tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34147286333989407352024-03-12T20:26:58.892-07:00Melinda's ThoughtsRandom but InspiredMSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-6592368201797927092011-06-23T16:31:00.000-07:002011-06-23T16:47:07.582-07:00Raising Children and Self-Imposed Stress<div>Raising children is very difficult. I find myself thinking, more and more, that I am not very good at it. This week has been particularly stressful, and not so much because of my children, but because of the pressure I have been putting on myself. Need to just turn it all over to God. </div><div> </div><div>First, Luke was asked to go out of town, unexpectedly, which turned a 4 day trip into an 8-day trip. Then, while Luke was out of town, his brother and wife came into town to visit. This was a planned visit; we knew they were coming, and they are actually staying with Luke's mom. But I freaked out over have the house "clean enough" to meet their cleanliness standards (which, I'll just say, are higher than my own). I stayed up until 4 am the night before they arrived, cleaning, and then attempting to sleep. (The cup of coffee I drank at 9pm kicked in and I stared at the clock from 2am on...begging for sleep but...not sleeping.) Consequently, I was exhausted for the next few days, and was trying to manage the kids...who are out of school on summer break...on my own. </div><div> </div><div>And my kids are good, but occassionally hyper. Actually, they are almost always hyper. Or maybe wild at heart? They are easily excited. They wear me out. And I wonder, do all kids act like this? Are other parents questioning their parenting skills?</div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-29931444867247672542009-02-22T11:48:00.000-08:002009-02-22T12:02:12.075-08:00Not workingI have to admit that when Luke was laid off two weeks ago, I was fairly panicked. At this point, with me staying home with the kids, we are a "no income" family. But, it has actually been nice having him home the past few days. The kids think it's fun that Daddy can now take them to school (in the "vroom vroom" car, of course), and they are enjoying spending more time with him. And, the stress of the former job is gone, which is a blessing for all of us, but especially Luke. There are two potential job offers out there, so we're trying to be patient and relax.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-26747651760421251732009-02-22T11:20:00.000-08:002009-02-22T11:47:44.020-08:00Some pictures of the kids...Wyatt and Deacon at church on Valentine's Day<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_CDqkm4qMH_zdLZAJfDOT9y0fnL-_y_wOo0QpV8EQTl3FLgzb64rMobUyyjhrmo7Axp-GIHyCsHpbYJZnoOksiGOS2pcumo1qs4iKRNgednnp2zsVleu56LzQ64_uWmzsJeeB3b2cxui/s1600-h/IMG_0021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305710485477926562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_CDqkm4qMH_zdLZAJfDOT9y0fnL-_y_wOo0QpV8EQTl3FLgzb64rMobUyyjhrmo7Axp-GIHyCsHpbYJZnoOksiGOS2pcumo1qs4iKRNgednnp2zsVleu56LzQ64_uWmzsJeeB3b2cxui/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>From our recent Busch Gardens trip...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaxPjxzbGtPZr1rqZcATCHHSIlxyBKS629iceBBTGk1Wm_ufJ4qOhfkwWnMDsi84ud9rBejjBxptXwhPm5hiTm3eGg5nfQekd8Feu90kD3aKlRsYKaXP5pTlNvZsCZR7EQczdwTwupN2d/s1600-h/IMG_0044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305708344269087090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKaxPjxzbGtPZr1rqZcATCHHSIlxyBKS629iceBBTGk1Wm_ufJ4qOhfkwWnMDsi84ud9rBejjBxptXwhPm5hiTm3eGg5nfQekd8Feu90kD3aKlRsYKaXP5pTlNvZsCZR7EQczdwTwupN2d/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" border="0" /></a> (oops...I was so focused on getting Mom and Deacon that I forgot about the horse's face!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7Zc3aQ0AdyV61_JAVtNBVu79uZE-6Ej7KlaqJIFkt6y4-odmt3QBBhRdCgaXKikWiQgfqPDcvPxXZK7poL-WWxjt17IA7MD7nqRNhU7MTEWLJa4qeKgd5TBWqUQOxADOuZlCl4XWNWlO/s1600-h/IMG_0039.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305708337255612322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7Zc3aQ0AdyV61_JAVtNBVu79uZE-6Ej7KlaqJIFkt6y4-odmt3QBBhRdCgaXKikWiQgfqPDcvPxXZK7poL-WWxjt17IA7MD7nqRNhU7MTEWLJa4qeKgd5TBWqUQOxADOuZlCl4XWNWlO/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" border="0" /></a> (Deacon on the merry-go-round)</div><br /><div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoQUYeU0gFQC9AOrAVfbh5p-Z84-3HB-ASQJMGe8A_Cd9mcKbR4a4kLSdEN7z6WSJW68BofIE-YlBHXu4vFywu7v7xHSX4iOXjEECHmXUfTG2JRDK2NEKBPvDgDS1IY33FZzApaUgqLkz/s1600-h/IMG_0033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305708323954740530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoQUYeU0gFQC9AOrAVfbh5p-Z84-3HB-ASQJMGe8A_Cd9mcKbR4a4kLSdEN7z6WSJW68BofIE-YlBHXu4vFywu7v7xHSX4iOXjEECHmXUfTG2JRDK2NEKBPvDgDS1IY33FZzApaUgqLkz/s320/IMG_0033.JPG" border="0" /></a> (Wyatt, Luke and a giant gorilla. You can guess which is which. :)</div><div></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJkTK2peC7u-jSu_V0i6bfqwTOvQjbAQm_AWb-tE7q9x2QvdHRkjZSh6B3kvpdUn3MtjYg0AZYsjaOeHrNP4Sg25GpEpQNnZLjjQXZ8orTPh5dwg2zcKfgIVfXYi3RNJ4kL6BXNfuoGat/s1600-h/IMG_0022.JPG"></a></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-57649122320758629982009-02-22T11:10:00.000-08:002009-02-22T11:18:04.582-08:00No more New Year's ResolutionsWell, it is only the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> month of the year and I have "broken" every one of the resolutions I had planned for the year. So, I've decided that resolutions are silly and I am not going to make any next year. If a change needs to be made in my life, well by-golly, then I'll have to make it. No need waiting until the "new year."<br /><br />I must say though, that since I received a new camera for my birthday, that I have been a little better about taking pictures (and even some video, too!). Hopefully this trend will continue.<br /><br />Also, I have now decided that it is <em>not</em> easier to eat something healthy every day, but rather easier to cut out bad things. Eating something healthy every day means you have to have healthy things available to eat...and all too often that is (unfortunately) not the case at my house. I totally need to be better about that.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-73240244062103898632009-01-06T16:24:00.000-08:002009-01-06T16:30:45.698-08:00Dreary daysAm I the only one out there who likes dreary days? Does anyone else like overcast skies, with a few scattered, dark clouds that look like they could drop rain or even snow?<br /><br />Strange, I know, but I like those days. I think maybe it's because I spent my younger (formative?) years in Maryland and Michigan, where the weather was a bit different (and more drastic) than here in Florida. I think those dreary days remind me of growing up somewhere else.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-43217181377040923082009-01-06T16:11:00.000-08:002009-01-06T16:24:09.748-08:00Let it snow...Luke says this is crazy talk, but I am ready to move...and to move where it is cooler. I am tired of this warm weather during the winter months. I want seasons, and specifically, I want snow.<br /><br />Luke just looks at me and shakes his head. He tells me I don't know what I'd be getting myself into, and he's probably a wee bit right. But, it doesn't change the fact.<br /><br />I have lived in Florida for 23 years (19 if you subtract the college years in NC), and I will admit that my blood has thinned. In fact, I get cold so easily that I think sometimes I may have water running through my vains. But, the first part of my life, I lived in cooler climates. I was born in Maryland, lived there until I was nine, and then moved to Michigan, where we lived until I was 12 and we moved to Florida. So, it has been a long time since I lived anywhere with significantly cooler weather. And, I will admit that my parents' recollection of Michigan may be a less fond one than mine. I remember snow days and snowmen and skiiing and ice skating on frozen ponds. I think they remember shoveling the driveway and sidewalk, and navigating wet, icy roads in hazardous weather conditions. And having to let the car warm up before they could go anywhere. And even I remember the week that we were without power in the middle of winter and had to go stay in a hotel b/c the house got so cold, and when we came back home our fish had frozen in its bowl.<br /><br />So, yeah, sure, there are setbacks to snowy weather. But I just really want to experience it again. And I want my kids to experience it, too. Snow can be fun.<br /><br />Of course, as I said, Luke thinks I'm crazy. But this is coming from someone who was born in Florida and has never lived anywhere else. So, see, he's been deprived of all the winter adventures. Good and bad.<br /><br />I feel like change is coming...and maybe it'll bring some cooler weather the Granlund way.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-78532400486490128862009-01-01T12:53:00.000-08:002009-01-01T13:04:50.475-08:00Happy New Year!I'm not one for making New Year's Resolutions, but I am going to make three this year.<br /><br />One: To eat something healthy ever day. I figure it's easier to add something in rather than take something out. I need to make some better choices about what I'm putting into my body. I definitely need to eat more fruits and vegetables. And we have two great juicing machines...I need to start using them more often.<br /><br />Two: To update my blog more regularly. hmm...too vague. Maybe...update it once a week?<br /><br />Three: I am not sharing this one here.<br /><br />Mental Note: I was contemplating adding this one as a fourth resolution, but that would just be too many to keep track of. So this is more of a "note to self." ---- Take more pictures. And definitely more non-posed pictures. Those are the really good ones, when you catch a true smile or a moment of reflection. I'm tired of all my pictures being posed just right with everyone smiling. Who smiles all the time? It's silly to try to capture the perfect picture every time.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-37648686805047343592008-11-04T12:39:00.000-08:002008-11-04T13:07:46.381-08:00Exhilirating<div>I waved my Obama sign this morning at the corner of a very congested intersection in Orange Park (Blanding and Kingsley, for those of you who know the area). And I must say, it was incredibly fun. </div><div><br /> </div><div>I was with a small group of Obama supporters (there were 5 people when I got there, but by the time I left, there were about 15 of us). Of course, there were McCain folks on the same corner, but down a bit. They were nasty (called one of the Obama volunteers a "baby killer," to her face; totally uncalled for), and they kept trying to edge in on us. But, the "Yes We Can" crowd held our ground. </div><div><br /> </div><div>I was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction the Obama team seemed to receive. We got lots of honks, cheers, and thumbs-up. And, actually, it seemed as if we were getting more honks than the McCain crowd. But, since we were standing so close together, it was a little hard to tell. </div><div><br /> </div><div>The enthusiasm was really infectious among the Obama crowd. I absolutely loved being out there and part of the group. Every time somebody honked and waved, our group would yell and cheer even louder. It was terrific. </div><div><br /> </div><div>Of course, we did get some negative reactions, too. There were a few thumbs-down, a number of middle fingers, two shouts of "get a job," and somebody called us a bunch of "g--d--- communists." But I just laughed and blew kisses to those people. Like I said, it was totally fun.</div><div><br /> </div><div>Well, I promised the boys an election party tonight, so we're off to the store to get some balloons. I hope we'll be celebrating Obama's victory, but either way we'll be celebrating the end of George Bush's reign. It's all good.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW8MgH4Z53Et9Qpj9eVdER4PACe-3abCS1hKSKpwl8pOLCmnI55tuN8VR-I4KX1q4FrQW3vVbsfGCCwkqTvmUZWrhPibIx9eR1_ZoICN6WTfZrssvGHvfSXutkxsNQYTqiaOzSMP2iY5D/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264909957422895858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmW8MgH4Z53Et9Qpj9eVdER4PACe-3abCS1hKSKpwl8pOLCmnI55tuN8VR-I4KX1q4FrQW3vVbsfGCCwkqTvmUZWrhPibIx9eR1_ZoICN6WTfZrssvGHvfSXutkxsNQYTqiaOzSMP2iY5D/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><br /><div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-34792890714953255092008-11-03T10:20:00.000-08:002008-11-03T10:43:46.557-08:00Much fun at Sea World<div><strong>We took a family trip to Sea World last weekend. Luke's mom, Frances, went with us, and everyone had a good time. </strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>They have a great kids' section at Sea World ("Shamu's Happy Harbor"), and even Deacon could ride most of the rides. Wyatt, who has NO fear, loved the Shamu roller coaster. We got there early Sunday morning (the park was almost empty), and Wyatt and Luke got to ride the roller coaster three times in a row without having to get off. I'm pretty sure that was the highlight of his trip.</strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>We also got to take Wyatt on a grown-up ride, the Journey to Atlantis (the log flume/water ride). Looking back, it might not have been the best move as a parent to take a small, 4-year-old on said ride. I'll admit, I was a bit scared while in the "boat." There are some big drops on that ride. But, Wyatt loved it. He had a huge grin on his face after it was over and asked to ride it again, so I guess that means he liked it.</strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>(Some if the pictures are in sepia tone because we gave Wyatt the camera and didn't realize he'd changed the settings.)</strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong></strong></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264502414399788130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyxZgmf6kMzKPflgdD0kzmDyAP8sXk9C4nxizQpO2pFmQg_Gx0gWfrovgZ-Udg5TLw0Oe3RxuVqe582cvj3s0KGx2m4_oXkKAxPpJdFePUMXMf0HeOKslfzm-ueFK46tGbi1_Vbwhmp9e/s320/sea+world+038.JPG" border="0" /> The "boys" waiting in line to get in the park.<br /><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcLTet2q0FOXL9AcK6wVvIGkhJ4oJAXXfVhyk0ZklCKFfv0bGHFM7DyQkl8EHHThBaFpd5Mrgb21-mXA0HF2O2EZ9Bvi8F8r9xlxpkxCPweuZOBLogr6roi2tbBgzf_6h4g3aQ8cy6ceZ/s1600-h/sea+world+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264499526270068946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcLTet2q0FOXL9AcK6wVvIGkhJ4oJAXXfVhyk0ZklCKFfv0bGHFM7DyQkl8EHHThBaFpd5Mrgb21-mXA0HF2O2EZ9Bvi8F8r9xlxpkxCPweuZOBLogr6roi2tbBgzf_6h4g3aQ8cy6ceZ/s320/sea+world+024.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wyatt took mommy's picture.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5StSm0YPBZJi1y3x5tPVNhF47ivoqoLGvl3djvOMufUxVKQM146KlY2-m-v2xfinik8S-a8_9Ax6gGk-RXL2fDokkUXpGGvqG7hnB4UVzOPFFnsh_VzdAOhB2JvDY2z8J7d4XAHX_f64/s1600-h/sea+world+049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264499514874587330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5StSm0YPBZJi1y3x5tPVNhF47ivoqoLGvl3djvOMufUxVKQM146KlY2-m-v2xfinik8S-a8_9Ax6gGk-RXL2fDokkUXpGGvqG7hnB4UVzOPFFnsh_VzdAOhB2JvDY2z8J7d4XAHX_f64/s320/sea+world+049.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wyatt catches Melinda and Luke hammin' it up!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><strong></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM01FjJdHalah5aYZmOCFVRx_1BWGcfFJ_Z9o8A9hS80YijOurbZCtJYcbVpmapUMddS0PxXO-_ibu7VlMM2TdEKArmi0UQPReHFXNCwP4X3LP20Md2wpZMpeW_sFkqexWrA5UDoyw_nXg/s1600-h/sea+world+008.JPG"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264499483812893538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM01FjJdHalah5aYZmOCFVRx_1BWGcfFJ_Z9o8A9hS80YijOurbZCtJYcbVpmapUMddS0PxXO-_ibu7VlMM2TdEKArmi0UQPReHFXNCwP4X3LP20Md2wpZMpeW_sFkqexWrA5UDoyw_nXg/s320/sea+world+008.JPG" border="0" /></strong></a> Wyatt "sky-high" on a trampoline.<br /><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264499496313539282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuusozYtd_rV8PGKXwrNIbe8yQOxfj2h5PMizhvdLlfdSapXUAT-mgP4aHPJAyX6aQhbm7A1qSDMppUQBTRvMxgTIkcuAGch2-A3J7yqrcjRFZ4SUgp-TkbWjJV6jAZdmoqhmqh83SUFQ/s320/sea+world+028.JPG" border="0" /> Probably my favorite photo.... :) Luke's mom was a </div><div> real trooper! </div></div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-20700828911696296892008-11-03T08:21:00.001-08:002008-11-03T10:14:51.059-08:00More fun at Sea WorldMore pictures....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhaq7EqBK6KxX_38A40y0lQTkv8DPb-v5GecfW8g-TheCLKkNp5m4khvaQy56LhL7tifVF6NYZq3-O__zuYeqa6c-Do9lf92QzP1cPikmot9arGAs1JOid19AVJ7_b5rFen83tNgzGHOp/s1600-h/sea+world+074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468835229419650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhaq7EqBK6KxX_38A40y0lQTkv8DPb-v5GecfW8g-TheCLKkNp5m4khvaQy56LhL7tifVF6NYZq3-O__zuYeqa6c-Do9lf92QzP1cPikmot9arGAs1JOid19AVJ7_b5rFen83tNgzGHOp/s320/sea+world+074.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wyatt on the merry-go-round.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh1KJ5StucaW67yyA1C5yG5iNS34m23tEObUoItHoeuDi3n5F3U8GZPAgtJ1RBnBxa4FXfXetjmpeAEQB4LuC3BRZEsrfpk73Ter56Rgv1hkL3BiDH1uquFPGcdpwg7aHiYiaKQ781FLX/s1600-h/sea+world+064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468823135392418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYh1KJ5StucaW67yyA1C5yG5iNS34m23tEObUoItHoeuDi3n5F3U8GZPAgtJ1RBnBxa4FXfXetjmpeAEQB4LuC3BRZEsrfpk73Ter56Rgv1hkL3BiDH1uquFPGcdpwg7aHiYiaKQ781FLX/s320/sea+world+064.JPG" border="0" /></a> Deacon playing in the giant sand box.</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpskk0oo9zBy4teOQpOeVLCwb7qfZPe7B5Sdrq0VJTuosvGRDEFM19pBiSBT7wCw8NvpFJol9lo4jy5ZXE6LdwPQYBvKPVPeAx2ptGa7lL9EyEVkDeHbScHke8rChXxZEb-p2CKd3v2Txq/s1600-h/sea+world+056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468812350610866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpskk0oo9zBy4teOQpOeVLCwb7qfZPe7B5Sdrq0VJTuosvGRDEFM19pBiSBT7wCw8NvpFJol9lo4jy5ZXE6LdwPQYBvKPVPeAx2ptGa7lL9EyEVkDeHbScHke8rChXxZEb-p2CKd3v2Txq/s320/sea+world+056.JPG" border="0" /></a> Riding the whales....</div><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjch4kWTnxjp7KfR71QTscCSRxAku7MNUn8zoQ-cTFhfQYKrptjBG71QMNn4omGeAM_3SUSjMvUgvEmiLBiPUGS_ONoYABuUYm3XidvYLAbb-nAXIHK4WIAqeNDcNx-U3JVEfROUwx9ztTx/s1600-h/sea+world+053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468807214799426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjch4kWTnxjp7KfR71QTscCSRxAku7MNUn8zoQ-cTFhfQYKrptjBG71QMNn4omGeAM_3SUSjMvUgvEmiLBiPUGS_ONoYABuUYm3XidvYLAbb-nAXIHK4WIAqeNDcNx-U3JVEfROUwx9ztTx/s320/sea+world+053.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the nose...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR8ujcri4ere6rcgI93-YgOFAjL6Kj5vt8EKmz3WHBfurcsVDW6i2ic3HNPSov_gF6_KSJxAAhB7Zd7IkZ6mKwB8M3sIVTbp8Lv2LO-xvjVhBPWpI5xRIyqxY_1OI9ST3DrcHn89dxatV/s1600-h/sea+world+040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264468790689263858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrR8ujcri4ere6rcgI93-YgOFAjL6Kj5vt8EKmz3WHBfurcsVDW6i2ic3HNPSov_gF6_KSJxAAhB7Zd7IkZ6mKwB8M3sIVTbp8Lv2LO-xvjVhBPWpI5xRIyqxY_1OI9ST3DrcHn89dxatV/s320/sea+world+040.JPG" border="0" /></a> Not to sure if Deacon is unhappy about the </div><div> scarecrow, or if he's practicing for the roller coaster.<br /><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-70037388616082377572008-11-03T07:40:00.000-08:002008-11-03T07:44:22.734-08:00TomorrowI'm so excited about tomorrow I can barely stand it. Aaaaahhhhhh! I just want it to be 9:00pm tomorrow night so that I can break open the bubbly and start the party.<br /><br />And if for some reason the election is stolen from us, well...I don't even want to think about it.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-30493815889590503882008-11-02T15:31:00.000-08:002008-11-02T15:40:16.640-08:00Cowcat "Granlund" updateWell, Cowcat was still hanging around after we returned from Sea World. So...we "caught" her, brought her inside on Sunday night, and Monday we took her to the clinic. She's been spayed and had her shots, so I guess she's ours now. The boys love her, and I have to admit I was so happy when I saw her in our backyard on Sunday night (the night we returned from our trip.)<br /><br />Update: She's been with us for a week now, and things are going fine. But, I did make the mistake of letting her out with us in the backyard on Thursday while we were playing. She stayed in the backyard for a while, chasing lizards and trying to catch a mole, but eventually I looked over and she was gone. We have a hole in our fence, and I suspect she took full advantage of it and decided to visit some of her old haunts. She was gone for about 5 hours. I was worried sick, kept checking outside every 5 minutes. But, Luke found her (in the neighbor's yard) when he got home.<br /><br />Guess I should look into getting her a collar.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-6766584204822208032008-10-31T13:56:00.000-07:002008-10-31T13:58:06.598-07:00Is it......Tuesday yet??? I'm ready for this to be over.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(Go Obama!)</span>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-15790911499019987132008-10-18T20:09:00.000-07:002008-10-18T20:26:45.765-07:00OldOk, so I was knocking on doors this evening, encouraging folks to vote for Obama. And, because this was my first time canvassing, I was paired up with another volunteer. He was a young guy, and we were just making chit-chat as we walked. I asked him what his "day job" was, and he said he was a high school senior.<br /><br />And right then...I felt really old. I am twice as old as he is.<br /><br />(In fact, he won't turn 18 until 4 days after the election. He can't even vote! Talk about dedication to a candidate.)MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-61655318480089656172008-10-18T10:23:00.000-07:002008-10-18T20:08:45.736-07:00Cat update<div>We've decided to keep Cowcat. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qaEAxcMoG6ZNXUCo_seHx5D9t0YDpcP_GXOBNG8RGT_WMdZet-bQJc70W3WbDJh56BFt72PnS1AZELrz9xkK-VufwGLm91SPCCm5VZhsYhGz8MXJ9ciFwDMun11ZBzz_iR7YTKivxGQD/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258581091044517202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qaEAxcMoG6ZNXUCo_seHx5D9t0YDpcP_GXOBNG8RGT_WMdZet-bQJc70W3WbDJh56BFt72PnS1AZELrz9xkK-VufwGLm91SPCCm5VZhsYhGz8MXJ9ciFwDMun11ZBzz_iR7YTKivxGQD/s320/045.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div>I visited the home where I thought her "other" owners lived, and I learned that she isn't their cat either. They told me that she just showed up one day and that they had fed her out of pity. They gave me their blessing to keep her, so I feel much better knowing that we've aren't pursuing someone else's cat (that I know of). </div><br /><div><br />We've ordered flea medication for her, and we've made an appointment to take her to the vet for spaying and shots in two weeks.<br /></div></div><br /><div>I want to have her spayed now, but we're taking a vacation to Sea World next week, and the idea of leaving a strange cat in the house, with our other cat, didn't seem appealing. So, the day after we get back is the day she goes to the vet. I just hope she's still around by then. (fingers crossed)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTdZlCmWmhCtleSlufbAfv6F5bw_7iGfrVbM1Gu8BQH_WJkrKaCfTm2I0CF5Hesx6xsDIftASOJyQ8eP28bhTfVNKGWy03xORmfuBp4CQbCnVnTJ1ga6nEb1aYwwT9FByJm9i5w8FBuwP/s1600-h/050.JPG"></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaPaURf39VtdOFIi6EftOhpQUsZLW1kLRmMxBosMjPHd2khrTNb659kHyZgICbnnsoaei2Pav3WEJ0XbCyOhz-JoniXdwz4cYMc1_dVTIeMY-urzSgBBEtqxqdwoG5JEI54hHywDH_Yst/s1600-h/053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258696110633127410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaPaURf39VtdOFIi6EftOhpQUsZLW1kLRmMxBosMjPHd2khrTNb659kHyZgICbnnsoaei2Pav3WEJ0XbCyOhz-JoniXdwz4cYMc1_dVTIeMY-urzSgBBEtqxqdwoG5JEI54hHywDH_Yst/s320/053.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqiN1FFY9iV3Wm0C2VJ0uO4Tale-Cx5jHi3gMCBl9JyQuncMMOlicVWJ_0Orcf0KJcfRFoPEfJvGhIbnszXFqO26JACMl7WO3ZPe82f2efMNoS5vwiIXy0XahV5h50_HoOQ7GFmFRh0sF/s1600-h/040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258581088586397394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqiN1FFY9iV3Wm0C2VJ0uO4Tale-Cx5jHi3gMCBl9JyQuncMMOlicVWJ_0Orcf0KJcfRFoPEfJvGhIbnszXFqO26JACMl7WO3ZPe82f2efMNoS5vwiIXy0XahV5h50_HoOQ7GFmFRh0sF/s320/040.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-64544280137847743652008-10-18T10:22:00.000-07:002008-10-18T20:03:40.895-07:00DoorsI am knocking on doors today for the Obama campaign. Should be interesting. I'll let you know how it goes.<br /><br /> <em>Update: I was scheduled to volunteer between 4 and 6. I went to the Obama headquarters and was then directed to a "staging area." The staging area was the house of a volunteer who had agreed to open her home to volunteers to meet, eat, share notes, etc. Sort of a home-base for volunteers who are out canvassing neighborhoods. So, I went to said house, which happened to be in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Loche</span> Raine, where I met some members from Team Two. They compared notes about the people they had met during the day. (Some of them had been canvassing since 10:00am!) Then, we were off for more canvassing. We were sent to the Red Oaks subdivision off of Moody. The group I was with knocked on 15 doors in the neighborhood, but only 5 people answered their door. Everyone was friendly. (These were people who had donated to democrats in the past or who were registered democrats.) We were encouraging them to vote early (starts on the 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>!) and avoid the lines. After that, it was about 6pm, and my volunteer time was over. It was fun and I'd like to do it again. Luke said he's worried I'll run across some racist <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">nutjob</span> who'll try to do me harm, but I doubt it. These are democrats, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">afterall</span>. :)</em>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-85252726062225030432008-10-07T05:56:00.000-07:002008-10-08T06:55:17.269-07:00A new cat??A neighborhood kitten seems to have adopted us. We call her "CowCat" because Luke says her coloring looks like that of a dairy cow.<br /><br />I'm guessing she's only a few months old because she is small, and somewhat skinny, but she's starting to enter that phase where she's more legs than anything else.<br /><br />We made the big mistake of putting some food out for her on the porch, and now she won't go back to her "other" home (across the street and 5 houses down). She appears to be an outdoor cat.<br /><br />The boys love her. She is very friendly, and small enough that the boys can pick her up. (Our current cat, Chessie, is too big and heavy for them to pick up, plus, she's not crazy about the kids and wouldn't stay still long enough for them to actually try to pick her up.)<br /><br />I'm not sure what to do about CowCat. She's sweet, and it's become a game for her to run inside when we open the front door. The boys think this is hilarious. They like to feed her and pet her. But, she's not ours. I don't know if her other household is missing her, or it they could care less that she spends more time with us.<br /><br />I also don't know if her current owners have given her any shots, or had her fixed, or given her any flea treatments. I'd give her some our flea treatment, except I don't want to overdose her.<br /><br />But most importantly, I don't know if I <em>want </em>another cat. For those of you who know us, we've lost three animals this year. One other cat and two dogs. It's been a rough year for the animals at our house, and we are getting used to having just Chessie around. I'm just not sure if I want to add another animal into the mix at this point.<br /><br />A picture will come shortly.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-65245106116059454882008-10-07T05:47:00.000-07:002008-10-07T05:56:30.673-07:00UpgradingWell, our TV started acting funky a week or two ago, with black lines running across the screen. And then last week, it stopped working, intermittently. I didn't mind watching through the lines, but when the TV would shut itself off, that was rather annoying.<br /><br />Luke, of course, was ecstatic about this turn of events. "Gee, honey, I guess we're going to have to get a new TV," he said with a huge smile. "That's too bad. But hey, while we're at it, we might as well upgrade to HDTV." He is thrilled about the prospect of watching the Jags play in high def.<br /><br />The sad part is that we will have to give up our Tivo because our current Tivo system is not compatible with all the new, upgraded equipment. We love Tivo. I don't know when I last watched a commercial. The new TV will have DVR capabilities, too, but I've heard it's not as good as Tivo. :(<br /><br />The new TV arrives on Thursday.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-53877165266061958722008-09-29T04:24:00.000-07:002008-09-29T04:41:16.141-07:00silence<div>What is it about that early morning quiet that is so appealing? When you step outside in the early morning, as sunlight has barely begun to infuse the air, before the rest of the world is up and out, it is so peaceful.<br /><br />The boys spent the night with their grandparents last night, and Luke had to leave early for a trip this morning. After Luke left, I sat on the front porch and just enjoyed the world slowly coming awake. It was so peaceful.<br /><br />And of course, a good cup of coffee makes such a morning just about perfect. </div><div> </div><div> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbAq_Ddp4C3gDpxDmgazQqiOM0V2ge4IL_Ka1OZ8RHtBNXJPQ-y-desW_f4vdGJsOywLMggV3ori05R8a_g6Z1_awfflG40g9qSz4QsDyZ8IOpdV2jvCwtTau-G-jqC5gV0AH_Yj-drN-/s1600-h/443762802_a1b817a8d3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251406766469699986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbAq_Ddp4C3gDpxDmgazQqiOM0V2ge4IL_Ka1OZ8RHtBNXJPQ-y-desW_f4vdGJsOywLMggV3ori05R8a_g6Z1_awfflG40g9qSz4QsDyZ8IOpdV2jvCwtTau-G-jqC5gV0AH_Yj-drN-/s200/443762802_a1b817a8d3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-2399766296636127492008-09-29T00:19:00.000-07:002008-10-07T06:21:58.985-07:00Yard sign updateAs I stepped off my front porch yesterday, I noticed something laying in the grass next to our Obama sign. I wandered down the sidewalk to take a look, and saw this.<br /><br /><p><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251449001273947730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OFmkvkrXQapD-OceNZhGXa1yPUNuhqO75TzpJAZwRHYmIbUmqvq9tjNIQbOgrot7Og22Kbh6XWpZnM6Fxve0HkfPm8JyBOy_iTHMFCsd-JUypbwcC28xdKEk7XA3BxAJq5i4sOlFxtPP/s320/004.JPG" border="0" /><br />Obviously, one of the signs was removed.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-51391627311813371282008-09-29T00:12:00.000-07:002008-09-29T00:19:37.405-07:00bad movieTropic Thunder is a terrible movie. I felt like I was actively losing brain cells the longer I sat in the theater and watched it. I mean, it is seriously bad. And we weren't looking for intellectually stimulating entertainment either; rather we just wanted to see something funny and slightly mindless to take our minds off job worries. But this was not that movie.<br /><br />Luke and I recruited my parents to watch the boys so we could have a night off, and I can't believe we wasted our evening out on such ridiculousness.<br /><br />We walked out after the panda scene.MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-87877118672808279862008-09-27T12:21:00.000-07:002008-09-27T12:46:09.331-07:00Butterflies!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRZQSdDzx35fU8lsVo4R_WYZI96bX5UDkJYQqlxA8ANGEukLBJTiJic_u3GVjTzvXBfDdGLZ0NMSeQVC3G8P49shB40oECy-3_XWJiijLRy_lCOLB5xe64mHcEc9HQia_U-hWMGiA18RP/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250788511537702434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRZQSdDzx35fU8lsVo4R_WYZI96bX5UDkJYQqlxA8ANGEukLBJTiJic_u3GVjTzvXBfDdGLZ0NMSeQVC3G8P49shB40oECy-3_XWJiijLRy_lCOLB5xe64mHcEc9HQia_U-hWMGiA18RP/s320/003.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>Wyatt received a really cool birthday present this year...a Butterfly Treehouse. It's basically a kit to raise butterflies, from the larva stage. You order the larvae, and they arrive arrive by mail in a small cup filled with larvae food. The larvae (caterpillars) seem to double in size every day, and it was very fun to watch them grow and spin silk. After about 7 days, they crawl to the top of the cup and hang upside down. The next day, they had formed chrysalides. </div><div> </div><div>It was awesome to watch. They stayed in their chrysalides for another 7 days or so, and then they emerged as butterflies. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5QnxMxYE1pmDS9uFBf5bLgYS8WZIy_SOUBLtjgrINRb2mPsJijIjKfVk8vMq360rw3BDmoDw4aa19u0rnJUSDaMP57OuBfDeu-AHdtLZXk8uVo46kBsTumxvDMzOPawGnQOV9UZ1ubbk/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250788525431620514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5QnxMxYE1pmDS9uFBf5bLgYS8WZIy_SOUBLtjgrINRb2mPsJijIjKfVk8vMq360rw3BDmoDw4aa19u0rnJUSDaMP57OuBfDeu-AHdtLZXk8uVo46kBsTumxvDMzOPawGnQOV9UZ1ubbk/s320/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>The whole family really enjoyed checking on the caterpillars and butterflies every day. We kept the butterflies in their "treehouse" for 2 days, and then we let them go today. They were called "painted ladies." I snapped a couple of pictures. I think we will probably order some more caterpillars again (you can reuse the butterfly house after cleaning it).</div><div> </div><div> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiD9z-G5J_c-l8CDztuKpnRoM1SNkgmni0YTX0echpI8dOfzzOpdTI4dfXvsvYKzIyeF0xokWzbUSdFVu8lEpJVIz9hKc5z05CeCA8kWsqJmTDxVew_01f-fPmNqTgRxyt4JaxJ75s7uD/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250788520814523346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiD9z-G5J_c-l8CDztuKpnRoM1SNkgmni0YTX0echpI8dOfzzOpdTI4dfXvsvYKzIyeF0xokWzbUSdFVu8lEpJVIz9hKc5z05CeCA8kWsqJmTDxVew_01f-fPmNqTgRxyt4JaxJ75s7uD/s320/004.JPG" border="0" /></a>Hint: If you decide to release your butterflies outside, make sure there are no lizards in the immediate vicinity. Apparently, lizards enjoy eating butterflies. I was horrified to watch one of "my" butterflies be devoured by a hungry, lurking lizard. The circle of life I suppose.</div><div></div><br /><div>Thanks, Becky, for a great gift. We all enjoyed it.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0HUjo8ENkPdz6LoXwsC8S90gqYiY5bG0WOfOKDyrUFn7BP_n8SGF4Jx_cQSUTM1DXSUf0azGGrgMMfFXZeBl0XwwfHJDD1JSLpATwr9zTdYtifNjiPEOoXX7TiHc9U9Am9sibJ_hNa8N/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250788532541015634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0HUjo8ENkPdz6LoXwsC8S90gqYiY5bG0WOfOKDyrUFn7BP_n8SGF4Jx_cQSUTM1DXSUf0azGGrgMMfFXZeBl0XwwfHJDD1JSLpATwr9zTdYtifNjiPEOoXX7TiHc9U9Am9sibJ_hNa8N/s320/012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EZHz1aqEnWADN9Mem6KLauR1wAK6GVXMXsVhmD859vM1Ll3ZLVoOzEExXid2NAZ1NfaGtmpZcsJqVp_MamzjLtiRWdADIlqjvDm6Pbm4xGjX_KUGRB9QnVD5QRDYryfQ8usa2xg_4ERG/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250788539779863346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EZHz1aqEnWADN9Mem6KLauR1wAK6GVXMXsVhmD859vM1Ll3ZLVoOzEExXid2NAZ1NfaGtmpZcsJqVp_MamzjLtiRWdADIlqjvDm6Pbm4xGjX_KUGRB9QnVD5QRDYryfQ8usa2xg_4ERG/s320/013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-67274547638866869202008-09-19T13:37:00.000-07:002008-09-19T13:40:32.215-07:00Pillow Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuMGmszD8gvnSgGWOVwM6h01PnCC7pxQAaZDtpJpyU7RUL7jsnJEHDb-EOnbqdIx_vCddcPwafRLPnBQ6kJQDdXAYVyoY1r3wS5zVUMIcz1BpjVQ4-3v7y5tNuBjRFU7QxYhaBJlNvZWK/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247835027652523682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuMGmszD8gvnSgGWOVwM6h01PnCC7pxQAaZDtpJpyU7RUL7jsnJEHDb-EOnbqdIx_vCddcPwafRLPnBQ6kJQDdXAYVyoY1r3wS5zVUMIcz1BpjVQ4-3v7y5tNuBjRFU7QxYhaBJlNvZWK/s200/001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrdefvZkHL1cz_W4sQh71z40hf8KeW36t-AXEIIMHTkS34VUXgNHgP9AHFmct6yVfdZCUMlC-ppEWzsTtDmbQDcV52P0RzqjdPf_wKGDC2on69xIl3dKUwBnxjQLHaFfBERJ27kxnIf5p/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247835041676876130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrrdefvZkHL1cz_W4sQh71z40hf8KeW36t-AXEIIMHTkS34VUXgNHgP9AHFmct6yVfdZCUMlC-ppEWzsTtDmbQDcV52P0RzqjdPf_wKGDC2on69xIl3dKUwBnxjQLHaFfBERJ27kxnIf5p/s200/002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-7573928850452699782008-09-18T16:37:00.001-07:002008-09-18T16:38:24.027-07:00YES!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbBNMOj9ehXWfJWfRzLU2qN5xESsNgU-uYdXFYFIWUD69mQBcjC_Y593c8V92y2plZQt4sC3rR_jd6MJkcC-JAjJGgdxIvP6zlKEilQUMEcxUVAxQGN6eL7-mIUrqiO87r1I6fa3P0Bhb/s1600-h/0918_mainchart.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247509769955482690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbBNMOj9ehXWfJWfRzLU2qN5xESsNgU-uYdXFYFIWUD69mQBcjC_Y593c8V92y2plZQt4sC3rR_jd6MJkcC-JAjJGgdxIvP6zlKEilQUMEcxUVAxQGN6eL7-mIUrqiO87r1I6fa3P0Bhb/s320/0918_mainchart.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3414728633398940735.post-26186647001620345972008-09-16T12:38:00.000-07:002008-09-16T13:04:46.648-07:00What do the polls say?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWCPiLpuSV3qJAUrXltVwfRwp6luBwj47X3fRbFtpjKFf37wz1WqmsKCLS-I9FhXnojPqvQcaoWUzpfebmySDR2T18A-7R6y5k2chF31Lg08M-ZiOF_m6o5pPQ7O-YZjpcUODjKO-_Epb/s1600-h/0915_mainchart.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246712048475306002" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWCPiLpuSV3qJAUrXltVwfRwp6luBwj47X3fRbFtpjKFf37wz1WqmsKCLS-I9FhXnojPqvQcaoWUzpfebmySDR2T18A-7R6y5k2chF31Lg08M-ZiOF_m6o5pPQ7O-YZjpcUODjKO-_Epb/s320/0915_mainchart.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>I've become somewhat obsessed with a new web site I discovered the other day about presidential preference polls. It's updated every day, sometimes several times a day, and provides summary and analysis of the numerous polls that are being conducted on a regular basis. <a href="http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/">http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>At this point, things aren't looking too good for my man, Obama. (Notice the electoral college projections.) But, a lot can happen in 50 days.<br /><br /></div><div>There's a great deal of other information and statistics on the site, too. Check it out.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>MSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14526916964639309840noreply@blogger.com0