tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37540913218021031322024-02-07T15:15:33.627-06:00Time and SeasonUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-67043721365487339922009-01-30T22:33:00.005-06:002009-01-30T22:46:25.041-06:00Family Friday<a href="http://osmoothie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/crying-baby-party-56800676.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 114px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 110px" alt="" src="http://osmoothie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/crying-baby-party-56800676.jpg" border="0" /></a> You know those days when things just don't go right? Those days you just want to crawl back under those covers and sleep for years? Those days that bring you to buckets of tears? Yeah, one of those? Well, I had one today.<br /><br />I fear my family felt it quite well. Although I managed to keep my voice calm and qiuet... didn't yell, didn't show impatience... I burdened them all with my sob story of the vanity of life. I really was a BIG BABY. Ugh! And I'm thirty years old... what's with that?? I never thought I'd actually crave a temper tantrum so fiercely.<br /><br />Despite my bad day and my crocodile tears, I hope that my kids could see that I am real... I get frustrated, sad, and upset just like they do. But I hope more than that, that I was able to reflect at least a teeny tiny shimmer of God's grace to them.<br /><br /><a href="http://osmoothie.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/crying-baby-party-56800676.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-78176462616050751712009-01-28T08:26:00.009-06:002009-01-28T15:44:02.889-06:00What a long, long absense...You know, it's really not a good idea to start a brand new blog right before getting pregnant. There's the little sickness problem in the beginning, then the lack of motivation to do ANYTHING in the end, then the absolute no time to do anything once the baby is born. But I am determined to give this a go again and stick to it.<br /><br /><br />In case you're wondering, E was born November 3rd... on my birthday. He was 9 lbs even, 21 inches long, and one week overdue. I guess I'm destined to give birth to 9 pounders and after my due date. (C was 9 lb 4 oz, 17 days overdue.... D was 9 lbs, 3 days overdue.) He's in great health and getting nice and fat as my babies also tend to do. I think he's kinda cute. But then, I'm a little biased.<br /><br /><br /><center><img title="E" alt="E" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1110/97/24/585042804/s585042804_1648506_6607.jpg" /> </center><br /><br />So, now that E's nearly 3 months old and getting predictable, it's time to get my life back in order. I know today is Wednesday, but I have nothing written up. So, instead I'll just say "hi and welcome back" to myself, since no one is probably reading this anyway. I'm sure all my readers died from lack of stimulation.<br /><br /><br />Oh... and check this out. Mama Bear, over at <a href="http://mamabeargetschatty.blogspot.com/">Mama Bear Gets Chatty</a>, started a <a href="http://mamabeargetschatty.blogspot.com/2008/12/im-looking-for-few-good-women.html">15% Club</a> for women who wish to loose at least 15% of their weight. I thought I'd join since the budget prohibits Curves this year. I feel good that I am only 10 lbs from my prepregnancy weight, but it's obvious that they're not going to fall off on their own like the first 25 did. And then I still have the 25-30 extra pounds I've been carrying around since my first pregnancy. So, here's to loosing at least 15%!! I am currently 155 lbs at 4' 11". My major goal is to get down to 120. 15% would be 131 lbs. If you'd like to check it out, just click on the cute button below.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://mamabeargetschatty.blogspot.com/2008/12/im-looking-for-few-good-women.html"><img title="15% Club" alt="15% Club" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0gliGMSiEtifEywC6edYsPZHZmB0G1jWR6uFcnVZ6XnpYEX-MtvlAqCYfX7AkCB_H4YwQCN_lwcqhx4uG2RmRuHb2pkubGIHTBE3jVXBUV3lKDycXWX7AR5gFf3VuMGRnaf10ZtC6k4y/s320/The15PercentClubButton.jpg" /></a> </center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-51325200191019978212008-04-16T09:19:00.002-05:002008-04-16T14:44:16.433-05:00I'm ba-ack!Well, that was a long 9 weeks of feeling cruddy. I am so tired of physical limitations and am ready to get back to being normal again (well, until I hit about 6 months). So, here's to the next three months! I am glad that they fall over the spring/early summer season, because I absolutely LOVE spring and summer.<br /><br />On to Write it Out Wednesday...<br /><br />The assignment this week actually contains no writing for you, but does require you to ponder what constitutes "good writing".<br /><br /><a href="http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/">Rachelle Gardner</a> hosted a <a href="http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2008/03/yall-ready-for-this.html">contest</a> recently, and I entered both phases. It was a ton of fun! I enjoyed every minute of it. (Check out the <a href="http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-winner-is.html">winner's entry</a>, btw. It's AWESOME!)<br /><br />So, the assignment this week is to give me some feedback on my first page entry. I would love to know how I can improve my writing. The challenge was to use one of the five first lines provided to write the first page of a novel (300 words max). Obviously, the first page should intrigue the reader enough that they would want to read the rest of the story.<br /><br />So, critque away, <em>please</em>! I want to learn.<br /><blockquote>Things were going along just fine until the miracle fouled up everything. The women of the city had loved Rachel and had come to her with every joy, grief, and struggle. Her husband, Simon, had been well known and respected. Nearly every man in Nazareth had, at one time, sought business or personal advice from him. Walking through the city streets had been an enjoyable social outing for both of them. They had been greeted with smiles, nods, and “Shaloms”. Friends had stopped and exchanged small talk and gossip.<br /><br />But that was then. Now, they were the object of gossip. Friends looked the other way when Rachel and Simon came near. There were no more greetings. No more smiles or “Shaloms”. They were shunned, and it was all because of the miracle.<br /><br />Rachel wanted to believe her daughter and future son-in-law. She wanted to believe that the child growing within Mary was truly the Son of God, but things like that just do not happen. Even the miracle of Abraham and Sarah required a moment of intimate human passion. She did not understand how Simon could embrace this “miracle” so easily.<br /><br />Rachel stepped from the stone threshold of their home and onto the dusty street. She clutched the large water vessel closer to herself as if it might somehow protect her from what she was about to face. Lately, her daily trip to the well felt more like walking into a den of lions than a circle of friends. </blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-70200350441503118212008-03-26T08:11:00.002-05:002008-03-26T09:04:19.033-05:00Write it Out WednesdayWell, yesterday went alright. I was not selected for jury, but I found the whole process very interesting. And I think I would love to serve on a jury someday when I'm not pregnant or nursing.<br /><br />In reply to everyone's comments on Little E... I figured some of you probably guessed, especially those who know me in real life. We don't have E names picked out yet. Cherith's name was chosen while I was in labor, and Daryn's name was decided when he was a couple hours old. So, I'm not getting my hopes up that this baby will be named before he/she is born. Thanks for all the congratulations.<br /><br />Well, the assignments from last week were:<br /><br />1) Choose an inanimate object in your house (or better yet, have one of your children or your spouse choose one). Ponder the object for a few minutes, then write a paragraph describing how you reflect this object.<br /><br />OR<br /><br />2) Choose a setting for your story and begin researching it to give you a good grasp of the culture and layout.<br /><br />In the last two years, I have developed a fascination with Israel and the Jews, mostly in how it relates to Christ's being a Jew. So I have chosen to write a story set in Israel during the life of Christ.<br /><br />I have only done some leisurely study on Israel and the traditions and beliefs of OT Jews. I have yet to really buckle down and get some serious research in. The ideal would be a trip to Israel, but since it's hard enough to fit groceries in the budget, I don't think that will happen. I know that there has got to be lots of information out there and I plan to utilize the internet and the library. And I hope to find a Jew that would be willing to expound on Jewish rituals and beliefs.<br /><br />How about you? :~)<br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Brenners&postid=26Mar2008"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-50196461433778037322008-03-24T07:56:00.002-05:002008-03-24T08:17:59.539-05:00Measure Up MondayIn the last four to five weeks, I've gained five pounds, lost an inch on my waist, but gained an inch around my gut. I've slacked on make-up, brushing my hair, and shaving. I don't watch what I eat. I just eat what sounds good. And I have aquired a strange aversion to the computer. Seeing lots of words on a computer screen makes my head spin.<br /><br />The Reason:<br /><script src="http://widgetserver.com/syndication/subscriber/InsertWidget.js?appId=ea5d04ba-ddb3-4b85-a994-729f21a8f171" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/pregnancy-calendar">Pregnancy Countdown Ticker</a> widget and many other great free widgets at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com">Widgetbox</a>!</noscript><img border="0" style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" width="0" src="http://runtime.widgetbox.com/syndication/track/ea5d04ba-ddb3-4b85-a994-729f21a8f171.gif" height="0"/><br /><br />I began feeling sick during our bout of the flu, so I feel like I never recovered and I will have the flu forever. But, only 3 more weeks until I hit the glorious second trimester. YAY! <br /><br />Tomorrow, I have a jury summons. I really don't look forward to sitting around at the courthouse all day with the way that I feel. I'm hoping I won't be selected. I just don't feel up to it. I probably won't post tomorrow since I'll be gone.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-31096028500551243472008-03-20T16:11:00.005-05:002008-03-20T20:31:32.376-05:00Write It Out 2First, last week's assignment...<br /><br /><blockquote>"You're dating John?!" Sara (left) exclaimed. "No way! He and I were engaged<br />once!"<br /><br />"Really?" Clarisse (right) forced a smile. She had heard about Sara and could see<br />why John dumped her. She was such a ditz.<br /><br />Elaine (center) was highly amused. This was SO going on the front page of the<br />college tabloid! Being editor was so much fun.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />And next week's...<br /><br />There are actually two. One for those who just want a quick little exercise and one for those who actually wish to develop a story.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Quick little exercise:</strong><br />Choose an inanimate object in your house (or better yet, have one of your children or your spouse choose one). Ponder the object for a few minutes, then write a paragraph describing how you reflect this object.<br /><br /><br /><strong></strong><strong>Building a story:</strong><br /><br /><em>Choosing a setting:</em><br />Some tend to look at the setting (where and when) as the backdrop of a story, just as they would see the surrounding scenery as a backdrop to a portrait. However, I believe the setting makes the story what it is. It is the foundation. Take for example, Louisa May Alcott's <em>Little Women</em>. Change the setting from Civil War era United States to Modern France and you not only change the backdrop, but you change the whole story. The setting, then, is even more important than the characters, for it is the setting that makes the characters who they are.<br /><br />Choose a setting for your story. Perhaps you already have one in mind or maybe your clueless. If you need a little help, think about a place your familiar with, like where you grew up or where you vacationed. Or how about a place you're intrigued with and would love to learn more about? Study the place you choose. Read up on it. Recall memories. Look at photos. Study maps. Learn the culture. Read up on the history. Get a good all around feel of where your story will be taking place.<br /><br />Once you are well aquainted with the where, decide on the when. Does the history intrigue you enough to present your story in the past? Perhaps modern times is more suiting. What do you imagine this place to be like in the future?<br /><br />Whatever setting you choose, learn it well. There will be readers out there who may live there or know the history of the setting. If you are not well learned on the culture of your setting, it will make for a weak story.<br /><br />Next week, share with us where your story will take place, and why you chose that place. Begin studying and have fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Disclaimer:</strong> I am, by no means, an expert writer, nor do I claim to be. I have taken a few creative writing classes, one lasting a week and another four months several years ago. I had a few writings published in my single years, but these hardly count as they were instructional writing at a grade school reading level. I am simply inviting you to join me in my learning and stretching. And I just find it plain fun.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-68691414177428879342008-03-19T15:16:00.002-05:002008-03-19T15:20:55.359-05:00Write It Out WednesdayThought I'd better get this up for those who have already completed this week's assignment. I'll be back with my assignment and next week's assignment late tonight.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Last week's assignment was to write out the dialouge between these girls and to include their thoughts.<br /><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.girls-without-borders.org/media/image/68_conversation.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><br /><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Brenners&postid=19Mar2008" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-31839703561487136452008-03-17T13:38:00.002-05:002008-03-17T13:44:46.080-05:00Sorry for the Absence<a href="http://d21c.com/DragonsDreams/gar/Sleep.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://d21c.com/DragonsDreams/gar/Sleep.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I know I haven't been blogging everyday. I'm sorry to those few readers that actually keep up. I think I really need a little break, if you all don't mind. I will come back on Wednesday for the Write it Out Wednesday Meme, but other than that, I need to take the week off. Hopefully I'll have an explanation for you next Monday. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-20254174064490478902008-03-14T22:09:00.002-05:002008-03-14T22:21:47.527-05:00The Winner is....Ladies and Gentlewomen.... the winner of the photobook design is Jendi!!! Congratulations, Jendi!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-89223775394060383082008-03-14T17:53:00.000-05:002008-03-14T22:22:17.433-05:00Hi!!! Come on in!<p align="left"><div align="center">(This post will remain on top for the duration of the Blog Party. Be sure to scroll down for regular daily posts.) </div><br /><center><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/2938/ubp-08-instructions/"><img title="Ultimate Blog Party 2008" alt="Ultimate Blog Party 2008" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/buttons/events/ubp-08/5m4m_ubp_400x130.gif" /></a> </center><center></center><center><br /></center><p align="left">I am so excited you stopped by! I've got lots of "horse devours" (because I can't spell the French word for little party snacks) laid out for you this week. I will continue to keep up my normal daily blogging schedule (see "About This Blog" in my sidebar), but I plan to throw in a yummy little extra each day. So make sure you thrust your hand into that bowl and grab a huge handful. </p><p align="left">But before you head off to the food table, sit down and chat with me for a while. I'd like to share a little about myself and hear a little about you. Curl up on the couch. Here. Would you like a cup of hot chocolate (for those that are living where it's still freezing cold out there) or a glass of iced tea (if you're fortunate enough to live where it's warm)? Comfortable? Good.</p><p align="left">First, let me give you a few random facts about myself. You can find lots more on my "<a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/2008/01/about-me.html">About Me</a>" page, along with pictures <a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/2008/02/photos.html">here</a>. And do scroll down to my <a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/2008/03/family-friday-alphabet-family-is-born.html">Family Friday</a> post to read how our little alphabet family started.</p><center><ul><li><div align="left">My name is Brenda. I am a wife and mother of two young children (almost 3 and 1). </div></li><li><div align="left">We live in the spring deferred part of the country. Our furnace is still running and my toes are currently cold. </div></li><li><div align="left">My favorite drink is UNsweetened ice tea... weird, I know. </div></li><li><div align="left">I need to loose about 25 pounds. I enjoy the tools provided by Curves. </div></li><li><div align="left">My favorite type of blogs are those with a theme (organizing, writing, etc.), yet with a real person personality. But, I could get into others too. I just like blogs altogether.</div></li></ul></center><p align="left">Now I'd love to hear about you. Please feel free to leave some random facts in a comment. </p><p align="left">Oh yeah, have you checked out the <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/ubp-2008/">prizes</a> that so many have provided for 5 Minutes to give away? There are a lot of really good ones! I really like...</p><ol><li><div align="left">The <a href="http://www.modmum.com/index.php?sec=shop">ModMum Baby Sling</a> from <a href="http://sassyfrazz.blogspot.com/">Sazzyfrazz</a></div></li><li><div align="left">The $50 Gift Certificate from <a href="http://www.kidsmagicalwonder.com/index.html">Kid's Magical Wonder</a></div></li><li><div align="left">The $40 Gift Certificate from <a href="http://www.goodforthekids.com/store/Default.asp">Good for the Kids</a></div></li><li><div align="left">The <a href="http://www.snuggybugz.com/catalog.php?item=184&catid=19&ret=catalog.php%3Fcategory%3D19">Micro Cozie Security Blanket</a> in chocolate from <a href="http://www.snuggybugz.com/index.php">Snuggy Bugz</a></div></li><li><div align="left">The <a href="http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/search?q=moby">Moby Wrap</a> from <a href="http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/search?q=moby">Dates to Diapers</a></div></li><li><div align="left">The <a href="http://www.mybabycantalk.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=6">Baby Signing Times DVD Set</a> from <a href="http://www.mybabycantalk.com/index.aspx">Baby Can Talk</a></div></li></ol><p align="left">I will also be providing a giveaway for the party too. <a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/2008/02/ultimate-blog-party-giveaway.html">Check it out</a>! For a chance to win this or any of the other prizes at 5 Minutes, you must make a comment on their site... not mine.</p><p align="left">I am also offering a bonus giveaway in my <a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/2008/03/snap-it-or-scrap-it-saturday_08.html">Snap It or Scrap It Saturday</a> post. This one, is seperate from 5 minutes, and you enter by leaving a comment on Saturday's post.</p><p align="left">Grab a free gift offered in my <a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/2008/03/scripture-sunday-with-gift.html">Scripture Sunday</a> post.</p><p align="left">Now to hear a bit about you....</p><div align="left"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-18480030754198301732008-03-13T13:16:00.005-05:002008-03-13T13:33:50.666-05:00Thankful Ten Thursday<p><a href="http://www.betaversion.org/~stefano/papers/gt2003/pictures/bright.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.betaversion.org/~stefano/papers/gt2003/pictures/bright.jpg" border="0" /></a> AH!! What a gorgeous day it is today! Today, I am thankful for...<br /><br /></p><p>1. Bright, warm sunshine</p><p>2. Melting snow</p><p>3. A safe neighborhood to walk in</p><p>4. Children who love the outdoors</p><p>5. A concrete patio for them to play on (the ground is SO soggy and muddy)</p><p>6. Fresh Air</p><p>7. Open windows.</p><p>8. The song of the birds</p><p>9. The fresh smell of impending spring</p><p>10. Spring, spring, spring!!<br /></p><p><br />What are you thankful for?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-79344869578249177632008-03-12T22:02:00.003-05:002008-03-13T13:33:29.977-05:00Chapter Two - An Alphabet Family is Born<a href="http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/742/48330.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/742/48330.JPG" border="0" /></a><em>Chapter Two</em><br /><br />Joy, Sharon, and I sat at the head of the double sized dorm room bed and Aaron at the foot, because, of course, Sharon was bedridden, and we couldn’t exactly sit around a table. As Aaron flipped through his pictures, I became more and more impressed. This guy is really something, I thought. He was actually working for agencies like the U.S Forrest Service, FEMA, and NASA. And getting paid by the government. But the greatest thing I noticed… his humility. He didn’t boast about his position training the U.S. Forrest Service men how to conduct search and rescue. He didn’t get all cocky about his big, fat paycheck from Uncle Sam. He talked about it all as if it were your typical young bachelor job.<br /><br />The entire evening, I found myself gazing at Aaron’s eyelashes. They were long, dark, and curly like I had never seen on a man before. Not girlish, in anyway. They still very much embodied manliness. But they were gorgeous. My! Were they gorgeous! I chided myself several times. Girl, you’ve got to stop staring at this guy’s eyelashes. He’s going to think you’re a forward flirt or something.<br /><br />When Aaron left that night, I knew I wanted to see him more. Talk with him more. Know him more. There was something inside me, deep inside me, that was drawn to him like a magnet. It was something deeper than I had ever felt. I had to get to know him!<br /><br />I certainly had plenty of opportunity to do just that during that summer. Aaron’s roommate, Spencer, had been present at the accident, and had sort of taken on the responsibility of looking in on Sharon and Joy from time to time to make sure they had what they needed. However, he was scheduled to be out on deployment a lot that summer. So Aaron kind of took over. Another single guy on campus, an instructor named Doug, worked in the emergency room in Tyler, Texas where Sharon was taken, and actually attended to her, if I remember correctly. He made it his job to check up on any of Sharon’s medical needs between weekly visits from her therapy nurse and her trips to the doctor’s offices. Between the three of them, we were well taken care.<br /><br />Of course, three girls shut up in a dorm room need more than just light bulbs and small kitchen appliances. They need DVDs, company, and outings on the town (as Sharon’s strength improved). And apparently, Aaron thought we needed a computer, internet, and networking to the guy’s dorm in order to play computer games with them. Add to all this the fact that during the summer months, the campus was pretty much empty. Only the essential staff were there. The staff guys were almost “rule-free”. The staff girls still had a curfew and other rules instated, but since we were not living in the staff grils’ house and were not on staff, we were left “rule-free” too. All this provided more than opportunity to see Aaron, talk to him, and get to know him more. <div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-82276477811022013142008-03-12T20:55:00.003-05:002008-03-13T13:36:27.210-05:00Write It Out Wednesday - Next Week's AssignmentWell, Jendi reminded me that I said nothing about next week's assignment. And C. Lewis directed her readers to my blog to get next week's assignment, so it might be smart to actually post next week's assignment. I am so absent minded today.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok, next week's assignment. Look at this picture. Notice facial expression and body language. Look at the surroundings. Based on your observations of who these girls are, write a dialogue of their conversation and include what they're thinking.<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.girls-without-borders.org/media/image/68_conversation.jpg" border="0" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-13462702669566992792008-03-12T13:39:00.003-05:002008-11-12T23:43:21.884-06:00Write It Out Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmRccu3_Qm8rwyH3qG3fHFHx2XYKe-9ecZPHqHlwJyWCV16YDJTNa4GXjcf1V_iBLh-TOIsI4q0a_2jxCkGx580WZpxWr6G3rHztBH1QIaUd2CqHVpGmx7BeB01MzD4o_uW7VeTAPoJSf/s1600-h/writeitout.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176932508723150882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmRccu3_Qm8rwyH3qG3fHFHx2XYKe-9ecZPHqHlwJyWCV16YDJTNa4GXjcf1V_iBLh-TOIsI4q0a_2jxCkGx580WZpxWr6G3rHztBH1QIaUd2CqHVpGmx7BeB01MzD4o_uW7VeTAPoJSf/s200/writeitout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Last week's assignment was to describe your favorite place using your five senses. It should be five paragraphs long. Each paragraph dedicated to one sense, with the sense of sight last.<br /><br />Sounds like a wonderful assignment. Did anyone do it? I didn't. Ha Ha Ha!! I'm going to go ahead and put up Mr. Linky, in case anyone did, and wants to link to it, but I have nothing to post. I know that's horrible. What "meme leader" would do that?? Well, me. The one who has had almost 0 meme followers (except last week). So, is it allowed?<br /><br />If I get a chance tonight, I am going to work on the second chapter of the Alphabet Family, and I'll post that instead.<br /><br />Love to you all! I'm going to take a nap while I can!!<br /><br /><br /><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Brenners&postid=12Mar2008" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-80802397563181413972008-03-11T08:39:00.002-05:002008-03-11T08:45:24.867-05:00Tackle It Tuesday or the lack thereofWell, I know this is a daily discipline blog and I know this is the week of the party and I promised fun stuff. But the fact of life is that I feel nasty, my house is a mess, and my kids still aren't dressed for the day. My goal for today is simply to survive and I'm ok with that. After all, if this blog overruns my life, it defeats it's purpose. So see ya tommorrow, and if you have a tackle for today, be sure to post your link at <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/3073/tt-cutting-jacksons-hair/">5 Minutes for Mom</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-90337734437933625822008-03-10T08:02:00.002-05:002008-03-10T08:15:46.279-05:00Measure Up MondayI've been eating a lot of convience foods lately... you know the boxed processed foods. Not exactly the healthiest or weight loss condusive. I'm also finding that my protien need is increasing. I need to figure out how to adjust my food intake to account for that.<br /><br />Speaking of keeping track of not just calories, but nutrition content too, I have found a great <a href="http://sparkpeople.com/">tool</a>. Sparkpeople is a sight where you can track all sorts of goals. As you enter the food you ate for the day, it tallies up the calories, carbs, protien, fat, and other nutritients you'd like to track. It does take a little work to look up the food and enter it, but I have found that I do not do good with my diet if I don't track what I eat. And this tool makes it easier for me.<br /><br />What tools have you found to help you in your weight loss goals?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-42357981422211736852008-03-08T22:13:00.009-06:002008-11-12T23:43:22.056-06:00Scripture Sunday - With a GiftThis Sunday, in honor of the party, I'd like to give you the gift of a small Scripture Card. Right click and choose Save Picture As. Print, if you like.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175593847964092626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMh3dDgyqOD1onRcAENYBPO2mnFp-IT9-4vA9L6tKQ10YK6SiDOrYfmbH37dM4-oidd0te2pIe-O7JIrVnCzYC9GGgQd4wH65E8WkvNOg5ztE0pM32NhnGZqWeqnZ4408HtLMcSzWICoY/s320/ScriptureCard+copy.jpg" border="0" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-53047949466255428142008-03-08T14:49:00.015-06:002008-11-12T23:43:24.189-06:00Snap It or Scrap It Saturday - GiveawayI thought I would post all the pages of D's 1st year Baby book. These are just the first page for each month. The page to the right of each of these will have all the fun information about his size and developments. I plan to print the book through Photoworks. I have a gift certificate and am dying to use it. You may notice that I still haven't gotten his 1 year old page done. That's because I still haven't taken his picture yet. I want to set up the white sheet in the kitchen with the late morning light that comes in the window and get some real pictures. I would LOVE to take them outside, because I love the natural settings and the wonderful light, especially since our camera doesn't do well indoors. But there's still 4-6 inches of snow out there!!! UGH!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y_9f6z2y2c7XKrqWh5U_-577IbB9hTCCphDJl4fgu8qbQz22RncjQLvaf4wyc2BH9R-YKHo-bO5BUgPxoncDryrUcPZ_rikdK7qOyrjRKz_4Swc_4nxwDA-TwpV8BBoziQiWYUmZrygi/s1600-h/firstpic+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175484614060853394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y_9f6z2y2c7XKrqWh5U_-577IbB9hTCCphDJl4fgu8qbQz22RncjQLvaf4wyc2BH9R-YKHo-bO5BUgPxoncDryrUcPZ_rikdK7qOyrjRKz_4Swc_4nxwDA-TwpV8BBoziQiWYUmZrygi/s320/firstpic+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsuShhKKgcaDADRTzwM_IZ5I7bvHy-pf1MoLumTVj0aMN1qHbNjlg_NHBTJGmC07x-K153hB5MHHjaCGAVLIpx4f3TcPlJ7HunG-aQO9aCNPyU0RqRp1MGbhMn3ENDq37s802m2jJpWej/s1600-h/1mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175483798017067138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsuShhKKgcaDADRTzwM_IZ5I7bvHy-pf1MoLumTVj0aMN1qHbNjlg_NHBTJGmC07x-K153hB5MHHjaCGAVLIpx4f3TcPlJ7HunG-aQO9aCNPyU0RqRp1MGbhMn3ENDq37s802m2jJpWej/s320/1mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXPWbuZiu0H02LmsNPnaQhZNw8rNOffGrrllGEPGKgp4kjc45OQbcNqcIV56m_NwYGDyYb17SLeaRFqOJQY2TmcLF7u0pPoxsTgkBft5U6hXEVYgIG6VZbMeqf1nkK1pS2wRxS7iGsHJ2/s1600-h/2mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175483518844192882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXPWbuZiu0H02LmsNPnaQhZNw8rNOffGrrllGEPGKgp4kjc45OQbcNqcIV56m_NwYGDyYb17SLeaRFqOJQY2TmcLF7u0pPoxsTgkBft5U6hXEVYgIG6VZbMeqf1nkK1pS2wRxS7iGsHJ2/s320/2mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQgsNq5UZVunz9_jwlxwoLmDrAL3KhwBRkN61H09YTgaAtAjtaHILYnWw9AyHMntuR_pKPpl_WHlnc7VkKLHiruYMuN4tqIUJWf76DuIfNmziua_JBEz_eG7ed6ZzlR5y8QWy-U9cIfbR/s1600-h/3+mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175483020627986530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQgsNq5UZVunz9_jwlxwoLmDrAL3KhwBRkN61H09YTgaAtAjtaHILYnWw9AyHMntuR_pKPpl_WHlnc7VkKLHiruYMuN4tqIUJWf76DuIfNmziua_JBEz_eG7ed6ZzlR5y8QWy-U9cIfbR/s320/3+mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgnoeNIZvH_t72jq5OG-ZF968dNSQO5pVc39ksAHw3tE6al65ZrDttassLhrjPuaGayY76VvsmXB5eJyE-JkmUkh9t71-3zxXpA4zhABWZunqPDZcBbx3wsLRaGGBT50Vb9vUAp3MFgU2/s1600-h/4mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175482161634527314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgnoeNIZvH_t72jq5OG-ZF968dNSQO5pVc39ksAHw3tE6al65ZrDttassLhrjPuaGayY76VvsmXB5eJyE-JkmUkh9t71-3zxXpA4zhABWZunqPDZcBbx3wsLRaGGBT50Vb9vUAp3MFgU2/s320/4mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxRQe3Hb9DKsKDvsK5FNa5VP7Sk7D267w3jLYo0WfvND3OquzOGPnbp-R-lgE8XOTtprEXx5YeLyYK9czZ2nWHGovnHKCUIGL_d5K_wvr6Aw6dlk_ZdAjhqoq_TI9bmhOHD1zaRrnGM4v/s1600-h/5+mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175481066417866818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxRQe3Hb9DKsKDvsK5FNa5VP7Sk7D267w3jLYo0WfvND3OquzOGPnbp-R-lgE8XOTtprEXx5YeLyYK9czZ2nWHGovnHKCUIGL_d5K_wvr6Aw6dlk_ZdAjhqoq_TI9bmhOHD1zaRrnGM4v/s320/5+mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_nWeRC1VkU_axxiUxU_0pQcJrvu_68pHX-agXhOqWZogf_nRtyMcZ-4zKHvY6rpZLuurIBnZdpNiEGszMjRVR855p6mIBUwkoN9A4oV8LtJuuDlsWenUsDpsmaKglrOEc1L0UFAU2wKF/s1600-h/6mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175480800129894450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_nWeRC1VkU_axxiUxU_0pQcJrvu_68pHX-agXhOqWZogf_nRtyMcZ-4zKHvY6rpZLuurIBnZdpNiEGszMjRVR855p6mIBUwkoN9A4oV8LtJuuDlsWenUsDpsmaKglrOEc1L0UFAU2wKF/s320/6mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOir9pQG0XZl2sYgREYWc-jKt_xp8nbnyl7YBxzhGd4YglTGOtZhmPdRNBjSk-5RRLFCCXSaadPUk5no7TPIyEMFYyJq5pdVbu1hL0H06Jc-bqMadMAOEWhSwfrf_eIWTyaIc9onKcygej/s1600-h/7mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175480641216104482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOir9pQG0XZl2sYgREYWc-jKt_xp8nbnyl7YBxzhGd4YglTGOtZhmPdRNBjSk-5RRLFCCXSaadPUk5no7TPIyEMFYyJq5pdVbu1hL0H06Jc-bqMadMAOEWhSwfrf_eIWTyaIc9onKcygej/s320/7mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedr1HucuIZm34_OoEx8EQHVfjj4n4MI5lg_ViK9P-pVP86t6cvtWauLFM7dFNoqKrl5gdBjZ8gqnBJY7Yh_zDeyv2NphwAdORuZh7vVGZyNPjB1pd-fIPmPR594M-1v_Jk2NkdzBvOhJe/s1600-h/8+mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175479498754803730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedr1HucuIZm34_OoEx8EQHVfjj4n4MI5lg_ViK9P-pVP86t6cvtWauLFM7dFNoqKrl5gdBjZ8gqnBJY7Yh_zDeyv2NphwAdORuZh7vVGZyNPjB1pd-fIPmPR594M-1v_Jk2NkdzBvOhJe/s320/8+mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zKY2xFWHnUqJi_rIxwdYWHwn9FTD9zNks699ICZ0moaX8ayc-MM8kUEWnZcy10bTdF8B88eVvdVzknNpKgd6rcejsfiDzUPMs9BXaE1yyluxlfOCRC9Nl3z5HwETenMKb14VYRSObIi7/s1600-h/9+mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175479292596373506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zKY2xFWHnUqJi_rIxwdYWHwn9FTD9zNks699ICZ0moaX8ayc-MM8kUEWnZcy10bTdF8B88eVvdVzknNpKgd6rcejsfiDzUPMs9BXaE1yyluxlfOCRC9Nl3z5HwETenMKb14VYRSObIi7/s320/9+mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9wnTOWHNFPUUqp8xS3oCUn6nNrq-py5P2kU4emH_y3srdlrB__FDiyiW032NyyGVKd_yyPL19W2CB-c__Wc8cvn9Jq8qOaAVT_dDv6DNu_rUIWKrLyKDXu1dImOLoRn9y_TMJmuHVgzv/s1600-h/10mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175478807265069042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9wnTOWHNFPUUqp8xS3oCUn6nNrq-py5P2kU4emH_y3srdlrB__FDiyiW032NyyGVKd_yyPL19W2CB-c__Wc8cvn9Jq8qOaAVT_dDv6DNu_rUIWKrLyKDXu1dImOLoRn9y_TMJmuHVgzv/s320/10mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3uELfVcQ1EAVcsvZ_tOGhAObp0quYryRQF8oDOvJS1l8Pl2P3WlLOWGegdhwWoLyg82OuzBJQH4IgCJu1H_s27rcyAZ5FmGPjaFfi0p0NLY6-laSdDB9gQAO8ayHBAZqmDuyswmN5p49/s1600-h/11mo+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175477630444029906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3uELfVcQ1EAVcsvZ_tOGhAObp0quYryRQF8oDOvJS1l8Pl2P3WlLOWGegdhwWoLyg82OuzBJQH4IgCJu1H_s27rcyAZ5FmGPjaFfi0p0NLY6-laSdDB9gQAO8ayHBAZqmDuyswmN5p49/s320/11mo+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Today's yummy extra horse devour is.... a GIVEAWAY!!! If you would like a photo book designed for your baby's first year or for any other occasion, leave a comment telling me what the occasion would be. Make sure there is a way for me to contact you. If you do not have your email address on you Blogger profile, please leave your email address in your comment. Unfortunately, this giveaway is only for the design and not for the book printing. Perhaps next year, I can afford to offer that as well. <span style="color:#ff6666;">Giveaway closed.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-62032767788648722832008-03-07T01:12:00.005-06:002008-03-13T13:35:02.608-05:00Family Friday - An Alphabet Family is Born<a href="http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/742/48330.JPG"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/742/48330.JPG" border="0" /></a>I've got a yummy extra for you today, in honor of the big blog party. Usually, for my <a href="http://timeandseason.blogspot.com/search/label/Family%20Friday">Family Friday</a> posts, I write about my current joys and struggles of living the family life. This Friday, I thought I'd give you the first chapter of my very own love story and how the Alphabet Family* all started.<br /><br />But first, I wanted to share something with you that has encouraged my heart, made me laugh, and made my cry. (This is mostly directed at stay at home moms, though it is not dissing working mothers, by any means.) Sometimes, being "just a mom" is hard. People look down on us and think of us as couch potatoes in sweat pants. But the fact is, we're not. Well, we might be in our sweat pants, but that's because we haven't had a chance to get dressed yet. Since the moment our child(ren) demands we leave our bed, we never stop encountering the demands of motherhood. And a lot of times, the demands do not stop when our head hits our pillow. As my friend recently said, "To be honest I can’t think of a single mom that I know that hasn’t struggled with the challenges and struggles of motherhood. Too bad we don’t like to open ourselves up more to share those struggles, huh?"<br /><br />It has been a rough two weeks as I have struggled with the realization that motherhood is 24/7 for the rest of my children's lives. That others can help with "things", but no one else in this world can take over mothering for me. I will never get a break from being a mother. Ever. It's so overwhelming and sometimes I feel like I can't even be me. Instead I'm just a poop wiping, food making machine.<br /><br />So, when I heard these Focus on the Family radio episodes (<a href="http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/archives.asp?bcd=2008-3-4">here</a> and <a href="http://www.oneplace.com/Ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/Archives.asp?bcd=2008-3-5">here</a>), I laughed, I cried, and I was encouraged. When you get a chance (I know you're busy this week <strike>neglecting your kids</strike> partying), listen to them. It will do you good. I promise.<br /><br />Ok, on to Chapter One of <em>An Alphabet Family is Born</em>.<br /><div><blockquote><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>An Alphabet Family is Born<br /><em>Chapter One</em></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Interesting enough, it did not start with A. It started with an S, but I’m jumping ahead of myself.<br /><br />In April of 2004, my brother was being promoted from basic training at <a href="http://www.alertacademy.com/">ALERT</a> (Air Land Emergency Resource Team), and our family had traveled down to Texas to get in on the ceremony. I was very excited. My best friend, Sharon, was going to be on campus. She and several other older single girls were going to be leaders at the first ever “girls’ boot camp” (<a href="http://www.alertacademy.com/step/">STEP</a>). I was happy for my brother, but I was mostly concerned with meeting up with my friend. I hadn’t seen her for over a year. We wrote hand written letters and emailed back and forth during that year, but to be able to see her face to face was a treasure I valued highly. We didn’t have a lot of overlapping time to really talk… the deep kind of talks that we loved to have… but we did get to visit a little.<br /><br />The morning my family was to leave Texas and head home, I asked Sharon what she was going to be doing that day to prepare for STEP, since the next day the girls would be arriving. There was excitement in her voice as she answered, “We're going repelling! To just give it a go before we have to teach the girls.” I don’t remember what I said. Probably something along the lines of “have fun”.<br /><br />We had just reached Oklahoma City, about 4 hours from the ALERT campus, when Mom’s cell phone rang. I don’t remember who it was, but they said that Sharon had fallen 60 feet while repelling. She was in the hospital and was asking for me.<br /><br />That sinking, gotta throw up feeling that settles in the pit of your stomach when you’ve just heard bad news hit me in a split second and stuck with me all the way back down to Texas and to the hospital. There were so many thoughts going through my head. Would she live? Will she be paralyzed? I should have told her how much I really appreciated her friendship. And on and on the thoughts went.<br /><br />After waiting for a while in the waiting room with the ALERT directors, Sharon’s sister, Joy, and another mutual friend arrived. Had it been under different circumstances, I would have been ecstatic. We waited, we cried. Finally, we were able to go in and see her. It was hard to see her in such pain. So much pain that she didn’t even realize I was there.<br /><br />There was nothing more I could do. With many injuries to her spine and two crushed heels, she would be in the hospital for a long time. So, reluctantly I returned home.<br /><br />About a month and a half later, Sharon’s mother called asking if I could come down to Texas to assist Joy in taking care of Sharon. She was now out of the hospital and on campus, bedridden in one of the dorms. Her mother wanted to stay with her, but it was hard on the family of youngsters and being away from her husband. She needed to go back home to Indiana. Joy was to remain to care for Sharon, but it was too much for one person. So, the beginning of June found me back in Texas dorming with two great friends. I won’t go into all the struggles and sad times, to protect Sharon’s privacy, but it was not all fun and games amongst three giggly girls.<br /><br />Just a few days after arriving, Joy informed Sharon and I that one of the guys who had helped with the Space Shuttle Columbia search and recovery wanted to come over that evening and show us his pictures from the recovery. I guess he wanted to provide us with a bit of entertainment.<br /><br />“Hi. I’m Aaron,” he said as he walked into our dorm room. “You must be Brenda.”<br /><br />I think I answered, but I don’t remember. I was too busy thinking about his gorgeous eyelashes.<br /></div></blockquote><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><br />*My husband's name starts with an A and mine with a B. We are continueing the alphabet with each of our children, 1st born C and second born D. No, we do not plan to go all the way to Z. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-73090608070723140812008-03-06T10:39:00.003-06:002008-03-06T13:49:10.806-06:00Thankful Ten Thursday<a href="http://www.madonnahouse.org/features/surprenant/Surprenant-From_Gardens_Bounty.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.madonnahouse.org/features/surprenant/Surprenant-From_Gardens_Bounty.jpg" border="0" /></a>Can you believe it? I've been working so hard at preparing my <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/2938/ubp-08-instructions/">Ultimate Blog Party</a> post for tomorrow that I completely forgot about today's post.<br /><br />Today, I am thankful for God's provision for our family. Without His fresh mercies every morning, we would easily be on the streets begging for food and trying to stay warm. Thank you, God for...<br /><br />1. A's job and current income.<br />2. Your help in our money saving and management endeavors.<br />3. Healthy food to feed our bodies.<br />4. Nice clothing to keep us warm.<br />5. A home.<br />6. Heat.<br />7. Luxuries<br />8. A vehicle.<br />9. Family.<br />10. Friends.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-36281072075698910562008-03-04T21:09:00.004-06:002008-11-12T23:43:24.412-06:00Write It Out Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyrND1DQxvHy31_2CrwMCW8p72TvCmol5I4zoejxd-VstU1ndz1yqURj8pwWtyuYAZwATtq8FcF0Zp368RZCaX6LGtISkHrqKt7fnbUBTs8E0Cm8aOpZVCZp-lZW_jKnBPqiPYvf1UiTi/s1600-h/writeitout.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174098096842351538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyrND1DQxvHy31_2CrwMCW8p72TvCmol5I4zoejxd-VstU1ndz1yqURj8pwWtyuYAZwATtq8FcF0Zp368RZCaX6LGtISkHrqKt7fnbUBTs8E0Cm8aOpZVCZp-lZW_jKnBPqiPYvf1UiTi/s320/writeitout.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am super excited about last week's challenge. I chose "B" - mother of three, future, on top a skyscraper. And yes, I did choose my letter before I let EXCEL mix it all up, so I didn't know what I would get. To be honest, I really didn't like my combination. I found it rather hard to think outside the past/present time period box. I can draw on history. I can draw on current events. But I cannot draw on future events. It all had to come out of my head.<br /><br />Let me preface my story be saying, I'm not real big on the whole global warming issue. After all, it's March and it's still freezing over here!!! But, because I'm not into futuristic robots and spaceships, I chose to change the weather.<br /><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><br /><p>Some Sort of Clever Title<br /><br />Erlise looked out over the city. She could see a long way from her favorite perch on top her high rise apartment building. All around her, high concrete buildings rose from the ground. Some, like her apartment building, were topped with a special glass dome with beautiful lawns, parks, or playgrounds snuggly protected underneath.<br /><br />Things had sure changed since she was a girl. She looked down to the street below. She used to walk with her mother along that very street to the little ice cream shop on the corner. The ice cream shop that no longer existed. She sighed as her daughter’s voice brought her back to the present. “What is it, Shalyn?”<br /><br />“Mommy! Danny won’t slide down. He just sits there, and doesn’t let anyone else have a turn.” Erlise drew her eyes away from the scene outside the dome and turned toward the playground. Sure enough. There was 3 year old Danny at the top of the slide and a whole line of children standing on the ladder. He must have gotten too scared to slide again.<br /><br />“Come on, Danny,” Erlise assured her son as she walked toward the slide. “I’ll stand at the bottom and catch you.” But Danny would not budge. He shook his head vigorously.<br /><br />“Make him go, Mommy!” shouted Shalyn, and without waiting for a response, shoved Danny down the slide. </p><br /><p>Danny screamed all the way down to his mother’s arms. She scooped him up quickly to avoid a doggy pile as all the other children began to slide down in a fury.<br /><br />“Are you ok, Danny?” Erlise asked.<br /><br />“Yes, Mommy.” Danny’s scared expression turned into a full grin. “That was fun! I want to do it again.”<br /><br />Jake, Erlise’s oldest son, reached the bottom of the slide just in time to hear Danny’s request. “No, Mom! Don’t let him. He always gets stuck up there. He’s such a baby.”<br /><br />Danny scowled. “No, I’m not!”<br /><br />“Well, technically, you are,” Shalyn explained, trying to help. “Jake is 8. I am 5. And<br />you’re just 3. So you see, you are a baby.” </p><br /><p>Danny didn’t appreciate his sister’s knowledgeable explanation at all. “I am not a baby!!” He turned to his mother for help. “Tell them, Mommy! Tell them I’m not a<br />baby.”<br /><br />Erlise smiled, ignoring the situation on hand. “Come on, kids. Let’s go sit on the bench at the edge of the dome and see what’s out in the big world today.”<br /><br />Jake frowned. “Nothing more than yesterday, of course. Nothing ever changes out there, Mom.”<br /><br />“Will you tell us about it all again, Mommy?” Shalyn put her hands together, looked up at her mother and pleaded, “Please!!!”<br /><br />“Story. Story. Story.” Danny chanted as he danced in circles around his mother.<br /><br />“Ok,” Erlise agreed. “Everyone to the bench!” The kids did not need any more of an invitation. They were off like lightening to obey their mother’s order.<br /><br />“Look down there at the street,” Erlise began. “Tell me what you see.”<br /><br />“Nothing,” Jake mumbled.<br /><br />“The street.” Leave it to Danny to state the obvious.<br /><br />“You haven’t told us what to see yet, Mommy.” And leave it to Shalyn to state the deep and profound.<br /><br />“You see how the street has lots of cracks and bumps? Those have been caused by the hot sun over the years. When I was a girl, the streets were smooth and packed with cars. Horns honked. Drivers shouted. Everyone was in a hurry to get home after work. There were so many cars, that it was actually faster to walk and take the subway. So the sidewalk was packed with people too, all walking to the subway station.”<br /><br />“That’s the tunnels now. Right, Mommy” Shalyn interrupted.<br /><br />“Yes. The subway used to go through the tunnels taking people to where they needed to go. We still use them to get to places, but we walk or ride the scooters. There are too many people down there now to use the subway trains.”<br /><br />“That’s why they took them apart and made them into little stores to buy food and stuff while we walk through the tunnels.” Shalyn interrupted again.<br /><br />“Yes, Little Smarty Pants. They did.” Erlise smiled.<br /><br />Danny looked earnestly at his mother. “Why can’t we go outside, Mommy?”<br /><br />He asked this question everyday, and everyday Erlise tried to answer in a way he could understand. She cupped Danny’s chin in her hand and smiled broadly. “When I was 10, just a little older than Jake, my daddy came home from work and said that things were going to change. He took my mommy’s hand and said, ‘Sweetheart, it’s just not going to get any cooler. It’s just going to get hotter and hotter.’ My daddy was a weatherman and he had been worrying for several months that winter just wasn’t coming. It just wasn’t getting cold like it normally did.<br /><br />“My daddy had lots of meetings with the mayor of the city and a lot of other important men. They finally decided to knock down all the short buildings in the city and build more big buildings like ours. They sealed up all the entrances to the subway station and opened up new ones in each of the tall buildings. They put these special glass domes on top of a lot of the buildings, so we can still grow grass, trees, and gardens.<br /><br />“And just like my daddy said, it kept getting hotter and hotter. By the time I was 13, the sun had killed all the grass, flowers, and trees outside. It was so hot, we couldn’t go outside during the day or we would get very burned. We could only go out at<br />night.<br /><br />“That’s why we can’t go outside now, Danny. The sun is too hot. You would get burned. This glass dome,” Erlise said, tapping it with her finger, “lets in the light, but not the harmful sun rays that would burn us. Now, we can grow green grass, yummy fruits and veggies, and pretty flowers inside our domes. And we go can go from building to building by walking through the underground tunnels. We can still live without having to go outside where it’s so hot.”<br /><br />Jake looked thoughfully out the dome. He studied the now deteriorated scene below him. “Mom?”<br /><br />“Yes, Jake?”<br /><br />“Will it ever get cold again?”<br /><br />“I don’t know, Son. I don’t know.”<br /></p></blockquote><br /><br />Next week's assignment (once again, inspired by <a href="http://www.blairhurley.com/">Creative Writing Corner's </a>e-book) is to pick one of your favorite places... a vacation spot, a room in your house, or wherever else you like to be. Describe this place in five paragraphs using all five sense. The first paragraph should describe your spot with only your sense of smell. The second with your sense of sound. And so on, saving the sense of sight for last. This will help train your mind to begin thinking through your other senses, rather than always depending on your sight.<br /><br />Want to share your story with us? Sign Mr Linky and leave the link to your story post.<br /><br />Want to name my story? Leave a comment. (I'm not very good at titles, apparently.)<br /><br /><br /><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Brenners&postid=04Mar2008" type="text/javascript"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-72687294788946403222008-03-04T07:44:00.009-06:002008-11-12T23:43:25.855-06:00Tackle it Tuesday - UPDATED<center><a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/blogging/meme/tackle-it-tuesday/" target="_blank"><img title="Tackle It Tuesday Meme" alt="Tackle It Tuesday Meme" src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k210/5m4m/tackle.gif" /></a></center><p align="left">Today, after I eat breakfast and put D down for his morning nap, I am going to tackle this closet. It is located in the dining room. (I don't know why. I didn't build it in.) It has a mix of job. It stores toys (the kind that the kids are supposed to pick up before getting more out - blocks, Little People, etc), stores arts and crafts, stores sewing stuff, stores small kitchen appliances, and houses my pantry. But right now, it doesn't look like it does much of any of that.</p><br /><center>Here is the toy section - on the floor and bottom shelf. Where are the toys? They're all over the living room floor. So much for the "put it away before you get more" rule.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173884858950223922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBoQQmUmkZfKAsJPwpNDRoiJqjlqvU03ymT7rg0RHYskBm2ud4ZVLNB8OhYUVtvVtDR5I3RF3ZDALd9hS8c813ASEAcNoSNUsLGeXzvmCAoiIci6dxAIH0zZ8dZ9aN3EoHLJCh3d7-0oq/s320/IMG_8943.jpg" border="0" /><br />The arts and crafts and sewing shelves. Can you tell? I have no idea what all is on that top shelf.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173888647111379042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJTsWbM4aLiHufS4lroSfGPboUIaGHcs_5JpmPseHY1SUfg_Nb_kCZDFeSs81C7UUq7Tfw4gadHaQyZXjbnWVtzC1MSac6gVU4JXAF25VgJBhfV2OFSqXKq8gl327ZYKu12SKhxqWlDkI/s320/IMG_8944.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">The two shallow shelves that go around the whole closet.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173887032203675730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBz2HnXHVOqf1koZaa_NL7GtgPqqykAKq4aGv-HDmSyL_xleFBQlr3EWfji06B1Yw1Uqiyh9-GTsKtAHDMtWuMI88sS9eA1Uhb93Qcw09dmVyh09pf9atRDx3CNq-wUJzAddmEUrEyYp1O/s320/IMG_8945.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center">The appliance and pantry side.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173889325716211826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_gXp_40YBYo_n2MeZIOBDWzpuOVWE2_Blf9ttNMlhvcBCmLE0Vkc5HSTLNUfP3kBoyAncm7CBphnR3of5daa91hdS636J-KLS083yo_kIcSPwYVx95rLNk8qFfy260rdTPblnDuEdevM/s320/IMG_8947.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173889338601113730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Js6NJ4t_AWuuFvaJSH7hS3P3zqjI3sKvaHVrKgqs7UqnUyZUNg7qReciI3vXl641y6c4lM1w9NroyzV2BwqS8LgfCzLvSHVEpW17DVW4I4Ghbq-WdhvFLYOwH-0XAHpPGEHsEkK-8NeC/s320/IMG_8946.jpg" border="0" /></center><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">D's Tackle It project for the day... (Why is there a diaper on the floor? I don't know. Ask D.)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173891447430056082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FZM6lpVcK5TBvNBoE9PNI5yvgy2iLKbOGMNltutz30YheU6BeOxpriiSduSeTND17_i35H_trRLpr_sN-Vn7CL7Ofrag4BLrIjjDHahZg5mdqXYiiWRjEcZuxh9wBKQTIjQYCa4_dpZe/s320/IMG_8869.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left">5 hours, 2 helpers, and 100,000 interruptions later...</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173985173562205042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAGhU2HVvRIWF3hu2bmYIViz7RMStZ3ILCO_bSGviZ6R-Eq7Q7H47e-Bi5Llo-B_3c1hVzqgmhK0Pp00s9erpuKC2j48rarc2Rj5kK5vwGTU_iGkk0bHpaYy8gZEt4TcAk8TGvlRPHkNE/s320/IMG_8980.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173985186447106946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckWwJ75bAIxcJSgrPV3bl3kXE8uDc-1OfZulMuNLTo-wVD-DD6rqB2_W32IoWd5JBiCo87Nu4LAriSPXsnQe-ey98aCgxSp48zJp9YlQoA5RF5XAcrnDN_7yBwfIKRT5v4w5StpVHa9X2/s320/IMG_8978.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173985371130700690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWnvYNNaqeWYVMHNqyfkQrxZ-cCyka4eynW4bEwTMsPL0N12Xpmr3ogP-mXtHtSPg_usIf_NOvGyjFsgwJ3ri9ozr71ccMAoCeVyWF41s8GUbmVd5XRj4Md7z14FXQJm5MiuFfk82eO66/s320/IMG_8981.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173985379720635298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8vvgMoI12it65CqXGGeT1pm7YGgwP5snpO_DdFSU6rhVy7UMqaemksmGrWynmLi2Jgoykq71B4DbdIzZknHlcXAQ0wUu2rwkPrsHJv4VWCrEim-y3buN1J4g_0J95cKKT4mwtpYPmas8/s320/IMG_8982.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="left"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-404608106209166582008-03-03T07:29:00.003-06:002008-03-03T07:59:43.501-06:00Measure Up MondayI have a horrible style problem. It's called "grew-up super conservative and now don't have a clue". On a normal day, I wear jeans. I wear a basic t-shirt with them, because I don't know what else to wear.<br /><br /><p><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/507/507583/category/on507583-02viv01.jpg" border="0" />But, it' getting boring. A new season is coming up soon and last year's short sleeve t's are looking pretty worn. Rather than just replacing the same old basic t with more of the same old basic t, I thought I would try other tops. </p><p>The thing is, I don't have a clue what I'm doing. I am short - 4' 11 1/2" - AND short waisted AND I have a blobby gut... a pooch... a hanging bag of fat... you know, one of those. This makes it hard to wear button down shirts, since the size that will fit nicely across the shoulders and bust cannot be buttoned across the lower belly. It also makes things interesting with those cute empire waist shirts. I automaticly look pregnant.</p><p>I did some looking around online and found these cute tops. Problem is, I don't know if they would make me look pregnant. What do you think?</p><a href="http://www.gap.com/Asset_Archive/GPWeb/Assets/Product/499/499016/main/gp499016-03p01v01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.gap.com/Asset_Archive/GPWeb/Assets/Product/499/499016/main/gp499016-03p01v01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.gap.com/Asset_Archive/GPWeb/Assets/Product/499/499016/main/gp499016-00p01v01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.gap.com/Asset_Archive/GPWeb/Assets/Product/499/499016/main/gp499016-00p01v01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/567/567983/category/on567983-00viv01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/567/567983/category/on567983-00viv01.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/565/565267/category/on565267-00viv01.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/565/565267/category/on565267-00viv01.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br />On to weight loss goals, I haven't made much progress this week. I still just don't have an appetite back after being sick. So I haven't been eating much of anything, which has drasticly slowed down my metabolism.<br /><br />How are you doing with your physical goals?<br /><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Brenners&postid=03Mar2008" type="text/javascript"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-18558601555007132222008-03-02T16:07:00.001-06:002008-03-02T16:20:08.779-06:00Scripture Sunday<div align="center">But let <em>all</em> who take refuge in you <strong>rejoice</strong>. </div><div align="center">Let them <strong>sing</strong> with <strong>joy</strong> forever. </div><div align="center"><em>Protect them</em>, </div><div align="center">and let those who <strong>love</strong> your name<strong> triumph</strong> in you. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3754091321802103132.post-9158447159016504502008-03-01T10:47:00.024-06:002008-11-12T23:43:27.521-06:00Snap It or Scrap It SaturdayOne of the things I love about Photoshop is being able to edit photos. I can take a so-so picture and make it really pop and look way beyond my ability just by adjusting the contrast with the Curves tool and by adjusting the color hues with the Selective Color tool. I decided to go through and find some of my favorite photos and give them a bit of a pop. I hope the color and contrast looks good on here. I edited them in CYMK (printer's colors) mode, because I generally want them to look good printed. So, if they're not looking good here, I might need to go back and edit them in RGB (screen color display) so you can see the difference.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx7BJq_QNDCiVSVqlUmEt6hlCdW0Ie40Z4Vfo1VPcomSZMurmNsTkGsNuO7UIJHEEQDV2SErEuw0ca4hxcca2a5bNDRyK3qRHi9uMtE6tBiwcFW8i6pLgAj-O_I08YkFE-kjY1JSH_mSk/s1600-h/C2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172873116771470578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx7BJq_QNDCiVSVqlUmEt6hlCdW0Ie40Z4Vfo1VPcomSZMurmNsTkGsNuO7UIJHEEQDV2SErEuw0ca4hxcca2a5bNDRyK3qRHi9uMtE6tBiwcFW8i6pLgAj-O_I08YkFE-kjY1JSH_mSk/s200/C2.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172873335814802690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnNUlganUQTGzDB2CKYbc0ozGt666bNrFsMnFrLSGAvDpa1orxGYgGUfdinoZlU1h82_PUqq23T_-Nv-z3uD0Xha0J_sOLVmlV8W-QdO2FFmaT3XqVDKffrYXgx213vgsrtnkCayHYCy8/s200/C2-contrast.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXF2W916k7XSs2YTlhyoYjmfr7E3ZTXY4wpuoUCqFmh8422EdGGNjwdUuqFbjI8AlWuAeeMRZ65Ko3kX_CezEScSs6L5OlNmoNga81Ldgz6zVjw7M3YVzZRzqiDTJXwjC_NfNCyWjp7Fw/s1600-h/c4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172876840508116274" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXF2W916k7XSs2YTlhyoYjmfr7E3ZTXY4wpuoUCqFmh8422EdGGNjwdUuqFbjI8AlWuAeeMRZ65Ko3kX_CezEScSs6L5OlNmoNga81Ldgz6zVjw7M3YVzZRzqiDTJXwjC_NfNCyWjp7Fw/s200/c4.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd9JkdNABDa2yKwSF6Q3DvJ6d5PesVIQw2H5sKsR9o7tYaTPCaTuNoFu1ty8vsHCha4cidjjkWM76OHDp6B1JusGXIxieiKcH9e3h9-_JghCDltkSA7ZqPnXV7g8rcy_D2jarHinJqtSJ/s1600-h/c4-contrast.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172878352336604482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVd9JkdNABDa2yKwSF6Q3DvJ6d5PesVIQw2H5sKsR9o7tYaTPCaTuNoFu1ty8vsHCha4cidjjkWM76OHDp6B1JusGXIxieiKcH9e3h9-_JghCDltkSA7ZqPnXV7g8rcy_D2jarHinJqtSJ/s200/c4-contrast.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4OO1CbI8wzZC4MP98t-DQzfHbbSoMY5khQQusMHmQz738sSgxldfF_LaQpjDOjIs6JRkUVDtVUf0IAQJwT6PIhheBdjsRU3AigOQGrwXSLNjvZC1-ThOx2Eu9yjspLOc_vwfXxULcgzi/s1600-h/5+20+153.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172878880617581906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4OO1CbI8wzZC4MP98t-DQzfHbbSoMY5khQQusMHmQz738sSgxldfF_LaQpjDOjIs6JRkUVDtVUf0IAQJwT6PIhheBdjsRU3AigOQGrwXSLNjvZC1-ThOx2Eu9yjspLOc_vwfXxULcgzi/s200/5+20+153.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB02MTZufhGlZtbc5Wtr25kT4V-U5a5zB0zL2kH4iruycep_cuU3I7NolhMbl9D2MpPjYrSHAzWQCt1KtB5N12oQrIMkdlh0bt8q62ZRfjAsf62LMV6h5jso10ihOs37N9fpnkb0J5yEem/s1600-h/5+20+153_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172879353063984482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB02MTZufhGlZtbc5Wtr25kT4V-U5a5zB0zL2kH4iruycep_cuU3I7NolhMbl9D2MpPjYrSHAzWQCt1KtB5N12oQrIMkdlh0bt8q62ZRfjAsf62LMV6h5jso10ihOs37N9fpnkb0J5yEem/s200/5+20+153_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprPcI_5vfL5WQfivc9Q4u0JKSYc2Xp7a3oX_CIYWw-8TR29gPjV8xVftdhVcKm0lAr1cVfrHH_fUqBrH8zXI-EZ8oraA8Hq-xIGVkoBIMfbHkS0mU-B8vkBW-ZbKCnt8AZwXhzw4-n9b4/s1600-h/5+20+159.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172879808330517874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprPcI_5vfL5WQfivc9Q4u0JKSYc2Xp7a3oX_CIYWw-8TR29gPjV8xVftdhVcKm0lAr1cVfrHH_fUqBrH8zXI-EZ8oraA8Hq-xIGVkoBIMfbHkS0mU-B8vkBW-ZbKCnt8AZwXhzw4-n9b4/s200/5+20+159.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYGhSr4xK4OmCYNvmXEYYTYu6vqDF09rMtRIxmjM8njNLGwW7MPMOqKDS3E8Gv7MmdIRYDSiODbUuRTFan6bYYqplIKHe73g53oTYTdZIFWyMQCb2jBGTqTKBJSJZPs1C7rZH8_YJFEvd/s1600-h/5+20+159_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5172880778993126786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYGhSr4xK4OmCYNvmXEYYTYu6vqDF09rMtRIxmjM8njNLGwW7MPMOqKDS3E8Gv7MmdIRYDSiODbUuRTFan6bYYqplIKHe73g53oTYTdZIFWyMQCb2jBGTqTKBJSJZPs1C7rZH8_YJFEvd/s200/5+20+159_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now, if only Photoshop had a tool called, "Crumby P&S Indoors Fix"<br /><br /><br />Do you have a photo or layout to share? Just sign Mr. Linky.<br />What are you favorite editing tools on Photoshop? Leave a comment. <br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Brenners&postid=01Mar2008"></script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1