tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23350283675668527902024-03-05T11:53:33.977-09:00MOUNTAIN PULSERunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.comBlogger441125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-68421953986818770072014-08-21T19:17:00.000-08:002014-08-21T19:33:01.534-08:00Oh...yeah. We're back from Italy, btw!!!....minds BLOWN by the journey of a lifetime. But we've been home awhile now. Time slips by so quickly...and I have lots on my plate. While I've been dying to sit down and blog about our trip...it just hasn't happened. We've been busy wrapping up our summer that has brought some welcome changes! FINALLY, I've found the healthy, respectful and growth oriented work environment that I had been trying to manifest for 2 years. I've moved my massage practice to a wonderful clinic of talented therapists and a chiropractor(who is also a dad at Willa's school). After being so stagnant in a place where I just didn't fit or have much respect for my profession, I am thrilled to be in a clinic that is so supportive and encouraging! They are providing me with continuing education in Neuromuscular Therapy and other modalities that will greatly enhance and expand my skillset. I've been pretty busy catching up on the classes and info that I missed and I'm loving it! My brain is on fire!<br />
I'm painting again as well. I hauled all my supplies out of the house and down to the garage and cleaned out a portion to house a wee "studio". When it's been nice out, I've worked on some pieces in the driveway. Still not sure what I'll do when the snow flies....but for now it feels good to have my muse poke her head in once and awhile.<br />
I think another reason that I've not taken the time to sit down and blog our trip is that....I just haven't been able to find the words. I over-use the word,"mindblowing". Other words just don't do what I feel inside justice. "Life changing" "paradigm shifting" "awe-inspiring" "staggering" "humbling"....close but not quite there. New words need to be invented for what this trip gave me...for what my soul was saying in each moment, with each new experience...<br />
I <em>have</em> been enjoying writing Trip Advisor reviews of places we experienced in Italy. If interested IMHO: <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/785danap">http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/785danap</a><br />
Something to get my juices flowing.....our trip in a tiny nutshell....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb2I8Jx2c1Kk3gNUe0EDN8NIBW17MQse32gc9a2vsjCZ67c0x_mWctGeAteP530SdZ1Z-zv46kO6K7x3_-XLBDLzanz-F_qIMQFO_eeR8lNgs5kdsljNOhfjr1GS6SNjIV_nHd3fXwSvb/s1600/IMG_8085-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb2I8Jx2c1Kk3gNUe0EDN8NIBW17MQse32gc9a2vsjCZ67c0x_mWctGeAteP530SdZ1Z-zv46kO6K7x3_-XLBDLzanz-F_qIMQFO_eeR8lNgs5kdsljNOhfjr1GS6SNjIV_nHd3fXwSvb/s1600/IMG_8085-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piemonte</td></tr>
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We watched the morning mist rise on an etheric blue lake ...church bells heralding the day</div>
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I drove on impossibly narrow roads on hairpin turns in the Alps</div>
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We watched the sun set over bucolic hills of the Val de Funes as the cows were called home</div>
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We flew arms outstretched through trees and over San Vigglio... tethered to a wire</div>
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We stood in awe of the Forcella Pana....the stuff only dreams are made of </div>
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We ate fresh fruit of the gods bought from an old man's stand on the side of the road on Lake Garda</div>
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We slept in an ancient farmhouse on the top of the medieval town of Padenghe</div>
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We swam with children and swans in the deliciously cold waters of Lake Como</div>
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We watched an astounding thunder and lightening storm from a deck high above the lake</div>
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We ran through the vineyards and visited hill-top castles in the Langhe valley</div>
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We experienced the quiet majesty of Milan's Duomo cathedral...and the melodious onslaught that is a Pearl Jam concert</div>
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Our bodies where pummeled and rolled by the powerful waves of the Mediterranean </div>
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We climbed in the terraced mountain vineyards high above that sapphire blue sea</div>
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We found treasures offered up on it's beaches </div>
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We touched walls built before Christ in Tuscany</div>
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We whispered in the halls of Saint Francis's monestary</div>
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We wound our way through the labyrinth of Venice and were rowed on its streets of water</div>
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We ate the most incredible food</div>
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Drank fabulous wine<br />
We had great visits with Dylan</div>
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and we met wonderful people that make us want to live a better life...be better people...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Forcella Pana</td></tr>
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With the summer coming to a close, school starting for Willa tomorrow, and easing into a more solid routine...I know I will find the time to sit and write of our travels at more length. Before those small details start to drift away...so that I can always remember.<br />
<strong>BUT!!!</strong> Not until after the 29th. Cuz Miles and I are headed to NEW ORLEANS first!!!!!!!! The Big Easy, baby! MO BETTA!!!!!! Whoo-hoooooooo!</div>
RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-17720951294632047182014-06-05T23:18:00.001-08:002014-06-06T00:05:37.353-08:00Shit has gotten real! Boots are on the ground in Italy!This feels so weird. It's been so long since I last posted anything, and there has been tons to post about! Alaska spring, training for the half marathon, end of the school year field trips, festivities, and performances, bike rides, finally finding a new job(!!!!!), and much else. But amoung it all, writing about it just wasn't top priority. <div>Flash forward....and WE ARE HERE!!!! A </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGoPjDITC0XARLPtXEVTWlnSLft8K1zRmHM_THHy6JvcuXckKmOsWIxCZLcG2_iNVaYABA9iNVM8t7hg8GQ2VJxeuEOzwoWoJo9CSbSiiRA905KqEgWilkgyNTb3K0_YZpE6sKBAVPI0C/s640/blogger-image--993220737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieGoPjDITC0XARLPtXEVTWlnSLft8K1zRmHM_THHy6JvcuXckKmOsWIxCZLcG2_iNVaYABA9iNVM8t7hg8GQ2VJxeuEOzwoWoJo9CSbSiiRA905KqEgWilkgyNTb3K0_YZpE6sKBAVPI0C/s640/blogger-image--993220737.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>long haul flight to Frankfurt, a quickie to Venice and we were greeted at the airport by our Dylan. It's so wonderful to be with her again! 7 months is too dn long...</div><div>So far we have had a our first amazing meal with killer bottle of wine, </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC4KQl9S3SO_6o9EhhCJnNcnmrybBr2XS_IZGIiyxTKTvzj9kmbfS8oww-rICUq67jo5uZX1En9HddRmP5Jx8d2hGRWwyEGUs_zXIwV1ZHi3J6pCHRqtFouJQ91GKTg8jzZytigyDwHLj/s640/blogger-image-245262402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqC4KQl9S3SO_6o9EhhCJnNcnmrybBr2XS_IZGIiyxTKTvzj9kmbfS8oww-rICUq67jo5uZX1En9HddRmP5Jx8d2hGRWwyEGUs_zXIwV1ZHi3J6pCHRqtFouJQ91GKTg8jzZytigyDwHLj/s640/blogger-image-245262402.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>woken to to loveliest birdsong out our open window, </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sfvgcYAHrXZScGNN3Pjew1vdBXRJqQf6eGWm_20OdTJ9IPVSpkVrEmHAy_wk5h2bEfLZtNbfG5XcpA4Xi772KRQDUX04C4Yr_KJB648G0hqQMFoTSiHhpedqSxxEk_bBvARZdCnlyyL9/s640/blogger-image-1777493842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sfvgcYAHrXZScGNN3Pjew1vdBXRJqQf6eGWm_20OdTJ9IPVSpkVrEmHAy_wk5h2bEfLZtNbfG5XcpA4Xi772KRQDUX04C4Yr_KJB648G0hqQMFoTSiHhpedqSxxEk_bBvARZdCnlyyL9/s640/blogger-image-1777493842.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>met some really friendly travelin' Canadians, shopped for essentials on base, I ate a whole pizza and then worked a tad of it off lifting weights with my kick-ass daughter, </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1ia8nFlCQ_Zi6KP5L0TGmAOpEP9jz084qtFZtlUusCsL5hzSMmB5H02fgsLCxCOCN3HaNAvJ-8HCXMSVuEXPJEMguvnwM9rWRBAYP_zCN5dRWFiit21j-HWWnE6QSeCjUrTS8nf9vD_-/s640/blogger-image--1180138885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1ia8nFlCQ_Zi6KP5L0TGmAOpEP9jz084qtFZtlUusCsL5hzSMmB5H02fgsLCxCOCN3HaNAvJ-8HCXMSVuEXPJEMguvnwM9rWRBAYP_zCN5dRWFiit21j-HWWnE6QSeCjUrTS8nf9vD_-/s640/blogger-image--1180138885.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>drove our stick shift on some pretty hairy roads to wind up in our current spot on Lake Barcisat the base of the Dolomites. The jet lag isn't as bad as I thought, but there none the less. So far I'm a little scashad but embracing the adventure! Italy is rich and aged and fertile.... And the mountains......BREATHING it into my soul.</div><div>Today Dylan is driving us to Lignano beach for a day in the hot sun and cold water...I feel a nap looming.... Tonight, steaks on the barbie, local wine, and a walk along the lake.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPyQ3d9GAEbyWJ6EnS9mUJFLVP1JYbIBl8errRE-Pl9LCQ_hM05O0rvHpD7u6Yy0UG2qZcQ15XV5q2iKSeEWb0sBs_E5A-Dnm4r2NB7zwGDPBvhaHedX2xoTmeDSfT5sP7607C1ZolVYm/s640/blogger-image-97497976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPyQ3d9GAEbyWJ6EnS9mUJFLVP1JYbIBl8errRE-Pl9LCQ_hM05O0rvHpD7u6Yy0UG2qZcQ15XV5q2iKSeEWb0sBs_E5A-Dnm4r2NB7zwGDPBvhaHedX2xoTmeDSfT5sP7607C1ZolVYm/s640/blogger-image-97497976.jpg"></a></div><br></div>RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-87192874580417027772014-03-29T09:56:00.002-08:002014-03-29T14:19:37.855-08:00"...nor tattoo any marks on you" Leviticus 19:28 <br />
Leviticus...SO strict! NO fun! What EV.<br />
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After getting my nose pierced in 2012, I realized how many years I'd wasted, sans body mod, due to fear of the unknown. I'd wanted to pierce my nose and get at tattoo since my early 20's, but the years slipped on by with just an occasional question asked about the ins and outs pain, healing, cost, etc. Putting it off and putting it off....<br />
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Finally, thanks to the Google Gods and the YouTube, I got me edumacated on all things nose piercing, gathered up my balls and made an appointment. MANY years of wussiness extinguished with the one quick pinch to my nostril. I loved my nose piercing! Eventually I got my tragus pierced and love that, too! (Long healing time, though). Then it was time for a tat. I've designed many tats for myself over the years ....this being the first (circa '93):<br />
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Thank GAWD time - and fear- faded my attraction to this pretentious tribal....thingy...I came up with. At some point I added an earth there in the middle with a <strong>Susan Seddon Boulet </strong>wolf head floating around the top. Shit. My visual amalgam of wolf-love and saving the earth, punctuated with a trendy something-that-meant-nothing to me graphic. I still really dig wolves and our planet.... Just not permanently displayed on the <em>back of my calf.</em><br />
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Over the years I've thought that if I where to get a tattoo, it should have to be a symbol of something that defines "me" and/or is FOREVER dear to my heart and soul. And something that would never loose it's visual appeal. Now, we can't really predict what designs might loose their appeal over time- I just imagine all the "awesome" designs I can up with in the past....but something permanent on THIS body had to rise above hearts and unicorns and serpents.... I needed symbols and archetypes that have remained a part of me over the years....AND it needed to be created by ME. <br />
When I think of FOREVER, I think of love, and my children, and my husband...<br />
So, for my first tat I incorporated my kids names into an infinity symbol.<br />
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Got this one inked out in the valley (Palmer, Alaska)by an artist who had done some gorgeous intricate lettering on a client of mine. She copied my design to the T. A little too perfect because she included all the little imperfections that I was hoping she'd "clean up". Like that thin line in the middle. I plan on going back for touch ups soon.</div>
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For my second tat, I went out and bought a calligraphy pen and drew my very simple "Miles" tattoo. This one for my husband...with the bonus double meaning-I love running after all. I've run many miles and there will be many more to come. And none enjoyed more than the ones I run with my sweet man. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still a bit scabby here</td></tr>
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I'd held on to that peace of paper for almost a year! Since it would be going on my foot, I had the hardest time figuring out WHEN would be a good time to get it done. Since I would have to go barefoot as much as possible for a week or 2, let alone <b>not</b> run, ski or work out. It never seemed the right time! I finally said NOW last week and headed in to Eagle River Tattoo. A shop run by the Yarians, parents of one of Dylan's former grade school classmates. What a cool place! Very welcoming and open, which I really appreciate. Friendly folks all. The place is clean with a very classy arty décor. Retro tat compilations framed on the walls along with a collection of cool masks Matt, the eldest Yarian, did a GREAT job on my tat. Quick, precise, and with interesting conversation revolving around the possible seceding of Venice and the Veneto from Italy. This tat hurt like a nagging bitch in a couple spots. At one point I had to stop talking so I could grit my teeth and say "Oowwwwwww.......". But it was over so fast. No biggie. Shit, I gave birth to a 10 pounder, what am I complaining about?</div>
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Miles has never been into tats but he was very touched when I surprised him with it. I'm so happy that it brings <em>him</em> happiness and pride whenever he looks at it! Forever......</div>
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What's next? I want to create something special for the back of my neck. Dylan and I got these henna sun tattoos on our necks at the Jersey Shore a couple years ago and I LOVED mine! </div>
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Symbols I feel represent me are:</div>
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The sun- healing and a source of life</div>
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The spiral-evolving, birthing, female energy, spiritual and physical journey</div>
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Various Celtic knots-my heritage, many of the a fore mentioned attributes</div>
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The lotus-creation, enlightenment, health. </div>
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I'd like to design a tat with a combination of 2 or 3 of these.....but it needs to be smallish and fairly simple. We'll see what I come up with !</div>
<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-38526038479591959052014-03-23T12:00:00.000-08:002014-03-23T12:00:01.558-08:00Just when you think you're Bad Ass...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHXBoC5LhuOd1yC0BiAuV-kAjll9MemT8bKxQyKJvrmQIJChyBrbTMARx6jbzRfaMxAu1TZaZUuNndWbgyVgaKefMjC8tjexu2C2Yf5MWtX5bJ-ltty-2aW1wcfvX4pLSkVYf7hLh_D2/s1600/IMG_5605a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WHXBoC5LhuOd1yC0BiAuV-kAjll9MemT8bKxQyKJvrmQIJChyBrbTMARx6jbzRfaMxAu1TZaZUuNndWbgyVgaKefMjC8tjexu2C2Yf5MWtX5bJ-ltty-2aW1wcfvX4pLSkVYf7hLh_D2/s1600/IMG_5605a.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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...Just when you think you have your race strategy and technique down pat, you've trained on the course, you've run hill sprints on that looooooong <i>bitch</i> of a ramp leading up to the high school, you've monitored the melting on the streets and trail over the past week to gauge whether or not to run with spikes on...... Mother Nature spanks your ass with a dumping of the white stuff. We woke up to 10 to12-ish inches of new powdered sugar snow. This put me in a mood. I got online right away to see if there were any updates as to whether or not the Shamrock Shuffle 5k was still going to take place and to commiserate with fellow disgruntled runners. Usually we're bright eyed and bushy tailed on race day morning....but all this snow?!?! Fek.... And racetime SO early for just a quick 5k....whaaaaaaaa....poor tay tay. Just traveling down the mountain and into town was gonna be a bitch. Everyone was on the internets kvetching about what to do. Close to 7am, the word came out that the roads were plowed and wouldn't it be a lovely day for a race!? The accompanying photo of a clear street on the course sealed it. We'd go for it. Fueled up and dressed, spirits lightening, we headed out to slip into town, drop off the kiddo at our friends and running brethren, the Ruiz's house and carpool with them to the race. <br />
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Thankful that the temps where MUCH friendlier this year(17 degrees) as opposed to last year when it was only a very cruel 2, we dropped off our gear and jogged around the crowd decked out in all things green, Irish and leprechaun-y to warm up. The start of the race went well enough despite the fact that I was slipping a bit, lots of kick-back, despite my spikes. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It WAS lovely...with the sun peaking in and out</td></tr>
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I took full advantage of the downhill portion of the race through the residential area, more then making up for the lost "slip" time...U2's Beautiful Day booming through my ear buds...soul quickening...and when we hit the trail on Westchester LagooWHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!?!? They didn't plow the fucking trail?!!? How the hell...... HARSH. And trixy of those in charge of the race to FB post that misleading photo! Adios, chance to beat the shit out of last year's race time like I'd planned! The rest of the race was spent in a slow schlog through that deep snow <i>praying </i>that I wouldn't snap another ankle. All grace and form lost as I stomped ox-like in the cattle line past the lagoon. And The Ramp? A breeze on account of how SLOW we were all going.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMFG. Mooooooooooooooo.</td></tr>
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It was a hard race in a way I hadn't yet experienced or expected but still satisfying, after the finish line, ankles intact, with my new Shamrock Shuffle pint glass filled with IPA. Just like any time I go outside to play, I NEVER regret it! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles crossing the finish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to summon a smile of accomplishment on the finish line. Hey, I beat those young dudes!!!!</td></tr>
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We all met up and hung out inside the Bear Tooth theater while ribbons were handed out to top finishers-NOT me, lol!- and the raffle winner was awarded with her weight in beer. Plans were made -I frigging LOVE the Ruiz's-for replenishing our tired bodies that evening with tostadas and margaritas at our place. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBHZgmYlsxx4hjr_FL9S4Be1BAKGM-T3Ysvn_FH4KmOb1Ig5SXZEQTcaoV3CddXZcckd1R2zTMfYaEZUnCcDlF65Koxs9fMfMlmGmXmBSWBi195kWOnY5_fkc6eTibJKLmTGKZ8g2RuqK/s1600/IMG_5628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBHZgmYlsxx4hjr_FL9S4Be1BAKGM-T3Ysvn_FH4KmOb1Ig5SXZEQTcaoV3CddXZcckd1R2zTMfYaEZUnCcDlF65Koxs9fMfMlmGmXmBSWBi195kWOnY5_fkc6eTibJKLmTGKZ8g2RuqK/s1600/IMG_5628.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They giant scale use to weigh out the beer against body weight! Lean BACK, honey!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfXfd400EYvQ8w6Q-ZX37gS-mojQ6hyphenhyphen2cv-YU8e5sYYJb5nWJBR8Apa_DlKI2nI_x4ms5cBO6k9INU9FfYvA43qudDQdzHIYSgXBj364qT-xnmMztWaWvgkNklzeAEJsihvSUJ2ZPPx8J/s1600/IMG_5616a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfXfd400EYvQ8w6Q-ZX37gS-mojQ6hyphenhyphen2cv-YU8e5sYYJb5nWJBR8Apa_DlKI2nI_x4ms5cBO6k9INU9FfYvA43qudDQdzHIYSgXBj364qT-xnmMztWaWvgkNklzeAEJsihvSUJ2ZPPx8J/s1600/IMG_5616a.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3 td=""></3></td></tr>
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While I came in 4 minutes SLOWER then last year, I placed pretty well for my gender and <strike>old</strike> age group!<br />
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<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-61691739090350460892014-03-23T09:45:00.001-08:002014-03-23T09:57:30.349-08:00Spring Breakers?!?! ...not so much.<br />
Spring Break was a particularly mellow one this year. We agreed to rein in any extra spending in favor of saving it for our trip to Italy. I really missed our usual snow shoeing excursion up Bear Pass in the blazing spring sun. The drippy grey weather did NOT lend itself to much outdoor fun. And outdoor fun is what's FREE in our world right now....<br />
I did take Willa out for a promised blueberry french toast breakfast at our favorite cafe to start the week off. On my work days she came in with me and had fun hanging out. But mostly the week was spent relaxing at home, finalizing trip stuff-getting all that info plugged into apps on my phone, reading, and puttering while Willa got in some good hard imaginary play time. <br />
We <i>did </i>cram a lot into our last weekend before school started, though. A fast but hardcore 5k run in 10 inches of new snow-uuuuugghh, dinner at our house with friends who ran the race, too, a nice family skate ski the next morning, and celebrating Miles's birthday.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4hCb8EoR0FIDFxVvWKo5JwcaANLoX__yIv_4z15nesVcVRvopq8coiF0y2qjrOqnQ4U3AiwC_bzP_svKdNczIvYUsjUXx9dA0JQncSeqwThVJ_BO_6m61ZLHi52K7Dpd49ub6Kn_I50f/s1600/IMG_5459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4hCb8EoR0FIDFxVvWKo5JwcaANLoX__yIv_4z15nesVcVRvopq8coiF0y2qjrOqnQ4U3AiwC_bzP_svKdNczIvYUsjUXx9dA0JQncSeqwThVJ_BO_6m61ZLHi52K7Dpd49ub6Kn_I50f/s1600/IMG_5459.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breaky at the Middle Way Cafe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-Hytomb76YA4GR9y3M7WzwEtPreqsLd-mCUkSgjuvLUkgMkuXLrSgqSGq5p2_IiEdTgRl5Ew9c3fmyWOoLmebHAk9ntvKA97aUuBniVoY7RFqFDLYD98zDMk3xJDogIqcKB3EA_xD029/s1600/IMG_5460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-Hytomb76YA4GR9y3M7WzwEtPreqsLd-mCUkSgjuvLUkgMkuXLrSgqSGq5p2_IiEdTgRl5Ew9c3fmyWOoLmebHAk9ntvKA97aUuBniVoY7RFqFDLYD98zDMk3xJDogIqcKB3EA_xD029/s1600/IMG_5460.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've switched to all-grain beer brewing....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlXZnQirp4w7bD3YIg9fPneNQrTQOLrgCv6bKk1RILbGuYgE8t_cHlrgZz-YytoVBgwDwenNwkI9XepGW8Gj2Oa3_wcH-szey1Scztcv_OK1jfgrit_YR4s9l5APBZjr0WMrhgmm5RmUs/s1600/IMG_5472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlXZnQirp4w7bD3YIg9fPneNQrTQOLrgCv6bKk1RILbGuYgE8t_cHlrgZz-YytoVBgwDwenNwkI9XepGW8Gj2Oa3_wcH-szey1Scztcv_OK1jfgrit_YR4s9l5APBZjr0WMrhgmm5RmUs/s1600/IMG_5472.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and it's a LOT of work!!! But when the sample from the first gravity reading tastes great, you know that beer is gonna be PHENOMENAL!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0V8fHj_gTN5SXnefxrUKMOmFGRh_lZGq32ESN5D059xH0RhnpSPx-RpLSgmv1Z19bnXTzEYgf1cxhNfhEccbargpgNda2k5vZLcPgqBIqOOdblOdK3A8JxlfROXPcE8PdPSVQNBrG9as/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0V8fHj_gTN5SXnefxrUKMOmFGRh_lZGq32ESN5D059xH0RhnpSPx-RpLSgmv1Z19bnXTzEYgf1cxhNfhEccbargpgNda2k5vZLcPgqBIqOOdblOdK3A8JxlfROXPcE8PdPSVQNBrG9as/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful handmade mash paddle Miles's friend made</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuggle time with kid and cat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXh-7GZgFhA1nLwUPZNLed_Y28AfBTx3CEmfeKsRrgXR-YrNYUyCRLBlN9Cxq2JAUXfo_C_wSE6Tk3os0Gi5xwLTPdUaYwQzAqRVMqO4J0eAhKKD6y20KoGNaJnF_IIq0R0unt31kGS3X/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXh-7GZgFhA1nLwUPZNLed_Y28AfBTx3CEmfeKsRrgXR-YrNYUyCRLBlN9Cxq2JAUXfo_C_wSE6Tk3os0Gi5xwLTPdUaYwQzAqRVMqO4J0eAhKKD6y20KoGNaJnF_IIq0R0unt31kGS3X/s1600/IMG_5535.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witness the FITNESS, yo!!! I'm thrilled that Willa can join us for short runs now! Plus, her fitness fashion is to die <strike>from</strike> for!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtcDML3pZUpTg38MMrMFZP0452MdjPXcr2y8PQ2HRf-ayGQW2CiZ2wf34C7sdjH9gFJ31T5nabMylj9odkLSLpFSpv3_V7aZj6TR0Js6e2ZZ0n_jH27dMj6JSYvWQWNdqWd8eMGcsjNbt/s1600/IMG_5536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtcDML3pZUpTg38MMrMFZP0452MdjPXcr2y8PQ2HRf-ayGQW2CiZ2wf34C7sdjH9gFJ31T5nabMylj9odkLSLpFSpv3_V7aZj6TR0Js6e2ZZ0n_jH27dMj6JSYvWQWNdqWd8eMGcsjNbt/s1600/IMG_5536.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's horse-crazy. Doing some leather-working on a saddle she made for one of her Breyer horses.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVnqNiGV_unNxcAOLRuqDxMaZgNcYDysNZFWY0-vLZRqrV_8bi0EFkIYZkaV9N_F3_AMNSCMOdurJ1ZjuLkbweYZppn2hush4ZuJV_s-Nf8lSliZmGY0nc9GNSa5bF2LzlFL3OLt8lToJ/s1600/IMG_5549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVnqNiGV_unNxcAOLRuqDxMaZgNcYDysNZFWY0-vLZRqrV_8bi0EFkIYZkaV9N_F3_AMNSCMOdurJ1ZjuLkbweYZppn2hush4ZuJV_s-Nf8lSliZmGY0nc9GNSa5bF2LzlFL3OLt8lToJ/s1600/IMG_5549.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0ecfx2nV9c9_IhiadftbD2-LBxxp0X1BgCM24ZOcBhH2Ko00XtR58BWbM6XiM_bCpAY165Bfy6-wUECLliyye4Tzl19YOHhdAQ8gok5IZdQ6D2f4EjKgcdZkXJ_RY3GIiPHCOzxA783r/s1600/IMG_5551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0ecfx2nV9c9_IhiadftbD2-LBxxp0X1BgCM24ZOcBhH2Ko00XtR58BWbM6XiM_bCpAY165Bfy6-wUECLliyye4Tzl19YOHhdAQ8gok5IZdQ6D2f4EjKgcdZkXJ_RY3GIiPHCOzxA783r/s1600/IMG_5551.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love when Miles comes home from work early to run with me! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhkXQnKZpoAvtwAkPgku_wITwSOH1mvkGiN9Ys8oahSg-fqhs_He2UgTNrWQu99iNvI08VETKUEb529XyuKqDIop2QCsRYfxBeXWJ2BqzbV86TAyOQHBe5nDgo0h4Fys026m9F17tSAuE/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhkXQnKZpoAvtwAkPgku_wITwSOH1mvkGiN9Ys8oahSg-fqhs_He2UgTNrWQu99iNvI08VETKUEb529XyuKqDIop2QCsRYfxBeXWJ2BqzbV86TAyOQHBe5nDgo0h4Fys026m9F17tSAuE/s1600/IMG_5552.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping day. Having a little hot cocoa and a cookie at Jitters</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSa0K5szrqpInU5xlnSjwL1SRnUO9B7_MFRKWGPkQx7S3zBFEW-ESkdFn5QLG44SujkxS2hlNjjEOjcJ24OgGFhjnzLf_4zLasCvIgCoKXgccvtJJFF8JF0-D44BLsUakHG12uyDuS348/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSa0K5szrqpInU5xlnSjwL1SRnUO9B7_MFRKWGPkQx7S3zBFEW-ESkdFn5QLG44SujkxS2hlNjjEOjcJ24OgGFhjnzLf_4zLasCvIgCoKXgccvtJJFF8JF0-D44BLsUakHG12uyDuS348/s1600/IMG_5560.JPG" height="640" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She got to pick out a special outfit for Italy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeUR0gNWoeN4kKf12ZZOfgHoatBRrZtGN-5Mr_encc0YaPVp73H4951rcU3O6XBzu98ajvrQZ55EhkJdexkq75al7NYGo_brT59554B2pEycJZ-VkrYJ77Gfu_JnHakLRK04uYMpnkjns/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeUR0gNWoeN4kKf12ZZOfgHoatBRrZtGN-5Mr_encc0YaPVp73H4951rcU3O6XBzu98ajvrQZ55EhkJdexkq75al7NYGo_brT59554B2pEycJZ-VkrYJ77Gfu_JnHakLRK04uYMpnkjns/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deep into world-building</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnAMFVqY0uhLef_oGkTZ29KlRsXRNa404r9mx7SenrSY1PRK_PAd3JNl9JMYPzIRMWNLZsyN7x2kg_ajIwdBx4KOzAAPoX0m2hrjsKwiDnT2SIf1WoWQH0HAlAY7SJM_nPVTSEwvetcG9/s1600/IMG_5608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnAMFVqY0uhLef_oGkTZ29KlRsXRNa404r9mx7SenrSY1PRK_PAd3JNl9JMYPzIRMWNLZsyN7x2kg_ajIwdBx4KOzAAPoX0m2hrjsKwiDnT2SIf1WoWQH0HAlAY7SJM_nPVTSEwvetcG9/s1600/IMG_5608.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BAM! And then the snow hits. Saturday's Shamrock shuffle race. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPHn3CIgEYvW_Q8vmfaadrHljsEg5rUfogg4YuhNUKmurFPyR1uZmEplbBzUXR9xzk3sBGeqtO1LMa3YfwZhb-WSgXRkdk-0Kg74Kl_GFcjqOd4lGP6qYjbTZD3wOzATwx_rg6j-frVpL/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPHn3CIgEYvW_Q8vmfaadrHljsEg5rUfogg4YuhNUKmurFPyR1uZmEplbBzUXR9xzk3sBGeqtO1LMa3YfwZhb-WSgXRkdk-0Kg74Kl_GFcjqOd4lGP6qYjbTZD3wOzATwx_rg6j-frVpL/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tostadas and margaritas with good friends!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI38ove14lyNC0bkreGfdDBRLdlea7z0o_lGj4iQasJY6V79-60oNg1kaLBt10c6w_f8B_Xi1jxAQF_52LjsoOy3vuNUhwgSsu2SlQYKS5dIq2dzSkUvabcQEsjFLzf3EdGxhaPUewWXtD/s1600/IMG_5668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI38ove14lyNC0bkreGfdDBRLdlea7z0o_lGj4iQasJY6V79-60oNg1kaLBt10c6w_f8B_Xi1jxAQF_52LjsoOy3vuNUhwgSsu2SlQYKS5dIq2dzSkUvabcQEsjFLzf3EdGxhaPUewWXtD/s1600/IMG_5668.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And an uproariously funny game of Cards Against Humanity! ALWAYS is!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iQB6NJSLHgcVstJGvtN5E2s1xDdzjnkfwHkedP14fCwN04IaZalHmpDLx1EzrVxObNDDLUiVPxE8NfSzxSS1qqpUUE8BFK8U6LTxDAd5d-RwWzaPPADYT-Jgyq5Hl3yTHmnPZpsDVGOc/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iQB6NJSLHgcVstJGvtN5E2s1xDdzjnkfwHkedP14fCwN04IaZalHmpDLx1EzrVxObNDDLUiVPxE8NfSzxSS1qqpUUE8BFK8U6LTxDAd5d-RwWzaPPADYT-Jgyq5Hl3yTHmnPZpsDVGOc/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" height="320" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles's birthday! Willa gave him the raku trout- the 5th to finish off his collection.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqrEEb1X2khPaDgvgsdVD6DoGsayrhoSNpKuroeSftIwIw9WeyW6l6PcZsOite-pCrnGBvrw8URBM-tYhP3s4ySrmhsr_Bv7hg2-4dPuJWUb3VoxtfDoznCBGSvOmJSr_f7e-cyfz6Cus/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAqrEEb1X2khPaDgvgsdVD6DoGsayrhoSNpKuroeSftIwIw9WeyW6l6PcZsOite-pCrnGBvrw8URBM-tYhP3s4ySrmhsr_Bv7hg2-4dPuJWUb3VoxtfDoznCBGSvOmJSr_f7e-cyfz6Cus/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG" height="640" width="483" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There won't be many more days of this this season! Taking it all in while we can!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPRxn_VtzQvjem3GksJ5ZCQEG7sQn-vps1ngKC9nXMLjGJ9c-61n31l847y2cfNtoIi9rlk47a89_VwHF8sTTHj-Jh1QaBLRCzA5eR7wJii9kbOrZASBIjfxusWJ0c6Z3R_Ja9gcx_xcd/s1600/IMG_5661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPRxn_VtzQvjem3GksJ5ZCQEG7sQn-vps1ngKC9nXMLjGJ9c-61n31l847y2cfNtoIi9rlk47a89_VwHF8sTTHj-Jh1QaBLRCzA5eR7wJii9kbOrZASBIjfxusWJ0c6Z3R_Ja9gcx_xcd/s1600/IMG_5661.JPG" height="640" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love to play with my hunny!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l53ZDMI2KJikp4EXc2Cd1yf9PkDHEQyR8L5GAL6_tqEancg4tPCcYCEX4bkuf1JyuO2nGgqy2uPlSUBilvg5TtFbDDuixFO941cwtzlcKmZbsjnv9r2iGmMjYFir-P0ublxb6P_uVYy0/s1600/IMG_5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l53ZDMI2KJikp4EXc2Cd1yf9PkDHEQyR8L5GAL6_tqEancg4tPCcYCEX4bkuf1JyuO2nGgqy2uPlSUBilvg5TtFbDDuixFO941cwtzlcKmZbsjnv9r2iGmMjYFir-P0ublxb6P_uVYy0/s1600/IMG_5662.JPG" height="400" width="296" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZ1A5JF1YTAr3qy97vZ7Ews2KupEj83SidIs8xP4_h4d1QhTFwTTQWcgETIr-Rr_qV8bz76iSYuiVJ_11gwNhYKVNqqBYYHHQQlQgKcJpxhOSBUpLiQj0a5xFSuqFOlwX6aToZ_o1P_wn/s1600/IMG_5669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZ1A5JF1YTAr3qy97vZ7Ews2KupEj83SidIs8xP4_h4d1QhTFwTTQWcgETIr-Rr_qV8bz76iSYuiVJ_11gwNhYKVNqqBYYHHQQlQgKcJpxhOSBUpLiQj0a5xFSuqFOlwX6aToZ_o1P_wn/s1600/IMG_5669.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extremely tall peanut-butter-cup cake that Willa and I made</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCGZlJ5LWq70RHXWLLcRuoJ6biyHKEm4pqlMxjQ-CTVQsyhpaLpVfdEtcLMst5kMqkSp24i0pppYYb_ehx_5BiTRHbnjEDnvJXZcOFSCJxQX-CQmcU74kjMcqCjFOHK4XT4008lILndeK/s1600/IMG_5671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCGZlJ5LWq70RHXWLLcRuoJ6biyHKEm4pqlMxjQ-CTVQsyhpaLpVfdEtcLMst5kMqkSp24i0pppYYb_ehx_5BiTRHbnjEDnvJXZcOFSCJxQX-CQmcU74kjMcqCjFOHK4XT4008lILndeK/s1600/IMG_5671.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthday Boy chose homemade mac-n-cheese and filet mignone for his b'day dinner.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7vuG5RNliujqCKmuRhnTWANfJULD5L3fQiCrenMgXZ7vFnlmxqjTaaX3InREfzG4npqrP4iAed_gC4TqGchBPsFMnpWY1MqtN2gm-LXQQ-ogZbA2N9SQMjw1Cn1i_0RCYKwz9CdH0uXk/s1600/IMG_5672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7vuG5RNliujqCKmuRhnTWANfJULD5L3fQiCrenMgXZ7vFnlmxqjTaaX3InREfzG4npqrP4iAed_gC4TqGchBPsFMnpWY1MqtN2gm-LXQQ-ogZbA2N9SQMjw1Cn1i_0RCYKwz9CdH0uXk/s1600/IMG_5672.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f8Ka5g0_OeokKpEWLE-HAE_JoaHGMWdWhg2ti2q1muUuJcnP8eQfRADHGVZVe_ms2VAIdKU18prEwkmEvS5UzfOZSgdjKqnqU2djSwbMeTcDEY_XGaFDJl-FXCo4utY5XfOeL7rjmqXB/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f8Ka5g0_OeokKpEWLE-HAE_JoaHGMWdWhg2ti2q1muUuJcnP8eQfRADHGVZVe_ms2VAIdKU18prEwkmEvS5UzfOZSgdjKqnqU2djSwbMeTcDEY_XGaFDJl-FXCo4utY5XfOeL7rjmqXB/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, hi, sun. Thanks for making an appearance on the last afternoon of Spring Break. </td></tr>
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<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-5258592973226808822014-03-07T17:50:00.001-09:002014-03-16T10:36:01.405-08:00Ah! Serendipity....<span class="userContent"></span><br />
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<span class="userContent">Today we have synchronicty at it's highest!!!! When Dylan first told me she was being stationed in Aviano, Italy, I summoned the Google gods to see where on the green Earth it was...and the very first image that popped up was THIS one, the image above! I was blown away. This image has remained the epi<span class="text_exposed_show">tome of Northern Italy in my mind. Fast forward to the last couple days of searching hi and low for accommodations in the Dolomites. This is the only place I've had trouble finding us a place to stay. The place is BOOKED! Surprising for early June...at least for hikers who may be greeted with snowed-in trails this year. Anything still available was either WAY out of our price range or would only accommodate 2 people MAX in a wee teeny room. Somehow, I came upon an apartment in the Val Di Funes. Not only is it highly rated and dirt cheap (for Italy) but it's in the same town this photo was taken in! Santa Maddalena. Mary Magdalene..... A woman who's story very much intrigues me!</span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">In this valley surrounded by mountains....It's ours for 4 days! </span></span><br />
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<span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">Seeking and finding the Feminine Devine in Italy! I'm <strong><span style="font-size: large;">ecstatic!!!!</span></strong></span></span><br />
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I've finished booking ALL of our accommodations now. I can't believe the fabulous places that have fallen into our laps! 12 lodgings in all, each quite different from the rest. A stone cottage right on a lake outside Aviano, an apartment in an Austrian inspired gasthaus in the mountains, a restored 1800's farmhouse/B&B on an organic vineyard in the hills overlooking Lake Garda, a Lilliputian studio apartment-beds are in the kitchen!-in a medieval town on Lake Como, another farm-stay on a vineyard in the hills of Peimonte, a boutique hotel room in a block of restored medieval buildings, a B&B situated outside the ancient Etruscan walls of Cortona, Tuscany, a flat in a 1400's convent-turned-apartment building in the heart of Milan, an apartment with terraced view above the Riviera in the Cinque Terre...all ending with a quiet rooftop flat overlooking the Scala del Bovolo, just a walk to San Marco Square in Venice. I wanted each place to be indicative of the area we are staying in as well as offer the food, wine and products of the region or village itself. <br />
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And the activities! What a hodge-podge of cool shit I have planned! ......But I think I'll keep the rest to myself until we get back!<br />
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Here's a visual of the places where we'll be hangin' our hats!<br />
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</span> RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-34187293223125270972014-02-25T14:51:00.001-09:002014-02-25T14:51:14.352-09:00V Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">*</span></b>GAAAHH!! I never posted this! better late then never....</div>
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V for <strike>velocity </strike> <strike>virus</strike> <strike>vistaster</strike> VALENTINE'S DAY!!! Yeah! Let's start with Valentine's Day. We decided to go easy this year, no big dinner out and no prezzies, since we'd rather save the money for fun over in Italy! Plus, we rigged our trip so that we're there in wine country for our 12th wedding anniversary! Romantic enough, yes?! And an important milestone anniversary. What better place to celebrate this beautiful thing we have...that impossibly continues to grow more deep with each passing year? So, we opted to stay home for a family evening with Willa and get a nice pizza delivered. And of course we got each other prezzies. Miles sent a lovely bouquet of roses to my work and gave me a pair of unique copper earrings. I splurged on a sensational bottle of Barbaresco...the female to Barolo's male. Grapes from the Peimonte region in Italy. The most gorgeous wine to ever cross my lips. The pizza came in handy since we had no heat or hot water.</div>
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Let's back-track a day. Thursday night, Willa and I get home from school. I head straight to the bathroom with a full bladder. The toilet seat was FREEZING. Wait a sec....I still have my down coat on. It's CHILLY in here.... Uh, oh. Sure enough, I give the baseboards a feel, check the thermometer. Ooo! 58 degrees! I give Miles a heads up and call Karl with a K, our handy handyman. Our boiler set up is in our crawl space/basement and only accessed though a trap door in the floor of our CLOSET(eye roll). I get in there to remove the door and turn the light on for Karl's arrival. Oh, My Fucking GOD. There is a WATERFALL cascading from our Quietside heater. There is a foot of water in the crawl space. Things.....are floating everywhere. I frantically call back Karl to let him know things are REALLY SNAFU and hurry up!!!! Willa is in tears thinking the water is going to flood the WHOLE upstairs as well and is frightened when I put on my Xtra-tuffs to get down there and salvage what I can. Fast forward a few hours, Karl has come and gone, the water shut off and now draining, a part will be ordered, wood stove is blazing, several space-heaters are set up around the house to keep things warm enough to not have pipes freeze and plants die, and Miles and I are hauling up nasty wet trash from the crawl space. I tell myself it's just junk, a lot of it was going to be given to the Salvation Army anyway, too bad it got ruined. All our important beloved stuff is upstairs anyway.... Then Miles upends a plastic bin that had tipped over and took on water. It contained most of my photo albums. Pictures from my childhood up until about age 30....most of which I had taken.....DESTROYED. Out of hundreds I saved maybe 40-50. A decent cross-section of years.....but, MAN, it was still a blow. And what.a.mess. This<a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=VISTASTER"> vistaster</a> was not taken well by all.</div>
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Our little family pizza and wine snuggle fest in our chilly house eased the pain on Valentines day.</div>
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The next morning we <strike>escaped</strike> headed into Eagle River early to drop Willa off at the Ski bus that would take her and a ton of other very happy kids to Alyeska for the day to have a downhill ski lesson. Miles and I followed in the car. We had beautiful clear weather for our day of skiing. As soon as I got off the lift onto the slope, I killed it! I skied the BEST I have skied in my LIFE! I think it's from all the skate skiing I've been doing...they seem to compliment each other. I even took on a great deal of speed that I usually would have been freaked out about. I seem to have entered a "less fear" zone when it comes to velocity! Willa enjoyed her morning lesson and skied with us for the rest of the day.</div>
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And here we are on Sunday. Still no heat or hot h2o. Hoping our part will be delivered and installed tomorrow. Continuing to haul up trash and organize all that didn't get wet in the basement. This has actually been a project on our to do NOW list for quite awhile. The basement has long been a catch-all and storage of all things What Should We Do With THIS? I'm thinking if we are brutal in our choices, we can cut this shit down by 75%. It would be a breath of fresh air. <br />
We took a break to make the chocolate dipped strawberries we had promised Willa we could have for Valentines day. Can't wait until they have cooled and solidified! <br />
And as I have been sitting here, I've begun to feel a "pressure" slowly build in my chest. That itchy solid feeling that usually signifies a chest cold coming on.<br />
Yay for viruses? That's all I need. But the strawberries....that will make it all GOOD. Right?<br />
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Continuing with my All Things Italy as well! ;)<br />
Brings me joy.<br />
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<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-78094023443414293702014-02-25T13:09:00.001-09:002014-02-25T13:27:40.684-09:00Ski the Beach!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...The culmination of our skate skiing season with the Junior Nordic ski club. An afternoon of races for kids and adults alike. Races range from 1K to 15 K. It's a fun beach-themed shindig with lots of bathing suits, grass skirts, pink flamingos, colorful flower leis, food and warm Gatorade punch. This year it was a balmy 20° on race day but the sun was a-blazing and it felt much warmer. That solar heat, unique to Alaskan winters, on my face, eyes closed and upturned toward the sun, felt <i>incredible</i>.<br />
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But, is was more like Ski the BITCH, for me this time around. I wasn't planning on skiing the beach due this weird virus that I seem to have had for the past week and a half. A strange feeling of itchy pressure in my chest but no productive cough. I've also been on a roller coaster of fatigue... feeling quite tired at times and fairly energized others. It's been like a brewing cold that never quite hits- like my body has been battling it and trying to keep it at bay. Up until Sunday morning I was planning on not skiing it with Miles and Willa, or even leaving the house that day, because I just didn't feel like I had the energy for it. But the day was SO gorgeous and beckoning... And after all, this is the ONE ski race I participate in each year. All my time spent helping to coach Junior Nordic, and the personal time I spend training on the hills culminates in this one 7K race for me. So...my ego got the better of me. I threw on my gear at the last minute, had a bowl of oatmeal and decided I was going to go for it. The Facebook invite for Ski the Beach said it started at 12 but they failed to mention that the <i>set up</i> started at 12. The actual race didn't start until two, so we found ourselves with two hours to spare but not wanting to go back home. We decided to head over to the Eagle River Alehouse for a light protein filled lunch. Miles and I split some spicy wings and Willa had her standard grilled cheese and fries.<br />
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Back at the ski chalet a little while later we picked out our Hawaiian leis, registered for the race, and hung out with some friends until race time. Miles and I got in line with the 7K racers with Willa behind in the 3K section with her buddies from junior Nordic. The 15 K racers started a couple of minutes before us. When it was our turn, I patted Mile's arm and bid him a good race. I had the usual excitement at the beginning, polling hard in the tracks until they opened up and I could start to get a good skate on, passing the slower people and trying to catch up with the faster. Fresh corduroy tracks laid and crisp wind in my face! YES!<br />
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10 minutes later I thought, "What in the HELL was I <i>thinking</i>?!?!". That window of energy on the rollercoaster I had been riding slammed SHUT. I felt devoid of strength, the muscles in my legs suddenly rubbery. But it's not like I was dying or anything so I plugged on. MAN, it was grueling. Really brutal . Looking back I realize that there's a lot of the race that I really don't remember! I guess it's kind of like those marathon or ultramarathon runners who, towards the end of the race, start really zoning out, if not hallucinating. While I certainly wasn't hallucinating, I felt that I had transported to the end of the marathon within only a few minutes of starting that ski race. The second half of the race went a little easier than the first because I was skiing on terrain that I'm very familiar with. I know what's around every bend, and I know if I put a lot of power getting up some of those upcoming grueling hills I'm rewarded with a nice fast downhill glide to restore my breath. While I've really improved with my skate skiing uphill this season, the one thing I've noticed is that while I can ski up the hills quite quickly and even with a little bit of grace, I have to stop at the top because my heart is just pounding, my lungs are in overdrive. Just for a bit, mind you, and then I ride that welcome downhill as far as I can until I reach the next hill. I've also really embraced <i>speed</i> this year both with skate skiing and downhill skiing. When skate skiing on the steeper hills, I used a snowplow a little bit and drag my poles to slow down the descent. This year something just... changed. Nothing forced...just a shift in perception, I guess.My skis are straight, I tuck down, poles close in and out behind me and I'm flying down that hill with no fear.<br />
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Back when I was still duck-walking hills there was no need to stop at the top as it really didn't take my breath away so much. But this year it's a different story with the power I'm putting into my form going up hill. DANG, it's workout! It really affected my race in that if I wanted to keep continuously skiing without stopping I had to revert back to duck walking up the hills and, yes, it made me feel like a rookie. There were a few top-of-the-hill pauses where I would look back to see who was behind me. I could often see Miles in the distance and more than a few times I thought I should just stop for a couple of minutes, catch my breath, let him catch up and just finished the race together. But I decided to keep pushing despite how horrible I felt- something I would kind of look down on before I started entering races. Where have you been all my life, Competitive Streak?! Where did you come from? And why did I let you compel me to do something potentially harmful to my body!?! Well, at least I didn't DNF. I came in just under two minutes slower than last years time which had had me bummed out but then again, I <i>was</i> SICK. I was 4th out of 7 women. As I slid through the finish line looking forward to my post race cool-down which usually consists of just walking or slowly skiing a lap, I was immediately halted by some woman who desperately wanted my race bib right NOW. We wrestled together for a minute trying to pry off that kooky, tight fitting, belly shirt from the 80's lookin' thing and once I was liberated Willa burst out of the Chalet to give me a big hug, report on her race, and as fast as she had appeared, she DISappeared. Willa really rocked her 3K, coming in 8th out of 23 kids. She was so proud of herself! We are too!<br />
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I immediately went from feeling horrible to miserable. My chest and throat felt like sandpaper and my limbs and core were quite shaky with exhaustion. The warm Gatorade was welcome, indeed. We went home to very lazy burger-and-mac dinner in front of Terminator 2. <br />
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Am I glad I did this race? Yeah. As long as it doesn't turn into walking pneumonia or something... 2 days later and my cough is only a little more productive...still tired. Will I race again while feeling sick like this? Jeezus Fuck, NO!<br />
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Junior Nordic may be coming to a close but the season's not over yet. There's still a lot of skiing to be done and hopefully we'll get more snow. My goal is to continue working on endurance- trying to ski up those hills without having to stop and gasp at the top. To be able to get through that 7K route without stopping.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles at the finish</td></tr>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-78410268964356285882014-02-11T14:55:00.000-09:002014-02-25T15:03:00.890-09:00Riding the white...Up high.....scenes and a vid from our first weekend of alpine skiing:<br />
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Willa and I are on the left....<br />
<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-58751483257197138622014-02-09T10:43:00.000-09:002014-02-09T10:43:31.612-09:00Shit's gettin' REAL!!!!!How often does one get to say, "I just booked a flat owned by a jazz musician for 2 nights in Milan!"?!?!?! In MILAN!!!!!!!!!! I said it!!! It's so surreal in my world right now!!!!! Look how quaint this is!<br />
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It's a tiny 2 floor flat in an old converted 14th century convent facing a courtyard in the Porta Romana district down town Milan. The owners live right next door, are multi-lingual, and they have a 10 year old daughter. (Willa is very excited!) Perfect for a 2 night stay while we're there for the Pearl Jam concert.<br />
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I have spent the last 2 weeks deeply engrossed in researching a handful of AMAZING road trips for us. Starting in Venice, to Aviano, traveling through the Alps to Innusbruck, back down through Northwest Italy's lakes regions, and to the Langhe in Piemonte. Then we hit Milan, meander to the Italian Riveria for a few days, and then head back to Aviano for a 2-3 day mellow-out before heading home to Alaska. I literally could sit here all day looking into into the multitude of ideas available to us. It's a struggle to make myself stop, fold up the maps, shut off the laptop, close the books and re-enter the real world in Casa Di Pruner. <br />
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We've decided we'd like to add 4 extra days onto our trip to really give us a solid chunk of time in the Riviera as well as some rest time in Aviano. We're waiting till Monday or Tuesday to change our tickets so that we can get the lowest fee. It will still hurt the wallets....but we think it's worth it! Not etched in stone yet, but that's the plan. I've decided to nix Tuscany in favor of Piemonte. We like the bolder red wines of the region over the lighter reds and Chiantis of Tuscany anyway. In Piemonte, the rich rolling hills with the Alps as a backdrop, quaint towns and way less tourism really appeals to us.<br />
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I've connected with another blogger who, with his wife and new baby, are in the process of renovating an old Langhe farmhouse al la Under The Tuscan Sun. (The Langhe is hilly sub-region in Cuneo east of the Tanaro river and south of Alba). A very gracious guy who has given me some great ideas on where to stay and where to mangiando. I'm really enjoying his well written and humorous account of their adventure: <a href="http://livinginthelanghe.wordpress.com/" rel="home" sl-processed="1" title="Living in the Langhe – a new life in Piemonte, Italy">Living in the Langhe – a new life in Piemonte, Italy</a> !! I'm hoping we can stay for 4 nights here. I'd like to split the time between staying in an Agriturismo-Agriturismos are "rural holidays" were you can stay on a working farm, sample the products grown and made there, take tours, horseback ride and even help work in the vineyards! And the other half will be spent staying in a cluster of medieval buildings that have been restored into a B&B complete with it's own restaurant and wine shop...boasting fabulous Apertivi! This place looks AMAZABALLS!!!! Both accommodations are way pricier then what we are aiming for, but I think it's worth the splurge. And I'll be saving tips for the next few months to put toward surprising the fam with an extra night at that Medevil B&B/cave!<br />
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I'm really digging this new Travel Research part time job of mine!<br />
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AND! In other travel news. This just in! For this year's New York Life council meetings, Miles has already earned us the Executive Council trip!!! So we'll be spending a week in hot steamy New Orleans at the end of summer! And since he's really killin' it so far, he has a <i>slight</i> chance of actually making President's Council and taking us to Puerto Rico! He has a few more months to give it a shot. Either way, we'll be ending a summer of travel in one of those two places. Fuckin' pinch me NOW! SERIOUSLY?!?!?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIe6lIdYdGpf7gjRCbrIkeNLEyFdBU7MP0MxOqnQKzJF8DFXIGjm_asrHMNXflQcOw_E_yIMKRDZJ_FBR6ECgcWkOyohM7T5dBftIsIY-xaxzu6ktF2-1ItO6HComzTBVuXULp8k7jZo2/s1600/new+or.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIe6lIdYdGpf7gjRCbrIkeNLEyFdBU7MP0MxOqnQKzJF8DFXIGjm_asrHMNXflQcOw_E_yIMKRDZJ_FBR6ECgcWkOyohM7T5dBftIsIY-xaxzu6ktF2-1ItO6HComzTBVuXULp8k7jZo2/s1600/new+or.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">or</td></tr>
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<br />
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**None of the photos on this post are mine....All Via Google ImagesRunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-10607126430056109782014-01-28T14:32:00.000-09:002014-01-28T14:42:12.299-09:00This is happening<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">We're going to Italy.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In June for 3weeks. Italy....with Austria and Switzerland thrown in.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbNxQh8_aC5uqvLM726muTSkOUyoN3fsZUhAEL3no6ayN2BRS69m-zMVPkW8ohnWf0rgNPDh0mVOAqCVkrJ4CBDA3pwzoW40jITuSLUMwCcxS4hpmWo2Ry4s7GB0RGeOx9C0TqJFRVNG6/s1600/italy+como.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbNxQh8_aC5uqvLM726muTSkOUyoN3fsZUhAEL3no6ayN2BRS69m-zMVPkW8ohnWf0rgNPDh0mVOAqCVkrJ4CBDA3pwzoW40jITuSLUMwCcxS4hpmWo2Ry4s7GB0RGeOx9C0TqJFRVNG6/s1600/italy+como.jpg" height="400" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Como- Photo via Pinterest</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1724010136"></span><span id="goog_1724010137">THANK YOU SWEET SPIRIT!!!!!</span><br />
When I think of it, it's like blinding sparks of excitement rise from my pelvis, up into my belly, heart, throat, hands...<br />
"How can I wait 6 months for this to happen?! I've dreamt of this all of my adult life....travel abroad...and it's in our <i>hands</i>!"<br />
Tickets are BOUGHT! I have to remove myself from the anticipation...kind of like forcing time to stop so that I can step aside and collect myself, come to a calmness. Let it all sink in. All while urging time to just <i>speed up </i>and get us THERE. And I want to scream this from the ROOFTOPS! But I've found I actually feel kind of ...guilty... when I tell people about our trip. Like the guilt that kept me from using my car seat warmers for the longest time even though I knew I should be enjoying them. What's up with THAT? I guess I am feeling incredibly humbled and VERY blessed...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdzfMoLfZqAin9ynQJXMhAtLQzM_59GP8Hw6LUnOnleHm6dpcLsOuREUDlXjnn6xjN2hyphenhyphen3ofFILC7cfwHQr9Rw9d0qYynvWOVpjUHC_2itGmt4u_vFQJp8jUyOSYEdp8oaAKUEcM9_263/s1600/italy+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdzfMoLfZqAin9ynQJXMhAtLQzM_59GP8Hw6LUnOnleHm6dpcLsOuREUDlXjnn6xjN2hyphenhyphen3ofFILC7cfwHQr9Rw9d0qYynvWOVpjUHC_2itGmt4u_vFQJp8jUyOSYEdp8oaAKUEcM9_263/s1600/italy+map.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm surrounded by maps, travel books, a Rosetta Stone Italian Language program my Bro-in-law gave me (Thanks Mark!!!), my laptop where the Google Gods are always waiting and my "ITALY Trip" Pinterest board already stocked with so many ideas and informative sites. I'm overwhelmed, but gleefully so! There's a dazzling amount of possibilities for us over there...I don't want to miss a thing but I know we can't cram it all into 3 weeks! I'm so glad we decided on adding the 3rd. Leaves us with more options.... We felt this was do-able since our annual Russian River trip fell through. We just could not book a site for this summer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSayLclep966Vj_fv9TeL2wiCxfGGM02ruTVFOrAqZ1vHESVM5yDkIQqJwqAROJ6S7dss_7rY_p60Iik5NOxwRMw-kUxy2tL2FTL5TDkjeo8eqHKbdALKP28JuqQQ-lHUGJyc-APEJSLEe/s1600/italy+books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSayLclep966Vj_fv9TeL2wiCxfGGM02ruTVFOrAqZ1vHESVM5yDkIQqJwqAROJ6S7dss_7rY_p60Iik5NOxwRMw-kUxy2tL2FTL5TDkjeo8eqHKbdALKP28JuqQQ-lHUGJyc-APEJSLEe/s1600/italy+books.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have a basic idea of what we'd like to do. See Dylan first and foremost! We're hoping by then she will be able to get a chunk of time off to spend with us. We want to explore the area she lives in, road trip and hike in the Alps...South Tyrol...to Innsbruck or Salzburg?,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YhY0VL1aR2lveF3lWjPfSTu9_5JLxwLsCMpC_H-Z-_ZTtydMq14W1WlMT6hyphenhyphenkR9stWZ-E2kwQRQIHWuc5TWQK4cmT5zPH2PhPUzQ3FoB6BIgHlV59YgSS5BMyDU9w4iE5gX3hJ08wyqB/s1600/italy+tyrol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YhY0VL1aR2lveF3lWjPfSTu9_5JLxwLsCMpC_H-Z-_ZTtydMq14W1WlMT6hyphenhyphenkR9stWZ-E2kwQRQIHWuc5TWQK4cmT5zPH2PhPUzQ3FoB6BIgHlV59YgSS5BMyDU9w4iE5gX3hJ08wyqB/s1600/italy+tyrol.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Tyrol -Photo via Pinterest</td></tr>
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We've gotta get Switzerland in there somehow...., dip in Lake Como, visit Milan's Duomo Cathedral, stay at a hippy/spiritual healing/artist commune in Piemonte, drink wine in Tuscany, the Italian Riviera-hike the coastal trails and pick olives in Cinque de Terre, the HISTORY in ROME! ....oh, my GOD, I'm going to <i><b>explode</b></i>!!!<br />
<br />
I have a LOT of work to do to set this up. B and B's, car rental and driving in Italy, finding a house sitter, itineraries..... The only things etched in stone so far? A Condor flight for 3 to Venice via Frankfurt. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC_1e8UxwW27QJx7UbIt9LM-keK9JK0er-wgxPplmsDEQCTzj5-kvhdvZ9tdamK2CuBrqpA4hHu2wnSG1qQHiKcIJ4nefBXzTaB1x2FCYisWdwC9w6Uk_fJPVMvrcz4wPvDn_1WvMrgFd/s1600/condor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC_1e8UxwW27QJx7UbIt9LM-keK9JK0er-wgxPplmsDEQCTzj5-kvhdvZ9tdamK2CuBrqpA4hHu2wnSG1qQHiKcIJ4nefBXzTaB1x2FCYisWdwC9w6Uk_fJPVMvrcz4wPvDn_1WvMrgFd/s1600/condor.jpg" height="400" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via Condor Airline</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">And!.........</span></b>.......wait for it.....ready?......clench your Kegels, Ladies...... 4 tickets in possession to MUTHER FUCKING <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">PEARL JAM</span></strong> in <strong>MILAN</strong>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy scattin' Jeezus jumpin' on a spire, we're going to see one of my top 5 fave bands in fucking ITALY!!! The nose-bleed seats cost an arm and a leg but We.Are.Going. I've currently enrolled Willa in a crash course of Pearl Jam 101 to prep her for the show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyoTN0fm3iH_KHLTt5vHvdbqMNoneZEXiSY40UR8hLUFsDFhOFvSjD4bK34SpJi8OG95OnW_9P8aEyIk5uXZskpWP7cHLA6v_BfkGzfeLiegMrYE9NnMFK5jo70CgLriTTQBugup2TGyJ/s1600/italy+pj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyoTN0fm3iH_KHLTt5vHvdbqMNoneZEXiSY40UR8hLUFsDFhOFvSjD4bK34SpJi8OG95OnW_9P8aEyIk5uXZskpWP7cHLA6v_BfkGzfeLiegMrYE9NnMFK5jo70CgLriTTQBugup2TGyJ/s1600/italy+pj.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! They're in Italian!!!!</td></tr>
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This is epic. This is fucking stone cold <strong>EPIC</strong>. I have waited so long to travel overseas....We are making it happen........mind BLOWN.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EYE-Taly!!!! FUCK <i>YEAH</i>!!!!!!!</span></b></div>
RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-13510792875901213832014-01-12T15:13:00.000-09:002014-01-13T09:38:07.779-09:00Bringing In<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>These trees</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>-emissaries of the woods-</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>heavy with snow and frost</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>bend in gentle inclination </b><b>toward protection...</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>an embracement</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> and receiving of all</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> who travel through</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>.....in beauty.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWNHrxu_rBEAiX7GGyfcKrqcmu6OOK6_QU6lJe7o_OMAZm5OMNsEUkGvkIrvR6tEzZ6qUwzVgjJynthDb7rPOKkuSv6pgPLbdTtHXvueQqmHssTluT0HV7fs-EXdJ8iOb4J9wGe2Ajpcb/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWNHrxu_rBEAiX7GGyfcKrqcmu6OOK6_QU6lJe7o_OMAZm5OMNsEUkGvkIrvR6tEzZ6qUwzVgjJynthDb7rPOKkuSv6pgPLbdTtHXvueQqmHssTluT0HV7fs-EXdJ8iOb4J9wGe2Ajpcb/s640/IMG_4634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willa so tiny</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm helpless but to allow my soul to be split open wide and to drink of all that I see and feel in a place like this. This beauty, varying and shifting in its sameness as we fly through it with hearts beating hard, breath coming cold, warm, cold, warm, bodies moving in power.... I can't get enough of this indigo world! What an inebriant!</div>
RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-75741601449829411062014-01-12T08:52:00.001-09:002014-01-12T09:23:03.753-09:00My writing sanctuaryRight here. Engulfed in this huge round-y chair made perfect with down filled pillows. Feet propped up on the matching ottoman. This is where I write.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit074w6VzzNFEwJeGWZ0icJf-BP-RhJ5bHBpeUTN28w4_4JFUBrLkSBSPuh-RFMbxQbuQhPpE31pPTdCO8YJMXjiIMmXyQCCQiffdmrowsNxQuAFkhslYElY4x7kxqSvL9lhqagDbRcaL1/s1600/IMG_6359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit074w6VzzNFEwJeGWZ0icJf-BP-RhJ5bHBpeUTN28w4_4JFUBrLkSBSPuh-RFMbxQbuQhPpE31pPTdCO8YJMXjiIMmXyQCCQiffdmrowsNxQuAFkhslYElY4x7kxqSvL9lhqagDbRcaL1/s1600/IMG_6359.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In the winter, a warm glowing fire. The soft teal blankie on my lap and over my toes feels just like rabbit fur. A hot mug of cocoa, coffee, or mulled wine. Celtic instrumentals or classical music surrounds me.<br />
<span id="goog_1618495577"></span><br />
<span id="goog_150594212"></span><br />
In the summer, I open the window behind me, the breezes caress the back of my neck and shoulders...the soft movement of my tendrils so soothing. A glass of red wine, the robins' evening song or perhaps ambient music.... <br />
...and the sounds of my family.... completes.<br />
I feel little vulnerability here, surrounded by my paintings, plants, our family's treasures. I can settle myself, calm and open my mind....and let words flow.<br />
The warmth emanating from the wood floors bathes the room. The ever-changing view out these windows nourishes my soul. Always. Even on the gloomiest days there is so much beauty here.<br />
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<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-8598084735414219142014-01-05T09:54:00.000-09:002014-01-05T09:54:15.948-09:00Word.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cvBkydMEhdApvFvFFoarTEZ0bg6cTQ3ZUzrXNZYBB4VXWcfTl5LXQ8uy7ogDe5RIEyLCBIEYpDb4GBr1nyQzYvYOpx3cYYBgXLZ_iSF16Lh-qC7cI4y2TxquunoNDpleo75WMW5k6Uvn/s1600/i+just.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3cvBkydMEhdApvFvFFoarTEZ0bg6cTQ3ZUzrXNZYBB4VXWcfTl5LXQ8uy7ogDe5RIEyLCBIEYpDb4GBr1nyQzYvYOpx3cYYBgXLZ_iSF16Lh-qC7cI4y2TxquunoNDpleo75WMW5k6Uvn/s1600/i+just.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-71841887674660067642014-01-01T21:58:00.000-09:002014-01-01T21:58:01.695-09:00Happy New Year...2014!!!<br />
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This year, I made up my own damn meme!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong><span style="font-size: large;">2013… was
your life a pond or a river?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times, I
felt like life was a rushing river of events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally finishing our new addition, Dylan’s decision to enter the Air
Force , graduating highschool and leaving home, a summer full of exploring new
places, fun vacations….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at other
times it seemed quite like a still quiet pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My work environment stayed the same, my art is at a standstill because I
have no place to paint freely(and when I had the chance to paint outside, I
made the choice to play elsewhere), physically I did not experience reaching
new goals like I had in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What was the impetus for growth this year- body,
mind, and soul?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>BODY</strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to my illiotibial band injury and my
sprained ankle at the beginning of the summer, no real physical changes were
made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was hard to take-especially
the fact that I couldn’t run over the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I missed many of the summer races….but Miles and I where at least able
to run two half marathons using a basic “run for one minute/walk for one minute”
routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more of a restorative
routine to protect our bodies that were not used to intense running at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My gym routine is in maintenance mode and I
am REALLY needing a change to switch things up and awaken my muscles and get
ready for more intense building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I DID
nourish my body this year with all the amazing and HARD hikes we did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>MIND</strong>: I’ve made more time for reading this year
to feed my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m feeling the urge to
go back to school…not because I don’t like my career…I just enjoy school and
the idea of starting something new and different is very appealing….but in
reality, not very likely any time soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have started a Rosetta Stone course in Italian, though!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>SOUL</strong>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would have to say our entire summer was balm and food for my
soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See my “Something Special Every
Day” posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an incredible summer it
was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the daily meditation that I
talked about last New Years, I have failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was SO revved up to make it the start of my day every day, even if for
only 5 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Routine and distractions
always get in the way though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With ADD,
quieting the mind is just.so.hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think I’m the type of person who would benefit more from the structure of mediation
on CD, or a group, or a mentor to check in with periodically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just can’t seem to make it happen on my
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for my hope to step up my writing,
I’m pretty happy with how I have kept it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not as often as I would like, but more then I had been doing.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What freed your soul?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Themes of letting go presented themselves
quite a bit this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In letting go of
hurts, disappointments, not putting up with toxic people and situations, I was
often reminded of these lines from the serenity prayer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Grant
me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change……….. Living one day at a
time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardships as the pathway to
peace.” </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">(Just to clarify: I’m not an addict, but like many, I find comfort
in those words)</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">What bad habit did you discard?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Habit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, it’s more like the addiction of screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve talked about this before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m happy with the progress I’ve made in
keeping my screens off way more often!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have a way to go and I plan to continue to improve in the next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using the internets for communication and
personal edification is one thing…..loosing yourself-and time-in it is
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another ADD problem.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What magic presented itself?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I think of magic, I think of Willa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than ever, she is such a joyous child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so very loving…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">intensely</i> as of late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
developing sense of gratitude in life, empathy toward people and creatures, wonder
at the world around her, physical abilities and expanding mind are a wonder to
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really is coming into her own
wonderful personality…not a carbon copy of us, but her own true self.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And her own brand of humor is a joy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holy
jeezus, I hope this doesn’t disappear with adolescence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have to be committed at that point…</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">What 3 words embody this past year?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>PEACE, above all……Change…..exploration….</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Who fed your soul?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family, always….My wonderful husband. I am
constantly moved by how we just become closer, our understanding of each other
deepens, we simply love each other more and more with every passing year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are very much our own person and yet so
wonderfully entwined in many ways….a perfect blend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Deepening friendships with a handful of good
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, getting outside and
playing!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">What new skill will you master?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Italian!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Master?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so much….I hope by
the time we head to Italy I’ll be able to have a basic conversation.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>
</strong></span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Is there someone out there you would like to
strive to be more like in 2014?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
pretty happy with myself but realize there is always room for growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This past year, I’ve had to take a close look
at my shyness-riding the cusp of social anxiety, actually- and how it has
worsened over the years…how I have changed from who I was in my 20’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always been shy and tentative around
new people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that seems to have
morphed into being seen as “reserved” even when I think I’m being “myself”,
sociable, open, lighthearted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friend
pointed out over the summer that I seem so outrageous on Facebook but am pretty
reserved in real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yuk!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eye opener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While social media has been wonderful for staying
in touch with some great people, and allowing me to have a voice in a way that
I had never experienced when I was younger, it has also enabled me to be less
apt to reach out to people in real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Socializing from the comfort of my living room is so EASY!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No real judgment, no awkward silences, no struggling
to break the ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have allowed it to really
change me and I need to nip this shit in the bud, NOW!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so grateful to have found some new
friends this year that I feel comfortable being my true self around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THEY might not see the full me yet, but I do,
when I’m with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, is there someone
out there I would strive to be like?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
duty is to strive to be the highest form of myself, whatever that may be, but
my friend Noel has always been the person that I have said I would like to be
if I could reincarnate after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
met Noel when I lived in Montana and was instantly blown away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She, in my eyes, lives life fearlessly,
without a care for what people think, in whatever way feeds her soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The type of person who would break out in
dance at work to some crazy tune, shave her head to see what it would be like,
express herself with a wide open heart and mind experiencing whatever
interested her in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GOING FOR
IT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is an artist, a thinker, an explorer,
a champion for women and girls entrenched in sex trafficking….and soon she will
be a mama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">What was the most important lesson learned this
past year that you will take into the next?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Number 9 segues nicely into this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of my shyness, I missed out on knowing a wonderful person…perhaps
making a family friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our neighbor,
Stephen, lived a couple miles down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sure we had all often been at the same events in the past, but I had
never officially met him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very
active in and an integral part of the LGBT community as well as Progressive
political groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ran in the same
political circles and struck up a “friendship” on Facebook over the last couple
of years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stephen was known as a quiet
but very kind, gentle and giving person, an avid outdoorsman and a brilliant
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was always making political
signs for use to use at sign wavings, marches and to stake in our yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always seemed to have trouble crossing
paths when he came over to drop them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Stephen often invited me and my family to go hiking with him, he
gave us permission to hike on his property up the side of a mountain to a
saddle between 2 ridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He offered to
share some of his many flower and native plant starts for my yard and
deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of my shyness, I never
made it a priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There always seemed
to be something else going on. I always thought there would plenty of time to
get together with Stephen…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You NEVER
know when a person will be lost forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stephen went missing in October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His neighbor was alarmed when he hadn’t seen him for 2 weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an investigation and search of his
home and property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing was found, no
foul play suspected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His phone was charging,
his wallet on the counter, radio on playing NPR, a half eaten bowl of popcorn
by his chair…it was as if he simply vanished in thin air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People wondered if he had had a mental breakdown
and just….left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some thought he dropped
everything to go on an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may
have attacked by a bear while working on his property…….gotten hurt on a hike
and succumbed to the below zero temperatures……I joined a group helping to alert
the public about Stephen’s disappearance…to get his face and info known….I stapled
his “missing person” poster on all the mailbox fences up and down Hiland road….I
prayed that he would be found safe and that we could finally hike together,
talk politics over dinner at our house, visit his gardens in the summer….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stephen was found a month later, dead deep in
his basement, by his brother who had flown out to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been crushed by a slab of concrete he
was digging under to expand his basement shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I postponed our meeting too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will never meet Stephen, have the chance to get to know him or make
him a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed out on knowing a
wonderful person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t let this
happen again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off with the computer…hand
outstretched IN THE REAL WORLD.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What good deed will you do this year?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always wanted to print out kind
thoughts, inspiring sayings and pictures of beauty on cards to distribute with
Willa around town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On gas pumps, ATM
machines, tables at coffee shops, random mailboxes…just to give people a surprise
pick-me-up!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Where will wanderlust take you this year?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Italy, Austria and Switzerland!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be visiting Dylan at Aviano Air Base
and traveling around from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I.Can.Not.Wait!!!!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">What new music, books, foods would you like to
explore this year?</span></strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take the time
to further explore my father’s massive collection of classical music as well as
getting more acquainted with the latest Indian influenced ambient dubstep. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve also taken a step back in time and have
been enjoying a lot of the metal bands of my “youth”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Books!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not enough time! I’m working on finishing the Fire and Ice series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really in a medieval fantasy mode right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foods….going with the Fire and Ice
theme, Santa brought me the Feast of Fire and Ice cookbook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been drooling over George R. R. Martin’s
descriptions of decadent medieval meals since I started the series!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to host a medieval themed party
with foods from the books!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">14.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>What will you make happen in 2014?</strong></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connection with REAL people, physical
goals-weightlifting gains, skiing/running race personal bests, finding the time
and place to paint again, exploring new territories of all kinds, continuing to
find something wonderful in every day…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our New Years...</span></div>
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Lunch at Humpy's, a fantastic skate ski on the Hillside trails-Willa did great keeping up!, home to warm showers, hot mulled wine and an evening of games we got for Christmas. Various firework displays lit up our valley at midnight....Today we gobbled Mile's sticky buns for breakfast, went for a mellow 3.5 mile run with Willa, and spent the rest of the day lazing and watching an LOTR marathon!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember Chinese jacks??!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Would You Rather..." THIS game is right up a 9 year old's alley!</td></tr>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-13036345955054773612013-12-30T14:51:00.000-09:002013-12-30T14:51:12.406-09:00Christmas Day 2013<br />
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Christmas morning fills my soul. Flat out. Following our traditions, I wake up, take a shower, put coffee on, turn on some celtic-y Christmas music, light candles, <strike>get the kiddo up</strike> allow the child who has been awake for hours to come out of her room, wake up Miles if he isn't already, and settle in next to the tree with all it's new gifts. We first relieve our stockings of their goodies to enjoy while the cinnamon rolls bake. Then we DEVOUR those godammned miraculous confections with a second mug of coffee.... When dem bellies full, we head back into the living room to open presents. I always play Santa, it seems. We spend time digging what we gave and got. And THIS year, for the first time EVER, methinks, I didn't feel like I had to rush and leave my little pile of fun to go somewhere else! When I was a kid, no sooner then your presents were open, you were whisked away to church-catholic, ugh-and then to the aunt and uncle's house for Christmas dinner all the while yearning to get back to your new treasurers from the North Pole. We took our time passing around gifts-Willa and Dylan will still get some "Santa" gifts, we'll continue to "pretend" he is real-and it was so sweet to each receive a huge hug and "thank you!" after each gift she opened! I'm so happy for her that she seems to have true gratitude within....I believe it makes a person more whole, purposeful, happy and satisfied in life when they can see beyond themselves and truly cherish what they have. It was GRAND and GLORIOUS to just hang out on Christmas Day! Basking.......no rush...... What my dad would describe as a <br />
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"nice.........................................................................<br />
leisurely....................................................................<br />
time...............................................................".<br />
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And when we were ready, we got cookin' in preparation for our friends to arrive for dinner. At OUR house!!!! Another first! Finally having a proper dinning room and big table to seat everyone for a feast. Finally! And a feast it was! Our Christmas Eve and Day dinners were the best I think I ever had! A brined and smoked turkey hen, mashed taters with a smidge of bacon grease, candied yams, fresh bread and butter, spicy cranberry chutney and oyster/deer sausage stuffing(These ROCKED mah belleh, if I don't say so myself!!!!), red wine and an out-of-this-world brussel sprout dish that our friends brought.<br />
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WE ATE LIKE <strong><span style="font-size: large;">KINGS</span></strong>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>KINGS</em></span></strong>!!!!! Mother of baby bacon fat covered jeezus..........<br />
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Miles and I (and Willa, too, I'm sure) are so grateful for our friends, the Ruiz's. We met them about a year and a half ago at the Salmonstock Music festival. They were camped at the same campground as we were. Willa and their daughter, Lily, found each other and hit it off right away, playing on the beach. Moms and dads introduced themselves and we've been buds ever since. I feel like I can relax and be myself with them. The type of friends you'd pick to live in a commune with....or if shipwrecked on an island.....<br />
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We did a "Chinese gift exchange" which is always a fun way to exchange gifts. I threw in a pair of 3x grannie underwear for fun! We were hoping to play our Cards Against Humanity game that Santa brought, but the Ruizes all had head colds and were feeling the need to head home. It was a wonderful evening and I really hope to make Christmas Day dinner at our home a more regular event....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweetheart....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun with Christmas lights!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeeeee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My 5th grade revisited and passed to Willa...The great Gilly Hopkins and Chinese Jacks!!! Remember those?!?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new telescope!!! (remember that foreshadowing?!) Here I am trying to reenact the photo of the jump in the air I did 10 years ago when we got our first telescope</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdxy0j73_4cxLi9r3L8GFgCpSY8B8NapFxdDJxmZeYQ3NqdWA9dGa8iBgyVvU8DqU9XBncR8sJ8HOBTdLVzgp7gsbZiSY2g77xXiwptf7cREjsYJvngLnhbVteT3BipoLWKDr5SmKlvD5/s1600/IMG_6279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdxy0j73_4cxLi9r3L8GFgCpSY8B8NapFxdDJxmZeYQ3NqdWA9dGa8iBgyVvU8DqU9XBncR8sJ8HOBTdLVzgp7gsbZiSY2g77xXiwptf7cREjsYJvngLnhbVteT3BipoLWKDr5SmKlvD5/s640/IMG_6279.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's hand made gifts. Dig the candy bowl Willa made for her daddy with an old vinyl record! I made Miles and Willa plaques to hang running medals and beer brewing awards on. (beer awards are Miles, of course). Willa made a lovey painting of birch trees and a toy for the kitty!</td></tr>
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LOOT!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cheers!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fukinlovem!!! Our music lovin', booty shakin', outdoors hangin', laugh-a -lot friends! And the adults are cool, too.</td></tr>
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Chinese gift exchange</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect! Ho ho ho, indeed!</td></tr>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-17374260758631480582013-12-27T10:41:00.000-09:002013-12-27T10:41:14.181-09:00Christmas Eve 2013...the year without a Santa Claus<br />
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We got our wish this year!....to host Christmas day diner at our house for friends. So we spent a big part of our Christmas Eve baking, smoking, and cooking for our feasts for both nights! We were really hoping to take a break and go ski in town but the temperature on the trails was well below zero. Not a comfortable environment to ski in, especially for Willa. While she can keep right up with Miles and I on a moderately fast ski now, if we are really hauling ass for a killer workout and training.....or just to keep warm at 10 below, she would be left behind. But 2000 ft up at our house it was 7 above so we opted for another show shoe across the valley. Is was nice to get outside in the brisk cold after being in the house steamy hot from cooking all day. There have been no big winds or warm temps to whisk away the snow from the trees to leave them bare for quite sometime now. Everything has been covered in either thick snow or hore frost. And it catches the winter low light colors so beautifully. Truly a wonderland. I hope it lasts! I'm slowly phasing out some of our old Holiday decorations for new updated ones. I really like a more wintery Scandinavian color scheme. The soft grey-based arctic blues and purples that one sees outside this time of year. I really like pagan symbology of the holidays, non-traditional natural Christmas trees, holly and berries, lots of candle light, and majestic reindeer stags-I have a nice collection of stags started....<br />
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Our house smelled like HEAVEN from morning to bedtime. While Miles baked spent-grain bread and pie crusts, I worked on my pie filling, cranberry chutney, and oyster stuffing. After our snowshoe we got busy with the rest of Christmas eve dinner...king crab, green bean casserole, and mashed taters. Everything tasted incredible.....IN-CRED-I-BLE. I actually ate so much I had NO room for pie. That just does.not.happen.<br />
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Every year on Christmas Eve we each get a new pair of jammie bottoms and a family game. We donned our jammies and heavy coats to take a walk around the neighborhood. The stars where booming to the north-Saturn big and bright- and I was lamenting the fact that our telescope had been broken years before and now that we have this great new room with huge windows, wouldn't it be awesome to look at the stars from the warm inside? Foreshadowing! We followed up our walk with a viewing of Holiday Inn. DAMN Fred Astaire could DANCE!<br />
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Of course our holidays have been lacking without Dylan, but this was also the first year that we have had no Santa believin' kids in the house. It was great when Dylan no longer believed(Actually, we had to break the news when she was 11!) because she could then join in the Santa Shenanigans of wrapping and setting up her little sister's presents. But with Willa no longer believing...that's it. No more Santa. SOB!!!!!!!! A few weeks ago, as Willa and I where decorating the tree, she paused and asked, "Are you Santa?" Taken aback, I went right into goof mode. Eyes wide and mouth agape I responded with, "OMG!!! WHAT are you TALKING about. Is the Devil in ye, Child?!?!?!?!" She just looked at me deadpan. "Mommy....TRUTHFULLY." <br />
UUUGGHHH!!!! She played the TRUTH card!!! I looked to Miles in the kitchen for help...I could see him watching us out of the corner of his eye. Damn! DAMN, damn! "Hunny! Willa thinks WE'RE Santa!"<br />
"Mommy..........."<br />
Oh, all right....SHIT. There goes the magic. The sneaking around late-night, putting Santa prezzies under the tree....the delight the next morning when she wakes up and walks into a candle lit room with soft Christmas music playing.....a pile of new presents under the tree(HOW does Santa get down such a skinny chimney?!)....a rockingchair and stool with cookie crumbs and half full glass of milk on it pulled up by the fire.... <br />
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Damn kids and their "logic".<br />
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No Dylan...no Santa...those where tough things to wrastle with this year....but we still had a wonderful, wonderful time.....<br />
And I didn't hesitate to boast, "And, ya know, ALL those presents from Santa were from <u>ME</u> and <u>DADDY</u>!!! Aren't we the most AWESOME parents?!?!?!?!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A FABULOUS 17 year old cab... we bought 4 after enjoying some on one of our first "fancy" dates!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TsQ0za56GqqHWYtepeGjqIyeJp4bz00bK-HQihiSwPCMRSI_Z3c0063QRPxu7Wze5mplub0ZjGQT6oz2vXnMLyIsLz_ZN6paXxloUNFvETVzxRC8Jbub6Stg0Xl4c_7pAW4R-n9V0SM_/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TsQ0za56GqqHWYtepeGjqIyeJp4bz00bK-HQihiSwPCMRSI_Z3c0063QRPxu7Wze5mplub0ZjGQT6oz2vXnMLyIsLz_ZN6paXxloUNFvETVzxRC8Jbub6Stg0Xl4c_7pAW4R-n9V0SM_/s400/IMG_4330.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THANKS, Dad!!!!!</td></tr>
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Something kinda wonderful: I had been yearning to hear Handel's Messiah and looked through my dad's collection a couple of times to see if he had it(I had inherited his whole collection of hundreds of classical music CDs that I store in a couple of huge "notebook" disk holders) with no luck. So on Christmas Eve I researched some highly revered versions of Messiah online and decoded to buy The Academy of Ancient Music-Christopher Hogwood conducting version on iTunes. When I went to purchase, something kept preventing the sale from going through. I was feeling pretty irritated at that point! I was <em>really</em> wanting to hear this version now! It was hard to believe my dad <em>didn't</em> have Messiah in his collection, so I went back downstairs to look one last time. I picked up the heavy leather CD book, put it on my lap and it fell open <em>right to a Handel's Messiah CD</em>. Not only was there suddenly a disk right there alphabetically where it should be...but it was THE very same Academy of Ancient Music-Christopher Hogwood version I had just tried to purchase!!! Crazy!!!! My arm hairs were on end! I put the CD in right before dinner....and it was magnificent. For the first time since my father died, I felt like he was <em>there</em> with us. A warm, comforting, loving feeling of the highest form of my DAD.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smeeeeeeeeeeell!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GLORIOUS EATS!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qVUngmWgAey6RWAIWf6QSdqh1qeAtxEaWrwQKeHTn_LmIXkm0GOxI2Bkm2hDlDicNJNcjw8JZFvJ6P3n-ToLeoi7LxdZoM_Irki6J31Zi9fJcc-jgqI3qHzGIU22tXRzmkhXj8ZAjTZg/s1600/IMG_6222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qVUngmWgAey6RWAIWf6QSdqh1qeAtxEaWrwQKeHTn_LmIXkm0GOxI2Bkm2hDlDicNJNcjw8JZFvJ6P3n-ToLeoi7LxdZoM_Irki6J31Zi9fJcc-jgqI3qHzGIU22tXRzmkhXj8ZAjTZg/s400/IMG_6222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sillies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq2Lpj022EaOUbM04McI7T-8ocTJyRMdaL20OYH9joVMosuxqz0tcCerLncWjoVZwH_pHfO8CKFT9xqlho3RuCXX7TjFT39H3wcxyHWSUzPFiC5m0Ubpq7tqMkpE41LyuM_Uz3w7GnHTv/s1600/IMG_4349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq2Lpj022EaOUbM04McI7T-8ocTJyRMdaL20OYH9joVMosuxqz0tcCerLncWjoVZwH_pHfO8CKFT9xqlho3RuCXX7TjFT39H3wcxyHWSUzPFiC5m0Ubpq7tqMkpE41LyuM_Uz3w7GnHTv/s400/IMG_4349.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy foxes, celestial white horses, and Star Wars!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIj2SUtBc16KXk6M2TzYkRjyIsuA1kkaD4bulrkU6SfroJSjuSlBGCzyPNa-Si9pNQb45IjcMFvGFXjUwlLVcJCtVxPekw-qeVKjfhxCaXypl2CWMeYV24YrEjxluhVMxARaJrn_ALXxOS/s1600/IMG_4354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIj2SUtBc16KXk6M2TzYkRjyIsuA1kkaD4bulrkU6SfroJSjuSlBGCzyPNa-Si9pNQb45IjcMFvGFXjUwlLVcJCtVxPekw-qeVKjfhxCaXypl2CWMeYV24YrEjxluhVMxARaJrn_ALXxOS/s400/IMG_4354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And to all, a good night.....</td></tr>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-90831454793164492502013-12-17T10:24:00.000-09:002013-12-23T10:25:55.589-09:00Yummy fractions! Or, how I started to finally love mathWhat better way to introduce fractions then by using baking and the delicious results to demonstrate the concepts!!! Through the life cycle of any given baked good....it's all ABOUT fractions and science! Here's a photo journey of our 2 day baking fun with Willa's 4th grade class:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BVdAj38yJmp4ZBWwWJTxDUyOnqP4j59WV_unvdikGMYBFXb4tb0tPwnX2Bmtmtyk3Kepi4MG_Ol7Jcw43aIWO61OqTgNKlcRXin0dCvEV2DAi00aXYaDC4g31lg1oNre6Y_GUbOeZ4um/s1600/IMG_4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BVdAj38yJmp4ZBWwWJTxDUyOnqP4j59WV_unvdikGMYBFXb4tb0tPwnX2Bmtmtyk3Kepi4MG_Ol7Jcw43aIWO61OqTgNKlcRXin0dCvEV2DAi00aXYaDC4g31lg1oNre6Y_GUbOeZ4um/s640/IMG_4103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wooden spoons that Willa's class made last year in 3rd grade! Whittled, sanded, and oiled from blocks of wood. Each one as individual and unique a the child that created it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDOtzbFWXYGn-rWw62srHAsJdqttNRmbfBl4SyiaVVYdgZQvPid_eAFSXUuuB7P9-zxmzZ-L8JgK5hqBNnyQi_fvXkaYsjXov7pbcNFzMRMQ0N-f9aj5_eG41ikv1vLLP7R-jreCsfhsq/s1600/IMG_4074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDOtzbFWXYGn-rWw62srHAsJdqttNRmbfBl4SyiaVVYdgZQvPid_eAFSXUuuB7P9-zxmzZ-L8JgK5hqBNnyQi_fvXkaYsjXov7pbcNFzMRMQ0N-f9aj5_eG41ikv1vLLP7R-jreCsfhsq/s640/IMG_4074.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a good busy classroom mess!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GDUw7B9XxGmwoTIn5aPYuAuAhl6LRyI2m048VAVBPI-ADJhOJtm2j75AsmZUpxC2PSjeWUrNP6-fB-ReuMDbK_y4EjuHsWpznbnQjmKpYdn4Lf-cxBefQRWTN2fACxSgU1-iFTh_DLya/s1600/IMG_4079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GDUw7B9XxGmwoTIn5aPYuAuAhl6LRyI2m048VAVBPI-ADJhOJtm2j75AsmZUpxC2PSjeWUrNP6-fB-ReuMDbK_y4EjuHsWpznbnQjmKpYdn4Lf-cxBefQRWTN2fACxSgU1-iFTh_DLya/s640/IMG_4079.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful Mr. Gillum who co-taught with Ms. Drinen when she wasn't feeling well</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSJ3fGi9CGK4OukIp7cQ-HJplitComBsWrek8FJbWB_iGjFqHY0bON0_O5a2puKyMAp3KZauwYDpND2ZWfpks5tQa-w1p2o9OEpfDPsvb7PIUkfNI05XFi05nBMOhlWkORhnGNC2LCRLD/s1600/IMG_4082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSJ3fGi9CGK4OukIp7cQ-HJplitComBsWrek8FJbWB_iGjFqHY0bON0_O5a2puKyMAp3KZauwYDpND2ZWfpks5tQa-w1p2o9OEpfDPsvb7PIUkfNI05XFi05nBMOhlWkORhnGNC2LCRLD/s640/IMG_4082.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Break time....engrossed in an interesting book!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My kind of fractions!!!!</td></tr>
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Each kid got to take home a nice Tupperware full of the goodies they helped create.<br />
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AND!!! I am so VERY HAPPY to announce that Ms. Drinen finished up her 6 months of chemo at the end of November. It was not an easy time for her to say the least. But what she WAS able to give to our children was mind-blowing....above and beyond. Her final tests have come back free and clear....she is now vacationing in Hawaii....and hopefully well on her way to healing from the meds that eradicated her cancer. What an amazing and inspiring person.<br />
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We love you very much, Suzanne!!!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-wgPFC9MEeDMnOVFr3qAOYiBDWAw7HtXkzQLVn33jwNP1G-qpPomSkdOJZuN1pgPYH5iYKz7U81z7VGtBsV0WRqsP-CHC7AEYK-NWobyNyZkH7jLCin_xGsfC4yb-DBGNSJCexfYutjx/s1600/IMG_4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-wgPFC9MEeDMnOVFr3qAOYiBDWAw7HtXkzQLVn33jwNP1G-qpPomSkdOJZuN1pgPYH5iYKz7U81z7VGtBsV0WRqsP-CHC7AEYK-NWobyNyZkH7jLCin_xGsfC4yb-DBGNSJCexfYutjx/s400/IMG_4116.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening one of her Christmas prezzies. A schweet wad-o-cash for her vacation! Cha-ching!</td></tr>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-56897517407620748812013-12-17T09:36:00.000-09:002013-12-23T16:09:29.844-09:00Yay! My Birthday Days!44.......feh.<br />
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Anyhoo, the only thing NOT fantastic about my birthday this year? It fell on a Wednesday, Dylan wasn't here, and we had already cut down our Christmas tree a week or two prior when Dylan was home. Other then that, a very great 2 days! On my actual birthday, Miles and I took off work and spent the day at Willa's school helping the kiddos bake all things delicious and holiday-like to supplement their fractions unit! I LOVED it! We made vegan cup cakes, gingerbread folks, buckeyes, pumpkin pies and pecan pies. The next day we came back and helped them divvy up the yummies, make icing, decorate their stuff using fractions and clean up. I was amazed and so proud of how natural Miles was with those kids when it came addressing the class and talking about math. It was like he was meant for a classroom-at least when it comes to math. He was relaxed, fun, knowledgeable and truly seemed to enjoy himself. I really lament the fact that his chance to return to school later in life to pursue a degree in education or engineering was ripped out from under him. While we would not be as well off financially....I know his heart would be full to the brim at the head of a classroom.<br />
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It was a lovely way to spend my day......and Miles and I topped it off that night at Crush Wine Bar and Bistro. I enjoyed a flight of Italian wine...to get primed for Italy!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busy and happy hearts and hands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwFITLvEblOE1F-7P0RIjUZzK9UicJ01r5VYvR3FSVYfbNItGqJnEOZS4Pdn0ZWRQv-Jipbg-ilza9K-w5JhHgalwqKhqUo31tREqHTS6VCz2p8n7UAQEGr03-oczrGwD4d10cSnNfpwv/s1600/IMG_4057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwFITLvEblOE1F-7P0RIjUZzK9UicJ01r5VYvR3FSVYfbNItGqJnEOZS4Pdn0ZWRQv-Jipbg-ilza9K-w5JhHgalwqKhqUo31tREqHTS6VCz2p8n7UAQEGr03-oczrGwD4d10cSnNfpwv/s400/IMG_4057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little pre-dinner shopping at Nordstroms. Just say NO to this shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Classico was FABULOUS!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mac with a kick is to die for!!!!</td></tr>
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For the weekend portion of my BDay, we celebrated on Saturday. Miles made crepes with a nice choice of fixin's- lemon curd, chocolate syrup, peanut butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, etc. I had s'meach. Later I napped it off while Miles and Willa made a huge batch of butter spritz cookies. It was nice to get some cozy couch time and snuggles with Willa. Once my crepe and cookie hangover subsided, we worked a little of it off on a snowshoe in the woods down to the river. We stomped a new trail, singing carols, making up winter haikus, and goofing around. <br />
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For din-din we made my once yearly allowance of Steak-um sandwiches. Junky, terrible, delicious, horrid comfort food. Damn straight. A movie and Ben and Jerry's for dessert. It's good to be the mildly ripening Birthday girl.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chatting....planning....dreaming.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fukinlovem</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gentle white snowfall</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blankets our twilight journey</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Woods and wonder. Home.</span></div>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-53468147186578971672013-11-28T23:08:00.000-09:002013-12-09T17:27:58.879-09:00Thanksgiving weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam.....from the COOKIN'!!!!</td></tr>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Which
do you like better: hosting Thanksgiving at your home, or going elsewhere?</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have never hosted Thanksgiving dinner thanks to FOOTBALL and the fact that we
don’t have TV at our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>End of story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would LOVE to host but people don’t want to
come to our house because either they want to host at <em>their</em> house and/or they
can’t watch football at ours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feh</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Describe your perfect
bite? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A fork full of turkey, mashed potatoes, and a bit of stuffing all dipped
in cranberry sauce</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">White meat or dark?</span><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> OPT? Other People's Turkeys? Dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I barely like turkey as it is and I find that white meat equates to
eating a wool sock.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
you buy a fresh or frozen turkey? Organic? Free-range?</span></b><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Mile’s usually wins a frozen turkey each year at
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the usual run of the mill
turkey that we smoke and use for soup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
would really like to brine, smoke and cook up an organic free range hen sometime.....I may have my chance on Christmas Day this year. We are putting our feet down and refusing to go to anyone else's house. They can come to OURS for once. There's no friggin football on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stuffing with giblets
or without?</span><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like pulling out the giblet bag and
obnoxiously shoving them in the kids faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I used to give them to the dog…..</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sweet
potato pie or Pumpkin pie?</span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Miles makes a killer pumpkin pie that even<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> I</span></strong> like! And then we pair it with my famous cranberry/apple pie. Tradition!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anything you <i>won’t</i>
eat at the Thanksgiving meal? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Turnips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GGUUHHH, my family always used to make mashed turnips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the few foods that will make me puke.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Carve Mr. Gobble at
the table or serve on a platter?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>At the
table for chrissakes…a la Clark Griswold.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
side dishes are a must-have in your family?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
MASHED-FUCKIN-POTATOES or Momma aint happy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you stick with a particular menu from year
to year, or do you mix it up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Up until
about 4 years ago, when we started going to the T’s house for Turkey/Football
day, we mixed it up every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we
had not yet experienced a brined/smoked turkey, the family was HATIN’ on turkey so
we made some alternative dinners!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We did fondue with homemade won tons, shrimp, and veggies….with the
traditional Thanksgiving<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sides a couple
years in a row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One year we roasted some
cute Cornish game hens and made stuffing with oysters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a ham once……..</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are leftovers a blessing or a curse?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Turkey Soup on a cold Alaska night is always
a blessing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just throw the mashed
potatoes in and make it thicker!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cranberry/turkey sammiches…What’s so cursey about that?</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Formal table or Chinet?</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Paper plates?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not unless we had, like, 50 guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
momma taught me better than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lazy,
wasteful, tacky and did I say LAZY?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your menu: If<strong><span style="font-size: large;"> I</span></strong> got to host?!?!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Organic free range hen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Miles would brine and smoke it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">My amazaballs oyster stuffing<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">MASHED-FUCKIN-PO-TA-TOES that Miles makes to perfection<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">My phenomenal cranberry chutney<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">My Brussel sprouts with craisins and Gorgonzola, a new family fav</span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"> Miles's homemade bread with Willa’s homemade butter</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">White wine, a </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Gewurztraminer
or pinot grigio….and, of course, red wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Marziano
Abbona San Luigi Dolcetto di Dogliani, Piedmont, 2010 </span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Extended family, friends, both or just the
immediate family for dinner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I would
really enjoy having both!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom and
Pops and some good friends!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> And folks who don't have families to celebrate with....</span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is Thanksgiving a religious or secular holiday
in your home?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Neither, but it’s a
spiritual day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if I just have to
grab at the few quiet moments to inwardly give thanks and breathe in the wonder
of it all….everything we are blessed with….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s also<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a chance for me to help
my children(well, it's just Willa now) find the grace in giving pause to be thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A time of openly sharing what means the most
to each of us, to acknowledged the TRUE origin of this holiday, to hold in
reverence the native peoples of this land that have suffered at the hands of those
who would conquer and destroy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It IS a
spiritual day….despite the eats, drinks, and screaming at the tube.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After dinner, do you go to the latest movie
or watch football on TV or just a turkey induced snooze? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Football before,
during and after…..feh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I
HATE when the chicks hang with the chicks and the guys hang with the guys at
social events, this year while our men occupied the man cave, the women folk
and children gathered about to play Scattegories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a GREAT time, lots of laughing and
silliness and some seriously creative answers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So glad I stayed upstairs to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I DID get in the obligatory after-turkey nap.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="color: #996633;"></span></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do you watch the Macy’s Parade? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Haven’t watched it since I was a kid! But EVERYTHING is so commercialized and corporatized anymore.....</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas decorations up before or after? </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
weekend after Thanksgiving is traditionally when we fuck up our backs hauling
up the decs from the crawlspace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
Sunday evening the tree is up, lit, and ornamentized and the rest of the house
sporting our wacky mish-mash of holiday fare.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Black Friday shopping or sleep in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fuck.Black.Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to be a real douche to buy into that
shit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And even douchyer to go out on Thanksgiving! </span>What’s the popular meme this
year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span>“Black Friday: Because
only in America, people trample others for sales exactly one day after </span></span><a href="http://www.aarp.org/money/budgeting-saving/info-11-2009/being_thankful_at_thanksgiving.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">being thankful </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">for what they already have.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disgraceful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Curmudgeonly rant over.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #996633; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">20. Favorite Thanksgiving memory?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So many!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year
Miles dropped a pan of green bean almondine on the floor and implemented the 5
second rule-dude’s FAST!-and then later almost caught the dinner table on fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…not so much Miles’s fondest memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was a knee slapper, though!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we had T-Day dinner at home, we
always had a blast at the post-gorge neighborhood sledding party!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sad now that so many of the kids are over 18….and
that the hosts of the sledding party have moved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> sigh……</span><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Century Gothic";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222288; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21. Picture taker or
memory maker?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BOTH!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My <s>drunken antics</s> sparklin’
personality and camera skills make for lovely memories both tangible and ethereal. ~hic....</span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 5.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em>This</em> years Thanksgiving was almost complete...with a cold bright morning to trek over to our friend's house in, a hearty workout on the ski trails, hot showers, Baileys and coffee, happy chatter, snuggling with my hunny, kids playing, cooking, eating, football, games and the yearly performance put on by the kids. The only thing missing was Dylan. Our first Thanksgiving without her. Willa burst into tears at the dinner table when our friend mentioned Dylan during grace. She really struggled not to. I saw the corners of her mouth quiver downward like they do when emotion is making it's way up...she turned her eyes to the ceiling in an attempt to stave off the tears while Todd spoke. She glanced over at me and I offered a knowing smile....and that was it. I walked Willa to the bathroom where she buried her head in my chest and let out what she had held in since her sister left. I hope it was cathartic and clearing for her. I hope Dylan knows how fortunate she is to have so much love around her. And that she is missed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn-VQFUm5udSCx-W3U8s5ah0ixH9dwB09rDcNfOic5tLNlCgtk0p5GTZIJp-zE6MWboR5Tz56ARVdkOXvLHBEwRqu7xcVuGAVeRrg9yJaQ5TRatmH8EpjHa5EumOksVyUygGCsRlI-VAL/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn-VQFUm5udSCx-W3U8s5ah0ixH9dwB09rDcNfOic5tLNlCgtk0p5GTZIJp-zE6MWboR5Tz56ARVdkOXvLHBEwRqu7xcVuGAVeRrg9yJaQ5TRatmH8EpjHa5EumOksVyUygGCsRlI-VAL/s640/IMG_3883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halibut and shrimp turkeys for the vegetarian in the group!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The formerly obligatory, eye-rollable, VERY chaotic and off-the-cuff yearly T-Day performance by the kids was actually enjoyable this year! I can't believe they put together a really cute musical about 3 little turkeys AND included the token boy under 10 in the creativity! The girls also choreographed a lovely dance to Katy Perry's Legendary Lovers. Willa isn't your typical play dress up and shake her booty kind of kid....but the dance was so sweet...the kids so innocent...it was a struggle to hold in tears</span>.</td></tr>
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Three little turkeys terrified of the hungry farmer!<br />
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Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........................<br />
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The rest of our Thanksgiving weekend was spent skiing in wonderland, seeing the Nutcracker ballet in Anchorage, playing games in front of the warm fire, making cookies, putting winterlights up outside, finishing up the inside decorations, and watching Christmas movies. And snuggling. Lots of that.<br />
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The Game of Life.....New York Life style!<br />
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My favorite Holiday movie....absolutely timeless and lovely and relevant today. </div>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-45401062642314362532013-11-20T15:22:00.000-09:002013-12-22T15:43:15.143-09:00Dylan's homecoming<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSQIUa4dv1kIEo3HyFk4wDwkI9OH1zPeJf7jM97GXM-vDXJ3RA9hHvtoOyJtzhy6HvOPnqexgcAJBptMbfhc_0ImbDrG51gREMhvAeIBWeC1EjJsAGc4e5K87scvm3WoLrHotq1a4cemj/s1600/IMG_3598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSQIUa4dv1kIEo3HyFk4wDwkI9OH1zPeJf7jM97GXM-vDXJ3RA9hHvtoOyJtzhy6HvOPnqexgcAJBptMbfhc_0ImbDrG51gREMhvAeIBWeC1EjJsAGc4e5K87scvm3WoLrHotq1a4cemj/s400/IMG_3598.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One very happy father</td></tr>
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I guess my tears at Lackland Air Base where unfounded because Dylan was home in Alaska 3 days later! While I was exploring missions, she was running around base busting her but to make her leave happen ASAP, as only Dylan can do. Her work paid off and Miles and I where thrilled to get her call with arrival date and time! We had all been planning for a while to surprise Willa by not telling her that Dylan was coming home. Dylan really wanted to show up at Willa's school and knock her socks off! On the night of her arrival-after midnight-Miles and I picked Dylan up at the airport and brought her home. She stayed quietly in her room the next morning until Willa left for school. Willa had NO idea her sister was home...and in the house! About an hour before school let out that day, Dylan, Miles and I met up at Willa's school.....here's the video!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HJe3X8FGIcc" width="420"></iframe>
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Willa was REALLY thunderstruck I think! Wanting not to disturb her class's read aloud time she kept it mellow in the classroom, but that hug in the hall....and you could just see the dazed shock! She was SO happy to have her big sister home!<br />
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Dylan's leave was about a month long! It was so nice to have her home....to see her light on under her door in the morning and know she was behind it, to have her walk into the house at night after working at her recruiter's office and tell us about her day, to chat while I cooked dinner....<br />
We threw her a Welcome Home/Arrivederci party so that everyone would have a chance to see her before she left for Italy. We enjoyed eating out, having friends over, decorating the house for Christmas early so that Dylan would be included, Dylan took Willa to the movies and picked her up from school a few times, spent time with her friends...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">someone's catching up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grocery shopping on base with Dylan. I have never seen such a long check out line in a grocery store!!! But the Ben and Jerry's prices were worth it!</td></tr>
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Just another Sunday<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_4q5WBojlFCYjDnUVSnGB9AUxO5DWPe8PR5-KyKtDc5p5LHF4GvEDjR-UVHrGc7etwSqmCtfO3DXDGqhlU2pm_pVVZuPKEEWeJ-rBcHcHDJ-iD9CPWmz26b0tm6bHfFKLQ_3PcnXu5pu/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_4q5WBojlFCYjDnUVSnGB9AUxO5DWPe8PR5-KyKtDc5p5LHF4GvEDjR-UVHrGc7etwSqmCtfO3DXDGqhlU2pm_pVVZuPKEEWeJ-rBcHcHDJ-iD9CPWmz26b0tm6bHfFKLQ_3PcnXu5pu/s640/IMG_3679.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cleaned up purty for Dylan's party</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She asked for lemon cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another fun party at Casa de Pruner. Dylan trying to fit in my lap.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh....RESTAURANT MANNERS?!?!??!?</td></tr>
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A month seemed like it would be such a long time....but, of course, it was NOT. All too soon we were back at the airport saying goodbye. This time knowing that visits with Dylan in the future will be few and far between......and that is unbelievably hard....and that's all I'm gonna say.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye,bye, Girlie........<br />
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It helps to know that, so far, Dylan seems to be having an amazing time in Italy exploring, making friends......and that we will see her in May. I've been spending a lot of time researching and planning our family trip to Italy, and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!!!!</div>
<br />RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-78814759574276531952013-11-05T12:57:00.000-09:002013-12-01T16:24:50.876-09:00Southtown...and heading homeOn my last day in San Antonio, I threw my luggage in the car, checked out of that sublime hotel and spent the next few hours before my flight home wandering. I wanted to return to that cool "King William" area of town that I had accidentally landed in a few days before. Noting the old and dignified homes from afar, I had made a mental note to return for a photo op. Also, from my run along the river, I had noticed the Blue Star Arts Complex and figured it would fit it in to my King William tour.<br />
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I found out that if San Antonio has an arts district, Southtown was it. The Blue Star Arts complex boasts a brewery and eclectic food to match the many art galleries and shops. It's also home to local artists and their studios. A tiny but full oasis of creativity. I took my time thoroughly exploring what the complex had to offer...striking up conversation with some very interesting people. I wish I had had the time to explore more of Southtown's arts....<br />
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Watching the time, I decided I had better head out to King William . I parked the car and spent an hour in this culturally diverse neighborhood walking it's quiet streets and capturing some images. In the late 1800's there was an influx of prosperous multi-national yet predominantly German immigrant merchants into the Southtown area of San Antonio. Their traditions of brewing, sausage-making, and music fueled a fusion of American, Mexican, and German cultures unique to Central Texas. Homes of varying cultural influences where erected within the heart of the King William community in the 1800's -it's owners desiring a quiet compound along the river with easy access to downtown. Who wouldn't?! One only needs to take a stroll around the neighborhood to take in all the varying architecture in a short amount of time. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq5pA14gGf62HTZZvipuXN2IAJsdrMGOB53rPbThKr2F0tnuQ4l3cHLhYRztRDAZD2r40P_QbyIYPNLra1di4UnsopHTEGEnbp4S2vhFqKG2O_IWvE8rVXdQnMd0-uhRrcqXSjjTBIOlh/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtq5pA14gGf62HTZZvipuXN2IAJsdrMGOB53rPbThKr2F0tnuQ4l3cHLhYRztRDAZD2r40P_QbyIYPNLra1di4UnsopHTEGEnbp4S2vhFqKG2O_IWvE8rVXdQnMd0-uhRrcqXSjjTBIOlh/s640/IMG_3553.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggE3xJ_UcNcCLAiDpkFXtoh83bbRQSZ4eaZ3FUiPPZMnJ31Gug-rbJK_njAAMiTI49_dUPDDVSeit_PPSmaBPGnKw2jD_BhVPu7IIYTCELRaX40Y2ZU3eDtxe3FfgW_PShyphenhyphensXxnIa-53J3/s1600/IMG_3552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggE3xJ_UcNcCLAiDpkFXtoh83bbRQSZ4eaZ3FUiPPZMnJ31Gug-rbJK_njAAMiTI49_dUPDDVSeit_PPSmaBPGnKw2jD_BhVPu7IIYTCELRaX40Y2ZU3eDtxe3FfgW_PShyphenhyphensXxnIa-53J3/s640/IMG_3552.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's been a LONG time since I've seen Morning Glories! One of my favs.<br />
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I opted to skip eating out for lunch to nom jerky and dehydrated veggies in the car on my way over to zip up San Antonio's Tower of the America's. I was curious to see what the place looks like from on high. While there was some interesting art and history to be found in Hemisfair Park, the view from the top of the tower was Blaaaaaaaahhhhh. Adios, San Antonio!!!!!!!!!!<br />
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The view?................................<br />
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WANDERLUST can be a curse as well as a gift. It is SO hard to have it and not be able to travel extensively.....but I'm so grateful for the opportunities that have taken me to something new and different....and I look forward to wandering more.....<br />
...............Already missing Dylan but ready to be home.<br />
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-37393987944966424522013-11-04T14:00:00.000-09:002013-12-04T09:49:51.667-09:00Dylan's graduation from Air Force tech SchoolUgh.....It's gonna be painful bringing up the words that paint the picture of the rest of <em>this</em> day. Don't get me wrong, seeing Dylan walk up that stage and get her credentials pinned on was wonderful and a very proud moment. It's how I got to that moment that makes me want to puke. Here's the graduation in photos:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMs-z_u3nXo6ncgVqo4sz8K8yeWlrTUkfYaqBNw7GwO3CK4cU3NBFGcQXHr-GNxvXxa04DsrIAQy4Ws_AwOTjUWp3KHonkDNXRPnM5eu-G3y5Rka9IrigUma9DWHOScaxdFxRG0aS6-JH/s1600/IMG_3479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMs-z_u3nXo6ncgVqo4sz8K8yeWlrTUkfYaqBNw7GwO3CK4cU3NBFGcQXHr-GNxvXxa04DsrIAQy4Ws_AwOTjUWp3KHonkDNXRPnM5eu-G3y5Rka9IrigUma9DWHOScaxdFxRG0aS6-JH/s640/IMG_3479.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how wee!!!!</td></tr>
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BLURRY!!!! STUPID fancy camera........<br />
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Her favorite Sarg. doing the honor of pinning on her gear.</div>
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Mommy needs a drink. Proud, frizzy and VERY frazzled in my Diane Von Furstenberg which looks like it's about to UNwrap.<br />
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D and her grrrrrls.</div>
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Dylan and her BF and her buddy.</div>
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3:00-ish: I'm approaching the Lackland visitor's gate and patting myself on the back for getting there with time to spare to get to the graduation hall and pick a seat up close to the stage. Dylan had texted me a list of friends who weren't going to have family there and asked if I could get photos of them graduating. Camera at the ready, ID in hand, and the Airman at the gate asks for my visitors pass. ........DYYYYYLLLLLAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!! "You don't NEED a pass, mommy!" She had said. omG! So I park and run-in heels-into the visitor center only to screech to a halt behind MANY other misinformed family members. Graduation starts PROMPTLY, I'm SURE, at 3:30.</div>
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3:25: Pale faced and hands wringing we parents are all just looking incredulously at each other, checking watches and iPhones, and craning necks to watch the folks behind the desk process our info and administer passes SLOWER THEN MOLASSES IN JANUARY.</div>
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3:35: I get back to the car, pull out my phone to retrieve the directions I had put in my notes the day before. Google Maps didn't want to work on base. Anyhoo, look at this! They are GONE. The directions, of COURSE, have vanished into the cyber ether.</div>
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3:40: Fully disregarding Dylan's warning to drive SLOW on base, I am speeding towards her dorm...I remembered that much. But once there, I realize I just can't figure out the rest of the way in this HORRID FUCKING LABARYNTH OF DUN COLORED HELL.</div>
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3:45: Fuck it, I'm not a GUY, I'm pulling over for directions at the gas station. Nice fella maps it all out for me and yay, I'm on my way!</div>
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3:50: .......to the WRONG fucking graduation hall!!!!! WTF?!?!??! I am TEARING back towards the gas station i<em>mploring </em>myself not to burst into hysterical tears because I am MISSING my daughter graduate. I stop and run into some kind of military hotel and a kind Airmen draws the route on a map for me. I'm actually close!!!</div>
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3:55 Still telling myself DO NOT CRY, DO NOT LOSE IT, I run into the building, head down a hallway when I hear voices and come blasting out into the back of a little auditorium. I'm on the "graduate's" side and need to cross to the "family" side. Instead of going all the way to the back for ease of crossing, in my frantic search for Dylan's head, I'm banging like an ox in a china shop across the row of seats.</div>
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4:00 I made it!!!! Sweating, cute dress disheveled, now sporting an afro, and letting a couple of mascaraed tears slip out, I make eye contact with Dylan. Half the Airmen have already done the graduation walk across the stage....but Dylan has yet to go. FUCKIN' PHEW. I am able to get photos of her and her list of friends onstage, see her hard work culminate in 4 seconds of pause, pin, shake hand, smile, DONE. Aaaaaaand, I missed all the boring speeches of the first half hour! Go ME!</div>
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She graciously did not kill me for being late. I was doin' GOOD after all until the pass and the disappeared directions.....</div>
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Photos and friends outside the hall, and then it was back to the dorms for a meeting. I sat in the parking lot waiting for Dylan to have her meeting, change into civilian clothes and to head downtown for a fancy celebratory dinner. After about 45 minutes she came out to the car still in uniform and not looking happy. Confusing story short, due to some ridiculous shit she had to do, there would be no time for going to dinner...or ANYTHING. I was so disappointed. Families come from all over the country and they can't take their kids out to celebrate?!?!? Oh, well, there was always tomorrow. My flight didn't leave until 6pm. Apparently that was a negative as well. Red tape to wade through keeping her on base. And nothing that I could do WITH her. That's when I lost my shit and burst into tears. "So right now is the last time I get to see you before you come home??!!" Who knows when THAT was going to be?!?! They had fucked up her orders, everyone else was leaving in a couple days, and Dylan's leave was still up in the air and not looking like she would be home anytime soon. We were hoping she would be home at least for Christmas.... I stepped forward and gave her a big hug only to have her tense up and say,"3 second rule".<br />
"What?!?"<br />
"3 second rule. I can't engage in a public display of affection for more then 3 seconds.", she explained glancing around the area for superior's eyes.<br />
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WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!! "I'm your MOM for chrissakes!!!!! We can't celebrate your graduation AND I can't give you a DECENT loving hug?!?!?" More tears.<br />
The military is so harsh for parents....Fuck YOU.<br />
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We said our goodbyes. FEH. I drove back to the hotel and descended-glass of wine and Whataburger in hand-into the world of reality TV.....promising myself to make the best of the next and last day in San Antonio.</div>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-3180360331154853992013-11-03T15:30:00.000-09:002013-12-04T09:49:09.466-09:00Missions San Juan and EspadaLast up on my Mission Trek were Missions San Juan and Espada. San Juan was VASTLY different from the old photos I had seen depicting a raw, wood roofed, stone chapel. Now, the mission is sans stone buttresses and cracks in it's character, smoothly finished and brightly whitewashed, set in a flat expanse of grass. What was once a stately and weathered espadana is now a blank white canvas, robbing the mission of both time and character. I was a bit disappointed by the blandness of it all and didn't spend much time there.<br />
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But this tree was cool.</div>
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Clean....and MEH.</div>
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Off I ventured to the delightfully intimate and inviting Mission Espada. Embraced by lush trees and gardens, this, the very first Mission of Spanish Texas, very much appealed to the hippy in me! As I approached the reconstructed cloisters, the peace, devotion and invisible presence of priests in residence was <em>tangible</em>. Not a soul in sight, but the place was very alive with flowers, potted vegetables, giant chimes hanging from the branches of tress, wrought iron sculptures, benches...like a tiny mellow commune missing only the tie dye and weed.<br />
The chapel's splendid façade is about all that remains of the original structure. Much of the mission has been rebuilt since 1885. Originally the mission -fashioned after a typical Spanish village- housed a brickyard, an acequia system, and hundreds of Indians who where offered training in various vocations to build up the area's economy.<br />
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The only person I saw there....a woman in earnest prayer....I wonder what her thoughts were.....<br />
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A grand espadana with thick wooden door leading into the cool quiet chapel</div>
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The priest's quarters</div>
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I saw such beauty in the crumbling ruins of the mission's outer walls.</div>
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I loved the shading and subtle colors....I'd like to reproduce it with charcoal and acrylic!</div>
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2335028367566852790.post-63551566912148100852013-11-02T16:49:00.000-08:002013-12-01T10:33:40.720-09:00Mission San JoseI tore myself away from the morning marathon of reality TV watching(insert tongue in cheek) to continue on my Mission Trek-enjoying the convenience of my little rental car. Today was the day of Dylan's graduation from tech school and I had a few hours beforehand. Yeah, there was NO way I would have been able to run to each mission the evening before! <br />
First stop was Mission San Jose, probably my favorite of all the missions. Stepping through the entrance of the defensive walls that boarder and enclose the mission, I was fortunate to run into a very friendly and knowledgeable volunteer who was interested in my photography. He explained that the "Queen of the Missions", founded in 1720, had once housed more than 400 Coahuiltecan Indians, 300 children alone! Hard to imagine such activity within the walls of this small plaza. The population farmed, ran a grainary, as well as managed a ranch 25 miles away. The mission's perimeter walls doubled as living quarters for the Indians. It was a step back in time into the simple yet busy life of these residents as I entered one of the "apartments" to get a glimpse inside. Thick walls providing shelter as well as protection from Comanche and Apache raids, white washed and bright, yet cool as the heat rose outside.<br />
The Spanish-Baroque architecture and ornamentation of the church was gorgeous. <br />
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The defensive walls/Indian's quarters with beehive shaped community stoves outside</div>
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Inside an apartment....beauty, bounty, and grace in simplicity.</div>
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St. Rose inside the sacristy</div>
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Onward to the church, it's courtyard garden and the unfinished monastery</div>
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The Gothic arches were FABULOUS!!!!</div>
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Underside of the stairs leading up into the church bell tower</div>
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One last remnant of the church's original painted designs</div>
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Dig the Immaculate Heart above St. Joseph!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBdkoddzY9pPluTIi7OF9Ow57HFuMwWfqvfBX15u1OjOJQTExPA60MXFtRO1KEeB1CRgTOQXAhyTk12LTp4sr2TRCUSy601BKF2NauYaGNygyPV-w3XbIetJd-NomkacM-9P5hWRfJnoz/s1600/IMG_3440-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBdkoddzY9pPluTIi7OF9Ow57HFuMwWfqvfBX15u1OjOJQTExPA60MXFtRO1KEeB1CRgTOQXAhyTk12LTp4sr2TRCUSy601BKF2NauYaGNygyPV-w3XbIetJd-NomkacM-9P5hWRfJnoz/s640/IMG_3440-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I was wishing Willa could be here. It would have been easy to access the inner child and spend a day playing in this amazing place!</span><br />
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RunninL8http://www.blogger.com/profile/00954492756662221754noreply@blogger.com0