tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72485200313269811382024-02-19T19:51:16.378-05:00Terry StoneTerry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-19963268847801455142010-06-28T12:34:00.000-04:002010-06-28T12:34:17.872-04:00Want a free Silhouette? Me too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vKmcN3ZctHuTH-DMoKRvM3RFQBX0HB3ZjlxfTXzzKvKLyfrM_jdz1qQtZ8H4Th0IngI1KK62_ZC2WVASaQXjNuuj8RuNEh8YO1_4zKzMi7i_esbv_J19Il3ViQnAEEFo-SlSOvxF8Vk8/s1600/silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vKmcN3ZctHuTH-DMoKRvM3RFQBX0HB3ZjlxfTXzzKvKLyfrM_jdz1qQtZ8H4Th0IngI1KK62_ZC2WVASaQXjNuuj8RuNEh8YO1_4zKzMi7i_esbv_J19Il3ViQnAEEFo-SlSOvxF8Vk8/s320/silhouette.jpg" /></a></div>Have you seen the new Silhouette cutting machines? From their site: It connects to your computer just like a printer, but instead of printing designs it cuts them with a small blade.<br />
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Imagine the possibilities you could do with this wonderful machine! Scrapbooking, vinyl lettering, glass etching, fabric designs-the ideas are endless!<br />
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Want to win one of these?<br />
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Check out <a href="http://j-a-girl.blogspot.com/2010/06/get-your-silhouette-here.html">this</a> post at <a href="http://j-a-girl.blogspot.com/">Just a Girl</a> for 4 opportunities to win one!<br />
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And if that isn't enough, check out <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/06/silhouette-craft-cutter-giveaway.html">this</a> post at <a href="http://www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/">Thrifty Decor Chick</a> for 4 more opportunities.<br />
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What are waiting for? Go enter!!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-30207787286608955992010-06-27T15:15:00.001-04:002010-06-27T15:18:59.803-04:00Lazy Days of Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-lMoNbS0M3QB-biSfRNVKaedHGyWZb4PTZPlmM1RO-Y2QkPtUsctm_XasL_IyjS_mYschlzUzQeN35ae-hGF4nrbhXgZ7fKNsNDih9Df4Avbe640cOwIA-MgRrUuj4RyPOY7hI2-091B/s1600/DSCF0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-lMoNbS0M3QB-biSfRNVKaedHGyWZb4PTZPlmM1RO-Y2QkPtUsctm_XasL_IyjS_mYschlzUzQeN35ae-hGF4nrbhXgZ7fKNsNDih9Df4Avbe640cOwIA-MgRrUuj4RyPOY7hI2-091B/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is hot here. Really hot. We're lucky we have a wonderful swimming hole</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">less than one mile from our house. But you do need a four-wheel drive to get there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See those goggles? On my son? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv0TjB-_YZbgteMQccumgMSQ2SmWGTluiNc0YdxXJe1a4SnL97fI0VqrBCvLvLPUn1YJn4zgjAxxeBSLRWyPN53dSBNv1KnzwO6_4_Rc78zbc7xOjFIY5gYMCMs0B97C3IMJ8aIjJMXbe/s1600/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv0TjB-_YZbgteMQccumgMSQ2SmWGTluiNc0YdxXJe1a4SnL97fI0VqrBCvLvLPUn1YJn4zgjAxxeBSLRWyPN53dSBNv1KnzwO6_4_Rc78zbc7xOjFIY5gYMCMs0B97C3IMJ8aIjJMXbe/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See my son behind Otis the Waterdog? He couldn't do that last week. Then my eldest son bought him goggles and told him they would help him swim. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who knew? Sure not me. But he's swimming like a fish. Sometimes, older brothers are the best, aren't they!?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And sometimes, they never stop being big brothers. LOL. I totally knew what he was up to!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But we love them, anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, see that rock behind Mr. Goggles? It's in the scene I just wrote for my new WIP! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-86633251345611013402010-06-24T15:06:00.000-04:002010-06-24T15:06:57.640-04:00A List of Things...First off, a big Congratulations and Good Luck to my wonderful critique partner, Gillian Layne, on her final in the Golden Heart! I couldn't think of anyone who deserves it more. Gillian is such a talented writer and such a wonderful friend, I cannot imagine trying to write without the support and advice of this wonderful person!<br />
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Second, I apologize for not posting since the winter. Sometimes, a person just needs to take a break, and I was definitely needing a break. I'm glad to say that my health has improved to the point where I am almost entirely back to normal. I still have difficulty remembering where things are when I put them up-but then my Mom assures me that is merely the effects of nearing 40 and not the result of a mini-stroke, LOL.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t_QJTZsCTHRND21-21OByvgz7j8LhxU0NBXONm5kJVyxJ0eMSx7lrik1cYQNSVsFTZhNN19n5IpsbrGYBQPA5OMgoYBSa62umM3xe_oBsTqhBJADMlj4BI8oi2ZmNnRKnT5r4jeO3Hhr/s1600/stain+for+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t_QJTZsCTHRND21-21OByvgz7j8LhxU0NBXONm5kJVyxJ0eMSx7lrik1cYQNSVsFTZhNN19n5IpsbrGYBQPA5OMgoYBSa62umM3xe_oBsTqhBJADMlj4BI8oi2ZmNnRKnT5r4jeO3Hhr/s200/stain+for+kitchen.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8U8EeHPXQgyBt4tkGvgKGwRKbIlSHgN1U5H91QM72euxtGN7KScM2G1xKSuHhBT04EcLGoWus7g0MMhQ3mPjlYPgI0DFAtN9VxZ2Q5fYpC7rkO6tbVagYmo800GoxNCKBPLln7L2wLLbI/s1600/kitchen+wall+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8U8EeHPXQgyBt4tkGvgKGwRKbIlSHgN1U5H91QM72euxtGN7KScM2G1xKSuHhBT04EcLGoWus7g0MMhQ3mPjlYPgI0DFAtN9VxZ2Q5fYpC7rkO6tbVagYmo800GoxNCKBPLln7L2wLLbI/s200/kitchen+wall+paper.jpg" width="200" /></a>Third, for everyone that asked for a tutorial on the wallpaper, thank you. I started to do one but felt so silly because it was so simple. The first step is to put up the paintable wallpaper-the hardest thing about this step and the entire project is matching up the seams-I hate matching up the seams. Let it dry. I then took Minwax Stain in Dark Walnut and just painted it on. To get the different tones, I was really messy with the stain. I would soak a foam brush in it, then squeeze the stain onto the paper and let it run a minute before spreading it around. Let that dry and then stand back and admire your handiwork. Easiest home improvement project ever, I promise.<br />
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Fourth, I have finally found the new story that has been lurking in my mind for months. I have the prologue (the prologue actually came to me first and set the scene for the entire book), chapters 1 and 2, and the black moment. I am writing towards the black moment because after the prologue came to me, the black moment came to me. I really hope this works because I've never tried this type of writing before. While I was never a plotter, I still wrote in a linear fashion. We'll see where this route takes me and enjoy the ride. I guess this is extreme writing by the seat of your pants.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoQ4_UmwG2SicKqTe79LtJbLaEBHIcgfJnMGVwAsdfpBLvWP2pQ13KAUyrWrsI5PT3PLfShts7EgRR5dlIIN-E62jZgs1CGiBksf-5xuz0gf3y59q8qyIynRQs7ppm3KFXBpUrRe7b1FA/s1600/hole+in+the+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoQ4_UmwG2SicKqTe79LtJbLaEBHIcgfJnMGVwAsdfpBLvWP2pQ13KAUyrWrsI5PT3PLfShts7EgRR5dlIIN-E62jZgs1CGiBksf-5xuz0gf3y59q8qyIynRQs7ppm3KFXBpUrRe7b1FA/s320/hole+in+the+wall.jpg" /></a>And finally, I have finished the hole in the wall doorway. Okay, I did not finish it by myself. I got in over my head (actually, what I got in was an electric outlet and my son kicked part of the wall down to tell me to stop. It scared him so badly he told his dad -who promptly took my saw from me!) and had to call my uncle to come and save the day. He done such a fabulous job! I still need to paint the trim in my living room, and get my decorations up and then I will have some pictures for you! <br />
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Want a sneak peek? Of course you do!<br />
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More to come, I promise!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-39950537033031218572009-12-23T17:41:00.001-05:002009-12-23T17:48:10.610-05:00Winter Wonderland?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6A5-zm5PWudgeEXQ3QbGWrlJPrt05IaE7wChNuGABwUFEgUbaq0q4P8fYbHaZb14iKI4J_Q4DeAMf2AWCF7imPD6iL1yq89glS2nBzwtsAtGuxVd7Ql8ght6F-xYUCQOFkgZtjGOz7Qa/s1600-h/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6A5-zm5PWudgeEXQ3QbGWrlJPrt05IaE7wChNuGABwUFEgUbaq0q4P8fYbHaZb14iKI4J_Q4DeAMf2AWCF7imPD6iL1yq89glS2nBzwtsAtGuxVd7Ql8ght6F-xYUCQOFkgZtjGOz7Qa/s320/003.JPG" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the lane snow is glistening<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking in a winter wonderland<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When it snows, ain't it thrillin <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Though your nose gets a chillin<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking in a winter wonderland <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And yes, I skipped through the lyrics because it was flipping cold outside!<br />
</div>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-74838087137234710492009-11-29T21:25:00.001-05:002009-11-29T21:32:25.872-05:00Rocking Around the Hurricanes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu6hmmlEPTRsk25XvKI1uwSGdqFBw0dfjrzNrLIJr2iFHtyM8BnxP96vvP3FTp8fwzTMKNdjqBRcsOTAqRJWOX3NiLBQEzjS8Ixx1UFfClPxd0UkKLMAPqjwlWsy3YFA7TDVFkFDyQwDb/s1600/Pic+for+Body+of+Blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu6hmmlEPTRsk25XvKI1uwSGdqFBw0dfjrzNrLIJr2iFHtyM8BnxP96vvP3FTp8fwzTMKNdjqBRcsOTAqRJWOX3NiLBQEzjS8Ixx1UFfClPxd0UkKLMAPqjwlWsy3YFA7TDVFkFDyQwDb/s320/Pic+for+Body+of+Blog3.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Welcome if you're from Between Naps on the Porch! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eY0vFKWDyVSFxJ3Iyi-E88gARacmSDbfrilWnAY5DTpA8C9UgivxI4T1LRBcT76zQ40F0yOJFg-c4bP9q8K20ZLcViZM4kQ8IT_NljK8bByKeOWyva1MnJ8EktkHj_zu2xVvrX4SkZ8p/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eY0vFKWDyVSFxJ3Iyi-E88gARacmSDbfrilWnAY5DTpA8C9UgivxI4T1LRBcT76zQ40F0yOJFg-c4bP9q8K20ZLcViZM4kQ8IT_NljK8bByKeOWyva1MnJ8EktkHj_zu2xVvrX4SkZ8p/s320/012.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>I am loving me some hurricanes for this holiday season. When I saw a fabulous post on another blog highlighting how to make one-I had to give it a try.<br />
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I set my goals a little loftier than I should have when my daughter and I were at Micheal's and I saw one on sale for $7. I promptly informed her that I could make one cheaper. She promptly informed me that I was insane. WELL, who's laughing now? Me, that's who!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o_HstaezPC3Hv1ITs9FPO6gsjNWtceJ-d1ly7zPhmp9mERSYoqRKX2TkETD4EfAhnnfAfdSoUeFSV5MsAbcreuKxBw3p59x2iYUbOeKHSidzNSGaa5deGcreCaBmsdBzdSttJ0rO3GCi/s1600/globe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8o_HstaezPC3Hv1ITs9FPO6gsjNWtceJ-d1ly7zPhmp9mERSYoqRKX2TkETD4EfAhnnfAfdSoUeFSV5MsAbcreuKxBw3p59x2iYUbOeKHSidzNSGaa5deGcreCaBmsdBzdSttJ0rO3GCi/s320/globe.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See that little hurricane with the beads and the amber ornament inside? The one with the big arrow pointed at it? It was $1 on clearance at Home Goods-the only thing I could find wrong with it was it needed washed. I kid you not!<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2p8Xfu95WwtV2zn9HMeowKOvUK1f7UGSZxgP2VtJwsCKnv6_etGSLx3dXaLUAUWZS0eWKY4Be6Kc8MZ32GWD0FVIl0Cv4M6bzArljg0vClimfCIxC50McGn00o_XNHcXJAHOPTzxm8by/s1600/candlestick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2p8Xfu95WwtV2zn9HMeowKOvUK1f7UGSZxgP2VtJwsCKnv6_etGSLx3dXaLUAUWZS0eWKY4Be6Kc8MZ32GWD0FVIl0Cv4M6bzArljg0vClimfCIxC50McGn00o_XNHcXJAHOPTzxm8by/s320/candlestick.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See that silver plated candle stick? Same story-$1 at Home Goods but look as I might, I have yet to find anything wrong with it. I meant for the hurricane to go on this candlestick. I brought them home, scrubbed them clean, and hot glued them together.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Note to my readers, DO NOT HOT GLUE A HEAVY SILVER PLATED CANDLE STICK TO AN EXTREMELY LIGHT WEIGHT HURRICANE GLOBE!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yeah, good thing I've got Mommy-hands and managed to catch that sucker before it came into contact with the floor. So I temporarily separated them by sitting them side by side while my pulse settled back to normal-beside my apothecary jars. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then, while at Walmart craft section picking up some E6000 epoxy (because I was sure that I wasn't using hot glue again), I noticed this:<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsgNwZaXcdTmz0-aV3ZAi8CMTJskt9V9wYYGzdH8KZ2_fHXVnfzx2kXaB9OrCnC449G70tBpDIdO6RRb-3s88rmD953uhHQuFzS0izM7hkuCM_vVeCl_bU0weH_uqFgCBl70GnRPYO0Pb/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsgNwZaXcdTmz0-aV3ZAi8CMTJskt9V9wYYGzdH8KZ2_fHXVnfzx2kXaB9OrCnC449G70tBpDIdO6RRb-3s88rmD953uhHQuFzS0izM7hkuCM_vVeCl_bU0weH_uqFgCBl70GnRPYO0Pb/s320/010.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That huge hurricane globe was $3!! See the candlestick it sets on? $2 out of Wally's candle section. Made for each other, no? The slender taper holder in the middle? $1.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There you go.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For $8 I got a hurricane three times the size of Micheal's $7 one. For $1 and an apothecary jar I already had, I got a hurricane twice the size as Micheal's $7 one. For a buck, I got one the same size as Micheal's $7. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty good, no?<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eY0vFKWDyVSFxJ3Iyi-E88gARacmSDbfrilWnAY5DTpA8C9UgivxI4T1LRBcT76zQ40F0yOJFg-c4bP9q8K20ZLcViZM4kQ8IT_NljK8bByKeOWyva1MnJ8EktkHj_zu2xVvrX4SkZ8p/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eY0vFKWDyVSFxJ3Iyi-E88gARacmSDbfrilWnAY5DTpA8C9UgivxI4T1LRBcT76zQ40F0yOJFg-c4bP9q8K20ZLcViZM4kQ8IT_NljK8bByKeOWyva1MnJ8EktkHj_zu2xVvrX4SkZ8p/s320/012.JPG" /></a>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-85080724393758735572009-11-28T07:17:00.001-05:002009-11-29T19:05:15.073-05:00What I've Been Up To<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDQuQtZDVnIFj5u6jfNgsvAHqJqKWJfWinKP3P0_hGJogsSqg4WyxkeOeLS4qK-zPkKL2eAuguLs12lGXZTX-zEx0Wxe6BZha8LKwqqWXZ142xce_xV4idynMplfBnypqwF8eo2tmMIHY/s1600/satnitenew150w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDQuQtZDVnIFj5u6jfNgsvAHqJqKWJfWinKP3P0_hGJogsSqg4WyxkeOeLS4qK-zPkKL2eAuguLs12lGXZTX-zEx0Wxe6BZha8LKwqqWXZ142xce_xV4idynMplfBnypqwF8eo2tmMIHY/s320/satnitenew150w.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A big welcome if you're joining us from Donna's fabulous Saturday Nite Special. Don't forget to check out everyone else's wonderful entries. <br />
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</div>Hello all! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday. Mine was really great. And we followed it up with a quick shopping trip on Black Friday (night-not morning) and a great dinner out to celebrate my eldest's birthday. This entire week has taken me back to 1992 and my week long labor to bring him into this world. The dates and days were the same as back then and the entire week I would think "This time 17 years ago-I thought I was dying". Much easier to celebrate now with the distance of time.<br />
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Of course, I took time between memories to make a Thanksgiving dinner.We celebrated with my mom and my sister's family. My brother's family couldn't make it as they've all come down with the H1N1 virus. I feel for them, my house went through a bout of it and it's a nasty bug.<br />
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Also, I managed a little Christmas decorating and crafting! Look at me, Queen of Multi-tasking.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>After only 3 months, guess what I've finally finished? </b></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiqV9WHYpZxkU9THnOSre6jY-mXqPY6sWsWAUSWAcye_QcSii8MkYiVLHgj3RURbtLdIfCLTq4MDQA8hUWaoAdAVaVqx8sYe7IXae9V5kEW0RCStsYPhfeA2BfqyS8es4dmUb2aDI_3CG/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiqV9WHYpZxkU9THnOSre6jY-mXqPY6sWsWAUSWAcye_QcSii8MkYiVLHgj3RURbtLdIfCLTq4MDQA8hUWaoAdAVaVqx8sYe7IXae9V5kEW0RCStsYPhfeA2BfqyS8es4dmUb2aDI_3CG/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+019.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My dining room finally has things on the walls. Yippee!! I am so glad, now those hollow echoes will quit chasing me from the room when someone speaks. My neighbor gave me the old window, she has an entire stack of them in her basement and I think she thought I was insane when I asked her if I could have some of them to decorate with. I merely cleaned the glass and added a small ledge on the bottom of it.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kn72ShiQiktELEXm9wehZrHTjXx61Wu8jWgX5OadH9LN5aoweBX9JEpaG__Zbrg9db27lmbQ4zKZq8EZRq3A0G0FxsmdJk5xFmhsplBR9cxKwU0AAeUNEBJm_jwGF7Utj_IT8LflBalk/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Kn72ShiQiktELEXm9wehZrHTjXx61Wu8jWgX5OadH9LN5aoweBX9JEpaG__Zbrg9db27lmbQ4zKZq8EZRq3A0G0FxsmdJk5xFmhsplBR9cxKwU0AAeUNEBJm_jwGF7Utj_IT8LflBalk/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+020.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I built these shelves not too long ago. These babies are 8 feet long! I love them and they're such a joy to decorate. Here they are, almost ready for Christmas. I think they could use a few more things. And I'm not sure about my garland ala The Nester style. It looks a little anemic in this photo.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvNdbW8EN0IvnZRZ1mzaAVfCZc-yNZtt9UPUKoX8VTZh_dmBlxgqhFJ7DJNUraiPdKCCMRg4BsJssyNoJviuBidZnlJrjCYQYM_wF6BZ4Rn1LWHrZL4dz-YcDXDhxazAbJxHi_GhsfLNS/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvNdbW8EN0IvnZRZ1mzaAVfCZc-yNZtt9UPUKoX8VTZh_dmBlxgqhFJ7DJNUraiPdKCCMRg4BsJssyNoJviuBidZnlJrjCYQYM_wF6BZ4Rn1LWHrZL4dz-YcDXDhxazAbJxHi_GhsfLNS/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+023.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you see that metal word? I got it at Michael's out of the $1 bin. It was a hideous neon green glittered covered atrocity that my daughter begged me not to buy. I didn't listen, obviously. Brought it home, sanded some glitter off and gave it a coat of Krylon's Brushed Metallic spray paint in Sesame Shimmer. I am so in love with this stuff-you'll see more of it in the following pictures.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPpJGFxaJPHCs8crnc7V840Wf7IihZs5dIbu052hYPGMNiedTQ42hPp3TVbRCsGftHSnDIMrWxn0Fx77Izg62iDUuPRMmik-xtN0539QbvrqsdHlMuESwOS2SfK99wbwXcgj7SgZj6AlQ/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkPpJGFxaJPHCs8crnc7V840Wf7IihZs5dIbu052hYPGMNiedTQ42hPp3TVbRCsGftHSnDIMrWxn0Fx77Izg62iDUuPRMmik-xtN0539QbvrqsdHlMuESwOS2SfK99wbwXcgj7SgZj6AlQ/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+027.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's another word sign, but this one I left the glitter on and really liked how it turned out. A pleasant surprise. Those metal stars you see are from the Dollar Store. The hydrangeas are clip-ons I got at Big Lots a couple years ago for $0.35 a piece! Talk about a bargain.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Moving on to the kitchen... </b></span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYoA2CXYy8cByqiyfRdviSPzHfeKgiXk_WPpl5tCRK0NahP8pujSLXR4RecAuK4MHzyKzTAgoompqfavRmx1UqRH-i-uRFyICc1EwlUHOvV1A4ci8LsOLubnQ_F1qNATseRXL0u2pRBc3/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYoA2CXYy8cByqiyfRdviSPzHfeKgiXk_WPpl5tCRK0NahP8pujSLXR4RecAuK4MHzyKzTAgoompqfavRmx1UqRH-i-uRFyICc1EwlUHOvV1A4ci8LsOLubnQ_F1qNATseRXL0u2pRBc3/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+033.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While out, I stopped in at Homegoods and picked up the shadow box (it was slightly damaged and they gave me $5 off! Woo-hoo!) I promptly brought it home, took it apart, and started painting and decoupaging. Love how it turned out. And it proudly sets atop my $1.50 Goodwill shelf that I spray painted black. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Did you see this and it's mate in the photo above? Those are black frames that I picked up about 4 years ago at Gabriel Brothers for $1.99 a piece (no my memory isn't that good-they still had the price tag on the back). I took the cheap chipboard picture of an old soda ad, put a ($0.99 cent) piece of craft paper over it with Mod-Podge and hot glued a $1 ornament from the Dollar Store on it. I used Valspar spray paint to paint the frames and distressed them a bit to show the black. Loving them!!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But my favorite thing so far??<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTrL88O4n7q2ZloKjvIEIG9o7b14R6zicmYRpZ7ZxEx12jFVX5QeabblIYG9v-RoeEFZOon9LDnz-NNB8D-LOWOy9JZbjru30S-u92fGTfrukJMASiHfSyipUCj78LW-oHk14FGINcfXQ/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTrL88O4n7q2ZloKjvIEIG9o7b14R6zicmYRpZ7ZxEx12jFVX5QeabblIYG9v-RoeEFZOon9LDnz-NNB8D-LOWOy9JZbjru30S-u92fGTfrukJMASiHfSyipUCj78LW-oHk14FGINcfXQ/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+036.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My hen!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've had this wreath so long, I don't know where it's from or how much it cost. I'm guessing cheap, because it hasn't held up well at all. I picked up the hen, plunked the wreath on the tray, sit the hen back down and WOW! the change it made.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Want to see what I've been up to in the renovating department?</b></span><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjputOviQzvMp83KbNq6hGL0KySz2DlZgS5B9j8H9h0dyob-h4DYUCSSfTBAHgTtvrmQ0wrYJgmZ51BXcCbJtgSqWel5V6ee2lR3fuet8bfjoXRzHAq5r0wMHX1VqETDGDMIYBdNiTjkCcq/s1600/Thanksgiving+2009+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjputOviQzvMp83KbNq6hGL0KySz2DlZgS5B9j8H9h0dyob-h4DYUCSSfTBAHgTtvrmQ0wrYJgmZ51BXcCbJtgSqWel5V6ee2lR3fuet8bfjoXRzHAq5r0wMHX1VqETDGDMIYBdNiTjkCcq/s320/Thanksgiving+2009+044.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's my kitchen counter and backsplash. That is also only about $32. A can of Valspar's Glossy Black paint, another can of High Shine Poly, and a roll of paintable wallpaper and I have brand spanking new counters and a backsplash. Can't beat that!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now to conquer my fear of crown molding so I can redo my cabinets. The angles have got me perplexed, but as soon as I figure them out, I'll be sure to show you all. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and before I left for shopping yesterday evening, I tore down part of a wall to put in a doorway! The hubby is definitely loving that, let me tell you. Now to dig out the reciprocating saw and cut it out. Pictures to follow on that also.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, what have you been up to?<br />
</div>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-1930388842415629692009-10-26T11:38:00.001-04:002009-10-26T11:48:14.913-04:00From Goodwill find to Dog House to TV Cabinet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh4d5dUAiHyzK0j6_I0TIDXknpi6ihwIB6JTexUbVasuxj1rSP6Ou3Tjki1ESJ9x15hhm_WmaQECXlU_g7ReomdmILxeOsx6AeHt-PQ6yggx44oKKBDgkf2HRy-Gr_0DF90A8yw47FGNv/s1600-h/October+2nd+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh4d5dUAiHyzK0j6_I0TIDXknpi6ihwIB6JTexUbVasuxj1rSP6Ou3Tjki1ESJ9x15hhm_WmaQECXlU_g7ReomdmILxeOsx6AeHt-PQ6yggx44oKKBDgkf2HRy-Gr_0DF90A8yw47FGNv/s320/October+2nd+074.JPG" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my $20 Goodwill cabinet. Solid wood construction, except for the laminate top that my youngest quickly divested of its side strips. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's Butch who decided it would be best utilized as a dog house.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sorry Butch, but I've got other plans!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Three coats of Glossy Black by Valspar. A pine top stained a dark walnut. A set of 6 inch legs and a quick rummage for all matching baskets in the house. Definitely not a dog house anymore.<br />
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</div>See that bookshelf? It was plain wood and sat right on the floor on the bottom shelf. I bought matching 4 inch legs for it and put a couple coats of the left over paint on it-I think it turned out just as great as the cabinet!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linked up to <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"> Between Naps on the Porch</a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Metamorphosis Mondays <br />
</div><a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/"></a>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-81306722174340289332009-10-10T21:34:00.000-04:002009-10-10T21:34:10.027-04:00Anyone else remodeling?<span style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Since I've been remodeling the house, I've become addicted to designing/DIY blogs. There are some terrific blogs out there that teach a cheapo like me how to do some amazing things, all without bothering the hubby to help.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">I have started redoing my kitchen, well, to be technical, I am finishing my kitchen since it was never actually 100% finished when we moved in 4 years ago. So imagine my delight to see a post on the fabulous <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/10/fabulous-faucet-giveaway/comment-page-5/#comment-17854">Centsational Girl'</a>s site today with a chance to win a Price Pfister faucet! </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'MS Shell Dlg'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">Hurry over and check it out, you never know, you just might win a terrific new faucet.</span></span></div>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-61320205906989757802009-10-08T23:19:00.001-04:002009-10-08T23:21:44.621-04:00Finally, the decorating is starting...Hello, all. Sorry to have been absent for so long. I've been having some health problems and am trying to get that under control. Just a fair warning for everyone, keep an eye on your blood pressure after you hit your mid-30's-it could seriously save your life, take my word for it.<br />
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I have finally gotten around to doing a little something with my dining room, though. I had an old dresser that I picked up at a yard sale several years ago. It was a gross black dresser trimmed in gold, but the lines of it struck my fancy and I bought it for $25. I gave it a good cleaning and a couple coats of white paint and when Otis the jealous dog decided to help me out and break one of the drawers I was painting, I decided I needed an open shelf with wicker baskets. He's such a talented designer, that dog.<br />
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I think it turned out pretty good, except that I was so anxious to share the pictures, I didn't put the hardware back on!<br />
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I swiped this finial from my sister. It was this dingy gold sparkly stuff and I got creative and turned it into this...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not to bad, huh. And best of all-FREE!! See those cool decorative orbs? The red fleur de lis and the embossed leather one I found at the dollar store for, you guessed it, $1 each! The twine ones, I made out of some leftover styrofoam balls from a few christmases ago. The wicker ones came in a clearance package of potpourri, that I bought just so I could dig them out.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rest of the potpourri in a container I've had forever.I have to give a shout out to my talented sister for making this burlap blind for me. I was a genius and washed the burlap first, so she actually had to make it from the ragged and frayed piece of burlap that came out of the dryer. Note to self-NEVER wash unhemmed burlap! I haven't got the hardware to hang it yet, so I folded it lengthwise and draped it over the dresser. I love it so much, I may keep it here.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I bought this cabinet at Goodwill for $20. I plan to redo it - paint it and add some legs for height and I removed the doors and am going to put more baskets in it (because I went through a whole buying wicker basket phase a few years ago and only have a million around here), I think it will work beautifully in either my laundry room or kitchen (I can't decide which)...<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVgsAZn0WFBjTrX2aUUnMbKKCmwWH8L0mk6JWvu8SZSh-zXk93pVLAiG5AjxynBHJsT0EI7aT3M03Sq4VpgKguaTZSzeSMl-V5mBITHIxbkAbTXb7RpCOhGzY-rIX9f1smi7B4LKj7Dln/s1600-h/October+2nd+082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVgsAZn0WFBjTrX2aUUnMbKKCmwWH8L0mk6JWvu8SZSh-zXk93pVLAiG5AjxynBHJsT0EI7aT3M03Sq4VpgKguaTZSzeSMl-V5mBITHIxbkAbTXb7RpCOhGzY-rIX9f1smi7B4LKj7Dln/s320/October+2nd+082.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">someone thinks it's his new house.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pHjCQwY4xTiH1OFNQ7vbcUlTzt268P1MlPn4LVihRW3sEioct_IXR_NRk40SrhEXims_oMg3faACgjXDt1_iePe5GLZSNkr6om3IGwIFrj6d9lfh-w3CbBvYc8RrCdf2ZDMkFnsOCxTD/s1600-h/October+2nd+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pHjCQwY4xTiH1OFNQ7vbcUlTzt268P1MlPn4LVihRW3sEioct_IXR_NRk40SrhEXims_oMg3faACgjXDt1_iePe5GLZSNkr6om3IGwIFrj6d9lfh-w3CbBvYc8RrCdf2ZDMkFnsOCxTD/s320/October+2nd+083.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I sense a problem here. I really really do.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vdaQlbme4HituiaHa4okWi3g0PCgu3ZtgI_4KRSrPZbp9JnIg0ZQadxgaxRjGXoPaLOmhNEcCecLNjtzJXgecyM5gAhA9s8mmWIwxQFcSiinWIUXqBO-eVblDuAcKiaW2qQaWWTvwZk6/s1600-h/October+2nd+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vdaQlbme4HituiaHa4okWi3g0PCgu3ZtgI_4KRSrPZbp9JnIg0ZQadxgaxRjGXoPaLOmhNEcCecLNjtzJXgecyM5gAhA9s8mmWIwxQFcSiinWIUXqBO-eVblDuAcKiaW2qQaWWTvwZk6/s320/October+2nd+102.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flood recovery is going well. Everyone is pitching in to help reseed the yard, I guess I could wait until Butch is distracted with yard work and sneak and work on my cabinet.<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtdFz-ym1wy-Eg3tLBVwm3K040XmdZd1RZu2KBtHfcWPTfyfVfUbIgHuf0pg5lWTcRYj2G5T3n8PFstMseoGPuhpEVNqYYJezfycY29vz3sTdILu9x22o04IY4AebHv1s-VtgfMjSqba_/s1600-h/DSCF0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtdFz-ym1wy-Eg3tLBVwm3K040XmdZd1RZu2KBtHfcWPTfyfVfUbIgHuf0pg5lWTcRYj2G5T3n8PFstMseoGPuhpEVNqYYJezfycY29vz3sTdILu9x22o04IY4AebHv1s-VtgfMjSqba_/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And in closing, here's an awesome poster my eldest made for his school's spirit week. Handrawn, isn't that awesome?!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope everyone has a great weekend!<br />
</div>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-74078540984066809752009-09-05T15:11:00.005-04:002009-09-05T15:31:17.429-04:00A Few Changes Around the HouseLast week, my beautiful yard-seen behind my daughter here- went from this lush green lawn with a few toys scattered around it<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCam-GLsrYO09PVjncWrch2zIs8voS2vQulFGlq-abqXChBdEWSDrP8h6j-pMKty9XY7XjV2bUIu-vCiVTBCzOaVpnFV7shSlfCGUw72JH5spXr3J2UrqUsY2a__DJlKzXhxBmpRd88Rzh/s1600-h/081.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCam-GLsrYO09PVjncWrch2zIs8voS2vQulFGlq-abqXChBdEWSDrP8h6j-pMKty9XY7XjV2bUIu-vCiVTBCzOaVpnFV7shSlfCGUw72JH5spXr3J2UrqUsY2a__DJlKzXhxBmpRd88Rzh/s320/081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378066543099352002" border="0" /></a><br /><br />to this-a desolate flood ravaged scene of destruction<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryIccdCweIAiZdKVQntjpDH4732tAyxRhEO-qdV_WaK-bdNqxtGKusuu6AM43r2PR7PnyDf2EdyxZbjsWG1UaOnYcx1VKbGQArkItZ3iAQKSLMECT33nH5-4mjzHexZxJJ0BRPfD9tf56/s1600-h/DSCF0052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryIccdCweIAiZdKVQntjpDH4732tAyxRhEO-qdV_WaK-bdNqxtGKusuu6AM43r2PR7PnyDf2EdyxZbjsWG1UaOnYcx1VKbGQArkItZ3iAQKSLMECT33nH5-4mjzHexZxJJ0BRPfD9tf56/s320/DSCF0052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378066551095270530" border="0" /> (the water spurting from the fire hose is from the basement of my house-we're still raking mud out of there)</a><br /><br />In better news, I got an idea and ran with it and made some changes before the destruction.<br /><br />After a couple of weeks with power tools-my dining room went from this<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1igZTyLLy0P6OhEwKSHEmKAlNKqCmwPgtZpcUqpY_MW26ZidefsX95bJ9SPQThjZnwFMyL6ApyyPSSsoIP1P5WHzgM2lTi1pmEr5R6LMW6IizTyWmx280Bd7gF1jP2XuNniWsL1VZ_Fa/s1600-h/DSCF0138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1igZTyLLy0P6OhEwKSHEmKAlNKqCmwPgtZpcUqpY_MW26ZidefsX95bJ9SPQThjZnwFMyL6ApyyPSSsoIP1P5WHzgM2lTi1pmEr5R6LMW6IizTyWmx280Bd7gF1jP2XuNniWsL1VZ_Fa/s320/DSCF0138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378064341578588450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />to this<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaHk36IKsaqmgck-oTNJHWqGQN5iBOeRduN4yUMiBnzJouLvLOQ-JJX_ysZvcwtRa4z9nKL_Uoin7ZjADbpOrJOmYy7Jnx_Jr49tv8MPwzFNlWiO_Ntpr-hBIsvrC5WezEr0wpdbnVUiQ/s1600-h/DSCF0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaHk36IKsaqmgck-oTNJHWqGQN5iBOeRduN4yUMiBnzJouLvLOQ-JJX_ysZvcwtRa4z9nKL_Uoin7ZjADbpOrJOmYy7Jnx_Jr49tv8MPwzFNlWiO_Ntpr-hBIsvrC5WezEr0wpdbnVUiQ/s320/DSCF0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378063982365296338" border="0" /></a><br /><br />another angle of the before<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yRYS6nzZ37VywTUS9RMRvMA55BHfoVbotM01r7cIcKsWIqkm188LhBmeZM_-LEKb2RueTqxLbkc3QiZb7erFbMaUQXiu1leKb-jeoD-um4SggrNWxkBDkMfk2oU0GenwsMZ1nIUzvHii/s1600-h/DSCF0137.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yRYS6nzZ37VywTUS9RMRvMA55BHfoVbotM01r7cIcKsWIqkm188LhBmeZM_-LEKb2RueTqxLbkc3QiZb7erFbMaUQXiu1leKb-jeoD-um4SggrNWxkBDkMfk2oU0GenwsMZ1nIUzvHii/s320/DSCF0137.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378064336894559170" border="0" /></a>I love the change<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTCOZcWnM8sVhopT3ooztn_KIkTaO1CtZ0U04THsLjdduNSCZNqUKoNXE97-yd52G3INvmWlkoUJdLELzxVL8zJleDYRGe0VqMy8jDZVxnGOmhPq_gk6dpaNi387AYnRcEkMnhE_p0c8v/s1600-h/DSCF0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTCOZcWnM8sVhopT3ooztn_KIkTaO1CtZ0U04THsLjdduNSCZNqUKoNXE97-yd52G3INvmWlkoUJdLELzxVL8zJleDYRGe0VqMy8jDZVxnGOmhPq_gk6dpaNi387AYnRcEkMnhE_p0c8v/s320/DSCF0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378063972263158850" border="0" /></a><br />I did get some outlet covers and put them up last night-and I still need to decorate. I got mini-shades for my chandelier that I need to recover and the fabric for my window treatments. But unfortunately, all of that will have to wait until I get the flood cleaned up.Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-75374877025056359922009-08-08T22:42:00.000-04:002009-08-08T22:32:44.345-04:00Taking a Profile PictureI couldn't imagine being an only girl in a family, probably because I had 3 sisters. Can you imagine never having anyone to whisper with about boys? Or arguing with about clothes? Worse, can you imagine being the only girl with 2 brothers? My daughter can relate to that.<br /><br />My eldest informed her that she needed a new profile picture, the one she had made her look fat (his words, not mine). So she and I tried to get the perfect picture for her profile.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMNo2_V9IB9sRgPjhrPpBk8VwW3Udjatsibe3j4H1Xv-lde33ejQ9lqM9M3tcxyuDXBPhfiIzAwLDW9pGR5cAigaGPXeYCFN_Gdau2bNT3eTFiexl3JQ4awZ54TpBeOhQjQD_eHpnHHUZ/s1600-h/067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMNo2_V9IB9sRgPjhrPpBk8VwW3Udjatsibe3j4H1Xv-lde33ejQ9lqM9M3tcxyuDXBPhfiIzAwLDW9pGR5cAigaGPXeYCFN_Gdau2bNT3eTFiexl3JQ4awZ54TpBeOhQjQD_eHpnHHUZ/s320/067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365570857592124914" border="0" /></a><br />I loved this picture and I told her I loved this picture. But evidently, you cannot have a profile picture featuring a happy teenage girl smiling the prettiest smile in the world. It just isn't done. Perhaps she should have listened to me. Because...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks4l2ueeC6vxBPOpl3pZaTuWsGjcfBidPrMoknzFagW8fL06BmEifOdhE6OUjaZ1W1Yp6VF9Fm8UtiHm8k8Jk9XTSb_47nLYMLfaPOXRQnFHfB3WZsdqJ15FZPd7Sl8yGA6b30wyUhh9p/s1600-h/054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks4l2ueeC6vxBPOpl3pZaTuWsGjcfBidPrMoknzFagW8fL06BmEifOdhE6OUjaZ1W1Yp6VF9Fm8UtiHm8k8Jk9XTSb_47nLYMLfaPOXRQnFHfB3WZsdqJ15FZPd7Sl8yGA6b30wyUhh9p/s320/054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365570841320242034" border="0" /></a>We were being stalked. Slowly and surely, we were being stalked by the bane of every teenage girl's life-<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktFLvRpLrKVi6fKUu3hzD4fqPNCKJCww_4UUINxsQHyp8vtbdHVTk1jXriND5k1hTzBPWPB2G6ZZ-jhgPYLw30HzCKdWUrUXn1YorZURlzGRPk-whaFl8882g06An2K4U1pXSpFMslRhd/s1600-h/070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktFLvRpLrKVi6fKUu3hzD4fqPNCKJCww_4UUINxsQHyp8vtbdHVTk1jXriND5k1hTzBPWPB2G6ZZ-jhgPYLw30HzCKdWUrUXn1YorZURlzGRPk-whaFl8882g06An2K4U1pXSpFMslRhd/s320/070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365570849680516882" border="0" /></a>her little brother.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tTlHcjKlLFjpGDfEtAzNi0zizqHr0zi3d0dX8udEoUGXobV-ZFP3XfWuFlrWatKnAHOrq9a6cJCVevms8wQJO3iWmBkNKmro1nE3hlgBxSyOxVTfw1adxNgd_2r7j65xCn99zggqsOr5/s1600-h/064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tTlHcjKlLFjpGDfEtAzNi0zizqHr0zi3d0dX8udEoUGXobV-ZFP3XfWuFlrWatKnAHOrq9a6cJCVevms8wQJO3iWmBkNKmro1nE3hlgBxSyOxVTfw1adxNgd_2r7j65xCn99zggqsOr5/s320/064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365570843535800674" border="0" /></a><br />Who just happens to be my baby, and that makes him somewhat attention deprived, as most youngest children are.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2B6PhCD087ccabhyZLn4Iz8aSLtW8Wm48ToI56lDks_gLQQYMbDEWlIwf_hrK10LAH9sNKP0zK3ms0eTiYKb1rvoYj4DvUwV7wuVka-530oWYkLrsuoR1IukGVRQODqQ1ApTyBdqRpCu/s1600-h/065.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2B6PhCD087ccabhyZLn4Iz8aSLtW8Wm48ToI56lDks_gLQQYMbDEWlIwf_hrK10LAH9sNKP0zK3ms0eTiYKb1rvoYj4DvUwV7wuVka-530oWYkLrsuoR1IukGVRQODqQ1ApTyBdqRpCu/s320/065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365570836774170594" border="0" /></a>She persevered, barely grimacing at first...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2B6PhCD087ccabhyZLn4Iz8aSLtW8Wm48ToI56lDks_gLQQYMbDEWlIwf_hrK10LAH9sNKP0zK3ms0eTiYKb1rvoYj4DvUwV7wuVka-530oWYkLrsuoR1IukGVRQODqQ1ApTyBdqRpCu/s1600-h/065.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQP5cuVV4pB5WzaqLkbEeZdUWXR1MPQBfKD04jwzBdcfdj78hK8JXqOuk0Z0bxFe0iNSkCOv9fncnCL_G_v_4VZJoctSZXxNrAlkrUR4-xomSe_IazzeL5-e9-Sg9VV93kye0Ok74W_5S/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQP5cuVV4pB5WzaqLkbEeZdUWXR1MPQBfKD04jwzBdcfdj78hK8JXqOuk0Z0bxFe0iNSkCOv9fncnCL_G_v_4VZJoctSZXxNrAlkrUR4-xomSe_IazzeL5-e9-Sg9VV93kye0Ok74W_5S/s320/059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365569884347028178" border="0" /></a>begging me to banish him from the room, perhaps the moon she suggested...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfPk3wQplAZEjjwYx8u2TvPaXQZxWettZP2BgVoeXtEdPQ7Nz5G-3GBGp3hRjcR7J5DDMakhPqozEcxOb1spTfzsFnqse9bdN0mw-msVmQn3YfJqp33LFIXUr7_OOT2absBOv8HJalvRZ/s1600-h/060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfPk3wQplAZEjjwYx8u2TvPaXQZxWettZP2BgVoeXtEdPQ7Nz5G-3GBGp3hRjcR7J5DDMakhPqozEcxOb1spTfzsFnqse9bdN0mw-msVmQn3YfJqp33LFIXUr7_OOT2absBOv8HJalvRZ/s320/060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365569880238389746" border="0" /></a>that's not a smile, that's her threatening to break his arm while I snap pictures and she's still posing away...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pTvu2A3HG3JYbTpL1AaDKqkgY3ld2HoLFDz42ksuOCKrgFDTsVlP1tKqzwh6A26e4scHqWg64KRMRGys6aujkiuPI3fPXzdRELvq3UbVKjG42UJIQPW0k6PyAddc6KHWhKfaWmNtWxd1/s1600-h/061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pTvu2A3HG3JYbTpL1AaDKqkgY3ld2HoLFDz42ksuOCKrgFDTsVlP1tKqzwh6A26e4scHqWg64KRMRGys6aujkiuPI3fPXzdRELvq3UbVKjG42UJIQPW0k6PyAddc6KHWhKfaWmNtWxd1/s320/061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365569873731976786" border="0" /></a>do supermodels put up with these working conditions? Do they keep smiling through the pain of a shoot when all they want to do is slap someone so hard they scream for their mommy?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qj-iHX5dSDOxsN1b4oBuriO1Qswttm_dn5R0AgtQ1vqHR4ysE2iIOYLMjMQ35NxbibxP0vH10WYRI75x5BnAYiV-V-ZTcnH_HBGtkG1bboIrkagJXvg5AgM37wresBYPleHr7rQjZxB9/s1600-h/062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qj-iHX5dSDOxsN1b4oBuriO1Qswttm_dn5R0AgtQ1vqHR4ysE2iIOYLMjMQ35NxbibxP0vH10WYRI75x5BnAYiV-V-ZTcnH_HBGtkG1bboIrkagJXvg5AgM37wresBYPleHr7rQjZxB9/s320/062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365569868698872690" border="0" /></a>Do they gently nudge those sharing the spotlight with them into their proper spots?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuW8r5C5uCfFYZVCIbxMU7Ch2kZYu4QN5EYaXioJ7n1s877HCkYIosOcFKcQTjmmQI4RsuLB3jqEs0ogsVnXTaTLP_82kDRtU2j6Q1BSRjvp9SvWNS5neL-aNn7DAgip8sa5tbFhu0a_5/s1600-h/063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcuW8r5C5uCfFYZVCIbxMU7Ch2kZYu4QN5EYaXioJ7n1s877HCkYIosOcFKcQTjmmQI4RsuLB3jqEs0ogsVnXTaTLP_82kDRtU2j6Q1BSRjvp9SvWNS5neL-aNn7DAgip8sa5tbFhu0a_5/s320/063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365569872247270722" border="0" /></a>Do they yell at their photographer when they get no cooperation?<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2TykWeTh4myMBvfpr-FvnLOmbvVqOjB4dO2F9geEPFaejKqGexnz7tS720ktXBq89Pk5EMAumcMs0_gEV79yJbd1fuO61Zx8q_hn_8lZKlW0g_f5HRyToYeBCGDnZSqfzoUVfFijY_4Z/s1600-h/071.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2TykWeTh4myMBvfpr-FvnLOmbvVqOjB4dO2F9geEPFaejKqGexnz7tS720ktXBq89Pk5EMAumcMs0_gEV79yJbd1fuO61Zx8q_hn_8lZKlW0g_f5HRyToYeBCGDnZSqfzoUVfFijY_4Z/s320/071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365570938566390386" border="0" /></a><br />But look, wonder of wonders, the frustration of being the only girl resulted in the perfect angsty profile picture!!!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-92065294569498533132009-08-03T21:35:00.004-04:002009-08-03T21:40:10.190-04:00Happy News!Guess who has been returned to us, safe and sound-Butch the Bassett Hound!!!<br /><br />My eldest is deliriously happy to have him home and Butch doesn't seem to be any worse for the adventure. I only hope the lady that mistakenly took him finds her dog, who is similar but longer (I didn't think that was possible!).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZIMUSEbtDWOFRCULgnEw7O0X50kCWpqyrC2Soma6m-FwVk7xWckaINKpbbQMKuqmEYxdiC2xwToHn8zhISAxJrTbddhGxphEu49A3j57TDC8W0f9yw8UNZHRuB6L6o7mXkUVrkjHl5HC/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZIMUSEbtDWOFRCULgnEw7O0X50kCWpqyrC2Soma6m-FwVk7xWckaINKpbbQMKuqmEYxdiC2xwToHn8zhISAxJrTbddhGxphEu49A3j57TDC8W0f9yw8UNZHRuB6L6o7mXkUVrkjHl5HC/s320/023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365917083616616082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Welcome home, Butch!!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-52568206409356125342009-08-02T19:42:00.006-04:002009-08-02T20:44:14.196-04:00My Summer...So FarI have taken the last two months to just enjoy the summer with the kids. I have had a ball-not sure about the kids.<br /><br />We welcomed a new member of the family, Butch the Bassett Hound.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva2IZaxz7J_fdkL5DI_vC5ODDPqOf3VJlOhkWr1T2HvtZb43RTW6Awxf2CO5Pms6ghKfUXRNZ-Sn5bzQfAkURlvk8adOqCqq5rvlNmFbqRzJ_9t4Jmtnxu_H5V7tohJaqVQBh8X_t7ct7/s1600-h/DSCF0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva2IZaxz7J_fdkL5DI_vC5ODDPqOf3VJlOhkWr1T2HvtZb43RTW6Awxf2CO5Pms6ghKfUXRNZ-Sn5bzQfAkURlvk8adOqCqq5rvlNmFbqRzJ_9t4Jmtnxu_H5V7tohJaqVQBh8X_t7ct7/s320/DSCF0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524287044959698" border="0" /></a>Unfortunately, someone else was enchanted by those big brown eyes and stole Butch just two nights ago.<br /><br />Which broke the heart of my eldest son, since Butch was technically his dog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPY0PRhT7ekzaeBx5E1tNHfVLmmaBUvLUufVl7p6FGdxOLOTCoYCI99B8XdCa5wew5EATXIKWuZWfuw7796unjq19gm2FQ-fcc2svV-PEhjATlLsyg1O2YqoGwzqGRsbitOAN9YTOFLz9/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPY0PRhT7ekzaeBx5E1tNHfVLmmaBUvLUufVl7p6FGdxOLOTCoYCI99B8XdCa5wew5EATXIKWuZWfuw7796unjq19gm2FQ-fcc2svV-PEhjATlLsyg1O2YqoGwzqGRsbitOAN9YTOFLz9/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524272276894738" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of the eldest, he joined/formed a band. We've had lots of teenage boys hanging out at the house, playing loud music (that makes my ear drums bleed), and eating the groceries quicker than I can replace them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3aHFw4J9KEWLLT8kJK1cTAOsuPjtmlVyVys9BoAuTjJKgQsDnJ689Y1Si5n-JaB9ym2iTw77ToO_qf53msVD4rIHc0hjdyM6mGlIYp_USLz0vIG9YdI9notpuY06GNB-XSQgC7AVuZgt/s1600-h/069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3aHFw4J9KEWLLT8kJK1cTAOsuPjtmlVyVys9BoAuTjJKgQsDnJ689Y1Si5n-JaB9ym2iTw77ToO_qf53msVD4rIHc0hjdyM6mGlIYp_USLz0vIG9YdI9notpuY06GNB-XSQgC7AVuZgt/s320/069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524273551273554" border="0" /></a><br />Which has resulted in my daughter spending most of the summer at her BFF's house. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRoF_9E7whRhHbRwMRvNcAaNGniDRPf-_SWElADSbhQIrcpvMkFVXp_GoQy-qDkNxwaNyn9bOfFJD6gnudoU8a_8BuHjxS5LhujF6reo0aNwvKIoMaCgNbXXXCqjUWS46R540ihI7-mko/s1600-h/DSCF0059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRoF_9E7whRhHbRwMRvNcAaNGniDRPf-_SWElADSbhQIrcpvMkFVXp_GoQy-qDkNxwaNyn9bOfFJD6gnudoU8a_8BuHjxS5LhujF6reo0aNwvKIoMaCgNbXXXCqjUWS46R540ihI7-mko/s320/DSCF0059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524781306318962" border="0" /></a><br />She and I took a day a few weeks ago and went flea marketing, a first for her. We found this chair for $5!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6q6Nq8z2R1v4ll_E5boPZyFicK-BVbxX74JXS9MzXMTrF-FUmiduQaoVyDA0SfvYQ9gHivc4Y7NUeQ_mDFF5zvz5FXIzvZezylD-F8Jouvwt2l9NyfErqIGjjxpY9D284HcHBbfjr1Q6/s1600-h/DSCF0132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6q6Nq8z2R1v4ll_E5boPZyFicK-BVbxX74JXS9MzXMTrF-FUmiduQaoVyDA0SfvYQ9gHivc4Y7NUeQ_mDFF5zvz5FXIzvZezylD-F8Jouvwt2l9NyfErqIGjjxpY9D284HcHBbfjr1Q6/s320/DSCF0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524785170121186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And transformed it into this. Not to bad for our first try at something like this. It isn't perfect, but she's happy and I'm just glad to be done with it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdo22dFe8tXuC0RpP-cOUEJ_gYKpTGh8Ij_qJbqGYZVkmmvJCslAzyiKbPFexkx4qgMZrHwizT6E1ojpDiJY8Oko7b3nk1FRjOzUvuXb2m1OZ4Y1sBRfgLeZGYEsbBdSua1dbwM90Cy90/s1600-h/039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdo22dFe8tXuC0RpP-cOUEJ_gYKpTGh8Ij_qJbqGYZVkmmvJCslAzyiKbPFexkx4qgMZrHwizT6E1ojpDiJY8Oko7b3nk1FRjOzUvuXb2m1OZ4Y1sBRfgLeZGYEsbBdSua1dbwM90Cy90/s320/039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524283791768066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have went riding up old hollers and down old roads and seen some really pretty things in our part of the Wild and Wonderful. I think I'm going to frame this and hang it in my dining room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qxr_5_FL00gaRnn06uMlQWE5EUVwgOhZbd1cOZmzclNw6Lqkv8JLtzJbmoDC-r1sYv6U3mQnrTa-y76yeS3k3hvNZndP_2PFmKhrEaWmjLAN8vgzytAGBixoZOBV9gKPFpCGYNoNQjL1/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9qxr_5_FL00gaRnn06uMlQWE5EUVwgOhZbd1cOZmzclNw6Lqkv8JLtzJbmoDC-r1sYv6U3mQnrTa-y76yeS3k3hvNZndP_2PFmKhrEaWmjLAN8vgzytAGBixoZOBV9gKPFpCGYNoNQjL1/s320/031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524279762480786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have taken our kids swimming, much to the delight of Otis the Water Dog. It is harder to get him out of the water than it is Art!<br /><br />We enjoyed a small circus that came through town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yrad8-r6XIhAvs8gOLupywgyfi_KorqnVRQIQuorDfL0-5HYFV267s6qmfGG-zGeuvgLg-3AgjRnpy3ra8UcunfnGRmGlcICPKB0OoBKEywB-OfomDvhUjO2muLUSjXXB4ng0y2LWb-p/s1600-h/DSCF0068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Yrad8-r6XIhAvs8gOLupywgyfi_KorqnVRQIQuorDfL0-5HYFV267s6qmfGG-zGeuvgLg-3AgjRnpy3ra8UcunfnGRmGlcICPKB0OoBKEywB-OfomDvhUjO2muLUSjXXB4ng0y2LWb-p/s320/DSCF0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524791745700962" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was tigers, that made us 'Ohhh'...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJLHRdut0dJLKEbiwULrybHPWP4a1edEetXSdr8gWvIpDLmmoH_I2lWOJ_3K2lUKukmNMBOwkz0FhQRD8_z9YG9ZaGwJ6gw2JqPQHuRSE2tEId98KDYo16j9Kyl7pZonshlRvl5p4rYbT/s1600-h/DSCF0077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJLHRdut0dJLKEbiwULrybHPWP4a1edEetXSdr8gWvIpDLmmoH_I2lWOJ_3K2lUKukmNMBOwkz0FhQRD8_z9YG9ZaGwJ6gw2JqPQHuRSE2tEId98KDYo16j9Kyl7pZonshlRvl5p4rYbT/s320/DSCF0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524795619545474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />there was this cute goat that rode on a miniature donkey's back (I don't think the donkey enjoyed it as much we did)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i3ZvbJiyC_ajp__x7Uq-L_bbiVai7z6ta9meUXvAinEq_uaRur87wUFF8cOTr9hOWJwjtZ_DYXzaH4cJblGfvuWzkETDv9hgx5C5E8kre3vcoCBzuXy1FyojB5vU00BuOD_YfuANRdPz/s1600-h/DSCF0099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9i3ZvbJiyC_ajp__x7Uq-L_bbiVai7z6ta9meUXvAinEq_uaRur87wUFF8cOTr9hOWJwjtZ_DYXzaH4cJblGfvuWzkETDv9hgx5C5E8kre3vcoCBzuXy1FyojB5vU00BuOD_YfuANRdPz/s320/DSCF0099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524797314273666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and a llama (I think) that fascinated Art. But the best part was when Art got to make me a nervous sweaty mess by fulfilling one of his dreams...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82ZkGzTI_ltnJlW3z_bL975PMPpXsJyYa1_bmRNNUBzhLcCWiZ3W4xJ8V6AoIh7O1_iklzm3sSlr5HL3RHd4AK3UXs_5TeYxq0STivJkmZtgYzaRqNnl2dICSIYJotaHvbrPOM_1_m1T1/s1600-h/DSCF0130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82ZkGzTI_ltnJlW3z_bL975PMPpXsJyYa1_bmRNNUBzhLcCWiZ3W4xJ8V6AoIh7O1_iklzm3sSlr5HL3RHd4AK3UXs_5TeYxq0STivJkmZtgYzaRqNnl2dICSIYJotaHvbrPOM_1_m1T1/s320/DSCF0130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365529606844294082" border="0" /></a><br />he not only held, but hugged-HUGGED- a baby alligator.<br /><br />Hope everyone is having as great a summer as me and mine.Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-70972289833244360072009-06-09T14:27:00.006-04:002009-06-09T14:45:20.929-04:00Life StagesThis is my eldest child when he was 12. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcPlc-K8EEcWPUHJOUVwRBUWt8IXTxMfiCG-gBgPXHsfWFCm6qoRHUTjoBH5CyF0OeqcDTR2eCFW0BeMIjPNEwAOGGOJgmiWe-1xYkVm6J_d3ZPF0k9oLeE7pvw-6U1Ovpenv6B1lptMW/s1600-h/from+old+computer+027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcPlc-K8EEcWPUHJOUVwRBUWt8IXTxMfiCG-gBgPXHsfWFCm6qoRHUTjoBH5CyF0OeqcDTR2eCFW0BeMIjPNEwAOGGOJgmiWe-1xYkVm6J_d3ZPF0k9oLeE7pvw-6U1Ovpenv6B1lptMW/s320/from+old+computer+027.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345397416463937602" /></a>My grandmother always said that you learn with your first child and enjoy the rest. My grandmother was both right and wrong, while I did learn a bunch that I corrected with my other two, I've enjoyed being his mother more than I could have ever imagined.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYM99kLB-W9s3cl9NpRheixhbv2phg8RXqUXBdimm0mMpDp_4ihAeRybnock1jOdzbQWA7g0Ts-k7QV-FdDbtolmaHrdmp6rjZRGAY1OLGk6SRiplmQw8B7Ayn8NDkOi1xBeuOq8wxDFr/s1600-h/Allie,+Ethan,+Junior.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYM99kLB-W9s3cl9NpRheixhbv2phg8RXqUXBdimm0mMpDp_4ihAeRybnock1jOdzbQWA7g0Ts-k7QV-FdDbtolmaHrdmp6rjZRGAY1OLGk6SRiplmQw8B7Ayn8NDkOi1xBeuOq8wxDFr/s320/Allie,+Ethan,+Junior.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345397416109441634" /></a> He's always doing something to make me laugh, and it always works. You try jumping onto a kid who rolls those big brown eyes at you and gives you a heart melting grin and see how strict you end up being.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMvppwRYSTSGkwrv95PpyXO2XjOT5e9qBhsZKqH58NqzgatZFRUaX20tyTxOH1e1yo154mYKTyBr_iwcl5oOj6FR18PlVyH67Fw3VjhdcVPbmZpZw9Us2OEnJ17uQqrkEQGqnS66YikeR/s1600-h/Ethan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMvppwRYSTSGkwrv95PpyXO2XjOT5e9qBhsZKqH58NqzgatZFRUaX20tyTxOH1e1yo154mYKTyBr_iwcl5oOj6FR18PlVyH67Fw3VjhdcVPbmZpZw9Us2OEnJ17uQqrkEQGqnS66YikeR/s320/Ethan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345397412200018466" /></a><br />Not very, let me tell you. <br /><br />And then last week he went and grew up on me!! Irrevocably, no return grew up. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJzyv_XQn2qwkV6tUWBhLyVpMk3qcbDjAU4F0ZHLoG2gqpxap6PfJZ3h7qBPMPmySljVMUzvYxQLfPnfzytTpv1f-LAWnuQzfi2bWTsyXTzIC7Ir_RIegp1Uk0yEVaLSpjjt468nMUOrv/s1600-h/Ethan+and+the+Dahlia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJzyv_XQn2qwkV6tUWBhLyVpMk3qcbDjAU4F0ZHLoG2gqpxap6PfJZ3h7qBPMPmySljVMUzvYxQLfPnfzytTpv1f-LAWnuQzfi2bWTsyXTzIC7Ir_RIegp1Uk0yEVaLSpjjt468nMUOrv/s320/Ethan+and+the+Dahlia.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345397410474235154" /></a><br />This precious baby got his driver's license!! <br /><br />I don't know if I'm ready for this stage of life.Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-78752117629855014432009-05-03T18:24:00.003-04:002009-05-03T18:44:27.090-04:00Homework with an 8 year oldWhen doing arts and crafts type homework with your 8 year old, you should make certain that all things that could distract wandering minds are far, far away.<br /><br />Like empty paper towel rolls...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcDQ0L6BDtua5LlkVMavT13QQC9A4uTnbQdcfirPPbzfidMbu2Ki_2e53B6bVZ3gq0N_Xw34pjJMcYP-EH2aosEuPp_e9lyrzIIDlOQisY0mh3w-4etxbbYtzf1UBmMACyWOMDMLMvaNI/s1600-h/DSCF0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcDQ0L6BDtua5LlkVMavT13QQC9A4uTnbQdcfirPPbzfidMbu2Ki_2e53B6bVZ3gq0N_Xw34pjJMcYP-EH2aosEuPp_e9lyrzIIDlOQisY0mh3w-4etxbbYtzf1UBmMACyWOMDMLMvaNI/s320/DSCF0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331730342709377682" /></a><br /><br />and dogs with swishy tails...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHIA3YUjCEvnVQw0ZV3P84Z0T-RscPgYmgxyBcB-DcklvAYh87gjRehIvlZXFy2bEFI9z6RORl6sTuX7jZDDev1Jn2zj7HC5HnaY8Tg5taMkwjM9_3F1XdroUqACj0nvMFvHx603mXRkP/s1600-h/DSCF0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHIA3YUjCEvnVQw0ZV3P84Z0T-RscPgYmgxyBcB-DcklvAYh87gjRehIvlZXFy2bEFI9z6RORl6sTuX7jZDDev1Jn2zj7HC5HnaY8Tg5taMkwjM9_3F1XdroUqACj0nvMFvHx603mXRkP/s320/DSCF0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331730346601005938" /></a><br /><br />otherwise, you get a certain amount of whining, snapping, and growling...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswFzHu7l2hRDgN-lu__666epp9SoPq7YevlnctUNl3nCdXrKQxfrxa0nL40a2fvgfcqYw2G379qDeIjyR7SvY1EL5Kna4E5hrxILszEyCjEs-x6X3YRtw_4DcgpZhV4eXv2OveIVac388/s1600-h/DSCF0012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswFzHu7l2hRDgN-lu__666epp9SoPq7YevlnctUNl3nCdXrKQxfrxa0nL40a2fvgfcqYw2G379qDeIjyR7SvY1EL5Kna4E5hrxILszEyCjEs-x6X3YRtw_4DcgpZhV4eXv2OveIVac388/s320/DSCF0012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331730352342541026" /></a><br /><br /><br />until the onerous task is completed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5gQVl7tIncsw9YwC0h6DQeb3I0amiSNVW_2j-dW3qn1cVJyd6586Sg0mzkl6K1iKum7WPLTODmY9o_ditb7ywlqHdmiV0MZrsjopZIqHN_inRJxmQa9Qpv0YMjG8k6tW3jzDlshEioCP/s1600-h/DSCF0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 265px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5gQVl7tIncsw9YwC0h6DQeb3I0amiSNVW_2j-dW3qn1cVJyd6586Sg0mzkl6K1iKum7WPLTODmY9o_ditb7ywlqHdmiV0MZrsjopZIqHN_inRJxmQa9Qpv0YMjG8k6tW3jzDlshEioCP/s320/DSCF0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331730353879149650" /></a>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-15325658297551633262009-04-28T03:50:00.003-04:002009-04-28T03:58:51.505-04:00I Love HistoryAnd I love assignments where I get to help my kiddos learn more about history.<br /><br />But when my youngest came home saying he had to make a paper bag puppet of a historical figure-I was flummoxed.<br /><br />And then I decided to go wild and be creative. I cut up twine for hair, I cut up an old lace curtain for a jabot, and I cut up a pair of glasses that came complete with a humongous fake nose (sadly, the nose has been lost for a while or I would have used it too).<br /><br />And I tried to teach my son about Benjamin Franklin...but hey, the puppet looks pretty cool!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxHSm_MR1x7cBogJ7KLsA72FiTviLaEioqGOYhH44Td0lJSWHFwS5in5-hCCv2unqE4zSGV7hxkvrSvuExhKrCpy1gUKTBhC9ZXZkKbpCAK51wuRMpm6xAFQW5onXsTKMZ50U3oNnk9Wm/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxHSm_MR1x7cBogJ7KLsA72FiTviLaEioqGOYhH44Td0lJSWHFwS5in5-hCCv2unqE4zSGV7hxkvrSvuExhKrCpy1gUKTBhC9ZXZkKbpCAK51wuRMpm6xAFQW5onXsTKMZ50U3oNnk9Wm/s400/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329647761036529138" /></a>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-41828781509273640312009-03-10T12:29:00.013-04:002009-03-10T13:04:36.825-04:00A Dime Novel HistoryDo you rush out and buy the new releases every month? Do you scour author’s pages and publisher’s sites, looking for the next titillating book to buy? If you do, perhaps you should thank those authors that wrote Dime Novels so many, many years ago.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXS1sOaDpkW_rX3OoUQmcZ6Du7ACzLO1svaJlAJrTQ8g6BsNzf4lpzPUycQlrumkCQLO0bzIponeK1QK4_hXFwRB8535dPBVVxWDFFMcDByrDR8sESFZEF75q45yZ1BVTT0fNDEhslVlR/s1600-h/beadlesdime.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXS1sOaDpkW_rX3OoUQmcZ6Du7ACzLO1svaJlAJrTQ8g6BsNzf4lpzPUycQlrumkCQLO0bzIponeK1QK4_hXFwRB8535dPBVVxWDFFMcDByrDR8sESFZEF75q45yZ1BVTT0fNDEhslVlR/s200/beadlesdime.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311605044688604418" /></a><br /><br />You see, dime novels were the predecessor of today’s mass market books! The most famous ones, published by Beadle were small booklets with wrappers (covers) of bright orange and a wood cut print in black. They sold for the lofty sum of 10 cents a piece.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxfgWBGLZqTek5OuOGzzM0XLQi5HpEuCJWZdmfhZPvp467vG6U115Z8FAubd39OZ-yJjdSTSkEJf_xGJOwG78VIdTakHdAV6XBi9gFtHw2CaS1QwPyUe8W_kVsKSw-88IvifjFNi5n07z/s1600-h/cover_beadle_masthead.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxfgWBGLZqTek5OuOGzzM0XLQi5HpEuCJWZdmfhZPvp467vG6U115Z8FAubd39OZ-yJjdSTSkEJf_xGJOwG78VIdTakHdAV6XBi9gFtHw2CaS1QwPyUe8W_kVsKSw-88IvifjFNi5n07z/s200/cover_beadle_masthead.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311604488382626146" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXE0tJ90J4HJQB54oUa5mkSRNgDGpeBQ1I7zPmQ3En_-Vcd1_Ppgwifvu3q2DJaDFjWOmERzzW8eWFXZpY6oDRtfyx8kAYit-CyvnxcVVO79aWCT6N5LAVW6ImZK5Mbpy34atusoAc9TH/s1600-h/dime39.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXE0tJ90J4HJQB54oUa5mkSRNgDGpeBQ1I7zPmQ3En_-Vcd1_Ppgwifvu3q2DJaDFjWOmERzzW8eWFXZpY6oDRtfyx8kAYit-CyvnxcVVO79aWCT6N5LAVW6ImZK5Mbpy34atusoAc9TH/s200/dime39.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311603716067214578" /></a><br />There were also nickel novels. These had no wrappers (covers). They were basically broadleaves, printed in small type with two to three columns on a quarter page. Obviously, they sold for a nickel a piece.<br /><br /><br /><br />Dime novels usually had 70,000 to 80,000 words (which, incidentally is about the total of my first book) and nickel novels had only 35,000 to 40,000 words. I am thinking a full length book and a novella would be great definitions of them.<br /><br /><br />But do you have any idea of the author’s of dime novels? Or readers? <br /><br />Beadle sent bushels of its novels to the frontlines during the Civil War! When the troops received their supplies, they also had a great selection of dime novels to choose from. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2PLVDEleUkkcTz-nzsRhodRWtZ5R2KjbVMW125cUIhjUe7G1mr4E41zaAUpGLO2rB89_nXvnY4s4YHFhrf5UiOR1qJ57afMY8DI9A_IZvikFd8gw9RRAEv7rLvKm1ooJ8ztUgVQAGzY0/s1600-h/sethjon1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2PLVDEleUkkcTz-nzsRhodRWtZ5R2KjbVMW125cUIhjUe7G1mr4E41zaAUpGLO2rB89_nXvnY4s4YHFhrf5UiOR1qJ57afMY8DI9A_IZvikFd8gw9RRAEv7rLvKm1ooJ8ztUgVQAGzY0/s200/sethjon1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311602623027212802" /></a><br /><br />Abraham Lincoln was a voracious reader of dime novels, his favorite supposedly being Seth Jones, The Captives of the Frontier. This particular book was published in several different languages and sold six hundred thousand copies! Can you imagine?<br /><br /><br /><br />And about those authors-did you know they wrote under several different names (pseudonyms) to keep readers from learning just how many they wrote? For instance, Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, author of over 100 Buffalo Bill stories, typically wrote a story a week. That boggles my mind. And Colonel Ingraham sometimes made as much as $200 to $300 a book. I imagine if you really good at math that this would translate to quite a lot today.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o7cC3y414sbvbreJ13ipXyViHbSiMZ75lw_mgO_lMWe72Pd7jFT4yKR7DdeqWhvmmCsOo8TQCy7bwMZGlRg686addSIhcRJLEpPBLn5f5M9FQH_Qwu_i6ETRFVDm6b4En0BH3VhZXf9i/s1600-h/cover_buffalobill_mast.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-o7cC3y414sbvbreJ13ipXyViHbSiMZ75lw_mgO_lMWe72Pd7jFT4yKR7DdeqWhvmmCsOo8TQCy7bwMZGlRg686addSIhcRJLEpPBLn5f5M9FQH_Qwu_i6ETRFVDm6b4En0BH3VhZXf9i/s200/cover_buffalobill_mast.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311602334713811106" /></a><br /><br />Now, are you ready for the list of author’s that started out writing dime novels?<br /><br />Here’s a few that I found:<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSImrW-H1z_k7KTRDxjSq2-9MssoQPAShykpmswUZLf-Elm7ssjuJSD_bmLIgrSOV_PQXvj17cZ-KUJ8HtrP22mnCEtuw_RSC61sLBnlBMrZNP5etrcTwEJji9P93A5avLCuNElvV5tvv/s1600-h/alcott.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSImrW-H1z_k7KTRDxjSq2-9MssoQPAShykpmswUZLf-Elm7ssjuJSD_bmLIgrSOV_PQXvj17cZ-KUJ8HtrP22mnCEtuw_RSC61sLBnlBMrZNP5etrcTwEJji9P93A5avLCuNElvV5tvv/s200/alcott.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311602013847105698" /></a><br />Louisa May Alcott, Horace Greely, Henry Wadsworth, Longfellow, Upton Sinclair, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.<br /><br />Impressed yet? I am.<br /><br />Here’s a few fun facts I found while researching them:<br /><br />Beadle’s novels were highly patriotic and very heavy on adventure and romance.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_utJiDIjHF3jhayqI_rfazSFuNuP6FBV8K9WJSjQlZtFvsGV6LCtqPQ_24CPKg8m6O52RWxaDLbLkM0eljiJnhCycCdafjcohLlgxgfhdML-LF4q9MFME-cPlGiDc2fN3ArIloDOk9Om/s1600-h/Malaeska.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_utJiDIjHF3jhayqI_rfazSFuNuP6FBV8K9WJSjQlZtFvsGV6LCtqPQ_24CPKg8m6O52RWxaDLbLkM0eljiJnhCycCdafjcohLlgxgfhdML-LF4q9MFME-cPlGiDc2fN3ArIloDOk9Om/s200/Malaeska.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311601483040035010" /></a><br /><br /> <br />The first ever published was wrote by Mrs. Ann Stephens. It was titled Malaeska. It was about a Native American woman who loses her father and her white hus<br />band and sets of to search for her missing child. <br /><br />Novels about Frank and Jesse James were banned by the Post Master General.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhcRnH3ltADQLmpPAMoaYXBlEw5p7Q7jLyl3CLGxaLunNVpp_pkOVSZyAWqK5sfTpAbjo_ppQp4yuQ-unCXWKDKU0RSwBb6z4p1rnkOfhaKOhMdN82WA6HzvpE5bafARIQAtHObYJCOfX/s1600-h/lastmohicanpen.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhcRnH3ltADQLmpPAMoaYXBlEw5p7Q7jLyl3CLGxaLunNVpp_pkOVSZyAWqK5sfTpAbjo_ppQp4yuQ-unCXWKDKU0RSwBb6z4p1rnkOfhaKOhMdN82WA6HzvpE5bafARIQAtHObYJCOfX/s200/lastmohicanpen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311601164421569058" /></a><br />James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales were initially installments in a series of dime novels. <br /><br />Fascinating, isn’t it?Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-51956297588997382812009-02-06T14:42:00.007-05:002009-02-06T15:22:25.738-05:00Have You Read...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QQPtvJIJ9iSxYCuc56hNhD1nocNYdXwoH6x7AHMw_8cQ314DQiDZSw6vj5dCvlRBvJHEQwymUlhoMap3yCbIQItNy2NQqZYMLxtELmpJCyNQe0WYSqJCHt6DqBWTOo7cZ1vBnA-3RfRi/s1600-h/n251784.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QQPtvJIJ9iSxYCuc56hNhD1nocNYdXwoH6x7AHMw_8cQ314DQiDZSw6vj5dCvlRBvJHEQwymUlhoMap3yCbIQItNy2NQqZYMLxtELmpJCyNQe0WYSqJCHt6DqBWTOo7cZ1vBnA-3RfRi/s320/n251784.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299775307861175858" /></a>I have been a fan of Lorraine Heath's for years. I loved her westerns and when Ms. Heath made the switch to England-based stories, I followed, unhappily. Not because I didn't enjoy the books, but because she was such an awesome western writer. And honestly, although I have all of those books, without going to the shelves and looking at them, I couldn't tell you the name of one of them. But her newest series has totally blown me away! I read the first book, In Bed With the Devil, in two and a half hours. I didn't feed my kids until about 8 o'clock that evening. When they would come to me, complaining of severe hunger pains gnawing at their empty stomachs, I would reply "SHHH! I'm reading". (Sadly, I am not joking). <br /><br /><br />I finished the book and, with trepidation, let my sister borrow it. That's been MONTHS ago. I've called her, and emailed her, and generally pestered her to death about giving me back my book. It was that good.<br /><br />My elder son, the 16 year old who's world revolves around his guitar, his girlfriend, and his video games, came to me the other night and says, "Mom, can I buy a book?" My heart jumped with joy and off to Amazon we went. I ordered his book (based on a video game, but hey it's a book!), and really hated to have to pay shipping on one measly book. So I browsed. And what did I find?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQaV9JIBUluAkBfU1eB4en5Pd20inuJsJW4Lyq0ZUD2uxKCNAgvF6p_ni6DZBbkqwMmTBeNauvakt_PGtgC4IR0Q06OSBkKV93nJUHecK861U6L6_309RC9xeqi1khYPEIumgA6amjKK5/s1600-h/33695484.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQaV9JIBUluAkBfU1eB4en5Pd20inuJsJW4Lyq0ZUD2uxKCNAgvF6p_ni6DZBbkqwMmTBeNauvakt_PGtgC4IR0Q06OSBkKV93nJUHecK861U6L6_309RC9xeqi1khYPEIumgA6amjKK5/s400/33695484.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299775201656656082" /></a>Between the Devil and Desire!<br />I was thrilled. THRILLED. I added it to my cart, and then thought, I can't just jump in and read Jack's story without revisiting Luke's, now can I? So, I re-ordered it, checked out and called my sister to tell her 'keep the book' and that she couldn't borrow the new one (I like to gloat, what can I say). <br /><br />Once again my children were left to scrounge up sandwiches for themselves while I immersed myself into the lives of Feagan's brood of orphans. I was sucked in and could not put the book down until I was finished. <br /><br />Here are the back blurbs from the books: <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">IN BED WITH THE DEVIL</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">They call him the Devil Earl—a scoundrel and accused murderer who grew up on the violent London streets. A proper young lady risks more than her reputation when consorting with the roguishly handsome Lucian Langdon, but Lady Catherine Mabry believes she has no choice. To protect those she loves, she would do anything—even strike a bargain with the devil himself.<br /><br />Lucian desires respectability and a wife above all else, but the woman of his choosing lacks the social graces to be accepted by the aristocracy. Catherine can help Lucian gain everything he wants. But what she asks for in exchange will put their very lives in jeopardy. When danger closes in, Catherine discovers a man of immense passion and he discovers a woman of immeasurable courage. As secrets from his dark past are revealed, Lucian begins to question everything he knows to be true, including the yearnings of his own heart. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND DESIRE</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The ladies of the ton won't stop whispering about deliciously wicked Jack Dodger, once a thieving street urchin, now the owner of London's most exclusive gentleman's club. There's no pleasure he hasn't enjoyed, no debauchery the handsome scoundrel won't provide for the lords who flock to his house of carnal intrigue. <br /><br />London's most virtuous lady, honourable, uncorrupted, and all too human Olivia, Duchess of Lovingdon, would never associate with such a rogue. So when Jack is named sole heir to the duke's personal possessions she is outraged. <br /><br />Now, Olivia is forced to share her home with this despicable man. Olivia's icy disdain is no match for Jack's charm. She will struggle to bar Jack from her heart, but her body will not let her bar him from her bed<br /></span><br />The blurbs absolutely do NOT let you know that these books are full of emotions. Luke must overcome his guilt, his feeling of betrayal, and his sense of duty. Jack has to overcome his childhood, his self hatred, and his feelings of insecurity. These books touch on themes I'm usually not comfortable reading about but I found I didn't mind at all, that it brought a new depth to the characters. Well, I've tried and couldn't find a way to tell you about the stories without giving them away. So take my word for it, these are two books you MUST buy and read!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-29200509599981989812009-01-21T09:40:00.010-05:002009-01-21T10:38:57.019-05:00Baby, It's Cold Out ThereNo joking, it was 3 degrees this morning. Brr. That meant another two hour delay for the kids. Which meant that by the time they climbed into the bus, my dog was wired up. Otis, the dog, and Art, my youngest, cannot be around each other for any extended period of time (think 5 minutes) without a boisterous romp ensuing. <br /><br />I don't romp. Especially not with a dog half my size. Sometimes, I really miss my little beagle!<br /><br />Being as I don't romp, and Otis had an excessive amount of energy, I took him on a walk. Outside. In 3 degree weather. While it snowed. Call me crazy, but it was worth it as Otis is now curled up under, well not exactly under my desk but more under my desk and chair. He's a warm wonderful foot rest on chilly mornings. Even if he snores.<br /><br />Here's some pictures I snapped during our walk, for those of you that are stuck in the warm places in the world. Stephanie.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />As we started out (you could tell he was pondering if it was worth it)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_2pRHX_7Ao2q61WRLzPBV916ZL2h_w0i2HDbXOJdLSUsjAIh_w7Gug-navRB-vU066H7uz8lFxF_8C2C9QhrZoN-Qq7sETLBExDdIvQPxKL6R7Jf3rZnfmAy8ZEtKN0gCSwXEwnE7rkz/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_2pRHX_7Ao2q61WRLzPBV916ZL2h_w0i2HDbXOJdLSUsjAIh_w7Gug-navRB-vU066H7uz8lFxF_8C2C9QhrZoN-Qq7sETLBExDdIvQPxKL6R7Jf3rZnfmAy8ZEtKN0gCSwXEwnE7rkz/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293765892878138130" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Otis staring at. . .</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIPJTq88fO_HR75Bh0tV5QgcOAbtQd0TGD6h4C47pjVw2EzBrZWfvJO4eRwbSxvRZip8UUeDqORS1dzVIW8hMNPGz9sJKprU3ybQ15owHW7v98Hpa4DX-ObaPpbvj7KpU971UDM5hjIHW/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIPJTq88fO_HR75Bh0tV5QgcOAbtQd0TGD6h4C47pjVw2EzBrZWfvJO4eRwbSxvRZip8UUeDqORS1dzVIW8hMNPGz9sJKprU3ybQ15owHW7v98Hpa4DX-ObaPpbvj7KpU971UDM5hjIHW/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293766491676022450" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />the frozen creek</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZlG55BZSUZiFKnE6eAe38-3YNV_tlrhjmYj_oamSyU13r9voHV9CQPPzj7REhDLcaGBvNWm_uDV5WKBhDPMSbO0j6Imt4VehBgcSou2y5c3LpW_stBRFdGMjJADQfvZR06pkBh_fAuwt/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZlG55BZSUZiFKnE6eAe38-3YNV_tlrhjmYj_oamSyU13r9voHV9CQPPzj7REhDLcaGBvNWm_uDV5WKBhDPMSbO0j6Imt4VehBgcSou2y5c3LpW_stBRFdGMjJADQfvZR06pkBh_fAuwt/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293765587887252482" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />I love this picture of him with the snow on his nose!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4v33bfPj-LfTWBgF7DUvzpNhDqJfkfNHReJfrDe1su-5fLix_TXIKY6F6rnrAnEPCXnX-VxzEUY9O_1DmSIleeoUqWmGRD4jCbrGY_8kACBjaWchZGMtE60v0BY3ue8QEdozhM3uWRC9/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4v33bfPj-LfTWBgF7DUvzpNhDqJfkfNHReJfrDe1su-5fLix_TXIKY6F6rnrAnEPCXnX-VxzEUY9O_1DmSIleeoUqWmGRD4jCbrGY_8kACBjaWchZGMtE60v0BY3ue8QEdozhM3uWRC9/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293765298487791378" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The mountain behind my house (with blue skies peeking through-Hallelujah!)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhKTACIx_5vopzron4o7Z5TFVYs1xwHlNKP_lFiTzFuE3F_6jmBXopYUSwmj-kspXZqsCJauNsvhd16iWvVu632r1PtdCHHuyjGtdGBhCroIi5qQCJGpZ18baGyD3w7m-fMRxG0Ml_MAA/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhKTACIx_5vopzron4o7Z5TFVYs1xwHlNKP_lFiTzFuE3F_6jmBXopYUSwmj-kspXZqsCJauNsvhd16iWvVu632r1PtdCHHuyjGtdGBhCroIi5qQCJGpZ18baGyD3w7m-fMRxG0Ml_MAA/s320/015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293765030488919906" /></a>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-21686813012052867802009-01-19T13:18:00.003-05:002009-01-19T13:43:37.814-05:00What Makes Me HappyI was tagged by my wonderful CP and friend, Gillian, to list six things that make me deliriously happy. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRobTlv6LZIELG-ZH9Lt-x_J2awlWZPx4ieBSVMENiJlTvQuZ0NA87Squ26GrWCVcHSP3UBgZHPm7bX571dFnRQboIsBYuM6xPoofa3MIZmxmcBCApDGutapN0s9NnRtemcUe9LST4Wc7a/s1600-h/pepsi.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRobTlv6LZIELG-ZH9Lt-x_J2awlWZPx4ieBSVMENiJlTvQuZ0NA87Squ26GrWCVcHSP3UBgZHPm7bX571dFnRQboIsBYuM6xPoofa3MIZmxmcBCApDGutapN0s9NnRtemcUe9LST4Wc7a/s320/pepsi.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293077092878319970" /></a><br />1. A child's laughter-I love listening to a child laughing, there's something so right about it. <br /><br />2. My house when it's clean, which lately has been rare because the kids have had a ton of snow days.<br /><br />3. A book that makes me forget that my house isn't clean and my laundry isn't folded, and further, makes me not care!<br /><br />4. Pepsi. 'Nuff said.<br /><br />5. My husband teasing me over some silly little thing. After 18 years, I love that he still cares enough to flirt with me.<br /><br />6. Rocking my youngest to sleep. Because it won't be long until he doesn't want it anymore. sigh.<br /><br />I am supposed to tag six more people, but I figure everyone I know has been tagged. If you haven't and you're reading this, consider yourself tagged!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-82862488439148786602008-12-24T09:42:00.002-05:002008-12-24T09:43:40.736-05:00Christmas Wishes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZBPeUs-ebfsnLHKqHnEys3_vhDP-I4wQG4ExtTRflwCBnzT5_6pHqNlyt4Z3oZY82UzhoGST0gRmfUffjDtt1MWN8_w-9L68Lzm48NhcPuCsNLgghZEAUBxkCz96gdTFxvLuORpwjHRm/s1600-h/JS007~Cowboy-Christmas-Posters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZBPeUs-ebfsnLHKqHnEys3_vhDP-I4wQG4ExtTRflwCBnzT5_6pHqNlyt4Z3oZY82UzhoGST0gRmfUffjDtt1MWN8_w-9L68Lzm48NhcPuCsNLgghZEAUBxkCz96gdTFxvLuORpwjHRm/s320/JS007~Cowboy-Christmas-Posters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283367189228420162" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Merry Christmas, from my family to yours!</span>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-14937494456357521682008-12-16T07:54:00.009-05:002008-12-16T10:36:06.059-05:0016 Things I Love About Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQVS1ae6w17CtD10OrgIkFVfLOS4coBSXImRBiM5Y6GRfRiwrHGTbS4I4eXrkyqD5f_7LW1gTVNgxZ3LsHwkCXf7e-E8D8pjyQEYurIlWGydGHdkNGh_taPAboWnq6EGuyNfEi0FnxSKC/s1600-h/element_snowman_tjstone.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQVS1ae6w17CtD10OrgIkFVfLOS4coBSXImRBiM5Y6GRfRiwrHGTbS4I4eXrkyqD5f_7LW1gTVNgxZ3LsHwkCXf7e-E8D8pjyQEYurIlWGydGHdkNGh_taPAboWnq6EGuyNfEi0FnxSKC/s200/element_snowman_tjstone.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280410741624230898" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It's the holiday season and I am way behind on it. My two elders (children) have birthdays in November, one at the beginning and one at the end, so I am just finishing birthday shopping when I have to turn around and start Christmas shopping. <br /><br />This year has been particularly rough on me as I've not had an overabundance of holiday spirit. I lost my sister on the 20th last year and she was a large part of what gave me the 'mood' of Christmas. <br /><br />On the first of December she would always call me and tell me what I was getting her for Christmas. (She was mentally handicapped for those that don't know) Every day after that, I would receive similar phone calls-just to make sure that I didn't forget and to find out what I was getting my daughter, so she could torment her with the knowledge. It's hard getting used to not having that.<br /><br />So, I am running behind on my holiday spirit, much to my kids' dismay, and sadly neglecting my blog in the process. I opened my email and had this terrific idea from my great pal and cp, Louisa Cornell, on doing a blog about 16 Things About Me. I thought, why not? It will update the blog and be fun. But! I thought I would shake it up and post 16 things I love about Christmas, since I need to find my Christmas spirit fast!<br /><br />Here goes:<br /><br />1 I love decorating the house for Christmas! Each room would be decorated if my husband felt the same, sadly he does not and restricts me from decorating our bedroom and bathroom. He's a grinch, what can I say? (And I can't argue with him not wanting to use a toilet with a snowman smiling up at him)<br /><br />2 I love Christmas trees-they can be real or fake, I don't care-as long as they are decorated and aren't white aluminum, I'm happy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5a4lte1LPYXHkA8_3ETaMjcgeVI27t8Y6wR2WzTFEJrI6uAtD59HEycnp0sqWrnoJUojiPuHLS0E672kr6QrLASe35Lrw-0BL7RiQSx-xiee0qXGRXMnYksg5y3OTrYdakeHdyRLwDfL/s1600-h/peppermint+hot+chocolate.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5a4lte1LPYXHkA8_3ETaMjcgeVI27t8Y6wR2WzTFEJrI6uAtD59HEycnp0sqWrnoJUojiPuHLS0E672kr6QrLASe35Lrw-0BL7RiQSx-xiee0qXGRXMnYksg5y3OTrYdakeHdyRLwDfL/s200/peppermint+hot+chocolate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280410109239412802" /></a><br />3 Candy canes. I love a cup of hot chocolate with a candy cane sticking out of it. Umm, delicious. And who doesn't love a christmas tree with candy canes all over it?<br /><br />4 Buying gifts. I do love buying gifts for people, I can't help myself and I usually end up wishing I were a millionaire just so I could buy more!<br /><br />5 Taking pictures. I'm a scrapbooker, and I love taking pictures of my kids and if you see question #2, I love Christmas trees, so taking pictures of my kids in front of a Christmas tree makes me deliriously happy!<br /><br />6 Christmas cards. I love giving (although I generally misplace them! and find them in March) and receiving Christmas cards. I think this goes back to my childhood and the way my Grandmother would hang her cards around her door frames. I loved looking at all of the different cards.<br /><br />7 Carols. I love Christmas carols and often have them playing in the background this time of year. I love them all from Run, Run Rudolph to the Little Drummer Boy. I love them when I'm cleaning house, or driving the car. I especially love them when I'm wrapping gifts! Although there is one exception to the rule-I loathe the song, Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIT7vqHACFHqrvoQI1Z3wRI0Tf6bH4zphePFGL2IYsFXWqb-z9rUxH2qygim-uolgfvwhMlwzogCqJe9Rdg-f8_KsW9qRzwNWvbUyEW7yF3v8cCiv4PqByBNLztTwLFvKMOAzkyrc_uyL/s1600-h/stocking.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIT7vqHACFHqrvoQI1Z3wRI0Tf6bH4zphePFGL2IYsFXWqb-z9rUxH2qygim-uolgfvwhMlwzogCqJe9Rdg-f8_KsW9qRzwNWvbUyEW7yF3v8cCiv4PqByBNLztTwLFvKMOAzkyrc_uyL/s200/stocking.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280409649455333506" /></a><br /><br />8 Stockings. I am a total fool over stuffing a stocking and watching the kids delight in the cheap toys and candies-it reminds them that not everything has to cost a fortune.<br /><br />9 Cartoons. Not to be confused with movies, I'm talking the old claymation cartoons, Rudolph and Frosty. I also love the regular cartoons like How the Grinch Stole Christmas.<br /><br />10 Scrooged. I absolutely adore this movie! Bill Murray is so frigging hilarious and I laugh like I've never seen it before every time! (I would watch this year round but hubby has made a rule where I have to restrict it to Christmas season, told you he's a grinch!)<br /><br />11 Wrapping paper. It's true, I am the pickiest person when it comes to wrapping paper! No cartoon character paper for me, thank you very much! I want Christmas-y looking paper with doves, trees, wreaths, stockings, or angels. A bit of shine to it, fancy script writing and I am ready to wrap gifts!<br /><br />12 Christmas lights. I think this is different from decorating because I'm referring to outside Christmas lights on other people's houses. I love driving after dark and looking at all of the beautiful lights!<br /><br />13 Eggnog. I do like a cup of eggnog, although I'm the only one in my house that does! <br /><br />14 Christmas cookies. I love baking the cookies with my kids on Christmas eve night. It's become a tradition that I wouldn't trade for anything.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEt4PO9b6bn5ZekvOq92XKJejFp0QMjs68hn8aNsMptG64VG2WktEJ9hKfrppkVn_SZDdWKJWMIdfvr2ldWE6j_vN6aJOIooT0Rd2gDC-qJR3moaHFOIOWuaDUW1eA_oeDkWlZpXBmIYH/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEt4PO9b6bn5ZekvOq92XKJejFp0QMjs68hn8aNsMptG64VG2WktEJ9hKfrppkVn_SZDdWKJWMIdfvr2ldWE6j_vN6aJOIooT0Rd2gDC-qJR3moaHFOIOWuaDUW1eA_oeDkWlZpXBmIYH/s200/026.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280408729705099890" /></a><br />15 Homemade decorations. Don't get me wrong, I have tons of fabulous and fancy ornaments that I've bought, but I love making ornaments with my kids and using them year after year. It's a special memory of them that I get to keep forever.<br /><br />16 Watching my kids open their presents!! For a parent, is there anything better than telling your kid that you couldn't find something, or that there's no way I'm getting that! and then watching their eyes light up when they open their gifts to see it? (What? You don't torment and tempt your kids about what you bought them?? That's part of the fun!!)<br /><br />So how about you? If you can't think of 16 things, what's your top 5 favorite things about Christmas?Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-18961068640288756232008-11-21T13:43:00.001-05:002008-11-21T13:58:19.065-05:00Our Big Night Out!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulKWpQ59vkrctGMAI9vCwzw00_D2rV-081ZVxKa8wIe9_Vvg9FTGWUy8Pbtq5eu6PqrTlxacP4VBaikpV5GM78cjvcg1ZxdAaBKrwl1vxLNGW0oDQQJAyY_7RI149pb4o7xpKVNTjrlY3/s1600-h/twilight-poster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulKWpQ59vkrctGMAI9vCwzw00_D2rV-081ZVxKa8wIe9_Vvg9FTGWUy8Pbtq5eu6PqrTlxacP4VBaikpV5GM78cjvcg1ZxdAaBKrwl1vxLNGW0oDQQJAyY_7RI149pb4o7xpKVNTjrlY3/s320/twilight-poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271186874936973282" /></a><br />Tonight's the big night for the daughter and me. Well, my part is merely limited to being the chauffeur during the big snow storm that is supposed to hit us this evening. <br /><br />But oh, the lure of the vampire calls and Lord help me if my daughter misses it!Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-45344243640907118142008-11-11T21:19:00.000-05:002008-11-11T21:20:17.156-05:00Just For Fun<a href="http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com" style="display: block; width: 300px; height: 100px; background: url('http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/img/badge1.png') no-repeat; padding-top: 50px; padding-left: 60px; color: #009933; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; font-family: Times New Roman, Arial, serif; font-size: 40px;">69 words</a><p><a href="http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com">Typing Test</a></p>Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7248520031326981138.post-70982931827173779092008-11-11T02:45:00.007-05:002008-11-11T03:41:51.514-05:00Why I Write WesternsHave you ever wondered about why you chose the genre of fiction that you write? I've often wondered about mine. I read across the board-Regencies, Victorians, paranormal, thrillers, even some category romances thrown in. Why don't I write any of those?<br /><br />I tried Regencies, I found that they didn't suit me. I love to read them, but I simply could not imagine myself whirling around at a ball, following rules that made no sense to me. (Several times, I've found myself yelling at a Regency heroine, Tell them to kiss your butt and go on!) And to write a scene, don't you have to imagine it? Don't you have to want to be there to a certain degree? <br /><br />The westerns just came to me. That sounds silly and trite, but it's so true. I was embarking on yet another failed Regency, when suddenly, I wanted to tell the story of a girl traveling West to find her aunt. I could imagine this girl, the thrill of a new life mingled with the sadness of leaving all that she had known. The bumpy ride over rutted roads. The men sitting across from her. It was just there in my mind like the ballrooms and fancy houses never were. I could see her trying to bring a little politeness to the uncouth men in the Western town where she settled.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffNb36JH88osz8MqlBOINOoGuZywnYXitzrwOKhkA6SqZHVZohbG50pXpNTUe63DWCr-MROQKRbLN57-sV7vGocTyPUk2BMLn-DebXn_ZxAAIRpQVt9sscyaeSZ4cT0v9aah0cg11L3J1/s1600-h/20081028.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffNb36JH88osz8MqlBOINOoGuZywnYXitzrwOKhkA6SqZHVZohbG50pXpNTUe63DWCr-MROQKRbLN57-sV7vGocTyPUk2BMLn-DebXn_ZxAAIRpQVt9sscyaeSZ4cT0v9aah0cg11L3J1/s200/20081028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267309542534704050" /></a><br />Which brings me to this. I KNOW the feel of westerns. They're about a small settlement, growing from a cow town or coal mining camp or logging camp into a community. I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia. My town is still a coal mining town. I grew up in a company house. Our local pizza place has pictures of this town from 100 years ago, and it still looks the same, it just has paved streets now. Those pictures fascinate me. I always end up staring at them, trying to read their stories from their work worn faces.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-4NWQk_Jzx2Kai7o32FuYfVJ1e2DJtpoM7CZqWjxkMs3cqf6yeSpZhTAvG3vHdHIc3Dy8GCMIr-6sDdqMRx5LjrKW1c2l6N4Of9fBKCGiqFGxaokhjnjF38d2BBUY_XhWPtLMNnBclXC/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-4NWQk_Jzx2Kai7o32FuYfVJ1e2DJtpoM7CZqWjxkMs3cqf6yeSpZhTAvG3vHdHIc3Dy8GCMIr-6sDdqMRx5LjrKW1c2l6N4Of9fBKCGiqFGxaokhjnjF38d2BBUY_XhWPtLMNnBclXC/s200/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267308613664304130" /></a><br />This small town isn't perfect, but what place is? It has a lot of draw backs, but it has a lot of benefits, too. When my niece was having her bone marrow transplant-the entire town got behind her, wearing butterflies and posting encouraging words.<br />.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQBlX0bWgtzKrIFccTwehkrXyquBe0T64ejJ3OnTQM-Ti4g4R_la20mrJhaz5geI_v5dx_EFtWyW3c2cyWm4YxnV2Yg3MoVzKxZtRweOt3Wg4YsH4j7AlhyphenhyphenXSEop9q0MqdcV0ZBg5gYCe/s1600-h/20081014_3.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQBlX0bWgtzKrIFccTwehkrXyquBe0T64ejJ3OnTQM-Ti4g4R_la20mrJhaz5geI_v5dx_EFtWyW3c2cyWm4YxnV2Yg3MoVzKxZtRweOt3Wg4YsH4j7AlhyphenhyphenXSEop9q0MqdcV0ZBg5gYCe/s200/20081014_3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267310924603430242" /></a><br />Recently, the town lost one of their own in Iraq. The entire county came out for a candlelight memorial and then gave him a funeral procession worthy of a movie. The school brought the kids down and they lined the sidewalk, holding small flags in their hands while the procession went by. A very touching moment, but one full of honest emotion. We'd lost one of our own.<br /><br />This is what I know. Small towns and small town people. The reason we think the way we do. The reason we do what we do. It's in my blood and soul, I think, and it just comes natural to me when I sit down to write. <br /><br />I hope that my love of small towns and their eccentricities comes through in my writing. I hope that one person reading a book of mine would come away feeling as if they were dropped into their own hometown and recognized some of the characters, after all, we're all basically the same. <br /><br />What about you? Why do you write the genre you write? Do you think you might ever switch to another genre?Terry Stonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05997784537799469954noreply@blogger.com3