tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22548481455429303402024-02-20T12:25:44.422-06:00Fractured Fairy TalesWhere the Wicked Stepmother is also a Princess and Prince Charming Wears a Stetson for a Crown...Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-4789196696122532582012-08-07T21:35:00.004-05:002012-08-07T21:36:54.482-05:00Why I LOVE JulyAs much as I love football season and Christmas and all of the other great things that go on throughout the year...July is my FAVORITE month. Even if it is hotter than blue blazes. Why? Because I have no school obligations and we have the kids. I get to play with my favorite people and not worry about responsibility...what's not to love??<br />
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This year, July started out with our very first family road trip. I put together fun binders for the kids with maps, car activities, journal pages, etc. We also gave them a small gift (cds, disposable cameras, doodle books, etc.) each day we were on the road. The first day we drove to Dallas to spend some time with my parents. We were supposed to spend the majority of our time in the pool, but the weather decided that we would cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie instead. The next day, we drove to Little Rock, Arkansas, stopping in Texarkana for lunch and to be in two states at the same time. Once we reached Little Rock, it was made very clear that Monday was NOT the day to be there... EVERYTHING was closed! We literally walked several miles, practically in circles, to find somewhere to eat dinner. The next day, we got up early and headed to Memphis. I gave the kids a tour of Rhodes, my alma mater, and then we headed off to Huey's for some of the best burgers in the country. My BFF, Lauren, met us there. Because of the extreme heat (and lack of free passes) we decided to forgo the zoo and spent the afternoon with Lauren and Will in their neighbor's pool. Dinner was Corky's, the best "wet-rub" bbq in the country. The next morning, we met my friend (aka my brother) Sammy and his lovely wife for breakfast at The Blue Plate, my favorite breakfast place. Although it seems all we did was eat our way through Memphis, there were many restaurants I was sad to have missed...not enough hours in the day! From Memphis, we drove to Biloxi...in the rain. Biloxi was the only place we stayed for more than 24 hours, and we stayed at the Beau Rivage. It was a blast! We played in the arcade, went to the beach, lounged by the pool, watched fireworks over the ocean, and spent the spending money Grandma and Papa had sent. From Biloxi, we headed home...in even heavier rain! We took a driving tour of New Orleans, stopped in Baton Rouge for lunch and a quick trip past the LSU stadium, spent the night in Beaumont, and ate ice cream at the Blue Bell Creamery. It was a GREAT trip! <3 p="p"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texarkana, it's twice as nice! But, you can clearly see which side we prefer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the trolley around town in Little Rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Roll, roll, roll, roll, Lynx Cats roll on..."<br />
The kids finally got to see Rhodes, although they now refer to it as "Hogwarts."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was lucky enough to spend one afternoon poolside with my bestie and future son-in-law.<br />
He turned two the weekend after we were there...I hadn't seen him since he was four weeks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids LOVED Biloxi! They thought staying at a casino was super cool!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kennedy playing at the beach in Biloxi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harrison playing at the beach in Biloxi.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed a luxurious steak dinner one evening at B.R. Prime at Beau Rivage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing beats a good old fashioned lunch counter at a 24 hour diner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stopping in Brenham for a $1 scoop of ice cream is a must.</td></tr>
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The kids spend one long weekend with their mom and stepdad during our month. This year, we went to Vegas during that weekend to celebrate my 30th birthday (and Scott's birthday too, since it was the week before our vacation...). We invited a bunch of people who couldn't make it, but I was super excited that my friend S-K and her boyfriend Phil were able to join us. We had a great time! Our friends Steve and Julie took us to see the Jabbawockeez....what an amazing show! We also made it to downtown Las Vegas for the first time ever. It was super fun! I think next time we go we might even stay there! And, as always, we watched the Bellagio fountains. <3 p="p"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAi6mM-K76bky-jHQm7w6H4AllygYORpmuXInyxgIt-YSowAEGv1gB6zDm6r0PtcPrFlEJGGocQgXxF8MB9Ye0w4foTVUsl37bdodigH63wY0PQp9OYYjLQIFfaIXF3n5QwAx3nC_ITc/s1600/DSC01917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAi6mM-K76bky-jHQm7w6H4AllygYORpmuXInyxgIt-YSowAEGv1gB6zDm6r0PtcPrFlEJGGocQgXxF8MB9Ye0w4foTVUsl37bdodigH63wY0PQp9OYYjLQIFfaIXF3n5QwAx3nC_ITc/s320/DSC01917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday dinner at The Golden Nugget</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S-K and Me at the Golden Nugget</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a great show!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIF4td4cAJyr1yrIhgo3PGEdXxGUytXssbgJgKpT1p0GTlB-jtVLFrfN6BYORXp8dkTzetuCFeAhqw0ERd8ZXaq1Mrbk16srqPTC0zktc2qxcA47JRz0G5xhM_J52nV5a0iHTDg_SNik/s1600/DSC01932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIF4td4cAJyr1yrIhgo3PGEdXxGUytXssbgJgKpT1p0GTlB-jtVLFrfN6BYORXp8dkTzetuCFeAhqw0ERd8ZXaq1Mrbk16srqPTC0zktc2qxcA47JRz0G5xhM_J52nV5a0iHTDg_SNik/s320/DSC01932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bellagio Fountains - So Beautiful!</td></tr>
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When we got back from Vegas, we had about a week to spend with the kids before they headed off to camp. I worked a bit so that Scott could spend some quality "Daddy time" with the kids, and I took them to the Splash Pad with my teacher friends and their kids. After a whirlwind few weeks, it was nice to finally slow down a little bit...but we still had tons of fun!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling Fun with Daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqgj6kfa2oBU4hml2CLBRiVu8hpHgu9xKtAM0JoxJtagZ-9Hdhyphenhyphenr8zl7r8jP97kN05CcdPnUM354qlJgFfadDavFdFFdaka96MR6daVZRuEKP91xzcngDXBcnKrJel6OiBP5IiJ2AC9Q/s1600/IMG_3582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqgj6kfa2oBU4hml2CLBRiVu8hpHgu9xKtAM0JoxJtagZ-9Hdhyphenhyphenr8zl7r8jP97kN05CcdPnUM354qlJgFfadDavFdFFdaka96MR6daVZRuEKP91xzcngDXBcnKrJel6OiBP5IiJ2AC9Q/s320/IMG_3582.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Splash Pad Crew</td></tr>
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This year, the kids went to camp at the same time. We hated having a week without either one, but timing-wise it just made the most sense. We headed down to Kerrville to drop Kennedy off at Texas Lion's Diabetes Camp. It is such an amazing place! We know she is in excellent hands from the moment we drop her off to the moment we pick her up. An hour or so past Kerrville, then eight miles down a dirt road, we arrive at Camp Eagle to drop off Harrison. It is a Christian-based adventure camp where he spends the week on the lake, mountain biking, rock climbing, and worshipping God. Both camps update their Facebook pages and websites with pictures and information, so we get to watch as the kids have the time of their lives! (I don't know how my parents managed without updates while I was at camp...) Kennedy's closing ceremonies were Friday night, and she received the "Distinguished Camper Award". Harrison's closing ceremonies were Saturday morning, and he received the "David: Man After God's Own Heart Award". I'm so proud of both of my campers and am glad they have each found a camp that they love.<br />
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The hardest part about them being away at camp is they're gone the last week we have them. Once they returned home, we did LOADS of laundry, went to church, and then it was back to the usual every other weekend routine...and back to work for me. Can't wait until next July! <3 p="p"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-5Ow9S3lhVUIyITo5ZfigbgVrVg7l_stXMTOvB8FWn7KxwsMKNUeVxvPpFYXfA0inY7JiW9h5FxXh0gjQyPHWyWlxT3gXfXY9P65kwr3A5TV_v8QwLWdrNnvogr6Uwqj6P6ukKpJDvU/s1600/IMG_3600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-5Ow9S3lhVUIyITo5ZfigbgVrVg7l_stXMTOvB8FWn7KxwsMKNUeVxvPpFYXfA0inY7JiW9h5FxXh0gjQyPHWyWlxT3gXfXY9P65kwr3A5TV_v8QwLWdrNnvogr6Uwqj6P6ukKpJDvU/s320/IMG_3600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't these just the cutest faces you've ever seen?!?<br />
I am SO blessed. <3 td="td"></3></td></tr>
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</3>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-45961022447965294872012-08-04T21:41:00.002-05:002012-08-04T21:41:39.607-05:00Summer Reading FunThis summer, our family finally ventured over to the Leander Public Library and got library cards. The kids and I also joined their summer reading program. Kennedy logs her time in 20 minute intervals, and gets a prize every 2 hours. After receiving all 5 prizes, she gets a raffle ticket for every hour read for a new set of "kid" prizes. Harrison logs his time in 1 hour intervals, and gets a raffle ticket for every hour read for a variety of "teen" prizes. I, too, am earning raffle tickets for the "adult" prizes, but my tickets are based on the number of books read instead of the amount of time spent reading. So, I thought I would share our progress with you!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Book 1: <i>She, Myself, and I</i> by Whitney Gaskell</div>
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LOVED IT! And, it's set in Austin...which was a unexpected surprise.<br />
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Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Cassel sisters have little in common besides a pair of wacky parents and a maddening knack for eluding happily-ever-after endings. But when their lives require damage control, only a dose of sisterhood will do.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Paige, the oldest, is a go-getter divorce attorney who’s reeling from her own disastrously failed marriage–and the fact that her ex has suddenly come roaring out of the closet with a cute boyfriend in tow. Middle sister Sophie is having trouble adjusting to life as a wife and expectant mom. With her doubts on the rise along with her weight, she’s ogling every available baked good–and every available man–that crosses her path. And up-and-coming medical student Mickey has a racy new plan for her future that’s sure to shock her entire family. It includes a dangerously handsome, decidedly married chef…private cooking lessons…and spicy lingerie.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">To top it all off, the parents who dragged them through the Divorce from Hell years ago are acting like teenagers in love…with each other! One by one, Paige, Sophie, and Mickey are about to learn just how good it is to have a sisterly shoulder–or two–to lean on.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 2: <i>Something Borrowed</i> by Emily Giffin</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGqLO4Bz2olg8bNFd1uMBcgJniG1yGs7OKrCx0oEfg7xsVTRvOzSCKmwTsUk75XYVrRoBJYixyQ13-Rzk_1b2B612Te50k2pM-vikFLMx7gZJnTMZDvu1KaiDtJarbFxjkCKlSMyATBg/s1600/42156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGqLO4Bz2olg8bNFd1uMBcgJniG1yGs7OKrCx0oEfg7xsVTRvOzSCKmwTsUk75XYVrRoBJYixyQ13-Rzk_1b2B612Te50k2pM-vikFLMx7gZJnTMZDvu1KaiDtJarbFxjkCKlSMyATBg/s200/42156.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">WOW! I was hooked from the first chapter! Was so glad that the NBA Finals were on so I had an excuse to read it in two sittings...I could not put it down!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Rachel White is the consummate good girl. A hard-working attorney at a large Manhattan law firm and a diligent maid of honor to her charmed best friend Darcy, Rachel has always played by all the rules. Since grade school, she has watched Darcy shine, quietly accepting the sidekick role in their lopsided friendship.<br /><br />But that suddenly changes the night of her thirtieth birthday when Rachel finally confesses her feelings to Darcy's fiance, and is both horrified and thrilled to discover that he feels the same way. As the wedding date draws near, events spiral out of control, and Rachel knows she must make a choice between her heart and conscience. In so doing, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk everything to be true to yourself.<br /><br />The smash-hit debut novel for every woman who has ever had a complicated love-hate friendship.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 3: <i>Pushing 30</i> by Whitney Gaskell</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkrfBhxY7O8Fs8PhPT0_kThRFwxugvouyKnrA-zuP678ysqasHEfhAOGRCy3bqMGMuqanNiM8_U8DB9NfCYgS_OY9n-oBtNZnfEtic_C14QCv0b8uFgRgYPNNvs31TxNj4M2eS0bH40w/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkrfBhxY7O8Fs8PhPT0_kThRFwxugvouyKnrA-zuP678ysqasHEfhAOGRCy3bqMGMuqanNiM8_U8DB9NfCYgS_OY9n-oBtNZnfEtic_C14QCv0b8uFgRgYPNNvs31TxNj4M2eS0bH40w/s200/images.jpeg" width="125" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This one took me awhile to get into, actually. I was worried that I wasn't going to have much nice to say about it. And then it got good....really good.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Ellie Winters is dependable and loyal and has a near-phobic aversion to conflict. But as her thirtieth birthday looms ever closer, she starts to feel like she’s lost the instruction manual to her life. She has just broken up with her boring boyfriend, despises her job, and is the last of her high school friends to remain single. Worse, her dysfunctional family is driving her nuts, and she’s somehow become enslaved to her demanding pet pug Sally, who she suspects is the reincarnation of Pol Pot.<br /><br />One night, after a botched attempt to color her hair at home, Ellie rushes to the drugstore for emergency bleach, Sally in tow. Sally is accosted by a smitten canine admirer . . . but it’s the dog’s owner who captures Ellie’s attention. Television news anchor Ted Langston is witty, intriguing, and sexy. The only catch? He’s twice her age--and the only man on the planet who isn’t interested in dating a younger woman. And no one, from Ellie’s best friends to Ted’s ex-wife, wants to see them get together.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 4: <i>50 Shades of Grey</i> by E.L. James</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3O4k7SfYE_4HnhyoatuZ6BvUPMqYihSr7wYpOL575g3P8VNJaa5e03Q-sBh7iy4zqVuTuc21k8IzSryQ0gmiBcjIKxXz26GTpM2srlHMpR8Zgsnblcx319HqHIAyUBGbO9TDdZtCk60/s1600/220px-50ShadesofGreyCoverArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3O4k7SfYE_4HnhyoatuZ6BvUPMqYihSr7wYpOL575g3P8VNJaa5e03Q-sBh7iy4zqVuTuc21k8IzSryQ0gmiBcjIKxXz26GTpM2srlHMpR8Zgsnblcx319HqHIAyUBGbO9TDdZtCk60/s200/220px-50ShadesofGreyCoverArt.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I had to see what all the hype was about! It was like a car wreck - awful, but you couldn't take your eyes off it. The writing was less than perfect, the sex scenes were a little too over the top for me, and the ending left me unsatisfied. Guess now I'll have to finish the series... ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com (like y'all need it...ha!):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.<br /><br />Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.<br /><br />Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.<br /><br />This book is intended for mature audiences. (My absolute favorite part of the description!!!)</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 5: <i>The Reading Group</i> by Elizabeth Noble</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I really liked this one! Now, I want to form a reading group of my own just like theirs (but maybe without all of the drama in their lives) and I want to read the 10 books they "read," too.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><em>The Reading Group</em> follows the trials and tribulations of a group of women who meet regularly to read and discuss books.Over the course of a year, each of these women become intertwined, both in the books they read and within each other's lives.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Inspired by a shared desire for conversation, a good book and a glass of wine-Clare, Harriet, Nicole, Polly, and Susan undergo startling revelations and transformations despite their differences in background, age and respective dilemmas.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">What starts as a reading group gradually evolves into a forum where the women may express their views through the books they read and grow to become increasingly more open as the bonds of friendship cement.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In <em>The Reading Group</em>, Noble reveals the many complicated paths in life we all face as well as the power and importance of friendship.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 6: <i>Secret Daughter</i> by Shilpi Somaya Gowda</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dJQUeBQ0LiiM2dYGsV3b_qIudJk-pf2HPBVvsyRcnPpUzO4R3EVAR7ICyod5ROrJzXBbMxomIgrBgA6ac8Uq0KiPtTRC6kyiWaaK0B-HEQ-V-WIBFfGGYG5tuPkmIrxnMBV6KFD7-Ac/s1600/secret-daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dJQUeBQ0LiiM2dYGsV3b_qIudJk-pf2HPBVvsyRcnPpUzO4R3EVAR7ICyod5ROrJzXBbMxomIgrBgA6ac8Uq0KiPtTRC6kyiWaaK0B-HEQ-V-WIBFfGGYG5tuPkmIrxnMBV6KFD7-Ac/s200/secret-daughter.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I fell in love with the characters immediately...it was (almost too) easy (for me) to relate to the infertile mother and the daughter she adopted. It is a beautiful book of heartbreak, self-discovery, and the importance of family.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Somer’s life is everything she imagined it would be—she’s newly married and has started her career as a physician in San Francisco—until she makes the devastating discovery she never will be able to have children.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The same year in India, a poor mother makes the heartbreaking choice to save her newborn daughter’s life by giving her away. It is a decision that will haunt Kavita for the rest of her life, and cause a ripple effect that travels across the world and back again.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Asha, adopted out of a Mumbai orphanage, is the child that binds the destinies of these two women. We follow both families, invisibly connected until Asha’s journey of self-discovery leads her back to India.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Compulsively readable and deeply touching, <i>Secret Daughter</i> is a story of the unforeseen ways in which our choices and families affect our lives, and the indelible power of love in all its many forms.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 7: <i>50 Shades Darker</i> by E.L. James</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Gr8gFX6N_smvpE9JDBTrg1icoPsjYn53BIKxYS973Rm2PMB2T66tOiqnmOOaP7_GfOAghrK8lCRc1AgPi3nPdkU8f5t-_6RtfrrP70VWHmrT055Dxc49Ehc-IJEkK-kIr7DsRo46Er8/s1600/lens19490887_13374507850_a_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Gr8gFX6N_smvpE9JDBTrg1icoPsjYn53BIKxYS973Rm2PMB2T66tOiqnmOOaP7_GfOAghrK8lCRc1AgPi3nPdkU8f5t-_6RtfrrP70VWHmrT055Dxc49Ehc-IJEkK-kIr7DsRo46Er8/s200/lens19490887_13374507850_a_a.jpg" width="122" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I enjoyed this one much better than the first. Once you start to understand Christian's story, he manages to find his way into your heart...much like he did Ana's. The ending would have been perfect, except she doesn't stop where you want her to...she adds just enough more to guarantee that you will read book three.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.<br /><br />But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.<br /><br />While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.<br /><br />This book is intended for mature audiences. (again, my favorite part...like we need the disclaimer!)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Book 8: <i>The Poisonwood Bible</i> by Barbara Kingsolver</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5lQQ_5rG_EjgJilxdXQqN7BPMoDavNueGoapDPHAwSjK07MLhyQ4gcAnhZp6dNU1W3qhqtnu1Py5aKOr7U-QjANMBYLNDlUExCf4nsMPxh6ws__ClIqKtZOV4lMO7q3gMhrjluWR1HA/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5lQQ_5rG_EjgJilxdXQqN7BPMoDavNueGoapDPHAwSjK07MLhyQ4gcAnhZp6dNU1W3qhqtnu1Py5aKOr7U-QjANMBYLNDlUExCf4nsMPxh6ws__ClIqKtZOV4lMO7q3gMhrjluWR1HA/s200/cover.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I promised Maddie I would read her summer reading assignment with her. I'm grateful she didn't pick <i>Tale of Two Cities</i> (sorry, Dickens, I'm not really a fan!), although I would have enjoyed re-reading <i>The Princess Bride</i> (she thought the first page was boring). It took me the entire summer to read. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read it for pleasure instead of analyzing it as if I were a student...but it was still an extremely powerful piece of literature.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Here's a description of the book from Amazon.com:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The Poisonwood Bible</i> is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce, evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them everything they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it—from garden seeds to Scripture—is calamitously transformed on African soil. What follows is a suspenseful epic of one family's tragic undoing and remarkable reconstruction over the course of three decades in postcolonial Africa.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">So, the kids read a little this summer, but gave up on documenting it for the library. I put six tickets in the Amazon.com gift card raffle and two tickets in the Starbucks gift card raffle. I will let y'all know if I win...but I'm not holding my breath. </span>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-45862045090286521262012-06-22T17:10:00.000-05:002012-06-22T17:10:31.181-05:00Summer Slim Down - The RecipesSo, two weeks into this whole healthy eating thing and I am pretty much where I was when I started. A little discouraging, but I am blaming PMS...and am counting on a miracle this week. My husband, however has dropped quite a bit...I am very proud of him! Anyway, I thought I would share some of the things we've eaten which were really yummy. Some of you have probably seen many of these recipes on Pinterest, but I thought it would be nice to provide an easy link to the stuff I've actually tried and enjoyed. :-)<br />
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P.S. I am linking to the recipes instead of copying and pasting them, because I am trying to give credit to the originator of the idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0CzrHlOE9SNwik0BkgLSFIdwuD_K7zJgdfWlu-6FqEuX5g2ZWSLAbe0rPycIEN8HhKWKUQ0k07TxKdFbgY5n7WesCQawhpB9C9nwbnKhHXw3J-7TFmimopnIoVtRWks5am3fdv5dok8/s1600/431179_10100531837789868_26704604_49781498_1919127794_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0CzrHlOE9SNwik0BkgLSFIdwuD_K7zJgdfWlu-6FqEuX5g2ZWSLAbe0rPycIEN8HhKWKUQ0k07TxKdFbgY5n7WesCQawhpB9C9nwbnKhHXw3J-7TFmimopnIoVtRWks5am3fdv5dok8/s200/431179_10100531837789868_26704604_49781498_1919127794_n.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://fluffimama.blogspot.com/2012/03/yogurt-covered-blueberries.html" target="_blank">Yogurt Covered Blueberries</a></div>
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(I used a pair of tongs instead of toothpicks and "The Greek Gods" instead of "Dannon")</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbC0kA1elEw6Apcx5uBrSYI_3Bqf_KCDo9FQ2Y3p4QPoBUcvmddJo8EabvHWcibTqtO-JFtPGUbv2zy9ZE5JBYW6U7TyRktlrIPhy0-wWqeUYVp_llbuSIYDkgPA9epywVL8pIyH96LY/s1600/frozen-yogurt-dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbC0kA1elEw6Apcx5uBrSYI_3Bqf_KCDo9FQ2Y3p4QPoBUcvmddJo8EabvHWcibTqtO-JFtPGUbv2zy9ZE5JBYW6U7TyRktlrIPhy0-wWqeUYVp_llbuSIYDkgPA9epywVL8pIyH96LY/s200/frozen-yogurt-dots.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/frozen-yogurt-dots.html" target="_blank">Frozen Yogurt Dots</a></div>
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Of course, mine turned out as blobs, not perfectly rounded circles, but they sure tasted yummy! I used Activia Light Peach and Harvest Cherry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VDvxHXoIIAwQCkmBRnSjwaC54mHtI3y0RlYUtZYNtzfz6o1Zz0rYhxXEM4QoX33e6q06rwECpN9YD4A3ysXCz0vWU2NHb2MDXewpM6ieW3s_16SCcJnatuzq5wDhZPAiOVteGsVYrUg/s1600/6f74b8c3a0cbf69e_orange_ginger_smoothie.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7VDvxHXoIIAwQCkmBRnSjwaC54mHtI3y0RlYUtZYNtzfz6o1Zz0rYhxXEM4QoX33e6q06rwECpN9YD4A3ysXCz0vWU2NHb2MDXewpM6ieW3s_16SCcJnatuzq5wDhZPAiOVteGsVYrUg/s200/6f74b8c3a0cbf69e_orange_ginger_smoothie.preview.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.fitsugar.com/Dextoxifying-Ginger-Smoothie-Recipe-20890545" target="_blank">Detox Orange Ginger Smoothie</a></div>
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This was DELICIOUS! I just need to figure out a way to store ginger root once it's cut ,so it doesn't go bad...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkrTK2pj_H2nU0vhMA_E6HTWDbjAmImXUovE9Tnjk7duzJAfLERE4_VSagYpZTk2y1sM-LOp2cEyXVu4O1m-t21Boan2JSkfxpu8nq3C1iMwE3FhcgtgDaYPFikQ4Rj_UrxjqBMStaj0/s1600/20969954484606190_Tnu2KQEa_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkrTK2pj_H2nU0vhMA_E6HTWDbjAmImXUovE9Tnjk7duzJAfLERE4_VSagYpZTk2y1sM-LOp2cEyXVu4O1m-t21Boan2JSkfxpu8nq3C1iMwE3FhcgtgDaYPFikQ4Rj_UrxjqBMStaj0/s200/20969954484606190_Tnu2KQEa_f.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.chiquitabananas.com/Banana-Recipes/Banana-Oatmeal-Smoothie-recipe.aspx" target="_blank">Banana Oatmeal Smoothie</a></div>
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This one is super thick and extremely filling. It tastes good, though.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE2Sq_aQ8tUcbwX6kOlwPywgHrQup4S0QK0Jc3b3Ne5kAkDU0o0wFoQ7U4Hij7kt88IXOb7eLGXkP0AM9rC-y79KjJZit2kgZmx0owZnSeTDuK7qZR53AchM1mxubVsGLgLXk0qxC1F4/s1600/sleep_slim_smoothie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijE2Sq_aQ8tUcbwX6kOlwPywgHrQup4S0QK0Jc3b3Ne5kAkDU0o0wFoQ7U4Hij7kt88IXOb7eLGXkP0AM9rC-y79KjJZit2kgZmx0owZnSeTDuK7qZR53AchM1mxubVsGLgLXk0qxC1F4/s200/sleep_slim_smoothie.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/sleep-doctor-sleep-slim-smoothie" target="_blank">Sleep Slim Smoothie</a></div>
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I didn't think I would find the cherry juice at the store, but I did! This one is SOOO yummy, and I got a great night's sleep!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelob3iuDD6h8a41O_OIh6yYYmcFwWfhO-KnSId4YMGLahC33zPrlWOz6pqOtS1-KN8LvbLrVtVGEQgaJCklBeonqHVeEdNR-dUK7_q-CuJp_0XWJ7NYaMcucMEpSuzWP_sI-twQ0w3HE/s1600/lettuce+wraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelob3iuDD6h8a41O_OIh6yYYmcFwWfhO-KnSId4YMGLahC33zPrlWOz6pqOtS1-KN8LvbLrVtVGEQgaJCklBeonqHVeEdNR-dUK7_q-CuJp_0XWJ7NYaMcucMEpSuzWP_sI-twQ0w3HE/s200/lettuce+wraps.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.the17daydiet.com/entree/lettuce-wraps/" target="_blank">Chicken Lettuce Wraps</a></div>
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Scott and I love this recipe and eat it frequently. I totally eyeball the ingredients, so my measurements are totally different than what it says on the recipe. I also often add flax.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0D6t8MOyWgDULk-pGb2ZlLRRhyLv5I914e63V2ogVc4mxfv5Lv8zKKwGx819rF3d9-Dj5wcQYJe0aIkHXwFMoE7MpmxNuU2x3DUCtabGGZqRARnQRILiaudZDN4JOHKcxTH6Cm9iaV0/s1600/Picture+1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0D6t8MOyWgDULk-pGb2ZlLRRhyLv5I914e63V2ogVc4mxfv5Lv8zKKwGx819rF3d9-Dj5wcQYJe0aIkHXwFMoE7MpmxNuU2x3DUCtabGGZqRARnQRILiaudZDN4JOHKcxTH6Cm9iaV0/s200/Picture+1232.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lyndasrecipebox.com/2009/03/baked-tilapia-with-lime-and-cilantro.html" target="_blank">Baked Tilapia with Lime and Cilantro</a></div>
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This is FABULOUS...and super quick and easy. I served it over Veetee Thai Lime and Herb Rice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3E3vHA5jEwFLKLKBxhfDHP7yNRnmg6PQiQXBYJODSOEMIZVYjjChvYBednMMze49cwpX1MVAMo20GWqE6qLWZZsXrgGd1gPdl4jIKJAlX5-pVZHG2g5K86c6inswmW9h2YnN6YBwSD5M/s1600/zesty-lime-shrimp-avocado-salad-2-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3E3vHA5jEwFLKLKBxhfDHP7yNRnmg6PQiQXBYJODSOEMIZVYjjChvYBednMMze49cwpX1MVAMo20GWqE6qLWZZsXrgGd1gPdl4jIKJAlX5-pVZHG2g5K86c6inswmW9h2YnN6YBwSD5M/s200/zesty-lime-shrimp-avocado-salad-2-up.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/05/zesty-lime-shrimp-and-avocado-salad.html" target="_blank">Shrimp and Avocado Salad</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not quite sure this is the recipe I used, but it's close enough. We served the shrimp mixture over lettuce.</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-65204840714596646332012-06-08T12:18:00.003-05:002012-06-08T12:18:54.210-05:00Summer Slim Down<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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My weight has been pretty consistent for the past several
years, fluctuating only a few pounds up or down from my “ideal weight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I was devastated when I got on the scale
this morning to realize that I was now TEN POUNDS over that weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YUCK! No wonder my clothes don’t look
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I have decided to eliminate three foods (or food categories)
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Bacon<o:p></o:p></div>
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Alfredo<o:p></o:p></div>
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Domino’s<o:p></o:p></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.05in;" valign="top" width="148">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Deli meats<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
*well, pretty much
all sliced/shredded cheese, but I needed another “A”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition, I have also committed to the following dietary
restrictions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>No coffee and no soda….tea and water only!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(maybe some protein shakes)</li>
<li>Avoid fast food…try to eat only packed lunches
or “real” restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If eating at a
fast food restaurant is unavoidable, find a salad…nothing fried! </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scott and I are also going to begin walking around the
neighborhood each night, and on days when I don’t have inservice, I also plan
on getting up and going for a run/jog.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">So,
here goes…hope it helps!</span>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-82356687168559428022011-12-31T09:44:00.000-06:002011-12-31T09:44:21.377-06:0012 Resolutions for 20121. I will blog more.<br />
2. I will start a journal...and keep it.<br />
3. I will read before I go to bed at night.<br />
4. I will not drink carbonated beverages.*<br />
5. I will pray regularly.<br />
6. I will not let my DVR control my evenings.<br />
7. I will go on monthly dates with my husband.<br />
8. I will become a runner.<br />
9. I will communicate better with students' parents.<br />
10. I will find time for my friends.<br />
11. I will finish my wedding/honeymoon scrapbooks.<br />
12. I will not give up hope.<br />
<br />
*Exceptions: Sprite/Ginger Ale when sick and champagne toasts.Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-969356968619361632011-10-24T19:54:00.000-05:002011-10-24T19:54:12.048-05:00*sigh*Dear blog,<br />
I miss you and all my fellow bloggers. I have so much to say, but no time to sit down and type it. I've got to figure out how to find time for <i>me</i> in my busy schedule.<br />
Until then,<br />
MeErin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-82294627063180502642011-08-15T21:05:00.000-05:002011-08-15T21:05:04.276-05:00Cheesecake-Stuffed PeachesI am SOOOO glad I looked through my <i>Better Homes and Gardens</i> magazine last night. This dessert was AMAZING!<br />
(sorry there are no pictures of their heavenly goodness...)<br />
<br />
6 peaches, halved and pitted<br />
1/4 cup butter, melted<br />
3 tbs sugar mixed with 1 tsp cinnamon<br />
4 oz cream cheese, softened<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1 egg yolk<br />
1 1/2 tsp vanilla<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350. Trim a thin slice from the round side of each peach half so the halves will stand flat. Dip peach halves in melted butter to coat. Arrange peaches, cut sides up, baking pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.<br />
<br />
In medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla. Beat until combined. Spoon mixture into peach centers.<br />
<br />
Bake, uncovered, 30 minutes or until lightly browned and softened. Serve warm.Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-82393624572727414132011-08-10T11:17:00.000-05:002011-08-10T11:17:09.100-05:00Borrowed From a Facebook PostI promise I will update my blog with what's been going on in my life soon, but until then, I want to share my friend Johnna's most recent Facebook post:<br />
<br />
Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossiper, Mary was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sara was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead. Now, what's YOUR excuse? Can God use you?<br />
<br />
Wow. How powerful is that?! Of course God can use you, but will you let Him? I'm ready God...use me.Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-68572837209034167102011-06-16T14:36:00.000-05:002011-06-16T14:36:57.241-05:00Writing from a Prompt<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm at a Pre-AP conference this week. I've learned a lot of great strategies, but today was my favorite day. Partially because it's the last day and I get to sleep in tomorrow, but mainly because today focused on writing, which is often a neglected art in an ELA. We were given a journal exercise, and after several revisions, I'm proud with the essay I developed, so I thought I'd share:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">PROMPT:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Think about a friend who is unique or special in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is he or she, and what makes him or her special?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Describe his/her actions and appearance to illustrate.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">MY RESPONSE:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Poised. Elegant. Beautiful. She was everything I wanted to be, but wasn’t. I was awkward and nerdy, yet she was my friend. Not my “best” friend, but my oldest friend, my most cherished friend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We belonged to two different worlds. Hers was high society with private schools, fine dining, and Rolls Royces. Mine was middle class with public schools, home cooking, and minivans. But in preschool, those worlds collided and we became fast friends. Each year, she came to my birthday party. When birthday parties were outgrown, we had unplanned annual reunions randomly around town – buying suits for our fathers or running shoes for our mothers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Graduation, college, and real life came and we drifted apart. Years came and went without seeing or speaking, but our hearts remained as close as ever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I saw her again recently, still stunning, gorgeous, and eloquent. It was the first time in two (maybe three?) years…yet there were no awkward silences, no forced moments. We talked and laughed and loved well into the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But our separate lives called us back. Hers still high society and glamorous in NYC. Mine still working class and routine in Leander. Still, I know our worlds will collide again. It may be years, decades before we see each other, but in the matters of our hearts, time will not have passed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-86230314289584118922011-05-11T10:45:00.002-05:002011-05-13T15:28:19.959-05:00When I was in school...Field trips were educational and for a purpose, not just to get out of the school building for a day of fun.<br />
Moms (and dads) drove students to field trips...schools did not pay hundreds of dollars for a bus and driver.<br />
Field day was at school...not some other random location.<br />
Reading was taught through book and novel studies, not by isolating skills.<br />
When we finished the novel, we watched the movie...just to watch it.<br />
We took TAAS, not TAKS, and it's influence on teaching and learning was minimal.<br />
The teacher was always right.<br />
The office was a place that no one wanted to end up.<br />
Phone calls home resulted in a change of behavior.<br />
Disrespect towards teachers resulted in major consequences.<br />
Too many tardies counted as an unexcused absence.<br />
Too many unexcused absences resulted in retention.<br />
If you didn't do an assignment the first time, you got a zero.<br />
If you failed a grade, you repeated the grade.<br />
Students bought school supplies, and kept up with them.<br />
If you forgot your pencil, you were expected to PAY for one at the school store before class began.<br />
<br />
...and you know what?<br />
<br />
We turned out ok and didn't end up in a budget crisis.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq47yGGcXESU1JqAFi4aYNuOmjMdrFmUaAT4D9GfKCKRYqPW9Xu1oaq8At7Sb3XfO4jqGq8oSvmwpKelugM2mVIATugEF0dNNafGoTmahtVEViV_joS0mItIiBkj9tPoYDTEbkFQXIDo4/s1600/thinkican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="84" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq47yGGcXESU1JqAFi4aYNuOmjMdrFmUaAT4D9GfKCKRYqPW9Xu1oaq8At7Sb3XfO4jqGq8oSvmwpKelugM2mVIATugEF0dNNafGoTmahtVEViV_joS0mItIiBkj9tPoYDTEbkFQXIDo4/s320/thinkican.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-6233268289261233232011-05-02T14:36:00.000-05:002011-05-02T14:36:20.082-05:00Happy Birthday To ME!So this year my birthday celebration lasted for five days! Here's a little re-cap of each one:<br />
<br />
Day 1: With the TAKS test finally finished (I didn't have to administer it on my birthday this year...woohoo!), it was time to celebrate with the Adam clan. We went to <a href="http://www.zeds.bz/">Zed's</a>, which was fabulous! In attendance was the hubby, the kids, Scott's parents, Scott's grandma, my mom, and my grandpa. It was such a gorgeous evening on the patio and I got some amazingly thoughtful gifts from the kids (thanks, honey!).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1civNc1V-mWiyHvtyY6l1PqKnbt0H4lTLRlVyEv0fYUb947jTIEQNVQInbBspTVR-SE_-gkQnwEd0HQG6AqDrNNOta6JJw9s-nAdNi28Q9Amhn1hyj2OWBhj-6XgvhmrGpWS5EKbdSo/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1civNc1V-mWiyHvtyY6l1PqKnbt0H4lTLRlVyEv0fYUb947jTIEQNVQInbBspTVR-SE_-gkQnwEd0HQG6AqDrNNOta6JJw9s-nAdNi28Q9Amhn1hyj2OWBhj-6XgvhmrGpWS5EKbdSo/s200/DSC_0011.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my Mommy</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxYXohM4QbKliQ0aS-Qqbp7nj7EFGhIyYkKmgyH6_00EA42MvAirkXrz11re5H4EhgWm91sDbXDVd9njLHJtWH6B_h1sNzrsDetfOIafJghWFsYek1xS_raEMXv1nFeP0Jfee4JE_9TA/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxYXohM4QbKliQ0aS-Qqbp7nj7EFGhIyYkKmgyH6_00EA42MvAirkXrz11re5H4EhgWm91sDbXDVd9njLHJtWH6B_h1sNzrsDetfOIafJghWFsYek1xS_raEMXv1nFeP0Jfee4JE_9TA/s200/DSC_0014.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my Husband</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2iKPzS72SVpSPT0M2Q_zb1-kfa15SQpB-YkEIuwO843m9JQG9MeGGU8LRr8-mVcLX5-4mG1s2eO4UqAqzP4NEzIVp2Xo6IUH47uasIrp75ujdkXWl-9QUKqaUT42viV8d5J_C_Rm2B8/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2iKPzS72SVpSPT0M2Q_zb1-kfa15SQpB-YkEIuwO843m9JQG9MeGGU8LRr8-mVcLX5-4mG1s2eO4UqAqzP4NEzIVp2Xo6IUH47uasIrp75ujdkXWl-9QUKqaUT42viV8d5J_C_Rm2B8/s200/DSC_0020.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kennedy and Grandpa "Long" Horn</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Day 2: I went down the street for a <a href="http://www.liasophia.us/index_en_US.jsp">lia sophia</a> jewelry party. We had treats and wine, and even got to model the jewlery! I ended up buying myself a couple of birthday presents, too! I can't wait until they come in!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5OEgk1_bXP1xL_Ag_YBfzWlriIYD9ky_8QT8uWLU8aKtTFpfxtxU96hUNRpMQRu7kXpDWjgRltXTZP0Mh6198-qjjsb9ZOrTQhxdv6fQ8cpcf8wp4bQuI-gPzn4l2J5ekT-iL4A2spc/s1600/silverearrings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5OEgk1_bXP1xL_Ag_YBfzWlriIYD9ky_8QT8uWLU8aKtTFpfxtxU96hUNRpMQRu7kXpDWjgRltXTZP0Mh6198-qjjsb9ZOrTQhxdv6fQ8cpcf8wp4bQuI-gPzn4l2J5ekT-iL4A2spc/s200/silverearrings.JPG" width="185" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlw7mgkRYxS_ESRehfCKj7TDYSr-Rdbs5qyCsfs0igIALrMc_COTIvEzNWKT8-mA-sHyg0weiu33VYK-vpSZ535VD6XD4O13ATba9Zc6TmKnLMMcRHWq2l9xI84w6MzGU0VCR8htXoOA/s1600/goldearrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlw7mgkRYxS_ESRehfCKj7TDYSr-Rdbs5qyCsfs0igIALrMc_COTIvEzNWKT8-mA-sHyg0weiu33VYK-vpSZ535VD6XD4O13ATba9Zc6TmKnLMMcRHWq2l9xI84w6MzGU0VCR8htXoOA/s200/goldearrings.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eHyvW4o1h4ScJHXv7qNS0vxbx59BCUVqx10o-eBKXBjvWEgc1Ou9QiUFwm5KZKejhbjxwPIi5DJgn4bMcj5MikpNLXluWO0JZhCqpwgUbMSgmbVbmE23WN5Qxv73Tz_KpAMyNuTn6a4/s1600/necklace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eHyvW4o1h4ScJHXv7qNS0vxbx59BCUVqx10o-eBKXBjvWEgc1Ou9QiUFwm5KZKejhbjxwPIi5DJgn4bMcj5MikpNLXluWO0JZhCqpwgUbMSgmbVbmE23WN5Qxv73Tz_KpAMyNuTn6a4/s200/necklace.JPG" width="185" /></a></div><br />
Day 3: I took the afternoon off on Friday so that we could avoid traffic on the drive to Dallas. Unfortunately, there was a HORRIBLE accident involvoing two eighteen-wheelers, which made us sit in traffic for awhile, but we still made it in time for dinner. We ate at <a href="http://www.mylittlegreek.com/">Little Greek</a>. I LOVE Greek food, so I was super excited...my husband isn't the biggest fan, but he was SUCH a trooper!<br />
<br />
Day 4: My actual day of birth. The morning was spent in the kitchen prepping for Kathryn's shower. The Clark family is really important to my family, and it was really fun to do bridal showers for both Laura and Kathryn. (Laura and I have been good friends since 3rd grade, Kathryn was the reason I went to Rhodes, my sorority sister, and my roommate) The shower was a success, everything looked beautiful, and my hubby made a great bartender. Unfortunately, I burned Kathryn a CD of pictures, but forgot to burn myself one! (I will try to add pictures when I go back to Dallas in a few weeks.) After a quick nap (literally about 10 minutes) it was time for cocktails and dinner at <a href="http://www.fearingsrestaurant.com/">Fearing's Restaurant</a> at the Ritz Carlton with Scott, my parents, and our good friends Mark, Paul, and Tiffany. What an AMAZING dinner! We were at the chef's table, so we got to watch the guys at work in the kitchen while we enjoyed fabulous food and spectacular wine... and the company wasn't half bad either! ;-) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqTqLGPHZJsUX631WM7IcyTgy-oqW4CWPUSHfyJQs5saayYn_FRuF-7kRUkulZp3jD3IFAyky85jJmTT0e5d3ll7TDVG5qCAR4EO1bz14vptrN0s3sSdkdrbZth1fClwjfz_SVT5d6FI/s1600/DSC_0003+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqTqLGPHZJsUX631WM7IcyTgy-oqW4CWPUSHfyJQs5saayYn_FRuF-7kRUkulZp3jD3IFAyky85jJmTT0e5d3ll7TDVG5qCAR4EO1bz14vptrN0s3sSdkdrbZth1fClwjfz_SVT5d6FI/s200/DSC_0003+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puttin' on the Ritz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEADLKPMig17B5Y_NMLhDQQMZplEy1ErlajzhbkkSvpKSHfTfDpzJjGO6WYbifIJl0hmRc_buNuC1E_3wk3h_PGpYg4pIQGBxbDOT199tEZN-8Mhj57e6Mpt7WQgH2PfSi4OKrdb_daqA/s1600/DSC_0006+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEADLKPMig17B5Y_NMLhDQQMZplEy1ErlajzhbkkSvpKSHfTfDpzJjGO6WYbifIJl0hmRc_buNuC1E_3wk3h_PGpYg4pIQGBxbDOT199tEZN-8Mhj57e6Mpt7WQgH2PfSi4OKrdb_daqA/s200/DSC_0006+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best parents EVER!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsv18L8HJy5SqJ1E0BNqkpeKz2wyy_bydKd71WolsVDxXN8g6ggtmukhZ0xVwvPCH_9LTgyF3fOAupV1Ws9LWxyIYkXr1D1BIH3o4l9aNkSOfsVPZvlGs8D-ROlrpNlZ0wc9P91QQOvxU/s1600/DSC_0010+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsv18L8HJy5SqJ1E0BNqkpeKz2wyy_bydKd71WolsVDxXN8g6ggtmukhZ0xVwvPCH_9LTgyF3fOAupV1Ws9LWxyIYkXr1D1BIH3o4l9aNkSOfsVPZvlGs8D-ROlrpNlZ0wc9P91QQOvxU/s200/DSC_0010+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A toast to birthdays and good friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Day 5: Not really a day of "birthday" celebration, but to me, every Sunday in Dallas is a reason to celebrate. I LOVE <a href="http://www.northwaychristianchurch.org/">Northway</a>, my parent's church, and their after church tradition of lunch at <a href="http://www.elfenix.com/">El Fenix</a> is pretty awesome too! After lunch we drove home, and apparantly brought the cold weather with us! BRRR!<br />
<br />
I am thankful to the number of people who took the time to post me a note on Facebook. I was shocked and amazed at the birthday wishes from people who I hardly ever talk to anymore. I realize Facebook reminds you of birthdays, but I couldn't believe some of the people who thought I was worth the time to write a message to! It took me a long time to thank everyone! But...as grateful as I am for my Facebook messages (and the couple of text messages I got) I really miss the days when people called you and wished you happy birthday (sometimes in song) and you could actually hold a conversation with them. I almost cried when Emily took the time out of her day (which was super busy with a baby shower) to call and tell me happy birthday. That meant more to me than she will ever know. And of course, my family called me, which also made me smile! :-)<br />
<br />
So, thank you to everyone for making my birthday fantastic! (Especially since it will be the last one I will ever celebrate! haha) I love you all! <3Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-21224308213267004102011-04-23T20:34:00.000-05:002011-04-23T20:34:44.285-05:00Brushy Creek Park: Then and Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: JA;">It was a Sunday afternoon in April 2008. My friend Scott and his family were going to Brushy Creek Park, and they had wanted to "canoe" (kayak). But with three children, they had to have two kayaks and two adults. So, the kids suggested I come along...they knew I was friends with their dad, enjoyed their company, and lived close by. Having recently broken off an engagement to Mr. Wrong, I was looking for any excuse to get out of the house...and since I truly did enjoy the company of the kids and their dad, I was happy to tag along. I never expected what happened that day. On that lake, watching Scott with his kids, I fell in love. I pictured us kayaking as a family years down the road. And after Scott dropped off the kids with their mom, we went out to dinner, and shared our first kiss. And that was the day everything truly began...<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: JA;">It was a Friday afternoon in April 2011. For some reason, we had never quite made it back to Brushy Creek Park. I couldn't figure out why...the kayaks weren't expensive to rent, and the kids had asked about it forever! We loaded up in our girl boat/boy boat and set out for another adventure. Although there was no "first kiss" to mark the occasion, it was still a beautiful memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: JA;"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHXyaVGECoY7xydFTBsJiitRz_xqkoeey7JvU3s3_DEzakJUqgW7ui9asAnvi1GlbovIct9dGezve7FuvG_tyKFg_fnQWlSRPBX04X5wt2ggllH2gmQvwmRQvB_ZCxuHCfjah4QHfBXE/s1600/4-7-08+Kids+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHXyaVGECoY7xydFTBsJiitRz_xqkoeey7JvU3s3_DEzakJUqgW7ui9asAnvi1GlbovIct9dGezve7FuvG_tyKFg_fnQWlSRPBX04X5wt2ggllH2gmQvwmRQvB_ZCxuHCfjah4QHfBXE/s200/4-7-08+Kids+014.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Boat Then...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8LTh4bAOGK-hOHNbawfogB7gg59Sj2z3Nn0E1o-LVFeQueDBp5TOZzeYdSuHHeuv0RbiTtR3656bzPn09jdkql_0lC6DjGwn2XdmZZvrOLOQTZFOR-5Tysx0evIzWjW2yqoTlP43WUI/s1600/DSC01331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8LTh4bAOGK-hOHNbawfogB7gg59Sj2z3Nn0E1o-LVFeQueDBp5TOZzeYdSuHHeuv0RbiTtR3656bzPn09jdkql_0lC6DjGwn2XdmZZvrOLOQTZFOR-5Tysx0evIzWjW2yqoTlP43WUI/s200/DSC01331.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Girl Boat Now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOGZmhr6OVjea6-mYrPSncDGuOZ0SMgHIUe4txnkVnzINWx0H8R7ZKDRMLprn_SjRBN6L2NMybeAPRH7xrpWb2fXLBYd_l0nD_tk2cgKy6GLi9CKzoHKgy_pqpUzCfs02m0_6xWnP1pg/s1600/4-7-08+Kids+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOGZmhr6OVjea6-mYrPSncDGuOZ0SMgHIUe4txnkVnzINWx0H8R7ZKDRMLprn_SjRBN6L2NMybeAPRH7xrpWb2fXLBYd_l0nD_tk2cgKy6GLi9CKzoHKgy_pqpUzCfs02m0_6xWnP1pg/s200/4-7-08+Kids+019.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boy Boat Then...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiCRlkwkSzkNNSGJzn8CBXgXPNxMmZ11MAFdGWM3pMFxjNKjJ5FPnovGoGMFtcHqAS59wD5hqhqQpgdb2dJQdXkCltg2i0cy1kt-6bhVSp4zZ9lUYysMpMDhzMKXZv0XJYo5L07NzP6s/s1600/DSC01324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiCRlkwkSzkNNSGJzn8CBXgXPNxMmZ11MAFdGWM3pMFxjNKjJ5FPnovGoGMFtcHqAS59wD5hqhqQpgdb2dJQdXkCltg2i0cy1kt-6bhVSp4zZ9lUYysMpMDhzMKXZv0XJYo5L07NzP6s/s200/DSC01324.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Boy Boat Now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_jSZoJZpkbLywOMBUoWPEN6d3HI83x6cxNfe4PUJd4TNG34It38nO0GXYaX8FyQrhy5WJ_MrVyK2BKMtt-Iytvtq6ayjkhlsuvu5xwdHzk3ao0x0LNjxT-BjV4PApqv6OPo_VKvYwsw/s1600/4-7-08+Kids+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_jSZoJZpkbLywOMBUoWPEN6d3HI83x6cxNfe4PUJd4TNG34It38nO0GXYaX8FyQrhy5WJ_MrVyK2BKMtt-Iytvtq6ayjkhlsuvu5xwdHzk3ao0x0LNjxT-BjV4PApqv6OPo_VKvYwsw/s200/4-7-08+Kids+015.jpg" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaitlin Then...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0dW-g0ssArSyGlP-wkqi6PHqPK0iwd2Teiv4uU4H-Q1RVTc9_gH-rhi03oSmGp1A1EaBNEYxsh8LKyIVlCAOXRiIDKiMp-RzrZyF1U7mGXCQZzRmVVGGw6pKzcewE2ere0kXQ7PXANM/s1600/DSC01327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0dW-g0ssArSyGlP-wkqi6PHqPK0iwd2Teiv4uU4H-Q1RVTc9_gH-rhi03oSmGp1A1EaBNEYxsh8LKyIVlCAOXRiIDKiMp-RzrZyF1U7mGXCQZzRmVVGGw6pKzcewE2ere0kXQ7PXANM/s200/DSC01327.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Kaitlin Now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrtQ5eZWyfsbakU-roBnIKF1XC-yuLbt1xjUnSqMyDOEik3WApPenuRvI8vnHMdYhoddL8ZNNLXmeLsnUx0LuK2utsIl3WQ8nvhV0nRp714FNt8ootIx12KSG0Mm6pg8o_KEzCFGTp1U/s1600/4-7-08+Kids+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrtQ5eZWyfsbakU-roBnIKF1XC-yuLbt1xjUnSqMyDOEik3WApPenuRvI8vnHMdYhoddL8ZNNLXmeLsnUx0LuK2utsIl3WQ8nvhV0nRp714FNt8ootIx12KSG0Mm6pg8o_KEzCFGTp1U/s200/4-7-08+Kids+023.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harrison Then...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-Jmp6u5xhl0Lkp6IbjXrd-JrXA5oeBV3zX0gu4b90_gKB9UKfazN6bFCfGsLtcKVJLMuN9V7dm76Jwnx5EIbgI-FwBgh12ft-rxhOtjYczkMeAhxNQ3oEBf9KnCW6VPcE4x-zp4Pfho/s1600/DSC01329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-Jmp6u5xhl0Lkp6IbjXrd-JrXA5oeBV3zX0gu4b90_gKB9UKfazN6bFCfGsLtcKVJLMuN9V7dm76Jwnx5EIbgI-FwBgh12ft-rxhOtjYczkMeAhxNQ3oEBf9KnCW6VPcE4x-zp4Pfho/s200/DSC01329.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Harrison Now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1UTik4PrOtlrve6A-LgWYcOpfI5gLJzABjoPoTbvNHsoI0umK7Fk-m86qwIfWVfzX5HZSDR8PGo57PMHJkjyTf0vYbzm3ubvb_hw7-wTT2ZlsnYF4iwjpOWsbV_81waZ7VARqIjj4EM/s1600/4-7-08+Kids+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1UTik4PrOtlrve6A-LgWYcOpfI5gLJzABjoPoTbvNHsoI0umK7Fk-m86qwIfWVfzX5HZSDR8PGo57PMHJkjyTf0vYbzm3ubvb_hw7-wTT2ZlsnYF4iwjpOWsbV_81waZ7VARqIjj4EM/s200/4-7-08+Kids+020.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kennedy Then...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMn07TWmySf2fIri0IFKPQjDlnSdO-XKwviQuf_wFf7lXAUjr_j7NRsZhB54k9eSKP3LepXF_UIcvW9fOf2aA8ka3p1-J1m88pZSxKh92pNC-WrBACvxnA_R3vThDW3Jx-dCa5XUHIjg/s1600/DSC01325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMn07TWmySf2fIri0IFKPQjDlnSdO-XKwviQuf_wFf7lXAUjr_j7NRsZhB54k9eSKP3LepXF_UIcvW9fOf2aA8ka3p1-J1m88pZSxKh92pNC-WrBACvxnA_R3vThDW3Jx-dCa5XUHIjg/s200/DSC01325.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Kennedy Now</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: JA;">Then, I could never have guessed my life would have ended up this way. Now, I can't imagine it any other way. I thought I loved them then, but I KNOW I love them now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNpLS0kDbnSALg3YD3MnmgvEhVv7Pt5rjXbfUgjDrNC8ruwjBrkUXCrcW9JElmY8Z2U4sCAWd-MOG6ZOhxIwgEiT1xcOWiLetPd0SNiEdcPXVAV2rJmBFXrs4erdB_SysZrX4t46Fmuk/s1600/DSC01320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNpLS0kDbnSALg3YD3MnmgvEhVv7Pt5rjXbfUgjDrNC8ruwjBrkUXCrcW9JElmY8Z2U4sCAWd-MOG6ZOhxIwgEiT1xcOWiLetPd0SNiEdcPXVAV2rJmBFXrs4erdB_SysZrX4t46Fmuk/s200/DSC01320.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-1665492617163741052011-03-29T21:53:00.001-05:002011-03-30T08:06:33.977-05:00Ready For My BirthdayThe time between Spring Break and my birthday is always my least favorite time of year. Although it's the "downhill slope," it's also "crunch time." Emphasis on the TAKs test is heightened, and my role as teacher seems to minimize as my role as data analyst seems to maximize. Students are restless and ready for summer, and have no desire to prepare themselves for a test that you can't really "study" for. The stress level is enough to make teachers burst into tears, but (at least on most days) those tears are shielded from students' view. This year is incredibly difficult. With budget cuts and layoffs, the stress has surpassed manageable. And the worst part is....in the height of all of the stress...the "hope for next year" has been removed from the equation. You see, this is also the point where teachers <i>usually </i>begin to get excited about what next year has to offer....a little bit of sanity...the light at the end of the tunnel...that sort of thing. But, not this year. This year, next year looms over our heads like a thundercloud on an extremely humid day. You're desperate for the relief of rain, but you fear it will never come. If you are one of the lucky teachers who gets to keep their jobs, "next year" means your classes will be huge, you lose your conference time, and you will most likely add another subject or another grade level to your schedule. Yuck. I never thought the economy would get so bad that one of the most underpaid professions would suffer so much. Not only is it a strain on teachers and their families, but it's harmful to our children's futures. So, needless to say, I'm ready for my birthday. Not because it's a day to celebrate another year of my life, but because testing will be over, and summer quickly follows.Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-44184728911631143772011-03-08T17:11:00.000-06:002011-03-08T17:11:08.043-06:00"Proper" InspirationI've been a blog slacker recently, and I apologize. I just haven't been inspired to write lately. Well, that's not 100% true... but the things that I am inspired to write about are not things I want to blog about. You know how you're "not supposed" to talk about politics and religion, because those topics could be offensive? Well, that's the issue I'm having with my blog right now...I'm not going to write about the things that have made my skin boil recently, because I don't want people to be offended. I don't know who reads my blog posts once they become notes on Facebook, but I know several people I am friends with who would be offended by what I really want to write. So, to keep the peace, I don't blog.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, Spring Break will bring all the "ations" I am seeking: relaxation, motivation, and inspiration.<br />
Until then, I'm sorry that I have left you with nothing more than this.Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-60634071739087777022011-02-16T13:15:00.000-06:002011-02-16T13:15:09.051-06:00Wine and ValentinesI've never really been a Valentine's person, which is strange, because I'm a hopeless romantic. But, ever since I met Scott, Valentine's has started to grow on me. This year, I actually planned ahead and booked our favorite B&B in Fredericksburg for Valentine's weekend as his Christmas gift. We spent the weekend wandering down main street looking in all the little boutiques, drinking wine and listening to <a href="http://www.musicjeffwood.net/">Jeff Wood</a> (you should check out his music...he is AMAZING!) at <a href="http://www.grapecreek.com/">Grape Creek</a> (my favorite winery!), and just reaxing and spending time with each other. It was PERFECT!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYxkjPkcMQBoO1M-5o5YNj8LLYlLqLUDCCcRG4cF3Rdsw5qHrAeZ7T2J-b9ONKgmvwauFrC1WY8zYim-0kazI6f-biQkpoZVqIrLsR_jjnoImizFKpICbz3T5yX9rqSUPoQ93L5K1EjM/s1600/us.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYxkjPkcMQBoO1M-5o5YNj8LLYlLqLUDCCcRG4cF3Rdsw5qHrAeZ7T2J-b9ONKgmvwauFrC1WY8zYim-0kazI6f-biQkpoZVqIrLsR_jjnoImizFKpICbz3T5yX9rqSUPoQ93L5K1EjM/s200/us.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3 Me and My Valentine <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u4ndyGU3p4s8NwS2ybQttoJja4AnMB8fMJbkkZYwYUS6UGpLUiw6p_mrAZ3-ZOkNyt25VwpJVoPU6v_Nbnr2_2WK_wM-ueL3g_zs6_p63twu81NjY2Nbtleu1HLEZqmRvqI0xCxj6J8/s1600/luckenbach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5u4ndyGU3p4s8NwS2ybQttoJja4AnMB8fMJbkkZYwYUS6UGpLUiw6p_mrAZ3-ZOkNyt25VwpJVoPU6v_Nbnr2_2WK_wM-ueL3g_zs6_p63twu81NjY2Nbtleu1HLEZqmRvqI0xCxj6J8/s200/luckenbach.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing says "romance" like a corn dog in Luckenbach! ;-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoPPWnPIRtRCBznPcqq0nTJDK5HWRYkI2hV9FOKLBcavxHRMwZWVHA9k0xX7iywkUx4TSFUzRgE0P7ty98R0981YJ6w6HIhIYv1K32X1xGch3Q65iD6cXzwSBVMc5859IIaObfjWx2sA/s1600/earl.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoPPWnPIRtRCBznPcqq0nTJDK5HWRYkI2hV9FOKLBcavxHRMwZWVHA9k0xX7iywkUx4TSFUzRgE0P7ty98R0981YJ6w6HIhIYv1K32X1xGch3Q65iD6cXzwSBVMc5859IIaObfjWx2sA/s200/earl.PNG" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing..."Big Earl"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For those of you who don't watch Cougar Town, you won't understand how amazingly wonderful my husband is for getting me this gift. It's my own personal version of Courtney Cox's "Big Carl" but yet, as you can see, mine is decorated and super cute.</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-76733320423002824182011-02-03T21:05:00.001-06:002011-02-18T10:57:30.922-06:00Love My LaurensI read Facebook and blog posts about my friends’ supper clubs and game nights, and sometimes I wish we had a routine like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we do that every once in awhile, but we hardly have time to spend on ourselves…much less other couples!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Lately, I've even started to wonder how many true friends I actually have.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">I've got plenty of friends on Facebook. And yes, I like to see pictures of their cute kids and read their updates when I'm bored, but the friendship doesn't go any further than that. And yes, I greatly appreciate the fact that this social network has been able to "reconnect" with "lost friends," but the majority are merely acquaintances.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">I grew up in one town, went to college in another, and now live in a third...so, my friends are scattered across the map. Which is great when you can afford a vacation, but what about when you need a shoulder to cry on, or you just want to hold your best friend’s adorable baby? It gets a little depressing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">Now, I'm not saying I don't have great friends here, because I do. And I've cut and pasted and re-drafted this post over and over again so that I (hopefully) don't offend a friend of mine that reads it. But, sometimes, we need to ask ourselves, what does it mean to be a friend? And who are our true friends who would be there when no one else would?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;">I have two friends that I would do anything for, and I know that they would also do the same for me. And oddly enough, both of their names are Lauren. One I met in college, while the other one I've known since preschool. (My second oldest friend. The oldest was also named Lauren...what is it with me and that name?!?... but she moved to California in elementary school, and we hadn't been in touch in years other than Christmas cards since reunited on Facebook...but I digress...) So, since it's almost Valentine's day, and I probably don't tell them often enough, I thought I'd share how important my Laurens are to me.<br />
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No matter how hard I try to remember, I can't tell you how Lauren (aka LJ) and I met, or why we started hanging out. We had many mutual friends, Sam in particular, so she probably had something to do with it. But what I do know is that we were insepearable our senior year. I remember having cocktails in the Trezevant courtyard and sending her off to the counseling center with a rice cake and a buzz. (That was the problem with 3pm counseling sessions on beautiful sunny days. Luckily, my appointments were always in the morning, <em>before</em> we decided it was 5 o'clock somewhere!) I spent more nights sleeping on her futon than in my own bed. Graduation came, and I moved 10 hours away. Since neither of us are "phone people," it was almost inevitable that the friendship would suffer... <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UOuepNYFYrAuqFQNnJeeSqYjtMD7vgdiCBzEfMjJ6eSrZVjA6KuP9u4QBgYnuTvnVsz-nDsNV4bC2b6bpO74ykjJSlVhAlmHNx0PJH5E2461e92WzpltUORit7nLi6cllXsW1iFBYPI/s1600/LJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UOuepNYFYrAuqFQNnJeeSqYjtMD7vgdiCBzEfMjJ6eSrZVjA6KuP9u4QBgYnuTvnVsz-nDsNV4bC2b6bpO74ykjJSlVhAlmHNx0PJH5E2461e92WzpltUORit7nLi6cllXsW1iFBYPI/s400/LJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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On the other hand, I knew exactly where I was when I met Lauren Sinclair: The Children's Center preschool. There were five of us that played together (I think most of us all carpooled too). When it was time for kindergarten, Lauren H moved away, Lauren S and Sara went to private school, and Banner and I went to public school. Every year, Lauren would come to my birthday party (my mom threw the BEST birthday parties!) and we would run into each other somewhere random. One year it was buying our dad's suits at Culwell and Son, one year it was at Foot Locker, it was strange. Once we finally were able to drive, we pre-arranged the annual "run-ins." Now, our scheduled visits don't always happen yearly...sometimes we happen to be in the same place at the same time more often than once a year (especially when all of us were getting married), but this December it had been two years since I had last seen her...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwi2_AsAuzaAV1V8EPXxIoYWLY0kv6SGXEIVoRrGqA5iyNETN_Sd9FBBmKuhKnqJp_oHjz54L39nXQ6AqbVc05kiljxnG7YWME2WARrkDcPDbbbKiBc3mCFGjMCKNPXOPBrbIHkOsJPE/s1600/lauren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwi2_AsAuzaAV1V8EPXxIoYWLY0kv6SGXEIVoRrGqA5iyNETN_Sd9FBBmKuhKnqJp_oHjz54L39nXQ6AqbVc05kiljxnG7YWME2WARrkDcPDbbbKiBc3mCFGjMCKNPXOPBrbIHkOsJPE/s400/lauren.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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But here's the thing about my Laurens: TIME DOESN'T MATTER. Hours, days, years can pass, and we pick up right where we left off. That's the beauty of our relationships. That's what makes them true friends.<br />
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So, thank you, my dear Laurens, for being the truest of friends. I love you both.</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-19476758186561551162011-01-20T15:36:00.001-06:002011-01-20T15:37:28.070-06:00Glued to the TubeSince TV shows seem to be the latest blog topic (ex: <a href="http://knickknackpatyrak.blogspot.com/2011/01/tube.html">Staci</a> and <a href="http://randirambles.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-promise-i-am-not-bad-blogger-i-am.html">Randi</a>), I figured that I would hop on the bandwagon and post about my favorites as well.<br />
<br />
Currently, our DVR is recording the following series: <br />
American Idol, Castle, Cougar Town, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Hawaii Five-O, House, How I Met Your Mother, Mike and Molly, Modern Family, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, The Bachelor, Toddlers and Tiaras, and V.<br />
<br />
Our DVR also is scheduled to record these series when they air:<br />
24, Dancing with the Stars, Flash Forward, HGTV Design Star, My Boys, Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance, and The Sing Off.<br />
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Holy cow...22 shows! That's rediculous. Thank goodness we stopped recording all the different versions of CSI and Law and Order! There are some series we record that I refuse to watch, like Toddlers and Tiaras (recorded for the girls), 24, and V (my husband's "guilty pleasures"). There are also some series that I enjoy, but don't really watch, like House and Castle. The kids love Extreme Makeover, Design Star, and Project Runway, so, they're reserved for "family viewings." So that leaves ME responsible for the recording of...14 shows. Yikes! Well, maybe 13, because I'm not too optimistic about this season of American Idol... Or 12, because I don't think Flash Forward is coming back on... And The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars, and So You think you can Dance never air at the same time, so that makes 10, right?!<br />
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Here are my current top 5:<br />
(I think...maybe...wow, ranking them is really hard)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">5. How I Met Your Mother</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhXqYcjvUgnSySrDZYrqgdEbY9Jw7kvgFqL05VEInpbVeZH3CgwYo3wO2AAKJq1clFjJc3mO14JAMXb2tWjGRa6uQgrhrHmTSDkJ5NekBZvMjKbRcrzJnJUfXWEK-p0IExWlo3pzhTao/s1600/howmetmother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhXqYcjvUgnSySrDZYrqgdEbY9Jw7kvgFqL05VEInpbVeZH3CgwYo3wO2AAKJq1clFjJc3mO14JAMXb2tWjGRa6uQgrhrHmTSDkJ5NekBZvMjKbRcrzJnJUfXWEK-p0IExWlo3pzhTao/s1600/howmetmother.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barney is just too funny!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">4. NCIS: LA </div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33lkkrqA4QIlW_Xpdgt_b7MXhxYMkiAFKOGbm13xF27ZD4ByRb2mZPfsYTFLPmwL_UUlTX_UQJZNCqldC5ninXwbmSJxkRzR-BlvozHt_H7Vcvmqpyq_OQP8so4MISzeCMu-RNSrr3j8/s1600/ncis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33lkkrqA4QIlW_Xpdgt_b7MXhxYMkiAFKOGbm13xF27ZD4ByRb2mZPfsYTFLPmwL_UUlTX_UQJZNCqldC5ninXwbmSJxkRzR-BlvozHt_H7Vcvmqpyq_OQP8so4MISzeCMu-RNSrr3j8/s1600/ncis.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beats out the original NCIS because of its phenomenal character development.<br />
...and because Chris O'Donnell is hot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3. Modern Family </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7iIsMihyphenhyphen1DVPY-6wBaJnv-mHhwoNaS7Qr-9Llewv9kcDoPH3e5y4ieMdK76ejT8Kd1Q9JCbtCKE2sUiFaIa5GKcuW9HeRUjKCgnajATQg3MPQpAg6nOeRsqxdmim2QC_KrKED6sxzmM/s1600/modernfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7iIsMihyphenhyphen1DVPY-6wBaJnv-mHhwoNaS7Qr-9Llewv9kcDoPH3e5y4ieMdK76ejT8Kd1Q9JCbtCKE2sUiFaIa5GKcuW9HeRUjKCgnajATQg3MPQpAg6nOeRsqxdmim2QC_KrKED6sxzmM/s1600/modernfamily.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puts the fun in dysfunctional!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">2. Cougar Town</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg9TxWjy9cOK8-VtWmi6qNpe_lXBHQsYJaIKLCwMRX0K-LOPT0H9E3am-2kAzd-20QaqUPinqLl70IT3bJUNgaLlnYTVA7eEju-UwcruQa3aQsOWorMBU77NVATa4WxhKZUIgc-58KVA/s1600/cougartown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAg9TxWjy9cOK8-VtWmi6qNpe_lXBHQsYJaIKLCwMRX0K-LOPT0H9E3am-2kAzd-20QaqUPinqLl70IT3bJUNgaLlnYTVA7eEju-UwcruQa3aQsOWorMBU77NVATa4WxhKZUIgc-58KVA/s1600/cougartown.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A show revolving around drinking wine...need I say more?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">1. Mike and Molly</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0auv-WYHWChwENMzPlCub3XFbOCjjF-Jr7B8RNS8aG4nJ3ZydO9dJyZc6SceZw0FpJqZETkJW8gAgu_tbEdKNRxzzLdiBBbVytbUeOVQn4-8uBZ326Uwro3AY4VOCr2amt2Vj1imkfVA/s1600/mikemolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0auv-WYHWChwENMzPlCub3XFbOCjjF-Jr7B8RNS8aG4nJ3ZydO9dJyZc6SceZw0FpJqZETkJW8gAgu_tbEdKNRxzzLdiBBbVytbUeOVQn4-8uBZ326Uwro3AY4VOCr2amt2Vj1imkfVA/s1600/mikemolly.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cute romantic comedy.<br />
Best part: my husband loves it too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But then, my heart reminds me that those are just my top 5 <em>recorded</em> shows. What about all the shows on the Travel Channel, or Food Network, or the Cooking Channel?! The ones that don't get recorded, because there's no way I can convince Scott to watch them with me on a regular basis?! Don't they deserve a list, too?! Yes, probably. But not today. Because I have just come to the realization that I am addicted to television. Now I'm depressed. <em>Sigh.</em>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-41522836961116091912011-01-14T10:07:00.000-06:002011-01-14T10:07:35.076-06:00Found PoetrySo, my students are studying poetry in class right now. Not my favorite unit to teach, because they have a difficult time understanding all the elements and figurative language. But, some of my favorite writing lessons are a part of this unit. Today, we are doing my all-time favorite lesson: found poetry. Last week, they cut out words/phrases in magazines that appealed to them. That was the only instruction they were given...except that they would be using the words later. Today is that day. Using the words they cut out, plus up to five additional words, they are to create a poem. It's amazing to see how the words unintentionally fit together to make creative masterpieces. Here are the three I created this year:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjfzqJJtXGb9xQN4QkPqU9VLynpN2BZCpYRj9imnTY0tkBsJULeourqDGLy4expPrlTtHVuvMhRfjCElmspbifWGAt5npnuKq7eL3y9B3DUUv1hd0oMxPU165rfFas-WY9RSDIkLyfcg/s1600/foodpoem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjfzqJJtXGb9xQN4QkPqU9VLynpN2BZCpYRj9imnTY0tkBsJULeourqDGLy4expPrlTtHVuvMhRfjCElmspbifWGAt5npnuKq7eL3y9B3DUUv1hd0oMxPU165rfFas-WY9RSDIkLyfcg/s1600/foodpoem.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happiness is good food</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like crazy delicious cheese, cupcakes, bacon, Starbucks Coffe, and tasty tea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eat your heart out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHNEwEy5mYk2TXrn2_UeSlx79D7ivwO81sJvumEeDupUrlzM618P_8PO-f7OXiV-SAZhKGezb5eINI-1KzCC9HAeqOm0iAEHTKYLY8v04NHi6hHia24QmSDXTkjl5cVUeIb3cfJeYXSE/s1600/mompoem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHNEwEy5mYk2TXrn2_UeSlx79D7ivwO81sJvumEeDupUrlzM618P_8PO-f7OXiV-SAZhKGezb5eINI-1KzCC9HAeqOm0iAEHTKYLY8v04NHi6hHia24QmSDXTkjl5cVUeIb3cfJeYXSE/s1600/mompoem.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This Mom's Life:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Genius organizing, crayons and fresh laundry, shopping by mail, family dinners, good reads, tub therapy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">...A dream come true!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTKm_5EmQLRbAhQUHBaQQpgZHxMCr1r6AVD_QVUR4DvRC6PjlOf3_cMEmtOAw4OaIW58ykaYJAWKftwElzTVhGRL063RSwnPHfIV6D2sJThNKK3FJnEdlXAYIaiNUxGpv_QhmJwun7x0/s1600/lynettepoem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTKm_5EmQLRbAhQUHBaQQpgZHxMCr1r6AVD_QVUR4DvRC6PjlOf3_cMEmtOAw4OaIW58ykaYJAWKftwElzTVhGRL063RSwnPHfIV6D2sJThNKK3FJnEdlXAYIaiNUxGpv_QhmJwun7x0/s1600/lynettepoem.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Best Friends:</div><div style="text-align: center;">The perfect pairing, an incredible journey, good advice.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She was sassy, fabulous, flawless; loved her faith and family.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But she's in Heaven now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Why?</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-57333795499251119522011-01-09T18:26:00.001-06:002011-01-09T18:27:31.718-06:00I Don't Get ItI am a middle school teacher. I also have a 14 year-old-stepdaughter. So, I am around teens/preteens A LOT! I see how they act in the hallway. I see how they act in the classroom. I see what they post on Facebook. And almost daily, one of them does something that completely baffles me. So, I decided to compile a list of the five things that perplexes me most about today's teenagers. <br />
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1. Photographs<br />
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Kaitlin hates us taking her picture. Now, part of this I understand, because she's desperate to have her braces off, and I remember not wanting my picture taken with braces, either. But when my parents wanted pictures of holidays or vacations, I would oblige without too much of a fuss (example: there's a <em>really</em> horrible picture of me in Virginia with my head in a cardboard cow...now that's a good daughter!). I have to practically beg Kaitlin to let me or Scott take a picture of her! And if I post any pictures of her on Facebook (even if they're professionally taken) and "tag" her in it, 90% of the time she removes the tag. And she's GORGEOUS, so you know they're not "bad pictures" (like she claims)! I would NEVER post anything that I thought made her look bad! BUT...(and here's where the bafflement comes in)...she and her friends (and many other teens I know) will post hundreds of pictures they took of themselves...posing in the mirror with their phone as the camera, making rediculous faces, etc., many of which aren't the most flattering pictures... So, why the fuss over a <em>decent </em>picture with an amazing camera?!?<br />
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2. Facebook Friends<br />
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So, I randomly selected 5 of my Facebook friends my age and averaged their number of friends: 524<br />
I then found 5 of my Facebook friends who are under 18 and averaged their number of friends: 692<br />
Why is our average lower?! We've been around longer, had more experiences, made friends in college...we should know more people! Here's the difference: I <em>personally</em> know ALL of my friends. I can say this with complete honesty, because I went through and double-checked each and every friend....all 637 of them! Now, some I haven't talked to since middle school, but that's a different post (coming next week, I hope). But, teens will be friends with people they don't know (which is actually pretty scary to me!). (Example: Suzy adds Billy, because they're both friends with Katie, but the only reason Katie was friends with Billy was because he's Jason's cousin's older brother...or something along those lines.) And I <em>know</em> they don't know all of their Facebook friends because they'll play those "like this status and I'll..." games, and will "like" the status of someone they don't know! So, then that person writes something on their wall along the lines of "I don't know you, but....you're really pretty." Why? I don't get it...I really don't.<br />
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3. "Text Me"<br />
<br />
I see "Text me" posts ALL OVER Facebook. I don't get it. What is that person supposed to text you? "Ok, I texted you, now what?" If you want to have a conversation with that person, here's an idea: TEXT THEM! And, while I'm on the subject of texting, here's a few more: constant and anti-social texting. I realize that when I was in middle school and high school I was on the phone for hours a day. But not ALL of them. Besides, you had to be. You couldn't just send out a mass text to all your friends and tell them you and Bobby broke up...you had to call each one individually (or, if you were lucky, you could talk to two friends on three-way) and explain the story and discuss the story with each phone call. So if you condense all of those phone calls, it was probably close to one hour of total conversation. But people text from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to bed. I don't understand how they have so much to say! (Then again, I don't have much to say and am attempting to write a blog, go figure!) And, what's even more odd to me is that groups of teens will get together and text...not talking to each other at all! Are they texting each other? Who knows! What's the point of wasting the gas to drive over to someone else's house when face-to-face communication is not occuring? Save the money...stay home. Text them.<br />
<br />
4. Apathy<br />
<br />
My students don't care about ANYTHING! They don't turn in homework; they don't do work in class....they can't even bring a pencil to class on a daily basis! Calling home doesn't seem to phase them, and they're happy to be sent to SAC (in-school suspension). They don't put forth any effort, and are therefore willing to fail a class and make their parents pay for summer school. Are you kidding me?!? My parents would have <i>killed</i> me for any of the above!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">5. Sagging Skinny Jeans</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Rediculously self-explanatory.</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-78553050026497228012011-01-06T15:41:00.000-06:002011-01-06T15:41:43.379-06:00G Free: is it for me?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42qg2Vog0axD1irsGsHk2ev0c-RJDsSZOnXaGT5zrRLSIj6AAVlIC1hFp_uRmV6SiPs_iah1AAA7XUd1fX35zneU7akWgPTu87G4srpno0WCT8oFeZ3NBJb0dm52ktFzW_4FP73tL_mE/s1600/gfree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42qg2Vog0axD1irsGsHk2ev0c-RJDsSZOnXaGT5zrRLSIj6AAVlIC1hFp_uRmV6SiPs_iah1AAA7XUd1fX35zneU7akWgPTu87G4srpno0WCT8oFeZ3NBJb0dm52ktFzW_4FP73tL_mE/s1600/gfree.jpg" /></a>So, my friend Randi decided to go gluten-free. (You can read about her adventures <a href="http://randirambles.blogspot.com/">here</a>) As any language-arts-teaching, book-loving, nerd would do when making a life decision like that, she bought several books on the topic. As many of you know, my stepdaughter Kennedy, is also gluten-free, diagnosed with Celiac's disease right before our wedding. I have often made two separate meals when the kids are with us...one "normal" and one for her, and have just recently started toying with the idea of going completely gluten-free when they are with us, or maybe even going completely gluten-free. As any two friends who share a passion do,we've shared: ideas, recipes, and finally...books! She recently finished reading <em>The G Free Diet: A Gluten Free Survival Guide</em> by Elisabeth Hasselbeck (<em>Survivo</em>r and <em>The View</em>) and has passed it on to me. Since not all of you reading this are nerds like us, I decided to post the Cliff's Notes version of what I've learned, just in case you were curious. :-)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div> </div></div>Celiac's Disease:<br />
<ul><li>It is genetic.</li>
<li>It is NOT an allergy - it is a condition that causes a toxic reaction to gluten.</li>
<li>It can cause things such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, infertility, and miscarriage, even if you don't know you have the disease!</li>
<li>Symptoms can go unnoticed for many years, and are not developed until some sort of physical or emotional trauma activates the condition.</li>
</ul>Gluten:<br />
<ul><li>A protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that is the sticky, binding substance that holds things such as bread together.</li>
<li>An all-purpose stabilizer and thickener that can be found in a wide variety of products.</li>
<li>Hidden sources: beer, flavored coffee, gravy, beauty products, envelope adhesive, play-doh</li>
<li>"Wheat-free" does not mean "gluten-free"</li>
</ul>Going Gluten-Free:<br />
<ul><li>Replace, don't remove: Substitute gluten with alternatives, don't just eliminate breads and/or carbs.</li>
<li>Check out websites such as <a href="http://www.glutenfreegirl.com/">http://www.glutenfreegirl.com/</a>.</li>
<li>Naturally gluten-free foods: fruits, veggies, meats, nuts, dairy products, vanilla, spices, popcorn, chocolate, butter, oils, vinegar, sweeteners</li>
<li>Replace gluten with things such as corn (cornmeal, corn flower, cornstarch), rice, and tapioca (Elisabeth's list is MUCH longer, but these are the most common household items, and what we use at our house)</li>
<li>Gluten-free foods take longer to cook.</li>
<li>Take your own snacks to parties: either a "party pack" large enough for everyone to share, or a snack slipped into your pocket to be eaten discreetly.</li>
<li>If eating at a restaurant, be polite, be specific when you order, and always leave a generous tip. Look online for a gluten-free menu before leaving the house, or don't hesitate to ask about the gluten-free options.</li>
<li>Because a gluten-free diet often introduces more grains into your eating habits, you receive more nutrients.</li>
</ul>Gluten-Free Recommendations (taste tested in our kitchen):<br />
<ul><li>Chex and Pebbles cereals</li>
<li>Ian's Fish Sticks and Chicken Nuggets</li>
<li>Van's Waffles and French Toast Sticks</li>
<li>Glutino Pretzel Sticks</li>
<li>Ener G Foods Light Tapioca Bread</li>
<li>Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix</li>
<li>Bisquick Pancake Mix</li>
<li>Annie's Cheddar Mac and Cheese</li>
<li>De Boles Rice Pasta</li>
<li>S'Better Farms Corn Dogs</li>
<li>K-Toos Cookies (Gluten-free Oreos)</li>
</ul>Gluten-Free Recoomendations (from Elisabeth):<br />
<ul><li>Spaghetti squash</li>
<li>Pamela's Cookies</li>
<li>Pirate's Booty (especially the cheese puffs)</li>
<li>Kettle Chips</li>
<li>Bob's Red Mill</li>
<li>Mary's Gone Crackers</li>
<li>Babycakes NYC (I saw them on the Food Network...wonder if they deliver to Texas...)</li>
</ul>HEB actually has a pretty decent gluten-free stock...otherwise I head to Sprouts or Whole Foods. You can also go to <a href="http://www.glutenfreegrocer.com/">http://www.glutenfreegrocer.com/</a>. When I find something that Kennedy really likes, I check <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a>...often I can buy in bulk for MUCH cheaper.<br />
<br />
Favorite Quotes:<br />
<ul><li>"Tomorrow is the best remedy for a terrible today."</li>
<li>"Living without gluten does NOT mean giving up your passion for food."</li>
<li>"Often, people are more open-minded about new foods AFTER they've tasted them. So surprise your family members - and don't hesitate to be sneaky!"</li>
<li>"Don't eat a bite just to be polite!"</li>
</ul>I really enjoyed reading that book, and if you have decided to look into the gluten-free lifestyle, I would highly recommend it. Am I going to force my whole family to go gluten-free? No. I will still keep the gluten/gluten-free "option" available when it is easy and convenient. If having that option would make me feel like a "made-to-order" cook, then yes, that meal will probably end up completely gluten-free. As for myself, I think I might just give it a try. I don't know if Kennedy feels singled out because of her Celiac's...she doesn't seem to be bothered by it, but we also don't really talk about it much. But, whether or not she does, it's always nice to have someone who's in the same boat as you are. Besides, if it really will give me more energy, better my attention span, and potentally get rid of my headaches and prevent illnesses, why not?Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-44432046680894837092011-01-04T21:56:00.000-06:002011-01-04T21:56:05.276-06:00Winter Jam ResolutionOk, so with New Years and resolutions and everything, there are all kinds of 14-, 30-, etc. day challenges being promoted...blah, blah, blah...whatever. But this morning, I was listening to 92.1 K-LOVE and heard a challenge that I thought was worth honoring: listen to nothing but Christian music for 30 days and see how your perspective changes. I'm excited about this for several reasons:<br />
1. I have been a church camp counselor for many years, and an "exec" committee member prior to that, so my contemporary Christian CD library from the late 1990's to the early 2000's is pretty extensive. So, when I'm listening to the radio and decide I don't want to listen to the talk any more, the CD that is in my disc changer will most likely bring back fond memories.<br />
2. I might finally know some of the newest contemporary songs that are being sung at Celebration, so that I can sing along and not look like a fool just staring at the lyrics on the jumbo-tron.<br />
3. I have an excuse. I have been listening to 96.7 recently to help my "cool" status - both in the middle school teacher AND stepmom realm. Although the tunes are catchy and the lyrics are sometimes decent, I still cringe every time my youngest children (both under age 10) sing "let's go all the way tonight" with Katy Perry...silently praying they don't really understand what she means.<br />
I have always enjoyed Christian music, so I don't think it will be difficult limiting myself based on music....one of my resolutions is to spend more time in conversation with God, so maybe the songs I hear will be a sign from Him...and I've been needing/wanting a perspective on life change...so, bring it on! I look forward to what the next 30 days have to offer! (Especially if it includes lots of Michael W. Smith...his voice is amazing, and his blue eyes are, well, also amazing!) :-)Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-84187681413198901062010-12-27T15:09:00.000-06:002010-12-27T15:09:15.412-06:00Resolutions in AdvanceWow. I can't believe I haven't posted since August...so much has happened since then! I was thinking about posting all of the "highlights" I've "missed" this year, but then that isn't really what a true blog is for.... so I decided that those things just won't make it into the blog. This year has been crazy busy, and I regret that I haven't had the time to devote much time to my "me-time" passions of reading, blogging, and scrapbooking.<br />
<br />
Everyone has a hard time keeping New Year's resolutions. It's especially hard for me, because I don't even MAKE them. Well, I've decided all that changes this year...I am making resolutions. And I am posting them, so that I will also keep said resolutions. I figure if something's in writing, and published to where others can read, it's more likely to happen. So, here goes nothing:<br />
<br />
2011 New Year's Resolutions <br />
<br />
1. I will make time for myself. I will regularly update my blog. I will start scrapbooking again (at least get my wedding and honeymoon album finished!). I will read...I have a nook that hasn't been touched since school started...it's time to use it!<br />
2. I will start exercising. My husband and I will take regular walks. If the weather's bad, or the temperature is too hot/cold, I will use one of my new Wii games<br />
3. I will stop drinking carbonated beverages. I'm not supposed to anyway. Ok, if' I'm desperately craving a soda, I will at least pour it in a glass and let it go flat first.<br />
4. I will have regular conversations with God. Not just at church. Or when I want something. Or before meals.<br />
5. I will spend time with friends. Thanks to Facebook, I can keep up with my friends' lives, but I need to spend time with THEM, not the computer. If they live far away, I will call. If they live in town, we will have dinner parties, games... something. Connections that were once strong seem weak, and I think it's because lives are busy...but they should never be too busy!<br />
<br />
Wish me luck, it's gonna take a lot of work... but I think if I manage to keep my resolutions all year long, 2011 will be the best one yet!Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-68935407033693828332010-08-09T10:33:00.000-05:002010-08-09T10:33:57.001-05:00Stepmom Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0suSOrTY5be8j25xK71fPzK31oLfZudtp3Y84c0cSAydLhWFIPn8pLsfJ3r5aSzBJBuQjelidvsjHCCeeIv4JIejYoOHEUZbpXcVGJNmKN7OxHvBRzBWZ3bRh-zMJpHKT2r388XMCMc/s1600/stepmom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0suSOrTY5be8j25xK71fPzK31oLfZudtp3Y84c0cSAydLhWFIPn8pLsfJ3r5aSzBJBuQjelidvsjHCCeeIv4JIejYoOHEUZbpXcVGJNmKN7OxHvBRzBWZ3bRh-zMJpHKT2r388XMCMc/s200/stepmom.jpg" width="153" /></a></div><em>Stepmom</em> has always been one of my favorite movies, but I can't put my finger on why. Maybe it's the all-star cast, or the connections I made with the moments dealing with cancer, or that despite the box of kleenex I go through while watching, it is still a romantic comedy. Or maybe it was the way I could distance myself from the plotline, because I never dreamed it could happen to me...I would never be divorced or a stepmom....<br />
<br />
Oops! Wrong! Enter reality, I AM a stepmom!<br />
<br />
I remember watching the movie when Scott and I first got married, and counting my blessings that life was NOTHING like that! A year later, I'm still counting my blessings, but there are some moments when I feel like I could be a part of the film.<br />
<br />
Take the stepdaughter for example...she hates Julia Roberts' character. Kaitlin and I used to have such a strong bond. Not only was I her stepmom, but I was also a friend, someone she would talk about her day with and confide in, and spend quality time with, but lately she has become a typical teen, talking about hating her parents....but not all four of us it seems...at least she didn't make hating her Mom and Mark public knowledge like she did about hating coming to our house. (That's the thing about technology today...when I "hated" my mom, I would tell my friends and there would be no paper trail...nowadays with texting, myspace, and facebook (and even this blog) everything is in writing and visible.) So does she hate me like in the film? Highly doubtful. Did she truly mean everything she said about us and our house? Probably not. Does that make it any less painful? Unfortunately, no.<br />
<br />
Then there's the whole concert scene...when Julia Roberts is trying to reach out to the stepdaughter and asks to take her to a Pearl Jam concert, but Susan Serandon tells her not on a school night, and then gets the tickets herself and her daughter loves her that much more... Well, this weekend was supposed to be our weekend with the kids. It was also Longhorn Night at the Dell Diamond. Jen and Mark asked to switch weekends because they had been invited to the lake with neighbors. Since the lake trumps baseball in the kids' eyes (except maybe Harrison's), we switched. So, imagine our surprise when we looked in the box above our seats and saw Kaitlin and Kennedy! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Jen sabatoged me like Susan Serandon did by any means....she had NO idea we were going to take the kids to the game, mainly because we don't like to share many of our plans with the kids so they're not extremely disappointed if something comes up. But it still hurts to see them do something special with their mom they were supposed to be doing with us.<br />
<br />
But, not all of the resemblences to the movies are negative: I take great pride when I pick them up at their mom's house and see a picture I took framed on the mantle. And besides, they ultimately become one bing happy, cooperative, extended family in the end...and that's what makes all the ups and downs worth it...so hopefully our story can one day end as so many have before:<br />
and we all lived happily ever after.Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-87083546396914875492010-08-06T17:25:00.000-05:002010-08-06T17:25:47.058-05:00Wine WeekendBetween summer school and the kids, Scott and I didn't get much of a "break", so we decided we needed a weekend getaway. What better place to go than Fredericksburg and the wineries of the Texas Hill Country?! We stayed in the cutest little house just outside Stonewall near Becker Vineyard. It was AMAZING...and surprisingly no more expensive than a regular hotel room. I HIGHLY recommend it if you're planning a trip to the Hill Country!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ad_2uY2vr_slLvSAOZW9M7nCG2ccFDtidGi3OqPF7GzEfxS_4pxuvrDdE6DqxPbv6gtAXsglFOsbdOEeeynQy7UzM-NC5ecoHhazgQQ8YdV8qmRXLVyB4MhAOgT8oleI_yxbMu1ildw/s1600/DSCN3766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ad_2uY2vr_slLvSAOZW9M7nCG2ccFDtidGi3OqPF7GzEfxS_4pxuvrDdE6DqxPbv6gtAXsglFOsbdOEeeynQy7UzM-NC5ecoHhazgQQ8YdV8qmRXLVyB4MhAOgT8oleI_yxbMu1ildw/s200/DSCN3766.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The beautiful jet tub to welcome the sunrise.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, we decided to hit every winery on the official "Wine Road 290." At each winery, we either split a tasting, or if there were several wines we wanted to try, we each got our own...making sure to get different wines, and splitting those too. We calculated that together we tried almost 100 wines (combining the wines tasted on both Saturday and Sunday)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below are my thoughts of the wineries we visited Saturday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Texas Hills Winery: Great wine, casual tasting setting, best deal for your $</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pedernales Cellars: Interesting flavors are brought out, making their wine fantastic! I really wish it was sold in stores....at least it's not too far away for another trip!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Woodrose Winery: The tasting was in a dance hall with the most beautiful wood floor...think it would be really fun to make a trip there when the dance hall is up and running. Very good wine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Becker Vineyard: What a disappointment! All of my friends talked up this vineyard, but it was extremely impersonal, the wine was good, but not great... and they charge more per bottle at the vineyard than I pay for it at HEB!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Torre de Pietra: One of my two favorites. Loved everything I tried. Deciding which bottle to buy was the worst part of this vineyard! I would go back in a heartbeat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grape Creek Vineyard: The other favorite. If I were to join any of the vineyards' wine clubs, it would be this one. I didn't try anything that I didn't like...and would love to have any of them delivered to my door! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Fredericksburg Winery: Not the best way to end a day of tasting. Their wines were mediocre at best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnnGq_XlUq3vj9PP89vXLVP1kLhENet0bms2Ph9bY1WpOTk0GxlemyVmqa5E0xr3HWCIH4XkmrIMaTvMsRzb8vXCnS560sBSTUehRH7BktNNmjXbGWvk-ehX-ChhsKkEggsRZ0AUKyUo/s1600/DSCN3794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnnGq_XlUq3vj9PP89vXLVP1kLhENet0bms2Ph9bY1WpOTk0GxlemyVmqa5E0xr3HWCIH4XkmrIMaTvMsRzb8vXCnS560sBSTUehRH7BktNNmjXbGWvk-ehX-ChhsKkEggsRZ0AUKyUo/s200/DSCN3794.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Touring the wineries...what number was this?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were also able to meet up with Paul and Tiffany, in part of her "uncelebration" of her birthday. We met them for dinner on Saturday night, and then spent the day with them on Sunday. We visited the last winery on Wine Road 290, Rancho Ponte, and then headed into Sisterdale to visit Sister Creek. Both had some extremely yummy wine, but didn't quite make my favorites list. Afterwards, we headed to Luckenbach, and ate the most delicious fried food while listening to a local band. Luckenbach is seriously in the middle of nowhere, and there's absolutely nothing to it, but yet I absolutely loved being there!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMkPh_rb6Hd8UyVr7wlpPrplPRH9Q1jl3XbMJkz9afLdsRqxzQHauTeHjTIL0V0URzROWAGQvAsnVs1ttjOO3ZhX7HAHy6pGGiTqASC9sp4VBnn2OfUewcYhPKO7RWBD7MbOsNl84YcI/s1600/DSCN3803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMkPh_rb6Hd8UyVr7wlpPrplPRH9Q1jl3XbMJkz9afLdsRqxzQHauTeHjTIL0V0URzROWAGQvAsnVs1ttjOO3ZhX7HAHy6pGGiTqASC9sp4VBnn2OfUewcYhPKO7RWBD7MbOsNl84YcI/s200/DSCN3803.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyone is someone in Luckenbach...even us!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stopped at Flat Creek Winery in Marble Falls on our way home Sunday afternoon...I would really like to go back there again and visit the grounds when we're not hot, exhausted, and ready to get home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, as it says on the sign Scott almost bought me, "Dinner is poured!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254848145542930340.post-67587537611296450172010-08-05T20:23:00.000-05:002010-08-05T20:23:41.129-05:00Fun With Bo-NanaSo, the kids have always called my parents Sherry and David. Didn't bother me or my parents, because they're not their "original" grandparents, but for some reason it bothered Scott...not to mention if I ever have a baby, they'll call my parents whatever their siblings do. So, we started to brainstorm what they could call them. Since Scott's parents were Grandma and Papa, I wanted my parents to be called something different. Mimi and Granddad were also out of the question, because that's what they called Jen's parents. So, we decided on Nana and Grandpa. Nana didn't go over too well with Kennedy when it was first introduced, but when we went to Dallas this summer, Kaitlin managed to transform Nana into Bo-Nana, and it became an instant hit! We really did have a fantastic time in Dallas (as usual!)...here's how the week progressed:<br />
Friday: The kids and I drove to Dallas, while my dad flew down to pick up Scott after work. We had a really nice steak dinner with my parents, Mark, Aunt Judy, and Uncle Paul.<br />
Saturday: We went to Medieval Times...which was SO much fun! Although our knight didn't win the tournament, he was very handsome, and he did throw his carnation to Kennedy. Kaitlin and Harrison preferred booing the green knight...and he seemed to enjoy the taunting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t4a3aLAaPnh_dJCVQms4Dp6cLYPDKzREMMBJa-A59oDVxYK7ERakkLf1xnFOkEJkH847F6x3S-Zgdq8lcYqqo8NyWUdvyzeyC-Z-wSpLEUFc7UCzLwid24wSAw_aiQzXVPPVHEnnElA/s1600/IMG_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4t4a3aLAaPnh_dJCVQms4Dp6cLYPDKzREMMBJa-A59oDVxYK7ERakkLf1xnFOkEJkH847F6x3S-Zgdq8lcYqqo8NyWUdvyzeyC-Z-wSpLEUFc7UCzLwid24wSAw_aiQzXVPPVHEnnElA/s200/IMG_0605.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loves the Blue Knight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunday: Loved seeing everyone at Northway! Afterwards, we played in the pool and had dinner with Paul and Tiffany...SO FUN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monday: We spent the day at Hurricane Harbor. Kennedy wasn't ready for many of the big rides, so my mom and Scott alternated spending time with her while the older two and I (and sometimes Scott) waited in line for thrill ride after thrill ride. Despite the amount of time spent in line, we had a blast!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tuesday: Scott had to go back to Austin and help his mom out, but before he left we went ice skating at the Galleria. It wasn't as cold as we thought it would be, but it was still a lot of fun! While my mom delivered Scott to my father's office for a pre-flight teeth cleaning, the kids and I went shopping! I was so proud of them...my mom gave each of them cash to spend, and they all bought cute school clothes instead of junk!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmc_H-FGC8KjIaiRgSKucB63mPSppcfRKSEueHMOYMG6uON1iX_Ayjjjyx5geh8XZO0H1KI3zuRgQPrsApCKi6sMe6Dcu9x-NoYKEPHXgY3WiBIUxZVgXOLa1_asrBh9f9NUUn1XiLO0/s1600/IMG_0628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmc_H-FGC8KjIaiRgSKucB63mPSppcfRKSEueHMOYMG6uON1iX_Ayjjjyx5geh8XZO0H1KI3zuRgQPrsApCKi6sMe6Dcu9x-NoYKEPHXgY3WiBIUxZVgXOLa1_asrBh9f9NUUn1XiLO0/s200/IMG_0628.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ice Skating: Daddy, Kennedy, and Bo-Nana</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT2bibPP5ja4rRwB83lvrBc0oHFTZQHI60a2dEiWZVrMQtZiwbBxP9pDW_gfDLOzazNPDWsyP5dm-XS-Tebq3T0VU-VEBYAuyQiCgCPuQJL8cELCv5UDRvBqMRBWoHw9y91sdtTngq4k/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMT2bibPP5ja4rRwB83lvrBc0oHFTZQHI60a2dEiWZVrMQtZiwbBxP9pDW_gfDLOzazNPDWsyP5dm-XS-Tebq3T0VU-VEBYAuyQiCgCPuQJL8cELCv5UDRvBqMRBWoHw9y91sdtTngq4k/s200/IMG_0635.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ice Skating: Harrison, Kennedy, and Daddy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Wednesday: We went to see Toy Story 3. Such a sweet movie! What made it even better, though, was that we were at a theatre that instead of normal seats had couches, ottomans, and pillows...so comfy! Afterwards we went to Paul and Tiffany's to swim, make our own pizzas, and a much needed haircut! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Thursday: I went to see my daddy for a teeth cleaning while my mom swam with the kids, then we loaded up and headed home...then off to the hill country...the kids to Marble Falls for a family reunion, and us to Fredericksburg for some wine tasting.</div>Erin Johnstonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15154560105690548953noreply@blogger.com0