tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45437610197193543832024-03-21T13:20:28.346-04:00Bowlin BeigeStephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-23592345859230468422020-06-29T17:18:00.000-04:002020-06-29T17:18:13.884-04:00Attempted Baking Projects I’m sure I’m not the only one who started this quarantine and thought the Zombie Apocalypse was imminent. I did what all normal apocalyptic-preparers would do - I filled our extra 60 gallon water containers, I checked the date on my bucket of freeze-dried food, and I stocked up on canned goods and baking essentials. Clearly the stores would be completely shuttered and I was going to have to make my own bread and can my own vegetables by the time we emerged from quarantine. Well, we all know things didn’t turn out quite that bad, but an Ayres is always prepared! <div>I’ve had a fully stocked pantry of baking ingredients so I’ve worked hard to keep something on the counter to eat at all times. Today I attempted cinnamon squares. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1q1d53-txF2CER70cCeq5cVsjuBVkPgia" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1q1d53-txF2CER70cCeq5cVsjuBVkPgia" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19NbEs0VmHIJf9u8DTUVu8vp4TFgH72KK" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19NbEs0VmHIJf9u8DTUVu8vp4TFgH72KK" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div>The yeast didn’t rise as much as I thought it should’ve, and I didn’t include the pecans that the recipe called for since I have some nut-haters in the family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1NzLrYXuIIRAzvrxNl9p6ONq0ndT-bkfa" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1NzLrYXuIIRAzvrxNl9p6ONq0ndT-bkfa" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">So you roll out the dough and the spread some of the filling, which was easier said than done. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16cJeCiL2vlE-XTspguX8ggTdRjsl96CG" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=16cJeCiL2vlE-XTspguX8ggTdRjsl96CG" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then you fold it in half...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ZfEsbfngolQ4SnS4oJq4rWeC8TPj0ZTQ" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ZfEsbfngolQ4SnS4oJq4rWeC8TPj0ZTQ" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then you spread the rest of the filling on it. Didn’t work out so well... either not enough filling or I just suck at spreading.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zrpgxXkV5ZTm0ku3WjKNuLM3jh9_omIL" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zrpgxXkV5ZTm0ku3WjKNuLM3jh9_omIL" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">Food it in half again. Then cut it into 24 squares. Except my daughter was helping to cut them and we didn’t quite count correctly before we cut so we ended up with a mix of 36 rectangles and squares. 🤷♀️</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ug147qOvB4rC9svycUr-nik6eSs_2ABV" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ug147qOvB4rC9svycUr-nik6eSs_2ABV" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">You brush it with egg wash and then bake. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I did not have high hopes. The dough seemed weird. But I had several taste-testers...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UPQKkD4S2dCQyGNakxlTpxKKbv-M9yLF" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UPQKkD4S2dCQyGNakxlTpxKKbv-M9yLF" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">And they LOVED it! That’s really all that counts since I only make this stuff for the kids and their friends to eat. 😂</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dhe3m3H95i6nv87xr7VzJDAjVfFbtYb1" alt="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dhe3m3H95i6nv87xr7VzJDAjVfFbtYb1" style="max-height: 80%; max-width: 80%; height: auto; width: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">It looks weird but it was a success. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Realistically I’m not sure how often I will actually make these. It was pretty labor-intensive between making the dough, letting it rise, making the filling, dealing with all the layers... But if I have a day off (like today) or a snow day or holiday meal I think these will make a nice addition.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now on to my next experiment... I’m making Fatayar tonight for dinner! 🤞 </div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-44077390875208921062020-06-11T22:37:00.022-04:002020-06-11T22:37:09.051-04:00Pandemic Pause at the Pond<div><font face="georgia">School is out. We're still working. There are no camps. What is there to do? Move to the lake! My parents offered to help watch the kids during the day while we worked, and they were ready for some quality grandkid time. We packed up the whole family - kids, dogs and cat - and moved to the guest house for two weeks. This has been such a great change of scenery for all of us. </font></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">We would eat breakfast at the guest house each morning, and then the kids would get dressed, pack their backpacks, and ride their bikes to the main cabin to spend the day with the grandparents. My DH and I could work peacefully at the guest house, taking a break to have lunch with everyone. Then after work we can sit outside, help with some chores, and all eat dinner together. </font></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">During the day the kids have been busy helping Nana and Papa with chores. They spend ALL day outside - exploring in the woods, swimming in the lake, kayaking, fishing, riding bikes (thankfully my parents keep everything and had 3 of my old bikes in the barn). </font></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">Nana took the kids to several of the local cemeteries where our relatives are buried. They cleaned the stones, planted flowers, and had a fun scavenger hunt finding everyone that they're related to. </font></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnTZnsY1OiwSr2vXPPjMq6MBvrUAlRLTtQ9NczUhoe7Dm1Zu993mszFCAqrogNuBqLhrVJ510DPRNREqxy3CfGSbuUjiY9H6hecMtXoaP_GIWLt0RoOvpG6Eg0V3x0VtP8HUZTDarkZ8/s3264/IMG_1589.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnTZnsY1OiwSr2vXPPjMq6MBvrUAlRLTtQ9NczUhoe7Dm1Zu993mszFCAqrogNuBqLhrVJ510DPRNREqxy3CfGSbuUjiY9H6hecMtXoaP_GIWLt0RoOvpG6Eg0V3x0VtP8HUZTDarkZ8/s320/IMG_1589.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">My grandfather was the caretaker of this cemetery for 25 years, and this stone bed was put up in his memory. The kids planted some beautiful flowers there!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S5mRE8jPaFQW4jTacondS-2LaLQQaPSHKY3QMqq683aN6cojrkaSsrbZvXlrJJQk7ClWcOOd17sshSr-kRrjOYcV1KNWZy4sfITcfku-2TDuKecPGpwej-KvLQMflZv8FsAqHTdyfoQ/s960/IMG_1619.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4S5mRE8jPaFQW4jTacondS-2LaLQQaPSHKY3QMqq683aN6cojrkaSsrbZvXlrJJQk7ClWcOOd17sshSr-kRrjOYcV1KNWZy4sfITcfku-2TDuKecPGpwej-KvLQMflZv8FsAqHTdyfoQ/s320/IMG_1619.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjnnkW1EeL80eEgRlvzFqeP084bopZXH2DB-HoVKffDMc8hMu4u-6aIheR6KLQobnylzWx2_9a_oHr1oR31Pqo8_C41KF3eUFKxOscknOJA8yq2pEnc7ebrgkaqRjN8jCYWDmeEZOWng/s960/IMG_1625.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjnnkW1EeL80eEgRlvzFqeP084bopZXH2DB-HoVKffDMc8hMu4u-6aIheR6KLQobnylzWx2_9a_oHr1oR31Pqo8_C41KF3eUFKxOscknOJA8yq2pEnc7ebrgkaqRjN8jCYWDmeEZOWng/s320/IMG_1625.JPG" /></a></div></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">There's an abundance of wildlife this time of year. The kids saw two sets of bears together - moms with twin cubs (6 bears total)! We've seen a lot of baby deer - some just a day or two old and just slightly larger than our cat. We have a nest of phoebes above the door of the guest house, so we've enjoyed watching them grow and fledge. After the rain the kids always go hunting in the woods for newts, and come home with dozens of them to put in their log 'homes' that they built for them. </font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlDS126Cb2uh4ghBGZnYulMN0HI5U4y-CSOQ7fMxpjyfZPlekdJmYJ0PKxYZWbOWjAW0WGcGS4LWxHQstORSWD6xEQ5pTRiXSZ6NUwU93ZDVgsMMcuxzHYhvwE50nNRmkBgLM3I98U9g/s4032/IMG_1673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTlDS126Cb2uh4ghBGZnYulMN0HI5U4y-CSOQ7fMxpjyfZPlekdJmYJ0PKxYZWbOWjAW0WGcGS4LWxHQstORSWD6xEQ5pTRiXSZ6NUwU93ZDVgsMMcuxzHYhvwE50nNRmkBgLM3I98U9g/s320/IMG_1673.jpg" /></a></div><div><font face="georgia">Both the kids and the dogs have been busy looking for frogs and toads. We've gone fishing almost every night. </font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd3OyOvQDwwXKrsvr1GSdmCwrYX-HxxD-nmhxZZ1kbJcioNhYZPmElbzIitm2ZvUPBPaRHeRRlCJeoz49nDPE7sON8-jaaWHJcP7pe0zwBExkDxiUPoOTQmzjbFoMcsEcF8BkZ3cD5NU/s4032/IMG_1594.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxd3OyOvQDwwXKrsvr1GSdmCwrYX-HxxD-nmhxZZ1kbJcioNhYZPmElbzIitm2ZvUPBPaRHeRRlCJeoz49nDPE7sON8-jaaWHJcP7pe0zwBExkDxiUPoOTQmzjbFoMcsEcF8BkZ3cD5NU/s320/IMG_1594.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYRgzA368g_yPlfDCGIRW9EwsI1BVwsvV5xnBGuvj5WxGQzsfCMT62Sw8uHbM9Y-60dzVkxpp0STBkYAylrbjJICRdna_0MNb9_JGQi8IVPP9rdxgkm-pKHSblZi3sN0lSa0mKuA1D4w/s4032/IMG_1596.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYRgzA368g_yPlfDCGIRW9EwsI1BVwsvV5xnBGuvj5WxGQzsfCMT62Sw8uHbM9Y-60dzVkxpp0STBkYAylrbjJICRdna_0MNb9_JGQi8IVPP9rdxgkm-pKHSblZi3sN0lSa0mKuA1D4w/s320/IMG_1596.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGirxWMeyNfHRLqQ8pPf3fBZKFhEaqG4PuZFlrYKbli221AV5B8fn2uaktcSR1UphH8NIzgo0mb0Zy4ySseYar3FCOJc7AfhrEMIC-ufTvE2y8QCmqlE-HpsvOLY0Dy4DQpDMX6iisaQ/s4032/IMG_1605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGirxWMeyNfHRLqQ8pPf3fBZKFhEaqG4PuZFlrYKbli221AV5B8fn2uaktcSR1UphH8NIzgo0mb0Zy4ySseYar3FCOJc7AfhrEMIC-ufTvE2y8QCmqlE-HpsvOLY0Dy4DQpDMX6iisaQ/s320/IMG_1605.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA7pQRx8EoeLryFbzH9G1XcVRPi3mvSzmO7wSYIIXEXH9U_3bYOgAV4qMZNaxi1gV3ECu_TCeJ7M3aHdhFubyuszfv38mM6HaTzmOIGa9fu0pjqgs21VB5Nm46cIc5HYti0Lq7Bgxd1I/s4032/IMG_1634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA7pQRx8EoeLryFbzH9G1XcVRPi3mvSzmO7wSYIIXEXH9U_3bYOgAV4qMZNaxi1gV3ECu_TCeJ7M3aHdhFubyuszfv38mM6HaTzmOIGa9fu0pjqgs21VB5Nm46cIc5HYti0Lq7Bgxd1I/s320/IMG_1634.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOAKNyO742Gk68pCP5o_XRC0qPC5RfakhO0bPSVvPRtIwJbIPV6-oZi0o1oNZy6eV9pQPhXWf4waY2Hylm7b7OS2pI9AtaGNvMQYv00Tsl7u1l0bcoDB0Z801YyWYVbykMkhMloRNMYc/s960/IMG_1659.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOAKNyO742Gk68pCP5o_XRC0qPC5RfakhO0bPSVvPRtIwJbIPV6-oZi0o1oNZy6eV9pQPhXWf4waY2Hylm7b7OS2pI9AtaGNvMQYv00Tsl7u1l0bcoDB0Z801YyWYVbykMkhMloRNMYc/s320/IMG_1659.JPG" /></a></div></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">We helped Nana and Papa plant their garden. We weeded flower beds. We've worked on tearing out the beaver dams. </font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysYvwNXwftePg-6zc-CLL8j7FcJ2HhZzVbf-F4p8_eI2-fvUaAbOBwvWGfIgdNbRZtefXrk-e8YOGpGHcotyPwDMEiOO9aBb5s8PCIgvf5rtOqJ6XxO782P_Qw7emwJ8c2hMEXZkQGDQ/s3264/IMG_7388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysYvwNXwftePg-6zc-CLL8j7FcJ2HhZzVbf-F4p8_eI2-fvUaAbOBwvWGfIgdNbRZtefXrk-e8YOGpGHcotyPwDMEiOO9aBb5s8PCIgvf5rtOqJ6XxO782P_Qw7emwJ8c2hMEXZkQGDQ/s320/IMG_7388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">The kids have spent a TON of time building a fort at Sabin's Bedroom (a cool rock formation). They love taking the walkie talkie out so they can be out on their own for some adventures.</font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofia_-jPUsdpZEbrvakj98A84tK28rusGGEBpqaRT7-Ffryju6EI8v-R-qNJbuyaSxdeXTKXr8Pg6NTPqAyZzJy95zKksJKOEzw_DNXQ-e-D08JwsBGbGY44xSj6vlF_m1eGXeqneiGU/s4032/IMG_1710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofia_-jPUsdpZEbrvakj98A84tK28rusGGEBpqaRT7-Ffryju6EI8v-R-qNJbuyaSxdeXTKXr8Pg6NTPqAyZzJy95zKksJKOEzw_DNXQ-e-D08JwsBGbGY44xSj6vlF_m1eGXeqneiGU/s320/IMG_1710.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoREQPym1sKwo-wt73d-TfvSUoqcNDKBy6xfujHnLN0EHmsshOwF8ADmVySSonqUzdsGTNwKdXYLkFX_oslgJ4h7qXmqvuBjqvdlenk3W2pJY9obolZWo4AaLWoQ8gvT02iMupBClIKLg/s4032/IMG_1716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoREQPym1sKwo-wt73d-TfvSUoqcNDKBy6xfujHnLN0EHmsshOwF8ADmVySSonqUzdsGTNwKdXYLkFX_oslgJ4h7qXmqvuBjqvdlenk3W2pJY9obolZWo4AaLWoQ8gvT02iMupBClIKLg/s320/IMG_1716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia">And of course we've enjoyed lots of s'mores and outdoor eating! </font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNMmZtTU_OQJhxqSj9XhuSaZEA_SG8Z5_TT047UVQF9-J1B3Re2sZai-n4ukx8KPDzuORJNa0jTCnSTqjvJN7E1g1vpNGLFOfq4RNulGIuW5aRoL6tPSvGdBwzAbKFApnM4YxFe7IIuQ/s4032/IMG_1694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNMmZtTU_OQJhxqSj9XhuSaZEA_SG8Z5_TT047UVQF9-J1B3Re2sZai-n4ukx8KPDzuORJNa0jTCnSTqjvJN7E1g1vpNGLFOfq4RNulGIuW5aRoL6tPSvGdBwzAbKFApnM4YxFe7IIuQ/s320/IMG_1694.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylf3TIPPPYbRd32hhU9XoG6BxEhG6QLdx7wahVmLuR4cmp0di2TFdn8Aot6zaYyVrm-eUBB5yhLv8EQkZyukmmq2LKvtPEAhyv3lCXYorTu_OvDdnin9HgnuX7tDSbPc3NQCmp30Cyjo/s4032/IMG_1695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylf3TIPPPYbRd32hhU9XoG6BxEhG6QLdx7wahVmLuR4cmp0di2TFdn8Aot6zaYyVrm-eUBB5yhLv8EQkZyukmmq2LKvtPEAhyv3lCXYorTu_OvDdnin9HgnuX7tDSbPc3NQCmp30Cyjo/s320/IMG_1695.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxk3Rxv7tM9r3bScOpACLvV8c9eLpaaoX1j58kT87Mcs05ajtG1_egllKiTdW5Wg24NBunRH5uR6EsdcDWhWMNxGme0SqqLxzGvkVJPMwZvwrg81_26QcPxLQuhIM3I2azudUtHye3h9M/s4032/IMG_1701.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxk3Rxv7tM9r3bScOpACLvV8c9eLpaaoX1j58kT87Mcs05ajtG1_egllKiTdW5Wg24NBunRH5uR6EsdcDWhWMNxGme0SqqLxzGvkVJPMwZvwrg81_26QcPxLQuhIM3I2azudUtHye3h9M/s320/IMG_1701.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="georgia">The dogs and cat love living up here. We weren't sure how the cat would travel but he has been totally fine. He loves the guest house - lots of windows, lots of bugs to kill, and lots of fun new places to sleep. The dogs wear themselves out each day, chasing chipmunks, swimming, and digging holes in the woods. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0AqSIokkNpL1TaxxKfpws0FjLpwEcPWxagiILoveCpp0RqzGqRvfva6kZ1x6yN4DU2kadKc6W7vN0PoGSswJEHhkN85-yWgDUadXZuoqe-FBDA1txGf8ijDZB7PdrIPe4I4qP156CAE/s4032/IMG_1591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ0AqSIokkNpL1TaxxKfpws0FjLpwEcPWxagiILoveCpp0RqzGqRvfva6kZ1x6yN4DU2kadKc6W7vN0PoGSswJEHhkN85-yWgDUadXZuoqe-FBDA1txGf8ijDZB7PdrIPe4I4qP156CAE/s320/IMG_1591.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">Still loves 'helping' us with work and always wants to join conference calls. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R1WvrHoj67_M_i-aqstELxVhxZ1rWcZMwgProWUwHgc62AaQhWUAyC0dY0hHVrD7sVQyvyKnmsksmxXsEDHBDPusyNXn-ME3D4KtWnnlaCyWCOoWVp-5q9AGWAxcpcJLpeMDtRLH7P8/s4032/IMG_1592.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3R1WvrHoj67_M_i-aqstELxVhxZ1rWcZMwgProWUwHgc62AaQhWUAyC0dY0hHVrD7sVQyvyKnmsksmxXsEDHBDPusyNXn-ME3D4KtWnnlaCyWCOoWVp-5q9AGWAxcpcJLpeMDtRLH7P8/s320/IMG_1592.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">Dog-tired after a day of play!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzYJktKHh2ef7lsX3amh41pxH46G-tQre1OOCPPha8DOHIwqUOjfKEZcI0bQerb5pPQ0FPH87hKJQTOzYRjlgDTI8482pCd63WIhqzdWYG8X9b_3AsmGddOWuMatRtwO82-keCODaPx4/s4032/IMG_1629.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzYJktKHh2ef7lsX3amh41pxH46G-tQre1OOCPPha8DOHIwqUOjfKEZcI0bQerb5pPQ0FPH87hKJQTOzYRjlgDTI8482pCd63WIhqzdWYG8X9b_3AsmGddOWuMatRtwO82-keCODaPx4/s320/IMG_1629.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwP58lWX_nUp5L4ICzfLBwgudFbZmcu-JEfGvW4FpWY2Lq11Bq_02mkoMEOWFPzK075l0dQIq13fWblY39Ig0-4e7zr2u3jz-z9m0j_JCIj2E8siKOH9VqOPRTJSHRdVwUxXbCsIBluW4/s4032/IMG_1686.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwP58lWX_nUp5L4ICzfLBwgudFbZmcu-JEfGvW4FpWY2Lq11Bq_02mkoMEOWFPzK075l0dQIq13fWblY39Ig0-4e7zr2u3jz-z9m0j_JCIj2E8siKOH9VqOPRTJSHRdVwUxXbCsIBluW4/s320/IMG_1686.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">So thankful to my parents for helping with the kids during this time, and so thankful to have some time away from the real world. It feels normal up here, in our little bubble on the edge of the world. I am grateful. I am blessed. I am happy. I am loved.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe0_7gdTvonesaAynGKfbOCvhyphenhyphenTyT6jhoOf7eUTwqRAgtRrVug8PdBYiJmdbJlourj5Rq-tpcwjWg63XAXjBtb6oMc-KppzebIxVDaDs8tsGvtluzsU9K5PCFWu1z9sBsSffJt5FZI1c/s4032/IMG_1616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe0_7gdTvonesaAynGKfbOCvhyphenhyphenTyT6jhoOf7eUTwqRAgtRrVug8PdBYiJmdbJlourj5Rq-tpcwjWg63XAXjBtb6oMc-KppzebIxVDaDs8tsGvtluzsU9K5PCFWu1z9sBsSffJt5FZI1c/s320/IMG_1616.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><font face="georgia"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-83460556092250903372020-05-29T21:36:00.027-04:002020-06-09T10:24:53.999-04:00Finishing the School Year: Day 75<font face="verdana">Today will be my last "Momming Hard" labeled posts. I feel like the end of the school year signals the end of this phase. Although we are definitely not out of the pandemic, I am no longer juggling homeschool with work. Instead I'm just juggling my kids at home... while I work. Sigh... not much different I supposed. Still no camps, they still can't go anywhere. Maybe it'll just be "Momming Hard in the Summer?" Honestly momming is hard all the time. </font><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">So today was 'officially' the last day of school for the kids. Parker finished 2nd grade and moves to the Tall Hall next year. In a normal world, Ainsley would've had a lovely 5th grade recognition assembly at school. She would've dressed up and had her picture taken. She would've walked across the stage. She would've celebrated with her classmates at a fun dance party that night. But she doesn't get to do any of those things. </font></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We tried to still celebrate the end of her lower school career and her 'graduation' to middle school (MIDDLE SCHOOL?!?!?!!) The school held a nice drive-thru for the 5th graders. We drove through the carpool loop with all the teachers lined up cheering. She was given a bag with her certificate, 5th grade t-shirt, and some other fun gifts from the school. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNGDXUsTm3254SnGbZ7gjAKMNgu3eKOmI5hR8gICzRRJSy288GFiZivV2eUvsaDyEHYdF-TTlNxx_DuElxfu8mzo9kXwCHcx21Ur0bXAAFeRoOfXowJMl8kdKt-pdMP4-G3vopCOoiTQ/s4032/IMG_1493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNGDXUsTm3254SnGbZ7gjAKMNgu3eKOmI5hR8gICzRRJSy288GFiZivV2eUvsaDyEHYdF-TTlNxx_DuElxfu8mzo9kXwCHcx21Ur0bXAAFeRoOfXowJMl8kdKt-pdMP4-G3vopCOoiTQ/s320/IMG_1493.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We would normally spend Memorial Day weekend at a rental house in Charlottesville with two other families. We didn't get to do that either. So we decided to get together with them so that all three 5th grade girls could celebrate together. We even made them wear their dresses! (and then the quickly changed so they could play in the woods).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAmz9_Zee31_hBG2M0S2dBhg6b_sTv_mTIvw_ao_FTJe51U0IwloKcSRq04NZyyeqVzz9dfTPc0uE2NAIcEVscmN_3WfaewP185AwLmFbbvg0FgeHXtj3Fq2OzWrm7ESt7WL8dOHXvxE/s4032/IMG_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAmz9_Zee31_hBG2M0S2dBhg6b_sTv_mTIvw_ao_FTJe51U0IwloKcSRq04NZyyeqVzz9dfTPc0uE2NAIcEVscmN_3WfaewP185AwLmFbbvg0FgeHXtj3Fq2OzWrm7ESt7WL8dOHXvxE/s320/IMG_1507.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42o05gDiv5UdJ9JAIbm4vEXIzZZmH1pz9a_uCsS0aAnf4L52Ruuxalqn7r7_jAgnaivCnP8rQEPRRnTQ2MPFc7YlfxbM2UqyYiuPoo9G2JEq1xH91MnGYPO4z0JU2pe6q1Kf2tNawR14/s4032/IMG_1514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42o05gDiv5UdJ9JAIbm4vEXIzZZmH1pz9a_uCsS0aAnf4L52Ruuxalqn7r7_jAgnaivCnP8rQEPRRnTQ2MPFc7YlfxbM2UqyYiuPoo9G2JEq1xH91MnGYPO4z0JU2pe6q1Kf2tNawR14/s320/IMG_1514.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwsNveeRHa00h5IS21pgM-Icy9lep74KQmzI4nboxFZmLwR3Fu9CdPGrpqK5DZwkp0RQ3-DMJRSMqfQpyVY8XByyLEKQaGoQgSsE8CANAR1wVRl_SvnI4ZFBcapnjxmg9hO1P3N8SUPA/s4032/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwsNveeRHa00h5IS21pgM-Icy9lep74KQmzI4nboxFZmLwR3Fu9CdPGrpqK5DZwkp0RQ3-DMJRSMqfQpyVY8XByyLEKQaGoQgSsE8CANAR1wVRl_SvnI4ZFBcapnjxmg9hO1P3N8SUPA/s320/IMG_1522.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="verdana">The girls threw their headbands in the air. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwD-VRxKseRXiPcO5yRFhkG_h4HwHU0ecBr7Kmhxrtz6OfB7Fai_Sv4ZXlg06t3Dif4tERJQKpT47-jc2U6xH-LgFeOTGQieVtP3IpgbNCn-Rqi-suhcUhF-nWFgqC-Gt7voqcaBk6G0c/s4032/IMG_1529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwD-VRxKseRXiPcO5yRFhkG_h4HwHU0ecBr7Kmhxrtz6OfB7Fai_Sv4ZXlg06t3Dif4tERJQKpT47-jc2U6xH-LgFeOTGQieVtP3IpgbNCn-Rqi-suhcUhF-nWFgqC-Gt7voqcaBk6G0c/s320/IMG_1529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUXF42QTy9TgN_tIut3JAUL54G2SHEg8afTlawxq7_GYTa3vab36oQtTwrRIOnbtLNsnQGCeCD6C7p5FaAYHutyc5Ahzl3_q1tumcOUmP_4GJNb77caEI_OkkMkckw91haxHpuPwDPwo/s4032/IMG_1530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUXF42QTy9TgN_tIut3JAUL54G2SHEg8afTlawxq7_GYTa3vab36oQtTwrRIOnbtLNsnQGCeCD6C7p5FaAYHutyc5Ahzl3_q1tumcOUmP_4GJNb77caEI_OkkMkckw91haxHpuPwDPwo/s320/IMG_1530.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9iIsTrHQugOPHrwVuBfnAtN2hIbeQtqBj7CiRnDpSggBWPtE05I4_jnjs2bSAF-BSWVEdTbnMAjlYpAfXKVjHMAm4_Ts5MTeJAWESZeGr3NlxtmSoAvIrNJTNYQ2NAIW9kZWRnxOCmw/s4032/IMG_1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9iIsTrHQugOPHrwVuBfnAtN2hIbeQtqBj7CiRnDpSggBWPtE05I4_jnjs2bSAF-BSWVEdTbnMAjlYpAfXKVjHMAm4_Ts5MTeJAWESZeGr3NlxtmSoAvIrNJTNYQ2NAIW9kZWRnxOCmw/s320/IMG_1537.jpg" /></a></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="verdana">CAKE!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqmarpbLP-josInDaA1IQioc5VVpiPozoOn5VsAPMsUt-E71tsO5K0urVK8mt6FBvkWm-2LC75I90XEWRJZqa6Zr5HeaGlBv7C1Y7QeOTBAt3DsWeZNnJsOcOA2VkZrcPVwLPptdXyxM/s4032/IMG_1556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvqmarpbLP-josInDaA1IQioc5VVpiPozoOn5VsAPMsUt-E71tsO5K0urVK8mt6FBvkWm-2LC75I90XEWRJZqa6Zr5HeaGlBv7C1Y7QeOTBAt3DsWeZNnJsOcOA2VkZrcPVwLPptdXyxM/s320/IMG_1556.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="verdana">The younger siblings...such a fun group!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l4govzPysOFxnqJTmFkDjOmeON89ZA3ufPW10-69WeR9fpzsbcH0uTAE3wQ8RfgaKVhFglkGFrHI3ASr3D4t-syFf-5J8SNsq-e_e1mWMDG6czLiPt4tnAt8u_dA_7emL4Nb-6RuL0Y/s4032/IMG_1565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3l4govzPysOFxnqJTmFkDjOmeON89ZA3ufPW10-69WeR9fpzsbcH0uTAE3wQ8RfgaKVhFglkGFrHI3ASr3D4t-syFf-5J8SNsq-e_e1mWMDG6czLiPt4tnAt8u_dA_7emL4Nb-6RuL0Y/s320/IMG_1565.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">We had a great evening celebrating these kids and the end of this crazy school year. Thankful for friends that are like family. #SIXTHgradesupportgroup</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-3417779793715083872020-05-25T14:01:00.016-04:002020-06-09T09:37:37.812-04:00Burning Butt and Baking Biscuits: Day 71<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><font face="arial">Happy Memorial Day! </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I started the day by making biscuits from scratch - my first time ever!!! I got the recipe from my Magnolia Table cookbook. These are called JoJo's Biscuits (</span><a href="https://food52.com/recipes/76989-jojo-s-biscuits" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">https://food52.com/recipes/76989-jojo-s-biscuits</a><span style="font-family: arial;">) and they were delicious! I made the dough the night before so it was very quick to make them in the morning. Yum! </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKS9Et2H1GJJ5cWhcrpxxiNaf4mb9wfD-SBPsGf99c5lBtzhN4DNQ_66vxbwm6Bk-td124QT_xKjd_SCA7EyvTtL6xx2soapIcy2f3gaZC70kTyLc83501MkYHeFZ2hdLWi-RmwDKvME/s4032/IMG_1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKS9Et2H1GJJ5cWhcrpxxiNaf4mb9wfD-SBPsGf99c5lBtzhN4DNQ_66vxbwm6Bk-td124QT_xKjd_SCA7EyvTtL6xx2soapIcy2f3gaZC70kTyLc83501MkYHeFZ2hdLWi-RmwDKvME/s320/IMG_1450.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNwuj0oUP35zAFfnacwBZwgGW9V_875W3OykV67mt5k-pxGyF4qwgkT0dfj4hgSTUw0dL0ZsK3pb4OCxpnYoXCtSZH68fuhfiu1f9ZqGO1Fl7qdoJ6pgtWrfBa3r94Gey-6b3NDJpMBg/s4032/IMG_1453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNwuj0oUP35zAFfnacwBZwgGW9V_875W3OykV67mt5k-pxGyF4qwgkT0dfj4hgSTUw0dL0ZsK3pb4OCxpnYoXCtSZH68fuhfiu1f9ZqGO1Fl7qdoJ6pgtWrfBa3r94Gey-6b3NDJpMBg/s320/IMG_1453.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="arial">I then celebrated Memorial Day by completing a race - Remember the Fallen 21k. That's 13 miles for those (like me) who have a hard time converting k to m. Whew... it was hot and humid but I appreciate the fact that I CAN run. </font><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Thank you those who served and died for our country and our freedoms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTZj-a1Pbi7s24McIbfBeDG8w1v6yEPcHzwHV3BAckBHeatB6UW7JcjgCY3WO9HoAjWJoQ5NMDJsxJaArOLkWPl6w7hOPkBvY_xMdJ052kkTTjfuXofwUABw_tCfS3OYQ5-egg-rIq8Y/s320/IMG_1435.jpg" style="text-align: left;" /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-32129859952785544662020-05-21T22:01:00.009-04:002020-06-09T09:22:30.569-04:00Ainsley's 11th Birthday in Lockdown<font face="helvetica">My baby girl is ELEVEN today!!! She couldn't have a big party, but she sure had a special day. We surprised her with yard signs (<a href="cardmyyard.com" target="_blank">cardmyyard.com</a>).</font><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKe7ROwSoJWYyQzRp4fyecbJeuvEcJZ__N8fLJjtas06c15x_T5gThT74xosWVLP7NJMKk95Png4WajLI1p2zmmB7DIWyeMCEmrKt7mBrDY7duBWDVbQCPju11RcPYJVCXgU57hSRMPc/s4032/IMG_1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKe7ROwSoJWYyQzRp4fyecbJeuvEcJZ__N8fLJjtas06c15x_T5gThT74xosWVLP7NJMKk95Png4WajLI1p2zmmB7DIWyeMCEmrKt7mBrDY7duBWDVbQCPju11RcPYJVCXgU57hSRMPc/s320/IMG_1399.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica">We released the butterflies into the garden. They hung out on the kids' hands for a while before flying off. </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpxFdD2hH_1P2L3gvF9GhdD57hZ_TWvRR9Ak3594sDvmNuOnI6quY7ChfWBoGRqx9n25Vw71Dblg64lXSGtySVPxYC55LyYpdbh9Yv_KjJlA3E68pzgME6X7RvZa0wDLPOrneTamRVuY/s4032/IMG_1401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpxFdD2hH_1P2L3gvF9GhdD57hZ_TWvRR9Ak3594sDvmNuOnI6quY7ChfWBoGRqx9n25Vw71Dblg64lXSGtySVPxYC55LyYpdbh9Yv_KjJlA3E68pzgME6X7RvZa0wDLPOrneTamRVuY/s320/IMG_1401.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31_DC3sp_Gnhyphenhyphen7Jm6dWqjelJgDn-FUKh9SVdvWTYEmIjVYc1mNR69Iq30YMV6eQIQeWSEAp220GkeA089pIcqI4V3aJn8yqdduIvIW0J53zwXNWICRshWId9iuJDb5aJQ6vkC02keQ_Y/s4032/IMG_1404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31_DC3sp_Gnhyphenhyphen7Jm6dWqjelJgDn-FUKh9SVdvWTYEmIjVYc1mNR69Iq30YMV6eQIQeWSEAp220GkeA089pIcqI4V3aJn8yqdduIvIW0J53zwXNWICRshWId9iuJDb5aJQ6vkC02keQ_Y/s320/IMG_1404.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkac7Wq2o3FCv7yWiHVlsyIiqNUT2OMFCG1jaqQP1o76Ym-_8UKS7wiJbXUAOg8R4JkS7j8Rm7Tww73sExF6vBOHqORxil5Pgm7cN9jAXjJ3W2hhn1kW754PAi2l4asEDlcQH2mFpaldQ/s4032/IMG_1405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkac7Wq2o3FCv7yWiHVlsyIiqNUT2OMFCG1jaqQP1o76Ym-_8UKS7wiJbXUAOg8R4JkS7j8Rm7Tww73sExF6vBOHqORxil5Pgm7cN9jAXjJ3W2hhn1kW754PAi2l4asEDlcQH2mFpaldQ/s320/IMG_1405.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica">Her gift from us was a purple hoverboard - she is so excited!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89A_mvTr4BsZzQ8Q_aKat8UahclWTMZsNvPpsuABY_6y5xDQWDKdtaBrttzIlQlHguOA7Vs4Kd6AK3lhvuSv3YRzfmFp4k1O1s9v2MjaNRXaxQAt8XPsShIdLUBVm9Cafrxs6LpDyd7Q/s4032/IMG_1413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89A_mvTr4BsZzQ8Q_aKat8UahclWTMZsNvPpsuABY_6y5xDQWDKdtaBrttzIlQlHguOA7Vs4Kd6AK3lhvuSv3YRzfmFp4k1O1s9v2MjaNRXaxQAt8XPsShIdLUBVm9Cafrxs6LpDyd7Q/s320/IMG_1413.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica">Her neighborhood friends came and secretly decorated the garage for a little party. She was so surprised and loved sharing cake with her best friends.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3HIO6gGUwnnM9XJ9R6SFygYTmbRtxSsGnpacK9YEsBpnEWrXpesnDTAVZDZW6k8LfdQD7UzuGhtiqvHRTa-fwBE9sTYMth7XS8cEqFiIhdX8XcCE83a1h_DJf5FC0Ebc6Mz3Lv-KKhA/s4032/IMG_1417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3HIO6gGUwnnM9XJ9R6SFygYTmbRtxSsGnpacK9YEsBpnEWrXpesnDTAVZDZW6k8LfdQD7UzuGhtiqvHRTa-fwBE9sTYMth7XS8cEqFiIhdX8XcCE83a1h_DJf5FC0Ebc6Mz3Lv-KKhA/s320/IMG_1417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi792a-TwalWu1Rid8fIN6hfwRFZNCdgWsins0T9Ks7s8niQVCz4c8ICNNt2xul4-TRLbXUIdBnFvgd3N8wwTEyaGDRl9_uvwUwmwk6j_pC0PE5x-aLJ686z96V4JIQWrqaVXqZTZC3N4U/s4032/IMG_1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi792a-TwalWu1Rid8fIN6hfwRFZNCdgWsins0T9Ks7s8niQVCz4c8ICNNt2xul4-TRLbXUIdBnFvgd3N8wwTEyaGDRl9_uvwUwmwk6j_pC0PE5x-aLJ686z96V4JIQWrqaVXqZTZC3N4U/s320/IMG_1423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica">THEN to add even more excitement, two of her best friends from school came for a 'drive-by' socially-distant celebration. She was thrilled to see them drive up - she hasn't seen them in person since March 6, before Spring Break!!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBk9Pr9ekFDxgHVeW5HbWKvu6zpcCkQ8_z7VKRiTNuXT1Q51g8ZSivMiq71CO0pJPJaYGsHe0MM-VvQ1AM18x8ILAtjkFgOs4JmlbYcbX1K8VUDCmM7OTTW0-pAlu6ZYvZmdFIYkaqKQ/s4032/IMG_1424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBk9Pr9ekFDxgHVeW5HbWKvu6zpcCkQ8_z7VKRiTNuXT1Q51g8ZSivMiq71CO0pJPJaYGsHe0MM-VvQ1AM18x8ILAtjkFgOs4JmlbYcbX1K8VUDCmM7OTTW0-pAlu6ZYvZmdFIYkaqKQ/s320/IMG_1424.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D1UscFphUMUfkeUPGFufClENb9NhQMkB2rjxyEdJhlPMHPg8vgRBp-O1XINx2t4XbBwHvjqqCCg2KKrd15s9JWgFbTLrrpHIjc5k2r-2mhCyvMq86ZGT_ZHrlTspOSE1tQcKt6LqYpA/s4032/IMG_1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D1UscFphUMUfkeUPGFufClENb9NhQMkB2rjxyEdJhlPMHPg8vgRBp-O1XINx2t4XbBwHvjqqCCg2KKrd15s9JWgFbTLrrpHIjc5k2r-2mhCyvMq86ZGT_ZHrlTspOSE1tQcKt6LqYpA/s320/IMG_1425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica">Both sets of grandparents gave her a new bike (she will get to go shopping and pick it out herself next week). She has grown so much and is in desperate need of a new bike! </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V4MS9DjjsxjZm1s0A5O0QEugkBB-2OMh6cuDwsGyFNRbYEryMGNxX6oTnOCC2H8Gwfi_YJzBGVTeQxi03kFU5Jr_ZmhfF9E49v6j1d9GK5hPDgbGcm2FvUFQ0hdRErRGRZZffYKIBc0/s4032/IMG_1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V4MS9DjjsxjZm1s0A5O0QEugkBB-2OMh6cuDwsGyFNRbYEryMGNxX6oTnOCC2H8Gwfi_YJzBGVTeQxi03kFU5Jr_ZmhfF9E49v6j1d9GK5hPDgbGcm2FvUFQ0hdRErRGRZZffYKIBc0/s320/IMG_1430.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="helvetica">My beautiful 11 year old... how time flies!</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-2ThT43WOAdqhJJvytdlkOs1WYGW2-YJBn1tv31Ee3yzpLcmUurj7UqnpLGiV4MLcaG-arFNlUfYGzgxZ8o4xsrSLwZnzZ-cT_eZTESTWgbO887_x0jgGErH2t3KOTLw89hyphenhyphenYdu8az4/s960/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-2ThT43WOAdqhJJvytdlkOs1WYGW2-YJBn1tv31Ee3yzpLcmUurj7UqnpLGiV4MLcaG-arFNlUfYGzgxZ8o4xsrSLwZnzZ-cT_eZTESTWgbO887_x0jgGErH2t3KOTLw89hyphenhyphenYdu8az4/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" /></a></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-21958672652891265262020-05-19T21:01:00.006-04:002020-06-09T09:12:10.651-04:00Celebrating My Birthday on Day 64It certainly wasn't a typical birthday celebration, but it was wonderful! I ended my 40th year and started my new year with a delicious breakfast made by my daughter. I ate sushi lunch outside with some friends. And then some neighborhood friends came by that night for drinks and dessert (birthday cake!) I felt loved and celebrated, and got to eat all my favorite things. Not a bad quarantine birthday! <div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">AND the caterpillars turned into butterflies today! What a special birthday treat! Panda was especially interested in why we allowed bugs in the house... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPNtKGEpuG0yoL_jmr1NFwwlJYdZ9uPmg0DicdPyucjfaZ2IfUg0Ik4646jEvbwv8QzQHGR6rLWFt7bLoUEufBny2eB1DWIY5CMJE296eMSCF81UdZL5oS1JyxnJz1d2J6AFqAiNpepo/s4032/IMG_1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPNtKGEpuG0yoL_jmr1NFwwlJYdZ9uPmg0DicdPyucjfaZ2IfUg0Ik4646jEvbwv8QzQHGR6rLWFt7bLoUEufBny2eB1DWIY5CMJE296eMSCF81UdZL5oS1JyxnJz1d2J6AFqAiNpepo/s320/IMG_1390.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK1yNz1CkOhL5Fp9IXY7dunf8sofbX2Crll3NUSAqdY7c3RN0P2TFHRAY4xrOrh7j0V-SpgE-JIGjeM_sRk2zGyUChRLNpe44gBg4FX7LyriHdtkmavT-17y60hYjVa5_ncI2UNYI7X8/s4032/IMG_1379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLK1yNz1CkOhL5Fp9IXY7dunf8sofbX2Crll3NUSAqdY7c3RN0P2TFHRAY4xrOrh7j0V-SpgE-JIGjeM_sRk2zGyUChRLNpe44gBg4FX7LyriHdtkmavT-17y60hYjVa5_ncI2UNYI7X8/s320/IMG_1379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-60997807983495011642020-05-14T21:42:00.000-04:002020-05-14T21:42:08.645-04:00Day 60 - Momming with AppreciationWe are 60 days in. Two months. I've been thinking about all the things I took for granted for granted before all this happened:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PUZZLES</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love puzzles. I love the feeling of accomplishment once they are finished. This is now our 4th (or maybe 5th?) puzzle of the pandemic. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrzdhvhmV_efa183dUdTedCTDiVoE4kfPq1ZEAj0txjYXzcl6O8Qma8I2stMxOTFx_scinscQK2r-h3NblDzy-K71zGeGBkZAomTbiWyix18JPCBaSmb0VyLr5v3OeBiunVExOhniR3A/s1600/61093196365__630DE5E6-8F62-4A7D-9E56-D7E09ED6D872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBrzdhvhmV_efa183dUdTedCTDiVoE4kfPq1ZEAj0txjYXzcl6O8Qma8I2stMxOTFx_scinscQK2r-h3NblDzy-K71zGeGBkZAomTbiWyix18JPCBaSmb0VyLr5v3OeBiunVExOhniR3A/s320/61093196365__630DE5E6-8F62-4A7D-9E56-D7E09ED6D872.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>THE DISHWASHER</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The most useful appliance in the whole house. I swear this thing gets run once, sometimes twice, EVERY SINGLE DAY. I have never been more grateful for this amazing box of spraying water.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>CURIOUS CAT</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We didn't know last year when we got him, but Panda has been the best addition to our family. He has been an emotional-support cat for our children during this lockdown. He sits with them every day - keeping them company on calls, sleeping in their beds while they read, and tolerating their hundreds of kisses and cuddles. He never complains when the kids wake up from his nap to hug on him, or throw him over their shoulders to carry all over the house. He also provides endless entertainment as he hunts bugs, sticks his face in open refrigerators, and carries his toys around in his mouth like a dog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KeVrul7xXM7VMpWbGaEP51Pm1Tpn_bCbww8utF86AM0iyArkFACD92rvw_e4MSSdUzNzcdj760OQWr9T6nUZ63i7dvpiBxHOJvf26pWUEUe861HsDEui6uDeGRLQmQPduo-ODUREp7Q/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KeVrul7xXM7VMpWbGaEP51Pm1Tpn_bCbww8utF86AM0iyArkFACD92rvw_e4MSSdUzNzcdj760OQWr9T6nUZ63i7dvpiBxHOJvf26pWUEUe861HsDEui6uDeGRLQmQPduo-ODUREp7Q/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>OUTDOOR LIVING</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'll be honest, we haven't used our outdoor living space that much in the past few years. We just aren't home often enough - or we miss that tiny window when Richmond has nice weather that isn't too cold or scorching hot. This lockdown has forced us to stay home (something we Bowlins don't do well) and we've thoroughly enjoyed 'living' outdoors. I've taken video calls at the table, I've taken my puzzle mat outside, we eat our meals outdoors, and of course enjoy happy hour outside as often as possible. The added bonus is getting to wave hi to everyone who passes by on the trail behind the house. These days that's a LOT of people! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu3Un55Rba4q6ZQvUNqneZXRSzEDUwW5gVBMhphyphenhyphenXyfeYpyQTizwK5jxHGD2HZ_Z7GS0M4qTfYWGOvvo0FMG9rle-kVZJwkazaGt6S339Cb_j5mUnFkS_OmwNdfkLb75FH0JnvTcPp44/s1600/IMG_1354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu3Un55Rba4q6ZQvUNqneZXRSzEDUwW5gVBMhphyphenhyphenXyfeYpyQTizwK5jxHGD2HZ_Z7GS0M4qTfYWGOvvo0FMG9rle-kVZJwkazaGt6S339Cb_j5mUnFkS_OmwNdfkLb75FH0JnvTcPp44/s320/IMG_1354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>LAZY DOGS</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What would I do without my constant companions, keeping me company while I work or following me up and down the stairs as I help the kids with school work. Of course their favorite thing to do after our morning walk is to curl up and go back to sleep. They also (quite annoyingly) announce every squirrel, delivery truck, or neighbor who passes in front of our house. If I was ever worried about someone breaking into our house, this has certainly put my mind at rest. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhZqB5piqlz9PDZsk6OXy50DlFkzD9LBGtyJxyWCLAQfHgU7lWWxy_I7fr9cU8CRnEDNvqa81FC8pNRS4hBaOs-pUFma6yxBVHFXrLNrrbbrvlqLJvJ5OnNZSuJ1YZ_3cX-u6vDjwPTA/s1600/IMG_1333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhZqB5piqlz9PDZsk6OXy50DlFkzD9LBGtyJxyWCLAQfHgU7lWWxy_I7fr9cU8CRnEDNvqa81FC8pNRS4hBaOs-pUFma6yxBVHFXrLNrrbbrvlqLJvJ5OnNZSuJ1YZ_3cX-u6vDjwPTA/s320/IMG_1333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>BAKING</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love baking. It makes the house smell good. It makes me feel like It's enjoyed by everyone (who doesn't like carbs?) I've tried to keep some baked goods on the counter at all times. Muffins, brownies, cookies, bread, cake... there's always something for a snack or dessert! Last night I broke out my bread machine and made my first loaf of French bread - it was good! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z3Ragy1SovDNcg1ANY_swhhAsCIKiK-1wUtsLnh7nhog9WEoRobHjea69y-VZzbbDQxeCdHQku_z4XHKZGFOWYoPcNrm0Ydn2on99Yx05quL3XcGsjrSs04oGElha5Y9_Yr3PlO5m_M/s1600/IMG_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5z3Ragy1SovDNcg1ANY_swhhAsCIKiK-1wUtsLnh7nhog9WEoRobHjea69y-VZzbbDQxeCdHQku_z4XHKZGFOWYoPcNrm0Ydn2on99Yx05quL3XcGsjrSs04oGElha5Y9_Yr3PlO5m_M/s320/IMG_1344.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jXCSRVwrYFl4qpQ9lQi9uR9XDC5IqtHi1U0-FEFO21mYIuR8SibJEp5Da9oeNW-Ix4ob-rtmUpBH822QsfA7TxkxPIqYhmXnPjyVAxpRkjeCrO4crVf_Oz6Ob9nxFvq4fbPKIIycmuI/s1600/IMG_1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jXCSRVwrYFl4qpQ9lQi9uR9XDC5IqtHi1U0-FEFO21mYIuR8SibJEp5Da9oeNW-Ix4ob-rtmUpBH822QsfA7TxkxPIqYhmXnPjyVAxpRkjeCrO4crVf_Oz6Ob9nxFvq4fbPKIIycmuI/s320/IMG_1351.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>MY JOB</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I know, it seems odd to wrap this up with work. But I really took for granted how flexible my job has been (and continues to be). I am able to get all my work done, but have the flexibility to do it throughout the day and evening - sometimes 20 minutes at a time - but I get it done! I am so thankful that I work part-time and have so much respect for those parents who are still putting in 40+ hours and trying to teach kids at home. My 28 hours are about all I can handle while dealing with these crazy kids! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As we are closing in on the end of school, I am trying to be thankful every day for what we DO have, rather than the things we are missing. I know things are not going to be 'normal' for a looooooong time, and there are still so many unknowns about our summer, about school next year, about everything. Those unknowns threaten to swallow me any minute, so I'm trying extra hard not to focus on them and just live day by day. Y'all know what a struggle that is for me! </div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-68398585143836758112020-05-13T21:50:00.000-04:002020-05-13T21:50:00.137-04:00Momming Hard in May: Day 59<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's a light at the end of the tunnel. We're into our last two weeks of school. We've been home for 59 days, and yet somehow my son still can't seem to remember that my office is in the basement. He just runs around the house yelling for me, like he's not sure where I went. Parker, I'm in the basement working. Just like I have been since March 16. Sigh...Bless his heart. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today he got to take a 30 minute 'class' with Leland Melvin (astronaut, former UR football player, and a visiting innovator at our school last year). That was kinda cool to be on a Zoom call with him! He gets to do another call next week and hear about living in the space station. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1z7HgbNjONWl3A1LD7nFecrqo82afW0S6DNMO2tUf33cbUdspW2kmu-M4w5z3XwPLYwuIfYrRYcXtoNzcWz5SZ87GYAqUZH1Hkc1BlWRYlhutmDXYmtr9VpAylfQrTIUzVdqx6PJPeY/s1600/IMG_1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1z7HgbNjONWl3A1LD7nFecrqo82afW0S6DNMO2tUf33cbUdspW2kmu-M4w5z3XwPLYwuIfYrRYcXtoNzcWz5SZ87GYAqUZH1Hkc1BlWRYlhutmDXYmtr9VpAylfQrTIUzVdqx6PJPeY/s320/IMG_1334.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Although we're almost done with school, it took me 9 weeks to figure out how to get my daughter to read more. We ordered Echo Dots for both of the kids' bedrooms last week. It was a pain for us to keep reminding them when they had class calls each day. So they set alarms on their Dots for their calls, set timers for their reading time, and they can also talk back and forth with me in the basement if they have problems (I have one in my office). In addition to that, they can also listen to music AND we got a skill that reads bedtime stories to them! (It feels like a little bit of a parent cheat, but we do still read to them most nights. Also some nights I am just DONE with them so at least they still get story time this way!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Parker has been listening to the entire Beatrix Potter Tales collection of stories (all 3 hours of it!) And we discovered that our Dot can also be connected to Audible and read a bunch of Ainsley's books! She has a PILE of books that she wanted to read for the last year. Between her reading comprehension challenges and her vision troubles, getting her to read for 'fun' has always been an uphill battle. She got this book on her Dot on Sunday and she FINISHED THE BOOK <b><u>TODAY</u>!!!</b> She reads along with Audible so she's still getting the visual learning. Today she finished her schoolwork and then disappeared. I assumed she had gone outside but then I found her almost TWO HOURS later, in her room with Panda, reading her book on Audible. I wish I had set this up earlier for her, but at least we have something in place for the rest of the summer. She has already picked out the next book!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-mN0dHJwxSLN1BCgTsZkA88S6IpMT6B0YhIWS0j2X37Z4ttbqnslS9qpBEoKSQQlCwr_fQ38OjtWlUA6MdLsdvb-B0M-Sa-b70_jnBDVIt3QDrqzFOcSPIyanQ07h_dmK58bzEtisOs/s1600/IMG_1342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-mN0dHJwxSLN1BCgTsZkA88S6IpMT6B0YhIWS0j2X37Z4ttbqnslS9qpBEoKSQQlCwr_fQ38OjtWlUA6MdLsdvb-B0M-Sa-b70_jnBDVIt3QDrqzFOcSPIyanQ07h_dmK58bzEtisOs/s320/IMG_1342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yes, she is in a bed fort. I got so tired of putting up and taking down forts in their rooms. These pop-tents are so cool - the sides zip up and down so they get the feeling of a 'fort' or a camping tent. And the nice thing about having them in the summer is that it makes their bed nice and dark for sleeping (because when they go to bed at 8pm it's still light outside!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The weather is getting warmer, and we have a first tomato growing. I poured myself a glass of wine after dinner and started a new puzzle. Life is good. </span></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-83024019436864202272020-05-11T20:48:00.000-04:002020-05-11T20:48:06.435-04:00Momming on Mother's Day Weekend: Days 55-57<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even though we are in quarantine, I still had a lovely Mother's Day weekend. On Saturday Ainsley surprised us by making breakfast all be herself - cinnamon rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs (her first time cooking eggs). She set a nice table with candles and we had a lovely Saturday family breakfast. </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWgDDVf7BIitbhy3v1vBmx-qrRoRnXZZLilT2f3fpkHtNnnrnnkH_K-RcT2hIJ-mxQtrtcwSmIuifDm75BJpovy49h5t0N1AyamQ5l2Qsl6IoHldwCf-slv8rOjC-hLU4bHQ5CoP9OF4/s1600/IMG_1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWgDDVf7BIitbhy3v1vBmx-qrRoRnXZZLilT2f3fpkHtNnnrnnkH_K-RcT2hIJ-mxQtrtcwSmIuifDm75BJpovy49h5t0N1AyamQ5l2Qsl6IoHldwCf-slv8rOjC-hLU4bHQ5CoP9OF4/s320/IMG_1302.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My DH hung a new TV in the garage so the kids can watch movies out there in the afternoons while we are still working. They can have a social-distancing movie theater!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVMCLm8qvLoT7xT0uNwvFodFgnTrKNF2nkuzafbjHNKLuaB1u3rK1SHGu1lHuipHng1dIFMdrLgzjRR-5Ph19JUaq0oRbhubmaxQnIvO6MKjtgsWt9t2D2RjOc-IT3bQ5111GQdOtwdE/s1600/IMG_1325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVMCLm8qvLoT7xT0uNwvFodFgnTrKNF2nkuzafbjHNKLuaB1u3rK1SHGu1lHuipHng1dIFMdrLgzjRR-5Ph19JUaq0oRbhubmaxQnIvO6MKjtgsWt9t2D2RjOc-IT3bQ5111GQdOtwdE/s320/IMG_1325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I cleaned out the garage last week I found our bounce house. It was a nice day so we got it out for the kids - and they still fit! I thought for sure they had outgrown it. But nope - they spent all morning playing in it. Now it's back in the garage, but I did set a reminder to get it out more often. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2p77SF0Ru0MDivX7LvRE0T34uswEgyGJjWt7mXcQl1P7YA8x9-jqIcBJY7Qwgh9IbM0ESE3DyVIBBtQVmXE6ASZcl9SXcHbW6muBhPXdlfSEEiH99kWbxjJJGxWxdj2EVFcA2OVasNII/s1600/IMG_1308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2p77SF0Ru0MDivX7LvRE0T34uswEgyGJjWt7mXcQl1P7YA8x9-jqIcBJY7Qwgh9IbM0ESE3DyVIBBtQVmXE6ASZcl9SXcHbW6muBhPXdlfSEEiH99kWbxjJJGxWxdj2EVFcA2OVasNII/s320/IMG_1308.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Sunday I was treated to a delicious brunch! We normally go to the Boathouse on Mother's Day, but this year my hubby was able to pick up brunch to bring home. It was wonderful - and SO MUCH FOOD so I can enjoy it for breakfast all week long! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6qKpb-zfqBvrNOQsyZaPTju40ZFUk0fhDNKbNGg7rXZPlltMT4SLIK3Os3wA1Scn7Y5A5MNxGqUzxfD6-NpEAdB6z_1nXxDr41XW7___p5rjtMW5Exj43snXu0nYbGzJCTbjYVAYrSQ/s1600/IMG_1320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6qKpb-zfqBvrNOQsyZaPTju40ZFUk0fhDNKbNGg7rXZPlltMT4SLIK3Os3wA1Scn7Y5A5MNxGqUzxfD6-NpEAdB6z_1nXxDr41XW7___p5rjtMW5Exj43snXu0nYbGzJCTbjYVAYrSQ/s320/IMG_1320.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was able to enjoy a glass (or several) of my favorite wine on the patio, sitting in the sun and relaxing. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkvb900-Rnk1-hWNL5vR-gXQ4qLGo1O0meHk0dR700muOCbeNbRzD2fUthfhfidPHaSg2zfSnPb6_t3-g70a2XSbiHKedF_KpxRC8-T-tSQnOk93dOF80Ul1hLKVbsp7oMSh-z62Lahw/s1600/IMG_1327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkvb900-Rnk1-hWNL5vR-gXQ4qLGo1O0meHk0dR700muOCbeNbRzD2fUthfhfidPHaSg2zfSnPb6_t3-g70a2XSbiHKedF_KpxRC8-T-tSQnOk93dOF80Ul1hLKVbsp7oMSh-z62Lahw/s320/IMG_1327.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We met my parents in a parking lot so we could visit for a little while and wish Nana a Happy Mothers Day too. We are all looking forward to seeing them at the lake in a few weeks. School ends on May 22 and they aren't allowing any camps to operate yet... so we are going to move to the lake for a few weeks so Nana and Papa can help with the kids while we work! It'll be a nice change of scenery for all of us, and will be so wonderful to quarantine together for a while. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After a delightful weekend we are now back at work...and my best buddy is keeping me company, as always. I don't know what these dogs will do once we actually leave the house every day! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GoPwOrQfgwkG_27fG2nphHcQ5wBcqC2lKgGP5ZKiDY33kYAWqjFIZxnl_3MQmmMJ5gw9KoTZY1jUBzR8Pl_4mX1CBTECwrNONd-FtRahg3nqf6uWV7dwNWbH3R9J4sBMw0hVSDNZIuA/s1600/IMG_1329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GoPwOrQfgwkG_27fG2nphHcQ5wBcqC2lKgGP5ZKiDY33kYAWqjFIZxnl_3MQmmMJ5gw9KoTZY1jUBzR8Pl_4mX1CBTECwrNONd-FtRahg3nqf6uWV7dwNWbH3R9J4sBMw0hVSDNZIuA/s320/IMG_1329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-33231294003068473522020-05-08T18:26:00.000-04:002020-05-08T18:26:03.225-04:00Exasperated Momming on Day 54<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kZtYCb85QYA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kZtYCb85QYA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
This was my day today. She had to go back and re-do 7 math worksheets.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-85157577858063887402020-05-07T21:32:00.000-04:002020-05-07T21:32:03.295-04:00Day 53: Momming with Flowers33 days left and I am trying to soak up every little piece of beauty I can find. This week I am finding it outside. It's sunny and 66 outside so I'm trying to poke my head outdoors every hour to keep my spirits up. My kids both had meltdowns over various things today, but thankfully got over them quickly. Our neighborhood scheduled the Kona Ice truck to come around, so that was a nice afternoon treat for them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkPXU4PDXucbg1Z2glI76CwAoVsy_YpUartQMDkt_CEjUCRFE-jM7eB-iey_csHsrQjfbIuNIdVTWNP3lh-Si_3HYVB3bQe9WCahEWeJt7p18dOUiK4pDfxUAcJh3UrGeGl1EKzSjU2c/s1600/IMG_1287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkPXU4PDXucbg1Z2glI76CwAoVsy_YpUartQMDkt_CEjUCRFE-jM7eB-iey_csHsrQjfbIuNIdVTWNP3lh-Si_3HYVB3bQe9WCahEWeJt7p18dOUiK4pDfxUAcJh3UrGeGl1EKzSjU2c/s320/IMG_1287.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmbp7E8xc_YiBYxRjcHUf72SvTLsxY_LELKW2erEBA71eCXBFjSltWfYY3xpHo3JL_AlhFQWRGyPgsS2g7R9KoCfJNUZuO4Pc3Q_zec6LY8wSvWhly7wwfqZDVMSYF-yjvXlVwSccOhA/s1600/IMG_1288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmbp7E8xc_YiBYxRjcHUf72SvTLsxY_LELKW2erEBA71eCXBFjSltWfYY3xpHo3JL_AlhFQWRGyPgsS2g7R9KoCfJNUZuO4Pc3Q_zec6LY8wSvWhly7wwfqZDVMSYF-yjvXlVwSccOhA/s320/IMG_1288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My peonies are starting to bloom - I grabbed a few to bring indoors. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuIdHV1kQfQsKaDir51Je2xYRZ9oOAWN4yKaIpxknwPw5ikT4w5Ry9R7ctCLNLJqlkZUXd2GQysZEyK1A5FS1KeoJbJL4SnGxO8npK834zRKJZc1XeQdxHzQGvOj2x_z3aYFjeqnc2vQ/s1600/IMG_1272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuIdHV1kQfQsKaDir51Je2xYRZ9oOAWN4yKaIpxknwPw5ikT4w5Ry9R7ctCLNLJqlkZUXd2GQysZEyK1A5FS1KeoJbJL4SnGxO8npK834zRKJZc1XeQdxHzQGvOj2x_z3aYFjeqnc2vQ/s320/IMG_1272.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Catmint (nepeta) is filling in nicely too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_AH5prX_66AoFFr-h3lScmT99ef8FpHd1Z6qGdmiEGJFD4D31ISnmeJDcrDxRSEsJn1QoJAQ2rwaDyWY5Y_IGfN4q86KqamKExD6H0Oxd0RcDnPpid9cWd3qoMX9Q7367x0ccqzUVXI/s1600/IMG_1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_AH5prX_66AoFFr-h3lScmT99ef8FpHd1Z6qGdmiEGJFD4D31ISnmeJDcrDxRSEsJn1QoJAQ2rwaDyWY5Y_IGfN4q86KqamKExD6H0Oxd0RcDnPpid9cWd3qoMX9Q7367x0ccqzUVXI/s320/IMG_1273.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These are new this year and I can't remember the variety. But they look nice and the rabbits haven't eaten them... yet. Unlike my brown-eyed susans, which they knibble on every night. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDGt5lvIFeqVcrC3-tvumt2R0p-OvcClxluqrmRDFDmPkKErgUQYKf20JJShGzF58I4MFAGYB7ZyCciyxcJnyZ40rNeZWkq1mIxn3GTY_ka2F9CsXwUf41UcFljyGk0Rfp9Tt12mOBcs/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDGt5lvIFeqVcrC3-tvumt2R0p-OvcClxluqrmRDFDmPkKErgUQYKf20JJShGzF58I4MFAGYB7ZyCciyxcJnyZ40rNeZWkq1mIxn3GTY_ka2F9CsXwUf41UcFljyGk0Rfp9Tt12mOBcs/s320/IMG_1274.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
A pretty pop of pink petunias in a pot! Try saying that 10 times fast...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfPfqxKHdraNezgM4EIz7cPIaYjF51blZLMKV1KhP4v6xV93Gyj8Rg1I51i_VDIgMdmdceciw0_m-spTQ7AdSBrqJiQuVPKW0BSWJ8v7LvrYEbWgMK-70L4VescWj7aljAtLtwtJDR1Q/s1600/IMG_1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfPfqxKHdraNezgM4EIz7cPIaYjF51blZLMKV1KhP4v6xV93Gyj8Rg1I51i_VDIgMdmdceciw0_m-spTQ7AdSBrqJiQuVPKW0BSWJ8v7LvrYEbWgMK-70L4VescWj7aljAtLtwtJDR1Q/s320/IMG_1282.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My JMU pot. Go Dukes!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIIKIG_g-bzz2XeC77EJQcSGnFIm9-M2CR027nsk_G1zLQatGLfZEX_jVxhzN539Ik9n92GxH5xZyraFOX-SrIOkMW_hiS0W8YYQhUEx35SUFyfY4K6IQXxjqR_MaQHUPqBVnpeILNTY/s1600/IMG_1283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIIKIG_g-bzz2XeC77EJQcSGnFIm9-M2CR027nsk_G1zLQatGLfZEX_jVxhzN539Ik9n92GxH5xZyraFOX-SrIOkMW_hiS0W8YYQhUEx35SUFyfY4K6IQXxjqR_MaQHUPqBVnpeILNTY/s320/IMG_1283.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our first strawberry is here! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlL9McWg7ib2A3bcm43EHhWT52xoj8gubkzf3zdyqPL1IYeWiPHUWEB358OF3skRWPk4gNX6qNnKlvOIzp-6_0NJ6o-Ofax8id0BH3hcLldKg-rauVd-HIspqPF0ShBRksiqr9ZzfSPA/s1600/IMG_1285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjlL9McWg7ib2A3bcm43EHhWT52xoj8gubkzf3zdyqPL1IYeWiPHUWEB358OF3skRWPk4gNX6qNnKlvOIzp-6_0NJ6o-Ofax8id0BH3hcLldKg-rauVd-HIspqPF0ShBRksiqr9ZzfSPA/s320/IMG_1285.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And baby peppers!!!! I have never had luck with peppers before, and I have SEVEN little guys growing on my plants right now!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqKOkqHA8YcHeDciLUP8GE7QLOssdy7Kr7PfN0q_htkEDbk_t99GhJlnjmfG15ct0K_6bbsMRDfUtzCWWQahefTzV6sR5px55YWlFape-6jLnIvgTVdZmnQRGfam9C1kwzHr_rUD3hM8/s1600/IMG_1286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqKOkqHA8YcHeDciLUP8GE7QLOssdy7Kr7PfN0q_htkEDbk_t99GhJlnjmfG15ct0K_6bbsMRDfUtzCWWQahefTzV6sR5px55YWlFape-6jLnIvgTVdZmnQRGfam9C1kwzHr_rUD3hM8/s320/IMG_1286.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our caterpillars have started hanging upside down, which they will do for 7-10 days while they make their crysalis. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe5ePnckw3UJP6v3TRBFC9vZcl8N-aKWfUvz_0gV_uABZ0JPATe-2tjNWsNZj80W8nh6x-nn8Sydkfw79dB4818bIZd1TtTlbDsgPCzNAICL0ws2-KJKjXYbyHd7kPecCzVJpDI_44cs/s1600/IMG_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqe5ePnckw3UJP6v3TRBFC9vZcl8N-aKWfUvz_0gV_uABZ0JPATe-2tjNWsNZj80W8nh6x-nn8Sydkfw79dB4818bIZd1TtTlbDsgPCzNAICL0ws2-KJKjXYbyHd7kPecCzVJpDI_44cs/s320/IMG_1280.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-9737180616593113162020-05-05T16:32:00.000-04:002020-05-05T16:32:01.770-04:00Day 51 - Reviewing Goals<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We've made it past the 50 day mark, with 35 days left to go. Although after the governor's announcement yesterday, maybe we'll be finished a little earlier (???) I'm not holding my breath quite yet.... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I thought this might be a good time to go back and review my goals that I set for myself at the beginning of this. I set these goals on March 22, back when I thought we'd only be home for three weeks. Oh how things changed... let's see how I'm doing thus far. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>1. Read 30 minutes a day. My kids have to read 30 minutes and I should too. </i> WTF was I thinking here?? I mean I have done a little more reading than I used to. I'll give myself credit for one day a week of reading 30 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2. <i>Post in my blog several times a week. </i>#WINNING! I am doing really well at this goal. Yay for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">3. <i>Two days a week I won't have anything alcoholic to drink.</i> Umm...... I'm not sure why I thought this was a good goal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In other news, I moved my office. Being in the basement right below the kitchen was just too loud. I heard every single step of someone walking, and the poker table just wasn't a comfortable spot. So I moved to the guest room (also in the basement, but in the corner with a door that shuts, and it's underneath our bedroom so no one is walking around above my head during the day). Normally this room is closed off to the animals, so our guests don't have dog or cat hair in the room. But since we won't be having guests anytime soon, I figured it doesn't matter much. Panda clearly loves this new spot, although my smaller table doesn't quite give him enough room to join in my zoom calls. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGg8yKEiZPgixGyREc252p7t_837qGDAZsRysfxrdtXYiMnLxZKOGCSTUC-ZCNJThJfFC7-_bFCk7VgpEdLzIOUxQj9AmVvXMeXSyw0DjwaOTbVhyphenhyphenEOGkF9X-WpuTklkjFI9grwpfnGs/s1600/IMG_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGg8yKEiZPgixGyREc252p7t_837qGDAZsRysfxrdtXYiMnLxZKOGCSTUC-ZCNJThJfFC7-_bFCk7VgpEdLzIOUxQj9AmVvXMeXSyw0DjwaOTbVhyphenhyphenEOGkF9X-WpuTklkjFI9grwpfnGs/s320/IMG_1163.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is he doing yoga poses?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGA1G-nPAWSKtaouAGLPZ8J8MT7pVTvnzv8nMOzb4SVJnl-PiM_r-fGUDKOaWjqTLr0iFww7375CSWhNoKTFWTda6AVJCKDd0xLyG_vqc0memfCtpm38YcZOQ6NLHiTCKVrvLmx-KC28/s1600/IMG_1164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGA1G-nPAWSKtaouAGLPZ8J8MT7pVTvnzv8nMOzb4SVJnl-PiM_r-fGUDKOaWjqTLr0iFww7375CSWhNoKTFWTda6AVJCKDd0xLyG_vqc0memfCtpm38YcZOQ6NLHiTCKVrvLmx-KC28/s320/IMG_1164.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-22372430475258943172020-05-04T20:30:00.000-04:002020-05-05T11:30:37.065-04:00Momming with Bugs: Day 50<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Guess what our next science project is? Butterflies! Seriously the easiest thing I've ever done. Insect Lore has this butterfly kit that you buy (basically just a pop-up mesh tent, but we can re-use it year to year). Then you spend $7 to order caterpillars. Here they are - five of them in their little jar. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBV1z3X3MaN8SlqywotST98JYwwkR8cNiAavp4apUhacodf4wdi9g7VpPblnEFK52ByYr-1bYD9hvGGBP66xAfzH7N_fmFEEXjJ8t_Fv2LUIec0H-C8ZGEPmviUBryuEWvl_IQf8drRs/s1600/IMG_1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBV1z3X3MaN8SlqywotST98JYwwkR8cNiAavp4apUhacodf4wdi9g7VpPblnEFK52ByYr-1bYD9hvGGBP66xAfzH7N_fmFEEXjJ8t_Fv2LUIec0H-C8ZGEPmviUBryuEWvl_IQf8drRs/s320/IMG_1265.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Apparently all the food they need is in the jar with them. They are busy eating and growing right now. We wait a few days until they make their chrysalis and then we put them in the mesh tent. A week later they will come out as butterflies! What a fun thing to watch and then release into our garden!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.insectlore.com/">https://www.insectlore.com/</a> They also have other insect kits (ants, ladybugs, etc). We've only had them for a day but it's already been entertaining.Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-30427040913698718632020-05-02T17:21:00.000-04:002020-05-05T11:21:34.487-04:00Creativity on Day 48<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter has been her usual creative self during this quarantine. She and some friends starting making a newsletter to pass around the neighborhood. It's supposed to make people feel better and make them smile. They've put together three or four of these so far. How cute is that?! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdccxx1hfb7hVRUZk0bZs8oEIuPjIwDMlXvwWG6jALdngfDTOJQAXX2lXPGiSsYm-IXR3gu22oyBeZU2JLWpsabn0MP6ZE7WSWzRJCCkk3a-Gynve1oxlDIsyxjcQ12nTnqpps0mxXm0/s1600/IMG_1154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdccxx1hfb7hVRUZk0bZs8oEIuPjIwDMlXvwWG6jALdngfDTOJQAXX2lXPGiSsYm-IXR3gu22oyBeZU2JLWpsabn0MP6ZE7WSWzRJCCkk3a-Gynve1oxlDIsyxjcQ12nTnqpps0mxXm0/s320/IMG_1154.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a school writing assignment she made a slide on the pets' quarantine life. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhznCMGA51xPVUDGmg83hpFaMuqPYIqkFKH4OV7ID8yDYAhnZvEDj9329vXDsJMiu3ZsQmISMdjAKZ9gQ0s0mRCBS26S-EmkCj-RlOF_8MbQp2OddU-dk27zHO70jQ0YB209nWspg70s/s1600/ainsley+slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhznCMGA51xPVUDGmg83hpFaMuqPYIqkFKH4OV7ID8yDYAhnZvEDj9329vXDsJMiu3ZsQmISMdjAKZ9gQ0s0mRCBS26S-EmkCj-RlOF_8MbQp2OddU-dk27zHO70jQ0YB209nWspg70s/s320/ainsley+slide.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> At least she appears to be happy and finding things to do! </span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-55124815104566684452020-05-01T13:11:00.000-04:002020-05-05T11:12:15.669-04:00Racing and Momming: Day 47<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The last time I ran a half marathon was 2013 and I finished in 2:36. I had signed up to run the Uncorked Half this weekend with my favorite long distance running buddy (Kat), and as a way to finish off my 40th year strong. We had a great weekend planned for it - the race finished with unlimited wine and brunch at a winery. It really doesn't get much better than that. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Unfortunately the race was cancelled - stupid virus.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> So I mapped out a route to run in my neighborhood. I've been dealing with these damn shin splints in my right leg for weeks now. I was a little worried that I wouldn't even be able to finish the race. It was cloudy and 50s - great weather for running - at least until it rained the last two miles. But I did finish and I beat my sub-2 goal, something I didn't think I would be able to do. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was so surprised when my whole family showed up to cheer me across the (driveway) finish line! My parents came out of their locked-down neighborhood, wearing face masks and staying 6 feet away. They even brought celebration donuts! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Thanks to my neighborhood friends who let me put water bottles on their driveways. Running has saved my sanity and I’m so thankful for all those friends and family who have supported me and cheered me on from near and far! Now... back to work! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCj85ErZAJ4zfhE_OBKOCGmUtNfOM-RYaO5Ql2Gn6kaEHVkeB3Wfv_NPrrWy9vUgUrK6-YK8Ez9oP2p7wpmWdR3LhdTMffR6c2S0DjqEzpEbjdKjHa8FgNg8o43Xw5zGRH6X79lerCsM/s1600/IMG_1167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCj85ErZAJ4zfhE_OBKOCGmUtNfOM-RYaO5Ql2Gn6kaEHVkeB3Wfv_NPrrWy9vUgUrK6-YK8Ez9oP2p7wpmWdR3LhdTMffR6c2S0DjqEzpEbjdKjHa8FgNg8o43Xw5zGRH6X79lerCsM/s320/IMG_1167.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRKEwV8_opHXjNR3-mb_te-RhpABeH9bI3DgYYAKDChyMfcuEueISzFGqhWMkh5qwxreR0XIa_m8rXf5Yj16xFLvIYu3SEcGBSiDjT9naKY68iSkD6yLUCcqv9ZcBkypwdlfziffpYh8/s1600/IMG_1172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRKEwV8_opHXjNR3-mb_te-RhpABeH9bI3DgYYAKDChyMfcuEueISzFGqhWMkh5qwxreR0XIa_m8rXf5Yj16xFLvIYu3SEcGBSiDjT9naKY68iSkD6yLUCcqv9ZcBkypwdlfziffpYh8/s320/IMG_1172.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv5FEjEhQ8PQOP5oFSJL67YERwz7EX0HHjk2w1inNXsi0xJrrM-LRuuRDTgdzzTw6qbG5TMVjYAJhaoRE49bpPIweKLVPpNO1knCh3Z21M6gfUQShle30r8cpBvrXpXC6dZt9_PIPCNg/s1600/IMG_0377.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv5FEjEhQ8PQOP5oFSJL67YERwz7EX0HHjk2w1inNXsi0xJrrM-LRuuRDTgdzzTw6qbG5TMVjYAJhaoRE49bpPIweKLVPpNO1knCh3Z21M6gfUQShle30r8cpBvrXpXC6dZt9_PIPCNg/s320/IMG_0377.JPEG" width="320" /></a></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-81356749776704229572020-04-30T20:33:00.000-04:002020-05-05T10:55:59.968-04:00Rainy Day 46<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday the neighborhood kids have found this huge pile of dirt in the section across the street where they are building new homes. One of the moms has been nice enough to take them all over there on their bikes to climb this 'mountain'. It definitely provided some entertainment after school finished for the day! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XqQnVc9Yxt0BUueDooaI1S-GEn1IkjLAMnu6VSM6tFW8_GtQx2UxoNB9vyQ4TkwUrF2_4FumILLiDz3npuOrGNDikVjGJVsJ4m4ocVevncz2JoGV3VERhTQo-g27tdzqZWjn7W9upFM/s1600/IMG_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XqQnVc9Yxt0BUueDooaI1S-GEn1IkjLAMnu6VSM6tFW8_GtQx2UxoNB9vyQ4TkwUrF2_4FumILLiDz3npuOrGNDikVjGJVsJ4m4ocVevncz2JoGV3VERhTQo-g27tdzqZWjn7W9upFM/s320/IMG_1151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR1wVsLSH38LZ6tjQGq0qmaZ0JnGp7ynkX0Xz27_2RYSXRKELkJylwQZxHO6-GUmtPAa-IbHjd1hmnMod1tjkhIKDDYUMo-kcKW_nsou-EBbqsIjSYaitYCNNVEPYwpvJ6nnJR6c2Go0/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1008" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIR1wVsLSH38LZ6tjQGq0qmaZ0JnGp7ynkX0Xz27_2RYSXRKELkJylwQZxHO6-GUmtPAa-IbHjd1hmnMod1tjkhIKDDYUMo-kcKW_nsou-EBbqsIjSYaitYCNNVEPYwpvJ6nnJR6c2Go0/s320/IMG_1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It also rained A LOT today. The kids made multiple trips to the new bridge to see how high the creek was. Looks like it's holding up well! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfKSNPIUnHa5RcElIXyp8qRHtSZujHpz-UYpMuDmByHx-miuNQLvl4C-2kWXvHAo58fklaZH8bp7bHzCsV2ON1n6t_11K1Ss9c3dp8P08RJvxJmpB-s-Vs16G4-73bgi0nau1JI6ads8/s1600/IMG_0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfKSNPIUnHa5RcElIXyp8qRHtSZujHpz-UYpMuDmByHx-miuNQLvl4C-2kWXvHAo58fklaZH8bp7bHzCsV2ON1n6t_11K1Ss9c3dp8P08RJvxJmpB-s-Vs16G4-73bgi0nau1JI6ads8/s320/IMG_0371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-80303200900783459782020-04-29T11:14:00.004-04:002020-04-29T11:14:32.693-04:00Gravity: Day 45<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's amazing what a little bit of prayer will do. And I don't mean my prayers - I mean the prayers of all my friends and family who read my post yesterday. I had a long board meeting call last night and afterwards I poured a glass of wine and sat down to unwind for a few minutes in front of the TV. I turned it on and the movie Gravity was showing (the one with Sandra Bullock). Not trying to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it...but the moment I turned it on is near the beginning of the film where she is floating helplessly through space. An explosion has sent her flying, untethered, into dark space. She is flipping over and over again, and can't get her bearings. George Clooney is asking her what she sees so he can find her position. She can't focus. She can't make out what is around her. This is how I felt for a good part of yesterday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A short while later in the movie they are trying to get back to the space station. They are approaching it too fast. She is frantically grabbing at ropes trying to catch herself so she doesn't tumble into space again. She's reaching for anything she can grab hold of - just clawing at anything in her path that will stop her from floating away. I'm watching this movie and realizing the irony of it. This is what I did all day yesterday. Spiral out of control, and then frantically try to grab on to anything that might give me some sense of direction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I slept last night. Slept better than I have in weeks. I didn't even wake up to pee (which as a 40 year old woman is almost unheard of!) The movie ends when the character makes it back to earth and stands up for the first time. Gravity. It's what (literally) keeps you grounded. I woke up this morning and stood, feeling like I had gotten my gravity back. I was no longer spiraling into space. I woke up with a sense of what I needed to do; it was laid out on a clear path before me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for the prayers. They brought gravity back to my life today. </span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-69614553288475270612020-04-28T17:08:00.000-04:002020-04-28T17:08:26.358-04:00Momming with Anxiety: Day 44<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I woke up this morning and a feeling of helplessness washed over me. All the unknowns are creeping up and threatening to smother me. It's a wave that comes over and over again. I get to the top of one and then another hits. I have always been a planner. Sometimes I worry. But I very rarely have anxiety. I try to focus on what I know and what I have control over. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What DO I know? I know what will happen for the next 4 weeks. I know the kids have school until May 22 and I will do my best to balance it with work. Got it. I can do that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what happens after that? What will they do all day when school ends and I'm still working and camps haven't started up yet? What if camps never start? Do I cancel the camps now and try to get some money back? Or do I wait and see if they cancel and give me a refund? Do I move their camps to later in the summer when they're more likely to happen? But if I wait to see if the June camps are cancelled then all the July and August camps might be full. What if I'm home with them all summer trying to work and deal with them? Will we be allowed to go to the beach? Will we be allowed to take our vacations? What if we can't take our vacations? What will we do instead? What if one vacation gets cancelled but we could go the beach instead. But if I wait until June to book a beach house then there won't be any available. That's fine. We don't have to go to the beach. We can just stay here and go to the pool. What if the pool doesn't open? </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OH MY GOD!!!! WHAT IF THE POOL DOESN'T OPEN?!?!?! </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has been my frame of mind ALL DAY LONG. My DH offers to talk it through and help, but there is no help. I have no answers. And he doesn't have them either. We just have to wait. Wait for the governor to tell us what happens on June 10. And try to be okay with waiting and making last minute decisions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband likes to laugh at the time I said that I could, in fact, be spontaneous. I just needed to plan for it. Unfortunately I cannot be spontaneous in a pandemic. I usually plan out every hour of our summer in March. You can't tell me that I have to wait until June to find out what we are doing. That does not suit. Yet here we are. Waiting. And drinking. </span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-3616166784284921562020-04-27T22:04:00.000-04:002020-04-28T17:11:33.929-04:00Momming Hard: Day 43<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's Monday. 43 days down, 43 days left to go. I feel good about this. We've reached the halfway point, right? We made it to the top and now we just coast down for 43 more days. The kids had a decent day today. School work was pretty good, no major catastrophes, I was productive with my work. We got the house and fence power washed. It looks good - nice and clean and smelling like bleach. A nice way to start the week - fresh and clean. We can do this!</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-69187436518217209152020-04-26T20:12:00.000-04:002020-04-27T15:35:37.754-04:00Momming on Days 40 - 42Fridays are always a bit of a relief. We are busy wrapping up projects and school work, and getting excited about the weekend. This weekend was pretty 'typical' for the past month. Lots of house chores and laundry, riding bikes and watching movies, glasses (or bottles) of wine.<br />
<br />
A bunch of the neighbors decided to get together and build a bridge over the creek behind us, so the kids could get back and forth easier. We had a bunch of leftover boards from having our deck rebuilt a few years ago, so the only cost was a box of screws and some beers!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbKEINkyk3zdhCkc48NDFk7knfxjpDVON3YK_dLuN7fX0gfbOj9jmZLFtaB9_8to-5PDKmtw1lQDOtTAM3XkqmhWYA0S4wr2NIUtuongOHdBsmemQbQjh5fzJQ-DB8P5VHChankoibxA/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbKEINkyk3zdhCkc48NDFk7knfxjpDVON3YK_dLuN7fX0gfbOj9jmZLFtaB9_8to-5PDKmtw1lQDOtTAM3XkqmhWYA0S4wr2NIUtuongOHdBsmemQbQjh5fzJQ-DB8P5VHChankoibxA/s320/IMG_1111.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2Yq-n4FsllZwAoFUegOHXJDlOwKTnLlU1_-CuWKKwQNsJ7AkWPKFWHuuzn532G0xQtwSwDGvg4SRvJJPerPkIJG6B0eb_Swx55wl5C6X4PNeAREbXjn6cz0fBo3GsQ2WRUpaPVQiLec/s1600/IMG_1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2Yq-n4FsllZwAoFUegOHXJDlOwKTnLlU1_-CuWKKwQNsJ7AkWPKFWHuuzn532G0xQtwSwDGvg4SRvJJPerPkIJG6B0eb_Swx55wl5C6X4PNeAREbXjn6cz0fBo3GsQ2WRUpaPVQiLec/s320/IMG_1109.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VGkxyoRJ2hOisinrZcr0DYIOl0p92NgpRaiptEXp6aPU2bm28v5MQ709EVEw0SslzxVieJdA4vIxSB2BqSFG-rBW8Zxn0PrfM4IcwNiZ1XUwWzaf6mHsHixinX1VW65rVmzEK-D21B8/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VGkxyoRJ2hOisinrZcr0DYIOl0p92NgpRaiptEXp6aPU2bm28v5MQ709EVEw0SslzxVieJdA4vIxSB2BqSFG-rBW8Zxn0PrfM4IcwNiZ1XUwWzaf6mHsHixinX1VW65rVmzEK-D21B8/s320/IMG_1113.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Builders. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORgR0L_aXDZ3RIQTjyqf2QWGOnNnXpUHKDV_33qHIF6smF3wa7VrWJy_s09RfAkDEP6whfOxDipExNy0wRr1QScrY2hbBej7XiJ-_dbVPl3cRPlLyzfRSX_s-m8VPx0m6Vg7NmqeS7ZE/s1600/IMG_1131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORgR0L_aXDZ3RIQTjyqf2QWGOnNnXpUHKDV_33qHIF6smF3wa7VrWJy_s09RfAkDEP6whfOxDipExNy0wRr1QScrY2hbBej7XiJ-_dbVPl3cRPlLyzfRSX_s-m8VPx0m6Vg7NmqeS7ZE/s320/IMG_1131.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I ran 10 miles - the last of my long training runs before the half marathon next weekend. Needless to say, I was exhausted the whole rest of the day. Ashton, Kristina and I delivered a housewarming gift to the Freeds. Just seeing their faces made me smile and thankful. Looking forward to the day when I can actually hang out with them and eat sushi at our favorite restaurant. </div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-84869167679081485212020-04-23T19:33:00.000-04:002020-04-23T19:33:08.193-04:00Momming Hard on Day 39<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days you just need to snuggle with your cat and sit on the couch and binge-watch Star Wars. Apparently today was one of these days. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vUPRsyL8x_WS36kI-GWIEQOckQ27J8EBB5fRf1TsAmtVl9PGdSawwIyj7g_ww0s1oOSVBuvZnJKlRxU64e8YGSt33Sl2kJYd8LEh0K3SauBS-Oqjh4ycNp9Z_TNJiOf2GbgC0Sqe7Cw/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vUPRsyL8x_WS36kI-GWIEQOckQ27J8EBB5fRf1TsAmtVl9PGdSawwIyj7g_ww0s1oOSVBuvZnJKlRxU64e8YGSt33Sl2kJYd8LEh0K3SauBS-Oqjh4ycNp9Z_TNJiOf2GbgC0Sqe7Cw/s320/IMG_1096.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">47 days left until lockdown ends. I woke up with a huge crick in my neck and I can't turn my head. It runs down the back of my shoulder blade. I think part of it is my desk and chair situation (aka the poker/beer pong table in the basement) which isn't at an ideal height for me. And I probably slept wrong. So even though the kids were so-so with their moods today, I certainly wasn't feeling my best. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So on that note, I'm going to do some yoga and throw an ice pack on my shoulder. G'night all. Tomorrow is Friday, and the end of week 6. I am thankful for that. </span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-36050576799925558362020-04-22T20:21:00.000-04:002020-04-22T20:21:01.648-04:00Momming Hard on Wellness Wednesday: Day 38<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">So. Many. Tears. I think Parker locked himself in his room three times crying. Wednesdays are hard. Who's kidding... EVERY day is hard. Our school is now having "Wellness Wednesdays" which means the teachers don't give any new assignments that day and the kids can catch up on other work from the week and take a break from screen time. I love the idea in theory. But I still have to work all day... so what do I do with them if they aren't doing school work? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">The first part of the day was actually pretty great. They read. They painted. I'm not entirely sure what else they did, but they played together and didn't bother me for a solid two hours. Just take a moment and imagine how productive I am when I can work uninterrupted for two hours. I was starting to think these wellness days are a great idea! But within a few minutes of that thought passing through my head, I heard the yelling, stomping and slamming of doors. Oh well. It was great while it lasted. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">We took a break after lunch to get some fresh air and sunshine. The kids painted a bunch of these "HOPE" rocks as part of their Earth Day art project, so we walked along the trails and hid them. Parker's mood didn't improve and he ended up coming home early while Ainsley and I finished. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-g9VAErlWWfsRLR34N_FzCJ0JWD3BLwXy1k-Cfy1dtYBpRiHO-Y0A2Hp1VrlMTlzXyCTctBvL68PtMWOrd4ZAOvzZB_2Se2mAHvmn1aam985ntaB31vz3gGziBXwiymOSguVqkm5Saw/s1600/IMG_1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-g9VAErlWWfsRLR34N_FzCJ0JWD3BLwXy1k-Cfy1dtYBpRiHO-Y0A2Hp1VrlMTlzXyCTctBvL68PtMWOrd4ZAOvzZB_2Se2mAHvmn1aam985ntaB31vz3gGziBXwiymOSguVqkm5Saw/s320/IMG_1092.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I also spent the day a little sad. Last night we found out that both the Berlin Marathon and Oktoberfest have been cancelled for SEPTEMBER! We were planning to go to both - first to cheer my friend Ashton in the Berlin marathon, and then to celebrate Maggie's 40th birthday at Oktoberfest. What a punch in the gut...they are cancelling events 6 MONTH from now. When will it end?! So very sad for both of my friends who will miss their big events. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">But you know what? There was a ray of sunshine at the end of my frazzled day. Today is Administrative Professionals Day, and I received a beautiful surprise delivery from my school! What perfect timing to lift my spirits. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4krTB90gLWNZOWkxZCoIkK5w0sSJ2OYarf7Qs5xowR67XzPY6fOtb7atCzaWo_p_I16fcl0aidiAfQ9UCQknvOgP-DcQzOBtGFRo9hGJ6YzdtFPYMIm6MDz_ioiCMtW4X8MtUva9aqE/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4krTB90gLWNZOWkxZCoIkK5w0sSJ2OYarf7Qs5xowR67XzPY6fOtb7atCzaWo_p_I16fcl0aidiAfQ9UCQknvOgP-DcQzOBtGFRo9hGJ6YzdtFPYMIm6MDz_ioiCMtW4X8MtUva9aqE/s320/IMG_1090.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">48 days to go... God that's still a really long time...</span>Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-71510980109294068482020-04-21T21:07:00.000-04:002020-04-22T10:21:23.864-04:00A Brighter Day on Papa's Birthday: Day 37<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today was Papa's birthday! Although we couldn't have a proper celebration with him in person, we did bake cupcakes and delivered gifts to him (by passing them from the trunk of my car to the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">trunk of his). Thankful that he had a beautiful sunny day for his birthday. Also thankful that I had my first opportunity to pop the roof off the Jeep when I went to deliver everything! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6vqyD-at6PD8gwcbPfL92bCie1CqyxF7VSj16C5jCwlMB0H8mYmKG4FwmNz4-GKqkNgQF6NY44G_CQr-pgtmZovfUCThyphenhyphenmB-g84-5g_3Ht88-2mOxGcNH0J3dVJK0JJgbUqwnn4QkEk/s1600/IMG_1084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6vqyD-at6PD8gwcbPfL92bCie1CqyxF7VSj16C5jCwlMB0H8mYmKG4FwmNz4-GKqkNgQF6NY44G_CQr-pgtmZovfUCThyphenhyphenmB-g84-5g_3Ht88-2mOxGcNH0J3dVJK0JJgbUqwnn4QkEk/s320/IMG_1084.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kids also had a sunny and brighter day today. I think all our moods improved a little. The fifth grade is still holding a (virtual) science fair this year. Ainsley chose to do some experiments with different fertilizer in the garden. She chose 4 squash plants as her test subjects, and made beautiful rocks to mark each one for the experiment. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-uhRQhktEfnCsUPoaIW41v4tvIv50dbGZ-9eb2Sxbth9mIaOH8vFfZyOQ06GFEFUoN0zkKgrOsdX2r5p8dFtc9oY3_rj8FohGoSnQP5heSulw4BNsX37WCUPcEHafhXzrihkv7uHKw0/s1600/IMG_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-uhRQhktEfnCsUPoaIW41v4tvIv50dbGZ-9eb2Sxbth9mIaOH8vFfZyOQ06GFEFUoN0zkKgrOsdX2r5p8dFtc9oY3_rj8FohGoSnQP5heSulw4BNsX37WCUPcEHafhXzrihkv7uHKw0/s320/IMG_1069.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is fertilized with coffee grounds. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoNRfrVU2kLmMwh_vfDaHrZ6yD7-2pj2yFWJGEbtnRx0oijrDJQdCsNS1Sc5MJvpT79xBhwBNRDj8GkGBtrNqqxUcgmtUs929ripaoN2tcXpRu1rD_Rt_k3AkvWgamwDkONr2sO6MzkA/s1600/IMG_1070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoNRfrVU2kLmMwh_vfDaHrZ6yD7-2pj2yFWJGEbtnRx0oijrDJQdCsNS1Sc5MJvpT79xBhwBNRDj8GkGBtrNqqxUcgmtUs929ripaoN2tcXpRu1rD_Rt_k3AkvWgamwDkONr2sO6MzkA/s320/IMG_1070.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is fertilized with banana peels. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgT7zgGV1-gMQ0TFKXpar4UAEmqBuAW6jAE5uxwA3ZaAUhS58vY8fSm7afUulzwNAdTeDYbALhqFhZWF5OF2PCHd3UCrZSTz6p5moAJZqiDHLGVCc5OdacbWUcIEr0Yu69Oo16vwaxU8/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgT7zgGV1-gMQ0TFKXpar4UAEmqBuAW6jAE5uxwA3ZaAUhS58vY8fSm7afUulzwNAdTeDYbALhqFhZWF5OF2PCHd3UCrZSTz6p5moAJZqiDHLGVCc5OdacbWUcIEr0Yu69Oo16vwaxU8/s320/IMG_1071.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is fertilized with egg shells.</span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoapC9kdUuIs30o_goJK7DycpEzCq6vJ83cDetGp9RPsm92Gp8opXiYkmquGbPZ0aXAUEq9nS2nY9cOo-A4YAEjKpIyTlIIhTiS7BvdELyFrotgL-UryyQ6l3Acet30rzAkGH_IYidhw/s1600/IMG_1072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoapC9kdUuIs30o_goJK7DycpEzCq6vJ83cDetGp9RPsm92Gp8opXiYkmquGbPZ0aXAUEq9nS2nY9cOo-A4YAEjKpIyTlIIhTiS7BvdELyFrotgL-UryyQ6l3Acet30rzAkGH_IYidhw/s320/IMG_1072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here is our control plant, with no fertilizer. We'll watch what happens with these little guys over the next several weeks!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtdkE_nEenrAFHyisRgMvmJwssMFp2rgEZYGC1813g_2EAD1ZK0ezUjYiC1s3sSb17eDM_jVpNglRD-N0RHDf2KBhNuFxn5hzebJqGH4pyEwfjJXS6ohFQf7nyNU3A_XYpuhLsLUxv68/s1600/IMG_1074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtdkE_nEenrAFHyisRgMvmJwssMFp2rgEZYGC1813g_2EAD1ZK0ezUjYiC1s3sSb17eDM_jVpNglRD-N0RHDf2KBhNuFxn5hzebJqGH4pyEwfjJXS6ohFQf7nyNU3A_XYpuhLsLUxv68/s320/IMG_1074.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few nights ago ABC aired the Family Disney Singalong, which is basically a bunch of famous people singing Disney classics from their homes. We had taped it and finally got around to watching it. The kids really enjoyed it, and Ainsley had an epic fan-girl moment at the end when the casts of Descendants, HS Musical, and Zombies all performed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GGjr-fRUi4Jfi4R_EPj_QloWKtiJFKQP7Yj32LuL7XyImdud3NNatp6hs709R7rbSoeyCbi7eTx6ICy_nnvETm_xyd5GRko1NTVmfH3xxkHuEiImqBYkDF211xqACF1h-uK4UlXHPOI/s1600/IMG_1083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GGjr-fRUi4Jfi4R_EPj_QloWKtiJFKQP7Yj32LuL7XyImdud3NNatp6hs709R7rbSoeyCbi7eTx6ICy_nnvETm_xyd5GRko1NTVmfH3xxkHuEiImqBYkDF211xqACF1h-uK4UlXHPOI/s320/IMG_1083.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here we go... 49 days left. We're making progress!</span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-60403187432972334082020-04-20T22:10:00.000-04:002020-04-20T22:10:09.388-04:00Momming Misery on a Rainy Day: Day 36<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It rained today. Like almost all day. We all woke up in a bad mood. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Last night Parker was scared that he would have nightmares. He didn't have his fort to sleep in, and he couldn't have a sleepover with Ainsley. So he was scared and I ended up pulling out his pop-up rocket tent and putting it on his bed. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Ainsley was crying by 8:20 a.m., frustrated by school and technology. She did her work but didn't post it. Or she posted it but didn't understand it. Or she thought she understood it but she ended up getting it all wrong. She is embarrassed to ask her teacher for help. "Why would you be embarrassed? No one in your class would even know you asked for help! You aren't in a classroom with them!" Sigh... so we continued our trend of good day / bad day. Yesterday was Parker's bad day. Today was Ainsley's bad day. Parker had an awesome today. He did a great time with his school work and enjoyed reading in his bed/rocket tent. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIccAtt02GtbwR-SxF2LsqDOcmTtemu5TymD5jRjGUlN4Lotlyp2zz9rh30_lJ5S5KHKO_28iZUUNbyx66HBKr7NQTNk-f0lUwZn8gyh5Z9Wau2CWYXhk-uFnZXEY-8qYnKP-rGSmQrLc/s1600/IMG_1042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIccAtt02GtbwR-SxF2LsqDOcmTtemu5TymD5jRjGUlN4Lotlyp2zz9rh30_lJ5S5KHKO_28iZUUNbyx66HBKr7NQTNk-f0lUwZn8gyh5Z9Wau2CWYXhk-uFnZXEY-8qYnKP-rGSmQrLc/s320/IMG_1042.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He is starting a unit on poetry so I grabbed our Shel Silverstein books and he was immediately hooked. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtVr5g3qN2ruHjFwNoJj2rb17CMWfVPQFK4PhdabbyX3rqT2akk0J6-H7VXqg0yBrXGiZLUxbMnhojTbUF0mbC5JVkLdS590gb3BhKVGRO17T6k4ZfqJ9VuwZSeUaFy-l6M4erXufAak/s1600/IMG_1043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtVr5g3qN2ruHjFwNoJj2rb17CMWfVPQFK4PhdabbyX3rqT2akk0J6-H7VXqg0yBrXGiZLUxbMnhojTbUF0mbC5JVkLdS590gb3BhKVGRO17T6k4ZfqJ9VuwZSeUaFy-l6M4erXufAak/s320/IMG_1043.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once Ainsley got over her crying fit and figured out what assignments to re-do, she managed to get through the rest of the day. She even finished one of the coloring pages she's been working on for the last week. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DJe2LuiNQcIErUbAOs6TENJSIp8sWYQhCUxNdghOpo-fm5H9bhP_zVMq2NlXprXHzMLaRErl5GSJ7VrBhSwa_MWTdffL1XB7QmOjox9d0hD3AnKk-CZHrun7aCnvJ9gBlSvvejCUJNM/s1600/IMG_1048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DJe2LuiNQcIErUbAOs6TENJSIp8sWYQhCUxNdghOpo-fm5H9bhP_zVMq2NlXprXHzMLaRErl5GSJ7VrBhSwa_MWTdffL1XB7QmOjox9d0hD3AnKk-CZHrun7aCnvJ9gBlSvvejCUJNM/s320/IMG_1048.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">See, there's my happy girl again!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwanSpUvN2cz-mne-a4vtWZl90kccQP_PknxyT5xwgMXthwPLzU0vugmREvrKww4OkETY08Sc-xqOB_r_SBVSpJSzjA7HtTk-qICE7nmrvVlVi7SKmg7SfDJbRM9EL2vWBsOUQdVpTWnQ/s1600/IMG_1046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwanSpUvN2cz-mne-a4vtWZl90kccQP_PknxyT5xwgMXthwPLzU0vugmREvrKww4OkETY08Sc-xqOB_r_SBVSpJSzjA7HtTk-qICE7nmrvVlVi7SKmg7SfDJbRM9EL2vWBsOUQdVpTWnQ/s320/IMG_1046.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not gonna lie. Today was hard. I don't know if it was the rain that dampened our mood, or the fact that I didn't get outside to walk the dogs this morning. Or maybe that we are starting Week 6 (with still 6 more to go). Maybe it's the Monday Blues. Whatever it is, it seems to have affected the whole household (although kuddos to my DH for making the kids lunch and putting on a brave face when confronted with two emotional women in the house). No sunshine = unhappy mama. Hoping tomorrow's return of nicer weather will brighten all of our spirits. </span></div>
Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4543761019719354383.post-63810386107479730682020-04-19T21:05:00.000-04:002020-04-20T14:44:26.368-04:00Momming Hard: Day 35<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">51 days left of lockdown. Today looked a lot like yesterday, except Parker went golfing with Daddy. I had the house to myself when Ainsley went outside to play. So I sat at the table and worked on a puzzle with my mimosa. I got to enjoy looking at my new welcome sign while I puzzled. This is a cool sign I ordered from my friend's parent's business - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Signs4Seasons/">https://www.facebook.com/Signs4Seasons/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The "O" in Welcome has a bunch of different seasonal/holiday things you can put in its place. I had a rabbit for Easter and now I've switched to the flower for spring. I had this on my front porch but the wind was so bad last week, so I brought it inside and put it in the dining room. Now I kinda like it here because I get to see it myself! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsgHeioYNIo4xzkDcoxVySJpkAgUeLrCOgAu84ONfpXf0TITiX0SBvi3-gYEA2QAGhQlZWOY6nMKsbwCdLHd_vp2uwEhNw07-l8vJyo-WJIhVD-4dR6QxFMCSlqqZpeAtIAFtRajfVTw/s1600/60900704218__D297FF17-6BCC-4B95-9715-24DEFC65B5AC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsgHeioYNIo4xzkDcoxVySJpkAgUeLrCOgAu84ONfpXf0TITiX0SBvi3-gYEA2QAGhQlZWOY6nMKsbwCdLHd_vp2uwEhNw07-l8vJyo-WJIhVD-4dR6QxFMCSlqqZpeAtIAFtRajfVTw/s320/60900704218__D297FF17-6BCC-4B95-9715-24DEFC65B5AC.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I took down all the forts in the kids' rooms (cue huge sigh of relief as I could see the floor again). They weren't too happy about it, but I think the secretly liked having their beds back. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What else to do on a lazy Sunday? Watch a new Outlander episode and have a cat sprawl out on your lap. I swear he isn't really that big - but he sure can stretch out! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXjYsEShYIn3FCXw7P4DVoLf-o1EEn_x9c0fyHl3yN7mbEMNbnvCTs4l_sUnf728Dypsfuw_dj3J64wAtGdOHAg9htYGtFvXa_PZ5NcrhmvjycJCvMm3v_37M8e7s9h5FiWYvPB1RoFM/s1600/IMG_1034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXjYsEShYIn3FCXw7P4DVoLf-o1EEn_x9c0fyHl3yN7mbEMNbnvCTs4l_sUnf728Dypsfuw_dj3J64wAtGdOHAg9htYGtFvXa_PZ5NcrhmvjycJCvMm3v_37M8e7s9h5FiWYvPB1RoFM/s320/IMG_1034.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sigh... I wish tomorrow weren't Monday but it is. And it's going to rain. The garden needs it so I will be happy about it. </span></div>
<br />Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672656314476405317noreply@blogger.com0