalgic Cafe</a>. Thanks Michele. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThqOkT2lvn4soKVl6JWYUwZadI-WfpcfZmaWI5z45zd1to1zwGqbrQJJO206alILSbN-cX7W6Ts9147J54kqaapu-yrJ0dOoiMQLF716TVeVxlzo04JCVeOQ3c-bdIFF6OwgHP0mYy3vA/s1600/DSC05507.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThqOkT2lvn4soKVl6JWYUwZadI-WfpcfZmaWI5z45zd1to1zwGqbrQJJO206alILSbN-cX7W6Ts9147J54kqaapu-yrJ0dOoiMQLF716TVeVxlzo04JCVeOQ3c-bdIFF6OwgHP0mYy3vA/s320/DSC05507.JPG" width="320" /></a>
Charlie (well Jen and Jeremy actually) have two Doxies and Charlie just loves them. She helped me pick out the fabric, pink and brown to match her room and of course Polkie Dots, her favorite. I think she likes him.
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Best of all, of course is getting to spend time with the best little grandbaby in the whole wide world!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-17670656840633255662012-09-22T10:07:00.000-04:002012-09-22T10:21:08.937-04:00A Psycho Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIEEPCxSmI7FzDh1U3XgTsNzCcvrygK-X_2c__ti-uzoDihuFluCfrACKBVuL33jCxR9-31jpvpedlA4qphUBXv4BtkIpzcgUEmu01AdQMsuaA3GFDLtDsqYXsIe01m7Ax1sLQ_fhTxac/s1600/DSC05479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIEEPCxSmI7FzDh1U3XgTsNzCcvrygK-X_2c__ti-uzoDihuFluCfrACKBVuL33jCxR9-31jpvpedlA4qphUBXv4BtkIpzcgUEmu01AdQMsuaA3GFDLtDsqYXsIe01m7Ax1sLQ_fhTxac/s320/DSC05479.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So ever since I saw "Psycho" when I was younger I have this weird thing about taking a shower when I am alone in the house.<br />
Not only do all the doors to the outside have to be locked, the bedroom and then the bathroom door have to be locked as well.<br />
Even then, I inevitably hear some kind of noise and am sure there is some psycho killer in my house just waiting to stab me.<br />
I'll just bet I'm not alone in this either ~ just wondering how many of you will fess up.<br />
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Anyway, this morning I wasn't really feeling well and had an appointment to see the doctor so I didn't really have time or the inclination, being sick and living in a 3 story house with outside entrances on the bottom two floors, to do my normal door lock check.<br />
I jumped in the shower (okay, crawled) and then got out, dressed and headed downstairs and out the door.
Imagine how pleased I was to find that my son, who was the last one to leave this morning, didn't lock <b>either</b> lock on the front door!<br />
Can't believe I am still alive and able to blog about this. Of course it helps that I live in a really safe neighborhood but still ~<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I COULD HAVE BEEN <u>KILLED,</u> Y'ALL!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-25317870474946670112012-09-18T14:14:00.000-04:002012-09-18T14:14:29.056-04:00A Weekend of FestivalsSo this weekend was spent going to street fairs and art festivals. Saturday we went to Haymarket Day in downtown Haymarket Va. Richard, the kids as well as Jen, Jeremy and the amazingly lovable Miss Charlie piled into our cars and made the 30 minute trip.
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It was a beautiful day out. The weather was just about perfect. A great day to be outside and walking. Unfortunately the festival was, eh! Not much to see or do.<br />
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We did play a little bean bag toss, we listened to a couple of street bands. What they lacked in talent, they made up for in volume.<br />
But in their defense, they were teenagers and the other teenagers seemed to like them. <br />
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There was the beer trucks, which are always a good thing. Makes everything else tolerable. Way to many "Romney" signs for me though.<br />
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Julianne's favorite thing was the big ol bag of kettle corn we bought and scarfed half of on the way home.<br />
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Me, I enjoyed spending the day with my very favorite people.<br />
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Sunday Richard and I went to the Arts Festival in Leesburg. A lot closer and a lot classier.<br />
Downtown Historic Leesburg is a great place to go regardless. Lots of great little shops and restaurants. Any given weekend you will find lots of folks wandering the streets and having a nice time.
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Of course the price tags were much larger ~ but for those with disposable income $3500 paintings and sculptures were very nice.<br />
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Vendors were mostly from the area but some were out of state. We even found one from Florida. Her pottery was beyond cool.<br />
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There were a couple of others I really liked and I'm hoping to do a post just on them soon.<br />
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Music was much better too. These guys were very good. It also helped to not have impatient children with us. We were able to take our time, talk to some of the artists and really just enjoy the day and the beautiful weather. I wish we had gone here on Saturday though so Jen and Jeremy could have joined us. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIY7kXucZ8-MD_nZVMpP81SpJY30qixzD3qG-_rl0ExS3ivrVBmFJ3fnBBQKDYKy2tGG_Xnn83cqmTwRC8642eNqYcT-ImrW0qP0TD9dHYRPclN-qfe80gA_q5UVtgbsGwjWwSWpjrCJlf/s1600/7998192836_4e918a2af9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIY7kXucZ8-MD_nZVMpP81SpJY30qixzD3qG-_rl0ExS3ivrVBmFJ3fnBBQKDYKy2tGG_Xnn83cqmTwRC8642eNqYcT-ImrW0qP0TD9dHYRPclN-qfe80gA_q5UVtgbsGwjWwSWpjrCJlf/s320/7998192836_4e918a2af9_b.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Oh and Saturday we went to the high school football game. We won ~ 41 to 7. So far we are undefeated. Go Falcons!
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-29876176117122238342012-09-13T09:00:00.000-04:002012-09-13T09:00:09.382-04:00A Bit Skunky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So who remembers this cutie? Pepe Le Pew was adorable. Everyone loved him and he was quite the lover himself. The best thing about Pepe though was that he was a cartoon and you couldn't smell him!<br />
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The real thing ~ not nearly as lovable. We've had a skunk (hopefully just one) that has apparently been visiting our house lately. We started noticing a skunk smell in or near our driveway whenever we get out of our car. We couldn't figure out what had happened. Was he still there? Did he spray the house?
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Well apparently he sprayed the hedges just off the driveway outside our house. This is what happens to the shrubbery when it gets sprayed.<br />
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I've looked up some "remedies" to get rid of the smell on the bushes but some of them are pretty nasty. I guess I'll keep looking.<br />
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In the mean time I'm sure hoping I don't run into this guy. Did you know that skunks can spray up to 10 feet? Holy Cow.<br />
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Since we've been working on trimming up the backyard I've noticed a few other places he (or she) has sprayed. Nasty smell and dead branches. Anyone know how to discourage these smelly pests from hanging around?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-31630376964089191172012-09-12T08:44:00.000-04:002012-09-12T22:50:19.690-04:00A Front Porch Make OverIs it really a make over if it had nothing on it to start with?<br />
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I've been wanting to do something with our front porch since we moved in last fall but really didn't know what I wanted to do. This summer we were in Target and I saw the cutest cafe set in turquoise and fell in love with it but we were just getting ready to go on vacation and it really would have been an impulse buy so I walked away.<br />
When we got back from Florida I was once again in Target (no surprise there!) and guess what ~ they only had one cafe set left and it was ON SALE! Can I tell you how fast that set got into my shopping cart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LuMb0c3bL21cduJzpNo8pQdkczR2nz7YQMvhELNnQN5XH5G7vrg11kCqJ98Mz7L2SMZ7NjV6kAQvigyMf6HBK5Qb0JXQsjWnXB49e6-tyDw7IVNFU7Qq63DS0AVrAHdPjIAqTXB_6I7U/s1600/7818550414_9ef366c551_b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LuMb0c3bL21cduJzpNo8pQdkczR2nz7YQMvhELNnQN5XH5G7vrg11kCqJ98Mz7L2SMZ7NjV6kAQvigyMf6HBK5Qb0JXQsjWnXB49e6-tyDw7IVNFU7Qq63DS0AVrAHdPjIAqTXB_6I7U/s320/7818550414_9ef366c551_b.jpg" width="320" /></a>Richard and I put the set together ~ well he actually did most of it ~ and I loved the way it looked. Amazingly the next time I went to Target, they had some other outdoor chairs ~ also in turquoise and on sale ~ snapped three of those babies right up!<br />
Of course I wasn't satisfied there ~ I wanted some tables to put in between the chairs. We were at Home Depot and they were clearing out their summer furniture and they had some unpainted Adirondack tables ~ so that and a couple of cans of red paint for contrast to all the turquoise and we were in business.<br />
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Thanks again to my wonderful hubster for painting the tables for me.<br />
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Oh, and they also had citronella candles in turquoise buckets! Can you see a pattern here? <br />
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A few final touches of the red checkered table cloth I made. The two butterflies on sale at 70% off at Jo-Anns and the adorable frog candle from Pier One ~ and we LOVE our front porch!
I can't tell you how many evenings or afternoons we sit out and enjoy the cooling weather. Oh, and we also put an additional bird feeder up in one of the trees, which has been bringing some fun visitors to watch.
Oh, and believe it or not ~ two flowering plants that I have managed to keep alive for a few months now which is a record for me for sure. I was born with a black thumb.<br />
Last weekend we were sitting out on the porch and a beautiful little hummingbird showed up, checking on the flowers in the hanging pots. I was so stunned and I was afraid to breath and scare him off.
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We've since put up a seed bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder in the backyard and have been doing lots of work back there. Still lots of work to come though. We have about 5 pine trees that Richard has now removed the lower branches from so we can walk through that area. We have tons of flowering bushes of all kinds. I've cut those all way back to give them room to grow again in the spring.<br />
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Never thought I'd love working outside so much but I sure do these days.
Who knows, maybe we'll even attempt to grow some tomatoes or something next year! Miracles happen all the time right? So anyways ~ come on over for a visit sometime. We can sit outside and watch all the birds come and go. Better hurry though, while the weather is still nice. I hear we are in for a cold cold winter!
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-17507421252025007332012-09-10T23:46:00.000-04:002012-09-10T23:46:00.124-04:00A Really Long Story About My New Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well not THAT kind of baby<br />
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I'm waay past that. I got a new sewing machine! It's a brand new Baby Lock Ellure Plus. I love this new machine ~ of course I also loved my old machine too.... What I don't love is how I came to get this new machine.<br />
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This is quite a story so make your self comfortable while I tell you my tale of woe..<br />
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So this summer the family and I took a trip down to Florida. We saw family and friends and actually had a few touristy days in there as well. Visited some attractions as well as beaches etc. A great trip for the most part.<br />
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While planning for this vacation I also planned on taking my sewing machine in for servicing while we were gone. I didn't know of any local Baby Lock dealers here so I decided that I would take my machine in to the shop in Ormond Beach, FL on the way down (Tues) and pick it up on the way back home (Sat). I called the shop and told them what I wanted to do and they said it would work for them because their tech comes in to work on the machines on Friday. Great!<br />
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Packed up the car (over packed really!) and headed south. Will tell you more about our vacation in another post another day but for the sake of this one, lets just move along shall we? Drop the machine off at the shop, which I will not name here ~ but it's a Baby Lock dealer in Ormond Beach, not too difficult to figure out... anyway, I digress... explained the situation again to the very very sweet person working that day. She said it would not be a problem but that they didn't have any other machines at their location that needed servicing so they may send it to their other shop to be serviced if that was okay. I was fine with that because it was also on our way back and I had never been at their other store which was about 20 miles north. I did some fabric shopping and continued on our drive south.<br />
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The shop called me on Friday to let me know my machine was cleaned and all ready to go. That it would in fact, be at the Ormond Beach shop for pick up. I verified that they are open until 5:00 on Saturday ~ "yep" and said I would see them the next day on my way back to Virginia.<br />
On Saturday we stopped in Rockledge, picked up the kids and headed for Ormond Beach. Although I didn't think it necessary, Richard called the shop just to verify that the machine was there, ready and someone would be there until 5:00. Again, "yep."<br />
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Well I'm sure you can see where this is heading... We get to the shop at 4:00 on the dot and guess what ~ NO ONE IS THERE!!! The shop is closed. Checked the doors, looked in the windows, called the phone inside ~ nope! I also happened to know that the owner lives about the shop and so I went up there and knocked ~ no one there either. What to do? Got a bright idea and called the security company. They have signs in the window for a number to call in case of emergency and in my mind, this was definitely an emergency!!! Good thing it really wasn't though cause I had to call the company 7 times before I finally got someone to answer ... and when they did they really weren't sure where to find a number to call. They finally did give me a cell phone number but no name, which turned out to be the owners' cell. Unfortunately she didn't answer that either!<br />
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We waiting outside the shop until 5:00 thinking maybe they had to run out for a bit or whatever. Kids were soooo not happy with me but I wanted my machine back NOW! But at 5:00 I gave up the ghost and we got back on the road for home.<br />
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I finally heard from the owner on Sunday afternoon. I'm thinking the first thing out of her mouth should have been an apology but what I got were excuses. This one didn't tell this one, that one went home early ... WHATEVER! I had spoken to four different people over the course of the week and they all knew the situation. I told her I needed the machine shipped back to me in VA ~ at her expense and she agreed.<br />
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She ended up shipping it Fed Ex ground on Tues and it got to me on Friday I think. I was happy to have it back and decided to open it up and check it out. Took it out of the box, plugged it in and THUD! Thud is the noise it made before doing absolutely NOTHING. The machine light is not working, the needle is bent, the threader is missing and the wheel crank seems to be at an odd angle. I called her immediately to tell her what happened. Guess what, she didn't answer my call. I called again and texted, and called again.... finally I got through to her.<br />
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Again, more excuses. She gave the machine to her husband to ship. He took it to Fed Ex but they were supposed to pack it but they didn't... but at least they insured it.
She suggested I take it somewhere local to have it fixed and she would reimburse me for the costs (Duh!). I found a shop about 45 minutes away and took it there, explaining the situation. He was kind enough and curious enough to put my machine at the front of the pile for servicing. Several days later he called to tell me that it wasn't good but he'd fixed it as well as he could ~ to the tune of $250. which I paid him. He said that my machine had to have been either dropped from pretty high up or thrown to do this much damage. That the metal inside the machine was actually bent.<br />
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I called the shop owner in Fla (taking me several more tries to get in touch with her) and she whined and complained about the cost but agreed to reimburse me. It did take several weeks to get her check. In the mean time I could sew with my machine but the tension was off, the led light was funked up and it really wasn't sewing as well as it should, making weird noises and such.<br />
I decided that this was not an acceptable situation and told the shop owner that since she had insured this machine for a couple of thousand dollars (her words), she should really send me a new machine and file a claim with the shipping company for damaging the machine.
Well push comes to shove and it actually wasn't insured!<br />
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Now she ships machines all the time. Who doesn't pack correctly and insure a machine that costs that much money? No one! I was beginning to have some idea of what had probably actually occurred. I think she or someone at the shop actually dropped my machine BEFORE it got shipped back, didn't pack it correctly and that's why Fed Ex wouldn't insure it. Also the shipping box was in perfect condition. Wouldn't it show signs of being dropped if it happened in transit.<br />
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Well her big idea now is for me to bring it to the dealer here, let him repack it and then send it to Baby Lock to be worked on there. It will be at least a month now before I will see my machine again.
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At this point I decide ~ no more! This is where it pays to have friends.<br />
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I actually worked at a Baby Lock dealer in Tampa ~ Keep Me In Stitches ~ and they are awesome. I called the owner Melissa and asked her if I could get the number of their rep from Baby Lock who I'd met several times while working there. Not only did she give me her number, she asked me to wait a few minutes to give her time to call Rose first and let her know I was calling and to help me. Well I was beyond thrilled. I called Rose and she had actually just heard from the shop in Ormond Beach... something about a machine damaged in shipping ~ so I told her the whole story and my suspicions. She said to let her do some checking and she would get back to me.<br />
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The next morning I got a call from a very unhappy shop in Ormond Beach, telling me thatTHEY had decided to send me a new machine rather than hassle with the other one. But I needed to send my old machine back to them with ALL the original parts or they were going to take them out of my new machine! Blah blah blah... I called Rose to thank her for the call I just got and she said "that better have been a call telling you that they are sending you a new machine!"<br />
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Not only did Baby Lock send me a new machine ~ they sent me an upgraded version of the new machine. My new baby is amazing and awesome and a dream to sew on. I've always loved Baby Lock over all the other machines I've sewn on ~ and I've sewn all almost all of them including Bernina. I have recommended them to so many friends and will continue to do so.<br />
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Not only is the machine itself wonderful ~ the employees who stand behind them are fantastic as well.
I don't think I'll be going to the shop in Ormond Beach again ~ but I have now know where I can take my machine here to be serviced. They unfortunately don't sell fabric but that's probably a good thing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-90040461314964634412012-09-10T14:38:00.000-04:002012-09-10T16:34:03.243-04:002 Down and So Many More To Go..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I know I've been gone forever ~ but I am back and trying to be better about keeping up with things.<br />
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I have been busy though. I made this set for myself just in time for the fall. Purse, wallet and snappy bag! I fell in love with these little owls and couldn't resist taking them home with me. Now I can take them everywhere!<br />
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The temps are really starting to cool off here and I'm looking forward to the change in wardrobe! Richard and I have been spending a lot of time both out in the backyard and our front porch which I recently decked out in red and turquoise!<br />
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I've also been working on some new stuff for<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Tinkquilts"> my Etsy Shop</a>. I've been ignoring it as well ~ though fortunately I'm still getting orders here and there. Just finished some custom pillow cases for a customer. I think she was really happy with them.
These two beauties are going in the shop today
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I've signed up to do three craft fairs here in November and have had lots of people asking for wristlets. I have been making all kinds of bags, purses etc for quite a while now and this pattern is my own ~ derived from all that I have learned over the years. It has a little pocket inside and comes with a matching wallet. It's got room enough for the wallet (naturally), your phone, keys and a few more incidentals. I think it just may be a best seller. I am trying to decide how much to charge for them though. I'd love to get some feedback from you all though.
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Hope so cause besides these two I've got about 20 more cut out and ready to sew. Everything from fun and funky to romantic to seasonal. I've also got a table full of fabrics waiting to be cut. I think I might be a bit addicted to making these. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ct1KGgjClUUvr9qENEJdzZasw04oy_qQ5wbCneeFodVRf_YrJuOIQJa0MleHI1e_yzeaRBe01o-a4nIEzJpOkeNFbgPTd3QElwb6c9oCmSMXz7MI28pnTLAs3F3qR48GMp7i8UwG8CSM/s1600/DSC03291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ct1KGgjClUUvr9qENEJdzZasw04oy_qQ5wbCneeFodVRf_YrJuOIQJa0MleHI1e_yzeaRBe01o-a4nIEzJpOkeNFbgPTd3QElwb6c9oCmSMXz7MI28pnTLAs3F3qR48GMp7i8UwG8CSM/s320/DSC03291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've even been playing with my "Go" cutter and some discarded jeans to come up with this cutie! <br />
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So drop me a line ~ let me know what you think.... I'd love to hear from you...
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-82244742307342094792012-05-03T14:33:00.001-04:002012-05-24T11:16:07.172-04:00Now I Want a Zoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT2Gszv8dXrR6xvseEJOiO1ZOIKm-pBSWoa92Tvpb4wtnvaCTW9LX16mW49Q0rC_DqtX3f4WVr4Ii5fZKjQuwQQhImSdzg037hrcn272Y3-pqeZ0A2VVK-uOb5I4OST0bMl_JQNdSPx8Y/s1600/220px-We_Bought_a_Zoo_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaT2Gszv8dXrR6xvseEJOiO1ZOIKm-pBSWoa92Tvpb4wtnvaCTW9LX16mW49Q0rC_DqtX3f4WVr4Ii5fZKjQuwQQhImSdzg037hrcn272Y3-pqeZ0A2VVK-uOb5I4OST0bMl_JQNdSPx8Y/s320/220px-We_Bought_a_Zoo_Poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
Not really ~ but I just watched "We Bought a Zoo."<br />
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I've been wanting to see it for a while now and I'm so glad I did. It was such a good movie. It stars Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson.<br />
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Matt Damon is an adventure writer recently widowed and looking for a fresh start for himself and his family. He finds a house he loves only to find out it comes with a zoo ~ so he figures "why not" which is really what the movie is about. The answer to so many questions should be "Why Not."<br />
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I have to say the little girl who plays Benjamin Mee (Damon)'s daughter just steals the show. Her name is Maggie Elizabeth Jones and she just melts your heart. Also, Mee's son played by Colin Ford was totally believable as an angst filled teenager (especially since I have one of those myself). You'll also recognize Dakota Fannings not so little sister Elle Fanning. She has an unforgettable smile. She was also in "Super 8" which I loved.<br />
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It was just a great family film full of great moments. How fun would it be (maybe just for a little while) to live among the animals in a zoo? To help take care of them and get to know them. Be a part of something that amazing.<br />
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Matt Damon outdoes himself as the widow still so in love with his wife ~ yet still trying to move on for his family. In this movie he finds his greatest adventure of all.
I highly recommend this for family movie night. You won't be sorry.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"> </a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-12360291670569744092012-04-29T10:32:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:15:49.996-04:00A Fun Clutch Purse to Make<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE1Qn4YMQoGaYAx8akLmT-DeQlKmZhc7Py59m9TRGoTcFuxYmUBlDEA8o-_7X-3YCiZtpD8-uq045G2Bcv3paQHyVpSQIFg_OD8Mm-5jRaCMaWYFj7T4feeqvXFMTZa54hsm0Qd6O5Tw/s1600/keep+the+change.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsE1Qn4YMQoGaYAx8akLmT-DeQlKmZhc7Py59m9TRGoTcFuxYmUBlDEA8o-_7X-3YCiZtpD8-uq045G2Bcv3paQHyVpSQIFg_OD8Mm-5jRaCMaWYFj7T4feeqvXFMTZa54hsm0Qd6O5Tw/s320/keep+the+change.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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So I've found a new to me pattern that I just love. It's called "Keep The Change" by <a href="http://stitchinsis.com/">Stitchin Sisters</a>.<br />
It's a clutch bag with several compartments, pockets and a magnetic snap closure. It also has a back pocket that has a snaps shut by using a metal tape measurer. <br />
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I had a couple of issues in the beginning but I think it was more about me than the pattern. I even called Rosemary from Stitchin Sisters who was more than happy to help me out. Once I knew what I was doing these bags were quick and fun to make.
I've actually made three already.<br />
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The green/black and white one is my first and I've kept it.
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The pink with the yellow owl was for an owl swap I did recently. I had a hard time sending that one off ~ so much so that I may have to make another one for myself.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHGUWMplVfnVZvxtsqhkELQiWd6DFFye_y0fVQGg16ARiUPjEibOYwatqLpkodajZKaowEGwj_6zX6v2QXYZ5OVR1E8Q1jK1ZpRDa2qmMFRSBMjshQ3Bl_aw9pmNpsnwMfgxlbxGj2vA/s1600/Photo02171459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHGUWMplVfnVZvxtsqhkELQiWd6DFFye_y0fVQGg16ARiUPjEibOYwatqLpkodajZKaowEGwj_6zX6v2QXYZ5OVR1E8Q1jK1ZpRDa2qmMFRSBMjshQ3Bl_aw9pmNpsnwMfgxlbxGj2vA/s320/Photo02171459.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And lastly the teal with the bird was for my friend Mary Ann's daughter, Hannah. She picked out the fabric and it turned out really good.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE8rC0mRHbAqJtwfhNcSW9M2qZX4GIHtQKl-KUHdYi2liya9XpIXKOCpbEIhsW_jhyLfscw4mcd0ImH7VjdGRzfM2sUd4jrIt7wfmOXny19dvVFRpJBJi2JCpl-LVfzFrEB1ijCzNsE8/s1600/Photo02171203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDE8rC0mRHbAqJtwfhNcSW9M2qZX4GIHtQKl-KUHdYi2liya9XpIXKOCpbEIhsW_jhyLfscw4mcd0ImH7VjdGRzfM2sUd4jrIt7wfmOXny19dvVFRpJBJi2JCpl-LVfzFrEB1ijCzNsE8/s320/Photo02171203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
They are a great size with a nice handle. Perfect for when you just need your keys, wallet, etc. I will definitely be making more.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"> </a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-35902806493551101842012-04-28T13:10:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:16:22.865-04:00Remembering the Good TimesSo today would have been my sister Joey's 61st birthday. I think the first birthday that a loved one is no longer with you is always the hardest. I wrote about her <a href="http://tinkquilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/last-words-i-said.html">here</a>.<br />
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I still think of my sister~in~law Mary, who's 56th birthday would have been yesterday. You can read about her<a href="http://tinkquilts.blogspot.com/2008/04/something-about-mary.html"> here</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj1d_uTN39limGOpC4bJY27XcMewHOayzfLVAtSYcsSmicCRfiwigC1eRz3cdCcXKbzZh8uPYrWGWoqfNOi1XULW5wRy33KknYgEAIW2Jfy-c9b-ETDWecXaxm7Yk1sGLu5HTI8feTDY/s1600/Mark+palmer+&+joey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj1d_uTN39limGOpC4bJY27XcMewHOayzfLVAtSYcsSmicCRfiwigC1eRz3cdCcXKbzZh8uPYrWGWoqfNOi1XULW5wRy33KknYgEAIW2Jfy-c9b-ETDWecXaxm7Yk1sGLu5HTI8feTDY/s320/Mark+palmer+&+joey.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
But rather than focusing on the sad ~ I'd like to focus on the good times. Joey and I had many. Quite a few of them revolve around past friend and lounge lizard Mark Palmer. Mark was a one hit wonder with a song called "Take a Little Time Out Girl." When Joey met Mark, he was singing at clubs in Miami. Soon I was tagging along and he now had a few other musician's with him. The Mark Palmer Trio consisted of Mark, his bass player Nat and drummer Rocky. They were actually quite good and we spent many an evening at clubs listening to them and becoming good friends all around. Eventually Joey's friend Julia and her sister (my eventual sister in law) Mary came along with us. Mary and I being the same age and the tag-along little sisters became great friends. It was always a challenge to see who could out drink who. While there was always a lot of drinking involved it was more about laughter and friendship.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e5yagBqVhcBh7H2vxCagb7m91LJ1wliHXK5ed6eH-FqXIhDZIt4_CJJk-DHl3__wJtvW7PmYxUP92g_07iVVJtlM2WWsChqKNasU49fU9baXaHnKhYigsYfmJIVX7oDqL4ouhNfeQBEB/s1600/Mark+Palmer+Trio.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e5yagBqVhcBh7H2vxCagb7m91LJ1wliHXK5ed6eH-FqXIhDZIt4_CJJk-DHl3__wJtvW7PmYxUP92g_07iVVJtlM2WWsChqKNasU49fU9baXaHnKhYigsYfmJIVX7oDqL4ouhNfeQBEB/s320/Mark+Palmer+Trio.jpeg" width="318" /></a>There was one night when Joey and I were at her apt getting ready to head out to the club for the night. Both in good moods and singing "Pencil Thin Mustache" by Jimmy Buffet only not quite in tune, I'm sure. What we lacked in skill and pitch we made up for in volume. What we didn't think about were the open windows that lead out to the middle of the complex and pool ~ where so very many residents were collecting and apparently listening to the free concert we provided. It wasn't until we walked out onto the sidewalk (on the 2nd floor) facing into the pool and courtyard to a standing ovation and applause that we realized what was happening.<br />
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Joey being ever gracious, gave a bow while I just stood there red faced, trying to shrink into oblivion! It is these times I will never forget and always be grateful for.<br />
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So Happy Birthday to Joey and to Mary. I'm sure they are somewhere having a drink together and still singing at the top of their lungs. I miss you both.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-4734701711918425542012-04-27T13:23:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:16:34.501-04:00Just call her Tinsel Teeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh7kFPpJZ9DA6_uhOGu74ebfSv1l8dMtOxf42wM5mC0qGs908KVLum9eY2avbLfX64o5uekrZ1njrry-gNeEFrSjq5qvvbp_DB0pGA6kNSycVCKr2t1zX8PmUGFbthuN7iMM9T7rVMqA/s1600/6943136206_b11e5f6487_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizh7kFPpJZ9DA6_uhOGu74ebfSv1l8dMtOxf42wM5mC0qGs908KVLum9eY2avbLfX64o5uekrZ1njrry-gNeEFrSjq5qvvbp_DB0pGA6kNSycVCKr2t1zX8PmUGFbthuN7iMM9T7rVMqA/s320/6943136206_b11e5f6487_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So look who's got braces now...<br />
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While she already had a beautiful smile there were some issues with her canine teeth so we went to <a href="http://www.ashburnsmiles.com/">Northern Virginia Orthodontics</a> last week. They were all so very nice.<br />
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From Lisa, the financial coordinator who gave us lots of options and made it all pretty painless, <br />
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to Jill our hygienist who sang through Julianne's treatment ~ and from what I hear she's pretty good. Good enough to have been on American Idol!<br />
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Also wonderful was Dr. Casagrande himself . He made all of us, especially Julianne feel very comfortable. He has young children himself and knows just how to make them feel special.<br />
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While getting braces is never great fun, it really was pretty painless. Actually the whole process really was physically painless. Yes, she was a bit sore the next day, which they told her she probably would be but it was manageable and within a couple of days she was just fine.<br />
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The whole process took less than a half an hour. Julz was a bit concerned because one of her friends in Fla that got braces was given multiple injections in their gums prior to braces.<br />
Here they are actually glued on to her teeth.<br />
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First, they put this blue numbing agent on your teeth. See the cool shades she's wearing? It's to protect her eyes from the ultraviolet light they use to set the adhesive. After that it's really just a matter of placing the braces on each tooth, running the wire thru and then putting on the brackets. The brackets are the fun part. They get changed out every time you see the orthodontist and come in fun and funky colors. Julz picked pink and purple ones for her first time. We go back again in the beginning of July and she'll get them changed out then.<br />
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Her only real problem is not getting to chew gum for the foreseeable future. If only that was my biggest problem! <br />
They also have lots and lots of reward programs to keep the kids on track ~ all in all a great experience and if you are in the Northern Virginia area and in need of an orthodontist ~ I highly recommend this one!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-90336284628504471772012-04-26T11:44:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:17:33.363-04:00A Favorite Funny StorySo, I have to tell this story because it would be a shame for it to be forgotten. It's one of the older kids' favorites, so here it goes.
Way back in 1992 the family took a little vacation to Orlando, Fla. We were living in Raleigh, NC at the time and the family consisted of Me, Honey, Jen, Alex and Mayla. For those of you who don't know the players here...
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Honey is my darling hubster
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Jen, biological daughter and Mayla, Jen's best friend and unofficially adopted daughter.
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Alex, eldest unofficially adopted daughter ... and yes, all of these girls lived with us off and on. Poor Honey was completely outnumbered.
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Anyway, the five of us pile into the family van and drive down to Orlando. The first day of our vacation we went to Disney's Magic Kingdom. I think we probably got there right when the park opened at 8:00 am and stayed until the park closed around 1:00 am. As we were leaving, Honey spotted a vendor cart selling those delicious cinnamon roasted nuts. Now back then these were a rare treat found only at fairs and festivals and Honey happens to love them. Unfortunately the park and the vendor were closing and they wouldn't sell him any. He was one tired and disappointed Honey.
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The next morning the five of us headed to Universal Studios for a day of fun. We had only been there for a short time when I caught a whiff of something really wonderful ... Could it be?? Yes, it really was. So in my most <strike>demure</strike> ... Who am I kidding... In my loudest most excited voice I yelled .... Wait for it...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>HONEY, I SMELL YOUR NUTS!!!</i> </span><br />
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Now, I realized what was coming out of my mouth but it was too late. The mouth engaged before the brain kicked in... And it was LOUD!
Poor Honey just shook his head and kept walking, not wanting anyone to know that he was the honey of the smelly nuts of which I spoke.<br />
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The girls, well they just lost it. They were laughing so hard they fell on the ground with tears pouring out of their eyes. Me, I just stood there dumbfounded at my own blunder. People walking past just staring at the crazy lady yelling about her husband's smelly junk. Others who miraculously hadn't heard, wondering about the three girls rolling on the ground hysterical.<br />
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Poor Honey has never been able to live this one down, especially since the girls love for me to retell it though.<br />
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There was some payback for me though. A bit later in the day I was shat upon by a very nasty seagull who had apparently been saving it up for someone very special. He flew over my head and let loose a gallon of the most vile and nasty black bird poop ever! It was in my hair, on my face and all over my clothes. I had to literally wash my head in the sink of the women's restroom to get it out. Disgusting!
Needless to say, it's a<br />
vacation we will never forget.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"> </a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-76691225506217397232012-04-25T11:01:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:17:15.834-04:00Chicks with DicksDid you know that I am a "chick with a dick?" My sister was one too. Heck even my mother~in~law and Jen's mother~in~law are chicks with dicks. And it's not something that just runs in my family.
There are lots of chicks with dicks out there including some very famous ones.<br />
<br />
Elizabeth Taylor once had a dick but she got rid of it. It came back again though. Pat Nixon had a dick as well. Even Lucille Ball of "I Love Lucy" fame had a dick. They even showed it on TV back in the day. The completely feminine and beautiful Heather Locklear also had a dick.
I've even got pictures to prove it... Wanna see?
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But no, I'm not talking about some physical oddity. Get your mind out of the gutter right now. Have you guessed? All these women are or were married to men named Richard or some derivative (Rick, Rickie, Dick, etc).
Gotcha! Now get back to work or whatever else you should be doing instead of wasting time reading silly blog post ~ well, after you leave me a comment that is.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-39050258911052833112012-03-27T14:26:00.000-04:002012-05-24T11:17:56.884-04:00I'm So ProudMy niece is just so amazing. She has the sewing bug much like her Auntie Babs (me) but unlike me ~ she is fabulous at clothes and machine embroidery. After seeing her work I'll stick to quilts and purses and such.<br />
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She just recently opened an Etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/PinkPolkaDot1">here</a>. You just have to check it out!<br />
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She started with little girls outfits and she does some great boy stuff too but what has taken off like wildfire are these amazing hooded towels. I had asked her if she would do some embroidered t shirts for Easter for me and she suggested these instead.<br />
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She's got a bunch more coming including a mermaid, a pirate, a walrus and she has even hinted at a flamingo in the works. These towels are full size towels so they are big enough for adults that are just really kids at heart. At $28 they make great personalized gifts. I know if and when the flamingo comes out, it's all mine! I've actually ordered three ~ the bunny, the frog and the shark. I just received the package yesterday and they are even cuter in person, if that is even possible. Check out the embroidered name on the back of Charlie's... <br />
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And speaking of Charlie ~ look at the outfit she made me for Charlie's birthday.. <br />
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Is that not the cutest outfit EVER? I can't wait to see her in it! I had an idea of what I wanted and she just ran with it. She's good that way. <br />
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Wanna know what else she makes that are just too cute for words?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-35837186421560267942012-02-25T11:23:00.000-05:002012-05-24T11:18:16.068-04:00A Bittersweet Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4IlC7H7iXigC8qHgwHZ2aWxjMdU2daT9PI4pYRrbOMR3C_cs2x-HmtwjrJzH4L0Rg-qxNuMJ3D6hxsG1yKT1sMOAyWNviEnDEXzu0UUFQEZ5RZIlTIuOZTCxAcJTu1NAjQUfQzxE2Ng/s1600/paige+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4IlC7H7iXigC8qHgwHZ2aWxjMdU2daT9PI4pYRrbOMR3C_cs2x-HmtwjrJzH4L0Rg-qxNuMJ3D6hxsG1yKT1sMOAyWNviEnDEXzu0UUFQEZ5RZIlTIuOZTCxAcJTu1NAjQUfQzxE2Ng/s320/paige+baby.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
It wasn't my secret to tell - until now. I don't really like secrets. I know sometimes they are necessary but I think most times they do more harm than good. My family has its share. Most have come out over the years. I'm guessing some still remain.<br />
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This particular secret is about two sisters who finally found each other. It all started back in 1969. My sister, who was 18 at the time, met a handsome sailor. I'm not sure how long they dated or even knew each other, but by the time my sister realized she was pregnant, "Smitty" had shipped out to sea, never to be heard from again. So, in March of 1970, my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Back in those days, being a teen mom was not nearly as glamorized as it is on TV these days, and a decision was made to put the baby up for adoption. My parents said it was my sister's decision. My sister says my parents made her give the baby up. I think the truth falls somewhere in between. In any case, it was done and never spoken of again in my family. I was 13 at the time, a bit naive and full of unanswered questions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19MQYI2HMJ3-fhbfB4ullu3OuMdsMHW-mpOsIAGlLT-qa9KRn7PurFkuLO9g8ds2MSGP4XoRMi8-IEKvaP6Xi9RXqTpJB1q_34Faiz9vf8UxTJHpvZyndd-nopt0Hten4-3FJ8P51hW8/s1600/img010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19MQYI2HMJ3-fhbfB4ullu3OuMdsMHW-mpOsIAGlLT-qa9KRn7PurFkuLO9g8ds2MSGP4XoRMi8-IEKvaP6Xi9RXqTpJB1q_34Faiz9vf8UxTJHpvZyndd-nopt0Hten4-3FJ8P51hW8/s320/img010.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
Fast forward to the year 2004. By this point in time, my sister was married and had another beautiful little girl who was now a teenager. They were all happily living in Alabama. Meanwhile her first daughter, now living in California, was considering parenthood and decided to intensify the search for her birth mother, if for no other reason than to get some medical background. She had grown up happy and healthy with amazing adoptive parents.<br />
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To make a long story short, she ended up finding me, her aunt. Although I tried to facilitate a mother and child reunion or at least communication, my sister was just not emotionally equipped to handle it. Besides, she had never told her husband or her daughter about her firstborn child. Sadly, she was never strong enough to complete that connection. It's a shame too. I have been in touch with my niece for almost ten years now, and while she was not looking for a mother (she already had a wonderful one), she would have loved just one conversation with the woman who gave birth to her. I was able to give her the medical information she needed as well as stories and pictures of where she came from, but now, sadly, that conversation would never take place. My sister passed away this past summer, never meeting her first daughter or her only grandson.<br />
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I have had the pleasure of being auntie to both these wonderful women, and for that I will always be grateful. The older sister has known about her younger sister (something she always wanted growing up) since she and I connected. She has watched her from afar via Facebook and my blog....always being careful not to reveal her secret. I so desperately wanted to tell my younger niece about her big sister. They have so much in common, including children that are less then a year apart, but while my sister was alive, it was not my secret to tell. Having conversations with both the girls was always fun and uncannily similar, especially since they were both convinced that I was the one who had given birth to them, not my sister, because we can be so very much alike and really are that close. It was always a challenge for me, though, talking to the younger one. I was always afraid I would slip. <br />
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When my sister passed away unexpectedly this summer, calling my niece in California was so very hard. When I first told her, she was upset, of course. It was later the next morning, I think, when it really hit her hard. I don't think she expected the death of someone she never knew to affect her quite so much. I think she mourned for what could now never be.<br />
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My younger niece, of course, was devastated at the loss of her mother. I'm so glad I could be there for her. Helping her through those days bonded us even closer, I think, if that's at all possible. But now I was faced with the task of revealing a very large secret to her. Obviously, it was too soon while I was in Alabama helping with my sister's arrangements, but she was coming to see me in January and I knew that would be the time to tell her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVbA1XmIuPy_q9LeZ_0xp1toZ0wdMSSOLJrWS7svOfI34VdXsafutZux76GYTii3KBjb6Cc5omkNtNJ2IpXBoyvZv8xLLdFx1Rll0VQqPwhlmcMTHKKzhNU0hHakTt7nrCl0Ka0qKxVA/s1600/Danielle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVbA1XmIuPy_q9LeZ_0xp1toZ0wdMSSOLJrWS7svOfI34VdXsafutZux76GYTii3KBjb6Cc5omkNtNJ2IpXBoyvZv8xLLdFx1Rll0VQqPwhlmcMTHKKzhNU0hHakTt7nrCl0Ka0qKxVA/s320/Danielle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Of course, when I first started to tell her I had a family secret I needed to tell her, she really thought for a second that I was gonna tell her I actually was her birth mother. We had a bit of a chuckle over that, but when I told her she had a sister and the story behind it, I think I could have knocked her over with a feather. Shock is putting it mildly, but she recouped fast and then she cried, just for a few minutes: sad that her sister had grown up without ever knowing her birth mother, sad that my sister had lived with the pain of never knowing her own child, sad they had all missed out on something so wonderful.<br />
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This story does have a happy ending though. The sisters have now connected thanks to the Internet and social media. They are having a wonderful time getting to know each other, sharing pictures and stories of their lives and their families. I know one day we will all get to meet each other, and I am looking forward to that day more than I can say.<br />
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One more little side story here. Remember the post about the two whales I posted <a href="http://tinkquilts.blogspot.com/2010/09/tail-of-two-whales.html">here</a>? Well, they do have a happy ending because one went to the older sister's son and the other to the younger sister's daughter... So someday when these cousins meet, the whales will meet again as well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-11719227304233571372012-02-12T22:15:00.001-05:002012-05-24T11:18:40.954-04:00The Pink Polka Dot Boutique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HPV7G046Ec6KdUOqkxUxLv7V2P7_TeXx6K_7HtSRgQXQq65-TnBMuykJxbk-AzwMAAoteOI31zedk0ivHZlV014DklUgHBOhfa0TGVddlOXeKnFW-NcX6tUWcuzac0HfuWbrG31i_Kc/s1600/summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HPV7G046Ec6KdUOqkxUxLv7V2P7_TeXx6K_7HtSRgQXQq65-TnBMuykJxbk-AzwMAAoteOI31zedk0ivHZlV014DklUgHBOhfa0TGVddlOXeKnFW-NcX6tUWcuzac0HfuWbrG31i_Kc/s320/summer.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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My talented niece Danielle has started a great business doing children's clothes ~ and more importantly custom embroidery for children's clothes. <br />
It's called The Pink Polka Dot Boutique and right now she's doing a give-a-way. As soon as she gets 100 "likes" on her facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/The-Pink-Polka-Dot-Boutique/300097090038396">here</a>, she will do a custom shirt for the winner.<br />
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She's done some amazing stuff for Charlie and I know she'll do great. I'm just hoping to get the word out. She's got a few pics so far on her facebook page and so far one outfit in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92884949/boutique-criss-cross-top-and-ruffle">her Etsy Shop here</a>, but keep checking back cause she's working on quite a few more. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RLIZq_wdvifZHE-lp8QnMAQOKe4CizR4BMM773GRJqK1RFJYTAnhyN8IicIqFcV5MBab3pmHuckYYoB4ADxSpgzqEIQj3xpaLOtd4BID3N9keIt62W8df-1xFlmk2H4jw5358PMpVLg/s1600/jacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RLIZq_wdvifZHE-lp8QnMAQOKe4CizR4BMM773GRJqK1RFJYTAnhyN8IicIqFcV5MBab3pmHuckYYoB4ADxSpgzqEIQj3xpaLOtd4BID3N9keIt62W8df-1xFlmk2H4jw5358PMpVLg/s320/jacob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tell her Auntie Babs sent you! <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4417902204096599970.post-71826382293300247792012-02-06T16:55:00.000-05:002012-05-24T11:19:03.234-04:00It's Not Too Late....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqpweie2B8RMY5eVHTThMBEDuTqLYiTNHG0LruGIBd3SunWBs7l40FlNtb4vDu7hcB7-W_XcLUtAS_jGkfzY1c1h9NopAZckN_lRUoAiXTnhyHw1-fi4jRxgV9ebuJeL5L1KldtTfjGA/s1600/6829435041_309a5071b4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqpweie2B8RMY5eVHTThMBEDuTqLYiTNHG0LruGIBd3SunWBs7l40FlNtb4vDu7hcB7-W_XcLUtAS_jGkfzY1c1h9NopAZckN_lRUoAiXTnhyHw1-fi4jRxgV9ebuJeL5L1KldtTfjGA/s320/6829435041_309a5071b4_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's not to late for a few last minute Valentine's day gifts. I've been working up some new stuff for<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Tinkquilts"> my Etsy Shop</a>. I gave the tea mats to the kids' teachers a couple of years ago and they loved them. Julianne actually made the tissue covers for the shop. Guess this is turning out to be a "family" business.<br />
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I think my favorite are the pillow cases. I think everyday we should celebrate love! I had hoped to get some snappy bags in there too but kinda ran out of time. I have a couple more projects to finish before I head to Raleigh later this week but once I am back I'll be getting some St. Paddy's day stuff into the shop... and before you know it, it'll be Easter. I guess the work never ends.... Glad it's work I love.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33_x1Z3ujUpFxwspQJJdjjSpD5aJNvf7Y47UYFKO5esVjuewFWUP1rwtOIC_KGZxXHfk2ZO9elqp_9YytV58uueeV_4eDUB0iUKd2tGgtRqyw3bE3hKE_bC1nkWx2sMSz8sfCNsmxcHk/s1600/6829431819_d0c8996ef6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33_x1Z3ujUpFxwspQJJdjjSpD5aJNvf7Y47UYFKO5esVjuewFWUP1rwtOIC_KGZxXHfk2ZO9elqp_9YytV58uueeV_4eDUB0iUKd2tGgtRqyw3bE3hKE_bC1nkWx2sMSz8sfCNsmxcHk/s320/6829431819_d0c8996ef6_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hope you'll take a look around and let me know what you think! <br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/176/412D8180B0818716EE911AB9ADE077B5.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" /></a>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14474238571088240739noreply@blogger.com0