tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29039787330023423812024-03-13T20:46:50.547-07:00Teresa's Thoughts...A place to share some of my thoughts with some that I know and love...I hope you ENJOY!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-38891283006758876032010-12-06T06:58:00.000-08:002010-12-06T07:27:37.287-08:00Where's the Line..."Where is the Line to See Jesus" is a touching song. The young boy calls to each of us through the singer, with his angelic message, asking what our priorities are this Christmas season. May it touch your heart and encourage the best Christmas season yet for you...in your heart, because that is truly where Christmas is celebrated, and if we do it right it will show in our words and actions. I believe that we can stand in each line--one for Christ, and one for Santa Clause--and live consistently in this Christmas season. The key is to have our priorities in order.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pPViKJRHyZo?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pPViKJRHyZo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Elder Marvin J. Ashton once said, "The best and most clear indicator that we are progressing spiritually and coming unto Christ is the way we treat other people." I believe this is true, and is a good measure of how we celebrate the birth of The Savior of all mankind. There is no "...during Christmas time" at the end of this statement, but I think that if we treat people how The Savior <span style="font-style: italic;">of all mankind</span> would--all year round--then we would really know what the Spirit of Christmas truly is...the Spirit of Christ.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy this music...and realize that we each have a direct 'line' in front of our Savior. He is ever there, for each of us, and it is our opportunity to seek him. Wise men still do. He is not far away, only as far as your desire to reach him.<br /><br />With love.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-75533591511833763052010-11-17T11:44:00.000-08:002010-11-24T08:32:26.406-08:00My Thanksgiving ABC's<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Since Thanksgiving is so close (I am<span style="font-style: italic;"> so</span> looking forward to a week from tomorrow!!!), I would like to share a list of some of the things for which I am so very grateful.<br /><br /></div>When I was younger my family attempted various ways of expressing our gratitude around the table at Thanksgiving, including each person sharing one thing for every year of their age. It was mostly entertaining for the children, I imagine, as we watched our parents. If my memory serves correctly, we abandoned that practice after we decided it just took<span style="font-style: italic;"> too</span> long...lol! ;-) So, a few days ago I thought it might be fun to create a list, one item--specific or categorical--for every letter of the English alphabet (it's the one I know the best). As I write this, I'm somewhat amused that the 26-item list is a few items shy of the age challenge...well, I might go for that one again next year!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;font-size:180%;" >A</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >rt</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >B</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >reath</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >C</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >hallenges</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >D</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ancing</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >E</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ducation</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >F</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >amily</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >G</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >enerosity</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >H</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ugs</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >I</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ntelligence</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >J</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ournals</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >K</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ites</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >L</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >aughter</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >M</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >usic</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >N</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >aps</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >O</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >rder</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >P</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ictures</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >Q</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >uotations</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >R</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ighteous Examples</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >S</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >weetheart</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >T</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ruth</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >U</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >niverse</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >V</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ision</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >W</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ords</span><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" href="http://plato.stanford.edu/search/searcher.py?query=Xenophanes"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >X</span><span style="font-style: italic;">enophanes</span></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >Y</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >arn</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >Z</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >ero</span></span><br /></div><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/TERESA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-8.png" alt="" /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 27px; height: 29px;" src="http://ts1.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=272924481384&id=c6a7ef4d7b661c6a532377e267d88a4e&index=ch1" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So if you choose to accept it the challenge is now yours...what are <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> Thanksgiving ABC's?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.missionamerica.com/apologetics.php?articlenum=7">HERE</a> is a great <a href="http://www.missionamerica.com/apologetics.php?articlenum=7">TOP 10 Thankful List</a> which I also agree with and think it is worth sharing.<br /><br />With love.<br /></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-21364285078493596502010-10-26T15:44:00.000-07:002010-11-17T11:44:11.217-08:00Roses Bloom Best......when we let the Creator handle things that we truly do not understand...<br /><br />Here is the essence* of a thoughtful email I recently received from my mother. I hope it adds some measure of hope, light and/or peace to your day.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></div><br />A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.<br /><br />The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.elizabethmusser.com/rosebud.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 286px;" src="http://www.elizabethmusser.com/rosebud.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do, and noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.beginner-gardening.com/images/rosebud.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 190px;" src="http://www.beginner-gardening.com/images/rosebud.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">"It is only a tiny rosebud,<br />A flower of God's design;<br />But I cannot unfold the petals<br />With these clumsy hands of mine."<br /><br />"The secret of unfolding flowers<br />Is not known to such as I.<br />GOD opens flowers so easily,<br />But in my hands they die."<br /><br />"If I cannot unfold a rosebud,<br />This flower of God's design,<br />Then how can I have the wisdom<br />To unfold this life of mine?"<br /><br />"So I'll trust in God for leading<br />Each moment of my day.<br />I will look to God for guidance<br />In each step along the way."<br /><br />"The path that lies before me,<br />Only my Lord knows.<br />I'll trust God to unfold the moments,<br />Just as He unfolds the rose."<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /></div><br />I was just studying <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/58">D&C 58: 26-29</a> this morning. I have read and reread, pondering these verses throughout my life and find them empowering and humbling at the same time. There is a tricky balance in life of acting in faith--including obedience to God's law--and acting as a Free Will Agent, able to make decisions in virtue of our own free will. To choose our actions, but not any inevitable consequences, is such an amazing gift which should not be wasted. At least as important is the power we have to (choose to) live in faith. When we believe in Greater Power it shows in our actions. Faith and choice are not in competition with each other, but can have an incredibly powerful, complementary reality in each of our lives. I have come to realize that it is when I am doing my best to balance these elements of life that the 'roses' unfold in the greatest beauty.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af175/rosydeava/Nature/rose.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 303px;" src="http://i1005.photobucket.com/albums/af175/rosydeava/Nature/rose.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you to the many people in my life that have shared this ilk of counsel with me, and let me see their great examples in quiet, simple ways.<br /><br />May you find peace in your life as you strive to find the balance of your faith and actions.<br /><br />With love.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:78%;" >*A lot of editing occurred between my email in box and this post, no offense to the original author intended, whoever you may be. I thank you for sharing your thoughts, though with the way emails travel you may never see this note to you!</span></span>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-70517020077372391532010-08-18T10:45:00.000-07:002010-08-18T11:18:23.360-07:00Life is interesting......in <span style="font-style: italic;">so</span> many ways.<br /><br />If you are reading this you probably know the /interesting/ situation David & I are in at this point in our lives. We are college graduates looking for a career job so we can lay down roots and move on in the great & spectacular experience that is mortality. Is this what purgatory is supposed to be like--suspenseful waiting in between opportunities? We are not at university anymore, but we haven't gotten into the next stage either, so I guess we're like monkeys swinging from branch to branch and the swing between seems to be going in slow motion. Interesting because I have found myself--many times--wishing time would go a little or a lot slower than I was experiencing it, so that it could be enjoyed and relished more. Now with some things in life having slowed down, I'm finding that I need to take the time to learn what I need to learn, and take advantage of how time is behaving during this period of our lives. Please don't get me wrong, time still seems to fly too fast as it chases lightning, but time in between opportunities is lengthened. So it has not only slowed down in a way, it also manages to fly by. Such is time.<br /><br />Well, the best parts of being in this slow-mo swing is having time to be together at hours that are typically spent in offices, and having time to spend with family, whom we rarely got to spend much quality time with in our hectic student lives. We are grateful for the love, time and space generously offered and given by our family and friends. So, we are grateful and we are striving to move forward on a path that will bring the greatest benefit and joy to all that we know and love, and those we have yet to meet.<br /><br />In the meantime I think we are in a way learning more about each other now than during our first year of marriage. While we adjusted quickly to being married students, and I didn't see how that could be our 'hardest' year, there are things we are still learning about each other and I am grateful for the chance. My husband is a wonderful man and person as a whole, and the more I come to understand him the more I come to love him. Interesting, because my love does increase as well as grow deeper than I could have imagined earlier in our life together--when we got married, for example. My mind is boggled at how great our love can be in the years to come.<br /><br />Additionally, I feel that we are learning--or have the opportunity to learn--important lessons about life, the gospel and priorities as we strive to move forward at this point, hopefully gaining wisdom along life's piquant journey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thm-a02.yimg.com/nimage/2f23be14bd41b17a"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 284px;" src="http://thm-a02.yimg.com/nimage/2f23be14bd41b17a" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />With love.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-51279993781063399692010-08-13T09:47:00.000-07:002010-08-18T10:44:27.103-07:00What's your letter?<a href="http://pages.central.edu/emp/LintonT/classes/spring01/cryptography/letterfreq.html"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:300%;">My letter is:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:300%;" >"T".</span></a><br /><br />This link has some interesting information on the use frequency of the letters of the alphabet. My first initial has always been my favorite letter, so I checked it out. "T" has some fun stats--how about <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> letter?<br /><br />Enjoy.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-87529970082722643582010-08-02T09:23:00.000-07:002010-08-02T09:37:21.437-07:00Trust...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFbz-ExwucI/AAAAAAAAAJI/DhDx-1Ff3tY/s1600/100_0251.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFbz-ExwucI/AAAAAAAAAJI/DhDx-1Ff3tY/s400/100_0251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500852242639534530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Your personal possibilities, not for status and position but for service to God and mankind, are immense, if you will but trust the Lord to lead you from what you are to what you have the power to become....Trust yourselves to the Lord who sees the end from the beginning—and all that is in between! He sees you as you are but also what you may become! Meanwhile, do not let your present feelings of inadequacy keep you from growing or responding to your challenges. Do not let the pressures of time cause you to make choices that will damage your eternity.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0fd7b4f40c9db010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD"><span style="font-style: italic;">~ Neal A. Maxwell</span></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-41886078531846261122010-07-30T10:31:00.000-07:002010-07-30T11:13:07.440-07:00A Favorite Place...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFMRrE_vVJI/AAAAAAAAAJA/nunEVJI_360/s1600/SacTemple07292010f.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFMRqzMXrPI/AAAAAAAAAI4/GTjzZrJu458/s1600/SacTemple07292010d.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFMRqzMXrPI/AAAAAAAAAI4/GTjzZrJu458/s400/SacTemple07292010d.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499758996943777010" border="0" /></a><br />There are many things that I like, and sometimes -- a lot like my husband -- I have a hard time picking a 'favorite' this or that. I have a few long-time favorites...French Vanilla, for example, is my favorite ice cream flavor, but Thrifty's Chocolate Malted Crunch comes in at very near the top of the list, and on some days will be chosen over a top-notch French Vanilla! Of course, favorites can change over time, but it does seem strange to me to have a new favorite this or that if the last one didn't last very long. Maybe it depends on the type of thing we are talking about, such that a favorite color may only last as long as that blouse that you love so much lasts, but a favorite song will always pluck those heartstrings like only your favorite can. In lieu of having hard and fast favorites, a lot of the time I will elect a list of favorites instead of a top, all-exclusive spot with space for only one thing at a time.<br /><br />All this being said, however, I do have a strong favoritism to a special place on earth called the <a href="http://www.lds.org/temples/home/0,11273,1896-1,00.html">LDS temple</a>. Here again, though, another place comes into my favorite space and sits very near this special place on earth ~ <span style="font-style: italic;">home</span>.<br /><br />The temple is a place of holiness, sanctuary, prayer, peace, and countless blessings. A walkway between heaven and earth. A place dedicated to the worship and service of the Most High God. David & I were blessed to spend a few hours of our day yesterday in peaceful pursuit of its hallowed, transcendent space. What an incredible, magnanimous gift to be just minutes from a temple! These pics are from yesterday...such a beautiful day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFMRrE_vVJI/AAAAAAAAAJA/nunEVJI_360/s1600/SacTemple07292010f.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 311px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TFMRrE_vVJI/AAAAAAAAAJA/nunEVJI_360/s400/SacTemple07292010f.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499759001722639506" border="0" /></a><br />Answers to prayer may not come all at once. Sometimes they do! Sometimes we need to seek peace in our hearts and minds so that when the answer(s) come, or the parts of it we are ready for at the time, we will be ready to receive. I hope then that we can truly rejoice that Father in Heaven hears us and knows our every need. I am working on better expressing my gratitude and implementing what I know into my actions. Some needs He lets us figure out on our own. So many He grants us in grace and mercy without our even giving thought. Others we need to seek from His guiding hand. I know that in seeking, we can find Him. In finding Him we find peace. A friend once shared with me the thought that if there is something coming between you and God, that thing is closer to Him than you are.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">* * *<br /></div><br />May you have an opportunity to find peace...the peace that comes from knowing God and the awareness that He truly does know you. You may feel small and insignificant, and even less on some days, but I know that you His son or daughter, and I am grateful to know that I am your sibling!<br /><br />With love.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-84526500503657492432010-07-26T11:14:00.000-07:002010-07-26T11:35:28.838-07:00Reflection...<div style="text-align: left; font-family: lucida grande;"><span style=";font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;font-family:arial;" >~ <a href="http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/6">Doctrine & Covenants, 6:36 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints</a></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Christ, as our Savior, will guide and bring us safely home. In founding our lives on His Gospel and teachings we can find comfort and peace despite the inevitable turmoils of life, no matter how minuscule or seemingly insurmountable. This I believe...it is this I am trying to convey and live in accordance with when it is so tempting to doubt and fear instead of believe.<br /><br />In looking back on my life, this may be the most challenging time that I have had to continue believing when life is hard, but that may mean nothing more than it is time to believe yet again because He has never failed me before.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TE3TSxs3zPI/AAAAAAAAAIw/pb13OOROQgo/s1600/100_0210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 232px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TE3TSxs3zPI/AAAAAAAAAIw/pb13OOROQgo/s400/100_0210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498283039621893362" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-44898214112805271482010-07-23T16:56:00.000-07:002010-07-27T11:10:12.356-07:00Being a light...<h1 style="text-align: left; font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:50%;">“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”</span></h1><h1 style="text-align: right; font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:45%;">~ Dwight L. Moody</span></h1><br />This quote really caught my attention on the blog of one of <a href="http://sariahsays.blog-city.com/">my sisters-in-law</a> earlier today. Not only because I like what light is, and what it means metaphorically as well as metaphysically, but also because I am a quiet person. I try to be good. I try to do my best, and think that I do accomplish it frequently, though not in everything.<br /><br />In other words, I do try to let my light shine. I am not as good at telling anybody that it is shining. But being quiet around others can often result in a lot of misunderstanding. Because I don't say something out loud some assume I have nothing to say, rather than choosing simply not to say it. Others assume I have nothing to say and take it a step further and assume I don't care or am altogether ignorant. Perhaps that's true in some cases. Most of the time I am simply quiet. I choose to speak my mind when I think it is appropriate and when I have the words to do it, or think I do; otherwise I keep my thoughts to myself. I'm not saying I communicate perfectly whenever I do attempt it. Far from it!<br /><br />I am sorry if my being quiet offends anyone, but I do not take the responsibility for quiet inaction on my part being offensive since no offense is even intended on my part. Taking offense is the action if one is offended, not offending. One chooses to be offended, no one can make you offended.<br /><br />Just a thought...Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-75898193469056737392010-07-21T16:29:00.000-07:002010-07-21T17:16:30.261-07:00A Walk Around the Pond<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF34F6i0I/AAAAAAAAAHo/U3KGm7Q0gio/s1600/CIMG1860.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 277px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF34F6i0I/AAAAAAAAAHo/U3KGm7Q0gio/s400/CIMG1860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496509065225472834" border="0" /></a>This past Saturday was a fun and busy day...<br /><br />David & I went to a picnic activity celebrating <a href="http://www.lds.org/">our church</a>'s pioneer history, specifically the 24th of July (we celebrated early!) of 1847 when the first groups arrived in the Salt Lake Valley after trekking great distances and surviving horrifically trying circumstances. Since we are new in our ward we did not recognize a lot of people, but we did get to visit with a few and meet some as well. Toward the end of the event we took a walk around the pond in Elk Grove Park. It was my first time there, so I went a little shutter happy...I see why it is the perfect setting for the annual <a href="http://www.straussfestival.com/">Strauss Festival</a>!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF3V0-FKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/a_5XDVuvq4o/s1600/CIMG1857.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF3V0-FKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/a_5XDVuvq4o/s400/CIMG1857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496509056027595938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF4XaU-tI/AAAAAAAAAHw/XB5iMerjxVE/s1600/CIMG1861.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF4XaU-tI/AAAAAAAAAHw/XB5iMerjxVE/s400/CIMG1861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496509073632590546" border="0" /></a>I enjoyed observing the ducks and geese playing in the water...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF4zMhvKI/AAAAAAAAAH4/sxIUUV8vHwg/s1600/CIMG1859.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF4zMhvKI/AAAAAAAAAH4/sxIUUV8vHwg/s400/CIMG1859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496509081090899106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF5J2FqUI/AAAAAAAAAIA/5kx0vdQYVQY/s1600/CIMG1863.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeF5J2FqUI/AAAAAAAAAIA/5kx0vdQYVQY/s400/CIMG1863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496509087170799938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeHT7S8G7I/AAAAAAAAAII/vzKmKTxRf9A/s1600/CIMG1862.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeHT7S8G7I/AAAAAAAAAII/vzKmKTxRf9A/s400/CIMG1862.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496510646633372594" border="0" /></a>David was sweet and patiently waited for me to catch up - frequently! It was a beautiful and relaxing sight to enjoy with my honey just before we helped clean up after the picnic and headed home...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeHUXDTSII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/ehIZvqbN6sE/s1600/CIMG1866.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeHUXDTSII/AAAAAAAAAIQ/ehIZvqbN6sE/s400/CIMG1866.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496510654083975298" border="0" /></a>...then it was off to win the cupcake wars...okay, not really...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeJEG-skMI/AAAAAAAAAIY/F8ESW-gvKjA/s1600/CIMG1879.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeJEG-skMI/AAAAAAAAAIY/F8ESW-gvKjA/s320/CIMG1879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496512573915041986" border="0" /></a>...my sister-in-law Debi is the family cupcake queen, and she made cupcakes (all day!) for a wedding in the evening, and I got to help during the afternoon. It was fun, and great to find that chilly room on such a hot day! I didn't feel a breeze in the afternoon...so sad...but cupcakes make it all better, right? It's funny...I have not been a fan of cake or cupcakes as long as I can remember...but Debi is influencing a paradigm shift in my life regarding cupcakes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeJ2oPUenI/AAAAAAAAAIg/b7EGBRytbR8/s1600/CIMG1877.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeJ2oPUenI/AAAAAAAAAIg/b7EGBRytbR8/s320/CIMG1877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496513441836595826" border="0" /></a>Then...(yes, there's more!) later in the evening David & I joined Debi at the hospital to visit the newly added upon Hinds family and enjoy cherishing little Naomi. I shared my favorite photos yesterday from Naomi's & my photo shoot, but here's my favorite from Friday (Naomi's Day 1)...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeLkOSf5LI/AAAAAAAAAIo/a0IQchGJuiA/s1600/CIMG1855.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEeLkOSf5LI/AAAAAAAAAIo/a0IQchGJuiA/s320/CIMG1855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496515324656215218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />No words are adequate!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-4897022269340188292010-07-21T14:08:00.000-07:002010-08-13T09:44:56.946-07:00<div style="font-family: courier new; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. </span> </span></div> <div style="font-family: courier new;"> </div> <div style="font-family: courier new; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b>Louis D Brandies---1856-1941</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style="font-family:Lucida Console;"><span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; font-family: courier new;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279746383_0">United States Supreme Court</span><span style="font-family: courier new;"> Justice</span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family:Lucida Console;"><span style="font-family: courier new;">(quoting Abraham Lincoln)</span></span></b></span><br /></div><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/TERESA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-4.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/TERESA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-5.png" alt="" />Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-74182971489662220082010-07-20T20:08:00.000-07:002010-07-20T20:42:35.297-07:00Adorable Naomi...We have a new niece! She came in the middle of the night, 12:15am of Friday, July 9th. Weighing in at 7 lb, 11 oz and stretching to a height of 20" she is a tiny package of wonder and newborn beauty! I just love her tiny, yet elegant fingers and toes! She is one gorgeous girl...but you can see that for yourselves! :-) Welcome...Naomi Elisabeth Hinds!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEZmrbvnXBI/AAAAAAAAAHA/sVvEcU8yI8U/s1600/CIMG1919.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEZmrbvnXBI/AAAAAAAAAHA/sVvEcU8yI8U/s320/CIMG1919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496193291620146194" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEZmsTR1RpI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/7sWbauFoHrg/s1600/CIMG1918.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEZmsTR1RpI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/7sWbauFoHrg/s320/CIMG1918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496193306527614610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEZmqzaKBrI/AAAAAAAAAG4/9hIxnHcJqjY/s1600/CIMG1904.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/TEZmqzaKBrI/AAAAAAAAAG4/9hIxnHcJqjY/s320/CIMG1904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496193280792725170" border="0" /></a><br />These pics are from day two...about 45 hours young. Naomi and I had a bit of time together for cuddling and a photo shoot while mommy, daddy and an aunt and uncle played a game. Out of the dozens of shots, these are my favorite. She's really the perfect model when she can hold a pose for five minutes at a time! :-) Not much compares to holding such a little one in your arms. There is a special piece of heaven on earth, I think. I enjoyed every second of it!<br /><br />There has been a lot going on that I'm working on posting about...this is just the best of them all!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-22108375319057386932010-07-09T17:36:00.000-07:002010-07-09T18:14:45.990-07:00The Shore and the Ocean<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"In order to discover new oceans you must have courage to lose sight of the shore."</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:85%;">~Anonymous</span><br /></div><br />These words have been on my mind a lot lately, and so I share them with you in case they can serve as a catalyst for positive change in your own life.<br /><br />Regardless of the shore you are on or trying to let go of -- whether it be a physical shoreline or a metaphorical one -- sometimes we need to reach out toward the ocean and let go of what has been in order to discover what is ahead. It seems to me that since we are human a lot of us would rather be more like a monkey and swing from one branch to another, rather than be in a boat and hoist anchor, looking to and moving toward the horizon beyond which we cannot see.<br /><br />San Luis Obispo has been the comfortable, blessed shore and harbor home for David and I for most of our married life. Outside of the short months between getting married and moving to the SLO area for school, and the past couple of weeks, it has been our haven...our home. While we will forever cherish our home there -- and especially friends and loved ones we met there (many have also moved away) -- the ocean beckons us to a shore we have not yet found.<br /><br />These thoughts bring to mind <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=bc5d05481ae6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">a story</a> I heard in which <a href="http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=bc5d05481ae6b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD">a young boy really understands what 'home' means</a>...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Some years ago a fire erupted in the middle of the night and completely destroyed a family’s home. A neighbor came by to console a seven-year-old, not knowing that he was about to be taught a great principle. “Johnny, it’s sure too bad your home burned down.” Johnny thought a moment and then said, “Oh, that’s where you’re mistaken, Mr. Brown. That was not our home; that was just our house. <span style="font-style: italic;">We still have our home, we just don’t have any place to put it right now</span>.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;">...That last statement truly typifies how I feel right now. While we are immensely blessed to live where we are right now, and we love being here so much to boot, the ocean still beckons. So, I am counting our blessings daily and pray for the strength to be able to head out into the ocean once more when it is time to leave this safe and comfortable harbor.<br /><br />May you have <span style="font-style: italic;">peace</span> in your heart if your current shore is best, <span style="font-style: italic;">courage</span> to leave a shore behind you to make a positive change in your life and definitely the <span style="font-style: italic;">wisdom</span> to distinguish between the shores!<br /><br />With love.<br /></span></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-32932941288329567862010-05-09T15:56:00.000-07:002010-05-09T16:18:46.120-07:00Happy Mothers' Day...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S-dCvk-AiGI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/GJt7bZ74-NE/s1600/0306101341.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S-dCvk-AiGI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/GJt7bZ74-NE/s320/0306101341.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469413657609799778" border="0" /></a><br />While I have not gotten into the habit of blogging, I do genuinely enjoy the opportunity to share thoughts with the few that read them concurrently, as well as recording them for future reference. Since today is mothers' day, I wish to dedicate this post to the mothers in my life (I have several-indeed a blessing to me!), especially one of whom is a faithful reader. You know who you are, and I hope you know how special you are to the children to whom you gave life and endless love and to those you have adopted into your heart throughout the years. It is for you specifically I make the /gallant/ effort to post some thoughts today...<br /><br />Although I do not have children of my own I am gaining a greater appreciation for ALL the daughters of Eve, the mother of all of us living on Earth. Eve was designated as that mother prior to her having a child of her own, so that indicates to me that all of her daughters-at least potentially-have something of a mother within them before they (we) ever become mothers to their (our) own children. I have been blessed with opportunities to interact with many children in my life so far to whom I will always feel attached to in a special way even though they belong to another mother. They will always be *mine* in a special way.<br /><br />Additionally, once a mother, always a mother...right? I hear a mother's job is never done, and I don't see any evidence to the contrary!<br /><br />To all reading this...may your burdens be lightened with the knowledge and hope that the best is yet to come, and that you give life and love in so many, indeed countless ways.<br /><br />So, in tribute to all the daughters of Eve I offer a warm and heartfelt HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-32110566792697051102010-04-13T22:10:00.000-07:002010-04-13T22:19:17.487-07:00On my mind today...A thought that I try to embrace in my actions...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~ If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain as he is.<br />But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be,<br />he will become what he ought to be and could be. ~<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Goethe</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...and a thought to guide my thoughts on <span style="font-style: italic;">freedom</span>...<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;">~ No one is so enslaved as he who falsely thinks he is free. ~<br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Johanne Wolfgang von Goethe<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks for reading some of my thoughts today...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div></div></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-88750102175334053812010-04-03T01:54:00.000-07:002010-08-13T10:16:38.187-07:00Hmm...Here's a Shock...<img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/TERESA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/TERESA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;" class="quiztitlebox"> <h4 class="quiztitle"><a href="http://www.blogthings.com/theeastereggpersonalitytest/" class="quiztitle">Your Easter Egg Says You Are Philosophical</a></h4><br /><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <center><img src="http://www.blogthingsimages.com/theeastereggpersonalitytest/egg4.png" width="100" height="100" /><br /><br /><br /><br /></center></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-48763337887160662312010-03-31T16:19:00.001-07:002010-03-31T17:17:48.616-07:00Yipee for Yarn!!!Yarn is one of my <span style="font-style: italic;">favorite</span> mediums to craft with! Thanks at least in part to one of my sisters-in-law I am having fun KNITTING (thanks, Debi!)!!! It is also exciting to be moving on to learning things I wanted to, but did not make/have time for while working on my degree the last several years.<br /><br />I started learning the beginning knit stitches when I was younger, about the same time I was learning the basics of crochet. For whatever reason crocheting felt more natural to me and I took off with it, leaving my knitting needles aside and unused for a <span style="font-style: italic;">very </span>long time...until recently!<br /><br />Here is my first knitting project...<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ13svAZI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VwktzmAzjzc/s1600/CIMG1363.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ13svAZI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VwktzmAzjzc/s200/CIMG1363.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454943093183676818" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />...a small purse with a shoulder strap, about right for slinging on shoulder or across shoulder to hip. I put a box of dry chicken noodle soup mixes inside to fill it out for picutres, so it's just a little bigger than that.<br /><br />I just purchased an awesome <a href="http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com/Harmony-Guide/Erika-Knight/e/9781596680562/?itm=2&USRI=knit+and+purl+250+stitches">stitch pattern book at Barnes & Noble</a> yesterday, but I learned the main stitch for this project on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kjTWHWkJn4&feature=channel">YouTube</a> of all places! Actually, it is a great resource for refreshing and learning techniques! I'm working on some stitches from the Knit & Purl book, but it's not very far along yet...I think I will make a shopping bag, since I've wanted to do that for a while...for shopping at farmers' markets and at the regular stores.<br /><br />Here are a couple more pictures of my completed project, with close-ups of the stitches making up the bag and the shoulder strap...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ30BGEYI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Z2Rv7TXUXwM/s1600/CIMG1325.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ30BGEYI/AAAAAAAAAFY/Z2Rv7TXUXwM/s200/CIMG1325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454943126555070850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ4rWT4zI/AAAAAAAAAFg/VJ3DiWtTfjE/s1600/CIMG1310.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ4rWT4zI/AAAAAAAAAFg/VJ3DiWtTfjE/s200/CIMG1310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454943141408006962" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd56nYnwI/AAAAAAAAAGI/2RzR5IVdDG0/s1600/CIMG1332.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd56nYnwI/AAAAAAAAAGI/2RzR5IVdDG0/s200/CIMG1332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454947560732532482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd5YcOC9I/AAAAAAAAAGA/XmrQcNU7xis/s1600/CIMG1346.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd5YcOC9I/AAAAAAAAAGA/XmrQcNU7xis/s200/CIMG1346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454947551558896594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd42Dei9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/LpHbA6QxzhE/s1600/CIMG1299.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd42Dei9I/AAAAAAAAAF4/LpHbA6QxzhE/s200/CIMG1299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454947542328314834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd4XJ2JoI/AAAAAAAAAFw/lsmq6jDQH1U/s1600/CIMG1282.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd4XJ2JoI/AAAAAAAAAFw/lsmq6jDQH1U/s200/CIMG1282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454947534033528450" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd3-eCosI/AAAAAAAAAFo/yj2YbhUEf9Y/s1600/CIMG1281.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Pd3-eCosI/AAAAAAAAAFo/yj2YbhUEf9Y/s200/CIMG1281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454947527407346370" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />So long for now...from a knitting knut!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ3KPiGhI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8qyYALYzI2M/s1600/CIMG1364.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 236px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7PZ3KPiGhI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/8qyYALYzI2M/s200/CIMG1364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454943115341339154" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-5305843282024091182010-03-30T21:32:00.000-07:002010-03-30T22:51:17.999-07:00On confidence...<div style="text-align: justify;">I have had confidence issues my whole life, wondering if I am good enough, doubting it, etc. While I think I have made vast improvements in how I view myself, this subject is on my mind lately, mainly because some friends are struggling with their view of themselves. So, I share some thoughts here on confidence...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ Vince Lombardi</span><br /></div><br />One thing I have learned over the years <wink-wink>is that although others may give us boosts of confidence, our own view of self—in order to be true and effective in our life—must be just that: <span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">our own</span>. That is what makes it both so powerful and yet so difficult, I think. For myself, I don't want to be overly arrogant with a false view-of-self, believing I am better than I am. An analogue to my view of confidence is my view on driving a car: I prefer to err on the side of caution!</wink-wink></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ Mark Twain </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...and yet I have seen a lot of injury from my lack of seeing value in myself, or thinking I have confidence when it is not from the right source...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">The person who seeks all their applause from outside has their happiness in another's keeping.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ Dale Carnegie</span><br /></div><br />...so I don't want to be inaccurate on the low side of my self-esteem...or on the high end...but just right, accurate, true...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">Nothing profits more than self-esteem, grounded on what is just and right.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ John Milton</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">...so, what is best then? How do we find a balance, or is it even possible? I would submit that it is in theory! While I am seeking that actuality, and encourage any and all reading this to do so as well, I find the following possibly helpful in pointing direction to get us started, or encouraged along the path of self-worth discovery...<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ Dale Carnegie</span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ George Washington</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span class="body">People who have given us their complete confidence believe that they have a right to ours. The inference is false, a gift confers no rights.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ Friedrich Nietzsche</span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...seemingly unfortunate at times, it seems that our hard times can actually help shape us, as a 'diamond in the rough', so to speak...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="body">Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;" class="bodybold">~ Scott Hamilton</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I cannot give you confidence or esteem in yourself, but I can remind you of it and encourage you to seek the balance between caution and arrogance. I can offer you the knowledge that I have of your worth as incalculable. I also know that that means so very little if you don't believe it.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Lh_TewVbI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6AX_OuZNQqE/s1600/MVC-336F.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7Lh_TewVbI/AAAAAAAAAE4/6AX_OuZNQqE/s200/MVC-336F.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454670576376370610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">You have then the truth of your worth, and where you are. If these two positions are not aligned, then I recommend seeking the truth of your worth. If your actual worthiness of esteem is the center of a spectrum, then to believe you are above that center is to be disconnected and overly inflated in yourself, and to believe you are below that center is like preventing yourself from seeing where you ought to be. I propose that the trick is finding the happy medium of true self-esteem. I hope some of the above thoughts might help in your quest...and mine.<br /><br />While other, imperfect people around you may try to buoy you up, tear you down or treat you indifferently at most they/we can only remind you of your worth, we cannot give it to you or take it away. That is up to you. I am here to remind you of your worth, but mostly I hope and pray that you find within yourself a glimmer of that happy medium. It is priceless, I hear. I believe that it is so, because YOU are priceless.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">With love.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-84954787277213879742010-03-29T21:46:00.000-07:002010-03-29T22:03:41.723-07:00A thought for today...<p><br />“Philosophers have argued for centuries about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but materialists have always known it depends on whether they are jitterbugging or dancing cheek to cheek.”</p>— Tom Robbins<br /><br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7GFG5SXKQI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RugR1f6AIS0/s1600/DSC05197.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7GFG5SXKQI/AAAAAAAAAEw/RugR1f6AIS0/s200/DSC05197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454286977225926914" border="0" /></a><br /></p>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-48998108980106393442010-03-28T18:47:00.001-07:002010-03-29T22:20:04.466-07:00Do you like to read?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7AHSgtTG_I/AAAAAAAAAEo/XnFMFgC8Tsk/s1600/CIMG0890.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/S7AHSgtTG_I/AAAAAAAAAEo/XnFMFgC8Tsk/s400/CIMG0890.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453867163344641010" title="Some great reads!" border="0" /></a><br />So, I thought since I haven't been posting for several months I would share with you some of what I have been up to since my last post. The stack of books above is what I was up to the majority of the time I was not blogging, just since January 4th of this year. One quarter's worth of books, for three of my four classes (one class did not have any textbook), and not including the electronic files that were required and/or recommended. It's a good thing I like to read, I think! The bitter with the sweet...it was intended as my last quarter as an undergraduate student!<br /><br />On that note, I would like to thank ALL of my wonderful family and friends who have been the best cheerleaders any student could ask for in the journey of formal education. It has been long. It has been hard. It has been worth it...as far as I can tell! It does not feel like the reality of being done (for now, at least) has hit yet. Maybe it will when classes start tomorrow & I won't be going! Yeah, that might help!<br /><br />My no-textbook class was a blast...so much fun! <span style="font-style: italic;">Computers for Poets</span>--intended to teach non-geeks a little about technology. We made web pages all quarter, it was awesome! I'm so far from where I'd like to be, but I've learned a lot in the last several weeks. My projects are currently still up on the school web server, for the unseen future. I don't know how long they will be available, but here are some of my favorites if you'd like to check them out: <a href="http://users.csc.calpoly.edu/%7Etrobarts/bio.html">final project (about me)</a>, Biographical sketch of <a href="http://users.csc.calpoly.edu/%7Etrobarts/midterm2.html">Dr. Englebart</a> and <a href="http://users.csc.calpoly.edu/%7Etrobarts/oceananimals.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ocean Animals</span></a> .<br /><br />I would like to leave you with a thought which I have heared iterated in many forms in the past, credit to all who have encouraged me with it: "Don't let your <span style="font-style: italic;">schooling</span> get in the way of your <span style="font-style: italic;">education</span>!"<br /><br />Love to you all!Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-92188765969515063712009-09-09T19:52:00.000-07:002009-09-09T20:23:11.713-07:00I Love America!<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284">This video</a> is one of the cutest and sweetest (not to mention <span style="font-style: italic;">amazing</span>) renditions of our National Anthem that I have ever heard! I enjoy singing and find their vocal talents inspiring and lovely to listen to. These girls have incredible harmony, not to mention a lot of poise and overall talent.<br /><br />Today has been a simple day (Hello, laundry!), but also one of reflections (Thanks, laundry!). This video speaks loudly about some of what I am grateful for in my life, and I find it inspiring as well, so I wanted to share with you today. I love America and all that she has stood for and through amidst some of the darkest times in the world's history, even as young as our nation really is. I pray that we will never forget what we have been blessed with, whether born an American or blessed to come into this nation and become an American.<br /><br />May you have a blessed day, and enjoy being free on so many levels and in so many ways!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theflagpole.com/images/ani_aflag.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 131px;" src="http://www.theflagpole.com/images/ani_aflag.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.usflag.org/toc.html">Our Flag</a>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-71349299831108084322009-09-01T10:15:00.000-07:002009-09-14T14:05:13.313-07:00Somehow I knew......some of the items on my <a href="http://ctrobarts.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html">'Some Fun Facts'</a> post would lead to some questions. Thanks, mom, for your comments & questions. I decided to respond in a post, since this was looking like a really long comment response to your comment!<br /><br />#1: Are there stories to go with T-Bobb or Skittlebug?<br /><br />These are two of my nicknames...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://steeleheaded.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/fruit-skittles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 175px;" src="http://steeleheaded.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/fruit-skittles.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"Skittlebug" is the invention of my sister Jill, who called me this when we were younger because I loved (and still very much like) Skittles! Come to think of it, she still uses it every now and then, and even got one of our nieces calling me Skittlebug, too-oh, so cute!<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_JustifyCenter" title="Align Center" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 11);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Align Center" class="gl_align_center" border="0" /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(AVOIDED PICTURE...you'll understand why)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>"Bobb" is a family nickname that has obscure origins as we don't all agree on how it started. As my memory serves, it started at a point in our lives when my oldest brother and his wife were living with us and they had a 'pet' daddy-long leg which they named Bob. I learned about this pet while helping my sister-in-law on a project of some kind. We took a short break and she laid on the bed and announced 'Bob's dead.' To which I inquired and found out that the rest of Bob's story, including that one day Mrs. Bob appeared...only to eat Bob shortly afterwards. Well, in our family of 11 or 12 at the time, "Bob" slowly became used in a wide variety of ways, including as a substitute for anything else (e.g., "Please pass the bob", meaning something like "Please pass the ketchup") until my brother Justin started calling us Bob. Then we had to distinguish which Bob he was talking to, hence the T-Bobb for me, and Mom-Bobb, etc. The second "B" got added at some point, I think to distinguish between anyone <span style="font-style: italic;">actually</span> named Bob from our family nicknames. It continues to this day...beware The Bobb and the Bobbs!<br /><br />That's <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">my</span> story, and I'm sticking to it! ;-)<br /><br />#2: Why is 20 your favorite number?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.freefoto.com/images/2000/20/2000_20_1---Number-Twenty_web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 175px;" src="http://www.freefoto.com/images/2000/20/2000_20_1---Number-Twenty_web.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It is the day of my birthday, which is where it started for me, but it also came in handy growing up in any situation where I needed to pick a number, and has even been 'lucky' at times...so it stuck, and still sticks today!<br /><br />#3: Tell about being on TV.<br /><br />I've had a few opportunities, none of which may amount to much excitement, but do allow me to say I've been on T.V.!<br /><br />My family (mom and some of my siblings and I-at about 12 years old) did a commercial for a local grocery store at one point, so it was of course an international sensation...haven't you already seen this one? The store managers liked us, and thought it was a great publicity gig to have such a large family using their store...hence, we were picked. It was fun, even though I felt a little silly...hadn't I already put enough cereal boxes in a grocery cart previously to be able to waive the rehearsal? Well, if it looked professional then I am satisfied...<br /><br />My family was also shot for a news blurb on a local milk bank (don't know if those still exist) who had helped my mom and oldest sister right after she was born, prematurely. They were doing a story on the milk bank itself and did a follow-up on my sister about 6 years later (so, I was about 2 years old), to show how the bank did help mothers and infants at crucial times. I love how the news reporter announced that my sister had grown from a tiny infant into a healthy little girl...like we should think she was expecting something else-another species, perhaps-by how she said it, though I may not be capturing the hilarity here. That experience was easy, I suppose...sit on the couch and smile at the camera guy...<br /><br />I've also been in parades when I was younger (again local television of international acclaim), which were broadcast and always fun to see who got in the shot. I'm sure I got at least an elbow in, or something! Plus, David and I this past July 3rd were supposed to be on the 6 o'clock news as we attended a patriotic gathering to discuss the current state of our nation. We didn't rush home to see it, but rest assured that once again I have made the international stage of fame...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/SDC/SDC155/283046SDC.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 220px;" src="http://www.fotosearch.com/bthumb/SDC/SDC155/283046SDC.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-88723888548279816902009-08-26T17:06:00.000-07:002009-08-27T12:10:33.527-07:005 Red Ribbons in my CornucopiaMy <a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cornucopia">cornucopia</a> is filled with things to be grateful for, and this past month has filled it to the brim and to overflowing. Since near the end of July and up through the month of August David & I have been so blessed to be able to visit with people we love, enjoy their company and travel safely~back and forth, to home again.<br /><br />The last part of July and early August was a fun time for me as I fulfilled a small dream I've had of entering exhibits in a fair for display and also competition...yes, I'm a competitive type! :-) <a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="http://midstatefair.com/">The California Mid-State Fair</a> was the venue, and I have a couple of <a style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" href="http://austinandjen.blogspot.com/">friends</a> who especially encouraged and inspired me to participate this year. So I did! I crocheted and rubber stamped to my heart's content for a couple of weeks after Spring quarter ended, and this is what I came up with...<br /><br />My medium sized afghan (approx. 36"x 50"):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbLyxnihiI/AAAAAAAAABw/US6LDbQuikc/s1600-h/CIMG0353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbLyxnihiI/AAAAAAAAABw/US6LDbQuikc/s200/CIMG0353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374707278486341154" border="0" /></a><br />A pillow, inspired by my sister, Amy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbMjFAXRqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/st2p7zgc09Y/s1600-h/CIMG0348.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbMjFAXRqI/AAAAAAAAAB4/st2p7zgc09Y/s200/CIMG0348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374708108324456098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbMwjfCgAI/AAAAAAAAACA/cN2BU0VdtpI/s1600-h/CIMG0349.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbMwjfCgAI/AAAAAAAAACA/cN2BU0VdtpI/s200/CIMG0349.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374708339844481026" border="0" /></a><br />A handy, dandy potholder (Thanks for showing me how, Renee!):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbN3wFsj3I/AAAAAAAAACI/xWNaweN9RKo/s1600-h/CIMG0351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbN3wFsj3I/AAAAAAAAACI/xWNaweN9RKo/s200/CIMG0351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374709562998558578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbOlQ-5LVI/AAAAAAAAACQ/AsgtPP48WzE/s1600-h/CIMG0350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbOlQ-5LVI/AAAAAAAAACQ/AsgtPP48WzE/s200/CIMG0350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374710344922508626" border="0" /></a><br />A notecard:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbPIYBpF4I/AAAAAAAAACY/2J9S1BpUzfE/s1600-h/CIMG0335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbPIYBpF4I/AAAAAAAAACY/2J9S1BpUzfE/s200/CIMG0335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374710948108507010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbPYuFmxJI/AAAAAAAAACg/no8w5_IicPU/s1600-h/CIMG0341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbPYuFmxJI/AAAAAAAAACg/no8w5_IicPU/s200/CIMG0341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374711228908618898" border="0" /></a><br />And...my Greeting Card:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbRMSlqJBI/AAAAAAAAACw/H8L2ccN1UYw/s1600-h/CIMG0344.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbRMSlqJBI/AAAAAAAAACw/H8L2ccN1UYw/s200/CIMG0344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374713214391690258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbRyW-er0I/AAAAAAAAAC4/VoLTAnJd6_I/s1600-h/CIMG0347.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbRyW-er0I/AAAAAAAAAC4/VoLTAnJd6_I/s200/CIMG0347.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374713868404567874" border="0" /></a><br />Then...I had to drop off my projects late in June and didn't see them again until we went to the fair to find out how I did in the competitions. The displays were awesome, well organized by theme and color. They were, however, difficult to find things by competition category, so that made it like a scavenger hunt~fun! :-) I did look for the winners in all the categories I entered, but didn't find all of them.<br /><br />I was so excited to see what comes next...here they are in the order I found them:<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUp6p-_JI/AAAAAAAAADA/qcLslZdKXFE/s1600-h/CIMG0421.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUp6p-_JI/AAAAAAAAADA/qcLslZdKXFE/s200/CIMG0421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374717021898341522" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUqsn3udI/AAAAAAAAADI/_ceq0fPPesA/s1600-h/CIMG0422.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUqsn3udI/AAAAAAAAADI/_ceq0fPPesA/s200/CIMG0422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374717035311249874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUq-JF8dI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ugbAbFplLKo/s1600-h/CIMG0423.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUq-JF8dI/AAAAAAAAADQ/ugbAbFplLKo/s200/CIMG0423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374717040013996498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUrfmgWXI/AAAAAAAAADY/BD6MJ5QLbro/s1600-h/CIMG0428.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUrfmgWXI/AAAAAAAAADY/BD6MJ5QLbro/s200/CIMG0428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374717048995731826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUrz0VVwI/AAAAAAAAADg/C7hhRgO1Zmo/s1600-h/CIMG0429.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbUrz0VVwI/AAAAAAAAADg/C7hhRgO1Zmo/s200/CIMG0429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374717054422439682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I especially enjoy the time to be creative, but it is fun and exciting to see...5 (FIVE!) RED RIBBONS!!! Yippee!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbZDT7T7AI/AAAAAAAAADo/E6L269PUnTk/s1600-h/CIMG0519.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KvG1O_Xo-pk/SpbZDT7T7AI/AAAAAAAAADo/E6L269PUnTk/s200/CIMG0519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374721856225143810" border="0" /></a>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-54660266289407627652009-08-26T16:47:00.000-07:002009-09-01T10:07:16.977-07:00Lost & Found: A Dear FriendI found <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btuxO-C2IzE">THIS</a>* particularly profound as I reconnected with a dear friend from my childhood...today!<br /><br />So, I thought I would share it with you...and hope for you to feel the wonder of reconnecting with someone who possesses a heart string that hasn't been plucked in a long while!<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br />*P.P. (Post-Post note): I have learned that all the statements in this video are not entirely correct. Here is some more <a href="http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/christian-the-lion.htm">information</a>. Still, I feel that the scenes in the video speak perfectly the message I sought to share in this post.Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2903978733002342381.post-60384415133979176132009-07-20T17:08:00.000-07:002009-09-04T13:45:31.586-07:00Some Fun Facts<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >For my historic, second post I thought I would share a few tidbits about me. You won't learn much, if anything, about what I did today. <span style="font-size:78%;">Although slightly modified, the questions or prompts are a composite of [some] getting-to-know-you email questionnaires which I have received (and enjoyed reading), but have not necessarily responded to. Please forgive me, then, if you have not received a much desired reply, and</span> feel free to enjoy laughing at me if you feel so inclined...I understand! ;-)<br /><br />From MY THREE'S:<br /><br />1) 3 jobs I've had in my lifetime -<br />Movie Theater Employee (Concessions, Usher, Box Office, etc.), Telephone Call Operator (In-Bound, so no need to lump me with the telemarketer croud), A/R Accounting Clerk.<br /><br />2) 3 shows I (do sometimes/would/have) watch(ed) - Gilmore Girls, Ghost Whisperer, Beverly Hillbillies.<br /><br />3) 3 places I've been - Home, Work, School Okay, okay...Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite, Houston Astrodome.<br /><br />5) 3 of my favorite foods - Lasagna, Homemade Bread, Fresh Pineapple (I'm copying my friends answers here since I would have put them in the same order, even!)<br /><br />6) 3 places I'd rather be right now - (As long as my Honey and I could go together, since we are right now...) Washington D.C., Italy/France, Ireland/Scotland.<br /><br />8) 3 things I'm looking forward to this year - Family Visits (both ways), David's Graduation, Thanksgiving.<br /><br />AN "X BY THE THINGS I HAVE DONE:<br /><br /></span> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gone on a blind date </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) Skipped school </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Watched someone die<br />( ) Been to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248134849_0">Canada</span></span> </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248134849_1">Mexico</span></span> </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Florida</span> </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been on a plane </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been lost<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been on the opposite side of the country </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gone to <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248134849_2">Washington , DC</span></span> </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Swam in the ocean </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Cried yourself to sleep </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Played cops and robber<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Recently colored with crayons</span></div></div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Sang Karaoke </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Paid for a meal with coins only?</span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Made prank phone calls </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Caught a snowflake on your tongue </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X) </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Danced in the rain </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Written a <span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248134849_3">letter to Santa Claus</span> </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been kissed under the mistletoe</span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Watched the sunrise with someone you care about </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Blown bubbles </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gone ice-skating </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">( )</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Been skinny dipping outdoors </span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">(X)</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Gone to the movies</span></div> </div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> <div><br />20 QUESTIONS:<br /><br />1. Do you have any nicknames? Yes. Okay, for example: T, Treese, T-Bobb, Skittlebug<br /></div> <div><span> </span> 2. What is your favorite drink? Water<br /></div> <div>3. Do you have any tattoos? No</div> <div><span> </span>4. Do you have any body piercing? No<br /></div> <div>5. How much do you love your job? LOVE it! Being my Honey's wife is the best, and student life is not too bad, either (please note: this question was answered during summer break)!<span><br /></span></div> </span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div><span style="font-size:100%;">6. Have you ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div><span style="font-size:100%;">7. Have you ever been on TV? Yes<br />8. Have you ever stolen any traffic signs? No<br /></span></div></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> <span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div><span style="font-size:100%;">9. Have you ever been in a car accident? Yes<br /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span> </span></span>10. What is your favorite <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248134849_6">salad dressing</span>? Hidden Valley Ranch (made with the mix!)<span><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div>11. What is your favorite type of <span style="font-size:100%;">pie? Dutch Apple<br /></span></div></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">12. What is your favorite number? 20<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span> </span> 13. What is your favorite movie? Tough, tough, tough question...but, always near the top of my list is <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025748/">The Scarlet Pimpernel</a> (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001366/">Leslie Howard</a> is amazing!)<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248134849_7"></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />14. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving</span></div> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;">15. What is your favorite dessert? Cheesecake (Cindy's is still the best!)<br /></span></div> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span> </span></span>16. What is your favorite food? Lasagna (especially vegetarian --I love the veggies!)<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div face="trebuchet ms" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span> </span>17. What is your favorite day of the week? Friday, usually.<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >18. What is your favorite smell? Freshly cleaned skin.<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> 19. What do you do to relax? Play the piano, read, crochet -- but not all at once!<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" >20. How do you see yourself in 10 years? </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Bookman Old Style;"><span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Raising our children...patiently?<br /><br />That's all for now, but I hope you enjoyed, and laughed at least a little!<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><div style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:Bookman Old Style;"><span> </span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>Teresahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06176627275375976488noreply@blogger.com4