tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88350763728649895782024-03-13T00:00:38.911-04:00The Awkward Adventures of KiwiWelcome to AwesometownAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.comBlogger340125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-66727908520025494722014-01-01T20:06:00.001-05:002014-01-01T20:06:32.920-05:00The story of us part I-can't-remember<div>This is the story of how 3 words changed my life and how I gave away a precious item to someone who believes in pirates.</div><div><br></div><div>Item: my mothers jewelry box</div><div>Nemesis: my sister</div><div>Background: it's been many years since my mother decided to tell us that she wanted to be rid of her jewelry box. A handsome deep brown box with carefully laid joints and rivets. Curved on the top with a delicate latch holding tight to its contents.</div><div><br></div><div>My sister, 6 years my younger, and I have NOT fought since young children with the exception of one butt touching incident many years ago (a story for another time). This silent battle for the right to claim the sacred box of our childhood has raged for so long I don't know if my timelines are correct or of we had laid a predatory claim long before we knew there was a claim to be laid. The reasons why we needed or deserved the box year after year, holiday after holiday would fall on my mother and her wisdom to decide. Her answer was always the same, no one gets the box until You agree who gets the box.</div><div><br></div><div>Then came tonight. As I was leaving my moms house she recanted her least conversation with my sister.</div><div>My sister had an idea - give me the box and her my mothers wedding ring. Which was a no go because my stepdad is heir to that loom. Mom countered with the idea that she would give it to my brother and end this once and for all. </div><div>That's when it happened. Mom said " your sister has an idea of what to do with the pirate box".</div><div><br></div><div>the pirate box</div><div><br></div><div>And I said "she can have it".</div><div><br></div><div>And just like that, she could. Because she thinks it's a pirate box, and my brother would think nothing of it at all. My sister thinks its treasure, and it is. But it's so much more, it's never been about the box. It's never been about who gets this piece of my mothers life, her late 20s, her single motherhood. Her time of knowing nothing and learning everything there is to know about the 3 most important humans in the world. </div><div><br></div><div>It's about the piece of her that was just her. It's about the part of my mom that wasn't a mom at all. It's the girl who stowed away treasure, who showed her treasure to 2 little girls, who shared her secrets, who entrusted us with the things all little girls think make you a woman. </div><div><br></div><div>It's the place our cloak pins from SCA were carefully tucked away, it's the home of the dragon cuff and the moonstone earrings. It's plant toad's winter home and dress up afternoons. It's where we snuck pieces of mom to take with us on our journey. It's where teenage usses became ladies. It's years of love worn into the lining from our hands carefully separating chains and findings. It's the tube of lipstick she never really wore except that one time, and a stray marble. Even this box, with all those things gone on to other adventures is "don't forget to put the bottle on the door". </div><div><br></div><div>And that is how I chose to give the most prized possession of our inheritance to my sister, after years of saying "me or no one". Because I have all those things, locked up tight in my soul, and they will never go away. And I have my own box, a beautiful handmade wooden box from Iraq, that holds my secrets. My mothers first engagement ring, my favorite necklace made by a dear friend, the earrings wore on my first day of work at multiple places and the locket my husband gave me for my anniversary. I have my own afternoons, and stealthy teenage thefts of my cool Polaroid camera earrings. </div><div><br></div><div>And that is the story of how in an instant of what I'm sure is insanity I relinquished my claim to a small wooden box I'd fought for 15 years to obtain. </div><div><br></div><div>Because it's not about my sister being my moms favorite (which she isn't, mom loves us all the same and would give heaven and earth for each of us), it's about her being MY favorite (also my only, sister, that is) And knowing that things are just reminders of people. Just shadows of the past, my brain can remember all those things, those moments, those smiles, without the box. But to my sister, it's a pirate treasure, and maybe a new adventure, and no one loves and adventure more than me.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-19412202861053765822013-12-19T08:02:00.001-05:002013-12-19T08:02:31.693-05:00No computer, not necessarily a problem<div>I haven't done this in a long while.</div><div>I'm not sure I even remember how.</div><div>I think... It's like knowing how to ride a bicycle (which I do), in that you never forget.</div><div>There was a time in my life when this blog was very relevant and helpful to my mental well being and then I changed, as we all do, and I moved on to other adventures.</div><div>I spent time doing things I liked more, or hated but were necessary.</div><div>It's been a few years now that I haven't had a proper computer (even now I'm writing this in the notes on my phone), and I used that as an excuse not to come here.</div><div>The longer I put it off, the easier it became to stay away.</div><div><br></div><div>I knew that I couldn't be the person I was when I started all this. I don't think I fit into any of the molds I used to subscribe too and the online world has become bigger.</div><div>I've spent my time on Tumblr reblogging things that make me happy, just to be able to remember them, but I wasn't creating much of my own.</div><div>I spent time on Facebook, feeling connected to those I already love, weeding out my friends list of those who don't give me what I need.</div><div>I spent time on Twitter and Instagram to fulfill my need for instant gratification and ego boosting.</div><div>I watched some important and life affirming videos on YouTube (and some just plain stupid ones too).</div><div><br></div><div>But none of that was about me.</div><div>It was for me.</div><div>I forgot that blogging used to be both.</div><div>It was about sharing myself and inventing myself and following the rules and breaking the rules and learning about the community of humans living on the crust of this planet.</div><div>I think I miss writing, I think I miss sharing, I think I miss feeling the power I have over my words and ideas.</div><div>I think a lot.</div><div>I think my thoughts get lonely up there battling each other in my head and want to come out and visit other thoughts.</div><div><br></div><div>So here I am.</div><div>Changed and changing,</div><div>Invented and inventing,</div><div>Powerful and empowered,</div><div>Learning, loving, hating, fangirling, geeking out, falling over, getting up, and moving forward.</div><div><br></div><div>I will not be keeping my old format.</div><div>I will not promise to do do anything but exactly what I want.</div><div><br></div><div>I will share when I want.</div><div>I will link some of my favorite things when I decide they are my favorites.</div><div>I will slowly construct a sidebar that makes sense for me, but for now I'm pretty sure all those links over there work.</div><div>I will endeavor to be real, and not sugarcoat my fandoms or my feelings about things.</div><div><br></div><div>I hope that I will find this new adventure as satisfying as I always used too, and I hope you will too.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-80680625700673557122012-06-11T21:03:00.000-04:002012-06-11T21:03:05.843-04:00There's an app for that... or not.Why is it so hard to find a mobile app that works the way I want?<br />
<br />
As a professional event coordinator (among other things), all I want is a reliable mobile app that will help me keep my clients, vendors and tasks in order. Easy peasy right? WRONG. There are about a BAZILLION websites that I loooove and work really well for what they do, but none of them have a functional app that does what I want.<br />
<br />
For wedding and project planning there is nothing better than the knot.com and planningpod.com, but the knot's mobile app is directed at the bride herself, not the planner. Planning Pod's website is perfect, but no mobile app.<br />
<br />
So what's a girl to do?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-56297519483087359982012-05-16T11:39:00.001-04:002012-05-16T11:39:44.686-04:00In the shadow of deathToday I noticed on Facebook how many of my "people" are mourning a loss and felt a shimmer or relief, which was of course replaced by paranoia of when Grim will visit again. <br />
<br />
It's a sad fact that I am even allowed to use the phrase "at my age" but the truth is that at my age you know people who die. Much more do than when I was in my teens and 20's. <br />
<br />
Just another reason I have growing up.<br />
<br />
To everyone suffering a loss today, I send thoughts of good will. There is nothing anyone can say or do to make you feel better but knowing that someone out there is putting money in your dharma bank can be nice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-29096485545116415512012-04-30T20:31:00.001-04:002012-04-30T20:31:58.954-04:00my phone takes better pictures than my cameraand this is why Apple should make everything...<br />
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I feel that I must interject here and make it VERY clear that we here at the Shufelt household are NOT in any way shape or form Red Sox fans. In fact we are Yankees fans through and through. I think it may be some sort of punishment that our 12 YO got picked for the Red Sox in our local softball league.<br />
Either way, as long as she is having fun and playing fair, it's a small price to pay for having to root for a Red Sox team temporarily.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-31938202644230450992012-04-23T20:35:00.000-04:002012-04-23T20:35:46.554-04:00How iCarly broke my dinnerWhen I am trying to figure things out I find it helpful to write lists, sometimes when things are REALLY important I do a Pro and Con list. After the fiasco that was my dinner tonight, I find it imperative that I make an iCarly Pro and Con list.<br />
<br />
Pro's:<br />
- Always appropriate for 12 YO viewing<br />
- Jerry Trainer<br />
- Positive messages to teens about how they can accomplish something great<br />
- Girls wearing appropriate clothing<br />
- Smart funny role models for the 12 YO that don't swear and rarely break any laws<br />
<br />
Con's:<br />
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<br />
Yes, that is a Spaghetti Taco.<br />
<br />
In theory it's a novel concept. In practice? GROSS. Trust me on this.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-61243102856923252922012-04-23T18:30:00.001-04:002012-04-23T20:22:26.748-04:00Event coordinator! Not wedding planner...I have the worst time explaining to my friends what I do as the manager of a bed and breakfast that hosts weddings. I swear they all think I am a wedding planner and the only problem with that is that some of my brides do too! <br />
The problem with that is that they all expect me to help them actually plan the wedding and as a venue coordinator I just don't have the time. How do you explain to someone that meeting and coordinating vendors at my venue does not translate into me helping you pick our dress?<br />
<br />
Mood: tired and frustrated <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-36918696910289592692012-04-18T20:40:00.000-04:002012-04-18T20:40:01.557-04:00iPhone 4sAlright I know I am a million years late in getting myself an iPhone, but I feel like I waited just enough time to get one of the best versions available.<br />
<br />
I can't stop playing with it, I've spent an atrocious amount of time browsing the app store and downloading way too many apps just to turn around and decide I don't like them and delete them. It's like the past 10 years worth of Christmases all wrapped up into one really big awesome celebration. If I had a million dollars I would buy this exact same phone and then put the rest in savings. I love it that much.<br />
<br />
Now, I need some help from all you amazing people out there:<br />
<br />
1. Tell me your 2 favorite apps that I may not have found yet<br />
<br />
2. What is your favorite accessory? and where do you get cool cases for a reasonable price?<br />
<br />
3. What is the safest and most durable case you have found for a reasonable price?<br />
<br />
I'm counting on you friends!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-43988389366347731672012-04-09T20:22:00.003-04:002012-04-09T20:22:25.247-04:00Awkward conversations no one really wants to haveWhile I am certain that there are a million awkward things moms and dads will have to talk to their little boys about I don't actually have one so I am sticking to what I know. Awkward, and sometimes frustrating conversations with tween to teenage girls. Odd area of expertise, but since I now have a 12 going on 40 year old soon to be teenager I have been through many an awkward conversation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh young one, stay small forever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I would like to take the time here to say THANK YOU to my wonderful mother who can clearly see the future and predicted every single one of these conversations with her the fictional granddaughter by announcing "Someday you will have a daughter, and I hope she is just like you" curses. I am most definitely getting EXACTLY what I deserve.<br />
<br />
If you have a darling daughter who has not yet reached the tween - teen years yet. Formulate your plan of attack carefully. These things come in stages, creeping up on you in seemingly harmless conversations and will one day culminate in completely awkward and frustrating ways.<br />
<br />
Trust me on this.<br />
<br />
7YO: Mom ,why are there razors in the shower? I mean, who uses them? and for what?<br />
Me: Well, they are to shave my legs... and armpits.<br />
7YO: You have hair in your ARMPITS<br />
Me: No, I shave it<br />
7YO: GROSS<br />
ME: Yes it is, and itchy, which is why I shave it.<br />
7YO: Sooooooo....<br />
Me: Yes, you will grow hair in your armpits<br />
7YO: Do I have to shave it?<br />
Me: Well, not if you dont want to, but it might get itchy... and hot and sweaty and smelly (<i>neglected to mention here that either way it will probubly be all those things</i>)... on the other hand once you start shaving it, you can't really stop, because it itches<br />
7YO: You just said it would be itchy if I didn't shave it<br />
Me: I know, but I actually don't remember what it is like to have hair there so I could be lying about that part.<br />
<br />
<i>A few years later...</i><br />
<br />
9YO: When do I have to start shaving my armpits?<br />
Me: Ummmm, I'm not sure I really want you playing with razors yet... why? do you have hair in your armpits?<br />
9YO: Maybe<br />
Me: Let me see<br />
9YO: NO, thats weird...<br />
Me: Weirder than asking me when you need to start shaving it?<br />
<i>I can see that this conversation is going nowhere anyway so why not play along right? Also, somewhere in the back of my brain I am realizing that I am actually going to have to show my 9YO how to actually USE a razor at some point in her life, regardless if that time is today or not. Now THAT is weird.</i><br />
9YO: (shows the 2.5 hairs in her armpit) ?<br />
Me: Not yet<br />
9YO: Wheew... thats good, because I just wanted to make sure no one could tell.<br />
<br />
<br />
10YO: Mom, can you get me my own razors?<br />
Me: For what?<br />
10YO: To shave with<br />
Me: To shave what with?<br />
10YO: Hair<br />
<i>at this point I realize that we have reached THAT stage. Where EVERY. SINGLE. CONVERSATION. is like getting a bikini wax, they make no sense whatsoever and are very painful to get through no matter how long they last.</i><br />
Me: I am going to jump right in and say this is for legs and armpits, and yes I can get you your own, and please do not TOUCH my razors ever, ever, ever, because it's just gross... and I guess I will have to show you how to use one so you don't cut yourself.<br />
<i>I am now having flashbacks to the day I decided that I had waited long enough to shave and asked my best friend (who had never shaved before) to come and sit in the bathroom with me while I tried to shave my legs for the first time, even after my mom said NO. It was a few liters short of a bloodbath thanks to neither one of us even contemplating the use of soapy lather.</i><br />
10YO: Ummmm... that might be weird<br />
Me: Trust me hon, we are in for much weirder conversations than this. Wait till you have to ask me to buy pads and tampons and Noxzema.<br />
10YO: Huh?<br />
<br />
It is at this point in my life, that something struck me. I was going to have to buy pads, and tampons and Noxzema. It also occurred to me that I might actually have to explain all the gross little details about how to actually use these things (except for the Noxzema which is pretty much like shampoo for your face and therefore self explanatory).<br />
<br />
Awkward.<br />
<br />
This is why I am glad I thought of these things back then. You will be too. Don't wait until doomsday to buy pads and explain how they work. TRUST me you will be glad she knows just what to do, and she will be much less embarrassed about telling you she actually needs some of her own.<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-70637503549665720722012-04-03T22:27:00.001-04:002012-04-04T16:27:01.631-04:00How writers block can freak out your friends<br />
Writers block is a bizarre thing, it drives a person crazy thinking about what to write. In my case most of the time there is never a lack of things to write but the opposite of having too many thoughts and not knowing where to start.<br />
<br />
That is when I journal things, random weird things. Things that would definitely paint me in a weird and slightlty crazy (and sometimes corny) light. So I of course do not write them out loud. This is when I get frustrated and begin to read. This is when I devour books like a honey badger on a snake. Then I start thinking about the things I am reading in juxtaposition to things in my real life... then weird phone calls get made...<br />
<br />
J: (answers phone after series of frantic texts from me) Yeeeesss.<br />
Me: If you woke up tomorrow and were presented with an impossibly bizarre set of clues that led you to the conclusion that I was somehow missing and if you followed the clues you might find me, and I may or may not be there, and I may or may not be dead would you follow the clues anyway?<br />
J: (hesitant) Umm... Ummm<br />
Me: I am not crazy, drunk or on the verge of killing myself if that helps you in your decision making<br />
J: Then Yes?<br />
Me: Good... also would you still follow those clues if you thought I was a smurf? You know like if in finding me, you would be finding me as a smurf<br />
J: Yes, I would want to see the other smurfs<br />
Me: This is how I know you are my friend, not only because you answer my ridiculous hypothetical questions at 9:00 at night, but you do it with complete seriousness and don't think I am crazy.<br />
J: I didn't agree to the not crazy part.<br />
<br />
Extra points if you can guess what book I just finished before making this call.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-72710599171831600012012-04-02T22:31:00.001-04:002012-04-02T22:31:12.177-04:00Workshop at Youth Town Meeting<div>
Youth Advisory County of Caledonia and Southern Essex Counties Youth Town Meeting is tomorrow. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Tomorrow will be a day filled with stress.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Wish me luck as I give a workshop presentation about Guerilla Art to 50 Middle / High Schoolers. OMG, I'm already exhausted and it hasn't even started yet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, I will take pictures.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/189732461074329/" target="_blank">More info HERE about YTM and YAC</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-89963292138906014512012-03-30T08:00:00.000-04:002012-04-03T22:29:26.819-04:00Isaac Marion, the wordsmith<br />
<h3 class="r g0" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<span style="padding-bottom: 14px; padding-right: 15px;"><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">word·smith</em></span><span style="font-family: 'Doulos SIL', Gentum, 'TITUS Cyberbit Basic', Junicode, 'Aborigonal Serif', 'Arial Unicode MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Chrysanthi Unicode'; font-size: smaller; padding-bottom: 7px;">/ˈwərdˌsmiTH/</span><div id="sound_flash" style="height: 0px; position: absolute; width: 0px;">
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<span class="speaker-icon-listen-off" id="speaker_icon" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(https://ssl.gstatic.com/dictionary/static/images/icons/1/pronunciation.png); background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline-block; float: none; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.55; vertical-align: bottom; width: 16px;"></span></h3>
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<tr><td style="color: #666666; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top" width="80px">Noun:</td><td style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top"><table class="ts" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A skilled user of words.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="color: #666666; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top" width="80px">Synonyms:</td><td style="padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;" valign="top"><div>
ghostwriter</div>
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<br />
<br />
Though I am a lover of words, and do often consort with dictionaries, I would hardly call myself a wordsmith. There are many, many books I love and whose authors I would still not call a wordsmith. The standard definition of wordsmith even leaves a bitter taste in my mouth with it's lack of big-ness (yes, you can definitely add -ness to EVERYTHING. it's allowed) does not seem to convey everything I feel about this word.<br />
<br />
Although maybe there is something to the definitions simple finality that makes it work in the end. Regardless, I am officially bestowing the title of Master Wordsmith on one Isaac Marion.<br />
<br />
It's no secret I love to read, I devour books that I love in one sitting, most of the time into wee hours of the morning, making for caffeine induced waking hours and often severe bouts of crankiness. I am so not a morning person anyway.<br />
<br />
Reading is like driving for me, after about 2 chapters I can usually judge if a book is a RED, YELLOW or GREEN and can then plan accordingly.<br />
<br />
RED: I hate this book, I may never finish, mark the page, put it away find something else to read.<br />
YELLOW: It's good, I like it, I want to read it, I will read until I am tired and then slow down, find a safe place to stop and put a book mark in it until the next day, there could be side books to go along with said book (this is a large list, most of my books fall in this category)<br />
GREEN: I love it, I'm in for the long haul, I am not putting it down until I get to the back cover (This is a medium sized list, I love books)<br />
<br />
then there is the rare SCENIC OVERLOOK books. The ones that say "wait a minute, back the freaking truck up and pull the hell over NOW". These are the books that you TRY read slowly, with great care, eating them up like the best tiramisu you have ever eaten. Savor every word, because no matter what you do you don't ever want them to end. You want the story to go on forever so you can keep reading sentence after sentence of pure literary joy. These books are few and far between, it's not just that the story was good, it's not just that you loved the characters in some way. It's that the words melted together on the page in such a way that you were mesmerized by sheer vocabulary, by grammar, by the elements of the dictionary put to such good use.<br />
<br />
This is how I feel about Isaac Marion, this is how the story of a zombie falling in love captured me in it's embrace for hours.<br />
<br />
Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion.<br />
<br />
READ IT.<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-77985060366935045302012-03-28T00:40:00.000-04:002012-03-28T00:55:33.386-04:00The Story of Us: Part 4 Tragedy in my small townThere is no point in retelling a story that someone else has already lent lovely words to, so I will instead give my reflection to the events of the past 3 days.<br />
<br />
Recap: A wonderful woman, mother and teacher was kidnapped and murdered, leaving behind a beautiful 2 YO boy. Full story <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/missing-vermont-teacher-melissa-jenkins-police-warn-town/story?id=16008996#.T3KRpzGPWSo" target="_blank">HERE </a>courtesy of ABC News.<br />
<br />
My Facebook feed has been difficult to look at the last few days to say the least. As you all know I am a lover of words and these two shining beacons have made it into the copy, paste, save hall of fame for me today:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theforwardthinker.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/today-we-saw-tragedy/" target="_blank">The Forward Thinker 's touching article</a> and <a href="http://pastorbecca.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/the-problem-of-evil/" target="_blank">Pastor Becca's words of wisdom</a>. You all know I am not a religious person by any means, but I happened to have grown up with Pastor Becca my whole life, shared more bread and juice with her than many of her followers have and I can't say I believe there is a more decent and kind person from my past that I trust with my heart this day, so take it from an atheist, the blog post is more than worth the read (she is also quite funny and most of her blog posts are extremely entertaining).<br />
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and that sentiment was resounded by many on my comment wall, then a table turned, almost as swift as the grief had come so did the certainty of what we needed to do:<br />
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and today? after a restless night, I have wiped away my tears, but not the heartache just yet, and say this<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The Kingdom is in mourning, but we will soon rise up and hunt for the darkness that did this and shine the light of justice until no shadow is left behind. Maybe the evil doer in our scenario believed us, Notheast Kingdom, small town, nobodies to be the meek, but if that old saying is true? We will inherit this earth and we reclaim it NOW.</span>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-18391429273632066942012-03-14T16:16:00.003-04:002012-03-14T16:16:39.581-04:00Crafting and Shopping and Swapping OH MY!While my writers block is still firmly mortared in place, my crafting inspiration has been up and running for the past few weeks. If I am ever going to get back into my blog groove I figured that posting up some new crafts is a great place to start.<br />
<br />
I've been back to swapping on <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/" target="_blank">Swap-Bot</a> since I am in the down season at work, so there have been a lot of new crafts around my craft table lately. If you have never tried <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/" target="_blank">Swap-Bot</a> you should go there right now and check it out, if nothing else go read the <a href="http://blog.swap-bot.com/" target="_blank">Swap-Bot Blog</a>, Rachel has the very best links to new projects and fun tutorials there every week, and she also puts up an Etsy round up each week which is well worth looking at.<br />
<br />
I am working on a new tutorial for a Needle Case for one of the group swaps I am hosting, here is the preliminaries:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtLwpSBBH0KBnSloMYppScfEKGFvpb0x1UQDo9iZMoP_r07_Ih50QBhoPc5hAg0hc4LaipCj73klerHJ_jacDJooKwH7Pb8E7NOXWKnP22p5EzZN4FGKBCL8UZkM5zEYsBJ2QHJNi3arb/s1600/100_2003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtLwpSBBH0KBnSloMYppScfEKGFvpb0x1UQDo9iZMoP_r07_Ih50QBhoPc5hAg0hc4LaipCj73klerHJ_jacDJooKwH7Pb8E7NOXWKnP22p5EzZN4FGKBCL8UZkM5zEYsBJ2QHJNi3arb/s400/100_2003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will be posting the whole thing up as a tutorial once I get the test version sewn up, and if you don't want to wait take a gander at these beauties you can grab over on Etsy right now:<br />
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<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://www.etsy.com/listing/93649870/needle-case-kit-and-embroidery-journal?ref=v1_other_1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG28h92lynyinseBKn5UmZmszlGvSpo2wo1-TsDe8gEFf0mH17GouzkJg2cKgK2mnXVQ3BQ90IMmigjO7gp5Oq0g9vW1PlYxmRx5weAAIwXGkACOJNCUtHvEYov0jX47VuQfJX4-jrZA1/s400/fiberluscious.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by fiberliscious on Etsy</td></tr>
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<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://www.etsy.com/listing/93647078/sewing-tote-and-needlecase-quilted?ref=v1_other_2" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbKj2tVLytBVoWJnOYqoIgc7cuBY2EzqLsNNPMHOVMrpA152cw558TpzvWwNfyKhbsPmloUHQH7DfHsyMUgD_wF54cAJQlD76zGWVfJW1KVjTblVKvXx-D2rKrH8W3bs0daQHG1TvZxMK/s320/fiberluscious2.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">by fiberliscious on Etsy</td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1194000160"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35kp_Toa6MTJjJ6oYqkg_tK942E3usgrI0awOh-G7QbvQ06prhi2sqMWk4U3A8MElIjnwA-S_x5gJIm6HKQG5A0_diiOGnC6kWptQtYvsIsKYMNrzqCtHqVLAG3KfhDag5DdprwZnCaS_/s400/homespunstitchworks.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/91908046/vintage-blanket-needle-caseholding-it?ref=sc_3&sref=sr_423310056d0f6bcc270f7e3179b824f96922ae228fc55d1ea99282b44bb66b8c_1331755772_14194633_needle_case" target="_blank">by Homespunstitchworks on Etsy</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-80979366077439774112012-02-16T21:01:00.000-05:002012-03-28T01:23:12.955-04:00HiatusIt's official.<br />
<br />
I have to take a break.<br />
<br />
I tried to keep on with this and everything else in my life right now, but I can't.<br />
<br />
I will return. I just don't know when.<br />
<br />
My Momma always says "Choose your battles", I choose not to fight the writers block and stressful nights thinking about where I will find the time. Blogging should be fun, not a fight.<br />
<br />
See you on the other side.<br />
<br />
xoxo - Siobhan aka KiwivandalAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-22172695551680679632012-02-05T13:42:00.004-05:002012-02-05T13:42:59.848-05:00My kid is adorableYou know what is totally adorable?<br />
<br />
When your 3 YO has discovered how to speak her surprise. Like when you catch her off guard and she exclaims "Oh, Jesus, you scared me"<br />
<br />
Yes, totally inappropriate and also completely hilarious and adorable.<br />
<br />
Just sayin'.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-80156402882155537992012-01-31T15:34:00.000-05:002012-01-31T15:34:11.902-05:00Homemade Valentines<br />
It's that time again, when I get to show off my craftiness a bit! and you get to ooooh and ahhhh a little bit :)<div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-75988911696868025312012-01-23T20:45:00.001-05:002012-03-28T01:22:40.958-04:00The Story of Us, Part 4After a really great visit with a good friend this weekend I have been doing some thinking about my life, or more appropriately liveS.<br />
<br />
We had some pretty deep conversation, about pretty much everything (and some pretty shallow conversation too). I love catching up with friends, not as much as actually being able to hang out with them all the time, but we do what we can.<br />
<br />
Anyway, as I embarked on my hour and a half drive back home my first thought was "I feel like I have lived 5 completely separate lives". I know weird right, but think about it...<br />
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1. I was a kid, I had family and grew a bit, started school met some people I have no idea who they even are now.<br />
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2. I started school, grew a bit, made some friends, had some adults in my life, did homework. I never see these people and don't really remember a whole lot about them now either.<br />
<br />
3. I began middle school. I met some real friends, talked, learned to use the phone, grew a bit, made my mom regret I learned out to use a phone, people passed in and out teachers, adults, coaches what not. I have no idea what these people are doing now.<br />
<br />
4. I went to high school, I made some mistakes, made some real friends, learned stuff, dressed funny, learned to drive and made some real memories. I had TIMES people.<br />
<br />
5. I started real life, kept a few friends, lost touch of almost all of those high school people, met my family, grew, got jobs, met friends, made connections, changed, had babies, got married, started a blog.. blah blah..<br />
<br />
Each one of these "ME's" feel so separate now... like they could have been different lives completely from the one I am living now. It feels weird...<br />
<br />
I may be on the verge of an existential crisis...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-87428902667962974552012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-13T08:00:01.447-05:00Four Heart Friday: Gearing up for V DayIn the spirit of Valentines Day which is coming up soon I've been searching for ideas to make for my kids, but honestly, I found more fun things for the BIG kids than for them this year.<br />
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1925869569"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgiKSIuWk-_LQq69gC0wSpLKObaL2q4COievvwhUgPvUZcQaLxyvP2pIdMJD6JNvB9S6aYqMD45ExfU5ljjSOv3tDoP_rPiHMGPeAMLcMdnNpy7gciJrTqxijDMK-AXJGnZhkIaoDodzw/s640/happyfamily.jpg" width="556" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/38786891/robots-in-love-womens-tshirt-american?ref=mh_link&mh_hub=seasonal&mh_eid=826452893&mh_section=featured_listings" target="_blank">Who doesn't love Robot Love? from happyfamily on Etsy</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1925869575"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHkpcThg3As0I6WOKijVUG3mzvXtqdN7zSt3SsjjDp7SvXX4BtEcb1cCfsVhGPSalKa125h_NycK5RSbMjMQBk9E4rf2kdBkgJPbKbJhg-PMS5JrKLprwImF9zvyTRKvGAbwp9Di5jzrF/s640/MamasGFreeCakeBalls.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/86710560/gluten-free-snowballs-candy-canes-cake?ref=sr_gallery_30&sref=&ga_search_query=candy&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ref=mh_link&ga_mh_hub=seasonal&ga_mh_eid=826452893&ga_mh_section=clusters&ga_mh_cid=sweets&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade%2Fplants_and_edibles" target="_blank">I'm not usually into the whole Gluten free thing but these look SO good. From MamasGFreeCakeBalls on Etsy. Ok, for real? could "mama" really not think of a better name for this shop?</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1925869581"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAwclpuecFjj3GpWuGtohqSTHq3gcgyaXZjLfZfO7XRJkRKkLGaFrkwuWpJOAJ57MpYfRIxMRiDz5XuNrmrTv8HTgL-vglNVI_0BrtI5WVj-f02dOwY6Pgl4T_VX1HB37AsPOslmyciVL/s640/RedLetterPaperCo.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89257114/funny-valentine-card-love-card-not-sent?ref=sr_gallery_6&sref=&ga_search_query=funny+valentine&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=ZZ&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_mh_hub=seasonal&ga_mh_eid=826452893&ga_mh_section=clusters&ga_mh_cid=gag-gifts&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=" target="_blank">Since I am iPhone free (i wish cupid would bring me one of those!) I love this card. From RedLetterPaperCo on Etsy.</a></td></tr>
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<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;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1925869587"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6RL3DMFpXV1_X5g5h4-1Oi5C-iW86rpHB9UrFR5NHdPZsvylUjFHVzvfv0yEPuO52LuBJzCt4cRp9l8FpZx5dS-_ZgmIyIMvsqIKKoI8JLtUvsgtl2Qnzon1h8L-gYu_HC8TnTTenImJ/s640/thisvintagething.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89762123/valentines-day-or-wedding-decor-i-love?ref=mh_link&mh_hub=seasonal&mh_eid=826452893&mh_section=header" target="_blank">A simple banner is all you need for your kitchen or living room, or maybe on the bathroom mirror?</a> From thisvintagething on Etsy</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-28162162186853236132012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-10T08:00:03.317-05:00United States Postal ServiceDear Postal Workers of the United States of America,<br />
<br />
I APPRECIATE YOU.<br />
<br />
Love, Me<br />
<br />
Dear Everyone Else,<br />
<br />
Help save the USPS. Help save 6 days a week of mail. Help save millions of jobs.<br />
<br />
All you have to do is send a letter, a postcard, a crazy package. Everyone likes to get mail, especially if it's not bills. Write a love letter to your own husband or kids, pay for postage and send it to them. It's inexpensive compared to many other things and every single letter counts.<br />
<br />
Get your bills in your inbox if you want (I do), but get your correspondence in your mailbox.<br />
<br />
Join a website like <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/" target="_blank">Swap-Bot</a> or <a href="http://www.postcrossing.com/" target="_blank">Postcrossing</a> to make it fun and a little more social. Find pen pals on Facebook or twitter. Whatever you do DO IT FAST.<br />
<br />
Also, tell your postal workers you like them, appreciate them and be nice, they have a thankless job.<br />
<br />
Love, MeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-7447330369086140332012-01-08T19:24:00.003-05:002012-01-08T19:24:34.783-05:00It's the little thingsLike LEGO's that can really turn a cold crappy day into a fun happy day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lili's fortress</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad's ship</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6CWEUoLwYfjiDaAsYU2aB0nC8yq0HUDH-8nQk4Eu70QsUJawhsq3tvLLiJ_uXd_o0cNvE0lfMGJFMG3q2yWA_Dr_iqWEr82Ug3iaowzBX8qO7LsBgiEUzx1AnmkGH9NvTEnvdKtYjIi-/s1600/100_1922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6CWEUoLwYfjiDaAsYU2aB0nC8yq0HUDH-8nQk4Eu70QsUJawhsq3tvLLiJ_uXd_o0cNvE0lfMGJFMG3q2yWA_Dr_iqWEr82Ug3iaowzBX8qO7LsBgiEUzx1AnmkGH9NvTEnvdKtYjIi-/s640/100_1922.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's dreamhouse</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-83714356573375078232012-01-04T18:37:00.003-05:002012-01-04T18:37:50.397-05:00Matthew Lewis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXcLQ3mT0Jc/TwTiSpP0ElI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/_k1veJn8Xsw/s1600/eye-candy-matthew-lewis-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eXcLQ3mT0Jc/TwTiSpP0ElI/AAAAAAAAG7Y/_k1veJn8Xsw/s640/eye-candy-matthew-lewis-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For real? How did this even happen? How is it possible that this guy can be NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM.<br />
<br />
I don't EVER do posts like this... but for reals, Matthew Lewis... WOW.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-87747229898174996892011-12-31T20:59:00.002-05:002011-12-31T20:59:18.041-05:00I've been crafty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been a little crafty lately, in my quest to NOT have my kids glued to the TV during the holiday break we have been making things. I signed Autumn and I up for a few new swaps over at <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/user:kiwivandal" target="_blank">Swap-Bot</a> so she would have something to look forward to after all her hard work (and because I love getting mail.</div>
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Here is my Paris ATC for <a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/108200" target="_blank">THIS SWAP</a>. I love making ATC's, as you know I am all about the instant gratification, and these little babies are such a small canvas to work with I can fill them up fast. LOVE IT. Plus the best part is TONS of artists make these and they are all different so you can get them traded all over the world and its always different.</div>
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<br />
This is my AMAZING dragon "Three Toes", it's watercolor, colored pencil and marker. I love him, he makes me so happy. I have not drawn or painted in so long it was so nice to just sit with the kids quietly and work on something.<br />
<br />
I've started Zentangling too, I can't wait to finish some of them so I can show you how awesome they are. Mine are still a little wonky right now, and it's too dark to photograph them... I will try to get some good ones to share this week.<br />
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<a href="http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/107646" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EV8WaPN9OC0/Tv-76oka4gI/AAAAAAAAG7E/G1wOJA4Rns0/s640/100_1888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-71077756573386796762011-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-29T08:00:03.459-05:00The Story of Us: Part 3I have no idea how many parts this story is going to have, and just to clarify this is the story of me and my people and my life so far. My memories, however scattered, and the great joy and terrible beauty my life has brought me. It may also contain great sorrow and pain, but life is like that sometimes.<br />
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There was a moment, a terrifyingly LONG moment when I was a child, around 8 I think, when I got into my bed and sitting on my pillow was the most GIGANTIC grey spider I had ever seen in my life.<br />
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I had never really been fond of spiders, it's something about their long spindly legs, like they could reach out and grab up my whole existence with them. The house I lived in then had a circular driveway, and a little front porch that was literally crawling with the beasts.<br />
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I had never really been up close to a spider before that (that I remember anyway). Upon arriving home on any given summery afternoon I would make sure I had a tight grip on my items and a clear path to the door and I would run full tilt, head down into the door and pry it open as fast as possible to get into the house. Safely inside the front hall I would go about my business of getting an afternoon snack or whatever was on the docket for the afternoon. Never thinking about them again, until that day.<br />
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That day my brain decided it would think that there was NOTHING more scary in this whole wide universe than a spider. It would decide to fill me with dread even thinking about them. It would take a very long time to get to sleep that night, and for many nights after.<br />
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As the years wore on, I would learn to tolerate the eight legged freaks so long as they stayed at a distance, never moving. When the little came along, the hubbs said "You better learn not to screech like a banshee or your kids are going to be scared of them too". I have tried, believe me friends, I have TRIED. For the hubbs, for the kids, but sometimes, the fear gets the better of me.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8835076372864989578.post-51825388791823091562011-12-27T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-27T08:00:07.294-05:00What are you doing in 2012?I am not really a resolutions kind of gal.<br />
I used to make them, and then I realized that I tend to break them by the end of January.<br />
I think I am more of a goals kind of gal. I love to make lists, lots and lots of lists. I like to organize things, and I like to plan (even if my plans don't always go as planned). I have always wanted to make on of those birthday lists like 29 before 30 or 32 before 33, but I haven't gotten around to it and honestly I'm not sure I can actually think of 32 things I want to do all at once. I know I want to make a bucket list, but I've never gotten around to that either. So for 2012 I think I will start a new tradition (for me), and make a list of<br />
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12 things to do in 2012<br />
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1. Make a bucket list<br />
2. Organize my photos<br />
3. Move into a new house<br />
4. Throw an awesome themed birthday party for both my children (separately)<br />
5. Keep up with the Ultimate List of Fantastic things to do with Friends<br />
6. Get back to doing a Today's List<br />
7. Get a new camera<br />
8. Visit one new place I have never been before (after I get the new camera)<br />
9. Write a letter to everyone I know<br />
10. Create time to play with my children<br />
11. Sew something from a pattern, patiently<br />
12. Start saving money<br />
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Well, I think that's a good start. We'll see how it goes, if I can even cross 3 or 5 off that list I will probably be pretty happy.<br />
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What are you doing in 2012?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14253609683372484777noreply@blogger.com0