tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52619234944518208432024-03-05T03:47:38.517-05:00Put Up Your Dukeskeight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.comBlogger914125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-27007622394294716272021-12-09T09:49:00.006-05:002021-12-09T09:49:50.490-05:00Little Girls Gift Guide (6-8 years old)<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wU0-ySxZuSKzvU5wfyjsdWksh1rwq9pF7hpQRouzl_DF37er0H-cKZjazLYHJcu2Eew_3qWKTryA_IhSkMzcIr-7qz83D7B_ZmyrLWixeWKIcCj2djDN3ex_faYHXBctB8hJmDxWgcg/s1503/+little+girls+gift+guide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="1002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wU0-ySxZuSKzvU5wfyjsdWksh1rwq9pF7hpQRouzl_DF37er0H-cKZjazLYHJcu2Eew_3qWKTryA_IhSkMzcIr-7qz83D7B_ZmyrLWixeWKIcCj2djDN3ex_faYHXBctB8hJmDxWgcg/w426-h640/+little+girls+gift+guide.png" width="426" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://amzn.to/3GuW9Uo" target="_blank">Aaron Slater Book</a> // 2. <a href="https://bit.ly/3EEFFbC" target="_blank">Doll Laundry Set</a> // 3. <a href="https://magnedotz.com/products/3mm-10-color-magnedotz-1010-pcs?variant=32952259870819&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2021-11-24&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=CjwKCAiA78aNBhAlEiwA7B76p3iwhJq7rZj9-LUinTu-lUTkLHDHYtxW9ejNRCm3UUXKtPoTY_bbjBoCfJIQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Magnetic Beads</a> // 4. <a href="https://amzn.to/3IzNyl7" target="_blank">Nail Stamper</a> // 5. <a href="https://bit.ly/31ACAva" target="_blank">Sweater</a> // 6. <a href="https://bit.ly/3y8VmFJ" target="_blank">Sharpie Set</a> // 7. <a href="https://amzn.to/3oElXaA" target="_blank">Pom Pom Beanie </a>// 8. <a href="https://amzn.to/3s5Ln35" target="_blank">Bow & Arrow</a> // 9. <a href="https://amzn.to/3rL0rTs" target="_blank">Shrinky Dinks</a> // 10. <a href="https://amzn.to/332Z5ZN" target="_blank">Blue Light Glasses</a> // 11. <a href="https://amzn.to/31LfiT7" target="_blank">Marble Maze Puzzle</a> // 12. <a href="https://bit.ly/3dx1dex" target="_blank">Fanny Pack</a> // 13. <a href="https://bit.ly/3y75Yow" target="_blank">Jeggings</a> // 14. <a href="https://bit.ly/3dA2std" target="_blank">Chain Set </a>// 15. <a href="https://bit.ly/31ISx1R" target="_blank">Sneakers</a> // 16. <a href="https://bit.ly/3oAraA6" target="_blank">LOLs</a> // 17. <a href="https://amzn.to/3pJqyYa" target="_blank">RC Car</a> //18. <a href="https://amzn.to/3IzKm95" target="_blank">Taco Cat Game</a></p>keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-4150091426304809302021-12-06T16:22:00.002-05:002021-12-06T16:55:42.091-05:00Gift Guide for Low Effort Women<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'll have to let someone who wears a bra daily and her hair down more than once a fortnight do her version of this guide. I realized as I was making this that it looks like a gift guide for the ill or elderly which is.... honestly, fitting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1sMBX-64jEmN_oN2L1eXPFig0VQJbr79NUxl-frqw1UHx705ZD-JCa5g9elLVyVPwNMeLNu5y2Rw5i5eoxfEm7RKkwSWVefxfLJww-kyTfdmt_5vyF18H6ZXyS1qppjykkr0t5ppqzA/s1299/ladygift++guide.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1sMBX-64jEmN_oN2L1eXPFig0VQJbr79NUxl-frqw1UHx705ZD-JCa5g9elLVyVPwNMeLNu5y2Rw5i5eoxfEm7RKkwSWVefxfLJww-kyTfdmt_5vyF18H6ZXyS1qppjykkr0t5ppqzA/w494-h640/ladygift++guide.png" width="494" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://amzn.to/3DuEtGm" target="_blank">White Noise</a> // 2. <a href="https://eastfork.com/products/east-fork-mug?set=&variant=32744965079119" target="_blank">Heaven's Mug</a> // 3. <a href="https://bit.ly/3IqFH9l" target="_blank">Clay Mask Scrub</a> // 4. <a href="https://amzn.to/3rEKWfG" target="_blank">Fleece Socks</a> // 5. <a href="https://bit.ly/3xWPv6g" target="_blank">Foundation</a> // 6. <a href="https://amzn.to/3lHWDOT" target="_blank">Migraine Ice Cap</a> // 7. <a href="https://amzn.to/3EK3izP" target="_blank">Pain Free Brush</a> // 8. <a href="https://bit.ly/3lGx4O7" target="_blank">Undies</a> // 9. <a href="https://bit.ly/3pxFIQf" target="_blank">Wristlet</a> // 10. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Dv4Xra" target="_blank">Tweezers</a> // 11. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Dovoio" target="_blank">Shaver</a> // 12. <a href="https://amzn.to/3opaVFT" target="_blank">Waterproof Kindle</a> // 13. <a href="https://amzn.to/32URY5A" target="_blank">Tyler Detergent</a> // 14. <a href=" https://bit.ly/3rGx9VO" target="_blank">Cream Blush</a> // 15. <a href="https://amzn.to/3osRE6o" target="_blank">Nightingale</a> // 16. <a href="https://amzn.to/3lIayoh" target="_blank">Wine Chiller/Pourer</a> // 17. <a href=" https://bit.ly/3GA03vl" target="_blank">Studs</a> // 18. <a href="https://bit.ly/31EDMgk" target="_blank">Dry Shampoo</a> // 19. <a href="https://amzn.to/3pzyI5d" target="_blank">Chopper</a></p><div class="Ar Au Ao" id=":7s0"><div aria-label="Message Body" aria-multiline="true" class="Am Al editable LW-avf tS-tW tS-tY" g_editable="true" hidefocus="true" id=":7rw" role="textbox" spellcheck="false" style="direction: ltr; min-height: 289px;" tabindex="1"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">1. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3DuEtGm" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">White Noise</a> I've bought 3 of these since I got the first 5 years ago. Once as a gift (they loved it so much they bought another one for their sibling's wedding!) and once to have a second one because i DO NOT TRAVEL WITHOUT this and Jesse was sad at home without it. The top volume of this machine is amazing and like being on an airplane) plenty of low volumes too. If there's one thing I am elite at: it's sleeping. This is my MVP</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> 2. </span><a href="https://eastfork.com/products/east-fork-mug?set=&variant=32744965079119" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Heaven's Mug</a>: Look its expensive, I know. But you heft one of these once and youll know why (also they are all handmade in Atlanta and Asheville and the company is so freaking responsible and magical).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">3. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3IqFH9l" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Clay Mask Scrub</a>: I dont want to know about skincare from someone who has amazing skin. Im realizing "Good skin" is just genetics and using sunscreen. So I wont sit here and say this gives me good skin, BUT it does make my skin feel really good and fresh and smooth. I use it as a scrub every few days or leave on longer as a mask occaisionally. the 2oz bottle is $36 retail (INSANE), but I always buy on eBay (('m on my 4th tube in 4 years) and can get twice as much for less than $20.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">4. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rEKWfG" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Fleece Socks</a>: Sometimes i get cold feet and no amount of wrapping the bed covers around them will warm them. These are the very very best for when you're the right temp but your feet are frozen. My mom gave me my first pair of these in 10ths grade and I still have them. I have a few more pairs too now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">5. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3xWPv6g" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Foundation</a>: One time my friend Steph was getting ready in the backseat of the car. I lept turning around to chat with her from shotgun and after she had put this on it was like I turned around and she had put on an IG filter. I bought this the next day. (I'm Birch 1.5 for reference).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">6. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3lHWDOT" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Migraine Ice Cap</a><span style="text-align: center;"> For those hormonal headaches I get a few times a month that medicine doesnt touch. This has a hole for high ponytail, 9 gel packs that freeze hard to use as counterpressure and can be pulled down over your eyes.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">7. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3EK3izP" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Pain Free Brush</a><span style="text-align: center;"> I have crazy tangly hair for it being so straight. After getting fresh highlights it turns into one big wet dreadlock after I've washed it. This baby gets my untangled with zero rage tears (kid approved too).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> 8. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3lGx4O7" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Undies</a>: Ive been wearing these since AE released the style in 2002. I used to get livid when any of my teammates wore the same ones...because I'm a delight. But now I want everyone to know the comfort of these and I have learned to share.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">9. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3pxFIQf" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Wristlet</a>: When I need to carry more than my phone (which is <a href="https://amzn.to/3ovBae2" target="_blank">my wallet</a> too) But when I am being fancy and have a few other things to carry This little fella is great. I love the 2-tone leopard and brown for sass.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> 10. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3Dv4Xra" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Tweezers</a>: Death to tweezer that don't grab. This has been my go-to brand for years and I have a pair of these in both cars, my makeup bag, my nightstand and my desk. Yeah. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> 11. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3Dovoio" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Shaver</a>: Continuing the glamour parade of being a 39 year old woman: this little thing lives in my makeup bag too for when I spot soome fuzz on my face or steel wool on my legs, and don't have a bathub handy. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">12. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3opaVFT" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Waterproof Kindle</a>: I saw my friend using this at the beach and was super jelly. Im usually a hate of e-readers and prefer real books, but i also love reading in the tub and at the pool and beach and am sick of getting my books all bloated and wrinkled from thw moisture. This waterproof baby is on my list this year for letting me be literate and wet n wild.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> 13. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/32URY5A" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Tyler Detergent</a>: A few ladies at my gym use this and I was always intoxicated by it. One of them gave me a bottle for Christmas in 2018 and we've been smitten ever since. Towels and sheets are MADE for this stuff and it's the only stuff I've ever used in the wash that seriously holds scent.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">14. </span><a href=" https://bit.ly/3rGx9VO" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Cream Blush</a>: I feel fancy when I use this. I think young people use it too. Ive been working on my first tube for a solid 2 years now so it lasts.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">15. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3osRE6o" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Nightingale</a>: Awesome book. 2-3 day read. Compelling but not disturbing. Theyre making it into a movie...which is typically a good review.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"> 16. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3lIayoh" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Wine Chiller/Pourer</a>: I had once of these years ago and it didnt have the pour-through feature. This is a huge upgrade. And you can look like Mr. Freeze at Hogwarts with it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">17. </span><a href=" https://bit.ly/3GA03vl" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Studs</a>: Super minimalist and cute. $10 shipped right now! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">18. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/31EDMgk" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Dry Shampoo</a>: Okay full disclosure, I bought this and haven't used it yet bc it's at my friend's house. She raves and raves about it and convinved me to buy it so it's on here for her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">19. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3pzyI5d" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Chopper</a>: No matter how nice of a knife I buy or how much I practice, dicing SUCKS. I got one of these in 2010 and use it weekly for perfect little cubes of many many foods. It can perfectly dice 20 tomatoes in like a minute. (I have broken the bottom catch bowl by putting things in it that should be (re: sweet potatoes) so just be reasonable about that.</div></div></div></div>keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-42955393843346683002021-12-06T12:00:00.001-05:002021-12-06T12:00:09.957-05:00Gift Guide for Tween Girls<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsXFioGO0zfzzcvTk3F8JJ93cn2x0RvilkLZ-6-Es8U2WddZviQcUAQ4zMNUmtE9Lmfv-x-t0vMGXEdO1t_kTOOBrAPmTZjOZSYCv91C67ggLu9IIlLYmZlVDm94q16t8oYztIOhSEWY/s1532/tween+girl+guide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1002" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsXFioGO0zfzzcvTk3F8JJ93cn2x0RvilkLZ-6-Es8U2WddZviQcUAQ4zMNUmtE9Lmfv-x-t0vMGXEdO1t_kTOOBrAPmTZjOZSYCv91C67ggLu9IIlLYmZlVDm94q16t8oYztIOhSEWY/w418-h640/tween+girl+guide.png" width="418" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">1. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3an6zshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Tee</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 2. <a href="https://bit.ly/3y0CtEH" target="_blank">Slippers</a> // 3.</span><a href="https://amzn.to/336E7tj" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Colored Pen Set</a><span style="text-align: left;"> & </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3GfZc2t" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Interactive Journal</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 4. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3y0ytnF" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Hoop Set</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">5. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Gdz6gH" target="_blank">Scent Diffuser</a> // 6. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/31rSM1b" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Jellyfish Lamp</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 7. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3aph2shi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Makeup set</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 8. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3apc3shi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Black leggings </a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 9. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3auw5shi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Gold chains</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">10. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rFcPnU" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Questioners Books</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 11. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3os2DwU" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Headwraps</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 12. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3apqdshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Mini brands</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 13. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3atnvshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Sweater</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 14. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3DrVJvO" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Yeti</a><span style="text-align: left;"> //</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> 15. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZZSyhw" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Echo clock</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 16. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3EsBPCq" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Bento box</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 17. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3atbyshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Jeans</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 18. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3aueeshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Combat boots</a><span style="text-align: left;"> // 19. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3xUTEHI" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Beginner Volleyball</a><span style="text-align: left;"> <br /><br /><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13.2px;">All of these are products Layla already owns and recommends OR is being given this year (either by us or grandparents). Here's my unsponsored take on each. (Affiliate links in effect).</span><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">1. </span><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3an6zshi6" target="_blank">Tee</a>: Hopping on the trend of short, boxy and repping a band that came out when her grandparents were in their prime.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">2. <a href="https://bit.ly/3y0CtEH" target="_blank">Slippers</a>: I don't know. I never would have thought these would be on her list but I asked her for some things she really wanted and this came up. I do, however, love this style.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">3.</span><a href="https://amzn.to/336E7tj" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Colored Pen Set</a><span style="text-align: left;"> & </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3GfZc2t" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Interactive Journal</a>: these have been my favorite pens to write with since college and the set of 30 with the roll up case (which you should obviously arrange in rainbow order) pack a huge punch on value and ease of toting around. We got her this journal last year (it give prompts to help them write. draw, or create on every page) and she loves it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">4. </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3y0ytnF" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Hoop Set</a>:<span style="text-align: left;"> Does it look like something you wore in the 90's and then donated? Then its in style now apparently. I understand nothing and have reached the age where if I dont love the look of it, that means its probably cool. I am not passing the vibe check.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">5.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3Gdz6gH" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Scent Diffuser</a>: Okay teen boys get all the glory for being weird smelling, but girls represent too. Layla (and her pet guineas) moved into her own room this year and this will be appreciated by everyone who visits (to be fair its the rodents that smell and its because she's lazy about cleaning her cage).<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">6. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/31rSM1b" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Jellyfish Lamp</a>: She got this for her birthday and its super useful for calming down her frenetic brain for bedtime. I actually kind of want one for my desk too. (Pro tip: you need to open it up and fill it and soak the jellies in soap before they'll full be ready to bob right so plan for that if you want full va-va-voom on gifting morning)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">7. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3aph2shi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Makeup set</a>: Because she wants to be 20 but also 6. This age is weird. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">8. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3apc3shi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Black leggings</a>: Pretty much uniform for women from age 3-90. Layla really prefers the active dry-fit kind. (these are great quality and <$20)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">9. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3auw5shi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Gold chains</a>:<span style="text-align: left;"> All the cool kids are doing it. And the Professional baseball players. Win-win!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">10. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rFcPnU" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Questioners Books</a>:<span style="text-align: left;"> For kids that love the Iggy Peck/Ada Twist etc. series of picture books for littler ones, there's now a set of chapter books from the same author and they're just as highly reviewed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">11. </span><a href=" https://amzn.to/3EtR0v0" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Headwraps</a>: I mean they're $1 each. Cute and boho and soft. Splitting the set in half and each girl gets 5 in her stocking! Major bonus for them being nice solid colors and not a 20-pack of insane patterns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">12. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3apqdshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Mini brands</a>: This is the one that I'm buying partially for myself too. These teensy versions of real products get my mini-loving heart a-pumping. The dollhouse is about to be so stocked.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">13. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3atnvshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Sweater</a>: one of the only fashion items on her list that I would wear the grown-up version of. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">14. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3DrVJvO" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Yeti</a>: This one is another item I'd have never come up with but she put on her own list. Kind of fancy style for an 11 year old, and I'm 100% she won't lose it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">15. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZZSyhw" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Echo clock</a>: Layla recent got very into knowing what time it is at all...times. I have a theory that she doesn't like or possibly CANNOT tell time on the analog clocks but she SAYS there's only one unbroken clock at school. She got a digital watch for her birthday and loves it. She also kidnapped our bathroom Alexa so this combines her two passions or clocks and bots into one gift--and liberates our assistant back to us.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">16. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3EsBPCq" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Bento box</a>:<span style="text-align: left;"> Another one from her birthday list. She LOVES this thing and actually packs her lunch thoughtfully now that she has it. Now her leftovers can rot in style over weekends and holidays.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">17. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3atbyshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Jeans</a>: Loose fitting and gently distressed, just like my figure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">18. </span><a href="https://rstyle.me/cz-n/f3aueeshi6" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Combat boots</a>:<span style="text-align: left;"> I actually love the look of these Doc-alikes. And the price point is about 70% better too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">19. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3xUTEHI" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Beginner Volleyball</a>:<span style="text-align: left;"> This is the correct weight of ball for leagues up to 13U, so this is what we practice with at home. Fun color combos and Layla named hers Vanessa. She is also getting this</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3EuRd13" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">trainer</a> leash to help with arm swing without chasing the ball down or beating against my house at all hours.</div></div>keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-44306226740229067272021-12-05T14:23:00.002-05:002021-12-05T14:50:42.017-05:00Gift Guide for Tween Boys<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZX56serVdq7zjAI-lnyK-6vN-lHPCNUq96EjEdm6pqPeNb2cqhKeW7fm6g2kBFNLr276jwkwvNMmKPvqI909ryTnvZXWy3aIsboLdkc7TBQT-zbAP_mVLwFMmkciAXsVu4uFCJkZXLQ/s1332/boys+gift+guide.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZX56serVdq7zjAI-lnyK-6vN-lHPCNUq96EjEdm6pqPeNb2cqhKeW7fm6g2kBFNLr276jwkwvNMmKPvqI909ryTnvZXWy3aIsboLdkc7TBQT-zbAP_mVLwFMmkciAXsVu4uFCJkZXLQ/w518-h640/boys+gift+guide.png" width="518" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://amzn.to/3pv8iBS" target="_blank">Slides</a> // 2. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Er508J" target="_blank">Waterproof Speaker</a> // 3. <a href="https://amzn.to/3IpX3mE" target="_blank">Phone Holder</a> // 4. <a href="https://amzn.to/2ZX8X6d" target="_blank">Patch Hat</a> // 5. Patches: <a href="https://loyaltypatch.com/kirby-on-black-2x3-loyalty-patch/" target="_blank">Kirby</a> <a href="https://loyaltypatch.com/cassette-tape-2x3-loyalty-patch/" target="_blank">Tape</a> <a href="https://loyaltypatch.com/atlanta-atl-2x3-loyalty-patch/" target="_blank">ATL</a> //</div><div style="text-align: center;"> 6. <a href="https://bit.ly/3xWu9pA" target="_blank">Nerf Digital Target</a> // 7. <a href="https://bit.ly/31nRiFJ" target="_blank">Quality Time Punch Cards</a> // 8. <a href="https://amzn.to/3opiyfx" target="_blank">Hatchet + Sheath</a> // 9. <a href="https://bit.ly/3pwqMBM" target="_blank">Lightning Cable</a> // </div><div style="text-align: center;">10. <a href="https://amzn.to/3opowwY" target="_blank">Shocktato</a> // 11. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Ev06rE" target="_blank">Champion Hoodie</a> // 12. <a href="https://bit.ly/3lwQCof" target="_blank">Undies</a> // 13. <a href="https://amzn.to/3lBypGd" target="_blank">Pass Back</a> // 14. <a href="https://bit.ly/31mz3R3" target="_blank">6-can Mini Fridge</a> // </div><div style="text-align: center;">15. <a href="https://amzn.to/3xW7sSh" target="_blank">Pull Up Bar </a> // 16. <a href="https://amzn.to/3doSIBX" target="_blank">Guiness Book </a> // 17. <a href="https://amzn.to/3lDQzXD">Toilet Light</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">All of these are products Judah already owns and recommends OR is being given this year (either by us or grandparents). Here's my unsponsored take on each. (Affiliate links in effect).</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. <a href="https://amzn.to/3pv8iBS" target="_blank">Slides</a> He'll happily wear them through winter with socks, they take 1 second to put on, and theyre far cheaper to replace monthly when he outgrows them than sneakers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Er508J" target="_blank">Waterproof Speaker</a> Judah is the prime age for going around the neighborhood and up to the park with his friends on his bike. This super sturdy, waterproof, clip on bluetooth speaker lets him play his jams the whole time and he can even still listen for traffic. 41,000 5-star reviews have me willing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. <a href="https://amzn.to/3IpX3mE" target="_blank">Phone Holder</a> If you follow me on Insta, you've seen Judah's burgeoning love for making TikToks. He keeps borrowing our massive tripod, but this will let him film wherever with one of his own since it clamps on. AND it doubles as a hands free stand. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 4. <a href="https://amzn.to/2ZX8X6d" target="_blank">Patch Hat</a> He fell in love with my gym hat in this style and kept stealing it, so we finally got him his own. Velcro 2x3 for interchangeable patches</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 5. Patches: <a href="https://loyaltypatch.com/kirby-on-black-2x3-loyalty-patch/" target="_blank">Kirby</a> <a href="https://loyaltypatch.com/cassette-tape-2x3-loyalty-patch/" target="_blank">Tape</a> <a href="https://loyaltypatch.com/atlanta-atl-2x3-loyalty-patch/" target="_blank">ATL</a> we are adding a few to his collection for Christmas (and I am DIY'ing a framed velco board for him to store/display his patches when not in use).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 6. <a href="https://bit.ly/3xWu9pA" target="_blank">Nerf Digital Target</a> This comes with 3 different games programmed on and is slightly safer for my walls than a traditionally dart board.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">7. <a href="https://bit.ly/31nRiFJ" target="_blank">Quality Time Punch Cards</a> Like I wasnt going to put my own invention on here. But for real, middle school boys don't tend to emote well, so giving him and easy out of "I want to use my dinner punch" is an easier way for him to say he needs time with you.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 8. <a href="https://amzn.to/3opiyfx" target="_blank">Hatchet + Sheath</a> I got him a hatchet before we wetn glamping and it might as well have been an iphone based on how many hours he spent with it. Go ahead and buy a <span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3EtF4cD" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Sharpening Stone</a> too because the fools will hack on things that dull the blade.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">9. <a href="https://bit.ly/3pwqMBM" target="_blank">Lightning Cable</a> never enough. We own 2 of these (have had both for months) and theyve held up SO WELL. Not even one power blink or spazz out yet. Plus fun colors/</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">10. <a href="https://amzn.to/3opowwY" target="_blank">Shocktato</a> You had me at "electrocute your child." But for real, this was made for idiot boys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">11. <a href="https://amzn.to/3Ev06rE" target="_blank">Champion Hoodie</a> I was shooketh to find out this brand is cool at my kid's school now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 12. <a href="https://bit.ly/3lwQCof" target="_blank">Undies</a> I mean, if they have them, SURELY they're more likely to wear them. We have several packs of these and Judah like them best for anti-wedgie protection. I just want as many barriers as possible between the farts and my face.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">13. <a href="https://amzn.to/3lBypGd" target="_blank">Pass Back</a> My SIL gave him one for Christmas a few years ago and its been a best buddie since then. Chucking it against our house for HOURSSSSSS when Jesse or I are available to toss the full football.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">14. <a href="https://bit.ly/31mz3R3" target="_blank">6-can Mini Fridge</a> He is going to feel like the too-est cool for school guy when he gets his own teeny fridge in his room (these are only $25).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">15. <a href="https://amzn.to/3xW7sSh" target="_blank">Pull Up Bar </a> We have had this one installed in his room for over 4 years and its never fallen down despite him using it daily (and Jesse and I using it now and then too). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 16. <a href="https://amzn.to/3doSIBX" target="_blank">Guiness Book </a> If Judah has failed me in one way its that he doesnt love reading like Jesse and I do (yet) He will however read books like this cover to cover repeatedly. So I'll keep buying them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 17. <a href="https://amzn.to/3lDQzXD">Toilet Light</a> I scored one of these in a White Elephant game a few years ago and they're AWESOME! Part motion activated night light, part runway lights for landing the plane. Tween boys aren't known for their pee aim in the best of lighting, so adding this into the mix in the dark is USEFUL,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-56649437427922263332021-12-05T10:40:00.007-05:002021-12-05T10:51:13.987-05:00Gift Guide for Men<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_ePGQp8aEs6MKwVy8q_UepAPbcxwj0kAN3iIgI47Sw02xlAgsgYLE_c1aulf9bH3wsxEN2KmzDQ-pdza_qMXPvrrFlkRpNBpRN_bRqE-0ZeH0sjYYF_IKZs5y9xioozWRzgSth9r61Q/s1332/men+gift+guide.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_ePGQp8aEs6MKwVy8q_UepAPbcxwj0kAN3iIgI47Sw02xlAgsgYLE_c1aulf9bH3wsxEN2KmzDQ-pdza_qMXPvrrFlkRpNBpRN_bRqE-0ZeH0sjYYF_IKZs5y9xioozWRzgSth9r61Q/w518-h640/men+gift+guide.png" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZUdypK" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Desk Cube</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">2.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3pwhUfu" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Key Tracker</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">// </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">3.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3IjRXZb" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Lounge Shorts</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">4.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3xV5e5L" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Utility Knife</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">5.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://bit.ly/331Apkx" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Hoodie Shacket</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">6.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3GhgL28" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Flannel Shirt</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3dms6Sf" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Wallet Phone Case</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">8.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rCcXVl" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Cigar Whiskey Glass</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">9.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3Im0rz7" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">ATL UTD Hat</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">10.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rABREy" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Three-Body Problem</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">11.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3puR6MQ" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">AirPods Key Case</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> //</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3pxm9rr" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Flex Khakis</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">13.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://bit.ly/3Gel91P" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Perfect Pocket Tee</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">14.</span><a href="https://amzn.to/3oocNyE" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank"> Bug Rifle</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> // </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">15.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3DpRVeE" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Travel Cereal Cup</a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All of these are products we already own and recommend OR are being given this year. Here's my unsponsored take on each. (Affiliate links in effect).</span></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">1. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZUdypK" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Desk Cube</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">No more crawling under the desk to access the power strip: 3 USBs, 3 AC plugs, all within reach.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">2. <a href="https://amzn.to/3pwhUfu" target="_blank">Key Tracker</a> This little square has saved our marriage many times. Because apparently his favorite activity for unwinding after work is to hide his keys in the most unknowable locations. This is the electronic version of <i>Accio! </i>(I know Apple has a version of these now but we've had these for years and have been super pleased)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">3. <a href="https://bit.ly/3IjRXZb" target="_blank">Lounge Shorts</a> Comfy as hell for him around the house, but can still be worn in public without bringing shame upon your family. PLUS excellent fit on the caboose for my viewing pleasure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">4. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3xV5e5L" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Utility Knife</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> We borrowed one of these from a friend and after 30 seconds using it I went and bought one for us. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">This mamma-jamma reloads a new blade with one hand from a supply inside </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> the handle. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/331hiqO" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Refills</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> are super affordable. I haven't felt so passionate about a tool since discovering my demigod of a <a href="https://amzn.to/3Ilqiae" target="_blank">manual screwdriver</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">5. <a href="https://bit.ly/331Apkx" target="_blank">Hoodie Shacket</a> Fuzzy, sporty, warm. I love this color and the rust one too. Great for layering under another coat or going solo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. <a href="https://bit.ly/3GhgL28" target="_blank">Flannel Shirt</a> Cozy, fits great, and a million colors to choose from. I look forward to stealing this for myself.<br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">7. <a href="https://amzn.to/3dms6Sf">Wallet Phone Case</a> We own 3 of these (Judah too!) and havent carried wallets in years. Major drop protection and card holds that doesn't stretch out. They make them for all the iPhone models and some androids too</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">8. <a href="https://amzn.to/3rCcXVl" target="_blank">Cigar Whiskey Glass</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">These are going to Jesse's dad because he LOVES to bro out hard with whiskey and cigar nights.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">9. <a href="https://bit.ly/3Im0rz7" target="_blank">ATL UTD Hat</a> The man is OBSESSED with this team. This design looks cool to me and is a change up from the 103,458 other pieces of swag he has.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">10. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rABREy" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Three-Body Problem</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">We shared (re: fought back and forth over) one copy of this book on vacation and both simultaneously read it in 2 days. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">11. <a href="https://amzn.to/3puR6MQ" target="_blank">AirPods Key Case</a> He kept getting enraged by the basic silicone case getting stretched out causing the lid to flop off. This one is tight as a drum (he's had it for over 6 months and still raves)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12. <a href="https://bit.ly/3pxm9rr" target="_blank">Flex Khakis</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't want to talk about how often the grown man rips the crotch of his pants. Give him all the flex.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">13. <a href="https://bit.ly/3Gel91P" target="_blank">Perfect Pocket Tee</a> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Found one of these at Goodwill once and it fit him so well I started buying them new.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">14. </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3oocNyE" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Bug Rifle</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Literally the only item he said he actually wants. If we're going to be shot-gunning flies in the house, why not add the </span><a href="https://amzn.to/3rxfYpQ" rel="" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">laser sight</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">to be fully extra?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;">15. <a href="https://amzn.to/3DpRVeE" target="_blank">Travel Cereal Cup</a> one handed, spill proof cereal consumption on the go. I am intrigued by this gimmicky genius goodness.</div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-24622367919051799162019-10-01T14:49:00.001-04:002019-10-01T16:45:06.195-04:00T H I R T E E N<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Let's sidestep the part where I address the 22-month blog absence and instead consider today's post as nothing but an abnormally long Instagram caption. It's a blip. ("Blogs are out, but people are texting each other'" -Ryan Bailey Howard).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today is our 13th Anniversary. Or, to use Layla's favorite emphatic, we've been married <i>thirteen frickin' dang years</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lots of people stay married for 13 years. It isn't particularly impressive as a number. And even to say you've been <i>happily</i> married for 13 years isn't a terribly Big Whoop on the world stage of all whoops. Maybe a medium whoop. A <i>grande </i>at<i> </i>Starbucks. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6XUtQWg4maVsl4NKPxY_BWYnLQcS3NqtrlK6_IIbqoiSXOxjxNyGD7XEvCahD0rBCIFFkGazYEnaQImdB6M3Zd5T-5yUty9cagM6hkcBzIPs7sfoYVE3A6jbU4MAKzbwBbrjjitvrmI/s1600/IMG_4762.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6XUtQWg4maVsl4NKPxY_BWYnLQcS3NqtrlK6_IIbqoiSXOxjxNyGD7XEvCahD0rBCIFFkGazYEnaQImdB6M3Zd5T-5yUty9cagM6hkcBzIPs7sfoYVE3A6jbU4MAKzbwBbrjjitvrmI/s640/IMG_4762.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lucky and Plucky AF</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Today becomes impressive for us only when you consider that Jesse and I were exceptionally--almost comically--ill-suited for having a healthy marriage to each other when we started out </span><span style="text-align: justify;">(in terms of temperament/conflict style/Enneagram type).</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> It's a big whoop considering </span><span style="text-align: justify;">how much FREEEEEAKING effort and practice it took (and takes) to get us to this place where our marriage is now my favorite and most valuable thing on this planet.</span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
SPOILER: the incompatibility had jack crap zero to do with how in love with each other we were. We were utterly obsessed with and committed to the person we were marrying and wanted nothing but the best and brightest and healthiest for one another and our marriage--and we still quickly pivoted right into making each other miserable. Precious.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy Anniversary, being in (what you think) is love is the stupidest thing you're going to have to overcome. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_yIZbZ27nvqKKLcFbDaqmVEyQYpT3cPs0Dn2Ov5bmK2J0lE72Ru_KwuqdJDoEUHDe3H8hpmwh3QavL_eAHln3SBOmXn7SPSiWY_zATJYrSEGcGReuNGEIVrb9x1Z3jZiQxvui87it0o/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_yIZbZ27nvqKKLcFbDaqmVEyQYpT3cPs0Dn2Ov5bmK2J0lE72Ru_KwuqdJDoEUHDe3H8hpmwh3QavL_eAHln3SBOmXn7SPSiWY_zATJYrSEGcGReuNGEIVrb9x1Z3jZiQxvui87it0o/s640/IMG_4764.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Best wishes, SUCKAZZZZ.</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br style="text-align: start;" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I made a list of the 13 most important things we do and have learned. I will FORSHORE need to come back to this many times. It will also be worth the effort to write if it can spare at least one of you a failed dramatic exit from Outback Steakhouse in your own marriage (that example inspired by real events). </div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>1. Marry for LIKE</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is my #1 marriage advice. HEED ME, O ISRAEL.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Being in young, fiery so-called love is a trick of biological and evolutionary warfare waged by your DNA on your stupid, unsuspecting brain--the sole aim of which is to get your gametes together with another's to propagate the species and ensure your microscopic code pieces are a part of it. Your DNA doesn't care if you are fire and they are ice, if all your disparate instincts and relational tools are incompatible--it just liked their musk and wanted to mate with it. It will wear off--and FAST.</span>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"But we were so in love--TRUEST LOVE!" I proclaimed! Oh dummy, that wasn't actually love. It was lust and obsession and fun and adrenaline and dopamine--and it had to go away or else you'd never remember to pay your taxes or do the laundry because that feeling makes you a single-minded idiot. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesse and I got lucky here (well, I did--he's not an idiot like I was). I had quite the history of being in love with people I didn't really like. *insert the face-est of palms.* But how many movies had I watched where someone you don't get along with, don't want to spend time with, or even actively hate, turns out to have been the one for you ALL ALONG. Awwww. </div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No. This is a bad story. <b><i>AVOID.</i></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't care how good they look on paper, how hot they are, how much your mama likes them: if you don't enjoy talking to them (without touching or looking at their beauty) and want to change most of the things that come out of their mouth: IT ISN'T GOING TO WORK. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because that love-drunk, starting out feeling WILL fade. If you work at it, the REAL, enduring, deep magic kind of love will come--but in the meantime it makes things SO much easier if you actually like the human whose farts you have to smell. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were times in the first few years of marriage when we were over the crazy-in-love phase but were still figuring out how to build our real foundation. All the quick-burning fuel had consumed itself, and we didn't yet have a good stockpile of the clean, slow burning, renewable stuff to use. In these in-between times it was LIKE that saved us. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I didn't have grace to give or more effort to contribute to doing the hard or self-denying thing--the fact that I liked Jesse so hard was a marriage-saver. I'd want to be mad at him but he'd make me laugh. I'd be attempting to freeze him out and see a joke that ONLY he would get and have to share it with him. </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
God makes us lots of promises about the power and immortality of selfless love and how we can have it infinitely for all humans everywhere. It can do just about anything and resurrect itself for sure. But I think He <i>maybe</i> left it more of a tossup when it comes to liking each other--some people you will like and some you won't. No big deal and it wont keep you from loving them like Jesus did, but go ahead and make sure you get it right <b>in marriage </b>because that <i>ish</i> is hard to conjure.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JHjJdokdlhY06zIGHA-0QgEHh2uIKs97E2xzcjPl5cBd-oVuW4pvp2Z35jKjco58q9UXY7tsoTJ6yh4I081Scfwi__eDt4n_U1lRQlpD0cuo_mGI0-R_793DTZB-0X1OzoHf8JULGTU/s1600/IMG_4765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1527" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JHjJdokdlhY06zIGHA-0QgEHh2uIKs97E2xzcjPl5cBd-oVuW4pvp2Z35jKjco58q9UXY7tsoTJ6yh4I081Scfwi__eDt4n_U1lRQlpD0cuo_mGI0-R_793DTZB-0X1OzoHf8JULGTU/s640/IMG_4765.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Just my frickin dang favorite</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>2. Say what you want, you idiot</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We laugh now about the HOURS of our pre-children married life we wasted in a stalemate. We'd be in a fight and ALL I'd want was him to hug me or to just forget the stupid argument and go to dinner. But I wouldn't say it because that's not spontaneous or romantic. I'd just wait for him to think of it (IF HE REALLLLY LOVED ME HE'D KNOW) Again, I blame my poisoning at the hands of Hollywood for this. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">I'd be mad at him already for whatever, and then I'd double down in my head "and he's so dumb and evil he doesnt even know I want to be hugged right now as I'm actively pushing him away, what an unromantic fool; clearly we aren't soulmates, oh the injustice."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first time I growled through clenched teeth with my back turned "<i>canyoujusthugmeplease</i>?" it almost physically hurt (SO UNROMANTIC IT SHOULD BE RAINING OR AT THE AIRPORT), but we saved like 2 exhausting hours, and I realized spontaneity and mind-reading are nice but I'd <b>rather</b> not get divorced waiting for them, so let's go ahead and speak up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ifI9ESRE0xL3ckr6xfGIaudtZFpcuvyZ9w_EhRu5fvI6GsiMWQJZ9NLEr7izvfT7tNrXXkaOVQ3HUIKidfm6o7YplaBrNDbNa6h9QdmJWkGTwf37s014-0MCTHmUHagYgSs3B6ELR1A/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ifI9ESRE0xL3ckr6xfGIaudtZFpcuvyZ9w_EhRu5fvI6GsiMWQJZ9NLEr7izvfT7tNrXXkaOVQ3HUIKidfm6o7YplaBrNDbNa6h9QdmJWkGTwf37s014-0MCTHmUHagYgSs3B6ELR1A/s640/IMG_4773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>3. Go to counseling</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's 2019. There is no stigma. Find a mentor couple, an actual counselor, a trusted 3rd party and GO TALK TO THEM ABOUT YOUR JUNK. Go together and go separately.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You simply cannot be objective about yourself. You are the subject of your life and you are inherently biased. You cannot referee your own match just as you can't lift your own body. <br />
<br />
You are riddled with blind spots and do not know best. It won't work itself out on its own. Get off your high horse and see a counselor. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWQpebwoceQeqlELS7-ZN0MkZ8zH_qzPI9YCvNxg4OF1ui1oTRiMOGvlCLOWuX8DKkDfqRaIQQksMSHl426blEOtPVYp-v5Jcnn46gxfpNZGOQc68gWvHJ_Wrx2TEkrQDdL0eRo-N0MM/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWQpebwoceQeqlELS7-ZN0MkZ8zH_qzPI9YCvNxg4OF1ui1oTRiMOGvlCLOWuX8DKkDfqRaIQQksMSHl426blEOtPVYp-v5Jcnn46gxfpNZGOQc68gWvHJ_Wrx2TEkrQDdL0eRo-N0MM/s640/IMG_4767.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Also cannot dip yourself</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>4</b>. <b>Ask "How can I help?"</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I get crazy overwhelmed. When stress hits me my capacity to take things on plummets. This stresses me out even more. The cortisol hits my brain and my fight or flight almost always picks FIGHT. I get angry and lash out.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">One day a few years ago Jesse hacked this situation like he was getting infinite lives in Contra for NES. Instead of defending against my crazy venting at him or telling me to calm down, he asked "how can I help?"
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">KEANU-LEVEL <i>WHOA</i>. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">This stopped me in my tracks and forced me to analytically think about action steps rather than just unleashing a Jackson Pollack painting of stress rage AT HIM. I have to triage my current stressors to determine the most helpful thing I can let him do. Not only do I have one less thing on my plate when I give him one, but I have a more organized and rational picture of everything going on and how to tackle it.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">This question is a gift. Give it and receive it.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC3Gu2KcoqrWqSYSHIYoHuh0bHPuh8iX1CDT-655CZuCiBOeLGrVurZwHxr3_NeQr0RjD0HMfVAf0xynmkBB1Xrzbvvlvjki033ViqWXknakmouwFCuoY-cFXgYMQ2saKXk-C2MG6ymA/s1600/IMG_4768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1600" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDC3Gu2KcoqrWqSYSHIYoHuh0bHPuh8iX1CDT-655CZuCiBOeLGrVurZwHxr3_NeQr0RjD0HMfVAf0xynmkBB1Xrzbvvlvjki033ViqWXknakmouwFCuoY-cFXgYMQ2saKXk-C2MG6ymA/s640/IMG_4768.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>5. Tell Reruns</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">This one is easy. Go back and retell each other your story. Indoctrinate yourselves with your history and legend. Parts of it, moments, the whole thing. Again and again. I make Jesse retell me about when he liked me and his secret thoughts from dating quite often. I ask weird and specific questions. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">We together try to go back and piece together timelines and situations from the early days. It's fun and puts <i>a little</i> of that early magic back in without the all-consuming-meth-addiction-like disregard for the rest of the universe that we had back then. Meth is healthy in <i>small</i> doses, after all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>6. Listen to the Fans.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Another easy one. Find people that adore your spouse and make them tell you why. When others start bragging on your other half, <b>listen</b>. Don't downplay it, lean in and hear. Coworkers, parents, friends, mentors, customers, whatever. It's so cool to hear people love your person from angles you don't have.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx1IMCccDJRGOihI0YB7Sf3p33E6cryQ4HHJx1VXjTWDsvD3LqmNwRutcxJIgB4_nZWsEw0kOAN0qJyVK90dq57t2-Nf0WijNPFveIdQ7LGDVU7y8PxXkDRhjJA-aewHA4I-Fcugu5Bs/s1600/IMG_4769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAx1IMCccDJRGOihI0YB7Sf3p33E6cryQ4HHJx1VXjTWDsvD3LqmNwRutcxJIgB4_nZWsEw0kOAN0qJyVK90dq57t2-Nf0WijNPFveIdQ7LGDVU7y8PxXkDRhjJA-aewHA4I-Fcugu5Bs/s640/IMG_4769.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>"Jesse is an amazing dancer." Still waiting to hear than one.</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>7. Find Something to Lose About</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">It's natural for me in fights to amass a mighty stack of evidence against Jesse detailing his legion of wrongs. I will dig so deep to find more to blame him for. I have driven him to bitter tears of frustration doing this--when all he wanted was for me to see one way that I was hurting him and take responsibility for it. I just couldn't see it or hear it because it wasn't <i>my mission</i>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">It was after a Jesse had preached one Sunday about how "losing to win" was the entire essence and magic of how Jesus conquers that I told myself the next time we were in a frustrating, drawn-out stalemate of a disagreement, I'd attempt the mental exercise of TRYING to find something I could apologize for (very different from my typical "IT'S ALL YOU" method). I would <i>purposefully lose</i> the argument so our marriage could win. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">It was like dang sorcery. I said something like "I definitely could have done a better job hearing you and caring about what you wanted." Truly not that hard or humiliating but gahhhh it made things easier. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Tons of energy is required when you're trying to convince someone that nothing is your fault and everything is theirs. When you admit that, okay, this one part at least was totally my bad, the pressure of defending your perfect behavior record disappears (surprise: it wasn't perfect), and it becomes much easier to <i>keep</i> finding ways you could love better. The first one is the hardest to see and admit. Dig for it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5daLjna-nEJ3cYXfQq9WL5n3abTJGaoTgQZcX_IpgsdsQJFJqMT65l0nhdp8TKmgeUP04ZG_-2Gd36W65Cv57blfx9IiLtXrN1tXuwXCuE6hiFBufr6HiIyB1Sh79H4qe5QP_g9HbPw/s1600/IMG_4770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5daLjna-nEJ3cYXfQq9WL5n3abTJGaoTgQZcX_IpgsdsQJFJqMT65l0nhdp8TKmgeUP04ZG_-2Gd36W65Cv57blfx9IiLtXrN1tXuwXCuE6hiFBufr6HiIyB1Sh79H4qe5QP_g9HbPw/s640/IMG_4770.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>What did I do?</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>8. Keep Choosing.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">I like to tell Jesse " I choose you every damn day." I don't know when this started, but I do remember <i>before</i>. When things were impossibly hard, I'd get mad that some dumb 23 year old had "done this to me" AKA my younger self. <i>She</i> made the choice to marry him, and she's a skinny idiot. I blame her. Ugh, HER.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Instead of being some passive victim of the 2006 version of myself--living out the consequences of <i>her</i> choice--I decided to take active control and show up and choose Jesse again and again. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">I mean, I don't know what the alternative was, but this was a mindset shift for sure, and it helped me remember that this marriage and this dude were both something I have to continue to want and chase after. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">I'm not just married to Jesse because we said the things in 2006--I'm married to him every day still, <b>by choice</b>. I'm not bound by dusty old vows I said once and didn't really even understand back then; I'm purposefully renewing and trying to learn and live more of those promises every day (even when it's a pain in the ass to choose him and costs pride and ego and self). </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Choose each other every damn day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>9.</b> <b>Have the Sex</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Non-negotiable (I mean as a concept in marriage-CONSENT ALWAYS, YALL. Come on). </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;">We have friends (male and female) who shave shared that they haven't had sex with their spouse in months and years. This is heartbreaking to me and I think fundamentally not how it's supposed to be. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">It's not always (or even often?) going to be earth-shattering, wake-the-neighbors level, but it IS almost always really important. For a few reasons. Some spiritual, relational, physical and some even animal in nature. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">I know you have a headache, I often do too. Just find a way <i>at least</i> weekly (and try to wake the neighbors a few times a year). I'm not a doctor. Don't @ me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmzBRCHeojiH8Yzdz4YVe0x9BYATq2GYqdlbKU0szQOi9BRo_P_hMpmKe-PLYa9IppFWJI6GUqVmbzc0i0nt0t255ITZai9rIW1n8P01Vv5yaKBPP519Q5CaGgrRnFDe4jtFdoTsWvgU/s1600/IMG_4771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1566" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmzBRCHeojiH8Yzdz4YVe0x9BYATq2GYqdlbKU0szQOi9BRo_P_hMpmKe-PLYa9IppFWJI6GUqVmbzc0i0nt0t255ITZai9rIW1n8P01Vv5yaKBPP519Q5CaGgrRnFDe4jtFdoTsWvgU/s640/IMG_4771.jpg" width="626" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>S-E-X</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>10. Request more info</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Oh look, Jesse put his used wet bath towel on top of my pile of clean laundry, CLEARLY he thinks his clothes and time are more valuable than mine, and even though we both work full time this is YET ANOTHER sign of the patriarchy in him and he's lazy and just doesn't care about me or the time I put into washing HIS children's skidmarked underwear because he doesn't love me enough to even try."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">And we're off to the races and the narrative is WRITTEN. Jesse's entire body of work from of loving me--decimated by a wet towel. Boom. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Boy oh boy I can fill in some blanks. But maybe,<i> just maybe</i>, the actions that annoy me aren't evils on par with terrorism--even if that's where my brain goes pretty fast and furious. Sometimes he IS just being lazy or careless, but other times he dropped it because Noa slammed her hand in a door and started screaming and he ran to her.<br />
<br />
Maybe "hey, what happened with this?" is a better option than "YOU ASS!"<br />
<br />
Maybe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">It's a little embarrassing that I had to <i>learn </i>to not throw someone's entire character into the flames before I asked them for the entire story, but here we are. I still get this one wrong more often than not (in all my relationships, you know who you are). I know that <u>I'm</u> ten times more likely to respond well if someone says "hey I have a question about something you did" versus "I saw what you did and I know <i>exactly</i> what you meant by it and YOU ARE OF SATAN." I appreciate deeply the people who have treated me this way, so I want to do it better. Especially with Jesse. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Because he often throws down wet towels but only rarely terrorizes intentionally, and I need to square these two facts in my life.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBMTVnnM6qstmSXNIN-eG4nYEGwipjXNHND5vhGqWygAgUfm4sa4JYfektMrfxby-l4oUZIj0p0aVfzCkGx6oaX4a7t_67L1J8PU9_49R9U7HKnGZsSe38DmFvAsMQopxPwmLGBFYXiU/s1600/IMG_4772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBMTVnnM6qstmSXNIN-eG4nYEGwipjXNHND5vhGqWygAgUfm4sa4JYfektMrfxby-l4oUZIj0p0aVfzCkGx6oaX4a7t_67L1J8PU9_49R9U7HKnGZsSe38DmFvAsMQopxPwmLGBFYXiU/s640/IMG_4772.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>11. Get a Thing</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Oh a fun one. Find a thing you are both into and fangirl over it together. You don't even necessarily have to do the thing together at the same time, but you have to both be into it and enjoy talking about it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Example: about 2 years ago CrossFit became one of our things </span>(2 years is the longest a CrossFitter has ever gone on a blog without mentioning that they CrossFit). We rarely go to the same class, but even if he does the workout at 5am and I do it at 5pm, we can talk about it when we look at it the night before, he can tell me hints for surviving after he does it before I do, and we can fully debrief after I've done it. Then we can be horribly sore together for three days afterward and watch CrossFit videos on YouTube. It's A WHOLE THING and we share it and it's fun and awesome (and you love how much we are into it and need to come to CrossFit with us). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">It could be a podcast, a sports team, a board game, a TV show, a hobby. Find something that is not about your kids or directly about <b>marriage</b>, and nerd out over it together.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>12. Jesus</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Ok this one may be optional since I know many healthy marriages where the couple isn't about Jesus. And it's astounding to me that it's possible for them. Because it just isn't optional for us. And not in a "oh it's a deal-breaker" gross fundamentalist way. But in a practical "There's no way I could love you when I think you deserve my hatred if I hadn't been loved that way by God first and so much" way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">I've said many times to Jesse "Efffffff I don't want to make this right with you and I'm so mad and think I'm totally right...BUT JESUS" (died for serial killers so I guess I'll forgive you).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">He's the engine and example and authority over both of us and he says to never ever stop loving each other and that it's always worth it. That's a decent endorsement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cpybNkW4jRIKC9wCf2F7SyAlxC3r1FwlLjqJOmEc3dHFX5mPa4xJ2eDRZmVzuyU2Pa_1q2XMdJob5ErFcNU4jNgg1bJpzFXGLwa_eQKjUgUmB1S9EZVFRoqeKENm1BFGTPvSb6w7vDw/s1600/IMG_4766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cpybNkW4jRIKC9wCf2F7SyAlxC3r1FwlLjqJOmEc3dHFX5mPa4xJ2eDRZmVzuyU2Pa_1q2XMdJob5ErFcNU4jNgg1bJpzFXGLwa_eQKjUgUmB1S9EZVFRoqeKENm1BFGTPvSb6w7vDw/s640/IMG_4766.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>13. Keep Learning</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">This is kind of a cop-out because I couldn't think of a good last one, but it's also true. If i'd written this list at year 5, I wouldn't have known half the things on here yet. But if you'd asked me back then, I'd have thought I'd pretty much circled the basics so far. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">HELL NO.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">It's crazy encouraging to know that we will keep learning each other and about marriage as we go. And it's reassuring that those same things that drove us to the brink years ago? we now have solid strategies for and experience dealing with--and can even laugh at (sweet Moses, they were NOT funny at the time--that Outback storm out was SOBERING HIGH DRAMA). I want to remember that when new trials and issue come up and FEEL hopeless. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">"I hate your guts and kind of want to murder you right now, but oh, how we'll laugh about this one day, darling."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDXtN-aXCAn70WulLqzqHNrvWcuO_tWUEuP71NmPjmL1oy_KDmxTRbFnVo0pBVIPHYA9rRCMAIwcSWFWFfKVhJ3ch32jM3l_btfKML2WGyehIj03rmjeEDjjAGhD3KdKGMj5CkBkA-k8/s1600/IMG_4763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDXtN-aXCAn70WulLqzqHNrvWcuO_tWUEuP71NmPjmL1oy_KDmxTRbFnVo0pBVIPHYA9rRCMAIwcSWFWFfKVhJ3ch32jM3l_btfKML2WGyehIj03rmjeEDjjAGhD3KdKGMj5CkBkA-k8/s640/IMG_4763.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Our fire-ravaged wedding album. Kind of perfect.</b></span></div>
</div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-12581321731283307272018-01-04T15:28:00.001-05:002018-01-05T11:24:30.803-05:00In Too Deep<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A dream of mine came true recently. It took a hard left turn into a bit of a nightmare, but, like, a funny one, where you wake up scared-- but laughing. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A mistaken identity text exploited for japery!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The sender thinks they are texting someone else, and rather than telling them "wrong number," you just roll with it. You've seen instances of this online, they sometimes go viral because the recipient plays along or trolls the sender, and hilarity unfolds as things escalate. I always say, "dang I wish that would happen to me so I could mess with someone."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because in my head, and despite never actually attempting it, I'm an improv genius, and the world is missing out on my star-shine because I'll never be camera-ready. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With all this pre-existing desire to have a wrong-number text fall into my lap, I may have been over-primed and shot out of the gate too fast when it actually did.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's dive in. Here's the initial text:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWIkir_dOE2c28rullDStcr4Ban83mmG7KzNXKkHxPlLJS4BoO2fZcgbdQj3iDiZwjBEp0EJRymIPDx218XpKGFOzVUccb6Ectuv2h7U-TtdP2pfCbaxHZp2MVfKQNmEFPTowaJb6bPg/s1600/IMG_2977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="1242" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWIkir_dOE2c28rullDStcr4Ban83mmG7KzNXKkHxPlLJS4BoO2fZcgbdQj3iDiZwjBEp0EJRymIPDx218XpKGFOzVUccb6Ectuv2h7U-TtdP2pfCbaxHZp2MVfKQNmEFPTowaJb6bPg/s400/IMG_2977.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">if you already know where this is going, congrats on being smarter than me, and maybe we should get you some help.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, most of this was pure nonsense to me, but I didn't care. MY MOMENT HAD COME! And if my sender/target is a little less proficient at making the Englishes, it could be even more fun!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since I was shooting blind with zero context of what this dude is talking about or who he (she?) thinks I am, I just went wide with it, employing the classic Righteous Wronged Lover/Friend ploy as my opening gambit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJCt8xfjSI0CHCK7WYIj5WklrhxAIYYGceMyUIFo2lgXMVrOqVmkwL4LpO8AX6nWN_OjLJvJk8pP5mjNYLXwigh6b-VsrPOWUz04r1KoH1g-EHKKkEJzsInS40fUwTsdUpiVlfMvRwVQ/s1600/IMG_2978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1242" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJCt8xfjSI0CHCK7WYIj5WklrhxAIYYGceMyUIFo2lgXMVrOqVmkwL4LpO8AX6nWN_OjLJvJk8pP5mjNYLXwigh6b-VsrPOWUz04r1KoH1g-EHKKkEJzsInS40fUwTsdUpiVlfMvRwVQ/s400/IMG_2978.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm confident I have him off-balance right away.. He's thinking of every way he's ever wronged whoever he thinks I am. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am expecting a little more personal and specific intel when he replies. Is he an ex-lover? A bro turned enemy? A mild mannered co-worker that is spiraling now that I've come out guns blazing? </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83sS1CkanFNadlrq1zS4eFk17ZRN8XGtBBfZbks3n14SiGM6aXwQFZcLIQSt_b78UAMv_CVtH4NSKgHK_ugtFJSGLUVJOZjiI4VGIxY5FoOypvcvt57HF8JuEwSDG4PYPuhENBvXJhIM/s1600/IMG_2979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="1242" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83sS1CkanFNadlrq1zS4eFk17ZRN8XGtBBfZbks3n14SiGM6aXwQFZcLIQSt_b78UAMv_CVtH4NSKgHK_ugtFJSGLUVJOZjiI4VGIxY5FoOypvcvt57HF8JuEwSDG4PYPuhENBvXJhIM/s400/IMG_2979.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Damn. My new friend is surprisingly emotionally healthy (unlike 80% of people I typically encounter) and apologizes immediately rather than escalating or striking back like I'd hoped. BUT he is accepting the fact that he does<i> in fact</i> have a lot of nerve contacting me--meaning there's been some drama in the past. I'M AS GOOD AT THIS AS I HAD HOPED.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrH_ZcX1I1seV7NhoP8IOQmZHtK1RcjJAgGxlrYjmY4eWxJDpzh9H1y8CRyJcVTiXjAwpuOFau7wsLijIJAijn1mLz5q5m2mVeFf37sZ9PhZWa454R1Z0HR-kwO8DZGbe7mXeoUptelk/s1600/IMG_2980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1242" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrH_ZcX1I1seV7NhoP8IOQmZHtK1RcjJAgGxlrYjmY4eWxJDpzh9H1y8CRyJcVTiXjAwpuOFau7wsLijIJAijn1mLz5q5m2mVeFf37sZ9PhZWa454R1Z0HR-kwO8DZGbe7mXeoUptelk/s400/IMG_2980.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm concerned but still frosty. I care about him, at least, hurt though I may be. Trying to keep him on the line here. If his grandma died, or he was in a car accident, and that's why he wronged "me," I don't want to be so mean to him that he just cuts me off.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiDcQvDoFm9aTnnh45yseHAieoT_C7QXKVmmhYhcXVR1ftHdyVFoF5siX87YqIfmPvtJP5cUpdY-rsmNfrdI5syPpGZFYX3F9u6eGngMpP8x8iSZOP8PTQ4mvTwMTuekEIVxpU7bHDRY/s1600/IMG_2981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1242" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiDcQvDoFm9aTnnh45yseHAieoT_C7QXKVmmhYhcXVR1ftHdyVFoF5siX87YqIfmPvtJP5cUpdY-rsmNfrdI5syPpGZFYX3F9u6eGngMpP8x8iSZOP8PTQ4mvTwMTuekEIVxpU7bHDRY/s400/IMG_2981.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ummmmm. Okay. Was NOT expecting <i>that</i>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So what we know:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1. He screwed over someone, but 2. he didn't want to--there was an extenuating circumstance, and 3. the emergency ended well because he escaped from something/someone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is like guessing someone else's Mad-Lib answers. I am genuinely intrigued and want to know his life and story at this point.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5l9bc6P3dK_liqPYycclKkWnLCwQXjVNuryK7liRdnVoiMA4k14h6j0FwZtlNUyHa0uJs-H5pQne8CdMc07Ch0t2C-Vu6fkr1grbjN4DTrDa6NUCAcKT7CJqAG7gK_WIFyHCN3xxmP4/s1600/IMG_2983+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1242" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5l9bc6P3dK_liqPYycclKkWnLCwQXjVNuryK7liRdnVoiMA4k14h6j0FwZtlNUyHa0uJs-H5pQne8CdMc07Ch0t2C-Vu6fkr1grbjN4DTrDa6NUCAcKT7CJqAG7gK_WIFyHCN3xxmP4/s400/IMG_2983+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He could 100% be reverse trolling me here, but I don't care. I'm eating out of his hand. And anyway, once I figure out what he escaped from, I can double cross him and return to my pranksmanship.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm wracking my brain though as I wait for a reply. What on earth is happening? Is the initial message he sent me the Rosetta Stone to figuring out the rest of this convo and our secret backstory?<br /><br />I look at it again and drop out everything that is nonsense words to me and get a rough translation of "super super a1 on deck and zans."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"really much/extra <i><u>noun (probably)</u> </i>is on deck (aka on hand, coming up soon, ready, etc.), and also some<i> plural nouns</i>(?)" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The lack of syntax should have been my first red flag. "Lean not on the words of he who useth not verbs" -(1 Keighticles 2:14)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But he replies!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X9voNQ1W26ZkXkEtFaeScd527nqOnqGbw3KOi42OXrq8rDTjRhmf0cRvXUUCxRgLEt7lfBJMy5i7apIw-D7QX8uWZ2YgS2t8NXCrb_OyZb7ha0PDLzyeoy55smkI3KG2IygIVkCtD2g/s1600/IMG_2982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9X9voNQ1W26ZkXkEtFaeScd527nqOnqGbw3KOi42OXrq8rDTjRhmf0cRvXUUCxRgLEt7lfBJMy5i7apIw-D7QX8uWZ2YgS2t8NXCrb_OyZb7ha0PDLzyeoy55smkI3KG2IygIVkCtD2g/s400/IMG_2982.jpg" width="362" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Okay, on first glance this doesn't make sense either. But then one "word" jumps out. "Popo." As is Police, or <span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;">policÃa, if youre Ben Stiller in <i>Anchorman.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for policia anchorman" height="225" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/1pjpVd_NtXE/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But <span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043;">policÃa are not people that I attempt to get away from. I'm now concerned that I am trying to be Bart Simpson and I have Tony Soprano on the other end of this little joke. I notice the texts aren't blue like they are when an iPhone texts, and all my <i>Breaking Bad</i> knowledge comes flooding back: he's texting me from a burner!!!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He elaborates and clarifies.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvTXsKd4qDl7rJ9lVE6cgrIsKX7K_QxZE1h82-tG-oZSXi-n2ExQH5PPexW1msl9Ua_2rN3b1Bg-EITiegiKgBn6Tzu9F67Ud0Qi1GKnn4qPU_iDfTVEov0-tBvY4wfZfHJwxXo-rwuw/s1600/IMG_2983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1537" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPvTXsKd4qDl7rJ9lVE6cgrIsKX7K_QxZE1h82-tG-oZSXi-n2ExQH5PPexW1msl9Ua_2rN3b1Bg-EITiegiKgBn6Tzu9F67Ud0Qi1GKnn4qPU_iDfTVEov0-tBvY4wfZfHJwxXo-rwuw/s400/IMG_2983.jpg" width="322" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Someone tried to set him up with the police and he *thankfully* got away. Oh dear. None of this is how I imagined it. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I decide to do what I should have done from the beginning (if I hadn't been so giddy to start my punk'd episode): Urban Dictionary the words I don't understand from the original text.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Urban dictionary has two types of entries: those that are so elementary or stupid that even a 3 year old doesn't need to be told what they mean, AND horrifying (surely fictional) sexual terms that turn any (and basically EVERY) normal word or phrase into something that--at 35 and rather acquainted with the rated-R aspects of modern life--I'm too young and innocent to be exposed to. If you can leave this website without cringing, you've got me beat.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First mystery term: a1</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzY6bC6ssehlBSJWWHKmHVfzTXLdB3HFBy2zjLUVIhgLDiVCyA9YLikHUFXjBhSufmsy5sUc7gVXyEju7WsUp7L4C63UdcFEwN24yAAXXGpvMkvAcIMFnOJNzYFbbeOYeFW5Bx2SVHo8/s1600/IMG_2984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="1242" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzY6bC6ssehlBSJWWHKmHVfzTXLdB3HFBy2zjLUVIhgLDiVCyA9YLikHUFXjBhSufmsy5sUc7gVXyEju7WsUp7L4C63UdcFEwN24yAAXXGpvMkvAcIMFnOJNzYFbbeOYeFW5Bx2SVHo8/s320/IMG_2984.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Aw, okay. That's kind of what I figured. So my friend is talking about something lovely or on point. Nothing to be afraid of there!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Buuuuuut then I scroll down to the next most popular entry</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFWUfZY23b4Tlg0tIcC42VcQoDyJxLa_SSbxo1r41j2vJrc4ya3VldVO7ckxuwS5OHFLnfpWi8YjIrUwoStcc8e8UeXn4pPAmsNG0YrNA8_gKboyokTFfHXGaR3gqBl7CBZ3XJGd55DI/s1600/IMG_2985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="1242" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFWUfZY23b4Tlg0tIcC42VcQoDyJxLa_SSbxo1r41j2vJrc4ya3VldVO7ckxuwS5OHFLnfpWi8YjIrUwoStcc8e8UeXn4pPAmsNG0YrNA8_gKboyokTFfHXGaR3gqBl7CBZ3XJGd55DI/s320/IMG_2985.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">horrible word blurred by me, in an example sentence that is unintelligible.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wellllll, now I've done it. He's writing me to tell me he has some very pure cocaine. I am not in need of riding the cocoa dragon: I can't even drink two freaking cups of coffee in one day without losing my mind and trying to make friends with strangers at the grocery store, can you imagine me on cocaine (no baking soda)? I’d for sure try to balloon boy one of my kids</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I almost don't even need to search "zans" because I have some solid context now for who this guy is and why he's texting "me."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5Vh0HiQCzspMK0YMn-cM_UbEtig5i8882D6CY6eI7vnhSna2jaF5MD9Ab_8xsR2Z3iMTT03VpZnqNuiQh-53tswJqXTVbmwOrkTHCsbfeOdCM0fwrtuTZEO_pTTaa3e22kIgl6GhWgM/s1600/IMG_2986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1237" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5Vh0HiQCzspMK0YMn-cM_UbEtig5i8882D6CY6eI7vnhSna2jaF5MD9Ab_8xsR2Z3iMTT03VpZnqNuiQh-53tswJqXTVbmwOrkTHCsbfeOdCM0fwrtuTZEO_pTTaa3e22kIgl6GhWgM/s320/IMG_2986.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ah. Xanax. Yes. So I'm guessing this fellow isn't a pharmacist, because though cocaine <i>was</i> prescribed back in the day for your dropsy, swooning spells, and overexertion in the gold rush of 1848, I don't believe its pharmaceutical heyday ever overlapped with that of Xanax. THIS IS NOT COVERED BY MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's a drug dealer. I'm trolling a drug dealer. I regret everything and I want out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I immediately google my cell phone number to see if it's in any way associated with my physical address, name or children's schools (mama don't need no <i>Man on Fire</i> Dakota Fanning drama). It's not. Shwew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have not responded since then. I couldn't sit still for like 3 hours after this adrenaline spike (like I'd gotten ahold of some super super A1, amirite?). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ironically, I never thought I needed Xanax until this little episode! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I think I'll talk to my doctor about it instead of my texting buddy, though.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-70915067359109545352017-01-17T14:12:00.002-05:002017-01-17T14:22:10.864-05:00About That Rebuild...<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
90% of conversations with non-Jesse adult humans these days
start or include this: <br />
<br />
<b><i>"How's the house coming along?" </i></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They do this out of love and concern and interest. Having
people in our life who know what's going on and care about us? That's a great
thing: I see and receive that as goodness.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This doesn't negate the fact that I now have a
self-diagnosed case of carpal-tunnel syndrome in my tongue from answering it in
the most diplomatic way I know how, over and over again:<br />
<br />
"Well, they are saying we'll be back in by the first week or two of
February...but then again they said before Thanksgiving and January 4th, also.
Really, anytime before vernal equinox would be a slam dunk at this point."
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I act breezy when I say that, like, "whatevs, I <i>BARELY</i>
even care. I almost forgot I was building a house until you mentioned it,"
and hope they don't notice my insurance-sponsored facial tic.<br />
<br />
And we all go on about our lives. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The other, truer answer gives far more insight into our
building experience and my general frame of mind, but may also qualify me for
an involuntary psych hold, so I usually hold back. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But hell, what's a blog for if not for saying things in
writing on the WORLD-WIDE web that I wouldn't in real life?! (cue Jesse
panic-sweat as he reads this).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You should picture a rubber band being wound progressively
tighter as this reply unfolds:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"You know when you pay hundreds of thousands of dollars
for a beautiful sculpture you've always wanted and will have for decades? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then it breaks into a million pieces 10 months after you
buy it? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And you have to pick up the pieces and glue it all back
together? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And there's a chance you can make it even more lovely than
it was before, BUT only YOU know how it's supposed to look once it's finished?
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But you're not actually allowed to touch the pieces
yourself?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And how only a blindfolded person can touch them <i>for </i>you,
but you can't talk directly to the person touching the pieces, and instead MUST
use an interpreter/middle man? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But you only share maybe 20% of a common language with the
interpreter? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And you only get ONE CHANCE? <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And the clock is ticking because time is money?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeah, that's pretty much how it's going. LaughOutLoud, right?"<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then I hit the powder room to freshen up because I'm
sweating a hearty mixture of blood and concentrated stress hormone from my
under-boob area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And I look in the mirror at my crazed eyes, and I think to
myself "THIS. Renovating after a fire. THIS is the Joker's true
origin-story." <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
----------------------------<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, you were just wondering about paint color? Oh, yeah,<i>
ahem</i>, it's white. We're going with white.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPcHgANs6Xh9z-DXkYB_ksnrcffE4dK2abpdR9Pkbg_1nHWzYZegymLKbk0aZKlcFVP-qFUZl1WebczDSjSCA-xQmxfFYa86frikzSZBaOFQuTVCWe84KOCCIAxfpZ2UjrUWZnozJpaU/s1600/image1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPcHgANs6Xh9z-DXkYB_ksnrcffE4dK2abpdR9Pkbg_1nHWzYZegymLKbk0aZKlcFVP-qFUZl1WebczDSjSCA-xQmxfFYa86frikzSZBaOFQuTVCWe84KOCCIAxfpZ2UjrUWZnozJpaU/s640/image1+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>'Cause it matches my facepaint.</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for the joker burning money" src="http://www.midwestoutreach.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Joker-Burning.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<br />keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-12974128115754675172016-11-01T12:05:00.004-04:002016-11-01T12:50:57.431-04:00Halloween 2016: Put Up Your Dunes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I have been SITTING on this drop-dead-slay-worthy piece of comedy for OVER TEN MONTHS. It took everything I had in January not to run immediately to the computer and share it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I knew, I JUST KNEW, if I could wait until after Halloween, it would be so so worth the wait to reveal it all together.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What follows is the funniest recording I've ever spontaneously caught, combined with our yearly DIY family Halloween costume, sprinkled with every self-esteem issue I've ever had, rolled up with what it often feels like to be a mom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Before anything, you must--<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MUST</span></b> watch this short clip that explains where it all began. I beg of you not to skip ahead...it's so worth it. --Also because I spent an embarrassing amount of time making the video on my phone to go along with the audio and it's delightfully ghetto:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kQ8ZPwPfh5Q" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It came RIGHT to her, and Judah immediately agreed: no one had any issues with this match up!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And with that, the Dukes Family proudly presents our 2016 Halloween Offering: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aladdin Fam:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDSienoN4k7Z0iLtrAK-KaAHxoYNctCx84pfPmPxbUh3cdi8_qGM3vz69DTI_b7lNI8gJk60SvNwZUhJuTlCG4Sw1qdI8zLeNcRXoK0wsAve1nmS1MbZVub43qcAitUzRrs9Tn3fN9l4/s1600/aladdin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDSienoN4k7Z0iLtrAK-KaAHxoYNctCx84pfPmPxbUh3cdi8_qGM3vz69DTI_b7lNI8gJk60SvNwZUhJuTlCG4Sw1qdI8zLeNcRXoK0wsAve1nmS1MbZVub43qcAitUzRrs9Tn3fN9l4/s640/aladdin.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Starring: Jesse as Jafar; Noa as Abu; Layla as Jasmine; Judah as Aladdin; Keight as that buxom obese creepy lady who is on screen for 2 seconds objectifying the protagonist.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Could we have gone the Genie/Sultan/Carpet route? YES! In fact, Jesse was only chosen as Jafar out of all of these options only because I found a black robe at the thrift store before any of those other characters' prop (and it turned out great because I'd actually forgotten what the kids had originally assigned him in the recording). And it would have been way more iconic and recognizable for me to do one of them instead of "the rather tasty lady", but I simply could NOT give up this chance that the kids had scripted for me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It crazy to me how well they nailed a theme too. They just did so well picking out costumes that fit each kid and what character they would like and would be cute on them. PLUS something cool for daddy and then something leftover and horribly embarrassing for mommy. JUST LIKE EVERY YEAR.</div>
<br />
I was kind of feeling like a slacker for doing a Disney princess theme (including her non DIY outfit) but now I think this may be my favorite year ever because it's so bananas and just so us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3ujgtM6PhYWEeMnnbjMh4CESNCqDv93wSb0N_OeVoYpk_I2RsqugPT-PGXOosAvcv27gw0OR1gMD-P_2djwsW9umDzRB3sLJcwIik2qraPnIwRzTydeEvAH5cuo4u_wLhu-ECxjR-1A/s1600/IMG_9784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3ujgtM6PhYWEeMnnbjMh4CESNCqDv93wSb0N_OeVoYpk_I2RsqugPT-PGXOosAvcv27gw0OR1gMD-P_2djwsW9umDzRB3sLJcwIik2qraPnIwRzTydeEvAH5cuo4u_wLhu-ECxjR-1A/s640/IMG_9784.JPG" width="592" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: start;">Street Rat surprisingly LOVED his costume. He's usually the least game of all of us.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0UECGtWEQBeRjDpRe7ybvX6rT_71yMlxR1DI8iHOCqp0OXFsNeCL3mNuQ9WgJnUj6Gmr-df6Nl9Fj-YQemqmDdpX2m5J6tnhZNlL_2YlHaPkpJBBko50O9z-VmUXWDPvNPjGJEL67q0/s1600/IMG_9785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0UECGtWEQBeRjDpRe7ybvX6rT_71yMlxR1DI8iHOCqp0OXFsNeCL3mNuQ9WgJnUj6Gmr-df6Nl9Fj-YQemqmDdpX2m5J6tnhZNlL_2YlHaPkpJBBko50O9z-VmUXWDPvNPjGJEL67q0/s640/IMG_9785.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Lounging with Raja on her terrace dreaming of a life of freedom (crying eyes because her ear piercing had closed up a teeny bit and I poked the earring through). </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzZjch9xWLwd1V-Y69vdom9SkYGvguqT48foCOPJGpOD7JKtoGCex75OXq4rvSotdjXKXwnGBkjGfeE5fuPsDr_Yjqwmtmg9Vfwec8Ntdm0wr_3gj20JRfAEvNorE8PsXUa3Z-cDbEis/s1600/IMG_9771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzZjch9xWLwd1V-Y69vdom9SkYGvguqT48foCOPJGpOD7JKtoGCex75OXq4rvSotdjXKXwnGBkjGfeE5fuPsDr_Yjqwmtmg9Vfwec8Ntdm0wr_3gj20JRfAEvNorE8PsXUa3Z-cDbEis/s640/IMG_9771.JPG" width="572" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Sticking together on the mean streets of Agrabah. Noa also put up ZERO fight about the face-encompassing costume. and ADORED everything about Halloween (saying "TICKOTEE" and "gank goo" repeatedly being her favorite activities).</b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLWbF0Dt66IvdJuS0kxJ5Xw9r4MotH6iIPnVGsGGzV5cIfwVFg3KjBAGLgQzLx6SdSKJgjXE6b96S9hjqRRI7mtlwUJJidJEVArouGkVtPNDtDGgNNFX2kC9njPHj1AvJqQ1OiTgEFI0/s1600/IMG_9773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLWbF0Dt66IvdJuS0kxJ5Xw9r4MotH6iIPnVGsGGzV5cIfwVFg3KjBAGLgQzLx6SdSKJgjXE6b96S9hjqRRI7mtlwUJJidJEVArouGkVtPNDtDGgNNFX2kC9njPHj1AvJqQ1OiTgEFI0/s640/IMG_9773.JPG" width="538" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>This was extremely fun. He has on SO much eyeliner. We ran out of time or we would've added the twirly beard and snake staff. I still think he pulls it off, and then some.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qEOY2zhRduPuKxaOLig44kl2ZeueOQ4KfHwOuC8eAJHuWArZ3a-9BjNbmPrzZIKuYDnvJmh3cbQghGkt9T3Y0qxRyfM7wqkMZd_96YeMEqGfsFWiwnOzz8DHtqvq37_gdlAf6EFnlO8/s1600/IMG_9777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qEOY2zhRduPuKxaOLig44kl2ZeueOQ4KfHwOuC8eAJHuWArZ3a-9BjNbmPrzZIKuYDnvJmh3cbQghGkt9T3Y0qxRyfM7wqkMZd_96YeMEqGfsFWiwnOzz8DHtqvq37_gdlAf6EFnlO8/s640/IMG_9777.JPG" width="562" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Go ahead and pencil this one in for "Senior Yearbook ad" and "rehearsal dinner"</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>AKA:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWO5J_DIK84" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQpIdAYq6Qg_AC56suDrQe86oQK6TzdM61Y1kYNSF_14-qWJPXp4QpBbXtJuBV10H4oZvhr0ZFjDlO-fhIhQphHcMvI0kKgSeb1kKqyZhl-4acKdXVGjqOn2zl4qDKKF4e2td99Mofwo/s1600/IMG_9786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQpIdAYq6Qg_AC56suDrQe86oQK6TzdM61Y1kYNSF_14-qWJPXp4QpBbXtJuBV10H4oZvhr0ZFjDlO-fhIhQphHcMvI0kKgSeb1kKqyZhl-4acKdXVGjqOn2zl4qDKKF4e2td99Mofwo/s640/IMG_9786.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I can show you my fist</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Punch you over and over</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>let me tell you princess, if this gets out at school </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>I'll make you paaaaaay!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>A whole new world!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKGwMDAvezUBIQQH0rOFFlqf3tRg8rlBhAmO0d5_dFKtnTUhQG9z7PbKIs_BEeu1AjIYIH-4lntABMdWi07hnlogVPEN0VVV55-PHnlKoKWOfMIqTEQsvyImeWOipkqzX9Y4CCyYiSh0/s1600/IMG_9772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKGwMDAvezUBIQQH0rOFFlqf3tRg8rlBhAmO0d5_dFKtnTUhQG9z7PbKIs_BEeu1AjIYIH-4lntABMdWi07hnlogVPEN0VVV55-PHnlKoKWOfMIqTEQsvyImeWOipkqzX9Y4CCyYiSh0/s640/IMG_9772.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Urchin Squad</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkyKTe5QNGc4uSHLmWZFr3-RqGetW8Jbeuyi5O8typ7Fxe8ceJTMZCvTjMEv7ata12-J3oS5636RDXzIM20QpbDYU_9O7WQITnS3ovSLYhyjSHtOrJCYcXe3aDVsu5yfCezgjbOIwqZ0/s1600/IMG_9774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkyKTe5QNGc4uSHLmWZFr3-RqGetW8Jbeuyi5O8typ7Fxe8ceJTMZCvTjMEv7ata12-J3oS5636RDXzIM20QpbDYU_9O7WQITnS3ovSLYhyjSHtOrJCYcXe3aDVsu5yfCezgjbOIwqZ0/s640/IMG_9774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Things are unravelling fast now, Boy!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr7z3mkRL3-xCmuP9jwYSX-lv38zUPBfeH8BYhxGGDlAanKUnOGK7qYpnNX8dehnZ6oxADKKwJcTC53ocaUzfj06hT3kT5gKFLCDwGEFT0gHHvT9bqHQTm3i-p3OA9U-saTxY_NmfXXg/s1600/IMG_9775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr7z3mkRL3-xCmuP9jwYSX-lv38zUPBfeH8BYhxGGDlAanKUnOGK7qYpnNX8dehnZ6oxADKKwJcTC53ocaUzfj06hT3kT5gKFLCDwGEFT0gHHvT9bqHQTm3i-p3OA9U-saTxY_NmfXXg/s640/IMG_9775.JPG" width="594" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Sending your flea-ridden pet to do your dirty work!?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lJ7PNTr23y9ciq0Z90pf9lxsFqeN9L1GoQxNynHfB8o_ndTAM4LPBTEgETpm_2QRrrqDEdkr1sHr8aaVu5i-bBISb4xEHyxuDcagtfnKvZzSajCfrA9Vql4RJxLdRoa5r5gldgkZpMA/s1600/IMG_9776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lJ7PNTr23y9ciq0Z90pf9lxsFqeN9L1GoQxNynHfB8o_ndTAM4LPBTEgETpm_2QRrrqDEdkr1sHr8aaVu5i-bBISb4xEHyxuDcagtfnKvZzSajCfrA9Vql4RJxLdRoa5r5gldgkZpMA/s640/IMG_9776.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Your sorcery will never win her, Jafar! She doesn't love you!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYLlz4Gg6szRFCsRguyX__1jipuAeBYPr5Dvn8lVxz2pWhIKukXsjQ6hjApY01ZGPpi3D4M7BLOAVx6QzIDOYZhEoam3e2-ReV5OWaPYiYAGv4W_-56tYX9yddouTxGKLYYRwwZqowTw/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYLlz4Gg6szRFCsRguyX__1jipuAeBYPr5Dvn8lVxz2pWhIKukXsjQ6hjApY01ZGPpi3D4M7BLOAVx6QzIDOYZhEoam3e2-ReV5OWaPYiYAGv4W_-56tYX9yddouTxGKLYYRwwZqowTw/s640/IMG_9787.JPG" width="584" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The greatest love story never told. Cant wait to spend 10,000 years crammed into a lamp with this guy.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4karcTsVX0wJSQc5AX_A8SsodCCquCaqdP67MWoZctiKz0hd3uEsov8tY94twJbhlwIJKuiFqE20B0LjFn9n3bF_96xbKI3BqHwbfSOSUGTFeXdqEudF-Ge_SwT0jK4PrxEewz4Park/s1600/IMG_9766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4karcTsVX0wJSQc5AX_A8SsodCCquCaqdP67MWoZctiKz0hd3uEsov8tY94twJbhlwIJKuiFqE20B0LjFn9n3bF_96xbKI3BqHwbfSOSUGTFeXdqEudF-Ge_SwT0jK4PrxEewz4Park/s640/IMG_9766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QBkwA1sqAZg" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Until next year, tasty ones!<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Past Halloween FamJams:</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', trebuchet, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84px;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2009/11/ta-da_04.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2009: Sushi Fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2010/11/halloween-for-4.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2010 : Volley Fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2011/10/group-costume-2k11.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2011: Curious George fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/11/wall-e-ween.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">2012: Wall-E W</a>een</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2013/11/halloween-come-on-vamanos.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">2013: Dora Fam</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<b><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2015/01/halloween-2014-walking-dukes.html">2014: The Walking Dukes</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2015/11/halloween-2015-guardi-ukes-of-galaxy.html">2015: Guardi-uke of the Galaxy</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/10/costumesor-do-i.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">a few pre-kids group hits ("Clue" and britney/k-fed)</a></b></div>
<br /></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-47249092436486101932016-08-24T11:53:00.000-04:002016-08-24T12:51:48.484-04:00Slap Unhappy<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My heart sinks whenever I see the kids' school pop up on my caller ID. "Best" case scenario was once Layla nose dived into a mud puddle (I feel legit proud), and didn't have backup clothes, and worst case was Judah getting his first ever migraine and screaming in abject misery in the middle of class. Usually it means they've puked or have a fever and I need to go get them. Never fun on any level.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Well, yesterday we captured the third kind of school phone call Pokemon: <i>The Discipline Call</i>.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span>Layla's sweet, sweet Kindergarten teacher left me a message just letting me know the story of the "white reminder" I would find in her folder today (a conduct report home to parents). She said Layla had slapped a friend, not very hard, but definitely a slap on the face and the little boy was upset. When she asked about it, Layla couldn't really say why she had done it--the boys hadn't hurt or teased her. The teacher said it was handled and over with as far as the school was concerned, but that it was extremely out of character for Layla. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">My first thoughts and feelings: I'm pretty angry because she knowsKNOWS that using your body to hurt or control someone else is unacceptable anywhere anytime (unless she's in danger). I'm embarrassed because I don't want my kid to be THAT kid, and what if the teacher thinks we are just crappy parents? I feel betrayed by Layla for making me look bad.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />All that stuff is ABOUT ME. Not about Layla. That's not great. That's parenting out of my own junk and insecurities instead of out of love for her and a desire to train her to be a healthy adult. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So as I am waiting for the bus with Jesse, we decide to just ask her about her day as if we don't already know and just see how it plays out (because honesty has been a challenge for Layla sometimes, and want to give her practice at speaking hard truth). I am praying to just hear her heart and care for her--not myself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I am glad I had that time to think beforehand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />She hops off the bus and I asked about her day. She immediately says "I got a white reminder" kind of with a weird smirk on her face, almost a naughty smile, and I look at Jesse and am all "OH IT'S ON" inside. Benefit of Doubt: GONE. Little homie is laughing about this?!?!? Time to rain down the thunder. My "<i>tsk</i>-ing" finger is itching to be wagged.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />But then she dissolves into tears, wailing, "I'm sad to talk about it." And my wagger finger disappears. I had not expected this gambit from this child. And it wasn't a gambit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Come to find out, her day leading up to the slap was pregnant with angst. First, she had asked a few friends to play at recess and they had all been engaged with other buddies or activities and (not unkindly) declined. Then she did all the right classroom behaviors/tasks that typically earn her a reward but her teacher just happened to not notice this one time. And finally she left her snack box in the garage in the morning, so she didn't have anything during class snack time, and when she asked a friend for a piece of his cookie the friend said no.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span>That's a LOT of perceived rejection for a 5 year old who thrives on relationship, positive reinforcement, feeling treasured, social interaction--and SNACKS, by golly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"People make bad choices when they're mad or scared or stressed..." -</i>Wise Trolls</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Does any of this absolve her of or change the fact that she straight up broke a serious rule when she slapped her buddy? NO. Does it mitigate how we chose to discipline her? NO again. Does it add another separate layer to the situation? Yes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Parenting isn't a zero sum game. Obviously Layla having her heart hurt doesn't give her a free pass to make bad choices (the classic "there's no excuse for that!" comes to mind). </span>We have to handle the behavior <b><i>and</i></b> the heart. One phone call becomes two very different parenting tasks.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is tiring and daunting and does not come easy to me. It's more efficient and mathematically tidy to just call it a wash: you had crappy stuff happen to you, and you did something crappy because of that. Even Steven. But almost every parent who is actually trying knows that's not going to work. When she's 17 and her boyfriend dumps her and she decides to shoplift some holographic nail polish because she's sad (the future has cool things) she WILL go to space jail. This stuff doesn't wash out (nor does holographic nail polish, I bet), it doubles down, it finds a way out, and the older you get the yuckier and scarier those ways out become.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not a wash, so we have to address it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But we can't stop with JUST addressing the slap either, and saying, "we don't care WHAT you were feeling, you NEVER slap!" Because, while basically true, I'm betting what she hears and internalizes the most is the "we don't care WHAT you were feeling" portion of that statement. <br /><br />I am betting that because I have felt that. "<b>You and your feelings don't matter, just stop screwing up.</b>" <br /><br />She'll come up with another outlet for her painful feelings because pain always has to go somewhere. The slapping is a symptom. Sure, it's expedient and necessary in the moment to treat symptoms, but real healing is out of reach if we stop there and don't treat the source of the infection. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two things we have to parent now: her heart and the slap.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Feelings and Actions. </span>Our brains are REEEEEALLY good at mashing them together.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As parents, Jesse and I want to work to detangle these two things from each other; to bring attention to, and help the kids learn to identify and separate what they're feeling from what they decide to do about it. Because, without ever intending it, she merged them (we all do): I am feeling hurt, so it's okay for me to hurt someone else. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My entire adult life has been spent trying to chop that thinking in half. To throw on the brakes and say, "Whoa, let's stop at 'I'm hurt' part and address that." B</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ecause honestly, it just feels better and easier and less risky to go around slapping people rather than talking about how I felt rejected and alone and un cared-for. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">That is called VULNERABILITY and both our lizard brains--that help us survive in the wild, and our sinful hearts--that say "you can be a god and have the power," throw up unending </span>resistance to showing it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It took me YEARS to realize that I am actually not simply an angry person. I am a deeply sensitive person with a soft heart who takes rejection or refusal (perceived or real) as a negation of my basic value. That's a scary proposition to stare in the face and my lizard brain was not about to let me show this "weakness."<br />
<br />
But you know what <b>isn't</b> scary? Going on the attack. I medicated pain by just getting super pissed super fast at anyone who hurt me. The knife in your back doesn't hurt so bad when you're flailing about with brass knuckles. Of course you also don't get the knife out or help heal the damage, but who cares as long as it makes you feel better right now?<br />
<br />
So Layla's slap: what did we do? Ironically, something like this had JUST happened to me a few days earlier. I had felt incredibly rejected by someone that I treasure and had ended up crying about it! I am 33 year old and was crying about my friend not liking me enough (and yes, my first thought still was "Imma unfollow her on Instagram, block her on FB and NEVER talk to her again" because I'm basically a maturity expert).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I told Layla about my heartbreak after she described what happened. I asked her if that was kind of how she had felt, like the people that she loved didn't love her back? She said it was. Then Judah chimes in, "I have felt that way too. It feels like everyone in the world is against you." Whoa. We're having a moment here! (Jesse had gone back to work at this point).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Layla lost privileges as a result of slapping her friend. But, while that was very important, we only spent maybe 5 minutes on that part before we felt like it was covered. We spent far more time talking about her heart and what makes it feel cared for and what makes it feel scared or empty. We talked about what to do in case she feels those painful feelings again, and how to stop them before they take over. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If we'd freaked out and given away her barbie dolls or done something major to punish her and make the lesson stick, I bet she'd remember better and would never slap again. I bet that memory would stay with her for a long, long time. Not in a good way. And honestly, she probably won't even remember the talk we had about feelings. But it's one more brick in something bigger we want to build. That gives her a firm foundation of knowing that her parents are a safe place for her heart. That she is loved and treasured and valuable.<br />
<br />
Demolishing something is so much faster than building something, but it leaves rubble and nothing. We want to leave substance.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We don't want her to be so afraid to mess up that she does things right. We want her to be so secure in who she is and how she's loved that it naturally spills over into her decisions and the way she treats people. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Layla decided to write an apology to her friend. She can't spell so Judah scribed while Layla dictated. It smells like purple Mr. Sketch: a grape paradise. It smells like fearless love.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu_PMcuFQc4gzNE6NthvrWmc9EcdNyAeDppNNyESHYlZN2GM73Svi976n4tgaznXRtmc5ypHAMIyBv5Ou2MnNwIceA_nA_2PGWCyjsEeMdKU0QYBcwlA-cc698z43wZ_OQYx3h4fahEk/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu_PMcuFQc4gzNE6NthvrWmc9EcdNyAeDppNNyESHYlZN2GM73Svi976n4tgaznXRtmc5ypHAMIyBv5Ou2MnNwIceA_nA_2PGWCyjsEeMdKU0QYBcwlA-cc698z43wZ_OQYx3h4fahEk/s640/image1.JPG" width="537" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><i> </i><i>"People make bad choices when they're mad or scared or stressed.</i><i>..but throw a little love their way, and you'll bring out the best" </i><i>-</i>Wise Trolls<i>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-60153160645518602802016-07-19T13:25:00.000-04:002016-07-19T13:39:16.175-04:00Reno-Inspo: Guest Bedroom/Office<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We are slowly but surely turning the corner from "DISASTER RELIEF" to "Home Remodel." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The air smells less of toxic brimstone and more like yummy new lumber/drywall. I have already met with the flooring company and the cabinet guy and have been really impressed by the speed and work ethic of our contractor. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So much so that I was like, "wait, what? it's time for this stuff?" and started majorly stressing out because, hello, horrible tragedy aside, this is a once in a lifetime chance to redesign our home basically from scratch. I'm terrified of messing something up and blowing our one shot at a free (ish) build.What if I accidentally order purple tile throughout the whole house!?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Obviously the good Lord invented Pinterest for such a time as this. It was time to take all those pins I've been amassing over the years and move them from "oh cool, maybe one day" into "ok, show this to the builder on Monday" pile...or more likely the "what the hell was I thinking pinning this, I can't have a bespoke reclaimed pallet ferret kennel in my mudroom! (bc pinterest is drunk sometimes).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I never understood why anyone who is not in Forbes and has a lick of style would pay money to designers to decorate their home. <b>BUT I GET IT NOW</b>. It's a huge leap between pinning a room you see once and "love" and building/designing/sourcing/buying each element yourself to create an overall look. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Lucky for me, all my hobbies burned down, so this is all I have to do!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
After much pinning and browsing and drooling and comparing and imagining, I have started to put together mood boards for a few rooms in the house. These are basically a fun way to see all my pins sort of together as a cohesive space and tinker until the overall look is something we like. Just because a bohemian loft and and industrial condo look good beside each other as Pinterest pins doesn't mean they'd play nice in a room together IRL. Thus, we need the mood boards.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I am realistic enough to know that the final rooms may look nothing like my original ideas, but just feeling inspired and energized about CREATING again, after so much emotional and physical currency has been spent on cleaning/saving/salvaging, is a wonderful change of pace. Plus, I can always come back and laugh at how far off I was later on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Guest Bedroom/Downstairs Office & Study:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Needs: House overnight guests as needed and be a cozy study for Jesse to write in. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This room gets great light so we can go with a darker paint color. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Masculine enough that Jesse and male guests don't feel like this is the <i>TigerBeat</i> break room, but feminine enough that it is NEVER accused of being a man cave.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9RsK9Xm9WSZur6C_Evq6ewLNObZjFFC6BJoxrFw0-VLflXk4QFw75Z7P5-P2kpm58qo8KoBX8Ht6cVohSBIH4kstANiNWPNfS3KnZ0eHepTRnqsHjtSwG1koZbo9NY-kUztvD9400K0/s1600/Guest+Bed++Reno.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9RsK9Xm9WSZur6C_Evq6ewLNObZjFFC6BJoxrFw0-VLflXk4QFw75Z7P5-P2kpm58qo8KoBX8Ht6cVohSBIH4kstANiNWPNfS3KnZ0eHepTRnqsHjtSwG1koZbo9NY-kUztvD9400K0/s640/Guest+Bed++Reno.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=504883246&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Desk Lamp</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=479574843&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Desk</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anthropologie.com%2Fanthro%2Fproduct%2Fhome-room-pillows%2F39137419.jsp&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Pillow</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cb2.com%2Fterreno-leather-chair%2Fs154602&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Chair</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anthropologie.com%2Fanthro%2Fcategory%2Fart%2B%2Bwall%2Bdecor%2Fhome-wall-prints.jsp%3Fcm_sp%3DTOPNAV-_-HOME-_-WALL-PRINTS%23%2F&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Floral Prints</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westelm.com%2Fproducts%2F750117%2F%3FcatalogId%3D71%26sku%3D750117%26bnrid%3D3902401%26cm_ven%3DGoogle_PLA%26cm_cat%3DShopping%26cm_pla%3DFloor_Lamps%26cm_ite%3DAllProducts%26kwid%3Dproductads-adid%5E47300728793-device%5Ec-plaid%5E87418766815-sku%5E750117-adType%5EPLA%26gclid%3DCJ7rx4yDgM4CFUE7gQodQB8CGw&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Floor Lamp</a> // <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40280937/">Bookshelves</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=483021543&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Throw</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cb2.com%2Fbraided-hemp-pouf%2Fs563057&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Ottoman</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=317312266&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Rug</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westelm.com%2Fproducts%2Femery-daybed-trundle-h2039%2F%3Fpkey%3Dcbeds%257Cdaybeds&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Trundle Sofa</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?id=504983277&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Mirror</a> // <a href="https://api.shopstyle.com/action/apiVisitRetailer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cb2.com%2Fcorner-block-wood-shelf%2Fs117392&pid=uid8804-23444702-27">Corner Shelves</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leather+Wood+Flowers with a Midcentury glaze over it all. My instinct is to lather myself in Midcentury everything because I love the style so much, but I feel like that trend can only hold so long and don't wanna be left holding Don Draper's jock when the dust settles and 1959 is no longer the chic look.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love it so much that I already find myself wanting to sneak away into this room. That's a good sign.<br />
<br />
Hopefully the entire house will feel that way when we're done. Whenever that may be...Spring Break 2017?<br />
<br />
For now, here's a solid BEFORE:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XzwASZAm1PXt4Sbv9JjIItmyBVWESHv-b-L9CAGj76_f-ku4RbbtK1CxPPZ-GQY1NLOvi1drWVTsONWEUbkfBz7aNyKbBUITcwA7BBzSrBfuqvAjN4pTIxc-GS9ro0B7ZwQ6QpEDZnc/s1600/919372CA-B5F5-4206-B567-C2F8B60A4983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XzwASZAm1PXt4Sbv9JjIItmyBVWESHv-b-L9CAGj76_f-ku4RbbtK1CxPPZ-GQY1NLOvi1drWVTsONWEUbkfBz7aNyKbBUITcwA7BBzSrBfuqvAjN4pTIxc-GS9ro0B7ZwQ6QpEDZnc/s640/919372CA-B5F5-4206-B567-C2F8B60A4983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>This is in the living room, looking through the artist formerly known as Wall, at the guest bedroom last week. NO WHEELBARROWS IN THE HOUSE, YALL.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-41466383572822332782016-07-18T12:10:00.003-04:002016-07-18T12:33:02.482-04:001938-39<div style="text-align: justify;">
The day after Jesse and I did a "final" walkthrough of the burnt house (to get out anything in there that was deemed ruined, but that we still wanted to hang onto), he went back over while the demo guys started trashing everything left inside and beginning to tear out all the yucky fire stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The garage is where the fire was--the only place flames actually destroyed. Everything in there was a total loss. </div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Incredibly, in the months before the fire, Jesse had taken a weird interest in keeping the garage organized and neat. Ever since we had moved in last summer, we had bins of stuff on the shelves in there and just recently, he had smartly decided to move these up into the crawlspace/attic above the garage since we rarely, if ever, needed the things inside. That way we could make room for boxes of diapers and paper products that we use regularly.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What was in those bins he moved? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our childhoods. Bins of sentimental things from before the internet existed.Photo albums, scrapbooks, art projects, random hilarious notes, our baby clothes, a newspaper from the day I was born; all the things we had decided during the course of our lives to NOT throw away and to keep with us.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIt-XRCixuvRcEmRX5SQyRtkvYrKVMCv3YZEbmKzW4HXtsUlyN2AurP6Z7u_HnnTHzMpLmFJvenNV-oYoKpRWwFxH30YRtguTdgzFzNucBFqgU12UbMqJBfz5GU8Md4jz4AsNP4RZ96k/s1600/IMG_6947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIt-XRCixuvRcEmRX5SQyRtkvYrKVMCv3YZEbmKzW4HXtsUlyN2AurP6Z7u_HnnTHzMpLmFJvenNV-oYoKpRWwFxH30YRtguTdgzFzNucBFqgU12UbMqJBfz5GU8Md4jz4AsNP4RZ96k/s640/IMG_6947.JPG" width="480"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Found in my frilly pink bible cover/carrier. Probably written when I was 8-9.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You would think a bunch of plastic bins filled with paper in the attic <i>above</i> the garage would have melted and burned just as fast as the boxes of diapers and toilet paper in the garage itself, not 6 feet below. Hot air rises, after all.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But somehow they didn't. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The bins got pretty trashed and warped and straight up melted in some places, but the stuff inside was for the large part safe and we had taken those melted bins full of memories over to the rental house a few days before, content that the oldest of our things were safe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosEhGC3lfh3iTGCfWc8wPUMvASvtXs5HwUeHbPatl2Y6xzRJbtAF_Adk5CKOmkrWMFht9DvN54I7WfOK-wX1bSKXp_32Pwy_lKyfZs8lYPG5vOADyhE4lJ5Nd7fwPJXYzRXgV_hr16Aw/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosEhGC3lfh3iTGCfWc8wPUMvASvtXs5HwUeHbPatl2Y6xzRJbtAF_Adk5CKOmkrWMFht9DvN54I7WfOK-wX1bSKXp_32Pwy_lKyfZs8lYPG5vOADyhE4lJ5Nd7fwPJXYzRXgV_hr16Aw/s400/IMG_6954.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we left after our last sweep of the house I had a nagging fear and got a bit emotional knowing there were probably things inside that we had missed and would be thrown out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So when Jesse texted me on demo day and told me he had found a few more sentimental things while he was poking around, I figured it was a kid's drawing or a photo or two from high school.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What he actually found, that I didnt even realize was missing, was actually one of my most sentimentally treasured possessions I will ever own.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My grandmother's diary from 1938 and 1939. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsRrWTE8Jh6wIMlxlzJRBWCnhAhKjQOB610hGcgPWqWNUmsCxDjedHhaSXu7zboFvtQMmgLaBz-2a7LsDYaQSeRw7054Os_gJILWa1_1fdzESBHDgHHQ7qSwTVe09_I76N7NBfIMU7-k/s1600/IMG_6955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsRrWTE8Jh6wIMlxlzJRBWCnhAhKjQOB610hGcgPWqWNUmsCxDjedHhaSXu7zboFvtQMmgLaBz-2a7LsDYaQSeRw7054Os_gJILWa1_1fdzESBHDgHHQ7qSwTVe09_I76N7NBfIMU7-k/s400/IMG_6955.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It must have tumbled out of one of the open corners of the melted bins and into the rubble when the insurance guys were moving it all down. I have no idea how Jesse spotted it with just a flashlight it since the diary is dark blue and the garage is totally blackened rubble and completely in the dark thanks to being boarded up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are so many utterly magical things about this diary (which I was given when I was in college, 10 years after she had died).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ48LbUJTZGwHu18JxNOwVFDMt2da0Kl_Tsh2cx-tsMc0fKadKfRbx-_rZhYzK5qTxppNfWlPtcrZQITlQzUZmpjWysxgHLL4DNHm3HCX6_2vtd8dN8DZlNQD87moVHyoG-O5EHrhNCHg/s1600/IMG_6953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ48LbUJTZGwHu18JxNOwVFDMt2da0Kl_Tsh2cx-tsMc0fKadKfRbx-_rZhYzK5qTxppNfWlPtcrZQITlQzUZmpjWysxgHLL4DNHm3HCX6_2vtd8dN8DZlNQD87moVHyoG-O5EHrhNCHg/s640/IMG_6953.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Um she went to see the original King Kong in theaters. Is that the coolest thing you've ever heard?!?!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My grandmother was born Genoa Hall in 1924. Her two married names were Vincent and Parks. Vincent is my maiden name and Parks is the last name of my beloved (step)<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2010/07/so-happy-so-sad.html"><b>grandfather Fred</b></a> whom she married after her husband, my dad's dad, my Granddaddy Wallace, died--well before I was born.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was my hero and my ultra favorite and I adored her more than any other person growing up. Noa is <b><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2014/08/naming-our-3rd-human.html">named after her for good reason</a>. </b> Holding something in my hands that her sweet hands held so often almost 80 years ago is priceless to me. Reading her words is awe-inspiring and hilarious (note: 14 year old girls are loco no matter the era). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Getting to know what she was like and what she did day-to-day decades before I knew her, when she was still a kid in a lot of ways turns my head with magic. Despite being barely a teenager, she was often in charge of the cooking for her whole family--she was the youngest of 13. "Kids" back then were legit capable, and had baller penmanship.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She grew up in Atlanta and diary overlaps SO many places that I spent time at while I was at Tech and even today. Ponce de Leon, The Fox, Kirkwood. Her address in the front cover is the same street as the restaurant where Jesse and I had our first date.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am kind of obsessed with the WW2 and surround era so reading ANY diary from that period would be fascinating to me, and the fact that it is my beloved grandmother's account is unreal. Granted, there's not a lot of political or world event commentary, but just seeing "Sears Roebuck" and "weenie roast" and mentions of "listening to 'Gangbusters' on the radio program" makes me just want to powder my nose, put on a pointy bra and travel right back to that time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB7j58hk9GBY9buUdjgx6VxSj7FuMgHaZz3OqL7srjlpE2BsFhWcnrRmX5VplpRGUu22fUyXPCVbSXqtnE0TQTuouENDE1gb85pNs7HStLPYkA-yfX2XBWNR6VwFrzFWlhIMprTJ2Dcc/s1600/IMG_6948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMB7j58hk9GBY9buUdjgx6VxSj7FuMgHaZz3OqL7srjlpE2BsFhWcnrRmX5VplpRGUu22fUyXPCVbSXqtnE0TQTuouENDE1gb85pNs7HStLPYkA-yfX2XBWNR6VwFrzFWlhIMprTJ2Dcc/s640/IMG_6948.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>I LOVE that she doesn't scratch out the old names when she adds new ones. Gotta keep those options open!</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If you look in the bottom right area, you see "Wallace," my grandfather's name written just once. Her longtime steady boyfriend during this time for Bobby Lynes, who competed with "Ed" and maybe "Ralph" in her heart, but she was friends with Ruth Vincent, who was Wallace's younger sister. It's so fascinating to see her swoon over all these boys on the pages, and then her actual future husband appears every now and then in the most ordinary scenes, "Ruth and I went for a ride. Wallace was there." I'm like, LOL, girl, that's your man!!! It makes me feel trés McFly at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Granted, it does say KEEP OUT (please), but surely she didn't mean to keep it off the internet! So many boys' names!!! This is so mind-blowing because she was the most capable, grounded, sharp woman; to know that even she was a boy crazy teenage girl spins my head and makes me realize what I'm headed for raising two of these creatures. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98CfVT3bM2CLaKLxb0hAxsyn9vL10K0ixVhzKWET4-9R6DziCEbi8EBkEg57fhEEV39PnuNVWEMlx9Ur8UbxYAxRXSjJe7ybZfWaxWuzTTaPOWrHrVYyRoTMwNYZDdqxVj8CtL29Z_Tc/s1600/IMG_6949+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98CfVT3bM2CLaKLxb0hAxsyn9vL10K0ixVhzKWET4-9R6DziCEbi8EBkEg57fhEEV39PnuNVWEMlx9Ur8UbxYAxRXSjJe7ybZfWaxWuzTTaPOWrHrVYyRoTMwNYZDdqxVj8CtL29Z_Tc/s640/IMG_6949+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>March 26, 1938 "I found out that Sue liked Bobby. Father in heaven, I pray that I will win." </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As a descendent of her + NOT BOBBY, I gotta thank the heavenly father for not answering that particular plea.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7HJnkBg-okIoPuWDSV7my3Zh1JzDu9zd286x0sCqYZhfhzFxZ_qk2HuLQLGIfRe00bWB0XzCeKmaP2fYdhB5gxbEp-Dh2nD1mItkpFOyleh16BaNXjLD0u3tZJgmyZnZqGvnxDpie3o/s1600/IMG_6951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7HJnkBg-okIoPuWDSV7my3Zh1JzDu9zd286x0sCqYZhfhzFxZ_qk2HuLQLGIfRe00bWB0XzCeKmaP2fYdhB5gxbEp-Dh2nD1mItkpFOyleh16BaNXjLD0u3tZJgmyZnZqGvnxDpie3o/s640/IMG_6951.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Whoops, mispelling your own future last name. Classic mistake!</b></div>
<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2QhKjw3JFJl3IfNhW5tw3SdphZMI0UHBBEmdKDtIeVIKTkhbz1M4pt8Qp0ErL7TOL_hYV-zB7w-wr0ui1YLE4bV0eM3FdbF37sqJfgPtS9Db_aerR44fnGcyZHWWdhtQJvhk76QVD18/s1600/IMG_6950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2QhKjw3JFJl3IfNhW5tw3SdphZMI0UHBBEmdKDtIeVIKTkhbz1M4pt8Qp0ErL7TOL_hYV-zB7w-wr0ui1YLE4bV0eM3FdbF37sqJfgPtS9Db_aerR44fnGcyZHWWdhtQJvhk76QVD18/s640/IMG_6950.JPG" width="640"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Dorothy said something about me. The old ______!! Shes an enemy of mine. She just doesn't like me. I think she's jealous"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"The funniest thing has happened- Dopey Barber asked me to go 'steady' with him with I didn't even like him"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dorothy and Genoa were basically the T. Swift/Katy Perry "Bad Blood" of their time. And I feel for Dopey Barber and hope she let him down easy.<br><br>I know what it is to be a 14 year old girl. To imagine your husband and future life (and to get it blessedly wrong 99.9% of the time). To compare my experience of that part of my life to hers is unreal.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wish I had a diary of hers from when she was raising my dad and my aunt (and when her 3rd baby died a few days after she had him). Heck, I wish I had anything that let me know her more. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In some ways this diary is like reading her blog, and naturally I imagine and wonder if anyone farther down my genetic pipeline will ever read these words and marvel at being the someones in my life that arent even born (if you are one of these, reading in the future, I'm sorry I just bent your brain with that thought, and I hope you guys have weeded out the acne and paleness that my people suffer).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Getting these glimpses into her head in 1938, as I sit here with 25% of her DNA making me who I am in 2016, brings tears to my eyes. Somehow holding this little depression-era firecracker in my head alongside the knowledge that she is currently and has been with Jesus for over 20 years now, and all that happened in between is almost more than my heart has the capacity to have awe over. <br><br>Life is such a mind trip and I hope heaven includes infinity of these moments of knowing each other's experiences and hearts ever and ever deeper.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am dizzy with gratitude that Jesse discovered my Mano's (her grandma name) diary. I would leave my iPhone or a giant pile of cash behind to the flames a hundred times over before I would willingly part with this treasure (cousins, if you're reading this, please to rob me to take it away from me. I grant you unlimited visitations and readings!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">P.S. Descendants: if you ever find anything I wrote at any point before 1999, you are honor bound BY MY DNA to destroy it and definitely not publish it on the Internet (or whatever media your ape overlords allow you). Grammy k8 was a very unstable tween.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-7874477978649739782016-05-23T12:30:00.001-04:002016-05-24T09:10:51.366-04:00What Happened.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A week ago today, our house burned. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've already told the story so many times that I can barely fathom ever forgetting the details, but my selective memory has surprised me before so I figured I'd put it all down in writing. And maybe pass out slips of paper with this URL on it so I don't have to keep telling it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa56zs20lCpcYOSNBqfN9ovzXTjMu-JW6a5pWd3SW_7FQEz20mkl84X1kJQP2BxsoHf6MCHWiF8zJsx0RueivoagYqLatKpxBhO20QZLHB0hlUy3e7J6cfmuuUXagbahuK3jNIL5xuB4/s1600/IMG_5348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa56zs20lCpcYOSNBqfN9ovzXTjMu-JW6a5pWd3SW_7FQEz20mkl84X1kJQP2BxsoHf6MCHWiF8zJsx0RueivoagYqLatKpxBhO20QZLHB0hlUy3e7J6cfmuuUXagbahuK3jNIL5xuB4/s640/IMG_5348.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<b>9:39 am. Sewing, spreadsheeting, and being adorable.</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I work from home on Mondays ("coincidental" miracle #1 of dozens). At 9:54 (thank you, Nike+ for reliable data) I took Noa for a run/walk/stagger in our neighborhood. I was slower than ever before as I had strep and was only 3 doses into my Z-pack, but it felt so good to get out and exercise for the first time in days. Noa was also getting over croup that the docs said might turn into ear infections, so we were carrying a large payload of snot and blah between us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHx3df_coQQRrto61QPbKM_n1L2U5Gk9-BvfeHmp8DpE8PdDIEPedA9yrwO6x_YBrb1kxIhN1U2wg8Qp56k5KakXCGpqiKBPQBjx8JaORr7cDgFx6w9jAGHdND6gsZ1THvXlhsuBpHX4Y/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHx3df_coQQRrto61QPbKM_n1L2U5Gk9-BvfeHmp8DpE8PdDIEPedA9yrwO6x_YBrb1kxIhN1U2wg8Qp56k5KakXCGpqiKBPQBjx8JaORr7cDgFx6w9jAGHdND6gsZ1THvXlhsuBpHX4Y/s400/FullSizeRender+%25288%2529.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The first messages are from the weekend before, when she as feeling yuck. Then Monday, the day of the fire I am telling him about my speed record.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
She was a sweet dream as usual the entire time. I always take the double jogging stroller instead of the single so that I can pile the empty spot with her blankies and books for her to choose from. By the time I pulled the stroller back into the garage and shut the big garage door, she was out. I considered letting her keep snoozing there in the stroller while I worked inside with the door open. But I was feeling so great after the exercise (despite not being able to breathe out of my nose still) that I wanted to play with her some more before she went down for her real nap. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We went inside and I shut the inside garage door behind me, not caring that it wasnt all the way clicked into the catch, but just closed and resting against the jamb. Our house is so well insulated that it takes a major slam to fully shut that door.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We took a bath and played and I did some work. I put Noa down for her nap around 11:15. As usual she made not a peep and was thrilled to rest in her cozy darkened cave (Layla's walk in closet is where her crib lives and she ADORES going to bed there, almost never fussing when it's nap or bedtime). </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I started a pot of beans and rice on the stove and sat down to answer some work emails and sew beach bags in between. My Etsy shop was going bonkers this summer and I had 24 open beach bag orders I was working on. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At 12:06 PM the fire alarm system started blaring. My neighborhood has a Facebook group just for the moms and it seems like every month someone is talking about these loco smoke alarms setting themselves off and how to turn them off. We had already had a few false alarm blare-sessions, even only living there 10 months. So I texted Jesse (he works a half mile away) to come help me get them deactivated (he always does it for us when they go off). I left my phone next to my laptop and sewing machine and ran up to the alarm closest to Noa's room to get it turned off ASAP so she could keep sleeping.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASZS-Kn0iCo_1v5I6Go9QfG8TLStoMSuO5lo11wX6p71koZS5OJSZlk1rYfKQrtOhyVzn0HVoJqwIWVeORJwo10pXUAZTBjxPZMPFg-OnqZUoXqsUAPiF0vghVxzqyYq_vgXU2RGaNOk/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASZS-Kn0iCo_1v5I6Go9QfG8TLStoMSuO5lo11wX6p71koZS5OJSZlk1rYfKQrtOhyVzn0HVoJqwIWVeORJwo10pXUAZTBjxPZMPFg-OnqZUoXqsUAPiF0vghVxzqyYq_vgXU2RGaNOk/s400/FullSizeRender+%25289%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>The fire alarms are often on PCP/angeldust. Let's be clear that I summoned him home for what I thought was a "false" alarm to help me shut them off. I may not be an easy wife to work with.</b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I managed to turn off the klaxon blaring in the playroom, but all the others kept chirping. I headed downstairs to try to stop the chirp, and blammo, the klaxon wailing started back up on all of them. I was super annoyed that our system is hardwired together at that moment.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Halfway down our stairway, the side wall opens up for a view of the living room and kitchen, and as I looked left and down into that area, I saw nasty brown smoke crawling along the first floor ceiling. My instant thought was that somehow I burned the rice and beans--even though they had water in them still AND the kitchen was in the other direction from where the smoke was coming from. My next split second thought was, "oh my shit, THIS IS NOT A DRILL. Okay, you have trained for this."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I sprinted back upstairs and flung myself into Noa's room, where she was standing peacefully (not even kidding, just silently standing happily at the rail with her blankie) up in her crib. My vision was completely tunnel. My memories of these moments are like I was looking through a paper towel tube. <br />
<br />
In this moment, I figured this was probably a small electrical fire or something very containable that was just spewing smoke..</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I snatched her out and booked it down the stairs. The blaring and chirping alarms that had enraged me moments earlier for waking my baby were now sweet, sweet music that had saved us, but were ramping up my adrenaline nevertheless<br />
<br />
My studio/office is right by the front door so I grabbed my phone and my laptop on my way out. I had a split second thought of "should I take my sewing machine? it's right there! OMG no, you need a bra before anything!" but years of fire drills and training were deeply embedded and nothing beyond "GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT" could get through the panic and make me spend another moment in there while I was holding my baby.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I tossed my laptop down on the doormat and headed up the driveway. When I walked past the closed garage it sounded like people were in there beating on the inside of the door (my first thought was on Walking Dead when there are zombies contained somewhere but they get woken up and start trying to get out). For a second I thought OMG, the dogs are in there, but then realized they were safely way back in the huge back yard. I also realized that a contained, little fire wouldn't make the massive garage door jump and pulse like that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As I went past, the door magically opened up (heat triggered, I would learn) and I saw our golf cart inside fully engulfed in massive flames. A few seconds of me standing there, and it slowly closed again, as if it just wanted to give me a glimpse. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I text jesse at 12:08 (so only 2 minutes have passed since the "false" alarm text I sent him...this is all happening far faster than telling the story) as I am running up out of our yard, telling him to call 911. Well, genius, you're texting him on a TELEPHONE, and youre the one who knows what is happening, so maybe you wanna call.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWq-dTZAUfsZTKDJOGQgoNJob3mOeIZijb07mxBUPo6YHOkwNc1stff_h3bR0nSrdDMzuaE3QbXP-kBMpwT-mvUrMChHd23F0JM38AdFXVTEoNoA0Uajl-lmn6KdB1FAUb1ZaJ-LfoMDc/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWq-dTZAUfsZTKDJOGQgoNJob3mOeIZijb07mxBUPo6YHOkwNc1stff_h3bR0nSrdDMzuaE3QbXP-kBMpwT-mvUrMChHd23F0JM38AdFXVTEoNoA0Uajl-lmn6KdB1FAUb1ZaJ-LfoMDc/s400/FullSizeRender+%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<b>Even as I sent this, I was a little afraid he wouldn't believe me. I have been known to text him "911 EMERGENCY, PICK UP PHONE" about cheese and hem lengths.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I called 911 and, hand to God, THEY EFFING TRANSFERRED ME! We live right on the county line and my cell phone was connected to a Fayette tower, but Coweta is where we live and is the emergency services that serve us. So I gave my address immediately--thinking OMG why dont yall have caller ID YOU SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO THAT! ITS TAKING ME SHEER MINUTES TO SAY MY ADDRESS. And she says "ok youre actually in Coweta, let me transfer you." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Lord help me if that tape ever leaks, I was a messy mess-mess and have no idea what I said. I was every inch of the braless, barefoot lady with a baby on her hip that you always see on the news. I used to judge these women like, "Get it together, girl!" Now these women are my tribe. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm on the phone with 911 taking it <i>very</i> personally every time the lady tells me to calm down, and saying at least 50 times, "ok my son is at school, my daughter is at school, the dogs are out back, I am holding the baby, my husband is at work. We are ALL OUT."</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At this point a few cars had driven down on our road and seen the scene. A man got out and offered to move our van which was parked right in front of the closed garage door. The keys were inside hanging near the kitchen away from the fire, but I still wasn't comfortable sending any non-fire-trained people in there for any reason. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At maybe 12:10 I see Jesse come flying down the road. There is a car between him and me: an older man in a restored El Camino creeping along as he rubbernecks. I am holding Noa, yelling at 911, and standing on the sidewalk 2 doors down from our house, right alongside Jesse's car. I see the man in front of him stop so as not to enter the scene of the fire.<br />
<br />
And then for the love of all, I see his reverse lights come on. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
His windows and Jesse's are down. I am 4 feet away and I start yelling, "NO NO NO, JESSE HE'S BACKING UP!"</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BAM! He totally rams Jesse. All flipping hell breaks loose. Nothing in my life will ever come as close to tmy favorite cold open scene from <i>The Office</i> as that moment did. I've watched it so many time that my brain immediately suggested "SAVE BANDIT!" and "THE FIRE IS SHOOTING AT US!" as appropriate reactions:</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTbE3Cj192TMoi8LIeduBkRrhufU2d4R0GY9X9HYTIUmI2x5pcsRJFFgTWgem8NyACbP83H03ZumE9C3ZO1BZGuJffrZXZnEbez8KPZSjOZwLvzyXngC7siBi2otKDvfRxB_glVNd7gw/s1600/THifgox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTbE3Cj192TMoi8LIeduBkRrhufU2d4R0GY9X9HYTIUmI2x5pcsRJFFgTWgem8NyACbP83H03ZumE9C3ZO1BZGuJffrZXZnEbez8KPZSjOZwLvzyXngC7siBi2otKDvfRxB_glVNd7gw/s640/THifgox.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8LIbS3TT8hwiJ-R8XQl0XGpmMklZ0UAAFmJ564ZEp6_rNR-5IozJMrc0WXAEcLRqB9k4wKz55jQrRjEcauivdnLGvGbET-O1JezSi4lZTxAnjYKDLx2Xhjh9LQzapjiAVjOzw0xDjns/s1600/images+%252823%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8LIbS3TT8hwiJ-R8XQl0XGpmMklZ0UAAFmJ564ZEp6_rNR-5IozJMrc0WXAEcLRqB9k4wKz55jQrRjEcauivdnLGvGbET-O1JezSi4lZTxAnjYKDLx2Xhjh9LQzapjiAVjOzw0xDjns/s1600/images+%252823%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Me, to 911: "WHAT IN THE ACTUAL F*#%?!?! MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE AND SOME CAR JUST HIT MY HUSBAND!!!"</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hear the 911 lady say something about sending cops for the pedestrian down, but am too out of my mind to process it. I am trying to get the tag of the guy's car and see if our car is damaged or if Jesse is hurt, and oh, ya know, MY HOUSE IS STILL BLAZING UNIMPEDED! Not to mention several more sweet passersby are trying to help by grabbing our exterior hose and watering the garage. <br /><br />I'm like "GET AWAY FROM THE GARAGE YALL! WE ARE D.I.Y. MAVENS AND HAVE MANY MANY VARNISHES ON HAND THAT WILL LIQUIFY YOU!! I DON'T NEED YOUR EARLY AMERICAN WALNUT STAINED BLOOD ON MY HANDS."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At maybe 12:12 the first police arrive. I'm like, "AHHHHH I love you officers, but I NEED HOSES!!! Where are your red brethren!?!"</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few officers start blocking off the road to traffic and another comes up to me to ask where the pedestrian hit and run victim is. And I'm like, "Oh no, my husband was in a car and it was a low speed fender bender that just bent our Georgia Tech plate. Everyone is fine. No biggies here, office! Situation normal. Oh right, unless you count the conflagration. But you don't have hoses, so that's not really your problem, LOL. *pause* You DEFINITELY, don't have hoses, right? I just have to ask."<br />
<br />
I cannot stress the amount of shocked mess I was. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesse hugs me and I ask him maybe 36 more times if he is SURE the kids are at school and there's no chance any other humans are still inside. I start crying, because I don't have to be to sole grown up on duty anymore and have a little margin to let some of the situation sink in for a second while he's holding me. Jesse says "it's just stuff, nothing that matters is hurt." And I'm totally like, "huh?" because honestly, besides the sewing machine gut reaction at the very start, it hadn't even occurred to me that our stuff was destroyed. I was crying from relief, from panic rebound, from the "what could have beens?"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I remembered Jesus for maybe the first time in all this (not proud of that) and just say "thank you for this, jesus" into Jesse's shoulder. It was so mechanical and had absolutely no gratitude or any emotion attached to it, but I knew it was a moment to thank him--completely aside from the lack of injury. That's a pretty weird thought process, but it has stuck with me since then.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesse decides to go up to the house for a closer look, and maybe move the van, and I'm like JESSE, YOUR BEAUTIFUL ROMAN STATUE FACE! NO!!!! BACK AWAY FROM THE FLAMES!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are standing there for what felt like an eternity watching really nasty smoke billow out. At least 6 police cars have arrived by now and an ambulance then pulls up. I'm like, AHHHH I love yall so much, but you are just not the exact type of hero I need at this moment. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At some point the 911 lady was like, "ok it sounds like officers have arrived, since they have tasers and handcuffs, imma let THEM deal with you instead of me."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
FINALLY the first fire trucks pull up. The garage door has collapsed completely by now and smoke is just pouring out. Jesse actually said that when he first pulled up he saw it coming out of our bedroom window, which is as far from the garage as you can get in our home.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfx1MhGM-iG8ei44hwfgYGdWIKPKeCXiqkkRQcpYyc36ODzl-8kbewRhD_mbtE0jyu5lSCLm6uqL6h9McHCh0H5oXtkTj4jLlFpD2t4IhVHN5Pbx3phr8JZc8JeaRfTFWJmjDMZlLVtY/s1600/IMG_5351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfx1MhGM-iG8ei44hwfgYGdWIKPKeCXiqkkRQcpYyc36ODzl-8kbewRhD_mbtE0jyu5lSCLm6uqL6h9McHCh0H5oXtkTj4jLlFpD2t4IhVHN5Pbx3phr8JZc8JeaRfTFWJmjDMZlLVtY/s640/IMG_5351.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<b>12:24 pm Fire trucks, The house ablaze, Jesse's newly dented car parked in the neighbors driveway.</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The fire guys come up and ask for a few crucial details like if there's gasoline or propane in the garage (no and yes). They hook up to the hydrant on our lot and start dousing the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The entire church staff (Jesse's coworkers) are now here with us along with my good friend Jennie who was jogging by when she spotted the smoke. This "random" group of people contains some of Jesse and my closest friends and it was pure comfort. They sprang into action getting the dogs away, playing with Noa, finding me a bra (my first concern) and shoes,and every other manner of things. They were just *with us* in the best possible way. My sister in law lost her childhood home to fire when she was in high school and she was there with my nieces as well. Besides those first few seconds, we never had to be alone in this (and even then; I know I wasnt).<br />
<br />
At this point, the fire is basically out. I am watching--bizarrely--from another neightbors driveway in a folding camp chair like a soccer mom. I even have cookies and capri sun. I am still holding onto Noa and clutching he and kissing her so gratefully at intervals...and like 1% using her as a bra coverage. I had wandered away from most of our people since the trucks were now blocking our view. My anti-social introversion is pretty well known, so I wasn't followed until it was clear I was ready to be around people, so I weirdly as some alone here, with Jesse checking in every few minutes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZh_Np7hySHlsfSrIu81ipJ4qGe6jI4ULhAMXYx7gNs2pje9XNZA07DYvbirxNm4ET21mfUTjzSXfCaYG1FhHUmW3aWqqhuwwhDRm9VHr2dAc1TMKCx4eislzYaB5hqJefohRB1gT0Pqo/s1600/IMG_5352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZh_Np7hySHlsfSrIu81ipJ4qGe6jI4ULhAMXYx7gNs2pje9XNZA07DYvbirxNm4ET21mfUTjzSXfCaYG1FhHUmW3aWqqhuwwhDRm9VHr2dAc1TMKCx4eislzYaB5hqJefohRB1gT0Pqo/s640/IMG_5352.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<b>My view from the bleachers.</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At some point I heard one of our people on the phone with someone and tey said, "She's okay, but she is pretty out of it. I think she's in shock." And I was like, "oh, man I wonder who's in shock, I hope theyre okay." Ha. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
the fire inspector called me over to talk about what had happened and of course the first thing I said was "I don't have on a bra." which made him ultra comfortable. And then during our interview, I managed to say "I totally wouldn't arson myself while my baby was sleeping. Well I mean, obviously I wouldn't arson at all. OMG I totally didn't do this, I just get nervous with authority figures. Please don't arrest me." What if I get myself arrested for having no filter and just saying whatever pops in my head?!</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ78rX2oeMVovnfhIFaSSWm3MWkIZ1lGCiGSppB9oCSnbEs_66or2zJjUPBfPOYmDt6JtW1JwjZWeNa3g5UEmaV0F3dLg41IjVe90qVBklVphSX-aw87ZunSLK9aJ1l4AxwglcybSkLA8/s1600/IMG_5354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ78rX2oeMVovnfhIFaSSWm3MWkIZ1lGCiGSppB9oCSnbEs_66or2zJjUPBfPOYmDt6JtW1JwjZWeNa3g5UEmaV0F3dLg41IjVe90qVBklVphSX-aw87ZunSLK9aJ1l4AxwglcybSkLA8/s640/IMG_5354.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Our first responders.</b></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/AVvXsEj67SAeoladWcrs0h19hIF_-i1WsdKwPL0omr0qRz5ieGnbGZEnat0b6UwflAZ-y200KsJRar1iJUBfh5V2qupivEfikkKspZkYxoceyo4zpvHaRJmAULXgzMAAqlmenjA7Gc7FIpIZEbI/s1600/IMG_5355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67SAeoladWcrs0h19hIF_-i1WsdKwPL0omr0qRz5ieGnbGZEnat0b6UwflAZ-y200KsJRar1iJUBfh5V2qupivEfikkKspZkYxoceyo4zpvHaRJmAULXgzMAAqlmenjA7Gc7FIpIZEbI/s640/IMG_5355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Somehow the van was perfectly fine, not even a hint of smoke inside.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At about 2 pm, the house was completely checked and cleared and we were able to go inside. At this point I was still thinking we'd sleep there that night, and they'd just close off the garage. Whoops, someone is ignorant about fires. The chief is walking with us towards the house and says "completely gutted" and "all the contents are ruined" and I'm like not computing. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Then we walk in and I start to get it*. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz4SI50ETCnKnJiW7FpcHtH6Wwl5K6gkL37BfXOLX1Z2WKXWjSQ0jfrOoUOF6DAA0UlSH59RTK4fhyphenhyphenHBLi35rOtYg_tdol_9xihx0WEonSzr9ypBQoS5hYoL7KdLU1gcV7KOaJgNFpn8/s1600/IMG_5357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz4SI50ETCnKnJiW7FpcHtH6Wwl5K6gkL37BfXOLX1Z2WKXWjSQ0jfrOoUOF6DAA0UlSH59RTK4fhyphenhyphenHBLi35rOtYg_tdol_9xihx0WEonSzr9ypBQoS5hYoL7KdLU1gcV7KOaJgNFpn8/s640/IMG_5357.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> The garage. Pretty much the only location of the flames themselves. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They think the golf cart is where it started (dont ask me any more, because I dont know and the investigation is still open, but it was probably just a freak thing). All that white insulation is where the firemen axed through to check to be sure no ancillary fires were lurking. If you look just to the right of the gorl cart, there's a white square next to what looks like a bike tire. That's actually the book Noa had been reading in the stroller during our walk. The metal square shape is what's left of the stroller that I had considered letting her nap in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wLuAgJyK81dQJC3BNw7ssUHRlWi_jEvfpQu4slI98T-eSaa6OvgHuwMpS1MiEand1ZceJdrJVYaPljqGhFjhRmDtVvPTqPntRz-qo04hGKpO2QwD30qyKkUIwrk_atcaixsiRrbqL0U/s1600/9F35B467-3649-47CA-9637-2C820A9FF90C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wLuAgJyK81dQJC3BNw7ssUHRlWi_jEvfpQu4slI98T-eSaa6OvgHuwMpS1MiEand1ZceJdrJVYaPljqGhFjhRmDtVvPTqPntRz-qo04hGKpO2QwD30qyKkUIwrk_atcaixsiRrbqL0U/s640/9F35B467-3649-47CA-9637-2C820A9FF90C.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The vehicle formerly known as XF-17 (golf cart. named by Judah)</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgN68CJCKbOzy3vFcnsiFqyJpWraPtaEhJ4-E8F46AwcSB3tOKPV3YavDZILrX1L9Axtnv9uA8psKRuqUXZ0GV8ira_iZHdluuUNr_HNR0Hfvwqo8yj6Tt3IXKJdYhI6wLMrq37fkHOk/s1600/IMG_5358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgN68CJCKbOzy3vFcnsiFqyJpWraPtaEhJ4-E8F46AwcSB3tOKPV3YavDZILrX1L9Axtnv9uA8psKRuqUXZ0GV8ira_iZHdluuUNr_HNR0Hfvwqo8yj6Tt3IXKJdYhI6wLMrq37fkHOk/s640/IMG_5358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>As if they weren't heroic enough. Before they started hosing down the interior of the house to be sure no sparks or latent fires were in the walls, they took down our big family canvas pic so it wouldnt be water damaged.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MMwhWGG25OGZ4Zjj3-YygIJisqbR7k5lORBQkgw-KfGHtP4oWIWKY19K7rCHvd4antJ3klUlk6rg7k8mTt6p-brH7yGzuBvZLtiQdcV0i_WHdWaZdYkMjBzvw7J5JEy7x6PqGXdF6tA/s1600/IMG_5362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MMwhWGG25OGZ4Zjj3-YygIJisqbR7k5lORBQkgw-KfGHtP4oWIWKY19K7rCHvd4antJ3klUlk6rg7k8mTt6p-brH7yGzuBvZLtiQdcV0i_WHdWaZdYkMjBzvw7J5JEy7x6PqGXdF6tA/s640/IMG_5362.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is the guest bathroom. When you walk in from the garage, this door is immediately to your left. The blinds melted off the window.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfySp-CUYuWD3PSFcN_W0fyPJKGriD69o4WWE5bM5d9pE15Pt_IsMlyffLDFWWvR-tjextLkcj1D2UrIv3SK1ScFr3WJ0rFYaIIMymeBieYSco_Dm1viwxq8X-vRbj3Ec6sg_ODL8NvRY/s1600/IMG_5361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfySp-CUYuWD3PSFcN_W0fyPJKGriD69o4WWE5bM5d9pE15Pt_IsMlyffLDFWWvR-tjextLkcj1D2UrIv3SK1ScFr3WJ0rFYaIIMymeBieYSco_Dm1viwxq8X-vRbj3Ec6sg_ODL8NvRY/s640/IMG_5361.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Keep going down the hall and just across from the garage door is the guest bedroom. The blinds and fan melted (this is when it hit me how hot it had gotten in the house). The bookshelves also melted at the top. That lampshade was a cylinder that morning. It got its waist cinched.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvDP7JgDlK8lIpwSEvVfCJUfkqzmhnKpamOiH0TGFWi3m_IpKL4VVpdCMf8Y1Xy5Jl-GMPTQqiQmaMXb4zqbRbJi23jbBWr4J9sHSL5-8xGIsHkFTaL3eJ8vPwsPuyvmdiiCNSzadhv0/s1600/IMG_5363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvDP7JgDlK8lIpwSEvVfCJUfkqzmhnKpamOiH0TGFWi3m_IpKL4VVpdCMf8Y1Xy5Jl-GMPTQqiQmaMXb4zqbRbJi23jbBWr4J9sHSL5-8xGIsHkFTaL3eJ8vPwsPuyvmdiiCNSzadhv0/s640/IMG_5363.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Looking from the guest bedroom door out to the garage</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I went to pick up Layla from school at 2:30 and wait for Judah's bus at church. I knew I was about to live out what would likely become one of their earliest lasting memories, so there was a lot of feelings in me. I sat them down and we listed out the things that mattered most in the world. We talked about the flood that had happened at their grandparents' house last year. Then I told them that our house had burned. And that every single person and animal they love was 100% okay and healthy and fine. Judah let out the biggest "SHWEW" sigh.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
I told them that we would have to do without almost all of our stuff and live somewhere else for maybe a long time. They asked about a few belongings (Judah, depressingly was thrilled to report that his iPad had been in his backpack since it was technology day at school so it was safe...ugh. Wish that hadnt been his first thought). They were both very sad about their quilts that I had made them, and some stuffed animals. Layla mainly focused on remembering toys I havent seen her play with or care about for YEARS. She delightfully random.<br />
<br />
We went through what was happy about the situation (pizza for dinner!) and what was sad (we'd have to replace his captain underpants collection...and his actual underpants) and what was confusing (why we couldnt still live there immediately).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They seemed pretty copacetic about the entire thing and were excited to get some new items. Judah exclaimed, "Hooray! LIFE SHOPPING!"<br />
<br />
They both immediately said they did want to go in and see the house. It was a a heavy moment watching them go through and tour this new dream house they had first explored for the first time 10 months ago as a brand new castle and now was charred ruins. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEj6yBVrrnJcsVxHdFeVbJz0cRfgeJwJ0wnwINDiTR2d8xcu0gDTGhHG1sPHct3ueKksXUxkjkSWxaWPzxYGM-_O4Y5VjdEh5Wt8zKrz1oB96krFeNhC1MfawvCvTy8LZH2NtTXAidtM/s1600/IMG_5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEj6yBVrrnJcsVxHdFeVbJz0cRfgeJwJ0wnwINDiTR2d8xcu0gDTGhHG1sPHct3ueKksXUxkjkSWxaWPzxYGM-_O4Y5VjdEh5Wt8zKrz1oB96krFeNhC1MfawvCvTy8LZH2NtTXAidtM/s640/IMG_5374.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I didnt take a pic of the living room to the left. Kitchen and dining table</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5OTEruTw-TfWhyphenhyphen5BtXGJTfNaRXNolfeoIkn3pg4EjuPo7A28rREO8w0xp3L2FvGkns3AUGQR2qzCrc38Ubex56HGVjgeT3AOIz7BmPI8w-v99_dcEYdv1VXswgjsuvy4FgrNLy3XOd8/s1600/IMG_5376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5OTEruTw-TfWhyphenhyphen5BtXGJTfNaRXNolfeoIkn3pg4EjuPo7A28rREO8w0xp3L2FvGkns3AUGQR2qzCrc38Ubex56HGVjgeT3AOIz7BmPI8w-v99_dcEYdv1VXswgjsuvy4FgrNLy3XOd8/s640/IMG_5376.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>She was pointing at something I cant quite remember but was touchingly random.</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK4nrHzEAFjVMUyvaAHjHgNn1HUbIO42Fj2cIg3N5LfyhPFCYDDh9h6bcnl7DF-ZDIqspw5KRJm1dT9w9NzmVc_9b4gjuQbD5Fc6mxfZdUxljnpAin4cHbsqYukoXK5ev4j1kARB8PPI/s1600/FE45F186-24AF-479F-BF97-D6ADF2608A79.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibK4nrHzEAFjVMUyvaAHjHgNn1HUbIO42Fj2cIg3N5LfyhPFCYDDh9h6bcnl7DF-ZDIqspw5KRJm1dT9w9NzmVc_9b4gjuQbD5Fc6mxfZdUxljnpAin4cHbsqYukoXK5ev4j1kARB8PPI/s640/FE45F186-24AF-479F-BF97-D6ADF2608A79.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>We just finished repainting the cabinets WHITE!</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqIGqHo6zlYCMqZ6HeEeXDeh9Qaok6mp909uGK10zrhJCbbW_TfqUN_NlRMEiZanjVG5ROvI2J_unF6OCzxqd65meFzQCresb-czP719DwCQoc387q6e3XGJZqmLZCt_eou-Qw8s5_Ik/s1600/2FFA44D7-3AD3-4011-A0C6-86B6CA36BEB4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjqIGqHo6zlYCMqZ6HeEeXDeh9Qaok6mp909uGK10zrhJCbbW_TfqUN_NlRMEiZanjVG5ROvI2J_unF6OCzxqd65meFzQCresb-czP719DwCQoc387q6e3XGJZqmLZCt_eou-Qw8s5_Ik/s640/2FFA44D7-3AD3-4011-A0C6-86B6CA36BEB4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Headed up the stairs. Noa and Layla's room is on the left and Judah and the playroom on the right. Kids bathroom straight ahead. That bathroom curtain came with the house. </b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDh96ZHYWfOtOVHBIUyOGdUkhy_aN43Qp4raEz2RxvgCAh6YBdw-LqC3uash2XtUuUcqfdbael3QPNQvThI1vIG9YOj-4lplZzBKW_p1itzn1QetSnAbg8_RHqvpT1oQBKawQB_f_QW0/s1600/IMG_5368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDh96ZHYWfOtOVHBIUyOGdUkhy_aN43Qp4raEz2RxvgCAh6YBdw-LqC3uash2XtUuUcqfdbael3QPNQvThI1vIG9YOj-4lplZzBKW_p1itzn1QetSnAbg8_RHqvpT1oQBKawQB_f_QW0/s640/IMG_5368.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This still turns my stomach.</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You see the grids and dots on the walls? It looks kind of like shadows. No. They are the studs and the nail heads in them. They got so hot that they scorched through the drywall.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmxD-dmiPg8bnEcNkBy-XE7Ye1qZdpafDGmv_C1PfRrvptjssfYHXZXvxIjW-7cu3rsht5m-pbLry5MBY1Hzh6jCHYUWW60MRB7h_OyvzW8sJcrLN3bIyMOwJdngqhnI3Xx_Xn_U4g30/s1600/IMG_5369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmxD-dmiPg8bnEcNkBy-XE7Ye1qZdpafDGmv_C1PfRrvptjssfYHXZXvxIjW-7cu3rsht5m-pbLry5MBY1Hzh6jCHYUWW60MRB7h_OyvzW8sJcrLN3bIyMOwJdngqhnI3Xx_Xn_U4g30/s640/IMG_5369.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The firemen did a touch test along the walls to check for lurking hot spots. More branded stud lines.</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hook a U-turn at the top of the stairway and follow to the end of the hall and youre at our room</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp92qUQzK_lYrckHtUFxynLeXJSc0OleOuxfyUx9uMwPT704Z19xThakYG59o1CuQBbQE8YbQgw_GKhpaBv9vXY4JQ5mtz1Gg1XDh7k7BTuaOEhLmpohwrfDHmUhQmstlSvLMs-oaPX_M/s1600/IMG_5364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp92qUQzK_lYrckHtUFxynLeXJSc0OleOuxfyUx9uMwPT704Z19xThakYG59o1CuQBbQE8YbQgw_GKhpaBv9vXY4JQ5mtz1Gg1XDh7k7BTuaOEhLmpohwrfDHmUhQmstlSvLMs-oaPX_M/s640/IMG_5364.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Our bedroom life is SMOKING HOT. PS, firemen might wanna hose down that body right there, it's making me feel flushed.</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswxc5orXs3QppuHPXqpgiBHGY9YowHeQG9pDgRrey4J05XUyUrBgQ6tTjVCJJ_SWOHkZpr8RBigFWKUaNfajnO-0P48gvqdXfqR9MytRkrhshEpDahdAO6HADFCAx1qbVHLONAFr-7UY/s1600/64A64BDE-D17C-4E93-B540-E25A9BA50FE2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswxc5orXs3QppuHPXqpgiBHGY9YowHeQG9pDgRrey4J05XUyUrBgQ6tTjVCJJ_SWOHkZpr8RBigFWKUaNfajnO-0P48gvqdXfqR9MytRkrhshEpDahdAO6HADFCAx1qbVHLONAFr-7UY/s640/64A64BDE-D17C-4E93-B540-E25A9BA50FE2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<b>This room is as far away as you could get from the fire inside the house and the walls still got so hot that the studs burned lines onto the walls.</b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyADk_7SdJetg143p7Xyy6gdBMZD5lo7-Ko3A9YwY_VEJrezICk27FkUApMJn23tvqtGiF70hSDPxiKUS2RPNAE7sdhRuCLMzrq8ERPNv5hiU-C0pCY0ZK1PUfwODgzdJtWtwWtsLHTo/s1600/IMG_5365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyADk_7SdJetg143p7Xyy6gdBMZD5lo7-Ko3A9YwY_VEJrezICk27FkUApMJn23tvqtGiF70hSDPxiKUS2RPNAE7sdhRuCLMzrq8ERPNv5hiU-C0pCY0ZK1PUfwODgzdJtWtwWtsLHTo/s640/IMG_5365.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The footprints are revealing the actual color of the tile. the rest is soot. This is upstairs, down the hall, through our room and then into the bathroom from where the fire was. Smoke is PERVASIVE.</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y_HiNuZC4mkEkiKffFKhf2xy8g_KR0-G0wf-QHx0IkSLTevely_YIud7RTTl1M4s8tgOWAJtBDqibwlsQWa2o6hrtDFSZmnAJ6cBUVYU97_xLz0HvOmfTvw4DiOT2t8JwvqmThUL6cA/s1600/IMG_5359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-y_HiNuZC4mkEkiKffFKhf2xy8g_KR0-G0wf-QHx0IkSLTevely_YIud7RTTl1M4s8tgOWAJtBDqibwlsQWa2o6hrtDFSZmnAJ6cBUVYU97_xLz0HvOmfTvw4DiOT2t8JwvqmThUL6cA/s640/IMG_5359.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Standing by the front door in the entryway/foyer. This is my studio. Really wish I had gone ahead and mailed those completed bags there instead of waiting to take an awesome instagram pic of my shipment pile later that day.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-Qz6yy60CpgiBT2EfEQtGLteF705Ft7yXEwVlQe_MRxDEG2upu2aD3mC_xf16qYOo0rgdAsqKy9ukJgaK_LCQtHeK96gzNlWgQqUg5V2OLjS5U6j3r4PYPWOMDHsH25FmImKi0EeNoU/s1600/IMG_5360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-Qz6yy60CpgiBT2EfEQtGLteF705Ft7yXEwVlQe_MRxDEG2upu2aD3mC_xf16qYOo0rgdAsqKy9ukJgaK_LCQtHeK96gzNlWgQqUg5V2OLjS5U6j3r4PYPWOMDHsH25FmImKi0EeNoU/s640/IMG_5360.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">"Dear valued customer, I am sorry I won't be able to fabricate your beach bag order as planned. Unless you're reeeeeeally into black ombre effect."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I will write much more about the aftermath and feelings and rebuilding process later I'm sure. But just know, we are seriously SO GREAT. This whole affair has been almost 95% uplifting and 5% stressful and overwhelming. NOT because it's easy. It's horrendous the details and decisions and tasks. BUT THE LOVE has been so much more overwhelmingly huge. I knew people cared about us, but I had no idea how that might look. Well, now I know. It's humbling and has just brought me to my knees in thanks and gratefulness, and weirdly: joy.<br />
<br />
We are going to needs tons of help as the months go on--we will essentially have to move at least 2 more times, as well as conduct a custom build of our house (the exterior will stay but the inside will be gutted down to the studs--and even those replaced as needed to be sure no mold or char remains). We will have to catalog and buy all new belonging--and since we are IKEA devotees, we will have to assemble it all over again. That gives me a tension headache a little bit, but I tell myself I will have new non-beige walls to make it all better (anyone handy with allen wrenches wanna come to a meatball party?).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are going slow, evaluating what we need in any given moment so that we don't break our brains in the chaos (so far the answers for various family members have been: a massage, silence, dark chocolate, golf, mommy/daddy special kissy times, a playdate, another massage, ambien, relay races, a scooter, soda in a sippy cup, throwing up, having a babysitter, one-on-one time with each kid, working, making jokes way too soon about a serious subject and JESUS). <br />
<br />
We are staying at my in-laws (by choice, the insurance was very ready to put us in a nice hotel, but hotels with kids are SO stressful for me, and my in-laws go against the grain of the typical cliche, and actually make me feel more relaxed...they are golden superstars).<br />
<br />
Jesus is good. He is big and He is good. And just not because we're all safe and insured. But because He is Goodness and Light itself and He's ours and even is this fire had killed us, we are forever saved and protected. Forever.<br />
<br />
Much much love,<br />
<br />
Keight and the Dukes.</div>
<br />
*<span style="text-align: justify;">for reference and to compare, </span><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2015/07/a-moving-story.html" style="text-align: justify;"><b>here is a walkthrough</b></a><span style="text-align: justify;"> video of the pristine, empty house the first time the kids went in, June 29th of last year)</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dhVzRtTMaIM" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-50390378868456499822016-04-21T12:27:00.000-04:002016-04-21T16:13:20.449-04:00Restoration: Hard<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let's just pretend I've had more blog posts than menstrual cycles in 2016, and jump right in.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<br>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've <a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/01/restoring-my-heart.html"><b>written about</b></a> what a transformative experience it was for me to learn how messed up I am, to not shy away from that or downplay it. (In my opinion, it's actually one of my best posts ever, even if I refused to capitalize letters back then). Learning to identify the events from my childhood that hurt me, and to recognize the pain they caused and still cause has been the most eye-opening experience of my life. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This isn't one of those, "oh my gosh I need to click through to read about what dramatic event Keight's referring to that messed her up" situations. Because SPOILER ALERT: <b>nothing grabby or terrible happened</b> in my childhood. No one from the Lifetime Network is calling asking for my story rights. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But you know what? I was a human kid raised by and around other humans, and that alone GUARANTEES that I experienced painful stuff. Stuff that my kid/tween/teen brain didn't know how to deal with in a healthy way, so I just coped or numbed or distracted or [ir]rationalized my way through it. These instincts that we have for when we're confronted with pain are great because they help us survive, to get through the pain and keep living. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But as you may know, I am interested in more than surviving (cause, you know, like, it's the tagline to the blog, right? WHATEVER, YALL).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And wouldn't it be great if once we survived long enough to grow into our adult brains we just automatically started doing things in a healthy, rational way? I mean now that we have the vocabulary and reasoning enough to understand things a little better, shouldn't we have our junk together?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
EFF TO THE NAW NAW. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because, surprise! While my sweet little kid brain was busy coping around a painful moment, it was also setting up habits and thought patterns and making some bizarre kid-conclusions about the world (hang around with Layla for a day if you wanna experience some hilarious and "WTF" 5 year old logic). And as the ever-popular factoid says: 90% of your personality and thought patterns are fully formed by first grade. It's kind of insane when you imagine your five or six year old self being at the wheel of the decisions and relationships that you are dealing with today.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because 5 year old Keight? Well, she had an imaginary friend named Tennis. And he was a tiny, hairy, adult man who lived in her throat. I'm not sure I want the same brain that birthed Tennis the Throat-Dweller navigating me through the grown up world of emotions and conflict and life (however, I do want to hang out with that brain's owner, because she sounds like a trippy little riot).<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaq_tFf0-K5HZFFID4FkaBSY-tLZ10fBzK5tpvwjC8_phvTEZqQM9QVpfbZ3SIRIyIL1JlyyDxoxRB23LzBMYc9S4oj-mep6sG39GcDc7dxyCE_Lp-a9ZCAEmJhyphenhyphenDFtbYCOQO6MRyiAQ/s1600/IMG_4686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaq_tFf0-K5HZFFID4FkaBSY-tLZ10fBzK5tpvwjC8_phvTEZqQM9QVpfbZ3SIRIyIL1JlyyDxoxRB23LzBMYc9S4oj-mep6sG39GcDc7dxyCE_Lp-a9ZCAEmJhyphenhyphenDFtbYCOQO6MRyiAQ/s400/IMG_4686.JPG" width="358"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Tennis is in there. And those bareback shortalls are the dope freshness.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br></b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here is a basic example from my life. When I was maybe 6 or 7, I was playing with a kitten at my cousins' house. This was the first kitten I remember ever meeting, and it was a pure wonder. As far as I was concerned, it was a stuffed animal come to life, and I treated it with my signature 6 year old gentleness (re: unintentional and clueless brutality). Well, duh, I grabbed it too hard and the cat scratched the mess out of me. I vividly remember the shock as I pulled my arm back and felt those bright red streaks of fire. I didn't even know something so sharp existed in the explored universe, much less did I expect to encounter it on this tiny fuzzball. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Immediately in my head a switch was made from "cats are all adorable and sweet and exist to delight me" to "they are all scary and mean and will hurt me." Well, neither of those assumptions was actually true, but my kid brain swapped one for the other without skipping a beat.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When Jesse and I were newly married we found two kittens in the woods at a friend's house. We took them home so they wouldn't die, and I started looking for someone to give them to. They were so cute, but I didn't get attached and kept saying, "we can't keep them because I HATE cats." Even when I would be cuddling them to bits, I would still assert "but I hate cats." After a few days I was like, "huh, wait a second, what I am believing to be true and what is actually true aren't lining up." It was this strangely dramatic moment at age 24 to have the epiphany, "OMG I THINK I LIKE CATS!" </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's not always as easy as "<i>X</i> happened in my childhood and it was painful, and that is why I am still doing <i>Y </i>today." It may never be so cut and dry, but that type of cause and effect is happening a ton during childhood as we learn the world and make conclusions about it. And <b>the effects are going to keep playing out until our adult selves step in and change the pattern</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had filed away "Cats = Bad" in my kid brain, and the case was closed. I wonder how many very lovely, sweet cats I ignored or ran away from through the years based on my faulty thinking. And it even took my adult brain a few days of discomfort and full exposure therapy--having those little fluffy puffs clamber around all over me--before I even got the message of "WAIT A TICK! I think I DO like these things!"<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmZM_JQLzYtvahe4e-Va_QdqRV65qCWTrZG4Th1Ex1NgnRMtTNu-3_dwn-1BmWsRrGVmGy1EW109E9tCu09s2rkmiEBYuVf2YbXMhavAGQs6VHkK32qXrZpvZ_v0RnlfQk4Mo7zxyrk0/s1600/IMG_4688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmZM_JQLzYtvahe4e-Va_QdqRV65qCWTrZG4Th1Ex1NgnRMtTNu-3_dwn-1BmWsRrGVmGy1EW109E9tCu09s2rkmiEBYuVf2YbXMhavAGQs6VHkK32qXrZpvZ_v0RnlfQk4Mo7zxyrk0/s400/IMG_4688.JPG" width="373"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>I couldn't find a pic of me with a cat (for obvious reasons), but here is me in a cabbage patch kids swimsuit and my chumbo baby brother that HAS to be worth something.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a silly example, but it's helped me realize how powerful this stuff is, and how totally unhealthy and unfounded patterns can get passed down for generations if we don't intervene with new thinking.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">But, if it was <b>that</b> tricky to realize I was operating on an incorrect assumption about <i>freaking kittens</i> because of one physically painful moment from childhood, how much harder and more painful is it to explore this stuff when the pain/lie/thought is about something closer to home, that played out over years in my heart? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's a buttload harder. And it feels like digging around with a red-hot poker in an infected sore. One that you had managed to contain to barely a throb when you had it all wrapped up. The vast majority of the time we choose the quiet and constant throb of lingering infection over the intense and temporarily more painful process of cleaning out the junk and truly healing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had no emotional investment in the feline race. The pain that one kitten caused me didn't have any attachment to my worth or identity. And yet it still took me 20 years to reevaluate the information and move forward under more correct thinking.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I start coming up against and exploring events and patterns that tie in with my identity, my self-worth, body image; when it's issues like acceptance, intimacy, shame, fear, rejection, and abuse, my little kid brain tells me to run kicking and screaming away because it hurts and it's hard. To move past this stuff and process it in a healthy manner means letting myself truly feel the weight of what really happened, to look directly at what was lost and grieve it.<br>
<br>
Choosing grief when it isn't absolutely required sounds insane. Grief is something we think of as forced upon us by the most dramatic circumstances of life. Circumstances that none of us wish for. But if you get to a place like I did and you just feel stuck--in a dysfunctional marriage pattern, in unhealthy parenting, in crumbling or shallow relationships, in feeling like you're just passing through life, in your growth with Jesus; unprocessed pain could very well be why. It definitely was for me.<br>
<br>
It's hard for me to look at the little girl in these pictures and know that she was the one that got hurt by the world and by people in it. But I would never tell her to suck it up or get over it. I would want her to be comforted and heard and healed. I have to remind myself that Jesus wants that and more for me: even the grouchy, wrinkly, not-as-cute-or-loveable 33 year old version of me today. I'm still her, and she needs someone to fight for her.<br>
<br>
Consider this your once-every-5-years reminder from me:<b> You're messed up and have been hurt, and dealing with it could really change your life for the better. But it will be hard and it will hurt. I'm not telling you what to do, but you should totally talk to someone with training about this stuff.</b><br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm8W3hCkF03ZK0H5yqyHI8W8H8H7Pm28_Rz05UeWPJMeXIHeHcpbbpt1Oqi6O0cn_38oNvEW_Nu_Oak_34x752oD-jsuqwNZ4nYabD6AtN18k5DgVPHFqekCHQyea-iAvBf1I_JdZUK4/s1600/IMG_4685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm8W3hCkF03ZK0H5yqyHI8W8H8H7Pm28_Rz05UeWPJMeXIHeHcpbbpt1Oqi6O0cn_38oNvEW_Nu_Oak_34x752oD-jsuqwNZ4nYabD6AtN18k5DgVPHFqekCHQyea-iAvBf1I_JdZUK4/s400/IMG_4685.JPG" width="400"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Ugh, pain? Do I have to?" Yes, tiny Keight. You have to, for the new generation of tinies. Now eat your apple jack necklace and appreciate how exquisite 1988 is.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-28682513240295085842016-03-01T13:01:00.001-05:002016-03-01T14:34:00.655-05:00Home Alone<div style="text-align: justify;">
Judah got off the school bus at the wrong stop yesterday. He ended up bawling. I am thrilled that this happened and so freaking proud of my 6.5 year old.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He was supposed to get off at our church (aka Jesse's workplace) which is on the same route as home and about 2/3 of a mile away. We put a note in his folder to let everyone know about this unusal change, but there was a substitute teacher yesterday who didn't check. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So he stayed on the bus and got off at our street like he does most Mondays. The bus drops off at the corner, maybe 20 yards from our front door. At the beginning of the year I would wait by the window and then walk out to meet him getting off. Then I started just keeping an eye out the window and stepping outside to greet him and watch him cross the street. That has progressed to complete independence where I just go about my day and he gets off the bus, crosses the street, and lets himself in 100% independently.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>ASIDE: I am having a weird feeling right now because it's like "wait is this actually something to be proud of or call 'independence' in this day and age? Is that where we are?" but also simultaneously, "uh, wait, could I get in trouble for this is someone tattled on me?" WHAT IS WRONG WITH US?!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few weeks back I had a spare key made for Judah on a total whim. We were are the hardware store getting paint and he was being a dreamy little delight. I saw the key blanks and remembered we needed a spare anyway. Then I saw they had Star Wars themed ones! I got Darth Vader for myself and Jesse yet couldn't leave little Yoda behind (even though his design wasn't as cool), so I asked if Judah would like a house key to have just in case I ever forgot to unlock the door for him. He was very excited and when we got home we practiced using the key and secured it to his back pack.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XvN-YrREkQawM-snb1dIW-v-A6Rwtt_GQ5cqOuYRIdcxJdws4AFeMGe-MQ6nQFQ2x3BhODXZuH4kwyqqeK6wpqvy1FREbSuaNG81XneF_IGtL41AIRbo__6U-U0NffoezHpNmkhUrao/s1600/IMG_2798+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_XvN-YrREkQawM-snb1dIW-v-A6Rwtt_GQ5cqOuYRIdcxJdws4AFeMGe-MQ6nQFQ2x3BhODXZuH4kwyqqeK6wpqvy1FREbSuaNG81XneF_IGtL41AIRbo__6U-U0NffoezHpNmkhUrao/s400/IMG_2798+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>And yes, <a href="http://amzn.to/1pmKBeb">Tile</a> is very worth it. Jesse and I are serial key misplacers. This has saved fights and money already.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we were attaching his key we talked about how he'd probably only ever have to use it if we forgot to unlock the door for him, but how if there was an emergency or something crazy happened and Jesse nor I were home, what would he do?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After some truly whacko and concerning options from him (mostly involving punching and potions) I realized it was god that we discussed this. I suggested knocking on a few neighbors' doors to ask for help with calling us or walking all the way to church; and we decided the best first option was to grab his or Layla's iPad and wifi-call mommy or daddy. We then took the time to put pictures in our contact info so that they could both easily select us.<br />
<br />
He has had his key for about 2 months, and that was the last time we talked about this stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first day he had his key with him and got off the bus he got mad at me for opening the door when I happened to see him coming because he had wanted to use the key. So for the rest of the week, Layla and I would lock the door when we heard the bus, stay in the house, and listen to him struggle until he was able to turn the lock and enter victoriously.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So yesterday I was out running errands with Noa and Layla and Jesse was at work. Judah came in and started doing his homework (can we talk about how great that is that with ZERO supervision he did his dang homework!!) and then he noticed things were quiet (when he tells it, he adds, "maybe toooooo quiet").</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He went to the front window and saw neither car in the driveway (smart thinking!). That's when he says he first felt afraid, but then "felt powerful in his chest". I told him later how this is called adrenaline and how our bodies are made to power us up with it in scary moments. He liked the thought of Hulk juice in him.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He tried to find his iPad and couldn't, but did find Layla's in their bathroom beside the toilet (that's my girl!). He pulled up FaceTime and called Jesse. As soon as Jesse saw the call from Layla's iPad--which he knew was at home--he knew Judah had ended up there alone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When Jesse picked up the call and Judah saw his face, the power juice in his chest dissipated, and he started sobbing, finally feeling the scariness of the situation fully now that he was safe from it (man, biology is cool).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After I got out of my class (I'm soon to be certified to lead <a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/01/restoring-my-heart.html"><b>RYH groups</b></a>!) They told me what had gone down. I was instantly SO SO SO proud of my boy and felt so confident in the head he has on his shoulders. I was also incredibly grateful that we was able to process and feel and talk about the fear and sadness and power he had felt through it all as well as satisfaction from solving it on his own.<br />
<br />
Am I glad he's safe? Yes, but he was probably never in any danger whatsoever. I am THRILLED however that he took action, used critical thinking, and remembered what we had talked about. That is worth about 100X more to me than him being protected by circumstances this one time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you can't tell, we are <a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/"><b>Free-Range parents</b></a>. We parent not to protect our kids from the world, but to prepare them for it. We have practiced getting separated in stores and taught them how to find helpers as well as how to spot "tricky people" versus almost all other strangers who are happy to really help kids. We believe that talking to grown-ups gives them the experience they need to determine when a grown-up is acting shady or suspicious or asking something inappropriate of them.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Abductions and stranger danger have <a href="http://www.freerangekids.com/crime-statistics/"><b>actually decreased over the past decades</b></a>, but media coverage, social media fear-mongering (including many totally false stories) have blown it up so that even in my head--which I considered pretty level--it can feel like there are boogey men around every corner. THERE AREN'T. All the statistics say that if your child is going to be kidnapped, abused, raped or have violence committed against him or her, the OVERWHELMING odds are that it will happen at the hands of someone you or they trust.<br />
<br />
<b>We need to adjust our parenting energies accordingly</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All that helicopter parenting does is drastically limit the amount of time our kids practice thinking and using judgement--these aren't gifts that come with their draft card or college acceptance at 18--these are character values and neural pathways; brain muscles that have to be exercised and built up.<br />
<br />
Otherwise we are turning 20 year old babies loose on society and calling them "adults."<br />
<br />
There is no measurable proof that helicopter parenting makes a difference in the safety of our kids; I think there is demonstrable (if anecdotal) proof that it makes our kids less capable. Ask any high school teacher who has been in the game for decades what kind of trends they have seen in parental vs. teen responsibility and involvement. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was nothing I could have done to stop Judah from forgetting to get off the bus when he did (I mean beyond pinning a note to his shirt or nagging him, but even then kids are championship-level oblivious sometimes), no matter how low the helicopter flies, these are autonomous creatures we're raising and they're going to go off-plan at some point. But if the goal is to eventually have them making their own life/choices/character (living permanently off plan!) then these age-appropriate forays to independence seem vital...even if they are play-acting or controlled (not suggesting you lock the door and leave home today at bus time just to see what happens).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tonight we are going to talk hypothetical fire scenarios. I will probably let them play with matches as a visual.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXATRJ19Q_roOSdCxfEgP86d21soB1tVv0XYiELK0ylbnaEiVJnGebleTTdXXuZfTptan1qBGyNpkhb_pYVIuwa8qPJWKasgvjdNQCBU4WvsSMdKyCaxDsBWC77Wv03OJS4YUcniGqSlQ/s1600/IMG_2800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXATRJ19Q_roOSdCxfEgP86d21soB1tVv0XYiELK0ylbnaEiVJnGebleTTdXXuZfTptan1qBGyNpkhb_pYVIuwa8qPJWKasgvjdNQCBU4WvsSMdKyCaxDsBWC77Wv03OJS4YUcniGqSlQ/s640/IMG_2800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Adult in Training.</b></div>
<br />
<br />keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-60231845157428534962016-02-25T11:10:00.000-05:002016-02-25T11:44:31.820-05:00Hindsight in 2020, but What Now?<div style="text-align: justify;">
Jesse​ had to talk me down last night from a full panic about the presidential race. My disturbed-horror-face wrinkles are becoming as entrenched as the polemic views in the two-party system...HIYO!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had up until now convinced myself that, yes, we Americans <i>are</i> reality TV-loving dumb-dings on a superficial level (I'm looking at you, me), but that deep down and collectively we have sense and virtue too. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am now beginning to doubt this. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The best Jesse could do for me was to say that he thinks we'll have to just grin and bear it for the next four years and hope it's a wake-up call.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">The upside: seeing which candidate will be the first to use the "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Hindsight in 2020</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">" campaign slogan. It's so good, right? I thought of this on my own, but someone else already made a bumper sticker for it too!).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxKPFvmZ1mlNPgEPgJmYiEZPK_39wx4AtV6cw4rqE9rZYsCPhbrdix1NT5KYZB8GZuyVaScylUN5yRd5AKFu4noFLindfIHE71RAE4vobU1a_llxwszCrINymBgZRwqEjlp73OkwiM2M/s1600/Vote-Hindsight-2020-Bumper-Sticker-%25287535%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxKPFvmZ1mlNPgEPgJmYiEZPK_39wx4AtV6cw4rqE9rZYsCPhbrdix1NT5KYZB8GZuyVaScylUN5yRd5AKFu4noFLindfIHE71RAE4vobU1a_llxwszCrINymBgZRwqEjlp73OkwiM2M/s400/Vote-Hindsight-2020-Bumper-Sticker-%25287535%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.northernsun.com/Vote-Hindsight-2020-Bumper-Sticker-(7535).html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But as a passionate reader and admirer of American history (I cry like a big dumb nerd every time one of my Presidential biographies ends with the guy dying...spoiler alert: most do), it's not that easy to just write off this lunacy and resign myself to 4 embarrassing (if not dangerous) years. I am literally brought to bitter tantrum tears when I think about some of today's candidates possibly holding the same office as Washington/Adams/Lincoln/Roosevelt. I am ashamed when I read what the founders entrusted to us and how disappointed they would be about what we've done with it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many countries attempted to carve out republics before the U.S. did. There are lots of theories as to why our Great Experiment has worked for so long while others didn't. But one thing that the men who gave their lives to seeing that it would succeed seem to return to is the idea of <u>liberty thriving as a result of a nation that esteems virtue above all, and not the idea that liberty itself could create or even <i>was</i> necessarily a virtue in itself. </u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<b>"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net."</b><b>-John Adams</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea."<br />-James Madison</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"It is in the manners and spirit of a people which preserve a republic in vigour. . . degeneracy in these is a canker which soon eats into the heart of its laws and constitution."<br />-Thomas Jefferson</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."</b><b>-Benjamin Franklin</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?"<br />-George Washington</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>"Whenever we are planning for posterity, we ought to remember that virtue is not hereditary."<br />-Thomas Paine</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They aren't saying, "you need to pick one perfectly virtuous person, and as long as you do that, you'll be okay." Obviously that person doesn't exist. Every president we've had, from the most epic (Washington truly was a mythic leader, but still a slaveowner) to the most jerk/idiot/criminal/nympho (Nixon did good things in China between crimes and Clinton did lots for worldwide peace, the economy and promoted women's rights, between doing other things with lots of women), has had glaring gaps in their own character and would probably admit it. This was never supposed to be a top-down system where we emulate government. The leaders and laws are a product of us, not the other way around.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And it makes sense. We have an entrenched bureaucracy. I have always laughed it off when people say "this is how Hitler got his start" about an American politician because by design, it's very hard for one person to make rapid, sweeping changes in American government. Sure, the gridlock is infuriating a lot of the time, but it's there as a check against the kind of despotism and ass-hattery that would ignore the voice of the majority and lead us quickly into trouble. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, these guys who literally wrote the book on what America should/could/would be seem to be saying that we the--"<b>We The People</b>"-- are the engine and we make our own destiny, and that it's on us to make sure it all works by prioritizing the right things. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This idea had been bastardized by many talking heads and stump speeches and sermons, and it's NOT what these giants of history (nor Jesus) are referring to when they talk about virtue. The idea of America "turning back to the Lord!" to be "great again" is cheap and easy and it's bad politics <b>and </b>theology in my opinion (aka <b><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/11/i-person-open-letter-to-my-kids-on.html">Jesus Lite</a></b>). Because neither is ever that formulaic. Neither the constitution nor the bible says, "if you stop doing X, everything will mostly go well for you." And also America simply isn't a Christian nation, by definition nor by practice or composition.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As easy as it is right now to point at a few (or more likely one particularly glaring, orange) examples of leaders without virtue, the true blame...or at least explanation, lies with us. The political party leaders and strategists aren't morons, and they aren't backroom conspirators trying to saddle us with a candidate that more than 50% of us would never, ever vote for. If politicians are the product, we are the market, and the political parties are there to supply that which we demand.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These are our monsters.<br />
<br />
So what does a nation that values virtue look like and why do we seem to have strayed from this? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know. Crap, that was anti-climactic.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't even have a well thought out idea. My best theory is kind of morbid and it's that we haven't had a major, nation-consuming war in too long. The people of the Revolutionary, Civil and World wars weren't inherently better than us, yet they <i>are</i> pretty universally revered, admired and called "the greatest generation." What they did all do though is rise to the occasion of drastic circumstances. Human nature is crazy resilient and adaptive, and immense hardship can bring out incredible character (that's historical AND biblical). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These major wars were big enough to require the efforts and courage and sacrifice of the entire nation to survive, and I think that as a result they were transformative to our large-scale national character and values. So a country that has been sitting on peace (on a macro level, I know many heroic men and women have died in service to our country in wars and conflicts that may be regional or less than nation-consuming), and prosperity for 70 years could very understandably have taken on the character of a spoiled and pampered child. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I really hope I am wrong. But I get nervous because it feels like we may be close to electing someone as the face and voice of our nation who is extremely contentious, bombastic, arrogant, and conflict-happy. My nightmare is that well-armed, reactionary, antagonistic countries who may be looking for a reason to cripple us would see Presidential vitriol and political/diplomatic incorrectness as reason enough to begin or draw us into a conflict that would cost blood on a large scale.<br />
<br />
But again, that is all so very macro: "Our nation needs to esteem virtue more." Ummmmm, okay, George Washington/Keight Dukes...what do you want me to do about it? Yeah for real. What do I--one chick with one vote in a hidebound conservative state that will undoubtedly vote Republican no matter what--do to count it as "doing my part." Even aside from voting or campaigning or this one election, how do I change anything about our nation's virtue? How do <b>we</b>? Because I really don't want the answer to ever be that I have to send my son to war, ration butter and go to work in a tank factory.<br />
<br />
This is really, really hard stuff. It's reductive to just blame Donald or Hillary or Obama or W. and complain, so what else <i>can</i> we do? It's infuriating because it feels like at the highest level things are spiraling and changing rapidly, but at my level, I'm just a flea trying to reroute the <i>Titanic</i>. Everything feels upside down. The few should feel as constrained in their power as the many feel in our freedom. Problems happen when it gets flip-flopped and change can only happen in a few hands, but the masses can't seem to do anything--and it feels like that's where we are.<br />
<br />
I am kind of just ready to see this period of America as history, but I don't want to be one who commits evil or let's it happen because I did nothing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
P.S. Full disclosure, if I had my way from here I think I'd like to see Rubio vs. Sanders, and I am not sure who I would then vote for.<br />
<br />keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-72831190919376347052016-01-14T21:27:00.001-05:002016-01-15T16:13:42.052-05:00About That 3rd Baby...<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was looking back at a post from years ago because I needed to find an old photo of Layla, and read a few little snippets from her baby-hood. I was shocked because I had written about phases, quirks and stories of Layla the Baby that I have since completely forgotten. This was depressing because I have been terrible about blogging during Noa's life (I'm excellent about Instagramming though! Partial credit?), and am now wondering what phases of hers I have already forgotten and aren't even on the record for posterity.<br />
<br />
So here is a post all about Noa, and her first 15 months.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u9ltDgTACVmnpnhk0FoWgbQBHR8vrR0H4pFRmpEeqhM3WrYTOhtR_rs0Y4f9gm0AU3o_-N0rezyaXkKuu4-8xzcdNaE2-HZRVwA3J-y-bRaP71pEo4egaRcS-M-xcGtkunZMz-i6PVc/s1600/6D42E5D7-0EFA-4F28-BF59-B301A75C3509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u9ltDgTACVmnpnhk0FoWgbQBHR8vrR0H4pFRmpEeqhM3WrYTOhtR_rs0Y4f9gm0AU3o_-N0rezyaXkKuu4-8xzcdNaE2-HZRVwA3J-y-bRaP71pEo4egaRcS-M-xcGtkunZMz-i6PVc/s640/6D42E5D7-0EFA-4F28-BF59-B301A75C3509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Baby's first August.</b></div>
<br />
Noa can whistle. Like legit whistle. She unintentionally holds her lips in the exact right position (that older children try SO hard to pull off) so that her normal breathing creates a 2 second whistle tone. I first noticed it during her crawling phase (around 7 months) when I was home alone with her and kept hearing whistling. This is alarming when it's just you and a baby in the house. She hadn't been doing it so much lately, but it definitely belongs in the annals of her weird.<br />
<br />
Noa was the EASIEST infant of all time. She would do cardio smiling most of the day, and when she got tired from that, she would whine a little bit. We learned that this first whine meant that she wanted to be taken to bed immediately with no other to-do. We put her face down, and she would do a move we called "shrink-wrapping" where she would just short of condense in on herself, snuggling her blanket closer, and drawing all her limbs into a little ball. No crying, no looking back, just shrink wrap it, and nap it.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCERCP6sXZqd5g_C2PnMq3CCtmVjiHcZnCPzy5J20t3RTON_pSSpcWwuqxx0PL-mV91TY27fTeZK7uHHx6MAExF4c_6-hmb94XQ9qAc1fqIxwt3p_WXdjycJt-25bKlWtkYHB4kWG2EE8/s1600/3377A3AF-B293-4AD4-8264-93B2A3DF4C5F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCERCP6sXZqd5g_C2PnMq3CCtmVjiHcZnCPzy5J20t3RTON_pSSpcWwuqxx0PL-mV91TY27fTeZK7uHHx6MAExF4c_6-hmb94XQ9qAc1fqIxwt3p_WXdjycJt-25bKlWtkYHB4kWG2EE8/s640/3377A3AF-B293-4AD4-8264-93B2A3DF4C5F.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lighting up a room is tiring...better go straight to sleep.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That said, she has become the worst sleeping toddler of all our kids. This is 100% our fault as we havent tried even a bit to sleep train her, and since I let her nurse around the clock when we were breastfeeding (which went away after her 13th month and she doesn't even care!...meanwhile I am mourning.). She wakes up 1 or 2 times after going to bed every night. She doesn't want anything in particular--though we sometimes give a bottle (bottles forever, because she's a BABY!). We are, um, in process on that one. Since she and Layla share a room (Noa is in the walk-in closet), crying it out isn't really the same game as it would be if she was alone (though Layla can sleep through a LOT). This storyline is TBD.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jqMAK3ubXY1Jnt130Wh8yrgyPlZUuPzfr_YEfCD587qfb0G0omKeLOi6V_vtzMmpYGYdvXj2Yz4HURtvdcXuK-tje0Oo4Y_eRMTiA6G5RFD_BYpjTD07u2E9OGWWoIV3dQ4IEHUcWx0/s1600/AA03AA62-D8D7-4252-9E96-AF4E047EB6BE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jqMAK3ubXY1Jnt130Wh8yrgyPlZUuPzfr_YEfCD587qfb0G0omKeLOi6V_vtzMmpYGYdvXj2Yz4HURtvdcXuK-tje0Oo4Y_eRMTiA6G5RFD_BYpjTD07u2E9OGWWoIV3dQ4IEHUcWx0/s640/AA03AA62-D8D7-4252-9E96-AF4E047EB6BE.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>we are now paying for the11 pm nursing/snuggle sessions that I allowed. WORTH IT TIMES INFINITY</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Noa has the most sophisticated palate of any baby I know. When she was about 8-9 months old and had barely started solids, she seemed interested in Jesse's sea bass risotto one day. Her let her try some and ended up with legit stingy thoughts about how significantly much of his meal she ended up eating/taking from him. She gets incredibly bored with simple foods like yogurt or cheerios, and needs at least one adventurous meal a day. She will snub applesauce and slam farro and soybean salad. The big kids cannot believe she won't join their "team" of picky eaters and are disgusted when they see her downing sundried tomato couscous.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQZ8I0luXc6fEhA4jvfZS-4fi8pbOYogE4umORJWXt6ISPTxQZ517bAICTP7-dBiBlFJhMCB1-Ww50MEOMUSyfldZN533vc1ZkXS5E8Jiflc3lHEh-vecpxnVVwV3FHHJNIz0zenDMsw/s1600/47F61D60-BD92-4F3E-8B94-EFB5865451E9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQZ8I0luXc6fEhA4jvfZS-4fi8pbOYogE4umORJWXt6ISPTxQZ517bAICTP7-dBiBlFJhMCB1-Ww50MEOMUSyfldZN533vc1ZkXS5E8Jiflc3lHEh-vecpxnVVwV3FHHJNIz0zenDMsw/s640/47F61D60-BD92-4F3E-8B94-EFB5865451E9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Baby is a fiend for kale smoothies. Check out that leg pudge glory.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Naturally after eating comes the poop. Like Layla, Noa thinks it's the height of coolness to poop in a brand new diaper. She also poops tiny pellets (and no, shes not dehydrated and she gets plenty of fiber) that look like little nothing-balls, but smell wretched. She's creating like poop's equivalent of bullion cubes. Such concentrated "flavor" in a tiny package. She also is the quickest draw in the west at reaching down during a diaper change and grabbing the open tab of the dirty diaper and whipping it out from under her--sending poop pellets scurrying about. Even when you are ready for this move, you cannot prevent it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkz-afq3HzWL4xm0azHk3Tgy-borFazOa_UKWwD8K8V8uhzOMRMi_qU2NLo78wkPP3hjwrJ7jLMhMLVEbLyjePk4hqMGwB3LhaVBD2zjb1m1PB7GEzbUcf7veny91jQbiP7YVHlcFPgp0/s1600/685585EF-CF2E-47D5-8C0E-D94C7129D0C8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkz-afq3HzWL4xm0azHk3Tgy-borFazOa_UKWwD8K8V8uhzOMRMi_qU2NLo78wkPP3hjwrJ7jLMhMLVEbLyjePk4hqMGwB3LhaVBD2zjb1m1PB7GEzbUcf7veny91jQbiP7YVHlcFPgp0/s640/685585EF-CF2E-47D5-8C0E-D94C7129D0C8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Dolls upon dolls.</b></div>
<br />
Noa is a safety enthusiast. We knew we wouldn't do a baby gate on our stairs, so from the time she could climb them, we started teaching her how to safely go down. Same for disembarking from couches and beds: get on your tummy and scoot back down until your feet hit something solid. She took to this rapidly, and may be guilty of overusing it. if we are walking and there is the slightest downhill slope she turns around, lies on her belly and tries to backward scoot "down" it (even if it is just a 4-inch difference in sea level over 3 linear feet). Any change in altitude = belly scoot.<br />
<br />
She has begun to loathe her carseat and car rides longer than 10 minutes. This is brand new for us as we have only had kids who were great car riders (including her!) up til now. But we have also never kept a kid backward-facing past a year (b/c Judah and Layla were around before that was like a fully real thing and, I dunno, we are terrible) so maybe it's developmental. Her current carseat is rated up to 30 lbs and she is currently only 22, so we have a long time to go still. That is fine, but the weird thing is that when she is staying with her Grand Dukes, she LOVES the seat and will go crawl into it and immediately fall asleep. Does she do this anywhere else? No. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So one night when she was 10 months old, we were hanging out with Jesse's parents after an early date night and Noa was sleepy. So Jesse got her "all set up" in her carseat in the bedroom. After an hour or so I asked him, "you totally buckled her in right?" because, I dunno, she was already walking at this point in life and those things are hard to balance a moving child on without restraint. He was like, "um, no, she passed right out though." I asked him to go check on her and buckle her just in case.<br />
<br />
He walked in the bedroom and the carseat was empty.<br />
<br />
<br />
So that's a bit startling for him. But there's no sign of her anywhere else either!<br />
<br />
<br />
Then he sees this...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXmop45ZO-zxxKhmU9szBWXtQp2lTPzwFcX8PF97jgpra-ZRbIBgqANId8GEIhVuP7UbbByZZnZOhCuHkuu7cVRdV0RtDRg8Q7qgJovwuUMKq5ixYldPCknI3m00lIX1MO4CNAxMK_BA/s1600/unnamed+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXmop45ZO-zxxKhmU9szBWXtQp2lTPzwFcX8PF97jgpra-ZRbIBgqANId8GEIhVuP7UbbByZZnZOhCuHkuu7cVRdV0RtDRg8Q7qgJovwuUMKq5ixYldPCknI3m00lIX1MO4CNAxMK_BA/s640/unnamed+%25286%2529.jpg" width="480" /></b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Nerd had gotten out of her seat, crawled under the bed--in the pitch dark, mind you--and fallen soundly asleep. Freaking wonderful!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
She MAY have a temper. From being the easiest and sweetest little baby, she is now in the running to be the most rage-a-holic older baby in the family. She is just NOT about being told no. I think since she's our magic #3 princess who has always been pampered by everyone, it's kind of a rude awakening to be discovering that her will does not equal law any longer. At the first sign of noncompliance to her wishes, she gets MAD. A completely mad--not sad--baby is a wonder. Seeing her hulk-rage against who or whatever is holding her back is a sight. She can hissy jump her entire high chair across the room if we refuse to let her out of its bonds. If I am holding her while telling her she can't do/have something, she will PINCH ME. It should be interesting to see how this unfolds.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEe4Rh0p1NIUGfiHyiCScyiZ7lyJqnRD0ONNj6mJU0NkWzk0S_IIW12TxXg8xTbFBoQpqy7pzgIqhhz1YdBTKrzkLVZef1bbAiETEOA1NbkUoPhXzzhzN-ghCuloiSrfSyY8lIA5F0NM/s1600/785E2E5D-5FD7-467F-8395-F8CE9D123E08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEe4Rh0p1NIUGfiHyiCScyiZ7lyJqnRD0ONNj6mJU0NkWzk0S_IIW12TxXg8xTbFBoQpqy7pzgIqhhz1YdBTKrzkLVZef1bbAiETEOA1NbkUoPhXzzhzN-ghCuloiSrfSyY8lIA5F0NM/s640/785E2E5D-5FD7-467F-8395-F8CE9D123E08.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<b>This was taken on an airplane after 2 hours in the air sweatily rage-wrestling each other for dominance. A one year old is the worst travel companion: all the motion and will, no dedicated seat or language skills.</b></div>
</div>
<br />
Noa and I have a strong bond. I don't know if it's the longer breastfeeding, spending more days working from home, being more relaxed and a better mom on my third baby, or just her personality (I suspect its all of those combined), but she makes me feel like more of a mom than either of my other two did by this point. That sounds kinda harsh, but it's true. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7AI2t_ujL8kDnrVh1S1p021wSk4xBAqeIiLwO_eFz1Yw_5r3vQdHPj8-uPy9oMkZJiniwjQN7p8-BO3KNi0ZB2EmidIj8PYonMLiYopH2QirCnqZFTAhlFZub2CucFnrXFh90OKBnCs/s1600/DCCD6F3A-A60F-4B0F-93D7-26C6847CBBC2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7AI2t_ujL8kDnrVh1S1p021wSk4xBAqeIiLwO_eFz1Yw_5r3vQdHPj8-uPy9oMkZJiniwjQN7p8-BO3KNi0ZB2EmidIj8PYonMLiYopH2QirCnqZFTAhlFZub2CucFnrXFh90OKBnCs/s640/DCCD6F3A-A60F-4B0F-93D7-26C6847CBBC2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<b>Tite-bond.</b></div>
<br />
Because they stopped "needing" me for milk at 5-6 months, it was easy for Judah and Layla to bond elsewhere (re: Jesse) so I didn't get the full measure of that action. And being the broken, flawed person I am, when I feel unloved or un-pursued, I tend to pull back myself (I know this is nuts to do with a baby, but I only realized this in retrospect). I think that led to a bit of a gap in my mommy bond with those two until they were older. With Noa I have never doubted that I am her #1 source of attachment and security and have intentionally leaned in to her even when I don't feel that. She adores Jesse, but I finally feel like the "Oh, she just wants her mama!" thing is actually true, and it has been affirming (and sometimes annoying--Noa, let a lady pee!) to feel so secure in that position. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOo25V5iPjjJYexeYMGmr9GpB4N8bj5YHJ334kEnojsnn40owq-Vob-f9jtc9tPdFk71chasdJV1oe6IXmV0OCvFNWEfyCsdMd2J9N5Mm_oQtD09j_RievPFMZxOAG_kWnqn2plBOGzE/s1600/8CD8325F-3995-48C5-BEFC-DD280B5EC443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOo25V5iPjjJYexeYMGmr9GpB4N8bj5YHJ334kEnojsnn40owq-Vob-f9jtc9tPdFk71chasdJV1oe6IXmV0OCvFNWEfyCsdMd2J9N5Mm_oQtD09j_RievPFMZxOAG_kWnqn2plBOGzE/s640/8CD8325F-3995-48C5-BEFC-DD280B5EC443.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Cant really blame anyone for liking him best, though.</b></div>
<br />
She has three teeth. 3. The bottom middle two teeth came in as expected around 6-8 months. Then nothing until 13 months, and blammo: one tooth. And just like Judah: IT ISNT A MIDDLE TOOTH! It is a single, next-one-over, vampire situation! Unlike Judah, there have been no other teeth following close behind (<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2010/03/btw.html"><b>he had a nice matching set</b></a>). Poor girl doesn't even have a top-bottom pair that matches up yet. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fmrxBaeXnevlaoCf68zeqwHX1iXzHnb1pAPZLidK-i026HeXQntpsXbwc8JJHRjNoTvwd55wWSC3bmQjpRTJc-CopOlBAPI_aNhHowRvIPtgI0lOBP-wHiu19SeguxVhv0rz4QjcUF8/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fmrxBaeXnevlaoCf68zeqwHX1iXzHnb1pAPZLidK-i026HeXQntpsXbwc8JJHRjNoTvwd55wWSC3bmQjpRTJc-CopOlBAPI_aNhHowRvIPtgI0lOBP-wHiu19SeguxVhv0rz4QjcUF8/s640/FullSizeRender+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Precious Moments.</b></div>
<br />
Dark hair. Her entire life. No sign of fair. I am giving it one more summer to lighten up and then I'm ordering a maternity test. I joke. I would love a little baby brunette. I think all 3 kids will end up brown (Jesse started out very blonde his first few years). She is rocking the full on mullet right now with no sign of curls, but can pull of delightful piggie sprout tails. I do think the sun with lighten her up a good bit, but am doubting it will go full blonde. What a world. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
She has an obession with LaCroix sparkling water. This is Jesse and my every day, 4x a day drink. But kids don't usually love it, much less babies. But she sees that can and is all "WAH-WAH" with grabby hand motions until I put a straw in and let her have some. The bubbles make for interesting reactions since she is utterly surprised by them every time and does this bizarre inside-out-mouth face. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrJn0bVghyl8hzsr5VLag45hyphenhyphenyGz6i7-6TrYI1oPZXugmY-XzLOCHWUcB7kEjOTmZtqZO09mcCioEPEUHhv43PEHhxjAi16DQeGG-notmQAJFkbNCUzI4QQ_pOKyH3fGQiW2iqyYUvKA/s1600/02312829-7483-4288-B88A-A9F8D1D134B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrJn0bVghyl8hzsr5VLag45hyphenhyphenyGz6i7-6TrYI1oPZXugmY-XzLOCHWUcB7kEjOTmZtqZO09mcCioEPEUHhv43PEHhxjAi16DQeGG-notmQAJFkbNCUzI4QQ_pOKyH3fGQiW2iqyYUvKA/s640/02312829-7483-4288-B88A-A9F8D1D134B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is the same face she makes eating buttered rice: sucking the butter off every grain. Maternity test cancelled: she's OBVIOUSLY mine.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hopefully I have covered enough of her quirks to fill in the rapidly growing brain gaps my old age is providing. This little baby is sweet and feisty and attached and independent and soft and fiere and we cannot wait to see who this delightful potato dumpling is becoming and all the weird phases she goes through on her way!<br />
<br />
We love you, Noa Lou!</div>
<br />
<br />keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-63451566503386671922015-11-17T11:06:00.001-05:002015-11-17T11:17:36.696-05:00Opening the Floodgates, But Maybe Not the Border<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">My husband is known by his friends (AND ENEMIES--looking at you, Skeletor!) for willingly and ably wading into
hot-button, murky topics that are politically polarizing, and having focused,
rational dialogue about them. ON SOCIAL MEDIA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQoo-bJWM1GKeAuJkrlCTqGg4nL6ID60FichE1lXMi8ZEKCOXS0yH1foSl3rFMUPhXjGU4JaUHRj9CB0y8fPVV_XWwUG9lKJg74B-uw_dKZPWpl6HrIXeMDx9YWn5f7EKtAvAV-wId0U/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+11172015+94152+AM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQoo-bJWM1GKeAuJkrlCTqGg4nL6ID60FichE1lXMi8ZEKCOXS0yH1foSl3rFMUPhXjGU4JaUHRj9CB0y8fPVV_XWwUG9lKJg74B-uw_dKZPWpl6HrIXeMDx9YWn5f7EKtAvAV-wId0U/s640/Fullscreen+capture+11172015+94152+AM.bmp.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">174 comments. On ESTATE TAX REFORM. I just died of both boredom
and rage all at once.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But God
bless that Jesse Dukes, he hangs in there. He respectfully replies to all comments--notably
even the butt-ass-crazy ones--with reason and an openness to legitimately have his own position changed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">This
bizarre behavior is basically the digital equivalent of someone setting up High
Tea on the beach of Normandy during the D-Day invasion, and then calmly
inviting the combatants to sit and discuss their quarrels over cucumber sammies
(no crust). "Bullets? Oh, are there bullets? Now, what were you saying about women should be required to burn their yoga pants on the altar?" He asks, while wiping a
crumb from his mouth with an embroidered napkin.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am guilty of being one of the soldiers who just wants to lob a
logic grenade and then crawl to safety. I usually can hang for one or two
replies, and then I lose my mind and just troll the comments with my awkward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnLinZVr1cAhF7oYMODIbbIiMNO9mfFp9MOX83LL39qLVyoeuCXJhlrsKQv99IjUiUFBIMqHD5lhL_L73FLce9xEWg6AgObugCAM29mPtG_Irw1ldrFgW4ghTCKbpBU9pAGb13n3SMoM/s1600/10423861_10101279568032329_5759268356359538880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnLinZVr1cAhF7oYMODIbbIiMNO9mfFp9MOX83LL39qLVyoeuCXJhlrsKQv99IjUiUFBIMqHD5lhL_L73FLce9xEWg6AgObugCAM29mPtG_Irw1ldrFgW4ghTCKbpBU9pAGb13n3SMoM/s640/10423861_10101279568032329_5759268356359538880_n.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> You
know how I be.</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">HOWEVER. Today I really do want to hear from "the other
side." Or at least the slice of them who follow Jesus (strangely it seems
that the "most christian" people are the ones the most vocally
against this). Because I can't get my brain there by myself: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 17.1333px;">--------------------------------------</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">If you are a Jesus follower AND you are against the U.S.
offering refuge here to Middle Eastern citizens displaced by war, can you
please help me through how you reconcile those?</span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am uncertain how a candidate or citizen can hold Bible verses
that don't seem to allow alternate interpretation in their heads and hearts
while seeming to do and call for the opposite: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Matthew 25:41-43: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I was homeless and you gave me no
bed.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Leviticus 19:34. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Love him [a foreigner] like one
of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">My thinking is really simple, and I am not sure I will be budging
from these premises, at least: </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1. Jesus
is for the refugee. Jesus is for His own enemies. Literally.</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Um. I feel like I dont even need to add backup explanations
here. If we aren't <i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">capice
</i>about this, then we are talking about two different guys and can't go much
further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2. If you
claim Christ's grace, you yourself are a refugee who has been welcomed.</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Every person who has accepted the Grace of Christ has been adopted
as a child of God Himself, and has eternal citizenship in heaven. And by
definition that means each of us WAS ONCE A REFUGEE. Was ripped out of a
perfect home as a consequence of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;">war</u><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>between satan and God, and given our
deserved fate of pain, suffering, hunger, disease as a result of our status as
refugees untethered to our God and home. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3. I
didn't have to pass a test to be welcomed: He died to have me even while I spit
in His face.</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: black; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>excluded from citizenship</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>in Israel and foreigners to the
covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. </span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: </span><b style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">While
we were still sinners</span></b><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">, Christ died for us. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(Eph
2:12 // Rom 5:8) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">--------------------------------------</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Okay so there is my stance. BUT I know that it isn't just that
simple, especially when national policy is involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Is it simply a matter of compartmentalizing your faith as
separate from your politics? Saying, "I will obey those commands
personally, but it might not be best for America to make policy in accordance
with them." </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Because I can get <b style="font-size: 14px;">there</b> mentally, even if I
disagree on this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
I think it would be a disaster to try to legislate 100% by Christian principles. That would be A: against the constitution (the only document America bound itself to by definition), and B: making a Sharia Nation--just of a different religion. This idea will never ever work until Jesus comes back (And the gov-ern-ment shall be upon his sho-o-o-o-ulders!).</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
But if that's the basis for how we vote and legislate, then why would we try to stand in the way of gay marriage or abortion rights on the basis of biblical principles? Isn't that just cherry picking? Claiming "God's Way for America!" when lines up with what we want, but proclaiming "Separation of Church and State," when it doesn't?" (And I think I may be guilty of this too!)</div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I guess this one seems more cut-and-dry: Jesus is saying
"DO THIS," and yet some people want to make a law that would prevent--as a country--obedience to this even as individuals (because we can't give them a bed in my house if they aren't allowed in America. Because, ya know, my house and beds? They're in America).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 12.85pt;">I seriously want to know and <u>am not looking to whammy anyone or
debate back</u>. I want to learn (because I am really good at black and white thinking) more of the perspectives on this. I know many ultra-kind political conservatives who have the most giving, loving, non-</span><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 17.1333px;">judgmental</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 12.85pt;"> hearts, and I want to hear how that works out in their lives.</span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">So here we go. </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>To Christians against welcoming Arab Refugees to America:</b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>1. How do you reconcile the closing of our border to these people with your faith and status as a citizen of heaven?</b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>2. How do you think we could/should obey Jesus' commands individually while not legislating any kind of refugee acceptance?</b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>For Everyone:</b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.85pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>3. Where/how do you draw a line between your politics and your faith? </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 12.85pt;"> </b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 12.85pt;"><br /></b></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-70386162113464963242015-11-16T05:30:00.000-05:002016-09-23T11:46:05.319-04:00Halloween 2015: Guardi-ukes of the Galaxy<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.84000015258789px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
More of our Halloween nonsense:</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 15.84px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2009/11/ta-da_04.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2009: Sushi Fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2010/11/halloween-for-4.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2010 : Volley Fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2011/10/group-costume-2k11.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2011: Curious George fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/11/wall-e-ween.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">2012: Wall-E W</a>een</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2013/11/halloween-come-on-vamanos.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">2013: Dora Fam</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2015/01/halloween-2014-walking-dukes.html" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">2014: The Walking Dukes</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/10/costumesor-do-i.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">a few pre-kids group hits ("Clue" and britney/k-fed)</a></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another October, another insane, homemade family costume for us.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I saw Guardians of the Galaxy months after it came out. I am not a huge fan of the recent Marvel movies (they take themselves too seriously), so despite my love (LOVE-AH) for Chris Pratt in <i>Parks and Rec,</i> I wasn't too interested when this came out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But I kept hearing great things about it as more of a comedy/rock opera than your typical superhero fare. That, plus a few articles on Chris' new abs sold me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I paid $6 to watch it on the plane out to Utah when Noa and I went in December during maternity leave. I paid $6 again to watch it on the return flight too. And then I paid to rent it from RedBox and make my family watch it when I got home. Then I paid to buy it AND its soundtrack. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It's hilarious and the music rules. Watch it now.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It took maybe 45 minutes watching it before I realized that this could be our group costume--assuming Judah and Layla liked the movie, which they very much did (note: this is PG-13, but most of what makes it so goes over the head of a 4 & 6 year old. I think it might <i>not</i> be appropriate for a 8/9 year old who could catch more of the sexy innuendo jokes or cuss words, but mine are young enough to be clueless).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This year Jesse and I made the BRILLIANT decision to not stay dressed up ourselves when we left the house--drastically decreasing the discomfort and embarrassment factor. This was huge because we went real trick-or-treating in our new neighborhood this year instead of to a contained Fall Festival. I cannot have our neighbors having this as their first impression of us. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Also, by the time I finish all the last minute DIY's, I am in full Stress-Dragon mode, and don't really want kids coming up to me talking to me like I am whatever character I'm dressed up as that year. GROOT WILL DESTROY YOU.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was fabulous to be able to just wear jeans and have my penchant for dressing up as a tree in my backyard be my little secret.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_3V8mb97DnJBfvct5JffGAmtj_FEoE-KuIojJ0KZ10VkPB8lyjspMnJViWvF0PQXOlhTTc_VlmLLpffrDsVhlJMM2_tk6DGEMfXJ7hyphenhyphenAUTpTdGzHEmHpKZ4FsB6jV1sAyAmqTTVrrLU/s1600/IMG_0328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_3V8mb97DnJBfvct5JffGAmtj_FEoE-KuIojJ0KZ10VkPB8lyjspMnJViWvF0PQXOlhTTc_VlmLLpffrDsVhlJMM2_tk6DGEMfXJ7hyphenhyphenAUTpTdGzHEmHpKZ4FsB6jV1sAyAmqTTVrrLU/s640/IMG_0328.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="text-align: center;">Halloween 2k15. Boo-ya</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy32GzaKup_minYMHeh5jx5TXTvesOSb_MUeoY5BE7OuPNtbaPZjMbLfYMiY7mLbvpUvocVqzR6gihfTTg5scn8rffREzhnjKPMPVJ9IRur9oY5Qn7VX3wjFdnPt1xcI895HFtTIa6D10/s1600/guardiansofthegalaxyfirstlook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy32GzaKup_minYMHeh5jx5TXTvesOSb_MUeoY5BE7OuPNtbaPZjMbLfYMiY7mLbvpUvocVqzR6gihfTTg5scn8rffREzhnjKPMPVJ9IRur9oY5Qn7VX3wjFdnPt1xcI895HFtTIa6D10/s640/guardiansofthegalaxyfirstlook.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Welysyw9bYneN5H1XHClltZuK_2bN57gr3-7CoYNK7ZRsLokgUWlvrTFOr_jGvF9tdhEb4FTYsxJ-MAF0ZUptYtMVE86RZVS3nP1vP0yakP-hAJbgZyAGjdzbAhzxcHkrs2gfy-XpPA/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+11132015+114321+AM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Welysyw9bYneN5H1XHClltZuK_2bN57gr3-7CoYNK7ZRsLokgUWlvrTFOr_jGvF9tdhEb4FTYsxJ-MAF0ZUptYtMVE86RZVS3nP1vP0yakP-hAJbgZyAGjdzbAhzxcHkrs2gfy-XpPA/s400/Fullscreen+capture+11132015+114321+AM.bmp.jpg" width="397" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Judah as Peter Quill/Starlord</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite part of Judah's was the addition of the orange headphones. Judah's favorite song of all time since watching this is "Come and Get Your Love," so he needed the headphones.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCSoxEUbVxIa9IEif1WWEXcwJiZG5wctDxLwF8pY4BsZPxp7il-ZEbcKPfYhaaVggGSUOJUPv7Kz9OvEehKlKaWxou-X7l2EUc0AkGtU911cE9OzTaXsyUHO1bWMdjnFDuRhNzQ_qzbg/s1600/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCSoxEUbVxIa9IEif1WWEXcwJiZG5wctDxLwF8pY4BsZPxp7il-ZEbcKPfYhaaVggGSUOJUPv7Kz9OvEehKlKaWxou-X7l2EUc0AkGtU911cE9OzTaXsyUHO1bWMdjnFDuRhNzQ_qzbg/s400/IMG_0300.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Flying, duh.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgk7FHQr_1ryujXdgHOkv7LBNXIxV5vEjCULk7WOWV6Owj47PE-HSJHDfjbn2HcpmKD0BSR14_TUalQlELMK022kTaO_zIkYRmOBJOl0TslUlTptPGTcQQ07zIt7cPzy-svqzKcdlv04/s1600/IMG_0019+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgk7FHQr_1ryujXdgHOkv7LBNXIxV5vEjCULk7WOWV6Owj47PE-HSJHDfjbn2HcpmKD0BSR14_TUalQlELMK022kTaO_zIkYRmOBJOl0TslUlTptPGTcQQ07zIt7cPzy-svqzKcdlv04/s400/IMG_0019+%25281%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Not about it.</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-vECVkvv1ZhIHYlxuHI8E1utjUMGiTfNiYp63xYepOFT3b7L58S-bzdM0oWAE6TEaYKfpSB9d9tiFmuAcFigzXerOaBGRaHJzwNtR-0szhv7v7TekeFxU8cHKT2QX9wMupp890Xc9vA/s1600/guardians_of_the_galaxy___star_lord_by_ratohnhaketon645-d7rp9ga.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-vECVkvv1ZhIHYlxuHI8E1utjUMGiTfNiYp63xYepOFT3b7L58S-bzdM0oWAE6TEaYKfpSB9d9tiFmuAcFigzXerOaBGRaHJzwNtR-0szhv7v7TekeFxU8cHKT2QX9wMupp890Xc9vA/s400/guardians_of_the_galaxy___star_lord_by_ratohnhaketon645-d7rp9ga.png" width="278" /></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Inspiration</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
The coat (which appears as both a signature trench and a short version in the movie) is made from a ladies' velvet blazer from Goodwill with some leather scraps sewn on. Judah was not pleased at first when I pulled this out of the bag, but the sewing skills made it something he loved so much that he currently sleeps in bed with. Like a blankie. Spectacular weirdo.</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyh29UJToiNnLIf6HKhI2OwSGdv-4K7KmNlW75Buxt2NR9SbvZWnFvlD10agGPisg9jKMY9HOhHhvBYtTR6gQlVUWdW4LwBoSr8GwsFMjFg1P7trBwJN7onQ7RaY-8-dj6_I_1IEhJ-E/s1600/Halloween4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyh29UJToiNnLIf6HKhI2OwSGdv-4K7KmNlW75Buxt2NR9SbvZWnFvlD10agGPisg9jKMY9HOhHhvBYtTR6gQlVUWdW4LwBoSr8GwsFMjFg1P7trBwJN7onQ7RaY-8-dj6_I_1IEhJ-E/s640/Halloween4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The orb. You'll never possess it, Ronan! (Possessing Chris wouldnt be so bad...)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUbI4NoJa_CZfnP2_6mIBBbRkK7GTlvIV9FSrmjozQ16MpXbC-Ti0WNMIHmB9C3nhT_Qssx0Sr8DAyzxresxpzNENAfzJz7hg7p5QeGR-Q-dJMYrfqjnEyP1H2MD94h9NjB1iLoojAwQ/s1600/Halloween1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUbI4NoJa_CZfnP2_6mIBBbRkK7GTlvIV9FSrmjozQ16MpXbC-Ti0WNMIHmB9C3nhT_Qssx0Sr8DAyzxresxpzNENAfzJz7hg7p5QeGR-Q-dJMYrfqjnEyP1H2MD94h9NjB1iLoojAwQ/s400/Halloween1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Layla as Gamora. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Layla plays a raven-haired, sword wielding badass chick for the second year in a row! Green facepaint, a green rashguard from Goodwill turned her into the green-hued beauty you see before you. I cut down a cargo shirt to make the vest and added some duct tape gemstones. Also, toned down the cleave.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaEakzrpJVtzi0-0IJdUvRM7dOerNssFnchnJYfumjoCRMk_PZzuwk9QegpSnRjHVXU-mXTqKx49IYFw5uxqzjWYxWWWXyLHEaSVDXfwZDnqEhj7PwdM-zJDe6QikLOQPBobwcuXx62o/s1600/Desktop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaEakzrpJVtzi0-0IJdUvRM7dOerNssFnchnJYfumjoCRMk_PZzuwk9QegpSnRjHVXU-mXTqKx49IYFw5uxqzjWYxWWWXyLHEaSVDXfwZDnqEhj7PwdM-zJDe6QikLOQPBobwcuXx62o/s400/Desktop1.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Layla was ALL ABOUT getting into character and recreating scenes.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmktE0u90L9yKNLAifTndu6G88ebz8ifo7Ri8NbwC3Ht8R-NMWg-iZP2awja7E5W7iCHMnWfcAziEpkeB9ny91T8kPP1_25pwnB0ZulQUVnIPgBo7FVBXrVd7FphIYXq9nKb8Ts3rfASM/s1600/Collages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmktE0u90L9yKNLAifTndu6G88ebz8ifo7Ri8NbwC3Ht8R-NMWg-iZP2awja7E5W7iCHMnWfcAziEpkeB9ny91T8kPP1_25pwnB0ZulQUVnIPgBo7FVBXrVd7FphIYXq9nKb8Ts3rfASM/s640/Collages.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>She was even okay recreating the almost-smoochy scence that turns into a butt-kicking and one of the funniest lines of the movie: PELVIC SORCERY! (sorry that image is cruddy)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfGxJF1aJRk4_h-qzNCBzmgOYc1MCHUCk_xl1oyMZe12htNFKiZJkN07L26NaOqwMD0fbOgax1FGvHcHScvSN0_n72szHJI3856rPaZf0_6rp1gmygdkKPlkieyq-EfUomLZaBI-Ls6Q/s1600/Halloween2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfGxJF1aJRk4_h-qzNCBzmgOYc1MCHUCk_xl1oyMZe12htNFKiZJkN07L26NaOqwMD0fbOgax1FGvHcHScvSN0_n72szHJI3856rPaZf0_6rp1gmygdkKPlkieyq-EfUomLZaBI-Ls6Q/s400/Halloween2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Noa Lou as Rocket Raccoon. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Noa was the perfect size to play rocket! I found a used baby raccoon costume on eBay for way cheap over the summer and just added a yellow shirt and duct tape. Noa was pretty steady on the "bewildered" side of things in terms of her reaction to this family production. So she didn't really channel the character like I would have hoped. I'm disappointed by her acting skills.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggj0WaCOHIekPSVrcFwZ1ru_hQd-6bOA6Xb8oNdA24_QOZRH7bcBVgRV6lZ6ihzs9tvE17pNzAEO4gEOxMuzdOCBJJOTESx0qRjabYueA2WeqHXBk7MpHqqvj8lRX-wfhErPTgXTAVb7g/s1600/Halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggj0WaCOHIekPSVrcFwZ1ru_hQd-6bOA6Xb8oNdA24_QOZRH7bcBVgRV6lZ6ihzs9tvE17pNzAEO4gEOxMuzdOCBJJOTESx0qRjabYueA2WeqHXBk7MpHqqvj8lRX-wfhErPTgXTAVb7g/s400/Halloween.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Speaking of skills, check out Jesse as Drax the Destroyer!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Silver facepaint and swimcap, plus some tattoo stickers and a homemade shirt with implants...of muscles.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVLVblM6T7qPgg_HmqGkBy2Ahr9uZTZs8zG4M5rBATS5nOkr4ZK5aHurEyfjSaSqVsvEVBLv26kBFaQu1UNYWqpOcOxbeEhNQ4OAFbVWvG6TpMReEOrYGVcLjOE5XBxZFqUWX0fg4Tjw/s1600/Halloween3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVLVblM6T7qPgg_HmqGkBy2Ahr9uZTZs8zG4M5rBATS5nOkr4ZK5aHurEyfjSaSqVsvEVBLv26kBFaQu1UNYWqpOcOxbeEhNQ4OAFbVWvG6TpMReEOrYGVcLjOE5XBxZFqUWX0fg4Tjw/s400/Halloween3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>aaaaaand as per usual, I get whatever costume and character is left over. This time it was Groot. I AM GROOT.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Groot was surprisingly easy and cheap to make. Twisted craft paper and cardboard over earth tone clothes. I should have added more roots. I'm thinking the whole Mommy-as-Groot thing, is what interfered with Noa's concentration that day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKTPF3c7KCxkGi5trKIwbeB9y6t2DuJX0i9CyabqTsgbT5RRRt-R_AXYRPMu8ylciO-ys4IzUBZ5E3VtA3byGqlmXoFAMTdMUGnkC1uPIuy0Kh1O1xuSWoyPqxlEXx3VZFQ3zKQmQCbQ/s1600/Desktop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKTPF3c7KCxkGi5trKIwbeB9y6t2DuJX0i9CyabqTsgbT5RRRt-R_AXYRPMu8ylciO-ys4IzUBZ5E3VtA3byGqlmXoFAMTdMUGnkC1uPIuy0Kh1O1xuSWoyPqxlEXx3VZFQ3zKQmQCbQ/s640/Desktop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Yeah. She was...perplexed. If not downright terrified. Even though I was extra friendly version of Groot.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCMGLLgZdlMjA0e7kbI3iqikF8rojLMt0kMOVxIK64yjMffohYcHSOb9KctPsq1gk2_QnYM_twIDUO8aQ4ib7ed7O14ednMPdv2rB3z5dASh-ZRur56g85tdtq5md7Wob3Y3d8vANnV8/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCMGLLgZdlMjA0e7kbI3iqikF8rojLMt0kMOVxIK64yjMffohYcHSOb9KctPsq1gk2_QnYM_twIDUO8aQ4ib7ed7O14ednMPdv2rB3z5dASh-ZRur56g85tdtq5md7Wob3Y3d8vANnV8/s400/IMG_0345.JPG" width="365" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Sometimes terrified.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuHfYLJjl0jsiIna3f_bkK2OoEgq2F5MqwlkKpJVfvgSiBCVOyic-Dq6FDarotI87mbY-YQFwc3KZhTmhipj1ZXzCu98rAg1aCJoGTOt_71rZZtTFc5BOfh9T0ZSAFPiw_D2adC_44CQ/s1600/IMG_0309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuHfYLJjl0jsiIna3f_bkK2OoEgq2F5MqwlkKpJVfvgSiBCVOyic-Dq6FDarotI87mbY-YQFwc3KZhTmhipj1ZXzCu98rAg1aCJoGTOt_71rZZtTFc5BOfh9T0ZSAFPiw_D2adC_44CQ/s640/IMG_0309.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Weird how Jesse's natural abs are riding up.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm8_EhPQH3SvhtahfAWvpP2mxs3GuzoEWUu6dxb5E5eLObtW4w6qqC7zOoGK3J3Cr4dEPToZ226reGkb1kVaQ5zS6xIMCbp5jpwCbnwOChKSqQ0ALoFdsTtQfMSQUpfpV4hU5mGIzXws/s1600/IMG_0303+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYm8_EhPQH3SvhtahfAWvpP2mxs3GuzoEWUu6dxb5E5eLObtW4w6qqC7zOoGK3J3Cr4dEPToZ226reGkb1kVaQ5zS6xIMCbp5jpwCbnwOChKSqQ0ALoFdsTtQfMSQUpfpV4hU5mGIzXws/s640/IMG_0303+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> FIIIIIGHT (this one Judah was all about recreating)</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgVYF9Rmtt06Rj8H4w5XpitWsQTpjNdKVUdiRdA0UvAFq-01yXcgsINxiYxONFdu9CVpGJHWoLMZfZHjD753LxnXxAj9ihjweCc7Tifq9ulTNckdyI8t9q-ZujTlRijtSX0s9O9Rku6s/s1600/IMG_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgVYF9Rmtt06Rj8H4w5XpitWsQTpjNdKVUdiRdA0UvAFq-01yXcgsINxiYxONFdu9CVpGJHWoLMZfZHjD753LxnXxAj9ihjweCc7Tifq9ulTNckdyI8t9q-ZujTlRijtSX0s9O9Rku6s/s640/IMG_0241.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> They are the winners of the family acting prizes.</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74oY_HVhZb1IG_yaUTXCbTQTwTgIyjAQD40YRw0aQxzpEnDbg5t2SwjjfsbuKJD-PvIeaiXMo-fXdyUdKlpTkgHFW28ymK6PMlml08ovdQE7ZFyKIrJDOBGPXuW1hgVc8IXGehJ63Lbs/s1600/IMG_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74oY_HVhZb1IG_yaUTXCbTQTwTgIyjAQD40YRw0aQxzpEnDbg5t2SwjjfsbuKJD-PvIeaiXMo-fXdyUdKlpTkgHFW28ymK6PMlml08ovdQE7ZFyKIrJDOBGPXuW1hgVc8IXGehJ63Lbs/s640/IMG_0247.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-DiGCiaaP_W_c6EFO6cGyPvtw9ZrfnonKfxG35HX21VeLVVd55zhXeum2csxatepW7uHcCBgFArjKsG4EnoktnMzjVyFPJ6rfUxyyL8M2jL5x2FrFd5tSzaAJRX0XTysKjJ6C3vJYic/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-DiGCiaaP_W_c6EFO6cGyPvtw9ZrfnonKfxG35HX21VeLVVd55zhXeum2csxatepW7uHcCBgFArjKsG4EnoktnMzjVyFPJ6rfUxyyL8M2jL5x2FrFd5tSzaAJRX0XTysKjJ6C3vJYic/s640/IMG_0280.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>smiling to ensure her safety with the camera person in exchange for escape from the flora that ate mommy.</b></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The thrill of this conquest lasted maybe an hour. Around bedtime that night I was already, "oh my gosh Jesse, what are we going to do next year?!? We'll never think of anything!" And then I put those thoughts away until the very last minute next year.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is now our most consistent, well-documented family tradition. I don't even know what to think about that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
More of our Halloween nonsense:</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2009/11/ta-da_04.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2009: Sushi Fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2010/11/halloween-for-4.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2010 : Volley Fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2011/10/group-costume-2k11.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><b>2011: Curious George fam</b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/11/wall-e-ween.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">2012: Wall-E W</a>een</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2013/11/halloween-come-on-vamanos.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">2013: Dora Fam</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2015/01/halloween-2014-walking-dukes.html">2014: The Walking Dukes</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/10/costumesor-do-i.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">a few pre-kids group hits ("Clue" and britney/k-fed)</a></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/10/costumesor-do-i.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></b></div>
<b style="color: #0075b1;"><a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/10/costumesor-do-i.html" style="color: #0075b1; text-decoration: none;">
</a></b>keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-25629122662926281932015-11-12T11:55:00.002-05:002015-11-12T11:55:33.575-05:00Noa's Birth:The Sights<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcIfha-yfpjhMMyh3B0NI0LQKB5IkLVp16pKmP5DQf8DD0TfGKxBIUaEOymiM_cCAhL3aPLxZtrvyifmhRn3KaZ1LWtmvMen79A8lQS9MTTZ7WnG-T0NQ6YEhJsymG0eBlJZ39DRrUhMP/s1600/_DSC4601+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcIfha-yfpjhMMyh3B0NI0LQKB5IkLVp16pKmP5DQf8DD0TfGKxBIUaEOymiM_cCAhL3aPLxZtrvyifmhRn3KaZ1LWtmvMen79A8lQS9MTTZ7WnG-T0NQ6YEhJsymG0eBlJZ39DRrUhMP/s640/_DSC4601+copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV2g4c2-50nzBH9o62X_CPHOqOIsxgLIWcU64NHxLxczF1GToE4tft_-Ue7UGuXWSm0ScUjQ4ct7jF_KAeGnOUqLodfheNpWY3ehu5RNADIVFZgTfv14yq408cl8Wa_3fHdksqPhLMDQP/s1600/_DSC4598-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRV2g4c2-50nzBH9o62X_CPHOqOIsxgLIWcU64NHxLxczF1GToE4tft_-Ue7UGuXWSm0ScUjQ4ct7jF_KAeGnOUqLodfheNpWY3ehu5RNADIVFZgTfv14yq408cl8Wa_3fHdksqPhLMDQP/s640/_DSC4598-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMMzpGtGHvFRXpwxfZ6Uhek0CAoBvare7dfPz7K9M5is7hO2ovzPpTwkkN9bQY16HP7upqUjLz9CO511cQsPSdKKnMcu4LNjKwF4gZ0ebRLA5NEL4izWUF9VSpME7syd3XozaYNg9vm_H/s1600/_DSC4580-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMMzpGtGHvFRXpwxfZ6Uhek0CAoBvare7dfPz7K9M5is7hO2ovzPpTwkkN9bQY16HP7upqUjLz9CO511cQsPSdKKnMcu4LNjKwF4gZ0ebRLA5NEL4izWUF9VSpME7syd3XozaYNg9vm_H/s640/_DSC4580-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIfaQvh6KJaLd6brIhF4Y_UJ50J4Sdy59lfnmyciy_RUgRpsQfwQ7JJSR3-X6Ei1uqUHrxdrHrzWwLA1mfsv1DrtInSYlsNhuXPk7hd8ACmcoSObzDie2FydyFGz7JOxejNNdQG_VHFSy/s1600/_DSC4507-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIfaQvh6KJaLd6brIhF4Y_UJ50J4Sdy59lfnmyciy_RUgRpsQfwQ7JJSR3-X6Ei1uqUHrxdrHrzWwLA1mfsv1DrtInSYlsNhuXPk7hd8ACmcoSObzDie2FydyFGz7JOxejNNdQG_VHFSy/s640/_DSC4507-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexINnbdN6jRMe_kSowd6ISRj7YSt2rB6yjiSm4MQzjkmkyXF9wNQhf6ex6kSLrAtO6zdpdenqYGbeOD4KCbW2P_BA9rCvUZgAGaociQLtiMifLOhs709Gv4eTxfL-pkXPkxGKldQg_CQ/s1600/_DSC4510-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexINnbdN6jRMe_kSowd6ISRj7YSt2rB6yjiSm4MQzjkmkyXF9wNQhf6ex6kSLrAtO6zdpdenqYGbeOD4KCbW2P_BA9rCvUZgAGaociQLtiMifLOhs709Gv4eTxfL-pkXPkxGKldQg_CQ/s640/_DSC4510-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPMYqWOI1JX4X6hJnAuvikvYPC_iyT_SIa_aAEOWv70S0M-Slk6PQRsV1vto3iqDh7zx5wbmg25gQoVxQ3-wXFt5fBSTdI_OAlowms0edBnsiXd8E-39V2RTU25Zzm6mbnxgiIIrSmsg/s1600/_DSC4514-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPMYqWOI1JX4X6hJnAuvikvYPC_iyT_SIa_aAEOWv70S0M-Slk6PQRsV1vto3iqDh7zx5wbmg25gQoVxQ3-wXFt5fBSTdI_OAlowms0edBnsiXd8E-39V2RTU25Zzm6mbnxgiIIrSmsg/s640/_DSC4514-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbLLoZccZR7vD1Lj8lHYwtCvW1riOKUezQPsfTpvAT_qNOXpgc2i4A7a4w9SPnGoVS9hZfFsPE-8YeLtC__MjLXobD3m5dNFZQK4_jtg9kF44JA5HUc6V1Dbob5I8Th2LjCIL4iXdGY8/s1600/_DSC4521-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbLLoZccZR7vD1Lj8lHYwtCvW1riOKUezQPsfTpvAT_qNOXpgc2i4A7a4w9SPnGoVS9hZfFsPE-8YeLtC__MjLXobD3m5dNFZQK4_jtg9kF44JA5HUc6V1Dbob5I8Th2LjCIL4iXdGY8/s640/_DSC4521-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3fI3LUjkcI25T3b8QZ7divxRSLc7jAntLeSnaPO47C7wlQ2i-YNrG_yeXet_4JubGZjQ1nFeLdhb1mUmB6Yua2HG2WyvQeJVh1bKAI-HK4jGnkqyphis2IC1nLCsl7kCrHqlCux_jw8/s1600/_DSC4527-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3fI3LUjkcI25T3b8QZ7divxRSLc7jAntLeSnaPO47C7wlQ2i-YNrG_yeXet_4JubGZjQ1nFeLdhb1mUmB6Yua2HG2WyvQeJVh1bKAI-HK4jGnkqyphis2IC1nLCsl7kCrHqlCux_jw8/s640/_DSC4527-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCcHzvhSK6QnswVcQvFjH2Jv5rDvxGMBqsbbE3ScHPZnHx0b3J3CxmR22eoly8zj82-DmKssrF8QaHP85A5fIU8wQm-xzNTcwfRFxJqiLi7pOelmUBRVJXiSPZSjDy8M7Dz0xzkL2YAE/s1600/_DSC4547-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCcHzvhSK6QnswVcQvFjH2Jv5rDvxGMBqsbbE3ScHPZnHx0b3J3CxmR22eoly8zj82-DmKssrF8QaHP85A5fIU8wQm-xzNTcwfRFxJqiLi7pOelmUBRVJXiSPZSjDy8M7Dz0xzkL2YAE/s640/_DSC4547-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jm9LK6J27pmD4aVqQCS823SuUfxly69J-P-joJD2ZTDExL8yEtcuVkHYcdifn5MEwUR5_NvcnA9TpJix_qIoTSkfPzk9tUiXAHxVu7sGCw1ZGJ4qwB73GRk2uil3vZJ5kE57THRi9T8/s1600/_DSC4548-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jm9LK6J27pmD4aVqQCS823SuUfxly69J-P-joJD2ZTDExL8yEtcuVkHYcdifn5MEwUR5_NvcnA9TpJix_qIoTSkfPzk9tUiXAHxVu7sGCw1ZGJ4qwB73GRk2uil3vZJ5kE57THRi9T8/s640/_DSC4548-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY-bPmCXgO110B7VjgR7wvHkTw2aL33V_cuvNyc1R550HytYBP6aY7ZSZqqrNABEMzVwmwKoLI3PMXQHTwjoZfn02IJFfeAmNPSd6eFbuRbGfex2Tjz8NMGihWbX51sA_PJ9nnghG_n0/s1600/_DSC4550-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYY-bPmCXgO110B7VjgR7wvHkTw2aL33V_cuvNyc1R550HytYBP6aY7ZSZqqrNABEMzVwmwKoLI3PMXQHTwjoZfn02IJFfeAmNPSd6eFbuRbGfex2Tjz8NMGihWbX51sA_PJ9nnghG_n0/s640/_DSC4550-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYHFvLldHVU_r87R-fgkd8z11i2LIxV65JwiB58Gedt8hziFMUAviB2se6JwfXd1D-JDW6nZlXdEYDLZiKt5HeAl6R4hHatwpMELhvKtYOWdauNzE2OlYJKvoRCHwyyVAxex9akBoM6A/s1600/_DSC4555-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYHFvLldHVU_r87R-fgkd8z11i2LIxV65JwiB58Gedt8hziFMUAviB2se6JwfXd1D-JDW6nZlXdEYDLZiKt5HeAl6R4hHatwpMELhvKtYOWdauNzE2OlYJKvoRCHwyyVAxex9akBoM6A/s640/_DSC4555-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYdZOeF7S8N6rGWZOPCF_F1uy7I8UMPNtxpc-P4dYUMZ_tklg7byVyvbNKAdhMyq-SWJ5tftlwagDmgZh1WkSL5Qy6Bx0OSZ7UYkE2AvJjhKU8TiYudV6tf2UvF513Jc7dwMqrarr-p8/s1600/_DSC4559-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYdZOeF7S8N6rGWZOPCF_F1uy7I8UMPNtxpc-P4dYUMZ_tklg7byVyvbNKAdhMyq-SWJ5tftlwagDmgZh1WkSL5Qy6Bx0OSZ7UYkE2AvJjhKU8TiYudV6tf2UvF513Jc7dwMqrarr-p8/s640/_DSC4559-2.jpg" width="640" /></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;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zwRP542Y1YmsViLAvteMXOFe2DbjwsLwV-rU5BfvuKdMZu7m3xL6EKsIDERRvUr21G6J5PsaBGI5R6XXpQrLPpyNjqhDDzwp45TU9ZeX1T9LHn8jZcekaV5rdGijmeadATwA1lKry2Wz/s1600/_DSC4560-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zwRP542Y1YmsViLAvteMXOFe2DbjwsLwV-rU5BfvuKdMZu7m3xL6EKsIDERRvUr21G6J5PsaBGI5R6XXpQrLPpyNjqhDDzwp45TU9ZeX1T9LHn8jZcekaV5rdGijmeadATwA1lKry2Wz/s640/_DSC4560-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZy-3_sFuk0hzxEhirddLz3gm-UtkzlMCowaAJQauAhNAhMAcZRssUW8koiE2dwIZvx8mxfGhzCatnYXOmgIz6dtArr_4rK2DFZGowuVnNVJHqbOvMQtVTVuSiVvd8izq6Xw5XmCNfhi0/s1600/_DSC4562-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZy-3_sFuk0hzxEhirddLz3gm-UtkzlMCowaAJQauAhNAhMAcZRssUW8koiE2dwIZvx8mxfGhzCatnYXOmgIz6dtArr_4rK2DFZGowuVnNVJHqbOvMQtVTVuSiVvd8izq6Xw5XmCNfhi0/s640/_DSC4562-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQsMnYKMZ-EQYTJD_mgtSEFUkxGKv5RAaJCMM5mBeOqM1P81ZCIPZJ_S4YgOhmI3266vSJmCSZ7f95bsQefvAwchTW8IjN0n-NTxBOoqWS_VOrYdUFhDfeUfnoDnsGoGdkJXGMZb-Ib6b/s1600/_DSC4572-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQsMnYKMZ-EQYTJD_mgtSEFUkxGKv5RAaJCMM5mBeOqM1P81ZCIPZJ_S4YgOhmI3266vSJmCSZ7f95bsQefvAwchTW8IjN0n-NTxBOoqWS_VOrYdUFhDfeUfnoDnsGoGdkJXGMZb-Ib6b/s640/_DSC4572-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7x7x1A6z0U4ihjCi9WCDNwEbhaQkfpm6Z2kaiokReRXTKMjl265CrKiUKwjQurAx0LAugNSp3ebW8ZyLpSnCeaNEOXDAib8xx3LPDe7xwWSBhlgh9-gAVVmBUSi8keHpdPvl0ke2T-ll/s1600/_DSC4574-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7x7x1A6z0U4ihjCi9WCDNwEbhaQkfpm6Z2kaiokReRXTKMjl265CrKiUKwjQurAx0LAugNSp3ebW8ZyLpSnCeaNEOXDAib8xx3LPDe7xwWSBhlgh9-gAVVmBUSi8keHpdPvl0ke2T-ll/s640/_DSC4574-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv644n9oZ-pVEJvce-I73yLZKGIuT-e9F84rpq2k1ZZp3I4Hko7dGZU5BSfDIaRogtpKlllgaOoqjcDOM10QVgd002_ForOamM28Nvl1MRf2Te6Uy1bBxN7rV1egDSe8xO0Hn05z49_7zj/s1600/_DSC4581-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv644n9oZ-pVEJvce-I73yLZKGIuT-e9F84rpq2k1ZZp3I4Hko7dGZU5BSfDIaRogtpKlllgaOoqjcDOM10QVgd002_ForOamM28Nvl1MRf2Te6Uy1bBxN7rV1egDSe8xO0Hn05z49_7zj/s640/_DSC4581-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFpJbYnm7UtVwLVjc8uyexBp6HQEiSaYVpnFdb_GrQ3doJa2NoSqcnR1LB5CthxigmsJIQMUj27Q2J6xkLJwMxx1xZFnVgsKadJgS-m3Gm4hFmaTXI7nWE_wnraSxTLMLQWJVrNECYpQG/s1600/_DSC4590-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFpJbYnm7UtVwLVjc8uyexBp6HQEiSaYVpnFdb_GrQ3doJa2NoSqcnR1LB5CthxigmsJIQMUj27Q2J6xkLJwMxx1xZFnVgsKadJgS-m3Gm4hFmaTXI7nWE_wnraSxTLMLQWJVrNECYpQG/s640/_DSC4590-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA4KUWMFP_M-UtzqtC_Vu_Y8sGWOIfcJC7PAmRudN7YO8jFGlan-EvY_fLVuh6T9ad7Em9DZoJQqnVfY2tipcSe6fYAgyRHsK-NzKFKUlODoLYU_6debof_jUT3C1QwpKUP2An_YhHzWr/s1600/_DSC4591-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCA4KUWMFP_M-UtzqtC_Vu_Y8sGWOIfcJC7PAmRudN7YO8jFGlan-EvY_fLVuh6T9ad7Em9DZoJQqnVfY2tipcSe6fYAgyRHsK-NzKFKUlODoLYU_6debof_jUT3C1QwpKUP2An_YhHzWr/s640/_DSC4591-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulkU4e2ko8vUeNO4AjFn2pj3_1vnzzPo3bqUzHkeha0-WSv3DJY2438bxY5YKaicmh3ugCmraxD68LpfucD-ool4ylrY5FGHGYLdyd51TvCmzsZO-dGuP3u5Z0YUnZGDDHC05ZRt1rgCb/s1600/_DSC4594b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhulkU4e2ko8vUeNO4AjFn2pj3_1vnzzPo3bqUzHkeha0-WSv3DJY2438bxY5YKaicmh3ugCmraxD68LpfucD-ool4ylrY5FGHGYLdyd51TvCmzsZO-dGuP3u5Z0YUnZGDDHC05ZRt1rgCb/s640/_DSC4594b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98PIvd1wXuf_ftuZfATkdq-21ZFMJT5WyFts25v8mMqtCfnxZVLX_9edxLGCLgLPo5tgqJnMoiXCN1U7-evP9KaP1UfR2Jz0CY7f3x1ZVFecNBTR4xNVQILGfsG-aWk8VlqSiXkNlzTM/s1600/_DSC4604b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98PIvd1wXuf_ftuZfATkdq-21ZFMJT5WyFts25v8mMqtCfnxZVLX_9edxLGCLgLPo5tgqJnMoiXCN1U7-evP9KaP1UfR2Jz0CY7f3x1ZVFecNBTR4xNVQILGfsG-aWk8VlqSiXkNlzTM/s640/_DSC4604b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JC7D1ujIcMfSZYJ2ysoSWWWf_ShvrhDsmuKnM1bH_fV_2XV4mh4OxiFvpGy0OssydXenkMl9dNRJ9Q8p8-XvQ3b0rH-msjPLIF7cq0HFlbhNY2y6taaGTE9XeSKAWR4svQXATg-P8mc/s1600/_DSC4608-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JC7D1ujIcMfSZYJ2ysoSWWWf_ShvrhDsmuKnM1bH_fV_2XV4mh4OxiFvpGy0OssydXenkMl9dNRJ9Q8p8-XvQ3b0rH-msjPLIF7cq0HFlbhNY2y6taaGTE9XeSKAWR4svQXATg-P8mc/s640/_DSC4608-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFpb9vXC6fx3sl_znks32vDs8om3L6eL0lyI-_ihwMI-JBNWp4FrA5cTekcwi04CyqRvyh0wchrbtBCzX-dPMH0Nn5s4ghxAcFm8GrTEhVSt3GwNkLx8cSefquk12DPSJRlLYaHixRK0/s1600/_DSC4612-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFpb9vXC6fx3sl_znks32vDs8om3L6eL0lyI-_ihwMI-JBNWp4FrA5cTekcwi04CyqRvyh0wchrbtBCzX-dPMH0Nn5s4ghxAcFm8GrTEhVSt3GwNkLx8cSefquk12DPSJRlLYaHixRK0/s640/_DSC4612-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1abIgclq71UV_CsVfUP20RenV964str8zUkFhAcL-YGFq3S8YyfTN-Bb-Pek0sWB7b95MVDQAi1RgqQxb_0zu8xgSTnzmfmAyt97JMnk7tsXqBq0pObMwR5RA2tk07V6tUaXHJF_i6Ch/s1600/_DSC4618-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1abIgclq71UV_CsVfUP20RenV964str8zUkFhAcL-YGFq3S8YyfTN-Bb-Pek0sWB7b95MVDQAi1RgqQxb_0zu8xgSTnzmfmAyt97JMnk7tsXqBq0pObMwR5RA2tk07V6tUaXHJF_i6Ch/s640/_DSC4618-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM4tbna-VjR3EgA2QQkSU2AXDZnboJTuXByrtjoy-8aJsXv2kr8qOPbHoD4fq0KCB-YanP7mhGjjPz6KIn7AhF3lAIRBp9ScdW3bshE6Y4yJqVysYCNyLcjnNP9gQHM9w1oBG4W_vGa6D/s1600/_DSC4620-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM4tbna-VjR3EgA2QQkSU2AXDZnboJTuXByrtjoy-8aJsXv2kr8qOPbHoD4fq0KCB-YanP7mhGjjPz6KIn7AhF3lAIRBp9ScdW3bshE6Y4yJqVysYCNyLcjnNP9gQHM9w1oBG4W_vGa6D/s640/_DSC4620-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5qGQElO98DR3e9SWfRknRp2j73fuOwoS_U4AScBuBUK-NZsNKeXaqVTvngeYpVfE4CTLiVNZQgfaq15WUexioJX0B9PElcd2AUNBw_pZ0GT9W9t2OWj67lezl4Buym4r9HhfacaMGUUT/s1600/_DSC4624-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5qGQElO98DR3e9SWfRknRp2j73fuOwoS_U4AScBuBUK-NZsNKeXaqVTvngeYpVfE4CTLiVNZQgfaq15WUexioJX0B9PElcd2AUNBw_pZ0GT9W9t2OWj67lezl4Buym4r9HhfacaMGUUT/s640/_DSC4624-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UggiFmKpA2AVKJ5X2TPEvUvp-HvCQoh-h23cH8ZEzXKKFAucv8HQ9doPwYMa_nXb6htFrandfn4Qri_Am2Sygs66JpXHfw3gGQzTwtzbM_EQUMim5n-QUHVw9oxUjTpvAfvxLSmTBSQv/s1600/_DSC4629-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UggiFmKpA2AVKJ5X2TPEvUvp-HvCQoh-h23cH8ZEzXKKFAucv8HQ9doPwYMa_nXb6htFrandfn4Qri_Am2Sygs66JpXHfw3gGQzTwtzbM_EQUMim5n-QUHVw9oxUjTpvAfvxLSmTBSQv/s640/_DSC4629-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN54PDNrjMo1Qmf4Obgtc6t-0xDOermBU1OoSi4VDBggqTdbu6mE74q1lLffb1Dtt5dCpkfHqbpmv1S8b9dqFu5iiUZrq5o7apElApDrRsLzcXg40zwGLLr9CANt8DGhyphenhyphenHOuhfvw3Er5QA/s1600/_DSC4635-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN54PDNrjMo1Qmf4Obgtc6t-0xDOermBU1OoSi4VDBggqTdbu6mE74q1lLffb1Dtt5dCpkfHqbpmv1S8b9dqFu5iiUZrq5o7apElApDrRsLzcXg40zwGLLr9CANt8DGhyphenhyphenHOuhfvw3Er5QA/s640/_DSC4635-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmwzmWBcyYkuiJ4s6yyFkB15Ktx_xXG9_Vr4tLzPm1KzKh3lqBJrS7UwuDA1luGNExdfdT1QuHQ5dFiqNOxiS3AHIROxdsLhTxBrqY7j520KH-c5Ymn3HdVcHZkdQpNYi1wORSzxgVFq5/s1600/_DSC4642-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmwzmWBcyYkuiJ4s6yyFkB15Ktx_xXG9_Vr4tLzPm1KzKh3lqBJrS7UwuDA1luGNExdfdT1QuHQ5dFiqNOxiS3AHIROxdsLhTxBrqY7j520KH-c5Ymn3HdVcHZkdQpNYi1wORSzxgVFq5/s640/_DSC4642-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp1d2YK0AmvD-ruE0y2lwh54o-oAu0BOulmWeHGHtin8HabnLetjIpXpRTH1XS0CJj7DVEARPh-UrRcTBv7gAVXBXU57NzWKQmzlaVQR9p781nAboxM-3t3BCUB17uTsRcnJahw77qxpD/s1600/_DSC4643-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp1d2YK0AmvD-ruE0y2lwh54o-oAu0BOulmWeHGHtin8HabnLetjIpXpRTH1XS0CJj7DVEARPh-UrRcTBv7gAVXBXU57NzWKQmzlaVQR9p781nAboxM-3t3BCUB17uTsRcnJahw77qxpD/s640/_DSC4643-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbgCjbwoDSQHmcknX-BfeVjv8P7ft-kt2w3J8f2aE9bcBlBztNOrRjR3ZRZ-IqV4O0ERq0J754ZigQFKLarOL11_Qx6K5osarR5hwn6FMHui1WylN9ZX-XyQKplCcNGOTzbmXo9js4kF2/s1600/_DSC4646-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbgCjbwoDSQHmcknX-BfeVjv8P7ft-kt2w3J8f2aE9bcBlBztNOrRjR3ZRZ-IqV4O0ERq0J754ZigQFKLarOL11_Qx6K5osarR5hwn6FMHui1WylN9ZX-XyQKplCcNGOTzbmXo9js4kF2/s640/_DSC4646-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXtcZ8QksfH1ywkCm69re5i0mmWi01bLNrOoQVtN0yexQA_NSPP5pTmxP7NhP5Yd4Q9tow-q15-ljHapuxoijPd0H-5fJDUo7xVo4Sz-DAkUKjP5GwGf1Y6uQUdziYOCzrDKAvVYu5Wik/s1600/_DSC4647-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXtcZ8QksfH1ywkCm69re5i0mmWi01bLNrOoQVtN0yexQA_NSPP5pTmxP7NhP5Yd4Q9tow-q15-ljHapuxoijPd0H-5fJDUo7xVo4Sz-DAkUKjP5GwGf1Y6uQUdziYOCzrDKAvVYu5Wik/s640/_DSC4647-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGW0-kfCd9llXBW0uEnyVimefq16SQRte_lwQVYRxtgHA6TCmR_sbIPoedE8vyuqZdIcZFxy-1cBbdybdk6ea32s2nAF33mh1yumgszZsYgJpO4qIhZLY-mhjjhQLOVDCyRkPKrTCuZrd/s1600/_DSC4649+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGW0-kfCd9llXBW0uEnyVimefq16SQRte_lwQVYRxtgHA6TCmR_sbIPoedE8vyuqZdIcZFxy-1cBbdybdk6ea32s2nAF33mh1yumgszZsYgJpO4qIhZLY-mhjjhQLOVDCyRkPKrTCuZrd/s640/_DSC4649+copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite4qr2tstjsVOWDeJjN7D9RFOYg4kIiOe1OBwdOD3AaHClpISx2SsPe0teRxm74uC3NLxr980dPdQuUZdopAyT08FrqWxqwZNko6F5bZno73xTykgVnLdDrz4b_S9jsNrYj_FK3gNQEuH/s1600/_DSC4653-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite4qr2tstjsVOWDeJjN7D9RFOYg4kIiOe1OBwdOD3AaHClpISx2SsPe0teRxm74uC3NLxr980dPdQuUZdopAyT08FrqWxqwZNko6F5bZno73xTykgVnLdDrz4b_S9jsNrYj_FK3gNQEuH/s640/_DSC4653-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDWOycx_eCKimEVp-35BRYrJnE6E3JpM5sdgvXMvNC4Oh-md6lDktb_QwZ6UlxHOJoG2BgaTt8lJyB0gYoVxRFSLnDcnzyb_thg8FddMw7MzfJp9-4IqOWLN7W7hTOe-KOJFNhBOX6UyH/s1600/_DSC4658-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDWOycx_eCKimEVp-35BRYrJnE6E3JpM5sdgvXMvNC4Oh-md6lDktb_QwZ6UlxHOJoG2BgaTt8lJyB0gYoVxRFSLnDcnzyb_thg8FddMw7MzfJp9-4IqOWLN7W7hTOe-KOJFNhBOX6UyH/s640/_DSC4658-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6v1JrA17m-K4ibV92LkuMqiwPj6DGVMz91O4vnHCYw3YeLsBG0F1B0Idvis3WKb-S3hyRbwGcQDqr3V3cwC9ngELXvInVM_gnMgObuAGE27dDwfOBJ2BjssBIkzGs4NhidomhQGxSj0E/s1600/_DSC4660-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6v1JrA17m-K4ibV92LkuMqiwPj6DGVMz91O4vnHCYw3YeLsBG0F1B0Idvis3WKb-S3hyRbwGcQDqr3V3cwC9ngELXvInVM_gnMgObuAGE27dDwfOBJ2BjssBIkzGs4NhidomhQGxSj0E/s640/_DSC4660-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtFpuSbWA7s-XHAyQr5IKLARyF5l5V6rvL0VU1cu5GDY3-IAj9r-TBZABKDWFZ4LxFGNGxdvSeu4-yrY9DERZT4PYrRi7gqgOk3XslI4mXzCEawH2TenfbXBOFObGK58AABoqdnitGmzw/s1600/_DSC4668-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtFpuSbWA7s-XHAyQr5IKLARyF5l5V6rvL0VU1cu5GDY3-IAj9r-TBZABKDWFZ4LxFGNGxdvSeu4-yrY9DERZT4PYrRi7gqgOk3XslI4mXzCEawH2TenfbXBOFObGK58AABoqdnitGmzw/s640/_DSC4668-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_pRMFXKLew__1mxGx7_V7LwtJbr9TUGgXOJIJI4KoTDTkDgodcCt3g1_WkAZTO0KEACqW6G-UWKw5y3INbECeTny9wzfCCqZQaAPb8e_t4ceyINfAqzMB263CYMp7BeZAEXiv8FXJHPm/s1600/_DSC4670-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_pRMFXKLew__1mxGx7_V7LwtJbr9TUGgXOJIJI4KoTDTkDgodcCt3g1_WkAZTO0KEACqW6G-UWKw5y3INbECeTny9wzfCCqZQaAPb8e_t4ceyINfAqzMB263CYMp7BeZAEXiv8FXJHPm/s640/_DSC4670-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru3gQW4157hrXuuKExzip-53ty-H7wXjguW-H__4rpsGjg6XhP_HxC-B0EVwv5hqEw4n0rsgsnu1q7Fx5LPQciRv53Ma1Cu2kNHvRyq50dDYyh56FQGDx7Z7DuhX3qfZ7xAArDoBoCL1h/s1600/_DSC4671-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru3gQW4157hrXuuKExzip-53ty-H7wXjguW-H__4rpsGjg6XhP_HxC-B0EVwv5hqEw4n0rsgsnu1q7Fx5LPQciRv53Ma1Cu2kNHvRyq50dDYyh56FQGDx7Z7DuhX3qfZ7xAArDoBoCL1h/s640/_DSC4671-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwloOOAo8bNoNVIEpRQuwGIOkPaCK4v1foduNndJ_8OrPERATurvtktuBgpro7RXC6ouWoUXbUMGSytaf2Yfnkt7BjGk4d6ZW47OzJrYhU1lrvDg4lenD_7Fs5M4Q52Hby4mBD1Um2C2JZ/s1600/_DSC4676-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwloOOAo8bNoNVIEpRQuwGIOkPaCK4v1foduNndJ_8OrPERATurvtktuBgpro7RXC6ouWoUXbUMGSytaf2Yfnkt7BjGk4d6ZW47OzJrYhU1lrvDg4lenD_7Fs5M4Q52Hby4mBD1Um2C2JZ/s640/_DSC4676-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEQrH8l09A9aS53KjYiQ7nGlYarRIZbpxTowkEORZDjLqI5Tyifxs_Hce7EiAsVMg47T0h5LQ08eLUlSuCLSqXUGFmxwNAdLBNhLQbyPoaZ_XDgbbYNXuwNP8gzblTStyyIc7dtu1nY8Z/s1600/_DSC4678-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEQrH8l09A9aS53KjYiQ7nGlYarRIZbpxTowkEORZDjLqI5Tyifxs_Hce7EiAsVMg47T0h5LQ08eLUlSuCLSqXUGFmxwNAdLBNhLQbyPoaZ_XDgbbYNXuwNP8gzblTStyyIc7dtu1nY8Z/s640/_DSC4678-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UkJucbFnWxEkKrg8zTugE0qQe0wSGLAluReHN_DShLeooYxTWdmOvylWfJTDcyjFaRHPeW_5ShhnlJtrYVj6Vu5BWQKOHVnFoF1fGJXcOhqvt9DZZfPgprM6kkbOSoxae7KDyKOcwE4i/s1600/_DSC4684-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UkJucbFnWxEkKrg8zTugE0qQe0wSGLAluReHN_DShLeooYxTWdmOvylWfJTDcyjFaRHPeW_5ShhnlJtrYVj6Vu5BWQKOHVnFoF1fGJXcOhqvt9DZZfPgprM6kkbOSoxae7KDyKOcwE4i/s640/_DSC4684-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmoYf6CiaDm8T4me795JzgvVxGDhj0lHP-oXVB9FDsx-YpRrLLMsDVqhWZ_mjQt_b1UbTDFCLS0UAKJGrIl50bgy48TjjUaBqXd00Rk-oqu5aOzxmfFvsCvK-Q1e3fHO3M41FXMU2g5gu/s1600/_DSC4688b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmoYf6CiaDm8T4me795JzgvVxGDhj0lHP-oXVB9FDsx-YpRrLLMsDVqhWZ_mjQt_b1UbTDFCLS0UAKJGrIl50bgy48TjjUaBqXd00Rk-oqu5aOzxmfFvsCvK-Q1e3fHO3M41FXMU2g5gu/s640/_DSC4688b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerXr_tt8rNxarK1dY-mfH6hMGzxySwz6voCZU117YdLSXLjrJxIBTAuDYbjxYgtzipb0ruGevCRut35PUJfCv36oyMEkRqF2Bl0tJmzWGOYocnY-UE1ndBdpvUHEDKKz225-3DWDVR477/s1600/_DSC4689+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerXr_tt8rNxarK1dY-mfH6hMGzxySwz6voCZU117YdLSXLjrJxIBTAuDYbjxYgtzipb0ruGevCRut35PUJfCv36oyMEkRqF2Bl0tJmzWGOYocnY-UE1ndBdpvUHEDKKz225-3DWDVR477/s640/_DSC4689+copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SihiZWgT46vlCDqlY58eeCzwL9ABXM_drGqEO3dgvIv4jkoUkDJmr9AYT6lb2c-JCrbA9boKXqLvNCiiLBeTcmDFin00_H22OeTdAQNvcvwoVDvlHlk9w0BP4Wc_-Z_6vqbyqJXFbvEx/s1600/_DSC4693-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SihiZWgT46vlCDqlY58eeCzwL9ABXM_drGqEO3dgvIv4jkoUkDJmr9AYT6lb2c-JCrbA9boKXqLvNCiiLBeTcmDFin00_H22OeTdAQNvcvwoVDvlHlk9w0BP4Wc_-Z_6vqbyqJXFbvEx/s640/_DSC4693-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKsWehGZFY9a5UqS2Ty5G-GqnI86-HufsRJ3oKQnDJ6NXNoQF6FNCZMd0JHvScAnagmfr2fdPE27S3QWda3U1utN7PGG0Y5gixiTfras4Uei-5fHFvo2gkQ7hc2yq6AELI7jeEDsfJrri/s1600/_DSC4696-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKsWehGZFY9a5UqS2Ty5G-GqnI86-HufsRJ3oKQnDJ6NXNoQF6FNCZMd0JHvScAnagmfr2fdPE27S3QWda3U1utN7PGG0Y5gixiTfras4Uei-5fHFvo2gkQ7hc2yq6AELI7jeEDsfJrri/s640/_DSC4696-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPsqqAWZ8_j7O0Q978DGlnCMEPBXW1y0Ud9LCa4i6idAA5rJC9IjT-bGgcMdkDa65xrSRi0N9OYtFn6FMjUx_-fg2DXwTEt1y1gAWk4K-b94Rp1jzk5aK0KD9hvPYRYCm1rRlNin_gueA/s1600/_DSC4699b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPsqqAWZ8_j7O0Q978DGlnCMEPBXW1y0Ud9LCa4i6idAA5rJC9IjT-bGgcMdkDa65xrSRi0N9OYtFn6FMjUx_-fg2DXwTEt1y1gAWk4K-b94Rp1jzk5aK0KD9hvPYRYCm1rRlNin_gueA/s640/_DSC4699b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqnWlvPH_NbooSCDALCzapS7zm8RsSkm6wtUnG_9NfCEmCQIdNCHqfedfXo2BSVb9ZQ_NKMqKChvOcqYhgzxJp2pEYzp5mom3HDufv-TbcyvjXnDpQrPUepfmCOnhbjfG0JzFY8oluiAe/s1600/_DSC4702-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqnWlvPH_NbooSCDALCzapS7zm8RsSkm6wtUnG_9NfCEmCQIdNCHqfedfXo2BSVb9ZQ_NKMqKChvOcqYhgzxJp2pEYzp5mom3HDufv-TbcyvjXnDpQrPUepfmCOnhbjfG0JzFY8oluiAe/s640/_DSC4702-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEVSZT8dymj553ik73FxGl9Pd4PK3s1-l8UHSvWDmhToqmbp_QGksJa1xOVICERKkf9um_E5fFSAgfWtri-MG0b7QYhRPRG_SAVpYbxOmBf6hGAav3le18iipy-cqd7X1dHP_HlySQJ6x/s1600/_DSC4705-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEVSZT8dymj553ik73FxGl9Pd4PK3s1-l8UHSvWDmhToqmbp_QGksJa1xOVICERKkf9um_E5fFSAgfWtri-MG0b7QYhRPRG_SAVpYbxOmBf6hGAav3le18iipy-cqd7X1dHP_HlySQJ6x/s640/_DSC4705-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVfU13E4NG7aBfhy2mDEwTvlgXt7D9Ql34ddLQ89c9fwu2bzjNcHpowbJhnDWc-ZMm2h2x7BwCXBSQHrgcoh4U5jWHMinZR_0b3rxNu0jNgKT0ynfqAy0lDosOLlIViYQ-rrchFPo41bZ/s1600/_DSC4708-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVfU13E4NG7aBfhy2mDEwTvlgXt7D9Ql34ddLQ89c9fwu2bzjNcHpowbJhnDWc-ZMm2h2x7BwCXBSQHrgcoh4U5jWHMinZR_0b3rxNu0jNgKT0ynfqAy0lDosOLlIViYQ-rrchFPo41bZ/s640/_DSC4708-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mHu18OQMr1me2tnY-Lki2CFQkZPK8jod4l_nj1VnE31P4bKa-flIPYBvYpOGiorqGpViyCQZ5o9qWAgw3K1JN6O6hhJs7kA1FzXN7s_urs9WCm7c9Gj3WmwB9L-KG63ZDLfA_luywLYQ/s1600/_DSC4711-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8mHu18OQMr1me2tnY-Lki2CFQkZPK8jod4l_nj1VnE31P4bKa-flIPYBvYpOGiorqGpViyCQZ5o9qWAgw3K1JN6O6hhJs7kA1FzXN7s_urs9WCm7c9Gj3WmwB9L-KG63ZDLfA_luywLYQ/s640/_DSC4711-2.jpg" width="640" /></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;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mLRb847pun992vnFMyzO3peo4FVRo3jeGOz_gr47xUCwuxWly-PnVQtq97YoE2gYtqT0FWF1JS2J3tggFzwPcw6-CXbHI3VvuH3vqsXpuSr-wFsCeBjIfypVW-O21j6L8rV8ftaAq3s/s1600/_DSC4738-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mLRb847pun992vnFMyzO3peo4FVRo3jeGOz_gr47xUCwuxWly-PnVQtq97YoE2gYtqT0FWF1JS2J3tggFzwPcw6-CXbHI3VvuH3vqsXpuSr-wFsCeBjIfypVW-O21j6L8rV8ftaAq3s/s640/_DSC4738-003.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u0NtLSOyzfWXp-2b0Bck2SutC2vuT3qge3SQVK1Z7gzV8i3YdBI1AQhvmlawUfM89GUshOqChLT6KlkR9pd_ajY50KX8oTPbPW3AVobrlEVlidaez2Qs-Lgf4YQoPbPnzgeYyTcD0p2M/s1600/_DSC4742-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u0NtLSOyzfWXp-2b0Bck2SutC2vuT3qge3SQVK1Z7gzV8i3YdBI1AQhvmlawUfM89GUshOqChLT6KlkR9pd_ajY50KX8oTPbPW3AVobrlEVlidaez2Qs-Lgf4YQoPbPnzgeYyTcD0p2M/s640/_DSC4742-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1yRUyccsgWXEYj6Ds6FXLk4PLe2w6ArU7EErkaxX9APNXHA9OYyt_TfYo-ljAuVnleGTc4HfwA485KRsC36QZnWsFPSr3kotUD65OvlHv6YteRsI3mZxd2YZdaKUIwN5FTtEKbXXdGUy/s1600/_DSC4745-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1yRUyccsgWXEYj6Ds6FXLk4PLe2w6ArU7EErkaxX9APNXHA9OYyt_TfYo-ljAuVnleGTc4HfwA485KRsC36QZnWsFPSr3kotUD65OvlHv6YteRsI3mZxd2YZdaKUIwN5FTtEKbXXdGUy/s640/_DSC4745-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKMg27QhyPWcPfmMwFSk7X_XZYVr0XKCpItjA61rPK-6zXstfOGIL5_3H8TLMS2AnHv_ZZdjOYIHgmjv7hQ2tkWRfVjZWNn3CbYu8WofM9jErU0FunhySU39miQxAJyMkhFFlhezQk4oc/s1600/_DSC4747-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKMg27QhyPWcPfmMwFSk7X_XZYVr0XKCpItjA61rPK-6zXstfOGIL5_3H8TLMS2AnHv_ZZdjOYIHgmjv7hQ2tkWRfVjZWNn3CbYu8WofM9jErU0FunhySU39miQxAJyMkhFFlhezQk4oc/s640/_DSC4747-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZjsaJtIsm3K4yH56RZUMwfsUxaEGfb1kq2Q4dWkMQ-EPqZx1gblpZlfQC75B8U7yhWWI58EfHZ1ChvRVAeuXYX-O-dT-jU1gcPx7v9jWDsqXZOX8GUYPsVfPywWktiXbz9T1f_fU9nHX/s1600/_DSC4758-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZjsaJtIsm3K4yH56RZUMwfsUxaEGfb1kq2Q4dWkMQ-EPqZx1gblpZlfQC75B8U7yhWWI58EfHZ1ChvRVAeuXYX-O-dT-jU1gcPx7v9jWDsqXZOX8GUYPsVfPywWktiXbz9T1f_fU9nHX/s640/_DSC4758-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzJk28ZN4aYKcMTz2HGf7DCuVMuWg3NnQGC0QmG__H5Scy1SBTh-dhbIlDQdTLA2NTwDkc6gOOuolnc0AHyGR7GrLP90t4bZZDXUTMr4adA7XCiZwm8vQxTzp2EmCLjvCGjkrq-AYBO0R/s1600/_DSC4765+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzJk28ZN4aYKcMTz2HGf7DCuVMuWg3NnQGC0QmG__H5Scy1SBTh-dhbIlDQdTLA2NTwDkc6gOOuolnc0AHyGR7GrLP90t4bZZDXUTMr4adA7XCiZwm8vQxTzp2EmCLjvCGjkrq-AYBO0R/s640/_DSC4765+copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5u8hskK2-QfC1yeckdT5dJA4exlYTLmejO73V2lCx_C-vAkS3oC0hQhBby2ANDgCMyerIx1M6DklaInekyPpJ2dhA_FdPEjFLiaqxX3W00Pm9oK7wPVxgPjIvD-PnmgqrMJMQpSEPWQK/s1600/_DSC4769-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5u8hskK2-QfC1yeckdT5dJA4exlYTLmejO73V2lCx_C-vAkS3oC0hQhBby2ANDgCMyerIx1M6DklaInekyPpJ2dhA_FdPEjFLiaqxX3W00Pm9oK7wPVxgPjIvD-PnmgqrMJMQpSEPWQK/s640/_DSC4769-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVncfxKQ4sASk8uWmI0lxY-FjRJgvvELFuWeLJGzQVD3yTF1KXfEzO2S85TM52PvIWArEto1vx-RiDzxm1-ygNCU0zvyjhmIgZlIE9YtumhNaAokj6EkGpZAU_wusN9Ia_8tQPZpK2Z1_6/s1600/_DSC4771-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVncfxKQ4sASk8uWmI0lxY-FjRJgvvELFuWeLJGzQVD3yTF1KXfEzO2S85TM52PvIWArEto1vx-RiDzxm1-ygNCU0zvyjhmIgZlIE9YtumhNaAokj6EkGpZAU_wusN9Ia_8tQPZpK2Z1_6/s640/_DSC4771-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ilO3RwzaKKMKL5gOk_kpc__Fs7-yKpJphYZsMoZ5vzQVU41Ng931Q3qti5ysDnXnIPzNM80VxnvjhyphenhyphenjiHHUpiYHCh8LKUzjsopOSumefd-md3ZWd0LJkbTLYv-eKMCxn9A6lvL7B7f07/s1600/_DSC4778-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ilO3RwzaKKMKL5gOk_kpc__Fs7-yKpJphYZsMoZ5vzQVU41Ng931Q3qti5ysDnXnIPzNM80VxnvjhyphenhyphenjiHHUpiYHCh8LKUzjsopOSumefd-md3ZWd0LJkbTLYv-eKMCxn9A6lvL7B7f07/s640/_DSC4778-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kb9gk98lajAgESF6HwDN4QEOxwquVj3o0BEM0pRfBTG6X_lSlf5zhvVRfjNI7dG2RFU2uAB_VV8DdlIoQVlG92ReewJ9ouM4MYCzXIw4psqctknQd1CRuE1nW_-HqpZoTD4DwHfHKNNh/s1600/_DSC4782-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kb9gk98lajAgESF6HwDN4QEOxwquVj3o0BEM0pRfBTG6X_lSlf5zhvVRfjNI7dG2RFU2uAB_VV8DdlIoQVlG92ReewJ9ouM4MYCzXIw4psqctknQd1CRuE1nW_-HqpZoTD4DwHfHKNNh/s640/_DSC4782-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rn3OYM5vmqwqgvhJUUJyab-rLb0e6Fs2MoKMV9zE7xI3LUejuyDrq8ocqbwyKrk-BceyFchzi1CshICr1oluSNz40dZcCWfYCoGPYkkOXWu1he9uyNhi_mrRirLXuPPekG-jI7uGl3J4/s1600/_DSC4786-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rn3OYM5vmqwqgvhJUUJyab-rLb0e6Fs2MoKMV9zE7xI3LUejuyDrq8ocqbwyKrk-BceyFchzi1CshICr1oluSNz40dZcCWfYCoGPYkkOXWu1he9uyNhi_mrRirLXuPPekG-jI7uGl3J4/s640/_DSC4786-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewFWKh7ki4uFAy-uVEpB6JB-KdjzkWVk2LW2iHvt2SNHKXeZ0MN2cdMD7cG11sD5O_IVIv__rzs0Alsn3jg2wAh0gkV4ZLJDLWgmQVcmYWz8nS_VqnUi-DQFj1g3ftjXuzBw0IAVDcB2K/s1600/_DSC4793-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewFWKh7ki4uFAy-uVEpB6JB-KdjzkWVk2LW2iHvt2SNHKXeZ0MN2cdMD7cG11sD5O_IVIv__rzs0Alsn3jg2wAh0gkV4ZLJDLWgmQVcmYWz8nS_VqnUi-DQFj1g3ftjXuzBw0IAVDcB2K/s640/_DSC4793-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM6jtvpsPH5YUugGl3hNc_FN5AR9z6F-FV76vFu3TLbT9APQRReT9nyAufOjd_pZ2_f5z_UwVWJRmpYEuYMTLVsXlRULdPx9cYXQZxd_oTCmG1iDxrvQGQ8cREd6pB_cVeC58yN0B85Ga/s1600/_DSC4799b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM6jtvpsPH5YUugGl3hNc_FN5AR9z6F-FV76vFu3TLbT9APQRReT9nyAufOjd_pZ2_f5z_UwVWJRmpYEuYMTLVsXlRULdPx9cYXQZxd_oTCmG1iDxrvQGQ8cREd6pB_cVeC58yN0B85Ga/s640/_DSC4799b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCIyaOHLhkEX1X-Cg9dEl97OvwnqyBCTnpZea2Uf-8SQ2rCU5nyifeSE2GE_cjJ4_3nkbxo7mqFDmBA-QwXUTP4C1SZ_Jd-Z2GYZu9aWxmCTd0Sgb9vcdDecXEdLUms2wcrp7eqM1iLjX/s1600/_DSC4802b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCIyaOHLhkEX1X-Cg9dEl97OvwnqyBCTnpZea2Uf-8SQ2rCU5nyifeSE2GE_cjJ4_3nkbxo7mqFDmBA-QwXUTP4C1SZ_Jd-Z2GYZu9aWxmCTd0Sgb9vcdDecXEdLUms2wcrp7eqM1iLjX/s640/_DSC4802b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGQnz9rQajcOaQ4sWe6DZmrqVK02dzPvPtA92yVEB4W4DK25kCNy-4nOb_OgecGUFvR5o5mAWz0qZ-vP34KXpTfcGNvqHDd3yRUxgMhpP2QMKSBVr8gdQciGLpX5mhtxZAQ6h-fl4RJyb/s1600/_DSC4804-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGQnz9rQajcOaQ4sWe6DZmrqVK02dzPvPtA92yVEB4W4DK25kCNy-4nOb_OgecGUFvR5o5mAWz0qZ-vP34KXpTfcGNvqHDd3yRUxgMhpP2QMKSBVr8gdQciGLpX5mhtxZAQ6h-fl4RJyb/s640/_DSC4804-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpMlNB8haxpeEdK6zgda4fOjFK_cHk36z0RJ0MAmGT2eO6PbfaitctyVKCCcFbt4IbXh3q-efybZfG7fhmbHxOt1YdOTqt2oKJ75KBxDztEdSbmadwzsjtTvXIH38YbcikXRq81RIbgfa/s1600/_DSC4807-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpMlNB8haxpeEdK6zgda4fOjFK_cHk36z0RJ0MAmGT2eO6PbfaitctyVKCCcFbt4IbXh3q-efybZfG7fhmbHxOt1YdOTqt2oKJ75KBxDztEdSbmadwzsjtTvXIH38YbcikXRq81RIbgfa/s640/_DSC4807-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7umXqu_n6phBUu8wsFHIY8kBmToVIZr0WuH1TaolLXSvMODEh3TcZN9faU8SVpwuGWLITZ6mjl1rNt1vOq1u4m-mdEwGWxaLuM7lPj7FuZnS52PLpvfPsFG5CBXCTAwEYdJK4CJa0XCxQ/s1600/_DSC4823-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7umXqu_n6phBUu8wsFHIY8kBmToVIZr0WuH1TaolLXSvMODEh3TcZN9faU8SVpwuGWLITZ6mjl1rNt1vOq1u4m-mdEwGWxaLuM7lPj7FuZnS52PLpvfPsFG5CBXCTAwEYdJK4CJa0XCxQ/s640/_DSC4823-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbNa2yU_Ln0yJWNpm9t3Xn9na6Ehy5HqvTRbBEQXBYXExFsyHiDNsrESEHg02KaeugLczlYCxkKcIJSiaQUo-sMyQWyynFc_7hXFwbLMo9RdzqjAX-LZfal0w6LWV6Wn6Vzk6AIwFeqtf/s1600/_DSC4834-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbNa2yU_Ln0yJWNpm9t3Xn9na6Ehy5HqvTRbBEQXBYXExFsyHiDNsrESEHg02KaeugLczlYCxkKcIJSiaQUo-sMyQWyynFc_7hXFwbLMo9RdzqjAX-LZfal0w6LWV6Wn6Vzk6AIwFeqtf/s640/_DSC4834-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNXCsH0N6ZzkwMRTMR8A7Q028P_rxNHhMGqobwnce4mOzLBhdYxKkWxjrzTU_XzhFArwxyEcGolJhk1Rxeac8EqrRvN7QJ5rYu4mWOWclWSgoaMJQr9sE6xtcUB9NwE7gTnhPEMI6oflj/s1600/_DSC4849-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNXCsH0N6ZzkwMRTMR8A7Q028P_rxNHhMGqobwnce4mOzLBhdYxKkWxjrzTU_XzhFArwxyEcGolJhk1Rxeac8EqrRvN7QJ5rYu4mWOWclWSgoaMJQr9sE6xtcUB9NwE7gTnhPEMI6oflj/s640/_DSC4849-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KVcnCFS8mcMONnYPeCNaUzOGQcyzs0VcfaQKNR5DOxw9ZWRQzuFUB624vMsijgm3P31XjcwaQrkpwFFa_zWLkjUFD54s3QP4xXollpCfEyZhouyH2rv8ZkxzFE0yVqLi2CByHMQk8JOI/s1600/_DSC4852-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-KVcnCFS8mcMONnYPeCNaUzOGQcyzs0VcfaQKNR5DOxw9ZWRQzuFUB624vMsijgm3P31XjcwaQrkpwFFa_zWLkjUFD54s3QP4xXollpCfEyZhouyH2rv8ZkxzFE0yVqLi2CByHMQk8JOI/s640/_DSC4852-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuUoSHWHby7TDiKzr4MBUHb07NGKUsNeq5mU49RjoU70dxa-mrRfVeGeUYtfnz2JTzHr74bKPjxCvRClfpgl78-cws2WDJma9no9oqgup_GxOSKXY53Oq39ha8CU-RqKFQv0mmfr1FSVR/s1600/_DSC4857-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuUoSHWHby7TDiKzr4MBUHb07NGKUsNeq5mU49RjoU70dxa-mrRfVeGeUYtfnz2JTzHr74bKPjxCvRClfpgl78-cws2WDJma9no9oqgup_GxOSKXY53Oq39ha8CU-RqKFQv0mmfr1FSVR/s640/_DSC4857-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4sDuOXm5WM4UINy3pQ_LFkNXCsNU3aDBPbHUPLsakTfzPkEi8VMmnruE1ZqgHTbzt8x1twt7Gd-HX0lBIHjhqsbUSjxUaJ-lLSw6obRkVVNr-sZf4fkzDpzzFpZamf_rFwWb1XNVm6BA/s1600/_DSC4863-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4sDuOXm5WM4UINy3pQ_LFkNXCsNU3aDBPbHUPLsakTfzPkEi8VMmnruE1ZqgHTbzt8x1twt7Gd-HX0lBIHjhqsbUSjxUaJ-lLSw6obRkVVNr-sZf4fkzDpzzFpZamf_rFwWb1XNVm6BA/s640/_DSC4863-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGVzUdxaDtgkN3aXu6iM2Ohn-mDi0dEw_6VcT7_fWoIertsD9vP7Q4x3en9lvu7yPYjUUL7czMQqQ2kPzSS3TWrHMwFJDHyu6LFKaq0EfcLbuH95O1rgNPcCU3ivCWZQxTvSo4A2YwDME/s1600/_DSC4876-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGVzUdxaDtgkN3aXu6iM2Ohn-mDi0dEw_6VcT7_fWoIertsD9vP7Q4x3en9lvu7yPYjUUL7czMQqQ2kPzSS3TWrHMwFJDHyu6LFKaq0EfcLbuH95O1rgNPcCU3ivCWZQxTvSo4A2YwDME/s640/_DSC4876-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGd1oWg2E0ony06KNdvWWuhfDxqKRuomlsrZWRs4zbDo5rn7vtCMsIww_CbP4qh1AAVpt6JeU5pSSVpElTheS4oi5jWLEPQgeN8qIOfHKynJcXgwTwZn95mhw1uqkf4v4YkgvjqPK-_yq/s1600/_DSC4877-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGd1oWg2E0ony06KNdvWWuhfDxqKRuomlsrZWRs4zbDo5rn7vtCMsIww_CbP4qh1AAVpt6JeU5pSSVpElTheS4oi5jWLEPQgeN8qIOfHKynJcXgwTwZn95mhw1uqkf4v4YkgvjqPK-_yq/s640/_DSC4877-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2-Rl_Qhxf1ZrJ_USPoAPID6_2GH4Sc6b91Jt3GXHqq1B0PtUCTcuuOA5SqWDTVcRepkeaFGqJl_eqICtEBideeBgsZkP_SjCNzQJadUvgOo86GwOzzzupTR3FePj0n7DlKpxT3wYihXv/s1600/_DSC4880-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2-Rl_Qhxf1ZrJ_USPoAPID6_2GH4Sc6b91Jt3GXHqq1B0PtUCTcuuOA5SqWDTVcRepkeaFGqJl_eqICtEBideeBgsZkP_SjCNzQJadUvgOo86GwOzzzupTR3FePj0n7DlKpxT3wYihXv/s640/_DSC4880-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I_qMH0jlRYeEyMmcQZz5fQ7DJFQ37VTvyvzf5SRXxmvEUjRaZARZyLtIkYxwdfBhAWEQNYE04ZW3mJwZAHElIe-VTnEjzALdc8t7J_hPc3I8yUASbaCB09nvcrdVa5IgqrOKmPN9_XT9/s1600/_DSC4882-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2I_qMH0jlRYeEyMmcQZz5fQ7DJFQ37VTvyvzf5SRXxmvEUjRaZARZyLtIkYxwdfBhAWEQNYE04ZW3mJwZAHElIe-VTnEjzALdc8t7J_hPc3I8yUASbaCB09nvcrdVa5IgqrOKmPN9_XT9/s640/_DSC4882-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeFhgBsScmumNkhpqmNHhUWQ3-ERbBJuoF7WHfi-OuIqK1vNiXljB_IyCdzqVt64UsdYSeW0EYGDtxAjJRqz7MQ5YQ7956ifj3uv-kY7v7xwzbkkAfNfK3UphyOkQrUOJtWEs_Bn8bSfA/s1600/_DSC4884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeFhgBsScmumNkhpqmNHhUWQ3-ERbBJuoF7WHfi-OuIqK1vNiXljB_IyCdzqVt64UsdYSeW0EYGDtxAjJRqz7MQ5YQ7956ifj3uv-kY7v7xwzbkkAfNfK3UphyOkQrUOJtWEs_Bn8bSfA/s640/_DSC4884.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIrv-CVNhC_PWN8800KKjc76QnO4bunWUGT5-qhdxjNFtgQt4PRJbebBZhmNEFSnmKWyAZy3LVAIFNm4YrS_oQ2dKzOre2WszG5akVBltvokDb8XjJH5PtrEI99R3-xXBk0qR_WjBs9OB/s1600/_DSC4895-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIrv-CVNhC_PWN8800KKjc76QnO4bunWUGT5-qhdxjNFtgQt4PRJbebBZhmNEFSnmKWyAZy3LVAIFNm4YrS_oQ2dKzOre2WszG5akVBltvokDb8XjJH5PtrEI99R3-xXBk0qR_WjBs9OB/s640/_DSC4895-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRQu_TSrkBFKsDzXTJzTpB9SgxKCuLWWDPe8MFAEBp24bDifEVFyRXFM7n278TKsOzFFnHJuzFohneGd30P_qhobZACnfgDFYBgx2-RZHnX8P_I_3xyhUQT3t1P53Ftiu5J00qDZAosEY/s1600/_DSC4900-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRQu_TSrkBFKsDzXTJzTpB9SgxKCuLWWDPe8MFAEBp24bDifEVFyRXFM7n278TKsOzFFnHJuzFohneGd30P_qhobZACnfgDFYBgx2-RZHnX8P_I_3xyhUQT3t1P53Ftiu5J00qDZAosEY/s640/_DSC4900-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillLehkLU4ZsBAvGAROpZGxgXjU4ogJDjlZg97sYqTUbpvJ4d6mp1xiZfFRI6XkO96OxX3eMTmh13NfflGucq34H_nDVhax708KnHdNilSD76VSPX6YRSKFt_bL9gWhGTidqqdzph60til/s1600/_DSC4903-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillLehkLU4ZsBAvGAROpZGxgXjU4ogJDjlZg97sYqTUbpvJ4d6mp1xiZfFRI6XkO96OxX3eMTmh13NfflGucq34H_nDVhax708KnHdNilSD76VSPX6YRSKFt_bL9gWhGTidqqdzph60til/s640/_DSC4903-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfFvP0BQZZOvCfvNzFcLRjuLLtRKYoMqZsK7-hz5GOszWdguo-uFnx22XI3d9psV9J2TpMrjD6QNTB1FJ4ZyxGaiy0E66DnWbTRKgeAiFM5ltWoeRorAKMLeuJRMwNkik_Ny8OAOgbE5M/s1600/_DSC4908+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfFvP0BQZZOvCfvNzFcLRjuLLtRKYoMqZsK7-hz5GOszWdguo-uFnx22XI3d9psV9J2TpMrjD6QNTB1FJ4ZyxGaiy0E66DnWbTRKgeAiFM5ltWoeRorAKMLeuJRMwNkik_Ny8OAOgbE5M/s640/_DSC4908+copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98mOieGlZcyt28Y5I_dzQCXoKKWhoBGnhzf3lp1w4yiV85WAl8YwLMh2io6H235TND6m5FIJm2nvlNEXZnMLSoBS3OqTt6AXi4WqW5TgMb4OEgnuo6dL5DoHcSf8lpp-RTPYgZXz3JzQM/s1600/_DSC4910-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98mOieGlZcyt28Y5I_dzQCXoKKWhoBGnhzf3lp1w4yiV85WAl8YwLMh2io6H235TND6m5FIJm2nvlNEXZnMLSoBS3OqTt6AXi4WqW5TgMb4OEgnuo6dL5DoHcSf8lpp-RTPYgZXz3JzQM/s640/_DSC4910-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwhIMbCjUFzL1i4rKuZwRpbMh6-PFa2qnrPYbjhQu9exxhNDxeg_ZtZdsddeDtB4jiSJRNK6iJggY6fhwb5XyBvLNDuiqQYVzsi_y1McVnHJCdrnDA3t9knq2MGxnfF3PSFdcH0Ijz4Hr/s1600/_DSC4912-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwhIMbCjUFzL1i4rKuZwRpbMh6-PFa2qnrPYbjhQu9exxhNDxeg_ZtZdsddeDtB4jiSJRNK6iJggY6fhwb5XyBvLNDuiqQYVzsi_y1McVnHJCdrnDA3t9knq2MGxnfF3PSFdcH0Ijz4Hr/s640/_DSC4912-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5ELbrvDX_hKmK_kPb870nr3eQh33ZAOZ70I9CcAYOvnk6cmO3-oEwaSxO0AaKN7O9Gn9oe91jNsNAte-BCwbQYziOs0OVlN7GCo1iV9eHj20VUQqz_hLLZvNxh6l1IcFu1dRDYmhN9Ti/s1600/_DSC4920-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5ELbrvDX_hKmK_kPb870nr3eQh33ZAOZ70I9CcAYOvnk6cmO3-oEwaSxO0AaKN7O9Gn9oe91jNsNAte-BCwbQYziOs0OVlN7GCo1iV9eHj20VUQqz_hLLZvNxh6l1IcFu1dRDYmhN9Ti/s640/_DSC4920-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OCRcijiz-QW0LGZ5RUi56Fx3vRSY0XCxKZWDR5qHTVc7o9llOAk-A89CQhtFS6YZ5JSu8Wpg8bxE9Dwfr32TaTq3EuI44fhbQXEK4Ao7WV7LSBRzfyj1Ad9_EG-nbeq0tcChgyXJ53O3/s1600/_DSC4923-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3OCRcijiz-QW0LGZ5RUi56Fx3vRSY0XCxKZWDR5qHTVc7o9llOAk-A89CQhtFS6YZ5JSu8Wpg8bxE9Dwfr32TaTq3EuI44fhbQXEK4Ao7WV7LSBRzfyj1Ad9_EG-nbeq0tcChgyXJ53O3/s640/_DSC4923-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCnVn83nUwLfXVt4EApg7f7JJt_FD2kcgCFev9lTRHUJQWDkNZ7_hOWHFd0FCvXBeGCDLkTVVjZqGpLwuKWJ2GbY9ag6ZAQj_-83Hrx2dMpICDmIly8skMs30T1fBzMD9t0XtbYFGOBZ1/s1600/_DSC4929-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCnVn83nUwLfXVt4EApg7f7JJt_FD2kcgCFev9lTRHUJQWDkNZ7_hOWHFd0FCvXBeGCDLkTVVjZqGpLwuKWJ2GbY9ag6ZAQj_-83Hrx2dMpICDmIly8skMs30T1fBzMD9t0XtbYFGOBZ1/s640/_DSC4929-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-teBFGwl2DiSWuPnjZ3XcIeWbZOdVoApPJIX0j9P32Dgxejp54g79mcYcdHh3_r-UqgELf4L2SBEJx8GiZNJCDljrs7imLzsH5OHdaQ6_efzS4PREvejcjZYSA3AyhQu_7cawq2SFcc5/s1600/_DSC4948-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-teBFGwl2DiSWuPnjZ3XcIeWbZOdVoApPJIX0j9P32Dgxejp54g79mcYcdHh3_r-UqgELf4L2SBEJx8GiZNJCDljrs7imLzsH5OHdaQ6_efzS4PREvejcjZYSA3AyhQu_7cawq2SFcc5/s640/_DSC4948-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UxinOR42Lc8nli5oU9Xx8H80HbNtw0qrUnS67w5Hsk_9dG2_ScwVLbBe1BrVEru9IPkL3fMMw2LkdpLHHQsCkwMTZOWxb28CrpD6FTUjE2v8cRRumT4vrqeCs4sKThDqmkpTZFIh3dwL/s1600/_DSC4956+copy-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UxinOR42Lc8nli5oU9Xx8H80HbNtw0qrUnS67w5Hsk_9dG2_ScwVLbBe1BrVEru9IPkL3fMMw2LkdpLHHQsCkwMTZOWxb28CrpD6FTUjE2v8cRRumT4vrqeCs4sKThDqmkpTZFIh3dwL/s640/_DSC4956+copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCceTaZsgHqBw96e3091D9PvWt9oz9DAY1LuYNMd67RKAYycp7CJXc-SEP4trloCmUGHU_SDo0z5FEn-qcPx2CmUpPy1qVwSFGvHTfwPhjwWDtzLKrGMqioZaEypXpBDY1em81zb6Hyr0/s1600/_DSC4960-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCceTaZsgHqBw96e3091D9PvWt9oz9DAY1LuYNMd67RKAYycp7CJXc-SEP4trloCmUGHU_SDo0z5FEn-qcPx2CmUpPy1qVwSFGvHTfwPhjwWDtzLKrGMqioZaEypXpBDY1em81zb6Hyr0/s640/_DSC4960-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW-0dxu0OHjrFOl33wMan7RPxbdhWDgG_xkuyXw1fgpYdBC_S58X8GLiFALOUUu-FQoUMvnViHeLYi8wKyCAfHcJMpw6sqnVvKUN30KncasnZOxwYwP1VFF1ja2IHWGMihsGNzC5p-o5j/s1600/_DSC4961-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvW-0dxu0OHjrFOl33wMan7RPxbdhWDgG_xkuyXw1fgpYdBC_S58X8GLiFALOUUu-FQoUMvnViHeLYi8wKyCAfHcJMpw6sqnVvKUN30KncasnZOxwYwP1VFF1ja2IHWGMihsGNzC5p-o5j/s640/_DSC4961-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FWwaQYDxT40mCAwI0q8JPvuduSL-HpuC4CHBz7svVDGm3mnYUG2WhwUX0GcJD0zEUMTb48emAwt_57NXaKAYgsjMKxZ5bMqdnVv8qxW6gv6kZbGO0LGdXXQ9_1-Kxsq7Iyk8fQUnfEQ7/s1600/_DSC4965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FWwaQYDxT40mCAwI0q8JPvuduSL-HpuC4CHBz7svVDGm3mnYUG2WhwUX0GcJD0zEUMTb48emAwt_57NXaKAYgsjMKxZ5bMqdnVv8qxW6gv6kZbGO0LGdXXQ9_1-Kxsq7Iyk8fQUnfEQ7/s640/_DSC4965.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX4S17vH8d9tzS6H2rqlMAEqwxlmV-u0xXhdJ36-VPjpRC5hyphenhyphenRKsh-moIauiXiHBZCzf8EK9G1738SwDEtfofNSwMWJgu2laVoBlWUsvMt9TnbqEaAHmj3c5kWjYHbTg7WbuwbrxAyzWp/s1600/_DSC4968-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX4S17vH8d9tzS6H2rqlMAEqwxlmV-u0xXhdJ36-VPjpRC5hyphenhyphenRKsh-moIauiXiHBZCzf8EK9G1738SwDEtfofNSwMWJgu2laVoBlWUsvMt9TnbqEaAHmj3c5kWjYHbTg7WbuwbrxAyzWp/s640/_DSC4968-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAN6l6h4DNSFNCgVbR5gKk7K_n0nLjzVW66F5-mX23-QqFW8cxYsv2_XI-CyiUI49UTcO-RjapdBv_qP-68I8mVqHAOgjv0eO1GHQUT_JsITNAvLjZiYB8fM8kz4lKwNlRt7T4Ug0kUeR/s1600/_DSC4970-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAN6l6h4DNSFNCgVbR5gKk7K_n0nLjzVW66F5-mX23-QqFW8cxYsv2_XI-CyiUI49UTcO-RjapdBv_qP-68I8mVqHAOgjv0eO1GHQUT_JsITNAvLjZiYB8fM8kz4lKwNlRt7T4Ug0kUeR/s640/_DSC4970-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv58i_GtVMGKYgAHVYVWVcuwW_Icz9A98tQD5iqg_A2_y2fp1X4Fy14FMy5whK_rZfsojMEbZa_SkXUzFc5At3a-yW52s0bjBHDtcaX9085AOnY6NXFDvKSGNJ5jW7f-MWtpGxhKdL79NI/s1600/_DSC4975-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv58i_GtVMGKYgAHVYVWVcuwW_Icz9A98tQD5iqg_A2_y2fp1X4Fy14FMy5whK_rZfsojMEbZa_SkXUzFc5At3a-yW52s0bjBHDtcaX9085AOnY6NXFDvKSGNJ5jW7f-MWtpGxhKdL79NI/s640/_DSC4975-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1r-Ze7ZN61rYIVgWULcfhzNl44OXtY6MfxhilLholSkFVMJRd0vob7LojccX7qirPsZMC3ONoc2e6t-5GEwTlnf96KGNCijbfhGHpZlDSwZ9Hpe0zqOH8dMpYHgQcmkrzUII5GQy7vui/s1600/_DSC4984-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1r-Ze7ZN61rYIVgWULcfhzNl44OXtY6MfxhilLholSkFVMJRd0vob7LojccX7qirPsZMC3ONoc2e6t-5GEwTlnf96KGNCijbfhGHpZlDSwZ9Hpe0zqOH8dMpYHgQcmkrzUII5GQy7vui/s640/_DSC4984-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjPT-Hz6Ys_Y8iwaCILsrzM-o3P0M_lD-VcJigCs19w17e3LXpCyYFIvXtpTPtzS4Fw4Pn4wQk_3e4FV6dSWQwVH6f53LXoKVytihauGO_QbBzbt_iE9Fr1S1z1uNrtDtzMqBoux_Z6Qh/s1600/_DSC4986-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjPT-Hz6Ys_Y8iwaCILsrzM-o3P0M_lD-VcJigCs19w17e3LXpCyYFIvXtpTPtzS4Fw4Pn4wQk_3e4FV6dSWQwVH6f53LXoKVytihauGO_QbBzbt_iE9Fr1S1z1uNrtDtzMqBoux_Z6Qh/s640/_DSC4986-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgN3VTjzzSXynwf_afMQC_5irjTi_KS17P5qGxcn8vHyhVb_kCAHwp88-rI_sBD2Ms-CDGYvntiQnzAXO9rxZkzJXVq0eSWRoGocS8fSNFE38KFMgWvfb_1IwcOzKptsMgOI7Y6cHLzC0/s1600/_DSC4988b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgN3VTjzzSXynwf_afMQC_5irjTi_KS17P5qGxcn8vHyhVb_kCAHwp88-rI_sBD2Ms-CDGYvntiQnzAXO9rxZkzJXVq0eSWRoGocS8fSNFE38KFMgWvfb_1IwcOzKptsMgOI7Y6cHLzC0/s640/_DSC4988b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MBFr5JZtk3Damsax95i7k0GXGnNJKiBotX50-akiyK73JC7tTxPo4INGQ8HJy2806R-axdeDxz53-o1l-bifAaveFjg6jJ_XxjL0n89ojh5F1GCdGx5dpiYHgQ3Wvk5nnZLGoO0h1AY0/s1600/_DSC4995-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MBFr5JZtk3Damsax95i7k0GXGnNJKiBotX50-akiyK73JC7tTxPo4INGQ8HJy2806R-axdeDxz53-o1l-bifAaveFjg6jJ_XxjL0n89ojh5F1GCdGx5dpiYHgQ3Wvk5nnZLGoO0h1AY0/s640/_DSC4995-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASkkivDmPc7E76lG7BAX_to_Q9LJkd1QOn-2SKY7cffTeXpgjC6v5jic6UNL2XxIPUBaZf3FE9xlatpwIn9M2-Ho_da1VoRd9czhwAknhY0AfuEKJB_kOPbs0Yfl7xjfEdfA1QWwBUFtR/s1600/_DSC4996-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASkkivDmPc7E76lG7BAX_to_Q9LJkd1QOn-2SKY7cffTeXpgjC6v5jic6UNL2XxIPUBaZf3FE9xlatpwIn9M2-Ho_da1VoRd9czhwAknhY0AfuEKJB_kOPbs0Yfl7xjfEdfA1QWwBUFtR/s640/_DSC4996-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1y7EV0Hbneks4HUmhJNxFEsAuhmcP6fmNSKXEUIbwpYJxENO2BFkTN4RglH2zAyaHR6eBhSf3FnnSYrtS6E0E0Da_5tw-WzsBE6JrAG_JY87HhByEgidZUxfr8QsXcP2yg5pUXgCXfPk/s1600/_DSC5000-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1y7EV0Hbneks4HUmhJNxFEsAuhmcP6fmNSKXEUIbwpYJxENO2BFkTN4RglH2zAyaHR6eBhSf3FnnSYrtS6E0E0Da_5tw-WzsBE6JrAG_JY87HhByEgidZUxfr8QsXcP2yg5pUXgCXfPk/s640/_DSC5000-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBG1nTO7x0DJ8jKUOKdJXFFVCfWZ22v91XhuspYNNhWRIgAhlKnzYeQZtC84CBWqd1fcIhMOFuJyY2feJLmkWchbcwJA8jdoxxDXivB8Q-3fTUiVVbfvjYvmiLuO19XGYTTiSmahSLWRe/s1600/_DSC5008-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBG1nTO7x0DJ8jKUOKdJXFFVCfWZ22v91XhuspYNNhWRIgAhlKnzYeQZtC84CBWqd1fcIhMOFuJyY2feJLmkWchbcwJA8jdoxxDXivB8Q-3fTUiVVbfvjYvmiLuO19XGYTTiSmahSLWRe/s640/_DSC5008-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nkVETBk35uRHkJlkeGyJtC5Ue9cVn4tKR8-xIDrPxWPg44fv20-IYyS6yp-S-owmu1ujHLXgRoVfaXu7Ty6G-b6J2iSMb_Vto-7wrgFxIXFvpaqw_HATDXaTmAWDxo-l81DbWpdP8KUn/s1600/_DSC5019-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nkVETBk35uRHkJlkeGyJtC5Ue9cVn4tKR8-xIDrPxWPg44fv20-IYyS6yp-S-owmu1ujHLXgRoVfaXu7Ty6G-b6J2iSMb_Vto-7wrgFxIXFvpaqw_HATDXaTmAWDxo-l81DbWpdP8KUn/s640/_DSC5019-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmqwxbCC7gxW4LYs2W2P0XLahbq9GEwRBifqjU519WigMFIZHPcdaJSE5s1Dq3-U0QGpWU2LL193IGNUBxFVxInXhyphenhyphenVlaTd7ePX58cFEZ2sKLfxK49R09d9tJmzAsxOzM-jJ0iI9kshrl/s1600/_DSC5026-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmqwxbCC7gxW4LYs2W2P0XLahbq9GEwRBifqjU519WigMFIZHPcdaJSE5s1Dq3-U0QGpWU2LL193IGNUBxFVxInXhyphenhyphenVlaTd7ePX58cFEZ2sKLfxK49R09d9tJmzAsxOzM-jJ0iI9kshrl/s640/_DSC5026-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGIZpY7pRUDM1_ZdW7MSaxuoG9vMEW6kLcTsLnyQLaQyThdzwItQnQnUQ0nXJ75-CbdTsmwRr9qg46nN_fBEUbUh8glycizYBd0aIgoX5j5kPzCiWG0jmqGatR5g9O-fYj9g_Ubarf6qe/s1600/_DSC5034-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGIZpY7pRUDM1_ZdW7MSaxuoG9vMEW6kLcTsLnyQLaQyThdzwItQnQnUQ0nXJ75-CbdTsmwRr9qg46nN_fBEUbUh8glycizYBd0aIgoX5j5kPzCiWG0jmqGatR5g9O-fYj9g_Ubarf6qe/s640/_DSC5034-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qeEBQdU5_ZSrhNOIOAfr9Hpx05zvrkn0M3J0M72SFXXz_Zgrpc5UnWyaoMAJrR6cf1TpbPGEVfgBhJHBS5KAWJG24oqbaoUpsraOBL1dm9c4TZgSmrEySB846e7NddCC8duIgiJH_aAa/s1600/_DSC5036-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qeEBQdU5_ZSrhNOIOAfr9Hpx05zvrkn0M3J0M72SFXXz_Zgrpc5UnWyaoMAJrR6cf1TpbPGEVfgBhJHBS5KAWJG24oqbaoUpsraOBL1dm9c4TZgSmrEySB846e7NddCC8duIgiJH_aAa/s640/_DSC5036-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K1OIjsoOcUHwQwbm4Y9sUTD9PGDoO0pItYLw4b7FmtS79qFWipZ1UMrJLTUrZKhtZtqqAkLMEK2dwaHR0KdbVYiQuIuvnfQ9Y-vhr5biHjMsqJkq4oUiejCYluKlMqkwL6Nhn_VP-2te/s1600/_DSC5048-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2K1OIjsoOcUHwQwbm4Y9sUTD9PGDoO0pItYLw4b7FmtS79qFWipZ1UMrJLTUrZKhtZtqqAkLMEK2dwaHR0KdbVYiQuIuvnfQ9Y-vhr5biHjMsqJkq4oUiejCYluKlMqkwL6Nhn_VP-2te/s640/_DSC5048-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9T__VtO3cv3lji_4t8XQAnNdiCCkcfrx2H8MRgQZXh0Md0pMsKrOmupH2peoQ0Wtosdtgo6_am534dBmPovDmWcwZneK490mfSIIdEXzlzTEbsNBvg2xkRfZDsweHEgQA4mEfrqn3W8M/s1600/_DSC5049-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9T__VtO3cv3lji_4t8XQAnNdiCCkcfrx2H8MRgQZXh0Md0pMsKrOmupH2peoQ0Wtosdtgo6_am534dBmPovDmWcwZneK490mfSIIdEXzlzTEbsNBvg2xkRfZDsweHEgQA4mEfrqn3W8M/s640/_DSC5049-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8YUQFMX91lVhIpplBEZq6lUJgzsZ3xWM2V6MIzPog7ErSXKBnn8vH1Psz2isnC0gUrRllaQRl_LonFqPez0mMiv5gJv5Y7JF4aHycYj7GGsHYntgpNy9QnJOG4nNoFTXMGu2SobM3R3R/s1600/_DSC5053-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8YUQFMX91lVhIpplBEZq6lUJgzsZ3xWM2V6MIzPog7ErSXKBnn8vH1Psz2isnC0gUrRllaQRl_LonFqPez0mMiv5gJv5Y7JF4aHycYj7GGsHYntgpNy9QnJOG4nNoFTXMGu2SobM3R3R/s640/_DSC5053-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw0kICJrPsUsJ-NEsLHBZtBCah3uTZb51TuJAxRi7W6RYnGOob3Ohnto00u3KKXkXVoaFcmtWIpsJlR77gYzvbXJ9AkzLDtNyE5zvSzKbD4iolhRog_MtP7VOwdII6_U_UABGJfirH273/s1600/_DSC5054-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiw0kICJrPsUsJ-NEsLHBZtBCah3uTZb51TuJAxRi7W6RYnGOob3Ohnto00u3KKXkXVoaFcmtWIpsJlR77gYzvbXJ9AkzLDtNyE5zvSzKbD4iolhRog_MtP7VOwdII6_U_UABGJfirH273/s640/_DSC5054-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRfQ_m77fav9dZVy47PL5kie99t0Z6z9aPvDWrwk3dJajLLpKS_GgaoGaDJISV2n30V9l50P-ks-2mS7SO-IW1YGMnGMidzQj7s0HQFXUJ0nxdTSE8x5c6-utuMCegkM56ljAwbQG1cZH/s1600/_DSC5062-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXRfQ_m77fav9dZVy47PL5kie99t0Z6z9aPvDWrwk3dJajLLpKS_GgaoGaDJISV2n30V9l50P-ks-2mS7SO-IW1YGMnGMidzQj7s0HQFXUJ0nxdTSE8x5c6-utuMCegkM56ljAwbQG1cZH/s640/_DSC5062-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NcY4DYmwGsu2CSqgCmIvhr1hhFKVqrPPWNIH3l2fI4oa6m7r0RCEMbnVB3wKhsRzF9mzJ9eCMRHqZR1a7axkYT_BsAIKP_4y8Mj_Hyy3RzLNey-_hVwMVxC_bgy__iemST5OQgGN8QzH/s1600/_DSC5067-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NcY4DYmwGsu2CSqgCmIvhr1hhFKVqrPPWNIH3l2fI4oa6m7r0RCEMbnVB3wKhsRzF9mzJ9eCMRHqZR1a7axkYT_BsAIKP_4y8Mj_Hyy3RzLNey-_hVwMVxC_bgy__iemST5OQgGN8QzH/s640/_DSC5067-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUAYdkG-Eq6qqjVmS0stD8SbmcRQd09CoCG3-GTRIoua_g08Ww_4jIkcto_V_LS5xyilafVSjQCR_pAVDqSvHKM3TZKbJ8EhByMlo86XJQjgEs6Aesm7b-h9geolgyOIk4Q5ukZY21pK2/s1600/_DSC5073-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUAYdkG-Eq6qqjVmS0stD8SbmcRQd09CoCG3-GTRIoua_g08Ww_4jIkcto_V_LS5xyilafVSjQCR_pAVDqSvHKM3TZKbJ8EhByMlo86XJQjgEs6Aesm7b-h9geolgyOIk4Q5ukZY21pK2/s640/_DSC5073-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGvc_3F1RHScj2owFGoj0fFHs13KvwicBmrr8MJSuLp3egCnDrdy_mEFVYpEksu5wUeq4QrdcPuLEry-DkvVxEIfDhBAzJihEXUh9du-ZVHKNU3CmjZUnQWy26MxxE04iRlFzQBpBF7CC/s1600/_DSC5076-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGvc_3F1RHScj2owFGoj0fFHs13KvwicBmrr8MJSuLp3egCnDrdy_mEFVYpEksu5wUeq4QrdcPuLEry-DkvVxEIfDhBAzJihEXUh9du-ZVHKNU3CmjZUnQWy26MxxE04iRlFzQBpBF7CC/s640/_DSC5076-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_WD_q3Cxo5f_INONNhwDAtRivqBf3xcuTiUHvXmY8BPWHcgdTS6ThKI3m0FO2VrpoBa0CSFC4WuO09F8E7IkpBQMJD3CA-tMvzwKGnQ9ohpPL-EoI6bK3aND32xecnFyTTu1Ge8ulxtm/s1600/_DSC5078-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_WD_q3Cxo5f_INONNhwDAtRivqBf3xcuTiUHvXmY8BPWHcgdTS6ThKI3m0FO2VrpoBa0CSFC4WuO09F8E7IkpBQMJD3CA-tMvzwKGnQ9ohpPL-EoI6bK3aND32xecnFyTTu1Ge8ulxtm/s640/_DSC5078-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyreKnKPVfUBvYVojVaZjoDD6XCH6BQ1nTO2uVzmvIkCzIxnSqXBjkQu19d8yXqb_z8p8yplumUUgA-Vxc6OCyVNwt0vhntgfYsRFOtQLypgzlxCLFEnOy6SbelVlyxY7YHRGs-BLU1Qqn/s1600/_DSC5080-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyreKnKPVfUBvYVojVaZjoDD6XCH6BQ1nTO2uVzmvIkCzIxnSqXBjkQu19d8yXqb_z8p8yplumUUgA-Vxc6OCyVNwt0vhntgfYsRFOtQLypgzlxCLFEnOy6SbelVlyxY7YHRGs-BLU1Qqn/s640/_DSC5080-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj2ldUFqPScmYL5UxQ2A6zu5cOpLoywd4ebKj58xQb1_6tgfLFaTlQbc6tG0Y8vX3T6jVrbf5yrrkNkgQC-BB52nB9cQaSL8cqHMyhvabSBms-BC-W6XAZxBHMj7qRsZ9jIogLQjnLpRk/s1600/_DSC5081-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj2ldUFqPScmYL5UxQ2A6zu5cOpLoywd4ebKj58xQb1_6tgfLFaTlQbc6tG0Y8vX3T6jVrbf5yrrkNkgQC-BB52nB9cQaSL8cqHMyhvabSBms-BC-W6XAZxBHMj7qRsZ9jIogLQjnLpRk/s640/_DSC5081-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ_vA7sVLMCSbMWH6m1dMhRPRxX1Nt3NdG6RPKk-HBZcO0Zt5xjvAtYEabuO02E597j_RmDy2HiGehOn1z_TkxSm08zGWYtXyW88dPK_4DCePhBjIW5H9zBezsWUWC7HFGrLC51cipKSq/s1600/_DSC5084-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ_vA7sVLMCSbMWH6m1dMhRPRxX1Nt3NdG6RPKk-HBZcO0Zt5xjvAtYEabuO02E597j_RmDy2HiGehOn1z_TkxSm08zGWYtXyW88dPK_4DCePhBjIW5H9zBezsWUWC7HFGrLC51cipKSq/s640/_DSC5084-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nMtqs3DCyd2tUw2BxJRRZyYPjvX_iNkGFzADtRo2hBoG93smbj83C0muCoTLGeTN5XhvkxHHMt_qwzTLyXxmoQmWPFkMpAyqH9MIWW35D1_kVIQE38-5vC31xqbTHeo9pCAUriSEzpXJ/s1600/_DSC5101-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nMtqs3DCyd2tUw2BxJRRZyYPjvX_iNkGFzADtRo2hBoG93smbj83C0muCoTLGeTN5XhvkxHHMt_qwzTLyXxmoQmWPFkMpAyqH9MIWW35D1_kVIQE38-5vC31xqbTHeo9pCAUriSEzpXJ/s640/_DSC5101-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xaC9w0TiRBjV3JYh6Si4K3Rna7_MjEoHZBGNQJ-gVndnuN59FXZVsn7dZwaXemYcgu2xK3bNVt_c7fwkTdSrQ5xaf_sZBPUinUo5fibyPNvU4wwjS3TrVIKYEWaWZd_Sfx9Q646J90k0/s1600/_DSC5109-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xaC9w0TiRBjV3JYh6Si4K3Rna7_MjEoHZBGNQJ-gVndnuN59FXZVsn7dZwaXemYcgu2xK3bNVt_c7fwkTdSrQ5xaf_sZBPUinUo5fibyPNvU4wwjS3TrVIKYEWaWZd_Sfx9Q646J90k0/s640/_DSC5109-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiKModbk3o4hwLQL18TH5Lt7vaDr-U5o24lW9srB4qJv92w6pI4YqYCF4LNYhrHN4b46omMqyqiFrLGC1tiZOIyIAhxC4sSK5q-i0Zbh6O8bJgnDYXrxgpO-wahuvqo5u3cRhSOCAM2y6/s1600/_DSC5122-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiKModbk3o4hwLQL18TH5Lt7vaDr-U5o24lW9srB4qJv92w6pI4YqYCF4LNYhrHN4b46omMqyqiFrLGC1tiZOIyIAhxC4sSK5q-i0Zbh6O8bJgnDYXrxgpO-wahuvqo5u3cRhSOCAM2y6/s640/_DSC5122-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQKE6zh7NnFD9r5974DMw2wdEy0DD2jtFbGh_EZeiWCw0CVL8b8ylKQWBkjztVhVsKFBLnVyl4SR2eY21oEqf32QVqml-5oZUDiFyummO_T2CDr5mckiO0KWT1RN5QhTUDhJT3v6U0Kvn/s1600/_DSC5134-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQKE6zh7NnFD9r5974DMw2wdEy0DD2jtFbGh_EZeiWCw0CVL8b8ylKQWBkjztVhVsKFBLnVyl4SR2eY21oEqf32QVqml-5oZUDiFyummO_T2CDr5mckiO0KWT1RN5QhTUDhJT3v6U0Kvn/s640/_DSC5134-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4PlM9YZqAtZfQPucSpKM1Xev5aZyIVrQXkyrAhVgdrjD8nCXbQiEDqN9pliPFcsJxJ-BIITkcDrSl9i_EjD9BlqDnloUn4hgUh-QffSMBCH2wScYFb7zyQtB3Yjj2qFljjPiRzWARhw_/s1600/_DSC5142-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4PlM9YZqAtZfQPucSpKM1Xev5aZyIVrQXkyrAhVgdrjD8nCXbQiEDqN9pliPFcsJxJ-BIITkcDrSl9i_EjD9BlqDnloUn4hgUh-QffSMBCH2wScYFb7zyQtB3Yjj2qFljjPiRzWARhw_/s640/_DSC5142-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VH_I807n8aXuJojn6MkEQZpY5rxbCDKcOzQOllRdaK3XryzPpV5ULpPzRud7FRMuIxlbLCuTSFSc_7JUWuloZTBVCZlmtXHlysO5CPYlg_aZPH6AQ0EbiCIu47b180iP9s0Uy_yydC6W/s1600/_DSC5144-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VH_I807n8aXuJojn6MkEQZpY5rxbCDKcOzQOllRdaK3XryzPpV5ULpPzRud7FRMuIxlbLCuTSFSc_7JUWuloZTBVCZlmtXHlysO5CPYlg_aZPH6AQ0EbiCIu47b180iP9s0Uy_yydC6W/s640/_DSC5144-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL45tpnvB1jfLrZAXzu2uRzpbFALgYS1yxI6Nojjr5-4sUNHUQ6kRS__zDG17wWBaVzWgrtzMPjniCrV5i-WvRM-YS0J7myo_JFrTnc_b_b7VgH-PimH43SvgUaBKSfI5DGYvmhvND1hR/s1600/_DSC5147-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnL45tpnvB1jfLrZAXzu2uRzpbFALgYS1yxI6Nojjr5-4sUNHUQ6kRS__zDG17wWBaVzWgrtzMPjniCrV5i-WvRM-YS0J7myo_JFrTnc_b_b7VgH-PimH43SvgUaBKSfI5DGYvmhvND1hR/s640/_DSC5147-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3k42NPOgX7jBJCeULgL2XXhUJLrp5kNnR-2KM24X1ZOAqx4hUkefeRmSWf1ECi3QnQ2HBoWioQCozb6oY_nKjxeZh1CtieAq6HGXa5UTbw4XOVLOzWTCD51eN9Gjx1KG5V95kofHeKv_/s1600/_DSC5153b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3k42NPOgX7jBJCeULgL2XXhUJLrp5kNnR-2KM24X1ZOAqx4hUkefeRmSWf1ECi3QnQ2HBoWioQCozb6oY_nKjxeZh1CtieAq6HGXa5UTbw4XOVLOzWTCD51eN9Gjx1KG5V95kofHeKv_/s640/_DSC5153b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz5rPrTVfbuLOA6AIQZOeDzsZx_U6FBCN3hNivLzjYnqe0ZwWHawwLjvzDc3IuRUeLv6knkomXEjRp9YrVVX6Xoa8OlHvX0N04dE4aR1T0msJPp7xbbCy0OX5cF9pgBVzC_AeLfXd-Xdu/s1600/_DSC5159-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDz5rPrTVfbuLOA6AIQZOeDzsZx_U6FBCN3hNivLzjYnqe0ZwWHawwLjvzDc3IuRUeLv6knkomXEjRp9YrVVX6Xoa8OlHvX0N04dE4aR1T0msJPp7xbbCy0OX5cF9pgBVzC_AeLfXd-Xdu/s640/_DSC5159-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcetoO6B-5wS93x-zCL7dhAJ5VV18V-sL9SX9fzaTQ79bhLERRH5hkh9KC_pCym-RZFqq3nPvIB9SQJ7Trc24H9hyrtvlrWhYK1RsWOVLPouVkzRZ1xTtLg5o-S5wghWJoGH6HUdFEYvmg/s1600/_DSC5170-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcetoO6B-5wS93x-zCL7dhAJ5VV18V-sL9SX9fzaTQ79bhLERRH5hkh9KC_pCym-RZFqq3nPvIB9SQJ7Trc24H9hyrtvlrWhYK1RsWOVLPouVkzRZ1xTtLg5o-S5wghWJoGH6HUdFEYvmg/s640/_DSC5170-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdezQWUFY1row4Xs3cO6FK4C7VAqqPtDvlzJjDX25H7XwF8T4aHS6AxIP042-WyADEXGaVpmjyYk2XyvdGuG80pE54r0jD38Turc7WW6GpbjN5hXoTynZbgeGT4q0wm5eu_9N1SYI0faO/s1600/_DSC5172-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdezQWUFY1row4Xs3cO6FK4C7VAqqPtDvlzJjDX25H7XwF8T4aHS6AxIP042-WyADEXGaVpmjyYk2XyvdGuG80pE54r0jD38Turc7WW6GpbjN5hXoTynZbgeGT4q0wm5eu_9N1SYI0faO/s640/_DSC5172-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBB8Kb10MqA2EZXzHrvdx0hU_Fl-hthRDgbMuuqWoSJwI2vOJaU5-mgvMSHeVnk0iQtrp4P3Xn53VcKdQiurxz0PB7woMVlk9Qig_Li8vhjD1GNfhDjtTMKijn9SdTy1H1FW5gDor1vUC/s1600/_DSC5177-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBB8Kb10MqA2EZXzHrvdx0hU_Fl-hthRDgbMuuqWoSJwI2vOJaU5-mgvMSHeVnk0iQtrp4P3Xn53VcKdQiurxz0PB7woMVlk9Qig_Li8vhjD1GNfhDjtTMKijn9SdTy1H1FW5gDor1vUC/s640/_DSC5177-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNwnOP9EdKVH9GfcuCQYuA7GhLPycw_7uF7SgT2G1mec4Td8Q53j1zgp_vPsu4fhpuQWt2Isrly6M036cWkBg7XfAvxgpf9JfbgkIlsQzgCEznl92JelrPSuP4cULXpTN2-_oIyy0yY6f/s1600/_DSC5185-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNwnOP9EdKVH9GfcuCQYuA7GhLPycw_7uF7SgT2G1mec4Td8Q53j1zgp_vPsu4fhpuQWt2Isrly6M036cWkBg7XfAvxgpf9JfbgkIlsQzgCEznl92JelrPSuP4cULXpTN2-_oIyy0yY6f/s640/_DSC5185-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt_5W95N7DCKxCanhN2dkV-qkZvXmauYU3vZZzdC-CFpnmV59MwH958GRoSeK5qGbHF0SFNy2G9ew-8AAtKFCoAmea_prke15fgnW24Yh9_67-qs1q52SXjj_urpK4SkMvHyx99P2-gKf/s1600/_DSC5187-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBt_5W95N7DCKxCanhN2dkV-qkZvXmauYU3vZZzdC-CFpnmV59MwH958GRoSeK5qGbHF0SFNy2G9ew-8AAtKFCoAmea_prke15fgnW24Yh9_67-qs1q52SXjj_urpK4SkMvHyx99P2-gKf/s640/_DSC5187-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSLlAFqAHmk2w1iX5Zo1btlKcLmkdBTRekCFCmCoFMj1vtCPkGz8nvaL07QxKVlQiBfL3_wObtiTZg5rjHvaTHsHiyRG08DHcj-k8EwVCE9dyoXtFmNiEycDWdLp4BZiF5pi6ttdpNMm7/s1600/_DSC5196-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSLlAFqAHmk2w1iX5Zo1btlKcLmkdBTRekCFCmCoFMj1vtCPkGz8nvaL07QxKVlQiBfL3_wObtiTZg5rjHvaTHsHiyRG08DHcj-k8EwVCE9dyoXtFmNiEycDWdLp4BZiF5pi6ttdpNMm7/s640/_DSC5196-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJr_G_04SOJACEZnQbkCK5dop3LpUHAuI6gkNAHSTvi0P8tYMUxk_KcWIb4t18Jx_Hrpyn2wLRgl4pOJUqr-cV6dogdYpQNAp2RktX9G_fXtRZlR9N5KbbN6nkqWPc_oLhwXWnoC4wo481/s1600/_DSC5201-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJr_G_04SOJACEZnQbkCK5dop3LpUHAuI6gkNAHSTvi0P8tYMUxk_KcWIb4t18Jx_Hrpyn2wLRgl4pOJUqr-cV6dogdYpQNAp2RktX9G_fXtRZlR9N5KbbN6nkqWPc_oLhwXWnoC4wo481/s640/_DSC5201-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV2uvRdrJ0oskk8KN7MnJoSKxwGw7G3Jm6yY6oSw9Itvq1QMtYAz0YHMjM4vrlyVDpcG9LSjGJs4jLRBdc-C5jaLFsytpG9mxuApOS99Xl-9dAtq1qDkC1bVRnFVDMYLTEkJejTkmhdO_/s1600/_DSC5206-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV2uvRdrJ0oskk8KN7MnJoSKxwGw7G3Jm6yY6oSw9Itvq1QMtYAz0YHMjM4vrlyVDpcG9LSjGJs4jLRBdc-C5jaLFsytpG9mxuApOS99Xl-9dAtq1qDkC1bVRnFVDMYLTEkJejTkmhdO_/s640/_DSC5206-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJsMe-ZGS29dNnKbIJNdo9_xyCNb2_u7aTcCnNcJMFtb7MZg7iCr6-y9-Uhn3hJJ0s0QHZVogUBHxYuXS60AUbTaNJ5nUw1dJ4SfucxDgLgKY_f7KdtVJ_KByqCmuliowC3295-R9azQS/s1600/_DSC5211-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJsMe-ZGS29dNnKbIJNdo9_xyCNb2_u7aTcCnNcJMFtb7MZg7iCr6-y9-Uhn3hJJ0s0QHZVogUBHxYuXS60AUbTaNJ5nUw1dJ4SfucxDgLgKY_f7KdtVJ_KByqCmuliowC3295-R9azQS/s640/_DSC5211-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN_uSHBlrPbc1ygt237ro8Wuydy1d_XIC0MwlZ4FRFI9j1K5zYxsxRcqmThy5YqAVWgSF4htWIOw8sjT5_xc3qAsWgkVtxADKMGvcKKiVOY77kKz2NmFxKTcoHIY7mydDqVabw04JqsH2/s1600/_DSC5213-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuN_uSHBlrPbc1ygt237ro8Wuydy1d_XIC0MwlZ4FRFI9j1K5zYxsxRcqmThy5YqAVWgSF4htWIOw8sjT5_xc3qAsWgkVtxADKMGvcKKiVOY77kKz2NmFxKTcoHIY7mydDqVabw04JqsH2/s640/_DSC5213-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiQLl7PRnvi4RBXrX0Lr-3_dNGVdp0B6Pp0KTjxg9GxN6cpGmT8Gd5yIMBDoHgEnGjJx6ZWC1-4awK2Qz-H62TCBeag6ZlV_SV_OhD2XU1oU5ikHWX-ii186354lRMaoYBWxwG2MaJMPu/s1600/_DSC5223-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiQLl7PRnvi4RBXrX0Lr-3_dNGVdp0B6Pp0KTjxg9GxN6cpGmT8Gd5yIMBDoHgEnGjJx6ZWC1-4awK2Qz-H62TCBeag6ZlV_SV_OhD2XU1oU5ikHWX-ii186354lRMaoYBWxwG2MaJMPu/s640/_DSC5223-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7eNRDddw9mlJGJQKxKJi-6J3MApa1v7zK8yxwc05-pfSFeKu4RIWtM-WjG_zhhTPZx8LVhcqRnqgYwSEiCKmYH-47OXvxA-PXEbA1Fe91LzdCD1eR5A8IgvB9klyQtuaeLgPBq4L1sW7/s1600/_DSC5225-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7eNRDddw9mlJGJQKxKJi-6J3MApa1v7zK8yxwc05-pfSFeKu4RIWtM-WjG_zhhTPZx8LVhcqRnqgYwSEiCKmYH-47OXvxA-PXEbA1Fe91LzdCD1eR5A8IgvB9klyQtuaeLgPBq4L1sW7/s640/_DSC5225-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR6v2Kk1_00MKnoovYbNkKHsZ8GhVjs_liWBGSsgKpd-ETDctCBdtNdAlNtsNtwikvr0saXwYUAupMheu_TOw2RbvYBY3Twny0YdgFQL2L52FJUYcw5rNFf9T7aAmu_IGpgeOkNpUO77k/s1600/_DSC5233-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR6v2Kk1_00MKnoovYbNkKHsZ8GhVjs_liWBGSsgKpd-ETDctCBdtNdAlNtsNtwikvr0saXwYUAupMheu_TOw2RbvYBY3Twny0YdgFQL2L52FJUYcw5rNFf9T7aAmu_IGpgeOkNpUO77k/s640/_DSC5233-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7UA-Y_B-pjj-a0LqMTafN1DApGjvOnSV5kQgDpbWfWxhmrtwq8OSpd89Sgfw6BcNuQoS472g_OYS1Pgz22HKtdGdAk7JXGeQSUsg4kYun1v9bPn34ntjZdDtVjJxXLFdG1NTBzXfYiKL/s1600/_DSC5247-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7UA-Y_B-pjj-a0LqMTafN1DApGjvOnSV5kQgDpbWfWxhmrtwq8OSpd89Sgfw6BcNuQoS472g_OYS1Pgz22HKtdGdAk7JXGeQSUsg4kYun1v9bPn34ntjZdDtVjJxXLFdG1NTBzXfYiKL/s640/_DSC5247-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEty_BTLXSOXVgUSKC6xppKkYXYZhUBbC-_OCg0Y3BVzvRqaJNV5QE-lGhzq1XdXSFJb1LZDoZYmtmrkiA_LSj1sajcxawm7UZRNLuvqeNex7EtrBhZ2N_pTLQyJtUtU3wzkEm2zURW9A-/s1600/_DSC5279-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEty_BTLXSOXVgUSKC6xppKkYXYZhUBbC-_OCg0Y3BVzvRqaJNV5QE-lGhzq1XdXSFJb1LZDoZYmtmrkiA_LSj1sajcxawm7UZRNLuvqeNex7EtrBhZ2N_pTLQyJtUtU3wzkEm2zURW9A-/s640/_DSC5279-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_awg-AmPpe3vtayhQJbTW5q5X0MCC3ah565NyJ8Gb2RAfF3e53EN7SphDVsQY9t6rhH7Z9FMM3pzGFbSh-1m7jXrIi0uXifjIEZvMj4w67yLiSiLBdjRUHj5mLcC47ZFCET7HHdwUtbJB/s1600/_DSC5289-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_awg-AmPpe3vtayhQJbTW5q5X0MCC3ah565NyJ8Gb2RAfF3e53EN7SphDVsQY9t6rhH7Z9FMM3pzGFbSh-1m7jXrIi0uXifjIEZvMj4w67yLiSiLBdjRUHj5mLcC47ZFCET7HHdwUtbJB/s640/_DSC5289-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mJSlbdKIe8C5v0ZgQ6irb-B0HzI51f8XKkAHbF7ztKgooUyEuRyBVXLmk2LCypJxgMAo6MZx6EC4oruQ7tHMNFlPBsRavW9kzl5PnewbLl-pgVNzIfJq3HylDliP7muqhddBC-Ybpoxz/s1600/_DSC5291-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mJSlbdKIe8C5v0ZgQ6irb-B0HzI51f8XKkAHbF7ztKgooUyEuRyBVXLmk2LCypJxgMAo6MZx6EC4oruQ7tHMNFlPBsRavW9kzl5PnewbLl-pgVNzIfJq3HylDliP7muqhddBC-Ybpoxz/s640/_DSC5291-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ffu8XC0Az6y2xpond3Ry35P6_RZMTxzilN4gRpbMHTPmBKjyrsJ9eI7gGJETI8uO215HoGpnuvAfZgU-EUyFC7ft-CaXzpnNCE6bx8c6xcc3S2oLKY7N62pQeo0VTugetBA6-7QDayel/s1600/_DSC5304-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ffu8XC0Az6y2xpond3Ry35P6_RZMTxzilN4gRpbMHTPmBKjyrsJ9eI7gGJETI8uO215HoGpnuvAfZgU-EUyFC7ft-CaXzpnNCE6bx8c6xcc3S2oLKY7N62pQeo0VTugetBA6-7QDayel/s640/_DSC5304-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdC8MrugPyseYrhDcavAmMtQkkhF-4LyYPAISIOv9UAQVfJmdakIu-Or2vOFOsRIwEU5DcMfqLomL-H46cEgWABqGzQ7RjFh4s_O0YZ1QKiM2WXAGmCViJ2Ixjz7sGvTUYVuZt-nsAOtu/s1600/_DSC5306-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdC8MrugPyseYrhDcavAmMtQkkhF-4LyYPAISIOv9UAQVfJmdakIu-Or2vOFOsRIwEU5DcMfqLomL-H46cEgWABqGzQ7RjFh4s_O0YZ1QKiM2WXAGmCViJ2Ixjz7sGvTUYVuZt-nsAOtu/s640/_DSC5306-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GoaSXxeDCWkUnPzcPSOOa4V1SOx01vak_fg3EE4-FFQT6WJOIXbdRr6kFGjlAZhByEpC9SMtz4b71MQx98cMw9F85X0xWbzM3fGrjQjKVs62RJlwhAxA3NKRjWw5q5q-4NewdR9gzQvk/s1600/_DSC5320-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4GoaSXxeDCWkUnPzcPSOOa4V1SOx01vak_fg3EE4-FFQT6WJOIXbdRr6kFGjlAZhByEpC9SMtz4b71MQx98cMw9F85X0xWbzM3fGrjQjKVs62RJlwhAxA3NKRjWw5q5q-4NewdR9gzQvk/s640/_DSC5320-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeac7nfWVbtNjG9-QiKAj8PCrKA2sWqDMlee7IXIprnUFZJC4WIKn7mnEuyA3C0XS1GAWagX8niUud3X7rp4aXVO1R5XoIBcA5BFUMUNuFeDNE6tjbHOWFPWzO_qeqhx-3f6pX_tDo4mjv/s1600/_DSC5331-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeac7nfWVbtNjG9-QiKAj8PCrKA2sWqDMlee7IXIprnUFZJC4WIKn7mnEuyA3C0XS1GAWagX8niUud3X7rp4aXVO1R5XoIBcA5BFUMUNuFeDNE6tjbHOWFPWzO_qeqhx-3f6pX_tDo4mjv/s640/_DSC5331-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr9ichYmR_4pHm93Y6wRveQ921OPOzJXYHHxqnLl3CjcBE-Fa5FTUvB4BehIEEPG7Hl28mPSLqyNr34OWFXn4oRicurSq6T31Uu4wFb5fwPaKA5ou0Q3rzVxmcmlTTVPpvo8XHoHJEe60/s1600/_DSC5332-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhr9ichYmR_4pHm93Y6wRveQ921OPOzJXYHHxqnLl3CjcBE-Fa5FTUvB4BehIEEPG7Hl28mPSLqyNr34OWFXn4oRicurSq6T31Uu4wFb5fwPaKA5ou0Q3rzVxmcmlTTVPpvo8XHoHJEe60/s640/_DSC5332-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhyPmLEfuadg0U1uO2WpEAeFTau0eIKJIuPCWBQgGnl_eAkNwz618dtrx_Qt2fh0ga1QhNPaN0hBXZSuXAs-EcReb1rBdzZAlEK7X7T5Dup3tkvMqTGDyObH0fl1WYkAj4rStM7kUmEBj/s1600/_DSC5342-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhyPmLEfuadg0U1uO2WpEAeFTau0eIKJIuPCWBQgGnl_eAkNwz618dtrx_Qt2fh0ga1QhNPaN0hBXZSuXAs-EcReb1rBdzZAlEK7X7T5Dup3tkvMqTGDyObH0fl1WYkAj4rStM7kUmEBj/s640/_DSC5342-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4j-1AhN8Pu_tyYT8UevZd35fp_sxvT9GAwkTm_mQ7RWvVrJpmsrSywRUQ0rSoYamU_Yszbl-Z-ne8UeOYUw_vV1uJoPVXcmZ3DTBskFs8sXi7yaxZ4y2IBHVUvqx5EfbO7SP4gYWu-gW/s1600/_DSC5344-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4j-1AhN8Pu_tyYT8UevZd35fp_sxvT9GAwkTm_mQ7RWvVrJpmsrSywRUQ0rSoYamU_Yszbl-Z-ne8UeOYUw_vV1uJoPVXcmZ3DTBskFs8sXi7yaxZ4y2IBHVUvqx5EfbO7SP4gYWu-gW/s640/_DSC5344-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ggj4PrO84aXg65ou1Gd4e9Um52nC6zVLfCXjjLMPhYj-sWAqlYynYeL_yBBlbxiK2R8ya2mhEEzZ9zKRj7VZfXxle_q0qmor4pVHXcruPzzphr-GT0hdGnJZRu4yogDpTLiAJfTL5_pq/s1600/_DSC5351-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ggj4PrO84aXg65ou1Gd4e9Um52nC6zVLfCXjjLMPhYj-sWAqlYynYeL_yBBlbxiK2R8ya2mhEEzZ9zKRj7VZfXxle_q0qmor4pVHXcruPzzphr-GT0hdGnJZRu4yogDpTLiAJfTL5_pq/s640/_DSC5351-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9aKYyAZW4QrkUsOhDeppxLNoQoEBWMKZ1s6L_My36tChwoIx004JbGuVBn5zrrcMRfbcs09VHPcA684q4Nud5cmKTnuN_X57gvZTVtKQJd_Danzmr41flJ3e0WdfZFTNPuzy7NmZSTd2/s1600/_DSC5362-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV9aKYyAZW4QrkUsOhDeppxLNoQoEBWMKZ1s6L_My36tChwoIx004JbGuVBn5zrrcMRfbcs09VHPcA684q4Nud5cmKTnuN_X57gvZTVtKQJd_Danzmr41flJ3e0WdfZFTNPuzy7NmZSTd2/s640/_DSC5362-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8tp74ydYvUbJeMQHC1tsyMhvER1T9HUTBPoctbQUwweZz7mVaa5fihB8RKFlCRca9OfLhv5JP6Gu1UsDOiY4uNimXdZsYGA0cUdKbohjjsoNJ4Q7BsYqyzGj4qbDN3ilH4Cy9aHiZH4C/s1600/_DSC5371-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8tp74ydYvUbJeMQHC1tsyMhvER1T9HUTBPoctbQUwweZz7mVaa5fihB8RKFlCRca9OfLhv5JP6Gu1UsDOiY4uNimXdZsYGA0cUdKbohjjsoNJ4Q7BsYqyzGj4qbDN3ilH4Cy9aHiZH4C/s640/_DSC5371-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTDZUjDSI0huZcz-CcdwcaTTaY_u2RtJpXG9reQOtPHq0Bn-YOLSBsXz7_FCNt1QF8mZZAqsUg6N2SjB_mfd_4Io-lAQ87iOE_fENEYIX1WFKVQGXqHSuRm4SJO9mQdzSTQ8HqK3V6M4s/s1600/_DSC5378-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTDZUjDSI0huZcz-CcdwcaTTaY_u2RtJpXG9reQOtPHq0Bn-YOLSBsXz7_FCNt1QF8mZZAqsUg6N2SjB_mfd_4Io-lAQ87iOE_fENEYIX1WFKVQGXqHSuRm4SJO9mQdzSTQ8HqK3V6M4s/s640/_DSC5378-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQFdB42PZGmLwdDGfeTCC9QGjsku_587WgSSt9wYYPPwrGabDCZuDi9WTLfHA84DKzK8akdKiD44F87N50-SvGXpo9BSnZOANvNu9MFcZfLrVtYP7-97S-aFPEUdQwpACqc-gK5O7QTtH/s1600/_DSC5382-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQFdB42PZGmLwdDGfeTCC9QGjsku_587WgSSt9wYYPPwrGabDCZuDi9WTLfHA84DKzK8akdKiD44F87N50-SvGXpo9BSnZOANvNu9MFcZfLrVtYP7-97S-aFPEUdQwpACqc-gK5O7QTtH/s640/_DSC5382-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMm1R0B0tQh6fgCFm1TzPfwiqCBdIZa4KYRImEOsI5h51Dkgi5TV5I4b68SYB_3GMCMX49yvQ1YxU3ruNOTJFyDijhw2779MocIJOTRkoe2FiEgbqrheVjHsNAOxZIXKE1SlW_N0h84cp/s1600/_DSC5383-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMm1R0B0tQh6fgCFm1TzPfwiqCBdIZa4KYRImEOsI5h51Dkgi5TV5I4b68SYB_3GMCMX49yvQ1YxU3ruNOTJFyDijhw2779MocIJOTRkoe2FiEgbqrheVjHsNAOxZIXKE1SlW_N0h84cp/s640/_DSC5383-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZiIApYCGnOm_ri0w8OGWlevWf5-DOouRfw2OrgrSKl9EoDiNYTYZlhoSKMPqG4KpUFmrrVDzzUCJEfpoWFkrcBFESFFZmx9kf8nyH1rBVfNAGUA3hvnrkewL8fxMD1Pcie1Tzl_lIejc/s1600/_DSC5385-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZiIApYCGnOm_ri0w8OGWlevWf5-DOouRfw2OrgrSKl9EoDiNYTYZlhoSKMPqG4KpUFmrrVDzzUCJEfpoWFkrcBFESFFZmx9kf8nyH1rBVfNAGUA3hvnrkewL8fxMD1Pcie1Tzl_lIejc/s640/_DSC5385-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76SQOOdhqn4PAk9SFAApCvc_vPxMYvt0MBKpuXtUaxtV9MwssdzLxGGiIKRzk-RMqu7LbNVAFiYZFGQeHNgV52GTOsv0Z2cZ_DhmX2ikzK1Mklc2l8wtOOE9iMfJv6oDlXsRx6vyUIzLN/s1600/_DSC5387-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76SQOOdhqn4PAk9SFAApCvc_vPxMYvt0MBKpuXtUaxtV9MwssdzLxGGiIKRzk-RMqu7LbNVAFiYZFGQeHNgV52GTOsv0Z2cZ_DhmX2ikzK1Mklc2l8wtOOE9iMfJv6oDlXsRx6vyUIzLN/s640/_DSC5387-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz3jtwEKdhy-otR-T1UOD0alRAcNL-KhLQKGM7QCQdg3w7TjxzSHYfM-LeNu8bEUAYrhDyLix4dyGDzo0UUZbcHqcoD4R9hRACLEgQULRdNgR6K658nPekddwST4QASoT_wXQCXd6gmFm/s1600/_DSC5401-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz3jtwEKdhy-otR-T1UOD0alRAcNL-KhLQKGM7QCQdg3w7TjxzSHYfM-LeNu8bEUAYrhDyLix4dyGDzo0UUZbcHqcoD4R9hRACLEgQULRdNgR6K658nPekddwST4QASoT_wXQCXd6gmFm/s640/_DSC5401-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-iiICW2iR-aexqI8UliIvKTv9N-Wz_ySM432JJl6GZgPmcyIxbQxs5frNU_jNnjTTH0-je_b9t7W-w2ZP27WF7P57PnWDP3ncmytXXCs02qHl2DV03n86BOkQ0vfI7DQFPlUPdxgV_LZ/s1600/_DSC5406-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-iiICW2iR-aexqI8UliIvKTv9N-Wz_ySM432JJl6GZgPmcyIxbQxs5frNU_jNnjTTH0-je_b9t7W-w2ZP27WF7P57PnWDP3ncmytXXCs02qHl2DV03n86BOkQ0vfI7DQFPlUPdxgV_LZ/s640/_DSC5406-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjNzz4f2B3ZuidpXzH0FvqAAbDfV-ejjhPYRhrzVnCuhk73-UDr6u9Ml0a7iUBVpTs93Nd8eI6eal0jpFPNDQu2lmmlwN5N4EENwPW0D20mi5sxS4CUj_Hr90yWJOQS79NlRRWnR8G8yq/s1600/_DSC5416-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjNzz4f2B3ZuidpXzH0FvqAAbDfV-ejjhPYRhrzVnCuhk73-UDr6u9Ml0a7iUBVpTs93Nd8eI6eal0jpFPNDQu2lmmlwN5N4EENwPW0D20mi5sxS4CUj_Hr90yWJOQS79NlRRWnR8G8yq/s640/_DSC5416-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V4DBFkJFvBRTaN34Cel6Y-3Wsx9tnXvH4jHzwA6hyphenhyphenUDFepPapyX6B1GIuUjMOdJmeEtldEgpPk50Qpvi8U884o9k86aFvMasFWhsRjhFNl2fWtx8JnuOCIYIteL3DxnQuZeIg1PqVrIg/s1600/_DSC5423-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V4DBFkJFvBRTaN34Cel6Y-3Wsx9tnXvH4jHzwA6hyphenhyphenUDFepPapyX6B1GIuUjMOdJmeEtldEgpPk50Qpvi8U884o9k86aFvMasFWhsRjhFNl2fWtx8JnuOCIYIteL3DxnQuZeIg1PqVrIg/s640/_DSC5423-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT8szrU2D4tzWqoW-VOBz7wYFUKCo7wyDn-EH6sb7goHug792-9vSUdUsM0y0UZ44QIWPxA4hFkI7XGP8R4dD-kKFhuTh8G_6qtGC1mAjnplumwHNHSYrVS-DJ4SFVmJGRON5yl1cCwES/s1600/_DSC5425-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkT8szrU2D4tzWqoW-VOBz7wYFUKCo7wyDn-EH6sb7goHug792-9vSUdUsM0y0UZ44QIWPxA4hFkI7XGP8R4dD-kKFhuTh8G_6qtGC1mAjnplumwHNHSYrVS-DJ4SFVmJGRON5yl1cCwES/s640/_DSC5425-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8End8sfd4HaAluE-nGePTqc098eRbhpf7XfnuJoDTjJ6XdBDn6ccqy1uqFfEy7TCSjs5zX8omwePW7LHLwdSARk0lnYDly4PMCjk7TWw7DUAECUB_pviXe5CtDVuPffPPIjQqsWaU5TQ/s1600/_DSC5426-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8End8sfd4HaAluE-nGePTqc098eRbhpf7XfnuJoDTjJ6XdBDn6ccqy1uqFfEy7TCSjs5zX8omwePW7LHLwdSARk0lnYDly4PMCjk7TWw7DUAECUB_pviXe5CtDVuPffPPIjQqsWaU5TQ/s640/_DSC5426-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtEMw_fKpNlSm-vM5fVt07_lFgu_1ZnApkMfYvJODyCC_CewzK0SAaLTeDTLeFu3N2wskA-g4yNZM7_kecpIoCgmmclgA1MO7XxcsQ_DD5yW76T74WJTkoh99yBcQcbdRs36wx88vBT-P/s1600/_DSC5428-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFtEMw_fKpNlSm-vM5fVt07_lFgu_1ZnApkMfYvJODyCC_CewzK0SAaLTeDTLeFu3N2wskA-g4yNZM7_kecpIoCgmmclgA1MO7XxcsQ_DD5yW76T74WJTkoh99yBcQcbdRs36wx88vBT-P/s640/_DSC5428-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4iHKbBow1m1s6wxaBR87zhyphenhyphenzxuG6qgzwy8wi6RpiC5xHxEOpr1z9VxA8XmZBR_d6pG1tt3YevqO6FtfDBQhf6GbheZfqUYrTuz5KkjOYkXeKnGvYNYEEEElMnXHom8t_Z31xvhXb4anm/s1600/_DSC5431-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4iHKbBow1m1s6wxaBR87zhyphenhyphenzxuG6qgzwy8wi6RpiC5xHxEOpr1z9VxA8XmZBR_d6pG1tt3YevqO6FtfDBQhf6GbheZfqUYrTuz5KkjOYkXeKnGvYNYEEEElMnXHom8t_Z31xvhXb4anm/s640/_DSC5431-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFiYeNVnqrop6-QG57G2RQ-biVGiN2EFEdUJWSF-i-6AXgPNeBA9IVfHVHr_p4Cxwg6ICDd1AQ-8Mzw-GA28aakyKULL3485hdFTmv-LHcL1F3qKZE-1FPjky2O4LENrk3eX1q5YOcvS4/s1600/_DSC5443-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFiYeNVnqrop6-QG57G2RQ-biVGiN2EFEdUJWSF-i-6AXgPNeBA9IVfHVHr_p4Cxwg6ICDd1AQ-8Mzw-GA28aakyKULL3485hdFTmv-LHcL1F3qKZE-1FPjky2O4LENrk3eX1q5YOcvS4/s640/_DSC5443-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYsdyK_7CESJGjql1sEWPRVaj2E6qo5iAFA4Z_Eik7WbR6VEXwHIWlqm3H6oA5dx9a9Jv5N04AUdOfXTyh_vEu4WerokJLU6laoh0SWgRlYrD71UD_tux0BqPLnigpCm8qxz7BufRSerP/s1600/_DSC5445-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYsdyK_7CESJGjql1sEWPRVaj2E6qo5iAFA4Z_Eik7WbR6VEXwHIWlqm3H6oA5dx9a9Jv5N04AUdOfXTyh_vEu4WerokJLU6laoh0SWgRlYrD71UD_tux0BqPLnigpCm8qxz7BufRSerP/s640/_DSC5445-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqKvarHxHRBUsfQtSfbaWlyEWYckZS6hGdGYIKTM7kpSaQdSLTyb3EDGLh8el13MKoooRugqq86YPdbPQFiQuUH_4ogX6JJ3BujuqZfsKk05-dPXvQJw5LDbdA6I0H7euaSRKBjnCiK4q/s1600/_DSC5453-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqKvarHxHRBUsfQtSfbaWlyEWYckZS6hGdGYIKTM7kpSaQdSLTyb3EDGLh8el13MKoooRugqq86YPdbPQFiQuUH_4ogX6JJ3BujuqZfsKk05-dPXvQJw5LDbdA6I0H7euaSRKBjnCiK4q/s640/_DSC5453-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LY3kvkTxBR507LGCLoWOM28x3WmuyHemN7q1wj9zkChZviS7O68-pBPT9LkVT-Egg1l3nPb9jWwbzZgRGsdOTgbszxee42v6qwohyphenhyphenfUq3WHqDB14k-AmQnXBvZ8D8KSkn8bcHKfe9M7l/s1600/_DSC5458-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LY3kvkTxBR507LGCLoWOM28x3WmuyHemN7q1wj9zkChZviS7O68-pBPT9LkVT-Egg1l3nPb9jWwbzZgRGsdOTgbszxee42v6qwohyphenhyphenfUq3WHqDB14k-AmQnXBvZ8D8KSkn8bcHKfe9M7l/s640/_DSC5458-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9PYXMx6C1fReDXjMaZd71M4zjA9GysPkR9wIB8LscjMkjUNxoFqmglMll-QsqO8CBSwIUxDGLNo6fCHYagW5drAWkUFy1v2PE7h3Yoh50gr6qMkf8I1kY5ZD5bZltVctjMU_oWRr-bBo/s1600/_DSC5464-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9PYXMx6C1fReDXjMaZd71M4zjA9GysPkR9wIB8LscjMkjUNxoFqmglMll-QsqO8CBSwIUxDGLNo6fCHYagW5drAWkUFy1v2PE7h3Yoh50gr6qMkf8I1kY5ZD5bZltVctjMU_oWRr-bBo/s640/_DSC5464-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhhoVoZ6yO5G-oMGtupqCifXScSO_It58AGXnxo5YDLcw1YKkBZ58fAJpk_IujmwkW8XVjiyIpeV37LocYNv0qPXh7r7OLC0su1cDYRfEj8MbqcD8Ci_eh8nRERce0r9d0sw7bTrWiJc5/s1600/_DSC5468-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhhoVoZ6yO5G-oMGtupqCifXScSO_It58AGXnxo5YDLcw1YKkBZ58fAJpk_IujmwkW8XVjiyIpeV37LocYNv0qPXh7r7OLC0su1cDYRfEj8MbqcD8Ci_eh8nRERce0r9d0sw7bTrWiJc5/s640/_DSC5468-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d3L3CvuAaHeqKzXDv-5H5ggqDEiNUVaLsboQIpvDdgNrlpVSBMe3xYqMbG2XZExz9Rl-idSLItZeElKzwpZME49bWOKX280HkcyIJQG-KExHXfJVgEnm6aMBT0y4FuZtJUNIGjwfvtxd/s1600/_DSC5475-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d3L3CvuAaHeqKzXDv-5H5ggqDEiNUVaLsboQIpvDdgNrlpVSBMe3xYqMbG2XZExz9Rl-idSLItZeElKzwpZME49bWOKX280HkcyIJQG-KExHXfJVgEnm6aMBT0y4FuZtJUNIGjwfvtxd/s640/_DSC5475-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3IsuqZxaAXIV1xzZrg8pej592tqicba2VJYIkJhLUPD4Ay8dXJaoRS8ccWctEmYuJjevbTybmL8jeEKquOS-uuRqJuht7t4rWzlN2XN7aNT1HxunwsRMiRckdrANqyZ2cark_GvZUB_O/s1600/_DSC5476-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3IsuqZxaAXIV1xzZrg8pej592tqicba2VJYIkJhLUPD4Ay8dXJaoRS8ccWctEmYuJjevbTybmL8jeEKquOS-uuRqJuht7t4rWzlN2XN7aNT1HxunwsRMiRckdrANqyZ2cark_GvZUB_O/s640/_DSC5476-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-XvYw7uwFwAajAFgR225CVXoN00ss6fM6JWtvk8Gnc5sulbeWnfXXwn2QlsGHvUY60fhSFekM3L0ZOS3UvS7yjsQtIwJ2JIQopPc7ctJPmmYuEGZ71TAmFiNO94Ts9HkNUmdROmOhLYW/s1600/_DSC5496-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-XvYw7uwFwAajAFgR225CVXoN00ss6fM6JWtvk8Gnc5sulbeWnfXXwn2QlsGHvUY60fhSFekM3L0ZOS3UvS7yjsQtIwJ2JIQopPc7ctJPmmYuEGZ71TAmFiNO94Ts9HkNUmdROmOhLYW/s640/_DSC5496-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCFImbnA4SIVYVhdBq9IhyMeu3IzncesiipZaEnvMAOOyFrh6EICG8GlRp_Ne9LfShR94_MVvASdBaTXg7mIND3qiLWbRp7w4jN55tVkT9u5S-k1zqdAx8ubG_GkHM_KsSCPPLlRjDmiu/s1600/_DSC5500-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCFImbnA4SIVYVhdBq9IhyMeu3IzncesiipZaEnvMAOOyFrh6EICG8GlRp_Ne9LfShR94_MVvASdBaTXg7mIND3qiLWbRp7w4jN55tVkT9u5S-k1zqdAx8ubG_GkHM_KsSCPPLlRjDmiu/s640/_DSC5500-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7WnyQSH8RZ3AbFw3XRek6uv2ogcFbPocX0PyJnK3BnfBQKBX61_B0X6TnHnuj4Arxx54dIkNyJ_1plYAgkixn0Dn5mwZbxjRuVsnIwI2_e1NWVGu2kt37S3sHISrSMoIRbxvmyZCb-E8/s1600/_DSC5517-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7WnyQSH8RZ3AbFw3XRek6uv2ogcFbPocX0PyJnK3BnfBQKBX61_B0X6TnHnuj4Arxx54dIkNyJ_1plYAgkixn0Dn5mwZbxjRuVsnIwI2_e1NWVGu2kt37S3sHISrSMoIRbxvmyZCb-E8/s640/_DSC5517-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNGujauM3cAEBvpEdbNlFehofuzDT_OquoLVF9kqnj5jcTw8HyXRibcvYn8UxHhNomK_pHISxA9nZ5l9wfIHQVOR-aaf4GO_Tcrt_PlGcu7cPMVf5SLk45QfcL4vF5P1L7_Us3YXq7u_2/s1600/_DSC5529-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLNGujauM3cAEBvpEdbNlFehofuzDT_OquoLVF9kqnj5jcTw8HyXRibcvYn8UxHhNomK_pHISxA9nZ5l9wfIHQVOR-aaf4GO_Tcrt_PlGcu7cPMVf5SLk45QfcL4vF5P1L7_Us3YXq7u_2/s640/_DSC5529-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58X4LNR6PylWIoTXEW76-M-EmVN_4_jESDiZbGzPRe5uJliu1aBab9sE6X09y7yEfRxGnNliDhyphenhyphensxg5L7rtAFYtDm41blI4S_X5fGts8zXkrOCfT_26YEtTaMWbS9X2W0g6F6ZyPZWMKk/s1600/_DSC5532-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58X4LNR6PylWIoTXEW76-M-EmVN_4_jESDiZbGzPRe5uJliu1aBab9sE6X09y7yEfRxGnNliDhyphenhyphensxg5L7rtAFYtDm41blI4S_X5fGts8zXkrOCfT_26YEtTaMWbS9X2W0g6F6ZyPZWMKk/s640/_DSC5532-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVla62TKbCcqkkewE_mEv9opgS-CoqCThEeATrPkFkY0yZ3vuaz_wYhDSLuTnM-wgKS1NWPUdBI6RP-pB5IGHrawhttKgQG5gtwN76OH-tRgbw1RtaZKIaJY_0SW_AG6IsA0sjFFCh9b2/s1600/_DSC5534-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVla62TKbCcqkkewE_mEv9opgS-CoqCThEeATrPkFkY0yZ3vuaz_wYhDSLuTnM-wgKS1NWPUdBI6RP-pB5IGHrawhttKgQG5gtwN76OH-tRgbw1RtaZKIaJY_0SW_AG6IsA0sjFFCh9b2/s640/_DSC5534-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8dEdc7lWJK9fNZKVF1iTpcAkglrBfqzRrUnNnPBtvSLwtvRHJpj-OZ3dGdYhashvDkr-VI1gnT0bAlopuSN9Gf2BBVumRfVjJW26OHsPyj4M9hoaKwJH0eyIeZ5Cbcb1gMU0j-IL2f_O/s1600/_DSC5541-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8dEdc7lWJK9fNZKVF1iTpcAkglrBfqzRrUnNnPBtvSLwtvRHJpj-OZ3dGdYhashvDkr-VI1gnT0bAlopuSN9Gf2BBVumRfVjJW26OHsPyj4M9hoaKwJH0eyIeZ5Cbcb1gMU0j-IL2f_O/s640/_DSC5541-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxu9BvWPQepvVwvNtkX1EGKV2lDN2Hu4ZCeyXauqybK621agVasXu_c3wxKmOPCyF9bMcmkC44lKepSfDJole0pb0q7PELxQ6IHbmh3_Hs1M2McE7hsHL6w0AM4NiYHn6aYtlpja8vj5G/s1600/_DSC5545-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxu9BvWPQepvVwvNtkX1EGKV2lDN2Hu4ZCeyXauqybK621agVasXu_c3wxKmOPCyF9bMcmkC44lKepSfDJole0pb0q7PELxQ6IHbmh3_Hs1M2McE7hsHL6w0AM4NiYHn6aYtlpja8vj5G/s640/_DSC5545-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleBF9z-NFEScAmlJEhCb4XbR6zJ-7n6oc8GQj9-xf-I_FI5ALmP38wwpdLMQWmFRIrZlZdWVtg6ZBXaK9nVsaTSNpGIQOz0smj7_0Fk2v6aUQNvksOnvFMZaDNeX0L0zBJNTUSeTHDW_d/s1600/_DSC5559-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleBF9z-NFEScAmlJEhCb4XbR6zJ-7n6oc8GQj9-xf-I_FI5ALmP38wwpdLMQWmFRIrZlZdWVtg6ZBXaK9nVsaTSNpGIQOz0smj7_0Fk2v6aUQNvksOnvFMZaDNeX0L0zBJNTUSeTHDW_d/s640/_DSC5559-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GfEDopfGNA0ZzaWWmkYF-V78c86dRv0pH_NH1QUijVWbL0_py_fI4zOD8Amhm7zxRAD2IheAYQQlwr8vuR2mhEmX7iPezctPp02TsYFwtAWW2oWZFXklchAWuPSz9-JuLJmV-wXBSs6N/s1600/_DSC5560-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-GfEDopfGNA0ZzaWWmkYF-V78c86dRv0pH_NH1QUijVWbL0_py_fI4zOD8Amhm7zxRAD2IheAYQQlwr8vuR2mhEmX7iPezctPp02TsYFwtAWW2oWZFXklchAWuPSz9-JuLJmV-wXBSs6N/s640/_DSC5560-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbX8TMBAlN19c2eWet79zAr-7PVSuXmeyusG3uI1rr-oCg2CBsl9ZWCO4SvlZMmMjUYK2PSmKo_pLVgZncG7L8pKKP5tqlYTx4MXU_7VzejNFE51Xeyh0gQM-EuFT1XJscZk5DLz3ywNl/s1600/_DSC5569-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbX8TMBAlN19c2eWet79zAr-7PVSuXmeyusG3uI1rr-oCg2CBsl9ZWCO4SvlZMmMjUYK2PSmKo_pLVgZncG7L8pKKP5tqlYTx4MXU_7VzejNFE51Xeyh0gQM-EuFT1XJscZk5DLz3ywNl/s640/_DSC5569-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNDsdyRKDLTWIlS6QrmNnvqRxybtrtUoSO33M1m_38tA2uChaZHNMldSMgBWTrQyW9DIocE2ZfQYvQKXNgWyDJE5WR1NDAWv9IxvyNhdwBO3sgYXgLUKye9CdjPeqJFYMtsFXttStL_Ix/s1600/_DSC5575-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNDsdyRKDLTWIlS6QrmNnvqRxybtrtUoSO33M1m_38tA2uChaZHNMldSMgBWTrQyW9DIocE2ZfQYvQKXNgWyDJE5WR1NDAWv9IxvyNhdwBO3sgYXgLUKye9CdjPeqJFYMtsFXttStL_Ix/s640/_DSC5575-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2d6T4fNWKyU4fxlEX6koayTRbWnogGtwZX67NBwxCPatrPN0ApNFZGnWdvWHVWfa3XfFATaaolccrhwcR_i32vvc5NvBbJf4QNWhbaJ0M_b4mZQE4Fh7PRDjYCXlFtjUDzegQ9v9IIlW/s1600/_DSC5584-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2d6T4fNWKyU4fxlEX6koayTRbWnogGtwZX67NBwxCPatrPN0ApNFZGnWdvWHVWfa3XfFATaaolccrhwcR_i32vvc5NvBbJf4QNWhbaJ0M_b4mZQE4Fh7PRDjYCXlFtjUDzegQ9v9IIlW/s640/_DSC5584-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguskpYE73QvYyN3KTz2m_h-8ySejouFwIeZL3QqGTXFKKjWccaA_5sUoIcJG3QQzFIEhZFTQVdjMYK8xWruMPLbQcn0mldaV44rjT_ByMnjwC0yQD__nPXyBMz2wvLrbMfSKYpUcJD7le-/s1600/_DSC5590-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguskpYE73QvYyN3KTz2m_h-8ySejouFwIeZL3QqGTXFKKjWccaA_5sUoIcJG3QQzFIEhZFTQVdjMYK8xWruMPLbQcn0mldaV44rjT_ByMnjwC0yQD__nPXyBMz2wvLrbMfSKYpUcJD7le-/s640/_DSC5590-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAmNy1EXECT0vZViMQ5iBEgFQk8K1wsn2u0ujt_Q366aRIn-njJ5wprLraDw3YUWPdLstGt-W_gtBQp9-r1iD6BNFdN43H2LZyORP0lTkicd22LSEfqlAklA9cDLIA7G78fEyOTWYk8WS/s1600/_DSC5598-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAmNy1EXECT0vZViMQ5iBEgFQk8K1wsn2u0ujt_Q366aRIn-njJ5wprLraDw3YUWPdLstGt-W_gtBQp9-r1iD6BNFdN43H2LZyORP0lTkicd22LSEfqlAklA9cDLIA7G78fEyOTWYk8WS/s640/_DSC5598-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y6Fs8jadeD255o2qMhYTxJBUffho8n7-rH13Fx-H9LmBm2IpFELAAfTgZeJ66eTO9wgju2zbnZ2sLWH1pO1LXqOcXGMSEPid4ryh1z7dJJitaWa7I82XdHaZLvGK9s5q2_45LhAIgzbJ/s1600/_DSC5602-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-y6Fs8jadeD255o2qMhYTxJBUffho8n7-rH13Fx-H9LmBm2IpFELAAfTgZeJ66eTO9wgju2zbnZ2sLWH1pO1LXqOcXGMSEPid4ryh1z7dJJitaWa7I82XdHaZLvGK9s5q2_45LhAIgzbJ/s640/_DSC5602-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEA2M7Z3IkgbWW5aRdg0sF3lf9vS-wO2dfKixLC8Sj1kfQsGZJ08cPfNImqevHV3AZjryyNP5npXRCVVHtm6GhcszdS_2lC36XR5sResvLc-Bd9pRZk7GuYvobc8jPZNVtiNVG8S61FgD/s1600/_DSC5622-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEA2M7Z3IkgbWW5aRdg0sF3lf9vS-wO2dfKixLC8Sj1kfQsGZJ08cPfNImqevHV3AZjryyNP5npXRCVVHtm6GhcszdS_2lC36XR5sResvLc-Bd9pRZk7GuYvobc8jPZNVtiNVG8S61FgD/s640/_DSC5622-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoB23Y8KmNfMtesgUy8skM_zvui4j5m0OwhdPtck_dURYPfm8M4TTkpXvxlplD9mCCMBsnJeqQCIUYL-sJC3QafCEz32wkOw5m9ty8iBE57YXQXPF6cJpeO49obGKgE83TS6v1eufLh_u/s1600/_DSC5627-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoB23Y8KmNfMtesgUy8skM_zvui4j5m0OwhdPtck_dURYPfm8M4TTkpXvxlplD9mCCMBsnJeqQCIUYL-sJC3QafCEz32wkOw5m9ty8iBE57YXQXPF6cJpeO49obGKgE83TS6v1eufLh_u/s640/_DSC5627-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6OdRyG2D7Myfi4P6f6Pg4ZFX5Um-6NDA2ZPeajwGWmmj2TiJEiqwpMhosgHZxtuRFCqWO8F3bLWA15eeKx6Hw72PmyzT9BbjxYweXu6__rePvSaaAdbmaNZJHFuIHgNt-iDIrUgT8qoG/s1600/_DSC5628-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6OdRyG2D7Myfi4P6f6Pg4ZFX5Um-6NDA2ZPeajwGWmmj2TiJEiqwpMhosgHZxtuRFCqWO8F3bLWA15eeKx6Hw72PmyzT9BbjxYweXu6__rePvSaaAdbmaNZJHFuIHgNt-iDIrUgT8qoG/s640/_DSC5628-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43DGxMV9YPAAPwDZNO4VVT5OtHzzX-ZeV9IOAryhNL_NCC2Q484u04JJEMQPqnxPZsgnh-QIxpCr9f3nbyysQ05-mHN7FUgllvn7isoTDTlzkYIE3kG8GZgHnElAzfGhHVccPEpZbdQ-8/s1600/_DSC5630-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43DGxMV9YPAAPwDZNO4VVT5OtHzzX-ZeV9IOAryhNL_NCC2Q484u04JJEMQPqnxPZsgnh-QIxpCr9f3nbyysQ05-mHN7FUgllvn7isoTDTlzkYIE3kG8GZgHnElAzfGhHVccPEpZbdQ-8/s640/_DSC5630-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlJCfpFu6cXrCAakU4d0dIfE4OeEt9IzRNk1c5ulQqVsoqq-E0YGGbFnSipK7W_DX8uQGpQJ4P3c3P4jvc-G4nMdS0-1l42bEkEMc-aCimZ1hvACvcdvPKrNBepa3TqJER5q_Zt6N3f-m/s1600/_DSC5659-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlJCfpFu6cXrCAakU4d0dIfE4OeEt9IzRNk1c5ulQqVsoqq-E0YGGbFnSipK7W_DX8uQGpQJ4P3c3P4jvc-G4nMdS0-1l42bEkEMc-aCimZ1hvACvcdvPKrNBepa3TqJER5q_Zt6N3f-m/s640/_DSC5659-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Y13vIihyphenhyphenZ557ty7ZWMrzYFLF5Pws-TS9Lvtp3VnO0RnnRuF722uartpHCIYjY_OTtn92VP_B2ciBkQCIgZJChDyjHLzuGTSU50HSBqlXIzyp9jakDdsmTXbnJjcx8BtqNOnA036e2mt/s1600/_DSC5665-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Y13vIihyphenhyphenZ557ty7ZWMrzYFLF5Pws-TS9Lvtp3VnO0RnnRuF722uartpHCIYjY_OTtn92VP_B2ciBkQCIgZJChDyjHLzuGTSU50HSBqlXIzyp9jakDdsmTXbnJjcx8BtqNOnA036e2mt/s640/_DSC5665-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxb8k4vPQOgE_6OL1CUI7mNPe0b1mTuFQ-J67-g7B02_DLYWfGJH0klN5s_EeH8s8Am2pxakDAmHkTk8Fm6QWY93MEL59ZoFL6P4toSIsVmHAT3jAzYYPZZJy_qbCjKETdi-nTsAEHqAq/s1600/_DSC5672-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxb8k4vPQOgE_6OL1CUI7mNPe0b1mTuFQ-J67-g7B02_DLYWfGJH0klN5s_EeH8s8Am2pxakDAmHkTk8Fm6QWY93MEL59ZoFL6P4toSIsVmHAT3jAzYYPZZJy_qbCjKETdi-nTsAEHqAq/s640/_DSC5672-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyWLTk9nL9NHupntNQYIQtMsxBVhakvIrmDUKRDbgZGvRQDWyBjOareIKqpqV7eh5-U2KCvKO-Nfn5cgM4D6ewXlb5UDx479v79yEkAoUH_m-rkADQBDxaP-yOi7Orj1_nmu5sskx9cBE/s1600/_DSC5680-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyWLTk9nL9NHupntNQYIQtMsxBVhakvIrmDUKRDbgZGvRQDWyBjOareIKqpqV7eh5-U2KCvKO-Nfn5cgM4D6ewXlb5UDx479v79yEkAoUH_m-rkADQBDxaP-yOi7Orj1_nmu5sskx9cBE/s640/_DSC5680-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXJW58q43TORQXiFRw-ZrgahUlYSzSlWkTWucZTIRMgiEefcVQAyWQTDMHuwg7lFT8STf5WHZv8naUMpBjwbfScA5oCq1HM12tHC1D3VFIoYj15MOehGdsTv0SwXDzyTUe0IrBY-B338/s1600/_DSC5707-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXJW58q43TORQXiFRw-ZrgahUlYSzSlWkTWucZTIRMgiEefcVQAyWQTDMHuwg7lFT8STf5WHZv8naUMpBjwbfScA5oCq1HM12tHC1D3VFIoYj15MOehGdsTv0SwXDzyTUe0IrBY-B338/s640/_DSC5707-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmcH-sozn5M5_3r9muj9GTn3X7gSTm6DUnS0rHevLIrYUr5D9gqHzLs36Tiw95Ly42hcnpG1VNahfB9WG1Tyy6uvUtWm7Eg71CK2VT6lnLpogkQAeXEsztlKFDoc1rOD5KuiMtMUQk_g/s1600/_DSC5709-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmcH-sozn5M5_3r9muj9GTn3X7gSTm6DUnS0rHevLIrYUr5D9gqHzLs36Tiw95Ly42hcnpG1VNahfB9WG1Tyy6uvUtWm7Eg71CK2VT6lnLpogkQAeXEsztlKFDoc1rOD5KuiMtMUQk_g/s640/_DSC5709-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*all photos by<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brenna-B-Photography-118833284848549/"> BrennaB Photography</a></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-21589592507103788002015-09-29T13:13:00.001-04:002015-09-29T16:38:23.923-04:00On Network Marketing, Heaven Help Me<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>*Before you de-friend me, PLEASE join the conversation (do this <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HBD86XV">2 second survey</a> I made) and give me a different perspective. I am very open to having my mind changed or learning more about some of the positive sides of things <i>from you personally</i> (not your brand's PR materials, or sales -speak). I hope this doesn't come off as slamming or condemning!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I would also love to hear from folks who maybe know more from the inside of these things and aren't involved anymore about why you stopped. I am no expert, and have done only moderate research on a fraction of the companies out there. </b><br />
<br />
<b>ABOVE ALL this might just be me! I don't have the sales gene and can see how this isn't WRONG across the board. I am attempting to speak 100% from my own weird little heart about how I feel when I'm on the receiving end of these MLM invites and how I think through things if I were to consider becoming a rep of one. </b><br />
<br />
<br />
I have been struggling with this for a LONG time. But just like the <a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/08/on-chickfila-reluctantly.html"><b>Chick-fil-gay thing</b></a>, <a href="http://www.putapuredukes.com/2012/11/i-person-open-letter-to-my-kids-on.html"><b>election night nonsense</b></a>, and a few other hot-button issues that my brain REEEEALLY didn't want to write publicly about...the nagging feeling in my heart that I need to speak out just doesn't go away--until I do. <br />
<br />
Deep breath.<br />
<br />
I made a hard and fast rule a few years ago to never attend a Multi-Level-Marketing party, presentation, sales pitch or recruiting meeting. This has been tricky because there are some brands that have products that actually seem interesting or to fit my style. But the blanket NO is more important to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's the catch: <b>many women I love and respect and don't want to hurt or piss off are involved in these businesses (and have managed to do them without making me feel the ways I am talking about)</b>, so I have found myself incredibly conflicted working through my feelings openly regarding MLM without feeling like I am condemning their choices. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
I feel prayerfully led to write about this for a few reasons:<br />
<br />
1. To let folks in MLM be aware of how your customers and friends <b>could possibly feel</b>. These 12 things are churning around wreaking havoc in <i>my</i> brain every time I am contacted about this, so just be careful where you cast your net and think about potential risk/rewards. It wouldn't be fair for me to be mad at or hurt by you in our friendship if I never spoke up!<br />
<br />
2. To give a voice to a topic that's tough to talk about (I've been afraid to even share <a href="http://www.scarymommy.com/how-to-lose-facebook-friends/"><b>funny articles</b></a> about MLM for fear of offending people I love). I bet there are more than a few folks who feel like me on this but don't advertise it because you don't want to be "anti" anyone. If I stay quiet for fear of offending, and doing so mean I am hurt or a relationship suffers, that sucks and isn't worth the fake peace of shutting up.<br />
<br />
3. To work out and put words to the angst this has given me.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
There are a few angles at work here for me that make this stuff a problem (again, I'd love to hear if/why I'm operating under incorrect assumptions).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>As an Informed Customer</b> </span></h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When a soliciting stranger comes to my door, or into our office and tries to cold-sell me something that I didn't ask for and don't need, and I have to turn them away, I am left with blood pounding in my ears, flushed face, and elevated heart rate. I feel sad that this is their job and must be told NO so often, but I also feel angry that they are putting me on the spot and not respecting my boundaries (my initial No, thanks)--in hopes of getting some money out of me. I feel dirty afterward.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(1) <b>I hate that feeling and I never want to make ANYONE feel like that, and definitely not a loved one.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So when it's a friend or neighbor or Facebook acquaintance who approaches me, things get even more complicated. Do I believe you that you love this product? Yes, I usually assume my friends tell the truth and aren't snake oil charlatans. Do I think you care about me? Yes. (with the glaring exception of people who never speak to me in real life but try to recruit or sell to me on FB). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But if these two things are true, then (2) <b>why do I not seem to hear about these products BEFORE someone starts making commissions from selling them?</b> Often, <i>the first time</i> I hear of someone's enthusiasm for a business is when they've already become a seller. It's a lot more believable to me if you have been a brand enthusiast for some time and talked about how you love buying/using something AND THEN LATER decided to then turn that passion into a job.<br />
<br />
This excellent, well-balanced, rational <a href="http://www.fairgroundmedia.com/the-truth-about-mary-kay"><b>article</b></a> says it great:<br />
<br />
<i>Is there ever a reason to join up with an MLM company? Actually, I think there is! If you and/or your friends are fanatical supporters of a company or product, by all means, save yourselves some money on the bulk purchases you’d have made anyway!</i><br />
<br />
So stop there if that's you. I'm not really talking about these folks.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There is nothing new under the sun. I didn't make that up; it's from the Bible. When a new drug comes out from a big Pharmacy company, there is almost always a generic version soon to follow. When there is a new kind of cosmetic made by Clinique, there will be an Oil of Olay version in Target in a month or two. So the businesses that are pushing products with proprietary ingredients or technology that <i>only they</i> have just seem like liars to me (the businesses who know it, not my MLM friends).<b> </b>(3)<b>but if the formulas are so miraculous at making you skinny, wrinkle free, full of energy, gorgeously hairless, then why aren't the mass production companies reverse engineering/wooing away their scientists to help make similar ones?</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And moreover (4) <b>why isn't my expert--doctor/dentist/nutritionist/trainer prescribing them? </b>Why should I trust a chick I knew one summer at volleyball camp in 1997 on how to moisturize over my Board Certified dermatologist?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Noto Serif', serif; line-height: 31.9998px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
As a Fellow Internet Seller:</span></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I get the appeal of network marketing. Hello, this is my blog that has ads on it. A large chunk of people who read this blog are my friends--they are in my network--and every time I link to a post on my personal Facebook page, and a friend clicks it, I do get a tiny amount of money. If you sign up for Stitch Fix from here, I get $15!<br />
<br />
TRUTH: I am happy when I get more pageviews because it makes me money. I am happy when a friend buys something from my Etsy shop. Let's be clear: YALL MAKE ME MONEY AND I LIKE IT! Doing something (sewing and writing) I love and helping may my billz? Yeah, it's cool, I know, because I do it too.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But my blog and Etsy shop both have a little red X somewhere up top, and you can make my words and my ads disappear forever with one little click. You don't have to email me personally, or look me in the eye and say 'No thanks' repeatedly, or ever worry that you're fracturing our relationship by opting out of my jibber jabber. <br />
<br />
I can guarantee that I will never email, text, call, or approach you in real life to say, "would you like to read my blog?" or "can I tell you about the things I sew and sell?" (5)<b>You can opt out of my "business" or brand without unfriending (literally or digitally) me. <u>The gift of the anonymous "No thanks, not interested, but I still want to be friends" is a courtesy everyone deserves</u>. </b><br />
<br />
I have been hurt to discover this isn't the case with some of my MLM friends who have used our relationship as a shield to protect them against me getting rude or short. Their companies will equip them with scripts, a la telemarketers, and train them in how to get around my polite refusals. As another woman who conducts business online, it angers me to see aggressive tactics at work that seem to rely on pressuring a potential customer/current friend to choose between keeping her money or keeping her friend.<br />
<br />
From conversations I have had with friends who have been sold to, (6) <b>it seems that the product with the most allure is often guilt-relief ("I'm just supporting you in this because I love you") or breathing room ("ok, fine, I'll buy something so you will just stop bringing it up"). </b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">
As Your Friend</span></h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The #1 feeling I get when I walk away from a MLM pitch or encounter (that went beyond my first "No, thank you," or came out of nowhere pretending like we're friends to make a sale off me) is <b>USED</b>. I feel used that you wanted my money (or the money my friends would eventually give you) and were willing to leverage our friendship to get access to it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have sweet, sweet friends (AGAIN, I dearly love many MLMs!) who say (and mean!) "you can totally say no and I won't ever bring it up again or be offended." I am envious that they can move on so easily, but I CANT! I think I could make a pretty comprehensive list right now of every friend who has tried to sell us something and I have had to tell them no. Because (7) <b>it sticks with <u>me</u> and leaves me with a bad taste in my heart for a long time afterward</b> (did they use me? did I offend them? what are they really in this friendship for? can I dare ask <i>them</i> for anything in the future?). That may just be my introverted non salesman personality, but there ya go.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PLEASE don't tell me you want to share a business with me because you know I'd be great at it and just want to bless me. That might be part of the reason, but in reality these business models can only sustainably profit reps when they have more and more people beneath them/on their team/in their "family"/in their downline. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That supplement that I get my coworker to buy for $150? It's making a profit for me, the person who recruited me, the person who recruited them, and up and up to the fat cat who spent $7 to manufacture a green tea powder with some added cool-sounding ingredients.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The straight up truth is that whoever got you into a MLM is making money off of you. If they are smart business people they will recruit people who would be great at recruiting others (no shame in that game!), but the problem I have is that it's almost never advertised that way. (8) <b> I'd so much rather hear "If you start selling this stuff you will make money AND I will too!" than just the promises and flattery of "you would be so good at this, and these products will change your life."</b> (to be fair, one R+F rep did try to recruit me and said she would make money off my skills, and I respected her a lot more for it!) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(9) <b>If I feel like my friend is willing to be less than candid, shade the truth or even lie to me to make money, I lose respect for him/her and the friendship is strained (MLM-ers: take care to nott just copy and paste the same "hey girl" message to me repeatedly. Or to people I talk to because when I realize that's what you did I feel extremely used and uncared for.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(10)<b> It's cliche because it's true: mixing money and love/friendship can be a dangerous practice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">As a Christian</span></b></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh this one is so so tricky. I am going to write this one first person, and not assume anyone else feels the same and say outright that it's totally okay to feel/do differently from me. But how I would or would not do things does tend to shade how I feel about what's being done to me (also a Biblical principle).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As someone who publicly loves Jesus and talks about him in hopes of showing him to others, one of my most valuable asset to people in my life is my voice (in Christianese my "witness"). Am I authentic, am I truthful, would I tell you if there were yucky things about it? Am I believable in what my personal experience has been? Do I care about you? Do I love you for who you are?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If I do something along the way that makes someone doubt these things, then it's going to be a lot of work or even impossible to earn that back, so (11) <b>I want to be jealously protective of </b><b>my voice/influence/circle and </b><b>am very hesitant about appearing to leverage it for any gain that isn't Jesus himself and could therefore tarnish or call into question my motives when I am talking about him.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another aspect of this related to my faith is an economic one. For everyone to be as successful as the success stories that go along with recruitment/sales pitches (free cars, vacations, enormous paychecks, freedom, family time), there ALWAYS has to be downline (and mathematically downline has to expand EXPONENTIALLY to maintain up line profits I need 3 people to make money, they need 9 more, and on and on). At some point the market (be it your neighborhood or your planet) is saturated and there simply aren't enough people buying at market price to sustain profits for the people above who get a cut of your sales and discounts themselves. (12) So <b>from a wisdom perspective, I don't want to invest my time, money, voice, efforts into an unsustainable business model, or encourage others to. </b><br />
<br />
<b>UPDATED: (13) The product that is raved about most seems to be the "stay at home, make my own hours, freedom and money." </b>It's the money and the job that seem to get marketed, NOT the products. And it is simply impossible to offer that kind of success (even if youve had it or known those who have) to everyone the same way you would offer a jar of jelly or whatever the product is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wish I had been less serious in this entire post so I could make a joke about a pyramid versus a cross here, but it feels too soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Repeating my disclaimer and request for a conversation: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>*Before you de-friend me, PLEASE join the conversation and give me a different perspective. I am very open to having my mind changed or learning more about some of the positive sides of things <i>from you personally</i> (not your brand's PR materials, or sales -speak). I hope this doesn't come off as slamming or condemning!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I would also love to hear from folks who maybe know more from the inside of these things and aren't involved anymore about why you stopped. I am no expert, and have done only moderate research on a fraction of the companies out there.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>If you are a CUSTOMER (only buy and never sell) of these companies, please tell me which ones and why and how your experience has been. This feels like a rare breed to me due to pricing structure versus selling discounts and would love a perspective of someone without a downline who ENJOYS this business model (versus guilt purchases).</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Ok. Talk to me.</b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lord, beer me strength.</div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-67347323414350876102015-09-17T10:59:00.001-04:002015-09-17T11:23:39.111-04:00Dewey YESimal!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I had longed for a real card catalog for years. Liz Lemon has a behemoth one in her apartment, and she is my life coach and Swami. All the cool makeover projects I found for them on Pinterest started with "I found this for $10 at a local rummage sale," which produced in me a charming bitter envy-rage. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No one is so naive as to price a real library card catalog for a mere $10 anywhere around these parts. A weekly search of craigslist showed me that people who had these babies KNEW what we the crafty would give to possess them. Here's one I just found on craigslist nearby. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6wBwDniZ7TamN3Iv0N9S8zalEsOmcktR07YSppQiLfLPsF_wTXydlki9_m4-xjM3JKwB2fpnDVaTMbYvMB76HYi0rm9pIZOmnfh6octIiUMa6f2J1Gn4NjMsThP5ySpCLs0us-33QSiL/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+9172015+100740+AM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6wBwDniZ7TamN3Iv0N9S8zalEsOmcktR07YSppQiLfLPsF_wTXydlki9_m4-xjM3JKwB2fpnDVaTMbYvMB76HYi0rm9pIZOmnfh6octIiUMa6f2J1Gn4NjMsThP5ySpCLs0us-33QSiL/s640/Fullscreen+capture+9172015+100740+AM.bmp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><b>But to be fair, Jo Ellen deserves to be compensated for having her head spun. The poor dear.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
$475?! Mama can't play dat. And while I am a HUGE proponent of affordable hacking/DIYing I just couldn't bring myself to fake this instead of having the real thing--even though <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-after-from-ikea-basic-to-a-vintage-look-card-catalog-the-painted-hive-170590"><b>this DIY version</b></a> looks crisp!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Why? I am a staunch defender and consumer of actual books. I have never read an eBook because I think a real, made-from-a-tree, printed-with-ink, feel-the-heft-of-the-pages, book is a magical experience too good to pass up for pixels (yes the irony that you're only reading this because of pixels isn't lost on me). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I actually USED card catalogs and learned about the Dewey Decimal system in elementary school *yikesface*. I remember the vertiginous, Mary Poppins Carpet Bag feeling of pulling out one little bitty drawer and it being longer and deeper than any drawer I had ever encountered. I felt so grown up (like an archivist! or Egyptologist! or Treasure hunting preteen Indiana Jones!) flipping through the hundreds of little cards and find the magic number for the book I needed (<i>The Courtship of Princess Leia</i>, for the record. Not joking) --and then getting distracted because my friends were playing M.A.S.H. nearby and inevitably forgetting the number and having to start over.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While computers are obviously a far more efficient system for library users now, I still think these massive fossils deserve better than to rot in school basements like some kind of sad rodent tenement. I think card catalogs should be honored, or at least given a cushy retirement where they can be treasured, remembered, and revered. And that reverence to me would come in the form of having juice spilled atop them, crayons scribbled on their sides, and all manner of action figures, pacis, and ossified string cheese stuffed in their hallowed innards. RESPECT THE PAST.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were actual tears when a teacher friend texted me 2 years ago: "you wouldn't be interested in our library's old card catalog that we are getting rid of, would you?" I screamed. It's not like I had even told this beautiful Saint about my longing. Clearly this was my destiny's child. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When I first saw it in person my reaction really bordered on crazy cat(alog) lady talk, "Awwww, it's so tiny!" "It's even more beautiful than I had imagined!" and "Oh, but so heavy! What a healthy boy...yes you are! Who's a healthy boy?" Because yes, my newborn dream come true was only 2 feet square, but weighed more than an Imperial Star Destroyer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I got it home with only like 5 slipped disks and Jesse was like, "What now? What are you gonna do with that? Where will it go? You realize our house is tiny?" And I covered the catalogs impressionable ears and scolded him, "We'll make room! This is a blessing! I'M KEEPING IT!"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then I left it in the garage for 2 years to be a spider habitat until we moved. Shut up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But here we find ourselves with lots more space, and finally the motivation from me to take on the restoration.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OEesqAZR0o6zcEsLAviVZnHcXuw7rsRr4LyWYSIJOAOdClje3GdBywtd0ie3WW-vPvQku9wbJpPvoCuU5X8bM7rbq44egoszkQ4nZgndpdy8AvLhpuGKsDF1W6wS7TZJ-C_jb9Y6vkGi/s1600/image14+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OEesqAZR0o6zcEsLAviVZnHcXuw7rsRr4LyWYSIJOAOdClje3GdBywtd0ie3WW-vPvQku9wbJpPvoCuU5X8bM7rbq44egoszkQ4nZgndpdy8AvLhpuGKsDF1W6wS7TZJ-C_jb9Y6vkGi/s640/image14+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is the state he was in after his stay in the garage. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That bottom piece of trim had fallen off somewhere along the way. The presence of MDF underneath the trim also let me know that this wasn't totally solid wood like I had thought--despite weighing more than the Forest Moon of Endor. Bummer. Or <i>swomp-swomp</i> (as Layla says when you drop something thrown to you). I lose vintage-antique points there, but who cares, the thing held freaking Dewey Cards, yall. I'M KEEPING MY POINTS.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The veneer is a shiny flat doo doo brown and had HAD to go.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He is almost a perfect cube. Short and stocky and frisky and fine. Too little to be a stand-alone piece, but to big and deep to really fit comfortably on a normal table.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpYx9grHqsmU1g6FTSnmLFKhlzuk7wFSDCvM6uAzhowOl3Ygh0bJtx6BIdVJOD7gySlgQY9Qyp76T64gvxNdnqRflp_wwvy1Lgj7knMlZNmisIbPFuBZHy90GkvcnJt2FZG5QtnpWqC7U/s1600/image1+%252812%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpYx9grHqsmU1g6FTSnmLFKhlzuk7wFSDCvM6uAzhowOl3Ygh0bJtx6BIdVJOD7gySlgQY9Qyp76T64gvxNdnqRflp_wwvy1Lgj7knMlZNmisIbPFuBZHy90GkvcnJt2FZG5QtnpWqC7U/s640/image1+%252812%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Beside a book, for scale. (1 of about 300 Star Wars books that I own. Because awesome).</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Last week I sat down and took all the hardware off to assess the situation.</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/AVvXsEgFRpnjl74s94E_0Xd9QGaU91omp-EvePqSsCkgPgoqOMGuBicCiseZIjnhxd1sM1JLjWzaq-qAz6ualaAmzRLJtYS1R_gQ3f5VYnu_0WunYRn1D6rtbvOZsRXWGvUH2DtAhQRvfo-EOFh7/s1600/image2+%252811%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRpnjl74s94E_0Xd9QGaU91omp-EvePqSsCkgPgoqOMGuBicCiseZIjnhxd1sM1JLjWzaq-qAz6ualaAmzRLJtYS1R_gQ3f5VYnu_0WunYRn1D6rtbvOZsRXWGvUH2DtAhQRvfo-EOFh7/s640/image2+%252811%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Michael Scott is my constant DIY companion. I will never be defeated at "Office" trivia, btw.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6Ho0piRZvznR1ZFbPUQdN6JQrixyj7RpyVl7IlgFMTrtVn1d381-UARIw7zcMXeeiGcFTBy0cvYmTkf4d0Mu3wZfeUT2q3e0cUm0SSzLZMVp8yRfYEAkxhk2vaXufaPNkMgOm-rphen1/s1600/image3+%252811%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6Ho0piRZvznR1ZFbPUQdN6JQrixyj7RpyVl7IlgFMTrtVn1d381-UARIw7zcMXeeiGcFTBy0cvYmTkf4d0Mu3wZfeUT2q3e0cUm0SSzLZMVp8yRfYEAkxhk2vaXufaPNkMgOm-rphen1/s640/image3+%252811%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>I found that the hardware was solid brass (not plated...via magnet test), and gave it a brasso bath to take off most of, but not all because VINTAGE, of the tarnish.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnmAq0WRS1vyLRntw1Zy_Oni_dIP3J-xmDaSS3vm8GGVVKd_dnwsULJU83UD_O16SPMENemOYkm2mM-LKGgvad9el3-GSiat0E4xCsJV1G45QBt0zqkkF32G6M4PPjQP0gvdYrxgwugnz/s1600/image4+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnmAq0WRS1vyLRntw1Zy_Oni_dIP3J-xmDaSS3vm8GGVVKd_dnwsULJU83UD_O16SPMENemOYkm2mM-LKGgvad9el3-GSiat0E4xCsJV1G45QBt0zqkkF32G6M4PPjQP0gvdYrxgwugnz/s640/image4+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The next day I got down (girl, go head get down), on sanding the beast. The yucky brown veneer IS real wood so I could strip and stain it like a solid wood piece (being careful not to sand all the way through the veneer which would expose the MDF and my secret shame).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></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/AVvXsEg1fTj-gIczF6nzWl3lhEP8bSJ7ETimXDYAxIgfrUBVeFP99vs16RYjUVyxsDCBK-p_sMOQLAS9VicFrs946YDUila6Ksi1uIm3dD4Nufn5w3Q9YS8-TnotUszHEvll5152f1N5t8lDx68a/s1600/image6+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fTj-gIczF6nzWl3lhEP8bSJ7ETimXDYAxIgfrUBVeFP99vs16RYjUVyxsDCBK-p_sMOQLAS9VicFrs946YDUila6Ksi1uIm3dD4Nufn5w3Q9YS8-TnotUszHEvll5152f1N5t8lDx68a/s640/image6+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The drawers are plastic (oh the ignominy!) and metal bolted on to solid wood fronts</b>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH5DrrqnTW5QKR88g4peFr7GqGAiNgwlUABwnCAEXsAo0tvDMNz_YrSOdwoBrCWEvZbrw5YScWn-Tr6w1Qgwf_KlcfZ7a0EfKgHW-GuyOH41rtmXj0E9Hyrdz70G3W82oh-5Ubq4g4yGF/s1600/image5+%252811%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfH5DrrqnTW5QKR88g4peFr7GqGAiNgwlUABwnCAEXsAo0tvDMNz_YrSOdwoBrCWEvZbrw5YScWn-Tr6w1Qgwf_KlcfZ7a0EfKgHW-GuyOH41rtmXj0E9Hyrdz70G3W82oh-5Ubq4g4yGF/s640/image5+%252811%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Sweet boogers, it was hot that day and I laid down a preliminary stain with my sweat. I was batter-dipped with the sawdust by the end of this.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVdeMsOz0-kWqm1-Uafzy6Mx1-RIsbD1XT3c-c8UzxvGpG4brYfbFqUZfyM2F4bEZNS7BDN2ZTnC7B1eQnoUNELJEf8Ku3btOMQouCMWF1bStTBevRHw9ooGtciL5DoUDCtnoLvLJJNlF/s1600/image7+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVdeMsOz0-kWqm1-Uafzy6Mx1-RIsbD1XT3c-c8UzxvGpG4brYfbFqUZfyM2F4bEZNS7BDN2ZTnC7B1eQnoUNELJEf8Ku3btOMQouCMWF1bStTBevRHw9ooGtciL5DoUDCtnoLvLJJNlF/s640/image7+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>I moved the show into the blessed AC to try out stains. </b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4TH9evg5MUDd5ZAhFaR1ArNnfHRZX69JZHvSTIBn6Z6u8bPMH3-EvQbRBs6xKHoHA7txUGRYRIzJGCG9Ez4nd9fPQsSyobd5gqIwvFOTcOutabxdyIHjuLgetOrm3nFm7f-eHzKHZWKx/s1600/image8+%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4TH9evg5MUDd5ZAhFaR1ArNnfHRZX69JZHvSTIBn6Z6u8bPMH3-EvQbRBs6xKHoHA7txUGRYRIzJGCG9Ez4nd9fPQsSyobd5gqIwvFOTcOutabxdyIHjuLgetOrm3nFm7f-eHzKHZWKx/s320/image8+%25287%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>I tested each of the colors on a drawer front. This was so stupid. HELLO KEIGHT, IT'S STAIN. I knew I'd have to sand off the 2 losing shades, but didn't plan for how deep that would be. Total pain. Next time I will test on the back side.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpeHA3KnUkzTTxovbVXGcvyiSlZm7GXD81_zVhEBeCT3tOMSSdXQkdAxUINBDueKBvKfURjltBol9pTp0O8_7abo-EMVtO7unAxyridLPqbIlpYlitBSqsBS0fgvVRmQOvG5nc_z7ZpQI/s1600/image9+%25288%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpeHA3KnUkzTTxovbVXGcvyiSlZm7GXD81_zVhEBeCT3tOMSSdXQkdAxUINBDueKBvKfURjltBol9pTp0O8_7abo-EMVtO7unAxyridLPqbIlpYlitBSqsBS0fgvVRmQOvG5nc_z7ZpQI/s640/image9+%25288%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> I wiped the whole thing down and started staining (went with the golden oak...even though I typically hate oak colored stuff, it looked the best by far).</b></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/AVvXsEjbbsO-2ba0AWNMr41aIqBUuvwjTGIjVYrSz7iR-1wzKMLXQOyZEi8elFvkKWwrU-9OpN8cGn5SsK_syZZDwGwTyy3RGeH8Mz3aHGFNIKIffBhtjVeYfQUREIAQH3huyr-COLdUX3BsYAJX/s1600/image10+%25285%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbsO-2ba0AWNMr41aIqBUuvwjTGIjVYrSz7iR-1wzKMLXQOyZEi8elFvkKWwrU-9OpN8cGn5SsK_syZZDwGwTyy3RGeH8Mz3aHGFNIKIffBhtjVeYfQUREIAQH3huyr-COLdUX3BsYAJX/s640/image10+%25285%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>A coat of finishing wax and the hardware went back on. Here's where the giddyness began. Jesse cut me a strip of thin plywood to cover up the bottom trim piece that had come off. Itf fit so perfectly and took the stain just the same as the catalog did.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-jvD7k6GoUq3kgRM6pCtX-cxwBMplkQ4MolykmpgR2GtZMn2QOweDNfgDzVGzw5mRjYWmnQAfgO2Z_XNewRblmoY0xRl3rD3IEUTke-VOCFqlzI3vxwqOy924OfMBXjJbDadiTRvRoIE/s1600/image11+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-jvD7k6GoUq3kgRM6pCtX-cxwBMplkQ4MolykmpgR2GtZMn2QOweDNfgDzVGzw5mRjYWmnQAfgO2Z_XNewRblmoY0xRl3rD3IEUTke-VOCFqlzI3vxwqOy924OfMBXjJbDadiTRvRoIE/s640/image11+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Wood glued and weighted down overnight and that little strip is now an inalienable member of the piece.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrlSWLZYAv2gEw_DCOJDs7jvKZxomvUZF_bHNCW8qvFoURzaOFpVFdNZb9cgnFgF-ERbxcRXggy3Psrg5CXZ4dAXrrknRATlkYjjJ8jmNbCjzLs4NYrR1PU6JpG_CI7KL2pdkYW3VqRh6/s1600/image16+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrlSWLZYAv2gEw_DCOJDs7jvKZxomvUZF_bHNCW8qvFoURzaOFpVFdNZb9cgnFgF-ERbxcRXggy3Psrg5CXZ4dAXrrknRATlkYjjJ8jmNbCjzLs4NYrR1PU6JpG_CI7KL2pdkYW3VqRh6/s400/image16+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>I got a set of 4 hairpin steel legs on eBay (<a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/gardengizmos/m.html?item=331632261915&var=540776009898&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562">from this seller</a>) for $45 (the best price of all 13 places I looked). These are 14", tight profile, and unfinished steel.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwKU0-HGUSikLuGms9pQhbf4vHPKNjknsuq4RQiS6ANZvAJQ3uZtZR1qR1JBvg_56xO9qk8HOoqujjSzIApScwQjQ2kdmoBUxOe__7SxKxCL_dt4eINLWEmCjJyfLZCb0cJGexcTgBGb2/s1600/image12+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwKU0-HGUSikLuGms9pQhbf4vHPKNjknsuq4RQiS6ANZvAJQ3uZtZR1qR1JBvg_56xO9qk8HOoqujjSzIApScwQjQ2kdmoBUxOe__7SxKxCL_dt4eINLWEmCjJyfLZCb0cJGexcTgBGb2/s400/image12+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>I screwed them on last night, lickety split</b>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Turned him over and put him in a place of honor in the foyer! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt3sPAf_bagxlCwgoYM40d-3hYa6fd148Z7W4Lsr74X4UzQq9nRyoBnzQkx6Ms7bNR4i8nqBjzB96FPSdgGjk98-FjUnxXgIIn5bD1qjCOBKNfog2puJcJK6BFIr72JsTQdJVtA7-fWPv/s1600/image13+%25283%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJt3sPAf_bagxlCwgoYM40d-3hYa6fd148Z7W4Lsr74X4UzQq9nRyoBnzQkx6Ms7bNR4i8nqBjzB96FPSdgGjk98-FjUnxXgIIn5bD1qjCOBKNfog2puJcJK6BFIr72JsTQdJVtA7-fWPv/s640/image13+%25283%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Yeah, I am freaking jazzed about this guy. The catalog itself is so heavy and solid and stout that the dainty (looking, but solid to hold the weight safely!) legs set it off so well. Besides looking great, it really does have tons of storage space and is a great height for cute things to display and as a drop zone for keys. This bibliophile is all heart-eyes for her restored biblio-file (#sorrynotsorry).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkqbiY8VihJOCYqm-prgSD25lD-AV5dNo7oTEUpU6U8akciDMWIFq2hR8Q74GZDIfubpb5rzL4S5MMUZrN_93_SCgLDR6GALhnMLHjGQ6iW3lfZvi7GXSg2dHEy992bgTY2qsmv2C_UhW/s1600/Downloads3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkqbiY8VihJOCYqm-prgSD25lD-AV5dNo7oTEUpU6U8akciDMWIFq2hR8Q74GZDIfubpb5rzL4S5MMUZrN_93_SCgLDR6GALhnMLHjGQ6iW3lfZvi7GXSg2dHEy992bgTY2qsmv2C_UhW/s640/Downloads3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Welcome to your forever family, baby!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-18741112263105159732015-09-01T13:38:00.000-04:002015-09-02T10:45:17.594-04:00Adventure of Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
YOUGUYSYOUGUYSYOUGUYSYOUGUYS. I have had my first true Thrift-Steal-to-DIY-Treasure moment. To the tune of $35 for the raw materials turned into a golden nugget that would probably have cost $1000 to have had professionally made/installed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Even? NO, I CANNOT!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It all started when I was in an area of the thrift store I usually don't even glance at. Do you see anything worth $1000 here? (well there's not...yet!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXsPHnJRSkuNbZeQ3boNyTyLWUQSRdQNkwfmBgwq5Krowf7e1DfrNKXOWprryoO41J8m2fp2aPpquOcd-BPp_GUWyKBrwJwNGKcI7ovGaUriWIvjgtiC8T_qd0eiMKPb8OSn7-PuPVqmv/s1600/IMG_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXsPHnJRSkuNbZeQ3boNyTyLWUQSRdQNkwfmBgwq5Krowf7e1DfrNKXOWprryoO41J8m2fp2aPpquOcd-BPp_GUWyKBrwJwNGKcI7ovGaUriWIvjgtiC8T_qd0eiMKPb8OSn7-PuPVqmv/s640/IMG_0480.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Tanks a lot, amirite? (sorry)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
It was those torn out kitchen cabinets. There were exactly 5 of them and they were $25 for the bunch. I thought they would be perfect in my workroom/studio/sewing sweatshop. This room right here is it:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8VYfIkg9UvpDtFpeg9_O4iFiCYJ8e8ZPEt71NKSO7D_uNF1QMmnmsjHqssf55dxj4ayivbTet2dTIkwcurSEuryIhkBTyYlOTyD_LQH3WYgsigo8ve7Kqrem6lpG_j7yKQRgHnxC-dKf/s1600/image9+%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8VYfIkg9UvpDtFpeg9_O4iFiCYJ8e8ZPEt71NKSO7D_uNF1QMmnmsjHqssf55dxj4ayivbTet2dTIkwcurSEuryIhkBTyYlOTyD_LQH3WYgsigo8ve7Kqrem6lpG_j7yKQRgHnxC-dKf/s640/image9+%25286%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>So, yeah. It's not the worst (even without Baby McHugginLovinStuff parked there)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If you're not impressed with the riches of this space, maybe I need to rub your nose in the rags from whence my DIY/sewing career began in 2010:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18mWNZ_L_OJ3hsOqRHBuVttcdkB122AlKGEu37Q2e9FWR7WE1qncUVbGhIYOEs7fzz7cRVZ8-3ys_mtj53uFruEOKyeecJPfafvde1M5v6f2-KHkXUzzlT0H6M5CF0Qz-eK395arJbQCz/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+3232010+94057+AM.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18mWNZ_L_OJ3hsOqRHBuVttcdkB122AlKGEu37Q2e9FWR7WE1qncUVbGhIYOEs7fzz7cRVZ8-3ys_mtj53uFruEOKyeecJPfafvde1M5v6f2-KHkXUzzlT0H6M5CF0Qz-eK395arJbQCz/s1600/Fullscreen+capture+3232010+94057+AM.bmp.jpg" /></a><br /><b>She was so eensy and adorable. And I was beyond proud of her! My little starter nooklet.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Anyway, I always knew that if I had the space I would love a cutting island/table. Sort of like this: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vECsIGX85HeyE7HjF-Gmi_etWm2OF_NQnz4xq4edtomrhbagZ4RuBqefnu4loCeDQr6uV4s39nGl5HMf33nQi2x_Lv68xHD2QS8z86CrNsLo7sqIswQ5Bt_LILC8mC4sBpzZ_8GuypUJ/s1600/wlb74h7xf4adgcj5rpfg501dca4f9cc63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vECsIGX85HeyE7HjF-Gmi_etWm2OF_NQnz4xq4edtomrhbagZ4RuBqefnu4loCeDQr6uV4s39nGl5HMf33nQi2x_Lv68xHD2QS8z86CrNsLo7sqIswQ5Bt_LILC8mC4sBpzZ_8GuypUJ/s1600/wlb74h7xf4adgcj5rpfg501dca4f9cc63.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But since my studio is actually built to be the formal dining room (We don't formally dine. What we do at our normal kitchen table can barely be called "dining."), I did want to make a space that wasnt ultra outwardly crafty and could still serve a purpose if/when we do entertain (like a buffet line for the potluck!).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I brought the cab frames into the garage and started toying around with how they would be laid out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmeZtWvIf0Iycp2DSahatdlUb_4mHPNZK_wkCBPpTW0Knm4ZTeqN1sL2F83L-UwYP_vpNqov-2TmddXo5_IN5OWKsSg-VFUpbkWUTveQZOr5GcwZC6s-6DCRKd4L_VisTBFRM9qH2Lbna/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmeZtWvIf0Iycp2DSahatdlUb_4mHPNZK_wkCBPpTW0Knm4ZTeqN1sL2F83L-UwYP_vpNqov-2TmddXo5_IN5OWKsSg-VFUpbkWUTveQZOr5GcwZC6s-6DCRKd4L_VisTBFRM9qH2Lbna/s400/IMG_1167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Hello, boys.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpurZKF_2iHGQ0vSUsUwNRYMDdJGG0nXCltQx9qj-CeP-RcPlkGZiqr_B0jIHXFSghorvxnkDPz7T_sRqrfRL2q0tZxdapRUboHMyGuNt9uujZQlP_d5DI80rkvfOZQUAyYc110kXw1Flw/s1600/IMG_1168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpurZKF_2iHGQ0vSUsUwNRYMDdJGG0nXCltQx9qj-CeP-RcPlkGZiqr_B0jIHXFSghorvxnkDPz7T_sRqrfRL2q0tZxdapRUboHMyGuNt9uujZQlP_d5DI80rkvfOZQUAyYc110kXw1Flw/s640/IMG_1168.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Note: this configuration was not the answer. I might not be gifted at Tetris, yall.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the main problem I kept running into was the table top. I wanted something sturdy and solid. Ideally a chunk of solid wood. But dannnng if thick, solid countertop material isnt expensive!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It would kind of defeat the coup of my $25 cabinets to have to shell out $500 for the top. Even my blessed Swedish Godmother couldnt help me. IKEA's best option was <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30297641/"><b>this guy</b></a> who was only real wood to a depth of 1/8" and STILL cost $270. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then I went to another local thrift store on 50% off day and stumbled upon a recent donation they had received of SOLID. WOOD. DOORS. </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/AVvXsEh6O3R7dGHk7RjVoHzdc9xrTrHBjbE4ANM4vmO6htFQRXBOCGfhCHdF1G-zHEkTOEwTqcVRQ34g3BKGw9jAb6cjqQdA3wZ4KtiOYOVr_ExdSbiivmYLNw96OH08IBewMlfLh4gOGdIZItwB/s1600/IMG_1166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6O3R7dGHk7RjVoHzdc9xrTrHBjbE4ANM4vmO6htFQRXBOCGfhCHdF1G-zHEkTOEwTqcVRQ34g3BKGw9jAb6cjqQdA3wZ4KtiOYOVr_ExdSbiivmYLNw96OH08IBewMlfLh4gOGdIZItwB/s320/IMG_1166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Not the actual one I ended up getting.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Technically it's just a solid core (like real wood but all mish mashed together and not from one tree) under a soild wood veneer. Good enough! I realized I could have had one of these <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7661748/type/dlg/http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masonite-36-in-x-80-in-Smooth-Flush-Hardboard-Solid-Core-Birch-Veneer-Composite-Interior-Door-Slab-104280/100064572"><b>from Home Depot all along for only $63</b></a>, but I was so glad I didnt discover this until after I found the brand new (still with its barcode sticker on) one at the thrift store for $10!<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
And the added bonus was that we only had to make one cut through this monster (so. heavy) because he came the perfect width already. We also now have 1/3 of the door left over for another project.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On Saturday <s>we</s> Jesse solved the arrangement conundrum and we bolted the 5 cabs together and backed them where needed with plywood. Then we got some trim for Home Depot for the baseboard and the edges. I stayed up waaaaaay too late nail-gunning and wood-filling to get us to this point:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdglaRUZ89vS08pobBawwSIb_XqvhJ35Y1SK41y5g6eUGONdYp5OEdp5h-XHine8HFa3BOTzYMcBziip_JpvIK5Ppt2V8oq_mWLlEW4aHCapc5pN3VUEaVGl4K8jQN1MD6c46CidKceiB/s1600/IMG_1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdglaRUZ89vS08pobBawwSIb_XqvhJ35Y1SK41y5g6eUGONdYp5OEdp5h-XHine8HFa3BOTzYMcBziip_JpvIK5Ppt2V8oq_mWLlEW4aHCapc5pN3VUEaVGl4K8jQN1MD6c46CidKceiB/s640/IMG_1170.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I put the finishing touches on the bottom with sanding and paint, and then screwed the <i>tabletop-formerly-known-as-door </i>down atop the cabinets (nearly herniating myself in process because I was too giddy to wait for Jesse to get home to help lift it):</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHLLTHkIum7dPMtUgDiYn68h7uMyZJEmeNlSjkbMzaKVgJKP6-IF5R_2HIom3LtRRpNsVQl6TuNzEOc-bKvE3OTrx2s4BgvU5aochLPDWcDrw1XXCr5z-nmfQikcCh-rfqlKmad4xw1Xo/s1600/IMG_1169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHLLTHkIum7dPMtUgDiYn68h7uMyZJEmeNlSjkbMzaKVgJKP6-IF5R_2HIom3LtRRpNsVQl6TuNzEOc-bKvE3OTrx2s4BgvU5aochLPDWcDrw1XXCr5z-nmfQikcCh-rfqlKmad4xw1Xo/s640/IMG_1169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> UHMUHGAH!!!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is the ONLY photo I have of it right now because I wasnt planning on posting about it yet, but I got so so excited that I just whatever-ed and here we are.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I still need to decide on a stain for the top (tricky because of the reddish wood of the floors, sigh) and cut more custom shelves and fill in the pre-fab shelf-peg holes that arent in use. I am undecided on whether or not to put cabinet doors on the long sides (the front short side here will definitely stay open and be filled with pretties--not supplies).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm loco, ha-ha, banana-flavored bonkers over it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If you ask me if you can take it from me, I will tell you:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvVGmVMnlvObbOxYnEg_9D-3h9tetE20lQVJ0aNOZbR9EKsSQ-thc7tX5GEtp3mfDZQbZ97Yvi5KdWUSj1aozENUcbHCllAbZ96tkpe8wSN_mTZgT0p5qoQWym-O3iY9E8Vlg9IKjVQa8/s1600/118ca6dd442b86626fbdd235e6b390fd38dff27806bcfafd9a4ff30bf2394a3d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvVGmVMnlvObbOxYnEg_9D-3h9tetE20lQVJ0aNOZbR9EKsSQ-thc7tX5GEtp3mfDZQbZ97Yvi5KdWUSj1aozENUcbHCllAbZ96tkpe8wSN_mTZgT0p5qoQWym-O3iY9E8Vlg9IKjVQa8/s1600/118ca6dd442b86626fbdd235e6b390fd38dff27806bcfafd9a4ff30bf2394a3d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-12367642948825042222015-08-28T10:34:00.000-04:002015-08-28T10:34:47.113-04:00WTFBMILayla just went for a well checkup to get her hearing and vision tested and get one more shot she needed to be up to date. We are doing this because she is going to start in a public Pre-K program next week and to register you need a vision/hearing/dental/nutrition screening.<br />
<br />
As I was faxing the paperwork I noticed something weird on the boxes the doctor had checked and signed off on:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVCt51ifOR0OdEA8faXcVQ059Py2j4EReYr8Lcqt1Qql0Gv9UMjph3ng2fFDVI_EaTJAZVKIRLDa8sproSu25U9DPvlF_ucr6bV2kfn7HDHyuzd844WsVVSmQgVHUqKwkbtAXzInwp2PE/s1600/image3+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVCt51ifOR0OdEA8faXcVQ059Py2j4EReYr8Lcqt1Qql0Gv9UMjph3ng2fFDVI_EaTJAZVKIRLDa8sproSu25U9DPvlF_ucr6bV2kfn7HDHyuzd844WsVVSmQgVHUqKwkbtAXzInwp2PE/s320/image3+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Um, what?! Her BMI is in the 97 percentile?! and NEEDS FURTHER EVALUATION!? I couldn't believe it so I went to the dot gov site for kids' BMI and typed in the info.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-tgT_CYgOTXFqZubwEVcKebZ5SvnLsUSAab_GMTU5ivoaGsf6nWJ8YWQzKUE0eliEoYeh-YIt-yFiLNCzMX29h8g7Cr3kkBTJxbXYbSTXnCYGkVzAQVYkeD_yuuXGs_mIyrlAJPhGx7-/s1600/image2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-tgT_CYgOTXFqZubwEVcKebZ5SvnLsUSAab_GMTU5ivoaGsf6nWJ8YWQzKUE0eliEoYeh-YIt-yFiLNCzMX29h8g7Cr3kkBTJxbXYbSTXnCYGkVzAQVYkeD_yuuXGs_mIyrlAJPhGx7-/s640/image2.png" width="358" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ok so that escalated things. "Obese?!" THEM'S FIGHTING WORDS! You are calling <i><b>this child</b></i> OBESE? This child?!?!:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXniGqN0StA9AcvuGUeIDyJ-UQWaWbGrh85mvMWYz3L-SPrdIuzFfDjb1bKyB0Wrub1QwqprPMMQA3jIslwjOJXaBD_Ey2vb9qel9GUwTrX_nAPYIOb_eVizwZxauNwKCrS2MsPDEzzM8/s1600/image1+%252811%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXniGqN0StA9AcvuGUeIDyJ-UQWaWbGrh85mvMWYz3L-SPrdIuzFfDjb1bKyB0Wrub1QwqprPMMQA3jIslwjOJXaBD_Ey2vb9qel9GUwTrX_nAPYIOb_eVizwZxauNwKCrS2MsPDEzzM8/s400/image1+%252811%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>She looks like Ronda Rousey's Mini Me.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ok, so, talk me down. I do know that BMI is a pretty crappy measurement in adults with a lot of muscle. When I was cut and working out all the time during my volleyball years at Tech, a BMI calculator said I was overweight, but a Georgia Tech's <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=bod+pod&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=649&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAmoVChMIxf250vzLxwIVDayACh0-kgbp"><b>Bod Pod</b></a> told me I actually had 13% body fat. So I know that BMI is definitely not the end-all, be-all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But in kids?! All I could find talked about BMI being faulty for giving false normal results in children who are, in actuality, obese. Um, okay, I am looking for a false-obese flaw though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
But even if BMI is a problematic tool, why is the school system, and my doctor, using this as a screening for her nutritional health?! I feel like no doctor would examine her and ever pronounce her obese.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
She is certainly NOT the kind of kid who is a whippet-thin, string bean (her brother is). Girl has fabulous muscles and a booty for jumping. She's 4.75 years old, super active, eats a balanced and varied diet and wears store-bought clothes that are mass produced for 4-5 year olds. Are we really okay branding her with the Scarlet "O?!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I want to shrug this off because I know that her heart is so perceptive and would notice the subtlest shift in my attitude toward her in terms of what she eats, how her clothes fit, or her body. I knew with girls that I might have to battle some body image stuff in their tween years and beyond, but just didn't predict this in Pre-K. I also didn't realize that the judgements and pressures from "the world" on my daughters' bodies could hurt me deeper than those I receive about my own figure!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Go home, BMI, you are drunk.</div>
<span style="text-align: center;">:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1808015988"></span><span id="goog_1808015989"></span><br /></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5261923494451820843.post-18788880421203943792015-08-18T15:57:00.002-04:002015-09-02T10:47:02.685-04:00Feeling GROUTchy; or, PUMice, ice, baby.We finally repressed enough of the unpacking trauma (impressive, considering we arent even really done) to summon up some motivation for a NEW project in the new house. I thought I would be clever--and I love a good Zooma--and post a little photo hint of what that DIY might be on my Instagram and Facebook, to see if anyone could guess what these pretty lines meant:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l-dtYnNzh-_S2HI4SaP0ORlyZz5opnKTH_c2_IhQoxupbItuMVxTb_c77mv1toRT6nbLgIVr9qUE6J1OY6T_Iqv-YUobhcK5joNSEq6r046nLI_z9LQj3FInESh4M-_nLT1UlTBrQCLx/s1600/image2+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5l-dtYnNzh-_S2HI4SaP0ORlyZz5opnKTH_c2_IhQoxupbItuMVxTb_c77mv1toRT6nbLgIVr9qUE6J1OY6T_Iqv-YUobhcK5joNSEq6r046nLI_z9LQj3FInESh4M-_nLT1UlTBrQCLx/s320/image2+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Shocked that no one guessed DIY New York Yankees Pants.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was such a total stumper that only 11 people guessed it was tile cement within the first minute. I felt like the creator of <i><a href="http://30rock.wikia.com/wiki/Gold_Case"><b>Gold Case</b></a></i> (aka Kenneth Ellen Parcell). Whatever, super sleuths, nobody guessed what it actually, ACTUALLY was. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
CONSIDER YOURSELVES VEXED! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, yes, tile. Tile on our master bath tub surround!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1efZ8fqk8s_-UZYLYacbFoqbFUf-p5DTB8YO2SZg84UhETey0G9ZsbG6uUD2qIue5ovHVHGlDdNO_xPywLUp2XCiZM4JlueGwZumClTUMMMIfdS5L1C6GjuYiEEuF55_w04xc4boQqG7e/s1600/image12+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1efZ8fqk8s_-UZYLYacbFoqbFUf-p5DTB8YO2SZg84UhETey0G9ZsbG6uUD2qIue5ovHVHGlDdNO_xPywLUp2XCiZM4JlueGwZumClTUMMMIfdS5L1C6GjuYiEEuF55_w04xc4boQqG7e/s400/image12+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Beforesville McSnoresville</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Let's be clear: I LOVE this bathtub. It's HUGEGANTIC and bright white and smooth and dreamy. I love that it is separate from the shower (which is to the left), and that it is next to a big old square window. I take baths a lot. Like that is exclusively how I clean my JohnMayer'sWonderland. Only in the direst of circumstances will I take a shower; RE: at someone else's house--because too intimate, or after giving birth when my OB is like "no submerging your lady parts for 4-6 weeks," and I'm like, "yeah right, try to stop me," and she's like, "your junk will get gangrene," and I'm all, "SHOWERS IT IS!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8evxJCLENEEkrHW9DO8MZSWKyA3yPFPssblrEbgsWrc7S3mEbVmHssVjBCPlyv-fAOu1DaVa88MoZ92G26QUJ_qF6dK8uRldw1OwqsLSM5Wsp89jtL0u0J0qKBbAUpn7tcIqTTaa8mbU/s1600/image18.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8evxJCLENEEkrHW9DO8MZSWKyA3yPFPssblrEbgsWrc7S3mEbVmHssVjBCPlyv-fAOu1DaVa88MoZ92G26QUJ_qF6dK8uRldw1OwqsLSM5Wsp89jtL0u0J0qKBbAUpn7tcIqTTaa8mbU/s400/image18.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So this massive (Jesse can lie down in it flat--you should probably picture that right now) boat of a tubby tub is a happy place for me--even in its original builder beige and bottom of the line chrome fixtures state. But as I spent time in there I thought it could really be glammed up and made to look fancy and chic and modern with a tile surround. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ts06NTG1jaqIGkVAKCyV6RA3uhg_EkHVjoErivmgJ2fiXbtGKs_LaJt4wv_RPTT6YIsuzQAs2not5JI1mgB0SCFJDeUpKWpqyVkOPLWqrFh0nVPbS0YlR3KfJbJxXFsYiwT8JlFKKcTY/s1600/image17+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Ts06NTG1jaqIGkVAKCyV6RA3uhg_EkHVjoErivmgJ2fiXbtGKs_LaJt4wv_RPTT6YIsuzQAs2not5JI1mgB0SCFJDeUpKWpqyVkOPLWqrFh0nVPbS0YlR3KfJbJxXFsYiwT8JlFKKcTY/s400/image17+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Also this made me nervous since the house is less than 2 years old and my tub addiction was already dissolving the very walls. FORTIFY THE REDOUBT!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have done tile before and found it a really easy project (RENT THE WET SAW, FOR THE LOVE OF DRAKE), so we felt very competent to tackle this. I went with a yummy and affordable <a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/7661748/type/dlg/http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Metro-Gris-12-in-x-24-in-Glazed-Porcelain-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-16-sq-ft-case-NMETGRIS1224/203673201"><b>charcoal and grey striated oversize Metro Gris tile from Home Depot</b></a>. Since we needed less than 60 square feet, the tile was only a little over $100. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tiling is a 2 day process. The first round is cementing the tile to the wall. You wait 24 hours for it to set and then go back and grout (those rough cement lines between the tiles that you love to scrub when youre high on nesting hormones).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Night one was Jesse cutting the tiles and me affixing them to the walls (with the mystery lines above--so pleasing!).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvhBXuH43JdgE5gifBIVJG5oARAEyi5RTXcKG7N5uPAc2heFgPIqzy29weexenC2H1vBdOqxX66UzWxcG7t8AWUnIycZuqrOxaXtA7aj-SjQE6Z1sROX_67lg0ZkpCAb2Oo98waFK9Hx_/s1600/image4+%25289%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTvhBXuH43JdgE5gifBIVJG5oARAEyi5RTXcKG7N5uPAc2heFgPIqzy29weexenC2H1vBdOqxX66UzWxcG7t8AWUnIycZuqrOxaXtA7aj-SjQE6Z1sROX_67lg0ZkpCAb2Oo98waFK9Hx_/s640/image4+%25289%2529.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI1XS_MaBNxKMfp66EA5QCn-gl5BjD6eL_ifvkGhld6dbAB0vUTcH8um8nA8mMChbXWFpzYQ4Rll7577FUUqOGZ9DxsUv-Xlqfxt305Hvfa4WH3YtkqkqjIlLmlaI33icLdNICWIEbXp1/s1600/image5+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXI1XS_MaBNxKMfp66EA5QCn-gl5BjD6eL_ifvkGhld6dbAB0vUTcH8um8nA8mMChbXWFpzYQ4Rll7577FUUqOGZ9DxsUv-Xlqfxt305Hvfa4WH3YtkqkqjIlLmlaI33icLdNICWIEbXp1/s400/image5+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>It's important that you see these exquisite precision cuts that Pastor Jesse Dukes accomplished on the wet saw--which is a fixed-blade table-saw-esque set up. Mucho impressive.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was pretty sure I wanted to go with a brass/gold finish on the fixtures, but was too chicken to actually shell out the money for them before I knew how it would look (those things are NOT cheap!). So of course, when in doubt: SPRAY! I just spray painted the originals (whose shapes weren't offensive to me as much as the finish) because it was cheap and easy and I ain't afraid of no ghosts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UXfKmTCw4Dq7UNULd3lgKvmGYr3Iv1MJTb3A9tPccNKwBePiTm3U9pnBnC2K05JGtxR_fCd99_bbaMFwLwmrclg0bkoqzB9EOlqsQrEAucddzOAERJDdHASAeMuUKj0RhCE16wF7yu1v/s1600/IMG_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0UXfKmTCw4Dq7UNULd3lgKvmGYr3Iv1MJTb3A9tPccNKwBePiTm3U9pnBnC2K05JGtxR_fCd99_bbaMFwLwmrclg0bkoqzB9EOlqsQrEAucddzOAERJDdHASAeMuUKj0RhCE16wF7yu1v/s400/IMG_0885.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Shiniest metallic gold I could find.</b></div>
<br />
<br />
Day two dawned with the promise of me setting sail in my new luxury vessel by sunset! Jesse was at a church event with the big kids and when Noa went down I started grouting. Trowel the grout in, sponge off the excess. Wait a few hours and then wipe off any remaining grout residue (haze, they call it. EFFING HAZE).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2toJcuiWcGkZdnbSZccficK55xithChgkiDxO-3-uXlyH-cYx_kDh4Wdu3_f10bOjUHYHAAqjNq7S67cOn0IS0g0S9eaGclZA_AF3GL7UhE4XZmvGfnsMJCix5POgX07xpaj1iYCUZfa/s1600/image1+%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2toJcuiWcGkZdnbSZccficK55xithChgkiDxO-3-uXlyH-cYx_kDh4Wdu3_f10bOjUHYHAAqjNq7S67cOn0IS0g0S9eaGclZA_AF3GL7UhE4XZmvGfnsMJCix5POgX07xpaj1iYCUZfa/s640/image1+%252810%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When it was all grouted up, there was a good bit of the haze from the white grout left on my delicious gray and black tile (we'd only ever done white tile + white grout). </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_akFP4mHee_qSFhh2fcuOLOBzqQFa7zbEwNe83qDXELjJBv817_RFCyiOeLqZVr-_lFa7ldWGtQ4uxDuB6Aa3ANwSmMNnM44LcYzkU7NLWYgNXYPq2y4mI6xZK-wvWS1XWzzfrJbKNt2Z/s1600/image11+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_akFP4mHee_qSFhh2fcuOLOBzqQFa7zbEwNe83qDXELjJBv817_RFCyiOeLqZVr-_lFa7ldWGtQ4uxDuB6Aa3ANwSmMNnM44LcYzkU7NLWYgNXYPq2y4mI6xZK-wvWS1XWzzfrJbKNt2Z/s640/image11+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Like a Beijing sky.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
No matter! I am a good girl and have all the necessaries from my supply list, including:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawZZXCEnwjT8xknE3zh6X17errgT09cEqFflQ6XtI5_IzOXyZ1fTaP3nuB9r7V0PrFhEiCPKI6GM-_bzaCqOUe8C14lL7pZg47a8Xmy745DwwboNFHUF6G8zaOCkrXrby0YMMyMLw9lQf/s1600/image8+%25286%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawZZXCEnwjT8xknE3zh6X17errgT09cEqFflQ6XtI5_IzOXyZ1fTaP3nuB9r7V0PrFhEiCPKI6GM-_bzaCqOUe8C14lL7pZg47a8Xmy745DwwboNFHUF6G8zaOCkrXrby0YMMyMLw9lQf/s400/image8+%25286%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>NOPE</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
As far as I could tell, this was a $6 bottle of water for all the good it did. Panic started rising in my throat as NONE of the white drips and hazy clouds came off when wiped with this stuff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNanIYsG4T_vys1rEyhSlni5EXFzCwfUK-36fSQ45Z5AsmcQwucov6ou5GG-Bg6SR_T0CJdfdnoATNWUlz9jQxx1E825PGgFE-rn7kLFOZ55KVHxBlEa3d9nBMyKJm3QGSxmE0I7hTA5C/s1600/image9+%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNanIYsG4T_vys1rEyhSlni5EXFzCwfUK-36fSQ45Z5AsmcQwucov6ou5GG-Bg6SR_T0CJdfdnoATNWUlz9jQxx1E825PGgFE-rn7kLFOZ55KVHxBlEa3d9nBMyKJm3QGSxmE0I7hTA5C/s400/image9+%25287%2529.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Jesse came home about this time, and since there was another adult around to be sane, I let my irrationality off the chain. I may have cried and declared "Oh Lord, what have I done?! We have to move again!" The only progress we saw was when I grabbed my pedicure brush and Jesse tried scrubbing with it with all of his manly might and after like 5 sweaty minutes produced this result:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAOlySVEoji9W6ILumZ2vLvzB_e6jElQaePOsknwET70hPeR2N8-QKOj8E-4LZ1FT0UUVgHS6H1srakPeUv_nv-jFMO_Jo7GEBmA9eH-4LNUnCwRhB0S2zskvuQVovvLEaGl3KPg6Xa_M/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgAOlySVEoji9W6ILumZ2vLvzB_e6jElQaePOsknwET70hPeR2N8-QKOj8E-4LZ1FT0UUVgHS6H1srakPeUv_nv-jFMO_Jo7GEBmA9eH-4LNUnCwRhB0S2zskvuQVovvLEaGl3KPg6Xa_M/s400/FullSizeRender+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>ON ONE TILE!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The thought of having to exert that much effort on every square inch of tile was crushing. Especially since the haze problem (like the aliens in "Signs and "war of the Worlds") had been 100% curable by SIMPLE WATER just hours earlier when it was first going on (aka do this project with two people: one whose only job is wiping behind the grouter while it's still wet...especially when your grout contrasts with the tile color!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Enter a 5 day period of buying and trying every different method that anyone has ever posted on the internet about how to remove grout haze (except the really scary chemical ones used by professionals). We knew that grout has a cure time of 10 days so it felt like a big scary countdown to solving this horrible mess. Have you ever prayed about tile? We have. It's a strange place to be, life-wise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQvN83A_nEgRIJ2tsSddy71kGN-XqcxmOL6HqnVmj_slpfILr-MZnUuM1FClaQ9GLG_JMJZcDhZIlkn6p9r90LZeg4u0DKknyvju3GmeCPlB9EJ9NN12MGhxJvHwbKi3Jo20Ca5wonCqe/s1600/41cfNe77u4L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQvN83A_nEgRIJ2tsSddy71kGN-XqcxmOL6HqnVmj_slpfILr-MZnUuM1FClaQ9GLG_JMJZcDhZIlkn6p9r90LZeg4u0DKknyvju3GmeCPlB9EJ9NN12MGhxJvHwbKi3Jo20Ca5wonCqe/s320/41cfNe77u4L.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>NOTHING</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv58S60ZUIXc1LzzYHkZ-19wADEMg_NKR4oTPVG7_CeLhLfTu9rAghDKbPNpAGtHxCDc4Qf10viQc2-aKQtoUQiI3M7xJW5Es98kw1jNnHzuNOiFweiQZ1TBjmNsKWZU80UW8h5PEFw2-/s1600/%2524T2eC16JHJF0FFZpt7V-uBS%252CMybeL4%2521--_32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv58S60ZUIXc1LzzYHkZ-19wADEMg_NKR4oTPVG7_CeLhLfTu9rAghDKbPNpAGtHxCDc4Qf10viQc2-aKQtoUQiI3M7xJW5Es98kw1jNnHzuNOiFweiQZ1TBjmNsKWZU80UW8h5PEFw2-/s320/%2524T2eC16JHJF0FFZpt7V-uBS%252CMybeL4%2521--_32.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>NADA</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhhRZ7eAg8IQWrCkL8v_K1ghl9LtTLgoNBgNDlFewvDJGWXkMAQlOgfv4XD9XflXX-r6jseLHQKXKZEvQ3zKJiv7NdTKkSA_bGWjHCRXvGDOH7R2J5pC0aSQjLcdX3BNillMedJKEwsnC/s1600/steel-wool-wire-500x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhhRZ7eAg8IQWrCkL8v_K1ghl9LtTLgoNBgNDlFewvDJGWXkMAQlOgfv4XD9XflXX-r6jseLHQKXKZEvQ3zKJiv7NdTKkSA_bGWjHCRXvGDOH7R2J5pC0aSQjLcdX3BNillMedJKEwsnC/s320/steel-wool-wire-500x500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>UH-UNH</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8aufUAg42fTyuj5L4yBj02jTTAd_AikYjlInBn9fKmG5IV6HBP3OVjvJKEsF0a9IO8lt5NEvTU5EioT82uozXCoinq0-W-pOK8vWLSnhNVuVA3c-hz2RT6hMmRGGt0SQUA1DWD0cSCOb/s1600/Ryobi-Sander.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8aufUAg42fTyuj5L4yBj02jTTAd_AikYjlInBn9fKmG5IV6HBP3OVjvJKEsF0a9IO8lt5NEvTU5EioT82uozXCoinq0-W-pOK8vWLSnhNVuVA3c-hz2RT6hMmRGGt0SQUA1DWD0cSCOb/s1600/Ryobi-Sander.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>NEGATIVE</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBmQfZOzqo8J3lGltKGv-lrj0TP6YfEvwSGxNsDCQeB6eJVU7gk2f_4gNJJ00ZfCnyQh_g6x4OvvKasQtqZYgKTMIIvOtJcFv_ge3gLJvoLN1d5JFj-l87NDNlNmbCd-7ePpaDE-Fl_jd/s1600/download+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBmQfZOzqo8J3lGltKGv-lrj0TP6YfEvwSGxNsDCQeB6eJVU7gk2f_4gNJJ00ZfCnyQh_g6x4OvvKasQtqZYgKTMIIvOtJcFv_ge3gLJvoLN1d5JFj-l87NDNlNmbCd-7ePpaDE-Fl_jd/s1600/download+%25284%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Only useful for scratching up the glaze. NO GO</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX4nmbzlCIsPXPMd5UbJ7ylt2mVPL-tm9c_Ru74-IRFMOMdc3XdfK_ADWEzkJjeVFIY83gPcwbWtyBNlk4Ifu5d-xCsgstVdvi6trG8q36ZuSsRR2T6zINRLFOzUp9TVaRrz-YJdzoerY/s1600/image20.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX4nmbzlCIsPXPMd5UbJ7ylt2mVPL-tm9c_Ru74-IRFMOMdc3XdfK_ADWEzkJjeVFIY83gPcwbWtyBNlk4Ifu5d-xCsgstVdvi6trG8q36ZuSsRR2T6zINRLFOzUp9TVaRrz-YJdzoerY/s320/image20.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>This was the hardest core combo we tried: a super stiff <a href="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=puupyodu-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B011ICCS1W">nylon cup brush attachment for the power drill </a> coupled with dissolved sulfamic acid crystals.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
On night number whatever of feeling defeated and thinking we were going to have to call professionals (the bane of an empowered DIY'er!) or start over, we were sitting there, in my acrylic love boat, dust and debris and failure pheromones all around, and our nerves more scoured than the tile. In desperation I grabbed the pedicure brush again, but instead of the brushy bristle side, I rubbed dejectedly for a few seconds with the pumice stone side.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">QUE MIRACLE!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f0prV9FJ-xpwXpCYZwZdwbMPf4KUMjDW6oM0PLjjFxhkVFCIcmOn1PLLvGn4lEcAP5cxi-HI-eR0rABGu0pCGJZ-BCat1HukhU-W3irh4YFrJzuAyUgBc4TuvlRNaGli6M0DZI41-2AO/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f0prV9FJ-xpwXpCYZwZdwbMPf4KUMjDW6oM0PLjjFxhkVFCIcmOn1PLLvGn4lEcAP5cxi-HI-eR0rABGu0pCGJZ-BCat1HukhU-W3irh4YFrJzuAyUgBc4TuvlRNaGli6M0DZI41-2AO/s320/FullSizeRender+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>with very little effort and maybe 5 seconds, this much hope dawned upon our hearts.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We kept going and after maybe 20 minutes, had 4 full tiles crystal clear! (and no more pumice because it was getting powderized as it worked).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9758tNQRe6uU6wAVCTi_cCIG2j4Ruax-rSe0kCtH8riCKcpErrxi9BOv3upEAcNchepzHBJ-FXPvvjTVmtJ1eN9fwMCEJ0pa03jZZzOgb99ggGMdTWedPO79yrZY87yL-prCJOrGiqD4M/s1600/image7+%25289%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9758tNQRe6uU6wAVCTi_cCIG2j4Ruax-rSe0kCtH8riCKcpErrxi9BOv3upEAcNchepzHBJ-FXPvvjTVmtJ1eN9fwMCEJ0pa03jZZzOgb99ggGMdTWedPO79yrZY87yL-prCJOrGiqD4M/s400/image7+%25289%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>EEEEEEEEEEK</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We went to bed praising the virtues of that humble scourer-of-calluses! The next day I bought <a href="http://amzn.to/1KufnVx">5 of these guy</a>s and prepared to go to work:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/1KufnVx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDDEoIxsFpjdiTdv3WehLcqUYGb7ZOxEWmocP0AU-vxKVFGeE3rrc20FPwbKJEjcyr9gsko9qjUngDQksGXS3FygjhtyeoFzYiwzonVbnWmgrJ1QBZIZJUyAgHro4EBDgH5nISJXn6QGx/s400/image6+%25289%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
GOD BLESS YOU PUMIE!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Friday afternoon Jesse and I took turns pumice-ing and watching the kids. In a little less than two hours, the haze had cleared and we were finally at our AFTER moment!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq7rwhWnw9I_WJQ1rOtH8bYenCFXWf7Co329GQL57_UzfAa4291CXW2z3f5nUz20-9TgktNBW3Ma28NLnyLPO76uZq5KIONNLfjffv9TZG2bV6gS55_ILro2AVX7W4NTFFLDRla1sd47y/s1600/image10+%25284%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUq7rwhWnw9I_WJQ1rOtH8bYenCFXWf7Co329GQL57_UzfAa4291CXW2z3f5nUz20-9TgktNBW3Ma28NLnyLPO76uZq5KIONNLfjffv9TZG2bV6gS55_ILro2AVX7W4NTFFLDRla1sd47y/s400/image10+%25284%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>I kinda didnt hate the no-spout look. Sort of a throwback. </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Turning on the water and washing all the dust and grime and pulverized (noble) pumice dust down the drain was the best feeling.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Putting the fixtures on was even better!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1MalOqcF-m8uD2t-skmktybr5HiVABkwRvAL0Eff98C-5b5CyRWbdcYnlXTTPLCT0yPn0PswJEvD4E6PJRpuB9vePTgh2yWWQ2Mk85b12e05v4aOCeIomrF2MNtrVIlnnno6iBjymHGu/s1600/image14+%25282%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1MalOqcF-m8uD2t-skmktybr5HiVABkwRvAL0Eff98C-5b5CyRWbdcYnlXTTPLCT0yPn0PswJEvD4E6PJRpuB9vePTgh2yWWQ2Mk85b12e05v4aOCeIomrF2MNtrVIlnnno6iBjymHGu/s640/image14+%25282%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Totally digging the combo</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdd1mMDZqyGZGIdZEpRL9XwfqsuIj8kWYfNXDhoxRaEeJXn3rfSryvxuhyphenhyphen2WCFTkgvQRaQgKEgWMeUu4X_XAx2EBaIaVcPfWqAdzIqqE0eVg8YeGbTbmrfRDOLMDVhrKRwRv9QTj0NvwF/s1600/image16+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdd1mMDZqyGZGIdZEpRL9XwfqsuIj8kWYfNXDhoxRaEeJXn3rfSryvxuhyphenhyphen2WCFTkgvQRaQgKEgWMeUu4X_XAx2EBaIaVcPfWqAdzIqqE0eVg8YeGbTbmrfRDOLMDVhrKRwRv9QTj0NvwF/s640/image16+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>indecent amounts of celebratory grunting!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiYIV3Gyw7v-ccecqgAVMVTM0h4fgBG1MpARcirDVK_-f7Tuk4qUZZOTbSs2sG720GIUb6cv2iNm8of_y3WrxzoJWQZvDMsdKJeSOCkp0GgyLoFbCJ6nOOqCbBx8PeOFOVynYTd-XWMR/s1600/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJiYIV3Gyw7v-ccecqgAVMVTM0h4fgBG1MpARcirDVK_-f7Tuk4qUZZOTbSs2sG720GIUb6cv2iNm8of_y3WrxzoJWQZvDMsdKJeSOCkp0GgyLoFbCJ6nOOqCbBx8PeOFOVynYTd-XWMR/s640/FullSizeRender+%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>Quite the <i>Tile-uh Pair-y</i>, no? (OMG I'm sorry I had an extra shot in my coffee today).</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So that was an expensive lesson (in time more so than in actual money) learned: Really address the grout haze runoff BEFORE IT DRIES.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But if you are left with impossible, adamantium-based dried on grout haze after the fact: PUMICE!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There ya go: our first DIY in the new house was a total success. AHEM. A TOTAL SUCCESS, I DECLARE. Shut up about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One last note: though I waited many moons for it to cure and applied it perfectly, the spray paint finish is doing some weird thing where plain old water leaves stain-ish things after a bath. I can rub them off, but it's going to eventually annoy me so I will start looking an saving up for the real deal. I think the spray paint trick work wonders though on a darker finish like nickel or oil-rubbed bronze.</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z9kgDcfismhkTr7q6351ZkFFkECTcBbePeEMSL7Ay_S0AauxUx1A65Oyan3_Sur5qwOlNhNra62jJL_R8h5jiS-rFwmtgN5iv3ekPnpt70CbyPHx0Q7uBI2mcIyTRFcLzqArjEEGP0aC/s1600/image15+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z9kgDcfismhkTr7q6351ZkFFkECTcBbePeEMSL7Ay_S0AauxUx1A65Oyan3_Sur5qwOlNhNra62jJL_R8h5jiS-rFwmtgN5iv3ekPnpt70CbyPHx0Q7uBI2mcIyTRFcLzqArjEEGP0aC/s400/image15+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>that's okay. a little splashy residue can't stop my flow. (GET IT!?!?!? BEST.)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
keight dukeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04887072283297653771noreply@blogger.com0