tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23496367922865641502023-11-16T02:38:32.617-05:00Queen of My CastlePonderings of an Army WifePaulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.comBlogger295125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-85752328085307239952013-09-06T14:03:00.002-04:002013-09-06T14:05:03.236-04:00WhirlwindMy last post was in February. That was just a month after my husband deployed. Here we are, the first week in September and we are planning for re-deployment. I can't believe we are on this end already.<br />
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In some ways, the time has flown by. At other times, I thought the days and weeks would never end. <br />
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I think staying busy has made the time go quickly. I looked back at my calendar just now and counted up some of the things I've done. <br />
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I attended 33 ceremonies, three formal balls, went on four trips and participated in so many receptions, parties, welcomes, farewells and meetings that I can't even count them. It makes me exhausted to look back at the scheduling. I also graduated two of our kids from their schools. <br />
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Our re-deployment window is coming up within the next six weeks. In that time, I have two more formal events to attend, meetings, appointments and ceremonies. Not to mention the personal appointments I'll want to take care of before I see my love. Hair, nails, waxing and shopping for the perfect homecoming outfit. Whew! It will be here before I know it. <br />
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Nine month deployments are definitely better than 12 or 15 months, but not having that break in the middle for him to come home has made it seem so much longer. My hope and prayer is that this is our last one and that all our Military Families can look forward to time at home with their loved ones. <br />
<br />Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-27682604561851841182013-02-26T13:24:00.000-05:002013-02-26T13:24:01.859-05:00New StuffI have a few new things that I have been wanting to share. <br />
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I mentioned in my last post that Dixie the Doxie doesn't sleep with me. Here is one of the reasons why.<br />
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I have been wanting new bedding for ages. The last new set we had was when Nick and I got married 8 and a half years ago. I loved it at the time, but my taste has changed and that old set was looking a little rough. </div>
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I absolutely love this. I take so much time making my bed every morning so it looks just like the photo on the cover of the package. Okay, it doesn't look just like the photo. I'm afraid I'm just not that good at arranging the pillows and my sheets are wrinkly. I'm not ironing sheets. </div>
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This little pillow came from our Spouses' Club's gift shop. I love it and I think it goes wonderfully with the new bedding. </div>
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Right before Nick left, we bought new dining room furniture. We have been looking at furniture for years...literally. I can never find anything I like. I know I frustrate the poor man to pieces, but, seriously, I have to love it if I'm going to spend a chunk of money..right?</div>
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We found this set. And I love it. Truly.</div>
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The china cabinet has lights in it. I rarely turn them on, but they are there if I want to. </div>
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This little buffet is one of my favorite pieces. I love the lines on it. If I ever have a dining room too small for all the pieces, I could easily use this as a console somewhere. </div>
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This table is fabulous. It's big and heavy and so grown up. I have six chairs now and two on order. There is actually another leaf that can go into the middle of this table so it can be really big. I have always wanted something I could put all my kids around. This is almost big enough!<br />
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This piece sits on my buffet. My friend Shelly made it and I love it! I do fancy myself the queen, and since the Engineers have a castle as their logo, I think it fits! I want a sign with this on it too. I will probably hang it in my kitchen.</div>
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I'm probably maxed out on new stuff for a while. Although, I must admit, when Nick is deployed I participate in a little more retail therapy than usual. Well, I'll be maxed out right after I find new window treatments for the bedroom. That's what that extra deployment money is for, right? </div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-68238552885161378702013-02-02T12:59:00.001-05:002013-02-02T13:00:22.499-05:00Me and My ShadowI wrote a few months ago about my new pup. After losing the other two so suddenly and close together, Nick decided I needed a buddy to get me through the deployment. <br />
So, we have Dixie.<br />
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The dog who thinks she's a cat. She absolutely loves to sit on the back of this sofa and look out our second story window. <br />
We adopted Dixie from our county shelter. She had been picked up as a stray. For the first time in my life, I have a dog that belongs to ME. Not my husband's dog, or my kids' dog, but mine. This sweet girl follows my every step. When I pull back the shower curtain, she's on the rug. When I go to the bathroom, she either sneaks in with me, or is sitting right outside the door when I open it. She is my little shadow.<br />
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I am enjoying this sweet dog so much. When I watch TV, she is right up with me. The only time she isn't with me is at night. I don't let her in my bed..for two reasons. Nick has a thing about having a dog in the bed. But, he's gone..right??? I don't think it's fair to either of them to let this dog in my bed for 9 months, then put her on the floor. It would take adjustment on her part and a few sleepless nights on ours. The second reason is this I recently bought new bedding. I will write more about the new bedding soon. I have other new things to share!<br />
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So, she sleeps in a sweet little bed so close to my bed that I can reach down and touch her. She prefers it that way.<br />
This is my deployment buddy and beyond. I can't believe how much I love this dog already :)<br />
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This is Dixie with me the day we brought her home. We connected right away!</div>
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This is Dixie after a trip to the groomer. She didn't like the bow and immediately took it out. I have a new groomer now that gives her a bandanna. Today she has a Valentine bandanna from our friend at the groomer. <br />
Dixie and me...til the man comes home. She's a perfect little shadow.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-57293254210815651292013-01-22T01:07:00.000-05:002013-01-22T01:08:21.291-05:00Week OneIt's been a week tonight that I kissed my husband and said good-bye to him. I have done very well this week and have remained positive. <br />
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I made a set schedule and kept busy, was productive at home on the days I had no other activities and have been feeling very good about everything. Every night I mark another day off the monthly calendar and every morning I flip the blocks around on the daily calendar to mark another day. <br />
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Tonight, as I finished up and turned the lights out in the kitchen, I looked at the clock. 8:26 p.m. At that moment it had been almost exactly, to the minute, a week since I'd seen Nick. For the first time during that week, I felt overwhelmed at the weeks that stretch out before me. <br />
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I forgot my own advice for just a moment. I always tell people, "Don't look at the whole chunk of time, it's too overwhelming. Instead, take a month at a time, plan something to look forward to during that month, and it helps." <br />
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I'll be okay. It's just a weak moment. I have lots of good friends and activities to keep me distracted. I have surrounded myself with things that make me feel good.<br />
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It's only nine months, right? It's not 12 or 15 months anymore. Don't mind me, I'm just having a poor me moment. I'm going to bed and will awaken refreshed and ready to face another week. <br />
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I'd love to hear from others what makes deployments less painful. Keeping busy? Distracted? Counting days? I'm open to suggestions!!<br />
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<br />Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-41265265468158779962013-01-17T11:19:00.000-05:002013-01-17T11:19:57.171-05:00My Own DONSAI know I say this every time I wander back over to my blog, but WOW, I can't believe it's been so long. <br />
I knew exactly what I wanted to say, then I realized my Christmas background was still up and I hadn't posted since Thanksgiving. Oy!<br />
To say the last 6 weeks or so have been crazy would be an understatement. <br />
Between Nick being gone most of the holiday season, the Spouses' Club's events, our own Holiday Reception I planned completely without the man's help and the kids' visits, I was worn out.<br />
The holidays were bittersweet for me. I thought my mom and sister would come out, they canceled and did not. Like I said, Nick was gone for much of December and I was a little out of sorts about that. <br />
I enjoyed having the kids here and spending time with them.<br />
Now all the kids are gone home, Nick has left for yet another deployment and I'm turning over a new leaf with the new year.<br />
First on my list was to take care of me. <br />
First order of business on taking care of me, was to schedule a day off. Here on our Army post a day a Soldier doesn't work, but isn't a holiday is called a DONSA (Day of no scheduled activities) So, today is my DONSA. I marked it off my calendar, told everyone I was unavailable, and am still in my PJs having coffee. <br />
My DONSA doesn't mean I won't do anything today, it just means I pick what I do and there is no pressure to finish it. <br />
I have to tell you... it feels GOOD! <br />
So, all you busy people, schedule yourselves an occasional DONSA. I would love to hear what you do on your "Day off"<br />
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-37956019270184145112012-12-02T01:07:00.003-05:002012-12-02T01:07:57.682-05:00ThanksgivingI had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! <br />
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After my dad's passing, I knew how important it was to keep my mom moving and somewhat distracted during these first holidays without him. So, I loaded my husband and the boy and we headed to Arkansas for Thanksgiving. I find it ironic that I would have moved heaven and earth to be with my mom this year, when I didn't put that much effort into going there when my dad was still around. I feel very guilty for that, but am trying to deal with it. <br />
We were so lucky that two of our girls were able to join us. One of them is... Jackson's mom! Yes, my daughter who lives in Hawaii and is the mother of my grand baby was there. Needless to say, I was one happy Grandma to have that sweet baby around for a few days. <br />
Those grand babies are the best!<br />
Here are a few photos of the sweet boy. <br />
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I absolutely loved taking care of him. I hope I was able to give mom a well deserved break. That's what I told myself.. that I was helping her out by monopolizing him.<br />
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Rolling around on the floor making him laugh. He makes me smile.</div>
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While we were there, we got to spend time with my sister and her college aged daughter, my niece. They live just down the road from my mom. My niece didn't grow up with a father around. My dad was the closest thing to a father she has ever had, and his loss has affected her as much as any of us. She is struggling to get through these tough times too. All she wanted, while we were there, was to get the decorations out and decorate my mom's house like they have in the past. I helped her get it done. </div>
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A photo of my mom's tree when Kirsten and I finished. </div>
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This is how we listened to Christmas music as we decorated the house. This girl is retro in every way. She was truly born in the wrong time. She LOVES listening to records like this. </div>
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Of course my mom still has all her old records. I listened to these as a child. It was so much fun.</div>
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I have convinced the three ladies, my mom, sister and niece, to come to my house for Christmas. I absolutely can't wait!</div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-9573508651815460662012-10-22T16:42:00.000-04:002012-10-22T16:42:35.118-04:00DixieI mentioned in my last post that we had adopted another dog. <br />
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A few short weeks after losing our second dog, I realized I was just miserable without a dog. Who would have thought? I really thought having no dogs to tie me down would be liberating, but I was wrong. <br />
After losing my dad in April and both dogs not long after that, I was experiencing a huge sense of loss and depression. <br />
Nick convinced me to go on and look for another dog. <br />
We started at the Tacoma Animal Shelter which just made me cry. We walked through that place the first time and I felt so sad looking at those dogs without homes. <br />
To make a long story a little shorter, a few weeks after our first visit, we saw this little dog who wasn't barking and looked so sweet. I had already decided I'd like to have another dachshund and she was it. <br />
After inquiring about this little dog, I found out she wasn't available yet because she was awaiting a teeth cleaning. I followed up on her for a full week and as soon as I found out she was finally available, I grabbed Nick and we flew over to the shelter to get her. <br />
I have enjoyed this sweet little dog and have loved watching her come out of her shell as she's gotten more comfortable with us. <br />
Here are a few photos of Miss Dixie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR1W2S5m5itCAyZON1_NV-yD-Q91cyqoDkhBVMp7Bz_qjl1y6ZIh6LlcuNfBQlD6pQpD7BTmgH1zZfFECnGu860nGIIe2sR40yknMVMN7rSTkhoZsO5RJ-KsPl3yShIdssfa040x68e0/s1600/486806_10151176461333948_519379909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR1W2S5m5itCAyZON1_NV-yD-Q91cyqoDkhBVMp7Bz_qjl1y6ZIh6LlcuNfBQlD6pQpD7BTmgH1zZfFECnGu860nGIIe2sR40yknMVMN7rSTkhoZsO5RJ-KsPl3yShIdssfa040x68e0/s400/486806_10151176461333948_519379909_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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This was taken the day we brought her home. </div>
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I took her to the groomer to have her trimmed up since I know NOTHING about a long haired dachshund, and they put this bow in her hair. (Nick HATED that) She kept it in about an hour and then it was gone. How cute is she?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mlYuM2WQOiWGjfU0lJeHxjFhQaj7GAwPNx6rx8YLecZFryx2LwYmoklVGNva-zANU9pCzNxn04u6y3JmFVLkvYX098VDZe_Mh7J8i8PFYWaUhF_8wyOwbAUTRsdtnKbrsFcS4nUEsEE/s1600/554552_10151182125578948_1080610696_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mlYuM2WQOiWGjfU0lJeHxjFhQaj7GAwPNx6rx8YLecZFryx2LwYmoklVGNva-zANU9pCzNxn04u6y3JmFVLkvYX098VDZe_Mh7J8i8PFYWaUhF_8wyOwbAUTRsdtnKbrsFcS4nUEsEE/s400/554552_10151182125578948_1080610696_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is where she is most of the time. On back of one of the couches in the house. She can see out the window that way and is the queen of the house. </div>
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I have enjoyed this little dog so much. It's amazing that I was able to rescue her but she has given me so much in return. </div>
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Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-18000951761583670852012-10-14T12:11:00.000-04:002012-10-14T12:12:49.436-04:00CleoI know it's been a very long time since I've been around. It's been a rough few months for me.<br />
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Three weeks to the day after losing our lab, Max, we lost our little sassy Dachshund, Cleo. <br />
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I have to say, after losing my dad in April, losing Max in August, having that second dog die was almost more than I could take.<br />
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I'll back up a little and give more information. <br />
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Max was put to sleep on a Sunday night in August. One week later, Cleo started coughing. I couldn't imagine that she would have kennel cough, because she just had not been exposed. I made an appointment at our vet's office and after two sleepless nights of her coughing, I took her in. <br />
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I knew Cleo had a heart murmur, it had been diagnosed about a year or two ago. The vet tells me that with the heart valve not quite closing, she was probably getting a little fluid in her chest and put her on a diuretic to help relieve that fluid. He told me to give her a half pill twice a day. We did that and she stopped coughing!<br />
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Two weeks later, she started coughing again. Sunday night...once again. I was up with her during the night because she was very restless. It wasn't like before when she would cough and just lie back down and go to sleep. This time, every time she coughed, she would move to another place to try to sleep. Finally, at 1:00 a.m. I was exhausted and went upstairs and left her in the living room to roam. She followed me up in about 20 minutes. At around 2:00 a.m. I heard her go under our bed and start wheezing. <br />
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Nick awakened at that point and asked about her. I told him the story and we went looking for her under our bed. She had found a duffel bag Nick had stored under there and made it her bed. When we pulled the bag out from under the bed, she was lifeless and her breathing had a gurgling sound. She had pooped herself and I knew then, we were close to the end. <br />
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Nick picked her up and she was so limp. I wrapped her in towels, took her collar off and we loaded her into the car. <br />
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I was hysterical, I won't lie. I was truly wailing and thinking of having to call my sweet daughter away at school and tell her about her puppy.<br />
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I sat in the back seat with her as she took her last breaths just a few minutes later. We arrived at the vet clinic so they could confirm she was gone and left her there to have her remains cremated and scattered on the mountain with Max and the other beloved pets lost. <br />
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I thought it would be liberating to have no pets for a while, but it's been just awful. I need someone to get up in the morning and take care of. I need someone to greet me and need me when I get home. Nick will be deploying again in the next few months and I truly can't see doing this alone. <br />
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So, I we did adopt another dog. I will write more about her later. Today's post is about this dog.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZmxIwJKoYJWL3h_LopcDkA9AFR1XT3q2OVO02stGQrJET_KcBEdkblErvL9YbH0W7zQvIdB28TM1yOdX6wFQk-ImBow7SeHarGXosLHr42RLJOZmSxDRjhbsGis027zWnzEQNIPH2o8/s1600/Cleo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZmxIwJKoYJWL3h_LopcDkA9AFR1XT3q2OVO02stGQrJET_KcBEdkblErvL9YbH0W7zQvIdB28TM1yOdX6wFQk-ImBow7SeHarGXosLHr42RLJOZmSxDRjhbsGis027zWnzEQNIPH2o8/s400/Cleo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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She was a sassy little dog that drove me crazy. But she had great personality. </div>
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The day she stopped breathing she had a wonderful time. She had a walk, a bath, and a steak bone after our dinner. We started spoiling her quite a bit after we lost Max. </div>
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I will miss this silly, barking little dog. </div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-51410608914220870552012-08-23T12:16:00.001-04:002012-08-23T12:16:16.343-04:00MaxAlmost two weeks ago, we lost our sweet lab, Max. <br />
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Max was 13 years old and was a pound puppy. Nick had him when we got married and he's been with me through two deployments. <br />
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Needless to say, it's been a sad couple of weeks at our house. I miss Max every day. <br />
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I like to think of sweet Max playing with my dad now, who only ever called him "Rover" <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JnVFAwXkI3jFzimIJl8NmyF-ISff87lbcVUhfUf_AKbOWOweGIcQWbCE0crk4f87r193XiGAtJnqiPcqy3JyLjH-pWjTAeVEByx8eLFcOB5ZjHyQW8IrjgpoXYzKd8wNkEdyNpvjGXE/s1600/Max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JnVFAwXkI3jFzimIJl8NmyF-ISff87lbcVUhfUf_AKbOWOweGIcQWbCE0crk4f87r193XiGAtJnqiPcqy3JyLjH-pWjTAeVEByx8eLFcOB5ZjHyQW8IrjgpoXYzKd8wNkEdyNpvjGXE/s400/Max.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-32310719623148591992012-07-21T13:50:00.000-04:002012-07-21T13:50:41.264-04:00Chocolate TourWhile the kids were visiting, my daughter-in-law, Meghan, celebrated her birthday. I know Meghan loves all things chocolate, so when walking around Seattle several months ago, and seeing advertisements for Savor Seattle's "Chocolate Indulgence Tour" I knew that was the birthday gift for Meghan.<br />
I booked the tour, took Meghan and Callie and hit the road. It was fabulous! It was a one mile walking tour in downtown Seattle and took two hours. It was so much fun. <br />
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The tour group gathered in the Mayflower Park Hotel. Once we put on our lovely headsets, so we could hear our guide as we walked, we headed to the hotel bar. It wasn't open yet, it was only 11:00 AM, but the bartender was there and he mixed us up a yummy chocolate cocktail. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n9ZxDlPMlOTWshrq5A9JG5YolUd7WPo0eJY2BRdEIeVm0XVsJU-wGgW32S5DQ-3uWReWyclOqaCqvcpSyxeqcSZW1QMe30fwRjULxj85uWsr5R-6mls3wVlk6T-hNCoW3oX61Kq-MUw/s1600/DSCN1302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0n9ZxDlPMlOTWshrq5A9JG5YolUd7WPo0eJY2BRdEIeVm0XVsJU-wGgW32S5DQ-3uWReWyclOqaCqvcpSyxeqcSZW1QMe30fwRjULxj85uWsr5R-6mls3wVlk6T-hNCoW3oX61Kq-MUw/s400/DSCN1302.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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You really have to love a tour that starts in the bar. And who wouldn't want a chocolate cocktail?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uAYB-yJxNUhjl1cqC5fyS7rDQwuYttKRYhZ15t7tvus1DW0140RtYOqmX7eTTC0ZgkYZRZbhQQ_6SaI6b0gnW7xNt05gB3_pIKNw3_E8-fx5qPLwUs4iHXjIQRE_-oEsPY1rc1fRDpc/s1600/DSCN1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uAYB-yJxNUhjl1cqC5fyS7rDQwuYttKRYhZ15t7tvus1DW0140RtYOqmX7eTTC0ZgkYZRZbhQQ_6SaI6b0gnW7xNt05gB3_pIKNw3_E8-fx5qPLwUs4iHXjIQRE_-oEsPY1rc1fRDpc/s400/DSCN1303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The drink was called "The Seattle Flatliner" It was GOOD. </div>
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Next stop, The Chocolate Box</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw8U0AD_Pq6beYeIl3Fi_HGOvmqPD1jtSeb-YS5HPFhkThmfRWAAPZmaqWV2lzr_xJiTZWXwpsdDCCziK7tpK1vMwA-uBOFUvuBhgSK3kF4qnoTPuRbF3QUaO3g54IQZxhgy8f4cQXwc/s1600/DSCN1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw8U0AD_Pq6beYeIl3Fi_HGOvmqPD1jtSeb-YS5HPFhkThmfRWAAPZmaqWV2lzr_xJiTZWXwpsdDCCziK7tpK1vMwA-uBOFUvuBhgSK3kF4qnoTPuRbF3QUaO3g54IQZxhgy8f4cQXwc/s400/DSCN1310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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At The Chocolate Box, we had sipping chocolate. It's like hot chocolate on steroids. SOOOO rich and good. This particular sample of sipping chocolate had a homemade strawberry marshmallow down inside. YUM.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPxSzPV-TPLkj8MB0fGpZMzzZKYN40JRP6tNwcptHQm1SNalpvWigmNKTJtxA4yPxMRiyiJ352xXpweVX0RuNCEvHf9H5-YILNYBJNO5hTAzr0iiZ8jP9RXGvRvNu8iBOUJ6VO9TxgEM/s1600/DSCN1305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPxSzPV-TPLkj8MB0fGpZMzzZKYN40JRP6tNwcptHQm1SNalpvWigmNKTJtxA4yPxMRiyiJ352xXpweVX0RuNCEvHf9H5-YILNYBJNO5hTAzr0iiZ8jP9RXGvRvNu8iBOUJ6VO9TxgEM/s400/DSCN1305.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Dahlia Bakery was next on our tour. Here we had the most delicious coconut cream pie...made with white chocolate. Oh my! It's a good thing it was a small sample. </div>
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Pictures out of order here. This sign was over The Chocolate Box, where they also had a wine bar. What's not to love?</div>
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I have to admit, I can't remember the name of the bakery where we got the delicious cheesecake. It was right across the street from Pikes Market and they put a birthday candle in Meghan's piece. So sweet. </div>
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Next stop was KuKuRuZa gourmet popcorn. I was so looking forward to this place. I love popcorn. I love salty and sweet together. This was heaven. I didn't get photos of the popcorn or the inside of the shop. I admit, I was very busy sampling. I brought home the Hawaiian Salt & Caramel popcorn. Well, I brought some of it home. I ate a lot before I got there with it.</div>
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Last stop was Fran's chocolates. This place looked like a jewelry store but with chocolates instead of precious jewels in the glass cases. </div>
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I treated myself to the Gray and Smoked Salt Caramels. I have one every few days. It's so good I almost can't stand it. </div>
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We had such a good time on the tour. I failed to mention the tea shop we stopped at. I wasn't impressed with chocolate infused tea.... just my opinion.<br />
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If you're ever in the Seattle area, Savor Seattle has several foodie tours. I'd like to take Nick on the brewery one. He loves beer and would love that one, I bet. <br />
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No one paid me to take this tour or write about it. I bought my own ticket and my opinions are my own!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-40902385182554335272012-07-19T00:39:00.000-04:002012-07-19T00:39:06.349-04:00Kids and the 4th of JulySince I'm so far behind, it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that I'm just now writing about our 4th of July.<br />
We had kids fly in on the 3rd of July. JD and his wife Meghan, and our daughter Callie. Callie visited us in January, but JD and Meghan had not been here yet. Since they are all sweltering in the Texas heat, they were more than glad to be here in the Pacific Northwest where the weather is JUST NOW getting warm. <br />
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We had absolutely fantastic weather while they were here. <br />
These kids spent a 4th of July with me in Hawaii a few years ago when Nick was deployed. It was the first time JD and Meghan had ever been on a military installation for Independence Day. They loved it. They loved the cannons, the tribute to the states, the music, fireworks and the overall atmosphere. I can't blame them. There is nowhere I'd rather be to celebrate Independence Day than with our country's heroes.<br />
Needless to say, they were so excited to spend this holiday with us here.<br />
The day started with a parade. Nick's brigade supports a local town outside of our installation. It's a very small town but they had a parade on July 4th. Because Nick is the commander, he got to be in the parade. Guess who got to ride with him? That's right, me! The second car in the parade was the Command Sergeant Major. His wife isn't here with him yet, so the girls rode with him and they loved it!<br />
Here are a few photos of the parade that day.<br />
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Soldiers of the Brigade carrying the colors. </div>
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There we are! Our 15 (well, more like 5) minutes of fame.</div>
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Getting ready to get started.</div>
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Pretty girls in a cool car.</div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoix0vsROQvZh89-a2jD_g9-aSrbXFRzsInXhM6GSKR3yy_Y_7p54Om1ltkl_YO8bz0fCucL50wD91qZvakkHNzfFmZBQrHCQALyxcj9cjC4UwgiSVif_dheiy3KA6szlHfo0Ivv9UKnk/s400/parade5.png" width="400" /><br />
They LOVED playing Miss America in the parade.<br />
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I'm afraid none of us were as popular as the Stryker vehicle. It is pretty cool.</div>
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Soldiers giving out candy. The kids loved it.</div>
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Here is Callie and me waiting for it to get dark and for the fireworks show to start. They gave out these funky glasses that are supposed to enhance the whole firework watching experience. I found they made me dizzy. It could be because I'm old. I'm not sure. </div>
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It was a great day. I'm so thankful to have shared this day with the kids. I only wish more of them could have been here. </div>
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I will share more of their trip in a later post. </div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-63474473100083597102012-07-10T02:11:00.000-04:002012-07-10T02:11:13.729-04:00Catching UpI am so far behind in blogging that I don't even know where to begin. I wonder though, is anyone even out there anymore?<br />
I went to visit my mom several weeks ago and attended a park bench dedication in honor of my dad who was a volunteer in this park.<br />
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My dad, and the other Master Gardeners in their little town, met once a week to plant, weed and do general maintenance on a beautiful city park. So, the gardeners donated this in memory of my father. <br />
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It was a beautiful summer day and was one that my dad would've enjoyed. </div>
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Here is the inscription that dedicates the bench to my dad. </div>
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My mom, sister and me enjoying the day at the park.</div>
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We all shed a few tears as the group took turns speaking of my dad. There were several laughs that morning too. My dad was a joyous man and would have wanted us to laugh. The funniest part was when the guy speaking said "It's ironic that we are putting a bench out here for Paul, because the man never sat down."</div>
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He's right. My dad was a hard worker. I learned so much from him. My love of the outdoors, growing things and playing in the dirt and my strong work ethic. Most of all, I learned that life is full of joy and should be enjoyed with those you love. </div>
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In the next few days, I will try to post more of the things that have been going and that have been neglected. I am also going to try to catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs! I've missed you guys!!</div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-52163743631579645392012-05-17T15:48:00.001-04:002012-05-17T15:48:49.051-04:00Madame PresidentYesterday was the last spouses' club luncheon of this year. As I have mentioned, I have been selected to be next year's club President. Why, you ask? Because the Commanding General's wife asked me and I didn't have the guts to say no. That's it in a nutshell. And.. I'm always up for a challenge. <br />
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We started our luncheon with the "passing of the torch" if you will. Only we passed flowers. .. roses to be exact. The outgoing president gave a white rose to each of the current board members. The incoming president (me) gave a pink rose to the new board members. I received one white rose as outgoing membership chair, and one pink rose as incoming president. Not sure how I ended up with a vase full of roses, but they were stuck in my bag when I finished yesterday.<br />
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I am not complaining.. I do love fresh flowers in my house.</div>
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This collection is the contents of a gift bag the outgoing president gave me. Here are each of the items along with her explanation of them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM3INyn4gtXJrR3qSXivzst9hfF7W6eQ-lgYwf451gzoeK5caF8vsTQpOCyPzTYsallxd4hg8qbRKpIBiWU4G-t6JPxPcN3uksqTVHOsRjGruBDY40P3Iglu5iS9OIPc0iEqWbgkfIss/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM3INyn4gtXJrR3qSXivzst9hfF7W6eQ-lgYwf451gzoeK5caF8vsTQpOCyPzTYsallxd4hg8qbRKpIBiWU4G-t6JPxPcN3uksqTVHOsRjGruBDY40P3Iglu5iS9OIPc0iEqWbgkfIss/s400/DSCN1194.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Claudia told me that when she took over the presidency, she was given a candy bar with nuts in it, because you had to be nuts to volunteer to be president. She gave me a whole jar of nuts...what do you think that even means??</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAYwMmji4-Q7OSlLupzVtiBE1CdnR-Ay011TMDA7zD6RQqInwRW3-Q5k_5-m5xTjvisWDtBibW2GULw9RkoSFvZYetE-T2mO4Ck2ADLhhPylPiWu4uqsOvY99qRG9n5ZZSpwyPdeCwv4/s1600/DSCN1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPAYwMmji4-Q7OSlLupzVtiBE1CdnR-Ay011TMDA7zD6RQqInwRW3-Q5k_5-m5xTjvisWDtBibW2GULw9RkoSFvZYetE-T2mO4Ck2ADLhhPylPiWu4uqsOvY99qRG9n5ZZSpwyPdeCwv4/s400/DSCN1195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next was a packet of Motrin, for the headaches that are sure to come, and Tums for the stomach acid. </div>
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A bottle of stress relief bubble bath. This I will use, for sure.</div>
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Booze...this goes without saying, right?</div>
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She ended the little presentation by giving me this bag of chocolates and wishing me nothing but "Bliss" with my presidency.</div>
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After the luncheon and the fun Bingo, I met with Claudia to get to the more business side of things. Wow, can you say "overwhelming"? This is my dining room table this morning. The binder of paperwork that just scratches the surface, my two calendars because one ends at the end of June, a pair of sunglasses someone left at the luncheon that ended up at my house, a new binder that I've started for next year, the AARs (After Action Reviews) from all previous board members on how their year was, and a set of keys that would choke a horse. Seriously. Check this out:</div>
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These are all for one building. How can one building have so many locks? I love the key chain she passed on that says Army Wife. It's not clear here, but I do love it. </div>
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So, let the ride begin! I'm taking notes, reading reports and getting ready for my first meetings. I have a feeling the chocolate and alcohol in this gift bag doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what I'll consume this year.</div>
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Thanks, Claudia, for a fabulous year. You have left big shoes to fill, but I will do my best :)</div>
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<br /></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-694739092772966882012-05-16T22:41:00.000-04:002012-05-16T22:41:56.707-04:00Keepin' OnFirst, let me say thank you to everyone who posted sweet comments or sent thoughtful emails to me regarding my last post and the passing of my dad. I have received such an outpouring of love, from my "virtual" friends as well as my real life buddies. I am truly blessed.<br />
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Secondly, I want to address my follow up visit to the hospital. I realized, after someone asked me about it, that I never finished that story.<br />
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As soon as I came home from Arkansas, my husband pushed me to re-schedule the follow up mammogram. I had it done a few days later. <br />
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The second scan was followed by an ultra sound. They never said why, and I didn't ask. I remained calm because there was nothing to be done until I heard it all, right?<br />
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The ultra sound showed nothing. I had a real doctor do the ultra sound, something that is not always done in the Army. Our Army doctors are taking care of wounded Soldiers, and I understand that. But, this time, I got the expert. He found a spot and said, there it is.. that's the one I'm looking for. Then he said, no, it's just a cyst. Cysts are good, they're not cancer and they don't bother anyone. Those were his words.<br />
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He went on to say that because of the density of my breast tissue, I would probably always need a second scan and possibly an ultra sound because it's hard to read it with just a mammogram. I said, that's fine, I'll be happy to have you smash, poke, scan and smear that gel all over the girls to get a good reading.<br />
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As for the rest of me, I'm doing as well as can be expected. I'm staying very busy with all my volunteer activities, not to mention my friends and family. I'm planning another trip in a few weeks to visit my mom and help her with some more business stuff and just spend some time with her. <br />
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I'm getting on with my life. I'm taking care of my family and other things I'm committed to. That's what my dad would expect. It's what he would have wanted.<br />
<br />Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-11179335252920739412012-05-08T20:25:00.000-04:002012-05-08T20:25:53.638-04:00The Worst Day EverI have been putting off writing this post. I knew it would be emotional, but I just couldn't seem to sit down and write about it. Even now, before I'm even started well, my stomach hurts. I had to do it though, because daily, I think of things I want to blog about, but it didn't seem right to keep writing about every day life when my heart is breaking and I haven't talked about the worst day of my life so far. <br />
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Thursday, April 12, started off rocky. I hadn't slept well in three nights and I was cranky, tired and emotional. To top it all off, I felt a cold sore coming. I had just had one a month earlier and I was like.. "really, again?" <br />
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Then, early afternoon, the hospital called and said I needed a second mammogram, and it needed to be tomorrow. Nothing scary about that, right? I broke down and cried. I called my husband at work and I never do that. I talked to my friend Carla and cried to her. She reassured me and reminded me that she's living proof that you can get through breast cancer, if that was even a thought to me. Nick reassured me as well and told me to lie down and take a nap. He knew I hadn't been sleeping well and that I was exhausted. <br />
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I had just taken to the couch with my blankie when my cell phone rang. My sister's name popped up. My sister never calls me. I knew something was wrong. I didn't answer. I wanted to put whatever it was off a little longer. I really thought I couldn't take whatever it was. She left a voice mail, I listened to it and all she said was "call me as soon as you can" I didn't.<br />
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I put my head back down and no more than five minutes later, the back door opens and Nick came in. I knew then it was serious. She had called him. I said oh gosh, did my sister call you? He said yes. I told him it must be bad and he told me my dad had suffered a stroke. Now my dad has had heart disease for years. Heart attacks, open heart surgery, stints etc and has always bounced back. A stroke threw me. I literally lost it. I was sobbing, crying out NO! Then it dawned on me, I didn't ask how bad it was. I said "He's going to be alright, isn't he?" Nick said, no babe, he's not. Then I realized he might already be gone. He said no, but they don't expect him to make it through the night. <br />
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Suffice it to say that I was hysterical. The thought of losing my dad was heart breaking. <br />
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To make a long story a little shorter, I flew out that night, arrived in Arkansas the next morning in time for them to wheel my dad to test his brain function. He had none. We took him off the life support after telling him our tearful good-byes. It was the worst thing I've ever been through.<br />
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It's been over three weeks and it is still so raw and so painful I wonder if I will ever get over it. And my poor mother, if it hurts me like this, how is she living through it? <br />
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The three days after my dad's passing were a blur. Funeral plans, so many people coming by, so much food, so many tears. It was overwhelming. <br />
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I will write more about his service later. For now, I have typed out and seen in print that my dad is gone. Maybe I can finish the story of his leaving this world and be able to move on with my thoughts. <br />
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My positive encouragement? My dad was the most Godly man I know. There is no doubt in my mind that he is singing with the angels now and is happier than any of us left here behind. <br />
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Here is a photo of my dad, mom and me last October when they came here to visit. It was taken on our drive up Mt. Rainier. My dad had just said something silly and made us laugh. I love to remember him this way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL5bH332KARpsZZp7BKC-s0OPClXsR2QSiiTcLalvThTwlcNWhGEmRwDYKb-xqiJfcm_4HIXK8dZdIWkfKuydVC44L4iOara_pBjH2OvLWIIBRAzHzqXF1_mS4qhcGZFtka1JGbw8MjY/s1600/Mom+and+dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL5bH332KARpsZZp7BKC-s0OPClXsR2QSiiTcLalvThTwlcNWhGEmRwDYKb-xqiJfcm_4HIXK8dZdIWkfKuydVC44L4iOara_pBjH2OvLWIIBRAzHzqXF1_mS4qhcGZFtka1JGbw8MjY/s400/Mom+and+dad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-45864760420856324622012-04-03T20:44:00.000-04:002012-04-03T20:44:21.755-04:00Priorities....Can it seriously have been almost a month since I last posted? I'm a bad blogger. I think of things to write about, then don't make time to sit down and write it. Is it possible to be that overwhelmed?<br />
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I have a lot going on. That's just the way it is. Most of it I do to myself. I volunteer. A LOT. So many things are important to me and I want to participate in everything! However, that means you have to be uber organized and so far, I'm struggling with that. <br />
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So, I figured out that I need to treat my life and volunteer activities as I would a full time paying job. I need to prioritize my list of things to do and schedule them, on my calendar, to finish them. <br />
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Honestly, the prioritizing has been difficult. I realized that to do anything well, I need to let a few things go. I don't want to end up doing lots of stuff, but nothing gets done very well. So, I let a few things go. I have also admitted that I can't do it all, and asked for help. I have several people in every organization that wants to help, so I'm letting them. It's very liberating to be able to pass something off to a willing helper and it makes them feel good too.<br />
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I have allowed myself to be nominated for the president's position on our spouses club board next year. I am seriously pumped about this opportunity and excited to see what we can do next year. However, it is a big time consuming thing. So, I have made myself schedule specific times during the week to sit down and focus on club work. Other scheduled events, besides the obvious meetings, are answering email, organizing my calendar so everything fits in, and paperwork. Oh the paperwork. If I don't keep up with board reports, agendas, minutes etc, I get so far behind I can't see ahead anymore. Not to mention housework. I am seriously putting on my calendar things like laundry, clean the bathroom etc. <br />
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So, that's what I'm working on now. I'm planning my system to be more organized with my time. If you have calendar tips, lists etc that help you stay on track, please share! I'd love to hear them.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-62700583450912358332012-03-12T20:49:00.000-04:002012-03-12T20:49:06.410-04:00Creative Army WivesOne of the things on my full calendar is a "Mock Dining In" coming up this Friday. It's an event being held by the Spouses' Club here and is a fundraiser for the many wonderful things this club does in our community.<br />
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For those of you not familiar with a Dining In, an Army tradition, I will do my best to explain. Since it's an all Soldier event, I've never attended a Dining In, but my husband has. <br />
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So these Soldiers get together for a formal night out... no spouses. They dress up, eat food, drink lots and smoke cigars. I think the motto is "What happens at the Dining In, stays at the Dining In" So, we are having our own evening with this theme.<br />
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These ladies are serious about their Dining In. Tickets are sold according to units. Each unit is responsible for decorating their table and the theme is "Unit Pride" So, we are engineers.. we'll decorate our table in that fashion. Get it?<br />
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There are two different kinds of Army Engineers. One is a construction unit. They build things. Bridges, roads, buildings, do all kinds of infrastructure. It speaks for itself. <br />
The others are combat engineers. They blow things up. They are the guys who do the road clearance and get rid of those pesky IEDs we hear so much about. We appreciate them.. LOTS.<br />
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We have two tables and each will represent one side of the Engineer house. Dirt movers, bridges, somehow blowing things up, etc. I'm not the creative one, I just facilitate the others.<br />
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We are also dressing the part. We painted t-shirts with the engineer castle on them, will wear jeans, tool belts, boots and hard hats with our cool shirts. <br />
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Today we got together to paint the shirts. I'm always amazed at what a group of Army wives can do. These girls rock and we're going to have custom shirts at our event! <br />
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Enjoy a few photos of our shirts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCEOXDEp5RIjONQINkGGEzaT52gIIE3uszAhBqhOIjxjcIr851jFjVhHei9hYTdjZFryLeuuK9H67THSNRniBRV9OC1DgobaWgt5uM8DZpaEk72PDcnlDU6jILaB5fN7k0PpnddzPSAc/s1600/DSCN1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCEOXDEp5RIjONQINkGGEzaT52gIIE3uszAhBqhOIjxjcIr851jFjVhHei9hYTdjZFryLeuuK9H67THSNRniBRV9OC1DgobaWgt5uM8DZpaEk72PDcnlDU6jILaB5fN7k0PpnddzPSAc/s400/DSCN1082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It looks like somebody bled out.. doesn't it?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGbDomDSVWojDcehyPg2OkAEmM_cIkJzAUCmIIICHAnLdwTfmuqFZNq0MwtSpwzgHm_8DGTDu34D1wNe3cDV89EE5vKV7TYnDXltOIg_v46JQnuMropHmEu6L1pi5fAOoL90h2bvAVFg/s1600/DSCN1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGbDomDSVWojDcehyPg2OkAEmM_cIkJzAUCmIIICHAnLdwTfmuqFZNq0MwtSpwzgHm_8DGTDu34D1wNe3cDV89EE5vKV7TYnDXltOIg_v46JQnuMropHmEu6L1pi5fAOoL90h2bvAVFg/s400/DSCN1083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Launa, working her magic with a can of fabric spray paint. Who knew there was fabric spray paint?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29yuKE3sXzOcCcD3CQ1-KQEp9r6uIPZHiZqe0aZrA27idF7YpMuEUEQ2P0c-3rv_4nz3_td6RaQe7nL0477pSEzsSEKmXtZosQpnaeTruKovCu7Maj1ePk5dyO2dFDIxYXvsVawkqzq0/s1600/DSCN1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29yuKE3sXzOcCcD3CQ1-KQEp9r6uIPZHiZqe0aZrA27idF7YpMuEUEQ2P0c-3rv_4nz3_td6RaQe7nL0477pSEzsSEKmXtZosQpnaeTruKovCu7Maj1ePk5dyO2dFDIxYXvsVawkqzq0/s400/DSCN1084.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlqOq2WnD3I-6pRj2HCR5e6e08I4wVHy0cOvCepkZx2PsWqtn14uXCQa8wugz8pVixZhn-S7LsXpkZPyhvOOj8MM2WKp6Ia3pGUozcJkY_0drvs-0cNp2iWHeAADwNzAEbL5Xa8WnByA/s1600/DSCN1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlqOq2WnD3I-6pRj2HCR5e6e08I4wVHy0cOvCepkZx2PsWqtn14uXCQa8wugz8pVixZhn-S7LsXpkZPyhvOOj8MM2WKp6Ia3pGUozcJkY_0drvs-0cNp2iWHeAADwNzAEbL5Xa8WnByA/s400/DSCN1086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hanging to dry. Tomorrow I will distribute the shirts!! </div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-22753939724510729242012-03-09T12:55:00.000-05:002012-03-09T12:55:17.169-05:00Where is the Time Going?I just read my last post and can't believe that I left all of you hanging, waiting on my menu post. I'm kidding.. I know that no one lost sleep over that. <br />
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I was just looking at my calendar, trying to squeeze one more evening event in there, and realized that time is not on my side lately.<br />
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As an Army wife, there have been times when I have desperately wanted time to fly, and times when I wished for it to drag. The older I get, the faster it seems to go.. except during a deployment, of course.<br />
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With Nick taking brigade command, I find myself entertaining more and wanting to reach out to more groups of spouses. I struggle with trying to fit it all in every month. It may come down to re-prioritizing some events.<br />
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Speaking of time demands, this week, I agreed to be nominated to be the president of our community's spouses' club. It was a difficult decision and I took several days to think and pray about it, but decided I could do this and maybe make a difference in a club that has been two years in transition. I'm excited to serve the military spouses in this community and hope I don't tarnish my name in the process.<br />
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So, here's to more hours in the day, more days in the month, and to delegating to others! Let's hope I can follow my own advice. <br />
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Here is a look at my calendar. I thought I might pretty it up a bit for you, but decided you can see it in all it's glory. Scribbles, scratched out events and all...piled up on other papers that need to be filed, shredded and gone through. Sounds like a project for this weekend.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrigHCYoVxq9fencos1zF3CYNHGU60koFng-ahkAcc5qlM-q9Qp_a-UQLFhnRtcTXPG8TI2N5CI-HddNyZaZFXan93v9lFt0juRKwNUNcR-a75BPddH_g3M1vBoN8YCd1t-K06tOBLI-I/s1600/IMAG0219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrigHCYoVxq9fencos1zF3CYNHGU60koFng-ahkAcc5qlM-q9Qp_a-UQLFhnRtcTXPG8TI2N5CI-HddNyZaZFXan93v9lFt0juRKwNUNcR-a75BPddH_g3M1vBoN8YCd1t-K06tOBLI-I/s320/IMAG0219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are a few events I haven't written in yet, because I'm still deciding what day to do them!! Not to mention the entertaining Nick wants to do that I will have to squeeze in somewhere.</div><br />
Happy Friday everyone. I hope your weekend is fantastic!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-6523662138318198202012-02-20T22:42:00.000-05:002012-02-20T22:42:35.614-05:00Crunchy Hamburger CasseroleA while back, I blogged about a new<a href="http://paula-queenofmycastle.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-cookbook.html"> cookbook</a> I had discovered. This cookbook takes me back to my Southern roots and really brings back memories. I have re-discovered old favorites (that I had completely forgotten about) and found new things to try as well.<br />
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I was digging through cookbooks yesterday and found a recipe for Crunchy Hamburger Casserole. It doesn't even sound right, does it? Anyway, I started reading through it and realized I had every ingredient in my pantry (and freezer) already. That just doesn't happen very often. So, I put it on today's menu.<br />
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Before I post pictures, let me just tell you that I was too lazy to run upstairs and get my camera. The very nice camera that Nick bought a while back and that I just love to pieces. Yes..that's the one. Instead, I grabbed my phone and snapped a few photos with it. I lost one of the photos. I don't have one of the finished casserole. That will teach me about lazy, won't it?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITPbheWiY-_hSeEWCpUBpXmpYRIu8-OPlaILkzNTTh4VqHvhqcOWD9MstzvEdKp9mKaROreFyk1PxDO17fYTFNrqTeDCjmyrpqkybFdtb3rEALjtqncbNCbWyxMdusXJZAJ7uuFYd-Mk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITPbheWiY-_hSeEWCpUBpXmpYRIu8-OPlaILkzNTTh4VqHvhqcOWD9MstzvEdKp9mKaROreFyk1PxDO17fYTFNrqTeDCjmyrpqkybFdtb3rEALjtqncbNCbWyxMdusXJZAJ7uuFYd-Mk/s400/photo.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz0pyIuHe3D_8s_8jIg_0mpU9w9-hgmsg7R1UZSeQZJd99_CBy1nTscDShPZAFI7SOxUkrqTPaOGz3tgtXsEB7FHe13e6yiRRvVljaiIlulbtoJgvSilrPptgpAmPONFySbFuXE7hWJg/s1600/mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz0pyIuHe3D_8s_8jIg_0mpU9w9-hgmsg7R1UZSeQZJd99_CBy1nTscDShPZAFI7SOxUkrqTPaOGz3tgtXsEB7FHe13e6yiRRvVljaiIlulbtoJgvSilrPptgpAmPONFySbFuXE7hWJg/s400/mail.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There you have it. The total of my photos for tonight's dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The verdict?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I'll be honest. When I first tried it, I thought eh, it's good, but not sure it's a keeper. My next thought was, it would make a great potluck recipe. After a few more minutes, I liked it more. My boys didn't say anything for a little while, then Alex looks up and says, "This is really good." SCORE! It's a keeper. Nick liked it too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's SO easy and a great comfort food. I will definitely keep this one around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The one change I made was to substitute a can of regular Ro-tel for the canned tomatoes. Picky boy who likes no spice didn't even notice. Score again!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, give this one a try, and go check Christy out at<a href="http://www.southernplate.com/"> Southern Plate</a>. Here is the <a href="http://www.southernplate.com/2009/07/crunchy-beef-casserole-and-my-casserole-dish-collection.html">link to the recipe,</a> because I didn't bring the book upstairs with me and that laziness is preventing me from going down to get it. Lucky for me Christy posts so much on her blog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's Monday evening and it's been a four day weekend. This week is packed with a trip to the doctor for my physical, (oh joy) a company Change of Command, and I'm hosting a get together on Thursday night at my home. By Friday, I will be done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow, I will share this week's menu. Right now, that second glass of wine is calling my name. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy Monday!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-41018599597755824532012-02-15T16:02:00.000-05:002012-02-15T16:02:30.405-05:00My ValentinesFirst let me say, we don't do much for Valentine's Day at our house. I don't think it's a big deal and I can tell you for sure that my husband isn't a huge fan. So, we normally buy each other a card and maybe go have a nice dinner...any night OTHER than Valentine's evening.<br />
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I did, however, want to do a little something for the teen aged boy in my house. What to do...??? He loves sweets, so I went to the store and looked at candy. That doesn't have much thought behind it, does it?<br />
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I remembered that he's been asking me for AGES to make him some apple turnovers. So, I remembered the puff pastry in my freezer. How to make them special? Heart shaped? So, I googled an apple turnover recipe and made a plan.<br />
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I found the recipe here at <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-turnovers/">http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-turnovers/</a> They looked easy enough, so the night before last, I got my puff pastry out of the freezer and left it in the fridge to thaw. <br />
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Yesterday, I dug around and found my heart shaped cookie cutter. I found it and was on my way. <br />
Other than cutting the recipe in half, I followed it exactly. Oh, except for the lemon juice. I didn't have that. I used my apples right away so browning wasn't an issue.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SGjBPi3FcCBLs5wjJm0NiaEtiFXBvWC1ckM-Xpko2Z0HONP5B-lKr3igpZ5UKuToVipAwGd1oUX3wDdyk3r_MTY-Edaoyr-1zdFSXJkaSb2Ud9IXxuqQV20QyiTuANAiZF2m-PeYmxs/s1600/DSCN1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SGjBPi3FcCBLs5wjJm0NiaEtiFXBvWC1ckM-Xpko2Z0HONP5B-lKr3igpZ5UKuToVipAwGd1oUX3wDdyk3r_MTY-Edaoyr-1zdFSXJkaSb2Ud9IXxuqQV20QyiTuANAiZF2m-PeYmxs/s400/DSCN1043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Butter in the pan. I have to say, I love the smell of butter melting in a skillet. Can I get an Amen?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn15QBEt_oJkXGEfdICQpqNuMlEIFaR9_U0QSesUAWARZuFoAgc7MN2yyz0_HSvJN_TSR-rJONPzNyYAcRnmgKoeNUkoBscsr4WI4qvRA8JsEgisyVU9k8G-N_Nzse4Hf8Ek0YpAdx9uA/s1600/DSCN1044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn15QBEt_oJkXGEfdICQpqNuMlEIFaR9_U0QSesUAWARZuFoAgc7MN2yyz0_HSvJN_TSR-rJONPzNyYAcRnmgKoeNUkoBscsr4WI4qvRA8JsEgisyVU9k8G-N_Nzse4Hf8Ek0YpAdx9uA/s400/DSCN1044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apples starting to cook.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQjmz_-eyDkOUdzF60YMN7g8qy2kpESjYUhnzG-AUBbyFqZmnIBkLhukaTYQ650tktVjy-sqX6NAbp1crYh7qh7fnV7wVi_O4qX2P4PKFUMvqig6oYcixLcjiQG3ydRSIpo3gyqUUc4Q/s1600/DSCN1045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQjmz_-eyDkOUdzF60YMN7g8qy2kpESjYUhnzG-AUBbyFqZmnIBkLhukaTYQ650tktVjy-sqX6NAbp1crYh7qh7fnV7wVi_O4qX2P4PKFUMvqig6oYcixLcjiQG3ydRSIpo3gyqUUc4Q/s400/DSCN1045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apples with brown sugar and cinnamon added. What's better than the smell of butter melting in a skillet? The smell of butter, apples, brown sugar and cinnamon. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrILC8pntzfog1wIyMYEGdBBA5vXIBxcmcifiVrJFZAnzuaU44NjT_0hk-IjhEzfl3LjxzD5cp3dZc5ExCsDJfpmPnDRrHfBA9m_YKNIV8E0aSOH6LzV5pCg8_9fttrVJ5q0gvWxO7q9M/s1600/DSCN1046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrILC8pntzfog1wIyMYEGdBBA5vXIBxcmcifiVrJFZAnzuaU44NjT_0hk-IjhEzfl3LjxzD5cp3dZc5ExCsDJfpmPnDRrHfBA9m_YKNIV8E0aSOH6LzV5pCg8_9fttrVJ5q0gvWxO7q9M/s400/DSCN1046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The star of the show. Love this stuff.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVvwBkqNWn9Yh-aqo03lpqP8Ph9Nxu5WTG6T0wKkMevuqNLaDbmgpOKCuO4B8DdKCbSthgwwkVgYjxovyykAPZD2U6b7aUnOGHrftJMS2qdn9aTf2IlQbhcnfvESf1DcqyLffQtIyFJc/s1600/DSCN1047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVvwBkqNWn9Yh-aqo03lpqP8Ph9Nxu5WTG6T0wKkMevuqNLaDbmgpOKCuO4B8DdKCbSthgwwkVgYjxovyykAPZD2U6b7aUnOGHrftJMS2qdn9aTf2IlQbhcnfvESf1DcqyLffQtIyFJc/s400/DSCN1047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rolled and cut.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPeTp_LVxKPYYkX1Rl7jd8yEndQBvwpPQ0fJChBPWA1dXH7IVwoJQyT8awASoXkYASVNdKktQMY9aoiCjkQAO861vClthrVbgQ1pAf6xzD4mmmilfpniyJYOVKmXYqvMdVl8Kvo4UCo4/s1600/DSCN1048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPeTp_LVxKPYYkX1Rl7jd8yEndQBvwpPQ0fJChBPWA1dXH7IVwoJQyT8awASoXkYASVNdKktQMY9aoiCjkQAO861vClthrVbgQ1pAf6xzD4mmmilfpniyJYOVKmXYqvMdVl8Kvo4UCo4/s400/DSCN1048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hello, little cuties.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDxDl3KSe5OpIeVxSrrMwVO7yZyQKmeVl2g179h_Ua5lrubZB1Hqt7A7l1dQizpT6ko6-N3P0g9pyCRAn12zpWcBe-_ZCbB8DkNVp23-Sq4wnIb0TWKljnxRUI2QimSG7yxmuTTcQ7C0/s1600/DSCN1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDxDl3KSe5OpIeVxSrrMwVO7yZyQKmeVl2g179h_Ua5lrubZB1Hqt7A7l1dQizpT6ko6-N3P0g9pyCRAn12zpWcBe-_ZCbB8DkNVp23-Sq4wnIb0TWKljnxRUI2QimSG7yxmuTTcQ7C0/s400/DSCN1049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Start piling on the sticky goodness.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhkjNemV98oFmjgHL17RG_AmIPEzvqnzwwNcSAeAWtfbLAmQlDI42Nn_l34h8s4wgEqtFvN5d5ttdfIQCoi3m0kpfmu23O_XIami1cTM7v6x-ElHs9J273q8bMrCDWNnvq7mKI-97lwc/s1600/DSCN1050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhkjNemV98oFmjgHL17RG_AmIPEzvqnzwwNcSAeAWtfbLAmQlDI42Nn_l34h8s4wgEqtFvN5d5ttdfIQCoi3m0kpfmu23O_XIami1cTM7v6x-ElHs9J273q8bMrCDWNnvq7mKI-97lwc/s400/DSCN1050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Put the lid on and smoosh the sides together. I had a little spillage but it's all good.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ8_a_DWHhTIbH0VaHGWWb8g0uXSgLldZnS3fCX3s5xOmxhf8nkzEWpFMwmIwoSdmLaY26IZchgs0En1F5pNRl7_ng2EUiiIHHs1z3uVRPeZNmPLriU6keIhiZgcgQK88oet8Fjmd48c/s1600/DSCN1051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZ8_a_DWHhTIbH0VaHGWWb8g0uXSgLldZnS3fCX3s5xOmxhf8nkzEWpFMwmIwoSdmLaY26IZchgs0En1F5pNRl7_ng2EUiiIHHs1z3uVRPeZNmPLriU6keIhiZgcgQK88oet8Fjmd48c/s400/DSCN1051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, here's where I wandered away from the recipe again. I did an egg wash and then sprinkled with white sugar.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI3QrdzElXFhYgiW1AdMui17aM9iQcgmmt35nEXz3MtaDkKF9gtuTnOszMC0OggOiRGERgwR-dYVqDIEZDBn_PETJCzIXWn-if9bVLYo2NOljPWvr7Vw-Xd9VsS97QeO0WKX8X-MWCmc/s1600/DSCN1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI3QrdzElXFhYgiW1AdMui17aM9iQcgmmt35nEXz3MtaDkKF9gtuTnOszMC0OggOiRGERgwR-dYVqDIEZDBn_PETJCzIXWn-if9bVLYo2NOljPWvr7Vw-Xd9VsS97QeO0WKX8X-MWCmc/s400/DSCN1052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gX6VSAbb-lkABKfCei66Fdc9uhbMYe2oyusAnZnr-LuUxIEeLGOO6-TOXfeo9-kNoPLkKOYaOu2ArQuq42VZOLSOW0OtzwIwjn7VFBMUgid6lGzFvsKS46HG8wA0fIuuMfSUuRMKCL0/s1600/DSCN1053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gX6VSAbb-lkABKfCei66Fdc9uhbMYe2oyusAnZnr-LuUxIEeLGOO6-TOXfeo9-kNoPLkKOYaOu2ArQuq42VZOLSOW0OtzwIwjn7VFBMUgid6lGzFvsKS46HG8wA0fIuuMfSUuRMKCL0/s400/DSCN1053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice my old baking sheet. I think I've had it since I got married the first time.. almost 30 years ago. It has character, don't you think?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB7gMFL1dvcbV4FlIuUe_3Pm9MZZ0eUI5ca85VoOG6qiRCP7sZGpayHD0EWDN6EH_vA6Gw78RB7kMGTYicWKBp7AnMsGnB3SHruBxcVc9wBj0iK43xgI9NC5teXLom_VK44D1QQmeNbk/s1600/DSCN1054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbB7gMFL1dvcbV4FlIuUe_3Pm9MZZ0eUI5ca85VoOG6qiRCP7sZGpayHD0EWDN6EH_vA6Gw78RB7kMGTYicWKBp7AnMsGnB3SHruBxcVc9wBj0iK43xgI9NC5teXLom_VK44D1QQmeNbk/s400/DSCN1054.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cooling on the rack. I made some of your everyday turnovers with the leftover pastry. They hold more apples and would be a hit too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-NxbNpZEFsjeMy_jZJCPcKzLDHc0F6zw9CJku-rAtOYAYOZoU0g08hl6vjyWDjVrtWV4nTD7iHBWiJ6G_qjCCDv47usB1ILNKWrsHKMMz9e5FKrqrLUGJVGdwIEUTaBBd7mGd-LYWps/s1600/DSCN1055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-NxbNpZEFsjeMy_jZJCPcKzLDHc0F6zw9CJku-rAtOYAYOZoU0g08hl6vjyWDjVrtWV4nTD7iHBWiJ6G_qjCCDv47usB1ILNKWrsHKMMz9e5FKrqrLUGJVGdwIEUTaBBd7mGd-LYWps/s400/DSCN1055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lovely!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JRIkQroSbrNetFjhC6qSCOPm79kO0iGOZ2bxwybSxDV7zGKO_AxXYzbgX3mbzcGkYRu42GPNT8A0d35m2hP8ksCjBkemLILfxlii7p20fAhjPhJ7Xm3haHSEudrxEZ5zroRNonoMgEA/s1600/DSCN1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JRIkQroSbrNetFjhC6qSCOPm79kO0iGOZ2bxwybSxDV7zGKO_AxXYzbgX3mbzcGkYRu42GPNT8A0d35m2hP8ksCjBkemLILfxlii7p20fAhjPhJ7Xm3haHSEudrxEZ5zroRNonoMgEA/s400/DSCN1056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are for dessert tonight :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3yF6lH3pRe3ZBrFNamknRHG1RafJ8D4qfjtLNqZ1eCVZ3UiOKdYlDa_U35ViZFVR90Z3-NqqHTbYzm1sH6Gsmu7RkcWIfcpRolvpFqi6YZdtbPMr86gG5XQHbUqAjDR15dQOFWpN4_0/s1600/DSCN1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3yF6lH3pRe3ZBrFNamknRHG1RafJ8D4qfjtLNqZ1eCVZ3UiOKdYlDa_U35ViZFVR90Z3-NqqHTbYzm1sH6Gsmu7RkcWIfcpRolvpFqi6YZdtbPMr86gG5XQHbUqAjDR15dQOFWpN4_0/s400/DSCN1061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here they are after I applied the glaze. I surprised my men with these and let me just say... Alex was thrilled. I got three hugs and kisses out him for these. When someone wise once said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach...they weren't lying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I spent a nice moment basking in the knowledge that I am the diggety bomb.</div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-6951421029640096702012-02-13T00:01:00.000-05:002012-02-13T00:01:23.064-05:00Home Sweet HomeMy trip to Hawaii is over. My time with baby Jackson is finished, for now. <br />
I can't tell you how hard it was to leave him. I remember my mom telling me, after my first child was born, that there is nothing quite like having a grand child. She was right. I'm ready to trade all my kids in for this one baby. It's insane.<br />
The last couple of days there, I was constantly posting to my facebook page about how wonderful my grandson is, and how sad I was to be leaving him. My husband finally responded to one post, "Um, hello, we need you home. Sincerely, your husband.<br />
Another day, when I was lamenting about leaving, Nick wrote as a response, we have food for one more day, then we eat the wiener dog. Well, I knew then I had to get home. <br />
Needless to say, neither my husband, nor my son were on the verge of starvation. It was all done for dramatic effect. <br />
I will say, that they didn't put much effort into eating. Instead of preparing the easy to make meals I had left, pasta, frozen lasagna, soups, etc. They stopped at the little store down the street and bought frozen meals. Ugh... that's just not right. I think they had frozen pizza at least three times and frozen something else another time.<br />
It made my first night home a breeze. I threw some frozen meatballs in a pot of pre-made marinara, boiled up some pasta, baked some rolls and I was a hero. They are such simple creatures.<br />
Since arriving home, I've caught up on laundry, scrubbing bathrooms and shopping for groceries. Tomorrow starts the first week back and I have meetings, phone calls and emails to catch up on. <br />
It's good to be home, but I must say, I miss that sweet baby boy and his snuggles. I wonder when I can go back?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4ZFcKBNgFUmlZ93LT7BiXehBQC54r1JRE8T8bVCxJvY5b3Li09No8N2n3rjqGYq6q_Jhi7U-F7YRRab0CbKMq6TX7D_ZBhshsErJtxuYggGGq7hfH6dRUxpslYtd9EujljqyUxsOxBE/s1600/419763_10150586356808948_759878947_8936541_1087986494_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4ZFcKBNgFUmlZ93LT7BiXehBQC54r1JRE8T8bVCxJvY5b3Li09No8N2n3rjqGYq6q_Jhi7U-F7YRRab0CbKMq6TX7D_ZBhshsErJtxuYggGGq7hfH6dRUxpslYtd9EujljqyUxsOxBE/s400/419763_10150586356808948_759878947_8936541_1087986494_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sweet baby hugs. This was my last day there. </div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-27859791506374731922012-02-06T12:09:00.000-05:002012-02-06T12:09:25.280-05:00Sweet JacksonI've been in Hawaii for four days now. I have spent every day with my beautiful grandson. He is, without a doubt, the most precious baby in the world. I'm sure every grandmother says that about their grandchildren, but I'm not lying here. This is the one. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTu8qX0mTY42HgPYDiLNwFFq-5PnneT94iLIsik14uJAsG-IxLL-DsbkJb2cPkzweZ5vKgY9RXiRvAu_7LKeTL97qSDRPhdik4GTKB5v3DtSQZCgbPzYDhK1aoLRV7HaH-CEyGoLNKtc/s1600/Grandma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiTu8qX0mTY42HgPYDiLNwFFq-5PnneT94iLIsik14uJAsG-IxLL-DsbkJb2cPkzweZ5vKgY9RXiRvAu_7LKeTL97qSDRPhdik4GTKB5v3DtSQZCgbPzYDhK1aoLRV7HaH-CEyGoLNKtc/s400/Grandma.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This photo was taken the first morning I saw Jackson. I think it's just precious and I will probably frame it. At least once, maybe multiple times and put all over my house :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnIS_kh_pmaafun8-TqbJAhESf5ditwd8M_lMOBgKnSDOvO12Lu3C7RJ6J26JKN2myW_6wXkTbCCpG6p0X8BxblixjQGD6F6xvVeLID8UWY3VrTZW6k1gfX1RgA59eWeJtlKKQuet_Xc/s1600/DSCN0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnIS_kh_pmaafun8-TqbJAhESf5ditwd8M_lMOBgKnSDOvO12Lu3C7RJ6J26JKN2myW_6wXkTbCCpG6p0X8BxblixjQGD6F6xvVeLID8UWY3VrTZW6k1gfX1RgA59eWeJtlKKQuet_Xc/s400/DSCN0917.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How sweet is this? Another one for a frame? Who am I kidding? I think my home is about to be re-decorated. The theme..??? Baby Jackson. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VQlR4YUESM2GXnrIQm8gR0IB9GRArQ3qaLyYphbUpnFomXnBQW-pG2QJ6G3OV_vZ4RjJAT-JtuU1-A2WuTlsujtumbtz9snEpexMUyLzyOyN1W8YmjtgeHM69VTpm2YlO_igNny-yRw/s1600/DSCN0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2VQlR4YUESM2GXnrIQm8gR0IB9GRArQ3qaLyYphbUpnFomXnBQW-pG2QJ6G3OV_vZ4RjJAT-JtuU1-A2WuTlsujtumbtz9snEpexMUyLzyOyN1W8YmjtgeHM69VTpm2YlO_igNny-yRw/s400/DSCN0912.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here he is "talking" to his Grandpa. Grandpa was doing most of the talking. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMqumZUQo3Wfraq4tbM27PZeuuGer1fPkWsit12tzlPoem_UOxyZclE6tclGwuzy_zxgsgJUhhhA6p1vkIZ9eV6iq3SmwOFh3lExn3KErB4kiSkJCFF-bzu5Ll6J7ljPC2hS-J4jTMQI/s1600/DSCN0938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMqumZUQo3Wfraq4tbM27PZeuuGer1fPkWsit12tzlPoem_UOxyZclE6tclGwuzy_zxgsgJUhhhA6p1vkIZ9eV6iq3SmwOFh3lExn3KErB4kiSkJCFF-bzu5Ll6J7ljPC2hS-J4jTMQI/s400/DSCN0938.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For this one, I had been sitting next to him, literally snapping photo after photo. I can't get tired of him at all.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEACLBdAyrCMRlYNG6X3haQUQZsXqdwy3LVCqflfZ-2mKx62_LFEzic3aHjEfAaEIebhWd1MfzR3kuXs3OFoj47uYnmLu2uXlrtC2X-UDmMovt9UnOtima9id4J_tLKOqBsgw4xCi_wg/s1600/DSCN1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEACLBdAyrCMRlYNG6X3haQUQZsXqdwy3LVCqflfZ-2mKx62_LFEzic3aHjEfAaEIebhWd1MfzR3kuXs3OFoj47uYnmLu2uXlrtC2X-UDmMovt9UnOtima9id4J_tLKOqBsgw4xCi_wg/s400/DSCN1003.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Saturday, we ventured out of the house and took a walk around the north shore. We had to have shave ice.. I insisted!! </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg9QPtYgNpKrshi4YsxEWZ2K1MTodAzOtuUSd99D9m_PBrwMqhT67qxjAu45OIl1teQkrnyfW_cNO8exDXtyPEJBuDvaZiJ1ygVqbiwN_l0dfW6zTyLAs-h8HNnmu_xXFhvY0DBnZlTA/s1600/DSCN1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCg9QPtYgNpKrshi4YsxEWZ2K1MTodAzOtuUSd99D9m_PBrwMqhT67qxjAu45OIl1teQkrnyfW_cNO8exDXtyPEJBuDvaZiJ1ygVqbiwN_l0dfW6zTyLAs-h8HNnmu_xXFhvY0DBnZlTA/s400/DSCN1005.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jackson's first trip to the beach with his mom and dad. He slept through it. What a beautiful day!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-58697524581015759962012-02-01T17:40:00.000-05:002012-02-01T17:40:38.503-05:00What's Your Travel Style?As I mentioned, I'm headed to Hawaii today. My flight doesn't leave for another three hours, but because of Nick's schedule, he had to bring me early. I don't mind really. I'm enjoying quiet time and I have my computer, my kindle, and my smart phone. How much more plugged in could I be?<br />
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One of my favorite pass times at the airport is people watching. I love to see the clothes people wear, their shoes, the interesting groups of people... and yes, I like to try to figure them out. Young family, business associates, organizations traveling in groups, etc. Sometimes I even make up stories in my mind. I'm sure they are more exciting than the truth sometimes.<br />
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For instance, right now, there is an older couple sitting near me. Since I'm flying to Hawaii and they are at my gate area, I'm assuming they are going there as well. They have their two carry on bags loaded on one of those smartcarte wheelie things and are plugging in their cell phones. I'm hoping they are going for some fabulous vacation.<br />
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There are always business travelers. They aren't hard to spot. Usually traveling in their "business casual" attire and carrying laptop bags. Then there are the families with hoody sporting teenagers or sticky faced toddlers. I feel for the families of small children. They might as well be pack mules with all the stuff they are dragging along. <br />
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I love to see what different people wear to travel. You see the women wearing fabulous clothes with heels and beautiful bags. I want to be that woman. I want to look like the very chic world traveler, but alas, I'm the comfort traveler. <br />
Today I'm wearing my very faded, very worn, comfortable jeans. I'm wearing a light weight fleece shirt (it's cold up in the Pacific Northwest) and my tennis shoes. No one will look at me and think I'm anything but a mom traveling to see a grown child. I'm hoping they don't quite guess I'm going to see a grand baby. I prefer to think that I don't quite look like a grandma just yet. <br />
I almost always regret my sloppy/comfy clothes once I arrive at the airport and see other women dressed to the nines. However, once I'm tucked into my way too small seat and have crammed my bag under the seat in front of me, I'll be glad I'm in tennis shoes that I can easily slip off and my fleece that will keep me from freezing on the plane. <br />
What traveler are you? Do you dress up? Are you a pack mule? Or are you a comfortable mom like me? Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-6616525273927988972012-01-31T10:23:00.000-05:002012-01-31T10:23:29.748-05:00Hawaii, Here I Come!Tomorrow evening, I leave for an 8 day trip to Hawaii. I am going to meet my sweet little grandson. It is just an added perk that he lives in Hawaii. <br />
It's an especially nice time to go, because the weather in the Pacific Northwest is just nasty right now. I'm not going to miss the drizzle and clouds. <br />
Because sweet little Jackson's parents live in a small house, and this mother-in-law doesn't want to be intrusive, I'm staying in a hotel downtown Waikiki. It's a tough gig, but someone has to do it, right?<br />
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Besides spending time with my beautiful daughter and her baby, I'm looking forward to having the lanai doors open to the Hawaiian breeze and sunshine. Have I mentioned how cloudy and yucky it is here at home? I'm doing this for my health. I think I'm deficient in Vitamin D. Maybe my insurance will pay?<br />
It's too bad Nick won't be joining me. I'd truly love to have a little get away with him, and I know he would love to meet baby Jackson too. Hopefully, this summer we can go back and spend some time. <br />
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As usual, I've put off all the details that need to be done before leaving on a trip. I have errands to run, I have packing to do. I don't know why I've put off packing, it's not like I'm wearing sundresses and flipflops right now. I could have all that stuff out and ready to go. <br />
However, my body is not Hawaii ready. I'm winter white and jiggly. It's so much nicer to hide all this in jeans, fleece and boots....but I'll adjust. <br />
I'll update from Hawaii and post pictures of the sweet baby. I can't wait to get my hands on him!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2349636792286564150.post-20341764511238103282012-01-24T17:52:00.000-05:002012-01-24T17:52:46.277-05:00Cheesy Corn and Chicken ChowderAfter writing yesterday's blog post, I decided to dig through posts I've written in the past. I did it for no good reason, because I had plenty of other things I should have been doing. <br />
Anyway, I came across this one, <a href="http://paula-queenofmycastle.blogspot.com/2010/11/today-i.html">http://paula-queenofmycastle.blogspot.com/2010/11/today-i.html</a> amongst others, and realized I mentioned a chowder that I made that day and haven't made since. Someone even asked for the recipe in the comments, and I apparently just ignored that. <br />
On a weird note, I get an email this morning from someone who just commented on that same post, written over a year ago and wanted that recipe too. What are the odds?<br />
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So, I was forced to dig through cookbooks, bookmarked web sites etc until I found said recipe. I finally found one in one of my Goose berry Patch cookbooks (Slow Cookers, Casseroles & Skillets) that is titled: Country Chicken Chowder. <br />
You may be asking, "How did you know this was the recipe you used? It's not the same soup as what you described?" I'll tell you how I knew. The page in the cookbook with this recipe on it has food splattered over it. It's all the evidence I need.<br />
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The recipe in the book is this:<br />
<strong>Country Chicken Chowder</strong><br />
<strong><em>Ingredients:</em></strong><br />
2 T butter<br />
1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders<br />
2 10- 3/4 oz cans cream of potato soup<br />
1 1/2 C chicken broth<br />
2 onions, chopped<br />
2 stalks celery, sliced<br />
2 carrots, peeled and sliced<br />
2 C frozen corn<br />
1 t dill weed<br />
1/2 C half and half.<br />
<strong><em>Directions:</em></strong><br />
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until golden. Place chicken in a slow cooker, stir in remaining ingredients except half and half. Cover and cook on low setting for 3 to 4 hours. Shortly before serving time, turn off slow cooker, stir in half and half. Cover and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes, until heated through. (serves 8)<br />
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I'm sure I cut that recipe in half. No way the three of us needed that much soup. I also must have added some cheese in there at some point. (thus the "cheesy" part of the name) <br />
I know I didn't add dill because that's just not like me. <br />
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So, in the post so long ago, I described it as delicious. I'm making it next week. I will let you know if I still like it. If any of you decide to make this before I do, let me know how it turns out. Clearly, I've lost my mind.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196257750016200916noreply@blogger.com2