tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80606118488874368242024-03-13T08:49:36.962-05:00The Huggins HappeningsChris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-32506064740543993062015-09-29T14:08:00.000-05:002015-09-29T14:08:08.618-05:00Back To The Future PartyChris's 31st Birthday Party and Back to the Future Decor! I found a Spotify BTTF playlist and had pizzas and chips. Such fun making it and loved our friends who dressed up!<br />
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We had folks who dressed 50's and western. I dressed as Jennifer Parker, husband as Doc Brown. One of our best friends came as Marty! A great, great time!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VnlePfQUI_w/VgrcaCiI2VI/AAAAAAAABVM/QzUA11l8ntc/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VnlePfQUI_w/VgrcaCiI2VI/AAAAAAAABVM/QzUA11l8ntc/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.00.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted a dollar store tablecloth to show the "flames" the car makes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKSuc1grNM4/VgrcbAwy0-I/AAAAAAAABVY/7f7dI7oT7aA/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.06-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qKSuc1grNM4/VgrcbAwy0-I/AAAAAAAABVY/7f7dI7oT7aA/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.06-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a deloran cut out leftover so it framed out the mirror with the license plate!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6-KgkBgSpU/VgrcaFUEz-I/AAAAAAAABVQ/HnikVrFM-6w/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W6-KgkBgSpU/VgrcaFUEz-I/AAAAAAAABVQ/HnikVrFM-6w/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clocks and signs!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLfM1cVeaRQ/Vgrcg3PNqQI/AAAAAAAABVk/gTbD6PMLdjU/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLfM1cVeaRQ/Vgrcg3PNqQI/AAAAAAAABVk/gTbD6PMLdjU/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.21.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each chair had quotes from the movie tied to them. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDeZG8bzlFw/VgrchMeHv_I/AAAAAAAABVo/9yrf0pXCZ3Y/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mDeZG8bzlFw/VgrchMeHv_I/AAAAAAAABVo/9yrf0pXCZ3Y/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.31.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3rd movie corner... map of hill valley, wanted poster, dynamite, gun, frisbee pan, and pics. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UJCrD5tTeg/VgrciVvXOmI/AAAAAAAABV0/Zt9IA0NQ4Zs/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UJCrD5tTeg/VgrciVvXOmI/AAAAAAAABV0/Zt9IA0NQ4Zs/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.36.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found atop Doc's mantle.... </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alv3aViJKPk/VgrcrQ6eIhI/AAAAAAAABWA/cURBNPn0U0g/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alv3aViJKPk/VgrcrQ6eIhI/AAAAAAAABWA/cURBNPn0U0g/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hands fell off the clock- oh well... here's doc hanging from the "clock tower"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ-AXiAJLyo/Vgrcvg1JC0I/AAAAAAAABWQ/Cg9nAmFHGQw/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cJ-AXiAJLyo/Vgrcvg1JC0I/AAAAAAAABWQ/Cg9nAmFHGQw/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window covering, Enchantment Under the Sea Dance!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjbRZSKwsus/Vgrcshe9BAI/AAAAAAAABWI/3wmxzIJOpbk/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IjbRZSKwsus/Vgrcshe9BAI/AAAAAAAABWI/3wmxzIJOpbk/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Props collage on the coffee table. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFrSZbOEa2o/Vgrc0ngasVI/AAAAAAAABWY/eSDXGpkcDzg/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFrSZbOEa2o/Vgrc0ngasVI/AAAAAAAABWY/eSDXGpkcDzg/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More views of the props.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcJGK4pHgUY/Vgrc3ejIjNI/AAAAAAAABWg/4hSFcAw8Fbs/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.12.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcJGK4pHgUY/Vgrc3ejIjNI/AAAAAAAABWg/4hSFcAw8Fbs/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.12.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Props....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vu9xH1wKVc/Vgrc7ZK42yI/AAAAAAAABWo/5tGox0ASQhU/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vu9xH1wKVc/Vgrc7ZK42yI/AAAAAAAABWo/5tGox0ASQhU/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More props on the coffee table!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-DlRLlWBH8/Vgrc7q5QujI/AAAAAAAABWs/wUbZMY5agjQ/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-DlRLlWBH8/Vgrc7q5QujI/AAAAAAAABWs/wUbZMY5agjQ/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.10.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dumbest looking damn shark you will ever see. I tried making the 3D shark from the 2nd movie coming out of the corner. I kinda, sorta... totally failed. Ah well. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GGA_kmyPtI/Vgrc92y4eiI/AAAAAAAABW4/A--uDB9YmgQ/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7GGA_kmyPtI/Vgrc92y4eiI/AAAAAAAABW4/A--uDB9YmgQ/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An awesome vinyl type sign from Amazon. This will reside in Chris's man-cave garage!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3no-ute8w8A/VgrdD308H8I/AAAAAAAABXA/yEdxc_Bba8Y/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3no-ute8w8A/VgrdD308H8I/AAAAAAAABXA/yEdxc_Bba8Y/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.20.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying cards hanging from the chandelier. Just found these online and cut out, double sided. The delorean, taxi, red car, welcome sign, and police car. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8e0vWQ5rC8/VgrdEsa90iI/AAAAAAAABXE/FI23WRKu-Uk/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L8e0vWQ5rC8/VgrdEsa90iI/AAAAAAAABXE/FI23WRKu-Uk/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.23.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe 80's leading into the kitchen and the ridiculous shark.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCAD-bq2uAg/VgrdHHlri_I/AAAAAAAABXQ/m5NV91-8gCU/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eCAD-bq2uAg/VgrdHHlri_I/AAAAAAAABXQ/m5NV91-8gCU/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.28.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newspaper articles, framed time clock and flux capacitor, Marty's skateboard, plutonium case, the video camera... and of course the old TV showing the SAME episode of the Honeymooners mentioned in the first movie. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xg_OKwTuDjE/VgrdKyQ62tI/AAAAAAAABXY/s2sAJeSBPrw/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.13.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xg_OKwTuDjE/VgrdKyQ62tI/AAAAAAAABXY/s2sAJeSBPrw/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.13.46.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Hoverboard using a clearance boogie board and colored duct tapes. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeczXN6EcN8/VgrdOLS3feI/AAAAAAAABXo/1g7h_yh9HT0/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.27.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeczXN6EcN8/VgrdOLS3feI/AAAAAAAABXo/1g7h_yh9HT0/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.27.43.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flags that Doc sends down to Marty while Biff is chasing him, the hoverboard, and some misc... BTTF signs.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2Pg3Xjx_NA/VgrdMs4a9MI/AAAAAAAABXg/qMBhF7hsEkk/s1600/2015-09-24%2B19.50.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2Pg3Xjx_NA/VgrdMs4a9MI/AAAAAAAABXg/qMBhF7hsEkk/s400/2015-09-24%2B19.50.57.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the trash bag was added.... "FUEL" for the Mr. Fusion</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALCBuxs49GI/VgrdUsdsTII/AAAAAAAABX0/QYvZVI4K4Gw/s1600/2015-09-24%2B20.02.39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ALCBuxs49GI/VgrdUsdsTII/AAAAAAAABX0/QYvZVI4K4Gw/s400/2015-09-24%2B20.02.39.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These didn't turn out how I wanted, but tasted delicious nonetheless. They were supposed to semi-resemble the pizzas in BTTFII - half pepperoni and half green pepper. Oh well. If ever you need an AMAZING recipe for sugar cookies and icing... I can guarantee this is one of the best you will every have.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ULvcfA4jrA/VgrdUvzWRSI/AAAAAAAABXw/Ae5eDnQtIfQ/s1600/2015-09-24%2B21.04.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ULvcfA4jrA/VgrdUvzWRSI/AAAAAAAABXw/Ae5eDnQtIfQ/s400/2015-09-24%2B21.04.12.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Birthday Cake" - I absolutely hate doing cakes. I obviously, am not very good on piping or details. </td></tr>
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-32486070133579697732015-01-22T12:57:00.002-06:002015-01-22T12:57:52.540-06:00That happened.I looked at a link on Facebook today... one that I thought really, truly wouldn't bother me. <div>
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I've seen tons of surprise baby announcements.</div>
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But today, this one: (which by the way, congrats to them... it's adorable.)</div>
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http://paisleylaynephotography.com/blog/surprise-baby-announcement-southlake-tx-photographer/</div>
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Really. Really. Really. </div>
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...............bothered me.</div>
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Like - tears hit my eyes before I could even process it.</div>
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Look at the happiness. The surprise. The love. </div>
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I'm never getting that, I am?</div>
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Not even me. No, forget me.</div>
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CHRIS is never getting that... is he?</div>
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I'm mad and sad and frustrated.</div>
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Are we ready? I don't know.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Is it my fault? Maybe.</div>
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It it fair? No. It's absolutely not.</div>
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and today... I'm not okay with that.</div>
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-17808977041492045602014-06-17T14:00:00.001-05:002014-06-17T14:00:56.532-05:00Bam BamIt's been a very long time since I have written, but today, I needed to write. I needed to write to my grandmother. My heart is grieving.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I keep having to remind myself…. She’s gone. I woke up multiple times in
the middle of the night and each time I had to say “she’s gone” several times. It
doesn’t seem real. I watched her breathe her last breaths and still… I expect
that she will ‘get better’ and get to come home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, I guess she did… just not in this life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I find my mind racing with memories and thoughts of her. My Bam Bam,
Perky, Bambi, Perkita. My heart breaks every time I think of you. How can this
be? I’ve been so fortunate to have such incredible grandparents. But you. You
felt like home. I know we never know, even when signs are there. I think back
to your birthday just a few months ago, last Christmas. Do I wish I had known
it would be your last? When I left your room last Thursday, not really getting
to say goodbye (because you were asleep) I wish I had known. I wish I had known
Sunday evening when mom asked if I wanted to ride with her and Sharon. I wish I
had known.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Did you know I was there? Do you understand and forgive me? Did you know
how much I love you and how very much you meant to me? I hope so. When they
told me to say goodbye, did you hear me? When all I could get out was “thank
you” and I love you… did you know I was thanking you for a lifetime of happiness?
Did you know I was thanking you for all you ever were to me and so many others?
Thank you is all I could say. Thank you are the only words that felt right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Are you home now? Even when we believe in heaven and all our Good Lord
tells us, it’s hard to remember. There are always what ifs. Are you happy and
pain free? Are you young forever and rejoicing? Were you greeted by Paw Paw and
your parents? Have you met the babies that mom lost, or Sharon, or even you?
Have you met our incredible Jesus? I pray you were no longer afraid. I pray
that you hold me close, because I am breaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I realized I quit praying like I should have weeks leading up to the
night you passed away. I think part of me thought I could delay the inevitable.
Maybe part of me didn’t want to give that chance- maybe there would be more
days. Maybe you were going to bounce back. I prayed for you Sunday night
though. For mercy and healing—in whatever form that may be. I knew, I think…
deep down. Subconsciously… it was the end. I sometimes wonder if things do
happen for reasons. Was there a reason that your kids were there for Paw Paw,
the night he died. All four of your kids… and me? Was there the same reason it
happened that way in the early morning hours on Monday… with you? I prayed many
times I would be there…and I was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I keep hoping you will appear to me. Tell me everything is okay. I keep
hoping you will come to me in a dream or God will send a sign. I pray that my
heart and mind are open to every little thing… in case it was sent by you. I
hear all the time how people get those. How maybe they were visited by their
loved one or sent a bird to give them a sign. I get angry and hurt sometimes when
I don’t see those. When I don’t get those. But I must remember to go on faith.
I must hope for the day when you greet me with arms outstretched with the
biggest smile on your face, throwing your head back in joyous laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You will never be forgotten. I thank you for loving me the way you did
and later, loving Chris as you have. Loving him enough to entrust your service
in his hands. I hope… and know… he will do just fine. I thank you for all the
fudge and chocolate pies… making garlic bread late at night and smelling up the
whole house (which always woke up Paw Paw.) I thank you for grilled cheese
sandwiches (even as I drove by during high school)--- no one can make them like
you did. I thank you for encouraging me and showing me new things. For making
Barbie dresses and outfits for me. For showing me that carrots can regrow, so
to speak, by putting the tops in mason jar lids with water. For making mud pies
with me and playing, feeding my imagination. For being my biggest fan. For
attending every recital, show, play, audition, awards ceremony, and more. For teaching
me the Lord’s Prayer and singing You Are My Sunshine. For taking care of me
when I was sick, cleaning up my messes. For being the coolest grandmother of
all my friends. For being welcoming to anyone who entered. Thank you for begging
Paw Paw to keep picking me up after school and keeping me for so long. For
watching Young and the Restless while you ironed, reading to me every day,
wrapping my feet and hands so tightly in ziplock baggies just so I could play
in the melting snow for a few minutes. For reciting “Anna Mae” at bath time,
being silly and loving life. Thank you for loving Paw Paw the way you did. I
hope my marriage will be half as good as yours was. Thank you for understanding
when I made poor decisions or thought I knew better. Thank you for keeping
things from mom sometimes (like when I lost my brand new glasses) and for
loving me unconditionally. I will remember my weekly sleepovers and Saturday’s
at the mall. I will remember your beautiful yard and hunting Easter Eggs in the
back. I remember playing hot or cold, dominoes, and go fish. I remember you
getting so angry at that dog in Duck Hunt. I will always remember your laugh. Dying
your hair and perms. Washing my hair in the kitchen sink. I can remember getting my hair done each
Saturday night with foam rolls, using a coffee mug of water and Paw Paw’s comb.
I cherish driving to church with mom or Paw Paw… and later me. Thank you for
that. Thank you for singing loudly to your country songs, dancing and
boot-scootin’, and loving Vince Gill. I will always think of you when I hear “Que
Sera, Sera.” I still picture you moving those hands and feet… all the time your
moved them. I thank you for the times that mom said no, you said yes. I always
loved hearing “Mother!” I thank you for understanding, though probably sadly
so, when I grew up and had other things I thought more important than staying
the night. I thank you for Christmas and holidays. You were and are Christmas
to me. I will remember your persistence and stubbornness. Moving furniture,
working in your yard, walking to the store. Your love of animals. I hope you
were allowed one final stop to see your kitties before leaving us. Whenever football
season is here, I will be sure to root for the Manning boys and I’ll watch some
cage fighting, Judge Judy, and Jeopardy in your honor from time to time. I
still remember the time we saw that movie with Michael J Fox and we left… did
they say a bad word or did they show a bare butt? I will always remember how
easily embarrassed you got. It was always so funny. How you told me about Paw
Paw getting angry with your hilarious answer to “do you have sex?” and how you
thought you could get pregnant by watermelon seeds. I remember the stories
about your roller skating and Fair Park and flirting with Paw Paw as you walked
by. Thank you for hanging up my ugly artwork, especially the misspelled NOEL
sign every Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s so bizarre for someone to be here one moment and the next… not. I don’t
understand it. As I sat beside you Monday morning, I kept waiting for you to
breathe or move. But you didn’t. It’s so sad that people live these live. Are
alive in so many people; in their thoughts and hearts and memories… but they
are gone. I know I am not the first to feel this hurt nor am I the only one. I know
other people probably have pain far worse than this… but in this moment, I feel
alone in my grief. I have cried more than I knew I could and I know I have many
more days and moments of this. I will miss seeing your beautiful face and
hearing your voice. Never again will I call 278-5643. You aren’t there. You’ve
always been there. For 30 years of my life, you’ve been there. What do I do
now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You were an angel on this earth. You were incredible, and undeniably…
special. You were special to everyone who met you. You were love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I have so many regrets. Not seeing you enough. Not doing more. Not having
a baby before you left us. I always pictured me having a baby and watching you
love and dote on it like you did me. I am sorry I was unable to give you that. But
it’s easy to do that when you know you will never see that person again. Not in
this life, in this world, anyways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m sorry the last few years were so painful for you. Both physically and
mentally. I know you have forgiven those who hurt you and your heart was pure
and ready for our great God. I pray others can learn to do the same. I hope one
day, people who have caused hurt and harm will realize their mistakes. Realize
their hurts, and seek forgiveness. I hope they too, can ask forgive. I hope
they know you are with them and love them all the same. I hope they chase after
God and find the answers they need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Logically, I always knew this day would come. But I still don’t believe
it. I still can’t understand why you are gone. I still can’t fathom not having
you here. To call just to check in, to stop by for a glass of tea. To celebrate
Christmas with. To share in my joys. I will always look for you, even though I know
you are not here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I will miss you, with my whole heart and my whole soul. I love you Bam
Bam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-34102553062786625382014-01-23T00:47:00.002-06:002014-01-23T00:47:26.029-06:002004 to 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Celebrating 10 years of "us" this Saturday.</div>
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<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/play/4d7a6b314e4451304d7a4d3d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link&partner=google" target="_blank"><img width="420" height="330" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://www.smilebox.com/snap/4d7a6b314e4451304d7a4d3d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com?partner=google&campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img width="420" height="46" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" style="border: medium none ;"/></a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Free picture slideshow made with Smilebox</td></tr></table>Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-67181456582059837862014-01-22T17:13:00.001-06:002014-01-22T17:17:46.677-06:00Show Us Your Singles : Jennifer<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am so excited to highlight one
of our really good friends for this week’s <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly's Korner</a> linkup: “Show Us Your
Singles!” Make sure to check it out on Friday over at Kelly's Blog!</div>
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Meet Jennifer:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RU6kf42YisY/UuBO2T5pSMI/AAAAAAAABJc/z7SzKwCQ2dE/s1600/je77.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RU6kf42YisY/UuBO2T5pSMI/AAAAAAAABJc/z7SzKwCQ2dE/s1600/je77.JPG" height="320" width="169" /></a></div>
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We were blessed with meeting Jenn
when we joined our church back in 2009 in a smaller suburb of Dallas (about
15-20 minutes away). Jennifer has been very active in the church since she was
a child. In addition to helping out our youth groups whenever she can, she also
serves as a deacon, leads our Sunday School class, volunteers for outreach
events such as Rowlett Reindeer and Neighbor to Neighbor, attends the Adult
Mission Trip each year, and has served on numerous committees! We would hope
that any match for Jenn would hold the same love and hunger to serve for our
great Lord and be excited for growth as individuals and a couple through Him.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S73FUyxSwIs/UuBOmzsczgI/AAAAAAAABJQ/k8l_doawvzQ/s1600/4688_101841744576_6088284_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S73FUyxSwIs/UuBOmzsczgI/AAAAAAAABJQ/k8l_doawvzQ/s1600/4688_101841744576_6088284_n.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></div>
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Jennifer currently works in sales
and travels at various times throughout the month. As hard as it is for this
Aggie fan to write it, she’s a graduate of the University of Texas and is a
die-hard longhorn fan! (Insert Aggie horse laugh here.) She’s never been married
and has no children.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oI_orkcjbzk/UuBOnfGGCoI/AAAAAAAABJE/vKt2I-Q5oWs/s1600/dkdkd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oI_orkcjbzk/UuBOnfGGCoI/AAAAAAAABJE/vKt2I-Q5oWs/s1600/dkdkd.JPG" height="308" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jennifer can often be found at
the gym working out, volunteering with organizations such as Habitat for
Humanity, going for a tour of a brewery or enjoying a wine tasting, watching
Longhorn football, having dinners with friends or playing our monthly Bunco. Oh
and she also leads our monthly Book Club (which I forget about a lot… sorry
Jenn!) She’s gone skydiving and completed several warrior dashes and never will
shy away from a new adventure! Did I mention she is also a black belt?<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GR7vK85NrhU/UuBOoQilhzI/AAAAAAAABJY/MdUR-pxxoyY/s1600/lh9ho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GR7vK85NrhU/UuBOoQilhzI/AAAAAAAABJY/MdUR-pxxoyY/s1600/lh9ho.jpg" height="131" width="400" /></a></div>
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She’s a great organizer and keeps
all of us on track; somehow juggling friends, church, work, family, and much
more… like it’s nothing! While it sounds like Jennifer is go-go-go all the
time… the perfect person will enjoy a sense of balance (going out and staying
in) because sometimes nothing can beat staying home in comfy clothes! She owns
her own home and has been busy redoing, remodeling, and revamping inside and
out.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdwEJWDcqaM/UuBOmCf1vXI/AAAAAAAABI0/hyaAarspalE/s1600/12615_10151329923849577_413537075_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdwEJWDcqaM/UuBOmCf1vXI/AAAAAAAABI0/hyaAarspalE/s1600/12615_10151329923849577_413537075_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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She is very close to her family.
Family time is extremely important to Jennifer and what a great one she has!<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fT3xVh55yP8/UuBOmJymn7I/AAAAAAAABI4/Vz1hKerOcMc/s1600/27091_1438675606665_992978_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fT3xVh55yP8/UuBOmJymn7I/AAAAAAAABI4/Vz1hKerOcMc/s1600/27091_1438675606665_992978_n.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
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Her
most recent joy can be found in her nephew, Trevor (or “Bobbles” as she calls
him.) She’s always anxious for baby time! (Pretty sure this lil’ man adores his
aunt too!)<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnRmIBzjvWo/UuBOnswJGRI/AAAAAAAABJU/H2dI9PmjHvE/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnRmIBzjvWo/UuBOnswJGRI/AAAAAAAABJU/H2dI9PmjHvE/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now Jennifer IS tall… so it’d be
ideal if you are 6’1” or taller! She has a great smile, an infectious laugh,
and ridiculously pretty hair and eyelashes (it’s a girl thing!) Jenn is loyal
and will listen to you rant (which for me is often) and always has a way of
giving you strong but solid advice. While health conscious, she’s not a
fanatic- I always look forward to our
Chili’s dinners or Chipotle girl-time meetups. She’s also a great cook and has
some to die for recipes! We’d expect any guy lucky enough
to be fun, outgoing, responsible, honest and faithful. (Gotta’ make sure she is
taken care of as well as she takes care of all of us!)<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsZz6QlubX8/UuBOmDkKUtI/AAAAAAAABIo/ubM18D1KxNw/s1600/232332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wsZz6QlubX8/UuBOmDkKUtI/AAAAAAAABIo/ubM18D1KxNw/s1600/232332.JPG" height="320" width="164" /></a></div>
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….and just because this is my
most favorite picture ever… here’s a little proof "she won’t be rushing you to
the altar"....</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSoxB4ayqvg/UuBOmpx2WZI/AAAAAAAABIw/cAYzt_abhnw/s1600/3wejje.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QSoxB4ayqvg/UuBOmpx2WZI/AAAAAAAABIw/cAYzt_abhnw/s1600/3wejje.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bahaha!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Seriously… she’s just the best!</div>
Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-51638848240689537642014-01-17T19:45:00.000-06:002014-01-17T19:45:05.759-06:00It's Friday, Friday....Ahhh.... only 7:30 on a Friday night and I have already eaten dinner, dessert, and am enjoying being bundled up with a cozy blanket, house shoes, a fluffy pup, a glass of champagne, and my computer.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The husband is away for weekend Midwinter camp with the high-schoolers and while I had all these plans to get busy around the house and deep clean and hang up clothes, etc... etc... something about curling up and starting the Harry Potter series, 13 years behind mind you, was much more appealing.</div>
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<div>
We had a cruddy afternoon, so perhaps that is what did it. Either way, I'm an hour into the first movie and I must say... I might be hooked. Thanks to the internet, I already know bits and pieces of the Potter fandom, but here we go... three days to finish them all. </div>
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It didn't hurt that the War Doctor, John Hurt made his appearance early on and I know David Tennant is still to come. Ahh, everywhere a Doctor went, a Whovian is sure to go. </div>
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....well, back at it. :) </div>
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<img height="320" src="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing%3F.out%3Djpg%26size%3Dl%26tid%3D24018291" width="320" /></div>
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-41885702793645336932014-01-14T17:57:00.001-06:002014-01-14T17:57:18.046-06:00WHEN baby makes three?Another year and another good intention of keeping up with this blog.<br />
<br />
...yeah right.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, I'll try. I used to write all the time (back in the days of Xanga and MySpace) and while I never wrote anything "good" per say... they are my thoughts, my days, my life. How neat to look back in a few years and see where we have been.<br />
<br />
This year will mark eight years of marriage for this happy couple. Wow. Hard to believe. I feel like the year ahead has much in store for us! We're going to begin the process of 'getting ourselves in order' and preparing to try for a baby.<br />
<br />
When I say 'get ourselves in order' I mostly mean that we are going to have a long road of testing and trying ahead. I've got to get my willpower from somewhere and work on my weight issues to manage my PCOS (in addition to many other obvious health related reasons.)<br />
<br />
And while I am looking forward to it, I'm also nervous and scared.<br />
<br />
I'm a worrier. Just can't help it. I know the coming year might be full of what if's and could be's and everything in between. I know that there is a large chance the answer may simply be "no..." and while I've always prepared myself for that (since I was a teenager) part of me has always kept the hope that everything will go smoothly and work like clockwork.<br />
<br />
I am fearful for what the future testing will hold. Part of me sometimes think that when and if it is time to test Chris.... that maybe some of the burden of not being able to have a child would be lifted, if he too, had his own troubles. It wouldn't be solely my fault. But then again, I don't wish that for him. For us, together of course, or for anyone else (God-forbid anything were to ever happen to me.) It's a sad feeling being the bearer of barren. It's lonely and defeating.<br />
<br />
Until we really try (this year) we won't know if the doctor who told me 'never' when I was 14 or the doctor who said 'no problem' at 19 or the countless others in between who said 'maybe' or 'possible' were right. Unfortunately, almost 10 years of pseudo-trying haven't proved to be successful, so I know which answer I am leaning towards right now.<br />
<br />
I know we have time (though that grows smaller by the day) and I know we have options... but my goodness! I look at the thousands of women and couples going through the same thing... heartbroken and defeated and know deep down that I'm not alone in this, but it's a scary and lonely feeling either way.<br />
<br />
Truth be told I am terrified, beyond all other baby-making-related reasons.<br />
<br />
Are we ready?<br />
Can we afford it?<br />
I want the house redone first!<br />
Do we need a better car?<br />
What if....<br />
What if....<br />
What if....<br />
<br />
Maybe 2014 will the hold the answers, eh?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-74550528472168449772013-10-26T00:45:00.001-05:002013-10-26T00:45:21.319-05:00The Huggins HauntsWell, it's that time of year again... one of our favorites! I'm currently watching Ghostbusters, something I haven't seen in I don't know how long. LOVE IT. Since it IS 12:30... I certainly don't feel like writing much, but I CAN share pictures! We love decorating our house and the yard. Hope you enjoy... just remember, we still have lots and lots to redo in the house. Any wallpaper you may see is not of my choosing.<br />
<br />
Happy Halloween!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0ntim46jx4/UmtSpDmTiCI/AAAAAAAAA8g/Vc9Q2PvBqwc/s1600/2013-10-01+17.33.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0ntim46jx4/UmtSpDmTiCI/AAAAAAAAA8g/Vc9Q2PvBqwc/s320/2013-10-01+17.33.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a call at work from a proud husband... saying he 'planted a tree'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z75chMQ4n9I/UmtSpKkOAjI/AAAAAAAAA8k/afAKvg8MKZU/s1600/2013-10-02+12.37.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z75chMQ4n9I/UmtSpKkOAjI/AAAAAAAAA8k/afAKvg8MKZU/s320/2013-10-02+12.37.02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gettin' started...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGZM07ifluM/UmtSp3hwHzI/AAAAAAAAA8s/64cqYTpBTHo/s1600/2013-10-03+20.48.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGZM07ifluM/UmtSp3hwHzI/AAAAAAAAA8s/64cqYTpBTHo/s320/2013-10-03+20.48.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade fog machine chiller</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNFLfumAlR4/UmtSs0tzJHI/AAAAAAAAA84/uh53itYQPIU/s1600/2013-10-06+07.56.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNFLfumAlR4/UmtSs0tzJHI/AAAAAAAAA84/uh53itYQPIU/s320/2013-10-06+07.56.33.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First cold spell of the season, doin' it right!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-po7xjarIOjM/UmtSs5WkJzI/AAAAAAAAA88/jS0yk_JhsYA/s1600/2013-10-07+20.35.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-po7xjarIOjM/UmtSs5WkJzI/AAAAAAAAA88/jS0yk_JhsYA/s320/2013-10-07+20.35.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First shot of an almost complete yard... wait... what is?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bHjB5WFbio/UmtStLt5F9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/kJ7baUmWIBs/s1600/2013-10-10+19.53.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1bHjB5WFbio/UmtStLt5F9I/AAAAAAAAA9A/kJ7baUmWIBs/s320/2013-10-10+19.53.37.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HOLY CRAP HOW MANY GHOSTS CAN YOU COUNT AND WHY ARE THEY AT MY DOOR AND IN MY HOUSE AND PEAKING OUT MY WINDOWS. I STILL SLEEP WITH A LIGHT ON. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQmVKjLXQW0/UmtSyJFml7I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/xnjq_voTzeE/s1600/2013-10-20+21.15.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zQmVKjLXQW0/UmtSyJFml7I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/xnjq_voTzeE/s320/2013-10-20+21.15.25.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too tuckered out from playing with his new pumpkin toy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugh. Me and my failures.</td></tr>
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-34928519506082419672013-09-13T21:09:00.003-05:002013-09-13T21:09:45.566-05:00Another, more cheerful post!Sorry to bring ya'll down in today's earlier post. I'm better right now, on an upswing I guess you could say...and because of that, I finished my wreath for our front door:<br />
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<br />
Too easy and too too cute! Simply wrap Styrofoam wreath in burlap, make felt roses using any tutorial online, and cut the A&M out of hard felt. Use lots and lots of hot glue and burn your fingers too!<br />
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Wha-la! Done. Just in time for tomorrow's game.<br />
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BTHO 'Bama, Ags! Gig'em!Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-23104158745475335802013-09-13T12:07:00.001-05:002013-10-26T00:46:08.932-05:00This is for me.<div style="text-align: justify;">
To Write Love On Her Arms is doing a "<i>I Cannot Be Replaced Because.</i>.." campaign right now and as much as I have tried, I've had a hard time coming up with reasons.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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This post may be public, but really... it's just for me. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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But I left it public on purpose...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not for the attention or the 'cry for help', not for comments of worried friends... maybe someone else will know these feelings and scrape and dig (like I often have to)
to come up with even the smallest list. The most trivial of things that
matter. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maybe one day I can look back and remind myself why I am still
here. Maybe one day I will have many more reasons to list, because even through my cloudiness right now, I know there are more out there. I'm sure of it. There just has to be.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just can't find them. So, in my "funk" as so many want to call it... I reminded myself that even though I think about it, often, I have not in fact- ended my life. So what's holding me back?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See.. as much as it will piss my husband off, I don't list "because I'd leave my husband behind" or something similar because quite often, I think he'd be okay. Sometimes I think he would be better off without me. Regardless of the truth behind it or not, I think that often. I don't necessarily believe that there is one person for everyone... because even though I could not imagine my life without Chris... I feel like he has a lot to offer others. I feel like he could easily find someone... probably better... if he had to. I feel like he could move on and be happy. Maybe someone else won't nag him or bitch about her problems or how crazy she is in the head. Maybe someone who isn't so introverted or someone who can give him children. I don't know. He's a good guy, that's all. There is a reason I fell in love with him. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know what my reasons are. The ones I came up with are silly... but hell, if it gets me by, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1.) Even though I have Chris and family, I wouldn't want anyone else taking care of my fur-babies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2.) My grandmother... and my parents who lost three before me. It'd be like, selfish Erika, at it again.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
3.) I'd like to redo my house and make sure it's clean. I want to see my ideas come to life.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
4.) I don't know where I stand on God and the suicide issue. Best not to chance it for now, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And... I guess that's it. For now.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
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I know, somewhere, somehow, there has to be a brighter day. But today, I just can't see it.</div>
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-77968417645671103432013-09-11T14:05:00.003-05:002013-09-11T14:06:56.904-05:00Feelin' artsy....I got a little bored earlier and decided to make this:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfBUxTOi_Lw/UjC-9uaOWvI/AAAAAAAAA7g/ylujNrvRTHQ/s1600/ComeThouFount+Backgroung.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SfBUxTOi_Lw/UjC-9uaOWvI/AAAAAAAAA7g/ylujNrvRTHQ/s400/ComeThouFount+Backgroung.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's my absolute favorite part of my favorite hymn!Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-3549879013837556992013-09-05T11:15:00.003-05:002013-09-05T11:15:51.925-05:00365 days and countingWell... I did it! I made it to a year of not smoking! After ten years of smoking a pack/pack-and-a-half a day, I actually made it. Whew!<br />
<br />
<i>Here's my progress:</i><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JIrwX2-KKE/UiittpL3TvI/AAAAAAAAA6M/S_ehdDY5Ywk/s1600/IMG_6343.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3JIrwX2-KKE/UiittpL3TvI/AAAAAAAAA6M/S_ehdDY5Ywk/s400/IMG_6343.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hard to believe I would have smoked over 7,000 cigarettes and spent over $2,300! I am so glad I made the decision to quit. I feel better that I could have imagined. And love getting compliments on my perfume, because before... the smoke covered it up.<br />
<br />
I love not waking up feeling like death and hacking up what might have been a lung. I love not getting winded walking from my car into a store. I don't miss the cottonmouth at all.<br />
<br />
...but if I am being honest... I DO miss smoking too. Maybe part of me always will. While I do use the E-Cig still and vape at 0 mg of nicotine... I'd love to pick up a Marlboro Light.<br />
<br />
One of my biggest accomplishments (for myself) is having the opportunity to smoke, without anyone knowing, and having the will power to say no. Cleaning out my car once, alone in my back yard, I came across a perfectly in tact Marlboro Light 100. Who would know?<br />
<br />
<b>I would have.</b><br />
<br />
<i>So I broke it in half and threw it away.</i><br />
<br />
....so, a year later, and one goal down... I hope I can have the same will-power on my next endeavor: weight loss. Chris began a couple weeks ago and is doing so well. I am so proud of him!<br />
<br />
I'm easing in to it. I'm not sure I am 100% ready-- but I'm getting there. I'm readier than I've ever been.<br />
<br />
Here's to another year of making better choices! If I can add around 30 days to my lifespan by not smoking... where will I be in a year of eating better and exercising?<br />
<br />
Want to follow our progress? Visit us over at our weight loss blog: ahealthierhuggins.blogspot.com<br />
<br />
Until next time.... <br />
Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-6415710739794208042013-07-21T23:23:00.001-05:002013-07-21T23:23:24.477-05:00Laundry RoomI'm really itchin' to get our Laundry Room revamped. It's been FAR too long since we have redone anything in the house. Things have been hectic... but it's time. Right now this room is pretty drab but I think we can redo it relatively cheap!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPKLE74tVms/Ueyv3ggLc7I/AAAAAAAAA1w/M2wE5mlM70k/s1600/2013-07-21+22.41.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPKLE74tVms/Ueyv3ggLc7I/AAAAAAAAA1w/M2wE5mlM70k/s320/2013-07-21+22.41.22.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excuse the cat food ALL over the dryer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_JLqTQK9eo/Ueyv3y6r7cI/AAAAAAAAA10/GgCksNYBWQY/s1600/2013-07-21+22.41.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l_JLqTQK9eo/Ueyv3y6r7cI/AAAAAAAAA10/GgCksNYBWQY/s320/2013-07-21+22.41.30.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...also excuse the litter box. That 'cabinet' is actually a pull out ironing board with sleeve board. I need<br /> to find new covers for both of them. They are too cute. Not that I iron... but it's the idea, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwp5N_gZJp4/Ueyv3nuFGpI/AAAAAAAAA1s/YBGSRTVHFhY/s1600/2013-07-21+22.41.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bwp5N_gZJp4/Ueyv3nuFGpI/AAAAAAAAA1s/YBGSRTVHFhY/s320/2013-07-21+22.41.36.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got bored once when Chris was out of town and decided to paint the door going into the garage. It needs another coat, but the idea is there. We also don't even have the light cover on.... because, reasons. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxukcHVEFtU/Ueyv5NKkIuI/AAAAAAAAA2E/zUTtAvLWZo8/s1600/2013-07-21+22.41.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxukcHVEFtU/Ueyv5NKkIuI/AAAAAAAAA2E/zUTtAvLWZo8/s320/2013-07-21+22.41.45.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor of sticky tiles. (And my cute pedicured toes.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So after several ideas tossed around, at Christmas I asked for these pictures on Amazon and my parents got them for me. I think it's a great start for my 'inspiration'. I also bought these knobs at Hobby Lobby when they were on sale awhile ago.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJr3oXlR2w/UeyxGbkcMbI/AAAAAAAAA2U/u97hdScjEd4/s1600/2013-07-21+22.41.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRJr3oXlR2w/UeyxGbkcMbI/AAAAAAAAA2U/u97hdScjEd4/s320/2013-07-21+22.41.54.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTHL63dhtY0/UeyxIdoD2XI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Y9Plcu1redw/s1600/2013-07-21+22.50.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rTHL63dhtY0/UeyxIdoD2XI/AAAAAAAAA2c/Y9Plcu1redw/s320/2013-07-21+22.50.20.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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So, where to go from here? Here's the run-down on what ideas I'd like to see happen.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">FLOORING</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8zoFhVnKlE/UeyxxWBkg7I/AAAAAAAAA2k/MkYxPtzuZLA/s1600/black-checkered-laundry-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S8zoFhVnKlE/UeyxxWBkg7I/AAAAAAAAA2k/MkYxPtzuZLA/s320/black-checkered-laundry-room.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>LIGHTING</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>DECOR</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>A LITTLE OOMPH</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NC6w_wLzuMo/Ueyyk_rqHjI/AAAAAAAAA34/Wp5A5ir2bbo/s1600/ed59a6c816d128dae8c0cf74a206b036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NC6w_wLzuMo/Ueyyk_rqHjI/AAAAAAAAA34/Wp5A5ir2bbo/s320/ed59a6c816d128dae8c0cf74a206b036.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a fresh coat of paint on the outside, what not a fun pop of color on the inside?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMwyO0-Ggzs/UeyylaPNJBI/AAAAAAAAA38/SqUDrx_sIb0/s1600/2013-07-21+22.42.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LMwyO0-Ggzs/UeyylaPNJBI/AAAAAAAAA38/SqUDrx_sIb0/s320/2013-07-21+22.42.00.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found these two swatches that I really liked for the inside of the cabinets/accent color. Both are a minty<br /> blue-green color, though the picture doesn't do them justice. I am loving mint colors right now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpfHPiWB9Zw/UeyykWTYjSI/AAAAAAAAA3s/uPE1edK9E-M/s1600/friday+feature--painted+washer+and+dryer+from+killer+b+designs+blog%5B6%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpfHPiWB9Zw/UeyykWTYjSI/AAAAAAAAA3s/uPE1edK9E-M/s320/friday+feature--painted+washer+and+dryer+from+killer+b+designs+blog%5B6%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'd like to paint our washer and dryer. Maybe a black or accent color (mint?) </td></tr>
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Maybe we can begin this little project soon! I'd think it could be done over a weekend or so. Fueled with enough champagne, I might be able to do anything! </div>
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-1003150450014371452013-06-21T14:51:00.002-05:002013-06-21T14:51:55.981-05:00I don't really have a post, but instead an update!<br />
<br />
I'm just 75 days away from my year anniversary of not smoking.<br />
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This is huge, ya'll.<br />
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I still remember one year ago... smoking a pack a day, thinking I'd like to quit... but how in the world would I function? What would I do with my time?<br />
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I honestly can't believe I did it.<br />
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I'm still vaping, but my nicotine level is 0 mg. ZERO! I guess my next step is weening myself off this, but until then... I'm fine with puffing vapor.<br />
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I've saved money.<br />
<br />
I feel so much better.<br />
<br />
I SMELL so much better.<br />
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I'm proud of me! And that's not something I say often!<br />
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Here's my tracker as of today... crazy looking at those numbers!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdFpXeDi6W4/UcSurtbrbGI/AAAAAAAAA1M/Nknx8j88em8/s1600/1061588_10103404435381084_68051340_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FdFpXeDi6W4/UcSurtbrbGI/AAAAAAAAA1M/Nknx8j88em8/s640/1061588_10103404435381084_68051340_n.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIVE-THOUSAND-NINETY-TWO CIGARETTES. WOW.</td></tr>
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-73789015360343812752013-05-01T17:31:00.000-05:002013-05-01T17:31:20.977-05:00Chris: The Casket HunterWe've had a busy couple weeks. Chris has 'started' a new job and they've been waiting on a title change. The truck was purchased at Friendly Chevrolet. Friday- he went all I Spy out in Fort Worth trying to find a truck (with a load) that had been stolen from their company. Friday and Saturday, we also helped out for a funeral service at the church.<br />
<br />
...have I ever mentioned Chris talks in his sleep?<br />
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He does. Not all the time (that I hear anyways) but often relives his day or week. Sometimes it's random occurrences, others no so much. When he was a detention officer, he'd come home and yell at inmates in his sleep. Another time, I was in a Madonna mood and had been listening to The Immaculate Collection CD quite a bit, which infamously resulted in Chris sitting straight up in bed and saying "strike a pose" before falling back onto his pillow.<br />
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I wish I could remember all the things he's ever said and done. I wish I had written them down... but, better late than never, right? So instead of TELLING you... how about I show you?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dM6nJEzMHk/UYGVdZvfL3I/AAAAAAAAAxo/GElM4XpCPBA/s1600/Capture1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dM6nJEzMHk/UYGVdZvfL3I/AAAAAAAAAxo/GElM4XpCPBA/s320/Capture1.JPG" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me... asleep, with Moondoggie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8K9g3oKbEU/UYGVdn3uYXI/AAAAAAAAAxY/caGgyHkQGPg/s1600/Capture2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8K9g3oKbEU/UYGVdn3uYXI/AAAAAAAAAxY/caGgyHkQGPg/s320/Capture2.JPG" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heh? Wha? What's going on?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NElg5CZTRkM/UYGVeOqF49I/AAAAAAAAAxk/rmNNhpQW2U8/s1600/Capture5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NElg5CZTRkM/UYGVeOqF49I/AAAAAAAAAxk/rmNNhpQW2U8/s320/Capture5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was sitting up in bed, leaning against the headboard. So excited...</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZv_Bt6QiLY/UYGVeZUpVgI/AAAAAAAAAyA/nzYTHo2amWI/s1600/Capture6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fZv_Bt6QiLY/UYGVeZUpVgI/AAAAAAAAAyA/nzYTHo2amWI/s320/Capture6.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cB-Feh6jgZs/UYGVcyeUTOI/AAAAAAAAAxE/SU7RpsntqFQ/s1600/7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cB-Feh6jgZs/UYGVcyeUTOI/AAAAAAAAAxE/SU7RpsntqFQ/s320/7.JPG" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(It's best to indulge him...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri2ym66xauM/UYGVdAIcF9I/AAAAAAAAAxM/EbQP2t1GgTA/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ri2ym66xauM/UYGVdAIcF9I/AAAAAAAAAxM/EbQP2t1GgTA/s320/8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...now you know why I told you the background up top, eh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpAx0D3m1NM/UYGVdHSuZCI/AAAAAAAAAxI/e7G3yGhBlLo/s1600/9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kpAx0D3m1NM/UYGVdHSuZCI/AAAAAAAAAxI/e7G3yGhBlLo/s320/9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a slight pause...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ15nqxDH4A/UYGVbE6ph4I/AAAAAAAAAwY/ThiQOjT3lLE/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJ15nqxDH4A/UYGVbE6ph4I/AAAAAAAAAwY/ThiQOjT3lLE/s320/10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He knocks, with his knuckle on the headboard. SO EXCITED.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkrKxPqTInQ/UYGVbLnGCpI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Tk_dFco0VEM/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nkrKxPqTInQ/UYGVbLnGCpI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Tk_dFco0VEM/s320/11.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously... what DO you say to that?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnq7JTioulw/UYGVbOa7rbI/AAAAAAAAAwU/gqNjzxRnFfY/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnq7JTioulw/UYGVbOa7rbI/AAAAAAAAAwU/gqNjzxRnFfY/s320/12.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...waiting for more...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSPFz0v3LtY/UYGVbsYNSLI/AAAAAAAAAwc/vBAFtqTvlts/s1600/13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSPFz0v3LtY/UYGVbsYNSLI/AAAAAAAAAwc/vBAFtqTvlts/s320/13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing? No? Just cool?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlFyMFhhAxs/UYGVbz6GBLI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YYT2G9s7QrU/s1600/14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlFyMFhhAxs/UYGVbz6GBLI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YYT2G9s7QrU/s320/14.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insert sad face and slink down onto his pillow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEQRUq_780c/UYGVcBY0MII/AAAAAAAAAww/Ki9Y8cGDmVg/s1600/15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEQRUq_780c/UYGVcBY0MII/AAAAAAAAAww/Ki9Y8cGDmVg/s320/15.JPG" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollover and pout.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRZNuBfsxM/UYGVcHl1n_I/AAAAAAAAAws/fMEJK0wIg1I/s1600/16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLRZNuBfsxM/UYGVcHl1n_I/AAAAAAAAAws/fMEJK0wIg1I/s320/16.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...okay, I'll bite... maybe he'll tell me more?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, we're done here.</td></tr>
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-60796217363391393132013-04-09T21:13:00.000-05:002013-04-09T21:13:09.213-05:00Dream a little dream of?What do you think about before falling asleep? Do you make lists or think of the future? Do you envision a vacation spot, your happy place, or count sheep?<br />
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I'm a weird sleeper. I sleep hard and soundly. It usually takes me forever to actually fall asleep and if you wake me up during my 'doze off' period... I'm usually wide awake for hours. Sometimes, it might be a phone call that wakes me or a ding from a text, Chris may be tossing and turning or sleep-talking, the cat might try and lay on my head...<br />
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Then there are those weird occurrences...<br />
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... when I am in that about-to-fall-asleep time, when your mind settles down and you find that perfect spot, when the pillow is perfectly cool, and the world seems to have quieted...<br />
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Images flash through my head. Quick, brief images as if I were clicking swiftly through a viewmaster.<br />
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Oh, you're too young to know what that is? Example:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNQ9c3Yc04/UWS-PX237pI/AAAAAAAAAuo/wTMSclm7rhg/s1600/ViewMaster_red_with_reel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TUNQ9c3Yc04/UWS-PX237pI/AAAAAAAAAuo/wTMSclm7rhg/s320/ViewMaster_red_with_reel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much the best thing ever. EVER.</td></tr>
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See, it began happening about five years ago. (That I remember anyways...) As I am dozing off, a quick glimpse of a "picture" will flash in front of me. Like I was changing channels in my head and happened upon this photo of weird. But they aren't beach-scapes, or cuddly kittens.<br />
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They don't bring me comfort or serenity or calmness... but rather evoke feelings that create this face:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYDuo5u3v4E/UWS-b9Z1CZI/AAAAAAAAAuw/H7WLKuvXHxw/s1600/jackie-chan-what-the-fuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYDuo5u3v4E/UWS-b9Z1CZI/AAAAAAAAAuw/H7WLKuvXHxw/s320/jackie-chan-what-the-fuck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm sure there is a perfectly sensible explanation for these momentary glimpses... but quite frankly I don't care enough to Google it and have come to embrace this 'nother notch on the odd belt.<br />
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PROOF:<br />
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The very first one I remember was more of a .GIF in my head. Motion = fancy.<br />
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Imagine the happiest hedgehog in the world. Kind of like this guy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu6BPfZ-KhE/UWS_D2HyeyI/AAAAAAAAAvM/x08K0lBh__g/s1600/marijuana.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yu6BPfZ-KhE/UWS_D2HyeyI/AAAAAAAAAvM/x08K0lBh__g/s320/marijuana.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and he's rolling around in this stuff. Like, if you could frolic while laying down... this would be the place to do it.</td></tr>
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Yes. Marijuana. So you understand now why he is so happy. </div>
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WHY WOULD THAT EVER ENTER MY MIND? Seriously. I get that I'm weird. But what the heck?</div>
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And just like that... it's gone. Just a fleeting flash of WTF.</div>
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The next one I remember was another .GIF file, in the file backup of Erika's brain. Quick and fleeting, but more of a storyline of sorts, on fast forward. This one must have been the start of a dream, but my subconscious cut it off.</div>
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Did you ever see The Birds? It's a movie, for you youngsters, that's about a bunch of birds, taking over... pecking and taking names. It may sound lame, but birds are terrifying and don't you forget it.</div>
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So in this snip-it... I've assumed the role of Tippi Hedren and I run up this bird infested porch, like a bad-A... and go check on the old man (whoever he was) - but uh oh, he's gotten his eyes pecked out while in his pajamas. Good morning to you too. Just Googling for an image and seeing him gave me the willies so enjoy this tamer photo of the playground birds. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ominous. </td></tr>
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I've had TONS more through the years, but can't remember them. I'd give anything if I had kept a journal of them. Like a dream journal, but for crazies.</div>
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I hadn't had any in quite some time until this week.</div>
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Sunday night, in pictures...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mhGtFBaIYm8/UWS_EC5647I/AAAAAAAAAvg/PxJKlQmOhjo/s1600/south3mg7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mhGtFBaIYm8/UWS_EC5647I/AAAAAAAAAvg/PxJKlQmOhjo/s320/south3mg7.jpg" width="320" /> </a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lIIAOQ6q9I/UWTERP4sF2I/AAAAAAAAAvs/TSDobqGmb_g/s1600/black_spider2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lIIAOQ6q9I/UWTERP4sF2I/AAAAAAAAAvs/TSDobqGmb_g/s320/black_spider2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pretty much the most racist insects ever. (Yes, I know a spider is an arachnid... get over yourself.)</div>
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But there was a spider and mosquito hanging out together--- obvious friends (which is so not real life) and they had napsacks on sticks and wore outfits like Bojangles up there with Shirley Temple and I think were whistlin' Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah... and it was an explosion of awesome, offended, confusion.</div>
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Monday night? No motion files... just a .JPEG flash of terror.</div>
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Picture it. Two juggalos, like:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjf4KmHscTY/UWS_D24qR0I/AAAAAAAAAvY/E6qFQzR27Ro/s1600/r-JUGGALOS-large570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjf4KmHscTY/UWS_D24qR0I/AAAAAAAAAvY/E6qFQzR27Ro/s320/r-JUGGALOS-large570.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definition: <b>Juggalo</b> (feminine <b>Juggalette</b>) is a name given to fans of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insane_Clown_Posse" title="Insane Clown Posse">Insane Clown Posse</a> or any other <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathic_Records" title="Psychopathic Records">Psychopathic Records</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip_hop_music" title="Hip hop music">hip hop</a> group. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang and characteristics. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Yeah, creepy enough as is, but let's add some laser demon eyes for the heck of it:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7oA8gLqqC0/UWTIrsysBeI/AAAAAAAAAwA/tZ-LOulMKds/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7oA8gLqqC0/UWTIrsysBeI/AAAAAAAAAwA/tZ-LOulMKds/s400/Capture.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Welcome to the MS Paint version of my mind. Sleep well.<br />
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-32453580004010765462013-04-04T16:18:00.001-05:002013-04-04T16:18:56.946-05:00<br />
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<b> It's got me again... </b><br />
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<i>Image courtesy of <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/">Hyperbole and a Half</a></i></div>
Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-25466317006837961722013-03-09T11:00:00.000-06:002013-03-09T11:00:16.779-06:00Look! I'm posting! Pat me on the back.I'm currently sitting in a hotel room in Katy, Texas... the husband is out doing pastor-y stuff for tonight's wedding and I've enjoyed sitting lazily in my pajamas after eating an amazing breakfast in my room.<br />
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As you may have seen on Facebook, we celebrated SEVEN years of marriage on Monday and while the intention was to come down a day early this weekend and go to Galveston for a night- things came up and got in the way (such is life) and we decided that perhaps we should wait and come down another weekend.<br />
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That didn't stop us however from heading out at 3 am yesterday morning. We've done that a few times, headed out at an obscene hour- and have had the best time! Hardly anyone is on the roads and it's nice to be able to chat and sing along to music, together. Is it smart? Eh, probably not. <br />
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It makes you closer as a couple, in those hours of lack of sleep delirium... when one can admit that back in elementary school, the discovery that closing one eye - then closing the other, was mind blowing. (Yeah, it was me.) But come on... don't you remember that too? That magical moment when you discover you can "move" things, with just the closing of your eyes? No? Just me? Those crickets you hear are the same response I got from my husband, but I'll claim it's because he was tired. I've always been easily entertained.<br />
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Nonetheless, we decided to have lunch in Galveston and hang out around there for a few hours. Galveston is not the prettiest beach by far. There is nothing special about it at all, but still, it's one of my favorite local destinations. I've gone many, many times growing up and Chris and I have been several times together. We know the area pretty well and enjoyed seeing the new things that have popped up (the Pleasure Pier) since we last were there, pre-Hurricane Ike.<br />
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We tried The Spot, as we had never been there and enjoyed some cold beers, a hamburger for me, and a shrimp po-boy for Chris...among lots and lots of feathered friends! Pigeons and crows just circled us and waited on chairs and tables for a small scrap to be thrown. One bird quite brazenly took a waffle fry from Chris's plate! It was a bit windy, but relaxing.<br />
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After we finished, full and happy, we decided to go to the drive-on beach down the road. Several other Spring Breakers had the same idea, but we found a spot down the beach, pulled up close to the water, rolled the windows down, leaned the seats back, and took a short nap. (We were exhausted!) What a relaxing cat nap it was! I could listen to the sound of the waves all the time and feel the crisp ocean breeze!<br />
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I didn't want to leave!<br />
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Some other photos from the past week:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought husband a new white shirt, an awesome tie, new pants, and this handsome black suit jacket! Here he is 'modeling' the complete outfit for me. Dapper! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you see a hot pink octopus ring... you buy it. Excuse the I'll forever be a 5 year old painting of my right hand's fingernails. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He seriously wanted to wear this out in public. PUBLIC. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Aaaaaand, to round off this post, enjoy my Easter Decorations around my casa and the food and set up of March's BUNCO at my house.<br />
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That I hosted on Monday, March 4th.<br />
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Our Anniversary.<br />
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Where I made husband do a lot of the work for me.<br />
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And then kicked him out for the night.<br />
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...because I'm a horrible wife.<br />
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-22754368818696905932013-02-26T23:22:00.001-06:002013-02-26T23:23:00.647-06:00I just called, to say...Normally, when I go awhile without posting, which is always... I'm all "oh, I have nothing to say" or "life has been busy" but seriously ya'll...<br />
<br />
Check and check.<br />
<br />
Things have been crazy hectic lately and don't appear to be slowing for another week or so. But I do want to do a post... about... something.<br />
<br />
Maybe.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy this inspirational photo:<br />
<br />
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<br />
...because everything is inspirational in Helvetica.<br />
<br />
So. Deep. Ya'll.Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-88156862529245379182013-01-06T22:31:00.002-06:002013-01-06T22:37:44.400-06:00Reflection<div style="text-align: justify;">
2013. Wow. How does time fly so fast? We measure so much of our lives in time... we have deadlines and milestones and often put so much emphasis on the time factor. For me, 2013 brings many things:</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>May marks 10 years of being out of high school. </li>
<li>September will (hopefully) bring 1 year of not smoking! </li>
<li>March marks 7 years of marriage with my amazing husband.</li>
<li>This month marks 4 years since joining our church and February will be 3 years for me as Secretary. </li>
<li>I'll celebrate my 29th birthday in December... the last time I'll be in my twenties.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...and much more.<br />
<br />
Wouldn't it be nice though, to instead of counting the days and months, to count the blessings each of those marks in time signify? I've been having some ups and downs lately in my mood and in life. Nothing major, just happiness and heartbreak.... shock, awe, joy, and worry. Guess those come with the territory of growing up, right? I've felt very reflective, just as I am sure most people do at the start of a new year. I am so unbelievably blessed. So much happens as time passes by. Big and small! Sometimes the smallest things in our everyday lives make us pause... and those are the ones worth holding close.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loaded up Moondoggie in the car tonight. We had to run a few errands and needed to take Chris to get his truck. Once we dropped him off and started driving back home... I glanced over at him several times. Sometimes that little face was looking at me and sometimes he was looking around at the world passing us by. Don't get me wrong... I know he's "just a dog" and nothing can compare the love I have for him to a child (that love I hope to experience one day soon, too!) But I caught myself, beaming. I adore that little, furry, face. I see it everyday, greeting me when I wake and when I get home. It's a simple pleasure and I thanked God for it in that moment. A lot of times, I forget to do that.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8LGtM2mCP4/UOpKHy5SLCI/AAAAAAAAAnI/bkBTDx6ijoE/s1600/photo%283%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8LGtM2mCP4/UOpKHy5SLCI/AAAAAAAAAnI/bkBTDx6ijoE/s320/photo%283%29.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Life moves pretty fast. If yo don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>(Ferris Bueller)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With that in mind... let's rethink the timeline, above.</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>May marks 10 years of learning and making mistakes. Of being humbled and reminded that things don't in fact... go the way you plan and intend. Sometimes life veers on it's own and sometimes you do it to yourself. Friends come and go and we all age, even when we don't notice.</li>
<li>September will (hopefully) bring 1 year of making a step to better myself. Something I've not done in a very long time. (Maybe ever?) Something I finally proved to myself I could do.<br />
</li>
<li>March marks 7 years of love and lessons. Uncertainty and teamwork. Learning about another person and about yourself. Laughing, crying, forgiving, and just...being.<br />
</li>
<li>This month marks 4 years since finding a home and extended family. Making new friends and honoring the lives of others. Of praising and questioning, seeking and finding.Growing even when I'm not attending and being missed and encouraged. And February will be 3 years of doing a job I actually love. Serving in my own way, the people... I love. Learning more than I ever thought I would from clerical work- about people, about church and the business of church. About forgiveness and grace. </li>
<li>In December, I'll celebrate the final year of my second decade in life. I'll celebrate my family and the life they have given me. I'll celebrate every moment that has brought me this far and cherish it. I'll think back on the people I have hurt and the people who have hurt me. I'll remember friends new and old and family both present and estranged. I'll remember teachers- in school and in life... smiles and kindness of strangers. Moments that have taken my breath away and those that made me stop in my tracks.</li>
</ul>
In saying all that... I'm thinking about all the things I always imagined I would have accomplished by now, all the things I've given up and given up on. The resolutions that have come and gone and the ones I hope to check off this year. Above everything though- my goal is to make every moment a priority and cherish it. To not dwell on the sadness or the anger or the wrong doing.... but rejoice for the expierence.<br />
<br />
I serve an amazing God who is patient with me when I reject His timing and tell Him that I know better than what He has planned. He is understanding when I am angry with Him and question His motives and will. He does not remind me that His heart breaks when I reject Him and go astray but instead, that He is sympathetic and loves me for my faults and welcomes me with open arms, time and time again.<br />
<br />
<b>...He reminds me I am blessed and presents opportunities everyday for me to see His glory and magnificent splendor. Most of all, those venues are open for me to praise Him, in all things... </b><br />
<br />
And here we are. A new year. Another year of starting over and remembrance. Another year of making plans- following through or breaking goals. Another year of lessons and life and love. Another year to make things right and better yourself, to live the way God intends and shine His light for others.<br />
<br />
<i>I am so blessed. </i><br />
<i>I am so glad I have reasons to recognize all the blessings.</i><br />
<i>I am in awe of my simple little life that is a huge deal to my God. </i><br />
<i>I am looking to the future with optimism and hope.</i><br />
<br />
....it's going to be a great year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-2104293932833738532012-11-30T22:09:00.005-06:002012-11-30T22:09:56.068-06:00Playing catch up....<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I got so behind! Every day, I kept thinking I needed to
catch up and between our internet at home being screwed up and working late for
awhile… the days just flew by!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b>Nonetheless… I’m here now… time to catch up on Day 16
through Day 30.</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><b>Day 16: </b></u>I am thankful for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies. I may
not have finished school, but I will forever bleed maroon. I love everything
about A&M and of course, our football season this year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZivY_YTRc0/ULmBrvY2ISI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/1mWLx4Y49CE/s1600/655_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wZivY_YTRc0/ULmBrvY2ISI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/1mWLx4Y49CE/s320/655_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Day 17: </b></u>I love that I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. I loved
my childhood. The toys, the shows, the nostalgia of it all. I got my cousins’
hand-me-downs, some of which were very 70’s/80’s-esque. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQvgbTK9qTs/ULmBtW-1-CI/AAAAAAAAAjg/3F8XPK37ipc/s1600/80s-and-90s-RB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lQvgbTK9qTs/ULmBtW-1-CI/AAAAAAAAAjg/3F8XPK37ipc/s320/80s-and-90s-RB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Day 18:</b></u> Thankful for mascara. It’s amazing what a little
tube and a brush can do. When I don’t feel like going through the entire
process of full makeup… I feel a bit better with just a few strokes of mascara.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muHMZ0i6xXY/ULmBvtcLuII/AAAAAAAAAj4/-82EiqnHlX0/s1600/Mascara-f%25C3%25BCr-einen-umwerfenden-Blick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-muHMZ0i6xXY/ULmBvtcLuII/AAAAAAAAAj4/-82EiqnHlX0/s320/Mascara-f%25C3%25BCr-einen-umwerfenden-Blick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Day 19: </b></u>My church home. We’ve had ups and downs this past
year or so and granted, I haven’t been coming in many months…. But I am so
grateful for the family I have gained at FCC Rowlett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIIzeFI2KNg/ULmBwQ6hq9I/AAAAAAAAAkA/cWdnqyBlMe8/s1600/Outside_Cross_tonemapped.312140442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIIzeFI2KNg/ULmBwQ6hq9I/AAAAAAAAAkA/cWdnqyBlMe8/s320/Outside_Cross_tonemapped.312140442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Day 20: </b></u>Grateful for comfort food. Whether it’s a bowl of
(my new ‘like’) chicken and dumplings or a scoop of ice cream…. I love that a
taste can bring back a memory or make you feel at home.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8C-bplXlC68/ULmBshju4lI/AAAAAAAAAjY/IFVw80JYBm8/s1600/6786140-black-shiny-casserole-with-lid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8C-bplXlC68/ULmBshju4lI/AAAAAAAAAjY/IFVw80JYBm8/s1600/6786140-black-shiny-casserole-with-lid.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<u><b>Day 21</b></u>: Llamas. Today, I am thankful for llamas. Because,
duh… why do I need to explain?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGPZfrQ2fxg/ULmB6aA29iI/AAAAAAAAAko/QjfLI8DmP08/s1600/suri-llamas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGPZfrQ2fxg/ULmB6aA29iI/AAAAAAAAAko/QjfLI8DmP08/s320/suri-llamas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Day 22: </b></u>Thankful for my car. It may not be everyone’s dream
car… but I have transportation to and from work… somewhere to take me where I need
to go or want to see. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--N2LdvgwfU8/ULmBuDvW2SI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Jyagw9-Hi40/s1600/ASK_car_appraisal_hands_on_steering_wheel_0309_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--N2LdvgwfU8/ULmBuDvW2SI/AAAAAAAAAjo/Jyagw9-Hi40/s320/ASK_car_appraisal_hands_on_steering_wheel_0309_011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Day 23: </b></u>Today I’m thankful for my home. I am beyond blessed
to have the opportunity of this house. I love that I can fix things up and redo
and make it my own. I love that it’s OURS and most of all, I am thankful for
the simple fact there is a roof over my head…. Unlike so many other people all
over.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1XIEvpPSqE/ULmCDnRZ4xI/AAAAAAAAAk4/bcZa7Jt6R7E/s1600/homesweethome.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F1XIEvpPSqE/ULmCDnRZ4xI/AAAAAAAAAk4/bcZa7Jt6R7E/s320/homesweethome.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<u><b>Day 24: </b></u>I am thankful for movies and TV. I grew up watching
all sorts of classic movies and TV shows. I knew all the old actors and admired
the greats. I adored Lucille Ball and idolized Gidget. It’s amazing how you can
know every episode of FRIENDS and say the words along with the Breakfast Club. From
the 40’s to now, so many of them hold good memories, good feelings, tears of
joy and warmth and more!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4ek5y1hg9g/ULmB7vypGjI/AAAAAAAAAkw/GNDDqgDFrx8/s1600/wire-holder.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M4ek5y1hg9g/ULmB7vypGjI/AAAAAAAAAkw/GNDDqgDFrx8/s1600/wire-holder.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Day 25:</b></u> Also thankful for music. Music speaks to my soul. In
worship, it’s how I feel closest to God. In everyday life, I can crank up music
and escape from the world. I sing the songs in the car and in the shower.
Whether it’s Bach or Britney, Johnny Cash or Ja-Rule…. I listen to it all.
Music too, holds great memories and warm feelings. I recall rockin’ to the
oldies growing up and love it all today.</div>
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<u><b>Day 26:</b></u> Last week I was working a bit late and glanced out
the window. I saw the most gorgeous sunset… a sky full or blues and yellows and
pinks. How can that not take your breath away?</div>
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<u><b>Day 27: </b></u>Silly as it sounds, I am thankful for Pinterest. I’m
so glad there is a place to share tips, crafts, recipes and more. I’ve made
several things I have seen and enjoy it so much. People are so creative. </div>
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<u><b>Day 28:</b></u> Today, I’m thankful for God’s timing. Not only in my
own life, but lately… God has been showing Himself to others in just the right
time. I am in awe of the miracles He creates… big or small. I hope He always
reminds me that I need to let go and trust in Him.</div>
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<u><b>Day 29:</b></u> Today I’m thankful for pink. And glitter. Or better
yet, pink glitter. Seriously, don’t ask me to explain that one.</div>
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<u><b>Day 30:</b></u> Since tomorrow is the first day of December… today, I
am thankful for Christmas. I am thankful for lights and Christmas carols. For nativity
scenes and tinsel and trees. Stockings from the mantle, White Christmas on the
TV, fire in the fireplace…. The birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas all!</div>
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Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-19330833617032120282012-11-15T17:20:00.000-06:002012-11-15T17:20:00.454-06:00She works hard for the money!<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Day 15</span></b></u></div>
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Today I am thankful for my job. I'm going on my third year here at the church. Time has flown! I am thankful I can wear jeans and that if I am sick or something is wrong with the car or I need to check on my grandma... everyone understands. I am thankful that even though I have days like these....<br />
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They are often overshadowed by days and moments like these:<br />
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I am thankful I have work that I (hope) is secure. I am thankful that while we have our trials, it's a good place to work for (and since God is the CEO, I think I have the best boss too.) Seriously, I do love my coworkers. I love the congregation. I enjoy eating with the Seniors at their monthly luncheons and love the calls from my "regulars" who call to check in and chit-chat.<br />
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So when maybe I feel like....<br />
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I'll just remember my window faces the parking lot and I can see who is coming to the door (which is locked when I am alone)-- and that means I can have office karaoke and a dance party at my desk while working:<br />
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What a blessings FCC Rowlett is!<br />
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-5192377403290907312012-11-14T17:12:00.001-06:002012-11-14T17:12:35.922-06:00Out with the old...<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Day 14</b></span></u></div>
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<i><b>Today I am thankful</b></i> for indoor plumbing. Seriously... I know it sounds silly... but on these chilly mornings, I am so thankful I can sleepily shuffle to the bathroom and not outside to an outhouse. I'm glad I'm not heating water on the stove for a bath in a tin washtub and I love that my OCD-self can wash my hands as many times as I want. I've heard stories from my parents and grandparents of going out to the outhouse and am so glad I don't have to contend with the weather, critters, the smell, and the deep black hole. I'm grateful I've never had to traipse through the yard to pee, that's all. Amen for modern plumbing!Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-91683952823384759042012-11-13T10:06:00.003-06:002012-11-13T10:06:35.866-06:00Day 12 & 13Oops! I got behind a day!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Day 12</b></u></span></div>
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Yesterday I had the privilege of standing in baggage claim with at least a hundred others, welcoming home a man from our church. Jordan was wounded a little over four months ago and to see him walk through that airport was absolutely amazing. When Chris and I joined the church, he was already in the military and I had only met him once, at a Halloween Party. That didn't matter. It was my honor to clap with family, friends, and strangers and welcome this American Hero home. Thank you, Jordan, for your service.<br />
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Likewise, since it's Veteran's Day... I am thankful for all vets, past and present. To their families as they wait and pray. I am thankful for those we have lost and those still with us. I am thankful for the people who give up their afternoons to welcome home soldiers at an airport and for so much more.Most of all, I am thankful for these two men... My grandfather and my dad. These are MY favorite veterans!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Day 13</b></u></span></div>
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Hard to compete with day 12.... especially with the simple thing I am thankful for today. Nonetheless.... today I am thankful for coffee. On these chilly mornings, all I can think about it a good cup of coffee. Warming, soothing, so so yummy! I can have it plain or flavored.... either way, I'll take it!<br />
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<br />Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8060611848887436824.post-6674466665076545372012-11-11T00:00:00.000-06:002012-11-11T00:00:09.210-06:00Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Day 11</b></u></span><br />
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<i><b>Today, I am thankful</b></i> for three things. These are three things that have recently changed in my life and have helped me... for the better. Sonic. E-Cigs. Happy pills.<br />
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<b>Sonic drinks. Route 44, to be specific</b>.<br />
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Sure, I have my morning sodas (usually diet now) but I no longer have a couple Route 44 ounce sodas daily. Instead, I pull through once or twice a day and order a $.76 ice water... what a difference! No more sugar, no more damage to my teeth, no more icky carbonation. The water usually tastes so much better and of course, makes me feel... so much better. I am sure my kidneys are breathing sighs of relief.<br />
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<b>My E-Cigarettes/Vaping.</b><br />
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I'm on day 67 since I had my last analog (real cigarette.) I feel so much better. What a blessing these are for so many people. I could talk and talk about how wonderful these are and what an amazing cessation tool vaping can be. 0 mg of nicotine, simply vapor. Savings loads of money. I am thankful for quitting smoking and thankful for everyone who has supported me. I am sure my lungs are breathing a sigh of relief.<br />
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<b>Anti-Depressants</b><br />
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<b> </b>I'm on my third week of my first ever 'happy pills.' The dose just got bumped up and I know it's still early... but in the past couple of days, I have begun to notice a couple subtle changes.<b> </b>(This post also goes hand in hand with thankful, day 8.) I know a lot of people are not all "for" prescriptions of this type... but I do believe depression is an illness. It may not bee warranted.... but it can come on strong and get worse over time. I have hope of freedom with these and eventual counseling. I know my brain is breathing a sigh of relief.Chris & Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06647208300046486404noreply@blogger.com0