tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88381738684842677312024-03-12T21:07:17.689-05:00Texas Word TangleRheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.comBlogger1005125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-6931637936487361972015-04-04T19:58:00.002-05:002015-04-04T19:58:29.799-05:00Book Review: The Kind Worth KillingSome people are the kind worth killing ... that's the conclusion beautiful Lily has come to over the course of her life. Enter the extremely wealthy yet devastated Ted, who is on the same delayed night flight from London to Boston and has just recently discovered his wife is cheating on him. Lily and Ted meet in the airport bar before the flight, continue their conversation on the plane and enter into a dark partnership to kill his wife.<br />
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Who meets a random stranger on a plane and trusts them enough to truly consider committing such a serious crime together? It's an intriguing start, and that's just the beginning of this intricate, psychological thriller, <i>The Kind Worth Killing</i>, by Peter Swanson. It's a story full of unreliable narrators, clever surprises and dark betrayals.<br />
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Just when you think you know where the plot is going with this story, it throws some twists and turns and takes you in a new direction. It was one of those books I stayed up reading way past bedtime. I wanted to know who lived and who died ... and who got away with it.<br />
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You should read this book if you're plotting to kill someone ... or if you relish reading about sociopaths and coldhearted killers. Would your sense of justice lead you to kill someone who betrayed you?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062267523/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0062267523&linkCode=as2&tag=texwortan-20&linkId=DGZZQPGVUSBEA4VK"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0062267523&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=texwortan-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=texwortan-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0062267523" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<i>I bought this book from Amazon for my Kindle. No free books or advanced reader copies for this one. It just looked too good to pass up!</i><br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-49246599130914041662015-04-02T21:17:00.000-05:002015-04-02T21:17:20.758-05:00Book Review: Day Shift by Charlaine Harris<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O2BS60Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00O2BS60Y&linkCode=as2&tag=texwortan-20&linkId=Q3GMKVATS44LWA33"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00O2BS60Y&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=texwortan-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=texwortan-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00O2BS60Y" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<a href="http://charlaineharris.com/">Charlaine Harris</a>, author of the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse series that the <a href="http://www.hbo.com/true-blood#/">HBO <i>True Blood</i></a> show was based on, is about to publish the second book in a fresh new series.<br />
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<i>Day Shift</i> is set in small town Midnight, Texas, the cast in this murder mystery is a fascinating menagerie of unique characters who aren't what they seem. Half the fun of reading this book is trying to figure out who or what these characters are, and why they live in tiny Midnight.<br />
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There are three plot lines in this story, and they are all intriguing. Manfred, the legit physic who runs a not-so-authentic psychic hotline, has a wealthy client die in such a manner than he's a suspect. The run-down, abandoned old hotel has suddenly been refurbished, and strange new visitors enter the picture. And, reclusive ole Rev has a surprising young guest who has a compelling effect on all the residents.<br />
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My absolutely favorite genre to read is mystery, with fantasy following a close second, so any time these two are combined, I'm willing to dive right in. And this book didn't disappoint. The plot mysteries were solid, the characters more than two-dimensional and we learned more about the curious and secretive beings in Midnight.<br />
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Some books in a series are fine as a stand-alone, and this one is not bad on it's own ... but it's definitely a lot less confusing and more exciting if you start with the first book in the series, <i>Midnight Crossroad</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FKEYHM8/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00FKEYHM8&linkCode=as2&tag=texwortan-20&linkId=X3WIA6EP5SREGYR4"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00FKEYHM8&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=texwortan-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=texwortan-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00FKEYHM8" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I received an advance copy of this book to read through <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">NetGally</a>, a free site where you can discover, read and review new books before they are published. <span style="line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;"><i>Day Shift</i></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;">i</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em; text-align: center;">s due out in bookstores on May 5, 2015. </span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-89370491653005833122013-05-15T15:29:00.000-05:002013-05-15T15:29:09.112-05:00Painting with a TwistLast night, I went to <a href="http://www.paintingwithatwist.com/">Painting with a Twist</a>.<br />
<br />
As an apartment complex sponsored event, I didn't have to pay the full price, and it was an opportunity to check out something I'd want to try for a while.<br />
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At Painting with a Twist, you can paint with no artistic talent necessary! It's BYOB, so you bring your favorite beverage and snacks ... and it's all about getting creative and having fun.
I LOVED it!<br />
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The instructor walks you through painting ...<br />
the entire class is painting the same thing ...<br />
although, of course, everyone's turns out different.<br />
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You start with a blank canvas. Here's mine:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vSTyNnf0tEgcFX0hRKjJR91lUT9dAn3ACVoY6GWmDC4uqh0lVVczNx1xR54_VWyP8ebkQeJMIceGE-0FaI6MocqTy0sCWhIKPNBla8GRQ6TlK9UQBMmufZIObewpzrobdAkifOVv3zTQ/s1600/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Blank+Canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vSTyNnf0tEgcFX0hRKjJR91lUT9dAn3ACVoY6GWmDC4uqh0lVVczNx1xR54_VWyP8ebkQeJMIceGE-0FaI6MocqTy0sCWhIKPNBla8GRQ6TlK9UQBMmufZIObewpzrobdAkifOVv3zTQ/s320/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Blank+Canvas.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Then the lady instructed us on how to start working on our background:
Paint met canvas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDSeRzbfqLbhg1XZYazXK3qZq-JjXQMXLmgxbRgcFSnAo_IO_BG_9-lj2k58LnkT5t9vL-E87RgVY6Ivpmc4Mp1OwCqRdnBFlC4DOGu0b2k6sHUTbtB8yWvRjK9AMRnNq98L2ZhuRtEka/s1600/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Paint+meets+canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDSeRzbfqLbhg1XZYazXK3qZq-JjXQMXLmgxbRgcFSnAo_IO_BG_9-lj2k58LnkT5t9vL-E87RgVY6Ivpmc4Mp1OwCqRdnBFlC4DOGu0b2k6sHUTbtB8yWvRjK9AMRnNq98L2ZhuRtEka/s320/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Paint+meets+canvas.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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Ta da! The background is complete.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1-TvAEwD83fYGpEOu0Y-soHQN_rui_v8iKaaA0HUn5MPREz59vF0ryOlLiUjyVPevLM4Z-nRjLyupz4NQTPPw649dMc2Nw5ZB7HYxrjXKMqDs_1xok16cBh0__OBLxSc09TH98yt__YE/s1600/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Background+complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1-TvAEwD83fYGpEOu0Y-soHQN_rui_v8iKaaA0HUn5MPREz59vF0ryOlLiUjyVPevLM4Z-nRjLyupz4NQTPPw649dMc2Nw5ZB7HYxrjXKMqDs_1xok16cBh0__OBLxSc09TH98yt__YE/s320/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Background+complete.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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I know it looks like a 4-yr-old did it. It was still FUN.<br />
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And here you have it, the completed product!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQPHgWRkC6pgF6JEbq8o4TZggxIizk1OpnoSbpnYLESacsj-lX0TMorr2TkaDtxplzn5qxNYWDidNUcThsH2vpJu6br3ppro_W1ita09kBp7HnjYWDQgODzQQ9XjcKpzts9YO51omyaMY/s1600/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Final+Product.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQPHgWRkC6pgF6JEbq8o4TZggxIizk1OpnoSbpnYLESacsj-lX0TMorr2TkaDtxplzn5qxNYWDidNUcThsH2vpJu6br3ppro_W1ita09kBp7HnjYWDQgODzQQ9XjcKpzts9YO51omyaMY/s320/Painting+with+a+Twist+-+Final+Product.jpg" width="320" /></a>
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(I won't quit my day job any time soon, let me tell you) but I had so much fun!!<br />
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I plan to do it again soon ... and take my boys.<br />
Or my grandmother.<br />
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Have you ever done a painting class like this?<br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-43152711078268359272013-03-06T15:54:00.002-06:002013-03-06T15:54:15.761-06:00The Epic Battle of the Orange Sweatshirt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqts0lo-pb51Gr2PGM_ygDBKpfCqJvYnIYRnuhtB_nVNKx-oM3iNW2BgBQJsZA0QGupC_GqHBgGRmBCbMq_SJnIA0zSB0cagZ8JSKvPDR42uwXsvjKfwkPLoA7wDSDn-AlM1USPI9sV75/s1600/the+sweatshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqts0lo-pb51Gr2PGM_ygDBKpfCqJvYnIYRnuhtB_nVNKx-oM3iNW2BgBQJsZA0QGupC_GqHBgGRmBCbMq_SJnIA0zSB0cagZ8JSKvPDR42uwXsvjKfwkPLoA7wDSDn-AlM1USPI9sV75/s320/the+sweatshirt.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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Sunday's <span style="font-size: large;">Epic Battle</span> with Remy was ...<br />
over a sweatshirt.<br />
<br />
Which I insisted he bring to his 1 1/2 hour outdoor batting practice in 40 degree weather.<br />
<br />
I rushed home from work to attend his school Open House.<br />
Then we <span style="font-size: large;">rushed</span> home to change clothes<br />
and leave for his batting practice.<br />
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We loaded into the car and took off. <br />
One block later, I realized he was in a t-shirt and shorts.<br />
And it was <span style="font-size: large;">COLD</span>.<br />
So, I turned around and went back home,<br />
and made him run inside to get a sweatshirt.<br />
<br />
He freaked out.<br />
He didn't <span style="font-size: large;">NEED</span> the sweatshirt.<br />
He didn't want to be late.<br />
He hated me.<br />
I was the <span style="font-size: large;">worst mom ever</span>. <br />
<br />
He ended up <span style="font-size: large;">wearing it</span> the entire practice.<br />
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Why does he fight me?<br />
When I'm so clearly right?<br />
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<br />
After the practice, I got him to admit he was<span style="font-size: large;"> wrong</span>.<br />
and that I was<span style="font-size: large;"> right.</span><br />
that he was GLAD he had his sweatshirt. <br />
<br />
Call me ridiculous, but I <span style="font-size: large;">savored</span> that moment<br />
That moment of pure motherhood bliss. <br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-43869956608873199682013-02-20T14:43:00.000-06:002013-02-20T14:43:14.937-06:00Master Social Media Certification Scholarship Contest for U.S. Military Veterans<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPJGaksnolRB9iNYZa2Zcqz_cTrIPMUfTTlKExftl-nEflglk_rVUJ47Ujq0hEttPsW7I6tHrj5xi4_hXMnZefHc8FQLFGAfROCHX-zSzo9TcO3zc7cl7WvCH4AXzBdi4Ju__IbRATQKp/s1600/scholarship-banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPJGaksnolRB9iNYZa2Zcqz_cTrIPMUfTTlKExftl-nEflglk_rVUJ47Ujq0hEttPsW7I6tHrj5xi4_hXMnZefHc8FQLFGAfROCHX-zSzo9TcO3zc7cl7WvCH4AXzBdi4Ju__IbRATQKp/s400/scholarship-banner.png" width="400" /></a>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I'm so excited to be a part of something special for the men and women </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">who have given so much for our country.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">The company I work for, <a href="http://www.splashmedia.com/">Splash Media</a>, is giving away social media training </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to <b>active and retired U.S. Military</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">We're giving 50 scholarships to military veterans who want a career or training in social media.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 50 Scholarships!!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Our <b>Master Social Media Certification</b> is an 100% online, self-paced program offered through our accredited social media university, Splash Media U. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Graduates of this program will become experts in content marketing, blog marketing, community building, and search engine optimized social media across the various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Blogging.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">So, whether your wanting to learn more about social media marketing ... or wanting to embrace a career in social media, the Master Social Media Certification is the route to take.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Go to the <a href="http://www.splashmediau.com/careerinsocialmedia/">Splash U Scholarship Contest</a> and check out the details.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">You can nominate yourself or someone else </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">(but the nominee must be an active or retired military vet or spouse.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Good luck!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">And if you're interested in writing a blog post about this contest, contact me </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">and we can work out an extra scholarship </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">to give away on your blog too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" /></div>
Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-19598991193315056712013-02-07T14:44:00.001-06:002013-02-07T14:49:06.373-06:00BlogHer Book Review: Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBa7PkD6LaR4iYlaORRooYBHFtqiTjCUnSuTgCHP26gtZvAD3XP0wkElxqdVQRxl7XVUrpUbcQVZUZBjQt2NWixh8tpYboNOxjyxAxUXhDT9pXkDDf5FcC4RErWWrLXbomw2JVtOt-MQq/s1600/Here_I_go_Again.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBa7PkD6LaR4iYlaORRooYBHFtqiTjCUnSuTgCHP26gtZvAD3XP0wkElxqdVQRxl7XVUrpUbcQVZUZBjQt2NWixh8tpYboNOxjyxAxUXhDT9pXkDDf5FcC4RErWWrLXbomw2JVtOt-MQq/s320/Here_I_go_Again.jpg" width="212" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.blogher.com/bookclub/now-reading-here-i-go-again">Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster</a> was a wild book.<br />
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I didn't like it at first, but I was determined to finish it.<br />
The character was unlikeable.<br />
The tone was irritating.<br />
I didn't think I was going to be able to keep reading ...<br />
and then, after a while,<br />
it grew on me,<br />
as did the character.<br />
<br />
<br />
The main character, Lissy Ryder, was a mean girl in high school,<br />
popular, bitchy and completely self-centered.<br />
<br />
And as she attends her 20th high school reunion,<br />
we see she's still much the same,<br />
but things start changing<br />
and she's sent back in time to redo high school.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm intrigued by the thought of re-doing high school.<br />
I enjoyed high school, it wasn't a bad time for me.<br />
But, I definitely have things I wished I done different.<br />
<br />
I was too wrapped up in a guy (who I later married).<br />
I wish I'd spent more time hanging with girlfriends and exploring life.<br />
<br />
But, I'd be terrified to change things<br />
because I wouldn't want to lose the two most important things in my life currently, my boys.<br />
<br />
This book was an interesting read,<br />
and it makes you ponder your own high school years, that's for sure.<br />
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<br />
Check out our <a href="http://www.blogher.com/bookclub/now-reading-here-i-go-again">BlogHer book club discussion</a>.<br />
<br />
And follow <a href="https://twitter.com/altgeldshrugged">Jen Lancaster on Twitter</a>!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own</span><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span> </i></span><br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-29015649282704768812013-02-07T14:09:00.000-06:002013-03-01T14:14:30.858-06:00BlogHer Book Review: Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc5twW_E6In1MV4oOuCKWM-T6kAF-pxxnlOyCMk3hT7VZv4Cwn0Vy82n1k3PKxUQ-8WcTEjhf-hjmCKunM9tMEIMSeGsqn5CeBQksUz51H3__gMsGyNjWu09rTJUKZCP2UAuHPk38Hr7m/s1600/Touch+%2526+Go+by+Lisa+Gardner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcc5twW_E6In1MV4oOuCKWM-T6kAF-pxxnlOyCMk3hT7VZv4Cwn0Vy82n1k3PKxUQ-8WcTEjhf-hjmCKunM9tMEIMSeGsqn5CeBQksUz51H3__gMsGyNjWu09rTJUKZCP2UAuHPk38Hr7m/s320/Touch+%2526+Go+by+Lisa+Gardner.JPG" width="211" /> </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogher.com/bookclub/now-reading-touch-go">Touch and Go by Lisa Gardner</a> was an exciting read.<br />
<br />
It's a book I would have read,<br />
even if it wasn't sent to me for a book review.<br />
<br />
I love mysteries.<br />
Ever since Nancy Drew,<br />
I've been a HUGE fan of reading fiction and looking for clues, trying to solve the mystery.<br />
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This story lived up to my expectations.<br />
<br />
In this pyschological thriller, a family is kidnapped for unknown reasons.<br />
No ransom or reason is left for the cops.<br />
The family is held in a remote, bizarre location with brutality and confusing actions.<br />
As the reader, we go back and forth between the family and the cops,<br />
and both perspectives add to the big picture ...<br />
but the mystery isn't clear until the end.<br />
<br />
Lisa Gardner is an excellent thriller writer, and this was one of those books that was hard to put down.<br />
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<i>This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.</i><br />
Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-24467015609011785742013-02-06T14:51:00.002-06:002013-02-06T14:51:29.187-06:00Despite my best intentions, I didn't ruin my 16-year-old's birthday<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HzSrGsQTbW8XFzPoQmgLROb72OTAyg5K-frA3RPQLuy4qXv9F6wTdUuHf4GVmanTOsFpfPyBxE7jyEoYEZIslpX6RSAYPaow8p23o7C__w50lDZS5JBP5vZnGNdlWkAgXybL77Iyuv22/s1600/Texas+DPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HzSrGsQTbW8XFzPoQmgLROb72OTAyg5K-frA3RPQLuy4qXv9F6wTdUuHf4GVmanTOsFpfPyBxE7jyEoYEZIslpX6RSAYPaow8p23o7C__w50lDZS5JBP5vZnGNdlWkAgXybL77Iyuv22/s400/Texas+DPS.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday, my firstborn turned 16-years-old. <span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>(How did that happen?!)</i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Texas, this means you can finally apply for a driver's license.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last summer, <span style="font-size: small;">h</span>e took a driver's education c<span style="font-size: small;">ourse</span><span style="font-size: small;"> and</span> a written test to receive his learner's permit<span style="font-size: small;">. <i><span style="color: #674ea7;">(Did I mention the 4 hours we spent at the DPS trying to get it? <span style="font-size: small;">The DPS office in our smallish <span style="font-size: small;">town is packed like that EVERY DAY!!)</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since receiving his learn</span>er's permit, he's been driving with me <span style="font-size: small;">or</span> his dad in the passenger seat ever since. <span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>(at first his little brother refused to ride in the car if h<span style="font-size: small;">is older brother</span> was driving) </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It<span style="font-size: small;"> was</span> stressful at first.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">There<span style="font-size: small;"> were</span> some near misses. <span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>(I stopped counting) </i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">With time and practice, he got better. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's a pretty good driver ... </span><i> </i><br /><br />And then along comes his b<span style="font-size: small;">irthday, </span>yesterday, when he was scheduled for the big driving test at the<span style="font-size: small;"> Texas DPS.</span>***</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">***Side note - In North Texas, you have to schedule the driving test <u>more than a month in advance</u>
in order to get the date you want. It's CRAZY. We called a month in
advance and ended up having to schedule our appointment at a DPS on the
other side of Dallas to make it on my son's birthday. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;">The weekend before the test, he spent several hours practicing parallel parking in my grandmother's car, because it's smaller than my big ole boat-of-a-car. <span style="color: #674ea7;"><i>(He took the test in her car also<span style="font-size: small;">)</span></i></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">The day before his test, I realized we needed a current VOE (Verification of Enrollment) from the high school. The one we had on file was from the summer and not valid anymore. That took some last minute calling and stressing.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">And then the night before his test, I realized I didn't have the certificate of completion from his driver's training class. and the driving school was only open specific hours. So, that induced more stress and calling and emailing and stalking the owner ... </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Needless to say, we ended up making more than one trip to the DPS in Garland (almost two hours round trip) and a trip to the driving school as well, where we sat outside for a good thirty minutes in hopes they'd open early ...</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9ly9_0BhH70y_1iYwFchJnY_G-Haw0VwsMECGURrKUZOcCKWapHNGzPMp1ttiOKXL8IpotVkNMLOyhCprGelpS8XoEf8Co6fIosy-I_O_FLrm818XLWmGkk6RwXzmv5ap-4WCVbO-5vc/s1600/Donny+waiting+at+DPS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9ly9_0BhH70y_1iYwFchJnY_G-Haw0VwsMECGURrKUZOcCKWapHNGzPMp1ttiOKXL8IpotVkNMLOyhCprGelpS8XoEf8Co6fIosy-I_O_FLrm818XLWmGkk6RwXzmv5ap-4WCVbO-5vc/s400/Donny+waiting+at+DPS.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><i>(<span style="font-family: inherit;">Waiting at the DPS, irritated with me for taking a photo)</span></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You get the idea.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, somehow, despite my intentions, <span style="font-size: small;">we made it to the DPS with all our paperwork,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">he was able to take the test </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">he PASSED!</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEL7JLY8AfCSlHxsfNW5v_DUeAtiPlp8IXCfeYluzSqZXji_qWXZ5ZpOma4bTXahmIVtbxIwbeXWg_wKvZO3yefiXzF74_7X3PrwN8Gm3PEt4dda-RBTxWo89j6vI1jEzjWQrgJ3hoqb0/s1600/Donny's+Driver+license.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEL7JLY8AfCSlHxsfNW5v_DUeAtiPlp8IXCfeYluzSqZXji_qWXZ5ZpOma4bTXahmIVtbxIwbeXWg_wKvZO3yefiXzF74_7X3PrwN8Gm3PEt4dda-RBTxWo89j6vI1jEzjWQrgJ3hoqb0/s400/Donny's+Driver+license.jpg" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(outside the DPS with his temporary license)</i></span></span><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, Texas, my firstborn is now on your roads. </b></span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please, please, please be <b>gentle</b> with him.</span></span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-17506057748023211642013-01-17T11:48:00.009-06:002017-06-26T08:45:26.014-05:00Things That Make Me Happy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5KdmOrGLSCPiaOM7jspZ49TGX2DOAfIwvbBH2hEL8Uxeo8yJfteV0mMMBMRZ12b9pRERumqeLWrhFE3wU3EZc_WU5nUce9tlo9EtToFPP1xDDVSJJsdKL_ZhI0DCxuLU0uxco_Pc6Ft7/s1600/Sunrise+1-11-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5KdmOrGLSCPiaOM7jspZ49TGX2DOAfIwvbBH2hEL8Uxeo8yJfteV0mMMBMRZ12b9pRERumqeLWrhFE3wU3EZc_WU5nUce9tlo9EtToFPP1xDDVSJJsdKL_ZhI0DCxuLU0uxco_Pc6Ft7/s400/Sunrise+1-11-13.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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A beautiful sunrise.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Taking photos</span> of a beautiful sunrise.<br />
Being able to <span style="font-size: large;">share</span> photos of a beautiful sunrise with family and friends<br />
on Facebook, <a href="https://twitter.com/texasrhea">Twitter</a>, Instagram and my <a href="http://www.texaswordtangle.com/">blog</a>.<br />
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A <span style="font-size: large;">hot cup of te</span>a when I sit down to my computer in the morning.<br />
Cracking the spine on a <span style="font-size: large;">mystery nove</span>l.<br />
The <span style="font-size: large;">delight</span> on my <a href="http://www.texaswordtangle.com/2008/08/princess-annie-pie.html">Labrador's</a> face when I walk in the door.<br />
Curling up with a <span style="font-size: large;">warm blanket </span>on the couch to watch a movie or take a nap.<br />
Walking through <span style="font-size: large;">nature</span> with my camera.<br />
Spending time with and talking with <span style="font-size: large;">my boys</span>.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Laughing</span> with my sisters.<br />
Cooking over the holidays with <span style="font-size: large;">my family</span>.<br />
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<b>What makes you happy?</b><br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-35171948397975276402013-01-16T16:18:00.001-06:002013-01-16T16:19:50.923-06:00Moments with My Teenager<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeQcmCw-vIiW9MaiXBSKXkf0tZK6tUFUqUpB_QjkdFHrdGIJ1eYgnCbEkyiPXB3VHlce7z7XjpPeQkbDWj4RH3LqRQKZCRj5kRHvKLH2If2IFaXwZfqz1qmNL7fW9oFuhWdQzPCQr_OcN/s1600/Teen+attitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeQcmCw-vIiW9MaiXBSKXkf0tZK6tUFUqUpB_QjkdFHrdGIJ1eYgnCbEkyiPXB3VHlce7z7XjpPeQkbDWj4RH3LqRQKZCRj5kRHvKLH2If2IFaXwZfqz1qmNL7fW9oFuhWdQzPCQr_OcN/s320/Teen+attitude.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Let me start by saying, my teenage son,<br />
who's just weeks away from<span style="font-size: large;"> turning 16</span>-years-old,<br />
has been a responsible, trustworthy and pretty laid back teen.<br />
(even when <a href="http://www.texaswordtangle.com/2012/10/messing-with-my-teenager.html">I mess with him</a>) <br />
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However, there are occasionally moments.<br />
Moments where he goes <span style="font-size: large;">spacey</span> ... or gets <span style="font-size: large;">moody</span>.<br />
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<br />
In the photo above, he's about to go into his bass lesson,<br />
and he clearly has the moody bit going on.<br />
I don't remember why.<br />
Actually, there <span style="font-size: large;">didn't need to be a reason</span>.<br />
He just was. Moody. <br />
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As for the spacey moments, here's the most recent example:<br />
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Monday, he left out chocolate (<a href="http://www.hersheys.com/kisses/products/filled-with-caramel.aspx">milk chocolate and caramel kisses</a>. WRAPPED in foil),<br />
which the dog promptly ate while we were gone, <span style="font-size: large;">foil and all</span>.<br />
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The same day, my teenager also almost <span style="font-size: large;">started a fire</span> in the toaster.<br />
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I'm <span style="font-size: large;">banning</span> him from food.<br />
All food.<br />
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P.S. the dog is okay, thank god. (Chocolate is toxic to dogs, just in case you didn't know)<br />
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P.P.S I just scheduled his driving test at the DPS for his birth day.<br />
(I may need to be medicated for that.)<br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-44219183069188058422013-01-02T15:30:00.000-06:002013-01-02T15:30:46.214-06:00Dogs Disocvered Social Media Before We Did<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnvYYCl8SoC1TaYDB5uqUvfpybMns9e0QhX4M3XlzsyO2qIKJWbO4Ul4J4HoQlremd3WFg4_eECYzbVESAnD2E-cxaK-hcQIpLOU1tNNJGvPr_MW_xlnQgMhBpoJP5y3n59_oNXozy8tM/s1600/Town+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnvYYCl8SoC1TaYDB5uqUvfpybMns9e0QhX4M3XlzsyO2qIKJWbO4Ul4J4HoQlremd3WFg4_eECYzbVESAnD2E-cxaK-hcQIpLOU1tNNJGvPr_MW_xlnQgMhBpoJP5y3n59_oNXozy8tM/s400/Town+Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my New Year's Resolutions is to <span style="font-size: large;">exercise my dog </span>more, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">so, I've been going for walks around our local Town Lake with my <a href="http://www.texaswordtangle.com/2008/08/princess-annie-pie.html">sweet Annie</a>.<br /><br /><br />It's peaceful, beautiful and <span style="font-size: large;">calming</span>. <br />There are big trees and lots of<span style="font-size: large;"> geese</span> and ducks.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD2vl7VOshvDqhL9t1quxpWy6lJmsLyYpkedx4CG5EtLh49i1eHxgYqXoFlCHBtJDRLh_O-O5VKA0Mu8o5ZkeTFWG-Z2_eA6Af1JiD9giuNErRva3nyQBsOyMU4bwFdHyTTxc7gVc9w5h/s1600/Geese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvD2vl7VOshvDqhL9t1quxpWy6lJmsLyYpkedx4CG5EtLh49i1eHxgYqXoFlCHBtJDRLh_O-O5VKA0Mu8o5ZkeTFWG-Z2_eA6Af1JiD9giuNErRva3nyQBsOyMU4bwFdHyTTxc7gVc9w5h/s400/Geese.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And I've noticed some <span style="font-size: large;">patterns</span>. <br />Annie always pees the minute she gets out of the car and hits the grass.<br />Then within the first 3 minutes, she has a bowel movement.<br />And then, as we walk a mile, so <span style="font-size: large;">continues</span> to pee every 5 minutes or so.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEcBVOA6kwAZgOrMZlFASoxcWd-R0ZUvZdVLZUqkJsXpfAVnYbE57a-tpbvLZ1CaHCzCq0gbCLXagAas9LJWpzxW_eTA04hR9iIdnG4_phPYC5zFULd1iU64AL_RLFSk0PiiNo-ZVgxJh/s1600/Town+lake+Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEcBVOA6kwAZgOrMZlFASoxcWd-R0ZUvZdVLZUqkJsXpfAVnYbE57a-tpbvLZ1CaHCzCq0gbCLXagAas9LJWpzxW_eTA04hR9iIdnG4_phPYC5zFULd1iU64AL_RLFSk0PiiNo-ZVgxJh/s400/Town+lake+Path.jpg" width="298" /></a>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When she stops to pee the first time, I usually check in to the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foursquare/id306934924?mt=8">Foursquare app</a> on my phone <br />and log in that I'm at the Town Lake Park.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And eventually, the <span style="font-size: large;">correlation hit me</span>.<br />The dog is <span style="font-size: large;">peeing</span> all around the park to let other dogs and animals know that she was there.<br />I'm <span style="font-size: large;">signing into</span> <a href="http://www.texaswordtangle.com/2012/07/confession-my-foursquare-addiction.html">Foursquare</a> to let my family and friends know I've been there.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE-jIf4tllPuiy2UMSE8b8Z87Hq-SwqSJAbfBwR7k1hlXzUTTTcZuKM8Tarf_QJ9e2oL_6_KQiP0LLE6a2gwMjNYXx1-qi0D1hQ11X6GBJPnU8_ULgIbQCpM6dfk_xr3NfDPWXb7a_FmY/s1600/Town+Lake+branch+over+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipE-jIf4tllPuiy2UMSE8b8Z87Hq-SwqSJAbfBwR7k1hlXzUTTTcZuKM8Tarf_QJ9e2oL_6_KQiP0LLE6a2gwMjNYXx1-qi0D1hQ11X6GBJPnU8_ULgIbQCpM6dfk_xr3NfDPWXb7a_FmY/s400/Town+Lake+branch+over+water.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We're <span style="font-size: large;">not so different</span>, her and I.<br />Maybe dogs are more <span style="font-size: large;">advanced</span> than we thought. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-36810578955664456952012-12-21T10:41:00.000-06:002012-12-21T10:41:22.920-06:00When the Pharmacy Screws Up
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment10200091313344993_5754911}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="" id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment10200091313344993_5754911}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[25].[1][2][1]{comment10200091313344993_5754911}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Yesterday I picked up my 10-year-old son's medication from our local pharmacy. <br /><br />He's taken this medicine before, so I was immediately <span style="font-size: large;">suspicious</span> when I
opened the bottle and the medicine inside looked totally different. But, I rationalized that maybe it was
just a generic or some other form of the same meds ... until I
checked the description on the <span style="font-size: large;">pill bottle</span>, and it clearly didn't match
the pills inside.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlupr0CL3idNRu1CaHgatWHooz5tb6DMIqfBcT-Je6UGSbg2d9LNf73HRiyBMt_5l7_FrSioGvru1wsC9dlxLdFmGxxXgPAWzx0uRLbMCgBFPJGme_THSyLD8PCHeJAiYr9VU-nzOlxqA/s1600/pills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlupr0CL3idNRu1CaHgatWHooz5tb6DMIqfBcT-Je6UGSbg2d9LNf73HRiyBMt_5l7_FrSioGvru1wsC9dlxLdFmGxxXgPAWzx0uRLbMCgBFPJGme_THSyLD8PCHeJAiYr9VU-nzOlxqA/s320/pills.jpg" width="305" /></a>
<br />
<br />
See where it says "Round White Tablet" ... and see how the pills are oblong, red and white?! <br />
<br />
I
took the medication back to the Pharmacy, and they confirmed that yes,
they had <span style="font-size: large;">messed up</span>, and the medicine they gave me was NOT in fact the
medication that was supposed to be in the bottle!<br />
<br />
Holy Crap.<br />
<br />
That's a HUGE <span style="font-size: large;">mistake</span>.<br />
<br />
They apologized, refunded the copay (which was under $3), and gave me a $20 gift card. <br />
<div>
And they escaped a <span style="font-size: large;">potential lawsuit</span>. </div>
<br />
<br />
How often does this happen?!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-44280924450908411142012-12-20T10:55:00.002-06:002012-12-20T11:00:21.943-06:00The Obvious Game by Rita ArensIt's so exciting, that Rita Arens, who's<a href="http://surrenderdorothy.typepad.com/"> blog I follow</a>, and who I follow on <a href="https://twitter.com/ritaarens">Twitter</a>, has published a book! (well, more than one, actually) She wrote Sleep Is For the Weak, which features about 25 mommybloggers.<br />
<br />
This new novel is a different labor of love. She wrote, "This novel was so much harder than SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK was, and I
thought that was really hard. But the novel was so much more personal
and so much a combination of craft that I had to learn on the job and
inspiration and revisions and rejection and more revisions and hours ..." <br />
<br />
And to celebrate this new book, I get to be a part of the big reveal of the cover for her new young adult novel, THE OBVIOUS GAME, which will be published on February 7, 2013.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rwD22W4C4zjCOOlxjfkKZZcJy_83Rn0MzZ2rfTN_jQU3XIYUx0CXg5jA9mxeCJjQxdmWJ_EM00FcyAJKxDGAqSyNq2ALizOzJSnSPNyn4fiIEjy6EWTT3eviGqhi5W8Tzumbsefb5u9A/s1600/TheObviousGame.v8.1-Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rwD22W4C4zjCOOlxjfkKZZcJy_83Rn0MzZ2rfTN_jQU3XIYUx0CXg5jA9mxeCJjQxdmWJ_EM00FcyAJKxDGAqSyNq2ALizOzJSnSPNyn4fiIEjy6EWTT3eviGqhi5W8Tzumbsefb5u9A/s400/TheObviousGame.v8.1-Final.jpg" width="266" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
And there's a giveaway! <br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/62e21812/" id="rc-62e21812" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The giveaway is open for US, UK and Canada only.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>About The Author:</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt_Cw-LAqLnM2QXZChMXiegAjZ4QnVgL4hW_B4xG8PmKAQBKVVqfBut7XH6LvHtTsrjQgP_jkEQcNjW7qoOP4MNykeSxjLebVn-eMLJHiRPEIHq8BXa8osACEefn8h7wzN_2knOATuSmL/s1600/RitaArensBlueCropSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt_Cw-LAqLnM2QXZChMXiegAjZ4QnVgL4hW_B4xG8PmKAQBKVVqfBut7XH6LvHtTsrjQgP_jkEQcNjW7qoOP4MNykeSxjLebVn-eMLJHiRPEIHq8BXa8osACEefn8h7wzN_2knOATuSmL/s200/RitaArensBlueCropSmall.jpg" width="198" /></a>
<br />
(Rita Arens)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rita Arens is the author of <i>THE OBVIOUS GAME</i> and the editor of the
award-winning parenting anthology <i>SLEEP
IS FOR THE WEAK</i>. She writes the popular blog Surrender, Dorothy (<a href="http://www.surrenderdorothyblog.com/" target="_blank">www.surrenderdorothyblog.com</a></span></span>) and lives in Kansas City
with her husband and daughter. <i>THE
OBVIOUS GAME</i> is her first young adult novel. She is at work on a second.
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rita has been a featured
speaker at <a href="http://www.blogher.com/node/478218/speakers?from=subnav" target="_blank" title="BlogHer 2012 speakers">BlogHer 2012</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, <a href="http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/Concurrent-Events/BEAs-Book-Blogger/#page=page-1" target="_blank" title="BEA Bloggers Conference">BEA Bloggers Conference 2012</a>, <a href="http://www.blogher.com/node/482220/speakers?from=subnav" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Speaker BlogHer Writers 2011">BlogHer Writers 2011</a>, <a href="http://www.blogher.com/node/305898/speakers?from=subnav" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Speaker BlogHer 2011">BlogHer 2011</a>, <a href="http://blissdomconference.com/agenda/blissdom-conference-wisdom-workshop-schedule-for-2011/" target="_blank" title="blissdom writing workshop">Blissdom 2011</a>, <a href="http://www.altitudesummit.com/speakers/" target="_blank" title="Alt Summit conference Rita ARens">Alt Summit 2010</a>, <a href="http://www.blogher.com/official-blogher-10-liveblogwriting-lab-writing-inspiration-stoke-your-creativity" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens speaker BlogHer 2010">BlogHer 2010, BlogHer 2008</a> and <a href="http://www.blogher.com/blogher_conference/conf/9/speakers/1" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens BlogHer 2009 speaker">BlogHer 2009</a>, the <a href="http://kansascitykitty.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank" title="kansas city literary festival rita arens">2008 Kansas City Literary
Festival</a>
and <a href="http://www.chickswhoclick.net/speakers.html" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens speaker 2009 Chicks Who Click">2009 Chicks Who Click</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and appeared on the <a href="http://www.kcur.org/waltbodine.html" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Walt Bodine Show">Walt Bodine Show</a> in 2008.
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She’s been quoted by <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-06-29/its-my-office-and-ill-cry-if-i-want-to#p1" target="_blank">Bloomberg Businessweek</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">, <a href="http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/5607948fb7114e4aa1058590315fd5f0/US-Smart-Spending-Summer-At-Home/" target="_blank" title="Smart Spending Summer at Home Rita Arens">The Associated Press</a>, <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/19/blogher-women-blogs-forbes-woman-entrepreneurs-internet.html" target="_blank" title="Forbes woman Rita Arens ">Forbes Woman</a>, the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124045072480346239.html" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Wall Street Journal"><i>Wall Street Journal</i></a>, <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_36/b4048008.htm?chan=search" target="_blank"><i>Businessweek</i></a> and <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives/2006/11/calling_all_gre.html" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Businessweek">Businessweek Online</a> and featured in <a href="http://www.readbreathe.com/blogher-challenges-you-to-own-your-beauty/" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Breathe Magazine Own Your Beauty"><i>Breathe</i></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> magazine, <a href="http://getyourbizsavvy.com/2010/02/rita-arens-interview/" target="_blank" title="Julie@onewhowrites.com">Get Your Biz Savvy</a>, <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2012/07/15/3704202/meet-the-real-batmen-battling.html" target="_blank"><i>The Kansas City Star</i></a> (archived material
available on request), <a href="http://community.todaymoms.com/_news/2010/09/03/5035296-the-last-swim-of-summer" target="_blank" title="Today Moms Rita Arens">Today Moms</a> (Today Show blog) and <a href="http://www.inkkc.com/article/mommy-blogger-rita-arens-35" target="_blank" title="Rita Arens Ink KC"><i>Ink KC.</i></a>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Website/blog: <a href="http://www.surrenderdorothyblog.com/" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>surrenderdorothyblog.com</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or <a href="http://www.ritaarens.com/" target="_blank">http://www.ritaarens.com</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/ritaarens" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/ritaarens</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rita.arens" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/rita.<wbr></wbr>arens</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">BlogHer: <a href="http://www.blogher.com/member/rita-arens" target="_blank">http://www.blogher.com/member/<wbr></wbr>rita-arens</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=4048495&trk=tab_pro" target="_blank">http://www.linkedin.com/<wbr></wbr>profile/view?id=4048495&trk=<wbr></wbr>tab_pro</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pinterest: <a href="https://pinterest.com/ritajarens/" target="_blank">https://pinterest.com/<wbr></wbr>ritajarens/</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002KRLEHE" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/-/e/<wbr></wbr>B002KRLEHE</a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">
Goodreads: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1371209.Rita_Arens" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/<wbr></wbr>author/show/1371209.Rita_Arens</a></span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-72479528902699590432012-12-17T15:05:00.000-06:002012-12-17T15:05:00.783-06:00The Art of Shaving <script language="JavaScript1.1" src="http://oascentral.blogher.org/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/ReviewBadge/PG-eStore-Program_151/@x13"></script>
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">My 15-year-old son is fairly new to the Art of Shaving. <br />He doesn't shave every day ... more like once a month.<br />and when he does ... let's just say, it looks like it might have been painful.<br /><br />Practice makes perfect, right?<br /><br />I think he needs some of those adorable little shaving brushes and pre-shave oil <br />and after shave. <br /><br />Maybe then he'd shave more often. <br /><br />Well, BlogHer has teamed up with P&G to share some great deals on the Art of Shaving products!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #000099;"> </span> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Free Ground shipping and $15 off your purchase of any <a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com/kits-and-gifts-shaving-kits/kits-and-gifts-shaving-kits,default,sc.html?cm_mmc=Blogger-_-Site-_-Site+Placement-_-0523">The Art of Shaving Full Size Kit</a>, until 12/30/12 with Promo Code: 15offFSK at checkout</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX3cRquCIa0d7D70LbOU670MZ4IHFEOkEtyfiU0BLavTmlUz_vYv2kizlMuMKHLVzIdjniINHqLNiMmMsydAPLuME5sr8fr_nPzl0E6NRmAFOhARxDXetb50XnldpVx4w-77a3uMGnXPr/s1600/Art+of+Shaving+Full+Size+Kit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX3cRquCIa0d7D70LbOU670MZ4IHFEOkEtyfiU0BLavTmlUz_vYv2kizlMuMKHLVzIdjniINHqLNiMmMsydAPLuME5sr8fr_nPzl0E6NRmAFOhARxDXetb50XnldpVx4w-77a3uMGnXPr/s320/Art+of+Shaving+Full+Size+Kit.png" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Enjoy 20% off your purchase of <a href="http://experience.theartofshaving.com/theperfectshavesolution?cm_mmc=Blogger-_-Site-_-Site+Placement-_-0523">The Perfect Shave Solution</a>. Valid unitl
12/30 No code needed. Discount automatically applied at checkout when
you purchase a full size Pre Shave, a full size Shaving Cream or soap
and bowl, Shaving Brush, Razor and After Shave.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo8_tifrWziXU_7yUqgMXo04O5ft5T8ZCuU7mKueMgU_L-TOPRHHEm4JRRZ8OLC85LtO_4Kn_8yWLA360Izn2-pnftD_OM5VdpSABrP8e5fcJ4n6aQk7Vk038unpRbU6RjH93JcPDki6e/s1600/Art+of+Shaving+The+Perfect+Shave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo8_tifrWziXU_7yUqgMXo04O5ft5T8ZCuU7mKueMgU_L-TOPRHHEm4JRRZ8OLC85LtO_4Kn_8yWLA360Izn2-pnftD_OM5VdpSABrP8e5fcJ4n6aQk7Vk038unpRbU6RjH93JcPDki6e/s320/Art+of+Shaving+The+Perfect+Shave.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Free Ground Shipping and 10% off <a href="http://www.theartofshaving.com/ProGlide-Power-Shave-Set-Unscented/00670535922391,default,pd.html?start=36&cgid=kits-and-gifts&navid=kits-and-gifts?cm_mmc=Blogger-_-Site-_-Site+Placement-_-0523">ProGlide Power Save Set</a>, through 12/30/12 Promo code: 10PowerShave</span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQHdtaDSRg0lRx3wnajV9JvR0uvc3u65NzAKXRigY1gIu4nzx1W43kYkPNOvrWm4PA2B0D93gbj8-6LO_efX1QQBwsxHUj-9c8fQdKayhREnurw4SXKbZ_WoLFQgKSE55l37Dk6Q5XGZN/s1600/Art+of+Shaving+Pro+Glide+Power+Shave.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQHdtaDSRg0lRx3wnajV9JvR0uvc3u65NzAKXRigY1gIu4nzx1W43kYkPNOvrWm4PA2B0D93gbj8-6LO_efX1QQBwsxHUj-9c8fQdKayhREnurw4SXKbZ_WoLFQgKSE55l37Dk6Q5XGZN/s320/Art+of+Shaving+Pro+Glide+Power+Shave.png" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Art of Shaving has some really cool stuff.<br />
They have also have a page with Tips from Master Barbers. <br /> Here's an example:</span></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #741b47;">What advice do you give your clients to help them achieve the perfect shave?</span></span></span></h3>
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. I recommend shaving during or after the shower. The steam helps
prepare the skin for shaving and helps make the beard hair a little
easier to cut.<br />
2. Really pay attention to the direction in which the hair grows when
applying pre-shave oil. Shave in the direction of hair growth first. If
a closer shave is desired, RE-LATHER, then shave lightly against or
across the direction of hair growth.<br />
3. Use a properly weighted and balanced razor. This will provide a
smoother razor glide and help to minimize razor burn. Be sure to change
your blade after 3-5 uses, or when you feel it tugging at your beard as
you shave. <br />
4. Rinse with cool water, and then apply our alcohol free after shave
balm. This will help close hydrate the skin after your shave.<br />
5. Use the hydrating toner after shaving prior to application of the
after-shave balm, or anytime throughout the day! This product will leave
your skin feeling fresh and revitalized.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>I think I know what my teenager <span style="font-size: large;">needs</span> for Christmas.<br />Are there any men in your life who might need it too?</b></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-1867366554990885852012-12-14T11:05:00.001-06:002012-12-14T11:05:18.044-06:00The Joys of Parenting: Part 53 (warning, graphic material)One of the joys of parenting is ... <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">never knowing</span> when your child is going to end up injured.<br />
It could happen at any moment.<br />
When you <span style="font-size: large;">least expect</span> it.<br />
<br />
<br />
As the mother of two boys,<br />
who in the last year have both had <span style="font-size: large;">appendixes removed</span>,<br />
one had 2 <span style="font-size: large;">knee surgeries,</span><br />
the other a long hospital stay and a <span style="font-size: large;">gallbladder removed</span>...<br />
not to mention the myriad of other tumbles, bruises and injuries...<br />
I feel like I've <span style="font-size: large;">seen it all</span>.<br />
<br />
<br />
Until yesterday, when my teenager texted me a photo.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just a photo</span>, no message.<br />
This photo:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oejsMc94EEvLMkKWfyis2CtKPW61auwQyafsuWuXgZzDWLbkiC82Teout9-8o44fsml9Xv9q0EfWCIzeNruPVzc3AQZYRJ__92vElVsBaZ44keH0SGwW_ZiPgXXjZrvZrnqHuevANg6D/s1600/Ouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oejsMc94EEvLMkKWfyis2CtKPW61auwQyafsuWuXgZzDWLbkiC82Teout9-8o44fsml9Xv9q0EfWCIzeNruPVzc3AQZYRJ__92vElVsBaZ44keH0SGwW_ZiPgXXjZrvZrnqHuevANg6D/s320/Ouch.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
*cue mom panic attack*<br />
<br />
I <span style="font-size: large;">freaked </span>out.<br />
<br />
He had an unfortunate encounter with some <span style="font-size: large;">Astro Turf.</span><br />
<br />
Sigh.<br />
<br />
<br />
This <span style="font-size: large;">parenting gig</span> is rough.<br />
<br />
Any <span style="font-size: large;">unexpected parenting joys</span> in your house lately?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-59771936257105331852012-12-12T10:20:00.001-06:002012-12-12T10:20:58.655-06:00BlogHer Book Club Book Review: My Life Map<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyaqkeEd-AnYTdvifoK_LSVkCTyVY72mvfRf8ehDm2VSYRcQb9iy-2R0xDhV4ffVu4EGsyotRkyjIEFZc5InnKcIdCaUZew0rcoEZbfSk6dJKLmjBjjBrPMxPIgkV86eG1v-xO41gUqNC/s1600/MyLifeMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyaqkeEd-AnYTdvifoK_LSVkCTyVY72mvfRf8ehDm2VSYRcQb9iy-2R0xDhV4ffVu4EGsyotRkyjIEFZc5InnKcIdCaUZew0rcoEZbfSk6dJKLmjBjjBrPMxPIgkV86eG1v-xO41gUqNC/s320/MyLifeMap.jpg" width="233" /></a>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently read My Life Map by Kate Marshall and David Marshall for the BlogHer Book Club. </span></span></span><br />
<div id="outer_postBodyPS" style="height: auto; overflow: hidden;">
<div id="postBodyPS" style="overflow: hidden;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a fill-in-the-blank sort of book that helps you do a little self-examination, reflect on the past, evaluate the present, and dream for the future.</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>My Life Map</i>
isn't just for people who are struggling in life and need help. It can be a great tool for anyone at any stage of life. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I
didn't have a life plan detailed out. When I graduated from high
school, I planned to go on to college, graduate, get married and have
kids. That was the extent of my plan.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then life threw me a
curve ball. I got very sick my first semester in college and had to
medically withdraw to go home and have surgery. Then, as I was heading
back to college AGAIN, I found myself pregnant. At 19. Talk about a
shocker.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Next thing I knew, I'd made the big decision to keep the
baby and get married to my long-time childhood sweetheart. My life
plan changed. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I planned to be a good wife, a good mother,
and go back to school. A few years later, I decided to have another
child. And keep trying to finish my degree, while working part time and
being a full time mother. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, years later, <a href="http://www.texaswordtangle.com/2008/11/end-of-friendship-letter-laced-with.html">my marriage fell apart</a>, and we separated. My life plan changed yet again.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So,
what I'm saying is, you can make life plans, but you have to adjust
your plans when unexpected events change your course. But, at any time
in your life, not just during changes, it's helpful to revisit your
goals, your plans and make those adjustments. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This book helps you create a visual road map in all the major life areas of your life, such as:</span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">family</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">work</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">play</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">friends</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">education</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You'll find warm-up exercises, sample journeys, my life maps, tips and tools for establishing next steps and reflections pages. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Check
it out. You'll surprise yourself. It might be hard, it might be easy,
you might be excited by the exercises or you might dread it. It's all
progress! </span></span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Join our My Life Map discussions over on <a href="http://www.blogher.com/bookclub/now-reading-my-life-map">BlogHer Book Club</a>. <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i>This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are <span class="">my</span> own</i></span></span></span></span><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span></span><br /></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-69812309868856973982012-12-11T14:58:00.002-06:002012-12-11T14:58:47.883-06:00Whimsical WeathervanesOver Thanksgiving, the boys and I, my grandmother, and my sister (who flew in from California) visited my mom and stepfather in their new home in Leesburg, Virginia.<br />
<br />
The day before Thanksgiving, we all went hiking in <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nvrpa.org/park/red_rock_widerness_overlook">Red Rock Park</a></span>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m_K2Pb6J_sim-9w_sT2zwmlQX-0QfVvOMPuefJ8cHtkWlBkoSLzVGyHxelO5wzUvCaRqGN8zu2m3Ff6AiK5BiUGolFqO5WVCmKCqtI9xnBRUAkiI1d1HDh6krNcsYzXpQM7JK8851itU/s1600/Red+Rock+Hiking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6m_K2Pb6J_sim-9w_sT2zwmlQX-0QfVvOMPuefJ8cHtkWlBkoSLzVGyHxelO5wzUvCaRqGN8zu2m3Ff6AiK5BiUGolFqO5WVCmKCqtI9xnBRUAkiI1d1HDh6krNcsYzXpQM7JK8851itU/s320/Red+Rock+Hiking.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
This awesome park had some <span style="font-size: large;">pre-Civil War</span> ruins<br />
and tons of trails through the woods leading to a scenic <span style="font-size: large;">Potomac overlook</span>!
<br />
<br />
<br />
My younger son made his great-grandmother a walking stick,<br />
and my older son helped her up and down steep inclines.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpx20yIyRdrbqCOKQqpEtOoMNI2VSeypVD7mUjI1y1W8G1L7ump38lQHT-TomTLf3j0sJKpjcuaRhdDn-sCDzXgha-XIY52oHrvcEsow1R_ZX_3s8OutyqrUfCPpmeB4dBiH1NpgvX6-U/s1600/Red+Rock+hike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpx20yIyRdrbqCOKQqpEtOoMNI2VSeypVD7mUjI1y1W8G1L7ump38lQHT-TomTLf3j0sJKpjcuaRhdDn-sCDzXgha-XIY52oHrvcEsow1R_ZX_3s8OutyqrUfCPpmeB4dBiH1NpgvX6-U/s320/Red+Rock+hike.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
I love seeing my<span style="font-size: large;"> loved </span>ones all together, working as <span style="font-size: large;">a family should</span>.
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZtRoKlKljFNUpf5UXh54SMhksQ_ZJV5WyjqFujbQzsE-5RjMkMOhEQDPO8EEMScrHyFYon3KCu1VZpFaVb05Ugr4C9B7860toA8r-5BWAOVcVmzICCwHebEr3jgXoRfl29V8qA8SLTNH/s1600/Potomac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZtRoKlKljFNUpf5UXh54SMhksQ_ZJV5WyjqFujbQzsE-5RjMkMOhEQDPO8EEMScrHyFYon3KCu1VZpFaVb05Ugr4C9B7860toA8r-5BWAOVcVmzICCwHebEr3jgXoRfl29V8qA8SLTNH/s320/Potomac.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
After our hike, we ate lunch at <a href="http://www.clydes.com/willow">Clydes Willow Creek Farm</a>,<br />
in an <span style="font-size: large;">old barn</span> that was built in 1885.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cS8fgwF69qbkhD2sDZSaXPizNzSXX02f1UGOe6_c98SCDVENe5Lw2TYtndi5mgo-ZesDEJ1vTwRYmcnG6m1Mm6ANW9d-xksvPh2KIWjBPvfLYRln8D7KvcXEkga-8BXRHtlLVXzbYUQI/s1600/frame_willow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cS8fgwF69qbkhD2sDZSaXPizNzSXX02f1UGOe6_c98SCDVENe5Lw2TYtndi5mgo-ZesDEJ1vTwRYmcnG6m1Mm6ANW9d-xksvPh2KIWjBPvfLYRln8D7KvcXEkga-8BXRHtlLVXzbYUQI/s320/frame_willow.png" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Once a home for milking cows and horse stalls,<br />
Clydes is now a dining room filled with <span style="font-size: large;">whimsical weathervanes</span>.<br />
<br />
A mermaid weathervane. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdV2n4pKjXxrSByMAYcbNuF3tlo6N6siHn50G-Jk8NUi4VVCNt4VtmpvGxBaLnPa0-VAMmt7trC06lW5vv4dtqSLI034p-gCFNoDAFzhnnqmhyphenhyphenxtpOMm5eoVxinvGO3nU-JPNUU6-D-oY/s1600/Mermaid+weathercane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdV2n4pKjXxrSByMAYcbNuF3tlo6N6siHn50G-Jk8NUi4VVCNt4VtmpvGxBaLnPa0-VAMmt7trC06lW5vv4dtqSLI034p-gCFNoDAFzhnnqmhyphenhyphenxtpOMm5eoVxinvGO3nU-JPNUU6-D-oY/s320/Mermaid+weathercane.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and an angel weathervane<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknmIA2G7FFv6T-rCRxMatBrD8xWWO-d9c4MliaiWx_DlgdnN26G0woAFnJZqpbau5cz3YfCMVd9yvW6PtAWk65QId0pg_tPtF6UOCS1DkyZHJ_9QG-RpykUmFD5we4cGazr7oCwpm7uIv/s1600/Angel+Weathervane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknmIA2G7FFv6T-rCRxMatBrD8xWWO-d9c4MliaiWx_DlgdnN26G0woAFnJZqpbau5cz3YfCMVd9yvW6PtAWk65QId0pg_tPtF6UOCS1DkyZHJ_9QG-RpykUmFD5we4cGazr7oCwpm7uIv/s320/Angel+Weathervane.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
We took the tour and saw some crazy bars too,<br />
one with this <span style="font-size: large;">gigantic golden cricket</span><br />
(real gold-plated and it's tongue is sticking out! I think there's a story there ...)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjf3wPC1ZHhm_guQSJ3ZU2f1DrICgOYp90enLDKiLINp5uOXK13zWcEL8DjCt7A4WmXKSuG57r4jgnRmC0Vb1CEgHl6EVyuqBuYbB4CRrR8yUc7hFzHOLKR3eWq5XGrFQ7N-fxhQIgE7b/s1600/Golden+Cricket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjf3wPC1ZHhm_guQSJ3ZU2f1DrICgOYp90enLDKiLINp5uOXK13zWcEL8DjCt7A4WmXKSuG57r4jgnRmC0Vb1CEgHl6EVyuqBuYbB4CRrR8yUc7hFzHOLKR3eWq5XGrFQ7N-fxhQIgE7b/s320/Golden+Cricket.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
and a jockey<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvrVuG_Tn2FQ_f__tyTP-nKDsZorSnw6CEfe56cGRq9xrCG5SgAbCoVFbz-l5salUR3ytRA5TvYlus79J7aW4je4i4qmjeSH_8pNGZc99Gdu36Imos92RQcYerRBk2dgk6JS-V-XHn8kX/s1600/Jockey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvrVuG_Tn2FQ_f__tyTP-nKDsZorSnw6CEfe56cGRq9xrCG5SgAbCoVFbz-l5salUR3ytRA5TvYlus79J7aW4je4i4qmjeSH_8pNGZc99Gdu36Imos92RQcYerRBk2dgk6JS-V-XHn8kX/s320/Jockey.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
and so much more I didn't have time to photograph!<br />
<br />
<br />
I tried not to think about the creepy figurehead <span style="font-size: large;">looming</span> over our table as we ate.<br />
She was from a shipwreck off the coast of Nantucket. <br />
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERuqN6I0DFTWvRLFGmvLgQBXAvsKn05XM5pctGZVM-3DmlYkG3PfZkqTHC4jIW5FsMXtoB-B3p9O6C729JZDxxakfDlQEMZfXJBzX89fBs7IRh9QUNgSO4dw8RAdmSt16fk5zn2PB3apz/s1600/Shipwrecked+Figurehead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERuqN6I0DFTWvRLFGmvLgQBXAvsKn05XM5pctGZVM-3DmlYkG3PfZkqTHC4jIW5FsMXtoB-B3p9O6C729JZDxxakfDlQEMZfXJBzX89fBs7IRh9QUNgSO4dw8RAdmSt16fk5zn2PB3apz/s320/Shipwrecked+Figurehead.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Have you ever encountered Whimsical Weathervanes?<br />
<br />
<br />
If you could have a weathervane on top of your house,<br />
what shape or form would you like it to be?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-42249918723521008572012-12-10T13:20:00.000-06:002012-12-10T13:20:02.902-06:00Poop on Christmas Cheer<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcpFWIbJBbZtNz-zT4x30PlmoYZE46t08mhkirN8YQmZh2thK_9UMxYVnx4822izf_ADuKIoIYwSuqVoCSTrOp_HZMGchTn-jXX4P-0KiSuFBD3tEpETYerTmn-gWudcd832_fgalGz8v/s1600/800px-Christmas_tree_bauble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcpFWIbJBbZtNz-zT4x30PlmoYZE46t08mhkirN8YQmZh2thK_9UMxYVnx4822izf_ADuKIoIYwSuqVoCSTrOp_HZMGchTn-jXX4P-0KiSuFBD3tEpETYerTmn-gWudcd832_fgalGz8v/s400/800px-Christmas_tree_bauble.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(<i>Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_tree_bauble.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></i>)</div>
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I've been a little slow to decorate this year. </div>
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It's been a <span style="font-size: large;">tough year</span>, and I think I'm feeling a little down. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I miss my mom and stepfather who have moved away. </div>
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I miss my dad, who has also moved away. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But, this weekend, we pulled out the lights for our fences </div>
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and the wreath for the front door. </div>
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And then, last but not least, </div>
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we pulled out the box with our <span style="font-size: large;">fake tree</span>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We kept this big box in the storage room off our back porch. </div>
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We've kept it there the last two years and never had a problem. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, this year, there was a problem. </div>
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We discovered <span style="font-size: large;">rodent feces</span> in the box and all over our tree. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, we had to throw out the tree.</span> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wonder what people think, seeing a Christmas tree in the dumpster. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On the positive side, it gives the dumpster a little <span style="font-size: large;">Christmas cheer</span>, right? </div>
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<br /></div>
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Sigh.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Bah Humbug. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The rats pooped on Christmas,</div>
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Literally. </div>
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" /></div>
Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-56146037167186063562012-12-07T10:54:00.004-06:002012-12-07T10:54:46.155-06:00Mysterious Flash in TexasThis morning, I witnessed a mysterious flash across the <span style="font-size: large;">North Texas sky</span>.<br />
(I can't tell you how badly I wished I'd gotten a picture of it.) <br />
<br />
Let me set the scene for you.<br />
<br />
It was around 6:30am.<br />
Still dark.<br />
I was pulling out of the high school parking lot,<br />
having just dropped off my teenage son for early morning football practice.<br />
My younger son had fallen back asleep in the back seat.<br />
The dog was waiting for me to put down the passenger window for her.<br />
Did I mention it was <span style="font-size: large;">still dark</span> outside?<br />
<br />
And then, I saw it.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/Strange-sight--182532251.html">A mysterious flash</a>. </span><br />
It was <span style="font-size: large;">greenish</span>, and it looked like something falling from the sky<br />
but it just disappeared before after a few seconds of falling.<br />
I blinked.<br />
Kept looking.<br />
Saw nothing else.<br />
Had a conversation with myself about what I saw.<br />
<br />
It kind of looked like a shooting star ... or a meteorite?<br />
A comet?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Aliens?</span><br />
<br />
I KNOW I saw something.<br />
And by the time I made it to work, hours later,<br />
I had <span style="font-size: large;">confirmation</span> that I wasn't the only one who saw it.<br />
<br />
Apparently people all over Texas saw it this morning.<br />
Crazy, right?!<br />
<br />
I've mentioned aliens before on this blog,<br />
and I'm usually the first one to bring up aliens,<br />
but I'm pretty sure this wasn't aliens.<br />
<br />
I'm leaning towards a <span style="font-size: large;">meteorite</span>.<br />
My FIRST!<br />
<br />
<b>Have you seen mysterious flashes before? </b><br />
<b>Have you seen shooting stars or meteorites? </b><br />
<b>Aliens?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-57007227184065970712012-12-05T10:07:00.000-06:002012-12-05T10:07:18.235-06:00I Want a Cow for Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyed76MQnBkkHoo3E4wXVdtfgKz7O5ODgc9uOpHCWswQBoI6-DxvFE2JxhM9Wfl62ZfEIqYHXRvjuv272_pdAydIVmJjMgb47u1CCOh3kgspnwWMA3D2jTdbjNJliNZ8lm8IZ2nqF2k19/s1600/Dairy+Cow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyed76MQnBkkHoo3E4wXVdtfgKz7O5ODgc9uOpHCWswQBoI6-DxvFE2JxhM9Wfl62ZfEIqYHXRvjuv272_pdAydIVmJjMgb47u1CCOh3kgspnwWMA3D2jTdbjNJliNZ8lm8IZ2nqF2k19/s320/Dairy+Cow.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
(photo source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cow_female_black_white.jpg">Wikipedia Commons</a>)<br />
<span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Driving my children to school this morning, </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I heard a story on NPR about dairy cows: </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000099; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms,sans-serif;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/12/05/166513348/milk-producers-peer-over-the-dairy-cliff">Mil</a><a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/12/05/166513348/milk-producers-peer-over-the-dairy-cliff">k Producers Peer Over the Dairy Cliff</a>.</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The dairy farmer they were interviewing made a comment about how the feed for the cow was more expensive that the end product ... the milk. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Did you know that the <span style="font-size: large;">government sets the milk price</span>?</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, apparently, if a new farm bill doesn't pass through Congress, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">milk could rise to $6-$8 a gallon! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I told my boys that we were going to have to<span style="font-size: large;"> buy a dairy cow.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That way we could have our own milk in the backyard.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, my older son, who had been listening to the radio with me, </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">reminded me that feeding the cow was the most expensive part. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, right.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But, he had a solution!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Mama, we can feed the cow <a href="http://www.maruchan.com/">Ramen Noodles</a>." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brilliant! </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(I wonder if our apartment complex requires a pet deposit for a dairy cow?</i>)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-52134692184390781872012-12-03T14:23:00.000-06:002012-12-03T14:23:27.007-06:00A Walk Around Town Lake<div style="text-align: center;">
This weekend, I took some walks around our local Town Lake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0KLkc4xNNDl2epxEWidjngfMrzU136krRM2862jmoUK7fLL8sOPS-GDAI-JK6AGUQIR4t3gojFjXGLZWZkMYAAMbKPksNEHWEtbn8CNU-YjDh1r7YU_T1zORW4n7_kIZlQ6MK7_oWPII/s1600/McKinney+Town+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0KLkc4xNNDl2epxEWidjngfMrzU136krRM2862jmoUK7fLL8sOPS-GDAI-JK6AGUQIR4t3gojFjXGLZWZkMYAAMbKPksNEHWEtbn8CNU-YjDh1r7YU_T1zORW4n7_kIZlQ6MK7_oWPII/s400/McKinney+Town+Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Even though it looks like fall in Texas ... it's not really.</div>
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It was 80 degrees this weekend!</div>
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<br /></div>
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I should be careful what I ask for ... but I'm really, really ready for COLD weather!</div>
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This was my walking companion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaoYDzv8D0IUhzR2jBK8LRKkAKdRpqKGS5H8WYTPuSXHKuY0GdyjfvYoJw5InTOdS86sUpGgCWkP_eBk7Qc7uUUE_e3FIMYDN44KMu9fLe6cEk_SAK9y38dYJxuQanzbdjTN49Di7XHuC/s1600/Walking+Companion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaoYDzv8D0IUhzR2jBK8LRKkAKdRpqKGS5H8WYTPuSXHKuY0GdyjfvYoJw5InTOdS86sUpGgCWkP_eBk7Qc7uUUE_e3FIMYDN44KMu9fLe6cEk_SAK9y38dYJxuQanzbdjTN49Di7XHuC/s400/Walking+Companion.jpg" width="298" /></a> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweet Annie.</div>
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Strangely enough, the ducks and geese didn't like her.</div>
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Every time I tried to get closer for a photo,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they hurried away. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC2pZBu2WjqWoJ7HCKixcKhTtsQuRQmMrrx_O-kO3g0NP4VMy8Uya07UcMmsUQ7bkgS_qZAanJwPUKGBbC5PRIxsWseW0okCaT69q4tq12zFSV_6c7w7VoB8NENYmpaN-qOl8JSjVwPW_/s1600/Ducks+&+Geese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjC2pZBu2WjqWoJ7HCKixcKhTtsQuRQmMrrx_O-kO3g0NP4VMy8Uya07UcMmsUQ7bkgS_qZAanJwPUKGBbC5PRIxsWseW0okCaT69q4tq12zFSV_6c7w7VoB8NENYmpaN-qOl8JSjVwPW_/s400/Ducks+&+Geese.jpg" width="298" /></a> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't mind letting Miss Annie swim a little.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhRa4eQYBMk_iLs-9cY_7IOdC2AZf_UXAaXwxWuwS4Dccywkp3E391r5SWQOmw1GjWzNk-SyO-gZZBSCyFvebQetqgRe7_RdzDseIcfXldwOQeM9eOTWwV9S2ASMUp7UBK7MK0XhDrVfP/s1600/Annie+in+the+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhRa4eQYBMk_iLs-9cY_7IOdC2AZf_UXAaXwxWuwS4Dccywkp3E391r5SWQOmw1GjWzNk-SyO-gZZBSCyFvebQetqgRe7_RdzDseIcfXldwOQeM9eOTWwV9S2ASMUp7UBK7MK0XhDrVfP/s400/Annie+in+the+water.jpg" width="298" /></a> </div>
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that is ... until this happened:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBE4iTs0_LoFBzedIqKHCx3F_Gk7IkGwqZenztrLpqIn3RmXLB7Kvvl3ML10C5rKXksjI6uob58R0p4-sJOGMC-7Y3j4nBkGyQlMszKj_Q3SWbvoXKF5_D-A7paEj5QoU4Xj2320Bp6iN3/s1600/Dirty+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBE4iTs0_LoFBzedIqKHCx3F_Gk7IkGwqZenztrLpqIn3RmXLB7Kvvl3ML10C5rKXksjI6uob58R0p4-sJOGMC-7Y3j4nBkGyQlMszKj_Q3SWbvoXKF5_D-A7paEj5QoU4Xj2320Bp6iN3/s400/Dirty+Dog.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Crap. </div>
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What did you do over the weekend?</div>
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" /></div>
Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-91241518061605763082012-11-28T10:48:00.002-06:002012-11-28T10:48:55.460-06:00Art of a Different Sort<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboYRJe2CcorYTFC-b7QvX0EvDGy27bwZDLwVTuaaRLpic9pW5ZxfVMfDQ-tOv9dVH9JY8i0Q6Fuy_YqVRNa9LUrf_FuEsaayc3LSkWRk7q-epI3MmMsyziHC-aWnliSUHcoAQGjGpdEsI/s1600/Remy's+art.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiboYRJe2CcorYTFC-b7QvX0EvDGy27bwZDLwVTuaaRLpic9pW5ZxfVMfDQ-tOv9dVH9JY8i0Q6Fuy_YqVRNa9LUrf_FuEsaayc3LSkWRk7q-epI3MmMsyziHC-aWnliSUHcoAQGjGpdEsI/s400/Remy's+art.PNG" width="400" /></a>
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<br />
<br />
As I wandered the halls of my son's elementary school last night,<br />
I discovered some interesting new artwork on the walls.<br />
<br />
Here's one created by my 10-year-old, Remy. <br />
(I've shared his artwork before, my little<a href="http://texaswordtangle.blogspot.com/2008/09/madcap-prevaricator.html"> madcap prevaricator</a>!) <br />
<br />
It took me a second, then I figured out what was going on in this piece.<br />
<br />
Can you guess?<br />
<br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-79269775413341560622012-11-27T09:05:00.003-06:002012-11-27T09:05:53.178-06:00Dog Sitting, A Piece of Cake, Right? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFlwsC8H_mRq_ADMiDIQKCvQnsbB2ulfBD_ir07JTqdYS5pN4u5Wbc8_Vlrv52aWXOPdMChjgSH2ZZ2QI3j94cDmgW5bcXm5yzUosYLkIA_f0JF8hX6I85Bg469X_waA_H4uzG88Up39m/s1600/Annie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFlwsC8H_mRq_ADMiDIQKCvQnsbB2ulfBD_ir07JTqdYS5pN4u5Wbc8_Vlrv52aWXOPdMChjgSH2ZZ2QI3j94cDmgW5bcXm5yzUosYLkIA_f0JF8hX6I85Bg469X_waA_H4uzG88Up39m/s400/Annie.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
As our plans for Thanksgiving solidified this fall,<br />
I knew I needed to find a place for our <a href="http://texaswordtangle.blogspot.com/2008/08/princess-annie-pie.html">sweet Annie</a> to stay while we were out of town.<br />
<br />
<br />
I called <a href="http://www.hevh.net/boarding/">our vet</a> early on, and was surprised to discover they were full!<br />
Weeks in advance!<br />
And I was a few animals deep into the waiting list.<br />
<br />
After a lot of calling around and worrying,<br />
it hit me that I have a friend who might be willing to help.<br />
She was wonderfully willing to dog sit.<br />
I was so relieved.<br />
<br />
I figured Annie would be easy, <span style="font-size: large;">a piece of cake</span><br />
... but of course, she proved me wrong.<br />
<br />
While we were gone:<br />
<br />
<b>She shed a massive amount of hair on a daily basis. </b><br />
<b>She threw up. </b><br />
<b>She developed an ear infection and shook her head non-stop, </b><br />
<b>causing her collar to rattle all night. </b><br />
<b>She threw up again. </b><br />
<b>She snored loudly. </b><br />
<b>She threw up yet again. </b><br />
<br />
No problem, right?<br />
Sheesh. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Our friend deserves a medal!</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Any good dog-sitting stories? </span></b></span><br />
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<img height="55" src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" width="200" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-16883577656747222932012-11-26T10:27:00.003-06:002012-11-26T10:27:45.913-06:00My Boys' Christmas Wish ListIt's that time of year again.<br />
The time of year that relatives begin asking what my boys want for Christmas.<br />
<br />
I usually ask the boys to make a list.<br />
They haven't given me their lists yet,<br />
but I do know the most important items on them.<br />
<br />
<br />
At the top of my teenager's wish list this year:<br />
<ul>
<li>An amp ... for his electric bass guitar. </li>
<li>Halo 4 (a video game) </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
At the top of my 10-yr-old's wish list this year:<br />
<ul>
<li>a double-bass pedal for his drum set </li>
<li>Call of Duty Black Ops 2 (a video game) </li>
</ul>
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<br />
I'm sensing a <span style="font-size: large;">lot</span> of noise in my future.<br />
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<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk312/Rheahollan/RheaSig.png" />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8838173868484267731.post-18839729717040448262012-11-23T16:45:00.001-06:002012-11-23T18:12:17.781-06:00How I spent Black Friday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wfYUOYlXzjn-Ud1ClOGXhbFqZq8pd9LXGEAhCDW9kx5Y8u4oCC0io25YKI2QMg6UlTseTjzDwEUR4R-8MEFSkB8tihNtQeesl1JAUSEPu-gYqOiuHnmLW6wddPXzAKAPjmUGtOpHG0h-/s640/blogger-image-993464459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wfYUOYlXzjn-Ud1ClOGXhbFqZq8pd9LXGEAhCDW9kx5Y8u4oCC0io25YKI2QMg6UlTseTjzDwEUR4R-8MEFSkB8tihNtQeesl1JAUSEPu-gYqOiuHnmLW6wddPXzAKAPjmUGtOpHG0h-/s640/blogger-image-993464459.jpg" /></a><br />
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<br />
We hiked through <a href="http://www.nvrpa.org/park/ball_s_bluff">Ball's Bluff Battlefield and National Cemetery</a>.<br />
Civil war soldiers were buried there. <br />
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<br />
Then we joined a historic tour of <a href="http://www.oatlands.org/">Oatlands Plantation</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wtXM_SSVpc7fTw8FZ91_90j99MgTc2AIJolVyJFFRsh8NF7ZIe32d-dFWN3Df2rHn2KaG7QdAmHbjPspeDxaG_mF4JlCoa3qYSfPHmrrzXlqGL8Z9hTSvtaUWgdYf5XVSjsxFXvnFh0c/s640/blogger-image-1387322246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wtXM_SSVpc7fTw8FZ91_90j99MgTc2AIJolVyJFFRsh8NF7ZIe32d-dFWN3Df2rHn2KaG7QdAmHbjPspeDxaG_mF4JlCoa3qYSfPHmrrzXlqGL8Z9hTSvtaUWgdYf5XVSjsxFXvnFh0c/s640/blogger-image-1387322246.jpg" /></a>
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<br />
And finished the day with a <a href="http://texaswordtangle.blogspot.com/2009/12/muletas-on-karakorum-why-dictionary.html">family game of Dictionary</a> and a movie.<br />
<br />
How did you spend your Black Friday? <br />
<br />
<br />Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11027061380778030388noreply@blogger.com0