tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64822549648077722942024-03-13T06:58:53.510-05:00A Blog a Day... keeps insanity at bay.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-52858421667227871382012-11-16T13:31:00.003-06:002012-11-16T13:34:03.410-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB2OR97KdOPtTm9Q7uMRse2iADe6GY8r6Htv2w4mHrwR7ogY-IR9wN_3VUpcdfvZ3rFxSXoRXj6ltCY02rdNHsj929lx22YD4y21n8V0KxyM4HySqDC7nBFBmIvDTP1sH-dc6059KfZA/s1600/Breighlyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB2OR97KdOPtTm9Q7uMRse2iADe6GY8r6Htv2w4mHrwR7ogY-IR9wN_3VUpcdfvZ3rFxSXoRXj6ltCY02rdNHsj929lx22YD4y21n8V0KxyM4HySqDC7nBFBmIvDTP1sH-dc6059KfZA/s200/Breighlyn.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Life can change in an instant. Are you prepared for it?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">I know I wasn't. On Friday, July 13th, I found out that I was going to be a grandmother for the first time. It was a shock for many reasons. First and foremost because my dear daughter, Ash, is only 17 and this was very unexpected. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Once the initial shock wore off, I was excited. I warmed up to the idea of becoming a "Nonna". We were only 6 weeks into this pregnancy but a baby is definitely a blessing. As time went on we began buying little things (but only in yellow) and awaiting the day that we would finally be able to buy for a boy or a girl.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Ash went to her doctor's appointments and we had our first ultrasound. The sight of the baby moving and wiggling brought tears to my eyes. I was seeing my grandchild. The baby was still too young to determine the sex so a second ultrasound was scheduled and again we would have to wait. Our excitement grew.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">During a regular doctor's visit Ash was required to have a quad screen done. It's purpose is to check the mother's blood for possible defects in the baby. We thought nothing of it until we received a call stating that Ash's had come back positive for a possible fetal chromosomal disorder. An appointment was scheduled for an in-depth ultrasound with a perinatalogist. Our concern grew, but we were sure that it was nothing.
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="fullpost"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">On Wednesday, October 17th, Ash was 19 weeks and 3 day as we headed to see the specialist and genetic counselor. We (Me, Ash, Ty Ash's fiance and Ty's mother) all prepared to see our healthy baby, find out the sex and head out shopping after we were done. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MSPV37sBz7vIR9bCNcnH4yt4avq3nXjfYSQgzQ6d49e6cOI8Qt_6NLXogP0gCairfyXmI3rWYt4Z0_I63sLXVZR0sJQkitVnXEAP1dEpxc1dtn6KYrAkMPggJ7D6aEZEP5m7OI7MV8g/s1600/breighlyn2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MSPV37sBz7vIR9bCNcnH4yt4avq3nXjfYSQgzQ6d49e6cOI8Qt_6NLXogP0gCairfyXmI3rWYt4Z0_I63sLXVZR0sJQkitVnXEAP1dEpxc1dtn6KYrAkMPggJ7D6aEZEP5m7OI7MV8g/s320/breighlyn2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="fullpost">After meeting with the genetic counselor, watching a scary video about chromosomal defects and having to wait, we all became a little nervous about what was next. The ultrasound room was nice and Ash was laid out on the table with goo on her belly when the sight of our little girl popped up on the screen. She was beautiful and still wiggling around when we received the bad news that rocked our world.
Aside from the great news that the baby was a girl, was the view of her cystic hygroma, which was 7 cm, and hydrops. She had fluid in her abdomen, around her heart and lungs and under her skin. An amniocentesis was done immediately and confirmed our worst fears. Our baby girl, lovingly name Breighlyn, had Turner syndrome. We were told that her chances of surviving to term were small and that she wouldn't make it to week 24 if the swelling didn't stop. Devastation sunk in. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">We called all of our family and a select amount of friends and told them of the bad news. We got online and didn't research only to find out that the situation was grim. Ash was given the option to terminate or wait. Both Ash and Ty agreed to give their little girl a chance, even though it was only 5% that she might make it. They left it up to God and Breighlyn. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Now, after many prayers and well wishes, Ash is a mere 2 days away from 24 weeks. Weekly visits to the doctor for fetal tones has shown a strong heartbeat. Breighlyn is constantly moving and kicking proving that she is a fighter. Please pray that our little butterfly keeps strong in her fight to survive.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">For more information on Turner syndrome visit <a href="http://turnersyndrome.org/">http://turnersyndrome.org</a>.</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-70579426782836874932012-11-15T20:20:00.000-06:002012-11-15T20:20:54.220-06:00<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To blog or not to blog ... that is the question. <br />
<br />
I haven't blogged in well over a year. Who knows why. Perhaps I lost the will to write or maybe I got caught up with life. Whatever the reason, I have missed the calm, peaceful feeling that comes from writing. I didn't realize just how much I missed writing until I hit a massive stress wall. So ... let the blogging commence.<br />
<br />
Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-47851444297026971612011-01-09T21:56:00.002-06:002011-01-09T22:10:57.113-06:00Amish Apple Fritters<div class="ForumPostContentText"><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">What we love to cook when it's cold outside ...<br />
<br />
<br />
Amish Apple Fritters<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cmMNTEjnn-Lfv_vZGzZMbp2GmySgnNDRK3w0DWdVG8uRlBJNHRe7i5i1HXYNXkGTK2vCGjMer8X4zPsFnELA0mrD-SPw7J-dQzCyFo2Lso9fDtNc7XCX4m5_bgSnJl63pjiML0SUKO8/s1600/IMG_20110109_215640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cmMNTEjnn-Lfv_vZGzZMbp2GmySgnNDRK3w0DWdVG8uRlBJNHRe7i5i1HXYNXkGTK2vCGjMer8X4zPsFnELA0mrD-SPw7J-dQzCyFo2Lso9fDtNc7XCX4m5_bgSnJl63pjiML0SUKO8/s320/IMG_20110109_215640.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
2 Tbsp sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/4 c milk<br />
1 c flour<br />
2 tsp baking powder<br />
2 tsp lemon juice<br />
2-3 c sliced apples<br />
<br />
*You can substitute can apples in place<br />
of the lemon juice and sliced apples. <br />
<br />
<br />
Cream together sugar and eggs, add flour and baking powder, then milk. Mix and add lemon juice and apples. Drop by teaspoonfuls into hot shortening or make into little cakes and fry in a pan like pancakes. Sprinkle powdered sugar and cinnamon over them when finished frying.</span></div><span class="fullpost"></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-68710616589115269852010-12-13T12:41:00.001-06:002010-12-13T15:59:16.810-06:00Two decades ago ...<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73MwChU6pZlwn06manar1PL9GWByns0rm-oUsZSC0QJd0tuOpQMnAglTrGlbjfWjF5EcZJSN77XfFm-JaC8jbhZIoeMVkmCohTUCpkzjX07pYrAV1AiZvW-RVCt2RItigCmUyR_isKlE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73MwChU6pZlwn06manar1PL9GWByns0rm-oUsZSC0QJd0tuOpQMnAglTrGlbjfWjF5EcZJSN77XfFm-JaC8jbhZIoeMVkmCohTUCpkzjX07pYrAV1AiZvW-RVCt2RItigCmUyR_isKlE/s200/images.jpg" width="165" /></a> </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">What was happening 20 years ago today? </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Here are a few things ...</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><ul style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">13 Die in Sicily Quake </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">3 Agencies Honored for Aiding the Poor</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">THEATER REVIEW 'RECKLESS' : Cruel Yule : If Alice fell down the rabbit hole, Rachel is a cat being dragged through a knothole. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Puppet Shows, Storytelling at Ritz-Carlton </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Santa Monica Food Bank Gets $15,000</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">ANC President Tambo Returns to South Africa </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">4 Houses Sinking Near Ill. Mine</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">AND ...</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The birth of Amberlyn Morgan R. </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz7nWhn3xtxo-KaCagts10Lftb2VPt3gv5EF6B5RzgvbSV_NDBl_y6tarVE2Ag2N1s1IP6nw0HqWQDlz64Jhl4PMs3DYqR-TqEdt0XQOPKEf7lBXR2yjbs_yp5oNNv_4j_oGtCy03l1s/s1600/4275_1107311195255_1001040050_30352986_3160138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjz7nWhn3xtxo-KaCagts10Lftb2VPt3gv5EF6B5RzgvbSV_NDBl_y6tarVE2Ag2N1s1IP6nw0HqWQDlz64Jhl4PMs3DYqR-TqEdt0XQOPKEf7lBXR2yjbs_yp5oNNv_4j_oGtCy03l1s/s320/4275_1107311195255_1001040050_30352986_3160138_n.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Happy Birthday baby girl!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> You have amazed me, challenged me, intrigued me, frustrated me, and fascinated me. You have made me happy, confused, proud, mad, and overjoyed. We have shared tears, tantrums and fits of laughter. All for 20 years. Here's to 20 more fantabulous years of growing up with my beautiful, talented, sweet and funny oldest daughter. I love you with my entire soul.</span></div><div style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
Mom</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-58363007130283797032010-11-17T06:21:00.004-06:002010-11-17T06:27:00.672-06:00Windshield vs. Bug<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsih0yMF8I3tbb1PyhPka8T4r8JXu8Q9cumwW1AmzBPACF3TXnNlGnepcqq_vnyF6e4YBh2sguvjKhxqXHIDgxieDC9wAd4TjlbVUAD5MMUNOJzj5YgYKPlNEBFb4SR3X8r1Ua8BOse7Q/s1600/windshield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsih0yMF8I3tbb1PyhPka8T4r8JXu8Q9cumwW1AmzBPACF3TXnNlGnepcqq_vnyF6e4YBh2sguvjKhxqXHIDgxieDC9wAd4TjlbVUAD5MMUNOJzj5YgYKPlNEBFb4SR3X8r1Ua8BOse7Q/s200/windshield.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="fullpost"> </span>Some days you're the windshield. Some days you're the bug ...</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="fullpost">There you are, flying along through life ... minding your own business. You've had a really crappy day and are enjoying the peace and quiet. All of a sudden, out of nowhere - BLAM! Bug meet windshield. <br />
<br />
It probably wouldn't be so bad if it stopped at that. I mean, the initial impact hurts like hell but we've all been there. Right? It may take a bit of time but we manage to pick up and fly on. That is unless you find the windshield of one of those "kick 'em while their down" types. You know the ones I'm talking about. You hit the glass and they immediately douse you with glass cleaner shooting out full force from a hose hidden near the wipers. Still clinging to the windshield? Big mistake. Your perseverance and strong will warrant another shot of toxic cleaner along with a whack from the wipers. If you're not a smear on the windshield by now you're life has flashed before your eyes (depressing you even more) and you find yourself being thrown to the ground. Lying on the side of the road you keep hearing a mantra in your cracked head, "What does not kill us makes us stronger".<br />
<br />
After a perfectly executed middle finger to the world, a much needed temper tantrum and several hours of crying you pick yourself up, dust your wings off and walk on home. <br />
<br />
Today you may be a bug with a grouchy husband who is a victim of our failing economy, a teen son who has gotten way too big for his britches, an ex-husband who's a total ass with a wife who is his perfect match, bills in the mailbox and no money in the bank, not to mention the fact that the dog has just peed on your only address book ... while it was laying on your laptop. <br />
<br />
BUT<br />
<br />
Tomorrow you may be the windshield. <br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-37634827798627306572010-11-15T13:54:00.005-06:002010-11-15T14:05:55.072-06:00formspring.me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRWfuG2ZBk4L-kzyqZS714pSbV8Ds8QZlqRiU5KkME_laOTUOAv0spLNUuDZ33lvHpUAVeBR3xkKrqO_YNqwK7MuTPO9OxRGHP5hXiBOBvBTzLzNYfjWO4Og1YCwq0b0KFGIQNKPthns/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRWfuG2ZBk4L-kzyqZS714pSbV8Ds8QZlqRiU5KkME_laOTUOAv0spLNUuDZ33lvHpUAVeBR3xkKrqO_YNqwK7MuTPO9OxRGHP5hXiBOBvBTzLzNYfjWO4Og1YCwq0b0KFGIQNKPthns/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I just ran across a rather interesting website. It's called <a href="http://www.formspring.me/">Formspring</a>. It's an ask me anything, tell me something type of site. Curious to see who stops by. So go ahead ... ask me anything <a href="http://formspring.me/Crystal072" target="_blank">http://formspring.me/Crystal072</a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-1574078048546017822010-10-27T21:44:00.001-05:002010-10-27T21:45:34.566-05:00Wordless Wednesday ... Happy Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLO2NIhS6FyLQt9r__X9fkSFO1Zac-REzoIVZPhlWc-GHFIVQK3EMWIl4W-znLxUKilKxXkvLx0iMB6XPiGg42uhFpOpHotTLWOOR7OHdiQdOp6sCcG2c_t07YC4G2XREc4JE73y3H9g/s1600/SDC16793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMkb8v-8fz4-7p4iXQVRasb4msBd55t6ONyk6qjJMIdaqhoFYpkzvSoq1u0Q895bQyCZL9QRV6BR5n7fSXTrQYciVfNj6N6SksxvzNOWfsJDf_makfEjLmIjwL0_zVtMAV_7ON8Y_cT8/s1600/SDC16794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobswVTLtFud2iBKMAEBc196CQVkvpinQQOUeUH7X96JMpvkyQpnMtNN8M2AShccHzk4yLkxK4jwS-7pr55z8vCW7Mrga2iDbs4zwevwSO8yEmp1rqqY1hEi664OUhfAbw36wB8pDWuus/s1600/SDC16930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EvzEd9zUj9Z9wpwPiweUfqZiG_XhpLRQHH8NnCOzcXDjmLxWZxyhxrCV1YTc0kd9tmjoo-suaSPQNIYf-JV6MFHbaGUsn2dx86zmHrYNHwdnK06fHdEhAF9aCYnf_Ne500VgYEHWVTo/s1600/Bamber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EvzEd9zUj9Z9wpwPiweUfqZiG_XhpLRQHH8NnCOzcXDjmLxWZxyhxrCV1YTc0kd9tmjoo-suaSPQNIYf-JV6MFHbaGUsn2dx86zmHrYNHwdnK06fHdEhAF9aCYnf_Ne500VgYEHWVTo/s1600/Bamber.jpg" /></a></div><span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AyXSpNOR4kfLoD_VIGEbLKkBewTsbnJjIdUWYJbcIPGq-vfce-J_0IfvG_wx97ghccyEzLIWaCkd-kncxEfGBVWfZG1o-aUT2Dta0KE2H_21kN7JU1HoUjuV1izMcjMOeFxjSBVXFG8/s1600/SDC16793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AyXSpNOR4kfLoD_VIGEbLKkBewTsbnJjIdUWYJbcIPGq-vfce-J_0IfvG_wx97ghccyEzLIWaCkd-kncxEfGBVWfZG1o-aUT2Dta0KE2H_21kN7JU1HoUjuV1izMcjMOeFxjSBVXFG8/s320/SDC16793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd1SXZBYmUKkByWpeiQce4ahoWFOVxVmG0tMn-mpcCD-9eJIMCzbTzJE-5rIH5uuVgSYiBXFguM4lI-Tkg35AAbnsW4Z1evT4U5Mxz66oE3wzbiS92NGeuSlsgdpF-_Wy2mTtbWTGACs/s1600/SDC16929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd1SXZBYmUKkByWpeiQce4ahoWFOVxVmG0tMn-mpcCD-9eJIMCzbTzJE-5rIH5uuVgSYiBXFguM4lI-Tkg35AAbnsW4Z1evT4U5Mxz66oE3wzbiS92NGeuSlsgdpF-_Wy2mTtbWTGACs/s320/SDC16929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG184syr_3DBx_m-P96aTU3O919BA2btMerLj5uiUzcZB2GL211C2OcFCom4PlaFlENS7-61jgZHJYmjAQreqttOy1hX02eoDtw-AZ1GvU4CfKCcZWSHOemQuQOTkt0yiLbF4hSLy61bw/s1600/SDC16930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG184syr_3DBx_m-P96aTU3O919BA2btMerLj5uiUzcZB2GL211C2OcFCom4PlaFlENS7-61jgZHJYmjAQreqttOy1hX02eoDtw-AZ1GvU4CfKCcZWSHOemQuQOTkt0yiLbF4hSLy61bw/s320/SDC16930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujFKf_4MoNJJzLgla-IJ2Uggin2qTWAT-gA8ze1sqG8pzkhDuBzha9hEWsAkbtemxJl0uj_06cIPmW7MnCoJ5jF563-pKkkRDoXb1aGd-LdbwEBXc4GzohRkNVeWipfNOJFqPXdIJytM/s1600/TrickorTreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujFKf_4MoNJJzLgla-IJ2Uggin2qTWAT-gA8ze1sqG8pzkhDuBzha9hEWsAkbtemxJl0uj_06cIPmW7MnCoJ5jF563-pKkkRDoXb1aGd-LdbwEBXc4GzohRkNVeWipfNOJFqPXdIJytM/s320/TrickorTreat.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><span class="fullpost"><br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-85930162428784046492010-10-25T17:29:00.003-05:002010-10-27T21:52:08.287-05:00Scrivener for Windows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PQzI0LhVlP0M755QxHCh9e8D-_ndS8Os0E_eaHznWLDxoH8YbFnJEQ4AttoW3f6Gc4rbxHcVHmkMGhE9GSPS0vU-ZDlH2rVerm3BQYM87BsldqHUQMxtObY3Kk6gHO-OLukS6dDg9iw/s1600/57509-scrivener.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PQzI0LhVlP0M755QxHCh9e8D-_ndS8Os0E_eaHznWLDxoH8YbFnJEQ4AttoW3f6Gc4rbxHcVHmkMGhE9GSPS0vU-ZDlH2rVerm3BQYM87BsldqHUQMxtObY3Kk6gHO-OLukS6dDg9iw/s200/57509-scrivener.png" width="200" /></a></div>Finally!It's here and right in time for <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/">NaNoWriMo</a>. Scrivener for Windows beta download is available at <a href="http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivenerforwindows/">Literature and Latte</a>. Download now and watch the introductory video. Go through the tutorial and get good and comfy with the software before November 1st. Remember, this is only the beta version so be prepared to deal with possible bugs and make sure to back up your work regularly. Now, go forth and write!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-25559885032588533712010-10-24T20:01:00.001-05:002010-10-24T22:40:52.705-05:00Blueberries in the Snow<div style="color: black;">One of my husbands favorite desserts is Blueberries in the Snow. Tonight I taught Ash how to make it. She is absolutely wonderful in the kitchen.</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><a name='more'></a><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD23iRXqaa6UbuurORiSPHBnPlZuqI3wvcY7yEIM-6HaNMRgnAt-5EJgVaupddJ6SQLH5iqINw6XX0C5sBfUOQKe1Fly-TJTOR55exzwy86b0No8fvNDSVv476XmfqOuqD3VPSOqSykUY/s1600/SDC17211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div id="recipe-content-right" style="color: black;"><h1 class="fn" style="text-align: center;">Blueberries in the Snow</h1><div id="recipe-ing"><ul class="ingredients"><li class="ingredient"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOov4mJwICOiHVKGm3X1sLCX51zwUQdjb0kFJdWijoYA6-PSQfgDT6Yxf-t7rwlj7Kr7FcjNFdCGj4qdVQgRGqlr6kSTzTmkbiUO5j43IftUTGuCQskgExdIZWotPuo3MJlkVUbD3ilRY/s1600/SDC17213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOov4mJwICOiHVKGm3X1sLCX51zwUQdjb0kFJdWijoYA6-PSQfgDT6Yxf-t7rwlj7Kr7FcjNFdCGj4qdVQgRGqlr6kSTzTmkbiUO5j43IftUTGuCQskgExdIZWotPuo3MJlkVUbD3ilRY/s320/SDC17213.JPG" width="320" /></a>16 oz cream cheese</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cup milk</li>
<li class="ingredient">1½ cups conf. sugar</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 large cool whip (store bought or homemade)</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 tsp vanilla</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 cans blueberry pie filling (I use blueberries that we picked fresh & froze. I cook them with sugar & water.)</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 angel food cake (you can use store bought, but we prefer to make our own.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</li>
</ul></div><div class="instructions"><ul><li>Leave cream cheese out to soften. Beat until creamy and add milk, sugar, cool whip and vanilla. Beat until smooth, set aside.</li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjPAvxKcik_ayete-WCM0k3P359-ercRs1PYruVmfgiGdMcwDv0DvtYIVkPHnwxWUkmgwHK84x8ujUsPtKECS4J9ql6VfoFk7HqVJ4eFJMAI_EjiUQ1IuLcMfpoIadLkxkgDsYGXLTdo/s1600/SDC17215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjPAvxKcik_ayete-WCM0k3P359-ercRs1PYruVmfgiGdMcwDv0DvtYIVkPHnwxWUkmgwHK84x8ujUsPtKECS4J9ql6VfoFk7HqVJ4eFJMAI_EjiUQ1IuLcMfpoIadLkxkgDsYGXLTdo/s320/SDC17215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kycVF5viaGeNPO4dJU7Y3RpceWZZf3oIfJHtEQyJaeG5SxPJfYyo7gBBLcJ829oZ_k-LzyxrsodetbbNyS83l-QrNfAGppS6LYn96xwgemWdnVPzLv5Bxlnf5QThsyVBz2hF81XLcGA/s1600/SDC17214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>
<li>Slice or tear the angel food cake in ½ inch slices. Pour enough of the cream mixture in the bottom of a large bowl to cover bottom. Then a layer of cake slices, more cream and more cake until it is half done. </li>
</ul><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0XyEJcl_oDMrGlvYuJCxlvoanKkzfen3vBcKV8_LwwV0e11M5gMoYoUXG4bbzedo0JVZDn313TngO0SSgYQYcVB748hFwgpOCoDS00DYagnfG_WmyO6TItluZA_ZkYt_nQsuzCOXBL4/s1600/SDC17216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0XyEJcl_oDMrGlvYuJCxlvoanKkzfen3vBcKV8_LwwV0e11M5gMoYoUXG4bbzedo0JVZDn313TngO0SSgYQYcVB748hFwgpOCoDS00DYagnfG_WmyO6TItluZA_ZkYt_nQsuzCOXBL4/s320/SDC17216.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<ul><li> Add a layer of canned blueberries, continue to layer the cake and cream ending with the 2nd can of blueberries on top.</li>
</ul></div></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ecQiWNSJ-s1flSmDz3CKZ4rpSPjr4safFnZDJ-ajUkQg50mRrQMX4iqjOowItgkw7GFaKoEDPvxSj6cPxMgcz_85kX8xgqrqG4H_u_hYMqLTpOQFWQgMD8bXTMGj3gr_YRBpwgKJwBA/s1600/SDC17218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ecQiWNSJ-s1flSmDz3CKZ4rpSPjr4safFnZDJ-ajUkQg50mRrQMX4iqjOowItgkw7GFaKoEDPvxSj6cPxMgcz_85kX8xgqrqG4H_u_hYMqLTpOQFWQgMD8bXTMGj3gr_YRBpwgKJwBA/s320/SDC17218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeexFLjw6zoZcXa4MpNa9FZmVA0ILIurQMlsfWRU1XI3aDUrxLghgNZ-eaa1dYf0br4TA7L6dh-i8yaQ76Yc1wiQHLk0wR7NgNAOyyL74cx7dWciiRH0HVuE3cRGmKeGQ-RM-x0HrX4ZU/s1600/SDC17220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeexFLjw6zoZcXa4MpNa9FZmVA0ILIurQMlsfWRU1XI3aDUrxLghgNZ-eaa1dYf0br4TA7L6dh-i8yaQ76Yc1wiQHLk0wR7NgNAOyyL74cx7dWciiRH0HVuE3cRGmKeGQ-RM-x0HrX4ZU/s320/SDC17220.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="fullpost"> </span></div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black;"><br />
</div><ul><li><span style="color: black;"> Set in refrigerator for 3-4 hours before serving.</span><span class="fullpost"> Enjoy!</span></li>
</ul>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-78449461091038688902010-10-23T03:45:00.001-05:002010-10-23T03:46:57.203-05:00Class of 2011 - HomecomingI graduated from high school in 1990. Even though that was over two decades ago I still remember it like it was yesterday. I remember the senior pictures, our homecoming and building a float for the parade, along with all the laughter and tears spread out over an entire school year. Remember when your parents told you to cherish those times because they were supposed to be the best years of your life and how one day you would long to be back at high school? It seems that now I'm saying those exact same things to my middle child. My son, Zac, is part of the proud class of 2011.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CRBzNmooNXuj4XNW-57M3KHXhnDRARR7b0E3AOVVtGq8yi2RBWc5XijsAfBQQGiADCAbO4ktFBKKY7dGAi-FyrLdrO3_pFKZOrtHmZTnhi9g6ACD6Kpv_tO6_SBhAv5nUndlC74rETY/s320/meandzach3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="291" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was able to escort Zac out onto the field for senior recognition on Homecoming night. I know that I grinned like a Cheshire cat the entire time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CRBzNmooNXuj4XNW-57M3KHXhnDRARR7b0E3AOVVtGq8yi2RBWc5XijsAfBQQGiADCAbO4ktFBKKY7dGAi-FyrLdrO3_pFKZOrtHmZTnhi9g6ACD6Kpv_tO6_SBhAv5nUndlC74rETY/s1600/meandzach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCtQV7ItSsJbELw6EChE5ui6LETk4rx6T0PmqghUbrZ5y62Oa2Pmr0WVDDgQpV8ZqPkBNhYjmk9tbAPHRiZyKn20hV9mA09IU_h58q6g5rvg-96eXx4XYQR4_fp2sJzQHuJDZEm8m6eU/s1600/SeniorPose4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCtQV7ItSsJbELw6EChE5ui6LETk4rx6T0PmqghUbrZ5y62Oa2Pmr0WVDDgQpV8ZqPkBNhYjmk9tbAPHRiZyKn20hV9mA09IU_h58q6g5rvg-96eXx4XYQR4_fp2sJzQHuJDZEm8m6eU/s320/SeniorPose4.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4S8o94a_FO7wJjwFA8J4WshieTpCeNnlW4FWRFaMVLclAK5UFeWplKQ8UykFCzzf0e-3Km0yA_FLlwucu89qIDu50DJMaY2ivP1vM5_vczK1fyvUaCbgrLWdf7-WcGdu3IFEWfdSanfk/s1600/SeniorPose6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4S8o94a_FO7wJjwFA8J4WshieTpCeNnlW4FWRFaMVLclAK5UFeWplKQ8UykFCzzf0e-3Km0yA_FLlwucu89qIDu50DJMaY2ivP1vM5_vczK1fyvUaCbgrLWdf7-WcGdu3IFEWfdSanfk/s320/SeniorPose6.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBroFxQzBHt2lUWoJS-_jqsnErm2buuHKfNgH83mnWaUi5om3wneTrCG9SVVxC-42NY7JnBtN0dZi0BXSoex67Y69VUonEb3lTOoZkYxXVAjWKx3LAXksbvY_dtCYaeiNKWlJWOkDZo/s320/zachseniorshirt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His senior shirt. I love it!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBroFxQzBHt2lUWoJS-_jqsnErm2buuHKfNgH83mnWaUi5om3wneTrCG9SVVxC-42NY7JnBtN0dZi0BXSoex67Y69VUonEb3lTOoZkYxXVAjWKx3LAXksbvY_dtCYaeiNKWlJWOkDZo/s1600/zachseniorshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeL37pjMEgm82tqVviQZUtTBlPQH83d62fzBZovNaBBIxm-aODWg6HXVgqFY6KTRJuCpg7IVe95BSS7U0E4V3qfObd5oxBRFevGfSW1iy7Cst3KShz2Sz6ONeW435BENB42ArPHnhARc/s320/SDC17047.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senior class float in the Homecoming Parade. It was a tribute to the Beatles and the song Yellow Submarine and said "Sink the Warriors". Too cool.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeL37pjMEgm82tqVviQZUtTBlPQH83d62fzBZovNaBBIxm-aODWg6HXVgqFY6KTRJuCpg7IVe95BSS7U0E4V3qfObd5oxBRFevGfSW1iy7Cst3KShz2Sz6ONeW435BENB42ArPHnhARc/s1600/SDC17047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaMk2qJGryuqhL6xVbrU6fcwX0nABl8rJEIVxRtmYeZsqKOoXOWM-za8EnmagRvywnKRLXhhE6F08wma4FWXNfmLDf2sCWymuWuF0RX5c5BewXU-_fiFdmYEACj89zzPSK-YK0Hs9R7A/s320/0438d77d6b386c7bc543c3ddb07b1896.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sax player (third from right) in the Homecoming Parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RW6fClN2O8wapHt3OG_oINkNAxyamsjMiPfrvVxKDWlLw675agD5gXDHpYjx4BuCoAvWq4VOwFDo82_I3ZFpsR2u2II5EvApMEfqpT-DdAJCwSaQ3wSWbQmDv4nvqk8FXS7HYpOVZYc/s1600/33cfb459991dd26c9326bf06162f2447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaMk2qJGryuqhL6xVbrU6fcwX0nABl8rJEIVxRtmYeZsqKOoXOWM-za8EnmagRvywnKRLXhhE6F08wma4FWXNfmLDf2sCWymuWuF0RX5c5BewXU-_fiFdmYEACj89zzPSK-YK0Hs9R7A/s1600/0438d77d6b386c7bc543c3ddb07b1896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-21462964060457839482010-10-20T01:38:00.002-05:002010-10-20T01:41:11.485-05:00Wordless Wednesday ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5fWhhmr5KO6bKzbys4SrlFz3HYYRt-v2B8NNHXhBZ2AmPzLa18yL1Gzg2YIGgp6jFLsL79IydA2wbY7u8RokmjkbcuucKNa08DyZBTYFBE6YLL4s-fqKHDOLP33KLPioUa5RKaXQInI/s1600/7358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5fWhhmr5KO6bKzbys4SrlFz3HYYRt-v2B8NNHXhBZ2AmPzLa18yL1Gzg2YIGgp6jFLsL79IydA2wbY7u8RokmjkbcuucKNa08DyZBTYFBE6YLL4s-fqKHDOLP33KLPioUa5RKaXQInI/s320/7358.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJQxiiZJZp1UGWXWoVgjoktEgYy-xTbgYR_x3taxyjNNa4rZDBAQSnmn0JZAGMjBruvaa4f0CmGimr9Z8fo7JIuxrjR8y5tbGtke4EEjeaBqiT-A2LPLwwr3AJvN-gloxGEoXI2PMeQ4/s1600/57c6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJQxiiZJZp1UGWXWoVgjoktEgYy-xTbgYR_x3taxyjNNa4rZDBAQSnmn0JZAGMjBruvaa4f0CmGimr9Z8fo7JIuxrjR8y5tbGtke4EEjeaBqiT-A2LPLwwr3AJvN-gloxGEoXI2PMeQ4/s320/57c6.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWIOtbRkiRu2Uys4x8GHfP91SdPyAC9QxhpvAa5tc6Ej1O-xU6z_iF39FSBlPBzV1amyi-8qKRkvytSY0ryVidUgi26lAZWJRtcIeKkK8jte7KhNAWgo1Z4LuBg2tR4HsElfTaqyUK3c/s1600/STORYBOARD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPWIOtbRkiRu2Uys4x8GHfP91SdPyAC9QxhpvAa5tc6Ej1O-xU6z_iF39FSBlPBzV1amyi-8qKRkvytSY0ryVidUgi26lAZWJRtcIeKkK8jte7KhNAWgo1Z4LuBg2tR4HsElfTaqyUK3c/s400/STORYBOARD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-41679197450947636252010-10-19T23:25:00.000-05:002010-10-20T01:27:09.761-05:00A Bird's Eye View<div style="text-align: center;">~ A Bird's Eye View ~</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mi72o-5Fo5E?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mi72o-5Fo5E?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-11124633366761974852010-10-09T23:18:00.002-05:002010-10-09T23:26:11.471-05:00Quick Note<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS6e9-pj8OjPEtjGQvcfK-BUyj0rux-3BGXF1NaMP7MxJLVQjFasQeyQYkOODkEFFnU27hStcjR9CiwBnDfGTFvN_HROlG8wIHvTwAA6S2W67_PbAwtM2E7GGe-UiLMEv42-1lmudTdc/s1600/note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS6e9-pj8OjPEtjGQvcfK-BUyj0rux-3BGXF1NaMP7MxJLVQjFasQeyQYkOODkEFFnU27hStcjR9CiwBnDfGTFvN_HROlG8wIHvTwAA6S2W67_PbAwtM2E7GGe-UiLMEv42-1lmudTdc/s200/note.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Quick note:<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Yes, I'm still working on my <i><a href="http://crystalestell.blogspot.com/search/label/365">365 Days to Improve My Life</a></i>. Learning new things, working towards a healthier lifestyle, and thinking more positive makes life easier and more fun. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Blogging ... well, I love it but don't do it near as much as I should. My most recent excuses are that I have been quilting, painting, being creative and doctoring my computer (it's getting on in age). Soon I will be consumed with <i><a href="http://crystalestell.blogspot.com/search/label/NaNoWriMo">NaNoWriMo</a></i>. Following this writing insanity come the holidays so I my days as a blogger (snicker, snicker ... if that's what I can call it) will resume in a more regular fashion eventually. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">So, all in all, life is good and the family is great and blogging suffers another busy day.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-89498877466062386422010-10-03T12:21:00.000-05:002010-10-03T12:21:08.532-05:00NaNoWriMo Sponsorship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ig89QDEIGg14q18jpNJr7EjpWhP9GQPBKY_dRgac_Bc_zpNwmtLPPKzFsh9mmPliXFtsKOJRdyCdN1zkc8tupJkGdiIWJfIYcraK4l2v5iCK4bHMSmrDtuc1mCwA1sTvRp6-bcdm7Bc/s1600/nanowrimo_participant_a.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ig89QDEIGg14q18jpNJr7EjpWhP9GQPBKY_dRgac_Bc_zpNwmtLPPKzFsh9mmPliXFtsKOJRdyCdN1zkc8tupJkGdiIWJfIYcraK4l2v5iCK4bHMSmrDtuc1mCwA1sTvRp6-bcdm7Bc/s1600/nanowrimo_participant_a.png" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;"> Dear Friends, Family, and Righteous Supporters,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;">As many of you know, the only thing I love more than reading is writing. Last year I participated in NaNoWriMo '09 and was spurred on by the encouragement of my family and friends. Well, this November I am doing it again and need your help more than ever.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;">For those of you who didn't have the pleasure of sharing in my road to writing insanity last year, let me explain what NaNoWriMo is. <a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">National Novel Writing Month</a> (lovingly dubbed NaNoWriMo) is a global writing challenge sponsored by in the nonprofit Office of Letters and Light. Participants spend November writing a 50,000-word book in just 30 days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;">I will proudly be among the participating authors this year. In addition to my writerly duties, I'm raising money to help the Office of Letters and Light continue to put on free creative writing programs for kids and adults in classrooms, communities, and libraries around the world.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;">Every dollar I raise will keep my spirits high as I write my way towards the realization of my creative goals. More importantly, your contribution will help National Novel Writing Month and its Young Writers Program create a more engaged and inspiring world.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;">Click <a href="http://www.gifttool.com/athon/MyFundraisingPage?ID=1891&AID=935&PID=172191%20">HERE</a> to sponsor me in November for NaNoWriMo. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: 12px;">Thank you so much for your support of my writing!</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-62765943042135480542010-10-01T10:34:00.004-05:002010-10-01T10:51:58.612-05:00What I Love About Fall<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7X-hNNG3XorTRr8RalvaDjTsGCxLPX0sSwXHhjzfcjV5lbcjdJazScB9BA9M2aSjzTYrDpBcIZQhjYVDOmm0N5OZlOlupE3Bli25LIB7DVvJyswOAWFNsdYU-1IZj_-hmXvNlGs_aIM/s1600/Fall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd7X-hNNG3XorTRr8RalvaDjTsGCxLPX0sSwXHhjzfcjV5lbcjdJazScB9BA9M2aSjzTYrDpBcIZQhjYVDOmm0N5OZlOlupE3Bli25LIB7DVvJyswOAWFNsdYU-1IZj_-hmXvNlGs_aIM/s320/Fall.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-65437756725700690522010-10-01T06:05:00.001-05:002010-10-01T06:09:17.929-05:00Screw the Whales, Save the Ta-Tas. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vwS463g-U7k/TKXA2iGsfuI/AAAAAAAAAHw/sArZYNFo1lw/s1600-h/feelboobies%5B10%5D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="feelboobies" border="0" height="137" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vwS463g-U7k/TKXA3Vyez0I/AAAAAAAAAH0/nbPXGsQUFAU/feelboobies_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="feelboobies" width="135" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
In October 2003, I was diagnosed with <b><a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dcis/DS00983" target="_blank">ductal carcinoma in situ</a> (DCIS).</b> Although considered noninvasive, it is still a form of breast cancer. Breast cancer. Two little words that are scary beyond belief. Scary and something that at the age of 31 I was not even considering as a possibility in my life. I don’t think that many of us do. <br />
<br />
What started out for me as an average Fall day with above average allergies ended in horror. I was having allergy issues and went to my primary doctor for some much needed allergy meds. Of course I waited until I was stopped up, congested and totally consumed by the ragweed demon before I even ventured to the doctor’s office. My doc promptly scolded me, took chest x-rays and stuck a needle in my behind. While I was waiting to be released, she was waiting for a colleague to verify the dark spot on my films. After physical exams, mammograms and an ultrasound I was sent home with the knowledge that I had something in my breast that didn’t belong there. A follow-up visit was scheduled for a few weeks later. The game plan was to monitor the “thing” and decide what type of biopsy would be best. So, I went home. I told my husband. And then I cried. I cried until I ran out of tears. <br />
<br />
I was terrified. The word <i>cancer</i> just sent shivers down my spine and my first thought was about my children. In my mind people with cancer got sick, went bald and then died. What would happen to my kids if I died? My husband would survive, but would my babies? I was a mother. Mother’s my age didn’t have these types of problems. I mean, the doctor made a mistake. She had to have made a big, horrible mistake. <br />
<br />
After monitoring, measuring, and way to many breast exams to count, the team of doctors that were now staring me down decided on a surgical biopsy. I cried some more. Surgery day arrived and I was assured that everything would be fine. That is until I was presented with paperwork that stated “in the case that I needed a mastectomy, the surgeon had my full permission”. Needless to say I signed it and cried again. The thoughts racing around inside my brain while they wheeled me into the operating room were; cancer=death, real women have two breasts, men love women who have two breasts, I don’t want to die but I really don’t want to lose a boob. <br />
<br />
When I awoke the surgeon informed me that I was lucky. I had a precancerous mass in my duct (DCIS) that was treated by a lumpectomy. Since it was caught early and the affected area was relatively small I wouldn’t need radiation. He removed a large portion of my breast tissue to assure that all of the cells were removed. I still had two breasts. Granted, one was significantly smaller than its partner … but they were still a pair. <br />
<br />
I must agree with my surgeon. I was lucky. Lucky that it was found in the early stages. Lucky that it was contained and I was able to retain both breasts. Lucky that I am still cancer free today. <br />
<br />
<blockquote>Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, aside from skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year. An estimated 40,170 women are expected to die from the disease in 2009 alone. Today, there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States.<sup>1</sup></blockquote><br />
Breast cancer is a killer, but with proper breast self awareness, early detection and screenings, it can be manageable. Arm yourself and the ones you love with all the information you can get. Be proactive and support the research for a cure.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><sup>1</sup>Resources:</b> <br />
<a href="http://www.cancer.org/">American Cancer Society</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast">National Cancer Institute</a><br />
<a href="http://ww5.komen.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">Susan G. Komen for the Cure</a>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-82421640900826883872010-09-29T09:53:00.002-05:002010-09-29T09:58:32.963-05:00Getting to the Heart of the Matter<div align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vwS463g-U7k/TKNTphFbPiI/AAAAAAAAAHo/RQGTA9bMXTc/s1600-h/brokenheart16.jpg"><img align="right" alt="broken-heart1" border="0" height="122" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vwS463g-U7k/TKNTp3M51_I/AAAAAAAAAHs/C_GxvU9frfY/brokenheart1_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="broken-heart1" width="121" /></a>The heart is</div><div align="center">the only broken instrument</div><div align="center">that works. </div><div align="center">~T.E. Kalem</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The heart is a very tricky thing. It is muscle that begins to beat about 21 days after conception, pumping blood throughout our bodies. If it stopped beating our bodies would wither up and die. If it were to become “broken” our emotional being would feel like it was dying and hurt tremendously. I guess it is safe to say that without it we could neither live nor love. <br />
<br />
Recently I took a trip to the E.R. My heart was racing; beating so hard inside my chest that it hurt. Occasionally it would pause, tense up and then punch me as hard as it could. Let me tell you, being punched from the inside out is no picnic. So a few volunteer fire fighters/EMTs, some flashing lights and one semi-fast ambulance ride soon found me laid out in a cold E.R. room attached to an I.V. and an E.K.G. machine. After being poked, prodded, x-rayed and tested I was diagnosed with <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/paroxysmal_supraventricular_tachycardia_psvt/article.htm" target="_blank">Atrial Tachycardia</a> and <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-rythym-disorders" target="_blank">PVCs</a>. A fancy way of saying that I had an elevated heart rate and occasional heart contractions. Thanks in part to a lifestyle that could be healthier and brought on by stress. Needless to say … I’m going to live.<br />
<br />
However, my heart trouble was nothing compared to what my daughter was going through. Amby was suffering from her first true broken heart. Through tears she explained what had happened and how deeply she was hurting. I listened as she told me how hard it was to breathe and that her heart literally hurt from the break-up. Days after it had happened she was still physically shaken. She couldn’t eat, was sick to her stomach, and cried because of the pain she was feeling. We have all been there and lived through it. Even though at the time it seemed like we wouldn’t survive one more day. <br />
<br />
I thought that if I could keep Amby’s spirits up until the pain went away everything would be fine. I hopped on the internet in search of a few quotes or some other inspirational words. Have you ever Googled “<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=mending+a+broken+heart&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a" target="_blank">mending a broken heart</a>” ? I actually found a site called <a href="http://www.healmybrokenheart.com/" target="_blank"><i>Heal My Broken Heart</i></a><i>.</i> Interestingly enough, it offers a 15-step program (complete with book and workbook) to assist you in healing from a broken heart. If you act now the program is only $47 as opposed to its normal price of $67. Seriously??? It is just as efficient if you take 1/4 of that money and buy yourself some ice cream, rent a sappy movie and hang with your gal pals.<br />
<br />
There are a ton of sites, free ones I might add, that offer advice on how to overcome heart issues (both figuratively and literally). While WebMD helped me out I found a few for Amby to look over. They cover everything from <a href="http://www.urbanmonk.net/43/5-steps-how-to-mend-a-broken-heart/" target="_blank">meditation</a>, and <a href="http://blog.beliefnet.com/beyondblue/2009/02/12-ways-to-mend-a-broken-heart.html" target="_blank">“step” programs</a>, to <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_116958_mend-broken-heart.html" target="_blank">daily/weekly/monthly to-do instructions</a>.<br />
<br />
Mending a heart is very challenging and takes love and tenderness. It also takes a lot of patience and a healthy lifestyle. Regardless of whether it is physical or emotional it also takes time. <br />
<br />
Here’s to a healthy heart …Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-2900839363075363112010-09-09T14:06:00.002-05:002010-09-10T02:39:57.492-05:00Will Work for School Fees …<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vwS463g-U7k/TIngLEE3siI/AAAAAAAAAHg/w4eU0yCxH3c/s1600-h/fees_piggybank%5B5%5D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="fees_piggybank" height="200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vwS463g-U7k/TIngLWrxBVI/AAAAAAAAAHk/yAlks7D0zd4/fees_piggybank_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="fees_piggybank" width="168" /></a> <br />
<br />
There are those days that I just want to sit down and pound out a semi-nasty letter to the people who keep sending me little notes home, via my teens, regarding the new school fees that I have to pay. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
To Whom It May Concern:<br />
<br />
Are. You. Serious? I mean really, truly serious? Since when did public school become more expensive than private school? Forget the fact that we are currently in an economic crisis or that we (my household personally) are searching for every penny in the couch just to make ends meet. But step back and take an honest look at the amount of money you, whoever you may be, request on a regular basis ... for high school. Not college or trade school, but high school. Now keep in mind that the education that you are providing for these children, that is based on the amount of funds that you purge from my purse, is what our future will be built on. In other words, if I don't pay then my children will suffer. But are you forgetting that these kids and their education or a lack there of will cause you to suffer later. Come on people, these are the same kids that will be running our nation, working in our hospitals, and running nuclear power plants. Do you really want to hinge your future on a $30.00 tech fee, or a $25.00 DECA fee?<br />
<br />
I understand that my oldest son's senior year is going to cost a bit more than the junior and sophomore that I have. However, you money hungry, blood suckers have gone above and beyond. I swear that you must prey on the love of a mother for her child. I mean, who else would pay $352.00 for invitations, several hundred for senior pictures, money for cap and gown, tassels etc. etc. etc. That of course, is on top of everything else that is considered regular school fees.<br />
<br />
I have bought school supplies, including copy paper and dry erase markers for the teachers (among other things). The "suggested" class donations have been paid and the not-so-cheap graphing calculators and jump drives have been purchased. Checks have been sent to cover parking permits, $3.00 a day lunches and planners that will never be used. Now you hit up for more money. It seems that there are fees to use school computers, club fees (chess, Spanish, HOSA, DECA), band fees (Texas trips, uniforms, majorette batons AIN'T cheap), lab fees and such. Not to mention the snack money I dish out every day for the school's vending machines or the money I hand over every Friday night so that I can have the pleasure of seeing my kid in the band. <br />
<br />
I know it is asking a lot of you ... but could you please cut me some slack? I would appreciate it if you would focus on educating my children instead of draining my bank account.<br />
<br />
Sincerely, <br />
Peeved ParentCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-17475853939417264962010-09-06T22:35:00.001-05:002010-09-06T23:37:04.268-05:00No News is Good NewsUsually, no news is good news ... or so they say. I tend to disagree with that statement. No news is the same as no posts. No posts normally means that:<br />
<ol><li><span class="fullpost">I am sick and can't post.</span></li>
<li><span class="fullpost">I have no Internet and again can't post.</span></li>
<li><span class="fullpost">I am so busy with life that I haven't the time to post.</span></li>
<li><span class="fullpost">There is nothing blog worthy to post about.</span></li>
<li><span class="fullpost">I have struck it rich or won the lotto and haven't had a chance to hire someone to post for me.</span></li>
</ol><span class="fullpost">Out of these five things all but one of them can be considered bad news. The last is simply the type of things that dreams are made of - pure fiction, and therefore doesn't even count. So, I would like to meet these people who are labeled "they" and inform them that "they" are wrong. No news doesn't always mean good news. Sometimes it is bad; others times it just doesn't mean a dang thing. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">354/365</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-25519633412887760082010-09-04T01:31:00.002-05:002010-09-04T01:34:08.884-05:00Still here ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM3T4Loncapp-7I8mZnInl8_ZTHlJl6cUOI4EEctsX9Beq6uw7p8ibF_-JYfYShC4ULAsU5yjnrrQaHg4-58gLJylDTBtJXPOMsr3NllO2MFXzMT48ApmeGQAeJliqdkxfuEzxM3hycQ/s1600/i_love_blogging12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM3T4Loncapp-7I8mZnInl8_ZTHlJl6cUOI4EEctsX9Beq6uw7p8ibF_-JYfYShC4ULAsU5yjnrrQaHg4-58gLJylDTBtJXPOMsr3NllO2MFXzMT48ApmeGQAeJliqdkxfuEzxM3hycQ/s200/i_love_blogging12.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The 365 Project is going good. The blogging about it ... not so much. I must admit that doing things specifically for the mind, body and soul bring about positive energy. I find myself wanting to repel the negativity around me and instead look for the good that's there. My outlook on life is beginning to change, for the better I'm sure. I know this post is short, but so is life. Have a great day!<br />
<br />
<br />
356/365<br />
<span class="fullpost"></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-53391986138786003522010-09-02T00:13:00.001-05:002010-09-07T02:03:57.959-05:00What day am I on?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JDVtF5X936KI40mcVhzXPrFMxv9U654-G6LV9h6xGMqYgZbbZu7AwMKU0LGOGPoc5iV8s6A7B2GK3er8f_hFCD58cYjifyLYLU-aLjxieV_OziUk3R14MJXv_vADpiUfJxNy0LW5IPE/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6JDVtF5X936KI40mcVhzXPrFMxv9U654-G6LV9h6xGMqYgZbbZu7AwMKU0LGOGPoc5iV8s6A7B2GK3er8f_hFCD58cYjifyLYLU-aLjxieV_OziUk3R14MJXv_vADpiUfJxNy0LW5IPE/s200/images.jpg" width="158" /></a><br />
<br />
Day 6 & 7 ...<br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost">Am I still doing my 365 project? Yes I am. Why did I miss a blog day? Um, well do you want the truth or some really cool story? Am I losing interest already? No. Is the sky blue? I don't know I haven't really seen it today.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="fullpost">Well, you see I was doing spending time with my loving family and we got into a very deep conversation about the meaning of life and I simply lost track of time. I was going to get caught up on my blogging today but I was distracted by a very upset neighbor. I spent most of the day cleaning her home and consoling her and ... and who am I kidding? I didn't even buy that lame excuse. Truth is I fell asleep on the couch. I was going to blog and I just flippin' fell asleep. The bad part was that no one bothered to wake me up, cover me up or move me even a hair. I woke up ... in the clothes I had on yesterday, cold and scrunched up in a little ball on a piece of the couch.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">So why didn't I blog this morning? Well, honestly I was a bit shook up. My oldest son's school was let out early today due to a power outage. Zac called and asked if he could drive to his friend's house to play W.O.W. to which I gladly said "yes". Not 15 minutes later I receive a call saying that he had been in an accident. He was fine, thank the Lord, but in an accident none the less. </span>Apparently, an F150 truck was in the right hand lane and came over on him (in his small Honda Prelude) pushing him into another car in the median/turn lane. <span class="fullpost">Of course any mother would have been concerned, but I was beyond concerned. I was an emotional wreck. It could have been because the night before, my son shared a <span style="color: red;">*</span>video with me that rocked me to my core. So much so that I had horrible visions flash before me when I got the news of his wreck.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">Needless to say, I got very little accomplished today but I have not tossed my project to the wayside. I will no doubt be back on track tomorrow.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">Tasks for 09/02/10 :</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mind</span> - Read, read, read.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: yellow;">Body</span> - Paint my toes and take a peaceful walk.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">Spirit</span> - Study a passage from my new Bible.</span><span class="fullpost"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="fullpost"><span style="color: red;">*</span>This video is of a graphic nature. Viewer discretion is advised.<br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(0, 0, 0); height: 272px; text-align: left; width: 440px;"><span class="fullpost"><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="" height="272" name="Metacafe_yt-nFE-ZJmxJKQ" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/yt-nFE-ZJmxJKQ/unsafe_driving_video.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="440" wmode="transparent"></embed></span></div><div style="font-size: 12px; text-align: left;"><span class="fullpost"><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-nFE-ZJmxJKQ/unsafe_driving_video/">Unsafe Driving Video</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">Watch the top videos of the week here</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="fullpost"> </span><span class="fullpost">358/365<br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-36142689546770553332010-08-30T21:19:00.000-05:002010-08-30T21:19:55.049-05:005 of 3six5<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Day Five! The number five reminds me of a cute little song that the kids and I used to sing together. Hearing it makes me smile. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="295" style="background-image: url("http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/NDSOMy7WN_Q/hqdefault.jpg");" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NDSOMy7WN_Q?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NDSOMy7WN_Q?fs=1&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></embed></object></div><br />
<a name='more'></a>Today was a simple day. I researched sales papers and cut coupons so that I would be ready for grocery day. Grocery day is the day that I choose to go shopping for, what else ... groceries. This of course is no easy task. With food being so high priced these days I do as much as I can to get the most for my money. I compare sales ads, compute the prices of the items minus the coupons I have and then create a list of who has what and where. From there I plan out what to buy from whom. Then I create a dinner menu out of the items that I plan on purchasing. It sounds like a lot of work, but it is well worth it when it comes time to eat.<br />
<br />
Aside from organizing for grocery and attempting to meditate and pray ... I made sure to get some much needed rest. I love Fall and the weather it brings, but my sinuses don't like the change. I took some sinus headache medicine and slept. You can't have rainbows without rain. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjothogWcroYn4I-ThBY2JLwq9xQr5Un7LH12SpQihIZq6O5PYQ7mbSG0WwWb3Iw0by9JBpEQL2A_QdTeDQ_jgB7HQIvJ6oXqPCR8Xwd8ggF7P27hN3O7grGygWyjnnlVbdBC_Cm2ise5w/s1600/budo-motif-red-adn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjothogWcroYn4I-ThBY2JLwq9xQr5Un7LH12SpQihIZq6O5PYQ7mbSG0WwWb3Iw0by9JBpEQL2A_QdTeDQ_jgB7HQIvJ6oXqPCR8Xwd8ggF7P27hN3O7grGygWyjnnlVbdBC_Cm2ise5w/s320/budo-motif-red-adn.gif" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">Tasks for 08/31/10 :</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mind</span> - Make note of 25 positive things in my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: yellow;">Body</span> - Take a walk and collect 10 beautiful things.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">Spirit</span> - Take time to sit and be quiet.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"></span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">360/365<br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-44914262691328691212010-08-29T19:26:00.001-05:002010-08-30T20:59:40.256-05:00Day FourFour days down ... three hundred sixty-one more to go.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>The tasks for today were easy. I started out searching for inspirational saying and songs. Once I was upbeat and feeling good I started rereading my novel. Actually, it's not complete - just a work in progress. Since one of my three goals for today was creative writing I began editing and adding to my story. I really need to get a word counter so I can set goals regarding my writing.<br />
<br />
All that was left to work on was my spirit. I was determined to learn meditation. I had heard so many good things about it that I was positive it would help reduce my stress level. Apparently I was doing something wrong. I followed all of the directions that I was given, focused on my breathing, listened to the soothing sounds coming from my computer and promptly fell asleep. Yep ... not exactly what is supposed to happen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Once I woke up I headed out of the house for a walk. Making my way through the woods beside our house I ran across a few birdhouses that were abandoned. I lugged them home, pulled out my paints and prettied them up. I have to admit that since I began my 365 Project it has been easier for me to get more active. I believe this is a great habit to have started.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBL7BvRBDzYJKCRMKM4asSNd8dTSNL5NhT6HJgLVMd9Js3RJ8JTTaZtZ0pmkaaxvG_-rPL9lUOx8disshbxCttLO4Tp3gSYfunZqvfs7-XMlheSqxwon55Geb7AmhnGShp5fN4-Lr_m4/s1600/Photo-0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBL7BvRBDzYJKCRMKM4asSNd8dTSNL5NhT6HJgLVMd9Js3RJ8JTTaZtZ0pmkaaxvG_-rPL9lUOx8disshbxCttLO4Tp3gSYfunZqvfs7-XMlheSqxwon55Geb7AmhnGShp5fN4-Lr_m4/s200/Photo-0020.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44hdkO5DU52aGnKP5Eptrnp1-09diIB6NhbuHykmOXPxrIreZBjBDIt2pPi1ee25ro5p1hXcuE2bibrCjBP98kbbwvZoO41r2gXr3G8r242QJ3uplvyjsiLSEyB6I0OhTOLUAmzOyKdI/s1600/Photo-0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44hdkO5DU52aGnKP5Eptrnp1-09diIB6NhbuHykmOXPxrIreZBjBDIt2pPi1ee25ro5p1hXcuE2bibrCjBP98kbbwvZoO41r2gXr3G8r242QJ3uplvyjsiLSEyB6I0OhTOLUAmzOyKdI/s200/Photo-0018.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiU525-myFTaZ_LKoWXOO5Csvu7Pyt6Nb7ztuejNmZHawcbs4M-qx2eIwqb5A4yX37iMcW-1JhgrFyJGBScYZpGb-BpXsC-3Pnrr-koagRd3-QBeeuchNWvEQdhTIIEkQAMuvq9WvbEw/s1600/Photo-0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiU525-myFTaZ_LKoWXOO5Csvu7Pyt6Nb7ztuejNmZHawcbs4M-qx2eIwqb5A4yX37iMcW-1JhgrFyJGBScYZpGb-BpXsC-3Pnrr-koagRd3-QBeeuchNWvEQdhTIIEkQAMuvq9WvbEw/s200/Photo-0019.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">Tasks for 08/30/10 :</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mind</span> - Get organized for grocery day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: yellow;">Body</span> - Get some much needed rest.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">Spirit</span> - Relax and pray.</span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">361/365<br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-25382308415127134162010-08-28T23:13:00.001-05:002010-08-28T23:15:02.923-05:00Common Ground<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfzVMXNLmNf1IAmhM_fXqjiPQzoQAExPdX9cpd1qrpJ-UE7ahjgrPFs8-ZrANO1c_7eyC0x1yIHeJdK0QHHO-jFXu2JKoVqFZOnBv8X9QcdxBZF-IRFq1lmMv0YRKMFyyRPHUA3ucBOY/s1600/Common+Ground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfzVMXNLmNf1IAmhM_fXqjiPQzoQAExPdX9cpd1qrpJ-UE7ahjgrPFs8-ZrANO1c_7eyC0x1yIHeJdK0QHHO-jFXu2JKoVqFZOnBv8X9QcdxBZF-IRFq1lmMv0YRKMFyyRPHUA3ucBOY/s200/Common+Ground.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="sqq">“Why cannot we work at cooperative schemes and search for the common ground binding all mankind together?”</span></div><div style="padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;">William Orville Douglas </div><div style="padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="padding-top: 3px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
My oldest daughter, Amby, is always a source of inspiration and motivation. She is talented, intelligent, beautiful and persistent. All you have to do is look at what she has become and where she is heading in life and know that your possibilities are limitless. She may be independent, but she still calls me for advice from time to time. In turn, she serves as a good source for feedback and constructive (and at times not so constructive) criticism. Recently Amby sent me some information that I found very useful. I thought I would share what she sent me. Maybe you can use it as well.<br />
<blockquote><i><br />
</i><br />
<i>I'm reading a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Blue-Jeans-Practical-Spirituality/dp/0786883553?ie=UTF8&tag=arofuofbo-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Jesus in Blue Jeans</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=arofuofbo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0786883553" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> by Laurie Beth Jones. I'm really enjoying it and it had something that I thought you might like, as well as an exercise you might could use for your project.<br />
<br />
One chapter describes how Jesus got people to follow him. It wasn't with power or fear; it was with common ground. He didn't want to be feared - he wanted to be loved. Maybe you can use this with <span style="color: red;">*</span> <span style="background-color: black; color: black;">top secret</span>. Phillippians 2:1, Paul tells his listeners to "remember the Spirit that we have in common. Be united to your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind." Ecclesiastes 31:15 says "Judge your fellow guests' needs by your own. Be thoughtful in every way."<br />
<br />
Question<br />
List 16 things you and your current adversary have in common.<br />
<br />
Question<br />
How could you use that as a foundation for peacemaking?<br />
<br />
Question<br />
Pick a person or a group you are afraid of. Write down all the things you have in common.<br />
<br />
Prayer<br />
Dear Lord, please help me see what I have in common with those I consider my adversaries, or those whom I fear. Help me remember that Your sun shines on us all, that each of us are recipients of Your Grace, and each of us have important places in Your Ultimate Design. Help me see You in them, and help me be You to them.<br />
Amen, and Amen.<br />
<br />
I like that... "help me be You to them."<br />
<br />
Love you,<br />
Amberlyn </i></blockquote><br />
I am glad that I have the love and support of my family. We laugh, we cry, we argue and we try ... but most importantly we are family!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">*<span style="color: black;"> Names hidden to protect the innocent.</span></span> :)Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6482254964807772294.post-72747580035529368372010-08-28T21:41:00.002-05:002010-08-28T22:52:27.002-05:00Uno, Dos, Tres<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaerJA3F___1CQk3mSIxGFEUJO8DA_QcArNbGheqG0_a8sYtd5DXZKBa9jpCL8AoVPaNdF3p4nbuNn2kIayfVXDnGNT7H283Cf2GwpdayxeZTLZ-W0SwHkmgeLcJJVxi47uHF_KX7Wx-s/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaerJA3F___1CQk3mSIxGFEUJO8DA_QcArNbGheqG0_a8sYtd5DXZKBa9jpCL8AoVPaNdF3p4nbuNn2kIayfVXDnGNT7H283Cf2GwpdayxeZTLZ-W0SwHkmgeLcJJVxi47uHF_KX7Wx-s/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Day Three ...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pe-Eosmk6oE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pe-Eosmk6oE?fs=1&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="295" width="480"></embed></object></div><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">Okay, so Nickelback's no Maya Angelou but this song does inspire and motive me. While surfing the web for inspirational quotes this morning I ran across this video. It really made me stop and think ... what if today <i><b>was</b></i> my last day. I realized that I am in no way ready to go on to that great beyond. I have so much to do, so many things left undone and unspoken words that must be said. Not only that, but my world is still to negative to depart. I can't leave here feeling that my life was a waste or was to miserable to be of any importance. I still have much to learn and new heights to grow to. Since none of us really knows when our last day will be I plan on living every day as though it were my ending. I plan on making it a happy one.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="fullpost"> Inspiration for the day taken care of, I focused on bettering my body. I had planned on taking a walk and that's exactly what I did. I slipped on my purple rain boots and trekked across the yard toward the woods. My walk wasn't a long one but it was enjoyable. The leaves are starting to change around here and the air has a hint of Fall. I pushed past weeds that have been left untouched, allowing them to grow into bushes. I listened to the sounds of nature and spent a while watching two squirrels chase each other from tree to tree. The walk wasn't strenuous but it was definitely exercise. </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
<span class="fullpost" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">With the day turning into night I have settled in with a bowl of homemade beef stew and a good book. I plan to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reds-Hot-Honky-Tonk-Pamela-Morsi/dp/0778327299?ie=UTF8&tag=arofuofbo-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Red's Hot Honky-Tonk Bar</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=arofuofbo-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0778327299" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> by Pamela Morsi, for the rest of the evening and then get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow comes early.<br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"> </span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjothogWcroYn4I-ThBY2JLwq9xQr5Un7LH12SpQihIZq6O5PYQ7mbSG0WwWb3Iw0by9JBpEQL2A_QdTeDQ_jgB7HQIvJ6oXqPCR8Xwd8ggF7P27hN3O7grGygWyjnnlVbdBC_Cm2ise5w/s1600/budo-motif-red-adn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjothogWcroYn4I-ThBY2JLwq9xQr5Un7LH12SpQihIZq6O5PYQ7mbSG0WwWb3Iw0by9JBpEQL2A_QdTeDQ_jgB7HQIvJ6oXqPCR8Xwd8ggF7P27hN3O7grGygWyjnnlVbdBC_Cm2ise5w/s320/budo-motif-red-adn.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">Tasks for 08/29/10 :</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Mind</span> - Write something creative.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: yellow;">Body</span> - Take a walk.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">Spirit</span> - Learn meditation.</span><span class="fullpost"></span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="fullpost">362/365<br />
</span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16017302843110896785noreply@blogger.com0