tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68385516675873705482024-03-13T17:12:10.689-05:00Don't blink...It really does go by in the blink of an eye! Now I'm the mom of 4 grown-ups and Nana of 5 little girls. And I have a great man to take this trip with. Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-85551155728471063782018-03-26T12:17:00.000-05:002018-03-26T12:17:09.476-05:00Hello.... is this thing on?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm not even sure where to begin! So much time has passed and <b>so many things</b> have happened since I last wrote here. Sometimes I wonder why I stopped, but then I think about beginning again and it comes back - when I began recording memories it was therapeutic, cathartic, but by the time my last post was made, it had become an extra worry on a brain that was frazzled, stressed and had had enough. I finally decided I was sick and tired of being sick and tired and made a big change. With that decision came a more quiet and content mind.<br />
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Looking back at these posts is also a reminder- time doesn't stop, and there are things I don't want to let slip through the cracks of my memory.<br />
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So here we go with a fresh start. Time to get this journal back up and running.<br />
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xoxo<br />
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Lissa<br />
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<br />Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-30509371211239549362013-09-30T19:05:00.001-05:002013-09-30T19:05:48.175-05:0018 years...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Once upon a time that seemed like an eternity. But like I seem to say all the time now, it has flown.</div>
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If you remember I told you that the women in our Missouri family watch <a href="http://dontblink-lissa.blogspot.com/2011/01/miss-america.html" target="_blank">Miss America</a> every year. This is a wonky year because, not only have they moved the pageant back to Atlantic City, it's back in September. So 2 in one year!</div>
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So a long time ago, 1995 to be exact. 3 brand new friends, living in Nixa, Missouri, discovered a common love of Miss America. Little did we know then we would become each other's family. And the women of this family have passed on this love to it's 3rd generation. </div>
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We actually had a fun conversation with Danee that she is now the age Kelly was when we all met. That was some amazing perspective.<br />
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This year was dubbed (by our brilliant Kelly) the Full Circle gathering. Here's why- she found this amazing house that rents for weekends in Nixa. It's perfection for our family. TONS of room inside and out. So back to Nixa where it all began we went.<br />
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(I forgot my memory card so all my pics are from my phone + 1 stolen from Kelly!)</div>
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So what's with the Blue M&M's? Well most people know the legend of Green M&Ms. We were having a conversation about this (1996?) while eating a bag and I think Darla is the one who came up with the rule (?) that you cannot eat the blue ones on Wednesday. If you do? They give you horrible gas. True story. Sooooo like all good parents we've taught our children well- or passed the mental illness to another generation however you want to look at it. Like a good daughter, Danee brought her 3 mom's gifts! I love presents. </div>
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She's such a good girl! </div>
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I LOVE family meals! It was like Thanksgiving.</div>
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So we we ate, played, talked, did our nails, soaked in the hot tub and enjoyed each other's company for 2 1/2 days. It was wonderful.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grehyor is such a good boy. Soooo sweet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We caught them playing nicely every once in a while. The price you pay for having 3 2 year olds!<br />
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So I have to say that we were short one very important part of this group. Our Jamie is an Army wife and she and hubby are in Virginia for the first stop of their exciting new life. She was soooo missed and it just wasn't the same without her. Lots of texting and pics going back and forth between Missouri and Virginia!<br />
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These women mean the world to me. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stolen from Kelly :o)</td></tr>
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So another year on the books. Darla is the keeper of the crown with her 2nd pick of Miss New York.</div>
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Till next year!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-958513713293396012013-09-05T19:02:00.000-05:002013-09-05T19:02:51.746-05:00Date Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have I ever told you how lucky I am? Well I am, very. I've managed to find someone that looks for ways to make me happy and comes up with date nights full of things he knows I'll love.</div>
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A few weeks ago Adam planned a night for us doing things that I've wanted to do for a very long time, but after 6 years of living here, had yet to do.</div>
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There's a lovely, huge oak in nearby McBaine. An iconic place around here, really. Enough so, that when I would tell people I had yet to visit, they'd just shake their heads. So my thoughtful man planned a night that I could take my camera and visit a couple of beautiful places in our area.</div>
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Our second stop was <a href="http://www.cooperslanding.net/" target="_blank">Cooper's Landing</a> . Such an interesting place. As laid back as it gets. You can get Thai food, a beer and listen to a local band. I can see why people choose to be a "river rat". </div>
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Then it was off to get some sushi. We chose <a href="http://www.kampaialley.com/" target="_blank">Kampai at Alley A</a>. I love their outdoor seating and lord knows if I had my way I'd sit outside most of the time. </div>
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We had a great night. Like I said I'm so thankful for this wonderful, thoughtful man.</div>
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xoxo</div>
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<br />Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-83126797611390952822013-07-12T22:32:00.000-05:002013-07-12T22:32:04.906-05:00When your job feels like a job<div style="text-align: center;">
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2013 has been a wild and crazy time for jobs in this little yellow house. Adam is working 10+ hours a day, 6 days a week- he didn't get home until 9 on Wednesday night. That's one long day! It's REALLY starting to wear on him. </div>
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It's still been very busy for me too, but my problems aren't really coming from the hours I'm working.</div>
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While I love what I do most of the time, and enjoy almost every person I work with, I've been having some serious struggles. Some days are so frustrating I joke about going home and drinking my dinner. No matter how hard you try to do your job and do it well, roadblocks pop up, they always will. It sucks when the roadblock is a person. Mostly, we are a very good team.... maybe it's growing pains that we're feeling right now.<br />
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I'm good at my job and I hate the "Sunday Night Dread" that's crept in the last few months. So I'm just going to have to keep trying to make the atmosphere at work what it used to be!<br />
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I think taking a couple classes, even online, is one thing I can do. Doing something to improve yourself always helps, right? Well, it sure can't hurt anyway!<br />
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Here's to all of us making our little corner of the world better! Have a great weekend.<br />
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-76610129635237073752013-07-10T21:33:00.000-05:002013-07-10T21:33:09.301-05:00California Dreamin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cameron & I took a little trip. My sister and her kidos were making the trek to California to visit so I figured it was the perfect time to go too. You know, kill 2 birds- I get to see my family and friends I still have there AND see Amy. </div>
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I'm not sure how to explain my love of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise,_California" target="_blank">Paradise</a>. It's where I was born and where I lived until June 30th 1981. I was 14 and devastated. I'd like to tell you I was stoic and suffered in silence, you know like a Jane Austin heroine. </div>
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NOT ON YOUR LIFE. </div>
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Any-hoooo.... </div>
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Early flight means early wake up and to top it off, Cam had a fever, was achy and felt like dog poop. Yay for getting to travel with your adult child that does NOT suffer in silence. Thank God for DayQuil! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SW Air gave us a little "glad you're going to Cali" present </td></tr>
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I'm, obviously no stranger to the heat but this took me by surprise. The 'at least it's not humid' argument did not hold water. It was so stinking hot.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hY8jKjgk8NQ/UdynMmZNqMI/AAAAAAAADAc/yz-r-3p8gy4/s1600/20130608_145140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hY8jKjgk8NQ/UdynMmZNqMI/AAAAAAAADAc/yz-r-3p8gy4/s400/20130608_145140.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
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We made a trip to the cemetery to visit and take flowers to family there. There are several more, but these are the 3 that I still can't believe are gone. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiC5okovxoo/UdyoP1lEjLI/AAAAAAAADAw/urFkZJjcltU/s1600/IMG_5313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiC5okovxoo/UdyoP1lEjLI/AAAAAAAADAw/urFkZJjcltU/s400/IMG_5313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Nana. I had to be the Nana because of the grandmother she was.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1-HHKYm41E/UdyoPdT0mPI/AAAAAAAADAo/iT99FKWrmCU/s1600/IMG_5312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j1-HHKYm41E/UdyoPdT0mPI/AAAAAAAADAo/iT99FKWrmCU/s400/IMG_5312.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Papa. Hands down the kindest, most patient man I've EVER known. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PqJxTYjscg/UdyogJd9ZJI/AAAAAAAADA4/EsNJ0Qu7ct0/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0PqJxTYjscg/UdyogJd9ZJI/AAAAAAAADA4/EsNJ0Qu7ct0/s400/IMG_5315.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cousin Chad. He was 18 and the world was his oyster. He was in a car accident on the 4th of July.<br /></td></tr>
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We took a day to go to Lake Orville at Lime Saddle. What a fun time! We swam and ate and relaxed. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJv7kyTxdUM/UdyowFcKpSI/AAAAAAAADBI/5R1Ge8AsifA/s1600/IMG_5323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJv7kyTxdUM/UdyowFcKpSI/AAAAAAAADBI/5R1Ge8AsifA/s400/IMG_5323.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry is a great little captian</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sis</td></tr>
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We took a little drive up to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stirling_City,_California" target="_blank">Stirling City</a> one day too. I hadn't been there since I was 13 or 14 years old. It had always been a place to drive through on our way to camp at the High Lakes. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0txvQn021uY/UdypHmYwUgI/AAAAAAAADBY/4xxf3PqkmQI/s1600/IMG_5377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0txvQn021uY/UdypHmYwUgI/AAAAAAAADBY/4xxf3PqkmQI/s400/IMG_5377.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawmill Peak still has a fire look out station.</td></tr>
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We made our way up the road and up to <a href="http://www.stirlingcity.info/scpark.shtml" target="_blank">Merlo Park</a> an absolutely beautiful place to spend the day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neor9Cvz6SU/UdypIpnEkBI/AAAAAAAADBg/adJwWRQrXjk/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-neor9Cvz6SU/UdypIpnEkBI/AAAAAAAADBg/adJwWRQrXjk/s400/IMG_5388.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mutant trout</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndDr7vi-Ago/UdypL9r0O7I/AAAAAAAADBo/OR_0RA6Pfa0/s1600/IMG_5396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndDr7vi-Ago/UdypL9r0O7I/AAAAAAAADBo/OR_0RA6Pfa0/s400/IMG_5396.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take my picture! </td></tr>
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I learned how to play Bocce Ball. Girls against the boys!</div>
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I miss ginormous pine trees so much.... except for cleaning up all the needles.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chapel</td></tr>
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Cam & I made our way to Chico to do the only thing that he had on his agenda- <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Brewery</a>. We had a delicious lunch and tasted some very yummy beers. I mean come on! We were in a convertible, in California, on vacation. How could it not be awesome.</div>
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Headed back up the Skyway I had to stop for this picture. Don't laugh, I used to have dreams about this sign. </div>
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And really the most important thing we did was spend some time with my Grandma. She turned 87 on the 5th of June and she is something else. Perfect example- when she mentioned she though I was going to Alaska this summer I said that I'm going next year since it's my class reunion. Then I laughed and said a year gives me some time to lose 20 pounds and get some plastic surgery. She looked right at me and said, "Lissa, you don't need plastic surgery! But the 20 pounds..." she has earned the right to say whatever the hell she wants. </div>
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I also learned what will go in my book as one of the best war bride stories EVER... </div>
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We were going though pictures and I asked if she had a wedding picture. I've never seen one, so I was curious. She said "Oh no! We didn't have any pictures, we ran away to Reno and got married." Go Gram & Gramp! The story we got goes like this.... My Grandpa was on the USS Tennessee when it was bombed at Pearl Harbor. It was damaged and while he was waiting for a new ship assignment, he got to go home for leave. Oh right, he was engaged to a girl named Phyllis too! He went roller skating one evening with a friend who was meeting his girlfriend. The girlfriend brought a friend- bet you knew that would be my Gram! He walked her home and 4 DAYS LATER they were headed to Reno to tie the knot. Hell, I don't know what happened to Phyllis, and neither does Gram. "Well we were engaged for a good 24 hours before when went! Besides people did that during the war all the time." </div>
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LOVE THIS STORY</div>
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Can you imaging being married to someone that you knew for 4 days before they went to war for years? And they were together until he passed away. </div>
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Which reminds me, the reason there is no tomb stone for him? He's still on her dresser. She won't let him go till she goes too. ♥</div>
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They build their house themselves while living in a tent. She's a much better woman than I am!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbgpOfWK7l0/UdyrTpw-nfI/AAAAAAAADC0/IKNPdKJkHA0/s1600/IMG_5300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbgpOfWK7l0/UdyrTpw-nfI/AAAAAAAADC0/IKNPdKJkHA0/s400/IMG_5300.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've loved this glass my whole life</td></tr>
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The yard was our own private park. My parents got married in front of this tree.</div>
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My love of hydrangeas came from the beautiful ones my grandparents grew. They used to the the hedges all around the front. Now she has them only in the back. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUOW1LZSzPg/UdysnTLknqI/AAAAAAAADDo/Q_LCkWQpIsg/s1600/20130609_164032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUOW1LZSzPg/UdysnTLknqI/AAAAAAAADDo/Q_LCkWQpIsg/s400/20130609_164032.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coco is the doxie she rescued. She is fiercely protective of her, as all doxies are! </td></tr>
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I also got to spend the evening with a very dear friend. Lynette is really the only one left in Paradise that I still communicate with. Facebook has made that soooo much easier, but we've always done cards and letters. I met her when I was 5, just a few weeks before we went to Kindergarten. She is my oldest friend in the best way possible. </div>
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I can't wait to go back and take Adam. You don't realize how much of your heart is still in a place until you go back. </div>
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Just a thought to leave you with today...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is why I started blogging....</td></tr>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-79752372959661763122013-07-07T21:06:00.000-05:002013-07-07T21:06:53.566-05:00Happy Birthday 'Merica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our 4th this year was spent with Kelly & Emerson in Fayetteville. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Em was all ready for a party!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Noah. He is such a cutie!</td></tr>
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When it was time for fireworks the kids swarmed. Lance did such a good job giving all of them a turn with sparklers plus making sure they did it safely.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Em's 1st sparkler</td></tr>
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Grown men are the biggest kids and those boys had a GREAT time.</div>
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It wouldn't be a trip for Adam if he didn't have something to do on the house. This time he pulled a holly bush out of the front yard and cleaned the gutters. He earned a doozie of a blister on his hand too. </div>
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Off to have some fun! This brewery was meant for me, wouldn't you say??!</div>
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The tap room</div>
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We had the patio area pretty much to ourselves</div>
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Annie even got treats!</div>
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We stopped in Kansas City on the way home and visited with Danee, EJ & Myla. It was EJ's birthday so we went out to lunch. A short but fun visit. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete loves her glasses</td></tr>
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Hope you had a great holiday weekend! Now to get back to work. </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-41412849260135286842013-06-04T21:16:00.000-05:002013-06-04T21:16:35.608-05:00May<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It seems like all I did in May was go to work, come home, have a glass of wine & decompress in front of whatever TV we DVR'd, go to bed and start all over again. </div>
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But going through my pictures is always the best way to tell what I've done. So in reality this is what May looked like.</div>
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We had Jake & Christina out and the boys made beer brats and seafood boudin. By made, I mean from scratch- we even ordered a piece for the Kitchen-Aid to stuff the sausages. They tasted amazing, and they really looked pretty- until you cooked them and they didn't stay in the casing. Oh well, 1st try was a success in my book. They had a great time, and we ate good food. </div>
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We had Mother's Day. It was a hectic, kid-fest and I loved it. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one isn't spoiled at all- I told her no more juice</td></tr>
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I love how Myla loves her Gabi</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worn out Gwennie</td></tr>
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We went on an Art Stroll. It was called the Arts & Drafts Stroll - several of the art and craft galleries in <a _blank="" href="http://www.discoverthedistrict.com/">The District</a> a different Missouri brewer was had a tasting. Adam, Mark & I had a really nice evening.</div>
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Memorial Day weekend has been spent at the lake for the last few years. My wonderful friend Kim has a house and we're grateful to have secured a standing invite for the holiday weekend. </div>
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This little stinker managed to take some skin of her nose while she was boarded. </div>
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I was lucky & scored some tickets in a suite to the Royals vs Cards game. Of course we were the ONLY ones in Blue in the box. Oh well :o) I LOVE MY BOYS IN BLUE</div>
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A suite on a Wednesday night is a little wasted... all you can eat is great but the all you can drink part was wasted on us. We had a 2 hour drive home at midnight- 1 beer was about it. </div>
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Holy Closings Batman! Memorial Day week is a short week, but there were no shortages of closings for office. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR-sXBC5bFk/Ua6CouJMsNI/AAAAAAAAC8I/FbNcp-WkFuk/s1600/20130531_095311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VR-sXBC5bFk/Ua6CouJMsNI/AAAAAAAAC8I/FbNcp-WkFuk/s400/20130531_095311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then was a 2 year old birthday party. Danee's friends Kasey & Nate's little boy Mikah turned 2! I have to say, I've gotten a lot of joy watching the "babies" grow up. </div>
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My friends Chris & Bill (who are also Mikah's Gram & Papa made these train cars. Brilliant!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big kids needed a turn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That made all the little kids a little confused! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles make any party better!</td></tr>
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Hope your May was awesome!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-80133121276390764832013-04-17T20:52:00.002-05:002013-04-17T20:52:47.467-05:00Boston<div style="text-align: center;">
April 15, 2013. Patriot Day in Boston also known as Marathon Monday. It'll never be the same. Ever. </div>
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Whether it was domestic or foreign, it was an act of terror.</div>
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2 bombs, 3 dead and 100+ injured, as this is written No words that I have come close to how everyone feels. </div>
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It's rocked everyone to the core. Not to sound flippant or sarcastic, but it's cut so deep that the NY Yankee's have shown amazing support for Boston- maybe only baseball fans would know how outside the realm of possible that really is.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhIpmw0XaGg/UW4Bb91OkAI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/9XCdiRXao0k/s1600/ht_yankees_boston_mi_130416_wblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhIpmw0XaGg/UW4Bb91OkAI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/9XCdiRXao0k/s400/ht_yankees_boston_mi_130416_wblog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture via @Yankees/Twitter<br />
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At first, inevitably, you hear the "there's no hope for the human race" comments. But as the day went on the cream started to rise. Runners left the race to go right to the hospital to donate blood. Strangers offering racers and family members the use of their cell phones, chargers, blankets, etc. We're resilient. We bounce.</div>
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I'm naive. I'm aware of it and choose to live with my glass half full (most of the time). I believe in the good in most people and how we are willing to help each other in a crisis. The stories that are coming out of Boston, and now the reaction of others around the country, did not disappoint my inner Pollyanna.</div>
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My prayers are going out to Boston and following each of the runners and family members as they make their ways home.</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-82413341685469024402013-04-14T17:45:00.000-05:002013-04-15T12:09:28.227-05:00Myla Milestone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our sweet, tiny baby girl</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9ZkqWrjAmk/UWoXRXGr9DI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/sHUnJRuEi4Y/s1600/IMG_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9ZkqWrjAmk/UWoXRXGr9DI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/sHUnJRuEi4Y/s400/IMG_0418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Is now this sweet 2 year old, not so much of a baby, girl. </div>
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Her mommy & daddy threw her a little party. Friends, "Aunties" galore, cousins & grandparents were there to celebrate. They made the brilliant decision to have the party at a local pizza place. Big enough for everyone, stuff to keep the kidos occupied, and NO CLEANUP. Perfect!</div>
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Once again, Danee's friend Katie made the cake. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9RFYLcn7vY/UWoWVMc9yYI/AAAAAAAAC0E/_ItH3wqrA9Q/s1600/IMG_5166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s9RFYLcn7vY/UWoWVMc9yYI/AAAAAAAAC0E/_ItH3wqrA9Q/s400/IMG_5166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the cousins were so helpful eating it</td></tr>
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There were snap, crackle & pop treats for those who didn't want toddler mangled cake.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5pqhJeRPLg/UWoWSR_0SmI/AAAAAAAACzs/9n-r73rEUTc/s1600/IMG_5134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p5pqhJeRPLg/UWoWSR_0SmI/AAAAAAAACzs/9n-r73rEUTc/s400/IMG_5134.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ladybug treats were so cute!</td></tr>
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The girl started strong, putting so much enthusiasm into opening her gifts...but of course she wanted to play. After all, she's 2 and her attention span is about what you'd expect. </div>
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We gave her an outfit, a bikini for pool time this summer, some Princess sunglasses & a 2 dollar bill in honor of her #2 birthday. And then for the personal, Nana made gift I made her a book to save her artwork AKA "Myla's Masterpieces". Adam found the idea in, of all places, a Willie Nelson autobiography he was reading. This year I've decided that I'm going to write a letter for the girls on their birthdays. I wish so much that I had something like that from my grandma.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlge1qvIwLk/UWw0KJuD1WI/AAAAAAAAC1A/HCsi9ib2kNY/s1600/Myla+masterpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jlge1qvIwLk/UWw0KJuD1WI/AAAAAAAAC1A/HCsi9ib2kNY/s400/Myla+masterpieces.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year's letter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFTDlEWGlTs/UWoWX8G5PzI/AAAAAAAAC0U/pSwDlVsCtwQ/s1600/IMG_5200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFTDlEWGlTs/UWoWX8G5PzI/AAAAAAAAC0U/pSwDlVsCtwQ/s400/IMG_5200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMSTbDq0MSg/UWoWW1KfM_I/AAAAAAAAC0M/NWtp_mflQDg/s1600/IMG_5194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fMSTbDq0MSg/UWoWW1KfM_I/AAAAAAAAC0M/NWtp_mflQDg/s400/IMG_5194.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best reaction of the day- she loved the "MOUSE"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlZ7kSgGb0I/UWoWVcJspzI/AAAAAAAAC0A/j3eG5telCQY/s1600/IMG_5154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mlZ7kSgGb0I/UWoWVcJspzI/AAAAAAAAC0A/j3eG5telCQY/s400/IMG_5154.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace brings the comic relief to our lives</td></tr>
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Happy birthday Myla Marie! Can't wait to see all the fun you have this year.</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
<br />Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-61941264572195065392013-04-03T19:19:00.000-05:002013-04-03T19:19:25.659-05:00Easter and one last taste of snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2013 will go down as one of the years that Old Man Winter just wouldn't die. I know it's happened before, those late season snows- or was it EARLY season? I also know I'm ready for some flowers, warm weather, sitting outside for drinks and dinner... get the picture?<br />
I had offered to fill in at work on Sunday the 24th for the girls that were on Spring Break. I agree, Stupid. And as the busy week moved on and Sunday got closer I started to dread it. I did hear that it might snow, but I didn't really pay too much attention until Friday. Then the chatter started... "4 inches, 6 inches, we might get 10 inches" Seriously??! WTH?<br />
My boss text me on Saturday. She was making the call to close and my response was, while thankful, I really couldn't wish for snow.<br />
But snow it did!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ4nh-j2jY8/UVy9-7IMlyI/AAAAAAAACyw/7vJFHfTtmoQ/s1600/Snow-+week+before+Easter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ4nh-j2jY8/UVy9-7IMlyI/AAAAAAAACyw/7vJFHfTtmoQ/s400/Snow-+week+before+Easter.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We ended up with just under 10"<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tYJ_auHfic/UVy_cXdU-XI/AAAAAAAACy8/hEloLwGd_Io/s1600/Spring+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tYJ_auHfic/UVy_cXdU-XI/AAAAAAAACy8/hEloLwGd_Io/s400/Spring+flowers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These had to be bought to bring some spring in</td></tr>
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This crazy, last hurrah of winter was short lived though. I think my flowers did the trick! A week later, we've got a BEAUTIFUL Easter Sunday on our hands.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-NisqvaLX8/UVzA1cfSYmI/AAAAAAAACzA/-ZBFEfiFofs/s1600/Moo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-NisqvaLX8/UVzA1cfSYmI/AAAAAAAACzA/-ZBFEfiFofs/s400/Moo.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't manage to catch them before the crazy hair portion of the day</td></tr>
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Even though it wasn't a long day together it was so good for me. I think relief is the closest I can come to describing how I feel, seeing them all when it's been a while.<br />
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I'm hoping that recharge helps get me through the next couple of weeks.<br />
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Happy Spring!<br />
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-63037032409453505832013-03-21T19:06:00.000-05:002013-03-21T19:06:14.895-05:00DIY- laundry soap<div style="text-align: center;">
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Pinterest is overflowing with "recipes for laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, make your own dryer sheets, all with the promise that you'll save loads of money. Bad pun, but yes, intended. Not sure what exactly it was that made me decide to try one of them. Maybe it's just the fun of starting a new project to make Adam crazy. I do have a tendency of starting things and then losing interest in them. Whatever it was I made a list based on a couple different that I had "pinned" and hit the laundry isle.<br />
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<li style="text-align: left;">One four pound 12 ounce box of borax</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">One four pound box Arm & Hammer baking soda</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">One box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Four pounds of Oxi Clean {1 small/ 1 large}</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">3 bars of soap- most recipes called for Fels-Neptha I used a brand who's fragrance is lovely and tropical</li>
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Adam got me a 5 gallon bucket for mixing and I poured all the ingredients in, grated the bars of soap then turned it back over to Adam who put on the lid and shook it all up for me. Worked great!<br />
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When putting all the items in the basket I was sure it was going to cost more than this..<br />
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You supposedly use 2 to 3 tablespoons per load, so this may last a while! I'll let you know.<br />
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-48754526011563167192013-03-13T19:12:00.001-05:002013-03-19T18:21:46.561-05:00Snow Daze aka CoMo Snow 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just when I thought we were out of the winter woods it caught up with us. Big time. Just like Snowpocalypse and SnOMGeddon of 2011, schools and businesses shut down, the State of Missouri issued a state of emergency as well and a "do not travel advisory". Alright, I'm going to admit I thought we'd get a few inches and it would all prove to be a lot of hype. I mean seriously, could we get another "shut the town down" storm just 2 years later. I just didn't see it in the cards. Boy was I wrong. Not only did we get one big storm we got two, in a week.</div>
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I got up February 21st, got ready for work and made my way in. It was BARELY snowing at my house. It's a 7 or 8 mile trip depending how you go and most days takes me 15 or 20 minutes. By the time I got a little over half way there it was snowing. Hard. When I passed my first fender- bender I started to think maybe I should have just stayed home.</div>
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The two staff members that don't live in Columbia were told to just stay home, turns out it was a good call. After being there about an hour and a half it was time to get out while the getting was good. I emailed Adam and told him he should think about putting his stuff together and head home too. Turns out, the gettin' wasn't all that good, but I had a much easier time than some.</div>
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My sensitivity to snow has changed drastically over the last few years, and amounts that used to seem ridiculous to cancel anything for now makes me wish people would just stay home. Mostly because they're just plain stupid about it around here. My Twitter and Facebook feeds were full of people who took 4 hours to get home, or got stuck and left their cars on the sides of the roads or even highways. It was MAYHEM. There actually was a reason it got so bad so fast, we had a weather anomaly. <i>Thunder-snow. </i>Sounds really cool, right? Well just like a rain thunderstorm is fast and intense. Lots of precip in a very short amount of time. LOTS.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely box was on my porch when I made it home. Perfect for a snow day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsX-BV9kYG0/UTuQipEgQyI/AAAAAAAACrI/xkeI2icDWRU/s1600/20130221_123110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VsX-BV9kYG0/UTuQipEgQyI/AAAAAAAACrI/xkeI2icDWRU/s400/20130221_123110.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant fluffy snow flakes came fast and hard<br />
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Annie is about as much of a fan of snow as I am. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jd_NfNU-Gio/UTuQ1CViMQI/AAAAAAAACrU/DNtNGOKH-3s/s1600/20130221_101934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jd_NfNU-Gio/UTuQ1CViMQI/AAAAAAAACrU/DNtNGOKH-3s/s400/20130221_101934.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty in pink. </td></tr>
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I do have a couple of friends that plow in the winter so I had text one, but his crew was on the other side of town and booked solid. So when a break in the heavy snow came we bundled up and headed out. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRRpzOl7GNM/UTuRS1TMIMI/AAAAAAAACrg/DaGKqlLAm8Y/s1600/20130221_140444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xRRpzOl7GNM/UTuRS1TMIMI/AAAAAAAACrg/DaGKqlLAm8Y/s400/20130221_140444.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken at 2:04. Remember there was no snow at all a little over 6 hours earlier</td></tr>
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After an hour and 1/2 it looked a lot better. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_msoT74aiM/UTuRSvBcsPI/AAAAAAAACrc/93P57DCi4HQ/s1600/20130221_162543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3_msoT74aiM/UTuRSvBcsPI/AAAAAAAACrc/93P57DCi4HQ/s400/20130221_162543.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A fun snowstorm story~ Our really cool neighbors are pregnant and due any day. While we're shoveling we talked about how we should probably go do some of their drive way too. What if she went into labor? It was going to be a job to get to the hospital. I just kept thinking about Courtney's sister in law who had to be rescued by the National Guard in 2011 when she went into labor.... kinda scary. So in we go to take a break, eat, warm up and, of course, catch up on some social media. And what do I see? Pictures of a brand new baby that had been born that morning! Whew! That baby knew what was coming a decided not to wait. At least that's what I think. :o)</div>
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Fast forward a few days and the buzz about another storm headed our way, and we were still digging out from the week before. If I was skeptical about round 1 I was double that for round 2. But for the 2nd time I was so wrong.<br />
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A text first thing in the morning said "stay home". Yay! It felt the same as when I was little and got to have a snow day. Then to make the day better I heard a plow. It was our friend Jerry, he was headed to a job and came by to rescue us. It's a wonderful thing to have friends that'll go out of their way to nice things for you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry to the rescue</td></tr>
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When I realized how heavy and wet this snow was compared to a week before I was even more grateful. We didn't have to shovel!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super heavy wet snow.</td></tr>
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say I think we're done with snow for the winter. I hope.<br />
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-6509683330692452972013-02-26T17:36:00.000-06:002013-02-26T17:36:25.982-06:00Chairs for my office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
About a year ago I found these chairs in the basement at work. I fell in love with them. I told my boss I wanted to buy them and she said, "You can have them!" The plan has been to re-upholster them, but I did a little research- they are Good Form Furniture Co- so I didn't want to alter them that much myself. So plan B- just cover them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad pics- sorry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npIpahClbAM/US02Ii4LGZI/AAAAAAAACqY/tTpSjbXTuRY/s1600/P2041141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-npIpahClbAM/US02Ii4LGZI/AAAAAAAACqY/tTpSjbXTuRY/s400/P2041141.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the aluminum frame.<br />Our little photo bomber is back too.</td></tr>
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These are super sturdy, but the padding is rock hard and they wouldn't really come clean. I added a layer of padding before the fabric and the upholstery is held on with clips so I (Adam) just had to remove those and reused them.</div>
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I'm not going to lie, I fought with this one. I get frustrated easily, and walked away to let it sit more than a few times. But I'm stuck at home again today with a snow day, so I had no excuse not to get it done. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PoA3InRunxg/US04iasRwlI/AAAAAAAACqw/0BigwmEXnWM/s1600/20130226_123337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PoA3InRunxg/US04iasRwlI/AAAAAAAACqw/0BigwmEXnWM/s400/20130226_123337.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty happy with the how it turned out. Now to get the other one finished! </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
<br />Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-27969773041110800562013-02-19T21:48:00.002-06:002013-02-19T21:48:48.542-06:00A project I LOVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm so excited about what's been going on in our house over the last week or so. After talking about it for a long time, we bit the bullet and picked out flooring. We'd said all along that we wanted to go light with some dark streaks in it to give it some character. Of course it's never as easy as that and, wow, once we started looking the darker woods were gorgeous. But logic prevailed, and for several reasons we stuck with the original plan.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neither one was our final choice</td></tr>
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We've shampooed the carpet at least once a year since we moved in, but between dogs and grand babies there were some spots that kept coming back. Yucky and embarrassing both.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABcrVI746wY/USLd4EcFi-I/AAAAAAAACnc/5nANNB5RHtA/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ABcrVI746wY/USLd4EcFi-I/AAAAAAAACnc/5nANNB5RHtA/s640/1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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This was a HUGE source of stress but couldn't be avoided. The living room crammed into the kitchen and dining area. </div>
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We had to do all the "demo" on Sunday since there would be no time at all during the week.</div>
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Annie is a blur because she was a nervous mess. She ran and back and forth like a tennis ball at Wimbledon</div>
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The carpet and pad portion of the program went so fast. Fast as in about a 1/2 hour!</div>
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Not so the tile though. OH EM GEE! What a stinkin mess. Thankfully it was a really nice day so we could open the front door.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds of dust</td></tr>
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It was kinda fun smashing the tile out, but we did have to be pretty careful. Tile EXPLODES when you smash it, and since we didn't want to add "Replace drywall & paint" to the to do list, we went the slow and steady route. I love this picture for a few reasons. 1. I didn't even put shoes on. What a dummy. I had shards in my slippers and it's just like breaking a plate- the pieces are really sharp. 2. Yep, I'm wearing safety goggles. Hot, right?! But again,it just explodes, so necessary. 3. This makes it look like I did TONS all by myself. Um, no. I'm pretty sure the ratio was like 3 to 1, maybe even 4 to 1. And even then my hands hurt like crazy. Gripping a baby sledge hammer and a heavy chisel made them pretty sore. Yes, I'm a wuss.</div>
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So pathetic. But at least she found a spot out of the way where she could see us. We kept joking that she was plotting revenge of some sort.</div>
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This is how our week went by. Our Tommy Bahama beach chairs on a concrete slab. This part didn't bother me in the least.</div>
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The flooring was delivered on Wednesday. It needed to acclimate to the house for a few days before installation. She is just the best little photo bomber ever, isn't she?? </div>
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Saturday 8am couldn't get here soon enough. I was so excited to hear the installers pull into the drive way. They did prepare me for the possibility that they wouldn't get done in one day, mostly because each job is different, and rooms are not always square, etc. Lucky for us he said everything was great in that department, even the coat closet. Makes me feel good about the way our house was built!</div>
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A relatively thin pad with a reflective backing went down first. Moisture barrier and some insulation too. </div>
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I really tried to stay upstairs and out of the way. But I had to come down for coffee a "couple" times. The progress in this picture took me by surprise. This was taken at 12:40 pm when they stopped to get something to eat. </div>
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I can't even tell you how happy I am with the results. Sure, we could have done the install ourselves. But there's a lot to be said for knowing what you're doing. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend these guys to others, and I asked for some cards to take to work or give out myself. </div>
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Everything was all cleaned up when they finished. Not even any sawdust on the porch. They left the box of left over wood on the floor at our request but didn't want to. He wanted to wrap it and put it away for us. </div>
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Do you love it too?</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-9198443713531427972013-02-06T19:15:00.001-06:002013-02-06T19:15:36.383-06:00Way back Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Blonde and faux fur. Not a lot has changed, other than now the blonde is mostly faux too. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 year old Lissa was just as sassy I'd say<br /><br /><br /></td></tr>
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xoxo </div>
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Lissa</div>
Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-64542793876619759642013-02-03T20:18:00.002-06:002013-02-03T20:18:24.151-06:00And Gweny makes 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What a week! It really started last Thursday morning with a call from Courtney. She had been having some pretty good labor pains since the middle of the night and they were headed in to get checked. Her due date is February 9th so I figured we still had a couple weeks, but posted this picture with a comment that it would be a beautiful day to have a baby.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RjBXw0FEs9M/UQ7g17N5UgI/AAAAAAAACmM/Mlc84Dwp7Ls/s1600/20130124_070701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RjBXw0FEs9M/UQ7g17N5UgI/AAAAAAAACmM/Mlc84Dwp7Ls/s400/20130124_070701.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sure enough, home they went. One discouraged mama and a helpless daddy that just wanted to get it over with.<br />
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We got through the next few days with no more drama- like how I say WE?<br />
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Then Tuesday morning I got the call. They were headed back to the hospital. Her water broke in the night and so I'm quoting Ray here, "Thundercats are a go". God I love my family!<br />
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Unfortunately there were things at work that had to be taken care of (I had until 9am to get payroll done) so when I got the call that she had progressed from a 5 to a 9 in 1/2 hour, I knew I was going to miss being there for this baby girl. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwndolyn Isabella Ruth<br />7lbs 14oz 20 1/4 inches</td></tr>
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Of course instead of the beautiful weather of a few days before I got this, and it was a "pull over and wait it out" storm. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after this was taken most of the cars on both side pulled over to let it pass a little.</td></tr>
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I got through the storm eventually and made it to meet our sweet Gweny. We just hung out all day and took turns holding her and remembering the past 4 girls birth-days. Each had their own little dramas of course!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYidAtJvvMQ/UQ7W62CWENI/AAAAAAAAClU/kKgYc0QpHnU/s1600/20130129_145402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYidAtJvvMQ/UQ7W62CWENI/AAAAAAAAClU/kKgYc0QpHnU/s400/20130129_145402.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myla just hangin' with her Auntie playing the piano</td></tr>
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After school here came the girls to meet their sister. When their g-pa picked them up at the crack of dawn, Grace had asked her Mama if they were going to "take apart her belly" to get the baby out. So sure enough she walked in the room and wanted to see Court's belly to make sure all was well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gabi meets her baby sister. Melts my heart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwen has dimples like our Grace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVIWOYNcvxM/UQ7YckWpg1I/AAAAAAAACmE/mTnJF4bvg7s/s1600/20130129_162717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVIWOYNcvxM/UQ7YckWpg1I/AAAAAAAACmE/mTnJF4bvg7s/s400/20130129_162717.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myla entertained herself while Maggie gets to know her sister.</td></tr>
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Myla was in no way impressed with her new cousin.</div>
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So now there are 5 little girls in our lives. I can't wait to see, not only how she fits into the mix, but how she cuts out her own place in it.</div>
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xoxo<br />
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LissaLissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-44687728100754723632013-01-20T15:06:00.001-06:002013-01-20T15:06:37.421-06:00Miss America 2013 Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How's it going with everyone? I'm getting pretty close to healthy again and so grateful to be that way. I've spent the last couple of weeks waffling back and forth between feeling human and feeling run over by a truck.</div>
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But in the middle of all the yuck was a yearly tradition that makes me happy and exhausts me at the same time. I'm, of course, talking about Miss America weekend. </div>
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We were almost all here this year. Courtney just had a week of vacation and this was her weekend to work so had to miss. Boo!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GvO_2Vkr4U/UPxK4RF4lGI/AAAAAAAACiQ/CnV1apNN4dA/s1600/IMG_4993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1GvO_2Vkr4U/UPxK4RF4lGI/AAAAAAAACiQ/CnV1apNN4dA/s400/IMG_4993.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myla's baby stroller got a lot of play time. Not just for the baby dolls! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pr0eZyEsmmU/UPxK5IERmCI/AAAAAAAACiY/oPQdclyChQo/s1600/IMG_4998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pr0eZyEsmmU/UPxK5IERmCI/AAAAAAAACiY/oPQdclyChQo/s400/IMG_4998.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two were so funny. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsScB9w2ZRs/UPxLLL8qypI/AAAAAAAACig/UOwpYaOmBaY/s1600/IMG_5027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zsScB9w2ZRs/UPxLLL8qypI/AAAAAAAACig/UOwpYaOmBaY/s400/IMG_5027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried to take a picture of all 3 of them.... you see how well that worked out</td></tr>
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This time next year our Jamie will be living somewhere else. Her hubby, Justin, has joined the Army and at this point they have no idea where their first post will be. We're thinking we need to all just meet in Vegas next year! </div>
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It's really fun to watch how all the girls have learned to look forward to this tradition- as much as (sometimes more) than the 3 "founders" of this madness.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's ready!</td></tr>
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This year came down to these two. We've taught them a little too well maybe. This was taken seconds before they found out who won.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5zh4-dJxTM/UPxOoHaacpI/AAAAAAAACjo/so3JCcpCx2w/s1600/IMG_5007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5zh4-dJxTM/UPxOoHaacpI/AAAAAAAACjo/so3JCcpCx2w/s400/IMG_5007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No drama around these girls</td></tr>
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Think she's a little excited? They are our friends for sure.</div>
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Courtney, as last years winner, also missed out on crowning Gabi. Olivia was soooo excited to do it for her. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss America 2013</td></tr>
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xoxo<br />
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LissaLissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-64516899035487396942013-01-09T16:39:00.003-06:002013-01-09T16:44:33.066-06:00I Heart Faces Photo Contest~ Best of 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Of the HUNDREDS of photos taken in 2012 this is one of the last. Taken as a gift for their Mommy & Daddy they had a lot of fun & so did I!</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-78348071471461693602013-01-07T16:45:00.000-06:002013-03-04T19:44:55.839-06:00It's a wonderful life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRcI9Rl_0Oo/UOnvuMTQU-I/AAAAAAAAB5M/bDuJkmU9FSA/s1600/Dawn_20121228_085039_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FRcI9Rl_0Oo/UOnvuMTQU-I/AAAAAAAAB5M/bDuJkmU9FSA/s400/Dawn_20121228_085039_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since I posted the other girl's Santa photo I had to do Myla's too. </td></tr>
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I love Christmas. And there are 5 little girls that make it so much fun! They are all at such great ages, there were many happy squeals throughout the morning.</div>
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Courtney and Ray had a bit of a glitch with their Christmas morning. I guess Grace decided to get up and open ALL the gifts. Lucky for her, her sisters were very understanding. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snWbdD6SDtI/UOnvpH8-1uI/AAAAAAAAB5E/ypO_bLIaJPg/s1600/IMG_4945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snWbdD6SDtI/UOnvpH8-1uI/AAAAAAAAB5E/ypO_bLIaJPg/s400/IMG_4945.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's so hard to wait to open all these pretty packages</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRE-fx2D_vg/UOnvvVmbhpI/AAAAAAAAB5c/SobATUbifuA/s1600/IMG_4947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kRE-fx2D_vg/UOnvvVmbhpI/AAAAAAAAB5c/SobATUbifuA/s400/IMG_4947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one has her uncle's wrapped around her little finger</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzWsPmsopAo/UOnv3RZUwkI/AAAAAAAAB5k/ygJFLmfoRO0/s1600/IMG_4949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pzWsPmsopAo/UOnv3RZUwkI/AAAAAAAAB5k/ygJFLmfoRO0/s400/IMG_4949.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She knew exactly what to do with those wrapped boxes<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pU6nP4otrPs/UOnv3tPNdlI/AAAAAAAAB5o/aP8ihnaq3UM/s1600/IMG_4962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pU6nP4otrPs/UOnv3tPNdlI/AAAAAAAAB5o/aP8ihnaq3UM/s400/IMG_4962.jpg" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She love the hat her Aunt Amy made her and "The King And The Lion" movie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn1SNHVD5fQ/UOnv4xzeX0I/AAAAAAAAB50/Kw4Jkm7rYDY/s1600/IMG_4950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cn1SNHVD5fQ/UOnv4xzeX0I/AAAAAAAAB50/Kw4Jkm7rYDY/s400/IMG_4950.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 is a magical age for Christmas. Everything was just what she wanted!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_zsERz9a4/UOnv9hFetvI/AAAAAAAAB6U/8lFerf78qrY/s1600/PC251128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6s_zsERz9a4/UOnv9hFetvI/AAAAAAAAB6U/8lFerf78qrY/s400/PC251128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry photo complete with closed eyes courtesy of Miss Gabi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj-fPwLiV5c/UOnv7k7mwjI/AAAAAAAAB58/10ApkmtDDhs/s1600/IMG_4969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj-fPwLiV5c/UOnv7k7mwjI/AAAAAAAAB58/10ApkmtDDhs/s400/IMG_4969.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has him playing Dora so she can watch ☺<br />
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Don't worry, this baby bounces. She was right back on after this. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V80jEragk1o/UOnv-wgPLII/AAAAAAAAB6c/lXBvQupqEVs/s1600/PC251130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V80jEragk1o/UOnv-wgPLII/AAAAAAAAB6c/lXBvQupqEVs/s400/PC251130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Gabi shot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75RWY_a9BN8/UOnv8T-OiRI/AAAAAAAAB6E/NFCY2AZq_Zw/s1600/IMG_4970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-75RWY_a9BN8/UOnv8T-OiRI/AAAAAAAAB6E/NFCY2AZq_Zw/s400/IMG_4970.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapunzel doll with matching dress from Nana & Adam </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8VEGVLeJbA/UOtKIyX-cFI/AAAAAAAACgM/N61mVoexi-E/s1600/Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8VEGVLeJbA/UOtKIyX-cFI/AAAAAAAACgM/N61mVoexi-E/s640/Kitchen.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danee is so creative! She made this adorable kitchen for all the girls. It stays at their Papa's house to play with.</td></tr>
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And if you want to talk about creative, this one wins the prize. I love clocks. I have a wall that has clocks or photos of clocks that I've seen but couldn't bring home. Big Ben being the perfect example of that. This kid knows me inside and out. Danee made her way around Kansas City and took photos of different clocks. And while that would be so cool in itself she kicked it up a notch or two. There are 9 clocks- 1 for each of my babies and their babies. The times she recorded on each clock represent each of their birthdays. So Danee's clock is top center and the time on it is 2:25- her birthday is February 25th. And on it goes. EJ said she'd get up and say "I gotta go!" and he'd know she was off to a clock. Truly one of the very best gifts I've every received! ♥</div>
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Adam & I do our Christmas on Christmas night. After all the craziness of both of our days it's nice to get home, put on my pj's relax. </div>
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Love my coffee makers! ♥</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYngdRFw8gI/UOnvujgNcgI/AAAAAAAAB5U/L64QVtlQG_g/s1600/20121225_181548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYngdRFw8gI/UOnvujgNcgI/AAAAAAAAB5U/L64QVtlQG_g/s400/20121225_181548.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I hope you all had as good of a Christmas as I did!</div>
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xoxo<br />
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LissaLissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-58099973199210504602013-01-03T20:51:00.000-06:002013-01-03T20:51:31.783-06:00Christmas sleepover with the Reece's Pieces <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The girls came a couple weeks before Christmas and a great time was had by all. We had all the normal things going on. Coloring, movies complete with popcorn, manis and pedis, games and tea party.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68PhNdPtwhE/UOY5WflpAPI/AAAAAAAAB4E/_lU7HvvqD1M/s1600/20121209_092858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68PhNdPtwhE/UOY5WflpAPI/AAAAAAAAB4E/_lU7HvvqD1M/s640/20121209_092858.jpg" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was also quite wrestling match </td></tr>
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We used my Christmas dishes for our tea party. I bought these Christmas of 1989 and love them. I need to find more so I have enough settings. </div>
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The girls decided they don't really like tea though.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3w7Wcboq5WA/UOY5Wr7RtKI/AAAAAAAAB4I/zd42AFCO3tY/s1600/20121208_144033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3w7Wcboq5WA/UOY5Wr7RtKI/AAAAAAAAB4I/zd42AFCO3tY/s640/20121208_144033.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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We went to Bass Pro to visit Santa too. We got there early enough that the line wasn't around the store!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcQne1S4BtI/UOY5Z-eqtKI/AAAAAAAAB4U/VCvsQJ1nxs4/s1600/20121209_123857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcQne1S4BtI/UOY5Z-eqtKI/AAAAAAAAB4U/VCvsQJ1nxs4/s640/20121209_123857.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's getting so stinkin big!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxqe9jJ4RZs/UOY5aGBv5BI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/nEfT7fYHDxs/s1600/20121209_123946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxqe9jJ4RZs/UOY5aGBv5BI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/nEfT7fYHDxs/s640/20121209_123946.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She wouldn't sit with him when they went for preschool but decided this was "the real one" She looks so serious but she chatted with him a while before the photo. This one is getting too big too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNDjaA0n0EU/UOY5aKxdfcI/AAAAAAAAB4c/O2e2gOLoErY/s1600/20121209_123922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNDjaA0n0EU/UOY5aKxdfcI/AAAAAAAAB4c/O2e2gOLoErY/s640/20121209_123922.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh Maggie Beth. Our little 4 year old space cadet. She's such a sweet girl. So excited to see Santa too!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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These weekends get easier and easier as they get older. I hope the day never comes that they don't want the spend the weekend with us. Can't wait for the next time!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-8384790015348774792013-01-01T17:18:00.000-06:002013-01-01T17:18:27.881-06:00Starting 2013 right...<div style="text-align: center;">
HAPPY NEW YEAR!<br />
Well, we made it to 2013, past the Mayan end of the world and everything! We're still working on our Zombie Apocalypse plan around here though. Can't be too careful.<br />
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I have so many things to share right now. So many memories to be recorded, put in black and white to prevent them from becoming those wisps that fade away with time. Some are so good that when written it doesn't do them justice. Some are pretty bad and scary. </div>
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The last couple months of 2012 were a roller coaster ride. The high points were sky high. The lows mostly involve my dad's health and those continue to be a struggle. I'm much more optimistic but it's still a worry. It's hard to be all these miles away. My brother and sister, like always, have stepped up and helped in so many ways. Feeling very guilty about that for sure.<br />
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Here's a quick peek at the best thing about November...</div>
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We took a little trip. Halfway across the Pacific Ocean. Funny thing about being that far away and being gone as long as we were, you relax. We still had phones and tablets. But email was checked only once a day.<span style="color: red;"> <a _blank="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/lissaatkins">Instagram</a> </span>was the most used bit of tech that I used.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun partner in crime</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mL_e6cfsGmU/UOMLI6sq5VI/AAAAAAAAB28/RfQAOy1gCXg/s1600/20121113_133758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mL_e6cfsGmU/UOMLI6sq5VI/AAAAAAAAB28/RfQAOy1gCXg/s400/20121113_133758.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a "few" of these</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2l_FC3ZaXQ/UOMLKSAFVNI/AAAAAAAAB3E/o7cxsoypTz4/s1600/20121113_182128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="363" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2l_FC3ZaXQ/UOMLKSAFVNI/AAAAAAAAB3E/o7cxsoypTz4/s400/20121113_182128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waikiki at sunset. It gave me a lump in my throat. Corny, but so true.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gu9qcaG51-E/UOMLNHoQZ1I/AAAAAAAAB3M/AlkYpc3mySs/s1600/20121114_070859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gu9qcaG51-E/UOMLNHoQZ1I/AAAAAAAAB3M/AlkYpc3mySs/s400/20121114_070859.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water was only a few feet from the covered lanai </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgJ_J-lB-JM/UOMLaUES6lI/AAAAAAAAB3U/tHe3z_w7ZJ4/s1600/20121116_132051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BgJ_J-lB-JM/UOMLaUES6lI/AAAAAAAAB3U/tHe3z_w7ZJ4/s400/20121116_132051.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ate quite a few of these... from different places</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFscMdKOC1U/UOMLcleo_dI/AAAAAAAAB3c/gJ9ZphbeuO8/s1600/IMG_4019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFscMdKOC1U/UOMLcleo_dI/AAAAAAAAB3c/gJ9ZphbeuO8/s400/IMG_4019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did as much of this as possible... the sand time AND the beer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gLDt6qZSK8/UOMLgBbkfNI/AAAAAAAAB3k/UeqmgfMvf3s/s1600/IMG_4618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1gLDt6qZSK8/UOMLgBbkfNI/AAAAAAAAB3k/UeqmgfMvf3s/s400/IMG_4618.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even went to one of these. So much fun!<br />
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There's a lot more of our island days to share, as well as the holiday- they're coming soon!</div>
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Do you make resolutions? That's kind of a tricky one for me. I usually start the year with some ideas of how I want to make the new one better. Sometimes they stick, sometimes not. One that hasn't stuck in recent years has been to loose the Columbia weight that I put on when I moved here- 5 1/2 years ago. I do some minimum gym time, and do well for a while and then I get a better offer. Food, wine, beer, TV, computer, friends- they all seem like better offers. So the only goal I'm going to make on that front is to be wearing a pair of my favorite Levi's again. Not sure how many pounds it'll take but I want my butt in those jeans. Oh, and they need to actually look good.<br />
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I want to be a better writer, a more consistent one. I've said this before too, but if it's something I REALLY want, I'll be able to achieve it. </div>
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There are a lot of upcoming events around here in the next couple of months. Miss America, 6 birthday's , a new grand baby- Gwen. I'm sure I'm forgetting something!</div>
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We love 13's in this family, so here's to making 2013 a great year. </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-72798314240874458332012-11-04T18:59:00.002-06:002012-11-04T18:59:53.108-06:00And the hits (babies) just keep on comin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The last few years of my life has brought a steady stream of babies. My 4 baby girls (with another on the way) and then you add friends and other family members to the baby makers, that's a lot of babies. </div>
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The most recent celebration was for Danee's friend Kasey. I love being around these girls, seeing what great little mommies they're becoming. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHNdtoWk8dw/UJcAVSSHoWI/AAAAAAAAB1I/Ji1Aw12mPzc/s1600/IMG_3885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="381" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHNdtoWk8dw/UJcAVSSHoWI/AAAAAAAAB1I/Ji1Aw12mPzc/s400/IMG_3885.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for games on my phone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B93vn20VwpU/UJcAZhe2etI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/t5OAFAOOKnA/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B93vn20VwpU/UJcAZhe2etI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/t5OAFAOOKnA/s400/IMG_3878.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big brother Mikah got to come to the party too</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIMyUJgr58w/UJcAh-YpzII/AAAAAAAAB1Y/Cp_hCDJ1hQc/s1600/IMG_3874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIMyUJgr58w/UJcAh-YpzII/AAAAAAAAB1Y/Cp_hCDJ1hQc/s400/IMG_3874.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tutu party</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRV6n5OMrqk/UJcAliov6wI/AAAAAAAAB1g/CseNxBBM3Ak/s1600/IMG_3875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cRV6n5OMrqk/UJcAliov6wI/AAAAAAAAB1g/CseNxBBM3Ak/s400/IMG_3875.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynnceLR2Isc/UJcAwO59mNI/AAAAAAAAB1o/1HjLEZ23pGI/s1600/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ynnceLR2Isc/UJcAwO59mNI/AAAAAAAAB1o/1HjLEZ23pGI/s400/IMG_3881.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHMU9eGKxHM/UJcAx7oqPQI/AAAAAAAAB1w/cHd8no3lmiI/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bHMU9eGKxHM/UJcAx7oqPQI/AAAAAAAAB1w/cHd8no3lmiI/s400/IMG_3886.jpg" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So did Miss Myla</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnGdv_KgF_U/UJcBk1TGSFI/AAAAAAAAB2A/xpFvKQ6n-3w/s1600/IMG_3873.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZnGdv_KgF_U/UJcBk1TGSFI/AAAAAAAAB2A/xpFvKQ6n-3w/s400/IMG_3873.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this face</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1t65tWjKnY/UJcBqp8e1oI/AAAAAAAAB2I/8JAi3aODyCU/s1600/IMG_3888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1t65tWjKnY/UJcBqp8e1oI/AAAAAAAAB2I/8JAi3aODyCU/s400/IMG_3888.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm helping Mama!</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_472976365"></span><span id="goog_472976366"></span>xoxo<br />
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LissaLissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-91562777818739519632012-10-09T21:17:00.000-05:002012-10-09T21:17:36.391-05:00Bathroom reno<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've shown you before what a talented, self taught carpenter/ cabinet maker Adam is. The pieces of furniture around my house are many and he's made a lot of pieces for friends also. </div>
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This particular project came about more than a year ago. Dinner with good friends and a discussion about the renovation they wanted to do on their bathroom and by the end of it Adam had asked if he could build a cabinet for it. I really think it took some time to convince them that he was serious about it, but once Jen & John decided on <span style="color: red;"><a _blank="_blank" href="http://midwestremodel.com/">Midwest Remodeling and Renovation</a> </span>to do the work Adam started his drawings. </div>
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It turned out better than even I had anticipated! Just beautiful. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDU609aKX2s/UHTFrdlXfZI/AAAAAAAAByk/lhqXYJjJAuk/s1600/IMG_3364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TDU609aKX2s/UHTFrdlXfZI/AAAAAAAAByk/lhqXYJjJAuk/s400/IMG_3364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They decided to go with oak. That thing is going to last FOREVER</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-4Gtm327-8/UHTFumColhI/AAAAAAAABys/galNr3PJwxM/s1600/IMG_3415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-4Gtm327-8/UHTFumColhI/AAAAAAAABys/galNr3PJwxM/s400/IMG_3415.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFKFrPlXrRA/UHTF6mEZKCI/AAAAAAAABy8/E4b8tcjYn_w/s1600/p5191075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFKFrPlXrRA/UHTF6mEZKCI/AAAAAAAABy8/E4b8tcjYn_w/s400/p5191075.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door panels were a great excuse for new router bits</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBTn9f2nqHo/UHTGFtwAmiI/AAAAAAAABzI/Pt383c_T1vk/s1600/IMG_3435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cBTn9f2nqHo/UHTGFtwAmiI/AAAAAAAABzI/Pt383c_T1vk/s400/IMG_3435.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKbCiXho3j0/UHTGN0ZC6DI/AAAAAAAABzQ/Lzs_14JkH8w/s1600/IMG_3505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKbCiXho3j0/UHTGN0ZC6DI/AAAAAAAABzQ/Lzs_14JkH8w/s400/IMG_3505.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hardware choice and dark stain made it much more contemporary<br /></td></tr>
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Jen & John did all their own demo for this project and even found some cool old wine bottles inside the walls. The rest was done by the remodeling company, but the before and afters are so amazing I've got to share. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm7NBoo9kEE/UHTGZ-HuCxI/AAAAAAAABzY/fCtDF0Q86MM/s1600/IMG_1825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xm7NBoo9kEE/UHTGZ-HuCxI/AAAAAAAABzY/fCtDF0Q86MM/s400/IMG_1825.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before...</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5zFpF6St18/UHTGiCxVCLI/AAAAAAAABzg/lo8_E5qSApw/s1600/IMG_3157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5zFpF6St18/UHTGiCxVCLI/AAAAAAAABzg/lo8_E5qSApw/s400/IMG_3157.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After... the tub and pedestal sink were re-glazed since they are original to the house </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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKDlXvDI1Vc/UHTGqg7gSlI/AAAAAAAABzo/0M4Yn4LYaZ0/s1600/IMG_1822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKDlXvDI1Vc/UHTGqg7gSlI/AAAAAAAABzo/0M4Yn4LYaZ0/s400/IMG_1822.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqXvdnw5oxM/UHTGzGH5KoI/AAAAAAAABzw/4P8abt3W-uY/s1600/IMG_3611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqXvdnw5oxM/UHTGzGH5KoI/AAAAAAAABzw/4P8abt3W-uY/s400/IMG_3611.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done</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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOS05JGPIrI/UHTHv1CEllI/AAAAAAAABz4/fl671L3W7HA/s1600/IMG_4943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sOS05JGPIrI/UHTHv1CEllI/AAAAAAAABz4/fl671L3W7HA/s400/IMG_4943.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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It was such an amazing transformation, and that cabinet is absolute perfection. There's still the upper to make when he has time to take a breath. </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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<br />Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-15159030020690550092012-10-07T16:12:00.000-05:002012-10-08T12:17:34.487-05:00Tailgate food Vanderbilt edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have season tickets for Mizzou Football this year, their first year in the SEC. Not that this is magic or anything, I think it's like taking AP classes in high school .. it's really hard and at first you don't really measure up, but in the long run it makes you better. Now until this year we went to about half the home games each year so when some friends thought they'd let 2 of their seats go Adam bought them instead. </div>
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This season got started with 3 weeks of home games, all in the evening, and when you add tailgating into the day and the fact that Adam has been working most Saturday mornings, it makes for a reeeealy long day. </div>
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So this week brought Vanderbilt to town and it wasn't the outcome we hoped for with a loss and a few injuries to the team. Also, this week our weather turned from crisp to cold (in my opinion) and even with quite a few layers on, I froze. </div>
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There's always a wide variety of food to eat. I tried a new recipe to take this week, it was good but needs some tweaking. </div>
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<i>Jalapeno Popper Dip</i></div>
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<i>6-8 slices of bacon Confession- I used the whole pound minus what I snacked on. Don't judge.</i></div>
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<i>2 8 ounces packages of cream cheese, softened</i></div>
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<i>1 cup mayo</i></div>
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<i>4-6 jalapenos copped- you know the rules get rid of seeds and veins if you want less heat</i></div>
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<i>1 cup shredded sharp cheddar</i></div>
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<i>1/2 cup shredded mozzarella</i></div>
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<i>1/4 cup chopped green onion </i></div>
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<i>Topping</i></div>
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<i>1 cup crushed crackers- they suggested Ritz, I used Town House</i></div>
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<i>1 cup Parmesan.</i></div>
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<i>1/2 stick butter- melted</i></div>
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<i>Pre-heat oven to 350 </i></div>
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<i>Combine all the ingredients and mix well. I just put them all in my Kitchen-aid and let it do the work for me. Spread in baking dish- I used a browning pan and it worked well. Obviously, the bigger the pan, the less baking time. Combine the toppings, and cover the top. Bake approx 20-30 or until bubbling.</i></div>
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<i>We used Frito's scoops but it would be really good on crackers too.</i></div>
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Like I said it needs something... more heat for me I think. Since I wasn't sure who liked spicy and who didn't I played it safe. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54kmf1iI3MU/UHHXbIlnMmI/AAAAAAAABxo/Go_Hk86Uf4A/s1600/IMG_3867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-54kmf1iI3MU/UHHXbIlnMmI/AAAAAAAABxo/Go_Hk86Uf4A/s400/IMG_3867.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I use a grapefruit spoon to get seeds out<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zTQKJHdplc/UHHXhNkR-RI/AAAAAAAABx8/tzaq-Tuu3Po/s1600/bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1zTQKJHdplc/UHHXhNkR-RI/AAAAAAAABx8/tzaq-Tuu3Po/s400/bacon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy bacon</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQniDh4pOOQ/UHHXejyKMfI/AAAAAAAABx0/SRhfg1Z4aH0/s1600/IMG_3871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DQniDh4pOOQ/UHHXejyKMfI/AAAAAAAABx0/SRhfg1Z4aH0/s400/IMG_3871.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies travel well and are always a hit</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hXH2DzwESg/UHHXkr--Z_I/AAAAAAAAByE/cAt8MlG5cfQ/s1600/Vanderbuilt+10.6.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hXH2DzwESg/UHHXkr--Z_I/AAAAAAAAByE/cAt8MlG5cfQ/s400/Vanderbuilt+10.6.12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's hoping for more wins, and more warm games! Go Tigers!</div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6838551667587370548.post-2077571538879068232012-10-02T19:58:00.000-05:002012-10-02T19:58:50.950-05:00Much loved visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hope you had a great weekend. I know I did. Two of my favorite ladies in the world came for a visit! <a _blank="_blank" href="http://kellycrenshaw.blogspot.com/">Kelly</a> & Emerson were here and we did as little as possible. We worked very hard at relaxing.</div>
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We did head over to the <a _blank="_blank" href="http://columbiafarmersmarket.org/">Farmer's Market</a> just to look around and see what we might need. This week, what I need ended up being some meat and a pumpkin. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESd9QGKIscg/UGjRzPa5apI/AAAAAAAABwQ/WiZfMjp_Qww/s1600/IMG_3826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ESd9QGKIscg/UGjRzPa5apI/AAAAAAAABwQ/WiZfMjp_Qww/s400/IMG_3826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't catch their names but they were really good!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adctf7uaBdQ/UGjR186SX4I/AAAAAAAABwY/uUCmp78NgVM/s1600/IMG_3827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-adctf7uaBdQ/UGjR186SX4I/AAAAAAAABwY/uUCmp78NgVM/s400/IMG_3827.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These gourds were so cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2L-6oxtW0w/UGjSINvN6OI/AAAAAAAABwg/n8tHKDBmhos/s1600/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l2L-6oxtW0w/UGjSINvN6OI/AAAAAAAABwg/n8tHKDBmhos/s400/IMG_3829.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a pumpkin with lots of warts</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BI4fdFeN90I/UGjSUywFfPI/AAAAAAAABwo/0uyb0GGh8V4/s1600/DSC_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BI4fdFeN90I/UGjSUywFfPI/AAAAAAAABwo/0uyb0GGh8V4/s400/DSC_0422.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emerson is a great pumpkin picker-outer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzAnWGEbh_U/UGjSdt40hJI/AAAAAAAABw0/55ojIM1zA44/s1600/IMG_3831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzAnWGEbh_U/UGjSdt40hJI/AAAAAAAABw0/55ojIM1zA44/s400/IMG_3831.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtSCh9KLqxw/UGjSjl8V76I/AAAAAAAABw8/CONRrkyyqcs/s1600/IMG_3845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtSCh9KLqxw/UGjSjl8V76I/AAAAAAAABw8/CONRrkyyqcs/s400/IMG_3845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kid is one mean bubble blower</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YcvpALcEeI/UGjSokSG44I/AAAAAAAABxE/Sg2KkU9Xhb4/s1600/DSC_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7YcvpALcEeI/UGjSokSG44I/AAAAAAAABxE/Sg2KkU9Xhb4/s400/DSC_0428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hangin' at the park with Aunt Lissa</td></tr>
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Saturday, my friend Jenny came over for dinner and Adam grilled us an amazing meal.</div>
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I'm so thankful for the weekends I have with my friends. </div>
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xoxo</div>
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Lissa</div>
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<br />Lissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14583787424113912674noreply@blogger.com0