tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75964053610192684642024-03-05T15:35:48.224-08:00Red Letter DaysBarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-45926450668221924602012-03-22T23:10:00.004-07:002012-03-23T00:01:07.957-07:00I Love OPI<div>Mandy and I have loved using OPI nail color for years. The names they attach to their colors are so clever. Mandy sent me this OPI advertisement of their recently released color line called the HOLLAND COLLECTION:<br /><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722983036694533874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMkVqRRd9H65U5IVwSuSucvETtvbeOpJ336uH0miEconF4A8wjPpiPNmYX0DbST9SQYjdRX0HSg29NKhNcxibmeMufm_qhnsgBPwXxqpxcpsBvovkwQb47pBNdnQ7zxL63Th_bYEv4s7K/s400/Holland+Collection+by+OPI.jpg" /><br />You can't make out the clever names listed in this picture, so I'll share:</div><ul><li>Did You 'ear About Van Gogh?</li><li>Petal Faster Suzi</li><li>Kiss Me on My Tulips</li><li>Red Lights Ahead Where?</li><li>A Roll in The Hague</li><li>Gouda Gouda Two Shoes</li><li>I have a Herring Problem</li><li>Thanks a WindMillion</li><li>I Don't Give a Rotterdam!</li><li>Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI?</li><li>Vampsterdam</li><li>Wooden Shoe Like to Know?</li></ul><p>These names are so much fun to this Dutch person!</p>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-46178100197192868812012-03-20T22:48:00.009-07:002012-03-20T23:52:57.684-07:00Income Taxes UpdateWhen I'm reminded about this<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 250px; height: 201px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722232697363625330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8YXqEp-8jt3MPrEKI92jiHb26fejijUar-VMouWVqX4CWf5s7BQe6DvrhzOgVRldSPgz5FSfVCLB81VkrMnpOM9x8L9wK8DWnUhEeFNHcVgDvvx8cAAq9mUwdF1vBZENgI7eqaPEFLpV/s400/1.jpg" /><br /><br />I usually feel like this<br /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 246px; height: 204px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722230628078181058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsGMul125h3d8wk59GlAaVORb45m62ZQWeLExvlRg37SBAL2mWMbCSnmWCEjBNrsJaykCJfh4-6kUr0nWkzgyrtT11Pqi7uVwN_B3L8qa2NdTGRJKQKiwO93OiBMe27jVbvF3pwN08dn0/s400/2.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />But I went from this<br /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722230733373610978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8b3Pf_KgKF8SMWtvsaUTSJKVIrFbmcIXIgvs0JuH2_GWg4zLW5MgYz6mALN3pJHqU7fZ37fnPMn31dfrelhBncakS5jFqnvpYsfZcph16v6AQWBUz59hg-v1jYak8dxYKqlul0H3J0HS/s400/3.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />To this in only one night<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722230894877671058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS94eRJhmIx4GfAg2wxnc1NzCbdNcVOny2Yi-G_Y9-HVPsORxyPpI3DFhz1TDPj8aaj3np-AEoqLyRuDe6__1olsK6iwhTqb2BN-BMrBUDRpCsM9stQjqmbYAQlco85pLc2VkHB52y0_Ok/s400/4.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Now, I'll do a little of this<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 224px; height: 225px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722231812770824226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlII8YhShjtZjekTBIhcDTsyREPGmYtPBLUFEHZTyPKVVFUk14tsrpfD9I4seZqAlhLgTtYEMjvfG0WrK1Lrz29rTnUgfGEn7YHuoasRfNgUYzxhrfmtShNYXo1zqTaKHqy49ILP6r16dz/s400/5.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Turn everything over to my tax guy and hope to get this<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDMlTf5dYXRb0efaothMLvOpNINfabrUIKYCNOb0tl8413vuTGImKP8enihA8oPCQhqAJdVa5hAv_OCFv-u3h2VLsP1pj_5OOW9WP4DquG4Qz45eYQskwi4BDDPOjwIL4-znJtrm2syOv/s1600/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 358px; height: 141px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722232177018470274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDMlTf5dYXRb0efaothMLvOpNINfabrUIKYCNOb0tl8413vuTGImKP8enihA8oPCQhqAJdVa5hAv_OCFv-u3h2VLsP1pj_5OOW9WP4DquG4Qz45eYQskwi4BDDPOjwIL4-znJtrm2syOv/s400/6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><br />Instead of this<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 111px; height: 176px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722232234714630802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcmHfXBNUU_CkVMEJiD8Xng6g4zrF604e4EVgdOqyIOTXgmLVVdkIIy3da2JVqF2eetXDvF0rC-4j6VTe4THfFRezi0MjZzVnQCUOH0Ey5SzdNJIwCPYo4BQSZBP7kz_WAZdkNlnZVJTu/s400/7.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> <br /><br />Wish me luck!!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-52983818881021056682012-03-19T23:58:00.003-07:002012-03-20T00:11:15.710-07:00Taxes...Ugh!In less than a month, taxes are due. This is what my table looks like for days. I hate this part of the year.<br /><br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721873015822801314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzDXo_OQmiAVVo2AhqV9sgd1Ssh0F_rDy29JVWAoVB9Q9ADeeS1qutdzC2bdl6_UUZPXqOBxnxeRU4t1HBhvfcaSN3ZvIBuQmhBw6tY92BJoNOjdq574ce8XXHJMS8_ZitvY9H8riTZA9/s400/Taxes....Ugh.JPG" />Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-38494720561019175272012-03-15T23:30:00.003-07:002012-03-16T00:26:42.827-07:00My New Favorite Food<div><p>Facial,<br />Massage,<br />Dinner at Cheesecake Factory,<br />What more can a woman want?<br /><br />After Stacey spent the day shopping with Faye in Berkeley, she and I hooked up for a fun evening. We both had a facial, I added a massage, and then we went for a bite to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. A few months ago, my mom and I ate there and I asked the server what the most-ordered dinner was on his shift. He said Chicken Bellagio. I read the description and I thought it sounded like a little too much:<br /><br /><em>Crispy Coated Chicken Breast over Basil Pasta and Parmesan Cream Sauce Topped with Prosciutto and Arugula Salad<br /></em><br /><br />He asked me to trust him and to try it. I did and it immediately became my new favorite food.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720391067697197634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDFlaNcmskW4splcQbdUIux3JCLwHkAGoMrKfevB4nOV_5hPx6hedb_uxMb_oG9PHuXuAVbfalWuu67NpJnTYtAKT-kQZ4RQDsGqVue8QH0MZfV3iHxBa_3FcmS8hSm498f4RsHp0LCPFN/s400/l%255B1%255D.jpg" /><br />I had it again tonight and was not disappointed. I practically licked my plate!<br /><br />I found the recipe on a morning program's website and for a nano second thought about making it. However, I'm not going to do that because I don't want to compete with the real thing at the "Factory." If you are braver than I, try it:<br /><br /><a href="http://weareaustin.com/news/features/morning/stories/vid_20.shtml">http://weareaustin.com/news/features/morning/stories/vid_20.shtml</a></p></div><br />Thanks for a fantastic evening, Stacey!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-53588804162478121002012-03-14T23:35:00.006-07:002012-03-15T00:17:26.674-07:00I Love, Love, Love Amazon.com<div><div><div>I don't know how I missed adding Amazon.com to my Favorite Things List on February 9. It is, clearly, one of my favorite things. I mean, what's not to love? You can order a bazillion items from Amazon.com. And, if your order totals at least $25, it ships free and arrives in about a week. And, if that's not enough, the vast majority of their items are less expensive than in stores or other online sites.<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 299px; height: 168px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720016440281639106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq255fvqoXxtKMu8NaFBo1ZZY77S9NIG_wQYDL4R2yKbKNILfkLYHlfrXzsJskLD_5xT96EelLas9hyA2uhlpl4KGRfeHrcIDnYVx4uX5FUApdcIYZovYc6frInnO9l1TttZ6bQtwiub1N/s400/imagesCA8J0KHT.jpg" />I discovered Amazon.com in 2005 when a lot of Amazon.com boxes arrived around Christmas time from Mark and Mandy in Seattle.<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 251px; height: 201px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720017213542635986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIL1WhRoQpEvUsoqzM60w8BZqywrgI1GLHhSjVtQ539k3SX-Dldw3VMHNJ8dqoWt2ya7UQk1_E6I_PFH-5ZFzrN7RUdi6UtWxTceQ3oBoX79BBCC2c9sHe6EJRBJL_r4cJEJJyJvv1i5JC/s400/imagesCA5ZBGP4.jpg" />In 2006, I thought I should check out Amazon.com and ordered 7 items.<br />The following year, I ordered 10 items.<br />In 2008, 16 items.<br />In 2009, my co-worker said that because Mandy lives in Seattle and I have to send a lot of stuff up there, I should look into getting a Prime account with Amazon. With Prime, every order ships free and arrives in TWO days. And, if you need it overnight, you pay only $3.99 even if it weighs a bazillion pounds. It has changed my ordering and shipping life!<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 175px; height: 175px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720017287073363154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhD5nNA9xgiMSq-yMTXCS31g01EjaKMibdMpjIMbF6-szQ4uuF5y8CZCPTGMBYaplM4uSpjzz8v3UuKd8RZP74zFPEoZ-b8EJv5fPdmCya1NKx6LYavtImp8A7KP9KeE9w9IVLLnBi-sE/s400/imagesCA0MHQLL.jpg" />So, in 2009, I set up Amazon Prime and ordered 29 items, all with free shipping.<br />But, I really got on the ball in 2010, with 50 orders.<br />In 2011, it jumped to 80.<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 239px; height: 211px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720017359144477474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_YETpIMLSOq13iXzmmkZeu3ji3KdkI7r1n9Tgl4i0qU0dtnmi_rtnuyvZ5cyYr6D2DXppWWdN8gsTTOOBzzYCBKrcOFdWyuSyzB52zc-CN_hFcTopRTOtfs0ZFSQYgRQJIVleCx-xMMi/s400/imagesCA6P2M8F.jpg" />You can see that I'm addicted to shopping Amazon. I even buy my Perfectly Slimming Levi's from Amazon.com. I save money on gas, I get to shop in my fleece, I save money on products, and I save money on shipping. See, what's not to love?<br /><br />Amazon, I love you!</div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-90860848234113159512012-03-13T22:35:00.003-07:002012-03-13T23:11:15.500-07:00Size WHAT??? I wish!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw8NqkBlM-uKXXdlsWhqFxFlqlKguqVxAxTf7qvDYfA-21qJucudWRBIjxK-dQUFTfJRn0ZdzC1sADIFvP3-nNsZhrLOt-s2o9AAgqkBr-7QOXwgW0Rqrt8Z_hfkJaGC8e8pMFYpOhbtO/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 400px; height: 266px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719628992272145682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw8NqkBlM-uKXXdlsWhqFxFlqlKguqVxAxTf7qvDYfA-21qJucudWRBIjxK-dQUFTfJRn0ZdzC1sADIFvP3-nNsZhrLOt-s2o9AAgqkBr-7QOXwgW0Rqrt8Z_hfkJaGC8e8pMFYpOhbtO/s400/IMG_8844.JPG" /></a>When I shop for clothing at TJ Maxx, I love how the racks are nicely arranged by size and that the hangers have a funky little plastic bead-looking device, color-coded, with the size on it, making it easy to locate an entire row of what will probably fit. For example, hangers for size large have a green plastic bead with an L on it; hangers for size medium have a yellow plastic bead with an M on it, etc. So cool. So, when I found a cute blue sweater, I wanted a large size because I would be wearing it over something else. I chose the green bead-colored hanger and headed to the dressing room. It was a perfect fit, so I bought it. <br /><br />Three days later, I wanted to wear the sweater and pulled it out of the closet, ripped the tags off and started to pull it over my head when, to my horror, I looked at the tag I had just thrown on my bed. It said XSMALL, which stands for EXTRA small. EXTRA small?????? EXTRA SMALL??????????? How did that happen? I <strong><em>KNOW</em></strong> that the bead was green and said L for large. That sweater, now in my hands with the tags torn off, would never fit!! I was so dismayed, thinking I was going to have to try to re-attach the ripped-off tags and go back to the store to return it. Three days ago, there was only one other sweater on the rack and it was a size small, so I was really disappointed.<br /><br />For some reason, I followed through and pulled the sweater over my head and, to my great surprise, it fit. This was a second shock to my system in under five minutes. I looked back at the tag and it still said XSMALL. The only thing I could think of was that the wrong tags were attached to the sweater, some smart associate figured it out, and hung it on the right bead-color hanger. Whatever happened, I didn't care...I was a happy woman!<br /><br />P.S. I didn't pay that price!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-42337146389275391002012-03-12T23:20:00.004-07:002012-03-12T23:29:31.998-07:00Stacey's in TownTwo weeks in a row spending time with best buds is the BEST. On Sunday, Stacey, Bonnie, Jim, and the 47 Leals joined us for crab dinner. We ate, we talked, we laughed, we caught up, and we learned a little about Chicago. So fun!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcA5xmNnxc5wtWE1xyZqDPZ-RwAODRQsTZalIm9oopZPATWqEJkIfn-prwwsRNdJ9py_cbCWKm-usvjKdyNtFyG8iofiW-k4YO9dhGJAgrvc9DPPoWEj_HUCFkLI2adh7MSXIJ74QpYoq/s1600/IMG_8847.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719263739708272002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcA5xmNnxc5wtWE1xyZqDPZ-RwAODRQsTZalIm9oopZPATWqEJkIfn-prwwsRNdJ9py_cbCWKm-usvjKdyNtFyG8iofiW-k4YO9dhGJAgrvc9DPPoWEj_HUCFkLI2adh7MSXIJ74QpYoq/s400/IMG_8847.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbXF09YNtlDByocJia46jEoNF_lt8_61t0XgwBD0CkQLqW0uuWQGdTv022OOxmrtqFqzrf8B_mygbtcHRS1ukFFCGdj-9VLXoHjcL1Fr9v2pYoMktlmK3hlOak2X6roNCRY53YSGOw4a2/s1600/IMG_8851.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719264132507078290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbXF09YNtlDByocJia46jEoNF_lt8_61t0XgwBD0CkQLqW0uuWQGdTv022OOxmrtqFqzrf8B_mygbtcHRS1ukFFCGdj-9VLXoHjcL1Fr9v2pYoMktlmK3hlOak2X6roNCRY53YSGOw4a2/s400/IMG_8851.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpK5Ked9AsJALYiwbDbySoALEcqpG3jh1SZcKY_XQYNg_EUKXIqv7cYB9eWC0QtKNpT6UYNqyzK0IQZhY2ZrqnZZQDTDs0H8QuQK-Gh7qPo9cARJCzto-5RloKNAp4pwmw0P9rwdXp-GVu/s1600/IMG_8849.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719264744244847362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpK5Ked9AsJALYiwbDbySoALEcqpG3jh1SZcKY_XQYNg_EUKXIqv7cYB9eWC0QtKNpT6UYNqyzK0IQZhY2ZrqnZZQDTDs0H8QuQK-Gh7qPo9cARJCzto-5RloKNAp4pwmw0P9rwdXp-GVu/s400/IMG_8849.JPG" /></a><br />Too bad I forgot to take a picture of the pretty table before we all dug in!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-80498301185902344572012-03-10T23:35:00.009-08:002012-03-12T23:19:59.621-07:00A Fun-filled Week<div><div><div><div><div><div>Even though it was another tough week at work, I was able to carve out some time for fun.</div><div> </div><div><br />Last Saturday, several of us were able to spend a major part of the day in the city. Here's Norma and her new Fascinator:<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718547715692837010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5On3EOxB_KiX45cJv-oEYAPljLgcMC444M5j5Ad-8qX6pXbf2rK3tZDFTs9ipTf1WPPiS2ySMdA1vUzLiNsPpQ64XNRzjK5-GMXyMqfHLqx6OBQhYvflunZvS6FZsrVL-No5UpImYS_E/s400/Norma%2527s+New+Fascinator.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><br />On Sunday, Bonnie and Caroline joined us for dinner and we enjoyed girl-talk until MIDNIGHT!<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718547804470316850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C0lRhWHRKmFSsZgGeiwbOqAl2spmYAlvaRyOhzb6Y50sjpwjEfhiMtCwBvuxcAjS-0FG3ctINEe9NkDkLT7M6ETthg0iWBgrO34LDhAmlRtnddMGu1ysmQcqycMxCoPQxj9TARh9_xoZ/s400/Mom%252C+Caroline%252C+Bonnie+6Mar2012.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />On Monday, Michelle, Bonnie, Caroline, Maureen, and I met for lunch at Il Fornaio--yum!<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 284px; height: 177px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718549706545109810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFdOiRjg0h4GBecsZVmp2pQbZZ7oNbSAobt0obIDX2eY_YrHdu3xzq5dr-eUeCnUcpLhF2LkUq5yDt3kGBj_XgaGlAoI_6I3fQykcmGjUQ5_gfFOnqpJHKQkJVzw5Zq3Dxjry9OqUa7Rr/s400/imagesCA2KCIWP.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />On Tuesday, Bonnie hosted a pot-luck dinner followed by a great lesson on essential oils by Caroline. I learned much and it was fun to compare notes with my mom about how my grandmother used some of these as remedies for aches, pains, and illnesses "back in the day."<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718547908252089890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD-n64CXQijiINmOS7WwUZh-_BL1DIF-f75pH51T9mAdvIIDRciPmLlT6gFrQx3bWcysCbGuO-moB0DpeMp8Bbx4X-y2MKs1SjaipTmubMjXremr5NcYHvzxg7V2t5q3-hPx7QjQieKl5/s400/Essential+Oils.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />On Friday, Mom, Alex, and I watched THE HELP. I love that movie.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 317px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5718550447731814018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYNWURfCMpj7J4bMRfQ3oiJPmd-VibgjwXxuvuZYlr_4AQdR3ZX53QiL7MWix6OfHqgb3rUUJgSPPi5B2Y6lkcvUtXINuWeX6rEJ9HvkkdoI_d_lMHnO6of0DXhTMp_G0cSPnQdNDR99f/s400/MV5BMTM5OTMyMjIxOV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzU4MjIwNQ%2540%2540._V1._SY317_%255B1%255D.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Today, Mom and I did some laundry, cleaned the kitchen, went to a garage sale, shopped for groceries, picked up two movies, and went to Sears to have a security "thingy" taken off a sweater I bought there a couple of months ago. We did the first five things in under an hour. After the security "thingy" was removed from my sweater, we wanted to eat a late lunch at Johnny Rockets. On our way out of the store, well, we actually never made it out of Sears because of a major clearance sale there. We shopped very productively for the next three and a half hours and Mom bought 3 blouses. I bought a skirt, 3 watches, 2 pair of boots and 3 pair of shoes for me, 2 pair of boots for Beth, and boots and shoes for Mandy. Yikes!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-46811256906726651072012-03-07T23:53:00.004-08:002012-03-08T00:02:37.691-08:00If You Loved Phantom...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO0SlITUfBtng8nRbo7wTwJ3Bd9eVSJUoVyKU6oW7ft2uEJ7FZnQ5LG73MiujyPDBVR5Mq3GTcFunUS3xB_x3TSGpreVW6hDmeC70JLUfxJr1fnU4PDIDVqxgsPcioNNdrVBJHyy24q9K/s1600/Love_Never_Dies_%2528musical%2529_logo.jpg"><span style="color:#000000;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 138px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717433347486456594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggO0SlITUfBtng8nRbo7wTwJ3Bd9eVSJUoVyKU6oW7ft2uEJ7FZnQ5LG73MiujyPDBVR5Mq3GTcFunUS3xB_x3TSGpreVW6hDmeC70JLUfxJr1fnU4PDIDVqxgsPcioNNdrVBJHyy24q9K/s400/Love_Never_Dies_%2528musical%2529_logo.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Tonight, Bonnie and I saw a one-day showing of Andrew Lloyd Webber's <strong>Love Never Dies.</strong> Bonnie loved it. Although I loved the music and the acting, I had a little trouble with the transition from Phantom to this one. I did enjoy the show, though. If it comes back, go see it!</div><div> </div><div> </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-22101650489290368722012-03-06T23:54:00.005-08:002012-03-07T00:05:30.680-08:00Fun Day in the City<div><div><div>Our friend, Caroline, came to town and we partied in the City. We couldn't have chosen a better day to go...the weather was fabulous, we found parking right away, the shopping was great, lunch was yummy, cream puffs even yummier, and the friends, well...............priceless!<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 299px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717063100948732210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoD453C_DpYO2Jp8G7U0xOg6enlm96X_SGXgt4Rg-xhVdJ8BxzHzRVMh-p_t6283e4ObEZO9roju9WVIZRGhSyN7iJDXD1e12wSjtL5A99hlGJP5JhQercFqug-Dvln-SVjo6ibi-oOGDZ/s400/image+%25285%2529.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> Thanks for the picture, Faye!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-27623033523681668152012-03-02T23:57:00.006-08:002012-03-03T00:46:47.677-08:00Hurray, It's Friday!<div> </div><div>Grueling week...</div><ul><li>Secretary out sick all week with bronchitis (I know what that feels like).</li><li>Worked late three nights (ugh).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNbekRv0PFry5s4aoP-LJshYHhdhq1ArJ4rMRT9z5aghmtz6kTObEWhf_HAqJtSrbG-n89aNYpjDniUT3lGTiYnQzSG98fK2R0KcNfqfO_mzWHaeEdhXrA6BmghAdiegSQs_Z4_hNkavU/s1600/imagesCATN4F9Q.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 151px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715585885493219058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNbekRv0PFry5s4aoP-LJshYHhdhq1ArJ4rMRT9z5aghmtz6kTObEWhf_HAqJtSrbG-n89aNYpjDniUT3lGTiYnQzSG98fK2R0KcNfqfO_mzWHaeEdhXrA6BmghAdiegSQs_Z4_hNkavU/s200/imagesCATN4F9Q.jpg" /></a></li><li>Jury Duty on Thursday (jury finally chosen with only 14 of us left in the cheap seats)</li><li>Hit the ground running this morning with doctor appointment, Wells Fargo appointment for a "medallion signature" (learn something new every day), and a day full of major crises at work (what else is new).</li></ul><p><br /> </p><p><br />But with some fun distractions...</p><ul><li>Made yummy Beef Stroganoff from scratch.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDh1fJoI5bjd3wCAUEdvGu-R5qJ9MTpkBPZ-zlos_PAthbwbMOTf0rWPITipZ9IqdrcC5L8cLy5RaBnO8Iz7oW2XeEKb9_NrryA1C1tSDNFMc1ynb6r_XjeqNWN-bTBS_fKDPdPiPJQwg/s1600/imagesCAXWZ1OS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 190px; height: 200px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715589338760854898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDh1fJoI5bjd3wCAUEdvGu-R5qJ9MTpkBPZ-zlos_PAthbwbMOTf0rWPITipZ9IqdrcC5L8cLy5RaBnO8Iz7oW2XeEKb9_NrryA1C1tSDNFMc1ynb6r_XjeqNWN-bTBS_fKDPdPiPJQwg/s200/imagesCAXWZ1OS.jpg" /></a></li><li>Took Ed to dinner at El Torito on his real birthday.</li><li>Played cards with Mom and Alex and won one game.</li><li>Made Coco's Asian Chicken Salad at work.</li></ul><p> </p><p><br /><br />I'm looking forward to a very fun weekend!</p><p> </p>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-7647906818828016822012-03-01T21:30:00.003-08:002012-03-01T21:38:48.248-08:00Day in CourtThe Leals are getting their share of civic duty opportunities. Until last week, Alex served for a month as a juror on a murder trial. A couple of weeks ago, I received this:<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 296px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715168473807002418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1t5SEqHrwfQncvmUbYeAxEiFqcu6zFsfj7r0vCv_uueAH5nsWT2Etr-tfDrfR3F-Bb_7aU1e06BllUirBGOA13i89lxaC0mQFNEXAyUVDT_GjxuHBk-7ede_gwFIp-l14QbuGUuwLeAR/s400/Barbara+Jury+Summons.jpg" /><br />This is the fourth time that I have been summoned. The first time, my group was released the day before I was supposed to go. The second time, I made it to the court room but the jury was selected before my turn came up. The third time, I was excused after one day because my secretary died. This time, I made it to the court room, and, again, the jury was selected before my turn came up to be in the "six-pack," the term they use for the six extra jurors that are brought up for possible selection. 54 prospective jurors were in the court room and at the end of the day (yes, it took all day), there were so many excused, that there were only 15 of us left in the seats, so I got close. The process was fascinating.</p><p>I'm now safe for a year.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-50393790174822658232012-02-29T21:08:00.005-08:002012-02-29T21:34:48.980-08:00Happy Birthday, Ed!<div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRQXHLnVuHhBbI5hvzW5lYpaDOnyaG0DhSzn7kzszY3WUYwhM_0J2Ql1LCAhR2S25F-ZUPejwA-Orjjgov-MN24SujAD4zM879k85e24Bp0qpNvERI6RxTf7rml2ctXP8Iuqe6RxDTcaq/s1600/Ed%2527s+Birthday+at+El+Torito.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 268px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714795967507943602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRQXHLnVuHhBbI5hvzW5lYpaDOnyaG0DhSzn7kzszY3WUYwhM_0J2Ql1LCAhR2S25F-ZUPejwA-Orjjgov-MN24SujAD4zM879k85e24Bp0qpNvERI6RxTf7rml2ctXP8Iuqe6RxDTcaq/s400/Ed%2527s+Birthday+at+El+Torito.jpg" /></a><br /><br />On February 28, Ed (Grandpa; Great-grandpa) celebrated his 92nd birthday. Mom and I took him to El Torito to celebrate (and so that we didn't have to cook dinner). Ed and I had shrimp fajitas. Mom ordered this appetizer plate and actually put away a lot of it!<br /><br /></div><div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 294px; height: 129px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714795711517539042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVfXCSgU7Ag-8Onsxa0bHnR3zLH8FLor4D7LoGy6Ypw3d4Z9sXy_auy-LtVV3EIadTOSGfMGW-yGJ4h6POUAreY2bZPj-1hBk6vZi4ByVjEUQL1P4D3cZc3tJzzCXoira05M8X1T9bl9t/s400/Mom%2527s+El+Torito+Dinner+Choice.gif" /></div><div><br /><br />The server kept taking our picture when Ed had his mouth full. Happy 92nd Birthday, Ed! You look fabulous and we love you!<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 265px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714796086301631410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLOOgYa3gVkob8lU4IQcEd_7_AMkvibcAvzeRzuhCKtIEq-senLL3Fk4qSgKsGq3pehyNIeoTZLPyexKuie7H_W4tmEE-9MCGPXNkMIkYGQ41i27PAJV21FXD5Id40KeXx56VicX2qgQa/s400/Ed%2527s+Birthday+at+El+Torito+3.jpg" /></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-62151599244486133532012-02-27T23:55:00.009-08:002012-02-28T00:18:06.649-08:00Pathetic!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>What did we do before the techy toys?????<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714095986740159922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERZ54JWDrD-_za8D8Oi6pPqEq6bRlqo76BmHtKbE13IKNJNzEP0SHc9cmUVUC6-avX8hEK-WZ_EwEO8Hd-vLjEzLlKEpiJoJKOYiBuEncvS7Y1HapfyE6y4JP48RNUEiQ-O7xN9vGhfYb/s400/2-26-12+Aron+Will+and+the+iPhone.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714096141644270562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WDquofjLFj7FEFvXpcnkX9kwPHSm7ys18wKluEwaq_SdFdwM2AR3v1gAHgl_b9Dr5vru_MPVXI9u8qlrwmf3LAA_bAfZ-ikOhJ82IPgdUizML8ThygnVQwpP9LM4McwGXrApvKqKXK3C/s400/2-26-12+Sarah+and+the+iPad.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714096306713390594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgBmPuGZF8b0pFvhYDbTjzHDjfNZdZzN6siYgspT6JzLnEGQAbHe57dpmVmJvceKl0BT2q28BNrzXWGu1JUzDcW5r4htV9B9gaqkK1PbB-HPqTyFaqjXB8z-e5uKjfxDl-PMxCToEbe9zD/s400/2-26-12+Alex+and+the+HP+and+his+peeps.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714096436170623714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlxhDdVRbjTL9rR4jxvPQVaAKR19vFrUHoOSwklUkX3YF72a4Cu8Xi7CTpQVa_XboLC58D-FO7RPautJgPOyYgI6DmxX1iGFF0impWmrA0Vcjui3lZJuU_JBCV4blAknwMUT_gMTCzWPI/s400/2-26-12+Andy+and+the+HP.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714096541271893554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fulBnAL9YE0MMK0ZXNvXSi7M0k0fEWh9Wst8bV_yeiT_HlwuHR208Cm6L8zyyJ6QVnAlnFLnrXcTA50HPmvUsqmA19YUdHKmmlCJ7MZdxfIADPgwQlWA72Jm9a4grJSbepKdZO6-C7LS/s400/2-26-12+Andy+and+the+iPhone.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714096670284878818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikP7MU-dElgW1_HEMZfq1jObuOYllmrfAsbgLlujIOf0SW3hWA2_Av0TUMLEU7JP6mStFmQHHs82z0i_rC8-6Q1ctuuzP5dV_GMM_jce_zpSYmzvVRl8fseskccnvEzbYd7pYOrD8vN78h/s400/2-26-12+Beth+and+the+iPhone.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>And, then, there's always the low-tech version of enjoying oneself. You go, Omi!</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714096947028056642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNDsmDBbvjRBXcF2CoN8YjpdvzOjik2kyx1z6Qi7mABeFWZaOEpFVjjMWBLuUvDBlnW4Lhhvp0VujIxfP7W_NnVrRNOkexObbF9bWBK29vS7E1CT5FOItWsVT2_EWmXOlQjk6oL-InT-f/s400/2-16-12+Omi+doing+some+low-tech+reading.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-6461602821741830012012-02-25T00:05:00.004-08:002012-02-25T00:31:20.849-08:00Another Super Busy WeekLast weekend - Alex's girlfriend, Shawna, spent four days with us (actually with Alex, but we were here, too).<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712985599653255746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8e0auHHu33zeHDx2RAxxpmOYY7-vXsacRe1siwXDH2ZpT34WzoBwYxb21JZoAmCU74wc7LEJS_lJ5wAQhpwUQ0SvFf3GeHzqGMa2xLJn4kp3XjMmh4gClr85q_sDegL1Yucn27NdogfF/s400/Welcome%252C+Shawna.JPG" /><br />Sadly, Ed wasn't able to join us because he wasn't feeling well AND I don't have any pictures of the weekend! But we had fun.<br /><br />Monday - President's Day<br /><em></em>Took Andy to the airport super early.<br /><em></em>Went to the movies with Mom (The Vow).</p><p><br />Tuesday -<br /><em></em>Took Shawna to Martinez to lunch with Alex (who is still on jury duty). Shopped at a few antique stores. Took Shawna to the airport. Babysat at 47 while Beth did tutoring. Sorted pictures for eventual scrapbooking.</p><p><br />Wednesday -<br /><em></em>Super busy day at work after not being there for two days. It was "Kids eat free day" at Chili's so Mom and I joined Beth and the kids for a yummy dinner. Sorted pictures for eventual scrapbooking.</p><p><br />Thursday -<br />Another super busy day at work followed by "cut and color." Vicky did a fabulous job! Had to go back to work another hour so missed the RS Dinner/Conference. Sorted more pictures for eventual scrapbooking.</p><p><br />Friday-<br />Yet another super busy day at work followed by a scrumptious Indo dinner fixed by Mom. Sorted more pictures for eventual scrapbooking.</p><p><br />Saturday -<br /><em></em>Up early to clean the church building followed by Costco for staples followed by house cleaning followed by picking up Ed's birthday dessert, which I won't be able to eat (sad) followed by big get-together for Ed's 92nd birthday. He still looks fabulous.</p><p><br />Phew, I'm tired.</p>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-88150231802318464902012-02-24T23:49:00.008-08:002012-02-25T00:03:24.798-08:00The Preparation is the Hard Part<div><div> After FOUR days of sorting these<br /><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712979812327393138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMIR255ZckSgZs6ipxRvSS5QA-oA0yiCvjA_5UbJVxODLtmv-MLtTH3ZEbtExtcslD-3JXfBFWP0FrFSSVa93y51NYmK-nH1tI15cP9rGSrbWOGgCV-AaU6Nw8MJLUPQwOPodNPxGumu7/s400/Scrapbook+bins.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />and these<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712979943535125154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIrXzt7EhkhaOl7AFVjobcbIa14aeEOlxQLDcDbVn2Fo5NAoaQ0-XCfuGnS7a6upoJ2snfS4-uDyHGOtJm130F0uNvE6SIMLbuIfJW34xXqZtTAm1gyHN35xg-kf_AQdXKcxW25kRXKdM/s400/Scrapbook+Boxes.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />and these<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 266px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712980020150849602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjmr9DgsoTqluBhUyGVZ6uCmrYNe2TtoN17eUk1Gs2uED5M3UUhyWKn41EhGBuTnWqyH_BC3OH7YIIP1kQKNKYIpFB5NcWvDj8QFgFYXQaqFWIntMD8igyURPaYk67FEb8CEld6buI9ZT/s400/More+Scrapbook+Boxes.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />I am still not finished...</div><div> </div><div>But when I finally am, I am going to have so much fun scrapbooking!!</div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-79289266199602062472012-02-23T23:54:00.012-08:002012-02-24T00:21:45.903-08:0015-minute "Computer Time"<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Aron and Will are allowed 15 minutes of computer time. Sometimes they choose my iPad, sometimes they choose the computer, sometimes they choose the Wii. This past weekend, after eating dinner at our house, they chose to play Mario Cart. See if you can figure out who won...<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712609782326187906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgzDMOfsN7sToCKMnr04JWxdLewAv-pMNzcJBgCxdC88YkIS6XiHx6R6Eg29KN6e7R8-0EGTGpjc_QI4tbUomAiHwa-3beA64Wgs_OkN9-C39L83jkfQVJuv42v25GXjj-4q3SI8TRYcN/s320/Still+driving.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> Starting the race<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712609598841839170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfj-vixvHqKxQj4PncOAtdoNrvJgy7d7b6FOB7mjjRkqxmbStXgOFuGBGrxpNnNl7oCYaYXczXwYAYHbAJZ32_OZb7C3S0d4NhVGYEiUCeMDqLzfwhmkJOPwo_lZAjsYy5cbvclIOAOcF/s320/Driving+%25282%2529.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> Driving on the track<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712609406276810706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOMk1x_2JPeacceGDmi0K_bfooqTsQcmiey7rSSKVDNv1zhd-VZ533o6pHTDuAMYaLC1RVPO-TYL8sHKCMeiIVHsePX9cgMrF5RojPoGN-sISIly2XZP6ut9ieZtDRaM9C6MIRcWxcruo/s320/Driving.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> Those tricky turns!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712610185441999650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP1TZtvnAUOD3Pumxos5eLFqqL9jYulfco8UV_zNPvd4THeZwi5CnoQf2ioKc7_MfSJ9qcOYZ1mK8mqaJgx92-drOa8mnIdyEa9Hn1erLUxfzaGTSbl9hq1pQhqA_dl3FA83LnSr4GTVV/s320/Will+wants+to+go+a+different+way.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Is Will turning off the track???<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712610374113001202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi13SRpTEFgvEPPAwTZyXRlz4Wxue3luPQUhnAz_zG9ZXjcg8ASyYSecQUpFg-NmMzlXLHJ1ET3lQSuh5IcabHpDHGQKI1qV9DmGZKb9aPxproPH2rYtC2qkIU6-W2vJs90Xh89kqrArK/s320/Where+are+you+going%252C+Will.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> Where are you going, Will?<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712610679006586370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HixZorq1l_CgvqBx75ScvhRvXItm4r8zOrh7IYw-LCBFW23hnBG75bp7hFH-VXRiamrbMmY6VTrL-gKkFYMYz6DElD57t8OZruGVQYgxIN6r-hjlWhsW3FNTdz2CYwu5MVfO5RLal4nN/s320/What+the+heck%252C+Will.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> What the heck, Will?<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712610935446521938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnupYufO1Rbq9KOUcFsG9E3zIPMcJSCdbCv9nx7pRKPulQnFCROGEyRynyovmwaD8oqM_Q0TtuOx_bHU6V1O3cbLnkOSeu0uk2Il4lcWuliy8BkCdIO595RGPlzgXJjr5vtHeeuP0Fisx/s320/Guess+who+won.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> Who won?<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712611113823107858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6dLAqU8mRmQaZb6fQHHDeZ4doFLxPknrdPZli2w5AxHa7I3pyK48ZmJp3w42l_jTRvL2cNmrbuH4O5NYPsi_Pu9BwXT43lamlGQIb47H5OjGlUEUrSQPTsqShyHF3x9heHnfg7x_2May/s320/Sarah%252C+ready+to+roll+with+gloves+on+and+a+spy+glass.JPG" /></div><div align="center"> Sarah ready to roll with her</div><div align="center">gloves on and her spy glass<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712611218271016610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdwWOVo648H7Zenmi1drfuckASnQA-zCk6hCHSERpq_6KHys7IJvF-HJ4jikyDa5OXG99UBpQsf8vVMId9HMqoFrWAl4hnqvw3dgcJ5n8Q3tkqaC_Sw0AyusEs1rjTZUdINxhPx80qINV/s320/IMG_8811.JPG" /></div><div align="center">All that just made me hungry and it was</div><div align="center">"free day Sunday." So, I made a Bananas</div><div align="center">Royale - so yummy!</div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-90554345125361905302012-02-17T23:59:00.000-08:002012-02-18T00:34:39.903-08:00At 9 PM, I Was Asleep on the Couch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVnV95FhqVoZr3RTB2f-2d0HXiCL3NOiys4mgDE3ok3-CAZ3KIR_iw25U48smy6WZJy5ul6qiD8D2jADWBYzvT4riOvwAwl-Hv7u-VyD9Z4PVhIq7aJqb99erjhG5VcTXKIUgsoxtcUUm/s1600/imagesCARYI0ZD.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 194px; height: 260px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710390530014761842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVnV95FhqVoZr3RTB2f-2d0HXiCL3NOiys4mgDE3ok3-CAZ3KIR_iw25U48smy6WZJy5ul6qiD8D2jADWBYzvT4riOvwAwl-Hv7u-VyD9Z4PVhIq7aJqb99erjhG5VcTXKIUgsoxtcUUm/s400/imagesCARYI0ZD.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKmfJXGSejIsJl7x6kQx-6owQ9mP6W17Pyp1_UJRAsyKZuOjq4bh6aUBgpes1g1G0yf_B_CHCHAgMH_Cm5i-5bu0tBpdyjD3hP72OW5u2n7p2qXRLKKA38maxBe2V7wc00OjqKCBT3yH2-/s1600/imagesCARYI0ZD.jpg"></a><div>What? This doesn't happen to me...I'm the one who easily stays up until midnight or 1 a.m. I think the week's activities and too many super late nights did me in. Here's last week's history:</div><ul><li>Saturday, El Dorado's came to Concord - Cooked, ate, played, stayed up late to make Primary puppets.</li><li>Sunday - Church, Sharing Time, crab feed, stayed up late chatting with Theresa.</li><li>Monday, school holiday - cooked, shopped, cooked, El Dorado's left, worked on school accreditation documentation, met Theresa in Vacaville at 10:45 p.m. to hand off Arie's backpack that was left at our house, stayed up REALLY late to finish accreditation documentation.</li><li>Tuesday, Valentine's Day - Early to school for accreditation team visitors, had to be on my game all day for the visitors, took the fam to dinner for Valentine's Day, stayed up late watching a depressing movie about a cancer patient.</li><li>Wednesday - Early breakfast with visiting teachers, drove to Sacramento for federal funding workshop with school administrative secretary, stayed up late preparing bedroom for Alex's main squeeze.</li><li>Thursday - Early appointment for CT scan, spoke at M.A. graduation, spoke at RDA graduation, played cards with Mom, cleaned out linen closet with Mom, stayed up late signing staff time sheets.</li><li>Friday - Long meeting with RDA staff, followed by another meeting, followed by intense clean-up of piles of papers on desk. After dinner, watched TV with Mom and fell asleep on the couch by 9:00 p.m. Woke up just in time to post this before midnight.</li></ul><p>I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow, getting to know Alex's girlfriend, Shawna, and a nice, long holiday weekend of laziness and my favorite thing - cooking!</p><p>Good night!</p><div> </div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-50722884205483584162012-02-16T23:55:00.000-08:002012-02-17T01:02:33.559-08:00Keunings, Crab, and Fun<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Mark, Theresa, and Arie came to visit last weekend. It became a whirlwind weekend of fun, eating, working, eating, playing, eating, shopping, eating, and eating.<br /><br />On Saturday, Mom made a giant pot of nasi goreng and pangsit (Indonesian fried rice and fried wonton). Yum! Then, we played Joker and Mom and Theresa helped me make puppets for my sharing time lesson.<br /><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710014691562251282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IaCOrqsRZIfk-lCub9vtnCh4_VbK-ivISKCcpy1QMztKUrBj5ZF2q0q5RyRLwHrGyvypAJLDoY8EVxN2PQ1Y5rqlA4BMHMOnfqWRsiFmmdc8ezjxgze9x_5RIxnhLqka-6j84AWeTOyJ/s400/IMG_8787.JPG" /><br /><br />On Sunday, we ate Cinnabons (did you know Costco sells them?) and eggs for breakfast. In the afternoon, the 47's joined us and Mark, Andy, and Alex did a mini Jam Session while Arie and the little guys played video games. Then, for dinner we ate Dungeness crab (my ultra favorite), salad, and sour dough bread (lots of it) with baked salmon for the non-crab eaters, followed by ice cream. Thank goodness, it is a free challenge day for me. Theresa, Alex, and I watched Downton Abbey.</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 396px; height: 259px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710024702052897218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgh8fBcama5uC96_iJ6swmX872C4JkIWa4fRR5JCpKyrpJ2BkzOTBiWoBT736SdofXecX4Je9w8ifNtWIOkOZWK-EoGqGrnXO6lM1pJb8kVlaONWyFjvdwwxPZ8xC1JcjnNwGElQUldsD/s400/environment_cinnabon_01%255B1%255D.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710019408140581186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IcWvG4OteZgB3HWV0j8Kbu96RSkTJPfC0q1rQhTagEfj4pZvlNfSqNi8RYnFNvLLlY1XMVd7ALiKRTSwwauZOs6WBh8ZMGMi_3qZMBcR07_qKltLXaNnjvBDBDzv_vj0wSKh8vXac9JD/s400/IMG_8790.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710019558113007106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YwJ9H7o_V2roYZzwsPSTR9jQcjJdUma9cq_uFayV60020YUYVZCB7TLVdmXumnmtzm4UuJEE3OPr9vzQZoMaWGH7htBqlvqjFdhGXQBObX3Rvm6O7ImXyJnJrzl0FskiqvK_Y6dSyWi9/s400/IMG_8798.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710019849125197042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJIyFATKsZzFy_cAG1Itnime4khflaHG5S5hmpGm2f3c5vxAUArXYNmHyGY8MgbTghHQR8CL4Ib6Gm7fKAhrQG-z8XEtRhkI6tNXxZwYew3hwZrLIgfWJ7Fq73fy3C7drkfMieKutVFlC/s400/IMG_8792.JPG" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710019747317064370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwmt9hELCBh0y6DEBaikQTd0lSGP9hSb-qdhyphenhyphen7Ze3vMwiL_e7Bcl9kTKFo-aHnTPA71mcW_x5ZtRbac9D7vGdBr9i4KjclnN3JXD-dGQc1XKDprvQV2CQNCcucL-vf3q_rn5w3ndEov-cE/s400/IMG_8796.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710015213507813474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgbULixwnWz8HRsy_vC4ZAMZWkLMyY_Qpopf_mXFpNOOP7TRvLwzkdS17-OBRETNPYzACb2IVFxRbrm_aeO0vWwfNI0hukxPNycIkNLr6uI81wwfSmKOEKSugPNHK5RkL3gukaW4-Ul2c/s400/IMG_8793.JPG" /></div><div><div><p> </p><p> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 226px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710020469628337490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9A-SLa7FjPuo9oHjlGpev72f6bImsNiYesmLKIsklomDEUiDGzr31CRjSokwOt4bf_RJofJWK_HJsuH4pjXIq_E9Bcj3jaQ5m-sVQpPEfAxKSNx6QGvrmPhZmXIUS828D9u_zgbYy8ls/s400/70213223%255B1%255D.jpg" /></p><p>On Monday, for breakfast, we ate chicken-apple sausages and avocado-cheese omelettes and for lunch, homemade deli sandwiches. The women then shopped at TJ Maxx while the guys played video games and read.</p><p> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710026777724517266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5JLHH1cc_JUuXb2ZSO1fneKxLoRcpUL_n-zhyphenhyphenoKo2-LbBK08eZ_RQxntRua11Dmkwp2dNZpJ67LJy-hgfD49-A7FRZwgophGrx4ByUSiEWAzQRZfG33j-0KDeZxWn-HIDXPwbOJNzyYf/s400/DSCN5197%255B1%255D.JPG" /></p><br />Then, the Keunings left and it became really quiet. It was a great weekend.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-17906723514728374812012-02-15T22:14:00.000-08:002012-02-15T22:22:34.228-08:00We Got Flocked!<div><div><div>Imagine my surprise when I left for work this morning and saw a flock of flamingos on my front lawn:<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709614218258375010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1upKX_AHuW-9vKofqe5ncTJ7fM4_md-dWXMsEGnl7ZAP07n3LZ8fllDPGvv6EBxTlT24yGVPJA7_fJnADa98vTRiuS7d1GX3C4yTrSQvoaft6fQCxl3D9WsInnjEmNq61CUXrSEQm3w-N/s400/Flock+at+63.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Then, as I drove past Andy and Beth's house, another flock:<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709614342475239810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBp8x6lmCizltinz5RFRZxxdBz-TjR1QlZnvl3I0GzcUzCmFB1PW-PU5iJhyphenhyphengIaVX6hNd3oBObVZKrkEe_1z4pE5Iefov-XMj8pL_49hOTtVJPWTSugKp2njdG1NYn-_U8wNvYC-0Gx7N/s400/Flock+at+47.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>I wonder when the flock they will leave! (Cute fundraiser idea, huh?)<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709614478637985010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TIHftL6M4tMzYsdGp2QxG3hP591CfUeNeLdahG8qO-gWjPGdg_qpHW4woPHIJ2vkEc_vNoEGIQA4rwUJP0vQ2BPc7INuuHSjyVL_L19NVW-yNVqi3A70kI7vaKTMVY5IsZR7CHTZL-FE/s400/We+Got+Flocked%2521.JPG" /></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-89969731000730098352012-02-11T23:52:00.000-08:002012-02-12T00:06:15.968-08:00Great Helpers!On Sunday, it's my turn to share a lesson with the kids on Choosing the Right. We will be talking about how the disciples followed Jesus. It was suggested that we use some puppets during the lesson. My mom and my sister-in-law, Theresa, said they would help color them. We needed Jesus, Mary and Martha, Peter and Andrew, Saul (Paul), and Lehi. We discovered that there were only two templates for the puppets--one figure for Mary and Martha and another figure for all of the men. So, we decided to get creative and doctored the templates so that they would look different and more like the disciples we needed. We colored, drew, cut, taped, and laughed until our sides split. In the end, we had seven individual puppets. <br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708157219623553602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWWJeZFTyIjvdiKCQu3pNPK4_vABB1PaCv_trZrW4-247kk4ksfxVtfIP16ENv0l30H7C4mTjq3MxcFqH4zIb4UNMHNi8R6cDp3FKBBdH4llOD2c_GE_31cUxsLgJT7VwBuk5OqDuKxtZ/s400/IMG_8787.JPG" /><br />Thanks, Mom and Theresa!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-11843373673746980202012-02-09T21:29:00.000-08:002012-02-09T21:44:55.022-08:00My Favorite Things Dungeness crab<br /> My microfleece house “uniform”<br /> A hot mug of Pero with Irish Creamer in the evening<br /> French-milled soap – Milk<br /> Sweet Amber Musk from Salt City Candles<br /> Filet mignon dinner at Magleby’s in Provo<br /> “Movie day” at home<br /> Homemade hot buttered popcorn<br /> Dark chocolate<br /> USPS’ Click-n-ShipBarbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-69537691450346840102012-02-08T23:46:00.000-08:002012-02-09T00:00:25.096-08:00Gas Station Pet Peeve<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnLg56H-EOXAsMyoOYTxekCT3qyKAz8aVTbonrx_oLy1w4tCSqwqkZr45Y58CRjzWRlK95O461KbkucSAvtMVE4SVFWRpQZOFnozJc3N-BD8cP30bzVtlB4mKkeQTA5u-vigouRJ7g1ff/s1600/imagesCAVHUXA6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRnLg56H-EOXAsMyoOYTxekCT3qyKAz8aVTbonrx_oLy1w4tCSqwqkZr45Y58CRjzWRlK95O461KbkucSAvtMVE4SVFWRpQZOFnozJc3N-BD8cP30bzVtlB4mKkeQTA5u-vigouRJ7g1ff/s320/imagesCAVHUXA6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707041774011830466" /></a>Halfway to work, low gasoline warning.<br />Duck into nearest gas station.<br /><br />Credit card slots don't work.<br />Pump handle locking mechanism broken.<br />Annoying!<br /><br />I WANT FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS BACK!Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-13506638036737621222012-02-07T23:33:00.000-08:002012-02-07T23:43:03.276-08:00Oma, Can I Play Your "Ah-ped?"<div><div><div><div><div>In 1988, I marveled at the fact that Alexander could pop a cassette into the video player all by himself. Technology has advanced since then at lightning speed. Today, Sarah has no problem figuring things out on my iPad.<br /><br /><br /></div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706665291023488946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64DJkFFTD-4t8Jn8IY4jk-COEcsgludcCpIJWMbZtZhQZcu5IFVZNmllKuygrSJaf4K4y7FnrAw5QFlVouuA3OB8K4mOdBS2Ex_MFngF72zul5E9agQdtvFktjLaL3Xh7_TDlQ1gfVJht/s320/IMG_8754.JPG" /><br /><br /></div><div>In 1988, I marveled that kids would sit quietly and watch Andrew play Nintendo for an hour. Today, I guess nothing has changed…<br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706666500627057538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHB7E7_4UFtkvaSvBQUwUr9UKKq58wYsMHt81Yi6e_58c0mu6l0uMh5eKDVixcS0sOWMLqTbZ2XX13JL6GCcLHJsIOTOPRJurDiajxEX90SOfk9bQ5qQLislNsGF52M0d5dDmL34pNOzr/s320/IMG_8757.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7596405361019268464.post-35683785165385605622012-02-06T23:42:00.002-08:002012-02-07T00:06:03.936-08:00SuperBowl Sunday<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1ys_uCaqwpF6dnSuaBDmcw0vOtJauZR7v-WrbTg4dZEpcxegSxdbjZtCj4O9ImMEHzS7qotqRZSh_Kd7CnKWuzDNXM4byHKfP8aLi6cZjI50h6x7DmSXiuJuzog6UOa7WY_YMHglp9UN/s1600/Uncle+Alex+Teasing+Will.JPG"></a><div><p>We love football. We love food. We love being together. Put them all together and you have one fun afternoon!<br /><br />Beth, Sue, Alex, Omi, and I had fun preparing the food.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706297271068910002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikteVobbO8iZp6UOopEQR6wn6SqZO_tTIXHiaT1i46CIEf1wuEuZvJOIzh1YVO6dcAveQckicEQTaHGY0GNpKKf5hfvX_P8oi1nmqzJ9vbjKxfmde9nfx-aTStBCJgf9f9lcg2l9IiLrqH/s320/Superbowl+Spread.JPG" /></p><p>Andy had fun (?) putting all of the cables back together so that we could watch the game on the big screen.</p><p> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706298996040444418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsghTUvjE4qD7rEPEQxQXwrclYJoi5dv2-KP3JLMFIDx-7vWNUrlfoV542wkazBxDUVL7JtJ8EEMBcuwG9VNTOoRxRH45j7d6j-eJ3X-2yzK8ZYaWCBaTWme5kZ3d52ISmM9hGlGM1ySBP/s320/The+Motley+Crew.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjColqppZmmE5uaOAnSFSxKKQkADU5Fkam_VX1hH9AafIeU-KE0j8L8lOw_VrrywcsNoxNgVRbWA-e7QhtDNn0dQeuX8Ede4lG8Pi4M0YqcmxzP72A_vUhNTJaFMp8lVsVPFlH_H-O1hWHk/s1600/The+Motley+Crew.JPG"></a></p><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706299193477303554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNReTV_w4rcJzRof-_kCErWl4ldMrMhWxqyh5RmlIMUqD-ZVooarCYXhDdR-vPmjK2M9jSH5rqLfgj6_rn7O3Y3WNNA0OlH5qfrtCNDBY5_mCaSycO7quomObSon4NdS7iNnbA6QeDOry0/s320/Hmmmm.JPG" /></p><p> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706299482340339906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oBD-Qpv1yxDvn-F4EUbjKKG8bpBECZe4PK6hQaHFk-jGjW-_lXm20l-jNEzb579OcAR2LK0H4wT40RvBHsQnPF7Ajono_081ZSpJcc3vKKiuPjksYV1jltn3xMMl4ZF_Cxad5uEbOuzG/s320/Sarah+%2526+Nana.JPG" /></p><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706299615747368562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisX9UsD5wfnWS1G4CWtTcr_bhsXB1BMeY7ReX42B4K_YU24dQEW6gGk-8aFEGFUacJgCynxLcqP2GX4oR3aOUgJbYuwS_3iA8jOeXGFQgyO1dcO4x2QhtI_7Wu7gipS6YDd4rZsVarPL9o/s320/Omi+%2526+Sarah+Playing.JPG" /></p><p><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706299752454990226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYGTZwJGgM2LYdYWhyEzwj35smNBqpM9UWfnFsXaccX1Qx88ugZ609olCs6UjATEXq_-KD5cr975czZCx6o1Qc4e5HkIFpp6aaH2vYgc46rml6EZS2ivCYRdMSiHu8QxdaZvIlrEyn6Ye/s320/Uncle+Alex+Teasing+Will.JPG" /></p><p>Tatiana, our neighbor joined the festivities, but I was so into my plate, I forgot to take a picture. We missed Grandpa Ed (went to Michael & Janine's) and the Romneys.<br /><br />We were all routing for different teams. Tom Brady, NE Patriots QB, contributed to my winning the Leal family Extreme Croquet Fantasy Football League trophy this year. The NE Patriots was Bill’s fav team. So, it’s not hard to guess who I wanted to win. Beth is mad at Tom Brady, so she was rooting for the Giants. Omi always roots for the underdog. Mandy wanted the Giants to win.<br /><br />To officially close the 2011-12 football season and, at the risk of gloating, I’m going to take this opportunity to show, again, the trophy that I get to keep all year.<br /><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 213px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706301503203199218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo3esqEeJd8nV9pXOUwXD1-EehdcVRYNYqp7bIfsyybKb7taGgSP9cNtQyexRF77WpScQB9t1xrVHJo4jrHJwG3eFjRIxu_SYvHYh26tc_0VBZbD_woZzs8795-skrB0On6qdY_u3L2Aq/s320/Barbara%252C+the+Winner+2012.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSCUvre1FLe-p6RUv1yShWnLXj2I-1ftTGM11GoDHPIgULsHQHMGMvKe6XXu0pIzQfqHD3r5cyHqphuUfB1zhcwliopDq2lq7mgrR1TwBKIxjQTiJXH9Qphl_lAgkeZJJFkcSIELq0HvA/s1600/Hmmmm.JPG"></a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299037917617412713noreply@blogger.com1