tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45893146367612965082024-03-05T07:39:34.608-05:00Happiness JournalFocusing on good moments onlyChiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-40266786082071943142012-11-19T22:52:00.001-05:002012-11-19T22:54:02.745-05:00Thank-you'd outThis expression is probably not exactly grammatically correct or something we feel often.<br />
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But my husband did.<br />
by our sweet little boy K. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo taken this summer is nothing to do with this post, but it captures him throwing....</td></tr>
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He loves trains, cars, motorcycles, trucks, tractors, anything with wheels.</div>
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He also loves to throw stuff, like things listed above. </div>
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So, when his Daddy moves the couch, well, we hit some jack-pot. </div>
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K: "Wow! Dah! (That's how he calls Dad. Daddy is too cool to be called with 2 syllables, according to the old man) Thank you!"</div>
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Dah: "You are welcome, K."</div>
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K: "No! Dah! Thank you! Thank you, Dah! Choo-choo! Thank you!"</div>
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Dah: "Yup."</div>
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K:"Wow! Thomas! Thank you, Dah! Wow! Cars! Dah! Thank you! Thank you, Dah!"</div>
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Dah: "Yeah, yeah. It's okay, K."</div>
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K: "Thank you, Dah! Choo-choo! Wow, cars! Dah! Thank you!"</div>
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Dah: "Okay, that's enough, K."</div>
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K: "Thank you! Thank you, Dah!"</div>
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Dah: "....."</div>
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K thanked his Dad 5800 times (not that he counted), for about good 20 minutes. </div>
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He is a very thankful child, to say the least, maybe. </div>
Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-19122419723784343932012-10-31T12:05:00.000-04:002012-10-31T12:05:11.800-04:00Baking and Making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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October is a busy month for me with 2 birthdays. There are birthday cakes and birthday treats for classes to make. Then, you add Halloween on top of it. It's a crazy baking and making month for me! My husband just said to me, as if to just remind me again, "You are a crazy woman, and I've known that for years." (he said that yesterday during his lunch time looking at me just <i>starting</i> to make J's Halloween costume, yes, on the day before Halloween.) But I LOVE watching kids' smile and "Wow!" reactions. I thrive for it. That's why I bake and make things, just to see those happy faces!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday cupcakes for M's class - chocolate cupcake and chocolate frosting with black food coloring. I
don't know if the teachers liked the idea of messy black food colored
frosting, but M loved it.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J's birthday cake. It's, of course, a tank. I tried fondant for the first time. I was not so happy, but he love it. And my husband actually finished it up for me because I was so frustrated. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiht8J_lIe7FscTEIr1Ie1xPoPXlQ68PcnVGT2o70L1vODUKxsC39fTpDVKEMBJWZICx28tY4X0U-2D7uE6LCMGQD7bTPbipQ7twSKyeHgfR2ttP9og8MWvaeXsXLkL90VAl_zobkETGz/s1600/PA126030+(768x1024).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M's birthday cake. It is supposed to be a fire truck. Why a 6-year-old girl want a fire truck cake for her birthday? "6-year-olds suppose to have fire truck cakes. That's what J had when he turned 6!" is M's response. Actually, looking back, I think J had something else on his 6th birthday...but we won't tell her that. She enjoyed decorating her truck with all the candies. Very festive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gingerbread mummies</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0OJu0tHbNNRyAKhn-IzYzu2PD2yYSSlzcx7mTliUvIPmNtmGSb60rVkvIKGNuolljnw6WRTF7RjEjnzS-jnk_UryJRG3802pikp7kfGcaSvp6kPWqNtB3WInv0kMUb70DOX3CfVV8h2S/s1600/PA126031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0OJu0tHbNNRyAKhn-IzYzu2PD2yYSSlzcx7mTliUvIPmNtmGSb60rVkvIKGNuolljnw6WRTF7RjEjnzS-jnk_UryJRG3802pikp7kfGcaSvp6kPWqNtB3WInv0kMUb70DOX3CfVV8h2S/s320/PA126031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They were birthday treats for J's class and it was a hit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7ACpxvDmwmw43Xvw5M4OOe3BUMCzY6UGzqjzxyPFCsqxWkVgXKwOwx5nYgzXSOOd3jqjtbFJq-eo0fGLukwRtomhhaFT4iGGrc5VtgGrdOApmbKGU_cqmeWIM3SlHg8IVZ_dPAEUNfSg/s1600/PA206093+(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7ACpxvDmwmw43Xvw5M4OOe3BUMCzY6UGzqjzxyPFCsqxWkVgXKwOwx5nYgzXSOOd3jqjtbFJq-eo0fGLukwRtomhhaFT4iGGrc5VtgGrdOApmbKGU_cqmeWIM3SlHg8IVZ_dPAEUNfSg/s320/PA206093+(1024x768).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CTR sugar cookies for J's baptism</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrSUeAK7WN1VwDEMxQXnFdkEeEDIT4cdQ8Xgyg_xh6nVXqBZbYwEkJHknCcqLRQx1Ly2o6Hix1irJKUua8-VmI8K7vnWx5v5PZJzLsE3ZfcdkmPJZQ-YDYnIGGv9zak9vntOPtuVZqP_A/s1600/PA206094+(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrSUeAK7WN1VwDEMxQXnFdkEeEDIT4cdQ8Xgyg_xh6nVXqBZbYwEkJHknCcqLRQx1Ly2o6Hix1irJKUua8-VmI8K7vnWx5v5PZJzLsE3ZfcdkmPJZQ-YDYnIGGv9zak9vntOPtuVZqP_A/s320/PA206094+(1024x768).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sugar cookies for J's baptism</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF40GlQ7CA84zKs4LEBMoykZbtxvHlMPfXukxwsS1h5SAzGqxCxJroMpkfF_m5n8n6aBVt1mJnlrux0DdzmNrFNCoOycY2rcmHDk5gdYLCdpQEx_Fpp0EG0oF41PuVYjnBuzV6rDk0Wudx/s1600/PA206131+(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF40GlQ7CA84zKs4LEBMoykZbtxvHlMPfXukxwsS1h5SAzGqxCxJroMpkfF_m5n8n6aBVt1mJnlrux0DdzmNrFNCoOycY2rcmHDk5gdYLCdpQEx_Fpp0EG0oF41PuVYjnBuzV6rDk0Wudx/s320/PA206131+(1024x768).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummy pigs-in-blanket. I made them for a party with "a pool of blood (a.k.a. ketchup)"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFcyhCenLl-q9rT9kMsmmZ2qcVW_u8Zb46jj11hyh7VLWYMC147NRIs2_Vdj6Dop-7ANH8HfCGTyEyUUv18rmC_0j_0gCC1CBJOPMso07vXtBw2Pz6Fveq_EK81b62EvSxSHWGqlUPPeb/s1600/PA236133+(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFcyhCenLl-q9rT9kMsmmZ2qcVW_u8Zb46jj11hyh7VLWYMC147NRIs2_Vdj6Dop-7ANH8HfCGTyEyUUv18rmC_0j_0gCC1CBJOPMso07vXtBw2Pz6Fveq_EK81b62EvSxSHWGqlUPPeb/s320/PA236133+(1024x768).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite breakfast these days - home made granola (recipe adjusted from <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com/2008/02/consider-it.html" target="_blank">this</a>) and frozen blueberries we picked this summer on top of vanilla yogurt. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3DhaVYxt4QB-B8u7apBpti9gzXCP_z8bOLWnKrW69UT8DdnbufuR89BOYYPwcMsCkZM39lQBwWfBWMxhHv8AVIy-_zUDxDZyEN5uHtz8kxkOHX98gLtYaBt0WQ93TDxyzrocge0DsCTg/s1600/PA286142+(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3DhaVYxt4QB-B8u7apBpti9gzXCP_z8bOLWnKrW69UT8DdnbufuR89BOYYPwcMsCkZM39lQBwWfBWMxhHv8AVIy-_zUDxDZyEN5uHtz8kxkOHX98gLtYaBt0WQ93TDxyzrocge0DsCTg/s320/PA286142+(1024x768).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A birthday gift for my mother-in-law - I just couldn't find what I hoped to find, so I decided to make it. Mothers' family tree broach/pendant top. She has 7 children. I was very pleased with the final product. Unfortunately, I was home sick when they celebrated her birthday, but I hope she liked it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKPLJSq4z87u7ujWOds_grhllZyBC4r-mdOZSg7iEhH26gqLMZymZzeboAQUZHeImk1a2xpx03DQHJ4qrDTF5Hamf4xX-fNPfobiI01CuuuDd6_hcWQy00KV9htcx4ejHtssZhcRF6UTi/s1600/PA316183+(1024x768).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKPLJSq4z87u7ujWOds_grhllZyBC4r-mdOZSg7iEhH26gqLMZymZzeboAQUZHeImk1a2xpx03DQHJ4qrDTF5Hamf4xX-fNPfobiI01CuuuDd6_hcWQy00KV9htcx4ejHtssZhcRF6UTi/s320/PA316183+(1024x768).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was something for me. I wanted Halloween earrings, then one day the flat circle bead inspired me to make one. My husband thinks I should add some red dots to make them look like Black Widow....hmmm. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4I5mCuaEzuvFkSI6Y2tMTnJV7v4FR6TrC0Os_evKD6Np1SzGzsm-FzxB7SHti9vQVu8eXxMJSI-ktg5ubvqUg9UHwl0usV-zcoglGHJ2oePhe4SfPoveZZY8M1UMi7gqsOlt-kr4aKSb/s1600/PA306151+%28768x1024%29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4I5mCuaEzuvFkSI6Y2tMTnJV7v4FR6TrC0Os_evKD6Np1SzGzsm-FzxB7SHti9vQVu8eXxMJSI-ktg5ubvqUg9UHwl0usV-zcoglGHJ2oePhe4SfPoveZZY8M1UMi7gqsOlt-kr4aKSb/s320/PA306151+%28768x1024%29.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last, but not least, here is the costume I started around lunch time yesterday (jacket, vest, and banner thingy). J was so excited and had a huge smile on his face!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr>
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Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-43155979420446762322012-10-10T16:28:00.000-04:002012-10-10T16:36:24.616-04:00Line up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My little boy K has been into lining his toys... </div>
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in the middle of living room, </div>
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on top of the staircase, </div>
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or on the dining table.</div>
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But they all have to face the same direction </div>
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whether going vertically or horizontally,</div>
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so that they will all LINE UP!</div>
<br />Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-38769443995074382592012-09-20T09:12:00.000-04:002012-09-20T09:12:01.036-04:00Definition of "Rainbowry" <b>rain-bow-ry</b> [reyn-boh-ree]<br />
<br />
<i>adjective</i>, rain-bowr-ier, rain-bowr-iest.<br />
1. brightness of colors in rainbow<br />
2. in clear view of an arc shaped prismatic colors, it can be used to describe the brightness in particular section.<br />
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<i>Origin</i>:<br />
Developed by M on 9/18/2012. It was originally created to describe part of a rainbow (witnessed on the same day) having brighter color compared to the rest.<br />
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<i>Example sentence:</i><br />
"Hey, look! That part is really <b>rainbowry</b>!"<br />
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<i>Other information:</i><br />
The photograph of the rainbow which author had witness and has described above is not available due to absence of mechanical devise at that time.<br />
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For further questions, please contact author. Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-63906574337749314312012-09-17T09:49:00.000-04:002012-09-17T14:15:58.288-04:00A bit of homesick?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank you, good ol' Facebook. Recently, I've reconnected with my friends from high school days. Some live out of the country (China and France!), some live in the town they grew up, and others live far from home - but not as far as I have come. It is fun but somewhat weird to see your old friends being moms...I guess it's been almost 20 years since those high school days. (wow, I'm getting old...)<br />
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Then, my brother started a <a href="http://matsueimaru.com/blog/" target="_blank">blog.</a> He is the captain of the fishing/crab catching boat my family own and he posts updates from the boat, smack in the middle of Sea of Japan! And he posts pictures like this <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://matsueimaru.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/017-1-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="017-1" border="0" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-279" height="300" src="http://matsueimaru.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/017-1-300x225.jpg" title="017-1" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture of the boat (source: http://matsueimaru.com/blog)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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and this. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://matsueimaru.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/019-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="019" border="0" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-326" height="300" src="http://matsueimaru.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/019-300x225.jpg" title="019" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a view from the boat (source: http://matsueimaru.com/blog)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Isn't it a beautiful place? I grew up looking at this. And I took it granted. I remember school teachers who were "stationed" to the tiny little town would say, "Children, you live in a beautiful place! Your town is surrounded by mountains in the back and a beautiful view of ocean. How lucky you are!"</div>
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Well, I didn't think so, at least back then. It was small. I had never saw a horizon except over the ocean. Because of it is such a small town, everyone knew everyone else's business (this part, I guess I don't really miss). I was just ready to get out of there. </div>
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And I did, ended up being here almost as far as I could possibly could.</div>
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No regret. I'm happy where I am. But now I am just very thankful for the place I grew up in. </div>
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It's just simply beautiful. Just like those teachers told us years ago. I just didn't know it. </div>
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Now I know it. </div>
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And I can smell the air from the photo my brother posted - the food, the ocean, and even the splash of the sea water.</div>
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When I was in high school, a friend of mine told me that she could smell the ocean when she visited my home town. I didn't understand what she was talking about back then. Because I lived in it. </div>
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It's been 6 years since I breathed the air and ate the fresh seafood. I think I'm having a bit of homesick. </div>
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<br />Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-90434561913762508972012-09-14T23:49:00.000-04:002012-09-14T23:49:05.724-04:00A lost tooth at school playgroundSeptember 12, 2012<br />
Dear Toothfairy,<br />
My daughter M lost her second tooth at school playground today. She was crying when she came out of school bus today because her lost tooth is really "lost", and she would have no tooth for Toothfairy to come for. Please accept this fake tooth (made of mini-marshmallow) as replacement. She did really lose a tooth today and is looking forward to your visit again. By the way, thank you for your visit the first time around. She was very excited.<br />
Thank you,<br />
M's mom<br />
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<br />
September 13, 2012<br />
Dear Toothfairy,<br />
Thank you for your generosity and understanding. M was thrilled to see that you visited last night. She screamed in joy "It worked! The fake tooth worked!" Was it the shape of fake tooth (flattened mini-marshmallow with zig-zag in the bottom, which was M's idea) that helped you, or was it the letter her mom wrote to beg your visit in desperate? Either way, in behalf of M, I wanted to thank you. She does not have any wiggly tooth right now, so you can have a little break.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
M's mom<br />
p.s. Those coins (2 of each coin - 2 pennies, 2 nickels, 2 dimes, and 2 quoters - total 82 cents) were very educational. It was a good practice for her big brother to count.<br />
p.s.s. How do you come up with how many coins for a tooth? Is it like, "first tooth for this much" kind of charts going on there?<br />
<br />
<br />
September 14, 2012<br />
Dear Toothfairy,<br />
Yes, I know I said you can have a break, but I just wanted to give you a little heads-up. Now M got coins out of fake tooth (no, seriously, she really did lose her tooth and really needed a replacement that time), today she told me that she lost another tooth. Well, it was really not another tooth, it was a piece from double chocolate rice crispy treat. Yes, it was dark brown. It would not have been a very healthy tooth...<br />
So, just to warn you, you may see some fake tooth popping out. I will try and keep you posted though. And I will sure write you a letter if she ever has to use a fake tooth again for a replacement.<br />
Thank you,<br />
M's mom<br />
p.s. Do you count the number of teeth per child?<br />
p.s.s. What do you do with those teeth? Just curious. Thanks!Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-14357123481043875662012-08-10T23:25:00.002-04:002012-08-10T23:25:33.698-04:00Blessings of the rainIt's raining. It's been raining all day. So I decided to count the blessings of the rain.<br />
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What got me start thinking was....Let's face it, I had no excuse today NOT to clean my house. It was raining and cold outside. K and M were taking naps. J was on my computer playing a game. Yes, I could have read a book or done something else. But all the housekeeping neglect may have caught up on me and they were staring at me... <br />
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So, I decided to do some housework, which is a blessing for my family, I'm sure, even some basic ones.<br />
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Then, I started cleaning areas that I hadn't done in A LONG time, like washing window and trimming by the kitchen sink, wiping kitchen cupboards and kitchen door (something about our over 90 lb. dog's tail smearing dirt...), etc.<br />
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Then, things started more noticeable, like things needs to be put back to where they belong...(again, because of all the neglect this summer) <br />
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Of course, some of the thing <i>didn't</i> have places to go back, so I had to make some places for them to belong. While I was doing that, I found things that I thought I had lost long ago, like a special ice cube (stick?) tray for water bottles.<br />
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But I didn't have any space to put that in my freezer (of course, the freezer was a mess), so that lead me to clean the freezer.....<br />
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The list goes on and on....<br />
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So, here it is, the blessings of the rain;<br />
1. keeping me inside, instead of outside playing, inspired (is that appropriate use for this?) me to do some housework, and made me think that I probably should start thinking about kids going back to school organizing things to make things run smoothly.<br />
2. while mommy was busy cleaning, kids enjoyed their freedom of watching movies and drinking Lemonade as much as they want (blessing for them in their account). They got along, and that's a good thing.<br />
3. my thriving garden is loving the rain and tomato plants are growing like crazy, so are the weeds....<br />
4. used to be brown, scorched lawn are now back in lush green<br />
5. the lawn is back in green and needs to be mowed, but it's too bad, I can't mow because of rain (that counts as a blessing, right?)<br />
6. cool weather gave us a break from the heat and AC use<br />
7. and I'm just plain happy for farmers! Or anyone/anything in need of water.<br />
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Well, if it rains again tomorrow, I might do more of organizimacation thingy. If it's nice, we may head out to a park! We shall see...Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-12049387068366584792012-08-07T20:31:00.001-04:002012-08-07T20:31:25.000-04:00Summer fun list update<a href="http://happinessjournal-chiemama.blogspot.com/2012/06/summer-fun-check-list-so-far.html" target="_blank">Since Last time</a> I posted on our summer list, we've been playing hard! Maybe this is my first summer enjoying being a stay-at-home mom. No scheduled activity for kids. I was originally worried at the beginning, but I really like this laid-back "So, what do you want to do?" kind of days.<br />
<br />
Now, last time I said: <br />
<i>We still would like to:<br />
- go to a local ice cream stop (I know, those who are local, we haven't done it this year yet!!)<br />
- go to our favorite beach about 2 hours away<br />
- go more camping trips</i><br />
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Yes, we did go (finally!) to the local ice cream stop - Check! (courtesy of our library's Summer Reading Program, our kids each got free soft serve)<br />
No on the second one, unfortunately, but we have been to beaches....Ummm, I lost counts, but several times.<br />
And yes, to the last one. We just went last weekend and will be going again in a couple of weeks.<br />
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In addition to those, this summer we have;<br />
- had M's first visit from a tooth fairy<br />
- completed Summer Reading Program (Yay!)<br />
- played a lot with cousins and had a serious water gun fight!<br />
- had boys (yes, including my husband and boys and their cousins...I need to make another post on this) blow up a watermelon<br />
- camped with 20 some cousins (sorry, I've lost count on this as well)<br />
- J tried on tubing (behind a boat) for the first time<br />
- J and M become comfortable in the water (I told J I'd give him $2 if he comes in the water with life jacket and learned to float) <br />
- watched beautiful sunsets<br />
- went blueberry picking twice (total 26 lb!) <br />
- and play, play, and more play!<br />
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House work? Maybe I'll resume when school starts....Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-42120802079990695992012-07-30T11:54:00.002-04:002012-07-30T11:54:38.652-04:00K vs. a garden snakeI did not witness this, but it has to be recorded. No photo either...<br />
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(Ok, here is a photo of K with beach boy lock before his haircut - nothing to do with this post)</div>
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The other day, our 2 1/2 year-old K had his first encounter with a garden snake at our friend's place. My husband was holding it to show the kids. K's big brother J touched a little bit. Despite my husband's warning to K not to go too close to the head of the snake, K went to touch its head.<br />
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Snap! (or maybe not so much...)<br />
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Of course, the snake took a bite of K on his thumb.<br />
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K's response?<br />
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He wrapped his hand around the thumb, held for a while, then yelled at the snake<br />
"NO! BABY ITAI ITAI!" ("ITAI" means hurt in Japanese and he calls himself "baby", so he was telling the snake that K is hurting!)<br />
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He looked at the thumb (no bleeding or anything major) again, then again<br />
"NO! NO!! NO!!! NO ITAI ITAI!"<br />
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Got that, snake? No more hurting K!<br />
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K vs. a garden snake - a garden snake may have had an advantage of biting K, but K didn't cry....so, stay tune for the round 2! (well, hopefully not too soon for his mother's sake...)Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-86123982645261845782012-06-25T15:22:00.001-04:002012-06-25T15:22:51.537-04:00Summer fun check list so far...Not that I make such a list, but for a record, I wanted to write what we have done so far...(to later convince my children that summer vacation is NOT boring, we did A TON of stuff. Ok, J?)<br />
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We, so far, have:<br />
- gone strawberry picking (which kids lasted for about 1/2 hour...)<br />
- gone to a beach with cousins<br />
- bought a 34-year-old pop-up camper and gone 2 night camping trip to a lake<br />
- gone to a spray park, well actually twice so far<br />
- joined our local library's Summer Reading Program (we are in lever 3)<br />
- played with cousins at their lake-front house<br />
- (this was only J and me) gone to a special event where you could experience flying a remote control airplane. J got to control a remote control airplane. We made rocket ships out of papers too. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Josh learning how to use the remote control by simulation - Man, those kids with hand-eye coordination in computer games...*sigh*</td></tr>
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- sent off their cousin flying out from an airport<br />
- played at different parks for hours (so Mommy doesn't have to see the pile of dishes)<br />
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And of course, we have logged many hours of computer game, TV watching, popsicle and ice cream eating, and plenty of whining and fighting time as well.<br />
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We still would like to:<br />
- go to a local ice cream stop (I know, those who are local, we haven't done it this year yet!!)<br />
- go to our favorite beach about 2 hours away<br />
- go more camping trips<br />
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More to come!Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-23034373803734882252012-06-08T14:38:00.003-04:002012-06-08T14:38:38.694-04:00Let the Summer begin!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Officially, Summer has began. </div>
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Day 1: we played with play dough. </div>
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J's blue Jay and her eggs. </div>
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M's Robin and her eggs.</div>
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J said her Robin looks like Angry Bird - M was not so happy about that.... </div>
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And the fun with play dough ended by 9 am. </div>
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Yes, 9 AM! </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Phineas and Ferb, please don't tell me there is 104 days of summer vacation...) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*sigh*</span></div>
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We decided to go to a spray park in the early afternoon before K's nap (no photo).</div>
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Kids had fun. They splashed, took breaks, went sliding, while I sat in the shade reading a book.</div>
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It was a nice afternoon. </div>
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Then, K got splashed (yes, we were at Spray Park where you should be sprayed by water) on his face, M fell from a slide on wood chips and scraped her knee, and their friend hit her head with one water feature. </div>
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It was time for us to go home. </div>
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A couple of more girls joined us in the backyard and played in the sandbox, with water. A lot of water. (again, no photo, due to my policy of not showing kids' face much on public...)</div>
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After 7 wet/sandy/muddy kids later, I had a little quiet time....</div>
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No, oh no, we are not done yet. </div>
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Because my husband took older 2 monkeys to Summer Festival!</div>
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They got to ride</div>
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and ride </div>
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and ride.</div>
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By the way, this was the gift for my son J's teacher Mrs. R. She was a wonderful teacher. J asked what her favorite color was one day - it was red. So I made a pair of red themed earrings (no photo). The package and card were scraps of my paper supplies, but I thought it turned out cuter than I thought! Thank you, Mrs. R! <br />
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Today, on Day 2, we are taking easy. J and M are at their friends' house for a play date (Thank you, M!). K is napping. And me is trying to keep record of this precious moments. </div>
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Happy Summer! </div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-59102456048692481822012-06-03T00:25:00.001-04:002012-06-03T00:25:55.011-04:00Now I understand...Some of the things my mom did that I didn't understand before I became a mom: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDebmYR-MoEvg2ZJV9JgofDol8ZsD_qkPFjyItpyUJDt9MP7TCA3Fg_TnCbQrTHCAU1jG8nzbyfUpsQ805oJt2Dh5AHbGWHlHw0gKHNjrRn57Y-gWsLZy1CY_8JTElo6lK_YYOcIdqxac/s1600/DSC06786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDebmYR-MoEvg2ZJV9JgofDol8ZsD_qkPFjyItpyUJDt9MP7TCA3Fg_TnCbQrTHCAU1jG8nzbyfUpsQ805oJt2Dh5AHbGWHlHw0gKHNjrRn57Y-gWsLZy1CY_8JTElo6lK_YYOcIdqxac/s320/DSC06786.JPG" width="276" /> </a></div>
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Here is my mom working on her <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ETEGAMI&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&source=hp&channel=np" target="_blank">Etegami</a> piece (December 2009)</div>
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Mom was able to work around the house long before eating breakfast.<br />
That was probably because certain things had to be done before she was able to sit down to eat, like packing my lunch and ironing my school uniform.<br />
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Mom was always the last one to choose a piece from assortment of cakes.<br />
That was probably because she loved her kids so much that she wanted them to pick their pieces first.<br />
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Mom would tell me sometimes at dinner times when we had rare delicacy, "Oh, I don't like it. You can have it."<br />
She may not have really disliked (or maybe she did) whatever it was. She probably wanted us to have it more than she did.<br />
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Mom was always learning new things and taking lessons in cooking and crafts. I remember her working late at night.<br />
That was probably her sliver of "Mommy time" to enrich her life and to escape from the mundane task of housekeeping. And if things need to be done, then late at night can be the only the spare time which may cutting into the precious sleep time (ahem, it is 12:25 am on my clock...). <br />
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Mom would tell me that I needed to take a nap even when I thought I was not tired (and of course I fell sleep after a while). It may have been the summer I was in Kindergarten. I remember lying on a small mat feeling cool summer breeze.<br />
She probably knew that I needed enough rest.<br />
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Mom would tell me I needed to be quiet while she took her 15 minutes power-nap after lunch before she headed back to work.<br />
She most likely needed it, because I know I need it sometimes so that I can make it through the day.<br />
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Thanks, Mom. Super belated, but Happy Mother's Day.<br />
Some things are easier to write than say in person.<br />
Hmm, maybe that's why mom writes me letters....*light bulb* <br />Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-80432319060516503312012-05-16T10:04:00.000-04:002012-05-16T10:04:17.076-04:00Guest Post: "Battling Cancer With Support From Family and Friends" by Heather Von St James<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Belated Happy Mother's Day to all! (slight delay due to sinus infection...)</div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I have my first guest post here!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is Heather and her family. And this is her story:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/images/heather-von-st-james-family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heather Von St. James with Family" border="0" class="floatright" height="241" itemprop="primaryImageOfPage" src="http://www.mesothelioma.com/images/heather-von-st-james-family.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Battling Cancer With Support From Family and
Friends</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When I was diagnosed with</span><a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/mesothelioma/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">mesothelioma cancer</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> in November of 2005, I was a new mother whose daughter was just
three and a half months old. I thought I had my whole life ahead of me;
so receiving this diagnosis was devastating, especially when I learned that
unless I sought aggressive treatment, I would only have about 15 months to
live. No one wants to hear that, and I was only in my 30s. Despite
my fear, I was determined to stay strong for my daughter and husband. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My husband and I went to Boston to pursue the
most intensive</span><a href="http://www.mesothelioma.com/treatment/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; text-decoration: none;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">mesothelioma treatment options</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
available, and I gathered up all of my energy to face the battle ahead.
While there, I underwent the removal of my left lung, followed by
chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It was exhausting, but my husband
was there to support me, and I had many devoted friends and family members
helping us from a distance. I don't know what I would have done without
my parents, who took on the care of our infant daughter Lily while I was in the
midst of these grueling treatments. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My parents back home in South Dakota were
integral in raising Lily during this period of her life, and the people who I
grew up with stepped up to help them in any way they could, providing
babysitting services and old baby supplies to help keep them going while they
all prayed for my recovery. Even though I was far away from them, I was
constantly aware of their love and concern. Knowing how much they cared
about me went a long way toward strengthening me during that dark time.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Even though getting cancer was a horrible
experience, it was truly moving to see how many people would be willing to go
out of their way to help me and my family when offered the chance. Of
course, some people who I thought were friends high-tailed it out of there, but
I came to appreciate who truly was there for me, and it has given me a better
understanding of how to treat others who are in need. While leaning on
the support of old friends, I also made new friends who helped cheer me on through
my treatments and whose friendship I will always treasure.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now I just take one day at a time and am
grateful for every moment. I know that no matter how well I seem, more
cancer could always emerge, but I am determined to enjoy every day as much as I
can, and this is the way everyone should live, whether or not they are battling
a deadly disease. Life can change suddenly, and all we can do is enjoy it
and do everything in our power to preserve it. Moreover, if we can make
someone else's burden lighter along the way, that is truly making the most out
of life.</span><span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-1394661951942836852012-05-10T23:19:00.001-04:002012-05-11T08:45:15.800-04:00I'm a proud Mama!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am a mother of an artist! (I am totally bragging about it)</div>
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There are two local public school art exhibits going on right now - one at a gallery on our local university, and the other at a small art gallery downtown. And my son J's art works are at both sites! </div>
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Art is probably his favorite subject. This was his first year having art class and he is absolutely loving it. </div>
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It's one of the reasons why he looks forward to Friday (along with chicken sandwich on hot lunch menu, and having weekend coming so that he can play game with his cousins and all that). </div>
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Here is his penguins. </div>
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I love the 2nd guy from left sliding down. Weeeee!</div>
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYs1ZXwOdeC-snR-aV7zAxEuAcq2JrsJGjl3QyWnDt7O48VRjoE42IyL5HCVFxmQOBScM3nBukeTiAovWSPy8IdfvCRqBRWmDjOXlbau2mOIlLg_DghOva7jwgM7aAIDKKOMSLwpuXSkKR/s400/P5084401+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Each pieces were hand ripped, not cut with scissors, J told me. </div>
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Sounds like fun to me!</div>
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And here is his happy smiley lizard guy.</div>
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(I sure thought it was chameleon, but...)</div>
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Doesn't he make you smile?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSjk9hUChyphenhyphenmjXdXHozKxta9HOXKeu5Thsd6vH-ZFkZ85l3YW15wEjgLoe5D-M6o138F0EBzO2TfxoBNfWuu7KIt0FgvWoIZ1TvTV9j9hEDB7v69EuWny_CdYTPPiZCXZ1tfc1c5Rdmf0X/s1600/P5104446+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSjk9hUChyphenhyphenmjXdXHozKxta9HOXKeu5Thsd6vH-ZFkZ85l3YW15wEjgLoe5D-M6o138F0EBzO2TfxoBNfWuu7KIt0FgvWoIZ1TvTV9j9hEDB7v69EuWny_CdYTPPiZCXZ1tfc1c5Rdmf0X/s400/P5104446+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Today was "artist reception" at the local art gallery, so we invited his grandma, Papa (a.k.a. grandpa), and grandma-great. He was explaining to them that, for this piece, he first drew with crayon, then he filled all the white spots with paint. He sounded just like a proud artist would. <br />
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Oh, he said both of them took him 4 Fridays to finish, whereas other pieces usually take him 2 or 3 Fridays to finish. So, yeah, they were special ones for him. <br />
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I can't wait to display these in my house! I'm thinking making our staircase wall to be art gallery.Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-82221368654577561072012-05-04T22:01:00.000-04:002012-05-04T22:01:33.460-04:00A gift of journals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfFAaMdpUTXeVlV1kIkUIPRLz36eSgFSk7hnFiFWBGDqpo0bzyXduUOviTB-LpZ0rZpWAJoP9bi-voc8ftF2-ecnGy6HMN8bybOgqJXQGeg2iuLLdmvcFHNmdyxYyaSmRZ65zRuPBvase/s1600/P5024385+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfFAaMdpUTXeVlV1kIkUIPRLz36eSgFSk7hnFiFWBGDqpo0bzyXduUOviTB-LpZ0rZpWAJoP9bi-voc8ftF2-ecnGy6HMN8bybOgqJXQGeg2iuLLdmvcFHNmdyxYyaSmRZ65zRuPBvase/s320/P5024385+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was not a New Year resolution, but about a few months ago, I decided to start a journal.<br />
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For each child. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Blue for J, pink for M, and green for K - the color happens to match to their baby blankets, kind of. )</span><br />
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I don't do scrap booking for my family. Kids have kinda-sorta-filled baby books. I have tons of pictures in my PC, not printed. I have several journals that I write from time to time, including this one and the one include not-so-happy stuff.<br />
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But this is going to be different. It is more like letters to them. I am writing individual journals not only to record our family memories and their milestones, but also to share my thoughts, hopefully, for many years to come. I am writing anything I want each one of them to know; I am sharing my memory, my experience, my wisdom, and most of all, my love.<br />
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My hope is that sometime in the future when they are away from home and face challenges in life, they will open this and read to remember how much they are loved and they will be able to overcome whatever the hardship they may face. I hope, as I share things in their journals, they will not make the same mistakes that I made or misery I struggled through when I was younger.<br />
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So, I write occasionally, like maybe once every week or so, when they do something funny or special. From the topic, I usually move onto share my thoughts and experience or whatever I want to share.<br />
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Because I want them to know that I will always love them no matter what (yes, it gets harder when a 2-year-old is throwing a full-blown tantrum throwing toys at...but that's another story), and that each one of them are a very special child with special qualities.<br />
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Would they roll their eyes when they read it? Maybe. Maybe not. We'll see.Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-24059609138597079512012-05-02T09:12:00.000-04:002012-05-02T09:12:12.619-04:00Only about 3 years away from half-retirement...it's one way to look at it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning, I complained to my husband that this whole stay-at-home-mom thing is hard. Everyday mundane things, like the never-ending piles of laundry and dishes (I was looking at sink full of dishes from last night even though I ran a load last night. Hmmm...). </div>
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So, he said to me,</div>
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"Honey, you are only about 3 years away from half-retirement!"</div>
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I said, "half-retirement?", just puzzled. </div>
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He said, "Well, in about that time our youngest will be school. And when you clean the house or whatever, they will stay the same way for about 8 hours till kids come home. Isn't that great?"</div>
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I knew why I married to this guy. </div>
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Oh, by the way, isn't this a beautiful flower? I took it a couple of weeks ago when it was nice and sunny out. (I know it's totally out of contents here, but this photo just made me feel more peaceful.)</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiRza57oh0kSkBjQ9sw3sc-glcJ6T2tDW2wiLTe3UBKJF-Y3G5SV282BYFR8vyUOlW0uV0EycS_jbN2g1_cGC47G4R386UttMgweey6Yr162CShpAJq7rWxPpH9CS5Pivm3AmVhM40UuR/s320/P4214362+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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In a meantime, for about another 3 years, I will keep my spirit up for raising these fun crazy kids who I absolutely adore, and try not to focus too much on those piles of dishes and laundry....</div>
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Because, honestly, there is no way I can keep my house clean with this monster K. </div>
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He is just too much fun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB633YTC3wjuNrIlCXEumjgxqlgqHaRD-Ti-_AW-Ki5U9dhkCZoddxtQjspa_wytbwxQ_ZtiDq3UNDHVWryrVGDsBFpwevdzgoh820veEzf5BPsAFNdVIWKJXrsDoB2z00toD_rtaSTzF/s1600/P4134053+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPB633YTC3wjuNrIlCXEumjgxqlgqHaRD-Ti-_AW-Ki5U9dhkCZoddxtQjspa_wytbwxQ_ZtiDq3UNDHVWryrVGDsBFpwevdzgoh820veEzf5BPsAFNdVIWKJXrsDoB2z00toD_rtaSTzF/s320/P4134053+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-10751310096775664682012-04-30T15:10:00.000-04:002012-05-04T22:01:54.421-04:00Belated Eggstravaganza post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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How long ago was Easter? My artist friend V invited me to her house for <a href="http://happinessjournal-chiemama.blogspot.com/2011/04/eggstravaganza.html" target="_blank">Eggstravaganza</a> again. I got to meet a locally famous artist at her house, and oh my, I had so much fun. We, adults, colored and decorated eggs while we visit. But this is not just simple soaking eggs in colored water....it's pretty serious. It's all fun, but you know, we'd spend at least half hour or so per egg. I decorated 3 eggs in 2 hours...<br />
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Here is a pic of V's collection from past Eggstravaganza. </div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9nWJS-o2kngr53L__HQlDFX8WCO12SCIgcGO6iT2xZwO6AC8dQRVADkeIsbRWbYvklc7pH8Wokf2LDiaBbdiPsQeHunR97_QR2mMzBxR6SoZ7vorbSrX1UTcSiLPMSiHpv56oLUiPJpe5/s320/P4063906+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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Not a good shot, but my battery was dying on me...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsdiEnvUO4DCWTmd_dLaT5MUA12hjlOEc2Ui1lAzHvtAfKTvvkJLVk7CCDnxIc6-fewdB0TGGG2OMkZFmn2aHhN-H3flOor6sliAH1Lt5uFOh4fa9UnBALArid-DbPDFErEucBmllM-WQ/s1600/P4063907+%28600x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsdiEnvUO4DCWTmd_dLaT5MUA12hjlOEc2Ui1lAzHvtAfKTvvkJLVk7CCDnxIc6-fewdB0TGGG2OMkZFmn2aHhN-H3flOor6sliAH1Lt5uFOh4fa9UnBALArid-DbPDFErEucBmllM-WQ/s320/P4063907+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Eggs drying on egg drying board she made (I think she pinned on grid-drawn form).<br />
Again, not a good pic *sigh*</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxKYPKDx8m6oohkSoyPsOCH6Lug-wn5IvCjZ__fYuH5AJY8RJ44WpnJdkTz86QVeQHDhUQmic-osAxwqKoA3Rd-X0ncEcE4nhNSaFhTue3OGtsz6sTyj4t-DzAis-6jI6ymSEuswFj1Vg/s1600/P4063908+%28600x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxKYPKDx8m6oohkSoyPsOCH6Lug-wn5IvCjZ__fYuH5AJY8RJ44WpnJdkTz86QVeQHDhUQmic-osAxwqKoA3Rd-X0ncEcE4nhNSaFhTue3OGtsz6sTyj4t-DzAis-6jI6ymSEuswFj1Vg/s320/P4063908+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
And these 3 are the one I made this year. I probably should have done them in emptied eggs, but I didn't think much...oh well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTltrKDI-6niNEfhzymwQN_J3MtOgX8j7NcBy3kXC0SuoFBHV2OE2dv6qbsf8xmobj_LuZQNCH96T2-VMo2EOY_FMwfkP7ACyQxbX143UOgVBeL0OuTttioIT6C5OHIvTCG6U6YRqqBJ5i/s1600/P4073910+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTltrKDI-6niNEfhzymwQN_J3MtOgX8j7NcBy3kXC0SuoFBHV2OE2dv6qbsf8xmobj_LuZQNCH96T2-VMo2EOY_FMwfkP7ACyQxbX143UOgVBeL0OuTttioIT6C5OHIvTCG6U6YRqqBJ5i/s320/P4073910+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The look was going for the blue was <span class="heading2"> the Ukrainian folk art of wax-and-dye method. V even had the kit
to do it! But it seemed involve a bit too much. So I went for
crayon-and-dye method instead. I was really happy how the cherry
blossom one turned out to be though. Isn't that pretty???</span><br />
<span class="heading2">It's a lot of
crayon-and-dipping-and-drying. Every time the egg came out the colored water, it revealed another layer of color...oh, it was so therapeutic!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4FuZpDomCBvD5uPKLgWfN2v3jTK-MNUP_IC0uw13k-pX93ddhDmEEs6qbFMhhKq8Nc5DthP2KnBciT7SnIJMBC1PPpV7nf9mPxqXNWacwbqonFPiexzilJkveFG5nJTEcAA-fgom3Cip/s1600/P4073950+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4FuZpDomCBvD5uPKLgWfN2v3jTK-MNUP_IC0uw13k-pX93ddhDmEEs6qbFMhhKq8Nc5DthP2KnBciT7SnIJMBC1PPpV7nf9mPxqXNWacwbqonFPiexzilJkveFG5nJTEcAA-fgom3Cip/s320/P4073950+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This
is the photo of eggs my family decorated. Kids tried crack-and-dye,
tape-and-dye, marbleizing tech with oil, and crayon-and-dye methods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALBX8tiaS-D94BcZjwCbUf5KGvvzEAz09Pv8tx5NciGNB3AimKRaJbaJ71W3A3Q9NSLJYm5QuSeVAVKwWYqwxzXOageJl6K4rSlrnvgH8CF-8QxgIn1hlD47FzyT1BcyvC13F0t-cyStV/s1600/P4073930+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALBX8tiaS-D94BcZjwCbUf5KGvvzEAz09Pv8tx5NciGNB3AimKRaJbaJ71W3A3Q9NSLJYm5QuSeVAVKwWYqwxzXOageJl6K4rSlrnvgH8CF-8QxgIn1hlD47FzyT1BcyvC13F0t-cyStV/s320/P4073930+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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K decided to go with dye-and-stick-and-crack-and-sqeeze method.... </div>
Having a good time, either you are young or not-so-young, that's the whole point of Eggstravaganza!Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-9755176776119704082012-04-29T22:51:00.000-04:002012-04-29T23:15:09.252-04:00Sunday Popcorn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKuWXuZP8RUDGxfvNz32-kgpeZ7IfWkpKVJSGgtbOffe9Nh22ODYgbRhNs-7NOqmPIqXP0n6Id-Z2TCZIRG8eiEUbdQwTnt35-EIL96qbwD2cGScsCfUtT46ZYcJ8OAQyiECavLAcaKJS/s1600/P3113753+%28601x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKuWXuZP8RUDGxfvNz32-kgpeZ7IfWkpKVJSGgtbOffe9Nh22ODYgbRhNs-7NOqmPIqXP0n6Id-Z2TCZIRG8eiEUbdQwTnt35-EIL96qbwD2cGScsCfUtT46ZYcJ8OAQyiECavLAcaKJS/s320/P3113753+%28601x800%29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
This was our weekly menu one week. This was one of those many weeks that I didn't fill out the entire week, and as you see, kids helped themselves. It is nice to have a 1st grader now who knows how to write and loves to help his sister. And in case you can't read, here is what's written;<br />
Monday: Bacon Pasta<br />
Tuesday: Teriyaki chicken (I probably should post on my cooking blog that I have not updated for a LONG time, but at least I know one of my sisters-in-law would love it. The problem is that I don't measure...but that's another story)<br />
Wednesday: White Lasagna<br />
Thursday: Teriyaki Burger (J's favorite)<br />
Friday: Chocolate pancake (M's request)<br />
Saturday: Pasta (one of the very few items M would eat)<br />
Sunday: Popcorn<br />
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That's right, popcorn for dinner. That's what we do. Or I should say, that's what my husband's family have been doing for many many years. I don't know how many generations, but I know wherever we live, our family is having "Sunday Popcorn"<br />
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I believe Sunday Popcorn started back in a farm where my husband's grandfather grew up. For a leisure, his family gathered over bowls of popcorn and enjoyed each others' company, because, well, popcorn is pretty cheap.<br />
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I think it's wonderful. It's not a trip to Disney World. It's not a fancy dinner. It's a family time. We gather together and visit. We usually have, in addition to popcorn (because popcorn itself really doesn't fill you up), cheese, fruits, and juices. Sometimes some treats if someone was up to baking something. Tonight, we had yummy fresh salsa, freshly baked zucchini bread, and no bake cookies. <br />
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We adults visit while kids play together. No fight (except between siblings) among cousins. Someone is always watching over little ones. With that many kids (at least 16 kids of ages 2-14 today), you can play pretty much any kind of games.<br />
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So, that's why we have Popcorn on the menu. Not that popcorn is their favorite dinner item, but it's a fun family time together with their cousins.<br />
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That's our Sunday Popcorn.<br />
And that has been on our menu most of Sundays, and will always be.Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-71438912075834717672012-02-20T22:07:00.000-05:002012-02-20T22:07:08.850-05:00I am content<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiWzn-8um6ASrijJA-8jCvYMoePN12pG-qexdGxQC3Xzn7ItKxtoGDjDaBfTT27D2je3xirjLOkI4iMYviQKnPV6ox9rRjbpM0Zmr5NIPf-pxqIMRu-5a7rUVnGVFvwQF21I2adF7ufel/s1600/PC023182+%28800x576%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiWzn-8um6ASrijJA-8jCvYMoePN12pG-qexdGxQC3Xzn7ItKxtoGDjDaBfTT27D2je3xirjLOkI4iMYviQKnPV6ox9rRjbpM0Zmr5NIPf-pxqIMRu-5a7rUVnGVFvwQF21I2adF7ufel/s200/PC023182+%28800x576%29.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>This photo is nothing to do with this post. But it adds some love to it.<br />
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About 5 years ago, I left my full-time job and became a full-time mom with a part-time job. I hated it. I didn't know what I was doing. I struggled, A LOT. Many things, both good things and bad things, happened this past 5 years. I think I made a post back when I started liking it.<br />
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I would love to say that now I am content. I am content where I am, who I am, what I do, what we do as a couple and family, how we do things, and a lot of things...I feel just content. Well, most of the time.<br />
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It could be because my baby is now a little boy who can understand what I say most of the time and able to follow direction if he wants to. And he is capable of somehow somewhat communicate between his baby signs and his increasing vocabulary in Japanese and English (sometimes it's a guessing game). His sleep schedule is set, so my schedule is kind of set. He tells me "NO!" a lot. But I know he loves me. Oh how much he loves me!<br />
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It could be because this winter has been mild. Having sunny days helps. It lightens up everything, house, my mood, my life.<br />
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It could be because my husband is happy at his new position. He is not stressed as much as before. He comes home and is able to relax. We chat and laugh. Oh he makes me laugh. I get never tired of that guy.<br />
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It could be....many things. But I am happy to be able to feel this way - content. Not overly happy or pretend everything is fine. Everything is not perfect, but I am okay with that.<br />
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When I had J 7 years ago. Many visitors at hospital told me that he was "such a content baby". I didn't quite understand the meaning back then, but I start to understand. <br />
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It kind of feels good.Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-34183763691964563012012-02-15T16:36:00.000-05:002012-02-15T16:36:19.673-05:00Valentine's Day dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> For Valentine's Day dinner, I decided to make pink crepes for fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3xxQxP-D7WVnmze5NfjRjd84k46lxXiaTox5M5ebX0ErHpRnDf777SB670co7FvHJKFtWGq8jbFYugMpNQZ74TeCrVz9nRY1LjK2ddj7w0Zf0XC7-b3mau8cJhpiqIbuJsgZFJ7ZdTZt/s1600/P2143670+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3xxQxP-D7WVnmze5NfjRjd84k46lxXiaTox5M5ebX0ErHpRnDf777SB670co7FvHJKFtWGq8jbFYugMpNQZ74TeCrVz9nRY1LjK2ddj7w0Zf0XC7-b3mau8cJhpiqIbuJsgZFJ7ZdTZt/s320/P2143670+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Adding a few drops of food coloring and imitation flavors wouldn't be that bad, I thought. So I tried.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I shouldn't have given kids choices, cherry or strawberry flavor. J wanted cherry, M wanted strawberry, of course. "Fine, I'd divide the batter in half and flavor one of each", I thought. So I did.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRupzCB9SQ3xAGrXt9q1RTl-YoPVFzMQr5MP1miYU8cgP04gmyHlplflpS7ICEvPcXxAv9UjjBOGM3mLmMV4E5Swp6xBwyS5-5OSOh8vsnPp7nfUhmNb3Epgz0qXw1EVQoYxRFikLT1llJ/s1600/P2143668+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRupzCB9SQ3xAGrXt9q1RTl-YoPVFzMQr5MP1miYU8cgP04gmyHlplflpS7ICEvPcXxAv9UjjBOGM3mLmMV4E5Swp6xBwyS5-5OSOh8vsnPp7nfUhmNb3Epgz0qXw1EVQoYxRFikLT1llJ/s320/P2143668+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> They looked pretty pink as batter, not so much on the skillet, but sure it was pretty pink on a plate. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> They smelled like artificial cherry and strawberry. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I even made some chocolate ones too.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But J said to me, "Mom, will you make <i>just regular </i>crepes next time?" M, who wanted the strawberry flavored crepes, didn't even touch it. K ate total 5 of regular and chocolate crepes, but no pink ones. I guess my pretty in pink crepe dinner plan failed. I don't think those leftover pink crepes will be eaten...oh well. It was still fun to see kids' reaction when they saw those pink crepes. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I took one last shot of the Valentine's crepes accompanied with smoked sausage sauteed with pancake syrup (I know it's weird, but J's favorite), and my new attempt on strata. I added sliced oranges to make it more like a descent dinner, instead of just dessert for dinner. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYR119_X7NOoniUzLN1chFKKM69OjgwWF0eHcA2N0wown3HisGm1laf9Z84REwq8RxwAm_huwX_HFb7NeHBJRRcjQUNpS3zo2eH3lAO79NH9XKuxCKRJE0dDcHOaW9e0ucwKo-yEHYhWp/s1600/P2143673+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYR119_X7NOoniUzLN1chFKKM69OjgwWF0eHcA2N0wown3HisGm1laf9Z84REwq8RxwAm_huwX_HFb7NeHBJRRcjQUNpS3zo2eH3lAO79NH9XKuxCKRJE0dDcHOaW9e0ucwKo-yEHYhWp/s320/P2143673+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dessert for dinner? That sounds actually good.....</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Speaking of dessert, my dear husband made this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoylahebtqyd772d1HEKtJUyszMUkcsFhpwmzR76VmiyxliStEJHW2Czsae60bjqZkito4LwBsDlt9b78iXJY64A2uh_NBa6Ch6fI5fy16aNPKaOAEa2Zsr2XTtekEdXXBTqQi490LTgr/s1600/P2143682+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoylahebtqyd772d1HEKtJUyszMUkcsFhpwmzR76VmiyxliStEJHW2Czsae60bjqZkito4LwBsDlt9b78iXJY64A2uh_NBa6Ch6fI5fy16aNPKaOAEa2Zsr2XTtekEdXXBTqQi490LTgr/s320/P2143682+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chocolate mousse. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was delicious. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it was his first time making mousse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QaNG7LSUzp2Qb8RFSSO5r2ZF23INazcLQppq5JENumdanSnHQWM7njSfuzAocs3sTuA48OasQTIx_OpOnyBcCkWfbtLkKcQzF4njiiy5Muksulp7iN5R8TMFsU_WBoJ8gB4ENVZlu5OV/s1600/P2143680+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QaNG7LSUzp2Qb8RFSSO5r2ZF23INazcLQppq5JENumdanSnHQWM7njSfuzAocs3sTuA48OasQTIx_OpOnyBcCkWfbtLkKcQzF4njiiy5Muksulp7iN5R8TMFsU_WBoJ8gB4ENVZlu5OV/s320/P2143680+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is him in whipping action with his recipe reference to the left (i.e. his laptop). </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love when he works in the kitchen and I get to sit on the couch and watch some PBS show. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Well, hand whipping didn't cut it. After (finally!) he asked me where hand mixer was, he was successfully able to whip up actual mousse consistency stuff. The best part of this is that it was made of just chocolate bar and water. That's it. He found the recipe from a science blog. A SCIENCE BLOG! I didn't know he reads science blog. I thought he was history kind of guy. He said, "I love science. I read science stuff. I just suck at it." So, that's where he got the idea of making this fancy dessert for his wife on Valentine's Day. What a man.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He loves me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm so loved. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day!</div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-15923385079431733312012-02-14T16:00:00.001-05:002012-02-14T16:02:34.218-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeYqbdQfiNE-dpqm37cNzoZqmb217-bc_PgQB0DabJOd6cFdSvUmGnAzoeqJn-uuSAlN1W610NhUcIhNlYwhJQM2Vtjuh2V4sZgAxULl_bdGlJYzWnu5B7Jfcaf0YbolCyyecN4Q7YlxS/s1600/P2133644+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeYqbdQfiNE-dpqm37cNzoZqmb217-bc_PgQB0DabJOd6cFdSvUmGnAzoeqJn-uuSAlN1W610NhUcIhNlYwhJQM2Vtjuh2V4sZgAxULl_bdGlJYzWnu5B7Jfcaf0YbolCyyecN4Q7YlxS/s320/P2133644+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday was M's very first Valentine's exchange at school. She's been loving doing all the fun things, just like her big brother gets to do in school. So, she was really really excited to make her valentine's (She says "Balemtimes Day"). I covered pretzels with white chocolate, M sprinkled the heart-shaped sprinkles. I cut the paper and wrote "To:" and "From:", she wrote all her classmates' names and her names (with help of the class list). I gave her heart-shaped stickers, she decorated the bags and the tag (girls had a lot of stickers, but boys got only one <i>because they were boys</i>). And, she hand-picked each special pretzel for her friends. She was very proud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyePrKfIVEVXDwPfJ2maWrocufL11JO_-0g8hmUNSmRDVwO6h4SiOM_PXXBRDjPeL6qx1EPA93zerZnprAhKPOGX6rtolJwvv-8wlqW93Vzo170y9wyxFyQKgDbFiJoai1XduwSqJJPaj/s1600/P2133648+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyePrKfIVEVXDwPfJ2maWrocufL11JO_-0g8hmUNSmRDVwO6h4SiOM_PXXBRDjPeL6qx1EPA93zerZnprAhKPOGX6rtolJwvv-8wlqW93Vzo170y9wyxFyQKgDbFiJoai1XduwSqJJPaj/s320/P2133648+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="252" /></a></div> This is her "pink day" outfit. Pink shirt, light khaki pants with pink ribbon, pink socks, and pink hair. I must say, yes, I am enjoying having a little girl, my own baby doll. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETn5LbGQuQtWMOL-Ws-e1kTfnPbrcBro2x84jMIrsiMArxTGeXa6rM8iLnMLTp8eBxzs68Y0NsB3vu8-SNSAVJSKmlSs6i_hJ8GXbrQhid5696g40CeRzfRRvSN3lAO1utgoz_B5ud-Tl/s1600/P2143664+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJSyymYrr1EgEkrojmAFrRw9OAdsltRKstzZD3sxo74hxjpgUykD5onB4fwjwkKGuHjvH6O1SBRewogqXEZPNK4ujl1MBLPoxIodAngI25Ch5SAEzOWRnUnqHcP8v3e5Wd-qn9MirMRLr/s1600/P2133650+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJSyymYrr1EgEkrojmAFrRw9OAdsltRKstzZD3sxo74hxjpgUykD5onB4fwjwkKGuHjvH6O1SBRewogqXEZPNK4ujl1MBLPoxIodAngI25Ch5SAEzOWRnUnqHcP8v3e5Wd-qn9MirMRLr/s320/P2133650+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is J's. Being a 1st grader and a boy, he wanted to do as little work as he could for his classmate. I cut heart-shaped papers, punched holes. He wrote his names and put Dum Dum suckers through the holes. Above picture shows them kind of shoved in the corner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But for his teacher, it was another story...(the fancy card above)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He used A LOT of stickers and decorated a card very carefully....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> And it says, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v28Zc4dL17N0jynZtaqv4OCd8AEslLBVicmTntHEmW_apdnZMpQ-hh380kQQQmh1B-IEp9wlXNc43oBxyZkUVN9U6MHfrToNF3_Yu-Vda0opkGePmcOOQgsLAQTjjrGOFj2870mevBV3/s1600/P2133651+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-v28Zc4dL17N0jynZtaqv4OCd8AEslLBVicmTntHEmW_apdnZMpQ-hh380kQQQmh1B-IEp9wlXNc43oBxyZkUVN9U6MHfrToNF3_Yu-Vda0opkGePmcOOQgsLAQTjjrGOFj2870mevBV3/s320/P2133651+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Yes, she is a really really good teacher and because of her, his reading and writing skills have improved dramatically this year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETn5LbGQuQtWMOL-Ws-e1kTfnPbrcBro2x84jMIrsiMArxTGeXa6rM8iLnMLTp8eBxzs68Y0NsB3vu8-SNSAVJSKmlSs6i_hJ8GXbrQhid5696g40CeRzfRRvSN3lAO1utgoz_B5ud-Tl/s1600/P2143664+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETn5LbGQuQtWMOL-Ws-e1kTfnPbrcBro2x84jMIrsiMArxTGeXa6rM8iLnMLTp8eBxzs68Y0NsB3vu8-SNSAVJSKmlSs6i_hJ8GXbrQhid5696g40CeRzfRRvSN3lAO1utgoz_B5ud-Tl/s320/P2143664+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And this was for me. I told my husband that he doesn't have to get anything for me, but of course he did. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I got chocolate, really really good chocolate! - Ghirardelli dark chocolate series, hazel nuts, camel, and one of my favorites, orange filling. He loves me so much. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night, I was instructed to sit and play piano while they had some secret activity going on, so that they'd know where I was for sure. Now, that's just brilliant!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> I love J's "you are the best MoMMy ever!" I hope he will tell me the same when he is 16.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyS_ZyXyV-LwW3n2TotOhalZHFBL8moSfW0lUDbTjKFW4KnpemJJY7VTyZLOOn1BUp3UI_OqBlu14k6pawERJLNpFVjj1KcN5ORaVJ3pjcbr_PwMRE7XyEzZgo28mcKhO04vTTPPm5AMx/s1600/P2133653+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifyS_ZyXyV-LwW3n2TotOhalZHFBL8moSfW0lUDbTjKFW4KnpemJJY7VTyZLOOn1BUp3UI_OqBlu14k6pawERJLNpFVjj1KcN5ORaVJ3pjcbr_PwMRE7XyEzZgo28mcKhO04vTTPPm5AMx/s320/P2133653+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and this? It's just for fun. K groovin' and dancin' in the kitchen with his big sister's heart-shaped sunglasses. I love this child. </div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-17474048523693019252012-02-02T14:41:00.000-05:002012-02-02T14:41:18.568-05:00Letter M Instead of doing other things that I'm supposed to be doing (we call it housekeeping strike), I decided to make this: Letter M. <br />
Now it's hung on a dining room along with family photos (one next to M is my grandmother).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmHeo5dMevUePsTJAIjW_KvhhNa0_VWh3oR35ytL3VJnEUeT47z555ujg43OIs8CJBJFaeN9I35IRHJaLIJ2tVkzrddIUFTp-hXFUZh7TbcIZq-m65bWsmAEYwO_eZKiq7uAjemlvJnPX/s1600/P1063524+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOeA7URY7BuIvXAI07WJMJbXtJ-QgLLWgStycCSParRESfADkXk4vRY9yTdNb6ans9OsnM2xX8Fa_OqC4tzV-FZM-m-K4RIBkkkK7OMK4SslAo9SFqF0EzvZuL2cuQykxdTQDfJu2X2dZ/s1600/P2023584+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOeA7URY7BuIvXAI07WJMJbXtJ-QgLLWgStycCSParRESfADkXk4vRY9yTdNb6ans9OsnM2xX8Fa_OqC4tzV-FZM-m-K4RIBkkkK7OMK4SslAo9SFqF0EzvZuL2cuQykxdTQDfJu2X2dZ/s400/P2023584+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> It's 8x8 paper, outlined with letter M, tacky glued with small pearls, mounted on a frame I found at Goodwill for $1.99. Very happy about the result. Maybe I should have used different paper as background, but it's good enough now. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFuPEjlm0YtRAr2PvnlFhIhDJCUUdbO2tMS9Helqkm5zOCo7m1cEuV5g6k44pfvZeyKRmH9nkIwt199qFhW7bRl3M69Drxuz96mc3qMrmtGViHSmFk625lgaY2E4R_vv92PebKp1THfod/s1600/P2023586+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFuPEjlm0YtRAr2PvnlFhIhDJCUUdbO2tMS9Helqkm5zOCo7m1cEuV5g6k44pfvZeyKRmH9nkIwt199qFhW7bRl3M69Drxuz96mc3qMrmtGViHSmFk625lgaY2E4R_vv92PebKp1THfod/s400/P2023586+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Speaking of family, here is our recent family picture, drawn by my daughter M. Yes, there are 2 of her - one below is real her and the all pink one is her baby doll (18"doll she got for Christmas) named M as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmHeo5dMevUePsTJAIjW_KvhhNa0_VWh3oR35ytL3VJnEUeT47z555ujg43OIs8CJBJFaeN9I35IRHJaLIJ2tVkzrddIUFTp-hXFUZh7TbcIZq-m65bWsmAEYwO_eZKiq7uAjemlvJnPX/s1600/P1063524+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmHeo5dMevUePsTJAIjW_KvhhNa0_VWh3oR35ytL3VJnEUeT47z555ujg43OIs8CJBJFaeN9I35IRHJaLIJ2tVkzrddIUFTp-hXFUZh7TbcIZq-m65bWsmAEYwO_eZKiq7uAjemlvJnPX/s400/P1063524+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-44730757017160778492012-01-27T15:24:00.000-05:002012-01-27T15:24:54.237-05:00Random pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Op_tiVQwbLkCcTl1RZmVR-HeCfuS5rDP4ax8_2iBf7jh49jT5LKAsB1_kXxsKFIrb8bsR7aDgHO-Mu3osPvU0ni_EFtffzVuJQta4XZm8b3QOajJrMRrf34-EJ1xPHslF6_cz85mmCl2/s1600/PA082579+%28600x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Now my wrists (I have carpel tunnel, but it seems to be doing better since I stopped wearing braces...interesting...) are doing better I can update. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGpdzqxFg-ArRZXPJ8txqVGAXXBUpRxw4_XggZTXWtbbcVZ7hcTt4J3-BjZzHjktYA9M_5W2NdfIvH-uteoiu4FJD9QSoKSsuah6MHHMb7Y7zvmrr3dXlauxJieDi2WDPOJIqCwYmZ9e-/s1600/PC203429+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGpdzqxFg-ArRZXPJ8txqVGAXXBUpRxw4_XggZTXWtbbcVZ7hcTt4J3-BjZzHjktYA9M_5W2NdfIvH-uteoiu4FJD9QSoKSsuah6MHHMb7Y7zvmrr3dXlauxJieDi2WDPOJIqCwYmZ9e-/s320/PC203429+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An ornament I made for annual (?) ornament exchange at work. I was too cheap and lazy to go to store to buy an ornament the night before at 10 am, I decided to make one. It took longer than I planned...but the recipient seemed to be very happy, so that made me happy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVGOE_6HGCBPDqZXoDhxjrNyn0e7igVnYaCIpTclikY8wiMb1ad-YemECjH1t-BTZUEKYDi12O2HpxHMZhMeFarqkgYlhnoXJ2YIiAyzMOSie8MicqrwY_GnDcMNc7s9FAK5x0BUzQbAP/s1600/PC273505+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVGOE_6HGCBPDqZXoDhxjrNyn0e7igVnYaCIpTclikY8wiMb1ad-YemECjH1t-BTZUEKYDi12O2HpxHMZhMeFarqkgYlhnoXJ2YIiAyzMOSie8MicqrwY_GnDcMNc7s9FAK5x0BUzQbAP/s320/PC273505+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My daughter having a tea party with her animal friends day after family Christmas celebration. It was her first tea party with her own tea sets she got for Christmas. Somehow you see carrots and corn on the cake stand and the tea is accompanied with a bottle of mustard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtc_gmL2Ig_B4jS4C5NaE7jaGnzrt03oQxEADwrP4AJcI69s2Sp5sBVC6Ef9BjoqPVkhPurKMinXmOMgOgrCdDIYiRK74BOQi371FR4LTyi4zYsvbEoUg9zqBPzEjyyEbx6YRYodkwOnV/s1600/PC253439+%28600x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtc_gmL2Ig_B4jS4C5NaE7jaGnzrt03oQxEADwrP4AJcI69s2Sp5sBVC6Ef9BjoqPVkhPurKMinXmOMgOgrCdDIYiRK74BOQi371FR4LTyi4zYsvbEoUg9zqBPzEjyyEbx6YRYodkwOnV/s400/PC253439+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I'm just throwing this - the morning of Christmas, the gifts still intact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfxj1MfnTnQKxmL5CjjHdqEjAOkCp1_7iKKGiZjsxxTkG59Fk-HojVHbATqOLHyBkGndNm_lN-iDlS9O3bGdApg6bLRcmtB_leiBz0PX690SylcYx-hSyhbSklhAuG1byNyrXkLpp01Df/s1600/PA122807+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfxj1MfnTnQKxmL5CjjHdqEjAOkCp1_7iKKGiZjsxxTkG59Fk-HojVHbATqOLHyBkGndNm_lN-iDlS9O3bGdApg6bLRcmtB_leiBz0PX690SylcYx-hSyhbSklhAuG1byNyrXkLpp01Df/s320/PA122807+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9L06y1qJFrqDvObBvCf5zwKFh19NwhInqCq1RIFgtGkb-KonNg6u7Yi0JrmFQfXCUbe7ta6TY0w1qVBrMgf95pJ_M_D2hcg9atVeDtUMSkLCpLA4wdBB_sS9c0VY-EI_MnIdHOQCBBB/s1600/PB273118+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> Now, this was in October. Gingerbread skeletons for my son's 7th birthday treats for his class.<br />
<br />
And speaking of birthdays, these are the kids' birthday cakes... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9L06y1qJFrqDvObBvCf5zwKFh19NwhInqCq1RIFgtGkb-KonNg6u7Yi0JrmFQfXCUbe7ta6TY0w1qVBrMgf95pJ_M_D2hcg9atVeDtUMSkLCpLA4wdBB_sS9c0VY-EI_MnIdHOQCBBB/s1600/PB273118+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEWGNXvSoF0Fd6oT4fW1Q_VXaKR9yAhoCVVoyexrPOtXmvSug7PGbDZwtd-MMYcK8fXUl5cfhPYo_jnhp1NqTOY400gqSUFqbIaHAYBtXGgZ9-1BpBkhGRB46WSC7Q0uppcIGXrIYcjim/s1600/PA092617+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEWGNXvSoF0Fd6oT4fW1Q_VXaKR9yAhoCVVoyexrPOtXmvSug7PGbDZwtd-MMYcK8fXUl5cfhPYo_jnhp1NqTOY400gqSUFqbIaHAYBtXGgZ9-1BpBkhGRB46WSC7Q0uppcIGXrIYcjim/s320/PA092617+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">J wanted a army tank cake, of course. Flat Stanley was a special guest to the party. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9L06y1qJFrqDvObBvCf5zwKFh19NwhInqCq1RIFgtGkb-KonNg6u7Yi0JrmFQfXCUbe7ta6TY0w1qVBrMgf95pJ_M_D2hcg9atVeDtUMSkLCpLA4wdBB_sS9c0VY-EI_MnIdHOQCBBB/s1600/PB273118+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEWGNXvSoF0Fd6oT4fW1Q_VXaKR9yAhoCVVoyexrPOtXmvSug7PGbDZwtd-MMYcK8fXUl5cfhPYo_jnhp1NqTOY400gqSUFqbIaHAYBtXGgZ9-1BpBkhGRB46WSC7Q0uppcIGXrIYcjim/s1600/PA092617+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEWGNXvSoF0Fd6oT4fW1Q_VXaKR9yAhoCVVoyexrPOtXmvSug7PGbDZwtd-MMYcK8fXUl5cfhPYo_jnhp1NqTOY400gqSUFqbIaHAYBtXGgZ9-1BpBkhGRB46WSC7Q0uppcIGXrIYcjim/s1600/PA092617+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAQWVBHqXL4Yxd5AeegNHMPHCs4GxJ3ipIw0LE4U2544q-OsvzKehyB03vKTOtbj56UL3G0HLCxSJTDOQKSuH2CALO7P-D6UJw7D9Zv9Mw1qdTND59QESJjC24mSFKkxhhyq7jKTdPI0T/s1600/PA092626+%28600x800%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAQWVBHqXL4Yxd5AeegNHMPHCs4GxJ3ipIw0LE4U2544q-OsvzKehyB03vKTOtbj56UL3G0HLCxSJTDOQKSuH2CALO7P-D6UJw7D9Zv9Mw1qdTND59QESJjC24mSFKkxhhyq7jKTdPI0T/s400/PA092626+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> M's request was my little pony. I must have been really tired by the time I finished. I wrote 6, instead of 5. She turned 5, not 6... Oh well.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9L06y1qJFrqDvObBvCf5zwKFh19NwhInqCq1RIFgtGkb-KonNg6u7Yi0JrmFQfXCUbe7ta6TY0w1qVBrMgf95pJ_M_D2hcg9atVeDtUMSkLCpLA4wdBB_sS9c0VY-EI_MnIdHOQCBBB/s1600/PB273118+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9L06y1qJFrqDvObBvCf5zwKFh19NwhInqCq1RIFgtGkb-KonNg6u7Yi0JrmFQfXCUbe7ta6TY0w1qVBrMgf95pJ_M_D2hcg9atVeDtUMSkLCpLA4wdBB_sS9c0VY-EI_MnIdHOQCBBB/s320/PB273118+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This was K's. The whole just evolved as I started decorating. And it worked. Vroom vroom! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw9L06y1qJFrqDvObBvCf5zwKFh19NwhInqCq1RIFgtGkb-KonNg6u7Yi0JrmFQfXCUbe7ta6TY0w1qVBrMgf95pJ_M_D2hcg9atVeDtUMSkLCpLA4wdBB_sS9c0VY-EI_MnIdHOQCBBB/s1600/PB273118+%28800x600%29.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now it's full blown winter here and I miss this place and her fresh beautiful produce</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> (Natalie's place, we call)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBC3CPNT7cosVlW-QPVPB6bgI8lBn-AtgOTPquLZXNHy0yJl10S7xiYf3AfDqZVhs15DKGjkf91seBFLuOu9TWSYw68Fx_Y6GiNt9T9yrAVJb3SDJKu3tBDOVuf-V8ORCzas6H0-OALcC/s1600/PA082608+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBC3CPNT7cosVlW-QPVPB6bgI8lBn-AtgOTPquLZXNHy0yJl10S7xiYf3AfDqZVhs15DKGjkf91seBFLuOu9TWSYw68Fx_Y6GiNt9T9yrAVJb3SDJKu3tBDOVuf-V8ORCzas6H0-OALcC/s320/PA082608+%28800x600%29.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip57shs5A674XH4egN-p3a3s3QAHj8kTIG3k4siS0bGJIJzSiWUZSsbXeblnGFDkOwVscNGDDNy_i_4QX_HX-6lWmB0gcdxukClzA9Up_wkffxp1yKtghbY8diYWkD41mLMZB0by59aCqd/s1600/PA082594+%28600x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip57shs5A674XH4egN-p3a3s3QAHj8kTIG3k4siS0bGJIJzSiWUZSsbXeblnGFDkOwVscNGDDNy_i_4QX_HX-6lWmB0gcdxukClzA9Up_wkffxp1yKtghbY8diYWkD41mLMZB0by59aCqd/s400/PA082594+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Op_tiVQwbLkCcTl1RZmVR-HeCfuS5rDP4ax8_2iBf7jh49jT5LKAsB1_kXxsKFIrb8bsR7aDgHO-Mu3osPvU0ni_EFtffzVuJQta4XZm8b3QOajJrMRrf34-EJ1xPHslF6_cz85mmCl2/s1600/PA082579+%28600x800%29.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Op_tiVQwbLkCcTl1RZmVR-HeCfuS5rDP4ax8_2iBf7jh49jT5LKAsB1_kXxsKFIrb8bsR7aDgHO-Mu3osPvU0ni_EFtffzVuJQta4XZm8b3QOajJrMRrf34-EJ1xPHslF6_cz85mmCl2/s400/PA082579+%28600x800%29.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXEWGNXvSoF0Fd6oT4fW1Q_VXaKR9yAhoCVVoyexrPOtXmvSug7PGbDZwtd-MMYcK8fXUl5cfhPYo_jnhp1NqTOY400gqSUFqbIaHAYBtXGgZ9-1BpBkhGRB46WSC7Q0uppcIGXrIYcjim/s1600/PA092617+%28800x600%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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Lastly, this was a sign I made from a free cabinet door I got at Re-Store. It was originally $1, but the gentleman gave me for free. Maybe I looked horrible on that Saturday morning... Painted, scrap book stickers added, and ribbon to the hardware holes. Not the original quote, but this one suits better for me and my kitchen. <br />
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</a></div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-17405329990428019632011-10-03T15:05:00.000-04:002011-10-03T15:05:48.504-04:00SilenceMy oldest J is now in 1st grade. My daughter M is in afternoon preschool 3 days a week. My baby K is taking a nap. I have about 15 more minutes of silence to enjoy. The only noise I can hear is our dog snoring.<br />
I could have been productive, but I decided not to be. I just sat in front of my laptop and did absolutely nothing productive. It was my 2 hour vacation. <br />
I like it.Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4589314636761296508.post-75464780822806481672011-09-19T14:04:00.003-04:002011-09-19T14:47:07.983-04:00Eating goodSummer is over, school has started, and I have a little bit of breathing time on Monday afternoon. So I decided to post something....then I realized how many photos of food I have taken this past month or so....Well, I love food. What can I say?<br /><br />My dear husband found a treasure over this summer. We call it "Natalie's place". She sells beautiful fruits and vegetables from her garden or nearby Amish farm. No pesticides. She is not "certified" organic farmer, but she grows them pretty much organically. And they taste like, well, what fruits and vegetable should taste, that you know they grew up with sunshine, not some fertilizer. You know they are picked by her hands with much care, not by...okay, I won't say anything more than that.<br /><br />Anyway, we have been eating good, I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">GOOD</span>, local food.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is very meaty "Stripe Roma Tomatoes" waiting to be canned.<br />Yes, they are from Natalie's place. Just gorgeous. And they are yummy!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4J3CrqfRPCPnYFFbRT_J0eEk3S5SLr3g8yNGKooOPhROZSfUJWM2TQ4hs5lianfQLiNJvyiIziKCBCs5w8gwvuC3H1XkQ5WiOODzfN-ELaJHnTnzp4RE6Ed3BNgejKNbBLphmpy-2YAp/s1600/P8202334.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/AVvXsEiz4J3CrqfRPCPnYFFbRT_J0eEk3S5SLr3g8yNGKooOPhROZSfUJWM2TQ4hs5lianfQLiNJvyiIziKCBCs5w8gwvuC3H1XkQ5WiOODzfN-ELaJHnTnzp4RE6Ed3BNgejKNbBLphmpy-2YAp/s320/P8202334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654135492400255938" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Here is our dinner one night.<br />Menu:<br />- Japanese style hamburger steak (made with grass fed beef from my co-worker's farm) with Teriyaki sauce,<br />- Sauteed zucchini with bacon<br />- Steamed corn<br />- Steamed potatoes (blue, red, and white!) with home grown parsley and chives</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TubaykEtkq5OzpsAfkwf2GS5MK9npbI8PPRcNgIbGEvxtGR_AHS7Q_jLTIO-3-YAGsU-juqyUJPQ0a8jDoniAeoXI1jQdrdOZf9wxcIAwsjsxm1fN38JGt8DIXxo0w1LSqbHUfMqAvGF/s1600/P8112265.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/AVvXsEj1TubaykEtkq5OzpsAfkwf2GS5MK9npbI8PPRcNgIbGEvxtGR_AHS7Q_jLTIO-3-YAGsU-juqyUJPQ0a8jDoniAeoXI1jQdrdOZf9wxcIAwsjsxm1fN38JGt8DIXxo0w1LSqbHUfMqAvGF/s320/P8112265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654134702010038786" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Locally famous "Buttermilk Pie" with melons from Natalie's place as dessert.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IFIbib9YKJR4KTbf8Bth7RA995kwLC4_ufc1_AAemIpusWu_g3YR5LLNHpV6tSlln8Rwv59sVfRZVWutHak6n6tGuA9UozDQGzYGt7iJJ0Gq0GKQQRAvqnJR9Vg1am4AjIHhcBv_CDEt/s1600/P8132290.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/AVvXsEj4IFIbib9YKJR4KTbf8Bth7RA995kwLC4_ufc1_AAemIpusWu_g3YR5LLNHpV6tSlln8Rwv59sVfRZVWutHak6n6tGuA9UozDQGzYGt7iJJ0Gq0GKQQRAvqnJR9Vg1am4AjIHhcBv_CDEt/s320/P8132290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654135503305005474" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Okay, this was random. But they are cute, aren't they?<br />This, nothing local. Just yellow cake cupcake (though I did made it from scratch only because I didn't have boxed cake mix) with baby face on top. They are just vanilla wafers decorated with royal icing. Specially made for my friend.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6ZNcx16AxKv5OTjX7ZFu0FO58YjY2GfdHE1nN1cmG0JQRzy5_5Jw5YcTzCkLJtNBIfHvulKC3QZqUFS-1CU_-EKL5Kh7SxXiXJNKK68xQQJE_XzjtAcYRMsemWXc7gNTdqrprNXdlN2r/s1600/P8192329.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/AVvXsEhH6ZNcx16AxKv5OTjX7ZFu0FO58YjY2GfdHE1nN1cmG0JQRzy5_5Jw5YcTzCkLJtNBIfHvulKC3QZqUFS-1CU_-EKL5Kh7SxXiXJNKK68xQQJE_XzjtAcYRMsemWXc7gNTdqrprNXdlN2r/s320/P8192329.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654134691027744738" border="0" /></a><br />Army of canned peaches ready for winter,<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbvq9AjkwlYP4kZmKazW5jFbo9tp3C7HB7tlkNqarlSXzk3Y_IWcCbLh4_YZTaYc5J7ASLljGk-mMhvfeQ-JiZiine5-i1f1JjKj5OTvSZsJsf_AU_nd6veMM8SeE4aXASNv3rvV7QnTg/s1600/P8242349.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/AVvXsEjkbvq9AjkwlYP4kZmKazW5jFbo9tp3C7HB7tlkNqarlSXzk3Y_IWcCbLh4_YZTaYc5J7ASLljGk-mMhvfeQ-JiZiine5-i1f1JjKj5OTvSZsJsf_AU_nd6veMM8SeE4aXASNv3rvV7QnTg/s320/P8242349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654134682434999218" border="0" /></a>and they remind me of this poster.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://artnectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/world_war_II_food_poster_1943.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 452px; height: 633px;" src="http://artnectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/world_war_II_food_poster_1943.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>{Photo source <a href="http://artnectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/world_war_II_food_poster_1943.png">here</a>}<br /><br />I really think I can eat this kid.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_GLni6ldpuQeRke0TtHiPGzlChiHAv_kOdc7KnJm18HKGiEaLGXGTTGUg_HIT6PGdXMIGUUtmqxhebBQgpH_XKqhUvHiwmJWHYiABgP93sWWm4iaUAdIqdlmnKXD8gB70g6VY3qQwQxl/s1600/P8112282.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/AVvXsEgu_GLni6ldpuQeRke0TtHiPGzlChiHAv_kOdc7KnJm18HKGiEaLGXGTTGUg_HIT6PGdXMIGUUtmqxhebBQgpH_XKqhUvHiwmJWHYiABgP93sWWm4iaUAdIqdlmnKXD8gB70g6VY3qQwQxl/s320/P8112282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654134710304825394" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Mmmm!<br /></div>Chiekohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486607352182482949noreply@blogger.com1