tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76143501817571948592024-03-16T03:08:37.520-04:00SmithellaneousAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.comBlogger920125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-65332128152081533992013-02-08T14:39:00.004-05:002013-09-27T17:02:18.004-04:00<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
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Make yourself to home. Put your feet up! Sit a spell! Be happy!</span><br />
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And when you're done looking around here, feel free to head on over to <a href="http://www.smithellaneous.com/" target="_blank">Smithellaneous</a> which is where I write on a regular basis. (The blog where you are right now consists of all my older, classic posts.)</span><br />
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Enjoy your stay!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-1214242526922624002012-01-09T10:34:00.002-05:002013-09-27T17:03:29.379-04:00Swooning and Bicycles and GoodbyesOkay. I’m still working over at the new blog (smithellaneous.com) but it takes me forever to figure out how to post there and I still have no idea how to add pictures. So for the next few days, I’ll continue to post here while getting everything figured out.<br />
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I was hoping to be able to work on the new blog “off line” so that everyone wouldn’t see all my ridiculous attempts at layout and color choice and blog theme but alas, that doesn’t seem to be possible. So whenever you pop on over to smithellaneous.com just remember that it is very much a work in progress and I currently have no idea what I’m doing.<br />
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Okay? Okay.<br />
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Here are a few final pictures from Nathan and Meagan’s Christmas visit.<br />
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On Christmas Sunday, we gave our Worship Team the morning off; Steve and I were just going to lead the music ourselves but then Nathan and Meagan volunteered to help and we had us a pretty good little band goin’ on!<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vOngN3-9dFg/TwsIY6jiNII/AAAAAAAAcoU/3g2JGf6kcfE/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520249%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas2 2011 249" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YMmUzZnuhEQ/TwsIaCFO-oI/AAAAAAAAcoc/Qj8OsHRqmwY/christmas2%2525202011%252520249_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="christmas2 2011 249" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GGJfjWmRPfo/TwsIbfPg9xI/AAAAAAAAcok/eXsRVlxtfWk/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520254%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas2 2011 254" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4c7lOAGXCaQ/TwsIcZ9zm4I/AAAAAAAAcos/lzoyZw97gbQ/christmas2%2525202011%252520254_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="christmas2 2011 254" width="644" /></a><br />
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Here are the “Smith Kids” leaving the church after service. I have no idea what Nathan and Meagan were up to but they were obviously doing their usual good job of having a good time—whenever, wherever.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fmP7if6CY30/TwsIeA6SstI/AAAAAAAAco0/ghbOe6_xxgs/s1600-h/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520064%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc small camera nate and meg 064" border="0" height="460" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GnTVtrtm49Q/TwsIflaigbI/AAAAAAAAco8/_GGFjeHp5Js/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520064_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc small camera nate and meg 064" width="644" /></a><br />
Our favorite son. Meagan said she positively swoons when she looks at this picture. She is a veritable Swoonin’ Smith!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qgf2oECYA-4/TwsIgq2tuQI/AAAAAAAAcpE/DOGbQ3caFIw/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520285%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas2 2011 285" border="0" height="461" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-61ZUwwpj9wU/TwsIiGd8M0I/AAAAAAAAcpM/Fv7hjq6AyRs/christmas2%2525202011%252520285_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="christmas2 2011 285" width="644" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5e9IIK8vvTI/TwsIjlCuQkI/AAAAAAAAcpU/gjvYYvc1Azc/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520288%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas2 2011 288" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sr9ncVJ6VCc/TwsIk5nJY9I/AAAAAAAAcpc/Uh0WQ1WKB-g/christmas2%2525202011%252520288_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="christmas2 2011 288" width="644" /></a><br />
During their visit, we celebrated Meagan’s 24th birthday one week late.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6wXB-b11_LQ/TwsIlwfp7fI/AAAAAAAAcpk/AtJc28X-mss/s1600-h/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc nate and meg visit 030" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VysG_zzPKMQ/TwsInI73qFI/AAAAAAAAcps/nTKpjVS833c/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc nate and meg visit 030" width="644" /></a><br />
The Hawley family always does amazing centerpieces for their family members’ birthdays and I was feeling the pressure to put together something lovely. Imagine my happiness when I made a quick swing through the thrift store and found these sparkly things for next to nothing. It’s not quite Hawley-esque but it was pretty good for having been put together by a non-center-piece-making woman.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ueq6BYM_Ifs/TwsIrKva6eI/AAAAAAAAcp0/VW23sBR6Q08/s1600-h/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc nate and meg visit 032" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4zujv74J80w/TwsIsjFCc5I/AAAAAAAAcp8/GSWpzpAVWuY/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc nate and meg visit 032" width="644" /></a><br />
It was Meagan’s first chance to wear the famous Smith Birthday Hat. Doesn’t she look excited?<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O2F-PmeX0mM/TwsItnZqxNI/AAAAAAAAcqE/0aI-UOjp_oA/s1600-h/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520100%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc small camera nate and meg 100" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-URmuVRiBvos/TwsIu2SbgCI/AAAAAAAAcqM/tgGI06ww8Uw/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520100_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc small camera nate and meg 100" width="644" /></a><br />
Following the birthday meal, Nathan jumped right up to dishes. I love me a dish-doing man.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v8j8WQhgpUU/TwsIv9tJcNI/AAAAAAAAcqU/eDMDhQLOh9k/s1600-h/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520046%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc nate and meg visit 046" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j_brFQsssEs/TwsIw3yqg3I/AAAAAAAAcqc/ZMhwWLtf4Sg/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc nate and meg visit 046" width="644" /></a><br />
Every time Nathan and Meagan have come home, we’ve all gone on a bike ride. Usually their visits coincide with cold weather so we always have a little competition to see whose cold weather outfit can be the most . . . um . . . interesting.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vlMIHtTkfwU/TwsIyfxBgeI/AAAAAAAAcqk/NBoh_L350ds/s1600-h/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520072%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc small camera nate and meg 072" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9w6gxZ2br3Y/TwsIzvlD-wI/AAAAAAAAcqs/QpAXCzcT6r4/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc small camera nate and meg 072" width="644" /></a><br />
Halfway through the ride, I forced the kids to dismount their bikes and pose for a picture or two. They sighed patiently and did as they were bid.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b73xw-NPxvA/TwsI0hOm4aI/AAAAAAAAcq0/JID6YVftuJo/s1600-h/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc small camera nate and meg 082" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lhL2I2Q-ZbU/TwsI1mXM4NI/AAAAAAAAcq8/QPU9J03e3AE/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc small camera nate and meg 082" width="644" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m1s81TCO1AY/TwsI2qpe0VI/AAAAAAAAcrE/xC845JfT0Q0/s1600-h/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520087%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="misc small camera nate and meg 087" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JQeWlv2QUvg/TwsI3wfsXWI/AAAAAAAAcrM/8gL9_aZob9U/misc%252520small%252520camera%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520087_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="misc small camera nate and meg 087" width="644" /></a><br />
A couple days later when it was time for The Leaving to occur, the weather had warmed up so nicely Meagan was quite comfortable in a dress and sandals. Love this NC weather—from freezing to balmy, all within hours.<br />
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She is making her sad face in this picture because it’s time to leave for the airport.<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eW2bgo_-juA/TwsI5Knu78I/AAAAAAAAcrU/8O8shLJO8Lk/s1600-h/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nate and meg leaving 003" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-POpK-BVEAmw/TwsI6ZD24aI/AAAAAAAAcrc/no1x2FwvoUs/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate and meg leaving 003" width="644" /></a><br />
Why does this child always insist on leaving after every visit? I just don’t get it.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DhlJep3pAAY/TwsI7y45BbI/AAAAAAAAcrk/Z8HYlzb6SHM/s1600-h/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nate and meg leaving 007" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zHN0Kbiw2sI/TwsI9tpG1bI/AAAAAAAAcrs/dQtB4pCwx4U/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate and meg leaving 007" width="644" /></a><br />
Airport good-byes . . .<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--82xuzSoG2k/TwsI-mLE97I/AAAAAAAAcr0/uFaCvpKVbUg/s1600-h/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nate and meg leaving 015" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--YND34234Rc/TwsI_zKhtAI/AAAAAAAAcr8/C91iKfy59xU/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate and meg leaving 015" width="644" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EjXWFhgq8pA/TwsJBCbtl2I/AAAAAAAAcsE/nRIGsPmjU8Q/s1600-h/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520017%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nate and meg leaving 017" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NHlXFSiclJg/TwsJCLHYJ6I/AAAAAAAAcsM/lfcFX3Z5x20/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate and meg leaving 017" width="644" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0M5BZJJwhY8/TwsJDGzLv5I/AAAAAAAAcsU/2X_1OT9yXis/s1600-h/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520018%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nate and meg leaving 018" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DJLEsX64xwE/TwsJEBuM3II/AAAAAAAAcsc/_NtqhZ21bW4/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate and meg leaving 018" width="644" /></a><br />
. . . and they were gone.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-snsUefiM1ug/TwsJFE2gacI/AAAAAAAAcsk/Dgot0d7MVHo/s1600-h/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520020%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="nate and meg leaving 020" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ieWAZXWxkf4/TwsJGVThgxI/AAAAAAAAcss/1pkQBu8CfOk/nate%252520and%252520meg%252520leaving%252520020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate and meg leaving 020" width="644" /></a><br />
Taking our hearts with them.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-69401953653437615632012-01-06T10:38:00.001-05:002012-01-06T10:38:18.676-05:00A Merry Charlotte Christmas<p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Just a quick reminder that Smithellaneous will be off line a couple days starting tomorrow as we make the move to a new hosting site. <br />If I’m not back up and running by Monday, just assume that I’m in the corner of our bedroom in the fetal position trying to cope with <br />the sad fact that technology has gotten the best of me.  Oh. And also please send chocolate. </em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3" face="Verdana">Remember: To get to the new site, the URL will be the same:   <a href="http://www.smithellaneous.com">www.smithellaneous.com</a></font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></em></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I know it’s the sixth of January already, but forgive me if I backtrack a little into Christmas. I just didn’t get all my Christmas writing wrapped up before the ol’ calendar page did its annual flip.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Just so you don’t get the erroneous impression that our recent Christmas visit to Charlotte was made up only of frightening </font><a href="http://www.smithellaneous.com/2012/01/saga-of-slimy-oysters.html"><font size="3" face="Verdana">encounters with oysters</font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana"> here are a few happier pictures from the visit.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan and Sarah have been helping to set this table for holidays for a lot of years now and things haven’t changed much.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H2zlVF9oZpU/TwcU7Z3ZdXI/AAAAAAAAckg/14v0mFWbQCs/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0043.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 004" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Vf7TaNuy1g/TwcU8oJDF-I/AAAAAAAAcko/4gxs0iK1dFg/christmas-in-charlotte-004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r8dRLPHLloQ/TwcU9n-WCSI/AAAAAAAAckw/1Ne3SRiO2ec/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0023.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 002" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oiiZ4bFwUZI/TwcU-6vLR9I/AAAAAAAAck4/-hnExvqu2mU/christmas-in-charlotte-002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">After the table setting was completed, Nathan rummaged around in the basement and discovered a little car he used to play with when he was small.  Of course, anything with wheels is an immediate attraction to guys of any age, so he and Steve set off to have a little fun. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tKiNin6lRV8/TwcVALy4JPI/AAAAAAAAclA/lTRyvhsVoCs/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0163.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 016" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UviCgdgnPrA/TwcVBlka6GI/AAAAAAAAclI/pcp8RwcNd_w/christmas-in-charlotte-016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Dontcha love that face?</font></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BAOlkElGjYo/TwcVC0hsL9I/AAAAAAAAclQ/uyynCYEqoj4/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0234.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 023" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VH6jfP8DTYU/TwcVEPXmZII/AAAAAAAAclY/pfpIx5dZnyE/christmas-in-charlotte-023_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="633" height="484" /></font></a></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And this one?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U_vAebyUvO4/TwcVFDWjDNI/AAAAAAAAclg/QCAcl7qQxCs/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-022.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 022" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n3wF5EkUHpc/TwcVGbzyG4I/AAAAAAAAclo/sK3yPn4g1Xk/christmas-in-charlotte-022_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="604" height="484" /></font></a></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Since my interests run more toward things non-mechanical (and since Meagan was ably covering the photography duties outside) I helped Steve’s mom in the house.  In the course of getting things ready for the meal, she showed me a special item she had recently come across--her prom book from sixty years ago.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I was entranced.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-71Jo2CYrpDQ/TwcVHlLitNI/AAAAAAAAclw/aA2Hlcu31o0/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0243.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 024" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5irRdRvE3hg/TwcVI1y-ESI/AAAAAAAAcl4/2ayPiaUfw2Q/christmas-in-charlotte-024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was especially fun to see that the last page included a diary where she notes who she has attended the prom with.  It was some fella named, “Kenny.” </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uz-wvvlwlgo/TwcVJpEFlJI/AAAAAAAAcmA/JqFiu67qJeA/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0263.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 026" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-agD4sQe2Lf0/TwcVKsq7xgI/AAAAAAAAcmI/bLeZeJ1AKKY/christmas-in-charlotte-026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I was amazed by how much work had gone into creating those booklets in a world before computers and printers and paper cutters.  I just love quaint, meaningful items from the past.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--IDSTTCpDIc/TwcVLRseDRI/AAAAAAAAcmQ/dZ9lc2NMGYs/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0283.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 028" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2KFyHzjJ6Mw/TwcVMVadA0I/AAAAAAAAcmY/hIZuD-ct8kk/christmas-in-charlotte-028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Especially when the people of the past . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W47CM1wI0zo/TwcVNboYfGI/AAAAAAAAcmg/wYv7BNzaY3c/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-1373.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 137" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 137" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vTbLHXSGpA4/TwcVOMCny5I/AAAAAAAAcmo/VgCKS7V2DAw/christmas-in-charlotte-137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">. . . turn into the people of my present.  (The modern day “Kenny” and his prom date.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yoONL_p3hKg/TwcVPYmLqoI/AAAAAAAAcmw/Y8QS0v9DVFc/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-1533.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 153" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 153" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ioATTeJxR3s/TwcVQntA48I/AAAAAAAAcm4/VlrtJ_ADyBc/christmas-in-charlotte-153_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="463" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana">  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Speaking of things from the past, this tray has been in the Smith family ever since I started showing up there 32 years ago.  It has held a variety of items  over the years but on this recent Christmas, its assigned job was to provide a home for the eggnog glasses.  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wLpA4DpIM_I/TwcVRhuhgqI/AAAAAAAAcnA/xy-5PwYi_kI/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-1453.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 145" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 145" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lO0im1VLw5c/TwcVSvNHYMI/AAAAAAAAcnI/ARgpQzQ-NMo/christmas-in-charlotte-145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Meagan was experimenting with taking pictures where the foreground was clear and background was fuzzy; she took the pictures of the glasses and the pool table and did a great job.  Nice to have another photographer in the family.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5v5KHU9cMjs/TwcVTWDpTtI/AAAAAAAAcnQ/G_qsJWlHzTE/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-1463.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 146" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 146" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yo-djI99mkk/TwcVTyHv_fI/AAAAAAAAcnY/UQDu2TaS_Vk/christmas-in-charlotte-146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">On Tuesday morning when we got up, we found pre-cut grapefruit set out for us on the kitchen table.  It’s a pretty nice hotel that cuts the grapefruit for its guests; I think we’ll definitely want to return in the future.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cWz0tUCXADs/TwcVUwJUpQI/AAAAAAAAcng/SiEnvMSQmZE/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-1933.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 193" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 193" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v8IWshPshxk/TwcVVpGmWzI/AAAAAAAAcno/7CzXhsMx9Mg/christmas-in-charlotte-193_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Unfortunately, the proprietors of this particular establishment did not have the foresight to order up good weather for its departing guests.  Since Steve and Nathan had left at 4 am for their ski trip,  Meagan and I had to don some interesting rain to protect our hair as we loaded the van without our fellas. (Meagan is wearing a grocery bag; I am wearing a gardening hat.  Try not to be jealous.)</font></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jo8Q6WxNLyE/TwcVW7MOT5I/AAAAAAAAcnw/VBWa2Uzn92g/s1600-h/misc-small-camera-nate-and-meg-0687.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="misc small camera nate and meg 068" border="0" alt="misc small camera nate and meg 068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-i_XQP8010bU/TwcVYEIu2YI/AAAAAAAAcn4/ZgpuN443Ng8/misc-small-camera-nate-and-meg-068_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As we drove away in the cold, pouring rain, we left behind memories of the fun, the food, and the joy that are wrapped up in the celebration of Christmas.  Our entire family’s special joy this year was being joined by Meagan—our brand new Smith family member. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was truly a merry Charlotte Christmas.</font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tS6D-yEcYvM/TwcVYyOTVSI/AAAAAAAAcoA/s-NDbE_DpzM/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-1793.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 179" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3nMak9deVCo/TwcVZ7WUEiI/AAAAAAAAcoI/cvAygcE4F-4/christmas-in-charlotte-179_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Comments</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">May I just mention that this is the last time I will need to respond to the comments in a post? <br />When the new site is up, we can all reply to each other right in the comments area.  How fun will that be?  <br />I’m looking forward to all the conversations we will have.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And speaking of comments, I want to thank those of you who left such interesting and thought provoking entries on the recent writing I posted by Anne Lamott.  We’ve got some deep thinkers and great writers among us Smithellaneous folks; I love it!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And from other posts . . .  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Kristina said, “The word 'Arctic' should be capitalized, particularly when being used as a noun although convention is changing and it is now usually capitalized at all times. I generally don't point such things out because it makes people mad, but I know your affinity for language and writing and thought you might be one of the few humans who prefers to be told!”</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Kristina,  how right you are!  I am definitely one of the few humans who prefers to be told about this kind of stuff—thanks so much for taking the time to let me know.   I now consider my knowledge to be properly Arctic-ized.”</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="3"><strong>Pam D. said, “</strong><strong>Yay for a better blogging platform! I think I have 4 blogs now; I hopped from Blogger to Wordpress.com to Wordpress.org. And photography was the driving reason; Blogger is fine for.. well.. blogging. But if photography is a big part of what you post, it's not so great. Can't wait to see what you end up with (and I distinctly remember when Smithellaneous started... and am proud to have played a small role in the naming thereof!).” </strong></font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">For those of you who may not know the story, when I was looking for a name for my blog almost three years ago, I asked some of my readers for suggestions.  I got a whole bunch of great ideas but when Pam emailed me with the name, “Smithellany” I was hooked.   I changed it slightly to Smithellaneous (since I figured more people were familiar with the word miscellaneous rather than miscellany) and we were good to go.  I have gotten so many compliments on the blog’s name and I owe it all to Pam’s great idea!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And finally, a more serious comment . . .</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana">Katmayo said, “Years ago, when my daughter Jessica was stillborn, I wrote, and wrote and ... I used it to expel the horrid sadness that took my life into darkness. I continued to write until the miracle birth of my daughter Rachael Lynn. I stopped writing, but so enjoyed reading the wonderful writings and artwork of my sweet Rachael. When Rachael died 3/1/2003, I tried to write again, but my ability with words couldn't touch my sadness. I am still struggling, all these years later, to find release. Writing helped me with the loss of my Jessica, but nothing, so far, has touched the pain of my Rachael's loss...maybe someday.”</font></strong></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Kathie,  you’ve been reading here for a long, long time and I’m so glad you’re a part of this circle.  I’m always honored when people share the hard parts of their lives and you have certainly had many hard and horrible things to face over these past years.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I’ve read Rachel’s writings and seen her artwork and I know that the gift of excellent writing runs in your family.   When the time is right, I believe you will write again--to honor Jessica, to honor Rachael and to honor your own voice.  Prayers and hugs to you today.        Love, Becky</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-49000138114882426502012-01-05T10:43:00.001-05:002012-01-05T10:43:40.808-05:00A Smithellaneous Change<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nine years ago this month, Sarah was having a bone marrow transplant at Duke.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nine years ago this month, I started blogging. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It’s amazing to me that some of you who are reading this post right now joined the Smith family journey all those years ago.  (And by the way, if you’re someone who has been reading since Sarah’s early hospital days, please leave a quick comment—I’d love to see how many of you fit the category of “vintage” Smith friends.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And for those of you who have come along more recently?  I’m thrilled that you’re here because it’s always a joy to cross paths with new friends. If it wasn’t for you—my old and new readers--I would have no reason to blog, no reason to sit down at a computer and type out the story of our lives.  So thank you all a hundred times over; I’m more grateful for my blog friends than you could possibly know. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">My blogging has undergone a few changes over the years. I started out on Caringbridge (a blog service for families with health issues) and for the first couple of years wrote posts largely centered around Sarah’s illness and treatment;  however, as she (thankfully) began to get better, I branched out more to general family posts.  I didn’t include pictures way back then because I just didn’t know how’; at this point in my life, though, I can’t imagine blogging without pictures since I love photography almost as much as I love writing.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Almost three years ago, I made the decision to transition from Caringbridge to a more general blog, although our </font><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/nc/sarahsmith"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Caringbridge site</font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana"> is still up.  And may I just add that if you ever have a little extra time to spend, read back through some of those archives; they contain some of my favorite stories and some of my favorite writing.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And so that all brings us up to right now. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And right now brings us to more changes. Good changes. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As a little bit of background, for the past year or so I’ve become increasingly frustrated with the limitations I’ve run into with Blogger, the platform that currently hosts Smithellaneous.  However, I was a bit intimidated about making any changes because <em>tech speak</em> is not my first language and Blogger is well suited to people with limited technical knowledge.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">But hey.  In March, I will turn fifty years old.  And even though you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, I think there is a good chance that a middle-aged lady like myself can learn a new thing or two.   </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Which brings me to the point of this post.  (And yes, there is a point.  If you were starting to wonder.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Starting on Saturday, the switch over to my new blog home will take place which means that Smithellaneous will be off line for a couple days while this middle aged mama frantically tries to learn the “new tricks” necessary to take the blog to a new level.   And when I say a new level, I mean exactly that.  The new blogging platform is unlimited in its features and opportunities for creativity in presentation, photography display, blog posts, reader interaction, design, etc.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I am really, really pumped about this transition but also a little scared. (But that’s okay.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As far as the nuts and bolts of the move go, my original goal was to move all the material from this site over to the new one; however, as I’ve consulted with some tech people about that, I’ve discovered that while the text would transfer just fine , the pictures would not.  And since I really don’t feel like moving a thousand or so pictures one by one, I decided that the best thing to do is to leave everything here that’s already here and let this spot serve as a sort of Smithellaneous Archives.  That means I’ll be starting from scratch in my new Smithellaneous home, which will be a liberating and fun experience.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">If you’re wondering what complicated technical hoops you might have to jump through in order to get to the new site, here is the address:</font><font size="3" face="Verdana"> smithellaneous.com</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">There now. Now wasn’t that easy?  The very same address you’re already using will take you straight to the new site.  (I love simple stuff.)  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And if you want to come here to this current site, you’ll just type in smithellaneous.blogspot.com.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Also, to make things even more easy for you, I will be adding clickable links to each site which will take you back and forth between the two sites in about half a second. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So anyway, that’s the news on the blog switch front.  Thanks in advance for your patience as the changeover is made; it will probably take a couple weeks to get everything exactly the way I want it in my new home but the end result will be more than worth it.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Have I mentioned how excited I am?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And now to reward you for slogging through paragraph after paragraph of technical stuff, here are a few photos to close with.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Sarah and Meagan asked me to take their picture because they were so impressed that they dressed exactly the same without even without planning it, sporting pink and brown tops, jeans, and Sperry’s.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RCJsI1OAeCo/TwXE3tXAQUI/AAAAAAAAcjA/exWmRrQGUXA/s1600-h/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520014%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="misc nate and meg visit 014" border="0" alt="misc nate and meg visit 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XEoOYu5vYmQ/TwXE5fbdrAI/AAAAAAAAcjI/d61nrbL5qbQ/misc%252520%252520nate%252520and%252520meg%252520visit%252520014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I’m posting the next two pictures for no reason whatsoever except for that they strike me funny.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">We were attempting to flip the mattress with just Steve, Sarah and me  (which I truly didn’t think was possibly) and Steve made such dramatic grunting noises as he gradually shouldered the mattress into an upright position that I stopped helping and just started giggling.  And may I just say that a giggling wife is not a real helpful person when it comes to mattress flipping?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X07rIoLYsd8/TwXE7ianQ7I/AAAAAAAAcjQ/K766084g1gg/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520014%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 014" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HhP3a9zOnSY/TwXE9HDg4LI/AAAAAAAAcjY/Idf19pPvImo/christmas1%2525202011%252520014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Steve is no doubt standing and wondering just what kind of loony tunes wife he married all those years ago.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--_5mrjZ7-aU/TwXE-L2EMSI/AAAAAAAAcjg/E--8P010_Ws/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 015" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tOJzKSAkVxk/TwXE_Js2KVI/AAAAAAAAcjo/R-0IBF_POrk/christmas1%2525202011%252520015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Speaking of things that make me giggle, we were attempting a different “take” on a family Christmas photo and along the way, tried this one which turned out to be a little on the goofy side.  (As well as not being very well focused.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan and Meagan are trying very hard not to giggle.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MS3EvBAZDvM/TwXFAJ3gCHI/AAAAAAAAcjw/vYAWoQ9KN1s/s1600-h/family%252520christmas%252520photo%252520102%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="family christmas photo 102" border="0" alt="family christmas photo 102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a0WsqH0UDbk/TwXFCVPtixI/AAAAAAAAcj4/HBE5I-jqJeE/family%252520christmas%252520photo%252520102_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">We finally ended up with this one, which is not real great (it was too dark and I had to lighten it to the point where it looks a little funky) but at least we got something to commemorate Meagan’s first Christmas as a Smith.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dcrNgsiMdU0/TwXFEMhetDI/AAAAAAAAckA/72Cc3dX_218/s1600-h/fnal%252520photo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fnal photo" border="0" alt="fnal photo" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qaHq7Fw94tA/TwXFHK6KDfI/AAAAAAAAckI/TPSXsT7DNtA/fnal%252520photo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Are they a great pair, or what?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LfksZIn_FBY/TwXFIepVh_I/AAAAAAAAckQ/zc37hzmMvjM/s1600-h/nm2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="nm2" border="0" alt="nm2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E2tHW1blLms/TwXFJtdAddI/AAAAAAAAckY/A898h-z1GUw/nm2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="643" height="460" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-82383994013243504432012-01-04T10:43:00.002-05:002012-01-04T10:48:32.901-05:00Wedding Wednesday: The Manteo Edition<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Okay. So here’s the deal.   </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I announced a couple weeks ago that Wedding Wednesdays would be coming to a close because I was running short on official wedding pictures to post.   But I have some good news on that front.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan and Meagan’s photographer is going to be sending me the wedding pictures in a format that preserves their original resolution which will be great because there were some pictures I wanted to post but wasn’t able to because of the low resolution. (Due to them being transferred from computer to computer.) So when I receive those pictures, I will be able to post a few more from The Actual Big Day.  (And everyone said, “Hooray!”)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Also, I now have a copy of the video of the wedding; however, it’s in a format that I can’t load on my computer. I’m talking to a video guy I know in hopes of getting that whole puzzlement figured out so that I can post a few video snippets.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">In the meantime, there’s even <em>more</em> wedding photo news!   </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As of last Friday, a whole new crop of Nathan and Meagan wedding pictures came into existence.  And just how did that happen? </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Well, Meagan asked me several months ago if I would be willing to take some wedding pictures of her and Nathan when they came to Manteo for Christmas.  Because of time limitations on their wedding day, they hadn’t gotten as many photos of just the two of them as they would have liked.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Well, when she first asked me, my response was to say yes and and to get all excited about it because I love the two of them and of course I love taking pictures. What’s not to be excited about?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">But then as I started thinking about it some more, I got worried. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">“Oh dear,” said I to myself, “What have I done? Why did I say yes?  I’m not a real photographer like their wonderful wedding photographers, </font><a href="http://fpphotos.zenfolio.com/"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Kristen and Chris</font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana">.   I’m still not exactly sure what I’m doing and what if Meagan goes to all the trouble of bringing her dress and getting all decked out and I take horrible, awful pictures?”</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And then, as I pondered and worried further, I thought that maybe if I just took hundreds and hundreds of shots over the course of our session, just possibly two or three of them might turn out okay and Meagan and Nathan won’t be too terribly disappointed in my feeble photography efforts.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So that was my big plan: the utilization of Scattershot Photography.  Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more and eventually you should hit on something good. (Feel free to tell everyone you know about this amazing photography tool.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And so last Friday, Nathan, Meagan, Sarah and I took off on a Picture Taking Adventure around Manteo. We got stares, applause, comments, and smiles and I ended up with a rough estimate of one bazillion pictures.  I also gave Sarah my purse camera so that she could join me in the snapping frenzy and with the Scattershot Photography Tip going full steam, we actually managed to get some really lovely shots.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So the good news is that if you all are still up for it,  Wedding Wednesday can continue on for a while longer yet because we’ve got some new beautiful, fun photos to share and some cool stories to go with them.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So.  Having said all that?  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Welcome to Wedding Wednesday: The Manteo Edition</strong></font></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As soon as Nathan and Meagan arrived in Manteo, she unpacked her gown and hung it in Sarah’s room to let the wrinkles fall out. It was actually a little sobering for this mama to see a wedding dress hanging in my 16-year old daughter’s room because all I could think was, “Someday, that will be Sarah’s dress hanging there.”   (sniff)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bnvwG5nGMcw/TwRy6HG7lBI/AAAAAAAAcc4/xF6SdPbUapg/s1600-h/misc--nate-and-meg-visit-0053.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="misc nate and meg visit 005" border="0" alt="misc nate and meg visit 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G98RuqUpTvE/TwRy7XvsqiI/AAAAAAAAcdA/H0CZ5ckFMek/misc--nate-and-meg-visit-005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">One of the funniest parts of the whole experience was watching Nathan (in his ubiquitous t-shirt and basketball shorts) help get Meagan into her dress.  Obviously he didn’t have that particular privilege before their real wedding so he lacked a bit of practical experience as a Wedding Dress Donning Assistant.  But he was an awfully good sport . . .</font></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5b85sTYwgY/TwRy8QKcf6I/AAAAAAAAciw/wkGTYrF3jI0/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0046.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5b85sTYwgY/TwRy8QKcf6I/AAAAAAAAci0/wZ40NX_DsH4/s1600-h/wedding%252520manteo%252520004%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 004" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t6lVfK4W-_k/TwRy-oJRyeI/AAAAAAAAcdU/lL4asFsYseM/wedding%252520manteo%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></a></font></a></a></a><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">even during those times when he wasn’t sure if he should be hands on . . .</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N-YwNQDp4GQ/TwRy_nDqtgI/AAAAAAAAcdc/fw5yiyGS2pA/s1600-h/wedding%252520manteo%252520005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 005" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 005" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cqJ50WEK28g/TwRzBFgyScI/AAAAAAAAcdk/FaUc2ORvlAw/wedding%252520manteo%252520005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> or hands off.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J0G6v8vI4Lo/TwRzCKLsJLI/AAAAAAAAcds/tWpMqsnk8h0/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0066.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 006" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pisd-KrNZvc/TwRzDT1s9fI/AAAAAAAAcd0/OMWgTztFgC4/wedding-manteo-006_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I especially love this shot.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v9TOn7EmLbQ/TwRzEE8q3EI/AAAAAAAAcd8/Gg7O17aMwYI/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0143.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 014" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x27M5OUsq8Q/TwRzE3OW4kI/AAAAAAAAceE/6cK-xURY2P0/wedding-manteo-014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">After the dress was finally in place . . .</font></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-31i_4tamxmo/TwRzFzP9LpI/AAAAAAAAceM/GTZ71CZQS_Q/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0173.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 017" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dLa39toNtM4/TwRzG8rEGcI/AAAAAAAAceU/BoqXnTJklic/wedding-manteo-017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan morphed from The Dresser of the Bride to the Carrier of the Bridal Gown Train. He’s one multi talented fella, that’s for sure.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_uMHoz-XQzg/TwRzHuyq-YI/AAAAAAAAcec/Ei4mjwBrVKo/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-018.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 018" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n26Yhmafqho/TwRzIYyMcKI/AAAAAAAAceg/igPs7E8rAAM/wedding-manteo-018_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="601" height="484" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Sarah joined her brother in their appointed mission of getting the bride untrippingly from the third floor to the second floor of our home.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DseQt6lH9j0/TwRzJDk7dmI/AAAAAAAAces/2m2JVwEr4g4/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0193.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 019" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-opdb0nbJ8VE/TwRzK-LEtyI/AAAAAAAAce0/1pvzcOzVy18/wedding-manteo-019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was quite the undertaking.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JwxoakUfRUc/TwRzL-CLxnI/AAAAAAAAce8/vjTBiDod9kw/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0233.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 023" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dZ789JbchGQ/TwRzMyy-K1I/AAAAAAAAcfE/oOMcsv5fB5o/wedding-manteo-023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MT9WTXaZgaM/TwRzNuoyu_I/AAAAAAAAcfM/_nsv72XMBJY/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0243.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 024" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-blWgudWotMg/TwRzOYfiqnI/AAAAAAAAcfU/m4k5a91DhF4/wedding-manteo-024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QoMDQClG4pw/TwRzPgZsrsI/AAAAAAAAcfc/IKszlTp7Lwg/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0273.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 027" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 027" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2HqWw6iRc3c/TwRzQX1cDGI/AAAAAAAAcfk/PbNwVqf1Vj4/wedding-manteo-027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Once they had safely made it down the stairs, Meagan did some final touch ups to her make up while Nathan exchanged the shorts for a suit.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9ppLxEn8cOM/TwRzRMlcluI/AAAAAAAAcfs/dzcQdsJh6jA/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0363.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 036" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hLypBJ-Edfg/TwRzRzETq9I/AAAAAAAAcf0/Hsp_b9qP4zE/wedding-manteo-036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <a></a> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fP5pPqlfpJk/TwRzSjF3QlI/AAAAAAAAcf8/kbxcnSKwBXo/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0417.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 041" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 041" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aHcWTBTHdJs/TwRzTXTbGlI/AAAAAAAAcgE/w9qy0stpUe4/wedding-manteo-041_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was so fun watching the two of them get ready and sharing their joy.</font></p> </a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ik3QXGvx0DQ/TwRzUeSpC9I/AAAAAAAAcgM/S-Ps9POB3B8/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0383.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 038" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 038" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JF7xrj9tesI/TwRzWbKjfGI/AAAAAAAAcgU/_O6h_9OCX1I/wedding-manteo-038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And then it was, “Here Comes the Bride” all over again.</font></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dLXih2QLRLY/TwRzX8vMVKI/AAAAAAAAcgc/645WqZrl0no/s1600-h/wed-edit3.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wed edit" border="0" alt="wed edit" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nSc8kpltPRM/TwRzY_umk7I/AAAAAAAAcgk/Nd8tGjPxgtA/wed-edit_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1fvkW2Rk-uM/TwRzZsx_s-I/AAAAAAAAcgs/usVh9d844hc/s1600-h/edit23.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="edit2" border="0" alt="edit2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I9d5bts0UOg/TwRzaYPLnwI/AAAAAAAAcg0/32HLR1kMQD4/edit2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GRXW84OYnFw/TwRzbOZkkxI/AAAAAAAAci4/0o0Ga5cPfEY/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0613.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GRXW84OYnFw/TwRzbOZkkxI/AAAAAAAAci8/7LJLW3KcsNk/s1600-h/wedding%252520manteo%252520061%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 061" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 061" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6M1TR0hSCvE/TwRzevoLTvI/AAAAAAAAchI/JQuZwmMsZRs/wedding%252520manteo%252520061_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Meagan helped Nathan do some little adjustments on his suit and then . . .</font></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ICMbCiqTHxU/TwRzfstjj0I/AAAAAAAAchQ/ug8B2yFe7tY/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0747.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 074" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 074" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gBHm__E_0DY/TwRzgQ1TlUI/AAAAAAAAchY/btInv_wqAag/wedding-manteo-074_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="460" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">. . . it was out the door for the adventure!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bL2hnSNdui4/TwRzhnVGXDI/AAAAAAAAchg/Um2ufT9OUaY/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0653.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 065" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 065" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mtYP-WWEeA0/TwRzipdEzPI/AAAAAAAAcho/mcajara2xs4/wedding-manteo-065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ysLTso3OhtE/TwRzjdTmItI/AAAAAAAAchw/L0H8orIQXiM/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-0693.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 069" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 069" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HW2Znf7fMoY/TwRzkblLj0I/AAAAAAAAch4/_CdowzGYzQY/wedding-manteo-069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Here’s a sneak peak of a couple pictures we took while we were out and about.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Oops.  Wrong one.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m5xdvYqJ_bU/TwRzlOA23SI/AAAAAAAAciA/BdXET6LljAo/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-1813.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 181" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 181" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kzmyLFDszhc/TwRzme0lXvI/AAAAAAAAciI/j2fEFPh87yE/wedding-manteo-181_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Okay. that’s better!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NfJSMVxrzwY/TwRznHfdd0I/AAAAAAAAciQ/41tLvJrcRPc/s1600-h/wedding%252520manteo%252520451%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 451" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 451" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YYtDXg70lhg/TwRzn5Toh2I/AAAAAAAAciY/foL5BtAxfaU/wedding%252520manteo%252520451_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--h2_db-1HDw/TwRzosd3l6I/AAAAAAAAcig/fHk1LINN6jA/s1600-h/wedding-manteo-2662.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="wedding manteo 266" border="0" alt="wedding manteo 266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lmNdjp86_hE/TwRzpYPRr1I/AAAAAAAAcio/tkkznCRP2FY/wedding-manteo-266_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="429" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">There now. Wasn’t that fun?  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Looking forwarding to many more Wedding Wednesdays to come!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-83450827232093076072012-01-03T09:52:00.001-05:002012-01-03T09:52:59.933-05:00Turn Off Twitter. And Don’t Clean The House.<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">The title of this post is taken from an article I read earlier this morning by Anne Lamott, a fabulous, incredible writer.    I don’t usually make posts of other people’s writing, but since we’re at the beginning of a new year and since this article by Anne impacted me so deeply, I want to share it with you all.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Before we get to it though, let me just mention that tomorrow I’ll be doing a <em>Wedding Wednesday</em> that you won’t want want to miss!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And now . . . here’s Anne. <font size="3" face="Verdana">I’d love for you to leave a comment and share with the rest of us what you thought about what she wrote.</font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dvuZjwyEvsU/TwMWRziyipI/AAAAAAAAcco/dNHM1bN5jpY/s1600-h/anne-lamott-0410-m%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="anne-lamott-0410-m" border="0" alt="anne-lamott-0410-m" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-88rlmdmnCLk/TwMWSkEKGeI/AAAAAAAAccw/h_jtWxn01OY/anne-lamott-0410-m_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="304" /></a></font></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Time Lost and Found</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I sometimes teach classes on writing, during which I tell my students every single thing I know about the craft and habit. This takes approximately 45 minutes. I begin with my core belief—and the foundation of almost all wisdom traditions—that there is nothing you can buy, achieve, own, or rent that can fill up that hunger inside for a sense of fulfillment and wonder. But the good news is that creative expression, whether that means writing, dancing, bird-watching, or cooking, can give a person almost everything that he or she has been searching for: enlivenment, peace, meaning, and the incalculable wealth of time spent quietly in beauty.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Then I bring up the bad news: You have to make time to do this.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">This means you have to grasp that your manic forms of connectivity—cell phone, email, text, Twitter—steal most chances of lasting connection or amazement. That multitasking can argue a wasted life. That a close friendship is worth more than material success.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Needless to say, this is very distressing for my writing students. They start to explain that they have two kids at home, or five, a stable of horses or a hive of bees, and 40-hour workweeks. Or, on the other hand, sometimes they are climbing the walls with boredom, own nearly nothing, and are looking for work full-time, which is why they can’t make time now to pursue their hearts’ desires. They often add that as soon as they retire, or their last child moves out, or they move to the country, or to the city, or sell the horses, they will. They are absolutely sincere, and they are delusional.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I often remember the story from India of a beggar who sat outside a temple, begging for just enough every day to keep body and soul alive, until the temple elders convinced him to move across the street and sit under a tree. Years of begging and bare subsistence followed until he died. The temple elders decided to bury him beneath his cherished tree, where, after shoveling away a couple of feet of earth, they found a stash of gold coins that he had unknowingly sat on, all those hand-to-mouth years.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">You already have the gold coins beneath you, of presence, creativity, intimacy, time for wonder, and nature, and life. Oh, yeah, you say? And where would those rascally coins be?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">This is what I say: First of all, no one needs to watch the news every night, unless one is married to the anchor. Otherwise, you are mostly going to learn more than you need to know about where the local fires are, and how rainy it has been: so rainy! That is half an hour, a few days a week, I tell my students. You could commit to writing one page a night, which, over a year, is most of a book.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">If they have to get up early for work and can’t stay up late, I ask them if they are willing NOT to do one thing every day, that otherwise they were going to try and cram into their schedule.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">They may explain that they have to go to the gym four days a week or they get crazy, to which I reply that that’s fine—no one else really cares if anyone else finally starts to write or volunteers with marine mammals. But how can they not care and let life slip away? Can’t they give up the gym once a week and buy two hours’ worth of fresh, delectable moments? (Here they glance at my butt.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Can they commit to meeting one close friend for two hours every week, in bookstores, to compare notes? Or at an Audubon sanctuary? Or a winery?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">They look at me bitterly now—they don’t think I understand. But I do—I know how addictive busyness and mania are. But I ask them whether, if their children grow up to become adults who spend this one precious life in a spin of multitasking, stress, and achievement, and then work out four times a week, will they be pleased that their kids also pursued this kind of whirlwind life?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">If not, if they want much more for their kids, lives well spent in hard work and savoring all that is lovely, why are they living this manic way?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I ask them, is there a eucalyptus grove at the end of their street, or a new exhibit at the art museum? An upcoming minus tide at the beach where the agates and tide pools are, or a great poet coming to the library soon? A pond where you can see so many turtles? A journal to fill?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">If so, what manic or compulsive hours will they give up in trade for the equivalent time to write, or meander? Time is not free—that’s why it’s so precious and worth fighting for.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Will they give me one hour of housecleaning in exchange for the poetry reading? Or wash the car just one time a month, for the turtles? No? I understand. But at 80, will they be proud that they spent their lives keeping their houses cleaner than anyone else in the family did, except for mad Aunt Beth, who had the vapors? Or that they kept their car polished to a high sheen that made the neighbors quiver with jealousy? Or worked their fingers to the bone providing a high quality of life, but maybe accidentally forgot to be deeply and truly present for their kids, and now their grandchildren?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I think it’s going to hurt. What fills us is real, sweet, dopey, funny life.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I’ve heard it said that every day you need half an hour of quiet time for yourself, or your Self, unless you’re incredibly busy and stressed, in which case you need an hour. I promise you, it is there. Fight tooth and nail to find time, to make it. It is our true wealth, this moment, this hour, this day.</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-37601234283294929212012-01-02T08:22:00.001-05:002012-01-02T08:28:20.123-05:00The Saga of the Slimy Oysters<p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em>(Before I get to today’s post, I’d like to take a minute to wish my most wonderful husband a <strong>happy thirtieth anniversary.</strong>  No one knows me better, understands me better, or loves me better. I’m so thankful for the past three decades of marriage to this truly amazing man.) </em></font></p> <p><em><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></em></p> <p><em><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></em></p> <p><em><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></em></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">When we went to Charlotte for Christmas, Steve got the handy dandy idea of taking along some fresh scallops and oysters. </font><font size="3" face="Verdana">I mean what’s the sense of residing by the sea if you can’t share its bounty with those you love?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I was fine with the scallops.  They’re actually pretty good wrapped in bacon and cooked on the grill.  But oozy oysters in a shell?  Ick.  I figured as long as those nasty creatures stayed at least one hundred feet from my person at all times, we could coexist in a fairly peaceable manner.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And so we arrived in Charlotte and the <em>Oyster/Scallop Hors D’oeuvres Extravaganza Preceding the Christmas Feast</em> began.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YfSwuc62iDQ/TwGvHCud6VI/AAAAAAAAcY4/jSFOMe5_tq0/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0317.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 031" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 031" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YtydLT9ULZA/TwGvIHpD8-I/AAAAAAAAcZA/jbpoK4D93hM/christmas-in-charlotte-031_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan absolutely loved the scallops but wasn’t too keen about the thought of eating a steamed oyster.  However, when I offered to give him $5 to try one, he didn’t even blink.  Cash-strapped newlyweds are all about earning a little extra moola.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Es8sU_ocXII/TwGvJV2xR6I/AAAAAAAAcZI/us2KUGIXtCA/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0347.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 034" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UyU71GlxsE0/TwGvKhx206I/AAAAAAAAcZQ/B82BgblibjY/christmas-in-charlotte-034_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Vernie required no bribe at all; she just sat right down, got the oyster arranged on a cracker and munched it on down.  (And may I just say that she has the most beautiful skin.  Can you believe she’s a great grandma?)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TPjwAQiXjcU/TwGvLos_uvI/AAAAAAAAcZY/wRtlxhv5eHg/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0437.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 043" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HnKcEplSbmk/TwGvM-OhHyI/AAAAAAAAcZg/f1r2qU6Q16U/christmas-in-charlotte-043_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Steve’s younger brother, Jeff, was in fine form during the extravaganza, doing the Heeby Jeeby Dance as a way of poking fun at those of us who were sitting on the sidelines, shuddering with horror at the very thought of eating oily oysters.  (If you didn’t know, the Heeby Jeeby Dance involves sticking both arms out and waving them around while turning in a circle.  Jeff got lots of practice at it.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sVfjNUjMbcM/TwGvOtnlN2I/AAAAAAAAcZo/YNNRYIxXXxk/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0527.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 052" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 052" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tgJ9-tHsXsg/TwGvQlTdjYI/AAAAAAAAcZw/DgKtA9QK720/christmas-in-charlotte-052_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">The Smith Men (Steve’s dad, two brothers, and Nathan) continued to enjoy their seafood mini buffet.</font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Id6zW1a-yEk/TwGvRyc-ZLI/AAAAAAAAcZ4/7K00nUf2oSo/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0597.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 059" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 059" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iiSxjxrAZcU/TwGvTGonv5I/AAAAAAAAcaA/loMxqs_10s0/christmas-in-charlotte-059_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DPKftUCBhOo/TwGvUOeCJ6I/AAAAAAAAcaI/umIcx50aaYY/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0887.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 088" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 088" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ILyz9b1allk/TwGvVTJlrzI/AAAAAAAAcaQ/r_tEemQw6Qg/christmas-in-charlotte-088_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Everyone was having a great time and everything was going along just swimmingly when suddenly, inexplicably, the mood changed. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Things turned ugly.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Eyes turned toward . . . me.  </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="3"><em>“Me?”</em> I squeaked pitifully?  <em>“You want me to eat an oyster?  I think NOT!”  </em></font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AhStp7k8364/TwGvWYdJ2fI/AAAAAAAAcaY/lCfAmFX10Us/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0687.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 068" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 068" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aO-V55i8lOc/TwGvXjyZVjI/AAAAAAAAcag/ZoDNfR6rOX8/christmas-in-charlotte-068_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="461" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I took a few steps back  from the proceedings so that the alien nasty oysters couldn’t crawl out of their slippery shells and start stalking me around the deck.  I was absolutely appalled at the thought of putting any slimy gray creature from the sea into my mouth.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BMyBzeP_gaw/TwGvYzcdP5I/AAAAAAAAcao/LIJOcoZnSxw/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0697.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 069" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 069" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qEADDgn0k5I/TwGvaDNidUI/AAAAAAAAcaw/T4bhSWanmqo/christmas-in-charlotte-069_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">However.  Some arm twisting proceeded to commence and after trying to say no seventeen different ways, the situation eventually degenerated to the horrific point where a little oyster fella perched himself on a cracker and headed my way. </font></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-38bjOUXRAb8/TwGvbblIhVI/AAAAAAAAca4/DEhUjOVRaq0/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-07111.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 071" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 071" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RsSNPSuNAPE/TwGvcjsbPQI/AAAAAAAAcbA/9atdCtFQ2Kw/christmas-in-charlotte-071_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I cannot believe I am smiling at the oyster; I should have been screaming and gagging.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SEG9fVpmsWA/TwGvd8O-R7I/AAAAAAAAcbI/tWny8IEY9Wo/s1600-h/b13.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="b1" border="0" alt="b1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BmWe3AJHdl0/TwGvfK9B2XI/AAAAAAAAcbQ/Wak0mhG4FuQ/b1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="443" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">From that point on, it was not a happy sight.  I am sparing you the worst of the faces I made, but I’m sure you can tell by the ones I’ve included that the whole experience was ranked right up there with childbirth in the Enjoyment Department. (That white thing is a napkin that Steve gallantly applied to my person before the trauma began.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Rn0YsI8v7c/TwGvgB7VJlI/AAAAAAAAcbY/SCdYQUXpzKA/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0803.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 080" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 080" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8_H4i9-FWDQ/TwGvhJvVXMI/AAAAAAAAcbg/gFL2N3aq8b0/christmas-in-charlotte-080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HJgEegP3gmU/TwGvidPw8JI/AAAAAAAAcbo/jQI7S1juwrw/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0833.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 083" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 083" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NoTly-RRJvU/TwGvj1zA2iI/AAAAAAAAcbw/Ta8wSh-VMKA/christmas-in-charlotte-083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mkJFgmDPomE/TwGvlPUVnzI/AAAAAAAAcb4/HNHxHREzvzQ/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0813.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 081" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 081" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZcsaJ8-yHFU/TwGvmQ7KfCI/AAAAAAAAccA/papfYpt_DGQ/christmas-in-charlotte-081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kBLKHkuamjI/TwGvnmLViMI/AAAAAAAAccI/XQdD2NNHjy8/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-0823.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 082" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 082" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-njbtctRap24/TwGvozMXCUI/AAAAAAAAccQ/RbcBY-elFPE/christmas-in-charlotte-082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">In closing, I would love to say that a good time was had by all; however, the oysters and I would have to respectfully disagree.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0E3yk-rqqKI/TwGvpyhJcJI/AAAAAAAAccY/H87ehrfE_pE/s1600-h/christmas-in-charlotte-10411.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 104" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 104" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WwmISxiRHfY/TwGvqx0JedI/AAAAAAAAccg/EHop8bnL0mE/christmas-in-charlotte-104_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>(All photos by Meagan Smith)</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Comments</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Rachel said, “Just love these pictures...  I can't help but wonder what the temperature is in your house. It seems like Nathan is usually wearing shorts and a t-shirt when he is home...yet Meagan is in a sweat shirt and the rest of you are somewhere in between. lol”</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Rachel, that is a very good question.  I truly think that if Nathan lived on an iceberg in the arctic, he would still choose to put on his t-shirt and basketball shorts.   So I guess you should get your hints as to our house’s temp from our clothes—NOT his!  (And we keep it at about 71 degrees.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Lizz wrote, “</strong></font><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Sue G, your post (comment) brought tears to my eyes! Favorite parts "and especially for the miracle of the Life about Whom we celebrate this season" and "What I like about LOVE is that it can't be bought...but it sure can be returned!!!!" I love the last one so so much! I'm going to use it as much as possible! Wishing you many more Christmases!”</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Lizz, I just love it when people use this forum to build other people up.  And if anyone deserves a compliment on writing, it would be our friend, Sue.  Thanks for drawing attention to yet another one of her wonderfully penned comments. </font></p> <dt><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img alt="Blogger" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" /><strong>Karen said,  “</strong></font><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Off topic: I would like to share Sarah's story with this family (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prayers-for-Adler-Shelbourne/333068460055780), but wanted to check with you first. I would love to give them some hope for their little Adler.”</strong></font> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Karen, we would love for you to share Sarah’s story. Giving hope is what it’s all about!   </font></p> </dt><dd> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> </dd> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-54229670878492669672011-12-30T12:28:00.003-05:002011-12-30T22:33:13.052-05:00Today’s Guest Blogger: Meagan Smith!<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Yes, you read that right. Meagan is writing today’s Smithellaneous post! She is going to tell you about the picture below that I included in a recent Wedding Wednesday. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">When I posted the picture, I didn’t look real closely at the ring that was in the box; it was only this week that Meagan told me about that ring’s significance. When she finished telling me the story I said, “Meagan, would you please write that story for Smithellaneous?”<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">And happily she said she would.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8zq1zNo03_w/Tv300-OiKzI/AAAAAAAAcYo/S4qa4apuZmg/s1600-h/IMG_0093%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0093" border="0" height="432" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hvn0LlcLnp8/Tv302fLfGVI/AAAAAAAAcYw/iu9IrSO17Os/IMG_0093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0093" width="644" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>A Ring and Two Promises</strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>By Meagan Smith</strong></span><br />
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</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">My sisters and I are close in age with only two years separating us from each other; because of this, we’ve had the opportunity as we were growing up to become very close friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As we grew up, our parents initiated what we dubbed rites of passage. At ten, we were able to cut our hair. At twelve, we were able to wear make-up and shave our legs. At fifteen, we were promoted to eye make-up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Fifteen years old was also the age when we received our promise ring. This was a special time when each daughter was taken out to a nice dinner with our parents and they would discuss with us the importance of saving ourselves for our husband and for our wedding night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As time would have it, December 20, 2002, was the appointed day for me to receive my ring; that evening found my mom, my dad and myself cozily tucked away in a booth at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. I had chosen a beautiful baguette diamond ring to remind me of my promise I would make that night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">After we ate dinner, my mom took the ring out and set it on the table in front of me. My dad began to talk to me about the promise I would make that night to save myself for my husband. They explained how this promise was not one that I would only make to them, but also to God and to my future husband. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As I put the ring on that night, I made a vow before my parents and God that I would save myself for the one He had for me. It became very real to me as we sat at the table and prayed that God would help me in the years to come. I was making a vow not only to protect my body, but also my mind and my eyes from the things that would take away from that vow of purity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">It wasn’t just the ring that helped me keep the promise but it was also the many prayers of my family and myself as I got older that reminded me every day of the vow that had been made sitting in that booth in 2002. I wore that ring every day for nine years. And every day I would pray, “God help me keep my promise for one more day.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Then in 2009, I found him, the man of my dreams, the man I had prayed for so many years. He was handsome, tall, smelled good, was a childhood friend, was good with money, was funny, had a great family, loved kids, loved Jesus--and did I mention he looked good? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">His name was Nathan Smith and he was a psychology major one year behind me in school, but what does age matter? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">We began dating on June 19, 2009, and continued the relationship until February 26, 2011 when he asked me to marry him and spend the rest of my life with him. That night was the first time my promise ring had ever been replaced with another ring. It also meant my second promise would begin just five months from that night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">On July 23, 2011, I sat down in the dressing room of the church where I was about to be married and penned words to my soon-to-be-husband of the promise I had kept to God, and my parents, and him.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I explained to him once again the importance of the ring and what it meant to be able to truly give him the gift of myself on our wedding day. I wrote everything he was to me and expressed how excited I was that my promise had been kept for so many years. I could not think of a better man to give this gift to than him. He was a true answer to my prayers and God had given me the desires of my heart through him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As I walked down the aisle toward my husband-to-be, holding on to my daddy’s arm with my family, friends and God watching me, I could not have been more thankful that a promise was made, a promise was kept and a new promise was about to be made. Only this time the promise would not be to save myself, but to give myself whole heartedly. The promise would not be for only nine years, but it would be for a life time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">(Edited to add: A comment was left asking if Nathan had made the same commitment and he did; he just didn't have the ring to wear.)<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><em>Thanks, Meagan, for sharing the beautiful story of a beautiful promise!</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">And just to make this entry all the more meaningful, tonight is the night that we have chosen to present Sarah with her own promise ring. She asked Steve and I if we could wait and do our ceremony until Nathan and Meagan got home so that they could take part in it. (Which I think says a lot about how much she thinks of the two of them.)</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">So tonight Sarah will make her own promise of purity, surrounded by a family who loves her. </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">What a joy it will be to see the tradition continue as we wait with her to meet the man that God has set aside to be her husband.</span></em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-39182516493284059292011-12-28T11:15:00.001-05:002011-12-28T11:15:01.109-05:00The Calendar Confused, Jet Lagged, Whiplashed Blog Experience<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Okay.  Just so you all don’t get a bad case of Calendar Confused, Jet Lagged Whiplash, let me just mention that I am rewinding time just a bit (a nice little trick, if I do say so myself) so that my upcoming blog posts have some semblance of order in the space-time continuum.  (Naturally, I have no idea what a space-time continuum is, but it’s another one of those things I’ve always wanted to use in a post.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">However.  There is some small possibility that you may become even more slightly kind of confused by the fact that that I’m rewinding time to such an extent that I’m actually rewinding it back to a point before a point I have already written about.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">But really, the only reason I’m even rewinding things that far back (besides finally getting the chance to type <em>space-time continuum</em>) is that there were a few little pictures from our Airport Pick Up last week that I wanted to include but didn’t.  And so before I fast forward to the rest of the rewound week, I wanted to rewind far back enough revisit those rewound and unvisited photos. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Got that?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Good.  Then let’s get started.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Since the Norfolk airport wasn’t very busy when we arrived to pick up our very own personal Royal Couple, Steve and Sarah had plenty of space to walk forwards as well as backwards on the moving sidewalks, just to see what would happen.  My family is easily entertained. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hNzB4HKKKcE/Tvs_k9QQvgI/AAAAAAAAcTA/9Ium7imcSTg/s1600-h/christmas1-2011-0223.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hNzB4HKKKcE/Tvs_k9QQvgI/AAAAAAAAcTI/02yjOpX9fSA/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520022%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 022" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t1fQLboYMXg/Tvs_pMwkE9I/AAAAAAAAcTM/xMfW7QaGliA/christmas1%2525202011%252520022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">When we had finished our moving sidewalk entertainment extravaganza, we moved on to the gate area to await the Big Moment.  Of course, when you’re at an airport greeting your son and new daughter-in-law for the first time since their wedding, you can’t possibly just stand there and smile quietly and demurely when they appear in view.  No, you have to clap, scream, and cheer wildly.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Do you see the lady on the right who is turning around to stare?  It’s only because we were being just a wee bit loud.  (Yes, even my demure little self was being loudish.  Right in public.  It was historic, I tell you. Historic.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RGamqI4h7oQ/Tvs_q93RuII/AAAAAAAAcTU/sul6zCq4ZLc/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 033" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FKB_vhp9UkA/Tvs_sTn3kxI/AAAAAAAAcTc/dw3fGXKqAl8/christmas1%2525202011%252520033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">A few minutes later, there was cause for even more staring as Steve tried to walk up the down escalator. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Well, actually, what he was trying to do was just stay in one place without moving up or down.  The little girl to the right was obviously entrance with his efforts.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O93O0mLx8aY/Tvs_uYtiuVI/AAAAAAAAcTk/HjdFPJ_3050/s1600-h/christmas1-2011-0523.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 052" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 052" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mywgt7_T7Mw/Tvs_wM_6pQI/AAAAAAAAcTs/UzFafKHGGpw/christmas1-2011-052_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">After getting home from the wild shenanigan-ish airport experience, we allowed the newlyweds a whopping 1.2 minutes of rest before we launched into the making of our pancake/bacon/scrambled eggs dinner which we whip up each year on the night we decorate the tree.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hqLIMz1M1NA/Tvs_w5LoSeI/AAAAAAAAcT0/fV0BZQN5oww/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520067%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 067" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 067" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uTA2-TQdvuU/Tvs_x7iFmcI/AAAAAAAAcT8/5IgMghVOkzk/christmas2%2525202011%252520067_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Meagan was also inducted into the Smith Family Christmas Antlers Club. I know she thought she became a Smith on July 23, 2011,  but it actually didn’t become official until until she donned yon antlers.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YAUQb_F8sGk/Tvs_ysMJzfI/AAAAAAAAcUE/hyjzbgxaKmw/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-0693.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 069" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 069" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kl8pKZJImbs/Tvs_zgbttMI/AAAAAAAAcUM/TG8kBtUFHnM/christmas2-2011-069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Getting the ornaments on the tree was rather entertaining since Nathan was behaving in his best Golden Retriever Puppy Dog Fashion.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Cq9y_azrCQ/Tvs_0_5SbwI/AAAAAAAAcUU/y47rX-Ig8dk/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-0833.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 083" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 083" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kcGlZgCpSdk/Tvs_16Lc1QI/AAAAAAAAcUc/ybJ5ulci8w0/christmas2-2011-083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LUM-adLOgSI/Tvs_3PuEwKI/AAAAAAAAcUk/VVTKTGM5oRM/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-0913.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 091" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 091" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w_M4jMrmBBw/Tvs_4igdTGI/AAAAAAAAcUs/nD9tpIB06xg/christmas2-2011-091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GCJJnRtUPL4/Tvs_5hMV8rI/AAAAAAAAcU0/2uOYVUToPGU/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-0943.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 094" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 094" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1plz3OIhOok/Tvs_6uuSzRI/AAAAAAAAcU8/guz211xSgyQ/christmas2-2011-094_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zHjkypq_d8c/Tvs_7-sbGTI/AAAAAAAAcVE/whgXXnz853g/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-0963.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 096" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 096" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Z41_HkE7QE/Tvs_8xOJNSI/AAAAAAAAcVM/WgXBnKo20xo/christmas2-2011-096_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qmp-XgUC16E/Tvs_9x3qMdI/AAAAAAAAcVU/f49rXDm0KH4/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1137.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 113" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 113" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FAXlIzyYhxg/Tvs__CSYEhI/AAAAAAAAcVc/cJcAl4_q5mI/christmas2-2011-113_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HTAdB-IZXv4/TvtAAHqGciI/AAAAAAAAcVk/zxEzLso753I/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-11511.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 115" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 115" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cy2wKdcNv8Y/TvtABOoPSPI/AAAAAAAAcVs/dEvah3dkB6k/christmas2-2011-115_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Then our (three) children instructed Steve and me to stand in front of the decorated tree and look entranced.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">This is about as entranced as I get.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z9LWD0gDpyg/TvtACcpI-GI/AAAAAAAAcV0/8TRWComrDU4/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1053.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z9LWD0gDpyg/TvtACcpI-GI/AAAAAAAAcV8/AQ5_5Vx_KRY/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520105.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 105" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 105" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0LAKJMNkbqg/TvtAFlasjGI/AAAAAAAAcWA/e4IgHiftKo8/christmas2%2525202011%252520105_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was so much fun having Nathan and Sarah together again …</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H-Kmyu6TtEA/TvtAG-2gyEI/AAAAAAAAcWI/D5CTF8WDKoI/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1233.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 123" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 123" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9UW8RGxyaps/TvtAIPoH05I/AAAAAAAAcWQ/Y4VY_2SoCAE/christmas2-2011-123_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">…along with our newest Smith.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b-ke1L70yRU/TvtAJFwu6ZI/AAAAAAAAcWY/e9EPyamy0yo/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520100%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 100" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8APTmEhHLoM/TvtAKG8YaTI/AAAAAAAAcWg/S-Nr1t5J99o/christmas2%2525202011%252520100_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Hard to believe that I’m no longer sitting beside a College Dude but a real married fella!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fc9nMHaJ_pQ/TvtALK1d7zI/AAAAAAAAcWo/gxl3J9nTXHk/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1453.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 145" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 145" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ywGLf4eeIrI/TvtAMXxbpAI/AAAAAAAAcWw/meSkJHOwb9s/christmas2-2011-145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">A married fella whose shorts-clad legs made a nice frame for the decorated tree.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j9ds21vuHjw/TvtANTALPmI/AAAAAAAAcW4/Lj00K7-MXL0/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1773.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 177" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0w_maxnie0/TvtAOHom1eI/AAAAAAAAcXA/LyoQGDlqmqs/christmas2-2011-177_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">This year, Steve went out and bought a third stocking for Meagan.    I told him not to buy a nice one because it had to go with the ones we’ve had for Nathan and Sarah all these years.  Meagan asked how long the Smith Kids would have stockings hung up for them and I told her that it would be a long, long time—probably until each of the Smiths Kids is at least 75.   (Which would make Steve into into a rather ancient Stocking Filler but it’s a job he loves so we have decided not to fire him.)</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-55jqP5yaa6s/TvtAPJZzT9I/AAAAAAAAcXI/VsQtV9qBbdg/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1783.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 178" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 178" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5dUwDxNWQwU/TvtAPwOiZ5I/AAAAAAAAcXQ/F9Ix3UkGahE/christmas2-2011-178_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Since we opted to wait for Nathan and Meagan’s arrival in order to do many of our Christmas traditions, we had to sort of smoosh the activities pretty closely together; therefore, the pancake/tree decorating night was followed immediately by the gift opening night.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Since Snowy considers himself to the Big Dog around here, his self-assigned task was to sit in the Man Chair with Steve and assist him with the reading of the Christmas Story.  (He even donned his little Christmas sweater for the occasion which, unfortunately, detracted a bit from his Big Bad Dog Persona. But don’t tell him I said that.)  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Also, unfortunately, Big Bad Dog Snowy was struck with a gargantuan doggie yawn just as the story was beginning, so it turned out that his inspiring presence in our midst wasn’t all that wasn’t that inspiring after all. Entertaining, yes.  Inspiring, no.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gMnSBfypuOM/TvtAQ4D4L5I/AAAAAAAAcXY/Loc0BCPqi1w/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1863.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 186" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 186" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-po7F5igkp-A/TvtARw5_KEI/AAAAAAAAcXg/y1bbPXKjuUw/christmas2-2011-186_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">The Smith Kids listened quietly to the story, a story they’ve heard every Christmas and many times in between--a story that still brings them to a place of peace.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FKLZI84Q2PI/TvtAS29UXcI/AAAAAAAAcXo/VHsOssKpDDg/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1943.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 194" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 194" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b2Gx1lOYIMI/TvtATx_5W8I/AAAAAAAAcXw/8lRzecWMEqM/christmas2-2011-194_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And then we opened gifts.   And talked a little.  And laughed a lot. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">We also (big surprise, I know) took a lot of pictures.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Here’s one I caught of the new sisters whom I have hereby dubbed, <em>Smith</em>sters.  (Cute, I know.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font><a><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CEHbtd-sldE/TvtAU8EMVeI/AAAAAAAAcX4/wa4eyexXr8w/s1600-h/christmas2%2525202011%252520182%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 182" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 182" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w2Gbm6iezlo/TvtAWOQZ3KI/AAAAAAAAcYA/_QN4C54RJmI/christmas2%2525202011%252520182_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And then for the finale, my pastor’s kid children told me that it would be funny if I took a cookie and pretended like I was smokin’  a stogie.  Can you tell I’m a bit out practice in the stogey-smokin’ department?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Oh well.  It made them laugh.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wWIVzUH6yH4/TvtAYIfZq4I/AAAAAAAAcYI/dozREyqgN6g/s1600-h/christmas2-2011-1993.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas2 2011 199" border="0" alt="christmas2 2011 199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-abcPU08hzvc/TvtAaQ3YbyI/AAAAAAAAcYQ/L5NmCfRwm24/christmas2-2011-199_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Alrighty then!  That’s it for today’s edition of the Calendar Confusion Jet Lagged Whiplashed Blog Experience.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And in future posts?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">The story behind this picture.  And much more!  </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ofO09fAeR5w/TvtAcLwo5sI/AAAAAAAAcYY/GUwXc8RFAq4/s1600-h/christmas%252520in%252520charlotte%252520082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas in charlotte 082" border="0" alt="christmas in charlotte 082" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oHtiYh5C-kg/TvtAg5jlnfI/AAAAAAAAcYg/2MxD2OL3Cbk/christmas%252520in%252520charlotte%252520082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-31838056114641304402011-12-28T09:54:00.000-05:002011-12-28T09:54:05.642-05:00Wedding Wednesday. Or Not.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Wednesday to you! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After giving it a little thought, I decided it would work out better schedule-wise to postpone this week's Wedding Wednesday just a little since I'm many days behind in posting and need to use today to catch up with what's been going on over the past week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We may (or may not) have a surprise (or two) for you to reward you for waiting a little longer so please don't be too terribly awfully mad at me for the delay. I know we have some staunch Wedding Wednesday Aficionados out there which have made Wedding Wednesdays all the more fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to those of you who left comments about some of your favorite Christmas memories these year. I enjoyed reading each one so much and was alternating between smiles and teariness the whole time I read. Thanks again for sharing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay. I know I said today was a catch up day but since I don't have my Catch Up Day Post written yet, please check back in a little while. I just wanted to get a little something written to let you all know Wedding Wednesday would be postponed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be back soon! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-63725983945732187072011-12-26T20:20:00.000-05:002011-12-26T20:20:17.486-05:00Update Paucity<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All is well here in Smithellaneous Land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been coming and going in a variety of permutations and directions for the past three days and much of that time, my computer has not been able to get Internet access. (I'm writing from Steve's mom's comptuter at the moment.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So at any rate, that explains my paucity of updates. (I've always wanted to use the word paucity so it looks like today was my big day!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much more to come as the week progresses...in the meantime, would anybody care to share what your favorite memory or part of Christmas was this year? A gift? A surprise event? An unexected blessing? A family stress that was less than last year? A sweet moment? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always love to hear what's going on with you all! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-58839809682424292922011-12-25T07:11:00.001-05:002011-12-25T07:11:59.166-05:00Home Again<p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">We went to the airport on Friday to pick up some certain some ones.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fQyIo0kELH8/TvcSyqSFmjI/AAAAAAAAcRA/4ubMRXnndm4/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520016%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 016" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GyBu5X1-9Hs/TvcSz-dUU4I/AAAAAAAAcRI/8i4dys-IoX4/christmas1%2525202011%252520016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X48VWu5-Hfc/TvcS0tNeRlI/AAAAAAAAcRQ/eBJ6ktR7ZbY/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520025%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 025" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NEBB_GfEibY/TvcS1kJqkvI/AAAAAAAAcRY/kS0MFwMFfoU/christmas1%2525202011%252520025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YSVMshvUlLw/TvcS28aZg-I/AAAAAAAAcRg/ru2PPrK2JnY/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 031" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CegwHBR-ZjE/TvcS4euGL3I/AAAAAAAAcRo/g_P1Y0l44PI/christmas1%2525202011%252520031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2y_uYeDFLHs/TvcS5tufJuI/AAAAAAAAcRw/BprEpbtYRYs/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520036%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 036" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 036" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k4hv63iDG2w/TvcS6pj1pTI/AAAAAAAAcR4/p8s82f8UuuE/christmas1%2525202011%252520036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qTQBTa_dLH0/TvcS7jstSLI/AAAAAAAAcSA/H0_tNSdsPo0/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520048%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 048" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5NtfGLsXlsQ/TvcS88V25QI/AAAAAAAAcSI/Ofri8u8RlHQ/christmas1%2525202011%252520048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan’s magic gestures helped the tree to get decorated in no time flat.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GCDJd9VWYx4/TvcS-EAUh_I/AAAAAAAAcSQ/-7nrQ5DqJEg/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520089%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 089" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-17xYFdOyRGA/TvcS_Brj7VI/AAAAAAAAcSY/e05ZvMUMJPY/christmas1%2525202011%252520089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Meagan was sweet to capture a picture of the four of us.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UlhaubmjsYo/TvcTAXObvlI/AAAAAAAAcSg/PyTndMS-5Dk/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520121%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 121" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 121" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Iiv4tdx_-ao/TvcTBdYyPRI/AAAAAAAAcSo/jg4NYco5WCk/christmas1%2525202011%252520121_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So thankful these feet are home again.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JJGO_wcfyeA/TvcTCb1zjJI/AAAAAAAAcSw/hIjhM8eQMNY/s1600-h/christmas1%2525202011%252520150%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas1 2011 150" border="0" alt="christmas1 2011 150" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dQJhwAmvPVU/TvcTDkmESVI/AAAAAAAAcS4/WEo2fAUtayY/christmas1%2525202011%252520150_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-12993128673659058382011-12-21T14:39:00.001-05:002011-12-21T14:39:47.958-05:00Wedding Wednesday: Dancing The Day Away<p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan and Meagan’s wedding and reception were both occasions for great joy. <br /> <br />However, after the smile-filled wedding was over, <br />and before the joyousness of the reception could commence, <br />the bridal party had to do a little lurking in the entry hall of the country club <br />so that they could be officially introduced at the proper time.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G3honznSIVE/TvI1eueRv3I/AAAAAAAAcM4/9HxPJB_rfe8/s1600-h/DSC_05807.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0580" border="0" alt="DSC_0580" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VNRa3AXi-k8/TvI1fs__dsI/AAAAAAAAcNA/pJ2NFkIhsr8/DSC_0580_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="359" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">The ladies in lurking. . . er.. . waiting.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1jpyfMAUV3c/TvI1gjKxbgI/AAAAAAAAcNI/Djb4gRNTPKo/s1600-h/IMG_05168.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0516" border="0" alt="IMG_0516" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SdzdrMmgBPU/TvI1htMCtLI/AAAAAAAAcNQ/HwbSaLKLxEI/IMG_0516_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="365" /></font></a></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">The whole bridal crew waiting for the big moment.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yXZ5WK0-UKQ/TvI1iXW8-6I/AAAAAAAAcNY/diJkEexV3yg/s1600-h/DSC_0582-23.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0582 2" border="0" alt="DSC_0582 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ly5VmVEKFtA/TvI1jXoZ0wI/AAAAAAAAcNg/B20_t6CNIBA/DSC_0582-2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="351" /></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">At last! <br />The Mister and the Missus make their entrance.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fMvwFacsNHQ/TvI1kPgFZ_I/AAAAAAAAcNo/0sluH5gbOeE/s1600-h/DSC_05894.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0589" border="0" alt="DSC_0589" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nj3T8YG8dVs/TvI1lYruxII/AAAAAAAAcNw/3atXPBBI6Ds/DSC_0589_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="350" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Although the reception food was fabulous, <br />I think Nathan and Meagan only ate about two bites each.  <br />Too much excitement!  <br />Too many people! <br />Too much joy!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jikMHXBx0ew/TvI1mRHkL1I/AAAAAAAAcN4/oBfFncZn6K0/s1600-h/DSC_070411.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0704" border="0" alt="DSC_0704" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cy3VrzACXyY/TvI1nlrVZCI/AAAAAAAAcOA/DDIO1OFsqeA/DSC_0704_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="591" height="424" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Too much dancin’ to be done!</font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QgfH1iWsL8k/TvI1om4iWFI/AAAAAAAAcOI/Uv1fgYekR3o/s1600-h/dance6.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="dance" border="0" alt="dance" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HD9iFfd8VA4/TvI1qaC7bvI/AAAAAAAAcOQ/Elk5R5HSjUk/dance_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j2bYuXO0Bcg/TvI1rI9uRpI/AAAAAAAAcOY/61bukCqDfAo/s1600-h/IMG_05634.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0563" border="0" alt="IMG_0563" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9TMOpk2vJwk/TvI1sGNZL3I/AAAAAAAAcOg/wizlv9nwMQs/IMG_0563_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="570" height="407" /></font></a></a></p> <p><a></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_U6uA_kczoU/TvI1s1KPwWI/AAAAAAAAcOo/dhzFvF6gU98/s1600-h/IMG_05628.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0562" border="0" alt="IMG_0562" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4plzePvv_Lc/TvI1t3CfzeI/AAAAAAAAcOw/T_7yy_kQm_E/IMG_0562_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="562" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9HDVGqirgSg/TvI1usrE_FI/AAAAAAAAcO4/f1_6pIvgQkg/s1600-h/IMG_05684.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0568" border="0" alt="IMG_0568" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ma-bB-ga55w/TvI1v0MpcmI/AAAAAAAAcPA/2CkDz_tmvtg/IMG_0568_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="355" /></font></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sNaE3TOrgf0/TvI1whNiogI/AAAAAAAAcPI/KxOjy7cYmNc/s1600-h/IMG_05914.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0591" border="0" alt="IMG_0591" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e3Ug_8X1BEY/TvI1xl2xHBI/AAAAAAAAcPQ/AwADcE5WIc0/IMG_0591_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="554" /></font></a></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vOaUjztvXV4/TvI1yzcvI8I/AAAAAAAAcPY/cy7-u4_3ht8/s1600-h/IMG_0610_23.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></a> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vOaUjztvXV4/TvI1yzcvI8I/AAAAAAAAcPg/jcQ4igOXcc0/s1600-h/IMG_0610_24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0610_2" border="0" alt="IMG_0610_2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-67QKFrcieZI/TvI11UC5wPI/AAAAAAAAcPk/HAIqPHtE650/IMG_0610_2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="558" height="373" /></a></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Meagan had two special men to dance with that day; <br />this man is the one who has known her and loved her the longest.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LWe0kOaWTyg/TvI12bU2WNI/AAAAAAAAcPs/c4DxJHzAYQI/s1600-h/IMG_06124.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0612" border="0" alt="IMG_0612" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oOnoj0BpgXw/TvI13aTGAMI/AAAAAAAAcP0/APXMLr2LfQY/IMG_0612_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="552" height="396" /></a></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yhfK8p3UE58/TvI14Y2lYqI/AAAAAAAAcP8/xC74SW5JJag/s1600-h/IMG_06204.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0620" border="0" alt="IMG_0620" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kJ13nrKbQ-8/TvI15eWPEMI/AAAAAAAAcQE/MjrfZFdPd2g/IMG_0620_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="554" /></font></a></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1ia_SX8z2Rk/TvI16P2MdXI/AAAAAAAAcQM/Ho2_xU5-am0/s1600-h/IMG_0626_23.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></a> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1ia_SX8z2Rk/TvI16P2MdXI/AAAAAAAAcQU/D-3CAo8x3_g/s1600-h/IMG_0626_24.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0626_2" border="0" alt="IMG_0626_2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aAXgRlAQGEw/TvI18JQzf1I/AAAAAAAAcQY/BW320x1Vy6o/IMG_0626_2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="549" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">I had a special guy to dance with, too, <br />someone I have known, loved (and liked) for twenty-two years. <br />He was so sweet during the dance, <br />telling me I was doing great even though <br />I felt as graceful as a 7-legged, pregnant rhinoceros trying to tango.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jTuj6U572SU/TvI19S09G-I/AAAAAAAAcQg/anUhxAc3Z1g/s1600-h/DSC_070212.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC_0702" border="0" alt="DSC_0702" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IACao5Er0u8/TvI1-SAOaxI/AAAAAAAAcQo/bt0TklzpNSc/DSC_0702_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="325" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tx4LSPvEEKI/TvI1_SvoTlI/AAAAAAAAcQw/RwBFMiA0wpA/s1600-h/nate-beck-dance6.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="nate beck dance" border="0" alt="nate beck dance" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q911ibvxoEk/TvI2AtPH3mI/AAAAAAAAcQ4/odNlPqQlMFQ/nate-beck-dance_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="493" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">And just think!  </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">The Mister and Missus mentioned above are even now packing their <br />bags and preparing for Friday’s flight to Manteo. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Nathan is packing his special ping pong paddle and has challenged me to a duel to a death. <br /></font><font size="3" face="Verdana">Or at least a duel to the point of him laughing so hard at me that he can no longer play.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana">That works, too.</font> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">(Photos by  <a href="http://fpphotos.zenfolio.com">Front Porch Photography.</a>)</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-39026385432293509092011-12-20T09:43:00.001-05:002011-12-20T09:43:16.327-05:00Smiley Face. Sad Face. Christmas Space.<p><font face="Verdana"><font size="3">Below you will see an entry from our December calendar.  If you put on your Sherlock Holmes hat for a minute, you can probably figure out pretty quickly what the entry refers to.  But for those of you whose Holmes Hats might be at the cleaners, I will go ahead and explain it for you.  <em>Because I’m nice like that.</em></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="3">December 23.  Nathan and Meagan fly in from Florida.  <strong><em>Hurray!</em></strong></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="3">December 31. Nathan and Meagan leave for Florida.    <strong><em>Boo hiss!</em></strong></font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cQO19blrlV8/TvCemdcrzXI/AAAAAAAAcJo/B1j_Yi6UfaI/s1600-h/misc%252520dec%252520177%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="misc dec 177" border="0" alt="misc dec 177" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MZ5CKROZqXQ/TvCenB0O76I/AAAAAAAAcJw/iF3NQO3wKRk/misc%252520dec%252520177_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Steve and I have never had a daughter-in-law fly home for Christmas before and Sarah has never had the chance to be a Christmas sister-in-law, so we are all excited about welcoming Meagan to her first Smith Family Christmas.   (And as much as we love Meagan, I did remind her to please remember to bring her husband with her.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">In the days leading up to their arrival, we’ve been putting a few little Christmas-touches on the house.   We usually have our tree completely decorated by this point but we wanted to save some of it for Nathan and Meagan to do with us, so we put the ribbon on and will wait for their arrival to add the ornaments.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Steve was sitting on the couch watching TV while I took these pictures and I just want to say how considerate it was of him to be drinking something berry colored that perfectly matched the décor.   (Let’s hear it for pomegranate/cranberry juice!)</font></p> <p><a><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H60mZvW3QuA/TvCenyjIKJI/AAAAAAAAcJ4/J3O7xXualDk/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520146%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 146" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 146" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a1KczBYq_Z4/TvCepHhBqYI/AAAAAAAAcKA/ZPyxXICIGF4/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520146_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></a></font></a></p> <p><a><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WrSmvT-_eCE/TvCeqEZMNvI/AAAAAAAAcKI/it62CTO5CrU/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520157%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 157" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 157" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8HjwtN26UMU/TvCerAoHzpI/AAAAAAAAcKQ/D4nxHodgmX0/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520157_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">More Smith-esque décor.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e17mlc8w07Y/TvCer8UkyJI/AAAAAAAAcKY/c1SqFkvX5H8/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520019%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 019" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aY6iqLum3Tc/TvCesy0y-fI/AAAAAAAAcKg/OGvmkne-VM0/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana">  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MAz1NtTmE8s/TvCetr3XBFI/AAAAAAAAcKo/Aryh25FxHzI/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520024%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 024" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v4QvQ70iOHs/TvCeu9hjnLI/AAAAAAAAcKw/IalmKodn-yE/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C9L2DFEZFm8/TvCewPC6aaI/AAAAAAAAcK4/y__aK9yVxT8/s1600-h/christmas%252520decor%252520022%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas decor 022" border="0" alt="christmas decor 022" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Av0u38TWI8/TvCew66h9UI/AAAAAAAAcLA/xJOzSytSOdY/christmas%252520decor%252520022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yyl1rPZk214/TvCexlVqJzI/AAAAAAAAcLI/LYf2iXD-L1I/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520026%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 026" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-exutzknSseY/TvCeyRsnlcI/AAAAAAAAcLQ/6jzn-G4YV8s/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vj3NXqGI-5k/TvCe0aJCT-I/AAAAAAAAcLY/-5COXQX8wEU/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520030%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 030" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5CkkwsxTObI/TvCe1uGvofI/AAAAAAAAcLg/ce-mhUcf5p0/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NLxI8e0JD4I/TvCe2jshnYI/AAAAAAAAcLo/0z3Eq06hboY/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520051%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 051" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 051" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0DRBJHpy5gs/TvCe3_QlYeI/AAAAAAAAcLw/5lkaR6E8J6g/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520051_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zzN3KNU62n8/TvCe43u_1xI/AAAAAAAAcL4/GTyQZeVkA5U/s1600-h/christmas%252520decor%252520010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas decor 010" border="0" alt="christmas decor 010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cJDWs2lekp8/TvCe7JcMcYI/AAAAAAAAcMA/tVkkS4H_odo/christmas%252520decor%252520010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AJyhnAi41m8/TvCe8bembFI/AAAAAAAAcMI/Z9wV2NrfDRM/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520065%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 065" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 065" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FBgOut_ZxbM/TvCe9vjHIkI/AAAAAAAAcMQ/rjWTS1F4TtY/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520065_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-imzc10t1KzE/TvCe-RzTrGI/AAAAAAAAcMY/EfYxzSEwvKM/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 082" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jbKdQDV3mHA/TvCe_IVRrYI/AAAAAAAAcMg/lGxPpncrwjU/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LstRIGfAlww/TvCe_9IRbiI/AAAAAAAAcMo/tESTxv6EVXc/s1600-h/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="christmas lights dec 18 033" border="0" alt="christmas lights dec 18 033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8mIY1c0huDQ/TvCfAlVuP3I/AAAAAAAAcMw/YZk2OF1Aqk4/christmas%252520lights%252520dec%25252018%252520033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="430" /></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And now for a quick update on the pending blog makeover/changeover/do over.   The guy who is helping me with the switch said he could do it this Thursday and Friday but I sort of panicked about doing something that big so close to Christmas so we are going to wait until after the first of the year.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Just a reminder that if you click on this blog during that period of time, you will not be able to access it because we will be working on the change. But trust me, the wait will be worth it.  I am so excited!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>And finally, here are a couple comments.</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Connie said (about last week’s Wedding Wednesday), “What song is being sung when so many have their hands raised in praise? <br />I too will be sad when WW's are done.  Hugs!”</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Connie, I have to say that I don’t have any idea what song we were singing; my mind is a complete and total blur because I was in “wedding mode” rather than “music mode” at the time.   I do remember the songs being lively and beautiful and very meaningful, even if I can’t remember the titles. <br />(And if Meagan reads this, maybe she could chime in with the titles.)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Gayle said, “Another great set of WW pictures! And the photographers are from the town right next to ours!! They did a great job and I'll certainly remember to recommend them if I know anyone needing a photographer. Do they have an actual business?”</strong></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Gayle, Kristen (the photographer) actually answered your question herself; I wanted to be sure you saw it so I’m re-posting it below.</font></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana">Kristen wrote, “</font><font size="3" face="Verdana">This is the photographer! Mrs. Becky, I've really enjoyed reading these posts, and seeing the day from your point-of-view! And thank you, as well, for mentioning us several times!</font></strong></p> <p><dt><font size="3" face="Verdana"> <br /><strong>To Gayle in AL- What town do you live in, if that's not too personal? We started our own business this year, but currently 95% of our business is on location. I do have a small studio set-up in Ozark at our church. Our website is <a href="http://fpphotos.zenfolio.com">here.</a></strong></font></dt></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-69410943248735693582011-12-19T09:46:00.001-05:002011-12-19T09:50:37.521-05:00An Introvert And The Homeless.<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I am an introvert.  In fact, I am an inveterate introvert.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">What makes that especially challenging is that as a pastor’s wife, I frequently find myself in new situations which require me to ramp up my introverted tendencies a bit and climb out of my quiet comfort zone. I often have to challenge myself to exude confidence and cheer even though I might feel underequipped to deal with all the things that land on my plate in any given week.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">After thirty years of marriage to a preacher (with fifteen of those years spent traveling full time and being constantly with strangers), I have come a long way toward being confident and comfortable in settings that at one time were way out of my comfort zone. </font><font size="3" face="Verdana">And yet those introverted tendencies persist. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Which is fine.   Being introverted is not a weakness.  It is who I am.  And I love being introverted because a lot of cool qualities come with it.  But my line of work is a bit of a challenge for an introverted personality because I am happiest being alone and what Steve and I do as pastors is all about being with people.  Listening to people.  Welcoming people.  Helping people feel comfortable. Counseling people.  Walking people through great joys and horrendous sorrows.  Just.  Being. There.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Although I have discovered great richness and satisfaction as a pastor’s wife, continuous people-ing will never be my natural habitat.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Last Monday, I was presented with yet another another opportunity to take a step outside of my introverted comfort zone.  </font><font size="3" face="Verdana">Twice during each winter, our church opens our facility to house and feed the homeless for a week at a time.   Each church in the community that signs up for this outreach provides an evening meal, a place to sleep, overnight monitors, a hot breakfast and a sack lunch.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Monday was the night our family (along with another woman) volunteered to cook and serve our homeless guests and as I was at home preparing my part of the meal I was thinking, “I’m not sure what to talk about with these precious, displaced folks. What do we even have in common? We can’t discuss unclogging toilets, putting up a Christmas tree, cleaning out the garage or rearranging furniture. What topics can I think of to help them feel comfortable?”</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Sure, I knew we had in common that we were all human beings; that was a no-brainer.  I got that.  And yet beyond that, what was there?  I<font size="3" face="Verdana"> was fighting the niggling anxiety that I wouldn’t know what to say, wouldn’t know what to talk about while we ate, wouldn’t know how to form a conversational circle that would welcome everyone into its center.</font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Steve, Sarah and I got to the church early to get the food set out before the eight men and two women arrived. </font><font size="3" face="Verdana">We all went through the line to get our food and then Sarah and I (along with Patty, the other helper/cook) sat down at a round table with the two women guests while Steve sat with some of the guys. I rearranged my napkin and plastic fork nervously while frantically searching my brain for some fascinating and fabulous conversation starter.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I needn’t have bothered. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">One of the women glanced up from her plate and said, “That chocolate pie on the counter looks so good that I really thought about eating dessert first.”</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Well.  What is the most perfect thing for women to talk about who don’t know each other and don’t have a whole lot in common?  Chocolate, of course.   </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So we talked about chocolate (in all its lovely permutations) for a little while and when that topic died down, there were miscellaneous memories to be told and various stories to be recollected.  And then one of the ladies mentioned a new grandson of hers and we were off on that subject for a while, discussing how sweet babies are, and how fast they grow, and how amazed we are when we turn around and discover that our toddlers have mysteriously morphed into adults.  And then somewhere in the course of the conversation, I mentioned that I used to clean houses for a living and that set us off on a whole new conversational tangent as we discussed various jobs we’d all worked in the past.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As the delicious meal and delightful conversation came to an end and I started clearing things away, it struck me that we really weren’t that different at all.  Yes, I have a home and they don’t.  Yes, I have my own bathroom and they don’t.  Yes, our lives are very much<em> not the same.</em>  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And yet our differences were not erased by what we don’t have in common, but what we do. We all have families and friends whom we love.  We all have stories to tell from years gone by.  We all have life experiences that have shaped us and made us who we are.  And it was all those stories and life experiences that constructed the path that brought us to one particular evening, one particular table, one particular circle of fellow pilgrims. We sat and talked and were reminded in subtle, unspoken ways that</font><font size="3" face="Verdana"> we all laugh, we all cry, we all dream, we all mourn, we all hope.  We are all the same in all the ways that are the most important.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was an honor for me to share a meal with those women who don’t always know from day to day where they will sleep. It was an inspiration to witness their pluck and their courage and their sense of humor, to see how they refused to allow hard times to define them. They were mothers and friends and workers and dreamers and lovers of chocolate.  They were a lot like me.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">It was a good night. Good food. Good company.  And another good chance to step out of my comfort zone and invest time and compassion into the lives of people who received help with dignity, people who shared their thanks freely, people who were hungry for far more than just food.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I hope that as they ate,  they felt like God Himself had reached out to them through our compassion and through our casseroles.  I hope they knew that they were important and that they were loved.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Because love is the sustenance that none of us can live without out.  </font><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em>And that is the thing we all have in common. </em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em></em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em>________________________________________________________</em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em>  </em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Here are a few pictures; they aren’t the best quality because I was using my small camera and the lighting wasn’t good. But they will give you a little better insight into the evening.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Steve and Sarah are sitting with George, the man from our church who oversees our involvement in this national ministry called Room In The Inn.</font><font size="3" face="Verdana">   They’re waiting for the guests to arrive.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WXvewOYaXrA/Tu9N6aQl2AI/AAAAAAAAcG4/5vLjNJesxVE/s1600-h/riti-0223.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 022" border="0" alt="riti 022" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xF78j--WQe4/Tu9N8TA-ANI/AAAAAAAAcHA/9SR-_kPiK_w/riti-022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Several of the air mattresses spread throughout our youth hall.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uoyOvNmtGaM/Tu9N9Qio2MI/AAAAAAAAcHI/8emDZJU_5fM/s1600-h/riti-0053.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 005" border="0" alt="riti 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Stdia1CnEGk/Tu9N-Du6FVI/AAAAAAAAcHQ/FpZGWm4jALE/riti-005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q3fuQiCuf34/Tu9N_MNgCII/AAAAAAAAcHY/XS7OXXyQmiU/s1600-h/riti-0073.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 007" border="0" alt="riti 007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N5y1NIFAAec/Tu9OAHcvzkI/AAAAAAAAcHg/nT1YZV1N1GU/riti-007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8BSJwBecRMM/Tu9OA1q5ebI/AAAAAAAAcHo/GRrbm9LMRg0/s1600-h/riti-0103.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 010" border="0" alt="riti 010" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-frtlxANds7U/Tu9OBmsLAXI/AAAAAAAAcHw/O_kFUOAtK3Y/riti-010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VEkT8j4zglQ/Tu9OCWBwfVI/AAAAAAAAcH4/JF8f2bBpPUg/s1600-h/riti-0123.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 012" border="0" alt="riti 012" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XzgiHXsy1uY/Tu9ODKdGDeI/AAAAAAAAcIA/z0Wdtc4YBBo/riti-012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0XjtORYl60w/Tu9OEHxWXdI/AAAAAAAAcII/i4qn6KvdXZs/s1600-h/riti-0143.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 014" border="0" alt="riti 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3p2e9sg0TX4/Tu9OFAZMS5I/AAAAAAAAcIQ/THW8rX_LWIw/riti-014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">This is the container that holds the clean sheets, towels and washcloths for the guests.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BGfeVPWWAxA/Tu9OFpfiQvI/AAAAAAAAcIY/oCPzqqwz__E/s1600-h/riti-0163.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 016" border="0" alt="riti 016" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KrgVOObsh1Q/Tu9OGuz5B3I/AAAAAAAAcIg/h2zaCUU2lqA/riti-016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5gYhX3rMkKs/Tu9OHHUYeHI/AAAAAAAAcIo/IGmqIlGTsdk/s1600-h/riti-0183.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 018" border="0" alt="riti 018" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y7dvu2jYTD8/Tu9OKLre0II/AAAAAAAAcIw/XmvxhsAoDmM/riti-018_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">The local company who provides and cleans these linens doesn’t charge a penny for doing so which just proves all over again that there are still good hearts and good people in this world.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8tx8t9XAKig/Tu9OK4etNFI/AAAAAAAAcI4/sAjMrt7_V0I/s1600-h/riti-0193.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 019" border="0" alt="riti 019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PyiD8wa6Va4/Tu9OLeNHMSI/AAAAAAAAcJA/aY6_kqDZvms/riti-019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Is-5iVwNJKk/Tu9OMBYiVMI/AAAAAAAAcJI/hftalhrQQrk/s1600-h/riti-0203.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 020" border="0" alt="riti 020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yI1Pn6F7qZw/Tu9OMlSJApI/AAAAAAAAcJQ/BCRqzAzSepk/riti-020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Just about time to eat!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GaoGusqecS8/Tu9ONi2-aSI/AAAAAAAAcJY/hZLdiL9L2CU/s1600-h/riti-0243.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="riti 024" border="0" alt="riti 024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CtubeZaj51I/Tu9OOkDM0yI/AAAAAAAAcJg/exvrreQLwJA/riti-024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="644" height="462" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">As a shout out to the churches of the Outer Banks--most of them take turns provide housing and food to the homeless every night of the week from October through March.   I’m proud of our churches out here and their congregations who take the time and have the heart to make a difference.  </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">This ministry of <a href="http://roomintheinn.org/website/room-in-the-inn.php">Room In The Inn</a> is also a national organization that you may be able to find in your own city.   </font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-23253669342303424632011-12-16T10:36:00.002-05:002011-12-16T10:38:44.223-05:00Friday-Ness<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Yep. It’s Friday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">My to-do list is long, my house is dirty, my Christmas cards are unmailed, and exactly 1/2 of one percent of my Christmas shopping has been done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Thankfully my back is doing a whole lot better, which will enable me to work fast and efficiently and get done all the things that I have left undone due to the fact that I was feeling undone by my back’s unhappy state of being. <em>(Did you get all that?)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">And so today instead of writing long-ly and lengthily, I will send you off on your weekend with some glimpses of Outer Banks loveliness to bring a smile to heart and peace to your soul.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Because in this busy season? Smiles and peace are a really good thing.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8OX3LsIfjho/TutlHdV5GGI/AAAAAAAAcCY/IRg3KHN1UXY/s1600-h/sunset%252520november%25252019%252520194%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="sunset november 19 194" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z8P2d8_FoFw/TutlIZS7RsI/AAAAAAAAcCg/LtAI8ro55Js/sunset%252520november%25252019%252520194_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sunset november 19 194" width="644" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-86789069504276308452011-12-15T10:37:00.001-05:002011-12-15T10:37:56.877-05:00Try To NOT Smile When You Watch This. And An Upcoming Change.<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Every time I watch this video, a big ol’ goofy smile just appears on my face.  (And the Southern accent just slays me,)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:dcddfc09-d58a-4c63-9819-d62517e6ac2c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="5e87bf14-026c-4cec-8afe-86c98171aed4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOQX4g9HM1Q" target="_new"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1lPusLJVigA/TuoUU9gLKbI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/IGuoi1z00NQ/video49216249d3a0.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5e87bf14-026c-4cec-8afe-86c98171aed4'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/iOQX4g9HM1Q?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/iOQX4g9HM1Q?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Changes . . .</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">The following two comments that were left recently are a perfect lead in to a certain announcement I have . . .</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Lisa wrote, “Becky, I always love your posts and am a faithful reader but have to tell you that I hate the orange background. Sometimes it turns white and sometimes it does not. Maybe it's just my computer but can you look into it?  Lisa.” <br /></strong></font></p> <p><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana">Jodi said, “Any new updates on the new commenting system?”</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">In answer to those questions—<strong><em>change is on the way!</em></strong>  </font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Over the course of the next week or two, I am going to be transferring Smithellaneous over to a new self-hosted blog platform (Wordpress). Therefore Lisa, the background will be completely different and Jodi, the new commenting system will work wonderfully!  In fact the new blog will be different on many levels, allowing much more freedom in design as well as offering helpful features and a lot of fun and cool aspects.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Currently, my blog is on a hosting platform called Blogger and while I have used it for two years, in recent months it has been making me just a wee bit crazy. I attempted to add a “threaded comment system” which would enable you (and me) to comment on each others comments and have a running dialogue which would build on the wonderful sense of community we have around here.  However, Blogger would not allow me to install that system. Wordpress will.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Also, I have been having many other issues with Blogger, one of which has added three gray hairs and five new wrinkles,  Once I get a new post up and see a little mistake or a missing word—when I go back in to change that one thing, it immediately throws the formatting off on the whole post and I have to spend a half hour trying to get the formatting (paragraphs, spacing, etc) back to where it was.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Wordpress offers thousands of “plug ins” and applications and design features and things that will gladden the artistic, creative heart of this blogger and make Smithellaneous a lovely and fun place to visit.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>So with all the change, what will remain the same?</strong>  The blog address. The writing.  The pictures. The wonderful Smithellaneous community.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Having said all that, I do need to let you know ahead of time that this blog will have to go off line for a day or two in order to make the switch. So if you happen to come by and find nothing at all, have no fear.   It’s a temporary situation that will soon be remedied.  I don’t know right now exactly when that will happen but I will warn you a few hours (or a day) ahead of time.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about taking this blog to a new level and implementing some changes I’ve been thinking about for a long time.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">So . . . stay posted and I’ll keep you up to date as things progress.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">And since I’m answering comments, let me close by addressing two more that have come in.</font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"></font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Gayle said, “Another great set of WW pictures! And the photographers are from the town right next to ours!! They did a great job and I'll certainly remember to recommend them if I know anyone needing a photographer. Do they have an actual business?” </strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Gayle, yes Nathan and Meagan’s photographers do have an actual business. Here is their <a href="http://fpphotos.zenfolio.com/">website</a>.  Thanks for passing their info along to people you know in the area.</font></p> <p align="left"><strong><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Karen, commenting on the Musical Flash Mob I posted recently asked if I had seen the Flash Mob with the  symphony.</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">I found the </font><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrEk06XXaAw"><font size="3" face="Verdana">symphony</font></a><font size="3" face="Verdana"> you were talking about, Karen, and loved it!  Thanks for the recommendation.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><strong>Karen also wrote, “By the way, does Sarah still mention hearing her hair? Mine has been bothering me lately and I happened to think of her!”</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Verdana">Karen, Sarah did have that problem when she first started wearing her hearing aids; however, she has not worn them in a while and seems to getting along quite well without them.  </font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-6764835727239788862011-12-14T14:02:00.002-05:002011-12-14T18:17:44.317-05:00Wedding Wednesday: Hugs and More<div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Before we start today’s Wedding Wednesday, I just want to mention that my back is still giving me fits so I reluctantly trundled off to the doctor yesterday. She gave me a super, mega, mambo muscle relaxer which when it kicks in, renders me incapable of thought, speech, or action. Well, maybe not completely incapable, because I am, after all, writing this blog. However, I’m not promising it will be entirely coherent. And I’m not promising that I will be able to stay awake during the whole th</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<i>(Three Hours Later.)</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i>Did I miss anything? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">No? Oh good.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
By the way, I think I have enough photos to finish out the month of December and then </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">we will all observe a moment of silence before moving on to a new year and new Wednesday topics. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
As we finish out these last couple of weeks, I will be repeating a few pictures here and there— </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">some of them will be repeated because my memory sometimes fails to let me know that I’ve already posted them and some </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">will be repeated just because I especially like them. </span></div><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">So let’s get started with a sort of wacky photo, shall we? <br />
This is the kind of sister-in-law that Nathan will <br />
have to put up with for the next sixty years? Can you imagine?</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fcOVW7bvlws/TujxzNTny3I/AAAAAAAAb7c/wAfAuaw9zrs/s1600-h/IMG_0043%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fcOVW7bvlws/TujxzNTny3I/AAAAAAAAb7k/grAEkz2lx5g/s1600-h/IMG_0043%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0043" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RQ7MD6EmsTU/Tujx1cMQA7I/AAAAAAAAb7o/VBpdIc5rOMc/IMG_0043_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0043" width="532" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Oh wait. <br />
It appears as though the wild, wacky haired sister-in-law was actually <br />
just showing off her wedding-esque hair extensions and that<br />
Nathan’s other sister-in-law was able to whisk said extensions into a <br />
lovely and elegant hair style.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
<i>Whew. That’s a relief.</i></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> <br />
Because we all know that Nathan would never fit into a<br />
wacky family, now would he?</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7614350181757194859&postID=676483572723978886"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BvbaKz74GZM/Tujx2AaD2pI/AAAAAAAAb7w/QHG4NuIsN2g/s1600-h/IMG_0044%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0044" border="0" height="347" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VvSyi37pbqg/Tujx28XeEKI/AAAAAAAAb74/vhEq_JOJX8g/IMG_0044_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0044" width="543" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">A few more shots from the ceremony.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xuJZz9r2YKY/Tujx36qqvDI/AAAAAAAAb8A/YKlTby8-BEE/s1600-h/DSC_03093.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xuJZz9r2YKY/Tujx36qqvDI/AAAAAAAAb8I/0PuY7Y7P0-A/s1600-h/DSC_0309%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0309" border="0" height="374" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G_dIAe4rho4/Tujx64U3qiI/AAAAAAAAb8M/LA2qB35BgCM/DSC_0309_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0309" width="560" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kPSIHVt4oXc/Tujx8JfhAYI/AAAAAAAAb8U/qQQ0A9QLbig/s1600-h/DSC_03413.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kPSIHVt4oXc/Tujx8JfhAYI/AAAAAAAAb8c/NGkmbzoyfr4/s1600-h/DSC_0341.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0341" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IZobJAPW6Tw/Tujx_u_dMKI/AAAAAAAAb8g/-ThIHWWgCaY/DSC_0341_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0341" width="548" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7QE4GZlB5oQ/TujyAU1PUSI/AAAAAAAAb8o/_1qvae3EKUk/s1600-h/DSC_0377-33.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7QE4GZlB5oQ/TujyAU1PUSI/AAAAAAAAb8w/EM4mmigwLE4/s1600-h/DSC_0377%2525203.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0377 3" border="0" height="383" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1uMWVCy-hho/TujyCQ1o1BI/AAAAAAAAb80/cbg4ePRozwk/DSC_0377%2525203_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0377 3" width="535" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C_1cIUL6sv8/TujyDdFWI5I/AAAAAAAAb88/pFLXmTYiSAM/s1600-h/DSC_0426-23.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C_1cIUL6sv8/TujyDdFWI5I/AAAAAAAAb9E/sCHyhZntAYY/s1600-h/DSC_0426%2525202.jpg"><img alt="DSC_0426 2" border="0" height="383" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5_snBE8ASzk/TujyFoBjkrI/AAAAAAAAb9I/LWuzROTVZlA/DSC_0426%2525202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0426 2" width="535" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I know Steve and I look rather sober but we’re actually quite happy.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RsrXU_TzT3M/TujyGzjg68I/AAAAAAAAb9Q/Uh3k-KlSFVo/s1600-h/IMG_02533.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RsrXU_TzT3M/TujyGzjg68I/AAAAAAAAb9Y/s4HslhCO4Tc/s1600-h/IMG_0253.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0253" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5dL_8uinvc4/TujyJoLw8wI/AAAAAAAAb9c/sPm4-UpfUh8/IMG_0253_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0253" width="592" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_LXZEwQ1VDg/TujyKtvkweI/AAAAAAAAb9k/5knkQTJzuoo/s1600-h/IMG_0261_23.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_LXZEwQ1VDg/TujyKtvkweI/AAAAAAAAb9s/YCXkezInCrE/s1600-h/IMG_0261_2.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0261_2" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZwsNGf_xxrY/TujyM06jc5I/AAAAAAAAb9w/bur-Yk_8WRc/IMG_0261_2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0261_2" width="592" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-28zRwPQEPU0/TujyN4pX0NI/AAAAAAAAb94/ISOdSLBDpnc/s1600-h/IMG_02633.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0263" border="0" height="432" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jRC7rimV-zM/TujyOxUbT0I/AAAAAAAAb-A/qLM5JRi8fNk/IMG_0263_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0263" width="601" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-itYt91zRBZA/TujyPl9AM5I/AAAAAAAAb-I/7cYdOAL8IYs/s1600-h/IMG_02693.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-itYt91zRBZA/TujyPl9AM5I/AAAAAAAAb-Q/bjPbNdNf0XI/s1600-h/IMG_0269.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0269" border="0" height="587" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6P3fvNGzfsA/TujyRdcgVgI/AAAAAAAAb-U/aGwZR0Foh8M/IMG_0269_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0269" width="393" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s5y1_B-e2JU/TujySZMutPI/AAAAAAAAb-c/_CwrAuof_wU/s1600-h/IMG_0277_23.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0277_2" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uQb6NPrth_c/TujyTYDF9oI/AAAAAAAAb-k/oxq4SXTHyLo/IMG_0277_2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0277_2" width="644" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-61zsydkSmW0/TujyUEWgIPI/AAAAAAAAb-s/NqX4eIuntUQ/s1600-h/IMG_03093.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-61zsydkSmW0/TujyUEWgIPI/AAAAAAAAb-0/VXRSTacccN4/s1600-h/IMG_0309.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0309" border="0" height="467" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-66B2eXQ5RCg/TujyW8WD0iI/AAAAAAAAb-4/NWt5TAjRor0/IMG_0309_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0309" width="654" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BIF4RBDCfDA/TujyXmvTbwI/AAAAAAAAb_A/A3Nayk0Oa-Y/s1600-h/IMG_03193.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BIF4RBDCfDA/TujyXmvTbwI/AAAAAAAAb_I/z8pZPICeBSg/s1600-h/IMG_0319.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0319" border="0" height="467" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K86hMEvtioo/TujyaXrvreI/AAAAAAAAb_M/rlBR6OUKji8/IMG_0319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0319" width="651" /></a></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aIdAe0y5c-0/TujybcVFWYI/AAAAAAAAb_U/YjXOdmNIUto/s1600-h/IMG_03693.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aIdAe0y5c-0/TujybcVFWYI/AAAAAAAAb_c/hx3hQTiE6-g/s1600-h/IMG_0369%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0369" border="0" height="424" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B6uDgFoT_Qc/TujyeZXgLAI/AAAAAAAAb_g/uGR2zafdtRQ/IMG_0369_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0369" width="633" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Their first married hug. (One of many thousands of hugs to come.)</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3G-NM3G6y88/TujyfHd3pNI/AAAAAAAAb_o/fN-FSRqpQUQ/s1600-h/IMG_03743.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3G-NM3G6y88/TujyfHd3pNI/AAAAAAAAb_w/QfltQ25KEFA/s1600-h/IMG_0374%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0374" border="0" height="411" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HaXPB0vC6d4/Tujyg5TKHfI/AAAAAAAAb_0/fTaBbSm53wI/IMG_0374_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0374" width="575" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">More hugs—Nathan and Sarah and Meagan and a groomsman.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hw23tgGpjRw/Tujyh0ULkSI/AAAAAAAAb_8/at7sEbpfw3M/s1600-h/IMG_03763.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0376" border="0" height="407" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-naWqv8Iv98A/TujyiinprWI/AAAAAAAAcAE/pJHXDN3da_c/IMG_0376_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0376" width="567" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The Parental Units swarm their beloved offspring . . .</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3RnNgbrzigI/Tujyjv_1IzI/AAAAAAAAcAM/W88tiLETCVw/s1600-h/IMG_03793.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3RnNgbrzigI/Tujyjv_1IzI/AAAAAAAAcAU/71lkgAdGXXA/s1600-h/IMG_0379.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0379" border="0" height="387" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oWiuVwd0JdI/TujymDmT1LI/AAAAAAAAcAY/jhDhzSG2srE/IMG_0379_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0379" width="578" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> . . . and even more hugging commences.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uF_TywPJ7Zw/TujynATZ8HI/AAAAAAAAcAg/2xoBywOFszw/s1600-h/IMG_03803.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uF_TywPJ7Zw/TujynATZ8HI/AAAAAAAAcAo/OcKIAOJlMjE/s1600-h/IMG_0380.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0380" border="0" height="386" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZWTpnR20VC4/Tujype41LpI/AAAAAAAAcAs/-T4hFJddVvo/IMG_0380_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0380" width="577" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7614350181757194859&postID=676483572723978886"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OBfccq8ufBA/TujyqD7BWdI/AAAAAAAAcA0/O5d1NLcq8SM/s1600-h/IMG_0382%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0382" border="0" height="550" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cI8XQl2bbOo/Tujyq-9B3lI/AAAAAAAAcA8/Tmmx-t5bdr4/IMG_0382_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0382" width="368" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Later on at the reception, everyone signed a photo of the Bridal Couple.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pv8h2kWBC9c/TujysDaXxjI/AAAAAAAAcBE/GOiQdf7krMw/s1600-h/DSC_0592%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="DSC_0592" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wULTwYIIO1w/Tujys11HSLI/AAAAAAAAcBM/NNr1ZecxZC8/DSC_0592_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0592" width="546" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Here’s Meagan with Chris, one of the two photographers. <br />
It’s a funny picture to me because it looks like she’s trying to talk <br />
him into some funky dance move and he’s just not buyin’ it.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-epa2ipOy92Y/TujytyufFWI/AAAAAAAAcBU/ZjecW2JOyLc/s1600-h/IMG_06613.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-epa2ipOy92Y/TujytyufFWI/AAAAAAAAcBc/nJnxIeEWbmA/s1600-h/IMG_0661.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0661" border="0" height="618" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rdkOdBNp994/TujywYrrmkI/AAAAAAAAcBg/ffhIutZr5tQ/IMG_0661_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0661" width="443" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">And one of my all time favorites.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pqWGDltvtSQ/TujyxKg0jiI/AAAAAAAAcBo/VZeRJg3rxqY/s1600-h/DSC_0251_2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="DSC_0251_2" border="0" height="410" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RAOu-xIN4Xg/TujyyDyMBVI/AAAAAAAAcBw/0lm8QGimkUU/DSC_0251_2_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0251_2" width="568" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I’ll close with a few comments on Wedding Wednesdays.<br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>Deb said,</strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong> “Thanks for WW and I don't mean Weight Watchers! Do either of the "kids" have a blog? I thought maybe Meagan would document their new life together... considering her background, (giggle)<br />
</strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Nope, Deb, no blog so far, but I would sure love to read the thoughts and experiences of the new Mrs. Smith!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
<b>Becky M said, “</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>I think this blog needs TWO special entries one from the groom and one from the bride, heck or a few posts, </strong></span><strong style="font-family: Verdana;">talking about their wedding and honeymoon and such. We have heard from Steve and Sarah and even Snowy. I think it is time to hear from our other memories of the family and what a great way then getting their inside scoop on their wedding and honeymoon....it is a thought anyway.</strong></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong><br />
</strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Becky, I’m all for it! Now we just have to talk the bride and groom into it!<br />
<br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Catherine said,“I love the pictures. Are they what a number of people took and have passed along to you? </strong><strong>The detail of what is caught on film is just so exquisite.”<br />
<br />
</strong></span></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Catherine, thanks for the reminder to mention once again who the photographers are for these wedding photos. I may have taken a few of the ones I post, but about 95% of them were taken by the husband/wife team of <a href="http://fpphotos.zenfolio.com/">Kristen and Chris Czuchra</a> from Ozark, AL. <br />
<br />
They are friends of Nathan and Meagan and the perfect choice to shoot their wedding. I also want to mention that the pictures I’ve been posting are a fairly small file size (as opposed to the originals) so they’re not a completely accurate reflection of the quality of the Czuchras’ work. But the poses and the pictures are gorgeous, none-the-less. <br />
</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Here is the wonderful couple responsible for Wedding Wednesdays!</span></div><div align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XoGHdByu7Ow/TujyzFCc01I/AAAAAAAAcB4/ePKm7Khrlbc/s1600-h/200629_10150119695316547_500256546_6534050_358178_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="200629_10150119695316547_500256546_6534050_358178_n" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zcqplTFpfGc/Tujy0Nn-hYI/AAAAAAAAcCA/gIKV6Ygl3Z0/200629_10150119695316547_500256546_6534050_358178_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="200629_10150119695316547_500256546_6534050_358178_n" width="365" /></span></a></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">As always, thanks for stopping by and continuing to celebrate this special day with us.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-31780529098042435352011-12-13T11:38:00.001-05:002011-12-13T11:38:40.760-05:00What The Well Dressed, Middle-Aged Woman Is Wearing.<p><font size="3" face="Verdana">On Sunday afternoons after worship team rehearsal, morning service and lunch, I try to take a nap.  I always put on something comfy for my nap because taking a nap in non-comfy clothes is just wrong on so many levels.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">For my comfy clothing selection, I especially like sweat suits.  They feel like pajamas, but if your doorbell rings unexpectedly, you can answer the door in your quasi-pajama, napping-ish clothes and no one is the wiser.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So. I took my Sunday nap cozily ensconced in my sweat suit.  Ahh.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Then I got up, put on my fuzzy socks and puttered around the house for a little while.  Ahhh again.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Then Steve took Sarah to youth meeting.  I puttered some more.  Continued ahhh.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">Then Sarah called and said she needed a ride home.  Since Steve had the Dropping Off Duty, I elected myself for the Picking Up Duty.  But it was a wee bit chilly outside, so I pondered the coat closet selection for a moment before finally settling on a gray, fur-like coat someone in the church had passed along to me.  I’d been wanting to find a time to wear it and so I thought, “What better time than now?”</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">So I plopped the dressy coat on over my sweat suit.  And then I realized that I couldn’t go out on the cold sidewalk with just fuzzy socks on, so I put some gold flip flops on over the fuzzy socks to keep the bottoms of my delicate little feet from getting frostbite from our wickedly cold, bitter Southern winters. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And then I grabbed my “mom purse” and I was good to go.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I picked Sarah up, brought her home and we got out of the car to go into the house.  She glanced over at me to say something and then looked again.  A little closer. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">And she said something like, “Um.  Mom, do you know how you’re dressed?”</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2NXzH0MiLvs/Tud_hPCeRVI/AAAAAAAAb68/KGMx-Na6oHg/s1600-h/sweat%252520suit%252520coat%252520002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="sweat suit coat 002" border="0" alt="sweat suit coat 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_AXT6RAGg-I/Tud_h_9hIxI/AAAAAAAAb7E/sf0OSeqWeMY/sweat%252520suit%252520coat%252520002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">What?  The girl doesn’t think her mama is rockin’ this style?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yov2SRxq2ho/Tud_jGxhztI/AAAAAAAAb7M/03lt5sihDp8/s1600-h/sweat%252520suit%252520coat%252520003%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="Verdana"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="sweat suit coat 003" border="0" alt="sweat suit coat 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I2wpGlI49iQ/Tud_j2qllaI/AAAAAAAAb7U/Ylvp512RNYU/sweat%252520suit%252520coat%252520003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="484" /></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana">I just don’t know what’s wrong with this younger generation.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"> </font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-69182950487189244002011-12-12T09:43:00.001-05:002013-02-08T14:45:37.079-05:00The Sea. The Sky. The Sonset.<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">A few weeks ago, I wrote about our family’s jaunt to </span><a href="http://www.jennettespier.net/"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Jeanette’s Pier</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> to enjoy the <em>sea, the sky, and the sunset.</em> While we were there, I took one of my favorite pictures of Sarah.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0sOxNNQEz24/TuYS3yFCECI/AAAAAAAAb4c/o-yV2YjYJfM/s1600-h/_DSC0258-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0258-1" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yu9ryiMo8C0/TuYS45z7OII/AAAAAAAAb4k/Gu_f39jRFmA/_DSC0258-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0258-1" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I took a lot of other pictures that made me happy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oPja2VGE5ZY/TuYS5tZzpFI/AAAAAAAAb4s/uaXYdDIWjOI/s1600-h/_DSC0208%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC0208" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UBjr6YkYIYY/TuYS6cYsueI/AAAAAAAAb40/h6mpe6A1azc/_DSC0208_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0208" width="644" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fcEaOcVLyHo/TuYS7a8qBeI/AAAAAAAAb48/H1thLZteVe0/s1600-h/_DSC0280%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0280" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OGoDXXy2dbw/TuYS8XORYlI/AAAAAAAAb5E/Sigq5kn9t3U/_DSC0280_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0280" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qJG3gE7XxXk/TuYS9erDb4I/AAAAAAAAb5M/-KE6teVOBb8/s1600-h/_DSC0300%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0300" border="0" height="464" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N0KHXzh7kg0/TuYS-YNSSOI/AAAAAAAAb5U/2KHQsJRAuyU/_DSC0300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0300" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">But those weren’t the only pictures from the evening that I loved.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Shortly after we got there, I happened to see an elderly mom and her son who happened to have arrived about the same time we did. I couldn’t help but notice them several times over the next few minutes because they seemed to have such a sweet, tender relationship between. And the more I watched them, the more I missed a certain fella of mine . . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f94GmPtj8aA/TuYS_ehSOcI/AAAAAAAAb5c/3eTyKAqEFPw/s1600-h/fam%252520collage%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="fam collage" border="0" height="459" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X6PiGCoyyRg/TuYTAhIeuPI/AAAAAAAAb5k/91Jdt1j1Vkk/fam%252520collage_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="fam collage" width="644" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">. . . because if there was one thing that is true in this life, it’s that mama’s can miss their kids so badly it actually hurts sometimes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Anyway, since I had been watching this lovely pair throughout the evening and since they just happened to leave the pier at the same time as we did, I positioned myself nonchalantly behind them so that I could take some pictures of them as they left.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9rFZOHfXXbk/TuYTBjJchCI/AAAAAAAAb5s/8Xc3-YVqAQA/s1600-h/_DSC0169%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0169" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Fo5j0sIOwk0/TuYTCmHRwvI/AAAAAAAAb50/vAJJiKq8i-k/_DSC0169_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0169" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ehjSKyAjXqU/TuYTDuhH0kI/AAAAAAAAb58/UiBFV67kQoA/s1600-h/_DSC0170%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0170" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L7SR-CFs8jI/TuYTE_sRcVI/AAAAAAAAb6E/D4VApXv0Aco/_DSC0170_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0170" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-USUkPuUhDKk/TuYTFobjV0I/AAAAAAAAb6M/JYjS9yD3vpQ/s1600-h/_DSC0172%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0172" border="0" height="462" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Gsbp3qMn_1E/TuYTGq4q-MI/AAAAAAAAb6U/-ksMJkfRFTM/_DSC0172_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0172" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ikVKLVcEHKg/TuYTHvnGtMI/AAAAAAAAb6c/VuWh9H3autM/s1600-h/_DSC0174%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="_DSC0174" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RPIOhKNJN6U/TuYTInKgAwI/AAAAAAAAb6k/dd9W8IApqAQ/_DSC0174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0174" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WlVlVpJE_Uw/TuYTJQbDH2I/AAAAAAAAb6s/ULri3T2eoZc/s1600-h/_DSC0168%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt="_DSC0168" border="0" height="483" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-29pOUvldIq4/TuYTKoM3DGI/AAAAAAAAb60/k9NVo5W1dQw/_DSC0168_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="_DSC0168" width="644" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I have to confess that as I continued to take photos, I had to wipe away tears between each shot because I could so easily picture this same scene being played out thirty years from now--just with different characters. I could picture Nathan taking me to view the <em>sea, the sky, and the sunset,</em> buying me a little something at the gift shop, and then guiding me gently down the pier back toward the car. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Me in the sunset of my years. He in the prime of life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The roles between us would be altered by then, with him taking my hand to hold me steady--a mirror image of those long gone years when I was the one grasping a small hand in order to hold my wobbly toddler upright.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">So much else will have changed between <em>the now</em> and <em>the then.</em> The world will be a much different place, maybe even unrecognizable. Age and passing years will have erased youthfulness from our faces. I will be full of years and Nathan will be full of adulthood, juggling the joys, sorrows and challenges of a family, of a career, of life. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">But one thing that won’t change in thirty years will be the love between a mother and a son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Sunset years. The prime of life. Hands held. Joy spoken. Love given.</span><br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">The sea. The sky. <em>The sonset.</em></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-32700201135965106432011-12-10T06:15:00.000-05:002011-12-10T06:15:23.410-05:00Flash Mobbin'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love these flash mob things because you just can't help but smile when watching them. This one features a Christmas song; its starts slow and mellow and gets really fun and funky by the end of it.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Someday I think it would be fun to be in a flash mob. Maybe Sarah, Steve and I could go down to the local McDonalds, seat ourselves in random places and at a certain, secret signal, all leap up and burst forth into song.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or not.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uH8FvERQHtM" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-29760537977990773682011-12-08T10:41:00.003-05:002011-12-08T10:45:39.261-05:00I Miss My Memory The Most. And Some Waterfront Photos.<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">You know how they say that when you get a little older (like almost fifty. like me.) your memory becomes a little less than . . . shall we say . . . stellar?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
Well, I think I’m there. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
How do I know that? Let me count the ways.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
Well, actually, let me count just </span><em style="font-family: Verdana;">one</em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"> way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> <br />
This morning I saw some pictures in a folder on my computer and despite staring at them for the better part of a few minutes, I could not for the life of me recall if I had already posted them. Part of my diminishing brain thought that I <em>had</em> posted them, but when I scrolled through some recent entries I didn’t see them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
And since the part of my (diminishing) brain that said I had </span><em style="font-family: Verdana;">not </em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;">posted them won out, I am hereby posting them forthwith.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
If you’ve already seen these pictures and it turns out that the confused part of my brain won this particular memory clash? Please don’t mention it. Just let me stay blissfully unaware and ignorant of the fact that I’m re-posting pre-posted pictures.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
Or not.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--oVpISlaD44/TuDaWp0KN1I/AAAAAAAAb08/iV9Q5Xb6WCc/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520001%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 001" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Uh8k30aVvy0/TuDaXaeNSrI/AAAAAAAAb1E/crnyV2vYThY/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 001" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uc7XaD08ueo/TuDaXzrp0vI/AAAAAAAAb1M/5-YtGdaAF-U/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520011%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 011" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e34FXKgZ8F8/TuDaYqxL53I/AAAAAAAAb1U/xRDKKZYk8R8/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 011" width="644" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nu9fkeKQA_c/TuDaZK6xNzI/AAAAAAAAb1c/hUsQCZ3sguA/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520015%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 015" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2swEhixOoJY/TuDaaLLgqyI/AAAAAAAAb1k/tWDmuNhSlyk/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 015" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzsmy6Gq24U/TuDaauYHgXI/AAAAAAAAb1s/78Wo6lXLXqQ/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520020%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 020" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-npKA7rRCsSI/TuDabK1FpgI/AAAAAAAAb10/2UPSJgM8Dw0/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520020_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 020" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RAu0GIjgmEg/TuDabzLoGDI/AAAAAAAAb18/OUJfwlFJHfU/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520031%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 031" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jl7Ey5nzHok/TuDacZf-flI/AAAAAAAAb2E/vP7_rtxl5hM/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 031" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RxhEPluIF-8/TuDadNbUXbI/AAAAAAAAb2M/TimkB31k4I0/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 035" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TYNIxE1CdzE/TuDadvQvz0I/AAAAAAAAb2U/IfNdC7_4dH4/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 035" width="644" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZB5BUB7pbcU/TuDaeaN0rMI/AAAAAAAAb2c/illSkFtj1Eg/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 082" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZEpk16UP97A/TuDaezPXUZI/AAAAAAAAb2k/TBUy65T1VSo/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 082" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5YGbG0psw5M/TuDafkKSZAI/AAAAAAAAb2o/l3ErRrha9Qw/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520091%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 091" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U4JOOXGjQ58/TuDagEGiVaI/AAAAAAAAb20/AV3rbDAYmyo/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520091_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 091" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CHk9lXCJv7w/TuDag4RgaxI/AAAAAAAAb28/6lMNlkE4PQw/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520138%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 138" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bjx_cLAO8bw/TuDahnyAAuI/AAAAAAAAb3E/Nge8WzxDcSI/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 138" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lu9V7X28TZo/TuDaiTE0OyI/AAAAAAAAb3M/EVd_h6oJ1p4/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520158%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 158" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UY97RMYFMn4/TuDajoSpw0I/AAAAAAAAb3U/t-9yFBi2vx0/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520158_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 158" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RW_Uy2nk7JQ/TuDakarCtwI/AAAAAAAAb3c/IcPKnVNeDt0/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520167%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 167" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FBaGaPJA5N0/TuDakyNj_VI/AAAAAAAAb3k/q7WlN7OZlPw/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520167_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 167" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YtTbVAABZQ8/TuDalTDSTRI/AAAAAAAAb3s/2mIW4aYGvC0/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520175%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 175" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VM3j0byA178/TuDamMWOVyI/AAAAAAAAb30/BMr2bw1wBZk/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520175_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 175" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7614350181757194859&postID=2976053797799077368"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jdrKR1Ts4u8/TuDam2fNSSI/AAAAAAAAb34/GxLatydrrco/s1600-h/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520114%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="marsh's light 10-7-11 114" border="0" height="429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tQKAY7dZldY/TuDanpKeZGI/AAAAAAAAb4E/53pA3qoypHg/marsh%252527s%252520light%25252010-7-11%252520114_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="marsh's light 10-7-11 114" width="644" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Here’s that same picture (one of my favorite ones I’ve ever taken) with a little extra editing.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4ipWcBzPIR8/TuDaoenBH5I/AAAAAAAAb4M/DgxhwiDOF-U/s1600-h/boat-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="boat-1" border="0" height="430" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zplal6crQHw/TuDapJG0uOI/AAAAAAAAb4U/vw6uKddLTw0/boat-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="boat-1" width="644" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-67559801014617565472011-12-07T10:39:00.004-05:002011-12-08T08:55:58.951-05:00Wedding Wednesday: One Certain, Shining Moment<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Sisters.</span><br />
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</span></div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Cvy-NeBt38Y/Tt-IVxJ7VcI/AAAAAAAAbvw/Aa0i_zUNkJg/s512/sarah%252520collage%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="sarah collage" border="0" height="175" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bD3Lec5TdA8/Tt-IWigsjCI/AAAAAAAAbv4/GPj9kRdFFAQ/s512/sarah%252520collage_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sarah collage" width="556" /></span></a><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZWW2qTmYCUE/Tt-IXLe28MI/AAAAAAAAbwA/kkUq_4nCzzo/s512/IMG_0124%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0124" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KZJCqANrTqk/Tt-IX-X9doI/AAAAAAAAbwI/sMIrdQgmlCM/s512/IMG_0124_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0124" width="538" /></span></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xUyxv2OEwUg/Tt-IYkgFxCI/AAAAAAAAbwQ/zwpd-obHU3o/s512/IMG_0126%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0126" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eLP2wcVhIVw/Tt-IZHtnH6I/AAAAAAAAbwY/G9IilXF5zQc/s512/IMG_0126_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0126" width="539" /></span></a></div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FRFISJ6w6Yc/Tt-IZ0zW4QI/AAAAAAAAbwg/g0s8tjIydg4/s512/meg%252520collage%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FRFISJ6w6Yc/Tt-IZ0zW4QI/AAAAAAAAbwo/c8b_D-7e774/s512/meg%252520collage%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="meg collage" border="0" height="403" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vxnrwii1Kns/Tt-Ib8_EOUI/AAAAAAAAbws/SLMYnsWF0Zs/s512/meg%252520collage_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="meg collage" width="552" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">A brother. (And husband-to-be and brother-in-law to be.)</span></div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XnvTwJEFE44/Tt-Icq-vWAI/AAAAAAAAbw0/mcAcHhXM6_I/s512/nate%252520collage%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="nate collage" border="0" height="564" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qpFFtj9Frfg/Tt-IdX8DFpI/AAAAAAAAbw8/4G2JfaOCo88/s512/nate%252520collage_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="nate collage" width="564" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Dads.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qJlnY-b_ohY/Tt-Id_cLVpI/AAAAAAAAbxE/wfaF_khxIQY/s512/DSC_0131%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qJlnY-b_ohY/Tt-Id_cLVpI/AAAAAAAAbxM/CN5zxr-geK4/s512/DSC_0131%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="DSC_0131" border="0" height="577" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-unrltx5skJw/Tt-IfGrn3oI/AAAAAAAAbxQ/92UegDb08XM/s512/DSC_0131_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0131" width="385" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-85_9jEmgAH8/Tt-Ifh9YRtI/AAAAAAAAbxY/tH9tPZU21nE/s512/DSC_0135%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-85_9jEmgAH8/Tt-Ifh9YRtI/AAAAAAAAbxg/O7_cd9i2PTQ/s512/DSC_0135%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="DSC_0135" border="0" height="584" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UMoT7lx0OEs/Tt-Ig-vnrzI/AAAAAAAAbxk/RDc3r-5ELsA/s512/DSC_0135_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0135" width="389" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Moms.</span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6AMQ1nb1YiY/Tt-IippPvOI/AAAAAAAAbx8/a1tEFslI_O8/s512/IMG_0138%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6AMQ1nb1YiY/Tt-IippPvOI/AAAAAAAAbyE/FPDEmZL2-mQ/s512/IMG_0138%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="IMG_0138" border="0" height="543" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FWJ3H-KEMXQ/Tt-IkKatg8I/AAAAAAAAbyI/QZ4gz_xe9Pk/s512/IMG_0138_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0138" width="389" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UXqogrUXRxw/Tt-IkwoNTAI/AAAAAAAAbyQ/aNPpAbik-iM/s512/moms1%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="moms1" border="0" height="403" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rLjO6r68z3M/Tt-IlTUaM-I/AAAAAAAAbyY/X5Shz20svW0/s512/moms1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="moms1" width="550" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0tA_e20aaMvjFQM1iIFqX761lW7uS8gjxOQ9brxo9304cA_8wTwufhwgDwXdwGYakVDUjTbNK5kBW0lxVztezDKlj6uGQl7seuBoRd4J8CUNb85EhH8InRCuzlEcrxaGUGJFMPBCHz0k/s1600/IMG_5603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0tA_e20aaMvjFQM1iIFqX761lW7uS8gjxOQ9brxo9304cA_8wTwufhwgDwXdwGYakVDUjTbNK5kBW0lxVztezDKlj6uGQl7seuBoRd4J8CUNb85EhH8InRCuzlEcrxaGUGJFMPBCHz0k/s400/IMG_5603.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Friends.</span></div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jdu5HOjayDo/Tt-ImGefi_I/AAAAAAAAbyg/XFjo0ZcVz7o/s512/DSC_0121%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="DSC_0121" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uaQ4ipX0E4g/Tt-ImvsM3GI/AAAAAAAAbyo/QvMo1jvKNP8/s512/DSC_0121_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0121" width="564" /></span></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rsOnDUSTdTc/Tt-InCdL14I/AAAAAAAAbyw/I2aMXE5cESw/s512/DSC_0139%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rsOnDUSTdTc/Tt-InCdL14I/AAAAAAAAby4/Bo1K42c2E-g/s512/DSC_0139%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="DSC_0139" border="0" height="574" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BLoEhy3JNqU/Tt-IotyNALI/AAAAAAAAby8/HFpBIL4gA4k/s512/DSC_0139_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC_0139" width="383" /></a></span><br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7614350181757194859&postID=6755980101461756547"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5fQzSelD1HI/Tt-IpLfxeiI/AAAAAAAAbzE/mpora-duojs/s512/IMG_0154%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="IMG_0154" border="0" height="432" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8tDrx-R9_NA/Tt-Ip0mXWcI/AAAAAAAAbzM/r_Y90-bRn44/s512/IMG_0154_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0154" width="602" /></a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">All getting ready . . </span></div><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-znPIqfEmmBY/Tt-IqVJRnYI/AAAAAAAAbzU/6vq5lndfQNA/s512/IMG_0093%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0093" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7X_nkPXS8_A/Tt-IrBfjl-I/AAAAAAAAbzc/8XCMHGHppVI/s512/IMG_0093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0093" width="644" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">for one. . . </span></div><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R4FzGT-9aLA/Tt-Ir6aSsMI/AAAAAAAAbzk/bT9_7K_K3ME/s512/wed3%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="wed3" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LtAigsIzGX0/Tt-IsXQYFdI/AAAAAAAAbzs/IwNc-m_fwrc/s512/wed3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="wed3" width="616" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">certain . . .</span></div><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9otR-lzHvv8/Tt-ItNdP05I/AAAAAAAAbz0/J0te235Bmco/s512/IMG_0220%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><img alt="IMG_0220" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ce7WF6b1xvk/Tt-IthrsE3I/AAAAAAAAbz8/v7_4iVyNwJI/s512/IMG_0220_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0220" width="644" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">shining . . .</span></div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7614350181757194859&postID=6755980101461756547"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y8XFI-nZHvk/Tt-IuCtQlyI/AAAAAAAAb0E/X12ve91eA38/s512/IMG_0222%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"><img alt="IMG_0222" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DBjmGhuCohg/Tt-IurrkzzI/AAAAAAAAb0M/eJiTgQ5AW4I/s512/IMG_0222_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0222" width="424" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">moment.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbij1kKWhTFVGToKRiy09D-irFSQq-qx1tFZuDAusFjbEFhUrgHiQcj6mmMtQqKTryegSIayTCUsJ-t7HjGGjsR0X6zFE76oDa6r0QG6QIbB8oEi_wAkpcpV72pMcYzkz4DfChIMF7NP1/s1600/meg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbij1kKWhTFVGToKRiy09D-irFSQq-qx1tFZuDAusFjbEFhUrgHiQcj6mmMtQqKTryegSIayTCUsJ-t7HjGGjsR0X6zFE76oDa6r0QG6QIbB8oEi_wAkpcpV72pMcYzkz4DfChIMF7NP1/s640/meg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-43740766523024704542011-12-06T09:05:00.003-05:002011-12-06T13:25:52.210-05:00A Brag Table (Because A Good Stolen Idea Is Still A Good Idea)<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">One of my favorite bloggers is Jon Acuff. Besides the fact that he’s a pastor’s son (hurray for pastor’s kids!) he’s profound, wise, and funny, many times all at the same time. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">A few weeks ago he wrote </span><a href="http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/1-table-everyone-needs/"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">this post</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> about A Brag Table and not only did I love it a lot, I also loved the comments that the post received.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Because basically? He gave every one of his readers a chance to brag a little. About themselves. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">And it didn’t matter if someone said, “I was the emcee for the Harlem Globetrotters” or “I just managed to bake my first edible loaf of bread,” every single brag was welcome. And I loved it. I loved reading words by people who took the chance to throw modesty to the wind (for a change) and mention things they were proud of.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">So today? It’s your turn. It’s time for my wonderful Smithellaneous readers to chime in and share one (or two or three) things you’re proud of. I’ve included a few sample comments from Jon’s blog to give you the basic idea and jump start your thinking (and bragging) process.<br />
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<blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>1. I just got my first apartment! I'm learning to be a grown up!</strong></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>2. I acted really well in a play I was in!</strong></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>3. I rebounded after a mental breakdown last year. I chose not to go back to the stressful job, but have instead begun writing about the whole ordeal with the hope that I can help others avoid such a situation (mainly caused by stress and overwork). I have produced 2 eBooks and working on another!</strong></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>4. I am a new mom to a 2 month old who has been through the ER, NICU, thrush, feeding probs, allergies and reflux... And I proud to have made it through the first two months because they have been the hardest and most glorious of my life!</strong></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>5. I got out of bed today. No scoffing. It was a major accomplishment. MS has been kicking pretty hard lately.</strong></span></blockquote> <strong style="font-family: Verdana;">6. I won over thirty trophies for soccer when I was in elementary </strong><br />
<strong style="font-family: Verdana;"> school! Seriously, I did.</strong><br />
<blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>7. Last week I made it to all of my college classes, did all my homework, worked as a tutor for elementary school kids, and started a new side business! I've never felt so accomplished- I did all that despite my Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!</strong></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>8. I organize Thanksgiving dinners for 5 needy families. My Bible study group cooks, bakes, fries, and delivers everything needed for a feast.</strong></span> </blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>9. Years ago I discovered as a young mother; we were afraid to "brag" about our husbands or our children, so we got into the habit of complaining about them. Finally I spoke -up and we decided that it was okay to share positive things.I have been married 30 years. I have two children who are responsible adults with jobs. They take their Christian walk seriously. I have a challenging job that keeps me dependent on God.</strong></span></blockquote><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Leave a brag and then come back later and see what your fellow Smithellaneous peeps are proud of. Can’t wait to hear from you!</span><br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>One More Thing. . .</strong></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">One of the great things about blogging is the networking that goes on and the support that bloggers give each other. And knowing that and trying to always do that, yesterday I still somehow managed to overlook two opportunities to do that.</span><br />
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</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>Opportunity One:</strong> When I posted our final Christmas picture in yesterday’s blog, I neglected to mention that I had sent an unedited version of that photo to Pam, a long time, loyal reader, and asked her to work her magic on it with her great editing skills. I’ve asked her over the past several months for several little favors like that and she has always so sweet to work on my projects, even in the midst of her incredibly hectic life. </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">And so I would like to say a great big public thank you to Pam and also point you to her </span><a href="http://www.pameladoughtyphotography.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Photography Business Website</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> and </span><a href="http://lifebythecreek.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">her blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">. Pam is a massively gifted photographer and I know you’ll love her work. Her pictures always make me smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"> </span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">I’ve tried to convince her to come live in Manteo so she can give me photography/Photoshop lessons but for some reason she seems to feel compelled to stay in Georgia. Sigh. </span><br />
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</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;"><strong>Opportunity Two:</strong> The other person I mentioned yesterday (without posting a blog link) was </span><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sueguenther"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">Sue Guenther</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">, a woman who has been through so much hardship and yet maintains a sparkling, vibrant, faith-filled attitude. If you want to read some inspirational, funny, excellent writing, stop by her blog and spend a few minutes there. You’ll leave uplifted—I promise you that.</span><br />
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</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: small;">So Pam and Sue, thanks for being such great ladies; I’m ever so happy to have you in the Smithellaneous Family.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7614350181757194859.post-10409099534688053332011-12-05T13:40:00.001-05:002011-12-05T13:43:16.244-05:00The Missing Dog<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since a couple of you signed in at the post below to ask where Snowy was in our Christmas photo, I figured I should report that Snowy is fine and dandy. The reason we didn't put him in this year's photo is that it's harder to get a good shot because when the humans are looking somewhat passable, Snowy is usually staring straight at the ceiling. Or yawning. Or sniffing. Or scratching. (Or some other dog activity.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since this photo is for our Christmas card, we have our picture on the front (as well as a couple shots from Nathan and Meagan's wedding) and a picture of Snowy on the back.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He will be so happy to know that you all were concerned about him!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10374218036340274908noreply@blogger.com0